Seeing the figure standing protectively in front of her, Cynthia felt an unfamiliar and strange emotion rise in her heart.
As the Sinnoh Champion, she had always been the one standing at the very front, shielding others behind her.
This was the first time in her life…
that someone had stepped forward to protect her.
So I'm being underestimated…
But… it's not entirely unpleasant.
Suppressing the strange feeling, she stepped forward again, standing shoulder to shoulder with Rei Akagi.
Without needing a command, Garchomp had already moved ahead of them. The Champion's ace released its overwhelming aura without restraint, attempting to disperse the eerie atmosphere around them.
"Where exactly is this place…?" Cynthia asked, her voice carrying a hint of gravity.
"Not entirely sure."
Rei Akagi's gaze swept rapidly across the distorted spatial structure around them. After confirming that there was no immediate danger, he turned slightly toward her and spoke with certainty.
"But according to my deduction, this should be a stable distortion world attached to the main space of the Ancient King's Tomb."
Drawing upon his past experience dealing with the space-time deities and sensing spatial fluctuations, he made his judgment.
This distortion world was similar to the space-time distortions in Pokémon Legends: Arceus—attachments to the main world.
The difference was that those distortions could collapse at any moment, while this one appeared stable enough to exist long-term.
"A distortion world?"
A trace of surprise flashed in Cynthia's eyes.
She was a scholar deeply versed in Sinnoh mythology and intimately familiar with the legends of Dialga and Palkia, yet this was the first time she had heard such a concrete concept as "distortion world."
But why would he know about it?
Her curiosity grew stronger, and she couldn't help glancing sideways to examine the relaxed young man beside her.
He's younger than me…
Taller than me…
A very straight nose, and those eyes…
Hm. Yes…
Quite handsome, actually.
"Let's see if we can return the way we came."
Rei Akagi suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and spoke up, unintentionally interrupting her thoughts.
Garchomp let out a low growl and moved ahead to clear the path as the two cautiously attempted to pass through the ink-black fog.
However, no matter how many times they tried, the result was always the same.
Like walking into a ghostly maze, they would eventually return to the grand palace gates again.
Their retreat had been cut off.
Rei Akagi and Cynthia exchanged a glance.
With no other option, they stepped into the palace, hoping to find clues for a way out.
The interior of the palace was far more expansive than its exterior suggested.
Floating above them were several Lampent, serving as the only sources of light. They emitted a cold, flickering purple glow that twisted the shadows of the massive pillars into eerie shapes.
As they explored deeper, nearly every chamber contained sleeping Ghost-type Pokémon, each with a different form and aura steeped in ancient decay.
A Banette curled up in the corner.
A towering Dusknoir standing silently beside a stone pillar.
A Mismagius drifting near an ancient mural.
Their sleeping postures varied, but all of them emanated a terrifying presence—as if their power had been accumulating for a thousand years.
Simply approaching them was enough to send chills down one's spine.
"These are all ancient relics that have lived for over a thousand years," Rei Akagi whispered, stroking his chin as he analyzed the situation.
"Even in their sleep, their aura is frighteningly strong."
"This place isn't somewhere we should stay long. We need to find an exit as soon as possible."
"Understood."
Cynthia silently put away the notebook and pen she had just taken out for research.
Even as a Champion, facing so many ancient Ghost-types placed immense pressure on her.
Holding their breath, the two carefully avoided disturbing the sleeping ghosts as they moved stealthily toward the main chamber deep within the palace.
Upon entering the main chamber, Rei Akagi's eyes were immediately drawn to the object at the center.
A deep violet jade coffin, carved with intricate dragon patterns.
It was roughly nine feet long and six inches wide—ancient in style and exuding the oppressive majesty of an emperor.
However…
The heavy coffin lid had already been pushed open, resting crookedly on the edge.
Peering inside, there were no remains.
Only a pile of worn black imperial robes, faded and eroded by the passage of time.
"A cenotaph?"
Rei Akagi frowned slightly as he noticed the marks on the coffin lid.
"Someone has been here before… The lid was opened manually, and not very long ago."
Beep—Beep—Beep—
The detector suddenly emitted a sharp alarm, shattering the silence of the chamber.
Rei Akagi lowered his head to examine the screen.
After comparing the wildly fluctuating readings, he spoke in a low voice.
"Miss Cynthia, we've found the source of the energy diffusion."
"It's likely this jade coffin itself—or more precisely, something that leaked out after the coffin was opened."
"Tsk… looks like my workload just increased again."
He sighed slightly and glanced at her.
"If you want to record anything, now would be a good time."
"Hm?"
Cynthia was briefly puzzled before understanding.
A faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks.
Was my curiosity… really that obvious?
I thought I hid it pretty well…
"Um… thank you," she said softly.
The strange feeling in her heart surged again.
Ever since they entered this distortion world, Rei Akagi had been the one leading everything.
Analyzing the space.
Judging the danger.
Choosing their route.
Even protecting and looking after her—the Champion.
The reversal of roles made her feel somewhat unsettled.
After all, she was supposed to be the Champion—the one who bore responsibility for everything.
Taking out her notebook again, she forced herself to focus and began rapidly sketching everything she saw.
Meanwhile, Rei Akagi circled the jade coffin, carefully investigating for clues while keeping watch on their surroundings.
Whoooosh—
A sinister wind suddenly rose without warning.
Bronze ornaments hanging in the palace clanged noisily.
The ghostly flames of the Lampent flickered violently.
The temperature dropped instantly to freezing.
Bone-chilling cold filled the chamber.
Dense purple mist poured in from all directions, rapidly gathering until it formed a massive, grotesque ghostly face that blotted out the ceiling.
Its enormous mouth opened wide.
A long crimson tongue writhed inside, radiating nauseating malice.
A wild Gastly appeared!
"Garchomp, Protect!"
Cynthia reacted instantly, displaying the reflexes of a Champion.
Garchomp roared, its massive body instantly positioning itself between its Trainer and the threat.
A solid blue barrier of energy expanded outward.
However…
The expected attack never came.
The enormous ghostly face let out a mischievous "Geh-heh-heh!" laugh.
Its huge body dispersed like smoke in the wind, drifting backward before condensing again into the familiar, round form of a Gastly.
Then an even stranger scene unfolded.
Banette.
Dusknoir.
Mismagius.
One after another, the powerful Ghost-type Pokémon that had been sleeping in the side chambers appeared behind Gastly like phantoms.
They moved silently, gradually forming a circle of encirclement.
An invisible yet suffocating aura closed in like a cage, trapping Rei Akagi and Cynthia at the center.
They were the Pokémon that had been sleeping outside.
And now—
They had all awakened.
Cynthia's heart shook violently.
Her hand instinctively moved toward the Poké Ball chain at her waist.
But just as she was about to throw one—
Rei Akagi moved first.