Kalen
My conciseness slowly restituted, gently provoking my dull sensations to awaken. A cold feeling lingering within me, making me feel uncomfortable. I strived to save my warmth by bringing my mass closer to the middle.
However, I soon regarded that I didn't have any power inside my legs. Slightly startled from the odd feeling of weakness, I opened my eyes to examine the circumstance.
As my sight got exposed to the environment, an omnipotent bright light beam swelled up the area. I was forced to squint my eye to avoid any pain from the illumination. Noticing how the brightness wasn't changing, I brought my glance further down to the ground. With my eyes slightly concealed from the light, I was able to examine my limited surroundings.
My vision was fuzzy, causing colours to blend with one another, making it hard to grasp my current situation. Yet I was able to apprehend that I was laying down on my side, evident from observing my forelegs position.
However, with a closer inspection on my legs, I could see that there was another colour merging with my fur. The vibrant tone of red was distributed throughout the legs structure, spreading itself over my coat.
Fright pervaded me as I discerned that my life source was slowly draining away from me. I intuitively tried to move my paws against the wounds, but I soon regarded that I didn't have authority over anything in this body. The only senses I possessed was my own sight and an empty cold feeling.
Being powerless over my body, including feeling nothing of what is happening before me, only sustained the developing dread within me.
"Are you alright!?"
A faint voice echoed through my subconscious, diverting my gaze from my wounds. My eyes rashly darted around the area before they landed on a dark silhouette standing before me.
I wasn't able to see any distinctive features surroundings the creature, as it appeared like it was a concentrated dark haze, formed into a shape of a living being. Seeing the abnormal creation didn't assist me with my aim to discover what's going on.
With nothing to comprehend what is happening, I tried to convince myself that I was simply in a lucid dream. But before I could soothe myself down, the silhouette began spasming out, blending its outline with the white background. The phrase 'Are you alright!?' began repeating itself throughout my subconscious, slowly growing in strength and repeating itself quicker as time advanced.
The voices in my mind talked over one another, presenting it inaudibly. The figure trembling was disturbing to witness as its body would frequently divide itself, breaking off into different parts before retuning back only to repeat the process.
Everything was increasingly growing more distorted.
The unnatural performance proceeded as the environment surrounding me became more obscure to witness. My vision grew more vivid, drowning out every other surrounding colour. I obstructed my eyes from the intense whiteness, lessening the pain for the orbs.
The light tenderly dissolved after a few periods, before it vanished entirely. The voices in my mind unexpectedly cut off, leaving me in an eerie silence. I cautiously opened my eyes once more to examine the abrupt quietness, only to find myself lying on a bed.
I harshly lifted my frontal section using my forelegs, ensuing in a half-laying position. I could feel myself cold sweating as I was panting, desperate for oxygon as my heart kept hammering against my chest. I quickly looked around the room for the figure but didn't see a trace of another presence occupying near me.
I vacantly gazed into the room, slowly realising that it was only a dream. If you could even consider it a dream as it felt too vivid too only be a visual illusion. My head began to throb while I tried to perceive the events, drawing a meagre pain to go through my mind. I concluded to not speculate around the abnormal vision right now, and instead focus on subduing my overwhelmed state.
I gently soothed myself down, slowly gaining more control over my breathing. My heart decreased its hard punding, towards a more settled state. I released the tension in my forelimbs, descending back down to the mattress shortly after. A restrained exhalation escaped my lips as I regained my previous position on the bed. I stared at the ceiling with no intention, solely using it as a distraction from my distressed mind.
As my mind was gently calming down, I began to slowly recollect what has transpired during the days I've been here.
It's been three days since we had the encounter with Rehan, and under those days I was able to gain scarce more information surrounding him and Skye. Except that it wasn't any significant information that got displayed to me. The data I was able to collect only obtained that there were a few more species in their group.
Furthermore, during these days I've been able to recover a portion of my memory from the storm, but it was only a vague memory of myself running through the dirt before a thunderbolt flashed me. The only memory I have after that is the point at which I woke up in the cavern. Whatever happened in between those two points were obscured, restraining me from perceiving how I ended up in this place.
But since the cave thing happened, my body has felt strange. Occasionally, feeling a distinctive energy concealed within me, including a few words getting spoken by a voice in my mind. Everything befuddled me continually as none of these things has happened before.
The single beneficial thing that has happened is that Skye's condition has slowly improved with the provided time, and soon we can start searching for a path back home for me. However... I have a feeling that I won't be eager to return home before Skye's problem is gone. So regardless of whether we discover the route back home or not, I would sincerely remain here until Skye is in a more secure environment.
I got slightly concerned as I relived my memory over the last few days, only receiving problems, gradually accumulating against each other. Furthermore, a couple of the problems that are in our way can't be settled at this point of time and will have to remain until further notice.
A frustrated sigh left my mouth as the speculation surrounding the problems grew to much for me. I closed my eyes and tried to clear away every thought I had inside of me, in an effort to soothe myself down with the silence. Yet while I was clearing my mind, my quietness was disturbed with the sound of the entryway opening.
Light began to pervade into the room as the door went further aside, illuminating the floor and a short portion of the walls. I inclined my head to look at the entryway, squinting my eyes in the movement as the abrupt brightness caught me off guard. I brought my foreleg up to my face, shadowing the eyes.
"Kalen?" A voice called out from the doorway, sounding rather befuddled. Even from one word, I could already guess who is the proprietor of the noise. Shortly after the call, the intensity began to weaken, allowing me to open my eyes further. I gingerly lowered my limb, allowing me to observe the doorway.
As I anticipated, I could see a leafeon standing near the door. "Are you alright? I heard a lot of movement coming from the room, and I started getting concerned," Skye promptly continued after her previous callout.
Her statement made me moderately confounded, as I didn't hear any distinctive sound emitting from the room. But after a short intermission, I was able to begin piecing together the pieces of what her report implied. I reasoned that when my mind was resting, my body must have been awake, provoking me to set in motion.
The order I was assigning towards my legs in the fantasy, must have unintentionally changed over to my genuine legs. This theory would also explain why I was conscious throughout the dream, being the reason that my body was still half-awake.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I quietly told her as I warily raised the quilt away from my body, exposing my fur to the fresh air as I pushed it to the side. The warmth swiftly dissolved as there wasn't anything to maintain it. With a small groan, I soon pushed myself away from the bed coverings, balance myself on my four legs. I gave my muscles a meagre stretch, gently resurrecting them from their weary state.
"So... what caused the commotion?" Skye questioned soon after I was finished with my stretch. I looked at Skye, perceiving how she was less worried than previously. However, her confusion hasn't yet to be changed.
I gave myself some time to reflect on my answer as I didn't know how to explain the strange situation I had previously endured. Even though every aspect of the vision was still fresh in my mind, I couldn't describe it.
'Trying to explain it to her wouldn't work.' I mentally thought to myself.
I attempted to think about another approach to respond, to rather try to avoid going deeper into the reasoning of the commotion. But I didn't know how long or how much noise I produced when I was asleep, making it hard to deceit her with a simple explanation, such as stating that I was only shifting sides in the bed.
"I had a-, a... bad dream." I could hear how dubious my voice was, and I wasn't confident that she would accept the small information. My gaze slowly succumbed its focus from Skye, to instead trail down to the mattress. It felt absurd to know that I got anxious to tell her the genuine truth, and resorted too willingly keep this 'thing' a secret.
I took a profound breath before I resolved to carefully conduct myself down from the bed, arriving on the floor shortly after. The hard surface was putting me off balance, compelling me to put my centre of attention towards my stability. My legs continued to feel flabby, and I wanted to lie down again to stop the aching pressure in my limbs, but I have concluded that I been in here long enough and that I have to begin my day.
I anticipated getting some sort of affirmative reaction from Skye that verified that she had listened, but instead, I was left stranded in the unnerving silence. I looked at Skye, seeing how she wasn't focused on anything. "Skye?" I said as I was gently starting to advance towards her, lightly staggering to my sides as I walked.
I grew disquiet when I didn't catch a reaction from Skye, contemplating whether she even could hear me. Coming into proximity to her, she began to discern my presence. I saw her eyes noticeable jerk itself towards my position before she nimbly brought her head towards my direction.
My sudden close-up presence must have alarmed her since I could see a glimpse of caution in her eyes. "Skye, you there?" I asked her, wondering if anything was out of the ordinary.
"Oh, s-sorry, I was lost in thought," Skye said, visibly straining a meagre smile in an attempt to conceal her nervousness, yet being unsuccessful in convincing me. I didn't know what was compelling through her mind, but I didn't get the chance to question her as she eagerly turned around and began walking out into the living room.
"A-Anyway, there is breakfast downstairs if you want." Skye promptly stated as she vanished from my sight, barely hearing her pawsteps as she was getting further away until she approached the stairs. There was a discernible pause when she reached the stairs, before the noise of her going down the steps occupied the area.
I was left bewildered as I couldn't discern her weird reaction. However, not seeing it as a big deal, I decided to not speculate about it. I brought myself out from my daze and gently made my way out from the room, shortly entering the upper lounge.
I felt relieved knowing that the absurd morning was ultimately over...
I felt a rush of fresh energy swelling in my body in the wake of eating, feeling how my weak muscles slowly grew more substantial as I proceeded. A murmur of delight would escape my lips whenever I took a bite from the berry, feeling its rich content throughout my mouth, eagerly swallowing the chunk as I would take another piece. I deliberately slowed down the pace as I began to feel a scarce replete, and instead savoured the taste from the berries.
"I'm sorry that there are only berries here, but hopefully it's good enough," a gentle voice spoke from the other side of the table, causing my ears to perk up. I gathered my focus away from the berry and reared my head to glance towards Skye, seeing how she was staring at her food in between her paws, just taking a couple of meagre pieces occasionally.
Throughout the various days, Skye's mood has shifted unpredictably, causing me to slowly accumulate more concern for her mental health for each noticeable sign she would present.
For a few moments, there wouldn't be anything unusual between us. We would usually converse with one another, and be entertained by the presence of the other. Yet, there were several cracks scattered through the days where she would abruptly twist her emotion around. Her breathing would get faster, essentially hyperventilating while she would overthinking every little aspect of an already unnecessary subject, tensing her muscles as she would be vigilant for anything.
I wanted to ask her what was wrong or at least try to converse with her when she is under her more anxious behaviour, but I didn't want to put any pressure on her. Thus the best thing I could do now is to try to lighten her mood.
I smiled towards Skye, attempting to put on a soothing appearance. "There is no reason to worry about the berries, I am entirely content with having berries, and there is no need to get any other food as I would prefer the berries over any other sustenance. So stop worrying about these small things," I announced to Skye in a gentle voice, adding in the last part to assure her that there wasn't a thing to stress over. Having eaten berries for practically my entire life, I had no problem with having it as a nutrition source.
"That's... good to hear," Skye said as she returned a tenuous smile towards me, noticeably feeling less tense than before.
Not feeling the desire to devour any more berries, I put down the berry from my paws to the plate, and tenderly pushed the plate towards the side. "A-Although, our food supply is relatively empty... and we might need to fix that forthwith," Skye abruptly announced, prompting me to bring my glance towards Skye again. With the short time I had when I stared at her, I could perceive how she was gradually sinking once again into her more stressed state of mind.
Not wanting her to go through her mental pain, I hurriedly tried to think of something to take her mind out of her thoughts. "If you want too, we could resupply the storage right now... a-and perhaps later on the day, we could fulfil something different with the extra time we have over," I replied, telling her the first thing that would come to my mind. I didn't generally think about what I stated, since I solely wanted to divert her away from her cycle of descending thoughts.
After a few moments, she loosened up from her deteriorating mood, gently carrying her eyes to gaze at me. She blankly stared at me without saying a word, making me moderately uneasy with the attention she was giving me. I waited in silence as she sat and pondered on the suggestion whilst she was gazing in my direction.
She soon departed her eyes away from mine, slowly inching them down onto the table. She gave me an affirmative 'sure' as she emerges a more genuine smile than before. I continued to smile at her while she started to whittle down on her berry.
Following a brief time of quietness between us, she eventually finished her last berry shortly after. Not having any need to remain at the house any longer, we concluded that we should leave straight away. Nevertheless, I found it hard to stop worrying about Skye so much. My cognisance would eternally draw itself towards Skye, causing me to rarely being able to relax when I'm near her proximity.
'I hope she is truly alright.'
We cleaned away everything from the table, putting the things in their appropriate places before we prepared ourself to leave the house. With a quick check-up on everything, we began walking away from her residence.
Warmth embraced us as we walked down on the pavements, the morning sun already peeking over the horizon, gradually lightening up the city as we strode through several areas. The fresh morning air putting me at ease, calming my senses with the smell of the essence. Everything was quiet as we walked, barely hearing any other Pokémons because of how empty it usually is during the mornings.
While we were wandering, Skye and I would sporadically converse with one another, and even though it was short periods throughout our walk, I could still sense how her mood was slowly warming up. I guided my eyes towards Skye, watching as she would gingerly walk.
I could discern how her limb was working virtually ordinarily now, occasionally twitching from a slight sting from the core of the wound. It felt pleasing to think that we knew each other and that we could call ourself friends. Though, watching her enticed a new thought to sprout through my mindset. 'Being alone will never feel the same again when this whole eerie thing is over,' I silently thought to myself, feeling rather ominous over the truth I told myself.
When I first helped her in the alleyway, I had no intention of staying here as I was only supposed to take care of her wound before leaving. However, subsequent to discovering Skye during that night, I haven't once left her vicinity, and Instead of feeding my urge to depart away from everything as fast as possible, I have instead slowly lost my desire to dismiss her.
I let out a jittery breathe as my body evoked a chilling sensation through my body. Thinking about how nothing will be the same again after this thing, is enough to animate my scarred anxiety. I averted my gaze away from Skye, afraid that my stress would expose itself beyond my mind, and show itself to others.
In an attempt to regulate my sentiment, I decided to ask Skye a question I wanted to ask earlier. "By the way..." I shyly said, attempting to get her focus on me while I was trying to look at anything else then at Skye. I didn't want to look at her right now since then it would only reinforce the previous inclination.
She soon gave a weak 'hm' as an affirmative response that she was listening, inciting me to continue my question.
"Where are we going?"
Looking around the place where we occupied, I couldn't see any distinctive building in eyesight that could resemble a store. Furthermore, we were walking away from the core of the city where I would presume would have a higher chance of finding a store. From past experience, it feels like it at least.
"oh, well... Each Sunday there is a market in the town where pokémons can sell and buy practically anything they fancy," she answered to me, and she quickly followed up on her announcement, informing me further on the subject. "And thus I thought it would be a good idea to buy berries at that place rather than to obtain them from anywhere else."
Feeling content with the answer, I could exclude the thought of where we were going out from my mind, knowing that we at least have an established destination.
After wandering for a few more moments, I soon began picking up a faint, unique sound. Multiple voices talking over one another, presenting it as a low muffled tune, slowly growing more powerful as we continued to walk forward.
As we walked around a building, I could see an open area where there weren't any structures obstructing the massive expanse, except the noticeable fountain in the middle. Buildings surrounded the territory, inclosing it as it would have been like walls around the square. However, my concentration wasn't aimed towards the location, but instead towards the tents that scattered throughout the expanse.
Market tents placed in a row after each other, seemingly creating various sections of a variety of tents. Numerous pokémon wandered around the makeshift shelters, creating their own route in the crowded plaza. Noticing how many pokémon there were gathered in one area caused a solicitude to sprout within me.
I soon began to discern that my walking pace was deliberately decreasing its momentum as my mind revisited a vision, conceiving different concepts of what could go wrong. Thoughts beginning to cluster over my subconscious, advising me about each disturbing thing that could transpire.
Noticing that I was gradually slipping behind Skye as she maintained her speed, I shoved away any trepidation within me and increased my moment to catch up with Skye. We entered into the colossal maze of tents, and I was instantly lost in awe as I gazed into the small shops, seeing items ranging from small accessories, all the way to a rare item similar to an evolution stone. Each store had something novel to bring to the table, making me continually examine each property, as every new item would entice me.
"This place has a lot to offer..." I humbly said.
I regarded that Skye glanced over to me, watching me as I continued to be relished over everything around us. A faint smirk growing on her appearance as she presumably enjoyed watching me getting excited over each new item. I didn't know if she thought I was childish or not but seeing her smile from the corner of my eye, I didn't bother about what she thought of me.
"No doubt, this place is constantly packed with pokémons as they try to find good deals on products, so it's only natural that there are many items here," Skye said whilst trying to avoid the Pokémons in front of us.
"...you said that this place is only available on Sunday's, why so?" I questioned as I returned my gaze towards Skye, giving her a curious look. It seemed fairly inefficient to have an immense market open on just a single day.
"to be honest, I don't know why it's only for a day. Still, I assume it has something to do with a tradition with the town." Skye said, sounding uncertain as she pondered over the thought.
While she occupied herself with the inquiry, my eyes began to wander around the shops, scouring for anything fancy. It didn't take a drawn-out period before I discerned something from the rest of the items. I halted my pace, stopping abruptly in the middle of the passage. While I was staring, I could feel a drive attempting to push me forwards. My mind was turning clouded, slowly losing awareness of the environment around me.
I unwittingly advanced towards the shop, not breaking eye contact with the item hanging on display. I didn't attempt to oppose the pushing force as there was a voice in the rear of my head, encouraging me to surrender my authority.
Succumbing into the feeling, I could sense how my body virtually moved on its own. All that is currently happening felt inexplicably weird, but I settled my faith in the action. Reaching the counter of the store, my body slowly ceased its movement, becoming tranquillized. I guided my sight further up, staring at the thing that brought me here.
Dangling above me was a velvet, red scarf moving gently by the soft breeze. Worn-out with a few tear marks over the edges of the fabric, receiving a coarse textile from its shortage of care. It was apparent that this piece of cloth has gone through a severe course in its days of yore, taking damage without getting any consideration from the past proprietor.
I was perplexed about why this rundown scarf attracted me over, including how it was capable of regulating my body. However, my thought process was cut short as I could sense my body intention to grab it. Yet, before my body could take any action towards the scarf, a voice snapped me out from my daze.
"Greetings"
Startled by the sudden call, I harshly hauled my head away from the counter, feeling myself gaining control of my body again. My eyes quickly darted around the area to scan for the possessor of the voice, promptly alighting on the figure standing behind the counter.
I concentrated on the pokémons species, attempting to distinguish it. Its head was mostly black with a yellow lower jaw. It had blue eyes with a pointed spike over each. Covering its neck was a black frill with orange spikes around the rim. I couldn't see the whole body since the counter was obstructing the view, but I was able to classify the Pokémon from its unique features.
"Oh, sorry didn't intend to frighten you," The figure soon continued after my reaction, putting its hands up in a remorseful way to emphasise the humble apology.
I couldn't discern any harmful intentions coming from the voice or any intimidation from its posture, prompting me to loosen up from my stiff stance. I soon assembled my courage to speak up. "I-Its fine... Just caught me off guard," I nervously spoke while I was attempting to ease myself down from my alarmed state. Though, speaking to someone new wasn't helping me with my anxiety, making it more difficult to shake off the distress I was earning from remaining here.
My response seemingly supported the Heliolisk, leading her to reacquire her more initial stance. "Well, I noticed that you were staring at this scarf earlier." To indicate what she was talking about, she pointed towards the scarf that was peacefully swaying over us.
I conceded my gaze to draw itself towards the scarf once more, remembering the former feeling that was surging through me.
She reluctantly hoisted herself up on a chair, increasing her height as she removed the scarf from its position, forthwith guiding it towards the counter. "Y'know, I discovered this scarf while I was voyaging, and although it's not in the best health, I still chose to put it in the market. Only a few Pokémons have been here so far, yet you have shown the most enthusiasm in this item," She stated with a faint smirk as she settled it before me.
Getting a closer survey on the scarf, I could perceive how the destruction of the scarf, wasn't recently formed. The tear marks that scattered throughout the fabric was old, gradually having weakened over its usage. Its rough textile was only more confirmation that this scarf endures a tale from its past.
"I'd say the scarf would suit you well, and considering how severely damaged it is, I don't think anyone else would want it" She spoke whilst she lightly pushed the scarf closer towards me. I listened with my most comprehensive attention as she vocalised every word, watching with eagerness as the scarf slowly advanced towards me.
She stopped the scarf at my end of the counter, ere leaning forwards as she spoke in a more hushed tone, nearly whispering to me.
"You should take it."
I was in shock from the unprepared offer, surprised and confounded simultaneously. I was charmed to know that I could get the scarf, yet I was confused on why she would give me the scarf without anything in return. Even though this scarf doesn't have any worth, the efforts she has presumably undergone would at least indicate something in return.
My mind wasn't able to grasp the proposal, but my body was already in motion. I tenderly clutched the scarf, feeling its rough texture against my fur. I deliberately brought the scarf towards myself, cautiously wrapping it around my neck.
I stiffened slightly as the coldness of the scarf was tethered against my fur, causing me to wince uncomfortably under the cold force. Being suspended in the air over a long time, the scarf's warmth reasonably decayed away with the breezes. Nevertheless, I resumed the procedure until I finished.
Concluding with the scarf's position, I could feel something decrease in my core. It felt like an impediment within me withered away. While this new experience was transpiring, I could also feel the warmth gradually sneaking up on me.
"Kalen!"
I was yet again startled as I heard my name getting called out. I regained my focus from my thoughts, quickly looking around for the new, yet familiar voice. However, I couldn't see anyone else other than the Heliolisk remaining in the tent, and I doubt that she would know my name.
There was a transient of silence before the voice returned, having increased its amplification somewhat.
"Am I glad that I found you."
The disarray I received from the previous ghost call, was answered as I could discern that the voice was origination from behind. I was about to turn around to face the possessor, yet before I could adjust my sight, I was pulled into an embrace.
I was dumbfounded as I could feel someone holding me, pressing their body against mine while two paws stretched around my size. The anxiety that was beginning to swell within me, dissolved as I could distinguish who the owner of the limbs was.
I was released from the grasp, prompting me to turn around and look at Skye. I could feel all of my tension diminishing away as I looked at her, plastering a gentle smile to my appearance as I saw her grin.
"I was afraid that It would take ages to find you in the crowd," Skye said, appearing to be relieved to have spotted me. I felt succinct of guilt as I remembered that I had unwittingly left Skye in the crowd of Pokémon.
"Oh... yeah, s-sorry for disappearing earlier," I shyly said to her, feeling ashamed of myself for randomly wandering off.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, we got other things to worry about right now."
I gave her a dubious look, querying of what new problem we would need to manage quickly. I waited in silence for her to advance on her announcement, giving her time to gather her thoughts.
"W-Well when I got to the section where they regularly sell berries, I was disturbed to see the tents having been ransacked. I approached somebody for what had happened... a-apparently, there was a group of pokémons that pillaged the area, reaping everything in their sight. It was then when I started getting worried about you since I couldn't find you anymore." She said, acquainting me of the difficulties that were going to affect us.
Rehan
I looked over the map that hung on the wall, trying to compare it with the evidence I was holding in my paw, but I soon understood that it wasn't worth the effort. The evidence is too corrupted. A few tear marks with a burnt appearance changing the contrast darker, obscuring the desired content.
I gave out a sigh as I gently laid the material om the table, feeling frustrated. I forced myself to walk away from the table, gradually advancing out from the room.
"Sir, we might have found something that will intrigue you," A voice called out as I entered the new room. Looking to the side, I could see a Luxio tiredly running towards me, panting as it tried to regain its breath.
I gave the pokémon a sceptical look since the past month our findings haven't been successful. I wanted to unwind for a while, but now this pokémon was ruining my plans.
"What have you found that would 'interest' me?" I nonchalantly asked while I continued walking to my desired spot, not really bothering that much over the case.
"It's regarding that new Umbreon," the Luxio soon added, which took me off guard. I stopped and glared at the creature, beginning to wonder what that mysterious Pokémon had to do with the case.
"I know that it might be another coincidence. However, he may have obtained the genuine scarf we have been looking for."