Chapter 253: The Wild Hunt
Xiu surveyed the abandoned medicinal field, gaze sweeping towards the dense, untamed forest that lay beyond. This is where the trail begins. Deep mountains and unpredictable terrain.
"Alright, Rinko," Xiu said, turning to her. "Here's the plan. I'll head up and investigate the source of the disturbance. You should return to the villa. It's safer." With Abra at his side, he was far more agile and capable of handling threats, than if he were also responsible for a civilian. And the situation ahead was entirely unknown.
"I can help!" Rinko protested immediately. "I know these mountains better than anyone. I won't be a burden, Xiu, I promise. I can guide you."
Xiu hesitated. Her knowledge of the terrain would be invaluable. And leaving her alone at the villa might be just as problematic. After a moment's consideration, he relented. "Very well. But stay close. If I say run, you run. Understood?"
Rinko nodded, her expression serious, determined.
Xiu wasted no more time. He began moving deeper into the forest, Rinko following a few steps behind and Abra floating silently at shoulder level, its psychic senses already extended, mapping their surroundings.
Based on Rinko's earlier description, Xiu had already formed a hypothesis. Something powerful and territorial has moved into this area, driving out the existing inhabitants. Rinko, living in this isolated wilderness, was understandably sensitive to such disruptions. Her fear that the intruding Pokémon might eventually threaten the botanical garden was a valid concern.
They hadn't gone far when Xiu suddenly stopped, holding out a hand to halt Rinko. "Hold up."
"What is it?" Rinko whispered, her eyes wide, scanning the dense undergrowth.
"Traces.," Xiu stated, his voice low, his expression unreadable. He pointed towards a nearby tree. "See that?"
Rinko peered in the indicated direction, but saw nothing out of the ordinary – just trees, tangled vines, fallen leaves. "See what? What's wrong?"
Xiu didn't elaborate. He moved forward, carefully parting the ferns, and knelt, examining the leaf. He picked up a handful of dried leaves, then looked up at the branches above, noting a freshly broken limb, a long, deep scratch in the bark.
He then cast his gaze around the immediate vicinity, his eyes methodically scanning the ground. As expected, he found them: a few scattered drops of dried blood and a tuft of coarse brown fur. "The intruder," he announced quietly, "is a Fearow. A large one, judging by the signs. And wild, not a Trainer's Pokémon."
"A Fearow? How can you tell?" Rinko asked, clearly impressed and a little unnerved by his deductions.
Xiu held up a single, stiff primary feather he'd plucked from where it was snagged on a low-hanging branch. "This is a Fearow feather." He then pointed to a faint trail in the dirt. "And here… the tracks stop abruptly, right here. Signs of a struggle, then these bloodstains."
He handed the feather to Rinko, then crouched again. "The Fearow was likely pursuing a Rattata. It swooped down from above – see the broken branch, the angle of the scratch on the trunk? – and ambushed it here."
Rinko listened, fascinated, though she couldn't discern the clues Xiu was pointing out. To her, it seemed like an everyday occurrence. But his explanation, delivered with such quiet confidence, sounded entirely plausible.
Xiu, however, wasn't focused on impressing her. He continued his examination of the scene, then stood and began moving in a specific direction. "It shouldn't be far now. This way."
Rinko, trusting his judgment, hurried to keep pace.
They moved deeper into the forest, Rinko's knowledge of the terrain proving invaluable, guiding them around treacherous ravines and dense thickets, saving them considerable time and effort.
As they progressed, Xiu found more signs, confirming his initial assessment. This Fearow was not just hunting for sustenance; it was systematically clearing its territory. The prey it took – Rattata, Pidgey, and even a young Ekans – were killed with excessive force, not merely subdued for a meal.
"Found it," Xiu murmured suddenly, stopping at the edge of a small clearing. He looked towards a massive, ancient tree that dominated the center of the space, its upper branches reaching high above the surrounding canopy. He tilted his head slightly, then spoke in a hushed voice to Rinko, "Our Fearow. It's up there."
Rinko peered into the dense foliage of the giant tree but saw nothing. She had, however, witnessed enough of Xiu's uncanny tracking ability to trust his assessment. Along the way, he had pointed out signs she would have completely overlooked.
How does he do it? she wondered. Of course, she was unaware of the constant stream of information Abra was feeding into Xiu's mind, its psychic senses acting as a living radar, painting a detailed picture of their surroundings.
Knowing Rinko couldn't see their quarry, Xiu offered a subtle clue. "Notice how that tree," he gestured, "is significantly taller than anything else nearby?"
Rinko nodded, still confused.
"That's prime Fearow nesting territory," Xiu explained. "You know Spearow, its pre-evolution?"
"Yes, of course."
"Spearow are social, they live in flocks, often ten or more individuals. Fearow, however, are typically solitary. Do you know why?"
Rinko shook her head. "No, I don't believe I do."
"It's a matter of physiology," Xiu continued, his voice still low. "A Fearow's wingspan is immense, granting it incredible flight capability – altitude, endurance, and speed – far surpassing most other Flying-types.
But its pre-evolution, Spearow, has relatively short wings, limiting its flight range and altitude. When a Spearow evolves, its physical capabilities change so drastically that it can no longer keep pace with its original flock. It's forced, either by its own nature or by the flock's inability to accommodate it, to become a solitary hunter.
And," he added, his gaze fixed on the giant tree, "that massive wingspan, while granting it dominance in the open sky, is a hindrance in dense forests like these. So, a Fearow will seek out the tallest tree in its territory, establishing its nest high in the canopy, giving it a clear vantage point and an unobstructed flight path."
"So, because this tree is the tallest," Rinko whispered, understanding dawning, "it's the most likely nesting site?"
"Precisely," Xiu confirmed with a nod. He then held up a hand, stopping Rinko as she made to step forward. "Stay here. Don't approach." He then moved silently towards the base of the massive tree.
Now that the target was identified, stealth was less critical than a controlled approach. No point trying to sneak up on a creature with eyesight that sharp. It's better to make my presence known and gauge its reaction. This would require a different strategy.
As he neared the tree, a harsh, piercing shriek ripped through the forest silence from high above. The sound was hoarse and grating, yet the warning carried an undeniable menace as it echoed through the trees.
"Abra," Xiu projected telepathically, not breaking stride, "can you attempt to communicate with it? See if it's willing to negotiate?" He knew it was a long shot. The cry he'd just heard was a clear territorial challenge.
Any further advances would be interpreted as an invasion— and Fearow were certainly not known for their diplomacy.