[Shulk opens his mouth, closes it. No...it's true, they're both trapped. Crow hasn't been here as long, but he'd experienced the gamut Ryslig had to offer.

Still, he's annoyed that Crow assumes he hasn't been thinking enough, that all the information he's come across, the only thing that's come close to the answer he's looking for is this. And if her heart isn't in Dyster, well, he'll tear apart this entire peninsula to find it. It was here somewhere, it had to be.

But here, Crow is tearing at him. That sense of self he's fought so hard to preserve - would he really sacrifice it for a lost cause? To be recognized...and that Crow had reassured him before--

He flinches despite himself, when Crow raises his fist, again when that fist hits the ground. Staring incredulously at the mer as he looks away. The breath he's holding becomes painfully tight in his chest, full now with hurt.]

That's....! [True?] That's for him to decide. If he -- if that's what he wants, I-I'll...

[Shulk swallows thickly.

It's probably evident in the quaver of his voice, how much the mere thought terrifies him. Is he going to lose everything again, no matter what he does?]

...My mind's already made up, Crow. Sorry.