So what's the game plan? Okuagu asked no one in particular as his eyes fixed on the approaching horde. Gale drew his saber before he replied: "We will take care of the horde and protect Lee. Eventually and most certainly the horde might give up". Okuagu's body lit up with flaming patterns as he gathered heat into every fiber of his being. Raising up his hand Okuagu concentrated on the gift pathways in his surroundings while he transmitted all the heat in his body to the now outstretched palm. "BOOM BOOM! Countless of beetles collapsed to the ground filing the entire wastelands with the acrid smell of burning flesh. The heat attack from Okuagu though powerful seemed to kill just a small fraction of the beetles as the rest with their tarnished carapaces surrounded the squad with a flurry of attacks. Okuagu reeled in pain when a beetle stabbed him with one of its spiny legs. He dodged the bite of another one only for him to be sent flying by a shiny beetle that rammed into him with all of its might. "Eat this bast*rd! Okuagu said through gritted teeth as he struggled to break free of the mandibles of an B rank that was struggling to tear him in half. Using his flaming legs Okuagu kicked the beetle squarely on its head. The beetle released its hold on Okuagu momentarily giving him the chance to break free. Okuagu of course didn't waste the opportunity as he sunk his spear into the beetle's jaws; melting it into a disgusting goo. Boaruss who found himself in the midst of the fray was busy smashing through some of the beetles that had taken to the floor. With a yell he hurled the spine of what seemed to be a gigantic serpent at the incoming horde. The massive bone collided with many of the beetles as a good number collapsed to the floor obviously in no condition to take to the skies again.Noticing the chaotic situation Boaruss was in, Okuagu released some bursts of flame towards a group of D ranked beetles that were surrounding Boaruss who had Lee strapped to his back, temporarily giving him a slight moment to think. Towards the outer end of the now massive circle that the Flaming Tempest had formed was Emerald and Diamond who fought back to back as they tried to hold their own against the incoming swarm. Gale proved to be quite capable in this battle as he fired arrows and wind attacks at their aerial assailants knocking them to the floor. "Heads up! Gale shouted towards Diamond who taking the hint rolled away seconds before a massive beetle crashed into her position. Diamond with a swift turn of her blade severed one of her assailant's spiny legs thus making it to collapse unto the ground from the lack of balance. The beetle however stopped struggling with Emerald dislodging a dagger from its jaws. "There doesn't seem to be an end to them" Emerald said with a frown as the squad slowly came together into a smaller circle. "That means we will just have to retreat" Diamond said as she saw no way of them killing all of the beetles. Okuagu with a frown added: "The beetles will not give us a chance to retreat". Gale on hearing this smiled: "Then we will simply cut out a path for ourselves". "And I thought Boaruss was the rash one" yawned Lee stretching his hands. "Great now you can join the fight" Boaruss said clenching his fists. "Good to have you back, but do you by any chance have more spells in your arsenals? Gale asked with his hands outstretched releasing gusts of winds at some beetles that seemed to try and take advantage of the chitchat. "Unfortunately I don't think I can use that spell any time soon" Laughed Lee. "Then let's do this! Okuagu shouted as he sprinted from the circle; his legs now glowing bright orange. The rest of the squad including the now standing Lee followed suit as they dashed after Okuagu northwards with the beetles hot on their trail.