"I can't believe we're going to the Victor's Road!" Chiluly exclaimed for the thousandth time.
"I can't believe you guys saw Virizion without me," Hawthorne pouted.
"It was just a mural!" Burnout assured him with a small pat. "Though, it was pretty cool. Hey!" He laughed and floated out of range as Hawthorne nipped at his arm.
The three had been chasing each other up the path for almost the entirety of their trip, energized by the legends of ancient heroes and the clear skies. Watching them almost made Chevali want to join in, but the thought of returning to his home was keeping his temperament mild. He was unbelievably excited to be seeing his old sparring partners again (the couple weeks or so away from the mountain felt like a lifetime), but at the same time a strange apprehension had wormed its way into his chest.
No resident of Victor's Road had ever left and then returned, to his knowledge. Usually, the Pokemon in question would train until they were content with their strength and then set out on a new journey. Trainees stayed anywhere from a month to many years. He'd had Shao's blessing to leave on the noble quest, but he was still questioning if they expected him to come back or not.
"They're going to exhaust themselves before we even reach our destination," Pharaoh grumbled from beside him. The fact that he'd started a conversation meant he was in a good mood too, despite his words.
"At least then it'll be quiet," Chevali answered. In actuality, he didn't mind the cheerful laughing and voices of his group. Though the constant chatter had made his head hurt at first, he'd learned to let it simmer in background noise and serve as a reminder that he wasn't alone.
At least their talk had actually been substantial during this trip- apparently, Hawthorne and Chevali had missed quite a lot during their time away from the others. He wasn't entirely sure he believed the story about the flaming carving of the legendary warrior, but if anybody could give them answers, it would be Shao.
"No such thing," Pharaoh said, and it took him a moment to realize the spirit was still engaging in the conversation.
"Oh. Well, at least we're close."
"Are we?" Pharaoh glanced around at the towering mountains. "I have never been up this way."
"Yes. Very." Ahead, the other three had already dashed up the path and come to a stop, looking down at something below. Excitement kicked in Chevali's stomach. "What did I tell you?"
Pharaoh snorted and looked out of his head, resuming his silent vigil.
The Victor's Road looked exactly as Chevali remembered it. Beyond the craggy mountains, a valley of thick grass and crystal-clear water slumbered peacefully, stowed away from the chaos and disaster of the rest of Unova.
The golden dirt path led down into the main 'village.' It was rare that actual dwellings were built, as the Pokemon wouldn't end up spending that much time in them anyways, but the center of the valley served as a meeting place, to eat and socialize and pick up on whatever petty gossip might be flying around. He could already see the tiny shapes of residents far below, some still and quiet while others leapt around in frenzied battle. Some of the little heads were already turning up towards them, pointing and talking amongst themselves.
Two clear blue waterfalls gushed from caves in the side of the mountains, thundering down into pools that had had rivers dug into them to bring water all across the valley. Above the sight, tiny holes were visible in the mountainsides where dens had been carved out.
Everyone gasped and oohed and aahed, staring down at the breathtaking sight with awe and excitement in their eyes. Even Pharaoh seemed impressed.
"This has really been up here, this whole time?" Burnout asked. "That's amazing!"
Chevali nodded, a sudden feeling of pride springing up as they admired his home. "Yes. Only the most dedicated can climb the mountain to reach the valley."
"Our journey didn't feel very dedicated," Pharaoh rumbled.
He sighed. "Or… take the side path that all the Road residents know about," he amended with a pointed look at the Cofagrigus. Of course, the spirit just stared back at him.
"Can we go down there?" Hawthorne asked, prancing from hoof to hoof excitedly.
"Yes! Let's go!" Chiluly grabbed Chevali's arm and hopped off of the ledge. They both landed heavily and she laughed as they slid down the dirt while Chevali squawked in indignation. Behind them, Hawthorne carefully picked his way down the rocky terrain on wobbly hooves, accompanied by the ghosts.
As soon as the pair was on more level ground, they paused to stare out at the expanse.
"So, remind me why you never brought up the fact that you live in a place like this?" Chiluly grinned, elbowing him.
He shoved her back and shrugged. "I don't know. It never seemed… important. Catching the killer was my only objective."
The Maractus sighed and shook her head. "You and your priorities. Well, now that we're here, you can invite us back over for dinner."
He snorted and let a smirk creep up his face. "We'll see about that. Depends on how long you can last."
"Hey! I might not be a good fighter, but I'm alluring," she huffed, bringing the wooden blade up under her chin and running a claw along its edge. "They'll be stunned by my incredible looks."
"Well, you have dirt on your face."
"You're impossible!" She shoved him once more, and this time he let a real laugh escape as he pushed her back. Chiluly rubbed at the side of her face and stuck her tongue out. "When we're done here, I am so gonna-"
"You've returned," someone said from behind him, cutting her off. Chevali whirled around and saw a light-furred face peering back at him, her eyes deep and filled with the familiar look of serenity. She was always a silent shadow- able to sneak up on the wariest of opponents, and somehow always knowledgeable of everybody in the valley's location.
"Shao!" he gasped, trying to keep his mouth from turning up in a smile. Immediately, he wanted to scold himself for it. Don't smile! What has gotten into you?
Quickly, he bowed his head to give him time to fix his expression. "I am blessed to be able to see you again."
When he looked up again, Shao bowed her own head, holding her paws together. "Chevali. We are blessed that you have returned." Her eyes moved to Chiluly, and then traveled up the side of the hill to where the other three were still climbing down. "And you have brought guests."
"Oh- yes," he said quickly, feeling a little embarrassed. He didn't know if guests were allowed or not, but they hadn't really had a choice. "My traveling companions. They are assisting me in the search for Queen Perry's murderer."
Shao's expression change was barely noticeable, but the tiny frown didn't escape him. "So, this means… you have not yet completed your goal?"
Something between shame and indignation filled him. "Well- no. But we are getting close." He didn't know if that was true. They'd barely had any leads so far, minus the legends of the Sigilyph and Virizion. "We- I returned here because I learned that the Victor's Road may hold the key to finding the culprit."
That made Shao arch an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well, then, perhaps I can be of assistance. Meet me at the gardens." With that she turned and glided away, a graceful-yet-deadly shadow that always lurked in the corner of his eye.
Chiluly stared at her as she headed across the valley. "Woah."
Chevali glanced at her. "Hm?"
"First of all- I have no doubt in my mind that she could kill me. Second of all-" She turned and pointed at him accusingly. "Do you like her?"
"What?!" Chevali scoffed and glanced over his shoulder to make sure Shao was out of earshot. "No! Where did you even get that idea?"
Chiluly snorted and crossed her arms. "We were talking and laughing, and then as soon as she came up you started acting totally different! Like, you wouldn't smile, and you started talking like this," she droned in a monotone voice that he assumed was supposed to sound like his own.
"Residents of the Victor's Road are supposed to greet each other with grace and respect," he grumbled. "You can get comfortable after you're acquainted."
"But I thought you already knew Shao," she pointed out. "Well- I- I haven't seen her in a while, so it was best to just be respectful!"
Chiluly observed him dubiously for a moment. Chevali groaned as the familiar sly smile appeared on her face. "You're scared of her, aren't you!"
"No!" he snapped. "Respect and fear are two different things!"
Her smirk widened. "Same difference."
"Who was that? Was that Shao?" Hawthorne gasped as he slid to a stop behind them. Pharaoh released his grip on the messenger bag strap and let the Sawsbuck stumble forward.
"Yep," Chiluly said. "She was kind of a drag." She looked over at Chevali, but he chose to ignore her instigation.
"Come on," he said instead. "She's expecting us to meet her at the gardens, so we'd best not keep her waiting."
The fastest way to the other side of the valley was to cut straight through, so they continued down the dirt path and into the heart of the Victor's Road. As they drew closer to the heart of the valley, Pokemon paused their daily tasks to look up at them with curiosity.
A group that had been meditating beside a little stream looked up as they passed. "Chevali?!" somebody asked in shock, standing up.
Chevali recognized them as one of his sparring partners from the winter season, a younger Blitzle with an untamable mane. They were one of the youngest Pokemon in the valley, but that didn't stop them from putting in their all and climbing the ranks with ease. Chevali had always admired their tenacity, and they were so friendly it was hard not to get along with them.
"We didn't think you were gonna come back!" The little group hopped across the creek and surrounded them, observing the outsiders with interest. A Watchog tentatively reached out to touch one of Pharaoh's staffs, but jerked back quickly when the spirit bared his claws.
Chevali found himself mildly ruffled by Blitzle's statement. "Why wouldn't I come back?"
Blitzle glanced glanced away and pawed at the dirt. "Well… we all know that you're more than capable of bringing down an outlaw. Uh- rumor had it that you were going to take the money and disappear. I never believed that, though!" they added loyally, puffing out their chest. The others quickly joined in, assuring him it was nothing more than a rumor meant to stir up drama.
He sighed and shook his head, and they all fell silent. "For a group of revered warriors, you all can be so childish."
"We can't help that it gets boring around here sometimes," a Carracosta chuffed. "At least it's not like last time, where they were sayin' you-"
"Enough," Chevali said pointedly. The last thing he needed was Chiluly getting a hold of that.
"You should join us for dinner!" a Simisage said eagerly. "We can all catch up. And meet your new friends." Everyone looked to the travelers, who cowed slightly under all the attention.
Chevali dipped his head respectfully. "Maybe. We're on our way to meet Shao now, but perhaps we'll be done in time for a meal." The sun was already hanging low over the mountains.
"Then we shouldn't keep you!" Blitzle said. "Good luck! It's great to see you back."
Chevali gave them a small, measured smile before heading down the path again, trailed by his group of outsiders.
Shao was already waiting when they arrived at the gardens. She had hopped to a rock protruding from the center of the pond.
The group picked their way through the wet grass, threaded with tiny streams, and stopped at the edge of the little lake.
Shao bowed her head once and then looked each of them over. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and judgement. "Welcome back, Chevali. And welcome, travelers."
Thankfully, the others had the sense to show her some respect and look towards the ground as she addressed them. The introduction took only a few moments- Chevali knew she didn't like to waste time on small talk.
"Now," she said, standing up and leaping to the shallow riverbank in a single graceful hop, "tell me what you require for your mission."
"Okay, so, kind of a long story, but-" Chiluly started, but Chevali quickly gave her a jab that made her stop and glare at him.
Shao's whiskers twitched in amusement. "No, go on, traveler. I can hear the story from any of you."
Chiluly gave him a familiar take that, loser look and then turned back to Shao. "So, we were in this crypt thing, and then we found this mural of Virizion. And then-"
"We lit the mural with grace and it revealed a room with just a single stone book!" Burnout broke in, unable to temper his excitement.
"On the book's face was a carving depicting the mountains surrounding the Victor's Road," Pharaoh finished.
"Oh, wait! I forgot to say. We're looking for something called Virizion's Grace," Chiluly added as an afterthought, almost making Chevali snort. Just the most important part, no big deal. "Do you have that?"
Shao twitched her ears and shifted in the paw-deep water. "Of course I do. Though I never would have dreamed anybody would come to claim it."
The group gasped in unison, leaning forward with excitement and disbelief. "Wait, actually?!" Burnout said, his flames flickering.
She nodded. "It is knowledge that the leader of the Victor's Road is granted, as it may be needed in dire times."
"This is really dire! Somebody just killed the queen!" Hawthorne pleaded, even though she hadn't necessarily declined them yet.
Shao held up a paw to quiet them. "I understand, and I am willing to give you the information."
She tilted her head, and Chevali saw a familiar look in her, a challenge forming beneath the surface. "But first, you must show me your worth."
Anticipation rose in his stomach, but the others looked wary. "Um, if we have to fight Victor's Road Pokemon, I forfeit," Chiluly offered.
Shao gave a small half-laugh and shook her head. "Of course not. I only wish to spar with my old partner once more before he departs."
Everybody turned to Chevali, who was careful to keep his expression steady, despite the excitement buzzing in his chest. "Of course," he told her, dipping his head. "I'd be honored to take on your challenge."
She bowed to him once more. "Tomorrow, at sunrise. The sparring field." With that, she dropped into a cross-legged position and closed her eyes, letting the water rush around them.
Chevali signalled silently for them to leave.
"You're going to fight her?" Chiluly asked nervously, looking back in the direction of the zen gardens. "I guess I'll be attending your funeral."
"Hey! She said they were partners. They probably used to fight all the time," Hawthorne protested, even though Chevali was standing right there.
"We did," he told them. "I am the only member who was strong enough to rival her. Though I never won. It's almost always a draw."
The memory of the battles made adrenaline surge through him. The entire valley would come out to watch them fight, nothing but a whirl of color and movement. He and Shao had trained so much together that they'd memorized each other's patterns and tactics to a tee, and that meant that a battle between them was harsh and exhausting. There was no holding back.
The others marveled at him. "Is it bad to say I'm kind of excited to see this?" Burnout asked. "No, because it's gonna be awesome!" Chiluly cheered in response.
Chevali snorted. "Way to change your story." The other laughed and teased her as they continued down the road.
In the distance, a fire was visible near the heart of the valley. "Oh, hey! Is that where they're having dinner? We should go down there!" Hawthorne said, wagging his tail. He glanced over at Chevali.
On most nights in the valley, he liked to return to his den and enjoy the quiet, thinking about the happenings of the day. The bonfires were something he usually skipped. But this isn't like most nights, a voice in his head said. He glanced once more at the expectant faces before sighing and nodding. "Alright. It wouldn't hurt."
The rest of the group cheered and picked up their pace as they neared the bonfire. Chevali pictured Shao's face, issuing him a challenge.
I have to win this time. I'll show them all.
The next morning was bright and clear, and the Victor's Road was already buzzing with life. Almost the entirety of the valley's residents were already gathered on the sides of the sparring field, chattering excitedly and waiting for the two warriors to arrive. News had traveled fast of Shao's challenge, aided by last night's bonfire- it had been a long time since the two strongest Pokemon of the valley had fought, and it wasn't something that anybody wanted to miss.
Chevali's group seemed energized by the anticipation crackling through the air as they strode down the path to the field.
"You ready for this?" Chiluly asked, bouncing up and down at his size.
Chevali stared straight ahead, keeping his expression flat. "Of course." At first, he'd been a little worried about the fight- he hadn't been keeping up his rigorous training the past few weeks- but slowly, his confidence was returning. He would never forget how Shao fought- which meant he would never forget how to beat her. Today would be the day that their sparring ended in something other than a draw.
"This is gonna be so cool!" gasped Hawthorne, prancing in place. "We can cheer you on, right? We need, like- a battle cry or something!"
Chevlai couldn't stop a groan from escaping him, making Burnout snicker. "Stars, no. I appreciate the offer, but that level of embarrassment would not escape even me."
"Well, at least we know how to embarrass him now," Chiluly stage-whispered to the others.
"You don't need to do anything special to be embarrassing," Pharaoh assured her.
As soon as their little group came into view of the sparring field, a roar went up from the surrounding audience. Chevali spotted Blitzle's little form in the crowd, hopping from foot to foot. It reminded him of Hawthorne.
Above them, a winged shadow passed over and a Braviary landed on a spindly tree. It wasn't anybody Chevali recognized, but perhaps they'd joined the residents in the time he had been away. The bird regarded them with cold yellow eyes, and they could feel its gaze all the way to the edge of the field.
"That was kinda weird," Burnout muttered. Pharaoh was watching the Braviary, who was now looking out over the crowd. "All of these 'stoic warriors' are weird," Chiluly added.
Before they could discuss further, the volume of the crowd swelled again and Shao stepped out from the mass of bodies, always silent and always threatening.
"Good morning, Chevali," she said, bowing her head. Her voice carried across the noise of the field without being raised.
"Good morning," he responded, giving her the same bow.
"You know I am not one for drawn-out introductions," she continued, almost speaking more to the crowd than to him. "So we will begin now. We have five minutes to warm up, and then we will begin at the signal of the referee." She nodded to the Carracosta from yesterday, who waved in an incredibly nonthreatening way.
The crowds' howls fell back to a tolerable level, and Chevali turned back to his outsiders. "Go stand with the audience. I will see you all again soon." After a few more wishes of good luck, the four obeyed and disappeared into the crowd. A moment later, they appeared next to Blitzle and the Watchog.
Chevali switched his attention back to the field. Shao had already dropped into a cross-legged position and closed her eyes. It was her version of warming-up- centering herself and blocking out all of the distractions. Chevali had never been good at meditating. His physical strength was his best weapon.
He swung one arm out and let the sunlight glint off the lance, concentrating on the placement of his weight and finding the exact spot where it made him feel deadly. After a couple more calibrating swings, he took a few deep breaths and stared at an empty spot on the ground, letting the voices of the crowd become nothing but a dull murmur.
He imagined Shao standing up, the challenge still heavy in her eyes. He imagined lunging forward, feeling the thrill of the fight overcome all of his senses. He imagined Chiluly and Hawthorne's faces when Shao fell before him. When he returned to reality, the chaos was quieter, and he felt considerably more dangerous.
Carracosta lifted one massive fin into the air. "Ready, participants!"
Shao was on her feet in a split second, completely still except for the slow lash of her tail. When she met his eyes, she looked exactly as she had in his mind. The challenge in her eyes had ignited in the sunlight.
The referee's fin hovered in the air, and the arena grew thick with anticipation. Time fell to a fraction of itself. His senses seemed to heighten, and the arena fell into monochrome, leaving Shao the only point of color in the entire world.
Carracosta's fin fell in a single, fluid movement.
Instantly, almost in unison, they lunged for each other. Shao was faster and merciless, but Chevali could use his bulk to his advantage. One of her arms went for his stomach immediately, and he struck it aside with ease, careful not to let her whiplike fur catch him as she leapt out of range.
Before she had landed, he was already upon her, purposely spearing too low in an attempt to divert her attention before bringing his other shoulder forward, trying to knock her backwards.
Using her immaculate balance, she leaned backwards and arched her back so that he missed her entirely, and then gave him a sharp, reprimanding jab before he could right himself. The crowd screamed, eager for battle. The entire experience was exhilarating.
Well, it had been, at least, for the first few moments.
The worst part about fighting was that a single mistake could derail the entire battle, and it would be over before you knew it. The moment Chevali lunged again, he knew something was wrong. His balance, or the distance, perhaps, was just a little bit off, and suddenly he was exposed. It was a mistake he hadn't made in years, but it was fatal. He was dead.
As soon as he missed her, Shao's vicious fur whipped out faster than he could react to it and there was a violent, resounding CLANG as it struck the side of the head. The world went dark for a moment, and there was an odd sensation of hitting something hard. The crowd screamed again, but it sounded muffled.
Chevali blinked in shock, the metallic tang of blood sour in his mouth. He was dimly aware of the fact that he was sprawled on the grass of the sparring field.
Frantic voices brought him back to reality.
"Oh, stars!"
"Is he alright!?"
"Chevali!"
"Stay back," a deep, vaguely familiar voice commanded.
A moment later, the silhouette of Shao appeared above him. Her gaze was mild. She held one paw to him, and he weakly took it and let her pull him upright.
He turned his head, wincing, to see the horrified faces of his teammates watching from the sidelines. One of Pharaoh's arms was stretched out horizontally, barricading the others from rushing forward. Chiluly, in particular, was clinging to it with an iron grip. Shao slid under his arm and held him up with her shoulder.
"Match set!" called the referee, though it seemed to be a little too late for that.
Chevali was still struggling to understand what was happening. Pharaoh retracted his arm, and the rest of the group hurried forwards, surrounding him and Shao. "I can carry him," Chiluly said sharply, narrowing her eyes at Shao.
The Mienshao removed her arm from his side and backed away. She dipped her head and said, "You may return to one of the vacant dens to rest, if you'd like. I will be by later."
Hawthorne bowed his head to her and uttered a broken thank-you, Pharaoh doing the same, but the others watched her warily, as if she might lash out and take one of them next.
As their shameful parade retreated from the arena, the crowd began to dissipate. Many looked on with disappointment or confusion, some with pity. They were blurry faces that Chevali barely recognized through the haze- residents of the Road who had once been his allies, his equals. He thought he saw Blitzle looking on in dismay, away from the grumbling crowd, but it was getting too dark to tell again.
A noise above them made him turn his head, even though it sent violent pain shooting behind his eyes. The Braviary, still perched on the tree, was watching him with disgust. It turned up its beak and winged away into the mountain air.
And then, everything was dark.
Chevali woke to the sound of a gentle trickle of water. For a moment, he was back in the outskirts of the forest, watching Hawthorne giggle at his reflection in the clear water of the pond. When he opened his eyes, however, everything was dark.
Then, the memories returned. A stupid mistake in front of the entirety of the Victor's Road. A complete and utter defeat in less than a minute.
He was lying on the ground of a tiny cave, with a spring for fresh water and a curtain of vines over the entrance. The barest murmur of a voice made him blink and try to turn his head, but a throbbing pain above his eye made him wince and drop back to the ground. Someone shifted behind him and gave a little gasp.
"He's awake!" There was a small scuffling sound and then another voice said, "Let him rest. He won't want to talk right now." The other voice grumbled and then fell quiet.
As the fog in his head began to clear, he carefully rolled over to see who was sitting behind him- and was quite surprised to see Shao and Chiluly sitting facing each other. It wasn't necessarily the fact that the two were in the same vicinity, but rather the calmness of the whole setting. Chiluly's energy had been completely subdued- she was sitting up straight, watching Shao with her hands in front of her.
After his humiliating defeat, he would've expected her to try and tear the Mienshao apart (with similar consequences). He found himself a little embarrassed by that assumption. Did he really expect Chiluly to try and fight someone for him? This whole friendship thing was going to his head.
"Are you sure he's gonna be okay?" Chiluly sighed, worrying one of her flowers between her claws.
"He will be fine. He has a hard head," Shao responded, and they both laughed quietly.
Chevali let his eyes close, staying perfectly still so that he wouldn't disturb their conversation. He was curious to know what they had been talking about before he'd stirred.
Instead, Shao's shadow bent as she stood up. "It was good to meet you, Chiluly, but I must be going now. I have been here for far too long, and the valley needs me."
There was another shuffling noise as Chiluly moved. "Aw, man. Well, thanks for sittin' here. It was good to meet you, too." A pause. "I'm sure we'll see you again, anyways."
"Hmm." Shao's voice turned towards Chevali. "Maybe. Maybe not. Time will tell."
"Huh? But- this is Chevali's home."
Chevali was careful to keep his expression peaceful instead of letting it curl into a frown. What is that supposed to mean? Did Shao expect him to desert? Or… did she expect him not to make it back from trying to capture the murderer of the queen?
"Perhaps," Shao said. "But our way of life may not be his true calling. You and your odd little friends have shown him something different."
"I'm gonna pretend that wasn't an insult," Chiluly snorted.
He could hear the smile in Shao's voice. "It wasn't. Life would not be fruitful without diversity."
The shadows behind Chevali's eyelids moved as Shao stepped over him and out of the small den. Chiluly was quiet for a moment, and then she too climbed out of the little cavern.
Chevali considered trying to follow her, but his body still felt painfully heavy and exhaustion tugged at his eyelids. I'll find them later. Their words were still circling his head, but his half-conscious state couldn't fully comprehend them.
He let himself fall back into fitful sleep, his dreams full of twisted forests where the hunters became the hunted.
"Wake up," someone ordered in an unnecessarily gruff tone. Some cold plunged through Chevali's neck.
"Gah!" he hissed and stiffened his shoulders, trying to keep the horrid feeling at bay. It reminded him a bit too much of the way he'd felt during the encounter with Burnout's crazy family.
He rolled over, glaring at the shadow that blotted out the sun, and was unsurprised to find the shape of Pharaoh hulking over him. "We're leaving," the spirit said without sympathy. "I will drag you if I have to."
"I'd never force you to expend that much effort," Chevali grumbled sarcastically. When he pushed himself upwards, every part of his body resounded with a dull ache. "I'm coming," he said, but when he looked up, Pharaoh was already gone.
In the valley below, the other four were already at the ready, surrounded by some of the Victor's Road residents. Blitzle was among them, but they looked away when Chevali met their gaze. Everybody but Pharaoh perked up when he arrived at where they waited.
"Hi, Chevali!" Hawthorne said rather breathlessly. "Are you feeling alright?"
"Fine," he said quietly, and the others seemed to have the sense not to press.
"Just let us know if we need to slow down," Burnout added. "Once we start walking, I mean."
Chevali shook his head, ready to object, but then another thought occurred to him. "Where are we going?" The others exchanged glances, but he couldn't understand why.
"You didn't tell him?" Burnout hissed at Chiluly, though it was still easily loud enough for him to hear.
"He wasn't awake!" Chiluly shot back before she turned to him. "Well, we found out where Virizion's Grace is. We have to head south again. Apparently, Lostlorn Forest is our best shot."
Chevali blinked slowly, processing the information. "But… what? I thought that the Grace was here, and that was why…" He trailed off. Recollecting his fight gave him a headache.
"Well, kind of. Shao was given the knowledge of where the Grace is, not the thing itself. Whatever it is," she added as a muttered afterthought.
The name aloud made his thoughts switch track again. "Where's Shao?"
"She- um, she's busy right now," Blitzle said, then paled when the rest of the group looked at them.
A heavy, soul-sucking rock of strange disappointment lodged itself in Chevali's chest. Was he not important enough to be sent off with so much as a goodbye? Had losing so horribly to Shao sent him back down to the bottom of the hierarchy? A lowly brute, worth nobody's time.
Chiluly seemed to sense his sudden, more extreme discontent. "I think we're ready to start walking," she said suddenly, and Burnout and Hawthorne seemed to agree.
"Thank you all for your hospitality!" Hawthorne said, gazing around at the warriors that surrounded them. The valley residents smiled and nodded and said their goodbyes, and slowly the entourage began to disperse.
Chevali's eyes scanned the crowd's widening radius once more, but no flash of purple fur betrayed itself. An unfamiliar feeling was beginning to crowd in his already-hazy head.
Hawthorne, Burnout and Pharaoh set off together, talking quietly amongst themselves, but Chiluly hung back, keeping Chevali's slower pace. "Hey. What's wrong? I mean, what else is wrong?" she added with a half smile, but it did nothing to lighten his mood.
"Shao didn't come to see us off," he said hollowly. "I lost a fight with my greatest equal. I lost her respect."
Slowly, the feelings were snapping together like puzzle pieces. Losing didn't mean he was weak, necessarily- it meant he wasn't good enough. Losing a physical fight was the same as losing any respect his greatest adversary had had for him. And without his ability to prove his strength, he was nothing to her. To the Victor's Road, his strength was all he was.
Chiluly frowned as if she could read his roiling thoughts. "I don't think she did it to disrespect you, actually. I talked to her a lot while you were out. She's… actually really cool." Her attention became faraway for a moment. "She told me where Virizion's Grace was because she trusted me to lead our group as much as she trusted you. I mean, I think she would've said that to any of us, but still."
When Chevali didn't add anything, she tried, "Plus, you're more than just a fighting machine! I mean, you're funny, you're compassionate, you've got a great personality-"
"To them, I am nothing but a warrior," he snapped suddenly, making her start. "They don't see any of that. And it doesn't matter. Because it does not make me any stronger."
Chiluly seemed stunned for a moment before the usual stubborn frown returned to her face. "Um, not true! Having feelings doesn't make you weak. No matter what you say, I still think it makes you stronger. Finding something to care about means you've got something to fight even harder for!"
Chevali hadn't considered that before. What had he been fighting for before? His… dignity? It sounded lame, even in his head. He thought about how he'd felt when he was warming up for the fight. He'd wanted to do it for his group.
"But I still lost," he grumbled out loud, half to Chiluly and half to his internal monologue.
The Maractus couldn't resist rolling her eyes. "Who cares? I honestly wouldn't believe you if you told me you've won every fight you've fought. Is that… grammatically correct?" she muttered to herself.
Chevali willed himself not to let the sudden rising smile creep onto his face. Damn her. Even when his thoughts were clouded, something about Chiluly made it hard not to smile.
"And," she added, "if all you are to them is a warrior, then they're not your friends. But I am." She puffed out her chest as if to emphasize the point.
He resisted the urge to snort and correct that no, of course the Victor's Road warriors weren't friends, they were all adversaries training to become the strongest warriors, and instead tilted his head towards the wispy clouds that floated lazily across the sky. In a way, it was calming, as if he were looking into a world that wasn't so riddled with strife and frustration.
Beneath the clouds, the figures of Hawthorne and the ghosts were already waiting for them in the dip between the mountain peaks, saving him from a response.
"We should get moving. They're already leaving us behind."
