Her name is Azure Frosted; a most beautiful and unique creature, she was hidden away at birth from those who would wish to destroy her. She would not succeed in being hidden. Azure Frosted was tracked down and attacked by poachers wishing to use her feathers in the creation of "good luck charms". Despite being young in years, Azure Frosted is a formidable fighter. She knew she would not be able to hide forever and therefore she had taken it upon herself to learn how to fight, and fight well. The noise drew you from your peaceful walk and before you knew it, you were witness to the most epic battle in the history of the species. Upon conclusion of the battle for her very life, she tentatively walks toward you and gently nuzzles you, recognizing instinctively the truth that you would protect her from any and all.

A long time ago, on a long winter's night, a bedraggled songbird flew her last miles through harsh winds. The songbird knew that death was inevitable in the conditions that she was facing; soon, she would either starve or freeze. Though she faced certain death, the songbird felt no fear. Only disappointment. To be frank, the songbird hadn't really enjoyed her life. Brown, coarse feathers covered her body, and her beak was crooked and harsh. She was small for her species, and had been the runt of her family. She was in no way beautiful.

There had been only two things that the little songbird had wanted in her life; to be proud and majestic like Leo, the great lion in the sky, and to be as beautiful and breathtaking as the northern lights. She was far from both of these attributes. Her plumage was plain and ugly, she was a coward, and she couldn't even survive the winter.

The little songbird settled down on a barren tree. Her energy was fading fast, and the clutches of eternal slumber were starting to take hold of her frail, feathered body. Sorrowfully, the little bird opened her beak and let out a quiet, mournful song.

Meanwhile, up in the heavens, the great lion Leo stretched and yawned. He had woken from a short slumber and felt the need to move around. He stood from where he had been curled up on his heavenly perch and bounded into the night sky. His large bounding leaps carried him far. Leo surveyed the countryside whirring past below him and spotted a small plain covered in snow. He stopped his movement and settled down for a quick rest. As he started to doze off, a quiet song could be heard.

"Oh, these winter nights
Beneath northern lights
Make me but dream
That my feathers would gleam

Oh how I wish
for something other than this
that I should not be
the cowardly me

I want to be
full of life and beauty
like Leo up high
before I die"

The resting lion was deeply touched by the song, so he followed the voice over to a scraggly tree. Perched on one of the branches was a frozen little songbird. Taking pity on the creature, Leo did his best to fulfill her wish. First, he leaped into the sky, where the northern lights danced across the stars. With one of his claws, he tore a shred of the vibrant colors off with his claws. He then returned to the small bird. Then, he bestowed the colors upon the bird. Next, he breathed warmth onto the small songbird. Along with his warming breath, he passed on some of his essence, so that the bird could be more like him. Lastly, he gifted her a new name.
"From now on you shall be known as Loewin, like the lioness you always wanted to be."
Leo left the bird after that, satisfied with his gift to the songbird.

When the songbird, now Loewin, awoke, she was astounded. She was no longer pitiful and weak; her feathers were beautiful and vibrant, and she was as regal as a lion. Overjoyed, she bounded faraway, into the enchanting land of Sylestia, where she lived the rest of her days happily.

Tundra Feather

---

High Above in Land of Stone
Where no Man Dare Tread
Lest They Freeze to The Bone
And be Pierced by Icy Dread

That is Where The Griffi Lie

Ah, all but Tundra Feather
She who Prowls the Forest in Night
Casting Stars with her Fur
And The Great Auroras with her Eyes

-Unknown

This is among the most ancient of the Griffi, and considered a myth or legend by Sylestian explorers, who claim to see a majestic creature of softly glowing blue and green that- submerged within the deepest ice caves of the high mountain for centuries- created blizzards merely flying, the legend spread, going simply from old tales between travellers to bards songs and even the poem cited.

This beautiful Sylesti had accumulated many names, though all she earned were either names of warning- as she went from revered to loathed, as locals of the mountains and frozen forests began to blame her for every snow or ice related incident that occured- or names which boasted her as more deity than Griffi, and so she has sought for one day a Sylestian brave enough to face her, and give her a true name, a name for what she is rather than what legend she holds. Will this be you one day? Or maybe myself? Perhaps. Only time will tell.

-Travellers Legend

((I hope you enjoyed it! ^^"


_{I also hope I didn't confuse anyone.}))

_{I don't think I have the physical capacity to write a story that doesn't have at least some length, hopefully it's not too long. I hope you enjoy reading.}

Adelaide

The snow blanketing the ground of Sylestia was like none ever seen before. It was as thick as a plush rug, and crunched under the hooves of the young faun girl. The harsh winter winds buffeted around her as she battled on, further and further north. Umbra Forest was long behind her as she travelled up further into the northern snow capped lands.

Beside the faun travelled a female Faelora, not unfamiliar to the cold, the Faelora used the petal's around her neck to shelter at least a small amount of herself from the cold, as the edges of the petals glistened with trails of frost. She nuzzled at her companion's shoulder, giving her a slight push to get her attention. You could see the worry in the Sylesti's eyes.

"I know Tyrande," the faun told her, "but we need to help." The Faelora on the other hand wasn't taking any of it, she gave her another push, this time turning her around. Once facing the girl, Tyrande knelt down, inviting her to ride. With a nod she climbed on and soon the two of them were racing up the mountain, their pace now driven by the Faelora's desperation to keep her life long friend from the ferocity of the unnatural storm.

After riding for what seemed like an eternity in the Ice Queen's storm they stopped ahead of what seemed like a peaceful mountain town. But the peaceful serenity of the place seemed to turn to an eerie feel where only the winds could be heard and not a single person in sight. "Is this the place?" the girl wondered as she pulled a map from a cloth satchel. A quick glance at the aged parchment then back to the town confirmed in her mind that this must be the place. "Okay lets go, carefully."

The two walked on into the town, past each and every house and shop that once probably bustled with life, but was now just a ghost town. Unlocked doors swung and banged on their hinges as the wind did what it willed down the abandoned streets, even glass windows rattled in their frames. Glancing in a couple of the houses they saw the remains of a content life up here in this tucked away town. Food lay on tables now frozen where they were once warm, burnt logs on the fireplaces now caked in a layer of frost, like sugar on dessert.

In the center of town there stood a fountain, now frozen still, topped with a beautiful statue of a most unique Griffi. The two stood there for a moment to appreciate the splendour of the craftsmanship before seeing the horror waiting around it's base. Hundreds upon hundreds of eggs lay scattered and broken now buried by snow. The faun girl climbed down off the Faelora to shift through the eggs, tears trickling down her face before crystallising in the cold.

The Ice Queen, Tyrielle had already beat them too this place. The one place the Magestic Peacock Griffi could be found and raised. Why she came here, why she destroyed the eggs of such beautiful creatures we'd never know as she was long gone. Only the taint of her magic was left leaving behind the awful snowstorm.

The two deerfolk searched in the snow, a vain desperate hope that one egg was spared this horrible fate. Search they did all through the day, the bitter cold turning the girl's fingers to ice and the Faelora's vines to splinter. Just when they were about to give up hope, the Faun touched something with just a little warmth. Brushing the snow quickly she found an egg. It was still intact and still had just a little warmth. She pulled it out of the snow and held it tightly, she could feel the small life inside flickering and clinging to the warmth of her touch on its outer shield.

Then as if to thank the Faun for her kindness, the eggling began to crack. A small beak fighting its way out, then a head and soon a full Griffi hatchling of Royal blues on black. She was beautiful, a creature of rare beauty with feathers like those of peacocks, rare and unique to this little town.

That was what was so special about this town. The people here bred these magnificent creatures and treated them as their gods. Where they cared for an raised the magnificent creatures to be strong and beautiful. This was the town of Adelaide.

"That's what I'll call you," the faun told the griffi as her and the Faelora sat together holding it gently, and sheltering her from the cold. "I'll call you Adelaide, after your home."

Esstariea

Trudgeing through the strange alien world she wonders what pulled her here. Time and space have no meaning to her, though there is something on this planet drawing her as if it knows her name. As she walks she listens not with her mind but with her being the pull of the strangness of the planet. As her memory's slowly fades, she walks on trying to find what is calling her.

Lunara the Minstrel

Dancing through the night sky, painting it the colours of the stars, Lunara twists and twirls her way across the heavens. Only visible to those who watch closely on clear polar nights, her music and song coax the stars themselves into dancing with her, spreading a curtain of their vibrant magic like a silken veil over the heavens. To those below, they can only wonder at the majesty of her work, unknowing of the skill taken to craft it. Whilst Lunara only dances on, entrancing the stars into their dance for all eternity.

Gaia, Earth's Awakening

When the world was first born, it required a guardian. The Powers That Be looked at their new creation, and squabbled.

Black as a moonless night, so that it can sneak about unnoticed!

No, the deepest blue of the ocean's depths, to signify the mysteries the other beings have yet to discover!

So morbid. It should be the soft blue of the morning sky, to make creatures look up and hope.

We created such beautiful stars, the creature should have them to remind other beings to look up and admire our work.

What about the food we created? It should be green, to remind them to be humble.

While most of the powers argued, one merely listened, a slow smile spreading over her features. She let them bicker among themselves while she worked, forming her creation. One day she finished and held out her hands, offering her gift to this new world, and spoke for the first time.

Black as the darkness night, with glimmering stars throughout. The deepest ocean and softest sky, with just a hint of earthy green beauty. A being that belongs to both sky and earth. Forever living, forever watching, forever protecting. The perfect creature.

And so it was. No one could argue with the clever Power, and so her design was created, a female in her honor.

The worldly creature did her job flawlessly and, on occasion, would take a fascination with a particular person. There was no rhyme or reason behind it; she would simply stop her endless wandering for a few decades, remaining with her chosen human for their lifetime, before moving on once more at their passing.

Some say that with every human she loses, a new star is added to her silken coat. Some say the reason she takes to humans every few centuries is because she is lonely, the only known true immortal. The only thing anyone knows for sure, however, is that it has been two and a half centuries since she had settled with a human, and the world is watching, waiting to see who she chooses next.

---
There once was a constellation that looked down upon the world.

From its place just below the north star, it gazed over all the land and seas as the planet turned. It watched the people below like a guardian as they went about their lives, stars flickering fondly whenever their heads turned towards the night sky. It remembered each and every face that gazed back up at it, no matter how small and no matter what species, and tucked it away in its memories for safekeeping; it felt a thrill every time someone looked up and it found their face already familiar.

One day, however, seeing the world below stirred a new and unfamiliar feeling within it. Confused, it turned to the other constellations for guidance.

"Perhaps one of your stars is burning out!" said one. Several agreed, but the constellation knew that all of its stars were as bright as ever. Murmurs and suggestions overtook the night sky as they tried to figure out what was wrong, but all went quiet when the small, soft voice of a faint and oft-forgotten set of stars made itself present.

"I've seen the way you look down at them, and I know the feeling well," it said. "You are envious."

Envious. The word rang in the constellation's mind. Yes, envious was the right word to describe the sense of longing it felt when it looked at the people down below, but the constellation was still confused. What was it to do with this new information? The constellation called out for the North Star, the brightest and wisest of them all, and the North Star answered.

"I know of your troubles," it said. "I can help you, but it will take strong magic. To become an inhabitant of the planet you regard so fondly, you will have to make a great sacrifice."

The constellation understood this. To become one of them, it would have to give up its place as a constellation, and thus its immortality. Without pause, it agreed to the terms, and after exchanging many goodbyes with the other constellations it returned, ready and with a sense of determination.

The North Star wrapped the constellation up in its warm light, and as its connection to its stars severed, it felt another new feeling-- that of a physical body, one shaped just like what its constellation had represented.

She was placed down gently upon the earth, with a warm hug of the North Star's light as a final goodbye. With all the memories of the humans and Sylestis that had gazed up at her stars fresh in her mind, she knew where she wanted to go. In her new body-- a Griffi was what she was called, now-- it was easy to dash between the trees, and she reveled in how she already knew the terrain from gazing down on it for so long. It only took a short time to find a very familiar clearing; within it, a human and their Sylestis just as familiar, with their heads craned towards the night sky. She'd seen them frequently for many orbits of this planet around its own star, and felt as fondly for them as they did for the stars above.

She couldn't make out the quiet words they spoke to their companions from where she stood, so she closed the distance with careful, measured steps. The human's Sylestis noticed her approach first, and the human themself quickly after, and as she leaned forward to press her beak against their outstretched hand, she felt yet another new emotion-- nervousness. She looked up to gauge the human's reaction, and found a flicker of recognition for her in their eyes, albeit a confused one. After several moments of contemplation, they spoke the name their kind had given her constellation-- her name.

"Pavonia."

_{Pavonia, from the constellation Pavo-- the peacock constellation. I like to think the full constellation name is "Pavonia Griffius" or something similar, but astrological names tend to be shortened by the common stargazer. Apologies for length! I tried to trim it down as much as I could. I really enjoy writing sorta myth-like stories like this one.}

Astera, Feathered beauty

Once upon a time, in a warm summer land, there was a handsome aurleon. He was a mighty bird, and the deputy of his large flock. There flock thrived, due to their strength and fearlessness. This aurleons name was Torin.

Far away, on the opposite side of Sylestia lived a beautiful griffi. Her name was Pera. She was loved and adored by her tribe. She also had many admirers, but payed them no attention. She wanted a child, but wanted love first.

Because of a horrible drought, the aurleons were driven North, eventually into the cold winds of the North. Torins flock was scattered, scavenging for food.

Pera found him, half frozen in a bank of snow. She brought him to a secret cave she knew of, and tried to nurse him back to health. Something about him was special.

Torin knew, the more days he spent with her, the more the hole in his heart was filled. She was kind and gentle. And beautiful. And he knew that he loved her.

Pera had such a tremendous feeling in her chest, she didnt know if it was love or pain. What was wrong with her? The more time she spent with him, the more the feeling grew. Was Torin the one she was meant to love? How could it be?

The night before Torin was to depart to regather his flock, he drew Pera aside and try to find some words for his feelings. Hera, I know I may never see you again, and that we live in two separate worlds, but I have never had this feeling before. I- I just wanted to say....

Shhh. I know Torin, I feel it too. I love you. Im going to miss you forever. But every time I see the sun, I will remember you, and your warmth.

And I Pera, I will remember you by the moon, elegant and beautiful, shining light into the world, even in the darkest and coldest times.

As the two confessed their love for one another the stars took pity, and gave them more to remember each other by. As they both looked at the sky romantically, a shoot star streaked across the heavens. And landed before them.

The stars have watched this time in your lives, and have decided to bless you with a special little gift. The glowing star handed them a small egg. It was a beautiful rich blue, with a lighter blue color of feathers frozen in ice.

Pera felt tears slide down her face as she nuzzled the little egg, a gift given to them from the stars. Her name should be Astera, as she was a gift from the stars. She said softly.

Torin agreed silently, and caressed the little egg with his wing. I must stay till she hatches. Then I will leave, though it will break my heart.

The egg did hatch in due time, to reveal a small griffi with runes like the starlight, and beautiful peacock feathered wings just like Torins. She had her mothers shape and elegance, and her fathers beautiful feathers. She stared up at the two with beautiful blue eyes.

Astera, feathered Beauty. whispered Torin. Then he put his forehead to hers for a moment, then left the cave, and took off into the night sky.

It is okay little one. Whispered Pera softly. I will take care of you. You know, I feel you will bring something unique to Sylestia.

HER MAJESTY, PHASIA

Since the beginning, there had been two. Two separate groups of Griffi who prided themselves on their gorgeous peacock feathering. There were the Imperial Griffi, who had rich and royal purple coloring, and the Majestic Griffi, who had bright and exotic blue coloring. The Imperial Griffi believed that their purple feathers were the color of their great ancestor in common, and that their coats were that of their origin. The Majestic Griffi disagreed, believing rather that it had been their blue feathers that had began their rare coat pattern. This disagreement was unending, and was slowly causing the two types of beautiful Griffis to drift further apart.

However, there were two young Griffi who had a plan. An Imperial Griffi prince and a Majestic Griffi princess had met in secret after falling in love at first sight. But they knew that they now faced a great obstacle that may never allow them to truly follow their hearts. They had decided to take the risk. To confront their parents with their confession and present them with their ultimatum. They would be together, with their parents' permission or not! The lovers planned that their parents would be brought together on the coldest day of the year, a spiritual time for Griffi, in the guise of being invited to a celebration of the new year.

Upset that they had been tricked into the meeting, the parents at first insisted to leave with their prince or princess in their company, but were shocked when their children refused. The couple explained that they were in love and would not let the silly quarrel of their parents keep them apart! Their parents were at first silent and angry, but as they thought about the decision they were faced with it was obvious which choice they had to make. Family was most important, and they both refused to be without their children in their lives. They would be supportive of their decision and put their differences aside.

A year later, on the coldest day of the year, a new princess was born to the lovers who had conquered their trial. She was Princess Phasmia, and her feathers were the most beautiful that had ever been seen. She was the symbol of the unity of all the gorgeous Peacock Griffi and a true triumph of love over all else. But she would go on to be much more when she finally took her place as Her Majesty herself.

[Additionally! I chose the name Phasia from the word Phasianidae, which is the family peacocks belong to! :3]