Journey to the North

Marcus and Sofa’s shoulders felt light despite the load they were carrying, for they had finally reached a town since departing from home a week and a half ago. The distance should have taken about a day at the most, adjusting for being a trainer and having to battle, but Sofa and Marcus had both agreed to take the old road more to the north that was originally made when the capital was nowhere near the bustling city it is today. It has since suffered from misuse, neglect and being an easy, pre-made trail for Pokemon to travel on. Because of this, generally predatorial Pokemon claim the route as their own, like with most abandoned travel roads, leaving the prey Pokemon to steer clear of these obviously marked territory lines (Like in real nature! ). On top of the road being difficult to navigate, it’s also winding, bending with the environment instead of cutting through it. Because of this, it had much better picturesque views, but had much more foot distance to travel than the more modern road made by Lady Akane closer to the ocean. Over hills, through forests and down a basin; there is a reason no one takes this road anymore.

“Maybe if there was a town or something halfway between home and Enya that you can only get to from this road, like a road heading to the northwest, it might get more attention and better care.” Marcus enjoyed the lovely views and quiet sound of nature, with the occasional random Pokemon being startled by a “threat” and attacking. The only thing that bothered him was the constant detours and trails off the actual road because of downed bridges over brooks, fallen trees too large to climb over and Pokemon hordes far too large for Sofa to take on alone. Thankfully, Sofa’s nose showed them all the berries they would need to survive once they ran out of food, on top of warning for any danger ahead.

“We got really off the beaten path for a while there, but we don’t have to worry about that for a bit, buddy, because here…we…are.” As Marcus spoke, they walked underneath the archway into Enya, a beautiful adobe stone wall connecting over the entrance to the town with old etching reading simply “ENYA” over the top. The road into town ran all the way straight ahead to the sea, a beautiful view of the small port right from the main trail, a lovely humble fountain sitting in the town square straight in the view, spurting up water that shined in the morning sun. All of the houses were with simple thatch roofs and walls made of stone much different from the adobe that made the wall outlining the town; yet each door seemed to be made intentionally different from every other. There couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 residential houses, a fishery, the Pokemart, Pokecenter, postal office which looked much more modern than the rest of town, and an inn. “Well, it’s bigger than Petalburg; but I guess it needs to be, being a full day and night’s walk from the closest town if there are no complications. Without running into Pokemon, it’s only 10 minutes from Petalburg to the next town over by foot. I guess if they used a Ponyta-drawn carriage for letters and shipping, it shouldn’t be that long; probably around 2 hours.” Marcus could see himself living here peacefully, but it’d be too slow; too boring. Maybe the old him would think it perfect, but not now; not since he’s started his journey.

“Let’s see if we can talk to someone about breakfast, what do ya say?” Sofa’s stomach, as if on cue, grumbled in agreement. With this, Sofa and Marcus walked towards the inn.