"What kind of j-?"

"No, please, hear me out. My sons... they are very special. I know almost every parent says that... but, I'm saying this with the biggest certainty of the world we know and the ones we do not. Usil and Niu... my children, possess great power, immense power... They are like the personification of Everything and Nothing. Right now...their powers aren't as developed, but I can assure you that they will become really dangerous, if they aren't trained correctly.

"..."

"That's why... I need for you to take care of them here... My wife and I... we aren't apt for such a big responsibility. My wife is losing her sanity. She tries to love them, but... her fear is far greater than her love for them. That, in itself, is already a grave error. I don't want anything to happen to them... or her, because of my negligence. I implore you, please, you are the only ones who can take good care of them, take them towards the right path. I can beg as much as you desire... as long as you can give them a good life... a relatively normal life."

The dame observed without moving or saying anything. She was sure that Alvar's words were sincere, or almost all of them... That's why, she couldn't really ignore him. Much more so when she heard those last words... The Witches had distanced themselves from the world, trying to live a relatively normal life, a life of peace between them... That's why they were so far away, to prevent the rejection of other cruel species towards them. How could she say no to those small lives she could see from the other's arms, if they were looking for the same things she had once dreamed of?

Slowly, her arms started to lower and, though she was still being defensive, she nodded a bit. She then got just a bit closer, which made Alvar grow defensive, worried.

"I understand... So, you'll give us your children. Us, a bunch of strangers... expecting for us to give them a good life and help them control their powers. That's... a really crazy thing to think about... Though that just proves to me that you really are a Witch... Yet, nothing confirms that these little ones are. To tell the truth, I don't feel any energy emanating from them."

"Ah, that's just... Well, Niu... I'm almost completely sure that Niu eliminated the sensation of energy between them some time ago... Though, of course, he didn't do it by will. I don't have any way to prove this, but... I'm sure you'll be able to witness their powers if you give them a chance. Please... I..." he paused. He knew this meant he had to step away from them, keep them safe and prevent them from wanting to return home, as that would put the Village at risk... but, maybe he could help in some way. "I will rendezvous with you at the end of each month, making sure that we discuss if everything is alright with the two... while making sure they don't notice me. If you have any problems, you let me know so we can discuss it all... I could even take them with me if you determine they are not Witches, after all."

The dame lowered her head now, to then look back at the village. It was in that moment when she saw a small girl play with the other kids around. "Ariadne..." she whispered to herself and internally cursed herself for comparing everything with her own experiences. She couldn't help it, what if this was her leaving her daughter in the village because of a simple wish of wanting to protect her and give her the life she deserved? She couldn't refuse... Her maternal instincts won again and she ended up sighing, defeated.

"Alright. Let's do it just as you said. By the end of this month... you'll come back and I'll fill you in. If I determine they shouldn't be here, I will give them back to you... but, if they are... you will not be able to interact with them. You could watch them from afar, but only if you make sure they don't see you while you do this... You will let us take care of them forever." It hurt her to say something like this, of course, but those were the rules of survival she had to impose, for the good of the Village... She couldn't break those rules, much less for a stranger. That stranger accepted the rules.

Alvar gave a last close glance at his children, hugging them tightly as they slept. It would soon be a new day, already... and they would have a new family, as their old bond disappeared into thin air. "Forgive me... I wish that you both live... I wish for this so strongly. I will miss you both so much. I love you more than anything in this world and the ones we don't know about... I love you both forever and ever... My dear treasures... My only hope... is that you forgive me, if we are to meet again."

And, with that, Alvar gave his sons up, carrying a big pain, doubt and regret. He continued walking away from that place, preparing himself to face the fury and suffering of his wife, of his love. He was ready... and he was already anxiously waiting for the end of the month.

- Settlement - 

Taking the kids to the Village, settling them there wasn't as complicated as it would appear. Those children were so excited when they noticed the existence of other kids their age, the kids they could share with. The only challenge was having to explain to them the fact that their parents wouldn't be able to spend time with them, but the Witch dame, alongside her husband - both caretakers of the village - made sure to avoid the subject, or try to explain them generally or in a very boring manner, so the kids would end up distracted with other fun things to do.

Of course, things got really complicated whenever the kids missed their father. It was hard not to be able to provide them with the love they wished for, their tutors could never be as loving as their father... even if they tried being as nice as possible.

Gradually, the days went by and the kids kept growing. Alvar's meetings with the dame were held every end of the month, as they had promised and he was able to see his children grow, even if they couldn't see him... The Witch spoke about her concerns to Alvar: While Usil showed powers that seemed too hostile, so much so that now everyone called him Ikaros, Niu - who was now called Tier simply because they didn't know which Witch 'tier' to put him in - didn't show any signs of power at all. Alvar reassured her all the time, he always told her that Niu was in fact a Witch and, every single time, he was able to convince her to let Niu stay with his brother. Maybe she accepted in part because she could see the tight bond those two had... She probably didn't want to separate them, anyway.

Though the issue of Niu's powers was something that could be a bit concerning for the adults, for the kids it wasn't even a subject. Everyone treated him as if he had always been part of the village. Even Ariadne, who tried to keep everyone away from Ikaros because of the strange powers he had, which came from the sun, she got along well with Tier and wanted to make sure he had fun with everyone. This, in part, forced her to include Ikaros in everything, since Tier almost never wanted to go alone, he always wanted to be close to his brother.

The village accepted Tier almost immediately. However, his brother Ikaros was another story. Though, on the surface, he was treated well, almost all - if not all - the village seemed to be disturbed whenever they thought about Ikaros and his powers, especially during the day. Though he didn't hurt them or waste his powers for unnecessary things, the village didn't want his powers to be immeasurable, but there was no way to prevent or even notice any changes, unless he showed them himself. So, what could they do if they suddenly manifested against them? It was clear that, in the beginning, the powers Ikaros possess ended up burning his vocal chords and that was why he couldn't speak. Because of things like that, the village didn't really like him, but they respected him as being part of it and as the brother of the gentle and much more sociable Tier.

The line of distinction between the twins grew all the more noticeable with their actions and ways of being. Tier was, as they always mentioned, gentle and sociable, while Ikaros was very quiet, having strange mannerisms to go along with it. If he wasn't alongside his brother, he spent too much time gazing directly at the sun, his eyes shining with a dazzling color... and that's where he would remain usually until his brother returned or if others addressed him for something. Both of them were very dedicated and they both loved the village.

Whenever he could, Tier spent time with his brother. It was clear that they both loved each other and that their bond only grew stronger as the days went by. Tier always tried to include his brother in everything that went on around the village, be it to let him hear his songs around the campfire or to let him enjoy the stories others shared there. However, every time Ikaros spent time with them, his expression always seemed absent or even defensive, unless he was looking at Tier. It seemed as if he was hearing things or voices, which prompted him to look abruptly towards his sides, sometimes. Even so, he still accompanied his brother, as in the end, they both could then return to spend time together by themselves, far away from the others. Alone, they could speak of anything and nothing... Look at the sky and stars together... Train until their muscles gave out. And spend every day like that.