I stood in the main courtyard of Fortress Leonhart, watching my team scattered around the grounds.
"Alright, everyone," I called out, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "Need to talk to you all about something."
Their heads shot up to where they were lounging.
"So I—" I paused, glancing at Irene who stood beside me with that slight smile she always wore.g. "No, we decided to take on the hundred year quest."
The reaction was immediate and exactly what I'd expected.
Zephyr, Blaze, Levi, and Rayna all tilted their heads in unison, clearly unfamiliar with the term. Which made sense—they hadn't been around the guild's horror stories about quests that had been sitting on the board for decades-millennia, collecting dust and claiming lives.
But Kaisel's eyes widened, his wings buzzing with sudden excitement as he zipped forward a few feet. Sun's usually stoic demeanor cracked completely—his eyes lit up and I could swear I saw the ghost of a grin cross his face.
Astra's eyes practically sparkled with excitement, her hands clapping together once as she stepped closer.
"A hundred year quest?" she said, her voice bright with anticipation. "Really? We're actually doing one?"
"Yep." I nodded.
Chapter 102
I stood in the main courtyard of Fortress Leonhart, watching my team scattered around the grounds.
"Alright, everyone," I called out, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "Need to talk to you all about something."
Their heads shot up from where they were lounging.
"So I—" I paused, glancing at Irene who stood beside me with that slight smile she always wore. "No, we decided to take on the hundred year quest."
The reaction was immediate and exactly what I'd expected.
Zephyr, Blaze, Levi, and Rayna all tilted their heads in unison, clearly unfamiliar with the term. Which made sense—they hadn't been around for the guild's horror stories about quests that had been sitting on the board for decades, collecting dust and claiming lives.
But Kaisel's eyes widened, his metallic wings buzzing with sudden excitement as he zipped forward a few feet. Sun's usually stoic demeanor cracked completely—his eyes lit up and I could swear I saw the ghost of a grin cross his face.
Astra's eyes practically sparkled with excitement, her hands clapping together once as she stepped closer.
"A hundred year quest?" she said, her voice bright with anticipation through our mental link. "Really? We're actually doing one?"
"Yep." I nodded.
After that, my Pokémon huddled together, clearly excited for the upcoming quest. Astra and Kaisel took turns explaining to the rest of the team about hundred year quests and their significance—how they were legendary missions that had defeated countless S-Class mages, how they were considered impossible by most standards.
I watched them chatter amongst themselves, then turned to Irene.
"They're really fascinating," Irene said, her gaze following the animated discussion between my team.
I smiled, remembering her first real interaction with them. It had been... interesting, to say the least.
When Irene first encountered my Pokémon team, it was interesting to say the least.
Zephyr had been the first to greet her, landing gracefully nearby and offering what could only be described as a courtly bow, his wings spread wide, head dipped low. The formality of it had caught her completely off guard.
"He's... polite," she'd said, clearly not sure what to make of a giant bird with manners.
Then Blaze had trotted over, tail wagging like an oversized, fire-breathing puppy. He'd sat directly in front of her and offered his paw for a handshake. The sheer domesticity of the gesture from such a magnificent creature had made her laugh.
Kaisel had been more reserved, clicking his pincers in what I recognized as his version of a respectful greeting before demonstrating his precision by carving an intricate flower pattern into a nearby stone. Irene had traced the delicate cuts with her finger, amazement clear in her eyes.
"Such artistry," she'd murmured. "And from a warrior, no less."
Rayna had simply nodded once—a gesture of acknowledgment between equals. There was something about the Tyranitar's regal bearing that resonated with Irene's own queenly nature. They understood each other without words.
Levi had been content to surface in his lake and observe from a distance, though his crimson scales had caught the light in a way that made Irene gasp softly.
"Beautiful," she'd whispered, and I'd seen something soften in her expression.
But it was Sun who'd really won her over. The Primeape had taken one look at Irene's posture and had started showing off. Not aggressively, but playfully. Little acrobatic moves, shadow boxing routines, even attempting what could generously be called dance moves.
Irene had watched his antics with growing amusement until she finally asked, "Is he... trying to make me laugh?"
"Probably," I'd replied. "Sun's got a thing about people who take themselves too seriously."
And when she had laughed, Sun had pumped his fists in the air like he'd just won a championship bout.
Astra, of course, had been the most complex introduction. Two incredibly powerful beings studying each other with mutual respect and wariness. But when Astra had spoken directly into Irene's mind I'd seen tears threaten at the corners of Irene's eyes.
"Your team," Irene said now, pulling me back to the present, "Amazing creatures.."
"Yeah.. They are. Speaking of which, you sure you're ready for this? A hundred year quest isn't exactly a relaxing vacation."
Irene's smile turned sharp, and for a moment I caught a glimpse of something fierce in her expression. "Aiden, I've been to war. I've commanded armies and faced strong beings. A challenging quest sounds... refreshing."
"Alright then." I clapped my hands together, getting everyone's attention again. "We leave tomorrow morning."
=====
Later that evening, I found myself on the main balcony of Fortress Leonhart, leaning against the stone railing as I watched the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. The view from up here never got old.
"Mind if I join you?"
I turned to see Irene stepping onto the balcony, her crimson hair catching the last rays of sunlight. She'd changed out of her usual formal attire into something more casual—a simple white blouse and dark pants that somehow made her look younger, more approachable.
"Course not." I gestured to the space beside me. "Just enjoying the view before we head out tomorrow."
She moved to stand next to me, close enough that I could catch the faint scent of her perfume. "It really is beautiful up here. I can see why you chose this location for your fortress."
"Honestly? It was the only place for sale at the time, but it worked out pretty well. Great views, far enough from town that when I blow things up during training nobody complains, and the strategic advantage doesn't hurt either." I grinned. "Win-win all around."
Irene laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Practical as always." She paused, her expression growing thoughtful.
"Are you nervous? About tomorrow?"
"Nah." I shook my head. "Should I be?"
"Most people would be. A hundred year quest isn't exactly a walk in the park."
"Most people don't have an overpowered inventory and a team of legendary Pokemon." I grinned. "Besides, I've got good backup."
She smiled at that, a real smile that reached her eyes. "Flatterer."
"Just honest." I paused, studying her profile in the fading light. "What about you? Second thoughts?"
"None whatsoever." Her voice was firm, confident. "Though I have to admit, it's been a long time since I've looked forward to something like this."
"Like what?"
"An adventure. A challenge. Something that isn't about politics or power or..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "It's hard to explain."
"Try me."
She was quiet for a long moment, choosing her words carefully. "For so long, everything I did was about survival. About proving I was stronger, about maintaining control, about not showing weakness. But this... this feels different. Like I'm doing it because I want to, not because I have to."
I could understand that. The weight of always having to be the strongest, the most prepared, the one everyone looked to for answers. It was exhausting sometimes.
"You know," I said, trying to lighten the mood before things got too heavy, "when I first met you, I thought you were going to try to kill me with a meteor."
"I considered it," she replied with mock seriousness. "But then you had to go and be all heroic and understanding. Completely ruined my plans for dramatic villainy."
"Sorry about that. I'll try to be more properly terrified next time we fight someone."
"See that you do." She bumped my shoulder with hers, the casual contact sending an unexpected warmth through me. "Though I have to admit, your version of heroism is far more entertaining than most."
We fell into comfortable silence again, watching the last traces of sunlight fade from the sky. The first stars were beginning to appear, tiny pinpricks of light against the darkening canvas.
"Can I ask you something else?" Irene's voice was quieter now, more hesitant. "And you can tell me if it's none of my business."
"Go ahead."
"Alma." She paused, glancing at me sideways. "Do you... do you mind talking about her? I know you two were together, and I don't want to—"
"It's fine," I interrupted gently, and I was surprised to find that I meant it. "Really. What do you want to know?"
Her eyebrows rose slightly, clearly not expecting such a calm response. "I just... I wondered what happened. If you don't mind me asking."
I leaned back against the railing, thinking about how to explain it. "We wanted different things, I guess. She wanted a normal life, a mortal life. White picket fence, growing old together, the whole nine yards." I shrugged. "And I... well, I'm not exactly built for normal, am I?"
"No," Irene said softly. "You're not. But that's not necessarily a bad thing."
"Alma thought it was, toward the end. She said she felt like she was living in my shadow, always waiting for the next adventure, the next crisis, the next world-ending threat." I ran a hand through my hair. "She wasn't wrong. That is my life. And I couldn't ask her to give up what she wanted just to fit into it."
"That must have been difficult."
"Yeah, it was. But..." I looked at her, meeting her eyes directly. "I'm okay now. Took some time, but I'm past it. We both are, I think."
Irene nodded slowly. "Thank you for telling me. I wasn't sure if it was still a sensitive topic."
"Nah. Ancient history at this point." I smiled. "Besides, you understand what this life is like. The chaos, the constant danger, the never knowing what's coming next."
"I do." Her voice was quiet, thoughtful. "Though I have to say, I prefer your version of chaos to the kind I used to know."
"Yeah? How so?"
She turned to face me fully, her expression soft in the starlight. "Your chaos has hope in it. Purpose. People worth protecting." She paused, her gaze dropping briefly before meeting mine again. "It has you in it."
The words hung in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I felt my heart skip a beat, and for a moment, I couldn't find my voice.
"Irene..." I started, but she shook her head.
"I'm not asking for anything," she said quickly. "I just... I wanted you to know. That being here, being part of this... it means more to me than I know how to say."
Without really thinking about it, I reached out and took her hand. Her fingers were warm, slender, and they fit perfectly against mine. She looked down at our joined hands, then back up at me, her eyes wide with something that might have been surprise.
"You don't have to ask for anything," I said softly. "It's already yours."
Her breath caught, and for a moment, I thought she might pull away. Instead, she stepped closer, her free hand coming up to rest lightly against my chest.
"We should get some rest."
"We should."
Neither of us moved. We stood there in the starlight, her hand in mine, the warmth of her touch chasing away the evening chill. The moment felt fragile, precious, like something that might shatter if we moved too quickly.
Finally, reluctantly, I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Come on. Let's head inside."
But I didn't let go of her hand as we walked back toward the fortress, and she didn't pull away.
=====
The next morning came faster than I'd expected as I stood at the main gate of Fortress Leonhart.
The hundred year quest board had been surprisingly specific about the location—some remote mountain range called the Draconic Peaks, many weeks' travel north of here.
"Ready?" Irene asked, stepping up beside me. She'd opted for practical traveling gear—dark leather pants, sturdy boots, and a fitted jacket that somehow still managed to look elegant on her.
"Almost." I pulled out six pokeballs, pressing the buttons to recall most of my team. Red light flashed as Zephyr, Blaze, Levi, Rayna, Kaisel, and Sun disappeared into their respective balls. "There we go."
"It's still strange to me," Irene said, watching the process with fascination. "Seeing such powerful creatures contained in those small spheres."
"They're comfortable in there," Astra said, walking up to join us in her human form. She'd chosen to wear simple traveling clothes—jeans and a light blue sweater that complemented her hair. "It's like having a cozy room that's perfectly tailored to your needs."
"If you say so." Irene looked between us. "So, weeks of travel to the Draconic Peaks. Are we taking the Regalia?"
"Of course." I grinned, pulling the sleek black car from my inventory. It materialized in the courtyard with a soft hum, its chrome details catching the morning sunlight. "We're not in any rush, and road trips are half the fun."
Astra's eyes lit up as she ran her hand along the car's smooth surface. "I love this thing. So much more comfortable than flying everywhere."
"Plus we get to see the countryside," I added, opening the driver's side door. "Can't appreciate the scenery when you're teleporting or flying at mach speed."
"Alright then." I looked back at the fortress one last time, NIMO's systems would keep everything running smoothly while we were gone. "Let's go see what a hundred year quest is all about."
We climbed into the Regalia, Irene settling into the passenger seat while Astra made herself comfortable in the back.
The engine roared to life, and we set off down the road that led away from Fortress Leonhart as we headed north toward whatever mysteries awaited us in the Draconic Peaks.
Behind us, the fortress grew smaller and smaller until it was just a distant speck, and ahead of us lay weeks of travel and the unknown.
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