This was also Remiel's second venture into these depths. To say he still felt underprepared was an understatement, however. How was one supposed to adequately prepare for such a difficult excursion? The fact that he'd never before met his assigned partner until now wasn't very reassuring either. Nevertheless, his misgivings did not equate to fear.

It was smart to be cautious. Acceptable to be nervous. All that mattered was that they gave it their all.

"I've survived it once before," The exiled prince responds with a phalanx of FALINKS standing to attention behind him. "But this time I'm bringing some help."

Though he'd been staring deeply into the magenta core that awaited them ahead, however, the HATTERENE's pink mist catches his attention as it wafts his way. Memories of illeana reyes and her own pink mist come to mind briefly. Though the continuation of his conversation snaps him out of them immediately.

Prime Minister? Him?

"That's my twin brother Ronan Calcifet actually. But we look alike so that is an easy mistake." He assures her with a gentle smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Desiree from Kalos. I'm half-Kalosian myself. Shall we?"

As he pulls out a pickaxe from his pack, the Falinks behind him rattle their shields and armor in anticipation of the work that comes next.

💠 TAKE THE BRUNT EQUALLY

[break][break]

EXTRACTION + ♔
DESIREE BLOOMS

☉

"I used to go there every summer," Remiel answers, directing his Pokémon to different areas with simple hand gestures. "My father is from the TOUSIGNANT clan. We have a rich and long history in the land just north of CAMPHRIER TOWN."

He'd designed his estate north of RUSTBORO after the ROYAL TOUSIGNANT CASTLE and the vineyards it surrounded itself with. But he didn't want to sound boastful. He simply had great enthusiasm for architecture and history. Which was why he had chosen to be an archaeologist, of course.

In the meantime, with his phalanx of Falinks doing much of the mining on their own, Remiel is granted enough time to gaze out at the strange cosmic vista that the chamber provides. He knows this is a side-effect of the hallucinogens filling said chamber, of course. And, when a NIHILEGO seemingly appears out from that cosmic void, he knows it is probably time to take a break from the mining.

With his Falinks setting up a defensive barrier around them and fighting off the Nihilego that drifted too close, the exiled prince pauses to reach into his pack to pull out an insulated thermos flask. After unscrewing its top and separating it into two separate cups, he pours one out for Desiree and hands it over with a smile.

"It's chamomile tea made with BUDEW leaves. It'll help with the anxiety you're feeling while we rest."

💠 FOCUS ON HEALS/DEFENSE

[break][break]

EXTRACTION + ♔
DESIREE BLOOMS

☉

Remiel wished he could have said that they might have bumped into each other in that Renaissance Festival once upon a time. Perhaps they'd have recalled sitting next to each other at the jousting match or standing in line for a turkey leg. But, alas, his youth had been spent gazing out at said festival from the top of a castle balcony instead. Every year it had served as a reminder.

Nevertheless, there were graver matters to attend to anyway. Nothing a cup of medicinal tea could solve either. Eldritch abominations drifting in and out of reality; nightmares clawing their way to life. When Desiree reveals the fact that she's seeing them, too, Remiel realizes things are only about to get worse.

Sure enough, her Hatterene is forced to defend them against a PSYSHOCK before a strange creature— a PIDGETALES, for lack of a better name— emerges into their reality to try and strike the exiled royal with a WING ATTACK. Thankfully, his troop of Falinks COUNTER the attack and fend the abomination off.

Despite the fear, anxiety, and paranoia, settling in stronger than ever, Remiel turns to Desiree and tries to offer some reassurance. "Don't give up. This is going to pass. It needs to!" He assures her, watching as the Pidgetales unleashes a ferocious FLAMETHROWER upon the now scattering troop of Falinks.

"NO RETREAT!"

💠 BATTLE A FUSION POKEMON

[break][break]

EXTRACTION + ♔
DESIREE BLOOMS

☉

The intensity within this damned place only grows stronger. As his Falinks defend against abominations that crawl out from the dark, however, Remiel spots something ahead... a planet. Like theirs, but different.

Though the sight of this celestial body serves to distract from the mental anguish for a moment, however, his attention is once again ripped away when the grotesque aberrations begin to coalesce into one being.

"Right," He responds to Desiree's call with a shaky nod. "It's too dangerous..." Though he was, indeed, the type of man to normally push on, the fatigue of war and leadership had taken its toll on him. He could not bear to lose another innocent person under his watch.

That and, well... frankly, Desiree reminded him a little of luka chêne with her flowing locks of soft pink hair.

"Grab what you and your Pokémon can and let's go!"

He exclaims as a large 'wing' of mutated beings descends from above to try and slam them. Thankfully, his troop of valiant Falinks are there to raise their shields and PROTECT them as they make their way to the portal with haste. Such haste meant leaving a few bags of mined crystal behind, of course, but that was a fair price to pay considering the alternative.

💠 LESSEN THE LOAD AND ESCAPE

TOTAL RKS POINTS 📈 250

[break][break]

EXTRACTION + ♔
DESIREE BLOOMS

☉