//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Message of the Mage // Story: The Griffon Chronicle // by Grave Walker //------------------------------// “Oh boy, what a day this is turning out to be~” I sung out to myself, dry sarcasm permeating the room. Rolling over in my bed, I stretched my limbs, fine grain talons and nubby toes grasping at the air. Today is another bright bustling day, and here I am, lazing around like a fat content cat in bed.   After the shit Titan pulled yesterday? I’m gonna do as I damn please. That train wreck of a hunting trip nearly got me killed and has been the bane of my brain. Still, pondering on such matters all day will lead to no success. So maybe I’m lazing around because I’m too afraid to face the world? No, more likely that I’m afraid to keep up the act of being the wasteland’s messiah. Yeah, that sounds a lot more like me. It also didn’t help that Titan’s public prasing seemed to bring no end to the fame, as if I didn’t have enough of it. I don't mind being thanked and praised for my actions, in fact I quite enjoy relishing in my earned worth. Yet lately the rumors have been absolutely absurd. Now based on what a maid has told me, my killing has risen to me offing a dozen highly trained Enclave Assassins single handedly. Not even counting my dragon slaying, the griffons are beyond cheerful as talks of hope, salvation, and times of great change are upon us! And here I am, afraid like a child needing to give a pubic presentation… Now that I think about it, that is pretty much my situation. Turning gaze away from my bed, I looked over the mannequin that adorned my special armor. For honesty’s sake, I had to admired the fine intergate craftsmanship of the metal and cloth. The interrogate carvings in the plate and the quilted diamond layers of fabric gave off a legendary vibe. I’m not sure if the armor is enchanted but when I came back the city, the citizens seemed entranced by it. Now in my opinion, the armor set wasn’t what I would call total warrior badassery, it was still a gift from god, or whatever kicked my ass into this world. Speaking of gifts, earlier I managed to overcome my fear of the magic bag of impossibility. What it held still made it quite peculiar. I mean, who's idea was it to shove nearly every type of building and crafting tools into a magic bag? So many tools in fact that could honestly supply an entire factory! I was pulling things from forging tongs to a working blow torch; nearly set the window drapes on fire with that thing too! But what proved that I had a portable factory was when I somehow expanded the zipper to dragged out a large hydraulic press. Yes, hundreds of pounds of modern machinery falling out of a magic messenger bag. Oh boy, that definitely left marks of the floor. Thankfully, I managed to find a panel full of switches under the big fabric flap. And thankfully there was a [-Setup All-]/[-Off-]/[-Return All-] switch that did just that. Well, I only switched it to [-Return all-] and just like magic, the tools and machinery turned to dust. Made a little sand storm in my room before all of it flowed back into the bag. So I have a factory in a magic bag with a self cleanup switch, pretty cool in my book. But you want to know what’s not cool god? It is that the entire toolbox given to me is totally pointless. For one, I didn’t even know how to use most of the tools and I don’t know what to even build with them. I mean what could I even build? Fortification? Yes that is useful, but unneeded. Indoor plumbing? That right there is an absolute must, yet I don’t know where to begin. Homes for the homeless? Actually, I that one is not so bad… Yet I feel that is not what this gift is meant for. “More answerless questions.” I groaned out. Hearing the clicking of a doorknob and squeaking of hinges, I tuned my attention to the intruder. “I see that it is you. Rose was it?” It took her a moment respond, for her features were redden and posture nervous.   “Yes! That is my name. Ummm…” She squealed, obviously embarrassed. Great, now I got a young maid with the classic school girl crush for me. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was like a several years younger then me, I’d feel the same way. Yet I not sure what age makes you an adult in griffon years. “Well, what are you here for? Titan calling for me again?” She shook her head. “No, a courier from the Skywalkers brings a scroll for you Chronicle.” Intrigued, I rolled off the bed and approached her. “Well, let’s see it.” “I’m sorry I don’t have it, the messenger wants to give it to you in person.” She rushfully said. Defusing her nervousness, I patted her feathered head. “Don’t worry, it is okay. So where is this messenger?” “Ohhhh. I can go get her for you.” “No need. I need to stretch my legs and get out of this room today anyways. So lead the way.” Going down the hallways and past the stairways and into throne/dining room, I was greeted with the sight of a cyan green griffon cloaked in tattered brown fabric. She had a look of determination in her eye, which was obvious with her stance trying to keep eye level with me. “So your the messenger from the Skywalkers? Come, let's talk over at the tables.” She quietly followed back the dining room. Taking out seats opposite of each other, we both silently observed the other, trying to see who would make the first move. “You are the one who claims being the bringer of legends?” “If this is about me being the Chronicle, know that I never tried to claim the title in the first place.” She seemed unfazed by my honesty, still staring into my eyes. “Yet here you are, living like a noble with the townsfolk praising your heroic deeds.” “Well, I’m not one to turn down grateful hospitality after fighting a large fire breathing dragon. Also some of them tend to exaggerate the truth.” “I see. Well many claim to have witnessed you absorbing the dragon's body and soul, that is quite the feat.” “Yeah… Can I see the message you have for me?” Looking me dead in the eyes again before reaching for a a pair of… Sunglasses? Donning the large black shades, she continued to stare at me. “Please tell me that you not gonna-” With a sudden light flash from her shades, I yelped and jumped from my seat, hanging dearly onto the gigantic crystal chandelier. Once I realised that my memories were not erased, I winced at the sight of the courier. The light had indeed originated from the glasses as they were completely broken. Lenses cracked into spiderwebs and her face blackened and feathers charred from the blast. Currently, she was clutching her feathery face and groaning like a very angry cat. “RAAAAH! Tartarus that hurt! Damn you Lexus!” Groaning with her eyes shut tight, she quickly yeeted those shades into the wall, shattering into pieces. “Well, that was unexpected.” With my grip slipping, I dropped to the floor and (unsurprisingly) instinctively nailed the landing. Man, I truly am part cat. “Are you okay my Chronicle?” Turning head, I see Rose coming to my rescue by padding and dusting off nonexistent shards. Man she is trying so hard to become a Waifu, which by the way I am not okay with. “Hay hay I’m fine, I think. Thankfully, her attempt of going men in black on me backfired.” The young griffon stared up at me confused like usual. “Men in black?” “Nevermind.” Turning my attention back at the messenger, she was staring to me with the most completely pisseed off look I’ve seen so far. Though thankfully, that wrath was not meant fully for me. “Jack Cobalt.” After a few tense moments, instead of pulling out a neuralizer, she pulled out a… Soda can? “What is that for?” Her groaning continued as she unscrewed the lid, revealing a rolled up scroll inside. “Oh.” Unraveling the parchment, it revealed a bunch of strange and unknown blackletter characters. Before I could complain, the words began to change and rearrange into resembling of gothic german text before finally settling for english. “You know translation spells?” “What?” Turning my baffled gaze from the parchment, I quickly shivered my head from the strange sensation. “What you just did, with your eyes glowing gold, that was a Translation spell.” “Oh, I guess I did. I thought spells would abe a lot more complicated.” “What are you saying? Those spells are very complicated!” Ignoring her ranting, I finally set sights on reading the letter. Greetings mighty dragon slayer! Since you are reading this letter, that means you are truly the anomaly of the century! Since you are probably wondering, I am a mage of the magic arts and scholar of written times past in service for the three great families of Skywalker Castle. Weather you have realised this or not, you are a griffon of great interest to many of the various factions in this blasted wasteland. Unfortunately most of them being undesirables as they would use you for their own gain, but I urgently require your assistance to unlock something magnificent! I have a relic from the ages of harmony can may only be unlocked by someone like you. I promise great rewards in goods, gold, or any to your desires if you so chose to help me unlock the secrets of the magical artifact. You can also become a great and powerful figurehead here at the castle if you so chose. A griffon such as yourself fulfilling the role of a legend, you will have undoubted sway in all of the five great castles. With my help and way of word, it will all be officially assured. Sincerely, Merlin Pendragon “Are you even listening to me?” Flipping the paper back down onto the table, I see that she is still frustrated with her feathers jittering out. She also has a notable scorched rings around her eyes, kinda makes her look permanently surprised. “So I’ve been given a quest to solve a magic mcgoffin? Huh, at least that gives me something to do… Tell me, what is this artifact exactly? It better not unlock some eldritch horror.” “Wha-… I honestly don’t know much- Why are you asking me?” Okay, playing tough to get eh? “Surely you know at least something since they entrusted you with delivering this message. Do you even know what it looks like?” Come on, take the bait. “Well, I did get a glance at it once…” Success! “It’s like a multilayer sphere made of glass I think? Nothing seems to even scratch it, but it glows anytime magic is being used around it.” Interesting... “So it’s a classic crystal ball… Probably for seeing into the future is my guess.” “Seeing into the future?” Rose questioned in, tilting her head and looking confused as ever. “More likely predicting future events, like will Lord Titan still be alive in say 5 years? No, bad example… Now that I think about it, the crystal ball is probably not that. Maybe it could be for contacting the dead? Not sure what kind of rules apply with that kind of power… Anyway, do you know why do they need me for this exactly?” “I would guess they require someone with even greater magic potential, which you definitely have.” The courier answered grumpily. “Yeah, was that related with those glasses exploding?” “Bunch of old world junk, got plucking overloaded just by looking at you.” “Ha, eating a dragon’s soul will do that apparently.” Before she could even question my words, I stretched my arms and let out a yawn. “I’m gonna go find Titan, he’ll probably want to know where I’ll be going off too.” Snatching the letter, I strolled down to the door. Right as I was about to open the doors, the old wood sprung open smacking me in the face and off my pawed feet. “You can still go and do business in my city, but my word is final. And for the last time, the dragon materials are currently not for sale.” Looking up I see Titan himself making way and sitting down on this bed throne. Two other griffons followed in with him, one male and one female. Both were a mix of a yellowish red feathered pureblood? Or rather a mix between a being one as they had more and plain brown black fur. Between the two they only differed with their red colored highlights and wore unique leather biker jackets. Across their back ‘Red Buzzer’ was stitched in. “Bring us the group that killed it, and they’ll take our offer.” The buffer one boasted. “Then the griffon you want is right behind you.” Both turning head, I wave my taloned hand in greeting. “This noble solely killed a dragon? Your not jesting with us again are you Lord Titan?” The doubtful female questioned, not that I blame her. “Not this time. For he is the Chronicle of legends long foretold in the days of before and after the war.” The two seemed doubtful, both resembling a equal look of disdain as if they were in sync. “Well, I guess the local rumors are for once true. I believe introduction are in order. I am Jeta Westwing, head daughter of the Red Buzzers. And this is my twin brother, Meta Westwing; headmaster of our infamous forges. You’ve probably heard of our clan have you?” Oh shit these two seem both bostful and serious. And that attitude of hers is ticking me off. Never liked girls with that superior 'I am more popular and better than you' attitude. “No I haven’t as I’m relatively new to this world, but if you say your famous, so be it. I’m Jack Cobalt, an average gun loving guy and fellow Jäger. Unlike you two, I’m not in life for solely fame and fortune.” I seemed to hit a nerve with the Jeta, because she giving me the look. Turning her head, she asks Titan. “Is he always this grumpy?” Titan shrugged. “Sorry, if I’m coming off as ‘grumpy’, I just got the door smacked into my face.” Meta now steps in ahead, clasping his hands. “Alright, let’s start over and get down to business. First off, I want those scales and dragon hide you got here, and I will pay in Bits or equal worth in trade to acquire them. Secondly, I want to know how you alone supposedly killed a gigantic fire breathing dragon.” “First off, I didn’t truly fight it alone. I recall that I did most of the damage and delt the killing blows, but many others burned in defending this city. Now as how I killed it? I leveled the playing field with the mighty weapons known as guns. Several shells in its hide and mouth to cause disoranting pain, and once distracted by the guards, a single shot from my rifle into the dragon’s eye effectively killed the brain. ” “I’ve never heard of these weapons before, how do they work exactly?” Before I could answer Meta, Titan intervened. “They are weapons from another world, and are unlike anything ever forged before. The resources to produce them would be a high cost yet without the knowledge of making them, such endeavors are impossible for now. For now we will be keeping the dragon’s remains for our use in defending and maintaining order in this city. If you don't have any other order of business, I ask that you take your leave.” Meta snarled. “Alright then, keep your secrets. Come Meta, we have to go.” Huffing, Jeta leads the way out with Meta following close behind. Before closing the door, Meta turns and gives me a cold yet somewhat pleading look. “Better live up to your name Pureblood.” Closing the large door, the two went off, presumingly out of the city. “Are they important enough to worry about?” I question, turning back to see Titan grabbing a sack of nuts. (Not that kind you fool!) “Hardly, raise the prices for their blades probably, but those two are as you said, seekers of fortune.” “Anyways I just got an invitation to Skywalker Castle. From some magic dude unironically named Merlin...” Titan raised his brow with his left hand jesting as if asking a question to still angry griffon. The only problem was that the only thing audible was the crunching and cracking of nuts. “Oh, she is the one who brought the letter scroll in a soda can thing.” Gulping down the food, Titan gazed over the face burned griffon. “I see, but please do tell what happened to her face? You didn’t go and harm the messenger now did you?” “I'm serious man, she tired to go men in black on me and thankfully failed to wipe my memories.” Titan slowly blinked once, then twice before sighing. “Can you please tell me what actually happened miss?” “I had used a set of enchanted glasses to help me evaluate the magic level of this Griffon. They overloaded from the sheer amount of magic he has and burned my face. Now I see why you took to calling him Chronicle, Lord Titan.” “Wait, I think I just realized something. Since I have all of this magic in me, does this mean I can actually use said magic?” “Well, it would be very strange if you couldn’t use it. So you are very likely-” “HowdoIdomagic!?” “Umm, what? AH!” Quickly grabbing her, Jack began shaking the poor griffon. “HOWDOIDOMAGIC!?” “Jack, please calm down.” Titan asked casually eating more nuts while unenthusiastically observing the scene. “I NEED TO KNOW! I WANNA FLY!” “You have wings you damn fool! STOP SHAKING ME!” “I WANT TO CAST FIREBALLS! I WANNA LEVITATE SHIT! OHMERGOD I CAN DO ANYTHING! I COULD- No wait, that is kinda lame-” “You said earlier that *NOM-NOM* “some magic dude” was inviting you to Skywalker Castle? Maybe he could *Gulp* teach you how to grasp your powers.” Titan nearly snickered at the wide eyed reaction from the jay blue griffon. Now the messenger on the other hand look relieved, now longer being shaken like a maraca. “I’ll see to setting you up with one of the traveling caravans too. Then you can head out within the safety of numbers and hopefully won’t run into trouble down the road. Rose, go to the storage house and get Jack setup with a week’s worth of rations. Now before you get your things packed Chronicle, could I read the message?” Handing over the scroll, Titan carefully read over the Letter, raising his brow as he neared the end. “This seems quite promising for setting you on the path Chronicle. I believe you can trust Merlin Pendragon to keep his promise, but make sure to keep your knowledge to yourself. Especially about the capabilities of your weapons as many will easily fall to greed for such power.” Before I could give my understandings, he continued. “And don’t go opening up about not originally being a griffon, many will think you crazy and get you into a load of trouble. I know you can be an adult and not go blindly trusting shady folk, yet be extremely careful. Beyond the walls of cities are lawless, where very few are bound to decent morales. Yet always remember that killing might be unrestricted, but vengeance always follows.” “I understand.” “Good, now go don your arms and armor, I’ll see to getting you set up.” Smiling, I gave my thanks and left to my room. Hopefully the trip won't be too long. Wait... Did he say a week’s worth of rations!?