Because of Tyrantrum's appearance, Wallace on the platform quickly noticed the commotion from this side and cast his gaze over.
When he saw Theo sitting atop Tyrantrum's back, his eyes lit up, and a bright smile immediately spread across his face.
Theo raised his hand and waved back in greeting.
Juan also followed Wallace's gaze and looked over. Upon seeing Theo, he gave a slight nod as a form of greeting, then the two turned away again, continuing to focus on preparing for the festival.
As time passed, the sun gradually climbed higher into the sky, and everyone's attention converged on the massive platform by the lake.
Finally, the ritual officially began.
Wallace and Juan stood side by side at the center of the platform. Juan stepped forward first, raising the ancient staff in his hand.
He took a deep breath and began to chant in a low yet resonant voice. The chant was an ancient incantation, its language obscure and difficult to understand.
As his chanting continued, the blue gem at the tip of the staff suddenly lit up, releasing a gentle blue glow that spread outward. The previously noisy lake fell into complete silence.
All the boats stopped moving. The people aboard stood up one after another and bowed toward the ceremonial platform.
Wallace stood beside Juan, his hands clasped together, his expression solemn.
The teardrop shaped ornament on his chest began to emit a faint blue glow as the chant continued, and the light grew brighter and brighter.
The moisture in the air above the lake seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, slowly rising, gathering, and swirling above the altar.
At that moment, the boats on the lake began to move.
The residents steering them followed a specific order, slowly rowing toward the platform before tossing their offerings into the water.
Colorful offerings fell into the lake, creating ripples that quickly dissolved into the clear water.
Finally, Wailord gently tilted its massive body, pouring all the offerings on its back into the lake. Those materials rich in water type energy sank to the bottom, as if being presented to the life nurturing waters below.
At the same time, a group of Sootopolis citizens dressed in traditional ceremonial attire stepped forward from beside the platform. They surrounded Wallace and Juan and began performing an ancient and peculiar dance.
As Juan's chanting reached its climax, the lake water began to ripple again. This time, however, it was no longer the surface disturbance caused by boats, but a deep, unified tremor rising from the depths of the lake itself.
In the sky above Sootopolis, dark clouds began to gather, gradually blocking out the sunlight. The sky dimmed, and a light drizzle began to fall.
At that moment, a faint humming sound echoed in everyone's ears. It was soft, yet it seemed to pierce straight into the soul, making one's scalp tingle.
The murmuring crowd instantly fell into silence. Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked onto the surface of the lake, their hearts pounding violently.
An invisible yet overwhelming pressure spread outward from the lake, causing many people to instinctively step back.
On the ceremonial platform, Wallace and Juan's expressions turned serious. The Pokémon around them lowered their heads and stared at the water, as if awaiting the descent of something sacred.
The once clear lake water gradually darkened, as though a massive shadow was rising from the depths, enveloping the entire lake.
That oppressive aura grew stronger, and all the Pokémon near the platform lowered their heads even further in reverence.
At this moment, the livestream chat exploded, though the content was unexpected.
"Wait what? I'm in Lavaridge Town near Mt. Chimney, it was sunny just now, why is it suddenly raining?"
"Same here! I'm in Littleroot Town, it started raining out of nowhere!"
"I'm in Oldale Town, it's raining here too! There was no warning at all!"
Theo had no time to read the chat. All of his attention was focused on the enormous shadow beneath the lake.
The shadow grew darker and darker, so deep that it inspired fear, like a vast vortex leading into an unknown world.
Countless people stared at the blackened water, their faces filled with shock and unease, their breathing almost stopping.
The shadow slowly moved beneath the lake, becoming clearer and clearer. A massive outline could vaguely be discerned.
Excitement flashed in Wallace and Juan's eyes. Juan's chanting became more rapid, while the blue light from Wallace's ornament nearly erupted, forming a pillar of light that shot straight into the sky.
Beyond the lake, within the sea tunnel, countless Water type Pokémon were rushing toward this place.
Mantine glided across the water in groups, Gyarados weaved among them, and even a few rare Kingdra appeared. In the sky, flocks of Pelipper and Wingull circled and cried out.
Yet just as everyone believed something earth shattering was about to happen, the dark shadow at the center of the lake suddenly began to shrink.
Like a receding tide, it gradually withdrew back into the depths until it completely vanished.
The overwhelming pressure in the air faded just as quickly, and the lake returned to its clear and tranquil state.
Only the dark clouds remained overhead, and the rain continued to fall.
On the platform, Wallace and Juan looked at the now calm lake. The excitement in their eyes slowly faded, replaced by a trace of disappointment. They let out soft sighs.
The surrounding spectators also finally relaxed, beginning to whisper among themselves.
"That shadow just now… was it Kyogre?"
"I thought we'd get to see the legendary Pokémon. That's a bit disappointing."
"Even though we didn't see it, that scene just now was incredible. This trip was worth it!"
Theo also felt a sense of regret.
He had been looking forward to witnessing Kyogre with his own eyes, to experiencing the majesty of the legendary being that ruled the oceans. Yet in the end, that hope seemed to have slipped away.
At that moment, the livestream chat suddenly went wild, scrolling so fast it was almost impossible to read.
"Look up! Look up! Hurry, look at the sky!"
"What the hell is that in the sky? That's terrifying!"
"Look up! Quick, look up!"
The phone vibrated violently, drawing Theo's attention to the messages. He abruptly lifted his head and looked toward the cloud covered sky above Sootopolis.
Within the dense storm clouds, an enormous shadow was slowly moving, covering nearly half the sky.
Its outline was indistinct, but its sheer size was unmistakable, like a black mountain suspended in the heavens.
Without warning, the clouds suddenly split apart.
In the next instant, the colossal beast revealed itself.
Its deep blue body shimmered under flashes of lightning, surrounded by surging torrents of water. Golden vertical pupils slowly opened, instantly locking onto the people below.
Its massive fins moved slightly, and the dark sea of clouds parted obediently to either side as if alive.
At that moment, the sky itself seemed to transform into an ocean abyss, amplifying the overwhelming majesty of this terrifying being. The air was filled with nothing but the heavy sound of flowing water and its deep, resonant rumble.
Everyone forgot how to breathe.
Kyogre had descended upon the world.
(End of Chapter)