Chapter 61: Feathers, Fury, and a Final Fall

The Mountain Griffon's beak narrowly missed Drake's face, the wind from its passage stinging his eyes. He stumbled back, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The high altitude and extreme cold were making it difficult to breathe, and the lingering effects of the Swamp Rot further weakened him. He knew he was in serious trouble.

He had to find a way to gain the upper hand, and fast. The griffon was circling above him, preparing for another attack. Drake knew he couldn't dodge forever.

Back in Oakhaven, before accepting this perilous mission, Drake had taken the opportunity to playfully needle Gareth.

"So, Gareth," Drake had said, leaning against the quest board with a casual air, "this griffon… is it, like, a *really* big chicken? Because I'm pretty good at catching chickens. Though I prefer them roasted with a side of potatoes. You wouldn't happen to have any spare potatoes, would you?"

Gareth had sighed, rubbing his temples. "This is a serious matter, Drake," he had said, his voice strained. "People are in danger. This is not a joking matter."

"Oh, I know, I know," Drake had replied, winking. "But a little humor never hurt anyone. Except maybe that one guy I accidentally set on fire. But that was a long time ago. And it was an accident! Mostly."

Gareth had just shaken his head, handing Drake the contract. "Just… be careful, Drake," he had said. "And try not to cause too much trouble."

Now, facing the snarling griffon, Drake muttered, "Well, Gareth, I tried. But it seems trouble has found me once again."

The griffon swooped down again, this time aiming its talons at Drake's chest. Drake activated Void Embrace, feeling the familiar surge of dark energy.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Embrace (Level 2). Health Drain per turn: 3."*

He then used Void Step to teleport above the griffon, reappearing just as it passed below him. He unleashed a powerful Shadow Strike, enhanced by the Void Embrace, targeting the creature's back.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Shadow Strike (Level 5, Enhanced by Void Embrace). Cost: 60 Mana. Damage Dealt: 150. Critical Hit!"*

The griffon shrieked in pain, its thick feathers parting to reveal a deep wound. The Void Embrace empowered strike had finally broken through its tough hide.

Drake landed on the griffon's back, clinging to its feathers as it tried to shake him off. He used his enhanced Dexterity to maintain his grip, delivering a series of quick strikes to the wound he had just created.

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Dexterity Training (+250 XP)"*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Aerial Combat Training (+300 XP)"*

The griffon roared in fury, thrashing its wings and trying to dislodge Drake. He held on tight, knowing this was his only chance. He had to finish this fight quickly, before the Void Embrace drained all of his remaining health.

He channeled the last of his mana into one final, powerful Void Shatter, aiming it directly at the wound on the griffon's back.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Shatter (Level 1). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 80."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 3. Drake Health: 62/100"*

The chaotic energy tore through the griffon's flesh, causing it to shriek in agony. The creature lost its grip on the air, plummeting towards the rocky ground below.

Drake jumped off the griffon's back just before it crashed, landing gracefully on a nearby rock. The griffon hit the ground with a sickening thud, its body twitching.

*Notification: "Enemy Defeated: Mountain Griffon (+3000 XP)."*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Mountain Griffon Encounter (+3000 XP)"*

*Notification: "Void Embrace Deactivated."*

Drake gasped for breath, his body trembling with exhaustion. He had barely survived, but he had defeated the griffon. He checked his Codex and added all the experience he had earned from the previous encounters.

*Experience: 9700+3000=12700/7000*

*Notification: "Level Up! Drake has reached Level 8!"*

*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 8"*

*Notification: "Skill Points Available: 2"*

He allocated his stat points putting 4 into Dexterity and 4 into Strength.

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Dexterity +4. Current Dexterity: 28."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Strength +4. Current Strength: 37."*

He allocated his skill points, putting one into Shadow Cloak and one into Void Step.

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Shadow Cloak (Level 7). Effect: Increased invisibility duration and reduced mana cost. Can now be used while moving at full speed."*

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Void Step (Level 2). Effect: Increased teleportation range and reduced mana cost."*

He had survived another near-death experience, but he had grown stronger, faster, and more skilled. He was one step closer to being ready to face the darkness that awaited him at the Voidwatch fortress.