Far away, in Austria, many were gathering in an abandoned monastery, out in
the mountains. At first glance, one would have thought that they were
regular humans. However, closer observation and continued lingering would
reveal them to be something very different. Some had arrived through rifts
that seemed to lead to realms wracked with howling winds, the fetid smell
of the dead, and murky, decaying backgrounds. Other had arrived through
portals. The rest seemed to twist existing paths to shorten the distance
they had to walk. They were anything but human. They seemed to be in a
grand convention of sorts, busily milling about exchanging information and
discussing this or that with their colleagues.
"My searches have taken me far into the Shadowlands, but I have finally found that elusive spirit. He proved to be a most obscure figure, but he was willing to answer my questions. He provided some information that could very well fill in some of the missing holes. He seemed to be rather anxious about the welfare of his living, younger brother, the young one called Ichijouji Ken, if I remember correctly." reported a Halaku.
"Well done, Uhrikel. I have been busy investigating the temporal disturbances we detected a few years ago. What I discovered was that those disturbances were birthed from another layer of reality, a relatively young one at that. I did not think that it was possible. Before the Almighty touched the world, all the layers were as one. However, none of us have been able to detect those other layers since the Fall, not since we returned from the Abyss after all these aeons. I was able to enter this layer, but it was heavily based upon electricity and computer data, which is why I needed the help of an Annunaki", replied a Neberu.
"That would be where I come in," added Karash-Tu, "Lorinal had observed some children entering the layer by means of computers. They called that layer the Digital World. That was where he and other Neberu detected the temporal warp, and that is why it was necessary to investigate. We of the Third House did shape the very molecules of reality, so it wasn't difficult to deduce the mechanisms of this Digital World layer."
"What did you find?"
"The data had taken living form, analogous to flesh and blood, I suppose you could say. They had gained sentience and were able to evolve to higher levels, gaining power along the way. More importantly than that, these digimon, as they call themselves, formed not only from computer data, but from the belief of those children. They fed on the [i]faith[/i] of the humans. The entire layer is formed from data and human faith."
"That is very curious. The mortals of this age are merely a tortured shadow of what they were in Edenic times, enfeebled by their own despair and cynicism. Yet somehow, the aggregate faith of these humans has been able to create a new layer of reality and life forms as well."
"This occurrence would make Faustians and Luciferans proud, I'm sure."
"Perhaps. Children are probably less prone to the banality that enshrouds humans of this age. However, even that innocence is fading in this time. These children that were partnered with these so-called digimon have particularly high faith. However, it is troubling. We have reason to believe that the formation of these digimon was not coincidental. One of those ancient monsters, the Earthbound who were once our fellows, may very well have been involved."
"Which one?"
"We suspect that it was the Archduke who led the Silver Legion, our lieutenant."
"Is he attempting to collect torrents of faith?"
"We are not yet sure. We have yet to deduce that probability. What we do know based upon gleaned information is that Ichijouji Ken and another are crucial to this mystery. Both him and his partner who disappeared several years ago, Akiyama Ryou, the one who vanquished Milleniumon."
"Twas this Milleniumon creature that was responsible for the temporal distortions, was it not?"
"Indeed so. We believe that the creature may have been the work of the Archduke who once led us. Only we of the Fourth House have ever had such a mastery of time."
"If so, this matter could lead to dire straits. We must act quickly."
"I concur, but for now, we must wait. The gathering is complete. Ahrimal has arrived."
Detective Gerhard Liebner teleported through the door and stood observing the gathering. He was truly the Neberu known as Ahrimal, Sower of Fearsome Stars. All those ages ago, it was Ahrimal who foresaw the Fall and the consequences. He had desperately tried to avoid the cataclysm, but did not realize that rebelling was in fact what would cause the Fall in the first place. It is a heavy burden that he and all Neberu carry.
The other leader of the Cryptics, the Annunaki Gipontel, stepped forth.
"Welcome, Ahrimal. It has been some time since last we convened. We have been investigating many cases and have acquired interesting information and knowledge as a result. Information that could help to answer our most fundamental questions."
"Greetings, Gipontel. I have been investigating cases that involve those of our brethren who succumbed to their torment. I come to address a case of particular importance now. It is the issue of that temporal and spatial warp. Who were the ones examining that case?"
"That would be those three. Lorinal, Uhrikel, and Karash-Tu"
The three stepped forward.
"Yes, Ahrimal, what would you like to know about the situation?"
"What did you find? I conducted my own search and found that it was tied to an international circle of humans who belong to a cult dedicated to Asmodeus. They are the ones who manipulated the creation of that anomaly. They also influenced the formation of the digital layer. Not too long ago, they influenced the rise of the creature Belial Vamdemon. They forced all those children partnered with the digital life forms to pour in torrents of belief, of faith to defeat the creature. The children thought they won. That was only the tip of the iceberg, as those mortals would say. They never realized that all that faith was being siphoned and collected by the cult and offered to Asmodeus through rituals."
"Then our suspicions have been confirmed. The entire layer was formed from computer data and human faith. The creatures that were spawned draw upon the faith of humans to evolve. Furthermore, it was Asmodeus who ultimately planned the creature's course. We suspected that he might somehow be trying to collect faith from these children, who have unusually high belief."
"Be careful. What I found could lead to the answer of what Asmodeus is drawing so much faith for. If my thoughts are verified, then we are in dire straits indeed."
"What exactly could Asmodeus be planning?"
"Of that I am not entirely sure. However, we must thwart the plot. I suspect that it was set into motion millennia ago, and is finally bearing fruit. If Asmodeus succeeds, I have an uneasy feeling that all time could collapse and compress."
"Ahrimal, do you know of one Ichijouji Ken and Akiyama Ryou?"
"Yes. Those two are vital to the puzzle. They hold the key to stopping this, or perhaps merely accelerating it, depending on the choices that they make. They must be found and protected at all costs. They must learn of what they are involved in, so that they can make the right decisions before we all perish. From all accounts, they are both rather used to battles. Be careful, though. They are not what they seem. Somehow, their essence seems very familiar, but it's mired in the human personalities. When we see them face to face, we must determine the fact."
"I learned from the spirit of Ken's brother that he is in Odaiba, Japan. I also gained insight into the boy's past."
"However, locating Akiyama Ryou will be much more difficult. The creature dragged him into the warp. Who knows what layer of reality they are on now? Layers that we long ago lost the power to access."
"Leave that to me. I have gathered the help of a secret, very technologically proficient organization. They will be able to tear open the fabric. I will be able to handle it from there, and direct the boy home. The young Ken will need his old partner by his side."
"Thank you, Ahrimal. Then we had better leave immediately. Karash-Tu, Uhrikel, I will meet with you in Odaiba. From there, we will find the young boy before agents of the Earthbound or others with harmful intention can reach him. The success of this assignment depends on it."
In a moment, all three Fallen left in their own way.
"Gipontel, the usual information is in the packet. Profiles, names, celestial names. I have already given the true names to the Library. I will leave the rest here with you and the Library. Now I have to start on this assignment immediately."
"Until next we meet."
*************
Note: Now the fun really begins. We get a hint that Ken and Ryou may not be what they seem. More than mere mortals perhaps? The next chapter will give a hint about that. Once again, please review.
"My searches have taken me far into the Shadowlands, but I have finally found that elusive spirit. He proved to be a most obscure figure, but he was willing to answer my questions. He provided some information that could very well fill in some of the missing holes. He seemed to be rather anxious about the welfare of his living, younger brother, the young one called Ichijouji Ken, if I remember correctly." reported a Halaku.
"Well done, Uhrikel. I have been busy investigating the temporal disturbances we detected a few years ago. What I discovered was that those disturbances were birthed from another layer of reality, a relatively young one at that. I did not think that it was possible. Before the Almighty touched the world, all the layers were as one. However, none of us have been able to detect those other layers since the Fall, not since we returned from the Abyss after all these aeons. I was able to enter this layer, but it was heavily based upon electricity and computer data, which is why I needed the help of an Annunaki", replied a Neberu.
"That would be where I come in," added Karash-Tu, "Lorinal had observed some children entering the layer by means of computers. They called that layer the Digital World. That was where he and other Neberu detected the temporal warp, and that is why it was necessary to investigate. We of the Third House did shape the very molecules of reality, so it wasn't difficult to deduce the mechanisms of this Digital World layer."
"What did you find?"
"The data had taken living form, analogous to flesh and blood, I suppose you could say. They had gained sentience and were able to evolve to higher levels, gaining power along the way. More importantly than that, these digimon, as they call themselves, formed not only from computer data, but from the belief of those children. They fed on the [i]faith[/i] of the humans. The entire layer is formed from data and human faith."
"That is very curious. The mortals of this age are merely a tortured shadow of what they were in Edenic times, enfeebled by their own despair and cynicism. Yet somehow, the aggregate faith of these humans has been able to create a new layer of reality and life forms as well."
"This occurrence would make Faustians and Luciferans proud, I'm sure."
"Perhaps. Children are probably less prone to the banality that enshrouds humans of this age. However, even that innocence is fading in this time. These children that were partnered with these so-called digimon have particularly high faith. However, it is troubling. We have reason to believe that the formation of these digimon was not coincidental. One of those ancient monsters, the Earthbound who were once our fellows, may very well have been involved."
"Which one?"
"We suspect that it was the Archduke who led the Silver Legion, our lieutenant."
"Is he attempting to collect torrents of faith?"
"We are not yet sure. We have yet to deduce that probability. What we do know based upon gleaned information is that Ichijouji Ken and another are crucial to this mystery. Both him and his partner who disappeared several years ago, Akiyama Ryou, the one who vanquished Milleniumon."
"Twas this Milleniumon creature that was responsible for the temporal distortions, was it not?"
"Indeed so. We believe that the creature may have been the work of the Archduke who once led us. Only we of the Fourth House have ever had such a mastery of time."
"If so, this matter could lead to dire straits. We must act quickly."
"I concur, but for now, we must wait. The gathering is complete. Ahrimal has arrived."
Detective Gerhard Liebner teleported through the door and stood observing the gathering. He was truly the Neberu known as Ahrimal, Sower of Fearsome Stars. All those ages ago, it was Ahrimal who foresaw the Fall and the consequences. He had desperately tried to avoid the cataclysm, but did not realize that rebelling was in fact what would cause the Fall in the first place. It is a heavy burden that he and all Neberu carry.
The other leader of the Cryptics, the Annunaki Gipontel, stepped forth.
"Welcome, Ahrimal. It has been some time since last we convened. We have been investigating many cases and have acquired interesting information and knowledge as a result. Information that could help to answer our most fundamental questions."
"Greetings, Gipontel. I have been investigating cases that involve those of our brethren who succumbed to their torment. I come to address a case of particular importance now. It is the issue of that temporal and spatial warp. Who were the ones examining that case?"
"That would be those three. Lorinal, Uhrikel, and Karash-Tu"
The three stepped forward.
"Yes, Ahrimal, what would you like to know about the situation?"
"What did you find? I conducted my own search and found that it was tied to an international circle of humans who belong to a cult dedicated to Asmodeus. They are the ones who manipulated the creation of that anomaly. They also influenced the formation of the digital layer. Not too long ago, they influenced the rise of the creature Belial Vamdemon. They forced all those children partnered with the digital life forms to pour in torrents of belief, of faith to defeat the creature. The children thought they won. That was only the tip of the iceberg, as those mortals would say. They never realized that all that faith was being siphoned and collected by the cult and offered to Asmodeus through rituals."
"Then our suspicions have been confirmed. The entire layer was formed from computer data and human faith. The creatures that were spawned draw upon the faith of humans to evolve. Furthermore, it was Asmodeus who ultimately planned the creature's course. We suspected that he might somehow be trying to collect faith from these children, who have unusually high belief."
"Be careful. What I found could lead to the answer of what Asmodeus is drawing so much faith for. If my thoughts are verified, then we are in dire straits indeed."
"What exactly could Asmodeus be planning?"
"Of that I am not entirely sure. However, we must thwart the plot. I suspect that it was set into motion millennia ago, and is finally bearing fruit. If Asmodeus succeeds, I have an uneasy feeling that all time could collapse and compress."
"Ahrimal, do you know of one Ichijouji Ken and Akiyama Ryou?"
"Yes. Those two are vital to the puzzle. They hold the key to stopping this, or perhaps merely accelerating it, depending on the choices that they make. They must be found and protected at all costs. They must learn of what they are involved in, so that they can make the right decisions before we all perish. From all accounts, they are both rather used to battles. Be careful, though. They are not what they seem. Somehow, their essence seems very familiar, but it's mired in the human personalities. When we see them face to face, we must determine the fact."
"I learned from the spirit of Ken's brother that he is in Odaiba, Japan. I also gained insight into the boy's past."
"However, locating Akiyama Ryou will be much more difficult. The creature dragged him into the warp. Who knows what layer of reality they are on now? Layers that we long ago lost the power to access."
"Leave that to me. I have gathered the help of a secret, very technologically proficient organization. They will be able to tear open the fabric. I will be able to handle it from there, and direct the boy home. The young Ken will need his old partner by his side."
"Thank you, Ahrimal. Then we had better leave immediately. Karash-Tu, Uhrikel, I will meet with you in Odaiba. From there, we will find the young boy before agents of the Earthbound or others with harmful intention can reach him. The success of this assignment depends on it."
In a moment, all three Fallen left in their own way.
"Gipontel, the usual information is in the packet. Profiles, names, celestial names. I have already given the true names to the Library. I will leave the rest here with you and the Library. Now I have to start on this assignment immediately."
"Until next we meet."
*************
Note: Now the fun really begins. We get a hint that Ken and Ryou may not be what they seem. More than mere mortals perhaps? The next chapter will give a hint about that. Once again, please review.