[Gradion City-Central hospital]

Lucien frowned as he scanned the reports of Mark's checkup. "His condition has worsened," he said.

Ethan glanced at the door, where he could see his brother lying on the bed, surrounded by machines and wires. His parents sat beside him, holding his hand and praying. Ethan felt a lump in his throat.

"You have to tell them the truth," Lucien urged.

"Are you sure?" Ethan asked, unsure of what to do.

"Yes. They have a right to know."

Ethan took a deep breath and walked into the room. He tried to speak, but his voice failed him. He saw his mother's eyes, red and swollen from crying.

"Ethan, what did the doctors say?" Norman asked, looking up at him.

"He's going to be fine," Ethan lied, forcing a smile.

"Tell them the truth," Lucien whispered.

"You tell them," Ethan said, unable to face them.

"It's your duty," Lucien said.

"What are you talking about?" Norman asked, sensing something was wrong. "Is it something to do with Mark's illness?"

"No. It's not an illness," Ethan said, gathering his courage. "He's not sick."

"What do you mean?" Norman asked, confused and alarmed.

"He... he's been poisoned," Ethan said.

"Poisoned? What are you talking about? Explain yourself," Norman demanded.

"Mark's condition is not caused by any disease, but by a poison that someone gave him," Lucien explained. "But don't worry, we are close to finding the antidote."

Norman gasped, his face turning pale. “Who would do such a thing? Who would want to harm an innocent child."

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"According to our investigation it is someone from great guilds." Lucien said.

"Why didn't you tell us this sooner?" Norman turned to Ethan.

"I didn't wanted to make you worry." Ethan said.

He walked towards his mother who was weeping quietly. He knelt down and said in a calm and apologetic tone.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I have no excuse for my mistake but I promise you one thing. They all will pay. Each and every one of them. I will make them pay for harming Mark."

Norman and Wanda looked at his with surprised eyes as they hadn't such response. Wanda could see Ethan's eyes which were always filled with loneliness but now they seemed more lonely. She wanted to pat his head and say 'It's okay. It's not your fault.' But before she could gather courage, Ethan had left the room.

---------

"You've changed," Lucien said, his voice laced with concern and curiosity.

"Is it so?" Ethan asked, his eyes cold and distant. .

"What happened over such a short time?" Lucien pressed, hoping to get some answers from Ethan.

"Have you wondered about this world?" Ethan asked instead, his tone vague and mysterious.

"Never." Lucien shook his head, his expression puzzled and confused.

"Neither did I, but recently I don't know what's true and what's false." Ethan confessed, his voice low and bitter.

"What do you mean?" Lucien asked, his curiosity piqued and his concern growing.

"Even if I tell you, you won't understand." Ethan said, his voice sad and resigned.

Before they could continue their conversation, Ethan's phone started to ring. He picked up the phone and saw Leo was calling him.

"Boss, we have found something interesting in Griffin." Leo said, his voice excited and urgent.

"What did you find?" Ethan asked, his interest aroused and his attention diverted.

"It would be better if you see it yourself. And bring Mr. Lucien with you." Leo said, his voice mysterious and intriguing.

Ethan and Lucien hurried to Griffin's location. As they entered, they were approached by a Phoenix member.

"Please follow me, sir." He led them to a spacious basement filled with ancient artifacts, some of which Ethan recognized from his previous visits to Griffin.

"You are here," Emily said as she looked at Ethan.

"What did you all find?" Ethan asked, his eyes scanning the basement for any clues. He saw various objects that looked like they belonged to different civilizations and eras, but he did not see anything that caught his attention.

"Take a look at this." Emily handed him a rolled scroll, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She had been the one who had found the scroll among the rubble of Griffin, and she had been eager to show it to Ethan.

Ethan opened the scroll and saw ancient images similar to the temple of orcs, but he also noticed weird text as well as an image of a bird that had the body of a lion but the head and wings of an eagle, a gryphon.

"Do you know anything about this?" He turned to Lucien and asked, his voice curious and hopeful.

"Not much, but I think this is just a piece of history." Lucien said, his voice calm and casual.

"What do you mean?" Ethan asked, his voice incredulous and disappointed.

"I mean the engravings you saw in that temple were different, and the images in this picture are different as well as the text. So I think you should do more research." Lucien said, his voice logical and rational.

"Do you have any idea where to start our research from?" Ethan asked, his voice frustrated and desperate.

"How about from the Association? I think they also have some similar pictures." Lucien suggested, his voice helpful and friendly.

"Okay." Ethan agreed.

"Anyways, where did the Griffin find this?" Lucien asked Samuel, changing the topic and pointing at the scroll.

"It was discovered by the guildmaster's father in one of the Labyrinths. He had also found one more thing." Samuel said, his voice proud and respectful.

Samuel took out a statue of a gryphon that radiated a golden light. He held it carefully and gently, as if it was a precious and fragile object.

"What's this?" Lucien asked, his eyes widening and his interest piqued.

"It provides mass healing and increases recovery rate. It also calms one's mental condition." Samuel explained, his voice reverent and awe-struck.

"Is it so?" Ethan asked, his voice skeptical and doubtful.

Ethan touched the statue and felt warm. He felt a surge of energy and vitality, as if his wounds and fatigue had been healed and erased. He also felt a sense of calmness and clarity, as if his thoughts and emotions had been balanced and harmonized.

"Ethan, are you alright?" Emily asked, her voice worried and alarmed. She saw Ethan's face change and his eyes glow, and she felt a wave of fear and dread.

"Yes, why?" Ethan asked, not understanding her concern. He felt fine, better than fine.

"No, it's nothing." Emily said, her voice hesitant and nervous. She did not want to alarm or upset Ethan.