Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story but the idea.
A/N: So obviously, this chapter didn't come out during my Spring Break because here I am at the end of the year finally posting it. Going to jump a couple days forward because I don't really like the day by day plan, gets too repetitive and there are other things I could be doing in the meantime.
xXx Sayo xXx
8 days remaining.
By my count there are 8 more days before time runs out. I've hardly seen any of the Demon Lords since they've locked themselves away three days ago. Not even Lilithmon comes to see me as often, she trusts my care to Wizardmon and the various other Digimon roaming around the castle in servitude. She only comes to see me late at night before I go to bed and even then, it is just to briefly chat or catch a glimpse of me to tell me good night, it is the only daily interaction that I have with her now.
Strange as it is I feel rather off put at this sudden change. One would think that I would be relieved that their attentions have shifted from me, considering my position as a captive. However, Lilithmon's constant companionship was what has kept me from going insane from the solitude here, Wizardmon is bound by his duties and can only keep me company when he is free. The other digimon don't seem too willing to engage with any contact outside of answering to a request here and there.
Let alone entertain me when I am feeling a bit lonely.
Although, with the Demon Lords occupied with their gathering I can come and go around the castle without being noticed. Making it easier for Wizardmon and I to go about without interruptions. And we've made much progress in the last few days, I learn more and more and can now successfully piece together most of my life in the digital city and my life as a Tamer. Though anything before that is still as much as a blur as before.
A knock on my door broke me out of my thoughts before Wizardmon entered carrying a tray of food; it was time for lunch.
I had never noticed before since being preoccupied with trying to find myself again was a priority but keeping track on time here was difficult, there were no devices like clocks to tell the time. Everyone seemed to run on a unspecified schedule yet there was no way of telling when something had it be done. It was almost as if everyone shared a type of hive mind. I had just gotten used to eating meals whenever they were brought and if I wanted something to snack on I could ask. The sun rose and set to give way to the moon but even then, the nights felt longer than the day. This left me feeling quite weary of trying to tell time based on the light out.
"I've brought you lunch Sayo," he said setting the tray down in front of me. Closing the barely read book in my hands I set it aside as he lifted the smaller platter off the tray he had brought in. He set the platter on my lap before removing the lid on the ceramic bowl. "I've brought you some stew, it is starting to get a little colder here at the castle and I'm sure you could use something warm."
I raised an eyebrow as I tore as piece off the loaf of bread to dip in the broth. "Colder? Does it change seasons or the like here?"
"Yes and no, it doesn't exactly change seasons as everything remains the same, as if frozen in time, but the temperature fluxes on regular intervals. Almost as if it is mimicking seasonal changes. Most areas in the digital world do not undergo seasonal changes since the data is normally coded for constant geographic and weather patterns. But this area seems to have been coded to mimic human world weather patterns. I don't exactly know why but the changes themselves are nonetheless kept on a consistent rotation."
"Strange. Not many areas are coded for that, some areas don't even code for day and night." I spooned a piece of meat into my mouth as I glanced out my window once more. The thought of needing to code seasonal changes in a digital world was counter intuitive. The beings here don't need seasons, and the humans living here grow accustomed to the constant climate and have no real need for seasons anymore. Especially when if they want some sun or snow or rain or whatever they can just visit another area until they get their fill and then go home. "Not to mention all of it is so artificial anyways, and somehow, it feels like the rising and setting of the sun and moon here are more so."
A quirk of his eyebrow and a hint of amusement was all I got for a moment as he halted in tidying up around the room. "So this place feels the most artificial of all the Digital World?"
"In some senses, though it doesn't mean too much seeing as how all of this is data and whatnot. But yes, there are some things here that can't fool my human instincts and intuition. Down to a biological level I know that the warmth of the sun here doesn't come anywhere near what I know real sunshine to be like in the human level. There is always just a slightly off feeling to it all."
"I see. That is quite observation. I suppose even with this world being just short of a mirror image of the human world there are some things that cannot be replicated."
"It's to be expected. This world has its charms and points, but we as humans can tell, whether some even realise it or not, that this isn't the exact same as what it should be. Deep down in our biology we know something is wrong, it is an innate response."
"Well, I suppose you would know best. I will be back soon enough, just one moment." with that he placed a familiar book with a lavender cover on the seat next to me and exited the room, leaving me to finish the meal. Glancing at the hefty book for a moment I decided to inquire more about its pages when he returned.
xXx
By the time he returned I had polished off the stew and bread, set the silverware and plates back neatly on the tray, contemplated potentially cleaning up the room a little, and started a new book. I found it nice that there was entire library for me to use, otherwise I wouldn't know what to do with myself.
The book itself was not all that eye-catching. A simple dark leather bounded tome with the title pressed across the front. There were no embellishments to make it stand out, it was more or less simple, plain and unspectacular. Though to my amusement it seemed to match the description of the story's protagonist. A simple woman from a place called "England" who was sent away to school as a child and eventually came to find work for a rich and rather brooding master teaching his ward.
I didn't get much farther than that in when the door reopened and Wizardmon came in. He seemed rather out of breath and disheveled as he took a seat next me to me and sighed.
"Did extra work come in?" I asked putting my book aside and turning to him. He looked more worn that when he had left. From the slump in his shoulders, to the tilt of his head I could tell that he was tired and it wasn't just from whatever had called him away for longer than usual earlier.
"Yes. Lord Lucemon and the others broke their vigil in the meeting room and have decided on a break for the remainder of the day. It's the first that they've all left for quite some time now and we are all trying to get everything in order for tonight." his eyes met mine and I could see my reflection on their glassy surface. It was unnerving and without a word said I could see the only emotion running through him: fear.
"What is tonight's significance?"
"I-I do not know. We have only been ordered to prepare a feast and be ready for a celebration. The rest of the digimon are off trying to prepare and I have been here to keep you entertained until Lady Lilithmon can come and relieve me."
"Lilithmon is coming to see me?"
"Yes."
"Well, whatever it is I don't think it will be anything bad. Something in me just tells me that. Besides, for now we'll be fine and if anything helps, they aren't preparing for a war for the moment so you can take some solace in that. Anyways-" a knocking at the door cut me off and sent Wizardmon to his feet. The knob turned and the door was pushed open to reveal Lilithmon standing in the doorway. A smile on her lips and her sharp eyes set themselves on Wizardmon before finding sight on me.
"You may leave Wizardmon. I'd like to spend some time with Sayo." her voice drifted through the room and while melodic with a sweet tone I could almost see the chill that it sends through him. I wanted to reach out and provide comfort but knew better than that. He lowered his head in a bow and made his way to the door before wishing us a farewell. Lilithmon strode over to my bed and seated herself on the side across from me, gesturing for me to join her. "I'm sorry for not being able to provide you more company, I know how lonely you get sometimes."
"It's fine. I understand how busy you can be. Wizardmon, has been kind enough to provide for my needs. He said that Lord Lucemon has ordered for preparation for a celebration?"
"Yes my dear, our plan is finally coming together and into fruition. Today's progress was more than enough to guarantee our success and victory." her hand came to rest on my cheek as her eyes sparkled, the glint in them would've scared me if I didn't have a fondness of her. "But you needn't bore yourself with the details, just do as we say when the time comes. Okay? I wouldn't want you to dirty your hands like that." her cold thumb stroked my cheek before the hand withdrew.
"Yes, Lilithmon." So, it was worse than I assumed, they've already begun finalizing plans for an assault. Days earlier than I would have anticipated; I hope the Union can be ready in time.
"Hmm? Why so gloomy all of a sudden?"
At her voice my head snapped up and I quickly put on the face they knew too well. "It's nothing, just thinking about how sad it is that it has to be like that."
"Oh, my dear you're far too young to understand why it must be like this. A good 100 years too young. Humans cannot come to understand and accept change as it must happen, they've held on for too long and have forced this world into decay alongside theirs. We have no choice but to take it back and start anew. A new world order must be imposed if we want to make the world right once more."
"I see..."
"Enough of that though, I must go oversee some of the digimon and while I'm gone you should bathe and prepare." she stood and drew me up with her. I escorted her to the door as she continued to talk, "I'll come by later to help you dress so don't bother putting on anything new. You can even wear your nightdress if you'd like until I come back. I will see you soon." And with that the door clicked shut and I was alone once more. Left to my thoughts in this stuffy and hallow room.
And yet, my mind was blank.
I don't know what to do with the little information I received. I have enough to know and keep up, but not enough to make use of it and be of any aid to the Tamers back at the Union. Not like I could send them a message anyways. I suppose all I could do now was wait for the remainder of the day; until Lilithmon came back to dress me and bring to wherever we were going.
xXx
I passed the next few hours-it at least felt like hours-reading. I was midway through my book by now, comfortably curled up under my soft and warm covers, the silk of my nightdress brushing against my legs as I shifted from side to side. The sun was just under the horizon of trees out the window and my room left to only be illuminated by the lamps on the bedside tables. It all in all was a cozy feeling and I wouldn't have minded spending the rest of my night wrapped in my cocoon, lost in the world of books and writing. Living out the world beside these characters.
The comfort was almost enough to lull me into sleep, my eyes just starting to drift closed before the tapping on my door startled me back into consciousness. Sliding the marking ribbon between the pages I sat up and stretched before calling out to presumably let Lilithmon enter.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said, gliding over to the dresser and pulling open the doors. "Lucemon will be expecting us in the banquet hall soon, there is still much of the plan to go over but if anything, we have assured our victory. But it won't do any harm to celebrate and spend the night basking in the glow of our soon to be new world." she continued, rummaging through the many dresses and inspecting them one by one. She managed to pull out several and lay them down in a stack on top of the bedding as I, unenthusiastically, got out of bed to join her.
Wrinkling my nose at some of her picks I sorted and placed the ones I wasn't opposed to next to her stack. "Lilithmon, don't you think these are a bit much." I commented as I raised a dress that had 3 too many layers and too much bead-work on the bodice. The sheer weight of it was enough to make me balk.
That was going in the not-in-this-lifetime pile for sure.
"You must be appropriately dressed for tonight. We are gathering all the Digimon allies for this occasion. You can't simply show up under-dressed." she lifted another dress up to compare it to my frame before shaking her head and tossing it back in the closet.
"Well I quite like this one." I lifted a long-well they all were long-shimmery satin mauve gown from the top of my pile. It was much longer than what I normally wore, with a trail that was effectively about a third of the skirt length and a slight bustle from the layering of the underskirts. The center panel of both the skirt and bodice was a deep burgundy with delicate black lace overlaid and ruffles lining the hem of each skirt layer. The bodice was lace up and cinched lightly at waist with short fluffy sleeves falling off the shoulders and a heart shaped neckline.
It wasn't as layered and eye catching as the ones Lilithmon liked best but the more conservative neckline was a major selling point for me. I don't think I could ever wear necklines like her, it was just not something that felt right for me.
"Hmm, well try it on and we will see." she continued looking through the dresses as I slipped off my nightgown and pulled the dress on. It took a bit of finesse but I've developed a lot of skill with gowns since being here. Lilithmon aided me in lacing up the bodice, and standing before the full body mirror I could wholly appreciate the careful embroidered details on the bodice and how when laced properly it gave me more of a waist than I actually had without cutting off the air flow.
Grabbing fistfuls of the skirt I twirled once left, and then once more right. "Well? What do you think? I think it looks quite charming on me." captive or not, the Demon Lords were kind enough to provide me with more beautiful dresses and clothing than I could have ever imagined. Lilithmon had settled herself by the vanity, perusing the impressive amount of jewelry sitting in the tiered holder.
"A little plain for my taste, but suiting of you I suppose. However," she lifted the lid on one of the boxes and rifled through before pulling out a short line of precious jewels with a stunning and very large pendent in the middle. Coming to stand behind me, she placed the necklace down and around my bare neck, the cold metal jolting me for a second before she closed the clasp, "a little, or a lot, of jewelry can fix even the plainest of dressed. You look like absolute royalty. And every bit the ruler you could become once we take the Digital World in our hands. Don't you think?" her sentence was punctured with a chilling low laugh before she handed me a pair of long layered earring. "Don't forget these either. Come, we've spent enough time dressing you. It's time to be presented before our allies and Lucemon."
With that the lamps were turned off and the door closed behind us.
xXx
The banquet hall was no less than filled by the time we arrived. The meal had just begun as we entered, Lilithmon ushered me toward the head of the table to our seats, all had gone silent and eating halted the moment of our arrival and it more than unnerved me. These digimon loomed over me, hell they loomed over Lilithmon. Lucemon was waiting on us and as I approached I knew that if nothingthing else I at least address and greet him.
"Ah yes. Our little guest of honor has arrived!" he stood to face me as I curtsied and bowed before him. I've never angered him before, but I didn't want to start now.
"Good evening Lord Lucemon. It's been sometime. Thank you for allowing me this honor." I said, slowly standing back up. I kept my eyes only on him and smiled. I was probably painted to be the perfect picture of abject obedience in the eyes of their guest. And I would have to maintain that image if I wanted to survive the night.
"It has, please sit." he pulled out my chair and I graciously thanked him before taking my seat. "Now that you've arrived this night of feasting and celebrating can begin." he returned to his seat but remained standing to address all that were present.
"As you all know, for some time we the Legendary Seven Demon Lords have be planning to take back our Digital World from the humans and their so-called partner digimon. They have come here to conquer and impose servitude amongst the digimon. They have charmed them with words of coexistence and happiness, all lies crafted by humans to gain their trust. This cannot be allowed to exist and to ensure our continued freedom we must show our fellow brethren how wrong it is to side with the Union and their Tamers. We must take back our Digital World and remove all traces of the humans and their influence, and the only way to do that is to implement a new world order, with us being at the very top. Humans are a virus that must be exterminated if we wish to flourish. And only by extinguishing human influence and through the darkness will we regain our Digital World. And It hasn't been until recently that the means to which we needed to put our plan into motion was granted to us. In the form of Sayo here." all eyes turned to me and I wanted to shrivel up and sink into my seat. "Humans have shown their grotesque nature and forced her out of their society. They have seen what she can do and have feared her, they have given her to us and by doing so, have shown us the ugliness inside them. They have shunned her and for that they cannot be forgiven."
Lies.
All lies.
They have been kind and loving, they've become my family when I lost mine. They gave me happy memories and smiles. But I can do nothing but bite my tongue and pretend like these are my memories, that these "truths" that they have given me are real. Memories are finicky things, but if there was anything I knew: it was that I have been loved and well cared for, regardless of what I am.
"As of today we have successfully infiltrated their ranks at the Union. Some of my most loyal serving digimon have entered their Digital City and are awaiting further instructions. Resistance from the Union will be little if any. My digimon can and will force the Union to crumble from the inside, making our strike all the easier. They will instill the seed of doubt that will lead to the ruin of the Union. And when the Union is at its weakest, we shall strike, with forces unparalleled and we shall watch as a new world order rises from the ashes." Lucemon raised his golden goblet and we followed, the digimon were seemingly entranced by his words and I almost wryly laughed at how easily they were manipulated. How ironic that they are so easily swayed by passionate words when Lucemon was just presenting on how the evil Union has done the same.
Hypocrites.
"To the fall of the Union and a new World order!"
"To the fall of the Union!" bile nearly rose as I repeated his words.
"May an era of darkness be long and everlasting as we cleanse this world of humans." with that we all tipped our glasses back and drank to the toast. The drink was bitter tasting, but it was enough to wash down the lump in my throat and suppress the chill that ran through me.
The fall of the Union might come to be.
A/N: Anyone who has read some classical literature want to take a stab at what new book Sayo started? One of my all-time favourite books truth be told and the vagueness makes it all the more impressive if you can guess. I like to think human books are somehow translated into the Digi-language so that there are no barriers between the areas of the world.
New Year's Resolution will be to upload more than like 2 chapters in a year next year. Kind of itching to start a new project based around my building of this universe. Not sure what to call it but I want to try my hand at a series of oneshots. But, I'll probably hold off until I am at least mostly done with this, unless I really get the urge and inspiration to write those oneshots. Although, at least then I would give all of you readers something else to read while I work on this. We'll see how this goes, wish me luck in getting the next chapter in soon!
Love,
Dragon
