After returning to the airship, the group and their new friends amongst Nature Davis' Pack settled themselves within Miracle's Reach as their transport set off toward the Beast Confederacy's capital, which they would arrive around the next morning.

Upon arriving within the airship and helping Garen get over his apparent air sickness, the Pack was formally introduced to the heroes and heroines of the DDF and the Dark Imperium, the where the group of Guardians were introduced to not only the humans that their Davis had spoken often of, but to the Digimon and Appmon as well, with Alicia, Sakuya, Shinon and Lyna instantly taking a liking to some of the digital beings, such as Veemon, Gulimon, Offmon and Gammamon, who held different levels of sweetness toward their new guests.

After the introductions, the group then proceeded to the airship's bar, where those new to Nexus threw a party, first to their reunion with Nature Davis and second to meeting their latest friends on their journey.

As the party grew and everyone began to enjoy themselves, the Digi-heroes and heroines began to chat with the Guardians, some laughing as Garen tried to hit on Rika as she thought she was a fellow beastkin, and a very attractive one at that.

Uncomfortable toward the flirtation, Rika however found a friend in Lyna as she smacked the wolf man upside the head and allowed the red haired hybrid to enjoy herself.

For Erik, he nearly drank most of the guys under the table with his alcohol consumption, remaining sober for the most part.

However, and out of curiosity, as they had not been informed beforehand on the situation, when the conversation turned upon those from the Digital World, to what had happened within the world Davis came to Nexus from in the time he was gone, the Pack listened with interest and surprise when they learned about how Kari reacted to Davis' supposed death, of the dark power of the Obscarian and of the war she rage against her own world out of rage and sorrow over his lose.

"Damn." Erik remarked as he looked over toward the four Davises, who were on the far end of the bar and in deep conversation with one another, focusing his attention upon the Grand Guardian as the older Guardian remarked with awe in his tone. "He has spent the last twenty thousand years missing her, feeling she would forever hold a special and powerful place within his heart, but also believed that she didn't feel the same, that she had moved on and lived her life, one of happiness and joy. It's both amazing and terrifying to hear that she loves him just as much… maybe even more."

Chuckling a little to himself, Erik then turned and faced Alicia, Sakuya, Shinon and Lyna, the four female Guardian's meeting his stare as he then told them with a small smirk. "Sorry girls, but I can't see you one upping Kari after hearing that."

Turning his gaze upon the Dark Empress, who sat in a booth alone and not too far from the four Davises as she in deep thought, Erik then commented with a small smile. "She's willing to burn the world for him… for all of them. So, you better watch yourselves if you are really thinking of continuing your efforts to get into Davis' pants."

While Alicia pouted upon hearing this, it was Shinon who looked toward the Dark Empress and spoke her mind as she said. "It is not her love for Davis that is in question now, but if she is a threat to the Nature Realm. The darkness within her is powerful, she is bound to a very dangerous Shadow Demon, she is a Dark Lord of the Dark Realm and favoured by two of our greatest enemies. What is to stop her from using our Davis to her advantage and aid the Dark Realm against us?"

"The same thing you just said was not in question, her love for Davis." Rika said in reply, before the red haired hybrid told the Pack. "Everything she has done, every act of evil, of gaining power, was all for him… for them. She only went through the Trials of the Dark Lords at their request to save her life, so that she could be with them. I know, if it was an option for her, Kari would give all that power up, all that darkness if it meant she could have a normal life with her beloveds. She doesn't care for the Realm Wars, Dark Davis even made certain that the Dark Council allowed her autonomy from their actions, so she does not have to participate in any of their conflicts. She is not your enemy, she does not want to be your enemy, but she will defend herself if anyone tries to attack her or go after her Davises."

To Rika's words, Shinon and the other Guardians nodded their heads in understanding as they turned and looked upon the four Davises in deep conversation, the music from the bar's speakers too loud for even the rabbit beastkin to hear what the four were discussing, which in hindsight was a good thing.

"So… you're telling me that Kari… our Kari… the sweet, innocent angel of our lives… was the one who came up with this?!" Nature Davis asked in pure shock and disbelief as he listened to his variants tell him about the more… interesting of nights their beloved had set up for them.

"That is indeed correct." Water Davis said in reply, before adding as he told his nature variant. "As of the last forty eight hours, Kari has included both Rika and Sora into these activities, while champion Julie was also present in our last session, but was only there for our fire variant."

Hearing this, Nature Davis' eyes were wide as he tried to process the idea of Kari bringing other girls into bed with them just to satisfy his and his counterparts' needs, before his eyebrow then twitched as he heard his partner giggle perversely from his gem.

"Oh, this is too good, not only is your beloved a beauty, but she's kinky too! Oh, Alicia is going to lose her mind if she finds out her first impression could have cost her the night of passion she desires. This is already giving me ideas for my next book!" Jiraiya all but declared in joy, his words drawing the ire of the four Davises.

"Don't you even think about using Kari for your damn erotic novels or I'll let the Arch-Savant here rewrite your mind to think you're a little schoolgirl with pigtails!" The Grand Guardian said with a small growl within his voice and directed toward his partner, who seemed to remain silent after that, letting Nature Davis know that he got the message as the nature variant of the Motomiya looked back upon his counterparts.

"The opportunity to study the mind of a Nature Dragon could prove beneficial in the future." Water Davis then stated nonchalantly, his remark causing both Nature Davis and Fire Davis to look upon their water variant with deadpanned expressions.

"Is that really what is on your mind right now?" The fire champion then inquired.

"Among other subjects. For example, after having witnessed the form Veemon took with the aid of Dark Mana, TyrantVeedramon, I am also calculating based on the Digivolution system on what other forms he could take with Water, Light, Nature and even Fire Mana." The Arch-Savant said in reply as he took a sip from his drink and ignored the stares his variants were giving him.

Looking past his variants for a moment, Dark Davis then told the Arch-Savant with a seriousness within his voice. "Focus your mind on the now, because we have another issue to deal with."

From her booth, meanwhile, Kari remained silent and slowly drank her drink as she watched the various sights before her within the bar, seeing the large table where most of the gang was sitting with the Pack of Guardians, seeing the six send her glances every now and then, letting the Dark Empress know that she was most likely the topic of their conversations.

Uncaring to what they were saying, however, Kari's eyes then wandered around the bar, where she caught sight of Matt and Gabumon sitting with Jun, the Digidestined of Friendship and the older of the Motomiya siblings seeming to be in the midst of a friendly and pleasant conversation amongst one another.

Chatting and showing a fair spark between them, Jun rested her hand atop of Matt's own, who allowed this interaction and remained welcoming toward the maroon haired girl.

To the sight, this brought a small smile to Kari's face, to see the pair growing closer and getting along so well, despite the shaky past they shared and knowing that Davis' supposed death had indeed changed Jun.

To supposedly lose her sibling and trying what she could to honour his memory in a way, Jun had broken out of her fangirl phase and changed into someone that Matt truly found interest in and built a strong bond toward.

Allowing Matt and Jun some privacy and continuing to look over the groups, Kari's eyes then landed upon the Appli Drivers and Team Lirurun, who were in the midst of adding to the conversation with the Pack as the Dark Empress briefly looked them over.

Unlike many within the room from the DDF, Kari had only known the two groups of Digi-heroes and heroines as enemies, never truly getting to know them or learn anything about them.

Since she had first encountered them however, the Dark Empress easily took note on certain things about them, like how whenever the pink haired girl, Eri, would make a declaration or some remark, there was a spark within the eyes of the blond, Astora, who showed a clear admiration toward the pink haired idol, while Kari also took note of Eri's smile whenever Astora and his Appmon partner would do their signature poses and express such positivity, this leaving the former Digidestined of Light to wonder if the pair realized that they were in love with one another.

Looking upon Team Lirurun, meanwhile, Kari found her focus briefly upon the eccentric form of the girl, Ruli, and how, in her excited way of explaining her story and seemingly to how she continued to turn her attention upon their leader, Hiro, whenever she brought up specific point in her tale, this leaving the boy slightly bewildered, while the Dark Empress saw the glimmer within the brown haired girl's eyes, the sight of which causing Kari to chuckle a little as she knew that if Ruli truly wanted something to happen between her and Hiro, she would have to either take charge to get through to the dense boy or others would have to push them together.

Returning her gaze upon her glass, however, the Dark Empress frowned slightly as she returned her focus to the things that were troubling her, to how now, because of her affinity with the Darkness, the Nature Realm looks upon her with caution and the Light Realm seems to despise her.

While these opinions of her didn't matter to the former Digidestined of Light, Kari did find herself continuing to grow in anger at the fact that she is being kept from the light variant of her beloved because of it, which only added to her simmering rage toward the rulers of Nexus and their games.

All Kari wanted was to be with her beloveds, to spend eternity with them, and now with Nature Davis with them, the Dark Empress' goal seemed so close and yet so far, especially now as they wait to hear from Light Davis.

But what bothered Kari the most was the underlying resentment her beloveds seemed to have expressed toward one another, the anger and rage she witnessed between Dark Davis and Light Davis as they lashed out at one another, a rage that continued to tear at the Dark Empress' very heart and soul.

So lost in the anguish of her inner turmoil, Kari didn't notice that others had joined her in the booth until she looked up and saw all four of her Davises around her, each looking upon her with a shared concern and care within their eyes.

"Talk to us, Kari." Fire Davis then said with a soft and caring smile.

Smiling back, Kari reassured her beloveds as she simply said in reply. "I'm fine, really."

Shaking his head in reply, Water Davis then said with his own concern. "Kari, you have always had the same look upon your face whenever you are troubled by something. Please, inform us of what it is that has you so concerned."

Smiling lightly to know that her beloveds knew her so well and knowing she couldn't lie to them, Kari expressed a small sigh as she looked amongst the variants of Davis.

"Tell me, in the past twenty thousand years since you all have been here, as champions of the Emperors and Empresses… how many times have you fought against each other… how many times have you been forced to try and kill one another for your duties to the Realms…?" The Dark Empress then questioned in reply, her words registering within the four Davises' minds as they realized what was bothering her, while Dark Davis expressed a small sigh in reply.

"Is this about me and… Light me arguing yesterday?" The Shadow questioned in response, which caused Kari to nod a little.

Resting his hand gently on Kari's Nature Davis smiled as he told her. "Kari, like I told you yesterday, for a long time, we each believed you and the others were gone, that you had lived your lives and moved on. Yeah, we each had our own preconceived notions about all of it, blaming each other in our own ways for ending up here, for losing you… but now, that doesn't matter anymore. Once Light Davis is with us, we'll all sit down and discuss what to do so that we can all move forward together."

"As to answer your question, Kari, as the champions of the rulers of Nexus, our duties are primarily the protection of our respective realms." Water Davis then said to the Dark Empress. "Thus, we rarely leave the borders of our realms, with the few occasions of either travelling to our respective allies or meeting all together to deal with major issues that affect all of Nexus, which include… Them. We may argue, we may at times test our strength against one another in spars, but we avoid actual conflict between one another."

Seeing Kari nod in response to Water Davis and Nature Davis' words, Fire Davis then noticed that Kari was still bothered by something, where the fire champion realized what it was as he questioned. "You are also not happy with the idea of the Light Realm not letting us in, are you?"

Sighing once again at the fact that her beloveds could see right through her and as they continued to show their love toward her, Kari nodded her head in reply as she then said to the Davises. "Between the fact that they don't even know me and deem me a threat, along with the idea that they won't let the Archon join us… it is getting to me. It reminds me of what kept us apart in the first place and I am slowly growing angry and resentful, angry towards the Light Realm, angry toward whatever game the rulers are playing with us…"

Taking a deep breath and reigning in her anger, Kari felt Nature Davis' hand slightly squeeze her own, drawing her attention toward him as she saw him smile at her with a look of understanding.

"First off, don't count Light Davis out yet, he can be persuasive when he comes to the Conclave, but do keep in mind, you came to this world and became a Dark Lord of their sworn enemies, it will take a little convincing for them to see that you are not their enemy as well." The Grand Guardian said with a further kindness, before he added with a small and hearty chuckle. "And I can assure you that you'll have plenty of opportunities to show that here in the Nature Realm."

"As for the Emperors and Empresses…" Dark Davis then said as he received Kari's attention.

"They always have some grand design, but they have always put Nexus first before any of their own goals. I know the Dark Emperor's words were cryptic, but he did say that in the end, you and all five of us would be together. That is not something that he would just say unless he was certain of it." The Shadow went on to say.

"I know the past few weeks have been trying and I know that you want to make things happen already, but now we need to relax and be patient." Fire Davis then commented as he looked out toward the rest of the sights in the bar, smiling as he took in one sight and said to his beloved. "Because though it does take time, time can heal any wound."

Allowing her eyes to look in the direction the fire variant of her beloved was looking, Kari and the other Davises saw that at a table on the other side of the bar, Izzy and Mimi were sitting across from one another, the pair seemingly having an animate conversation, no doubt about Mimi's time in the Wildlands of the Digital World and Izzy's shadowy attempts to help her.

At one point, Izzy seemed to grow a little nervous, as though trying to express to Mimi how he really felt, something that everyone who knew the red haired Digidestined knew was hard for him to do, before the Davises and Kari smiled as Mimi quickly closed the distance between herself and Izzy, placed her hand behind his head and kissed him passionately, the action startling the Digidestined of Knowledge for a moment, before he relaxed, closed his eyes and embraced the moment with the girl he had long held within his heart.

Watching as Mimi kissed Izzy, forgiving him and letting go of her anger toward him, Kari sighed a little and knew that her beloveds were right, that with time and patience, Light Davis would join them and they would all finally be together.

Hearing a loud and hearty laugh, the four Davises and the Dark Empress then looked upon the main table, seeing Erik put down his twelfth cup of beer as he told those around him with a faint hue on his cheeks. "You know… once we finish up at the Beast Confederacy… you guys should come and see my home, Jukai… A kingdom of samurai amongst the trees… you can see the warriors of Nature in their prime!"

"They should also see Garenburg if we have time, they could see the knights of the wild as well… and the giants…" Garen then said with his own chuckle, his words intriguing many at the table.

"Giants… how big exactly?" Kazu inquired, before Lyna giggled and told the others. "Not too big, maybe fifteen to twenty feet tall, all of whom care about chivalry and the wilds, and love to use hammers, clubs and maces to fight, a friendly bunch though."

As the conversations continued, Kari and the Davises remained in silence as they mentally prepared themselves for Tichalla's coronation, unaware of how the events that would unfold would change everything they had planned.

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As the sun rose the next morning, Miracle's Reach had arrived at its destination, where many looked out the windows to see amongst the tree a massive city, one that reminded a few of the Digi-heroes and heroines as those of ancient Mesoamerica and included massive stone structures mingled within with the trees and the foliage of the wilderness, leaving only a signal step pyramid peeking out of the canopy, the seat of the King of the Beast Confederacy.

As the airship flew over the city, those on board looked down, took in the city life and saw hundreds of thousands of beastkin going about their daily lives, along with humans, giants, elves, fairies and various forms of plant-like creatures that seemed to be there for trading or to watch the coronation of the next king.

Eventually, Miracle's Reach docked alongside a large tower complex within the city, one with flags bearing the symbol of the Fire Realm upon it, revealing that this was the embassy for the Fire Realm's ambassador to the Beast Confederacy.

Having the rest of the crew, along with the other members of the DDF and Dark Imperium, remain upon the airship for the time being, Nature Davis and Fire Davis led their two other variants, Kari, Julie, Caleb, Victor, Kenji, Henry, TK and the rest of the Digi-heroes and heroines off of Miracle's Reach and on to the landing pad, where they were greeted by a pair of drakkon guards and one human.

Looking the human over, Kari and the others saw that he was a fairly young man, probably around Tai's age, who was wearing an outfit of the royal family of Furansa.

The man had short blond hair and violet eyes, eyes of which reminded those newer to Nexus of Fire Lord Lelouch and First Lady Euphemia, which allowed them to know that this man was indeed related to the pair.

"Lord Motomiya, Guardian Motomiya, it is so good to see you both!" The young man said with a bright smile as he greeted the duo, before he looked toward Kenji and Victor and expressed a further enthusiasm. "Prince Victor, Prince Kenji, it is wonderful to see you both again."

"Clovis, it's been a while." Victor said in reply as he then took the blond's hand and shook it with a show of deep respect.

Nodding to Kenji as well, Clovis then looked to see the box within Fire Davis' hands, where the ambassador then inquired with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Please, please tell me that is what I think it is."

Smiling himself, the fire champion presented the box and opened it, allowing Kari, TK and the others to look on curiously to see what looked like fresh apples within, before Fire Davis then told the blond before him. "Freshly picked from the palace's gardens."

Quickly taking one of the apples, Clovis bit into it and savoured the taste, before he expressed a content sigh as he then commented. "Ah, the taste of home."

Chuckling at the young man's reaction, Fire Davis then faced Kari and the others as he introduced the blond to the others and told them. "Guys, this is Clovis Cameron, half-brother of Fire Lord Lelouch and First Lady Euphemia and ambassador to the Beast Confederacy."

"Half-brother?" Thomas questioned, where Caleb replied as he whispered toward the DATS genius. "Same father, different mothers, you know, nobility stuff."

Nodding in response to Caleb's words, Clovis was about to greet the rest of the guests, only to stop and look in shock and disbelief to see not only the Shadow amongst the group, but the Arch-Savant as well.

"Wow… I heard what was happening, but I wasn't expecting either of them to come here." The young Cameron said to Fire Davis as he looked over Dark Davis and Water Davis, who both merely looked back upon the Fire Realm ambassador.

Replying on behalf of his fiery counterpart, Nature Davis then informed Clovis. "Tichalla is already aware of their presence and said he would have an armed escort for us."

"Ah, that makes sense now." Clovis then said as he looked toward one of his drakkon guards and gave a confirming nod, which caused the lizardman to nod in reply and to momentarily leave, where he returned a moment later with a group of eight beastkin guards, the security force assigned to watch over the Shadow and Arch-Savant, while also acting as guards for Kari and the others.

Looking over their escorts, Kari and the others noticed that they were a variety of various forms of beastkin, but one stood out most to Airu, whose eye twitched as she questioned with a small panic and disgust within her tone. "Is that a toad? Is that a bipedal toad with a spear?!"

Hearing a small giggle from behind her, Airu then felt a hand on her shoulder as she looked to see Lyna smirking at her, where the bunny girl Guardian then told the Digimon Hunter. "Now, now, don't let their appearances fool you. Frogloks are powerful and noble warriors."

In response, the frogman, the froglok, slammed his spear into the ground and held a deep expression of pride, this causing a few to sweatdrop toward the action.

"That reminds me, I know there's two amongst you, but no one had a problem with insects, right?" Erik then questioned as a sly grin formed upon his face.

Feeling slightly nervous by the older Guardian's question and his grin, some in the group were about to reply, only for the loud sound of buzzing to fill their ears, where everyone turned and looked into the skies and took in a swarm of various bug men, from half bees, to half wasps, from half moths to have butterflies flying through the air, each from the various bug men tribes that were a part of the Beast Confederacy.

While startled at first, many within the group were fine with the sight, before a loud thud caught their attention and caused those newer to Nexus to look out toward the city's edge, where Airu let out a scream as she took in the sight of a massive beetle, one as large as Quartzmon and had what appeared to be a massive hive that was infused to its very being.

"Living Colonies." Nature Davis then told his confused friends, adding as he looked out toward the beast that moved toward the city's walls. "Ancient beyond measure and each with their own purpose, most serve as homes for the various insectoids within the Nature Realm."

"Wait… they live inside of that thing?!" Jeremy found himself questioning, his eyes widening as Nature Davis nodded in reply.

Knowing that they needed to get moving, however, the Grand Guardian then faced their escorts and told the group of beastkin. "They are not to be harmed. They are all guests and under my protection. You may keep your eyes on the Shadow and Arch-Savant, but do not act unless told so, understand?"

Nodding in reply, the city guards moved to positions around the group, before Nature Davis led his friends and allies, along with Clovis, down the tower and out of the embassy as they made their way toward the arena, where the coronation ceremony would take place.

As they made their way through the streets of the city, those newer to Nexus felt a little nervous as the civilians of the city looked upon them strangely, taking in the newer humans and the digital beings with them, while also being in awe to see the Grand Guardian and his Pack amongst them, along with Fire Davis and his Fire Team.

However, those same individuals were also shocked and worried to see the Shadow and the Arch-Savant as well, many terrified as they looked upon the champions of their arch enemies, of those who have sought to bring ruin and death to the Nature Realm and left to wonder why they were here within the city.

But a few amongst the civilians, those who knew Nature Davis well, took note of one individual, taking in the human girl dressed as a Dark Lord with brown hair, and realized quickly that this was the girl the Grand Guardian had often spoken of, that this was Kari Kamiya.

Walking amongst the four Davises, Kari tuned out the whispers and talks surrounding her, of how many of the beastkin and visiting Nature Realm inhabitants wondered if she was indeed the Grand Guardian's lover, while also questioning why she was a Dark Lord.

Eventually, the group arrived at the entrance of a large stone area, where they saw a pair of wooden statues at the archway, each made to resemble a beastkin and looked like a cross between a statue and a Native American totem.

"Cool statues!" Tagiru said with a small chuckle as he looked upon the wooden items, before the Superstar expelled a small and startled yelp as the statue's heads then turned and looked down upon them, their eyes glowing with Nature Mana.

"Spirit totems." Shinon stated as she told Tagiru with a clear respect toward the totems. "For some beastkin, when they pass, their souls are given the choice to remain within this existence and bind themselves to these constructs to continue to fight for their tribes and lands."

Getting over their surprise and nodding in understanding, the Digi-heroes and heroines watched as the spirit totems then looked upon Nature Davis.

"Greetings, Grand Guardian. Prince Tichalla as already set up an area within the arena for your guest to sit, while you must join him for the coronation." One of the totems informed, this causing Nature Davis to simply nod in understanding.

However, the Grand Guardian then grew concerned when the other totem then looked upon Kari and informed him and the others. "You should also be aware, there are currently over five hundred thousand challenges raised against the one called Kari Kamiya."

Hearing this, many within the group growled in frustration, especially Dark Davis, who questioned with a growing annoyance. "What, they are upset that she is a Dark Lord? They don't even know her yet!"

"No, the challenges are for the right to mate with the Grand Guardian." The totem said in reply, this causing everyone to deadpan at what they just heard.

Placing his hand over his face, Nature Davis groaned in annoyance and frustration, especially as he could feel Jiraiya giggling like a maniac within his gem.

However, as silence reigned for a moment, everyone slowly turned to look upon Kari, to see the Dark Empress hold a neutral expression for a moment, before she brought her right hand up, a dark aura blazing around it as she then questioned with a burning fury in her eyes. "Do you have a big enough graveyard for all of them?!"

Fearing that Kari was about to cause a massacre that would scar the Beast Confederacy forever, Nature Davis and many within the group did their best to calm the brunette down, while Jiraiya remained laughing hysterically as he mentally planned for a new book featuring a love crazed woman entering a death tournament solely for her lover.

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After getting Kari to calm down and allowing her to know that the challenges didn't have to be accepted, the group entered the area and sat high within the stands, sitting alongside Clovis and the Fire Realm's ambassadorial staff, with Kari sitting next to Fire Davis and Dark Davis, while Water Davis sat next to his dark variant as the rest of their friends and allies sat around them.

All around them, Kari and the others took in the thousands of beastkin within the arena, along with what appeared to be dignitaries from various human, elven and fairy kingdoms, along with a small group of what Lyna had described as giants and various mythical creatures.

On the floor of the arena, a gathering of elders and their champions stood before an altar, where Nature Davis and Tichalla stood as the ceremony began, the group above watching as the ceremony was being conducted by a series of strange creatures, which appeared to be snake men that had green scales and four arms, each of which held a deep and powerful connection to Nature Mana as they performed the needed rituals.

When questioned beforehand, Erik and the rest of the Pack explained to Kari and the others that these were the Orochi, an ancient race of snake men who each were master druids and powerful warriors of the Realm, serving as guides and advisors to many rulers of the beastkin.

As the ceremony continued, the lead Orochi then faced the elders, the council that would advise Tichalla as king, where the serpent beastkin then questioned with a slight lisp within their voice. "If there are any who would challenge Tichalla for the right to be king, ssspeak now!"

One by one, the elders said no, refusing to challenge Tichalla's claim to the throne and showing their support for their next king, which brought a smile to Nature Davis' face, to the knowledge that his old friend's line would continue to lead the Beast Confederacy.

However, after the last elder refused the challenge and before the Orochi could continue the ceremony, the sound of chanting and battle cries caught the attention of all within the arena, where they looked to see many beastkin enter the area.

Looking upon the warriors, Kari, Fire Davis, Dark Davis and Water Davis, alongside the remainder of their friends and allies, narrowed their eyes as they saw that upon the newer beastkin's armour was a symbol of three claw marks, the symbol of the Wild Horde.

Following the warriors, meanwhile, those newer to Nexus then took in a large beastkin, a tiger man with orange fur and green stripes, with a black mane around his head and wooden armour on his chest, legs and arms, green energy coursing through it as his eyes glowed with Nature Mana.

Around the beastkin's wrists were two long blades, each with the same green energy coursing through them and into the warrior's claws, giving him an imposing figure as he approached the altar with a small growl.

"Tigresss Khan, why are you here?" The Orochi priest questioned as he looked upon the leader of the Wild Horde, who merely spared the serpent beastkin a glance as he narrowed his eyes upon Nature Davis.

"It is Challenge Day." The feline Guardian merely said in reply, before he then turned to face the crowd and declared. "We have watched from the forests as the Confederacy bows again and again to weak leaders, passing the throne down from generation to generation to those who do not have the strength to do what is right for the Nature Realm!"

"And now, you would give the throne to a prince who would dare allow our enemies to walk amongst us!" The feline Guardian then bellowed in rage as he pointed toward Dark Davis and Water Davis, both of whom remained silent as they glared back down at the Wild Horde's leader.

"We will not stand for it!" Tigris then said as he turned and looked upon Tichalla, where the larger beastkin then declared. "I challenge Tichalla for the throne!"

This caused an uproar amongst the crowd, many finding Khan's declaration an outrage, others fearing for Tichalla's life, while a small number smiled, eager for a king they believed would make their confederacy stronger.

Refusing to back down, Tichalla was about to accept the challenge, before the Orochi priest cut in and said with a clear authority within his voice. "Prince Tichalla isss not a Guardian! It would be an unfair advantage againssst him!"

"I will fight in his stead." Nature Davis declared as he moved before Tichalla, summoning his hammer and prepared to put Tigris Khan in his place once and for all.

Seeing the feline Guardian smirk, however, Nature Davis narrowed his eyes as Tigris then told him. "By tradition, I may choose my opponent."

Turning around and pointing his blade toward the newcomers, the leader of the Wild Horde then declared. "And my opponent will be the new Dark Lord, the female!"

Hearing this, all four Davises, along with many seated around Kari expressed and shared a sense of shock and concern.

However, Kari merely narrowed her eyes upon Tigris Khan, the Dark Empress refused to back down.

It seemed to the brunette that she would be proving her worth sooner than she thought.

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Author's Note: We have now seen more of the Nature Realm, but a new foe has arrived, believing they could take down Kari and use her to their advantage. Stay tuned to see how that turned out as the adventure continues.