BOOOOOOOOM!!!
The entire Gravetower continued to shake violently.
Purple energy spiraled around the tower like a storm.
Ghost Pokémon across the city cried out in unison.
At the summit, the ancient seal had cracked.
Not broken.
But weakened.
And whatever was inside had noticed them.
Zeff took a step forward.
Then another.
Straight toward the tower entrance.
"...Stop." Morrigan shouted.
Ghostly flames ignited around her.
"...You have no idea what lies inside."
Zeff looked back calmly.
"...Actually."
"...I know exactly what lies inside."
The massive stone entrance slowly opened.
CRRRRRRRRRRRRRK.
A wave of ancient energy escaped from within.
The air instantly became colder.
Much colder.
Even Eclipse Lunashade
emerged from its Poké Ball by itself.
Its crimson eyes locked onto the darkness beyond the doorway.
For the first time since the battle with Morrigan—
Lunashade seemed nervous.
Not afraid.
Concerned.
Elior Notices
Elior placed a hand on its shoulder.
"...What do you feel?"
Lunashade stared silently into the tower.
As if recognizing something.
Morrigan clenched her fists.
"...If Zeff enters alone, he'll awaken it."
Mira blinked.
"...Awaken what?"
Morrigan remained silent.
A silence that answered everything.
The group entered.
Zeff.
His Eclipse Rebellion followers.
Elior.
Mira.
Morrigan.
The entrance slammed shut behind them
BOOOOM!
Inside, the tower was nothing like anyone expected.
No graves.
No tombs.
No memorials.
Instead—
Ancient murals covered every wall.
Murals depicting:
Ignis
Vernix
And a third figure.
The same erased figure.
"...There you are."
He approached the mural carefully.
For centuries, the face had been scratched away.
Yet traces still remained.
Golden wings.
Ancient armor.
A crown-like halo.
Suddenly—
Hundreds of ghostly figures materialized around the chamber.
Ancient guardians.
Their transparent eyes glowed silver.
The Eclipse Rebellion members immediately prepared for battle.
But the spirits ignored them.
Every single one looked toward Lunashade.
A voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"The Bridge..."
Another voice joined.
"The Chosen One..."
Another.
"The Key..."
Elior Freezes
"...Bridge?"
"...Key?"
Morrigan looked troubled.
As though she already knew the answer.
At the center of the room—
A hidden staircase emerged.
Descending deeper underground.
Far deeper than the tower itself should allow.
Without hesitation, Zeff stepped onto the staircase.
"...The answers are below."
"...And today, I will find them."
Deep beneath Gravetower...
Far below the ancient staircase...
A gigantic chamber rested in darkness.
At its center stood a colossal stone throne.
And upon that throne...
Sat a figure covered in golden chains.
Its face hidden.
Its body motionless.
Then—
One eye slowly opened.
A radiant golden eye.
And a single word echoed through the darkness.
"...Bridge..."
TO BE CONTINUED...