Song in media: Unpredictable by Jackson Yee

Yuxia's thoughts flow ceaselessly like the sand stream in front of her, revolving around matters close to the dust and ashes present in the room.

Death by stoning seems like a crude option, its effect too unsatisfactory. Death by hanging might be possible, especially if the rock noose is sturdy and Tor can easily substitute "news" for "noose", going along the lines of the execution bringing "good noose" to her. There are at least a thousand ways to go about her death.

"Little bones, little coloured stones," Tor sings, the ebbs and flows of the melody soothing even the savage beasts. "Try to keep, try to keep you warm."

"What is your goal? You said it's not to steal the Gigal Crystal." Yuxia sets the line into the rocky waves gradually, hook dangling with a delicious taunt, sinker pulling it down. All she needs is to fill his appetite, to substitute her meat with questions for answers, so the carnivore will pose a lesser threat.

The mages whisper and retreat, leaving two humans and a Hakamo-o alone in the room. The museum is pretty much like a Stonehenge, with what little light filtering through brightening Tor's profile, making apparent the darkening creases on his forehead.

He steps past her, wiping his Sword of Diamocles with a ragged handkerchief, mists escaping his mouth to enwreathe the weapon. With one discerning eye, and a drooping other, he wolfs down her appearance that is no less sturdy than the museum.

"Your smooth flesh spells disgrace to the watercolour of ancient paintings; puckered lips, a tight purse, only opening to contain what you so value."

Tor leers at her whilst going in circles, as if ruminating about something, his hardening gaze blanking from time to time.

"Well, so be it," Tor mutters. The diamond sword digs into flesh, drinks blood by the tiny cut on her neck, arches and takes flight like a displeased Mandibuzz. "You want answers. I'll be brief: we're the lesser evil."

Use Charm, Yuxia. She tells herself and glances at Skala, the dragon staring at her with due uncertainty. Lowering her head, Yuxia flits towards the threshold, meeting a rugged boulder. No, you have forgotten your charms. If only you could tender yourself more lovingly.

"I thought you became a root, but it turns out you're just being rude." Tor places a hand on her shoulder and cackles. "Do you know the function of such a relic?"

"You want to burn the world."

"No, just charring the edges." Tor pauses almost dramatically. "The blasts of energy this Gigalith makes from sunbeams far exceeds that of a Venusaur. Such raw energy is stored in this Gigal Crystal, awaiting a suitable user."

"Why would you need this? Don't you do magic?" Yuxia swipes his hand away.

"Do magic? Vinnukona, we mages don't do magic; we form and manipulate magic using our mana. Mana works like Ether, the energy Pokémon use for their battle moves, though for us, duration of mana restoration differs for different mages due to age, health etcetera."

"Do you take potions too?"

"No, we aren't Pokémon, but yes, the greater the power, the more mana used, much like those creatures. I am now almost bereft of my mana." His eyes twinkle with an ominous darkness. Trailing his fingers down Yuxia's arms, he shifts them so they'd join below her breasts. "Don't freak out. Your execution has begun."

She flinches. Redolent, yellow energy rises from her heart and seeps into his fingertips, and she feels her mind shutting down. Thoughts become fleeting, emotions, short-lived, as she watches the energy transfusion. The words reaching the tip of her tongue trickle back down cyclically.

"This sweet-smelling energy is Aether, present in all mortals, mages included. Aether depletion can cause lethargy, so it is essential to replenish Aether with the recommended six to eight hours of sleep." Tor removes his fingers and gives her a grim nod. "Sorry if I caused you discomfort."

"No. But, why take my Aether?"

"With focus, veteran mages can convert some of the Aether into mana, vice versa, though the former often is the case." Tor bites his lips. "Your execution is over, with only a quarter of your Aether taken. Now, I ask again for your help."

Yuxia glances at the Skala and he returns a curious gaze. Turning to the mage, she says, "To defeat the other evil?"

"Yes, the Abomasnow have been attacking innocent hikers without rhyme or reason and our magic cannot pulverise them. We could have used some ísbíltúr time and gone for an ice cream trip."

"Shá?" Yuxia exclaims and Skala's jaws drops. Gelato is the only Ice that is most effective to conquer him — he is instantly reminded of the time he suffered from brain freeze due to overconsumption of choco-mint Vanniluxe.

"Ah, I'll treat you to that once we're done. We mages obsess over rjómaís." Tor coughs. "Anyhow, we need to get going. The Gigal Crystal will be able to stop the abominable Abomasnow, for sure."

The boulder removed, the trio heads out once more, towards the danger zone.

*|*|*

They trudge along the trail of Ivory Hill, kicking snow, ice crystals and sediments near a freezing river. The Ancient Savage mage whistles with every footfall, occasionally turning back to check that the dancer duo are behind him. He slashes a weed with his sword and moves forward, beckoning them to follow.

The shrewd, biting air remains relentless as they rise in altitude. Snow-capped, conical evergreen trees come into view, alongside a few Buneary. They cross a Cryomancer forming an ice shard and stop to watch him cool his Dedenne's body temperature, probably due to a fever. A few metres ahead lies the Ivory Daycare for Pokémon living in the area, a young couple feeding little Pikipek with grains. The trio rests by the wooden hut, thanking the couple when they offer thick jackets and gloves.

"How's business here?" Yuxia shuffles her hands.

"It's been declining since the hiker count fell." The brunette turns to her companion. "Right, Ken?"

"Right," the blonde-haired man answers, scratching his head. "We heard about some aggressive Abomasnow up there. We tried to deal with them, but it seems they were enchanted with magic. Also, they're way bigger than their normal ilk."

"We need to hurry then." Tor slaps Yuxia's wrist and they rise. Skala sprints along and grins widely, swinging his tail to create jingling sounds.

Towards the peak, the path evolves into a steep Onix. A nasty growl couples a fleeting blizzard. The crispier air smooches the trio as ice crystals prick their skin. Thanks to the jackets and gloves, they could retain their warmth.

"We're nearing their lair." Tor gestures to the stalactite-filled cave on their right. "There lies the three Abomasnow."

"We'll infiltrate."

They crouch down and tiptoe toward the lair. Three pairs of pale purple eyes glow in the cave's darkness as tufts of shaggy, white fur gradually emerge. Their hands, feet and tail are a deep, dark green and spiky, signalling potential threats in the howling blizzard enveloping enemy territory.

"Now," Yuxia whispers and Tor whisks out the prized relic. Under the powerful sunbeams, it flashes as the sky darkens. Confusion plasters the Abomasnow's faces, the blizzard subsiding a little, only to give way to a strongly-charged ray of light. Yuxia watches as the Frost Tree Pokémon shield themselves with their hands and unleash roots from their body in hope of healing themselves.

"No!"

A gruff voice booms from the cave and a strange violet energy engulfs the three Pokémon, swirling around till the Abomasnow appear at least twice their original size, their beastly shadows towering over the three intruders.

"What... is that?" Tor pants and wipes his perspiration.

Skala breaks into a cold sweat, but steps in front of Yuxia nonetheless. The Dragon Dancer, on the other hand, flicks her gaze to a new shadow appearing out of the cave.

"Dynamax Pokémon... Isn't that a Galar thing?" Yuxia mumbles, hands pressed on her hips.

But Galar is far from here. How could that be?

"Amethyst energy..." Tor grits his teeth and frowns. "A Spiritist."

Yuxia takes in an eighteen year-old boy with dusty hair swept by the buffeting wind. Amethyst eyes colder than clay returns a glare, serpentine pink lips twisting into a smirk.

"Are you here to harm Ivory Hill too? Ha? I thought I was done with the hikers, but now there're meddlers." The boy latches himself onto the tallest Abomasnow, standing on her head. He beckons the other two to retreat before shooting the strangers a look. "You mute?"

"N-No," Yuxia breathes. "Do you know how many innoc—"

"Don't know, don't care. But do you know about the rising pollution in Ivory Hill? Smokers think it great, litterbugs gather like Combee looking for flowers!"

"Is that why you kill? To protect this place?" Tor shakes his head.

"Ivory Hill is my home. The Abomasnow adopted me when I ran away from Galar, and from Ryst City. Because you people think I'm a freak! Mages are freaks, you people said and tried to kill me!" His veins pop and the Abomasnow pets him with a hand. He grunts and gets onto all fours, unkempt hair flying about like a Luxray under static.

"Let's see... A runaway Galarian Spiritist... Could you be That?" Tor muses.

"It's Wicht, don't mock me. Or I'll make a fossil out of you." The boy slips down the Abomasnow. "Bow before my Dynamax Abomasnow!" 

Furious frost slam into the Lithomancer, causing him to slide across the snow. Gazing at the Pokémon's still-ajar mouth, he bellows and releases his Lycanroc soul while thumbing his Sword of Diamocles.

Yuxia and Skala take battle stances, with the former's golden headband shining in the blizzard. Around them, the elements pit against each other, hailstorm against sandstorm, temperatures clashing and oscillating as the zephyrs swirl.

It is yet another moment of petrifaction till a white light explodes and blinds them all.