So he noticed huh? But there's no point if you figure out the enemy's weakness after you have been stabbed through. The phoenix had satiated itself with a few plump ones among these squirrels without so much as squeal from them while the boy stomped around for the past five hours.

[Think kid, think.] I said.

I was again annoyed seeing the boy mulling over fruitlessly. When he first gave me an idea of human life span, I was worried he'd die too soon for me to find a way to get back but now I am worried how will I bear him for that long... How convenient it would have been if he had an angel's brain.

[Listen. I won't repeat it again. Look at that phoenix. what do you see?] I asked.

"A cheeky winged lizard." He groused. 

He was probably jealous of the bird since it leisurely ate it's spoils while the kid was starved and frustrated over his incompetence. It's because of this kid's feeble body that I too am feeling "hungry". To think even I would succumb to the flaws of these bugs, pathetic. What added to my anger was this boy's sheer stupidity.

[What you feel from it, the phoenix, is a desire to cherish it, it makes you want to protect it. You know why that is?] I asked, making the boy curious. 

His eyes widened as if my words saw through him. Sure the boy thought this little phoenix was impudent and smug but he didn't feel anything malicious towards the bird since we first met. He often caressed the phoenix's feathers which perched on his shoulder and jabbed his cheek.

"Is it because of your holy auras? Because you both are connected to heavens, the beasts are forced to submit to your will?" He said.

This brat really frets a lot about what he doesn't have. He's too focused on our differences, which can never change, to observe the reality of things. It's not like just being from heavens will make all entities submit so much so, as to give up their life thoughtlessly, though it may be true in my case but not for the bird at least.

[No kid. You see, the bird, it doesn't have any ill intent towards the squirrels. It simply killed them because it had to in order to survive, to eat but it didn't kill them out of annoyance or hate.] I said. Darn everyday I am sounding more like that old coot One.

The kid was confused. Still not catching up!? But then there was a little hint of understanding in his mind, at least he isn't as dumb as the cattle they rear.

[Kid, I have killed countless demons and sometimes angels too. I have fought in wars, many times leveling the whole battlefields. But know this, never once have I killed a being out of rage, frustration or malice. I just did what I had to.] I explained in an authoritative tone, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.

The kid swallowed a lump in his parched throat as he was starting to comprehend the scale of my words.

[The beasts didn't resist the bird because they felt safe with it. Even when the phoenix fed on one of their kind, they still felt this sense of familiarity. All this time, you were annoyed at these beasts for not being able to catch them, you were furious but you forgot the very reason why you were doing this or better put, you didn't bother finding it out.] I sighed (if that could be counted as one). 

The reason for asking him to catch these squirrels was to make him learn something even the most primal predators have, control over their thoughts.

[They didn't deserve to die, just because  their abilities were an inconvenience to someone, and they didn't. This is the very survival advantage they were blessed with, to put it on your terms. Had you acted without any ill will, you may very well have caught them. Control your emotions Stevenson.]