When you want to pick a fight, it's always advisable to choose someone you can beat because it would be very embarrassing to get beaten after picking a fight. Also, it's advisable for one to learn their enemies before spoiling for a row and never to judge a person by their appearance.
I guess these six had never heard such because they had spotted 'easy prey' according to them but now, the tables seemed to have turned. Or were they?
When the leader called Adrian royalty, we both stared at him like he had lost his mind.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Adrian asked and I also wanted to know so I perked up my ears.
"You don't know, do you? That's interesting. That means we don't need to fear you. We can beat you and kill you and use your bones, blood and fur to up our levels. Oh, how the gods have favoured us today. You just had to come our way," the man said with yet a bigger grin. I think he thought it was harvest time by the way he described it.
Even the ones who were kneeling stoop up and got on their set ready to attack.
"I don't think you can do that," I said allover a sudden making him swallow the words he was about to say.
"What did you say? You are just a mere human, which is a rare occurrence here in Aska by the way, and there is nothing you can do about it. You will just have to watch as we kill him and maybe if you behave we will sell you as a slave somewhere. Many will be interesting in having a human," he said with that annoying grin again and my stomach was churning again.
I had to finish this quickly otherwise I would embarrass myself here by throwing up again like a pregnant woman on her morning sickness (no offence to pregnant beauties.)
"Well, good luck with that," I said as I transformed. There was the usual golden light, the transformation and the revealing.
I stood head to head with Adrian and I spread my wings and this time I roared. Yes, I roared because I was pissed and my body was acting up again. I just wanted to be out of here so that we could find somewhere I could rest and I was damn hungry. I guess I screeched when happy and roared when angry.
"Okay, let's do this," I said as I looked at the men who were ready to kill us and they were all on their knees including their leader. What the fuck! So there won't be a fight today? Boring!
"We are sorry chosen one. We didn't know. Please forgive us," he pleaded and he was a far cry from the fierce bandit of moments ago.
They had already annoyed me and I had no reason to spare them. I was about to lunge at them and that's when Adrian held me.
"Let's not kill them. They can take us out of here and help us find Aida." He told me through our mind connection and I nodded. (Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you. After that night where we cultivated for the whole night in the cave, we discovered a new power. We could now communicate without opening our mouths. In fact, it was the oracle who taught us how to use it. It is like I can read Adrian's mind and he can read mine when we want to. I don't really know how to explain it but it's like a door. How you knock and someone let's you in. That's how it works. I think it's awesome because I can now talk to him even when there are people around us and they won't be able to tell. Cool, right?)
"Why do you call me a chosen one?" I asked the man.
You don't know?" He asked me puzzled like it was common knowledge and I was supposed to know.
"I don't think you are in a position to question me," I said in a calm voice but it carried more threat than when I would be shouting.
"Sorry chosen one. It's in all history books of Aska. A Griffin is a chosen one who only rises after every thousand or so years and is always paired with the strongest among us. They are supposed to bear special offspring who would be the guardians of the five realms that are known. A Griffin isn't from our world and they are believed to be from the highest heaven and only the gods can get there. We all used to think that it was a myth until today," he explained and both Adrian and I were awed.
This thing was getting more and more interesting. Adrian was royalty and then I'm a god? Wait! That's not even the issue. Bear offspring? Like Adrian and I bear offspring? Can't he see that we are both men? It was all kinda funny.
Anyway, we had more pressing matters, "We came here to see Aida. Can you take us to her or at least tell us how we can get to her place. Plus night is falling soon and we need somewhere to sleep. Can you arrange that?" I said but it wasn't a request. The tone I used told him that it was a command and there would be consequences to be faced if he dared refute or refuse.
"Certainly your highnesses. It would be our honour to host beings such as you. We find ourselves privileged to even be in your presence. Can we rise sir?" He asked and I found all this comical. Did they have to be so humble?
"Yes. You may rise. One more thing. No one apart from you, should know about us," I commanded again.
"But why? You are a...." the look I gave him snubbed whatever idea he had in his mind before it could even be hatched.
"Yes chosen one. Our mouths are shut. This way please," he said and led the way.
I held Adrian's hand because I felt like I would die if I didn't. I was so hungry. I felt like I hadn't eaten in ages.
"What's wrong?" Adrian turned to me and asked worriedly.
"I'm just so hungry. I don't think I can make it to town," I said and even talking was taking it's toll on me. I felt weak and hungry.
Where did all this come from? Wasn't I strong a moment ago? Ah! So annoying.
"Wait!" Adrian ordered the men who were leading the way. "Do you have something to eat?" He asked them and their leader spoke yet again.
"Sorry your highness. We don't carry food because we rely on hunting. We hunt and eat as we go. If you want, we can hunt and cook for him before we get to town," he said and I looked at Adrian.
"How far is the town from here?" Adrian asked.
"About an hour on foot and even those who could portal aren't allowed without authorization," the man answered and I frowned.
I couldn't wait till we got to town and I didn't have enough strength to carry us up to the gates of the town and I let him know. He nodded at the men and they were about to disperse and look for game when I stopped them.
"Wait. I can catch an animal for you. You just need to prepare it," I said and they looked at me awed.
"Are you sure you can do it? You look so weak," Adrian asked me worriedly.
"I am. My spiritual energy is full. It's just my physical stomach that's acting up. Don't worry," I said as I sat down and my stomach was rumbling.
What is wrong with me? I'm never like this. Even when I would go hungry, it was never this bad.
I took a deep sigh and let my spiritual power and sense free. I wanted to sense if there was any edible animal around. Ai! I hope Aida will have answers for us even for the reason why I'm so hungry and tired all the timne.
Anyway, time to find food.