Chapter eleven: Everyone must chose someday
LadyDevimon and MagnaAngemon had reached Angewomon's dressing room. She opened the mirror and a flock of bats darted towards her, she screamed and lowered her guard but with one attack, MagnaAngemon reconfigured the beasts. "Your hand at the level of your eyes!" She told him once, raising her hand up again. He nodded and looked down the short corridor behind the mirror. "…at the level of your eyes…" He muttered to himself as they walked along towards the digiport they heard the mob of vaccines and celestial digimon shouting the same advice. "He lives across the deep of darkness, MagnaAngemon. This is as far as I dare go." She walked back but he turned to her grabbing her hand. Fearfully she startled but he only wanted to thank her before he touched the digiport. He felt an enormous thug running through his whole body and then there was only black around him. It was like drowning in a viscous mass that lived and tried to tear him down again every time he attempted to escape. He rolled together like a hedgehog and then spread his holy energy of light with one shot all around... The sea vanished as fast as it had come and MagnaAngemon stood in darkness again, at first... As his eyes got used to the dimness all around he noticed that he was in a room, a circled room with flatly walls... mirrors! He turned around several times until he realized he had been there once before, only this time there was no glimpse of Myotismon to be seen. Instead, MagnaAngemon felt the room getting chilly with every second, it was a stinging cold and he could see his breath, while he walked in circles in trough the room. Slowly the air became more and more choky, he looked at the floor and saw fouling black vapor welling in at the mirrors edges. He was shook by a coughing fit and his staff plummeted to the floor, slowly it rolled towards the mist and then... the venomous vapor began deleting it... MagnaAngemon was startled, he needed to get out of there as fast as possible... In dread he flipped round but all around him where only mirrors! All he stared at was his face, his face, his face, nothing, his face, his face... And like lightning he turned back to that one mirror... –Myotismon's a vampire! Vampires normally have no reflection... I do have one... but this mirror doesn't reflect me...- He began inspect the mirror more closely and discovered that this one was the only one without the deadly fog... It was his only chance... He shot a holy main attack against the glass and it began to crack but he was already to dazed by the lack of oxygen to shoot a second attack... There was only one way... "ANGEWOMON!" He shouted and ran against the mirror with his shoulder. The glass burst into thousands of sharp slivers that cut into his skin and ripped bleeding wounds open... But now he could breathe and he stood in a corridor, darker than the mirror trap had been, but his holy light would guide him the way to her.
High in the theatre the mob of vaccines had reached the dressing room of Angewomon, and the first entered the aisle behind the mirror. "Track down this murderer! He must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!" But when their leader Seraphimon touched it, nothing happened, someone must have deactivated it. The digimon shouted in outrage, who could try to thwart their plan to catch this monster. "Too long he's preyed on us! But now we know: the Phantom of the Digiworld is there deep down below..." They needed to find another way across the deep of darkness and to his castle. It was a difficult decision but finally all agreed that the holy digimon should open a portal as he had done. As they unlike him did not know where exactly his hideout was, it would need some time to open the correct portal to the full size. But they were sure that waiting would pay off. "He's here: the Phantom of the Digiworld..." All their hope rested on MagnaAngemon and his love now.
Meanwhile Myotismon dragged Angewomon into a large hall of not chiseled stone walls, beside of an enormous door like pattern that was curved into the back wall. Angewomon remembered this room with the throne and the strange stone table in front of it. It was here where she had sang for him when she came to his castle for the first time. And now… this strange image of her in the wedding dress, sat in his throne like a marionette which's threads had been cut. Myotismon dragged her roughly forward but somehow she could free herself from his tight grasp and backed away as he stared blackly out front. She gasped but then braved her terror and addressed to him fiercely.
"Have you gorged yourself at last,
In your lust for blood" She glared at his back while he did neither turn to her, nor did she receive an answer.
"Am I now to be prey
To your lust for flesh?" She shouted to him, still in mortal fear but with upraising fury and rebelliousness. Now he turned to her, though she could not interpret his eyes this time... Imperceptibly they had become enigmatic and his voice was now cold and rough to her.
"That fate, which condemns me
To wallow in blood
Has also denied me
The joys of the flesh...
This face - the virus
Which infects our love..." He had walked toward his throne and now his hands reached through the fog that shrouded this ghostly image of Angewomon. He took the bridal veil of it and slowly walked toward the angelic digimon. For a split second a debauched sparkling flickered through his eyes but then they grew cold like steel again. But in his voice had again changed, gloom began to rise in it and with his voice it also invaded his eyes...
"This face, which earned
Primary Village's fear and loathing...
A mask, my first
Unfeeling scrap of clothing..." Carefully and with unnoticeable jittering fingers he placed the veil on Angewomon's head. His eyes were filled with overwhelming emotions. That was what he had yearned for, maybe he could not rule this world, but he found a way to be together with her until eternity. As she views these two shining sapphires in the darkness of his garbled face, she could not withhold her sensations being changed. Slowly she reaches out for his hands, but never touches it.
"Pity comes too late –
Turn around and face your fate:
An eternity of THIS
Before your eyes!" He pushed her hand away and brutally grabbed her head with his hands forcing her to look at him. And anew her sentiments were altered. Now her eyes were gazing at his face, coldly and calmly.
"This haunted face
holds no horror for me now...
It's in your soul
that the true distortion lies..." Myotismon was slightly perplexed by her composure but he had no time to express his astonishment. His sagacious senses rang a bell in the back of his mind. "Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!" He turned from her to the door from which they had came and shortly waved with his hand, then he folded his arms in front of his chest, awaiting. Angewomon looked at him not understanding what would happen now... Until she heard rushing footsteps drawing closer then just as their owner arrives at the door, Myotismon welcomed him.
"Sir, this is indeed
an unparalleled delight!
I had rather HOPED
that you would come.
And now my wish comes true -
you have truly made my night!" He sneered at MagnaAngemon who wanted to run to his love but then suddenly he bounced against an invisible barrier and was thrown backwards by an electrical charge. He could not enter the room.
"Free her!
Do what you like only free her!
Have you no pity?" He shouted at Myotismon who only scorned at him by turning to Angewomon and telling her dryly the obvious. She did not dare to look into his eyes or to MagnaAngemon. "Your lover makes a passionate plea!" But then again she twisted her mind and took a few steps towards the angelic digimon, but Myotismon held her arm, to keep her. "Please, MagnaAngemon, it's useless..." The vaccine had a new attempt onto the barrier, but again he could effect nothing so he addressed at Myotismon and at his conscience.
"I love her!
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion..." Myotismon's eyes narrowed to slits as he switched his Crimson Lightning onto MagnaAngemon, apparently he could penetrate this energy wall. He snarled at the vaccine furiously.
"THE WORLD SHOWED NO COMPASSION TO ME!" MagnaAngemon shot several of his holy attacks against the rampart but unlike the mirror it was not even scratched. "Angewomon! Angewomon! Let me see her!" Myotismon laughed maniacally and bared his fangs in a smug grin. "Be my guest, Sir!" He snipped his fingers and the barrier disappeared. MagnaAngemon walked into the room highly suspicious, he was not sure whether he could trust this peace.
"Vaccine, I bid you welcome!
Did you think that I would harm her?
Why should I make her pay
For the sins which are
YOURS!" The large door bang shut in MagnaAngemon's back and before he had a chance to move Myotismon drew his Crimson Lightning lasso and caught him by the neck. The end of the glowing energy rope, which he had let go, remained ghostly suspended in mid-air. Taunting he flicked his forefinger against MagnaAngemon's chin and strode steadily to the stone table.
"Order your fine Unimon now!
Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes!
Nothing can save you now -
except perhaps Angewomon..." He stood behind the table and from under his cape he drew ten cards. As he glanced at her, he placed each in a slot curved in the stone, leaving space in the upper left corner and two cards remained in his hand. He put one aside and held the other card up for her to see it. He turned it between his fore- and his ring finger.
"Start a new life with me -
Buy his freedom with your love!
Refuse me, and you send
Your lover to his death!" He stopped flipping the card and she could view a picture of a Gomamon upon it. At the same time he raised his left hand and clenched it to a fist, immediately the lightning rope around MagnaAngemon's neck tightened and he began to choke.
"This is the choice -
This is the point of no return!" She glanced to the vaccine and then gazed up to Myotismon. How could he demand a decision of such dimensions? She loved MagnaAngemon but she had loved him too... as her Angel of Music... now MagnaAngemon seemed to be right... He was nothing more than a virus, an angel of death... Without any kind of consciences or altruism. And she knew this warmth that arose in her was nothing but anger.
"The tears I might have shed for your dark fate
Grow cold,
And turn to tears of
HATE!" She glared at him but he almost shrugged indifferent, of course he wanted her to love and not to hate him, but she would come to love him when they'd spend eternity together… MagnaAngemon shook his head, his hands clenched to the string around his neck, he never wanted Angewomon's pure and innocent heart to bear such emotions as hate. Despairing he called out for her.
"Angewomon, forgive
Me please forgive me . . .
I did it all for you,
And all
For nothing..." She did not listen to him, she was purging her mind of all dreams and illusions she had been given by Myotismon. Now it was her turn to be deeply disappointed. She had always trusted him and thought the killing would stop but it only became more gory. Although she wanted to go to MagnaAngemon, she did not move but looked up to Myotismon.
"Farewell my fallen idol
And false friend...
One by one
I've watched
illusions shattered..." Angewomon turned her head away from him in fear his eyes could harm her. She wished he would free MagnaAngemon, she loved him but if she'd confessed it Myotismon would kill him and for saving his life she would have to go with Myotismon... He unhanded the card of Gomamon and it began to spin around its axis in the air, so fast it almost seemed to be a hovering, glowing orb in the darkness.
"To late for turning back
To late for prayers and useless pity!
Past all hope
Of cries for help..." Myotismon loosened his grip and similarly the crimson lightning loosened slightly, leaving MagnaAngemon space to breathe. The vampire knew how much he'd like to play with his antagonist, he still needed him alive as a collateral. MagnaAngemon meanwhile used his regained respiration to talk to his love.
"Either way you choose,
he has to win..." Myotismon raised an eyebrow looking down at him. This vaccine was smarter than he had imagined as he was utterly right in his dread. Myotismon laughed triumphant, he could not loose as much as MagnaAngemon could not win. This was a perfect checkmate!
"No point in fighting!
For either way you choose,
you cannot win!" The card by now had stopped spinning and lowered down, hovering only inches above the stone table. Myotismon held his hand over it and gazed at Angewomon, demandingly.
"So do you end your days with me!
Or do you send him to his grave!" The Crimson Lightning noose tightened and began to cut into MagnaAngemon's flesh. But the vaccine would not give up and never surrender to fight for his love. Furiously he snarled at the 'Phantom of the Digiworld' though coughing in choking.
"Why make her lie to you,
To save me!" Angewomon looked at MagnaAngemon and attempted a few steps into his direction, but then she turned around to Myotismon again and looked up to him, her heart torn apart... She had made the mistake to look into his azure eyes...
"Angel of Music...
Why this torment?
When will you see reason...?" He watched her and her voice calmed his rage for a moment, but still he was as stubborn as MagnaAngemon. He would never let her go, she would come with him... If not in this world, then in the next one.
"Past the point of no return
The final threshold..." MagnaAngemon fought against the string cutting bleeding stripes into his neck. Though his limbs slowly began to prickle, a clear sign of the lack of oxygen, he tried to stumble forwards, but the Crimson Lightning held him back like a dog on a chain. Strangling him only more, the more he struggled but he would use his last breathe to fight for his love, if he had to.
"For pity's sake,
Angewomon, say no!
Don't throw your life away
For my sake..." But she was not really listening to the angelic digimon, still she gazed up to Myotismon demanding him to think better of it. But he clenched his fist even tighter, one could think blood would soon begin to flow from his palm. And the lightning rope drew closer, too... MagnaAngemon felt dizzy and black points began to hop around in his sight.
"His life is now the prize
which you must earn!" Myotismon glanced curtly down to MagnaAngemon and imperceptible for Angewomon loosened the noose slightly as the vaccine was going to faint and he wanted him to witness his triumph over him. Surprisingly MagnaAngemon was still strong enough to cough out some words for Angewomon.
"I fought so hard to free you..." Maybe she had heard him, maybe she hadn't in any case she did not react to his words. She still looked up to Myotismon in her dilemma irredeemable tossed between two 'mon she both loved in her own special way. What should she do? Which way to go? Which choice to take?
"You've past the point
Of no return!" MagnaAngemon by now kept silent, he was only able to breathe in fits and starts gasping for air it was impossible for him to speak even one word, but he did not need to. Eventually Angewomon turned around and looked at him apprehensive, slowly she turned her head back to Myotismon, her voice was reproachful.
"Angel of Music
You deceived me -
I gave you my mind blindly!" She whispered to him more than she spoke. Myotismon closed his right hand around the card, ready to place it into the last slot on the stone table. He glared at MagnaAngemon and then addressed her, his eyes both encouraging and threatening. He spoke with irritation.
"You try my patience!
Make your choice!" This must have been the most horrifying moment in her whole life. She did not wanted to loose Angemon but equally she did not wanted to spend the rest of her days in the darkness, and as it would be with Myotismon, the rest of her days would mean eternity… But if she said so, he would kill him and her heart would be captured in darkness forever… It was a vicious circle… How could he make her choose between two ways both as dreadful as hell…? She reflected for a long moment… If he asked her to chose her love… there was only one way…
With resolution she slowly walked towards Myotismon. Her voice was quietly first but then with growing emotion.
"Pitiful creature of darkness...
What kind of life have you known...?
God give me courage to show you
You are not
ALONE!" Now calmly facing him, she kissed him full on the lips and embraced him with her warm arms, drawing his chilly body close to her. The card of Gomamon plummeted to the floor in Myotismon's perplexity. Then his hands glided through her silken blond hair while hers skimmed over the back of his head. MagnaAngemon watched them in horror and wonder, he could hardly believe their embrace lasted such a long time. Her eyes were opened but Myotismon closed his lids, he felt hot salty tears on his tongue, not sure whether they were hers or his… She had decided and it was him she had chosen… His angel of light had come to him… He felt her body shivering slightly. He believed it was because of the overwhelming emotions, he was right but not the way he had thought. And a tiny, ferocious voice, he had not heard for months rose up and out of his subconscious again…So this is what you wanted?
–Leave!-
Oh no! I'm your conscience… You shan't snap me out this time, Myotismon.
-She's here on her own choice!-
Of course she is…
-What…? What do you...-
Is it this what you wanted Myotismon? To be with her forever?
-Yes!-
Even if you can never be sure whether she had not just chosen you because of saving his life?
The vampire twitched, he knew the tears he tasted now where his own…
-She… loves me…-
Are you sure? Open your eyes, not just those you got in your dustbin of a face! Open your senses!
He listened up and heard MagnaAngemon gasping silently, he heard his own heart throbbing and hers pounding… and he heart her fainted sobbing while they kissed. He smelled fear in MagnaAngemon's sweat and he smelled fear on her, too. He already had tasted her salty tears, that he knew had not been the sort of tears someone cried out of happiness… He felt she was still quaking, somehow like struggling with herself… He opened his eyes, hers were closed now, he saw her lids twitching nervously…
And your vampiric sixth sense? What does that one tell you?
-…-
Bugging isn't it?
-Oh will you please shut up!-
No! So do you love her, Myotismon?
-Yes!-
No, no, no… I mean do you really love her?
-Yes, more than blood, more than my very life, more than everything I ever knew…-
I see… So tell me again… What do you want?
-I want her… well I don't know… I… No… I want her to be…-
Right! Then you know what to do!
MagnaAngemon was wondering why Myotismon suddenly nodded and disengaged from her. The vampire sighed deeply and without looking at Angewomon he strode over to his opponent. He took one of the lighted candles and held it over MagnaAngemon at the same time he seized the vaccine's head with his left hand. A tense moment… What would he do now, would he break his neck?
A/N: THAT's what I call a cliffhanger!
