"You make sense, but I just...never mind, forget it."
In the end, Linden lacked the courage to capture a flying-type Pokémon. To him, if he couldn't ride them, they seemed pointless.
This left Kalia speechless, as everyone has their own perspectives. Despite clearly having an affinity for flying-type Pokémon, Linden's fear of heights prevented him from overcoming his mental barrier and capturing one—a contradiction she found hard to comprehend.
The conversation on this topic ended there.
Their adventure continued as the duo ventured deeper into the eastern mountain range. The essence of adventuring lies in the journey itself, so neither rushed too quickly; otherwise, it would have felt more like a race against time than an exploration.
The reward for this mission was substantial, equivalent to two or three combined tasks' compensation. Therefore, Kalia wasn't in any hurry to complete it, instead savoring the joy of the adventure.
Kalia and Linden steadily progressed, facing ambushes by wild Pokémon, climbing steep cliffs, and traversing peak after peak.
"Do you know why I came to the eastern mountains for this adventure?" Midway through, Linden began conversing normally with Kalia, unlike his earlier monologues.
"Why?" Kalia shook her head, indicating she didn't know.
It seemed Linden's temper was reserved mainly for strangers; once they became slightly acquainted, her demeanor normalized significantly, which relieved Kalia greatly.
She had genuinely feared enduring an entire journey with non-stop chatter from Linden, making it unbearably uncomfortable.
"I knew you wouldn't," Linden began slowly. "The truth is, I heard about a Legendary Pokemon here in the eastern mountains that can cure my fear of heights. Apparently, this Legendary Pokemon grants wishes."
Kalia remained speechless. Overcoming fears like acrophobia should be possible through personal effort rather than relying on a Legendary Pokemon's power.
Firstly, there was no guarantee of finding such a Legendary Pokemon in these mountains, and even if one existed, why would it help fulfill someone's wish?
Moreover, Legendaries capable of granting wishes are exceedingly rare. To Kalia's knowledge, only Jirachi, the mythical Wish Pokémon, held this ability.
According to legend, Jirachi awakens once every thousand years, essentially living forever but active for just seven days before returning to slumber for another millennium.
Considering that eternal life comes at the cost of perpetual slumber, it seemed quite pointless.
Kalia believed that even if granted immortality, spending most of the time asleep would make it undesirable.
For her, a vibrant and fulfilling life, albeit brief, held more value than endless sleep.
Of course, legends remain just that—legends. Whether Jirachi truly possesses wish-granting abilities is unknown to anyone. However, there are claims suggesting humanity's unification in ancient times was somehow connected to Jirachi. Numerous theories exist, but no one knows for certain.
"You're talking about Jirachi, right?" Kalia asked, as it appeared only Jirachi had such wish-fulfilling capabilities among legendary Pokemon.
"Yes," Linden nodded affirmatively.
"Even if Jirachi resides at the end of the mountains, how do you know it has been asleep for exactly a thousand years? Do you have any idea on how to awaken it or make a wish?" Kalia posed several questions consecutively.
Honestly, she found this endeavor highly implausible. While Jirachi might indeed exist, can it genuinely grant wishes? Everything related to its powers remains mere speculation.
Achievements come from relying on oneself, not by pinning hopes on vague and uncertain entities; investing time in such illusions seems utterly futile.
"This..."
Linden was taken aback; he hadn't considered these aspects. He wasn't even aware that Jirachi awakens once every thousand years, let alone how to specifically rouse it.
He had heard about this from a close friend and excitedly posted the quest, planning an adventure in the eastern mountains while searching for Jirachi.
"Don't place too much hope on external factors," Kalia advised. "Challenges must be overcome by oneself; relying on outside help is futile."
"You're right." Initially filled with optimism, Linden now realized the slim chances of success after hearing Kalia's perspective.
"That's the spirit." Kalia nodded slightly, pleased that Linden understood the reality of the situation.
However, could the eastern mountains truly harbor Jirachi? Typically, Legendary Pokemon inhabit treacherous areas where human presence is minimal, reducing disturbances.
Perhaps the eastern mountains do host a Legendary Pokemon, possibly Jirachi, but there's no guarantee—it might be another species entirely.
Many Legendary Pokemon have been personally witnessed, some even forming entire populations rather than single individuals. With our current understanding limited to the Ellie and Sebas regions, the possibility of undiscovered Legendaries in remote areas like the eastern mountains remains high.
***
Two days swiftly passed.
The eastern mountain range remained dangerous, but Kalia and Linden exercised caution at every step. They even had their Pokemon take turns on watch duty during the nights, ensuring any potential threats were effectively managed.
Kalia thoroughly enjoyed these adventures, as they not only provided practical training for her Pokemon but also improved her ability to adapt to various battle scenarios as a Trainer.
For instance, she learned how to counteract surprise attacks from wild Pokemon, strategize when surrounded to break free, and handle situations in confined spaces, among others.
These experiences couldn't be replicated under normal circumstances; most Trainers wouldn't willingly place themselves in such perilous situations, typically sticking to relatively safe areas even during outdoor expeditions.
These adventures greatly benefited Kalia, with the most crucial aspect being the enhanced adaptability of her Pokemon in diverse situations. She found this immensely satisfying.
Over two days, Kalia and Linden ventured deep into the eastern mountain range. As expected, the deeper they went, the greater the danger due to the presence of increasingly powerful hidden Pokemon.
On the positive side, most Pokemon found deeper within the mountains were solitary individuals. Despite their formidable strength, with Ninetales and Charizard's combined power, Kalia successfully repelled several powerful wild Pokemon.
Currently, Kalia and Linden reached the summit of a high peak. Standing tall allowed them to gaze far into the distance, offering a unique and awe-inspiring experience.
While Kalia often flew high on her Charizard, the sensation was different from standing still at such an elevation, taking in the panoramic view. In the sky, there is no pause; one constantly moves forward, barely catching glimpses of intriguing sights before they swiftly pass by.
However, this moment felt distinct. Kalia could relax, fully appreciating the surroundings without worrying about missing anything instantly. She immersed herself in the serene ambiance, savoring every detail.