OOC: Shock value, to show that the Hunters aren't pushovers, to force myself to showcase Kai more, to have people be devastated, to set apart the RPG from the actual story... Take your pick. =)
And yes, Santaiga's vulnerable, that was the whole point of Kaze's attack, so where he would fail, you guys could succeed.

And I knew that plot twist would surprise everyone. =) Other things, maybe not, including one that's going to happen a little while down the road; but this one... Everyone thought I wouldn't do it. Guess I just proved them wrong. =P