A red and black aura seemed to permeate throughout the sky, as it slowly wandered the world. It resembled a fog, but the pure malice and wrath it emitted resembled a demon. No human would be able to come near it without suffering immense physical or mental pain. However no matter how many settlements it passed by no one seemed to notice its presence or aura.

If one was able to approach the fog while maintaining their consciousness, they would bear witness to a vibrant pair of red eyes. They were constantly scanning the land below, the desperation was visible in their eyes. “Where…Vessel...” were the thoughts circulating through its mind. After an immeasurable amount of time the fog finally stopped having located its target.

Below the fog was a vast range of mountain peaks so high up the clouds were passing through them. Its eyes were on the largest peak where one would notice a giant hole about 7 meters. The fog condensed itself till it became murky, and slowly approached the hole. Inside the cave it was pitch black, except the steady breathing of a great beast. This darkness wasn’t able to impede the fog’s vision however, and was met with a great griffin.

There was no doubt about it, this was the vessel this fog was searching for. The griffin was huge to say the least, and its size alone justified it being the rival of a dragon for the title of “Ruler of the Sky”. The griffin was resting in a nest near a set of eggs. The feathers on the griffin started on its white head and stopped at the upper half of a white brown torso. Although the wings were tucked in, it didn’t leave much to imagine of the beast’s huge wingspan. It was equipped with sharp talons that could probably slice through a rock.

The aura the griffin imposed naturally even while sleeping was full of majesty. The scar across its left eye however, made sure creatures knew the ferociousness lying dormant. This was all for naught as the fog slowly approached, surrounding the cave with its demonic aura. The griffin quickly woke up, its piercing yellow eyes scanning for its enemy.

The malevolent fog and griffin locked eyes for a moment, before they both made their moves. The great beast quickly got on all fours and instantly swiped its talons generating two [Wind Slash]. It wasn’t fast enough as the fog-like aura upon the griffin in mere moments. The aura condensed itself, and pierced into the griffin’s head.

The great beast started to spasm on the floor of the cave, followed by ghastly wails that reverberated throughout the walls into the opening. All of the griffins residing in the surrounding mountain peaks stared in the direction of the screams, with concern but none dared to approach the cave. After some time the screams gradually died down, until they were all left with the sound of silence.

All eyes were on the entrance to the cave where the fog entered, and what emerged wasn’t the griffin from before. It was something more volatile, something darker and not in appearance alone. The normal brown and white color of the griffin’s feathers was replaced, with a mostly black body. Bloody red feathers outlined the griffin’s wings, and a demonic aura replaced its old noble one.

Where the griffin’s were slow to take action during the earlier transformation due to shock, after sensing and seeing the visible change in the griffin they all flew towards it with talons at the ready. The demonic griffin’s red eyes just took in the scenery of hundreds of griffins ready to tear him apart with a mocking grin.

“You all are an embarrassment for siding with Humans…” was the last thing it said before all the griffins crashed into it.

***

Matthew groggily entered his room and nearly collapsed on his bed from exhaustion. He was currently ten years old, and the fact his father pushed such an intense training regime on him baffled him. His current thoughts were that Eric is damn near insane, and that he’d get revenge for all the pain his body is suffering through.

Although he knew physical training and Aura training were a necessity, Matt couldn’t help spew a couple more curses as he took off his clothes and entered the bath. The warm embrace of the water slowly drifting him to sleep.

As Matthew slowly opened his eyes he realized there were too many things that were different. One thing that was still the same was that he was still naked floating in a pool of water. Except he was no longer in his ten year old body, but in his battle-hardened body from the past. Matt lifted his head and realized instead of being in a bath, he was in a seemingly never ending ocean.

The water was exceptionally clear, and there was no indication there was even a bottom of the sea. There was no life present in both the blue ocean and black sky, but instead what greeted Matt were a boundless amount of stars. Each one seemed to shine so bright they would nearly blind anyone who would see.

Suddenly waves started crashing into Matthew’s old body, and the stars started to radiate even brighter than they were before. A crack started to form in the sky, which only got bigger over time. Matt watched all of this with confusion apparent on his face, as he realized how similar this scenario was.

The sky was filled with countless cracks, with golden lights seeping through them onto the ocean and Matt. Eventually it couldn’t take it any longer, and a massive rift appeared in the sky bringing with it a divine aura. Two golden hands enlarged the rift even more, and a giant female head popped her head out.

“Hello again Gerald, or do you prefer the name Matthew now?” asked the head. This question however answered Matt’s question, on whether he would ever live a peaceful second life. There’s no rest for the wicked or good in this case.