Cain remained standing, tall and firm.
This scene was something he had imagined for a long time. In recent times, every time he closed his eyes, he had worked on perfecting this virtual world.
His goal was to minimize any flaws.
And from what he could see now... the result was quite satisfactory.
"Who... are you really?" After a long silence, it was the third time Lysandre had asked the question.
But the tone with which he asked it was no longer the same.
The first time, it was filled with doubt.
The second time, it was a reproach.
And now, the third... it was the voice of someone who had lost all the confidence and pride he once held.
Cain had reached this point because he knew Lysandre well.
He knew exactly how to strike his weak spot.
Not just from Lance's research or the descriptions given by Diantha and Malva... even Sycamore himself had provided key details. All that information combined—along with what Cain already knew—allowed him to construct this dream world.
"I'm the one who will help you... fulfill your ideal," Cain said calmly.
"Fulfill... my ideal?" Lysandre echoed quietly, looking around him. He saw the crumbling environment, the unleashed Legendary Pokémon. The entire world collapsing before him.
"Look at these Pokémon, and remember what you've seen. Even if this is a dream world... who do you think could build something so real? Who could imagine so many Legendary Pokémon... and have each one feel and look so authentic?"
"Have you ever seen even one of them in real life, with your current level?"
Cain's questions left Lysandre speechless.
It was true. Who could imagine all of that?
Even with Zygarde—the one he knew the most—he was only aware of its initial form. He had no idea it could transform.
He wanted to find flaws in Cain's claims, but there were none to be found.
"Then what can you help me achieve? And what can I offer you in return?" Lysandre went straight to the point.
Essentially, he wanted to know: what did Cain want from him, and what could Cain offer him?
If what Cain offered was truly what he needed, Lysandre had no issue acknowledging him.
Cain smiled.
"Don't rush. Take a good look at this world... I've seen it countless times. But the first time always leaves the strongest impression."
Lysandre didn't reply. He began to walk through the ruined world.
The Legendary Pokémon he encountered along the way didn't even seem to notice them.
And their attacks didn't affect him at all.
But the more he walked, the more convinced he became of Cain's words.
This world was too real.
No one could create such a detailed dream without having lived it. Even some of the landscapes, though destroyed, felt vaguely familiar.
He loved the Kalos region. He knew it well. And among the ruins, he sometimes recognized places he had once seen with his own eyes.
Now, they were all reduced to rubble.
And that hurt him deeply.
The more he walked, the more he accepted Cain's vision.
He had already been disappointed in the world and people for a long time. And Cain's phrase—a collapsing world, a decaying humanity—had struck the core of his being.
He never had a clear goal. Even when creating his clandestine organization, he didn't truly know what he was looking for.
He wanted to change the world... but had no idea where to start.
Now, slowly, he had found a direction.
And more importantly: someone capable of guiding him down that path had appeared.
He remembered Cain's Dragalge clearly. In front of that Pokémon, he knew he didn't stand a chance.
Someone with that kind of power... what could they possibly want from him?
After much thought, Lysandre reached a conclusion: nothing.
So then, why show him all this? Why guide him?
The answer was clear.
The world they came from was incurably sick. And the only remaining option was to use drastic methods.
If it worked, great. If not... the world was already in ruins anyway.
There was nothing to lose.
Better to try, no matter how impossible it seemed, than to wait around to die.
Lysandre stopped. He turned toward Cain, who was still behind him.
"What should I call you?" he asked, with a tone now carrying a trace of respect... even a bit of admiration.
"It really wasn't easy..." Cain thought, letting out a small sigh.
The dream world created by Mismagius wasn't just a dream. It had hypnotic properties. It could plant a seed in Lysandre's heart.
But for that seed to grow, he had to accept it of his own free will. Otherwise, the effect would be null—or even counterproductive.
This entire scenario had been meticulously planned by Cain.
Ever since he saw Dragalge, he had gradually begun building this plan.
And in the end, the result was better than he expected.
Perhaps because Lysandre's heart was already exhausted. And Cain's proposal fit perfectly with the deepest parts of his ideology.
The reason they didn't immediately leave the dream... was to allow the seed to fully take root.
Now, all the groundwork was done.
All that remained was to wait for the seed to grow... and bear fruit.
"I planted a seed... and it will grow slowly..."
"Call me... Master Kaelus," Cain said, walking forward. This time, he was the one leading the way.
"Kaelus... Master? A guide?" Lysandre repeated softly, as if suddenly understanding. "The one who guides the fallen..." Yes. That made sense.
In truth, Cain just thought it sounded good. There was no deeper meaning behind it.
But Lysandre understood it in his own way.
And in the end, he accepted it without hesitation.
"And now, Kaelus? Where will you take me?" Lysandre asked in a calm voice.
"To see this," Cain replied.
And with a blink, both returned to the village center they had seen before.
The Ultimate Weapon, that massive obelisk-like needle in the center of the town, had now fully charged.
BOOM!
With a deafening roar, a bright flame burst from the tip of the obelisk.
Part of Kalos territory was completely obliterated. Only a few random elements remained untouched.
"A... brilliant flame?" Lysandre murmured, staring at the obelisk in awe.
Cain smiled. He waved his hand.
And the dream world completely vanished.
Both returned to the underground hideout where everything had begun.
(End of chapter)