Vincent was surprised to see the amount of security outside the gate. There were people in suits and armor, some in civilian clothes. There were beasts and monsters alike patrolling as well. They all stopped and bowed as the car passed through the gates, and they became even more alert than before.
"They are going all out for the blood ritual, huh?" Greta chuckled. "Master Vincent, in the entire history of the Grimms, they have only done the blood ritual three times, not including yours tonight. The other three times, the ritual was completed, but they suffered huge amounts of casualties in the process. They will not have the same results in this generation."
Vincent gathered himself before Greta opened the door for him. He stepped out of the car and into the house. The other servants bowed and looked on while he walked to the conference room. He was to meet everyone there, and then they would all travel together to the actual location.
He knocked on the door and then entered the room. The first one to react to his presence was Patricia. She was across the room, and suddenly, she hugged him. "Oh, look at you! I can barely recognize you now. Those masters must be putting you through hell." Vincent was stunned a little as he hadn't felt the feeling of a mother's love in a long time, it seemed to him. He could tell Patricia was genuine and considered him her son.
"I am still breathing, so the training isn't too hard." He gently said as he wrapped one arm around her. His other hand held a staff by reflex. He looked across her shoulder and stared directly at Kyle. Kyle's eyebrow raised. He uncrossed his arms and smirked at Vincent.
"Stop it, both of you. Kyle, it is Vincent's night, and Vincent, do not fight with your brother. Kyle, you are 27 years old. There is no need for jealousy." Patricia said as she let go of Vincent and walked back to Richard's side. She ruffled Kyle's hair in passing.
Vincent put away the staff and sat on the empty spot next to Kandice.
Richard cleared his throat. "What do we say when one of us leaves for a long time?" In unison, they all said, "Welcome Home." Vincent smiled in response. Richard started to talk again.
"You could have shot us a text or a warning that Tyre the Butcher would pay a visit. Luckily, Bridget wasn't here to ask for a sparring match." They all chuckled except for Bridget. "I would not dare ask for a sparring match against that man." She shivered in her seat and gave Vincent a look of pity.
"Bridget, I already lamented my circumstances some days, so don't make that face at me." Vincent smiled wryly. They once again laughed. Richard grew serious.
"We have laughed and gotten relaxed, but now we must leave." The room grew cold and tense. "There will be no mistakes tonight. I have arranged for seven elders to escort us there, and my grandfather will also be there."
They all nodded their heads. Vincent followed everyone out of the room but stopped when he realized Patricia was not coming. "I can't follow you. I do not have the Grimm bloodline, and thus, I am not allowed to witness the ritual. I will be waiting here for your return, son." Vincent nodded and followed the others.
They arrived at the back of the palace in the gardens. Seven older men were sipping tea and waiting for them. Richard took charge.
"Elders, we are ready to go." One of them grumbled and took off his shirt.
'What is this old man doing?' Vincent received his answer the very next second as the short older man turned into a dragon over 50 meters in length and at least 20 meters in height. His scales were a robust green and purple. Ryker slapped Vincent's back. "Let's go. The ritual can't start without the star of the hour." Vincent absentmindedly got on the back.
'I am actually on a different planet.' He had seen people with horns, fur, tails, and other animal parts, but this was the first time he had seen a dragon. He didn't even realize he was high in the sky until a bird cry sounded beside him. He looked over and saw a colossal griffin. Ryker made a hand gesture and grabbed Vincent.
He threw Vincent over to the griffin. They all laughed at him as he scrambled to tightly hold the griffin's fur. He was livid at Ryker but didn't have time to express his anger. The griffin flew straight towards the atmosphere—Vincent's body parallel to the griffin's body as he lost the feeling of gravity.
The wind carried his screams. The others below him were laughing and betting when he would lose his grip. The griffin stopped suddenly. Vincent calmed down and sat upright. He looked and saw nothing but an ocean of clouds around him. He collected himself and kicked the side of the griffin.
The griffin didn't move at all. 'So you don't want me to treat you like a horse?' "I don't know your name, but I do know that you are a human before an animal. I can guess why you did what you did. This is another way of testing me. This is what is going to happen. I will stay on your back no matter what you do; nothing will change that."
This made the griffin dive at a faster speed than before.
There was an explosion behind them as they plummeted to the ground. "Sounds like they are coming back down. Kyle was right; Vincent challenged the elder." Richard said as he coughed up two bright crystals. The others did, too. "I told you all he would. He's too confident for his own good."
They saw them break the clouds. Vincent was lying as close to the griffin's back as possible to reduce the wind. The griffin would stop and do flips and turns at different times. Vincent felt tremendous g-force and almost let go twice but held on strong. "You not going to shake me! I wrestled horses tougher than you!"
The griffin let out a cry and boosted his speed again. 'Should have kept my mouth shut.' The griffin went into a tail spiral.
Vincent struggled to open his eyes. He saw him pass the others and continue downwards. "I said I am not letting go!" He found the strength to sit up and yanked hard on the griffin's fur. The griffin shrieked and eased up on the speed.
Vincent tested the waters. He shifted his weight and saw the griffin follow. "Good. Let's rejoin the others and get this damn ritual over."