---
After finding the core, Fowad cut the deer meat and start a fire to grill the meat.
As they sat down to eat, Fowad's thoughts drifted back to the notes he'd found in the ancient books, the ones that described beast ranks and the process of evolution.
He took a moment to review what he remembered, piecing together the scattered information he had gathered over the past weeks.
The books had detailed a process by which tamers could help their beasts grow stronger, moving them up the ranks from Basic to normal, and eventually, with the right training and resources, to Advanced, General, or even King level.
The key to these evolutions lay in beast cores small, concentrated orbs of energy that held the essence of a beast's strength.
He glanced at Foxy, recalling how she had evolved after consuming the dark crow's core. The experience had not only strengthened her but had also deepened their bond, allowing her to reach a new level of power.
The idea of evolving Foxy further intrigued him, and he wondered what other transformations she might undergo with the right cores.
According to the books, beasts with elemental affinities like fire, water, or wind had a greater chance of evolving into specialized forms if they consumed cores of similar elements.
Fowad felt a surge of excitement as he thought about the possibilities. If he could find the right cores, he could help Foxy reach even higher levels, allowing her to unlock new abilities and grow stronger by his side.
But the process wouldn't be easy; it would require patience, training, and a careful selection of cores.
One passage he recalled had mentioned something called a "fusion ritual." The ritual, it seemed, was an ancient method used by tamers to deepen the bond with their beasts, allowing them to share power and strengthen each other.
The ritual required a rare type of core, one infused with a unique energy that bound the beast and the tamer on a deeper level.
As he mulled over these thoughts, Fowad felt a newfound determination settling within him. He would gather the cores he needed, no matter how long it took.
He was committed to this journey, not just for his own strength but for Foxy as well. Together, they would grow stronger, pushing the limits of what they could achieve.
He glanced at Foxy, who was finishing her meal, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. He knew she was ready for this journey, just as he was.
---
After their meal, Fowad and Foxy made their way back to the nest, their steps light and swift as they moved through the snow-covered forest.
The sky had turned a soft, pale gray, snowflakes drifting lazily down from the clouds, adding to the serene beauty of the landscape.
As they approached the nest, Fowad felt a strange sense of anticipation, a tingling feeling at the back of his mind.
Something was different, something he couldn't quite put into words. He quickened his pace, climbing up to the nest with Foxy close behind.
When he reached the nest, he froze, his gaze falling on the dark crow's egg nestled among the twigs and branches.
The egg was no longer still. It pulsed faintly, a soft glow emanating from within, as if some hidden force was stirring inside.
A thrill of excitement shot through him. The egg was beginning to hatch.
Fowad knelt beside it, his heart racing as he watched the faint glow grow stronger, casting a warm light over the nest.
He could see small cracks forming along the shell, spiderwebbing out from a single point, as though something was pushing against it from within.
He held his breath, anticipation bubbling within him as he waited, wondering what kind of creature would emerge.
The ancient texts had described the dark crow as a fierce, territorial beast, known for its sharp intelligence and agility.
But as he watched the egg, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was something different, something unexpected.
Foxy sat beside him, her eyes fixed on the egg, her tails twitching with curiosity. She seemed just as captivated as he was, sensing the energy that pulsed from within the shell.
The glow intensified, and Fowad leaned closer, his eyes wide as he watched the cracks deepen, each one spreading outward like the petals of a blooming flower.
The egg shuddered, a faint chirping sound escaping from within, muffled but insistent, as though the creature inside was eager to break free.
He held his breath, his pulse quickening as he waited, his mind racing with questions. What would the creature look like? Would it possess the traits of the dark crow, or would it be something entirely new?
As the cracks continued to spread, a sense of wonder washed over him. This was more than just the hatching of an egg it was the birth of a new bond, a new chapter in his journey.
This creature, whatever it was, would become a part of his family, a companion that would grow and fight by his side.
The egg gave one final shudder, the glow reaching a brilliant peak before slowly dimming, as though the creature inside was gathering its strength for the final push.
And then, with a soft crack, a small crack poked through the shell, after some time it stop cracking. Beast hatching is a delicate process he can't break open the egg.
When the beast fully matured it will automatically come out. He waited for a long time but the egg stop hatching. He and foxy decided to sleep for now. Fowad grab the egg and hugs it to give it warmth.
The sky was beginning to lighten as dawn crept into the Sapling Forest, casting soft shades of pink and blue across the tree tops.
Fowad stirred from sleep, feeling the gentle chill of morning air. The night had been uneventful, yet his instincts told him that today held something special.
As he stretched and yawned, his gaze drifted to the dark crow's egg nestled beside him and foxy in the nest. It lay still, but Fowad felt a strange sense of anticipation, as if the egg itself held an untold secret.
Fowad leaned over to inspect the egg, carefully brushing away a few bits of straw and leaves. He had been keeping a close eye on it, watching for any sign that it was ready to hatch.
Dark crow beasts were rare, and he felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity at the thought of raising one from birth.
----