What man could be prepared to face such a challenge?

“The two of you look happy today,” Shimu comments as we once again join him for breakfast, this time alone within his own home.
“Just the effects of nice weather, I guess.”
“Yes, the bright sun and clear skies can do wonders for one’s mood, can they not?”
Shimu raises an eyebrow. He doesn’t buy it at all. Likely not helped by the fact that we're indoors.

“Well, I wish I could be as chipper as you two, but as it happens, my day hasn’t had such a bright start.”
"Things not quite going as planned?”
“You could certainly say that.” He scowls slightly as he says this. For a man so good at keeping appearances to suddenly have such an unpleasant expression, something must have gone pretty badly wrong.

“We had hoped to get the reconstruction efforts started within the next week, but it appears those plans will have to be put on hold. The away team that we sent to scout the flooded area returned, and the situation is more dire than we’d expected.”
“More dire? Like the floods haven’t died down?”
“On the contrary, it appears certain coastal areas have gotten far worse.”
“Worse?! The tsunami wasn’t the end of it?”
“It appears not. We had assumed the tsunami to be a natural cataclysm, but the continued flooding of the coast has made us reevaluate this conclusion. We now believe the cause to be the work of a particularly powerful ocean monster. A wave dragon.”

Ann and I look to one another, our expressions equally grim. Looking back at Shimu, I ask:

“A wave dragon? You’re certain?”
“Certain? No, not entirely, we’ve yet to spot such a beast. However, the only recorded events in history that echo the current catastrophe were caused by such circumstances.”

“So either this is all the work of a wave dragon, or it’s being caused by a new threat we’ve never even seen before?”
“That’s about the half of it, yes.”

A wave dragon. None had been spotted around Shimatou for some hundred and fifty years, owing to our fishing culture putting as at odds with them over food. We had assumed they’d decided to leave human territory, deciding it was better for them if they lived somewhere that didn’t involve fighting for food, but if what Shimu says is true, they’re back with a vengeance.

Unlike the water serpent we’d fought on the journey, wave dragons were hyperintelligent and had incredible magical power. Such intelligence is likely the reason they avoided conflict with us for so long, but if they’ve decided now is the time to attack, humanity in Shimatou and all it’s neighbouring islands could be at risk.

“As I see it now, we have two options, neither without it’s drawbacks.” Shimu continued briefing us on the situation. “The first option, we abandon the flooded land. Much of the island is still sparse of human development, so finding a place to rehome people should be easy. However, we’d lose access to our biggest fishing areas, as well as the conveniences of housing along the coastline.”

“I think I can already guess the second option.”

Shimu gives a slow, deep nod, and Ann slightly bites her upper lip, a nervous habit of hers I haven’t seen for a while. The three of us are already on the same page.

“The second course of action would be to send combatants to engage the beast head on. Success would lead to the reclaiming of the coast, and would prevent the food supply issues that would come with being denied the ability to fish.”
“But failure would result in the deaths in vain of a number of our countrymen.” Ann finishes Shimu’s thoughts for him. Both of them fall silent, clearly not happy with either option. I, however, have already realised the only acceptable solution.

“Shimu, option one can’t work.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Think about it; the wave dragons left humanity alone for over a century, believing us too troublesome to fight with. So why now? Why the sudden act of aggression?”
Shimu’s eyes widen as he realises the implication.
“You believe they mean to go to war?”
“I think they’re considering it. We know they’re just as intelligent as humans, if not more. A single dragon accidentally attacking a human settlement after 150 years of carefully avoiding confrontation just doesn’t seem plausible, especially if they’re sticking around to deal more damage. I think they’re testing the waters.”

Shimu looks down, no longer meeting my eye, thinking intently on my words.

“You believe this to be a test? And that an inadequate response will lead to further attacks?”
“Based on my knowledge, yes, I think that’s the most likely conclusion to draw.”
“And so we must respond with force, lest we risk further calamity?”
“I see no other option. If I’m right, and repelling the current attack will prevent further conflict between us and the wave dragons, then not doing so risks death on a scale this island has never seen. We may be able to win a war with them, but we certainly wouldn’t be able to do so without some tens of thousands of deaths.”

Shimu’s face twitches. A man who was able to put on a facade of joy so soon after losing his one beloved, now unable to keep his composure at the decision before him. It’s no exaggeration to say that this is a harder choice than most rulers will have to make in a lifetime.

“My options are either to send tens, hundreds, maybe thousands of my warriors to their deaths to repel a foe none have fought in some 15 decades, or to risk the eradication of the island as a whole. What man could be prepared to face such a challenge?”

Upon hearing Shimu’s words, I look to Ann’s conflicted face, and an idea comes to mind.

“Ann. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Unfortunately, I believe I may be. I’m not sure if it’s your foolishness or recklessness that I’ve adopted, but such an asinine plan is one I never would have come up with were it not for you.”
“Are you saying you’re against it?”
“I’m saying you’ll need me there to make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

Shimu raises his head, and looks from me to Ann and back again a few times.

“What are the two of you scheming? I cannot say I like the sound of it”
“Shimu, what if you don’t have to risk thousands? What if it’s just two?”
“You wish to fight the beast alone?”
“Not alone, with my partner.”

I smile at Ann, and she gives Shimu a nod, letting him know she’s on board too.

“Madness. Suicide. A ridiculous notion. I will not approve of such an absurd plan.”
“We’re the most powerful destructive force and the most powerful defensive force on the island. If anyone can achieve it, it’s us.”
“It is too dangerous for a party of two, don’t be so foolish.”
“Others will just slow us do-”
“I WILL NOT LOSE ANY MORE OF MY FAMILY!”

The steadily cracking composure that Shimu had maintained for so long finally fell away. The man who had kept a brave face through the worst of tragedies, who remained a figurehead for those who needed him, could no longer hide his pain. Tears streamed from his eyes, and his voice cracked as he spoke.

“I’ve lost too much already. Thousands of my people, dozens of communities I had sworn to protect, even the one I loved with all my heart. I failed to save them, and now they shall never come back to me. I cannot watch the same happen to the two of you as well.”

He doesn’t look up, unable to meet our eyes as the words leave his mouth. I guess I’d forgotten in all the chaos, but in the time Shimu had lived in Higashi, he often treated Ann and I as his own younger siblings. So callously suggesting such a plan to a man who so recently saw such tragedy. How stupid of me.

But, no matter which you spin it, it’s the best option for avoiding further casualties. Even in the crying face of the cousin who has done so much for me, I can’t back down.

“I’m sorry, Shimu. I should have considered your feelings. I can’t imagine the grief you’re going through, and to add to that with my own recklessness is unfair of me. But I don’t want to see any more people dead, and I can’t guarantee the lives of anyone sent with us. Ann and I going alone is the only way to solve this without casualty. We have to try.”

For a moment, Shimu doesn’t react, continuing to lightly sob and look down at the ground. But after a few seconds, he breathes in heavily, wipes the tears from his eyes, and slowly looks up at me.

“Your mind is made up? You will not accept another solution?”
“Not until we try. I can’t stand to see anyone else die while I idle about as nothing more than an assistant to Ann’s efforts, knowing I could do more.”

I tilt my head to the side slightly, and give a toothy grin.

“Besides, if I do anything too stupid, Ann will straighten me out.”
“If Shiidou does not exercise proper caution, I shall flay him alive.”
“You’re still on that?”

A light, somewhat choked chuckle tells me my plan to lift Shimu’s spirits at least worked a little.

“I fear you both are far more powerful than I could ever hope to be. Even were I to try, I doubt I could stop you.”
“You couldn’t, but I wouldn’t hurt you too bad.”

Face still wet from tears, he manages a weak smile.

“You’ve both grown up so much. Where are the innocent children I knew those few years back?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, I was always a little shit, I’ve just managed to corrupt Ann too.”
“A statement I unfortunately must agree with.”

He chuckles again, this time managing it without a half-sob.

“Promise me this, Ann, Shiidou. You will prioritise returning to me alive and safe. You will take no risks other than those that are completely necessary.”
“I promise. I’ll make it back. And you can be certain that I’ll make sure Ann comes back too.”

Through the tears, finally, a genuine, warm smile.

“Well then. I can only wish you luck on that trial you’re about to face.”