Noctopolis Airport buzzed with the usual chaos of late afternoon travel—holo-ads flickering overhead, trainers arguing with security about Pokéball limits, the echo of roller bags against polished tile.
But Cyrus barely registered any of it.
Cyrus stood with his parents—Joseph Von King and Dr. Maren Rei-King—waiting by the private terminal entrance.
Joseph stood there like a living statue of "intimidatingly perfect genetics."Broad shoulders filling his suit jacket, long legs planted firm, blonde hair slicked back so neatly it almost annoyed Cyrus. His blue eyes tracked every movement in the terminal with laser focus, like he could instantly tackle any problem that walked their way.
He didn't speak, didn't fidget—he just existed with the kind of presence that could quiet a whole boardroom.
Maren stood beside him like a counterbalance: calm, elegant, soft in expression but sharp in mind.
"Relax," she told Cyrus gently. "You're vibrating."
Joseph didn't say anything, but he subtly shifted his weight—a silent, stoic agreement that Cyrus was being painfully obvious.
"Relax," Maren said gently, touching his arm. "Excitement is normal."
He opened his mouth to deny it—
The doors slid open.
Kina stepped through with her duffel bag slung over one shoulder, Sliggoo sliding at her side. She looked… unreal. The wilderness edges were still there, but sharpened: dark fitted jeans, slate-gray cropped jacket, boots laced tight, her hair braided neatly with a sea-blue tie. Confident. Grounded. Radiant.
Cyrus forgot how to breathe.
Joseph murmured without even turning, "Son, stop staring."
He definitely didn't stop.
Kina spotted him. Her face broke into a small, warm smile as she walked over.
"Hey," she said, voice soft but bright with familiarity.
"H-hey," Cyrus replied, absolutely fumbling. "You… look—uh—"
"Different?" she offered.
"Stunning."
Her ears flushed. "You look pretty good outside of an iceberg too."
Maren stepped forward, saving him. "You must be Kina. I'm Dr. Maren Rei-King. It's so nice to finally meet you."
Kina shook her hand. "It's an honor, Dr. Rei-King."
Joseph extended his own hand next, voice deep and even. "Joseph Von King. Thank you for agreeing to join Cyrus on this assignment."
Kina gave a respectful nod. "Honestly? I figured he'd walk straight into a disaster without someone to keep him alive."
Cyrus choked.Maren laughed quietly.Joseph's eyebrow lifted—it was his version of amusement.
Their driver swung open the door of the King family limo—a sleek obsidian vehicle with the silver crest glinting under the lights.
Kina froze—not obvious, but Cyrus noticed.
She knew he was Cyrus King, heir to huge scientific institutions and company that manufactures and ships a third of the world good, but seeing the wealth in real time? Feeling it?That hit differently.
Cyrus leaned close, voice low. "You okay?"
She blinked, startled by the gentleness more than the limo."Yeah. Just… wow."
They slid into the back. Cyrus sat beside her; his parents across.
As the limo rolled out, sunset spilled warm light through the glass roof.
Maren folded her hands. "Kina, Cyrus told us you're originally from Akala Island?"
"Yes, ma'am," Kina replied politely.
Joseph studied her calmly. "Your tracking skills are remarkable. Not many train at that level without institutional support."
Kina shrugged lightly. "When you grow up where the forest eats the unprepared, you learn fast."
Cyrus grinned. Joseph's mouth twitched—his version of a laugh.
"And your Pokémon?" Maren asked, nodding to the affectionate Sliggoo.
Kina's expression softened. "They're my family. Always have been."
Joseph leaned forward. "May I ask what made you agree to accompany Cyrus on something this dangerous?"
Cyrus stiffened.
Kina didn't hesitate.
She looked at Cyrus first—really looked at him.
"He needs someone who understands how the wild thinks," she said simply. "Someone who won't run."
Maren smiled. "I appreciate your honesty."
"And…" Kina added quieter, "he's my friend."
That hit Cyrus harder than any Gengar Shadow Punch.
The limo glided into private territory—lush preserved land, lantern-lit forest paths, security towers discreetly tucked between the trees.
And then the King Estate came into view: white stone, tall glass, terraces cascading with greenery, the research towers rising behind like sentinels.
Kina pressed a hand to the window. "Woah…"
Cyrus rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… welcome to my place."
"You live in a museum," she muttered.
Maren laughed softly. "Wait until you see the laboratories."
Joseph nodded. "We'll have dinner, then brief you both on the Bloodmoon investigation."
The limo eased to a stop.
Kina stepped out, wind lifting her braid as she took in the full scope of the estate again.
"All right," she breathed. "Let's do this."
Cyrus followed behind her, heart doing a weird excited-sick-flutter thing he didn't want to analyze.
Whatever Bloodmoon Mountain had waiting—they were walking toward it together.