Chapter 10
Our story begins on the continent of Forum, a small piece within the seemingly endless place known as the Digital World.
It is here in this walled-off city, where our flashback begins.
"What will it we do today?" a boy thinks as his small black cat walks up. "What do you think, BlackGatomon?"
The black cat digimon made a quick glance up, only to laugh.
"What we usually do!" BlackGatomon answers and jumps onto the boy's head.
"You don't want to something different?"
The feline did not answer. Instead it chose to continue to lay on the boy's head.
"Fine."
With that, the two headed off towards the edge of the city. Occasionally, they would make sure no one else had been following them. It was a good precaution to have in a place like this. Especially with strong wild digimon all about.
It didn't take long for the duo to reach their supposed destination, reaching the towering stone walls that surrounded the town. Supposedly, it was for their protection. Whether it was from the threat outside, or to hold them in was up for debate.
"Ready?" the boy whispered and laid down on the dirt, with his partner deciding to do the same.
Before them was a small crevice, just big enough for a small child and/or small digimon to pass through. And while the cat wasn't quite 'small', it wasn't that big either.
"Hey!" the cat shouts, only for it's remark to go on deaf ears. Not that it really mattered, with the two making their way to the other side.
Outside, a wooded area welcomes the duo in with open branches and bright leaves. It was here where the two felt most at ease, free from their troubles and sorrows. Had they knew what come that day, would they have turned around and headed back through the crevice? Or would they have continued on, willing to take on the consequences of their actions. Only time could bring the answer to that.
A loud scream then burst forth from deep in the forest, whisking away any plans these two may of had. It was as if fate had other plans for them, yet had decided to not to let them in on the plan. How dare that malevolent force do such a thing.
"Please stop." the boy whispers as they headed towards the scream, making sure to avoid any roots jutting out of the ground or small digimon burrows. Especially the latter, with their tendency to throw whatever was on hand at accidental intruders. "Were you even listening?"
He got no response, forcing himself to focus in on the scream. While he wasn't quite sure what awaited him there, the boy would be ready. Even if his whole line of defense was a small dagger and quick thinking.
Though, that was more than most people in this multiverse have ever possessed. And with which step, the scream for help seemed to grow louder. It was the sort of thing that started off mild and a tiny bit pleasant, only to grow into something monstrous and paralyzing. One could never be ready for what awaited.
When the boy and his cat got there, the duo wasn't quite sure what to think. While they now knew what had been screaming and the source of agony. It was a young girl, possibly around the same age around the same age as the boy. Though, there was one small problem though.
The screaming girl was already 'dead'. What little skin showed was the result of tears in what looked to be a tattered hand-me-down dress, clashing with the lack of eyes and long ratty braided needed a brushing. Her left leg had gotten stuck in a bear trap, with her right just about ready to have a similar fate.
"Hold still." the boy whispered and cautiously made his way over to the bear trap, making sure that he wasn't caught by the fearsome jaws. It was the sort of thing that no person should ever have to deal with. Very carefully, he pulled his dagger out and motioned for his partner to stay behind him. "This might hurt."
The girl's face 'perked' up, which one could consider a major improvement over 'screaming in agony'. Not by much though, but an improvement nonetheless. What followed, was mix of cautious prying with the dagger and some just as cautious pulling by the boy and cat. Through an incredible mix of near-impossible luck and straight-up determination, the girl was freed from the accursed trap.
"What's your name?" the boy whispers as our flashback ends…
.
Returning to third person pov…
POV returned to normal!
Memory Dagger 'Syo's Memory' acquired!
"Do you understand now?" Syo whispered and Byakuya took a deep breath. For as crazy as that story sounded, there seemed to be an air of truth to it.
"Maybe." Byakuya responded and made a quick glance towards Lilithmon, who was mumbling something to herself. "Lilithmon?"
The mega didn't answer, choosing instead to just close her eyes and concentrate. A few seconds later though, her clothes disappeared and were replaced by a set of plain 'magesque' robes.
"Well that worked." the now reclassed mage whispered and cracked a smile, even as her teammates just at her with a lot of confusion. "Magic."
"You guys are kind of loud." a voice announced and the trio turned around, finding Junko and her group standing there. Though, they looked quite tired from prior events. "People are trying to sleep."
"Oh." Syo whispered and turned her attention to Junko. "Good for you, Chouko."
The tamer gave her a look of both confusion and anger, pulling her combat knives out.
"Don't you ever say that name again." Junko answered as she charged towards the trio, just about ready to make mincemeat of their bodies. "Is that clear?"
"Absolutely, Chouko."
With Syo's latest remark, Junko slammed both knives right towards the stomach area.
"No." a voice whispered, only for Byakuya to push himself between the two girls. "This is not like you."
With that, the world went black as he remembered once more...