Akio Stoneheart was currently stuck between a hard place—being the floor—and the weight of gryphon.

The blue and green creature had its large paw on her chest. Her mana hull shattered moments ago for the second time which was why she was drenched in sweat and breathed heavily.

The beast stood on all fours and was at least eight feet tall. The blue and green fur blended beautifully. The fur melded perfectly with the set of wings folded on its back. Akio thought its beauty matched its strength. It bested her in combat for the second time today. It could use mana well even though being young. This particular gryphon found in the eastern regions of the Ridgdal mountains always developed the knack for wielding mana.

The creature stared down at Akio and she could see the smug expression on its canine-like face. Akio narrowed her emerald green eyes. He was taunting her. As if saying, 'is that the best you've got human?'

Finally, he removed his paw, purposefully slappings its bushy tail against Akio's cheek as he walked away, further adding insult to injury.

Akio sat up. She looked over to Lady Raptillia who gave an amused expression. "He likes you."

"Definitely feeling the love." Responded the Stoneheart dryly. She stood and asked, "How am I suppose to make something more powerful than myself submit to me? This seems impossible."

"Oftentimes taming is not a show of power."

The Master Knight waited for her superior to respond until she realized the older woman was doing the cryptic teaching cliche. "Or you could just tell me what I should be doing?"

Lady Raptillia giggled. "Where would be the fun in that? You have a few more days until your assignment. It'll come to you sooner than you think. For now, go rest."

Akio felt a large amount of mana when Raptillia waved a hand, ripping open space and time to form a portal. "Give your parents my best regards." She told the gryphon as it entered the portal. The creature huffed its understanding, giving Akio one last glance before the rift closed behind it.

"Dwell on my words young Stoneheart," Raptillia added before she went to consult with the other Divine Knights that were watching her train.

Ever since the second Darkness invasion, the higher-ups have been watching the Master Knights closely, looking for any hint of latent abilities that could be nurtured. Akio was happy for the extra attention. She knew she would need every advantage she could get if she were to face off against the Darkness again.

The image of the three severed heads of Divines flashed in her mind. The very first Darkness Champion she faced had thrown them at her feet. The thought of seeing those creatures for the third time made her want to puke.

"Aki!" Kariah-Belle's voice snapped her back to reality. She welcomed the distraction from her thoughts. "Let's go get food! I'm starving!"

It was some time when the two were stuffing down some rations. These were made to help Knights replenish life force.

"Where's Lax?" Riah asked.

"Still training."

"Still? He's gonna kill himself before he goes anywhere if he keeps pushing himself continuously."

Akio knew her best friend was right. If he didn't slow down his body would give out. She knew why he was training so extensively. She remembered the grief in his eyes when he saw Akio after her scuffle with the Darkness. She had lost her arm that day and its only thanks to today's tech that it was able to be reattached almost effortlessly. Her boyfriend wanted to rip through the Darkness but his orders were to guide the injured and civilians to safety. Akio was proud of Lax-Rim. In his university days, he would've been blinded by emotions, namely rage.

"That's it." Kariah-Belle said after washing down her dried fruit and nuts with water. "Let's go force him to take a break. If he refuses, then you bat your eyes and say pretty please."

Akio snorted at an old memory, an instance in which that worked. "I doubt that'll work this time."

The Nadire shrugged. "If not then we drag him by the ear." She said sounding stubborn.

Akio gave a half-smile. The other woman's enthusiasm amused her.

Before long, the emerald-haired Knight found herself moving back through district sixteen. One of the many sections of the underground city.

"Its as if some was thinking ahead," Kariah said in astonishment. "Who built this place?"

The question that's been on everyone's mind. Not even the higher-ups had an answer.

"Aki!" squealed a child's voice. The voice sounded familiar but she couldn't match a face until she turned to see a young child running towards her.

Akio's heart was filled with joy as the young girl wrapped her arms around her waist. Akio remembered the girl from her tangle with the Darkness during the evac. She was told that the girl had survived but hadn't seen her since their first encounter.

Akio picked up the las and the girl hugged her tightly. "Thank you for saving me." She whispered.

"Any time little one."

"So this is the little girl you told me about," Kariah said observing the girl. "Well, aren't you a cutie pie. Tough too. I like you already."

The girl gave a shy giggle.

She then gave the girl a confused looked. "How did you learn my name?"

She turned in Akio's arm and pointed at Lax who was making his way towards them.

"HA!" Kariah-Belle exclaimed. "We were just coming to get you."

Lax gave that smirk that never failed to make Akio's heartbeat speed up."Let me guess. You said something about dragging me by the ear if I didn't come willingly."

"Coooooorect." Riah said giving him a thumbs up. "You know me so well."

Lax-Rim shook his head and stifled a chuckle. "Luckily for me my temporary master has Divine Knight business to attend to and the little one has been asking for you."

"Has she now?" Akio said forcing a smile. The kid could tell it was a forced gesture but she gave a toothy grin.

She nodded. "I wanted to say thank you for risking your life for mine. I made you this in arts and crafts." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a necklace with a green flower pendant.

"It's beautiful," Akio said as she bowed for the child to put the accessory around her neck.

"Adorable, brave and talented. We are so friends now." Said Ri as she ruffled the girl's hair. "What's your name?"

The girl gave another shy giggle. "Rayne."

"Well Rayne, how about you hang with us for a bit?"

"Okay!" She answered excitedly. "Uh... Do I have to fight monsters."

"Not at all." Said Akio hugging the girl tightly.

It was sometime later when the four of them sat in a dining hall. Mae walked in along with Monty.

"Well, who do we have here?" Monty who was a drakon–a race of humans with dragon DNA–asked taking a seat.

"The newest addition to the team," Lax replied. "Says she wants to be a Knight like Aki."

"That's quite the goal." Said Mae. "It'll be a long and hard road."

"I can do it!" Rayne said as she puffed out her chest. "If I can be a hero like Aki then I'll work hard and become strong!"

"I believe you have the potential," Akio acknowledged.

The girl's eyes gleamed with resolution as she talked about how she would become like Akio.

"You're gonna make a great mommy," Kariah whispered in her ear.

Akio was sure she would be flustered if she could properly display emotions.

It was after Rayne had been tucked in, did the Knights head off to their rooms as well to prepare for the next day of training. Akio made her way to Lax-Rim's room in the middle of the night.

"Hey babe, what's up?" He said

She pushed him on the bed.

"That time with the Darkness scared me," she said as she climbed on top of him. "I thought I would die."

He held her. "I was afraid too, babe."

Akio kissed his neck. "I don't want to die with any regrets."

She felt a bulge form between his legs as he whispered "oh."

She forced a grin hoping it came off as sexy or at least cute.

He kissed her. Their kiss was deep and passionate. Akio began to undress him. Kissing him as much as she could. She couldn't seem to get enough of his taste. He wasted no time undressing her.

The two got lost in each other in passion for the first time.

That next day, Akio was currently staring into the eyes of the gryphon from yesterday. The two hadn't moved a muscle since the training began twenty minutes ago. Lady Raptillia's words about taming not being a display of power echoed in her mind.

And just like that, it clicked. It was so simple. It was staring her in the face the entire time. She recalled back to her first session with the beast. She had always attacked first. The gryphon only reacted.

She took a step forward and he did the same. She stretched out her arm, and he held out a paw. When she conjured a mana hull, he did the same.

The two began walking towards each other. When Akio place a hand on his forehead, she felt a surge of mana rush through her. It was... remarkable.

She quickly retracted her hand. "Whoa."

"Gryphons have the innate ability to bring out one's latent talent.'' Said Raptillia "With his help, you'll be able to hold your sage instinct longer and use it more often."

"Understood," Akio answered not taking her eyes off the gryphon.

"The beast already decided it would let you tame it. It only wanted you to realize that. Now you may name him."

Akio thought for a moment. "Rayne."

The beast let out a mighty howl. The first time it made any noise other than a grunt or huff.

"He likes it."

Akio gave it a scratch under its chin which it seemed pleased with. "What's next?"

"Next comes the bonding ritual. With it, you won't need to know rift craft."

"I'm ready."

The ritual took nearly four hours to complete. She and Rayne moved as if they were dancing. Akio messed up only twice which impressed Raptillia as the movements were intricate. She had Kariah-Belle to thank for her ability to move in a rhythm.

Suddenly she and Rayne fell. Her life force had been sapped. She had already been told that both the tamer and partner would lose a large chunk of life force.

"Well done Emerald Flower." Said lady Raptillia. "Go and regain your strength. Tomorrow you will have to once again prove your worth.