few minutes later, the cracks on the egg grew wider and more pronounced, webbing across its surface like golden lightning bolts. They shimmered with spiritual light, pulsing in rhythm with the energy of the room. A hush fell over them as even the ambient SE stilled, like the world itself was holding its breath.
Then—with a sharp crack!—the shell burst open in a flurry of iridescent shards, releasing a small cloud of warm steam. The swirling SE they'd used to incubate the egg was instantly absorbed by the emerging creature, who drank in the energy like a starving newborn.
From within the remains of the golden shell, a small creature stumbled forward on unsteady legs, blinking up at the light for the first time.
Togira had arrived.
The familiar resembled a dragon cub, but unlike any seen before. Its smooth, obsidian-black head glistened under the magical lights of the room. Around the crown of its head were tiny horn-spikes arranged like a ceremonial circlet, giving it an almost regal appearance despite its size. Blood-red eyes, round and glassy, peered out at the world with equal parts curiosity and mischief.
At the center of its forehead sat a single, small, sharp horn that glowed faintly crimson at the tip, pulsing in sync with its breath. The rest of its body flowed seamlessly from the darkness of its head into a deep, iridescent gray-blue, like polished slate under moonlight. Thin, scaled wings folded neatly across its back, fluttering with the occasional twitch. Its short tail swished side to side, testing its balance, and delicate claws clicked gently against the ground.
It was no bigger than a newborn puppy—but its presence, like its appetite for SE, was massive.
"Perk-ih!" the newly hatched Togira chirped, wiggling his tiny frame as he tried to stand. His voice was squeaky and high-pitched, the kind of noise that would melt the heart of even the coldest battle-hardened warrior.
Itekan and Itoyea squealed in unison, immediately crouching down like overenthusiastic children at a petting zoo.
"Look at him!" Itekan whispered, eyes wide with wonder. "He's perfect."
"I didn't know he could be this cute!" Itoyea added, covering his mouth in mock shock. "He's like a death-baby! A very bite-sized death-baby!"
Tedorinzu, meanwhile, had crept closer to examine the familiar. His eyes narrowed behind his thick glasses, a scientist's curiosity driving him forward. "Hmm... fascinating morphology. Full absorption cycle. High-tier energy signature. Let's just test oral reaction—"
He offered his finger toward Togira's open, yawning mouth.
Snap!
"OW—Argh, it bit me!" Tedorinzu shouted, stumbling back and clutching his finger. "That thing's got razors for teeth!"
Togira growled triumphantly, tail swishing like a pleased cat, his little red eyes gleaming with cheeky pride. He even stuck out his tongue at the professor—tiny, and unapologetic.
Itekan and Itoyea burst into laughter, nearly falling over themselves.
"I think he likes you," Itoyea teased between giggles.
"I think he wants to eat me!" Tedorinzu muttered, glaring at the creature.
Itekan gently scooped the familiar into his arms. Togira settled there instantly, nuzzling against his chest before sneezing out a puff of spiritual smoke.
"You're a little menace already, huh?" Itekan grinned, petting him carefully along the smooth curve of his scaled back.
Togira purred—a soft, crackling noise like embers in a fire pit. He reached up with one tiny claw and booped Itekan on the chin.
Then, dramatically, he turned and hissed at Tedorinzu again.
"He's got a grudge already," Itoyea said, still laughing.
"I was trying to help," the professor protested, wiping his bitten finger with a cloth. "Some gratitude wouldn't hurt."
"You bit him first," Itekan whispered to Togira with a smirk.
The little 12 horned cub chirped again, clearly pleased with himself. Then, to everyone's surprise, he leapt from Itekan's arms—only to land gracefully on Itoyea's head like a tiny crown.
"Hey!" Itoyea yelped, but he didn't move. "He's... surprisingly light."
"He likes tall places," Itekan observed.
Togira did a victorious pose, wings half-spread, tail flicking, standing atop his chosen perch with all the dignity of a fledgling emperor surveying his new kingdom.
Tedorinzu muttered something under his breath about "rebellious spirit beasts," but didn't press the issue. He was too busy jotting furious notes in his journal.
Eventually, Togira curled into a ball on Itoyea's head and began to snore softly, faint puffs of glowing smoke escaping his nose.
"He's already comfortable," Itekan said softly, looking at his new companion with pride—and a little awe. "Welcome to the world, Togira."
And as they all stood there—one grumpy professor, two proud students, and a 12 Horned beak cub the size of a melon—Itekan felt a warmth blossom in his chest.
***
Aitken and Larriu stood before the avatar, their heads bowed low to avoid the gaze of which sent SE fluctuations of measures they had never seen or felt before.
Yet this was only the avatar of an avatar of the god, not even a quatar of his full glory.
"You called me seven day, and seven nights, what do you want?" Jakari asked as he from nothingness pulled a none existent grape vine and brought it to reality, he proceeded to pop a few into his mouth, chewing loudly.
Larriu looked at Aitken from he corners of his eye and smirked.
'Yea! So much for dignity' He whispered to Aitken whose face was beetroot red, having been guilty of the same thoughts.
Jakari's eye twitched at that, but he said nothing simply staring them down till the pressure on their bodies both physically and mentally became unbearable.
"You said whAT?", He asked.
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)
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