If there was one adjective that could define Pharaohmon's life, it was undoubtedly planned. Since birth, he had been reminded that one day he would succeed his father as the Pharaoh of Sand Zone, and that he must prepare for that role. Throughout his childhood, he had been educated for it, and finally, after the death of his parents, he inherited the position and began to rule the zone as he had been taught.
As a ruler, he simply fulfilled his duties regally; which had become mere routine for him: he acted as judge in the most relevant cases, ordered the construction of grand works, managed the economy and supply system, and coordinated worship, among many other less important functions. Few events diverted his attention from his daily life.
Pharaohmon's mandates resounded throughout the vast confines of Sand Zone like the echo of a promise fulfilled. Under his wise guidance, the kingdom rose as a colossus of prosperity and greatness, standing out on the horizon like a beacon of power and opulence. His economic policies, like threads of gold skillfully intertwined, created a network of trade and opportunities that fueled economic growth and financial stability in the kingdom. Every cobblestone street, every palace with its golden domes, spoke of the splendor of an era under his reign. But it was in the majestic constructions that Sand Zone reached its zenith, with temples and monuments that defied the very sky, attracting admiration from every corner of the digital world. In the heart of that kingdom, Pharaohmon forged an indelible legacy, carved in stone and marked by the eternal seal of greatness.
Although the city expanded considerably, the vast desert that enveloped the civilization of Sand Zone stretched like an ocean of endless sand, where dunes rose like waves frozen in time. Under the relentless sun, the landscape was tinged with golden and reddish tones, while the wind whispered stories of ancient times in every swirl of dust. Although in the heart of the city shone opulence and architectural grandeur, outside its walls, the desert reminded everyone of its untamed and wild nature. Creatures lurked in the shadows of the dunes, while sandstorms enveloped the horizon in an implacable embrace. It was a constant reminder that, despite the achievements and majesty of civilization, the desert remained a place of danger and challenge, where survival depended on strength and determination.
However, the pharaoh felt lonely despite his achievements and the affection of his servants. So, he decided to seek a wife. He married the woman his parents had carefully chosen for him. It couldn't be said that he really loved her, but he found her company pleasant, as she was a good listener and always willing to stand by his side, no matter what. With her, he had two sons; the eldest, who soon became a Pharaohmon like his father, was called Junior; and the youngest, who evolved into a Gravimon. Unfortunately, the pharaoh's wife died in childbirth with their second child, leaving Pharaohmon alone. Much lonelier than he ever expected to feel.
Despite not having been in love with her, Pharaohmon plunged into misery. There was not a moment in the day when he did not think of her. He tried to take refuge in work, and in the education of his two sons, without success. And as much as the sun shone in Sand's Zone, and although his empire was at its peak; Pharaohmon's heart still longed for someone to fill the void left by his wife.
However, that did not happen until several years after his wife's death... Pharaohmon would remember that day for the rest of his days... The sun shone brightly, and the sands of the desert that constituted Sand Zone gleamed as they usually did. A female figure walked carelessly through the desert; unaware of the dangers that might await her. She carried nothing with her, except for a red parasol that protected her unattractive face from the strong light that illuminated the place.
She planned to make a short visit to the area, to complete one of the goals of her study; and, if possible, to capture a Skullscorpiomon and take it back home with her. As she understood it, the Skullscorpiomon hid in the sands of that desert, waiting for any poor unsuspecting soul to pass by. But, above all, they tended to concentrate around an obelisk located in the northwest section of the desert; right where she was.
As soon as she spotted the obelisk, which for her was just a piece of stone rising from nothingness; she became euphoric and headed towards it immediately. With renewed energy, she ran to the monolith, hoping to attract the attention of any Skullscorpiomon that might be there. However, nothing happened. She leaned her back against that stone wall and slid down to sit in the sand. She was tired and eager to finish to return to the kingdom she had worked so hard to create...
"Are you looking for something?" asked a figure perched atop the obelisk. Before the visitor to the area could raise her head, he descended from it to stand face to face with the woman. She, confused, positioned her parasol so that the newcomer could not see her face.
The parasol of the mysterious figure was of a vibrant red colour, contrasting with the golden sand of the desert that surrounded it. Its design was elegant but simple, with rounded edges and a lightweight structure that allowed it to be easily held with one hand. The fabric covering it was opaque, preventing the sunlight from penetrating through and protecting the face of the unknown woman from the intense sun rays.
The figure held the parasol skillfully in front of her face, revealing only her mouth, which curved in an enigmatic expression. Despite the shadow it cast over her features, it was evident that the parasol not only served its practical function of shielding her from the sun but also served as a kind of symbolic barrier, hiding part of her identity and protecting her privacy in that unexpected encounter in the middle of the desert.
"I'm expecting something," the woman replied simply.
"Don't you mean someone?" Pharaohmon asked, confused.
"No, I'm waiting for something to happen," she emphasized again.
"And what is that something you're waiting for?" he asked again, insistently. He tilted his head, trying to find the right angle to see the woman's face, but the parasol completely covered it. "It would be logical for you to be here to marvel at the magnificence of the obelisk. Its inscriptions are a clear example of the ancient digital hieroglyphic language."
As the newcomer said this, the woman turned her head to appreciate the archaic symbols inscribed there, without moving the parasol even a millimeter.
"I hadn't noticed," she responded, with utmost indifference. "I'm not interested."
"My great-grandfather commissioned this monument when he was Pharaoh of Sand Zone, as the first great construction to represent his great reign."
"Then... you're Pharaohmon, the Pharaoh of Sand Zone?" she asked.
"If you had removed that stupid parasol, you would have realized it sooner..." the monarch replied, amused. "I would appreciate it if you took it off."
"Is that an order?" her tone reflected a hint of sarcasm.
"Maybe it is. Or maybe not," Pharaohmon laughed, amused by the stranger's reaction. "It depends on how you consider it. But really, I would appreciate it if you removed the parasol from your face. I like to see the eyes of the one I'm talking to."
"Very well, as you wish..." she gradually removed the parasol, slowly unveiling what she had tried to hide at all costs. For Pharaohmon, it was like a magical ritual, and he felt that time stood still with each feature revealed. The first thing the monarch could see was the two red horns that protruded from a tangle of white hair. Then he could see the mask, also red, which only allowed a glimpse of two large eyes, disproportionately sized compared to the rest of the face. Next, a sharp and small nose led to lips as purple as those of the dead, which were even larger than her eyes. She was definitely not as beautiful as Pharaohmon had expected. Although he didn't care either.
"Now we can talk much better," said Pharaohmon. "What is your name?"
"For some time now it has been Archnemon," she said, sadly. The golden armor that covered Pharaohmon's formidable muscles shone even more than the desert sands...
"Did you have another one?" Pharaohmon tilted his head slightly, intrigued by Archnemon's mention of an unknown past.
"Yes, but that's a long story I'd rather not remember..." Archnemon replied with a hint of regret in her voice, indicating that there were painful experiences she preferred to leave behind.
Pharaohmon watched as Archnemon slowly closed her eyes, as if trying to block out the memories threatening to surface. A shadow of sadness crossed her face, revealing the emotional burden she carried. Pharaohmon's curiosity was further piqued, wishing to know more about this mysterious visitor's past. However, he decided to respect her privacy and not press her further on the subject, at least for the moment.
"I suppose you can at least tell me what brought you to Sand Zone and positioned you next to the monolith," he decided to change the subject to avoid discomfort.
"Only if you tell me first what you're doing here. Isn't a monarch supposed to be fulfilling a series of obligations to his people?" she challenged him.
Her tone was mocking, even somewhat insolent. If anyone else had said such audacity, and with such irritating manners as Archnemon employed, Pharaohmon would probably have sent them to the dungeons, or taken some other similar measure. However, he was fully intrigued by the presence of the spider in Sand Zone. She was not a digimon native to the area. Nor was it likely that she had family here. And he was convinced that she had not come to his kingdom because of the scorching sun that flooded the area.
"I have no problem explaining it to you," the pharaoh replied, seemingly calm. His mask did not betray his emotions. "Let's say this is my resting place, where I can reflect without being disturbed. The Skullscorpiomon usually concentrate around this area, so no one in their right mind dares to venture here, which allows me to be at peace."
"Do you not fear the Skullscorpiomons?"
"Do you fear them? Because I don't see you very worried," Pharaohmon looked at Archnemon with some disbelief, wondering how she could be so calm in the face of such a dangerous threat. Archnemon shook her head confidently.
"Touché," Pharaohmon smiled slightly, impressed by Archnemon's confidence.
"I have learned to avoid them, and to defeat them if necessary," the monarch clarified. "But you are defenseless against them," he tried to make Archnemon understand the gravity of the danger posed by the Skullscorpiomon. Archnemon, however, responded with determination, challenging the idea of her apparent fragility.
"I am not defenseless against anything," Archnemon asserted firmly. "I doubt it. If you were face to face with one, fear would paralyze you," Pharaohmon held her gaze firmly, trying to intimidate Archnemon.
"You are very mistaken," Archnemon shook her head, her eyes wide open, shining with a defiant intensity. Now, her smile was even wider, demonstrating unwavering confidence and a somewhat sinister expression. "I have come here precisely to meet them," Archnemon affirmed decisively, revealing her true motivation.
"With them?" Pharaohmon didn't understand why anyone would want to encounter the Skullscorpiomon, let alone in their natural habitat.
"Yes, with them. I am conducting a study about them," Archnemon replied, maintaining her enigmatic tone. Pharaohmon raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
Pharaohmon was perplexed by Archnemon's revelation. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, reflecting his confusion at the spider's peculiar mission. For a moment, he regarded Archnemon with a mixture of fascination and skepticism, trying to decipher her true motivations. The idea of studying the Skullscorpiomon in their own territory seemed a reckless endeavor for any sensible being, and Archnemon's determination sparked a spark of admiration in Pharaohmon, although it also aroused his concern for the safety of the visitor in his kingdom.
"So that's what brought you to Sand Zone..." The monarch wanted to check if Archnemon was really transparent with her intentions.
"That's right," Archnemon confirmed, noting the pharaoh's interest. Her tone was calm, without hesitation. She seemed to be telling the truth.
"And what does this study consist of, if I may ask?"
"No, you may not know," Archnemon firmly denied, maintaining her mystery intact. Pharaohmon frowned, somewhat disappointed. "I'm sorry, but I can't give you any details. But it's nothing that involves the city. I just need a couple of Scorpiomon."
"Well, at least now I know you're not here to cause any harm to my kingdom..." Pharaohmon muttered to himself, letting out a long sigh of relief. Archnemon watched as Pharaohmon's countenance relaxed, and decided to wipe the smile off her face to maintain her serious posture. "The Skullscorpiomon won't be coming today, I'm sorry to inform you," Archnemon wiped the smile off her face.
"Why won't they be coming today?" Archnemon asked in surprise, questioning Pharaohmon's revelation.
"We've released some bandits at the other end of the desert, and the Skullscorpiomon will have gone after them as soon as they locate them. They are injured and an easy prey," Pharaohmon explained calmly, observing Archnemon's reaction.
Archnemon's eyes narrowed as she cursed under her breath. That was a major setback for her research. When she had finished cursing, she said, somewhat calmer:
"Is this how you treat your people?" Archnemon asked with a mixture of disbelief and disgust, seeking to understand the practices of Pharaohmon's government. The pharaoh maintained his composure in the face of the question.
"Only the criminals. The rest of the people receive exemplary treatment," he replied firmly, hoping to dispel any concerns Archnemon might have.
"So you're one of those kinds of rulers..." she insinuated, leaving the question hanging in the air. Pharaohmon raised an eyebrow at Archnemon's comment, intrigued by her tone.
"What kind of ruler do you mean?" he inquired, hoping for clarification from the visitor.
"Justicemen," she stated bluntly. Pharaohmon crossed his arms to show his disagreement. "You apply exemplary punishment to those who break the rules... You only care about those who behave correctly..." Archnemon ran her long hand through the tangle of white hair. The ruby she wore embedded in it gleamed in the sunlight.
"I'll take that as a compliment," the monarch replied, pleased. Archnemon spoke openly and said what she thought. Not even her children treated him like that. "Since the Skullscorpiomon won't be coming, at least for the time being, perhaps you could spend a few days here. I suppose you wouldn't want to leave until your study has concluded with satisfactory results."
Archnemon tilted her head, hesitating. The truth was that she needed to successfully complete her work; and she had nowhere to stay. Pharaohmon's offer seemed sincere, and not very harmful, but she wondered what motives led the monarch to offer such a cordial deal to a stranger.
"I have plenty of accommodations," the pharaoh added. "It's no problem for me if you stay. If it were, I would never have offered."
Archnemon wrestled internally between accepting or rejecting Pharaohmon's offer. Although she appreciated the pharaoh's hospitality, she felt a deep distrust toward his true intentions. The ruler's kind words contrasted with his reserved and calculating nature, which created a knot of uncertainty in Archnemon's stomach. She feared falling into a trap or becoming another piece in Sand Zone's complicated political landscape. However, she also recognized that she needed a safe place to conduct her research on the Skullscorpiomon.
"Okay," she finally conceded, still harboring doubts.
"Then follow me," he instructed, as he began to walk through the sand. Archnemon put on her parasol again and walked beside him. She was relieved that Pharaohmon had stopped contemplating her horrible face, of which she was so ashamed. However, Pharaohmon had not noticed that the parasol was once again covering the features of his companion; he only thought that he had found the perfect remedy for the loneliness he had suffered for so long.