Myriad Paths

...Whatever came through here was big, that's for sure. I imagine we'll find it if we keep going down this road.

Really? Sounds like a perfect reason to head back, then!

No. We've come too far to turn back now.

Huh? Aren't you the guy always goin' on about how we shouldn't take on unnecessary risk 'n all that?

If the other option is coming away empty handed, then this is a necessary risk. When we left basecamp, we made a decision to move forward with the hunt, not see how dangerous it might be and then decide. It would be illogical to turn back now.

I'm really struggling to get you. You're like a walking contradiction, changing your mind as you see fit.

And don't get me wrong, I respect how calm you are in stressful situations 'n all, but I guess I just trust my gut a little more, ya know? If my gut tells me to turn back, it's probably got a good reason. It's an emotional thing. Do you even have emotions?

Emotions? Good question. I might not. And even if I do, they are very much a stranger to me now.

Hm?

Then let me ask you this, why did you come to this island? We all have some kind of emotional reason to be here, are you saying your participation is merely based on logic?

Now that ya mention it, he never did tell us why he's here. Now I gotta know.

Well, there was no "reason," as you might understand it. But if I had to give one, I suppose I just wanted to hunt. What use am I, if I am not hunting prey worthy of my skill?

Figured as much... I didn't take you as a fight fiend considering how cool and composed you act.

A fight fiend? I don't hate it, I suppose. There is a saying "Fear the cold heart of a golem, for in it burns the fires of war." Perhaps that is true for humans, as well.

Now then. Let us press on. We have quite the fight ahead of us.

...Wait. I'm sensing the same presence as yesterday. It's close.

You're right, it's a dark dragon. But, how did you know it was the same one from yesterday?

A hunter that cannot remember the scent of their prey is not worthy of the title.

So uh, go home now?

You could just stay where you are.

Eeeek!!!

Well, well, look who's here. And in high spirits, no less. I heard humans were showing up, but didn't expect such a crowd. I should clean up before digging in.

Gah! This current is intense.

It smells strange... Probably some kind of poison! We shouldn't stay in it too long!

If they keep coming at us like this, a head-on approach won't work. Their power is on a whole other level. Any ideas?

With some extra cover, we should be able to buy ourselves a little extra time to look for an opening. Those trees should do the trick.

Got it!

Wryz! What are you doing? Hurry up and hide!

You guys go ahead and hide. I'm stayin' right here.

You're not seriously thinking about fighting that thing head on, are you?! The plan was to buy time, I never agreed to use you as bait!

Stop. If Wryz says she's going to be okay, then she's going to be okay.

Huh? What about the poison?

I get it, but you need keep your emotions in check. Her decision may seem illogical, yes. But consider the fact that no one in this party knows dragons better than Wryz. So, until some other opportunity arrives, showing trust in her judgment is the only logical choice we can make.

Alright fine. But just for now.

Hmmm? Running away so soon, humans? How...boring.

You and I both know there's no point in running, here. You're the great and powerful dragon, and we're weak and tiny humans, right?

Staying, huh... Well that won't be much fun.

I bet. Dragons are so much more powerful than humans, after all. Why did I of all people have to run into such a strong opponent? It's absolutely cruel.

Kuh kuh kuh... So you know the power we wield, then... Perhaps this would be more fun if I chased you around a little? I do prefer it when my food struggles a bit.

Did she just...dig under ground?

...That's our cue.

Gaaah?!

What? I thought you wanted a struggle? You having fun yet, dragon? This enough resistance for you?!

We can play in the water all ya like, just hope you're ready for a whirlpool of pain.

Ngh... Gwuh...!

You're pushing it, Wryz. You might have gotten lucky the first time, but it's not going to fall for the same trick twice.

Now's our chance! Go in for the attack!

Fine. Enough playing around, then. I'll crush every single one of you like the little bugs you are.

I'm afraid that won't be happening. You may think that you and your kind dictate the natural order of this island... But you've shown me that we have the power to break that order. We can create a new logic.

Fine. Enough playing around, then. I'll crush every single one of you like the little bugs you are.

I'm afraid that won't be happening. You may think that you and your kind dictate the natural order of this island... But you've shown me that we have the power to break that order. We can create a new logic.

Well done, Wryz. It was a good idea to exploit the dragon's pride to gain the upper hand.

Ya seen one dark dragon you've seen 'em all. Provoke 'em and they all do the exact same thing. But I couldn't have done it without backup, ya know? I just helped create the opening.

Prolly woulda been better had I actually told ya what I was gonna do though. Sorry 'bout that.

All that matters is that we did exactly what we set out to do.

And it was your plan that worked at the end of the day, Wryz.

I'd be on my 50th heart attack if I took the time to worry about every time you went rogue on us, anyway.

Hey. How about showing a little more appreciation, eh?

Heh. What about Cerius stopping Aldo, though? Almost sounded like there was passion in those words. Perhaps you do have some emotions after all?

Allowing Wryz to continue with her plan was the logical decision.

Even though everything I do on the battlefield is based on my emotions?

I am praising your actions, I hope you understand that. Fearlessly standing before that dragon is what caused it to drop its guard. You say emotions drive your actions but your actions here were logical.

Whatever. Just sayin' I don't plan out every stinkin' move I make, okay?

I gotta ask Cerius, why are you so hung up on this whole logic thing? You don't have emotions, so, what, you don't find sitting around camp chatting with all of us fun?

It's not like I'm heartless, you know. Not really sure how to explain it, I don't really understand it myself. I have emotions, I just don't feel like there's meaning in putting those emotions into words.

Huh?

Stop tryin' to make it sound all complicated, what we wanna know is how you got like this?

...It's not the kind of story you'll enjoy.

I'll be the judge of that. We've all had a bad day or two, come on, let's hear it.

Fine then, I'll tell back at camp.

Okay Cerius, so what's your story?

Sure, but I doubt it will change much.

Let me ask you something. A small dinosaur lies dead before you, but it was not your kill. What do you do?

The dragon that killed it could return at any moment, so I would ignore it and step away.

Correct. How about this? You've set a trap, and your prey is close to that trap, but refuses to approach it. Where do you aim to move it into position?

The head. You don't need the trap if the prey is dead.

...And what if you miss or simply graze it, and it runs away leaving a blood trail for natural predators? Aiming for the head is risky. Think logically, son. Aim your sights at a tree or the ground close enough so that the prey runs away from the sound and into your trap. It would seem you still have much to learn.

Today, we're hunting hornets. Tell me, how do you hit a target too fast to aim at?

Smoke them out. The scent dulls their movement.

Okay, then what do you do when one of the T-Rexes native to this area, come running towards you? Where do you aim then, hm?

The head. You don't need the trap if the prey is dead.

...Wrong. Do you not listen to anything I say? You don't aim at all, you run. Run as fast as you can. If you must shoot, aim for the legs. They're tall, and if you aim for their head it's more likely you'll hit their jaw than any vital area. Miss and you're dead. Remember that.

But I'm confident I could...

That, son is pride. An emotion that will do you no good. Your skills with a bow may be unmatched, yes. But... You may have never missed a shot, but that will only be true till the day you do miss. Nothing is for certain on the hunt. The moment you stop thinking about the prey and start thinking about yourself is the moment you put us all in danger. Logic will keep you and your comrades safe. And only logic can guide your arrow true.

......

Elder. I hear Cerius has downed another big one! Seems I can't go a day without hearing about another one of his conquests... Such an accomplished hunter deserves to be celebrated, don't you agree?

I wholeheartedly agree. Hunters provide us with food, pelts, and keep us safe. Young Cerius is exceptional, and we owe him much. But, you see, whenever I propose such a celebration, he respectfully declines...

I see...

Cerius has been unstoppable lately! My daddy said that he could probably hunt the gods themselves! I bet he could, too!

Is he better than Yio, the Dino Slayer ya think?

If it isn't my lucky day. I get to team up with the legend himself! I hear you're quite the hunter.

I've heard you're no slouch yourself.

Me? Heh. I'm more of a wanderer than a hunter. If I see something along the way, I kill it. Not much else to it.

Whoa... I had a feeling you'd be good, but I was wrong! You're amazing!

You were able to guide the prey right into my sights. What happened was simply logical.

Well, you're talented with that bow. But you've got guts too. Ya didn't even flinch when that dino started running towards you.

Hey, ya mind if I ask ya something personal?

What is it?

It's just, you're always so silent. I can't tell if you're enjoying this or not. I mean, I thought we did great out there but... Ya just look bored. So I just was wonderin'... What does hunting mean to you?

Why...do I hunt?

It's okay if ya don't wanna answer. I was just wonderin' is all. Ya gotta hunt to live, after all. Ya gotta do it, but you don't gotta like it, right? Yeah. Well. Let's team up again sometime, huh?

Today's hunt is a big one... Just need to wait here and look for my chance to hit it from the side. Once it's wounded, it should head towards father, and he can finish it off.

Hm? It's charging straight at us. Was something wrong with the bait?

The logical move in this situation is to...

You don't aim at all, you run. Run as fast as you can. If you must shoot, aim for the legs.

But...

I can do this. I've done it before. A clean shot to the head should do the trick. If I'm to stop it here, that's the logical choice.

What? It moved its head out of the way?!

Crap! That's where father... WAIT!

Fa...ther?

Cerius...

So your father, he...

The man who bound my thoughts to logic was gone. I was free to let my emotions rise to the surface. But that is when I realized I did not need them, regardless if my father was here or not.

I see... But don't you think it's a little much to suppress ALL of those emotions?

After the incident with my father, the only other man I had hunted with until then had gone missing. Nothing ever good has come from letting my emotions go.

So you're just gonna...suppress them forever?

Sorry to bring everyone down. It may sound bad, but I am quite fine with it, actually. I know the path I must travel, and it doesn't require a bleeding heart to walk it. All I need is strength, and that's why I'm here. Just like the turtle of the Dragon Palace depends only on its shell, I know my strength and it is my compass.

Well it can't be that bad if you're able to drop proverbs after such a depressing story.

I just find it easier to say things with proverbs. Doesn't feel like they're my words that way.

...I see. Well, I know it's not my place to say, but if you ever feel the need to speak from the heart, with your own words, I'm here.

That's kind of you, but I don't see myself ever taking you up on that offer. I'm just fine living under the rules of logic.

That's why you're so dependable, Cerius!