Awaiting Life

Our footsteps echoed down the palace corridor. The air inside was cool, with rays of morning sunlight streaming through the tall windows along the walls, casting shifting shadows as the soft breeze played with the curtains.

Fenrir walked ahead of me, her wolfish ears and tail swaying gently, brimming with cheerfulness. Her steps halted in front of a large wooden door, sturdy and adorned with intricate golden carvings.

"Here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fenrir nodded, her bright smile lighting up her beautiful face. "Yes. Let's go in."

She pushed the door slowly, its hinges groaning with a distinct creak. We stepped into the room beyond.

The chamber was spacious, surrounded by stone walls painted red to exude majesty. A chandelier adorned with crystal shards cast a bluish glow across the high ceiling. At the center of the room was an unnatural nest, clearly handcrafted.

The nest was woven from twigs and dried grass, meticulously arranged in a circular shape. At its center lay soft crimson cushions that looked plush and inviting. Resting on them were two large bluish eggs—Spino eggs.

I approached them cautiously, examining the eggs closely. My fingers brushed against the smooth surface of one, and I was startled to realize it was rougher than it appeared.

"I didn't realize the shell was a bit coarse," I remarked. "Back then, I didn't pay much attention because I was panicking."

Fenrir chuckled softly. "Were you really that panicked? All because of three weak T-Rexes chasing you?" Her tone was smug, almost mocking.

I remained calm, accustomed to her arrogant, brash, and self-centered demeanor. In fact, I felt more at ease with this version of Fenrir than when she suddenly acted gentle.

"By the way, who made this nest?"

"Take a guess."

Fenrir's mysterious smile invited a playful guess. I shrugged lightly and offered a faint smile.

Judging by the nest's high-quality craftsmanship, its magical warmth designed to incubate the eggs, my mind pointed to one person capable of such precision.

"Was it Loki who did all this?"

Fenrir gave a small nod. "Yes. This nest was Loki's creation. That irritating man said he wanted to make sure the eggs stayed safe until they hatched."

I stared at her, puzzled. "So… why would he care so much about these eggs? To the point of going through all this trouble?"

Fenrir snorted softly. "Annoying as it is to admit, he's a lot like my… irritating father. I can guess what's on his mind."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Fenrir replied. "He's probably the type of weird guy who's curious about everything. To him, these eggs must seem unique, worth the effort to craft something like this. If you're that curious, you should just ask him directly."

I reached out, gently touching one of the eggs. Its surface felt warm, pulsating faintly, as if the life inside was preparing to emerge into the world. A small smile crossed my face, and before I knew it, Fenrir was smiling alongside me.

"When they hatch, you could form a familiar contract with them," Fenrir suddenly said.

I echoed her words softly. "A familiar contract?"

Fenrir nodded again. "Yes. A magical bond that links you to them. You'll be able to communicate with them, share senses, even lend them a portion of your power. But it's no trivial matter. Such a bond requires a strong connection and commitment, as you'll become interdependent."

I pondered her explanation for a moment before nodding slowly. "I see. But… is it similar to the bond I share with you, Fenrir?"

She shook her head gently. "No, it's different. I've never formed a magical contract with you."

I frowned. "Why not?"

"Because back then, you were too weak. I was too strong, and such a bond could have endangered you. The shapeshifter rune I gave you was enough to mark you as mine."

I fell silent, processing her words. "I see…"

"Hey, didn't we promise to stay together forever? Don't tell me you've forgotten that promise," Fenrir said, shrugging.

Her words brought a smile to my face as I recalled the vow we'd made. "No, I haven't forgotten our promise."

Fenrir's grin widened. "Good. If you dare break your promise, I'll make sure to roast you into honey-glazed bird skewers."

A shiver ran down my spine. "Your jokes are terrible, Fenrir."

We laughed together, the warmth of the moment filling the room. But then, a thought crossed my mind.

"Wait, if forming a contract is dangerous when the power gap is too wide, why are you suggesting I make one with them?"

Fenrir glanced upward, mulling over her response before answering. "I think the power difference is manageable. Besides, forming a familiar contract is usually safer when they're still young." Her tone was light and calm.

"That sounds intriguing."

Suddenly, Fenrir's expression shifted. She crossed her arms, her lips pursing. "Hmph, in the end, you'd rather choose them," she mumbled under her breath, her wolf ears twitching slightly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, forget it," she replied, turning her puffed-up face away.

Truthfully, I had no idea what she wanted. Her mood swings often baffled me.

Then, Fenrir's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. She began fidgeting with her fingers, her soft tail wagging erratically behind her.

"I-I mean… if you have trouble with the contract, I wouldn't mind sharing the burden with you," she muttered in a barely audible voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Uh… n-never mind," she stammered, averting her gaze.

I tilted my head, puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor. "Alright," I replied hesitantly. Something about her behavior hinted that she was hiding something, but I chose not to press further.

At that moment, one of the eggs moved. The slight motion was enough to catch both our attention.

Fenrir and I exchanged glances before turning back to the egg. Unconsciously, our shoulders brushed as we watched the eggs intently, warmth filling our gazes like parents witnessing their child's first steps.

But the calm was short-lived.

"Hey, are you fully recovered?"

A familiar voice broke the tranquility from behind me.

I turned quickly, finding Loki standing at the doorway, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

I nodded firmly. "Yes, Master."

Loki grinned, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed. "Good. Then how about continuing your magic training? I happen to be free right now," he offered with his usual teasing tone.

I glanced at Fenrir beside me. She hesitated, her eyes filled with wariness as they flickered toward Loki. After a moment, I made my decision. With a small nod, I replied, "Alright, Master."

"Hey, wait a second!" Fenrir's voice was low but firm as she grabbed my arm, stopping me. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I patted her shoulder gently, hoping to ease her worry. "Don't worry, Fenrir. I'll be fine." I offered her a small smile, hoping it would reassure her.

Loki chuckled lightly, his steps brisk as he began to walk away. "Looks like I win this time," he said, waving without turning around.

Fenrir growled softly but held herself back from lunging at him.

"I'm borrowing your lover. Bye-bye," Loki added playfully, his laughter echoing.

My face burned, and I wanted to protest, but my voice caught in my throat. I suspected Loki had used magic to silence me.

Meanwhile, Fenrir looked furious. Her cheeks flushed, and she clenched her fists, seemingly ready to punch Loki.

"You—"

But before she could finish, Loki snapped his fingers. In an instant, a teleportation spell surrounded us. My body felt weightless, and the room around us blurred into a bright light.

In that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of Fenrir's face, filled with both anger and worry, before we vanished, leaving her alone.