Note: I tried, and played with the Pterra IV idea, but it just didn't
Seem to work out. So here's my new idea:
She ran. Through the streets, the darkened alleys, never stopping for
anything. They followed her, telling her to stop, that they wouldn't hurt
her, that they wanted to help her. But she knew better. She didn't want to
be helped. She was different.
She ran. What would they do to her if they caught her? Take her to a lab?
Run tests on her? Why couldn't they just leave her alone?
She ran. She was young, about twelve years old. She had lived in this city,
Treno, for a long time. Until one day, when she went out for an errand for
her mother. Something happened, and someone saw it. Then they knew. They
told her mother. For years she wondered what was going to happen. Then one
day her mother died. They came after her. They said all would be all right.
But she knew better.
She ran. This was just like those things, those Black Mages. They were
persecuted. But they were safe, now. She had asked her friends, and they had
told her. Nobody else talked to her friends. That's why they wanted her.
She ran. The gates of Treno were not far. She stumbled into the fountain
near the entrance, and caught herself before they cut their way through the
crowd below. They were going to catch her. She scrambled out onto the
square, and burst through the gates of Treno.
She ran. Out on the grassy fields, were she was safe. Ahead of her were a
string of forests. She had a long way to go. But she would starts here. She
tripped and fell. They were still after her! And they were coming close. She
tried to run, but she was drained. The forests were in view. But she
couldn't make it... they almost had her... She fell back and let an
unearthly scream. The men froze. They knew what that scream meant. The cry
of a Griffin. A few moments passed. Nothing happened. They moved in slowly.
Suddenly there was an answering call. Hurtling through the air, rising from
Treno, was the magnificent monster itself. They were prepared for this.
Hefting their guns, they took aim. The girl cried out again, and the Griffin
swerved in midair and then rose sharply, becoming small high in the sky. The
men tried to follow its swift progress, turning and shooting, struggling to
aim. The girl took this opportunity to make for the forest.
She ran. Closer and closer the darkness loomed. It was comforting to her,
better than the brazen openness of the plains. Better than the crowded
streets of Treno. She broke through the hedgerow, and the darkness of the
forest enveloped her, the cries of men and the Griffin died away.
She stopped. The Griffin would not last long. The men would... she lashed
her tail in anger. They wouldn't kill it. She would stop them. Or get the
Griffin to safety. She swung up onto a nearby tree with practiced ease and
started her climb up. This one was tall, but she was used to climbing. Her
house was in a tall ruined building, and even though she could use the
stairs, she spent many afternoons climbing and practicing, as if she knew
this day would come. She reached the highest accessible branch, for the rest
were too thin and wobbly to support her. She unleashed another cry, this one
telling the Griffin to go, but stay too high up for them to reach. She would
be fine. An answering call assured her, and she began her descent. She
walked through the forest for a while when the canopy above her trembled.
The Griffin landed in front of her, assuring her the men had gone.
She walked. With one hand on the Griffin's neck, deeper and deeper into the
forest. Away from Treno. She'd have to cross a mountain, through the
Southern gate, and somehow get to Fossil Roo. That was the only place she
knew that might lead to an entirely different continent, a place called
Conde Petie. She thought that if she could just reach it, she would be okay.
She'd be safe there. The Griffin followed her, keeping a sharp eye out. A
couple of times they passed a few Fangs, but they seemed to know. As if they
always knew. Finally the little girl tired. She gave a low trill, and the
Griffin sat beside her, like a bodyguard. The girl stretched and yawned,
then lay down on the forest floor. This was it. The start of her journey.
She slept.