Chapter 4

(POV, Darklight)

I took my position once again on the court which we've been playing on the past two or three hours starting to become physically exhausted. We had completed four games and were now halfway through the fifth game. I felt like I was starting to get the hang of the game though that didn't change the fact the Torrent won the first two games in a clean sweep with us only getting two points in the third game and one in the fourth.

Once Clay and I were in position with Clay up front due to my body build giving me more mobility in the back. Torrent served the ball. As it went over the net Clay was able to knock it back with not much issue giving it some good air time but also giving Torrent the opportunity to spike the ball back over towards me at high speed.

I flinched as I began to panic making me duck my head down a bit to which the ball impaled it'self on my horn letting out a sputtering sound as it deflated.

"It appears our match has come to an early end." Torrent said from his side of the field. "You two have made decent progress and you no longer trip over one another as much as before, you may do as you please for the remaining day hours."


It was still morning when we got back to Clay's hut. I didn't say much as I didn't really have anything to talk about. Clay made it clear that she would not tell me why my memory was wiped yet she did know. We ended up sitting around awkwardly fidgeting ever since we reached the hut.

"So." I stated hoping to break the silence.

"Yes?" Clay replied bluntly.

"You have any friends here?"

"Why do you ask?" Clay looked over to me betraying little emotion.

"For the sake of conversation." I stated rather bluntly to which Clay let out a sigh and remained silent for a moment.

"I talk and interact when needed though I prefer to keep to myself." She finally replied.

"Why is that?" I asked now that the silence was broke.

"Simple, you have no bonds, they can't be broke." The way she said that sounded solemn.

"Have you lost someone?" I asked a little softer.

"I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind." Her voice regained some of it's edge but if I were eating an apple I had definitely hit a bruised spot.

We sat in silence for a bit.

"You know, you've never showed me around." I stated changing the topic.

"Well there isn't much to show, it's mostly residential but I guess there are a few things to show near the village center." She replied before walking out the hut leaving me to follow.

As we neared the village center Clay stopped as did I upon seeing Roil leading a Elekid, Nidorina and a Sylveon towards the direction of Shima's cave.

"Who are they?" I asked getting a glance from the Nidorina which turned murdurous upon seeing me Making me flinch away.

"They are from a mainland organization that cooperates with the Clan. I've seen them before, they are relatively new in their organization." Was Clay's response. She seemed guarded. "We might as well leave it be as it doesn't involve us."

"Right, I guess." To which Clay nodded and walked in the direction of a building slightly larger then the housing around it with me following. I noted the building had A red cross on it with each part of the cross the same length.

Once we reached Clay turned to face me. "Okay." She began. "This is the local hospital. If you have any wound you need tended, you end up here. Let's move on there one more place you should probably know of."

We progressed a little bit from the village center though not far and approached a building bigger then the last one with an entrance more akin to a gate then a door in size.

Before we could enter we heard large footsteps and the rattle of fine chains coming from the entrance. Exiting the building was a Samurott that easily stood a foot over me wearing a chainmail cloak that draped down his sides. On his back were two serrated blades that i'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to lift even if my paws allowed it. He looked from Clay then to me with a curious expression.

"Good day." He greeted. "Though if you would excuse me, I need to get through, seeing as my size makes it not so easy to give right away." He said with a deep voice.

"Oh, my bad." Clay quickly stated moving out of the way. Seeing little reason not to I followed suit letting the Samurott through.

"...He looks ready to fight a small army. Why is that?" I asked looking over to Clay.

"Remember awhile ago that I said the clan had five ranks, and there is only ever four rank five members at a time? Well he is one of them. His name is Shale. Many say he's the least skilled of the four, yet his defence is near impossible to break, and his strikes are like getting smashed by a boulder twice your size."

"Oh, I guess he does have that aura of authority about him." I stated. I'll have to remind myself to ask about these four later as it sounds like an interesting subject.

"Yes, indeed, anyway this is the building I wanted to show you. This is the command center were jobs and bountys are assigned. We most likely won't end up here much as we were put under Torrent's command leaving job assignments to him, however it'll be useful to know it's location."

"Is this everything?" I asked.

"What can I say? It's a small island that's out of the way." She said dismissively. "These are the spots that matter most the rest you can simply learn by exploring."

Clay then turned to walk back toward the town square. As we walked back down the path we were stopped once we reached the town square by Torrent who flagged us down before we could continue. "I've been asked by Shima to fetch you two." He vaguely stated.

"Why, if I may ask?" I inquired.

"If I were in your place, I would ask Shima." He replied.

We spent the next couple minutes walking back through the village to get to Shima's cave.

Upon entering the cave I noted Roil leaning against the left wall and front and center before Shima was the group we saw before in the town square. All attention was now on us aside from Shima who was simply sitting cross legged though most likely very aware of the surroundings. Meanwhile I was very aware of the piercing glare coming from the Nidorina and the uneasy look of the Sylveon.

"Welcome back Clay and Darklight." Shima greeted. "I would like you two to meet our guests." Shima slowly opened his eyes which seemed to be gauging my reaction to the three visitors.

"Wait a moment! You can't expect us to work with an Absol!" The Nidorina blurted out at Shima to which the Sylveon next to her visibly cringed at her outburst. Shima said nothing.

"Shima, why are we here?" Clay asked.

"A job that this group here has intertwines with a job the clan received, therefore I'm recommending your team to collaborate with this team representing there organization here." Shima replied. "Do you deem your team ready Torrent?" He then asked.

To which Torrent responded now looking to Clay and I. "Yes I think a field test will be good experience." Ever since I awoke a day ago with no memories I've been being corralled. This must be what Clay meant when she said Shima was watching our movments.

I looked over to the other group with the Sylveon and Nidorina talking amongst themselves while the Elekid seemed to be off in his own world. The Sylveon then turned to Shima stating that these terms were tolerable while the Nidorina returned to glaring at me.

"I would expect no less. Torrent you may brief your team. You are all dismissed." Shima Declared to which I felt slight relief due to the fact ever since I got here more then half the room was casting glances or glares for different reasons that I had no clue about.

Once we exited the cave and the other group was out of sight Torrent turned to us. "Come, let us discuss the details on the western shore." He said before walking in that direction leaving Clay and I to follow.