Lost Chronicles II: One World

[IamTheSovereign]

Matthew Kasuto

“Stop hiding like a coward and face us, IceDevimon!” I yelled. The laugh of the bone-chilling voice seemed to emanate from every possible direction. Finally, the towering form of the Fallen Angel appeared before Sparrow and me.

“Is this better?” the Digimon asked.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Sparrow asked.

“Well, I’ll be honest with you…I had heard that a dear friend of mine was recently in a bit of a bind, so I decided to rush over and see if I could lend a claw,” IceDevimon said. “But what did I find when I arrived…? The guild whose very name I’ve cursed! And that woman you two were with…I was not expecting her to arrive on this continent, you see. My plans had already been ruined by the efforts of her and her friend long, long ago.”

“…Which one? We were traveling with two women,” Firamon said. IceDevimon glared down at the shorter Champion.

“…Yes. How could I have forgotten? How rude of me. The woman known as Zelda…It was her, and her Digimon Spirit Gallantmon, who had destroyed me five-hundred years ago,” IceDevimon said. “So, you see…what I’m trying to say is…that woman must be eliminated at once! I must have her destroyed! With the most dangerous one taken out, searching for the one I seek will be that much easier!”

“Who are you searching for?” I asked. “…If we help you find him or her…Could you maybe, like, not try to destroy Zelda, or something?”

“…Perhaps…But…there is no way you would be able to help me. There is no way you would want to help me. I am, you see, the villain of this comedy of errors; the — how do you say — primary antagonist?”

“Look, just tell us who you’re looking for already!” Sparrow said. “The sooner we help you, the sooner you’ll stop trying to hurt somebody we care about!”

“…Do you really want to know?” IceDevimon asked. “…Then I will tell you. I, IceDevimon, am searching for none other than…my other half.”

“Your…other half? What does that mean?” Allomon asked. IceDevimon grinned.

“My other half…is the part of me that was left behind when I was split apart,” IceDevimon said. “Once upon a time, I was considered what some might call a perfect being. Human and Digimon. Male and female. But, unfortunately, certain events led to me splitting into two separate beings; one male Digimon, and one female Human. It is the female Human that I seek…for once I find her…once we are finally made one again…my power shall reach its zenith.” IceDevimon smiled at us. “Well, then…since I’m the villain…I think you know what it means if I were to have my strength augmented. None would survive. None would dare stand against me. I would finally have achieved my greatest desire! Destruction! Solitude! Genocide! I seek to create a world that is covered in death and corpses! A world where none dare go against my wishes! A world where I, IceDevimon, can—”

“Dino Burst!”

“Fira Bomb!” The attacks of Allomon and Firamon struck IceDevimon in the center of his chest.
“…I’ve heard just about enough come out of your mouth,” I said. “So…allow us to shut it for you — permanently!”

---

Zelda

Where did Matthew and Sparrow go? I hope they’re okay…

“HEY! Eyes on me, sweetheart!” Eaglemon shrieked. “I wanna see you cry your pretty eyes out when I tear that disgusting Mark right off of the back of your hand!”

“Double Scissor Claw!” As Eaglemon dove down at me from the sky, Okuwamon struck him aside. “Are you okay, Zelda?”

“Yes…I’m fine,” I said. “I’m just worried about Mattie and Sparrow…”

“They’ll be fine,” Tactimon said. “I don’t know what Matthew might have seen, but I trust in his judgment.”

“Kaiser Phoenix!” Eaglemon rammed into Tactimon’s back; the master swordsman went flying through the air and landed face down in the ground, unconscious. “Now, then…on to business!”

“Hey, you! You’d better stay away from the ladies!” Okuwamon spat.

“Out of my way; Mystic Break!” Eaglemon fired a white ray from his beak at Okuwamon, knocking the Ultimate away. Katsumi stepped behind me as Eaglemon landed on the ground and glared down at us. “…You two…seem rather familiar…”

“…I don’t think we’ve met,” I said.

“…Was it in a former life?” Eaglemon asked. “When I was healed by Murmuxmon, he returned my previous life’s memories…Yes, that’s it! I remember you, blondie!”

“…You do?”

“Yes! We didn’t actually meet, but in that life, I was a Parrotmon working for IceDevimon!” Eaglemon said.

“Ice…Devimon?”

“The one and only! IceDevimon told us to be on the lookout for you, back when ChaosGallantmon was still working with us! Since we didn’t meet face-to-face, I got to deal with…Luna.”

“Luna?” Katsumi asked.

“That’s right; Bellaluna Rosalina was her name!” Eaglemon squawked. “And looking at you reminds me of that traitorous bitch!”

“…Luna…is my…was my…mother,” Katsumi said.

“…Mother, eh? Yes…you do resemble her,” Eaglemon mused. “Asuramon and I caught her foster daughter, and tortured her for information. That was when Luna killed the two of us.”

“…I always knew she loved Chrysania more. Even though I was the one she gave birth to…”

“Kitty, don’t say that!” I exclaimed. “Your mother loved you! She loved you and Chrysania equally! Wisemon, too! Trust me; I was there! You just never got the chance to see how happy Luna looked while you were in her tummy…If you’d…seen her smiling…”

“Gawds, enough!” While we were distracted, Eaglemon reached out a talon and struck Katsumi in the hip.

“Katsumi!”

“Hahaha! I’ve been waiting so long to do that to Luna; doing it to the daughter who resembles her feels just as good, though!”

“GET AWAY FROM HER!” A giant claw reached and grabbed Eaglemon, plucking him out of Katsumi’s stomach. “You will pay for hurting Zelda’s friend!” Okuwamon roared.

“Make me!” Eaglemon taunted, breaking free of the Spirit’s claw. He wasn’t fast enough, though; Okuwamon caught hold of his wing, and as Eaglemon was flying away, Okuwamon was able to tear his left wing completely off. Eaglemon shrieked in pain, and began spiraling down out of the sky, plummeting into the forest.

“Katsumi! Katsumi, are you okay?!” I screamed, holding onto the sorceress’s hand. I placed my hand on her belly where Eaglemon had struck, trying to find the wound.

“Don’t worry…I’m a…witch…remember?” Katsumi asked. “I’ve already…closed the wound. So I won’t die…just yet. I’m fine…really…”

“Kitty…”
“Zelda…I’m fine. But…could you help me…stand…? And walk? I’m…very tired…”

---

Wayland

Patiently, I waited near the entrance of Castle Silverveil. I had, of course, been asked by Ulysses to find Mia and her group, but I had gotten lost. Unsure of where to go, I decided to wait just outside the castle until either Mia or someone else showed up.

Knew I should’ve brought a damn compass with me…

“Wayland?” I looked up, and saw none other than Eliza approaching me. “Wayland, what are you doing here?”

Oh, hell; this wasn’t part of the plan! “E-Eliza…I’m sorry, I just could wait to see you again,” I said nervously. “I wanted to find you in the castle, but I didn’t want to disturb you if you were busy…”

“Aw, you’re so sweet. But…I was sort of busy, though,” Eliza said. “Remember that group of westerners I told you about? The ones who are trying to overthrow King Desmond?”

That’s right; keep talking…

“The knights have all been struggling to deal with them, apparently,” Eliza continued. “They’ve managed to capture a few forts close to the castle, and routing all the knights they find within. I fear they might storm the castle before the day is over…”

“…What would happen then?” I couldn’t help myself from asking.

“I don’t know, dear…but I’ll do whatever I can to stop them. I’ll snipe every last one of them if I have to!” Eliza turned from me and looked up at the castle. “I won’t let any of those bastards take the castle…” With her back to me, I reached into my pocket, and slowly pulled out a knife. “Wayland…”

“Eliza.” The sniper turned once more to face me. As she did, I tore the blade of the knife across her throat. The look in her eyes was a mix of shock and anguish.

“W…W-Wayland…why?!”

“Eliza…I’m afraid I’m one of those western bastards,” I said. I wiped the sniper’s blood from my knife, and placed it back into my pocket. “Sorry. I was just with you to get information.” Leaving the dying sniper behind, I began to walk away.
“Wayland…you…bastard!” Without any warning, an arrow pierced through my leg. I turned my head just in time to see Eliza fire another arrow from her arrowgun at me, hitting me clear through my forehead.

---

Noir

“EbiBurgermon…has the deed been done?” I asked the small Digimon was he walked up to me. He was covered in blood, but none of it appeared to be his.
“Yep…Eris is dead,” EbiBurgermon said. “She stopped being hungry, so I had to use my magic to transfer the food inside of her. But man, was she huge before it happened! It took almost 200 burgers for her to pop!”

“And it looks like an accident?”

“Yep! She’s just lying in a pile of burgers, covered in blood and guts with a gaping hole where her tummy used to be!”

“You two did well.” A tall figure emerged from the shadows, wearing a grin on his face. “Desmond and Eris are both dead now…meaning I can finally take over!”

“We live to serve…Barbamon,” I said, kneeling before the Digimon.

“Nobody ever found out that you aren’t actually a knight?” EbiBurgermon asked.

“Correct. Only the two of you are aware of this!” Barbamon cackled. “Now…I can finally rule my own kingdom — and a large one at that! Those idiots Desmond and Eris had no idea the powers they were meddling with. Humans should not be in charge of an entire nation; only beings as powerful as Digimon can truly be called kings!”

[IamTheSovereign]

Ulysses Melchett

“…It is time for us to go,” I said. “We have given the four groups an ample amount of time to complete the missions given to them.”

“What if they aren’t finished yet?” Lucia asked.

“Their goal was to claim the four fortresses surrounding Silverveil Castle,” I said. “If they were unable to do so, then at the very least they will be able to stall fractions of the imperial army and drive them away from the castle. All we can do is pray that no more are killed as we march into the castle. We must bring this war to an end as soon as possible.” Lucia, Mihiramon, Edmund, Flamedramon, and Leopardmon all nodded in agreement.

“There’s no turning back for us now,” Mihiramon sighed. “Guess it’s do or die from here on…”

“Don’t say it like that,” Lucia said, patting the Digimon on the head. “This is the only chance we have to protect everyone we care about. If we don’t think you’ll get out of this alive…then we won’t.”

“Lucia is correct,” Edmund said. “We must have faith not only in our comrades, but in ourselves as individuals.”

“It’s like Alena always says; the side who has the greater conviction and trust in themselves and their allies will always come out the victor,” Leopardmon said.

“In that case, we can already call ourselves the winners,” Flamedramon said.

“My friends…are you already?” I asked. Everyone around me nodded. “Right. Then let’s do this. Let’s win this.” Looking straight up at the castle, the group I led began its advance. The castle’s outer gate was soon in sight, and to my surprise, no enemy troops were in sight. Just the castle. After crossing the gate, we had reached the courtyard. Still, there were no enemies in sight. Instead, I sighed with relief at the sight of one of the groups I had sent out.

“Hey, boss! Glad you could make it!” Mia exclaimed. My relief was short lived, though. As our two groups met up, I could see that Mia, Sieglinde, and Abigail were all covered in cuts and wounds. Lupinemon was limping, favoring one of her hind legs. Andromon, however, seemed to be fine, but upon closer inspection, I saw there were a few burns on his metal body.

“What happened to you guys?!” I asked. “You didn’t have any trouble taking the fort, did you?”

“No, we took it,” Sieglinde said. “We fought off one of the three generals, UlforceVeedramon, and routed the remaining soldiers from inside.”

“On our way here, we were ambushed,” Abigail said, holding out her arm to show a fresh cut along her forearm. Mia had a smaller one near her right shoulder, and her dress and cape were both torn here and there. Sieglinde had a large and thin scrape on her hip and one on her thigh, as I could see from her torn skirt.

“Abigail…are you okay?” Flamedramon asked.

“Aw, don’t worry about this little thing, honey! I barely even felt it!” Abigail exclaimed.

“We’re all fine; we were just surprised is all,” Mia said. As she spoke, she kept a hand over left shoulder, close to her neck. “We can all keep fighting—” As she spoke, I gently grabbed Mia’s wrist and moved her arm. What I saw nearly made my heart stop; a festering, red-violet wound on the corner of her neck and shoulder about half the size of the young woman’s hand.

“Mia…”

“I’m fine, Mr. Ulysses,” Mia smiled. “I’m a Summoner…so I won’t be doing any fighting by myself…”

“She was hit by a poison arrow,” Abigail said. “We were able to get it out in time before the poison spread to the rest of her body, but…”

“I’ll do what I can,” Edmund said, approaching the young Summoner.

“I’m fine…really,” Mia said. “You don’t have to do this for me…”

“Well, that’s too bad, because I’m going to.”

“…Lucia, show me the wound you received earlier,” I said, silently observing the young woman. Nodding, Lucia lifted her shirt; on her belly was a wound of similar size and color to the wound on Mia. “…You haven’t fully recovered, Lucia.”

“But…sir, I’m fine!” Lucia protested.

“HEY, BOSS!” a voice called out.

“Isole?” Lucia turned around and saw her daughter approaching the group with Bokomon at her side. Behind her was Elizabeth, helping Eleanora limp after the tactician.

“We’d better have Edmund take a look at these two; they were banged up pretty good by a general,” Isole said.

“…Their bones are broken,” the archsage said. “It’ll take a few days for them to mend, even if I were to do something. And Mia, there isn’t anything more I can do for you or Lucia; your life is not endangered from the poison as it has left your blood. However, it still exists in your flesh, and it might continue to eat away at your skin for a while.”

“Some fucking healer you are!” Isole spat.

“I’ve said before; healing is not my forte,” Edmund said calmly. “All of these injuries can be healed with the proper spells, but I am afraid they are not spells I am familiar with. Katsumi should be able to concoct a potion to dispel the poison from Mia’s neck and Lucia’s stomach, but I’m afraid there isn’t anything that I can do all by myself other than heal cuts or scrapes.”

“Well, isn’t that just convenient? I had heard that there was an archsage among you, but to know that he can only attack is quite a relief; there’s nothing more annoying than a multi-talented enemy, you know!”

“Who’s there?!” I growled.

“Look down!” Slowly, I lowered my head, and saw a small Digimon looking up at me. “Hello! I’m EbiBurgermon! Pleased to meet all of you!”

“…You…are with the Cyllenian Empire?” I asked.

“You bet! Now, it’s time for me to do my job, and defeat all of you!” EbiBurgermon squeaked.

“Hah! I’ve eaten bigger Digimon than you for breakfast!” Mihiramon said.

“I think we all have,” Abigail said.

“EbiBurgermon Digivolve to, Ebidramon!”

“Is that all you’ve got?!” Flamedramon asked.

“You haven’t seen anything yet; Twin Scissors!”

“Samurai Tiger Tail!” Mihiramon intercepted Ebidramon’s attack, and easily struck down the Champion Digimon. “Pathetic. And here, I thought we were going to have to work up a sweat fighting you.”
“You…haven’t won yet!” Ebidramon shouted, once more enveloping himself in the light of Digivolution. “Ebidramon Digivolve to, Orochimon!”

---

Zelda

Katsumi lay unconscious on the ground with her head nestled in my lap. Her face had grown more pale than usual due to her loss of blood. She looked so much like her mother, but her personality was about as opposite as you can get; where Luna was bold and outgoing, Katsumi was shy and timid. And yet, despite the difference in personality, I knew for a fact that Luna loved her biological daughter with all her heart. Nobody really knows how Luna died, to be honest, though she could have lived a long life with her daughter and husband, due to receiving the Mark from Wisemon.

And it’s because Luna’s dead that Kitty thinks she loved Chrissy more, I thought. Chrysania, being Luna’s adopted daughter, did not receive the Mark. But…does Kitty really think Luna would have gone as far as to kill herself just to be with Chrysania in the afterlife? I brushed a strand of lavender hair away from Katsumi’s face, and gently brushed my fingertips across her cheek.

“How is she doing?” Tactimon asked.

“…I think she’ll be okay,” I said. “I’m a bit more worried about Matthew and—”

“There’s no need to be,” Tactimon interrupted. “Your descendent is strong, and his friend is loyal. Between those two and their Digimon, there isn’t any cause for concern.”

“I know…but…I’m still going to worry about him, okay? He’s practically my son, Tactimon.”

“…In over four hundred years, Zelda, you haven’t changed in the slightest,” Tactimon said. “Inside and out, you’re the exact same as you were when I was working for SkullCaliphmon.”

“…Thank you…” A few trees in the distance rustled, and from the surrounding forest, I saw the faces of my friends emerge.

“Hey! Zelda!” Giselle exclaimed happily. “Zelda! Tactimon! There you are!”

“Giselle; have you and your group accomplished your goal?” Tactimon asked.

“The northern fortress has been secured, Sir Tactimon,” Alena said. “We cleared the area of every knight we could find, rest assured. There should no doubt be less soldiers in the castle due to our interference.”

“Oh, hey; guess what? This girl here says she wants to join Lachesis!” Giselle said, pointing to a girl standing at her side. “Isn’t that awesome? Her name is Sapphira, and around her neck is her Digimon partner, Kudamon!”

“I, uh…I would enjoy being a part of the group working to stop Desmond’s tyranny,” Sapphira said nervously. “I wouldn’t wish to impose upon you, though…”
“You needn’t worry; we’d be more than happy to have you with us,” I smiled. Sapphira began to smile back, but it came out as a shocked frown when she noticed Katsumi.

“…Is she okay?” Sapphira asked.

“She’ll be fine; she just needs to rest,” Tactimon said. Sapphira’s eyes began to flood with tears, and the young woman turned her head to face the ground.

“…I…I’m sorry,” Sapphira sobbed. “I…I didn’t mean for…for any of this…to happen…”

“What are you talking about, dear? You…didn’t do anything wrong,” I said. I knew what I said was the truth. And yet, there was something about Sapphira; a regal air of sorts that made me think there was more to her than what met the eye.

“Please, Sapphy, don’t cry,” Giselle said, placing her hand on the other girl’s shoulder.

“I just…wanted…to stop my father!” Sapphira wailed. “I…I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt! But I didn’t know how else to…to stand up to him…”

Her…father? Does she mean—

“Sapphira, what are you saying?” Alena asked.

“…Why don’t you tell us who you are, my dear?” Tactimon asked in a gentle voice. “Nobody here is going to get mad at you.”

“…Are you certain of this?” Kudamon asked. “You may well change your mind when we tell you.”

“No! I could never get mad at Sapphy! She’s my friend!” Giselle exclaimed, throwing her arms around Sapphira.

“…I…My name…The way I look…All of it is a disguise…so that I could escape from my father. I am…Tamiko. I am the princess of Silverveil, and daughter of King Desmond.” Everybody stared wide-eyed at the small girl; everyone except for Alena and Tactimon. I, too, was surprised; I had a feeling that she was of noble lineage from the way she spoke and composed herself, but to think that she was the daughter of that madman? “I didn’t want anything to do with Desmond’s war…but I…I’m so scared of him. He…executed my brother, right in front of me. He’s a vicious and powerful, bloodthirsty man who would do anything to get what he wants. If he found out that I’d joined your guild…I don’t know what…he’d do to me…to you…”

“Well…now you know,” Kudamon said. “Princess Tamiko is Desmond’s daughter. What will you do with us?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I’m…the daughter of the king you are fighting against,” Tamiko said. “You should…all…hate me…”

“Why?” Giselle asked.

“B…Because…well…”

“You shouldn’t trust us,” Kudamon said. “The princess of the enemy kingdom? You don’t have any reason to believe anything she says.”

“Kudamon is correct…you should all…hate me…For who my father is…”

…This sounds…familiar, I thought. “…Tamiko. Whose blood you have in you doesn’t make you who you are as a person. Your father may have brought you into this world…but that doesn’t mean you’re automatically a terrible person, just because Desmond is. Tamiko…I can tell how much you despise your father for everything he’s done. Your eyes…your tears…Everything you’ve said is proof enough that you aren’t simply Desmond’s daughter. You are Tamiko. You are your own person. Don’t let your bloodline decide your fate before you have a chance to live your life the way you desire.”

“Tamiko…Zelda speaks earnestly, and from experience,” Tactimon said. “Nobody knows better than she about a life of misery due to bloodlines.” I nodded, and held up my right hand, slowly removing my glove to show Tamiko my Mark.

“…That? You…have one of those?” Tamiko gasped.

“One of the Marked,” Kudamon said.

“…I don’t normally show this to people I’ve just met,” I said. “When people find out what I am…they hate me. They attack me. But you, Tamiko…you showed the same fear I have upon others learning your secret, and you showed great courage in telling us willingly…So you deserved to know.”

“…Zelda…the Mark…do you…really have Digimon blood in you?” Tamiko asked. I nodded. “…My daddy always told me that people who carry that Mark were evil; an insult to the Goddess. But you’re not…you’re…so nice…”

“It was my husband who told me those words,” I said. “He was a normal Human, but he didn’t hate me when I told him what I am. He was the first to ever treat me with such kindness; how could I help but fall in love with him? So you see, Tamiko; whose blood you have doesn’t make you who you are.”

“…Zelda…I…I don’t know what to say,” Tamiko said. “I…I’m kind of…surprised…that none of you hate me; I wasn’t expecting…”

“Trust me; I’m the one who’s surprised,” I smiled. “Surprised that a man with a reputation as fearsome as Desmond could have a daughter as sweet and as adorable as you…”

“If you were so afraid that we’d hate you, then why did you tell us who you were?” Giselle asked.

“I…I don’t know…I just…I haven’t been able to think clearly, ever since Desmond killed my brother,” Tamiko whispered.

“And I ask that you all do your best to keep her from remembering such a traumatic event!” Kudamon huffed.

“Of course not,” I said.

“…Is it…really okay…that I go with you?” Tamiko asked.

“Oh, of course! Just don’t be surprised if I accidentally call you Sapphira!” Giselle giggled. Tamiko smiled, and wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

“…That was well said, Zelda,” Tactimon said quietly.

“…I guess so,” I replied. “I just wish I could take my own advice…”

“Shall we get going, then?” Alena asked. “Now that our two groups have finished our jobs and rejoined, we ought to help Ulysses and the others at the castle.”

[IamTheSovereign]

Matthew Kasuto

“Do you really think you will be capable of defeating me?” IceDevimon asked. “You remember what happened last time, don’t you? I was able to defeat your Digimon effortlessly. You two Humans are no better; what could you possibly do against a Digimon like me?”

“We’ve grown stronger since our last encounter,” Firamon said.

“And don’t underestimate the strength of these Humans!” Allomon added. “They’re both among Lachesis’s best fighters!”

“Please; an archer and an axeman? If their archsage or Summoner was with them, then I might actually be afraid!” IceDevimon spat. “But, the four of you?! Even all at once, you don’t stand a chance against me as I am now!”

“Flame Dive!”

“Tundra Freeze!” IceDevimon blinked, and in an instant, Firamon became encased in ice. “See what I mean? I’m not merely a Champion level Digimon; my power goes far beyond the Mega level. Only a Digimon with strength comparable to Gallantmon stands a chance. Armor and Champion levels could easily die from just being in my presence!”

“Dino Burst!” Allomon opened his massive jaws and showered IceDevimon with bright orange flames. Instead of attacking back, however, IceDevimon simply held up a hand; at once, Allomon’s flames gravitated to the center of IceDevimon’s palm, where the Fallen Angel fired it off back at Allomon.

“You just don’t get it, do you?!” IceDevimon smirked.

“Okay! You’re strong! You don’t need to keep reminding us every two seconds!” Sparrow snapped.

“It seems to me that I do.” With a flick of his wrist, IceDevimon buried Allomon under a barrage of icicles.

“Allomon!”

“Don’t, Sparrow!” I grabbed on to the arm of my friend to keep him from rushing to the side of his Digimon partner. “Stop it, Sparrow! IceDevimon will just attack you, too!”

“But…Allomon…”

…Firamon…Please…We need you! We need your help…I firmly gripped my Digivice, which suddenly emitted a bright orange light. The flames on Firamon’s body seemed to grow wilder, and the ice which trapped him melted and evaporated into a white steam. “Firamon!”

“Matthew…Your desire to protect your friends is giving me more power,” Firamon said.

“…That glow…this is unexpected,” IceDevimon said. “…I don’t want to have to deal with him. I shall have to take my leave of you for now.”

“What?! You can’t just leave in the middle of a fight!” Sparrow exclaimed.

“Just watch me!” IceDevimon spread his massive wings and took flight, vanishing into the distance in just a matter of seconds.

“Damn it; that bastard! C’mon, Mattie; we gotta go! We can’t let him get away!”

“Peace, Sparrow. He’s long gone by now,” Firamon said.

“Well, if we start moving, then maybe we can—”

“It won’t do any good. And even if we could find him…what then?”

“…What do you mean?” Sparrow asked.

“He’s already proven a sufficient amount of times that he truly is stronger than the four of us. If we chase after him…what would we do? Get our asses kicked again? I fail to see how that would help our cause. And besides, Sparrow…aren’t you forgetting somebody? Somebody very important to you?”

“Somebody…? Oh! Hawkmon!” Sparrow raced over to the pile of snow and ice that had buried his Digimon partner. “Hawkmon! Hawkmon!”

“Sparrow…I’m fine.” A feathered head emerged from the snow. “You needn’t worry about me…I’m your Digimon partner, after all.”

“Hawkmon…”

“But that’s beside the point. I agree with Firamon,” Hawkmon said. “We’d be doing our comrades a disservice if we were to get ourselves destroyed by IceDevimon when we’re here to help bring an end to Desmond’s tyranny.”

“Yeah…I know,” Sparrow said quietly. “But that IceDevimon…I just keep letting him get to me…you know?”

“I know what you mean,” I said. “Whenever he’s around, I can practically feel my blood freeze over.”
“No…not like that,” Sparrow said. “For me…that Digimon makes my blood boil like crazy.”

---

Katsumi Rosalina

“Ebidramon Digivolve to, Orochimon!” The massive, eight-headed Digimon, larger even than Talosmon, slithered and wormed his way around the castle courtyard, making his eight heads comfortable. “Well, now…you see before you my most powerful form; Ultimate level Orochimon! Still feel like you can snag a victory from me, hmm?”

“There are still more of us than you! Don’t think that you’ll be able to win easily, either!” Lucia said.

…Something doesn’t seem right, I thought. All but one of Orochimon’s heads are supposed to be a fake; the center, black head is the only real one…but I don’t see it anywhere!

“Everybody; prepare yourselves for battle!” Ulysses ordered. “Reload, Talosmon!”

“Come forth, Aquarimon!”

“Bio Hybrid DNA Charge! Bio Hybrid Digivolve to, BioLadyDevimon!”

“Lunamon Digivolve to, Lekismon!”

“No…something isn’t right!” I stammered. “Orochimon…”

“Samurai Tiger Tail!”

“Titan Inferno!”

“Fire Rocket!”

“Extinction Wave!”

“Goddess Bow!”

“Shining Force!”

“Gatling Attack!”

“Black Wing!”

“Moon Night Kick!”

“Freezing Wave!” In tandem with the Humans, the Digimon began their onslaught on Orochimon’s heads. However, the Demon Dragon merely snickered as each head was struck, knocked or sliced off. The laughter continued even after the eight heads were destroyed.

“…Something isn’t right,” I repeated. “Where was the center head…?”

“Very observant of you, my dear!” Orochimon’s laughter echoed, and before my very eyes, his heads began to grow back. For each one that had been struck down, two more popped up in its place. “I…have been granted abilities far beyond your comprehension. From the very beginning, I’ve had more heads than the usual eight of my species. My real head, as you might say…Do you really think that I would be so stupid as to reveal it right from the beginning?!”

“What is he saying?” Mihiramon asked.

“…The only way to destroy an Orochimon…is to destroy the center head,” I said quietly. “But…it isn’t here…”

“Correct! All of you together won’t be able to hurt me as I am now!” Orochimon said. “If you truly wish to defeat me…then find it! Search the castle grounds and find the center head! If you strike down the wrong one, then more heads will materialize in the defeated head’s place! It could be anywhere in the castle!”

“The entire castle?!” Lucia gasped.

“Damn it…I have a feeling this means we’ll all have to split up again,” Flamedramon sighed.

“Fine; everyone, go your own way for now!” Ulysses said. “Avoid killing one of the false heads; the real one is covered in pitch-black scales!” And so it began. Once more, our group divided itself up, with a person or two going down one of the many hallways of the castle. I, however, was left alone in the courtyard, standing face-to-face with Orochimon.

“…Well? Aren’t you going to go off with your little friends?” Orochimon hissed. “You seem to know quite a bit about me…They could certainly use your help.”

“…No. Nobody would want me around,” I whispered. “All I do is bring misery wherever I go…”

“Well, maybe if you tried smiling—”

“No. I am…a visionary,” I interrupted. Orochimon looked at me with surprise. “I saw a future…All around me had died…I do not know why…but…”

“You think that it was your fault, do you?” Orochimon asked. Slowly, I nodded. “…Well, whatever. This is none of my business. Run along now, little Marked. I do not wish to harm someone who carries the same fate as my master.”

“…Your…master?” I asked. One of Orochimon’s heads nodded.
“My master…he is of the same fate, the same blood as you are. He is a wonderful man who gave me life…His name is Noir.”

---

Zelda Kasuto

Silverveil castle was now in full view. My heart was pounding as I apprehensively anticipated the upcoming events of the near future. The fact that Matthew and Sparrow were still missing didn’t help to ease my worries, but I had to keep reminding myself to not think too much of their disappearance. Tactimon was right, after all; they were both strong, and their Digimon partners were brave and loyal. I knew in my head that they would be safe, but still, my heart cringed with fear over their well-being.

…There’s nothing I can do about it now, I thought. I have to stay with the others; they might need help from my Digimon Spirits when the fighting begins.

“My lady; if you’d be so kind as to lead the way through the castle,” Alena said.

“Oh, uh, yes; I’d be happy to,” Tamiko said, clearly caught off guard my Alena’s formality. “You don’t need to refer to me be titles, Dame Alena; you may just call me Tamiko…”

“But…but that…that goes against everything I stand for as a knight!” Alena exclaimed. “You, my lady, are a princess; you are superior to us commoners! To refer to you so…so casually would be—”

“It would be just fine with me,” Tamiko interrupted.

“But…but…I…you…what?”

“Hmm, I think her brain just fried,” Siebold said.

“Oh, dear! Oh, I didn’t mean to hurt her! Is she going to be okay?!”

“…It’s a figure of speech, doll.”

“You don’t need to be that familiar!” Kudamon snapped.

“Kudamon, it’s okay,” Tamiko said, gently scratching the small Rookie behind the ears. Kudamon’s eyes suddenly widened, and his tiny head began hurriedly looking around the trees surrounding the castle. “What’s wrong, Kudamon?”

“…Something’s coming!”

“Kaiser Phoenix!” A flash of gold shot down out of the sky, striking the ground next to Tamiko. The Cyllenian Princess was blown off her feet, and Kudamon fell off her neck.

“Eaglemon?!” I gasped.

“That’s right…thought you saw the last of me, huh?!” The Giant Bird, though missing a wing, flew back into the sky with remarkable speed and dexterity. “Tamiko! You will pay for betraying your father!”

“…Who are you?” Tamiko asked.

“Something tells me this guy used to be Parrotmon,” Kudamon said.

“Glad to see you haven’t forgotten me, Kentaurosmon!” Eaglemon said. “Now, then; time to take care of unfinished business!” Eaglemon swooped down, and reached out a talon towards Tamiko.

“Tamiko, get down! Zekkoushou!” Kudamon jumped up, emitting a blinding light from his entire body, but Eaglemon swatted him away with his remaining wing. With the Rookie out of the way, Eaglemon wrapped his talons around Tamiko’s waist, and hoisted her into the air. “No…Tamiko!”

“Mystic Break!” Eaglemon fired a white ray from his mouth, striking the ground to stir up a huge cloud of dust from the resulting explosion. When the dust cleared, neither Tamiko nor Eaglemon were anywhere to be seen. Giselle, too, had vanished, but I could barely make her out on the edge of the horizon, giving chase after Eaglemon.

[IamTheSovereign]

Katsumi Rosalina

Once more, I ran the events of one of my more recent dream visions through my head. The ruined fortress of Lachesis, engulfed in flames, was the most prominent feature of that memory. The bloodied and lifeless bodies of my friends, though a sight I had hoped never to see in real life, was one I had grown used to in my visions. I stood alone at the middle of it all, observing the destruction. I exited the fortress, and saw only more death. Trees were either burning or leafless and dead. The forest floor was covered in ash, and the sky was filled with soot. I looked down at my own hands, and saw blood. Was it my blood? Was it the blood of one of my dear friends? My visions of the future were never quite clear, to my dismay, so I feared I would never know the answer. And yet, the signs from that vision, and all similar visions, pointed to the fact that all of the death that surrounded me was my fault. My fault. My father says that it is not possible for that to be true; but is that not what a father is supposed to say to his daughter? He says that I’ve no evidence of the deaths of my friends in my visions being my fault, and how I wish it to be true.

“And that’s why you try to avoid having friends?” Abigail asked. She and I sat alone in the corner of a room in Silverveil castle, one that was thankfully empty of Orochimon heads. “Sweetie, why didn’t you tell anyone you were feeling this way before?”

“…I…I don’t know…I’m not even sure why I decided to tell anyone at all,” I said. “…I’m just so…tired of feeling this way…but I can’t stop these visions from coming, Abigail! And whenever I have them, I always feel—”

“Kitty. Listen to me,” Abigail said. “No matter what you see in your ‘visions’ of the future, you cannot allow them to overwhelm you. If they do, then they might end up happening. Don’t allow your fear to control you; use what you’ve seen to help change whatever future you might have seen, but above all else, do not, under any circumstance, allow your fears to keep you from having friends.”

“But…”

“Katsumi; I can feel it. Hell, I can practically hear it. Your loneliness is eating you up from the inside. From inside of your heart. You have to put an end to this…please; nobody wants to see anything bad happen to you, honey. Everybody at Lachesis loves you so much…”

“…Really?”

“Yes, really! How can you say something like that?!” Abigail had raised her voice, but she sounded more upset than angry. “Kitty, I’ve known you for a long time, ever since you were in Luna’s tummy…I was one of the first to feel you kick…inside of her…She named me your godmother, for fuck’s sake! I couldn’t disgrace Luna by letting something bad happen to you!”

“Abby…I…I didn’t mean…I just…can’t…bring myself to allow myself to have friends,” I said. “I don’t want any of those visions to become reality…so I…”

“That isn’t why you won’t let yourself have any friends, Katsumi.”

“…It isn’t?” Abigail shook her head.

“Katsumi…you’re afraid of being alone. That’s why you won’t let yourself have friends. You’re afraid of being abandoned by those you feel like you can come to trust.” Abigail’s words hit me like in the slap in the face. “You’re afraid of being left alone above all else, Kitty. I’m sure you also feel guilty about your visions like you said, dear, and I know you would never want to hurt anyone you care about, but your fear of being alone is the biggest reason why you won’t let yourself have friends. And not just because of those dreams. You carry the Mark, Katsumi. I understand the pain that comes with having it. But this is just not good for you, Kitty. You need to have friends. You need to be happy…No…you deserve to be happy…”

“Abigail…”

“Aw, ain’t this sweet? Two maidens with the curse console one another’s problems.” Abigail and I looked up; above us were three of Orochimon’s heads.

“Kitty, get down!” Abigail pushed me to the floor just as one of the heads exhaled a stream of flames from its mouth. “Bio Hybrid DNA Charge! Bio Hybrid Digivolve to, BioLadyDevimon!”

“Inferno Blast!”

“Darkness Wave!” The attacks of the two Digimon collided, enveloping each other in their strength before vanishing into thin air. “Katsumi, get out of here!”

“But, Abigail—”

“No buts! Just do it!” the Bio Hybrid turned away from me to face the Digimon.
“…Abigail…please…be careful…” It took every ounce of self-control to force myself to do as Abigail said, and leave her behind.

---

Eleanora Kasuto

My walk through a hallway of Silverveil castle had been mostly silent, save for the sound of my own footsteps. Lunamon had remained quiet ever since our group split up, and Giselle had found me, apparently searching for a friend of hers.

Man…all of this silence is getting on my nerves! Well, at least Giselle’s feeling a little bit better now. Hmm…I’ll just think of something to ask her...hopefully without bringing her depression back. “…Uh…So, Giselle…Why did you decide to join Lachesis?” Instantly, Giselle’s smile faded.

“…I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” the young girl replied. The look in her eyes was empty and blank, as was the expression on her face. And yet, at the same time, she looked as though she were about to cry.

“Giselle…you’ve been so sad ever since Rosemon left; is there anything I can do for you?”

“No…its fine…I’m…okay,” Giselle said. “…My mother died long before I joined Lachesis. Growing up, Rosemon was like a sister to me, and she was all I had left at that point. I didn’t know what else to do…I’d heard of your mercenary guild, so I thought that with Rosemon, I’d be able to get a job…and stay with you…And that way, I wouldn’t have felt so alone, or useless. But that’s all I’ve been to you; useless…”

“Giselle, don’t say that! You are not useless! Despite what Isole might say,” I said. “Look…even without Rosemon, you aren’t useless. Don’t you know just how invigorating your smile is?”

“…I’m far from being the prettiest girl at Lachesis. Why would my smile be so special? Besides, Larraine smiles all the time; you don’t need me…”

“But…but we do need you!” I exclaimed. “Larraine…she’s kind of like…the guild’s mother, you know? Sure, she has a nice smile, but it’s more like this calm, motherly, gentle smile. Your smile is so…carefree! Innocent! You know?”

“…How is that different?” Giselle asked.

“…I don’t know. But I do know that nobody thinks you as being useless — just ignore Isole — and nobody wants you to leave — again, ignore Isole.”

“Is this true?”

“Oh, definitely!” Lunamon exclaimed. “So what if you aren’t able to fight? That doesn’t mean you’re useless to the guild! Just having someone sweet like you to talk to is really a big help to the group’s morale; Larraine certainly can’t speak with every last member of the guild individually, 24/7! Although I’m sure she’d try…”

“People like talking to you, Giselle. You’re a really good listener,” Lunamon continued. “And forget about Rosemon! She’s the one who made the mistake, walking out on you! If you’d like, we can find you an even better Digimon partner!”

“A…new Digimon…? I…guess so…Thanks, you two…”

“Hey, anytime! Gotta look after someone now that Matthew’s all grown up now!”

“Oh yeah…I forgot he stopped being so afraid of everything,” Giselle giggled. “Is he seriously not afraid of girls anymore?”

“Not even Lucia.”

“Wow…You know, he and Coronamon were the first two people of Lachesis that I had met. Matthew was so afraid of me; you’d think I was some Digimon trying to eat him or something!”

“Yeah…he never told me how his fear began, but I’m just glad it’s all gone now.”

“That’s not what you said yesterday!” Lunamon said teasingly.

“S—Shut up!” Lunamon and Giselle both laughed, and I turned my face away from the two. With my head turned, I noticed a swift movement from the corner of my eye. “…Uh…Lunamon?”

“Don’t move.” Lunamon held up her tiny arm; her large fuchsia eyes darted around the hallway. “…They’re here.”

“Inferno Blast!”

“Get down!” With a force greater than what her small body would suggest, Lunamon leaped into the air and shoved both me and Giselle to the floor just as a stream of flames flew past us above. “Are you two okay?!”

“Not for long, they won’t be!” Three large heads burst up through the stone floor. “Which of you ladies should we roast first?” one of Orochimon’s heads asked.

“Eleanora. You keep Giselle safe,” Lunamon said, walking up to the three heads of the Digimon. “Lunamon Digivolve to, Lekismon!”

“Hah! Good luck defeating the three of us, Champion! Inferno Blast!”

“Moon Night Bomb!” Lekismon’s attack was completely swallowed up in Orochimon’s flames, doing nothing to slow the attack down before she herself was struck by it.

“Lekismon!”

“Ellie…I’m…fine!” Lekismon snapped, forcing herself to stand up in spite of the terrible burns she had just received. “Tear…Arrow!” Breathing heavily, Lekismon attacked once again, only to be once again consumed by Orochimon’s flames. “Moon Night—”

“Inferno Blast!”

“Lekismon, get down!” I screamed, but to no avail. Again and again and again, Lekismon was hit by Orochimon’s attacks. “Lekismon…please…”

“No. I can’t…I won’t let…Orochimon…hurt…either of you,” Lekismon said.

“How do you plan to do that if you die?” one of Orochimon’s heads hissed. “Inferno Blast!”

“LEKISMON!”

“…Eleanora…” I could barely here the Digimon’s voice as she was enveloped in the orange flames. “Eleanora…lend me…your strength…”

“What?”

“Give it to me…so that I may protect you!” A blinding light tore through and dispersed Orochimon’s flames; Lekismon stood at the center of the light, still standing. “Eleanora. Hold out your Digivice.”

“Lekismon…” I tried to protest, but no words escaped past my lips. Instead, I did as Lekismon said, and held out my Digivice.

“Thank you, Eleanora. I promise…I will always protect you. You, and…those you hold dear!” The light emitted from Lekismon grew brighter and brighter, and once more, I lost sight of my Digimon partner. “Lekismon Digivolve to, Crescemon!” Where Lekismon stood now was a taller Digimon, holding a weapon in each hand and no longer covered in burns.

“You…Digivolved,” I whispered. “The Ultimate level…”

“Yes. And now, I possess strength sufficient to keep the promise I made to you the day we first met,” Crescemon said. “The vow I made to keep you safe from all harm, no matter the cost to my own life.”

“Crescemon…”

“Now, enough of this mushy crap. Time to kick some ass!” Crescemon exclaimed. “Lunatic Dance!” Crescemon briefly vanished from sight, reappearing behind the three heads of Orochimon. Gracefully twirling her two weapons in between her slim fingers, she struck down each of the heads in but a single strike. The heads fell to the floor in a fit of rage and shock. Two of them vanished from sight instantly, but one remained behind, dying slowly.

“Heh…hahahahaha! Well done…westerners. But I’m afraid…the heads that you had so much trouble dealing with…were simply simulations. The real head is elsewhere…in the castle.”

“…I suspected as much,” Crescemon sighed. “…Eleanora. Giselle. Are you two unharmed?”

“Yes…I’m fine,” I replied.

“I’m okay too,” Giselle said.

“Good…”

“What’s so bloody good about it?!” a familiar voice hissed. At that moment, six more heads of Orochimon burst into the room from the walls. “You have been warned…for every one false head that is slain…two more are brought into existence in its place!”

“It doesn’t matter how many of you there are; I’ll cut you all down!” Crescemon said.

“You think so? Inferno Blast!” The force of Orochimon’s attack knocked me off me feet.

“Ow…damn it!” Thick black smoke began to fill the air, making me dizzy as I tried to stand back up. “…Giselle? Giselle, where are you?!” Wild flames surrounded me, blocking nearly everything else from sight.

“Ellie!” Giselle’s voice rang out from behind the curtain of flames. “Ellie, are you okay?!”

“I’m fine,” I said, nearly choking on the smoke. “Crescemon…”

“She’s with me, Ellie!”

“Okay…get her out of here…Crescemon,” I said.

“Eleanora, I’m not leaving you behind! No Digimon would dare leave behind their partner!” the Ultimate retorted.
“Just do it! Keep Giselle safe! I can handle myself…” The world around me grew dim as the flames grew stronger and the smoke grew thicker. “Crescemon…” No reply came from beyond the inferno. “…I can handle myself…huh? That’s what I said…but it looks like I’m…finished here…Matthew…I…I’ll see you later…”

---

Matthew Kasuto

“…Ah!”

“Hey, you okay, Matt?” Sparrow asked. The two of us stood before Silverveil castle. At our feet lay the dead, blood-soaked body of Wayland. “…Hard to believe he’s really gone…Never would’ve guessed he’d die on the front lines…you know?”

“No…not that,” I whispered.

“What’s wrong, Matthew?” Firamon asked.

“I just felt…this really sharp pain…in my heart,” I whispered, holding a hand to my chest. “I don’t know…I can’t…explain it…it just…happened…”

“It could just be shock over…you know…what happened to Wayland,” Sparrow suggested.

“…I don’t know…”

“Looks like he was killed the same was Alicia was,” Allomon mused. “By a sniper.”

“Well, that’s all the more reason to march on in and raise some hell! You with me, Matt?” Sparrow asked.

…Eleanora…

“Hey, Matthew!”

“Wha—?”

“Someone’s coming,” Firamon said, looking to the opened gates of the castle.

“Help! Please…help her!”

“Giselle,” I whispered.

“Who’s that with her?” Sparrow asked.

“Is that…Lunamon? Did she Digivolve again?” Allomon asked.

“Please; you have to help her!” Giselle exclaimed frantically, breathing heavily. “Please…Eleanora’s still in there!”

“Giselle, slow down!” Firamon said in a firm but gentle voice. “Now, what’s going on?”

“Ellie and I…we…we were attacked by Orochimon heads,” Giselle panted. “Lekismon Digivolved into Crescemon…but we were separated from Ellie…she’s still in there…with all of that fire…please…”

No! Eleanora…please be okay!

“All right, we’re going in!” Sparrow said. “C’mon, Matt!”

“Oh…right!”

“Crescemon, you wait outside with Giselle!” Allomon said.

“Very well, then,” Crescemon nodded. Sparrow and I, along with our Digimon, ran into the castle. The first thing we noticed upon entering the first room was flames. Bright orange flames, and a thick cloud of smoke.

“Okay…wait here, Matt; Allomon and I will go get her!” Sparrow leaped up onto his Digimon partner’s back, and I watched in silence as the two vanished into the flames.

“…Should we really wait here?” Firamon asked. “She’s your twin sister, Matthew; don’t you want to go and save her?”

“…I…I have a terrible feeling,” I said. “Something bad…has happened…or will happen…”

“Matthew!” Walking into the room, Katsumi slowly approached me and Firamon. “Matthew…”

“Katsumi, are you okay?” I asked. “…You’ve been crying again, haven’t you…”

“I…no, I’m…fine,” Katsumi said. “I realized…Abigail helped me to realize that…I’ve been subconsciously pushing all of you away…because of my visions…”

“Katsumi?”

“…I haven’t told anyone else this…but in those visions…I was surrounded by the corpses of my dear friends,” Katsumi said. “I…was the reason you had died.”

“That can’t be true!” Firamon exclaimed. “Kitty, you wouldn’t hurt a Flymon!”

“…Those kinds of visions would flood my mind whenever I closed my eyes…whenever I did anything, for that matter…”

“And that’s why you’re always crying…?” I whispered. Katsumi slowly nodded her head.

“That’s why…I’ve pushed you and all the others away…so that maybe you wouldn’t die at my hands…That’s why I forced myself to not have any friends…”

“Katsumi…”

“Matthew…I…I don’t want to go on like this anymore!” Katsumi wailed. “I want to have friends! I don’t want to be alone anymore!” And that was the last thing she said before an arrow tore through her chest.

[IamTheSovereign]

Matthew Kasuto

Before my very eyes, a very sharp arrow tore through Katsumi’s chest. Her blood practically burst out of the wound it made, and onto my face. The somber witch slowly fell to the ground; her eyes grew hazy and her face pale. She had hit the floor before I knew it, gasping for breath. Behind her stood a young blonde woman, holding an arrowgun similar to Alicia’s. With her hand to her neck, she began to walk up to me and Firamon.

“That’s…three down,” she said in a raspy voice. “First the sniper…then the blacksmith…and now the witch.”

“You…you were the one…” I tried to speak, but I found myself unable to. I was torn between rage at the enemy sniper, and grief over Katsumi dying. The woman I loved was dying, and there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. “No…no!”

“Who the hell are you?!” Firamon roared.

“My name is…Eliza,” the woman said, removing her hand from her neck to reveal a fresh wound and a splotch of still-wet blood. “I am a general…in the Cyllenian Army. Death to all…who oppose us!”

“You…you bitch!” My fingers were wrapped tightly around my Digivice, which began to emit a warm, orange light. “Firamon! Make her hurt! Make her pay for what she did!”

“…Understood.” Firamon became enveloped in the light, and vanished from sight. “Firamon Digivolve to, Flaremon!”

“Matthew…don’t,” I heard Katsumi whisper, however faint it may have been. “I’m not…worth it…please…”

“FLAREMON! DO IT! NOW!!!”

“Crimson Beast-King Wave!” With his arms outstretched, Firamon unleashed a blast of fire from his hands in the shape of a Leomon’s head. Eliza was consumed by the flames at once, and lay dead on the floor in the blink of an eye.

“Katsumi!” I turned my attention back to the witch who, to my slight relief, was still breathing, although just barely. “Katsumi, no! Don’t die…you can’t die! Heal yourself…please!”

“Matthew…you know as well as I…that healing spells don’t work on the caster,” Katsumi smiled. “It’s…okay. I’m ready…I’ve been ready for this…for far too long…”

“Katsumi! You can’t die! I love you!” I screamed. “I love you, Katsumi! I…I…”

“Matthew…I’m sorry…I wish it didn’t have to be this way either…You could have picked someone so much prettier than me,” Katsumi whispered. Still smiling, she reached out and grabbed hold of my hand.

“That’s not what I meant, Katsumi!” I wailed. The witch slowly closed her golden eyes for the last time, and laughed quietly.

“I know, Matthew…And…I love you…too…But…be happy…I want you to…find someone to share your happiness with…your love…and live for tomorrow…Matthew…” Her grip on my hand lessened, and her hand fell to the floor, lifeless.

“…Kitty…” Before I allowed myself to become overcome with despair, I leaned down and kissed Katsumi on the lips. Forcing myself to stand back up, I looked back at the lifeless body of Eliza. “You…you did this to her. You took her away from me! You murdered her! You bitch! You worthless cunt!” My body began to move on its own. I yanked Eliza’s arrowgun from her hand, and began to stab her corpse with the pointed tip of the crossbow-like weapon. Over and over again, I stabbed her. Her blood flew everywhere — mostly onto me — and Eliza soon became an unrecognizable mess of blood. I raised the arrowgun high up above my head, prepared to stab her again, and a hand caught my arm.

“That’s enough, Matthew,” Flaremon said. With my arm caught and the remainder of my body motionless, I began to breathe heavily. “…Let’s go now.”

“…Katsumi…this woman…murdered her…” My voice nearly died in my throat.

“I know. She murdered Katsumi, and Wayland, and Alicia. But she won’t hurt any more of our friends now,” the Ultimate said. “Come on…let’s get going.”

“…No. I’m…not going,” I whispered. “I refuse to leave her side. You go on ahead without me, Flaremon…”
“…Are you certain of this?” I nodded my head slowly. “…Very well. When all is done…I will come back for you…and her. And I will…come back.”

---

Sparrow Lea

“Damn it; not in this room either!” I said. “C’mon, Moosemon; let’s get going!”

“We’re almost there!” Giselle exclaimed.

“Quicken your pace, Moosemon; we haven’t a moment to lose!” I yelled to my Digimon partner.

“Better hang on tight; it’s going to be a bumpy ride!” Moosemon reared up, and charged as fast as he could through the large, singed hallway.

“Don’t worry; I know we’ll make it in time,” Lunamon said. “Eleanora and I share a close bond, not unlike the bond she has with Matthew. I can tell…she’s still okay.”

“Not if I don’t hurry up!” Moosemon said.

“Wait, there! I see it! I see flames!” Giselle screamed. Moosemon came to a screeching halt, nearly throwing the three of us off of his back.

“Eleanora!” Lunamon jumped out of Giselle’s arms, and ran into the room just ahead.

“Let’s go, Moosemon!” I said.

“Roger!” My Digimon partner galloped after the small Rookie, and almost instantly, we were greeted by the sulfurous stench of the black smoke and orange flames.

“Where is she?!” Giselle exclaimed.

“That’s a good question!” Six heads burst through the flames, each with its own disgusting smirk plastered on its face.

“What the hell are you?!” I asked.

“Orochimon!” Lunamon exclaimed.

“Oh, I see you’ve returned to the Rookie level, little Digimon!” Orochimon grinned. “Now, then…would you like to be burned alongside your Human partner or after?”

“Damn it! You…you let her go now!” Lunamon screamed in a voice louder than I thought she ever could. “Lunamon Warp Digivolve to, Crescemon! Ice Archery!” Crescemon swung her two weapons in the air and fired off numerous icicles at the flames, instantly freezing them all solid. “Now, Sparrow!” I jumped off Moosemon’s back, and swung my axe at one of Orochimon’s heads, decapitating it instantly.

“Horn Blade!” Moosemon charged past me, and sliced through two more of Orochimon’s heads.

“Lunatic Dance!” Still swinging her weapons around, Crescemon ran through the remaining heads of Orochimon, instantly killing each of them. With no more heads in sight, I began to frantically look around the room in search of Eleanora; it wasn’t long until I found her at the center of a ring of icicles made from Crescemon’s attack, lying unconscious on the floor.

“ELEANORA!” Dropping my axe to the floor, I ran over to her, brushing the ice away with my arm. “Eleanora! Eleanora, wake up! Speak to me!” Carefully, I placed my hands around her shoulders and lifted her upper body off the floor. “Ellie! C’mon…don’t die on us, El! Don’t die on Mattie!” Instantly, the raven-haired girl opened her eyes, and sat up.

“MATTHEW!” she exclaimed. “Matthew…where…what?”

“…You okay?” I asked.

“Oh…Sparrow…Are we still in the castle?” Eleanora asked. “Matthew…where’s Matthew?!”

“He’s…fine,” I said. “He’s at the entrance of the castle…”

“Oh…I see.” Eleanora stood up, and looked around the room. “…I guess you defeated Orochimon…”

“Are you okay, Eleanora?” Crescemon asked.

“…No. I just felt…this incredibly sharp pain in my chest,” the swordswoman said, placing a hand over her heart. “I felt…Matthew…he…he was filled with despair just moments ago. Despair, anguish, grief…”

“Yeah…Matt said he felt something like that before I came to find you,” I said. “…Listen. Alicia…she was killed by an enemy sniper, right?”

“…Yes…”

“…Turns out she wasn’t the only one. The sniper…she also got to Wayland.” Eleanora’s eyes widened.

“No…no, you can’t be serious!” she exclaimed.

“Is he really gone?” Giselle asked tearfully.

“Yeah…I’m afraid he is.”

“…This can’t be happening,” Eleanora whispered. “We were all…supposed to make it back home alive, Sparrow! How could they…how could they go and die, damn it?!” The older of the twins threw herself into my chest, sobbing into the front of my shirt. “Why…Sparrow…why?!”

“The woman behind those murders is no more.” I turned around, and saw a large, burly Digimon entering the room.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I am Flaremon; Coronamon at the Ultimate level,” the Digimon responded. “The woman who killed those three…I killed her not long ago.”

“…Three?!” Eleanora exclaimed. “Wayland and Alicia…who was the third?!” With a look of surprise on his face, Flaremon tightly closed his mouth. “FLAREMON! TELL ME RIGHT NOW! WHICH OF OUR FRIENDS DIED?! WHO ELSE WAS KILLED?!”
“…I…regret to inform you that…the woman that Matthew loved…was killed,” Flaremon began slowly. “…Katsumi Rosalina is no longer with us.”

---

As I write down these final words for this chapter, my hand cannot keep from shaking. My beloved daughter, my sweet baby girl, was taken away from me. And worse yet, there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. Where I to go with Cyllene with her, she would simply have died in another manner. One far more gruesome, and at the hands of Eeno, the rapist. The way she died, at the side of the man who loved her, the man she had loved, I felt to be a more comforting way for her to ease into the afterlife. Grief shall consume me for a good deal of time, no doubt, but I shall not let it rule my entire being. Loathe as I am to admit it, Katsumi wished for death. She wished to be at her mother’s side again. And so even though it pains me, I shall continue on with the job given to me by my goddess. By Arcadia. I shall continue to chronicle the events of history as they occur, and not for how I envision them. And when it is all over, I shall join my beloved daughters, and my cherished wife.

~Wisemon

[IamTheSovereign]

Tamiko Silverveil

Eaglemon had, after several minutes of flying me through the castle, finally set me down, although this was mostly to rest his remaining wing. Many times, I attempted to wrench myself free from his talons, but I only ended up cutting myself on his sharp claws.

“…Where are you taking me, Eaglemon?” I was finally brave enough to ask.

“The Grande Hall,” the Digimon said between breaths.

“Why there?” I couldn’t help myself from asking. “The hall…it’s the biggest room in the entire castle, isn’t it? Why would—”

“Keep your trap shut, girl!” Eaglemon snapped. “…In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a bit low on wings. I need the extra space to fly around…but in an indoor area where I could easily keep you confined…as my hostage…”

“But…why me?” I asked meekly. “I…ran away from home; I am no longer a princess. Surely, father wouldn’t want—”

“Yer father’s dead, lass.” The news, though surprising, did not fill me with any grief whatsoever. Quite the opposite, actually; I felt relieved by his death, like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. He was, after all, the reason I ran away in the first place. And that lack of grief was what filled me with dread. “Apparently, it was an illness, or something. Either way, he’s gone — oh, him and Eris are both gone.”

“Eris, too?” Eaglemon shrugged.

“That’s all I know. So…rest easy; this kidnapping has nothing to do with yer father.”

“…Does it have anything to do with all of the snakes I saw in the castle?” I whispered.

“Snakes…? Oh, no; those were heads of Orochimon,” Eaglemon said. “You remember Noir, don’tcha?”

“…How could I ever forget him? He and his Digimon were both so nice to me, and my brother…Is he…”

“Yep. He’s the one behind all this. Him and EbiBurgermon.”

“W—What?! What do you mean? He’s the one behind the war?!”

“Something like that, yeah. That’s what he told me, at any rate. Anyway, Orochimon is the Ultimate form of EbiBurgermon; he was sent by Noir to keep all of those westerners busy while I bring you to him.”

“…What does he want with me?” I asked. “I thought I was only supposed to be a hostage for you, Eaglemon…”

“Beats me. Didn’t tell me. Got kind of a big beak, you know?” Eaglemon asked. “He just wanted me to take you to him—”

“Zekkoushou!” A blinding radiance lit up the room, bouncing off Eaglemon’s metal body. “Release her at once, Eaglemon!”

“Kudamon?” The light dissipated, and though it had blurred my vision, I was able to make out the small Rookie’s distinct body.

“Hah! Look at how pathetic you’ve grown, Kentaurosmon! You’ve turned back to Rookie just because I stole your beloved Tamiko! Partnerships make one miserably weak!” Eaglemon sneered.

“Kudamon Digivolve to, Reppamon! Shinkū Kamaitachi!” Dashing forwards, Reppamon jabbed his tail forward, and had Eaglemon not lifted me up off the ground and into the air, I too would’ve been hit. Eaglemon, however, was not so lucky, as Reppamon’s tail struck the side of his torso. “…You were saying, Eaglemon…?”

“Ha…I’d be careful if I were you, Kentaurosmon! You almost nicked your little girlfriend here!” Eaglemon said.

His…what?! His girlfriend?!

“Please; I would never be so foolish as to engage in friendly fire,” Reppamon said. “Reppamon Digivolve to, Chirinmon!” Upon Digivolving, Chirinmon, with his newly developed wings, charged into the air after Eaglemon. “Knowledge of Swift!” Instantly, Chirinmon vanished, and the next thing I knew, I was on the Digimon’s back.

“Wha—?! Hey; how’d you get her?!” Eaglemon squawked.

“Wind Cutter Sword!” The horn on Chirinmon’s head grew roughly to the same height as my body; the Holy Beast flicked his head, and cleaved his horn through Eaglemon’s body. Chirinmon gracefully and gently alighted to the floor the same moment Eaglemon’s vanishing body landed in a bloody heap not five feet away from us. “Tamiko…are you unharmed?”

“…I’m fine,” I whispered. “But…Noir…”

“What about him, my lady?”
“…Eaglemon said that Noir was behind everything that has happened with this kingdom; that he started this war…”

---

Mia Kiru

“Inferno Blast!”

“Eek!” Elizabeth shoved me to the ground just as the flames of Orochimon shot overhead.

“You cannot escape us!” Orochimon hissed.

“Damn it; where’s Quetzalmon?!” I whispered.

“I think he went with Flamedramon,” Elizabeth answered. “It’s just the two of us…”

“If that is the case, then this will be easier than I thought!” Orochimon exclaimed.

“Oh, yeah?! Come forth, MegaKabuterimon!” the Insect Digimon appeared before us, already prepared to attack Orochimon.

“Horn Buster!”

“Inferno Blast!” Orochimon’s flames consumed MegaKabuterimon’s attack, enveloping it in its all-consuming rage before striking down the Digimon Spirit.

“Sorry…Mia,” MegaKabuterimon wheezed shortly before vanishing from sight.

“Mia…let me fight,” Elizabeth said.

“No way! You’re still all scratched up from fighting that general guy! Just stay behind me; I won’t let anything happen to you!” I smiled. “Come forth, Blastmon!”

“Final Subago̅n Punch!” Blastmon aimed his massive fist at one of the Orochimon heads, but before he could make contact, he suddenly stopped.

“Blastmon…what’s wrong?” I asked. “Are you okay…?”

“Mia.” Elizabeth pointed at Blastmon’s legs, where I could see the long necks — or possibly bodies — of two of the Orochimon’s binding the legs of the Digimon Spirit together. It was then that I noticed that Blastmon did, in fact, make contact, with Orochimon, having his one of the necks. However, Orochimon took the opportunity to bind the Spirit’s arms together, rendering Blastmon completely immobile.

“Inferno Blast!” A single, black-scaled head rose up from the ground and spit orange flames into Blastmon’s face, defeating him in a matter of seconds.

“No…Blastmon…” Orochimon’s laughter filled the room, loud enough to keep me from hearing my own thoughts.

“Mia!” Elizabeth tugged on my arm. “Mia, look!” Elizabeth pointed at the black-scaled head. “Remember what Katsumi told us?”

“The head with black scales…It’s is the only real one!” I gasped. “If we can defeat this one…” Elizabeth gripped one of her kunai. “No. I won’t let you fight! I won’t let you get hurt any more…”

“Mia…”

“Besides…I still haven’t shown Mr. Snake in the Grass my trump card! Er, Talisman! My trump Talisman. Yeah!” I reached into my purse, and pulled out my final Talisman. “Come forth, Aquarimon!”

“Mia…you know, if this doesn’t work…”

“Then we’ll just have to run like hell.”

“Do not fear; I shall not fail you, Mia,” Aquarimon said in her regular, gentle voice. “Goddess Urn!” A barrier of water burst up from the ground, surrounding me and Elizabeth completely. “But if I cannot win…then at least the monster will not be able to harm either of you.”

“Enough talk; let’s get this fight over with!” Orochimon hissed.

“Yes. Let’s! Goddess Bow!” Aquarimon fired a single arrow from her bow. The arrow lodged itself into Orochimon’s neck; blood came spurting out in mass quantities, covering the floor beneath in a small pool of crimson. All of the other heads of Orochimon in the room instantly vanished, while the one Aquarimon sniped became enveloped in the light of Digivolution, and began to shrink until it became a Digimon barely taller than my forearm. “…Hm. Didn’t think that would actually work.”

“What did it turn into?” I asked. The small Digimon, with some effort, stood up, and glared up at me.

“…I am EbiBurgermon. Faithful servant of Noir. And you…well…I wasn’t expecting…defeat…I must admit; I am rather impressed that a blonde bimbo like you would have an ability as rare as Digimon Summoning.”

“Bimbo?!”

“As much as I hate to admit it…I’m afraid I must concede,” EbiBurgermon continued. The tiny Digimon bowed, and as he did, a savory aroma wafted into my nose.

Mmm…that smells good! Like curry or something…kinda shrimpy, too…Whatever it is, it’s making my mouth water!

“And to you two, I bid adieu.” Without turning to look back at us, EbiBurgermon staggered very slowly out of the room.

“…Okay? I…guess I’ll be going back now,” Aquarimon said. “Call me if you need me, Mia…” Aquarimon became enveloped in light, and vanished from sight.

“…Shall we continue, Mia?” Elizabeth asked. “…Mia?”

“Lizzy…am I a bimbo?” I asked.

“What?! Of course you aren’t!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “By the dictionary, a bimbo is an attractive woman who lacks intelligence. You, Mia, are an attractive woman with intelligence.”

“Oh…I did not know that.”

“Well…j—just because you might not have known that doesn’t mean you are! Just because EbiBurgermon said so…”

“I mean, I know I’m not bad looking or anything; I just never really thought of myself as beautiful like how Zelda is, and for the smartness thing, I never even really thought about it before; I mean, I knew I wasn’t dumb like a Sukamon, but I—”

“Mia. It’s okay,” Elizabeth interrupted. “Don’t pay any attention to EbiBurgermon. You are a sweet, pretty, and talented woman. Let’s just continue…going…” Elizabeth suddenly collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach.

“Lizzy, what’s wrong?!” I knelt down next to my friend, when I too fell to the floor with a horrible pain in my stomach, like I was being stabbed. “Lizzy…what…”

“EbiBurgermon,” Elizabeth gasped. “That scent…did you…notice it?” I carefully nodded my head, not wanting to accidentally move the rest of my body and worsen the pain in my belly. “He did this…to us…That scent he gave off…like a curse of some kind…”
“What should we do? It’s getting worse…” I didn’t even bother trying to fight back the tears beginning to well in my eyes; rather, I lay down on the floor next to Elizabeth, and remained still. Still as I possibly could, out of fear that any further movement would tear my belly apart.

---

Noir

…All of the heads of Orochimon have vanished. Does that mean EbiBurgermon was defeated? Worse yet…is he…was he…

“Noir. The time has come,” Barbamon said. I looked up at the tall Digimon, sitting upon the king’s throne. “You’ve had your fun. Now…it is time for me to have mine.” Barbamon stood up and picked up the wand leaning against the golden throne that had belonged to King Desmond. As he was about to step down, a slowly lumbering figure entered the chamber. “…Agamemnon. How good to see you again.”

“Can it, Barbamon…” The general stepped out of the shadows, and I could see that he was covered in blood. In the middle of his stomach was a large wound. “Barbamon…you’re the one who put all that magic stuff into my blade, yeah?”

“What about it?” Barbamon asked.

“Look, I don’t wanna go too into it right now, but I was stabbed by my own sword by one of them insurgents from the west,” Agamemnon said. “Could ya…heal me? I can fight…some more…if you’ll heal me…”

“…Done in by your own weapon? How pathetic.” Agamemnon’s eyes widened at Barbamon’s comment.

“The hell? Do you know who yer talkin’ to?!” Agamemnon asked.

“I could ask the same of you.” Barbamon lifted his wand, and looked Agamemnon directly in the eye. “Pandæmonium Lost!” Agamemnon was instantly lit ablaze. His choked screams were the last things I heard from him before his charred body fell to the ground in a thick pile of ashes. “You were never worth following, Agamemnon. Not even if I really were your subordinate.”

“Sir…”

“Oh, don’t fear, Noir. This will never happen to you.” Barbamon chuckled. “After all…you’ve been nothing but loyal to me, not to mention helpful, useful, and thorough. I need someone like you at my side…Noir.”

“And me…”

“EbiBurgermon!” The tiny Digimon stumbled into the room, almost falling down had I not rushed over to catch him in time. “EbiBurgermon, are you unharmed?!”

“…I was defeated…Two girls did me in; a Summoner and…a fighter, I guess,” EbiBurgermon said. “I gave off my special scent, the one you modified, Noir; they won’t be causing us any more problems for a long time.”

“But…you were still defeated,” Barbamon said. “…You are no longer of any use to me, EbiBurgermon.”

“No! No, he can still fight!” I exclaimed, clutching the Digimon securely against my chest. “Please…”

“Noir…I’m beat,” EbiBurgermon said.

“Then I will just have to kill you right here and now!” Barbamon exclaimed.

“No! He can…he can still fight…and win,” I said.

“Noir…it’s all good. I don’t have the strength to get past them,” the tiny Rookie whispered.

“…Then I’ll just have to give you the strength to win!” I gently placed EbiBurgermon down onto the floor, and held out my hands. At once, EbiBurgermon began to glow.

“EbiBurgermon Warp Digivolve to, Hydramon!”