Shift

The Storm of Dust subjugated the night, but Griff was used to it by now, The beaked mask on her Helmet served its purpose, filtering out the raging dust and allowing her to breath freely, Her eyes were also sheltered from the blinding storm, so fast and strong that it could flay the skin from a woman's bones.

Griffin's vision and hearing were hindered however by the rage of the storm, the thick cloud that rushed past was a little thinner from her position on the high battlement but she still needed a little boost, just to get her bearings.

Grif awakened Animo, a sweeping wave of power flowing up through her body and into the prism of her mind's eye, she gasped at the gentle searing pain of the Glyph on Her skin, focusing Her grip on this surging energy and using it to bolster her senses.

A razor-sharp Clarity flooded suddenly into her Senses, the loud storm beating against her eardrums, the smell of stale metal overpowering and the feeling of the harsh winds enhanced even under her protective apparel, but Griff was experienced with Her Powers, enough to tune those things out and focus on the new level of perception that the Glyph had bestowed upon her.

Like lighting a lamp in a dark room, Griff's surroundings became clear, the collection of black towering forts that littered the area, standing like dark monoliths in defiance of the storm, the hundreds of buildings below filling the tormented landscape, doubtlessly filled with Lowborn and slaves all huddled together and praying for the noise to end, everything in sight deeply ingrained with rust. Griff spotted the faint Lamplight of the Patrolling Imperial Guards, flashing like torch-bugs under the power of her Sharpened eyes, Jupiter was still flying high above, still doubtlessly waiting for her call, Griff was thankful to have such a loyal companion.

Griff couldn't let her guard slip, she could not slow or doubt for a moment, it would only be a matter of time before Brutus and her Monster's found her, she didn't even really have time to do what she was doing now... but Solia had a right to know why she was leaving, she needed to know the truth of the matter, be given closure where she had none before, especially since Griff was confident that she was not destined to return.

The clouds of Rust violently parted as Griff landed in the Empty streets, Her Great cloak sprawling like great Silver wings, the tinges of Royal blue contrasting the Clouds of thick red Dust, as soon as she hit the ground, Griff ducked into a shadowed alley, just as she expected, clusters of peasants and cutthroats hid in the darkness, shielding themselves from the Great Storm with their oversized cloaks that hid their unwashed faces.

A few eyes peered out at her, but quickly averted when noticing her Cloak and Helm, their hushed whispers tinging on the power of her enhanced ears "T-That's...."

"She's..."

"The Griffin!?" the whispers spelt, she had become pretty infamous by now. Griff counted the people, "13, 14, 15, 16, 17... Simple enough." she thought to herself as the end of the dusty Alleyway drew near, Griff took a deep breath, Awakening both Animo and Additio in unison, Her stomach became a crucible of fire as the Two Glyphs seared against Her skin, Griff was less practised with Glyph Fusion but was fearless enough to confidently cast her eye back on the 17 people that had seen her

"You did not see me, forget Me" She commanded, a mental wave projected into the space in front of her, striking the memory of her from every single one of them, Griff pursed Her lips, letting out a deafening whistle, Griffin smiled as a shadowed form swept down from the storm towards her, quickly tapping against the brick of the wall in front of her, Griff and the rapidly moving shadow dipped suddenly as they both slipped through the secret passage, while the peasants and Cutthroats clutched their heads, wondering why things went blank for a moment there.

Griff chuckled as Jupiter nuzzled against her neck, his soft feathers giving her affectionate little shocks as it sat on her left shoulder "Who's a good boy?" She asked as she stroked his long curved beak, the Black bird's rumbling trill sounding softly in her ears "Come on, Jupe, best stay out of sight, we don't want to go frightening any of these fools, that's right come on." Jupiter's wings crackled as He suddenly vanished with a pop, She could tell that He was still following her close behind in his gaseous form, the prickly feeling on her neck relaxing her as she made her way down the dark passage.

Griff finally saw light as she strode down the hidden tunnel entrance, traversing the darkness for a good 15 meters down before reaching torchlight,

"Who goes there!?" A tall Guardswoman spoke through her Iron helmet, brandishing her Rifle in anticipation for attackers, the Guard quickly straightened out as she saw Griff's Mask glisten in the torchlight "Lady Griffin!" the Guard bowed deeply, Griff gestured for the Lady guard to rise

"No need for such formalities My friend, is the General still here?" Griff asked in a friendly tone, The Guardswomen nodded

"Yes Milady, She watches over the Young lady as requested." Griff nodded

"What is Your name Guardswoman?" Griff asked, the Guard stammered, most Lowborn were uncomfortable with being addressed by those of Highbirth, but those in the resistance seemed to admire the legend that came with her name

"H-Hadrass, Milady." Griff placed a hand on the Tall woman's shoulder

"Thank You, Guardwomen Hadrass, keep up the good work." Hadrass bowed at being acknowledged

"You bring me great Honor, Lady Griffin." She said as she opened the door into the Hideout for her.

Griff made a point to never be like the other nobles, The Lowborn Races were not to be looked down upon, they deserved respect just as much as any of the Highborn, it was little gestures of kindness like that which drove her on her path, to the Empire's fall.

As soon as Griff entered the Resistance Hideout, many many eyes fell on her, the large groups of soldiers, workers, and peasants stopping in their tracks to gaze upon her as she strode confidently across the busy underground Hall, they whispered among themselves, staring at Her shining silver beaked helm, Her fine cloak and the long thing blade that hung on the back of her waist, swaying slightly as she walked.

"Griff!" Griffin perked her head up as a familiar soft tone called out to her, shooting from the bustling crowd.

Solia emerged with a great big smile on her youthful face, Solia quickly ran up to Griff, the short Tellun girl only reaching her abdomen despite having turned 19 last month,

"Hila, Little one." Griff greeted her in a warm tone, lightly running her gloved fingers through her midnight black hair

"I thought that You'd never come back!" Solia said, Griff, frowned to herself, luckily obscured by her helmet,

"Well well, if it isn't Griffin of Blades..." Griff groaned, looking over to see just the person that she really couldn't be bothered to deal with right now,

"Cassie." Griff looked at the Krake Resistance General, her dark face fixed with a permanent scowl

"that's General Cassandra." She corrected in her strong tone

"Whatever You Say. listen to me, I don't have a lot of time, I need to speak to Solia in private." Griff said, General Cassandra heard the need for haste in her tone, gesturing for Griff to follow, Solia happily followed Griff, The Griffin had a sad look under her mask, Her thoughts drowning in the melancholy _"I'm so sorry Sol, I wish that I didn't have to go, I'd die to preserve that smile."- - - - - -

_

"WHAT!?" Solia cried, tears welling in her Black eyes, Griff crouched down to Solia, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder

"Sol..." Grif started but the Young Tellu pulled away, tears falling down her cheeks,

"Y-You can't! You can't go there, No one comes back from the Red Sea, I'll never see You again!?" Solia argued, Griff sighed, looking up at Cassandra

"Wait outside." Griff commanded, The Krakis General looked even more disapproving, Griff did not falter as she spoke: "I said, Wait outside." Cassandra was stubborn, but even a Krake knew not to make a Mysteria angry, She sighed, making her way out and slamming the door behind her, Griff did not completely trust that anyone would eavesdrop and so whispered over her shoulder "Make sure nobody listens in, Jupe" the crackling energy behind her obeyed, flying over and pushing hard against the Iron door so that no sound could escape and so that No one could enter.

Griffin reached up, gently unclasping her silver Mask and pulling away at her Silver Helmet, the cool air touched her face for the first time in hours, Her ear-length shiny Black hair falling free as she looked upon the sobbing Young girl with sad eyes, Solia softened as she saw Griff's face, whispering to Her mentor in a pleading tone

"Please... Ila... don't do this, I can't lose You too." Griff smiled weakly, touching Solai's face to comfort Her

"You remember the words of the Prophet... don't You? soon the Son of War's time will come, I have to go..." Solia frowned in defeat, she knew that all of Griff's work came to this point and there would be no changing her mind "You are strong Solia" Griff said, smiling firmly at her apprentice, "You remember Your training. If any of them tries to take advantage of You, You show them just how dangerous You really are, Understand?" she asked, holding the Tellu's shoulders softly as to not hurt her, Solia swept in hugging Griff tightly and whispering to her Mentor softly

"Walk with War, Ila..." Griff smiled, hugging her Apprentice tightly

"Peace in rest, Solia."

Griff put on her Helmet, fastening Her beaked mask and covering Her face, with one last look at Her Young friend, Griff whistled light, calling Jupe's hidden form back over to her and whispering "Watch Her, Jupiter, stay with her and keep her safe." Griff felt the energy hesitate, He did not want to leave his mistress that much was clear, but reluctantly hovered over to Solia's side.

Griff allowed the Animo Glyph to rest, sighing with relief at disappearance of the Glyph burning her skin and Her hearing returning to normal.

"I will have to conserve my energy, it will be a battle of endurance to reach The eye of War in this storm..." Griff was met with Cassandra's face as she left the office, the Krake General leaning against the wall with a smug look on her face

"You know if You don't trust us then You should reconsider leaving the girl in our protection." Griff snorted at this

"Your protection?" Griff folded her arms "That girl is worth 50 of Your 'best' soliders, this is merely where she wanted to apply her skills, even if it's purely wasted on Your silly rebellion." Griff said quietly, Cassandra relaxed her uptight form, getting in close to Griff and looking into her mask with daring eyes

"Well You, Griffin of Blades, are worth all of my soldiers, if not more" Cassandra's hands suddenly grabbed at Griffin's hips pulling her in close, Griff did nothing at first, she found it a little amusing "...You should stay, think of all the good that we could do for the Lowborn with Your powers..." Cassandra's hands wandered around Griff's body, touching at her clothing covered breast and feeling down between her legs "...With our combined strength we could topple this Empire, and I could completely guarantee Your little friend's safety."

Griff felt a flash of fury in her chest, slamming the Resistance General against the Hardstone wall, her elbow pressed hard into her throat "Do you think that just because I allow My apprentice to stay here that I will not crush You?" Griff growled, Cassandra choked, eyes wide as Griff pressed away her air "I don't need my blade to kill You, I won't even use my Mysteria, I will simply beat You into a pulp and leave Your corpse with Your Lackeys, as a warning for what happens if You even think about Harming, Solia!" Griff pushed the Krake away from her, Cassandra's body toppling over, Griff leaving Her to cough and sputter on the ground while Griff frowned under her mask "These people deserved better leaders that idiot and her ilk."

Griffin left the Hideout hastily, Brutus couldn't have been any more than 24 hours away and would surely intercept her before she got to the Eye, Griff had been preparing far too long to fail, she'd stolen the Iris Key from the Palace, did what everyone said was impossible, she stole from the Immortal Empress, this journey through the Hazardous Red Sea would not stop her on her journey, her journey to find the man who would liberate Marte from its tyranny, she would find the Son of War, even if it was the last thing that she would ever do.