The moonlight filtered through the linen curtains, bathing Lyra's modest home in a soft silver hue. A gentle breeze moved through the trees outside, whispering through the quiet night as Eva lay resting on the bed, her bandages freshly changed.
Lyra sat beside her, arms crossed, her brows pinched in thought. Her heart still raced from what she had heard.
"…I know who you're talking about," she said softly.
Eva's eyes widened with faint hope. "You do? Then—then you can take me to him? Please, Lyra. I know… I know things didn't end well for you back home. But this isn't about politics. Or status. This is about survival. If we don't get help soon—"
"Eva." Lyra raised a hand to stop her. Her voice was firm, but her eyes softened. "I said I know who you're looking for. And I will help."
Eva fell silent.
Lyra stood up, walking slowly to the small window. The noise from the town had faded now, replaced by the stillness of the night. Her reflection shimmered faintly on the glass.
"I left the village because I didn't want to be bound by traditions I didn't believe in. I wanted freedom. I wanted… a different life. But just because I left doesn't mean I stopped caring." She turned, eyes full of fire. "There are still people there I love. People like you. And if they're in danger, then I'm going to do something about it."
Eva's eyes welled up. "Thank you…"
Lyra stepped forward and knelt beside the bed, taking Eva's hand gently.
"You just focus on healing. In the morning, we'll go see Zenjiro together. I'll talk to him. I'll explain everything."
Eva gripped her hand tightly. "He'll help us, won't he?"
A smile touched Lyra's lips. "He has a loud mouth, a smug grin, and more confidence than sense… but yes. If anyone can help, it's him."
The two embraced softly, holding onto a moment of shared past and uncertain future.
After a while, Lyra rose again and tucked the blanket over Eva's shoulder. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we save our home."
As Lyra blew out the candle and stepped into the quiet dark, the weight of what was to come settled heavily on her shoulders—but not without purpose.
***
Sunlight poured in through the tall windows of the Arcbridge mansion, illuminating the grand dining room where Zenjiro sat at the head of a long oak table. Across from him, Celeste and Aria flanked either side, their elegant nightgowns traded for modest morning robes. The table was covered in silver platters holding steaming food—roasted pheasant, spiced potatoes, honey-glazed carrots, and a surprisingly well-shaped loaf of bread.
Zenjiro leaned back in his chair, fork in hand, chewing with satisfaction. "Mmm… damn, this is really good."
Celeste beamed, tapping her chin with a playful smile. "So the great Zenjiro approves?"
He pointed his fork at her dramatically. "Celeste, you're not just great with magic—you're a legend in the kitchen. I used to eat instant ramen every day, and this... this is like food from the gods."
Aria blinked. "Instant... ramen?" she repeated, tilting her head.
Zenjiro froze mid-bite. "…Uh, it's... nothing. Just a food from where I'm from. Super fancy. Only the most elite warriors eat it."
Celeste snorted into her wine.
Aria narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Hmph. Sounds made-up."
"Trust me, it's real. Comes in shiny little square packs. You add water, and bam! Culinary masterpiece."
Aria wrinkled her nose. "That sounds terrible."
Zenjiro grinned. "You're not wrong."
Aria smiled slyly and added, "For your information, I helped make the stew today. Just a little. You know, royal touch and all."
Zenjiro leaned forward with exaggerated admiration. "You cooked too? Aria, I think the stew tastes divine now. I can taste the nobility."
She flushed, lowering her gaze. "Y-you're such an idiot…" she muttered, a smile tugging at her lips.
Celeste chuckled, resting her chin on her palm as she watched the two. "We're really starting to look like an actual household," she said. "Zenjiro the lord, his magical wife, and his princess bride."
Zenjiro grinned. "Not bad, huh?"
Celeste raised an eyebrow. "So what now? We just… eat, drink, and nap forever? Is that the plan, Lord Zenjiro?"
Zenjiro dropped his fork with mock drama. "Why yes, my beautiful sorceress. I believe we have earned a little peace and quiet. For once. If destiny wants me to go do something world-shattering again, it can knock on the damn door and ask nicely."
Just then—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The three froze mid-breath.
Zenjiro blinked. "Okay. That was creepy."
Aria looked between them. "Did… anyone invite someone over?"
Celeste stood up slowly, already suspicious. "No."
Zenjiro exhaled heavily and pushed back from the table. "Fine, I'll get it. But if it's someone selling enchanted mops again, I'm setting the porch on fire."
He made his way through the grand entryway and pulled open the door.
There stood Lyra, hair tousled from a sleepless night, eyes serious.
"Hey," she said simply. "I need your help."
Zenjiro's smirk faded.
***
The heavy front doors swung fully open, revealing Lyra standing firm, and beside her—propped on one shoulder and still clearly weakened—was the battered elf girl, Eva. Her once-silky blonde hair was matted in places with dried blood, her cloak torn and patched, and her eyes bleary but determined.
Zenjiro blinked. "Lyra… Is… everything okay?"
Lyra nodded gravely. "Zenjiro, we need to talk. It's serious."
"Come in," he said immediately, stepping aside.
Celeste and Aria were already peeking out from the dining room, curiosity overtaking the last of their breakfast.
Moments Later–In the Drawing Room, Eva sat on a couch, a warm towel pressed against her forehead while Lyra hovered nearby. Celeste stood with her arms crossed, observing in silence. Aria knelt beside the couch, watching Eva with concern. Zenjiro stood at the center, arms crossed, listening.
"It happened three nights ago," Eva began weakly. "They came without warning… dark-cloaked men, beasts that looked like wolves but walked upright, flames everywhere… Our guards didn't stand a chance."
Lyra took over. "They attacked the outer forest of our homeland. Elven scouts barely escaped. Eva volunteered to come here to Arcbridge and ask for help before it's too late."
Zenjiro furrowed his brow. "Why here?"
Eva looked at him, her expression sincere. "There were rumors… about a man who slayed a dragon in the kingdom of Rosenthal. A man calling himself a god, with powers no one can explain."
A pause.
Zenjiro scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed. "...Yeah, that'd be me."
Eva's eyes sparkled a bit as she nodded, confirming her suspicions. "So it is true."
"Eva's one of the few people I still care about from the village," Lyra added quietly. "Even if I left the elven lands... it doesn't mean I stopped caring about everyone. I owe it to her. And to myself."
Celeste glanced over. "Why did you leave, anyway?"
A silence lingered. Lyra looked down, her voice low. "The elders didn't like how I… challenged them. I never fit the mold. They wanted a pretty little songbird. I wanted to fly. So, I left."
Zenjiro nodded thoughtfully, then glanced again at Eva. "She's hurt."
Eva winced as she shifted. "Just… bruises. I'll be fine."
Without a word, Zenjiro stepped forward, kneeled beside her, and gently placed a hand over her side. A soft golden light flowed from his palm, warm and radiant, washing over Eva like the rising sun.
The wounds slowly faded. The bruises began to clear. Her breathing eased.
Aria's mouth fell open. "Wait… you can heal people?!"
Celeste smirked. "He's got a few tricks."
Zenjiro shrugged. "Yeah, I've been working on that. Figured if I can melt a dragon's skull or whatever, I should be able to fix a busted rib."
Eva touched her side in awe. "You're incredible…"
She then leaned toward Lyra, whispering with wide eyes, "He's also really hot."
Lyra's face flared red. "Sh-shut up."
Zenjiro turned toward them. "So. You need help saving your village?"
Eva and Lyra both stood. Lyra nodded. "We do. Will you help us?"
Zenjiro didn't even pause. "Yeah."
They blinked.
"That's it?" Lyra asked.
He grinned. "I was getting bored of sitting around anyway."
Celeste smiled, stepping beside him. "Wherever Zenjiro goes, I go."
Aria rose too, her expression firm. "And I want more adventures with you. Count me in."
Zenjiro turned to face the group—all of them, standing beside one another, united.
"Then it's settled," he said. "We leave as soon as Eva's strong enough to travel."
Eva grinned at Lyra, then at Zenjiro. "Thank you. All of you."
And Lyra… just looked at Zenjiro. Her expression softening.
Maybe this man… wasn't just a hero. Maybe he was hope.
***
The sun had barely climbed above the rooftops when a crowd began to form at the town square. A beautiful black and gold carriage, polished to a royal shine, stood waiting—pulled by two majestic beast-horses with silver manes. Zenjiro stood before it, flanked by Celeste, Aria, Lyra, and Eva—each dressed for travel, each ready for what lay ahead.
The crowd buzzed with chatter.
Zenjiro adjusted his coat and gave a charming grin, waving casually. "Sorry to leave so soon, folks. A hero's work is never done."
"Take us with you!" someone yelled.
"Marry me!" yelled someone else.
Zenjiro just chuckled.
And then—
"WAIT, HOLD THE DEPARTURE!"
Everyone turned as a cloud of dust raced down the cobbled street. A familiar, wildly energetic figure came skidding into the plaza—arms flailing, eyes sparkling, and a suspiciously large backpack strapped to his back.
Mako.
"Lord Zenjiro!" he shouted, running up and throwing an arm around him. "You didn't tell me you were leaving with the harem squad!"
Celeste raised a brow. "Harem… squad?"
Mako blinked, then leaned back and dramatically examined the group—Aria, Celeste, Lyra, and Eva—with a sort of over-the-top, sparkly-eyed awe.
"Redhead tsundere princess? Check. Cool, tall ice queen? Check. Mysterious elf beauty? Double check?! It's like I've stepped into my ultimate fantasy!"
Aria twitched.
Mako rubbed his chin, nodding to himself. "Now, if only one of you turns out to be secretly a demon, this will be the perfect party."
Zenjiro laughed, clapping him on the back. "You're impossible."
"I'm just saying, let me tag along. I'll be your chronicler. I'll write an epic saga—'Zenjiro and the Goddess Brigade.'"
Aria stepped forward, fire flickering in her eyes. "Did you just call us a brigade?"
Mako turned with a smile. "You, princess, are obviously the tsundere fire mage. You'll probably end up being the one who pretends to hate the hero the most, but actually—"
"FLAME STRIKE!"
A fiery column erupted from Aria's blade, launching Mako into the air like a cartoon comet, trailing smoke.
"PERVERT!!!" she screamed, face blazing red.
The crowd gasped—then erupted in laughter and applause.
Zenjiro was doubled over laughing. "Oh man… Mako, you okay?"
From a distant rooftop, Mako's voice echoed back weakly: "Totally worth it…"
Aria huffed, cheeks flushed, muttering, "Disgusting little goblin…"
Celeste smirked. "You didn't have to torch him."
"I did," Aria replied. "He's just lucky I didn't go full combustion."
Zenjiro wiped a tear from his eye. "You girls are gonna make this trip very entertaining."
He turned back to the crowd, stepping up onto the carriage step. "Thanks, Arcbridge! You've been awesome. We'll be back—with more stories, more loot, and probably more explosions."
The carriage doors closed behind him. Celeste and Aria slid in after him, followed by Lyra and Eva.
The crowd cheered and waved as the carriage rolled forward.
"Goodbye!"
"Come back alive!"
"Make babies!"
Zenjiro stuck his head out one last time. "One quest at a time, people!"
Mako, covered in soot, limped back into the frame with a dramatic wave. "Go forth, hero! And if you die, can I date your ice queen?!"
WHACK. A flaming shoe smacked him in the face. Aria's again.
And with that, the carriage rolled out of town—toward danger, destiny, and whatever madness awaited.
***
The wheels of the carriage creaked softly over the worn woodland path, the rhythmic sound mingling with birdsong and rustling leaves. Sunlight streamed in through the open windows, painting shifting patches of light across the carriage floor. Inside, the atmosphere had grown quiet—calm, contemplative.
Lyra sat with her arms folded, gazing out at the trees, her expression distant.
"…It feels strange," she said suddenly.
Zenjiro, who had been fiddling with a deck of cards Celeste had given him, looked up. "Strange?"
"Going back." She leaned against the window frame. "It's been a long time since I left the Elvenwood."
"How long are we talking?" he asked.
There was a beat of silence. Then Lyra's voice dropped slightly.
"…Fifty years."
Zenjiro blinked. "Fifty? As in—five-zero?"
Lyra gave a dry chuckle. "Yeah. Half a century. That's nothing for an elf, but it still feels like a lifetime."
"Wait… so when you left…" Zenjiro trailed off, trying to wrap his head around it.
"I was still considered a 'youngling' back then." Lyra turned her head, her eyes wistful. "But I didn't want to stay in the forest. I didn't like the rules. The traditions. The endless rituals. I wanted to see the world beyond the trees."
Celeste tilted her head thoughtfully. "So you left everything behind?"
"Pretty much. My parents disapproved. The elders were furious. Said I was abandoning my duties as a guardian of our ancient ways." She shrugged. "I just… wanted to be me. Not a statue in a temple."
Eva leaned over with a small, affectionate smile. "You always had that rebellious streak. Got you into more trouble than I could count."
"And you always bailed me out," Lyra said with a soft laugh.
Celeste nodded, her voice calm and firm. "Regardless of why you left, going back now—to help—takes strength. Most people wouldn't."
Lyra's gaze softened. "There are still people there who matter to me. Eva… a few others. Even if I can't face the elders… I'll fight to protect what's left."
Aria, who'd been quietly listening, finally asked, "What exactly is this place they're attacking? The… Heartgrove Shrine, right?"
Eva's face grew tense. "It's sacred ground. Hidden deep in the Elvenwood. A place where the barrier between this world and the spiritual realm is said to be… thin."
Aria frowned. "Spiritual realm?"
"It's where we elves connect to the old forces," Eva explained. "Some believe the gods still watch over it."
"Sounds like a place that shouldn't be touched," Celeste muttered.
"Exactly," Eva said. "That's why it's guarded. Only those chosen can even approach the inner sanctum. But the attackers… they were powerful. Too powerful. They didn't even care about the shrine's sanctity."
Zenjiro folded his arms. "So what do they want?"
Eva looked at him, frustration in her voice. "We don't know. But they weren't after loot. They went straight for the shrine. Ignored everything else."
Lyra's voice was tight. "Whatever it is… it must be something big. I just hope we're not too late."
There was a quiet moment after that.
The forest outside grew denser, the trees older, the light dimmer.
Zenjiro finally spoke, his tone quiet but confident. "We'll make it. We've got time. And we've got me."
Aria smiled faintly. "Confident as always."
He grinned at her. "It's my best trait."
"No," she replied, looking away with a smirk, "your best trait is how dumb you are when you act cool."
"Wow. Romantic," he teased.
Celeste chuckled. "You do have a talent for gathering strange women around you."
Eva leaned over to Lyra and whispered, "Does that mean we are now part of his harem, cause I wouldn't mind?"
Lyra's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. "…Shut up."
Eva grinned knowingly.
Zenjiro looked between them. "What was that?"
"Nothing!" Lyra and Eva said in unison.
The carriage creaked to a halt as the dense trees of the ancient forest loomed ahead. Moss-covered trunks towered like guardians, their branches arching into a canopy that filtered the sunlight into pale green shafts.
The driver turned. "Lord Zenjiro, I think this is as far as the carriage can go. The forest trail is too narrow for wheels from here."
Zenjiro stretched, hopping out. "Alright then. Guess we walk."
One by one, the others stepped down—Celeste landing gracefully, Aria adjusting her sword belt, and the elves strapping on their bow and arrows, then scanning their surroundings with familiarity and unease.
Eva stepped forward, her voice soft. "We're close. The village lies deeper in… but we'll need to cross the Silverroot Bridge first."
They moved swiftly down the forest path. Birds chirped nervously above, and the air grew cooler under the shade. Before long, they reached a clearing—and the scene that met them drew everyone to a stop.
The bridge was gone.
Or rather, it was destroyed. Splintered planks and shattered stone pillars lay in the gorge below. The once-proud structure now hung in ruins over a river churning far beneath.
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "This wasn't erosion. Someone took this out."
Eva nodded grimly. "Recently too. To slow down anyone trying to reach the village."
Zenjiro stepped up to the ledge, hands on hips. "Pfft. That's it? Easy fix."
Celeste blinked. "Fix?"
"We'll fly over, obviously," he said casually, cracking his knuckles.
Celeste arched a brow. "Zenjiro, you and I can fly. Aria and the elves?" She gestured to them. "Not so much."
Zenjiro raised a finger. "Correction. I can carry all three of them."
Aria blinked. "What, like—at once?"
"Yup," he said proudly.
Lyra crossed her arms. "Even if you can do that—which is impressive—we'd be slowed down. Making three trips would take too long. Time is not on our side."
Eva nodded. "There is another way… a trail through the Blackroot Hollow. It cuts right under the gorge and leads toward the village."
"But?" Zenjiro prompted.
"It's dangerous," Eva said bluntly. "Beasts. Spirits. Ancient traps. The forest doesn't welcome visitors there."
Celeste folded her arms. "Sounds lovely."
Zenjiro chuckled, already cracking his neck. "Please. There's nothing more dangerous in these woods than me."
Lyra looked at him flatly. "That arrogance is going to get you stabbed someday."
Zenjiro grinned. "Maybe. But I'm immortal so..."
Aria sighed, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You're impossible."
Zenjiro turned to Eva. "Where's the shortcut?"
Eva glanced at Lyra, then back at him. "You're sure about this?"
"Positive."
She pointed toward a break in the trees—a barely visible trail lined with overgrown roots and twisted vines. "That way."
Zenjiro stepped forward without hesitation. "Alright then. Into the danger woods we go."
With that, he marched into the Blackroot path, the others following close behind—each of them casting a wary glance at the shadows gathering beneath the trees. The forest seemed to hush as they passed.
***
The forest grew thicker as they passed the treeline. Shadows stretched long, and the sunlight above seemed to fade unnaturally quickly. An eerie quiet settled in—no birdsong, no rustling, only the crunch of leaves beneath their boots.
Zenjiro looked around, unimpressed. "So... this is the infamous Blackroot? Kinda underwhelming."
Celeste smirked as she walked beside him. "Maybe your divine God-complex aura scared off the danger before we even got here."
Zenjiro crossed his arms and gave a proud grin. "I am pretty intimidating."
Behind them, Lyra's bow was already in hand, her emerald eyes scanning every shadow. "Don't drop your guard. This place wasn't always like this. Something changed..."
Eva walked close to her, also gripping her bow. "We used to play here when we were little. It wasn't cursed back then."
Aria, holding onto her sheathed flame sword, looked uneasy. "This doesn't feel like any normal forest. There's something watching us."
Celeste nodded. "Yeah. And it's not me this time."
They kept walking, a slow tension building—but still, no actual danger. Just cold wind and dead silence.
Zenjiro sighed. "All this ominous buildup, and not even a raccoon demon. What a letdown."
Eva suddenly slowed, blushing a little. "Umm... I need to pee."
Lyra rolled her eyes but smiled faintly. "Of course you do. Come on, we'll cover you."
Aria joined them, stretching a bit. "I'll come too. Strength in numbers."
The three girls stepped off the path into the underbrush, vanishing from sight.
Zenjiro glanced back at them. "Girls' party, huh."
Celeste gave him a knowing look. "You know this is always how it starts in stories, right? Someone wanders off to pee, then bam—monster."
Zenjiro laughed. "If something does show up... it'll wish it never did."
The wind rustled lightly through Blackroot's trees, carrying with it the faint scent of decay and damp moss. Somewhere deeper in the forest, a single twig snapped.
Eva knelt behind a dense bush, glancing nervously around as she undid her quiver and sighed.
Lyra stood a short distance behind, bow loosely in hand. "Hurry up. We don't have time to waste—"
A rustle.
Then a growl.
Eva froze mid-motion. "…Did you hear that?"
Aria, already alert, narrowed her eyes into the dark. "That wasn't the wind."
From behind the trees, a massive shape leapt with a thundering snarl.
"MOVE!" Lyra shouted, shoving Eva to the side as a pair of glowing yellow eyes flashed through the dark.
A monstrous beast — a giant wolf with… wings? Covered in silver-white fur, it landed heavily in front of them. Its wings flared open, knocking back branches as it snarled.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Aria shouted, drawing her sword and igniting it in a burst of flame.
The creature growled louder — a sound like gravel grinding in its throat — and lunged toward them.
Eva screamed, firing an arrow that barely grazed the beast's side. Lyra followed up with a shot of her own, more precise, hitting its shoulder. It barely flinched.
Then it pounced again, this time straight at Aria.
She met it mid-air with her sword, sparks flying as the blade clanged against its fangs. The beast growled and swiped her aside with a swipe of its massive paw, sending her crashing into a tree.
Lyra shouted, "ARIA!" but was forced to duck as the beast lunged again.
Back on the path—
Zenjiro stopped mid-sentence. "Did you hear that?!"
Celeste twitched. "Yeah. That was Lyra—"
They both bolted into the forest.
Back with the girls, Lyra stood protectively in front of Eva, breathing heavily. "Stay behind me!"
But the beast didn't attack again. It turned suddenly, growling, ears perked.
A blur shot through the air and slammed into it — Zenjiro.
He'd flown in with a blast of golden energy, forcing the creature back. He floated mid-air, fists glowing, and stared down the snarling beast.
"Alright," Zenjiro muttered. "You messed with the wrong party, time to die monster."
He flew at the creature, fists raised, ready to deliver a punishing strike—
But then he stopped mid-motion.
His eyes locked with the beast's. For just a second... something flickered.
A memory.
A small white dog. Panting. Wagging its tail. Licking a little boy's face in the summer sun.
"...Griff?"
Zenjiro hesitated.
In that moment, the beast lunged and knocked him out of the air. He hit the ground with a hard thud.
"ZENJIRO!" Celeste darted down and dropped to his side. "Hey! Are you okay?!"
He sat up slowly, rubbing his head, looking more stunned than hurt.
The beast snarled from a distance, not attacking, but circling now, cautious.
Celeste looked from the creature to him, her expression softening. "What happened, are you okay?"
Zenjiro nodded slowly. "It didn't look like a monster. It looked like it was scared, when I looked into it's eyes, it reminded me of my… my dog."
***
Flashback…
The alley was narrow and shadowed by the tall buildings on either side. Rain dripped gently from the rooftops above, soaking the cardboard boxes stacked near the trash bins.
A soft growl came from the shadows.
A young boy, maybe ten years old, cautiously stepped forward, holding half a sandwich in his hand. His shoes were muddy. His schoolbag slung low on one shoulder. His face showed concern—not fear.
From behind the bins, a tiny white puppy, matted with grime and shivering, bared its teeth with a low, warning rumble.
Zenjiro (young, gentle)
(kneeling slowly)
"Hey… I'm not gonna hurt you, okay?"
The puppy growled again. But it didn't move. Just stared.
Zenjiro slowly placed the sandwich on the ground and pushed it forward.
"You hungry? C'mon, it's got chicken in it. I'll just leave it here, alright?"
He sat cross-legged, a few feet away, watching the little thing inch closer, sniff, and then—devour the sandwich in seconds.
Zenjiro smiled warmly.
"You're kinda scary for someone so tiny. You sound like—'griff!' That's what you sound like when you bark and growl. 'Griff!' That's your name now."
The puppy paused its chewing and looked at him.
Zenjiro reached out, hand trembling slightly.
"Can I… pet you?"
The puppy hesitated… then stepped forward and nudged its head into his palm. Zenjiro lit up.
"I'm gonna beg Mom and Dad until they say yes. I'll tell them we have to keep you. No more alleyways, okay? You won't be alone again."
[Montage – Time Passes]
— Zenjiro coming home from school, throwing off his shoes as Griff bounds up and licks his face.
— Playing fetch in the park, rolling in the grass together.
— Griff cuddled against Zenjiro's chest as he plays video games on the floor.
— Zenjiro trying to feed Griff vegetables, who turns up his nose dramatically.
— Laughter. Joy. Companionship.
One sudden day at the Vet's Office…
A pale Griff lies on the examination table. He breathes slowly.
Zenjiro sits beside his mother, his fists clenched.
The Veterinarian then spoke.
"...It's likely he picked up a virus. Without the right vaccinations… his immune system wasn't ready."
Zenjiro's voice breaks.
"But he was getting better… he was wagging his tail yesterday..."
The vet looks away.
"I'm sorry. It's not likely he'll make it through the night."
Days Later…
A small grave under a tree in the backyard. A crude wooden marker with the name "GRIFF" scratched into it.
Zenjiro is crouched there, crying. Shoulders shaking. His school uniform is wrinkled. His eyes red.
His mother kneels beside him, pulling him into an embrace.
"He knew how much you loved him, Zenjiro. He wasn't alone."
Zenjiro clutches a toy collar in his fist.
"He was my best friend..."
***
Zenjiro stood still, eyes locked with the wild beast's. Its massive form towered, wings tense, breath visible in the cold forest air. Celeste shouted, her tone urgent.
"Zenjiro! You can't just freeze up—do something!"
Zenjiro didn't take his eyes off the creature. "I… I can't kill it. It reminds me of..."
"Then don't kill it. But if you're serious about that 'God complex' thing, now's the time to prove you can do more than blast holes in mountains."
Zenjiro blinked, surprised. "What are you saying?"
Celeste smirked gently. "Use your powers. Tell it you're not a threat. Project your feelings—let it feel what you're feeling."
A beat passed. Then Zenjiro nodded.
He floated slowly toward the beast. Its glowing eyes narrowed. Muscles tense. Growling.
Zenjiro then spoke softly, in voice and mind…
"I'm not going to hurt you."
He sent the thought with clarity and warmth, pushing a wave of calm through his power—a ripple of peaceful energy like a warm breeze brushing the beast's fur.
The creature's growl softened into a confused huff. It blinked.
Below, Lyra, Eva, and Aria—battered but recovering—watched silently, holding their breath. The beast's wings drooped slightly.
Zenjiro extended a hand and gently placed it on its massive head.
The beast flinched. Then… pressed its snout against him.
Zenjiro smiled, lowering to the ground with the creature following, now docile.
Celeste stood a few feet away, stunned.
"You actually did it…"
Zenjiro knelt, placing his hand on the beast's wounded side. A soft golden glow spread from his palm, sealing its gashes and broken skin. The beast let out a soft rumble and licked Zenjiro's cheek.
He laughed for the first time in a while. "Well, that settles it."
Celeste stepped forward cautiously. Zenjiro gestured. "It's okay. He likes you too."
Celeste reached out and stroked the beast's side. It licked her face too, causing her to laugh.
"He's kind of adorable for a flying murder-beast."
"He's got spirit." Zenjiro added.
"What are you going to call him?" She asked.
Zenjiro stared into the beast's eyes, his smile softening.
"Griff."
Moments later, Griff sat calmly beside Zenjiro, now nuzzling his shoulder like an oversized puppy. The soft thrum of his breathing was the only sound for a few heartbeats—until the rest of the group came running through the undergrowth.
Lyra, bow in hand, eyes wide, "Is that the thing that attacked us?!"
Eva was still holding her torn sleeve, "It looks… different now. Is it even the same creature?"
Aria stomped forward, sword flaming lightly at her side. "You mean to tell me this thing was just misunderstood?! I nearly lost an eyebrow!"
Celeste, still petting Griff, "He was scared. Zenjiro calmed him down. You should've seen it. It was… actually kind of beautiful."
Eva approached slowly, still wary but curious. Griff growled softly as she neared—just once. Zenjiro gave him a light pat.
"Griff. Easy. They're friends."
The beast rumbled but didn't move. Eva crouched, extending her hand. After a tense moment, Griff leaned in and sniffed her.
Eva smiled, "He's huge… and fluffy."
Lyra kneeling beside her joined in, "He reminds me of a guardian spirit from elven tales."
Aria, arms crossed, still annoyed, "Well, he better not try anything weird again. I'm not getting attacked while someone's peeing twice in one lifetime."
Zenjiro burst into laughter. Griff let out a playful gruff—almost like a mimic of Zenjiro's laugh.
"See? He's already learning your sense of humor." Celeste joked.
Aria rolling her eyes, "Great. One of you was enough."
Eva, now scratching behind Griff's ear, "So... is he yours now?"
Zenjiro, looking up at the sky, his expression warm: "I think he chose us. Or maybe he just likes my vibe."
Lyra giggled, "You're such a dork."
"Hey, I'll have you know I'm a divine-level dork, thank you very much." Said Zenjiro, a little mock offended.
The group shared a much-needed laugh. The tension melted away as Griff flopped onto his side, inviting belly rubs—with surprising enthusiasm for a terrifying monster.