Early morning sunlight filtered through the streets of Driftveil City as Boe made his way south, eager to explore the mysterious Relic Passage. The city was still waking up, with only a few people out and about, but Boe's mind was focused on the adventure ahead.
As he approached the cave entrance, a cool breeze greeted him, carrying the earthy scent of the underground. The entrance to Relic Passage was unassuming, a simple opening in the rocky hillside that led into darkness. Boe took a deep breath and stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly as he descended a set of natural stone stairs.
The air inside the cave was damp and cool, and the walls glistened with moisture. The passage was wide, with jagged rocks jutting out at odd angles, and the ceiling arched high above, creating an almost cathedral-like space. Boe's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and he noticed the fluttering of wings all around him—Woobat, their heart-shaped noses twitching as they flitted about, filling the cavern with the sound of their wings.
At first, Relic Passage seemed like any other cave system—twisting tunnels and winding paths that snaked through the earth. But as Boe ventured deeper, he turned left and began heading east, where he discovered another set of stairs leading down to a new level of the passage.
Here, the atmosphere changed. The walls were adorned with ancient markings and drawings, faded but still visible, reminiscent of those Boe had seen in Relic Castle. The symbols told stories of a long-forgotten time, depicting heroes, battles, and Pokémon of legend. Boe felt a sense of awe as he ran his fingers over the rough carvings, wondering what secrets they held.
As he continued to explore, Boe came upon a section of the cave where the entrance to the next part of the passage was blocked by a large pile of rubble. He sighed in disappointment, realizing that his exploration was cut short. But rather than give up, Boe decided to make the most of the area he could access.
He reached for Selen's Poké Ball and released her into the cave. The Herdier stretched and sniffed the air, her keen senses picking up on the various scents that filled the cave. Boe smiled as Selen began to explore, her nose to the ground as she investigated every nook and cranny.
It wasn't long before Selen's nose led her to something interesting. She stopped in front of a small alcove in the rock and barked excitedly. Boe hurried over to see what she had found. Nestled among the stones was a small relic statue, weathered but still intact. The statue depicted a man or hero, holding a sword aloft as if ready for battle.
Boe carefully picked up the statue, examining it closely. The craftsmanship was intricate, and despite its age, the details were still clear. He wondered who the figure represented and what stories the statue might tell. Boe decided to keep the relic, hoping to have it evaluated by someone knowledgeable later.
Boe was just about to leave Relic Passage when a flutter of wings caught his attention. A quirky Woobat, with its heart-shaped nose and fluffy blue fur, swooped down from the cave's ceiling and began circling him. The Pokémon's erratic movements seemed playful, yet it was clearly intent on staying in Boe's way.
Boe took a step to the side, hoping to bypass the Woobat, but it quickly darted in front of him again, flapping its wings with determination. Amused by the Pokémon's persistence, Boe chuckled and asked, "Do you want to battle?"
The Woobat responded with a cheerful flap, almost as if it was nodding in agreement.
Before Boe could react, Selen leaped out from beside him, positioning herself between Boe and the Woobat. With a sharp bark, Selen announced her readiness to battle, her eyes locked on the Woobat with unwavering focus. The playful energy between the two Pokémon was palpable, and Boe knew this would be an interesting match.
Boe called out, "Selen, use Play Rough!"
Without hesitation, Selen lunged at the Woobat, her and the Woobat were cloaked in a thick, white smoke dotted with sparkling stars. She tackled the Woobat repeatedly, each impact sending the small Pokémon reeling through the air. Selen then leaped back to her spot, barking fiercely at the Woobat, daring it to continue.
Despite the barrage, the Woobat seemed to take the attack in stride. It steadied itself mid-air before swooping down toward Selen, its body shrouded in dark energy. The Woobat slammed into Selen, the force of the hit confirming Boe's suspicion—it was using the move Assurance.
Selen growled and retaliated with a swift Bite, her jaws clamping down on the Woobat. In response, the Woobat made a smooching sound, and a heart-shaped aura materialized in front of it. The heart flew toward Selen and struck her, leaving her momentarily dazed by the Woobat's attack.
Undeterred, Selen shook off the blow and bit the Woobat again. This time, the Woobat looked wounded, its earlier resilience fading.
Boe, impressed by the Woobat's ability to withstand Selen's attacks, quickly made up his mind. He reached for a Love ball and threw it with precision. The ball struck the Woobat, pulling it inside. It wobbled once, twice, and then a third time before clicking shut.
Boe grinned as he picked up the Pokéball. "Welcome to the team, Cupid," he said, nicknaming the female Woobat. He knew this quirky little Pokémon would be a great addition to his journey.
As Boe stepped out of Relic Passage, the daylight greeted him, casting the familiar surroundings of Driftveil City in a warm glow. However, he barely had a moment to adjust when a stranger approached him. The person was draped in a black cloak, their face plain and nondescript, save for a single lock of black hair that hung over their forehead.
"Hey, what were you doing in Relic Passage?" the stranger asked, their tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.
Boe, taken aback, hesitated before replying, "Oh, I was just exploring, but I had to turn around because the path was blocked by some rubble."
"That's unfortunate," the stranger remarked, their expression unreadable. "Did you find anything cool while you were down there?"
Boe felt a flicker of concern and confusion. He thought about the relic statue he had found but decided against mentioning it. "Uh, not really... I did catch a Woobat, though."
The stranger smirked slightly. "Woobats? Those are a dime a dozen."
Boe laughed nervously, trying to brush off the tension. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
The stranger nodded and began to turn away. "Travel safe," they said, their voice trailing off as they started to walk away.
Before Boe could even respond, the stranger seemed to vanish into the city, leaving him standing there, bewildered by the encounter. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his stomach, but with no answers in sight, he turned his thoughts back to his journey.
Boe made his way toward Route 6, but before leaving, he paused and looked back at Driftveil City. The city, with its bustling market, towering buildings, and the mysterious Relic Passage, had been an unexpected challenge. But now, with another badge in hand and new companions by his side, Boe felt a renewed sense of determination.
With one last, long look at the city, Boe turned toward Route 6, ready for whatever came next. Taking a deep breath, he took his first steps onto the new route, eager to see what the road ahead would bring.