Chapter 26

The battle raged on, a symphony of elemental forces clashing amidst the chaos. Thunderous booms echoed through the chamber as the thunderbird unleashed powerful gusts of wind and unleashed thunderbolts. The hunters responded with unwavering resolve, pushing their physical and magical abilities to the limit.

Ray's agile movements allowed him to dance around the thunderbird, striking with lightning-quick precision and its weakening strength making this easier. He exploited every opening alongside James, inflicting deep wounds on the creature's scaled body. The thunderbird fought back with a renewed fury, its talons slashing and its beak snapping, but Ray's evasive manoeuvres kept him one step ahead.

Its massive wings faltered, struggling to maintain altitude. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon the creature, evident in its weakened screeches.

"This is it, Ray lure the creature away from James, James, finish it" Amelia commanded.

Ray nodded as he dodged one of its talons, he felt his adrenaline almost overload as the world slowed down to the slowest yet. He used all the speed he had to thrust his sword against its wing slicing it leg clean off with no resistance. It shrieked in pain before flapping its wings, so it didn't stumble. Ray was blasted away by the gust.

The bird chased after the Ray before attacking him mid-air with its last remaining foot charging straight towards his stomach.

Ray panicked, quickly blocking the attack with his short sword.

Ray felt the attack rush through his sword into his arm opening his grip sending the sword flying luckily or unluckily, straight into its chest.

It thrashed in the air, diverting its direction towards James.

As Ray plummeted, he watched James emit visible purple energy as it coalesced onto his sword as he ran and jumped in the air towards the bird before striking its head.

Blood splattered as the two met the thunderbird faltered in mid-air. Its immense form plummeted towards the ground split into two. It crashed against the stone floor in a thunderous impact. Its blood splashed loudly onto the ground and flooded the chamber to its four corners leaving the group in ankle high blood.

James landed on the ground causing splashes and ripples in the blood.

The chamber shook under the weight of the fallen monster, the reverberations gradually fading into silence.

Ray and James stood triumphantly over the fallen thunderbird.

Amidst the stillness, the group's heavy breathing filled the air as they caught their breath, their bodies drenched in sweat and blood. Amelia approached Ray, her eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

"Ray, you fought with remarkable skill and courage," she commended, her voice tinged with awe. "You saved us from the thunderbird's onslaught. Your instincts and quick thinking were truly impressive."

Ray's chest swelled with pride at Amelia's words, a sense of accomplishment coursing through his veins. He looked at the severed wing of the thunderbird, a visible testament to his decisive strike.

"Thank you, Amelia," Ray replied, his voice filled with humility. "I couldn't have done it without the support of the team. We worked together, and together we prevailed."

James joined the conversation, his face still flushed with the rush of battle. "That was one tough fight. The thunderbird was on the brink of evolving into a C-rank monster. No wonder it put up such a formidable resistance."

Amelia nodded, her gaze shifting from Ray to James. "Indeed. We must remain vigilant. The world of hunters is filled with evolving threats. We will get left behind if we don't grow."

As the adrenaline subsided, Ray's attention turned to the aftermath of the battle. The blood-soaked chamber stood as a reminder of the dangers they faced as hunters. He couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and reverence for the supernatural world he had chosen to embrace.

Amelia interrupted Ray's contemplation, her eyes scanning the chamber. "We should clean up and tend to our wounds. It's crucial to maintain our physical and mental well-being. There will be more battles to face, more challenges to overcome."

With a nod, the team dispersed, their bodies stained with the remnants of the thunderbird's blood.

Ray couldn't help but marvel at the resilience and camaraderie of the group. In the face of adversity, they banded together, each member contributing their unique skills and strengths to overcome the seemingly insurmountable.

As the last remnants of blood were washed away, the chamber transformed into a pristine space once more. The silence hung heavy in the air, punctuated only by the occasional drip of water and the echo of their footsteps.

Amelia approached Ray, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. "Ray, this victory solidifies your place among us. You have proven yourself to be a valuable asset and a formidable hunter. I have no doubt that you will continue to rise through the ranks and face even greater challenges."

Ray's heart swelled with gratitude, his gaze meeting Amelia's with determination. "Thank you, Amelia. I am honoured to be part of this team, and I promise to continue growing and contributing to the team."

Breathing heavily, Ray and the Silver Fangs stood amidst the aftermath of their gruelling battle. Their bodies were bruised, their clothes torn, but their spirits were unbroken. As they regrouped, tending to their wounds, and catching their breath, a profound sense of camaraderie and accomplishment filled the air. Ray felt like he had officially integrated with the group.