***Soltain Province***

***Elotl Mountains***

Climbing up the remaining steps that led to the top of the mountain was an extremely tiresome affair. The air was so thin that Max found himself taking more breaks at this point than any other time during the pilgrimage. Still, Max’s destination was in sight, so he kept himself moving.

Max eventually reached the end of the stairway path and was now at the top of the mountain. Taking another chance to observe the mountain range around him, he noted that one could actually see the glow from the city to the east, even blocked by other mountains. The moon was past its zenith, lighting up the vast darkness that formed below the clouds. He could see the massive shadows of both the clouds and the mountains, darkening the land below him. Forests and shrubbery surrounded the lower parts of the range, and Max even spotted parts of the Elotl River as it flowed eastward.

Facing the large ancient doors that indicated his destination, Max took out the small seal his father had given to him. Directing his lights to the portal, he examined the metal barrier more closely. The double doors stood at over fifty feet in height and at least forty in width, easily overshadowing the boy. They were engraved with intricate depictions of two beings, griffin and man, working side by side. Some of the pictures presented images of battles, while others partners on the hunt, flying through the sky.

The doors were grand enough for Max to know that the proper way was the only way they would open. He certainly wasn’t powerful enough to open them on his own.

Max ran his bare hand across the cold surface of the door. Seemingly searching for a part out of place, a part where he would use the seal of his family to gain entrance. Finally Max’s hand reached a hole, almost out of reach at his height. The hole was small, but looked to be the right size for the seal.

Bringing all three of his lights over for closer examination, Max lined up the shield-shaped crest with the hole in the doorway. Pushing it inside, Max secured it’s position and slowly backed up.

Max heard a loud thud, originating from the other side of the the large entrance. Taking the opportunity to back up even further from the doors, Max activated his ‘Minds Eyes’. Dim lines of gold could be seen, beginning from the griffin outline in the Soltain crest and branching out throughout the entirety of the metal portal. The engravings were all highlighted, and a final burst of light shot from the figures, leading Max to covering his eyes. After the flash, the lights disappeared and the engravings on the door immediately returned to normal. The doors slowly opened, revealing a dark cavern lit by torches behind them.

Max dismissed his floating light flares and trotted through the large entrance. His traveling boots echoed through the ancient cave with each step, leaving him feeling a bit vulnerable. As he walked, Max noticed beams of moonlight shooting through holes in the ceiling, further brightening the rather dark cavern. Using his reptilian eyes, Max peered as far as he could in front of him, eventually coming to recognize a large figure at the end of the tunnel.

As he approached, the figure became distinctly clearer. Body, legs, and tail of a lion, with the head and wings of an eagle, the figure was massive. Sitting in front of Max and taking up most of the cavern, Max guessed the being in front of him to be at least fifty feet in length. Unlike other griffins Max had seen, this one seemed to be almost completely different. Covered in all white fur and feathers, the enormous griffin held a majesty of it’s own. It’s wizened golden eyes peered from the darkness in the cave, staring into Max’s very being.

Shivers went straight up his spine. Max was prideful by nature, but if there was ever a time and place to humble himself, this would be it.

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Max took a knee and bent down. “It is an honor to meet you Chief of the Griffins.”

The large being remained unfazed, simply staring at the young boy kneeling in front of him.

After a minute of silence, an archaic yet regal voice was projected straight into Max’s mind.

You are Soltain, yet you are not.

Max nodded, with his face still facing the floor. “I have also retained the gifts from my mother’s family, the Sateles. I can control both the powers of my father and mother’s lineages.”

Interesting.

Silence reigned in the cavern as the white griffin contemplated the boy’s words.

Do you hold loyalty to the snakes?

Max was confused by the question. Assuming the griffin meant basilisks of the Sateles, then he suppose he did in a sense. The Sateles were family, and the snakes worked together to protect family. If they continued to aid his family, he would always hold loyalty to friends.

“I have no formal relationship with the Basilisk Clan, but if they continue to protect my extended family I will always appreciate their efforts.”

They have not approached you?

Max shook his head. He only had seen the basilisks but never actually talked to one, at least not that he could remember. “No Great Chief.”

Like Max himself, Griffins were prideful creatures. They considered themselves only rivaled by the dragon race, and as such were beings who demanded respect. The Griffin Chieftain Anon, was the foremost leader of a race of prideful magical beasts, and had certain standards for prospective partners. Anon could feel the magical power the boy in front of possessed, and was quite pleased.

What is it that truly matters?

The general had prepared Max for this question. Every Soltain would receive the same query after their pilgrimage up the Steps of the Sun, and an exact response was expected. Fathers would pass the response to their children and it became a family ritual, a rite of passage in the House of Soltain.

Reciting his grandfather's words from memory, Max said, “Loyalty to one’s family is the only thing that matters.”

The white griffin nodded, closing his golden eyes and extending his senses. Max felt the pulse of mana push through his body and outside of the cavern.

There has been a birth in my line not long ago, a great grandson more precisely. You Soltains have not united with one of my direct blood in many, many years.

Max instantly perked up at the prospect of being partnered with a griffin far larger than the rest of his families. Having a being the size of some dragons as a companion would certainly be awesome. Pushing his childish thoughts aside, Max listened to the Griffin Chieftain continue.

We have seen your actions against those who would halt your ascent to the Sun, and are impressed by your abilities. You may be worthy of my descendant.

Max was working extremely hard to keep his emotions in check. Still, he was ecstatic. Not only did he pass the test but he was being given an opportunity none had been granted in years.

Even so, there is a condition. Your loyalty shall forever be to the Griffin Clan, and you will have no other partners.

Wasn’t that obvious? Max was now utterly dumbfounded by the request. He was a Soltain, so he was bound to have a griffin partner. Shrugging his shoulders, Max nodded.

“I swear loyalty to the Griffin Clan of the North and will never have another partner.”

Anon nodded. Some time passed and a few other griffins approached from the main entrance and appeared behind Max. One of the griffins was far larger than the rest, covered in white fur and feathers just like the Chieftain. On top of the back of the white griffin rested an infant, no bigger than Max’s forearm.

You are now family. I present you with my descendent given the name Adrios. You will aid each other as you grow, defending the sanctuary of the family you hold dear.

A smaller griffin, about eight feet in length, grabbed the infant off the back of the larger one. Trotting over to Max, the sleeping baby was placed in his arms.

You are now responsible for the life of another. Do not make light of your new responsibilities.

“I won’t let the family down.” Max replied resolutely.

Anon looked at one of the many griffins now filling the chamber.

Take the boy back to the city, he has completed his trial.

Mounting on the back the golden-brown beast, Max secured his new companion safely inside his coat and held on tight. Exiting the wide cave, Max was graced with the sight of the morning sunrise, scattered rays of light breaking past the mountains in the east. The wind rushed through his hair and the cool morning air left him rather energetic, even considering he hadn’t slept in a while. As they soared through the sky, Soltain City soon came in sight, reminding Max of his own sanctuary.

A place he needed to defend, somewhere his family would always be safe no matter the dangers that spawned throughout the world.