The Forest Desert
The Forest Desert was an enigmatic terrain where towering trees with pale, cracked bark grew sparsely across an endless expanse of golden sand. The air crackled with static energy, and black storm clouds lingered perpetually overhead, casting a dim, ominous light. Occasional bolts of lightning struck the ground, leaving behind deep, scorched craters. The region was eerily silent, save for the occasional rumble of thunder that seemed to echo from everywhere and nowhere at once.
The Beast: Thunder Rumbling Bird
The Thunder Rumbling Bird was a majestic yet fearsome creature, standing nearly 10 feet tall with wings spanning 30 feet. Its feathers shimmered like polished metal, each one crackling with streaks of blue lightning. Its eyes glowed a blinding white, and its sharp talons looked capable of tearing through steel. The most terrifying feature, however, was its wings: every flap unleashed arcs of paralytic lightning into the air, creating an impenetrable barrier of thunderous power.
Encounter and Battle
As Ravihiro and Samael entered the Forest Desert, the static energy in the air grew so thick that even Samael's poisons seemed to react, bubbling slightly in their vials.
"Do you feel that?" Samael asked, smirking. "Seems like this bird knows we're here."
Ravihiro remained silent, his Ryugan scanning the sky. Suddenly, a deafening crack split the air, and the Thunder Rumbling Bird descended from the stormy clouds, its thunderous screech shaking the earth.
The battle began with the beast releasing a storm of lightning bolts, each one aimed directly at Ravihiro and Samael. Ravihiro activated his Gravity Formation, creating a gravitational shield around them that absorbed the lightning strikes. Samael, on the other hand, darted around the battlefield, throwing vials filled with his corrosive poison. One exploded near the bird, creating a green mist, but the lightning coursing through the bird's feathers incinerated the poison before it could take effect.
"This one's tough!" Samael shouted, dodging a bolt of lightning that struck mere inches from him. "Got any bright ideas?"
Ravihiro unsheathed Kageha, his sword martial soul, and charged forward. He slashed through the arcs of lightning, using the gravitational pull of his formation to keep the bird grounded. The Thunder Rumbling Bird retaliated by flapping its wings violently, creating a paralyzing shockwave that sent Samael sprawling to the ground.
Utilizing Previous Rings
Ravihiro summoned the power of his first ring, creating a whirlwind of razor-sharp energy blades that tore through the bird's lightning barrier. He followed it with the World of Scales, forming a protective layer of steel-like scales over his body as he closed in for a direct attack.
Samael, recovering from the shockwave, unleashed one of his deadliest poisons, Eclipsing Venom, which created a shadowy mist that drained energy from the bird's thunderous aura. The poison slowed the bird's movements, allowing Ravihiro to strike with precision.
The Thunder Rumbling Bird roared in defiance, summoning a massive storm cloud that covered the battlefield. Bolts of lightning rained down indiscriminately, forcing Ravihiro and Samael to dodge relentlessly. Ravihiro gritted his teeth and activated the second form of Tandava, creating a devastating gravitational vortex that pulled the bird from the sky and slammed it into the ground.
The Final Blow
As the bird struggled to rise, Ravihiro combined the powers of his rings. Using the Sword of Scales and infusing it with the energy , he struck the Thunder Rumbling Bird with a devastating slash, severing one of its wings. The beast let out a final, thunderous cry as Ravihiro drove Kageha through its heart, ending the battle.
The Ring and Revelation
As the bird's body dissolved, converting his soul into a brilliant golden-purple ring materialized around it. Ravihiro began the process of absorbing the soul ring, feeling the intense energy of thunder coursing through him. The ring's name, Sword of Thunder, was revealed, granting him the ability to create electrified blades and unleash devastating thunder attacks.
Unbeknownst to Ravihiro, one of the bird's wings energy turned into tiny crystal and got absorbed into Ravihiro Samael, watching the process, was once again amazed. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?" he teased. "Do rings always act so... weird around you?"
Aftermath and Rest
The two rested near the charred remains of the battlefield. Samael, as usual, couldn't resist making fun of Ravihiro.
"Do you think you'll start glowing now? Maybe shoot lightning out of your eyes?" Samael chuckled.
"Shut up," Ravihiro muttered, already preparing for the next hunt.