ten – the brilliant resonance
Just like no one expects the Spanish Inquisition, no one expected a ninja to teleport in and save Yuu's life. To be fair it was a Digimon ninja and they were clearly fast enough to avoid the speed of a raging General in ball form and bring Yuu and Nene to safety.
No one also expected Tsurugi Zenjirou to come out of nowhere and open a Zone transfer for Blastmon to go rolling through it and out of sight.
Both of these things happened though and the sheer anticlimax was what caused Taiki to slump over. "Did he just?" he mumbled. Shademon let out a sound of dismay and also relief. The creature then proceeded to dry heave, spitting out the too large crystal. "Thanks for that," he grumbled, pulling himself back up to his feet and approaching Zenjirou. Everyone, thankfully, was too far away to physically stop him from doing so. Otherwise things were definitely going to be messier than they actually were.
"Well," he said, putting his hands in his pockets. "That was neat." Taiki was still smiling, but even as Kiriha struggled to get himself over there, he could feel the undercurrent of high pressure of something too big, too much bearing down on someone who had tried to kill them with a sword at least once. "You sure that was a good idea?"
The two of them stared at each other and only one looked like a deer caught in headlights. Zenjirou, to his credit, managed a weak shrug. He looked terrible, tan skin now an ugly, pale bruised sort. But his brown eyes glimmered
"Supposedly different factions," he said. "And they didn't see my face! I'm all right!"
Every human in the area felt sweat drip down their necks.
"Zenjirou-sama," chimed the new Digimon's low voice from one of the few remaining trees. Yuu flinched. "Optimism may not be your strongest suit at this point."
"Hmm… you think so?"
"I certainly do." Kiriha had made it over to them this time and when he did, he proceeded to tackle Zenjirou to the ground.
It had taken Yuu, Nene, and Taiki to pull Kiriha and Zenjirou apart and to be fair, Zenjirou gave as good as he got. Akari had managed to tie them both up with Shademon's help despite the monster's clear lack of hands. They were already used to the uncanny valley that was the shadow with eyes. It was inevitable considering everything else they were fighting.
That didn't stop Akari from watching Taiki a little more often, or Ba'almon's wary eyes upon his constantly flicking shoulder. Yuu doesn't seem to care, flitting from one side of him to another with awe in his eyes when he thinks that no one's watching.
Zenjirou watched this, a vague concern stirring in his gut. That's not normal. It didn't help when the creature snaked closer to him from Taiki's outstretched hand, coiling around and sniffing anywhere from his neck to his ear. Then it wiggled lower, brushing his belt and snatching the Xros Loader properly. Only then did it unwind, bringing the black device back to its holder. Taiki examined it. Then he turned back to Yuu, who was already holding out his hand to it and seemingly trying to avoid looking at the yellow and white Digimon that devoted itself to Zenjirou's service.
"They used to look like this," he said after a moment of turning it over. Zenjirou twitched, arms straining under the rope. "Before they changed fully. I guess it's incomplete or something."
"Someone had a change of heart?" Kiriha muttered, voice snide and amused.
"Not all of us can have an ego the size of the Tokyo Tower," Nene countered without hesitation. Akari giggled and took it from Yuu.
"You'll get this back when we get to a safe zone," she told Zenjirou as they hauled him up to his feet. "And… your sword I guess." Taiki was holding that, examining it with his fingers. Akari looked prepared to snatch that from him too, but thankfully she didn't try.
Zenjirou sighed. "I suppose I can accept such a response. We did attack each other, after all."
Kiriha grunted, picking himself up from the ground. His hands remained tied tight no matter how much he tugged. "What the hell kind of knots are these?"
"Dad uses them more for the climb up ropes," Taiki replied with a grin. "He taught Akari and I all about them… and how to climb them."
"That was a mistake that should never have happened," Akari grumbled. "Teaching you sports, teaching you things. Should have let you teach yourself."
"I wouldn't trust me by myself," Taiki said with such a serious, severe expression they all snorted. Even Yuu had lost the stars in his eyes for long enough. "So you had to learn too."
Akari made a face but did not disagree. Then she sighed. "Our parents are going to be pissed huh?"
All of them paused. Then Kiriha chortled, too cold and sharp. "Mine are dead, they'd probably cheer me on."
Akari raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me for bringing up a sore spot."
Kiriha snorted at her. "Apologize properly by untying me, and I'll consider your redemption."
Akari muttered something about melodramatic blonds but went along with it. Yuu, thankfully, stared at her. He did not get dignified with a response.
Zenjirou, to Kiriha's annoyance, only laughed.
Bagramon, sitting comfortably on his throne, observed them all. His crystal eye wept red as he stared, unblinking, beyond the room to the pawns of the war.
"My brother," he mused. "Terrible at keeping allies. Good at getting them, I suppose." But then, was it an alliance or more of hiring a mercenary?
Bagramon let out a sigh. The world was ending. It was rotting slowly in its core, going to sleep like a patient with an incurable disease. And all he could do was watch, even still. Watch, or let it die faster.
The children didn't even know what they were rebelling against, really. That was a shame. The world had formed and strengthened from teenage rebellion. But the force was unstoppable. Destiny, this far along, could not be changed. He would not allow it to be so. Not if it left the world in a terrible half-state that could not be repaired. Which it couldn't, he was sure, completely sure.
Did I say such a thing?
Bagramon started, eyes snapping open. They had slid closed in the interim. The humans must not have been doing anything all that interesting. Otherwise he would not have dreamed of hearing their voice again, the voice of the errant child, telling them what to do.
Things are final only because you make them so, honored father, and only because you will it so. Change is always possible, so long as we wish for it, in some manner.
Bagramon set his expression. "You always say such things and they never seem anymore true than the last time."
Just as you say the opposite, honored father and it is only true because you wish it to be.
And the voice fell silent and the room went still. Bagramon settled back into his throne chair for a moment, raising his arm to observe once more.
Then, Homeostasis hummed, in her way, perhaps, things are not as certain as we pretend they should be.
Bagramon let out a sound, quite possibly like a snarl, and rose from his throne.
Three hours into the second watch, Akari felt a sickening sensation in her stomach.
She didn't like taking the middle watch. Even if she was tired and would eventually sleep when it was over, it was awkward knowing you immediately had to trust someone else to not stab you as you trudged back off to bed. And it was awfully quiet tonight, which helped absolutely no one.
Cutemon slept quietly in her arms, even though he was supposed to be helping her stay awake. He'd lied. She smiled and scratched behind his antennae. He snuffled. Dorulumon claimed he couldn't hurt a flymon if it hatched out of an egg (she had so many questions about that turn of phrase, namely the size of a flymon). That said he was still an active Digimon who had attacks, so he had to be able to do something.
Everyone can do something, Akari-chan. The problem is knowing if it will be done.
Akari jumped, looking around. The voice paused.
Oh, I'm so sorry, I forgot you and I didn't manage to speak last time. Well, that must be fixed. I am Mikihara Norn, otherwise known as Yggdrasil. And you are Hinomoto Akari, child of courage.
… Where did she even start with that?
The voice in her head sighed gently. I do apologize for bothering you so suddenly, but I need to speak with Taiki-kun. I'm afraid it's rather urgent. His father is looking for him, and I don't know how much longer Homeostasis and I can distract him.
Taiki's… dad? What did Taiki's dad, a sports coach who was currently running training at the University of Tokyo, know about the Digital World?
No, no, not him. Bagramon! He's looking for Taiki. He's come to the wrong conclusion entirely.
Akari's shout woke the whole camp. "What?"