Chapter 20: Unsuccessful Negotiations
Mercurymon, finding himself unable to return to the Palace of Mirrors, had decided to embark on a diplomatic visit. He knew that Venusmon was deeply engrossed in her bold plan to neutralize Seraphimon and gather valuable information about the whereabouts of other Olympians. Venusmon's determination and fervent passion for her strategy were so intense that Mercurymon had no choice but to relinquish his castle to her, facilitating her risky mission.
The situation made him uneasy. Leaving his own castle was not a decision he took lightly. However, he had to trust that Venusmon was the right one to undertake this endeavour. Her charm and subtlety were powerful weapons against Seraphimon's rigidity and unwavering sense of duty. Meanwhile, he couldn't just stand idle. He couldn't allow the goddess to eclipse him in the eyes of the other Olympians.
It had taken him an entire day to reach his destination, just as he had expected. Despite his relentless advance without stopping, the distance between Bright Zone and the place was vast, with each step increasing the tension of his mission. Before him stretched the immensity of the void, a desolate expanse that enveloped the area with a dark and oppressive aura. The atmosphere was heavy, laden with a disturbing sense of abandonment that chilled him to the bone. It had been a long time since anyone had used that secret path known only to the Olympians, but which none of them had traversed in decades.
The stone floor, rough and discoloured, formed a steep slope that descended into the depths of a cavern. The entrance to the cavern was a massive hole in the side of an abandoned mountain, with stalactites hanging like sharp teeth from the cave's ceiling. The light barely penetrated the interior, casting shadows that danced to the rhythm of his movements.
As he descended, the echo of his steps resonated in the vast cavity, amplifying until it sounded like the pounding of a drum. Every sound, every creak of the ground beneath his feet, felt like a constant reminder of the solitude and danger of the place. The air was cold and dense, with an earthy and metallic scent that suggested no one had visited this place in a long time.
The cavern extended downward, its walls covered in moss and lichens that glowed with a faint phosphorescent light. The rock formations, eroded by millennia of water and wind, created ghostly figures that seemed to watch him from the shadows.
As Mercurymon advanced, his mind filled with memories. He hadn't been there in years, and the place seemed more unsettling than he remembered. However, he could not afford to feel fear. He knew these sensations were tricks of his own mind, designed to keep intruders away. But he was no intruder, even though it had been long since he last visited that forgotten path.
Finally, he arrived at a massive door of jet-black stone that blocked his way. It was an imposing structure, with carvings and reliefs barely discernible due to the wear of time. He paused to admire the carved figures, trying to decipher their hidden meanings. Among the blurred and eroded images, he thought he recognized the figure of a dog, accompanied by several winged creatures, but it might have been an illusion.
He grasped the golden rings and knocked on the door. Three times, just as he had been taught. The door opened instantly, and he passed into the next chamber. It was a large room, carved into the black rock that made up the cave. The ceiling, supported by white stone columns, contrasted with the dark tones of the furniture and the room's inherent darkness. At the foot of the stairs leading to an improvised throne, three Digimon lay hidden in the shadows. They were three Dobermon.
The throne, however, was an impressive work of art in itself. Carved from a dark, glossy stone, it was adorned with inlays of precious stones that gleamed faintly in the dim light. Rubies, sapphires, and emeralds were meticulously embedded in intricate patterns, creating geometric figures and arcane symbols that seemed to tell forgotten stories. The throne's arms were of pure gold, engraved with scenes of ancient battles and victories, and each armrest ended in an eagle's claw made of green jade. The high, majestic backrest was decorated with a mosaic of amethysts and topazes forming the image of a rising sun, symbolizing power and rebirth. At the base of the throne, small diamonds were scattered like stars, reflecting the light of the upper gemstones and giving the throne an ethereal, almost mystical glow.
The Dobermon, lying at the throne's foot, were both intimidating and majestic. Their muscular, agile bodies were covered in jet-black fur that absorbed the scant light in the chamber, making them blend almost entirely with the shadows. Their red eyes glowed with fierce intelligence, and their slightly visible fangs gleamed with latent danger. Each wore a thick silver collar with runic inscriptions, likely enchanted to enhance their strength and agility. Their ears, pointed and always alert, caught every sound in the cave, and their claws, sharp as blades, gently scraped the stone floor in a gesture of contained impatience. Although they were lying down, the tension in their bodies indicated they could spring into action at any moment, defending their territory and their master with relentless ferocity.
He approached them with a certain nostalgia. It had been too long since he had seen them, and he didn't know if they would still remember him.
"Don't touch them," said a voice from atop the throne. It was deep, laced with authority and bitterness. "They were about to fall asleep."
Mercurymon nodded and began to ascend the stairs. He stopped a few steps from the throne as a sign of respect.
"Good morning," Mercurymon greeted politely.
"Good morning," responded the voice from the throne. He wasn't sure if it was morning outside. It had been a long time since he last saw daylight.
From the darkness surrounding him, Mercurymon couldn't make out the figure of his interlocutor, but he knew it was the one he had been searching for.
"It's been a long time since you last visited. Well, in general, it's been a long time since anyone visited me. To what do I owe this honour?" asked the voice, puzzled, though with a clear hint of irony.
"I've come to ask you for a favour."
"I'm not surprised. You have no other reason to be here," the voice paused dramatically for a moment. "The answer is no, I'm telling you in advance. You can leave now."
"At least hear my proposal," Mercurymon said, trying to calm him.
"You have five minutes," the voice responded. Deep down, he was pleased that Mercurymon had come to visit him. It had been a long time since he had received anyone. His only company was his Dobermon, which was often insufficient. Besides, he had no idea what the Olympian could want from him. His family had cut ties with him long ago, so it must be something extremely urgent.
"It's difficult to explain in just five minutes, so I'll try to summarize. We've started a revolution. We're going to reclaim our former positions. We'll be important again. And I want you to be part of it, of course," Mercurymon explained, trying to be as concise as possible.
"Now the Olympians need me? What a surprise…" said the voice, resentful. "I didn't support you the first time when you were all together; why would I do it now?"
Mercurymon knew he would ask that question. And, as always, he had prepared a speech.
"First and foremost, you must know that we're doing this to restore our honour, which was vilely taken from us; not for selfish reasons, as you might think," he paused briefly, aiming for his words to have the greatest impact possible. "But I already know you want to know how you can benefit… We've rescued Ceresmon. That means we can also find the others. Or so I hope. Do you know what I mean?"
"Are you talking about…?"
"Yes," Mercurymon confirmed firmly. "You could regain everything you lost in the previous conflict. Because, as you know, staying neutral didn't prevent them from taking your loved ones…"
"Are you implying I could get my wife back?" His voice cracked slightly as he mentioned his wife, whom he missed dearly…
"I'm not implying it, I know it. You could not only get your wife back but also your aides, and you could revive your empire," Mercurymon wasn't entirely sure of what he was saying, but he made sure not to show it.
"I don't know, I don't know…" the voice said, doubtful. "I'm intrigued by your ideas, but some things don't convince me. It all sounds too good to be true. Are the other Olympians okay with me helping?"
"The truth is they don't know I'm here," Mercurymon could see his interlocutor frown. Lying wouldn't serve him any good in this case, as it would be too obvious. "However, there won't be any issues since…"
"Are you sure?" he interrupted, rising from the throne. Mercurymon could then better appreciate his figure.
Before him stood an imposing and terrifying figure. His body was tall and slender, covered by a cloak of shadows that seemed to move with a life of its own. As the figure moved, the darkness slithered like a dense mist, revealing glimpses of armor in various shades of black. The figure's face was partially concealed by a helmet with twisted, elongated horns that gave him an even more diabolical appearance. Beneath the helmet, his eyes glowed with an infernal red light, piercing and filled with unfathomable wisdom and malevolence. His mouth, visible between the shadows, displayed sharp fangs that suggested a contained savagery.
His large, powerful hands were covered by gauntlets that ended in sharp claws, capable of tearing through both physical and spiritual matter. At his side hung a long, heavy chain that seemed more an extension of his will than a mere weapon; each link of the chain was embedded with small dark gems that pulsed with ominous energy. His massive, menacing pauldrons were adorned with sharp fangs that seemed to have a life of their own, moving slightly as if eager to bite. Topping his attire, a large red cape extended majestically from his shoulders to the floor, adding an air of royalty and danger to his figure. The cape billowed slowly, as if it were alive and reacting to the presence of the visitor.
His movements were slow and deliberate, carrying a natural authority that commanded respect and fear. As he advanced, the figure cast a shadow that extended like a cloak of darkness, enveloping the room in a sense of despair and doom. It was as if the very existence of the place trembled before his presence, recognizing the power and dominion that emanated from him.
"Yes. Perhaps Marsmon will oppose it, and some may follow him, but nothing more," Mercurymon explained, undaunted. Thinking of Marsmon unsettled him, and the being accompanying him seemed to feed his unease. He pushed away those dark thoughts and continued, "Besides, you've always been one of us…"
The stranger let out a bitter laugh, echoing in the cavern like a sound of resentment.
"One of you? I no longer belong to the Olympians. I have always been cruelly exiled and mistreated by them," he said, his voice laden with reproach and accumulated pain.
"Not by everyone," Mercurymon denied firmly, trying to remain calm.
"But by most. Does that change anything?" he replied coldly, his eyes gleaming with a mix of resentment and defiance.
An uncomfortable silence fell between them, dense and filled with unspoken tensions. Mercurymon felt the weight of each second, as if the darkness itself was wrapping them in a suffocating embrace.
"They don't even know you've come to negotiate with me, Mercurymon. Do you really think they'll welcome me with open arms if I accept your proposal?" the stranger continued, his words tinged with skepticism and disdain.
Mercurymon swallowed, keeping his stance firm and his gaze fixed on those eyes challenging him from the shadows. He pondered if he had done something wrong or forgotten a part. No, he had done everything perfectly. His performance had been magnificent. So why hadn't he heard the 'yes' he so eagerly desired?
He quickly reconsidered, seeking another strategy. He needed to appeal to something deeper, something that would strike a chord.
"Don't you miss your wife?" he asked, lowering his voice, seeking a more personal approach.
The stranger remained still for a moment, and Mercurymon noticed a slight change in his expression. He had found a crack in his armor.
"Of course I miss her," he responded with an almost inaudible whisper. "Every day, every night. But your words won't bring her back."
"I know," Mercurymon admitted. "But our cause, our revolution, could. We have resources, information… together, we can find her."
The stranger leaned forward, his narrowed eyes studying Mercurymon. There was doubt in his gaze, but also a flicker of hope. If the god had taken the trouble to come here with such a promise, he must have some indication of where she was.
"Do you really think we could find her?" he asked, his voice now softer, less harsh.
"Yes, I believe so. And not only find her. We can restore everything you lost. Your position, your respect. You can show them they were wrong about you," Mercurymon said, putting all his effort into sounding sincere and convincing.
"I have to see it with my own eyes to be completely convinced. I've tried myself all these years, without any success."
"Come to the next meeting. That way, you'll see that what I've said is true," Mercurymon proposed.
Silence fell between them again, but this time it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a silence filled with possibilities, hope, and decisions to be made.
"No," the voice stated. His grave tone echoed throughout the chamber, awakening the Dobermon. The three of them ran up the stairs, positioning themselves around the throne. Their eyes gleamed menacingly with a crimson glow in the dim light.
"Then what do you want?" Mercurymon asked, confused by the firm refusal.
"Find my wife and prove to me that everything you promise is true. Then we'll talk," said the stranger, his voice heavy with restrained pain.
Mercurymon felt a flash of anger. He hadn't expected that response. It was worse than he imagined. He would have to find her to gain access to him… Deep down, he understood. All the Olympians, according to him, acted out of selfish motives. Including himself. After all, he was part of that family, whether he liked it or not.
"I will find her. You can be sure of that," Mercurymon affirmed, striving to maintain his composure.
"I'm not getting my hopes up. As I've said, I've been searching for her all these years without success. I doubt you'll find her overnight," the stranger responded with a weary sigh. His shoulders tensed—he had momentarily believed Mercurymon.
"I'm much more efficient than you think," Mercurymon insisted, with a tone of defiance.
"Of that, I'm convinced, Mercurymon. But my perspective has always been more realistic than that of the Olympians. And you know that," said the stranger. His tone was grave and resigned. "I miss her too much. Every day, every night. But your words won't bring her back."
"I know, Plutomon," Mercurymon admitted, changing his tone to one more conciliatory. "But our cause, our revolution, could. We have resources, information… together, we can find her."
The tension in the air was palpable. Plutomon had spoken with a harshness that left no room for argument, and Mercurymon felt his words falling on deaf ears. The Dobermon stood alert, their eyes shining with a menacing glow. With fluid and elegant movements, they descended from the throne towards Mercurymon, positioning themselves strategically in case their master ordered them to attack.
The Dobermon were imposing, with their dark fur blending perfectly with the shadows of the cavern. Their fangs peeked out slightly as they opened their jaws in a silent growl, enough to show their displeasure. Although they did not show an aggressive attitude towards Mercurymon, their eyes were cold and calculating, evaluating his every move.
Mercurymon remained still, aware that any gesture could be misinterpreted. He knew that the Dobermon recognized him and had orders to allow his presence, but he also felt their master's growing discomfort reflected in the dogs.
The three Dobermon then circled the throne, forming a kind of living barrier between Mercurymon and Plutomon. Their gazes were a constant reminder that, even if they did not attack, they were ready to act if the situation required it. Their tails, stiff as stakes, signaled their state of maximum alert.
"Relax," said the stranger from the throne, his voice resonating with authority. The Dobermon did not stop looking at Mercurymon, but their growls diminished to a barely audible murmur.
Mercurymon swallowed, feeling the weight of those canine gazes. He knew he had to proceed cautiously, for any misstep could trigger an adverse reaction. He looked at the stranger and saw in his eyes the distrust accumulated over the years.
"Are you sure?" the stranger interrupted, rising from the throne. Mercurymon could then better appreciate his figure, and the movement caused the Dobermon to tense their muscles even more, prepared to defend their master at any cost.
The atmosphere was oppressive, and Mercurymon felt he had to double his efforts to gain the stranger's trust. Meanwhile, the Dobermon remained vigilant, a constant warning of the delicate nature of the situation.
"I'm leaving," Mercurymon announced upon receiving silence as a response. One of the Dobermon barked, perhaps relieved by his departure. "I'll return when I've found her."
"Then we won't see each other again."
"You're wrong. We'll see each other much sooner than you expect. Goodbye."
Mercurymon turned around and retraced his steps, his footsteps echoing through the cavern. The darkness seemed denser as he moved away from the throne, but his mind was already focused on what he had to do. He had a new mission, a task that involved finding someone lost long ago. However, that would have to wait.
As he exited the cavern, the fresh air greeted him with a revitalizing gust. The vastness of the landscape before him contrasted with the claustrophobia of the cave, and Mercurymon inhaled deeply, feeling his thoughts clear. The immediate priority was to return to his palace and rest a bit, as long as Seraphimon hadn't destroyed it in his confrontation with Venusmon.
The journey back gave him time to reflect on the next steps. He needed to assess the results of Venusmon's mission, take stock of the damage if necessary, and plan the next phase of his strategy. The incursion into Prison Land was crucial, and every detail had to be considered precisely.