"Have you felt a strange sense of being watched?"
After leaving the Sawsbuck's territory, Yong and Kofu continued onward, but the gaze that seemed to linger around them kept Yong on guard.
Even wild Pokémon that were fiercely territorial and always wary of humans should have reacted to strangers by hiding or keeping their distance, rather than watching them with such open defiance...
That meant whoever was watching wasn't afraid of them.
Kofu smiled.
"It's been there ever since we entered the forest! It's not just the wild Pokémon. This forest has a Guardian... Come on! Once we reach Dragonspiral Tower, everyone will be able to breathe a little easier..."
A Guardian?
Yong was looking forward to this journey more and more.
Following a barely visible trail between the bushes, Kofu consulted the map from his clan and led Yong through the depths of the dense, shadowy forest.
Along the way, they encountered Emolga and Petilil fighting over Berries... and Minccino and Patrat chasing one another in play...
Emolga!
Petilil!
Several wary Pansage hid among the branches, while Sewaddle and Swadloon concealed themselves in the grass. Some looked cautious, some curious, and others simply bewildered.
Sewaddle!
Swadloon!
Pansage!
Sure enough, once they "saw" that the two humans weren't doing anything out of line, and were even taking out food now and then to share with the adorable young Pokémon...
These innocent Pokémon living deep in the forest gradually emerged from their safe havens and dared to face them...
At last, the atmosphere in the forest grew less oppressive, taking on a warmth unique to the woodland...
Even that blatant sense of being watched gradually faded with the changing atmosphere, becoming faint and intermittent.
Yong and Kofu kept up their pace, passing through one group after another as they steadily approached