----
Under the soft glow of moonlight, Charizard circled overhead and descended gracefully toward the Sea Temple's terrace.
Kai landed lightly, still carrying Maya in his arms. The balcony was quiet now, save for the rhythmic crashing of waves from the swirling maelstrom below. Shattered glass from the earlier scuffle still sparkled across the stone tiles, reflecting silvery fragnts of starlight.
He didn't put Maya down imdiately.
With her barefoot and dressed only in her silk nightgown, there was no way he was letting her walk across broken glass.
The glass cracked and crunched beneath Kai's shoes as he carefully stepped across the room and finally lowered her onto the bed.
He exhaled softly. It wasn't a long fight, but at this hour, even dashing through the sky on Charizard's back took its toll.
"Looks like it's finally over," he said with a tired smile. "The Rockets won't be bothering you again tonight."
Maya's face was still pale, her expression mixed with lingering tension. "So… those were the infamous Team Rocket," she muttered. "I've heard the na, of course, but this was my first encounter. I didn't think they'd co after the Sea God—or my staff."
She turned to him then, her voice earnest. "I know I've said it already… but thank you. If you hadn't arrived when you did…"
Kai waved a hand. "No need for thanks. Really. Gengar was the one who spotted them sneaking around. If it weren't for him, I probably would've slept through the whole thing."
He conveniently left out the part where he almost ignored it and went back to bed.
In truth, if he hadn't stepped in, the Rockets probably would've just snatched the staff and vanished. Maya might never have been in danger at all. Maybe. But the reality played out differently, and she was safe now. That was what mattered.
A brief silence fell between them.
Kai could feel the air shift, subtle but unmistakable. Maya's gaze lingered longer than before. It reminded him of the way Sabrina used to look at him… or the way Trinity sotis did now.
He stood up abruptly.
"I'll let you rest. Have soone clean up the glass, and get so sleep," he said, turning and striding toward the door, leaving behind a faint smile and a deliberately neutral tone.
Behind him, Maya remained seated on the bed, watching his back disappear into the hallway. She didn't speak. But her eyes held sothing quiet… sothing contemplative.
---
The next morning, as the group gathered in the main hall for breakfast, Maya casually explained the prior night's incident. She kept it brief just that Team Rocket had attacked and been repelled.
Small details like who had rescued her and how were glossed over.
When they heard, Ash and the others were stunned.
"What!? Team Rocket broke into the temple last night!?" Brock slamd the table, outraged. "That's unforgivable! Are you okay, Maya?"
"I'm alright," she said with a calm smile. "Thanks to Kai."
At that, Kai simply continued eating, unbothered, as if she were talking about soone else entirely.
In truth, the Sea Temple's structure and the constant roar of the maelstrom had muffled most of the noise—so it was no wonder the others slept through it all.
Still, Trinity glanced between Kai and Maya more than once, her eyes narrowing slightly. A woman's intuition was sharp. Sothing had happened last night—sothing more than what was being said.
But neither of them showed it.
Once breakfast ended, Maya personally escorted them to the temple gates.
"Last night proved sothing important," she said, her tone solemn. "The Rockets aren't just after ceremonial items. That staff may have been a symbolic target, but I believe it was part of a bigger plan. They want the Sea God—and we can't let that happen."
"Don't worry," Ash said, puffing out his chest. "We've dealt with them before—and we'll stop them again!"
Brock and Misty echoed his resolve. "Count on us."
Maya's lips curved into a grateful smile. "I'll be waiting for your good news."
---
Later, the group made their way down to the port, where they caught a small boat bound for Silver Rock Island.
According to the clues Maya had shared, the last known appearance of the Sea God—Lugia—was near the waters around that island.
Silver Rock was one of the four major islands that ford the Whirl Islands. Smaller than Red Fla Island,
Locals believed these "silver rocks" brought good luck and protection. Unsurprisingly, that reputation had given rise to a booming (and questionable) tourist market full of counterfeit trinkets.
But today's sea voyage proved to be anything but lucky.
The skies were overcast. Winds high. Waves choppy. The tiny vessel rocked and bucked so violently that even Kai found himself getting dizzy.
Eventually, he had enough.
He released Charizard and, with Erika in tow, took to the skies. Flying, at least, helped ease the queasiness.
Fortunately, Silver Rock wasn't far.
After only a couple of hours, they spotted the familiar coastline—and as if by magic, the storm broke.
The winds cald. The skies cleared.
Sunlight returned, as though welcoming them.
----
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