They arrive at a cliff area which they need to cross to reach to the other side. Will stood near the edge of the cliff and look to his right, capturing a picturesque view of the mountain range. As they were crossing the bridge, they noticed a group of cavalries with a grim expression. They seem to be afraid of crossing the bridge. Raye approach them and ask them.
"Good day sir, why aren't you crossing the bridge?"
"we can't, there's a great eagle who's on guard of the bridge, few of my men tried to past it but they were taken away by the great eagle,"
"Great eagle...?"
That's weird, great eagle usually don't attack humans, in fact, they represent wisdom and were respected among humans, I heard that there was a great eagle who was guarding this bridge, though it be odd for it to attack human, unless...
Raye then realizes something and asked the leader of the cavalries.
"Did the great eagle kill your men?"
"Huh? It toss my men of the bridge upon grabbing them,"
"...Let's see if we were help,"
"Wait! it's too dangerous, the great eagle is a divine beast and it is not easy to be taken down,"
"Well, we also need to cross this bridge, we'll see what we can do,"
Raye signaled the Everlight to cross the bridge and see what happens. Raye took the first step onto the bridge though nothing happens. He then took a few steps forward to find nothing happening. Initially, he thought the coast was clear but quickly realized one thing. He looked at the opposite of the cliff and noticed a nest sitting on a small cliff at the side. In the nest there isn't any bird resting there. He quickly signal Will, Al and Amethia to stop walking forward.
Raye look from left to right, then above, but saw no signs of great eagle. Despite this, Raye instinctively drew out his sword and held it tightly. Suddenly, an unexpected attack from the side which Raye barely block the attack to me counter with another one from another side. He managed to parry it again and dashed forwards to avoid a full dash made by the great eagle from the left side of the bridge. Finally, the great eagle stop attacking and flew lower, right above the bridge.
"Help...me...human..."
Raye heard the great eagle spoke to him. Raye look at the great eagle and noticed something off about it. Its right side is corrupted, showing signs where there were veins around it. Its right eye is blood red and tears start swelling on both eyes.
"Is that...black magic?"
The great eagle dive down and forwards at Raye. Raye held his sword and tries to parry the attack, knowing that it would fail. A sudden attacks from the side shot the great eagle, making it wobble and dive to the side. It crashed on cliff, making the whole cliff trembles. The great eagle was injured at the head. Blood dripping as it flows into its eyes. It let out an ear piercing screech and flapped its wings, creating a gust of wind that sent Raye out of the bridge. Al managed to hold onto him in time and pull him back onto the bridge. Will casted multiple fire spells aimed at the great eagle and fire it.
"Wait Will! Cease fire, the great eagle is being infected!"
Will heard the message and stopped attacking. He leaped backwards in the air as the great eagle swings its left wing at Will. Raye analyze the great eagle from a distance as Amethia and Will distracted it. He noticed there is a large tumor next to its right eye.
"Al, I need your light magic,"
"Oh, sure,"
Al held Raye's sword and imbue light magic in it.
"Thanks Al, Amethia! Help launching me into the air!"
"What?"
"Just do it!"
"If you said so,"
Amethia casted a wind spell right below Raye's feet. She activated the spell which sent Raye high up into the air. Raye spreads his arms and legs while his right hand held his sword. The great eagle noticed the hero in the air and dive straight to it. Raye quickly move his other hand, holding together on the sword and did an Air Slash. Pushing him higher, avoiding the attack.
The great eagle did a U-turn and dive back at Raye. Raye decided to dive down onto the great eagle as it was about to flew past him. He managed to grabbed the feathers of the great eagle right at its neck. The great eagle realized there was something on its back and tries to get rid of it. It flew high up and dive down. Raye using one arm to hold himself on the great eagle while his other arm tries not to lose his sword. Will and Amethia tries to distract the great eagle, preventing it from squirming.
"I'm so sorry for doing this,"
Seizing while the great eagle made less movement, he uses his sword and stabbed the great eagle, stabilizing himself on the eagle. The great eagle screeched in pain and flew to the left of the bridge. Following the cliff, the great eagle flew in high speed, trying to use the acceleration of wind to get rid of the hero on it. Raye gripped tightly on the handle of his sword. His golden blond hair swaying back. He stabbed deeper, stabilizing himself even more but this led to the great eagle to screech again and crash onto a cliff. Raye holding onto his sword fell off the great eagle.
He spreads his arms and legs while falling but the great eagle decides to use its tail and fling Raye high up into the air. The impact causes Raye to spit out saliva and letting go of his sword. The great eagle seizing this chance, using his talon to grab Raye, preventing him from moving and attacking. The grip tighten, causing Raye to spit out blood. Losing his sword and mobility, he can't do anything but face his demise.
"Crap,"
The great eagle let out a loud screech at Raye, creating a huge gust of wind at his face. Suddenly, a sword, more specifically, Raye's sword poke into the right eye of the great eagle, making it screech in pain. The great eagle let go of Raye which made him fall. As he was falling, shadows swirl around him and hold him up, preventing him from falling. Will then appeared beside Raye.
"You can't deal with that great eagle alone, it's too powerful for you to handle,"
"..."
Will then pointed at Raye's sword which is inside the right eye of the great eagle. Beside the right eye was the tumor that they need to remove.
"It's black magic,"
"I know,"
Raye replied Will. The great eagle found Will and Raye and dives towards them.
"Get ready,"
"I'm ready,"
Will then launch Raye into the air by using shadows to push him. Raye flew high up in the air as shadows swirl around the great eagle, slowing it down. Raye landed on the great eagle's beak and reaches for his sword. While the light magic is still imbued in the sword Raye quickly pierce the tumor, removing it from the great eagle. Having gained back control, the great eagle finally stop attacking thanked the hero.
"...thank you hero, I have now gained back control of my body, though I'm still infected,"
The great eagle brought Raye and Will back to the cliff where the rest of the Everlight and the cavalries were waiting for them.
"Raye, how are you?"
Amethia rushed to Raye and Al lit up his cigarette.
"I'm fine, though the great eagle might need some help,"
"Don't mind me, I can recover in about a few days through my divine power, you guys may pass this bridge,"
Amethia looked at the great eagle and walked towards it. The great eagle was puzzled but he lower its head to Amethia level and let Amethia pet it. Amethia raised her right arm over and placed her palm at where the tumor was. She closed her eyes as pure white light emitted from her hand. It was as if it was a miracle has been casted upon the great eagle.
"Purification Magic,"
Amethia used a magic that partially remove some of the veins on the great eagle, quickening the time of recovery for the great eagle.
"This should help a little, sorry that I can't fully help you recover,"
"I deeply thank you, for that, I will bestow my blessing upon your party, that you will have a safe travel in this part of the kingdom,"
With that, the great eagle allowed the Everlight party and the cavalries to cross the bridge and head for their journey. As the Everlight left in a distance, the great eagle watches Will Beuratt, the one who uses black magic to restrain him.
"Who are you? I'd never met anyone like you in all my years of living and guarding this bridge, a user of the dark but stood in the light, a far dangerous human I had ever met, it's better not to make foes with him..."