(Since the closing link above didn't quite format in the way I'd expected, below is a clickable link, for convenience. You might want to listen to this after reading the complete novella.

Afterward: <Versa est in luctum – Alonso Lobo: Tenebrae>)

This story is based in the world of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, making reference to the first games, Red/Blue Rescue Team, and the second games, Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky. No familiarity with these games is required to read this work, and it stands alone.

This story was written barely a month after the death of my partner. It is a sad, bleak work, and one that is very personal to me. It would be easy to hide something like this away, but I think it’s important that art like this is shared. If nothing else, I hope that my experiences here will help others at some point down the line.

Given the circumstances in which it was written, please be advised that this story contains some dark themes that some readers may not be comfortable with. These include reflections on death, intense grief, and personal loss. If you’re feeling fragile right now, for whatever reason, I’d suggest moving on for now, and maybe talking to a friend or family member if you can. You can always come back and read this later, when you’re feeling better. The story will still be here.

Because of the nature of this work, I have not included my usual closing notes. However, you can still find some brief practical information after the final double tilde.