Chapter Five: Legends of the Dark Forest
The morning forest seemed to come to life as the sunrays cut through the densely packed trees to form illuminated splotches of light all over the camp of Leomon and his crew. The camp was now full, extra tents and bedrolls had been laid out for the newcomers, those liberated from Podramon's slave camp.
Anselm was the first human to open his eyes. He smiled when he saw Patamon's furry little form curled up beside him. He gently ran his fingers through Patamon's fur before trying to get up without disturbing his fuzzy friend. The camp was already a buzz with Digimon darting to and fro collecting fruit from some nearby trees and firewood to keep the night's fire burning long enough to cook some breakfast. Breakfast… the idea made Anselm's stomach rumble with hunger but he was a bit nervous to step out into the camp of Digimon all by himself and get something to eat. His hunger quickly over came his fear when he saw Dyrasmon carrying a woven basket filled with fruit and a yellow vegetable that looked a little like corn.
"Can I have one?" Anselm called to her and she turned with a warm smile and flew over to him.
"Here," she said handing him the whole basket, "an appetizer for your group. I'm sure you guys are mighty hungry."
"Thanks," Anselm nodded already having a bite of a spherical red-pink fruit that tasted a bit like an apple crossed with a peach. He turned to wake Patamon to find the little guy hovering just behind him, "Patamon, sheesh, you scared me."
"Stealthy like a Ninjamon, that's me, what you got there?"
"Some fruit for us, wake the others so they can have some too."
"Can do," Patamon grinned taking in a deep breath, "Boom Bubble!"
The breeze he released from his lungs was strong enough to knock the Sheepmon wool blankets right off the snoozing group but was weak enough not to cause any real discomfort. Still each and every one was up and about and Patamon was whistling innocently as he found himself a nice juicy piece of fruit to eat.
"This is probably the last fruit of the year before Winter sets in," Patamon announced with his mouth munching away.
"Winter, they have Winter here in the Digital World?" Thompson asked, looking around at the forest unable to tell if the trees were deciduous or evergreen.
"Yeah, so what?" Patamon asked.
"Well that would mean the planet is on an axis as it faces the sun," Thompson said.
"Please, no science lectures before breakfast," Xander said rubbing his growling stomach as he chose an odd shaped melon from the breakfast basket.
"This is just the appetizer to breakfast," Anselm replied wiping the fruit juice mustache that he'd grown, "according to Dyrasmon."
"What I wouldn't give for some ham." John moaned.
"Ham? What is Ham?" Patamon asked, his stomach so fat he could barely fly.
"Ham… as in meat."
"As in the flesh of a Digimon!?" Patamon recoiled in horror, hiding behind Anselm.
"Well no, back on Earth we eat animals," Solara clarified calmly, "there are no Digimon there."
"And these animals, how do they feel about being eaten?"
"They can't talk," John said, feeling a bit bad about scaring the little guy, "they aren't intelligent like you Digimon are. Besides, it's sort of eat or be eaten, survival of the fittest, don't Digimon ever eat other Digimon?"
"Well, not usually," Patamon answered, feeling more at ease now, "but I heard of someone getting mauled by a Grizzlymon once, and all they found was a tuft of fur. The Grizzlymon apologized for eating him, or so goes the story."
"Even the bears can talk on this planet," Vera remarked with a laugh, taking a second piece of fruit.
"Well Patamon," Anselm said, still quite hungry, "what do you say we see what they're making over the fire?"
"Hang on a second, I'm still a bit-" Patamon let out a powerful belch, so strong it nearly knocked them over, "yeah, okay, I have room now."
"Gross," Vera remarked as Anselm and Patamon frolicked away.
"I am so glad we don't have to do anymore digging," Jonathan mumbled as he stuffed his face.
"I think I might throw up if I ever see a shovel again," Vera agreed.
"Still, now that we're out," Xander said, "I could get used to this place."
"I'm a bit surprised to hear you say that Alex," Solara replied with a slightly snarky tone, she could tell calling him Alex seemed to bother him.
"Xander if you please," he replied too preoccupied with his food to be bent out of shape, "Alex is my Father's name."
"Well, I'm going over to see what's cooking," John announced, "'you want to come Vera?"
"No, I think I need some more sleep, I might go back to bed for an hour."
"Kay," he replied kissing her on the lips gently before moving off. He was met on his way over to the fire by the fairy Digimon Dyrasmon who looked at him with a curious expression as he approached the center of the camp.
"Why are you following me?" John asked, considering the luminescent eyes of the fairy.
"I was curious."
"About what?" John asked, seeing that all of what was cooking over the fire was some strange fruits or vegetables in a stew pot.
"That thing you did back there… with the other Humon."
"Who, you mean Vera? That was a kiss."
"A kiss? What is a kiss?"
"You know, a kiss, it's something humans do when they like each other. Vera's my girlfriend, so I kissed her."
"A display of affection then?" Dyrasmon deduced, "I imagine it excites the skin."
"Yeah, don't Digimon kiss?"
"Well, I don't know, you see I have lived in this forest my entire life. As a nature lover, a spirit of the forest, I really wouldn't know where else to go, that's how the Tulismon wound up capturing me. I had nowhere to run."
"That's messed up, I still can't believe those bullies and what they did. And to such a beautiful little fairy."
"Thank you for your kind words. Now if you'll excuse me I must continue fetching food."
"Of course," John nodded, "nice talking to you."
John watched the graceful pixie dance across the air and out of the camp. He had to admit he was getting used to all the weirdness around and despite a dull wishing for his former life of luxury in the back of his head, he didn't mind sticking around. He watched the vegetables as they roasted over the fire and noticed that some Digimon resembled plants. Wasn't this cannibalism or had those Digimon merely adapted to disguise themselves as plants? John shook his head in amazement, he had a tentative grasp on Earthly evolution and now here he was staring at these strange creatures on a new planet. Who knows how any of these things got started or how far this planet was from Earth. They'd come pretty far from home for having merely climbed a stone staircase. Still, something in his heart told him that heading home prematurely would spoil this chance at freedom and adventure. He'd grown up spoiled, trapped in a private school life of luxury but now he was out without planners, sitters or nurses keeping him on schedule. He looked over to Vera. He'd expected her to be miserable; instead he saw she was napping peacefully her tan skin wrapped in an angelically innocent luminosity highlighted by the sunlight that shot down in rays through the dense canopy of the forest.
Soon enough the food was done, Leomon let out a triumphant roar announcing the breakfast call. Everyone was in line for the feast and there was more than enough to go around. Each had their turn and got their fill before taking their seats as they could find them. Several wooden tables, makeshift as they were, had been set up and those that couldn't find a seat there had their choice of buckets, basins, and baskets to sit on. It was a fairly big crowd. Leomon, Haomon, and several others apparently connected to their group were there as well as all the Digimon freed from the Tulismon labor camp. Aside from those some local Digimon had apparently shown up, any who were hungry or had the time to help feed the hungry had turned out.
"I'd like to offer my thanks," Leomon said as everyone had found their seats; many had already begun eating, "to those who helped prepare this feast. Dyrasmon, Haomon, Babamon, Floramon, Palmon and our wonderful cook Shamamon and of course the bounty of the Dark Forest. Many of you have noticed that there are some among us who do not seem to belong. Let me say that these travelers are welcome here, for indeed many of those who pass through these walls are misfits and wanderers and yet they all find themselves a good meal and good friends."
Leomon let them eat now, watching over the procession and having barely anything to eat despite his massive height. Thompson watched the lion carefully, noting the courageous flame that seemed to burn beneath Leomon's eyes. Thompson also noticed several scars on the great lion. A large gash across the chest and a burn on his forearm and a small cut under his eye were among them. Not only was there signs of Leomon having been in a great deal of fights but he also had graying fur, a sign of aging. After the meal Thompson persuaded the others to talk with Leomon alone. The great lion considered the group as they came to him while he seemed to me meditating in the south of the camp. Nearby Yasyamon also meditated, the giant horned fighter had been absent from the feast entirely.
"Thank you for the hospitality," Thompson uttered, "and for coming to set us free."
"I was but a small part in your rescue," Leomon replied with a smile, "and you are welcome to stay with us any time. It is not everyday we get, whatever it is you, are around here."
"We're humans," Xander answered, feeling a bit like a broken record, "we keep trying to tell everyone we meet. We're not Digimon. We're something entirely different."
"Well whatever you are you are welcome here."
"See, that's the thing," John started, "we're not sure where here is. This Digital World, where is it?"
"Seems an odd question," Leomon said scratching his chin and pondering the inquiry, "In relation to what? We have recently found that we are not the only planet around the sun, there are six others with us."
"In what Solar System, in what Galaxy? In What UNIVERSE!" Xander exclaimed, his voice rising and his arms flailing to emphasize the scope.
"I'm afraid I don't understand, what other Universe is there?" Leomon asked, a bit perplexed by Xander's animated antics.
"Never mind," Solara said calmly, seeing the confusion on Leomon's face, "Can you at least tell us the origin, the history of this world."
"I'm afraid most of it has been lost to time young one," another voice smoothly sang; Yasyamon had moved to join them, "there are some legends, myths really. Legends of ancient relics, of nine powerful Digimon forming the Digital World under the guidance of a grand creator."
"Relics? Like the ones Podramon was digging for?" Thompson asked turning toward the imposing Yasyamon but feeling strangely at ease with him.
"Yes young one. He searches for them, ancient relics of power hidden away in an ancient Temple that have not been seen in over a century. Most Digimon don't live that long and those that do scarcely have the memory of the times that came before. Podramon searches for the Temple and its power."
"It is very troublesome," Leomon now spoke, his tone much more serious, "that Podramon is seeking out the relics of the Dark Forest. If he finds the ancient Temple he will surely use the relics for evil. He already has slave camps and Tulismon raiding and attacking every village on Fortes Island."
"My friend is right," Yasyamon agreed, "Podramon and his gang appeared a few months ago. At first we thought they were merely ruffians, now it is confirmed. They are looking for the relics."
"What power could some old object have?" Xander asked, "We're not honestly to believe it has some supernatural power are we? Guys, this isn't Indiana Jones."
"In case you haven't noticed ALEX," Solara replied with attitude in her tone, "we're talking to a giant humanoid lion. I think the impossible no longer exists as far as we're concerned."
"I hadn't thought of that," Xander replied, too preoccupied with the logic she had used to really get angry at the nickname.
"Well, I sort of want to go home," Anselm admitted, Patamon, who sat on his shoulder, immediately frowned, "and I'm sure we all do, eventually, but I think we should help them find this Temple first even if the artifacts don't have any power finding them would still help put this Podramon guy out of business."
"Sounds good to me," Vera agreed.
"Let's do it," Thompson nodded.
"Alright, alright, we're all going to this hidden temple," Xander said with a smile, "but does anyone have a single clue where we might find it?"
"Where do the legends say it is?" Thompson asked, turning to Yasyamon and Leomon.
"No one knows where it is," Yasyamon admitted, "it's a secret that has been lost to time. But the legends say it is in this forest."
"So no one has actually seen this temple, that's just great," Xander groaned throwing up his arms in defeat.
"I've seen it," a quiet voice was heard to say, they all turned to see Dyrasmon nervously approaching the meeting.
"Don't be shy," Leomon assured the fairy.
"I've seen the Temple," she continued, now with a far more confident tone, "it isn't far from where the other Dyrasmon were. We all gathered together near the Temple and formed fairy circles but when the Tulismon came we agreed to keep it a secret."
"You were in the temple," a wide eyed Leomon asked, "you saw the holy relics?"
"No, we never went in the Temple. It was considered a sacred place. It was surrounded by a strange energy and on some nights an old hermit could be seen, her campfire was said to attract other fairies and then she was said to gobble them up… it was a story to frighten the young. But I swear to you I saw the Temple and I can take you there."
"We have a plan then," Thompson said with a determined grin.
"We have some preparations to make before nightfall," Leomon stood with a roar, "we leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yasyamon and yourself can't abandon the camp can you?" Dyrasmon reminded.
"I will stay here," Yasyamon agreed, "Leomon knows this forest as well as I and knows the legend as well."
"It's settled," Xander said wiping his brow as though the whole thing had left him exhausted, "time for an afternoon nap."
"Uh-uh mister, you're working just like the rest of us," Solara laughed, dragging Xander by the ear.
"Ow, ow, geez what are you my Mother?"
"Start gathering some food." Solara barked.
"I wouldn't know what to eat out there," he griped.
"So take one of the Digimon with you!"
Solara released him and Xander began trudging off. He mumbled under his breath as he did, stopping half-way through camp to have some left-over food from breakfast. He looked around the prospective Digimon who he could take as escorts. He didn't know most of them. He didn't even know most of their names. He found it odd that intelligent creatures like them didn't all have proper names. Sure some of them had nicknames, he'd heard several of them call Leomon the "Liberator" and several other courageous monikers they'd attached to the fierce lion. Xander scanned the group of Digimon soon coming across a familiar four-legged friend. He waddled over to the toad-like Bogmon and took a seat nearby. It didn't take long for the two to hit it off, sharing memories of the daring escape plan from the camp. Bogmon, also, claimed to have fairly good knowledge of the edible vegetation growing nearby the camp and offered to help Xander out before Xander had even inquired about it. The two were outside the camp in a flash picking a red-purple berry that Bogmon swore was safe and delicious. Xander popped one into his mouth and his tongue had a better idea.
"EWW…" Xander cried, rubbing his tongue on his shirt, "you sure these are safe?"
"Yeah, of course, all Digimon in the forest eat em. Maybe they just aren't made for a Humon."
"I suppose if I was hungry enough," Xander theorized, taking a few more handfuls and putting them in the basket.
Meanwhile the others had rallied together everyone else who would be going. Aside from the six humans, Haomon, Patamon, Dyrasmon, Leomon and Bogmon were coming. Jonathan was to help Dyrasmon make a map of where to find the Temple. Haomon, Vera, Anselm and Patamon had been given the task of going to a nearby farm just on the edge of the woods that was owned by Leomon's friend Babamon. They set out in mid-afternoon with a wagon and several baskets. Patamon sat on the wagon as Haomon and Anselm carried it.
"This is tiring, you want to take a turn Vera?" Anselm asked pausing for a moment.
"I suppose," Vera agreed with a sigh, picking up one of the handles.
"Why doesn't Patamon take a turn?" Haomon asked, turning around to offer a stuck out tongue at his fellow Digimon.
"Mush!" Patamon yelled pretending to whip a tiny whip but he saw Anselm wince at the sight, "Sorry, I forgot."
"It's okay," Anselm said, patting Patamon on the head.
"So," Vera said after a long silence, "Haomon, I heard you were pretty important to the fight at the Tulismon camp."
"Yeah, I took down two of the brutes myself," Haomon boasted.
"Ahem!" Patamon coughed at the incorrect statement.
"Okay, okay, it was a collaborative effort," Haomon admitted, this time Patamon was the one to stick his tongue out.
"At least you were brave enough to fight. I was scared the whole time I was in that camp," Vera admitted, "I just kind of blocked it out, it's all a blur. In those last minutes I remember barely being able to hold the shovel. I was so scared… if it wasn't for John there I don't think I would have been able to take a single step toward those hideous bandits."
"At least you fought," Haomon said, "you didn't run."
"I had nowhere to run," Vera said sadly, "I'm not brave like Leomon or you. Even if I work up the courage, I don't have the skill."
"Well, I've been fighting my entire life," Haomon boasted, dropping the wagon handle as they had reached the crop, the last harvest stretching out before them, "I suppose I could teach you a few things while we're out on the road."
"That'd be great," Vera replied with a bright smile.
"Then next time you see one of those Tulismon you can give him a good bop on the nose!"
A few hours later everyone was back in camp, their missions an apparent success. There was much talk. Dyrasmon divulged the story of the strange crone who appeared beneath the full moons to devour the fairies who dared stray too close. They went over the map, packed up the supplies hoping they would last. More than half of the crop that Vera, Anselm, Patamon and Haomon had collected would remain behind to feed those who stayed at the camp. The rest of the food would be for the journey, though Xander had more berries on his face and in his belly then in his basket, deciding sometime before dinner that they weren't so bad and that he needed a snack.
Thompson stared out into the darkened forest as the waning light of the sun shone through the tree tops. Tomorrow the real adventure began, the butterflies in his stomach were excited and a strange energy filled the air. He felt drawn out into those shadowy woods filled with mystery and ancient legends of a forgotten past to a foreign world. The whole thing was new, truly alien and yet that fact made it all the more inviting. He had no idea how long the quest would take, judging by Dyrasmon's map at least a few days hike to get to the Temple. Along the way he hoped to soak in all he could of this world.
The rest of the group felt much the same, their collective xenophobia worn off until almost non-existent. And so sleep came soon, with dreams of the quest to come.