Tension hung thick in the air like smoke trapped in a closed room—dark and oppressive. Jareth drew a slow, measured breath, heart pounding in his chest as he gazed at the young griffon. The creature’s wide, pleading eyes reflected a pain too profound to ignore. He stepped closer, hesitating for a heartbeat, his fingertips hovering just above the quivering feathers, as if even the lightest touch might shatter the fragile beast.
He turned to Garryn, searching for reassurance in his friend’s gaze.
No! It must work! A fire ignited within him, dispelling the shadows of doubt.
With a heavy heart, Jareth closed his eyes, centering himself. He drew in a deep breath, letting the warmth of magic flow through his fingertips, steadying his resolve.
In a shimmering exhale, the dark taint was drawn from the wound, dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
Jareth’s brow furrowed as he turned to the next phase.
He could feel the griffon’s pain subside, the tension in its body easing as the magic took hold. Its breaths grew deeper, steadier, and Jareth felt a swell of relief mixed with fierce pride. The creature was no longer a mere victim; it was a survivor.
As the final threads of his magic wove the griffon’s flesh back together, Jareth stepped back, breathless yet exhilarated.
Jareth turned to Garryn, his heart full as the weight of despair lifted.
It’s a cruel thing,he murmured, voice low and reverent.
He turned to Garryn, searching for reassurance in his friend’s gaze.
I’ll do what I can. I won’t let it end like this.To promise life when death looms… it’s the worst burden a healer can bear. A flash of doubt flickered in his mind. What if his magic faltered? What if he failed?
No! It must work! A fire ignited within him, dispelling the shadows of doubt.
With a heavy heart, Jareth closed his eyes, centering himself. He drew in a deep breath, letting the warmth of magic flow through his fingertips, steadying his resolve.
Hold on, friend,he whispered, placing his hand over the creature’s wound. A soft glow enveloped his palm, radiating an ethereal light that pulsed in time with the griffon’s shallow breaths. Jareth focused intently on the dark taint left by the blade, summoning the energy of his magic to purge the poison that clung to the injury.
Purge!he chanted, his voice a thread of power weaving through the air. Light erupted from his fingertips, transforming into luminous strands that stretched into the wound like tendrils. They delved deep, pulling forth the dark essence as if extracting an arrow from a man’s chest. The griffon stiffened, a pained cry escaping its lips.
In a shimmering exhale, the dark taint was drawn from the wound, dissipating like mist in the morning sun.
Jareth’s brow furrowed as he turned to the next phase.
Now, lets mend what’s broken,he intoned, channeling the full, controlled force of his magic. The wound began to knit itself together, raw edges smoothing beneath the soft glow of his healing aura.
He could feel the griffon’s pain subside, the tension in its body easing as the magic took hold. Its breaths grew deeper, steadier, and Jareth felt a swell of relief mixed with fierce pride. The creature was no longer a mere victim; it was a survivor.
As the final threads of his magic wove the griffon’s flesh back together, Jareth stepped back, breathless yet exhilarated.
Jareth turned to Garryn, his heart full as the weight of despair lifted.
Together,he said, a smile breaking through.
We’ve given it a second chance.
11-03-2024, 12:48 AM
