"Perfect. Now, you are a bit different compared to the others who arrived," Teebu continued, folding his hands loosely in front of him.
"All of us sitting here arrived in Nemeteia through the Great Tree, just like you did. But unlike you, we don't remember our past."
Lyor tilted his head slightly. It didn't seem possible that all of them had amnesia.
"It is Goddess Netelia's wish that we do not remember our past," Teebu explained patiently. "In our history, the arrival is recorded as receiving a new life and a new home in Nemeteia. To be honest, none of us is troubled by it. But you…" His gaze settled on him again. "You have all your memories. And we don't have any record of anyone else who did. But I'm sure we can figure out a way to make you settle in comfortably."
"YOU HAVE YOUR MEMORIES!?" Elowen jumped up from his chair.
The movement was so abrupt that Lyor flinched. Ceera immediately grabbed the back of Elowen's shirt and tugged him down into his seat.
"Not so loud," she warned quietly. "We can't tell anyone else, yet."
"Hmmm…" Elowen crossed his arms and tapped his chin thoughtfully with one finger. "Makes sense. If people found out, they'd crowd him every single day, asking questions. That won't be easy for a kid."
"I'm not a kid," Lyor whispered.
"Ain't no way you are—"
"Ceera is right," Sol cut in before Elowen could continue. "Teebu, I don't know why he has his memories, but it isn't wise for him to cling to them. Or for us to know too much about them. The Tree would be affected."
Teebu nodded slowly.
"You do have a point. Most of his emotions are strong and deeply tied to those memories. If we learn more about them, we might unintentionally replicate those negative emotions."
He turned toward him again.
"Sorry. I'm not saying you are a bad person," Teebu added quickly. "But Nemeteia is surrounded by a barrier. It protects the village. That barrier is strengthened by harmony and happiness. Your emotions are… well… the opposite of those."
He paused, choosing his words more carefully.
"A large amount of negativity, fear, or panic weakens the barrier. And if it weakens enough… it may allow mon—"
"What Teebu is trying to say," Mira interrupted gently, "is that for now, you shouldn't tell anyone that you still have your memories."
She leaned forward slightly so he could see her clearly.
"But you can talk about your family, your friends, or anything else with us. Right, Teebu?"
"Pardon my heavy explanation," Teebu said with a small apologetic smile. "Yes, that is correct. The five of us are here whenever you want to talk or if you need help with anything."
"Okay. Thank you."
Lyor lowered his eyes toward the bowl in his hands.
So he was an anomaly here.
The last sip of the drink slid down his throat slowly. The warmth settled into his stomach, spreading through his chest.
Maybe it was better this way.
There wasn't much about his life worth sharing anyway.
"Now," Teebu continued, straightening slightly, "there is a tradition in Nemeteia. Whenever a new person arrives, everyone gathers in the Village Hall."
He looked up again.
"We introduce the newcomer to the village," Teebu explained. "After that, they are given a home of their own. Or, if they prefer, they may choose to join a family."
He gestured lightly toward the others.
"For children, we ask for volunteers who are willing to take them in. You may not be able to call them mother or father immediately, but I can promise you that whoever takes you in will care for you as if you were their own child."
Lyor's breathing quickened.
"No," he said quickly. "I'm an adult. I can work. I… I can stay in my own home and pay for it."
His hands tightened around the empty bowl.
"You just need to tell me what my job is, and I can start right away. Then I can pay you back for everything I had."
Food. Water. Medicine.
Nothing was free.
He knew that better than anyone.
No one wanted useless children.
They were an extra expense. A burden.
Why would anyone choose to take on a burden?
"Calm down," Sol said sharply. "Whatever you're imagining in your head is wrong. Don't compare your life back there with us."
Lyor blinked.
Right.
His abilities.
"I'm sorry," Lyor said quietly. "I didn't mean to."
Mira flicked Sol on the forehead.
Sol immediately turned and shot her a murderous glare.
Lyor watched the exchange silently.
Maybe this would work out after all.
He could go through the village meeting. If no one wanted to take him in, then Teebu would have no choice but to let him live alone.
He could settle for that.
Then a thought crossed his mind.
If he remembered correctly, Sol had said he could sense emotions.
Not thoughts.
Lyor looked towards his side, eyes not meeting.
"You can read minds, too?" he asked cautiously.
Sol stared at him.
"No, you idiot," he replied flatly. "It was obvious. We're all people, aren't we?"
If Nemeteia is different and I shouldn't compare, how different are things here? He thought without being able to figure out an answer. He should ask that.
But how could they tell the difference if they don't remember their past? All of this was becoming too much for him to digest.
"Don't mind his 'I'm the boss' attitude, Lyor," Elowen said with a grin, making him snap out of his inner turmoil. "He seems to care about you a lot more than he cares about us."
"Shut up," Sol snapped. "I don't. I simply do NOT want to feel miserable all the time because of him."
"Oh my goddess, stop that," Mira groaned.
She reached over and gently held his shoulder, rubbing comfortingly.
"He didn't mean that, Lyor. Sol doesn't mean half the rude things he says."
Her smile softened again.
"You're going to be just fine here with us."
"Yes!!!" Elowen suddenly declared, raising both hands dramatically. "I'm glad to have you onboard, my Snow Prince!"
"Stop trying to own people!" Sol snapped immediately. "And stop making weird names!"
The room burst into laughter.
He didn't dare laugh with them, not when he hadn't received permission.
But he didn't feel like running away anymore.