Trouble by the Old Wisdom Tree

The Road to the Old Wisdom Tree

It is just half-past noon when Florentino Ibarra is getting near the Old Wisdom Tree. Along the way, he saw many Kamasylvia Weasels running away. They are very gentle and friendly creatures unless attacked, but this, however, it states that there’s a larger predator in the area.

Florentino arrived at the Old Wisdom Tree, but everyone there is packing their belongings, preparing to evacuate. The Lemoria Guards from the nearby posts are mobilized. An attack was imminent.

“What’s going on?” Florentino asked one of the Lemoria Guard Soldier.

“Ahib Griffon!” the Lemoria Guard Soldier said, “everyone who doesn’t have a fighting chance must evacuate!”

What?

Florentino looked around in spite of the confusion in the area, looking around for a familiar face.

And there she is, a familiar face, the Lemoria Guard Captain Narchillan by the path leading to Navarn Steppe. She is briefing the Lemoria Guards of what they’re about to face.

Florentino approached her as she was about to finish her briefing.

“Captain Narchillan!” Florentino saluted her. “Florentino Ibarra of the Ibarra Family from Calpheon, at your service.”

“Ah! Florentino,” Narchillan saluted as well, “your timing is impeccable. We need your assistance with this one.”

Florentino nodded. “Leave it to me.”

To Navarn Steppe

Florentino set forth to Navarn Steppe to face the Ahib Griffon. He told Narchillan and the rest of the Lemoria Guards to stay put and defend the Old Wisdom Tree unless something went wrong.

There it stood, larger and has an ominous appearance compared to that of other Griffons. It’s black and white, tiger’s stripe patterned fur and feathers, together with its large talons and wings, it is a sight to behold and to be feared. As it stood proudly, it is majestic as it is deadly.

Florentino approached the beast quietly as it continues to eat its newly acquired prey, a Belladonna Elephant.

Suddenly, Florentino stepped into a small branch, it made a small sound, but the Ahib Griffon heard it loudly. it stopped preying on the Belladonna Elephant and turned to where the sound is.

There it saw Florentino, its eyes focused on him and it glowed crimson red. It spans its wings outward, a warning sign that it’s about to attack.

Florentino took this chance to ready his crossbow and aimed at the beast.

The two are locked at each other’s sights.

The open fields of the Navarn Steppes are disadvantageous for Florentino, nowhere to hide. He cannot use the nearby forests as cover because the Ahib Griffon might attack the nearby inhabitants and the Lemoria Guards stationed at the Old Wisdom Tree.

No, I have to fight it right here, I cannot risk it attacking the helpless.

First Shot

Florentino strikes first using his crossbow. The bolt went flying straight at the Ahib Griffon’s left eye, but it was blocked by its wings.

The Ahib Griffon roared, it’s fierce sound can be heard from miles away.

It charged at Florentino, making him slide to his left while firing again using his crossbow. The bolts hit dead centre at the beast’s right side. However, it is not enough. It stopped right in its track and turned at Florentino, it raises its wings and flapped it in front of it to make a cyclone.

The cyclone hits Florentino and sends him upward to the air, the Ahib Griffon flew soon after towards Florentino and hits him with its talons. Florentino cried in pain. He is now freefalling to the ground.

Florentino brought out his greatbow and aimed below him. The power of light manifested in the arrow. He lets go of the arrow when he’s about to hit the ground. The force from the arrow manifested by light was enough to counter the gravitational pull for a moment, with that, he landed on the ground safely.

The Ahib Griffon is hovering above him.

It dashed downwards to Florentino and hits the ground. Debris starts flying on impact. Florentino barely made it out alive but the Ahib Griffon’s onslaught has just begun. It charged towards Florentino.

The Onslaught Continues

The Ahib Griffon’s onslaught continues, forcing Florentino to dodge and run frequently. He sends arrows flying towards the Ahib Griffon in the process.

The beast charged at Florentino again, he looked behind him and saw this, he stopped in his tracks and puts away his greatbow, waiting for the Ahib Griffon.

Just before the Ahib Griffon is about to hit Florentino, he slides beneath the beast and used his crossbow to hit its belly.

The Ahib Griffon slides crashed and wailed.

They both are out of breath and desperate to survive. Both of them knew only one of them can survive.

The Ahib Griffon raised its head, it looks like it’s inhaling and Florentino knew what he must do.

Florentino stands up and brought out his greatbow and starts channelling the power of light to the arrow.

The Ahib Griffon then roared as loud as it can, making the wind blow harder as it roars.

Florentino knows this is his last chance. He ran towards the Ahib Griffon and jumped and aimed the arrow at the beast. He lets go of the arrow, the power of light around it made a trail that looks like lightning.

The arrow hits the Ahib Griffon at its mouth and the power of light surged inside it. It then crashed headfirst to the ground, now motionless.

Florentino approached the now dead Ahib Griffon and kneels.

Rest now, you deserve it… we deserve it.