Sitting atop a boulder, Zypher watched the exchange from afar.
He did not want anything to do with them, but, he is also curious how much his creations are now.
The bracelet he gave to Risha is one of the artifacts he saw from the Codex that Zyvier gave him - Versalis.
It is in the form of a bracelet that stores two skills, abilities, or enchantments that can be used anywhere.
And, Zypher having his Enchanter reach the Level 2, means he can now create stronger enchantments.
But, it doesn't mean that Versalis can accomodate it.
Versalis, created by a Tier 1 Artificer is can accomodate two Tier 1 Skills, Enchantment or Ability.
But, Defog is clearly a Tier 2 Enchantment, and using Versalis, Risha can also use the cheap version of Phasing.
So, how did it happen?
In the game, the computer acts as a mediator.
If you type a decimal number, sometimes, it rounds it off.
And, the rules for rounding off are not just all rounding up.
A 2.4, rounded off is 2, while 2.5 rounded off is 3.
Knowing this, the AI of the game creates a rule, that even if it bypasses a small margin, it reads the data as the lower value.
That means, that the Defog Risha is carrying right now, happens to be an imitation, but an imitaton stronger than a Tier 1.
Simply put, it is a Tier 2 that failed to cross the bridge from Tier 1.
And the catch?
Defog, which lasts longer, will only last for a few minutes.
So, if Risha cannot finish the Ape off, they will be in big trouble.
"CAW!"
A large winged creature encircled the cliff.
It's dark feathers blot out the morning sun, and it's eyes that were as dark as it's feathers shone with murderous intent.
"Caaaaaw!"
A small whimper sounded behind him.
Tattered, naked without feathers, with its wings broken.
"Oh, your mama is here."
He let go of the one under his hand as it ran, only for it to meet the cliff beneath him.
Its wings were clipped off, and had bruises all over its small body.
The ends of the feathers were still stuck to the places where the bruises can be seen.
Clearly, the griffon put up a fight, but lost. Miserably.
As it saw its offspring jump to its certain end, it dove down, headfirst to save it.
Yet, it was too late, as a chain suddenly grabbed its body.
Trap: Chain Trap - Enchantment: Unbreaking.
He knew he cannot trap her here forever, so he made his move.
Zypher smiled as he pulled something out of one of his pockets.
A fang - the Cerberus Fang to be exact.
"Hey, Griffon Queen, did you know..."
As the griffon tried to wiggle its way out of the chain, a sudden pang of pain hit at the back of its head, causing her to cry out in pain.
Sharp screeching noise echoed throughout the mountain.
Yet, she knows no one will help her.
For she is the queen of the whole place.
And if the queen is bothered, no one will help her, unless they are loyal to her.
"...that loyalty comes from trust of those around you?"
As the fang burried down her nape, her wriggling stopped, and her body convulsed.
She might be the queen of the mountain, but in the end, she is weaker than the Blood Cerberus.
The Griffon Queen is just one mob he has to defeat, because at the end of this journey, he knows a sweet reward for him, and for him only.
As her last cry rang out, the whole mountain shook.
Authority, majesty, and cruelty fell down the said mountain.
Adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream, his heart pounded in excitement.
A humungous griffon appeared above the said mountain.
Its mane - so thick that it looked like it has layers to it.
The power of a ruler, the wisdom of a leader, and the heart of a father.
All can be seen in its deep eyes.
Zypher, who saw this, smiled in cruelty.
When the Griffon King saw it, he was amused, but first things first, he walked towards his wife.
Using his beak, he nudged her a few times, and circled around her.
Zypher, seeing this, did not do anything to attack it, but he was curious.
Why does a powerful being look at his spouse like this?
Griffons are known for their extreme cruelty, even towards their own kin.
But this griffon, is different.
Sounds of chains breaking awakened him from his stupor.
The chains, enchanted by Unbreaking, should be unbreakable by any force acted upon it from Level 20 and below.
"King, huh?"
He muttered as he took the other fang from his bag.
The king then chipped the other chains one by one, and as it began to do so, it's steps became heavy.
Heavy that he can bear it with his body, but his mind is faltering.
Chains started to drop all around, and the blood of the queen was smeared all over the place.
But Zypher did not feel any regrets. He has to do it.
In chess, the queens are the most powerful piece.
But that's in chess.
In real life situations, the queen needs to be protected, even at the expense of the life of the king.
The king, majestically lowered the body of his wife, chains falling down the floor, and it created a huge clamor.
Dust flew everywhere as the chains hit the floor, clearly showing how strong the trap Zypher did.
One wingbeat cleared the dust, and the facade he wore earlier is now out of the story.
His rage and murderous intent were leaking through the canvas of his emotion.
His pupils looked down at the human who took his precious treasure from him.
Zypher saw this, but can't help but smile in return.
"You are mad because I took her life..."
The then flicked the fang onto his palm, then, like a shotgun, stretched his hand, which invited the sounda of his bones popping.
"...but, how about the ones you took?"