Chapter 5 - Shadows and Sparks

The Dark Woods stretched like a deep scar across the landscape between Kaer Vaelen andVelridge Town, cloaked in a near-perpetual twilight even during daylight hours. The canopy wasthick, woven from gnarled trees and dense, shadowy foliage that muffled sound and scattered light.Though the outskirts of the forest were considered relatively safe for novice trainers, even theycarried an eerie weight-one that made most travelers keep to the worn dirt trails or travel in pairs.Strange cries could be heard from within, and trainers swore that the shadows themselves movedwhen no one was looking.These woods were ancient, older than the cities that now bordered them, and were rumored to beconnected-at least spiritually if not physically-to the Mourning Veil, the corrupted forest thatblanketed the Mourning Mountains. Whispers of corrupted Pokémon and haunted ruins hid within itsdeeper reaches, and some spoke of unnatural presences that twisted the minds of those whostrayed too far. Yet, for all its ominous lore, the Dark Woods remained a necessary passage forthose heading toward Velridge Town-especially for trainers like Riven, traveling without a properescort.Following his intense battle with Ethan, Riven trudged onward, sticking to the relative safety of theoutskirts of the Dark Woods. The trees loomed nearby, but the sun still touched the path he walked,and that alone gave him comfort. He hoped to reach Velridge Town by the next day, maybe evenfind an inn to sleep in if luck favored him.His thoughts, however, kept drifting back to the loss he suffered. Ethan's victory had been narrow,but it still stung. He could feel the frustration rising in his chest again, like hot smoke from a buriedfire. He didn't want to carry that bitterness with him, so he made a decision-one that his grandfatherwould've been proud of. He would train. Right here, right now.Pulling out his DexBand and tightening his boots, Riven stepped off the trail and began searchingfor wild Pokémon. It wasn't long before he found them-skittish Rattatas darting between bushes andflocks of Pidgey fluttering just above the tree line. They were perfect for practice. Aron foughtfiercely, and though the battles were small, they were enough to get both trainer and Pokémon intoa rhythm.Hours passed like this, one skirmish after another. Riven called out commands, adjusted his timing,and experimented with move combinations. Aron responded with growing confidence. They werelearning, even evolving-not in form, but in synergy. By dusk, Riven was sweating and tired, but hisspirit felt lighter. This was what the journey was about: growth.As the sky darkened and the first stars appeared, Riven found a small clearing shielded bylow-hanging branches. It wasn't much, but it was enough. He set up camp with the basics-an oldblanket roll, a tiny firestarter cube, and a packet of rationed food. The fire crackled quietly as Aroncurled up beside it, dozing lightly.Riven ate in silence, his mind drifting again. He thought about the future-what kind of team hewanted to build, what kinds of Pokémon would suit him. He recalled something his grandfatheralways said: "A real trainer doesn't just collect strength-they build bonds strong enough to weatherthe world." He smiled faintly at the memory.He missed his parents. Even if they'd been overprotective, they had loved him deeply. And Mira-hislittle sister-her cheerful teasing and endless questions echoed faintly in his mind. Would she be safeon her journey? He wondered if she was training too, somewhere under the same stars.Morning came with birdsong and golden light. After brushing off the dew and freshening up at anearby stream, Riven shared some dry bread and berries with Aron before packing up. Today, hedecided, he would go hunting-not for food, but for something special. A new partner. A rarePokémon to test his skills and begin truly shaping his team.He explored with care, scanning the area with his DexBand and following signs of unusual activity.Most wild Pokémon scattered before he could get close, but just before noon, his luck changed. Asudden rustle in the undergrowth-and there it was: a Shinx. The electric feline Pokémon stoodproudly on a fallen log, blue fur bristling and golden eyes sharp.Riven's heart leapt. Without thinking, he rushed forward, shouting to Aron to prepare for battle. Butthe Shinx merely blinked at him, then smirked-Riven swore it smirked-before vanishing into thedeeper trees. "Wait!" he yelled, chasing after it without hesitation.The chase lasted longer than he realized. Over an hour passed as he darted between trees, leapedover roots, and tore through thorny bushes. Aron did his best to keep up, but eventually even heslowed. By the time Riven stopped, panting and drenched in sweat, he was far from the maintrail-deep within the true heart of the Dark Woods.He collapsed under a massive tree, his lungs burning and limbs aching. The air was cooler here,and quiet-eerily so. No Pokémon had attacked him during the entire chase. No sound except hisown breath. As the minutes passed and he calmed down, a strange feeling crept over him. Was helucky... or was something wrong?He stood to leave, brushing dirt from his clothes, when the nearby bushes stirred. Instinctively,Riven reached for Aron's Poké Ball and took a cautious step back. His heart pounded. Was this theend of his lucky streak? Would some wild predator emerge? But what stepped out wasn't anattacker-it was a Froakie.Riven's breath caught in his throat. A Froakie-one of the rarest Water-types in this region-stoodbefore him, swaying weakly. His initial joy was short-lived as he took a closer look. The Froakie wasinjured, badly. Its legs trembled, its eyes were dull, and strange marks lined its sides-unnatural scarsthat made Riven's skin crawl. There was something wrong with this Froakie. Something... unnatural.