Lyra

My body slammed against the ground.

“Come at me again.” He said, standing open for attack, holding his blade staff gently, emerald eyes glinting with a hint of delight at me falling on my ass, yet again.

I leapt to my feet, muscles aching from training for the past two weeks, non-stop, and the glyphs were encouraging faster healing than even the high elves possessed. I was becoming strong, but I still couldn’t land a hit on that damn Thalas, cocky prick.

I swung my sword hoop, barely grazing his belly as he leapt away, tripping me in the process. I fell to the ground yet again and he roared with laughter, making even the birds stop singing for just a few moments.

“Alright, I’ve had enough, it’s break time. Go get some water, finish your packing. I have a few things to finish up before I show your party out of my forest, finally.”

He helped me to my feet, I dusted the dirt off my boots and gave him a bow.

“We all appreciate your hospitality you have given us.” I said.

“I never get guests. It was my pleasure. Not everyday you get to crown the new champion of Elyndor.” He bowed back.

******

Champion of a deity. What a joke. A celestial granted me to live, though with my whole self, I didn’t believe in their existence, or even if they cared about us. What a cruel choice to make.

I ran my fingers over the glyphs, the scars they left now matching the olive tone of my skin. Who am I now? A sew together toy of the gods, now here to do their bidding, or be ripped apart by oath-breaking. Thalas had explained this to me slowly as he taught me how to channel Elyndor through my body. I could now shift into two forms: the cockatrice, a rooster head, a raptors body and razor sharp claws and teeth. As well as a dire shape imitation of Zephyra, which I could not hold for very long, even with my god-given abilities.

He said in time you will grow strength to hold it. Just practice what he taught you and you’ll figure out how to honor a god you never prayed to.

I reassured myself and slipped my mossy shirt and cloak on, ready to go meet with the rest of my party at the edge of the food forest. They were all waiting for me, happily waving as I approached, seeing Kaelen had already saddled and prepared Zyphyra for travel.

“I guess I won’t get any stronger waiting around here.” I said, throwing my bags over her saddles then hopped on.

“Good because any longer and we would have had to leave you.” Elara replied, then with a swift kick of her feet into Aurelia’s ribs.The griffin and her riders moved along to meet Thalas.

I looked at Kaelen, who was lovingly petting his manticore’s chin, whispering kind words and giving her some dried liver as a treat. He waited over me while I was recovering from the ordeal. He was a good friend, how the hell did I gain this kind of loyalty when all I did was talk down to him our whole lives.

“Kaelen,” I quickly looked away, “Thanks. For everything. Let’s get going.” I kicked Zephyra gently and followed after my cousin, leaving Kaelen to follow after.

******

Thalas waited for us at the edge of the tree line, his bags thrown across his mount, a grand cockatrice with bright red comb and wattles, his green eyes piercing out from behind them. The elongated body of the beast was shimmering in dark scales, that caught the light and gave off rainbow shimmers, ran all the way down its neck until two leathery wings, useless for fighting, but each wing tip had three razor sharp claws that the creature could use to grab onto its prey. The powerful legs were enough for the cockatrice to never need to worry about its lack of proper front claws, sleek and strong legs were the most dangerous part of the beast. If you got caught unders it’s belly and near its rear talons, good luck getting out without being turned to ribbon. Finally its tail, tipped with a rattle and covered in a dark plumage. Truly, a mount worthy of a Demi-god.

“Are you all ready to go? We must leave before the suns dip behind the canopy.” Thalas gave a flick of the reins, “Hyah! On Viperclaw.” The large elf and his mount vanished into the forest. We were off.