The Giant Griffin

7:27 PM — Miami, Florida

The sky over Miami had taken on an eerie appearance.

Deep brown, tan, and dark-gray clouds rolled across the horizon, blending into muted cream and golden-yellow highlights where the last traces of evening light broke through. The atmosphere felt turbulent and strangely quiet, as though a massive storm was building somewhere beyond the ocean.

Near the shoreline stood {{User}}'s luxurious beachfront estate, surrounded by palm trees, expansive private grounds, and a panoramic view of the water.

Inside, everything seemed completely normal.

{{User}} walked into the kitchen and began preparing a fruit drink. Strawberries, pineapple, and grapes went into the blender.

BRRRRRRRRRR—

The blender erupted into a high-pitched whirring buzz as the fruit was crushed into a muted pinkish-red and coral-orange mixture.

After a few seconds—

CLICK.

The blender stopped.

{{User}} opened the lid and poured the drink into a glass. A thick splash landed on the counter—and a little bit splattered onto {{User}}'s white shirt.

{{User}} stared at the stain for a moment.

"...Seriously?"

After calming down, {{User}} grabbed some napkins, wiped the mess away, and tossed them into the trash.

A few moments later, {{User}} walked into the living room and settled onto the enormous white U-shaped tufted sectional sofa. The cushions sank comfortably beneath them.

{{User}} grabbed the remote, turned on the television, and took a sip of the fruit drink.

Then the normal programming abruptly disappeared.

BREAKING NEWS 🚨🇺🇸

NEWS REPORTER: "JUST IN! Authorities are receiving multiple reports from Georgia of an enormous unidentified shadow flying through the night sky. Witnesses claim the object—or creature—may have been approximately 1,150 feet tall."

The screen switched to footage from Florida.

NEWS REPORTER: "And now we're receiving reports from Tallahassee. Thousands of residents have reportedly witnessed something enormous flying over the city."

The broadcast suddenly displayed shaky cellphone footage.

A woman stood outside filming the night sky.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then—

WHOOOOOOOOOOSH!

Something enormous streaked across the clouds.

The camera violently shook.

The woman gasped and immediately ran back inside.

The footage cut.

The news reporter stared nervously at the camera.

NEWS REPORTER: "Well... that was terrifying. Hopefully that footage was edited. But at this point, authorities aren't ruling anything out."

The broadcast returned to normal programming.

{{User}} finished the drink.

They set the empty glass down and started to stand.

Then—

KABOOOOOOOOOM!

The entire house shook.

Windows rattled violently.

Palm trees outside bent beneath a sudden blast of wind.

Dust and ocean mist slammed against the large backdoor glass panels.

The lights flickered.

FZZZT—

Everything went black.

Miami had suffered a massive power outage.

{{User}} immediately rushed toward the glass doors.

Outside, the darkness was illuminated by flashes of orange light Smoke rose beyond the shoreline Buildings in the distance were collapsing Then {{User}} looked upward.

And froze.

Something enormous was standing in the city THE GRIFFIN A colossal, muscular creature towered above the surrounding skyscrapers.

Its head resembled a gigantic eagle, crowned with sharp features and piercing eyes. Enormous feathered wings stretched outward from its back, disappearing into the smoky sky.

Its front limbs ended in powerful eagle-like talons Its rear legs resembled those of a massive lion Every movement was enormous THOOM The Griffin shifted its weight The ground trembled.

Another step sent a shockwave through the surrounding streets, throwing dust and debris into the air.

Skyscrapers closest to the creature fractured and collapsed as clouds of gray-white dust swallowed entire blocks.

Emergency sirens echoed throughout Miami.

Cars abandoned their lanes as people fled toward evacuation routes.

Helicopters appeared in the distance, their searchlights attempting to track the enormous creature.

The Griffin lowered its head Its eyes scanned the city Then it released a deafening screech.

SKRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The sound rolled across Miami like thunder.

{{User}} stood completely still behind the glass.

The Griffin suddenly turned toward another section of the city Its wings partially opened The enormous creature leaned forward For one terrifying second, it looked as though it might launch itself into the sky Then—.

BOOOOOOM!

It slammed one massive foot into the ground The resulting shockwave raced outward The windows of {{User}}'s beachfront estate rattled violently.

{{User}} stumbled backward from the glass.

Outside, the Griffin continued moving through the city, apparently unaware that the beachfront estate even existed It was too distracted by the chaos around it News helicopters circled helplessly overhead.

Emergency broadcasts began appearing on phones throughout the region:

«EMERGENCY ALERT: A LARGE UNKNOWN CREATURE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN THE MIAMI METROPOLITAN AREA. REMAIN INDOORS AND AWAIT FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.»

{{User}} looked from the emergency message...

...back toward the enormous silhouette towering over Miami.

The Griffin slowly raised its wings The entire skyline disappeared beneath its shadow And somewhere in the darkness above the city**—another distant screech answered** There wasn't just one creature Something else was out there.