The wisps drifting through the darkness were the focus of one of the most unbearable tasks in the Hisui era.
A total of 108 wisps were scattered across the entire region. Only after gathering every soul and returning them to the enormous Odd Keystone at the Shrouded Ruins could one see Vessa's true form.
Naturally, that form was Spiritomb.
However, although they were all Spiritomb, the Spiritomb found in different places had very different origins.
The one at the Shrouded Ruins possessed an enormous keystone body, though the giant Odd Keystone itself did not seem to serve much practical purpose. The vessel actually carrying Spiritomb's souls was the smaller Odd Keystone that Vessa had given Hikaru.
"In other words, this enormous Odd Keystone is more like a ceremonial object. It was left behind long ago by an Aura traveler capable of using mysterious magic."
"It serves the same purpose as sacred stakes, reinforcing the seal."
"There is no doubt that this enormous Odd Keystone is connected to Celestica. The Red Chain was forged at the Shrouded Ruins, and this place was once a paradise inhabited by the Celestica people. Many collapsed buildings remain here, and Lake Valor lies nearby."
During the Sinnoh era, the Shrouded Ruins stood in the upper-left area exposed after Lake Valor was bombed.
It was another place players could not enter. They could only look at it from a distance, since Magikarp blocked the way halfway there.
"There are twenty wisps in the Crimson Mirelands. There are another twenty in each of the Obsidian Fieldlands, Coronet Highlands, Cobalt Coastlands, and Alabaster Icelands."
"There are seven in Jubilife Village... No, eight if we count you."
"The number 108 represents the 108 worldly desires that must be severed before one can reach Nirvana. Upon attaining that state, a person can escape the cycle of life and death and enter eternity."
"Buddhist teachings are widespread throughout the Johto region. They seem to be connected to the legends of Ho-Oh..."
Monks lived in both the Bell Tower and Sprout Tower. Sprout Tower was led by an elder named Li, while three holy sages known as the Wise Trio stood outside the Bell Tower.
Therefore, in the Pokémon world, Ho-Oh was essentially the Buddha.
The story of witnessing Ho-Oh and receiving new life had probably been passed down through history. Before Raikou, Entei, and Suicune appeared, Ho-Oh must have left other legends behind in Johto.
Those stories inspired people to yearn for the power of rebirth through fire and begin their spiritual training.
"A long, long time from now..."
"I also used an Odd Keystone in the Crown Tundra. That Spiritomb was completely innocent, and the condition for breaking its seal was merely to spread its voice to thirty-two people."
"But I borrowed its gravestone without helping it deliver its message. It came screaming out of the grave in fury, only to be frightened by the rampaging Pokémon nearby and flee all the way to the coast..."
"Many Odd Keystones are also preserved throughout Sinnoh, sealing countless spirits."
"In Hoenn's future, someone obtained an Odd Keystone from Oreburgh Mine and brought it back to a certain facility. Unfortunately, the Odd Keystone was lost, and the man responsible was punished by his superiors."
"That Spiritomb has hidden aboard the abandoned Sea Mauville ever since."
"In the Almia region, the people who freed the king were once sealed away as Spiritomb and forced to live in bottomless caverns of darkness. Five Odd Keystones contained five hundred people. Supposedly, those people were sealed away three thousand years ago."
Hikaru began his pilgrimage and search, bringing Vessa along while telling her stories of a future that had yet to happen.
He told her countless tales, including stories about his homeland of Sinjoh and its ancient songs and dances. He also performed all kinds of music for her.
Vessa found everything fascinating, and her face shone with delight.
Ever since her seal had been broken, she had never been able to speak so freely with a living person while existing as one of the dead.
The experience warmed her very soul, making her feel as though she had returned to the days when she was still alive.
"You really are an incredible person. Every story I heard before began with 'a long, long time ago.' This is the first time I've heard someone begin a story with 'a long, long time from now.' How strange."
"I repeatedly listened to the ancestors of the Diamond and Pearl Clans recounting their ancient legends. Some of those stories agreed with the fragments of my memories, but many details did not match at all."
"Although the seal upon the Odd Keystone has been broken, many new people have also come to Hisui."
"For hundreds of years, the people of this land clung to ancient customs. They fought over their beliefs until rivers of blood were spilled."
"No one looked forward to the future. Perhaps they simply could not imagine what the future might be like. Naturally, a spirit like me could not imagine it either."
"But when the people of Jubilife Village came here, they brought many new cultures, things completely different from the customs of the past."
"New changes appeared across the land with every passing day, filling it with life."
"They also brought stories from distant places."
"The village is always lively. They cannot see me, and I cannot leave the shade beneath the trees. At night, there is no one for me to speak with, but... I still think it is wonderful."
"It feels like the old village has returned."
That was how Vessa felt.
She enjoyed staying in the village even if no one noticed her.
For a soul that had already died, life no longer existed and time had stopped long ago.
She could not understand what Hikaru meant by severing the 108 worldly desires. She only vaguely remembered that the traveler from the distant past might have said something similar.
Now, as she listened to Hikaru describe stories from the distant future, even Vessa could not help yearning for that world.
The time that had stopped in the past seemed to begin moving once again.
"Thank you for telling me these stories... Thank you... If I could return to how things were... If I could survive this time..."
"I want to see the 'Sun' one more time. I want to run freely beneath the sunlight... Is that too much to ask?"
"But when it comes to wishes, once you have one, you begin wanting a second."
"People are greedy. After seeing the Sun, I think that once I grow up, I could travel too. I want to see how vast the world is!"
"What kind of place is Sinjoh? Did the Celestica people spend a thousand years in a land similar to Hisui?"
"Were all of you as lonely as we were? What were Sinjoh's ancient songs and dances like? I want to see them so badly."
"But... I know that is probably impossible. Even the traveler with mysterious magic could not accomplish something like that!"
"Everyone who remained behind died. We turned Hisui... No, we turned Sinnoh into this."
"I'm sorry that the Diamond Clan, the Pearl Clan, and the people returning from Sinjoh had to see such a desolate land."
"I'm sorry. I truly am..."
"I want Hisui to return to how it used to be. I want everyone to live together happily again."
"No one should cause trouble. No one should betray or hate one another."
"Can we do that...?"
The girl's spirit disappeared.
Her voice had initially been filled with joy and longing, but by the end, nothing remained except sobbing apologies.
The wisp entered the Odd Keystone Vessa had given Hikaru.
Vessa prayed that a surviving descendant of Celestica from Sinjoh would be able to soothe the people's anger and sorrow.
"Please... Everything was our fault."
"This time, we won't bring disaster upon anyone. We'll remain quietly in our graves. We won't come out to cause trouble or play pranks again."
"So please... Will you bring the Sun back?"
The wind scattered the clouds and mist, sweeping away the haze that had accumulated around the Shrouded Ruins for hundreds of years.
Thin trails of dust rose from the small burial mounds containing the bones of the dead.
The cold wind carried them away, sending them drifting toward the distant sea.
Only the Thunderstruck Swordsman remained, continuing to tell story after story to the soul of the girl sleeping within the Odd Keystone.
"Mrrrow!"
Sneasler returned from the distance.
She had sensed an unsettling "thing" nearby for some time. After hearing that it was a ghost, she tried to catch it.
Unfortunately...
Fighting-type moves could not strike Ghost types.
That left Sneasler extremely annoyed.
When confronting wild Gastly or Haunter, she could at least slap them a few times with Poison-type moves. This ghost, however, had clearly once been human.
"No. A Ghost-type Pokémon is still a Pokémon, but a human ghost is an actual spirit."
"I've heard that restless spirits also linger in some of the other noble Pokémon's arenas."
Sneasler waved her claws.
"The Cobalt Coastlands... No, I suppose it happened out at sea."
"Long ago, the lord of Firespit Island, Arcanine, died in the ocean while protecting its child. Some members of the Pearl Clan claim they occasionally see a dark shadow on Firespit Island."
"There are rumors that the former lord's spirit never departed and still watches over the island."
"But as a Fighting type, I have trouble understanding things like that! If I died, do you think I would become a ghost?"
"Then again, I don't have anything in particular that I want to accomplish. Sometimes I find life interesting, while at other times it feels boring."
"I don't have any children yet. Without descendants to inherit my bloodline, the next noble can't be chosen."
"Did that rumor come from Basculegion?" Hikaru asked. "Anyone traveling from the Cobalt Coastlands to Firespit Island needs Basculegion's power."
"In other words, it is effectively the lord of the coast."
Sneasler flicked her ponytail.
"Oh, that's right. I heard it from Basculegion."
"That fellow appears to be a Ghost type, but it is protected by the Diamond Clan."
"Don't you think that's strange? Anyone who wants to reach Firespit Island, which belongs to the Pearl Clan, must rely on the Diamond Clan's power."
"Not long ago, Irida offered some advice to Palina, the warden caring for the previous island lord's descendants. She wanted Palina to train the two children, but Palina refused."
"'That child watched its father die with its own eyes. Would a proper warden force a deeply traumatized child through harsh training?'"
"That was her reasoning, meow."
"Still, if we want the Ten Nobles to gather and fight together again, what are we supposed to do about an island without a lord?"
"You intend to visit every legendary site in Hisui, don't you?"
"In other words, you're following that hand-drawn Plate you showed me. According to the way you humans describe it..."
"The Transcendent One and Sinnoh, Time, Space, the Lake Gods, the New Moon, the Nightmare, Molten Steel, Gratitude, the Ten Nobles, the Giants, the Shadow, and the Prince," Hikaru said. "That is the order."
"The lord of Firespit Island... Now that you mention it, I hadn't thought about that."
"Palina once competed with Irida for leadership of the Pearl Clan. During this period, I have visited the arenas throughout Hisui and conducted business near the Diamond Settlement. Because of that, the Diamond Clan has gradually learned more about Pokémon and the results of various studies."
"But on the Pearl Clan's side, I have yet to see Palina."
"Among all the wardens, Gaeric and Sabi in the Alabaster Icelands are comparatively easy to get along with."
"Gaeric is a bare-chested brute who wanders through the snow. Defeat him, and he will respect you as a strong opponent. People who let their fists do the talking are the easiest to understand."
"Sabi of the Diamond Clan seems to possess clairvoyance. She has Hisuian Braviary carry her through the sky and sometimes says things that make it seem as though she can see the future."
"She has an unusual presence and enjoys playing hide-and-seek inside Snowpoint Temple."
"However..."
"Because she looks after Hisuian Braviary, she can supposedly observe other people's movements from the sky."
"But ultimately, she is even younger than Lian. What does a child that age enjoy most?"
"Flying, of course!"
"I used a little psychic power and lifted her into the air with telekinesis. Then I asked whether she wanted to learn true 'clairvoyance.'"
"It is a spiritual ability passed down in the Johto region that can supposedly be acquired through training."
"Of course, I don't know how to teach it."
Many psychics had appeared throughout the generations, but only Morty had mastered that ability. He had trained specifically to see Ho-Oh's location, which demonstrated how difficult the technique was to learn.
"The hide-and-seek match naturally ended in my overwhelming victory," Hikaru continued. "With aura, finding Sabi's hiding place was effortless."
"That ability really is like cheating!" Sneasler complained.
"Still, Sabi does seem to possess a small amount of genuine psychic power. Perhaps she was born with an unusual constitution."
"What's interesting is..."
Cheryl was probably one of Sabi's descendants.
Although Sabi possessed an Observation Haki-like ability that allowed her to vaguely foresee the future, her descendants did not seem to inherit that power.
Cheryl even ended up being chased by ghosts inside the Old Chateau.
During Hikaru's visits throughout Hisui, even the stubborn Calaba, who guarded the Solaceon Ruins and Sludge Mound, occasionally came to see him after learning that he could concoct extraordinary medicines.
She continued to insist that the Pearl Clan should not interact with the Diamond Clan. She also considered the Galaxy Team's practice of catching Pokémon with Poké Balls barbaric and believed Hikaru, as a member of the Pearl Clan, should abandon it.
That was normal for Calaba.
She was ninety-nine years old and had personally experienced conflicts not only between the previous generation of the clans, but also two, three, or even more generations before that.
She had witnessed bloodshed firsthand. Her views on many matters could not be changed overnight.
However, when she saw that Hikaru could communicate with Pokémon without using Poké Balls, she appeared utterly bewildered.
Hikaru's answer had naturally been...
Keeping one's partners inside Poké Balls prevented them from going hungry and made it easier for them to travel at their Trainer's side.
Otherwise, considering the size and number of Hikaru's partners, if they all traveled outside their Poké Balls at once, anyone who saw them might assume he was organizing a forty-player raid.
Would people not panic if someone roamed the countryside with more than thirty powerful Pokémon?
Anyone unaware of the circumstances might think he intended to attack a city.
"Setting the previous matters aside, the throne of Firespit Island remains empty," Sneasler said.
"You also mentioned that another legendary Pokémon guarding a Plate lives deep within Firespit Island."
"Along the cliffs and mountains near the coast, beyond the sea gate and the cape, there are also... the Shadow and the Prince."
"If we continue north and follow the current, we should find several river mouths leading toward the Michina wasteland."
"That means the Cobalt Coastlands are extremely important."
"The island cannot remain without a lord."
"Why don't you train that little fellow?"
"Its warden doesn't want it to inherit the position, but we don't have time to worry about what she thinks."
"Irida tried to persuade her before, but she was scolded."
"Oh dear. Irida intends to explain herself again and demonstrate a Pokémon battle so Palina can understand the true meaning of fighting."
"But I think she'll come back empty-handed again."
Hikaru nodded slightly.
In short, having the Ten Nobles fight side by side would recreate the ancient hero's legendary feat.
At the same time, the other Legendary Pokémon needed to appear, and all the Pokémon guarding the inscription Plates had to be gathered together.
Dialga and Palkia would appear at the Temple of Sinnoh.
Recently, however, Hikaru could no longer sense Giratina's presence.
He did not know whether this was caused by the limitations of the era or the influence of transcendent space-time. Perhaps the overflowing energy was masking Giratina's aura.
But if the Transcendent One was about to awaken, would Giratina be delighted or terrified?
Before Giratina could stand upon the stage of light, it had already fought Arceus once in history.
Yet because the future containing that history had not arrived, Giratina remembered none of it.
The plan to destroy Arceus had been Giratina's idea.
"Interesting. Once Akari arrives, perhaps I should take her directly to Turnback Cave."
They could skip straight ahead to the timeline where Giratina surrendered after failing to defeat Akari and decided to protect Hisui.
However, judging from the situation, Volo's boss battle might be triggered ahead of schedule. If so, it would align with Volo's memories.
Unfortunately...
Volo would not be the person allowed to meet Arceus.
He would still need to endure 150 years of penance.
Unless...
"He met the Transcendent One but never reached Sinnoh."
"From a historical perspective, both titles refer to the same Arceus. Yet the old title and the present one have now been separated."
"In that case, Volo's wish for 'Arceus to create a better world' will never be fulfilled."
"When the Day of Reckoning arrives, even Volo himself will disappear."
Clop. Clop.
The sound of iron-shod hooves striking the earth gradually grew louder.
Something was approaching from the distance.
Hikaru and Sneasler both looked west.
The western edge of the Crimson Mirelands bordered the foothills of Mount Coronet, so the area contained many tall mountains.
Interestingly, the Obsidian Fieldlands and Crimson Mirelands were not actually connected.
On hand-drawn maps and maps of Sinnoh, the two regions represented the eastern and western plains of Sinnoh and Hisui, separated only by the magnificent Coronet mountain range.
However, on the official map of Hisui, the mountains between the wetlands and fieldlands were divided into two separate ranges.
Between them lay a small habitable plain crossed by two rivers.
Regardless of the game version, that region was impossible to reach.
"I saw cooking smoke in the distance, so I knew you had to be nearby."
"The people of the Diamond Settlement have been talking about you. They said you've spent the past several days wandering around the Crimson Mirelands."
"You visited Brava Arena, Sludge Mound, and Ursa's Ring. Now you're staying in the Golden Lowlands..."
"You've already visited the ruins and noble arenas here. Is there anything else you still need to investigate?"
The Pokémon arriving from the Obsidian Fieldlands was Wyrdeer.
Accompanying it was Mai, the Diamond Clan warden responsible for its care.
Mai was Marley's ancestor and Adaman's sworn elder sister. She held an important position within the Diamond Clan.
Despite that, she did not look like an adult at all. She appeared only fifteen or sixteen years old.
"Hello, Mai," Hikaru said. "Why has a warden from the Obsidian Fieldlands come to the Crimson Mirelands? Are you returning to the settlement?"
"Of course not. I rode the revered Wyrdeer all the way here because I have something important to tell you."
"It concerns Adaman. When he visited the Galaxy Team, he saw... Or rather, he learned something important from Miss Cyllene."
"That scholar from the distant region has now joined the Galaxy Team."
"Just as you said, he brought three Pokémon no one here has ever seen."
"Does this mean the prophesied 'Divine Thunder' is about to occur?"
"Professor Laventon has arrived?"
"I've spent so long visiting places throughout the Crimson Mirelands that I lost track of time."
"Fortunately, the Diamond Clan has been helping me. Thanks to them, I can keep track of the date and learn what happens each day."
"The Diamond Clan's people truly are punctual."
"Judging by how relaxed you look, you can spare me the praise," Mai replied. "Being praised by a Pearl Clan warden feels strange no matter how I think about it."
"In any case, I only came to deliver this message. It was also the revered Wyrdeer's wish."
"Now that I think about it, the Galaxy Team's building is remarkably impressive."
"They arrived more than two years ago, but this was my first time traveling from the Obsidian Fieldlands to their village."
"That foreign-looking building, constantly releasing steam, really is strange."
"Wyr."
Wyrdeer, which resembled a white-bearded old man, nodded toward Hikaru.
"An extraordinary power is pouring from the rift above Mount Coronet's summit!"
"There can be no mistake. It is the mighty power of Almighty Sinnoh!"
"The blood within us is trembling and roaring. It is gradually beginning to boil!"
"The number of wild Alpha Pokémon throughout the region is also increasing, and space-time distortions are appearing more frequently."
"Recently, something like that enormous Garchomp from the Alabaster Forest, a frenzied Pokémon, seems to have appeared near one of the noble arenas."
"Reports of battles have arrived from noble Pokémon throughout Hisui."
"Regions without a noble to guard them are becoming increasingly dangerous, including the Alabaster Forest."
"Hisui is descending into chaos!"
As a Psychic-type Pokémon, Wyrdeer was exceptionally sensitive to unusual power.
Frisk was also one of its three possible Abilities.
The black orbs in its antlers could generate and release psychic energy. Legends claimed that their power was great enough to distort space.
When Wyrdeer created invisible barriers, the black orbs emitted an eerie glow.
Its antlers also functioned like antennae, allowing it to search for safe routes.
"I understand," Hikaru said. "The energy inside the rift is about to overflow in the form of mysterious lightning."
"As you said, this lightning comes from the Almighty."
"However, it does not come from Sinnoh. It comes from the Transcendent One."
"We must prepare countermeasures for anyone struck by that lightning and driven into a frenzy."
"You should be careful around lightning from now on."
"Are you mentally prepared?"
"Although I appear elderly, I am still young by the standards of my species," Wyrdeer replied.
"However, if even we descendants of the Ten Nobles are driven into a frenzy, surrounded by golden lightning and granted power comparable to our ancestors..."
"Then I hope the one with the mission you spoke of truly possesses the strength to defeat us."
"Sinnoh... No, the god who must now be addressed as the Transcendent One."
"If it regains its former power, I would like to offer my own judgment. Unfortunately, I have never met Almighty Sinnoh, so I cannot reach any definite conclusion."
"I am ashamed."
"To recreate the legend, one must follow the ancient hero's example and earn the recognition of ten Pokémon."
"But what about you?"
"What do you intend to do?"
"Will you travel to the Michina wasteland, that place steeped in betrayal and sin?"
"Perhaps," Hikaru replied. "Though it will be the wasteland from eight hundred and fifty years ago."
"Before that, I still have many things to accomplish here."
"I am spreading stories about Pokémon throughout this land so its people can gradually understand you mysterious creatures and overcome their fear."
"In the words of Cogita from the Ancient Retreat, this is the moment when the heart is born."
"If there were no heart, no one would care even if the world disappeared."
"But because fear exists, people attempt to understand."
"I believe that was what she meant."
"Are you speaking with the revered Wyrdeer?" Mai asked. "How incredible."
"I already witnessed it once during your previous visit, but seeing it again still fills me with wonder."
"What does it feel like to speak with Pokémon?"
Wyrdeer nodded in clear approval.
"Indeed, you are accomplishing something truly magnificent."
"Upon this ancient land, you are gathering the scattered fragments of the Celestica age."
"I never met the ancient Celestica people, but your presence has convinced me of one thing."
"This place resembles the beginning of all history."
"It is the Founding Village."
"The Celestica people once demonstrated their strength to a god."
"Sinnoh acknowledged humanity's strength and returned to the highest heavens, a realm beyond the mortal world!"
"This truly was once a paradise where we Pokémon lived together with you humans!"
"Your existence bears witness to that truth!"
(End of Chapter)
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