The wind roared around them, whipping through the storm like a vengeful spirit. Snow pelted their faces, the bitter cold clinging to their skin as they trudged through the blizzard. Though not as blinding as before, the storm still swallowed the world around them, a swirling mass of white that obscured everything beyond a few feet.

Raelyn pulled her cloak tighter, each step sinking deep into the snow, forcing her to drag her legs free before taking another. It was slow, exhausting work. Beside her, Hovan gritted his teeth, his broad frame pushing forward through the relentless gales. Thomrik muttered curses under his breath, every step a struggle as the snow swallowed him up to his torso. Danio stumbled slightly before catching himself. Rakz stuck close to Raelyn, the strong muscles of his scaled body working hard to keep him moving.

Ahead of them, Kogwin moved with effortless ease. His small frame was light enough not to sink, his padded feet leaving only shallow imprints in the snow. He glanced back at them, his fur bristling against the cold but showing no signs of discomfort.

"Not far now! Everybody alright?" he called.

Danio let out a dry laugh, breath misting in the cold. "Yeah, best stroll I've ever had. Really appreciating the scenery."

Hovan huffed but said nothing.

A sharp, piercing screech tore through the air, cutting through the howling winds like a blade.

Raelyn froze mid-step, her heart hammering against her ribs. The sound was closer this time, no longer some distant cry lost in the storm. It was here.

Rakz whined at her feet, pressing himself low to the ground, his golden eyes darting frantically. His small body trembled, his fear unmistakable.

A sound like the flapping of wings, massive and heavy, sent a burst of air rippling through the snow, scattering powder into the air.

Shadows flickered beyond the frost-laden air, vast and shifting.

Raelyn's pulse quickened. Something was circling them.

Thomrik let out a low grunt, tightening his grip on his warhammer. "I don't like this," he muttered. "Not one bit."

The screech came again, this time so close it rattled in her chest.

She swallowed hard, every muscle in her body tensed as she peered into the storm. The shadows moved again, shifting between the swirling gusts—large, looming forms that seemed to rise and fall with the wind. Their shapes were indistinct, the storm distorting their outlines, but there was no mistaking the sheer size of them.

Another gust of wind swept through, thinning the snowfall just enough for Raelyn to catch a glimpse of feathers, dark and massive, glinting faintly in the dim light of the sun breaking through the storm.

Her breath caught.

Something was waiting for them in the storm.

Hovan reached for his sword.

Kogwin, however, didn't stop walking.

Raelyn tore her gaze from the shifting shadows to the gremlin, whose antennae twitched as he turned toward them.

"You can put your weapons away," he said with a smirk, his tone maddeningly calm. "They're not going to eat you."

Raelyn blinked. "They?"

As if on cue, the storm parted just enough, revealing what lay ahead.

She sucked in a breath.

Towering before them, winged figures emerged from the storm, their sharp talons gripping the rocky ground. Their feathers caught what little light filtered through the blizzard, reflecting faint hues of silver, bronze, and deep midnight blue.

Small figures bustled around them, adjusting rein-like harnesses and murmuring calming sounds. The gremlins moved with purpose, their fur buffeted by the wind but their hands sure and steady.

Kogwin stopped a few paces ahead and turned back toward them. His white fur rippled against the wind as he gestured to the creatures. "These," he announced, his voice raised over the storm, "are Grypherons."

Raelyn took another step forward, the wind biting against her skin as she finally caught a full, unobstructed view of the beasts.

Three Grypherons stood before them, their powerful forms partially obscured by the flurries of snow swirling in the storm's grip. Their sleek bodies were covered in a mix of short, dense fur along their muscular limbs and shimmering, layered feathers that adorned their broad wings and necks. Their heads bore a striking resemblance to falcons, with keen, forward-facing eyes, curved beaks sharp enough to tear through flesh, and feathered crests that ruffled slightly as they took in the newcomers.

Their front limbs resembled the powerful talons of an avian predator, each tipped with razor-sharp, curved claws. Their hind legs were more mammalian, similar to a great feline. The padded paws were lined with small, retractable claws. A long, plume-like tail extended behind them, lined with layered feathers that shifted slightly in the wind.

The one standing closest to them was the largest, its dark feathers rippling as it shook itself free of the gathering frost. Its plumage bore streaks of white along the tips of its wings, resembling frost-laced mountain ridges. Its deep golden eyes fixed on Raelyn, assessing her in the way a predator might evaluate unfamiliar prey.

The second Grypheron, slightly smaller but no less formidable, had a more streamlined build. Its feathers gleamed like burnished bronze, catching the dim light with an almost metallic sheen. Its talons flexed against the rocky ground, gripping the ice-slicked surface with ease. Unlike the first, its crest feathers were shorter, sleeker, and hugged the curve of its skull. It shifted restlessly, wings twitching as if impatient to take flight.

The third, positioned slightly behind the others, was leaner but possessed the longest wingspan of the trio. Its feathers were a deep, stormy gray, with darker speckles scattered across its wings and back. The tips of its ears—longer than the others'—twitched as it listened to the wind, and its silver eyes darted toward the group with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

They were magnificent.

"By the gods," Benji murmured, stepping up beside her. His voice was barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might shatter the moment. "I've never seen anything like it."

Kogwin nodded, his white fur shifting slightly in the wind. "Engineered by my kind," he said, a note of pride in his voice.

Benji blinked, tearing his gaze away from the Grypherons to face the gremlin. "Engineered? How did you manage that?"

Kogwin's antennae twitched, his sharp eyes gleaming as he gestured toward the creatures. "We took griffin eggs and bred them to match our needs. Wild griffins are strong, but they are unruly and see anything smaller than them as food. We couldn't risk that."

Hovan's gaze swept over the Grypherons, his brow furrowing. "That's what I don't get," he said, rubbing his chin. "Beasts like these should be difficult to control. And you're telling me they obey gremlins—who, no offense, are half their size and easily overpowered?"

Kogwin nodded, clearly not insulted by Hovan's words. "Unlike their wild cousins, Grypherons are made to serve us. They don't see gremlins as prey but instead as their riders and caretakers. We raised them from hatching to be loyal, reinforcing that bond through training. The result?" He gestured to the creatures. "Obedient, highly intelligent, and attuned to the commands of a gremlin rider."

Raelyn, still studying the Grypherons, turned to Kogwin. "Why?" she asked. "Why go through all that effort?"

Kogwin tilted his head. "Curiosity played a part, as it always does for my kind," he admitted. "But the true reason was necessity. We needed a way to traverse the mountains safely, without falling prey to what else lurks out here. We gremlins are smart, but we are not strong. Out in the open, without tunnels to shelter us, we are vulnerable. The Grypherons gave us a way to defend ourselves—a way to move through the skies rather than crawl through the snow."

Danio, who had been quietly watching, smirked. "I get making them obedient, but how exactly do you 'improve' on a griffin?"

Kogwin grinned, his sharp teeth glinting slightly. "Selective breeding, behavioral conditioning, and minor genetic adjustments. Over generations, we refined them to be what they are now—faster, more agile, more attuned to the needs of a rider. They are built for endurance, for high-altitude travel, and for precise maneuvering in the air. Every aspect of them has been honed to perfection."

Benji, ever kind-hearted, narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what about the ones that didn't meet your standards? What happened to them?"

Kogwin's gaze met Benji's evenly. "We set them free."

Benji's shoulders relaxed slightly, though his expression remained contemplative.

"We may be methodical, but we are not heartless," Kogwin continued. "Those that did not bond with us, or those who did not fit our needs, were released into the wild. Some survived and integrated with their griffin kin. Others... did not."

Danio exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well, I've never had an issue with heights," he admitted. "But flying?" He glanced warily at the Grypherons. "That might be pushing the envelope."

Thomrik chuckled, clapping Danio on the back. "Not so confident now, eh?"

Hovan folded his arms. "And are we sure they'll be able to carry us?" He glanced at the Grypherons' powerful frames. "From what you're telling us they've only ever carried gremlins."

Kogwin nodded. "They are stronger than they appear. They were trained to carry riders in search for supplies—a much faster and far safer alternative than braving the slopes on foot."

Another Grypheron shook its feathers, sending a ripple of frosted mist into the air. Its claws scraped against the stone, gripping tightly to maintain balance.

"I don't know if I trust this," Thomrik muttered, arms crossed over his chest. "Flying down a mountain? We dwarves were meant to keep our feet on solid ground."

A sharp clicking call came from one of the gremlins handling the creatures. The Grypherons responded with a low, resonant warble, shifting slightly but remaining calm under their handlers' steady hands.

"They are trained to obey their riders, provided you give them clear instructions," Kogwin explained. "You need only hold on and let them do their work."

Rakz, who had remained close to Raelyn, let out a soft whine, his golden eyes fixed on the Grypherons. He did not seem convinced that these creatures were a safe alternative.

Raelyn reached down, scratching along his spine. "I know," she murmured. "But it might be better than the alternative."

The small dragon flicked his tongue, tasting the cold air, but he remained pressed against her leg.

Benji stepped a little closer to one of the Grypherons, examining the intricate harness strapped across its chest. "So," he said, glancing toward Kogwin, "how exactly does this work?"

Kogwin's whiskers twitched as he motioned to the gremlins. "We'll make sure you're secured. Once mounted, the Grypherons will handle the descent." He glanced at the storm beyond. "They will fly above the worst of the blizzard."

At his signal, the gremlins moved quickly, adjusting the leather harnesses and preparing the creatures for flight. Kogwin turned to the group, his sharp eyes sweeping over them. "Each Grypheron can carry two passengers, along with their handler. You'll be paired accordingly."

He gestured first to the bronze-feathered Grypheron, which stood with its wings tucked close, its talons gripping the rocky ground. Its molten-like plumage shimmered faintly in the cold light. "Hovan, you'll take this one and carry your reptile with you." He motioned to a waiting gremlin already mounted. "You'll be flying with Grost."

Hovan nodded, bending over to take Rakz in his arms. The small dragon let out a quiet, uncertain chirp as Hovan approached the beast, but the Grypheron barely reacted, only tilting its head slightly as it assessed its new riders.

Next, Kogwin motioned to the storm-gray Grypheron, the leanest of the three. "Danio, Thomrik—you'll be with Vrek." The gremlin already seated on the Grypheron gave a curt nod, tightening his grip on the reins.

Danio eyed the beast warily. "I think it's sizing me up."

Thomrik grinned. "Probably wondering if you'd make a decent meal if you fall off."

Kogwin then turned to the largest of the three, the dark-feathered Grypheron, its eyes like molten gold. "Raelyn, Benji—you'll ride with me."

Raelyn swallowed as she stepped toward the creature, her boots crunching over the frost-laced stone. Its piercing gaze met hers, and she hesitated. These creatures were not mere beasts—they were engineered to be something more, something beyond nature's design. The idea of trusting one to carry her into the sky sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

She wasn't alone in her apprehension. Hovan inspected the Grypheron he was assigned with careful scrutiny, his hand grazing over its sleek, powerful wing. Even Thomrik, who had faced down trolls and hellhounds without blinking, shifted his stance uncertainly, eyeing the creature's talons.

Danio let out a nervous chuckle as he approached his Grypheron. "So, do they come with a way of securing us to the beast, or are we just hanging on and hoping for the best?"

Kogwin snorted, adjusting the leather straps that served as reins. "If you fall, try flapping your arms."

Danio exhaled sharply, glancing at Thomrik. "I don't suppose you're going to catch me if I slip?"

Thomrik smirked. "Not a chance."

With little other choice, they climbed atop the Grypherons, each movement stiff and cautious. The creatures stood firm beneath their weight, their muscles adjusting but never faltering. Kogwin mounted first with practiced ease, motioning for Raelyn and Benji to follow.

Benji swung himself onto the Grypheron's back first, gripping the saddle. He adjusted his position, shifting forward slightly to make room. The beast ruffled its feathers but remained still beneath him, as if acknowledging his presence. Raelyn hesitated for a moment before following, gripping the saddle's edge as she swung her leg over and settled behind him. The Grypheron shuddered slightly, adjusting to the added weight, its powerful muscles flexing beneath her. She instinctively wrapped her arms around Benji's waist to steady herself, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing.

Hovan settled onto his mount, Rakz nestled firmly in his strong arms. Rakz was unusually still, his eyes darting between the ground and the sky, uneasy with the new experience.

Danio, shifting uncomfortably atop his Grypheron, shot Thomrik a look. "This thing isn't about to just take off on its own, is it?"

Kogwin, from his own Grypheron, smirked. "No. They wait for my command."

Raelyn took a deep breath, tightening her grip around Benji's waist. She wasn't sure what was worse—the anticipation of what was coming or the actual flight itself. But those thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind when she suddenly became aware of the warmth of Benji beneath her hands. The layers of fabric between them did little to mute the steady rise and fall of his breathing, or the way his muscles tensed beneath her touch. A slow heat crept into her face, and she was suddenly grateful for the numbing cold around them.

Benji shifted slightly in the saddle, his voice low over the wind. "You comfortable back there?"

Raelyn swallowed, nodding quickly even as she felt her fingers twitch against his cloak. "Yeah," she managed, her voice steadier than she expected.

Raelyn exhaled slowly, letting herself lean just a fraction closer against him, steadying herself. Whether from the flight or from something else entirely, her heart pounded against her ribs.

Kogwin's voice rang out over the wind. "Hold on tight."

And then he gave the command.

The Grypherons moved as one.