I step warily down the jagged slope, being careful not to lose my step. The torch that I'm holding in my right hand makes it a bit harder to keep my balance and I wish that it wasn't necessary. The fact that I don't actually need the light that it's giving off in order to see makes it all the more annoying. Despite all of that, I'm not willing to go without it even though Volo said it would probably be fine.

I don't think that 'probably fine' is enough when talking about giant Pokemon that attack people with little to no provocation.

That said, when I reach the bottom of the hill and pause to catch my breath, I can't help but wonder if he's right. Volo's other suggestion was to travel at night, which means that the majority of Pokemon that I've seen are ghost types. Like my eyesight, the general apathy that ghost Pokemon have toward me has stuck around even though the Advisor is no longer with me. Even the massive Haunter that I saw a few hours ago didn't pay any attention to me.

Carrying a bright flame comes with downsides too. While it keeps wild Pokemon away from me, it also acts as a beacon to any other people that might be in the area, and I want to avoid that as much as possible. Volo had told me that the native inhabitants of Hisui, the Diamond and Pearl clans, had been conned into working with the Galaxy Team, which means neither can be trusted. At least, not until we can find a way to discredit the Galaxy Team.

"What do you think, Hana? Keep the torch or not?" I ask the Honedge at my side and, as usual, her response takes a few seconds. She doesn't seem to have any issues following me around, but anything that requires thought seems to take her a bit. When she finally does answer, Hana slowly swipes at the air in front of her before resetting to her usual position. I grimace slightly. "Alright, keep the torch it is."

Through Volo, the Advisor had explained that Hana had been left alone in that building for so long that most of her spectral energy is gone. Until she's restrengthened, she won't be able to do much on her own. And even though I was wiped out both times she took my energy, her reserves have barely been replenished. Which means that if we're attacked, it's down to me to protect myself.

Hence the torch.

Thankfully, the Advisor had also offered a solution. He'd said that there's another spirit like him near the ocean that would help me, though he wasn't exactly clear on how. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea until Volo added that if I freed the spirit, that would free him up to do other tasks, such as getting more supplies for me. I didn't, and still don't, love the idea of being on my own, but I have to admit that it makes sense.

I shake my head and start walking east again. It's not going to do me any good to stand there thinking when I could be moving. According to the map that Volo gave me, I'm only about halfway to my destination. It's a bit difficult to compare the rough map to my mental map of Sinnoh, but I'm pretty sure that my destination is right around where Sunnyshore will eventually be founded.

As expected, I don't end up making it all the way to my destination in a single night, and I start looking for an out of the way place to set up camp. It definitely feels weird to travel at night and camp during the day, but my body has had surprisingly few issues adjusting to the new schedule. I guess one benefit of Hana essentially knocking me out is that it reset my sleep schedule.

While it doesn't take me long to find a suitable place to set up my new tent, actually setting it up is an entirely different story. Volo had walked me through the process two different times, but apparently it didn't quite stick. I eventually give up and decide the half-constructed tent will be good enough.

With the tent in an acceptable state, I move on and start gathering the wood for a small campfire. I'd paid extra attention to the lessons on using flint and steel to start a fire that Volo had given me. Not being able to set up a tent correctly wasn't a huge deal, but going without fire was another matter entirely. However, it turns out that those lessons weren't needed since I'm able to just use my torch to light my campfire. Volo had given me extra tar to make more torches so I just throw the entire thing on the sticks I'd piled up.

I stare at the fire for a few seconds to make sure that it's catching before turning to Hana. "Are you okay with watching this?" After the usual delay, Hana bobs her hilt. "Thank you. I'm going to go get a bit more wood."

This time, Hana doesn't respond and I start carefully walking away from our camp. I'm still not willing to go far enough that the fire is out of my sight, but thankfully this part of Hisui has a lot more vegetation than the slopes of Mount Coronet. I even come across a berry tree in my search for wood and, after watching it for a while to make sure that I won't disturb any Pokemon living in it, I pluck a few berries to supplement my dinner. Or I suppose breakfast, given the time of day.

After depositing my haul by the fire, I sit down on the grass and massage my sore legs. While the path wasn't exactly difficult, I'm far from used to all of this walking. The amount of stuff that I'm carrying doesn't help matters either. I have no idea how Volo can easily haul around everything that I have as well as his wares. After a while, my legs start feeling a bit better, though the improved feeling doesn't last too long since my stomach starts growling. I quickly scarf down the berries I found as well as some of the rations Volo had given me.

Once I've finished eating my brinner, for lack of a better word, I stretch and head into the tent. It seems like the only thing that Volo hadn't bothered to give me was something to pass the time with, so I might as well try to get some sleep instead of sitting around thinking.

Unfortunately, sleep doesn't come easily and I end up stuck laying there, thinking about things anyway. How worried mom and dad must be that I just disappeared. Or does that even matter, since everyone I know won't be born for at least two hundred years? Though, does that mean that if I stop the Galaxy Team I can stop them from killing Gwen? Or will that make things even worse?

After fifteen minutes, all I've accomplished is making my head hurt. I suddenly get an idea. I'm fully aware that it's probably an awful idea, but I'll gladly take it over the alternative. "Hey Hana, could you come in here?"

I have to wait almost a full minute before the Honedge slowly floats into the tent. Even with the amount of time that I'd had to wait, it still takes me a few seconds to get the confidence to open my mouth. "Can you… can you help me sleep?" The last two times that Hana had taken my energy, I'd fallen asleep right away. I'm not sure if it's the most healthy thing, but it helps both of us, so it can't be that bad. Hana slowly reaches her cloth out toward me and I hesitate before taking it. "Just a little this time, alright?"

Once Hana has bobbed her hilt, I reach out and grab onto the tassel. This time she doesn't wrap around my hand, letting me have full control over the energy transfer. I hold on for the few seconds that it takes me to start to feel tired and then immediately let go.

"Thank you," I mutter as I drop my head onto my pillow and close my eyes.

I'm asleep within seconds.

It's still light out when I wake up, which is both a blessing and a curse. The positive is Hana must have listened to me and not taken nearly as much energy as she had yesterday, since I didn't sleep the entire day like before. I also feel completely rested, making me a bit less worried about donating energy in the first place. The negative aspect is that it means I'll have to wait for the sun to go down instead of being able to set out immediately.

I'm tempted to try going back to sleep, but the ground isn't exactly comfortable, so I decide to just get up. Nothing has changed outside the tent from before I'd gone to sleep, including the campfire that Hana must have continued to maintain. The Pokemon herself is floating over the almost completely depleted woodpile that I'd made, well away from the heat of the fire.

"Good morning," I say with as much forced cheerfulness as I can muster. I glance up at the sky and shake my head. "Afternoon. Whatever."

Hana turns toward me but doesn't react other than to stare at me with her eye. While I'm really thankful for all of her help and I get that her lack of energy is something she has no control over, a not insignificant part of me wishes that I had a Pokemon that was actually responsive. I'd always thought that my starter Pokemon would be cheerful and friendly, like a Buneary or a Clefairy, not a literal sword.

Thankfully there are a few things to keep me occupied until dusk. The first thing I do is to spend some more time trying to figure out the tent, so that I can set it up correctly next time. It takes me a while to figure out what I was doing wrong, but I'm eventually confident that my next attempt will go better. With that taken care of, I finish putting away the tent and move on to my meal, which I once again supplement with some berries.

The last thing that I need to do before leaving is make a new torch, and I take plenty of time to make sure I do it right. It doesn't take long to find a suitable stick and wrap the end with some cloth scraps. The part that takes the longest is carefully applying the tar to the end of it. Without modern cleaning supplies available, I don't want to risk getting the horribly sticky substance on me or my new clothes. When I'm done, I examine my work with a critical eye. It doesn't look nearly as good as the one Volo made me yesterday, but that doesn't really matter since I'm going to light it on fire anyway.

As I return the jar of tar to my new backpack, I notice the sack of clothes in it and look at it for a moment before grabbing it. I gingerly unfurl my dress and wince as I look at it in the light of sunset. I don't think even the most talented seamstress in the world would be able to restore it. The fabric is more brown than white and there are countless rips, tears, and holes in it. I stare at what used to be one of my most cherished possessions for a few long seconds before tossing it into the campfire. There's a small explosion of flames as it catches instantly on the hot coals and it's completely engulfed within seconds. My eyes water at the sight, but I tell myself that it's just because of the smoke.

I watch the campfire until it's burned down almost all of the way and then hold my torch up next to the dying flames. Once the torch has been lit, I put my backpack on and turn to Hana. "Ready to go?" I ask impassively. Since I already know better than to expect a response, I resume walking toward the ocean with the setting sun at my back.

My travels are once again largely uneventful, though today I do see a few more Pokemon beyond just ghost types. They seem almost more scared of me than I am of them; the few Glameow and Stantler that I spot run away from me almost immediately. The latter is a bit of a surprise to see since I didn't even know that there were wild Stantler in Sinnoh. Even the ghost types present change slightly as I start seeing fewer Gastly and more Drifloon.

It's a few hours after the sun has gone down when I come across the day's second new thing. As I walk around the bend of a hill, I see what looks like a small purple ball of fire that's floating above the ground at about waist height. I cautiously approach the flame and hold out my hand, discovering that it feels a bit cold instead of the heat that I was expecting. It reminds me of a lessened version of what I'd felt when the Gastly had passed through my body.

I take another moment to ready myself and then reach out and close my free hand around the wisp. I don't feel anything except a slight numbness in my hand as it phases right through the wisp and I start to wonder if I did anything wrong. Before I can pull my hand back, the wisp suddenly disappears and a shimmering purple light appears around my hand and quickly starts traveling up my arm. It takes all of my willpower to not freak out again, and even then I'm not able to suppress a shudder.

The light disappears shortly after reaching my core and I stand stock still, waiting with bated breath for something to happen. When there's no change after several long seconds, I tentatively ask, "Hello? Is someone there?"

That does provoke a response, but it's only the sound of soft unintelligible whispers instead of anything coherent like what I'd heard from the Advisor. I listen intently, trying to pick up anything understandable, but the whispers fade to nothing after a few seconds. I eventually decide that the wisp is one of the less active ones that Volo mentioned and resume my hike.

I make better time than expected and it's still the middle of the night when I spot the ocean. I'd been smelling the salty sea air for a while, but I thought that it was still a bit of a way to go. A quick check of the map reveals that my destination is actually on the oddly shaped peninsula to the southeast, so I'm not quite there yet. Still, having my goal in sight is enough to revitalize me and I pick up my pace slightly.

It isn't long before I have to slow down again, as there are many more wild Pokemon in the area, so I have to be more careful instead of charging straight through to my destination. Thankfully, most of the living Pokemon seem to stay away from ghost types, which means that there are small pockets of areas that I can walk through safely. The swarms of ghost types turn out to be a life-saver since I end up spending several tense minutes surrounded by Drifloon and Drifblim, waiting for a massive Golduck to be distracted by something. The moment that its glowing red eyes turn away from me, I sprint toward the next group of ghost Pokemon, and I'm relieved to find that the Golduck doesn't pursue me.

It only takes me a few more minutes to reach the spot that Volo had described, a stretch of the beach littered with dead trees and beached ships. There are even more ghost Pokemon in the area, with the Drifloon and Drifblim that I've been seeing the entire night being joined by members of the Duskull family. I barely pay the ghosts any mind, instead stopping to stare at the shipwrecks in wonder. I wrack my brain, trying to think of anything that I learned in school that would explain where the ships would have come from, but I come up completely blank. I can't help but wonder if I'm seeing the aftermath of an event that modern people are completely unaware of. I suppose that it shouldn't surprise me given that the name Hisui is all but forgotten in my time, but it's still crazy to think about.

My thoughts on history are derailed when I feel a strange pulling sensation similar to what I'd felt right after arriving in this time. I hesitate for only a moment before following the sensation, feeling it get stronger and stronger as I walk. When I reach the spot where the pull is coming from, a small chest, the sensation is so strong that I wouldn't be able to stop myself even if I wanted to. I place my hand right on the chest and the expected purple light appears at the point of contact. I stand still for a few seconds, then sigh in relief when the force that had been pulling me toward the chest slowly dissipates.

Greetings lass! You have my thanks for freeing me from that prison!

The new voice is much more boisterous than the Advisor had been, but I immediately prefer them. While the Advisor had sounded like an aged councilor with odd word choice, this one sounds much closer to a real person. "You're welcome," I say as a part of me wonders at how readily I can accept talking to a voice in my head. "Um, Volo and the Advisor said you could help me."

Oho! I don't know any Volo but I'm glad to hear that old rascal is still kicking. I'd be glad to help you lass!

"Thank you. To be honest, they didn't really say what you would be able to help me with, other than it would help me survive in Hisui." I remember the other thing that they'd neglected to tell me and add, "Oh and what should I call you? They didn't say that either."

There's only one reason someone would be sent to me for help! To learn how to fight! They call me the Battlemaster for a reason after all!

"To… fight?" I repeat, surprise and resignation coloring my voice. I probably should have seen this coming since the Advisor had clearly intended for me to use Hana in battles. Even still, I'd somehow hoped to find an expert at foraging or some other aspect of wilderness survival instead. I turn to where Hana is slowly floating up and down. "But I don't know anything about Pokemon bat-"

A Honedge! Excellent! That will save us time finding you a proper weapon!

"Weapon?!" I ask as the memory of stabbing the Teddiursa through the heart flashes through my head, making me dizzy. "I didn't… I don't think I can do that again…"

Ah, I'm sorry lass. I got carried away. I've seen too many young men and women forced into a fight they don't want. I hardly wish to add you to their number.

The Battlemaster's voice is considerably softer as he 'speaks' in my head, which helps me calm down slightly. I suddenly realize that I'm on the verge of hyperventilating and force myself to take deep breaths and slowly exhale. It takes almost a full minute before I'm feeling close to normal. "Thank you," I finally say, softly. "I just don't want to fight. Not unless I absolutely have to."

I understand. My sister's son was the same way. I tried to protect him from the worst by making him my squire, but he fell not far from this very beach.

My remaining unease disappears, replaced with utter confusion. What does that even mean? Was that supposed to be comforting? If there was a battle around here, that would explain that number of ghost Pokemon.

I shake my head to put the thoughts out of my mind. That's not important right now and I'm not even sure that I want details. What is important is that I need to get back to the hills before the sun comes up. After my encounter with the Kirlia, I'm not tempted for even a second to poke around the shipwrecks looking for either shelter or long-forgotten supplies.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I turn back in the direction that I'd come but very quickly find that I've got an unexpected problem. The alpha Golduck that I'd seen before is staring directly at me. It doesn't seem to be making a move forward into the ghost-infested area, but it also isn't taking its glowing red eyes off of me for even a second.

"Are there any other ways to get out of here?" I ask, nervously eyeing the Golduck. I'm fairly sure I already know the answer but I'm really hoping there was something I missed.

Hmm, I suppose you could craft some sort of raft. This is the only way off the peninsula though.

I don't waste any time considering his suggestion. Being surrounded by water and potentially aggressive water Pokemon is not an idea I'm willing to entertain. Plus, given that it's a Golduck, there isn't anything stopping it from just following me into the ocean.

Even if you don't wish to fight, could your Honedge not fight off the Pokemon?

"Her name is Hana," I answer absently, busy trying to judge how far away the clusters of Drifloon and Drifblim are. They've drifted slightly further away from when I'd run over here and I'm not remotely confident that I'd be able to make it before Golduck would catch up with me. I realize that I didn't actually answer the question and add, "She doesn't have the energy to fight."

Hana! Of course! I knew her aura felt familiar! She was one of the finest young knights I ever had the pleasure of training. Shame to hear about her energy issues, though I may have another idea if you are willing. I can't say that it won't be uncomfortable though.

I'm more than a little curious to hear about what Hana was like as a person, but it's definitely not the time for that. "What is it?" I cautiously ask.

If you lend extra energy to Hana, she should be able to transport you both to safety with a Shadow Sneak. It's a maneuver our scouts would use back in my time.

I can't remember ever hearing of a move named Shadow Sneak before, but from the name, it sounds like exactly what we need. While the idea of giving Hana energy when I'm being stared down by an aggressive Pokemon isn't exactly appealing, it's still better than anything else that I've been able to come up with.

"Hana? Do you think that will work?" I ask, turning back to look at the sword Pokemon. The bobbing of her hilt in reply takes a few seconds, though I'm not sure the delay is because she's unsure or because of her general lethargy.

Ready as I'll ever be, I shift the torch to my left hand and reach out with my right. Hana floats over so that her hilt is right next to my hand and with a final moment of hesitation I grab on. Her tassel immediately wraps around my hand and within seconds I begin to slouch, unable to muster the strength to stand up straight anymore. It's a bit of a strain to keep my eyes open, but the thought of the absolute disaster that it would be for me to fall asleep ensures that I stay conscious.

Despite my tiredness, I stand perfectly still, waiting for a cloak of darkness or something like that to appear and hide us from the Golduck. When nothing like that happens for several seconds, I look down at Hana to ask what's going on, but what I see completely makes me lose my voice. Where the ground was only seconds ago is now an inky black void that I can't see through even with my enhanced vision. Even worse is that I'm sinking into it and it's already reached my knees. Terrified by the prospect of returning to the void, I start to struggle to free myself but the only thing I get for my efforts is a massive wave of fatigue.

Don't move! It's hard enough for Hana to move both of you without you fighting her!

I stop struggling instantly at the Battlemaster's words. The only thing more terrifying to me than this awful, horrible plan is the thought of what might happen if it goes wrong. I make an effort to look anywhere except for the ground that's slowly getting closer and closer as I continue to sink into it. Unlike the last time that I was in the void, a chill begins to fill my body, starting in my toes and rapidly moving up.

Between the chill and my sapped strength, it becomes more difficult to maintain my grip on the things that I'm holding. Hana's cloth stops me from dropping her, but the torch slips free from my left hand as the black portal reaches my shoulders. I softly whimper at the thought of returning to the void without a light source. It only takes a few more seconds for the rest of my body to sink through the portal.

I'm not sure if I'd just missed it last time, but this time the void has soft streaks of purple breaking up the black that surrounds me. While I still can't see anything, the irregularities make me feel slightly better since they at least give me something to focus on.

I'm not sure how long I've spent in the void when a pinprick source of light appears above me. I slowly strain my head to look up, moving carefully in the hopes that it won't mess with Hana's efforts as long as I don't move suddenly. The thought of not desperately looking toward the light doesn't even occur to me. The light slowly grows larger until it's a perfect sphere floating above me. It's not until it's joined by additional smaller lights does my addled brain realize that it's the moon. My ears pop a second later and I'm suddenly able to once again hear the ocean's waves crashing on the shore.

My relief to be back in the real world only lasts for the few seconds that it takes for several large shapes to loom over me, blocking the night sky from my sight. I try to focus on the new arrivals, but instead of becoming more clear, the shapes become blurrier instead. "Not… again…" I weakly protest as my eyes finally close and I slip in unconsciousness.

A/N: Thanks to Star (quarknova on this site) and Cavik for betaing. Next up is Chapter 4: The Bladedancing