"Paradise."

Those were the only words that could escape Nathan's mouth as he looked at the white beaches and crystal clear waters. The breeze smelled like salt water, and seagulls can be heard in the distance.

"Too bad it is our last day here, let's try to enjoy it."

Nathan had been accepted into his favorite college, and to celebrate he invited his friends out on a vacation to a new island that was discovered and made into a new tourist hot spot. The only reason Nathan even considered going to this new island was that the government did a random drawing and Nathan was the lucky one who had won a free trip to this new island and was able to bring 3 people. Those three people where Tanner, an otaku who spends most of his free time playing video games or watching anime though he is considered a genius in school by many; Joey, who is a slightly above average student academics-wise, but was motivated to push himself everyday to become stronger to be able to obtain his dream and become a pro wrestler; and finally Bree, who is Joey's girlfriend and is a great cook who strived to join the Nation Guard and was doing well at it too.

"Nathan, don't have such a sad face."

Joey was right behind Nathan as he mumbled his earlier statement and tried to cheer him up since they had 1 day before they left. Tanner approached them, holding a cold drink in his hand since it was extremely hot outside. Nathan and Joey weren't as hot as Tanner since they didn't have shirts on, but since Tanner was very pale and burnt easy, he decided to keep a shirt on.

"At least you got accepted into your college, I don't even know what college I even want to go to yet, so you should be happy."

Tanner was also trying to cheer up Nathan since he could also tell he was sad. Nathan loved the beach and never wanted to leave. While outside the three could hear yelling in the distance, and could easily recognize the yelling is Bree.

"Guysss!! The food is done~!"

They quickly hurried back to the house since they all knew that Bree's cooking was the best. They come in to the aroma of spaghetti and see the table was already set. It was about 8:00 p.m. They were all hungry from a day of adventuring around the island and the surrounding reefs.

"This looks amazing!"

Nathan and Tanner's mouth was already watering from the beautiful sight laid out before them.

"As expected from my Bwee Bear."

Joey and Bree had nicknames for each other and Joey already knew the prowess of Bree's cooking so he wasn't surprised but still amazed.

"You know I try my best."

Bree, who had been sunburned, had gone home early from the adventuring to cook and was already eating her plate of food.

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After a while, they had all finished their plates of food with immense speed since they skipped lunch to explore more. Joey let out a satisfied sigh as he leaned back in his chair.

"Amazing... This is the definition of paradise."

Nathan exclaimed this while staring out the window at the sun that was about to set. Tanner got up and proceeded to walk out the door while thanking Bree and stating he was going to bed. Tanner wasn't the most athletic so he was pretty sore and wanted to go to sleep. 

"Goodnight Tanner, and also I think it's time for us to go to bed soon."

Joey said this while looking at the sunburned Bree, and she nodded in agreeance. They left the room without hesitation and went to bed. Nathan was the only one left in the room, just staring at the setting sun. He could feel his legs burning from the activities they did today and couldn't tell if he was just burnt or if he was sore. He decided it is time to go to bed, but got a shower beforehand. As he lay down, he could feel himself slipping away as tiredness and soreness swept over his body. He made a promise to himself that he would do this again with his friends again, no matter where life took them. Being satisfied with the time he spent on his vacation, he falls asleep while feeling at peace.

****************************************************************************************************************************************''Hot.... Very hot.'

The heat surrounding Tanner was completely unbearable. He quickly awoke to find himself laying out in the blazing sun, on the ground. He isn't in a tropical area like the island they had been on but is now at the mouth of a forest, with a plain being to his right and the forest being to his left. He was wearing shorts and a T-Shirt so the heat wasn't as bad as it could've been. He thought about how displeasing the sweat feeling was on his back. 

"Wait."

Tanner realized, last night he was just in his room in a tropical paradise and thought about how he could've gotten out here. At first, Tanner thought that he is being pranked by Nathan and Joey, but then he sees a strange creature. It was huge! It is like a bird with four legs and wings.

'Wait... Massive bird-like creatures, four legs, wings, it is a Griffon!'

Tanner, who was well versed in the Fantasy Genre in anime, quickly recognized the marvellous beast and started to panic. In most stories, they were nice and calm, but that's because they were tamed. Tanner could see the wildness in the Griffon's eyes even if it was from a distance.

"I gotta find the others."

Thoughts were racing through his mind, but one stuck out. He has been teleported to a new world, whether it was by himself or with the others. This is an unfavorable situation in Tanner's mind. He tried to slip away from the Griffon without being noticed, but he isn't very stealthy and as he got up the Griffon noticed him immediately. The Griffon started to move towards Tanner with increasing pace, using a galloping motion. As it picked up crazy speed, it started to lift off the ground and soon it was flying in the air. 

"Oh no."

Tanner becomes increasingly worried. He doesn't know the strength of the Griffon but he knows it is too strong for him. 'This is where I die... In a new world that I didn't even get to experience... I hope the others are ok... Well, I have no regrets.' As these thoughts raced through Tanner's mind the griffon drew closer and closer, weaving in out of the trees. Tanner is still running but he soon stumbled on a root of a tree.

"Woooow, to die from such a stupid cliche."

As the Griffon approaches Tanner, it extends it's massive claws and goes to reach the fallen man. Tanner tried to get up but the Griffon is too close for him to escape, and he just accepts his fate. The Griffon makes an ear-piercing shriek and Tanner closes his eyes. The Beast is right in front of him and is going at an insane speed, and its claws pierced through Tanner's chest, or at least he expects them too. A sound is heard that sounds like a dying scream, but it came from the Griffon. Before Tanner could open his eyes, he hears the griffon soar above him and into a tree behind him. As he opens his eyes he sees a familiar face. It is Bree.