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The forest was alive with its usual symphony chirping crickets, rustling leaves, and distant bird calls.
Yet Liang Xing felt a tension in the air, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath.
He trudged through the undergrowth, following the sound of Snowflake's excited barks. I finally found you.
"Snowflake! You can't just run off like that!" Liang huffed, pushing aside a low-hanging branch. "I swear, you're going to be the death of me."
He finally caught sight of his rambunctious husky beast, its nose buried in a patch of moss. Snowflake barked twice and looked back at Liang as if urging him to hurry.
"What now?" Liang muttered, stepping closer.
Beneath the moss lay something extraordinary. It was a rock, but unlike any rock Liang had ever seen.
It shimmered faintly, glowing with an otherworldly light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. Strange patterns covered its surface, shifting and swirling as if alive.
"Whoa..." Liang crouched, brushing away the moss. "What kind of rock are you, huh? Some kind of treasure?"
Snowflake barked again, wagging its tail.
Liang couldn't help but feel drawn to the rock. There was something about it a magnetic energy that made his chest tighten and his heart race. Against his better judgment, he reached out, his fingers brushing the smooth, warm surface.
The moment Liang's hand made contact, the pendant around his neck flared to life. He stumbled back, clutching the small circular trinket, its glow matching the rock's pulsating light.
"What the—?!"
The pendant, a simple heirloom he'd worn since childhood, had always been a mystery. It was the only thing he'd had when he was abandoned at the village orphanage years ago, a relic of a life he couldn't remember. Until now, it had seemed like nothing more than a sentimental keepsake.
But now, it blazed with power, casting golden light across the forest. The rock responded in kind, its patterns shifting faster, more erratically.
Then, with a sharp crack, the rock began to split. Liang stepped back, shielding his eyes as a burst of light filled the clearing. When the glow faded, the rock was gone. In its place lay a large egg, its surface a pearly white with faint veins of gold running through it.
"What... just happened?" Liang whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his pounding heart.
Snowflake tilted its head, sniffing at the egg.
Before Liang could process what was happening, the egg began to tremble. A network of tiny cracks appeared, spreading like lightning across its surface.
"Is it... hatching?"
---
With a final crack, the egg split open, revealing a small, feathery creature. It was pure white, with downy feathers that shimmered faintly in the light. Its eyes were barely open, and its tiny beak quivered as it let out a soft, pitiful chirp.
"What in the world are you?" Liang murmured, crouching down for a better look.
The creature was no ordinary bird. Though small and fragile, it radiated an aura that felt ancient and powerful. Its sleepy expression and awkward movements made it look utterly harmless, but there was something about it that sent shivers down Liang's spine.
The bird chirped again, wobbling on unsteady legs.
Snowflake sniffed it cautiously before letting out an approving bark.
Liang sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. Another mouth to feed."
He glanced down at the creature, his mind racing. He was already struggling to provide for himself and Snowflake. Adding another pet to the mix felt like a recipe for disaster.
"I should just leave you here," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.
The bird tilted its head, looking up at him with wide, innocent eyes. Liang's heart sank.
"Ugh, fine!" he groaned, scooping the creature into his hands. "I can't just leave you out here to die. But you better not be as much trouble as Snowflake."
Snowflake barked indignantly, as if protesting the comparison.
The bird nuzzled against Liang's palm, letting out a contented chirp.
"Guess I need to name you, huh?" Liang said, studying the creature. Its pure white feathers reminded him of a delicacy he'd once seen in the market soft, round, and impossibly fluffy.
"Mochi," he decided. "Yeah, that suits you. Mochi it is."
Unexpected Responsibility-
As Liang carried Mochi back through the forest, the weight of his decision began to sink in. He was now responsible for two creatures, both of whom relied on him for food, shelter, and protection.
"This is going to be a nightmare," he muttered. "I can barely keep myself fed, and now I've got you two to worry about."
Mochi chirped softly, nestling closer to his chest.
Snowflake trotted ahead, blissfully unaware of Liang's growing anxiety.
By the time they reached the familiar paths of the forest, Liang had made up his mind. He couldn't afford to keep Mochi and Snowflake on his current income. If he was going to take care of them both, he'd need to find a way to earn more money.
He made his way to a cluster of trees where wild birds often nested. Carefully, he climbed up, collecting eggs from the nests. It was a delicate process, one he'd mastered over years of practice. By the time he was done, he had a small basket full of eggs.
"This will have to do," he said, climbing down.
As he walked back to the village, he mulled over his next move. His eggs were popular in the market, but they barely fetched enough to cover his basic needs. If he wanted to make ends meet, he'd need to raise his prices.
"I'll charge one more glim per egg," he decided, referring to the village's currency a system of small, hexagonal coins made from polished stone. "It's not much, but it's a start."
Snowflake barked in agreement, while Mochi let out a sleepy chirp.
Liang sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You two are going to make my life a lot harder, aren't you?"
Snowflake wagged its tail, and Mochi blinked up at him with wide, trusting eyes.
"Fine," Liang said, adjusting the basket on his arm. "Let's see if this crazy plan of mine actually works."
Back in the Village-
When Liang returned to the village, he set up his small table in the market square, carefully arranging the eggs in neat rows.
"Fresh forest eggs!" he called out, his voice carrying over the chatter of the crowd. "Perfect for breakfast or baking! Just three glims each!"
The villagers gathered, intrigued by the sight of Mochi perched on Liang's shoulder.
"What's that you've got there, Liang?" an old woman asked, peering at the fluffy creature.
"Just a... new friend," Liang said, scratching the back of his head. "Found it in the forest."
Mochi chirped, tilting its head in an adorably curious manner.
The villagers cooed in delight, and soon Liang found himself swarmed by curious onlookers.
"Is it for sale?" one man asked.
Liang frowned, clutching Mochi protectively. "Not a chance."
As the day wore on, Liang managed to sell most of his eggs. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, his basket was nearly empty, and his coin pouch felt satisfyingly heavy.
"Not bad for a day's work," he said, pocketing the glims.
Snowflake barked happily, while Mochi let out a soft trill, its feathers glowing faintly in the twilight.
For the first time in years, Liang felt a flicker of hope. Life might be more complicated now, but it was also brighter, filled with new possibilities.
As he made his way home, his thoughts wandered to the pendant around his neck and the strange circumstances that had brought Mochi into his life. Deep down, he knew this was only the beginning of something much bigger. He needs to create a nest for the bird. He has a lot of work to do when he gets back home.
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