This was the precious remaining bone of a fierce and ancient beast that had solidified mystic glyphs into itself—a genesis for the Bone Inscriptions mastered by the human race and a profound source of mysterious power. The arm bone of this ferocious beast interwove with that of Shi Lin Hu. Brilliant was its radiance; with this new power surging through, his strength skyrocketed. In a blink, his two-meter frame soared to an unbelievable three meters—a significantly larger, powerfully built man cloaked in lightning strands pulsing from his body, emanating incredible battle-blood.
The Azure-Scaled Eagle shrieked aloud. Even daunted by the aura wafting from the beast’s bones, it hesitated as it refused to give in—an energy now accumulating, glowing brighter and more intense beside its hook-like ink-black beak with its mystic signs growing stronger moment by moment. An air of deep enchantment amassed in preparation for an attack, intensifying its brilliance until all surrounding wildlife of the mountain—birds and beasts alike—trembled with awe before turning heel to flee.
“Holy terror, Fly Jiao joins now!” commanded Shi Yun Feng, the patriarch to another powerful clan man as he summoned forth the second ancestral relic. Shi Fei Jiao, taut and strong, threw away his wolf-tooth maul. Channeling his arcane prowess outward, glyph patterns glimmered over his chest, stellars in quality as stars glittering through night skies. Hastily from his inside attire, he pulled forth a timeworn beast-skin, weatherworn with stains of old blood, and forcibly pressed it tightly against his heart.
“Boom!”
A raging essence burst forth, dispersing outward in all directions. Panic spread through forest creatures as though a creature from a forgotten antiquity once more awakened to the living land—a tremorous presence even suspending the downward swoop of the soaring Azure-Scaled Eagle, sending unease sparking from the sharpness in its gaze back into wary contemplation.
Shi Fei Jiao’s torso dazzled in radiance. The ancient animal hide started to blend fully into his body—transforming seamlessly into living flesh that emanated raw life energy—until at last it stabilized—a mystic glyph glowing intensely in vivid brilliance. A beast head loamed, faint, wavering on the edge of existence and freedom from the glyph’s grasp. On his chest, a new “visage” appeared. The glyph formed by the ancient beast hide merged into his being gradually changed shape, the ghostly form of a savage beast looming ever more tangible. The mightily crushing pressure sweeping the woodlands sent palpable tremors racing through souls!
This represented the second ancestral heirloom within Stonehamlet—its aged beast-skin hailing from untold epochs ago. It had similarly shed itself forth centuries before, its essence solidifying into yet another scarce mystical symbol.
Most Glyphs humans now utilized originated from tracing the power of beast fossils. But not all mystic strength crystallized upon bones—some took form across hide, muscle, or sometimes even a beast’s own very heart.
Gleaming ever more brilliantly around Shi Fei-Jiao’s frame was like an engulfing inferna—a scorching radiance from all across his person. From its location on Shi’s chest rose an echoing roar as violent and resonating as thunder, shaking the tereain, trembling mountains and dislodging stone after stone.
What now stirred forth could by no means qualify simply as a diluted or copied variation derived through replication nor human embellishment—it was the primal source, powerful and untamed from original relic bone and the sacred hide. Such relics were rare beyond rarity.
Common villages couldn’t hope of their own possession such treasures—let alone command two in tandem. Obviously, in eras long ago, Stonehamlet enjoyed epochs marked by extraordinary moments.
Side-by-side stood Shi Lin Hu and Shi Fei-Jiao beneath the soaring demon-bird of sky above them releasing the raw essence of ancestral power—a violently storming essence violently ascending heavenward.
With unmistakable clarity, surrounding trees, branches, thickets exploded asunder, all utterly shattered under the force radiating from their union. The azure-scaled eagle’s cool gaze darkened into uncertainty and apprehension at what was, its instinct preventing any rash maneuver, its advance on stall as both stood locked in standoff, their contest now entering into a tense pause in the proceedings.
“Oooooh the Clan Head is here!!” came excited hoots echoing out of stone tunnels—several children craning their necks, spying afar the approaching adult heroes and yelling ecstatically amongst one another!
“Hurry then! Mama-Dad awaits us all ready with open arms!” they cried joyously together, spilling out from their rocky hideaway all rushing forward toward the adults awaiting. And the waiting warriors, too, relying now heavily upon their ancestral might, marched boldly forward until both parties converged.
“Did no ill befall any of you kids?!?” roared burly men sweeping into their children tightly and inspecting every last inch.
“Perfect—nearly all pristine and unharmed with nothing more than minor scratches,” came cheerful young responses.
“Whew—for once you rattle my heart but still made it okay.”
Relieved smiles replaced worry in those grizzled faces until—CRACK went huge fists against children’s backsides!
“WAAAAH! That burns! A second minute ago you cried like the sky had fallen and suddenly you decide to wallop?!?”, came wailing protest after protest.
“None’s that free.” growled a giant: “When I say nothing, I mean ‘nothing!’, you haven’t grown your true plumage yet and already dared to provoke demon birds?! Until all memory of a beating vanishes, no father I’ll be!”
Above, the azure-scaled eagle’s gaze still gleamed dangerously, hate-laden eyes watching the ground beneath, and despite it withholding descent just yet with caution and patience for strategy, tension thickened like never-ending coils waiting ever so watchfully.
Shi Zong Feng cried out, “Fellas, we fall back—fast! The inscribed glyphs Lin Hu and Fei Jiao mastered still fall short to truly awaken ancestral might’s height—best escape now while escape still viable.”
Unbeknownst to many of these fears weighed down more heavily still: His secret ill, he dare risk not further action than needed. All children had re-joined, all emerged whole and safe—a most favorable result.
With curved longbows drawn back taut over their massive arms, wielding club staves ready as defenses, they proceeded back into their homeland, encircling these young ones as guarded central charges.
“You heroes today, I swear!”, the tyke crowd exclaimed joy to their adults: “The Elder Grandpa tried endlessly with you over countless years and finally, you emerged triumphantly! True men destined to stand out!”
“Aye!” another piped excitedly, “Heyyyy Fei Jiao, exactly just what weapon did you use? We never saw something like this until you showed it to us? Must you know inscriptions before using this weapon of awe-inspiring power? Man oh my man… you are might itself given flesh and spirit.”
Back homeward, amid such flattery from these children ignoring the avian shadow still circling overhead—hoping flattery might ease any beating awaiting their fates soon on return:
“You lot—silence and wait! We’ve not forgotten your reckless acts!” glared Father Rascal.
All kept glancing warily above though the Azure-Eagle followed, circling them at a distance until drawing near the hamlet; when reaching old Willow’s edge—a sudden turn, hesitation gripped those wings. Rather than forcing an attack at the gates—it hovered above in restless vigil, screeching bitterly into windless colds, its cries of rage unbridling fury into skies far across.
At the sight of the boundary trees, many finally loosened rigid jaws. Having such ancient demonic progeny shadow their retreating forms left all with a dread coiled within chest; danger had not ended, only momentarily paused, for with a single misstep many lives could have vanished that day.
“Such is a concern, having deployed today our ancestral treasure.”
“Fear not Elder.” reassured Lin Hu, “This forsaken wilderness remains empty otherwise no chance outsiders wander through unseen!”
Praying fervently for quiet and still peace—Elder Shi Yun Feng softly hoped no catastrophe would stir the slumber sleeping since ancient days.
Anticipated blood-soaked war however simply did not manifest. Quiet as peace itself, they reached their homeland’s center, though not entirely so—with a final cry piercing the sky, thunder in fury and fire in call, this ancient bloodline’s cry shattered silence itself.
As soon as gates opened: chaos unfolded, women came charging through the crowd. Children were caught up into trembling tight embraces—anxiously loved after hearing the rumors hours past, their mothers frantic for moments before this rescue—but the men? Already gathering the instruments with intent for disciplinary beatings.
“My trouble-maker why again? Come forth, my young!”
“Aiya Dad, forgive me… I know better next time!”
In a flash, bare feet pounded ground as young sprouts scattered in flight seeking the Elder’s home hoping to sway intervention between errant fists waiting their arrival.
Once within courtyard however, their eyes turned jealous. Within young one’s hands gleamed bowl of warmth—a soft porcelain filled to the edge with creamy nectar ladled gently via wooden spoon!
“Gah what a sight, you suckling milk at 3-and-a-half still!” a youth exclaimed.
Eyes blinking wide as startled bird, the lad blushed furiously shielding porcelain with soft arms raised tight to his chest. Defensively he murmured:
“You must not mistake! What you all spy—actually, actually… this’s merely water! Not nectar, but water I am having!” he insisted unconvincingly.
Roars of uncontrollable laughter burst in unison from all onlookers as their minds reprocessed those claims.
“What gives him nectar while I am in deep doodie?” came the inquiring Rascal youth puzzled in wonder.
“Aye,” he replied simply while wide curious eyes gleamed, twirling at them playfully,“Because Grandpa Elder loved my tale—he enjoyed it so that all punishment passed me over!”
“So you’re getting milk for a tale? What sort of tale then?”
“The tale of little Crimson!”
“Crimson again?” a skeptical kid huffed. “You invented that crimson songbird! Try another—how ’bout we tell this Elder a ‘truth’?”
Their jeers grew loud again but their Elder Grand-Patriarch, approaching nearby paused to speak softly:
“The day you chase your fanciful stories, I will surely have a reckoning. Phoenix only legends from a forgotten age; surely none live now.”
“But Uncle Grandfather I saw too!” chimed another boy.
“Yes,” murmured another, “Two cycles back strange mountain magic stirred—lured in beast from prehistory and battle erupted beyond imagining. Fiery light once rent the skies wide open; smoldering fire danced in endless skies for days upon days visible even here from our home!”
Elder Shi then entered with others in tow: “Doubtless indeed a blazing flame-being stirred back deep in ranges afar however. A genuine deity of flame rare though its emergence—surely none as legendary as divine Crimson Bird, for reality forbids such fantasy…”
“Such an awe was something beyond dreams two years now past.” sighed Shi Fei-Jiao, “Who indeed summoned such a terrifying war-giants and feathered dragons into the sky, or can comprehend their true might? Once at night’s height I caught view—something towering in size wielded an iron pillar that stretched skyward itself. That entity stepped over mountains with ease. And yet… I could not determine identity from shadows and firelight—leavin’ even me chilled through still today.”
But when those stern visaged elders arrived outside within seconds—expressions clouded like approaching storm—their gazes darkened as those gathered knew already the reason; a new brand of punishment was coming. And yet these wayward souls, still daring, ran directly to sanctuary: “But, Elder Grand-Patriarch,” blurted out the bold: “You must not scold further for we saved grand treasures—the eggs left alone and ripe for our village! They may hatch one mighty avian spirit to rival any clan deity guardian, watch over Stone’s borders, and become our eternal flying sentinel!”
“Yes!” cried another, “The day will come when Stone flies! Think, our own winged protector in battle skyward! Three eggs of legendary Azure-Scaled Eagle blood lineage—unmatched, priceless!”
Desperate in plea they awaited mercy.
“You children grasp little,” said another, shaking head in sorrow; “Have any concept how vast the resources are needed each solitary day to rear just one creature this fearsome? Our lands are ever limited, food already tight. How on land could we find sufficient for not only one but three titanic ruffians?”
Expressions shifted—hope replaced with panic; frowns painted over youth expressions suddenly.
“There exists another problem,” murmured one grey elder solemnly as he said: “Perhaps yet unsolved and worse if you look again.”
At urging from their seniors, these children mounted an embankment to view beyond and paled—beholding the eagle again there, un-moving still, perched immovably atop tall mountain’s rock. Cold-eyed, watching with unending patience; vengefulness burning eternal, its unwavering vigil had never ceased—not even once since its precious young disappeared within those homes.
“These savage beasts hold grudges long past death. The taking its nestlings won’t rest nor fade—expect hunting near our borders near impossible. Even now ancestral tools aid us, yet none know fully unleash its true potential,” murmured Shi Fei-Jiao, concerned. Pale became those youth as understanding hit—they had unleashed great sorrow.
With big shining eyes, Little Rascal (little point) murmured tender concern: “Perhaps we should return the eggs. Left childless, our eagle friend also knows sadness.”
A massive man whispered: “This winged monster’s power is vast… Unless those we stole egg-return be offered in peace offering—if not… no telling if it shall cease haunting boundaries. Even should ancestral treasures protect still long battles ahead may come… for none alive now know true awakening power behind those mystical objects. Best return eggs first try.”
The group stood staring now at the three large turquoise orbs of nectar-bearing luster glowing translucently, streaked in fine elegant lines of natural artistry as radiant runes whispered in gentle shimmering glows across their surface, the entire eggs suffused with sacred light—divine spark within divine cradle.
Not two-steps from courtyard did they proceed onward when—the altar by Patriarch Shi’s dwelling stirred anew with an unexpected sight. Beside, stood the charred ancient Willow whose every limb once black and dead but bore life still with lone leafy branch alone; gently swaying and suddenly pulsated with a glow—the sole hanging branch now exhalative with green glimmers, emitting light of pure ethereal quality like divine chains extending forward reverently—it descended, feather-light caressed an emerald egg.
The shell blazed anew—as if the very light itself was ignited from its touch alone…
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