All colour drained from Kalai's face. She staggered slightly as what Phantasmon had said hit her.
"B-bring her b-back?" she whispered. "No, that's…… It's impossible!" she said, backing away and shaking her head. Phantasmon slowly nodded.
"You have to, because you need her to defeat Chaosmon. Remember the story? Four children who were pure in heart, mind, soul and body would defeat him. Kaede has the Body Crest. You need her, and I can bring her back. All you need do is bring me her soul. Then I can return her to this world."
"How can we trust you?" Ventusmon asked suddenly. Phantasmon looked at her in surprise.
"Didn't Gennai tell you to find me?" he asked.
"Yes, but he also said that Chaosmon can take on any form. How do we know you're the real Phantasmon? This seems pretty farfetched to me." she growled. The other Digimon moved protectively in front of their humans. Phantasmon sighed.
"I'd hoped I wouldn't have to do this." he murmured. Before anyone could react, a glowing blue ball coalesced in his hands, shooting out tendrils towards each of the Digi-Destined and their Digimon. The light wrapped around them, sending images shooting through their minds. Visions of the birth of the Digital World, Chaosmon's birth, the beginning of life, then Phantasmon's birth. They flashed with startling clarity, recording the transport of Kalai, Gabe, Leisha and Kaede, then the other Digi-Destined. Suddenly, the images were gone, leaving them breathing hard.
"You see now? Only a Guardian is allowed to know such things. Chaosmon could not know them." Phantasmon said. "I didn't want to do it, because it's very draining, but it seems I had to."
Kalai nodded. "We have to do this. If Kaede can be brought back, I want to take the chance!" she exclaimed.
"Ok, Kalai. Phantasmon, where do we go?" Matt asked.
"You need to go to the Chamber of Souls, where everyone who dies in this world goes. It is inside the temple, but if you go with any feeling other than rescuing Kaede, the Chamber will evade you. You might very well die in the process, because of the many traps set inside. I can protect you slightly, but my powers extend only so far." Phantasmon replied.
"Let's do it." Leisha said. Phantasmon extended his hands again, casting a pale purple light over them. Where it touched, their skin glowed faintly, then returned to normal.
"That will only last for a little while. After that, you must depend upon your own wits." Phantasmon told them, breathing hard. "One other thing. The temple will only permit four of you and your Digimon in. The others have other challenges to complete."
"I'm going in." Kalai said firmly. "Leisha, you're her cousin, you're coming with me."
"I'm coming too." Gabe interjected.
"Then I am." Matt said. Gabe glared at him, but quickly masked his emotions.
"Then hurry." Phantasmon replied, stepping aside to let them enter. As they walked inside, he turned to the remaining Digi-Destined.
"I need some of you to go to the swamp north of here, and collect a herb called Bondrale. It's guarded by a Digimon called Shrubmon. He'll want you to answer some questions before you'll be able to take the herb. If you get any wrong, he'll turn you into a plant forever. The others have to head south, to an abandoned village. There you have to find a female Digimon. She's the only one who can bring Kaede back. But, she'll require you to defeat another Digimon, called Makolmon. He's a very powerful fighter, so be careful. The penalty for losing is death, or enslavement. U'usoae, you stay with me. I will need your help for something else. Do you still wish to do this?" he asked, looking grave.
"Definitely." Tai replied.
"Kalai needs our help." Kari said. "We have to help her."
"Ok, Izzy, you're smart, and Joe knows plants and stuff, so you guys can go to the swamp. T.K, I want you to go with them, and Mimi too. Kari, you and Sora come with me. We'll find this Digimon." Tai and Agumon turned and headed towards the forest. Kari, Angewomon, Sora and Biyomon followed. The others headed in the opposite direction. U'usoae and Phantasmon disappeared into the forest.
"Do you think Matt will be okay?" T.K asked Izzy. The two were walking behind Joe and Mimi, who were deep in conversation.
"Don't worry. Matt can take care of himself. Besides, he has MetalGarurumon protecting him." Izzy replied.
Inside the temple………
"Do you know where we're going, Kalai?" Leisha asked.
"Not really. But I'm sure we'll find it."
"If we don't get killed first." Magickmon muttered.
"You're so pessimistic, Magickmon." DarkAngemon replied.
"Shut up, you guys." Gabe snapped. He walked in front of them. "Let's get going. I don't like it here."
"Scared, Gabe?" Matt asked. Gabe rounded on him.
"No way! I'm never scared!" he snapped. The two boys glared at each other, until Leisha stepped in front of them.
"Guys, we're supposed to be looking for the Chamber of Souls, not arguing like children."
"Whatever." Matt muttered, walking over to stand with Kalai.
"Looks like there's only one way to go." Kalai said, looking down the hallway stretching away from them. She started to walk down it, Ventusmon following. Matt shrugged, glanced at Gabumon, and ran after her.
"Hurry up Gabe." Leisha said, heading after them. She saw him hesitate, then he ran after her.
Meanwhile……..
Tai, Kari, Sora, Angewomon, Agumon and Biyomon crashed through the bushes.
"It's so hot here!" Sora exclaimed. Indeed, in the few minutes since they had left the temple, it had grown increasingly hotter.
"I think I see something." Angewomon interrupted. She was right. Within minutes, they had emerged from the forest and were standing at the edge of a small, deserted village. The buildings sagged, as if they had given up the struggle to live. Not even the wind dared to blow through the village, leaving it in sacred silence. The Digi-Destined's footsteps sounded unnaturally loud as they walked forward. Tai glanced around, looking for signs of life.
"I don't see-" He was cut off as the air rippled in front of them.
"Who are you that dare to desecrate our consecrated soil, humans? You do not belong here!" Floating in front of them was the exact image of Angemon, with a few differences. Her wings were mottled grey and black, and an ebony mask covered her face. She was dressed all in black, with dark hair. She held an ebony staff in front of her.
"We-we were sent by Phantasmon. To find you, and get you to bring someone back to life. Will you?" Kari asked.
"Ah, my old friend Phantasmon." She said, putting emphasis on friend. "He has sent more victims for my pet?"
"No, we will fight him." Angewomon stepped forward protectively.
"Hello, sister. I didn't expect you to be here."
"DarkAngewomon. I should have known." Angewomon replied. DarkAngewomon sneered.
"No matter. Makolmon will soon take care of you." She said, and vanished. All of a sudden, an earth-shaking roar reached them. The ground shook beneath their feet as huge footsteps were heard. A large, dinosaur-like Digimon stomped towards them. Towering at least 100 feet, he dwarfed the tiny humans and Digimon. Giant fangs glinted in the side of his snout. He was emerald green, with bright blue stripes and small yellow wings. He snarled at the Digi-Destined and lumbered toward them.
"Agumon, warp digivolve to….. Wargreymon!" Agumon yelled, changing to his greatest shape. He flew up to Makolmon's face.
"Biyomon, digivolve to…… Birdramon!" the large fire-bird shot towards Wargreymon and Angewomon, who were attacking Makolmon. Tai grabbed Sora and Kari's hands and yanked them towards the shelter of a cluster of buildings.
"Armageddon Blast!" Makolmon yelled, throwing the good Digimon back with a monstrous ball of pulsating silver energy. Wargreymon staggered to his feet and sent his own ball of energy flying at Makolmon. He roared in pain, but remained standing. Turning, whipped his head at the dazed Birdramon.
"Birdramon, no!" Sora yelled, running out. Tai tried to grab her arm, but she slipped out of his grasp. Seeing Makolmon growl and head at Sora, Birdramon struggled up.
"Yeah, over here! Yeah, you walking trash heap!" Sora ran out of the way as Birdramon shot at Makolmon.
"Birdramon, warp digivolve to……… FireBirdramon!" FireBirdramon was even bigger than Makolmon, with great, blazing wings and a long, fiery tail. She cried out her attack.
"Blaze Cannon!" she screamed, folding her wings and sending enormous flames at Makolmon. With a horrible scream, Makolmon disappeared in the flames.
"Very good. Now come, let your Digimon rest. Then we will discuss what you want me to do." Picking up their exhausted Digimon, the Digi-Destined followed DarkAngewomon. Kari walked ahead, asking DarkAngewomon questions.
"What were you thinking?" Tai asked Sora. She glanced at him.
"I don't know. I just saw Birdramon hurt, and I just had to do something. I couldn't bear to lose her." She replied.
"Maybe you should have the Crest of Courage!" Tai cracked, putting his arm around her shoulders. Sora rested her head on his.
"That's it, Tai." She laughed. Together, they walked into one of the buildings.