Jeer was 13, Ayen just 9, when the black gryphon slaughtered their family. For years, they tracked it, hunted it, and finally cornered it in a rocky ravine. But the beast charged, hurling Ayen into the air and slashing Jeer’s face with its talons. Jeer fought back, slicing with his sword and severing one of its talons. The gryphon reeled, then fled.

Jeer found Ayen lifeless. He removed her silver necklace—their last keepsake of their parents—and threaded the severed talon onto it. As he put it on, he vowed to not rest until the black grypon was dead.