The air inside the house was alive with sound—a confusing symphony of sobs, cheers, and the occasional strangled howl. It was almost rhythmic in its chaos, like a pack of emotional puppies celebrating and crying all at once. Anyone passing by would have sworn a litter of dogs was being alternately comforted and scolded.
But upon closer inspection, there was no such pack.
Just one blubbering man.
Takeru Sun knelt on the floor, tears streaming down his face as he cradled a glowing creature in his trembling hands. It was a beetle—no larger than a fist—its shell a shimmering gold streaked with molten orange, radiating a warm light that pulsed gently like the setting sun.
The newly born creature fluttered its translucent wings, each beat scattering motes of light that danced through the air. It gave off a cheerful, almost triumphant hum that contrasted sharply with the sound of its tamer's ugly sobbing.
