The Incomprehensible Sage

【Beginning】
Iquitos has had great interest and curiosity in everything around him since he was small. He always asked “ why?”, and would trace everything into its source. Yet, his way of craving for answers and knowledge was not so common... Iquitos thought that one would never find out the truth unless he experienced it by himself.
Iquitos was reading an ancient book and murmuring something, with odds and ends scattered around him. He was so absorbed in the book that he did not realise Mufasa was walking from behind...

Mufasa: Iquitos?

Iquitos engrossed himself in the book, as if he could not hear Mufasa calling him.

Mufasa: Iquitos!

Iquitos: Shhh!

Iquitos turned around and took a quick look at Mufasa, signalling Mufasa to quiet down and stop disturbing him. Mufasa could only sit beside him in silence. Iquitos set up a strange altar with fruits and crystals. With a strange spell murmured, dots of fire sparks appeared beside them out of a sudden .

【Before Battles】

Mufasa: Iquitos, what have you done?

Mufasa: Lots of fire elves are gathering here!

Iquitos: It works! This magic spell really works!

Mufasa: I suppose it’s not the right time to celebrate!

【After Battles】

Iquitos: I’ll try this spell again next time...

Mufasa: Oh please don’t.

【End】

Mufasa: I really can’t understand why you have to do this.

Iquitos: If I don’t try, how would I know if what’s recorded in this book is true.

Mufasa: Lucky that you did not cause anything serious...

Though Iquitos successfully summoned fire elves by the spell and magic circle mentioned in the book, he could not control them. If it was not for the help of Mufasa, the whole piece of woodland would have been burnt by the fire elves. Nevertheless, Iquitos did not sense anything wrong with his act.
After they returned to the tribe, the adults were asking where they had been and what was with the fire sparks. Iquitos remained silent, but Mufasa knew the adults would eventually find out the truth, so he made a clean breast of it. The adults scolded Iquitos with worries after they knew what happened...

Werewolf Guard: Are you crazy? Do you know how dangerous it is?

Werewolf Guard: Why did you do that?

Iquitos: You never know if something works if you never try.

The answer of Iquitos was followed by silence.
When Iquitos was still young, everyone treated his strange acts as that of a child getting to know the surroundings. But as Iquitos grew up, people began to think that he was insane, for he always did things that puzzled them...

【Beginning】

Mufasa: Do you see Iquitos?

Tribesman: It seems he’s still at home...

Just then, a loud bang was heard from a house not far away, followed a sparkling burst of fire. The people ran towards the house immediately, and found out that the blaze came from the house of Iquitos. When Mufasa and the crowd arrived there, Iquitos was walking out of the burning house helter-skelter. Mufasa hurried to raise him...

Mufasa: Are you okay? What happened? Why...

What was happening in front of Mufasa was so unbelievable that he had to pause before he could continue talking.

Mufasa: Why was your house on fire?

Iquitos: I was doing experiment.

Mufasa: Even so you don’t have to blow up your own house...

Mufasa: Brother, why you have to do this?

Iquitos: You never know if something works if you never try.

Mufasa sighed, to his dismay, as Iquitos always did something that could not be understood by others. Of course, he himself was also unable to make out what was on Iquitos’ mind, but he believed that Iquitos would not do harm to the tribe.
Later, Iquitos continued to behave unexpectedly - burning the stored food of no reasons, digging a ditch around the tribe... People started to describe him as “insane” and “mad”. While some were terrified by him, for they could not think of the reasons for everything Iquitos had done, and could not foresee what he would do next.
They could not suppress their fear, making numerous requests to Mufasa to banish Iquitos from the tribe, but Mufasa paid no attention. Eventually, the tribesmen grouped together to protest at Mufasa...

【Before Battles】

Tribesman: Iquitos himself is a danger to us!

Worried Tribesman: Who knows what he’ll do? Last time he blew his own house up, what about next time?

Terrified tribesman: Yes! Maybe next time he’ll blow up my house!

Mufasa: Can everyone please calm down and listen to me?

【Enemy Dialog】

Tribesman challenging Mufasa: You’re defending him just because he’s your childhood playmate!

Tribesman criticizing Mufasa: Yes! You’ve lost the rational thought a chief is supposed to have!

Mufasa: Say it again, I dare you!

Iquitos: Suspicions and jealousy are the biggest obstacles to enriching your soul and mind.

【After Battles】

Mufasa: Does anyone else have complaints now?

Mufasa: Finally, everyone can give me the silence to speak!

【End】
All tribespeople quieted down and no one dared to say anything. Mufasa was cordial to the tribesmen at all times. He would violently fight his enemies on the battlefield, but to the tribespeople he had always been a friendly and amiable chief. Therefore now, all the people were astonished to see his shout of rage.
After he had calmed, he spoke to everyone in a peaceful voice...

Mufasa: I understand your fear for Iquitos, and I heard your reasons to keep him away from the tribe.

Mufasa: But, think carefully, did he ever do anything to hurt you?

Mufasa: Although his acts are a bit odd, and his ideas are sort of intangible...

Mufasa: he is just exploring the world,

Mufasa: bringing us extensive knowledge.

After the tribesmen heard what Mufasa had said, they started to discuss everything Iquitos did. Then they suddenly realized that Iquitos had done many weird things, but he had never hurt anyone. Sometimes his discoveries even brought convenience to their daily lives.
Watching the tribesmen changing their mind bit by bit, Mufasa secretly smiled to himself.

Mufasa: Then, are you going to banish Iquitos from our tribe?

Tribesman: No, I think... we just have some misunderstandings.

Worried Tribesman: Of course he can stay; but, no more dangerous experiments.

Mufasa: Very well! We must work as one to build up our tribe!

After that, the people gradually went away. Mufasa turned and looked at Iquitos, said...

Mufasa: Hear that? No more weird and dangerous experiments!

Iquitos: Hehe! I have also said before ‘You never know if something works if you never try’, haven’t I?

【Beginning】

Combat Team Captain: Sir, we’ve been totally suppressed!

Combat Team Captain: We won’t be able to hold it anymore if things go on like this!

Odous: Hold on no matter how tough it is! We’re the last line of defense!

Spiritual Civilization was attacked by the fierce and combative werewolves from outside. They had always coveted the land on where Spiritual Civilization was, and attacked the tribe for it. In order to safeguard the land and the tribespeople, Odous and Iquitos were appointed as front-line warriors, leading the team to fight against the werewolf army.
Yet, the werewolf army was so strong that the tribe combat team was losing ground bit by bit, even under the leadership of Odous and Iquitos. Just when everyone was distressed, they heard the news of another attack of the werewolf army...

Scout: Emergency report!

Scout: Sir Odous, massive number of werewolf soldiers are gathering near our camp!

Odous: Dang it! Not even time to catch my breath?

Odous raised his water saber high up in the air, shouting out loud to the combat team...

Odous: Come, brothers! Follow me forward!

【Before Battles】

Odous: ‘What can we do to turn the tables?’

Iquitos: It’s no use to think too much!

Odous: Iquitos?

Iquitos: Fight! Forward!

【End】
Just while Odous and the combat team were struggling in that tough battle, they heard a sudden cry from Iquitos...

Iquitos: Quick! Run with me!

After that, Iquitos paid no attention to the high tension on the battlefield and just kept running backwards. Odous and all the combat team warriors stood stock still, watching his illogical move. Yet, Odous recalled that before they went to battle, Mufasa told him Iquitos did everything for a reason and therefore, he should listen to what Iquitos say no matter how irrational it was.
Odous hesitated for a while, uttered a groan, but still gave a command to the combat team that they should run with Iquitos. At first, all of the warriors had no idea about what to do until they saw Odous running behind Iquitos. Then they started to run backwards as well. The werewolf army thought Odous and the tribe warriors were retreating, so they decided to set out in pursuit of them, preparing to take them down at a fell swoop.
Just as the werewolf army thought they had won, they were encircled by rings of raging flames, with explosions set off one after another around them. The werewolves inside were destroyed completely in no time. Those who did not fall into the trap were so terrified that they dared not advance. The rest of the army was routed as the werewolves turned on the run. The tribal warriors shouted and jumped upon victory.
Some of the combat team warriors wanted to pursue the fleeing enemy, but were stopped by Iquitos...

Iquitos: Do not pursue a fleeing enemy. How would you know if they set up traps for you?

Iquitos led the warriors to victory over the werewolf army with his surprising moves - blowing up houses, burning all the food, digging ditches. All these strategies were readily planned by Iquitos.
Not until this battle did the tribespeople understand the reasons behind Iquitos’ strange acts. Much of the credit of the victory went to Insane Iquitos. Since then, the tribal people inured themselves to the unusual acts of Iquitos, for they knew there must be reasons behind it. Soon, they called him “Sage” for his unsophisticated wisdom.

【Beginning】
Mufasa had always been an amiable chief who put his tribespeople as first priority. He was well respected by his tribespeople, and he could deal with affairs with a calm and objective manner. Yet, recently Mufasa changed, as if he was a totally different person. He was unable to suppress his rage for trivial matters...
Mufasa, Pluma and Odous were observing the defensive installations at the boundary of the tribe. Suddenly a child bumped into Mufasa by accident.

Child in the tribe: Oh it is Uncle Mufasa! Do you want to play with us?

All the children came around and invited Mufasa, Pluma and Odous to play with them. Pluma shrugged, and was about to play with the children for a while with Odous. At that time, Mufasa suddenly yelled...

Tribal Chief Mufasa: Get lost! Don’t you see we’re working!

Mufasa’s fury scared the children. Pluma walked towards him and patted his shoulder, said...

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: Chief, what’s wrong?

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: You scare the children off.

Pluma’s words calmed Mufasa. Looking upon the children’s frightened faces, he realized how severe he had been. He squatted down and apologized to the children softly. Seeing that, the children relieved and continued to play around.
Both Pluma and Odous looked troubled as they saw an increase in the frequency of Musafa’s unusual acts. Just then, Pluma noticed that Iquitos was observing everything in stealth behind him. His intuition told him: Iquitos might know what happened to Mufasa.
Pluma stalked Iquitos closely. As Iquitos prepared to open the door...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: You have been following me around. Probably still can’t get rid of the life of an outlaw right?

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: You noticed me once I started following you, didn’t you?

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Haha, who knows?

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: I have something to talk to you about...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Come on in first.

Pluma followed Iquitos into his undecorated house, with different opened books scattering here and there. It seemed that Iquitos was investigating something.

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: Do you know what’s wrong with Mufasa?

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Want some tea?

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: I’m not here for tea. I want to...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: You want to know what is happening to Mufasa, right?

Pluma nodded quietly, and sat opposite to Iquitos under his instructions, with both legs crossed.

Tribal Sage Iquitos: According to the history, all Spiritual Beasts have a hidden “frenzy factor” ...

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: I’m not here for history class too.

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Shhh!

Iquitos asked Pluma to keep quiet and listen to him. He picked up a book from the table next to him, looked at it and said...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: “Frenzy factor” may or may not be expressed. But if it does,

Tribal Sage Iquitos: the spiritual beast’s character will be affected and gradually turn violent and cruel. In serious cases...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: he will become bloodthirsty in nature, and will be no different from a beast without knowledge.

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: Are you saying that those irrational acts of Mufasa recently...

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: are caused by that so-called “frenzy factor”?

Tribal Sage Iquitos: This... I’m not so sure yet...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: If we can get some blood from Mufasa, and do a few tests, we may know...

【Before Battles】

Tribal Warrior Odous: Boy, you mad?

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: Brother Odous, I’m not mad. It is the chief who is mad!

Tribal Warrior Odous: He is our chief!

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Odous, Mufasa is not the chief we used to know!

【Enemy Dialog】

‘Mufasa’: Iquitos! What’re you saying?

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Your frenzy factor is emerging, and it threatens the safety of the tribe!

【After Battles】

‘Mufasa’: Kill him! Odous, kill him!

【End】

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: Brother Odous, what you’re doing now will just do him harm!

Tribal Warrior Odous: He is still my chief no matter what happens!

Tribal Sage Iquitos: You are stubborn! We all just want to help Mufasa!

Pluma the Sky-high Outlaw: That being so, we can only do it the rough way!

Pluma and Iquitos dashed to Mufasa again, but was stopped by Odous like the last time. Odous was hurt quite brutally, but it did not hinder him. Even Iquitos and Pluma together were no match for Odous...

Tribal Sage Iquitos: Odous... you...

Losing their consciousness, Iquitos and Pluma fell onto the ground. When Iquitos woke up, he found that both of them were at a completely strange place...