Strax walked to the exact center of the nest's hollow—his firm steps resonating like the beats of a ritual that had existed long before any of them were born.
The bluish light rose from the runes like a living breath, responding to the simple fact that he was there.
With surprising care for someone so brutal in combat, he leaned forward and let the egg rest in the icy depression.
The nest reacted immediately.
A slight pulse.
Then another.
Circular waves of light rushed out, illuminating each blade of ice, each rune, each salamander sculpture.
It was as if the nest had awakened.
Mercedes, still trying to catch her breath from the monumental leap, took an unsteady step forward.
"Strax… what are you going to do now?"
He remained motionless for a moment, observing the egg as if analyzing its internal vibrations, the tiny, almost imperceptible tremors, the growing glow.
Then, he straightened up.
