A few days had passed since the group left the territory of the Earth Tribe, to which Novicmon was now leading his friends through a mountain pass his map showed would get them closer to the Frost Tribe's domain.
Behind the small mystic Digimon, though following their guide, the heroes and heroines were all in their own worlds, many feeling good about their recent battle, despite the Dark Lady stealing some energy from the Divine Stone, and looked forward to gaining the Frost Tribe's aid in the battle against the Dark Tribe.
Likewise, the group was also enjoying the new and continuing romances between them, with Eri continuing to hold Astora's hand as they walked, an action Yoshi mimicked with Marcus, while Nene showed more affection as she wrapped her arms around Tagiru's left arm, the idol resting her head on his shoulder as he smiled down at her, a sight that caused both Mervamon and Gumdramon to grin at Tagiru and Nene's love, and their handiwork in bringing their partners together.
Others were more subtle in their show of affection as they continued to approach through Witchelny and kept an eye out for possible attacks.
Although seemingly her usual focused self, Renamon put a slight sway in her hips as her mind recalled her night with Guilmon, and how surprisingly amazing he could be
The vixen Digimon also allowed her tail to flow in a subtle motion, knowing Guilmon's eyes were upon her, causing a smile to grace her face.
Smiling as he looked around and seeing his friends closer than ever, the smile upon Davis' face grew as Kari walked by his side with a growing love, the Digidestined of Light enjoying the close contact with her beloved.
Looking toward Veemon and Gatomon, who shared a similar love and affection amongst one another, Davis continued to smile, before the maroon haired Digidestined gained a fair blush as he noticed Rika, who looked his way with a flirtatious wink, the memories of their last night in the Earth Tribe Capital coming to the forefront of his mind.
Focusing back on their objective, Davis cleared his throat as he looked to Novicmon and questioned the small mystic Digimon. "So Novicmon, what do you know about the Frost Tribe?"
"Nothing actually." Novicmon told Davis with his face still stuck within his map, his reply surprising his friends as he continued and said. "Most of the tribes have had little to no contact with the Frost Digimon since the war started, and my own tribe has had little interaction with them in the past, so there hasn't been much documentation on what they are like or how their culture is."
"Well, hopefully they're like Tommy. That'll make it easier to get along with them." Takuya commented, his words confusing a few, while others smiled as those who fought Quartzmon remembered the younger of the Legendary Warriors wielding the Spirits of Ice.
"Right, he was the Warrior of Ice." Sora remarked as she remembered the small boy who fought alongside Takuya and his friends, before remembering the small bear-like Digimon he was able to evolve into.
Expressing her thoughts, Sora went on and questioned. "You think the Frost Tribe will be like… what was his name again… Kumamon?"
"That or Korikakkumon." Zoe said in informed with her own smile, only to then notice some of the confusion expressed upon her friends faces.
Clearing the confusion, Zoe went on, telling the others. "His answer to BurningGreymon or Zephyrmon, basically a near Samudramon sized arctic beast Digimon with axes, arrowhead dreadlocks, and a somewhat aggressive personality."
Those present who remembered Tommy, human and Digimon alike, blinked their eyes at the description, some finding it hard to believe the boy they met in their unified front against Quartzmon could change from the cute snow bear Digimon they had allied into something like Zoe described.
Paying half attention to his friends and their conversation, Novicmon continued to walk and observe their surroundings as he turned the corner, walking along a path that led above a large pit that was shown on the map in-between the mountain range.
However, looking down the cliff, Novicmon froze in his tracks, the sight causing the rest of the group to stop as well, before they saw the mystic Digimon move his hand in a motion indicating for them to hide.
Following through and following Novicmon's example, the heroes and heroines hid behind a few rocks with Novicmon, before looking down the pit, seeing the sight that caused concern to fill their friend's eyes.
Below and in the pit was a large ruin, the remains of some kind of structure, one crawling with the dreading forces of the Dark Tribe Digimon.
DarkWolfmon and BlackGargoylemon worked on excavating the site, while a large number of Necromon and Lichmon seemed to examine old books, scrolls and other artifacts recovered from the ruins.
Meanwhile, a large number of DeathKnightmon, ShadowKnightmon and even a pair of SkullDracomon seemed to be on guard, keeping an eye out, lest any intruders step foot where they should not.
But what truly terrified the heroes and heroines were the pair of MarrowKnightmon on guard as well, the group remembering the same kind of Digimon standing on guard when the Dark Lady stole energy from the Spark of Life, which left many to wonder if their enemy was down at this excavation site as well.
"Do you think she is down there?" Eri asked in a whisper, concern filling her voice as she still thought of the battle a few days prior, when the Dark Lady possessed her friends and Astora to fight against one another.
Wondering that himself, Davis looked to Kari and Jeri, remembering how the pair could sense the Dark Lady's evil.
Shaking their heads and confirming there was no presence of the Dark Lady left some relief to fill the heroes and heroines, the humans, Digimon and Appmon glad to know that at least the Dark Tribe's leader was not among their foes below.
"Well, let's be quiet and sneak around them before they…" Tai started to say in a whisper, before his and the other's eyes widened to see the MarrowKnightmon had turned from their post and were now staring directly at them, causing the Digidestined of Courage to finish his thoughts with concern in his voice. "… See us!"
Letting out a loud and inhuman shriek, one of the MarrowKnightmon pointed his halberd towards the heroes, the alerting cry causing the other Dark Digimon to react as the SkullDracomon and BlackGargoylemon took to the skies and shot up toward the heroes and heroines, while the DarkWolfmon, ShadowKnightmon and DeathKnightmon rushed up the wooden pathways from up the pit and toward the intruders.
"Looks like we have no choice but to fight!" Davis told his friends as he took a battle ready stance, the others following in Davis' lead as their D-Bracers lit up and the group was consumed in pillars of light.
"MagnaVeedramon!"
"Lightbearer Ophanimon!"
"Samudramon!"
"SacredPhoenixmon!"
"MedievalGallantmon!"
"MysticSakuyamon!"
"CrimsonAldamon!"
"GaleSilphymon!"
"LordShoutmon!"
"ShaolinArresterdramon!"
"AncientMervamon!"
"Sagemon!"
"ShogunOujamon!"
"BardMusimon!"
The newly formed heroic Digimon and Appmon, along with the Digi-armoured forms of Marcus and Yoshi, leapt down to meet their foes head on, forcing the flying Dark Digimon to give chase.
Confronting the Dark Tribe Digimon, this allowed Jeri and Novicmon a chance to get to the bottom of the pit without any harm.
"Holy Strike!"
"Divine Calling!"
"Cross Slicer!"
"Phoenix Knuckle!"
"Noble Strike!"
"Full Spirit Wave!"
"Blazing Sabers!"
"Wind Blades!"
"Blazing Blade!"
"Violet Blast!"
"Victory Slasher!"
"Mythic Strike!"
"Ancient Blaze!"
"Ultimate Search Strike!"
"Savage Slash!"
"Rhythmic Stream!"
Working together, the heroes and heroines cut through a number of the lesser Dark Digimon as they landed in the pit below, before rushing ahead to fight more of the Dark Tribe forces opposing them.
Meanwhile, once they made their way down, Novicmon rushed towards his friends, while Jeri took off after him, her D-Bracer glowing as Digi-runes appeared on her arms, the brunette ready to help her friends in any way she could.
But before she could take another step, Jeri let out a cry as she felt a pain run through her body and found she could not move.
Looking down and over her body, Jeri was filled with fear to see a series of dark energy rings wrapped around her being, restricting her movements.
Unable to break free from the dark hold over her, Jeri was then lifted up from the ground as the dark energy surged around her, shocking her with a tremendous and terrible force.
"Enough!" A loud voice then suddenly bellowed, the commanding call stopping the fighting as the heroes and heroines turned to the source, to find a dark robed Digimon beside the helpless form of Jeri with his arm out, as though controlling the energy that was now around the brunette.
Moving quickly, MagnaVeedramon put his hand before MedievalGallantmon, who was about to rush in to save the brunette, where the Dark Digimon then demanded. "Return to your original forms or this one dies!"
"Do it now!" The robed being then ordered in demand as he saw the hesitance within the heroes and heroines eyes.
Sending a jolt of energy into the rings around Jeri's being, this not only caused Jeri to cry out in pain, but show his enemies that he was not in a position of bluffing.
Growling in frustration and anger, but refusing to allow Jeri to befall any further harm, the heroes and heroines complied as their forms were enveloped in light.
Disengaging and reverting back to their normal selves, separating from their Digimon, Appmon and the unique powers they possessed, the group watched as the Dark Tribe Digimon then surrounded them, the Dark Digimon looking ready to strike if necessary as the MarrowKnightmon moved to the robed individual.
"Who the heck is this guy?!" Tagiru questioned in anger, not liking the robed figure one bit.
Glaring toward their enemies and not only because Jeri was held hostage, but recognizing who the robed figure was, Novicmon replied with a deep resentment in his voice. "That's Charonmon, chief mystic of the Dark Tribe and the Dark Lady's right hand."
The heroes and heroines narrowed their eyes upon hearing the name, remembering Wraithmon mentioning such an individual to Eclipsemon the first time they fought him, where the Dark Mystic Digimon chuckled lightly as he looked at the group having a faint knowledge of his existence.
"So nice to finally meet you in person, instead of watching through magic mirrors or hearing reports from those weak fools you've taken down." Charonmon commented as he looked amongst the heroes, his eyes landing on Davis for a second as he thought of taking his Mistress' chosen and bringing him to her.
However, remaining cunning, an idea came to mind, realizing that the heroes and heroines' presence here would benefit him greatly.
"Now that you are here, however, I think you all could be of some use to me." The Dark Digimon then commented, his words causing the heroes and heroines to glare at him even more.
"Why would we help you?!" Marcus demanded furiously, before his eyes widened as Charonmon sent more energy into the rings around Jeri's being, furthering her pain-filled screams, which forced Yoshi to hold her lover back from rushing in and punching Charonmon in the face.
Looking to one another and realizing that at the moment, they had no choice but to comply, Davis looked to Charonmon with anger as he asked hesitantly. "What do you want from us?"
'Other then you…' Charonmon thought, before saying with a dark amusement. "There is an item I seek within these ruins, a tome, and you all will help me find it."
Looking surprised at the request, as well as looking around, Haru then questioned with a growing confusion in his tone. "Why? What is this place?"
"While I can understand that you have no clue of this place as outsiders, I am sure your little friend knows where we are." Charonmon said back, his words causing confusion amongst the heroes and heroines, even to Novicmon himself.
Looking around, however, the small mystic Digimon took in the architecture of the ruins, of the writing on the walls and stones, before his eyes widened in recognition and horror, a look his friends noticed as they looked at him with concern.
"This… this is the Throne of Mortismon!" Novicmon said with a clear shock and uneasiness in his voice, his words causing the others to look around and to actually take in the sites.
Looking around through and past the blanketing snow, the group's eyes first landed on a massive structure built into the rock face of the pit, a temple built around a gigantic throne, the rock used to make the massive construct shaped to look like skulls and bones, while all around the dig site were statues and drawing depicting the death-like Digimon, showing that this was as much a temple as a throne to the Primordial of Death.
"Yes, the throne of a God." Charonmon stated as he approached the throne, keeping Jeri by his side as collateral, who continued to struggle in her restraints.
From her position, Jeri mentally berated herself, to allow another evil force to hold her captive and to force her friends into a growing peril and could only watch as the other heroes and heroines were forced to move to the side and let them pass, much to Takato's anguish.
"And somewhere within these ruins is a tome of lost knowledge, a book of spells and incantations created by the first Scion of Mortismon, containing so many ancient secrets and abilities derived from the Primordial of Death, and you all will help me find it." The dark mystic Digimon then said as he turned and looked to the heroes and heroines, whose eyes widened as they realized what their enemy wanted, which only caused them to growl in frustration even further.
While saving Jeri was their top priority, letting their enemy get their hands on such a collection of dark magic would no doubt be a further threat to Witchelny, and they felt they could not let the Dark Tribe get their hands on that book.
Moving the bound form of Jeri along with him, Charonmon approached the throne-like temple's base, the other heroes and heroines behind them as the Dark Tribe forces surrounded them, keeping a close eye on the group in the event they tried to attack their Master when he wasn't looking.
Approaching what looked like a giant sealed doorway, Charonmon, Novicmon and the others looked at the writing upon the doors, before noticing a circular opening, causing the dark mystic to look intrigued, before turning his attention to Jeri.
"Apologies in advance, but I am only fifty percent certain this will cause you any pain." Charonmon said to the brunette as his eyes glowed for a second, where Jeri then let out a few painful grunts as her arm bearing her D-Bracer was lifted against her will, before she began floating towards the door.
Seeing this, the heroes and heroines flinched, many about to rush in to try and save Jeri, only to stop as the MarrowKnightmon moved their halberds before them, causing the group to stop as they watched with concern as Jeri's arm slid into the opening in the doorway.
At that moment, the runes on the door lit up with the same light as the D-Bracers, where Charonmon used his magic to bring Jeri back to him as the doors then made a groaning sound, before slowly opening as a burst of air came out after being sealed away since ancient times.
Shielding their eyes, the heroes and heroines looked in shock to see the light in their own D-Bracers dim out, a sight that did not go unnoticed by Charonmon.
"Ah, there seems to be a spell within this ruin that blocks your D-Bracers' power." The dark mystic commented as he turned to the heroes and then said in a serious tone. "The tome is somewhere inside. Find it, then bring it back to me, and I will let your friend here go."
"How do we know we can trust you?" Takato questioned with a restrained anger in his voice, feeling his rage intensify as he looked at the Dark Digimon holding Jeri as a hostage, his anger reflected within Guilmon, who continued to snarl at Charonmon.
"Unlike many of my… associates, I am a Digimon of my word." Charonmon replied with a calmness in his voice, before adding as he glared back at the heroes and heroines. "Which is why I promise if you return without the tome or try to cross me, she will die painfully."
With most in the group clenching their fists, knowing now that they were powerless while the ruin's spell prevented them from using their D-Bracers, the heroes and heroines looked to one another, before looking back at Jeri, silently promising to free her, before they began walking into the opened passage.
Watching the heroes and heroines, Charonmon had an amused look on his face, before he turned to see Novicmon still standing in his place glaring at him, causing the dark mystic Digimon to say. "Go on, little one."
"And leave Jeri alone with you?" Novicmon questioned back, his tone and words getting even his friend's attention as they looked back at the small mystic, who continued and said. "I don't trust you at all, so until they get back, I am staying right here to keep an eye on you."
Seeing his soldiers about to move upon Novicmon, Charonmon held his hand out, the gesture causing the Dark Digimon to stop, before Charonmon then said in an amused tone. "Alright then, the rest of you get going."
Giving Novicmon a nod in appreciation, the heroes and heroines turned to continue down the entryway to the structure before them, with Davis glaring back at Charonmon as he told the dark mystic, expressing his resentment. "We'll be back."
Watching the group disappear into the dark tunnel, Charonmon let out an amused chuckle as he replied out loud. "Provided the guardians don't rip you all apart."
Hearing this, both Jeri and Novicmon looked at Charonmon with shock, disbelief and anger, looking back at the entryway as they feared for their friend's safety in the dark unknown.
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"I cannot believe we are doing this!" Marcus all but snapped in anger as the group made their way down the hallway.
In agreement with his partner, Agumon added with his own aggression. "Yeah, I want to punch that jerk's lights out!"
Leading his friends, Shoutmon used the fiery energies within his mic as a torch to light their way, where many in the group agreed with Marcus and Agumon's thoughts, but knew Jeri's life was in peril should they fail to comply.
"If we don't do this he'll hurt Jeri." Guilmon said in reply, his words causing the DATS member and his partner to deflate with angry sighs, before the Hazard Digimon looked to see his partner shaking in anger, a rare sight from the brunette Tamer, bringing back memories of Jeri's captivity to the D-Reaper back to the front of his mind.
"We'll figure something out." Davis then spoke with a promising voice, the Digidestined of Miracles knowing how the group was feeling, before he added. "For now, let's be on our guard, I doubt someone like Mortismon would have left this place guarded by only a door."
"Davis is right. We should watch where we walk, who knows what kind of traps are set up here?" Mikey then said in agreement, letting everyone understand the seriousness of the situation.
Keeping an eye out, the humans, Digimon and Appmon were slightly disturbed as they took in the walls of the hallway, seeing that decorated along sections of their surroundings were what appeared to be human-like skulls lining the walls, while between them, hieroglyphic images of Mortismon were displayed, depicting images of Digimon worshiping the Primordial of Death, of his consumption of Data and Digi-magic, and of the battle that stopped the dark being in his tracks.
"It freaks me out that Digimon actually worshiped that... thing." Eri commented as she looked between the images on the walls, her discomfort shared amongst the humans, Digimon and Appmon, where Lalamon added. "And still do, if ShadowLotosmon was any indication."
"A lot of cultures on Earth view Death differently as well, Mortismon probably promises them something in return for their devotion." Haru then mused as he thought of the images around the group as they walked down the hallway.
"I'm freaked out by all these skulls!" Gumdramon suddenly let out, a freaked out expression gracing his face as he held his arms around him and added with a whimper. "I swear, they are following us."
"They're not following us, will you just relax!?" Shoutmon yelled behind him to the Superstar Digimon, shaking his head in annoyance as the group continued walking.
Unbeknownst to them, as they continued to walk past, each skull set upon the walls slowly turned and followed their direction, as though watching the heroes and heroines as they moved through the hallway.
Sensing this, Gumdramon and Renamon turned their heads, where the skulls quickly returned to their forward position before either could see, this left Renamon to look around suspiciously, while Gumdramon's paranoia furthered.
Walking for a few more minutes deeper within the dark hallway, however, the heroes and heroines came to a halt, surprised by the sight before them.
At the end of the hallway, the group found themselves in a small, dome-shaped room, which seemed to lead to nowhere, confusing the group as they walked into the small chamber.
"This can't be right." Yoshi said as the group spread out and looked around and began to examine their surroundings, trying to find some way forward as the DATS officer then said. "Charonmon was certain that the book was in here. We can't just turn around and go back."
"Just keep an eye out, we don't want to set off any traps or something." Shoutmon then said as the group looked around the chamber, the Digimon King still using his mic as a torch as he walked to the center of the room to give it more lighting.
However, placing a foot forward, the stone on the ground Shoutmon's foot landed on pushed inward, causing a clicking sound and the Digimon King's eyes to widen.
Hearing the sound themselves, each and every member of the group slowly turned to Shoutmon with worried expression, seeing his look of fear as he looked down at his foot.
At that moment, the entire floor opened up, causing the group to let out fearful cries as they all fell into the opening, with Biyomon and Lalamon trying to fly, only for Marcus' Agumon to grab the avian Digimon by her feet, pulling her down with him as Gumdramon did the same for Lalamon, where the whole group found themselves being separated as they fell down a series of smooth stones, acting like slides as the group were sent to various locations within an underground complex in the temple.
With a loud cry, Veemon then landed face first on the ground, the V marked Digimon groaning from the impact, before letting out a cry as Davis landed on top of him.
"Sorry about that, Vee." Davis said to his partner, before hearing another cry, a feminine one, causing him to hold out his arms as Zoe landed within them, causing Veemon to groan more from the extra weight.
"Thanks." Zoe replied with a light blush as she removed herself from out of Davis' arms, where the maroon haired Digidestined got up and replied. "No problem."
Looking down, Davis then helped Veemon up, who glared at his partner and Zoe for a moment for using him for cushion, before the trio looked up at the opening they fell out of and found the tunnel close above them.
"Looks like that trap split us up." Davis remarked as he then looked around, the maroon haired Digidestined allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness, where he found them within a new tunnel, seeing it go on into the darkness for a while.
"So, what do we do now?" The Warrior of Wind asked with uncertainty in her tone.
"We keep going, find the others and this book, and keep an eye out for any other traps." The Digidestined of Miracles said in reply, his words receiving nods from Zoe and from Veemon.
"Well, it'll be difficult to see anything in this darkness." Veemon then remarked, taking a step forward, before, as though sensing the presses of the trio, ancient torches along the hallway came to life, each brimming with a dark purple flame and illuminating the hallway.
The action caused Davis, Veemon and Zoe to sweatdrop and look at one another with freaked out looks, before the trio steeled themselves, walking down the hallway to find the rest of their friends and the book Charonmon was looking for, hoping to find a way to save Jeri and prevent the Dark Tribe from using the tome's evil power.
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Deep within the temple, something stirred, sensing life within the hallways once again, roaming, seeking, defiling.
With a loud, inhuman roar, the being began stalking the hallways after eons of sleep, with only one series of thoughts in mind, search, find and feed.
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Author's note: Well, the heroes and heroines have finally met Charonmon in person, but the dark mystic's ambition has placed them in quite the position. What horrors and trials await within the Throne of Mortismon, and will the group find each other and get out alright? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.