Raised from the Depths: The Apple of Their Eyes [A Percy Jackson FanFiction]

Fifteen:

Warning: beyond this point, the book is under editing and the contents of the chapter may no longer make sense to you as a reader. 

You have been warned.

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I backed up as slowly as the massive creature sulked out of the shadows. Its body was black, and the fur was matted and knotted together in several different spots. Its tail lashed back and forth like a whip, its bird-like legs moving the rest of the creature forward in a slow prowl, its talons scraping the smooth surface of the cave floor. It head was bird-like as well, with ruffled back feathers, a golden beak, and glistening, blood red eyes. As it ventured further into the light, I was able to take in its massive black wings that shifted to and fro against its flank, like they couldn't stay comfortable. 

Even as I backed away in fear, my mind was able to register that this creature looked just as disheveled as she felt. I noticed that this creature looked very skinny; past the matted fur and unpruned feathers, I could see the skin of the creature plastered with the tightness of a vacuum seal to its skeleton. The left wing looked like their might be a divot at a joint- dislocation or a break? I couldn't be sure, but I could be sure that this creature was in rough shape. 

I was utterly defenseless. All I could think to do was kneel down and bend my head in submission, trying to look as small as possible. The growling became less aggressive, switching to a softer, "don't try me" sort of message. I looked up, putting my hands up as if to show it I surrounded, my lower lip quivering in fear and uncertainty. 

Maybe it was leftover static from the lightning strike, but I could feel a very intense energy prickling at the palm of my hand, as if my skin was begging to make contact with the creature. The creature seemed to feel this as well. It let out a hiss, scratching the group with his talons and flapping its wings in defiance. But the energy only got more and more intense. 

The creature clicked its beaks, shaking its head as if to shake off its stress, slowly inching closer to me. Eventually, its beak is mere inches from the palm of my hand. The connection between us was undeniable, and without thinking, I closed the gap, pressing my hand into the creature's beak.

A flood of emotions hit me like a solid wall. Fear, anxiety, hunger, abandonment. My body shuttered and I looked up at the creature, awestruck and sad at the same time as I locked eyes. Its gaze was suspicious and wary. 

"You're... all alone." I muttered. "Your flock left you." The creature hissed, but it wasn't aggressive; more like a lamenting sigh. "You need help." I paused, taking a deep breath to settle my nerves. "We need help too." 

The creature emitted a clicking noise, its neck feather quivering. There was a moment of tension between them, but I wasn't necessarily scared. Just trying to predict this creature's next move.

Then, a gasp sounded from behind me, and creature's feathers and fur spiked up like a spooked cat as it backed up, letting out a loud warning growl. "Affinity... you need to back away from that gryphon right. Now."

A gryphon. I would have never guessed. When reading Greek myths, I always pictured a gryphon as a magnificent creature with head of a golden, maned lion and bronze eagle wings. Not this mangy black cat-raven thing. 

"Its okay, I don't think he'll attack." I muttered. "Just relax."

"How could you possibly know that?" Sol asked in a harsh whisper.

"Cause he's scared." I shot back.

"And how do you know that?" Sol pressed. 

"I just do, okay? Chill out, he can read your energy and its not good." I stated.