[attr="class","samjermain"]
Lydia did her best to tune out Symon’s distress. While obviously uncomfortable, she did not believe his hallucinations would prove
deadly. Beneath them, however, the woman could make out a sound not dissimilar from falling water. Bright blue eyes would then quickly realize the level of sand beneath them was
dropping. It appeared Arceus wished to put a timer on this riddle.
When the large man awoke from his delusions, Lydia turned cool eyes towards him. A nod of recognition followed.
“I am glad to see you are…feeling better.” The last two words are the best synonyms she could conjure for
‘are no longer a raving madman.’ The Seadra turned towards his companion with a raised brow, unsure if he should shoot again. The veteran shook her head.
“Thank you, Poseidon. At ease.” Moving a few steps back, Lydia again examined the pillars where the two last were spotted. Partially obscured by the sand—and outlined by the soil stuck in the gaps—were two more out-of-place tiles. These sat just above where a pair of tennis shoes would. A dusty scuff about halfway up could pass as an outline of shoes. When she tries to press it, however, it doesn’t move. Apparently, the reverse switch resided elsewhere.
“It appears so.”
The two Pokemon beside her—one for each sister—committed the symbol to memory.
Using her phone, the woman snapped a picture of the tile. Then, she passed the device to Symon.
“Keep an eye out for this symbol. It should be about ankle height. I believe there are two of them.” Perhaps this place had served as some sort of stronghold once upon a time? These questions were quickly banished as Lydia rushed toward the next row of pillars.
Quickly, she uncovered one of the switches near the northwest corner of the platform.
“I found one!" Her voice was torn apart by the blowing winds.
"Keep looking!” The tile was pushed inward until it
clicked.
The noise of gears below became obvious as something untouched and ancient sprung to life. A few blocks down, the Altaria let out a call of alarm. Its wing gestured to the stone and another of the target buttons. With balled-up fists and a gaze of fiery determination, the Riolu at her heel charged toward it.
"RIOOOOOO!" There was another
click as the exit began to open. Heimdall bounced away with a pained groan, holding his now aching head.
And then, when the light started flowing in, it
stopped. It appeared time had worn away at the mechanism. Could they clean it out from here?
