A.N. Thank you all for the reviews!

''Speaking.''

Thinking

[Communicating via text, phone, magic, telepathy, etc.]

In a long hallway, footsteps could be heard echoing across the marble floor. Between the imposing stone pillars that flanked the walls, a lone figure walked with a measured pace, his gaze held firm at the two doors located at the end of the hall, not sparing a glance at the craftmanship surrounding him. Reaching the end of the hallway, he stopped. A few seconds passed before the two doors slowly began to open by an unseen force, letting crisp air run inside and make his cape flutter.

Behind the doors, a balcony greeted him. Just like everything else in the Great Pandemonium, this observation post was built with size in mind; you could comfortably hold over forty Digimon of various of sizes, and there would still be plenty of room left. Continuing his walk, he was soon met by a single person leaning against a parapet, their back turned to him, watching as the mist that filled the scenery from the fortress to the distant canyons slowly glided around without destination, while the last rays of sunlight could be seen illuminating the horizon. Stopping a respectable distance away from the watcher, he knelt. His left hand came resting on his bent knee while his right one hung freely. Looking downward with reverence he announced his arrival.

''Your Highness.''

''Tactimon.''

Turning around, his liege, Bagramon, greeted him. The soldier felt his Lord's gaze linger on him for a moment before continuing.

''Come, let us talk.''

Having permission to stand, Tactimon rose, his eyes turning towards his master.

He seemed just as same when Tactimon last saw his Lord; His Highness' robes and cape were white as snow and without a blemish. A series of golden plates decorated his front, most notable was the breastplate with an embedded silver-grey gemstone adorning in the middle. As beautiful and masterfully crafted His Highness' garments were, it was the right side of his body that garnered the most attention. Where there used to be flesh and bone was replaced with carved pieces of ivory wood, from head to toe. The most notable part was his skeletal right hand which was almost as long as Bagramon. Not many knew the origin of His Highness' prosthetics and even fewer the power and knowledge he had been granted by them. With eight ashen wings sprouting from his back and five red horns growing from his head, Tactimon's master truly seemed like the angel of death. On his dark-skinned face, scarlet eyes shined full strength and danger, yet they also held kindness in them. There was also the weariness which had slowly yet steadily taken place in his Lord's countenance. The uncounted years and the Xros War that had lasted centuries were getting on to him, even if Bagramon tried to hide it.

Seeing His Highness again felt strange and Tactimon didn't know why.

As Bagramon turned back to marvel at the misty sights, Tactimon felt compelled to join him. Coming to stand at his Lord's right side, neither of them said a word, enjoying the silence for what it was, yet Tactimon felt something amiss.

''I hope I didn't pull you away from anything urgent?'' As always, his master voiced his concerns even while knowing the answer ahead.

''Your summons will always take precedence over other matters, Your Highness,'' and this he meant, for Tactimon would always answer his Lord's calling.

''I take it everything is going well then?''

''Yes, Your Highness. While the rate at which we have conquered Zones has seen a decline, this is all within expectations. Bamboo Zone's conquest has come to stall since the Blue Fire arrived there and the Lava Zone's code crown has fallen to the Xros Heart. We are also experiencing an unusually high amount of resistance from the Bamboo Zone and I believe we won't be able to hold it, should either of the human's forces arrive there.''

''I see. Continue your good work, Tactimon,'' was the simple reply.

While many would have found his master's answer odd or even insulting, Tactimon knew better.

All Three Head Officers, the closest people to Bagramon, knew the Xros Wars were started because His Highness wished to see the end of the injustice that inhabited the Digital World, but only Tactimon was entrusted with the true objective of His Highness' plan. Conquering the world was not their Lord's end goal like many Digimon feared. What their master wanted was to have a war between light and dark and find which side prevailed. It didn't matter if the Bagra army faced defeat or success, as long as those human children were facing tribulations, everything would proceed as His Highness had planned. Yet again the soldier was left impressed by his master's deep intellect in orchestrating everything in this war to proceed as he had planned with none the wiser.

Tactimon wasn't sure how much his fellow Head Officers suspected they were being left out, but even if they held some unvoiced suspicion, he knew it wasn't something worth getting worried about. Lilithmon had sworn to defend her beloved Lord to her last breath and Blastmon was someone who simply didn't care, being more interested in admiring his own beauty and searching which Zone held the most gems to devour. Tactimon himself would follow his Lord without a question. After all, Bagramon had ensured unwavering loyalty to be one of the traits the soldier would carry.

Thinking about his two close associates brought gloominess to Tactimon, which was unexpected. The feeling of wrongness inside him was also growing and he had no idea what was the cause. He had to voice his thoughts to his master.

''Your Highness, do you feel as if something is not as it should be?''

Bagramon continued to gaze at the misty scenery, where dusk was starting to fall.

''Hmm. Please elaborate on what you mean.''

''I apologize,'' he bowed his head instinctively, ''it's hard to put into words. I feel this uneasiness. When I try to concentrate on what this could mean, the answer eludes me, like a dream that one tries to remember after waking,'' There was something Tactimon was missing, something he shouldn't have forgotten.

''Curious. I feel no such thing.''

Was he the only one who felt this then? Perhaps he should inquire if Lilithmon or Blastmon had noticed anything unusual…

Wait, what am I thinking? To think that a dead man like me could meet those two anymore is a foolish notion-

Like a flash of lightning, realization struck Tactimon as his memories came flooding back to him: He had died and found himself in a limbo of sorts. And then… everything after that was hazy. Deciding to drop that part for now, his head snapped in Bagramon's direction.

''There was a war raging right outside the gates of Pandemonium! The Xros Heart and Blue Fire, we fought them here. I fought against them, and they bested me.''

Realizing his hands were squeezing the parapet with such force that cracks were starting to appear, he let go of the stone structure.

''Your Highness, you finally found your answer, and with that the path that had to be taken,'' The soldier looked around as if seeing everything for the first time before focusing back on his Lord. ''How can we still stand here after witnessing the end of our world?''

The growing wrongness was starting to become oppressive.

''I do find this strange indeed.''

Bagramon was still facing the misty landscape, unmoving.

''I have a question for you as well,'' His Highness's voice took an emotionless tone. Turning around, black eyes met Tactimon's, ''Why do you smell Red?''

What?!

The soldier took a step away from his Lord and to his shock, witnessed as everything started to collapse. The sky, the floor, His Highness himself, everything before his eyes was crumbling away while shadows rose.

Soon Tactimon was greeted by the all-too-familiar darkness, but this time he wasn't alone; the soldier found himself surrounded by countless reptilian eyes. Twice his size and slitted pupils, the black orbs somehow illuminated the otherwise lightless place with their ethereal glow. These eyes formed a single impossibly long line, making twists and turns seemingly at random, continuing so far that the necklace of eyes became distant constellations until disappearing from his sight. Everywhere he looked, he saw how the black eyes lazily circled him, their movement reminiscent of a snake. Every single one of them, from the closest to the distant ones and beyond, were all staring at him, never blinking and the aura they emitted threatened to make his skin crawl.

This thing was the origin of the wrongness he had felt in his mind and with horror, Tactimon realized that he had somehow let this unknown entity in his mind without knowing.

The shock was quickly replaced by anger as Tactimon sprang into action. His first response was to strike at closest eye to him in hopes of breaking the assailant's concentration, effectively severing the connection they had formed in his mind, or at least hinder them enough so he could force them out of his head. But to his alarm, he realized he couldn't move, his limbs felt like lead; as if El Doradimon's weight had been applied to his body.

Switching his approach, Tactimon gathered whatever last vestiges of strength he had to raise his mental barriers in a desperate attempt to shield his memories and thoughts, but this turned out to be futile. The power this alien presence wielded seemed as infinitely great as the number of eyes it had; his previously unconquered mental fortresses' gates were left open, allowing the entity to devour all the knowledge and secrets he held unopposed. To his small relief, the unknown assailant didn't seem to have made any attempt to dig the deepest parts of his mind, where his most closely guarded secrets were, being content in going over his more mundane memories, for now at least.

Tactimon was not letting this opportunity be wasted, seeing how outmatched he was. There was only one approach left, one born from desperation and hopes of buying time. Having gotten inside his mind, the creature had formed a mental connection between the two, meaning Tactimon should be able to relay his thoughts and feelings to the opposite party. The creature in question seemed to possess at least some intelligence, so he hoped this worked. Taking a nonexistent breath, he reached out.

[Begone, out of my head! The memories of the dead are not for sharing!]

Saying his piece with all the authority and emotion the former general of the Bagra Empire could muster, Tactimon saw how the eyes surrounding him suddenly halted their movement and felt the alien presence mostly withdrawn from his mind.

[You are conscious.]

Thousands of beings spoke as one. Unprepared, the tidal wave of voices came down crashing inside his head. Three words, yet they carried such strength.

[I tought you would never wake up.]

Having gotten back his bearings, Tactimon was ready this time when the voices spoke. Carefully choosing his wording the soldier replied.

[While this soul might be at the end of its journey, the memories I hold are still mine. Who are you, who is so interested in what I hold?]

[I am the Ouroboros Dragon, Ophis. Dragon born from Nothingness, the embodiment of Infinity.]

Ophis. An unfamiliar name. It seems he had ended up far from home. And then there were the titles, confirming what Tactimon had already deduced. He was dealing with someone he couldn't afford to offend.

Since the other party had given their name, he felt he should do the same as well.

[I am Tactimon, Ophis, the Dragon of Infinite,] He felt no need for titles, having no longer master to serve; he was just a simple rōnin.

[You are not from here, Tactimon,] Ophis stated, their eyes beginning to circle him once more.

[It seems to be so.]

What else have you learned from my mind? Was left unsaid.

Bracing himself, Tactimon prepared to ask a question that would decide the course of this conversation, fearing what the answer might be.

[Tell me, Oroboros Dragon, for what reason have you sought me?]

[I came here after sensing Great Red's presence outside the Dimensional Gap. I found you, halfway vanished from existence, and got curious. I have connected my mind to yours so I can keep you here, at least a while longer.]

So he had been found on the borderline of annihilation? It would explain what had happened: He had been hallucinating in a near-death state, and while being at his most vulnerable, Tactimon had unknowingly offered Ophis straight access to his mind and by doing so, the Ouroboros Dragon had brought him back to consciousness. Be it the truth or not, he agreed that his life was nearing its end. He felt weak and old, so very old…

But he couldn't give up just yet. He still wasn't sure what Ophis' intentions were, seeing that they were still keeping his data from scattering to the wind of the cosmos.

Better make the most of this then.

[Pardon my ignorance, Ophis, but as an outsider, this ''Great Red'' and ''Dimensional Gap'' are not something I am familiar with.]

[The Dimensional Gap is a plane of absolute silence, located between worlds. I was born there, enjoying its silence,] The thousands of eyes slightly narrowed, showing emotion for the first time. [Then came Great Red, a dragon who invaded my home and deprived me of the silent existence.]

So this Great Red was someone that Ophis regarded as an enemy and was powerful enough to drive out the Embodiment of Infinity? Tactimon's mind began to work on this new information. Could this be a trap created by Great Red, to lure Ophis here by using me as bait? If so, the dragon must have found him when he was unconscious. The soldier tried to remember what had exactly happened after his death, but the memories were spotty and blurry at best. The only thing he could clearly remember was being swallowed by the Beast of Apocalypse.

And then there was the revelation of more worlds existing. While the Digital World had been split into many Zones that could be thought of as worlds of their own, they still existed within the digital realm just like the Dark Area. To hear that there were more universes out there than his own, -not counting the Human World- was something.

The more answers I get, the more questions I am left with.

There were too many unknowns and if he wished to get a full picture, Tactimon would need to ask more questions. This, he believed, would not be a problem; his conversation partner was being very open about their past, which was most likely because they didn't consider Tactimon a threat at all. As much as he loathed to admit it, their assessment was accurate.

But then again, did he need to know? He had fulfilled his duty, there wasn't anything else left for him…

Tactimon's ruminations came to a sudden halt when the thousand-eyed dragon decided to break the silence.

[Your realm is interesting, Tactimon. Similar, yet different. Does there also exist a place between dimensions?]

So that's what Ophis wanted to know. Having lost their residence, the dragon was looking for an alternative place where they could migrate.

[There was something similar, we called it ''the Digital Space''. Unfortunately, I cannot say if it could have been called a place of silence akin to your Dimensional Gap.]

[You speak in the past tense of your world. Does it not exist anymore?]

He was expecting the dragon to notice that.

[You are correct in your assumption, Ouroboros Dragon. While I did not personally witness the end, I saw the beginning of it,] Tactimon had to pause before continuing, […I do not believe anyone could have stopped what had been set in motion.]

He knew that destroying their world had been the correct action, only ruin would have followed had His Highness not done so. He should feel relieved not sad.

[You refer to The red-black two-headed dragon, Zeed Milleniumon,] Ophis stated their voice level as ever.

Once again he was left wondering just how much had the Ouroboros Dragon seen from his memories.

With the mention of the Beast, one thing began to nag him: If Tactimon had somehow been able to arrive in this new unknown world, couldn't the Beast of Apocalypse follow him here?

[Will it be able to enter this world?]

Ophis' eyes turned away from him, pupils shrinking, and becoming narrow strings as the dragon gazed into the distance.

[ I have not sensed any more disturbances in the Dimensional Gap since your arrival,] Pupils returning to normal, the dragon added, [Great Red would not allow it.]

Then this was it. He could at least perish knowing that the denizens of this world would have the opportunity to avoid the Digital World's downfall. Tactimon hoped they would have the strength to persevere and overcome the ugliness of the world, living their lives true to their beliefs.

[If you do not have any more inquiries, Ophis, I ask that you leave me be and allow this weary soul to lay rest.]

Still gazing in the distance, Ophis' eyes returned to Tactimon. He hoped the dragon would grant him this last wish.

[Pledge yourself to me Tactimon, and help me kill Great Red.]

What?

The dragon must have been jesting.

[What use would someone as mighty as you have from a puny me? Surely I would only be in the way?]

[In your memories, I saw you leading others to battle many times. You came back victorious, seldom did you know defeat. If you join me, I believe that I will also obtain victory.]

Tactimon's back straightened and he could feel pride swelling inside him. For all his prowess with the blade, his mind had always been his greatest asset and Ophis had seemed to recognize that as well. Sobering, he stared at the sea of eyes.

[From my first to the last breath, I proudly served my master to the end, for he was everything I could wish for. I was content after knowing I fulfilled my duty and readily embraced death. To ask this old soldier to rise from his grave and pick up his sword once more… What would this entail?]

[I have others who serve me. I lend them my power and in return, they scour the worlds, searching for ways to end Great Read. You will have the same accord; I give back your life and you will seek how to dispose of Great Red from the Dimensional Gap.]

Those terms left quite a leeway.

[That is quite a generous offer, Ophis. You seem to hold a lot of faith in someone who you've just met.]

[Why should I doubt you to not hold your end Tactimon?]

The dragon had him there.

[And if I were to decline?] This was the moment of truth, to see what were Ophis' true colors. Did they intend to make him theirs no matter what?

[Then I will sever this connection and let you face oblivion.]

There was no deceit in Ophis' words. During their conversation, the Dragon had been blunt, outspoken, and harsh, yes, but Tactimon never felt he had been lied to.

Relief and excitement came at the same time. A new chance was right in front of him! The soldier was openly laughing, filling the void with rapturous sounds. Could this be the future Shoutmon spoke of?

To think that a day like this would come…

[You are strange, Tactimon.]

Sobering himself, Tactimon took a serious stance.

[Before I answer, I have one request. While my master has the full right to know me and use me to further their goals in ways they see best suited, even I have some secrets I like to keep close to myself. I humbly ask for your understanding on the matter and that you keep what you have learned from my world to yourself.]

Knowledge was power, and he wouldn't trust handing anyone else his, you never knew what weaknesses your opponents would learn from them.

The eyes seemed to ponder this and Tactimon could hear a deep rumbling sound coming from Ophis.

[I can do that.]

[Thank you for your understanding.]

With that, his answer was clear.

[I accept your offer, Ophis. I will be your sword that cuts down your enemies and the shield that guards you from those who would harm you. From this moment onward, when my body turns to ash and my soul ceases to be, I shall devote my life to you, Oroboros Dragon, Ophis; Dragon born from Nothingness, Infinity made manifest.]

[Take my snake, it will give you strength.]

A small black snake manifested before him, its black oily body slithered lazily around, tasting the air. After smelling Tactimon, it shot to his face, somehow passing through his faceplate, and slithered inside him. He could feel the snake's power seeping into him, and he welcomed the rejuvenating feeling. For Ophis, it was a drop of water given from the ocean. For Tactimon, it was a flood that he had to be careful not to drown in as he thirstily drank the liquid, so exhilarating was the raw power that had suddenly surged inside him.

As his strength began to return, Tactimon noticed how the darkness surrounding him had started to give way to brightness, revealing blurry shapes. As the light continued to seep in, more details were revealed to him.

A rocky and barren landscape greeted him. Looking up, he could see the sky, mostly hidden by grey clouds that glided toward the distant horizon, hiding the sun's warmth. Here and there tall and steep rock formations rose from dryland. Seeing all this, Tactimon truly understood how close he had been to facing oblivion if he had been this blind to the world around him.

Taking a deep breath, he could feel the air burn in his lungs, reminding him what it meant to be alive. Seeing movement in his peripheral vision, the soldier turned their head and was greeted by the sight of a small female, coming a little short of his chest.

The petite woman wore black maid shoes with low heels on her feet and a dark dress that was left open, revealing her short white drawers. Her otherwise bare front was covered only by two purple scarves tied around her abdomen along with some very modest coverings on her chest area. Lastly, she had a pink bow tied around her neck and a bonnet on top of her head, from which a black down-hair was growing, almost touching the ground. For being in such a revealing outfit, she showed no signs of embarrassment. Appearance-wise, she could have been easily mistaken for a human child, were she not sporting pointed ears and almost lifeless black eyes unbefitting for a girl of such age; two eyes that watched the soldier with the sharpness of millions. While the form was different, the creepy aura she emitted belonged unmistakably to his new master.

Staring at each other, Ophis stepped forward.

''There was something linked to your soul. While the essence is separate, it bears your presence.''

Ophis raised her slender arms in the air and dark data particles started to gather around her fingers, expanding into an elongated form that overshadowed her before taking shape.

Tactimon's breath hitched.

A massive sword several times Ophis' height was held in her left hand while her right held a scabbard which, while not as massive as the blade, was still over twice her height. For an outsider, the scene would have been bizarre: a small girl was holding a sword and sheat several times her size in the air with straight arms as if she had found two interesting-looking sticks that she wished to show others.

The massive sword oozed malevolent energy, its blade one massive bolt of lightning frozen in time, with a wide, serrated form ready to cut anything that would come touching it. Circling the blade was a snake made of shadows, its eyes many, searching for its next prey.

His sword, Jatetsufūjin-maru, snake sealed in iron by god. Tactimon hadn't realized how much he had been yearning for it.

The snake noticed Ophis and made a round around her and let a hiss, its forked tongue coming fingerbreadth away from her ear, before returning to circle the blade.

"Rude," Ophis' expression hadn't changed a bit.

The blade started to lose its shape, becoming a black shrinking mist to which the snake retreated. Unsheathing the blade, Ophis presented it to him, holding the scabbard horizontally.

Tactimon kneeled, staring and waiting. Seeing no more prompt from her, he finally took the sword to his hands. Having his other half back he finally felt full, all the limbs having finally returned to the body. Holding his sword, he could feel the ever-raging storm settle a bit, waiting for the time when he would unleash its fury.

Attaching his sword to his belt, the servant addressed his new Lord, "What is thy command, Your Highness?"

''I will take you to my base.''

''Very well, Your Highness.''

''I, am Ophis.''

''Forgive me, Ophis,'' lowering his head, the soldier offered his apologies.