The injured little eagle.

Assassin's POV

What blocked my dagger… was a small eagle I hadn't noticed before.

Its claws radiated a strong metallic energy, and from its head came a wave of intense mental energy that assaulted me.

"What a rare eagle…" I couldn't help but murmur upon sensing both the metal element and, most surprisingly, the commanding mental energy—the kind found in monsters born to rule. There was also a strong intelligence in its eyes.

"Move aside, girl."

Her response was to attack me with even more ferocity than before.

I grew irritated and unleashed stronger waves of darkness and mental energy as I moved at high speed.

The eagle might've been unique, but she was still young and her power was far below mine.

In an instant, I trapped her to the ground using a dense web of dark energy.