Back at the den, Lorish and the King were waiting for me. I entered slowly, my head hanging low, my heart heavy with worry and sadness. My mother immediately sensed the emotional turmoil I was in.

"Did you find him?" Lorish asked softly, her eyes filled with concern and tenderness.

I nodded, tears streaming down my scales.

"I did. His uncle was hurting him... I think he wanted to kill him." I heard my mom and siblings gasp. "I led some knights to the farm, and they took him away. But I don't know if he's safe. I don't know if I'll ever see him again."

"At first I wanted to object... Humans are all but trouble..." The King stepped forward, his expression stern but filled with pride.

"But now I know... you did the right thing, Orphelin. You protected your friend, even at great risk to yourself. You are a true protector."

["Great Protector" title unlocked]

Oh... what does it mean?

[Great Protector - proves that the one wielding the title is capable of risking their own life to save and protect those in need. When doing so, the Great Protector title makes the User's resolve stronger, and enhances them]

I didn't know that titles could be something more than just a title. Good to know. I'll have to check out the other ones too.

Lorish nuzzled me gently, her love and warmth enveloping me like a comforting blanket.

"We're so proud of you, my baby. You have a brave heart."

Overwhelmed by the support and the intense emotions, I collapsed into my mother's embrace, my body shaking with sobs, my head hiding in her fur.

"I miss him so much. I'm so worried about him."

Lorish held me close to her with her paw, her voice soothing as she whispered, "We'll find a way to check on him. But for now, you need to rest."

I nodded, my heart heavy but filled with gratitude for my family's unwavering support. I lay down beside my siblings, feeling their warmth and love surrounding me. My little sister kept licking my cheeks for a long time before she fell asleep with her tongue out. The boys on the other hand decided to lay partially on me, as if not wanting to let me go anywhere.

Cute furballs... Ok, many not furballs. They were already growing and resembling a wolf. Slowly, yet surely. I hope they won't grow bigger than me!

As I lay in the den, my mind raced with thoughts of Alexius. I replayed the events of the night in my mind, wondering if there was more I could have done. My family's comforting presence was a balm to my frayed nerves, but the uncertainty gnawed at me.

"Mom," I said quietly, "do you think he's okay?"

Lorish looked at me with gentle eyes.

"I believe those knights will take good care of him. He is after all one of them... not a beast they hunt. You did everything you could, and now it's time for you to rest. We will find a way to make sure he's safe."

I nodded, trying to take comfort in her words. As I closed my eyes, the exhaustion of the day finally caught up with me, and I drifted into a restless sleep, my dreams filled with images of Alexius smiling at me.

The next morning, I woke to find my father standing over me, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Hello Dad" I yawned still a bit sleepy.

"Son..." the King started but wavered for a moment until Mom kicked his hind leg with her own and urged him with a snarl.

You rule Mom!

"There may be a way for you to check on your friend," the King said, his voice calm but filled with worry.

"There is?! What is it?!" I asked suddenly very awake.

"It's a rare spell that can make you invisible for a few hours. But it requires the help of the griffins and being very careful."

My eyes widened with hope.

"Really? You can do that?"

The King nodded while making a face that kind of told me 'I am a King after all am I not?'.

"We'll need the help of the griffin who lives close to this place. If I remember well, you met her son during the Celebration, right?"

I nodded, remembering the griffin chick I had fought and befriended - or so I think.

"Yes, I think we kind of said our goodbyes on friendly terms."

"Good. We'll ask for their help," the King said.

My heart raced with excitement.

"Thank you, Father."

The King smiled at me and then we set off to where the griffins lived. The forest was still waking up, and the road we took was different from any routes I used to take. It led us higher, close to the mountain. After some time of running, I finally heard them... those screeches and other weird birdy sounds.

Father announced that we were arriving with good intentions with his mighty howl. It sounded amazing and I could feel there was magic, as the forest seemed to answer him.

We were welcomed by the same griffin who had once taken me - call it luck I guess? She descended from the sky right into a small meadow next to a stream, where a few youngsters were playing. I recognised "the bully". He grew slightly bigger than me... damn it. I half expected him to laugh at me but he only smiled at me and waved his wings as if to say hello. I nodded to him but with a rather serious demeanour, coz we had a serious thing going on here.

The female griffin looked at me with a still-present hint of gratitude and then bowed her head to the King.

"How may the servant of the sky, assist her king?" She asked, her voice delicate and nice. I could like her... if not for the memory of my near-death experience with her.

"We need your help," the King explained. "Orphelin needs to check on his friend who he lately resced in a very dangerous location. We require the invisibility spell."

The griffin nodded a bit surprised.

"We will help. My son will assist you. He's getting better at it, and the spell won't work if one of the parties feels uneasy... and I am afraid I may not feel your son too well."

She was honest. That's good... She totally made me feel uneasy.

The King nodded and they both looked at the youngsters.

"Zephyr! Come join us!" The female called, and her son strode forward to where we stood.