Morning dawned quietly over the farm. The gentle hum of the Sanctum Field blended with the distant chirping of wild Pidgey, weaving a soft symphony of life waking from slumber. Riven, still feeling the echo of last night's success with the Soilheart Basin, stretched and blinked open his eyes.
The Sanctum Ring pulsed faintly on his finger, as if eager to report.
System Update:Daily Quest: Maintain Aura Flow in adjacent crop tiles (3/5 completed)Weekly Quest: Collect 5 Wild Herbs from surrounding area (1/5 completed)Yearly Quest: Reach Sanctum Sync 20% (Current: 13%)
Riven rubbed his jaw. "Alright, let's finish the Aura Flow."
The Sanctum Field shimmered faintly in the morning light, green tendrils of aura still weaving gently through the crops. He knelt beside the basil plants—still young but growing sturdily—and laid his hand flat on the soil.
Activating Aura Weaving: MaintenanceStability Increased: +7%Crop Growth Rate +3% for 12 hours
The plants seemed to breathe under his touch. He let his aura thread softly knit into the roots, weaving them into the spiritual network beneath the ground.
"Feels like you're growing with it, huh, Riolu?"
Riolu, standing nearby, nodded with a bright, confident look. The little fighter had taken to the farm quickly, growing stronger with every passing day, his aura more stable and vibrant.
Midday found Riven packing light—his small satchel filled with herbs, a knife, and a few supplies.
The wild herb quest beckoned. The nearby woods were dense and layered with old trees, mossy rocks, and tangled underbrush. It was a place where few dared linger, but Riven had grown fond of it.
He liked the silence.
Zorua trotted ahead, nose twitching, ears alert to every rustle and distant snap of twigs. The shadow fox moved gracefully, blending perfectly into the dappled sunlight.
They ventured deeper than before, eyes peeled for the tiny leaves and flowers that the System had specified.
Wild Herb List:– Moonleaf– Spindleroot– Starcap Mushrooms– Bluevine Blossoms– Thornbark Bark
The first find was Moonleaf, its silvery leaves shimmering faintly in the light. Riven carefully plucked a few and tucked them into his pouch.
As they progressed, the forest grew darker, the trees arching high and thick overhead. The air was rich with the scent of earth and damp wood.
System Alert: Aura Fluctuations Detected Nearby.
Riven paused, hand on the hilt of his knife.
"Zorua, you sense that too?"
Zorua crouched low, eyes narrowing into sharp slits.
Nearby Presence: Unknown Pokémon DetectedEstimated Level: HighStatus: Passive but Alert
Riven's heart beat faster. Though he had trained to remain calm, this was the first time the system marked a "high-level unknown" this close to the farm.
Carefully, they approached the source of the disturbance—a small clearing where a large shadow lay coiled. A majestic Houndoom rested on the ground, its sleek black fur marked by fiery red patterns.
The Houndoom opened one eye slowly and fixed Riven with a gaze both wary and tired.
Riven crouched low and spoke softly, "Hey… you're hurt, aren't you?"
The Houndoom shifted, limping slightly on its front paw, smoke rising faintly from its muzzle. Its heavy breathing echoed pain.
Zorua stepped forward cautiously, lowering her head in a submissive gesture. The Houndoom sniffed, then seemed to relax.
System Prompt:"This Pokémon matches the criteria of 'Abandoned' category."Possible Quest: Rescue and Rehabilitation
Riven smiled gently. "Looks like we have a new friend."
They led the Houndoom back to the farm slowly. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the fields.
Back home, Riven prepared a warm bath using purified water and herbs, gently cleaning the wounds on the Houndoom's leg. The Pokémon whimpered but did not resist.
System Update:Quest Activated – Houndoom RehabilitationObjectives:– Clean wounds daily– Feed high-nutrition meals (Meat + Herbs)– Train to regain stamina and trustRewards: SP +50, FP +70, Potential Increase
"Don't worry, you're safe here," Riven whispered, meeting the Houndoom's dark eyes.
Riven balanced farm chores with healing and training. Each morning began with Aura Weaving and crop maintenance, while afternoons involved gentle exercises with the Houndoom—walking laps, slow jogs, and playful sparring with Zorua and Riolu.
The bond grew. The Houndoom's stamina improved, its aura stabilizing with each passing day.
"You're not just a fighter," Riven said one evening as the three Pokémon lounged beside the hearth, "You're family."
One night, under the light of a full moon, the Sanctum Ring pulsed violently.
System Alert:"Sanctum Sync Achieved: 15%"Unlocking new abilities…
New Ability Unlocked: Aura LinkDescription: Allows user to temporarily merge aura with a bonded Pokémon, enhancing their strength and recovery.
Riven closed his eyes and concentrated, reaching out mentally to Riolu first. The aura flowed between them like a warm current, filling Riolu with energy and calm.
He tried the same with Houndoom. The fiery Pokémon's eyes glowed brighter, muscles flexing with renewed vigor.
The power was intoxicating.
That night, as Riven prepared to sleep, his thoughts wandered to the future.
He had built a farm, forged bonds, and awakened powers within himself and his Pokémon. But beyond the fields and the Sanctum lay a vast world full of challenges, mysteries, and adventures.
And deep down, he knew this was just the beginning.