罪: sin
At first, she is drowning in the dark. She always hears some of her father friends talking about the abyss, place of the bottomless hole, swallow everything and pull them to hell. This must be the place she thought as she being drag down deeper, surrounding her is water yet it isn't cold nor hot, just nothing. When she opened her eyes, she sees a figure that much taller than the building she lives in. It's red eyes shine stare at her, it entire body shroud behind the shadow of the abyss. As it swims up, accompanied by a swarm of frog-like creatures, the sentence it speaks booming, push away the water and awakes her from her daze.
'Not you, child. You are too precious to being forgotten like this. Not by me.'. Disappeared into the blanket of black, she continued to dive until a jellyfish swim up. Follow it are many more of its kins, and carried inside is children. Children are as thin as bones, as motionless as a doll. Their smile while contagious is empty and shallow just as their entire existent. When she lies down on top one of the jelly, she feels tranquil and a smile starts to creep on her face. Never as bright as her brother, never as warming as her brother, she could never be like him and she hates that the most. As she emerges into the soft bubble, the jelly suddenly swims away from her, and a force pushes her up. As she enters the light, she sees another image that haunts her. A series of web intertwined in skin and bones. Between all the line is a body as white as snow. Its head shape like a crow and its eyes are gone from its holder. Behind one of them. Two of them. Three. Four. Five. Ten. Fifty. A hundred. Thousand of them. Black ink spread out within the red water. And step out from the ink is a shadow of a woman. As she being drag through the hole, the hoarse voice speaks up as a thousand pair of eyes look at her.
'The Child of Light. Such a sad mistake of me. Sorry, little light but you are not what I want. Fly now, fulfill your 'destiny' '. The voice of the woman vanishes along with the blinding light engulf around Hikari as she is being pushed up along the tunnel. The light then becomes brighter and warmer, create a desire for her to doze off. The hug just like how her mom usually did, hum a lullaby just like she remember before she herself rest in the blanket of darkness.
In her slumber, she feels something soft yet cold touch her face, send a shiver down her spine before the cold of a metallic object contact her skin, awake her from the warm black and welcome her by a pair of dark eyes, staring at her curiously. When she sat up, the eyes move away to allow for the light to show her the place she in. The place is built on a lime carpet with deep cobalt green Karo pattern. Towers of toy block rise from the carpet, each is half the mountain behind it. And yet, the most eye-catching things are the number of eggs and its design. There are eggs color in white and black and brown and red, while others have pink and yellow and sky blue dots on its shell and others have purple or orange strips. Awe by the place, she nearly forgot the figure with those dark eyes before a yell in a grave tone, attract her attention.
"May I bid for thy name?". Looking at the dog-like creature, with dim grey fur cover it snow skin, the paws have cuff chain on each pair and on its forehead, a word (罪), whose meaning is unknown to her, burn brightly. She observes the dog carefully, watching for any missing detail while the dog eyes her warily, all four legs kneel down slightly.
"My name is Hikari Yagami. What is your name?". The gentle tone, the warm aura and the calm look on her face startled the dog, who eyes widen and give her a puzzled look, before return to her defensive stance.
"Shinethmon.". Shinethmon growls, teeth grind together as she walks over to him, her hand extends and touch on the word. Shinethmon squeezes his eyes before open slowly, eyes look at the touch before relish in it, the warm aura that makes the burnt mark cool down. As she brushes over the coarse fur smile at the grey dog, a beeping sound ring in her arm. As she and Shinethmon, who wide eye in shock, look at a blue metallic object in her arm, of how she did not realize it was there is beyond her, and seeing a dot on the square screen. Surrounding it are indescribable hieroglyphs and its shell is in spindrift color. As the noise becomes louder and the dot come closer, Hikari lifts her head up and look around for the precise location of the dot while Shinethmon sniffing before his ears pick up a sound then move to the North West of their position. Hikari follows suit, squint her eyes to see a silhouette of somebody. When she walks up in the excitement with the potential of that is her brother, Shinethmon grab her shoe, eyes close narrowly with a hint of danger.
"What wrong, Shinethmon?".
"That may not be thy friend, lady Hikari.".
When the figure stop and kneeling down, she looked over Shinethmon, eyes pleading for her to meet the figure while Shinethmon returns with the look that defied the girl wish. Both stares for a while ignoring the boiling of the air before she narrows her eyes sharply with a strong flame of determination pierce directly at those dark grim eyes. Shinethmon flinched slightly as the sudden erupt of flame before breath out lightly, give her a nodded and walk slowly to the figure. Hikari bright up and follow him, radiate a gratitude air between the two. As both got closer, a brush of the wind hit her the back of her hair weakly as another figure, a stunk, land in front her and dash to the figure. Sensing a fierce and angry aura, she rushes to the stunk with Shinethmon follow behind.
'Thunder Knife'. Three blades of lightning fly directly at the boy, who thankfully dodge it before scramble back from the growling stunk. Then, a caterpillar jump in front of the boy which cause the stunk to stop, the aura now changes to worried.
"Wait!". Her yell attracts the attention of the stunk, who wide eyes at the grey pup next to her, and the boy who look relief despite the black bags under his blue eyes. The caterpillar, whose lower body is in an acorn shape shell, still glaring at the skunk.
"You are ... So the news it's true!". The red stunk with a flame-shape symbol on its back give out a short gasp before diverging his eyes to her, the shock is now replaced by wary.
"And why are you with him?". The question made her thinking, hundred of possible answers run through her mind and yet. She doesn't really know why. The grey pup isn't him, though it is obvious. Its body isn't round and its ears don't look like an antenna. Yet, deep inside her, she cannot help but be close to him, to help him out of his confusion, the mishmash of color in it aura even make her feel curious as to why. That is what she always does, Taichi voice plays in her. That probably why. She always remembers how his brother says that to his friend no angry or guilt in his tone. But that is not gonna satisfied for him.
"This lady name is Hikari." Shinethmon step in front of her, the rattle of chains on his feet echo the area, as he looks with a protective look. "And what tidings are thou talking about?". The red stunk glance down, mumble something before answer at the growl.
"I and everyone on this island is ordered not to tell you about anything. Very sorry. And you " the stunk with his blue eyes glaring at her "You didn't answer my question?". She bit her lip, still, no answer came, no explanation seen satisfied. If he were here he could have answers that without any hesitation. He could even be friend with him and they could have found a way out of here. Not her. You couldn't kick a ball. Mom slaps him because of that. He nearly being squash because you ride him. He have to waste time that he could enjoy just so you could feel safe. Not her.
"You are here because you receive this, right?". A small, timid voice that fills with scare and void with energy go nearly unnoticed by all three. She forgot of him even being here, ignore him. When looking over, the boy shrunk down to his plum color shirt with his messy midnight blue hair. When she sees his aura, it colors in cyan. As the boy hesitatingly reveal the blue devices for all of them, the boy tightened his grip and the blue eyes turn cold at the object in hand, like it cause tragedy to him. Even after all three have confirmed it, and her show the one which helps the red stunk seem to calm down, the tightness and the cold look still linger until he put it away. The silence continued for the next few minutes, or hour seeing how the sun move so fast the last time she sees it, as the sadness emitted to all around him. Wanting to lighten the mood, she looks over to the red stunk and ask.
"What is your name?". The red stunk stand up, one of his legs pound proudly at his chest.
"Elecmon. I'm the protector of this village and the caretaker of the eggs.". The information picks her interest, and as she glances over she also sees the boy eyes with curiosity while the caterpillar sits on the boy's thighs. If she remembers correctly, he halts when the caterpillar jump in front of the boy.
"So thou take care of the Fresh and the In-training after they hatch?". Elecmon nodded from Shinethmon question then run somewhere far away, looking at the eggs carefully, though the arrogance smirk and the excited glint in his eyes tell her that he thinking of something else. She looks in amusement at Elecmon pick up a grey egg with a lightning symbol on it shell than a white bear pop out of its shell, smiling at the happy Elecmon.
"Are you here because you committed a crime?". She looks over in terror at what comes out of the blue-haired boy, her mind cannot even comprehend the reason why he says those words. Even though both are about the same age just like Takeru, his eyes, his stance, his mood, and his talk just now betrayed her of her knowledge about kid her ages. And the way he grips the device and the eyes that time should be enough sign but she didn't come to that realization until the words in a dead tone voice speak to her. Look at the state of the boy, her throat dry and her mind blank, no question form or won't form because the voice, like the black ink woman, speaks to her. The poor boy is in pain, why don't you help. She could do this. She is his sister, she can find another way to help him cheer up. How? What merit do you have to prove that you can be like him, the courageous Taichi! She halts as the words repeating itself, like water that shut off the fire. The voice of the brown hair boy still there with his warmth, his energetic way to make friend, to always know how to appeal to them. She wonders where is he on this land. He must be somewhere close, helping to help others like Sora, Koushiro, Mimi, Yamato, Takeru, and Joe. He will meet her, she knows he can.
"Lady Hikari!". Shinethmon roar knocks her off her thought. When she looks at the grey pup, she feels curious at the wide eye state of Shinethmon. The aura suddenly changes to fear and worried. And it comes from everyone. From Elecmon to the caterpillar to the white bear, all eyes her in the same state as Shinethmon, the look that tells her that make her feel weak. She hates that. But what can you do? Do you want to make them waste time? Shake the voice off her mind, she walks slowly to the boy with the caterpillar jumping next to her. When she kneeled in front of him, the boy duck away from her, body visibly trembling without any contact. Her eyes meet Shinethmon, pleading for help which the only replied she receive is he mouthing 'Talk what thou regard is meetest'. Looking back at the boy, she takes a deep breath before speak.
"I think I am." The boy and both of the Digimon look at her in consternation state "It may not be in some eyes, but it is in some way. I always cause them to halt their enjoyment just because of a cough or a burn in the head. So I guess that why I was sent here.". The boy gives her a somewhat sympathy look, which she takes as an improvement, while a rejection look was sent to her by the grey pup. "But I'm pretty sure you have committed a crime at me.". She smiles cheekily whereas the boy looks half-frighten, half-puzzled at her announcement. "You didn't introduce yourself. Now that not very nice.".
"Ken," the boy's cheeks flush "Ken Ichijouji. Your name is Hikari?".
"Hikari Yagami.". She smiles while congratulating herself at her first step. "Can you introduce your little friend over here, please Ken-kun.". Ken look over to the caterpillar with a slight smile as the caterpillar is staring at the yawning grey pup.
"Minomon. He is my companion.". Ken, and Shinethmon, suddenly snap their head to behind them, eyes narrow slightly. Shinethmon growls with his body kneeling down whereas Ken stands up slowly, eyes staring at the mountain tower all of them. Both she and Minomon stare at their respective partner warily at their reaction. The aura around is slight blue with a mix of red, and then she realizes the absence of Elecmon. Her head looks around for the red stunk, as he wouldn't abandon his baby. Then a buzzing sound catches her ears. Then louder and louder and louder until her body freeze, her mind block all of the voice except for the buzz and her eyes widen at the silhouette of a giant bug.
Her legs, or her mind, suddenly dash straight to the bug, the voice beclouded in her as she prays for any deity to granting her enough speed. Squinting her eyes and keeping the buzz out, she jumps forward, hugs Elecmon with the baby from being grabbed by it pointy talons. Seeing the sight of relief from Elecmon and his baby, she let out a heavy breath before look back at the buzz sound. Shinethmon and Minomon are baiting the giant bee with its purple wings and red stinger from the baby while Ken runs forward to her in hurry. Reaching her, he kneeling down breathing heavily, before looking up with the blue eyes widen.
"Hikari! What should we do now?". She dumbfounded at Ken question, doesn't really know why he asks something that she herself doesn't know. She couldn't just order them to attack, it just like charging into a group of bullies. But how can she even know how to attack and weaken it. She is not Koushiro who can think and come to a solution in a matter of seconds or her courageous who can fight without fear or hesitation. But you can be like him, my sweet child of Light. Just run over there, run and shout out the roar of courage. Give him the glare of flames that can burn stone to dust and sea to smoke like your hero. He will come here and get you, oh he will come if you do what he doing. Ignore the bugs, the dogs, the sick, the baby, the depressed, they are hopeless, useless. They are not she roars at the voice. He will, her brother will one day, but she has the promised to help Shinethmon of his needed. She has promised to herself that she will help him to get out of his sadness. Just like how he have helped her with her nightmares, she must help them, help Ken to see light, not darkness. And she needs Taichi courageous spirit, not his recklessness. A scream knocks her out of her thought. Looking around, she dreads to see both Shinethmon and Minomon are back away from the giant bee, Shinethmon winced at the pain of something she doesn't know but she need help. Look over to Ken, who is shaking violently and tear pour down on the pale skin, yet no movement have gone. She walks to him, steady steps as she thought about how Taichi use to talk, her hand grab his shoulder and spun him to meet her.
"Ken-kun, I need your help!". Ken wide eyes in horror before yell back, try to free himself.
"I can't help. I just can.".
'Scream of thousand Slave.'. An orchestra of man and women scream a deafening sound, cause both to winced. Glance back, she sees Shinethmon pick up Minomon before run off while the giant bee is trying to get up. She looks over with a soft look.
"You can help. I never meet you so I don't know, but Minomon does. He protects you because he knows what you can do. So please, if not for us, then help Minomon.". She pleads. She doesn't know why, but when she looks back up, the blue eye is now fired up, staring at the two coming partners of theirs. Then he turns to Elecmon.
"Elecmon, do you know what Digimon is that?".
"It Flymon. " Elecmon answer back "He is a Bug-type. His special attacks are "Deadly Sting" and "Howling Noise".". The sting is clearly the most dangerous one, but if his voice is also a special attack then they must also watch out for that.
"We need to cover its mouth.". Flinch from the sudden erupt of sound, she looks over to see Ken looking at her now with fire in it. "If we can cover his mouth then he won't cause us much trouble.". She smiles inwardly, happy that Ken have to take a more active role. When she hear footstep and rattle of a chain, she looks to see Shinethmon who panting with a swell on its leg. Minomon on the other hand jump to Ken with too much energy left after being a chase. Smiling slightly, he put Minomon down then reach for the devices in his pocket. When the show is, she still sees the tight grip and the cold look as he stutters.
"Minomon, e-evolve.". Just then a flash of light shine and a moment later, a deep green caterpillar with a black band around its abdomen with pink spines on its tail and pink claws.
"Shinethmon." Shinethmon look up at Ken "Do you have any special ability left?". Before Shinethmon could speak, a high pitched scream blasting through the village. Look over, she horrified as Flymon is now standing up, its purple wings flapping quickly. As it pushes up, she looks over to Ken who just looks to Flymon. He then orders for Wormmon to dash to Flymon while Shinethmon to wait. Stop that. The voice scream, The little bug is gonna die. She knows about that, and in some part she should but this is Ken partner. And she have put trust in him to help her, and Elecmon and his baby, so why should she doubt his decision now. Rushing over to Ken side, she asks.
"What's your plan, Ken-kun?".
"Wormmon will use Nebaneba Net to trap Flymon from advance toward us, then Shinethmon will shoot it down.". She startled, her ears couldn't accept those words. They are gonna kill it. What if it have somebody waiting for it? She pales thinking about what would happen if she kills it. Unaccepted the plan, she reaches for Ken and said.
"You can't do that. You can kill it."
"We have to." a determined yet sympathy look pierce at her "It difficult, I know it is. I don't even accept it when I first kill one, but sometimes we have no other choice."
'Nebaneba Net.'.
"We have babies and their protector have to live with something this close. Do you want for all of them to vanish or just it.". She wants neither. She doesn't want any of them to die. There must be another way. She won't accept it.
'Judgment of the false'. Look back at Shinethmon, her mouth went dry as the word on its forehead bright up and a circle form by black flame appear. Then, in a flash, a dark arrow shot through the head the capture Flymon. The agonize scream imprint in her mind as the fire consumes the bee entire body before itself dissolve into red ashes and flow with the wind on to the mountain.
