Air

Long ago, men of the world were blessed with power according to their sign. This was only the beginning of time, so twelve men had been given twelve gifts. They started to harness this new power, even discovering new, mysterious abilities. Soon they knew their gifts—but it wasn't as peaceful as it seemed.

They argued. They fought. And so it ended.

It was suggested that they all go their separate ways and only meet when trading, to keep the balance of the SIGNS.

Three men traveled to the high mountains, where they knew their gifts would prosper, since they had been given the Gift of Air. Their names were Ligar, of the sign Libra, Auster, of the sign Aquarius and Venti, of the sign Gemini

Standing at the base of the Northern Mountains, the men questioned their next step.

"Where do we go now?" Auster asked his companions. They didn't glance at him, their eyes locked on the mountains ahead.

"Up. We can train our gifts better at higher altitudes," Venti said.

"I will not accompany you. You two go ahead—this is where I will build my home," Auster said, letting down his baggage, causing Ligar and Venti to look at him for an explanation. But he remained silent.

If that's what you wish, then be safe, Auster. May the stars be with you."

"Shall we, Ligar?" Venti asked.

Saying their farewells, Venti and Ligar continued up the mountain. Once there were two, now there was one.

"How deep is this mountain?" Ligar panted, exhausted and sweaty.

"To the top, my friend! Let's go!" Venti grinned, full of energy.

"No," Ligar said, dropping to sit on a rock.

"Are you mad, Ligar? The higher we tread, the stronger we become. Go ahead—go as far as your gift takes you."

No other words were exchanged. Venti left Ligar in that area and continued onward. The journey was now his alone, but that didn't stop him. Taking a sharp turn, Venti suddenly froze.

His golden eyes locked on the sight ahead—feathers, big as his hand, scattered everywhere across the snowy forest. And there, lying in the snow, was a creature. It wasn't moving.

Instead of running, Venti stepped toward it.

Was it in pain? Or in need of help?

The breathing was rigid... or was it even breathing?

Venti bent down, and to his horror, the creature was almost dead.

Venti saw this as an opportunity—to use his new gift.

It's alright. I won't hurt you," Venti whispered.

The creature shared the same golden eyes as him—but now, those eyes begged for help.

Venti moved his hand in a slow circular motion, activating his gift. He placed his hand near the creature's beak.

Immediately, the breathing normalized. Its eyes relaxed.

The creature shifted, then stood tall—slowly transforming into normal size. It flew to Venti's shoulder.

"A companion?" Venti smiled. "I could use a friend in these lonely mountains. I'm Venti."

The creature purred in response, then let out a loud hoot, causing Venti's eyebrows to rise in curiosity.

"You have an unusual sound. What name suits someone as interesting as you?"

The creature repeated the sound.

"How about... Golden Owl? You're white, but you have gold feathers mixed in—and your eyes, like mine, shine gold."

Back down at Ligar, who was enjoying true peace, he sat alone, thinking about his new life. All this, ears delight at a sound from the sky. After a few seconds of silence, Ligar opened his eyes. A horse? No. Horses didn't have wings. Ligar knew. So what was in front of him?

The creature softly grunted and neighed, pushing against Ligar's jacket.

Maybe because Ligar had food in his pocket?

He brought out an apple and gave it to the creature, who ate it and soon became friendly.

Ligar studied it and whispered, "You're not a horse or winged bird, are you?"

The creature snuffed and walked around Ligar, who turned around and said, "I guess I won't be by myself now."

As he once lonely roamed the mountains, Auster found a creature. It already looked like it had been through a lot. The creature had seen many fights, and it wasn't easy to tell what it truly was. Auster was trying to ride the body of a lion, the head of an eagle—but it was just as stubborn as Auster himself.

Jumping, sneaking, and trying to get its attention, Auster failed. Now exhausted, he laid down, ignoring the creature. It nudged at his shoulder, then his head, then nudged again and again until Auster yelled:

"What?! What is it?!"

The creature tilted its head and soon Auster realized the creature was playing with him, as he had done before.

"So now you have energy, so giddy... so gifty of you," Auster said. Then he realized: he had made an Aeroname for the creature.

"Griffin... Griffin. Your name is Griffin, of the Home of the Northern Air Mountains. Your name now," he said.

And the Home of the Northern Air had been made by the users of air.

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