The sun sat high in the sky, bathing the winding dirt path in golden light. Dust kicked up beneath the wheels of Dunlin's merchant cart, which creaked along at a steady pace. Birds chirped lazily overhead. A few passing Spearow squawked at the group, scattering into the woods.
Shion walked just beside the cart, his green scarf fluttering in the breeze. Kiba trotted beside him, tongue out, tail wagging gently. Bidoof, as usual, was stuffed in Shion's bag, sticking halfway out like an overfed loaf of bread.
"Are we there yet?" Bidoof muttered for the seventh time in the last hour.
Shion gave a deep sigh. "For the last time no. You'd know if you weren't half-asleep the entire time."
"I'm conserving energy," Bidoof said with mock dignity, then yawned so hard it nearly tumbled out of the bag. "You wouldn't understand. You're not divine."
Jareth, who was walking ahead with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. "What's that Bidoof mumbling about now?"
Shion flinched. "Ah uh. Just…berries. He wants berries."
Jareth grinned. "You know, for a minute there, I almost believed he was smarter than the average Bidoof."
Bidoof grumbled. "These people have no respect for gods."
Fena, sitting on top of the cart with her feet dangling, glanced down. "He's getting fatter. Is that normal? He looks like he ate a whole Snorlax."
"I heard that!" Bidoof snapped, making the cart shake as he thrashed inside Shion's pack.
Kiba let out a low bark of amusement.
Later that day, the group took a break near a shallow stream that ran parallel to the road. Dunlin set up a quick lunch bread, salted jerky, dried berries and Jareth fetched water from the stream.
"Don't eat too fast," Shion said, tossing a berry to Kiba.
"I don't get to eat fast anymore," Bidoof muttered dramatically, chewing on a raw pecha like it offended him. "Because SOMEONE keeps saying I'm 'too full of divine power' to burn fat."
"You are literally rounder than the Poké Ball I caught Golurk in," Shion replied dryly.
At that moment, there was a loud splash. Fena had slipped while trying to balance on a rock in the stream.
Jareth laughed. "Trying to impress a wild Psyduck?"
"I was testing the depth!"
"Sure."
Fena scowled and splashed water at him.
Shion chuckled softly. This kind of peace was rare.
Even Bidoof, grumpy as he was, settled down.
As they packed up and resumed their journey, Dunlin piped up, adjusting his reins.
"Two towns left, my friends! We're almost to Ravios."
Shion perked up. The capital. The place where Ren and Mila were.
He found his mind drifting. Would they still recognize him? Would he recognize them? He shook his head no use worrying now.
"We'll stop in Harthwick next," Dunlin continued. "Decent inn, good fruit pies. And no bandits, hopefully."
"Don't jinx it," Jareth said.
"I never jinx things," Dunlin replied with mock offense.
Just then, a wild Mankey swung out of a tree and landed on Dunlin's head, stealing a berry bun from the cart.
Everyone froze.
Then
"AFTER IT!" Dunlin screamed, flailing.
Shion, Kiba, Jareth and Fena ran after the Mankey, who hooted gleefully and vaulted into the trees.
Bidoof, meanwhile, had rolled off Shion's back and was slowly waddling after them. "Come back, you thieving monkey beast…"
By sundown, the group had retrieved the bun (somewhat smashed), treated Dunlin's scalp, and returned to the road.
Shion was sore from running, Kiba looked proud, and Bidoof was snoring again with a berry stuck to its cheek.
As they made camp under a starlit sky, Shion leaned against a rock, arms behind his head, staring at the constellations.
"Hey, Bidoof," he whispered.
"Zzz...what?"
"Any update on the next Plate?"
"Not yet. I'll let you know when my sacred instincts tingle."
Shion snorted. "So, never then?"
"Rude."
Kiba let out a soft bark and curled up beside him.
-----
The wind shifted as the group rounded a bend in the road, tall trees casting dappled shadows across the path. The sun had begun its slow descent, dyeing the sky in hues of amber and rose.
Shion was mid-yawn when he heard the sound of armor clinking in the distance.
"Riders?" Jareth murmured from the front.
Dunlin narrowed his eyes and tugged the reins, slowing the cart. "No… not just any riders."
From around the corner, a regal procession emerged four armored paladins on finely groomed Rapidash, flanking a covered white-and-gold carriage. Their tabards bore the unmistakable Crest of the Church of Arceus a radiant sun motif split by a shimmering ring.
"Whoa…" Shion whispered.
The lead paladin gave only a passing glance as they approached, their eyes cold and disciplined. The other three kept their faces neutral, their swords gleaming at their sides. The carriage, though modest in size, was exquisitely crafted its windows veiled in silver-tinted silk.
Dunlin's eyes widened, and to Shion's surprise, he dismounted the cart and bowed deeply.
"Is he…?" Shion looked to Fena and Jareth, who were also offering respectful nods.
"Lower your head," Jareth muttered. "It's the Saintess's escort."
Shion hesitated, then dipped his head slightly. He glanced sideways Kiba bowed his head too, naturally mimicking Shion.
Bidoof, on the other hand, was snoring loudly inside the Bag, limbs twitching and cheeks puffing in sleep. It mumbled something about "divine naps" and drooled on Shion's spare socks.
Shion winced. "Of all the times…"
As the carriage passed, the paladins paid the group no mind. They didn't break formation, nor speak. Only the quiet clop of Rapidash hooves against stone echoed across the valley.
But just for a moment, Shion caught a glimpse through the half-parted curtain of the carriage window.
Inside sat a young woman, no older than twenty, her expression serene and unreadable. Her platinum-blonde hair cascaded like moonlight over a simple white dress embroidered with golden runes. Her eyes, even through the veil of fabric and distance, seemed distant like someone carrying the weight of unseen burdens.
And then the curtain closed.
The carriage disappeared down the road, the procession vanishing around a bend.
Only then did Dunlin rise, wiping his brow with a kerchief.
"Didn't expect to run into them out here," he muttered. "Thought they'd already passed this region."
"Who…was that?" Shion asked, wide-eyed.
Fena smirked. "What, never heard of the Saintess of the Church of Arceus?"
Shion shook his head. "I mean, I've heard of the Church, but... not in detail."
Fena raised an eyebrow. "That's the Saintess Elira said to be blessed directly by the light of Arceus Himself. The youngest Saintess in the history of the church. People say she can cure the sick with a prayer and speak with Legendary Pokémon ."
Shion blinked, overwhelmed.
"She's got followers all across Elvaris," Jareth added. "But some say she's more...symbol than soldier. Doesn't speak publicly. The paladins protect her like she's divine gold."
Shion stared into the distance, where the carriage had vanished. "So… she's that important?"
Fena nodded. "Important enough that kingdoms offer her safe passage and shut down roads to give her privacy. Even nobles bow when they see that crest."
He looked down at his pack. Bidoof was still snoring, a half-eaten berry rolling out of his mouth. Its chubby body rose and fell with each breath like an overstuffed cushion.
Shion blinked. "And… this is the God they worship?"
Bidoof snorted in his sleep and muttered, "Praise me, mortals…"
Shion turned back to the road and sighed deeply.
"Yeah… no pressure at all."