The Griffwolf

The continuous tedious growls of the werewolf king confirmed that he was battling against an immeasurable pain. If not for his werewolf form, he would have collapsed by now. Ezra read in books that the morph form of werewolves increases their attributes by a wide margin.

The triad in the cave became a little quiet, one meditating and others scrutinizing. The grunts of Mirza Zephyr dimmed.

~WHOOSSSHH~

An abrupt burst of qi wave was released by the king, knocking both Ezra and Polard away. The King opened his eyes and stood on his feet gradually. His action was filled with nobility and excellency, Ezra's jaw dropped and Polard's eyes widened. The catalyst of their expression was not the standing style of Mirza Zephyr but the strange golden fire dancing around his body, waiting for a small signal to burn everything to crisp.

"Father you succeed?!" Ezra asked the question he knew the answer of, perhaps he wanted to hear it from his father's mouth.

"Yes, I succeed" The King replied, his voice being hoars and terrifying.

Polard's knees shook violently as if he had seen a ghost. "My king... my king... he talked in that form! Oh god. I must inform everyone." He murmured before gaited out in hustle.

Ezra Zephyr was disconcerting. "Is speaking in morph form too big of a deal?" He assumed by looking at the astounded Imperial Guards Head and pondered if he had read anything pertaining to that. Meanwhile, The King didn't stop the commander, his eyes were glued on his son. His body began to change again, his protruded bones caved in, his claws shrank back and his torn skin mended itself. As the usual vigorous king was back, Ezra could no longer wait and jolted towards him, the former smiled and answered the hug with a tight embrace.

Tears slithered down his cheeks followed by soft sobbings, the brave and heroic Mirza Zephyr was crying. The worried son tried to look at his father's face but he didn't have the strength to break his embrace. "Sshhh, don't go anywhere Ezra. Let me hug you and cry for a while, just let me cry on your shoulder this once my son." Mirza Zephyr said as his sobbings started to get louder, Ezra Zephyr had never seen his father like that. Thus, the son hugged back again and both cried.

After a quiet while, Mirza opened his arms, gently separating his son a little and glance at his face, Ezra did the same, both of them had red eyes. "Father what happened, you said you succeed then why were you crying, is there anything wrong?" Ezra Zephyr asked eagerly.

"No Ezra." Mirza Zephyr said and sighed, after a few deep breaths he spoke again. "All this time I cried at my misfortune in empty rooms, I am the symbol of Bloodfang Kingdom's strength as well as our family's. I was not allowed to show my weak side to anyone. But today, it felt like I have found someone on whom I can rely and share my burden and that person is you, my beloved son, you are the lucky charm of our nation and family. That's why I cried so heartedly, cleansing all the pain and regret inside my heart. From this moment onwards, there will only be tears of happiness in my eyes."

The words of Mirza Zephyr shook Ezra's soul. He knew the nature of his father, he never accepted any aid from neighbouring countries even in dire situations, just because he didn't want his nation to be in any sort of debt. His mind was more like a doughty freedom fighter than that of a strategist king, he sent aid numerous times to different nations but never received a single one even after Brownmane Empire drove us into the corner. Such a man was saying that he can rely on Ezra Zephyr. The Werewolf Prince bit his lip, forcing himself to not cry.

"Father, what about your martial spirit?" Ezra asked and changed the topic. "Haha, about that, let's go outside and see in front of our Imperial Guards" the King chuckled and said, he clenched his son's hand and move towards the outside.

The news of King Mirza speaking in morph form already spread to entire imperial guards, the moment they saw Mirza Zephyr and Ezra Zephyr. The air vibrated and the earth quacked with their slogans.

"ALL HAIL GOD VASSALS"

"ALL HAIL ROYAL FAMILY"

"ALL HAIL KING MIRZA"

"ALL HAIL PRINCE EZRA"

Their zeal, love and loyalty were genuine. The King raised his hand, all the slogans stopped at once. The King started to emit out qi, a golden majestic fire. Polard Whitefang's eyes widened "The King breakthrough again?" He said. The fellow dignified youth with Polard looked in astonishment. "Did his Majesty cure his wound, father?" The young man asked.

Polard gave a tentative glare at him over his shoulder and retorted " I am Imperial Guard Commander and you are Vice Commander, forget that again and I will cut your throat."

"I am sorry commander" the youth apologised right after. Polard grunted lightly and answered "Yes, his majesties' wounds are healed and the crown prince has become the dragon."

Hearing that, the face of youth and nearby soldiers decorated with big and wide smiles.

"Son, do you know of what race our Imperial Guards are?" Mirza Zephyr asked Ezra Zephyr.

"I heard from mother that they consist of mixed races. Am I correct father?"

"That's what we wanted the world to know, in reality. Each one of the soldiers is a werewolf, not a single one is of an outside race. Because almost all commanders and imperial guards betrayed us during the revolt of the brownmane tribe, except our blood and kin werewolves. That's why I don't trust anyone else now."

Ezra Zephyr was lost in words, the love and respect for fellow werewolves were soaring.

"Now let me flex with my new spirit, hahaha" the King laughed as his spirit rose from his body. It was a wolf, a golden wolf engulfed in golden flames. His long ears were made of fire, flapping in the air, the wolf had 6 fire molded wings. The first pair of wings were larger than 2nd pair, likewise, the 2nd pair was bigger than 3rd. Eight golden fire orbs were rotating vertically behind the king's back, each orb representing a grade of spirit.

The eyes of everyone present were wide open, not excluding Ezra Zephyr.

"It's... it's an... 8th-grade spirit!"

"How is this possible"

"Oh my god, our king has created a legend."

Different people gave a different opinion, regardless of all, everyone was shocked, some couldn't believe it and slapped themselves several times.

"As you all witnessed this is my new 8th-grade spirit, its name is griffwolf. My precious werewolves, fate has turned the tables. Our time has come to take back what is rightfully ours from those lionmen bastards."

All Imperial Guards' eyes were glued on Mirza Zephyr, his words ignited a fire inside their heart. A fire which was died for many years. The King of Werewolves looked at their subjects and spoke again. "Will you follow me to take our dignity back? Will you follow me to exact our revenge? Will you follow me even if the path is filled with pain, blood and death? Will you follow me to fight the enemies in the pit of hell? Will you follow me to slay those lionmen bastards who have forgotten their place? TELL ME WEREWOLVES, WILL YOU FOLLOW ME, THE EMPEROR OF BLOODFANG EMPIRE, MIRZA ZEPHYR?" The last line of the king reverberated like thunder in a rainstorm.

The sudden surge of emotions gave werewolves goosebumps and they all answered in unity.

"YES, WE WILL FOLLOW YOU, YOUR MAJESTY"