The demigod immediately regrets her decision. - Cinder

The sunlight glittered from her blade, sparkling beautifully. I imagine it would have been pretty if it wasn't a weapon made of pure murder, wielded by a girl filled with, you guessed it, pure murder.

I stood in place, watching as she got closer, step by step. Within a few moments she was within stabbing range, and she raised her sword to do so. Behind the exterior confidence, I saw confusion behind her eyes. She didn't quite understand why I wasn't moving. I couldn't help but smile. See, we griffins have two forms. Or at least, some of us do. Okay maybe it's really just me, but that's beside the point. I was born with this. I don't have a 'stronger' version of myself. Sure, I call my griffin self my true form, but that's only really because I view myself as a griffin. It feels more natural, sure. But that doesn't mean I can't fight as a human.

See, when fighting other sentient creatures, they don't expect proficiency with two different forms. Normally they don't even expect my two different forms at all, and are caught off guard when I suddenly walk on two legs and am much, much smaller.

The demigod lunged forward, and I quickly stepped out of the way. Unencumbered by metal, I was considerably faster. She twisted around, swiping her blade back toward me. I ducked beneath it, coming up a foot or so from her face, grinning.

Her eyes narrowed in annoyance, and she hopped backwards, changing her grip on her sword slightly. She charged again, this time slightly faster than before. She nicked my t-shirt as I dodged, adding another hole to it. Note to self- find a new T-shirt. At this point the shirt I wore was more hole than cloth, and it was covered in my blood.

She slashed again, and I had to twist awkwardly to avoid the blade. This time it was my turn to take a few steps back. I grinned at her again, before I let myself shift.

Okay so I know I said both forms were basically equal. That's a bit of a lie- when I have wings, I can fly. Humans can't. Honestly, I can live with being a bigger target if I get a whole new plane to move on.

Alyx faltered slightly when she turned to find me, the feathery bird- I mean, the griffin. I stretched my wings experimentally, pleased to discover that it no longer hurt. Thank the Gods. Well, more accurately, thank the Apollo kid. Before I had time to properly admire the complete lack of pain, Alyx was upon me again, sword at the ready, aiming to take advantage of my new sluggishness.

I imagine she was disappointed to find out there was no sluggishness. I dodged her blow just as easily as before, using my wings to help propel me away, my tail helping to balance me.

"Are you going to attack?" She goaded, her breathing a little heavier. She was putting some real power behind her strikes, aiming to stop me with one swing, as she found them so difficult to land.

I tilted my head, my ears pricking up. She wanted an attack? "Are you sure, little demigod?"

She looked at me with annoyance, "I wouldn't ask if I wasn't."

I opened my mouth slightly, showing the sharp teeth that lined my beak. "As you wish," I growled. I launched myself forward before she was able to react, my wings pounding the air. She wasn't able to raise her sword high enough, and I pressed down on it with one paw, tightening my talons around her shoulders at the same time. The sword clattered from her hands, as she was unable to lift my entire weight as I pushed it away from her.

She let out a rather undignified yelp as I lifted us both into the air, rising upwards with the struggling demigod wriggling in my claws.

"L-let me down!" She cried suddenly, all of her bravery deserting her. We had risen above the arena, and I looked down at her.

"Scared, little demigod?" I asked. Of course I realised the position of power I was in right now. All of a sudden, the tables had turned. This was my domain. "Starting to regret your previous threats yet? Think of how easy it would be for me to… 'accidentally' loosen my grip," I purred, releasing my hold a little. She let out a squeal most unfitting of a child of Athena, lifting her own hands and clamping them around my right foreleg. I winced slightly- that was my wounded side. I tightening my grip once more. I wouldn't have dropped her, if you're wondering. I knew that any fatalities I caused would immediately result in a griffin hunt, and my grudge against the monsters far outweighed any petty revenge I desired upon the girl.