Paragon

Hisui Incursion [14]

PARAGON

Hisui Incursion Arc [14]

Chapter 66 : Enchanted Labyrinth

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Hisui Region - Coronet Lowlands

Ash swallowed. He swore he could hear his blood racing through his veins with each throb of his chest and he sucked in breaths to placate his overworked lungs. Black spots danced in his vision as his body adapted to his sudden inertia.

"Pikachu...light...please," he eventually whispered.

The stripes on Pikachu's back lit up, illuminating everyone's stressed faces. Dust wafted through the air and swirled every time someone breathed.

"A-Are they gone?" Yura whispered, sliding off Laventon's back. Shieldon drifted closer to her, but his face betrayed no emotion.

Ash glanced at Sabrina. The psychic closed her eyes and her gauntlets glowed slightly brighter.

"I don't sense them anywhere near us," she said, opening her eyes.

Ash let himself relax, the tension breaking across his body. After he did, the others seemed to take it as a sign that they were safe. Rei sat down on the cave floor and Akari leaned over, coughing. Laventon threw his bags down from where they'd been slung over his chest and sank to the ground as well.

"I think...the Unown can probably only get so far away from the main body," Ash panted. "We should be safe now."

Towering over them, Decidueye released a low coo. The ground cracked as he crunched his talons into the rock.

Electricity sparked across Pikachu's body and he growled.

"Thank you...Decidueye," Sabrina said softly, but her voice echoed. "You saved me...again."

Decidueye fixed Sabrina with a disgusted stare. He pushed through the crowd, ignoring Pikachu, until he stood right in front of her. His glare met her tired eyes.

"I...got it. There won't be a third time." She unclipped his pokéball and held it out. "Get some rest now. It'll be awhile until we're back outside... Thank you, again." She thumbed the release and recalled him.

"Back outside..." Laventon repeated. His head sank into his hands. "Oh, no..."

"What's wrong?" Ash said, a bit more forcefully than intended, but he was still full of adrenaline and on edge.

Laventon looked up. "These caves. We were supposed to follow the map to find our way to the other side. In our haste...I was not able to..."

Akari covered her mouth. "You mean...?"

A pained moan echoed through the cavern as Riley slumped to the ground.

"Riley!" Ash said sharply, kneeling down.

The Guardian's breathing was heavy and his head hung weakly from his neck, his eyes glassy and unfocused. "If you would..." he breathed.

"He got hit!" Ash said, standing up. "Where's our burn salve?"

"Wait, Ash," Laventon said, standing up. "It needs to cool first. We need water, and towels..."

As they got to work rummaging through their various bags, Pikachu scampered back and forth between them all, shining his light where it was needed. Laventon dug the medical supplies out from his bag while Rei uncorked his water skin.

"This may sting a bit," Laventon said as he brought a soaked cloth to the back of Riley's calf.

Akari knelt beside him to help and Pikachu shined his light directly on the injury. His pants had burned away where the attack hit, and beneath, his skin was bright red and white along the dried and peeling edges. Riley didn't even flinch as the towel touched his leg.