A New Morning
The wind of
Zephyros Town
felt different today.
Lighter.
Freer.
As if something heavy had lifted after the battle at the
Zephyros Gym.
Standing near the edge of town—
Elior looked out toward the distant cliffs.
The Umbral Badge rested in his hand.
"…One step closer…"
"So you're the one who stabilized it."
A voice came from behind.
Elior turned.
A man stood there—
Wearing a long coat, carrying a set of instruments and notes.
Sharp eyes.
Curious.
Dr. Vael
Elior narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Who are you?"
Dr. Vael adjusted his glasses.
"Someone who's been looking for you."
A pause.
His gaze shifted—
Toward Lunashade
"…or more specifically…"
"…that Pokémon."
Elior stepped slightly forward.
Protective.
"…Why?"
Dr. Vael didn't react aggressively.
Instead—
He spoke calmly.
"Because what you're carrying…"
A pause.
"…is not ordinary shadow energy."
Elior's eyes sharpened.
"…You mean the Abyss form?"
Dr. Vael nodded.
"Abyssal Sovereign."
He said the name without hesitation.
"That power…"
He looked toward the distant mountains.
"…was recorded long before this town existed."
Dr. Vael turned slightly.
Pointing toward the horizon.
"If you want answers…"
A pause.
"…come with me."
Far beyond the cliffs—
Partially hidden by clouds—
Ruins stood.
Ancient.
Massive.
Silent.
Aeralis Ruins
Elior looked at Lunashade.
Then back at the ruins.
"…We're going."
The path wasn't easy.
Sharp cliffs.
Strong winds.
Narrow trails.
But Elior moved forward without hesitation.
Dr. Vael followed closely—
Taking notes.
Observing everything.
"These ruins…"
Dr. Vael explained as they climbed.
"…belong to a civilization that studied balance."
"…Balance?" Elior asked.
"Light and darkness."
A pause.
"Control and chaos."
His eyes briefly shifted to Lunashade again.
After hours—
They reached the entrance.
The air changed instantly.
Still.
Heavy.
Ancient.
The structure stood tall—
Covered in markings.
Symbols.
Carvings that told stories long forgotten.
They stepped in.
The sound of wind disappeared.
Only silence remained.
Torches lit automatically—
As if reacting to their presence.
On the walls—
Ancient carvings stretched endlessly.
Battles.
Pokémon.
Energy flowing between humans and creatures.
Elior stopped.
"…What is this…?"
Dr. Vael stepped beside him.
His voice lowered.
Almost in awe.
"History."
One mural stood larger than the rest.
At its center—
A massive Pokémon figure.
Surrounded by shadow and light.
Guarding something.
Watching everything.
Lunashade Reacts
Lunashade stepped forward.
Its aura flickered—
Resonating with the mural.
Dr. Vael traced the carving slowly.
"…Protector…"
A pause.
"…Watcher of balance…"
Elior's Focus
"…This Pokémon…"
He leaned closer.
"…It's important."
Suddenly—
A low rumble echoed through the ruins.
The air grew heavy.
The mural illuminated faintly—
Revealing the full figure clearly:
A massive, mysterious Pokémon—
Wings spread wide.
Eyes watching eternally.
Its presence felt ancient.
Powerful.
Unreachable.
And beneath it—
Ancient text glowed:
"When shadow consumes the vessel…"
A pause.
"…the guardian shall awaken."
And the journey continues...