Nearly twenty minutes after Tigris Khan had declared his challenge against Kari, the floor of the arena was cleared and the leader of the Wild Horde now stood on one end of a raised platform, one created through Nature Mana, and the Dark Empress standing opposition on the other side as the brunette merely glared upon her latest foe.
On another newly created platform beside the one Kari and Khan were standing upon, Tichalla watched the scene before him, his expression of concern and anticipation.
With the Orochi priests surrounding the prince, along with Nature Davis, Fire Davis, Dark Davis and Water Davis, the latter of the group having their assigned guards around them, everyone waited for the battle to begin, the Shadow and Arch-Savant unwilling to just sit in the stands as their beloved prepared herself for another fight.
Meanwhile and back within the stands, the rest of those from the Digital World, along with Henry, Julie, Caleb, Victor, Kenji and the Pack, along with a very nervous Clovis, watched on with their own mixed reactions.
"This is bad, this is bad!" Clovis muttered with a growing panic as he believed this incident could be a political disaster, especially if Khan won and became the new king of the Beast Confederacy, an outcome that would strain the relationship between the Confederacy and the Fire Realm.
Watching from their seats, meanwhile, Alicia, Sakuya, Shinon, Lyna, Erik and Garen held a mixture of concern and nervousness as they looked upon the arena stage, each knowing that Tigris Khan was indeed a powerful Guardian who had defeated many Dark Lords in the past.
And despite the personal feelings toward who they perceived as their rival for Nature Davis' love, the four female Guardians of the Pack all knew that Kari's death would have a deep and personal impact upon the Grand Guardian, an outcome Alicia, Sakuya, Shinon, Lyna, Erik and Garen were certain that Khan was counting on.
"I am so sorry we didn't see this coming and…" Sakuya started to apologize toward the Digi-heroes and heroines as she turned to face them, the elven Guardian wishing to apologize for allowing Tigris Khan to put them in this situation and for Kari's potential death.
However, Sakuya then deadpanned as she took in the expressions of not just those from the Digital World, but the expressions of Julie, Caleb, the Wraith and the pair of Fire Realm heirs, where she saw them just watching the scene before them without a care in the world.
"You… none of you are worried for Kari's safety, are you?" Sakuya found herself asking, her words drawing the attention of her fellow Guardians and Clovis as they looked in shock and disbelief to see their new friends and the Fire Realm members looking on as if they were about to see a completely different outcome.
"I am going to be honest, Sakuya." Julie then said as her eyes remained upon the arena. "I have seen that girl in three different battles since she arrived here in Nexus, and added to what we've been told about her and her power, of her fighting for the past five years in their world… I kind of hope Khan has funeral arrangements set up."
To what Julie had told them, not only did the Pack and Clovis look upon the silver haired champion with a fair disbelief, but so too did many of the spectators around the group, many of whom knew Nature Davis well and had often heard his tales of Kari Kamiya as they found themselves unable to see the sweet and innocent girl he had spoken of as a being that could easily defeat someone like Tigris Khan.
Back down below, Nature Davis found himself growing worried himself, the Grand Guardian holding a sense of helplessness as he could only watch on as Kari took on a foe, one he knew was not to be taken likely.
Though he had heard from his variants about Kari's victories and of her power, Nature Davis couldn't help himself as he leaned in and whispered to his fiery counterpart in inquiry. "I haven't seen Kari fight yet, will she be alright?"
Thinking for a moment, Fire Davis let out a sigh as he told the Grand Guardian in reply. "Let's just say, it's not going to be a good day…"
From the reply, Nature Davis frowned for a moment, before his eyes widened as Fire Davis then added. "… for Khan."
Hearing this themselves, Tichalla and the Orochi sent side glances in the direction of the fire champion, the Shadow and the Arch-Savant, each seeing the calm and confident looks within the trio's eyes as they waited for the battle to begin.
Watching for a moment as the shadows emanated from Kari's gem and formed around her, turning into her Dark Lord armour as the brunette continued to just stare at him, Tigris Khan grinned to see that a part of his plan was coming to fruition.
The leader of the Wild Horde knew there would be resistance to him challenging Tichalla personally and while he entertained the idea of taking on the Grand Guardian himself in combat, Tigris knew that he was no match for his rival, nor any of his counterparts.
But this girl, however, was another angle he could exploit, for as far as Tigris was concerned, not only was she the beloved of the Grand Guardian and his variants, but she had just recently sided with the Dark Realm and became a Dark Lord herself, this continuing to bring a smirk to the Wild Horde Guardian's face as he believed that he could not only use her status as a Dark Lord to humiliate the Grand Guardian and his variants, but to also bring them pain when he struck her down.
Taking his eyes off of Kari, Tigris Khan then turned and addressed the audience as he said in a loud and booming voice. "See before you, the love of our Grand Guardian! One who has embraced the Darkness and sided with our enemies! How can we trust our own protector when…?"
Before he could continue with his dramatic speech, however, Tigris stopped as he felt something hit the back of his head, not enough to cause any pain, but enough to get his attention as many within the audience gasped and began to whisper amongst themselves, this causing Khan to turn and see a shadowy tendril return to Kari's shadow cloak as she held a somewhat bored expression.
"Quit showboating and let's get this over with." The Dark Empress just said with a continued boredom within her tone, before looking upon Tigris Khan with narrowed eyes.
"Or are you nothing but a scary cat who loves to hear his own voice?" She then questioned, teasing the prideful warrior as she continued to look upon him.
His eyes widening in shock and rage, Tigris Khan growled a little, the Wild Horde Guardian angry that this little girl, this nobody, dared to mock him, to turn his moment of glory against him.
"I have heard a lot of the 'great' Tigris Khan, of how he is a proud and fearsome warrior who would do anything for the Nature Realm, but all I see is a coward who uses others for his own ends, who sends them off to their deaths while he hides away." Kari then said as she continued to look upon Tigris, who snarled and glared back upon one who would show such disrespect.
"You know nothing of me or what I have sacrificed to protect the Realm." Khan growled as he took a step forward, the leader of the Wild Horde ready to put this little runt in her place and to take the throne of the Confederacy.
"Then stop talking and show me, or forfeit and leave like a coward." Kari said back as she summoned Darkbringer within her right hand, swinging her blade a little, before beckoning Tigris to strike at her.
Growling once again toward Kari's bothersome behaviour, Tigris had wanted to drive his point on more, to humiliate and use this girl to bring down her beloved Grand Guardian, but it seems that he would have to teach this new Dark Lord why he was feared and respected throughout the Nature Realm and beyond.
Bellowing with a great and primal roar, Tigris rushed at Kari with great speed, the sight leaving many within the audience to think that the fight was now over and that the brunette would be cut in half before their eyes.
However, as he got closer to Kari, Tigris was barely able to register what had occurred as Kari moved faster than his eye could see, the brunette dodging his strike, before the Guardian felt her hand press against the back of his head, before he was slammed into the ground.
Skidding across the platform for a bit before regaining his footing, the feline Guardian looked upon Kari with shock and disbelief as the Dark Empress remained in the same spot she was standing.
All around and watching the events play out, many within the arena looked on with shock and surprise to see how Kari easily handled Khan, with Nature Davis now grinning as he saw just a fraction of what his beloved was capable of, while his Pack each had shocked expressions upon their faces.
All the while, Fire Davis, Dark Davis, Water Davis and the rest of their friends and allies held amused smirks upon their faces, each wondering if Tigris would now realize the trouble he had gotten himself into.
From within the green gem upon his right hand, Tigris felt his partner, Legonia, desiring to be unleashed, to aid his Guardian in this fight, which only added to Khan's disbelief as he realized he made a grave error within his scheming, that this girl was not as weak as he first believed and that he would have to take her seriously.
Likewise, the leader of the Wild Horde knew he could not let his Wild Beast partner aid him, as the rules would count it as a forfeit, thus leaving the feline Guardian to rely on his own strength in order to take his opponent down.
'Would you like my aid in this battle, Empress?' Faustian questioned through his link with Kari, who merely shook her head in reply.
'Only if he releases his partner, otherwise, I will deal with him myself.' The Dark Empress thought in reply, her mental message received by Faustian, who kept watch as his partner continued her battle with the Wild Horde leader.
Lunging forward, Khan began to swing his claws and wrist blades toward Kari, who moved just as fast as her opponent as she dodged and parried each strike from her foe, the pair appearing as blurs to most within the audience as the battle raged on.
"Great, she's toying with him." Nene said with a small and bored sigh, the brown haired idol knowing now that Kari was going to make sure that not only did Khan know her strength, but that the brunette would also send a message to those who want to steal Nature Davis from her.
Hearing Nene's remark, Alicia, Sakuya, Shinon and Lyna looked upon the former Fusion Fighter with looks of pure shock, returning their gaze back upon the fight as the four now realized that they would have to withdraw their secret challenges for the right to be with their Davis.
Chuckling to himself as he watched Kari easily go head to head with Khan, who was three times her size, Erik remarked with a sly grin. "You sure know how to pick them, Davis."
As he continued to clash with the Dark Empress, Khan found himself mentally panicking, find his foe to be even more powerful than he expected as she easily held him off, the Dark Lord showing little effort of fatigue as she parried his strikes and forced him to dodge her own attacks, and through it all, the leader of the Wild Horde could sense that his foe was holding back much of her true power.
That thought alone terrified Khan, for if her Masters in the Dark Realm commanded her to attack the Nature Realm, the leader of the Wild Horde knew that this dark being before him would leave nothing but death and ruin in her wake.
At that moment, Tigris didn't care for the throne of the Beast Confederacy, the feline Guardian's sole purpose at that moment was on removing this potential threat against his home, and he would do so with his honour.
Leaping back a few feet, Khan then expelled another mighty roar as Nature Mana surged through him as his body glowed with a powerful green aura.
His eyes and his very being surged with energy as he turned his attention upon the female Dark Lord before him and found that a dark aura had formed around her body and her eyes began to glow with a dark purple energy as she prepared to continue the fight.
So tense were the energies released by the pair that many in the audience could sense the power, with some frightened by Khan's might, while others were terrified of the power at the Dark Empress' disposal.
Letting out another fearsome roar, Khan then slammed his blades into the rock platform and sent out several pillars of spikes toward Kari, before Tigris launched himself into the air and looked ready to strike his foe down before she could react to his assault.
Watching with some shock as the Dark Empress merely swung her blade and shattered the rock spikes, Tigris was certain he had his opening, but found his surprise only furthering when two of the shadowy spider legs emanated from his foe's cloak shot upward.
Quickly blocking the spider-like legs with his blades as he landed back on the ground, Tigris remained glaring at his foe as he continued with his assault.
Rushing at Kari, Khan continued to try and strike at the Dark Empress, who easily blocked and dodged her opponent, even as his actions turned more animalistic.
So consumed in his animalistic fury and his desire to bring Kari down, Khan failed to notice the large shadow growing beneath his and the Dark Empress' feet, growing to become a massive darkness that covered the entire platform.
So lost in his rage, Tigris did not even know he was caught until dozens of shadowy tendrils wrapped around his arms and legs, which then restrained the feline Guardian as he was lifted into the air, this causing the leader of the Wild Horde to thrash against his dark restraints as he tried to free himself.
Turning his gaze back upon Kari, Tigris' eyes then widened to find the Dark Empress pointing her blade toward him, her dark purple eyes narrowing as she all but ordered of the Feline Guardian. "Yield!"
Growling as he fought against the restraints and feeling the tendrils crushing his armour in the process, Khan replied with a growing rage as he bellowed. "I'd rather die!"
"Idiot!" Kari snapped with her own anger, before telling the leader of the Wild Horde with an honest tone. "You fought honourable, but do not let your pride blind you… your warriors still need you."
Turning his gaze in the direction of his entourage, Khan's eyes widened as he saw the look of fear and despair within his soldiers' eyes, where at that moment, the leader of the Wild Horde realized that his own life was truly in danger and that he was about to die, his goals left unfulfilled and the Nature Realm's fate left in the air.
Struggling more and more against his restraints in a futile attempt to free himself, Khan eventually swallowed his pride as he growled and declared with pure rage and self loathing within his voice. "I yield!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tigris felt the tendrils release him, the feline Guardian falling to the ground as the darkness receded back to Kari's own shadow, this leaving Khan panting from exhaustion and rage as the platform returned to the ground below.
"Tigrisss Khan hasss yielded! The challenge is over, Prince Tichalla'sss champion isss the victor!" The Orochi priest declared, his words causing many within the arena to cheer, mostly due to the fact that their prince would become king, while the Digi-heroes, heroines and their allies all cheered toward Kari's victory.
At the same time, the Wild Horde warriors rushed to check on their leader, while Kari returned Darkbringer to its shadowy form and allowed it back into her gem, where the Dark Empress then allowed her battle armour to revert to her standard attire as she turned and began to walk toward the four Davises.
With his warriors helping him to his feet, however, Tigris Khan looked upon Kari with contempt as he questioned with a deep confusion and anger. "Why did you spare me? We are enemies!"
"No, we are not." Kari merely said back in reply, her response confusing not just Khan, but many within the arena as the Dark Empress turned and gave the leader of the Wild Horde a serious look as she then told him. "I only fought you because you challenged me."
"I came to this world to find the man I love, to find that he was split into five versions of himself, my only goal being to reunite with all of them to figure out our future together. I took the Trials of the Dark Lords to save my own life so that I can continue to be with the ones I love, sacrificing my ability to return home, to return to the empire I built, all for their sake, but I do not care for the Dark Realm's war with you or the Light Realm, that is your war and the Dark Council granted me autonomy from the conflict." The Dark Empress then said, remaining with a serious expression as she then told Khan. "I may not fight alongside you against them, but I will not fight their war either. All I desire is to be with my beloveds, and I will stand against anyone who tries to get in the way of that."
Finished with her sincerity, Kari then turned and began to walk toward the four Davises, each of whom smiled at her as they ignored the whispers and murmurs going around the arena, all of which seemed to be filled with intrigue toward the girl who held the hearts of the champions of Nexus.
Continuing to look upon the Dark Empress in shock, however, Khan took in her words, but found himself still concerned about what could happen if she decided to turn on the Nature Realm, a possibility he would not let come to pass.
Clenching his right hand and remaining bitter, Tigris was about to summon Legonia, to have his Wild Beast partner strike at Kari before anyone could have the chance to react and protect her, to strike her down before she knew what would happen.
But before he could strike, Khan looked on as a series of vines sprouted out of the ground and restrained his arm, where his eyes then widened when he heard an all too familiar voice call out from behind him and inquired. "Your opponent shows you mercy, yet you seek to repay that action with betrayal?"
Hearing the call, Kari turned to see what was happening, to see Tigris' arm restrained by vines, before looking on as members of the audience parted ways, allowing a lone figure to walk down to the arena floor, a being that everyone she passed bowed with pure respect and devotion.
Even the four Davises, Henry, Julie, Caleb, Clovis and the Pack looked on in shock to see who was walking onto the arena floor, each having not expected to see her of all people present today, while those newer to Nexus, along with Victor and Kenji, looked on with confusion and intrigue as they took in the figure.
At first glance, the figure appeared to be a female of the same beastkin tribe as Tigris Khan, who was wearing a green sash over her breasts and a green veil that wrapped around and covered the area in between her legs.
A cloak made of leaves rested upon her shoulders and went down her back, one with two branches sticking out of the shoulder pads, but upon closer examination however, Kari and the other saw that the female appeared to have green skin, which was actually made entirely out of leaves, while branches merged and wrapped around her arms and legs, as well as out of the top of her head, as though forming a crown above her head.
Braided dark hair flowed down the feline beastkin's back and a pair of glowing green eyes focused upon Khan, who was equally shocked and slightly bewildered to see this person here of all days.
"Wow, I didn't think she would be here today." Alicia said with a clear awe within her tone as she looked upon the figure, her astonishment gaining the attention of those newer to Nexus, which caused Veemon to express his curiosity and to then ask. "Who is she?"
"That is Ungala, queen of the Leionian tribe, as well as an arch druidess of the Nature Realm." Erik said in reply, before smirking as he then began to tell his new allies. "And in this case…"
"Mother?! I…!" Tigris Khan let out as he tried to explain his actions, his words causing Kari to widen her eyes upon hearing that this being of Nature was the Guardian's mother as she watched Ungala lean down and placing a hand upon Khan's cheek, the vines releasing his arm and returning to the ground below.
"Your love and devotion are strong, my son, but you need to remember to trust your heart in such matters." Ungala told her son, who growled a little and looked down to the ground, a sense of frustration with himself and toward the situation consuming him, but remained silent as his mother stood up and then approached Kari.
Having spent much of her life around cats, the Dark Empress found herself easily able to read their moods, and looking upon Ungala's face as she approached her, Kari could see that the arch druidess was filled with curiosity and amusement.
"You are indeed not all you appear to be, my dear Kari Kamiya." Ungala said with a kind smile toward the Dark Empress, who nodded in a show of respect for the being before her.
"Indeed, she is more than we thought." Another feminine voice then said, this one causing many within the arena to look up, where Kari's eyes widened to see a figure descending from the skies down to her.
Looking over the figure and taking in their appearance, the Dark Empress saw that it was a female humanoid clad in black armour and robes that had gold trimmings set in an elegant design and lead to two points that protruded from the back of the being that emitted with strands of light which softly waved about similar to tendrils.
The figure's head, meanwhile, was covered with a black hood and included gold trimmings, while a golden mask covered her face, revealing where the being's eyes and mouth should be.
However, when looking upon the face, those newer to Nexus could not see any facial features, only a black void that obscured any vision of the being, as though the light was reflecting upon her in a way to conceal her face.
As the being floated down toward Kari, the Dark Empress' eyes widened as she realized just what this being was, while the four Davises held separate reactions.
While Nature Davis and Water Davis held small smiles toward the figure, Fire Davis and Dark Davis frowned in response toward the being's presence.
"Is… is that what I think it is?" Kazu questioned in a state of awe as he and the rest of those newer to Nexus looked upon the being and held a shared idea as to what it was.
'Yep, that's an angel…' Henry replied with a small growl, as he had already had enough encounters with the beings of the Light Realm to know one when he saw them.
"That is Verathiel, the Light Realm's ambassador to the Beast Confederacy." Clovis then remarked with a hint of annoyance within his tone.
Landing before the Dark Empress, Verathiel looked upon Kari as she told her with a sincere tone in her voice. "It seems we have much to talk about, Kari Kamiya."
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An hour later and after Tichalla was crowned king, Kari found herself walking through the streets of the Beast Confederacy capital, with Ungala on her right and Verathiel on her left, the pair wishing to speak to the Dark Empress on their own terms as the rest of the group remained with the new king.
And though each of the Davises wanted to accompany the brunette, Kari asked her beloved to stay behind and to allow her this chance to continue to prove herself to the Nature Realm and to the Light Realm.
Having only Gatomon join her, the feline Digimon walked alongside her partner and Ungala, who held her own curiosity to what the angel desires of her partner.
Likewise, the sight of the Grand Guardian's beloved, a Dark Lord, walking alongside the arch druidess and an angel of the Light Realm caused many within the streets to look on with awe and intrigue.
Ignoring the glances, Ungala was the first to break the silence as she told Kari with a kind sincerity within her voice. "I apologize for my son's actions. He loves his home, but the years of war have changed him and not all for the better."
"He still has his honour and sense of duty, which you should be proud of." Kari said with an understanding respect within her voice, the Dark Empress giving the feline leader a small smile in the process as she hoped there would be no hard feelings between her and Ungala after defeating Tigris Khan in battle.
"You made a bold statement back there." Verathiel then said, gaining Kari's attention as the angelic ambassador then went on to say. "A bold one for one who abandoned the Light."
"The Light of the Digital World, the Light of the world I am from, the Light that was used as an excuse to keep me from my love, that tried to cast him out, but not your light, not the Light of…" Kari then said, only to chuckle for a moment as she then told Verathiel. "Forgive me, with all the time we have spent in Nexus, I know little about your realm, let alone your Dragon God's name."
"The Divine Alpharius." Verathiel told Kari, before adding as she continued to walk alongside the Dark Empress and Ungala. "I suppose having an understanding of our realm would help you understand the situation."
"All inhabitants of the Light Realm, angels, humans, elves, exalted, dwarves and celestials, are all Alpharius' children, each living a member of the Hosts that honour the great dragon's virtues, Justice, Hope, Wisdom, Valour and Purity. Each Host has a specific duty within our realm, with Justice serving as our defenders and law enforcers, Hope as our helpers, doctors and ambassadors, Wisdom as our scholars and researchers, Valour as our warriors and Purity as our priesthood. From each Host, warriors are chosen to become Arbiters, our realm's greatest defenders and answers to Guardians, Champions, Savants and Dark Lords of the other realms, each bound to the Arch Angels, Light Dragons and Seraphic born from Alpharius' Light, with the Archon serving as their leader and guide." The angelic ambassador told the Dark Empress.
"Each Host also has a representative that sits upon the Conclave, the rulers and administrators of our realm under the Light Empress, a body that must be unanimous in their decisions, less the division breaks the unity of our realm." Verathiel then said as she turned and faced Kari. "The Host of Justice stands behind the Archon in his desire for you to enter our lands, as does the Hosts of Hope and of Wisdom, but, in their zeal against the vile Darkness and the chaotic forces of Fire, the Hosts of Valour and of Purity are against the idea."
"There are many questions still concerning you, Kari Kamiya." The angelic ambassador said with a serious tone, before she then faced Kari and asked of her. "If the Eternal Lords who favoured you ask you to aid them against us, would you?"
"And, more importantly to the Conclave, if you were to turn on us, would the Archon stand against you, or stand against his duties?" Verathiel then questioned, her inquiry allowing Kari to understand the heart of the issue and to why there was a resistance against her in regards to visiting the Light Realm.
"I expect Davis, the Archon, to do what he always does, to protect those in need and to find a way to make things right, even if he has to stand against me." The Dark Empress said in reply, before the brunette looked upon Verathiel.
"As for the Eternal Lords, Azhara and… Noctus, I believe his name is… the Dark Council granted me autonomy, and while I know the two of them are outside their jurisdiction… I do not have an answer to that, not until I cross that bridge. I hope that is a good enough answer for you." She remarked.
"It will suffice, for now." Verathiel said back and in reply, nodding her head toward Kari, Gatomon and Ungala as she told the trio. "I will make my report to the Conclave on this encounter. While I do not believe my words can sway the opinions of the Hosts of Valour and of Purity, I do pray in Alpharius' holy name that it eases their worries."
"If they are unwilling to let me travel to the Light Realm, that is fine, but please, allow the Archon to travel here within the realm of your allies so that we can be reunited." Kari begged lightly, briefly having taken in the sight of Ungala shivering at the mention of the two Eternal Lords who favoured her, before the Dark Empress watched as Verathiel nodded her head, where she then took to the skies and made her way back toward the Light Realm's embassy, leaving Kari and Gatomon hoping that the Conclave would see the compromise she gave them and allow Light Davis to come to her.
Turning their attention back upon Ungala, Kari and Gatomon saw the smile upon the arch druidess' face as she told the pair with a sincere tone. "We should get back to the arena now, the coronation of a new king is a cause of great celebration, one neither of you would want to miss, especially with most of your beloveds here."
"Have faith in Verathiel as well, she has more sway than she gives herself credit for." Ungala then told Kari, this bringing a smile to the Dark Empress' face as she and Gatomon walked alongside the feline beastkin and made their way back toward the arena.
"Can I ask something?" Gatomon then felt she had to ask, gaining Ungala's attention as the Digimon of Light then questioned. "Were born all… leafy?"
Laughing with amusement and understanding how her appearance might be confusing to outsiders, Ungala shook her head and told Gatomon with a kind honesty within her voice. "No. Not long after Tigris became a Guardian, our tribe sacrificed much to drive off an invasion of Noctus' forces, where we were rewarded for our efforts by the Nature Empress as we became one with Nature, leaving our normal flesh and bones to become creatures of life itself. Which is why my cub isn't leafy as well."
Now understanding why Ungala flinched when she mentioned Notcus, Kari remained with a smile as she continued to listen to the arch druidess speak, the Dark Empress smiling as she felt that things were working out now for the better.
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As the sun set over the Beast Confederacy, the skies were alight with fireworks, while cheering and music filled the air, the entire city now celebrating the coronation of Tichalla and the new era for the Confederacy.
Even Tigris Khan and his Wild Horde were allowed to stay for the celebration, the feline Guardian still feeling his pride wounded, before watching on as Kari brought him and his warriors drinks, reminding them as they looked upon her with suspicion that if she wanted them dead, they would already be dead.
Swallowing his pride once again, while feeling a new respect for the Dark Empress, Khan took a glass and raised it in honour to celebrate Kari's victory before taking a sip, the former Digidestined of Light doing the same, before joining her beloveds so she could spend time with them.
Currently, Fire Davis, Water Davis and Dark Davis were standing to the side near one of the tables their friends were seated at, the guards assigned to the Arch-Savant and Shadow still around them as the three Davises watched Kari dance with their nature counterpart, the trio allowing the Grand Guardian his time with Kari as they pair danced together, the pair staring into one another's eyes with a clear love and devotion.
"Man… this takes the term 'furry party' to a whole new level…*hic*…" A familiar, albeit drunk voice then said to their side, this causing Fire Davis, Water Davis and Dark Davis to shift their attention to see the very, very drunk form of Tai Kamiya, who looked barely able to stand and just took another sip of the alcohol provided to him.
'I had read reports on Tai's excessive alcohol consumption since our arrival in Nexus, but… I do not believe that the beverages provided are meant to be consumed by normal humans in this quantity.' The Arch-Savant mentally commented toward his two variants, who nodded silently as they kept a watchful eye upon the drunken Digidestined of Courage.
"You good there, Tai?" Fire Davis then questioned as he put a hand on the older Kamiya's shoulder, who gave another hiccup and just looked upon the fire champion with a kind smile.
"You'd better believe it, Davis…*hic*… everything is working out… we found you guys…*hic*… the war is over… and Kari is finally happy again…*hic*…" Tai said back in reply and with a drunken slur as he looked upon his sister with a growing smile, which grew as he saw the loving smile upon her face.
Deciding to take advantage of Tai's drunken behaviour, Dark Davis then looked upon his former idol and asked of the brunette. "A question, Tai, why were you against me… against us being with Kari back then? You knew us better than anyone and knew we were just acting, you knew the real us, so why?"
Refusing to intervene, but also wanting the answer to the same question themselves, Fire Davis and Water Davis looked upon Tai with their own curiosity.
Remaining silent for a moment and sobering up a little as he looked at his cup and replied to the Shadow's inquiry, the Digidestined of Courage said in reply. "The more you acted like me… the more I saw everything that was wrong with me…*hic*… Recklessness, stubbornness… practically a jerk…*hic*… and I thought that Kari deserved better than that… that she deserved to have someone, anyone then another me…*hic*… But I got that wrong… and I've spent the past five years paying for it…*hic*… that's why I am so happy to see her smiling again…"
Briefly looking behind Tai and himself, an action his variants mirrored, Fire Davis then raised his eyebrow as he then questioned the drunken Digidestined of Courage. "Is that the same mentality you used to not go after Sora?"
Remaining silent for another moment, Tai then sighed and told the three Davises with a continued drunken honesty. "We were friends for so long…*hic*… I thought there was something there… something between us…*hic*… but in the end, she chose Matt over me, and I don't blame her…*hic*… I'm reckless, stubborn and a jerk…*hic*… I love her, but she deserves better than me… she deserves a man who can be there for her and can truly make her happy..."
Looking upon one another, the Davises then looked toward Tai, as well as who was sitting behind them, before Fire Davis softly and encouragingly rubbed Tai's shoulder and told the drunk Digidestined. "Have faith, Tai, things can always change for the better."
Watching as Tai merely gave a somewhat dismissive nod in reply and took another sip of his drink, the sight leaving Fire Davis, Dark Davis and Water Davis to believe he will have a killer hangover in the morning, the fire champions then patted the back of the individual who sat behind them and Tai, the person left speechless as the trio of Davises moved to join Kari and their nature variant.
So lost in his drunken haze, Tai never noticed that Sora was sitting right behind them, the Digidestined of Love having heard every word her oldest friend and, despite what she may say, first love had said, leaving the orange haired girl lost in thought as the man she truly loved continued to drink behind her.
Though she enjoyed the amazing and various forms of sex and pleasure amongst the Davises, and part of her hoping Kari would let her continue to join the fun in the foreseeable future, Sora now found herself refocusing her attention upon Tai.
Feeling the weight of her own actions, of how she acted out of fear of losing him and turning to Matt in the thought that she could still keep Tai close to her now bore itself down upon her, and Sora knew that she would need to have a serious talk with the Digidestined of Courage, once he had sobered up and she had given him enough time for his unavoidable hangover to pass.
Completing her romantic dance with Nature Davis and giving him a small and loving kiss, Kari then smiled as Fire Davis, Dark Davis and Water Davis made their way toward her, the presence of the alternate Davises causing the Dark Empress' smile to further itself as she felt nothing but the love they each held for her.
Believing that soon Light Davis would join them, Kari couldn't help but smile, feeling as though everything was finally right in the world and that nothing would break that.
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Reinforcements have arrived… commencing Harvesting operations…
Deep in the night and at the Water Realm's defense structures along the border with Nature Realm, a large armada of Water Realm ships emerged from the sea, slowly crossing the border as it made its way toward the area of the Beast Confederacy to harvest resources for their realm's use.
And if any stood in their way, the armada would strike them down, as they had for eons.
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Author's Note: Kari is victorious, Tichalla is king and we got a first look at the Light Realm, but the Wars of Nexus continue on. How will Nature Davis and his allies deal with this latest threat? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
PS: Answering the question that was asked before, yes, there are angels in the Light Realm, but they are based on the angels of the Diablo series. In fact, Verathiel is based on the character of the same name from the series. As for when Light Davis arrives, that will be the epic moment I mentioned beforehand.
