Gobi Desert.
A yellow wind swept across the rocky ground. A sand rat scurried out from a crack in the rocks. It stood upright in the shadows, holding its front paws to its chest and peering left and right.
As far as the eye could see, the landscape was empty, save for a few greyish saxaul and calligonum shrubs.
The sand rat cautiously crept forward, moving closer to a saxaul shrub.
After a few steps, it suddenly froze.
'Why is the shadow so long today?'
Danger!
The sand rat spun around to flee, but it was a step too slow. A massive mouth descended from the sky, clamped down on its head, and flicked it upward.
Opening its gaping, tooth-filled maw, it chewed a few times, red juices dripping from the corners of its mouth.
The Single Claw Dragon narrowed its eyes, a look of pure contentment on its face.
Ever since it migrated here from another region a month ago, it had discovered a distinct lack of natural predators.
It had no idea why.
