Griffons, a race of predators that have the top half of an eagle with the bottom half of a lion. They are violent, territorial, moderately greedy, and most importantly they value honor and family above all things. Well, the last two don't technically count, especially with what has been happening to them when I first met them.

When I first met the griffons, I was sort of thinking that everything was just a dream and that I would just wake up some time later. I sort of woke up in the dream in the middle of a sun-scorched field, grass was almost nonexistent here as the land seemed to have been bled dry of nutrients and water and when I looked up I saw a mountain range and in the middle of the range was a city built on top of a short mountain, but what really caught my eye was that there was a colossal tree growing on top of it with a castle at the very top.

At first, I thought that I was just seeing things that I just chalked it up to my imagination shaping it as such because why the hell not, not like this is real or anything.

Looking myself over I saw that it I hadn't really changed at all. I was still wearing the jeans that I fell asleep in, the same Game of Thrones shirt that I use as my sleeping attire, same stank black dress socks, and same DC hoodie. What I don't get is why am I wearing my ratty shoes and have my backpack for college with me along with my wallet, car and house keys and my cellphone? Did I die or something with all this on or is this just a really fucked up and strange dream?

Shrugging at the sight of the strange city on top of the mountain I decided to go to it and see what it holds, it might be like those things one might find while playing a video game or reading a fantasy novel. The hike up the mountain, on the other hand, was not fun, it felt like my lungs on fire and that I was gonna crap out my heart because my body really wanted to die.

Walking up the mountain is something that I should be used to because I used to be part of the boy scouts but seeing how I haven't back to those people in like three years and I also haven't been taking a real good care of myself in those years, sorta drifted to laziness and gained a few pounds cause of that. The way up the mountain wasn't that hard, it is a gentle slope upwards while curving in unto itself like a zigzag instead of going all the way around in a circular fashion. The only downside to this is that if someone wanted to be an asshole they could just cause a landslide and kill me and anyone else that might be going up or down at this moment.

When I was scaling the mountain I saw several trees growing off the side of the road and to my surprise carved into the bark of the tree from the roots connecting to the mountain all the way to top was stairs was a small house. At first, I thought I was just seeing some crazy shit but as I got closer while walking up the path I saw that it was indeed a house although it looked pretty rundown.

It is sad really, a tree house that looks like that it can fully function as a normal residential building only for it to fall apart.

By the time I reached the end of the road I was met with a strange archway, not sure what it might represent but whatever it does mean I have no idea, for all I know it is just a gate welcoming people or it could be a proverbial middle finger.

Walking through the archway I saw several more tree buildings beyond it but they were all in the same condition and if not in even worse condition than the previous one. I don't know what lives here but if I know my dungeons and dragons like I know them than it could either be elves or gnomes, can't be dwarves cause they live in the mountain unless they got the boot for being an evil bastard or did something dishonorable.

It was as I walked further down the road did I start to see what looked like concealed figures gazing at me through their ruined windows and shutters, gazing at me with what I can only guess is either contempt or uneasy dismay that a stranger is seeing their precious home in such a ruined state of existence. And I wouldn't blame them if someone came to my home and it was a completely ruined and utter mess than of course, I would be either mad that they came over while it was like that or be sad that I couldn't do anything to fix it.

Several thoughts ran through my head as I continued to make my way into this strange city, some of them was that why am I even dreaming of something so sad like this, why was I even dreaming of this when I could be dreaming of that new Avengers movie that will come out soon where shit goes down real hard, real fast. Then there was that one thought of where the hell is everyone at? The city might as well be empty because I haven't seen hide, nor hair nor whisper of breath from anything living here.

I swear if this place is actually a literal ghost town than I am just gonna nope my way out of here post haste, and by post haste I mean wake up and try to fall asleep again to hopefully get a better dream.

But unfortunately, that wasn't the case, when I got to what must be the town square for what is the lower portion of this city I finally got my first sight of the people who live here. And by people, I mean animals, lots and lots of animals.

Now, I know that this is a dream and all but when I saw this place I was expecting people to be living here but what my eyes are seeing says otherwise. There are griffons walking about, some are flying but for the most part, there are griffons here, no humans, no elves or gnomes and sure as shit no dwarves.

When I first stepped foot in the town square I wasn't even noticed but after taking one step into the square proper did one of the griffons spot me and almost immediately it spread like a wave as every single griffon in the immediate area stopped whatever they were doing and turned their heads to look right at me. Every single griffon was staring at me and all of them had mixed expressions strewn about their beaks. Many of them didn't really seem to care that I was there, a few seemed to be happy to see a new face, others seemed angry or upset, and some...they looked like they just found the love of their life.

Awkwardly waving at them I watched as several of them went back to what they were doing while a few remained looking at me through the corners of their eyes. As soon as they returned to what they were doing I decided that if I am going to figure out where I am then I might as well go talk to one of the griffons, assuming they can even speak English or even Spanish and if all else fails then I am rightfully fucked six ways to Sunday.

Walking to the nearest griffon I noticed that he, assuming that he is a he, is rather elderly if the balding and liver spots are of any clear indications. The elderly griffon has a greying black coat of fur, his head has balded to the point where there are barely any feathers on his head with just a few stragglers on the rear of his head, his left eye also had a scar running through it and that it was also grey, quite possibly meaning that he is blind in that eye.

Tapping the elderly griffon on the shoulder I watched with a bit of an amused grin as he got spooked and jumped into the air in surprise.

As soon as he came down from his fright he looked at me and at first he recoiled in fear or shock but immediately settled down when he saw how harmless I am, I mean seriously, I didn't even have a weapon with me unless you count a set of keys as a weapon.

"Ah, a youngster from the outside world coming to see the beauty that once was Griffonstone. I am sorry to say this sonny but this place has seen better days and this ain't one of em." I am surprised I could even understand that I was expecting it to be nothing but squawks or chirps or roars, not perfectly understandable human words.

Staring at the old griffon in surprise for a moment before shaking the stupor off, I then proceeded to introduce myself to him.

"Uh...hi there. I am just wondering where I currently am. I am sadly lost at the moment." I said in a rather sheepish manner, but in all honesty, I am correct, I am lost and I have no idea where I am.

Was this some location in a video game that I have played but just forgotten about? Something from a novel or a movie? A comic book perhaps? Something from the internet?

"I can see that sonny, you are like a fish outta water here and around these parts, somegriffon will see that and try to take advantage of ya. Don't let em cause who knows what they could do to ya if they get their claws on you, and from the looks ya you look like an easy target what with no scales, no claws or talons, not even a horn to cast some magic on ya."

"Yeah...I know, but when it comes to me I always have a trick or two up my sleeves." I said while moving one of my hands to the pockets on my jeans and the other moved to my hoodie pocket.

Watching his eyes go to where my hands went he kept his eyes there for a moment before seeing me smile widely, showing my teeth to him and when he saw that I had some good chompers did he relent with me being a weak target.

"Some mighty fine teeth you got there, sharp lookin' fangs as well, good to know that I wasn't talking to some grass muncher who is naive to the dangers of the world." Seems like the griffons here are the predators and whatever is out there is prey, isn't that just dandy.

I wonder if there are any...erm...couples out there that are predator and prey? Nah, I highly doubt that would never work.

Before I could try to get the conversation back on course to where I am, the elderly looking griffon waved his talons off before rambling on. Assuming he was going to speak again I stopped listening when I heard something shuffling behind me and when I turned my head to see what it was I saw two griffons wearing what look like scarfs or some sort of high-rise collar but what really caught my eye was that they were wearing belts and they each and a talon gripping the hilt of a sword.

"Were you expecting trouble with me or something?" I asked as the two griffons took their talons off of their sword hilts and backed down, seemingly at the command of the elderly griffon.

"You can probably say that... too many times have a few certain ambitious griffons tried to rob me blind when I wasn't paying attention to what I have to sell. Well, what little I have left to sell anyways." The old griffon said but this time his voice going down a bit, sad that such things have happened to him due to his advanced age.

"Well don't worry, I won't cause trouble, kinda hard to when there are two experienced guards watching my every move who are also armed with swords. And besides, I was taught never to steal from someone else, unless they are bandits than it is alright." I said while laughing a little bit, the elderly griffon joined as well before going into a coughing fit for a moment.

When I tried to apologize to him for causing him to nearly cough up a lung he just waved me off, seemingly happy that I at least cared to see to his well-being. Apparently, most would either just ignore his current condition or try to rob him blind.

"It is nice to see that at least there is somegriffon that isn't a selfish prick or a thief here." The old griffon chuckled again but this time avoided his coughing fit by a margin.

"Is everyone here really a selfish prick or a thief?" I asked, afraid that he would say yes and confirm my fears.

"Aye, sadly that is the case but it always wasn't like this...oh no this city used to look a lot better and every single griffon here used to be much nicer and friendlier. Ah...those were the good old days......" I watched as the elderly griffon let out a wistful sigh as he longed for the past, going over what was lost as I watched a single tear was shed from his blind eye.

Seeing him cry plucked one of my heart strings, something that rarely happens anymore these days, and in that moment I just had to ask the big question.

"Not to rude or anything but, what happened to this place? And I am not talking about this town square but the entire city? It looks like a wild tornado tore through this place like a bull in a fine china shop." And to my surprise he didn't look anger or upset at my question at all, in fact, I think it has actually sparked something within him, possible something good? Hopefully, something good cause I really don't want to get killed by something that doesn't wear pants.

"It is alright sonny, and at least there is somebody out there that is interested in what happened to us instead of just ignoring us or our calls for help." He said before waving me inside a building, probably his shop or his home, probably both seeing how this place feels very fantasy-like.

"This all started...I think it was at least thirty years ago, our kingdom was prosperous and it extended almost as far as the eye can see from the top of the tallest spire of the castle. We had it all, the wealth, the prestige and honor, and most importantly we had our dignity! But all of that was taken away in an instant when that...monster attacked us. I don't know where it came from but we only know that it was called an Arimaspi, some kind of giant one-eyed goat monster whose greed can be matched with that of a dragon."

"Anyways because of that beast it stole our sacred idol that means the world to us griffons and because it was stolen it sent us all into misery. When we tried to get it back the beast fell into the Abysmal Abyss and along with our idol. Several brave griffons tried to dive into the abyss to get back our idol but only one returned with empty talons. We mourned the loss of those that didn't make it but what we mourned more was the sheer fact we will never return to what we once were without our idol."

"Over the years we slowly started to fall apart and then came the fighting, the stealing, the robbing, eventually we sort of just gave up hope on everything. Now we are nothing more than a broken people, our king still sits upon his throne but even he can't do anything to help uplift our spirits let alone find those brave enough to go get back our idol."

And with that said the elderly griffon settled down and sat in a rocking chair before grabbing a worn cane and used it to help him stay upright.

"This idol, is it still in the abyss?" I asked as I started to look around the store, noticing how bare it seems to be.

Looking up at me the griffon's eye twinkled a bit, almost sensing what I am about to ask next.

"Yeah, it is. What? You want to try your paw at finding it?" The old griffon said as he leaned forward a bit, waiting for my answer.

I nodded my head yes, that I did want to try finding it. Cause I mean why not? This is a dream, right? I don't have to worry about dying for real and besides if I do this than I would get good karma and not worry about going to hell if I do die in this dream.

"Well, if you are going to be doing this then I expect that you will be needing a map on how to get there, some supplies to make it there and maybe a weapon to fend off anything you might find there." The elderly griffon said before he waved one of the guards over and immediately he started to bring to the counter in front of me the things I would need to go on this quest.

"Yes." In all honesty, I don't even know if they will accept my money cause I mean, its paper and mixed metal coins.

"Well, then I will give you everything that you will need for your journey to the abyss. All that I ask in return is that you make it back in one piece, too many griffons have already lost their lives in their hunt to retrieve the idol back and I don't want a death on my mind when it could have been avoided in the first place." That surprised me, I was expecting that I would have to pay for my provisions but I am glad that I didn't have to, no way in hell he was going to accept my money.

Taking what was on the counter and putting them into my backpack after making space for them, tossing out the useless binders and textbooks and replacing them with dried bread, dried meat slices, some rope, an anchor for the rope and lastly a small metal sword to defend myself in case the worst happens and a monster attacks me.

Once everything was put away I shifted the backpack where it belongs and looked at the elderly griffon, a smile on his beak is a strange sight but a welcomed one at that, but there was something on my mind that I just couldn't shake off.

"You never told me your name when we met," I asked, moving the sheath for the sword to my own belt, making sure it is secure so it doesn't just fall off at any point on my way to the destination.

With a wrinkly smile, the elderly griffon spoke but this time keeping his smile.

"My name is Grandpa Gruff." he said, and for an old griffon he seemed to have aged well...well I think he aged well, not sure if that is what they are supposed to look like when they are old.

"My name is Ian," I said as I shook hands er...talons with the grandpa griffon.

"Strange name, but good luck Ian the Outsider. May your journey be swift and trouble free." Grandpa Gruff said before waving me off, seemingly trying to act like he had a customer but we both know that he just means well. Or so I hope for.

Walking to the entrance to the shop I looked back one last time at Grandpa Gruff and then to his two guards, the one on his right gave me a thumbs up before the other one bumped him in the shoulder. Seems like he doesn't like me that much if he doesn't want his friend to do my best.

What is the worst that can happen?

Next Chapter: Abysmal Abyss Diving, sounds safe Estimated time remaining: 18 Hours, 22 Minutes