Well, that was awkward. Arezu, for her part, looked devastated but didn’t utter a single word of complaint. Instead, Mai just patted her reassuringly on the shoulder and we wordlessly complied with Adaman.

The Diamond Clan leader led us towards a particular tent that looked no different to the others and opened the front flap, revealing an actual wooden-based wall and door behind. He slid the door open and ducked into the tent. I followed after Laventon and Akari.

Inside, despite its fabric exterior, was deceptively home-like with wood walls and floors. Support beams laced in criss-crosses across the wall and rose towards a circular point in the ceiling. A banner featuring a poem atop a painting of a strange Pokémon sat behind Adaman’s desk- which was devoid of any and all decorations. Small feather-filled cushions and wooden chairs were scattered in a semi-circle around Adaman’s desk. We opted to take our seats there.

Adaman, instead of sitting on his pillowed seat, sat atop his desk and let his feet hang just shy of touching the floor. He leaned forward. “I’m glad to see you all safe.”

Mai, business as usual, started to explain to him the details of our encounter with Irida without any form of small talk beforehand. While Adaman frowned and listened intently, I eyed the poem behind him.

Heaven’s crown, nearest to Almighty Sinnoh.

Power of Almighty Sinnoh,

Gather as stone at heaven’s mount.

Stone, let your power flow-

Distort and bend the world around you.

Below it, I recognised the Pokémon in the painting as a semi-abstract depiction of Dialga. The Lord of Time and the Diamond Clan’s deity.

I focused back to Adaman when Mai finished her explanation. “Well,” he straightened and raised his chin slightly. “This blows.”

“Will Irida attack?” there was an uncharacteristic worry creeping into Mai’s voice.

“If Irida’s Nobles are all out of whack like ours, then the whole dynamic of this war changes. Instead of keeping our weaknesses close to our chest, this had now evolved into a race to quell our defenders. Should Irida achieve this before us, she’ll definitely go for the throat. But for now? She wouldn’t dare without her Nobles. At least I hope…” Adaman’s gaze turned distant.

“We’re helping you with your Nobles to save lives,” I made myself clear before this conversation could devolve into politics, “and for your help in saving the world. I won’t help you wage war with another clan. I refuse to.”

Arezu shot me a look like she was horrified that I dared speak out of turn to Adaman. Mai actually looked rather furious and didn’t even glance my way. But I didn’t care. I had grown angry. I was impatient. All I wanted was to go home where I was safe and happy, but now I found myself in the middle of petty politics over deities that both existed. We were here solely to help with Lilligant- nothing more- and Adaman was talking war right in front of us?!

Adaman, for his part, seemed unaware of my frustration and wrapped his hands behind his head, letting his foot bob against his desk. “Yeah, I know…” he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “If we get our Nobles back before Irida does, we won’t attack. That isn’t how we work. The Pearl Clan were the ones to wage war- not us. Believe it or not, we actually got along well- albeit rather tensely- before… before Irida stepped in.”

If the Diamond Clan were to be believed, it was Irida who had started this war. But why? Was the Diamond Clan partly at fault? Did they incite Irida into it? Or was Irida truly as crazed as they're making her out to be? I had just opened my mouth to respond when a sudden dull whispering slinked into my ears. It filled my mind with so many voices I couldn’t tell what each of them were saying and a flash of Giratina’s glowing red eyes flung into my vision. I reared back in equal parts surprise and fear.

Adaman had seen my reaction. “You saw that, too?”

I nodded and took a deep breath. “Yeah…”

“It happens only when at the Diamond Clan Settlement,” Adaman mumbled. “I don’t know why. My only relief is that they’re quite rare.”

“Wha… what are you talking about?” Laventon asked with a concerned look towards me.

“I’ll explain later,” I waved him off. Not the time. And I wasn’t sure I was even allowed to tell him.

“Right!” Adaman suddenly clapped his hands together and we all jumped and sat a little straighter. “Onto pressing matters. Our Noble Pokémon, Lilligant, has gone absolutely crazy since that thunderstorm and we can’t figure out why. It attacks anything on sight and releases spores that enable it to control your body. We used to have someone that could approach Lilligant without having her send up her spores into the air, but that someone decided to defy my orders and get herself hurt!” Adaman sent a cruel scowl to Arezu who seemed to shrink in on herself. “So, now we have to figure out how to get past the spores while also calming the thing down. Any ideas?”

Laventon thankfully stepped up to the plate. He flourished a small piece of paper from his lab coat and got himself ready to take notes. “Tell me what you know about Lilligant.”

Adaman considered, before shuffling himself to face the professor properly. “She’s humanoid- as you well know. She packs a mean kick and can sharpen her arms into blades- and I mean blades- of grass to slice her opponents with. Which, I might add, she used to great effect on Arezu’s face…”

Poor girl…

“Aside from that,” he continued. “She’s deceptively fast and can jump quite high. The flower she keeps on her head can produce this awful sickeningly sweet smell, and I’ve already mentioned those spores.”

“The smell is harmless but can be a little distracting,” Arezu piped up. “And you’ll be able to taste the sickly air on your tongue. Her spores are the biggest issue. She usually uses them to fend off wild Pokémon, but now she’s using them to fend off us. Thankfully, those who inhale them usually recover after a few hours. Even while frenzied, she refuses to use her spores on me, but she’ll still attack…”

“Arezu was close with Lilligant,” Mai elaborated. “Which may be why she objects to using spores in Arezu’s presence. As Lilligant’s Warden, Arezu spent by far the most time with her, you see.”

“I used to love her like a daughter,” Arezu hugged herself tight. Starly, still on her shoulder, cocked her head inquisitively and chirped. “But now I don’t even recognise her…”

“Spores…” Laventon tapped the side of his head with a finger. “Are the spores flammable?”

Adaman frowned. “I believe so…”

“Maybe we can use a fire type move to burn them away…” Laventon shot Akari a very quick glance. “But that might cause some other problems…”

“Golett wouldn’t be bothered by the spores,” I offered. “But that would mean it’d have to deal with Lilligant alone until it can lure her out of the spore cloud.”

Noble Pokémon were apparently ridiculously strong. And while Golett was a terror in its own sense, I really didn’t want to hinge our entire plan on having it one-v-one Lilligant.

“I have a Flareon that can provide some fire moves,” Adaman spoke up with a small nod to himself. “He’s not very strong, but Flamethrower should be enough to burn the spores away. Are you sure that'll work? I've never even considered such an option before.”

"Yes, quite," Laventon waved his free hand distractedly while scribbling into his notes. "We'll take your Flareon if you're able, dear boy."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“That would require Adaman's presence while we try and stop Lilligant,” Mai countered. “It’s too risky.”

“Come on, Mai!” Adaman protested as if he needed her permission instead of the other way around. “You know our clan’s mantra. It is sacrilege to allow a threat to keep harming my members. It’s my duty to help as leader.”

“What will we do after we burn away the spores?” Laventon asked. "In Galar, we used to suffer terribly from enlarged Pokémon that would run rampant, you see. Battling them into exhaustion worked for them. Perhaps the same could be the case for your Noble?"

“It's worth a try, I guess. I have Golett to brawl it,” I spoke up. “Bidoof can Protect our battlers and Starly’s shown herself to be quite good at attacking from the sky. My Ralts can also fire off attacks from a good distance.”

“Are we sure attacking Lilligant will break its frenzy?” Adaman cocked a brow.

“Lilligant does seem to have a lot of energy coursing through her,” Arezu muttered. “I mean… she’s practically glowing there’s so much of it.”

“So, you think that getting it to dispel such energy through battle will quell it?” Mai asked.

“What other choice do we have?” Adaman shrugged. “I can pitch in with Leafeon and Umbreon, though they won’t do much against Lilligant by themselves. As aggressive as she is, Lilligant almost never leaves the Shrouded Ruins, so running is an option if we fail.”

Is it though? After so many Diamond Clan members were wounded and even killed just by checking in on her? I kept my mouth shut. Adaman would know more than me, so I'd have to trust his word.

“Munchlax is a close-counter Pokémon only,” Mai said apologetically. “So I’m afraid I can’t risk his life sending him in. He'd be too slow to flee from close-quarters combat.”

It looked like only Golett might stand up to Lilligant without attacking her from afar.

We continued for another half hour and discussed strategy. The plan overall didn’t change. Hope it wouldn’t rain and then open the fight with Flareon burning away at the spores. I’d send in Golett beforehand since it shouldn’t be bothered by the fire and hopefully it’d be able to score a few good hits while Lilligant reeled from the flames. After that, it’s hope, hope, hope that Golett can withstand her long enough that our other Pokémon could wear her down.

But just as we were debating what to do if Lilligant simply ignored Golett in favour of taking out our long-ranged attackers, Mai spoke up with a rather interesting idea. “What if we have Vesper mix in some sleeping drafts into Lilligant’s food?”

“Fascinating,” Adaman seemed to approve. “Would it work?”

“I could have Golett throw it from afar if it’s like kibble,” I offered. “If Lilligant doesn’t see us, maybe she’d take the bait. It'd mean we wouldn't even have to fight her.”

If that didn't work, it might at least slow her down during the fight. We might as well try.

Arezu also seemed eager. She was good friends with Vesper- who she often chatted with when collecting Lilligant’s favourite food from her- and promised to get her on board.

The meeting ended with a faint spark of hope. I just prayed I wasn’t overestimating Golett. If our sleeping draft plan worked, we wouldn't even need to bank on its strength. At the very least, though, some training was in order just in case. My Pokémon needed better moves and more battling experience. Adaman showed us to our tent, which we would all share. It was similar to Adaman’s bar the desk, and had two sets of bunk beds lined up on either wall. We deposited our supplies in our new abode and sat down to eat.

During the meal, I noticed a very palpable tension in the room. Laventon kept throwing Akari strange looks and the young woman kept tightening her fists whenever her hands were free from eating. I silently scarfed down my mushroom cake. I hated mushrooms, still do in fact, but you wouldn’t survive in Hisui by being picky. So, I contended with it.

The moment Akari finished off her meal, Laventon spoke up. “Akari…”

She shot to her feet. “You know I won’t do it!” she cried. “Don’t even try to convince me!”

“Akari wait!” Laventon half-stood up. “It’s just a single flamethrower. And all we’ll burn is spores. Trust me! We need to do this! If there was another option, I’d choose it in a heartbeat! Trust me, old girl! Look, if our plan with Lilligant’s food works, we won’t even need to use fire!”

“Doesn’t matter,” Akari started to stomp out of the tent. “I won’t do it!”

She slammed the sliding door shut behind her. I sheepishly chewed on a piece of mushroom cake in silence.

“I’m terribly sorry,” Laventon said to me. “I knew she’d react like this, which was why I waited until she finished her food. I’ll go get her.”

I stopped Laventon when he tried to rise to his feet. “No,” I sighed and put down the rest of my food. I wasn’t enjoying it, anyways. “I’ll find her. Starly’s with Arezu still, but I have Golett, Ralts, and Bidoof to help. She might’ve ran into the wild without her Oshawott.”

“Okay, dear boy,” Laventon nodded and let himself sit again. “Bring her back safe. Okay?”

I agreed and trudged out of the door.

I stepped outside onto the central plaza with the stone spire in the middle. Children played around it whilst mothers chatted to each other between keeping a watchful eye on them. A man strode with his Roselia whilst guards stood alert with Pokémon such as Yanmega, Carnivine, and Skuntank.

I tried to initially head north into the forest after I failed to seek Akari within the settlement, but the Diamond Clan guards stopped me. Lilligant was northwards and nobody was allowed past in fear of being attacked. I tried east next and was quickly halted by sheer cliff faces that hid a fast-flowing river. No sign of Akari there.

I went south therefore and managed to find her sitting by herself on a rocky overlook to Bolderoll Slope. There were a few Cherubi in the nearest tree eyeing her wearily, but otherwise she had found a pretty secluded spot. I wordlessly sat next to her and followed her gaze to the Geodude and Graveler mingling in the sloping rock face below.

It took a few minutes for my silence to break her.

“You must think I’m so weak after what happened in The Heartwood,” she muttered to me with venom in her voice.

“I don’t.” I had honestly forgotten about her strange reaction amidst all the chaos that day wrought.

“You don’t know a thing about me,” she snapped and her fists tightened around her trousers. “You know nothing about what I had to go through.”

“I don’t, no.” I agreed.

We lapsed back into silence.

“You should’ve at least taken Oshawott with you,” I said, eyeing her empty belt. “Going into the wild, close as we are to the settlement, might get you hurt.”

“Whatever.”

“And,” I quickly added, refusing to let her shut me out. “He probably would’ve enjoyed your company. Just you and him.”

Akari glanced my way before settling her eyes back onto the view of the Mirelands. The sun was fast approaching the distant hills and an orange glow bathed the dead marsh below. “I don’t even like Oshawott,” she mumbled in a sulk.

“I disagree,” I kept my gaze on her. “I saw how worried you looked when he got hurt against those Croagunk. I think you do care for him.”

Akari scoffed. “Well, you’re wrong.”

I stared at her for a lingering moment before letting it go. Perhaps simply being quiet was best in this moment. I watched the sun’s dying rays glimmer among the odd pools of clean water below. I saw an Onix slowly shift its linked-boulder body around a hill to catch its waning warmth. Croagunk croaked and chuckled in the distant as they lowered themselves deeper into mud pools. Behind us, the faint rustling of leaves accentuated a gentle breeze.

Such a natural beauty compared to the built-up landscapes of Sinnoh…

“When I was twelve, the White Beast came for our village,” Akari suddenly spoke up out of nowhere. “My parents screamed when it landed atop our neighbour’s house and I can still hear the wood snap and splinter as it collapsed and fell apart…”

I turned my gaze to her. She was hugging her knees and was watching the distant sun slowly reach for the peaks of the hills in the west. “I felt the heat before the fires started and my parents threw me into the basement before I could even react…” she paused for a deep breath. “They latched the door so I couldn’t escape. I then had to listen to them scream and scream as the fire tore through our village. They lasted so long before…”

A low, trembling sigh. “…when it was done, I found that the fire had melted the latch on the basement door. My house had completely collapsed. There weren’t even walls anymore. Everything was black. There was fire everywhere. I couldn’t even see the sky for all the smoke. But I could see the monster that had destroyed everything I had held dear. It was pure-white, like a beacon of good, and had kind blue eyes. I saw a man riding on it. I hid among the ash and debris and I silently sobbed while it started to search for me. I could hear it inhaling the acrid air- smelling for me.”

She stopped for a shaky breath. “And then the Golurk came. I took the opportunity to run while the beast was distracted and made it safely away just in time to escape the blasts of fire. I heard it scream when the Golurk didn’t fall and all of the sounds I could hear was just pure chaos. I kept running and running until I couldn’t run anymore…” she stopped for a brief moment before looking at me. “The White Beast was supposed to be a good Pokémon that only heroes can befriend. It was meant to have a pure heart and a golden will. Why did it do that? Why did that happen?”

I wished I had an answer for her, but I didn’t. Instead, I pulled her into a hug and held her close. “You don’t want to see the fire when we quell Lilligant.” I guessed.

“I’m terrified of it,” she muttered into my shoulder. “Every time I see fire, I think back to my parents’ screams and… I… I just can’t cope with it.”

“Hey, I understand,” I cooed. “You don’t need to be there for Lilligant. You can wait back at the Diamond Clan Settlement while we work. Nobody will judge you for it.”

Akari would’ve been an extra pair of hands to help out if things went wrong, but I couldn’t justify sending her into a rendition of flame. It was too cruel knowing what I did then.

Akari wordlessly pulled out of my embrace, and we silently watched the waning rays caress the marshland below as the sun started to dip below the western hills. The air seemed to shimmer around the hill and a brief glare of sparkling light reflected in our eyes before it was eclipsed by the rocks. Below us, the marsh seemed to be preparing for slumber. Croagunk and Hippopotas slinked deeper into their mud pools as the light gave way to shadow and I could see less and less Pokémon out in the open.

"Shall we go back?" I asked when the sun finally dipped entirely out of view, sending us a final farewell ray before disappearing entirely.

"Yeah," Akari nodded slowly. "Let's go back."