Paragon

Hisui Incursion [34]

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PARAGON

Hisui Incursion Arc [34]

Chapter 86 : Back to the Future

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Hisui Region - Temple of Sinnoh

"Would you please tell me your name?" Sir Aaron asked, his electric blue eyes boring into Ash.

Ash stared, half in disbelief, half in relief. "Yeah... My name is A..."

His eyes rolled back into his head, but Sir Aaron surged forward to catch him before he fell. He frowned. "He's exhausted. And he has wounds all across his body."

Riley cursed under his breath. "He was supposed to have a plan for that," he muttered, hurrying forward, the shock of seeing Sir Aaron in the flesh momentarily suspended.

"Thank you for your assistance," Guardian," Sir Aaron intoned, kneeling beside Ash.

"O-Of course," Riley said.

Both Guardians held their hands over Ash and he was soon enveloped by a roiling cloak of Aura.

Sabrina squinted from the sidelines, but their combined fount of power made it difficult to see what was actually happening. She'd thought Ash's 'Lightstorm Purge' was supposed to heal himself and others, but perhaps he'd allocated more of his energy to the others? Because Sabrina herself didn't feel fatigued at all. It was like her battle with Palkia hadn't even happened. She suspected it was the same for Riley. Mentally, she kicked Ash.

Behind the Guardians, Kamado draped a cloth over the fallen Volo's face and whispered a few words.

As the glow of Aura died down, Sir Aaron stood and let his hands fall to his sides. "This is only a temporary fix. Even with my power, the wounds inflicted by the Platebearer will not be so easily healed. His body will need to recover like that of a normal human. Is he a man of fortitude?"

"Yes!" Sabrina blurted out. As all eyes turned toward her, she shrunk back, blushing. "Yes, he is."

Sir Aaron cracked a grin. "Good. Perhaps I have an eye for people after all. I look forward to meeting the man I met."

As if on cue, Ash's eyes snapped open and he bolted up.

"Ash?" Riley said, wary of his swift awakening.

As much as Sabrina wanted to run over and embrace him, she bit her lip and stayed back. The last thing she wanted was to make a scene, especially in front of Sir Aaron.

In front of them, the Dark Plate crackled, shadowy embers drifting from its cragged surface like snow.

Sir Aaron looked back at it, then warily turned back to Ash. "Yes... The Plate is yours, young one. Take it within you, before it disappears."

Ash glanced at Sir Aaron, then over at the Dark Plate.

Sir Aaron stood with his back to the Plate, his head hanging low, almost as if he was trying to ignore it. Is he...tempted by its power? Sabrina wondered.

At the thought, Sabrina stared at the Plate herself, but no such similar inclination welled up within her. She glanced over at Ash, who still hadn't moved.