Following the instructions of the lead DreadKnightmon, Davis, Veemon, and the other heroes and heroines, alongside ShadowEclipsemon, stood in a circle as the massive airship floated above them.
It was then that many within the group, mostly those newer to Witchelny, were startled when a dark vortex opened beneath their feet and moved upward, consuming the group as the DreadKnightmon returned to their BloodDracomon mounts and flew back toward the airship themselves.
Though startled, the heroes and heroines found their surprise only growing as the vortex had consumed them and teleported them into the airship above.
Davis, Kari and the others then found themselves standing at the centre of a massive chamber, one that appeared to be big enough to fit a dozen SacredPhoenixmon and BlitzKabuterimon within its confines, where perhaps most startling to the group, even toward those who had saved Witchelny long ago, was that fact that they were now surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of Dark Digimon, ranging from ShadowKnightmon, RavenKnightmon, OnyxKnightmon, SerpentKnightmon and even a few DeathKnightmon, alongside many more DreadKnightmon, each of whom maintained the dark sword crest of the Knights of the Dark Blade upon their persons.
Though unnerved by the sight of so many powerful Dark Tribe Digimon around them, with those who had travelled upon Witchelny once before reminding themselves that these Digimon were not their enemies, while those newer to the mystical Digital World remained weary, the mood quickly changed when a loud and authoritative voice called out with might. "Knights of the Dark Blade, salute!"
Moving as one, the various dark knight Digimon brought their arms up and crossed their weapons across their chest in a form of salutations, a sign Davis, Veemon and the original group of heroes and heroines recognized as a sign of respect from the knightly beings as they recognized them as the Heroes of Witchelny, before the duo of Miracles and their friends looked to see another Digimon approaching them from the back of the room.
Resembling a DreadKnightmon in appearance, the newer dark knight Digimon was twice the size of his lesser comrades.
Wielding a single dark blade that was strapped to his side as his left hand rested upon it, while adding to their further imposing appearance with the six spiked shoulder pads and set of horns upon his helmet, the Digimon stopped just a few feet before Davis and Veemon, before turning his head toward ShadowEclipsemon as the Dark Digimon said. "I am glad you are unharmed, Chief Mystic."
"I have your knights to thank for that, DarkKishimon." The dark mystic Digimon said back and with a respectful bow, his words allowing Davis, Kari and the others to know that this Digimon was the Grandmaster and leader of the Knights of the Dark Blade, the one they needed to speak with in order to gain the order's aid against the Legions and the Cult of the Fallen.
Turning his gaze back upon the gathering of humans, Digimon and Appmon, DarkKishimon expelled an amused chuckle, before his eyes landed back upon Davis and Veemon.
"I had heard the rumours, but did not truly believe that the champions of Witchelny had returned after all this time. It is good to see you all once again." He went on to say.
Looking upon the heroes and heroines, watching as they each expressed confusion and bewilderment to his words, the Grandmaster of the Knights of the Dark Blade chuckled once again, before he informed Davis and the others. "I was one of the ShadowKnightmon that was a part of the Resistance. I fought alongside you and the other Tribes against the Dark Lady's tyranny and watched you end the evils that threatened our world."
Their eyes widening in revelation, upon hearing that DarkKishimon was one of their allies during those final battles of their last visit to Witchelny, Davis, Kari and the others continued to listen as the Dark Digimon then told them. "It was your bravery, your sacrifices and your determination to save us, to stop the Dark Lady, even after finding out her motive, the battle you fought against her, Mortismon and the fallen god, that inspired me to form the Knights of the Dark Blade, to show our world that the Dark Tribe can use its power for good and not only for evil, to be the watchers and protectors of our world, even against the threat of the Legions."
"We are grateful to have you as an ally, DarkKishimon." Shoutmon said in reply as he too expressed with his own respect and politely bowed toward the Grandmaster, an action the rest of the group mirrored as to show their own respect to their new ally, who nodded his head in reply to their gesture.
As they lifted their heads, Davis and the others watched as DarkKishimon then brought his right hand up and clenched his fist, before looking around to see the various dark knight Digimon disperse and return to whatever they were doing before the heroes and heroines arrived, save for a pair of DreadKnightmon who seemed to be the Grandmaster's right hands.
"Come, let me show you the order I have built in your honour." DarkKishimon offered as he turned and began to move forward, with Davis and Veemon following behind as Kari, TK, ShadowEclipsemon and the other heroes and heroines joined them, their eyes taking in their surroundings as they observed the inner workings of the Knights of the Dark Blade.
All around them, the heroes and heroines watched as some of the DreadKnightmon spared with one another, others attended to the BloodDracomon that seemed to be within their holding cells, while others seemed to be training the other dark knight Digimon, alongside Digimon of Rookie and Champion level, all apparently from the Dark Tribe as they wore sashes on their arms baring the symbol of the Order.
"Digimon from across the Dark Tribe come to us and seek to join our ranks." DarkKishimon informed his allies as he led his guests out of the main chamber and through the hallways of the airship, arriving at one particular room as he gestured for the heroes and heroines to enter, before he told Davis and the others with a further pride in his voice. "But only those who prove themselves are worthy to become DreadKnightmon."
Looking forward and upon the other occupants of the room, Davis, Kari, Veemon and their friends all looked to see a trio of ShadowKnightmon kneeling before an altar that resembled a SkullDracomon's head made of black marble, one with a dark purple gem within its maw.
Watching the scene play out and keeping their eyes on a pair of Necromon that seemed to be performing a ritual, the heroes and heroines then watched as the gem upon the altar began to glow, before tendrils of darkness shot from the object and encircled the trio of ShadowKnightmon, cocooning them in a similar fashion to the spirit evolutions Takuya, Zoe, Tommy and Koichi were used to, before the darkness subsided, and in place of the ShadowKnightmon were a trio of newly Digivolved DreadKnightmon, who stood up and saluted the altar in thanks as they completed their trial.
"That gem, it holds power from the Infinite Dark, doesn't it?" Veemon found himself questioning as he felt the familiar energies emanating from the altar, the dark energies reminding the V-marked Digimon of the primordial fragment of the Dark Tribe, a power that aided him, Davis and the others against the Dark Lady during the War.
"Indeed." DarkKishimon replied.
Looking upon the new DreadKnightmon, The Grandmaster went on as he told the heroes and heroines. "Once our recruits pass their trials and are deemed worthy, the altar allows them to Digivolve or even change into a DreadKnightmon, making them full members of our Order and dark knights that will protect Witchelny from those who threaten our home."
"So, this altar bypasses the Digimon's normal Digivolutionary line and allows the Digimon affected to Digivolve into a DreadKnightmon?" Izzy theorized with a fair interest within his voice as he eyed the altar, the Digidestined of Knowledge intrigued, along with a few others within the group, by this process and wondered if the other Orders used similar methods to make powerful Digimon like the dark knight Digimon before them.
Nodding his head in reply toward Izzy's words, DarkKishimon then looked back upon his knights and commented with a further sense of pride. "Though our numbers may be few when compared to the armies that fought for and against the Dark Lady, the Knights of the Dark Blade are strong and admirable, and our might will defeat the invaders if they dare try to take our world!"
Looking between one another, Davis and Veemon shared a sense of worry, knowing that now they would have to bring up one of the main issues they needed to speak to DarkKishimon about, before the duo looked upon ShadowEclipsemon and their friends, who mostly nodded their heads in silent agreement, while TK, Patamon and the rest of those newer to Witchelny expressed their own worries upon their faces, but remained silent nonetheless.
Turning to face DarkKishimon once again, Davis gained a determined look upon his face as he told the Grandmaster with a further honesty in his tone of voice. "As much as I admire what you have built and what your order stands for, DarkKishimon, it cannot stand against the Legions, not on its own."
The moment seemed to gain tension as the pair of DreadKnightmon turned to face the Digidestined of Miracles, while DarkKishimon turned his head toward Davis, his dark purples eyes glaring upon the maroon haired boy, an action that caused some concern to fill Kari, and for the other heroes and heroines to hold their breath in anticipation.
"If any other had told me that, I would have called them a coward and weak." The Grandmaster of the Knights of the Dark Blade remarked as he turned fully to face Davis and Veemon, the tension seemingly increasing as the duo of Miracles noticed DarkKishimon's aids grasping the hilt of their blades.
However, the tension died down when DarkKishimon expelled a small sigh, before commenting with his own honestly. "But you two, I have seen you fight, I have seen you battle against the threats to our world, survive the derangement of Mortismon and defeat a fallen god. You are no cowards and are not weak."
Nodding his head in appreciation for the dark knight Digimon's understanding, Davis continued as he told DarkKishimon and his aides. "When we were resummoned here by Arcanadramon, the Infernal Legion launched a massive assault upon the outer territories of the Dark Tribe, and their leader, the Burning King, joined the battle. Veemon and I were forced to take on MagnaVeedramon's Divine Mode, the same form we used against my fallen counterpart, to battle him, and all we succeeded in doing was driving him back into the void for now, and that was just one of at least four leaders of similar power and strength."
"Likewise, there is something else at work, something more powerful than the Legion Commanders." Veemon chimed in, gaining DarkKishimon's attention as the V-marked Digimon expressed his own points upon the subject. "The Infernal Legion later attacked Mt. Brocken, where an Avatar-like beast was possessed by a powerful force, one we were once again forced to use our Divine Mode to take down, but the entity that controlled it was only using a small percent of its true power."
"So what? We should just give up then?!" One of the DreadKnightmon alongside DarkKishimon then questioned with a growing frustration in his voice, but quickly composed himself when his Grandmaster held up his hand.
With the lesser Digimon in control and DarkKishimon turning his attention back upon Davis and Veemon, the Digidestined of Miracles allowed himself to continue in his speech.
"No, what I am saying is that we need to work together, and not just those around us now." He replied.
Looking back upon DarkKishimon with a continued seriousness, Davis then told the dark knight Digimon. "We were not alone when we fought against the Dark Lady, Mortismon and my fallen counterpart. You were there, the Resistance and the Tribal Alliance as well, we all worked together against a foe greater than ourselves, and that is what will be needed to hold off the Legions, which will mean working with the other Orders as well, starting with the Shadow Court and the Void Syndicate."
Hearing the sound of someone spitting in disgust, Davis turned his attention toward the second DreadKnightmon present, who went on and questioned with a tone of annoyance. "You want us to work with them? The Court spends all their time in their books and the Syndicate moves in the shadows like cowards! They do nothing while we are the ones out there fighting!"
"And I am certain in their eyes that you seem to be reckless fools charging headlong into battle." Davis countered in reply, his words annoying the dark knight Digimon, until the Digidestined of Miracles continued and said toward DarkKishimon and his aides. "Strength without knowledge has no meaning, and sometimes the direct approach will only cause unnecessary losses. Each of your Orders are three sides of the same coin, and if you are to combat what is to come, you need to put your differences aside and work as one."
As they watched the interaction from the side, Kari looked upon her beloved with a deep respect, admiration and starry eyes as Rika held a small smile, one shared by Tai and the rest of those who had saved Witchelny in the past, the group continuing to be reminded of Davis' improved skills in leadership and his ability to inspire and motivate them and those around them.
At the same time, TK, Catherine, Cody, Izzy, Mimi and their Digimon partners were in awe to see Davis not only taking charge, but acting rational in these negotiations, a feeling Henry, Suzie, Kazu and their partners felt as they saw that the maroon haired Digidestined was far more than the reckless boy they once knew, while the rest of the newcomers were in awe toward the maroon haired boy's leadership.
"Besides, we need their help now along with yours against a more immediate threat, the Cult of the Fallen." Veemon then commented, bringing the talks to their more immediate issue as DarkKishimon and his aides turned their focus upon the Digimon of Miracles.
"Bah, the Cult may cause trouble, but they are little more than an annoyance, fanatics like their leader, DarkShikyomon, crying over glory they never had." DarkKishimon replied as he didn't understand how a minor inconvenience like the deranged followers of a defeated tyrant could be a more pressing issue when compared to the Legions.
Looking upon ShadowEclipsemon and seeing the Chief Mystic nod his head, silently informing him to tell the Grandmaster what he needed to know, Davis refocused upon DarkKishimon and told him with a seriousness within his voice. "They have found a relic from the end of the War, a Soul Shard, one containing the Echo of the Dark Lady herself."
Shocked at the news, the two DreadKnightmon looked upon one another, before turning their focus back toward their leader, who remained in silence for a moment, at least until his hands were consumed within a dark purple and terrible inferno.
"Those worthless fools!" DarkKishimon all but screamed as he slammed his fist into the nearby wall, causing a gigantic dent to form.
Continuing to express his anger, the Grandmaster went on and questioned. "What are they thinking?! Do they truly believe reviving the Dark Lady will save us?! With her beloved gone, she will burn Witchelny to ashes before the Legions even have a chance!"
"We have less than three days now before they have the ideal conditions to perform the ritual, we need to find them and retrieve the Soul Shard before they can succeed." ShadowEclipsemon then stated with urgency, his words allowing the Knights of the Dark Blade to understand the urgency of the situation.
Likewise, upon seeing the reaction of the dark knight Digimon to the news that the fallen version of Kari could return, TK, Patamon and the rest of those newer to Witchelny continue to grasp with the idea of just how dangerous their friends' former foe truly was and could be once again.
"We do not even know where the Cult is hiding, none of their members we have fought ever divulged any information." One of the DreadKnightmon commented with a growing frustration within his voice.
"You guys might not know, but the other Orders might." Davis commented with a continued seriousness, his words causing DarkKishimon to nod his head as he reluctantly agreed with the Digidestined of Miracles.
"We do not know where to find the Void Syndicate, but we do know where the Shadow Court is. Let us pray that they are as… cooperative as you hope." The Grandmaster of the Knights of the Dark Blade said to Davis, before he turned to one of his aides and commanded with authority. "Set course for the Court's Temple at once!"
"Yes, my Lord!" The dark knight Digimon said with absolute loyalty within their tones, before turning and heading toward the command post of the airship, allowing Davis and the others a moment of silence as they allowed their new allies to process the information they had been given, as well as silently wonder how the talks with the Shadow Court will go.
.
.
.
A few hours later, Davis, Kari and the rest of the heroes and heroines, along with ShadowEclipsemon, found themselves upon the bridge of the airship, the group looking out the windows of the flying fortress as it made its way toward the Shadow Court's temple.
Sitting upon his throne within the bridge, meanwhile, DarkKishimon rested his head upon his fist as he kept his eyes upon the heroes and heroines, both old and new to his world, while also contemplating the words Davis had spoken to him beforehand.
While the idea of working with bookworms like the Shadow Court or cowards like the Void Syndicate still bothered him, if what the Digidestined of Miracles had told him about his encounter with the Legions so far was indeed true, then the Grandmaster of the Knights of the Dark Blade knew his Order could not stand against these invaders on their own.
An alliance would indeed be needed, one comparable to the Tribal Alliance that freed the Dark Tribe from the Dark Lady's grasp, and if that was indeed the case, DarkKishimon knew he would have to swallow his pride and work with those who opposed his views, especially the one he was taking the heroes and heroines to meet with.
Looking around at his friends from upon Henry's shoulder, Terriermon expressed some confusion in his features, especially toward the way he noticed how Takato held a clear unease as he looked around the bridge.
Concerned for his friend and speaking his mind, the rabbit-like Digimon then asked. "Everything ok with you, Takato?"
Blinking his eyes as he then noticed many amongst the group having turned their attention upon him, the leader of the Digimon Tamers rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, before he replied with a soft smile. "Yeah, I was just thinking. The first time we ever saw one of these airships was when the Dark Tribe invaded the Wind Tribe's capital… just never thought I'd see the inside of one was all."
Nodding their heads in understanding, Davis, Kari and the rest of the original heroes and heroines agreed with Takato and his statement, still finding it strange that over six months ago in their eyes, they were battling against forces like the Dark Tribe's air fleet, only now to find themselves using one of the machines pitted against them to traverse the lands they once fought against as enemies.
"There aren't many left, having been decommissioned after the war, but Ankokukyomon granted us this ship to use for our Order, and we have made sure to change it from the symbol of terror it once represented into one of hope." DarkKishimon said from his throne, his words causing the group to look upon the Grandmaster and nod in appreciation to his answer, before Davis turned his attention upon ShadowEclipsemon.
"What else can you tell us about the Shadow Court?" The maroon haired Digidestined then asked, adding as he expressed his curiosity. "You told us that they are an order of Dark Mystic Digimon who seek to study the Legions' forces, but do they have unique Digimon like the DreadKnightmon in their ranks? And what about their Grandmaster, what is he like?"
"She is named Ritchikuinmon." DarkKishimon answered in ShadowEclipsemon's stead, gaining the attention of Davis and the others as they heard the disdain within the Grandmaster's voice, before he continued and told his guests. "As for what she is like… you will see, and then we'll all see where her loyalties lie."
Hearing ShadowEclipsemon sigh in annoyance, Davis returned his attention upon his old friend as the Chief Mystic of the Dark Tribe then told him and the others. "She is a bit, eccentric, but otherwise, you will have to see when we meet her."
"As for the rest of the Shadow Court, there and many Necromon and Lichmon among their ranks, but yes, like the Knights of the Dark Blade, they too have a unique Digivolution, powerful Dark Mystic Mega forms called Nekruomon, who use the ancient Digi-magics of the Dark Tribe to manipulate shadows and control darkness as opposed to the Death Digi-Magic the Dark Lady had our tribe practising during her reign." ShadowEclipsemon continued as he looked over his friends and saw the understanding in their eyes.
"Powerful mystics alongside powerful warriors will make for a good balanced force against future attacks from the Legions." Mikey commented with a thoughtful look upon his face, the brunette hoping that together and with the aid of the Void Syndicate that the Orders of the Dark Tribe could become a base for a powerful alliance against the forces invading Witchelny.
"That would be if you can convince them to even work with us, especially now against the Cult of the Fallen." DarkKishimon commented as he stood up from his throne and approached the front window of the bridge, his words gaining the attention of his allies as the Grandmaster then told them. "As I have said, Ritchikuinmon will be tested by your words, we shall see soon if you can sway her to our cause."
Still confused by DarkKishimon's words, alongside his animosity toward Ritchikuinmon, Davis and the other humans, Digimon and Appmon then turned their gaze out the window the Grandmaster was looking out of, seeing not to far in the distance a dark mountain, one with a massive spire perched from the top, with three large spikes made of black obsidian protruding from the top, surrounding a spiral of dark Digi-magic that flowed throughout the tower, this allowing the heroes and heroines to know that this was the Temple of the Shadow Court.
Steeling himself, Davis held a look of determination as he and his friends prepared for their talks with Ritchikuinmon and her Shadow Court, knowing that time was not on their side and that they would need all the help they could get to stop the Cult of the Fallen, less the Dark Lady returned and unleashed her fury upon everything they were trying to protect.
.
.
.
Within the chamber in which the Ritual of Resurrection would be performed and as the Necromon and Lichmon around him prepared for the ceremony, DarkShikyomon floated above the main platform as the Soul Shard of the Dark Lady hovered mere inches from him, the leader of the Cult holding a dark glee within his purple eyes as he all but wrapped his hands around the gem.
At first glance, the dark mystic Digimon resembled the appearance of a Necromon, but unlike the Ultimate Levelled Dark Digimon, DarkShikyomon held a more human-like form within his appearance.
Dressed within dark purple robes with golden etchings and markings, the dark Digimon's face remained concealed behind a golden mask, which only allowed his three purple eyes and his long, dark hair to be seen.
With Six golden spikes emerging from his back and brimming with the same dark energies, DarkShikyomon held a dark and menacing sense of power within his appearance to those who looked upon him.
Continuing to look upon the Soul Shard, the Dark Digimon felt a sense of joy and purpose as he truly believed that his destiny was soon at hand, that he would stand alongside his great Mistress within a whole new era of the Dark Tribe.
During the War, DarkShikyomon was a mere Necromon, newly risen to the ranks of the dark mystics of the Dark Tribe at the height of the Dark Lady's conquest, where the Dark Digimon felt awe and pride toward the great being that turned their meagre Tribe into a power that was destined to rule all of Witchelny.
Even when the outsiders, the so-called heroes, arrived upon their world, fought against the Dark Generals and united the other Tribes against them, DarkShikyomon did not despair nor doubt, for he knew in the end that the Dark Lady would crush them all, either by her own hands or by the power of her beloved resurrected as a deity that would have brought order to Witchelny once and for all.
But then, like thieves in the night, the so-called heroes ruined everything, defeating the Dark Lady and her beloved, while placing a puppet ruler, Ankokukyomon, and his lapdogs in charge of the Dark Tribe, stripping their armies of their power and robbing them of their rightful destiny in the name of peace, before disappearing without even seeing the consequences of their actions.
For too long, DarkShikyomon and those who allied with him tried to preach the words of the Dark Lady, to remind their Tribesmen of the power they once held and how traitors like Ankokukyomon, Arcturusmon and ShadowEclipsemon were enslaving them to their former enemies, but more than often, the Cult of the Fallen was looked down upon as fools, heretics and villains.
DarkShikyomon then remembered when the first of the invaders arrived, causing havoc wherever they appeared, while the so-called heroes were nowhere to be found, leaving Witchelny weak and defenseless against this dark and twisted threat.
Gently caressing the side of the Soul Shard, the leader of the Cult knew that in the end he and his followers were right, that Witchelny needed the Dark Lady, not a pack of outsiders who were blinded by their own sense of righteousness, to protect their world, and once revived, DarkShikyomon knew that he and his followers would become the first in a new, stronger and more powerful Dark Tribe, one that will rule Witchelny forever more.
"Master!" A familiar voice then called in panic, the urgency causing DarkShikyomon to turn and to see one of his Necromon hurry into the chamber.
Panic-stricken, the dark Digimon expressed his worries as he informed his leader. "The attack squad failed to kill the outsiders! The Knights of the Dark Blade have allied with them and they are now seeking the aid of the Shadow Court!"
Growling slightly toward the news, DarkShikyomon mentally cursed the traitors of the knightly Order, and wondered if Ritchikuinmon would remember her loyalties of the past, or if Kumichomon's, the leader of the Void Syndicate's, pride and ego would serve the Cult in the end.
"Shore up our defenses! We must prepare for an assault from these traitors and outsiders, they must not prevent the Dark Lady's return!" DarkShikyomon commanded with authority, his words causing the Necromon to bow in reply, before he turned and left the Cult leader alone.
Back in his thoughts, DarkShikyomon looked back upon the Soul Shard, his interest growing when he saw the dark aura around the gem briefly intensity in power.
Soon, the true ruler of Witchelny would return, and not even the so-called heroes, nor the invaders, would stand in their way.
.
.
.
Within the Void and sensing the presence of the Soul Shard upon Witchelny, the Night Mother, the commander of the Shadow Legion, narrowed her eyes with a dark delight.
"It seems my pet is not gone entirely. This should be interesting." The Dark being commented with glee as many more eyes emerged from the shadows around her, her Legion, as the Night Mother kept her gaze upon the world before her, eager to see how these new events would play out.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Our heroes have gained an ally from one Order of the Dark Tribe, but will they be as successful with the other two? And what of the other forces at play? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
PS: I'm Back! And, as promised, I am continuing this story. Apologies for the long absence, but after finishing Trials of Nexus I needed a break, while also having to deal with life issues, such as moving and fully recovering from the illness that put me in the hospital last year. As promised, this story shall continue, with many surprises and adventures still to come.
I cannot promise, due to my new work/life schedule, to have chapters out as quickly as I did for Nexus, but I will do my best to make sure it is not too long between updates.
Also, going forward, all of the Orders of Witchelny are based upon the three orders of Guild Wars 2, alongside the Class Orders of World of Warcraft.
Likewise, I also have several ideas forming for post-Destiny's Salvation, ideas that include (but not guaranteed) to be:
1: A sequel to Trials of Nexus, where our heroes find a sister world to Nexus, one of super-powered heroes and villains who use the five Mana types to either protect the innocent in the name of justice or unleash chaos for their own nefarious purposes.
2: A remake of Digimon Adventures 02, one where Davis never acted like Tai and Kari never distanced herself from her friendship with him as they face the challenges ahead. Familiar faces, but a newer adventure with newer foes to defeat.
3: An idea in which an old foe causes havoc in a merged Digital World and rips apart the barrier between dimensions, sending many Digimon and Appmon, alongside Davis, Kari and their partners, to a world unlike any they had seen before, a world familiar to many of us, a world of Shinobi.
These and other ideas are just some of the thoughts going on right now, until anything more comes to mind, I hope you all enjoy the continuation of Destiny's Salvation and have a good year.
