Chapter 69: The Cursed Woods

Thomas Kasuto

Deckerdramon’s Temple

Lotisea Province

 

Horusmon glared down at Statch and me; his red eyes were glowing, and it seemed as though he were peering into our souls. He was quite large and made an imposing first impression, with his muscular arms crossed across his broad chest. The two of us stared up and into his eyes, and I calmly placed a hand over my sword hilt, ready to fight.

“You have been freed, oh mighty Horusmon,” Sephyrus said.

“I am aware,” Horusmon said, his gaze never shifting from us. “Where is Lilithmon? There are things I must say to her.”

“She…could not make it here, I’m afraid.”

“Is that so…Tell me, are you two the ones responsible for the deaths of my brethren?” Horusmon asked.

“Yeah…that was us,” Statuedramon said. He spoke in a low voice, and I could see that he had taken a step back. I, too, was nervous, but I kept my ground. Horusmon grinned, which looked quite odd for one with a beak.

“It is a pleasure to meet the two of you.” Horusmon bent down on one knee before us. “Murdering my brethren…it must not have been an easy task.”

“Horusmon, what are you doing?!” BioBeelzemon asked. Kneeling before us, he was still taller than even I, but just barely. He looked deep into my eyes, and I could clearly see the honesty of his words.

“I want you to know…that I truly respect the two of you,” Horusmon said. “People like you…who fight with all your heart and soul to do what you believe is the right thing to do…I harbor no ill will against you. However, it seems as though that I will be forced to destroy you if I want freedom for not only myself, but my allies as well.”

“Yeah?! Just…just try and stop us!” Statuedramon said. On cue, I drew and brandished my sword at the tall Digimon, who jumped back to avoid being hit.

“I’ll do my best!” Emitting a loud, bird-like shriek, Horusmon opened his beak as he took flight, and a ball of black flames formed in his mouth. “Ebon Flames of Purgatory!” From the sphere, Horusmon unleashed a thick stream of black flames that filled the entire room and shrouded it in their darkness.

“Thomas, get behind me!” I did as I was told, knowing my partner was a better match against the Mega Digimon, and Statuedramon held up his shield, which absorbed some of the flames spewed by the Mega Digimon. “Sword of Dragon’s—” Suddenly, the flames came to an abrupt end, and Horusmon came soaring down close to us.

“Thunderous Judgment of Mighty Osiris!” Horusmon crossed his arms, and from the opening in the ceiling, a huge bolt of lightning descended towards us. I closed my eyes and breathed in, knowing what was coming next.

“Dimensional Shield!” Statch held up his shield, which absorbed the lightning bolt. “Sword of Dragon’s Soul!” Statch’s sword fired a yellow projection that directly struck Horusmon and completely enveloped his body in its electrical blast. Horusmon fell to the ground, his skin burned black and falling off, and the feathers on his wings ruffled up and spread across the room. “Wait…that did it?! Did we actually beat him already?!”

“Ha…not bad,” Horusmon wheezed. “But this…is far from over…”

“We’ll see about that!” Statuedramon shouted.

“Hathor’s Gentle Embrace!” A spectral pair of feminine arms, adorned with jewelry, wrapped themselves around Horusmon’s chest. The Mega Digimon became covered with a white light, and in a brief moment, his injuries disappeared, his skin returned to normal, and his feathers returned to their customary, sleek appearance.

“…Well…that sucks…” Statch said.

Horusmon turned his head toward the smaller Rookie. “While I am fighting for my friends, I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our plans prevail! Ebon Flames of Purgatory!” Horusmon opened his beak once more, but before he could attack, JewelBeemon flew towards us and pulled us out of the way.

“JewelBeemon, what are you doing?” Statch asked.

“You should not have endangered yourself like that,” I said as the tall Ultimate set us down on the ground several feet away from Horusmon.

“I apologize…but I just couldn’t stand…just watching my friends fight anymore,” JewelBeemon wheezed. “But this time…I’ll fight alongside you, and there’s nothing you can say to me to change my mind!”

“Stubborn jackass,” Statch muttered.

“Admit it; he reminds you of someone, doesn’t he?” I asked, thinking of the Digimon I was addressing.

“Hmm…nope.”

“…Whatever. We appreciate your assistance, JewelBeemon,” I bowed.

“Thank you, Thomas.” JewelBeemon thrust his spear into the ground and glared at Horusmon. “You who rose from the depths of the Dark Area and defiles this honored sanctuary of light…You shall be purified! JewelBeemon Digivolve to, Zamielmon!”

“…The Wood-Spirit General,” Horusmon said calmly. “Interesting…even with an injury such as that, you still aim to fight?” Horusmon glanced down at Zamielmon’s blackened arm, which hung limply at the Digimon’s side.

“It doesn’t matter…because I will defeat you, demon! The World Shot!” Zamielmon fired an enormous arrow that seemed to dwarf even the tall Horusmon in size. Horusmon, however, did not even look up. He held up his left arm and stopped the arrow with a single finger.

“This is the coveted power of a Death General? Pathetic! Ebon Flames of Purgatory!” Before Horusmon could attack, the wall behind the king’s throne opened up, revealing itself to be a doorway. Bright beams of light burst out from the door, obscuring all from sight.

“Smokey Fang!” As Horusmon turned around to see what was happening, he was greeted with a faceful of missiles, all of which exploded on impact and created a dense, smoky cloud that filled the room. The sound of heavy footsteps resonated, and as the smoke cleared, I saw Horusmon flat on his back, alive but appearing to be unconscious. Standing above him was an enormous Digimon.

“Deckerdramon…is that you?” I asked.

“Thomas…Statuedramon…how good to see you two again,” Deckerdramon said. “What’s it been…two years? What brings you two back to Lotisea, my old friends?”

“This Digimon,” I pointed at Horusmon. “We’ve been trying to stop him and his evil buddies from being freed from the Dark Area.”

“Freed from the Dark Area? That sounds bad. Not to mention impossible,” Deckerdramon said. “But…if you two really are trying to do this, then it must really be true.”

“Hathor’s Gentle Embrace!” Horusmon began glowing once more, and in the blink of an eye, his injuries disappeared.

“And that’s why he’s not dead yet,” Statch said. “Man, I hate it when we have to fight enemies who can heal themselves!”

“You know, Statuedramon…the only way you can get around an ability like that,” Deckerdramon began. “Is to hit them so hard the first time, they don’t have the energy to do so. Observe; Crocodile Cannons!” From his back, Deckerdramon unleashed a barrage of missiles at the opposing Mega. Horusmon was instantly obliterated, and nothing was left of him when Deckerdramon’s attack ended, save for a few stray ebon feathers. “And that’s how it’s done.”

“Oh, sure; that may be easy for you to do, but for those of us that don’t have missiles everywhere on their body, I think that would be a little difficult, don’t you think?!” Statuedramon asked. Deckerdramon laughed.

“I suppose you make a fair point,” he said.

“Oh, and by the way, King Earh is dead,” Statch added.

“Earh? Who was that?” Deckerdramon asked. “I know every one of the royal family by name, and the name Earh is unfamiliar to me.”

“…Sephyrus was right,” I said. I glanced swiftly around the room as a dawning realization struck me. “Sephyrus! Damn it, they both got away! And they had the Mask, too!”

“That’s okay; we’ve still got a lot of the Horcruxes,” Statuedramon said.

“We only have the Stone! That means there’s only one left to find!” A thought suddenly came to mind. “Deckerdramon…do you know anything about Horcruxes?”

“Horcruxes? Not much; why do you ask?”

“That Digimon, Horusmon, was freed from one, and so were his other allies; we’ve been going around the continent stopping some bad people from freeing the Digimon whose souls are attached to them, but even after we’ve finished killing the Digimon that was freed, they still take the time to retrieve the Horcruxes. Do you know why they might do that?”

“It’s simple; even though the Digimon’s soul might no longer be bound to the Horcrux after they have been freed from the Dark Area, the traces of their soul still linger within the object. With that, the caster of the spell can use the soulless Horcruxes to open a gateway to the Dark Area. I…do not claim to know how that is done, but I do know that is the only reason why they would possibly still be collecting the Horcruxes after their target Digimon was freed.”

“A gate…to the Dark Area?!” Statch gasped.

“Yes; a gateway that will enable him or her to free the Digimon of the Dark Area,” Deckerdramon continued. “If something like this ever occurs…Arcadia may never know light again.”

“…We have to make sure they never get the Stone, and the Diadem if we can help it,” I said.

“I’m afraid that’s all the information I can give you on that subject,” Deckerdramon said. “However, if you need my help, do not hesitate to contact me; I will help you and Lachesis in any way I can.”

“Thank you, Deckerdramon,” I said.

“Count on…my support as well…” Zamielmon walked up to Deckerdramon, and turned back into JewelBeemon.

“JewelBeemon! Are you okay?!” I asked. “You shouldn’t be walking around!”

“I’m…fine,” JewelBeemon said. “It’s just…a minor injury…I’ll be fine in a day or so…

“No, you will not,” Deckerdramon said. “That injury…that burn…I’m afraid your arm may never move again.”

“Never move…again? But then…how will I…guard this place?” JewelBeemon asked.

“I’m afraid you cannot, in your condition,” Deckerdramon said. “You will be required to resign.”

“…Resign? But…”

“JewelBeemon…your life is more important than this job. Please…for your own safety…resign.”

“…All right. I…resign. But…that doesn’t mean I can’t help out. Thomas…Statuedramon…whenever you come to request for Deckerdramon’s help, expect some from me, too,” JewelBeemon said. “It’s…the least I can do…”

“JewelBeemon…” I began.

“We’ll see you again soon,” Statuedramon said.

“Uh…Excuse me…” A tall man dressed in yellow-green robes nervously walked up to us. He had long, silver hair, though in spite of its color, he looked quite youthful. “Is…has Earh been removed from the throne?”

“Yes, sir, he has,” I said. “He was killed in doing so, but he has been removed nonetheless.” The man bowed to me.

“You have my gratitude, sir,” the man said.

“You…aren’t you Lord Syra’an?” JewelBeemon asked. “Myrddin Syra’an? That is who you are, correct?”

“Yes, my friend,” the man said in a pleasant voice. “I am…the rightful king of this fair city. Unfortunately, Earh had been on the throne for as long as I can remember…he had even banished my family from ever visiting the temple. But now…he is gone…”

“I am pleased to have been of service to you, Milord,” I said, returning the man’s bow.

“No…it is I who is grateful,” King Myrddin said. “What are your names?”

“My name is Thomas Kasuto, and this is Statuedramon. We work for a mercenary guild known as Lachesis.”

“A guild, you say? That is very admirable,” King Myrddin said. “I am forever indebted to the two of you, and your guild, Lachesis. Please…if there ever comes I time when I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will do everything in my power to help your group, and I shall ensure that each and every one of my descendants knows of this debt as well.”

“You are very gracious, Milord,” I said. “We gratefully accept your generous offer, but if you’ll excuse us, we must return home. Our guildmaster is expecting us.”

“Of course, of course,” Myrddin said politely. “I apologize to have kept you so long.”

Lotisea Jungle

3 Days

 

“Just a few more twists and turns on this path, and we should be home in just a few hours,” Statuedramon said.

“Our journey home is going by faster than our journey to the temple,” I noted. As accustomed as I was to long journeys on foot, the careful maneuvering around the intertwined roots of the trees of Lotisea made our trip much more tiring than usual.

“Yeah…I wonder why that is?” Statch asked. “Damn it, what’s with all of this fog?! It’s the middle of the day, but it seems like it’s getting thicker! And why does it look like its blue?!”

I stopped walking. It really is…blue! “Statuedramon…do you remember the last time we were here? With Ienzo?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Last time…you mentioned the rumor about this place?”

“You mean how the trees seem like they move around, and…oh. Oh. Oh, no…”

“Statuedramon…it seems that the rumors just might be true, after all,” I said, looking around uncomfortably. The fog grew thicker. The trees’ leaves rustled madly, and when the fog grew less thick, the trees looked as though they had, in fact, moved. None of them were in the same place as they had been.

“Thomas…you told me that this was only a rumor!” Statch said, his voice growing more and more panicked.

“Calm down.”

“You calm down! By the Goddess, we’re going to get lost here forever! We’re going to—”

“Statch, shut up!” I yelled. The fog was nearly gone by now and hung low to the forest floor.

“Who are you? Why do you disturb the forest’s slumber?!”

“Oh my god!”

“Statch, calm down!” I hissed. I think I know what Digimon this is…

“For disturbing the forest’s slumber, I shall subject you to—”

“Hold on just a minute…Cherrymon,” I said.

“…You know of me?”

“We did not come here to disturb anything,” I replied.

“My senses say otherwise.” The fog vanished completely, and before we knew it, a colossal Cherrymon stood before us. “The scent of the Dark Area lingers upon the two of you. For the past several days, all across the continent, I have sensed the darkness of the Dark Area growing ever larger…and ever closer to swallowing up the entire world,” Cherrymon said. “You two…are the ones responsible for the spread of darkness!”

“No, we’re not! We’re trying to stop the darkness from spreading!” Statch yelled.

“There are two Humans who turn into Digimon; they are the ones spreading the darkness,” I said.

“Humans turning into Digimon?!” Cherrymon gasped. “That…that can’t be…But with the spread of darkness…And you say you are fighting the darkness?”

“Several Digimon from the Dark Area have been called forth from the Dark Area, Cherrymon,” I said. “We were there for some of them. But also…we fought against them. We sent them back to the Dark Area.”

“…Do you speak the truth?” Cherrymon asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“…Very well. If it is as you say…then you may go,” Cherrymon said. “But know this; if you have lied to me, the Illusion Mist will grow thicker and thicker…and you will never be able to leave these woods. You will be doomed to wander here for the rest of your life…until you perish. The Cursed Woods…that is where you now tread. And those are its rules. If you can abide by them, and escape…then you win. And you shall never again be bothered by the rules if you are to win but once.” Fog surrounded Cherrymon once more, and he completely vanished from sight. Statuedramon looked up at me.

“…Well, now what do we do?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” I asked back. “We did not lie, so we’ve nothing to worry about. Let us be on our way back home.”

“Wait…are you sure about this?”

“Of course I am. You…believe that we’re doing the right thing, don’t you?” I asked.

“Well, yeah, but…I don’t know…” he looked down at the ground. “I know you are fighting back…but what about me? I can’t even Digivolve…I just get in the way…”

“Statuedramon, that is not true,” I whispered, bending down to look him in the eye. “There’s no other Digimon I’d rather have as my Partner. You know that. You’ve gotten me out of more predicaments than I care to remember. Remember what Apollomon told you; what’s important is not how well you fight, but why you fight.”

“…Yeah. Okay. Let’s go. Thanks, buddy.”

“Anytime, buddy.”

Chapter 68: The Mask of King Earh

Thomas Kasuto

Deckerdramon’s Temple

Lotisea Province

 

“Up ahead is the king’s throne,” JewelBeemon whispered, stopping in front of a marble column. “I would like to remind you that, even though we suspect his mask might be the one you seek, there is no guarantee that it is, so do not get your hopes up. Also, make sure you do nothing to…offend His Royal Highness.” JewelBeemon looked directly at Statuedramon, and the Rookie Digimon’s eyes shifted nervously. “Let me do the talking; King Earh is very…particular about whom he speaks to, so I am more likely to succeed, but that doesn’t mean I will succeed.”

JewelBeemon left the cover provided by the column and approached the throne, kneeling, while Statch and I watched from behind the marble column. “My liege; please, hear my humble request.”

“What is it you desire, JewelBeemon?” came the reply. The voice sounded rather bored, almost impatient, but not quite irritated. It was almost tempting to take a look at him, but I did not wish to reveal our position and cause any unnecessary uproar that may ensue, so I made certain that we both remained hidden.

“Some friends of mine; they seek something very valuable. It is an item of great importance, one that will put its owner in great peril if he or she refuses to relinquish it into the hands of my friends. We believe…this object may be in your possession, Milord.”

Wow, he’s a good speaker…

“Okay, JewelBeemon; you’ve got my attention,” the king said. His voice sounded a bit more worried. “What is it you seek?”

“Your mask, Milord.”

“…What?!”

“Forgive my impertinence, Milord, but we have reason to believe that the mask you wear could pose a threat to your life,” JewelBeemon continued. “As a guard of the royal temple — and, of course, His Royal Highness — it is of great importance that I…”

“That you…what?! Go on, JewelBeemon; say it!” his voice rose in anger.

“Milord, I must ask that I…take your mask. But only for your own protection, sir!”

“Absurd! Absolutely ridiculous!” he snapped. “Call those friends of yours over here!”

“At once, sir!” Statuedramon and I walked up behind the Ultimate Digimon. The king sat atop a large throne whose back was against a wall, and with the mask he wore, it was impossible to tell what mood he was in. He wore a large black cloak that covered his entire body. The room itself was square-shaped and surrounded with marble columns, and there was an opening in the ceiling, presumably for flying Digimon to use. It seemed as though nearly every area of the temple was still outdoors. Standing next to the king was a Butterflymon.

“So…these be the whelps that request my mask?!” King Earh asked. “And what do you want it for, I wonder?”

“It is as JewelBeemon says, Milord; leaving the mask in your possession will prove to be very dangerous,” I said.

“Two evil Humans that can turn into Digimon are coming for it!” Statuedramon said. “Well, it’s not the mask itself, but what’s inside the mask that those two are coming here for!”

“Humans turning into Digimon?! How ridiculous!” Earh stood up and walked over to us. He was a tall and large man, reaching nearly the height of JewelBeemon, but his cloak and mask kept any part of his body from being seen. “I ought to throw the two of you in the dungeon right now for…well…Just because your story is so ridiculous and I say so!”

“Sir, we don’t actually have any dungeons here,” Butterflymon said.

“We don’t? Oh…well…I guess you two get off lucky, then! Now, get out of my sight before I decide to let somebody execute you!”

“We should go,” JewelBeemon whispered, grabbing our arms and taking flight, flying us out of the room. In a few moments, we landed at the entrance of the temple.

“Damn it; why didn’t he give us that mask?!” Statuedramon said. “That stupid, useless, son of a—”

“There is no point in lamenting the past, Statch,” I said. After being hoisted into the air by the Ultimate Digimon, I had to readjust my coat. “It seems to be highly unlikely that we’ll actually get the mask at the current moment. The only thing we can do is wait for the Bio Hybrids to arrive and drive them off. Maybe then, King Earh will believe us and give us the mask willingly…”

“And even then, you’ll have a slim chance of getting it,” JewelBeemon added.

“Yeah, but still…JewelBeemon? Are you…okay?” Statch asked. The Insect Digimon’s head was moving around rapidly, as if he were looking for something. “JewelBeemon?”

“Spike Buster!” JewelBeemon turned around and tossed his spear into the shadows, striking the outer wall of the temple.

“Ouch!” said a raspy but familiar voice from the shadows. “That was rude, damn it! I haven’t even done anything…yet.” The shadows began moving on their own until they took the shape of a lizard.

“BioPremenitmon!” Statch exclaimed.

“Nothing gets past you, does it?” From the shadows, the Bio Hybrid that Statch called out emerged. “I’ve been looking for the mask for a few days now, but I haven’t been able to find out which one it is. There are just so many in this damned temple,” BioPremenitmon said. “Of course…that was before you two arrived. Thanks to you, Thomas, I now know which mask I need to free Horusmon!”

“…Did you guys take the Sword?” I asked.

“The Sword? I thought you…got to it first,” BioPremenitmon said.

“The Mirror and the Flute were also taken; were you two the ones who took them?” I asked.

“…So, it really wasn’t you who’s been taking them…” BioPremenitmon sighed. “It seems that there’s someone else that’s claiming the Horcruxes as their own besides our two groups.”

“Someone…else?” I asked

“Claw of Phantasms!” yelled BioPremenitmon.

I barely had enough time to draw my sword before BioPremenitmon swung his claws at me. Though my weapon was able to stop his attack just in time, I was still knocked down when my side was struck by his thick tail, an act which caught me off guard long enough for the Bio Hybrid to shove me to the ground. My entire torso throbbed with the pain of being hit and falling to the ground. “You’ve been a pain in my ass for the longest time, Thomas!” BioPremenitmon wrapped his claws around my neck.

“Get off of him!” Statuedramon yelled as I heard him draw his sword. I tried to move, but the Bio Hybrid shoved my body against the wall. His palm dug into my throat, and when I tried to draw breath, he would press down harder.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you!” BioBeelzemon swooped down from the trees, landing between me and Statuedramon. “You wouldn’t want your pal’s head to be blown off, would ya?”

“You two will die…right here and now!” Statch yelled.

“When we…first met,” I said. The Bio Hybrid’s hand was wrapped tightly around my neck, making it difficult to speak. “You were…a priest. That…orphan girl…Larraine…you were so kind to her…”

“It was only part of the job. I had no real affection for the wretch,” BioPremenitmon said.

“If she could…” I croaked.

“‘See me now…what would she think of the man who had treated her with such kindness saying such horrible things about her…’ Was that what you were going to say?” BioPremenitmon interrupted. “But you see…That’s something that will forever remain unknown. The girl is no more; whether she was eaten alive by a SkullScorpiomon or starved to death and buried under all the sand of Cyprus Desert…I highly doubt she’s capable of thinking anything anymore.”

“BioPremenitmon, stop wasting time; we need to get that mask!” BioBeelzemon said, turning his head to face us. “Kill him or don’t kill him; just make up your mind!”

“Spike Buster!” JewelBeemon thrust his spear into BioBeelzemon’s left arm. The Bio Hybrid dropped the gun he held in his right hand and wrapped his claws around JewelBeemon’s spear, attempting to remove it from his arm. The grip around my neck loosened as BioPremenitmon turned to look at his comrade; I took a shuddering breath and grabbed my sword, striking the Bio Hybrid across the neck. The wound, however, was not very deep, and blood fell out in minute drops. His eyes widened in pain and his fists clenched as he endured the pain, until I delivered a sharp kick to his stomach and knocked him over.

“I told you to hurry up!” BioBeelzemon shouted.

“Shut up! Let’s just go and get the mask before it’s too late!” BioPremenitmon said. “Claw of Phantasms!” BioPremenitmon’s claws tore through JewelBeemon’s spear and sliced it into several small pieces. The two Bio Hybrids ran into the temple, leaving behind a trail of blood drops as we followed them. We followed the trail all the way into King Earh’s throne room, where we were greeted by a huge cannon aimed at our faces.

“Corona Blaster!”

“Guys, look out!” JewelBeemon jumped in front of us just in time for BioBeelzemon’s attack to strike his right arm.

“JewelBeemon!” I yelled.

“That…is for getting in our way!” BioBeelzemon said, beginning his walk to the throne. The Ultimate Digimon’s arm had been severely burnt and blackened.

“JewelBeemon, are you okay?!” Statch asked.

“Yes…I…I will be fine,” The Insect Digimon said. “Just go! Get the mask…and if you can…if you feel that you must…protect the king…”

“What is the meaning of this?!” Earh’s booming voice echoed through the room. “Who are you two?!”

“Oh, I think you know who we are,” BioPremenitmon said. “We’ve come…for your mask.”

“My mask?! Absurd! If I wouldn’t relinquish it to one of my own bodyguards, what makes you think I’ll give it to you?!”

“Because I would be more than happy to use force to get what I want.”

“H—How dare you speak to me in such a way! Have you any idea who I am?!”

“Oh, we know everything about you, King Earh,” BioBeelzemon said. “That is…if you really are the rightful king of this place.”

“O—Of course I am! Why would I sit on this throne if I weren’t a king?!”

“Let me tell you a little story,” BioPremenitmon said. “Once upon a time, there lived a perfectly normal man in a city in the forest. One day, the man got greedy and decided to take something he had no right taking…the king’s throne. With the special powers of a certain mask he found, he forced the king and his family out of their temple and claimed the throne as his own…over one hundred years ago.”

“W—What are you saying?” Earh asked. “You…know? How could you know?!”

“Sir, what are they saying?” Butterflymon asked.

“In the year 631, Earh found a mask that allowed him to control time itself, and ever since then, he’s used it to keep himself young and forever the king of this city,” BioPremenitmon said. “He refuses to take it off because once he does, he will die! That is the price one must pay to use the Mask of Ages Past for as long as you have, Earh!”

“So, how do you want this to be?” BioBeelzemon asked. “Do you want us to kill you while wearing the mask? Or do you want to take the mask off and die?”

“No…no, I don’t want to die! I don’t deserve to!”

“You don’t deserve to?! Of course you do!” BioPremenitmon said. “Who was it that took the throne he had no right taking?! Who was it that used the powers of a Horcrux he had no right using?!”

“Enough of this! You threaten the life of my king, and I will not tolerate it!” Butterflymon jumped between Earh and the Bio Hybrids. “Sweet Pheromone!”

“Out of my way!” BioPremenitmon shoved Butterflymon aside and thrust the sharp end of his ankh into her stomach, instantly killing her.

“No…no, please, I don’t want to—”

“Enough simpering! It won’t help you where you’re going!” BioPremenitmon grabbed the front of Earh’s shirt and, with his other hand, removed the mask that covered his face. As the mask was removed, Earh’s flesh promptly melted away, followed by the muscles and sinew until only his skeleton was left, falling to the ground discarded as a piece of trash before promptly turning to dust and flying away in a breeze.. “Horusmon, I call to you from the other side!” BioPremenitmon began speaking in the ancient language, and the mask in his hand began to glow.

“Stop him! Before another Digimon comes from the Dark Area!” I shouted.

“Double Impact!” BioBeelzemon fired his shotguns at the ground, inches away from hitting Statch and me. “You two ain’t going anywhere near Sephyrus!”

“What do we do?!” Statch asked.

“There’s nothing you can do…except watch and wait!” BioBeelzemon snickered.

“It is done! Horusmon is freed!” The entire room became cloaked in a bright light for a brief moment. When it dissipated, I saw a tall, hawk-headed Digimon standing before us, glaring down.

Chapter 67: Courage and Beauty

Thomas Kasuto

Lotisea Jungle

4 Days

 

“According to this map, we should be arriving at Deckerdramon’s Temple shortly,” Statuedramon said.

“And since when do you know how to read a map?” I asked.

“Pheragas taught me a few days ago.” The Rookie Digimon stopped briefly and looked at the compass he held before walking again.

Wow. He actually looks like he knows what he’s doing. We haven’t even gotten lost once, and he hasn’t walked into a single tree…yet.

“Okay, do you see those big trees up ahead? After we pass them, we’ll have reached the temple,” Statuedramon said.

“Halt!” An electrical attack shot down from the trees and struck the forest floor, just inches away from where Statuedramon stood. The attack made Statch leap into the air with surprise, and I looked up to see where the attack came from. “Who goes there?!”

“Hey, if you’re going to attack us and ask us who we are, the least you could do is show yourself!” Statuedramon said. After a brief moment of silence, the sound of an insect Digimon’s wings buzzing filled the air, and soon, standing before us was a Digimon I recognized as JewelBeemon.

“This area is sacred, and trespassers are not permitted,” JewelBeemon said. “Leave immediately, or I will be forced to make you leave.”

“Wanna bet?!” Statch asked.

“Statuedramon, don’t antagonize him!” I whispered.

“But we’ve been here before!” he whined. “We weren’t treated like this last time!”

“Last time? You two have been here before? Then…might the two of you be Thomas and Statuedramon?” JewelBeemon asked.

“Yes, sir, that is us,” I said. “I apologize for any inconvenience the two of us may have caused…”

“…I suppose this is what comes of being a guard to the royal temple; everyone seems like an enemy,” JewelBeemon said. “It seems my solitude has driven common courtesy from me. Please, come with me into the city.”

“Oh…Thank you, sir,” I said. JewelBeemon turned around and began leading us the rest of the way through the forest and into the city Statch and I had visited roughly two years ago. Nothing about the city seemed to have changed; the buildings and roads were all constructed of white marble, giving the city an ancient look to it similar to the one Mandala had. Humans and Digimon casually walked around the peaceful streets with carefree looks on their faces.

“Even today, I find it difficult to believe that this city was nearly destroyed by that vicious group of cutthroats,” JewelBeemon said. “If not for the two of you, these innocent civilians would not be living the lives they have now. I thank you two from the bottom of my heart.”

Every way I turned, there was a Human or Digimon, gaping at the two of us in awe, waving, or both. It had been a long while since the two of us were welcomed as we were by the joyous passersby of a peaceful settlement, and nearly as long since coming upon a village that still had people living within its borders.

“It seems that, because of what you have done for them, they have come to revere you two as heroes,” JewelBeemon said.

“No matter how many times it happens, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being treated as such,” Statuedramon said.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“We’re looking for something, actually,” I said. “We need to find a mask.”

“A mask? You’ll find none in the city, I’m afraid.”

“But…there just has to be!” Statuedramon said. “And we need to find it before some very bad people do!”

“…It isn’t here,” JewelBeemon insisted. “Do either of you know the dogma that we of Lotisea live by?” Neither of us said anything. “There are two aspects of life that we here believe transcend all others…courage…and beauty…The courage to protect what truly matters, and the beauty of life itself. The teachings of these two aspects are divided among the two genders. Our young males are trained on the finer aspects of courage, as courage without wisdom is foolishness, and courage without direction is far worse. Our young females are trained to have a love and appreciation of all life on Arcadia, no matter how evil it may appear to be. Everyone here, for the most part, strictly adheres to these teaching, but, as to be expected, there are a few who do not. Men who show a selfish cowardice in the face of danger, choosing to save themselves over others…women who are impure of heart and soul, choosing not to honor and respect the values of life…In our beliefs, there is no worse crime to commit. Those who do commit these crimes are punished, and forced to wear a mask. A man who acts as a coward…will be forced to hide his face in shame like a craven, and a woman who is not beautiful — and by that, I mean of heart and soul, and not her face — will also be forced to wear such a mask to cover her eyes to prevent others from peering into her unclean soul, as we believe the eyes to be windows to a person’s soul.”

“Wait, so…do you guys have masks here or not?!” Statuedramon asked.

“We do, but there are none in the city, as I said,” JewelBeemon continued. “They are kept in Deckerdramon’s Temple with our ruler, King Earh.” JewelBeemon suddenly stopped walking. “Our king…he wears a mask.”

“Is he a coward?”

“Statuedramon!”

“…Our king is the one who decides who is to be punished by wearing a mask, and yet he himself wears one…Thomas, why are you looking for this mask?”

“This mask houses a portion of the soul of an evil Digimon, and we need to find it before some evil people release that Digimon from the Dark Area, using that mask. The mask, while it still has the Digimon’s soul in it, is called a Horcrux, and it also gives its holder a small part of that Digimon’s abilities.”

“…That’s it. That’s the mask you seek. The Mask of King Earh is the one you search for.”

I stopped walking abruptly. “That’s quite an accusation to make,” I said. “Are you certain?”

“…It has to be the one he wears,” JewelBeemon said. “Why else would our king, our leader, wear a mask? In addition, there are many rumors going around that King Earh is not our rightful king, and that he took the throne forcefully from the true king or queen.”

“How is he as a ruler?” Statuedramon asked.

“…I am not supposed to say a thing like this…But King Earh…is the worst. He isn’t an especially cruel person, and he doesn’t derive pleasure from hurting others, but he…is very demanding and pushy, and he can be perceived as selfish and arrogant, depending on whom you ask. Above all, he isn’t cut out to be a ruler of any kind.”

“Well, should we go speak with him?” I asked. “If his is the mask we seek, we must get it away from him as soon as possible…”

“And if it’s not?” Statch asked.

“Then we won’t have to worry about fighting Sephyrus and Michalis to get it from him.”

“The king sits atop the throne in Deckerdramon’s Temple,” JewelBeemon said. “Come with me; I’ll take you to see him."

Chapter 66: Lost Heart

Thomas Kasuto

Saias’s Villa

3 Days

 

As I awoke the next morning, I opened my eyes slowly, as they had grown unaccustomed to the light during the few days that I was blind. Well, at least Luna’s potion worked. Better by morning, just as she said. Lying on my bed beside me was Zelda. She lay on her side, facing me, and her eyes were open as well, though she didn’t notice that I was awake until I reached over and gently began stroking the side of her face. Startled, she flinched away slightly, but she began smiling when she saw that I was awake.

“Good morning,” she said softly. “Can you see now?”

“Yes; Luna’s potion worked exactly as well as she said it would,” I said. Zelda smiled her usual radiant and beautiful smile, but after a moment, it disappeared as her face returned to its original solemn, almost lachrymose expression. “Are you okay?” I asked. “You look like you’re about to cry…”

“Oh…no, it’s…nothing,” she said, forcing herself to smile. “Really…I’m fine…”

“Is it about what happened back in Shendu Territory?”

Once again, her smile vanished. Her eyes closed, and she slowly nodded. “I…I’m not sorry that I did it…that I stepped up to protect you when you needed me to. But that man…when I was attacking him over and over like that, I just…couldn’t stop…It was as if I was being controlled by all my anger, all my hatred…and I killed him. I know he said his deaths weren’t permanent like how a normal Human’s were, but I just can’t…I can’t get these feelings of dread to leave my heart, no matter how many times I tell myself that. And then, when I saw my reflection in Luna’s eyes, and I saw myself covered with all of that blood, and I saw all of that rage on my face, in my eyes…I really felt as though the dread and nausea together would have killed me. I…I never want to look like that again!” Her eyes began to well with tears, but none of them slipped out. “Thomas…was that…what it was like that the first time you killed someone?”

“I think…it might be different for different people,” I said after a moment’s thought. “Before I left Cyclamen City with Victoria, I had been alone for so long that loneliness had hardened my heart. I guess…that never really left me. The first time I killed anyone was while I was still training with Victoria, sometime after I had found Statuedramon. The man I killed was a lone bandit, and so I was able to easily kill him before he had hurt anyone. When he fell to the ground…all I felt was relief; relief to know that he hadn’t hurt anyone else; relief that I had escape unscathed. Victoria…she was so proud of me for what I had done to protect the people of that small village. I remember it all very clearly; she hugged me so tightly…she kissed me on the forehead…That’s why I’m able to kill so effortlessly…each time I do, I am reminded of the relief I felt from saving everyone that day, and the warmth of Victoria’s embrace that followed. But you…you had been alone for far longer than I had, and treated with far more cruelty than I could even begin to fathom, and yet you are still so pure of heart. You are a kind and gentle person; the nicest I have ever known. The emotions you felt when you killed him were quite natural for someone of your delicate temperament, and they are nothing to be ashamed of.” I reached over and stroked her face once again, and I ran my fingers through her golden, silky hair. “If you ever need to talk about it some more, I’ll always be here for you.”

“Thank you…Thomas…” Zelda took my hand and kissed the back of it. “I feel better, though, after hearing you. Thank you.”

“Happy to help,” I smiled.

“…So…what was it like to be blind?” Zelda asked.

“It was…very…dark,” I replied. “The worst part about it…was that I couldn’t see your smile, your eyes…and I didn’t get very long to see you in a bikini, either. I’m quite disappointed about that.”

Zelda giggled. “Well…if you’d like…I can show you again sometime,” she said softly. “If you’d like…”

“I would like that very much,” I smiled. We continued to lie in bed for a few brief moments, staring into each other’s eyes until someone lightly knocked on the bedroom door.

“Are you two awake yet?” Apollomon asked from the other side of the door.

“Yes, sir.”

“Pheragas, BlackGaomon, and Dianamon have returned. Come down as soon as you are able to.” Zelda and I glanced at each other with curiosity before climbing out of bed.

10 Minutes

 

“You both lost the Horcruxes?!” Statuedramon exclaimed. “How the fuck did that happen?!”

“I couldn’t really tell you, Statch; it happened so fast,” Dianamon said. “One minute, I was standing in the Savage Prairie, and the next, I was flat on my back, one step away from being knocked unconscious.”

“It vas de same vith me,” Pheragas added. “BlackGaomon and I vere at Lake Viscaria ven ve vere attacked from behind again.”

“I feel so pathetic,” BlackGaomon said. “That’s twice that, because of me, a Horcrux was taken…”

“Don’t feel so bad,” Apollomon said. “I’m glad you’re all back safely after having been attacked by the Bio Hybrids.

“They couldn’t have been attacked by the Bio Hybrids,” I said.

“Vu else vould have attacked us, den?” Pheragas asked.

“Well, we were attacked by the Bio Hybrids, too,” Luna said. “Both of them, actually. In fact, they released Generalmon from the Dark Area, and if I weren’t there to stop him, he would’ve destroyed Acacia City.”

“So, are we to assume that the individual or individuals involved in the theft of the sword are to be involved?” Apollomon asked.

“If you put all that information together, that’s the only thing that makes sense,” Luna agreed.

“And you say that Generalmon has been defeated?”

“Killed him myself.”

“And the swordsman that Zelda fought…has he any connection to the Horcruxes?” Dianamon asked.

“I don’t think so…The only thing he seemed to be interested in was fighting Thomas,” Zelda said. “No mention of the Horcruxes, the Bio Hybrids, or of Lilithmon came up during our fight.”

“Who was that guy, anyway?” Statuedramon asked.

“He didn’t tell us,” I said. “Rather, he didn’t know himself.”

“…In any case, with the Medallion of the Crescent Moon taken, along with the Wolf’s Flute and the Clairvoyant’s Mirror, that leaves only two Horcruxes we have yet to go for,” Apollomon said. “One of them lies deep in Lotisea Jungle, and the other far to the north in Nymphaea.”

“So, we either have the option of getting lost forever in the forest, or freezing to death in the tundra,” Statuedramon said. “Wonderful.”

“Not much choice there,” BlackGaomon said.

“Nevertheless, I propose we go after the one in Lotisea; we’ve been there many times before, and we’ll have a better chance of finding the Horcrux without a blizzard hindering us,” I said.

“Thomas is correct; the Horcrux in Lotisea would be the ideal one for us to locate first,” Apollomon said. “I am fairly certain the Bio Hybrids would also want to save the one in the harshest province for last.”

“So, where in the jungle is this Horcrux located? Somewhere far away, right?” Statuedramon asked.

“And what is it?” I added.

“This Horcrux, the Mask of Ages Past…is in a place the two of you have been to before,” Apollomon said. “It has been a little over two years since you have been there…to Deckerdramon’s Temple.”

“That old place?! There wasn’t anything of value there!” Statch exclaimed.

“Then MirageGaogamon was right in hiding the Mask there, if you and Thomas were unable to find it.”

“…Or, maybe it was already been taken by the time we arrived,” I suggested.

“Indeed; that is why you and Statuedramon should depart as soon as possible,” Apollomon said.

“As usual,” Statch added dryly.

“Um…What…about me?” Zelda asked shyly.

“Zelda…you are clearly under a lot of stress over whatever it was that happened to you in Shendu Territory,” Dianamon said in a concerned voice. “I understand that you do not want to talk about it with us, but the fact is that those events are clearly weighing heavily on your conscience. Until you have everything sorted out, Apollomon and I think it would be best for you if you were to stay behind. The decision is up to you, dear, but that is the course of action I would strongly recommend.”

Zelda turned to look at me. Her sapphire eyes bore deeply into mine, as if asking me what I thought she should do.

“This time, it would be safer for her to remain behind,” Apollomon said. “None of us wishes to see her get hurt.”

“I…I’ll stay,” Zelda said.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

She nodded, smiling at me. “I wouldn’t…want to get in your way. I’m sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. You just stay here and get some rest, and I’ll see you when I get back,” I said. “I love you, Zelda.”

Chapter 65: Bloodlust

Luna Rosalina

Acacia City

Shendu Territory

 

“Dæmon Icircumflex!” Generalmon swung his axe down on me as a flash of light illuminated the area. A bolt of lightning descended from the sky and struck the Digimon, but not before the blade of his axe had found its way into my shoulder. Ignoring the pain, I pulled the weapon out as Generalmon dropped it, the bolt of lightning I called forth still electrocuting him.

“Ha…I’ll bet you’re sorry you wear all that thick metal armor now,” I said. “The Sage’s Bolas call forth an intense bolt of lightning, and metal is one of the best conductors of electricity…I’ll be truly impressed if your survive this.” I drew another cross on the gaping wound on my shoulder. This ought to help…Generalmon promptly fell to his knees. Steam billowed forth from the gaps in his armor from the electrical attack he had just endured.

“Generalmon…has been defeated?” Michalis asked breathlessly. “Why didn’t we help him, Sephyrus?!”

“He would not have accepted it,” Sephyrus answered. “A Digimon that prideful…would never request help from anyone else.” I sighed, and looked at the smoldering heap of armor kneeling before me. Generalmon’s fingers twitched, but he remained still.

But he’s still here, meaning he’s still alive. All I need to do is… I tried picking myself up off the ground, but to my surprise, my right arm wouldn’t move. Oh, no…did my spell not work? My arm can’t move! Why won’t the spell work?! A loud clanging took me out of my thoughts, and I turned my head to see Generalmon’s arm slowly reaching for his axe. The seven holes on his helmet’s visor emitted a bright red glare.

“You…will…perish!” he hissed.

“Not today, I’m afraid!” I quickly tore his axe out from his grasp and easily hefted it above my head. Geez, I’ll bet this thing weighs more than Zelda, Chrissy, and me combined! Generalmon’s helmet slowly moved as the Digimon looked up at me. “You won’t be getting revenge on anyone…Generalmon!” With but one swing of his axe, I sliced Generalmon’s head clean off. The Digimon’s blood came spurting out of his open neck hole, splattering across the front of my body. Good thing I’m still only wearing my bikini; this would take forever to get out of my clothes! The blood on my hands I immediately licked off as Generalmon’s headless body fell forward onto the ground before dissipating.

“And so, another Digimon returns to the endless abyss that is the Dark Area,” Sephyrus lamented. I was surprised by his sudden comment, and I had forgotten both he and Michalis were still nearby. “Perhaps—”

“Wow, Generalmon’s blood tastes amazing!” I interrupted, not really paying attention to the Bio Hybrids as I continued lapping up the blood that had stained my breasts, belly, and arms.

“…You scare me now,” Michalis said. “And I was already kind of afraid of her before, since she’s…so…pretty…”

“Want to try some?” I held my finger up close to Michalis’s lips, which quickly turned pale as he turned away.

“Let’s go, old man,” Michalis said somewhat weakly.

“Yes; we must report what has happened to Lilithmon,” Sephyrus said.

“What…did happen?” Michalis asked. “I can’t think clearly ever since that witch started licking up all of that blood…”

Zelda

 

“Show me the true might of your convictions,” the swordsman said. “Will you fight me to save the man you love…or will you avoid conflict so as not to see bloodshed?”

“No matter how many times you ask, my answer will always be the same,” I replied. “For bringing harm to him…for threatening his life…I’ll make you hurt. I’ll make you pay!”

“Then prove it to me!” the swordsman lunged forth, and I held up Thomas’s sword vertically to protect myself. The blades of the swordsman bounced up and slightly grazed my shoulders. I swung Thomas’s sword at the man, but he had already jumped out of the way before I could move.

Wow! This sword…it doesn’t weigh very much! I just hope I’ll be able to use it well. I just need to remember how Thomas used it… As I was lost in thought, one of the man’s blades whizzed past my head, making a thin cut form on my left cheek.

“Fighting you…it is no challenge,” he said. “I hold back, and still you do not retaliate.”

“You…you’re not even trying, are you…”

“If I had wanted you dead without the fight, I could have easily done so by now!” the other of the man’s swords flew through the air just above my head, very narrowly missing me as I ducked. I again swung Thomas’s sword, and though the man attempted to jump back, I made contact with his right thigh. His blood stained the sword’s polished surface, and my heart ached with a twinge of regret as the man’s face contorted with pain as his blood hit the sand.

Get a grip, Zelda! You knew it would come to this! I swung again at the man’s broad chest, leaving a thin stream of blood leaking out and down his stomach and staining his clothes. Through the pain, I saw him smile with a mild amusement.

“Good…for one with no experience in inflicting pain, it seems you are quite skilled,” he said. “This might actually prove to be quite entertaining after all.”

“Entertainment? Is that why you’re here?!” I asked. “You’re risking your own life just for a chance to become less bored?!”

“Not…entirely,” he replied. “As I said when we met, only one wielding a sword can defeat me, and after each death comes my rebirth, and with each rebirth, the memories of my previous life vanish without a trace, never to return.”

Rebirth…what does he mean by that? He isn’t a normal Human…is he?

“That is why I chose to fight you,” the man continued. “Without any swordsmen or women around to vanquish me, my memories will never be erased. Is it so wrong to want a few memories of my own before I die permanently, whenever that may be?”

“…No. No, there’s nothing wrong with wanting memories,” I said. “Every memory I have since joining Lachesis is very precious to me. But you…you threaten the life of the person I have the most precious memories with just to get them! As a member of Lachesis, I refuse to let that go unpunished!” The man lunged at me again, but this time, I was prepared; this time, as he approached me, I thrusted Thomas’s sword forward, and it became stuck in the man’s left shoulder. Once more, the man’s face became twisted in pain and agony. The fingers on his left hand unclenched, and the sword he had held fell into the sand.

“You are quite proficient with that sword,” he said. “However…that man is why I am here. If I am to live on, that man must fall!” The man shoved me out of the way and picked up his dropped sword with his right hand, which he immediately hurled in Thomas’s and Renamon’s direction. The weapon flew through the air with peerless speed toward the two, and had Renamon not shoved Thomas out of the way at the last second, either one of them would have gotten hit.

“Tommy, Renamon, are you two okay?!” The man’s sword fell to the ground, kicking up small amounts of sand and dust when it landed.

“Yes, we’re fine,” Renamon said.

“What happened?” Thomas asked. I turned and glared at the swordsman; his uninjured arm was raised, and he was prepared to attack once more. The sympathy and regret from making the man feel pain that had earlier filled my heart instantly vanished, and in its place came the unfamiliar emotion of rage. The expression on the man’s face was absolutely sickening; he looked so calm, as if he didn’t care if anyone here died. The rage I felt only intensified as I glared into his eyes; there was a look of bloodlust in them that told me he truly would have killed the most innocent child without provocation. It all happened so slowly in my mind; the man brought his sword arm down as I brought mine up. The tip of his blade nicked my forehead. No blood came out, though I doubt I would have noticed; my attention was solely on the vile man before me. Thomas’s blade had become stuck in the man’s wrist. The man’s other sword dropped onto the beach as he looked at his hand, which had become pale from the lack of blood. I removed the sword, and he immediately placed a tight grip around his bleeding wrist. He was completely unarmed, and unable to defend himself. In spite of this, I attacked him again, cutting him across his face. He stared at me in surprise as I attacked him once again, and again, and again. His blood was flying through the air — most of it ended up on me — and though he had fallen to his knees, not even begging for mercy, I didn’t let up. My body wouldn’t let me, but I didn’t try to stop it. Again and again, I struck him with the sword, as if releasing all the pent-up rage from my entire life. The man had soon fallen to his back, and I continued stabbing him in the chest until I felt a hand firmly clasp my shoulder.

“Slow down there, sweetheart.” In my wrathful stupor, I turned around and nearly attacked the person behind me with the sword. “What, you’re trying to kill me, now?” Luna asked. As soon as I saw her, the blade slipped out of my fingers. My eyes instantly became filled with tears as I saw my reflection in her golden eyes, drenched with blood, both my own and the swordsman’s. But what got to me the most was that look of rage and hatred I had in my own eyes, on my face.

No…Is that…Is that really me…?!All at once, the spiteful emotions I had grown accustomed to feeling vanished. My grief at the realization that I had killed a man hit my heart hard like a charging Monochromon. I was overcome with a horrible nausea so intense I feared my stomach would be ripped to pieces as I looked down at the dying man beneath me.

“You ok?” Luna offered me her hand and helped me up off the ground.

“Not…not bad…” the man said, coughing up blood. “Next time…it will be easier…”

No…No, I don’t want to get used to this!

“Well…that’s one more death for me…I wonder if I will…remember any of this when I am reborn?” the man asked.

“So…who is this guy?” Luna asked.

“…Don’t know. Wonder about that myself,” he replied, before fading away in a similar manner to the Digimon when they die. 

“Are you okay, Zelda?” Thomas asked.

“Oh…yeah…I’m fine…” I absentmindedly stroked my cheek where I had been cut earlier and examined the blood. Luna bent over and licked the blood clean off my fingers, but I barely noticed. My heart was still beating rapidly, my palms were soaked with blood and sweat, and tears clouded my vision. “Did I…did I do the right thing, Renamon?”

“You were only trying to protect Thomas,” Renamon said. “Granted, things did get a little hectic near the end, and I would have stopped you earlier, but you told me to stay with Thomas…So…” Renamon nervously rubbed the back of her neck. “I guess…I should be asking you that.”

“What happened?” Luna asked gently.

“That man came, and he…and he wanted to fight Thomas, and he did at first, but Thomas got hurt, so I fought him instead…” The tears had begun rolling down my cheeks, mixing with the blood. “He…he tried to kill us, and he…he almost…did…”

“He was clearly a skilled swordsman,” Renamon said. “You ought to be proud that you were able to protect your friends.”

“Proud?! I…I hurt him! Killed him! Why should I be proud of that?!” I burst into tears as I spoke. Luna pulled me into a warm and, in spite of the blood that covered her, very comforting embrace.

“…So, Generalmon’s dead,” Luna suddenly said.

“Oh…How did…that work out?” Thomas asked, clearly caught off guard by Luna’s statement.

“Well, he put up a good fight, but he was no match for me, of course,” the witch said.

“And the Medallion?” Thomas asked.

“What about it?”

“Did you get it back?”

“…Ffffffffuck!”

“Don’t worry about it, Luna; we do still have the Stone,” Thomas reminded her. “Also, they don’t seem to know that the Sword was also taken.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. Well, now that all of this is over with, we should head back to the villa,” Luna said. “I hate to say it, Thomas, but you’re going to have to wait until we get back to Yew for me to make a potion for you to see again. The five different territories of Celosia each have their own unique way of studying and using magic as part of their cultures, and I’m only familiar with Valencia’s way of doing it.”

“That’s okay; I’m already kind of used to it by now.”

“Renamon, do you think you could help me get these two back to the villa?” Luna asked.

“I would be happy to,” the Digimon Spirit said.

Chapter 64: From Love Comes Hidden Strength

Zelda

Shendu Territory

 

“Thomas!” Tears began to well in my eyes as I saw him land in a bloody, motionless heap. “Thomas! Thomas!!!”

“Don’t….worry…” he examined the wounds on his chest with his hand, which became soaked with blood. “I’m fine…I’ll be fine…” Thomas began to pick himself up off the ground, but in spite of all his struggling, he collapsed once again.

“Come forth, Dynasmon!” I cried.

“…A Digimon Spirit?” The swordsman looked up at the Exalted Knight Digimon, undaunted and unsurprised as I made my way over to Thomas.

“My lady…This one is…different,” Dynasmon said.

“What do you mean?” I asked. I raised Thomas’s body up off the ground by the shoulders and rested his head in my lap.

“I sense a strange power coming from this one,” the spirit replied. “I feel…like there’s more than a single soul in his body…that he’s experienced more than one life.”

“I have,” the swordsman said, not even bothering to look at Dynasmon. In contrast, Dynasmon didn’t once avert his eyes from the man, carefully watching his every move down to the blinking of his colorless eyes.

“…What is your name?”

“I have none, Spirit.”

“What shall I call you, then?” Dynasmon asked.

“You do not need to call me anything. All you need to know is that all of your power is meaningless if you wish to challenge me.”

“What do you mean?” Dynasmon asked.

“Digimon Spirits…their power dwindles in my presence, as if I’m sucking away their very life energy.”

“…What are you?” Dynasmon asked. “You aren’t a Digimon…but you aren’t a Human, either! Wait…are you…”

“Enough! Fight me!”

“Very well; Dragon’s Roar!” Dynasmon held up his claws, but nothing happened. “Dragon’s Roar!” Again, nothing happened. “So, I was right. You really are—”

The swordsman interrupted Dynasmon, cutting through his body with his swords. The spirit roared and howled in pain before vanishing.

“What…what are you?!” Thomas asked. The man ignored his question and turned to face me and Thomas.

“If you’ve no strength left to fight, then this will be over shortly.”

No…No, I can’t let him die! I grabbed Thomas’s sword from the ground beside him and stood to face the swordsman.

“So…is it now your turn to fight me?”

“Zelda…don’t do it…”

“I’m sorry, Thomas, but I’m not going to let this man kill you!” I said.

“And there’s nothing I can say…to change your mind?” Thomas asked.

“I’m afraid not,” I replied. “I’m doing this because I love you, Thomas.”

“So instead, you’re choosing to sacrifice yourself and the life in your belly?”

“W—What?! No, I…I’m not pregnant!” I felt my face turn red and slightly warm, and I myself felt quite flustered. “Why do you keep saying that?! Do I look…big?” I looked down and examined my belly.

“Zelda…Even if you did…you’d still be beautiful…”

…Wow…I have the sweetest boyfriend in the world…

“Now, go kick his ass!” Thomas said loudly, though he must have said it a little too loudly, as he began coughing up blood. “I…I believe in you…”

“Come forth, Renamon!”

“You called, Milady?” Renamon asked.

“Yes…I’m going to do something a little drastic here,” I said. “I want you to stay with Thomas while I do.”

“As you wish.” Renamon knelt down next to Thomas and lifted his upper body off the ground.

“You shall not win,” the swordsman said. “I can see it in your eyes; you detest violence and bloodshed, so you’ve always left the fighting to those around you.”

I tightly gripped Thomas’s sword.

“There’s nothing wrong with being the kind of person you are,” the swordsman said. “But…you will never be able to inflict pain on others like that.”

“I’m fighting for the man I love, just as he’s always done for me,” I said. “I will win. I have to.”

Luna

 

I lay on my back in a daze, looking up at the cloudless sky. Generalmon stood over me; he had not moved since he had attacked me. His violet armor gleamed in the sunlight, sending rays of bright light into my eyes. I wiped the blood off my face and tried to stand up, but an unbearably sharp pain in my ribs stopped me, and I fell back down. into the bloodied sand.

“Judging by the look on your face and the sound of your scream…I’d say I broke a rib or two,” Generalmon said. I glared up at the huge Digimon, and he began to laugh. “Hurting other people…is so much fun! And while I greatly enjoyed harming you, I have some business to take care of.”

“No…wait…” Ignoring the searing pain in my stomach and ribs, I stood up and faced Generalmon. “I can’t…let you…get away…”

“Don’t be so foolish; I didn’t even use half my strength against you, and I broke a few of your ribs. While I admire your dedication, there is nothing you are able to do about your predicament, but I will fight you if that is what you want,” Generalmon said. He clenched his fist, and sharp spikes rose from the knuckles of his gauntlets. “I guarantee you; the next time I hit you, you won’t get off so lucky!”

“Go ahead and try!” With my own blood, I drew a cross-like design on my belly. The dark bruise left by Generalmon’s fist vanished, as did the pain in my ribs. “Ahh…much better! This symbol…it is a healing sigil.”

“…You’re quite resourceful, aren’t you? Perhaps you will be a worthy opponent after all.”

“Oh, I have to be resourceful; I wouldn’t be a very good sorceress if I weren’t!” I replied. Without Generalmon’s notice, I began drawing a different symbol on the palms of my hands, this one resembling a sun. “And if I weren’t any good at what I do…nobody at Lachesis would want me and my daughter around…”

“A touching story. Now, shall we begin?” I nodded. “Ars Prima!” Generalmon lunged toward me and aimed a punch, with his spiked knuckles, at my head, but before he could hit me, I jumped up and punched him in the chest. His armor became dented where I struck him, with a few small cracks here and there. Generalmon clutched his chest and looked down at it in bewilderment. “What the hell?! What the hell did you just do?!” I showed him the symbols I had drawn on my palms.

“Like the Honest Cross I painted across my belly, these symbols grant their mage special abilities,” I said. “The twin Suns of Courage…they grant inhuman strength. Are you certain you still wish to fight me, knowing that?”

“You…FUCKING WHORE!!!!” Generalmon struck me across the face, his knuckle spikes leaving deep gashes in my cheek. “You dare talk down to me as if I’m some kind of coward?! Those crests might make you strong, but in comparison to me, all that makes you is a very strong rat!” I softly brushed my fingers across the cuts on my cheek.

Heh. More blood for me to use. What an idiot… Generalmon began walking over to his axe as I painted yet another symbol in the dirt. In the blink of an eye, Generalmon stood in front of me.

“Dæmon Icircumflex!” Generalmon swung his axe down on me as a flash of light illuminated the area.

Chapter 63: Nameless Challenger

Thomas Kasuto

Shendu Territory

 

“Can you see anything yet?” Zelda asked. Her voice was filled with concern. “Your eyes don’t hurt anymore, do they?”

“I can’t see anything, I’m afraid,” I replied. The two of us had been sitting alone on the beach with our, or at least my, back against what felt like a tree. The entire time, Zelda sat with her arms wrapped around my shoulders, as if to keep me safely in place while I couldn’t see. “My eyes still burn quite a bit from that attack, though.”

“Aww, poor baby…” Zelda intertwined her fingers in between my own as I felt her lips press up against my right cheek.

“Zelda…you haven’t…you’re still wearing your bikini, aren’t you?”

“I don’t want to let go of you for a second while you’re still like this!” Zelda exclaimed. “I don’t know what it’s like to be blind, but I’m not going to leave your side if I can help it! I could never…abandon you…”

Wow…I have the sweetest girlfriend in the world… I smiled and placed my arm around her waist, enjoying the moment and the soft and silky feel of her skin. I gently brushed my fingertips across her belly, and I could feel her laugh as my fingers worked their way around her navel. Without warning, I felt Zelda shift nervously. “What’s wrong?”

“…Someone’s coming again…”

“Who is it? Is it Luna?”

“No…It’s a man…” I noted a small tinge of fear in her usually calm voice. “He’s walking up to us.” Soon, I heard the footsteps of the man as he walked through the sand of the beach. “Who are you?”

“…I…do not know,” the man said. “It seems I have forgotten.”

“What do you want with us?” Zelda asked.

“There is a swordsman in your embrace; a particularly well-known one from where I came from,” the man continued. “I wish to challenge him.”

Luna

Acacia City

Shendu Territory

 

Where are those two?! My eyes were frantically scanning the sky, hoping to find BioBeelzemon. I can’t believe I lost sight of that bastard! Though it was only for a brief moment, an incandescent surge of white light filled the sky. By Goddess Arcadia…I’m too late! They’ve already—

“Welcome to the plane of the living, Generalmon,” an unfamiliar voice said. I turned around, seeing a clearing near the outskirts of Acacia. There, I saw Michalis standing with another man I could only assume to be Sephyrus. In front of them was a heavily armored Digimon whom they addressed as Generalmon. So as not to be noticed, I hid myself behind a tree.

“Skip the pleasantries, Sephyrus,” Generalmon said. “I’m interested only in conversing with Lilithmon…so that I may remove her head from her body.”

“But…that would prevent the rest of you from being freed!” Michalis said.

“Not necessarily,” Sephyrus said. “I am capable of doing so as well, remember?”

“Yeah, but they’d all be weaker without her around, right?”

“The child is correct. You may be capable, Sephyrus, but without Lilithmon — without all twelve of us — our power is diminished. Unfortunately, she must live on so all twelve of us can remain at full power,” Generalmon said. “Now, the only thing that I need to do is find a way to revive SkullCaliphmon, Myotismon, and Belphemon without need of foolish Horcruxes so that that can happen.”

“Not so fast, Generalmon,” Sephyrus interrupted. “You…do realize where you are at the moment…do you not?”

“No…please, enlighten me, Father Sephyrus.”

“At this moment, we stand in the outskirts of Acacia City of Shendu Territory. The exact same city where you were killed by Omnimon.”

“Did you say…Acacia?”

Sephyrus nodded. Generalmon snapped his fingers, and a large, imposing axe materialized in his gauntlet-covered hands.

“Hey, where are you going?” Michalis asked as the tall Digimon began to walk toward the city.

“With this axe, I shall tear even the universe itself to shreds!” Generalmon roared. “But first…Acacia must fall. This eyesore of a city must pay for the injustices it has given!”

This city…did something to him?! Why? Wait! Maybe…maybe that could be why Generalmon is an evil Digimon… Generalmon’s heavy footprints interrupted my train of thought as he again began advancing toward the city. Whatever; it can wait! Right now, I have to stop him! I ran out of hiding and placed myself between the city and the behemoth of a Digimon.

“…You wish to stop me?” Generalmon asked. Were his eyes visible, I was certain they would be glaring at me.

“So, those two have sent their bikini-clad witch to do their fighting for them, have they?” Sephyrus asked.

“Yeah, she sure is,” Michalis said, staring at me.

“Michalis, please refrain from ogling the witch,” Sephyrus said.

“A witch?” Generalmon’s helmet turned to face Sephyrus. “Is she any threat to us?”

“I cannot say for sure, as I have never had the honor of seeing her magic.”

“If you do not know, then she must not be very imposing. Stand aside, witch!”

“I don’t know why you have a grudge against this city, but I can’t let you destroy it,” I said. I snapped my own fingers, and a small orange flame twisted around my arm. I snapped again, and the flames leapt toward the Digimon, igniting him in a raging inferno that was so intensely bright, it darkened the sky.

“As I thought…you are no threat to us.” Generalmon trudged through the flames, his violet-colored armor not even singed and shining beautifully. “But you…you look…familiar…”

“I’ve never met you in my life,” I said. After a moment, Generalmon sighed.

“…I know how to deal with you spellcasters…you spend all day studying your magic, leaving you no time to train your body. You, my dear, I could snap like a twig with only a single hand.”

“I’d like to see you try!” I taunted, forming another wisp of flames in my hand.

“Permission granted!” Generalmon stuck his axe blade-first into the soil, and as I prepared to attack again, the huge Digimon ran toward me with a speed that shouldn’t have been possible with all the armor he wore. “Ferreo Pugni Dæmonis!” I had been completely caught off guard by his speed, and Generalmon, taking advantage of my surprise, rammed his huge fist into my belly. I fell over backwards as blood spilled out of my mouth. The blood promptly fell and landed on my face as soon as I hit the ground.

Zelda

 

“You wish…to fight him?” I pulled Thomas’s head up against my chest. “But…he…”

“Enough chatter. Only one wielding a sword has the ability to vanquish me…for once and for all,” the man said. He snapped his fingers, and two long blades formed in his hands. “I wish to eliminate those strong enough to do so. I have been killed many times…and each time I am reborn, I am unable to remember any of my past lives. I wish only for it to end.”

“No, you can’t! Thomas—!”

Thomas placed his hand over my shoulder, as if to stop me. “It’s okay,” he said. Struggling, he stood up and felt around for his sword.

“…You are blind?” the man asked. He sighed, and said, “Well…there is no honor to be found in murdering someone at a severe disadvantage, but if it means keeping my own life and memories intact, then I will do what I must.” The man’s long black hair, tied up in a ponytail, shook slowly and freely in the air as a light breeze moved past us. “Or, if you’d prefer…I can fight the both of you. That would be ideal for me; you two appear to be lovers. Is there any offspring of yours in her belly? A child that could potentially grow strong enough to vanquish me?”

“Thomas…please…” I reached up and grabbed his hand. Smiling, Thomas bent down and kissed me on the lips.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered as he pulled me into a hug. “I won’t die. Like you did for me, I will never leave you behind. But I won’t let you fight this man. He’s too strong, and I am not going to risk losing you.”

“Thomas…” Finally, Thomas was able to find his sheathed sword at his waist, and in no time, it was in his hands.

“So…you really wish to challenge me, even with your disability,” the man said.

“Only if you promise me you won’t hurt Zelda!” Thomas said.

“Attacking a defenseless woman would go against the code of chivalry. You have my word of honor. Now, let us begin!”

“No! Thomas, please! Don’t do this!” I felt my heart racing faster than ever at the sight of this man. Something about his very presence seemed familiar, but I did not recognize this man in any way.

“Don’t worry…I’ll keep you safe,” he replied. “I will always…keep you safe.” Thomas gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, but the nameless swordsman was already behind him. By the time Thomas noticed this and turned around, he had already been viciously cut by the twin swords, and he fell to the ground, bleeding and unmoving.