The day after we had started following Tiir, I had started to look to him as more of a leader than I ever could be. It has been awhile since I had seen an adult as anything more than something to be feared. Tiir is different. He is feared by normal humans and loved by those who bear magic eyes. He is loved by all who have been following me. He is loved by me as well.
Liral disappeared on us again. He said that he was going hunting for more birds. Sooner or later, I'll get sick of bird meat. Probably later. I kind of like meat. Of course, Tiir agrees with my presence of mind. He does bear Lino Doue, after all. Just at that moment, Liral drops out of a tree in front of us. He is holding four dead birds in his hands. I give a small laugh. "Is that all you got?" I teased with a smirk.
"No. There are four more back there. What are you gonna eat?" Liral asks innocently.
"Very funny! Show us the grub!" I laugh. Liral disappears again. A moment later, he reappears with four more birds. He builds a fire and roasts them over it.
Later, we sit around the fire, eating roast bird. I nibble at mine, lost in thought. Tiir notices my silence. "Something on your mind?" He asks.
"Yeah. I'm just thinking about our past," I nod towards Kira.
"I see. What parts are you thinking about?" Tiir asks.
"I can't help but wonder if our parents still live. I saw their faces after we used the Alpha Stigma. I still saw love on their face. I can't help but wonder…" I trail off.
"Tell me. How is it that both you and Kira bear the Alpha Stigma?" Tiir asks, trying to change the subject.
"In all honesty, I don't know. It hasn't been heard of before," I answer to the best of my knowledge. After that, I finish my meal in silence. We settle down to sleep.
The next day, we reach the place that Tiir was leading us to. It is a fairly simple structure that seems fit for use. The building is perfect. Kira and the others are overly excited. Tiir and I have to remind them to use caution. We walk the path to the building. Some kids run out to greet Tiir. They turn to us. "Who are you?" One girl asks.
"I'm Kiro. That's my twin sister, Kira. We are bearers of the Alpha Stigma. That's Liral. He is a bearer of Lino Doue. Silla bears Ebra Crypt. Tessa, Rena, and Nimble are also bearers of the Alpha Stigma," I introduce us to everyone. Kira, Liral, Silla, Tessa, Rena, and Nimble start playing with the others. I am still unsure about being around so many when Kira and I were alone for three years. I opt to sit on the bench away from the others.
Tiir is surprised that I'm not playing with the others. "Why aren't you with the other children?" He asks.
"I'm not used to being around so many. Kira and I have been alone for three years," I remind him.
Tiir sits next to me. He places a hand on my shoulder. I flinch slightly. "Kiro, you should try to get used to our presence. Don't fear us," Tiir tries to urge me forward.
I shudder a bit. "I…I'll try. It won't be easy to get used to so many others around. Being alone certainly didn't do wonders for my social standards," I mutter. With a deep breath, I leave the bench and prepare to join the other children. They look at me as I approach. "What game are you playing?" I ask.
"We're about to play tag! Wanna play?" One girl asks.
"Sure!" I agree.
"Not it!" Everyone but me shouts.
"Heh. I guess I'm it!" I chuckle as I chase the others around. I'm getting used to the others already.