Evening...
"How's the job going? You have the day off the day after tomorrow, right? We have something to do." It wasn't the drill master… it was my old dad. I was so relieved and happy to see him like this.
"No, Father, it's not too difficult," I replied. "It's just the first few days anyway, so it's manageable. Father, Dhanu said they're coming on Saturday. So, we're planning to go see a movie."
"Okay, the day after tomorrow, Saturday, is when we need to go," Father said. "It's an auspicious day, an Amavaka (new moon) day—the perfect day for your training. We're going camping. Before that, we'll go to the project room. I'll show you some of the… things… we're dealing with. Things you might see in the future… demon beasts."
Demon beasts? What were those? Were there other creatures besides the normal animals? Given the things I'd seen lately, anything was possible. I wondered what Father was going to show me.
"Father, if we're going camping, should I invite Dhanuwa and Thariya too?" I asked, thinking it would be fun.
"They can come along," Father replied, "but we'll have to put them to sleep around 10 PM."
As he said that, Father picked up his laptop and headed to the project room.
"Why do we have to put them to sleep, Father?" I asked.
"Take a look at these slides," he said, handing me the laptop. "You'll understand. Besides, your strength is different from theirs now. It's best not to say anything about what you're about to see." Father's tone was a warning.
In the project room, Father plugged in his laptop and pulled up some slides.
.... .. . ... ..
Dragon
A very rare creature believed to exist in both Eastern and Western mythology, but confirmed to be real. Its magical power is considered immense (impossible to measure/no one has attempted to measure it).
Believed to be born from eggs. Has scales like a reptile but is a mammal. There are two main types:
1. Vyvern dragons: Their front limbs have been transformed into wings (like bats).
2. Ancient dragons: Have wings in addition to their four limbs.
Can take human form after magical evolution, making it very difficult to find.
Size:
Height x Length x Width: Approximately 18 x 36 x 12 meters
Special Features: Unknown Weaknesses: Unknown
Bulgasari
A creature with a lion's body and an elephant-like trunk. Difficult to find because it can shapeshift. Only reveals its true form during the breeding season.
A mammal. Believed to be extinct.
Size:
Height x Length x Width: Approximately 3 x 3.6 x 1.2 meters
Special Features: Shapeshifting Weaknesses: Its trunk is very sensitive. It can die even from a small internal injury to it.
Chimera
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Has a strong body like a lion and a sharp horn on its head like a fierce antelope. Its tail is like a whip (some mistake it for a snake).
Its paws have hooves, and it has a special ability to climb mountains, so it lives near rocky mountains/mountain ranges.
A mammal. Lives in packs.
Size:
Height x Length x Width: Approximately 1.2 x 1.8 x 0.6 meters
Special Features: Its bite is very poisonous.
Weaknesses: Uses its young to kill because of its love for its offspring.
Griffin
Has a face like a hawk with a beak and wings. Its body is like a leopard. Has sharp claws and a beak. Builds nests in high places. Lives in pairs. Is often aggressive. Hatches from eggs.
Size:
Height x Length x Width: Approximately 1.5 x 2.4 x 0.9 meters Wingspan: Approximately 2.7 meters
Special Features: Its claws can pierce even bones. Weaknesses: The female is weak after laying eggs.
Kraken
A colossal cephalopod, said to dwell in the deepest oceans. Legends describe it as capable of sinking ships and dragging entire vessels into the abyss. Its size and strength are legendary.
Believed to be highly intelligent and possess some form of magical ability, possibly related to controlling water currents and weather.
Size:
Length: Upwards of 100 meters (including tentacles)
Special Features: Immense strength, control over water currents, potentially magical abilities.
Weaknesses: Vulnerable to powerful magic or attacks that disrupt its connection to the ocean.Particularly susceptible to powerful electrical attacks.
Chupacabra
A creature of legend, rumored to inhabit various parts of the world. Described as a bipedal creature with reptilian features, sharp spines, and a taste for blood, particularly livestock.
Its origins and true nature are unknown, with some believing it to be a natural predator, while others attribute its existence to genetic experiments or even supernatural forces.
Size:
Height: Approximately 1-1.5 meters
Special Features: Sharp spines, powerful jaws, ability to drain blood.
Weaknesses: Vulnerable to conventional weapons and fire.
Desert Death Worm (Olgoi-Khorkhoi)
A mythical creature said to inhabit the arid deserts. Described as a large worm-like creature, capable of burrowing beneath the sand and surprising its prey. Rumored to possess venomous secretions or even the ability to generate electrical shocks.
Its existence is largely based on folklore and anecdotal evidence.
Size:
Length: Up to 5 meters
Special Features: Burrowing ability, potential venom or electrical attacks.
Weaknesses: Vulnerable to attacks while on the surface, possibly sensitive to vibrations.
Megalodon (Enhanced)
A massive prehistoric shark, reimagined as a creature of immense magical power. Its size and strength are amplified, and it is said to possess control over the ocean's currents and marine life.
Believed to be a guardian of the deep, protecting ancient secrets and powerful artifacts.
Size:
Length: Upwards of 30 meters
Special Features: Immense strength, control over water, enhanced senses, potentially magical abilities.
Weaknesses: Vulnerable to specific magical attacks or artifacts that disrupt its connection to the ocean.
Note: The creatures listed here represent only a fraction of the diverse and often dangerous bestiary inhabiting this world. Many more beasts, both known and unknown, roam the land, sea, and skies, posing a constant threat to those unprepared to face them. The study of these creatures is an ongoing endeavor, with new discoveries and classifications constantly being made.
....
Ayan's eyes widened as he scrolled through the slide.s He looked up at his father, a mixture of awe and apprehension in his gaze. "These… these are real?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Father nodded solemnly. "More real than you can imagine. And these are just a few examples. There are many more, some far more dangerous, that roam this world."
Ayan swallowed hard, the images of the creatures burned into his mind. The sheer size of the Dragon, the terrifying power of the Kraken, the venomous bite of the Chimera… it was all so much to take in. "But… how do you fight something like that?" he asked, gesturing towards the slides.
"That," Father said, a glint in his eye, "is what your training is for. These creatures possess immense power, but they also have weaknesses. Understanding those weaknesses is key to survival. And sometimes," he added, his voice dropping to a lower register, "sometimes, you have to be willing to use… unconventional methods."
Ayan’s gaze fell on the description of the Chimera, specifically the part about it using its young to defend itself. A chill ran down his spine.
"The world is not always black and white, Ayan," Father continued, sensing his unease. "Sometimes, difficult choices must be made. The safety of many outweighs the life of one. Remember that."
Ayan nodded slowly, still processing the information. He closed the laptop, the images of the creatures still fresh in his mind. He knew that his world had just expanded, and with it, the potential dangers he would face. The movie night with Dhanu suddenly seemed very far away.
"Now," Father said, breaking the silence, "let's go over the plan for Saturday."
.........