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Collected from Arsaga:

The landscape between Kethi and Kzye is made up mainly of calmly rolling hills, slightly sun-bleached stretches of wild grasses layered across those mounds, speckled with the occasional tree. The most prominent feature in the landscape appears at the horizon at the junction between Route 53, 61 and 62, the slope up to the crater of the extinct volcano that forms Sehto's island, shallow toward the west from where they are approaching, thus a smooth and benign feature.

While the sun's rays are not quite sufficient to turn the area into a metaphorical oven, the landscape has much in common with a desert, and the most prominent sound on their travels had set in during the afternoon: the stridulation of crickets and their kin.

And then, coming to rise to the top of a hill, with the slope leading up to the edge of the crater now a large, dominanting mark, Kzye appears to our friends: a comfortably small town nestled between two 'roots' of the massive mountain further inland, perhaps twice the size of Pyu Ivvi at most, baking in the afternoon sun. Stylistically, Kethi and Kzye seem related - the houses are of similar design. In a word: uninventive, but homely. [Editorial note: The sizes of Kzye and Pyu Ivvi have since been adjusted.]

The town seems to radiate something of a feel they'd last seen in Ehqaj - it's so quiet in the streets, as though lively were elsewhere. That is, until the sound of playing children drifts to them from somewhere to their front and right, full of bubbling joy, but distant. A playground, perhaps, at the edge of the town. Well, at least it's not all dead. Pleasantly, one of the first places in the town is its PokéCenter… small, but running and evidently kept clean and sparkling, not like in Pyu Ivvi.

As they are a few steps away from the PokéCenter's entrance, something abruptly uncurls into their view, uttering a threatening half-growled: “Chu-u-u-u!”, its small forearms pushed together tensely, a long, wirey tail attaching it to the drain pipe at edge of the roof, it dangling at height of their heads, a blob of black and brown striped fur, electricity sizzling across its cheeks, its eyes narrowed. It's a Raichu, expression distorted by a snarl.

But it doesn't seem to be attacking - and it's tail unhooks abruptly from the piping and it twists itself upright in midair, landing on all fours infront of the PokéCenter's door, its eyes still narrowed - evidently not in the least intimidated by the other two pokémon that just appeared.

The Raichu's tail lashes at the air, its gaze passing across the four of them as though in aggressive suspicion. The short fur covering its shape is standing on end, bristling dangerously, its small, pure white teeth showing past its sneering lips. It 'says' nothing, merely standing protectively before the PokéCenter like a makeshift guard.

As Nikki backs a step, the Raichu takes a tiny leap forward, widening the 'defended territory' a touch, tail corkscrewing slightly before unwinding again in an idle, aimless, but certainly restless lash at the air.

The Raichu regards Nikki with a stern glare, then nods once, simply, as she recalls the massive pokémon and it vanishes in a glare of red. “Rai, rai, rai-rai, chu!” it suddenly utters a barrage of 'words', tone aggressive, but simmered down from before. Its cheeks have stopped sparking, though, so despite there being no change in the rest of its demeanour, it seems a little less hostile now.

As the group makes motions indicating taking their leave, the Raichu's eyes narrow briefly, almost analytically, before it takes a step back itself in gesture of goodwill. It's still 'guarding' the door and its 'wish' has evidently remained the same - that they leave - but it's now quite noticably simmering down. A few moments later, it's shifted its weight into something more casual, almost a sit, its long, thin tail curling around its shape, tip idly clattering against the ground.

Long minutes later, they're by a shallow lake set into the mountain side. Devi's back is resting against a particularly cube-shaped rock, narrowed eyes denoting contemplation, her trousers dusted by the dry, gravelly ground, looking out at the desolate but strangely beautiful landscape. The outlook seems almost martian from here - Kzye's roofs are a few feet below them, and mostly off to the left. The shallow waters are a hot spring of sorts - given the vicinity to the volcano, no real surprise.

Collected from N'Sehla:

It was now shortly past midnight, with Dakarai trudging through the rapidly chilling, arid landscape around Kzye, the lights of the settlement glinting at the foot of the extinct volcano, just a handful of klicks ahead - two or three.

Kzye was the first gym battle he was mildly wary of, though - apparently, Sirius' pokémon weren't as well-documented, and he only had pieces of contradicting information to guide him. All he was certain about at this point was that he had Fire and Electric pokémon and that he was well-known for his Raichu.

The first house of Kzye, something of an island amongst the rugged landscape, passes by Dakarai's left as he continues to stalk up the path to the settlement, consciously keeping his breath steady, not letting it slip into a more fickle mode. His gaze drifts through the dimly lit streets, squinting, hoping for signs pointing to the gym in one way or the other.

No signs. It's typical of settlements this size, of course - he found the Pyu Ivvi gym by something resembling sheer chance, too. Of course, he'd had more energy then. Right now, his bones ached and demanded sleep, albeit quietly. “Which direction?”

Keith Sirius is standing just outside the tunnel leading into the confines of the interior of the mountain. Warm air radiates out from the mouth of the tunnel. Someone else is stood beside Keith, smoking a cigarette - they seem to be involved in a jovial conversation, with Keith's arms crossed before his chest, right shoulder nuzzling the rocky wall beside him, tone joking, light-hearted.