The team reviews their newly acquired Stage B skills and innate ability upgrades. Big Mike boasts about his Dragonflame, Garrick his Protective Dome and Sandstorm, Mia her Judgment Beam and Ice Blade Storm, and Emily her Wind Barrier and Strength Blessing. The team then mounts the Flamebirds to continue their journey. Skinny Pete learns from the Flamebird leader about the world's inhabitants: the sky-dominant Flamebirds, ground-dwelling Infernals, and underground Redshell beasts. He also learns that the Infernals are the strongest faction and that all creatures in this world are capped at Stage B, leaving Ethan to declare that they will now hunt.
In a world painted in shades of dark red, a vast squadron of scarlet Flamebirds surged through the sky at breakneck speed.
Upon the backs of the vanguard birds, several figures were seated as casually as if they were enjoying a leisurely outing. Each rider had their own mount, a surprisingly comfortable arrangement.
The width of a Flamebird's back was ample, making sitting almost optional; one could practically recline and doze off. And their speed was remarkable. While Ethan’s telekinetic flight could surpass them, it was only due to the absurd velocity of his "knife-surfing."
However, when compared to Flint and the others, the Flamebirds operated on an entirely different echelon.
Guided by the leader of the Flamebirds, Ethan’s contingent swiftly located their objective: a massive congregation of Infernals.
They had established their settlement on a broad, level expanse, offering unimpeded visibility in all directions. The terrain remained composed of red rock, yet the ambient temperature here was noticeably cooler than where they had first arrived, likely due to its distance from the magma river.
Spanning the plain were numerous mounds and domed structures constructed from stacked stones – rudimentary, bunker-like dwellings clearly serving as Infernal housing.
And surrounding these crude habitations...
Tens of thousands of Infernals.
Their societal structure bore a resemblance to primitive human communities on Earth – tribal, densely packed, and fiercely territorial. This was undeniably a significant and populous tribe.
The instant the Flamebirds materialized, the Infernals became aware of their presence.
Initially, they remained motionless, their gazes fixed upwards at the approaching crimson tempest.
Then, a wave of elation swept through them, akin to a spark igniting dry tinder.
Food... arriving of its own accord?
Within this realm, the Infernals were the undisputed apex predators; all other lifeforms were considered potential prey. Most species would flee at the slightest sign of them.
But today, a squadron of Flamebirds had descended directly upon their territory – and in such formidable numbers.
How could they not feel a surge of excitement?
If they could bring down that many from the sky, they would feast for a considerable duration.
"ROOOAAR!"
The leader of the Infernal tribe let out a deafening roar.
More Infernals emerged from the stone mounds, spilling out in successive waves. Including those already visible, their numbers certainly reached at least forty thousand.
The Flamebird flock decelerated and halted at a distance of over a thousand feet from the Infernal settlement. The lead Flamebird issued a series of sharp calls.
Skinny Pete, after listening intently, translated. "Ember indicates these Infernals possess considerable strength. We cannot afford to approach too closely."
Ethan offered a nod, having already assessed the situation.
The Infernals were indeed formidable. Their general prowess significantly surpassed that of the Flamebirds.
On paper, the numerical disparity wasn't astronomical, but within Ember’s flock, only Ember herself had reached Stage B.
Down below?
Ethan quickly tallied, a chill running down his spine. There were no fewer than three thousand Stage B Infernals. The remainder were almost universally Tier 16 and Tier 17. Not a single Infernal below Tier 16 was observable.
It was no wonder Ember’s flock harbored such apprehension. A direct confrontation would surely result in their annihilation.
Their continued existence was solely attributed to their ability to fly.
Big Mike leaned forward, his body quivering with anticipation. "Captain, shall we engage? I'm eager to test out my new abilities!"
He had recently attained Stage B and was restless to unleash his power.
Ethan regarded him with a slight smile. "My, you are quite courageous."
"Begin the assault," Ethan commanded, his voice dripping with veiled menace. "It is merely three thousand Stage B Infernals."
Big Mike's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"
All color drained from his face in less than a second.
"...Actually," he stammered, hastily retracting his statement, "I'm not particularly keen on fighting right now."
"As I suspected," Chris chimed in dryly.
Far below, the Infernals perceived that the Flamebirds were not advancing.
Their initial excitement swiftly transformed into simmering rage.
With another bellow from their leader, the entire tribe surged forward – forty thousand bodies moving as one, a crimson tide engulfing the plain.
Ethan did not hesitate.
"Execute a strategic withdrawal," he ordered.
The Flamebird flock executed a swift and decisive turn, retreating without a moment's delay. They had arrived with speed and departed even faster.
The Infernals pursued for several minutes, running with all their might, their arms pumping, their voices echoing in pursuit.
Then, gradually, they began to falter – compelled to confront the unyielding reality.
Two legs could not outpace wings.
"ROOOAAR!"
The tribal leader's frustrated scream echoed towards the heavens before he finally turned, incandescent with fury, and led his tribe back towards their stone dwellings.
Far in the distance, once it was evident the pursuit had ceased, the group finally eased their pace.
Chris swallowed hard. "Ethan... facing that kind of force, can we even stand a chance?"
"We cannot," Ethan stated unequivocally. "Their numbers are too great. Three thousand Stage Bs alone present an insurmountable obstacle. And these Flamebirds? Their odds are even slimmer."
He turned to Skinny Pete. "Let us seek out a different tribe. Pete, inquire if there is a smaller Infernal group located elsewhere."
"Understood."
Skinny Pete communicated with Ember briefly, his expression shifting to one of slight bewilderment. "Ember informs me... that the tribe we just encountered is already the smallest in the vicinity. The other tribes are considerably larger, some numbering over a hundred thousand."
"...Then what in the blazes were those few thousand Infernals that escaped to Earth?" Ethan inquired.
Skinny Pete paused, his ears still straining to catch any sound. "They were... exiled. Kicked out by their own tribe."
A heavy silence fell upon the group for a moment.
Ethan let out a sigh and shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Man. I genuinely believed that once we all reached Stage B, we could simply overpower these creatures."
Chris let out a short, sharp laugh. "Welcome to the harsh reality of our situation."
Henry chimed in, his voice laced with concern, "So, Captain... are we still planning to eliminate them?"
A slight smirk played on Ethan's lips. "Without a doubt. They are walking, breathing crystal cores, after all."
He shifted his position, leaning back against the powerful neck of the Flamebird leader, his gaze sharpening. "If sheer brute force isn't sufficient... we must employ cunning and strategy."
Chris's grin widened. "Alright. Enlighten us – what's the grand strategy?"
Ethan spoke in hushed tones, his voice low enough to be heard only by his immediate squad. A few concise sentences were exchanged, accompanied by brief, illustrative gestures.
Afterward, he signaled for the Flamebirds to descend.
They were deposited at a safe remove from the main area.
In the blink of an eye, over thirty thousand Flamebirds dispersed into more than a dozen distinct teams, fanning out to encircle the tribe from various angles.
The maneuver didn't require much time to unfold.
The first team of Flamebirds made their appearance near the Infernal settlement.
The Infernals, spotting the approaching creatures, immediately surged forward in pursuit, just as they had done previously.
Then, a second team emerged from a different direction.
The Infernal horde paused for a fleeting moment – perhaps half a second – before their ranks divided, sending approximately half their numbers to chase after this new apparition.
Following this, a third team appeared.
And then a fourth.
With each additional Flamebird team that materialized, the Infernals found themselves drawn progressively farther apart. They pursued their targets in divergent paths, fracturing their main fighting force into disparate hunting packs.
Their arrogance was their undoing; they were far too accustomed to their position as the apex predators.
If Flamebirds showed themselves, the Infernals gave chase without hesitation, exhibiting no fear or caution whatsoever.
Before long, the fifty-thousand-strong Infernal tribe had been meticulously dissected into more than ten separate groups, each unit relentlessly pursuing its own perceived 'prey.'
Observing the unfolding chaos from a distance, Ethan singled out one particular group – the smallest among them.
Even the 'smallest' group comprised over three thousand individuals.
To ensure the fragmented packs could not regroup or offer mutual support, Ethan directed the bait teams to lure their respective pursuers even further away, stretching the distances between them until they were effectively isolated from one another.
Once they had sufficiently distanced themselves, Ethan and his companions mounted a few of the Flamebirds that had remained behind and proceeded to intercept the targeted Infernal group.
Since the bait Flamebirds were deliberately not flying at their maximum speed to maintain the Infernals' pursuit, Ethan's team closed the distance rapidly.
He subtly observed the pursuing pack.
Over three thousand Infernals... with just over a hundred at Stage B.
Still a formidable threat.
But the odds were, at the very least, more manageable now.
The Infernals were clearly oblivious to the unfolding trap. When they noticed the Flamebirds closing in behind them, their faces contorted with growing annoyance.
Then, they unleashed their fiery assault.
Blazing meteors streaked through the sky, hurtling down towards the birds.
The Flamebirds expertly flapped their powerful wings, evading the brunt of the impacts, and Ethan's team leaped from their backs without a moment's hesitation.
The instant the Infernals laid eyes on them – these strange, unfamiliar beings – they faltered, caught in a state of confusion.
Ethan seized the moment, not allowing them any time to comprehend the situation.
He teleported directly above the densest concentration of Infernals and immediately activated Absolute Stasis.
Dozens of daggers simultaneously shot upwards and then plunged downwards – executing a clean, swift strike – piercing the skulls of numerous Stage B Infernals.
Time snapped back into its normal flow.
And in the space of a single breath, fully half of the Stage B combatants within that pack had already met their end.
The remaining Infernals roared with unbridled fury.
Fire-based abilities erupted into the air – a tempest of meteors, gouts of flame, and searing volleys – crashing down upon Ethan and his squad in a sky-encompassing barrage.
