> House of the Awokens > by grammar404 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a calm and starry night. The wind blew gently upon the tree tops. A light mist covered the based around the Hyperborean mountain, where the once great city of Griffonstone was build on top of. Little Squick was just a wee cub who would one day be a great Griffoness. She was perched on a tree branch, watching what the beautiful night has to offer. The moon casted quite a pleasant light, shimmering upon the great mountain. Her keen eyes, which has a mixture of yellow and orange colour, glowed slightly in the shadow of the tree. The soft wind brushed her white feathers, making her crest flow along. The chill that the air carries gave a slight shiver down her brown fur. Her tail wagged lazily from the branch. She let out a yawn, her eyes squinting in the process. After her yawn, she spots a strange light coming from the high heavens. A bright light drove down from the night sky and fell nearby. She perked up, her tail twitched enthusiastically. She glided down from the tree and flew close to the ground as she made her way to the crash site. The sleepiness from before replaced with an eagerness of discovery. Up ahead she saw smoke coming out of the Abysmal Abyss. There was light coming from the chasm, the flames that was engulfing a weird looking gigantic thing. A few parts of it was scattered along the site, others fell dangerously close to the tree line. A thunder signified a coming storm not far from where she now stood. Hopefully the rain it carries would put out the fire but not slid the unknown contraption deeper into the chasm. With a news to tell, Little Squick hurried back to Griffonstone to tell her sister about what she had discovered. The door bursted open, Little Squick went in, soaking wet; the storm had caught up on her. She took a few step inside, leaving a few puddled in her trail. She vigorously shook the water off of her. Big sis will shout at me for this, not like she ever say anything calmly. Little Squick continued her way inside, their little home in Griffonstone was gently lit by a lantern in the living room. Her Grumpa Gruff should be asleep right now, but she was unsure about her sister, Gilda. Oh, she would be so furious. Gilda was not really fond of her going on her little stargazing at night. So, Little Squick tiptoed her way to her room. I should just go back tomorrow then tell her. Her sneaking skills were extraordinary. Thanks to being a predator on both half: an eagle and a lioness. Although, most Griffons are a lion on the rump, they are quite different when it comes to their top side, it varies from all kinds of bird species. Her Grumpa Gruff was a vulture, she and her sister, Gilda, was the same; an eagle. Little Squick was just about to leave the living room when a voice made her freeze on her tracks. "Where have you been?" The voice was stern and familiar. The combination of both brought bristles upon Little Squick's back. She turn around and saw a very angry Gilda sitting on a couch. "I was just gone for a stroll sis." Little Squick smiled sheepishly. "You've gone and stargaze again, haven't you?" Said Gilda with narrowed eyes. Little Squick knew she was caught and that there was no way to escape it. But could she persuade Gilda to come and search to crash site? Her gaze shifted towards the window. The storm was clearing, clouds were parting to make way for the moon's light to pierce the quiet land. Her eyes snap back to Gilda when she heard her stand up. "Didn't I tell you to stop going on nightly trips?" "But sis, I saw something tonight." "And what is it now, huh?" Gilda spat. "Uhhh... It's.. ummm.." Little Squick stammered, with her head down, rubbing her arm with her other talon. "That's what I thought." Gilda took a deep breath and smacked a talon over her face. She sighed tiredly as she turned to the kitchen. "Have you eaten yet?" Little Squick shook her head. Gilda sighed again, making her way into the kitchen. She paused and pointed at the dining table, before she rummaged through their cabinets. "Go sit and don't go anywhere." A couple of minutes later, Gilda came with a plate with a bit of rabbit meat and some beans. "Here, eat up." Said she, reclining on the couch. She had an arm over her eyes and letted out a tired groan. Little Squick took a few bites, pondering whether to tell Gilda or not. Finally after one last bite, she took a deep breath and asked. "Gilda?" "Hmmm?" "Can you accompany me back to the Abysmal Abyss?" She said hesitantly. "What?" Gilda cried, sitting up right and looking at her sister with disdain. "After I told you for the fifth time not to go stargazing so late at night, and sixth time not to got near Abysmal Abyss. You'd still ask me to go there with you? Late at night?" Little squick gulped and nodded. Gilda narrowed her eyes with a frown. "What have I ever done to you for you to disrespect me so?" Little Squick's eyes was starting to water, she started to sniffling. "But there was something there! Y-you'd have to see it." "I told you not to go there! And not to go out at night!" Gilda argued. "Why can't you listen to me for at least once! Am I not like Grampa Gruff? Can't I have your respect as he? Tell me, you Twerp! Mom and dad left us and I started to care for you ever since till we met Grampa Gruff, yet how can you disrespect me? Are the things I have done nothing to you?" Gilda was cut from her tantrum by a loud thump. Little Squick ran out of the house, her tears that fell glistened from the night. Gilda gasped, her eyes widened. "Oh, Goddess," said she, "what have I done?" She ran after her younger sister. Spreading her wings and thrusting herself up in the air. She could see her sister, flapping her wings for speed, headed for the Abysmal Abyss. "Oh, no." Little Squick stood by the edge of the rock that was preventing her from falling into the chasm. The Abysmal Abyss, they say that the Idol of Boreas is in there, many have tried to reclaim it. All ended up the same. But, now, there's this huge contraption, now wet and less smokey from the rain, was threatened to fall in at any moment. The wee cub was curios, she wanted to find out what lays inside the object that has fallen from the sky. Although, now that it's not burning, being wet and slippery made it as dangerous as before, by sliding into the Abysmal Abyss. Behind her she can hear the beatings of her sister's wings. Little Squick has no time for this right now, she wanted sometime alone. She jumped onto the metal thing, making a loud thump that echoed through the chasm. Little Squick cringed, the sound piercing her sensitive ears. There was an open hatch just a few feet from her. She walked to it and carefully step down the ladder, sparing a glance at her sister, who had caught up, before continuing down into the belly of the metal beast. It was dark. If one looked close enough they would see two glowing orbs of orange-red floating about as the little Griffon cub explored the dark labyrinth. Little Squick had her eyes squinted, trying to make lighter of things as she walked by. She stepped on something leather over a squishy stuff. She cringed, letting her tongue out and saying "eck!" She hopped over the weird leather thing and continued onwards. She doesn't really know where she was going, but she knew going on a straight line would eventually lead her somewhere. And she was right, it lead her to the bridge of the wrecked ketch. There she looked around curiously, tapping buttons and pulling different levers. Until, finally pressing a light switched. The light blinded her, making her hiss in pain. When the white vision subsided what she saw made her reel back. Dead bodies, dead bodies was scattered along the metal floor. They were bipedal creatures clad in alien armour. Their skin was pale and their fur only affected their head. The image made her think of that old minotaur who visited Griffonstone once. Lost in her thoughts, Little Squick did not notice one of the creatures standing up. It had a soft-short blonde hair and a pair of glowing blue eyes. Those eyes that was staring at her. As she stared on with the creature, it filled her with something.. loyalty. It's making her trust the creature with its every decision. Making her want to make it safe. Caught off guard by the new sensation, Little squick staggered back, accidentally pressing buttons the she shouldn't have. Quickly, explosions rang through the whole ketch, making it rumble and shake. Little Squick saw the creature lost balance and fell, its head hitting one of the railings on one of the platform, making it unconscious. A few seconds later, the ship continued to shake violently, Gilda came from the door. "Little Squick!" Gilda cried. "Gilda!" The Griffon cub called. "Little Squick, we need to get out of here now, come on!" "But, sister wait! We need to help her!" "What do you mean her?" The ketch lurched a bit forward. "That weird minotaur at the platform over there!" She spread her wings and perched upon one of the railings. "Come on!" "Goddess help me with this cub." Gilda muttered, flying towards the spot her little sister was pointing at. She had the creature on her back Little Squick holding it down. A boulder slid off from the cliffside and fell into the ketch, piercing the bridge and falling into the Abysmal abyss. From with in the hall from once the came, came clinking sound. The source of the sound soon slid onto the glass of the observation deck that was threatened to break any moment. Gilda gasped. It was the Idol of Boreas! The Griffon was torn between immediately escaping or grabbing the Idol and endangering her sister's welfare. Little Squick noticed this and was also making a decision, but hers was quick. Her loyalty was greater than that of her pride over the Idol of ancient times. The loyalty that was taken by the creatures eyes. She tap on her sister's shoulder and said, "Gilda, please, we need to get out of here!" Gilda hovered the for a second, unsure of what to do. The ketch shook again, it was about to fall. Gilda shook her head then nodded at her sister. She flew out of the whole that the boulder made, just in time as the whole ketch fell into the Abysmal Abyss. Gilda stood by the edge near the chasm, panting heavily due to the sudden adrenaline. Her sister was no better. They both shared a look that translated as 'we should go home and rest.' In which both nodded in agreement. Although, Gilda was not sure what to make of the creature they had saved from the crash. Hopefully, she's right in saving her bum and get some answers as to what and who the paw is she. > The next morning. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rey felt heavy, her eyelids were barely open. She could feel someone gently, but frantically, slapping her cheeks. It was a light slap, one could call it a tap by the use of someone's palm. She must be laying on the floor as she could see the ceiling and its blinding light in front of her. She heard a few sobs and felt a few cold drops of water on her face. She moved her gaze a bit and saw a woman, her pale skin filled her with joy that reminisced the feeling of playing with snow in the early days of winter. The woman's auburn hair made her remember looking up from her book and seeing the leaves fall, in autumn, from their trees, plastering the sidewalks where people merrily walked. And that cool guy who brought newspapers, rang his bell as he drove with his bicycle pass the falling leaves. "Please, please!" The woman cried. "Please, don't end up like my brother. Don't disappear, Rey. Not you too." The woman letted out more sobs, holding Rey close to her. Rey could see the grief in her green eyes as they sparkled with tears falling down her cheeks. Why is she crying? Rey felt her hand lifted itself up, trying to hold the woman's cheek, but failed halfway. Her hand fell onto the russet carpet, the cool air felt like its engulfing her; getting cooler by the second. She couldn't hold her eyes open. It feels like sleep was every inviting and inevitable. The woman jerked, sobbing more loudly than before. "No, no! No! Please, Rey, please!" She cried. Rey tried to, just to relinquish the woman's distress, but couldn't. As she felt her consciousness fading into sleep, she heard a deep chuckle coming from a man as she inhaled her last cold breath. It was early in the morning in GriffonStone. The light from the raising sun had only covered the city, the top of the Hyperborean mountain, while the lower parts were shadowed by the ground structures around them. Griffons were going around their way, either going into other cities through train or opening shops, Griffons are moving around in hopes of acquiring bits. Grumpa Gruff sat on his red coach in the living room, browsing the daily newspaper of Equis Time. A morning cup of coffee sat on a little table beside him. He took it with one talon and took a nice sip as his half opened eyes read the through the paper. 'Princess Celestia of Equestria has been reunited with her banished sister after a millenia!' it says. Gilda got out of the kitchen and placed the plates upon the table. She let out a yawn, the events of last night still left her quite exhausted. Grumpa Gruff spared a glance at her direction but then shrugged, her granddaughter had been in various kinds of jobs. Turning a page on the newspaper, Little Squick came from her room, rubbing her eyes as she lazily walked towards the kitchen. Grumpa Gruff raised an eyebrow. Was his wee Squick out last night? Her sister would have probably been furious but both seem to be quite tired. He's mind was filled with a few questions. Little Squick sat on her chair, pushing it forward the table, as Gilda poured some food on her sister's plate. The older Griffoness went back to the kitchen to attend her Grampa's meal, sizzling on a hot stove. The Griffon cub's thoughts wandered back to the creature they took from the wreck last night, who now rested in one of Grumpa Gruff's old guest rooms. There was something weird about it, it affected her like when she set her eyes upon the lost Idol of Boreas; her sister had to choose from a conflict of emotions, but her? When her eyes caught the creature's, she felt loyalty swelling inside her, just like the Idol did for her pride. So it was easy for her so choose. Little Squick continued to eat her breakfast: rabbit meat, beans... oh look! Green peas. It was some time later that Gilda called Grumpa Gruff for his breakfast. Little Squick just happened to finish up that moment and was ready to go to school. She was by the door when Gilda approached her. "Listen, kid," said Gilda, in a stern voice. "don't tell anygrif about what we have in the guest room, alright? Not a word about last night's event too. Don't go against me this time." "I– I won't, " replied Little Squick, her head downcast. "I–I'm sorry, sis, about disregarding your orders. I didn't mean to disrespect, I just really, really love the night." Gilda groaned. "Come here." She gestured with a talon. Little Squick moved forward and hugged her sister tightly. Her head half buried in Gilda's feathers. The older Griffoness patted the cub's head, brushing her crest from time to time. "I love you, sis." "Eechk." Gilda grumbled with faux disgust. "Too sappy." They both giggled. "You best be going now. Don't go wandering about, go straight to school, a'right?" Little Squick nodded. "Right." She twisted the doorknob and pulled the door in. She waved goodbye to her sister and flew to class. Seeing her sister off, Gilda went back to the kitchen to clean the dishes. Grumpa Gruff sat on his chair, a half eaten meal of medium rare pig meat and beans lay on his plate. His face buried behind the newspaper that he had been reading from the coach. His coffee, which was turning less hotter by the minute, was half empty, positioned to the right of his plate. "So," said Grumpa Gruff. "How long did the lecture last this time?" Gilda sighed. "It was the shortest." Grumpa Gruff lowered his paper a bit to look at his eldest granddaughter. He raised an eyebrow. "How come? Your lecture always grow longer than the last." "She went to the Abysmal Abyss." "What!" The old Griffon exclaimed. Standing up and pushing his paper against the table. "I lost it, I was succumbed by disdain and went into a tantrum." She replied, placing a cleaned plate back into the cabinet. "You didn't hit her, did you?" Grumpa Gruff said in a low voice. "What?" Gilda stopped her dish washing and turned to look at her grandfather. "Of course not!" "Then what happened." "She bolted out and I followed her." She continued to clean the dishes. Grumpa Gruff could feel something was being kept from him. He could also feel something odd in his house, like something was out of place. He pondered about what her granddaughter said about last night, both seemed exhausted so something must have happened. "That's not all is it?" He asked with suspicion. Gilda caught wind of it and she knew Grumpa Gruff would eventually knew, he will just give her a hard time for lying. The Griffoness gulped, a trickle of sweat ran down her forehead. Gilda's face turned to that of a worry and seemed hesitant on answering. "You promise not to tell anyone Grumps?" He nodded. Gilda sighed. "When Little Squick came home, she wanted to tell me something, say's she 'found' something in the Abysmal Abyss. But I heard non of it as I was disappointed about her nightly shenanigans. I followed her after she flew out of the house during my unnecessary out-burst. I caught up on the Abysmal Abyss, the wind current there wasn't as strong as usual, rather nonexistent. I saw Little Squick went into this huge, weird, metal contraption. I went after he of course, then after a while there was a series of explosion. The thing began to jerk and rumble, it was probably sitting there, unstable, in-between the cliffs. I worried for Little Squick, knowing her, she probably went in a straight direction, so I quickly dove there. I found her in a place which resembles a bridge in an Equestrian Airship, she pointed at a weird looking minotaur, asking me to save it. So I did. A large boulder pierced the deck straight through and made the fall of the ship to 99 percent. We were about to fly out when we heard a clanking sound... it... it was the Idol of Boreas." "The Idol!" Grumpa Gruff exclaimed. "Where is it now?" Gilda shrugged. "Gone. Nowhere, the Idol fell into the Abysmal Abyss, forever lost." The old Griffon sighed in disappointment. "And the minotaur?" "As sleep in one of your old guest rooms." Grumpa Gruff stood up. "Show me." "That is the weirdest minotaur I have ever seen." Said Grumpa Gruff as he stared at the weird looking, shaved, pale minotaur with short blonde mane; wearing what seems to be are combat breastplate. A pauldron hanging by one of its shoulders. The minotaur was fast asleep, her face was filled with calmness and serenity, which it also emits on its surroundings. Turning his head towards her granddaughter, Grumpa Gruff asked, "Are you sure she's a minotaur? Doesn't look like one." Gilda tapped her chin and has an eyebrow raised. "I don't know what it is." She turned to her Grumpa. "You called it a she?" "Aye," he pointed at the creatures chest. "see those bumps on its chest?" Gilda nodded. "Females of minotaurs and other mammals have those." "What are they for?" "Feeding their young." "So what can you tell me about this alien of yours?" Gilda blinked. "Nothing." "Nothing?" Gilda nodded. "Ya brought an alien creature to my house without knowing what it can do?" "It seems harmless enough." Gilda replied. Grumpa Gruff was looking at Gilda, Almost beak to beak, with narrowed eyes. "I've seen cute things turn a town into ruin and they're call parasprites. They thought me not to judge innocent looking creatures to be harmless. Now go to the Abysmal Abyss and look for clues!" > Awoken! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Awoken By Grammar404 The crisp downpour deafened the whole dump of a city. Griffons were stuck inside their houses, they cannot either fly or walk outside as the winds and thunders brought by this unpleasant weather was hazardous. In a particular house inhabited by three Griffons, and one peculiar guest. a candle stood on a candleholder, its flames being the only thing that lit the place. The candle was placed beside the odd creature's bed. A tiny cub lay beside the mattress, looking at the creature she helped from its demise into the chasm they call Abysmal Abyss. Her glowing yellow eyes stared curiously as it gazed upon the creatures every feature. She liked the creature's blonde mane, it has a pleasant pale shade. But what Little Squick admired the most, and hope to see once more, was its eyes. Those sapphire eyes that filled her with purpose. Was that what the Griffons of old used to feel when they lay their eyes upon the Idol of Boreas? Little Squick wouldn't know, all she know now is that that little warmth the wee candle gives was soothing against the cold weather. Her eyes felt heavy as she gave a hearty yawn, stretching her forelegs up in the air, before hugging herself – snoring by the side of the bed. The creature's finger twitched. "How'd it go?" Asked Grumpa Gruff. The old Griffon was poking the fireplace, where a brilliant flame lighted the whole living room. He sat on one of his many couch, this one with less hay sticking out of it. "Bad, I barely got any thing thanks for this Goddess forsaken storm!" Said Gilda, drying her head, vigorously, with a dry clothe. "The others had found the remnants of the ship and started scraping it for metals to sell. I, of course, got a few." She chuckled to herself. "But, how about the creature, have you found anything that may lead to any information about it?" He stopped prodding the stick and looked back at his granddaughter. "Do you know when, Little Squick returned home crying from school? She went straight to that creature's bedroom! She then started sobbing by her side, just like you used to when... when..." Grumpa gruff looked solemn for a while, before closing his eyes and sighing. "When did this happen?" Gilda asked with a frown. She threw the clothe she used to dry off to... somewhere behind the door she was standing at. She then walked towards the fireplace and sat on a comfy chair, adjacent to her Grumpa. "Yesterday, when you were out scavenging the remnants and looking for clues." The fire crackled. Gilda slumped into her chair, and let out a tired sigh. It's been a week since that night her sister went home with an odd news. She just sat there for a moment, taking heavy breaths, before leaning forward and grabbing something under her wing. "Well," she started, "I did found something." In her talons she held a small rectangular device, it was flat but was incased in what seems to be a shock proof cover. Grumpa Gruff's eyes grew wide at seeing the device. "Where'd you find these?" Gilda stared at her reflection, her face lighted by the orange fire, from the device's screen. "At the beginning of it all." She passes it to the older Griffon. Who stared at it with awe and wonder. "I never got to make it work, more or less activate, so I assumed it was a dud." "Amazing..." Grumpa Gruff muttered, while slowly and gently caressing the devices edges. "What do you suppose we do about it?" Gilda asked with a bored look. Grumpa Gruff turned to look at her with a 'are you serious' look. "Well, we give it to the creature of course, she's the only one who can tell us what it is and how it works." "But when?" The old Griffon sighed, and placed the device onto a small table beside him. "When she wakes up..." The fire crackled once more, lightened dust went up the chimney then faded into ash. Little Squick woke up to somebirdy petting her crest. It was relaxing, and surprisingly satisfying. The situation made the cub purr affectionately, sinking deeper into the bedsheets to where she felt asleep. Little Squick felt strange about the one petting her, she means – who would pet her? Gilda? Grumpa Gruff? No they won't. Grumpa Gruff was more into high fives, and Gilda's just... Gilda. Then, Little Squick realised. She was dreaming! Yes, that's right. She must be reliving the days where her mother often pet her while they sat at the porch of their old house, in Audeious, in the old Griffon countries. The cub took a deep breath then letted it out with a smile on her face. She her a giggle. Her grin grew wider, "mum..." She whispered. The petting stopped. She felt the hand retracted away from her. "Mum?" She asked. Little Squick groggily opened her eyes to look at her mother. Except it wasn't her mother. It was the creature, Awake . Sitting right in front of her. Little Squick found herself frozen in place, her voice trapped in the deepest corner of her throat. All she could do was stare unblinkingly at the creatures bright blue eyes, with it's hearty grin. The creature must be expecting something, it tilted its head curiously. Little Squick shaking all the same. A trickle of sweat formed on the side of her head. She felt like peeing. "Are you afraid of me?" The creature said. The cub's eyes darted left and right. She then gave a sheepish smile. The creature merely smiled weakly, looking down at its hands. Then she chuckled. "It's alright, I know I would've been scared too when I see something like you, but only bigger." The creature gave another one of its hearty smiles. "Hehe..." Was the only thing Little Squick could say, she glanced at the door behind her, wondering what would happen when Gilda walks in. Little Squick closed her eyes then placed a talon over her chest, she sat up straight as she took a deep breath. "M-my n-name i-is L-Li-Little Squick." yay me The creature nodded. "Nice to meet you, Little Squick." Little Squick wiped her sweat off with a talon. "How a-about y-you? W-what's yours?" The creatures eyes widened, seemingly contemplating unto something. After a few moments of awkward silence the creature spoke. "Frankly, Little Squick, I don't remember..." .. ... .... "I like your mane." Little Squick smiled. Which the creature returned. Gilda walked through her Grumpa's house. She held a candle on her talon, the alien device was hidden under her wings. The soft almost inaudible echoes of the sound of her steps mixed with the creaking of the old house. Grumpa Gruff had retired to his bed, and she was about too! But then she checked on her little sister's room, she wasn't there. Gilda would've been furious if she have gone out to stargaze again, but then again, this storm wouldn't allow at. So Gilda was now on the way to the only place she could possibly go, the creature's bedroom. She turned left and saw the light coming from under the door. She moved in close before stopping. There were voices coming from within. "...so I punched her and pinned her. She then swiped a talon at me, see the small cut right here? Then I got angry so I swiped back, it turned into a mess then the teacher came." "A mess? Then how come you're in good shape?" "Well... She was the mess." Her sister giggled. "The teacher scolded us, my friends backed me up so I didn't get into to much trouble." "Well, that was awfully noble of you, but be sure to control you temper next time to avoid too much violence." "Little Squick?" Gilda stood by the now opened door. Little Squick gave a shriek. "Gilda! It's not what it looks like, she's not evil!" Her sister and the creature merely glared at each other. "Take pity on her, sis! She doesn't remember anything!" Little squick was now on her sister's foreleg, shaking it to get her attention. It wasn't moving Gilda though, but the Griffoness heard her sister. "I believe this is yours?" Said Gilda, tossing the alien device with her wing. Which bounced at the bed before landing in front of the creature. Mara cautiously took it, flipping and surveying the familiar looking thing. Her eyes caught a couple of words written on the lower left corner. Property of Mara Sov With the thought of the last two words. Words of the past echoed through her head for a second. She recognised her name. "Ms.Gilda, right?" She asked. Gilda nodded. "May I have some time alone please." Gilda stared at her for a minute before ushering Little Squick out of the room with herself. Once they were out, Mara waited forma few minutes before activating the device. "My name is Mara Sov," it says, "and I remember everything since the day I was born..." > Noble Factions. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was early in the morning, the sun was freshly out of the horizon, birds chirped as the flew across the trail between the tree lines. Joggers and yoga practitioners did their things as their voices were but murmurs to Rey's ears. She wore a pretty violet jersey, which wick away sweat and kept her cool, with a matching Lycra leggings. She also wore a a white helmet, same colour as her bike. She glanced to her left to find her flatmate, whose auburn hair flew as they both rode through the trail. Her friend wore a simple yellow-green tank top and a pair of black Lycra leggings. Dribbles of sweat can be seen at her temples and her sharp breathing prompted Rey to stop and take a brake. "Oh thank God!" Her flatmate cried as she dismounted her bike. She immediately took her water bottle and chugged its contents crudely. "It wasn't that far, Jessica." said Rey, whilst unclipping her helmet. Her friend gave the bottle mercy and letted it go, sighing in satisfaction from the rejuvenating water. She then glared at Rey while pointing at her accusingly. "You twat!" Jessica remarked, "That was from my house in Hampshire to like Southampton." Rey giggled. "We've just gone 3km, Jessi. How can you be so unathletic? What have you been doing?" Jessica laid down on the grass, her hands under her head. "Lazying around, playing video games and eating junk – the usual." She shrugged. "Yeah, I saw how you eat, you eat like a pig." Rey drank from her water bottle before speaking again. "I wonder how you don't get fat." "My metabolism," Jessica patted her stomach."This monster had me shooting bullets for an hour a day." She smirked. "Shish." Rey cringed. "Anyway, " Jessica sat up. "me and my bro are planning to go to a convention this weekend, wanna come?" "I'll pass, I have a schedule with Brian for a fire team in destiny for the weekend." Rey began clipping her helmet back. "Well, that sucks. His going all out in his cosplay too..." Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Are we going already?" "Yup," answered Rey, as she mounted her bike. Her flatmate groaned. Mara Sov awoke from her sleep, a frown on her face. "It's that weird dream again." She thought. A week after she woke up in the care of these three, surprisingly, kind griffons. She was given her personal journal by a griffon named Gilda, her saviour, Little Squick's older sister. She does not know how the griffoness came in contact with her journal, but she was thankful nonetheless. If it wasn't for it she would not have known much of who she is. Although, she hasn't seen most of it yet. She had logged a bunch of things that she had thought that might be useful. Blueprints and schematics of weapons, ships, and resourceful infrastructures. Although, these dreams she had been having left a question in her mind. Why is she dreaming of this? It felt so real and familiar, like she was in that person's body while she did those stuff the persons did. Shaking her head, Mara took her journal log from the nightstand beside her bed, which formerly leaning by a flower base. Flowers that were plucked by Little Squick, white rays of petals with a yellow disk, a bunch of daisies. Mara stared at the black screen, caressing it with her thumbs, contemplating of she would watch another one of her video logs. She closed her eyes and sighed, placing the device beside her on the crumpled sheet. Mara wore her cornflower coloured tank top, and her leather armoured trousers. She had her formal attire in a cabinet, after Little Squick insisted to wash it. She had it reserved for a situation where she would need it, she had to wear a ragged clothe two days ago while the little cub washed her whole attire. Imagine that, the Queen of the Reef in muddy wears? The Queen stood up and yawned, stretching her arms high, angling the other to pull the other arm to a stretch as her whole body bended. She brushed her hair once, and never bothered to shaved it twice. Her hair was always like that, it does not need any tampering. She walked over the cabinet to grab a fur coat that the old griffon, named Grampa Gruff, graciously gave. She found the name weird, heck, she found most of the things here weird. But with what the solar system had to offer, based on what she had watched and recalled, being here was a blessing rather than be born in her home system. The door opened and Mara walked out, headed towards the dining area. As she passed through, now, familiar halls and corners. She found the path that lead to the table. There she found Grampa Gruff sitting with a newspaper in hand, and Gilda preparing their meal. Little Squick was yet to wake up it seems, as there was no force bugging her and enthusiastically smiling at her. "Good morning, sir Gruff." said Mara. The old griffon looked up from his paper and smiled. "Good morning, Lady Sov." "Good morning, lady Gilda." "..." "Ah, don't mind her." said Grampa Gruff, he gestured at a seat in front of him. "Come sit." Mara nodded. She pulled the chair out and sit right back in. "Say, lady–" "Sir Gruff, drop the 'lady', I do owe you for your hospitality." Mara interrupted. "Ha!" The old griffon banged the table with a talon. "Then you could drop the sir too, missy." He reclined to his chair. "Now, may I continue?" Mara nodded. "I've been wondering, what are you?" Mara cocked an eyebrow, "I have not seen anyone like you before. You're no Minotaur, or an ape either. I'll ask again, what are you?" Grampa Gruff leaned a bit closer to the table, while Gilda listen closely from her spot in the kitchen. "I am an Awoken, Gruff." Mara answered, as she sat there, her hands between her legs, her back straight as well. "Awoken? I reckon that I never heard that before, are there others like you?" Grampa Gruff asked. "Yes, plenty, we live between the inner and outer solar system. A place we call the Reef, which is hidden between the light and the dark." "The Reef? I'm sure there's no such place, or else they would have taught it in flight camp." Gilda said, while filling the plates with food to eat, Boar's meat and broccoli this time. "It's in outer space." "You mean outside a house?" "What? No – the, umm..." "Gilda, enough." said Grampa Gruff. Getting a wide eye look from his eldest granddaughter. "Mara has a memory problem, best not to brandish her too much questions." The sound of chair grinding the floor cut through the conversation as the awoken stood up from her sit. "I shall wake the little one." And so Mara left. "Why did you stop me?" Gilda Whispered. "Better not confuse her much, she has lost and regain some of her memory. We shall not indulge too much yet." He took a sip of his coffee. "Ahhhh..." "Something's been bugging me." said Gilda, as she unwrap the apron from herself. The bags under her eyes says that she had not properly slept for a couple of days. "Shoot," Grampa Gruff turned the page of his newspaper. "Ever since I looked into her eyes, something strange boiled inside me." "Aye, I have felt it too, when she first walked out of the room." He placed the news paper on the table. "I thought that I will never feel this virtue again. A virtue long lost at the ending days of the old griffon country." "So you know what it is?" She asked, taking her sit at the dining table. The old griffon nodded. "It is something each griffon would feel in their lifetime, it is part of our nature together with honour and glory; it, too, is important." Gilda took a bite off the boar meat. She swallowed. "Can you tell me what it is?" "No need. It is something that each griffon will come to realise, and it is better that way. Because it will be more real and solidifying." "Gilda..." "Gilda.." "Gilda!" "Uh... Huh?" Gilda groggily asked. She was at the site of the Remnants. A bunch of scrap metals lay on her talons, a lot more was in her satchel that was slung over her head. The sun was at its peak but the cold winds from the north has lessened it's burning heat. There were griffons and griffoness around her, picking up all the other remains scraps from the 'Remnants'. The city's populace had scavenged a lot from the debris that fell off from the Abysmal Abyss. Not the once filled craters were nothing but empty with a blackened centre from the fire. "I've been calling you for the past minute, are you okay?" A young griffoness asked. Gilda groaned. "What do you want, Greta?" "Just trying to converse with an old friend. There's no need for competitions here, Gilda. Everyone has gathered enough scraps for living." Greta gestured with an open talon around her. "Well, bugger off. I'm too tired for your 'conversations'." Gilda began to collect scraps again. Greta giggled. "Same old Gilda, trying to be a meany." "Hey!" Gilda pointed at Greta. "I am mean." "Oh, come on. Everyone in our class in flight camp knows you're a sweetie at heart." If beaks can grind, which it can cause this is cartoon, then Gilda's beak would, as she glared at Greta. Greta merely smiled despite the eagle headed lion's dagger eyes. Greta knew that those glares would soon changed into an embarrassed look, just like it was in junior high. Gilda groaned and looked away. "Shut up." "Aha!" The griffoness, with a head the resembles a finch like a maya bird, interjected. "Same old Gilda." She gave Gilda a smug look. While Gilda vigorously took more scraps to ignore her friend's smugly grin, she found a weird looking club. "What the heck?" Gilda thought as she curiously eyed the strange object. "Hey, Gilda, what are you–" Hooooooooorrrrrnnmmmmmm!!! From off the distant a horn blew and was heard around the mountain, birds flew from their nest. The ground shook just a tad bit. All of the residents of Griffonstone looked in the same direction, from where the blowing of the horn came from. From their spot at the 'Remnants', Gilda and Greta saw a platoon of armoured griffons bearing a flag with a symbol of a coin with three slashes from top right to bottom left. Every griffon at the site of the 'Remnants' stopped what they were doing to stare at the platoon with a confused look. Then, one of the soldiers marched forward bearing an open scroll. "From the orders," he started, " of Lord Avarice GoldenClaw. We hereby occupy the city of Griffonstone. Under the command of future king, Lord Avarice, we are granted full authority and freedom to shape this city and its inhabitants for the arrival of the future king." > Alarming Griffonstone > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Murmurs erupted from the group of griffon scavengers. Rodric smirked, Lord Avarice doesn't want anything to do with these savages. He only wants the city's location, name, and the symbol which the royal castle would do to the Lord's reputation. Rodric was given freedom, yes, but he would abuse that freedom. He would plunder the city of its riches, he heard that a good amount of metal has suddenly appeared here, he's sure to take all of the profit of those scraps. He chuckled. And all it would take was to march and conquer the city with little resistance. clank Rodric's train of thought was interrupted by the sound of thuds and some clanks. thud, thud, clank, CLANK Rodric grimaced as a rock hit his helmet. "What the–" He turned his head towards the locals, who were grabbing stones, dirt, and anything worth throwing. And he thought they would surrender easily. He forgot they were griffons as well earlier. "Get out of here!" "Tell that greedy bastard to fuck himself!" He chuckled to himself. Then; suddenly, a soil with a tad of dung hit him, splashing across his helmet, some landed on his beak. "Eat shit!" Greta shouted. The Goldenclaw captain scowled, wiping the dirt off his face. He raised two talons and signalled his lieutenant forward. "What do we do now, sir?" Asked the lieutenant. "What we always do with savages." He turned to his men. "Men! Subdue this savages! Kill them, take everything, do what ever you want! This city is now ours! Forward!" "Hoorah!" Goldenclaw footmen cried in unison, unsheathing their curved swords and unfurling their armour plated wings. As they made their way towards the city's rebellious citizens. He then turned back to his lieutenant. "Check these idiots, make sure they don't burn the whole thing, or else Lord Avarice would have our heads." The lieutenant put a claw against his chest and bowed slightly. "Yes, captain." Rodric then set his eyes on the one who threw poo at him. A few griffons took a step back, while most others looked forward with sheer determination, when they saw the Goldenclaw footmen flying towards them with their swords drawn. These poor griffons with their rusty daggers and short swords, with only their cheap hide – some without armour – for defence would try and face off these invaders. "I see that everyone has their mind set in one thing for once." Gilda heard a falcon hybrid said." This is our home everygriffon, should you flee to abandon your home, Goddess, dishonour you." The ones who took a step back, tried to gulped their fears, and readied themselves. "We shall stall them here enough to warn the city. Form up a defensive line!" The griffons formed as said, while the griffoness flew towards Gilda. "Gilda," said the falcon hybrid. "Eleftheria," Gilda nodded in acknowledgement. "I know you're the fastest flier here, go to the city and warn my father. He would quickly organise his griffons to evacuate the city." She took off her pendant, a large tooth tied to a fine rope. "Show this to him and he'll know I sent you." Gilda nodded. As Eleftheria flew towards the rank of militia, Gilda turned to Greta. "Let's go, Greta." Greta shook her head. "No. Gilda, I'm not as fast as you, I am more needed here." The sound of swords clashing, and wings beating signalled the disadvantageous battle that the Griffonestone's militia has committed themselves into. In the air the two forces clashed at each other with the Goldenclaw footmen pushing the makeshift militia back. Greta bumped Gilda with a wing, "Now go! Fly as high as you can then run the rest of the way.". "I know that!" Gilda replied, whilst turning around to warn the city. "Just don't get yourself killed, Greta. Rainbow dash would never forgive me if you get killed." "It's been years, Gilda. I'm not sure if she even remembers me. Now quickly!" Greta then flew toward their reeling ranks, she was thrown a dagger from one of their allies which she took and chose a target. Gilda, with her massive wings, flew as fast and as high as she can until the northern wings threatened to push her away. With a few quick flaps of her massive wings, Gilda landed upon the path that lead to the city. She sprinted as soon as her legs touch the trail. When she made it into the city's feathery looking arch, passing a few houses, she darted to Eleftheria's house. The house of Talons, one of the largest structures in Griffonstones. Main head quarters of a mercenary guild, with their men they would surely beat back the Goldenclaws right? When Gilda opened the pair of wooden doors, all eyes were on her. She just stood there;however, breathing heavily as she cast her eyes over the place, looking for a falcon hybrid same as Eleftheria. "What do you want, feathers?" Asked, a female griffon with a black lory's head. She was the one In-Charged of the bar, Gilda presumed, for the griffoness had a tray of beers on her claw. "I'm... looking... for sir Drekkon." Gilda said in between breaths. "A new recruit? You're looking for the wrong griffon as Drekkon–" Gilda raised the pendant for the griffoness to see. "–doesn't handle... newcomers..." The owl hybrid stared at the pendant Gilda was holding. "Where's you get that?" "I need to see, sir Drekkon." Gilda insisted. Drekkon was looking through files of his assets and their currently assigned missions. A small smile was on his face as most of it has a mark of 'hired'. His little mercenary guild has been at its peak lately, so to speak. More and more of his mercenaries are being hired by noble houses and travelling merchants that are crossing the old griffon countries. He could just imagine it, thousands of bits hidden away at one of the vaults underneath his mansion. But as he looked at the papers, he knows that he needs to recruit more just to keep up with demand. Drekkon sighed. It's going to be a busy ride for him now. As Drekkon was about to hide the files away, the doors to his office burst open. Revealing a young eagle hybrid griffoness, seemingly exhausted. "What is the meaning of this?" Said Drekkon as he stood up from his seat. Hiding the files away into his drawer with one claw. "Sir Drekkon, there are Goldenclaw soldiers at the base of the mountain claiming to conquer Griffonstone!" The griffoness said. "And why am I to believe you?" He eyed the griffoness curiously. Taking in every detail, strong wings and muscle, beautifully formed feathers. She would make a good recruit he thought. "Because you daughter sent me, sir." The griffoness raised a claw to reveal his daughters pendant. A large tooth tied in a rope. Drekkon recognises it very well. It was a teenage dragon's tooth of when he and his daughter travelled to the great badlands, the rope was made from the hair of a diamond dog alpha at one of his mercenary missions. Drekkon slowly walk towards Gilda, his eyes fixed on the tooth of the pendant. He stopped as he remembered clearly how Eleftheria swung her sword when the dragon's maw was right in front of his face. The first swipe hit the dragon in the mouth forcing it away from him, the second a piercing strike in the head. "You mean my daughter sent you to me, and that she's there fighting Goldenclaw's lackeys?" "Umm... Yes, sir Drekkon." Gilda replied. Her wings fidgeted. Drekkon swung his fist sideways, low enough to to hit the front of his desk. Gilda jumped back as Drekkon angrily hit his desk as he growled. "Damn that girl!" "She said that you could organise an evacuation." Gilda hopefully asked. The elder falcon sighed. "I am low in available units right now, girl." Drekkon paused for a sec, drumming his talons on the wooden floor. "Tell you what, take two of my griffons and go to Gruff, tell him that I asked him to handle this matter." "Why Grampa Gruff?" Gilda asked with a raised eyebrow. "Your her granddaughter, eh?" Drekkon chuckled. "Old goose, never told me any stories. Your Grampa and I were once partner, but I'll leave it to him to explain it." He walked towards a wall and grabbed a sword hanging from it. "I'll have to go and save my daughter." As he was about to walk out of his office, he looked over his shoulder. "If they sent you here, then some of those Goldenclaws are already on their way to the city. Two of my griffons would wait you outside my house, better move fast." He then walked out of the office and began shouting orders. Gilda took a deep breath then wiped the sweat off her crest. She knows what to do, she also needs to save someone first. Grampa Gruff was counting bits and planning this months budget, accounting Mara's arrival, when a hurried knock came from the front door. "Oi! What's with the feathering hurry?" He shouted as he stood up from his couch to unlock the door. Upon unlocking it though, he was faced with two mercenary griffons. "What do you two want?" He asked in an annoyed tone. "We were sent by sir Drekkon and your granddaughter, sir Gruff." A diamond dove hybrid griffoness said, as she and her partner set a claw over their chest and bowed their heads slightly. "Why? What did my granddaughter do?" "She asked us to go here in her stead as she insisted in fetching her sister first, a wise decision if I Would say." The old vulture raised and eyebrow. "What does Drekkon have to do with this?" The two griffon mercenaries eyes widen at the sudden causality on their master's name. The yellow-collared macaw hybrid answered with his deep voice. "Uhhh... Sir Drekkon, told us and your granddaughter that you are in charge of evacuation." "Evacuation? Evacuation for what?" Grampa Gruff's tone of voice was that of getting impatient. "Griffonstone seems to be under attack, sir." The griffoness answered quickly. bam The door shut. The two stunned griffons glanced at each other warily. Then, the door opened again. "Get everyone to the ancient castle, tell them to gather as much weapons and armour they could find. There's no escape from Griffonstone. If Goldenclaws' are here, then Goddess we better hurry. Now quickly!" He said, gesturing the two to hasten their work. The two nodded, turned around, and flew to warn everygriffon. Grampa Gruff closed the door once more, then sighed. He turned his eyes over his house, a house where he retired to after his youthful days. And now, the duty of those youthful days had come to call him again. He made his way past the living room and into his bedroom, where a fine sword and an Iron claw were hanged on a red frame. He took the sword's sheath from his drawer and then took the weapons from the wall. He looked at himself in the mirror before opening the cabinet and taking the last remaining item form his former set of armour, he only has the helmet left. He set the silver plated helm over his head, a knowing gash on its left eye made him remember his final battle – the one that sent him in retirement. Well, it looks like it wasn't his final battle after all. When he came out of his room, he sent a glance at Mara's door, which was open, he saw her watching one of her videos in the device Gilda had found. As if she felt him looking at her, Mara turned her eyes towards Grampa Gruff. The two stared at each other eyes for a moment before Grampa Gruff nodded in acknowledgement, then walked towards the door out of his house to contribute to the defense of the city. > The Battle in Griffonstone (Part I) > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Zip. Cluck. Thump. A high heeled boot stomped on the wooden floor. Mara Sov gave her uniform a last few checks, slightly unsheathing her shock dagger from a strap on her right thigh. Beside it was a holster with its gun missing, probably from when her ship crashed landed here. She recalled what happened just a few minutes ago. She sat there on her bed, watching another one of her videos, this time was when herself was introducing how she first use arcane magic which was first discovered by the Royal bloodline when they first settled in the reef. She was merely halfway through when a hasty series of knocks came from the front door. With her door ajar she peeked to see Gruff walking to answer the door with a frown on his face. What was interesting was that, when he returned there was a mix of emotion coming from his face: concern, conflict, and hesitation which immediately changed to determination a long with his face. He disappeared shortly, only to check on her before nodding then off to where he was needed. He was dressed for battle, with a blade, an Iron Claw, and a Helmet, Mara does not know what he plans on doing with that layout but she knew one thing. Trouble was descending to this slum of a city. Trouble that she must avoid to keep her existence a secret from the superiors of this species, who knows what they might do to her, without most of her memories she would likely lose to some Lord. Mara walked casually towards the front door, completely equip with everything she had before coming here – minus the shock pistol. She took a deep breath then twisted the doorknob only to stop when the door was slightly opened. She stood there for a moment before closing the door and going back to the corridor of the house. She opened one of the four doors in the corridor. It was a room with a small bed, beside it was a nightstand, next to is was a small bookshelf, with a few books. Most were stories of fiction, but some where histories about the old Griffon country, and the ancient Griffon Kingdom. A pot was placed on the inside ledge of the window. A flower with white vertices and a yellow centre, a daisy. The griffon cub, why does Mara care about her? She asked that herself. Her mind flashed back to how ecstatic the young griffoness was about helping her in anyway she can. Just like that time she insisted on washing Mara's clothes despite her protests. The struggle on her face when she set up her armours and uniforms outside to dry, despite how heavy the armour was due to how little the cub was she still has that wide grin plastered on her face. She sighed. Mara then walked back out of the room and onto the front door, twisting the knob and opening the door. As she walked out, she uttered a few words to herself. "Never say, Mara Sov, does not pay her debt." Despite with the sun high up in the sky, the Griffonstone wet market was filled with griffons of all kinds of breeds. Merchants shouts rang through the air to get the attention of potential customers. While others bargain in exchange with goods or money, a small griffoness cub sat in the middle of a busy crowd, staring at a stall that sells modern and herbal medicines, mostly the latter. She eyed the stall owner with her precious emerald eyes, sweat made her brown crest and darker brown fur greasy, but still she kept a careful watch. As soon as the owner turned and the waiting customer was preoccupied, the griffoness swiftly snatched a handful of herbs from the table and run into the dense crowd. She could hear the stall owner shout as he realised he has been robbed. "Hey!" The cub spared a glance behind her to see the owner shoving through the thick crowd. She gasped and quickened her pace, breathing heavily thanks to the heat of the sun and the cramp space around her. As she weaved her way through, the griffons behind her who's been protesting from the stall owners shoving was quickly getting louder, meaning the owner was gaining on her. And then she spot the alley she was looking for, she accelerated her pace even more. She was about to get away when she heard the stall owner's voice behind her. "Oi, think you're going to get away?" The cub closed her eyes shot and bullheadedly shoved her way. She anticipated for the owner to grab her but then... "Get back here – Oof!" The owner bumped into a mercenary, who held his shoulders. "Halt! You must evacuate into the ancient castle." Said the female mercenary. The cub hid a round a corner to catch her breath, she glanced and saw why the stall owner was not able to grab her. But, she also so him glaring at where she was, making her dash back to cover. But she stayed long enough to hear what the mercenary told the owner next. "Get your claws off me, there's a thief I'm after!" Snarled the crow bred stall owner. "Griffonstone is under attack! I insist you move or else you'll be killed. I am under orders but I can't waste my time with one griffon, I must warn the others." The mercenary protested. "How am I suppose to know you're with that–" "Aaaagghh!" "Kyaaaaaaah!" Then the cries were heard throughout the market, of a griffoness who stared with wide eyes at the horrifying scene in front of her. Where a griffon with the same age as her was covered with blood, the Crimson liquid of life, squirting and flowing from a gash brought by a curved sword. Twelve Goldenclaw footmen stared maliciously at the crowd in front of them. "What are your orders, sir?" Said a lower ranking footman. "Regi and his squad are taking over the housing residence." The better ranking footman chuckled. "Plunder the place, take anything and do anything you like, just don't cause too much destruction, by the captain's orders." Chuckles were letted out around the squad as they advance toward the shocked and confused crowd, only to bring havoc around them. As the crowd came to their senses they quickly dispersed causing a stampede. The better ranking footman laughed. "Ha! Look at them run!" The mercenary, however, tried to tell everyone to head towards the ancient castle as she, herself, escape the clutches of a clear death encounter with the Goldenclaw's. "Mum! I brought some medicine!" The dark brown furred cub said as she burst open the door to a small house. It was a simple one for the city of Griffonstone, after all the city and it's inhabitants were poor, but what the residence didn't have was the rich culture the capital city still holds. "You did not steal it did you?" Said by an older griffoness with a rough voice, she was laid on a bed with no sheets. Her head was rested on a soft pillow, made by her daughter herself. "Uhhh... No!" The Maya bred cub replied. "A merchant had so much of these that he gave away some to me!" She smiled sheepishly. "Don't lie to me, Helena. Tell me the truth." The griffoness said calmly as she gave her daughter a weak smile. "He did gave it to me." The cub muttered, pouting, as she turned her head away sulkily. "Helena," her mother cooed. "You know I told you not to steal. The cursed of the Griffon blood might come to you. Our greed is almost comparable to dragons, and it is almost as important as honour, glory, and loyalty, to most griffons. If one kept stealing and hoarding material things then they will just keep on going, that's the curse that is more ancient than the lost kingdom." "But you're sick mum!" The cub cried, tears threatening to fall down from her eyes. "I know," her mother smiled and nodded. "that's why I am thankful for you to take care of me. But remember what happened to your father and most of our families, Helena." "Yes, mum." The cub wiped her tears away with her forearms. Then, making her way towards her mothers bed. Their bed. Their house was only a small one, with only a single room. In this room they had a bed, a table, a couple of chairs, an almost barren bookshelf, and an old nightstand with a glass of water with her mother's favourite flowers. Roses. Helena went and took the wet towel off her mother's forehead to replace it with another one. She then proceeded into stashing the medicine she took. Cough... Cough, cough. Helena quickly fetched a glass of water to give for her mother. She passed the glass to her mother, who gratefully took it. As her mother gave the glass back, the doors was kicked open. Helena gasped. "Lookie, here! A cub and her mum!" A male voice said, as he laughed. "Are you sure the captain or the sergeant would approve of this?" His companion nervously asked. "They said we could do anything we want! Not like we're causing destruction now, are we? No? Now help me get off this armour." The cub trembled against her terrified mother. "No!" Helena cried. Mara couldn't believe she was actually doing this. She was ill prepared with no past experience to help her, thanks to her memory loss. This is a stupid act; Nonetheless, she kept on going. Carefully sneaking pass walls, avoiding terrified griffons and a large amount of armoured troops who seemed to be pillaging the city. Bam! Dashing to an alley, Mara quietly watched as a couple of armoured griffons stormed a house. She unsheathed her shock dagger and held it close. She had found it when she reflexively took hold of it's hilt when she first met Gilda, she had also known its capabilities when she watched herself explain some of the fallen upgraded techs that the Awoken possess. She stood there, watching as one of the armoured griffons stood watch at the door while the other went inside. She had to stay here, her goal was to rescue Little Squick and keep her safe. That, until a shout of a female cub came from inside. "No! Stop!" The cub cried. As if on instinct Mara ran from cover and headed straight for the enemy occupied house. "No! Get away from her!" A much older griffoness shouted from the inside. Thinking that she might be too late, Mara was running at first then disappeared. Leaving a small amount of black mist that faded quickly from the dark. Laica watched helplessly as the stripping Goldenclaw footman slowly advance towards her and her daughter. Her heart was beating a mile a second at what was about to happen. She knew it, the lust in the eyes of this sick bastard was so intense that she could do nothing but cry. Except, it was not pointed towards her but to her daughter. And the thought about it filled her with dread. She could not help the tears going down her cheeks as her daughter trembled in fear beside her. "Mum..." Her daughter, Helena, muttered. She held her close, resting her daughter's head against her chest, whilst trying to keep her from looking at the monster in front of them. "Ooooh..." The footman smiled maliciously, "I'm going to have so much fun with you." He cackled. "No!" Liana cried. Holding unto her daughter with everything she has. The bastard griffons was now fully uncovered by his armour and was now unhindered from his evil desires. Then something happened. Laica could see pass the bastard and at the door. A rift emerged with white thread like light flowing at its edges. While a strange creature in a strange armour came out all balled up. The creature then unfurled with a dagger in hand stabbing the griffon bastard's companion in the head. The blade effortlessly piercing the iron helmet. The momentum of her impact also broke the door down, with the footman's dead body on topside of it. This got the other one's attention. He quickly grabbed his sword and charged at the strange creature. "Damn you, freak!" The creature twirled and kicked the griffon with the back of its boots. Surprisingly making a decent mark on the wall. The griffon took his head out of the wall and gave it a few shakes before opening his eyes to a blade that brought a burning experience through out his body. Then he fell like a rag doll on to the floor. The creature, who Laica guess was a she stared at them before she spoke. "It is unsafe here. You must find a better place to stay." She said. "B – but mum can't move! She's sick." Helena said. Laica smiled. She felt blessed with being gifted with a child like her. "I'll be fine, Helena, go." "No! I'm staying with you mum!" "Helena, you can't carry me. I am too heavy, I'll just burden you and we'll both get caught." "I said, I'M NOT LEAVING!" The cub shouted. "I would help, but I have other things to do." Mara walked out as the mother and daughter held each other. The queen found a griffon who's a couple of years older than Little Squick. She grabbed him and pulled him inside. "You!" She said, pinning the griffon on the wall whilst staring straight at the young griffon's terrified eyes. "Help the cub get her mother to safety, or else we'll see each other after this." Mara then runs off to her objective. The griffon stood there for a moment, hyperventilating, before coming to his senses. He was about to make a run for it as Helena helped her mother out of the bed. The griffons hesitated. Somehow, something ignited inside him that made him clutch his chest. He turned around and took one of Laica's forearms. "Come on, let's go." He said, as he positioned himself. While he did so, Laica's thoughts were back on the creature when she first saw its eyes, while Helena had her claws upon her chest. A feeling that she never felt before filled her with excitement and Determination.