High above the forest, Aquila circled as it observed the desolate battlefield below. The thick plumes of smoke were beginning to settle, and the once-dense forest was now a barren wasteland. Sensing the battle’s conclusion, the Griffin let out a triumphant cry before descending gracefully.
It landed near Damien, gently lowering the two unconscious figures it had been tasked to protect. Keith and Narna lay still, their injuries evident but not life-threatening. Aquila chirped softly as it moved closer to its summoner, its sharp gaze scanning Damien for any signs of harm.
Damien turned and smiled at the Griffin. “Good job, Aquila. You did well.”
Aquila ruffled its feathers in response, its pride evident.
Damien’s attention shifted to his other summons. Fenrir, Cerbe, and Luton were still present, though all were clearly drained from the intense battle. He approached them one by one, expressing his gratitude.
“You’ve all done amazing today,” Damien said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”
When Damien reached Luton, the Stellar Slime remained bloated and immobile, its form trembling faintly as it recovered from the strain of its *True Devourer* skill. Damien patted its gelatinous surface gently.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” he said with a smile. “Take all the time you need to recover.”
As if in response, a familiar sound echoed in his mind.
Ding!
«Hidden Quest: Eating The Impossible Completed!»
«Rewards: Devourer Skill acquired, Advanced Earth Manipulation acquired, Lightning Magic acquired.»
Damien’s eyes widened as he read the notification. The list of new abilities sent a wave of excitement through him, though he pushed the feeling aside for now. “I’ll check these out later,” he murmured. “For now, let’s get you some rest.”
He canceled the summons for Luton, Fenrir, and Cerbe, watching as they disappeared in bursts of shimmering light. Aquila remained, its sharp eyes tracking Damien’s movements.
Stay connected with empire
Damien glanced toward the unconscious pair. Keith and Narna had survived, but they were still vulnerable. “Alright, let’s move them somewhere safer,” he said, turning to Aquila.
Damien carefully picked up Keith and Narna one by one, placing them on Aquila’s back. The Griffin let out a low, displeased chirp, its feathers ruffling as it shifted under the added weight.
“I know, I know,” Damien said, patting its neck reassuringly. “Just this once, alright? They won’t hurt you.”
Aquila let out a reluctant squawk but stayed still as Damien climbed on. Once he was securely seated, he gave the command. “Take us to the base.”
The Griffin launched into the sky, its powerful wings slicing through the air as it carried them toward Damien’s hidden refuge. The flight took over twenty minutes, the group covering more than a hundred miles before reaching their destination.
The base was a secluded area surrounded by towering trees and located near a serene lake. The thick canopy overhead provided ample cover, making it nearly impossible for intruders to spot from above.
Aquila descended smoothly, landing near the water’s edge. Damien dismounted first, carefully lifting Keith and Narna and laying them at the base of one of the larger trees.
With the two safely placed, Damien knelt beside them, scanning their forms for any signs of immediate danger. “They don’t look like they’re in any sort of death threatening situation.” Damien confirmed with a nod.
His sharp eyes quickly located their void keys, as well as a peculiar ring on powerfulNarna’s finger that emitted a faint magical aura.
He studied the ring for a moment, noting the essence it radiated. “Must be important,” he muttered, deciding not to tamper with it.
Satisfied that they were stable, Damien stood and turned toward the lake. “Aquila, watch them,” he commanded, the Griffin letting out a sharp chirp in acknowledgment.
Damien waded into the cool water, the sensation offering a brief respite from the exhaustion that weighed on him. He submerged himself fully, letting the water wash away the grime and tension of the battle.
When he emerged, Damien activated his (Advanced Wind Manipulation) skill, using the swirling air currents to dry himself off.
He stretched his arms overhead, the ache in his muscles slowly fading. “This feels better.” He smiled.
As Damien prepared to return to his unconscious new companions, he noticed movement near Aquila. Narna was awake, her gaze locked on the Griffin. Her hand extended slowly toward it, her lips moving in a soft chant that Damien could barely make out from the distance.
Damien’s sharp senses kicked in as he attuned his hearing. The words became clearer, and a realization struck him. ‘She’s chanting an incantation.’
He frowned, his heart sinking. ‘Is she trying to tame Aquila?’
“Aquila’s mine,” he called out firmly, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Narna ignored him, her focus entirely on the chant. Aquila tilted its head, its usual sharp demeanor softening under the influence of her words.
Damien’s aura flared, his frustration boiling over. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice laced with anger.
But before Narna could answer—or even finish her chant—Aquila sensed Damien’s rising presence. The Griffin’s eyes sharpened, and it let out a furious cry.
“Aquila, stop!” Damien warned, but it was too late.
Pow!
Aquila’s paw lashed out with lightning speed, striking Narna square in the face. The force of the blow sent her crumpling to the ground, unconscious once more.
Damien approached quickly, kneeling beside Narna’s limp form. He placed two fingers against her neck, relieved to find a steady pulse.
“She’ll live,” he muttered, glancing up at Aquila. The Griffin ruffled its feathers indignantly, clearly displeased with Narna’s attempt to tame it.
“You didn’t have to hit her so hard,” Damien scolded lightly.
Aquila let out a low chirp, its gaze flicking toward Narna before turning away dismissively.
Damien sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. “Alright, let’s keep an eye on them for now. No more surprises.”
Damien stood, his gaze shifting toward the distant horizon. A light chuckle escaped from his mouth as he thought back to it again. “That was one hell of a battle.”
