Chapter Eight
It was not until the group had just reached the snowy edges of the Glaceon territory that Arric finally felt the fog that was clouding his mind lift. He stopped abruptly, the feel of the shallow snow crunching between his toes woke him up from a trance he did not even realise he was in. Around him he saw soft hills covered in a thin veil of snow, long grass stalks poking their way through, reaching towards the sky for the suns warmth. Behind him, the edges of the forest sat in the distance, the tree line spotting the horizon growing more distant as they made their way further into the Glaceon territory. Gnarled leafless trees dotted the landscape before him, some grew in barren groves while others stood alone, lightly bending in the icy breeze that carried over the land from the distant coastline.
Arric wrapped his hands around his shoulders, rubbing them gently as the cold began to seep through his fur to his skin. Everything slowly came back to him, the last he could remember was walking with Nia to look over the Leafeon village and something about… Arric growled his frustration, rubbing a hand over his face to try to wake up his brain.
"Welcome back to the living."
Tak walked beside Arric, the two of them trailing behind the others. Quin and the girls chatted loudly. Grace was back to her energetic self while Hannah and Bree were happily examining the concoctions Quin had made. Arric watched them carefully, addressing Tak next to him.
"How long was I gone?"
Tak shrugged, looking ahead of them as he walked. The wind rustled in his dark brown fur and Arric noticed that he had tied his dark mid-length hair back into a small ponytail. The snow beneath them was slowly climbing up to their knees and Arric noticed that being taller was yet another advantage for the bigger Eevee beside him.
"I'd say at least a day and a half. Madame Nia poisoned you before we left didn't she?"
Arric looked at him in shock before nodding and Tak gave him a wry smile, "Did you really think I couldn't tell? The others might not have but I have seen others affected by it. It makes you like a zombie, auto pilot or something and you can forget up to days. Not the first time my aunt has done it for her own reasons."
"I don't understand why Madame Nia would do that. I don't remember." Arric mumbled to himself.
"Who knows why the tribe leaders do what they do." Tak grumbled, something in his voice was dark, "They seem to think they know all the answers and do whatever they want."
Arric watched his friend carefully. Tak did not speak much but when he did, he seemed to know more than he was letting on. Did he notice the same things Arric had on their pilgrimage about the tribe leaders?
"Tak what do you know about the pilgrimage history?" Arric asked carefully.
"That before it was only pure bloodlines and that the tribe leaders decided that the pilgrimage was a better idea to stop a revolt happening as more and more Eevee wanted to join other tribes."
Arric stopped, his mouth open. How did Tak know all of this and not tell him sooner? He went along with the tribe leaders all this time, even when Arric had questioned them. Tak looked back at him,
"Madame Lycia told me before we left for the first meeting. She told me not to tell anyone else as its some big secret they are trying to forget. She wouldn't tell me the whole story and I doubt what she is telling me is the entire truth but I figured since you were figuring it out on your own and after what Madame Nia did to you, my suspicions were confirmed."
Arric fell back in step with Tak his thoughts racing. There was a secret to all this! Arric could not contain his excitement but something deep down gnawed at him. Something did not feel right about this. If it was to stop a revolution why keep it a secret? Would it not be better to claim that they were the ones who thought of a solution to the continued peace?
"If you want my advice though Arric." Tak gave him a warning look, "Drop whatever it is you're planning and just deal with it the way it is. It won't end well for you if you don't. Madame Nia has already made that clear if she forced you to forget."
Arric wanted to ask him what else he knew but Hannah's squeal of delight drew their attention to the group in front of them. She hopped in delight, clutching Bree as they both bounced up and down, pointing down the hill. At the bottom, a large frozen lake laid out before them. Rainbow lights danced over its surface spreading across the full span of the lake. At the edge of the lake closest to them, a large tunnel greeted them. Several Glaceon surrounded the entrance, the snow reflected off their pale blue to almost white pelts, some only distinguishable from the snow itself by the darker colouring of their ears and tails.
"Race you!"
Before anyone could react, Grace leapt down the hill with Hannah, Bree and Quin behind her. Arric laughed as he bounded after them, Tak rolling his eyes as he followed. The group trundled down the hill, slipping and sprawling at the bottom in a pile. The nearby Glaceon chuckled to themselves as they watched. One of the Glaceon approached them, his deep sapphire eyes glowed brightly against the snow, his fur a sky blue and his hair was spiky and short ending in dark blue tips.
"Welcome Eevee!" His voice was soothing and deep, "I've been awaiting your arrival. I am Bowen, second in command and Avice's mate. Come, she wishes to meet with you."
The Eevee followed Bowen down into the tunnel. The walls were made of solid ice and every corridor looked like the last. Arric soon found himself lost, unsure of which direction he was going and which he had just been. Carved into the thick ice walls were stunning displays of Pokemon in different scenarios. One depicted a tribe of Tauros warriors dancing under the light of the moon while in the foreground a mother huddled with her children, singing them to sleep. Arric tried not to dwell on each carving for too long in fear he would be left behind. Finally, Bowen brought them to a large chamber, the roof arching high, the surface reflected above them, the rainbow lights streamed across the ceiling.
"It's so beautiful." Bree watched the lights above them in awe.
"We are lucky to have such a safe and beautiful home." Bowen agreed.
Inside the chamber was a large stage platform at the far wall. Figures of Glaceon were carved around the edges, trapped forever in motion that ranged from joyous expressions to the most depressing emotions. From the platform, several long tables in rows spread down the room, benches on either side for Glaceon to sit and watch the stage. Atop the platform sat the Glaceon tribe leader. Around her sat several smaller Glaceon in a semi-circle, while she spoke to them. She raised her head, her long white braids falling from her shoulder, her light blue eyes taking in her guests carefully. Her gaze was cold and stern, not like her mate. Waving a hand, she dismissed the Glaceon who all nodded their good bye and left silently into the tunnels that branched off the chamber. Bowen stopped at the edge of the platform, gazing up at her.
"The Eevee have arrived my dear."
Avice slipped over the edge of the platform, landing neatly next to Bowen without a sound. She held an air of grace about her, with shoulders well-postured back, standing tall as she looked over the Eevee before her. Her fur almost matched Bowens but slightly more blue and her ears and tail were a lot darker. As she spoke, her voice remained calm yet firm as she regarded the group.
"Your journey has been uneventful I presume?"
"Yes Madame Avice." Hannah and Bree answered a little too quickly.
Arric shot them a questioning look but neither of them dared looked his way. Avice nodded curtly, turning on her heel and striding towards the left tunnel, holding out a hand to beckon them to follow. They headed down a few more tunnels until they made it to a long chamber. On either side were rows and rows of doors, with ramps leading to each level, reaching up high to ceiling. The first level had six open doors closest to the chamber entrance. Avice motioned for them to pick a room for themselves. Inside was a bed laden with warm blankets, a few cupboards and a small table with a single chair. Arric placed his pack beside the bed before joining the others.
"You are free to roam the grounds as you wish but I suggest you do not stray too far. Eevee are not suited for the snow and we wouldn't want you getting lost."
Avice looked over the group of Eevee before turning to Bowen, "Make sure they are comfortable and fed. Bring them back to the surface whenever they desire."
She turned back to the Eevee, "I welcome you to the Glaceon village, excuse my short introduction but I have other matters I must attend to. Bowen will attend to your needs in the meantime."
The Glaceon took her leave, Arric watching her go through a small tunnel that led further into the ice caverns. Bowen cleared his throat, "Who's up for dinner?"
Arric and the group nodded eagerly, their stomachs growling in protest as they made their way to the main kitchen. Glaceon watched them curiously as they walked by, stopping to greet them quickly before moving on with their tasks. The smell of grilled food wafted through the tunnels as they drew closer and Arric could not stop his mouth from watering. The kitchen was set up with several small stoves, sinks and benches. Groups of Glaceon cooked meals together and then ate together at the tables that littered the area.
"Feel free to use what we have here. I will be nearby when you are ready to head to your rooms to rest."
Grace looked over the ingredients, recognising some of the fish on ice had come from her home village. She took a few, ordering Quin to grab some of the fresh herbs, Arric a pot and for Hannah and Bree to get the stove ready. Quickly the group made a meal with fish and vegetables, hungrily wolfing the meal down as they sat together.
"I'm surprised it's not colder in these tunnels." Arric pondered aloud between mouthfuls.
"The ice insulates against the cold and being underground with warm bodies it just makes it seem warmer. The Glaceon would have a hand in stopping the ice from melting from so many living here." Quin shrugged.
Arric nodded, finishing his meal and washing up. Bowen met with them to lead them back to their rooms and Arric found that even though he had just been this way, none of the place looked familiar.
"How do you not get lost here Master Bowen?"
Bowen chuckled, flicking his tail sending small ice particles floating through the air, "It's a Glaceon thing. We feel our way through the ice walls. It's like sending a signal and seeing the way beforehand you know?"
Arric shook his head. He did not understand at all. No matter how hard he tried, he only saw the walls before him. They reached the living quarter's chamber and Bowen excused himself, promising to return in the morning for them. Arric gladly crawled under the covers, feeling all the days of travelling and past events exhaustion pulling at his body and mind. Stifling a yawn, he rubbed his eyes and settled for sleep.
Again, Arric awoke in his dreams. In the distance, the volcano glowed, no closer than before. Arric could feel its warmth on his skin but there was something else. A spray of mist surrounded him, occasionally sweeping over him as if a breeze floated past him. In the direction of the breeze, Arric could faintly make out the sound of rushing water and if he squinted his eyes, he swore he could make out a small waterfall, its water cascading down onto smooth rocks, splashing up the mist that wafted over to him. Arric headed for the waterfall, a thirst clawing at his throat the longer he stared at the waterfall.
A leaf brushed past his nose making him stop, holding out his palm he let the leaf land. Its leaves spread out in curved edges, oval at the bottom with a long stem. It was a bright green and fresh but when Arric turned the leaf to the side, it changed to a bright orange, becoming dry and crisp. Arric glanced up and saw more leaves floating over him, twirling and swirling on a breeze Arric could not feel. A large tree sat at the edges of the darkness in the opposite direction of the waterfall. Its thick branches reached out to him and he felt himself reaching out in response, a desperate need to climb the tree overcame him that he had broken into a sprint towards the tree before he even realised. His footfalls echoing on the stone beneath him. His lungs burned for air as he ran harder but no matter how fast he ran or how far he pushed, the tree never grew closer.
Arric slowed, putting his hands on his thighs as he bent catching his breath. He eyed each entity before him. Each beckoned to him, calling to him. Why were they showing up now? There was never anything but darkness before. Darkness and the beast.
Arric's blood ran cold. Where was the beast? Arric swung around; the memories of his last dream hitting him. The icy cold grip that started from the ground threatened to return but when Arric looked down, the stone only greeted him.
"Hey beast!"
His voice echoed into the darkness. There was no answer. Frustrated Arric turned towards the volcano. It was the first to show up and Arric could only guess that perhaps he was meant to visit it first. Arric headed for the volcano, his footsteps echoing around him.
Am I getting closer?
Arric paused, looking back the way he came and then back at the volcano. He could not tell if he was getting closer or not. Everything around him seemed just as far away as the other and nothing ever seemed to get closer. Suddenly the familiar tingle of cold tickled at his feet.
No! Not again!
Arric bolted towards the volcano, his body shivered with cold and the more he ran towards the volcano, the colder he felt. Arric stopped, tearing his gaze away from the volcano. He was slowly beginning to piece the puzzle together. He turned his attention to the waterfall, the thirst growing in his throat again. He managed to fight the urge to run to the waterfall to face the tree, the desperation to climb overwhelming him.
What does this all mean? What am I supposed to do?
The faint sound of scraping caught Arric's attention. Slowly he turned to face the sound. All the warmth Arric managed to gain back left his body and fear began to bubble up inside. At the edge of the darkness was the beast. Its eyes glaring at him with a fiery rage. It was still too shadowed to make anything out and it slowly lumbered towards Arric, a low growl rumbling like thunder in its chest.
"Arric."
"No. No! Leave me alone!" Arric screamed at the beast.
The beast threw up its head and roared. Arric covered his ears, his body vibrating. The beast lunged forward and Arric turned and fled. Running blindly through the fog, he looked for the volcano but it had disappeared. The waterfall and tree had slipped into the darkness. The beasts' breath licked at his neck, Arric screaming as he felt a long sliding tongue reach out for him. Arric pumped his legs harder, every muscle burning with pain, his heart hammering in his chest. The fog around him began to thicken, invading his lungs, filling his head. His legs felt like jelly, he struggled to keep running, the fog getting thicker until it became too hard to breathe. Arric pawed at his throat struggling to take large strangled breaths; it felt like he was breathing in water. His lungs burned and the fog slithered its way into every part of his mind. The beast roared behind him and he felt his legs buckle beneath him, hitting the ground. Arric managed to flip himself onto his back to watch as the beast reached out with one dark paw.
Arric awoke screaming, fumbling in his bed until he rolled off, hitting the icy floor beneath him. He scrambled backwards until his back was against the cool walls. Sweat beaded off his brow and his chest fell in ragged breaths. His eyes darted across the room at his bed for the beast, the darkness seeping in every corner of the room. He waited for beasts claws to rip into him. Nothing. Arric closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around his legs as he curled himself into a ball. His chest wracked with sobs as hot tears spilled down his cheeks.
"Please. Make it stop."