Th Remains Of Heaven
Chapter Nine: The Remains Of What Once Was Part II
By Ryan Bodle
A/N: I'll just jump straight into this one.
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon or any related characters. This is for entertainment purposes only.
~*~
With swift poetry, Faith swung her blade in a lethal arc, severing the heads of shadow that protected the battlements of the fortress and carried on through into the sanctum of its walls. Missiles increased upon her and Aquilamon took to the skies above, circling for another attack.
The second descent brought more rath than the first as Faith dismounted in one motion as Aquilamon dove further. Upon the battlements, Faith lead a companionship of smaller winged digimon. He shield protected her from the dnagerous claws of the shadowed creatures, her back protected by those digimon with her. Bringing her shield back, she once again brought down her blade, splitting a creature down the middle and back to her guard.
The small number of shadows there took one galnce of the determined crew and fled from battle. Without numbers the cowardly shadow ran from harm. Faith spoke behind her. "Find the entrance and clear what with stands in the way for the others!" She dashed forward in leadership.
~*~
Ark threw his sword forward again and again. His ferocious and animalistic swipes cleaved through more darkness only to have two replace it. He had underestimated the amount of numbers they had in the fortress, they had grown certainly. Beside him, Leomon had a drawn his blade and was swiping at the mass just as dangerously.
"Fireball!" Meramon shot forth another attack and the two ducked as it ripped through numbers. Since the beginning, Ark had found two trusty lieutenants in these two digimon and they never failed to hold his flank. He felt he couldn't hold out much longer and hoped that the inital attack pattern would fall into place any time now. He felt his feet vibrate, this was it.
He grinned and shared a satisfied look with Leomon before they put their weight onto their back legs and held their swords defensively. The shadows started forward and suddenly the vibrations turned to tremors, tremors to an earthquake. The three warriors heading the assualt stood firm whilst the enemy lost their balance.
The ground ruptured and from the epicentre appeared Ankylomon. Ark quickly threw himself through the air to take maximum advantage of the surpise they landed on the enemy. He made a horizontal sweep at his waist line as he descended, felling many a creature. Like a madman he swung his heavy blade, yet he mastered it. It was such a strange combination, that it almost seemed beautiful.
His passion carried him through the ranks of the shadow. Leomon and Meramon formed tightly behind him. The beast digimon slicing effortlessly through the numbers with his blade, the fire digimon burning to a cinder all in his path.
~*~
From outside the battlements of the fortress, Gennai and Io stood at ground, several feet away from the vast spanning walls. They looked at each other and nodded. Gennai raised his sword. "Monochromon!" With that the dinsaur digimon charged down the castle, not daring to stop as he reared his head straight for it at a break neck speed.
A thunderclap was made at collision as the tough exterior was cracked and fragmented but never completely faltered. The initial attack was followed up by a large green digimon wielding a club. A low roar started in his throat as he charged in behind and full speed, he began to swing his weapon and it clashed and pierced the walls, making a hole for attack.
Immediately behind, as he suspected, there were shadow sentries. "Pummel Whack!" With lightning speed, Ogremon sent fists of fury into them, destroying a creature with every blow. Not too soon after, digimon poured through to attack the defendants. The shadow fortress was to be taken.
~End Flashback~
They passed from under the confines of the cave and came to an over hang that watched over the valley of dead. In the middle stood a black fortress that marked Primary Village. Ark indicated to wards it and carried on his path.
"Why are we going that way I thought you said it was their base?" Joe asked.
"Was," Ark answered. "Now it is the only safe place for us to keep safe." He pressed onwards and led them now downwards into the valley. It was not long before a shadow cast over them, Joe looked to the skies and saw a winged beast descend upon them.
"Help has come at last!" Ark exclaimed. "It is Unimon!" The party came to a stop as the winged digimon landed gently.
"Ark, it is you, thank the Sovereigns. You hadn't returned for days, we thought you were lost."
"Nay, I have found some travellers who are in need of help, good Unimon." Ark laid Matt on the floor for Unimon to see.
"He is wounded by shadow, and for some time it seems, surely he is lost."
"No he's not!" Kari was quick to protest. "We must be able to save him!"
"Unimon, take him to Faith, she will be able to help him, I know it," Ark laid Matt on Unimon's back and with a newly made saddle. "Fly fast for his time is short, and send help for us."
"Wait!" Gabumon protested. "Let me go with him!" Joe helped the small digimon onton Unimon's back. Without further word, Unimon took flight, along with Matt and Gabumon.
"Come, whilst we press on, I can tell you of the shadow falling," the group left behind began to move once more.
~Flashback~
Like something possessed, Ark drove his blade further into the mass of shadows, cutting through flesh and disecting the one body in front of him which turned out to be many in one moving whirlpool. Their claws reached for the feel of his own flesh, eager to tear his abdomen to shreds, his sword kept them at bay whilst he even succeeded in pushing them back.
Leomon and Meramon took his flank still and held steady, never failing to protect Ark when the creatures pushed forward. They're progress seemed to slow. Ark felt the shadows becoming more concentrated.
"We must be nearing their central command!" Ark shouted. "Push forward!" He heard Leomon begin to growl beside him and fell back from his position.
"Fist Of The Beast King!" With much of his energy kept in reserve, Leomon focused much power into his attack and the powerful blast ripped through the hordes of the shadow creatures. Leomon had drained himself and fell to one knee.
"Leomon!" Ark had dropped to his aid.
"I am too tired, go on!" Leomon sent Ark forward into the fray. Meramon had held up the diminshing forces, further creating a weakness in their defense by enlarging his flames ten fold.
"Take this shadow down!" Ark roared. An entourage of Gazimon behind them formed as a unit and charged with the leader, holding aloft his glimmering blade.
~*~
With motions that were like a symphony, the rapier wielded by Faith pierced and sliced the bodies that come before her. With her personal guard of select few, they kept her safe from harm. Pixiemon, as a bullet zipped through bodies, ripping them to shreds and moved with great speed. His small bulk taking out as much as he could.
Fairymon, a new addition to the ranks stood rightly by Faith's side. Standing to an equal five foot six with Faith, she bore four heavenly wings that shone, creating just a golden sihlouette of her and a golden staff fought off the devilish hordes.
"Their ranks are becoming thicker!" Fairymon shouted in a two tone voice.
"We must be nearing their throne!" Faith answered. "Ark should be nearby, we can join with their numbers."
"Right," Fairymon looked over her shoulder. "Push forward!" A regiment of digimon were gathered behind them. They were considered the militia of the digimon foces. Ark had refused to take them under his wing as his own soldiers, yet they fought all the same, for their own future. With strength renowned from their leader's courage, they doubled their efforts and joined the front line of Faith and her guardians.
~*~
A very stale Gennai stood staring at the fortress, its battlements empty and the foundations semed to shake from the fights that raged inside. Io stood next to him, more apprehensive.
"It seems Ark and Faith are pushing them back," Io said. Gennai didn't look to him, just a groan of agreement in his throat.
"Send in the artillery units to fortify the lower levels where we have breached," Gennai instructed. Io nodded and raised hi right arm to a squadron of Tankmon.
"Secure the lower levels!" With that, the tankmon started their creeping chant and their mechnical joints urged them forward with new purpose. Io turned to his left, a battalion of Guardromon stood awaiting instructions. "I'll take my unit to support Ark and Faith." He looked to Gennai for approval, yet Gennai said nothing and did nothing but continue to stare at the fortress.
Io walked away, amongst the bronze coloured androids. "Guardromon, we are to venture to the fortress' throne room and offer heavy artillery support to Ark and Faith's squadrons. Move!"
"Yes sir!" The many voices answered. Io climbed upon the back of one and unsheathed his blade. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it for the first time.
"Forward!" With perfect rythmn, the Guardromon paced forward, making craters with their foot prints. Gennai barely watched them march off to war. With nobody beside him he turned his gaze to what really scared him. He felt safe that he didn't have the other three to worry now as he saw the ultimate battle between Daemon and the Shadow Lord, as yet unnamed but by no means to be ignored.
Thunder clapped as their wrath met one another. The tremors almost ricocheted off of the surface. The two were evenly matched, the outcome could come in disasterous scales, it now a battle of will. Who had the longest desire to live and reign for the other wouldn't let their enemy go breathing.
Daemon retracted his scythe to unleash it in a devastating blow, the Shadow Lord stopped it with a single hand before the deadly blade came back his way and using his free hand punched Daemon several feet through the air. A shocked and outraged Daemon immediately closed the distance and swipped his deadly weapon, the futile block of the Shadow Lord did nothing to lessen the pain inflicted.
A shriek escaped violently form the Shadow Lord as matter was torn from his being. He threw his head back as he gripped the deep gash in his arm. Daemon rushed forward, grabbing the Shadow Lord by the throat. Then with cataclismic force, Daemon drew back his arm and threw his foe to the earth. The resulting collision caused a great earthquake as the Shadow Lord broke through the levels of dirt, his body taking the brunt force that was needed to do so.
Daemon, would not let up on his enemy, it was quite apparent that Shadow Lord would vanquish him in this world if he gave him the chance. He charged downwards through the quake that was made at terminal velocity. Again he drew an arm back and clenched a fist. A war cry emerged from his throat.
Shadow Lord, lay stunned and hurt at the bottom of a creviss, deeper than any being had gone in the digital world. Seering heat surrounded him and further dampened his senses as he tried to recover from the devastating blow he had survived. He could only keep his concentration on one thing. A cry of hatred above him. His blurry vision focused on a meteor coming to him, the colors of red and purple in its tail. till he could see only that it was a cloak, and a wretched being was concealed inside.
He could not trust his vision for now and closed his eyes, he trusted his will and waited. With barely a second to react, he raised his hands, they caught the fist of Daemon and stopped the devil digimon in his tracks as another sonic boom crashed through the area from the impact.
"What?" A bewildered Daemon demanded. The Shadow Lord opened his minimalistic red eyes and they narrowed at Daemon. The aggrovated devil digimon roared again and struck with other fist, which was caught again as Shadow Lord freed one palm. This tim the darkest creature growled and with all his might, threw back Daemon, back up the trench that was made.
He summoned his energy about him. every ounce of strength his body possessed, he demanded be focused. Daemon, was taken back by this and watched how he did so, a barrier forced him from nearing the Shadow Lord in this time, whilst he was vulnerable. With no oher choice Daemon flared himself with his life force and summoned it to his hands.
The two rivalling energies grew larger and the energies pushed against each other as both figures set i upon themselves to destroy each other with every drop of destructive energy in their body.
Till what seemed to them, a star fell. Yet it could be no star for it was too small to be from the sky. It was an angelic tear that plummeted down the into the cavern of their battle and looked to come between them. It was a being who shone so bright, they could not see him.
"I'm afraid I cannot let you destroy each other in this way," a voice croaked from him. The two apocolyptic foes snarled at the being as his light became brighter and soon engulfed everything.
Inside what looked to be the throne room of the fortress, Ark stood on the stair case that led to a grand chair made from black stone and gave triumphant roar as he saw the remenants of the shadow army fled their base. The victorious digimon joined him bar the robotic Guadromon led by Io.
At that point, their win was blessed by a rocket of sublime gold light, emerging from the earth. Ark had hoped it was the release of darkness in this world, but knew it would be something far more sinister. Only a heart of good would release such light. There was an earthquake that made all falter on their feet and then silence.
No longer could Ark here the tremors of Daemon and the Shadow Lord in combat, there was no deafening rumble of immense power being exchanged. Just an unnerving sound. Faith stood next to Ark and looked at him with anxiety. Ark somehow knew what had happened. In destroying the two evils, a life was sacraficed.
"Gennai," he said with such sorrow.
~*~
There was no more from Ark. Joe raised an eyebrow, that was such a strange ending to a tale. He barely took notice of his surroundings. Now they were in the civil confines of the fortress, once belonging to the shadow creatures, the surviving digimon had made it their home and as comfortable as they could possibly make jagged rock.
The black walls did little to keep your spirit where it was, in fact it would have a negative effect on you if anything. They spanned high distances in all directions, blocking hostile forces from sight. The courtyard was charred black from spite of the world and would never again bare the fruit of grass and crop, it was a sad thing.
"That's it?" Joe asked. Ark took his time yet again to answer as he led them through the courtyard.
"Gennai sacraficed his own life force to destroy both Daemon and the Shadow Lord, there was celebration of victory and rememberance for the fallen, the shadow still remains and we smite their number as best we can but we do not know how many there are. Too many perhaps and we thank the sovereigns they have the little intelligence to mass together."
"But if this Shadow Lord is gone, shouldn't the digital world start to return to normal?"
"We don't know anything of the shadow and its nature, the way it works, until we do, we cannot form theories. If what you say is true, then the Shadow Lord still lives, and that scares me."
At that precise moment a bright looking character amongst the somber crowd began makin her way to them. Shouting joyfully at them.
"You made it back! I thought you were dead for sure!" She beamed. She looked at Joe and Kari with expceptional glee. "And you found them!"
"Faith, this is Joe and Kari," he intorduced. "I found them wandering the digital plains." He spoke quickly. Faith's smile started to lose its potency as she looked at Ark with some confusion. Ark remained stoic. After much delay she turned to the doubtfully and bowed.
"Its an honour," she said. "You must forgive me, I have errands about the fortress," she excused. Then with a wide smile she turned and left.
"What was that all about?" Kari asked stunned.
"Nothing, she is returning to help your friend heal," he answered. "It seems we got him here in time, she would not be so happy otherwise."
"Matt!" Kari exclaimed. "Where is he, we have to see if he's ok!" Ark smiled gently, the first time he ever showed a sign of emotion.
"Please follow me!" he answered. He led them off again. Kari followed without question, Joe was in tale but he wore the signs of a growl on his face. He didn't like the way Ark was lying to him one bit, he knew he was lying if Kari couldn't see it. It was all capped off by the way Faith reacted at them. He couldn't comprehend why Ark was being the way he was despite everything tht had happened, he just knew he'd sleep with one eye open and keep his back against the wall.
~*~
A/N: DUN!DUN! DUUUUUUNNN! If it comforts you, Matt is quite alright as Ark explained and we'll get to more of that later. Next chapter: Davis, Ken and T.K discover where they are and alot more than they bargained for, especially when their digimon can't digivolve. Kepp reading! Keep reviewing!
Chapter Nine: The Remains Of What Once Was Part II
By Ryan Bodle
A/N: I'll just jump straight into this one.
Disclaimer: I do not own digimon or any related characters. This is for entertainment purposes only.
~*~
With swift poetry, Faith swung her blade in a lethal arc, severing the heads of shadow that protected the battlements of the fortress and carried on through into the sanctum of its walls. Missiles increased upon her and Aquilamon took to the skies above, circling for another attack.
The second descent brought more rath than the first as Faith dismounted in one motion as Aquilamon dove further. Upon the battlements, Faith lead a companionship of smaller winged digimon. He shield protected her from the dnagerous claws of the shadowed creatures, her back protected by those digimon with her. Bringing her shield back, she once again brought down her blade, splitting a creature down the middle and back to her guard.
The small number of shadows there took one galnce of the determined crew and fled from battle. Without numbers the cowardly shadow ran from harm. Faith spoke behind her. "Find the entrance and clear what with stands in the way for the others!" She dashed forward in leadership.
~*~
Ark threw his sword forward again and again. His ferocious and animalistic swipes cleaved through more darkness only to have two replace it. He had underestimated the amount of numbers they had in the fortress, they had grown certainly. Beside him, Leomon had a drawn his blade and was swiping at the mass just as dangerously.
"Fireball!" Meramon shot forth another attack and the two ducked as it ripped through numbers. Since the beginning, Ark had found two trusty lieutenants in these two digimon and they never failed to hold his flank. He felt he couldn't hold out much longer and hoped that the inital attack pattern would fall into place any time now. He felt his feet vibrate, this was it.
He grinned and shared a satisfied look with Leomon before they put their weight onto their back legs and held their swords defensively. The shadows started forward and suddenly the vibrations turned to tremors, tremors to an earthquake. The three warriors heading the assualt stood firm whilst the enemy lost their balance.
The ground ruptured and from the epicentre appeared Ankylomon. Ark quickly threw himself through the air to take maximum advantage of the surpise they landed on the enemy. He made a horizontal sweep at his waist line as he descended, felling many a creature. Like a madman he swung his heavy blade, yet he mastered it. It was such a strange combination, that it almost seemed beautiful.
His passion carried him through the ranks of the shadow. Leomon and Meramon formed tightly behind him. The beast digimon slicing effortlessly through the numbers with his blade, the fire digimon burning to a cinder all in his path.
~*~
From outside the battlements of the fortress, Gennai and Io stood at ground, several feet away from the vast spanning walls. They looked at each other and nodded. Gennai raised his sword. "Monochromon!" With that the dinsaur digimon charged down the castle, not daring to stop as he reared his head straight for it at a break neck speed.
A thunderclap was made at collision as the tough exterior was cracked and fragmented but never completely faltered. The initial attack was followed up by a large green digimon wielding a club. A low roar started in his throat as he charged in behind and full speed, he began to swing his weapon and it clashed and pierced the walls, making a hole for attack.
Immediately behind, as he suspected, there were shadow sentries. "Pummel Whack!" With lightning speed, Ogremon sent fists of fury into them, destroying a creature with every blow. Not too soon after, digimon poured through to attack the defendants. The shadow fortress was to be taken.
~End Flashback~
They passed from under the confines of the cave and came to an over hang that watched over the valley of dead. In the middle stood a black fortress that marked Primary Village. Ark indicated to wards it and carried on his path.
"Why are we going that way I thought you said it was their base?" Joe asked.
"Was," Ark answered. "Now it is the only safe place for us to keep safe." He pressed onwards and led them now downwards into the valley. It was not long before a shadow cast over them, Joe looked to the skies and saw a winged beast descend upon them.
"Help has come at last!" Ark exclaimed. "It is Unimon!" The party came to a stop as the winged digimon landed gently.
"Ark, it is you, thank the Sovereigns. You hadn't returned for days, we thought you were lost."
"Nay, I have found some travellers who are in need of help, good Unimon." Ark laid Matt on the floor for Unimon to see.
"He is wounded by shadow, and for some time it seems, surely he is lost."
"No he's not!" Kari was quick to protest. "We must be able to save him!"
"Unimon, take him to Faith, she will be able to help him, I know it," Ark laid Matt on Unimon's back and with a newly made saddle. "Fly fast for his time is short, and send help for us."
"Wait!" Gabumon protested. "Let me go with him!" Joe helped the small digimon onton Unimon's back. Without further word, Unimon took flight, along with Matt and Gabumon.
"Come, whilst we press on, I can tell you of the shadow falling," the group left behind began to move once more.
~Flashback~
Like something possessed, Ark drove his blade further into the mass of shadows, cutting through flesh and disecting the one body in front of him which turned out to be many in one moving whirlpool. Their claws reached for the feel of his own flesh, eager to tear his abdomen to shreds, his sword kept them at bay whilst he even succeeded in pushing them back.
Leomon and Meramon took his flank still and held steady, never failing to protect Ark when the creatures pushed forward. They're progress seemed to slow. Ark felt the shadows becoming more concentrated.
"We must be nearing their central command!" Ark shouted. "Push forward!" He heard Leomon begin to growl beside him and fell back from his position.
"Fist Of The Beast King!" With much of his energy kept in reserve, Leomon focused much power into his attack and the powerful blast ripped through the hordes of the shadow creatures. Leomon had drained himself and fell to one knee.
"Leomon!" Ark had dropped to his aid.
"I am too tired, go on!" Leomon sent Ark forward into the fray. Meramon had held up the diminshing forces, further creating a weakness in their defense by enlarging his flames ten fold.
"Take this shadow down!" Ark roared. An entourage of Gazimon behind them formed as a unit and charged with the leader, holding aloft his glimmering blade.
~*~
With motions that were like a symphony, the rapier wielded by Faith pierced and sliced the bodies that come before her. With her personal guard of select few, they kept her safe from harm. Pixiemon, as a bullet zipped through bodies, ripping them to shreds and moved with great speed. His small bulk taking out as much as he could.
Fairymon, a new addition to the ranks stood rightly by Faith's side. Standing to an equal five foot six with Faith, she bore four heavenly wings that shone, creating just a golden sihlouette of her and a golden staff fought off the devilish hordes.
"Their ranks are becoming thicker!" Fairymon shouted in a two tone voice.
"We must be nearing their throne!" Faith answered. "Ark should be nearby, we can join with their numbers."
"Right," Fairymon looked over her shoulder. "Push forward!" A regiment of digimon were gathered behind them. They were considered the militia of the digimon foces. Ark had refused to take them under his wing as his own soldiers, yet they fought all the same, for their own future. With strength renowned from their leader's courage, they doubled their efforts and joined the front line of Faith and her guardians.
~*~
A very stale Gennai stood staring at the fortress, its battlements empty and the foundations semed to shake from the fights that raged inside. Io stood next to him, more apprehensive.
"It seems Ark and Faith are pushing them back," Io said. Gennai didn't look to him, just a groan of agreement in his throat.
"Send in the artillery units to fortify the lower levels where we have breached," Gennai instructed. Io nodded and raised hi right arm to a squadron of Tankmon.
"Secure the lower levels!" With that, the tankmon started their creeping chant and their mechnical joints urged them forward with new purpose. Io turned to his left, a battalion of Guardromon stood awaiting instructions. "I'll take my unit to support Ark and Faith." He looked to Gennai for approval, yet Gennai said nothing and did nothing but continue to stare at the fortress.
Io walked away, amongst the bronze coloured androids. "Guardromon, we are to venture to the fortress' throne room and offer heavy artillery support to Ark and Faith's squadrons. Move!"
"Yes sir!" The many voices answered. Io climbed upon the back of one and unsheathed his blade. He hoped he wouldn't have to use it for the first time.
"Forward!" With perfect rythmn, the Guardromon paced forward, making craters with their foot prints. Gennai barely watched them march off to war. With nobody beside him he turned his gaze to what really scared him. He felt safe that he didn't have the other three to worry now as he saw the ultimate battle between Daemon and the Shadow Lord, as yet unnamed but by no means to be ignored.
Thunder clapped as their wrath met one another. The tremors almost ricocheted off of the surface. The two were evenly matched, the outcome could come in disasterous scales, it now a battle of will. Who had the longest desire to live and reign for the other wouldn't let their enemy go breathing.
Daemon retracted his scythe to unleash it in a devastating blow, the Shadow Lord stopped it with a single hand before the deadly blade came back his way and using his free hand punched Daemon several feet through the air. A shocked and outraged Daemon immediately closed the distance and swipped his deadly weapon, the futile block of the Shadow Lord did nothing to lessen the pain inflicted.
A shriek escaped violently form the Shadow Lord as matter was torn from his being. He threw his head back as he gripped the deep gash in his arm. Daemon rushed forward, grabbing the Shadow Lord by the throat. Then with cataclismic force, Daemon drew back his arm and threw his foe to the earth. The resulting collision caused a great earthquake as the Shadow Lord broke through the levels of dirt, his body taking the brunt force that was needed to do so.
Daemon, would not let up on his enemy, it was quite apparent that Shadow Lord would vanquish him in this world if he gave him the chance. He charged downwards through the quake that was made at terminal velocity. Again he drew an arm back and clenched a fist. A war cry emerged from his throat.
Shadow Lord, lay stunned and hurt at the bottom of a creviss, deeper than any being had gone in the digital world. Seering heat surrounded him and further dampened his senses as he tried to recover from the devastating blow he had survived. He could only keep his concentration on one thing. A cry of hatred above him. His blurry vision focused on a meteor coming to him, the colors of red and purple in its tail. till he could see only that it was a cloak, and a wretched being was concealed inside.
He could not trust his vision for now and closed his eyes, he trusted his will and waited. With barely a second to react, he raised his hands, they caught the fist of Daemon and stopped the devil digimon in his tracks as another sonic boom crashed through the area from the impact.
"What?" A bewildered Daemon demanded. The Shadow Lord opened his minimalistic red eyes and they narrowed at Daemon. The aggrovated devil digimon roared again and struck with other fist, which was caught again as Shadow Lord freed one palm. This tim the darkest creature growled and with all his might, threw back Daemon, back up the trench that was made.
He summoned his energy about him. every ounce of strength his body possessed, he demanded be focused. Daemon, was taken back by this and watched how he did so, a barrier forced him from nearing the Shadow Lord in this time, whilst he was vulnerable. With no oher choice Daemon flared himself with his life force and summoned it to his hands.
The two rivalling energies grew larger and the energies pushed against each other as both figures set i upon themselves to destroy each other with every drop of destructive energy in their body.
Till what seemed to them, a star fell. Yet it could be no star for it was too small to be from the sky. It was an angelic tear that plummeted down the into the cavern of their battle and looked to come between them. It was a being who shone so bright, they could not see him.
"I'm afraid I cannot let you destroy each other in this way," a voice croaked from him. The two apocolyptic foes snarled at the being as his light became brighter and soon engulfed everything.
Inside what looked to be the throne room of the fortress, Ark stood on the stair case that led to a grand chair made from black stone and gave triumphant roar as he saw the remenants of the shadow army fled their base. The victorious digimon joined him bar the robotic Guadromon led by Io.
At that point, their win was blessed by a rocket of sublime gold light, emerging from the earth. Ark had hoped it was the release of darkness in this world, but knew it would be something far more sinister. Only a heart of good would release such light. There was an earthquake that made all falter on their feet and then silence.
No longer could Ark here the tremors of Daemon and the Shadow Lord in combat, there was no deafening rumble of immense power being exchanged. Just an unnerving sound. Faith stood next to Ark and looked at him with anxiety. Ark somehow knew what had happened. In destroying the two evils, a life was sacraficed.
"Gennai," he said with such sorrow.
~*~
There was no more from Ark. Joe raised an eyebrow, that was such a strange ending to a tale. He barely took notice of his surroundings. Now they were in the civil confines of the fortress, once belonging to the shadow creatures, the surviving digimon had made it their home and as comfortable as they could possibly make jagged rock.
The black walls did little to keep your spirit where it was, in fact it would have a negative effect on you if anything. They spanned high distances in all directions, blocking hostile forces from sight. The courtyard was charred black from spite of the world and would never again bare the fruit of grass and crop, it was a sad thing.
"That's it?" Joe asked. Ark took his time yet again to answer as he led them through the courtyard.
"Gennai sacraficed his own life force to destroy both Daemon and the Shadow Lord, there was celebration of victory and rememberance for the fallen, the shadow still remains and we smite their number as best we can but we do not know how many there are. Too many perhaps and we thank the sovereigns they have the little intelligence to mass together."
"But if this Shadow Lord is gone, shouldn't the digital world start to return to normal?"
"We don't know anything of the shadow and its nature, the way it works, until we do, we cannot form theories. If what you say is true, then the Shadow Lord still lives, and that scares me."
At that precise moment a bright looking character amongst the somber crowd began makin her way to them. Shouting joyfully at them.
"You made it back! I thought you were dead for sure!" She beamed. She looked at Joe and Kari with expceptional glee. "And you found them!"
"Faith, this is Joe and Kari," he intorduced. "I found them wandering the digital plains." He spoke quickly. Faith's smile started to lose its potency as she looked at Ark with some confusion. Ark remained stoic. After much delay she turned to the doubtfully and bowed.
"Its an honour," she said. "You must forgive me, I have errands about the fortress," she excused. Then with a wide smile she turned and left.
"What was that all about?" Kari asked stunned.
"Nothing, she is returning to help your friend heal," he answered. "It seems we got him here in time, she would not be so happy otherwise."
"Matt!" Kari exclaimed. "Where is he, we have to see if he's ok!" Ark smiled gently, the first time he ever showed a sign of emotion.
"Please follow me!" he answered. He led them off again. Kari followed without question, Joe was in tale but he wore the signs of a growl on his face. He didn't like the way Ark was lying to him one bit, he knew he was lying if Kari couldn't see it. It was all capped off by the way Faith reacted at them. He couldn't comprehend why Ark was being the way he was despite everything tht had happened, he just knew he'd sleep with one eye open and keep his back against the wall.
~*~
A/N: DUN!DUN! DUUUUUUNNN! If it comforts you, Matt is quite alright as Ark explained and we'll get to more of that later. Next chapter: Davis, Ken and T.K discover where they are and alot more than they bargained for, especially when their digimon can't digivolve. Kepp reading! Keep reviewing!