Summary: Logan, a graduate student studying the local ecosystem, discovers that the mystical creature populations are dwindling. He proposes a new theory, of a creature larger than life hiding out in the forest. Logan searches the forest for the beast, forgetting one important detail- in order to find a dangerous apex predator, the predator has to find you.Ā
(Also quick credit- Iāve been brainstorming this world with the wonderful @delimeful who suggested the initial idea. :D )
Check out more of my work at @hiddendreamerwriting!
āāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāāā-
Logan stared at his notes, running a hand through his hair distractedly as he looked over the numbers he had practically memorized. āIt doesnāt make sense.ā He murmured, blinking suddenly as a thought occurred to him. āOr perhapsā¦ it makes perfect sense.ā
āWhat are you on about, Sanders?ā His mentor asked, glancing up from his own research work.
āSir, Iāve been going over the numbers of harpy populations again.ā Logan explained, looking up as he tried to work out the logistics of his new theory. āIt doesnāt add up. Based on the observations of subjects in captivity, their lifespan is averaged to be fifty years. With the birth expectancy rate being what it is, and conditions being optimal the past few decades, the population should be twice its actual size, if not more.ā
āSo I take it the Chimeras have been busy.ā His mentor shrugged, both of them sharing a brief grim look. Chimeras were awful beasts that dominated the surrounding forests, giant monsters with a lionās head, goatās body, and snake tail. They were known for breathing fire and decimating clearings, feasting on whatever creature was foolish enough to cross its path.Ā
āThatās where the anomaly occurs.ā Logan adjusted his glasses, pulling together his papers. āThe evidence of Chimeras in the area hasā¦ decreased.ā
āMigrated elsewhere?āĀ
Logan shook his head at the suggestion. āNo, evidence has not appeared in any of the surrounding areas. In fact, based on the reports from various rangers, thereās even evidence of deceased Chimeras, in the form of discarded partial remains.ā
His mentor hummed, considering this new information. āSo then, what, the Chimeras are growing territorial? Beating each other up?ā
āThe chances of such behavior being the case are infinitesimal.ā Logan negated. āChimeras are known to welcome pack tactics. Even with the decrease in harpy populations there are plenty of other sources of food in the area so as not to necessitate violence over resources, and certainly no reason to resort to cannibalism.ā
āCannibalism?ā The mentorās eyebrows raised.
āWhy else would a whole corpse not be discarded?ā Logan supported his statement. āThese reports indicate only small portions of the Chimeraās structure being left behind. In several accounts the horns were discovered, as well as the snake tail looking as though it were severed.ā
āHmm.ā His mentor slowly turned in his chair, facing Logan head on. āSo you have a theory then?ā
āI do.ā Logan nodded, taking a moment to straighten up. He took a deep breath. āI believe thereās a larger apex predator hunting them.ā
Unsurprisingly, his mentor looked at him in disbelief. āWhat? What do ya mean, you think thereās something bigger than a Chimera? How the hell would we miss something like that?ā
āI have no idea.ā Logan admitted. āPerhaps it is new to the area, or especially skilled at camouflage. Itās exceptionally possible that there have been previous fatal encounters chalked up to be caused by one of the other several dangers of the forest. But regardless, all the evidence points to-ā
āTo a disease.ā His mentor cut him off. āThe Chimeraās likely developed some virus thatās working through their system and driving āem all mad. It would explain their behavior and is more plausible than a giant man eating beast nobodyās seen.ā
Logan pursed his lips, never a fan of being told he was wrong.Ā
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