"I know the feeling," Garoth replied, remembering what it was like the day he decided to leave his village. "It wasn't easy for me to leave home. I had a lot of good friends back there, and I still miss the place from time to time. But, I don't really think of it as leaving the place so much as expanding my horizons. I may rest my head at The Guild headquarters, but the whole world is my home, including my old village. Besides, its not like they forbid us from paying visits to old friends. Anyway, if you're ready, then follow me outside and we can take off." He turned to the young maiden. "Lily, even though my visit was short, it was a pleasure meeting you. You are a kind and honest girl; don't let the world change you." With that, he gave the priestess a little pat on the head and proceeded outside to the courtyard.

Before transforming, Garoth always liked to get a good whiff of the air so that he knew what he was in for. Although it was no science, he seemed to have the unique ability to tell what the whether was going to be like by doing this. He couldn't explain how he knew if he was asked beyond simply saying "just got a feeling;" perhaps it was instinctual, but even other griffins weren't able to make predictions as accurately as Garoth. So, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "Clear skies ahead," he said to himself. "Megumi's in for a treat." 

Then, his body began to morph. Feathers sprouted out around his neck and down his arms as he began to take on his bird-like features. Wings grew out from his back, shimmering in the bright mid-day sunlight, and finally he stood with his eagle head held high in what he considered to be his more handsome form. He sent an intense, but kind gaze back towards Megumi. When he spoke, his voice was loud enough that everyone at the shrine could hear him, yet again carried no malice in it. "Hop on and hold on tight."