The Heart of Arima

AN: This story is actually my second attempt at a fic, so I'm still getting into the swing of things. This has Daiken/Kensuke (Daisuke/Ken pairing), Taito/Yamashi (Taichi/Yamato pairing) and something I've never heard of but call Takewill/Willkeru (Takeru/Willis [or Wallace, whatever his name is] pairing). There will be more relationships which will develop over time and I haven't decided exactly what to put in it yet.

Notes: I don't own Digimon, or any of the characters. I don't really own any other anime besides the other stuff I write from my twisted mind. But! This is my fanfic so you touch, you die! or get tickled. ^_^ Oh, if I spelt any names wrong, correction would be appreciated.

A few (more) notes: the '-chan' suffix is used to show affection of sorts (though it has other uses, they will not be used here). '-san' is used as a sign of respect. '-sama' is used when talking to someone who is high in power or as I like to think of it "God like". '-kun' is a sign of friends between two males. 'Koibito' means 'my love' or something to that effect. 'Oniichan' (or 'niichan) means big brother.

***

In a far away, distant place, there is a land called Arima. It is surrounded by mountains and just touches the Great Ocean. In Arima, is a kingdom called Cormir. It is the most powerful kingdom in all of the realm. Ruled by his Highness, Ishida Yamato-sama. Cormir is a peaceful place, fully of happiness and prosperity.

Within the court of the castle lives Yagami Taichi, the top General of Cormir's armed forces, his sister and assistant, Lady Hikari, the Overseers, Tachikawa Mimi and Takanochi Sora, the court magician and sorcerer, Izumi Koushiro, and Iori, Koushiro's apprentice, the top scholar, Ioune Miyako, the court healer, Kido Jyou, the son of the court artist, Motomiya Daisuke and brother to the king, Takashi Takeru. This tale is about the latter two.

Daisuke and Takeru grew up together. Over the years, they had become the best of friends and formed a special bond of trust which nothing could break. Secretly, they both disliked the royal, noble life and the responsibilities it held. Both boys wanted to be free of this.

To make matters worse, Yamato-sama had arranged the betrothal of the odd pair which didn't go well.

Daisuke and Takeru refused to set foot within the castle walls and since, had lived peacefully among the near by town. The villagers knew who they were and were afraid at first, but soon learned to treat them like one of their own, as the boys insisted they did.

One day, nearing the date of the arranged marriage, Daisuke and Takeru met an odd merchant in the town market who told them of a great dragon named Gennai, who made his home in The Heart of Arima, which was the center of the known world, and a very perilous place to venture.

It was said that Gennai knew the answer to every question that was ever asked, or will be asked. Deciding to find out what their destiny was, Daisuke and Takeru set off on their long journey to The Heart of Arima. The voyage was long and unkind to the two young boys. They crossed the Great Plains and went through the Caverns of The Lost, past the Rainbow Waters and over the Mountain of Woe. Eventually they reached their goal.

"C'mon, Takeru! I can see the entrance!" Daisuke shouted to his good friend who was on the rope below him. The wind was fierce and whipped about the pair violently, stealing their words from their lips and making them short of breath.

"I don't know if I can make it!" Takeru shouted back, wearily.

"Come on!" Daisuke began to pull the rope upwards, hauling his friend along with it. Soon both boys were standing on a ledge, ten feet below the entrance to The Heart of Arima, home to Gennai the Great Dragon.

"This is it." Daisuke whispered. He lifted Takeru and hoisted him up so he could throw down the rope. Soon, after a minimum effort, the two were standing at the entrance. They walked in slowly, cautiously, for it is not every day one enters the lair of a dragon.

"Hello?" Their voices echoed through out the giant cavern several times, leaving a hollow empty sound. There were mounds of gold and jewels scattered about the cave, along with pools of molten lava bubbling up here and there. All of a sudden, there was a great rumble and a pile of silver in the back of the natural room began to stir.

Much to the surprise of Daisuke and Takeru, the pile of silver was actually a dragon, bequeathed with greying silver scales and golden eyes. The great beast held the two boys in his sight. One of flawless golden hair and blue eyes, the other with unruly hair of a mahogany color standing defiantly before him.

"Great one? Are you Gennai, who knows all that has been and all there will be?" Daisuke stood with a look of bitter determination on his face.

"Yes." The dragons soft voice floated gently across the cave like music from a harp.

"We have traveled a great journey to ask you a question." Takeru said solemnly, with respect. He waited for a reply, listening to the soft sound of the old beast drawing in breath.

"Ask, young ones. You have surely earned the right if you have traveled all the way from your quiet homes to see this old dragon." Gennai gave a smile which only dragons are capable of.

"Great Dragon, we wish to know what destiny has in store for us." Daisuke said, his expression softening to one of near-awe.

The dragon chuckled. At first, both boys thought he was going to refuse them but then the great beast answered in an amused fashion.

"So young, and to ask such questions. Alright. I shall answer you, but you know that with knowledge comes a price." The dragon's golden eyes sparked with amusement.

"Of course!" Takeru piped up, "We are simple folk, and have not much to offer."

"Anything shall do." The dragon said once more, his voice like honey dripping from fresh bread.

"Then I give you this." Takeru said, tossing a small band of gold into the air, which the dragon promptly caught. "It was given to me by my father on his death bed."

"It will do." The dragon whispered.

"And I give you this." Daisuke pulled out a picture he had painted of the Crystal Caves. The picture was excellently wrought, it looked as if the light would reflect off the large crystal shards at any moment.

"This will do as well." The dragon said, setting the items aside. "Now, I shall answer your question. Step forward." He pointed to Daisuke with the tip of a black claw.

"You are both young, so innocent and pure. Fate has many challenges in store for you." The dragon said, his golden eyes searching the soul of the one before him, "You, Motomiya Daisuke. Remember, things are not always as they seem. Soon you will fall into the demon's clutches, and kindness shall save you from death."

Daisuke nodded and stepped backwards, biting his lip and pondering what that could exactly mean, when Takeru stepped forward.

"You, Takashi Takeru, will face a great test. Remember, never lose hope. Soon you shall fall into the dragon's clutches and only purity will make him release his grasp, but also remember, if you are freed from his grasp, you shall fall into his embrace."

Takeru took his place beside Daisuke once more, mulling this over in his mind.

"And now, before you depart, I give you each an amulet." The dragon extended a hand with was bigger than both the boys put together, and turned it upside down, dropping two clear crystals attached to leather strips before their feet.

"Wear these always, they will help you find your wings." The dragon smiled at the odd pair and then turned around. "No go in peace and may the winds of destiny find you well."

***

It was a few hours later. Takeru suggested that they set up camp at the foot of the mountain. Daisuke agreed and soon they were sitting in a small tent, alone with their thoughts.

What does he mean by what he said? Daisuke chewed on his bottom lip attentively.

I can't make sense of anything he told me except 'never lose hope.' Oh well. I'll just take that advice. Takeru thought as he made a small fire.

Both boys slept with millions of thoughts flowing through their minds. Morning came swiftly and time seemed as if it had sped up in favor of them. They had decided to travel home by a less perilous route from that which they came. They were to travel south, through the region of Firet, then further south to Saeum to Cormir.

Daisuke was hesitant and a bit reluctant about going through Saeum, for it shared boarders with the Demon Lord's Realm. It was easy to get lost in the frequent blizzards which Saeum was known for, and wind up in the wrong place. The Demon Lord was cruel and merciless, so said the people of Arima. No one had seen the Demon Lord and live, except the king of Cormir, who had recently passed away. Before he died, he made sure his heir payed respect to the Demon Lord and the Dragon Lord, for they were terrible enemies to have, for they were the most powerful Mages in the known world.

"Maybe we should just cut straight across Firet." Daisuke suggested.

"But that place is full of magical beasts and unknown horrors." Takeru said flatly, getting a rise out of his friend, whom he knew was afraid of magic. "I'm sure if we're careful enough we can cut through Saeum and knock at least five days off our journey. Besides, I'm eager to see home again. 'Niichan is probably worried about me. I wonder if he read the letter you gave him."

"Me?!" Daisuke whirled to face Takeru, eyes wide and face pale, "I thought you gave him the letter!"

"I didn't! You were supposed to!" Takeru shouted, then calmed down some, "So...no one knows where we are. 'Niichan is going to be so mad at us!"

So it was unquestionably decided that they travel along the selected route, thus getting to Cormir, and home, with haste.

The trip started out fine, but then again so does everything else. They made it through Firet with ease, the only creature they encountered was a small rabbit which became their dinner shortly after.

By the time they were half way through Saeum, a blizzard struck. Takeru insisted that they go on and look for shelter of some sort. They tried to stay close together, holding hands so as not to be separated by the fierceness of the raging storm, but it wasn't enough. Soon Daisuke stumbled and was left behind as Takeru was whipped and batted by the winds in a different direction. Before either could realize it, they had been hopelessly separated.

Daisuke kept walking. Eventually the storm began to let up, but he was too tired to continue. His lips chapped and bleeding, his face worn and thin, Daisuke finally collapsed face down in the snow.

Takeru didn't have as much luck either. He kept getting turned about by the wind, making him travel in a large oval path. Soon he had grown tired and weak from lack of food, and also collapsed into the soft white snow, ready to welcome death if it came for him. But fate had something greater in store for both of them.

It was that same day, a large ugly beast came sauntering through the snow and crossed paths with the young artist. The rider of the beast quickly dismounted, his dark blue cloak drawn tightly around him, stopping what little was left of the wind from whipping it about.

The indigo haired boy leaned down upon one knee and rolled the body over. It was a boy. A young boy like himself.

The indigo haired boy opened the young boy's cloak and pressed his ear to the boy's chest. He heard a very dim beating heart. The boy was still alive. Hoisting him on his shoulder, he took the other boy and placed him on the ugly mount and turned South and set off once more, back to the keep.

At that same moment, a large green dragon flew overhead of the snow fields. It's rider was also a young boy, with dim gold hair and ice blue eyes. His cloak flapping around him, the boy spotted a form lying in the snow below, ordering the dragon to land.

As the great beast waited patiently in the snow, with breath coming out in pale huffs, the sandy haired boy had collected the limp form up and placed him length wise over the saddle on the dragon.

"Home." The boy ordered and the dragon launched into the air, flying North.

***

Where are they?! Yamato thought, rubbing his temples. It was enough that his brother insisted on being friends and spending time with Daisuke, but running off with him was unforgivable. The only reason Yamato had allowed it was because Daisuke was Tai's brother, practically. He had launched several search parties to find them. It had been several weeks so far and all they had turned up was that the two had last been seen headed for The Heart of Arima. No one in the right mind went there willingly.

Yamato sat at the head of the table. He had called a meeting of all his allies. Taichi was there, as an advisor and friend. Tai had always been there for Yamato, from when they were little. The Overseers were present, along with the court healer and advisor, Jyou and Koushiro. They all sat at their designated seats. Most of them were arguing on what to do and what had to be done. Koushiro seemed to be deep in thought. When Yamato noticed this, he called attention to it.

"Koushiro-san, my trusted advisor, what do you suggest?" Yamato asked hopeful that the sorcerer had a plan.

"Well Yamato-sama, I could try to scry for them." Koushiro suggested, "And get a general feel for the situation."

"Yes! Do that right away." Yamato nodded to Koushiro who nodded in return then stood and exited the room, but not before bowing to Yamato, his black and red silk robes flowing.

"Yamato," Tai asked with concern in his eyes. Tai was one of the few people who could address the king without using the formal title, but it was mandatory in public. "Yamato, do you really trust Koushiro? He seems like he's up to no good."

"Tai," Yamato said, placing a hand on Tai's, "I trust Koushiro as my friend and advisor. I'm sure he will do everything in his power to bring my brother and Daisuke back."

Yamato possessed a fierce love and protectiveness for his little brother, while Taichi had practically taken Daisuke in. A few years prior, Daisuke's father, the court artist, had passed away, leaving Daisuke with the position and no one to take him in. Tai had accepted gladly and treated Daisuke as a younger brother. Daisuke loved having Taichi as a brother, though they did argue now and again.

Tai nodded and squeezed Yamato's hand, showing a small sign of affection which went unnoticed by the others seated at the table.

Meanwhile, in Koushiro's tower, the Mage sat at a table, pouring over his books of arcane knowledge, looking for the appropriate spell. His assistant, Iori, was arranging the medium with which Koushiro would be scrying. Carefully Iori poured clear water from one hundred icebergs into a cauldron. Koushiro tore a piece of paper out of his book and walked towards the large container. He had his own reasons for finding the two boys. It was little known, but they were the two most pure souls in all of Arima, and Koushiro needed them as sacrifice to gain unimaginable power.

The Mage chuckled and sprinkled some blue powder into the water and whispered the words of magic, focusing his thoughts on the task at hand. In the water he saw two things: One was the picture of a raven made of black sticks extending it's wings, on a silver backdrop with a red sun over head. The second, a grey dragon on a deep blue backdrop, extending it's long neck and head towards a rising red sun. The symbols of the Demon and Dragon Lords.

High above the land of Arima, in the darkest tower of the castle, the Mage Koushiro smiled.

***

"Ugh..." The sound slipped though Daisuke's mouth involuntarily. iWhere am I?/i His hand came to his head and rested there for a moment, letting him body sink into the soft bed. iBed? How did I get in a bed? Was it all a dream?/i Daisuke opened his eyes and looked around himself. It was dark. The light spilled from two torch like holders on the far side of the wall, but it was not a flame, but a light made by magic.

Magic... Daisuke gave a small shudder and looked about more. The walls and floor seemed to be made of polished marble. The bed which he was in was huge. The blankets were a deep red, the color of blood and soft like silk. They had gold and silver embroidered on their edges.

Am I dead? Daisuke thought feebly and sat up slowly but laid back down, a splitting pain coming to his head.

"So you're awake." A voice said from somewhere in the darkness. The voice sounded cold, yet curious.

"Who's there?" Daisuke croaked. His throat was so dry.

"Here." The voice said. Daisuke looked to his left. He thought he saw something move, and upon further inspection there was a crystal wine glass brimming with water. Daisuke looked around and carefully took hold of the finely crafted glass and drank thankfully of it. After he was done, Daisuke inspected the glass. It was definitely made of some sort of crystal. The carvings were magnificently done by means Daisuke had never seen.

A silent chuckle emerged from the darkness.

"Ah yes. You're an artist of sorts are you not?" The voice had an amused edge to it.

"Yes, I suppose." Daisuke spoke cautiously and thanked the voice for the drink.

"Don't thank me. It spared me from hearing you sound like a frog." The voice said flatly.

"You are...Daisuke Motomiya. The court artist of Cormir, are you not?" The voice asked in a matter-of-fact tone.

"It's true I'm an artist. I didn't ask for that title. My father left it to me." Daisuke said getting a bit upset. The voice chuckled again.

"Who are you?" Daisuke said, narrowing his eyes, trying to see through the shroud of shadows. He heard soft foot steps. If he was talking he would never have noticed them, it was like hearing feathers falling on water.

As the possessor of the voice neared, Daisuke could make out a vague shape. The figure was not large, but taller then himself and thin. As the figure got even closer Daisuke concluded it was male, a boy like himself and important too, judging by the way he walked. Finally the figure stepped into the light. The boy was tall and thin as Daisuke had noted earlier. He had pale skin and an oddly colored indigo hair. He wore simple black clothes with a grey sash. His eyes were narrow and violet.

Beautiful violet eyes. Daisuke thought to himself. Wait, violet eyes? Only one person in all of Arima had violet eyes... Daisuke's mind sped.

"The Demon Lord." He hissed through clenched teeth.

The boy chuckled again, his voice sweet, yet empty.

"Yes," He began, looking directly at Daisuke with a smile, "I believe that is what they call me."

"Why?" Daisuke demanded, slowly standing. "Why did you rescue me?" The question seemed more like an accusation.

The boy shrugged. "You were nearly dead and I had nothing better to do." He said flatly, his face void of emotion.

Daisuke started to slip out of bed to confront the Demon Lord but noticed he wasn't wearing anything which, in turn, made him blush a deep crimson.

"Where are my clothes?" Daisuke demanded of the boy who was now sitting cross legged on the end of the bed.

"They were nothing more then rags by the time I found you. I disposed of them." The boy said with unwavering stability.

"I...er...What am I going to wear?" The young artist asked, blushing again. The Demon Lord looked at him with interest and tilted his head slightly to the side.

"You are...my guest. I shall provide you with food, clothing and shelter...and possibly anything else which you desire." The tall boy stated once more and stood, going over to a large wardrobe Daisuke had not noticed before. The Demon Lord removed several articles of clothing and placed them at the foot of the bed.

"You may wear these." He said waiting. It was several minutes before Daisuke realized he was waiting for him to change right there.

"Could you...turn around please?" Daisuke said wit his best effort to hide the burning sensation in his cheeks.

The Demon Lord frowned but turned away. He had never seen another creature so similar to himself. His brother was the real Demon Lord, but had died or, more correctly, had been killed by the boy himself. This was how he became the new Demon Lord. No one knew, nor did he expect them to understand. His brother had been dying, a cursed magic slowly eating away at his soul. The boy loved him, and it was the right thing to do, to end his brother's suffering. He made sure there was no pain. No pain.

"Uh..." The boy was snapped back to reality as he heard the confused voice behind him and started to turn around.

"No! Don't turn around!" Daisuke exclaimed, in a tangle of robes and sashes. "Could you umm...turn up the light in here a bit please?" As if by magic, and Daisuke doubted it wasn't, the lights flared and grew brighter, revealing the whole room.

"Thanks." Daisuke said, disentangling himself from the mess and began to adorn them properly.

"Say...what do I call you? You Highness? Lord? What?" Daisuke asked hesitantly.

"Call me," The boy said, remembering his given name. It had been such a long time since it had been used, since it had a meaning, "Ken."

***

Takeru opened his eyes and immediately regretted it. It light was extremely bright and it hurt! He quickly closed his eyes tightly and then opened them slowly. After a few seconds his eyes had adjusted. He was in a bed. A very large, elaborate bed. Takeru looked around as his eyes became more accustomed to the lighting. The walls were smooth and had a dim polish on them. The floor was covered in a bright red rug which looked relatively new. There was a window to the left which sunlight was filtering through.

Takeru thought he heard a small noise, akin to scratching. He looked directly in front of himself, sitting up. On the wall was a silk banner. It was a dark blue with a grey dragon reaching for a red sun embroidered on it. It some how seemed familiar. There was also a figure slumped over at a desk below the banner.

"Ahem." Takeru quietly cleared his voice and the scratching, which Takeru had guessed was an ink quill, stopped. The figure stood and turned. It was that of a boy, near Takeru or Daisuke's age. He had sandy blond hair and ice blue eyes with a fair complexion. He stood tall and proud, wearing a simple brown cloak with a sliver dragon clasp in the front.

"Dragon Lord..." Takeru whispered, letting the blankets around him fall, and quickly grabbed them when he realized he had little on.

"I see you lived." The voice was cool and controlled. If this young boy wanted to show any emotion, he was in complete control over it.

"Would you like something to drink? To eat?" The Dragon Lord stepped closer to Takeru and clasped him by the shoulders, pushing him back down on to the bed.

"I'm a bit thirsty." Takeru admitted humbly and watched as the boy walked over to the desk and turned his back to Takeru. In a few minutes he turned back around with a tray full of fresh snow fruit and water.

Takeru accepted it thankfully and ate the sweet fruit. He remembered the last time he had eaten one of the rarities, when he was a small child and his father had brought him and his brother back one each. Takeru closed his eyes and enjoyed the sweet tangy flavor of the white and blue fruit as the juice slowly ran down his chin. It was then he opened his eyes to find the Dragon Lord smiling at him, suppressing a chuckle.

Takeru felt his cheeks burn again as the Dragon Lord reach forward and wiped off Takeru's chin with a piece of cloth finer than any silk.

"Thank you, uh...Lord." Takeru finished the sentence quickly.

The Dragon Lord frowned slightly, his previous mood plucking at him as if he was a harp.

"Please, call me Will." He told Takeru softly.

"Thank you...Will."

"Now," Will said, turning around and placing the empty tray on the desk. "You will tell me...who you are, and what you were doing in the middle of the Saeum snow fields." He gave a slight smile.

"Oh! I'm sorry! How rude of me! My name is Takeru." The golden haired boy said softly.

"Takeru is it? There's no need to be so formal. You're my guest." Will said calmly. Takeru...Takeru...Where have I heard..Ah, yes. Takeru of Cormir. The Dragon Lord thought to himself, showing a smile.

"Your brother is king of Cormir?"

"Yes." Takeru said, looking away.

The Dragon Lord smiled. "You still haven't answered my second question, Takeru. What were you doing out in the snow fields?"

And Takeru explained what he and a friend had been doing and they had ended up in the snow fields of Saeum.

"Friend?" Will asked, his eyes dancing with curiosity. "I found only you."

"Yes, well we were separated during a blizzard. I fear he kept going South and The--" Takeru was cut off by The Dragon Lord.

"Demon Lord got him." Will hissed through clenched teeth.

"Yes, do you know him?" Takeru asked hopefully.

"The Demon Lord is no friend of mine." Will had closed himself off again and was acting in a black mood.

"I must go now. If you need anything, ring that silver bell." The Dragon Lord pointed to the desk where a silver bell was sitting where there was none before. With that he left, a hard look on his face.

Takeru wondered what he had said which had upset his new friend, but decided not to talk about the Demon Lord any longer as he drifted off into a dreamless slumber.

***

Yamato paced about his chamber, Tai sitting off to the side on a felt cushioned chair and Sora, one of select few others who knew about the fragile relationship between Yamato-sama and Taichi-san, sat on the end of the king's bed.

Koushiro had be vague and some how incomplete in the information he had given. He had informed them that the boys were indeed, alive and well. However, they were separated from each other. This worried Tai and Yamato, Daisuke and Takeru practically lived each passing second together. They were never apart. They always seemed to figure out away to get around any rules which would keep them separate.

"They're strong, Yama-chan." Tai stood and gathered Yamato in a gentle embrace. Yamato just sighed and hugged Tai tightly. He had needed a hug. Things seemed to be getting better, yet worse at the same time.

Where are you, Takeru? Are you safe? Do you need me? Yamato squeezed his eyes shut and allowed himself to be rocked back and fourth by Taichi, his most trusted general. Tai and Yamato had fought side by side in many wars, though they were young.

"It's gonna me okay, koibito." Tai spoke softly, reassuringly to the king of Cormir as he cradled him in his arms. Sora had slipped out, taking her cue. She had come in to inform them that two boys had been spotted crossing the snow fields a few days ago.

Daisuke, please be alright. Tai closed his eyes as he rocked his beloved to sleep.

***