“I think you're fucking crazy!” Calvin shook his head uncomfortably.

  “Can you keep your voice low?” Alphen responded softly, walking through the stores aisles. He was on the fence about telling Calvin, suspecting he'd call it a crazy idea.

  “It's a fucking stupid idea, bro!”

  He sighed as he grabbed a few potions to put in his bag. The area itself was dangerous, and usually, only trainers who have had all their badges would often have a chance of surviving.

  “I know, I know,” Alphen groaned. “I just have to do this. I feel like Celeste is trying to guide me somewhere important, or if something happened, you know?”

  “I get that but–”

  Zorua popped out from his Pokeball, landing beside Alphen's feet. He looked up at him, during the snacks that were in the bag.

  “You need to stay in your Pokeball!” Alphen scolded in a whisper. He knelt down beside the Pokemon who just wagged his scruffy tail. “People might try and take you!”

  “He just wants some snacks dude.”

  “Can you not encourage him?” Alphen glared at him. Returning him back to his pokeball, he was ready to get the hell out from the store. “Last thing I need is another person trying to attack us again.”

  After ringing up the items to pay, Alphen just barely had enough to afford the rest of it. Never did he imagine he'd actually be carrying items such as potions. Felt strange in a way for him.

  “I’m just saying man,” Calvin continued as they walked out from the store. “I understand you're worried for your sister, and if she has something planned for you, but what if it's not what you think it is?”

  “Then I'm obviously wrong. It's not just for me though,” Alphen mentioned. “It's also for Zorua. If he really came from the Great Beyond, then there has to be something connected to him at the very bottom.”

  Calvin stared at the black intricate Pokeball. It was hard to blame them for being curious about Zorua's origins. His entire origins were completely unknown, and all they had to go off of was a unique typing they started calling as Void.

  He wasn't even sure if it could get more bizarre than that.

  “I guess,” Calvin quietly responded. “Just be careful dude.”

  “Always!” Alphen assured. “Elle seems like a competent trainer anyway.” She was strong for sure, but he wasn't even sure of her limitations. It was hard to imagine just the type of challenges they'd be running into.

  “You guys are leaving tonight?”

  “Yeah pretty late.”

  “Then I'll see you guys off later!” Calvin mentioned with a smile.

  Alphen raised an eyebrow. “You sure? It's gonna be pretty late.”

  “Why is it even a question, bro?” Calvin responded. “You're literally about to disappear in a man-eating cave. Of course I'll say bye!”

  “Well if you say so,” Alphen said, giving his friend a fist bump. “I'll see you later then.”

  “Later man!”

  —

  Setting his backpack down beside the bed, Alphen let out a quiet breath. The room was dim, lit only by the late afternoon sun bleeding through the window. He was nearly done packing; hours spent second guessing what he might need had finally brought him here. Just one more mental checklist.

  He glanced over the contents sprawled across the bed and floor. Snacks—simple, compact, enough to share. Water bottles, carefully rationed. A small first-aid kit with bandages, ointments, and painkillers. A change of clothes. Just enough to get by, assuming they'd forage for the rest.

  It was all starting to feel real now. Like no matter how much he prepared, something inside him still wasn’t ready. “I’m hoping I’m not forgetting anything,” he muttered.

  Across the bed, Zorua lay perched on the folded blanket, curled but alert. That familiar gaze met his. They held it for a long moment.

  That same unreadable expression.

  He still couldn’t tell what was going on in that strange little head. No barking, no whining, no restless pacing. Just… silent. Watching him closely as ever.

  It was kind of eerie. Definitely frustrating. But more than anything, it was intriguing.

  “I really don’t know what goes through your head,” Alphen said, his tone softening slightly as he spoke to the fox. “You just stare like you’re waiting for something. Or judging me. I haven’t decided which.”

  Zorua didn't move.

  Alphen exhaled and turned back toward the drawers, tugging them open with half-hearted energy. He shifted through them quickly. Socks, worn-out shirts, a half crumpled map he thought he lost. Just checking one last time, even if he already knew what was there.

  His mind wandered as his hands moved, fingers brushing past loose cords, folded wrappers, and forgotten pieces of junk until they caught on something smooth.

  A thin chain.

  He paused, then slowly pulled it free from beneath the clutter.

  Dangling from the end was a small crystal pendant, faintly glowing in the dusky light. His brow furrowed as he studied it more closely. The gem shimmered with soft hues, like a prism. Rainbow-like, but not quite. The colors didn’t just reflect; but felt almost alive.

  “Is this Celeste’s?” he whispered to himself. He didn’t remember seeing it before. It definitely wasn’t his.

  “Alphen? Are you up here?” his mother’s voice echoed up from downstairs, cutting into his thoughts.

  Startled, he instinctively shoved his backpack under the bed and glanced around to ensure nothing important was left out. Zorua, ever quiet, had hopped down with a soft thump, his tail wagging slowly as if nothing unusual had happened.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Yeah, I’m here,” Alphen called back, standing upright just as his mother appeared in the doorway.

  “Dinner’s almost ready,” she said with a warm smile. Her eyes softened further at the sight of Zorua, who gave a slight tail wag in response. “What are you doing, honey?”

  Alphen glanced toward his drawers, then casually lifted the necklace.

  “Just organizing. Do you know who this belongs to?”

  “Oh, this is pretty!” She stepped into the room, gently taking it from his hand to examine it more closely. “I wouldn’t know… maybe your sister?”

  “Hmm. Maybe,” he muttered, still unsure.

  “You can ask her the next time she calls. If she calls,” his mother huffed with playful irritation. “I’m still waiting for that girl to remember her poor mother exists!”

  Alphen chuckled. “She’s probably just busy.”

  But a quiet concern lingered behind the humor. Busy was one thing—but total silence?

  You’re at the Great Beyond, right? he thought. You better be there.

  “Too busy to say ‘hello, Mom!’ apparently,” she grumbled as she turned toward the door. “Well, come downstairs soon, alright?”

  He nodded as she exited the room, leaving behind the faint scent of whatever was cooking downstairs.

  Exhaling slowly, Alphen turned his gaze back to the necklace. He rolled it once between his fingers, the crystal catching the fading light like a star trapped in glass.

  There was no reason to take it with him. And yet somehow, it felt like it belonged with him now.

  He held it a moment longer before finally setting it back down on the edge of his desk, where the fading light caught its surface once more. It glimmered softly, as if watching him.

  Figuring he was good to go, he gave one last glance around the room.

  With a quiet breath, he turned and made his way downstairs, the faint creak of each step blending with the subtle sounds of tiny paws behind him.

  —

  Alphen grabbed his bag from beneath the bed, giving the room one last look. Everything was ready. Every item packed, every choice made.

  He slipped on his black jacket, tugging it snug over his shoulders. His gaze drifted to the window.

  The moon hung high, glowing bright with a silver light that painted shadows across the floorboards. It was nearly full. Almost midnight. Elle and Calvin would be waiting for him soon.

  “Guess we’re ready,” he murmured to Zorua.

  The little fox hopped silently onto his shoulder, tail flicking once as it settled beside his neck.

  Alphen picked up a small note he had left carefully folded on his bed. He stared at it for a moment, almost scared to even leave it.

  He hadn’t gone into detail, just a few sentences scribbled in his slightly uneven handwriting. I’m going on a journey. I need to do this—with Zorua. I’ll be okay.

  He hoped it wasn’t a lie.

  Placing the note down gently on the bedspread, he walked over to the window. The night air hit his face as he pushed it open, carrying the quiet hum of the world beyond.

  Climbing through, he stepped onto the roof’s edge, balancing himself with practiced caution. His parents were deep sleepers, and tonight, he was grateful for it.

  Gripping the edge of the roof, he carefully lowered himself down onto a trashcan, wincing slightly as it creaked beneath him—then dropped to the ground with a soft thud.

  But as he turned toward the gate, he froze. A massive shape sat just ahead.

  Slaking.

  His mother’s Pokémon.

  The behemoth of a beast lounged lazily beside the backyard gate, head slowly tilting to meet Alphen’s eyes. Just... watching.

  Alphen's breath caught in his throat.

  At one point, someone had tried to break into their house. That person had met Slaking. That person had also left in an ambulance with multiple fractures.

  “Shhh,” Alphen whispered, hand instinctively brushing Zorua’s back.

  Slaking didn’t move. Almost as if too tired to really care.

  After a few tense seconds, Alphen carefully unlatched the back gate and slipped through. No alarms. No sudden roars. Just the quiet creak of old hinges and the cold rush of air on the other side.

  Waiting for him in the front yard were Calvin and Elle, just now walking up under the dim glow of the porch light. Their footsteps crunched quietly against the gravel path.

  Beside them, Litten followed along silently, while Lucario moved a couple feet behind, scanning the surroundings like a guardian. Elle had her backpack slung over one shoulder, worn but packed tightly. Calvin looked tired already.

  Elle offered him a soft smile. “Ready?”

  Alphen gave a small nod. “I think so.”

  “You say that like you’re not the one who agreed to it,” Calvin smirked, then pulled a small drawstring bag from his side and held it out. “Brought you these.”

  Alphen raised a brow and peeked inside. A handful of empty Pokéballs, some Potions, spare Repels, and a couple of compact rations were tucked neatly within. His eyes widened.

  “Whoa—are you serious?” he had to keep his voice from raising in surprise. “You didn’t spend all your gym earnings on this, did you?”

  Calvin scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Bro, just take the bag. Think of it as a first time trainer kit.

  Alphen grinned, genuinely touched. “Thanks, man. Seriously.”

  “Wow, I never got one of those,” Elle teased, nudging Calvin lightly with her elbow. She looked back to Alphen. “You made sure you finished everything you needed to do?”

  “Yes, I'm ready!” He confirmed.

  “Be aware that we won't get any cell service once we head down,” Elle mentioned. “You're better off turning your phone off. No point in draining the battery.”

  “Makes sense,” Alphen reached for his phone to turn it off.

  “Then let's go man!” Calvin grinned, giving his friend a pat on the back.

  ---

  The trip to the edge of the Great Beyond wasn’t long. Their quiet little town rested right beside it, as if the world itself had decided to build civilization right on the edge of mystery.

  Tiny nocturnal Pokémon scurried through the tall grass and along the path as the trio made their way up the massive hill. The night air was cool, crisp, and carried a strange stillness with it.

  “What do you think’s at the bottom?” Calvin asked between breaths, slowing as the incline steepened.

  “Beats me,” Elle replied with a shrug, not even winded. “Some say the Great Beyond connects to every region.”

  Alphen groaned softly. “I just hope we don’t have to walk too far down. My legs are already hating me.”

  As they crested the final slope, the full view of the Great Beyond finally stretched out before them and it was…massive. Its crater went on for miles, a gaping void carved into the land. Clouds and fog gathered thickly within, swirling like a slow storm, obscuring everything below. From this distance, it looked endless.

  Alphen stopped walking.

  This was his first time seeing it up close. He’d always known it was big, but standing here, it was like staring into something ancient. Something not meant to be disturbed.

  Above them, flocks of flying Pokémon coasted along the edges, some diving low before disappearing into the mist. The wind picked up slightly, rustling his jacket.

  “So this is it…” he murmured, not realizing he had said it out loud.

  Elle glanced at him. “This is it,” she echoed, softer than usual. Her confident demeanor held strong, but something in her eyes. Her nerves, maybe. Or caution.

  Calvin stepped forward, exhaling deeply, then turned toward Alphen. “Bro—Alphen—” he said, holding out his hand, “you better be safe down there, alright?”

  Alphen stared for a moment, then reached out and clasped his hand tight. “Of course. I’ll be back.”

  “You better,” Calvin said, managing a crooked grin. “I’m not even joking. I expect a flying Pidgey or shit, even a shooting star with a note tied to it or something. ‘Still alive. Love, Alphen.’”

  Alphen laughed. “You’ll be the first I send it to.”

  It really did feel like a goodbye.

  “Hey, I’ll be okay too, by the way,” Elle chimed in, raising a hand.

  “Yeah, yeah,” Calvin said with a smirk. “We know you’ll be fine.”

  Alphen turned his gaze toward the pit. He was finally going to search for his sister. A memory flickered in his mind of him and his sister. The very day she left on her journey.

  She'd been so excited then, always talking about the very first badge she would get. Fast forward a few years later, and she became Champion of the entire region.

  I hope I'll see you soon, Celeste.

  Zorua licked his cheek, sensing his nerves, as if to say he was ready to go as well. Alphen inhaled a deep breath one final time, then looked over to Elle and her Lucario.

  “Should I be the one to take the first step?”

  “The honor is all yours,” She said with a soft smile.

  Alphen stepped forward, foot pressing down on the sloped path. He turned to wave one final goodbye to Calvin who waved back. Elle followed right behind him, also waving goodbye to Calvin.

  They were finally entering the Great Beyond.

  --

  The sudden ringing of the phone startled Alphen’s mother awake. With a drowsy groan, she reached for it on her nightstand, blinking against the screen’s glow.

  “Hello?” she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.

  …

  “Oh! Hello, Celeste!”