KiAera settled into the Crystal Shelter's lounge, the glow of the crystalline walls casting soft light across her fur. Her companions milled about in the background—Amber was preening near the hearth, the Nexperbax triplets hanging elsewhere, and the others settling down.

Still, KiAera's focus was on the raven-etched tome resting before her. She decided to take the book with her to somewhere more reclusive.

"GamaGen?" she ran a paw over the book's textured cover. "I've given names to my companions—Amber, Scarbol, even Big Osseod. But when I saw Boggorc, I couldn't shake the feeling that its name—its Faux Nym—was something more."

「'Names? A timeless and fascinating subject!'」 GamaGen's voice adopted a jovial air. 「'Do enlighten me—what inspires this line of inquiry?'」

"Why can't I do that? Wouldn't it benefit my companions to have them? Or is naming them as I do somehow...less?"

「'Less? Hardly!'」GamaGen chirped an edge of amusement. 「'Your names are a gift in themselves—symbols of connection, affection, and recognition. But, ah, bestowing a Faux Nym is... another matter entirely. A heavier responsibility, one might say.'」

She narrowed her eyes at the book, her smile sharpening. "You're avoiding the question, GamaGen."

「'Am I? Surely you wouldn't accuse me of such a thing, KiAera. I am, after all, a creature of transparency and truth!'」

"You're hiding something. I can tell."

「'Perhaps I am merely sparing you the long-winded intricacies of the subject,'」 he countered, though his jovial tone was betrayed by the slight faltering in his cadence. 「'The act of bestowing a Faux Nym is...complex. It is no simple naming, no mere gesture. It requires a significant cost from the bestower.'」

KiAera's gaze didn't waver, though her expression softened. "What kind of cost?"

For a long moment, GamaGen was silent. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he replied, 「'A Faux Nym is more than a name—it is an imprint of the bestower's will, their essence. To grant such a thing is to pour a fragment of yourself into the one you name. A powerful bond, yes, but not without consequence.'」

Her smile returned, this time tinged with genuine curiosity. "Is that why you're reluctant to tell me more? You think I'd rush into it without understanding the risks?"

GamaGen's chuckle was warm, if a bit deflective. 「'You are many things, KiAera. But, no, my reluctance is born of...a desire to see you learn at your own pace. Some answers are best discovered, not given.'」

She tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. "Hmm. That's a clever way of saying you're keeping secrets. But I'll let it slide—for now."

The book's glow pulsed faintly, almost as though it were relieved. 「'Such mercy you show me, dear KiAera. Truly, I am fortunate to have a master so understanding.'」

KiAera shook her head, her smile lingering as she reached out to tap the book gently. "Just know I'll be back with more questions soon. You're not getting off that easily."

「'And I shall be here, ready to fend them off with all the wit and wisdom I can muster,'」GamaGen replied with mock grandiosity.

KiAera leaned back as the conversation lulled, her mind once again turning to the idea of names, Faux Nyms, and the enigmatic process behind them. Faux Nyms, she thought. They're more than just names—and something even GamaGen won't tell me yet.

"But then… what about the names I've already given? Amber, Scarbol, the Osseods… They're not Faux Nyms, but they mean something, don't they?"

「'Indeed they do. The names you have given carry the weight of your bond, your care, and your recognition of their worth. Though not Faux Nyms, they are still powerful in their own right. A name, after all, is a declaration: You are seen. You are valued.'」

KiAera smiled faintly, her gaze drifting to the monsters in the other room. "I'll stick to those for now. But one day, I'll figure out how to give a Faux Nym without losing myself. If it can help them, it's worth learning."

She yawned. "Alright. Thanks, GamaGen. It's getting late. Would you mind doing the honor of putting the others to bed? I'll head to my room."

Then she spoke with her thoughts. 'And ensure you keep an eye on the Nexperbaxes…and all of the Kobolbos, please.'

GamaGen's telepathic voice carried a warm lilt of amusement. 「'As you wish, Miss KiAera. Though I must say, herding this rambunctious lot is quite the endeavor—even for a being of my unparalleled intellect.'」

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KiAera smirked as she stood, stretching her arms and feeling the day's weight settle into her bones. "Well, if anyone can manage it, it's you. Just... don't let Amber convince you to play any games involving her stomping around. She's been on a roll lately."

「'Ah, a game of "Stomp and Conquer," is it? I shall endeavor to redirect her... energy, perhaps toward something less destructive.'」

KiAera chuckled as she brushed her fur lightly. "Good luck with that. And remember, keep an eye on Nex and his siblings too. They've been a little too quiet tonight."

「'The Nexperbax trio, you say? A fascinating group, particularly their so-called "ace" Nex. His pride is rivaled only by his cunning.'」 GamaGen paused, his tone softening. 「'Fear not, I shall keep them in line—and ensure their antics do not disrupt the peace of the Crystal Shelter.'」

"Thanks, GamaGen." KiAera gave the book a final pat before heading toward her quarters. As she moved through the hallway, the murmurs of her companions echoed faintly behind her.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

In the main lounge, GamaGen's faint pulse of light flared slightly, drawing the attention of Amber, who had been preening her feathers. "LeeLee see glow-glow. GamaGen tell stories now?" she chirped, her head tilting.

「'Not quite a story, dear Amber,'」 GamaGen replied smoothly. 「'But rather, a suggestion. It is time for rest—a concept even the most energetic among us must embrace.'」

Amber let out a reluctant squawk, her feathers puffing. "But LeeLee not tired! LeeLee stomp again?"

From the rafters, Nex's voice cut through in a fit of laughter. "Pfft. Let her stomp. Maybe the noise will scare off whatever else is lurking out there. Not like anyone else can keep up with me anyway."

Beta Osseod scurried closer, chirping in protest. "Beta Osseod agree! Amber-LeapLeap should no stomp-stomp more. Rest needed. Big Osseod say so!"

The Big Osseod rumbled in agreement. "Rest good. Big Osseod tired. All should listen to GamaGen."

GamaGen's laughter was rich with mirth. 「'Ah, wise words from Big Osseod. Now, Amber, my dear, why not save your energy for another day of grand adventures? Even the boldest heroes require their slumber.'」

Amber huffed, but a hint of pride flickered in her eyes at the mention of "hero." "LeeLee agree... but only if Nex say sorry for saying LeeLee noisy."

Rox sniffed a laugh. "Well, Nex?"

"T-the r-rectangle talks…" Viz repeated to himself.

Nex bristled, his wings twitching as he shot Amber an incredulous look. "Me? Apologize? To you? Not a chance."

GamaGen interjected smoothly, 「'Perhaps we can all agree to let bygones be bygones? Unity is, after all, the cornerstone of strength.'」

Amber squawked in reluctant acceptance, while Nex rolled his eyes. The others began to settle into their spaces, the soft rustle of movement filling the building.

GamaGen stopped before the window, the snout of a dragonic beast appearing on the other side, 「'Sir Kyrawl, you're guardianship of the Kobolbos shall be necessary.'」

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Creature: Skyrawsoar

Descriptor: Wing-Crawling Wyvern

APeX Power: [6530 Units]

Attributes: [Deino] [Wind]

Variant Grade: [Uncommon]

Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

"As you wish, Lord GamaGen," Kryawl the Skyrawsoar rumbled. The large wyvern flapped its wings as took off to perch atop the Kobolbo den.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Meanwhile, in her room, KiAera sank onto her moss-lined bed, her body finally succumbing to the day's exhaustion. Her thoughts lingered on GamaGen’s words. A Faux Nym costs a piece of me... but it strengthens them. Would it be worth it? She sighed, brushing a paw over her ears. "One day," she murmured. "One day, I'll figure it all out."

She rolled over stuffed, her gaze meeting the large Liorex egg nested in the center of her room.

As soon as she saw it, it reminded her that it has been ten cycles since she came across the eggling, which almost felt like a lifetime ago. Somewhere around thirty Earth days if I recall?

She shuddered when reminiscing about the Archliorex, the tyrannosaurus beast that attempted to trample her and destroy the Liorex egg on that same day. Now, they were safe. Far from the tyrant, maybe?

"Maybe I should go check on it? Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," she mumbled, before struggling to get up.

With some effort, she managed to get to her feet and stumble toward the Liorex egg. She knelt down to examine it closely, her eyes roaming over the large, squamous egg. It was still the same as before, and there were no signs of development. When was it going to hatch? The thought of it hatching amused and terrified her. Where would she house the little guy once it grew up? Perhaps that would be a dilemma for another time.

"Hmm...what are you waiting for, Liozel?" she asked the egg, her hand stroking its surface gently. It was warm to the touch, and she could feel the life inside it pulsating with energy. The egg itself was a beautiful shade of orange, with swirling streaks of red coursing across it like a field of magma. She couldn't help but marvel it.

For a heartbeat, her lifeforce swept into the egg. She watched in awe as the egg began to glow with a dim light, its surface rippling with energy. Oddly enough, her chimera's mark radiated a soft light, matching its golden light.

"Liozel." She whispered.

Its lifeforce surged through her like a tidal wave, crashing into her being. She gasped as the sensation overwhelmed her, clenching her eyes in her battle to regain her senses. Suddenly, the roar of an [Alpha]—the silhouette of a tyrannosaurus-lion with a flowing mane—appeared tremendous in her mind's eye.

Then, just as suddenly as it came, the sensation vanished. The Liorex egg returned to its previous dormant state, and its glow faded away.

Already devastatingly languished, KiAera let out a deep ragged breaths, before crawling back shakily. Her vision blurred and she felt heavily disoriented from the sudden surge of energy, but she now knew that the egg was attuned to her.

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Faux Nym bestowed: Liozel the Liorex egg

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

'Mama...?' a hushed voice echoed within her mind.