Chapter 5: Meeting
Night fell with a tense calm over the Palace of Mirrors, where Mercurymon, the leader of the Olympians, awaited the arrival of his companions. From the balcony, his figure stood out against the starry sky as he gazed at the nocturnal landscape with restless eyes. The moon shone high above, faintly illuminating the palace courtyard, but the stars barely showed in the firmament, as if the darkness itself conspired to hide the impending destiny.
Mercurymon took a sip of wine, the red liquid gleaming in the candlelight that adorned the balcony. Its bitter taste burned his throat, but it provided a small relief for the nerves gnawing at him from within. The cup slipped from his fingers and crashed onto the marble floor, breaking the night's silence with a dull and final sound.
Mercurymon surveyed the scattered glass shards on the ground and wondered how this meeting would unfold. His plan was risky, and in the previous meeting, he had not garnered the full support of all the Olympians. He recalled the looks of distrust and the murmurs of doubt that had filled the room when he had presented his proposal. However, this time he was determined to prove to them that his leadership was firm and his vision unstoppable. He took a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the wine still lingering on his palate, and prepared to face the challenges to come with the same courage and apparent calm and control he had always displayed.
Marsmon, the god of war, was the first to arrive at the Palace of Mirrors. His golden armor was gleaming in the moonlight. Every step echoed in the courtyard, marking his arrival with palpable determination. He stopped before the balcony where Mercurymon awaited him, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. Marsmon had purposely arrived early to show his support for his brother, but also to verify firsthand that everything was ready. He observed Mercurymon closely, searching for signs of concern or hesitation on his face. However, he found only the same relentless determination that had always characterized his younger brother.
"Do you have everything planned out already, don't you?" Marsmon asked, his voice resonating with a mixture of skepticism and respect.
Mercurymon nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light. "Yes, everything is prepared, as you already know," he replied calmly, though inside he felt a mixture of anxiety and anticipation that he could not ignore.
Silence stretched between them, filling the space with palpable tension. They were soon interrupted by the arrival of Vulcanusmon and Venusmon, whose presence only added more weight to the air charged with expectations.
Vulcanusmon, with his imposing presence and stern gaze, stepped forward to greet Mercurymon, while Venusmon, with her elegant bearing and captivating smile, followed closely behind. She kept her gaze fixed on Marsmon, who soon began to feel uncomfortable. The tension between them was palpable, a mixture of resentment and desire that they could not hide.
The meeting continued with the arrival of Minervamon, whose appearance surprised the others with her grace and candor. Mercurymon greeted her with a nod, silently acknowledging her presence among them. Neptunemon was next. The last to arrive were the twins Apollomon and Dianamon. They seemed to have agreed to arrive together.
With everyone present gathered on the balcony, Mercurymon led them into the palace interior and proceeded to explain the purpose of the meeting: to plan the next move of the Olympians in their quest for domination over the Digital World. His voice resonated with authority as he spoke, outlining the details of his plan with cold and calculated precision.
The meeting room was illuminated by crystal chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling, filling the space with a dim and brilliant light. In the centre of the room, a large table of solid mirror stretched out, surrounded by ornate chairs carved with classical motifs. Mercurymon took his seat at the head of the table, flanked by Marsmon to his right and Apollomon to his left. Beside Apollomon sat his sister. Behind them, Vulcanusmon and Venusmon sat together, exchanging occasional knowing glances. On the other side of the table, Minervamon occupied a prominent seat, watching the others attentively with an expression of intense concentration. Neptunemon, the last to take his seat, sat near the door, with a nonchalant yet vigilant attitude.
"Considering that we want to teach them a lesson, we should do the same thing they did to us: imprison them," proposed Mercurymon, pointing to a strategically placed map on the table. "Let's start with the easiest target: Ophanimon."
Mercurymon's words echoed in the room, filling it with palpable tension. Everyone, except Marsmon, was surprised by the proposal of their newly established leader. The Olympians exchanged nervous glances among themselves, aware of the gravity of what was being proposed. Attacking one of the Three Great Angels was not a decision to be taken lightly, but everyone understood the importance of sending a clear message to their enemies. Ophanimon, as the angelic leader, was a key strategic target, and her capture would send a strong message to anyone who dared to challenge the Olympians' dominance in the Digital World.
Neptunemon frowned, reflecting on the audacity of Mercurymon's proposal. He knew that facing Ophanimon would be a daunting and dangerous task, but he also recognized the need for drastic measures to consolidate the power of the Olympians if his nephew's proposals were serious. Apollomon nodded silently, his jaw clenched as he analyzed the implications of the proposed strategy. Venusmon looked at Vulcanusmon with a mixture of concern and determination, knowing that the success of their mission depended largely on the cooperation and mutual support between the Olympians and on her husband's work as the creator of new weapons. The god smith remained undisturbed, as usual.
Minervamon, on the other hand, remained silent, her mind concocting possible scenarios and strategies to carry out the plan effectively. She was amused by the idea of engaging in a new contest where she could demonstrate her intellectual prowess. Finally, Dianamon listened attentively to Mercurymon's words, evaluating the implications of the proposed mission and considering her role in the enterprise. As the discussion continued, she wondered if the decision to attack Ophanimon was casual or if her friendship with Cherubimon had been taken into account and therefore they had decided not to attack him first.
With his imposing demeanor and sharp gaze, Marsmon decided to reinstate the conversation. He intervened with precise questions about the attack plan, challenging Mercurymon's preparedness. He tried to establish himself as the relentless leader he had always been. There was no room for indecision in his movements or in his speech. Every word he uttered was filled with determination and an unyielding desire to ensure that every step taken by the Olympians was calculated down to the smallest detail. Mercurymon, although confident in his own leadership abilities, could not help but feel a hint of unease at the intensity with which his brother approached the discussion.
As Marsmon raised his questions, Mercurymon's mind raced. Why was his brother being so insistent? Did he doubt his abilities to lead this venture? Or perhaps, was Marsmon simply seeking to strengthen the strategy with his tactical cunning? Doubts crowded Mercurymon's mind, but he forced himself to maintain a façade of confidence in front of the others.
However, the lack of details in Mercurymon's answers did not go unnoticed by Marsmon. Every omission, every hesitation, fueled seeds of doubt in the mind of the god of war. While Marsmon respected his brother and recognized his ability to lead, he could not help but question whether Mercurymon was truly prepared for the challenge ahead.
The tension between the two brothers was palpable in the air, like a storm about to burst. Despite their shared history and the loyalty they professed to each other as brothers, they faced each other as opposing figures in that moment: one, the bold and determined leader; the other, the calculating and ambitious strategist, ready to take command if necessary. And between them, in the centre of the meeting room, unfolded a silent but intense power play, where every word and every gesture was a battle for control and supremacy.
After listening eagerly to the debate between Mercurymon and Marsmon, Minervamon intervened, cutting off the discussion with a clear and firm voice.
"Forgive me, but I believe we have overlooked something important in our conversation," said Minervamon, capturing everyone's attention in the room. "So far, we have discussed the attack plan and the strategic details, but when exactly will we carry out this attack? Where will it be? And more importantly, how will we ensure that it is successful?"
Her question resonated in the silence of the room, causing everyone to reflect on the practical issues that had not yet been addressed. The Olympians exchanged glances before turning their attention back to Mercurymon, awaiting his answers.
Mercurymon took the floor, his expression serious and determined. "During these days, I have sent my most reliable messengers to spy on Ophanimon's movements," he began, his voice resonating in the room. "We have discovered that although she has certain diplomatic missions, she always returns to her castle on the Frontier continent. Therefore, to avoid witnesses or collateral damage, we will ambush her in her own territory."
Marsmon frowned, showing his skepticism. "And what about Ophanimon's castle security measures? Are you sure it is as secure as you claim?"
Mercurymon nodded, acknowledging his brother's valid concern. "It is true that we cannot underestimate enemy surveillance. However, no one has ever dared to directly attack Ophanimon. The castle's security is minimal, relying on the belief that no one would dare challenge her on her own territory."
Mercurymon's response seemed to momentarily satisfy Marsmon, although doubts still lingered in the air for the other gods. The Olympians listened in silence, absorbing each word with attention as preparations for the ambush continued to take shape.
The discussion in the meeting room intensified as the Olympians debated the location and security of Ophanimon's castle. Minervamon, with a serious but determined expression, intervened, cutting off the debate. "Let's set aside assumptions and get to the point," she said firmly. "When will the attack be, and where do we plan to carry it out?" She was eager to participate.
Mercurymon, with a thoughtful gesture, took a moment before responding. "After evaluating all the options, I propose waiting three days before carrying out the attack," he announced. "We will take advantage of the upcoming meeting of the Three Great Angels as a starting point. It will be the perfect opportunity to ambush Ophanimon when she returns to her castle."
Some Olympians expressed concern about the wait, arguing that each day was an opportunity for Ophanimon to strengthen her defenses. However, Mercurymon insisted that patience would be our best ally. "I understand your concerns," he admitted, "but this time will give us the strategic advantage we need. Trust me, it will be worth it."
The gazes of those present met in silence, evaluating Mercurymon's proposal. Although some still seemed undecided, the determination in their eyes made it clear that they were willing to follow his lead.
The echo of the conversation faded in the meeting room as the Olympians contemplated Mercurymon's final words. However, before the meeting officially concluded, Venusmon, with a concerned expression on her face, raised a crucial question that hung in the air like a dark cloud.
"What will happen to Ophanimon after she is captured?" Venusmon asked, her voice resonating with a note of unease.
Mercurymon, with a slight furrow of his brow, admitted that this was an important consideration that had not yet been fully addressed. "You're right," he acknowledged, "we haven't discussed what will become of Ophanimon once she is under our control."
Apollomon, always ready to offer his support to the goddess, intervened with two possible options. "We could consider two places to keep her safe," he suggested. "One would be Hell's Field, a suitable place to contain high-level prisoners. The other option would be Prison Land, although that would require us to first conquer the area. It has been abandoned for centuries. It shouldn't be difficult."
The gazes of those present turned to Mercurymon, awaiting his response to Apollomon's proposals. The leader of the Olympians took a few seconds to reflect, carefully evaluating the suggestions before making a decision.
Mercurymon took a moment to contemplate the options presented by Apollomon. He looked at each of those present, feeling the expectation weighing on him. Finally, he raised a hand in a gesture to calm the tension in the room.
"I believe both options are viable," Mercurymon began with a serene but firm voice, "but we must consider the logistics and security in each case." He paused, allowing his words to be absorbed by those present.
"On the one hand, Hell's Field offers a naturally hostile environment that would hinder any escape attempt by Ophanimon," he continued, pointing to the strategic map on the table. "However, Prison Land has its own benefits: once conquered, it would give us total control over the place and allow us to establish additional security measures."
Mercurymon looked at Apollomon with an expression of gratitude for his suggestions before turning to the rest of those present. "Given that Ophanimon's security is of utmost importance, I propose that we consider both options more carefully before making a final decision. We need to ensure that any place where we hold her is impenetrable and guarantees our strategic advantage. However, due to the urgency of the situation, we could first detain her in Hell's Field and, once the possibility of Prison Land is explored, move her there."
Everyone seemed to agree with the proposal. With the details of the plan established and the Olympians in agreement, the meeting came to an end. Despite the challenges and doubts that arose during the discussion, Mercurymon felt satisfied with having achieved his goal. Now, all that remained was to wait for the opportune moment to set his plan in motion and bring the Olympians one step closer to their ultimate goal: their return to governance over the Digital World.