The soft rustle of leaves brushed against the wooden window frame as night spread its calm over the small home on the cliffside. The moonlight seeped through the half-drawn curtains, washing the room in silver hues. Tharion stood silently in the doorway, his boots still carrying the dust of another world.
It had only been ten days since he left… ten days for him — but for Selene, it had felt like a month of waiting.
His gaze fell upon the small cradle near the bedside. Aster lay there, the baby's tiny chest rising and falling in rhythm with his peaceful dreams. For a brief moment, Tharion's cold, battle-hardened expression softened. He knelt, brushing a faint strand of hair from Aster's forehead.
Then his eyes moved to her.
Selene was asleep beside the cradle, her long silver hair scattered over the sheets, her breathing light and serene. Even in rest, she looked like she was waiting — as if she knew he would return.
A faint smile curved his lips."Ten days… and I couldn't stop thinking about you," he whispered under his breath.
Moving quietly, Tharion stepped closer. With a quick motion, he slipped behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and lifted her off the bed. Selene gasped in surprise, a soft cry escaping her lips before she turned in his grasp — her eyes wide.
"T-Tharion!? You— you came back already?!" she exclaimed, her heartbeat quick against his chest.
He chuckled lowly, pressing his forehead to hers. "Couldn't stay away. Not from you."
Her surprise melted into relief, a small laugh escaping her as she hit his shoulder lightly. "Ten days! You said it would be at least a month!"
"I finished early," he murmured, lowering her gently back onto the bed. His tone softened — that same gentle firmness she missed. "And I missed my wife."
Her cheeks warmed instantly. "You always say that before doing something reckless…"
"Maybe," he said, leaning closer, "but this time, it's something worth the risk."
Her breath hitched as his lips met hers — slow, deep, and full of everything words couldn't express. The air between them grew heavier, warmer, the silence broken only by the faint chirping of night Pokémon outside.
In that moment, there were no gods, no systems, no missions — just the two of them, reunited after too many battles.
When the quiet finally settled again, Selene lay against his chest, tracing the faint scars across his shoulder. "You really came back in just ten days…"
Tharion looked at the moon through the curtain slit. "Time runs differently out there. But whenever I return… this world feels like it never changes."
Selene smiled softly. "That's because it waits for you."
He brushed a kiss against her hair and whispered, "Then I'll keep returning, no matter how many worlds I cross."
As the night deepened, the house fell silent — save for the rhythmic lull of Aster's breathing.
And somewhere deep within Tharion's mind, the System remained dormant. No notifications. No quests.Just peace — until the next call for his intervention would awaken it again.
Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor. The gentle coos of Pidgey and the faint laughter of nearby children echoed from the distant Pallet Town path.
Tharion stirred awake before dawn, careful not to wake Selene. She was still asleep, Aster's small hand resting on her chest. For a moment, he stood there watching them — the two reasons he always came back.
He leaned down, kissed Aster's forehead, then brushed his fingers gently through Selene's hair."Rest well," he whispered. "You've done enough for now."
His Pokémon — Lucario, Garchomp, and Gardevoir — waited silently near the door. Gardevoir gave a knowing smile, her eyes glowing faintly in acknowledgment. They all adored Aster, often watching over him when Selene needed a moment's peace.
Tharion adjusted his cloak, stepping outside. The air was fresh, and the world here — so ordinary yet so full of life — always grounded him. For ten days, he'd been fighting gods and demons in another timeline. Now… he just wanted to breathe normal air.
The gravel crunched under his boots as he made his way toward the familiar oak-lined path leading to Professor Oak's Lab.
Inside, the lab was buzzing with movement. Assistants carried clipboards, young trainers waited for their starter Pokémon, and the faint hum of computers filled the air.
When Tharion pushed open the door, a familiar voice rang out."Tharion! My boy, you're back already?"
Professor Oak turned from his desk, adjusting his glasses with a bright smile. His tone was warm, but his eyes revealed mild surprise — Tharion had left without much warning last time.
Tharion smiled faintly. "Couldn't stay away too long, Professor. I wanted to see some old friends — and catch up on what's happened while I was gone."
Oak chuckled. "Well, I can't blame you. Pallet hasn't changed much, but there's been some interesting reports lately. Your trading company's been doing quite well under Selene's coordination. She's a marvel, that woman."
Tharion nodded proudly. "I trust her with everything. Still… I'd like to see the reports myself. She's been busy taking care of Aster, and I'd rather she rests properly for a while."
Oak's expression softened. "Twelve days old, isn't he? The youngest guardian of Pallet Town, I'd say."
Tharion smiled at that — a real, unguarded smile. "He's strong. Just like his mother."
Oak waved a hand toward his desk, where several tablets and folders were stacked. "Here — your company reports, local guild movement summaries, and a few trainer rankings you might find interesting. Oh, and… a few of your Pokémon made quite a name for themselves while you were gone."
Tharion's brows lifted slightly. "Oh?"
Oak's grin turned knowing. "Your Lucario and Garchomp have been helping the town guard train new recruits. Apparently, they've been calling it the Tharion Method. Intense, exhausting, but very effective."
Tharion chuckled under his breath. "Sounds about right. They never sit idle."
As he browsed through the reports, he noted the calm stability of the region — no mention of strange distortions, no missing persons, no signs of interdimensional anomalies. It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
His thoughts wandered briefly — to the system that had gone completely silent since he returned.No notifications. No quests.Just… quiet.
He didn't mind the silence, but it made him uneasy. The system only stayed dormant when the worlds were safe — or when it was preparing something new.
Oak leaned on the desk, watching him closely. "You've got that look again, Tharion. The one that says you're already thinking three worlds ahead."
Tharion smiled faintly. "Force of habit, Professor. But… for now, I'm home. That's enough."
The old man nodded approvingly. "Good. You've earned that peace."
Tharion closed the folder, sliding it back into place. "Thank you, Professor. I'll spend the next few days with Selene and Aster. Maybe train a bit with my team — just to keep our edge."
Oak smirked. "You never really rest, do you?"
Tharion's eyes gleamed slightly. "Resting makes you slow. And slow gets you killed — in any world."
Oak sighed, but with affection. "You're an enigma, Tharion. But… it's good to have you back."
As Tharion left the lab, the morning sun was already rising high. Lucario walked beside him, eyes scanning the skies as if sensing something beyond sight.
The world was calm. Too calm.
And then—
[New Quest Generated][Interdimensional Event Detected]
Stabilize the Rift before it manifests in the Pokémon World.Time Limit: 72 Hours.Reward: ???
Tharion froze mid-step. His breath caught — the system's familiar tone echoed in his mind after ten days of silence.
He turned his gaze skyward, the wind shifting as if answering his unease."So much for rest…" he murmured, his calm voice tinged with resolve.