"No, Champion. The one you fought was a simple guardian, a fraction of Solis's power. This," she said, gesturing to the majestic creature before them, "is the true Griffin of Pride."

The griffin turned its gaze to Adrian, and for a moment, he could have sworn it scoffed. The creature made a series of harsh, almost dismissive noises, and its body language showed a hint of arrogance.

Adrian crossed his arms. "Wait, is it… communicating with you? What did it just say?"

Hera tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "She said that defeating her guardian doesn't mean you could ever best her in battle."

Adrian rolled his eyes. "Of course she did."

The griffin—Solis—let out another rumbling sound, this one closer to a chuckle. Hera patted her neck affectionately. "Don't take it personally. Solis simply has standards, as all beings of pride should."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, well, let's hope her standards include giving us a lift out of this death trap."

Hera smirked, stepping back as she spoke to the griffin. "Solis, we need your wings once again. Take us out of here. We can go through there," she said, pointing upward to the opening at the top of the cave.

The griffin let out a low, affirmative cry, lowering itself onto its haunches to allow them to climb aboard. Hera moved with practiced ease, placing a delicate hand on the creature's side as she swung herself onto its back.

Once seated, she glanced down at Adrian, her expression one of quiet amusement.

"Well?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you coming, or are you planning to climb back down the hard way?"

Adrian sighed, muttering under his breath as he approached the griffin. "Why do I feel like this is going to come back to haunt me?"

He grabbed hold of Solis's side and hoisted himself up, settling behind Hera.

The griffin's feathers were surprisingly soft, and the heat radiating from its body was comforting. Once Adrian was secure, Solis let out a powerful screech and spread her massive wings. With a single, powerful leap, they were airborne.

The ascent was smooth, the griffin's powerful wings cutting through the air with precision. The wind rushed past Adrian's face, and he had to admit the view was breathtaking. The temple's gilded walls glittered in the sunlight, and the night sky stretched out endlessly above them.

Hera sat straight and proud, her golden hair streaming behind her like a banner. She glanced back at Adrian, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You seem more at ease now, Champion."

Adrian smirked, tightening his grip on Solis. "Maybe it's because I'm too tired to worry about dying for once."

Hera laughed softly, the sound warm and rich. "You've done well to reach this point. Few mortals would have the strength—or the audacity—to face what you've endured."

"Yeah, well, I've been told I'm stubborn," Adrian replied, his tone dry.

Solis soared upward, her strong wings cutting through the air as they left the mountain's cave. The griffin let out a loud, proud screech that echoed like an eagle's cry in the vast sky.

The fresh mountain air rushed past Adrian and Hera, the cool breeze feeling sharp against their skin as they entered the wide-open world above.

The sight was amazing.

Below them stretched an endless expanse of jagged peaks, their rocky faces glinting faintly in the moonlight. The darkened sky was dotted with stars, and far in the distance, faint golden hues on the horizon hinted at the approaching dawn.

Adrian tightened his grip on Solis's feathers, marveling at the griffin's effortless strength as she carried them higher into the night. "Okay," he muttered, glancing down at the dizzying drop below. "This is… slightly better than the death climb."

Hera turned her head slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. "Only slightly? I'd think soaring through the heavens on Solis's back would impress even you."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Don't get me wrong. This beats being stuck in a cave full of traps and assassins. But let's just say I prefer having my feet on the ground."

Solis responded to his comment with a low, almost mocking sound.

Hera chuckled, stroking the griffin's neck affectionately. "She says you have little appreciation for the finer things. She takes it as a personal insult."

"Of course she does," Adrian muttered, though he couldn't help but grin. "Does she have an opinion about anything else I've done?"

Hera leaned forward slightly, listening as Solis made another series of noises, her golden feathers catching the starlight. Hera's smile widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "She says you're reckless, impulsive, and lacking in finesse. But she acknowledges your determination. That, she says, is acceptable."

Adrian let out a dry laugh. "Well, that's comforting."

Solis flapped her wings harder, propelling them forward with a sudden burst of speed. Adrian held tighter, leaning into the griffin's powerful movements.

Below them, the jagged peaks gave way to rolling hills, and mountains.

As the griffin began to descend, Hera glanced back at Adrian, her expression softening slightly. "You may not realize it, Champion, but Solis's approval is rare. She's a creature of immense pride, and she doesn't tolerate mediocrity."

Adrian snorted. "Great. I'll add that to my list of accomplishments—earning the grudging respect of a mythical griffin."

Solis let out a soft growl as they neared the ground, her wings angling to slow their descent. With a graceful swoop, she landed on a flat expanse of a clearing, her talons clicking against the ground.

Adrian slid off her back, stretching his stiff muscles as his boots hit the ground. Hera dismounted with far more grace, her gown flowing around her as she patted Solis's neck.

"Thank you, old friend," she said softly. "You've served us well tonight." Solis dipped her head, then let out a final screech before taking to the sky once more, her golden form disappearing into the distance.

Adrian watched her go, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I have to admit, she's impressive."

Hera turned to him, her blue eyes gleaming. "Pride is not always a flaw, Champion. When wielded correctly, it can be a source of great strength."

Adrian met her gaze with a thoughtful expression. "Yeah, I'm starting to see that." He glanced at the path ahead. "Come on. The others are waiting. And knowing them, they're probably bickering already."

Hera chuckled, falling into step beside him. "Then let's not keep them waiting. I'd hate for them to think I'm anything less than punctual."

Together, they made their way to where the remaining goddesses were.

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