บท 18: Angry flower

Later in the morning, I met up with Zephyr. The griffin had become a true friend over the years, his loyalty unwavering. We often explored the forest together, uncovering its secrets and facing its dangers side by side.

"Hey, Orphe!" Zephyr called as he landed gracefully beside me, his wings folding neatly against his sides.

I looked at him smiling at his cheeky grin. Making friends with him was kinda easy. It seems he wasn't popular as his mother was a bit important in their community, and... he didn't have a Dad. I heard from my Mom that his father died killed by some hunter while he was protecting the flock. Hell, I don't know but I think his kid should be treated with respect as a child of a hero... but nope... they either fear him, feel jealous of him or other nasty things. With me? He can be himself... and I try not to envy his wings. I learnt to love my 'grounded life'... without it, I'd never had my current family.

"Ready for today's adventure?" I heart him asking and I decided to check him with PIA's help.

[Activating skill: Eyeglass]

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Name: Zephyr

Age: 6 years

Race: Griffin

Gender: Male

Relationship: The user's friend

Build: Brown feather with a white belly and white spot on his head. Brown eyes. Agile body.

Personality: Curious, talkative and caring.

Titles: The Wind Adept

Special Ability: Wind Affinity, Eagle Eye

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"Always," I replied, my heart lifting at the thought of what we could find today. "What do you have in mind?"

"I found something interesting near the river," Zephyr said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "There's a plant there that's...different. I've heard some of the forest creatures talking about it. Apparently, it's been causing quite a stir."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What kind of plant?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but I've heard it can move. Some say it's been eating anything that gets too close," Zephyr explained, his tone serious.

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought. The forest was full of wonders and dangers alike, and this sounded like something we needed to investigate carefully.

"Let's check it out," I said, determination in my voice. "But we should be cautious."

Zephyr nodded, and together we set off towards the river, our senses alert.

I think I am currently in what you would call a 'teenage rebel phase' I guess... Doing dangerous stuff, not listening to my Mom's warnings and of course... sneaking out of the den without them knowing. Yeah. I am in trouble indeed, but it's stronger than me. What can I do? I enjoy it!

The journey to the river was uneventful, the forest alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves. As we drew closer to our destination, however, the atmosphere shifted. The air felt charged as if warning us of the danger ahead.

We moved silently, our footsteps barely disturbing the forest floor - yes, Zephyr often went on our adventures together with me, on the ground. And then, we saw it—a large, vibrant plant with vivid red petals and thorny vines that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

"This must be it," Zephyr whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustle of leaves.

The plant was unlike anything I had ever seen. It stood in the centre of a small clearing, its vines stretching out like tentacles, ready to ensnare anything that ventured too close.

"We need to be careful," I said, my eyes fixed on the plant. "I don't like the look of those vines."

Zephyr nodded, his wings half-unfurled, ready to take flight at a moment's notice.

As we watched, a small bird landed on one of the nearby branches, chirping innocently. Before we could react, one of the plant's vines shot out with lightning speed, snatching the bird from the air and pulling it into its gaping maw.

My heart raced at the sight. This plant was dangerous, more so than we had anticipated.

"We should warn the others," Zephyr said, his voice tense. "This thing could be a threat to the entire forest."

I nodded, agreeing with his assessment.

Yes. We may be naughty teens but we act with wisdom! Not like in those movies where kids rush into trouble without help...

But as we turned to leave, one of the vines lashed out, catching Zephyr's wing. He let out a cry of alarm, struggling to free himself.

To hell with what I just said...

Zephyr's shrill scream pierced the forest, shattering the tranquil morning air. I froze for a moment, the sound of my friend's cries clawing at my heart. I saw the monstrous plant looming over Zephyr. Its long, snake-like vines had ensnared him, binding his wings and dragging him toward a gaping maw lined with jagged teeth.

"Zephyr!" I roared, my voice filled with desperation.

Zephyr writhed against his bonds, his eyes wide with terror.

"Orphe! Help!" he cried, his voice strained as the vines squeezed tighter.

I had to act fast. Great I got my Tactical Thinking leveled up a bit.

The plant was enormous, its thick vines covered in thorns that glistened with a sticky, toxic substance. My heart raced as I assessed the situation, my mind working frantically to formulate a plan.

[Activating skill: Eyeglass]

The world seemed to slow as I focused on the plant, my mind processing the information PIA provided.

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Species: Carnivorous Phythiris Gigantus

Weaknesses: Fire, Cutting Damage

Strengths: Regeneration, Toxic Secretion

Danger Level: High

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Fire and cutting, huh? I thought, trying to ignore the rising panic in my chest. I didn't have fire, but I could use the environment to my advantage.

"Hold on, Zephyr!" I shouted, darting forward.

The plant sensed my approach and lashed out with one of its vines, attempting to swat me aside. I dodged nimbly, my Evasion Mastery kicking in as I weaved through the onslaught of thorns. I circled the creature, searching for an opening.

Using my Enhanced Senses, I noticed a pattern in the plant's movements, a momentary lull between its attacks. I seized the opportunity, lunging forward with all my strength. I bit down on a vine, my teeth piercing the thick skin, tasting the acrid sap as it oozed from the wound.

[Skill acquired: Poison resistance]

[Skill level up: Poison resistance 1 to level 2]

I quickly spit on the ground. The plant recoiled, flailing its vines in pain, but its hold on Zephyr did not waver. I had to cut through, not just bite. And I was a bit afraid of what the poison could do to me... what if it's some parlays and I won't be able to help?

The moment the plant retracted, I leapt back, my mind racing for a new strategy. I scanned the clearing and spotted a fallen branch, jagged and sharp at one end. It wasn't much, but it could work.

"Zephyr, try to keep its attention on me!" I yelled, dashing toward the branch.

Zephyr nodded weakly, thrashing against his bindings to create a distraction.

"Come on, you overgrown weed! Look at me!" he taunted, his voice strained but defiant. He shrieked loudly and used his beak to peck on the vines viciously.

I reached the branch and picked it up with my teeth, the taste of moss and dirt flooding my senses. With renewed determination, I charged at the plant, the makeshift weapon clutched in my jaws.

The plant whipped its vines toward me, but this time, I was ready. I ducked beneath one and slashed upward with the branch, severing the vine in a single, clean strike. The plant let out a shriek, its grip on Zephyr loosening slightly.

"Orphe, it's working!" Zephyr called out, his wings fluttering as he struggled to break free.

I didn't waste any time. I attacked again and again, using the branch to cut through the vines. Each strike sent shudders through my body, but I refused to relent. The plant writhed in agony, its vines flailing wildly, but I dodged and struck with precision, my Tactical Thinking guiding each move.

Finally, with a triumphant roar, I delivered a final blow, severing the last vine that held Zephyr captive. The plant recoiled, retreating into the ground, its once-formidable form reduced to a quivering mass of broken vines.

I tapped into my magic, feeling the familiar warmth spread through my body. I focused on the plant, visualizing its roots and the earth beneath it. With a surge of energy, I called upon the forest, urging the ground to shift and the plant fell deeper into the ground as the earth swallowed it. Good, I had earth affinity and I was able to actually use magic like humanoids, but without the need to think of spells... at least the basic stuff was enough now.

Zephyr collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. I rushed to his side, my heart pounding with relief.

"Zephyr, are you okay?" I asked, nudging him gently with my snout.

He looked up at me, gratitude shining in his eyes.

"I am now, thanks to you, Orphe. I thought I was done for."

I helped him to his feet, and together, we moved away from the clearing, leaving the defeated plant behind. As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling of pride that filled my chest. I had saved my friend, and that meant everything to me.

"You really are incredible, Orphe," Zephyr said, his voice filled with awe. "I owe you my life."

I chuckled softly, nudging him playfully.

"That's what friends are for, Zephyr. We look out for each other."

Together, we headed back toward the safety of the forest, going back to the den to warn the others. I didn't know if the plant was defeated for good or not... so Mom should know about it.

Back at the den, we gathered my family and told them about the plant. They listened intently, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.

"We need to stay away from that part of the forest," Orsa said, her voice firm. "It's too dangerous."

"Agreed," I replied, nodding. "But we should also keep an eye on it. If it's a threat to us, it might be a threat to others."

"Yes, my little baby," Lorish said with a gentle smile, when she finally stopped nuzzling my cheek, glad I was ok. "I will take a few of our warriors to check that spot. We'll make sure to neutralise the treat permanently."

Zephyr stayed with us for a while, his presence comforting. He was weirdly quiet... lots in thought a lot... It was a bit odd but I didn't pay mind to it as my siblings were trying to make me talk about my 'heroic deeds'.

As the sun set, casting the forest in hues of gold and orange, I felt stronger and more at ease with myself... as if I had just proven myself to... well... myself.

I went with Zephyr to the edge of the meadow to say goodbye as he was going to fly home.

"Orphe..."

"Yeah?" I asked smiling at him but then I stopped, seeing his serious face.

"I want you to know... that what you did today was amazing... I don't talk about fighting... well that too. But what I mean is... my dad used to tell me that real heroes are not the ones who fight when it's easy... but those who fight knowing how dangerous something is... especially when they're protecting something. Well, I hope you get what I mean by that... So... today... what you did... I will forever be not in your debt but I will try to prove myself as a loyal friend. You can count on me in anything... and I will train hard so I can be more of a help in the future... Thank you Orphe..."

He spoke trying to get a hold of his emotions so I stood there quietly. But in the end, when he hugged me, by placing his head on my back and holding me with his wing, I could feel some tears falling on my scales.

"We could train together if you want..." I said quietly not sure what to say... how to react.

Zephyr smiled at me and nodded.

"Thank you," he said again and flew away.

Something made me look at him again and check his status.

[Activating skill: Eyeglass]

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Name: Zephyr

Age: 6 years

Race: Griffin

Gender: Male

Relationship: The user's friend and vassal

Build: Brown feather with a white belly and white spot on his head. Brown eyes. Agile body.

Personality: Curious, talkative and caring.

Titles: The Wind Adept, Loyalty until Grave

Special Ability: Wind Affinity, Eagle Eye

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Loyalty until Grave?

[Description: The highest form of loyalty. The person becomes loyal to the User and their vassal. They will follow them like their leader and will do their best to always protect them and aid them.]

...Wow...