The pair of May and Taf for the first time had a bit of wariness on their faces. There was a reason they were nicknamed the plagues of the skies. Moving as a convocation they would be unrelenting to their foes.

It was unwise to make enemies of such demon beasts, as they would not rest until their prey was dead. Their unwillingness to flee even when down to the last member made these red feathered eagles formidable foes.

The wolves they previously fought were by far underwhelming in comparison. This is due to two simple facts and they were, these eagles had the aerial advantage as well as a fearsome inherent art.

Seeing that they had a battle on their hands and their opportunity at fleeing the area had gone, Taf tried to stay a bit calm.

" We will have to fight these demon beasts. Since this is the case we need to try to limit their numbers as quickly as possible."

He stated to May who had already nocked her bow and arrow.

" I'll give it my all"

May replied as she eyed the dozen red feathered eagles that became more visible by the second.

As the convocation of eagles arrived, their eyes witness the mutilated body of one of their own. They bellowed in fury as they processed the scene.

When their eyes saw the culprits they had sentenced them to a fiery death. Within a matter of minutes, they will be scorched carcasses an inch away from turning to ash.

The largest of the flock the only of the twelve with tinges of yellow within its features made an ear piercing squeak.

Hearing the squeak it herald the other eleven red featured eagles to heed its orders as it led the charge.

As they arrived about a thousand feet in the air, all twelve dove descended at rapid speeds while their beaks slowly opening.

Within their beaks, small sparks of flames could be seen. Then all hell broke loose as red torrent flames were unleashed on the open land where Taf and May stood on guard.

☆ Elemental Art ( Water) Ice shield☆

May uttered inwardly before ice took a spherical shape 20 feet around her and Taf. When the ice was formed it provided a barrier against the scorching flames.

☆ Elemental Art (Earth) Earth shield☆

Taf then followed up by shouting. Earth began to form around the ice fortifying it with additional protection from the inferno unleashed.

"Sigh, Damn it.., how could we be this unfortunate? Not one of them is lower than the 5th qi demon beast stage., with the strongest at the 8th. "

Seeing the onslaught Taf could not help but sigh before saying. He then eyed May to his side and knew they would not be able to keep this up for long.

" We'll get through this unscathed I promise.."

Hearing his words May smiled and gritted her teeth while persevering. In her mind, this was a small test. After all, if they were to reach the peak what were some overgrown birds.

" I'll be fine, at the moment let's focus on how to clip these eagles' wings."

Unaware of May's thoughts Taf attention was once more on his opponents. He then slowed down his mind trying to see if he could spot a weakness within their attacks. Then it suddenly dawned on him as he watched them descending with each assault.

"May remember when we fought the brown bear and its inherent art?"

He then asked a question while the red feathered eagles continued their barrage of attack.

" Yeah....but what about It?"

May then recalled as she tried to keep her art active at the moment. The Eagles were unrelenting in their flame assault as one withdrew another would take up the mantle.

The ice was not as resilient as the earth barrier, as it would continuously melt. Which caused May to use more of her qi to keep it active.

" I want us to attempt something that if successful will definitely limit their numbers. Let's try combining our arts into one single attack. When I start, you will know what to do."

As Taf spoke sharp spikes began to form around his earth barrier. Seeing his change in tactics, May became enlightened as she too followed his lead.

" Let's do It, I'll take the ones flying in from the left and you the ones to the right"

She then stated as ice spikes all formed above the barrier of earth and ice.

" Wait for them to descend once more with their attacks, then we will counter. After the death of a few, I'll take on the leader at the 8th, while you provide some cover from the rest.".

Taf spoke while assessing the opportune time to unleash their assault.

" My qi is been drained rapidly from the art so it will have to be done quickly, Taf"

On May's face exhaustion showed as unlike Taf whose qi reserved were above the norm, hers was depleted with every use of her art.

" I'll be fast...."

Taf then replied as he awaited the second round of attacks from the Eagles. The eagles seeing the weakness within the ice became even more unrelenting in their attacks. Watching these human cower in fear like turtles after each onslaught was quite exhilarating.

They all in unison ascended within the red-lit skies before once more descending. Fireballs were then thrown with ferocity at the earth and ice barrier below.

As they unleashed their flames the ice barrier continued to melt. As it fought to resist against the flames, thankfully refuge came in the form of the earth which covered all the exposed ice.

" Let's turn these damn birds into porcupines..."

Taf uttered to May as he watched the ice reformed then suddenly withdrew his earth barrier on the left that was now completely ice.

Hundreds of earth spikes then without warning shot off to the right followed by ice spikes to the left within the air.

Swishhh!!!!!!! Swishhhhhh!!!!

One after the other a few piles of earth and ice spikes would find a target as the Eagles became stunned by the retaliation of the pair.

Seeing the spikes they all attempted to dodge, however only a few were able to bear the onslaught. Within seconds one after the other crashing sounds could be heard hitting the land.

Soon there were eight eagles laying dead on the scorched ground.

" Let's finish this quickly....."

Taf then stated as they both withdrew their barriers. Seeing that the attacks had been successful Taf didn't take the time to ravel in his success.

Instead swiftly charging out where he saw the four. Of the four there was one that seemed significantly larger than the rest.

Its feathers had tinges of yellow within them. As it saw Taf it sent out a bellowing screech that seemingly was a warning to the other three that were about to pounce.

By its reaction, it can be said that it had now identified its personal prey.

" That's what I wanted to see., come and get me. Let's see if that beak of yours will be still attached as you try to gobble me up"

Taf laughed as he sprang his plans into action. Slightly behind was May who nocked her bronze bow and arrow as she eyed the three slightly smaller red feathered eagles. Two of which were at the 6th stage while the other at the 7th.

She appeared to be a bit exhausted as her qi had been severely drained from the barrier previously.

" Don't worry., would I make you have all the fun plucking those three's feathers? Give me a few minutes I'll be back.."

Taf uttered which brought a smile on May's face.

" Psssh....does this lady seem phased? I'll probably dispatch these three before you're finished with the big fellow."

She then smirked as she saw the three getting ready to swoop down.

" I accept your challenge then miss"

Taf then sprinted off within the forest with the red feathered eagle at the eighth stage in full pursuit.