When they passed through the vortex, the crushing pressure vanished instantly, and the abrupt transition left both Silas and Madam momentarily disoriented.
One moment they had been dragged forward by an overwhelming force that felt impossible to resist, and the next, that force disappeared completely, leaving them suspended in still water with no momentum guiding them. Their bodies continued drifting for a brief moment before slowing, but their sense of direction had already been thrown off, forcing them to take a few seconds to reorient themselves both mentally and physically.
Silas adjusted his posture first, stabilizing his body with controlled movements as he reestablished his sense of direction. The disorientation wasn't painful, but it was enough to dull reaction time, which in a hostile environment could be dangerous.
Thankfully, the masks mitigated most of the immediate risks.
They allowed for steady breathing, and more importantly, the built-in communication system ensured they could speak clearly despite being underwater, eliminating the need for hand signals or guesswork.
"Stay alert," Madam said calmly, her voice coming through the mask with complete clarity. "We don't know what's on the other side."
Silas gave a slight nod as he scanned their surroundings, his attention sharp despite the lingering disorientation. After everything they had encountered from the Golem territory to the Beedrill swarm, it would be a mistake to assume that passing through the vortex had placed them somewhere safe. If anything, the sudden shift in environment suggested something more deliberate.
Despite Madam's caution, they had already been detected.
From the moment they entered this new body of water, something had registered their presence, though there had been no immediate reaction.
Silas didn't take that as reassurance.
They began ascending slowly, their movements controlled as they pushed upward through the water. As they rose, the environment around them gradually became clearer, and faint light filtered down from above, growing stronger with each passing second until they finally broke through the surface.
The contrast was immediate.
The oppressive atmosphere of the cave system was gone, replaced by a wide, open lake surrounded by dense greenery. Massive trees stretched upward along the shoreline, easily surpassing a hundred feet in height, their thick canopies overlapping to form a natural barrier that softened the sunlight into a steady, diffused glow.
The air was warm, carrying a faint humidity that clung lightly to the skin, and the overall atmosphere felt calm in a way that stood in stark contrast to the constant danger they had just escaped.
Silas remained cautious.
Near the shoreline, several light-blue, quadrupedal Pokémon rested in the shallows, their sleek bodies partially submerged. Their tails, shaped with fin-like extensions, moved lazily through the water, and even while stationary, there was a fluid quality to their presence that made them blend naturally into the environment.
Even with Hermes' extended scan range, they were still too far for detailed information.
Madam, however, didn't need assistance.
"I have never seen so many Vaporeon in one place before."
At the same time, several of the Vaporeon lifted their heads, their eyes shifting toward Silas and Madam. The gaze lingered just long enough to acknowledge their presence before drifting away again, as if they had already made a judgment and found nothing worth acting on.
Silas did not relax.
Vaporeon were among the most water-attuned Pokémon in existence, capable of sensing even the slightest disturbance within their environment. The moment Silas and Madam had entered the lake, they would have been detected without question.
The fact that they were being ignored wasn't due to a lack of awareness.
It was a deliberate choice.
That worked in their favor, but it didn't eliminate risk.
Silas continued observing the area, taking in as much information as possible, and it was then that he noticed something else.
The environment itself felt different.
The water pressing against his skin carried a faint sensation, subtle but constant, almost like a gentle current brushing past him from all directions. It wasn't uncomfortable—in fact, it felt strangely soothing—but it was distinct enough to stand out immediately.
He glanced down at his arm. A minor cut from earlier was already closing. Not slowly, but at a clearly accelerated rate. Silas's expression sharpened as he focused inward.
"Hermes, monitor my body and notify me of any changes."
"The surrounding air and water are saturated with typeless energy. This energy is naturally attracted to your body and is being absorbed passively."
Silas processed the information quickly.
"Are there any risks to absorbing it?"
"There are no detectable risks. The energy is nourishing the body and stimulating enhanced cellular activity."
Silas frowned slightly.
"Clarify what the benefits are please."
"Your body is undergoing optimization. Cellular efficiency is increasing, and minor damage is being repaired at an accelerated rate. There is likely a limit, but current effects are beneficial."
Silas immediately understood the implications.
This wasn't just a safe environment, it was a resource.
The energy wasn't tied to any specific typing, which meant it could be absorbed without restriction, making it universally beneficial. That alone made it far more valuable than most naturally occurring energy sources.
He exchanged a brief glance with Madam, who had clearly noticed similar changes in her own body.
Neither of them needed to speak.
They moved toward the shore, maintaining a respectful distance from the Vaporeon. Even non-aggressive Pokémon could become territorial, especially when younger members were present, and there was no reason to provoke an unnecessary conflict.
As they approached, Silas noticed smaller shapes among the Vaporeon.
Eevee. Several of them. That alone explained the situation. The Vaporeon weren't ignoring them out of laziness—they were monitoring them while ensuring their young remained safe.
Silas released his Pokémon, including Froakie.
The reaction was immediate.
Froakie leapt forward the moment it appeared, diving into the water without hesitation. Its movements were completely different from before—fluid, responsive, and almost instinctive as it swam in wide arcs, occasionally surfacing before diving again, clearly energized in a way Silas had never seen.
Normally, Froakie was lethargic, conserving energy whenever possible, but now it moved freely, as if the environment itself was supporting it. Silas watched closely, analyzing every movement.
"Hermes, analyze Froakie's bodily changes."
"Froakie is actively absorbing the typeless energy present in the water. Cellular activity is increasing, and overall physical condition is improving. However, damage sustained during the egg phase cannot be fully repaired through this energy alone."
Silas nodded slightly, having expected that limitation. Even so, this was already more than enough.
"Stay close," he said calmly.
Froakie responded with an excited chirp before diving again, its movements quick and controlled as it swam near the surface.
Moments later, a system notification appeared.
Froakie — Level 2
Silas's eyes narrowed as he processed the change.
That single level represented a fundamental shift, because Froakie had been stuck at Level 1 since birth. Under normal circumstances, Pokémon naturally progressed through levels 1 to 5 during their infancy stage without requiring battle or structured training, as proper nourishment and rest were sufficient for growth. Froakie had been unable to do even that, which meant its advancement now confirmed that the improvement wasn't temporary but a genuine step forward in its development.
Silas exhaled slowly, maintaining his composure as he recognized the significance of what had just happened.
For the first time since acquiring Froakie, there was undeniable, measurable growth, and that alone made this place invaluable.