บท 33: 33. Ghost
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Kai and the others joined the bustling crowd, moving forward slowly alongside the other tourists.
The street was lined with two rows of stalls, offering all kinds of delicious snacks and trinkets.
When Ash seemed interested in the treats, Kai bought a few to share with everyone.
At one point, Misty stopped in front of a jewellery booth, gazing at the display before walking away silently.
Noticing this, Kai approached the booth, carefully selected a hairpin, and gifted it to Misty.
A warm smile spread across Misty's face. Though she didn't say much, her expression made it clear she was delighted by the thoughtful gesture.
As in previous years, the festival was lively and vibrant. They walked further and came upon a woman dressed in elaborate attire, performing an exotic dance to music and the cheers of the crowd.
However, unlike Kai and the others, Brock had no interest in playing. He trailed behind with a lovesick expression, clearly still pining for the woman he met at the pier earlier.
He muttered softly under his breath, lost in thought.
"Please wait!"
A firm yet spirited voice called out from behind them.
Kai turned to see an elderly woman with white hair, standing less than a meter tall.
She leaned on a cane and wore a flowing purple robe. Her skin was dry, her mouth wide, and her sharp eyes glimmered with energy.
Brock, still daydreaming about the woman from before, turned to look and recoiled in shock. He stumbled and fell to the ground.
"W-Whoa! A... a shrivelled old kappa!"
"Who are you calling a kappa!?" the old woman snapped angrily. She glanced between Kai and Brock, her expression mysterious. "Listen closely! Beware of beautiful women, or misfortune will find you today!"
"What are you talking about!?" Misty exclaimed, stealing a quick glance at Kai. A slight blush rose to her cheeks. "How could I bring him bad luck?"
"ugly child!" the old woman retorted. "I'm not talking about brats like you!"
"What!? Did you just call me a Ugly!?" Misty's face turned red with indignation. Clearly, the comment struck a nerve.
Brock, meanwhile, seemed to take the woman's words seriously, pondering them deeply.
Only Kai, who suspected the elderly woman might be a ghost in disguise, observed her calmly, choosing not to dwell on her cryptic warning.
Misty, determined not to let the encounter ruin their rare festival outing, huffed. "What nonsense! Let's not waste our time here. Come on!"
Grabbing Kai by the back and tugging Brock by the ear, she led the group away.
The festival's path eventually led to a shrine at the edge of town.
When they arrived, an elderly priest was performing a ritual, ringing a bell and beating a drum to mark the hour.
"Everyone, quiet please!" he announced. "The Maiden Shrine's treasure will now be unveiled!"
Beside the priest stood a large scroll covered with a white cloth, obscuring the image beneath. The crowd gathered closer, murmuring in anticipation.
"This painting has been a sacred treasure of the Maiden Shrine for over 2,000 years," the priest explained. "It is displayed only once a year during the summer festival. Please, observe it with reverence."
With a flourish, he removed the cloth, revealing the scroll.
The painting depicted a full-body portrait of a woman. Her hands were clasped at her chest as if in prayer, and her sorrowful eyes gazed forward.
Despite being rendered only in black and white, the portrait radiated beauty and melancholy.
Brock gasped in astonishment. "That's... that's the woman I saw at the pier earlier!"
The priest continued, his voice solemn. "Two thousand years ago, there was a young couple deeply in love. When war broke out, the man was drafted into the army and sent overseas. Before departing, he promised to return in triumph once the war was won."
"The woman waited for years, longing for his return. But he never came back. Consumed by endless waiting, she turned into stone, standing on the cliff where she last saw him. To this day, she remains there, waiting for her beloved."
The crowd fell silent, moved by the tragic tale.
Brock, as if possessed, suddenly asked, "Where is this rock now?"
The priest looked surprised. "You mean Maiden Statue?"
Night had fallen, blanketing the land in darkness.
The group found themselves on a rugged cliff path by the sea. A solitary wooden house stood nearby, illuminated faintly by the moonlight.
Rounding the corner, they spotted the stone statue of a woman perched on a cliff overlooking the water.
The statue, worn by the passage of time, seemed fused with the surrounding rock.
The waves crashed against the reef below, and the town's festival lights twinkled in the distance.
Despite the faint echoes of celebration, the atmosphere here felt heavy and still.
Gazing at the statue, Misty whispered, "Do you think this really was a woman once?"
Kai shook his head. "Who knows? At least I don't see any signs of it being carved by human hands."
A sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying a cool chill. The moon disappeared behind thick clouds.
Sensing an ominous presence, Kai instinctively reached for two Poké Balls. In a flash of red light, his Charmander and Jolteon appeared by his side.
The flames on Charmander's tail and the sparks from Jolteon lit up their surroundings, offering both illumination and reassurance.
"There's nothing more to see here. Let's head back to town," Kai said.
But just as Misty turned to leave, the door of the wooden house creaked open.
Creeeak...
At first, she thought it was the wind. But the next moment, a glowing, blurry figure floated out of the doorway.
"A-Aah! A ghost!!" Misty screamed.
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