It lifted its head, locking eyes with Vayu — eyes that gleamed like blood-red rubies. What stood before him was a wolf, it was the same wolf he had once seen inside the forest, he had ever imagined he will see it here. Its body was monstrous, towering as tall as a horse, with dark brown fur streaked by faint pale stripes running along its frame. Muscles rippled beneath its hide with each subtle motion, radiating raw power. The beast lumbered towards the pile of corpses and began devouring them with ravenous hunger. In mere minutes, nothing remained — not a bone or a scrap of flesh. Then, without a sound, it turned and vanished back into the shadows of the inner chamber.
Once it was gone, Vayu and Bhudhar descended from the small hill and entered again. Bhudhar pointed towards the single bucket resting nearby "Go fill this and wash the area" Bhudhar ordered.
Vayu obeyed without a word. When the task was done, they started walking back "Sir what was..?"
"Shssssss" Bhudhar shushed him and Vayu gulped down his questions, soon they rejoined the others and began their long journey back. Fifteen days later, they finally returned to their base.
Next day as the squad prepared to pack and ready to leave the base, the Squad Leader stepped onto the raised platform. The moment he did, everyone halted their movements— all eyes turned toward him, silence fell over the camp "I've been here for so long that I can't even imagine a life without the Hunter Squad," the leader began, his voice steady yet heavy with emotion. "But like all good things, this too must come to an end. This was my final mission with you all. From now on… Vayu will be your Squad Leader" With those words, he stepped down from the platform. No one clapped. Instead, every hunter dropped to one knee, their heads bowed in respect. The silence that followed spoke louder than any applause — a farewell steeped in honor.
After returning to the village, an announcement was made for everyone to gather the next day in the central arena. When morning arrived, the entire settlement assembled beneath the rising sun. The Squad Leader stood before them, his presence as commanding as ever. He declared his resignation, as he had become old and cannot hunt like old days. The truth — about his loss to Vayu — remained unspoken, concealed from the public. Before the gathered crowd, he officially appointed Vayu as the next Squad Leader. Cheers erupted and the villagers started celebrating their new leader with pride and joy.
Later that night, when the celebration had ended and most of the village had returned to their homes, Vayu too started walking towards his home under the pale moonlight. That's when he saw Bhudhar leaning against a tree, his expression unreadable.
"Sir," Vayu greeted respectfully.
"Walk with me" Bhudhar said.
They strolled along the quiet path for a while before Bhudhar finally spoke, his tone was low.
"It was a long time ago… I must've been around three years old when a pack of wolves attacked our village," he began. "They were led by that same wolf you saw — or at least, it looked that way. But the truth was the opposite. It wasn't leading them… it was being hunted."
He paused, eyes narrowing as though replaying the memory.
"They were larger, stronger then the wolves we had ever seen and their wounds healed almost instantly. Our people fought bravely, but we couldn't win. Even though there were only eleven of them, they overwhelmed everyone. That's when it appeared — the beast. It fought on our side, tearing through the wolves like a storm. It was powerful… frighteningly so. And it could talk — like us."
Bhudhar's voice grew heavy. "We made a pact with it. It would protect the village from any outside threat and in return, we'd deliver food to it every month. But if we ever failed to keep that promise, it would eat us instead. The beast is a necessary evil for our survival, Vayu never make it angry."
"Yes, sir," Vayu replied quietly.
Bhudhar nodded, his gaze lingering on the moon for a moment "Then I'll take my leave" he said and without another word, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Vayu standing beneath the silent trees — the weight of new knowledge settling heavily on his shoulders.
The next day, Vayu went to visit the First Elder. As soon as he entered her office, her face brightened with a smile.
"Vayu, my boy!" she said warmly, her eyes soft with affection. She was always delighted to see him. Ever since he had joined the Hunter Squad, Vayu made it a habit to visit her the day after every return and she cherished those visits deeply.
After a brief chat, her expression grew serious "Vayu" she said, folding her hands on the table, "you can't remain the Hunter Squad Leader for too long."
Vayu frowned slightly. "Why do you say that, First Elder?"
She sighed, her gaze drifting towards the window. "Because I want you to become the Village Chief, things aren't right among the elders anymore, especially from the Second Elder's faction. They've become cunning, manipulative. This village needs new leadership, someone with honor and a clear heart, Someone like you"
She leaned back and added, "So enjoy your role for now. One year — after that, step down and take the position of Chief. Bring in new elders, new blood, the village deserves a fresh start."
Vayu bowed his head respectfully "I understand, First Elder".
He spent the rest of the day with her, helping with her errands, repairing small things around her house, and listening to her old stories. By evening, when the last rays of sunlight bathed the village in gold, Vayu took his leave and walked home — his mind heavy with her words.
But Vayu had plans of his own.
"One year…" he murmured to himself, his eyes steady and cold.
He had already made up his mind — he would kill the beast. He wanted to explore the forest freely, to uncover its secrets. Yet as long as the beast lived, it pose a threat to the village, if they stopped offering it food, it would attack the village. But if he killed it, that would be a different story and after becoming the Village Chief, he would allow everyone to enter the forest.
That night, Vayu sat cross-legged, beginning his mental training once more. The beast was gone, but he wanted to keep honing himself, to strengthen both body and mind. Then something unexpected happened. The moment he entered the realm — that strange training space — he froze. Before him stood the same beast, alive and whole, its red eyes gleaming in the dim light.
Vayu's thoughts raced as a realization struck him like lightning — everything that dies here comes back. The beast wasn't immortal in the real world, but inside this domain, death merely means a reset. That meant endless battles… endless chances to grow.
Instead of fear, a wild grin spread across his face. His chest trembled and then he laughed.
"Ha… hahaha… HAHAHAHAHA!" His laughter echoed through the void, manic and triumphant. "Unlimited practice! Infinite growth!"
But before he could finish his thought, the beast lunged. It closed the distance in a blur and ripped his head clean off.
Even as his vision faded to black, Vayu's face still carried that same smile — calm, unshaken, almost welcoming. As if he had let it happen… knowing he'd be back.