The Second Key the golden light of the Second Key illuminated the chamber. On one side stood Elior, surrounded by his team.
Infernyx
Eclipse Lunashade
Lucario
Mystveil
Thundrion
Skyrend
On the other side stood Zeff. Beside him was Kael.
And behind them...The Eclipse Rebellion. A Battle of Ideals Elior stepped forward.
"I'm not letting you take the Key."
Zeff looked at him calmly.
"Then stop me."
A Poké Ball opened. From Zeff's side emerged a Pokémon none of the others had ever seen before.
Noctyros
The chamber instantly became colder. Even Auredrake remained silent. As if it recognized the creature.
"Infernyx! Flame Blitz!"
Infernyx charged forward wrapped in blazing fire.
"Noctyros. Abyss Wing."
A single movement.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The collision shook the entire chamber. Infernyx was thrown backward.
Realizing the danger, Elior ordered a combined assault. Thundrion attacked with Thunder Burst. Skyrend dived from above. Mystveil used Psychic. Lucario launched Aura Sphere. Lunashade unleashed Abyss Claw.
For a brief moment— It looked like they might succeed.
Zeff didn't even raise his voice.
"Noctyros."
"Show them."
The dragon's eyes glowed.
Dark energy exploded outward.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
The attacks were erased. Every Pokémon was blown back. Infernyx Refuses to Fall
Despite its injuries, Infernyx stood again.
Then again.
Then again.
Each time stronger than before.Elior clenched his fists.
"Infernyx!"
The Fire-type looked back at him.
The same look it had always carried.
One that said:
"We'll keep fighting."
Infernyx gathered every remaining ounce of strength. Its flames burned brighter than ever. Brighter than any flame before.
The entire chamber was illuminated.
"INFERNYX!"
"Flame Nova!"
A gigantic pillar of fire surged toward Noctyros.
For the first time—Zeff's expression became serious.
"Noctyros."
"Abyss Judgment."
Darkness and fire collided. The world seemed to stop. Then— The darkness consumed everything.
When the smoke cleared... Infernyx was on the ground. Unable to continue. Silence filled the chamber. Elior froze. One by one, his other Pokémon struggled to stand. But they were exhausted. The battle was over.
For the first time Elior had faced Zeff directly.And lost.Not because of a mistake.Not because of hesitation. Simply because Zeff was far stronger than Elior.
Zeff approached the pedestal. His hand reached toward the Second Key. He looked at Elior.
"You fought well."
"Much better than I expected."
The moment Zeff touched the Key Golden light erupted throughout the chamber. The Key accepted him. Auredrake lowered its head. The trial had already chosen its worthy candidates. The guardian did not interfere.
As Zeff turned to leave, he paused for a brief moment.Without looking back, he spoke.
"Elior. You're still chasing badges.While I'm chasing the truth of this world."
The Eclipse Rebellion began leaving the chamber. Elior remained kneeling beside Infernyx. Powerless to stop them. As the golden light of the Second Key disappeared into the darkness... a deep rumble echoed from somewhere far away. Two Keys had now been gathered.
And somewhere beyond Fate, Faith, and the Abyss...something ancient had begun to awaken.
TO BE CONTINUED...