Chapter Eight: Called by Destiny
They set out the next day before the sun could even break over the horizon fearing Podramon would be back with reinforcements. Leomon hoped the dragon would spend the next few days licking his wounds giving the group enough time to reach Sorcerymon and learn more about the relics. He was amazed at the resilience the humans showed; it warmed his lion heart to see such bravery and determination. They entered the forest soon after departing and began their ascent up Fortes Mountain. The morning air was crisp but not cold, winter still a ways off and the island far enough south to keep it warm. They stopped to eat mid-morning but just long enough to have a few berries they'd picked along the way. It wouldn't be long before the night would bring frost and destroy this kind of food in the wild. The sun came through the sparse mountain trees much more than it had it the Dark Forest and it warmed the group as they ate. Their conversations inevitably reflected upon their fight the night before.
"I can't believe we beat Podramon," Haomon purred.
"Why not?" Xander asked, "That guy wasn't so tough."
"But he is tough," Leomon revealed.
"Apparently not tough enough," Patamon replied, everyone nodded their agreement.
"We only won because of the humans," Dyrasmon said softly.
"What do you mean?" John asked, "We hardly did anything."
"You came up with the plan," she started, "and made us feel stronger."
"How did we make you feel stronger?" John inquired.
"I don't know," she admitted blushing, "I just felt stronger knowing you were fighting with us."
"She's right," Haomon admitted, "I felt much stronger knowing I had Vera to protect."
"Right," Dyrasmon said, "but its more than just protection… there's something deeper."
"We're friends," Haomon said nuzzling up to Vera.
"Something is definitely strange," Leomon joked, "I've never seen Haomon act this cutesy."
"Who says you can't be cute and still kick ass?" Haomon boasted.
They shared a laugh and soon set out climbing higher into the mountains. It was slow going at times as the path often became treacherous. Cliffs, waterfalls, and jagged rocks often heeded their progress. Leomon tried to hurry them as much as he could thinking that if Yasyamon could keep up in his still injured state everyone else should have an easy time of it. Yasyamon was showing signs of recovery, a night of rest had done wonders for the warrior. Leomon knew his friend was resilient, he'd seen him recover from much worse, but he couldn't help but worry.
They reached the tree line at night fall setting up camp near a cave making sure that no Digimon were using it as a place of residence. It was sparse up here and the air was thin. The few villages they'd passed had been nearly empty. Leomon explained that the recent bandit raids had pushed most families up higher into the mountains and many were abandoning their homes to hide out above the tree line. The entire island it seems was subject to the Tulismon menace. Several of the houses they passed along the road had even been burned making each and everyone of them feel some level of anger toward the Tulismon and their winged master. Darkness swept over the mountainside as they prepared to sleep in their cave. A last minute supper was prepared as Leomon pulled some vegetables from his pack that he had been saving for an emergency and cooked them over the camp fire.
Thompson took a bite of the yellow corn-like vegetable not sure he would ever get used to eating Digital World vegetables and secretly craving a burger. He looked over the group taking notice of their fatigued faces and began to worry that they were being run ragged. Was day after day of hiking preferable to returning home? One thing was for sure, it was preferable to being back in that Tulismon camp. They did owe Leomon their lives after all, without him they would have ended their days as slaves searching for ancient relics in the dust of the Digital World. Thompson nearly laughed aloud when he realized just how far Podramon's camp was from the Temple where they'd found the relics. He looked over at Solara, wondering what part she had to play in all this. She had clearly been called here by something just like the rest of them but she had not found one of the relics. Thompson had examined the devices and found them malfunctioning. The most they'd done thus far was light up and when pressing the three buttons each of them had he could get no response.
The next day was a tough climb up the winding treacherous trail that led up Fortes Mountain. The air was thin making the hike even tougher. Luckily the night they had spent in the cave had partially acclimated them but still it was no easy task. Because of the altitude Leomon let them slow considerably feeling his feline heart wracked with guilt about driving them too hard the day before. Still danger was just behind them and Podramon was not one to give up so easily. There was the added danger of the wild of the Digital World. While most Digimon were civilized and some quite friendly Leomon knew that in the wild there were many unsavory characters.
They kept moving until they reached a slope so steep Leomon had to carry a few of the human's whose feet could not find traction. They drank in the village with their eyes. It was far bigger than they'd imagined, by far the biggest mountain village they'd passed. Tents were everywhere as were Digimon of various kinds milling about. There was a market district were carts of goods were set up, many selling the last crops of the Harvest before winter. Up here in the mountain air though it was winter, a crisp layer of snow covered the mountain-side and while the daytime sun kept it slightly above freezing each of them still shivered as they made their way through the town. Leomon stopped at a local merchant stand attempting to barter for a few coats to keep them warm.
"Isn't there money here in the Digital World?" Xander asked as they walked away empty handed and shivering from the market district.
"Yes," Bogmon croaked, "in many parts though money is outlawed."
"Here on Fortes Mountain bartering is the only currency," Leomon explained, "they believe money will only bring greed and evil."
"I'd say that's pretty accurate," Solara said with chattering teeth, "No offense John."
"None taken," John assured them, "Even if I wanted to disagree I'm too cold. ACHOO!"
Leomon ushered them toward a massive tent at the far end of town where two pointy-hatted guards in strange clothing stood, each held a mace adorned with the sun.
"We are the Wizardmon brothers, no one enters here," the guards said in unison, crossing their maces over the entry flap to the tent, "save those who are Called by Destiny."
"I've heard that before somewhere," Xander said, "Step aside you Harry Potter wanna-bes."
"Do not threaten us!" They shouted waving their wands and lifting Xander clear off the ground and five feet into the air.
"Put the boy down," Yasyamon growled narrowing his eyes and gesturing toward his Kendo swords. The Wizardmon dropped Xander to the snow below immediately.
"We ARE the ones Called by Destiny," Solara insisted, "and you will let us in the tent."
"Very well," The Wizardmon conceded, "enter and speak with the great Sorcerymon."
All of them entered the tent. The inside almost seemed bigger than the outside, it was huge. Within there were several smaller tents pitched, rows and rows of wooden shelves and clay pots, beakers of glass containing a thousand different colored liquids and potions. Three separate fires on which three separate cauldrons cooked and at the center a roaring fire with flames of blue, gold and red that danced up toward a massive chimney funneling the air safely out of the tent. Near the fire sat a small desk where an unassuming fellow, whose clothing was much like the Wizardmon outside, sat going through some scrolls.
"Hello?" Solara said waving at the Digimon she assumed was Sorcerymon.
"Oh, yes, about time," Sorcerymon complained with a look at a pocket watch he pulled from his pocket, "you are late I see. Leomon wasn't driving you fast enough."
"Tell that to my feet," Xander moaned collapsing onto the ground.
"You knew we were coming?" Thompson asked skeptically.
"Not sure I like your tone boy," Sorcerymon scowled, "perhaps I will pluck out your tongue and put it in my stew. Did I know you were coming, pssh, of course I knew. You are the ones Called by Destiny."
"We found these," Xander said hopping to his feet and presenting his relic, "now can we leave? I'd really like to get something to eat."
"Ah Leomon, you found them," Sorcerymon said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Well, actually it was Dyrasmon who told us where to find the Temple," the lion admitted, "and it was the six humans who-"
"HUMANS!" Sorcerymon shouted suddenly, "Humans… yes you are right they are… they are humans! This is an exciting day in the Digital World!"
"Great, now can we please leave," Xander bellowed.
"Yes, yes, you must leave at once," Sorcerymon said to Xander's surprise.
"What is it?" Leomon asked.
"These are relics that can only be used by humans… they bond a human to a Digimon, well, they help strengthen the bond. Those Called by Destiny must use this Digital Devices to make their Digimon stronger. To make them evolve."
"Evolution," Yasyamon gasped, "are you sure? It has been so rare for so long. Many think Digivolution has stopped altogether."
"No," Sorcerymon said, "it has merely become a forgotten art. It is reliant upon passion and power, upon spirit and will."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand any of this," Xander admitted.
"I'm not surprised," Sorcerymon said with a wink, "Digivolution, my dear human, is the process by which a Digimon grows into a stronger form."
"Like evolution on Earth," Thompson theorized, "the slow change of one organism into another."
"Change yes," Sorcerymon clarified digging through his scrolls in search of something, "but slow no," he pulled from the shelf a scroll and unfurled it on the table before them, "this scroll shows how this Digimon, Agumon, when he grew strong enough and his family were in danger, he became Greymon."
"That is one badass dinosaur," John admitted looking at the drawings depicting Agumon's evolutionary ladder.
"So where does all this leave us?" Vera asked, thoroughly confused.
"You must leave soon, no later than tomorrow," Sorcerymon began, taking out a second scroll, "And travel southwest to the Fortean Coast. There I shall have a boat waiting to carry to across the sea to the Continent Severa. Once there you must find the Celestial Castle. My knowledge on your destiny is too limited, but those who dwell within the Castle shall know what to do."
"Sounds like another adventure," Haomon said happily.
"Indeed it is," Sorcerymon said, "I shall provide you with the supplies you need so do not worry about hungry bellies," he continued looking at Xander specifically, "or warmth."
Sorcerymon kept good on his word giving the coats of the finest fur which he assured Dyrasmon had been donated by a few Digimon who shaved regularly. They went out into the market and were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. For hungry bellies and tired feet this feast was a welcome respite. Each of them had begun to think this quest worth more than they'd bargained for. But now, sitting by a local fire with the local Digimon of the village singing songs and drinking an ice cold and strangely inebriating beverage they all felt like they were ready for a long road ahead.
"What is this stuff?" Thompson asked as he tentatively sipped his first cup.
"They call it Aurora," one of the Digimon villagers responded.
"Are we old enough to be drinking this?" Vera asked.
"I don't think its alcohol," John said filling his second cup, "not that I'd know anything about that."
"Oh well, when on a strange alien world in another dimension," Xander said raising a toast.
Thompson noticed the little Digimon beside him who'd answered his question. The dinosaur like creature stood on two legs and was about four feet tall but had a crocodilian snout and tail. With skin the color of ice and spiky quills that looked almost like icicles coming out of its back. Here was a creature made ideally for this sort of environment. The strangest thing about it was the odd glances the creature kept giving him as the night went on, even when Thompson would move to the other side of the camp. Eventually even the introverted Thompson F. Amos had to ask him a question, he moved away from the others and, of course, was followed.
"Why exactly have you been following me?" Thompson asked staring up at the Digital World's dual moons.
"I was afraid to say anything… I've heard the rumors," the dinosaur-like Digimon said, "About how you and your friends aren't Digimon at all."
"That's true," Thompson admitted turning to him, "What's your name?"
"Adlimon," the dinosaur said.
"So what exactly do you want to know?" Thompson asked inviting Adlimon to sit beside him.
"I want to know if I can go with you," Adlimon admitted suddenly, "I've dreamed of adventure for a long time. I've dreamed of fighting back against those who seek to do evil. I even thought of joining Leomon's group a few times."
"It will be a rough road ahead," Thompson reminded him, "danger at every turn."
"Danger is part of being a Digimon," Adlimon said, "I want to be part of doing something for the greater good."
Solara watched the others and slowly slipped into the shadows. She made her way toward the massive tent in the distance. The sun had fully disappeared hours ago and it would soon be time to rest. Something in her soul pulled her forward, a driving nagging angry question in her fiery spirit. She raced right past the Wizardmon brothers and into the tent collapsing at the desk where Sorcerymon sat and panting, gasping for breath more from the turmoil of her soul than the fatigue of her body.
"Why?!" She asked, "Why have I been brought here if I have no Digivice or Digimon to bond with?"
"I assure you that you were called like the rest of them," Sorcerymon answered calmly, he lifted her chin, "do not dismay. You are brave and you are strong. Whether you find a Digimon or not. Whether you find a device or not. You are strong and you shall find destiny. Do not doubt."
"Thank you," she said standing and suddenly feeling quite powerful in her own right and also a bit embarrassed, "forgive me."
"Go and get some rest," Sorcerymon advised with a warm smile, "morning comes quick."
Leomon considered the lizard for a few moments before nodding his tentative approval toward Thompson.
"He seems strong enough of spirit and body," Leomon said with a bit of a yawn.
"One more mouth to feed," Xander complained stuffing his own face.
"You'll have plenty of food," Leomon assured him, "because Yasyamon and I are not coming with."
"Wait, wait, wait, what?" John asked, "But without you two."
"You will be fine," Leomon assured them.
"Why?" Vera asked the great cat.
"Leomon cannot leave this island behind to the ravages of the Tulismon horde," Yasyamon explained.
"Or Podramon for that matter," Thompson added.
"Exactly," Leomon nodded, "we must rebuild the camp and continue our fight. This is the place where our paths must diverge."
"For now," Yasyamon added.
They soon slipped into their own tents, after a brief torchlight tutorial on how to set them up properly. Each of them would be carrying a rather hefty pack, unable to rely on Leomon to carry most of the supplies. The feeling of leaving their feline savior behind was not to be an easy one and each of the Destined had their own bout of insomnia that night. The Digital World, they knew, was dangerous. In the less than two weeks they'd spent there their bodies and minds had already been tested quite a bit. The night's festivities and their meeting with Sorcerymon had instilled quite a bit of confidence in their minds and the teamwork they'd used to send Podramon running for cover added to that confidence all the more. It wouldn't be easy, the journey ahead, but was any worthwhile adventure ever easy? Those Called by Destiny were now called by the sandman, or as Xander thought to call him, the Sandmon.