As the Simurg descended, its gaze fixed upon the twelve individuals standing before it. Fear and uncertainty washed over them, and the instinct to escape and hide was strong. However, they knew that making hasty decisions in desperate situations would only lead to consequences. They understood that cowering and attempting to hide from such an ancient and formidable creature would be foolish. The Simurg had existed for centuries, far longer than any of them had lived. Its wisdom and power were legendary, and they lacked the confidence or skill to deceive it.
Despite the overwhelming odds, they refused to succumb to despair. They realized that scattering in an attempt to escape and hide would diminish their chances of survival. Instead, they chose to stand united, their resolve unwavering. They believed that the Simurg's recent battle outside the protected dome may have weakened it, giving them a slim chance of victory.
Days had passed since the Simurg's clash with another formidable foe, and they hoped that those battles had taken a toll on the mythical creature. They prayed that its strength had been diminished enough to level the playing field. It was a fragile hope, but it was all they had in this dire moment. They couldn't risk going outside to face another unknown, as they didn't know if the Simurg's foe held the same benevolent characteristics mentioned in Greek mythology. They all decided to take a gamble on this chance for survival.
Will and Jack looked at each other understanding the hidden intention of their actions they cautiously approached the Simurg, signaling their peaceful intentions.
"Your excellency, we mean no har--" Will's attempt was interrupted, they had hoped to initiate a conversation and explore the potential for coexistence. However, the moment they took a step forward, the Simurg let out a deafening roar, and with a powerful flap of its enormous wings, it created a gust of wind that sent them tumbling and crashing into walls and nearby plants. The force of the wind made it nearly impossible for them to maintain their balance.
Sam recovered the fastest and let his instincts take over, pulling out the gun hidden on his body. He aimed at the Simurg's wings, intending to disrupt its flight and restrict its mobility. At the same time, Lucy followed Sam's lead and aimed at the other wing, utilizing a gun given to her by Max. Lucy's expertise in the medical field made her an invaluable asset, as she possessed the most knowledge in that area and could provide essential support to the group.
"Lucy aim for the bones!" Sam shouted and Lucy fully understood and heed yo the command. At the same time Will led Rayana and Ethan to aim at spot where they are visible and ensure the Simurg's attention stays on them. Everyone is equipped with guns as Will and the other men ensured they had multiple ammunition with them each time they take on the job aside from Oliver who had one for emergency purposes only as his expertise lies on different field.
"Kids, it's like we're tanking in a game, but unfortunately, this isn't a game. Make sure to aim well and keep firing. If you can ensure each bullet inflicts significant damage, do so," Will advised Ethan and Rayana.
"I wasn't born blind," Rayana retorted, followed by Ethan adding, "Neither was I."
Unfazed by their sarcasm, Will pulled out his bow and arrow. Attached to the arrow was a leaf-shaped bottle containing flammable tree latex.
Although the Simurg is often compared to a phoenix, it's not technically a phoenix. Therefore, they didn't need to eliminate another form of ammunition to defeat it and planned to set its feathers aflame.
Max and Luke followed suit at a distance, aiming to exploit the Simurg's blind spot to approach it unnoticed. The creature didn't pay much attention to them, which they intended to use to their advantage.
As the Simurg sensed the malevolent intentions of the humans and observed Will continuing to cover it with latex, it quickly assumed a defensive stance. The wind around it began to reverse direction, flowing back towards its position, causing the temperature to drop significantly. With its supernatural abilities, the Simurg conjured ice out of thin air, shaping it into deadly, sharpened ends on both sides. It had no doubt that if any of the humans were struck by these ice projectiles, it could prove fatal. The Simurg was prepared to defend itself against the imminent threat.
Despite the chilling temperature and the threat of the Simurg's ice projectiles, cold sweats trickled down the backs of the humans. They braced themselves, preparing to swiftly dodge the imminent projectiles. The tension in the air was palpable as they readied themselves for the intense battle ahead.
As the intense battle raged on, Oliver seized the opportunity to switch from his gun to a bow and arrow. However, he had a unique plan in mind. The end of his arrow was not only sharpened but also contained a flame. Oliver intended to use the latex they had previously covered the Simurg with to his advantage. By igniting the arrow, he aimed to set the creature ablaze and capitalize on its vulnerability. With determination in his eyes, Oliver took aim, ready to unleash his fiery assault on the Simurg.
Realizing that his location had been compromised and that the Simurg's ice projectiles were now aimed directly at him, Oliver swiftly made a split-second decision. He bolted away, using his agility to dodge the incoming projectiles while simultaneously drawing the attention of the Simurg. Oliver's intention was to create a distraction, diverting the creature's focus towards him and allowing Max and the rest of the group to approach closer.
As the battle intensified, Oliver swiftly joined forces with Will, Ethan, and Rayana, raining ammunition upon the Simurg. Their combined firepower aimed to weaken the creature and keep it occupied. Meanwhile, Max and Luke successfully managed to approach the Simurg, their primary objective being to immobilize it by targeting its legs and causing damage. With calculated precision, they unleashed their attacks, hoping to hinder the creature's mobility and limit its ability to retaliate. Behind them, Jake, Noah, Sam, and Jack followed closely, prepared to launch a full assault once the Simurg's movements were restricted.
Despite the team's coordinated efforts and determination to overcome the Simurg, they quickly realized the immense difficulty in executing their initial plan. As Max and Luke successfully targeted the creature's legs, their triumph was short-lived. The Simurg retaliated swiftly, kicking Max and causing him to sustain significant damage. He landed in an awkward position, further exacerbating his injuries. Luke, although managing to dodge the attack, was not unscathed either and sustained an injury in the process.
Despite the injuries sustained by Max and Luke, the team's relentless assault on the Simurg continued unabated. The creature's anger grew, disregarding the discomfort caused by the flame in its feathers. In a display of its power, the Simurg conjured ice projectiles, launching them in all directions. The danger was imminent, and Lucy, filled with worry, couldn't help but shout a warning to her teammates. "Watch out!" Her voice rang out, urging everyone to be vigilant and prepared to evade as ice projectiles rained down upon them like a relentless storm.
They moved with agility, dodging and weaving through the icy onslaught, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles. Each member of the team relied on their training and instincts, their focus unwavering as they fought to protect themselves and continue their assault on the Simurg. The air was filled with tension and the sound of ice shattering against the ground. However, the situation is more complicated at Will's team as the fatigue accumulated on them while they continue to keep the Simurg attention on them.
Lucy let out a sigh of relief, grateful that despite the injuries they had sustained, everyone had managed to keep their lives intact. However, her relief was short-lived as worry quickly crept back into her thoughts. She noticed a concerning situation unfolding on Rayana's side. With a sense of urgency, Lucy directed her attention towards Rayana and the others, assessing the danger of their tired body giving out. The battle was far from over, and their team's role were crucial to ensure the safety the assault team led by Jack and Sam while Luke and Max remained immobilize. Lucy quickly positioned herself to provide assistance and support to Rayana, taking advantage of the Simurg's distraction caused by the assault team. With a focused determination, she prepared to send the improved medicine they had created using the fruits they had discovered on their first day. This medicine was specifically formulated to alleviate fatigue and provide a much-needed energy boost to Will, Ethan, Rayana, and Oliver.