Novels2Search
Sage Zero
Chapter 16: Bird Hunt

Chapter 16: Bird Hunt

As the sun slowly rose on the horizon, its warm rays painted the sky with a breathtaking display of colors, casting a golden glow over the cabin and its surroundings.

The air was crisp, carrying a sense of adventure as Zero and his friends gathered at the breakfast table, their excitement palpable. Zero, the compassionate leader of the group, turned to Ushin with a soft smile, genuinely concerned about her well-being.

"Did you sleep okay, Ushin?" he asked, his voice filled with warmth. Ushin, always playful, responded with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "I slept like a frog in a log!" Zero couldn't help but laugh at her witty response, though he still couldn't quite fathom the comparison. "Well, that's good to hear," he said, appreciating Ushin's unique sense of humor.

Turning his attention to Jean, Zero couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the sight of their newly recovered companion. Jean, grateful for their timely intervention when he was found unconscious in the forest, replied with genuine gratitude, "Yeah, my wounds have healed up nicely, thanks to you guys getting me to a safe area. I'm feeling much better now." Zero nodded, happy that their friend was doing well, and mentally noted to keep an eye on him during their upcoming adventure.

Enrique, the ever-adventurous one, had an exciting proposition for Jean. "How about joining us in hunting the biggest bird? It's like a giant blue bird that's been causing quite a ruckus," he suggested with a glint of excitement in his eyes. Jean's face lit up, eager to embrace the opportunity. "Sounds fun! Count me in!" he declared, eager to prove his worth as a new member of the team.

With breakfast done and the energy pulsating through their veins, the old man's exasperation with the noisy bird became apparent once more. He expressed his frustration, "That annoying bird has been pissing me off for weeks now. It's always screaming at the top of its lungs, 'I'M THE BIGGEST BIRD! I'M BIGGEST BIRD!' All day long! So, I need you youngsters to get rid of it for me!" His exasperation drew laughter from the group, appreciating the old man's fiery spirit.

Weapons in hand, the group prepared to embark on their mission, determined to silence the obnoxious bird once and for all. As the sound of the bird's incessant screeching filled the air, Ushin and Zero instinctively covered their ears, both cringing at the grating noise. The bird's cacophony only fueled their determination to end its reign of noise.

"I'm gonna kill that damn bird," both Zero and Ushin declared simultaneously, their determination catching the others off guard. The friends exchanged amused glances, slightly surprised by their sudden seriousness.

In his classic style, Kai suggested a race to their destination, adding an element of fun to their quest. The prize of a small percentage of the earnings from everyone piqued their interests, and they all eagerly agreed to participate, except for Kai himself, who was confident in his running abilities.

With the competition set, Ushin hopped on Zero's back, sparking a debate about whether it was fair or not. Jean playfully protested, "Wait, ain't she cheating?" Ushin, ever the prankster, replied with a cheeky grin, "I ain't in it for the money; I'm just tryna see y'all lose!" Her words drew chuckles from the group, appreciating her lightheartedness.

Kai's enthusiastic shout of "Go!" signaled the start of the race, and in a flash, the group dashed forward. Their combined speed created a symphony of thundering footsteps, shattering the ground beneath them. With each step, they enveloped themselves in a brilliant aura of mana, increasing their speed until they appeared as mere blurs to the naked eye.

The thrill of the race was invigorating, and their excitement soared as they approached their destination. Zero, with a burst of speed, was the first to arrive, followed closely by the rest of the group just seconds later. The sight of Zero standing at the finish line, grinning victoriously, brought laughter and playful banter from his friends.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

As they beheld the towering tree before them, Kai let out a sigh, playfully acknowledging Zero's victory. "Well, he won fair and square," he admitted, but quickly added, "But now, we've arrived at the big tree, where the old man said the bird is located." His words sparked a sense of anticipation and readiness among the group, as they knew the real challenge was about to begin.

Enrique's enthusiasm was palpable as he suggested, "Let's start climbing then!" With unwavering determination, he leaped onto the tree, initiating the ascent. The others followed suit, propelled by their excitement for the task ahead.

As they climbed, Zero couldn't help but wonder about Enrique's climbing prowess. "Hey Enrique?" he called out, curiosity evident in his voice. Enrique turned to look at Zero, who asked, "How can you climb so easily?" With a hint of pride, Enrique shared, "Climbing tall trees was part of my training back in my village." Zero nodded in understanding, appreciating the diverse skills of his friends.

The ascent was challenging, testing their strength and stamina. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, but they persevered, fueled by the knowledge that their goal was within reach. Finally, they reached the top, greeted by the breathtaking sight of a dome-like canopy formed by large, thick branches, creating a safe haven amidst the vastness of nature.

In the heart of the dome, they spotted the giant blue bird, peacefully asleep, unaware of the impending confrontation. Before any action could be taken, the bird abruptly awakened, unleashing a deafening screech that sent a powerful shockwave, pushing them back.

As the echo of the screech subsided, Zero knew it was time to strategize. He turned to Jean, wanting to ensure their plan was well-coordinated. "What was your magic again?" Zero asked, reminding himself of Jean's skills. Jean confidently replied, "It's fire magic."

Zero nodded thoughtfully, offering a friendly piece of advice, "Well, just try not to burn down this dome, alright?" Jean grinned and materialized a katana made of pure, hardened flames, adding a playful remark, "Not gonna make any promises!"

With the plan in place, Zero and Jean led the charge, launching a combination of lightning and flame attacks at the bird. The nimble creature managed to evade their assault, its wings fluttering with agility. Seizing the moment, Enrique swooped in from behind, delivering a powerful punch that sent the bird crashing into the tree's floor, leaving a deep fissure in its wake.

Attempting to retaliate, the bird rushed at Enrique, but Kai quickly intervened, using his shadow magic to restrain it. Zero infused his Greatsword with mana, coating it in a thick layer of energy.

The bird screeched once more, sending a shockwave at Kai, but Ushin stepped forward and released a ball of lightning, striking the bird's face and momentarily blinding it.

Seizing the opportunity, Zero and Jean rushed forward again, landing a joint attack that heavily damaged one of the bird's wings. A massive blast of lightning followed, hitting the bird and sending it crashing into the dome's wall, shattering it, and knocking the giant bird out of the dome.

With the threat seemingly subdued, Zero rushed to Ushin's side, concerned for her safety. However, before he could react further, a massive crimson falcon appeared, flying at lightning speed, and collided with Zero, taking him away from the group.

Ushin tried to run after them but the exit it flew through was covered in ice, but Enrique and Kai held her back, realizing that the bird had trapped them inside the dome and covered it in thick layers of ice.

Undeterred by the sudden turn of events, Enrique stepped forward, a determined fire in his eyes. "Asura's Armament Dominion!" he shouted, and an additional pair of arms formed from pure mana and heat magic extended from his back. His tattoos glowed even brighter as his transformation was finalized, causing a small portion of the ice beneath him to melt.

Kai and Jean, too, activated their shadow and fire skin, respectively, to protect themselves from the biting cold. Meanwhile, Ushin, not knowing how to replicate their techniques, wrapped her feet and hands with lightning mana, preparing herself for whatever came next.

Facing the enraged giant bird and a seemingly hopeless situation, the friends stood together, ready to fight. "So what's the plan?" asked Kai, the determination evident in his voice. United, they prepared for a battle against the colossal bird, knowing that only their combined strength and teamwork would help them emerge victorious.

In the heart of this perilous struggle, Ushin's thoughts were solely on her father, praying that Zero would summon his strength to face the crimson falcon that had taken him away from the group. As the forest trembled with the weight of their confrontation, they waited for who would emerge from the storm