Ignivar Town was louder than it first appeared.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed from the blacksmith district. Steam vents hissed from cracks in the ground, and warm air flowed through the streets like an endless breath of heat.
Elior walked slowly through the town, observing everything.
Infernyx seemed completely at ease here. Its flames glowed brightly as if the town itself was feeding its energy.
Voltiger hopped onto a stone ledge, sparks dancing from its body.
Lunashade stayed close to Elior's shadow.
At the center of town stood the tall flame-shaped tower Elior had noticed earlier.
But as he got closer, he realized it wasn't a gym.
A large sign stood outside the entrance:
Ignivar Volcanic Research Institute
Elior tilted his head.
"Research institute?"
Just then, the doors opened.
A woman stepped out, carrying several glowing stone samples in a metal container.
She stopped when she saw Infernyx.
Her eyes widened.
"…That Pokémon."
She approached slowly, studying Infernyx carefully.
"That's not a common fire-type evolution."
Elior smiled nervously.
"Yeah… it evolved recently."
The researcher adjusted her glasses, still observing the flames around Infernyx.
"…Interesting."
Then she introduced herself.
"My name is Professor Kaedra."
"I study volcanic Pokémon energy and ancient elemental phenomena."
Her eyes shifted toward Lunashade.
"…And shadow-based species."
Then toward Voltiger.
"…And unstable electrical resonance."
She suddenly looked directly at Elior.
"…You're not an ordinary trainer, are you?"
Elior blinked.
Before he could answer—
A loud crack echoed somewhere beneath the town.
The ground trembled slightly.
People stopped walking.
Infernyx's flames rose instantly.
Voltiger sparked sharply.
Lunashade's shadow expanded.
Professor Kaedra frowned.
"…That shouldn't be happening."
Elior looked toward the ground.
"An earthquake?"
Kaedra shook her head slowly.
"No."
Her voice lowered.
"That tremor came from deep below the volcano."
Far away—
On a rooftop overlooking the research institute—
Two agents of Team Umber watched silently.
One spoke into a communicator.
"The seismic activity has started."
The response came quickly.
"…Good."
"Phase One continues."
Back in the town square, Elior looked at his Pokémon.
Something beneath Ignivar Town was moving.
And whatever it was—
It had just begun to wake up.
And the journey continues....