Chapter 3

Recommended Listening: Psychological Counterpoint by Nujabes

The bed spread was up to his neck. It was habit to keep the blanket above the shoulders. The morning sun was shining in through the window. Gabriel's mother sat next to the bed, a bowel of water on the nightstand. Taking a cloth, she dampened his remaining burns. Earlier that morning her son had been brought in, a Pokémon having done it's best to heal his wounds. The wooden door opened inward, a young woman entered the room.

"You've been up all night Selena, you should get some rest." She helped the woman up, leading her out of the room. "Don't worry, I'll watch him for now." Selena looked back at her son, tears slowly flooding her eyes. Sitting where the older woman once sat, Larken looked down at her wounded friend. Umbreon and Houndour lay dormant on the floor, neither willing to run around and play. Espeon could be heard in the other room, purring. The silence was toxic. Larken didn't speak and neither did Selena in the other room. Gabe's eyes cringed as he dreamed.

It was nightfall already. Larken had fallen asleep in the chair, Houndour on her lap. Umbreon had moved outside and was lying on a tree branch, staring up at the moon. Larken yawned loudly and looked at the bed. The spread was tossed about, the inhabitant gone. Panicking, she searched the rooms and found all of them empty save for the candlelight and the sleeping woman in bed.

"Selena! Gabriel's gone!" His mother burst out of the bedroom in a daze, he was too injured to be walking about. Lighting a torch, the two left the home and began to explore the streets.


Gabriel found himself lying on the chapel steps. He didn't know how he had gotten there nor did he know why he was there. His skin still felt fragile and burnt. The bandages wrapped around the bulk of his appendages needed to be replaced. He attempted to stand up, his burns weighing heavily on him. Forcing his legs to move, he was able to pull himself up from the chapel's door handle.

Looking around, everything began to fade into darkness. The buildings slowly disappeared as a shadow crept over the town. No, he thought, my…vision. Something was purposefully blinding him; he could still feel the chapel doorway as he leaned on it. However, it wasn't there. A swirling vortex gradually appeared, green orbs floating around in it's midst.

"We are Spiritomb." It's voice resonated in the darkness. "I Curse you. Thou shall not live to see old age. Like your father before you, and his father before him, you shall not die peacefully but in battle."

"What do you speak of! How do you know me?" He yelled, still leaning on the door.

"I am Spiritomb of the one hundred and eight spirits." The Pokémon vanished into the air, the cloud of darkness faded into the evening sky. Gabriel found himself lying on the steps once more, the Pokémon's words echoing through his mind. His body was too weak to move, he desired not to anyways. The cold stone steps eased his burns.

He could hear steps approaching fast. He turned his head and gazed down the street. He could see two figures running. They drew closer and closer, their torch brightening their path. His vision was fading again. For real this time, he thought. He closed his eyes.

Lanz could see a figure lying on the chapel steps. Coming closer he realized it was his injured companion. He ran quicker this time, not knowing why he was at the chapel.

"Gabriel!" A young woman yelled, sprinting to him. Lanz ran after her, torch in hand. She leaned down to check on Gabriel, a look of concern growing on her face.

"Evelynn, please quiet down. We do not wish to awaken people now do we?" He knelt down with her, whispering his words of wisdom. "Hold the torch, I'll carry him back home." He handed her the torch and lifted Gabriel up.


"You shall not die peacefully but in battle." The words reverberated in his head. He felt warm this time. He knew he wasn't at the chapel anymore. He opened his eyes to the morning glow and found everybody sleeping in his room. Larken sat on the chair, head down on his bed. Lanz fell asleep against the wall, snoring loudly. Umbreon slept peacefully at the foot of his bed. And on the floor was….Eve.

He stared at her for a moment. When did she return? He asked himself. How long have I been out? Her eyes fluttered open and she looked blankly at her bed ridden friend.

"Good morning Gabriel." She said, smiling. "Gabriel!" Taking a second to realize who exactly was awake, she bolted over to the bed, taking his hand. "You shouldn't be sitting up!" She attempted to force him to lay down again.

"Come now Eve. Do not be so forceful with him." Lanz yawned and stretched his arms, slowing getting up. "He is still injured." He smiled at the two. "Seeing as how you appear fine, I'd like to tell you that you've gotten blood on my robes. Twice now. I leave them here for you to clean, not your mother." He grabbed Larken by her cloak and pulled her out of the room.

"It's been too long Eve." Embracing one another, the two enjoyed the moment while it lasted. But thoughts of the Spiritomb forever crept in his mind.


Author's Note

This idea of a curse will come up in the future, it is important to keep it in mind.

If you wish to be a part of this story, merely message me and I'll reply back with the details I need to know.

Thanks for reading!