"So, what's the plan?" Tristan sat cross-legged on the ground, looking up at Hayate.
Hayate didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Caleb, who stood in the shadows, "Terrence, what do you think?"
Caleb: "I'm fine with anything. It's up to you guys."
He had been running around outside all day, and the few hours of sleep he'd managed to get last night hadn't been nearly enough. Right now, he was exhausted.
Caleb lowered his head, his face obscured in the darkness, making it impossible to read his expression.
Recalling the events of the past two days, how Caleb had single-handedly taken down those seemingly unbeatable Gigantamax Pokémon, the others immediately felt that this guy was shrouded in mystery.
Tristan glanced at his Lickitung, remembering how Caleb had healed it with the power of Viridian.
'The Viridian Power, an ability worth 500 000 points. Surviving solo in a survival Instance, and even defeating those Gigantamax Pokémon… This guy is definitely a top-tier player...' Seeing Caleb's calm demeanor, Hayate quietly sighed in relief.
He scanned the group and announced, "Then we'll start exploring the underground caverns at dawn. No matter what, we need to locate Eternatus first."
No one objected. Hayate continued, "We'll split into pairs and search separately."
Luna immediately rushed to Caleb's side and called dibs, "I'm with him!"
Caleb swayed slightly, jolted awake by Luna's voice.
Hayate nodded, "Then, I'm with my sister."
That left Tristan and Walter, who exchanged a glance full of mutual disdain.
Caleb subtly rubbed his sore shoulder and said, "Why split up? If we want to find Eternatus, why not just ask a Pokémon that lives in the caverns?"
Unaware of Caleb's Viridian ability, Hayate hesitated, "But we can't communicate with wild Pokémon…"
"Leave it to me," Caleb said, "Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll face this Scenario's final battle."
Though puzzled, Hayate didn't press further, "Alright. We've still got a few hours before dawn. Everyone should get some sleep."
....
Dawn arrived...
Caleb opened his eyes to see Tristan walking into the cave with an armful of berries.
He distributed them to the group, and when it was Caleb's turn, Tristan scratched his head awkwardly, "You… your name is Terrence, right?"
Caleb nodded, unsure where this was going.
Tristan took a deep breath, then continued, "I… I'm sorry for what I said to you when we first entered the Instance."
He handed Caleb a berry, but then pulled it back, wiping it on his clothes before offering it again, "They're all washed!"
"As long as you've figured things out," Caleb said with a faint smile, not pressing further.
After a simple breakfast, the group set out...
Along the way, Caleb had Dragonite catch a few wild Pokémon and used his Viridian Power to communicate with them.
Unfortunately, none had useful information.
Hayate watched as Caleb withdrew his Viridian aura and reassured him, "Don't worry. Let's try a few more. Maybe another Pokémon knows something."
They pressed on, and finally, a Marowak provided a clue.
Marowak scratched its head worriedly:
>...Not long ago, a big purple rock fell from the sky onto the island. Ever since then, giant Pokémon started appearing every night!..<
Caleb: "Can you take us to where the rock landed? Maybe we can fix the problem."
Marowak agreed, leading the way with its bone club in hand...
...
After navigating through dense, winding forests, they arrived at the impact site...
It was a massive crater about sixty meters in diameter, its depths were pitch-black and unfathomable.
Standing at the edge, they could hear the eerie howl of wind rushing from below.
Walter's eyes widened, "Holy smokes! This looks just like the Rotten Vale from Monster Hunter!"
Caleb had played 'Monster Hunter' too. The Rotten Vale was a colossal underground lake beneath the Ancient Forest. It was connected to the ocean and a vast network of waterways.
Hayate blinked, then glanced at Caleb, "So… we're supposed to fight down there?"
"I don't see another way," Tristan said, "Unless someone wants to go down and lure Eternatus up… which seems impossible."
Walter frowned, "I wonder if the space down there is big enough for Eternamax Eternatus..."
Normal Eternatus stood twenty meters tall. As for Eternamax Eternatus? It was around one hundred meters.
If the underground space wasn't large enough and Eternatus suddenly transformed mid-battle… they'd be crushed alive.
This was a serious problem...
"Maybe… we should send someone down to scout first?" Hayate suggested.
Immediately, all eyes turned to Caleb and Setsuka, the only trainers in the group with flying Pokémon.
Setsuka glanced at Caleb and volunteered, "I'll go. My Talonflame is faster."
Hayate shot his sister a disapproving look.
Before he could argue, Caleb cut in, "We'll go together. If Eternatus spots us, one of us will need to hold it off."
Hayate opened his mouth, hesitated, then took a deep breath. He looked at Caleb pleadingly. "Bro… please take care of my sister."
Setsuka facepalmed, "Seriously, Nii-san?"
Caleb sighed, then replied, "If you're so worried, why not go down yourself instead?"
Hayate froze, then immediately turned to Setsuka, saying, "I'll go in your place."
Setsuka: "…"
Caleb had seen enough. He turned and commanded Dragonite to use DragonDance, maxing out its speed and attack.
The others stared in confusion. Tristan couldn't help but ask, "Uh… Terrence, what are you doing?"
Caleb glanced back, "Prepping for the fight. Obviously."
Hayate, still mid-argument with his sister, watched Dragonite's buff routine with a dumbfounded expression, "Wait, you can do that?"
Caleb gave him a weird look, "…Don't tell me you've been following official battle rules in a place like this..."
Hayate: "…"
'Well... It seems we've been naïve.' he thought.
Setsuka facepalmed again, then released her Talonflame and ordered, "Talonflame, use Swords Dance and Agility!"