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nSeeing his arrow had no effect Gil realized he'd lost ground. Walker and midnight had caught up to Gil but the space between them and the rat was becoming too great. Not wanting to give up they continued running but failed To gain ground.

nThey were losing sight of their goal, they would have to settle for one of the eggs left behind. Even the large egg had been stolen by the field rats leaving only the basic eggs. Walker felt the crushing defeat of letting a friend down.

nReady to turn around and rush back to the nest in hopes eggs remained walker and company stopped. A Loud roar had stopped them in their tracks. Bengal Laurence's tiger had kept from the tall grass claws ready. Flames burst forth from its claws shredding the field rat into three pieces. The small egg fell from its mouth falling through the air. Fearing the sound of a breaking egg everyone winced eyes closed. The sound never reached their ears. Cautiously they opened their eyes only to see Laurence flat on his face arms outstretched and a small cursed crow egg in his hands.

n

" wooaaahhh yea where'd you come from Laurence!?

" Gil was shocked, Laurence had seemingly appeared from nowhere.

nPulling himself up, Laurence wiped the ice and snow from his face.

" well we were following Su's group but as soon as they pinned down that slipper crow those damn field rats rushed by. Those things aren't even worth using as fees for a monster but they had the audacity to stake out the cursed crows nest. Bengal and I had some problems with that.

" Raising his hands Laurence showed that he had actually caught every egg stolen by the field rats. One large egg, one small egg, and three normal eggs all unharmed. Bengal must be much faster than they realized.

nSeeing that Bengal was so capable Walker realized that this difference in power between tamer and tamed beast must be why Laurence struggled to get Bengal motivated. However at this moment it seemed the two had performed a miracle. With all the eggs safe, Walker ran the four they did not need back to the nest. After carefully placing them he covered them with a bit of grass and retreated. Sending a message to Su they had finished up he went back to their previous camping sight.

n…

nThey had all seen the fire of rats run past them. Knowing where they were heading was a stressful reminder that they couldn't leave their jobs to help. Remey struggled even more against the shadow chains seemingly making progress as time went on. The chains did not have a strong long term effect and could be worn down the more the trapped creature struggled. Seeing this Elise took note for how she would battle with her own cursed crow one day. She realized she couldn't leave and help but she could learn more about the cursed crows abilities.

n

" Ha! My arms free

" a single shadow chain seemed to turn in to ink and melt into Remey's shadow. She had freed one arm and would be able to hasten her full freedom.

n...

nLaurence having seen the field rats at the time had run around preparing to cut them off. He witnessed their speed and knew Hyde wouldn't be enough to stop them. Sending Riley to help Remey he took off running, in a flash he had summoned Bengal from his beast ring. Hyde was not going to be fast enough to catch these pests.

nTaking off on Bengals back the two circles at great speed. They reached the tall grass around the nest with ease. Just in time to see the field rats rush at the nest and claim an egg Laurence was already cutting off one's escape path. Bengal had cleaved it in two leaving the egg unharmed in its mouth.

nBengal saw how determined Laurence was to retrieve all of these eggs and respected him for it. In all the times Bengal had been summoned while he was Laurence's tamed beast he had never seen a renewed fire in his heart like now. Seeing the young hero's growing with each step spurred Laurence to do the same.

nCutting off two others which had run together they met the same defeat as the first. The eggs were easily retrieved. The fourth was greedy, it had stopped only a few feet in the grass to eat the egg. It left itself wide open for Bengal to step on it, the egg left resting peacefully on the snow.

nLaurence could see walker, midnight, and Gil chasing the final one but their speed was not enough.

" let's go we need to save the last one!

" Laurence road Bengal in a half circle to cut off the field rat, he jumped off bengals back once they were close. With the two of them blocking its path it would not escape. Gil had unintentionally pushed the field rat even closer to them letting Bengal slice through it easily. However unlike the other rats it lost grip on the smaller egg.

nThe small egg was tumbling through the air, Laurence knew it would be an affront to him as a tamer if he allowed a single crack. His body moved in its own and he dove. Clearing the gap he elegantly face planted into the ground outstretched arms hoping to catch. The smooth warm feel of the egg landing in his palms. He'd caught the egg! Damn you field rats I win we win! His emotions boiled within as he held every egg safely. Walker and Gil showed a whole new level of shock seeing him having caught the egg. Even midnight did a small prancing motion out of triumph.

nWalker took the non needed eggs to the nest to hatch naturally while he kept the smaller. Laurence was curious why but he knew that Su's team needed to release the cursed crow and then they could all talk.

n…

nSu who was waiting intently saw the system message from walker to release the cursed crow.

" Remey have you freed yourself completely? We can release the crow now.

" Waiting for Remey to say she was ready they would move.

nRemey had managed to release every shadowy chain but for her left foot. The chain barely hung on and was broken after a few more moments of punching. No one was sure if this was the best method to break them but since it was Remey it worked. Seeing the last chain recede and feeling she had full control of her movements Remey stretched a bit

" all good here, tell that stupid chicken to fly away fast or I'll make fried chicken.

" She played at being angry but her glances at Su proved she was actually thankful Su hadn't been hurt by the crow.

n

" alright onyx release the crow, Elise you and I will let it go as soon as onyx is back on my shoulders.

" Onyx quickly released its pressure causing the cursed crow to flap its wings trying to pull away. Onyx's tail had just pulled back up onto Su's shoulder

" release!

" The two let go and the crow dove into the shadows wanting freedom. Seeing the V shaped shadow darting farther and farther away toward the nest they knew it was unhurt from its capture.

" Ok! Let's go back to the camp team! Nice job.

" Su was ecstatic that they had been successful on their end.

nThey were heading back but Su grabbed Remeys hand,

" you did great

". She was red faced, she had never had someone protect her like that. Remey herself just looked away indifferently.

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" Pfft I was just stuck in the shadows the whole time, I didn't do anything.

" Su could swear there was a small smile forming on Remey's face but couldn't get in front of her to see it.

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" come on you're all too slow! Stella let's go see our new friend!!

" Elise yelled for the others before rushing ahead, not wanting to be left behind Su and Remey followed. Riley, who had been starting to fall asleep, realized he should catch up too. Ah how frustrating it was to run but at least he didn't have to work hard.

n…

nFinding that walker's group and Laurence were already at their camp trying to bring the fire to life Elise rushed around.

" where's my new friend?! Is it close to hatching? Ahh what do I name it? Shadow? Murder? Fluffy? What's the egg look like? Is it giant? Can it swallow an elephant?

" Her excitement was pushing her questions to even stranger topics but the group just continued on as if nothing was happening.

n

"Walker, do you hear something? It would seem something flying around making a stir here.

"

n

" yes Laurence, how strange, I thought the wind was coming from the east. Maybe we are imagining things.

"

n

"Walker, Laurence, it's obviously just your minds playing tricks on you all that's here is us.

" Gil joined in their game.

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" Oh wait you two,

" Laurence pulled out a small egg from his beast ring.

" I have this cursed crow egg with me too. That must be it!

"

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