The moment Elliot's hand pressed against the cool gemstone, the obelisk began to brighten. The light was less like the sun, more like the glow of a firefly, amplified tremendously -- and it continued to amplify in response to Elliot's touch.

The wind whistled past, suddenly threatening to toss the travelers back along the sand, drying their clothes as it flung their hair from their faces.

Something inside the obelisk was moving.

The griffin in flight faltered and somersaulted in the sudden gust, and with a few desperate flaps managed to soar across the beach and perched on the rocky incline behind the travelers, ruffled and shuddering.

Atop the boulder in the sea, the second griffin raised in alarm while the children shouted over the noise of the wind and the churning waves.

Slowly, the wind quieted. The glow softened and dimmed, and whatever had been moving within the obelisk was moving no more. Soon it was as if nothing had happened -- but the children on the rock still scurried and spoke frantically to one another.