"Elias!"
Seeing Elias fall unconscious once again, Gardevoir, who had just rushed over, immediately teleported to his side.
She gently placed her warm hand on Elias's forehead, only relaxing after confirming he was alright.
"Hmm..."
"Why did you fall asleep again?"
Gardevoir puffed out her cheeks, feeling helpless as she gazed down at Elias resting in her arms.
He'd already been sleeping for two full days and nights. If Elias hadn't warned her beforehand, she would've been frantic with worry by now.
But even so…
Isn't this sleep lasting a bit too long?
Thinking this, Gardevoir carefully laid Elias's head down onto her lap.
She sighed "helplessly" as she pulled out the berries she'd brought along, lightly biting into one.
Even if he was unconscious, it wasn't good to go this long without food.
I hope…
Elias can understand my predicament.
She reassured herself of the necessity of her actions, then slowly lowered her head.
As the berry slipped gently into Elias's mouth, Gardevoir felt the warmth and softness beneath her own lips.
Her pale cheeks gradually flushed a noticeable shade of red.
"You—you have to swallow properly..."
Gardevoir mumbled indistinctly, lifting Elias carefully into her arms once more.
If there was any good thing about entering the Distortion World, it was probably that no one could interrupt her and Elias anymore.
Warm breath mingled softly, Gardevoir's gaze slowly turning misty.
Here, in the Distortion World, she could monopolize Elias completely.
Nobody could disturb them, nobody could stop them—this was precisely the kind of life she'd always dreamed about!
After a long while, Gardevoir finally lifted her head.
Her breathing was a little uneven; clearly, she'd forgotten to take enough breaths.
Still, compared to when she didn't know how to breathe at all, she had become much more adept, gradually remembering to exchange air.
Gardevoir gently licked her delicate lips, an expression of lingering satisfaction still evident on her face.
Unfortunately, Elias was still unconscious.
And this was as far as she could go.
"You have to wake up soon, alright?"
After gently wiping the corners of Elias's mouth, Gardevoir leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.
...
Some time passed.
Gradually, Gardevoir's thoughts settled down again.
Only now did she recall the important matter at hand.
Not long ago, she'd been exploring the interior of the Distortion World.
During her exploration, she had noticed that gravity here wasn't consistent, and that almost no living creatures could survive for long due to the harsh conditions.
Aside from Giratina, who had dragged her and Elias into this place…
Just as Gardevoir was about to give up and return to Elias's side—
—a lush, thriving berry grove had suddenly appeared before her.
Strangely untouched by the harsh environment, it seemed completely unguarded. Green grass flourished across the ground, branches heavy with delicious fruit.
In the Distortion World, this was practically impossible.
Instinctively, Gardevoir felt there must be some major secret hidden here.
But just as she was about to approach, a chilling sensation ran down her spine.
An aura of danger emanated ominously from within the grove.
Out of caution, she eventually decided against investigating further, hesitating until the psychic imprint she'd left behind with Elias suddenly reacted.
It seemed Elias had woken briefly when she wasn't around.
Her attention quickly shifted, and she rushed back without delay.
Yet, she was still too late, having missed the chance to speak with Elias once again.
"It should be soon, right?"
"There'll always be another chance..."
Gardevoir comforted herself quietly, believing Elias would awaken very soon.
---
Hisui Region.
Cynthia stood at the entrance of the ancient ruins, eyes distant with thought.
Days had passed since Elias's departure.
During that time, most Zoroark had come to be revered as symbols of greatness equal to Sinnoh's revered deities.
Elias himself had become a legendary figure documented by all three factions.
But this belated worship was meaningless now.
Elias's Zoroark had left for the Distortion World, and Cogita vanished after leaving behind only a letter.
Akari, left without support, had been taken in by Irida and the Pearl Clan.
And now… Cynthia stood alone.
For the past two days, she had barely slept.
Without Elias, she felt an alienation from this world.
Everyone else had their own lives, yet she alone couldn't seem to find her place anywhere.
No one in this era could truly understand her anymore.
With a soft sigh, Cynthia murmured, "Perhaps it's time for me to leave as well?"
She stared quietly into the ruins' entrance.
Instinct had led her here.
She remembered clearly that there had been no ruins here previously, yet suddenly, this entrance had appeared.
Maybe the answers she sought were waiting within…
"Lucario, thank you for guiding me here."
Turning gently, Cynthia smiled softly at Lucario.
Since Elias and Zoroark left, he had also lost his purpose, spending days simply sitting blankly in the yard, not even meditating, just staring at the grass and flowers.
"I hope your journey is successful," Lucario replied calmly.
Having said that, he turned as if to leave.
Just then, Cynthia seemed to recall something, quickly adding, "Say, are you interested in returning with me?"
"Compared to staying here, perhaps the future world might be more interesting," she proposed warmly.
If possible, she still wanted to look after Elias's Pokémon.
Zoroark needed no concern, but Lucario was different.
Given his nature, if everyone else left, he'd likely spend the rest of his days alone in Cogita's cabin.
For a loyal, attachment-prone Pokémon like Lucario, such loneliness would be unbearably cruel.
"Leave…?"
Lucario murmured blankly.
He gazed up at the sky above Hisui, reluctance clear in his eyes.
From the moment he'd met Elias, life had become truly meaningful.
Whether it was training alongside Elias or sparring playfully with Zoroark, Hisui held many cherished memories.
But now…
Staying here no longer held meaning.
"I understand."
"I'd like to see the modern world too," Lucario quietly responded.
Perhaps… a technologically advanced future might offer a way to bring Elias back someday.
It was a faint, impractical hope he carried quietly.
Seeing Lucario nod, Cynthia finally smiled again.
It was the first genuine smile she had shown in days.
---
T/N: GARDEVOIR TIME