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The egg was smooth and dark, with faint lines etched across its surface, and though it appeared inert, Fowad noticed something he hadn't seen before.
A faint shimmer ran along the cracks, as if an inner light were trying to escape. He drew in a sharp breath, his heart quickening.
"Foxy," he whispered, nudging his fox beast, who was still curled up, her two tails wrapped snugly around her body.
She opened one eye, then both, and lifted her head, her intelligent gaze settling on the egg as if sensing the same change.
A low crackling sound filled the air, like ice breaking underfoot. Fowad held his breath as a hairline crack appeared at the top of the egg, widening slowly as the shell fractured.
The egg shook slightly, as if whatever was inside were gathering strength, preparing to break free.
Fowad and Foxy watched in silent anticipation, their gazes fixed on the egg, which seemed to pulse with a fiery glow that intensified with each second.
At last, the shell gave way, splitting open with a soft snap.
Fowad's eyes widened as a small, round creature emerged, its feathers a vibrant shade of red, shimmering like embers in the early morning light.
It was plump and soft, with downy feathers that glowed with a faint, fiery aura, unlike anything he had ever seen.
The creature blinked up at him, its eyes wide and curious, its head tilting as if trying to take in its surroundings.
Fowad stared in surprise. This was no dark crow, as he had expected.
This creature looked entirely different its round body and short, stubby wings gave it a chubby, almost comical appearance, and yet there was an undeniable sense of energy about it, an intensity that belied its soft, plump exterior.
"Are you… a crow?" Fowad murmured, frowning as he tried to recall anything he had read about red-feathered birds.
But nothing he remembered came close to matching the creature in front of him. Its feathers were too bright, too fiery, almost as if it held a spark of flame within.
The closest resemblance he could think of was an ancient bird he had read about the Fiery Red Crow, a legendary bird known for its affinity with fire. But even then, the descriptions didn't quite match.
Fowad glanced at Foxy, who was staring at the chick with a mixture of curiosity and mild suspicion.
"Well, whatever you are, you don't look like any dark crow I've ever heard of," he said, reaching out cautiously.
The chick let out a soft chirp, waddling closer, its eyes fixed on him with an almost expectant gaze.
Chip! ( Mommy ) Chip! (Mommy)
For the bird Fowad Benit was it's mommy. Cause it recognises it's parents by blood and aura. The bird see it has similar blood aura like Fowad.
Fowad chuckled, feeling his heart warm at the sight. "Guess we'll have to get to know each other."
The chick tilted its head, studying him intently, as if trying to make sense of the world around it. Fowad couldn't help but smile.
The bird's round body, its fiery red feathers, and its curious gaze gave it an endearing, almost childlike appearance.
He reached out and gently stroked its soft feathers, feeling a faint warmth radiate from its body.
The chick chirped happily, nuzzling against his hand, and he felt an unexpected surge of affection.
"Looks like you're hungry," he murmured, glancing around for something to feed the little creature.
He pulled out some dried berries and a few bits of meat from his bag, laying them on the nest beside the chick.
The bird sniffed at the food, chirping in curiosity, but when it came to the meat, it turned its head away, seemingly uninterested.
Fowad raised an eyebrow. He'd expected the chick to be as ravenous as most hatchlings, but it seemed strangely selective.
After a moment, it pecked at a berry, taking small, careful bites, but left the meat untouched.
Fowad watched with intrigue; most beasts craved meat, especially if they were carnivorous like crows.
"You're a picky eater, aren't you?" he chuckled, feeling a hint of amusement. "Well, I guess we'll figure out what you like soon enough."
The chick looked up at him with a chirp, almost as if it understood him, and waddled closer, nestling against his hand with a soft, contented coo.
Fowad felt a surge of warmth in his chest. There was something endearing about the little creature, something that tugged at his heart.
He stroked its feathers gently, his mind racing with thoughts about what this bird might become.
"You need a name," he murmured, studying its round, plump body. "How about… Fattey?" The name came to him suddenly, inspired by the chick's chubby form. "You seem like a Fattey to me."
The chick chirped in response, as if it doesn't acknowledging the name, and Fowad didn't understand what the bird was saying. He couldn't help but grin.
"Fattey it is, then."
Fattey let out a soft sigh!, flapping its stubby wings and hopping around the nest, following Fowad's every movement with an endearing eagerness.
The little bird had imprinted on him, seeing him as a parent rather than a tamer or master.
Fowad's heart swelled with a mix of amusement and affection, and he reached out to pick up the chick, cradling it in his hands.
For the next few hours, Fowad kept Fattey close, observing its behavior and trying to make sense of its unusual traits.
He attempted to feed it again, offering different foods, but Fattey only showed interest in berries and his egg cell's he found nearby.
The chick seemed to sustain itself on these small egg cells, showing no interest in the richer, meat-based foods that most beasts craved.
Fowad's mind raced as he tried to recall any information about such a creature.
The Fiery Red Crow was the only bird that came close in appearance, but this chick lacked the crow's sleek, predatory nature.
It was too round, too gentle, with a warmth that felt more comforting than fierce.
Curious about the possibility of establishing a formal bond, Fowad decided to try using his family's Taming Circle technique to create a contract with Fattey.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his spirit energy, reaching out with his mind to connect with the chick.
But as he attempted to activate the technique, he felt an unusual resistance, a faint barrier that seemed to block his energy.
Fattey simply chirped, tilting its head as if unaware of his efforts, and continued to hop around him, its eyes filled with innocent curiosity.
Fowad frowned, frustration bubbling up within him. He tried again, focusing harder, but the result was the same the technique simply wouldn't take.
It was as if Fattey was immune to the Taming Circle, resistant to the very essence of his family's technique.....
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