1.— A Refusal Engraved in Wounds
— It is out of the question for the griffins to help you.
Nilua's voice resonated with a firmness that left no room for discussion.
The mountain wind made her long silver hair dance while the griffins perched around her silently observed the scene.
Kaelios remained motionless.
He felt immediately that this refusal did not come from a simple lack of trust.
There was something else.
A deeply buried pain.
Nilua slowly turned her gaze away.
— You can stay here until your wounds are completely healed.
Her voice had become calmer.
— Then, you will leave... and you will tell your people that the Griffin Valley was nothing but a mere legend.
She gently placed a hand on the plumage of the griffin that had carried her.
Her gaze was lost for a few moments in the middle of the valley.
— I will never again let anything happen to those who welcomed me as one of their own...
A slight silence followed.
Then she looked up toward the sky.
— Ohou... Ohou!
Her cry echoed throughout the valley.
Quelques secondes plus tard, un immense griffon descendit des hauteurs dans un puissant battement d'ailes avant d'atterrir devant elle.
The imposing creature bowed its head respectfully.
Nilua mounted its back with an ease that testified to long years of habit.
Without adding a word...
The griffin took flight.
It cut through the air before disappearing toward the snowy peaks.
Kaelios stood there, eyes raised toward the sky.
A slight sigh escaped him.
In his mind, Aeni then spoke.
«Notice: the emotional activity of the individual "Nilua" presents significant anomalies.»
«The observed variations correspond to a heavily disturbed psychological state.»
Kaelios continued to observe the sky.
— Yes...
His voice was almost a whisper.
— I noticed it.
He thought back to her gaze.
To the way she had pronounced the word griffins.
To this strange sadness she seemed to carry constantly.
— It looks like she went through something truly terrible...
He lowered his eyes.
— But despite everything...
I have to catch up with her.
Hardly had he finished his sentence when a rustling of wings was heard behind him.
The young griffin they had saved from the ONI approached quietly.
Its wounds had practically disappeared.
It let out a short cry before coming to rub its head against Kaelios's shoulder.
The latter cracked a smile.
— Hmm?
He gently held out his hand.
— I see you've already recovered well, big guy.
The griffin closed its eyes slightly while Kaelios stroked the silky plumage of its neck.
In his consciousness, Aeni resumed.
«Observation: griffins are known for their immense pride.»
«Males even more so than females.»
«Yet this one seems particularly attached to you.»
Kaelios smiled.
— He surely wants to thank me.
The griffin let out a short approving cry.
— So...
Kaelios placed a hand on its wing.
— Take me to Nilua.
Without thinking further...
He took a running start.
And leaped directly onto the griffin's back.
...
For exactly one second.
The griffin abruptly opened its wings.
Caught completely off guard, it gave a violent buck.
— Huh...?
Kaelios didn't even have time to understand.
— AAAAAAAAAH!!
He was thrown like a stone.
His body went through several bushes.
Hit a tree.
Then a second.
Before ending up headfirst in a huge clump of leaves.
A deep silence settled.
Aeni was the first to break it.
«I did warn you, though.»
«Griffins are extremely proud.»
«They don't let just anyone mount their back.»
Two legs were still sticking out of the bush.
Kaelios's muffled voice came out of it.
— I...
I realize that... now...
He pulled himself out of the branches with difficulty.
Leaves were stuck in his hair.
A twig even hung from the tip of his ear.
He nervously scratched the back of his neck.
— That was... a bit humiliating...
The young griffin then approached slowly.
It observed Kaelios for a few moments.
Then...
It gently lowered its immense body.
Its wings folded against its flanks.
Finally, it bowed its head in a solemn reverence.
Kaelios blinked.
— It looks like...
He agrees this time.
Aeni confirmed immediately.
«Behavioral analysis.»
«Accurate.»
«He now officially recognizes your presence on his back.»
Kaelios approached more cautiously.
This time...
He gently placed a hand on the plumage.
The griffin didn't move.
He mounted slowly.
Taking great care not to make any sudden movements.
When everything was ready...
Aeni resumed.
«Advice.»
«It would be best to hold on tight.»
Kaelios immediately wrapped his arms around the creature's neck.
— All right...
I just need to find a good po—
He never finished his sentence.
BOOOOOOM!!
In an explosion of wind.
The griffin literally disappeared.
The ground exploded under the power of its takeoff.
Kaelios felt his stomach stay several meters behind him.
His hair blew completely back.
His eyes widened.
— WOWWWWWW!!!
— SLOW DOWN!!!
The landscape became a long streak of colors.
The mountains blurred past at an incredible speed.
The wind whipped his face with such violence that he struggled to breathe.
— You...
You could have warned me!!
Aeni replied with a disarming calm.
«I did.»
Kaelios found nothing to say in response.
After several minutes...
He finally ended up getting used to it.
His breathing returned to a normal rhythm.
He slightly loosened his grip.
A smile was born at the corner of his lips.
He looked up at the immensity of the sky.
— Incredible...
The young griffin let out a powerful roar.
As if it shared his joy.
Kaelios gently patted its neck.
— Now...
He took a deep breath.
Then pointed to the mountains ahead of them.
— Go!
The griffin answered with a majestic cry.
Its wings beat with even more power.
And both disappeared among the clouds.
---
Much higher...
Nilua flew in silence.
The wind slipped through the feathers of her faithful companion.
Her gaze was blank.
Absent.
Puis...
Flames appeared.
Houses were burning.
Cries.
Screams.
Griffins were flying off in all directions.
Orcs were slaughtering indiscriminately.
Blood was flowing.
Trees were collapsing.
She saw her village again.
As if everything were happening all over again.
A heartbreaking voice suddenly cut through this nightmare.
— Nilua!!!
Her heart squeezed.
This voice...
She knew it.
— Nilua!!!
She instinctively closed her eyes.
— Big brother...
Her breathing became irregular.
— Nilua!!
She abruptly reopened her eyes.
Cette fois...
The call did not come from her memories.
She immediately turned her head.
In the distance...
A young griffin was charging straight toward her.
And on its back...
Kaelios was waving his hand.
— Nilua!!
She immediately slowed down her flight.
A few seconds later...
The young elf pulled up alongside her.
She looked back and forth at Kaelios...
Then the griffin carrying him.
A slight smile appeared despite herself.
— I see...
It seems you have already won that one's respect.
Kaelios looked at his traveling companion.
— Yes.
Apparently, he already likes me.
Nilua nodded gently.
— That's quite rare.
She absentmindedly stroked the plumage of her own griffin.
— Griffins do not give their trust easily.
Even when you save their life.
Kaelios let out a light laugh.
— Truth be told...
Our start was... complicated.
Nilua cracked an amused smile.
She could perfectly picture the scene.
Then Kaelios resumed more seriously.
— I'd like to know where you are going.
Nilua gazed for a few moments at the mountains rising ahead of them.
Then she simply answered:
— Follow me...
A slight silence.
— And you will find out.
The two griffins then accelerated their flight.
Heading toward...
The highest peaks of the Griffin Valley.
2. —The Abysses of the Astral Plane
Millions of leagues from Aetherion…
Beyond the continents.
Beyond the stars.
Where the laws of time lost all meaning…
Stretched the domains of the Orisha.
Each Orisha possessed a territory shaped in their image, a kingdom where their will reigned supreme.
Segaru's was a world where no natural light existed.
The Abysses.
A universe engulfed in eternal darkness.
Immense black cliffs plunged into an ocean of liquid shadow. Innumerable rocky columns supported an invisible sky, while purple flames burned silently on the walls, barely illuminating this gloomy universe.
At the center of this kingdom rose a gigantic temple.
Built from a stone of absolute blackness.
Its immense columns were sculpted with thousands of faces seeming to let out a silent cry.
The heavy doors opened slowly.
Segaru entered his domain.
His footsteps echoed in the endless corridors of the temple.
He climbed several steps before stopping in the middle of an immense circular hall.
He slightly raised his hand.
The shadows around him immediately began to stir.
— Tiphetus.
His voice traveled throughout the palace.
The darkness progressively condensed before him.
A humanoid silhouette slowly emerged from the ground as if it had always been a part of it.
The being immediately dropped one knee to the ground.
His head remained bowed.
— Yes, Lord Segaru.
His voice was calm.
Respectful.
— How can my mediocre existence be of use to you?
Segaru did not even take the time to sit on his throne.
— Gather a handful of five Soul-Soldiers.
He slowly turned his eyes toward the depths of the palace.
— Prepare them immediately.
— We are leaving for Aetherion.
Tiphetus slightly raised his head.
A hint of astonishment crossed his gaze.
— Forgive my insolence, Lord…
He hesitated for a few seconds.
— But would it not be wiser to call upon the Title Holders still alive?
Segaru remained silent.
Tiphetus continued.
— Your faithful servant Garoth, of the Makurano dynasty…
— The holders of the title of Sovereign of the Tombs…
— As well as the other Nominees…
He joined his hands.
They are perfectly capable of settling the affairs of mortals.
— Why mobilize the Astral Legion for such a mission?
Segaru gently closed his eyes.
— Because…
He slowly reopened them.
— We will not be facing mere mortals.
Silence immediately filled the hall.
— It turns out…
That one of our targets has become…
An Orisha.
Tiphetus's pupils contracted.
— What…?
He remained frozen.
— It is…
Impossible…
He unconsciously took a step back.
— How could a mere mortal claim to possess the Gift of the Primordials?
His voice grew harsher.
— This is intolerable!
Segaru crossed his arms.
— You understand now why the Title Holders will not be enough.
Tiphetus remained silent.
Segaru continued.
— If this woman has truly become an Orisha…
Then she should be immune to magic based on mana.
He took a few steps in the hall.
— The Title Holders possess only a tiny fraction of the power of Faith.
— It will not be enough.
Tiphetus bowed his head deeply.
— I understand, my Lord.
— Forgive my ignorance.
Segaru simply raised his hand.
— That is enough.
Go.
Without adding another word…
Tiphetus disappeared into the darkness.
The palace regained its silence.
Segaru was left alone.
He slowly raised his eyes toward the dark vault.
An Orisha…
No…
She is not a Primordial.
He was thinking.
The Primordials were born directly from Faith.
She…
She has become a deity.
It is not the same thing.
His eyes narrowed.
This means that she probably cannot harness the entirety of this power.
A slight smile appeared.
And with a handful of griffins as followers…
Her Faith cannot be compared to ours.
She remains dangerous…
But she is certainly not on our level.
A few moments later…
The shadows began to ripple again.
Tiphetus reappeared.
This time…
Five hooded silhouettes slowly emerged from the darkness behind him.
Their presence immediately chilled the atmosphere.
None of them spoke.
Their bodies seemed made of solid shadow.
Their eyes gleamed with a faint pale blue light.
They all knelt before Segaru.
Tiphetus also placed a knee on the ground.
— My Lord…
The Legion is ready.
Segaru slowly observed each of them.
Then he turned around.
His long black cape swept the floor.
Tiphetus slightly raised his head.
— Where precisely are we going?
Segaru stopped in front of the immense temple door.
His voice resonated throughout the hall.
— To Asunra…
A second of silence.
Then he finished in an icy tone:
— To exterminate those cursed elves.
The heavy doors opened slowly.
A sea of darkness stretched before them.
Without the slightest hesitation…
Segaru plunged into it.
The five Soul-Soldiers followed him in silence.
Then…
The Abysses regained their calm.
As if no one had ever set foot there.
3. —Where It All Began
The two griffins continued to cut through the skies.
Below them, the mountains blurred past at a dizzying speed. The immense cliffs covered in conifers gradually gave way to rocky peaks where snow persisted despite the heat of the scarlet red Quasar.
For several minutes, neither of the two travelers uttered a single word.
Only the breath of the wind accompanied their progress.
Finally, Nilua broke the silence.
— Why do you care so much about obtaining the help of the griffins?
Kaelios raised his head slightly.
He felt as though, for the first time since they met, she wasn't asking him a question out of simple curiosity.
She truly wanted to understand.
He took a deep breath.
— As I told you earlier…
He mechanically stroked the plumage of the young griffin.
— I am looking for a person named Selindra.
Nilua listened to him attentively.
— She is a druid from the kingdom of Thyamar, on the continent of Roogaya.
She nodded slowly.
Kaelios continued.
— She was the woman loved most by a man who was very dear to me.
He lowered his eyes slightly.
— The very first person I met when I opened my eyes in this world.
His gaze was lost in the horizon.
— He took me in.
— Fed me.
— Protected me.
— He explained to me how Aetherion worked when I knew absolutely nothing.
Nilua asked softly:
— Who was he?
A slight nostalgic smile appeared on Kaelios's face.
— His name was Lioran.
The beating of the wings of Nilua's griffin slowed almost instantly.
She abruptly turned her head.
— Lioran... ?
Her gaze remained fixed on the young elf.
As if she had just recognized something she had forgotten a very long time ago.
— You...
She frowned slightly.
— You are Lioran's son?
Kaelios gently shook his head.
— No.
Il esquissa un petit sourire. -> He cracked a small smile.
— Not really.
— We were more like... friends.
Nilua remained silent.
Kaelios resumed calmly.
— In reality...
— I am not even an elf.
This time, Nilua widened her eyes.
— What do you mean?
Kaelios slowly raised his hand in front of him.
— Lioran used to say that I was a part of the Sky.
He observed his own palm.
— Or at least...
That's what comes closest to it.
He smiled with a slight embarrassment.
— My true form resembles an immense blue sky filled with stars.
Nilua was left open-mouthed.
— A... part of the sky...
She slowly shook her head.
— I have never heard of such an existence.
Kaelios let out a little laugh.
— Neither have I.
Then his smile disappeared.
— Truth be told...
I still don't know what I truly am.
He contemplated the clouds.
— Where I come from...
— Why I arrived here...
— Why I received all these abilities...
I still don't know.
His gaze became more determined.
— But when this business with Selindra is over...
I will set off in search of the truth.
Nilua looked at him for a few seconds before smiling slightly.
— What a strange destiny...
Kaelios gently shrugged his shoulders.
— It's kind of become my daily life.
A slight silence settled.
Then Kaelios turned his head toward her in turn.
— And you?
Nilua looked at him.
— You seemed to know Lioran.
A nostalgic gleam immediately crossed her eyes.
— Yes...
Her voice was almost a whisper.
— We were born in the same village.
The wind gently blew her silver hair.
— We grew up together...
Until we were seven.
She let out a small smile.
— We were always together.
We were always getting into mischief.
Her gaze was lost in the sky.
— We were friends...
She hesitated for a few moments.
Then finished with a hint of melancholy.
— Perhaps even more...
She slightly turned her eyes away.
— At least...
That's what I believed.
She took a deep breath before resuming.
— Then...
The Orcs arrived.
Her voice grew colder.
— We were separated during the attack.
She unconsciously tightened her grip on her griffin's reins.
— According to the last news I had...
Lioran had managed to reach Havelune.
A smile filled with hope appeared on her face.
— He was defending the elves.
She turned back toward Kaelios.
— How is he doing, by the way?
Kaelios's smile disappeared immediately.
In his consciousness...
Aeni spoke.
«...»
No words.
For the first time in a long time...
Even she didn't seem to know what to say.
Kaelios replied mentally.
Yes...
It seems she knows nothing...
He took a deep breath.
Then slowly raised his head.
— Nilua...
She continued to smile.
Still unaware of what was about to follow.
— Yes?
Kaelios lowered his eyes for a few seconds.
Before whispering.
— Lioran...
He is dead.
...
The world seemed to stop.
Nilua's griffin abruptly slowed its flight.
She turned around so fast that a few feathers flew into the wind.
Her pupils were trembling.
— Wh... what... ?
Her voice was almost inaudible.
Kaelios slightly turned his eyes away.
Then...
Calmly.
He told her everything.
His meeting with Lioran.
The journey to Havelune.
The days spent together.
The attack.
The desperate fight against the enemies.
The sacrifice of Lioran.
His last words.
And finally...
His last wish.
To find Selindra.
So that she could come pay him one last respect.
When Kaelios finished his story...
No more words came out of Nilua's mouth.
She simply stared straight ahead.
Her eyes glistened.
In her mind...
A single thought kept returning.
Poor Lioran...
You lost everything...
And despite that...
You never stopped protecting your people...
She gently closed her eyes.
Unlike me...
Her throat tightened.
I...
I abandoned them...
A powerful griffin cry suddenly echoed.
She immediately reopened her eyes.
Her companion had just let out a roar while slightly tilting its head toward the ground.
Nilua observed the cliffs.
Then a slight smile reappeared.
— We have arrived.
Without warning...
Her griffin folded its wings.
And dived.
— Hey!
Wait for me!
Kaelios startled.
The young griffin let out an enthusiastic cry before imitating its elder.
The two creatures dived between the mountains.
The wind whistled violently.
The cliffs blurred past only a few meters away.
Then...
They finally reached the bottom of a forgotten valley.
The griffins slowed their descent before landing gently.
Kaelios got down first.
He observed the surroundings.
His smile gradually faded away.
There was no trace of life.
Only...
Ruins.
Old wooden cabins.
Blackened by flames.
Their frameworks had collapsed long ago.
A few charred beams still pointed toward the sky.
The silence was heavy.
Even the birds no longer sang.
Kaelios looked at Nilua.
— Where are we... ?
The latter remained motionless for several seconds.
Her gaze swept over the remains with infinite sadness.
Finally...
She slowly raised her hand.
In the center of the village stood two modest stone altars.
They were carefully maintained.
A few wild flowers had been placed there recently.
Nilua approached slowly.
Her voice trembled slightly.
— Welcome...
To my old village.
She knelt in front of the first altar.
Then gently placed her hand on the stone.
— Here lies...
My big brother.
She then turned her head toward the second monument.
Her eyes became moist.
— And here...
Mel.
The son of my griffin.
The silence fell back over the ruins.
As if even the wind refused to disturb the rest of the departed.
4. —The Flames of a Forgotten Century
Kaelios remained silent in front of the two modest stone altars.
The wind gently made the grass dance that had reclaimed the ruins of the village.
After a long moment, he finally asked in a calm voice:
— Your big brother... and the son of your griffin?
Nilua nodded slowly.
Her gaze did not leave the two graves.
— Yes...
Her hand lightly touched the moss-covered stone.
— About a century ago...
Her voice grew more distant.
— Here stood one of the many elven villages of Asunra.
Around them, the landscape seemed to disappear bit by bit...
As if memories were coming back to life.
---
At that time...
The village breathed peace.
The wooden houses were built at the top of immense trees.
Natural walkways connected the dwellings.
The songs of birds mingled with the laughter of children.
But this village possessed a peculiarity that no other had.
The griffins.
These majestic creatures lived alongside the elves for generations.
Proud.
Free.
Untamable.
They recognized no one's authority.
Or almost.
They respected the elves.
Not because they were stronger.
But because they shared with them the same love of nature.
The same wisdom.
The same desire to live in harmony.
Very rarely...
A griffin chose to fight alongside an elf.
Not as a mount.
But as an equal.
Such recognition represented the greatest honor an elf could receive.
Yet...
A child was going to accomplish what no other had achieved.
A little girl going by the name of Nilua.
Since her birth...
The griffins seemed naturally attracted to her.
They observed her.
Protected her.
Played with her.
As if she were one of their own.
Her big brother...
Mahé.
Fifteen years old.
Was already considered one of the most powerful fighters in the village.
He too maintained an excellent relationship with the griffins.
But even he could not rival his little sister.
For the most powerful of the dominant males...
Light...
Had accepted her himself.
Light was immense.
His white plumage shone under the light of the scarlet red Quasar.
His wings could block out the sun when he unfolded them.
All the griffins respected him.
By his side grew his son.
The young Mel.
Destined to become the next dominant male one day.
But Mel possessed an impossible character.
He listened to no one.
Not even his own father.
On the other hand...
He followed only one person everywhere.
Nilua.
They spent their days together.
Running in the forests.
Climbing cliffs.
Exploring mountains despite the prohibitions.
And very often...
It was Mahé who had to come get them out of the most absurd situations.
On that day too...
The two children were running after a luminous butterfly.
Mahé arrived sighing.
— You left without warning again...
Mel let out an innocent cry.
As if he refused any responsibility.
Nilua burst out laughing.
— He started it!
Mahé rolled his eyes.
Of course...
Always him.
The little elf approached her brother with admiration.
Her eyes shone.
— Big brother!
You are so strong!
One day...
Mel and I will fight by your side!
Mahé affectionately placed his hand on her head.
— Above all, I hope you grow up in a world where you will never need to fight.
But...
That world no longer existed.
For several years now...
The other races were multiplying their attacks against the elven villages.
The Orcs considered them useless beings.
Weak.
Errors of nature.
The elders always preferred to flee.
Avoid conflicts.
Change refuges.
Again...
And again.
Until the day...
Everything changed.
The roar of war horns tore through the sky.
An immense horde of Orcs emerged from the mountains.
At their head...
A Herald of Fury.
A title holder.
His armor was stained with blood.
His gigantic axe rested on his shoulder.
Around him...
The Orcs were screaming.
They set fire to every house.
Slaughtered everything that tried to resist.
The griffins roared in the air.
The village sank into chaos.
Mahé immediately grabbed his spear.
— Everyone take cover!
But the elders shook their heads.
— We must flee!
— Violence solves nothing!
— Save the children!
Les elves began to leave the village.
Little Nilua remained frozen.
— Why are you fleeing?!
She clenched her fists.
— We must protect our home!
An elder tried to drag her away.
— Little Nilua!
Come with us!
She stepped back.
— No!
I will fight alongside my brother!
At that moment...
A well-known cry echoed behind her.
Mel.
The young griffin was running toward her.
Nilua placed a hand on his plumage.
— Mel!
Where are the others?
The griffin raised its head.
In the distance...
The adult males were already facing the Orcs in the air.
While the females protected the young by taking them out of the village.
Nilua gritted her teeth.
— At least...
You...
You don't abandon your family.
She immediately climbed onto Mel's back.
— Let's go help them!
Both charged toward the battlefield.
Despite her very young age...
Nilua already mastered the basics of plant magic.
As well as those of lightning.
At the same time...
The Herald of Fury raised his gigantic axe.
— Surrender, cursed elves!
His voice made the whole valley tremble.
— And I promise you an atrocious death!
Mahé pointed his spear in front of him.
— Never!
He held out his hand.
— Gust of wind!
A powerful gust of wind pushed back several Orcs.
But the Herald burst out laughing.
— Unique-rank skill...
He raised his arms.
— Hymn of Wrath!
A terrifying song resonated across the entire battlefield.
The Orcs let out savage roars.
Their power increased brutally.
Conversely...
Mahé felt his body grow heavier.
The griffins were also losing their speed.
The Herald smiled.
— Now...
Die.
He leaped.
His axe came straight down toward Mahé.
The latter understood immediately.
I won't be able to dodge...
But suddenly...
A familiar voice rang out.
— Mel!!
The young griffin let out a piercing cry.
— Lightning Raptor!
His body surrounded itself with lightning.
He spiraled through the air before violently colliding with the Herald.
The attack was deflected.
At the same instant...
A second voice shouted:
— Vine Whip!
Immense vines emerged from everywhere.
They struck several Orcs before throwing them to the ground.
Mahé abruptly turned his head.
— Nilua!
The little girl was already running toward him.
— Big brother!
Are you okay?
Mahé exhaled.
— Yes...
Then his face hardened.
— But what are you doing here?!
Go away!
This battlefield is no place for a child!
Nilua shook her head.
— No!
I won't flee like the others!
I will fight with you!
Mahé remained without speaking for a few seconds.
Then...
Seeing the determination in his sister's eyes...
He gave in.
— Very well.
You will cover my back.
But at the slightest danger...
You run away.
Understood?
Nilua nodded vigorously.
— Understood!
The Herald burst out laughing.
— Miserable creatures!
How dare you defy the will of Lord Shujarok!
You are going to die here!
Il raised his axe.
— Macabre Fury!!
Dozens of black spots appeared in the sky.
Then...
They exploded one after another.
A rain of detonations shook the village.
The earth shook.
Flames invaded the houses.
An immense dust covered the entire battlefield.
Mahé immediately held out his hand in front of him.
— Nilua!
Watch out!
Blinded by the smoke...
The little elf opened her eyes with difficulty.
Little by little...
A silhouette appeared before her.
The Herald.
He stood only a few meters away.
A monstrous smile distorted his face.
His gigantic axe was raised.
Facing him...
Mahé.
And Mel.
The Herald whispered with a sickly joy:
— This is the end for you...
Dirty insects.
Nilua's eyes widened.
Her heart seemed to stop.
She desperately reached her hand out toward them.
— Mel!!
— Mahé!!
— NOOOOOO!!!!
The little girl's cry resonated through the entire valley.
And the past collapsed back into silence.
End of Chapter 12.