Chapter seven: Into the Shadows; Day Three

I pulled myself up farther as Jeri released a small gasp. Somewhere, somehow, she had gotten ahead of Henry and I. "Guys! It's so pretty." She called out. I cast a nervous glance at Henry who simply shrugged and continued to hike up the steep hill. Its been three days since we arrived in the digital world and this was the first time Jeri has mentioned that something's "pretty".

"Wow." Spoke Henry as he reached the top. Stretched out bellow us was a huge valley, with tons of small colorful huts and other buildings dotting the green grass. I could feel hope swelling within me. Our arrival was probably a worse scenario case. None of us can remember arriving in the digital world, but when we came to we were without our digimon. Henry woke me up and I could see a huge forest, but behind us was a bunch of hills. Jeri was passed out next to me so we woke her up, and after dealing with her hysteria of not having Leomon and not wanting to go into the "scary" forest we decided to head across the hills.

"Look, there's people." Jeri pointed out. Sure enough there were dozens of specs moving around the village.

"No, not people. Digimon." Corrected Henry. I strained my eyes trying to make out one of the dots and yes I could tell they were digimon, but none I have ever seen before. It looked as if the digimon were flowers. I chuckled to myself.

"What's so funny Takato?" Joked Jeri tearing her gaze from the spectacular countryside.

"Nothing. People or digimon, we'll never find out if we just stand up here." At this they moved down the hill. It seems that's all we've been doing. Up then down then up then down again. But I waited, lost in my thoughts. Could Guilmon be there? They're all there waiting for us. Guilmon, Leomon, Terriermon, Renamon and Rika, and that boy… I think his name is Cory.

"I'll race you there!" Hollered Jeri as she took off running down the hill. I moved to Henry's side, once again glancing up at him.

"Hey it's much better then the tears." He spoke before sprinting after Jeri. I glanced down at what looked like a mile run and sighed to myself before chasing after them. My mind ran almost as fast as my legs, but still I couldn't catch up to Henry, who left us in the dust easily. After our first day of o crap were gonna die we continued across the hills, but thankfully we came across some kind of dead animal. It didn't look like a digimon, but it wasn't anything any of us had seen. Either way Henry proclaimed it edible after he attempted to cook it. Jeri refused to touch it, I cant really say I blame her though. I ate some, it tasted pretty nasty but it felt good to have some food in me. Henry on the other hand stuffed himself.

My mind eventually returned to the village. There had to be more people there then just us, probably digimon. A vision of small old digimon cloaked in robes that made them look like monks filled my mind. Digimon that would be able to tell us what is going on, how to stop it, offer us some advice and send us on our way. But not before greeting us with a nice warm meal, perhaps some food that we would recognize. I could feel a smile spread across my face as I passed Jeri. We ran for a few minuets, until Jeri called out.

"Takato, I'm done." She called out in-between gasps. I stopped running, allowing her to catch up before walking in the direction Henry was still sprinting. "How long do you think he'll keep running?" She chuckled.

"I dunno… Should we stop him?" I questioned as Henry disappeared down another hill. But instead of an answer she yelled out at him, waving her arms in the air.

"So what do you think the people, or digimon will be like?" Questioned Jeri. I shrugged, not wanting to give off how much I hoped they would be of some help.

"I dunno." I answered. We reached Henry as we started down the last hill between the village and us. "Come on, you have to have some kind of idea." She continued.

"What you guys talking about?" He questioned as he began walking along side me.

"The digimon, what do you think they will be like?" She questioned again.

"Probably just like normal people, but I don't know. I mean judging from our past encounters with digimon." Sighed Henry.

"You mean you think they will want to hurt us?" She stopped walking and looked at the two of us. "What will we do? We can't fight them." I glanced at Henry, bracing my self for another round of Jeri's hysteria.

"No, I mean there's no way we can guess how they will be. I mean we don't exactly know how normal digimon act." As Henry explained we started forward again, when I decided to voice my opinion.

"I think they'll be a little helpful." I started. "I mean who can help us fix problems in the digital world better then the digimon… Hey who knows we might even get some food from them." I chuckled to myself as I pictured a short robed digimon kneeling before us with a hamburger in his hand. I was snapped back to reality when Jeri let out a small chuckle.

"I thought you didn't have any clue what they were like?" Questioned Jeri. I glanced away, laughing to myself. W are getting closer, I could now make out the many log cabins, a few buildings were hallowed out trees, and it looked as if the digimon were walking flowers.

"Hey, they see us." Spoke Henry He raised his hand up, pointing at a small band of digimon gathering at a wooden gate built at the front of the village. I jumped a little when Jeri snatched my hand. Peering down I saw that she had Henrys as well, who simply shrugged at me.

"Ooohh I hope they're friendly." Whined Jeri. As we got closer I could hear them talking. It looked like the majority of the village was Floralmon, a short flower-like digimon. We had to fight a few back in our own world. But what really drew my attention was the strange bird one standing behind them. It looked to be about my height, stood on two black legs, and had a strange white skull over its face. There was also a few mushroomon and Gotsumon scattered around, along with a few digimon I've never seen before.

"Well… Here we go." Muttered Henry. I glanced at Jeri when she gave a little tug, her eyes were fixed on the bird digimon also, but still we continued forward.

"Don't be afraid." Called out one of the Floralmon. I think it was talking to us, but it also sounded like it was reassuring them. Henry and I pulled Jeri up to the gate.

"Hi… Umm… We've been traveling for three days now, and we'd really like a place to rest if you don't mind." Spoke Henry. The digimon began to mumble to themselves as they pulled the gate open.

"O Yeah yeah. I'm sorry. Were not use to having visitors. And I can't remember the last time we've seen humans." Explained a Floralmon. I couldn't think of anything to say, so I just stayed quite, hoping Henry would say something. For a few seconds we just starred at them, and finally the Floralmon traced Jeri's eyes to the bird. "O don't worry about him, that's Kiwimon. He won't harm you." I shot a glance towards the village, not wanting to appear rude.

"Sorry, but not many of our meetings with digimon have been friendly." I explained.

"Was he with you?" Spoke Kiwimon. I looked at him with confusion before realizing he was talking to Jeri.

"O yeah the Leomon." Spoke one of the Gotsumon. "Didn't he say he was looking for a young human girl?" Jeri ripped her hand free of mine and nearly fell forward.

"Leomon! Is he here? Where is he?" She questioned. There was a few moments of silence before Kiwimon gave his answer.

"No… You just missed him. He came through yesterday. Wouldn't stay, wouldn't rest, he asked me to take him outside the city and show help him look for his companions." Jeri turned away from him, looking back at Henry and me.

"Ooh were so close, I can feel it." She spoke. She turned around and began to talk with the Kiwimon again. I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. Yeah we know were close to Leomon, but what about Guilmon? And we still have no clue where the others are…

"Please, stay with us for a night. We don't have much to offer but we have been hoping human would show up." He turned to walk away, and waited for us to fallow. I glanced over at Henry to see him waiting on me to answer.

"One night won't hurt us." I answered.

"Good, please this way." We all followed the Kiwimon, walking along many different dirt roads through the village. There were so many digimon here, living like human, not wanting to rip anything apart. It felt strange, other then our digimon every other digimon was out for blood.

"Kiwimon, you said that you were hoping to find a group of human?" Questioned Henry.

"Ahhh, yeah. You see the digital world seems to have a bit of a crisis, and well it was predicted that when the digital world was in its darkest hour, man would once again step into the digital world." Started Kiwimon.

"Predicted…. By who?" Questioned Jeri.

"By an old wise digimon, who is no longer with us. Jijimon told us that, before giving his life to defeat the dark masters…. A group of evil digimon bent on ruling this world." He explained.

"So, what's wrong with the digital world? Is it disappearing?" I questioned? If the digital world is disappearing, then Yamaki was wrong… the digital world couldn't be the problem.

"Disappearing… No it's changing. Oceans are freezing over, forests are turning to deserts, and strange creatures have started appearing. The weather has become unpredictable, and life is becoming very rough." He continued. He stepped into one of the bigger houses, waiting for us to follow. "We don't know what's going on… But as predicted, you are here." We walked into the building, which had a small wood burner, and a set of bunks. I felt disappointed once again… No wise digimon that will tell us what to do, just like Leomon we missed him too.

"Kiwimon, could you help us catch up to Leomon?" Questioned Jeri. Kiwimon looked down at us, debating his answer.

"I must stay near Floral village, I am needed here, but I will take you as far as I took him. But for now, rest. Tomorrow we will have a good meal ready, and then you start your journey." The digimon made a simple bow before leaving us. The three of us stood there, taking in the news.

"Well… We better get some sleep." Spoke Henry as he climbed up onto one of the top bunks. I took another top, and Jeri sat on the bed underneath mine.

"I can't believe were so close." Muttered Jeri. "We'll find him tomorrow for sure." The was a soft clinking of sprigs as Jeri tucked herself into her bed, and a few minutes later sleep carried me away.

In some far away land.

I could feel the ground form beneath my feet as the mist retreated away from me. I glanced around to see the emperor at my side and Moonshade next to him. There was a sharp cry in the distance, and as I surveyed our surroundings a small child ran into one of the many stone houses. The ground was paved with bricks and made a path to each house. And above the houses a few miles away was a huge building. It stretched up almost like a pyramid, but instead of a point was small platform and on that platform stretching out was a golden outline of the sun. My hands instantly fell to my belt, I glanced down as if to check but I already knew the answer. My belt buckle was the same symbol as that, the way the flames spilled out from the center, there was no doubt they were the same.

"Look familiar?" Questioned the Emperor. He traced me graze down to my belt buckle and shot another glance up to make sure they were the same. "Where'd you get that?" He questioned.

"It's my family crest… Passed down through my family as far back as it can be traced." I spoke, still running my fingers over the metal flames as if it would change.

"Sir?" Questioned Moonshade. Men began to make their way from the houses, armed with spears and clubs. One man stepped forward, holding his spear point down and trying to look brave.

"Who are you? We were told that you came from the sky, that the Gods sent you here. Is this true? Did the Gods send you?" Moonshade moved behind me grabbing my hands. I glanced at her to see her eyes locked on the ground. I looked at the people to see each and every one of them watching her. I pulled her closer so that our shoulders were touching, trying to reassure her.

"Did the Gods send us?" Repeated the Emperor. "Dear boy we are the Gods." The people began o stir, talking amongst themselves. The man talking with the Emperor who I was guessing was in charge stepped back a few feet, now looking like a nervous child caught making out with his girlfriend by his mother.

"Sir, I apologize but I don't wish to take a child's word on this. Please, prove to us that you're the Gods." It struck me odd to hear them talk. Neither one was speaking English, or any dialect that I have heard. And yet I could understand exactly what they were saying. Is this the emperors' doing? Moonshade squeezed my hand, pulling herself closer to me. The purple mist streamed out of the emperors cape and formed in front of his hands, spreading out until it touched the mans spear. A loud crackling sound filled the air as the spear flew from the mans hands, it flew higher and higher before finally vanishing. The people starred at him in awe. Until finally the man dropped to his knees, touching his nose to the ground. "I'm sorry my lord." He apologized. In seconds every man women and child was on their knees bowing before us. Moonshade loosened her grip as a small sigh of relief escaped her. It felt odd, having all these people bow to me. As a king I've had nobles bow to me as courtesies. But I have never demanded it, nor did I think it necessary.

"Very well. We have come to you to discuss this world's problem. You must have heard about it by now." Explained the Emperor. The man rose to his feet, and his people followed.

"Yes… It's your doing. So please… I'm Moandian." He bowed again, this time as a courtesy.

"Just call me emperor. I prefer no names. This is Cortez, and this is Moonshade." He gestured to us as the people gathered closer, still not saying anything. "As you know your lands are disappearing. We are creating a New World, and we have come here to see if you are worthy of a place within this New World." He explained. I could see a smirk sliding onto his face, he was enjoying every bit of this. Moandian looked at the emperor, slightly alarmed but far from panicking.

"And how would we prove ourselves to the Gods?" He questioned. Moonshade and I glanced over at the emperor, what was he scheming?

"Show us a true festival, tonight is the night of the full moon. A day that you celebrate, show us a true night here." Continued the emperor. At this Moandian turned to his people.

"You heard him! Lets show them a festival fit for the gods themselves!" He hollered at the crowd. People turned away, rushing to finish their business. Moandian turned his attention back to us. "And what would you do as we finish the preparations?"

"Don't mind us. I have matters I must attend to, and I'm sure they will keep themselves busy." Replied the Emperor. Moandian dropped down in another bow before turning away.

"Very well my lord." He spoke. The Emperor turned to us now, impatience flickering in his smile.

"I'm going to check out the temple. You two just stay out of trouble, and make sure I can find you if I must." He turned away and started walking down the road, but the mist wrapped around him lifting him a few inches above the ground and carrying him away. Moonshade stepped in front of me, curiosity burning in her face.

"So what's going on?" She questioned. I shrugged, not completely lost, but still not knowing all the facts.

"Sounds like were staying for a party." I replied. She smiled a nice innocent smile. And pulled me down the road as we began to wander the small town.

About half a mile away from the village

The steps sped by as the mist pulled me up the temple. The entire temple was made of stairs, and it looked as if it was all made of gold. This must be where the stone is hidden. As I reached the top the golden flames from the sun reached out across the pyramid. There is no doubt, this is the same symbol as Corts' family crest. But why? This isn't even his world. What could his crest mean here? I stopped at the top, looking out at the city below me. Soon, very soon I will have a world to rule… I will have people to worship me and call me a God. I could feel a grin stretch across my face. Now how do I get inside? I surveyed the platform, searching for some sort of lever. But my mortal eyes saw nothing. Spreading my hands out I allowed my sole to pour into the world. The purple mist filed across the platform as I felt every inch of the temple.

It is gold… And trapped. For mortal men they are very clever to be able to build this. But as I found what I was looking for the platform slid down through the temple. I pulled the mist back into my body as the platform continued to slide. But a small metal clicking sound met my ears and in seconds a barrage of spears launched from the wall at me. I threw my arms in front of me, shooting the mist back out. I chuckled to myself as a stepped away from the spear inches away from my face.

"Close… Very close." I spoke to myself. Three spears stood frozen in the air, held up by the mist. To think the life of a soon to be God almost ended. I released the spears, allowing them to continue their journey into the golden wall. I turned away, this entire temple contained a single hallway, and at the end of this hallway, embedded into the wall was my gem. Once again I through my sole across the hall, touching each part and feeling it more then seeing it. This hall, is a living deathtrap. The perfect proving ground for Moonshade. If I wish to gather the strongest fighters I must perfect my team, I must remove the weak, and this will be her test. Once again I could feel my face twist into that smile, the smile that others will fear, that others will cower before. As I turned away, stepping back onto the platform I thought to myself… Tonight… Tonight it will finally happen. I couldn't help but laugh as this ecstasy streamed through my body.

In the village, atop an adobe.

I lay sprawled out under the stars, under the tranquil light of the moon listening to the village people. There was no fire, no sun out to warm my body, but still under the nights sky I felt warm.

"You awake?" Questioned Cort, who lay beside me.

"Yeah." I replied. There were so many stars here, more then I could ever see in my world. And the moon seemed to grow brighter every minute. Everything seemed at peace here. The people, the animals, the weather… But now that were here how much longer will this peace last?

"Umm… There's something I'd like to talk to you about." Continued Cort. He sat up, taking my hand and looking down at me. "Moonshade… I love you… And-" Both of our eyes sped to the ladder as it creaked with the weight of a body… The Emperor, I thought to myself, the peace here is over. But instead of the sinister face of the emperor a small boy crawled onto the roof. His face was startled at first, but his eyes drifted from Cort to me. He looked to be no older then eight, that is if people aged the same here as in my world.

"Lady Moonshade…" He spoke. Cort moved to shoo him away but I tightened my grip on his hand. "These… Are for you." He finished. His hands pulled three flowers from behind his back, three flowers that looked so white they seemed to glow. I reached my hand out, taking them.

"Thanks… They're very nice." The boy seemed to jump at these words, but after held a smile so big it looked inhuman on his young face. I placed the flowers in my hair next to my ears, like I've seen women do in my world when a voice called out that startled the three of us.

"Boy get down from there! Leave them be!" Someone from below called out. I smiled at the boy as he descended down the ladder. As he disappeared I heard other voices whispering below.

"Well what happened?" Spoke one.

"She liked them… Told you she would." Spoke the child that gave me the flowers.

"No way." Cried a couple others. I turned my gaze back to Cort as the children ran away laughing with each other.

"So… How do I look?" I questioned. He chuckled softly to himself before giving his answer.

"Lovely." He spoke. I returned my eyes to the stars, feeling my body fill with warmth.

"Cort. They're so peaceful here. The children play together with no worries of the outside world, the people here are so close, and even the very earth seems to be at rest here…" I paused, trying to think of how I was going to finish, or what I even intended to say. Meanwhile Cort returned to stargazing. "This is how I want to live… At peace with everything… No more suffering… No more fear." I finished. Cort shifted again, turning his eyes to mine.

"Moonshade, that's what I'd like to talk about." He started before once again being cut short by the creaking wood of the ladder. This time Moandian appeared over the edge.

"I'm sorry about that. I hope they didn't disturb you." He spoke. His eyes drifted over us, resting at my flowers. "Aaahh. White pearls… A rare delicacy here. They say these flowers fall from the moon, but only once every thirty years, when the moon glows red…" He explained. "But of course you know all about them." He chuckled to himself. "Probably nothing fit for a Goddess." He finished. Corts eyes wandered back to the stars, I could tell he was getting agitated.

"No. I think they're beautiful." I spoke. Moandian bowed to me before retreating to the ladder.

"Of course. I apologize if they interrupted you, they are young… But either way we are almost ready." He finished calmly.

"Can I burn the damned ladder?" Spoke Cort. I laughed softly, running my hand across the silky petals of the flowers.

"Quick, before someone else comes." I joked. But his face stayed serious, once again fixed on my eyes.

"Moonshade… I love you. And I… I want to spend the rest of my life with you." My heart skipped a beat as he spoke. Just when I thought this night couldn't get better … "And no matter what the emperor does to us, I will always love you." He turned away as his cheeks flushed with so many shades of red. I was frozen, dumbstruck by his words. I wrapped my arms around him, feeling like I could easily strangle him.

"Cort… I love you. And please, don't ever leave me." I answered. And I meant each word I spoke. He returned my hug, pulling me closer to him. The joy that I felt made it nearly impossible to breath, but at the time I didn't care if I could breath, I didn't care what would or what has already happened. The only regret in my mind was that I knew this moment would end, nothing this happy could last forever. As if on cue another voice whispered through the night.

"Well isn't this cute." Spoke the emperor from behind us. We both released each other and rose to our feet.

"Sir, are they ready for us?" Questioned Cort. The emperor stood over the edge, floating with the mist around him.

"No, were not staying for the party. There's been a change in plans." As he spoke chills ran down my spine, nothing this happy could last forever. "Moonshade you are coming with me to the temple, Cort. Cort I want you to destroy them." His words caught me breathless. But no… There was nothing I could do. So I stood in silence as he continued, I stood with tears forming in my eyes. "Kill every man women and child, leave nothing standing. We will retrieve the gem and be gone from this world." The emperor finished. I felt the mist wrap around me as I too was lifted off the ground. I didn't really feel it, my mind was seeing the kids, the people of this land… Screaming, burning, dying… I was pulled from the roof with the emperor gliding in front of me. The feeling was odd, buildings flashed by as we wove our way through the village, but it felt as if we were standing still… As if the world was shifting around us.

Why? Why must they die? They haven't done anything… I became lost in sorrow. So many are going to die. So much innocent blood will be spilled tonight… Why? Why? WHY?

Innocent? Spoke the emperors' voice. My dear, no human is innocent, which is why they remain human. His voice rung out, not coming from his body, but from my mind. All worlds must be destroyed for my world to exist. An infinite number of worlds will fall for one world to become perfect. Mourn not the dead, but celebrate the living. With that said we began our climb up the temple. The stairs flew by as my stomach began to object. An infinite number of worlds? All dying so that we can have a better world… Before I knew it we were standing in the sun, the mist faded away as the emperor turned to face me.

"Now… This platform will take you down into the temple, down there you will find the gem. Come back to me once you have it." He instructed. The mist appeared again, this time holding him in the air as the platform under the sun slid down into the temple. But… What kind of a world this ruler will form? A god of hatred can not create a world of love… The platform stopped its decent and in a blink of an eye a small spear launched from the opposite wall. I ducked down, feeling the edge of the spear graze my ears. My muscles tightened, waiting for another spear, but nothing happened. There was a single dark hall, about fifty yards long. But at the end I could see a small gem encased in the wall.

The hall grew abnormally cold, my breath began to turn to frost in front of my face, and gooseflesh soon covered my body. I rose to my feet, watching the walls for more traps. There's never just one, even hunters travel in pairs. But nothing happened, the cold golden room remained engulfed in silence. My eyes darted around the hall, checking the walls, ceiling, and the floor. But nothing stood out. I slowly made my way to the gem. One…. Two…. Three steps…. Four… Five…. A loud clashing sound echoed through the room as a silver metal grate swung from above. I threw myself at the wall, trying to get out of the way. My shoulder erupted into pain as it found its mark, but I rolled to the side falling to the ground. The grate continued to swing until I crashed into the ceiling, I readied myself for it to swing again, but this time I planned on running with it. But a few seconds passed and it never came. I rose to my feet once again, eyeing the ceiling. It was gone… The ceiling shone with the gold bricks like the rest of the hall, but there was no metal grate… Nothing.

I griped my shoulder before moving on, taking my steps more slowly, watching the ceiling, preparing myself for another trap. Thirty yards to go. I thought to myself. Thirty yards to go before you can go back to Cort. I could hear a small mechanical clicking, another trap. But nothing changed. I turned around, trying to find the source of the noise. But the room echoed too much, I couldn't find anything. I stopped, waiting, listening, and watching. A metronome… The clicking was a metronome… But what for? I resumed my walk when finally all Hell let loose. The metronome fell into silence, and about half a second later arrows flew through the air. I leapt up, nearly touching the ceiling. Using the wall I pushed myself away from the arrows. Arrows covered everything, but my eyes picked out a small hole in their barrage. I tucked down, this time kicking off of the ceiling. I felt a small tug on my head as an arrow zoomed by snatching the flowers from my hair. I spread myself out on the floor, trying to be as thin as I could. Please… Please work… My mind begged. Arrows flew pass me, grazing into my back, but finally it stopped. I jumped to my feet, getting ready for another assault. I could feel blood drip down my back, but I had to push on, I want to die with him, not here, not now.

The ceiling began to move near the gem. Pulling down to seal it away. I reached back, trying to pick the flowers off the ground but the sound of clinking metal made me look up. The opposite wall was gone, and instead was a metal wall of spikes, which shot down the hall like an arrow from its bow. I took of running, sprinting away. The opening between the floor and the ceiling grew smaller and smaller as the metal spikes flew closer and closer. This is it! This is it I'm dead! I shot myself down, sliding headfirst under the lowering bricks. A small scream escaped my lips as pain spread across my rear. I glanced back, expecting to see my legs crushed under the golden bricks. But no, instead about three inches of my tail remained crushed. I tried to pull free, but it only made the pain worse. I sat there, trapped in the darkness of this small room, with the gem only five feet away., and my tail searing with pain. Once again the clicking of the metronome returned, and the golden bricks began to part. I pulled my tail free as light poured in once again.

I reached out towards the gem, wrapping my fingers around what I could and gave it a single tug. The gem began to glow, almost laughing at me. But it didn't come out of its slot. Panic began to spread through my mind. I gave it another tug, trying to get it, but it only glowed brighter. I pulled with all my might when letters began to form on the wall. Blood trickled through the cracks, revealing words.

"Only those who would not use the gem of the creator may remove the lords gift." I spoke to myself. I felt a little relieved at the fact that it wouldn't give, in a way I didn't want to be the one to present the emperor with this weapon. I turned away, sprinting for the platform, ready to give the emperor this news.

Minutes later, back in the dark throne room.

The emperor shouted with anger as the mist poured from his eyes. It wrapped its way around Moonshade, who instantly froze with fear. I just watched, not wanting his rage to turn towards me. He lifted her higher off the ground, and just when it looked like he was about to hurl her across the room he released her.

"That's ok…. It's ok" He spoke, more to himself then us. He regained his composure, dusting his shoulders off. "I'll just have to play a card a little sooner then I expected. That's all." He continued. Moonshade quickly made her way to my side, starring at the emperor with her fearful eyes. He continued muttering to himself, before turning to us. "Leave me." Was all he said.