Chapter 8

Arcane was led to a small barrow, positioned far from the giant tree and with only one other barrow in sight. The isolation of the spot wasn't lost on him. Felicia pointed to the modest space, her tone neutral. "You can sleep here," she said, nodding toward the barrow. "I'll be in the nearby one if you need anything."

She turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, she paused and added, "Food will be delivered to you. There's no need to go out looking for any." Her words carried an underlying message—Arcane could rest here, but he was not free to roam. He was to stay put until she or someone else came for him.

Arcane nodded, understanding her meaning. With that, Felicia continued to her own barrow, laying down with her eyes fixed on him, a silent guardian ensuring he stayed where he was supposed to.

He didn't mind. The exhaustion that had been clawing at him for hours finally crashed over him in full force. For the first time, he felt a sense of security, a small, guarded space where he could sleep without the constant fear of being attacked.

As he laid down, the overwhelming fatigue, both physical and mental, consumed him. He drifted into sleep almost instantly, his body and mind surrendering to the darkness. This time, there were no dreams, no haunting memories—just pure, restful blackness. And he welcomed it with open arms.

Arcane awoke the next morning to find himself lying on a soft bed of moss, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. His body felt surprisingly well-rested, though his mind refreshed was clearer than before. Glancing around, he noticed a small pile of blue and black berries placed nearby. They looked different from any berries he had encountered in the past world, but they seemed edible enough. Without a second thought, he began to eat, savoring the unfamiliar yet satisfying taste.

As he chewed, he heard the sound of light footsteps approaching. Lily and Ember, with their usual energy, trotted over to him, their eyes gleaming with excitement. Felicia followed close behind, her demeanor calm but watchful as always.

"Good morning, Arcane!" Lily chirped, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Did you have a nice sleep? You've been out for so long!"

"Yeah, we were starting to wonder if you'd ever wake up!" Ember added with a playful grin.

Arcane paused mid-bite, looking up at the two young Pokémon. "Sorry about that. I guess I was more tired than I thought," he replied, offering them a faint smile.

Felicia stepped forward, her expression slightly more serious. "No need to apologize. You needed the rest. But you should finish up quickly. The leader wants to speak with you, and I need to bring you over."

Arcane nodded, quickly finishing the last of the berries. Once done, he stretched, feeling the stiffness in his muscles ease as he prepared to follow Felicia.

"Alright, let's go," Felicia instructed, turning to lead the way.

As they walked, Arcane noticed how lively the forest was in the morning. The air was filled with the chirping of Pidgey and the rustling of leaves as other Pokémon moved about. The warmth of the sun and the vibrant life around him gave the forest a peaceful, almost idyllic atmosphere.

Suddenly, a Leafeon emerged from the trees, her graceful form catching Arcane's eye. Its body was tan with dark brown paws. It had a multitude of small green sprouts growing all over its legs, chest, and back, with the longest one on its head, in front of four tan tufts of fur. Its green ears and tail resemble tattered leaves.

There was an aura of calmness about her and the scent of the forest as it approached. As soon as Ember, the Eevee, spotted her, he dashed forward, calling out, "Mom!"

The Leafeon lowered her head, nuzzling Ember affectionately with her cheek. The sight brought a gentle smile to Arcane's face, a moment of warmth in this strange world.

Just then, Arcane's Appraisal activated, displaying the Leafeon's stats before him:

~STATUS SCREEN~

NAME: Willow

SPECIES: Leafeon

LEVEL: 35

TYPE: Grass

HP: 90/90

ABILITY: Leaf Guard

STATS

Attack: 75

Defense: 70

Special Attack: 60

Special Defense: 65

Speed: 85

Accuracy: 100

STATUS

Status: Normal

Experience: 7,500 / 15,000

Nature: Nature: Gentle (Increased Special Defense, Decreased Defense)

MOVES

Leaf Blade

Synthesis

Quick Attack

Magical Leaf

ITEMS

Held Item: None

ABILITIES

Ability: Leaf Guard – Prevents status conditions in sunny weather.

Arcane's eyes widened slightly. Willow's stats were impressive, even slightly higher than Felicia's. It was clear that she was a formidable Pokémon, someone who likely held significant respect within the group.

Felicia noticed Arcane's attention on Willow and gave a knowing nod. "Willow is one of our strongest members. She's been with our group for a long time."

Willow looked up from her affectionate exchange with Ember, her gaze meeting Arcane's. There was a kindness in her eyes, but also a depth of experience that suggested she had seen and been through much.

"Welcome to our home, Arcane," Willow said in a soft, melodic voice. "I'm glad to see you're recovering well."

"Thank you," Arcane replied, feeling a sense of gratitude toward this peaceful community. "I'm grateful for the help you've all given me."

Willow gave a gentle nod, then turned her attention back to Ember, who was playfully pawing at her tail. "Take care, little one," she murmured to Ember before stepping back and letting Felicia continue leading Arcane through the forest.

As they walked a thought came to Arcane's mind. Yesterday when he met the Noctowl and the other two pokemon his appraisal didn't activate. He wonder why maybe it was because he was tired so did that mean he could use it if he was tired.

As they walked, Arcane's thoughts turned inward. He reflected on his ability to appraise others, noting how it hadn't activated when he met the Noctowl and the other two Pokémon. Perhaps it was because he was exhausted at the time. This realization made him wonder if fatigue could affect his ability.

However, he decided to keep this discovery to himself. The knowledge of his Appraisal ability was something he would hold onto, a card if held properly would one day be crucial to his survival.