6. Prince Ash and Princess Lillie

Chapter 18 Terralith Kingdom

As Ash, Lillie, and Golly approach the Terralith Kingdom, the world around them seems to harden. The soft, green fields and gentle hills they've traveled through give way to a landscape dominated by jagged cliffs and towering stone formations. The sky above takes on a brooding, grayish hue, and the air feels heavier, as if the very atmosphere is infused with the weight of the stone below.

Massive boulders, weathered by time and the elements, line the path ahead. Some are etched with ancient, indecipherable symbols, while others bear the smooth polish of erosion. The ground beneath their feet is uneven and rough, forcing them to tread carefully. Dust kicks up with each step, swirling around them in small, gritty clouds.

Ahead, the entrance to the kingdom begins to take shape. The walls, carved directly from the mountain itself, loom high above, their surfaces rough and unyielding. The structures seem almost like a natural extension of the landscape, as if the kingdom grew from the mountain rather than being built upon it.

"Look at those walls," Ash murmurs, his voice filled with awe. "It's like the whole place is made of one solid piece of rock."

Golly nods, her gaze steady. "That's because it is. The Terralith Kingdom was formed using the power of Arceus' Stone Plate. Every stone here carries a fragment of that ancient energy, making the kingdom nearly impenetrable."

Lillie steps closer to one of the large boulders near the path, running her hand along its rough surface. "It's incredible," she says quietly, feeling the cool, hard texture beneath her fingers. "There's so much history here... You can almost feel it in the air."

As they move further into the kingdom, the landscape becomes even more severe. The cliffs rise higher, the shadows grow longer, and the sound of distant, rumbling rockslides echoes through the stillness. Occasionally, they catch glimpses of Pokémon like Geodude, Onix, and even the rare Tyranitar, moving effortlessly among the rocks, their forms blending with the terrain.

The path narrows as they approach the massive stone gates of the kingdom. The sheer size and scale of the entrance make them feel small, almost insignificant, in comparison. Ash pauses for a moment, taking in the sight before them. "This is going to be tough," he says softly, a sense of determination settling in his eyes.

As they settle down in a secluded spot near the towering stone gates, Golly begins to recount the history of the Terralith Kingdom. The sound of the wind rustling through the narrow crevices of the rocks adds a haunting undertone to her story.

"Many generations ago," Golly starts, her voice steady, "a traveler named Iwara arrived in this very region. He had nothing with him except for an empty cooking pot. The villagers here were a suspicious and cautious lot, hoarding their food and refusing to share with anyone, especially a stranger. Iwara was starving, but he noticed that no amount of begging would sway them. So, he decided to use his wits."

Ash and Lillie listen intently as Golly continues, her eyes reflecting the harsh, stony landscape around them. "Iwara went to a nearby stream, filled his pot with water, and then dropped a large stone into it. He set the pot over a fire, and soon, one of the villagers, driven by curiosity, asked what he was doing. Iwara told them that he was making 'stone soup'—a dish so wonderful that they'd be lucky to taste it, but it needed just a bit more garnish to bring out the flavor."

Lillie's eyes widen slightly. "Did they believe him?"

Golly nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "They did. The first villager, eager to try this mysterious soup, offered a few carrots to add to the pot. As word spread, more and more villagers approached Iwara, each contributing something from their stores—potatoes, onions, cabbages, peas, celery, tomatoes, sweetcorn, meat, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. By the time the last villager had added their share, the pot was filled with a rich, nourishing soup. When the stone was finally removed, the entire village sat down to enjoy the meal together, marveling at how a simple stone could turn into something so wonderful."