The Great Gryphon Adventure

A sense of self started to come back to him as he woke from what felt like a long slumber. The man lay on what he felt was a comfortable bed. Over his body he could feel the warmth of a cover that felt like fur. He groaned as he tried to open his eyes and only saw a mist of colors. He closed them, feeling his head ache, turning in the bed so he could sit up. As he did he brought his hand to his head, feeling extremely dizzy. His feet slipped off the side of the bed to rest on the ground. The cool dirt that met his feet felt reassuring for some reason.

For a few minutes the man stayed in that position. His head slowly stopped spinning and his mind started to clear. He tried to open his eyes again, this time seeing things more clearly. As he looked around to get a better understanding of his surroundings, the man realized he was in a hut of some sort. It was of a simple quality, the walls adorned with relics of some culture he could only think of as African. In the center of the hut was a well-lit fire with a large cauldron hanging above it. He sense of smell was gently invaded by the scent of some fine soup or herbal brew. Looking further he noticed that at some places there were racks on the walls of the huts stored with various jars of all types holding plants and other things he couldn't accurately place.

His eyes finally landed on the wooden door. It was the only entrance to the hut besides the wooden-framed window he had noticed. He sighed, allowing himself to recover further for a moment. From what he couldn't gather. All he knew at this point was that he had awoken in a hut of some sort. It was probably home to some shaman or wise man by everything he had gathered. He wondered briefly if this was his home. His mind told him no. He then wondered who he was and why he was here. An answer never came. Grumbling at the loss of a solution, he tried to stand.

At first he couldn't. He sat back and closed his eyes, concentrating, then tried again. Success. He stood upright on his two legs and stretched. The bout of dizziness from the movement faded quickly and he felt across his body. Startled at what he felt he opened his eyes and looked down. He was almost entirely naked except for a deer-skin kilt. It was crafted with feathers of a bird he couldn't recognize. Feeling along them, images of every species of avian flashed through his mind from the feel, but none of them fit the description. It was, for the lack of understanding of how he knew, from a species he didn't know yet. He felt an answer was there, somewhere in his mind. But he couldn't grasp it.

Looking at the bed behind him he recognized the covers that were over him earlier seemed to be from the pelt of a cheetah. He felt along the cover again, knowing he'd never felt through this type of fur before. His eyes drifted to the end of the wooden-framed bed to that of an equally framed night stand. It was crude in construction, but on it were three things that somewhere deep inside him he felt were his. A rolled up scroll, a golden necklace with a purple diamond pendant on it and deer-skin shoes. He sat down at the end of the bed for a closer look.

Picking up the deer-skin shoes he realized they were masterfully crafted. Made in the same fashion as his kilt, they seemed quite capable of keeping his feet safe from the dangers of the ground. He put them on his feet, enjoying the feel of a perfect fit. Next he examined the necklace. As he touched it he felt an energy course through his entire body. Goosebumps formed on his skin. He recognized this energy, but a name didn't come to mind. He felt safe, reassured, content. He felt that now no matter what happened nothing ill would befall him. He placed the pendant in his palm, looking into the clear diamond at is center. The pendant resembled a five-pointed star with a circle surrounding it. The diamond was in the center of the star and, as he looked closer, it seemed to have a burning white flame within it. His mind told him it was an ancient symbol of protection. Not feeling any further answers coming from the touch or examination, he placed the necklace around his neck and felt to his relief his body grow stronger and the ailments from earlier lifting.

Finally he picked up the scroll. It was sealed in red ink-mark, the symbol on it resembling an eagle holding a sword in one hand and an olive branch in the other. He gently broke the red ink-mark seal and unfurled the parchment paper. To his surprise nothing was present. Then he felt a burning on his chest and grasped the pentagram pendant. As he did so he noticed words appearing on the parchment. Eyes wide, he began to read.

My Faithful Servant,

The pendant you possess is a gift from me to you. It will protect and guide you through the challenges you will face ahead. Do not fret on loosing it, for ever should this happen it will find a way back to you. Be assured that this was given as a promise that you shall be safe and all answers to your questions will eventually be revealed.

No doubt you realize by now that the place you wake is not your home. I will tell you this is the truth, but for now I request simply your trust in my plans and that this question too shall be revealed at a later time.

I have not sent you here to sit idle and wonder on your circumstances. I have, instead, sent you here on a mission of great importance. The feathers on your kilt I have provided to you are the key to unlocking part of my task. Find the creature it belongs to and you shall find the one you have been sent to protect. Your lineage spans generations and your blood runs deep with that of Champions. I know you shall not fail me.

I have laid you to rest near the home of a hermit-beast. Her name is Zecora and you would do wise to thank her for any help she gives. Once you are able, start your journey. In the night sky you will notice a bright star. It signals the path you should follow. Do not stray from it, for I fear if you do consequences would be dire.

Trust in my guidance and mission, my Faithful Son. Know that the creature you seek is named Gilda. In her company shall be a fellow brother-in-arms whom you must also protect at all costs. For in him I have many plans for the salvation of millions. Should you at any time be left hopeless or lost, place the pentagram I have given you in your hands and speak loudly my name. Through this I shall provide what you most need.

Your Lord and Protector,

Melkos Unchanos

The parchment paper burst into flames as he finished the last words. He jumped back, startled by it, eyes wide as even the ashes disintegrated into nothing. Breathing heavily he grasped the pentagram in both hands, closing his eyes and demanding to know who he was and where he was from. To his dismay nothing came. His breathing slowed and he slid to the end of the bed, sitting there deep in thought.

"Melkos Unchanos," he spoke out loud thinking of the name signed at the end of the letter to him.

His chest burned and he jumped up in surprise. The purple diamond at the center of the pentagram was lit brighter than before! He grasped it in both hands and fell to his knees in pain. At first he thought he would scream. His entire body rebelled against his own will. Then, slowly, a peace came over him. He adjusted to the pain and realized suddenly it was energy that flowed into him. A lot of energy. An energy that wasn't his own.

Trust in me, said a voice not belonging to him through his thoughts. I will be by your side.

And then just a suddenly it was gone. He looked down at the pendant and saw the flame in the diamond had retreated back to its prior idle state. He realized he was breathing hard and worked quickly to calm himself. He remained there, on his knees, closing his eyes and allowing his self to calm. Something powerful had entrusted him with a task. He would be a fool from what he had just experienced to go against it. He didn't feel he didn't have a choice. On the contrary, the thought to throw the pendant down and run for whatever shelter he could find away from this place came to his mind. It was the way the power was presented that halted this action. The way he felt close to it. Like he had always had it, been born with it, worshiped it.

The man would trust the words of this entity. This "Melkos Unchanos". He felt, as he searched both mind and soul, he had no reason not to. This land was strange and in it he knew he was in constant danger. His first objective was to thank the owner of this hut for allowing him bed and shelter. Then he would be off. He didn't have long to accomplish this.

"I see my guest meditates," said a feminine voice beside him with a strange accent. His eyes shot open and he looked to see a zebra. He blinked at first, the thought that zebras don't talk crossing his mind. He looked at himself then and realized that he was, in fact, in a meditative pose. He exhaled calmly the breath he had been holding. "Meditation is good for the soul," the zebra said. "Very few ponies know this."

"You are Zecora," the man said matter-of-factly.

"I am," Zecora confirmed with a puzzled look. She tilted her head. "Am I this famous that creatures unknown to this land know my name?"

He smiled, the man rising from his kneeling position to stand. He easily stood over her by a foot. "Perhaps, but I know you simply because I was told it by a message." He waved a hand at the night stand behind them. "The parchment that you found with me told me this. I wish I could show you, but after I read it it burst into flames. I don't mean to scare you, I merely wish to thank you for your hospitality in giving me shelter and a warm bed."

It took a few moments for Zecora to understand what he was talking about. She looked at the night stand, then back at the man. Her head turned to look out the open door at the spot where she had found him. Finally her head turned so she could look back at him. Something didn't feel right. In all her studies no situation such as this had ever happened. The creature she saw before her didn't resemble any she had seen before. However the parchment paper bursting into flames upon being read did seem magical. With that she became suspicious.

"What is your name?" she asked breaking the long silence.

The man shook his head. "The letter did not reveal this to me. All I know is that I have been sent here to find and protect someone called 'Gilda'. With her is, according to what I read, a 'fellow brother-in-arms'. Besides this I know not what else, but that the fate of my homeland hangs in the balance." He scoffed at himself, at how funny he sounded. Didn't know where he came from? Didn't know his name? His mind called him crazy. He saw the same expression returned on Zecora's face. He sighed.

"Tell me what else the letter said to you," she said, more of a demand than a request.

The man went over every word of the letter he could recall. It was still fresh in his memories. As he went he noticed a more understanding look coming over Zecora's face. At the end she seemed deep in thought, a hoof brought to her muzzle as she silently 'Hmmm'ed'. Her eyes concentrated on his pendant for a brief moment before falling back down to the ground. She then sighed, "Whatever you may be, you are here for a clear purpose." She looked up at him. "I can help you with some of your story, but the rest it seems is up to you to decide. But first," she pointed a hoof at the ground, "sit down."

"A-" he started, then noted the seriousness in her gaze. He did as told, sitting cross legged and placing his arms on his legs in a restful pose. Satisfied Zecora sat on her rump and breathed in deep, exhaling softly as she looked him in the eyes. "Now that we are sitting as equals, I feel more comfortable." She smirked. "And you are welcome for my help to you. It was only natural considering the state you emerged in. You've been asleep for several days, you see."

The man widened his eyes, "Days?!"

Zecora nodded. "Days. I found you four nights ago. It was unusually foggy and I could barely see a thing. I stumbled into you and after my initial reactions, I took you in and tried to nurse you back to health." She looked at the cauldron. "The soup there is what I mixed. I didn't know what you were, so I mixed together the best healing herbs I could. It seemed to have worked well enough."

"Thank you," he said, smiling.

She waved it off with a hoof. "Think nothing of it. As I said you are welcome. All I ask is that the favor is returned when the time comes."

He nodded. "Of course."

"But there is still the problem of your name," she continued. "As I said, I think I can help you with that. The problem is that from your retelling of the letter, this 'Melkos' did not seem interested in you knowing your true name. The only solution is to give you one."

He blinked, "Give me one?" The idea didn't sound too bad. After all, no matter how hard he tried he didn't remember. Even when he asked for an answer all he got in return was "Trust Me".

He watched as Zecora rose from sitting and walked over to a shelf opposite of the bed in the hut. He heard her rummaging around, then she came back with a book in her mouth. She set it down between them and sat back down on her rump. Opening the book she turned the pages with her hooves. How she did this the man couldn't figure out, but she eventually found the page. The man was interested to know what she found an what it meant for him. He leaned forward, but the language on the page he couldn't decipher and so leaned back and waited. He watched as Zecora read the passages, finishing by closing the book and looking back at the man.

"Your name shall be Halkan." She seemed to smile proudly to herself.

"Halkan?" asked the man. "Why Halkan?"

Zecora chuckled. "It means 'night' from the land I come from. Sometimes I do forget, so I need to look up some things." She pointed at the book with her hoof. "I always keep it close by."

Halkan nodded. "Thank you again," he said, humbled. Truly grateful now. Finally he had a name. A name that seemed pleasing to his pentagram as well. It seemed to shimmer somewhat, sending a gentle warmth through him. Zecora noticed, leaning in as she was completely fascinated by it.

"A fire within a diamond?" Zecora gasped. "Such magic is impossible..."

Halkan shrugged. "At this point I don't think this is magic. Melkos was the one who gave this to me. I think he's something more than a simple sorcerer. I feel it in my bones."

Zecora leaned back and smirked. "Then it is settled."

"What," said Halkan blankly.

"You are here on a mission, are you not? Will you go or will you stay? I do not care which, but whomever gave you this is trusting you with this mission. I myself would dare not go against such power, even as kind as it seems to have treated you thus far." She rose to all fours. For the first time Halkan noticed a mark on her flank resembling a sun. He stood as well. "Go now," she said. "Return here if you need shelter. And tell no pony of our conversations together."

Halkan was about to start for the door when he stopped. "Why not?" he asked.

"Because I usually speak in rhymes to them. For them to know I speak clearly would be catastrophic to my reputation!" She groaned, already thinking about the consequences. "Just please, if you see a pink pony say nothing of me."

He started to ask more questions but stopped, simply nodding. "Okay Zecora. Thank you for everything." He smiled. "You have helped me much."

Halkan then turned and left. He wished silently that because of her good heart towards him that many blessings should befall her. That and somehow he could repay her for her kindness. His pendant glowed and once more he felt the warmth through his body. Something told him that this would be taken care of and he would return her kindness with greater kindness. Assured by this answer from somewhere else, he looked up to the night sky and noticed an unusually bright star. Besides the moon it was the brightest thing in the sky. He knew it felt out of place, somehow sensing it in his being. Without hesitation he followed where the star lead, waving farewell to Zecora as she waved her hoof back at him.

"Beware, beware the path that is far away," Zecora said loudly in rhyme to him as he continued his walk away. "Stay true and you will always get a clue!"

Halkan couldn't help but chuckle, even though he understood the friendly warning.