Night passed quietly over the homestead, though "quiet" was a relative term. The wind rustled through the trees in hurried whispers, and the nocturnal Pokémon beyond Riven's fence cried out occasionally—Shrill Starly calls, the faint trilling of a Kricketune, and something else… lower… deeper.
Riven barely slept.
The encounter with the wild Zorua had stuck with him. It wasn't just its limping gait or its wary, intelligent eyes—it was the feeling, the sensation Riolu had picked up. That lingering wrongness around the crater.
The early light of dawn painted the farm in gold and soft blue. Dew still clung to the crops, and Purrloin was curled on the barn roof, blinking lazily.
Riven rose from his small cabin and immediately opened his System screen.
[System Alert]
New Side Quest Unlocked: "Crater Whisper"
Quest Type: Chain (3 stages)Objective (1/3): Investigate the stone pillars near the crater.Bonus Objective: Discover hidden relic or energy source.
Rewards:
50 FP
+1 Wild Pokémon Bonding Chance
Unlocks "Aura Lens - Minor Detection Tool"
"Riolu," Riven said, already tying his boots, "we're going back."
The little blue jackal was already ready—ears perked, stance tight. Purrloin leapt down silently, following as well, as did Shinx. Buneary lagged behind, yawning as she dragged herself into the group.
"You can sleep later," Riven teased with a grin.
By midmorning, they reached the crater once again.
The pillars around it loomed taller in the daylight. Thick vines had coiled around some, while others stood barren and cracked, etched with old markings almost faded from time. Riolu immediately stepped ahead and closed its eyes.
A faint shimmer pulsed from its body.
[System Passive Activated: Aura Echo]
Energy Pulse Detected. Location: Beneath Pillar #3
Riven hurried over, brushing away vines. A slanted rock slab was half-buried under moss and debris. He slid his hands along it until a seam gave way—an old, nearly invisible latch carved into the stone.
With a firm push, the panel shifted open.
Inside was a small hollow space, just large enough to house a gray, worn pendant etched with a spiraling eye symbol.
[System Notification]
"Relic Discovered: Fragment of Shadow Insight (1/5)."
"Minor Shadow Affinity recognized."
Riven picked it up, feeling an unnatural chill slide down his spine. Riolu flinched, fur on edge. Even Purrloin looked away, hissing quietly.
But the strangest part wasn't the object—it was the reaction around them.
The air in the crater shifted.
Behind them, from a patch of tall weeds near a jagged stone—a cough.
Not a Pokémon sound. A broken, painful cough.
Riven slowly stood, turning toward the source. Through the rustling grass stepped a Pokémon he hadn't seen before.
It looked like it had once been vibrant. A Stufful, its pink fur now matted and torn, limped forward. Its usual ribbon-like tail drooped, and a gash along its side glistened faintly. Behind it came the limping Zorua from before, keeping a careful pace.
And then, from the shaded cliff wall—Sableye.
But now it wasn't alone. It stood protectively in front of the two.
A faint purple aura shimmered around it.
Riven slowly knelt and held up both hands.
"I'm not here to hurt anyone."
Zorua snarled lightly, but it didn't attack. It only stepped slightly ahead, nose twitching. Riolu stepped between them, its aura pulsing like a metronome.
Then—Sableye took a step forward.
And collapsed.
Without hesitation, Riven rushed forward. The System did not protest.
[Interaction Request Detected: Abandoned Wild Pokémon]Special Condition Met: Relic and CompassionInitiate: First Aid Protocol (Manual Required)
He took out his remaining herbal salve, applied it to Sableye's shoulder, and quickly bound the wound using cut cloth from his bag. He did the same with Zorua's hind leg, careful and slow. Stufful didn't resist when he dabbed away the dried blood.
The whole time, Riolu and Purrloin watched silently. Even Shinx had gone completely still.
When he was done, Riven whispered, "You're safe now. I don't know who left you… or why… but you're not alone anymore."
[System Notification]
"Compassion Threshold Reached."
"Would you like to attempt bonding with these Pokémon?"
Zorua (LV 6): [YES] [NO]
Sableye (LV 8 - Sickly Affliction): [YES] [NO]
Stufful (LV 5 - Traumatized): [YES] [NO]
Riven didn't hesitate.
Yes. To all three.
A gentle wind passed through the crater. Each of the three Pokémon blinked slowly, then moved to sit beside him—not because of force or obligation, but something deeper.
Zorua curled up near Riolu. Sableye leaned against his leg, eyes shut in trust. Stufful nuzzled Buneary, who smiled with a soft squeak.
[System Update]
"New Pokémon Added to Farm Roster."
Zorua (Cautious Loyalty - Pending Test)
Sableye (Shadow-Bonded, Low Energy Recovery)
Stufful (Skittish, Needs Emotional Rehabilitation)
New Passive Skill: "Sanctuary Heart (LV 1)" — Slight chance to calm wild or hostile Pokémon within aura range.
Riven looked over his new companions, heart thudding.
"Welcome home."
By sunset, the new trio had been given makeshift bedding and warm food in the barn. Stufful lay near a heat stone, wrapped in a blanket. Sableye remained unconscious, but its color had returned slightly. Zorua, as expected, remained near the door, eyes half-lidded but alert.
Riolu stood beside Riven, who leaned against the fence, watching stars blink to life.
"You think I'm doing the right thing?" he asked softly.
Riolu didn't respond with words. Instead, it rested its paw gently against Riven's chest. Its aura pulsed—a slow, calm rhythm.
Yes.