Mask-
While bewildered by the locals and their strange customs, you did understand that dealing with this Sköll would at least start as a ticket to try and get out of here. Even so, Sköll wasn't going to be a walk in the park like a bunch of Rattata would be. If an entire village was having trouble with this thing... then the village is either incredibly weak, or whatever this thing is is incredibly strong.
Putting your thoughts aside, you head out the door and follow the warriors towards where the location of where the beast was spotted. Your Chimchar was excited and ready for a fight, while your Turtwig seemed a bit more demure and stayed by your side. The two Sinnoh native Pokemon seemed to be use to some snow, perhaps from their ancestry, but even this much was more than they've seen. It was cold, and bitter up here. It also seemed that the group you were following didn't intend on conversing with you, so it seemed best to survey your surroundings.
The scenery around you is pure white, snow covering everything and protecting what it buried beneath. This place was cold and frozen, and its people strong and hearty. Every warrior you saw seemed at least twice your size, regardless if they were male or female. Spears fashioned from stone and wood, and weird little cage like nuts attached to their hips. They looked similar to Apricorns upon closer inspection, but seemed to be a different thing entirely. Perhaps they also fight alongside Pokemon? You'd be able to tell that soon enough.
"We have confirmed that Sköll is ahead! Our scouts have reported that the beast is currently engaged with one of our hunting parties that came to the fishermen's aid. Warriors, get ready to engage!" A loud, booming voice comes from the front of the group, informing the war band of the current situation. You can't quite tell who it is that was speaking, but you could tell that whoever it was, they were certainly in charge.
"Yes ma'am!" You heard everyone else respond back in unison. It was curt, but also very respectful. Whoever this woman was, she was certainly feared and trusted.
"Soldiers, to me. Archers, stay at the rear. Tamers, use your partner's strengths to help drive back Sköll! We do not want to draw the gods' ire today!" You hear the woman shout again, giving everyone in the group orders. You just kind of stand there, still a little out of your element in this situation.
Then, you could see the woman staring directly at you. Her eyes were a bright blue, with the clarity of an early spring sky. Her hair, while matted and mixed together with dirt and muck, was a brilliant golden hue. She was a brawny, robust woman, but there was a certain charm and essence to her.
"Hail! I do not recognize you or your clothing. You must be a foreigner then. We have been getting a lot more here at both Valheim and Brimilsvellir. While Trygg does call himself "Jarl", he is more of what some of your merchants have called a, uh, what's that word... Mayor? Yes, that! Our true Jarl is Bernhardt Ivarson, who makes his abode at Borg Keep, the heart of Scandia!" She laughed a little before starting to ramble on. Though she stopped after a little bit after giving you another look.
"Sorry about that, foreigner, my name is Gunnr, a war mother who serves under Jarl Bernhardt. I was sent as part of the vanguard to help protect Valheim Port and its surrounding cities from the threat that Sköll has been posing. If you have come to help, since I see you are a Tamer, follow me up the hill yonder and you can see Sköll for yourself," she states, introducing herself properly and giving a bit more explanation on the actual situation.
Heaing up the hill, you see a giant, blue Pokemon currently engaged with combat with a few soldiers. Arrows keep bouncing off of its hide, and you can see a few Pokemon, mostly Beartic and some Piloswine and one Sneasel, wailing away at the Pokemon. It then stops, and looks around before staring at you. Taking a good look, you recognize what it is immediately. Its a Lycanroc. While a lot larger than normal, it is certainly a Shiny Midday Lycanroc. And it looked like it has a bone to pick with you!
What do you do?
Raves-
You continue past the farms, following the Taillow towards the next temple, and the fountain within it. This trip better be worth it in saving the city, or the Dewpider would surely destroy everything by the time you got back. Spiders this, goddesses that. All you knew was that this map led to something that would fix this issue. And it was enough of a reason to bring you forwards.
As you headed down the road, nothing else seemed to bother you. In fact... it seemed they were avoiding you. The weird Taillow was still within view, its foot gleaming every so often as it was caught in the light. Maybe it was something of a guiding light? It was hard to say, but with there being no further issues it was safe enough to assume.
With the sky now a dark, smoky orange entwined with wisps of hazy lavender, you see a rather large building start to appear on the horizon. You were almost there, to the temple. You could feel your legs starting to move faster, as if some type of magic enchanted them with haste. Soon enough, you saw the steps of the rather grandiose temple, this specific architectural marvel making the one in the city look like a run-down shack. A lone figure awaits, and you can see the Taillow land on their left arm.
"Welcome, traveler! Come forth, and hearken to my wisdom. My friend here has been watching you, even in that city overrun by that brazen witch and her... unsightly spawn," a booming, masculine voice meets you before heading down into the light.
A man, dressed in silken robes and having an ornate mask on. Looking closer, you could see that the mask resembled the face of a Noctowl, but the beak was on his nose so that only his mouth could be seen. Even with his calm demeanor, you could tell that there was disgust on his lips.
"Humor me a little, and listen to a blind seer ramble. I know you seek the fountain within the temple. Artema send me a vision about a day ago, of a foreigner that will deal with the return of Araqne. I also know what those fools in the city are trying to do. Sacrifices? This is a plague, not war!" He raises his voice, before you see the Taillow peck his arm. The man gives a little yelp before regaining his composure.
"Listen, I shall give you shelter for the night, but I can not aid you further in reaching the fountain. I will test you, child, to see if your wisdom can solve this issue. But, that shall be after you are rested. It has been long since the goddess deemed me worthy a visitor."
The man then gives a wave before retreating back into the temple. There was still time left in the day, so there was always the opportunity to look around, perhaps gleam some information before being forced to go to bed.
What do you do?
KG-
One last push. One last fight. You could feel that the Ariados was running on its pride, and its hatred of being bested by its prey. There was nothing else that could drive it at this point. Nothing else was left driving this thing. And at this point, you needed to put it out of its misery.
As the Ariados tried start spinning a web, not even aiming at any target in particular, your Grimer decided to take the initiative. Sliding out his shadow, the Grimer is able to sneak it under the Ariados's figurative nose and launch the Shadow up. With a foaming hiss, the giant spider is launched into the air. It was too late for it to react, as your Elekid jumped up, fist swinging. Channeling his innate thunderous energy, the Elekid slammed its fist into the Ariados's head, sending it down like a crashing meteor. A loud SQUISHING noise could be heard, as the Ariados goes limp.
The twins gasp, not use to seeing what trainer's often see. Though heavily beaten and bruised, the Ariados is thoroughly knocked out. A puddle of green goop is underneath, the spider obviously losing a lot from this particular battle. You motioned to the twins, stating it was time to move on.
"So that's... How things are outside of the tree," the male commented. "It honestly seems, a little exciting. Most of our trials never involve battle, just wits. Tell me, sir, are all battles like this?"
With enough time given for you to answer, the sister starts to move forwards. She has seemed to regained her senses, and is ready to lead you towards their second trial.
"Our second trial is a battle of endurance. Find a way to win without losing any of your pieces. The people of this land call the game we use "shogi." Yet, I think that display was an ample substitute for that. As such, I think both of us can agree you have passed the second trial! As a reward, we shall give you this gift."
Rummaging through her pockets, the girl produces a small bracelet made of twisted wood adorned with pink petals. Though it certainly looks fancy, you can tell that it is too small for you. Seems it was made for a Grass-typed Pokemon in mind. She also gives you three Roseli Berries
"It allows Pokemon to gain more health when using draining moves," she smiles at you as she hands it over. Seems she has a new opinion of you as well.
Your Pokemon have obtained 2 Levels each for defeating the Ariados!
You have obtained a Big Root (In the guise of a Floral Bracelet)!
You have obtained 3x Roseli Berries!
"Well now sir, we're about half way through the tree. Our next trial will be one of endurance!" the twins announce in unison. Seems the creepiness is still there. "And hopefully, we can figure out what's going on here too."
With that, the two resume leading the way. Seems to be a good idea to keep up. Don't want to know what happens when something fails in the tree.
What do you do.
