Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 120: The Game
Location: Aomori Village
Seth's POV
"Am I pretty?"
We stood next to a cross-shaped stone protruding from the ground, in the center of Aomori Village as the mysterious woman waited for an answer.
The question she has continuously asked me…she wanted an answer more than anything, and her repeated attempts to get a reply from me prove it. If she was this intent on getting an answer, maybe I could strike a deal in exchange…
My black hair and blonde bangs blew slightly as I replied, "Tell me where Pryce is. Tell me what happened to him. Only then, will I give you an answer."
The woman paused for a moment. A second passed by before she tried to water down her initial reaction to my proposal. I was perceptive though. It was as if she was not expecting for me to give such a reply. Out of all the things in the world I could have said, I just had to string together those words.
"Hehe. In my lust for an answer, I guess I've lost sight of why you came here. I understand that, from the big picture, you seek answers, but it is the details I've lost sight of." She chuckled once more. "You want answers to your questions just as bad as I want an answer to mine. Fine then, I'll go first…on one condition…"
I narrowed my eyes.
The woman seemed to be waiting for me to give her the cue, to name her terms. She needed no word from me. "Let's play." As she said this, there was a break in the clouds floating in the night sky. This break made way for the crescent moon, which illuminated the very spot we were standing in, like we were in the presence of a Volbeat and Illumise.
"Play?" I was bewildered…
"Do you not know how to play?" The woman asked.
"I…" I looked down to the cross-shaped stone protruding from the ground as I began thinking to myself. I seriously do not know how to 'play'. I've never played anything, because I've always meant business. From my childhood in Sunnyshore to my journey through the world, I've always found myself an outlier when it comes to 'playing' with other people. The girls always make this unnecessarily apparent, especially Yumi. She would be just as jovial as my brother when trying to get me to 'play'. I would always resist. "I don't." People always tell me I'm too serious, but I believe this to be a trait that makes me more powerful. Being serious is all I know…
"Tonight is a great night to learn how." The woman chuckled. "You seem like you really need to loosen up. A game of tag will suffice."
"Tag?" I took my eyes off the cross-shaped stone on the ground. "What will playing tag accomplish?"
"For you, it'll accomplish finding out what happened to Pryce." The woman quickly shut down my question with this fact. I closed my mouth, and never questioned her idiotic idea again. "A game of tag will also allow me to catch you: a man who plays hard to get."
"Should I start running then?" I asked.
She chuckled, waving her hand at me as she said, "Where are your manners? It's the man's job to chase the woman first. Common courtesy says you have to be it first. Why else does 'ladies first' or 'chivalry' exist?"
So I'll have to catch this woman...
"Catch me if you can!" With that, the woman moved away from me, and wandered Aomori Village. Her movement was so still, so consistent…it was as if she was floating. Would that be possible? Or maybe I'm jumping to conclusions? I have yet to see her in clothing other than that white kimono that reaches the snowy ground…
I was left alone, in the snowy night. Where might the mysterious woman be hiding? The houses, wells, and other features decorating this village will make this game a little more complex than if we were still in the simple, spacious, icy caverns. This 'Labyrinth of Snow'…I will have to navigate it…
…
Through this labyrinth of snow, I wandered. My first stop was a small goshol house located near Aomori's entrance.
I peered inside, and predictably, the goshol house was empty. The décor gave me the impression that this was a religious location. The statues of Arceus lined up along the thin walls, and along the edge of every chair.
Through this sanctuary, I wandered alone. At the altar, I looked to the ceiling, where many Chimecho lanterns hung. These lanterns did not look like they ran on electricity. This village was older than I initially thought…
My stay at the goshol house was all too brief, as I returned to the Labyrinth of Snow outside. I stood in place, and placed my thumb on my chin as I thought to myself out loud. "She's not in the goshol house, so where do I go next?" At a time like this, I wish Yumi and the others were here to lend me a few more sets of eyes. But Yumi…she has gotten in the way of me finding answers to what happened to Pryce. Yumi isn't alone either. Chapel, Rose, and even Chikorita challenged me.
…I have never seen Chikorita willingly oppose me. We're not too far removed from the Gym Battle that gave me the epiphany of caring for my pokemon.
"Chico." Did Chikorita fear the uncertainty that Yumi and the others were expressing?
Should I get Chikorita right now?...No. If this quest is as dangerous as I've been told, I wouldn't want to risk anything terrible happening to Chikorita.
All I can do right now is search for the mysterious woman…
….
I went back up the hill, and passed the house Yumi, Chikorita, and I stopped in for the night. I didn't bother going inside…Instead, I proceeded to the well Yumi and I were at earlier.
Alone, I stood under the hut. I looked throughout the old, abandoned farmland surrounding the well. The mysterious woman wasn't here either. I guess I should keep searching…
…That was what I was going to do, but not without taking a moment to acknowledge the well one more time.
When we were here earlier, Yumi tossed a coin into the hole. She said nothing when she clasped her hands and closed her eyes. I was told that this is what one does when making a wish.
"Why wish for something that won't come true?" I whispered to myself.
Wishes weren't real. This is something I've told myself since childhood, even when people would tell me otherwise…How do I know wishes aren't real? WHY did I come to the conclusion? Have I ever tried to make a wish myself?
…I wonder what Yumi wished for. I was half curious when she tossed the coin into the well, but I said nothing. Even so, Yumi let me know that it was a secret. How can I know if her wish doesn't come true if I don't know what she wished for?
"Could I try making a wish?" I remember brainstorming all the things I could wish for it they were to come true…I am genuinely intrigued now…
I reach into the pocket of my black jacket, and pulled out a single coin. I stared at it intently as I held it over the hole.
"I wish for…" I left my spoken words at that as I let my coin drop. Like Yumi's coin, it fell and fell. It did not splash into any water. Rather, it bounced onto ice, and the sound echoed.
What did I wish for? Did I wish for the fall of Team Neo Snagem? Did I wish to be stronger? Did I wish for my Mother, Father and I to live happily ever after? Did I wish to have a heart, or to become genuinely happy for the first time in my life? Did I wish to truly smile?
What I wished for…I'll keep the secret with me.
….
The Labyrinth of Snow, I continue to wander…
I sighed. How long has it been since I began searching for the mysterious woman? Too long to keep track. I've searched just about every meaningful feature within the long-abandoned Aomori Village.
I found myself wishing for a second set of eyes again.
Where was this woman? There was only one place in the village I've yet to search…
I stood in front of a small building, with a waterwheel operating right next to it. When Yumi and I entered the village earlier, this waterwheel was completely frozen over, as was the water. But now…the air coming from this water felt warm. No…it felt hot.
Hot water… "A hot spring?" I thought to myself.
Yes, it HAD to be a hot spring. How else could the water remain warm in near-subzero temperature like this?
I entered the small building. Empty. As empty as the rest of Aomori. It was here I knew without a doubt: the mysterious woman was here. Who else would be here in the middle of the night?
I was ready to confront the woman, but was caught up in something. "Females Only." Of course. Common courtesy, and the difference between right and wrong WOULD keep me from entering the female side, even with this village being abandoned.
Oh well…
Remaining fully clothed, I entered the 'Males Only' side, and sat on the stone ground, leaning against the wooden fence. I sighed. I could hear movement in the water coming from the other side.
"What took you so long?" It was the mysterious woman, chuckling as I heard her leaning on the wooden fence from her side.
"Why here?" I asked.
"It's cold here, don't you think? The hot springs here are perfect for warming up." The woman answered. It was here she was once again reminded of how introverted I am, as I allow for a moment of silence to come between us, like this fence. It was up to her to find something to say, "You don't sound like you're enjoying yourself."
Like I said before, "I don't know how."
"Why don't you come over to my side. A little 'sexy' is enough to arouse any man into enjoying me."
I sighed once more. How does one enjoy his or herself? "Tell me what happened to Pryce. I've found you now, haven't I?"
"My, you must be the shy type, dodging the subject like that. You really ARE hard to get." The woman then finished, "I'll love chasing after you."
I paused.
"You're more silent than usual. Did you not expect our game to continue?" She asked. "You've caught me, so now I'm it."
"What do I do now?" I asked. I was slightly annoyed about the answers to all my questions having to wait…more.
"Run." The mysterious woman whispered. "Run as far away as you possibly can, if you have to."
"And if I refuse?" I questioned, "I could walk out of this building, and then simply wait for you to come out and catch me. The game will be over, and you'll be able to tell me about Pryce right then and there."
The woman's reply was not immediate. Instead, our conversation took a brief pause. The sound of spring water brushing up against the fence separating us was present.
"Hmhmhmh…" The woman chuckled once more. "Forgive me for being reticent. By now you've probably made a mental note that I giggle frequently. Correct?" She started to go on a tangent, "I giggle so often, visitors eventually dismiss it as a habit, not knowing the true undertone that lies underneath. Am I amused by your question? Do I think it's funny? No. This time, I giggle out of irony."
What point was she trying to make?
"You don't want to know what happens if you try to take shortcuts with me." As she said this, her laughter abruptly stopped. Her tone was calm and collected, but accompanying those traits was the impression that she wasn't merely making a suggestion for me. She was trying to intimidate me…I won't give my perception away though. I'll continue to play along with this 'game' before I take action in response to her subtle tone shift.
I left the conversation on a cliffhanger following the mysterious woman's last sentence, wordlessly rising to my feet and making my way outside of the hot spring. I have returned outside, into the Labyrinth of Snow. Although, because I'm no longer looking for anybody, this Labyrinth of Snow will hopefully feel less like a labyrinth.
"Note to self: You know nothing about this woman. Her name, her unspoken motives, and the story of her life remains a mystery. I was given the impression that she has threatened me into continuing her 'game'. I am not intimidated in the slightest, however, I've a reason to keep my guard up now." I was saying this to myself out loud as I stepped forth.
"Seth."
I stopped. Before I could fully concentrate on the game, I was called. It was the woman, and she stood close, staring at me. She gave me not a chance to reply.
"Were you really going to take off without giving me a cue?" She asked.
I gave her a look that asked 'what if I did', without actually opening my mouth.
"Playing hard to get for too long is not healthy for a relationship." She expresses that I play hard to get, but complains when I try to make it easier for her to catch me…This is a very complex woman…Seeing through her chuckling and free-spirited demeanor was a simple task, all of a sudden.
Playing hard to get was getting old, but so was the useless giggling.
"For all intents and purposes, you've already caught me." I was becoming agitated, "I wouldn't be surprised if this was the easiest 'game' you've ever played." I turned away from the woman, closing my eyes and placing my hands in my pockets, "I'll play your game just a little longer. I'll find an obscure place to hide, and when you find me, you will tell me what about Pryce."
The woman didn't giggle this time. In a stark contrast to her behavior leading up to this point, she groaned. No longer, was she blowing off my persistence as 'amusing'. No…I've said that I don't know how to enjoy myself, and apparently, this has set the tone for our game. The woman-the sole target of my cold words-did not look like she was enjoying the game anymore.
"You can't say I play hard to get if I never play to begin with…" These were my last words to her, letting her know that I was serious.
…
Where should I go? I pondered this question as I wandered the village. If the sun was out, and if people lived in this village, I would be getting stares right now. Whether or not people or pokemon live here, I am a stranger in a village that is strange to me.
I could have chosen the house as a hiding spot, or I could have used the water well. Would returning inside the hot spring be an option? I wouldn't rule out the possibility. Truth be told, I didn't feel like backtracking anymore, so I elected to go elsewhere.
In what direction was I traveling? I don't know. I just noted that I was walking away from Aomori Village, with the intention to return before dawn. I decided to take a scenic route…or at least, 'scenic' by winter's standard. This path reminded me a lot of the path I took entering Aomori Village earlier. Surrounded by naked trees, separated by ravines filled with frozen water that would otherwise be rivers, and stone bridges to bridge the gaps made by said ravines.
With nobody to talk to, I was left with just my thoughts, again.
"This path I walk, it reminds me of the dreams I've had, except…" In my dreams, I was only following Pryce and the footsteps he made in the snow. The snowy ground was not as spacious as it was in reality. I remember Pryce and I passing by a dead body on one occasion. That night, I thought nothing of it, but now I wonder, "Why haven't I seen anything like that tonight?"
Strange, this speculation caused for my dream to seem more bizarre than it already was. This was another question I'll have to ask the mysterious woman when we finish this game.
I crossed one more stone bridge, before-
"Sw." Footsteps.
I paused.
Someone was here.
"You've found me?" I had little doubt that the mysterious woman found me. She was the only one besides me wandering this area…unless Yumi was awake.
I heard no answer.
"You can come out now. You've won. The game is over." Now that I've put effort into this game, I was ready for it to end.
My voice echoed, and it seemed as though it was hitting nothing but the blank air.
"Hello?" I raised my tone slightly. I couldn't have been just hearing things, right? "Anybody there?"
I was not unnerved, but I was on standby now. Alone in the woods, in the middle of the night? Yes, I wouldn't be the only one feeling tension rising when hearing a sudden voice.
I thought the mysterious woman was here…but if she were, she more than likely would've answered by now. She has seldom failed to respond to me in a timely manner. I was starting to think this wasn't the mysterious woman I heard…
"Yumi?" I called. "Chikorita?" Still no answer. "Anyone?"
"Sw." There it was. The sound was brief, but not inaudible.
I narrowed my eyes, "Show yourself!"
"Sw." I raised my voice, and I could only imagine me startling the voice as I heard footsteps.
Perhaps I needed some illumination to reveal this mystery. I took out a Pokeball and readied to throw it.
"As the mysterious woman would say: you're hard to get. Let's play a game of hide and seek. I'm it, and all I have to do it find you!" I threw the Pokeball low to the ground, and for the first time today, a pokemon of mine had been released.
"Luuuuurrrrrrrr…" Out came the keeper of souls, Chandelure. There was no particular expression that could be read from the Ghost type's face.
I gave Chandelure an indifferent look as I commanded, "We have an eavesdropper. Make them come from hiding."
Chandelure nodded. The blue flames of the Ghost type illuminated the dark, cold night, and actually provided some warmth. My shadow was visible on the bark of a few trees, unlike Chandelure. Speaking of shadows…
"Hm?" My eyes widened. I did not see the figure outright, but I did see its shadow. The shape was huge, and somewhat familiar. I thought it was the woman, but it wasn't. This was a pokemon… "There isn't supposed to be a pokemon for miles…"
I told Chandelure to force this pokemon from hiding-to reveal itself. Now that I knew this was just a pokemon, why was I bothering with it? Because this may be the first of a few pokemon I may encounter. Perhaps the mysterious woman isn't the only one living in these mountains. Maybe the mysterious woman knows this pokemon.
"Use Flamethrower." The shadow of this pokemon appeared too large to charge in head first. I also took into consideration the fact that no human has lived here for years upon years, meaning this pokemon might not take to well to seeing me. Flamethrower was used to ambush it before it could ambush me.
"Luuuurrrrrrr." Chandelure's cry was long and ominous as it launched a stream of blue fire.
"Aahhh!" That scream, it was deep and heavy. Its echo was almost comparable to that of Chandelure. The sudden shriek in pain, it was startling…
Its footsteps shook the ground, and I could feel the small magnitude all the way from where I was standing. I stumbled, nearly losing my balance but ultimately using my hand to remain on my feet.
"Ahm!" Surrounded by blue flame, it came from behind its hiding place. The flame was bright, making this pokemon appear as a silhouette for a moment. "Mahm!" The pain seemed to put the pokemon in a state of blind rage. It stared me down, ready to fight.
I took a step back. It appeared I was correct in thinking this pokemon wasn't used to seeing humans. It ran toward me without a second thought.
"Mam!" As it stepped closer, the flames started to dissipate, and I was surprised by what I saw.
"A Mamoswine?!" I was swift as I quickly rolled out the way. "A wild Mamoswine…"
My eyes grew wide as the Mamoswine turned around and eyes me one more time. It stomped its foot to the ground, readying the charge once more.
"Mamo!"
"Chandelure!" I called, "Intercept it!"
"Luuurrrrrr." Chandelure complied. As the Ghost type stood in Mamoswine's path, the flame inside him grew bright. This Mamoswine wanted a fight, and Chandelure was ready to act accordingly. Chandelure didn't want to stop at just defeating Mamoswine. No. Chandelure wanted Mamosine's life force. He was going to take Mamoswine's soul and feed it to the flames inside him.
If only it were that easy.
Chandelure attempted to burn Mamoswine using Will-O-Wisp. He sent the small blue flames, but the desired result wasn't there.
"Swine!" Mamoswine, with all the momentum while charging at us, was able to run through the incoming flames like they were nothing but flies.
"What?!" Will-O-Wisp isn't supposed to be neutralized like that. I gritted my teeth.
The Mamoswine cloaked its tusks in a light blue aura, and struck Chandelure.
"Luurrr…" That Mamoswine was strong. That Ice Fang sent Chandelure flying with such impact, I almost thought Chandelure's glass body was shatter once hitting the tree…if that were possible.
"Chandelure…" I called.
"Lure." Giving Mmaoswine credit where it's due doesn't take away from Chandelure's ability. Resistant to Ice Fang, Chandelure shook the pain off, ascending back into the air as if nothing happened.
"Swine!" Mamoswine wasn't done yet. The Ice type was not looking at Chandelure. All his attention was focused on me…His attention never left me.
As he charged at me again, I had to think fast. 'Nothing will get accomplished if I send Chandelure to get bulldozed again…'
With no time to send another pokemon out to fend Mamowswine, I did something I never thought I'd ever do.
"Chandelure!" I called for Chandelure, and motioned him to follow me. I took off, and started fleeing.
Where I ran, Mamoswine followed. I had my eyes fixated on the path ahead of me as my feet hit the snow repeatedly, but…I had no idea where the path ahead of me would lead. I was running aimlessly. If I had a heart, maybe I would be running scared. Would I?
Trees, trees, and more trees. Nothing but trees. Maybe I'd be able to escape the Mamoswine by crossing one of the stone bridges. Mamoswine was, without a doubt' too large a problem for the bridge. No bridges in sight though…
Where was I going? Might the mysterious woman know where I am?
"Luuuuurrrrr." Chandelure's cry completely overshadowed any sounds coming from the mouth of Mamoswine. The keeper of souls wasn't too far behind.
The path ahead of me got slightly darker than it already was, and I wondered why. Still running, I looked up to the sky, and found that the crescent moon was blanketed by the clouds. It had been cloudy all day, with no sight of the sky being visible until earlier tonight.
The moon being covered by the clouds would prove to be a major detriment in my attempted escape from Mamoswine. "Woah!" Before my eyes could adjust, I felt myself tripping over something hard. My guess was that it was a rock, and this rock was all that was needed for me to fall over.
"Swine!"
I didn't know it until it was too late, but said rock was lined up on a slope, or incline. I rolled down this hill and into…I felt ice…Have I fallen into one of the many frozen ravines that lie under the stone bridges?
"Mamo!" Mamoswine wasn't going to allow this slope to stop his pursuit, and he jumped up high and into the ravine.
I tried to rise to my feet and continue fleeing. "Agh!" But, damn it! I slipped, falling back to the ice of the frozen river.
Mamoswine was gifted the opportunity to strike me with the tip of his Ice Fang…I was stabbed in the back by one of his tusks.
"Ngh!" I gaped, and my eyes shot wide open. This…this hurt. I felt a sharp pain spike in my back. It was painful enough for me to consider it debilitating. The tusk was only in contact with my back for a slit second, but it felt like minutes passed by before the Ice type sent me sliding, down the frozen river. The pain was so great, I found myself losing consciousness.
"Luuuurrrrr…" That last thing I recall hearing, was Chandelure's ominous cry as the Ghost type chased after me.
…
The sharp feeling of having a knife forced through your body…that feeling replayed in my mind over and over. It was as if that moment was on tape, and was put on rewind in a seemingly infinite loop.
What if this stab was enough to kill me? At the very least, all my troubles would wash away as I head toward the light…or down there, in the place that isn't heaven. I'll admit, I do have my share of faults for a human being…
I was well aware that I was unconscious. But was I dead? I doubt it. A death in this manner would be too sudden. I must be dreaming…again.
"Am I pretty?"
That voice no longer bewilders me. That question on the other hand…
'This is my dream, but it isn't about me.' I thought to myself.
Here was the forest in the snowy mountains, only, they were desolate. Like my previous dreams, there were no signs of life, but the opposite: the remains of ancient people and pokemon were on the snowy ground, and in front of me, there were foot prints.
"Please tell me I'm pretty."
"You are pretty…" There was a new voice-a voice, I was not at all familiar with. All I had to do was follow the footprints in order to discover who the voice belonged to.
I had my itinerary laid out in front of me, in the form of these footprints belonging to a human. With each step, I could listen in on what the two were conversing about.
"You believe, I'm pretty?" The mysterious woman appeared to be flattered. This I did not understand. She has repeatedly asked that question looking for a yes or no answer. For such a generic reply, she was awfully excited. Did she doubt her looks in the eyes of men like me? I've called her pretty not once, but I've never been one to express myself. I guess the difference between me and the one she speaks with right now is what drives her to put more effort into getting an answer out of me.
This woman was passionate about getting me to call her pretty…
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." There was a hint of warmth that came from this voice. This man was sincere, which may be the reason why the mysterious woman isn't chuckling or being smarmy like she was with me.
"Do you believe I'm beautiful enough to marry? To bear your children and lead a long life happily ever after?"
I think I knew who was speaking with the mysterious woman. It's too obvious, given the fact that he has been in my previous dreams.
I entered the scene of the elderly man talking with the mysterious woman, whose finger was on the elderly man's chin. This man was wearing an overcoat that was powder blue in color, with a white furred trimming.
"Pryce…" I whispered his name, but I was not heard. It was as if I didn't exist in this realm created by the inner machinations of my mind. My voice mute, my footsteps making no footprints in the snow whatsoever, Pryce and the mysterious woman immune to the thought of my existence…I thought that I didn't belong here. Nevertheless, I desired answers from the mysterious woman.
"Follow me. I have something I wish to show you. Where I live, I have put forth all my passion."
The woman had her arm wrapped around the arm of Pryce. Together, they walked further into the abyss. This put in to question: Where did the woman live? Did she not live in Aomori Village? Perhaps she resides in the far off outskirts? If I follow them, I'll unearth miles of mystery surrounding her...I had a chance to go through with my proposal, but ultimately did not follow…I felt an outside force trying to interact with me.
I was waking up.
….
Waking Up…
"Ack!" I felt something striking my head. But what? I had not a clue whether my headache came from these strikes, or from something else; like me crashing into something after I lost consciousness.
"Wake up."
I opened my eyes, slightly. I was still asleep, and I didn't want to wake up. In fact, I wanted to do the opposite of what the voice was telling me to do.
It dawned on me that I haven't really went to sleep tonight. I was more tired than I realized. Part of me wished that I was back in the house with Yumi and Chikorita, sleeping soundly. I closed my eyes again, and for the first time, I had lost sight of my goal for tonight…or the morning. Morning has to be close by now…
"Wake up, dumbass!"
"Ow!" I was stricken again, which caused me to jump wide awake. I was on the ground, in a part of the naked woods I don't recall seeing up until this point. "Mamoswine? Chandelure?" I calmly called as I rubbed the back of my head.
"Luurrr."
"Swine." So they were with me. Their cries were as quaint as the subdued atmosphere.
I rose to my feet as I asked Chandelure, "Where are we? Why is Mamoswine not chasing us anymore?"
How far away are we from Aomori Village? How long would it take for me to navigate back there? I hadn't a clue. I was officially lost.
"Hey dumbass. Was there any reason why you ambushed my stead?"
"Huh?" I turned around to see who was behind me.
Long periwinkle-silver hair, blue eyes, and a pointer…What was SHE doing here?
"Morana?" I said confused.
The woman who defeated me. She sat on a log that was once as healthy as the many trees surrounding us. The log was probably done in by the endless winter climate here…
"I asked you a question, dumbass, why did you attack my Mamoswine?" Morana asked again, "And what are you doing here?"
"I-" I attempted to reply, but she cut me off.
"Wait, spare me the crap excuses." She started, "It's no secret that you're devastated by your loss to me-so devastated, that you're making your way through the Icy Mountains and to the next town, skipping my Gym. I don't blame a wuss like you for backing out of a challenge you can't win, but when you try to cover up your motive with the excuse of 'looking for Pryce', I can't help but laugh my ass off."
"You know?" I asked. "About my quest?"
Morana narrowed her eyes, "I was there when you asked the old granny about Pryce. I heard the entire story, and it had me thinking: No human could survive up here. If Pryce didn't get lost, maybe a pokemon ended his life. If an Ice Type resides up here, then I'm going to capture it." Morana then smirked, "Hmph. If this was going to be the end result, the old fart should've stayed in bed and waited to die."
I did not care for Morana's sharp tongue, and I felt no obligation to stop her from talking. Nobody was here to argue with her…
"I saw a woman up here," I digressed.
"Congratulations! Your accomplishment is so amazing, I forgot to bring a cookie for you." Morana remarked coldly, "I've seen something much more intriguing." She then rose to her feet and started walking as she said to me, "Follow me, dumbass."
Under normal circumstances, I would have left Morana to walk on her own. I did not care whether or not she would die here in the mountains…But I was lost, while she knew where she was going, at the very least. If Morana was the one who could lead me back to a familiar path, I had no choice but to comply.
As Morana hopped on her Mamoswine and called 'yip yip', they proceeded, and I accompanied, Chandelure following.
…..
Much contrast to my hope of returning to familiar ground, from here on out the path would remain unfamiliar to me.
THIS was the desolate path I saw in my dreams. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see the end of this path in my dreams. Footprints were here, surprisingly. I know Morana was not the one behind these footprints, because the footprints of Mamoswine was present as well. Her using Mamoswine as a stead seemed so routine, I doubt Morana would waste time walking on her own feet. These footprints I walked past, they belonged to someone else, and they were near invisible.
"Hm?" Chandelure and I looked around. At the foot of nearly every naked tree, lied skeletal remains of humans and pokemon. There were no blood stains, leading me to believe the death surrounding everyone here was natural. They probably all got lost, sat down, and gave up. Waiting for the grim reaper to put them out of their misery, at long last. Hell was an improvement over surviving a never-ending winter storm here for seemingly all eternity.
With every naked tree we passed, the amount of skeletal remains increased, until…
"Look," Morana said as her Mamoswine stopped.
A cave?
"Glad to see you finally arrive." And the mysterious woman was here, standing at the cave's foot.
Morana was not at all surprised, despite asking, "You weren't here earlier. Tell me, who are you?"
"Swine." Mamoswine cried.
The woman giggled. She did not acknowledge Mamoswine or Morana. In fact, she never took her eyes off me.
"It appears I have found you. I never thought you'd be at the foot of my home." She smiled, "Come, our game of tag is over, and I'll be more than happy to give you the answers you have desperately searched for."
To Be Continued…