The early morning air was cool, and the sky shimmered with gentle hues of peach and blue as sunlight began to spill over the rooftops.
Lan Zhen stood barefoot just outside the door of his home, arms wrapped around himself, his gaze fixed upward.
The clouds drifted slowly, soft and lazy. Some looked like great beasts. Others, like little birds fluttering across an endless sky. He didn't know why—but lately, he liked watching the sky. It made him feel small in a peaceful way, like the world was big enough to carry all kinds of stories.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the morning breeze wash over him. The scent of firewood, dew, and his mother's breakfast mixed with the faint hum of the earth waking up.
Then—
"Zhen!"
The sound of cart wheels rolling and a playful voice shouting pulled him out of his trance.
He turned to see a small wooden wagon approaching, creaking slightly under the weight of packed goods—and sitting on top of one of the sacks was Gu Na'er, waving with both hands, her silver hair bouncing in the wind.
"Good morning!" she yelled.
Behind her, Gu Sheng and Yuehua smiled as they brought the wagon to a gentle stop near the house.
Lan Zhen's face lit up. "Na'er!"
Na'er hopped down gracefully. "You're up early!"
"You're loud early," Zhen replied, but he was smiling.
Lan Xin opened the door just then, wiping her hands on her apron. "Look who arrived with the sunrise. Come in, come in."
Within moments, the Lan and Gu families were gathered in the cozy kitchen, sharing laughter over steamed buns and fragrant tea. Na'er and Zhen sat close, nudging each other playfully, while the adults enjoyed catching up like old friends.
"She still eats like a hurricane," Lan Hai chuckled, watching Na'er wolf down her third bun.
"Worse than before," Gu Sheng joked, elbowing his daughter gently.
"I'm growing!" Na'er protested through a mouthful.
"She's growing sideways," Zhen teased.
Na'er gave him a mock glare, then stuffed half a bun into his mouth. "Share, meanie."
Their parents laughed. The little house felt alive with joy.
After breakfast, as the dishes were being cleared, Lan Xin and Yuehua exchanged knowing glances.
"Zhen, Na'er," Lan Xin called, "we're running low on fruit. Think you two can gather some from the edge of the forest?"
"Yes!" Na'er stood up instantly.
Zhen glanced at her, chewing the last bit of his bun. "We're really just your delivery team, huh."
Yuehua handed them each a small woven basket. "Stay on the east trail. The berries should be ripe there by now. Don't go too deep, alright?"
"We won't!" Na'er called, already tugging Zhen's hand.
As they raced off down the path, the adults stood quietly at the doorway, watching them disappear between the trees.
Inside the Lan Home
Lan Hai sipped his tea slowly, seated across from Gu Sheng, Na'er's father. Lan Xin poured a bit of honey into a small bowl as Gu Na'er's mother, Yuehua, smiled at the scent of fresh bread from the oven.
"They've grown so quickly," Lan Xin said fondly. "Zhen barely spoke when we first met him. Now look at him—chasing Na'er around like a puppy."
Gu Sheng chuckled. "She brings out the wild in people."
Lan Hai smiled, but then Gu Sheng's tone lowered slightly. "Hai, I wanted to let you know—two days from now, a Bond Master will be arriving in town for the Bond Awakening."
Lan Hai's brow furrowed. "That soon?"
Sheng nodded. "Yes. He visits every year to awaken the bond threads in children turning seven. Both Zhen and Na'er qualify."
"We haven't told them yet," Yuehua added softly. "It's best they're… themselves, until then."
Lan Hai folded his arms, eyes thoughtful. "Zhen still has so much to learn about who he is. But perhaps… this will help him see."
"I think it'll help both of them," Sheng said with a small smile.
In the Forest
The sun filtered gently through the canopy, casting dappled light across the forest floor. Zhen and Na'er walked slowly, occasionally hopping across stones or chasing butterflies with their baskets half full.
Then, something strange happened.
Small birds—vibrant green and red, with shiny feathers—began fluttering toward them. Not with fear or caution, but curiosity and joy.
One by one, they began dropping ripe fruits into Na'er's basket.
"Wha—" Zhen blinked. "They're… helping?"
Na'er giggled and bowed lightly to the birds. "Thank you, little ones!"
The birds chirped and flitted around her head like flower petals in the wind.
Zhen was stunned. "Why are they doing that? Are they trained?"
"Nope," Na'er said with a grin. "I love them… and they love me."
Before Zhen could respond, the bushes behind them rustled.
Out slithered a scaled lizard the size of a dog. Then a squat toad-like beast with glowing red eyes. And finally, a small crocodile-shaped magical beast with moss growing on its back. All three walked up to Zhen and carefully placed chunks of raw meat near his feet—like offerings.
He froze.
Na'er covered her mouth in awe. "Zhen… they like you."
"I—I didn't do anything," Zhen whispered.
"Maybe not. But they feel something." Na'er stepped closer. "You should thank them."
Zhen nodded quickly, heart pounding. "T-Thank you!"
The creatures blinked, then quietly returned to the forest shadows.
Na'er smiled brightly. "See? You have reptile beasts. I have birds. It's like… they're choosing us."
Zhen's eyes widened. "You think this means something?"
She nodded. "Maybe. My mom says bonds begin long before we know their names."
Zhen looked down at the fruit in his hands, then to the place where the beasts had vanished. He felt something stir deep inside him.
Not fear.
Not even surprise.
But recognition.
As if something hidden inside his chest had softly whispered:
"You are not alone."
Evening at the Lan Home
The sun dipped low on the horizon as the families gathered again. Zhen and Na'er returned, their baskets full of fruit—and their hearts full of something even richer.
At dinner, Na'er excitedly told everyone about the bird magical beasts, and Zhen shyly added in the part about the lizard magical beast.
Lan Hai listened quietly, eyes thoughtful.
"They're both showing signs already," he murmured to Gu Sheng later that night.
The two fathers watched the children from the porch as they chased fireflies, their laughter carrying into the stars.
Neither Zhen nor Na'er knew what awaited in two days.
But deep in the heart of the forest, two ancient forces had stirred… watching the bond between child and beast form in the quiet sunlight.
The path had begun.
And the world would soon know the names Lan Zhen and Gu Na'er.