Lambency (Ingo x Reader)

35. The Celestial Mountain (I)

Following the path of the sun, you are climbing up the base of Mount Coronet as if to join the celestial star.

Although Ingo looks completely at ease on those rocky mountain roads, you notice him breathing with difficulty.

"Ingo, are you in pain? Let's take a break.", you suggest after seeing him grimacing.

His shoulders slump.

"Yes, I would like to take a swift respite.", he tells, his face covered in sweat.

He sits on a flat stone and shakily takes out a gourd from his satchel. Sneasel moves closer to him and meows interrogatively, prompting the Warden to pet his head to reassure him.

You tell Ingo you want to examine his injury on the shoulder. This is when you spot a faint red mark through the thick bandages.

"Oh no! Your wound must have reopened! Should I change the poultice?"

"Negative, I'll do it upon reaching Moonview Arena. Lord Adaman is awaiting for my sitrep on Warden Melli, I can't dawdle here for too long."

"We're going too briskly, we must slow down!", you advise with a hint of panic in your voice. "Remember, before leaving the Diamond Heath, Calaba and Tulsi told you to take it easy or you would break the stitches!"

"I remember it too well. Allas, it isn't feasible."

"Ingo, don't be so stubborn!", you rebuke. "I understand your point but your condition is going to worsen! You look horribly pale and are obviously suffering! I want you to ride on Rhyhorn's back!"

Ingo takes it all in silence and quietly nods. He knows him accepting your request will ease your mind and allows your party to move on.

"Very well. I'm grateful for you worrying about my vitals. I'll gladly accept your Pokémon's assistance."

You pick Cyndaquil from Rhyhorn's back and hold her in your arms. The rhinoceros crouches to let Ingo straddle him.

"Let us hurry."

The scenery looks very different from the rest of Hisui. Compared to the green and lush Obsidian Fieldlands, the damp rainforest of the Mirelands and even the snowy woods of the Alabaster Icelands, the Coronet Highlands barely have any trees and appear to be a desolate and rough area for human and Pokémon to live on. Only seemingly endless hills and low valleys are in sight. Wide rivers flow quietly, zigzaging in between the mountains. Some Pokémon peek outside with curiosity from the caves they are hiding in.

It does not escape you that the temperature drops a little more after each step, and you regret leaving the coat you were wearing in the Alabaster Icelands behind.

Then, there is this strange, black dust falling from the top of Mount Coronet and covering your clothes. At first, you thought it was snow before quickly realising it did not melt on your skin. Rubbing the back of your hand, it was revealed to be some sort of soot.

You have scraped your legs more than once during the ascent because of sharp stones, prickles on thistles and brambles alongside the steep paths. Now, you can fully appreciate why Ingo's uniform is ragged and dirty after so many years.

"Let me know if you want to swap, (Name)."

"I'm fine, don't worry about me!"

"For your visibility, upon reaching our first stop at Heavenward Lookout, we'll set towards Wayward Wood where I'll play the Celestica flute and call Lady Sneasler. She'll kindly take over Rhyhorn."

Ingo friendly pats Rhyhorn's head and the Pokémon gently grunts in return, as if to mean, "I don't mind being your mount!"

"Rhyhorn and Sneasel are perfectly happy in this kind of environment. Sneasel must be anticipating the fun he'll have climbing everywhere he pleases.", he says.