The guildmembers crossed a corridor, arriving into a pretty big room with tables and seats. It was the place where guildmembers could come to relax when they weren't doing anything, and also where announcements where made. A Runerigus was already there, standing in front of a big map of the continent on the wall, and looked at all of them with his single eye.

"Okay, okay everyone, take your seats." said the Runerigus. As the guildmaster, it was up to him to tell the news.

"This morning, I was reading the news, like I always do, and I learnt... something pretty unusual... and disturbing."

He marked a dramatic pause. Naturally, it only rose the tension among the adventurers. He finally pointed at a journal lying on a table.

"Here, look at it. It will say it all. Weird, isn't it ?"

A Sawsbuck moved forwards and unfolded the parchment paper. Thanks to magic, Pokemon from all across the kingdom could have a weekly access to the news, as it needed only one manuscript that was then magically duplicated then sent locally, in the town it was written in and the smaller villages around. The guidlmaster pointed at an article that was accompanied with a drawn map.

"Unexplained disruptions of the vegatation in the Boreal Forest," the title was saying.

The Sawsbuck, Wardwig, who was quite a long-time member of the guild, read the article aloud :

"Several accounts of strange occurances were recently reported in the Boreal Forest, around Arkala, a town located in the east of the zone. Things seen include non-native vegetation suddenly growing at unusual speeds, and the existing vegetation being subjected to unexplained decaying and sudden mutations. Some crops and fruit have begun to rot, as reported by local farmers. The cause of these events, which is currently unknown, is being investigated."

Reactions from the members were immediate :

"That's definitely weird, indeed." said an Aegislash named Claymore, who was the Sawsbuck's girlfriend. Claymore had also been an adventurer for a decent time, she joined right after fleeing from her rich house, to escape the mundane life she was destined to live.

"Well... That's unfortunate." said Dreim, a Perrserker with a moon pattern tattooed on his face. He worshipped Lunala, the god of the Moon, and got magic power from his devotion. His specialty was catching thieves and outlaws by using the same methods as them, which required a lot of stealth and dexterity. He was often helping the town guards of Sarathom.

"I wonder what could have... Caused that ?" inquired a Blacephalon. Rax'zod came into this world by crossing an Ultra-Wormhole, and decided to live there. They adapted well, but sometimes still made mistakes when speaking the language.

Amaria frowned :

"The Boreal Forest... Oh.."

Which was understandable, as it was the zone she grew up in.

"Oh... WOW !" Aspen exclaimed.

Goliath said nothing, but wasn't thinking less :

"Oh no... Nature is precious. Don't like seeing this."

Wardwig ventured an hypothesis :

"Maybe a nearby river has been poisoned ?" he said.

"I have a theory... Please listen to me."

The Pokemon who just said that was Tenetha, a Bouffalant. She was the strategist of her team, so everyone lent her an ear.

"I think it may have something to do with the Life Artifacts... Problems, incidents, disturbances with these, as history has shown us, can have effects on life and nature... that are eerily, uncannily similar to what's described here. Look at the map in the paper."

The map showed the Boreal Forest as a whole, and parts of the surrounding zones, including the Bristlecone Lakes. Lycir's location was written down, as it was the capital city, and there was also Arkala, the town where the disturbances were taking place. A zone showing their range had been hatched.

"Let me draw a cross at the approximate place of the Boreal Forest's Artifact... It's close to Arkala where the disruptions are happening. So, this is why I think there might be a problem with the artifacts. I hope I am not right, though. It would be a very serious, troublesome matter."

"That's a good analysis, Tenetha." said Quake, a mischevious Claydol who was passionate about traps, mecanisms (Aspen learned quite useful tricks from them) and battle tournaments. "Like I always say, you're the strategist of our team for a reason."

"That would make sense," an Unown added. Named Nyd, the N shaped Pokemon were quite a powerful magic user, and people who underestimated them because of their species ended up quite surprised.

"The Life Artifacts ?!" Amaria exclaimed. "Yveltal's Blood, that's some serious trouble !"

"Please stay polite." the guildmaster's assistant ordered, walking behind her.

"Sound ominous..." Claymore added with a worried frown on her face.

The guildmaster announced his plan :

"That's indeed a possibility... A frightening one. Whatever the cause is, we can't ignore it, even if the problem is already being investigated. I'm going to send a team over there... I know. Wardwig, can you and your team get ready ?"

"No problem, Yoras." the Sawsbuck answered.

"Perrrrfect. We will wait for your results to decide of our future actions."

So Wardwig's team, which was composed of himself, Claymore the Aegislash, Dreim the Perrserker, Nyd the Unown and Rax'zod the Blacephalon, left immediately to prepare their equipment. They had to be ready for next morning. As the announcement was over, other members also left, wainting for the bell to ring again – to stuff their bellies, this time. Goliath and his teammates stayed in the room for a few minutes.

"So the only thing we can do now is wait..." Aspen sighed, grabbing the paper that was still lying on the table. He flipped through the pages to find some other interesting news.

"Oh, the tier changes for the battle tournaments... Wait, excuse me ?!"

The three others came towards him, trying to peek at what made the Shiftry react with such indignation.

"My species dropped in the lowest one ? I, Aspen the Magnificent, will venge our honor by proving we're worth more than that ! …Oh, Quagsire's species moved again."

Orahcia turned towards the visibly upset Goliath, asking him what was wrong. The Gigalith answered briefly with his concern over the recent news.

"I see..." the Escavalier said. "I hope it's nothing serious too. Maybe Wardwig's team will be able to do something about it ?"

Then, an awkward silence filled the room. The team hadn't been put together for long, after all, and the two guys still didn't know Amaria and Orahcia very well.

"So, huuuh... What mission will be waiting for us tomorrow, already ?" Apen asked to break the ice, although he already knew the answer.

"An escort mission," Orahcia answered. A blacksmith who wants to look for a specific mineral. We have to protect him in case something happens."

"Oh, great." Amaria snarked. Those missions that depend on someone exterior to the party are sure an amazing concept."

"I don't find it so great..." a puzzled Goliath answered, the sarcasm flying over his head. "But it's going to be alright."

Then, they left the room, going to their own occupations.