[ OSAS: Stage 3 - Kronos ]

Tew, Agravain, and Agash only had a few more things to handle before they were done messing around in the floating isles. The rampant attacks from the corrupted gryphons had definitely worn on the trio quite a bit by now, it truly seemed as though there was an endless amount of crazed birds ready to pounce on them at every turn. Some of these gryphons had been big as well, rivalling Agravain and perhaps even Agash in size at the odd times. At least when they weren’t being attacked it was rather peaceful.

There was a decent drizzle today with small misty droplets showering the three dragons, Tew’s fur was quick to sag while Agravain and Agash’s scales had the rain rolling off them with ease. Interestingly it seemed the moisture from the misting rain activated some of the foliage around this part of the floating isles, flowers and ferns uncurled as the cold droplets dripped down onto them exposing their petals and fronds. At least the rain was a bit of a more warm summer rain than a frigid chilling rain, it allowed the three of them to press through it without much issue.

Tew, Agravain, and Agash were rather peacefully moving through the variety of floating islands, occasionally hopping from one to the next when a growl rumbled from behind them. The three of them were quick to whip around just in time to spot another gryphon seemingly ready to challenge them. This one was perhaps not the biggest in size but the dense fluff of his feathers and fur while bristled made him appear rather imposing. He definitely made Tew feel exceptionally small and even Agravain couldn’t help but feel a bit smaller than usual, Agash still towered over everyone else especially with her wings flared as she responded to the gryphons challenge with an aggressive stance of her own.

Tew was the first to move, slowly slinking out of the way with their feline Dune on their back, they made sure to keep towards the angry gryphons sides and back to avoid being snagged and torn at. Agravain and Agash on the other hands split up to approach from the sides, both of them cautiously circling the angered gryphon who in return only bristled more doing his best to not let either of them behind him. There was a tense moment of silence as all four of them stilled, waiting for someone to make a move, that tension didnt last long before it was snapped suddenly by the gryphon rushing forwards. 

A shrill screech came from the creature's beak as it lunged forwards snapping at Agravain who snarled and quickly yanked himself out of the way. Agash was quick to move forwards, rearing herself up to grasp at the gryphon with her long talons, though all she got from it was a mass of fluff as it writhed out of the way. There were more snaps and growls and shrieks as the three of them jumped back and forth nipping at each other, no one quite ready to launch into a full wrestle yet. That was until the black and cream gryphon finally caught Agravain, its beak snapping down on the basileus' wing causing him to let out a hiss of pain as he attempted to yank it away. 

Tew was quick to launch forwards an elemental breath gathering in the emperor’s throat as they prepared to blast the gryphon with an icy blast. However, the gryphon was faster, tearing from Agravain and leaving him with harsh bite marks before snapping at Tew as they approached. The emperor was able to twist away but the mud from the rain caused them to slip for a moment allowing the gryphon to snap at them one again this time nicking an ear and leaving them with a few droplets of blood dripping down their face as they scurried backwards their celestial feline swiping at the gryphon and hissing. Agash was immediately over top of the emperor letting out a harsh roar and blasting the gryphon in the face with a dark mixture of shadow and icy breath causing it to immediately recoil back with a screech.

There was a moment as Tew hissed and scurried farther back and out from under Agash while she and Agravain both shook themselves off and moved forwards to herd the gryphon away from Tew. Though Agash did feel a gentle touch to her tail and a weird warm feeling flow through her as Tew tried to give her some of their magic to assist her for now as they and Dune scrambled away. Agash was the first to lunge forwards this time grappling the gryphon down with her, she could feel thick cold mud splatter onto her scales as the two of them tussled against the ground for a few moments before she properly overpowered the gryphon pinning him down. She could still feel him writhing under her his long thick tail lashing against her belly scales as he tried to twist out of her grip.

Agravain was quick to take advantage of the gryphon being pinned down to chomp his jaws down on one of its back legs causing it to kick and writhe under Agash’s talons some more. A collection of cold icy shards formed in the back of Agravain’s throat before blasting outwards into the gryphon's leg causing it to yelp and kick at the basileus’ face. Golden talons raked across Agravain’s face causing him to let go and jump back, thankfully they hadn’t nicked him that deeply and his scales kept his face and eyes mostly protected though there was a slight sting travelling across his face from where surface cuts had been made. 

Eventually the gryphon did struggle out from under Agash, kicking at the sapiere and knocking her over before giving her a slash of its talons and wrestling away from the two dragons. The large gryphon was fluffed up and limping as it snarled and ducked away disappearing into a nearby forest with a snarl and the sound of trampled foliage. As the gryphon retreated Tew was quick to slink over to both Agravain and Agash who were definitely a bit more roughed up than usual, their magic and healing items prepared as per usual as the emperor was quick to begin patching both of them up. Both Tew and their celestial feline Dune kept their ears perked though as they were both also a bit shaken from getting snagged this time.