Trial Valley did not slow down.
It escalated.
After the battle with Metagross, the environment itself seemed to recognize them as worthy participants. The heat rising from the cracked ground intensified, and the air carried sharper currents of energy—wild, unrefined, but rich.
Lia could feel it even without the system.
"This place is pushing us…"
Eren nodded."Because now it expects results."
Controlled Growth
They didn't rush into another battle immediately.
Instead, they moved deeper into the valley, letting their Pokémon adapt naturally.
Charizard walked steadily, each step heavier than before—not from exhaustion, but from density. Its body had become more refined, every muscle carrying more force with less movement.
Its tail flame burned lower now—but brighter at the core.
At Level 66, it had entered a new phase.
Not stronger in bursts.
Stronger in presence.
Doublade, however—
Was changing faster.
The twin blades no longer moved in perfect sync. Sometimes one drifted slightly ahead, the other lagging behind—not from instability, but from independence.
The spectral bond between them flickered faintly.
Not weakening.
Evolving.
The Valley Responds Again
As they reached a deeper section of the canyon, the ground opened into a wide battlefield marked by old scars—deep cuts, melted rock, shattered cliffs.
This place had seen countless Champion clashes.
And it wasn't empty.
A shadow moved across the ground.
Lia looked up.
A familiar silhouette circled above.
Wings wide.
Powerful.
Dominant.
Salamence.
But this time—
It didn't fly away.
Apex Predator
Salamence descended slowly, landing with a thunderous impact that shook the valley floor.
Dust and heat rose around it.
Its eyes locked onto Charizard.
No hesitation.
No testing.
This was not a Champion's evaluation.
This was a territorial challenge.
Eren's voice was calm.
"This is good."
Lia blinked.
"Good?!"
"Yes," he said."Because this one won't hold back."
Charizard stepped forward.
Flame rising slightly.
Doublade hovered beside it.
The battle began before words could form.
Clash of Dragons
Salamence roared.
The sound alone carried pressure.
It lunged forward with terrifying speed, claws tearing through the air.
"Left!" Lia shouted.
Charizard dodged, wings adjusting mid-step to avoid the full impact. The ground where Salamence struck shattered instantly.
Charizard countered.
A focused burst of flame shot forward—not wide, but condensed.
Salamence didn't dodge.
It flew straight through it.
Flames washed over its body—but instead of stopping, it accelerated.
Lia's eyes widened.
"It ignored it!"
Eren spoke sharply.
"Because it can."
Doublade's Precision
"Support!" Eren commanded.
Doublade moved instantly.
The twin blades split, attacking Salamence from opposite angles.
Salamence twisted mid-air, blocking one blade with its wing while deflecting the other with its tail.
But—
Not perfectly.
A shallow cut formed along its side.
Salamence roared again.
This time—
Angry.
Rising Intensity
The battle escalated instantly.
Salamence took to the air, diving repeatedly with crushing force.
Charizard adapted quickly, using short bursts of flight to reposition rather than staying airborne.
Each clash shook the valley.
Each exchange pushed them further.
The system chimed.
Charizard — Level Increase:Lv. 66 → Lv. 67
Doublade — Level Increase:Lv. 66 → Lv. 67
The Breaking Point
Salamence roared and gathered energy.
A massive wave of destructive force built in its jaws.
Lia felt it instantly.
"That's dangerous—!"
"Don't block," Eren said sharply.
Charizard understood.
Instead of resisting, it surged forward.
Directly into danger.
At the same moment—
Doublade moved.
Not to attack Salamence.
But to align itself with Charizard.
The spectral bond stretched—
Then snapped into a new configuration.
The two blades locked into perfect alignment—
For a single instant.
The Evolution Trigger
Something changed.
The air froze.
Doublade's entire form began to glow.
The spectral bond expanded—
Then collapsed inward.
The twin blades pulled together—
Not merging—
Transforming.
A new shape emerged.
A single sword.
A shield forming beside it.
An ancient, regal presence awakened.
Lia's breath caught.
"Eren…"
He nodded slowly.
"It's time."
Evolution Complete
The light faded.
Where Doublade had hovered—
Now stood Aegislash.
Its blade gleamed with quiet authority.
Its shield floated beside it, golden and unyielding.
The presence it emitted was no longer sharp and reactive.
It was commanding.
The system chimed clearly.
[Evolution Complete]Doublade → Aegislash
Aegislash — Level Increase:Lv. 67 → Lv. 68
Immediate Impact
Salamence's attack released.
A massive wave of destructive energy surged forward.
"Aegislash!" Eren commanded.
The shield moved.
Not fast.
Not dramatic.
Just absolute.
The attack struck—
And split.
Divided cleanly around the shield, dispersing harmlessly into the valley.
Lia's eyes widened.
"It… blocked it completely…"
Eren's voice was calm.
"That's a king."
New Balance
Charizard stepped forward again.
Now not alone.
Aegislash hovered beside it, shield forward, blade angled slightly downward.
Salamence hesitated for the first time.
The balance of the battle had shifted.
Not dramatically.
But undeniably.
The valley grew quiet.
For a moment.
Then Salamence roared again.
This time—
Not as a predator.
But as a challenger.
The real battle—
Had just begun.