CHAPTER 889: SECRETS

Just when Axel entered the place with Shedinja, he could instantly tell that something had changed. He had come here a week before and had never felt such a huge level of suppression like this.

It was as if the gravity had increased here. Axel tried his best, bent his knee, and slowly stood up. The temperature had decreased by at least 15 degrees, and it was very cold out here. Axel could see his breath coming out of his mouth.

"Yes, something is definitely wrong here.", commented Shedinja.

"You also feel that something is different here, right?"

"Yes, I feel there is a concentrated ghost-type energy here. It is as if the whole place is filled with ghost-type energy. This is very surprising as it is just not possible."

Axel could understand what Shedinja meant. Just think of different types of gases like oxygen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide that fill the air. Ghost-type energy, fire type, ground type, and normal type were the same. The surroundings would have all the types of energies inside them. Depending on the surroundings, some type of energy might have higher quality or quantity than the others, but here, it was different.

Even though the place was lit, it looked very hazy as if it was filled with mist.

As Axel and Shedinja started to move forward, they realized that the suppression from ghost-type energy had increased. The higher floors had more concentrated ghost-type energy. Shedinja didn’t have a problem with it. On the contrary, it felt amazing in this tower, but the same could not be said about Axel.

Finally, they reached the 10th floor. Axel had to take multiple breaks in between, and suddenly, he saw something he had not expected.

The mist suddenly combined to form a weird structure. The structure was floating and staring at Axel. Suddenly, it floated, rushed towards Axel, and went over its body.

"AHHHH"

Axel shouted in fear, and then that mist suddenly vanished.

"What was that?", shouted Axel to Shedinja.

"It was a ghost. It is a graveyard for a lot of Pokémon. Did you really think that their spirit and soul would not be here?", asked Shedinja.

"So, that was an actual ghost? Why were you not scared?"

"Axel, I am a ghost-type Pokémon. How can I be scared? Besides, I have been seeing this all around this tower. You could only see it right because the energy is very concentrated here."

Axel had many things on his mind. In his previous world, there were also concepts of ghosts, but since his previous world didn’t major in things like infinity energy, those things were considered abnormal or just rumors.

But here, things were different. Axel knew one thing for sure. And it was that everything around here operated based on infinite energy. Even the souls were connected with infinite energy.

"But how could these souls be trapped here?", asked Axel.

This was a valid question. Even though Pokemon and humans died, their souls would disappear. This was the rule of this universe. But here, the souls were trapped.

"Even, I don’t know why the souls are trapped here. Maybe this was the secret that they wanted to keep. Maybe, they have something that can trap the souls here.", commented Shedinja.

"But why do they want to do that? What is their purpose?", asked Axel.

Axel may not know much about souls or trapping them, but he knew that playing with souls would never result in a good ending. What were the people of this backward town hiding from him?

###

Finally, they reached the 10th floor. Suspecting that there might be guards here, none of them made any noise. Their steps were silent, but to their dismay, they didn’t find any guards at the end of the 10th floor. What they found was a lock. The lock didn’t look normal.

It was carved in a complicated design, and looked like a puzzle. Axel might be a genius trainer, but he was not good at such things. So, he used the only weapon that he could in such things.

"Come out, Light!!!"

Yes, Axel had carried the essentials. He had taken Alakazam because he wanted to be sure of his safety. He had long realized how bad things could turn from the last island incident, and he was not going to make the mistake again.

"Light, please see if you can unlock the lock. I don’t want to break it.", said Axel.

Alakazam looked around and tried to find the solution. With its super brain, it was quickly able to tell that,

"Axel, even if we want to break this lock, we might be successful. For some reason, all the ghost-type energy from the 1st floor to the 10th floor is being used to increase the defense of the lock. We have to open the lock naturally, and only have one chance."

This adventure had turned from random curiosity to a possibly world-changing scenario.

A defense system that even a pseudo-champion rank Pokemon could not open. Axel had never heard of such a thing before, except for that island incident. But the cave on the island was being protected by a god. Did that mean that there was a god that was protecting this place, too?

It seemed ridiculous, but Axel could not cross out the possibility of such things.

But why would a god be sealed in such a place?

"Light, can you tell me when this lock was last opened?" asked Axel.

"From the looks of it, around 100 or 1000 years. Not only has the lock not been opened, but it has not even been touched."

What should he do now? Should he call Oak and Red to investigate this place? This was the safest option. But the tide battle would start, and he may not have the chance for it again.

"Light, how sure are you to open this lock safely?"

"100%"

"Wait, really? How are you so sure?", asked Axel.

"I have read a lot of history books. This is a puzzle related to one of the historic events. It will take some time, but I can open it with full certainty.

"How much time will it take?"

"We only have one chance, and I have to be sure. So, a couple of hours or even more. I cannot be sure about that.", replied Alakazam.

"Ok, take your time."

###

Axel sat and started to meditate. There was nothing he could do right now. He had decided to retake the gamble and open the lock. Axel was ready for anything. He knew he was not strong enough to fight against Pokemon like Ho-Oh or Arceus, and 10 years, now 15 years, was not enough time to become as strong as them.

So, he had to take these kinds of risks. People thought that he was a hero trying to save the world. But Axel strongly disagreed with this statement. He was just afraid, afraid to die, and let his soul be controlled by some powerful being. He just wanted freedom.

###

More than three hours had passed, and it was already 6 a.m., very soon. It was time to go. Alakazam had yet to open the lock.

"What is happening, Light?"

"Axel, I have some theory on how to open the lock, but I am not so sure. And I can say with some certainty that if we are wrong, something bad will happen.

I think we should give up today and try again at night.", suggested Alakazam.

"Okay, let’s do that. We are not in a hurry."

He could wait for a day. That was nothing to him.

###

Axel decided to share this story with his commanders.

"Sir, what were you thinking? Have you gone mad? Did you forget what happened on the island?", shouted Hector from the top of his lungs.

"I didn’t open it and came here to discuss with you guys. I felt the mayor is hiding something from us, and this is going to impact us in the tide battle. I have to be sure."

"Axel, if what Light said is true, then the lock has not only been closed for so many years, but the mayor and his people had not even dared to touch it.

Also, all of this is revolving around ghost-type energies. So, I can make some hypotheses.", said Krishna.

There was a silence in the room as no one spoke.

"Don’t make us wait. Spill the beans.", said Tory.

"Okay, there must either be some powerful Pokémon that is a ghost-type or a psychic-type. Most probably a psychic-type Pokemon.", said Krishna.

"But why?"

"If they are trying to seal a powerful Pokemon there, then it must be a ghost-type or a psychic-type Pokemon because ghost-type energies could suppress these two types. But I feel that it is a psychic-type Pokemon because ghost-type energies could also be used to empower ghost-type Pokemon."

"What are your other hypotheses?" asked Axel.

"My other hypothesis is that there must be some powerful ghost-type artifact or item they had been sealing for years. The artifact is not only sucking all the ghost-type energy from the tower but also providing it and empowering those souls. This will also explain why the souls are trapped there."

"I don’t know which one of them is true, or it might also be entirely different, but I can confirm that we are still not capable of visiting such a place right now," said Marry with a sigh.

"But what if this endangers our team members in the tide battle like Axel said?", asked Mia.

"Frankly, we have spent a lot of time training these members. If there are risks like this, then I say we leave this place.", suggested Kane.

None of them disagreed with it, but they also could not agree on it.

If they were to lose many members in this tide battle due to that secret, then this would not be a good start for their mercenary team. Their reputation would go down. But if they run away, their reputation would go down.

So, either way, ’Fairy Tail’s reputation will suffer, and this is not something that they wanted to happen.

Finally, after hearing their opinions, Axel said, "I have a way to open that place safely."

Everyone turned towards him for an answer.

’If you had a solution, why didn’t you say it before?’, thought everyone.

###

Tring.. Tring.. Tring... Tring..

"Hello."

"Hello, Mom. How are you this fine morning?"

"Oh, since when did the sun rise from the west? Why are you calling me? Is everything okay?", asked his mother.

Axel never called home. She had to call him personally every time. So, this was quite a surprise, and it worried her a bit. He had gone to fight a tide battle, and now a sudden call?

"No, no, everything is fine. I am Okay. I called you for a favor. You see,....."

###

Axel only had to wait an hour, and the favor had arrived. The favor floated in the air as it asked, "Axel, why did you call me? I was busy eating the new dish."

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