The golden light surged—then condensed, folding inward with terrifying force.
Lin Yue's cry ripped through the cave as his body arched, every muscle screaming as something solid and whole forced its way into the world. His fingers clawed into Feng Lihan's sleeve, breath coming in broken gasps.
"Now," Seven said sharply. "Lin Yue—hawk beasts lay eggs. Don't force transformation. Let it form."
Lin Yue shook his head weakly, tears soaking into his hair. "It hurts—I can't—"
Feng Lihan cupped his face, grounding him instantly. His golden eyes burned steady.
"Yes, you can."
Not command.
Certainty.
"You're doing this right," Feng Lihan said low. "Breathe. The shell is forming. Trust your body."
Mo Shan pressed Lin Yue's trembling hand tightly. "Once the shell seals, the pain will end," he said urgently. "Just a little longer."
Another wave tore through Lin Yue—deep, crushing—then suddenly shifted. The pain changed texture, becoming heavy, dragging, as golden life-energy twisted and hardened.
The cave shook.
Ancient arrays carved into the walls ignited violently, symbols spinning as they reacted to the creation of a high-grade Hawk egg.
Seven's hands blazed. "Yes—yes—hold that shape!"
Lin Yue screamed one last time as pressure peaked—
Then—
It was over.
Something solid slid free into Seven's waiting hands.
A low, resonant hum filled the cave, vibrating through stone and bone alike.
For a heartbeat, no one moved.
Cradled in golden light was a large hawk egg, its shell dark ivory streaked with molten gold veins. Faint wind patterns pulsed beneath the surface, as if something inside were breathing.
Seven exhaled slowly. "…An egg," he murmured. "And a powerful one."
Feng Lihan's breath caught painfully.
His wings froze mid-flare as the egg responded to his presence, golden veins brightening briefly before settling.
Lin Yue collapsed back against Feng Lihan, sobbing openly now, body shaking with exhaustion.
"I… I'm done?" he whispered faintly.
Feng Lihan wrapped him close, wings folding protectively around him.
"You're safe," he said hoarsely. "And the egg is perfect."
Mo Shan turned away, pressing his fist to his mouth. When he looked back, his eyes were red.
Seven stepped forward carefully and placed the egg into Lin Yue's arms.
The instant Lin Yue touched it, the golden life-element flared softly—warm, protective. The egg pulsed once, gently, responding to him.
Lin Yue froze.
"…It's warm," he whispered. "It's… alive."
Feng Lihan leaned down, forehead resting against Lin Yue's hair, voice reverent. "It knows you. You're its nest."
Outside the cave, the forest stilled.
Wind paused mid-breath. Beasts lowered their heads as a sharp, high-altitude pressure swept through the land—an unmistakable Hawk Clan birth.
Far away—farther than Feng Lihan had hoped—ancient cores awakened.
Eyes opened.
Eggs like this were not born quietly.
"The egg is stable," Seven said softly. "But its aura is strong. When it hatches…" He paused. "The sky will answer."
Mo Shan met Feng Lihan's gaze. "Every major clan will sense it."
Feng Lihan said nothing.
He wrapped one wing around Lin Yue and the egg, enclosing them both in heat and dominance, gaze lifting toward the cave entrance—toward the unseen horizon.
"Let them," he said calmly.
But when he looked back—at Lin Yue's pale face, at the warm, glowing egg cradled carefully against his chest—
His eyes darkened.
This was no longer just survival.
This was inheritance.
This was war.
Lin Yue smiled faintly through exhaustion. "Lihan… promise me…"
Feng Lihan lowered his head, touching his forehead to Lin Yue's.
"I swear it," he said. "No one takes you. No one touches our egg."
And as true dawn broke—sharp, clear, and golden—the Beast World acknowledged a Hawk Clan egg that would one day tear open the sky.