The Infiltration Plan (II)

Zayn's grip tightened on the griffin's saddle as the creature beneath him let out a low, rumbling growl, shifting its weight in anticipation. 

He had seen a Griffin in games before but never in real life.

It was a massive beast, larger than any warhorse, its body a blend of majestic eagle and powerful lion. 

Its golden-brown feathers shimmered under the dim light, streaked with hints of deep red and black, as if fire had licked its wings. 

The feathers along its head and neck were sharp, fanning out slightly with each movement.

Its lion-like hind legs were thick with muscle, clawed paws digging into the damp earth as it prepared for takeoff. 

Its tail, a mix of feathers and fur, flicked from side to side, moving with an unsettling grace for something so large. 

The beast's piercing amber eyes locked onto Zayn's, intelligent and fierce, as if it were assessing whether he was worthy of riding it.