---
The answer arrived like a cool bell rung in a quiet room.
[System Notification: Object identified. Ancient egg detected. State: Dormant. The system does not yet possess full information. Binding required for deep analysis.]
John turned the black rock-like egg in his palm. It lay heavy and patient, as if it had been waiting for this exact hour and these exact fingers.
How do I bind it? he asked in his mind.
[System Guidance: Host may bind the egg by offering a single drop of blood essence. Procedure: make a shallow cut; the system will extract and refine one drop essence; apply to the shell.
Warning: Essence is not common blood. Do not overdraw.]
John glanced at Fizz, sleeping in a warm curl on his lap, whiskers twitching at a dream only he could see. He kept his voice inside.
Show me how.
[System: Ready.]
