In the hours that passed since the skirmish upon the border of the Dark Realm, and aside from some much needed sleep for those new to Nexus, Dark Davis and Fire Davis had contacted their Nature counterpart, where Kari, Gatomon, Jun and Veemon sat in and listened to how Nature Davis had saved Ishara from the forces led by the Shadow so long ago, raised her and helped her become a Guardian to protect the Nature Realm and those within it so others would not have to suffer the losses as she had.
However, despite his attempts, the Grand Guardian could not break the young cat girl from her rage and desire for revenge, a situation the leader of the Wild Horde took advantage of, where he recruited Ishara into his ranks with the promise of revenge, a promise which had led to her own demise.
Though saddened by Ishara's death, Nature Davis did not blame his dark counterpart, knowing that this was one of the unfortunate aspects of life in Nexus, one all five of the Davises had gotten used to over the twenty thousand years they had been on this world.
Now, as the Dark Citadel slowly approached the Dark Capital, both Davises, Kari and the rest of their friends and allies, along with Gennai, Lilithmon and their escorts, were within the grand hall as the Appli Drivers and Team Lirurun told the Shadow and Fire Champion of their own adventures prior to joining the DDF.
"Let me get this straight." Dark Davis began to say as he looked toward Haru, Gatchmon and their group with an almost condescending expression and proceeded to ask. "The group was called L-Corp, their logo was almost the same as this Leviathan's symbol, and no one took note of that until one of its henchmen pointed it out?"
Sweat dropping and giving nervous chuckles to Dark Davis' question, Eri replied for her and her friends, telling the Shadow. "Well... we never really thought about it..."
"To be fair, L-Corp had been around for so long we never even thought to look at them as suspects." Haru then said, his words receiving nods of agreement from his friends, which just caused Dark Davis to roll his eyes in reply.
"Cut them some slack, I know we could have made the same mistake back then. Heck, we were surprised to learn of humans working with Digimon during our adventure." Fire Davis remarked, smirking as he saw his dark counterpart send him a glare, before the maroon haired champion then looked to Hiro and his friends, commenting with a small chuckle. "Now you guys... you seem to have had it somewhat worse when it comes to Digimon. Seriously, hearing what the three of you and your Digimon here went through makes our encounters look like child's play!"
"Though it would have been far more interesting." Dark Davis then commented as he thought about the various tales Hiro and his friends spoke of, from a man eating Digitamamon to a Dragomon that was turning people into fish zombies, the Shadow found himself intrigued to hear about Digimon acting so violently and dark.
As the conversation continued, along with various others around the room as the DDF members talked with Gennai, the Dark Imperium members, who listened carefully to Kari, and Julie, Caleb, Victor and Kenji, who spoke with Cyoton, Orphiais and Sythial, a series of high pitched cries of joy filled the grand hall as the group spotted groups of Digi-Gnomes and Digi-Goblins, both of which came with the DDF and Dark Imperium reinforcements, which flew around the room and seemed to examine the dark construct of the Dark Citadel, the various undead warriors and the creations within the room.
Eventually, a single Digi-Gnome and a single Digi-Goblin flew over and landed on either side of Dark Davis, the small creatures examining the second Davis with interest, while occasionally sending glares at one another as they still remembered that they were enemies.
Looking at the scene, Fire Davis and a few others did their best not to chuckle, to see how the two Digital Beings sitting on Dark Davis' shoulders looked like an angel and a devil and seemed to be acting almost as his conscience.
"Buzz off!" The Shadow growled as his eyes glowed with a menacing dark purple, this causing the Digi-Gnome and Digi-Goblin to quickly fly away in fear, while Dark Davis felt annoyance from the grin which remained upon his fiery counterpart's face.
The atmosphere in the room then changed when the doors to the grand hall opened and Desred entered the room, gaining everyone's attention as he bowed to his Master and told Dark Davis with respect. "My Lord, we have arrived."
"Excellent." The Shadow replied as he waved his arm, causing an imagery of the outside to appear upon the wall and give those new to Nexus, along with Kenji and Victor, their first look at the Capital of the Dark Realm.
Looking upon the imagery, TK, Kari and the others took in a massive dark mountain, one with several openings for hangers, while at the base, the group saw a massive dark fortress with spiked towers and bone-like constructs upon it.
Slightly surprised, however, the capital seemed smaller than the Fire Realm's, this confusing most in the group as Angie then said. "It... it doesn't seem like a lot of people live here."
"Uh, uh." Dark Davis then said with a slyness in his tone, this causing the group to look at him as he then asked with a glint in his eyes. "You all know the saying 'Darkness Rises'? Well, where does it rise from?"
It was Mikey who, once understanding what the Shadow was saying, replied with a fairly surprised tone. "Underground."
It was then that those in the grand hall felt the Dark Citadel jerk a little and realized they were descending.
Turning and looking to see the imagery of the outside changing around them and now showed the ground beneath them opening up and revealing a tunnel that led to the world below, the sight astonishing many within the DDF and Dark Imperium.
"What is above is nothing more than a guard post and a launching point for invasions of our enemies." Desred told their allies.
Keeping a fair gaze upon the imagery, he then said. "The true Heart of Darkness is where it belongs, in the shadows."
As the Dark Citadel descended further into the dark abyss, Kari, TK and the others gained expressions of awe and amazement to the sights before them, seeing that after a few moments, the dark fortress arrived in a massive underground chamber, as far as the eye can see, with massive stalactites filling the area.
Along the stalactites and within the whole chamber was a massive city, with structures having a gothic based architecture to them, along with bone-like buildings and constructs, making the capital look like a necropolis in appearance.
Continuing to look upon the city before them, TK and the rest of the DDF felt a sense of dread and despair fill them, this caused by the dark energies emanating from the city, each feeling like the outside was an abyss that was ready to swallow them whole.
For Kari, however, the Dark Empress felt drawn to the darkness, the former Digidestined of Light feeling her own dark power resonating with the energies of the Dark Realm, thus leaving the brunette eager to see what would happen once this power was eventually added to her own.
Alongside their Mistress, Lilithmon and Arcturusmon also felt the immense darkness of the Capital, each feeling a part of themselves desiring that power and imagining the possibilities of what they could do with such strength, only to growl as they mentally reminded themselves that the cost of such power would mean their imprisonment within this other world.
Standing up, Dark Davis then got everyone's attention as he looked at Gennai and Lilithmon and explained to all present. "The soldiers of the DDF and Dark Imperium are to remain here upon the Dark Citadel, everyone else is welcome to join us. We will be going to the Temple of Mordrakus for the Trial."
"However, you are all to remain on your best behaviour." The Shadow then said, looking upon his old friends and new allies with a serious look in his eyes as he then told them. "There will not only be other Dark Lords present, but members of the Dark Council as well, and you do not want to make enemies out of any of them."
Nodding in reply, TK and the others then watched as Dark Davis summoned his full helmet, before opening a dark vortex, where he, Fire Davis, Kari, Desred, Cyoton, Orphiais and Sythial entered first, followed by Julie, Caleb, Victor, Kenji, TK, Gennai, Lilithmon, Arctutusmon and the rest of the DDF and Dark Imperium heroes and heroines.
Following her beloveds through the vortex, her eye mask placed back upon her face, Kari held a mixture of eagerness and excitement as the Dark Empress was indeed ready to face the Trials of the Dark Lords and complete her first step in her quest to be with her Davises for all eternity.
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Emerging from the dark vortex, Kari and the rest of the newcomers to Nexus found themselves standing at the entrance of a massive dark temple, one pulsating with a dark purple energy as another statue to Mordrakus was adorned above the entrance, which only added to the ominous feeling TK and the others felt growing within.
Looking around, the group then took in the legions of dark armoured warriors, Death Dragons, Shadow Demons in their shadow forms and other dark creatures standing guard and acting as protectors of the temple, each looking upon the newcomers with dark and suspecting glares.
However, what really made those from the Digital World, save for Kari, nervous were the four dark individuals that were standing before them, each brimming with a great darkness that rivalled Dark Davis and Kari's own.
First and most noticeable of these dark beings was one clad in a combination of dark armour and flowing robes, with circular designs around his body and behind his head, which was concealed in a face mask that made him look almost like a great and powerful Egyptian pharaoh.
What truly made this individual stand out, however and aside from the six spikes that came out of his back, was the apparent lack of arms and legs, all of which appeared to have been replaced by pure darkness, revealing that the entity was nothing more than a living shadow concealed within the black armour.
Next to the shadow being was a more humanoid figure, one adorning armour made entirely out of bones and cloaked that appeared to be made of human spines.
A pair of red blades strapped to the dark entity's back, alongside four wings of pure darkness which flowed from behind, closely resembling the wings of a moth.
Despite the death mask covering his face, those looking upon the being could sense the amusement which seemed to emanate from off of the entity, who continued to look upon the newcomers as they looked to the next individual.
Being another humanoid individual, the next being was also clad in bone-like armour, with a dark purple trench coat over his body and a dragon skull embedded in his chest, while a pair of bone pistols rested on his hips, each set with a blade upon the tip.
Likewise, the being wore a bone helmet with twin massive horns and two smaller gold ones coming out of the top, while only his dark purple eyes could be seen as he glared upon those new to the Dark Realm, who felt a sense of deja vu as the individual reminded them of the Demon Lord Beelzemon in some sense.
Finally, there was a tall figure clad in dark robes, with a hood over his head, two red orbs with spikes as shoulder pads, a ring on each finger and a golden staff with a dozen serpent heads on top with various gems in his left hand.
What terrified most who looked upon this being, however, was the fact that he was an actual skeleton, one made of thick bones with a red orb that appeared to be centred within his stomach area, while a pair of dark purple eyes glared down almost menacingly toward the humans, Digimon and the Appmon.
Moving forward, Dark Davis then turned to those with him, focusing mainly on Kari as he introduced those before them.
"My friends, may I introduce my closest allies on the Dark Council." The Shadow said as he gestured to each of the individuals from left to right. "Lord Azaghast, Lord Hades, Lord Ravage and Lord Ainz."
"A pleasure to finally meet the so-called heroes and heroines of the Digital World." Azaghast, the living shadow, declared in reply, his voice filled with authority and power, along with a measure of respect, which the DDF and Dark Imperium members felt relief from.
"Indeed, this is a most interesting of times." Hades then commented, his voice filled with interest as he moved closer to the group and looked upon Kari as the Dark Lord then said. "And it is a pleasure to finally meet the girl the Shadow has spoken about for so long now."
"She doesn't seem like much." Ravage commented with an arrogant tone as he looked upon the Dark Empress, where Ainz then cut in, the last present member of the Dark Council then telling his ally. "Looks can be deceiving, Ravage, you of all people should know that."
Looking upon Kari, Ainz then said with a voice filled with intrigue. "I can sense the great darkness within her, a power that even she has yet to fully tap into. I am curious to see what will happen if she survives the trial."
Looking upon the Digimon and Appmon, the Dark Lord commented simply. "And as much as I would love to... experiment on these Digital Beings, I respect Lord Shadow enough to stay my hands."
Hearing the Digimon and Appmon gulping nervously upon hearing Ainz's words, hearing that the dark being wanted to experiment on them, Fire Davis' focus was then changed as Azaghast then stated. "And welcome, Champion Motomiya. It has been a while since your last visit, and we welcome our allies from the Fire Realm."
Seeing his fiery counterpart and his companions from the Fire Realm nod respectfully in reply, Dark Davis then questioned with a fair curiosity. "Is everything prepared?"
"Yes." Ainz replied, adding as he informed the Shadow. "I will be the one overseeing the Dark Empress' trial, guiding her and seeing if Mordrakus will accept her."
Looking upon the Dark Empress, Ainz then questioned Kari as he asked. "While I am sure you have already been informed of this, know that by doing this, by becoming infused with the energy of the Dark Dragon God, you will become a part of Nexus and you will no longer be able to pass through the Veil, you will be trapped here, unable to return to your world, is that what you wish?"
"My world is here, with my beloveds." Kari replied with conviction, one that the Dark Council members seemed to respect as they nodded their heads in reply.
It was then that Ravage turned and looked upon both Davises as he then informed them. "You two should know, he is here and in attendance for the Trial."
To Ravage's words, both Davises let out growls of annoyance and anger, where Azaghast cut in and told the pair. "As a Dark Lord, he has the right to attend this event, but even he knows he will face punishment if he tries anything to jeopardize or interrupt the Trials."
"Ok, seriously, who is this guy you two are so pissed off at?" Zoe found herself asking as she looked between Fire Davis and Dark Davis, to see a burning hatred within their eyes at the mention of this unknown individual.
"Never mind that for now." The Shadow merely replied, reigning in his anger as he then said with authority. "Let us proceed then."
Nodding in respect and reply, the four Dark Lords of the Dark Council then led Dark Davis, Fire Davis, Kari and the others into the Temple in order for the Dark Empress to begin the Trial.
But upon passing through the threshold of the temple, Dark Davis and Fire Davis glared to see two figures waiting for the group, a sight that did not please either of the two champions as Kari, TK and the others from the Digital World looked upon the figures.
Looking upon the first being, the group saw that he was a humanoid being in red armour, almost like an aristocrat noble, one with golden claws upon his hands, a long red cape that held bat-like designs upon them and two shoulder pad that looked like bat wings with two red orbs between them.
Meanwhile, the being wore only a red eye mask upon his face, one with two bat wings coming out through both sides, showing only a pair of dark red eyes from the slits, while allowing the individual's long blond hair to be seen, as well as his smirk, which showed his fangs and pale skin, revealing that this creature was a vampire.
Next to the vampiric being, meanwhile, was an individual clad completely in dark armour and a dark cloak over his being, with a hood over his helmet, showing only a dark purple light from the eye slit of his helmet as he gripped the sword strapped to his side.
But upon seeing the being as it walked, Kari, TK and the rest of the newcomers to Nexus noticed how the being seemed to phase in and out of existence, revealing that it was a ghost, before turning their attention as the vampiric Dark Lord approached them and said with a dark glee. "Ah, welcome home, Lord Shadow."
"Lord Maligon." Dark Davis growled lightly as he addressed the vampiric lord, before looking to his ghostly companion and said with a small respect. "Lord Wraith."
In response, the ghostly Dark Lord, Wraith, merely nodded in reply, before looking on as Maligon then turned his attention upon Kari.
Seeing this, Kari was then bewildered as Fire Davis moved before her, as though protecting her from this being, who looked at her with a devious smirk.
"And this must be the fabled Kari Kamiya I have heard so much about." Maligon then commented as he moved a step closer, not caring as Julie, Caleb, Desred, Cyoton, Orphiais and Sythial all moved around Kari as well, each glaring upon the vampiric lord, while Wraith seemed to clench his blade, as though ready to draw it out and protect his Master.
However, merely chuckling to the situation, Maligon moved back as he looked around at all the DDF and Dark Imperium members, lingering his eyes upon a few, before refocusing on Kari as he then said. "Best of luck with the trial, my dear. I look forward to seeing what you can accomplish."
With that said, Maligon turned and began to walk back into the temple, Wraith following him closely behind as they proceeded to a spot where they could watch the trial, while leaving those behind them weary of the entire encounter.
Likewise and unsure why, Kari, Gatomon, TK and a few others couldn't shake a strange feeling about the vampiric Dark Lord, as if they somehow knew him, which left the DDF and the Dark Imperium even more concerned of the dark being.
"Ok, I just met him and I don't like him." Eri then said as she looked at Maligon's retreating form, her words followed up by Gammamon, who added with an understandable small growl and hostility. "He gives bad vibes! I want to go kaboom!"
Proceeding with what was needed, Ainz turned to the group as he then informed the Shadow and his allies. "The Dark Empress will now follow me to the Trial floor, while the rest of you will observe from above."
Nodding in reply, the group was about to turn and go their separate ways, but stopped when Kari turned to face her brother and her former friends and allies, the former Digidestined of Light looking as though she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words.
Knowing that once this was done, she would either be dead or would never be able to leave Nexus, and knowing the pain she had caused many of those before her, despite their past, Kari wanted to say something, some form of farewell or apology for the past five years, but the Dark Empress didn't know how to properly express herself anymore.
Before she could speak, however, Kari found herself enveloped in a warm hug, the brown haired girl looking to see Tai holding her as he looked upon his sibling with an endearing smile upon his face.
"I am so sorry, Kari... for everything. All I ever wanted was your happiness." The older of the Kamiya siblings said as he continued to tightly hug and embrace his sister tightly.
Removing his arms from off Kari, stepping back and keeping his kind smile. "I only hope that this will fix the pain we've caused you and you can finally have the happiness you long for."
Holding back her growing tears, Kari then looked around and to see the remaining of the Digidestined and their Digimon partners had moved around her, all looking upon her with their own smiles as they put their own doubts and resentments aside for the time being and allowed themselves the moment to feel a sense of peace, to finally put an end to the hatred and bitterness that had divided them for the past five years.
Watching from the side, the rest of the DDF and Dark Imperium heroes and heroines watched with their own mixture of emotions, many pleased with the outcome, while Suzie, although held her continued anger over her brother's death, allowed herself to accept this turn of events as she knew that Kari would be trapped within Nexus for all eternity once this was all over.
Looking down and upon her Digimon partner, Kari smiled to see Gatomon looking back at her with a growing love.
Guided by these feelings, the former Digidestined of Light then knelt down and looked upon Gatomon with her own loving smile.
"No matter what my grievances are with the Digital World, I will never regret having you in my life, Gatomon." The Dark Empress said in a sincere tone, her words causing the Digimon of Light to leap forward and to tightly wrap her arms around Kari, who closed her eyes and silently allowed herself to hug and to hold her Digimon partner.
"Don't think for a minute you are getting rid of me so easily." Gatomon then said, before breaking from Kari's arms.
Keeping her soft smile, the feline Digimon told the former Digidestined with a further trust. "I don't care if you'll be getting some ugly Shadow Demon or what, you're my partner and if that means I get to live my days here on Nexus, then so be it."
Her smile growing to Gatomon's declaration and devotion as a true friend, Kari then rose to her feet and looked toward both Fire Davis and Dark Davis, where the fire champion spoke for himself and for his dark variant. "We'll be waiting for you when you are done."
Nodding in reply, Kari then turned and followed Ainz, while the rest followed Azaghast, Hades and Ravage toward a series of staircases that led up to an observation area.
As the Dark Empress walked alongside the skeletal Dark Lord, Ainz then broke the silence as he said to Kari. "You are quite an interesting one, Kari Kamiya. A servant and champion of the Light, fallen to Darkness over the loss of the one she loves."
"The Light only brought me pain and bound me to a responsibility I never asked for." Kari merely replied as she continued to walk alongside Ainz, whose eyes looked down upon the Shadow's beloved.
"Such is its nature." The Dark Lord then said, before adding as he told the Dark Empress. "Should you survive the Trial, you will be assigned to serve under Lord Shadow for tutelage, and will be allowed autonomy within Nexus, so long as your actions do not hinder the Dark Realm in any way."
"Likewise, you should know, while all five are the Champions of the Realms, they each have enemies who would not hesitate to use you against them." Ainz then warned.
"Let them try." Kari just said back with a fiery determination, which she continued to express within her voice. "Anyone who seeks to harm my beloveds will know MY wrath!"
Chuckling to himself toward her passion, Ainz returned his gaze forward as he and Kari continued down the hallway, the Dark Lord eager to see the outcome of the Dark Empress' trial.
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Following Dark Davis and Fire Davis up the stairs and behind the three Dark Council members, TK and the rest of the group soon found themselves in a large chamber, built to look like half an arena, with rows of seats going up and down the sides of the walls to a centre platform, one that, much to the surprise of those new to Nexus, was positioned over what appeared to be a geyser of darkness, with a statue of Mordrakus positioned above the platform and over the entire temple.
As they moved toward and took seats in what appeared to be a VIP area amongst the temple, the DDF and Dark Imperium members noticed that the entire temple seemed full, the seats filled with dark beings clad within dark armour, all of whom were Dark Lords and who all shared an interest in seeing who would pass or fail the Trials, namely interested in who among those trials would become useful allies or dangerous foes.
Likewise, with word having travelled around Nexus of the newcomers to their world, including the fabled beloved of the Shadow, many of the rulers of the Dark Realm wished to see the Dark Empress for themselves, while also stealing glances toward the group in attendance with Dark Davis and his allies, their dark eyes leaving TK, Tai and the others slightly nervous.
Looking around, both Davises then noticed Maligon and Wraith off to the side, the Shadow and fire champion making sure to keep an eye on the pair in the event they would try anything.
The room then suddenly became quiet as the doors leading to the lower platform opened (up) and those in attendance then watched as Ainz and Kari entered the chamber and made their way toward the centre platform.
"That's her? That's the one who holds the Shadow's heart?"
"Not just his, but all five of their hearts."
"It seems he does have taste in women."
"I can feel the darkness coursing through her... she would make a powerful ally."
All around the chamber, the various Dark Lords whispered and chatted amongst one another as they eyed the former Digidestined of Light, who simply ignored the words and just focused on her task ahead, before she and Ainz stopped just before the platform and the geyser of darkness.
"Simply put, you will walk onto the platform, where the darkness will consume you." Ainz told the Dark Empress. "Within the darkness, the spirit of Mordrakus himself will speak to you, and if you are worthy, the darkness will enter and infuse itself with you, and you will become a Dark Lord. If you are unworthy, the darkness will devour you and end your life."
"You should know, there has only been one mortal who has passed this trial in twenty thousand years." The Dark Lord then informed Kari, looking upon her as he saw the brunette gain a small smirk.
"And he is now the Shadow of Death." The Dark Empress said in reply as she felt a sense of her pride toward Dark Davis only grow within her.
Nodding in reply and sharing in Kari's respect, Ainz then told her. "I will remain here and act my part of the ceremony, a more mundane task, but tradition, nonetheless. I will also be the one to see if any of the Eternal Lords favour you and announce them. Should you pass the trial, you will feel that favour upon you."
Nodding to the information, Kari then watched as Ainz gestured his head, indicating for her to step forward and onto the platform.
Steeling herself, Kari then moved forward, determined to pass this trial and move forward with the plan her beloveds have set up for her as she stepped onto the platform, the former Digidestined hearing Ainz declare loudly. "The Trial of Kari Kamiya, the Dark Empress, shall now begin! Let Mordrakus find her worthy! The Darkness watches all!"
"The Darkness watches all!" Many present then declared with an almost religious zeal, the chant from the Dark Lords unnerving TK and most of their group, while Dark Davis, Fire Davis, Julie, Caleb and the Shadow's fellow Dark Lords watched on with interest.
Looking around her and remaining calm, Kari then watched as the darkness erupted from the geyser below and began to swirl around her, looking like a twister of shadows to those watching, before the Dark Empress found herself surrounded in a black abyss.
Silence surrounded Kari as she remained vigilant, before the former Digidestined heard a deep and inhuman chuckle as six dark purple eyes began to glow within the darkness and gazed down upon her.
"A champion of the Light... fallen to shadows... her life slowly fading to the power of the Obscarian... power that could shatter worlds... and yet, you are here... seeking my power... do you desire more...? Do you desire to slaughter your enemies and bring death to all before you...? Answer me, child..." A deep, ancient and powerful voice then said, one that could swallow all within the darkness, this being the voice of Mordrakus.
Closing her eyes and knowing she could not hide anything from this being, Kari spoke from her heart and told the spirit of the Dark Dragon God. "Your power is only a necessity for me, to help spare my life so that I can walk beside the man... the men who I love, that I wish to protect them from any who seek to harm them and to shatter any who stand between us."
"You already hold that power... your secret cannot hide from me..." The Dark Dragon God then said in reply, his words causing Kari to chuckle, now knowing that the god of the Dark Realm knew the secret she had kept from everyone, even her own servants.
"As I searched the void between worlds, seeking further power, allies or servants to use within my war, I found a pair of Digimon, reality enders, and bound them to my will, ZeedMillenniummon and Abaddonmon." The Dark Empress said in reply, before she told the dark being with a dark smile. "I wanted to unleash them upon the Digital World and every reality connected to it, to end everything and wipe it all out for the pain I felt, only to be stayed by the desperate promises and pleas of Mikey and Shoutmon to find other ways to vent my anger... A part of me still wants to do it, to let those two Digimon run rampant while my Davises and I spend eternity together without a care in the world."
Clenching her fist, Kari focused on the glowing eyes before her as she said with determination in her voice. "But that power is not what I seek for this world, the world my beloveds have protected and cherished all these years. I will do anything for them, and I will face any danger to be with them. Your power, the power of Darkness, is what I need to stand by their sides. I will follow your rules and customs, but I will not fight your wars, not while those I love are locked within the cross hairs."
"And if that isn't good enough for you, then you can go to hell!" The Dark Empress finished with a fiery determination, uncaring at the moment for how the ancient and powerful deity would react to her words.
After a moment and taking in her words, the void was then filled with a loud and amused chuckle, where Mordrakus then told Kari. "You have a part to play... but you will indeed be with your beloveds... Take my power and become something more... a shadow that will lead the way forward for all Nexus... But take caution, child... the shadows of the past are closer than you think..."
Though confused by the meaning of the words, Kari had little time to react as the darkness then began to envelop her, forming a cocoon of shadows as the darkness of Nexus entered her being.
Outside of the darkness, all present watched as the pillar of shadows formed a sphere around Kari, cocooning her, where one could see the dark glee within Dark Davis' eyes as he said with matching joy. "She has passed."
"To any of the great Eternal Lords watching, any that show favour to this new Dark Lord, make your presence known now!" Ainz then declared as he looked toward the twelve pillars around the central platform, each a torch bearing the insignia of the ancient and powerful Dark Lord, which would ignite with dark flames to indicate their favour.
Silence filled the Temple as all watched to see if any of the ancient beings would favour the Dark Empress, while the Shadow narrowed his eyes, mentally growling as he thought. 'He better fulfil his promise or else...'
It was then, much to the surprise of all, including Dark Davis', that not just one, but two torches ignited, indicating that two of the Eternal Lords now favoured Kari.
Even Maligon seemed to flinch upon seeing this, but kept his sly smirk, nonetheless.
"Interesting." Azaghast commented as he looked upon the sight, while Fire Davis turned his head and faced his dark counterpart, sensing the Shadow's own confusion.
"I was expecting one, but not the others." Dark Davis confessed as he looked at the markings on the torches, seeing the emblem of his ally, before looking and seeing the spider insignia on the other, his eyes widening as he then questioned. "Azara?"
Within her mind's eye and as she felt the darkness of Nexus entering her body, reshaping and empowering her, Kari saw two figures appear before her, one being a skeletal entity which was clad within a set of dark robes and had icicles that ran along his arms and back, while his head was obscured by the darkness, a being that merely nodded in acknowledgement and respect, before fading into the shadows.
The second being, however, was more visible, their appearance revealing a skeletal female who was clad within dark purple armour, with a helmet that held a skull face upon it with twin long horns protruding from the top, while eight metallic spider legs emerged from her back, giving the ancient being a spider-theme as her dark gaze remained upon Kari.
"Our stories... are not so different... Do not waste the gift you have been given..." The Eternal Lord, Azara, told the Dark Empress, before fading as well, just as Kari felt her change complete, the former Digidestined of Light now opening her now dark purple eyes as they blazed with a matching flame.
Pushing the darkness aside, all watched the Dark Empress stagger for a moment, before letting out a rage filled cry as her own power erupted, forming a massive pillar of dark purple energy that shot upward and through an opening in the temple's ceiling, reaching past the cavern and into the skies above the Dark Capital.
To those on the surface, it looked as though a hurricane of pure darkness was forming throughout the area, while all across Nexus, various individuals of power sensed the Dark Empress' own power and strength only growing.
Back within the temple, those from the Digital World shielded their eyes as the surge of energy washed over them, while Fire Davis, those from the Fire Realm, Dark Davis and the Dark Lords in attendance watched on with awe and interest as the dark energy died down and the Dark Empress landed upon her feet, giving everyone their first look upon Kari and her new form.
In place of her original Dark Empress attire, Kari was now clad in black armour that ran down from her neck and along her body, which featured golden trimmings that linked to various dark purple gems set within her chest armour, her stomach, knees and elbows.
Two skull-like shoulder pads were now set upon her dark armour, two sets of golden horns emerging from the eyes of the shoulder pads, while down her back, was a cape formed through her darkness, along with eight shadow-like spider legs that emerged from her cape and moved around from her back almost independently.
Upon the Dark Empress' head now rested a crown that not only allowed her long brown hair to flow down and cascade down her back, but within the centre of the crown was a dark purple gem amongst six bone spikes that radiated with a further dark power.
A bone face mask much similar to Dark Davis' covered her mouth and nose, leaving only her dark purple eyes showing as she panted lightly from what she had just experienced.
"The Trial is complete, hail the new Dark Lord, the Dark Empress, Kari Kamiya!" Ainz declared in a fair sense of pride, where most of the Dark Lords and the guards within the room slammed their weapons into the ground in a rhythmic chant, signifying their acceptance to the newly risen Dark Lord.
Taking a moment to look herself over and take in her new attire, Kari could feel the overwhelming power of Nexus now part of her, not only infusing itself with the Obscarian power within her, but altering her body and ridding her of the pain that had inflicted her for so long, leaving the Dark Empress feeling more powerful than ever before.
But this was only the first step and Kari knew that she would have to endure more so she could remain by her Davises' sides.
They would have to perform the Obscarian ritual quite soon, less the power of the ancient civilization turned on her once again, and once the ritual was complete, Kari would spend the rest of her days with her beloveds.
It was in that moment that the Dark Empress was broken from her array of thoughts by the sounds of slow and sarcastic applause, shifting her eyes to see Maligon only a few feet from her and on the platform, his sly grin remaining upon his face.
Shocked, both Dark Davis and Fire Davis quickly looked to where they last saw the vampiric Dark Lord, seeing that he and Wraith were not in the same position as the two Davises prepared to move.
"Maligon! Why are you down here?!" Ainz questioned with authority, part of the Dark Council member already having an idea of what the vampiric Dark Lord was up to.
"The trial is over, and I came down to congratulate our newest Dark Lord." Maligon merely replied with an amused tone.
Walking closer to Kari, he then added with a further wickedness. "After all, she has come a long, long from the frightened little girl she used to be."
Narrowing her now dark purple eyes toward the vampire, Kari then demanded in a soft, yet deadly tone. "Just who are you?"
"Why, I am the Dark Lord, Maligon." The vampiric Dark Lord said in reply as his smirk only grew.
"And who is Maligon?" The Dark Empress then inquired with a growing annoyance at the game this being was playing.
In response to the latest of Kari's questions, Maligon let out a loud and amused laugh as he walked by her side, the former Digidestined's eyes then widened as the realization hit her.
She knew that laugh, and she knew it well.
"I suppose that is a fair question. After all, after being reborn into this world, given a new appearance and all that..." Maligon then said, before turning to face Kari as he then asked with a dark glee. "I really couldn't keep calling myself, Myotismon, now, could I?"
Turning to face the vampiric Dark Lord, Kari could now see the resemblance, as well as Maligon's shadow, which now resembled the familiar wicked vampiric Digimon that had long haunted her nightmares since he first came into her life.
Indeed, as Mordrakus said, the shadows of the past were closer than Kari thought.
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Author's Note: The Trial is complete and Kari is now a Dark Lord of the Dark Realm, but now an old enemy has resurfaced. What will happen next? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
PS: Azaghast is based off of Azaghast, Tyrant of Shadows from Duel Masters, Hades is based off of Hades, Emperor of Death from Duel Masters, Ravage is based off of the Romanov creature line from Duel Masters, and Ainz is based off of the main character of the Overlord series.
