for Frosted__Howl

the egg im entering for:

im gonna use my fursona grey bc why not

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Darkness seemed to swallow the valley, covering everything im a disturbing, black blanket. Jagged tree branches jutted up from the earth, their leaves long blown away by the harsh winds. A dry, empty riverbed cut down between the two high-rising hills that bordered the valley, evidence that the land was once lush and full of life.

   But a fire had scorched it months ago, and now it lay in ruins, ash coating the ground and darkness coating the area even in in the afternoon.

   Pitch-black clouds were coming in from distant lands now. They poured down rain, turning the ashy ground into a sticky mixture of mud and soot. Struggling through the downpour was an anthropomorphic coyote, taking heavy steps and close to collapsing.

   He came from a far away land to deliver news to the valley past this one, but he had to cross the barren landscape first. He clutched a brown bag close to his fluffy chest, ears back and eyes narrowed as he took clumsy steps, often getting his feet stuck in the thick mud.

   Rain beat down on his back like arrows, making him clench his teeth as he struggled on. Perhaps he could find a shelter and wait out the storm?

   Grey tried to raised his sodden head, peering through the blinding  thunderstorm. To his luck, he spotted a cave, and not too far away either.

   The creature headed in the cave's direction, stumbling into it with heavy eyes and little to no hope. He stood tall as he entered it, though, trying to make out his new surroundings.

   Grey reached into the bag and pulled out a match, lighting it on a nearby stone. His jaw gaped at what it revealed.

   Bones of all sizes were crowded around the cave, blood still staining the edges. Some even had some meat left on them. Grey took a step back, but didn't leave the cave; he knew all too well that he couldn't walk any more in the storm.

   And so, he carefully went further into the cave, observing with wide, tired eyes what his match illuminated. Suddenly, he tripped, collapsing onto a large bone that appeared to be from the ribs of some massive animal.

   Grey heaved himself onto his knees, but he couldn't stand again. His legs were too tired from the long trek.

   He stared at what he had tripped over, shock clear on his expression.

   Grey reached forward and gently picked up the egg. It was coated in ash and grit, and he had to wipe away the dirt to see what it looked like.

   The egg was a mix of murky browns and greens, but it wasn't cracked at all. Grey cradled it in his arms for a few moments, unsure if it was even alive.

   But then he placed it up to his ear, and was shocked to here the faintest thumps of a heartbeat. Something was alive inside the egg.

   Grey held it close to him again, finding it surprisingly easy to ignore the ghoulish setting. He stared at the egg for quite some time before deciding what to do.

   He would care for this egg, up until it hatched. Perhaps once the storm cleared he could even bring it to the town he was supposed to deliver the message to.

   But one thing was clear; this egg was now his, and he would do whatever it took to keep it safe.

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hope that was good!