Something wrong

Kiro watched the Spirit Elder as her poured tea for everyone. Toma hadn't stopped talking the whole time and the twins flinched everytime their names were mentioned. Something was off to Kiro though. It was like the man was ageless and beautiful but his walking was wrong.

"You're hurt." Kiro noticed. He realised too late he'd spoken out loud. Everyone stared at Kiro for a solid minute.

"Grandpa...?" Toma's hesitant voice could make a heart break with his worry and sadness.

"It's nothing to worry over, dear Toma." The Spirit Elder patted Toma's head lightly.

"But you never get hurt, Spirit Elder!" Jun jumped up a ranover to the pale man.

"Never!" Jeya followed her brother to his other side.

"Now, now. No need to be this worried. I'm fine." He tried to assure them.

"Sit here, Spirit Elder. We'll finish tea." Jun led the him to the chair Jeya had prepared.

"How bad is it?" Kiro whispered to Aren.

"Spirit Elder's are never sick and never age. They feel no pain or, at least, not normally. If he is truelly hurt, he is nearing his cycle." She looked so sad as she explained. Her eyes focused on the tea trying hard not to look in the Spirit Elder's direction.

"It's a part of nature, I'm afraid." The man smiled gently as the twins started to cry. Toma remained frozen on the table unable to process this.

"No!" Toma finally shouted shocking everyone in the solemn silence.

"Toma..." The elder started.

"No! There are many ways to heal a spirit! When me and my siblings got hurt with the wailing fever, you saved us! There must be a way!" Toma's tears made Kiro hurt. There has to be something. He looked at Aren.

"There is one thing that might help, but ot would be risky." Aren thought hard as she looked between Kiro and the Spirit Elder.

"That would be asking far too much. It could destroy him." The Elder barely whispered to Aren surprised she would even think it.

"What is it? If it can help, I'll do it." Kiro stood up and looked to Aren with confidence.

"It may kill you." Aren warned.

"Let's just say I'm not supposed to be here anyway. I'm willing to risk it." For Toma's happiness. He didn't say the last part but he knew what it meant to him. Toma meant this much to him now.

"What do you need me to do?" Kiro asked knowing he was ready for anything. Or so he thought.