Chapter 25

The thunderbird's deafening screech pierced the air, reverberating through the vast chamber. Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over Ray and the Silver Fangs as they prepared for the battle. With a mighty beat of its wings, the thunderbird took flight. The massive creature's wings spread wide, casting a formidable shadow as it prepared to attack whilst conjuring a gust of wind that threatened to knock them off balance.

Lucia quickly conjured a shield blocking the gust.

Amelia took charge, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Felix, aim for one of its eyes and be ready to strike the second it loses sight! Lucia, allow the bird to attack the barrier once, then remove it instantly!"

Bolts of lightning crackled in the air, illuminating the chamber with each electrifying discharge. Lucia summoned a shield, protecting the group from the thunderbird's gust of wind. The creature's fury intensified, relentlessly attacking Lucia's barrier.

"Felix, track its eyes!" Amelia commanded; her eyes locked on the monstrous bird. Felix squinted, focusing on one of the beast's eyes, readying himself for a critical strike.

With a powerful swing, Lucia hurled the barrier at the thunderbird, momentarily disorienting it. The creature screeched and thrashed, its injured eye causing it to lose focus and fly erratically.

"One more time!" Amelia shouted; her voice filled with determination. Lucia swiftly conjured another barrier, preparing for the bird's onslaught once again.

The thunderbird, now visibly agitated, charged toward them with an unbridled rage. Its sharp claws flailed wildly, striking the reinforced barrier with fervour. The shield began to splinter and crack under the relentless assault.

"Lucia, reinforce the barrier!" James commanded, observing the bird's behaviour. Lucia nodded, summoning an additional layer of protection, reinforcing the barrier.

As the thunderbird relentlessly attacked, the final barrier showed signs of weakening. James knew they needed to act swiftly. "Lucia, remove your energy from the barrier at the last possible moment!"

Lucia shuddered at the thought, but she understood the plan. She summoned one last barrier, strengthening it for the inevitable moment when she would have to withdraw her energy. The cracks in the barrier grew larger and more pronounced.

Amelia's keen eyes detected a significant change in the thunderbird's movements. It was slowing down, its blind rage gradually subsiding. "Felix!" she shouted, sensing an opportunity.

"Tracking," Felix responded, raising his rifle, and aligning his sights. He followed the creature's head movements with precision, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Prepare yourselves! I'm about to withdraw my energy," Lucia warned, recognizing that the final barrier was nearing its breaking point.

As the final barrier shattered, exposing the group to the thunderbird's wrath, Felix took aim and fired a single shot directly into its left eye. The impact unleashed a cacophony of furious screeches from the wounded creature.

"Disperse!" Amelia and James shouted in unison, the group swiftly scattering in different directions, utilizing their agility to evade the blinded thunderbird's frenzied attacks.

The thunderbird, fuelled by anger and desperation, blindly searched for its assailants, relying solely on sound and scent. The chamber echoed with its enraged shrieks like the enraged predator it was. A simple group of hunters which should've lined its belly had resulted in it losing its eyesight permanently.

Despite the thunderbird's frenzied search, the hunters remained elusive, skillfully evading its blind assaults. Ray's heart raced as he darted between towering pillars and leaped over fallen debris, the adrenaline fueling his movements.

Amelia's voice cut through the chaos. "Keep your distance, everyone! We need to stay out of its reach until it weakens further."

Ray, his senses heightened, scanned the area for any sign of weakness in the thunderbird. He noticed a momentary hesitation in its movements, a brief falter in its relentless pursuit. Sensing an opportunity, he sprang into action.

Using his superspeed, Ray swiftly closed the gap between him and the thunderbird. With a surge of agility, he leaped onto the creature's back, gripping its feathers tightly. The thunderbird screeched in protest, its massive wings flapping wildly as it tried to shake off its unexpected assailant.

Ray's focus remained unyielding as he targeted the exposed area around the wounded eye. He unleashed a series of rapid strikes, aiming to weaken the creature further. Each blow landed with precision, causing the thunderbird to writhe in pain and disorientation.

Ray's senses heightened, and his body moved with instinctive precision. He dodged and weaved through the chaotic storm of electricity, his supernatural speed allowing him to narrowly escape the lethal arcs.

Ray's black sword gleamed as it slashed through the air, striking with swift and calculated precision. Each swing was a dance of power and finesse, his determination to protect his comrades fuelling his every move. The thunderbird retaliated with its razor-sharp beak and slashing talons, but Ray's reflexes and combat skills allowed him to evade the onslaught, narrowly avoiding each deadly strike.

Amelia, witnessing Ray's audacious move, shouted, "Keep it distracted, Ray! We'll find an opening to strike!"

The other hunters seized the opportunity to regroup. Felix positioned himself at a distance, ready to provide covering fire, while Lucia conjured protective barriers that crackled with energy, shielding the hunters from the thunderbird's relentless assault. The barriers shimmered with resilience, absorbing the powerful shocks, and safeguarding the team.

With each strike from Ray and the combined efforts of the Silver Fangs, the thunderbird's strength began to wane. Its once formidable movements became sluggish, and its screeches turned into feeble cries of agony.