Mark of The Demon Lord part 10
"The Roads We Take,"
The Team of Heroes had decided to spend the rest of the day resting in Belphemon's castle. Since they had no idea when they'd have such luxury available to them they had to take full advantage of it. At least that is what the female opinion was. Being the demon of Sloth there was plenty of areas to sleep for everyone with a ridiculous amount of beds actually. But it was something that no a single person was going to complain about. With the barrier also up around the castle the only ones able to enter in and out of the area were actual Demon Lords. The moment anyone did show up Kari would sense it and alert everyone.
"Well I think this all worked out beautifully," Zoe said with a smile.
"Man this is crazy there must be at least dozens upon dozens of beds. Some of them are even too small for Belphemon though," Koji said looking into a particular room with a large assortment of different types of beds.
"Well I can honestly say I've never had this type a problem before. It's kinda cool," Takuya said. Currently the Frontier Warriors were planning to take up residence in one of the rooms like the other groups that split off.
"I feel kinda bad, don't you think we should integrate with the others," Koichi suggested.
"Stick with what ya know I say. I'm already used to sleeping around you guys, especially with Taky's snoring," JP said getting a slight glare from Takuya. "I don't know if I'd be able to deal with a whole new pack of sleepers,"
"Still if we're all going to be fighting together,"
"Well we can't get too attached. Who knows what other secrets the other so called 'good' guys may have," Koji said.
"Why did you say it like that?" Takuya asked.
"All I'm saying is we have Three Demon Lords on this team. We thought we were teaming up with other good guys, not a Demon Lord fan club. Those three guys have their own agenda and are just using us. It ticks me off that everyone seems totally alright with that,"
"They're own our side-,"
"For the moment," Koji cut in.
"So I say we deal with it when the moment is over,"
"It can't be that simple Takuya and you can't seriously be this naïve. It makes me so annoyed that girl who is supposed to represent the same element as me be sucked into her own darkness,"
"Well nobody is perfect Koji, and don't talk about that sweet little girl. She's obviously being used by Lillithmon, I see why she has an angel Digimon and her friends see here in such a good light. No pun intended," Zoe spoke up.
"Okay then what about Ai, Mako, and Impomon?"
"Apparently according to the Tamers, Impmon basically already had a battle with his inner demons and is pretty much at peace with himself. The evil side of him has a lot more influence now, but Impmon is able to control it. But with their personalities so similar I can't tell when the other Beelzemon is in control or the good Beelzemon is," Koichi said. "It helps to actually talk to them to try and understand Koji instead of just labeling,"
"Well then what about TK?" Takuya's eyes wondered over to Tommy. He noticed the boy was being rather uncharacteristically quiet. JP and Zoey shot Tommy a fleeting glance when Koji mentioned TK and noticed the boy's shoulders stiffen a bit. Koichi looked at his brother begging him with his eyes not to press this topic further. "Out of all three of them I trust him the least,"
"Koji, maybe we should leave the subject alone," Takuya suggested as Takuya was hinting to Tommy with his eyes and nodding while the younger boy wasn't looking. Koji either didn't see the obvious signal, or didn't care. It was probably the latter knowing him.
"I've been quiet about this for awhile I need to make sure I'm not the only one thinking this. You can't say I haven't been quiet about all this," Koichi had to agree to that vehemently. He actually fooled himself into thinking that maybe Koji actually won't jump on anyone. "If anyone one of those guys would turn on us, it would be him,"
That pulled Tommy out of his silence as he turned to Koji with a stern stare of disbelief. "How can you say that?!"
"Look Tommy, you need to hear this out of everyone. I know you think he's your friend, but he's not. Daemon revealed himself to us, we didn't find him out. He was actually totally in the clear, no one believed that Kennan kid, and as much as I hate to say it I didn't find the kid odd myself. So it shocked me just as much as everyone else to find out the truth. But don't you get it? That was a calculated move. As in he did it for a reason,"
"Maybe he thought his cover was already blown with the two Demon Lords that basically fingered him already," Takuya suggested seeing as they were going to talk about this now.
"But he's still my friend Koji!" Tommy exclaimed. "I can tell when it's Daemon and when it's TK,"
"That's because Daemon isn't trying to hide himself. You have no idea who you first met, if it was TK or Daemon, do you?" Tommy bit his lip as he couldn't really come up with a response for this. "Look, all I'm saying is just be prepared for when you fight your 'friend'. See how much of a friend he is then when he tries to waste you,"
"That's enough!" Zoe snapped stepping in front of Tommy and glaring at Koji. "I get that you're trying to help him in your odd way Koji I really do. But you're so going about it the wrong way. Those kids aren't evil Koji and The Demon Lords themselves aren't as cut and dry as we believe," her stare intensified. "Even with two Sin Crest and a Demon Lord inside her, Kari represents light a whole lot better than you do," Koji cringed at the brutal blow to his pride in his element. JP walked over to Tommy to place a hand on the kid's shoulder to lead him away as tears peeked out his eyes. Takuya and Zoe continued to stare down Koji with displeased looks.
"Why am I the bad guy?"
"It's not what you said, it's more how you said it," Koichi said.
"No it was both," Zoe corrected.
"The thing is Koji, Tommy and Zoe talked to Lillitmon and Daemon directly. Those guys…they are damaged pretty badly. It seems like the Demon Lords are being affected by them just as much as their being affected by the Demons," Takuya explained. "I was close by Tommy when he went to talk to Daemon so I heard bits and pieces of what they were talking about,"
"So I should feel sorry for them?"
"You can feel whatever you want, but you can't force it down our throats especially Tommy's. If you want to get an idea of who these guys are, try talking to them," Zoe said as she whipped around to walk off to catch up with JP and Tommy.
"Talk to him?" Koji repeated.
"Their not unapproachable. Daemon made time to give Tommy conversation. If you drop the tude I bet he might do the same for you," Takuya said as he also turned. Koji put on a look of displeasure as he looked down.
"Wanna go find him?" Koichi suggested to his brother. Koji looked at him curiously. "I'll admit, I'm curious too and I agree with a lot of the things you said Koji. But Zoe's right it's not as obvious as to who the bad guy is,"
"And you don't think I could talk to him alone without a referee,"
"You said it not me,"
Koji rolled his eyes at his brother with a small smirk. He nods as they decided to try and find out where Daemon went. Koji had noticed when TK broke off with the rest of the group, but didn't say anything. So he supposed he'd go back to where they first entered and go down the passageway he saw the kid go. Koji and Koichi kept walking until they actually turned the corner to see Kennan and Falcomon walking down the hall. Kennan was looking back with a slight air of concern until he faced forward to see the two twins in front of him.
"Hey Kennan," Koichi greeted the boy. The boy in response simply looked at them as his eyes moved from one to the other.
"Yeah, we're twins," Koji said with tone that said 'well obviously'.
"I knew that," Kennan said. "I just find it weird….Koichi you have darkness….and Koji has light. But Koichi is way nicer then Koji,"
This made a vein pop on Koji's head as Koichi smirked while snickering, "Our friends say that all the time," Koichi said. He looked toward Koji who was simply trying to blow off the comment. "Kennan have you seen TK?" Koichi thought he may as well ask since it appeared to them that Kennan may've been exploring. His group must really trust him to let him wonder on his own in such a place. Tommy couldn't take five steps without someone at least within seeing distance of him, at least in a place such as this.
Kennan's face lit up with surprise as he and Falcomon shared a look, "Why are you looking for TK?"
"We wanted to-,"
"Why are you asking?" Koji countered cutting off his brother. Kennan was easy to read he had obviously seen TK and possibly had spoken to him.
"Well there's no need to be rude, we were just curious. Just like you?" Falcomon stated undignified.
Koichi decided to take command of the situation. He pushed his brother aside then hunch over a bit to meet eyes with Kennan, "We just wanted to talk to him about some things. And hopefully get some words from Daemon," Kennan nods understanding but then his eyes glance off to the side.
"I…don't know if it's a good idea to talk to him right now,"
"Why is that?"
"When we left him TK was talking to Daemon and it sounded pretty serious. Also TK looked quite sick and he almost collapsed," Falcomon explained further.
"Collapsed?" Koichi reiterated with concern. Koji fixed his face into a concerned look also. Koichi looked back at his brother who simply nods.
"Interrogation may have to wait if that's the case. Where is he now?" Kennan hesitated slightly. "If he's hurt he should be looked at,"
"He is down the opposite corridor that everyone took. If you keep walking you'll eventually bump into him," Falcomon spoke up. Koji nods his thanks before walking the way Kennan came from.
"Anything we should know?" Koichi asked over his shoulder noting that Kennan may've been holding something back. Kennan looked at Koichi with resolve.
"He's in pain and he might lash out. Don't hurt him okay. TK and I are friends now so you hurt my friend you hurt me, got it!"
Koichi was pretty surprised at Kennan's tone and his words. He'd thought the boy would be the last person in the universe to give TK the benefit of the doubt, but apparently he one upped that assumption by becoming friends. Kennan had the same look Tommy did, the only difference being that Kennan's was much fiercer and wilder. Crossing him would be dangerous Koichi gathered from the look. However Koichi smiled all the same. "Don't worry I'll make sure Koji doesn't go overboard and we'll bring him back especially if he's worse," And with that Koichi left the wild boy with his Digimon. Koji and Koichi continued down the hall following Falcomon's directions. They eventually turn a corner to see TK leaning against the wall with Patamon at his side. TK's face was covered in sweat as his breaths were coming out in an irregular fashion. Koji and Koichi assumed the torch above TK's head was not helping him either. Patamon turned toward them sharply.
"What do you two want?" he asked. Judging by the tone and mixture of two voices they were able to tell that Daemon had control of Patamon.
"We wanted some words, what are you doing to him?" Koji demanded.
"He'll be fine…but he'll need some time before he can move,"
"Is he sick?" Koichi asked stepping forward. Daemon hunched close to the ground in a threatening position poised to strike if Koichi got any closer to TK. Koichi and Koji were surprised by the instinct of protection Daemon had over TK. "We're not gonna hurt him I promise,"
"You best not…" Daemon warned as he relaxed allowing Koichi to get closer but motioning for Koji to stay back. Koichi checked on TK while Koji saw this as a good moment to ask some questions.
"You certainly are protective of him, why is that?" Koji asked.
"If that's your subtle way of asking what's in it for me, nothing much, just an excellent power boost…and the fact he's my partner,"
"Your partner?"
"Yes, you Legendary Warriors don't get that ideal seeing as the Digimon you traveled with are quite pathetic, and your spirit forms are only extensions of yourselves. Partner Digimon, Digimon like the Chosen specifically, were born to protect and keep their partner safe. It is an innate sense of duty that comes with being a partner Digimon, almost written into their DNA. They must protect their child, and the mutual affection allows the Digimon to grow stronger,"
"What about the Tamers then?"
"Well that process is a little different. The Digimon in that situation get to choose, or vice versa. It's a selection process, less about honor, more about growing stronger. Since it is based off the ideals of a partnership like that of the Crest Wielders. It is much more natural in my opinion since that bond is forged much more naturally instead of the Digimon just being born to protect their specific child,"
"So TK is like your Tamer?"
"No, at least not exactly, I chose TK and he accepted me and all my baggage. I must fuse with his Digimon in order to one day acquire my true form, but in order to do that TK must unlock his true power. Until then I'm stuck in a powered up MagnaAngemon form. While fused with his Digimon I'm at the mercy of the overbearing feeling to protect him, which is rather annoying. But unlike his Digimon I can choose to ignore that feeling all together and it isn't difficult to either, I just choose not to,"
"Well it still sounds to me you're just protecting your interest. What are you planning on doing to him, and those other kids?"
Daemon scoffed, "And why shall I reveal such information to you? You are no threat to me, and you dare not harm TK otherwise my wrath will not be the only ones' you face," Daemon smirked at Koji's frowning face. "I will admit though, I like you boy, you and your brother," Daemon glanced over to Koichi who was trying to talk TK through his episode. "You represent your elements well,"
"People find that hard to believe though. Everyone can't understand how Kari represents light and how I represent it are so different,"
"Kari's burden….is a lot heavier than yours I'm afraid since your lights are different. Kari is the representation of light itself, basically light given form if that makes sense. You are a warrior of light, you are empowered by it, it gives you strength. You could say Kari is the source of your power, and you're only borrowing it. In that instant your burden becomes dramatically different. You are bold, bright, and illuminate the darkness and imperfections of others. Kari's is simply pure, gentle, and never fading. You understand don't you, you represent a much harsher view of the light, just as your brother embodies a much softer view of darkness,"
"You really know a whole lot," Koji said in a bit of astonishment.
"I was once the law of the world, of the highest ranks for good. It was my business to know all these things,"
"Yeah I see…but you still dance around the topic at hand, what are you going to do with us? I want answers, not lessons,"
"Well in order to have one, you have to get the other my boy," Daemon said fondly with a cheeky smirk.
"Daemon, what's wrong with TK?" Koichi asked from his place next to the child.
"Warring emotions on a plane of existence deep within his soul," Daemon said cryptically.
"What does that mean?" Koji asked.
"You ask questions Koji, but you how much of the answers do you actually want. And do you really think you can handle the pressure these answers place on you," Daemon spat rather annoyed at this point.
"What happened to giving me my lesson?" Koji teased.
"Your lesson will come and I shall teach it to you. But when I so choose it. I want to protect TK and I wish no harm to him. He wants to honor our agreement and work with me to make my wishes come true. In return I will follow his wishes as well. He wishes no harm to come to any of you, so no harm shall come to you," Daemon waddled over to TK to sit next to him. "I will not strike out against any of you, unless provoked to defend myself or my partner. You don't need to know anything more than that,"
"I guess we have no choice but to be satisfied with that answer then," Koichi said picking up TK into his arms. Daemon stared at Koichi sternly not allowing such an action to take place. "He should at least be comfortable while he battles with whatever it is he's fighting. I'm taking him to one of the beds closer to the others,"
"Fine," Daemon agreed as he suddenly faded out and making Patamon blink a few times. "Koji, Koichi, what are you guys doing here?"
"Get in a few words with Daemon, and take TK somewhere to rest," Koichi said as they walk down the hall. Patamon flaps his wings to follow closely behind them. They journeyed toward where the majority of the others occupied a hallway with each group able to get their own room. Koichi carried TK into the room he saw the Crest Wielders occupy. He saw that they all were awake except for Kari who was sleeping rather distressfully. Matt turned to Koichi alarmed at seeing TK being carried. "He's not feeling too well,"
"Thanks K-Koichi," Matt said taking his brother from Koichi grasp, slightly hasty to remove his brother from his grasp. "Uh…sorry about that, we're not used to someone like you, I mean sorry not like that its just…"
Koichi nods. "I get it. It's a little weird to be around someone who wields darkness,"
"Thanks," Matt said taking his brother over to a single bed with Patamon following.
"What happened to him?" Sora asked as Matt asked Joe to come take a look.
"Not sure, Daemon explained it in a really weird way," Koji answered.
That's when Gatomon made her voice heard, "Did he say something like a 'a battle on another plane of existence in his soul'?" Koji and Koichi turn to the catlike Digimon. They noticed that her voice and her posture was more like Gatomon then Lillithmon so they assumed it was really Gatomon who asked. They both nod which made her take on a face of realization. "Yeah, Kari was dealing with the same thing. We had Thomas come and look at Kari and he said that physical there isn't anything really wrong with her. It's all in her head," Gatomon explained as she ran a paw over Kari's sweaty brow, but she seemed much more relaxed then TK. "Kari managed to get through the worst of it though, I think she'll be okay,"
"Well that's good," Koichi voiced hearing that as he glanced over to where TK laid. Koichi turned to his brother. "You feel better now?"
"Not really," Koji said with crossed arms as he fully entered the room. "But I think I know where I can get more direct answers from," Koji turned toward Gatomon and walked over to the cat Digimon. Gatomon stared up at Koji slightly annoyed at his sudden intruding on them and the air he brought with him, an almost demanding persona she didn't like.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I want to speak to Lilithmon," Koji demanded. The other Digidestined and Digimon seemed to freeze and turn toward him when they heard this. Koji knew he could never grill Kari directly, especially with her older brother present. The same could be said about that with TK and the other Demon Lord in Impmon. But the Digimon were much more grillable for lack of a better term.
"Why?" Gatomon asked.
"I wanted to ask some questions, put my mind at ease about a few things,"
"Well what do you need to ask?" Tai asked frowning. Agumon took on a similar disposition as Tai seeing his teammate was being challenged in such a way.
"Ya know, the usual, knowing what they want and how they're using us," Koji stared sternly at Gatomon but the stern stare was ignored by the Digimon who found more interest looking at her claws.
"Well it's not up to me if Lillithmon talks or not. She can hear you as clearly as I can. If she hasn't come out yet that might mean she has no interest in talking to you,"
"Well in that case then I'll be direct. Lillithmon why would such a self-centered Demon Lord who commits herself to using others and focusing on her own wants be concerned about others? Especially when you must have a inferiority complex against Ophanimon,"
"Excuse you!" exclaimed Lillithmon who came to life in Gatomon making the cat Digimon stand up. Lillithmon seemed to realize her hasty action as she lied back down next to Kari and to get her to relax. "You should watch who you talk to boy…"
Koji smirked knowing the Demon Lord of Lust would take the bait. "Well inform me, who am I talking to you?"
"You're talking to the empress of darkness. A power unlike anything you've encountered,"
"A power you take from Kari,"
"She shares her power with me," She corrected. Koji seemed to notice a pattern here.
"So, TK, Kari, and those two other kids share their power with you guys willingly. You don't take it?"
"We could force ourselves on them you see. When the power is shared willingly, we can accomplish a lot more then it simply being forced. That would mean in order to get stronger we'd have to drag the power out kicking and screaming,"
"So it's more for convenience for you then on their well-being,"
Lillithmon sent a harsh glare at Koji. "Are you insinuating that I'm using Kari as a stepping stone?"
"Aren't you?"
"Well, I must say you have quite a tongue on you," However suddenly Lillithmon smirked throwing Koji off. "But I can read you better than you THINK you can read me,"
"We're not talking about me, we're talking about what you plan on doing with these kids. What you plan on doing with us, and what you plan on doing with all the Sin Crest,"
"Guys maybe this isn't the best time to discuss this," Sora suggested hesitantly.
"Kari and TK need rest," Biyomon added.
"No, he came here wanting a conversation, I'll give it to him. But be careful what you lust for Koji Minamoto," Koji flinched at Lillithmon using his full name. "You used to be a lone wolf, that's where you felt the most comfortable. You're used to being alone aren't you? Always focused on yourself more than others, you think what you're doing is looking out for the others but that's not true. You're so deluded you can't even tell the difference between selflessness and pure selfish desires. You're looking out for yourself, because you're confused right now. You're a warrior who doesn't know who your enemy is, and so you're trying to create one. We Demon Lords mean our partners no harm, and I'm sure Daemon must've told you this when you questioned him as well," Koji gasped a little surprised. "Don't look so shocked, it was rather obvious you had a conversation with him when you walked in which is why I didn't feel the need to entertain you,"
"Alright fine you're smarter than me," Koji said almost tripping over his words totally blown away that the Demon of Lust, who seemed so out to lunch, was so astute and observant.
"I'm just wiser and yes smarter. It comes with experience and knowing a few things. Manipulation is easy but a tactic I rarely stoop to since I'd rather get something done myself then someone incompetent to do it,"
"You still didn't answer any questions though Lillitmon," Tai pointed out.
"That's true and you know what that says after all that chatter I spouted?" she questioned to all those present.
"You don't know," Mimi suggested with a tilt of her head. Eyes casted in her direction.
"Well glad to see someone has a functioning brain in here," Lillithmon said. This made everyone bug out in confusion either because that Mimi knew that, or being called dumber then Mimi! "Usually when someone doesn't have an answer to give they spout off a whole bunch of nonsense that has nothing to do with the question and direct your attention elsewhere," Koji looked at Lillithmon shocked at the Demon of Lust who only gave a small wink. "So here's your answer, we'll stick with you guys no halfways,"
Koji scoffed, but still a smirk was on his face, "Alright, I guess that does it," Everyone was confused at Koji's sudden ease at this peculiar answer, especially Koichi who almost fell over at his response. "Well sorry to bother you guys, goodnight and I hope TK and Kari feel better, come on Koichi," Koji said walking out the room with Koichi barely trailing behind as he gave a confused look to his brother and then to Lillithmon. Lillithmon gave him a wave as Koichi finally followed.
"Was there parts of that conversation that didn't make sense to anyone else?" Izzy asked which made all the Digidestined and Digimon almost fall over to the floor. The Digidestined knew that if Izzy didn't get it, they may as well just call it a night and think on it no longer. Matt turned his attention back to his brother to see he hadn't calmed like Kari had yet.
"Joe what's going on?" Matt asked.
"His heart is still racing, if he gets worse I think we should get Thomas since he's more certified then I am," Joe explained. "But his heart isn't getting any faster so he's somewhat stable, but I wish we had a heart monitor that way we wouldn't have to stop and take his pulse every few minutes,"
"I shall watch over him," Daemon said suddenly from Patamon's mouth surprising Matt and Joe.
"You?" Gommamon questioned.
"Yes, me, I can watch TK's vitals better. The second his heart beat increases, I'll know,"
"Thanks Daemon," Matt said choosing not to look a gifted horse in the mouth. Daemon only grunted as he sat next to TK leaning against his chest. Agumon noticed this action then looked to Lillithmon who brushed a few hairs out of Kari's face and smiled down at her then lied next to her.
"Hey Tai," Agumon whispered to his partner. Tai tore his eyes from Kari to his Digimon. "Their safe," Those two words seemed to put Tai at such ease it was visible. Tai had asked Agumon to watch Daemon and Lillithmon closely and observe them. He wasn't a Digimon so he thought a Digimon's opinion would be more valued here. The Digimon want to protect their child, and he figured they would be the best at detecting if the Demon Lords' feelings were genuine or not. At Agumon's verdict he concluded that they could be trusted with the safety of TK and Kari.
"Now I can actually get some sleep," Tai said lying in his bed.
"Hey Tai leave room for me!" Agumon whined. With Koji and Koichi they strolled down the hall of the castle again passing by a window that showed the outside and showing the shining stars. Koichi looked at his brother's back not sure what information he could have possibly gained from what Lillithmon said. Finally Koichi decided he'd ask since he couldn't wrap his head around it.
"So, you're not concerned anymore?"
"I am, but I think we should relax for now,"
"Why is that?"
Koji stopped to glance at his brother. "Those demons aren't really the ones who are in as much control as we think they are," Koji responded as he placed his hands in his pockets and continued to walk toward the room where the Legendary Warriors claimed. Koichi watched after him for a moment then nods before following again. Of course with that thought in his mind now and the Demon Lords nullified as threats for now, and the other Demon Lords haven't actually done much anything it begs a very good question.
Who is the real enemy here?