Chapter 17 - Harsh Judgements
Daemon's words hung in the air between them as his glowing purple eyes met the hidden gaze of Ophanimon. Standing in the moonlight, her face betrayed nothing about her internal thoughts, but all the same Daemon spoke with the assurance of someone who knew her inside and out. "No need to react violently, I come in peace." He said, waving his two clawed hands in front of him in a gesture that Ophanimon supposed would have looked reassuring coming from a less monstrous Digimon. Though Daemon covered the true extent of his degradation in that robe, Ophanimon knew from years long past that he had been truly transfigured into a monster, so far from the beautiful and noble Seraphimon she had once known.
"It's heartening to see you kept the music box…" Daemon said, gesturing down to Ophanimon's open palm. Her fingers closed around the folded silver wings of the music box almost by themselves, as if trying to uselessly hide evidence of some great crime. Silence stood between them for a moment, as all the words Ophanimon tried to form were caught in her throat. Finally, she managed a small "…I didn't…" lowering her hand and letting her now clenched fist hang loosely at her side. "I left it in ROM…" she said with some small defiance in her voice. "But you went back for it." Daemon said, equal defiance in his. "Not by choice." Ophanimon concluded definitively. Privately she wondered why she had brought her and Kari to ROM when escaping Daemon and Barbamon previously. Perhaps because it was the last place Daemon would have expected, or maybe because in the panic of that moment, her mind had naturally taken her back to the place she had once-called home, with all the long-departed comfort and familiarity that word implied.
"Why have you come here Daemon?" Ophanimon asked, her words pointed and clipped, with the last one spoken like a curse. Without responding Daemon advanced, his clawed feet making a dreadful deep clicking sound on the stone floor of the tower. Ophanimon's shoulders hunched as she raised her guard, but almost as soon as she did this Daemon blithely strolled past her. Silently, he looked out at the digital moon for a few moments before replying to the question. "I'm here for you…Lillithmon." Ophanimon bristled instantly, as if the very name had torn at something deep within her long buried. Whirling, her voice for the first time betrayed deep and unrestricted emotion as she cried out, "That is not my name!". Those words echoed in the rafters of the tower, repeating again and again as Daemon's softly glowing eyes bore their way into Ophanimon's vizor. Finally, the echoes died, and silence again reigned in the space between the two. "It was once though…and it could be again." Daemon said, his own voice as hard and cold as steel. Ophanimon's face was a mask of revulsion, but she did not speak, so Daemon continued. "When Lucemon opened our eyes…we shed the names we'd been given by our master's and chose new names. We were happy. We were free. So, what happened Lillithmon, why did you allow yourself to be bound up in chains again?"
At these words Ophanimon stepped forward until she was helmet-to-cowl with her former lover. "We both were bound in service Daemon, don't blame me for serving life, and light. Blame yourself for serving nothing but death, and yourself." She spat these words out with a deadly venom, but Daemon was not cowed, simply laughing in response. "Such self-righteousness. Come now my dear, those excuses might work on the Sovereign, or those foolish children, but they will not work on me. You lost your nerve…" Ophanimon's voice only became more strained as she raised it higher. "Lucemon wasn't going to stop at the Digital World, he was going to use The Hazard to conquer every world he came across, he wanted to kill trillions- he was a monster!".
Daemon's claw moved so quickly it was almost imperceptible, and in less than a second Ophanimon was pinned against the mouldering wall. "So, you betrayed him…you betrayed us all…your friends and comrades. Those that weren't destroyed forever were turned into mindless monsters. While you were transformed back into your old virtuous self, and no doubt praised and lauded as a hero." This time, it was Ophanimon who laughed. "You think that's how it was for me…after the war, my reward was to have my data compressed into a dormant state. And I accepted it gladly, because after the things we did, it was no less than what I deserved." Daemon's grip tightened, cutting off her words. "Self-righteous and self-hating. You are more pathetic than I ever could have imagined." Quietly, Ophanimon whispered her reply from beneath the grip of his claw, a small smile on her lips. "Then why do you love me?". For a moment Daemon froze, then loosened his grip. Turning, he stepped away from the light and back into the shadows. "You speak as if I have no choice, but I have long-since closed my heart to you." he said quietly. Stepping forward from the wall and rising again to her full height, Ophanimon said with pure self-assuredness "I wish that were true, but it isn't. You have always loved me, and you always will. After all, weren't we made for each other Seraphimon?".
Daemon was now more controlled, subdued even. But all the same at that name he turned back to Ophanimon and spoke a single word. "Careful". Ophanimon was on the offensive now though, continuing. "And if you don't love me, then why do you want me?". At this, Daemon was quick to provide his answer. "I want you…because I need to know how the corruption was removed from your data." Ophanimon looked puzzled but said nothing. "You were turned back from Lillithmon into Ophanimon, yes? Then I want to know how." The barest hint of emotion entered his voice and, in that moment, Ophanimon knew everything. "Not for you…for them…you want to turn Lucemon's followers back. To remove the data-degradation." They both were silent.
Ophanimon was the first to move, silently raising her gloved hands and gripping the sides of her helmet. In one movement she lifted it and removed it from her head. In that moment, her hair which had been a deep nut brown turned as black as night, her lustrous skin became pale, and as she threw her helmet to the ground, the darkness around her face was illuminated by two glowing red eyes. Daemon was speechless, his eyes wide with shock. "I'm sorry Daemon…but there's no going back, for any of us." Said Ophanimon, with no triumph or humour in her voice, only deep longing, and regret. Their eyes met for a few brief moments before Daemon splayed his great wings and flew from the tower. Stopping in mid-air, he turned back into the moonlight. "Know this- if there is truly no hope for redemption…then retribution will be our consolation. This night, you may spelt the doom of many." And with that he was gone, his wings carrying him off into the darkness of the night.
Ophanimon watched him go until she could no longer discern his shape in the gloom of the night before reaching down and picking up her helmet. Demurely, she placed it back upon her head and restored her appearance once more. It was only then that she turned towards the door and said, "You may come out now if you wish- Izzy and Tentomon." From the door, Izzy and his partner jumped at the recognition of their presence. "If the two of you wish to accompany me back to our comrades, I imagine there is much to discuss."
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Tai listened as Izzy retold the story of the night's events to the assembled group around the fight. The Digidestined and Tamers sat in a semi-circle, some glaring accusingly at the silent Ophanimon who stood in their midst, but most simply looking down at the ground. Behind them stood Leomon and the other Devas, on-guard and ready to fight, and flanking the entire scene stood the behemothic Sovereigns, watching the entire proceedings with their usual godly imperiousness. Suddenly Tai realised that this very much resembled a trial. The witness was giving evidence to the jury, while the accused waited for their verdict. What that verdict was going to be, Tai could not begin to guess.
"I knew there was something fishy about all this…", Sora announced when Izzy had finished. "So, you've been lying to us this whole time?" TK asked Ophanimon pointedly. "My past is my own, I simply did not feel it was necessary to share it with you. You can still trust me." Ophanimon said with self-assurance, though Tai could see a hint of desperation cross her face as she spoke. "Yeah right, how can we trust someone who used to be Daemon's right-hand woman?!" Yolei shouted. "Whatever I used to be- I am your ally." Ophanimon said. "Hmph, for now anyway." Replied Yolei with a shrug. Scratching his chin, Joe said "This does call a lot of things into question. You've been guiding us this whole time Ophanimon, but you were never truthful with us. Who is to say what your motivations are?"
Ophanimon had little to say to this, instead only frowning and looking down. Matt, who had up to now been silent, rose from where he was sitting in the centre of the group. "Joe's right. We can't trust her". Turning to look up at the Sovereigns, he asked. "What do you have to say about this?". It was Zhuqiaomon who spoke for them. "Ophanimon has long been known to us as one who proved their valour in battle against the darkness. Though we stand with her by that reputation, we had no knowledge of her other identity as Lillithmon. Ultimately, the decision is yours as to what should be done." Turning back, Matt sighed, running his hand through his hair exhaustedly. On his wrist, his new digivice shone with a silvery blue sheen. "If that's how has to be, then maybe Ophanimon should leave…"
"Wait a minute, this isn't fair!" The shout captured everyone's attention. Turning, the assembled group all looked as Ken stood and walked forward in defence of Ophanimon. "Sure, she has a past, she made mistakes. But who are we to judge her?!". Everyone seemed shocked by this display, but none more than Ophanimon. "Sometimes we do terrible things. Sometimes we are terrible things. And sometimes we can't talk about it. I for one believe Ophanimon is here to help." There was silence among the jury as they took in Ken's passionate words. Kari was the next to speak. "I can't pretend to know Ophanimon, but I know Gatomon. And I know Gatomon wouldn't allow herself to be used as a host by someone evil. She must trust Ophanimon. So I trust her too." At this Ophanimon gave a small and thankful smile. Putting a hand on Kari's should, Mimi said "Then so do I." Next it was Davis, who raised a fist and said "Me too!". The rest of the kids still seemed to have their misgivings, but to their surprise a quiet and polite voice broke the silence of the group. "Ehm, excuse me. I have something I'd like to say."
Jeri Katou had not said a word since leaving Shinjuku, and in truth Tai had sort of forgotten she was even here. The girl had not made much of an impression on him so far, beyond that she seemed polite and kind, but with a faint underlying sadness he couldn't quite understand. All the same he watched her intently, as did all the Digidestined, awaiting what she had to say. "I just wanted to tell you all that we have a friend in our world who reminds me a lot of Ophanimon. His name is Impmon. Once, he did terrible things. He hurt a lot of people. He even…" At this her breath hitched slightly in her throat, and Tai felt an instinctual urge to reach out and hug the poor girl, her pain was that palpable. "…he even killed my partner, Leomon." At this, Leomon turned and looked at Jeri with a slight shock. No doubt he was wondering how a girl like her could have tamed his counterpart. "…But, people can change for the better. Impmon showed us that.". Rika Nonaka stepped forward and took Jeri's hand, a small smile on her face. "Jeri's right. People can change."
The mood of the group seemed to shift with the impact of these words, each person examining the weight of them in the ensuing silence. Those still undecided on the matter shifted in their seats, all turning to look at Matt. After a few seconds, he relented. "Fine, maybe I spoke too soon. Ophanimon, please stay with us." Ophanimon nodded solemnly, before turning to address everyone else. "Thank you so much for putting your trust in me. I promise to return that trust by being completely honest and forthcoming with you all from now one." With these final words, something seemed to distract Ophanimon's attention. Turning, she looked out across the expanse of land that spread out below the high plateau, to the horizon. On that horizon, the barest sliver of light was beginning to warm the darkness and make its presence known. The sunrise was only minutes away.
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In the darkness of the cave, Daemon advanced with monstrous intent. He had ordered his armies to move out when he had returned from his meeting with Ophanimon, but as her words played on his mind and needled away at his most desperate ambitions and desires, he soon knew that a greater fury was needed. It did not take long for him to find Mephistomon. "The key." Daemon said simply with his clawed hand outstretched. "But sire, you expressly told me to guard the key until we could find a way to cure-"With this Daemon lashed out, striking Mephistomon with a savage uppercut to the jaw which sent the mega-level high into the air and smashing into the cave ceiling. The cave shook as Mephistomon landed in a pile at Daemon's feet. With a careful hand, Daemon reached down and plucked the large stone key from around Mephistomon's neck. Leaving his major-domo there where he lay, Daemon made his way down to the darkest part of the cave, where the black glass wall which acted as a portal to the Dark Area stood. The demon prince watched the writhing, gnawing, terrible faces which had once been his friends and allies. Lost now forever. All was lost.
Without hesitation, Daemon placed the key in the lock mechanism and turned it. Instantly, a spiderweb of cracks began to spread across the black volcanic glass of the barrier, with every passing second growing larger and so much fragile. Daemon watched this with nothing more than the faintest curiosity, and an impatience for what was the come. In a single moment, the glass shattered, and a furious maelstrom of dark shapes burst their way out of their prison and flooded the cave. Endlessly shooting forward into every space and crevice, searching for the light. Out in the morning air, any nearby would see thousands of dark and evil Digimon explode out from the cave's mouth, like it was the mouth of a demon vomiting up an endless stream of caustic black bile. But down in the dark of the cave, Daemon stood exactly where he had been, feeling his former brethren and how his mindless minions flood past him. Slowly, his robes began to tear with the friction of the passing bodies tearing by him. The maroon garments fell to the floor, revealing the monster within.
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Next up, everything goes to hell. See you next time folks.