Keeping his eyes upon the platform as he watched Kari about to engage in her one and one battle with Maligon, Fire Davis felt anxious and frustrated, the fire champion stuck between his duties to Nexus and protecting the love of his life from the same evil that had threatened her in the past.
"Davis…" Gennai then said, getting the fire variant of the Motomiya's attention as the Digital human kept his eyes upon Kari and Maligon, before he told Fire Davis with an understanding, but serious tone. "I know you desire to protect Kari, but please remember, she… she isn't the same girl she was when you left. These five years have hardened her heart and changed her into a fearsome warrior."
"And now, with you… all of you back in her life, and the burdens of her past now lifted… she will burn through anything and everything to keep what she has gained back in her life, even this fool." Gennai finished as he and Fire Davis looked back upon Maligon, part of the pair knowing that no matter what tricks he had up his sleeve, the vampiric Dark Lord was done for.
Glaring upon the Dark Empress with a look of insanity upon his face, Maligon mentally seethed with rage over the events that had occurred, not only to learning that his right hand was in fact one of the Motomiya's allies this entire time, but to the Wraith's betrayal and the subsequential humiliation the vampiric Dark Lord now suffered because of it.
At least, in his mind, Maligon could finally kill the Digidestined of Light, before making everyone who stood against him pay with their lives.
"You are alone this time, child." The vampiric Dark Lord said with a growing smirk, his smirk only growing menacingly as he eyed the former Digidestined. "No big brother, no pet, no boyfriend and no Wizardmon to protect you now. The only thing left now is your death!"
Disappearing in a dark wisp, Maligon quickly appeared before Kari, his blade aimed at her heart as he prepared to end the life of Dark Empress, a thought that left the vampiric Dark Lord grinning madly.
However, and to his disbelief, Kari merely blocked the strike with her own sword, the brunette holding a near bored expression within her eyes as she seemed more than able to keep up with Maligon's speed, before repelling with her strength, an action that shocked and surprised her foe.
"Are you actually going to take this seriously, or do you prefer to humiliate yourself even more?" Kari inquired with a fairly bored tone, her words furthering Maligon's rage as he then launched himself at the former Digidestined with the intention of ending her life slowly and painfully.
Disappearing and reappearing in dark wisps all around his foe, Maligon tried to strike Kari down once and for all, but his frustration continued to grow as the brunette stood in place and blocked each and every single strike with either her sword or her staff with little to no effort, as though knowing when and where he would appear and strike.
"Is this really all you have to offer?" Kari then questioned after she pushed Maligon back, the brunette then asking of the vampiric Dark Lord. "Or are you that delusional that you still think I am the same girl from back then?"
"I have fought against the Royal Knights and won, I have bent the Demon Lords and Digimon far worse than you to my will, I have brought the might of five Digital Worlds and five Real Worlds to their knees, and that is without having the full control of my power until now!" The Dark Empress declared, pointing her blade at Maligon as she told her old enemy. "You were the fool to challenge me, or to think that your little plan could work."
Continuing to stare down Kari with a further expression of derangement, Maligon then chuckled.
"And all that changed because of the supposed death of one boy. If I had known how much he meant to you back then, I would have killed him right in front of you." He told the former Digidestined.
Hoping to throw Kari off, Maligon suddenly felt a sharp pain on his cheek and along his right arm.
Turning to the small pain, Maligon saw small cuts now inflicted upon his person and to see that Kari was now standing behind him, the vampiric Dark Lord looking over his shoulder to see the cold glare which the brown haired girl sent his way.
"I was going to make this quick, but I think I'll make you suffer before you die." Kari declared with a cold fury, before disappearing in a dark wisp, an action Maligon mimicked as the sounds of clashing filled the air, the Dark Empress and her foe trading blows and moving almost too fast for some of those around them to see.
Leaping backwards, Maligon brought his left hand up, causing a cloud of blood red energy to appear above him, which then broke into a swarm of dark energy bats that rushed toward and upon Kari.
However, the shadowy spider-like legs that emerged from the Dark Empress' shadow cloak shot out and dispersed the swarm with ease.
Leaping back and slamming his blade into the ground, Maligon then gathered more dark red energy into his hands, before lashing them, the attack reminding Kari and Gennai of Myotismon's Crimson Lightning ability as the dark energy whips tried to wrap around and to restrain Kari, only for the Dark Empress to slam her staff into the ground, the dark purple gems glowing as the weapon sent out a pulse of darkness that destroyed the dark red whips in the process, which infuriated Maligon even more.
Gathering more energy into his hands, Maligon then unleashed a powerful blast toward Kari, one that took the form of a vampiric bat as it set its sights upon Kari, before the vampiric Dark Lord quickly grabbed his rune blade and chased after his attack, looking to strike at the former Digidestined while she was distracted by his attack.
However, much to the surprise of not only Maligon, but all within the Dark Council chamber, save the Dark Emperor himself, Kari slammed both her weapons into the ground, held her right hand out and toward the oncoming attack.
Chanting in a language known only to the Dark Lords within the room, a massive shadow then formed and extended behind of Kari, growing and taking shape to form a familiar face, the face of Mordrakus, where the shadowy head then opened its maw with a deafening roar as a dark flame shot out of it, wrapped itself around Maligon's energy bat and then pulled it into the shadow maw, which easily devoured the energy in the process.
"The Hunger of Mordrakus." Ainz commented with interest, adding with an amused chuckle. "An ancient and powerful spell from the Tome of Eternal Shadows, the devouring Darkness that consumes all, a power that only a handful of individuals can control."
Too startled by what he had just witnessed, Maligon didn't have time to react as the dark spell cancelled, before Kari's left hand was consumed in a dark inferno.
Grabbing at the blade of Maligon's rune blade and stopping the vampiric Dark Lord in his tracks, which horrified and bewildered the vampiric Dark Lord further, not only to have Kari stop his attack, but she was able to hold on to his blade without feeling of its corrupting darkness inflicting pain upon herself.
It was then and to the further shock of Maligon's shock that Kari then shattered the blade within her grasp, a sight that also surprised most within the chamber, as Shadow Steel was nearly impossible to break.
With his weapon destroyed, the Dark Empress then slammed her right foot into the vampiric Dark Lord's stomach, the impact sending him flying backwards and almost over the edge of the platform before he regained his footing.
Spitting out a fair amount of blood from the raw force of Kari's kick, Maligon looked on as his nemesis held her hands out, her sword and staff lifted from off of the ground and flew back into her possession, before the former Digidestined of Light glared at her oldest enemy with absolute disgust and hatred within her eyes.
"If this is all you can muster, then stop wasting our time and just end yourself." Kari declared coldly as she kept her sword drawn toward the vampiric Dark Lord, who seethed with a further sense of rage as he looked upon Kari with a deranged look in his eyes.
This was impossible in his eyes, to have the small child that Gatomon betrayed him for, that Wizardmon threw his life away to protect, one of the weak humans who easily fell under his illusions as MaloMyotismon, was now fighting him on her own and was now humiliating him.
In his eyes, it didn't matter to what new dark powers she might possess, she should have been just as afraid of him as the day they met, he should have seen the same fear in her eyes as the day he returned, and then die at his hands so that all five Motomiyas would feel the pain of her death at his hands.
But this girl… this was not the same frightened girl he once knew, and Maligon realized that the supposed loss of Motomiya had changed her in ways he never imagined possible.
Refusing to simply die, not without at least taking the former Digidestined of Light with him, Maligon grinned as he had one last trick up his sleeve.
Holding his left hand out, Kari, Fire Davis, the Dark Council, the Dark Emperor and the other spectators watched as dark red energy formed in Maligon's hand, before forming into a blood red diamond encased in gold bat-like designs, one that pulsated with a dark and terrible power.
"The Crucible of Blood?!" Ainz questioned in confusion and anger, looking upon Maligon as he then inquired. "Why do you possess that relic, Maligon?!"
"To exact my vengeance… my vengeance on this girl and on ALL of you!" Maligon replied with a great and insane laugh.
Showing his descent into madness as he prepared to end this battle with the Crucible's power, the former Digidestined prepared herself to face whatever her foe had planned with the dark and evil relic within his possession.
.
.
.
Back upon the battlefield, the remnants of Maligon's forces were now in disarray.
Having been thrown off by the betrayal of the Wraith and his ghostly forces, followed quickly by the death of several commanders, Maligon's forces were in a losing battle.
Aided by their new allies, the spectral army led by the ghostly Digimon Tamer, Henry Wong, the forces loyal to Kari and toward Dark Davis pushed forward, shattering the remaining skeletal servants loyal to Maligon and causing the vampiric forces to retreat in fear.
Leading his troops and assisting his temporary allies, the dark clad armoured Biomon, laughed with a wicked delight as he skewered several vampiric warriors with his needle-like fingers, joining Charismon and Deusmon as they joined the DDF heroes and heroines in driving back their shared enemies.
Further back and along the remaining lines of Maligon's decimated forces, Dark Davis stalked through the battlefield like a predator hunting his prey, a wicked smile on his face and a dark glint held behind his helmet as he saw the carnage of the battle around him.
To the sight of his forces slaughtering the vampiric Dark Lord's forces with ease now, his smirk only grew as the Shadow knew that any who would threaten Kari within his Realm would soon be gone forever.
Stopping for a moment, Dark Davis' grin only furthered itself as he found himself surrounded, to see the last of the Dark Lords loyal to Maligon, as well as a small group of elite Vampiric Warriors all standing around him, all of which held a murderous intention within their eyes.
"You all think you can defeat me?" Dark Davis questioned with a fair arrogance within his voice, before declaring with a dark glee. "I am the King of Death!"
Drawing forth Shadow's Wrath as a dark aura encircled his body, the Shadow kept the sadistic grin upon his face as the vampiric Dark Lords and Warriors rushed at him, their desperate attempt to end his life which only amused him to the end.
Despite the battles raging around them, meanwhile, Belezar, TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM kept their focus solely upon Comatzar as the vampiric Death Dragon let out a feral shriek, the beast ready to strike down his foes for his Master.
Spreading his wings out, Comatzar expelled another shriek as several openings formed along his chest and countless swarms of vampiric bats bursted out.
Heading straight for their enemies, the onslaught prompted TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM to retaliate in reply.
"Shadow Wave!" The Dark Mana infused form of Veemon declared as his blade was consumed in a dark aura, before TyrantVeedramon then swung the blade in the direction of the oncoming swarms and sent forth a shockwave of darkness that consumed and destroyed many of the winged beasts in the process.
"Final Eclipse!" Ophanimon: DM then declared as she followed in TyrantVeedramon's example.
Bringing her right hand up and as a shadow formed and took shape within her grasp, the shadow altered its form, becoming a staff with two crescent moons on the tips, before scythe-like blades made of dark purple energy formed on the ends.
Rushing forward, the Dark Mana infused form of Gatomon cut through the bat swarms as she and TyrantVeedramon rushed toward Comatzar as one, who gathered dark energy within his mouth and tried again to counteract his enemies with a series of dark energy blasts.
"Dark Dragon Strike!"
"Consuming Shadow!"
Holding his right hand out, TyrantVeedramon sent forth a powerful inferno of dark fire, which turned into a dragon's head as it surged forth, while dark fire slithered along Ophanimon: DM's form, forming several dragon heads, which shot out and merged with TyrantVeedramon's attack.
Combined, the energies slammed into Comatzar's attack and caused a massive explosion of unstable darkness to erupt throughout the area.
From the smoke cloud, the vampiric Death Dragon then brought his wings together as a powerful sphere of dark energy came surging through the smoke and slammed into his being, the action enraging Comatzar as he felt a fair pain then course throughout his body, before opening his wings to see Belezar floating through the smoke with TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM floating alongside him.
In response to seeing the Shadow Demon, Comatzar once again gathered dark energy within his maw, which he unleashed as another powerful blast of darkness that was directed at Belezar, who brought his right hand up in retaliation.
Forming a massive energy barrier of dark purple energy, the darkness protected him, TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM from the attack, leaving the two Dark Digimon quite impressed with the power Belezar wielded, and impressed further to the ease in which Belezar could control his great power.
"Your Master's plans are in ruins, Comatzar, and soon his life will be ended. Surrender and Lord Shadow will find use for you." Belezar declared as he looked upon the vampiric Death Dragon, his eyes narrowing upon the wicked creature. "Or die here and be forgotten in the shadows of history."
Letting out a feral shriek, Comatzar gave his reply as he prepared to strike down his Master's enemies, even if it meant taking himself out in the process, where Belezar merely said in a cold tone. "So be it."
Down below the battle and cutting down the last of Maligon's loyal Dark Lords and elite soldiers, Dark Davis continued to hold a dark glint in his eyes and a sadistic smile behind his mask, his right hand clenching Shadow's Wrath tightly as the dark purple gem upon his forehand began to glow with a dark purple light.
"It is almost done… they are almost dead… and when Maligon is gone, there will be nothing left in the Dark Realm to threaten my future with Kari… we will finally be together, and nothing will stand in our way!" The Shadow declared to himself, almost letting out an insane laugh to finally having the pain and anguish he had felt for the past twenty thousand years lift from off of his shoulders and to finally have the love of his life back in his life and by his side, where the dark purple gem shined even brighter than before.
Sensing the dark power, TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM turned as Belezar was then consumed within a cocoon of pure darkness, the Shadow Demon undergoing a similar evolution to what Blaze had experienced, all due to his growing bond with his partner.
A moment later, the sphere then burst open with a powerful gust of energy, forcing Comatzar to shield his eyes, before refocusing and to see the new form of the Shadow Demon before him.
Now seated upon a floating rock slab, the new form of Belezar looked more refined.
Holding six arms that extended from his being, while two massive red feathered wings were in between two sets of what appeared to be flesh-like wing blades that extended from the upper shoulders and lower pair of arms, the new appearance of Belezar further reflected his dark power and overall intimidating appearance.
A series of golden tendrils extended from Belezar's back, each with a smaller version of his head upon the tips, all of which glared at Comatzar, giving the Shadow Demon an even more imposing and terrifying feature.
While TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM shared in their awe at the sight before them, Comatzar was enraged.
Guided by instinct and fury, the vampiric Death Dragon once again gathered dark red energy within his maw, but an even greater amount, before unleashing it as a combination of his part two attacks, a stream of dark energy and a series of dark energy blasts, while massive swarms of vampiric bats swarmed towards their foes and along Comatzar's attack, ready to end their foes once and for all.
"Eternal Darkness!"
"Oblivion Ray!"
At the same time Ophanimon: DM and TyrantVeedramon unleashed their attacks, Belezar brought all his hands together and brought the various smaller heads inward as a massive amount of dark purple energy formed within his possession, which he unleashed and combined with the power of his allies, forming a massive wall of dark purple energy that collided with and overwhelmed Comatzar's dark onslaught.
Unable to avoid, block or repel the oncoming attack, Comatzar let out a shriek of rage and despair as he was consumed in the wave of dark purple energy, his body dissolving into nothingness as he was consumed by the powerful attack, his life ending in the blink of an eye.
Witnessing the defeat of Comatzar and the death of their leaders, the forces loyal to Maligon began to surrender, knowing that they were out matched and would not survive a continued battle, the sight of which leaving Dark Davis to smile wickedly.
All that was now left was for Kari to end Maligon's life and the Rite of Dark Combat would be over, and the Shadow had all the faith in the universe that his beloved would obtain her deserved victory.
.
.
.
Gripping the Crucible of Blood tightly, Maligon then slammed the relic into his chest, the vampiric Dark Lord laughing insanely as his body was covered in a blood red cocoon of wicked energy as all within the Dark Council chamber felt the powerful energies being released.
When the dark energy subsided, Kari looked to see the change within her enemy, seeing Maligon's form slightly larger than it was before.
Holding twin bat wings made of blood red energy that now spread from out of his back, along with two extra arms made from the same energy, Maligon's eyes brimmed with a dark red flame as the vampiric Dark Lord expressed a laugh of further insanity.
"Now you die!" Maligon declared madly as he brought all four of his hands up, where blood red energy gathered to form a massive ball of energy, one he then unleashed and threw toward Kari, who only narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
Sensing the power behind the attack, the Dark Empress knew such an attack would not hurt her and she knew Maligon knew this as well, Kari could easily see what his plan was.
In her mind, Kari knew that Maligon would detonate the attack before it could reach her and, in the confusion, he would try and slip away, to run and try to regain his strength to fight her and her Davises one day in the future, such as the coward she knew him to be.
However, the Dark Empress was not going to let the vampire have his chance.
Mentally grinning, Maligon watched as his attack approached Kari, the Vampiric Dark Lord waiting for the right moment to detonate the attack and use the distraction to flee, where he would bide his time and regain his strength, and then he would…
Before he could initiate his plan, however, Maligon then watched in shock as the same shadow appeared behind Kari, the Hunger of Mordrakus activating once again as it swallowed his attack whole, leaving nothing between him and Kari as the shadow then dissolved once again.
"Do you really think I would let you get away just like that?" The Dark Empress questioned with an annoyed tone as a ring of dark purple runes appeared around her right hand, just before she snapped her fingers.
At that moment, the entire platform Kari and Maligon were standing on was covered in a barrier of dark purple energy, one that allowed those outside to continue to watch, while Ainz and a few of the Dark Council members smirked to see yet another spell from the Tome of Eternal Shadows in use, each knowing that Maligon had nowhere else to run.
"It's over, Myotismon." Kari commented as she once again slammed her weapons into the ground and slowly approached her foe, who turned and glared at her with an insane expression.
"You really think you can…?!" Maligon began to question in rage, the vampiric Dark Lord remaining in denial to his demise, before he fell silent as Kari closed the distance, slammed her fist into the side of his face and allowed of her pent up frustration and rage toward her enemy to reflect within her attack as she began pummeling her foe with a series of blows.
At the same time, Maligon felt something cast over him, for the pain he felt with each punch seemed to prolong itself, as though lasting for days instead of mere seconds, a sight that caused a few in the chamber to grin at seeing that Kari used the Shadowed Pain spell, which would cause Maligon to feel a day's worth of pain with each punch, the attack leaving him in a state of pure agony and torment.
Delivering one final punch, Kari sent the beaten vampire Dark Lord skidding across the ground, almost slamming into the barrier at the edge of the platform, where the Dark Empress stalked toward her foe as he struggled to get to his feet.
"You know, of all things and people I have come to hate in my life for separating Davis and I, I don't think there was anyone I hated more than you." Kari confessed as took a step forward, narrowing her eyes at Maligon as she then told him with a further coldness within her voice. "While you did unite me with Gatomon, you were the one who started everything and started my separation from Davis… you were the one who set all of this in motion all those years ago. Did it ever occur to you in that egotistical mind of yours that if you had just stayed in the Digital World, that the prophecy would never have happened? No, your own pride and ego brought you to your ends and brought pain into my life. And now, I will end you for the last time."
"No… I won't be defeated… I can't be!" Maligon growled as he struggled to get back to his feet, narrowing his eyes as Kari stepped closer and closer.
Acting out of desperation, Maligon sent forth his power in the form of dark red energy streams, which circled around Kari and began to form a tornado of energy around her, the sight concerning not just Fire Davis, but the rest of the spectators as well.
Not only did the energy envelop Kari, but Maligon began adding more into it, before unleashing a powerful blast straight toward the brunette, setting off a massive explosion, one that left the vampiric Dark Lord smiling wickedly as he believed he had finally finished off the Digidestined of Light once and for all.
However, that smile soon turned into disbelief as he saw a pair of dark purple eyes glowing from the smoke, which then cleared, revealing four ghostly spirits around Kari, ones Azaghast easily recognized as the spirits of the past Obscarian rulers, who glared upon Maligon for a moment, before dissolving into shadows and entering Kari as a powerful dark aura began to form around her being.
Watching his enemy step closer, Maligon prepared to unleash another powerful attack, only for Kari to bring her right hand up as a shadow then lifted off the floor and slammed into the vampire, slamming him into the energy barrier as he felt a shadowy hand grip at his throat, his feet dangling in the air as he tried to free himself.
Releasing Maligon, the Dark Empress then watched as her foe collapsed to the floor, before he gave another rage-filled cry and tried once again to charge at her.
Bringing her hand up once again, Maligon felt a powerful force push at him, forcing him back down upon his hands and knees, his eyes widening in shock as he realized he was positioned so that he was kneeling before the accursed Digidestined of Light.
Letting out a rage-filled scream, Maligon tried to get to his feet, only for Kari's eyes to glow once more as she sent forth a powerful blast of dark energy that sent her enemy skidding a few feet.
"Now you die..." Kari merely said as she approached the downed and beaten form of Maligon, who turned on the ground and tried to crawl away as the Dark Empress then declared. "For you, your death will be slow, as though it will take hundreds of thousands of years, all the while you can remember how you should have never messed with me!"
Crawling as he tried to escape in fear and cowardice, Maligon looked around, desperate for any of the Dark Council members to come to his aid as his eyes landed on Vaddik, who merely looked upon him with a solemn expression and just told him. "I am sorry, Maligon."
At that moment, Kari brought her hand up and cast forth the Hunger of Mordrakus, the dark flames surrounding Maligon as his body began to dissolve, his final thoughts reflecting on his own failures and his pride as his body was consumed and devoured by the shadow of Mordrakus, leaving only the Crucible of Blood and the Dark Lord's mask left upon the ground.
With the battle coming to an end, the floor of the Dark Council chamber returned to normal, where all twelve Dark Council members rose from their seats and surrounded Kari and what was left of Maligon, while Fire Davis leaped over to the ground and rushed toward Kari, who smiled behind her face mask to see her beloved coming to check on her, followed by Gennai and the others present.
"Good riddance." Ravage commented with a smirk as he looked upon Maligon's mask, the Dark Lord glad to see that the annoyance that was the vampiric Dark Lord was gone forever.
"He was a better Dark Lord then you give him credit for, Ravage." Azaghast then commented, remembering how useful Maligon used to be before he allowed his obsession for revenge to cloud his mind.
"Let us hope our newest Dark Lord proves to be even greater." Hades remarked as he looked upon Kari, an action the rest of the Dark Council members mirrored as they nodded their heads in agreement.
"Indeed, she has earned her place." Azaghast said with a small bow, one Kari shared as to show her own respect, before turning her gaze toward the Dark Emperor, who nodded his head in reply.
.
.
.
"Maligon is dead, the Rite of Dark Combat is concluded, all hail the Dark Empress, Kari Kamiya!" Azaghast's voice bellowed throughout the area of the battlefield, the announcement causing the Dark Imperium forces, the DDF heroes and heroines, as well as those loyal to Dark Davis to cheer in victory.
Upon hearing the declaration, Belezar reverted back into his energy form and proceeded to return within the gem upon Dark Davis' hand, while TyrantVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM landed around the Shadow and De-Digivolved back to Veemon and Gatomon respectively, the two Digimon slightly dizzy and exhausted from the overwhelming power they had just wielded, but otherwise they seemed fine.
Looking around and taking in the scenery, Dark Davis looked to Desred, Mikey, Shoutmon, TK and Patamon, who all nodded toward the Shadow and allowed him to know that they had things had been taken care of, allowing him to know he could go be where he desired to be, to be with who he loved.
Turning around and bringing his right hand up, which brimmed with dark energy, Dark Davis summoned a portal that he then quickly ventured within, accompanied closely by Gatomon and Veemon.
As the trio appeared within the Dark Council chamber, the Shadow looked to see his fiery counterpart turn and nod toward him, before Dark Davis took in the sight now before him.
With the Crucible of Blood retrieved by Azaghast's servants to be taken to a secure and secretive place, the Dark Council members returned to their seats, while Kari remained standing in the middle as the various rulers of the Dark Realm addressed her.
"With the Rite of Dark Combat complete, your full ascension and rights as a Dark Lord may continue." Azaghast informed Kari, the dark being expressing a continued pride and telling the Dark Empress. "You are a part of Lord Shadow's pyramid, and as a Dark Lord, you are a ruler of the Dark Realm, answerable only to your patron, the Dark Council and the Emperor himself."
"As with our agreement with Lord Shadow, you are also autonomous. You are free from the wars and conflicts that rage across Nexus and may do as you please, as long as your actions do not contradict our own or stand in the way of the Dark Realm's action." Hades then told Kari and the others with his own seriousness.
"In short, when we go to the Nature Realm or the Light Realm, don't aid them against us." Dark Davis commented as he and Fire Davis moved to stand alongside Kari, his remark gaining a few glares from some among the Dark Council, who remained silent and just allowed Ainz to speak.
"Furthermore, having defeated Maligon in ritual combat, all that was once his is now yours, which means that Lord Wraith and his servants now belong to you." The skeletal Dark Lord then told the Dark Empress.
Nodding her head in understanding and knowing of her new responsibilities, Kari then replied with an honest tone. "I will do my best to live up to the expectations of my position."
"Never trust the humble ones…" A ghostly member of the Dark Council remarked, reminding Kari that even though they were on her side today, the Dark Lords were always scheming against one another.
"Our business here is concluded." Hades then said, before looking toward Kari and telling the former Digidestined. "You would do well to return to the Temple of Mordrakus and become bonded with one of the Dark Dragon's children… after you have spoken with our Emperor first, that is."
Looking around the Dark Council, Kari and both Davises bowed respectfully in reply as the various Dark Lords, including Vaddik, nodded themselves, before all twelve dark beings dispersed in dark wisps.
Turning back toward Julie, Caleb and the rest of the spectators, both Dark Davis and Fire Davis nodded their heads as the two fire champions led the rest of their group, along with Gatomon and Veemon out of the chamber, leaving only the two Davises, Kari and the guards within the room, along with the Dark Emperor himself.
Turning into a dark wisp, the Dark Emperor moved from his throne and reappeared before the trio, his dark purple eyes gleaming down upon them as the Dark Empress and her beloveds felt his amusement.
"Well now… that was more entertaining than I expected…" The Ruler of the Dark Realm commented, his voice ancient, dark and powerful, despite the humour he had expressed.
Speaking for himself, his dark variant and Kari, Fire Davis expressed himself as he then told the Dark Ruler. "I am glad that these events have pleased you, great one."
"However, and with all due respect, I for one am displeased to find out that a friend of ours has been here upon Nexus this entire time and his existence was kept from us!" The fire champion then said with a small growl, pissed off over the fact that Henry had been upon Nexus for so long and neither he nor his counterparts were informed about this, with Fire Davis feeling rage over the idea that they could have helped their friend all this time and would have learned about what was going on back home sooner.
Feeling a comforting hand upon his own, Fire Davis looked to see Kari looking toward him with a loving and understanding look in her eyes, which caused the fire champion to calm down as he allowed the Emperor to continue.
"He had a part to play in all of this… and he performed it spectacularly… And now, he can have the reward he so desired when he accepted this task… to be reunited with his friends and loved ones…" The Dark Emperor merely said in reply.
Upon hearing this, Dark Davis narrowed his eyes behind his helmet as he then questioned his Emperor. "You knew this would happen, didn't you? All five of you, the Rulers of Nexus, knew that our friends and family would come to this world looking for us!"
To the accusation, Fire Davis and Kari remembered some of the words the Fire Emperor had said to them back at the Fire Capital, about how events were now in motion beyond their understanding, before the Dark Empress looked back upon the Dark Emperor with a growing intrigue.
"You all wanted me to be here, to come to Nexus, but why?" The Dark Empress questioned as she did her best to hide her rage, despising the idea that she was once more being used to fulfill a prophecy or the likes once again.
"If I tell you, it will not come to pass…" The Ruler of the Dark Realm said in reply, his eyes narrowing with amusement as he then informed of the Dark Empress. "But worry not, you will be with your beloveds... and when the time comes, you will know what to do… For now, there is much still for you to do within this world…"
Turning his gaze upon his champion, the Dark Emperor then informed Dark Davis. "You may take your leave of duty, Lord Shadow… so that you can travel with your beloved and meet with your counterparts… I look forward to seeing how this all plays out…"
With his words said, the Dark Emperor then disappeared in a dark wisp, leaving Kari, Dark Davis and Fire Davis alone as they were left in thought of what he had told them.
Saving her wonder for later, however, Kari smiled behind her face mask as she took both of her Davises' hands, the former Digidestined of Light allowing the moment to wash over her.
Maligon was gone, she had been recognized as a Dark Lord of the Dark Realm and the Obscarian power was no longer a threat to her, leaving the path forward to her future with her beloveds open and clear of all known threats.
Once they had finally finished up here, Kari knew that they would then proceed and pick up Water Davis, before being reunited with Nature and Light Davis, and the Dark Empress found her excitement growing.
No matter what came their way, Kari knew she and her beloveds would face the challenges together and nothing would stand in their way.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Maligon is dead and the Rite of Dark Combat is concluded, but what is the future event the Dark Emperor has alluded to, and what other challenges lie ahead? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
P.S.: Belezar's new form is based on Dorballom, Lord of Demons from Duel Masters.
