Damn, Kalos?

"Who are you, child?"

The question hung in the air, carrying an unseen weight that bore down on me like an unrelenting tide. It wasn't just a question—it was a demand, an insistence that only the truth would suffice.

The way he said it, with such deliberate pressure, it felt as though the very world itself required my answer.

I could have said anything. I could have given him the name everyone knows me by now: Gojo Satoru, the name I've worn like armor in this world. A name that's shielded me, given me a sense of identity, purpose, and strength in a place where I once knew nothing.

But I didn't.

Instead, something deeper stirred within me. A name I had buried long ago clawed its way to the surface, unbidden, unwanted, but undeniably mine.

The words escaped my lips before I could stop them.

"Nova Zyx."

Its echo seemed to hang in the stillness, refusing to fade from a forgotten past. It felt foreign and familiar all at once, a relic of another life that I thought I had left behind.

The old man's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, those crimson pupils of his studying me intently. He seemed to weigh my name as though it held more meaning than I understood.

For a long moment, silence filled the space between us, the load of my own admission pressing down on me. It was the first time I had spoken that name in this world—my name. Not the mask I had worn, not the façade I had built, but the name tied to who I truly was, both in this life and the last.

My heart was racing. Why did I say it? Why now, of all times?

"Nova Zyx," he repeated, his voice rolling over the syllables with a strange clarity, as if testing the name's gravity himself. "A name heavy with history."

I didn't respond, my throat tightening. His words felt like they struck closer to the truth than I was comfortable admitting.

He leaned forward slightly, his expression still unreadable but the intensity in his gaze unrelenting. "The name may be yours, but what lies behind it? Tell me, child—what is your purpose?"

Purpose.

The word rang in my ears, louder than it should have. For so long, I'd thought my purpose was clear—to survive, to grow stronger, to protect those who stood with me. But now, with this question laid bare before me, I wasn't so sure.

"I…" My voice faltered. "I don't know."

The old man's smile returned, faint and knowing. "Good. Uncertainty is where growth begins."

His cryptic words settled over me like a riddle, one I wasn't sure I could solve. In that moment, something shifted within me—a crack in the carefully constructed armor of my second life.

For the first time since my reincarnation, I wasn't just Gojo Satoru. I wasn't just playing the role of a confident trainer.

I was Nova Zyx.

And it unsettled me. Since this part of my memories should have long faded into obscurity.

The old man's gaze didn't waver, his red pupils piercing into me as if they could see beyond my words, stripping away every layer of pretense. His serene smile, however, didn't falter.

"Nova Zyx," he repeated slowly, the words rolling off his tongue like an incantation. It was strange how the sound of my real name, spoken aloud for the first time in years, made my chest tighten.

"A name carries weight, child. Memories, burdens, and truths. Yours carries all three—and something else. Guilt, perhaps?" I froze, caught off guard by his bluntness. This wasn't someone I could lie to or brush off with sarcasm. There was something about his presence that disarmed me completely. 

My Pokémon, who had stood by my side through everything, shifted uneasily as though sensing the immense aura radiating from him. "Why does that matter to you?" I asked, my voice harsher than intended, trying to claw back some control over the situation. 

The old man tilted his head, his smile never wavering. "It matters because you carry it with you. A name is never just a word—it is a story. And your story… is fractured."

His words hit me like a hammer. I clenched my fists, struggling to suppress the emotions bubbling to the surface. "I didn't ask for this," I muttered. "I didn't choose to be here. I didn't choose any of it."

"No one chooses the path they're given," the old man said, stepping closer. Despite his frail appearance, there was a grace to his movements—a quiet power that made the air around him feel heavy. "But they can choose how they walk it."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the soft breaths of my Pokémon. His words lingered, pressing against the walls I had built around myself.

"Who are you?" I asked finally, my voice quieter now, tinged with curiosity and frustration.

The old man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to the roots beneath our feet, their intricate network weaving through the earth-like veins. "I am no one," he said at last, his tone even. "A fragment of a forgotten past. A shadow of what was. My name no longer matters—only the path I have chosen to walk."

His words carried a meaning that I couldn't fully grasp. "Why are you here?" I asked, trying to make sense of the encounter.

The old man then seemed to have a change of heart. "What's the fun in showing all my cards at once? Let's play a little game of chase, shall we?" he said with a mischievous smile.

The old man's sudden shift in tone threw me off. His mischievous smile didn't match the profound aura he carried moments ago, and it left me more confused than ever. My Pokémon shifted uneasily, picking up on the subtle tension in the air.

"What do you mean by 'chase'?" I asked cautiously, my voice laced with suspicion.

He chuckled softly, the sound carrying an almost playful edge. "You have questions, Nova boy. Questions that gnaw at your soul. But answers… answers should never come too easily. Don't you think it's more fun to earn them?"

Nova boy? This guy just randomly gave me a nickname?

And what does he mean by fun? There was nothing fun about this situation. I was stranded in an unfamiliar place, battered, lost, and burdened by questions I couldn't even begin to unravel. "I don't have time for games," I said, my voice firm. "I need answers."

His red eyes twinkled with amusement, as if my frustration entertained him. "Ah, but answers given freely often hold little value, Nova boy. You learn nothing by taking shortcuts."

With that, he took a step back. "If you truly want to understand, you'll have to catch me."

"Catch you?" I repeated, incredulous. "You've got to be kidding me."

He didn't reply. Instead, he turned on his heel and began to walk away, his figure blending into the forest's maze of roots and shadows.

"Wait!" I shouted, but he didn't stop. "I don't have time for this!"

He paused briefly, glancing over his shoulder. "Time, child, is something you have in abundance here. Use it wisely."

Before I could protest further, he disappeared into the dense forest, his white robes melting into the shadows. The air grew still, the only sound was the faint rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.

I stood there, dumbfounded. My Pokémon exchanged glances, equally perplexed by what had just transpired.

"What was that all about?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "He expects me to chase him? In this place? And what is with that nickname?"

Gabite growled softly, stepping forward as if ready to take the lead. Aegislash floated beside me, its blade shimmering faintly in the dim light, a silent reminder of its readiness to protect. Larvitar, always the smallest but never the least courageous, let out a determined grunt.

I sighed. "Guess we don't have a choice, huh?" My voice lacked the usual confidence I tried to project, but my Pokémon's unwavering loyalty gave me the slightest shred of courage.

With a reluctant nod, I took a step forward, following the direction the old man had gone. The forest seemed to shift as we moved, the roots twisting and forming new paths that hadn't been there moments before. The air grew heavier, the canopy above blocking out most of the light, leaving us in a perpetual twilight.

"He wants us to play his game," I said under my breath, my tone bitter. "Fine. But he'd better have those answers when we find him."

The deeper we ventured, the more surreal the forest became. The roots of the trees formed natural arches and tunnels, their bark pulsing faintly with an otherworldly glow. Strange cries echoed in the distance, the sounds of Pokémon I couldn't identify. The air was thick with tension, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Suddenly, a faint laugh echoed through the trees—a laugh that was all too familiar.

"Having trouble already, Nova boy?" the old man's voice teased, though I couldn't see him. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, bouncing off the trees like an eerie melody.

"Stop hiding!" I shouted, my voice carrying a mix of anger and desperation. "If you have something to say, say it to my face!"

"Patience, child," his voice replied, growing fainter. "The truth is never found by those who rush. Look carefully, and you might just see what you're missing."

Frustration boiled within me, but I forced myself to take a deep breath. He wasn't going to make this easy. If this was a test, I had no choice but to play along.

"Eyes open, everyone," I said to my Pokémon, my voice steady despite the unease creeping up my spine. "We'll find him."

Gabite sniffed the air, its keen senses picking up faint traces of movement ahead. With a nod, it led the way, its claws slicing through the dense undergrowth. Aegislash floated close behind me, its shield raised, while Larvitar stayed at my side, its small frame tense but ready.

As we pressed on, the forest seemed to change again. The roots grew taller, forming walls on either side of us, and the path narrowed into a winding tunnel. The light dimmed further, casting long shadows that danced with each step.

And then, as abruptly as the tunnel had formed, it opened into a clearing. At the center stood the old man, his back to us, his posture relaxed as he gazed at something in his hands—a small, glowing orb.

"You made it," he said without turning around. His tone was calm, but there was an edge to it, as if he had been expecting us all along.

"What's the point of this?".I asked, stepping into the clearing. "What do you want from me?"

He turned slowly, his red eyes gleaming in the faint light. "What I want is irrelevant. The question is, what do you want?"

I stopped in my tracks, his words cutting deeper than I cared to admit. For a moment, I had no answer. And that seemed to amuse him even more.

"Come," he said, holding out the orb. "The next step awaits."

—--

The past two days had passed in near-total silence. I trailed behind the old man—the only human I'd encountered in this strange place. Neither of us made any effort to start a conversation. He seemed perfectly at ease with the quiet, and I found myself content with the occasional small chats I shared with my Pokémon instead.

The old man carried a glowing blue orb, its soft light pulsing faintly in the dim undergrowth. It didn't resemble a Mega Stone, nor did it seem like anything I'd come across before. I had a hundred questions about it, but I doubted he would answer even if I asked. So, I kept my thoughts to myself.

We wandered without direction, walking endlessly through the forest's maze of ancient roots and towering trees. Aimless.

I glanced at my Pokémon as we trudged along. Gabite was at my side, occasionally swiping at the stray branches in her path, her claws leaving deep gashes in the bark. Larvitar toddled just behind me, its stubby legs working double-time to keep up, occasionally tripping over a root but always bouncing back with determination. Aegislash floated silently, its shield occasionally reflecting glimmers of light from the glowing orb in the old man's hands.

Gabite let out a low growl, her tail flicking in annoyance. I stopped and crouched beside her, brushing some stray leaves off her head. "What's wrong, girl? Sore from all the walking?" I asked softly. She huffed, nudging me with her snout before glancing back at Larvitar.

Larvitar, noticing the attention, puffed out his chest and let out a small, determined cry. He stomped his foot as if to declare he was fine, but his wobble betrayed him.

"Careful, buddy," I said, laughing softly as I reached out to steady him. "We can't have you tripping into a root and getting stuck, can we?"

Larvitar gave an indignant grunt, but Gabite let out a low, rumbling chuckle, clearly amused by the little one's bravado.

Aegislash hovered closer, its shield tapping lightly against my shoulder. I glanced back at it, raising an eyebrow. "What's that? You think we should pick up the pace?"

It tilted slightly, almost like a subtle nod.

Ahead of us, the old man paused, turning just enough to glance over his shoulder. His gaze lingered on the scene for a moment, his expression unreadable, before he resumed his slow, deliberate pace.

Leaning down to Gabite, I whispered, "I don't trust him."

Gabite growled low in agreement, her claws scraping the ground. Larvitar, catching onto the tone, let out a defiant cry and stomped his foot.

"Yeah, I know," I said, scratching behind Gabite's fin. "But what choice do we have? He might know a way out of this place."

Larvitar chirped again, as if to say, Then why are we following him silently? Shouldn't we ask?

I gave a dry chuckle. "Easier said than done, buddy. You've seen the way he is. Something tells me he's not the 'straight answers' type."

Aegislash floated forward, its shield lightly pressing against my arm again. I looked up at it, feeling a faint pulse of reassurance. "You're right. We'll stay cautious," I said, patting his shield.

The forest grew denser as we moved forward, the light filtering through the canopy dimming further. The occasional rustle of leaves or the chirping of distant Pokémon filled the air, breaking the oppressive silence.

At one point, the forest grew so dark that it felt like the very air around us had thickened. The once-dense canopy above blocked out all but the faintest traces of light, and I could barely make out the path ahead. Every step seemed to be swallowed by the shadows.

But after what felt like an eternity, the dense forest began to thin. The weight of the darkness lifted, and the trees scattered, their forms becoming more distant and fewer in number. As I stepped forward, the surroundings began to shift dramatically.

The ground beneath my feet grew firm and dry, and I could sense the change in the air—the once humid and earthy atmosphere was now arid, the moisture replaced by the crispness of a barren landscape. A wide stretch of dry, cracked earth stretched out before us, as far as the eye could see. There was no mistaking it. On one side, the forest remained thick and overwhelming, but on the other side, there was nothing but emptiness—barren, desolate land that seemed to stretch into infinity.

I paused, staring at the stark contrast before me. It was as if the world had been split in two—one side alive with the hum of nature, while the other was eerily quiet, devoid of life or movement. The dry land seemed hostile, almost suffocating in its emptiness. There was no transition, no gradual shift from one to the other. One moment, the lushness of the forest surrounded me, and the next, I stood at the edge of a vast, unforgiving wasteland.

Gabite let out a low growl, her body tense as if sensing the abrupt change in the atmosphere. Larvitar, ever curious, took a few steps into the dry land but quickly turned back, seeming unsettled by the barren expanse. Aegislash hovered silently, its shield reflecting the dim light from the forest side.

"What is this place?" I muttered under my breath, trying to make sense of the sudden shift. The contrast was jarring, and I felt an uneasy knot forming in my stomach. The old man, walking ahead, didn't break his pace, seemingly unaffected by the change in terrain. His back remained to us, but I noticed his posture—no longer as relaxed, but slightly more rigid as if he too was aware of the strange divide we had come across.

"We shouldn't be here," I said to myself. It felt wrong. But I knew, deep down, that it was no coincidence.

The silence stretched on, broken only by the occasional sound of the wind sweeping across the desolate ground. The world before me felt like it was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen. But there was no time to waste.

Turning to my Pokémon, I spoke quietly, "We keep going. We need to find out why we're here. What this place is, and what it wants from us."

Gabite gave a firm nod, showing her resolve. Larvitar followed, hesitant but driven by something only he could understand. Aegislash floated alongside me, as ever, silently awaiting my next move.

The old man had already begun walking toward the dry lands, his gaze fixed ahead, though he seemed to be lost in thought. Perhaps he knew more than he was letting on. Or perhaps, just like me, he was waiting for the answers to come.

No matter what, I couldn't afford to hesitate. I had come too far to turn back now.

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New chapter tomorrow too.