Chapter 191: Kin of the Stained Blade
Dr. Oak's expression shifted briefly to one of discomfort as he listened. He placed his glass of water on the nightstand, then sat across from Xiu, his demeanor contemplative yet tense.
"Some people," Oak began, choosing his words carefully, "think they can harness chaos. Amplify the basest desires of others, let them sow destruction, and then turn that backlash against someone else. Against Nurse Joy, in this case."
Xiu leaned back slightly, his gaze calm but edged with weariness. "So you're saying the only way to deal with them is to speak their language?"
Oak nodded. "Exactly. This method minimizes collateral damage and contains the conflict, but it's not… pleasant work."
"Pleasant?" Xiu's voice carried a faint trace of sarcasm. "It's exhausting and, honestly, pointless for someone like me. But," he added, a glint of calculation flickering in his eyes, "it's also an opportunity."
Oak frowned. "An opportunity for what?"
Xiu straightened, his tone sharpening. "To consolidate public opinion. To give people a clear enemy to rally against. Go to Nurse Joy. Tell her this is the time to act decisively. Bring in the media, highlight the victims' stories, and expose the damage these 'hidden hands' have caused. Turn their schemes against them."
Oak's fingers drummed lightly against the notes Xiu had handed him. "And you're fine with being implicated? This plan puts you in the spotlight as well."
Xiu smirked, his voice dripping with confidence. "If anyone wants to accuse me, I'll be right here. Let them try."
Oak's lips twitched, caught between a grimace and a smile. He'd seen enough of Xiu to know that the young man's confidence wasn't bravado but cold, calculated assurance. "Fine. I'll relay the message. But don't expect me to cover for you if this backfires."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Xiu replied airily, stretching out on his bed with a yawn. "Now, if there's nothing else, I'd like to sleep. Last night was… taxing."
Oak stood, shaking his head with a wry smile. "Don't forget to restock your medicine. And for Arceus's sake, get some real food. Not just Pokéblocks."
As the door clicked shut, Xiu's expression shifted. He lay staring at the ceiling, his thoughts darkening.
The girl. The knife. The blood.
He'd told himself it was mercy. That the girl—broken beyond repair by the horrors she'd endured—had begged for release. And yet…
Warm blood had slicked his hands as the girl plunged the blade into her chest, her desperate, hollow eyes fading to nothingness. Xiu closed his own eyes against the memory, but the phantom sensation lingered, carving its weight into his soul. "Rest in peace," he murmured, his voice barely audible.
When Xiu awoke, sunlight spilled through the window, mocking his late start to the day. His head throbbed, a dull reminder of the psychic exertion from the night before. He fumbled through his pack, retrieving a nearly empty bottle of medication. The bitter liquid burned his throat but dulled the ache.
Noticing the dwindling supply, Xiu made a mental note to prepare more—soon.
After regaining some composure, he released his Pokémon and turned his attention to Scizor. "Bath time," he announced. The steel-clad insect didn't protest as Xiu scrubbed away the grime and blood from its shell.
The water swirling down the drain was tinged with red, a stark reminder of the previous night's carnage. Scizor had been a force of nature, cutting through the opposition like a blade through paper. Xiu couldn't decide if it was the quality of his training or Scizor's innate potential that had led to such overwhelming results.
"Either way," he muttered, "you've earned this."
After drying Scizor off, Xiu moved to the next task. "Who's up for a massage?" he called, his tone light but his movements precise as he set to work on his Pokémon.
The streets were quieter than usual as Xiu rode a motorcycle—one stolen during last night's raid—through the city. Shops were shuttered, and the few people outside moved quickly, their eyes wary. Only essential stores saw any real foot traffic, and even that was sparse.
Arriving at his own storefront, Xiu found a stark contrast. A line of people stretched down the block, flanked by uniformed officials and their Pokémon. The buzz of activity and the visible presence of authority lent the scene an air of cautious hope.
This wasn't just a store. It was a hub—a resting point for patrol teams and a supply depot for the surrounding area. Xiu's decision to centralize operations here had paid off. The location's strategic value ensured a constant flow of trainers, supplies, and protection.
He surveyed the scene, his mind already spinning with the next steps. The game was far from over, but for now, Xiu allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. Every move counted, and for the moment, he was several steps ahead.