Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
The more I write about Rei Kurenada the more I am fascinated by him. I can't throw him into the 'evil' category even now because he is too far off the deep end of justifying his actions and is doing horrible things to 'horrible' people. I don't think he sees himself as a villain at all. He sees the curse as a blessing, but has a disconnect to him being punished for taking Skamon's life when he believes he had really saved it. The path ahead looks warped and dim.
Fun fact: The title of this chapter and the contents of the chapter are a warped conundrum between Mussorgsky's 'Night on Bald Mountain', Edgar Allen Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher, William Barber's Adagio for Strings, and lastly the contrasts between light and darkness and all the shades between. I consider the chapter more of a musical composition than writing, but that's just me caught up with melodies caressing my mental faculties, yielding delectable delights of written wit. Be content and feast. No applause-I don't want static to ruin the smooth melancholic symphony.
Chapter Thirteen: The Sacred and the Profane
A deep, heavy presence pressed on Rei Kurenada's temples. He groaned out opening his eyes looking around the expanse of darkness around him through the barred cage of light he found himself trapped in. He glanced to the left and right noticing his confines realizing it had been some time since he had become trapped there.
His throat felt parched for food, yet the normal cravings of yakisoba, pork cutlets, and other delicacies were the farthest delicacies from his mind. No, he had a different craving for satisfying his hunger and thirst. He opened his mouth licking his lips craving the moment he turned people into Digital Data and enveloped them into himself.
He not only enjoyed the oddly sumptuous flavor, but the terrified expressions only seemed to enhance them; Rei savoring each and every data particle that he absorbed. Anything else seemed like garbage to him.
Rei tried to move his arm, but he had been sealed securely, his strength weakened. Truly he had wasted away physically, his body suffering from malnutrition, his own digital data body eating itself. He wondered why his body did not dissolve after being in the darkness for so long without digital data, but at least he had survived all of this somehow.
He breathed through his nostrils wondering how he could possibly escape such a prison. It wasn't like a guard watched over his prison or anything. Not that anyone ever actually came to explain why he was there in the first place.
No sooner had he thought that he noticed a glint from the corner of his eye and looked over to see a magnificent stream of data particles of light pouring in creating a door. Out of the monstrous light stepped through what appeared to be armored holy angels gleaming wondrously, the bright rays reflecting off of their armor, and a magnanimous figure walking in their midst.
The being could only be described as radiant, even his silky silver hair gliding effortlessly in the air. Gilded light blue eyes stared into him, with pale glowing skin adorning the most exquisite white robe with golden gilded edges and symbols he had ever seen. The being walked with determination, a golden staff in his hand with what appeared to be strange symbols all around it written in some kind of ancient language. A crown also appeared to be on his head if you could call it that, but it appeared more like a large tall thin hat like an ephod.
Rei stared at the being, his light emitting from him vaguely familiar, but slowly going back to him.
"Digital...Creator?" he barely rasped.
"That's right," The Digital Creator replied walking forward and forcefully slamming his staff down in front of him. "Tell me, Rei Kurenada, what has become of my servant Skamon?"
Rei grinned starting to chuckle. "Why should I have to tell you? You should know already. That's why I'm here right?"
The Digital Creator's stern expression did not change. "Skamon's data is crying out within you," he said. "You took an innocent digimon's love and trust and turned it into your own self serving life preserver. How can you justify yourself?"
"What do you mean how can I justify myself?" Rei said rattling his chains with his arms wanting to throttle the Digital Creator. "You're the one who kept back all of the technology that could keep our race from dying! And you would have left Skamon all alone after I passed for him to mourn and live the rest of his endless life by himself. My taking his life and adding it to my own was an act of mercy!"
"Mercy?" he questioned. "The merciful thing to do would have been to tell him to go back to the Digital World after you passed away. He could have lived back there in contentment, but you just had to take this into your own hands. What you have done, Rei Kurenada, is something unforgivable. It's damnation. It's the curse."
"Curse?" he wondered. "This wonderful power of mine is a curse? You must be out of your mind," he grinned. "This power is no curse at all, but a blessing."
The Digital Creator closed his eyes and shook his head as if Rei Kurenada had become completely lost. "I warned you once before, but I knew instinctively that one day you would try to merge Digimon DNA. But I didn't stop because I promised your father. And now you have walked all over his good name."
"Good name? Him?" Rei laughed. "The man sacrificed his family to go play 'house' with you, and you call him good? What a joke," he chuckled even more.
"Their are no good humans," he said with contempt. "Even myself. We are altogether worthless, but I have risen above that," he said lifting up his head. "I have become something far greater of infinite more value."
"And what is that?" the Digital Creator asked.
"Judgment," he answered. "I recognize the sins of all beings. Even you Digital Creator. You're no different than the human species. We're altogether filthy, disgusting pieces of garbage, but you know what? Even garbage has a purpose. I will ultimately decide that purpose and remake this world and all worlds as I see fit until immortality is truly reached."
"I see you have become deluded in your corruption." the Digital Creator observed. "The curse has already taken ahold of you and it warps not only your body, but your mind and soul to damnation. Their is no saving you."
Rei Kurenada reached out his hand towards the Digital Creator's neck looking up at him dangerously. "And who do you think is responsible for all of this?" he asked. "You dare to sit in the seat of judgment as you see before you the result of your meddling in human affairs? You think you're clean as the driven snow digital creator! You are more sinful than any of us!" he shouted.
The digital creator stared down at him and still shook his head as if Rei did not understand. "It truly is a shame Rei Kurenada. You could have been the link to peace between our worlds, but you are now a catalyst for war. And it is with a heavy hand that judgment must be passed on to you."
"Judgment?" he wondered.
"Yes," he replied. "It is fair, impartial, and altogether righteous."
With that the Digital Creator put his hand in the air over the ground and from it emerged from the ground a strange creature, powerful, but somehow familiar.
The being stared at him covered in red scales, yellow eyes, almost like a monitor lizard, but stood on it's hind legs flicking it's tongue.
"I recognize that one," Rei said. "Yes, the data seems so familiar. But why?"
"It is Skamon's digivolved form Baskamon. Because of your threat I took his evolved form and now am setting it against you as that DNA that courses through you is severely vulnerable to his DNA. In other words, it is a fatal tonic."
Rei stared on amazed by the Digital Monster Baskamon, but he glared in hatred as the Digital Creator turned his back on him and spoke with the other angel digimon.
"Angemon, Angewoman, my two faithful servants this commandment I place before you now I write into your very code," he said placing his hands on each of them. "See that judgment passes onto Rei Kurenada. If it is denied then you will be continually used until the judgment has passed no matter how many times it takes."
"My Lord," Angemon said, "It is not enough for a holy digimon such as myself to receive a commandment and have your authority. If it be no trouble might I ask you for your holy sigil so that I may be more of an asset to you and better assist you in the future?"
The creator turned towards him and smiled nodding his head. "Because you have made this request not for power, but to better serve I will grant you this request Angemon," he said holding up his hand, a strange symbol appearing in it. "Take this sigil as a mantle for my will," He stated holding it out to him, the symbol turning into a ring.
"I thank you your Lordship," he replied placing it on his finger, the ring glimmering brilliantly. Rei Kurenada noticed as if the Digimon coursed with a strange digital code he could not figure out, but it truly seemed threatening.
"As I see Angemon," he said placing his hand on his shoulder, "So you will see. It is shining faintly, but even more in the distance. That clarity is now yours."
The Digital Creator's eyes seemed to fade in their brilliance Rei noticed, but still his presence had not diminished in the least.
The Digital Creator turned toward Angewoman who also stared at him inquisitively.
"What would you ask of me Angewomon?" he noticed she also seemed she wanted to ask a question.
"My Lord, you emit such a beautiful wondrous presence. If it would please you, I would also like to have that light so that in your absence others would be able to see it and be able to behold your brilliance as well."
"This is also a noble honest request," he replied not at all surprised. He nodded his head fervently. "I will also acknowledge your request," he said opening his hand, it shaking, his light forming a symbol in his hand and then turning into a ring. She bowed her head as he placed it on her arm as well.
To Rei she seemed to change compositionally like Angemon. Not only that, but the brilliance of the Digital Creator also faded as if he had diminished in power and strength.
"Just what are you up to?" he said suspiciously, but not loud enough for the Digital Creator to hear.
With the power given the Digital Creator smiled sadly towards them.
"Take care of each other," he said. "You are bound not only by an oath of servitude in your nature, but also by the attributes I have passed on to you. You may not understand it now, but eventually you will," he said positively.
"My lord!" they both exclaimed bowing to him, falling on their knees.
He bent down towards them placing a hand on each of their chins. "Do not fret my angels. I will send my messenger to act in my place as a comfort for you. She will be my fail safe and act in my authority until my return."
"But where are you going?" Angewomon cried.
"To a place that you cannot reach until the appointed time. It will all come to pass eventually," he said. "And I will be there waiting at the end of it."
With that he stepped back into the light and vanished.
The angels wept bitterly, but looked at each other nodding their heads.
"We will not let the Digital Creator down," Angemon declared.
"By his name judgment will be passed," Angewomon confirmed turning towards Rei Kurenada, Baskamon in the midst of them growling and starting to bark at him.
Rei felt no fear, but could not help but be taken aback by their behavior.
"Fine," he groaned. "If judgment must be passed then let it pass," he said stopping to resist the chains. "If what I did truly had been the wrong thing to do, then I will accept this punishment gladly, but if not then I will judge the judges with their own judgments," he declared staring forward, his steel gaze resolved to accept the approaching pain.
Baskamon lumbered forward towards him, opened his jaws and roared in his face, a bunch of spit slobbering out of him, but Rei remained unperturbed by it.
"Skamon's drooling habits were much worse than yours," he grinned. "
This seemed to infuriate the champion beast who gnashed his teeth towards him, Rei a bit petrified, wondrous he actually could feel fear this time.
The beast then sniffed around Rei, especially his hair messing it up.
"What are you doing Baskamon?" Angewomon questioned. "Obey the Digital Creator. Judge him!"
The beast ignored her, Rei irritated it kept rubbing it's nose all around him as if trying to get his scent.
"He's not listening," Angemon said incredulously. "You must do as you were commanded!"
With that Baskamon stopped, opened it's mouth wide towards Rei, Rei gritting his teeth as he felt his Digital Body pierced by the champion's fangs. He winced clenching his fist as if he had just been pierced by rows of needles in his upper arm and shoulder, but then the pain just lingered, the digimon still trapping him like a vice.
Rei pondered daring to open up his eyes and look at the beast. It's eyes opened up wide, the digimon backing up and staring at him.
"R-Rei…" it's voice echoed back out, Rei instantly recognized it.
"Skamon?!" he said incredulously.
"What?!" Angewomon exclaimed.
"Impossible!" Angemon cried.
"For...you," the voice said. "...for...give...never…"
"I know," Rei said coldly. "You will never forgive me. How could you for me betraying you like that? I would never want your forgiveness," he admitted.
With that the Digimon bit him again, Rei looking down bearing with it, realizing he had to pay for what he had done, even though he still felt he chose the lesser of two evils.
Suddenly he felt lighter, looking over realizing that his battered Digital body had been restored by the digimon, the digimon breaking down in form."
"Rei…" Skamon's voice said, Rei bewildered by him.
"Change me," he said. "Help. Form."
"Change you?" Rei said wondrously, the digital information flowing through him, Rei seemingly able to recognize digital codes and patterns.
"How could he be helping him?" Angewomon asked.
"I don't know, but we can't let this continue!" Angemon exclaimed. "We will judge you Rei Kurenada right here and right now!"
Both Angels lurched forward, Rei looking up at them approach him ready to attack.
"Heaven's knuckle!" Angemon shouted.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon followed after.
The attacks launched towards Rei Kurenada, the blazing hot attacks inches away from him, Rei able to feel the heat against his face.
"Not like this," he said bracing himself. "It won't end like this!"
At that last moment, Baskamon unleashed a reddish flame of his own that consumed both attacks, a chilling cooling effect taking over the room brushing against Rei's cold sweat.
"What is that?" Angemon wondered.
"It's Burning Swathe," Rei replied, his bonds rattling.
"How do you know that?" Angemon said taken aback.
"Because, Baskamon just gave me the data I need. No, he gave me much more than that," he leered towards them.
"Angemon, this is not good," Angewomon breathed out terrified. "Do you feel that presence?"
He gritted his fist and clenched his teeth. "We've got to destroy him now before he is completely revived!"
They turned to each other nodding their heads.
Angemon launched himself forward as Baskamon unleashed another burning swathe attacked.
"Angel staff!" he cried spinning it diluting the flames.
Angewomon then curved to the side flying towards him. "Celestial Arrow!" she screamed unleashing an extremely powerful one at him, Baskamon screaming out in pain.
"Baskamon!" Rei bellowed. "How dare you!" he yelled pulling his arms forward. He literally could feel his arms stretching out and the confines cracking.
"How could you betray us Baskamon?" Angewomon cried as the confines were loosening.
"Rei...my friend," he said, the digimon vaguely sounding like Skamon.
"You will pay for this treason! For betraying the Digimon Creator!" Angemon declared. "Angewomon!"
"Together!" she exclaimed. "We'll take them down at once!"
They readied their attacks, Rei stepping forward supporting himself with Baskamon's frame.
"Rei…" the voice said. "Change me."
Rei brushed his hand against the scales of Baskamon.
"It's really you isn't it?" he said. "Somehow your data transmitted to you part of your personality that had become a part of me. I felt your presence leave me just a little," he said.
"Rei," Skamon's voice said. "Change me. How you want me to be."
"How I want you to be?" he said allowed noticing the angel digimon were about to unleash their devastating attacks.
The digimon nodded his head, Rei realizing based off of his deteriorating condition exactly what he meant.
"I see," he said. "Are you sure? You will never be able to go back to how you used to be."
"Rei. Do it. Change me," he said.
"Fine," Rei scoffed. "If that's what you want," he said pressing his hand against him, the digital make up of Baskamon changing.
"No!" the angels cried. Angemon bellowed out his hand of fate attack towards Rei Kurenada, but the form intervened and sliced it apart even though it was changing.
"Then you won't escape this!" Angewomon yelled. She opened up her hands creating a cross like design. "Heaven's charm!" her voice echoed out, the cross of light going over towards Rei Kurenada, his skin starting to burn as it approached him.
Rei pressed deeper, changing Skamon even faster hoping that he could hold off the angels surviving long enough for his ally to fight them. Amazingly Baskamon lit up into a mix of red and gray digital data, Rei feeling his own digital data flow into him, but also new digital information flowing into him.
"I see now," he grinned. "Skamon, your digital data, I will perfect it," he declared, the digital data swirling, a form appearing in his mind.
"What is happening?" Angewomon questioned as if they resisted her attack.
"Baskamon, he's-he's digivolving!"
"No, this is not what you call 'digivolving', Rei sneered. "This is beyond your petty concept. This is Corruption!"
With that Baskamon growled out, his appearance changing from a reddish monitor lizard like being to dark digital data, becoming a dark entity, humanoid, black armor, pale skin, and a menacing appearance.
"What monstrosity is that?" Angemon asked.
"I don't know, it's not any Digimon I recognize!"
"That's because it's not a normal Digimon," Rei said walking forward and patting the side of the creature's arm.
"This is the instrument of my will. May I introduce you to your demise, Terrormon."
Terrormon groaned out, it's armor creaking pulling out a blade from it's own back, him groaning out in pain.
"My servant," Rei snickered. "These angels think they can cast judgment on us, but, let's turn the tables. Turn their own judgments back to them!"
Terrormon growled out, but as if Rei had influenced him and it moved as if devoid of a conscience.
He glared at the angels who seemed to be talking amongst themselves.
"If we fail to destroy them the whole Digital World will be in danger!" Angewomon warned.
"We can't let that happen," Angemon agreed drawing his throwing spear.
"Keep up that chatter. You'll be angel dust soon enough anyway," Rei taunted noticing them prepare their weapons.
They said nothing more and both rushed at both Rei and Terrormon, unleashing savage attacks, Angemon clashing with Terrormon's blade, Angewomon trying to keep Rei Kurenada distracted by her celestial arrow attacks.
He dodged them, irritated at the burning arrows singing his cheek. He took an arrow in his leg, wincing as he felt the burning light course through him, but he knew despite the pain, it would be his victory.
"That does it," he said grabbing the arrow and pulling it out, grasping it and shattering it in his grasp, his hand scarred from burning.
Terrormon swung his blade clashing against Angemon forcing him and his spear back.
"I'm done entertaining angels," Terrormon winced, his rage silently building up within him. He could literally feel his own aura of malice expand out of him shattering the light cage altogether, the angels recoiling in horror.
"It's no use," Angemon said. "Rei Kurenada's viral power is taking over this domain. We have to escape while we have time."
"No, we can't do that," Angewomon said grabbing his hand.
"Angewomon," he said intently.
"The Digital Creator told us it would be up to us to judge Rei Kurenada even if we lost our lives. It is our fate to destroy him, however many times it takes."
The two angels gleamed lighting up, wondrous symbols the Digital Creator entrusted to them glimmering brilliantly.
"Are you done?" Rei Kurenada asked, his hand hanging loosely in his pocket. You're nothing more than annoying fireflies about to be exterminated," he said, Terrormon growling swinging his dark blade in anticipation.
"We'll destroy you Terrormon even if it costs us our lives!" Angemon shouted as Angewomon flew around the area firing celestial arrows all over the place in a circle.
Angemon then flung his spear at Rei Kurenada, Rei manipulating Terrrormon to grab it, and putting it in his hand. Rei then manipulated his own data against it marveling in his new found power.
"I think this belongs to you," he chuckled, raising it back.
"You can keep it!" Angemon shouted. He raised his fist back. "Hand of Fate!" he cried unleashing the powerful rays of his heavenly fist at Rei Kurenada.
"No," Rei said not batting an eye staring at the attack coming at him. "I insist," he said forcefully using his viral power and launching the now darkened spear back at Angemon, the spear piercing through him.
"Gauuguh!" Angemon cried as the spear stuck through him, his glow disappearing.
"Angemon no!" Angewomon shrieked.
He gritted his teeth, digital data flowing out of him.
"It's all right Angewomon," he said calmly, his wings starting to dissolve. His symbol of hope seemed to put him in a serene state, Terrormon and Rei Kurenada slightly taken aback.
"I see it," he said looking up. "One day, the hope of the child shall shine over the horizon, bringing forth dreams for the future. It will shine with the light and extinguish the darkness leaving only a shadow of the past. Come forth little one," he said groaning. "Restore us! And save this world!"
With that Angemon dissolved, the spear falling to the ground.
"Angemon!" Angewomon roared tearing up. "No! Angemon!"
"Too bad for him," Rei said walking over towards her. "Not to worry though. Not only you, but all that bend the knee to that foul Digimon Creator will join him. And you can believe it that I will lay ahold of this primary village and make sure none of you can be reborn."
"You fiend!" she said shaking and grabbing her bow so hard she broke it; the bow and arrows falling to the ground.
"You've exposed yourself," Rei said snapping his fingers, Terrormon launching himself in the air much to Angewomon's shock burying his sword through her chest.
"Gaugh!" she cried out, digital data slowly pouring out of her.
"Angels aren't the only ones that can soar," Rei said condescendingly walking towards her even more. But you don't have to worry anymore," he said. "It's all over for you. Shatter and die," he commanded.
"I will do no such thing," she said in a deep tone, her skin lighting up.
A burning light started to envelope around her, Rei a bit wondrous she still had strength left to fight.
"Back," she commanded, her voice throwing Terrormon back against a darkened wall, Terrormon groaning as he forced himself out of it.
She then lit up brightly in shades and degrees, Rei covering his eyes blinded by her.
"You can't defeat us," Rei winced breathing out his frustrations through his nose. "What more do you think you hope to accomplish here?" he said daring to walk forward against the flashing light..
"This is not the end," Angewomon said, the lights of the arrows from her arrows also emitting a brightness to them.
Angewomon lifted up her her hands above her hand.
"Emitting this much light will destroy you," he said calmly. "You really don't think you can get through this alive right?"
"That is irrelevant," she said, her voice emanating all around him. "As long as it destroys you and Terrormon my fate is of no consequence. It is the end for you," she said lighting up fiercely, her hands brimming with strength.
"You think I'll allow you to destroy us all?" he questioned, irritated by her actions.
She kept illuminating brightness, Rei feeling the digital energy about ready to decimate all in her surroundings, including himself. He knew that because he had become viral digital code, the angelic code would be a problem if it completely consumed his data. He could not let that happen.
"It's all over," she said starting to place her hands at an angle about to unleash the attack.
"Heaven's cha-"
She paused, Rei wondering what could have happened. He noticed she groaned out heavily in pain as somehow Terrormon appeared behind her, his claw protruding out of her chest, digital data pouring out.
"No," she moaned. "How is this possible?"
"How?" Rei said flippantly. "Simple. With the Cage of Light destroyed I used the dimensions of this room to manipulate it to translate Terrormon and his DNA behind you on the other side of the wall. He merely snuck up behind you and completed the task of ending your life," he said, Angewomon stuttering for breath.
Terrormon groaned out as if wanting to tear her apart, but Rei shook his head forbidding it. Perhaps she also would say something.
She sighed out, her whole body lighting up with the crest power she had been entrusted.
"The light," she said amazed tearing with joy, "How amazing it is to behold! Life will cling to life and once the light of a child shines with the glimpse of hope, the rays shall pierce the broken world! It will shatter into an illusion! Should the past prevail all will be swallowed in darkness, but if the hope still shines and the light burns a marriage of the flame and the candle will stand forever more as a testimony and ward off the corrupter's influence forever!"
She boldly closed her eyes letting herself disintegrate into angel feathers and dust, Rei Kurenada holding out his hand. One of the feathers glided over to him, Rei shaking his hand enthralled with himself.
He grinned chuckling, reveling in his power, then burst out wholeheartedly laughing to a point even he realized had become maniacal. The feather rested lifelessly in his hand, and he purged himself of Angewomon's remaining data crushing it in his fist.
"It seems you angels had a glimpse of the future," he said making light of their prophecies, "But the future you wish for will not happen," he said holding out both hands looking at them. I will solve this mystery in it's own time, but now is not the time," he said to himself, Terrormon ready at his beck and call.
Somewhere in all of this Skamon's presence had vanished, only the skulking nightmare inducing Terrormon in his place, a being Rei had twisted into existence from Skamon's original data.
He marveled over him now that he had a chance to realizing this being he had changed from Skamon's data to his own had a piece of himself, but yet he seemed incomplete.
"It's as if you've become nothing but a cold exterior," he noticed chewing on his cheek contemplating all that had happened and what surely would follow after.
Surely the Digital Creator would be coming after him once he realized his angels had been massacred and perhaps even more powerful forces would threaten to subdue him.
He crossed his arms tapping his finger against his forearm, anxiously anticipating his next move.
"By myself I will not last against defending myself against the Digital Creator and his angels," he contemplated. "So, what if we do this?"
With that he held out his hand towards Terrormon and grabbed it, making a part of himself incorporate into Terrormon.
"You are now my proxy, my extension," he said noticing Terrormon's eyes perk up with life.
"Who am I?" he said looking at himself.
"You are Terrormon," Rei replied.
"Terrormon?"
"You are a viral digimon who serves Rei Kurenada. You're purpose is invade the Digital World."
"The data flowing within me has told me what I need to know," he said, Rei realizing his programming even went so far as to program thoughts, and formulas so he can function autonomously.
"Good," Rei commended him. "We have much work that needs to be done. I will fortify my fortress here," he said. "You're sword please."
Terrormon drew his sword and handed it to him.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Programming it," he said. "The blade will be sharper, it's range wider, and as soon as you have destroyed digital data, upon deletion it will be translated into viral digital data and come here."
"So you are fortifying an army?" he asked.
Terrormon nodded his head giving him back his weapon.
"To what end?"
"Immortality, and usurping the Digital Creator," he declared. "I may have been given this curse," he said making viral digital data appear in the darkness with him, "But that will be his downfall. He wanted peace between mankind and Digimonkind, but I tell you when he attacked us that will never happen."
"And what does that mean?"
Rei placed his hand on his shoulder and grinned. "It's war. It's all out war."