Chapter 32 – The Heart of Time
Deep within the Shadow Citadel, the landing zone laid dark, dormant, and quiet, as it was during most hours of the day. It was a round chamber flanked with eleven circular metal frames. The frames were arranged like numbers on a clock, with the number twelve slot left empty, a corridor taking its place. Each of these frames were outfitted with numerous gears, cogs, and sprockets, as well as clear tubes wired around their clockwork mechanisms.
From the center of the chamber, two red lights traced across the dark, marble floor, zipping toward the frames at number three and nine. Those frames began to stir, their gears churning, spurred to life by the golden fuel flowing through their transparent pipes.
The portals awakened, each one flaring with a rippling vortex of ebony and ivory, casting chaotic light across the dark marble. From each portal, a pair of mons apparated from wrapped space. On one side, a Snivy and an Axew, and on the other, a Cubone and a Bulbasaur. All four launched out of the liminal gateways, rolling across the polished, dark marble. As they slid and grunted, the portals powered down– their golden fuel drained, their clockwork mechanisms slowed and stopped, and the humming light faded.
Above, lights in the ceiling flicked on, banishing the dark and granting visibility to the four newcomers.
They took a moment to collect themselves: rolling over, sitting up, and shaking off nausea from the novel transportation. Once they spotted each other, they were instantly sobered by mutual recognition.
"Corvo! Andrew!"
"Chase! William!"
They scrambled to their feet, jumping into a flurry of questions.
"What happened?" William asked. "Where were you?"
Corvo blew out a sigh. "We wound up in some kinda maze. A crystal maze."
"With inky black monsters that looked like mons," Andrew added. "And possessed swords!"
"Crystals and monsters?" William repeated.
"You too?" Chase chimed in. "We were in some kind of crystal tower. Got attacked by red-eyed ghosts."
"And we found some intricate machinery," William said. "First, a grand apparatus resembling a clock. Then an entire complex made of gears and moving parts."
"Machinery, huh?" Corvo put a hand to his chin. "We didn't see much like that, 'cept this laser grid that held off the monsters."
"We got no clue how it worked," Andrew said. His expression turned downcast, flushed with fear. "We… barely escaped with our lives."
William stepped toward Andrew, pulling him in for a close hug. Andrew readily wrapped his arms around William, and the two held each other.
"You guys mentioned possessed swords?" Chase recalled. "We ran into some kinda metal mon, too. Red-eyed, but not like those other monsters. It tried to take Will's club."
"Why?" Corvo asked.
William and Andrew separated, and the former spoke. "We don't know. But, now that we're reunited, perhaps we can start finding some answers?"
"Right." Andrew glanced left and right, observing the metal frames around them. "First question: where are we?"
"More importantly," Corvo added, "if the four of us are here, where's Leon and Enzo?"
As if on cue, a circle of light appeared in the center of the floor, as if drawn by some invisible hand. Once fully formed, the circle instantly morphed into a golden cylinder– appearing and vanishing in the blink of an eye. As the light faded, four more mons materialized, doubling the number of occupants in the landing zone.
They were a Totodile, Quilava, Hakamo-o, and Camerupt.
The former two fell over onto the marble floor, disoriented by the sudden warp, while their Eidolon escorts landed with practiced ease.
"Leon! Enzo!"
The first four rushed toward their friends, reuniting the rescue team.
"We were just wondering about you!" Chase said, offering a vine to help Enzo up.
"We've all been through harrowing ordeals," William added, extending his hand to Leon. "I assume you have been, too?"
Leon and Enzo accepted the hand and vine, respectively. The former spoke.
"Between the thunderstorm and demons hounding us? Yeah, I'd say so." He held up his brother's pocket watch, which glowed with shimmering, cascading lights. "Turns out this has some kind of magic power to it." With a click, the blue rings reappeared around the watch, orbiting Leon's hand.
The other four looked on in awe.
"Whoa," Andrew gasped. "What's it doing?"
"What kind of power?" Chase added.
"I'm not sure," Leon admitted. With another click, the rings of light faded. "All I know is, when I tapped into it, I felt like I evolved." He held the watch close to his chest. "If it weren't for that, I dunno if Enzo and I would still be here."
"Took all we had and more," Enzo added. "Fought them with crystals, too."
"Wait," Andrew said, "so we all had something to do with crystals?"
"Indeed!" The Hakamo-o spoke up. "This Mystery Dungeon has a strong affinity for crystalline minerals."
The team turned to the Hakamo-o and Camerupt, their joy of a safe reunion paused by uncertainty.
"You've found someone?" William asked Leon.
"More like they found us," Leon explained. He took a breath, grounding himself. "Everyone, this is Dimitri," he gestured to the Hakamo-o, who bowed politely. "And Caliban," he pointed at Camerupt, who huffed mildly. "They're… Eidolons."
Collective shock fell upon the team, and most took a wary step back.
"Eidolons?!" Andrew repeated. "So these are the guys who took your brother?"
"Err, not… exactly," Dimitri said, raising a hand defensively. "We had neither a hand nor say in the Charmander's kidnapping– your friend's kidnapping," he amended. "And I assure you that I do not condone such extreme measures."
A simple glance showed that Dimitri's words brought no relief to the rescue team. So he continued. "However… I will not deny that I bear guilt by association with those who have wronged you. On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to extend an apology to all of you." He gestured to Leon with an open palm. "As I have with your friend, recently."
Caliban gave Dimitri a withering look. "Your apologist attitude is a step away from defeatism. Will you really soften your scales for the sake of these strangers?"
"Hey wait a minute," Chase spoke up, squinting at the Camerupt. "Are you…?"
"Yeah," Leon said. "The same Camerupt we fought at Bronze Mountain. I noticed, too."
"I take no pleasure in seeing you again, either," Caliban bluntly stated.
The six rescuers tensed, sensing an imminent battle.
Dimitri held up his hands. "That's quite enough. Let us not needlessly open old wounds– our guests have something we desire, just as we have someone that they desire. It would be in all of our best interests if we cooperate. To that end, I shall take them to Lord Leviticus. Caliban, you're dismissed."
Caliban locked his judgmental stare on Dimitri for a time, before silently conceding and trotting away from the group, giving the rescue team one last side-eye as he left. Leon and Chase readily returned the glare.
"Psst. Leon." Corvo whispered, getting the team's attention. They all leaned in to listen. "We really goin' through with this?"
"I wouldn't expect you to trust an Eidolon," William added.
Leon glanced down, expelling a sigh. "It's not like we've got much choice. Remember, they still have Jacob."
"Well, look on the bright side," Chase chimed in. "We're back together now. And as long as we stick together, we oughta be fine."
Enzo nodded in agreement.
Dimitri approached the six. "If it's any consolation," he began, "I would be wary as well, were I in your situation. As I've said to Leon previously, I cannot expect to win your trust after a mere few words. But I can, at the very least, follow through on my promise." The Hakamo-o brushed his shoulders and straightened his posture.
"Allow me to guide you through our safe zone, to Lord Leviticus. Along the way I can answer your questions about the Mystery Dungeon and us Eidolons, should you have any. I can also offer medicinal berries and seeds, to help treat any wounds you may have."
The team all regarded each other, sharing glances, waiting for someone to speak up with an objection. Instead, their silence gave way to nods, deferring to their plan to go with Dimitri– for now– in quiet camaraderie.
Leon turned to Dimitri. "Alright… Let's go."
The rescue team followed their guide out of the landing zone, into the sprawling network of hallways that made up their safe zone. The architecture was much like what they had seen in the portal room: smooth, dark marble spanned across the floor. Bundles of metal pipes snaked through the gray stone walls, humming with liquid flowing within.
In some places, clusters of obsidian crystals poked out of the floor, their facets reflecting light from ornate lamps hanging from the ceiling. The ceiling itself resembled the night sky, with no clear end point, making the lamps seem to levitate. And there were a variety of mons coming and going, similar to a bustling town.
"Not a monster in sight…" Andrew remarked as they all stopped at a medical station. Dimitri offered everyone the berries and seeds he had promised, treating their injuries and fatigue.
"Still got that creepy dungeon feel, though," Corvo added between bites of a Sitrus berry. "Can't shake it."
Naturally, all of this stirred up a few questions, the first of which was asked by William.
"Dimitri, how did your people set up this 'safe zone' within the Mystery Dungeon? And how do you maintain it?"
"I was wondering if you would ask," Dimitri replied, smiling. "I can tell you that it was no easy feat. Our first ventures into this Mystery Dungeon were much like that of a conquering army, landing on hostile ground. We fought against the echoes, just as you have."
The group passed by a wounded Ursaring, who bore a scar on their chest, a patch over their eye, and a cast encasing their right arm. The bear nodded to Dimitri, who nodded back.
"By now," Dimitri said, "I trust that you're well-aware of how ferocious they can be."
"Echoes?" Chase repeated. "You mean those oily-looking monsters?"
"They have a number of names," Dimitri answered. "Monsters, demons, fiends. We prefer to call them echoes, as they appear to be imitations of mons like us, formed by Umbrasil."
"Umbra– what?" Andrew questioned.
"Ah, forgive me. I forget that the knowledge I take for granted is new to all of you. Just as you have fought the echoes, I'm sure you've seen the black liquid that flows wherever echoes can be found."
The group passed through an intersection of corridors. From the left came a Slowking pushing a wooden cart, and he turned to walk alongside Dimitri. His cart contained various rocks and crystals, as well as tightly-sealed vials of black liquid. Each vial had a subtle shimmer within, despite the lack of sunlight.
"Fortunate timing." Dimitri gestured to the glass tubes. "These are samples of Umbrasil."
"Yeah, we saw it alright…" Corvo said, stepping away from the cart. "Watched those 'echoes' come out like Giratina risin' outta hell."
"Indeed, that seems to be the dungeon's natural response to invaders," Dimitri said. "Which is why we craft numerous defensive mechanisms to keep ourselves safe."
Slowking stopped beside a workbench. Standing behind the workbench were a pair of mons: a red-furred, bipedal wolf– Midnight Lycanroc, and a large, yellow, fuzzy spider– Galvantula. The Lycanroc grabbed one of the large stones from the cart. With his sharp claws the red wolf carved the stone, chiseling it into an egg-like shape, exposing blue crystals within.
"A geode," William observed. "You craft these?"
Dimitri nodded. "The crystals within have various properties, and can be attuned to accomplish particular tasks."
Lycanroc passed the geode to Galvantula. The spider spun the stone with its appendages, discharging small amounts of electricity into the crystals. The geode began to glow along its fissures, its crystals alight with energy.
Dimirti held a hand out. "If I may?"
The spider nodded and handed over the geode.
Dimitri turned to the rescue team. "Specimens of sapphire, such as this, act as a natural ward against the ill effects of Umbrasil, and the echoes that spawn from it." To demonstrate, he placed his other hand flat upon the stone, and the geode fractured.
Charged blue crystals burst out like bees defending their hive, and swarmed around the vials of black liquid on Slowking's cart. The liquid writhed in the crystals' presence, as if searching for an escape.
"We've seen this," Enzo said. "Leon and I."
"Indeed," Dimitri replied. He retracted his hand, and the crystal shards flew back to their mineral hive. He handed it back to Galvantula.
"As you've witnessed, these geodes and crystals can be used as conduits for a myriad of machines. Such as the storm harvester, which takes Umbrasil and refines it into Luminisol. Have you noticed the golden liquid in pipes around our machines? That's Luminisol, our fuel source. Between our machines and walls, this safe zone is a space where no echoes, or other dungeon hazards, can reach us."
The six rescuers glanced around the worktable and the mineral samples, taking in Dimitri's explanations.
"…So, this dark liquid," William said. "This 'Umbrasil.' What exactly is it?"
"It is an anomaly unto itself," Dimitri answered, "unique to Mystery Dungeons. In many ways it behaves like water, flowing freely with low viscosity. Yet its mass is inconsistent and amorphous. It's unclear if it changes due to factors such as temperature and pressure. We know not how it forms echoes, but we do have a limited understanding on how to harness and direct its energy."
"Yeah," Chase spoke up, "but making fuel outta some murky juice that monsters come out of? That seems dangerous. Like, real dangerous."
"Your wariness is understandable," Dimitri replied. "But I assure you that Luminisol is perfectly safe. echoes have never formed from it, and exposure to the fuel doesn't cause nausea or hallucinations, as Umbrasil does."
"Wait," Enzo spoke up. "You said dungeons, plural. You occupy those, too?"
Dimitri nodded. "Indeed, we do. This Mystery Dungeon, the Shadow Citadel, is one of a number of dungeons in which we've established safe zones."
Leon, having listened quietly so far, finally spoke up. "I've got a bigger question. Why? Why go through all of this trouble to set up shop in a place that tries to kill everyone inside?"
The whole team looked at the Eidolon expectantly, silently conveying the same inquiry.
Dimitri's smile shrank. "I can imagine what you may be thinking. To you, we all must seem mad for trying to colonize this otherworldly, overtly hostile place. But–" the Hakamo-o held up a single claw. "Just as our ancestors fought off a hostile world: ferals, natural disasters, etcetera, they endured and improved."
They passed by a long, amber-colored parchment on the wall, which seemed to depict a historical timeline.
"When our ancestors developed more refined thinking, splitting away from ferals, they turned to agriculture. Those first farms paved the way for the earliest settlements that, over time, grew into towns and cities."
He pointed toward a charcoal illustration of ancient mons tending a field of crops. "By uniting, they formed communities with steady food and security. Collectively, monkind need not worry as much about survival. They created havens where they could devote time to higher thinking. It wasn't easy, but in time their efforts bore bountiful fruit."
The next illustrations displayed a village gradually growing into a town, then a city.
"What's that got to do with Mystery Dungeons?" Corvo pressed. "It ain't like our great-great grandparents went and settled inside of active volcanoes."
Chase gave Corvo a quizzical look. "Caldera?"
"I said 'active,'" Corvo emphasized.
"It's quite simple," Dimitri said cheerfully. "Our ancestors were gifted with agriculture, but to continue advancing, they had to explore. Not just the physical world, but the boundaries of collective knowledge, too. Both pursuits challenged them, and brought about new discoveries that we take for granted today." He raised both of his arms outward, making an all-encompassing gesture. "Mystery Dungeons, such as this one, present an opportunity to explore both."
"How?" Andrew asked. "I mean, we can explore a dungeon physically, but… It's like you're sayin' this place can teach philosophy, or something."
"Well, there are scientific discoveries to be made here. Beyond that…" Dimitri brought his hands together, tapping claw against claw. "How can I explain…? If I told you that Mystery Dungeons are liminal spaces, would you understand what I mean?"
No one on the rescue team spoke. They glanced at each other, then shook their heads.
"Ah, so you do not. Not to insult your intelligence, of course. All of this was bizarre and confusing to me as well, when I first learned. I believe that Lord Leviticus may offer a better explanation than I could."
"And you're sure he's the one who has Jacob?" Leon asked.
"As far as I'm aware," Dimitri confirmed. "We are not far from his quarters. Shall we?"
They continued moving through the safe zone in relative quiet. Along the way, the rescue team passed by a few mons working with machines.
One such device appeared to be a loom. Several strands of fabric ran parallel to each other, wrapped around a rolling cylinder, guided by gears. Near the loom was a small mon adorned in an old-looking rag: a Mimikyu. They hopped on small platforms all around the machine, pushing levers and strands of thread to keep the loom running. It appeared to make scarves and bands.
On the opposite side of the loom was a tall table covered by a runic cloth. In the center of the table was a basin of shimmering blue liquid, surrounded by a chorus of chromatic candles. Before the table, stood a bipedal pig with black and purple skin: a Grumpig. The black pearls atop their head glowed as they performed a small dance. As they did, droplets rose out of the basin, gradually forming into a solid object: a glass orb.
"So, scarves and orbs," William noted. "You make those, too?"
"That we do," Dimitri answered. "Monkind has made specialized scarves for years, such as that Weather Band you're wearing." He pointed toward Enzo, who glanced at the fabric wrapped around his neck. "They are most useful for dungeon exploration."
Meanwhile, Grumpig reached over and grabbed the newly-minted orb, holding it up and admiring their handiwork.
"Orbs, however, are a new invention," Dimitri continued. "We've harnessed a new material, simply known as 'green glass,' and imbued it with psychic or ghostly power to create numerous effects on-demand, such as a significant power boost. In some cases, it's literal lightning in a bottle."
"Yeah, we've seen them," Leon said bitterly. "We ran into one of your friends in Caldera, a Bisharp. He attacked us with one of those orbs."
Dimitri scratched his neck. "Yes, well… As I've said, I do not condone the extremes to which some of my colleagues resort to."
"I have another question," William said, dispelling the tension. "How long has your organization existed?"
"Ah," Dimitri's face relaxed. "That is a good question, albeit one with an answer that's difficult to pinpoint. Throughout history, there have been a number of researchers who have concerned themselves with otherworldly affairs. Though they worked independently, and consequently, made little progress due to lack of coordination. That changed when us Eidolons united under one banner, which I believe happened about two decades ago."
"So," Andrew spoke, "everyone who studies this joined you guys? All of them?"
"Well, no," Dimitri answered. "There are still independent researchers out there, some of whom have made their own small teams to share their knowledge and findings. As far as I'm aware, none of them have matched us in size or depth of knowledge." He tapped his claws together, wearing a thoughtful expression. "But, to be clear. Most of what I know regarding this comes from the masters, who guard their secrets fiercely… Say, wasn't there a Snivy among you?"
The others glanced around, noticing that Corvo was missing.
"Hey gang," Corvo suddenly reappeared, waving. "Just wandered off for a sec, wanted to take a look at that stuff under the glass." He pointed over his shoulder at some display cases.
"I see," Dimitri said, glancing at the cases. As he did, Corvo gave the group a small wink, though no one seemed to know what he was trying to convey.
"With all of that said," Dimitri continued, "we're close to Lord Leviticus's chambers. Shall we?"
No further words were spoken as the rescue team and their guide continued walking. Only two other things of note happened along the way. They passed by a sprawling machine with a large, clear tube, and golden liquid– Luminisol– flowing through it.
Within a minute they arrived at the center of the safe zone. Before them was an insurmountable onyx dome, reaching high into the dungeon's night sky. The structure was made from countless hexagons, each of which possessed a faint iridescence, glimmering with dim colors.
At the base of the dome, Dimitri led the guild apprentices to a looming set of twin doors. The doors were made of a dark metal, like fire-blasted brass, and bore weathered, geometric patterns.
"Here we are," Dimitri announced, turning to address the group. "Before we go inside, I should advise you about Lord Leviticus. He…" The dragon trailed off, averting his gaze. He pressed his claws together, drawing a deep breath. "…Our Lord is known to be rather… abrasive. You would do well to avoid provoking him."
Leon scowled. "He's already provoked me."
Dimitri blew out a sigh. "More than understandable. But let it not be said that I didn't warn you."
Finally, he turned and placed a hand on the doors, pressing them open. The great gates quietly rumbled as they were pushed apart, and the chamber was revealed.
The room was divided into two distinct halves.
On the left-hand side was a long, wooden table, with various tools scattered over it. Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers and ocular lenses, all of various shapes and sizes, lit by an assortment of glass lamps. Further down was a vice, drill, various metals, and sheets of blueprints, evocative of industry.
On the right-hand side was another table, but with entirely different items. Draped in silk, this table had an assortment of crystal shards, dried herbs, powders, and salts, illuminated by several candles. Further down was a cauldron, lit by blue flames and bubbling with contents unknown, as well as a mortar, pestle, glass bottles, and Gabite scales. All sights that drew the mind to thoughts of magic.
In between these contrasting sides, on the opposite end of the room, stood a towering figure with his back turned. A dozen spikes protruded from his rocky hide, stark against a royal blue cloak, adorned with geometric runes, flowing down to his spiked tail. He held his hands behind him: the left hand appeared normal, while the right gleamed with metal.
A voice sounded off from the other side of the Tyranitar.
"With all due respect, my Lord," said a white and purple gorilla: an Oranguru. "I beseech you to reconsider! Sharing our discoveries with the world risks drawing attention to us much too early!"
Dimitri walked into the chamber, beckoning the six to follow him. They did so, craning their heads left and right at the different workshops.
Meanwhile, the Oranguru continued to plead his case.
"There is a reason why we take refuge within the Mystery Dungeons. The common minds are far from ready for deliverance, as they have readily demonstrated the last time we attempted to enlighten them."
The Tyranitar turned his head, glancing at Dimitri and the rescue team over his shoulder.
Oranguru continued. "The fact that they have accepted this time may suggest otherwise, but–"
Tyranitar held up his right hand: a runic gauntlet of industrial metal and gemstone knuckles.
Oranguru fell silent.
"Your concerns have been noted." Tyranitar spoke in a deep voice, like a rumbling furnace. "A greater one has been brought to my attention." He gestured to the door with his metal hand. "Go."
The wizened ape hastily shuffled away from the Tyranitar, limbs jittering with frayed nerves. He spared Dimitri and the rescue team only a brief glance as he walked to the exit.
Meanwhile, the Hakamo-o stepped forward. "My Lord," he spoke eloquently, bowing with a hand to his chest. "I have with me six guild apprentices, requesting an audience with you."
Tyranitar turned. His sweeping tail summoned a gust. His blue cloak flowed freely.
"Specifically, they hope to be reunited with their friend," Dimitri explained. "Who is currently in our custody."
"As expected," Tyranitar replied. "You have done well, Dimitri. Now, leave them to me."
"Of course, my Lord," Dimitri bowed nervously, then turned to exit. On his way out, he gave Leon a half-hearted nod, wearing a worried expression. The doors rumbled open and closed as the Eidolon underlings vacated the space.
Meanwhile, the Tyranitar stepped closer to the rescue team. He loomed over them, much like the black towers they had spotted before entering the dungeon.
Leon, Enzo, and Corvo all hunched their backs, reflexively entering combative stances. William, Andrew, and Chase held still, tilting their heads up at the armored mon before them.
"So," his voice rang out. "Your ventures have brought you here, to me." Tyranitar paced slowly between the industrial and occult tables. "You've come far from home, entered this anomaly of reality, and survived– against my expectations."
"Expectations…?" William quietly repeated.
"An introduction is in order." He placed a hand to his chest, the gemstone knuckles on his gauntlet glimmered. "I… am Lord Leviticus. Magnus of the Eidolons. One of the masters of the spatial rift through which you've traveled."
Upon closer inspection, the gems on his gauntlet were evolution stones. Across the knuckles were Fire, Water, Thunder, and Leaf Stones, with a variety of other shiny minerals adorned throughout the metal.
Leon drew a breath, then stepped forward. "We're here for my brother, Jacob. Where is he?"
"Indeed," Leviticus's gaze rested upon the pocket watch in Leon's grasp. "The Charmander…"
"Yeah, him!" Leon boldly raised his voice. "You guys kidnapped him!"
Leviticus shook his head. "I take no responsibility for the incompetence of my underlings. It is unfortunate that they have inconvenienced us both."
"Understatement of the century," Corvo said. "Still dunno why you guys are doin' all this for a watch, and a copper one, at that."
Leviticus raised his left hand to his chin. "I had wondered, given all the time you have invested to reach this point, if any of you had spared thought as to why my Eidolons and I have orchestrated this. Not just our pursuit of the artifact, but establishing ourselves in this citadel, and creating the machinery housed here, which you have no doubt seen."
"Dimitri told us," William said, "you're exploring these dungeons to make discoveries of some kind."
"At its most basic level, yes. Our exploration of Mystery Dungeons is comparable to that of natural philosophers on a field expedition. But given the nature of these dungeons, our endeavors are more esoteric. We seek to do more than merely understand our own world as it is. We reach beyond it–" He raised his metallic hand, closing it into a fist. "–Toward something greater."
Leon curled his hands into fists as well. "We didn't come all this way to hear you monologue," he said irritably. "Just take us to Jacob already!"
Leviticus's stony expression hadn't changed. He eyed the Totodile, pointing at him with a single digit of his metal hand. "You would travel so far, face trials that test all of your limits, and behold wonders from beyond the pale, to ultimately learn… nothing? Have you no aspirations beyond returning to your personal status quo?"
"Why should I listen to you?" Leon asked, his agitation rising. "Why should any of us listen to you?"
The Tyranitar regarded Leon like an impudent student, unmoved by his escalating intensity. "I understand that your friend has been searching for his family. That is what ultimately led him here, and by extension, what led you here. What if I told you that we possess the means to help him? That our goals and his are aligned?"
William eyed Leviticus with curious suspicion. "You… also want to find Jacob's parents?"
"They would be secondary, but useful. They could tell us how they obtained the artifact you brought." He pointed to the pocket watch, prompting Leon to hold it closer to his chest. "And that would bring us closer to our goal."
"You guys have been hell-bent on taking that shiny trinket," Corvo said. "And now you're sayin' it's just a means to an end? What are ya really after?"
"Just as your friend seeks his origins, we seek ours. I speak not of me or my Eidolons, but of monkind as a whole. Specifically, civilized mons."
Silence lingered among the group as they processed the Tyranitar's words. The first to speak again was Andrew.
"So… you're saying that this watch… this magic watch, is gonna give you answers about history?"
"Well that makes no sense," Chase remarked. "Even if it is magic, it's not some kinda pocket library."
Leviticus crossed his arms. "It's not surprising that you, like so many others, fail to see anything more obscure than the obvious. The artifact was, by all appearances, an ordinary watch, until you entered this Mystery Dungeon, was it not?"
All eyes rested on Leon, who held the watch close. He said nothing, though two rings of blue, runic light appeared around his hand as he tightened his grip.
"I would hope that your curiosity is not so diminished that you would never question why. That is what separates us from ferals, after all."
William glanced between Leon and Leviticus. "…In other words, you want to uncover how and why we diverged from ferals. And you believe that the watch, or at least the magic it contains, will help accomplish that?"
Leviticus nodded slowly. "How did we come to be, as intelligent beings, in a world where instinct-driven ferals are the natural order?"
"This has nothing to do with Jacob…" Leon mumbled.
If Leviticus had heard him, he showed no signs of it. "There must have been some point in history that caused us to become what we are, dwelling in cities built by our hands, rather than caves carved by nature. And concerning ourselves with higher arts, as opposed to merely hunting our next meal. How, when, and why did this profound change occur? These are the questions we ask of this world. We have discovered that the answers…" He swept his arm around. "…Lie within Mystery Dungeons. Should you wish to understand–"
"Enough!" Leon bellowed. He squeezed the pocket watch, and once again the artifact's power spiraled up his limbs, charging his body with an armor of light. His Totodile frame took on the shape of a small, half-holographic Feraligatr. Pressure surged in his chest and he opened his maw, blasting a Hydro Pump straight at Lord Leviticus.
The Tyranitar lifted his right hand, holding out a metallic palm. Runes upon the metal glowed, and the Water Stone flashed with arcane force. The torrential spray parted before Lord Leviticus as if he were guarded by an invisible bubble, and within seconds, an aquatic globe encased him.
He then curled his metal fingers, guiding the flow of water, shaping the globe into a condensed spiral. Finally, he lowered his palm down, and the orbit of liquid followed: flowing seamlessly into a drain at the Tyranitar's feet. He was left dry and unharmed.
Leon took a step back, his jaw agape in shock. All of his friends looked on in wide-eyed awe. If they had any thoughts of joining Leon's attack, the Tyranitar's display of elemental control swiftly extinguished them.
As Leviticus drained the last of the water, his expression barely changed: hard and stoic like the mountain he was. Yet his mouth curved ever so slightly– a ghost of a prideful smile.
"…Should you wish to understand, come." He beckoned with his gauntlet, now devoid of any glows. "I invite you to walk in my shadow."
Behind the rescue team, the door rumbled open again. A pair of blades glinted as a green insectoid came buzzing in. "Lord Leviticus, sir!" said the Scyther.
The Tyranitar cast a cold expression at his subordinate. "What is your reason for interrupting me?"
Scyther stopped a fair distance away. "Begging your pardon, my Lord, I have urgent news. The holding cells–"
"–Are well-guarded," Leviticus said curtly. "Even then, the drudgery of overseeing them is below me. You should remember that. Now go."
Scyther's wings buzzed. "But sir–!"
Lord Leviticus turned, his sweeping tail calling forth another gust of wind. "Come, guild members." As he walked, his royal blue cloak flowed at his backside.
They all glanced at each other, unified only in their uncertainty. No one spoke. Seconds passed, and they relented. Leon sighed, releasing the arcane power within him, letting it flow back into the pocket watch. He then led the group, following Lord Leviticus and leaving behind the exasperated Scyther.
At the opposite end of the room was an obsidian pillar, marked by a bright silver circle in the center, resembling moonlight. Lord Leviticus raised his hand, and his gemstone knuckles flashed.
A faint rumbling echoed through the chamber, and the pillar receded, parting itself piece by piece and forming a staircase, with two silver lines running up the steps. The stairs continued into the enormity of the dark. Leviticus began ascending them. Reluctantly, the rescue team followed.
As they climbed, the light of the previous chamber grew more and more distant. Soon their only light came from the twin silver streaks, and even that was dim. The dark walls blended with the natural shadows of the stairwell, and it was hard to tell if the walls were still there, or if they had seamlessly transformed into open air. No one was willing to reach out and test it.
Several steps later, light appeared at the top of the stairs, and they leveled out onto the next floor. The silver trails diffused through the floor, scattered into fractals that resembled frost on a window. The faux frost reflected light from dim lamps scattered above, illuminating an otherwise gray and gloomy space.
Despite the emptiness, the air seemed charged with an enigmatic energy, akin to a static shock that made fur and scales alike stand on end. The apprentices glanced around, as if they sensed danger.
Their Tyranitar guide seemed to not notice their apprehension. Like the previous floor, this place had several Eidolons working strange devices.
"The machinery you've seen thus far," said Lord Leviticus, "are the fruits of our labor, conducted here." He gestured toward one such an Eidolon to their left. The mon resembled a dark, upside-down squid, with piercing yellow eyes: a Malamar.
Malamar stood before a lectern, staring intently at a crystal ball, flanked by half a dozen dimly-burning candles. The crystal ball swirled with mist and pale colors, slowly shifting across the spectrum. The Malamar furrowed their brow, somewhere between focused and frustrated, too tunnel-visioned to notice the others passing by him.
"…What is he doing?" William ventured, breaking the team's collective silence.
"Channeling the dungeon's latent energies," said Leviticus. He lifted his metal hand, hovering over each of the candles as he walked by. The Fire Stone on his knuckle glowed, and one by one the candles faded as tiny orbs of light floated into his palm. He then picked up a red crystal at the other end of the table and turned to the apprentices.
"He's attempting to glimpse into the other world." The crystal in his hand glowed with light.
"Other world?" Andrew tilted his head. "What does that mean?"
"You will understand soon enough," Leviticus replied. "More context is needed." He moved on towards another pair of mons a few paces away.
As they followed, some of the apprentices continued watching the Malamar gazer, who's face– now lit only by his crystal ball– twisted with agitation. A closer look showed that his candles were actually still burning, yet somehow, they produced no light.
"Our methods are varied," Leviticus said, pointing at the next set with his glowing red crystal. "There is more than one way to look beyond."
Before them were two quadrupeds with long tails and big ears, one being pink, and the other black with yellow markings: Espeon and Umbreon.
Espeon sat in the center of a glowing blue circle made of runes. Lines of arcane symbols extended from the circle, reaching a metallic device on a table across from Espeon. Meanwhile, Umbreon fiddled with the device, flipping through an assortment of lenses. As he did, the glow within the runes would brighten or dim, reacting to his actions.
Chase turned his head, giving the duo a puzzled look. "What's that thing?"
"An oraculum," the Umbreon answered, though he didn't move his head. "With proper calibrating, this should allow my other half to better attune herself to the ebb and flow of the Mystery Dungeon."
Espeon remained silent, her eyes closed in quiet concentration as the runes hummed around her.
"Ebb and flow…?" Enzo repeated.
"More energy talk?" Chase said, turning to Leviticus. "Does that mean there's something going on under our feet? Like magma below a volcano?"
"The comparison is accurate," Leviticus said approvingly. "Mystery Dungeons host a myriad of energy sources, such as the Umbrasil from which echoes are spawned, and Luminisol, its refined form, used as fuel. By now, you've likely seen a few of our machines powered by Luminisol."
"Is that what you're getting at?" Leon said, recalling the waterspout of Luminisol he and Enzo witnessed. "Is all this just some kinda dubious mining operation?"
"No. Luminisol is beneficial, yet it's only one of many energies to be found here, and one of the few that possesses a physical form. Its harvest is merely a side objective to our true cause."
"And what would your 'true cause' be?" Corvo asked with restrained irritation.
"We are nearly there. One more thing." He gestured to another mon a short walk away. This mon was bipedal, with white fur and a sloth-like build: a Vigoroth.
Vigoroth tinkered with a gyroscopic device– metallic rings revolved around a small, clear dome, which resembled a compass. Beside him was a floating, metal ball, with a singular eye, three screws, and a pair of horseshoe-shaped magnets on either side of it.
"Almost…" Vigoroth muttered to himself. "Needs a morsel of an adjustment."
The magnetic creature hummed and discharged a small, electrical bolt, aimed at the gyroscope.
"A metal creature," William noticed. "Like the one Chase and I encountered."
"Is that… a mon?" Andrew questioned.
"For all intents and purposes, yes," Leviticus answered. "As we expanded our safe zones within Mystery Dungeons, and constructed machinery, these artificial mons appeared. We do not fully understand them; thus far they have been unable to speak."
"And that doesn't bother you?" Corvo asked. "These things came outta nowhere, and you're actin' like it's all normal? I thought you said you were the 'master' of this place."
"They wish to help," said Leviticus. "And these artificial mons have done far more to assist us than the all-too-common narrow minded ever have. If anything, they represent a microcosm of my demonstration: the spark of intellect that allowed us to diverge from ferals long ago. This one–" he pointed at the magnetic mon" –is known as 'Magnemite.'"
The creature, Magnemite, discharged another forked spark. Electricity flowed into the gyroscope, which doubled in speed and the compass needle spun around briefly, before settling on a direction.
"Excellent!" Vigoroth said. "Soon we will be able to map out the ley lines. Hmm… There seems to be some detection without certainty… Fire-type energy? That can't be right…" He wandered off, and his Magnemite assistant promptly followed.
"…Where are you going with all of this?" Leon spoke up. "All these things you're showing off, all this stuff about 'dungeon energy' and 'ferals versus civil'… What point are you trying to make?"
Once again, a faint smile played across the Tyranitar's mouth– as if he welcomed the inquiry, or took pride in bestowing curiosity onto Leon.
"There was a time when we were all ferals," he began, pacing slowly. "Governed by instinct, born merely to grow, consume, reproduce, and die. Yet here you stand, having come from your guild, traveled across towns and cities, by foot and by ferry, all in pursuit of a deeply-held bond, and aided by your friends. No feral could comprehend any of these things, could they?"
"Maybe not," Leon replied. "Why does it matter?"
William joined the conversation. "As Leon said, you keep raising these points, referencing history and origins." Beneath his helmet, his forehead wrinkled in thought. "It sounds as if you have a theory on all of this, and that it's related to these Mystery Dungeons?"
Lord Leviticus regarded the Cubone. "And there it is, the inquisitive spark," he nodded. "What if I told you that the things that separate us from the ferals– our science, institutions, beliefs, even the very language we speak– were all adopted from a species not of our world?"
Silence fell upon the group. After a few seconds passed, Chase spoke.
"You mean… all those centuries ago, when our ancestors started farming, someone taught them how?"
"Like some super-advanced mons?" Leon added.
"Yes, and no." Leviticus slowly paced again. "They bestowed upon us the gift of intellect, and the tool through which to harness knowledge that we know simply as the question. Yet they were not mons like us, nor were they echoes or machines." He shook his head. "While we are monkind, they… are mankind."
"Man…kind?" Enzo echoed.
"How are they different from us?" William asked.
"And how can you be so sure?" Andrew added. "You have all these ideas, but where's your evidence?"
"Compared to us," Leviticus began, "mankind is much less physically varied. They also lack the intrinsic powers we take for granted. But they more than make up for it with their intellect. As for evidence, you're standing in it. A Mystery Dungeon…" He waved his arms out. "…Is a liminal space. A wedge between realities, comparable to the narrow gaps within walls that separate rooms. Long have we glimpsed into these Mystery Dungeons and gleamed clues." He gestured to the Eidolons around them, still conducting experiments.
"We have witnessed parallels between our world and theirs, drawing links between points previously invisible. Our knowledge of planting seeds to grow food, and refining it into more complex meals. Or weaving shelters from wood, stone, and metal. We learned from them. Our names, Leon, Alexander, and so on, borrowed from them. Our calendar, January through December, their creation. Even the language we are speaking at this very moment– what we call 'Common,' they call 'English.'"
Leon's heart raced, yet he steeled himself. "T-that's all talk! You've got your theories, but it's just words, not proof!"
"We've also been gifted with patience, though many of us reject it," Leviticus said with a note of disapproval. "Nonetheless, the proof you seek is here, readily available." He curled his hand into a fist, crushing the red crystal in his grasp, releasing wisps of light within. The small orbs hovered above his head.
"Observe." He clapped twice.
The lanterns above flashed, then faded, plunging the chamber into darkness. Yet as all their eyes adjusted, something came into focus.
Above their heads was a colossal orb, shimmering with a black liquid– like Umbrasil– swirling in defiance of gravity. The massive globe was bigger than most houses, and possessed a deep blue aura, radiating around its edges like an eclipsed sun.
Surrounding the orb were eight metallic halos, rotating like a grand gyroscope and blinking with lights, in addition to their reflective blue glow. The very air around the apparatus shimmered like desert heat. Just a few yards away, a circle of eight mineral pillars were erected just below the orb. Each pillar was a different color, and connected by golden lines across the floor.
"This," Leviticus gazed up, "is the core of the dungeon. It is the lake from which the dungeon's energies flow like a river. The beating heart that regulates its circulation. Each dungeon has a core like this." He turned to the team. "We call it… the Heart of Time."
The six guild apprentices had craned their heads up toward the Heart. Something about the swirling anomaly was mesmerizing. It wasn't as if it displayed flashes of light and imagery, or whispered secrets into their ears. Rather, it was as if the Heart had infiltrated their senses like shimmering mist pouring through cracked rocks. Their imaginations roiled and flared like a meteor cutting a burning trail across the sky, incinerating the atmosphere of their awareness.
What was left was a seed, sheltered by soil, until it drank enough water to sprout through the ground and reunite with the sunlight. Beyond, several more seeds mimicked the first, each one growing into vines and wood, blooming into an abundant town mingled with stone. Distant sprouts rose in unison, forming more clusters of buildings as orbs of light carved paths between the towns, linking them. Ever more sprouts emerged, sprawling across the land and beyond the horizon. And wherever sprouts emerged, other life rose with it.
The hills gleamed with gold, shining before fading. Each blade of grass cast a small shadow, steadily growing until they merged into a far-reaching pillar, heralding the setting sun. Murky darkness lingered over the land, until an ember sparked to life. Then another, and another, and the tiny flames fanned outward, just as the shadows had done. They spread across the towns and roads, banishing the dark, illuminating the world. Across the horizon, something looms…
Thump!
Leon, William, Corvo, Andrew, Chase, and Enzo, all fell to the floor. Shivers coursed through their limbs as blood rushed back into them. They shared heavy gasps in a chorus.
"Wh… what was that?" Leon huffed.
"D-did you see that, too?" Corvo asked.
"See what?" Andrew said. "There was so much…"
"A… a comet," Chase replied. "Then some Durants…?"
"You've witnessed a modicum of truth," said Lord Leviticus. He lowered his metal hand, and the wisps above his head faded.
As their senses returned, the sight of the chamber trickled back in. The floor had changed from frost on glass to stellar constellations. A vast array of stars swirled below, as if the night sky glimmered around them.
Above, the Heart of Time still loomed, yet it lacked the oppressive enormity it had a moment ago. Below the Heart, each of the eight mineral towers had a bright orb floating above, matching their colors. And some of the floating lanterns around the chamber were lit again.
Nearby, the other Eidolons shook themselves, as if they too had emerged from a daze. Lord Leviticus seemed unaffected.
"The Heart emits supernatural energies that grant visions. Pockets of this energy may be found scattered throughout any dungeon, but naturally, it is concentrated here. As you might imagine, prolonged and unfiltered exposure is dangerous. Some of our earliest seers never recovered from their most ambitious attempts."
He gestured to the metal rings revolving around the orb. "This device, the 'Heart's Host,' is a fusion of dungeon minerals and our natural elements. It contains and regulates the dungeon's energy like a dam on a river. In turn, the dungeon becomes safe for long-term occupation, allowing us to study it. Through our methods, we piece together a greater whole, like drops of paint upon a mural."
"To what end?" William asked.
"…Greater whole," Enzo repeated. "Meaning?"
"The results are twofold. Over time, we gain insight on natural philosophy, culminating into new technology. But even that is a mere morsel compared to our ultimate goal."
"And what would that be…?" Leon asked warily.
Lord Leviticus glanced up at the Heart of Time.
"To bridge the gap between our worlds. Of monkind and mankind. They uplifted us centuries ago, blessed us with the gift of intellect. With their help, we began with small farming villages." As he spoke, his cadence quickened. "If we make contact with mankind, and show them how far we have come, we may receive even more gifts. We could start a renaissance, leap forward in arts and science, and advance monkind more than the past five-hundred years combined!"
He caught his breath. "Yet… progress is slow. Unraveling the secrets of Mystery Dungeons is comparable to moving a mountain by carrying away small rocks. Despite this, we have ways to accelerate the process. The most efficient being otherworldly artifacts."
"Artifact," William repeated. "That's what you call Jacob's pocket watch."
"On rare occasions, objects from one world may pass into the other through Mystery Dungeons. Even rarer, such objects may emerge intact and infused with the arcane energy of these liminal spaces. One fortunate enough to possess such an item could use it as a tool within Mystery Dungeons, and perform extraordinary feats." He gestured to Leon. "You have already demonstrated such aptitude."
Leon glanced down at the watch, glowing within his grasp, humming with energy.
This trinket came from another world. And somehow, it wound up in Jacob's hands. Or at least, his parents had found it, and given it to him.
"…That explains it. Why you've all gone through so much trouble… for this." He glanced back up at Leviticus, his tone and expression both soured. "That Staraptor, and that Bisharp. They were both Eidolons. And they tried to steal this."
"Had you been more diplomatic," Leviticus said, "we could have resolved this peacefully long ago, and the artifact would be with us."
Leon scowled. "Diplomatic? You guys literally attacked us!"
William nodded. "I was there when Staraptor mugged Jacob."
"We had sent out invitations to Jacob before," Leviticus replied. "Offers to buy the artifact from him, with deals that were more than lucrative. He never responded."
Leon shook his head. "Have you ever thought that Jacob might not wanna give up his watch?"
"Even then," Corvo joined in, "can you imagine gettin' a letter like that? 'Hey, we think your fancy watch is magic. Let's buy it so we can talk to space people.'" He rolled his eyes.
"And you're doing all of this," Leon said, "on the assumption that anything you're saying is true. What if it's not? What if you're taking unimaginable risks for something that might be… imaginary?!"
Lord Leviticus remained stoically quiet as Leon lambasted him. Once Leon finished, he spoke.
"You are far from the first to besiege us with skepticism. Your tunnel-visioned attacks on our promise of progress leaves you blind to the benefits that you've already experienced. You didn't come to the Silver Shore on foot alone– you wouldn't have arrived so quickly, otherwise. Tell me, were you ferried by a Lapras? Or did you, perhaps, climb aboard a steam-powered vessel?"
A moment of quiet passed.
"What are you talking about?" Corvo said.
"The PS Volcanion…" Chase remarked. "That ship we rode out of Caldera." He glanced up at Leviticus. "How do you know about that?"
"Who do you think built the vessel's steam engine?" Leviticus replied. "Who do you think toiled in gathering visions, the trial and error of crafting such an engine, and then designing it for a ship the likes of which this world has never seen?"
"…You built the steam boat," Enzo said. "And gave it away?"
"Sold," Leviticus corrected. "Groundbreaking though our ventures may be, even we are constrained by limited resources. Even so…" He gestured to the Heart's Host, its rings revolving around the colossal orb. "It's far from the only machine crafted by my hands."
Another pause befell the group. The next to speak was William.
"These are technological milestones, to be sure. But is it truly worth it? I'm not talking about the monetary cost, but the risks taken to achieve these advancements, and all the other lofty goals you've mentioned. Your endeavors put the lives of your Eidolons at risk."
"Not just them," Andrew added. "Us, too. We fought ferals in the desert, your Eidolons in Caldera, and monsters here in the dungeon. All because you guys kidnapped our friend."
"How do you justify such extremes?" William pressed. "What if your ambition gets someone killed?"
Leviticus looked away from the rescue team, glancing down at his metallic, gem-knuckled gauntlet. He flexed his fingers as he gathered his words.
"I acknowledge that death is a very real risk, as is the grief that follows it. But in time, the ripples of loss fade, like a drop onto a pond. Given one generation, the pain of loss is dulled. Given another generation or two, tragedies are no longer felt."
He lifted his head, laying his sight upon the team once more.
"Compare that to the leaps we make here– our understanding of natural philosophy, and the advances in technology that come with it, which will shape the world for decades to come. How many lives could be bettered if, for example, we make breakthroughs on agriculture, and produce so much food that no one ever goes hungry again?"
At those words, Corvo's hard stare morphed into astonishment, then softened into thoughtfulness.
"Another example. What if we develop a means of instantaneous communication, allowing messages to reach one edge of the continent to the other, within seconds? Could we then reunite distant family members, previously lost to each other?"
Then it was Andrew's turn to soften his stare, his imagination captured by the Tyranitar's words.
"Lastly, what if we make advances in medicine? Some of us are blessed by good health, while others are shackled by illness. What if we discover cures for diseases that would otherwise take away those we love, all too soon?"
Finally, Leon's conviction buckled. Memories of his late brother came to mind, alongside visions of how someone else's little sibling could, someday in the future, be saved.
Lord Leviticus regarded the group, making sure he had conveyed exactly what he wanted to. "Bearing this in mind, you will understand that the risk of loss pales in comparison to what we stand to gain. And with an artifact in hand, we could go from pushing rocks to excavating the mountain of secrets."
The apprentices looked to one another, once again unified in uncertainty.
"…If this artifact is so important," William ventured, "you could have taken it already, given your strength. Why haven't you?"
Leviticus pointed at him. "The six of you have united in short order and traveled here on your own initiative, likely going against your guild's orders to do so. Not only have you journeyed a great distance, and overcome a myriad of challenges, but you have also survived this Mystery Dungeon. Yours is an aptitude worthy of respect."
With a hand to his chest, he bowed to the apprentices. Then he turned to Leon.
"Having spoken all that needs to be said, I grant you this opportunity." He held out his metallic hand. "Relinquish the artifact, and I will return your brother to you. You will all be safely evacuated from the Mystery Dungeon, and we will never need to cross paths again."
All eyes were on Leon.
The burning tension in Leon's limbs cooled. Ever since he saw Lord Leviticus– the one behind this whole plot– he had been ready to fight. He had been ready to unleash all of his pent-up, righteous rage, smash his way through the Eidolons, find his brother, and bring him home. When he had no choice but to listen to the Tyranitar's lectures, he shelled himself in distrust, doubting every word he had said.
But now… other thoughts crossed the Totodile's mind. What if Leviticus was telling the truth? What if he and his Eidolons really could bring good change into the world? Leon wasn't sure about that "other world" and "mankind" stuff, but…
If he handed off the watch now, this ordeal would be over. They could go home, safe and sound, with Jacob. And, maybe sometime in the future, the Eidolons would have a cure for the disease Dave had. Maybe they really could save lives…
Leon glanced down at the watch. Jacob always had it, even as far back as the night when he arrived at Leon's home, cold and alone. It seemed like a lifetime ago. Leon and his parents loved him as one of their own, and Jacob loved them back. Even so, he wanted to find his own family. To unravel his personal mystery. If Leon handed over his brother's watch, Jacob's only lead– his sole connection to his family– would be severed.
Jacob might never find them.
Was it Leon's place to make such a choice for him? He tried to make choices for Jacob before, to keep him safe. It led to a rift between them. It led to Jacob's trust in him being shattered. And ultimately, it led to this confrontation.
If Leon's choices had such consequences, what about Leviticus's choices? He talked about all these miraculous things, how he was going to make the world better, even if it put other people's lives in danger. Was it right for him to force his way into their lives, put them in harm's way without their consent, all in the name of his larger-than-life goals?
Not only that, but what if Leviticus was lying? It wouldn't be the first time someone deceived Leon. When Dave was withering away, and that Golduck– Mercer– came to Bethany… He lied to Leon. He preyed on his fear, fed him false hope, and played him like the naive kid he was.
Was it happening again? Was he being strung along by big promises, only to wind up duped once more?
"Leon?" Someone spoke. He knew not who.
Watch clenched, eyes shut, and tears leaking, Leon spoke.
"…No."
Lord Leviticus blinked. His voice was barely above a whisper. "What did you say…?"
With a shaky breath, Leon cleared his voice. "I said 'no.'"
He stood up straight, opened his eyes, and hardened his voice.
"You have all these flashy promises about making things better. But… that's all they are. Promises. They can be broken. All your imaginary solutions might exist in the future, or they might not. But all the harm you've caused? All the agony a-and… suffering!"
Leon swung his arm aside, and the watch's chain rattled.
"That's real. And if you get your way here, what's stopping you from hurting more people? I know what kind of mon you are– the kind who'll throw away lives on a whim! You think you're some kind of grand inventor? Some… savior?" He shook his head. "You're a fraud."
The Tyranitar's stony face shifted. His eyes narrowed and his mouth curled, flashing sharp fangs in a primal display.
"It seems that my point hasn't gotten through to you," he growled. "My forbearance is not an invitation for you to decline. Even if you're blinded by willful ignorance, you've earned enough of my respect to walk away from this unharmed."
Nearby, the Eidolons gathered around in a loose circle, watching their Magnus stand off with the rescue team. Leviticus swept his metal hand out, and his cloak waved behind him. "Don't squander it. You will hand over the artifact, or there will be consequences."
Leon looked to his left and right, scanning his teammates' faces. In their expressions, he saw solidarity as they nodded together. "No," he replied, defiant. "Bring Jacob out here. Now."
Malamar, Umbreon, Espeon, Vigoroth, and even that metal mon they called Magnemite, all looked on with great interest.
Lord Leviticus's brow deepened, as did the hostility in his tone. "I've been more than generous toward you. Thus far I've granted you safe passage, despite your brazen insolence. The only thing preventing me from taking the artifact– and likely your arm with it– is the patience I exhibit and you clearly lack."
As he spoke, a glint of light behind the Tyranitar caught Leon's attention. Though faint, he could make out a small, lambent ember, which steadily grew as the flame's keeper drew closer, illuminating himself. His eyes met Leon's.
Leon steeled himself, keeping his face from going slack with shock. His teammates tapped his shoulder, but Leon already knew who he was seeing. He suppressed a gasp and darted his gaze back at Leviticus.
"Keep your damn patience," Leon said. "This watch isn't yours."
Leviticus shook his head. "It's not yours, either." He stepped toward Leon, causing the starry-night ground to quake.
Leon held his brother's watch close to his chest, hearing it tick like a heartbeat. He glanced at it, then back at the flame in the dark beyond Leviticus.
The surrounding Eidolons looked toward the floating fire with wide-eyes, leaving their leader the only one unaware. None of them dared to speak.
The ground shook again. Leviticus curled his metal hand into a fist. The evolution stones on his knuckles flashed.
Leon glared back, his eyes ablaze. "You're right… it's not mine." He pulled his arm back, then threw the pocket watch.
On reflex, Leviticus held out his metal palm, summoning his arcane shield for an attack that never came. His eyes trailed the copper spec as it raced past him, realizing too late what it was. He spun, finally spotting the mon that everyone else already noticed.
Jacob leaped and caught his watch out of the air. The once-blue glows upon the metal instantly changed to orange, and a pair of fiery streaks spiraled up the Charmander's arm, holding him airborne as power flowed through his veins. An armor of light encased him, and his face slacked as if he were about to burst, overflowing with energy. Until…
Fwoosh!
An infernal nova erupted, spreading out as a ring of sunlight, staggering everyone. They raised their arms, shielding their faces from the blistering brilliance. Once the light faded, Jacob's silhouette came into focus.
The Chamander hovered above the ground. Sprouting from his back were wings of fire– the trailing edges burned a searing orange, while the flowing membranes shimmered with blue flames. Two horns of light protruded from the back of his head. Infernal spirals raced around his limbs, brimming with blistering heat worthy of a Charizard.
Jacob's face widened in surprise, barely comprehending the power that now surged through his limbs. But he quickly mastered himself, and locked his gaze on the Tyranitar.
"It's mine," Jacob said. His infernal wings beat, casting shimmering embers through the dark. "You wanna see this thing's power so bad? I'll show you power."