She spreads the papers over every surface, so I can examine them through my new eagle eyes.
Pyhä paska!
The Annals of Avalon.
And I can understandeverything.
32
“Gryphon.”
The word tumbles out of my gaping, shocked mouth. Alexis's shift is mind-blowingly amazing. His body is a giant cat, and his head? An eagle.
And he has wings.
The beautiful creature is the size of a small pony, and is currently stalking, almost silently, through the research room tables, every now and then pausing before a document. He’s definitely examining them, the eagle-head angles from one side to another, but has no discernible change of expression.
I wonder if he’d mind if I petted his sleek coat?
It’s a mottled mix of colors: black, browns, dark gray, and even some green—almost like a camouflage. I take a step closer. He lifts his massive head, golden eyes locking onto mine. Tentatively, I reach out. My fingers brush the feathers at thejunction of his neck and shoulder. They are impossibly soft, transitioning into sleek, warm fur.
A sound rumbles in his chest—not a growl, but a deep, vibrating purr that I feel in the soles of my feet. He nudges his beak against my palm, gentle, then extends one massive wing, curving it around me like a shield.
He’s protecting me. Even in this form his instinct is to keep me safe.
“Can you still understand me, Alexis?” I ask aloud, then again mentally.—Do you hear me?—
—Hear you, yes…but now must read—
Of course. His form shifted to meet an imperative need. The Gryphon understands what humans can’t.
“What are you learning?”
—Much. Talk is hard. I read then shift back—
“Good plan. While you do, I might go grab a book on gryphons, learn some ins and outs of your new form.” I blow him a kiss, then head to the reference section.
TheBestiary of Conjoined Formsinstantly catches my eye on the ‘hybrid entities’ shelf.
The Gryphon (Latin:Gryphus) ?The Gryphon is a creature that has been blessed with the body of a lion and the head and wings of a great eagle. Its feathers and fur are typically a golden ochre. There are two notable subspecies: the Forest Gryphon with darker fur and plumage, and the rare Arctic Gryphon with white fur, adapted for cold climates.
Hmm, Alexis must be a Forest Gryphon; that seems appropriate, seeing as he’s from the wild mountain lands of Kormovia.
I refocus on the page.
?A Gryphon's strength is immense, allowing it to tear through steel with its talons and crush bone with its beak. Their visionis exceptionally keen, allowing them to spot small objects from great heights.
?Behavior: Gryphons are fiercely intelligent, proud, and solitary. While they can never be truly "tamed," they form unbreakable bonds with worthy individuals. They are innately hostile toward dragons.
Smirking slightly at that last piece of information, I turn to the minotaur section next.
The Minotaur (Latin:Taurus Humanus) ?The Minotaur has the body of a man and the head of a bull, complete with mighty horns. Its immense physical strength, bull-like endurance, and fierce rage make it a nearly unstoppable force in combat.
?Behavior: Driven by instinct and aggression, the Minotaur is a creature that exists to act as a guardian for sacred or powerful places, and occasionally, divine beings. The labyrinth is their natural habitat, where their connection to the earth is strongest.
Then I move on to Centaurs.
The Centaur (Latin:Hippos Humanus) ?The Centaur has the lower body and legs of a horse, complete with a powerful equine torso and four hooves, and the upper body, head, and arms of a human. This combination grants them immense strength and speed. They are skilled in both combat and hunting, often using bows and arrows, spears, or clubs.
