The morning mist had lifted by the time Riven rolled out of bed. His body was sore—not from battle, but from honest work. The kind of fatigue that left him satisfied rather than worn.
He stood before the mirror-like reflection in a nearby pond and splashed cold water over his face. The farm stretched behind him, dappled in golden sunlight, buzzing with life and purpose.
Today would be about quiet strength. No rush. No battles. Just building deeper connections.
He opened his System Interface with a quick thought.
[Daily Quest Available: "Work Beside Them"]
Spend time completing a task with your Pokémon, not simply directing them.Assist in at least one training session and contribute to Sanctum Ring restoration.
Reward: +50 FP | Bond Progress | 1x Glowroot Bulb (bound drop)
Riven smiled. "Alright. Let's get our hands dirty."
Sableye was already awake, seated quietly beside the food bin and watching the others with those eerie gem-like eyes. Riven handed him a small portion of moistened berry mash and noticed the slight nod of appreciation.
He had yet to speak much, but his awareness was growing clearer with each passing day.
Riolu was up next, beginning his usual kata practice under the old tree near the eastern edge of the field. His motions were crisper now, faster. More refined.
Zorua was still in her den… or so he thought—until she dropped a light stick on his head from the tree above with a muffled snort.
"Training or trouble?" Riven asked.
Zorua just flicked her tail and disappeared behind the barn.
Buneary and Stufful were play-fighting again. Though Buneary's movements were graceful, Stufful had raw power. Riven watched closely, nodding to himself.
"Alright," he called out, drawing all their attention, "Today we train together. Not just you all—me too."
The Sanctum Ring project was becoming more than a restoration—it was becoming a symbol of unity. Each Pokémon had chosen tasks suited to their strengths.
Riolu helped carry logs. Zorua and Buneary fetched smaller materials. Stufful pushed heavy stones into place, sometimes dragging them on a broken wooden sled Riven had fashioned.
Today, however, Riven joined in fully.
He rolled his sleeves up, took a sharpened stick, and helped dig the foundation trench beside Stufful. The bear Pokémon looked at him curiously, then huffed in amusement and pressed its head to the soil.
They worked side by side for hours.
Sweat ran down his face. His hands blistered. But when he saw Riolu nod silently at him during a break, it felt worth it.
As the sun hit its peak, the ring began to take shape.
Two logs had been set vertically, framing a mossy arch.
Stone slabs now ringed the edge, forming a shallow basin where something would likely be planted later.
Riven opened the System.
[Sanctum Ring Progress: 45%]
Core Structure Stabilized.+1 Glowroot Bulb Acquired.
Bonus Reward Unlocked:Passive Gained — "Field of Ease"While in your territory, Pokémon fatigue recovery is accelerated by 10%.
The bulb pulsed faintly in his hand—luminescent and warm, with veins of blue light running through it. Carefully, he planted it in the center of the ring.
A subtle hum filled the air.
Afternoon Training — Mind Over Muscle
After lunch, Riven brought Riolu and Zorua to the training corner—a flat patch surrounded by rocks and wooden posts.
Today's focus: Mental clarity.
"Riolu," Riven said, tossing a piece of fruit into the air, "catch."
The Pokémon caught it mid-spin without blinking.
"Now again, but close your eyes this time."
Riolu hesitated, then nodded. He closed his eyes, focusing.
This time, Riven tossed it at a trickier angle.
A breath. A step. A catch.
Perfect.
"Good," Riven said. "It's not just muscle you train. It's your awareness."
Zorua yawned dramatically from her perch.
"Alright, your turn, trickster."
She leapt down, curious.
"Let's test your illusions."
Riven pulled out a red cloth and tossed it to her. "Mimic this."
Zorua's form shimmered, and in an instant, she appeared to be holding the same red cloth in her paw—made of wispy light and trickery.
"Now make it disappear."
With a twitch of her tail, it vanished.
"Now reappear."
This time, it exploded into confetti.
Riven clapped once, grinning. "You're getting creative."
Zorua puffed her chest and nuzzled his hand.
As the sun began to lower, Riven sat with Buneary and Stufful by the wildflowers, showing them how to recognize safe herbs and root crops.
They dug gently, sniffed the air, tasted small bits of greenery.
"Not every lesson needs force," Riven said aloud, mostly to himself.
Buneary nodded. Stufful gave a thoughtful grunt.
In the distance, Riolu resumed his silent katas under the tree.
Sableye sat on a stump nearby, watching.
It was a quiet, peaceful evening. One where the wind whispered through the leaves and no cries of battle echoed in the air.
For once, Riven didn't feel like he needed to rush.
System Notification:
[Daily Quest Complete: "Work Beside Them"]FP +50Bond Progress: Riolu (Strong), Zorua (Medium), Stufful (Medium)
Glowroot Bulb Added to Inventory (1/4 for Ring Activation)
That night, by the fire, Riven scratched quietly in his notebook. He recorded Zorua's illusion behavior, Riolu's blind catches, and Stufful's cooperation without prompt.
He also noted Buneary's quiet leadership.
And Sableye's growing presence.
He thought about what this all meant.
This wasn't just training.
It was family-building.
And in this world, that might be the most powerful strength of all.