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The high-density electricity poured into Kael's body like a raging flood.
Guided by the Thunder Stone at his chest, it washed through his muscles and nerves, tearing at every cell as it went.
It hurt.
Badly.
Beside him, Zeraora stood motionless cold blue eyes showing no trace of emotion.
In only a few seconds, Kael felt as though he'd been pumped full to bursting.
Like a balloon stretched to its limit, one small movent would be enough to make him explode.
"Haah... haah..."
The pain slowly receded, but the pressure did not. Every part of his body felt swollen and unstable.
He held perfectly still, teeth clenched, barely daring to breathe.
Carefully, very carefully, he pushed himself up and managed to stand.
Zeraora watched him in silence.
Kael lowered his head.
In this world, strength defines everything.
Against a Legendary like Zeraora, he was still just a Flaaffy.
A helpless, powerless Flaaffy.
A faint sense of sha tugged at him. But beneath it... an even stronger desire.
I want more power.
"Raora."
Zeraora's low voice broke the silence. Then it simply turned and began walking back the way they ca.
Kael limped after it like a battered follower. Each step had to be precise one wrong movent and the overloaded electricity in his body might detonate.
To his surprise, Zeraora deliberately slowed its pace, allowing him to catch up without falling behind.
Eventually, after nearly twice the ti it had taken to reach that place, they made it back to the Thunder-stone alcove.
It was like stepping out of a furnace and into cool air conditioning.
The electric pressure in the air dissipated.
Kael visibly relaxed.
Glancing at the embedded stones in the cliff wall, he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
Sa high-density electricity yet this spot feels gentle and comfortable...
He lowered himself carefully to the ground, leaning against the rock.
"Haah..."
Across from him, Zeraora assud its usual seated position silent, distant.
Kael gave a tired, helpless smile, plucked a pink dicinal berry from the nearby branch, and took a bite.
Sweet. Sickeningly sweet.
But this ti, instead of gathering in his abdon, the gentle warmth spread through his entire body following the pathways that electricity had violently carved earlier.
The sudden heat startled him. For a mont, irritation even flashed in his eyes.
Enough already... why is everything out of my control!?
If I were as strong as Arceus, none of this would be happening...
He closed his eyes and focused.
...and gradually, the warmth soothed the overflowing electricity, smoothing it out, guiding it back into proper flow.
Kael exhaled, grabbed a second berry, and, still glaring at Zeraora, bit down hard.
---
The Next Morning
Kael opened his eyes.
...and imdiately noticed the difference.
The swollen, explosive feeling was gone.
His body felt stable.
Strong. Filled with dense, high-quality electricity.
More importantly—
The storage limit... actually increased a little.
A glint flashed in his eyes.
Across the alcove, Zeraora rose, electricity flickering in silver arcs across its fur. The Legendary stretched lazily... then tilted its head toward the exit.
"Raora."
Follow .
A bad feeling crept up Kael's spine.
"...No way... don't tell —"
He followed.
Step after step, the landscape around them grew more familiar... and more oppressive. This text is hosted at NoveIꜰire
The air thickened again with dense electricity.
This ti he got thirty ters farther than yesterday before collapsing to one knee.
"Haah... haah—!"
His vision shook. Magnetic force suddenly wrapped around him, lifting him into the air.
He looked up—
Zeraora stood waiting, charged claw flickering.
Kael closed his eyes with a hopeless sigh.
Knew it... round two...
---
anwhile – Northern Edge of the Clara Mountains
Three black off-road jeeps rolled to a stop at the forest's edge.
Captain Louis stepped out, his eyes fixed on the shadowed outline of the forest ahead.
Even in daylight, the trees looked gloomy.
Clack.
He clapped his hands, calling his squad to assemble.
"Ahem—"
His serious voice cut the chatter.
"You all understand the danger of this mission. One careless mistake could kill not only you, but the entire unit. Don't get sloppy."
His gaze swept across a few of the more hot-headed mbers, and even they lowered their eyes in silence.
They had heard the rumors since childhood. The Clara Mountains devoured the reckless and arrogant alike.
One of the organization's consultants had briefed them on possible threats. Even the most stubborn mbers couldn't help but feel a chill.
Louis let the silence hang for a mont—
"...Alright. Last equipnt check. We move out in ten."
He tightened the special belt at his waist, fingers brushing over a particular black Poké Ball resting there.
Just feeling its weight brought him a asure of confidence.
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