Tale of Panthera Regina (Remake)

Chapter 2: Griffin

POV: (Rex)

Rex couldn't believe his ears. Griffins are born with wings, and as far as he has been told. He was wingless, and another thing he is the firstborn. He was posed to be immune to having the Gift. Rex was meant to become King, not a Guardian. And even if he didn't become King, he knew he would earn a territory close to home and act as a royal guard. That is how it's been for centuries, or at least that is what he has been taught.

*Note: Royal guard for Panthera Regina does not have the same meaning. Royal guards are animals, namely predators surrounding the territory of the Royal family. This is another measure to prevent anyone from just attacking them at any time.*

Rex felt dizzy as he was trying to understand what was going on. The headache didn't help either. He stared at the ground tried to subdue the pain, which wasn't working. He closed his eyes but heard his mother's voice.

"You're a Griffin," Roseis said once more with a worried tone in her voice. Obviously concern about her son's head pain.

"I thought Griffins were myths?" Bamboo asked the tigers in a curious tone.

Rex steadies himself as he looks up at the Giant Panda. That's right, Bamboo is not native to the island. Rex remembered. She and hundreds of other animals had come with the Alba Men to the island about 20 years ago. Bamboo was the reason why many of the natives' creatures had managed to escape from the strangers as she put trust in Roseis. However, there is a rumor that one of the Native humans was captured.

As a result, nearly all the animals that were on the boat or captured had been injected with a Serum of DNA that gave them the abilities of their cousins. That's what happened to his mother, Bamboo, and many others. However, not everyone could be released from the cages as their minds were gone due to the experiment. Mother had no choice for many of them. Even Bamboo's mate, a Grizzly bear, was killed because the first thing he did once out of the cage was to try to kill her.

Many did not realize that many of the non-natives are still alive. Mother gave everyone the chance to live. However, she was harder on the Alba Men because they trespassed. Lucky for the Alba Men, many Native People chiefs offer a deal with the Queen. The deal was to give them an option; to learn our ways or die within a month. Let's say that more than half of those Alba Men didn't see the next month. Some might say it was cruel to only give them a month. Rex knew that the chiefs meant that if the Alba Men tried to learn then they should be given a pardon. This was due to a belief that effort is a sign of strength.

Rex looked at his paws and growled. He didn't mean as a threat but to get his frustration out. He hated being different from his peers. Now, he has another reason to be targeted. He was also afraid that his siblings would be hunted as well. Roseis was about to explain to Bamboo what Griffin was when an Alba Man walked in. It was Mason, Bamboo's handler. He was given a pardon for two reasons: Bamboo asked for his life to be spared, and he saved a creature. It was another reason why Rex believed that deal was not as cruel as it first appeared.

Rex remembers his uncle Claws had once told him the story about how the Alba Men had sticks that commanded fire, air, and sounded like thunder. However, as cool as it sounds, it only causes death. The prince guessed there were many reasons for Mason being pardoned and allowed to live. For one thing, Mason saved a creature that was injured by the fire stick. This might be why Mason isn't dead yet.

Mason was always there in Rex's life, and he did enjoy the Alba man's company. Mason was always eager to learn from the Queen's cubs. One of Rex's earliest memories was when Mason asked him to teach the common tongue to him. Thus, helping the young prince master tongue at an early age. That routine of teaching Mason didn't last long because the mother didn't trust any Alba Men. Despite being allowed to live with the Royal family, he was given little freedom.