June 25th, First Year
The order had come in the middle of the night with Rei and Yuki pounding on the door to Akari's room. They boys had looked flushed, Rei having his hat ripped in several places and Yuki straining on his wooden crutches as they both dragged her doggedly to the Galaxy Team Headquarters; she had been summoned by Commander Kamado once again.
Apparently, her success in quelling Lord Kleavor had boosted her reputation amongst Jubilife Village and the other scouts so much so that she was being sent off with just Rei to both survey the Crimson Mirelands and quell Lady Lilligant who had gone mad a week prior according to the leader of the Diamond Clan.
Strange. Akari pulled out her Arc Phone once she knew she was alone and glanced at the list of missions she had accrued, the strange white glow of the screen making her eyes sting. Nothing about Lady Lilligant, she thought confusedly. How come I didn't get a notification?
The effects of the lady's rampage were still unknown. Akari had known that something had been up the way Captain Cyllene had seemed to act doleful as she sent letters back-and-forth with an unknown recipient with her Abra, always dousing the thick envelopes in some kind of perfume or spray before she dared open them upon her desk. Even the commander had looked a bit more uneasy since she had last seen the man. Twiddling with his hands. Swallowing every other few seconds. Tapping his feet against the floorboards incessantly.
So now, Akari trudged beyond the thick undergrowth-laden tree line of the bog, trying not to gag at the wet sounds of the mud pulling at her boots. She pulled her foot loose from a thicket of brambles, wincing as she tumbled into a patch of sticker bushes. She recoiled as a cloud of yellow smoke drifted up from the wet grass below, quickly covering her mouth and nose with her scarf. Arceus above! This place is awful!
They had made it to the mirelands just as the sun crested overhead, stopping in a remote clearing high in the mountains where they could survey the entirety of the swamps. Thick, dark patches of mangrove trees swarmed the hills leaving the lower bogs dense with ferns and rippling water. The air was loud with the sounds of croaking and buzzing and squawking, a raucous roar ringing out from a faraway cave. Clusters of Yanmas soared overhead, their buzzing wings sending shudders down Akari's spine. It hadn't been all that long since she had endured Lord Kleavor's frenzy after all.
Amidst the noise and the intense, humid heat, Akari could barely piece apart how the Diamond Clan could stand the place. She wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "We're going to…?"
"Wait here," Professor Laventon answered her. He sluggishly pulled his boots out of the mud, his brows furrowed with disgust. The older man had chosen to tag along to further collect information on the noble pokémon. We can't go any further without those escorts from the Diamond Clan; the commander's orders, of course."
An irritated voice drifted up from the back of the group. "We seriously have to go in that infested bog? It's probably crawling with bugs! Did I pack any bug spray?"
"Seriously? You sound just like Captain Cyllene!" another scout snarked back.
The Galaxy Team scouts were supposed to be staying with the Diamond Clan since the territory had apparently become too dangerous for anybody- even those who wielded pokémon- to camp in peace. The reason for it had not been discussed amongst the junior scouts like her. Akari suspected that only Rei knew why. The boy was constantly dogging the professor's heels, the two men chattering back-and-forth; chatter that would grind to a halt whenever Akari approached too closely. She was bound to hear something sooner or later, but she couldn't figure out what was so secretive that not even she- Arceus' Chosen- could hear it.
She turned to observe Rei, watching as the boy carefully picked his way over to stand just before the twisted roots of a willow tree on Professor Laventon's other side. His brows were furrowed, his dark eyes dutifully scanning the length of the branch and trunk for something. Rei shook his head, frustrated, before turning to inspect another tree.
Whatever, Akari thought dismissively. Rei is always weird like that.
"There they are!" Rei finally exclaimed, standing up from his hunched-over position before a mossy log. Tot immediately appeared from its pokéball, following albeit a few paces back from its trainer.
Three Diamond Clan rangers quietly filed into the clearing, their heads bowed, and their faces obscured. They were covered with thick, black tunics. All of them were wearing scarves covering their noses and mouths. All of them looked gaunt and exhausted, bags under their dull, twitchy eyes. They moved easily through the sucking mud, weapons perched on their hips as they quickly surrounded the survey scouts.
"Keep your voice down," one of the rangers muttered. He was a large and intimidating man, his navy blue-and-red tunic clinging to his tall, bulky frame under the cover of his protective outer tunic. Long, dark dreadlocks poked out from the man's secured hood. He gave Rei a harsh glare, tossing the boy a similar neck scarf. "Put these on. You won't survive a second in the mirelands if you don't."
"What're these for?" Rei asked plainly.
"The spores. They stick to everything. Step on an open flower and you'll get a face full of 'em." The man then leaned over and began to help Rei who at that point was struggling to secure the cloth to his face. "Some spores won't do anything to you. Some will poison you. Others might put you to sleep. There's no way of knowing until the symptoms set in."
"Sounds horrifying," Rei squeaked back, making sure to tighten the knot at the base of the cloth. "And you guys just put up with it?"
"We have to," the man snorted. "We live here. This place is our home. Now come on." The ranger didn't leave much room for debate, swiftly turning on his heel. "The sooner we get to the settlement, the better." The other Diamond Clan rangers followed after him in one quiet, solemn line. Akari's own group set off behind them shortly after.
Rei affixed the collar of his tunic to the dragging spare fabric of the face cloth as he caught up with the older man again. "I did guess that the pokémon out here would be dangerous due to Lady Lilligant- that and this area is rumored to host a lot of aggressive pokémon- but is this really necessary?" He pulled at the loose fabric across his mouth, frowning. "Does this actually help to avoid breathing the spores in?"
"It's the only thing we've come up with. If you find a better alternative, feel free to share with the rest of the clan."
They passed through the wetter parts of the woods, emerging near a massive, sediment-filled river that thundered down the debris-littered slope and threatened to pull on the remaining solid ground they waded upon. Brackish water sucked at the banks, pulling with it stones, roots and even a fully-grown tree. Mold-covered tree stumps and dusty bushes littered the opposite riverbank as they carefully picked their way across.
"Watch your step!" The patrol leader called over his shoulder, shoving his foot deep into the river bottom. He grimaced, forcing another foot forward as he reached back his arm. The ranger behind him took hold immediately, setting their own foot in the prints he left behind. "Everybody, hold hands! Slow stepping here! One wrong step and you could get swept up by the current! Eyes on the river bottom!"
They crawled along the tangling roots of ancient mangrove trees, Akari watching with frustration and jealousy as the Diamond Clan rangers nonchalantly waded through the soaked wetlands, dodging under hanging branches and avoiding deep pits of waterlogged clay. Akari repeatedly found herself sinking into the bog or smacking her head into the low hanging roots. This trip seemed to be taking an eternity. So long, that the hot, humid air of the bog was starting to make her clothes stick to her skin.
And she was so thirsty! Akari had pulled a few berries from one of the trees in her drowsing despair. She nearly yelped as a strong hand caught her wrist and wrenched the berry out of her grasp. Another pair of hands quickly pulled her away from the berry tree and into the middle of the group.
"Hands to yourself, girl."
"Save your hunger until later."
Akari was about to say something in anger before flinching as the lead ranger turned to stare at her from his position far ahead. He snorted, muttering something incoherent under his breath as he stormed toward her, splashing through the knee-high water until he was looming over her.
"Did you eat any of those berries?" the lead ranger asked, attracting both curious and sympathetic stares from the rest of the party.
"No. Why-"
Rei chose that exact moment to appear beside her, one brow raised. "Akanti said that everything here might have dangerous spores on them. Weren't you listening earlier? Why do you think we're all wearing these cloths over our mouths?"
"That's not-" Akari sputtered "- I was! I-I just-"
"Now, now," came a gentle voice. Akari immediately recognized it as the gentle voice of Volo. The man in question slowly appeared at her side, a placating smile on his face. "I'm sure Akari just made a tiny mistake. No need to make this bigger than it needs to be."
Akanti, the lead ranger, clicked his tongue and spun to glare at the merchant. "Not a little mistake; a big one. And I don't remember asking you to chime in. She can explain herself-" he then turned his beady eyes on her- "can't you?"
"…Sorry," Akari squeaked, her face flushed with shame. Why is everybody making such a big commotion over berries? So what if they have dangerous spores? What could spores do to Arceus' champion anyway? I would've been fine if I would've eaten one. No big deal.
Akanti sighed, shaking his head. "Don't. Touch. Anything," he warned her again. "We've had several cases of clansmen contracting paralysis or severe food poisoning from our berries and our prey. Don't put your hands anywhere near your face until we get to the settlement, is that understood?"
"...Yes sir."
"No need for 'sir'. Just a 'yes' will do." Without another word, Akanti took the lead of the group, beckoning for his trailing party to follow as he prodded the river bed with a foot.
Rude.
"Paralysis?" Rei murmured, earning an aggravated glare from Akari.
"Just don't eat anything unless we clear it for you," one of the Diamond Clan rangers piped up. He shot them both an apologetic glance. "Trust me, it's worse than you think. Try to bear the heat a little longer. We're almost to The Diamond Heath."
They continued. Volo, who had been milling around near the back of the party, tapped her on the shoulder as they ascended a grassy slope heading up into a flowered hill. He passed her a few berries from his pack with a pitying glance.
"Is this meant to be sincere or are you just poking fun at me?" Akari grumbled quietly as she tentatively accepted his offering.
"A little bit of both," Volo chuckled. His silver eye seemed to bounce from one thing to the next, Togepi hiding in the pocket of his apron as he took care where he stepped. "I've never seen this place this bad."
"Is it usually this wet?" Akari grumbled, swishing the loose fabric of her tunic to help cool down her torso. "And hot?"
"Yes and no. I don't believe I've ever seen so much natural damage in the mirelands before. That and obviously the spores. Now-" he pointed toward a smaller section of the bog where the trees did not grow. Where small flower-dotted hills dipped into a clear, sandy bay. "- Do you see those figures over there?"
"Over where?" Akari followed Volo's point, her eyes landing on a set of broken-down pillars and dilapidated buildings that stuck out from the occasional spot of algae. "That?"
"Yes. Those sets of ruins are called The Solaceon Ruins. They're incredibly old and just as mysterious. They were abandoned hundreds of years ago, or at least, that's what the rumor is."
"Why's that?"
"The ruins inside don't allude to any sort of god or a history of who lived there, but there is an old Celestican fable attached to the name. I would tell you the story, but I fear we wouldn't have the time. The only feature of notice about the ruins would be the strange inscriptions on all of the pillars and walls. It's not hisuian and it's certainly not celestican. I've cross-checked them with all of the examples I've gathered during my travels."
"Maybe we could take a detour later and check?" Akari replied with a mouthful of soft berries. "Perhaps this tablet of mine will know or activate in some strange roundabout way." She reached for her phone, ignoring the tiny patches of orange and yellow that dotted her palms.
Volo, who hadn't noticed her distinct shift of unease, picked up the pace and passed her by, his tunic fluttering in the breeze as he emerged out of the water and onto the open heath. "Sounds like a plan."
When they finally arrived at the Diamond Settlement, Akari couldn't help but stare at the entirety of the place, coming to a standstill as the rest of the group filed in before her.
Lake Valor glinted in the light of the afternoon sun, the pebbly banks surrounded by dotted, flowery hills with clumps of cattails and reeds poking out of the water, the taller hills shadowed by large willow trees dripping with wisteria and ivy. The Diamond Settlement hung around the edges like a colorful crescent, a village of nothing but fur and wooden huts held aloft by elaborate wooden decks and scaffolding. Painted wooden boats resembling birds and lizards crowded with cages and fishing spears bobbed in the lake, seagrass and lily pads forming wavering clouds in the clear serene waters. It was a blooming oasis in the middle of a fetid swamp and Akari could now see why the people of the Diamond Clan would choose to live there. She would too if she knew how to swim.
"-I'm not saying that we abandon the mirelands for now, but we do have to take greater precautions than in the past!" Adaman's voice rang clearly into the plaza. He stood atop a large wooden platform with a handful of people gathered around him, all bearing machetes and all looking grim. Like his rangers, Adaman too was clothed in a black poncho with his hair and face obscured by a neck scarf.
"Greater precautions?" spoke one man. He was hidden near the right side of the amassing group, his blonde hair speckled with red mud. "The scaffolding is secure, Adaman. We're much too high above the lake for any risk of flooding. It's not the village that needs precautions- it's the swamp!"
"I disagree." Akanti had moved to the front. Akari couldn't see his face, but she could tell the man was angry given by the seething tone in his voice when he said, "Moving camp away from the swamp would put us near safer water and easier-to-access food. Nobody's been able to go foraging with the poisonous spores and the land collapsing under our feet. If we were to move away from the mirelands- temporarily set up camp in the bordering lands, we could avoid the worst of Lady Lilligant's rampage altogether."
"I am aware of the worsening conditions," Adaman gritted through his teeth, "but moving camp would entail putting ourselves directly into harm's way. There's no space in the mountains for us as well as no food. And the pokémon are becoming more aggressive in every area. The fish from the lake and river are still perfectly fine to eat, though."
"For how long?" Akanti replied tersely. "First it was the berries. Then the rivers and streams. Even pokémon who regularly go to the lake to drink have stopped coming. How long before Lake Valor itself becomes too dangerous to fish from?"
"It's because we're too close to the lake- too close to Lady Lilligant's seat!" A wiry, ginger-haired woman moved to stand directly in front of Adaman, her eyes narrowed and her arms balled at her sides. Akari had seen her before in Jubilife Village, milling about the hairdresser's shop with a blatant interest and a radiant smile. It was as though she were a completely different person now. "My lady is already frenzied, Adaman. Who's to say that her arena will contain her?"
Akari paused. That lady is a warden? How come she's always hanging around Jubilife, then?
Adaman exhaled loudly, his scowl worsening as he turned his gaze toward the north where the hills of the mirelands turned to sharp, barren mountains. "True. Lord Kleavor did not remain within his own seat when he was frenzied," Adaman replied thoughtfully.
"But Lady Lilligant has never left her seat in the years that she's been of a noble status!" cried another villager.
"And where are we to go if this happens?" the warden piped up. "The Droning Encampment has already sent word that their land is being overtaken with river water and debris! Their own camp is overgrown with mold! Where are we supposed to go if this land becomes too dangerous? Are we going to sit here and drown or succumb to the spores?"
Adaman's deputy, a shrewd-looking man with a patchy haori, cleared his throat. "I have already relayed information with the Pearl Clan of the news concerning Lady Lilligant's frenzy. Clan Leader Irida has already requested that the camps in the Obsidian Fieldlands and the camps in the Alabaster Icelands make space for us-"
"As if we want to go live in a frozen hellhole!" cried one clansman.
"But the fieldlands are much safer, aren't they? I wouldn't mind too much…"
"But this is our home-"
"Enough!" Adaman shouted. He faced the crowd, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers as his other hand fidgeted with his necklace. "We of the Diamond Clan will remain here in our homeland until it is no longer a viable option. The fish are still clean and our docks are free of mold. To run from our lady when she needs us the most would be cowardly. We will remain here until we have no other choice but to flee." The man gave a deep sigh. "Clan dismissed."
No sooner had Adaman broken up the group had he approached Akari's party looking more exasperated than ever. He shared a handful of choice words with Akanti, before parting the group to stop right in front of her. "Alright, Chosen One," he muttered, twisting the frown on his face into a strained grin. "Welcome to the Diamond Clan Settlement. A pleasure to see you again. Now, let's see what you can do."
The warden from before approached alongside Adaman, her expression a mixture of embarrassment and anger. "So, you're the one that's going to try to quell Lady Lilligant's frenzy?" she gaped. The woman snorted. "I want a looong word with you; just to be sure that you know what you're getting into. I don't want some kid getting hurt in my place." And then the woman extended a kindly hand to her. "Oh, and I'm Warden Arezu by the way."
"Akari."
"We are going to have a bit of a chat," Arezu restated, fiddling with her hands. "There's a lot I have to tell you about my noble- just as a preparation of sorts."
"And maybe with enough preparation, we can call forth a few of our pokémon wielders so that you won't have to throw yourself into mortal danger on our behalf," Adaman growled. His eyes softened when they landed on Akari again. "I know you don't have a choice in the matter. That commander of yours seems to just throw you at anything and hope you'll stick. I'd rather not have to call on the help of a person as young as you."
"Because you're the clan leader?" Rei put in.
"You're correct, young one. 'Rei', was it? The Diamond Clan is not entirely enthused that the Galaxy Team is intruding upon our noble but," he paused, giving Akari a smile, "I've heard about how you two youngsters rose to the challenge and how Akari here assisted Warden Ingo of the Pearl Clan in calming Lord Kleavor. I care only for my clan; my own pride can wait. I wanted to ask you myself instead of Kamado ordering you here. Of course, if you don't want to-"
To her own surprise, Akari found herself bristling at the idea. "No. I want to help quell Lady Lilligant." She hadn't had the chance to properly help last time. She had been too busy doubting herself and her capabilities the entire time. There was so much expectation on her as Arceus' chosen one to perform well and if she succeeded in defeating Lady Lilligant, then it would only serve to secure her reputation in Hisui as well as get Kamado off of her back.
Adaman looked thoughtful. "Very well. But since you're in the heartlands of the Diamond Clan, I want one of my rangers with you at all times so you don't accidently get injured or harmed by the environment. And I know just the person to help you out!" He turned, his eyes scanning the group of people around him. "Shige! Could you find Jaku and bring her here, please? Thank you."
So Jaku is here! Akari anxiously began to scan the villagers milling along the docks as she sat and waited, her hands clasped in her lap. It took a few minutes before the blonde-haired ranger returned, a familiar figure trailing dolefully behind them with a miserable expression on their face.
"...Adaman? You wanted to see me? And are those Galaxy Team scouts?"
Akari paused. Jaku certainly did not sound well.
The older woman approached, wrapped in a dark brown tunic enshrouded by a black poncho and her familiar headscarf obscuring her face. Only the bits of scruffy hair poking out from the top of the headscarf denoted who she was.
"There you are," Adaman greeted his ranger, his voice softening. "How are you feeling? I've spoken to Rez regarding your recovery. Akanti still hasn't come down with anything so we're certain it could be something else."
"I'm almost certain I'm suffering from some ancient disease that future people don't have anymore. Feel like I got hit by a bus," the ranger joked quietly. She gave a faint cough, flinching as she tensed up. "Fuck, that hurt. Ow."
"What happened?" Akari murmured, not too keen on getting closer. "Did you get sick with something?"
"Something like that," Adaman responded in turn. "She fell ill after going on a patrol. Rez hasn't seen anything like it, what with the coughing and the weakness- and are your eyes turning yellow?" Adaman noted, a hint of concern in his voice.
"I can't see my own eyes, Adaman. I have no idea. Why? Do I look like a sitrus berry?"
"It's not contagious, is it?" Rei asked nervously, taking a step back.
"No," Jaku answered for him. "It's probably a native illness like some kind of flu. I guess it just took its sweet time manifesting?" The ranger coughed again, shivering despite the incessant heat. "Anyway, what'd you call me here for?"
"Jaku. You're being assigned to keep Akari safe as she goes to quell Lady Lilligant. There won't be any action today- just note taking."
It was then that Akanti chose to speak up. "And perhaps," he grumbled, leaning in close to Jaku's ear, "don't let her go off alone. That one nearly ate a berry straight off of a tree. Please make sure that she doesn't eat or touch anything while she's out there."
Jaku snorted, shooing the taller man away, scowling. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's assuming you didn't scare the poor thing in my absence."
"I'm not that mean."
"You are," Jaku retorted, rolling her eyes. "Now scram. Skedaddle. I can babysit on my own." She glared at Akanti's retreating back as the man disappeared, sighing and shaking her head. "And that's that."
"I only picked a few berries! I was hungry and I forgot to pack rations. It won't happen again."
Jaku nodded. "Good, because if you would've happened to eat it, you probably would've wound up like the others in the medical tent." Jaku sniffled. "Nothing is safe to eat or drink anymore, sans the rainwater and anything that comes from Lake Valor. All of our herbs and medicinal berries are toxic so if you get poisoned or paralyzed in the field, you'll stay that way until we get another shipment of medicine or until this whole ordeal is over. That or worst-case scenario; you die before either can happen."
Akari stilled. No wonder the camp looks so sullen. I can't imagine being afraid of both pokémon and my home. Maybe that's why both Adaman and Jaku are looking a bit worse for wear. "Are you sure you should even be walking around right now?" Akari peered closer, her eyes widening at the fact that Adaman's observation had been correct. Jaku's sclera and even her irises had turned a shade or two yellower. "I think you should rest."
Jaku merely blinked. "I may look like garbage but I can perform just fine, thank you very much. Don't take Adaman's words too seriously; it only hurts when I cough. I'm good to serve as your bodyguard- if you'll have me."
Akari exhaled sharply, partially due to annoyance and another due to the neverending trend of continuously being in danger. She pushed the thought of herself suffering a similar affliction, reaching out to put a gentle hand on Jaku's shoulder. "Of course, I want you to come with me. When do we start?"
"Tomorrow," Jaku responded promptly. "You're free to pick the time. I'll be milling around the camp entrance early since I have… something to do outside the gates in the morning. Either that or just yell if you can't find me. I'll get the message."
June 26th, First Year
Volo had wanted to leave early that morning before the rest of the clan could wake and question their destination. And better yet, Jaku had kept to her word, the listless ranger having been found sitting a distance away from the camp entrance facing the still waters of Lake Valor, her hands in her trouser pockets as she mumbled incoherently to herself.
Volo took the initiative and cleared his throat. "Good morning! My, you certainly know your own schedule. What has you out by the lake so bright and early, if you don't mind my asking?"
Jaku immediately whipped around to stare at the both of them, her mouth twisted into an expression of anger and confusion before going back to a straight line. Her eyes were even more yellow than they had been the day before, rounding off to a strange amber color. "I do mind," she muttered, moving to stand. "Akari. Volo. I don't suppose you're so eager to take notes that you rose before the sun did?"
"Says the woman that was here first," Volo retorted cheekily. "And yes, we are that eager."
"We want to check the Solaceon Ruins first," Akari offered. "Just doing a bit of delving to see if the ruins have anything to offer about the situation we're in."
"Which one? Lady Lilligant or the amnesia?" Jaku deadpanned, stifling a cough.
"Perhaps both!" Volo put in. "And even if we find nothing, we'll gain a better understanding about the lay of the land."
Jaku seemed to ponder this for a moment and then shrugged. "So long as neither of you touch anything, it's fine by me." With a sluggish jerk of her head, Jaku began to lead the way into the flowering heath, setting a relentless pace even despite the illness that she suffered from.
"Does Adaman also want you to help quell Lady Lilligant?" Akari asked after a while.
Jaku had been carefully clearing the dense foliage using her machete, having paused to take a break under the shade of a tree. "No. After that stunt with Lord Wyrdeer? Absolutely not." She chuckled lowly. "Adaman has made it expressly clear that I can't assist with quelling nobles on my own anymore. He wants to leave that up to you since you're the only one that clearly has a blessing from Almighty Sinnoh."
Volo stilled. "A blessing from Almighty Sinnoh? What ever do you mean?"
"The tablet. Adaman thinks it's a blessing and a clear choice of who has Almighty Sinnoh's highest blessing. As such, he doesn't want me to interfere with their frenzies. I already had a stern talking to from Warden Mai about dismissing her orders from last time and nearly getting my head crushed like a soft grape by Lord Wyrdeer."
Akari winced. Not having Jaku as a backup ally would certainly slow things down. Jaku had previously managed to quell the lord on her own without preparation. "But what if I ask him to get your help?" she queried.
"He'll say no. He's expressly forbidden me from doing anything regarding the nobles," Jaku grumbled. "The way he sees it, clan nobles are steeped in politics. They really are. It'll paint a bad picture of the Diamond Clan if he lets me run amok and mess with the noble pokémon; especially considering the fact that quelling nobles often involves physically hurting them. He said it'd be better if he just keeps me on a proverbial leash for now." Jaku then scowled, muttering something under her breath as she turned away.
"But what if I ask you directly?"
Jaku shook her head. "I wouldn't be allowed to, Akari. That's grounds for banishment and technically treason. I've already had my fun of nearly freezing to death in the snow back when we first got here; I don't need another similar experience."
"So you won't help me?" Akari finally asked.
Jaku stopped, turned around, and glared at Akari, the woman coming to stand only a pace away from the younger, shorter girl. All the familiarity and casual softness that Akari had known the woman to possess had vanished in an instant. "Let me set things perfectly straight," Jaku growled. "I'm not going to let you die if that's what you're asking. Dumbest question I've ever heard. Quelling nobles is not my job but I can and will step in if you're about to die or something." In a separate, more disgruntled note, a more lighthearted glint in the woman's eyes, Jaku snarked, "Who do you take me for? Kamado? C'mon. Let's get back on the task."
By sunhigh they had reached the edge of the Solaceon Ruins.
"And here we are at last!" Volo announced boisterously, treading easily through the water as he rocked up to an emerging pillar. "The Solaceon Ruins!" He turned back to Akari, grinning. "Come now! There's much I want to show you! I hope you've brought something to take notes with."
Akari rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Hold your horses. Let me just fetch my dex from the top of my pack."
"Jaku, have you taken a look at the ruins here?" Volo asked innocently.
"Can't I say I have. Not really a big fan of digging around in places I shouldn't be," Jaku chattered. "Places that were submerged in water. And now that I think about it, maybe I'll just… stick to the bank."
"Scared to get your feet wet?" Akari teased.
"I live here, Akari. My feet are never not wet." Jaku shook her head. "How far are you two planning on going?"
"We'll be staying topside," Volo replied earnestly. "It's far too dangerous to try and explore the deeper parts due to the river swelling. And with how the weather has been playing out recently, I wouldn't want to get caught in another flood."
"Sounds like a plan. Fine, I'll cut you some slack. You two are obviously good friends and I'm not even remotely going to third-wheel on anything." She turned a sharper gaze upon Akari. "Besides, I know you're capable of taking care of yourself, Akari. You don't need me breathing down your neck." Jaku trudged ashore, vigorously shaking the water out of her boots. "I'm staying here on dry land but I'll keep an eye out."
"Are you sure?" Akari asked. "I mean, we won't mind if you tag along, will we Volo?"
"Not at all! The more friends, the better!"
Jaku pointedly glanced away. "Nope. Groups aren't my kind of thing and the ruins make me uneasy. You two go on- enjoy yourselves. But don't go any further than the cove, " she warned, pointing at an expanse of large rocks that poked out of the river to the north. "If I catch either of you trying to slip away, I'll drown you both myself. Remember, you're both outsiders to the mirelands. Be careful and for sky's sake, stay out of the river."
Akari waved the older woman away with a smirk. "Aye, aye, captain. You hear that Volo? No fun allowed."
"Boo."
Despite Jaku's warnings, Volo and Akari waded into the shallower ends of the sand pools and into the mix of dilapidated pillars and stones. The Solaceon Ruins were desolate- completely and utterly desolate. They brought to mind the aftermath of a plague, explaining why when Volo led her into an empty, vine-covered courtyard, all of the pots and cookware had been left untouched. Heavy moss and kudzu carpeted what looked to be a church and just by the tree line was a hut completely covered in it. All around them were the remnants of a village lost to the wear of time and growth of space. There was not a single stone or brick that was not untouched by erosion or plant growth. Water ate at the ancient stones, turning any dirt to muddy slush. The only life that appeared amongst the abandoned settlement were small Magikarp and Barboach.
Akari watched as Volo gestured at the broken down carvings on the wall, his silver eyes aglow with fascination. Pitch black markings, new and deeply engraved, peppered the structures like a bad rash. She could've sworn one of the markings had moved from its spot on a table, floating for just the briefest moment before disappearing out of her peripheral vision. Just looking at them made her feel queasy.
"Eerie, isn't it?" Volo muttered.
Akari carefully climbed over a pile of rubble to stand beside Volo as he inspected a row of the black markings before them. "It's creepy how everything here seems to have been left behind."
"No burn marks, no broken pottery, nothing out of order. Almost as if all of the inhabitants just up and disappeared."
Volo's comment had sent shivers down Akari's spine. The thought of people disappearing into thin air with no documentation. She now knew how easy it was to go missing without a trace in Hisui, remembering the John Doe that she had stumbled into during her first expedition in the fieldlands. She shook her head and tried to relax. Volo is with me now. I'm fine. She even laughed a little when her stomach rumbled. "Have you had the chance to eat anything other than berries yet?"
"I haven't. A real shame I didn't think to bring other rations with me."
The two explored the ruins a bit more, Akari nearly shrieking as the black markings on the pillar stretched. One of the markings quite literally floated off of the pillar it had been on the moment Akari set her hand upon the structure, its thin and round body swiveling around the two of them as it watched them with one unblinking eye. Without thinking, Akari lobbed a pokéball at it. The contraption hit the creature dead-on and without so much as a wobble, the latch clicked shut. She held the freshly caught creature aloft.
"Volo. What just happened?"
"...No idea, my dear."
They set upon releasing the strange creature immediately. When it arrived back into the warm light of the overworld, it seemed to wriggle, its edgeless body so dark that no light reflected off of its skin. Its one singular eye, too bright and too unblinking, stared unseeingly at Akari as if not even aware of the girl's existence.
Akari, still repulsed by the strange thing, stole back her nausea as a new wave of hunger hit her. She quickly returned the pokémon back to its new pokéball. She'd be releasing it soon, she knew. "We really ought to catch up to Jaku. Maybe she might know what it is. That or she'll know where to find some food. I'm starving."
And then, something strange happened. The pokéball in Akari's hand began to morph and change, its form glowing an eerie gold and silver as it warmed up in her palm. The pokéball changed seamlessly into a woven reed basket lined with cloth and filled to the brim with steaming hot potato mochi, the same kind Beni made at The Wallflower back in Jubilife.
Akari could only stare, dumbfounded. She could feel the warmth of the food on her hands. She could smell it too, her mouth beginning to water. "I… what?"
"I'm not seeing things, am I?" Volo rasped, his voice dangerously quiet as he zeroed in on Akari and the basket of food perched precariously in her hands. "You didn't just… turn that pokémon into food… did you?"
Akari could only blabber. "How did this happen? I didn't mean to do it! I'm not- we're not dreaming, are we? It was- it was just here! That thing! I had- I had a pokéball! In my hands! And now it's… food! How did I do this? Did I do this?" Akari's mind was running a million different questions in the frame of a second. She paused, licking her lips. The scent of the potato mochi was thick in the air, drowning out her own mind. "...Is this edible?"
Slowly, she reached into the basket and pulled out one of the delicacies. She could feel the crispy crumbing on her fingers, her stomach growling loudly. Am I about to eat a pokémon or just potato mochi? "Should I test this?" Akari mused. "Should I eat this?"
"I'm more concerned about the fact that you just warped a pokémon into something that by all means shouldn't be possible," Volo responded, his voice tinged with deep confusion. "You don't think this might be even a little suspicious?"
Akari scoffed. "Oh, it's suspicious but at this point, I'm too hungry to care. You think Arceus gave me some kind of freak power to turn pokémon into food in case of emergencies?" She took a delicate bite of the mochi before turning boneless. "It's the real deal, Volo!" she laughed, proffering another to the merchant. "It's food!"
"…You're joking."
"I'm not! Try some!"
Watery footsteps hurriedly sloshed toward them. Then came a loud sigh. "What the fuck are two doing over here? I left you alone for like five minutes." The woman stopped short of the pile, her eyes going as round as saucers before she shut them tight and shook her head. "Ya'll are just having a full-on picnic out here in the middle of the swamp, huh?"
"Uhhh… yeees? Want some?"
"Yeah, I'm starting to see why Akanti wanted you two to have a bodyguard. Just… I don't know. Put that basked away and follow me. You two have been in these old stones for two hours now. Time to show you the trail heading toward the arena where Lady Lilligant is so you can take your notes."