บท 55: The Thunderbird - 54
(A/N: Just realized that there was a chapter numbering error, where the past two chapters were numbered the same, but I've fixed it.)
"So, what's the strategy?"
As I was obviously the stronger one, she immediately turned to me for a plan to defeat the monstrosity that was a rank and some sub ranks higher than us, well her, not me.
"Well, there are two ways to kill it. There's a hard, but quick method, and then there's the easy, but slow method."
"The hard method is pretty simple, we'll just completely attack it with everything we have, pouring all our spiritual energy into one attack. If my calculations are correct, then we'll be able to kill it immediately."
Looking at her expression, I could basically tell that she had already made a decision.
"But, before you pick this option, know that you'll have to use a certain spell that could permanently cripple you with your current strength being what it is."
"What spell is it?"
"The 5 star earth spell, Continental Crush." (A/N: If y'all get this reference, good for you.)
"Whooee-uueet, that's gonna be a hard one, but it's possible."
"I know, can you do it? We only have one shot with this method."
"Yeah, I think I can, just give me some time to review it."
Pulling out her glasses and a textbook from her soul gem, she sat down on the dusty ground and started studying.
"Wait, before you start, let me explain the second method."
She looked up from the ground at me expectantly.
"Well, the second method really is a cowardly method, but, well, it's just, we would just need to rain down attacks on the Thunderbird from up here, wearing it down until it dies."
She thought about it for a little bit, before nodding and saying, "Yeah, that'd work too, but it would take at least to almost the end of the testing period, and I don't want to risk it."
"Alright, then we'll go with the first option."
If you didn't understand why the second method worked, well, it was due to the fact that the Thunderbird had to protect its eggs.
So, if we started attacking, then it would become immovable and just stay on its eggs, as it would worry that we would hit them if it uncovered them.
Of course, it would start launching attacks at us and would activate its innate skill, "Lightning Domain".
Basically, the 50 meter radius around it would be perpetually struck with lightning, and there was no pattern to it like in the Storm Canyon. (A/N: For those that don't remember, the place that the MC had to pass through to get his art.)
But, because the cliff was outside of the range of its attacks, it couldn't hurt us whilst we could just rain down spells and bullets on it.
This was also why the first option could only be successful on the first try, as I needed to be relatively close to the monster to use my most powerful form at the moment, "Boundless". Once the Thunderbird activated its domain, I would just be a sitting duck ready for a frying.
Getting out of my thoughts, I looked over at Primrose who was still studying.
'Guess I should start practicing too.'
Pretending like I was holding my kusarigama, I practiced the motion for the form over and over again.
...
After about three hours, in which we had gone over the plan a few times and had both practiced our parts countless times, we started readying ourselves, as we climbed down the mountain.
"You ready?"
"Yeah, but I'm a little bit worried about Marabelle, we might not have enough power to save her after this."
"True, but you know that I have to do this task right? And again, Marabelle can take care of herself."
"Y-yeah... she can..."
With this, our conversation trickled to an end and we focused on descending the granite formation.
...
I was now standing almost right under the Thunderbird's nest.
I curiously watched its feathers, rising and falling, as it breathed steadily, sleeping peacefully.
Nodding to Primrose who was standing 50 meters away, I gave the signal for her to start chanting.
Sensing the fluctuation in mana as it started gathering around Primrose, the Thunderbird slowly woke up.
Predicting this, I got into my stance, the chains on my kusarigama clinking lightly as I held it up, the blade swinging slightly under my arm, as I closed my eyes and took in a deep, long breath.
I held it.
'The first second.'
The Thunderbird's wings started stirring.
'The second second.'
My muscles started contracting, and I could sense electricity building up between the Thunderbird's feathers.
'The third second.'
My lungs started straining as my body used up all its available oxygen, but instead of releasing the energy, it stored it in my muscles, in anticipation for the burst.
'The fourth second.'
Every single muscle in my body started cramping up, and the Thunderbird started unfurling its wings.
'The fifth second.'
I released all the pent up energy as the thunderbird started activating a skill directed at Primrose.
All the muscles in my body snapped in a wave-like motion, starting from my feet and the tip of my head, all converging into my hands, transferring all the energy perfectly into the kusarigama.
I swung.
In a singular motion that left a blinding tear in the firmament, my swing cut an extensive gash in the side of the Thunderbird, cancelling its skill.
And, just as I collapsed on the floor, like a coin hitting the ground to start a duel, Primrose finished her incantation.
Immediately, a ball made of earth, bigger than 5 apartment buildings, formed in the sky, before slowly descending on the Thunderbird.
Sensing its inevitable demise, the Thunderbird activated a protective skill in a last ditch attempt to protect itself and its offspring, but it was unable to stop the enormous mass.
Plummeting, the ball of Earth crashed into the thunderbird in a dazzling display of light.
Exploding on contact, we both witnessed a spectacle that looked as if the sun had collided with the earth, as humongous smaller boulders started flying everywhere, becoming meteors that rained down on the area, burning the atmosphere.
Our surroundings became brighter than the color white for a second before it all returned back to normal.
Seeing that the deed was done, I dragged myself over to Primrose, who was also collapsed on the ground, coughing out blood, positioning our backs against each other.
Sitting there, back to back in the dying light, we both couldn't help but start laughing, whilst only stopping to cough out blood, before laughing even more.
Like a pair of asylum inmates, we spent the rest of the day like that.
That was, until we noticed a figure walking, well, running towards us in the distance.
Looking up as soon as I noticed them, I zoomed in with my monocle.
Seeing the burn scar under her mask, I couldn't help but form a shocked expression on my face.
'Elvira... how are you here?'
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