Calyrex sat atop Glastrier, holding the reins tightly. Glastrier responded with a resonating neigh, raising its front hooves high into the air.
A brilliant light surrounded them, and from the large crown atop Calyrex's head, a vibrant green aura radiated outward. The king's cloak grew longer, transforming into a flowing mantle of white that shimmered like freshly fallen snow, rustling softly in the breeze.
After a moment, the light faded, leaving an aura of quiet power in its wake.
Calyrex sat tall on Glastrier's back, gazing down at Naoki with both dignity and warmth. A vibrant energy radiated from the Pokémon king, signaling that the former ruler of Galar had regained his strength.
"Naoki, will you accompany me to the Crown Shrine?" Calyrex asked in a calm yet commanding voice.
Naoki blinked in surprise, quickly grasping what Calyrex was implying.
The King of Bountiful Harvests was ready to confront and reunite with his other steed, Spectrier, at the Crown Shrine.
Without hesitation, Naoki nodded eagerly. "Of course!"
Calyrex's stern expression softened, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Then follow me."
With that, Calyrex gave Glastrier a gentle nudge. The ice horse neighed excitedly and reared up on its hind legs.
"Neiggh!"
Glastrier whinnied, its hooves striking the snowy ground with force before galloping across the snow-covered plains.
"How cool is that?" Naoki whispered, awestruck for a moment before quickly springing into action.
He vaulted onto Koraidon's back with ease. "After them!"
"Raao!" Koraidon roared in agreement. The instant Naoki was securely seated, Koraidon leaped into the air, charging across the snowy fields with fiery enthusiasm.
The snow began to drift lazily from the sky once more, blanketing the landscape in soft flakes.
Soon, Koraidon caught up to Glastrier, and Naoki found himself riding side by side with Calyrex.
The Pokémon king glanced over at Naoki, giving a subtle nod of acknowledgment. Naoki returned the gesture with a determined grin. Their mounts sensed the moment and sped up, tearing through the snow in perfect sync.
Twenty minutes later, they reached the northern mountains of the Crown Tundra.
High above the frozen landscape stood the Crown Shrine—a grand structure perched atop the mountain, looming majestically over the snowy plains.
The ancient temple, though long abandoned, still held an aura of solemn grandeur. Its perimeter was surrounded by crumbled walls and the remnants of a long-forgotten era.
Tall, weathered, and majestic, the Crown Shrine stood as a testament to a time when it was once a place of reverence and power.
At this moment, the once-majestic temple stood as a deserted ruin.
Glastrier snorted, releasing twin streams of frosty breath from its nostrils. Its powerful gallop slowed, and it came to a graceful halt in front of the temple's grand entrance.
Calyrex sat atop Glastrier, his gaze lifting to the weathered walls of the Crown Shrine. A quiet sadness glimmered in his eyes.
"This is where I once lived," he whispered, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "I spent many years here with my beloved steeds. Back then, humans would come to offer me tributes, thanking me for the blessings I bestowed."
Naoki listened in respectful silence, understanding Calyrex's emotions more clearly.
Calyrex had lost his strength after awakening from his long slumber. His two loyal steeds had abandoned him, leaving the King of Bountiful Harvests to wander alone. Believing that humans had forgotten him, the Pokémon king carried the weight of sorrow and isolation.
To avoid confronting the bittersweet memories of the past, Calyrex had stayed away from the Crown Shrine, instead wandering aimlessly across the snowy plains.
'Was he... running away?' Naoki wondered silently.
Calyrex lowered his gaze, turning toward Naoki. "Like Glastrier, Spectrier fears being overpowered. Once I defeated both of them, they never dared to approach me again."
He paused, then added calmly, "We should hide for now. When Spectrier returns, I will emerge and regain control over it."
Naoki nodded. The Crown Shrine was large, with plenty of places to hide.
Following Calyrex's lead, Naoki, Koraidon, and Glastrier quietly tucked themselves into a shadowed corner of the temple, waiting patiently for Spectrier's return.
Time slipped by slowly.
Just when Naoki felt his legs going numb and began to stretch his muscles, a faint sound echoed from the temple entrance.
A sleek, jet-black Pokémon emerged, its deep-blue mane flowing like mist, and a light-blue tail swishing behind it. Wisps of ghostly energy drifted from its legs as it walked gracefully into the shrine.
Naoki's eyes widened.
Spectrier!
In the blink of an eye, Calyrex sprang into action.
With a flash, the King of Bountiful Harvests, still mounted on Glastrier, appeared in front of Spectrier, cutting off the ghost horse's escape.
Spectrier's glowing eyes widened in fear, and it instinctively tried to turn and flee.
But Calyrex had anticipated this.
He urged Glastrier forward, and the icy steed charged toward Spectrier with tremendous speed. The ground beneath their hooves froze instantly, cracking under the pressure as they sped across the temple floor.
Calyrex raised one hand high, his eyes glowing with blue energy. Psychic power surged through him, drawing on Glastrier's frosty aura.
In response, delicate shards of ice materialized in the air, shimmering like tiny snowflakes. The fragments swirled together, coalescing into a sleek, snow-white spear made entirely of ice.
The King of Bountiful Harvests gripped the icy spear in his hand and, with a focused burst of psychic energy, hurled it toward Spectrier.
"Crack!"
The spear struck its target, and Spectrier let out a pained whinny, stumbling as its front legs gave out. It collapsed onto the cold ground, struggling to regain its footing.
Calyrex tugged on Glastrier's reins, bringing the ice steed to a halt. The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed off the stone tiles as they slowed, finally stopping just before Spectrier.
With graceful ease, Calyrex dismounted, his cloak swaying behind him like falling snow. He approached the fallen spirit horse, extending a hand toward its forehead.
A soft glow of energy radiated from his palm, and healing light poured into Spectrier's injured form. The ghostly mist around its legs thickened, swirling in soothing spirals as the wounds began to vanish.
Spectrier's breathing calmed, and when it looked up at Calyrex, its once-fierce eyes were now filled with a new gentleness.
Fully restored, Spectrier rose to its feet, dipping its head in respect. It moved gracefully to stand on the King's right, with Glastrier on his left, the two horses flanking Calyrex as if they had never left his side.
Naoki stepped out of the shadows with Koraidon by his side, raising an eyebrow. "Is that it? All good now?"
Calyrex shook his head gently, his expression calm but thoughtful. "Not quite. There's one more thing—another bridle must be made."
"Another bridle?" Naoki echoed, blinking in surprise before realization dawned on him.
The reins Naoki had made earlier, crafted from Glastrier's mane and the Radiant Flower, were specific to Glastrier. To fully bond with Spectrier, a new bridle, made from the spirit horse's mane, was required.
Calyrex shifted slightly, a rare hint of hesitation in his voice. "I must ask for your help once more. This task is beyond me…"
He trailed off, his gaze softening with gratitude and something akin to guilt. He had asked so much of this kind young believer, and yet he felt as if he had given nothing in return.
The weight of Naoki's earlier words—an invitation to live together on his ranch—echoed in the back of Calyrex's mind. It was a decision he would need to make soon.
Before Calyrex could speak further, Naoki offered a reassuring grin. "Don't worry about it. I'll handle it. We've used up all the Radiant Flowers, but as long as I have Spectrier's mane, I know what to do."
He gave Calyrex a playful wink. "Besides, it's easier the second time around. I think I've got this sewing thing figured out."
Calyrex blinked, his eyes briefly widening in surprise before a soft, appreciative smile formed on his face.
With a gentle nod, the King of Bountiful Harvests handed over the shimmering strands of Spectrier's mane. His regal demeanor was tempered with kindness and trust as he spoke, his voice calm but filled with emotion:
"This will be the last task I ask of you. Once it is complete… I will give you the answer you've been waiting for."