Griffin Anthology: The Gryfon King Returns

The great Griffin Halreom, the kingdom's sacred guardian, spread its wings to protect Lethenia's last living prince from the raging needles thrown by the rebel's giant knife eagle.

After receiving multiple needles on one part of his body, its steel-like feathers parted, giving enough opening for a needle to penetrate his flesh, straight into his heart.

Halreom sounded a high-pitched cry and hid the prince within his arms and wings before his feet staggered to kneel.

'Gylbart, don't try to come out or shout. Wait for the right time. You must survive and restore our nation. Farewell, my child,' said the Griffin in the eighteen-year-old prince's mind.

Gylbart heard a sigh and felt hot air engulfed his body. He had no inkling for what it was. Somehow, he cared less.

Gylbart pounded the griffin's chest and wailed, "Just let me die. I should be dead for being born weak and powerless," but stopped after he felt the griffin's whole body hardened like steel, dead.

"Halreom," he whispered and cried in silence.

After the war, one could see a huge Griffin kneeling in the vast plains of Cardlem, the borderland between the human kingdoms of Lethenia and Dessesiah.

However, the rebels had to secure the griffin's corpse to their camp.

Its body was worth a nation. Devouring the blood and flesh could transform soldiers wielding supernatural powers. The bone and feathers could be used as divine weapons.

The rebels tried plucking its feathers or slicing and poking holes on its body using magical weapons but failed. Even the knife eagle's needle that killed it, broke when pierced this time.

They had no choice, but to leave it there, expecting changes thereafter.

"Leave some men to protect it from thieves and scavengers. No one is allowed to touch it. Guard it with your life," said a man riding a white horse. His fancy attire and red cape signified his status, the rebel General.

Gylbart knew the owner of that voice, the former Major General Malech. He insisted on producing more weapons but the king opposed, so he left the army.

It turned out he was the rebel leader they sought.

Gylbart swore, "I'll kill you, bastard. Just you wait. I'll definitely kill you."

Suddenly, ice crystals materialized on his feet all the way to his head, sending him to sleep.

Days passed, the griffin's corpse remained intact, frustrating the rebels.

A month after, Gylbart was awakened by excruciating pain in his body, somewhat like something inside was ready to explode any second.

He screamed in agony, waking the sleeping guards in the middle of the night.

Two protrusions formed on Gylbart's shoulder blades, increasing the pain as he yelled.

The guards witnessed a light emanating from within the griffin's wings. It slowly seeped through the feathers and growing brighter by the minute.

"Oh, no, the griffin is alive. It's alive. It will kill us," said one of the guards, running away for his life. However, lightning struck and turned him into ashes.

"General Malech's instructions were clear. Those who leave, die," said the man with a glowing staff.

"Sir Wizard, please, we beg of you. Let's run away before it's fully awakened," cried an older guard, kneeling in front of the wizard.

"Don't be afraid. I will protect...," the Wizard stopped half-way when the light escalated in an astounding speed and swallowed the griffin's body.

They lifted their arms and shielded their eyes.

Then, they heard flapping wings . . . and the light subsided.

They slowly brought down their arms and peeked. And startled to find a winged naked human while the griffin's body disappeared.

His snowy white wings had red feathers at the tip and a lion's tail was on his behind. The being's hair shimmered like gold and his eyes ablaze like fire, softening the guards' legs in fright.

"Ahhh, no, please, don't kill us," begged the horrified guards, prostrating.

"Die, you, evil beast," shouted the wizard in righteous indignation while aiming his staff. Yet, a slight gaze from the being shattered the crystal on the staff, causing the frightened wizard to faint.

"Now, I remember everything. Halreom couldn't leave because I'm his only successor and also this country's prince," said Gylbart sadly.

He then glared at the humans.

"Tell your general, the Griffin King is back and he will establish justice in this land."

Gylbart spread his lofty wings and flew in lightning speed, vanishing into the dark sky.

"I'll rebuild Gryfon nation together with Lethenia, Halreom."