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The Ilex Forest—on the outskirts of Azalea Town—was lush and dense, and at times shrouded in heavy mist. It was a natural paradise for countless wild Pokémon.
Right now, Liam and Delia were making their way through this forest.
"Ugh~ Liam~ how long have we been walking? It feels like forever... Are we even going to make it out in this lifetime?! I can't walk anymore~~"
They had been trekking through the forest for quite a while. Although Liam was sure he hadn't gone off course, the Ilex Forest was indeed enormous. After walking nearly the whole morning, even his map still showed no sign of the forest's edge. That was why Delia was complaining so much.
"Uh... Don't be so impatient, Delia. The meaning of travel lies in the journey itself! Every step, every footprint, that's where the joy is. How can you give up so easily?"
Liam turned his head to see Delia sitting at the root of a huge tree, holding Riolu in her arms as she rested. He let out a helpless smile, walked back to her, and slipped into his persuasive mode.
"Besides, this forest is beautiful, filled with such a peaceful aura. There are plenty of Bug-type Pokémon here too. If you're interested, you could even catch a few~"
Almost as if to echo Liam's words, a few Butterfree fluttered right over his head, letting out their gentle, melodic cries.
"No way! The only Bug-type Pokémon I like is Shuckle!"
Delia replied firmly.
Liam: "..."
In the end, Liam's words still managed to convince her. Delia got back up, and the two continued walking. But just then, a thick fog began to spread across the forest.
"Hm? Fog? Heh, no wonder they call this the Ilex Forest. Even when the weather outside is fine, fog can roll in here at any time. Delia, now that the fog is setting in, going further won't be safe. Let's find a place to rest."
The sudden mist dimmed even Liam's vision. Seeing the fog grow denser around them, he reached out to take Delia's hand, smiling as he suggested it.
"Yes, yes, yes! I agree!"
Delia, who had already been grumbling, immediately raised her hand in support.
...….
The fog grew thicker and thicker, until they could barely see each other's faces even standing close. It was unnerving.
Fortunately, Liam and Delia had found shelter: beneath a massive withered tree, there was a spacious hollow. The inside was dry enough to be a perfect resting spot.
"This place is so strange. How could such heavy fog appear all of a sudden in broad daylight? What a weird place~"
Sitting on the blanket Liam had laid out, Delia held Riolu up in her arms, playing with it while peering out at the fog with a frown.
Hearing her complaint, Liam waved his hand to brush away some of the mist drifting in through the entrance. Feeling its cool dampness, he smiled at her.
"That's the wonder of this place. It's not like the grandeur of the Tohjo Falls, but it's fascinating in its own right, isn't it? Being able to see so many new things during our journey—that's what makes it worthwhile."
Indeed, as Liam said, what meaning would a bland, uneventful journey hold?
"Hmph, fine, I guess you have a point..."
Delia gave a little huff, then shuffled closer to lean on Liam's shoulder. Holding Riolu in her arms, she gazed out at the mist with him. Seen from here, the fog outside really did have a certain beauty to it.
"Ruu!!"
Just then, Riolu in Delia's arms suddenly grew tense, as if it had sensed something. Its eyes sharpened, a low growl escaped its throat, and the white bumps on its hands flickered with a faint blue-white light.
"Someone's coming!"
The voice resonated directly in Delia's mind.
Liam didn't miss Riolu's reaction either. Noticing its sudden alertness, he became cautious himself, eyes fixed on the hollow's entrance as his hand slid to the PokeBalls at his waist.
"Cough, cough... Oh? Someone's already here? What a coincidence..."
At that moment, a voice rang out from the fog. Judging by the tone, the speaker seemed to be an older man.
"Cough, cough. Hello there. I mean no harm, I only wish to rest here for a while. Could you allow me?"
The fog at the entrance shifted, and soon a man in a thick wool coat appeared, leaning on a cane. He poked his head in with a faint, stern smile, addressing Liam and Delia.
The man looked quite advanced in age, his hair already mostly white. He appeared even older than Professor Oak. Though his words were polite, his tone carried an undeniable weight that made refusal difficult.
"Of course. There's still plenty of room here—please, make yourself comfortable."
Liam frowned slightly, but didn't refuse. He extended his hand, inviting the man inside.
"Heh, cough, cough... Thank you kindly."
Smiling, the man nodded, bowed slightly, and stepped into the hollow. He casually patted the mist from his coat, then sat down on the other side of the hollow, closed his eyes, and fell into silence.
Delia peeked from behind Liam, frowning slightly at the man's presence.
"Cough, cough... Heh, it seems I've intruded. Sorry to disturb your little date. Seeing you so tense makes me feel quite guilty..."
Sensing her gaze, the man suddenly coughed heavily, then looked up with a smile at Delia.
"Uh... Hehe, no, not at all..."
Flustered, Delia blushed and quickly ducked back behind Liam, too embarrassed to show her face again.
Meanwhile, Liam studied the man carefully before cautiously asking:
"Excuse me... would you happen to be Master Pryce?"
The man blinked, surprised. He searched his memory but found no trace of Liam. Finally, he shook his head slightly and replied in confusion.
"You know me? Have we met before? Forgive me, age makes it far too easy to forget things..."
That response all but confirmed Liam's guess.
"Heh, I knew I wasn't mistaken. You're Pryce of Mahogany Town, the Gym Leader... But why would you leave your Gym and come all the way here into the Ilex Forest, if I may ask?"