"Mira's eyes widened as she leaned closer, her voice hushed with awe. 'My Lord… that's an elemental crystal. And not just any crystal—a wind-element crystal. Rare and powerful.
In my world, such treasures fueled evolution, especially in those of matching attribute or high compatibility, and they could even be used by humans. Ember senses it too, and she wants to devour it. After all, an elemental crystal of the same attribute can hasten evolution—its allure is irresistible."
Karl felt a flicker of temptation at her words. For a heartbeat, he wondered if he should absorb it himself. Yet he forced the thought away—this crystal's power would benefit Ember far more than it ever could him. After all, he had no wind skills, and he didn't even know if he possessed the affinity to use it, but ember does.
Karl's grip tightened around the crystal, his Breath of Spring brushing against its chaotic energy. It was wild, but not harmful. More like a storm barely contained, drawn toward Ember's growing vitality.
"Is it safe?" he asked.
Mira nodded without hesitation, her hands already sorting Spirit Leaf by habit. "Yes, my Lord. This is what it was meant for. If she consumes it, her evolution will begin." They are almost never found in the bodies of common monsters. Only silver-level and above creatures carry them, crystallized from the essence of their evolution.
For Ember to receive one at this stage…" She shook her head slowly, reverence in her eyes.
"It is a miracle. In my world, Lords would wage wars for such a treasure."
Karl's pulse quickened. A gift from the Wilderness itself—or perhaps a test. He didn't know. But as Ember pressed closer, feathers brushing against his chest, he felt it:
Karl looked at the hatchling, her bright eyes locked on him, wings trembling with suppressed energy. A soft chirp escaped her, both plea and promise. He knelt beside the nest, bringing the wind elemental crystal.
Ember snapped it up in a flash, her small beak cracking through the stone's shell. Light flared, spilling through the Sanctuary, bathing the chamber in gold and silver. The walls thrummed with energy as Ember's feathers glowed, her wings stretching wider, gaining a metallic sheen. The air vibrated with power, as though the Sanctuary itself was answering the call of her transformation.
Karl stepped back, heart pounding, awe swelling in his chest. "It's happening," he whispered.
The Sanctuary's chamber pulsed with light, gold and silver rays spilling from Ember's tiny form as the Wind element crystal's energy coursed through her. Karl stood frozen, his Breath of Spring tingling with the raw, storm-like vitality erupting from the hatchling.
The air thrummed, heavy with ozone and the sharp scent of wind-torn leaves, as if a gale had been trapped within the living walls. Mira, Grok, and Thorn watched in silent awe, their shadows dancing across the glowing wood as Ember's feathers shimmered with a metallic sheen.
Ember's wings stretched wider, their edges sharpening like blades, each feather now laced with silver streaks that caught the light like polished steel. Her body doubled in size to that of a small hawk, her green-brown plumage deepening to a vibrant emerald flecked with silver. Her claws dug into the vine nest, splintering it as her tail fanned out, long and sleek, tipped with a faint glow.
Her eyes burned brighter, twin orbs of molten amber, pulsing with intelligence and wild power. A soft screech escaped her beak, no longer a chirp but a cry that echoed with the force of a high wind.
Then the unexpected happened—the Sanctuary's control panel flared to life, emerald veins pulsing, and a new status appeared in his vision. Karl froze, eyes widening.
Ember's Status Panel
Name: Ember
Species: Stormfeather Falcon
level: Bronze II (0/10)
Stats:
Strength: 8
Agility: 12
Vitality: 10
Intelligence: 6
Abilities:
Wind Slash: Channels wind essence through wings to unleash sharp, cutting gusts (short-range, 5-meter radius).
Storm Sense: Detects air currents and vitalities within a 20-meter radius, heightened in stormy conditions.
Karl blinked, taken aback. The Sanctuary… it can read her. Every detail qnd every ability. Even her potential. His Breath of Spring tingled with the storm-like vitality surging from Ember, and he realized just how extraordinary the place—and she—truly were.
The light faded, and Ember shook her new form, wings rustling like a breeze through reeds. She hopped from the shattered nest, landing lightly on the Sanctuary's floor, her claws clicking against the living wood. Her head tilted, amber eyes locking onto Karl with a mix of loyalty and fierce independence. A gust of wind swirled around her, ruffling Karl's hair as she leapt to his shoulder, nudging her beak against his cheek.
"Ember…" Karl whispered, awe in his voice as he caressed her feathers. "You're not so little anymore."
Mira stepped forward, hands trembling slightly as she examined Ember's feathers. "My Lord, the crystal—it should be from a beast above silver level, maybe even Gold. Its wind essence pushed her to Bronze II, skipping stages. She's… extraordinary."
Karl nodded, his Breath of Spring confirming Ember's vitality—a storm contained, wild yet gentle. Her Storm Sense pulsed faintly, already scanning the air beyond the Sanctuary, detecting the faint vitalities of dusk-birds fluttering outside. Her Wind Slash ability hummed with potential, a weapon for the battles ahead.
Grok rumbled approval, his club thudding against the floor. "She will soar above threats, my Lord."
Thorn's thorns bristled, but his green eyes softened, accepting Ember as part of their pack, his tail flicking in quiet acknowledgment.
Karl offered a strip of boar meat. Ember snapped it up, her gaze never leaving his, a silent vow of loyalty. He felt their bond deepen, not just through the Sanctuary's magic but through their shared struggle. She wasn't just a summon—she was family.
"Alright, Ember," Karl said, standing with renewed purpose. "Let's see what you can do." He led the group to the clearing, the Sanctuary's glow casting long shadows in the dusk. The barrier shimmered, its timer ticking:
[2 days, 21 hours, 30 minutes]