Forced quest.
In every circle, whether it's a group of friends, a criminal gang, or a battlefield, there's always a leader—the one calling the shots. Zephyr was well aware that this leader was absent. The shapeshifter, Mar, exuded the aura and confidence of a leader, deserving praise in that regard. Yet, Zephyr, with his deep understanding of the supernatural hierarchy, knew better. Supernaturals naturally gravitate towards those more powerful than themselves, and it was clear to him that Mar wasn't the top of the food chain. They were all on the same rung, the minor level, differentiated only by their stage of development.
The hierarchy of supernaturals is such that each level is divided into stages. One must progress through the first, second, and third stages before ascending to the next level and gaining greater strength.