(Author's Notes: Hey, everyone! Chapter 78 is now up. I'm hoping I can release the next chapter at my regular schedule, but I didn't write as much of my current chapter as I'd hoped, so I'll have to see if I'm able to finish that plus the chapter after in time or not. Hoping I can. Either way, it'll be in the next year, most likely.
Anyways, let's get to it. Here's Chapter 78. I hope you enjoy and please let me know your thoughts!
Chapter 78: Lethe
Alphamon stepped out of the citadel and into the castle courtyard.
The night was still dark. The deep blue pall of twilight still shrouded the sky. The encroaching rays of dawn light were just beginning to reach out from over the horizon, causing the eastern sky to take on azure tones. It was just before sunrise.
Alphamon stood in the shadow of the castle. The open gate stood before him, awaiting his exit as it permitted access out into the receding night. The road before him seemed dark and uncertain, but the light that approached from behind him assured him that his way forward would be illuminated.
He closed his eyes and waited. Although he had every intention to follow through with his decision, he was not without his doubts, which began to emerge now that he was on the precipice of his journey.
Was he placing too much faith in SkullKnightmon? Was he being too optimistic? What would happen if he brought SkullKnightmon to Yggdrasil only for their god to designate SkullKnightmon a threat to be eliminated? Yggdrasil had already designated the Seven Great Demon Lords as threats, and even intimated that Dukemon himself might prove to be one in the future… What if he received the command, but found that he didn't have the heart to kill SkullKnightmon a second time?
These doubts scratched at the back of his mind, but Alphamon shook his head and steeled his resolve. There was no point in worrying. He would merely have to address those hurdles when and if they arose.
He took a calming breath and soaked in the silence of the nascent dawn. He felt the crisp, spring air against his skin. He enjoyed the vaguely floral scent of morning dew in the air. In the near distance, he heard the gentle trickle of the moat water and the garden fountain.
Then, the sound of metallic footsteps from behind him pulled Alphamon from his thoughts. The black knight turned around, the movement causing his black and gold armour to rattle gently.
Alphamon was surprised to see none other than Omegamon making his way towards him from the keep's entrance. The white knight carried in his arms two, shoulder-slung satchels, one of which appeared heavier than the other.
His white and blue cape furling as he turned around to greet him, Alphamon gave the white knight a gentle nod. He had been expecting to see SkullKnightmon with his escort of guards, not Omegamon.
"Omegamon? You didn't have to get up so early just to see me off," Alphamon noted with a warm smile.
"I was already up, regardless," Omegamon answered, stopping in front of his black counterpart. "I wanted to make sure that you had everything you needed."
"Hm? I think all I need now is SkullKnightmon himself," Alphamon wryly replied.
Omegamon's gaze flattened and he lifted the lighter of the two bags slung over his shoulders. Taking the satchel in his white gauntlets, he offered it to Alphamon.
"I packed this for you," Omegamon stated as he readjusted the remaining bag on his shoulder.
"For me?" Alphamon wondered, opening the bag and looking inside.
"It's just a few travelling supplies and some leftover food from dinner last night," Omegamon explained. With a worried frown, he glanced down at the open bag that was clutched in Alphamon's hands. "…You always forget to pack when you go on a journey. I see that that hasn't changed."
Alphamon chuckled and sheepishly scratched his cheek with an index finger. "Why, thank you, Omegamon," he said with appreciation. "What would I do without you?"
Omegamon was quiet for a few moments. He tentatively looked back up at Alphamon with his bright, but hesitant blue eyes.
"…Are you absolutely certain about this, Alphamon?" he questioned. "Going alone with SkullKnightmon… I know that he's just a SkullKnightmon, but it is still a risk. You cannot be sure of what might happen."
"No, I cannot," Alphamon agreed. He drew a soft, determined breath and smiled at Omegamon with resignation. "That being said, I am certain about this, Omegamon. This is something that I must do… and I think that you know why."
Omegamon's brows furrowed with unease, his hand gripping the remaining bag around his shoulder. "I understand, Alphamon…" he assured him. "My worry is that… You remember what Yggdrasil said about Dukemon… What if It deems SkullKnightmon a threat? What if Yggdrasil commands you to kill him? Will you be prepared to carry out that command?"
Alphamon closed his eyes and sighed. "…I have accepted that that is a possible outcome…" he assured him. "As for whether I could carry it out… I have to be prepared for such a possibility, however heavy my heart would be. I just hope that it does not come to that."
"Alphamon… I am not sure that hope will be enough," Omegamon advised him with a worried frown. "If Yggdrasil commands you to kill him on the spot… do you think you could do it? Knowing how much you suffered after you killed DarkKnightmon before? Perhaps I should come with you…"
Alphamon smiled wistfully at the white knight. "Do you think that you would find it any easier, Omegamon?" he rhetorically wondered.
"That wasn't an answer, Alphamon," Omegamon bluntly pressed.
The black knight gazed honestly at his counterpart. "…I don't know, Omegamon. For whatever I would like to say, I cannot truly know until I am standing in front of him in the moment. Could I raise my sword against an innocent? Could I disobey our god?"
"If you do not know the answer, Alphamon…" Omegamon grimly spoke," …Then allow me to do what is necessary. I could do it… if Yggdrasil commands me to."
"Is it as simple as giving your will to Yggdrasil, Omegamon…?" Alphamon asked him, his expression turning thoughtful and distant. "Could you raise your sword against a friend if our god commands? You were once ordered to kill me, remember…"
Omegamon's blue eyes tightened in a mixture of guilt and frustration. "That was entirely different, Alphamon. Yggdrasil believed… We both believed that you were a…" he attempted to explain. "At the time, I thought the world was at stake."
"I know, Omegamon… I'm not blaming you," Alphamon assured him, his voice gentle and caring. "But… if the world is at stake yet again? Even if it's someone who is dear to you?"
"…What are you suggesting, Alphamon?" Omegamon asked, his words uncertain and a little defensive.
Alphamon looked Omegamon steadily in the eyes. "I'm merely wondering, Omegamon… is it only SkullKnightmon who you are worried about right now?" he pointedly wondered.
Omegamon grimaced and folded his arms. "Of course I'm only speaking about SkullKnightmon…" he insisted stubbornly. "…You never answered my question, Alphamon. You cannot afford to have any doubts. With circumstances being what they are, there is already so much instability and unpredictability. We cannot have Yggdrasil questioning us as well. Nor can we question It."
"No… I know," Alphamon responded, frowning gently. "I suppose I can only see how events unfold and adapt to them. If Yggdrasil has doubts, I hope that I could convince It otherwise. However, if not… then I must be ready to do what is necessary."
Omegamon examined Alphamon's hesitant face carefully. "Alphamon… If you are struggling this much with it… Why do you feel that you must be the one to do this? Is it merely out of guilt and obligation?" he wondered. "Or… is it that you are trying to chase something in the past? If that is the case… then that is a painful and treacherous path to tread…"
Alphamon smiled sadly at Omegamon. "No… I know that that path leads to nowhere…" he explained. "I simply…" He paused and closed his eyes, thinking carefully. "…I want to get it right this time."
Omegamon's eyes softened imperceptibly, but he continued gazing at him with the strength that he thought was required for the both of them.
Alphamon opened his eyes and he gazed back at Omegamon. "I know that things will never be the same as they were… but the reason why I am adamant on doing this is that…" Alphamon looked down a little. "Everyone deserves a second chance… You and I were both allowed one… why not SkullKnightmon as well?"
Carefully mulling his words, Omegamon observed Alphamon tenderly. Then, he sighed reluctantly but nodded with understanding. In the next moment, he slung the remaining satchel off of his shoulder. As he slid the bag off his arm and clutched it in his hands, something inside the bag rattled metallically.
"Then, if you are insistent on following through with this… I would like you to bring this, just in case," Omegamon told him, offering the bag to the black knight.
Alphamon frowned curiously and reached out, taking the bag. His hands dipped just a little as he adjusted for its unexpected weight, causing whatever was inside to clatter yet again. Curious about its contents, Alphamon opened the flap and looked inside.
Inside was a large, heavy coil of sturdy chains, accompanied by a lock and key. Alphamon looked back up at Omegamon with confusion.
Omegamon gazed into his eyes tellingly. "…Just in case…" he pointedly explained.
Alphamon hesitated for a moment, but then nodded.
Then, the pair of Royal Knights heard a few different footsteps from behind Omegamon. Alphamon looked past the white knight and saw SkullKnightmon emerge from the entrance hall of the castle, chaperoned by two armed guards. Alphamon quickly closed the flap of heavy bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"Alphamon? Good morning," SkullKnightmon greeted, walking over alongside his escort of a Knightmon and a Rinkmon.
"Apologies for the delay, Sir. We were… waylaid," the Knightmon spoke, glancing down at the prisoner.
SkullKnightmon approached the two Royal Knights, with something tucked over his arm and concealed by his flowing cape. "I requested a couple of those bread rolls from yesterday for our journey, seeing as though we will miss breakfast," he explained, reaching under his arm and taking one of the bread rolls in his hand. He walked up to Alphamon and offered the slightly-stiff, day-old loaf to him. "I brought one for you too."
Alphamon smiled and took the bread roll in his hand. "Thank you, SkullKnightmon."
SkullKnightmon turned and looked up at Omegamon. "Hello, 'Omegamon', isn't it?" he innocently wondered. "Are you coming with us as well?"
"No, I am not," Omegamon answered, somewhat stiffly. He turned away, looking back to Alphamon with strong and meaningful eyes. "Remember what I said, Alphamon…"
"I will, Omegamon," the black knight replied. "Thank you for seeing me off. I trust that you will look after everything in my absence."
Omegamon nodded. "Of course. Duftmon and I will see to everything. Just try not to be too long."
Alphamon smiled and turned to SkullKnightmon. "Are you ready to go? Is there anything else that you need before we set out?"
SkullKnightmon thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I have done all that I needed to do. I am ready to leave," he confirmed.
Alphamon nodded and gave Omegamon a final look before turning around and walking towards the gate.
"Then let's head out," Alphamon told the former knight. "Our first stop is Gold Keep. From there, we will take the Locomon to New Terminal."
"A Locomon… Alright," SkullKnightmon readily agreed, walking alongside the black knight.
Alphamon looked down at SkullKnightmon and smiled. Then, he glanced over his shoulder, back at Omegamon. He saw the white knight gazing at them with worry as they walked out of the gate
Alphamon's smile faded a little as he looked back forward. He strode ahead, his cape flapping behind him in the breeze, and he subconsciously adjusted the bag that lay heavy over his shoulder.
The weight of it, and the responsibility that he held, was cumbersome, but he pressed forward.
He had to, for both their sakes.
The rhythmic sound of chugging filled the carriage.
Alphamon and SkullKnightmon sat opposite in an enclosed compartment of a Locomon.
The two travellers had made it to Gold Keep, where they boarded a Locomon destined for New Terminal.
Alphamon took the liberty of paying for a private carriage for the two of them. He knew that if anybody spotted him, gossip might spread. He couldn't afford word of his travels somehow getting back to the Demon Lords. He also didn't want anybody speculating about who this SkullKnightmon that he was travelling with might be.
Alphamon sat in a booth with two, opposite-facing benches separated by a folding table that attached to the wall. He sat comfortably on the semi-soft, green cushions, his tucked, metallic wings settled against the backrests. In his right hand, he delicately held a tea cup, which hovered over the saucer that rested in his left hand. He carefully sipped the steaming tea cup, savouring its floral flavour, before resting the porcelain cup back down on the small plate.
The black knight placed the tea cup down on the table in front of him and looked across to the Digimon sitting opposite him.
SkullKnightmon was sitting quietly with a cup of tea in front of him as well. He sipped it intermittently, but he was far more interested in other things. When they first boarded, he had been fascinated by the Locomon itself, even going so far as to ask it questions while they waited for the several other passengers to board.
Once the Locomon pulled away from the station and began travelling towards New Terminal, SkullKnightmon became more interested in the view itself. He gazed out the window, his wide eyes enraptured as he watched the rolling fields, hills, forests, and rivers of the Free Area scroll past the train. His feet swayed a little as he stared out at the verdant and colourful spring landscape, the fields awash with bright flowers.
Alphamon couldn't help but smile as he observed SkullKnightmon's thoughtful captivation. He supposed that this must be a new experience for the young Digimon. He, himself, had travelled the Locomon Rail so much that he often took it for granted. Being able to enjoy the sight of the landscape rolling by is a simple pleasure that only someone as inexperienced as SkullKnightmon could appreciate.
"The view is quite nice, isn't it?" Alphamon noted, looking out the window himself. He reached down into the lighter of the two bags and pulled out a metal container along with a fork and knife.
"Yes, it is…" SkullKnightmon replied. "I have only ever walked from place to place. I could never afford a ticket on a Locomon. I have never seen the Digital World like this before."
"I suppose there is much that you get to experience for the first time," Alphamon noted with a smile as he took another sip of tea. "Having a new experience with that singular sense of wonder… I'm almost a little envious."
SkullKnightmon looked back at Alphamon with curiosity. "You are?" he wondered. "You have seen so much, though… You have so many memories and experiences."
"Yes… Yes, I do," Alphamon responded, suddenly feeling guilty about his off-handed and heedless comment. "All of which I am grateful for… I hope that you will be able to experience many new things and be able to soak in the wonder of this world…"
"So do I…" SkullKnightmon responded, his bright, yellow eyes drifting back to the window. He watched as the sun peeked out from the clouds and cast its rays across the emerald fields, causing them to glow and shimmer radiantly.
"…The world is beautiful, isn't it, Alphamon?" he distantly asked.
Alphamon nearly dropped his teacup onto his saucer, but he managed to catch himself. The gentle yet piercingly sincere musing caught Alphamon off-guard. He blinked and stared at SkullKnightmon with surprise. It was a question that he never would have expected to hear come out of DarkKnightmon's mouth.
"I…" Alphamon paused, just for a moment, before smiling warmly. "…Yes. Yes, it is."
Alphamon placed the teacup down, the orange liquid rippling as it set down on the place. He looked down, watching the liquid splash back and forth in the cup.
"…I cannot deny that there is a lot of the darkness in the world," he admitted. "That being said… I have seen the good as well as the bad… There is enough light in this world that I truly believe that this world is worth saving, again and again, without hesitation. I would gladly put my heart, body, and soul on the line for the sake of the Digital World – for its present and for its future…"
SkullKnightmon looked up at Alphamon thoughtfully, his monochrome eyes watching him as if hanging onto his every word. He frowned a little. He could tell that Alphamon really meant it. "I see…" he pensively responded, looking down at his own cup of tea. "I would like to think that too…"
Alphamon smiled and nodded. He took the fork and knife in his hands and opened up the metal container, revealing some sausage, rice, and potatoes inside.
"Alphamon…" SkullKnightmon spoke, taking a small sip from his cup. "May I ask you something?"
The ebony Royal Knight began cutting the cooked sausage, carving off a coin of the encased meat. "Of course, SkullKnightmon," he encouraged him.
"…What was the old me like?" he wondered.
Alphamon stopped mid-slice, his knife stalling halfway through the piece of meat. He paused, wondering if he should even answer that or if he should just brush off the uncomfortable question. After a moment, Alphamon exhaled and continued cutting through the cooked meat. He didn't want to be afraid of the unknown. He figured it was best to just tell SkullKnightmon the truth.
"DarkKnightmon… was a Digimon of conviction," Alphamon answered with steady honesty. "While I certainly wouldn't describe him as a devoted follower, he had an unyielding belief in his own idea of what justice should be. He was ambitious… determined… at times, inflexible. He was somebody who never lost sight of his long term goals…"
Alphamon frowned with thought, absent-mindedly mashing up one of the potato wedges with the back of his fork. "However… DarkKnightmon was somebody who was absolutely committed to creating a better world… a just world," he contemplated. "Where he and I disagreed was with regards to how far one should go to achieve those ends… For him, he believed that we should stop at nothing, regardless of whether the freedom and happiness of Digimon was to be sacrificed in the name of security and stability. I… was less convinced. I believe that there are limits to what the Royal Knights can and ought to do in the name of Network Security. I took a more balanced perspective, whereas DarkKnightmon wished to actively impose our will…" Alphamon sighed and placed his fork down, taking the handle of the teacup between his fingers. "That was where he and I began to split apart."
"What happened?" SkullKnightmon wondered.
"…There is too much to succinctly cover," Alphamon answered with a wistful smile. "In short, we both handled the situation poorly and it ended up with DarkKnightmon attempting to take over the Order. We defeated him and locked him in the Dark Area, but he escaped and returned with a vengeance. There was a war and, well… I'm sure that you can already guess… he was killed during the battle."
SkullKnightmon could see the faintly forlorn expression on Alphamon's face. "I see… That explains quite a lot," he mused, glancing down with thought. "Thank you for telling me. It… has helped me to fill in some of the blanks."
"You have a right to know your own past," Alphamon replied with a small smile. "I know it must be hard… having grown so swiftly but having no memories to draw from."
"It has been difficult, I admit…" SkullKnightmon said, carefully taking his cup of tea in both of his black hands. "At the village, they implored me not to leave yet, but I was determined. I have knowledge from books, but… it has not always been easy, learning from experience how the world actually works."
Alphamon smiled warmly at the young knight. He nonchalantly scooped up the slice of cooked sausage with his fork and transferred it neatly into his cup of tea. "I can imagine," he stated, swirling the tea with his fork. "Going out into the world on your own is hard for anybody… For you, it must have been especially challenging. Yet… I admire your bravery and determination. You clearly haven't given up, despite the adversity that you have faced. That is quite commendable."
"Thank you, Alphamon…" SkullKnightmon said, his voice trailing off a little. "I am determined… I'd like to find him. My brother…"
Alphamon eyed him, quietly stirring the sausage around in his teacup to let the flavours meld.
SkullKnightmon took a small sip from his cup. "…Ever since I have achieved awareness, I have felt empty… I have been searching for something, but I am unsure exactly who or what… only that he is my brother," he explained. He placed his cup down with a distant look in his glowing, yellow eyes. "I… I have to fill that missing piece inside of me."
The short, dark knight looked up at his regal, knightly counterpart, his eyes growing brighter. "However… now, for the first time… I feel at ease."
Alphamon's clinking fork stopped, and he gazed back at SkullKnightmon with quiet astonishment. He placed the utensil down and smiled warmly at SkullKnightmon, unable to help but feel a gentle thrum of warmth inside him. "…I am… very glad to hear that, SkullKnightmon."
SkullKnightmon frowned and thought for a few moments, before looking uncertainly up at his fellow black knight. "I know that I have no right to ask this, after everything that the past me has put you through, but… may I ask you another question, Alphamon?"
Alphamon raised his brow but nodded receptively as he took some of the mashed potatoes and added them to the tea as well. "By all means, SkullKnightmon. Ask me anything you like," he encouraged him.
SkullKnightmon nodded and stared at him curiously. "…How did you and DarkKnightmon meet?"
After a hesitant moment, Alphamon closed his eyes and raised his cup to his lips, taking a slow sip of the clumpy tea mixture. He reflected quietly on the flavours, as well as his answer.
"…He saved me," Alphamon answered, smiling nostalgically.
SkullKnightmon blinked. "…He did?"
"Yes…" Alphamon responded, taking another sip. "It was during the Death-X Incident…" He closed his eyes at the bitter memory, but his features remained calm. "Do you know it?"
SkullKnightmon nodded his head. "I have not read about it in depth, but it was a large enough event that I was able to learn the fundamentals from basic history books."
Alphamon nodded. "…What you probably haven't learned from the history books is that I was… the prototype for those creatures that GrandDracumon created in his nefarious experiments," he explained grimly, watching as steam floated up from the murky surface of his tea. "When those undead beings ran amok in the Digital World… when I saw the carnage that they were causing and realising that I was responsible… I was… overcome."
He slowly pinched the cup handle between his thumb and index finger. "…A Death-X DORUgoramon beset upon me. At the time, I was hardly able to fight back. It might have killed me…" he explained. "That's when DarkKnightmon appeared in a critical moment to protect me." Alphamon smiled a little. "He told me to get a hold of myself, in his usual blunt way. He reminded me that I still needed to fight to protect the Digital World. His words got through to me, and I fought to fix the catastrophe that I helped to cause…"
"Is that why you seem not to hate him like some of the others do?" SkullKnightmon wondered.
Alphamon chuckled softly, before bringing his tea to his lips and taking another sip. "I suppose you are referring to Ouryumon…" he lightly replied. "As for me… you're right. Despite everything that DarkKnightmon did, I cannot bring myself to hate him. It is not mere sentimentality either… He was an old friend and I regret how things ended between us, yes, but I do believe that there was good in him as well."
Alphamon exhaled ponderously against the mouth of his teacup. "…I admit, he did not always return those feelings of affection and loyalty… but I would like to think that we understood each other, once." He placed the cup back down once more, the last remaining drops of tea and its other contents now gone. The knight smiled somberly. "Though… perhaps that understanding faded with time, only to be replaced by complacency, distrust, and resentment. Only at the end, when it was too late, did we finally attempt to honestly communicate…"
"I see… How sad," SkullKnightmon wistfully replied.
"Yes…" Alphamon agreed, closing the tin of food as his cup sat empty. Then, he smiled at SkullKnightmon. "However, nothing can be done now. I can only move forward… That's why I want to give you the opportunity, free from any past prejudices."
"I appreciate that, Alphamon," SkullKnightmon told him, before drinking the last of his tea as well.
"Attention, all passengers," Locomon's voice came on from over the intercom. "We shall be arriving at our final destination of New Terminal within an hour. As I mentioned at the beginning of our journey, all passengers will be expected to disembark at New Terminal, as the line to Saversburg is unsafe at the moment. Thank you for understanding."
"You're welcome," SkullKnightmon innocently replied. "And thank you for the delicious tea."
Alphamon politely signalled to one of the train attendants that they were finished with their tea. As their cups were collected, he looked back at SkullKnightmon, who returned to gazing out the window at the beautiful view.
It was hard for him to believe that this kind, naïve, little knight was the same hard-nosed DarkKnightmon that he knew so well. It was bittersweet knowledge to him.
Alphamon looked out the window as well. He bitterly hoped that Yggdrasil would see possibility that SkullKnightmon represented, without uncertainty or prejudice.
Everyone deserves a fresh start…
At least, that's what he wanted to believe.
After another hour of travel, Alphamon and SkullKnightmon arrived successfully in New Terminal.
They arrived in a city in the midst of reconstruction. Scaffoldings and carts full of stone and brick dominated the streets and buildings, particularly in the north of the city. Many citizens of New Terminal were still working to rebuild the city after the Demon Lords' siege.
When they passed through the city to the northern gate, Alphamon had to travel through the city disguised in his DORUGreymon form, not wanting to attract attention. As he did, he had looked around at his home, sorry to see it in such disrepair, but heartened to see that the Digimon of New Terminal were working so hard to bring their city back to its former glory.
He and SkullKnightmon left the city without incident, travelling north on the Grand Highway. They had passed through the ruins of Hope's Crest, which Digimon also started to attempt to rebuild. Finally, after crossing the river, the threshold that heralded the boundary to the Neutral Zone, the pair came to the outskirts of the Great Forest.
They walked along a dirt footpath that led into the forest of massive, old-growth trees. They were completely dwarfed by the thick, towering trunks, and sprawling, verdant canopies that stretched for miles. On their way towards the forest, even tens of kilometers away, they had been able to spot the largest tree of all: the World Tree.
SkullKnightmon had stopped and stared at the sacred tree for several, awe-inspired moments before continuing.
Upon entering the forest, the two Digimon walked quietly down the well-trodden footpath. Since entering the forest, SkullKnightmon had been unusually quiet, and there was a troubled frown behind his visor.
Alphamon walked alongside him, glancing over every so often. He was a little bit perturbed by SkullKnightmon's silence. At first, he had assumed that he was just awe-struck by the World Tree, but as time went on, he worried that something else was the matter.
"…SkullKnightmon?" Alphamon questioned, looking down to the short knight beside him. "Is there something wrong?
"Hm?" SkullKnightmon asked, blinking and looking up at his escort. "Oh… No… Not exactly?"
Alphamon frowned and eyed him, not wanting to be too suspicious, but feeling as though there was more to it. "Are you sure? You seem troubled."
"I suppose I… just feel strange," SkullKnightmon answered, looking down at his eye-shaped armour. "I have this unsettled feeling inside of me… It's like… I have been here before, but I haven't…"
Alphamon looked forwards stoically. "…Déjà vu…" he spoke, his words a little restrained. "A common theory is that that déjà vu – that inexplicable feeling of being in a situation that you have not before – stems from memories of a previous incarnation. That could be all that you are feeling. Are you sure that you have never been here before in your current life?"
"I am fairly certain… perhaps you are right and that is all it is. It is just that this road seems familiar somehow," SkullKnightmon reasoned. "It is rather strange, having a road in a forest like this… What is it for?"
"This is actually a pilgrimage route," the black paladin explained. "Many pilgrim Digimon use it to travel to the World Tree to give offerings in the hope for blessings."
SkullKnightmon looked around curiously. "…There do not seem to be many Digimon around," he noted.
Alphamon stroked his chin. "Ah, well, pilgrimages have not been temporarily banned for a couple of years now," he explained. "Ever since—" Alphamon managed to stop himself, and he sheepishly leered at SkullKnightmon. "Er, well... the World Tree needs time to recover… It was damaged."
"I see…" SkullKnightmon responded, frowning a little more. "You mean like New Terminal… and that little town back there…"
"Er… Yes," Alphamon confirmed delicately. "Something like that…"
SkullKnightmon looked up at Alphamon with searching, questioning eyes. "…Is it true that those 'Demon Lords' did those things?" he wondered. "That they attacked New Terminal, destroyed that town, and hurt all those people…?"
Alphamon looked forwards to hide the discomfort that formed on his face. "…Yes… I'm afraid so," he confirmed spartanly.
SkullKnightmon was beginning to ask more difficult questions… ones that Alphamon wasn't sure if he should answer. He didn't yet have the heart to tell him that his long-lost brother Bagramon was involved with the Demon Lords and was partially responsible for those crimes.
"…Were they the ones who damaged the World Tree?" SkullKnightmon asked.
Alphamon paused with unease, but he continued walking forwards so as not to seem suspicious. "…No, that was… somebody else," Alphamon furtively replied, keeping his tense, golden eyes ahead of them.
The skull-themed knight in question frowned and looked down. His troubled eyes furrowed into something resembling displeasure.
"…That isn't right…" he murmured, looking forwards with thought.
"No, it isn't… Sometimes Digimon do bad things," Alphamon told the short knight. "…Some worse than others."
"And you and the Royal Knights try to stop them?" SkullKnightmon inquired.
"Yes, we do," the leader of the knights confirmed. "We are trying to bring peace and stability to the world."
SkullKnightmon nodded with understanding. "…Good…" he thoughtfully replied.
Alphamon walked ahead a little, although not so far that he would leave SkullKnightmon behind. At this point, he was confident that SkullKnightmon wouldn't attempt to escape. "Anyways… we should keep moving. It is still something of a trek. However, tell me if you ever need a break."
"Alright," SkullKnightmon agreed, following after the black knight, gazing up at his winged back.
Then, out of the corner of his left eye, SkullKnightmon thought he noticed something move.
He stopped in his tracks and turned around, gazing back towards the thick bushes and underbrush of. For a split second, he thought he saw a flicker of light within the foliage, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He heard only a faint rustle of leaves, and then silence.
Alphamon stopped and turned around with concern, noticing that SkullKnightmon's footsteps had stopped. To his confused relief, the knight was still there, simply staring off into the forest. "SkullKnightmon?" he questioned. "Is something the matter? Are you experiencing another instance of déjà vu?"
SkullKnightmon frowned and turned back towards Alphamon. "No… I thought I saw some light over there," he explained, pointing with his arm.
Alphamon readjusted the heavy bag over his shoulder and looked in the direction that SkullKnightmon pointed. He focused, but he could not detect sight or sound of anything over there. After looking around cautiously, he looked back at SkullKnightmon.
"Perhaps it was merely a play of the light?" he proposed. The Aloof Hermit smiled wryly. "Or perhaps a will-o'-the-wisp? They have been known to be seen here. It is an old, mystical forest, after all."
"Mm… Perhaps," SkullKnightmon considered.
"Don't stray too far, alright?" Alphamon told him. "If you go off the pilgrimage trail, it can be easy to get lost. It is a very big forest."
"Very well," SkullKnightmon agreed.
He cast one last, lingering glance over his shoulder. Then, upon seeing nothing out of the ordinary, SkullKnightmon walked to catch up with Alphamon.
The two dark knights continued their long trek down the forest path as they made their way to the central node – the World Tree.
Neither of them were aware of what followed them.
A pair of eyes watched the two from a distance, concealed behind the thick, arboreal foliage. The hidden figure watched them grow farther away, before silently melding back into the undergrowth.
Two hours had passed. During that time, Alphamon and SkullKnightmon walked continuously down the pilgrimage path.
It was about mid-afternoon. They were currently about halfway between the entrance of the forest and the World Tree.
The canopies had become thicker, with only slender rays of light peaking through the trees like small, incorporeal pillars. The forest around them was lush. Although the most prominent flora were the huge, far-apart deciduous trees dominating the sky, the forest was also covered with bushes, flowers, ferns, and shrubs occupying the space in-between.
Alphamon veered off to the side of the path, meandering into an area without too much underbrush. Upon reaching the base of a large tree, Alphamon turned around and hailed to SkullKnightmon.
"SkullKnightmon, why don't we stop here for a brief rest?" he proposed. "We have been travelling for some time now."
SkullKnightmon nodded and walked over to the tree where Alphamon stood. "Alright, but do we have time?"
"We should still be able to make to our destination before nightfall," Alphamon explained. "However, we will likely need to stay the night once finished."
SkullKnightmon made his way over and sat down in the grass. "That is alright with me. I am used to sleeping outdoors."
Alphamon took the two bags off of his shoulders, carefully placing the heavier one on the grass so that the chains didn't rattle. He then reached into the lighter bag and took out two tins, handing one of them to SkullKnightmon. "We should eat now," he suggested. "I can heat it up, if you'd like."
Upon nodding, SkullKnightmon watched as Alphamon heated the two metallic tins using low energy emissions from the crystals in his palms. As the steam rose up and the leftovers became fragrant, SkullKnightmon's attention landed on the heavy bag that Alphamon carried around but had never opened.
"Alphamon?" SkullKnightmon asked. "What is in your other bag?"
Alphamon paused for only a second as he continued heating the two tins of food. He looked over at SkullKnightmon with a small, reassuring smile.
"Just some camping supplies in case we need to stay the night. However, I may have over-packed," he glibly answered before looking back down at the food he was heating. "I think these are about done. Apologies for the lack of salt and pepper, but if I recall these were adequately seasoned. Would you like yours just shy of hot?"
SkullKnightmon nodded, not thinking too much about Alphamon's answer as the black knight quickly focused on the food. "That would be fine."
Alphamon nodded and negated the energy coming from his palm crystals. He felt bad about lying, and also for even carrying the chains with him at all; he was quite certain that he wouldn't need them at all now, but he had known it would put Omegamon's mind at ease to take them.
SkullKnightmon watched as Alphamon walked over to him and passed him his hot meal tin. He took it carefully in his hands and blew on it through his visor, causing the steam to waft away.
As he placed the tin down in his lap, the short knight stared down at the hot food, waiting for it to cool. As he waited, he started to think to himself.
"…Alphamon?" SkullKnightmon spoke up. "What if Yggdrasil will not see me? Perhaps it will doubt me because of the bad deeds of my previous incarnation."
"Yggdrasil is not resentful," Alphamon assured him, taking a fork and stirring around the food. "It sees everything with objectivity. I am confident that It will see you for the kind and innocent Digimon that you are."
SkullKnightmon looked at him with uncertain eyes. "…What if it doesn't?" he asked. "Everybody makes mistakes."
"Not Yggdrasil," Alphamon assured him with a smile. "And… if It doesn't, I will speak up in your defence."
SkullKnightmon stared at Alphamon with innocent curiosity. "Because we are friends?" he suggested.
Alphamon paused for a moment before answering.
"Yes…" Alphamon replied warmly. "Because we're friends."
"Alright, then," SkullKnightmon agreed, raising his visor and beginning to dip his fork into his tin of food, seeming content with Alphamon's answers.
Alphamon closed his eyes, pondering on his words, before starting to eat his food as well.
The pair rested and ate their dinner for another ten minutes. When they were finished, Alphamon placed his empty tin back in the bag. "Alright," he said, standing back to his feet. "If there is anything else that we need to do, we should do it now and then be off."
SkullKnightmon nodded and held his empty tin of vittles in his hands. He was about to reply, but SkullKnightmon suddenly stopped and began looking around again.
Alphamon saw his strange behaviour and frowned. He seemed to be particularly reactive to something in the forest. Did he see something? Was it because they were getting so close to the World Tree? Were some old, dormant memories trying to come back?
"Is something wrong, SkullKnightmon?" Alphamon asked. "Do you see something again?"
"Maybe… I'm not sure," SkullKnightmon answered, looking around the trees and foliage.
Alphamon turned around, beginning to scan through the trees as well. He squinted, staring cautiously through the woods. He heard a branch break in the distance, drawing his attention. He knew that there shouldn't be anybody else there apart from them…
Then, he heard the rustling of leaves and branches in the same direction. He saw the bright, vibrant hues of white and blue fur behind the green and brown flora. Then, after a few seconds, a pair of big, blue antlers emerged from behind a large plant.
Alphamon sighed and relaxed. "Oh… It's just one of the Moosemon," he explained to SkullKnightmon, realizing that it had been just one of the World Tree's four stags on patrol.
He turned around to look at the shorter knight. "Actually, I should go make myself known to him. They are not expecting our arrival," Alphamon noted.
"Shall I come with you?" SkullKnightmon asked.
Alphamon glanced back at Moosemon with some disinclination. He wasn't sure if he should tell Moosemon about SkullKnightmon straight away, as his appearance might cause upset. After all, it was DarkKnightmon who was ultimately responsible for damaging the World Tree. He thought it best for him to lay the groundwork first before bringing SkullKnightmon over.
"I think it might be best if you stay here, SkullKnightmon," Alphamon urged him. "At least until I explain to Moosemon what is going on. Can you wait right here until I return?"
"Oh, very well," SkullKnightmon agreed. He tilted his head. "Would that Moosemon be upset if he saw me?"
"He… would likely be confused and a little suspicious. That's why I would like to speak to him first," Alphamon responded, turning back towards the Moosemon, who had spotted him. "I won't be too long, alright?"
"Alright," SkullKnightmon replied, nodding receptively. "I will wait here."
Alphamon smiled and began walking forwards. He raised his arm and waved. "Moosemon!" he called out as he walked towards the guardian beast. "It is Alphamon!"
The Moosemon stopped and stared at him. "Lord Alphamon?!" he called back, watching as the black knight made his way over. "So, it is you that I detected here? What are you doing back so soon?"
"It is a long story. Allow me to explain," Alphamon responded, flying over before Moosemon could approach, wanting to keep the stag put before he could notice SkullKnightmon.
SkullKnightmon watched as Alphamon disappeared from view after his armoured body dipped behind some thick foliage.
The stalky skull knight was unconcerned. He was used to being alone. Yet, he was still gripped by an intense sense of omission and longing. It felt stronger now than ever before, and it made him feel restless.
Wanting to distract himself by doing something, SkullKnightmon looked down at the empty tin in his hand. He then looked over to the pair of bags that Alphamon left on the ground by the base of the tree. Remembering that Alphamon had placed his empty container in one of the bags, and knowing that he shouldn't litter, SkullKnightmon started carrying his tin over to the pair of bags.
He knelt down beside the two satchels and, not knowing which one was which, opened the one on the right up. To SkullKnightmon's confusion, he had opened the wrong bag.
What was inside the bag was not miscellaneous supplies, but a long, heavy coil of metal chains. SkullKnightmon frowned curiously… It struck him as odd. Alphamon had said that the bag had camping supplies. Was a large chain like this used for camping? He wasn't sure, but he couldn't see anything else inside.
SkullKnightmon carefully closed the bag and opened the other one. Inside, he saw various camping implements, as well as Alphamon's empty food tin. He cautiously placed his own tin beside it, and then sealed it back up.
"…Maybe Alphamon was mistaken," SkullKnightmon considered, frowning uncertainly as he stood back up.
The unsettled stirring within him intensified. SkullKnightmon looked up and gazed in the direction that Alphamon had walked. He couldn't really see the Royal Knight anymore. He could maybe see a bit of black through the foliage, but it was hard to discern as the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky. Alphamon might still be there, but he might not.
SkullKnightmon looked around uneasily. He checked the forest to his right, seeing the empty pathway not far off. Then, he looked to his left. There were trees, plants, bushes, flowers… as far as his eyes could see. He scanned the forest carefully.
Then, a golden glint out of the corner of his eye.
SkullKnightmon spun towards it. "Hello?" he called out.
There was no reply. Only silence.
SkullKnightmon took a few, tentative steps forwards, in the direction of the grove of plant-life where he thought he saw the glint from. "Alphamon? Is that you?" he asked.
Then, there was a sudden rustling of bushes coming from the direction that he was facing. The short, caped knight frowned and tensed up slightly. Then, the foliage stopped rustling, and the sound of rapid footsteps could be heard running away.
"Hello? …Wait!" SkullKnightmon called out. He pursued the noise, running through the bushes where the noise had emanated from.
SkullKnightmon pushed his way through the foliage, but there was nothing but forest on the other side. He looked around ardently, trying to find the thing that seemed to be following him. His eyes zipped back and forth, looking deep into the forest, trying to see past the plants, trees, and rays of light.
Then, far in the distance, he saw another glint of light. It was like it was beckoning to him.
For just a second, SkullKnightmon glanced over his shoulder, in the direction of Alphamon, but then the rustling of bushes far ahead of him drew his attention yet again.
He couldn't shake this oppressive feeling. He had to follow it. His heart was desperate to. He felt as though he was on the cusp of something important. He had to figure out what it was.
Without wasting another moment, SkullKnightmon began racing through the forest towards the transitory glint. He hopped over logs, raced through plants, and weaved around the trees. He couldn't afford to lose this chance.
He wasn't sure why, but, to him, it felt as though everything depended on it.
"You wish to consult Lord Yggdrasil again?"
"Yes," Alphamon confirmed as he stood opposite to the Moosemon. "Something important has come up since my last visit, and I was hoping for Its guidance."
The Moosemon sighed. "I see… Things have become so hectic lately. When we aren't getting pilgrims trying to sneak a glance at the World Tree, we have Devas visiting, demanding that the sacred Dragon's Veins here be protected." The stag scoffed indignantly. "They are quick to point to our failings during the DarkKnightmon Crisis, yet I did not see them lift a finger to protect the Neutral Zone."
Alphamon chuckled awkwardly, scratching his cheek with a finger as a bead of sweat rolled down the back of his head. "Ah… That must be difficult," he uneasily replied with perfunctory sympathy. Seeing that what DarkKnightmon did was still fresh in their minds made this more difficult.
Moosemon cleared his throat, becoming a little embarrassed that he was complaining to a Royal Knight. "Well, anyways, I doubt there should be any problem with regards to performing the access ritual," he told Alphamon.
"Well… There is one other matter related to that…" Alphamon tactfully broached the subject. "I am not alone…"
Moosemon frowned and tilted his antlered head. "Oh? That would explain why I didn't feel as if it was you I was detecting earlier. Who is your companion?"
"…Oh… merely the reincarnated form of DarkKnightmon," Alphamon replied, summoning as much charm as he could muster into his smile.
Moosemon stared blankly.
"…I mean no disrespect… but is this some sort of a joke?" the stag asked.
Alphamon smiled at the expected response. "I am completely serious," he explained. "SkullKnightmon – the reformatted version of DarkKnightmon – arrived on our doorstep."
"Humbly-speaking… but you wish to bring him to the World Tree?" Moosemon asked, his eye twitching as he tried to restrain his incredulity. "Is that… wise? He is the one who burnt the World Tree!"
"DarkKnightmon was, yes," Alphamon concurred. "SkullKnightmon does not pose any threat to the World Tree or Yggdrasil in his current state. He is an innocent, and he is certainly not strong enough to do any damage. I merely wish to bring him to Lord Yggdrasil so that he may be evaluated. I feel as though Yggdrasil would have a vested interest in him, and I can determine whether he still possesses Yggdrasil's blessing."
"I see…" Moosemon answered with a reluctant sigh. "I… understand. You make valid points…"
"Then I can proceed as planned," Alphamon suggested.
"It is not my place to stop you, Lord Alphamon," Moosemon responded. "Leave it with me. I shall put it to Valdurmon and we will make the necessary preparations."
"Very well. We shall continue to the World Tree, then," Alphamon informed him. As the Moosemon bowed his head and turned to leave, Alphamon spoke up, thinking it worth mentioning something else. "And also, Moosemon."
"Yes, Lord Alphamon?"
Alphamon's expression became deadly serious. "…It would be wise to prepare yourselves. The Demon Lord army is making gains south from Saversburg. We believe that their destination is the Chasm of Creation itself, and they will need to pass through the Great Forest to reach it. Our army is doing our best to hold them back, but we cannot make any guarantees right now… If we cannot stop them… the World Tree may be under threat yet again… and not merely the World Tree, but Yggdrasil itself. They have the power to do what DarkKnightmon was unable to do before…"
The Moosemon's face darkened into a horrified gape. His expression hardened and he turned his head away. "…I will inform Valdurmon of that as well."
"…The Royal Knights will stop at nothing to prevent that from happening," Alphamon promised. "It is our raison d'être to do so."
"That heartens me," the hart answered, turning around. "I will go now. We will be expecting you and your companion."
Alphamon nodded. "Hopefully we will not take too long," he replied. "I should get back to him."
With only a nod, the Moosemon lowered his head and dashed off swiftly and agilely, quickly disappearing into the forest.
Alphamon turned around and flew back to the grassy rest site where he had instructed SkullKnightmon to wait.
After flying over a large patch of vegetation, Alphamon stopped above the place where he had left SkullKnightmon and his belongings. To his horror and confusion, SkullKnightmon was not there.
"…SkullKnightmon?" he called out, dropping down to the ground, sincerely hoping that SkullKnightmon had just gone somewhere nearby to relieve himself. However, when he didn't hear any response, the pit of worry in Alphamon's stomach began to grow.
The Aloof Hermit looked around fervently. "SkullKnightmon?! Are you there?!" he shouted, louder this time.
There was no answer.
Alphamon whirled around, bending down and spreading his metal wings out wide as he prepared to take off. Before he did, his gaze landed on the two bags below him… They both seemed as though they had been shifted just slightly.
He reached down and opened the lighter bag. Inside was SkullKnightmon's tin of food. Then, Alphamon's gaze transferred to the heavy bag beside it that contained the chains. The flap was ajar.
Alphamon's eyes widened with horror as he came to a grievous conclusion.
"…Oh no…"
SkullKnightmon raced through the forest.
His metal boots pounded the forest floor and bounced off logs. His black cape fluttered animatedly as he dashed agilely over the foliage and underbrush.
He bounded through the forest, which was illuminated by diagonal rays of amber light as the sun continued its descent. Every so often, he caught sight of the familiar glint as the figure he was pursuing briefly caught the rays of sunlight while disappearing through the underbrush.
He was determined to catch up. He chased the shadow single-mindedly, unaware that he was being led further and further away from their camp.
"Wait!" SkullKnightmon called out as he pursued the trace of light. "Who are you?! Why are you following me?!
There was no reply.
Yet, despite the silence, something deep in SkullKnightmon instinctively knew the answer, even if his conscious mind did not.
There was a presence calling him. Without words, it beckoned to him, igniting something within him. It was like the very data particles of his Digicore was being drawn to it.
SkullKnightmon kept chasing, deeper and deeper into the Great Forest. That sense of loss and forgetfulness began to burn more and more intensely, swiftly morphing from that of acceptance to that of defiance. He suddenly knew that he was on the cusp of something important. It felt as though there was a missing word on the very tip of his tongue, one that he was frustratingly just short of finding. He felt like he was on the very precipice of understanding and self-realisation.
He couldn't understand why, but he felt like, if he could catch up to the mysterious shadow, all of his many questions would be answered. He felt so much in the dark. Being so ignorant was such a lonely experience. He needed to know more. He needed to know who he was.
SkullKnightmon charged headlong into a thick web of foliage and brambles. He pushed the branches and vines aside with his armoured arms, forcing his way through the dense vegetation. He tumbled out the other side and pulled himself up.
He found himself standing in a small, forest gully. He was standing in a shallow dip in the forest floor, covered with roots and leaves. To his left was a three meter tall, vertical embankment of earth, having sunken sharply from years of erosion. It provided a small, secluded spot in an otherwise fairly open forest.
SkullKnightmon brushed himself off and looked around curiously. Had he lost sight of it?
Suddenly, he heard rustling again. This time, it was nearby, extremely close, even. He looked up fervently, where he saw sections of leaves and foliage shuddering at the top of the embankment. The rustling soon ceased as the hidden figure moved from those bushes.
"I know you are there!" SkullKnightmon called out, looking around at the peak of the embankment. "Are… Are you the one who has been calling me?"
There was more shuddering of bushes out of SkullKnightmon's view. Then, he saw a shadow move from the embankment and into some dense foliage in front of him, on the opposite side of the gully.
SkullKnightmon nervously took a step forwards, gazing across the rooted area to the foliage several meters opposite from him.
"Who are you? Please, come out!" SkullKnightmon urged the figure. "I must know!"
Then, the foliage began to shudder with movement. Something moving around inside the plants caused branches and stems to begin to fall.
"This is far away enough," a sharp voice growled from within the undergrowth.
Two golden blades first emerged from the bushes, one after the other, like feet. They were connected to two legs, covered in black metal that shimmered faintly. Then, between the shoulders of the two legs, a pair of glowing yellow eyes blazed within the dark of the underbrush.
A demonic, reptilian head, covered in crimson scales, emerged from the shadows. The amber sunlight cast across the feature's face, causing the jagged crest that adorned the creature's golden helmet to glimmer and meld with the deep, orange sunlight. The quadrupedal creature walked out of the underbrush, revealing a long, lithe body of thick, black metal, striking in its appearance of that of a concave axe.
SkullKnightmon frowned with clear turmoil as he set his eyes on this strange yet distantly familiar Digimon.
"Who… Who are you?" SkullKnightmon asked, stepping forwards, as if pulled by an invisible magnet.
The metallic creature scoffed and narrowed his eyes. "You don't remember…" he mused, a soft, low growl to his voice. "I guess you wouldn't… You were the core, after all…"
SkullKnightmon's brows furrowed deeply with confusion. "The core…?" he asked. His face scrunched up as glimpses, feelings, began to emerge within him. "I don't… Who are you…?"
The demonic, metal beast began stalking towards him, his gleaming, yellow eyes locked with SkullKnightmon's. "My name is DeadlyAxemon… I was reborn three years ago… but I didn't hatch in the Village of Beginnings. I evolved quickly… I travelled everywhere, getting stronger… looking…"
SkullKnightmon's eyes widened with shock, the word alone igniting something in his mind like an explosion. "Deadly…Axemon…?"
DeadlyAxemon prowled closer, stopping right in front of the confused knight. He leered into him with intense passion, his razor sharp teeth closed tight as his nostrils flared. "…Yes… I have been searching for you…" he explained in a tremulous snarl. "And now I've found you…"
Revelatory shock and bewilderment washed across SkullKnightmon's features. His mind began racing at a million miles a minute as he teetered on the very precipice of epiphany. It was him. It was him that he was looking for. The last piece of the puzzle. The missing part of the incomplete whole.
"B… Brother…" SkullKnightmon whispered, his gleaming eyes widening with final understanding.
"Yes… Brother," he demon beast confirmed. "And, also…"
DeadlyAxemon grinned and closed the distance between them, staring straight into his stunned eyes with dark resolve. He leaned in and spoke in a near-whisper.
"…I remember everything…"
SkullKnightmon stared into his eyes with discord and bewilderment as his mind opened up, the light pouring in, washing away the darkness of total oblivion...
DeadlyAxemon gazed right back at him, breathing heavy with passion as everything fell into place.
"SkullKnightmon… Brother…" he hissed.
"…Say it."
"…DigiXros…"
"SkullKnightmon…! Where are you?!"
Alphamon flew through the forest with a concerned expression plastered across his face. He cupped his hands to his mouth as he called out, hoping to project his voice as far as possible.
He had been searching for ten minutes yet he had still been unable to find SkullKnightmon. Alphamon quietly cursed himself for leaving him alone. He had thought he would be alright for a couple minutes. At the very least, he felt he should have taken that bag with him.
Alphamon was certain that SkullKnightmon had looked inside of it. Had he broken SkullKnightmon's trust? Had that been why he ran off? Was it because of his fear of him?
The Aloof Hermit frowned and continued weaving between the trees, searching the forest with worry. He didn't have time to blame himself. He had to find SkullKnightmon before he lost him completely.
"SkullKnightmon!" Alphamon shouted. "It's Alphamon! Please come to my voice! I merely want to explain!"
There was no reply.
The sun was going down over the horizon. Only slim, shallowly diagonal rays of amber light still peeked through the dense canopies. It would be night soon. If he didn't find SkullKnightmon soon…
Alphamon stopped in the air in an open space between a few towering, thick trees. Towards the eastern part of the area was dense foliage and darkness. He spun around, his eyes darting back and forth as he looked every which way.
"SkullKnightmon! Please, answer me!" Alphamon called out, spinning around swiftly and causing his cape to flap turbulently.
He had to find him. He didn't know how he would be able to face the others – or himself – if he didn't.
His eyes were wide and his senses were heightened. He began to feel as though something was moving in the darkness behind him.
Suddenly, he heard a branch snap in the shadows, and he whirled towards it, but saw nothing in the darkness.
"SkullKnightmon!" he shouted, hoping to elicit some sort of response.
Alphamon sensed the presence again. This time, behind him. He spun around, but there was nothing towards the setting sun.
He heard the rustle of leaves, like a sudden gust in the forest.
Then, his eyes widened. He felt the presence once more, but this time, it was not merely the perception of somebody nearby, but something else… danger. He heard hissing - growing, escalating, closing in.
Alphamon tensed up and began to react, but he was too late. The hissing was now an overwhelming roar in his ears and it was already upon him.
A torrent of shadows slammed into Alphamon's caped back with immense power. The concentrated beam of darkness drilled into his armoured spine, right between his wings. Alphamon let out a surprised shout as he was hurled forwards, straight into the thick trunk of an old tree. The beam continued on after him, crushing him into the tree, tearing at the wood until the trunk of the tree snapped, sending Alphamon crashing straight through the bark.
Alphamon gasped as he bounced and rolled across the forest floor. He had been taken completely off-guard by the attack, unable to even attempt to avoid it. Who could be attacking him here? Who could hit him with enough power to blast him clear through a tree? In his pain and disorientation, he couldn't even begin to think about such questions beyond mere kernels of confused thought.
The black knight groaned and pulled himself to his hands and knees from the ground, his caped back smoking. Through his pained confusion, Alphamon swept his right arm out, magical circles appearing in front of his extended palm as he attempted to summon his blade. "Seiken Grad—?!"
A metal boot stomped down on his wrist before the holy sword could materialize, crushing his hand painfully into the ground. Then, a bladed boot burrowed into his gut, kicking Alphamon onto his side.
Alphamon coughed and grunted as he slammed onto his side. Through grimacing, red eyes, Alphamon looked up and saw a large, shadowy figure standing over him, the golden parts of its armour highlighted with sunlight, while the rest of him was covered with darkness. The fearsome silhouette was horribly familiar.
Before he could process what he was looking at, Alphamon saw a massive red spear, crackling with black energy, aim down at him. The black knight quickly raised his hand, the crystal of his palm beginning to course with energy, but he was too late.
"Twin Spear," a deep, familiar voice spoke. It sent a primal shiver down Alphamon's spine, causing him to freeze for a crucial split-second.
With wide eyes, Alphamon watched as the crimson spear erupted with destructive energy. The beam slammed into him and tore up the ground around him. In a surging torrent of darkness, Alphamon was sent crashing into the trunk of a massive tree.
As his back and head crashed against the massive hunk of wood, the trunk half-split, and his body left a painful dent in its bark. The beam crushed against his body, causing his armour to strain against his skin. It was no ordinary beam – the only thing that could do this to him was the power of another Ultimate level – and no ordinary Ultimate level… It was a Digimon of immense power, rivalling that of a Royal Knight.
After a few moments, the torrent let up. As the beam subsided, Alphamon's smoking body fell from the damaged tree and onto the ground. He crashed onto the forest floor unbraced, groaning as he lay on the ground.
Grimacing with pain, Alphamon weakly raised his head. He watched as a tall, dark silhouette emerged from the shadows of the forest.
A long, black cape flapped in the remnant of the blast. The striking silhouette of a knight stalked forwards from the darkness, the last vestiges of amber light glinting off the golden crest of his chest armour and his horned helm. He twirled the blood red, double-headed spear in his black gauntlets.
Alphamon's grimacing eyes grew wide with stunned horror. He gazed at the skull-like features of the dark figure's breastplate, recognizing that body anywhere. He grasped the ground with his hand and tried to push himself up as he stared up at the figure's helmeted face. He saw two, blazing yellow eyes gazing back at him.
"No… It cannot be…!" Alphamon exclaimed, gaping with dread.
"Ha ha…" the dark figure chuckled, stalking forward like a revenant at dusk. "It can… and it is…"
The black knight lurched towards the fallen Royal Knight with a glint in his gleaming eyes.
"Hello again… old friend."
Alphamon's flickering, crimson eyes stared at him with utter disbelief.
"It's impossible…" he whispered, his face blanching as if he had seen a ghost.
"DarkKnightmon…"
DarkKnightmon swept the crackling Twin Spear up and aimed it Alphamon. Before the Royal Knight could move his aching body to resist, another beam of shadows coursed from the tip of the lance.
The shadows howled like the flames of hell and smashed into Alphamon's prone body, eating up the earth around him. Alphamon was crushed into the huge tree once again, the overwhelming pressure of darkness straining against his body. The Royal Knight let out a bellow of pain and struggled in his attempt to resist the crushing pressure.
As the beam petered out, DarkKnightmon calmly swept the Twin Spear outwards, its metal surface still laced with shadows. "Hah… Such power!" he marvelled, looking down at his hand as he continued stalking forwards. "It seems as though I still have Yggdrasil's blessing flowing through me… I am as strong as I have ever been…!"
Alphamon crumpled to the ground at the base of the tree, his body smoking with frothing shadows. He grimaced as he reached back, grasping the smouldering truck of the tree behind him. He weakly tried to rise up from his knees, but his aching legs protested. With his other hand, he attempted to summon the Seiken Grad Alpha.
"How…? It can't be…" Alphamon murmured, grimacing through his pain. "Seiken—"
"I think not, Alphamon!" DarkKnightmon proclaimed, blitzing towards Alphamon.
He swept the Twin Spear out, bashing the heavy spear across Alphamon's face, before shoulder-checking the knight into the tree hard enough to cause the wood to crack.
Then, DarkKnightmon raised his boot and slammed it into Alphamon's chest, punting him clear through the tree, causing the heavy trunk to snap in two and the Royal Knight to skid across the forest floor.
As the tree began to crash in the forest with a mighty heave, DarkKnightmon lunged into the air in a sprawling jump. He descended upon the barely-stirring Alphamon within moments. Landing with the full force of his body, he drove his boots right onto Alphamon's face, embedding his head halfway into the dirt.
Refusing to take any chances, DarkKnightmon aimed the Twin Spear down and, at point blank range, fired another mighty torrent of darkness down on the Royal Knight, crushing his body into the ground and carving out a shadowy crater in the forest floor.
There was a swelling howl of energy as the power billowed around them. The vaporous gasp of dark power hissed before diminishing. As the last vestiges of darkness parted from the dusk-painted forest, only silence remained.
DarkKnightmon hesitated, staring down at Alphamon with trepidation, unsure if the Royal Knight would continue to resist. He gazed below him at Alphamon's smoking, armoured body. The Royal Knight didn't move. There was only darkness behind the visor of his helmet.
DarkKnightmon stood there in absolute silence, gazing down at the unconscious Royal Knight with an almost stunned shock.
Then… he laughed.
DarkKnightmon brought his hand to his head and laughed with utter amazement and disbelief.
"Hah… Hah hah hah!" he chuckled, his voice quavering with exhilaration.
DarkKnightmon lightly kicked Alphamon's side just to make sure he really was unconscious. Seeing the black paladin limply take the blow, DarkKnightmon grinned and stabbed the Twin Spear into the ground next to the Royal Knight.
The resurrected dark knight towered over Alphamon and raised his foot.
"Hah hah…! I have finally done it, Alphamon…!" DarkKnightmon exclaimed with triumphant elation.
DarkKnightmon leaned forwards, towering over the defeated Royal Knight and gazing down with an intense glow in his passionate eyes.
Then, with a dark smirk, DarkKnightmon brought his foot down and pressed his boot victoriously onto Alphamon's face, pushing it down as he asserted his complete domination of his rival. He revelled in the moment, soaking in the victory that he had only ever dreamed about…
"I have finally won…"