From the war council chamber which resided within the silver spire of the Infinity City, the five Davises, the Dark Empress and their allies of Nexus and of the Digital World continued to watch in horror as the Light and Dark Urgothians began their siege of the Light Realm City of Eiganjo, the Dark and more savage of Urgoth's Children rushing toward the city's outer wall, while larger horrors tried to break through the metal that comprised the city's outer defenses so they could reach and destroy those who dwelled within.
Along the walls of the city, soldiers of the Light Realm similar to the ones that were a part of the Host of Justice prepared a retaliation, unleashing a great barrage of light energy blasts from their rifles upon their savage foes, while angelic legions flew down with Light Realm fighters and Children of Alpharius to combat their ancient foes as a small fleet of airships began to open fire upon the Urgothian hordes.
However, the aerial forces of the Light Realm soon found themselves in battle with the flying monstrosities of both the Dark and the Light Urgothians, forcing the defenders within the skies to refocus their attention as the city's protectors upon the wall continued to do what they could in order to drive their enemy back.
"They can't last long against this invasion, we need to help them immediately!" Julie said with a growing urgency within her tone, her concerns earning the shared belief amongst her Davis and his variants.
"How long will it take the fleet to get there?" Yolei asked with urgency, the Digidestined of Love and Sincerity sharing her own concerns. "Will we even make it in time?"
"If we were to set out now and fly there, no, the journey would take a week at least." Water Davis told Yolei in reply, his words shocking all amongst the DDF alongside the members of the Dark Imperium, at least until the Arch-Savant went on and said. "Fortunately, the Infinite City is unlike any other."
"As it is connected to each of the Realms, we are able to open portals big enough for us to travel to where we need to go instantaneously." Light Davis informed his friends, just as one of the monitors displayed the holographic image of a massive portal opening near the city, where the Dark Citadel and the majority of the Nexus airships and flying creatures began to move toward, along with the Wild Horde and others within the Nature Realm's forces.
Moving themselves, the five Davises, Julie, Caleb, Victor, Kenji, Henry, a few of the Dark Lords that were present, as well as those loyal to Dark Davis, the gathered Savants, Tigris Khan, Nature Davis' Pack, Imperius and Auriel began to advance toward the chamber's exit so they too could join the forces heading to aid Eiganjo themselves.
Turning however, Fire Davis looked back upon those from the Digital World with a fair seriousness within his expression.
"You guys wait here until the reinforcements from the DDF and the Dark Imperium arrive, then you can join in the battle." The fire champion said, his words receiving a nod from TK and many of those present.
His eyes then turning upon Kari, Fire Davis remained protective and was about to ask his beloved to remain behind for her own protection.
However...
"I am going too." Kari declared as a fiery determination could be seen within her glowing dark purple eyes.
"I am also a Dark Lord, thus I too have a responsibility to protect Nexus from this threat. Besides, I said I would never leave your side again, and I meant it." Kari then said with a somewhat calmer voice, while all five Davises briefly looked amongst one another, knowing in their hearts that they could not keep their beloved from joining this battle.
"And where Kari goes, I go." Gatomon declared with an equal determination within her voice, much similar to Kari's own.
Being her partner but also as her best friend, the Digimon of Light was ready to fight alongside the Dark Empress and keep her safe no matter the cost.
"I'm coming too!" Veemon then declared as he too refused to sit back any longer and just watch as the variants of partners further risked their lives.
Smiling toward their Veemon and toward his familiar determination, the five Davises nodded in reply, before Dark Davis then turned to Light Davis and commented. "In that case, it's your turn."
Confused at first, the Archon was then startled slightly when his dark variant then tossed something toward him.
Catching the item and looking upon it, Light Davis expressed a fair shock to see his D-3 back within his possession after so long.
Smiling at the knowledge that Veemon would once again be able to Digivolve into a new form and that he could fight alongside his partners in battle, TK began to speak as he informed the five Davies. "Alright, we'll wait here and…"
"I'm coming as well." Rika then said, her words cutting TK off as the others looked upon the red haired hybrid with confusion, one even Kari and her beloveds shared as the Nonaka looked upon the others and said with a continued seriousness within her voice. "You need all the firepower you can get right now, and as I told you, I was able to go head to head with Kari before she became a Dark Lord."
"Besides…" The red haired hybrid went on to say as she looked back toward the holographic display and looked upon the images of Eiganjo, where Rika informed her friends and allies. "I don't know why, but this city… something is calling to me..."
Their eyes widening, the five Davies looked toward one another in a silent understanding, before the Archon quickly looked toward Imperius and Auriel as he sensed the same shock within the pair of angelic Arch Arbiters.
"Very well, but we must move now, hurry!" Fire Davis said with a growing urgency, his words receiving instant nods from Kari, Rika, Veemon and Gatomon as the four joined the group of defenders as they left to join the forces heading through the portal to defend Eiganjo.
Left alone with the two Fire Lords and their guards, the Dark Council members, Finubar and his fellow Cyber Kings, Cerine and the Conclave member, TK, Mikey and the others from the Digital World remained frustrated, each silently praying that Michael and Angie were successful and that reinforcements from their world would soon arrive so that they could aid their friends in another battle against the Urgothians.
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Growling in frustration, the Arbiter assigned commander of the defenses of Eiganjo continued to focus upon the battle, the light being watching as a pair of Light Realm airships were destroyed by Dark and Light Urgothian Dragons, the debris crashing down upon the city's spires.
With the airships taken down, the Urgothian abominations gained a further advantage within the battle and finally punched a hole through the city's walls, allowing swarms of Dark Urgothian horrors to charge through the opening and to proceed toward the line of Light Realm soldiers who had taken a defensive line against their foes.
Using their light energy shields and spears, the Light Realm soldiers remained united to hold back the tide of Urgothian horrors.
Pushing their foes back and skewing the vile legions with their weaponry, the forces of light remained strong for the hope that reinforcements would soon arrive and bring them that much needed aid.
But despite these hopes, the lead Arbiter found himself growling with doubt and concern as more and more of the Urgothians continued to pour through the gap in the wall and into Eiganjo's streets.
While more of the Dark Urgothians scaling the outer wall in order to reach the defenders, the Light Urgothian legion broke into a charge, the more focused of Urgoth's children showed their discipline as they finally broke through the Light Realm soldiers' line of defenses, several of the soldiers either dying outright from the assault, or were captured by the enemy as they poured Urgoth's blood into the defenders, where the Arbiter watched solemnly as his warriors were warped into the abominations themselves, many quickly being put down by those they had considered comrades mere moments ago.
In the skies, meanwhile, similar scenes were happening as the angelic forces clashed with their Urgothian counterparts, where the horrid beings that made up the Light Urgothians either slaughtered the angels, whose light vanished as their armours crumbled away, or did what they could to convert the Nexus foes and turn them into more puppets of Elezar.
Clenching his fist toward the horrors around him, the Arbiter closed his eyes and muttered under his breath with faith and devotion. "Holy Alpharius, please… give us a miracle."
As if answering his prayer, the Arbiter then snapped his eyes open when he heard the Urgothians shrieking in pain and confusion, looking to see a vast army of Dark Realm spectres rushing through the enemy lines, cutting down their foes as the Dark Lord the Arbiter knew as the Wraith was leading the charge alongside another who he knew was a servant of the Shadow.
At the same time, Fire Realm and Nature Realm warriors rushed alongside the Dark Realm's forces as they clashed with the Urgothian invaders, while more soldiers of the Light and of the Water Realm moved about and began to reinforce the forces both within the air and upon the walls of the city.
Looking upward, the Arbiter's shock grew as he saw the massive armada of airships and aerial fortresses now surrounding Eiganjo, easily recognizing the flagship of the Archon and the Dark Citadel of the Shadow amongst them, allowing the commander to see that the combined forces of all Nexus had come to their aid.
Furthermore, and upon witnessing more Children of Alpharius joining the battle, which included the legendary Alcadeias, the Arbiter then saw Children of the other Dragon Gods coming to the city's aid, including those he was certain were partnered with the Archon's counterparts.
The commander of the city's defenses was then taken off guard when he heard the sounds of energy manifesting behind him, the sound causing him to turn and see a small group of individuals teleport and materialize right before his eyes, to see a group that included the Archon himself, his right hand and commander of the Host of Justice, the Arch Arbiters of both the Hosts of Hope and of Valour, along with the Archon's four variants and two females which the Arbiter had never seen before, though one appeared to be another Dark Lord herself.
"Lord Archon!" The Arbiter said with a great respect within his voice as he bowed before Light Davis, before he then told the five champions and their allies of their prediction. "The Urgothians have breached the outer walls and our forces are being overwhelmed. We have moved the civilians to the primary keep and the Cathedral of Alpharius until we can properly evacuate the city."
Nodding in response toward the report, Light Davis looked amongst the rallying defenders, before he then asked. "And where are the city's main protectors?"
Ignoring the confused looks Kari and Rika sent toward him, Light Davis merely listened as the Arbiter said in reply. "They are gathering as we speak. They should be joining the battle soon."
"Very well. Please lead Lord Imperius and Lady Auriel to where they will be needed while the rest of us discuss where we will best be of use in this battle." The Archon instructed as he looked toward the Arch Arbiters, where Imperius spared Dark Davis and Kari a glance before taking to the air with Auriel as the defense commander summoned his own wings and led the pair of angels toward the battlefield below, leaving the five Davises, Kari and Rika to themselves as they saw the remainder of their allies in the midst of combat.
Looking up briefly, the group saw Ophanimon: DM joining the battle, the dark angel Digimon unleashing a powerful blast of darkness upon a group of winged Urgothians which instantly decimated the faction.
Impressed toward Ophanimon: DM's dark power, and to the clear control she wielded over it, the five Davises remained with that shared sense of awe toward the presence of the dark angel's companion, to see Veemon's new Mega Level form.
Infused with Light Mana and radiating with absolute power much similar to TyrantVeedramon, but unlike his Dark Mana Digivolved form, this new variant of UlforceVeedramon held the appearance of a larger scaled Magnamon.
Clad within golden armour which covered his entire body, excluding his tail, his armour closely resembled Light Davis' own armouring, while set upon his back appeared to be a set of wings which were formed by pure light and somewhat covered by a flowing white cape, enhancing his appearance as a warrior of light and as a hero.
Wielding a pair of light energy blades much similar to those which the Archon used, the new form of Veemon, better known as AscendedVeedramon, rushed past Ophanimon: DM as he struck down to lend her his aid.
"Ascended Blades!"
Rushing through a swarm of Light Urgothian angels, AscendedVeedramon easily cut down his foes, the new form of Veedramon not even taking the time to watch as the abominations behind of him dissolved into the black blood, instead he kept his attention upon a pair of Light and Dark Urgothian dragons which appeared to be heading straight for him.
As Ophanimon: DM moved and regrouped alongside him, the Mana infused Digimon prepared to counter their latest foes.
Gathering light energy into his chestplate and preparing to unleash the energy as a powerful attack, AscendedVeedramon bellowed with a further might.
"Path of Destiny!"
"Eternal Darkness!"
Unleashing their energies together, the darkness of Ophanimon: DM and AscendedVeedramon's light merged into one, the forces of light and of darkness forming a powerful blast which incinerated the Urgothian dragons before they could even counterattack.
"You know, I used to dream about seeing this city burn." Dark Davis remarked as he and the others took a moment to watch AscendedVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM remained united.
To Dark Davis' remark, Kari, Rika and his counterparts gave Dark Davis a deadpanned stare.
"Just not like this." The Shadow then told the others.
"We'll be sure to let the Urgothians know of your displeasure." Fire Davis said with a fair sarcasm within his tone, before he turned to face Kari, Rika and his variants.
"We need to focus, not only on driving the Urgothians out of the city, but we also need to make sure they do not reach the gravity stabilizers." Water Davis told the others with a fair concern within his voice. "If those are destroyed, the city will plummet to the surface below."
"Which will kill everyone in the city, got it." Rika said in reply as she wasn't too keen to the idea of such an unwanted death occurring, before she saw Light Davis shake his head, to inform that there was more to that explanation.
Emphasizing just how serious the issue truly was, the Archon then told Rika and Kari with his own concerns. "There is more. This city hovers over several kingdoms of the Light Realm, home to millions, so if the city falls…"
"Then it will drop like a meteor and kill everything below as well." Fire Davis said with a fair growl within his voice, before refocusing upon his variants and telling them. "Alright, let's split up and strike at the Urgothians. Do what we can to drive them back toward the Breach."
"Kari, you stick with one of us." The fire champion then told his beloved, which received Kari's compliance, before the fire variant of Davis looked upon Rika.
"And Rika, whatever it is that's calling you, I am sure it is that way." Fire Davis went on to say.
Looking in the direction Fire Davis was pointing, Rika saw a massive cathedral, which seemed out of place amongst the Japanese inspired buildings, but as though sensing her confusion, Light Davis approached the red haired hybrid and told her. "While there are many ways of worshipping Alpharius, the Church of the Dragon God is the official power, and such Cathedrals are built in all cities of the Light Realm. It is where those chosen to become Arbiters receive their power and their partners."
Blinking for a moment as she took in what the Archon had told her, Rika found herself questioning what was really going on, but she also knew that she could not deny the calling and simply nodded her head in reply.
"Remain on alert as well, Shelog is leading this assault, and while she is not as… brutal as Velgoth, she is far more savage in her own right." Nature Davis then said with a fair warning within his voice, the Grand Guardian remembering all too well how the ruler of the Dark Urgothians fought.
With Kari and Rika warned of their enemy, the group then split up to join the battle below, while the red haired Hybrid made her way toward the cathedral as she felt the calling within her growing stronger and stronger.
And with what Light Davis had told her about the building, Rika could help but wonder, was this all meant to be, was she to become a champion of the Light Realm, to become an Arbiter?
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All across Eiganjo, the forces of Nexus battled the Dark and Light Urgothian legions, where the various allies and friends of the five Davises worked alongside their respective Realm forces in order to combat their ancient foes.
While Victor and Kenji join the knightly and samurai forces sent from Ignisia and Asahi, Julie, Phirox, Caleb and Ferox fought alongside their fellow Fire Champions and their partners.
Unleashing their fiery might upon the Urgothians, an assault that was soon joined by Blaze and Fire Davis, the fire variant of the Motomiya who had taken within his Mana Form landed between a large group of Dark Urgothians and delivered a powerful fiery blast that encircled him, spread outward and incinerated the horrors before they could counter the inferno.
Within another section of the city, Dark Davis, who too had taken to his Mana Form, led the charge of the Dark Realm forces.
As the Shadow was accompanied alongside Desred, Orphiais, Cyoton and Sythial, Belezar, Faustian and Kurdoss meanwhile led the Children of Mordrakus against their the Urgothian abominations, the warriors of Darkness each expressing their own sense of delight not only to be slaughtering their vile enemies, but to the knowledge that their ancient rivals within the Light Realm had to watch as they saved their realm.
Hovering in the skies above, within his own Mana Form and with Cybrian at his side, Water Davis showed his might.
Unleashing a barrage of plasma blasts down upon the Urgothians, the Arch-Savant coordinated the Water Realm's forces through the Network as they tried to figure out their enemy's movements and plans, while Water Davis remained strong and calculated within his attacks.
Below, and aiding their fellow Nature Realm kin, Nature Davis' Pack worked as a team to drive the Light Urgothians back.
Having changed into his Mana Form, the Grand Guardian and Jiraiya broke the lines of mindless abominations and allowed their allies to rush in after them, the wild Beastkin being backed up by arrows from the Fey beings as they struck down their hated enemies.
At the same time, however, four members of the Pack had a certain deal going on between them.
"Hey, Lina, ten already!" Alicia called toward the rabbit Beastkin, the feline Guardian hoping to win the wager between her and her fellow female Guardians to get the most kills, where, after learning in secret about Kari's special nights for her beloveds, the winner would be allowed to as the Dark Empress for a chance to join in on such fun.
"I'm on forty!" Lina replied, who remained focused solely upon her task as she struck down several more flying Urgothians with her arrows, her response only enraging Alicia.
"What?! I won't let a damn rabbit come between me and my love!" The feline Guardian declared with a greater rage within her voice, which she then acted upon.
Rushing at a group of Dark Urgothians that came to aid their kin, Alicia ripped the dark horde apart with her claws as the battle continued, showing her fury and her passion to never give up.
Toward the centre of the battle, Imperius, Auriel and Demezel led the Light Realm forces of their Hosts and the city's defenders as they held the line against the charging Dark Urgothians, with the Arch Arbiter of the Host of Valour growling slight to the fact that the wicked and vile forces of the Dark Realm and the Fire Realm were within the walls of one of their holy cities, but swallowed his pride as he knew this truce would end when the Urgothian threat was finally over.
Looking upward, the three angelic Arbiters then saw the two Digimon that joined their forces fly overhead, followed closely by Alcadeias, before turning their attention to see the Archon and his beloved land before them as another wave of Dark Urgothians charged toward them.
Entering his own Mana Form, Light Davis unleashed a powerful blast of light energy toward his foes, while Kari swung Darkbringer, sending forth a wave of Dark Mana that, combined with her beloved's attack, decimated the charging abominations and gave the Light Realm forces a moment to breathe.
Turning her attention toward the angelic Arbiters, Kari looked upon Imperius, who merely nodded his head in appreciation for her actions, a response that was good enough for the Dark Empress for the time being.
Turning their attention as the group felt another dark presence approaching them, Light Davis, Kari and the angels looked to see the Wraith appear before them, ready to aid them in battle, before Henry looked around and asked in understandable confusion. 'Hold up, Where's Rika…?'
In response, Kari pointed Voidrender in the direction of the Cathedral, an answer that seemed to surprise the ghostly Dark Lord greatly as he questioned. 'Wait, why…?!'
"She has heard a calling, and she is answering it." Light Davis merely said in reply, his answer not sitting too well for Henry, who knew that if what the Archon was saying is true, then despite his best wishes, once this war is over, he and one of his oldest friends would be on opposite sides of the conflicts in Nexus.
It was at that moment when a large number of beings then rushed past the Light Realm lines, leaping into the fray of battle as they unleashed their fury upon the Urgothians, where the Archon then said with great pride. "Good, Eiganjo's protectors are here."
Looking upon the new beings to join the conflict, Kari saw many golden armoured samurai, monks and even mystics, with the samurai wielding blades of light, the monks having golden energy around their fists and talismans made of pure light floating around the mystics.
However, it was the appearance of the beings that truly caught the Dark Empress' attention as she questioned those around her in awe. "Fox people?"
Indeed, the protectors of Eiganjo appeared to be a cross between foxes and humans, a sight that only added to the Dark Empress' wonderment about Rika and her possible fate.
"The Kitsune are ancient and powerful warriors, as well as devoted servants of Alpharius." Auriel told the Dark Empress, before she added with a further pride directed toward the ancient warriors. "They built Eiganjo eons ago and have stood against those who oppose the Light ever since."
Looking briefly back toward the Cathedral, Kari and Henry each wondered if Rika would be alright, before the duo found they had to refocus on more pressing issues as more Urgothians broke through the outer walls, the attack forcing the gathered group to engage their foes and do what they could to drive them back.
Along and upon the outer walls, meanwhile, Shelog watched the battle with a growing bloodlust, which had only increased upon seeing the reinforcements that had come to protect the city, this causing her hands to twitch and for a dark chuckle to escape her lips as her claw blades extended and the spider appendages upon her back grew in length.
"I AM NOT HERE AS A WITNESS!" The ruler of the Dark Urgothians screamed with fury as she leapt from off of the walls and down toward the battlefield, her thirst for blood further consuming her.
Expelling an inhuman shriek as a powerful dark energy formed around her, Shelog moved through the battlefield with blinding speed, the bloodthirsty being slashing and cutting her foes down with her bladed hands and spider-like appendages, while revealing within the carnage she was creating.
Morphing around the Dark Urgothian's body, the darkness then took the form of the lower half of a centipede, with Shelog's upper body remaining as she continued to move about the battlefield, wrapping her shadowy body around a Fire Dragon and crushing it with her new form, causing her to laugh maniacally toward the cries of pain emitted from her fallen prey.
Changing her shadow form into a series of spider-like legs, the bloodthirsty abomination continued her rampage across the battlefield, slaughtering any who stood in her path.
For the moment, retrieving the Catalyst was not a concern for Shelog, at least not until she had her fill of death.
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Flying through the city as she made her way closer toward the Cathedral, Rika felt the pain of guilt toward the thought of the Davises, Kari, Henry and their allies fighting while she continued on this calling.
Despite her concerns however, the red haired hybrid could not fight this feeling as she drew closer toward her destination, her mind thinking back to the events that she believed brought her to this moment in time.
It was no coincidence that as Sakuyamon, Rika and Renamon were no match for Kari in battle, and yet, within her current form, she was able to go head to head with the Dark Empress as she was before she became a Dark Lord.
Furthermore, and despite having already claimed Davis upon the moment he was supposed to die, the Veil's gaze remained upon the Digital World at least long enough to collect Henry's spirit upon his death, who was instrumental in an event that didn't happen for thousands of years within Nexus, as though the Veil knew of the older of the Wong sibling's role in the events to come.
Finally, Rika thought on Kari herself, on how the former Digidestined of Light held the same kind of power within her as one used to create the Veil in the first place, and how unlike others, those from the Digital World were able to enter and leave Nexus of their own free will.
Something or someone, the Emperors of Nexus, Dragon Gods or something more powerful was at work, and after hearing the Light Empress speak of Kari's supposed role in things to come, Rika couldn't help but wonder if they were all pawns in some long game that has been playing out for eons.
'Rika…'
Stopping in her tracks and landing on the ground, the red haired hybrid looked around as she tried to find the source of the unknown voice, one that echoed within her mind and seemed to be growing stronger as she advanced further to her destination.
A voice that, despite being one she had never heard before, seemed familiar to the red haired hybrid.
Looking in front of her, Rika realized that she had arrived at the Cathedral, where her eyes widened to see several Kitsune samurai on guard, their appearance a surprise to the red haired hybrid, before she saw a pair of Kitsune mystics and a human priestess then approach her.
"Welcome Rika Nonaka. You have been expected, your trial can now begin." The priestess said with a trustworthy smile as she gestured for Rika to enter the Cathedral.
Bewildered further by what was happening but doing as she was told, Rika silently followed the priestess and the mystics within the tall structure.
Taking in the scenery once inside, Rika looked around and took in the golden walls, the statues depicting Alpharius and imagery within stained glass windows of the Arbiters and the children of the Light Dragon God battling the forces of the Dark Realm and the Fire Realm.
Eventually entering another chamber, the red haired hybrid took in a sight similar to the one she had seen during Kari's Trial to become a Dark Lord, only this chamber was one of Light, where a platform stood around a pillar of light that shot up and through the ceiling, while a trio of statues depicting Alpharius in different poses were positioned around the altar.
Looking back upon the priestess, Rika then questioned with a mix of worry and doubt within her voice. "Isn't there some ritual we have to conduct first?"
"In normal circumstances yes, but these are not normal times." The priestess replied with trust within her voice, before she gestured toward the pillar of light and went on to say. "All your trials since the arrival of the Archon and his variants within Nexus have led to this moment. Step into the light and embrace your destiny."
Clenching her staff, Rika did as she was told as she then approached the pillar of light, where she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then stepped forward.
Consumed by the light, the former Digimon Tamer felt a powerful presence bearing down upon her, one ancient and omnipotent, which she knew was Alpharius' spirit itself, while alongside the Dragon God was another presence, one that felt familiar, yet different to Rika, one she knew was the being calling out for her.
"Your long trials… your desire to protect those you love and to heal those wounded by their grief and rage have all led you to this moment…" Alpharius said, his voice powerful and wise as the Light Dragon God then told Rika. "Within you is the heart of a champion of the Light… a warrior and a protector… and for the trials yet to be, you must ascend and become more…"
"Now, take my power and rise… Rise, Rika Nonaka, Arbiter of the Light…!" Rika then heard Alpharius declare as she felt the Light around her enter her being, increasing her own power and giving her strength as her eyes began to glow with a golden light.
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Outside of the Cathedral, the Kitsune samurai took to fighting stances as a small horde of Dark Urgothians made their way through the streets of Eiganjo, the twisted horrors taking sight of the temple of the Dragon God of Light which caused the Dark Urgothians to expel shrieks of rage and bloodlust as they charged toward the structure so they could slaughter all within and snuff out Alpharius' light.
But as they readied themselves for combat, the samurai were taken off guard by the presence of a sudden and powerful source of Light Mana, where they turned their heads to see the newest Arbiter of the realm now standing at the entryway to the Cathedral and making her way down the stairs.
Infused with the power of Light Mana, Rika's armour had changed from its original white colouring to the golden shade of the Light Realm.
The yin and yang symbols upon her shoulder pads had been replaced with the icon of her new Realm, twin tassel-like capes were draped down the front and the back of her shoulders, while emerging from her back, the Light the red haired hybrid now felt coursing through her being took the form of energy wings, but unlike the Archon or the other Arbiters she had encountered before, Rika's wings took the form of a series of talismans made of pure light, each remaining close to one another in order to allow their user her use of flight.
Within her left hand, Rika continued to wield her staff, which now held a golden crystal that floated within the centre of the ring, while in her right hand was a newly formed katana, one with a blade made of pure light energy.
Finally and with her golden hood now down behind her head, Rika's head was concealed in a golden fox mask much similar to Sakuyamon's, but unlike the mask of her old Biomerged form, the red haired hybrid's new helmet held the mark of the Light Realm upon her forehead and allowed her glowing golden eyes to be seen.
Standing proudly in front of the Kitsune samurai and before the oncoming Urgothians, who did not seem deterred by the presence of the new Arbiter of the Light, Rika remained undeterred herself and continued to advance herself toward the twisted horrors.
Bringing her right hand up and revealing the golden gem set upon her forehand, Rika felt its energy grow as the gem began to glow bright, this action quickly followed by a bright light behind the red haired Arbiter, one accompanied by a noble and feral roar.
From out of the light, a massive creature of the Light leapt forward, a Seraphic made to resemble a massive fox-like creature, one which appeared to be constructed out of golden armour and had a pulsating light source coursing throughout its form, connecting its paws and head to its torso, as well as forming the four tails of the creature.
Sprouting from the light fox's back were talisman wings similar to its new partner, while the Seraphic, who Rika knew in her heart was named Ravana, held four glowing eyes upon her head.
Expelling another fearsome roar, Ravana cut down a row of Dark Urgothians with her light energy claws, before unleashing a blast of Light Mana from her mouth, the light energy incinerating the remaining abominations in the process.
Though their foes before them were defeated and the Cathedral seemed safe for the time being, Rika knew that the battle was far from over, a feeling Ravana seemed to share with her, despite the Seraphic's silence.
Knowing that she had to continue within the conflict and to aid her friends, the red haired hybrid then leapt onto the back of her new partner, before the fox-like Seraphic took off into the sky with a howl, both Rika and Ravana sharing the same desire to protect those close to them and stop the evil of Urgoth from destroying the Light Realm.
Hearing that very howl within the distance, the five Davises Kari, Henry, their partners and allies, AscendedVeedramon and Ophanimon: DM turned their attention upon the new Seraphic, the various heroes and heroines each taking in Rika's new appearance as an Arbiter of Alpharius, where they then watched as the Nonaka slammed her staff upon her new partner's back, the action causing the crystal within to glow with a greater intensity.
From the golden gem, a swarm of fox spirits, each made of Light Mana, surged forth, dodging Rika's allies and striking down as many Urgothians as possible, the vile creature screaming in agony as their forms were consumed within the light.
As Ravana unleashed a powerful blast of Light Mana upon some of the larger Urgothian beasts, Rika flew off of her partner's back, allowing the Seraphic to join the other partners in the battle as the red haired Arbiter landed beside Kari and Henry.
Looking upon Rika for a moment and still annoyed by the fact that she was now a member of the Light Realm and that they may have to fight one another one day, but knowing he was needed elsewhere within the battle, Henry told his old friend with some annoyance in his ghostly tone. 'We are going to have a serious talk about this…!'
Watching as Henry took off to aid his fellow Dark Lords against some of the larger Dark Urgothian horrors, Kari then turned to face Rika, the Dark Empress pleased and impressed in regards toward her friend's new power, yet also concerned for what it meant for the red haired hybrid's future.
"Rika… why? You'll be stuck here forever, your life back home…" Kari began to say with an understandable concern,but stopped herself upon seeing the solemn smile upon the red haired hybrid's face.
"I have a fox tail and a pair of fox ears, it's kind of hard to have a normal life back home." Rika said in reply, before she looked upon her light blade and added. "And with our war over, I don't really have a place within the Digital World either. Here, I feel like I can do some good, that I was meant to be here."
"Besides, most of my closest friends are here, even if one is a ghost and with the Dark Realm, so I can't just abandon them." The red haired Arbiter then told Kari with a small laugh, before adding with a soft smile. "And if need be, we can arrange for my mom and grandmother to visit me here, just like we did with Davis' parents."
About to comment and speak further on the issue, Kari found herself silenced as she and Rika quickly found themselves surrounded by a swarm of Light and Dark Urgothians, the ambush forcing the two former enemies and love rivals to stand back to back as they prepared for battle.
"You know, we also need to talk about how we're going to keep our… 'arrangement' with them, right?" Rika then found she had to ask as she briefly looked over her shoulder, a light smirk on her face as she could sense Kari rolling her eyes toward the red haired Arbiter's mind focusing on the nightly fun with her beloveds at a time like this.
"Not now, I'm a little busy here." The Dark Empress merely said in replied, before she and Rika moved as one, swinging their weaponry as they cut down the charging Urgothian warriors and horrors, before the pair then swung their staves, sending forth two arcing waves of Light Mana and Dark Mana as they annihilated the Urgothians attacking them on the ground.
Leaping into the air and with their backs still facing one another as the flying horrors surrounded them, the light that formed Rika's wings and the darkness that formed the shadowy cloak and spider-like appendages to morph and reshape, transforming into a massive fox's head made of pure light and a dragon's head constructed from out of pure darkness.
To those of the Fire Realm who had witnessed the skirmish between the DDF and the Dark Imperium upon Kari's arrive to Nexus, the two attacks resembled the powerful blasts the Dark Empress and the red haired Arbiter were about to unleash upon one another before Fire Davis intervened.
But unlike that time, these attacks were now being used together instead of against one another, both infused with the Mana of Nexus as Kari and Rika spun in a circle, their energy blasts of darkness and of light incinerating a large number of the flying Urgothians, before the pair landed back upon their feet and on the ground beneath them.
Remaining on their guard, however, the Dark Empress and the newly christened Arbiter knew that the battle was far from over, where their senses went on high alert when they felt a powerful force closing in upon them.
Turning to face the new threat, Kari and Rika found themselves slightly nervous to see Shelog land before them, the Dark Urgothian ruler giggling with a growing madness as she told the pair with a dark glee. "Congratulations, you have my ATTENTION!"
Moving into fighting stances, the Dark Empress and the red haired Arbiter prepared themselves for what they believed would be one of the toughest fights of their lives, one that they would face together.
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Author's Note: The battle for Eiganjo has begun, and Rika has joined the defenders of Nexus as an Arbiter of the Light Realm, along with gaining a new partner in the process. But will she and Kari alone be enough to take on the bloodthirsty leader of the Dark Urgothians? And what is the Catalyst the Children of Urgoth speak of? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.