The capital of the Griffon Kingdom, known as Gryphus, was truly a sight to behold as a city that reached the clouds. While uninhabitable jagged rocks layered the lower landscape for miles seemingly without end, above on strong on mighty pillars stands a glorious city carved from a mountain! Every building in this city is made with a mixture of cobble, marble, stone, metals, and even crystal of all things! It reminds me of the great construct that is the Hounjinn Academy, though almost ten times bigger in scale and no signs of run-down slums that littered the lower layers.

This magnificent view that I am describing, was given to me by King Sigmar as a more welcome way to introduce me to his capital by war chariot.

As we reached a great distance in the air, Sigmar pointed towards bottom edges of the city, “As a testament to my already invincible city, great metal and stone covered wall covers the lower area of the mountain, as most forgery, manufacturing, and other construction takes place in the lower areas behind these walls.”

Then he moved his claw to the general middle of the mountain carved city, “The largest part of the city, the residential area and marketplace, is where most of the population lives and most trade and business is located. On a side note, our economic system is based on the values of freedom of trade, where choice determines who the doctors, farmers, traders, blacksmiths, soldiers, business owners, and many other occupations are in this nation. Only during desperate times of war is when methods like forced drafting take place unfortunately” Sigmar physically grimaced at this fact.

Finally he pointed to the higher areas of the mountain-city that pierced through the highest clouds, “Last of all, is the center of my capital, where me and the chosen few resign there in complete luxury, but only those who have earned the right to reside there can live such a life, whether it be from military, economic, social, political, or scientific reasons, they must be great achievements that will be in the history books for centuries.” As I looked upon these culturally vibrant rich housings and castles, it reminded me so much more of Hounjinn Academy, as it made the experience even greater now that I had something to relate to in this strange world filled with talking mythological creatures.

After showing me a couple of more impressive sights from the air, they apparently even had special base in the mountain for a fleet of supposed blimps and leviathans both power by magic, magic: now that is another subject I needed answers on.

Soon, the large war chariot landed on a platform next to the royal garden, which King Sigmar said we would discuss my duties and questions we had about each other’s worlds. King Sigmar and I, including a couple of guards, strolled through the expansive gardens that the King and his ancestors grew throughout the ages, it was an expansive area filled with many different types of plants, animals, fungi, and statues depicting great griffons of the past who have accomplished great things for their nation.

“So Gamagori” The King spoke as we set on an outside table, “I have shown you my great city, but I’m very intrigued from where you ‘fell from’, what is it like?” he asked with mild humor in his voice. I went into detail about the Hounjinn Academy, how it was ruled by Satsuki with an iron fist which I saw a just to control the masses that populate it, as I was in the highest of ranks: one of the Deva Four. Despite difference in facial structure,

I could tell in King Sigmar's face of the great interest and even admiration for Hounjinn Academy, especially Lady Satsuki. “I knew it, such a ‘man’ of honor and loyalty would best fit being beside a strong and powerful leader as this ‘Lady Satsuki’ sounds. I know my decision was right to choose you to be part of my personal guard. Now… I've keep you waiting for your answers long enough Gamagori, I will try my best to explain how my world, my country, and how my species works to avoid misunderstanding or confusion” He cleared his throat and spoke thus:

“For thousands of years my empire has lasted throughout the ages, and despite the corruption and wars plagued by us and other surrounding countries, we griffons stand proud of our great nation. Now you see, before me, over 1500 years ago, our nation declared war upon the bordering country named Equestria, unlike the Griffon Kingdom, Equestria is ruled by not griffons, but ponies, but before I get to that. Do you have ponies on ‘Earth’ or any other species that populate Equine?”

Perplexed by this news of a nation ruled by a four-legged race, I spoke, “Yes King Sigmar-” “Please. Just call me Sigmar, there are no need for formalities at this moment you are already at the highest rank that I could offer” “Thank you K- Sigmar, yes, we do have ponies on our planet, but not griffons, those are only in legends and mythology, ponies on Earth are mainly trained by humans as they are not sentient beings, but animals dependent on instinct.”

Sigmar stroked his chin, “You and your world gets more and more interesting every time I ask about it. Anyway, just like the Griffon Kingdom, Equestria has lasted for thousands of years, but it has major differences, for one its population is mainly equine in nature, the rulers are two immortal beings named Princess Celestia and Luna that raise the sun and moon above us every day and night, n-” He noticed my shocked look, “Sorry did I offend you about anything?” “No Kin- Sigmar! It’s just… how can two beings move the sun and moon! For one doesn’t it move on its own?! And how do they do it?! Is it by that magic you me-”

He waved a claw in my face, “Whoa slow down Ira! Like I said, we have major differences between our worlds as evident of what you told me. Anyway, yes these two equine beings can move the sun and moon with their powerful magic that is not to be trifled with; my ancestors can atone for that after trying to fight them. Now, surprisingly even though these two princesses basically control the fate of our planet, they are extremely humble about it, and never have used it to control other nations in the past, and I deeply respect the responsibility they have for that.”

Although we have someone that can control all life fibers, yet this world has two beings that control the planet’s destiny with its sun and moon. How powerful is this magic?

For an hour, I sat there mesmerized by all the information King Sigmar was telling me about Equestria’s inner workings and its peopl- er- ponies, the four different pony species and their abilities, and even other bordering nations and lands that inhabit many different creatures, such as minotaurs, dragons, and zebras. I’m away from Earth or hell as far as I can tell. I really need to ask him about the nation I’ll be living in now, but I don’t want to disrespect his majesty

He saw my slightly strained face and grinned at me, “Hmm, am I boring you about the culture of the minotaurs? I know they seen barbaric, but they do have an interesting culture.” I immediately got down on my knees after hearing his disapproval, “Please forgive me King Sigmar I meant no disresp-” A laugh interrupted my apology, “Hahaha Gamagori! You make me out to be some angry ruler; I’m just messing with you. Trust me, I can tell you had an important question to ask me. What is it that you wanted to know” I staggered back to my seat, “Thank you for forgiving my actions King Sigmar” I heard Sigmar sign and mutter something about ‘lighting up’.

“I request to know more about your griffons, its culture, and other inner mechanisms” I asked him, with a little strain in my voice. “Oh now we get to the best part! I think I should put you as an advisor to keep me focused hehehe” for the first time in this world I smiled, just a little, at that, and I think he noticed, “Hahaha! I’m glad you’re getting comfortable with being just a little more informal than usual. Now then let me explain how my country works during this day and age.”

For another hour, King Sigmar went into detail about the modern culture of his citizens, such as their omnivorous nature, but no sentient beings were on the menu, the importance of a form of power in society (money, military, politics, etc.),  griffons were usually independent creatures that treated life like a business and your neighbor was your co-worker, it’s described like a ‘dog eat dog’ world as charity is mostly saved for philanthropists most of the time, but did state the importance of unity and strength when it came to the griffon military.

More details like currency, education, family structure, and even pop culture and its youth, but he expressed distain about “the youth of today seem more like disrespectful punks in this day and age”. Overall it was a gratifying and enlightening experience, and I found more and more respect for the griffons and their country the more I learned about it.

Soon though, it seemed the sun was about to set, which Sigmar noticed and suddenly stood up and stretched, “Well, urk, I had a marvelous time bragging about my nation; I hope I did not bore you again.” He then quickly added, “ Remember: ‘just messing with you’. Anyway, let me show you where you will live in, only the best for my personal guards!” As we entered through the entrance of the castle, while Sigmar was talking about the agriculture with a spring in his step,

I could not help but have some distressing thoughts, Am I taking the right path? I mean, this is a major step in my life, or afterlife, can I really fit in a world where no humans exist? I stood taller and told myself. What I do know is this! I will serve King Sigmar as a living shield! Just as I always was and will ever be! I will prove his choice as just by proving my undying loyalty and unlimited resolve! Nothing will change that… I hope.

We soon reached my quarters assigned to me, and before he left me to go get some much needed rest I had to ask him one last thing, “Sigmar” “Hmmm? Yes Gamagori?” “There is only one thing bothering me about me as your new personal guard.” I hate lying to superiors, but this truly was one of my worries. “And what would that be Gamagori? Did the maids not leave enough pillows?” Sigmar replied with humor but still rose an eyebrow of concern. I ignored that last statement and continued,“Like you told me: there are only griffons that populate your nation, besides a few traders from different countries. Will your citizens accept a non-griffon, an unknown species no less, as part of their king’s personal guard?”

Sigmar then walked up to me and placed a claw on my arm and looked up at me with determination, “Gamagori, I can tell you are destined for great things, and nothing like prejudice, I can tell, will stop you from achieving those things. And besides, my griffons have always respected and trusted my decisions for their nation, and putting you as one of my personal guard will just be another one of those decisions. While there is prejudice among my people when it comes to immigrants that are not griffons, their prejudices are pushed aside whenever I make a unique choices like this. Get some rest Gamagori, we will discuss more about this in the morning over breakfast.”

He let go of my arm and proceeded to walk out of room before saying one last thing more cheerfully, “Even if there are those who look upon you with distaste as my personal guard, I don’t think they would ever choose to challenge or taunt you once they got a good look at you!” He winked and left, and for the second time that day, I could not help but smile. Next Chapter: Chapter 3: King Sigmar’s Living Shield Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 15 Minutes