Draven's father placed a firm hand on his son's head.
"Just because you haven't seen one," he said calmly, "doesn't mean dragons no longer exist."
Draven looked up at him.
"Have you ever seen one?"
A small smile tugged at the corners of his father's mouth.
"I guess you could say that."
*Has the old man really seen a dragon?* Draven wondered, a flicker of disbelief crossing his mind.
*Or is he just fucking with me again?*
Before he could ask, Alex chimed in with a grin.
"Hey, Draven, since you can't use mana, why don't you give your Big Sis the Spirit Egg?"
Draven smirked.
"Keep dreaming."
Ivan, standing silently nearby, kept his expression pleasant, but inside, his thoughts were venomous.
*You wretched little bug. You would dare lust after what's mine? I'll kill you, insect.*
*And as for you, mixed-blood freak...*
*You can't even hatch the egg.*
*I'll get it back sooner or later.*
Draven glanced at him.
*Why the hell is this bastard still smiling? That fake-ass smile gives me goosebumps.*
Alex crossed her arms.
"Why wouldn't you give it to me? You can't hatch it anyway."
Draven tilted his head.
"How about you hatch it, then give it back to me?"
Alex shook her head.
"That's not how it works."
She pointed at the Spirit Egg.
"The spirit beast bonds with whoever hatches it. Once I do, it's mine forever."
Draven shrugged.
"So what's the point of me giving it to you, then?"
Alex smirked.
"Alright, how about a trade? You give me the Spirit Egg, and I'll give you a regular beast egg."
Draven didn't hesitate.
"Not interested."
He held the Spirit Egg closer.
"I'm keeping it."
His father spoke up.
"Draven, are you sure? You can't hatch it. Keeping it might not change anything."
Draven nodded.
"I know."
He looked over at his uncle with an innocent smile.
"But it's a gift from Uncle Ivan."
"It would be rude to just give it away, right?"
*I'm keeping it,* Draven thought.
*I want to see what hatches from this thing.*
His father gave a quiet nod.
"If that's what you want."
He smiled faintly.
"It's yours."
Alex sighed, placing her hands on her hips.
"Fine. It's yours."
She turned away slightly.
"Keep it."
Draven smiled outwardly.
"Thanks."
*Of course I'm going to keep it,* he thought, his eyes flicking back to the strange, pulsing egg in his hands.
A mischievous glint danced in his eyes.
*I want to see what's inside...*