Dust and smoke drifted through the street of Ignivar Town where the ground had collapsed.
The newly opened tunnel descended into darkness.
Standing beside it were three agents of Team Umber.
The lead agent lowered his arm after throwing the Pokéball.
A massive Pokémon emerged in a burst of dark energy.
It resembled a rocky beast with jagged stone armor and glowing crimson cracks running across its body.
The creature let out a deep roar that echoed through the night.
Elior stepped forward.
Infernyx's flames surged high behind him.
Voltiger crackled with electricity.
Lunashade's shadow stretched across the broken street like living darkness.
"You're not going any further," Elior said.
The agent chuckled softly beneath his hood.
"You misunderstand."
He gestured toward the open tunnel.
"We already have."
Behind him, the other two agents began descending into the underground passage.
Professor Kaedra ran out of the institute just in time to see them disappear below.
"They're heading into the ruins!" she shouted.
The lead agent smirked.
"My job," he said calmly, "is to keep you busy."
The rocky Pokémon slammed its fists against the ground.
The impact shook the street.
Elior clenched his fist.
"Infernyx!"
The flame Pokémon leapt forward.
"Flame Burst!"
A blazing fireball shot through the air and exploded against the rocky creature's chest.
Fire scattered across the battlefield.
But when the flames faded—
The creature was still standing.
The agent smiled.
"Rock types don't fear fire."
Voltiger jumped forward.
"Then try lightning!" Elior shouted.
"Voltiger, Thunder Strike!"
Electricity exploded from Voltiger's body and shot forward like a spear of light.
The lightning struck the rocky Pokémon directly.
Cracks of electricity spread across its stone armor.
The creature roared in pain.
Infernyx followed instantly.
"Flame Wing!"
Its burning wings slashed forward, striking the weakened stone armor.
The combined attack finally knocked the creature backward.
The agent's smile faded slightly.
"…Interesting."
But before he could respond—
Lunashade suddenly moved.
It wasn't attacking.
It was staring into the open tunnel.
Its silver eyes glowed intensely.
Elior noticed.
"What is it?"
Lunashade's shadow stretched down the tunnel entrance.
As if it could feel something deep below.
Then—
The ground trembled again.
Stronger than before.
Everyone froze.
Even the Team Umber agent looked surprised.
From deep inside the tunnel came a low, ancient sound.
Not a roar.
Not a growl.
Something far older.
Professor Kaedra's voice trembled.
"…They woke it up."
The agent's eyes widened.
"That wasn't supposed to happen yet."
Infernyx's flames flared violently.
Voltiger sparked wildly.
Lunashade stepped closer to the tunnel.
The darkness below seemed to move.
Far beneath Ignivar Town—
Inside the ancient cavern—
A massive shape slowly shifted.
Stone cracked.
Dust fell from the cavern ceiling.
And the enormous eyes in the darkness opened fully.
The watcher beneath the earth was awake.
And now—
It knew Elior was there.
And the journey continues...