Chapter 25

Hello, Little Brother

The aftermath of the Essentia flow left the room in a tranquil silence, broken only by the soft crackling of the egg that he put down. Adom stood there, still partially in a trance, feeling the raw intensity of emotions that had surged through him just moments ago. He was vaguely aware of the warmth spreading from his back to his entire body, a residual effect of the mysterious rune that had seemingly bonded with his very essence.

As he regained his senses, Adom realized that his clothes were partially burned, scorched by the intense heat that had radiated from the egg. The remnants of his shirt clung to him in tattered pieces, revealing the intricate runes that had spread across his body. These glowing, fire-like tattoos seemed alive, moving fluidly as if they were a part of him, slowly retreating back to his back where they originated.

Sam, his friend, approached hesitantly, his expression a mix of concern and wariness. "Adom?" he called out, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Adom, noticing Sam's apprehensive look, managed a weak smile. "Sam, I'm fine, do not look so concerned," he reassured, his voice still carrying the echo of the profound connection he had just experienced.

Sam exhaled, a visible sigh of relief escaping him as he absorbed Adom's response. His eyes, however, were wide with wonder and disbelief. "This... this was something," he stammered, struggling to find the right words. It was rare to see Sam at a loss for words, and Adom could sense his friend's struggle to comprehend the magnitude of what had just transpired.

"Your clothes are burned, and... there are runes moving to your back," Sam observed, his gaze fixed on the shifting tattoos.

Adom glanced down at his charred clothes and then felt the sensation of the runes on his skin. "Yeah, I can feel it. It's because of my bond with Bennu," he explained, a hint of awe in his voice.

Sam's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Bennu... that's the word you said with that... voice. That was so... intense. I've never felt or seen anything like it. Bennu... so that is its name, huh?"

Adom chuckled softly, correcting his friend. "'His.' It's 'his' name."

Sam, still trying to process the event, nodded slowly. "What was that?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

"Bennu. It's 'his' name. He is sentient and as intelligent as any of us," Adom elaborated, his eyes reflecting the deep bond he had formed. "Our bond allows us to share thoughts if we want. I instantly feel how he feels and know what he thinks, and vice versa. So, I know his nature, and he knows mine."

Sam listened intently, his expression a blend of fascination and intrigue. "I see, is he—" he began to ask, but his words were cut short by the sound of the egg.

The boys turned their attention to the egg, now fully crackled, the shell falling away in pieces. "There he is..." Adom whispered, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and reverence.

Sam stepped closer, his eyes wide with fascination. "Whoah," he breathed out, captivated by the sight.

The eggshell crumbled away, revealing the creature within. Bennu, the phoenix, emerged in a burst of soft, blue flames that quickly subsided, revealing a small, majestic creature. He had a breathtaking beauty and formidable presence. His feathers, a rich tapestry of dark night blue, cascaded over his form like a celestial canopy. The tips of his majestic wings blazed with fiery red, reminiscent of the dying embers of a cosmic fire. These striking colors contrasted sharply yet harmoniously with his pristine black beak, sharp and defined, a testament to both elegance and strength.

His eyes, large and expressive, were pools of deep fiery blue, mirroring Adom's own. Within these azure depths swirled a lighter white hue, giving them a human-like quality, full of emotion and intelligence. These eyes sparkled with a mixture of wisdom, curiosity, and a hint of playful mischief.

Bennu's physique was compact yet powerful, with four short limbs, each ending in razor-sharp claws that glinted like polished obsidian. These claws, while hinting at his predatory nature, were also a symbol of protection and fierceness. His movements were graceful, each step and flutter imbued with an innate nobility and poise.

Perhaps the most captivating feature was his tail, a remarkable appendage that set him apart from ordinary birds. It was long and multi-layered, each strand shimmering in vibrant shades of orange. The tails fanned out in a spectacular display of luminosity and color, reflecting light in a way that made them appear aflame. This radiant plumage, while exuding strength and majesty, also possessed an ethereal quality that was mesmerizing to behold.

Despite his fierce and regal appearance, there was an undeniable cuteness to Bennu. His small size, combined with his vibrant colors and expressive eyes, evoked a sense of heartwarming adorableness. He radiated a charm that was both disarming and endearing, captivating the hearts of those who beheld him. This juxtaposition of strength and vulnerability, ferocity and innocence, made Bennu a truly unique and fascinating creature.

Adom, upon laying his eyes on Bennu, felt an overwhelming surge of affection and wonder. He gazed at the newly hatched phoenix, his heart swelling with a sense of kinship and responsibility. "Hello, Bennu. Welcome to the world," he said warmly, his voice imbued with a mixture of awe and tenderness.

Bennu, still in the early moments of his existence, returned Adom's gaze with eyes full of curiosity and an inexplicable depth of emotion. Despite his newborn state, he recognized Adom, sensing the profound bond they shared.

Sam, standing a few feet away, was utterly captivated by the scene unfolding before him. The sight of the legendary creature, so rare and powerful, was mesmerizing. He watched, unblinking, as Bennu, with a grace that belied his young age, approached Adom.

With a gentle nuzzle, Bennu hugged Adom, pressing his head against Adom's in a gesture that seemed both ancient and deeply affectionate. Adom's laughter rang through the room, a sound of pure joy and disbelief at the magical connection he now shared with a phoenix.

Then, in a moment that took both Adom and Sam by surprise, Bennu spoke. "Adom, I'm hungry!" His voice was young but clear, imbued with a sense of wisdom that seemed beyond his physical age.

Adom chuckled, his eyes sparkling with delight and amusement. "Me too, little brother, me too," he replied, his voice tinged with a brotherly affection that felt both new and as old as time itself.

Sam, his face a picture of absolute astonishment, stared at Bennu, who rested in Adom's arms. "You can talk?! Already?!" Sam exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Bennu tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with intelligence and a playful glint. "Of course, I can talk, Sam," he replied in a clear, articulate voice, tinged with a child-like mischief. "I am a phoenix, after all. And I am smart," he added, his laughter light and musical, echoing around the room like the chimes of a delicate bell.

Sam, taken aback, stammered, "Wait, you know me? How?! And why can you talk so well when you're just a... baby?"

Bennu puffed up his feathers in a show of mock indignation. "I'm not a baby, I am a phoenix," he declared matter-of-factly, his tone exuding a sense of pride and ancient wisdom.

Sam's eyes flicked to Adom, seeking answers in the face of this extraordinary revelation. Adom, understanding his friend's need for clarity, explained, "Bennu has all of my memories, everything I've lived up to this day. He knows them but also has his own separate personality."

Sam nodded, his fascination evident. "So, he's like an extension of you, but also his own being," he mused, his mind racing with the implications of such a bond.

Adom leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Exactly. Our bond is unique. In most familiar bonds, the personalities of the sorcerer and the familiar can blend, sometimes leading to a dominance of one personality over the other. It's a delicate balance, often taking years to harmonize, and not without risks."

Sam, his curiosity piqued, leaned in closer. "Risks?"

"Yes," Adom continued, "In some cases, if the bond isn't well-managed, the stronger personality can slowly overshadow the other. It's a gradual process, sometimes so subtle that neither the sorcerer nor the familiar realizes it until it's too late."

The room fell silent as they contemplated the gravity of such a situation. The concept of one's identity being slowly eroded by another's was both fascinating and unnerving.

"But that's not the case with phoenix familiars, at least not with Bennu and me," Adom added, his eyes meeting Bennu's. "Our bond is different. It's not about dominance or suppression. It's about harmony, a perfect balance where both personalities coexist without trying to overpower the other."

Bennu nodded sagely, his feathers ruffling slightly in agreement. "That's right. I am Bennu, and he is Adom. We share memories, but our souls remain distinct."

Sam, lost in thought, finally spoke. "That's incredible. A perfect harmony in a familiar bond... it's almost unheard of."

Adom smiled, a sense of pride and affection evident in his gaze as he looked at Bennu. "Yes, it is rare. And I believe it's what makes Bennu and our bond so special."

Sam had been watching Bennu with a mixture of fascination and caution. Finally, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked hesitantly, "Hey, Bennu, can I... touch you?"

The little phoenix turned its head, studying Sam with an inquisitive gaze that seemed almost too wise for its diminutive form. After a moment of contemplation, Bennu fluttered his wings and, to everyone's surprise, leaped onto Sam, snuggling into his chest with an unexpected affection, he nuzzled against his neck. Sam's initial shock gave way to exhilaration, and he burst into laughter, the tickling sensation of Bennu's feathers sending him into a fit of giggles. "He's so warm! It's like having a living heating pad," Sam exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with delight.

As Sam reveled in the moment, Bennu's behavior shifted. The phoenix began to examine Sam with an intense focus, poking and nibbling at him gently. Sam's laughter tapered off into a nervous chuckle as he looked over at Adom, who was trying to suppress his own amusement. "Hey, Adom," Sam asked with a hint of concern in his voice, "Hey, Adom," he said, trying to keep his voice light, "Why do I feel like your familiar is sizing me up for a meal? He's not carnivorous, is he?"

Bennu, sensing the shift in mood, answered himself in a comical tone that seemed to mimic human speech, "Oh, I do want to eat meat! From Adom's memories, it looks delicious!"

Sam's smile turned nervous, he froze, and he gently but quickly handed Bennu back to Adom. "Uhh, I think I'll pass on being a snack today," he said, edging away from the phoenix.

Adom, still chuckling, looked at Bennu and admonished lightly, "We don't eat people, Bennu. You know that, don't you?"

Bennu tilted his head, giving a look of faux innocence. "But Sam looks tasty! Can I eat you, Sam? Just a bite, I promise!"

Sam laughed nervously, stepping back further. "Nope, nope, definitely passing on that offer," he said, making his way to the door.

As Sam reached for the doorknob, eager to escape the playful yet unnerving attention of the phoenix, he paused and turned back to Adom. "Hey, I'll go grab some food for Bennu," he said, his voice still tinged with laughter.

As he opened the door, Bennu's voice rang out, surprisingly loud for such a small creature, "And not the tomato soup!"

Sam, already halfway out the door, chuckled and called back, "Got it, no tomato soup!"

The door closed behind him, leaving Adom and Bennu alone in the room. Adom looked at Bennu, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're quite the character, aren't you?" he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Bennu flapped his wings proudly, a glint of mischief still in his eyes. "Just keeping things interesting," he chirped, settling back into Adom's arms.