Wings Of Deception
Chapter 30 A daring Challenge

Chapter 30: Chapter 30 A daring Challenge

"Good job. You’ve done well separating the troublesome wolf from the other two," John chirped in amusement, watching as events unfolded exactly as he had anticipated.

Woodie was about to tweet a question, but the sharp glare from Bubble made her hold her tongue. She huffed silently, choosing to observe instead.

Back at the rings of flame, chaos reigned.

The parrots, though playful with their fire, refrained from burning the beasts. To them, these creatures were nothing more than potential meals for their master, and wasting food was unacceptable. Instead, they joined the other birds in the fray, using only their claws and beaks to strike at the ground-bound beasts running amok.

The woodpeckers were ruthless, their sharp beaks hacking away with brutal efficiency. The sparrows, though smaller, made up for it with their relentless speed and aggression, darting in and out of the fray like deadly arrows.

It was a one-sided battle—always had been.

Blackie continued his relentless assault, striking from all directions, diving in and out with unwavering precision. His target had never changed: the white lion.

Mario the gorilla raised his earth-style shield, blocking each of Blackie’s strikes. But the relentless speed of the attacks took its toll—deep scratches covered the shield’s surface, and it was on the verge of breaking.

"Is this all you’ve got?" Mario taunted, frustration creeping into his voice. No matter how hard they tried, they were always on the defensive. The damn bird never stayed in one place long enough to counterattack, retreating to the sky after every strike. It maddened him. "You could attack for days, and you’d still never break through my shield!"

"Is that so?" Blackie chirped for the first time.

Then, Blackie halted midair for a split second before gliding toward the shield like a bullet. His movement was calculated, his claws poised for the perfect strike. With flawless precision, he slashed at the exact weak spot he had been analyzing all this time.

The moment his claws made contact, the force propelled him backward, sending him slipping into the windy currents.

Mario roared, channeling and infusing his earth-elemental energy into his shield in a desperate attempt to reinforce it. But it was already too late. The core of the magic had been shattered, and his rushed infusion acted like a flood, accelerating the collapse rather than preventing it.

With a deafening crack, the magical shield exploded into countless shards.

As jagged pieces of earth flew in all directions, a shadowy figure darted toward the explosion’s center, trailing a mist of crimson in its wake.

The thick scent of blood filled Mario’s nostrils, and an uneasy feeling crept over him. His eyes darted toward the lion.

Their gazes met.

For the first time, he saw something in Anu’s eyes that sent a chill down his spine—pity.

Why are you looking at me like that? he thought uneasily.

As if reading his mind, Anu scoffed. "You want to know why? Simple. Because this time, you’re the one he went for." The lion jerked his head toward the ground. "Take a look."

Mario followed his gaze.

A bloody, long-haired object lay several feet away, rolling to a stop.

His breath hitched. He stammered, "That... that’s..."

"Yep," Anu confirmed, grinning. "That’s your tail. Say your final goodbyes, Mario."

Heart pounding, Mario reached behind him—and froze.

His tail was gone. Severed clean. Fresh blood oozed from the mutilated stump.

A moment of stunned silence passed before his rage erupted like a volcano.

With a deafening roar, he slammed his fists into the ground, shaking the very earth.

"I’LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMN PEST! I’LL TEAR YOU APART AND EAT YOU ALIVE!" Mario bellowed, his voice filled with pure, unrestrained fury.

Blackie let out a playful chirp, effortlessly soaring higher into the air. "That’s a good idea. But I’m a predatory bird... Soon, we’ll see who eats who."

Far above, perched atop the towering magical tree, John the Mockingbird chuckled in amusement. "Who eats who? Now that’s the kind of spirit I like. That’s exactly how a member of my Sky Dominating Clan should respond to these dumb beasts who don’t even know how to fly." His tone turned sharp as he sneered. "They want to eat us birds? Hmph! Birds, how about we feast on that ape instead? Who’s with me?"

"I, sir!" Blackie was the first to respond without hesitation.

A chorus of eager chirps followed.

"I!"

"I!"

"I!"

The air trembled with the unified cries of the Sky Dominating Clan, their bloodlust soaring to new heights.

The white lion scoffed, his golden eyes narrowing in disdain. "What is wrong with these birds? In any world, they’re nothing but garden pests—tiny, weak, and harmless. At best, they snack on worms, and now they think they can change their taste for meat?" He let out a rumbling chuckle. "Ridiculous. Audacious, even."

John’s feathers bristled. His voice cut through the battlefield like a blade.

"Ah, Blackie... Did you hear that?" he chirped, his tone cold and laced with fury. "They insult us. They insult me."

His eyes sharpened as he issued his command.

"The next strike—aim for the lion’s flesh. Tear into it. Then eat his raw meat right in front of his eyes." John’s voice darkened. "If you fail this time, you’re out of the clan. Go and prove what we’re made of."

Blackie’s expression hardened. His usual playfulness vanished, replaced by a deadly seriousness. This wasn’t just a battle anymore—it was a matter of honor. His master had given the command. His pride, his loyalty, his place in the clan—all depended on this strike.

He glared at the white lion, his sharp mind already strategizing the perfect attack.

Anu, however, merely laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that shook the air like thunder.

Mario, the black gorilla, stole a glance at him.

Okay, little boss. You went and provoked them. Your ass is on the line now—not mine.

His shield skill was gone, shattered. For the next three hours, he couldn’t use it again. He had no intention of getting caught in the crossfire.

The white lion turned to him.

Mario met his gaze and snorted internally. What? Don’t look at me. I’ve already sacrificed my long-cherished tail. I have no more tail left to offer. You figure it out.

He settled in to watch, a twisted sense of amusement creeping into his thoughts.

Anu exhaled, shaking his head. The humor faded from his eyes, replaced by a cold, calculating glint. He got serious.