The sun was shining up in the skies when Koge, Insornia, and Chaliyn were wandering around the periphery of one of the citadels in the sky isles, apparently looking for something.

Koge’s little Celestial companion confidently trotted alongside the group, their claws ticking on the firm stones, skilfully shaped to compose a well thought out path which was leading them deeper and deeper into the inhabited center. Everywhere they looked, festive lanterns and drapes connected from nest to nest adorned the streets, which were being meticulously cleaned by some volunteering citizens. Definitely not something you’d expect to see in a city located in an area plagued by a rampaging illness: it seemed like the aberration hasn't reached this little shard of paradise, although the group was able to sense the tension building up in the surrounding atmosphere.

But even if there haven’t been any reports of incidents in the area, it didn’t mean that they didn’t know what an aberrant is and how to recognize it. In fact some gryphons alongside the road were casting brief glances to Koge, which was now sniffing the air hoping to catch the scent of some fresh cooked chicken wings.

The clicking of claws on the paved streets were almost methodical. Insornia also felt the bizarre looks. Even though he might be able to pass for another wingless species his size and build gave away his strange looks. Especially standing next to Chaliyn who was almost oblivious to the two aberrants’ situations. 

As they walked down the cobbled road, neat homes that resembled massive spiral nests jutted out from the road. It was organized but the homes themselves were made of a disorderly texture. The gryphons easily maneuvered out of the dragons’ way upon seeing the two strange looking beasts. They were silent but their looks were as telling as they were uncomfortable.

Suddenly Koge stopped her march and complained “Come on, there must be some chicken somewhere, we’re literally in a town full of it!”

Silence was what followed up her shout, but was soon interrupted by the nearby angry gryphon’s footsteps, muttering words of complaint that couldn’t be heard by the trio.

“We’ve just entered the city, don’t expect to find exactly what you’re looking for so soon: we have yet to see what the plaza has to offer! And don’t forget that these weird isles have an important problem to think about, so there might be a chance to not even find it.” Chaliyn practically sang, she was more at home in the sky than in the sea.

“You guys can think and talk about what you want, but I’d like to remind you that the real reason why we are here is not for food, we need to make sure everyone’s safe in here, you never know…” Insornia’s words trailed off as a massive eagle swooped down straight in front of them. They each watched as the shape circled overhead, coming larger. The sun beat down causing the shadow to overcast over the trio. 

“They even have massive eagles here?” Koge managed to get out.

“That’s no eagle - watch out!” Insornia yelped and used his tail to push the others back. They all stood back up as the massive creature landed in front of them with a determined thud on the street.

The gryphon raised its head in a slight scowl. She looked nearly identical to her much smaller cousins. Koge wondered if maybe she tasted the same too. She shot that thought out of her head realizing just how glued to the food topic she was.

“What have ey’ got ere’? A bunch of strange apparitions if ya ever saw them.” The gryphon sauntered around them, studying especially the two strange looking aberrant dragons. She snorted the scowl disappearing from her face as it was replaced by something snarky.

Chaliyn noticed the uneasiness of her companions, “We’re here to ensure that this area is safe from the corruption that has plagued the surface. We-” She was cut off by the gryphon in front of her - claws up in a stopping motion.

“Ey’ I know what ya are here for. That much is obvious. I’m more concerned why ya would bring the exact abominations to our land if that’s what ye were here to protect against.” She growled once more before returning to her resting expression. 

Insornia rolled his eyes, “Well we’ve already seen decent signs of such. Yourself included. Almost everything around here has been touched - though your eyes couldn’t see it.”

The gryphon gasped loudly and raised a paw to her chest, offended “Aye aye watch your beak little one! Ya don’t get to lay foot in town just to insult the locals-”

She was about to finish speaking when Koge suddenly intervened from the side of the road where she was trying to convince the skeptical locals to show her where the nearest food store was, raising a wing to capture their attention, “So you are a local as well! Perhaps you know where I can find some ch-”

“Koge shut it and stop thinking about food! Be serious for a moment, will you? We’re trying to solve a problem here.” As Chaliyn called out Koge, the gryphon wherewith they started the argument questioned Insornia, still outraged.

“So now ye tell me, how am I supposed to be infected? Are ye doctors, perhaps?” A spark of spite sparkled in the stranger’s eye as she proudly threw open her wings, challenging them to guess.

“I’ve been living with this burden way longer than you, I know it's an aberrant when I see one.” Insornia stepped forward, the gryphon now with a grim expression painted on her face and continued, “At first an infected being might not realize straight away the situation they're in. I’ve seen signs start developing without any indication that the victim is aware. We must do our due diligence.”

 “Fine, follow me.” The eagle-looking gryphon took off. Insornia looked annoyed but trudged under the rest of the group attempting to avoid other food traffic. As they weaved through the city, a large sprawling building came into view. It was less nest-like than the homes and businesses and built more like a fortress. Chaliyn wondered why a species that had remained so secluded until now needed something like this.

It wasn’t long before they’d find the answer. As the three fliers landed at the front of its gates their companion turned for a word. “Alright - ye stick to yas witts. Formally, I am Captain Finn, guard of the city. Make sure ye address me as such inside.” She nodded before pushing open the doors. 

Inside, the building was dim. It was devoid of any emotion. A few other gryphons sat around the main area chatting before they noticed Finn. They stood at attention without a moment to spare.

“Captain, what have you here?” 

“These folk are lookin’ fer the infected. Lead them to Apollo.” The worker nodded before turning and leading them down a long hall. Finn glanced at the various rooms. Koge noticed the lack of food around here, she grumbled something to herself. She had only wanted a bite to eat. Her interest in the rooms soared when she noticed a few gryphons sleeping about. They looked comfortable with blankets. It felt more like an inn than it did a prison - at least inside the cages.

Insornia felt unnerved around here, many of the infected didn’t look as such. It was obvious from the pit in his stomach that they were. Finn stopped at a large steel door. She unlatched the handle and pushed it inward. 

Behind the door was no surprise, just a matter of time. Another lightly colored gryphon stood shaking in the middle of the room she was encased behind. Infection was swollen up her arm and onto the side of her face. She noticed the group observing her and she groaned and turned away.

Insornia stepped forward to the barrier between them, his sorrowful expression being felt by the infected on the other side.

“Apollo, we have guests here that might have insight into your condition. Please allow them to examine you,” Finn pleaded with guilt but was also firm - this was a demand not a request.

Apollo turned her head and walked towards the barrier without a word. She sat down looking at the ground. Now Koge’s interest was finally piqued. She stepped closer to the gryphon alongside Insornia. She sniffed as if she was intending to confirm the affliction. 

“Yeesh, that’s not pretty. How did it get so bad this quickly?” Finn narrowed her eyes in a scowl and turned away.

“Oi, we were both hit by that hideous creature. Apollo was able to push me out of the way. This is what she was left with.” 

“Wait so if you were hit too, you must also be infected. Where?” Chaliyn intersected, but before she could continue her interrogation the Gryphon stretched her wing out and upwards. Sure enough, a veiny infection had seemed to take root. 

“Hmmm, I’ve seen the creatures from the Aether Rift sometimes carrying corruption like an infection. Most times they don’t spread it until they have some sort of breath. It could’ve been a dragon that was far too gone.”

“It don’t matter what the damned thing was. It’s dead and its body is burnt to ash. We are all that’s left of the thing.” Finn growled while tucking her wing back in once more.

“Well, lucky for you there are plenty of ways to treat the infection.” Chaliyn piped up, her confidence beaming. She reached around her neck for a bag hidden in her fur. A bright blue vial now shown to the room.

“This is something we’ve created to help combat the sickness. It’s easily reversible for new infections. Larger and older infections not so much but this should at least help you two.” She handed the vial to Finn who gladly took it. She looked to Apollo as if to get her approval for the experiment before dumping its contents on her infected area.

She winced in pain, but the solution began to bubble as the purple veins immediately faded. She narrowed her eyes before returning them to Chaliyn, “Ay, what kinda miracle solution is this? Some sort of trick? Nothing should work that fast.”

Chaliyn became serious, “No trick, but I’m sorry I can’t tell you how its made. We can supply enough for you and help you to make your homebrew situation. We are limited in this supply.” She tossed another vial to Insornia who caught it in his hands. He rolled it around before looking to Apollo. Koge nodded to him.

“After this, we better be rewarded handsomely.” She smirked. Insornia chuckled a bit. The barrier between them and Apollo came down. 

“Open your mouth, the solution must be ingested at your current stage.” The gryphon nodded and complied. Insornia poured it into her mouth. 

“Nothing is happening?” Koge nervously stated a few moments later. She circled the gryphon with a concerned expression.

“At this stage it may take a few hours. I wouldn’t recommend stepping outside of the room still. Your infection will start to… slide off.” Insornia gulped but the gryphon only shrugged.

“If it gets rid of the problem I’m happy.” She turned towards Chaliyn and Finn who were talking with serious expressions. Her eyes turned towards the vial that was now on the floor. She shook her head and laid down, now content with the silence of her own body.

Koge studied the gryphon for a long moment before Insornia gently prodded her back to the group.

“Hm. Now that you’ve paid us kindness. We are in your debt. Shall we grab a bite and talk about this solution of ye’s?” Finn bowed before giving Koge a look. 

“Finally - yes.” She groaned in anticipation, flapping her wings in celebration. Chaliyn and Insornia looked towards each other with worry but soon shook it off.

The sun began to hide behind the far mountains as the quartet left the fortress, still discussing the corruption management measures applied in both worlds and some general trivia, but now with a lighter tone: it had been a long day afterall.