Chapter 3: The Hunter Becomes the Storm
The sun hadn't fully risen when the first scream shattered the stillness of the Star Eagle village.
A shadow raced over the sand, fast and heavy, shaking the earth with every step. By the time the guards sounded the alarm, it was already too late — a Santa Beat had broken through the outer defenses.
The beast was massive — ten feet tall, skin like stone, tusks curved and dripping with venom. Its roar sent warriors stumbling back in fear.
But not Aadi.
He didn't hesitate.
From the forge, he grabbed Vaayu, his soul-bound spear, and sprinted toward the chaos. Villagers scattered as the Santa Beat charged through the village center, smashing carts and tearing through huts.
Aadi didn't flinch.
He leapt high, twisting in mid-air, and drove the spear straight through the creature's eye.
There was a pause.
Then — BOOM — its head exploded in a cloud of dust and blood.
The silence that followed was heavier than the roar that came before it.
Aadi stood still, chest rising and falling, his clothes torn, blood dripping from his hands.
The clan gathered slowly, eyes wide.
"You… killed it with one strike," someone whispered.
---
Later that evening, Aadi sat with the clan leader near the fire pit, still stained with smoke from the attack.
"I need to train others," Aadi said. "We can't rely on one person. What happens when I'm not here?"
The leader looked at him, impressed.
"You're thinking like a true protector."
"Give me eight warriors," Aadi continued. "I'll train them. Just like you trained me."
And he did.
Over the next few days, Aadi worked with eight chosen fighters — the strongest and fastest of the Star Eagles. He trained them not like soldiers, but like survivors. He passed on everything he learned: how to read the sand, how to fight with instinct, how to kill fast and clean.
Under his guidance, they grew stronger.
The village changed.
The fear began to fade.
---
One night, around the council fire, the clan leaders gathered.
Aadi stood before them.
"I want to take the fight to the Santa Beats," he said. "No more waiting for them to come to us. Let's wipe out the big group."
The clan leader nodded slowly.
"I believe it's time," he said. "But this isn't just any group. You'll be facing one of the largest packs ever recorded. Hundreds of Santa Beats. Maybe more."
Aadi didn't flinch.
Then the leader added something that made the entire council fall silent.
"I think you can defeat the Emperor of Santa Beat."
Everyone looked at him in shock.
The leader continued, voice low. "His strength is equal to a thousand Santa Beat kings. A force of nature. I once saw him tear a mountain beast in half with one claw. And now…"
He looked at Aadi.
"I believe you can kill him."
Aadi's jaw tightened. "Where is he?"
"That's the problem," the leader said. "No one knows his exact location. But there's something unusual happening. The center of the Deadland—normally hundreds of kilometers away—is now only 20 kilometers from us. That's not natural."
"Some kind of spatial shift?"
"Yes. And with every shift, more Santa Beats appear. It's likely the Emperor is moving too."
Aadi nodded. "Then I'll go."
The clan leader rose to his feet. "You won't go alone. My daughter will go with you. She knows how to track through the central sands."
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward.
She wore desert armor, feathers braided into her hair, her gaze sharp and cold. She bowed slightly. "My name is Aarna. I'll guide you."
Aadi studied her. She looked calm. Capable. No time for doubts.
"Let's find the Emperor," he said. "And end this."
---
Next: Chapter 4 – Into the Core of Deadland
Want me to continue with Chapter 4 — the hunt for the Emperor Santa Beat?