Chapter 16 – Guardian of the Sea
Salt sprays were all one could smell at the small Cianwood harbour. Different water and flying types plied both the waters and the skies crying out. Boats were cutting through the waves, both docking and leaving. Kids and families were playing on the beach in the hot morning sun. No clouds marred the sky, and the sea was unusually calm today. All in all a perfect day.
One man in particular however had different ideas on how to spend the day. His pack was smaller than the one he normally travelled with and he was carrying ropes and other spelunking gear. Arthur had spent the past two weeks researching the islands local legends about various Pokemon. Specifically Lugia. He had gone through the various journals and papers stating where people thought the legendary Pokemon lived. He had narrowed it down to one of the whirl islands after discovering of the presence of monks devoted to the legends living there, but how to reach it was another question all together.
Thus his meeting with an old sailor who still fished in the area. The old man had told the champion he would be able to get the young man to the area he required. Walking down towards the pier, Blaze followed his trainer. A song still lingered in the head of the champion and it seemed the young man was hearing it everywhere he went. The pair came to a boat tied up at the moorings called the Azure Cutter.
"You think this guy can get us to the right cave?" Blaze asked.
"I believe he can. Considering he's been fishing in this area for Arceus knows how long, he must have some serious knowledge of the islands. Not many try to go up against the whirlpools in the area."
"And there lies my concern."
"Why Blaze if I didn't know better, I'd think you were showing emotion!" Arthur teased his starter. The fire type huffed.
"Can it."
The boat was white with a blue stripe running around the top of the gunwale. The main mast was not overly large and the snow white sail was hanging limp in the harness. The boat was roughly 20 feet long by Arthur's estimation with an inboard motor.
"There you are Arthur! Was beginning to wonder when you might show up!" an older man said from the stern where the wheel of the boat was. He was average height, and balding, though you wouldn't know due to the hat he was using to cover his head. He was thinner, yet still muscled enough to maneuver his boat through the rougher currents one sometimes went up against in this sea. He was also the one who had helped Arthur's father with some of his research.
"No need to worry about me Richard. I was held up due to some of my team being reluctant to move this morning" Arthur replied nudging Blaze hard in the side with his elbow. The fire type did his best impression of hurt, causing the old sailor to laugh and Arthur to roll his eyes. The pair boarded the boat, Arthur stowing his gear in the cabin below. Richard had told him that the trip may take a couple of days depending on the whirlpool severity.
A railing went around the craft, allowing Arthur to stand by the bow for most of the journey, wind brushing through his somewhat longer than usual hair. Richards Golduck and Pelipper were out helping with the boat and enjoying the bright sun. Delphin was also lounging on the craft just behind Arthur gazing into the deep ocean as the boat cut through the waves.
As night began approaching, Arthur helped with preparing the boat for a night of rest. The sea anchor was dropped and everything tied down. By dusk, the only sound was the lapping of waves against the hull of the boat, a soothing sound that had most of Arthur's team drifting to sleep. As for the trainer himself, well Arthur was busy taking pictures of the most amazing sunset he had seen yet.
"Quite a view isn't it?" Richard asked, sitting beside the champion at the bow.
"Stunning" was the trainers only reply.
"Your father used to do exactly what you're doing right now. He would sit up here at the bow, strumming on that guitar of his or playing a harmonica. Always the same song in these parts." Arthur looked up at the sailor.
"Which song was that?" the older man smiled, stepping back below into the cabin briefly before bringing up a guitar. Arthur was silent as he watched the old man tune the oak coloured instrument and begin playing. The melody at first wasn't familiar. Richard plucked at the chords a few times before suddenly Arthur could hear what he was playing. The keening sound reverberated through the air, creating a trace like feeling for the champion who found himself drawn inexplicably forward to a destiny.
White froth was thrown up from the whirlpools, preventing direct access to the islands. Arthur looked on as Richard made his way through the swirling seas. The currents here threated to pull the craft under to the bottom of the ocean, but the sailor was more than a match for the restless deep blue expanse. Rocky outcroppings appeared here and there, stones promising a meeting with the abyss just as much as the sucking water of the whirlpools.
Finally in front of the boat was an island. There was almost a serene beauty to the spot of land here in the middle of the sapphire waters. The roar of crashing water was gone, replaced instead with silence and warmth. Richard killed the engine and brought the sail up, using the light breeze to guide the boat onto shore. Arthur collected his gear and disembarked in the shallows.
"Are you sure you don't want me to wait here for you lad?" Richard asked.
"No, I'll be fine."
"Those monks aren't likely to let you pass you know. Your father never was able to gain access." Arthur looked around as the water pushed against his legs.
"I know this is the place. They'll let me on here. Thank you for everything Richard." The old sailor nodded.
"My pleasure lad. Least I could do." Arthur released Delphin, who along with the Golduck, pushed the boat back into deeper waters. The champion stood in the rising tide, watching the boat make its trek back to the island. Finally turning, Arthur checked on his surroundings.
The island was mostly barren, a sandy plot of ground in the middle of the ocean. A small rocky outcropping was present with a small amount of grass and trees. What the young man was more interested in however was the cave mouth present just beyond what appeared to be a small sign. Withdrawing Delphin, Arthur made his way over.
The sign here was too faded to read now. But it appeared that he was not the first person to enter this cave. Track marks made their way into the darkness. The young champion set his pack down and began getting his gear positioned correctly and ready. Blaze was released and he watched the proceedings in silence. A helmet and headlight was the last thing Arthur strapped on.
"You didn't wear one of those things when we went through other caves" Blaze noted.
"No but those were actual travel paths. The amount of trainers those paths see makes the governments take note of the upkeep in those kinds of areas. This cave is completely different." The fire type nodded his understanding then prepared to step in further.
"I must ask you to stop" a voice said from behind Arthur and his partner. Both turned to see an older monk standing on the beach. "Only those who are deemed worthy may pass through."
"I'm guessing we found the right spot" Blaze said under his breath.
"You're one of the ones guarding this cave?" Arthur asked. The elder nodded. "I'm searching for something in there."
"Only those deemed worth may pass" the monk repeated. Arthur frowned, then remembered about the item that Walt Kowalski had given him. Searching through his pack, Arthur found the tiny box containing the silver feather. A faint haunting melody was still pursuing Arthur as he opened the box showing the monk his proof.
"But this…!" The man's eyebrows rose in surprise at what he was seeing. This young man had brought proof that he was indeed chosen. "You may pass." Arthur nodded, returning the feather to his bag.
"That was weird" Blaze said as the duo made their way into the cave. The fire type ignited his flames as Arthur turned on his headlamp to completely illuminate the surrounding area. "Show the guy a feather and you're allowed to pass through?"
"Well that is Lugia's feather" Arthur explained as they walked deeper into the gloom.
"Not the point. How the hell does a feather make you worthy? We weren't even the ones who found it!" To that, Arthur could only shrug his shoulders. Perhaps the legend was asserting herself more than usual to allow Arthur's passage.
Water dripped down the rock faces, bouncing the light back in various directions, giving the cave a rather sparkling appearance. Blaze and Arthur moved through in relative silence. Once in a while they heard some type of movement or squeak, but it seemed Blaze's presence was enough to keep the wild Pokemon here at bay.
The two descended deeper into the cave. Multiple times Arthur had to recall Blaze so he could climb down a hole or some other natural structure impeding their route. These times were the most unnerving for Arthur as he wasn't even sure he was going the right direction.
Hours passed as the champion made his way through the darkness. Still the steady drip, drip, drip continued on. Finally Arthur paused for a rest and released the rest of his team. Still none were really ready to talk. The gloom and knowledge of what was ahead kept the conversation down.
After having taken some time to eat and recover, the young champion continued on his path. There were many branching avenues one could take and explore, but for some reason, Arthur just knew that the way he was going was right. Finally he came to a ledge which dropped off into an unknown abyss.
"How deep do you think that goes" the champion wondered aloud.
"I don't really know, but seeing as we're probably under the ocean, I'm not a fan of it" Blaze replied.
"You know just because it's water…"
"Don't start on that again. I'll singe your eyebrows off" the fire type threatened.
"Well at least then you might finally have a chance at being the better looking one!" Arthur fired back laughing.
"Why am I here again?" his partner asked.
"Cause there's a legend down there who needs our help. So what do you say? Time to make our way down?"
"Are you going to climb?" Blaze asked gazing down into the darkness.
"I was thinking of using that natural descent right over there instead." Blaze looked to where Arthur was pointing and nodded.
"That'll do."
The path was steep and all the more dangerous because of that. No wild Pokemon seemed to be here however. But the steady dripping of condensation that had accompanied them thus far had faded into what seemed to be a rather dull roar.
After descending for a time, Arthur and Blaze came upon an opening. The two looked at one another and stepped forward. What met their eyes took their breath away. Below them was a chamber, a light glow permeating the gloom to show a spectacular waterfall cascading down into a calm lagoon. The rocks themselves seemed to be luminous. A path down to the water's edge was present as well, leading to an altar-like structure.
"Not bad for a legend" Blaze noted.
"It looks like someone built this place specifically for this." Blaze nodded but added no further explanation. Sometimes nature simply worked in mysterious ways.
The pair backtracked off the ledge and wound their way further down. Finally they came to the bottom where the air was thick with moisture. Arthur's clothes were sodden and the mists being created were carpeting the area creating a rather mystical feeling. Both the champion and his partner could feel the strength of the presence residing within the chamber.
"Ready?" Arthur asked of his starter beside him.
"Always" was Blaze's reply. Together they walked through the mists into the chamber.
The roar of the waterfall was not nearly as overwhelming as Arthur expected it to be from above. In fact, it was rather muted. The luminous lichen covering the rocks let off a warm blue glow adding to the sapphire look of the water. Slowly the two walked up to the edge of the rock.
"I was really hoping we wouldn't have to get wet" Blaze groaned as he stared down at the lapping water against his feet. Arthur smiled at his friend's discomfort.
"You know, I could always return you to your Pokeball, if that'd make you more comfortable."
"Then who'd have your back?" Blaze countered. In response Arthur slide up his shirt slightly revealing his belt containing the other Pokemon at his disposal. Blaze just rolled his eyes causing Arthur to laugh.
Carefully Arthur stepped out into the water. It did not take long for his boots to become soaked through, but the water was curiously warm. Cocking an eyebrow at his fire type who shrugged the two walked to the edge of the rock and stared into the depths. A hum seemed to fill the air, sounding exactly like the lament of Lugia played throughout the islands. Out of nowhere a glow appeared from the depths. Champion and Pokemon backed up slightly as the water started churning and spinning. A spout burst upwards, winds and water flying through the air and into Arthur and Blaze. The young man squinted his eyes, as the glow moved up into the water spout. As suddenly as the water appeared, it burst outwards revealing the legend in truth. A pressure filled the void as Arthur and Blaze stared upon the guardian of the seas.
You have finally come.
"I have" Arthur replied.
I have long awaited your arrival Arthur. Are you ready to embrace your destiny?
"This is not destiny Argyra."
Many have been called and believed in. But you are the one who has been chosen. If not destiny, then what.
"Yes I believe you. But destiny is not a matter of chance. Rather it is a choice, not something to be waited for, but something to be achieved. I believe in you Argyra, and those who have come on this journey with me. Our world is at risk and you need all the help you can to right the balance. I have made my choice. I believe in this, and so I am here." Argyra's presence above the champion was silent in her regard. Arthur stared deep into the legends striking blue eyes, not fazed at all by the ethereal glow give off by the stark white feathers. Argyra was not even flapping to hold herself aloft, her massive wingspan seeming to take up the entire chamber.
And I believe in you young one. With that simple statement, the legend of Lugia bowed her head and placed it against Arthur's chest, much like Blaze did. A warmth spread throughout the champion as he felt the softness of Argyra's feathers. Blaze was awestruck at the sight. Once more, his trainer had proven himself to the gods and acquired the power of a legend.
Having our power is not nearly as important as what he is choosing to do with it Argyra said only to Blaze. The fire type looked to her. Ra's test was to see what he would do with that power. Some covet us only to bring the world to a liking of their own, as power in this sense is a poison. It corrupts even the most trustworthy. But the choice to not use this power, which shows us what Arthur is capable of. He will call upon us when necessary, but not before. And this is why we have chosen him.
You gave him power to test his character? Blaze asked. The twinkle in the legends eye was all Blaze needed to see he was right.
The question is… will it be enough?
Finally Arthur and Argyra meet in person. If you weren't already aware, Argyra means silvery one. Most of my names have a meaning behind them, especially for the legends, but this one just seemed to fit. I hope you aren't disappointed by this chapter, but it is more of a lead up to some questions and doubts that may arise from those viewing Arthur's journey from the outside.
Please leave a review, as well, let me know your thoughts on a team for a Platinum run-through!