The silvery moonlight spilled across the winding forest path as the group began their walk back to the orphanage. The trees whispered softly in the night breeze, their gnarled branches casting delicate patterns on the ground. Lanterns enchanted with soft light spells flickered from branches and makeshift stands, casting long shadows over the now-distant shrine.
Zara walked in the middle of the group, her Bonolotl perched delicately on her shoulder. She seemed almost otherworldly in the moonlight. Her smooth, pale pink skin shimmered faintly, with lavender highlights that glowed like liquid starlight. The frilly, translucent gills on either side of her head pulsed gently, casting faint hues of violet and white. Large lavender eyes, glowing softly, scanned the forest with a mix of curiosity and serenity. Her slender, webbed fingers rested lightly on Zara's shoulder as she chirped softly, a musical sound that carried through the quiet night.
Alistair walked beside Zara, his sharp green eyes watching both her and the pink creature upon her shoulders. Though he said nothing at first, his posture was relaxed, exuding the quiet authority the others had come to rely on. Sparks walked ahead, her coppery eyes darting from one shadow to the next, while Cross and Ox flanked the group. Lera and the other adults trailed slightly behind, their hushed conversation occasionally drifting forward.
Zara's thoughts were full of Luna. The name had come to her so clearly, almost as if it had always been there, waiting to surface. She glanced at Luna and thought again: Luna. You're definitely a Luna.
"That's a good name," Alistair said, his voice cutting softly through the quiet.
Zara froze mid-step. "What?"
"Luna," Alistair repeated, glancing at her. "You just said it."
"No, I didn't," Zara said, her brow furrowing.
"Yes, you did," Sparks said, turning back with a smirk. "You thought it, and we all heard it. Telepathy, remember?"
Zara blinked, her confusion giving way to realization. "Oh. Right."
Ox let out a booming laugh. So now you can't even think without everyone knowing about it. Great.
"Hold on," Cross said, narrowing his amber eyes. "Does that mean we've been hearing her thoughts this whole time?"
Alistair shook his head. "No, we only hear what's intentional—or what slips through. It's like speaking out loud without realizing it."
"So, like Sparks," Ox quipped. "Only in our heads."
"Ha, ha," Sparks said dryly. "You're hilarious."
Lera, trailing just behind, frowned. "Alright, what's all this about? Why does it feel like I'm only hearing half the conversation?"
"You are," Alistair said simply, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "They're using telepathy. You can't hear it."
Greaves groaned. "Fantastic. So now we have to listen to you talk in two places at once. That's not going to get annoying at all."
"It's not that bad," Alistair said, his tone calm. "We'll keep it balanced."
Sparks grinned mischievously. "Or we won't. Who knows? Telepathy is new. We're just figuring it out."
"I'm already tired of this," Darnell muttered, shaking his head.
"Luna," Zara said softly, drawing their attention back. She looked at the Bonolotl on her shoulder, her expression thoughtful. "It fits her. But… I guess there are other names we could try?"
Sparks lit up at the suggestion. "Oh, names! Okay, I've got one: Lumina. She glows, right? It's perfect."
"Lumina?" Ox snorted. That sounds like a fancy chandelier. She's a creature, not a light fixture.
"Alright, genius," Sparks shot back. "What's your suggestion?"
Ox grinned. Titan.
"TITAN?" Sparks doubled over laughing. "You're joking, right? She's tiny! Titan?"
"She's got a presence," Ox said defensively. "Size doesn't matter."
"Yeah, Ox," Cross said dryly. "She's definitely a Titan. Next, you'll be calling her Destroyer of Worlds."
"Actually, Destroyer has a nice ring to it," Ox said, clearly amused.
Zara couldn't help but laugh, but her expression quickly turned thoughtful. "What about something calmer? Like… Celeste?"
"Celeste," Sparks said, testing the word. "It's pretty, but it sounds like a princess."
"Or a constellation," Alistair added, his voice thoughtful. "Which isn't far off. But Luna works better—it's simpler, and the moon matches her glow."
Sparks crossed her arms. "And here I thought you'd pick something serious, like Vanguard."
Alistair arched an eyebrow at her. "You mean a name that makes no sense?"
Greaves cut in, his tone dry. "What about Serenity? She's calm, peaceful, and balances out the chaos you all bring."
"Too serious," Sparks said immediately. "She's not a library."
Cross raised a hand slightly. "If we're naming her for her glow, what about Aurora? It's subtle, but it fits."
"Aurora?" Ox said with a scoff. "Sounds like the name of a songbird."
"You're impossible," Sparks groaned. "Zara, just stick with Luna. It's perfect. It's the first thing you thought of, right?"
Zara hesitated, looking at the Bonolotl again. Luna chirped softly, her lavender eyes meeting Zara's as if urging her to decide.
"She's Luna," Zara said firmly, her voice quiet but resolute. "It's who she is."
The Bonolotl chirped again, this time louder, as if in agreement. A soft glow began to emanate from Zara's mark, and the others watched in awe as the silvery light spread to envelop Luna. The Bonolotl let out a final trill before dissolving into glowing particles that flowed into Zara's hand.
"What just happened?" Zara asked, staring at her glowing mark.
"She's bonded to you," Alistair said, his voice steady. "She's part of you now."
"That's… incredible," Zara whispered, pressing her hand to her chest. She could feel Luna's presence, warm and steady, like a second heartbeat.
"Lucky," Sparks muttered. "I bet mine will be way cooler, though."
"Whatever hatches from your egg will be just as chaotic as you," Cross said with a smirk.
"Jealousy doesn't suit you, Cross," Sparks shot back, grinning.
The adults exchanged glances, half-listening to the children's banter. Lera, however, watched Zara closely, her expression soft. "You've bonded with her already," she said gently. "That's rare, Zara. It says a lot about both of you."
Zara smiled faintly, her fingers brushing over her mark. "She feels… like she's always been with me. Like she belongs."
The group continued on, the faint glow of the orphanage coming into view as the children's voices filled the night with a mix of teasing, laughter, and excitement. For Zara, Luna's presence was a quiet reminder of the bond they all shared—one that stretched beyond the life they were living now.
The soft creak of the orphanage's wooden doors echoed through the quiet halls as the group stepped inside. Lanterns along the walls flickered faintly, casting warm golden light over the worn wooden floors. The chill of the night faded, replaced by the cozy warmth of the orphanage. Despite the lateness of the hour, no one showed signs of sleepiness—excitement still buzzed from their earlier encounter at the shrine.
As the group moved toward the common room, Zara's hand brushed the glowing mark on her chest, feeling Luna's comforting presence pulsing faintly. She sat near the central table, curiosity stirring within her. She glanced at the others before closing her eyes and focusing on her status page.
In a soft shimmer of light, a translucent panel appeared before her, its text glowing faintly in the dim room.
---
Zara's Status Page
Level: 1
Strength: 11
Agility: 13
Dexterity: 12
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 14
Beast Companion: Luna
Species: Bonolotl
Attributes:
Strength: 9
Agility: 12
Dexterity: 11
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 15
Endurance: (Hidden)
Perception: (Hidden)
Skills:
Passive: Empathic Connection
Active: Healing Touch (Level 1)
Beast Skills:
Active: Rippling Shield (Level 1)
---
"Whoa…" Zara whispered, staring at the page with wide eyes. The glowing text lingered, and the details about Luna filled her with a strange mix of wonder and responsibility.
Sparks, ever curious, leaned over. "What are you looking at?"
"My status page," Zara replied softly. "Luna's… part of it now."
The others immediately perked up, their attention shifting to Zara. Alistair stepped closer, his brows furrowed. "She's listed there? Let me see."
Zara hesitated for a moment before using her telepathy to project the image of her status page to the others. Their surprised reactions rippled through the mental link.
"She's got her own stats," Sparks said, her mental voice tinged with excitement. "And skills! That shield sounds awesome."
"Her wisdom is higher than mine," Ox grumbled playfully, crossing his arms. "Figures."
Cross, always sharp, added, "It's not just her. I bet when our eggs hatch, our companions will show up on our pages too."
"Which means they'll grow with us," Alistair said, his tone steady. "They're not just pets or tools—they're part of us."
The adults, who had been watching the children with mild amusement, exchanged confused glances. Greaves raised an eyebrow. "Are you all talking? Or… not talking?"
"Both," Darnell said dryly, his gaze flicking between the kids. "They're using that telepathy thing again. Half the conversation's in their heads."
"Must be convenient," Greaves muttered. "Wish I could keep up."
The kids shared a conspiratorial grin, their mental link alive with amusement. Sparks, unable to resist, mentally added, "Don't worry, Greaves, we'll keep the important stuff out loud for you."
Greaves raised an eyebrow, catching the faint smirk on Sparks' face. "Careful, kid. You're not as subtle as you think."
---
Once everyone had settled, Darnell pulled Greaves and Lera aside near the corner of the room. Keeping his voice low, he glanced back at the children to ensure they weren't paying attention.
"I've been thinking," Darnell began, crossing his arms. "The kids need more than just combat drills. They need experience—real-world experience."
"Experience with what?" Lera asked, tilting her head.
"Foraging. Tracking. Navigating the woods. Basic survival skills," Darnell replied. "I was planning on heading out tomorrow after lunch to gather some herbs. Thought I'd bring the kids along."
Greaves leaned back against the wall, frowning slightly. "All of them? By yourself?"
"Yes," Darnell said firmly. "They need to learn how to work together without us constantly hovering over them. They've got potential, but they'll never grow into it if we keep treating them like they're fragile."
Lera's expression softened, though concern lingered in her eyes. "You're sure they're ready for that? They're still just children."
"They're more capable than they look," Darnell replied. "And I'll be with them. It's not like I'm throwing them into the deep end. This is just… the next step."
After a moment of hesitation, Lera nodded. "Alright. But promise me you'll keep it simple. No risks."
Greaves chuckled softly. "Knowing Darnell, he'll probably have them chopping down trees by the end of the day."
"Only if they earn it," Darnell quipped, smirking. He turned to look at the kids, who were still clustered around the table, chattering excitedly about their eggs. "I'll tell them now, so they can get some rest."
---
Darnell strode back to the group, clearing his throat to get their attention. "Listen up, kids. Tomorrow, after lunch, we're heading into the woods."
The children exchanged curious glances. Sparks tilted her head. "For what?"
"Foraging," Darnell replied. "There's a patch of herbs we need to collect. It's a simple outing, but it'll give you a chance to learn some practical skills."
"Like what?" Ox asked, leaning forward eagerly.
"Plant identification, gathering techniques, and maybe a little tracking," Darnell said. "You'll stick with me the whole time. No wandering off, no messing around. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," the kids chorused, their excitement bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Good," Darnell said, his tone firm but not unkind. "Get some rest tonight. You'll need your energy."
---
As the group dispersed to their rooms, the children each took a moment to reflect on their eggs. Alistair sat on the edge of his bed, his golden egg resting in his lap. The faint silver markings seemed to shimmer in the moonlight as he traced them with his fingers.
"Whatever you are," he murmured, "I hope you're strong. Strong enough to help protect what matters."
Ox, in the room across the hall, cradled his dark, rugged egg. "You better be big and tough," he said with a grin. "We're gonna make a great team, you and me we will be unstoppable."
Sparks lay on her bed, her electric blue egg balanced carefully on her chest. "I don't care what you look like," she said softly. "Just be awesome and i hope handy for when i want tinker , okay?"
Cross, seated near the window, gazed at his tawny egg, its amber hues glowing faintly in the dim light. "Be sharp, and quiet" he said quietly. "We'll need that."
Zara, sitting cross-legged on her bed, reached for the mark on her chest. Luna emerged once more, curling up beside her with a soft chirp. The Bonolotl's calming presence filled the room, her lavender glow casting gentle patterns on the walls.
Zara stroked Luna's head, her voice a quiet whisper. "We'll figure this out together. Whatever's coming… we'll face it."
As the children drifted to sleep, the orphanage fell into peaceful silence. And in the quiet of the night, the faint glow of the eggs pulsed softly, their warmth a silent promise of what was to come.