Dragon Shrine, silence filled the chamber. Lian stared directly at Elior.
"How do you know the name Aetherion?"
Elior hesitated.Then he explained everything. The ruins. The battle against Umbreal. Ignis and Vernix. Gravetower. And finally— Zeff.
Lian's expression grew more serious with every word.After a long silence, Lian finally spoke.
"Then things are worse than I thought."
She turned toward the ancient mural.
"Aetherion isn't just a legend. It is the oldest name in Luminara's history."
Lian crossed her arms.
"If you truly wish to challenge the Dragon Gym...You must first pass the Guardian's Trial."
Elior blinked.
"A trial?"
Lian pointed toward a tunnel beneath the shrine. A massive stone doorway slowly opened. Beyond it stretched an ancient cavern glowing with blue crystals. The air was filled with dragon energy. The Dragonheart Cave.
"At the center of Dragonheart Cave lies the Dragon Scale Altar. Reach it. And return with the scale. No shortcuts. No outside help."
A smile appeared on Elior's face.
"Sounds simple enough."
Lian immediately shook her head.
"That's exactly what every challenger says."
Elior entered the cave with his team.
Eclipse Lunashade
Lucario
Mystveil
The deeper they traveled, the stronger the pressure became.
Suddenly—
Several Dragon Pokémon emerged from the shadows.
Draclaw
Three of them.
Their eyes glowed blue.
They weren't attacking.
They were testing him.
One Draclaw stepped forward. It pointed toward Lucario. A challenge. Lucario smiled. The battle began.
Unlike normal battles, the Draclaw didn't try to win. Instead, it pushed Lucario to its limits. Speed. Power. Endurance. After several intense exchanges, Draclaw nodded. Then stepped aside. The path opened.
Hours later...
Elior finally reached the center of the cave. A massive altar stood beneath a crystal dome. Floating above it was a brilliant golden scale. The Dragon Scale.
As Elior approached— His eyes widened.
The altar carried an ancient engraving. A familiar engraving. The same symbol from Gravetower. The same symbol hidden beneath Wang Tang. The symbol of Aetherion.
Far away...
Inside a hidden chamber. Zeff slowly opened his eyes. As if he had sensed something. A smile appeared on his face.
"So the seal has finally been found."
Beside him,
Kael looked surprised.
"Should we move?"
Zeff stood up.
The smile on his face widened.
"Yes."
"The Second Key is waking up."
TO BE CONTINUED...