Chapter 3: The Girl Beneath the Moonlight

The forest lay cloaked in mist and moonlight. Silent. Still. Waiting.

Arjun glided low between the towering trees, his enormous wings nearly brushing the ancient branches. After the battle with the Black Fang mercenaries, he had realized one crucial thing — he could no longer aimlessly wander. He needed allies. He needed knowledge.

He needed... a new life.

But beasts were feared. Spirit Beasts, even intelligent ones, were hunted, enslaved, or sealed into spirit weapons by greedy cultivators. No human would ever trust him — not like this.

I need a human form, Arjun thought grimly, feeling the limits of his current existence. Or at least, the ability to speak... to plan.

He had seen records back at Azure Cloud Sect — rare spirit beasts with ancient bloodlines could eventually take human forms, once their cultivation reached a certain level.

But for now, he had to stay hidden.

As he passed over a small clearing near a misty riverbank, something caught his sharp eagle eyes.

A lone figure. Small. Fragile. Human.

Sitting by the river, wrapped in a tattered cloak, shivering under the cold moonlight.

A girl — no more than sixteen or seventeen — with long, tangled hair like a waterfall of ink, and pale hands that clutched a worn satchel.

Even from high above, Arjun could see she was injured. Blood stained her robes. A broken sword lay at her side.

Arjun circled once, cautious. Was this a trap? Was she bait for hunters?

But there were no other energy signatures nearby. No mercenaries hiding in the trees. No spiritual arrays set on the ground.

She was truly... alone.

Something deep inside him stirred — an echo of the human he used to be. A broken youth abandoned by the world.

Just like her.

---

The girl winced as she tried to move, clutching her side where a deep wound oozed blood.

"No... not here... I have to keep moving," she whispered to herself, voice hoarse and trembling.

But her body betrayed her. She collapsed onto the damp earth, breathing raggedly.

Tears welled up in her eyes — but she bit her lip hard, refusing to cry.

"I won't die here... not yet... not until I avenge them..."

Her words were almost swallowed by the night winds.

Arjun landed silently on a nearby branch, folding his wings against his body. He watched her — this stubborn, wounded girl — struggling against the inevitable.

Something inside him made a decision.

He couldn't leave her.

Even if he couldn't speak, even if he couldn't protect her like a human guardian, he could at least watch over her — for tonight.

He flapped his wings lightly, stirring the air, and sent a small gust toward her.

The dying campfire nearby flickered back to life, throwing a warm glow over the girl.

She stirred weakly, opening her eyes — and gasped when she saw the enormous eagle perched above.

Terror flashed across her face.

But strangely, she didn’t scream. She didn’t run. She simply... bowed her head slightly.

"Mighty spirit beast..." she whispered weakly. "If you wish to devour me... I will not resist."

Arjun blinked, surprised.

There was no fear in her voice. Only tired resignation — and a strange, quiet dignity.

"But if... you have any mercy..." she coughed, blood flecking her lips, "please... take my satchel to the Temple of Falling Stars... someone there must... know what to do..."

She slumped against the tree trunk, unconscious.

Arjun swooped down, landing beside her.

His massive golden form towered over the small, broken girl. For a long moment, he simply stared at her.

And then, carefully, he nudged the satchel with his beak.

Inside were scrolls. Medallions. And a small, cracked jade pendant — pulsing faintly with spiritual light.

A hidden bloodline artifact.

Arjun's heart tightened.

This girl wasn't just some wandering beggar…

(End of Chapter 3)