Nearly a day and a half had passed since the heroes and heroines had left Mt. Brocken and were now carrying the supplies Arcanadramon provided to them.
And with Davis using a map as part of the supplies obtained from the Mystic Digimon, the maroon haired Digidestined led his friends and allies back toward the Dark Tribe's territory.
During the first part of their journey and finding no threats along the way, much to the team's relief, the original heroes and heroines got a better understanding of their new friends, with Mimi, Catherine, Suzie and Airu getting along with the other girls, while TK and the guys got along with their newer friends and teammates.
Even Rei and Hackmon warmed up to their new companions, while Terriermon and the new Digimon to the group fell in love with Davis' amazing cooking.
Eventually crossing into the Dark Tribe's territory, however, the heroes and heroines held a moment of silence as they walked through the shadowed lands, the original group in thought as they remembered their last adventure.
Save for Davis himself, who had been a prisoner during the time, for Kari and the others, the last time they entered these lands it was as invaders, working alongside the other Tribes to rescue the Digidestined of Miracles from the Dark Lady and defeat her forces, ending her reign of terror and restoring balance to Witchelny.
Now, they were returning to the dark lands, but as allies and not as invaders, the heroes and heroines sought to find out what had kept the reformed Tribe from aiding the rest of Witchelny and to aid them in any way they could, a notion that left Davis and the other original heroes and heroines chuckling slightly toward the irony.
"Ok, ever since we passed those mountains, everything just feels... weird around us." Mimi remarked as she looked around the area, her words receiving a nod of agreement, not only from Palmon, but also from Catherine and Floramon.
"Like Yoshi and I, the four of you are Nature based with your Digimon forms and are in tune with the Digi-magic running through the lands beneath us." Lalamon told her friends.
"It is probably the energy of the Infinite Dark, the Dark Tribe's Primordial Fragment, that you are sensing. It feels much stronger now then the last time we were here, so it's a good sign that it has healed from when the Dark Lady drained its power back then." Yoshi's partner went on to say.
"Still... it feels like we have a shadow over us." Suzie commented as she looked around at what scenery consisted of the dark lands, which caused Lopmon to nod in agreement.
"Don't worry, we won't let anything happen to you." Cody said in a reassuring voice.
As Cody and Armadillomon walked alongside Suzie and Lopmon's right side, Tommy moved to the purple haired Tamer's left to express his own support.
"And if anyone tries anything funny, I'll just turn into FrostKregiermon and turn them into ice statues!" The Warrior of Ice added with his own confidence.
However and although on the same side, Cody and Tommy shared a glance at one another, which left Suzie to blush at how both of the boys made promises to protect her.
All around the younger members of the group, Davis and the other heroes and heroines did their best to keep straight faces as they held different reactions to the growing love triangle between Suzie, Cody and Tommy.
Davis and the other Digidestined were surprised and also happy to see Cody showing an interest in a girl, a feeling Takuya and Zoe shared toward Tommy, while Henry eyed the two boys as the blue haired Digimon Tamer tried to keep his position as an older brother cloud his judgement.
"So... how much further to the capital?" Terriermon found he had to ask, hoping his question would catch Henry's attention and drive away focus from Suzie's love life.
"Not too far, but we're making a small detour first." Davis informed in reply from over his shoulder, his comment confusing those newer to Witchelny, while the original team remained silent as the group moved over to the edge of a ridge line.
Looking down, the gaze amongst the humans, Digimon and Appmon then fell upon what looked like long forgotten ruins of a massive castle, one that seemed to have been destroyed in a great battle long ago.
Though confused by what they were looking upon, TK, Catherine and the rest of the newer heroes and heroines then looked to the rest of their friends, to see Davis, Kari and the others in silence as they gazed upon the ruins with a variety of emotions, ranging through some anger to sadness.
It was then that most of the newcomers realized where they were.
Remembering from the stories that their friends had told them, the heroes and heroines realized that the ruins before them were in fact the remains of the Dark Lady's citadel, the spot of their final battle against the previous forces that threatened Witchelny's very existence.
As their friends watched on, the original heroes and heroines, minus Davis, silently remembered the battle that took place, to how they pushed through the legions of the Dark Tribe, confronted Wraithmon and even remembering to how Eclipsemon made the ultimate sacrifice as to stop his brother, who were thankfully reborn as new Digimon.
Continuing to delve deeper in Witchleny's past, the group then remembered Ajatarmon and his sacrifice when battling the colossal beasts that the Dark Lady had summoned, before Kari and those that came with her confronted her fallen counterpart.
They recalled the sympathy and the pain they shared which cursed the Dark Lady and to then think on the truth, to Mortismon, the Primordial of Death who used Davis as a host and tried to consume the world in his endless hunger.
For Davis, meanwhile, the Digidestined of Miracles has his own thoughts and perspective on the events from back then.
From the moment he first met the Dark Lady, Davis felt the need to stop her evil, not only to save Witchelny, but to protect Kari as he believed back then that the Digidestined of Light, the girl he loved, was the target of the dark being and her machinations, but was proven wrong when the Dark Lady came for him.
After that, Davis' memories were those of pain, agony and madness as Mortismon's power was forcefully placed inside of his being.
Constant anguish and screaming tearing his mind apart, which was saved only by the comfort of Kari's light and love.
It was only when he was freed from Mortismon's grasp and merged with Veemon to become MagnaVeedramon did Davis learn the truth about the Dark Lady and her identity, the knowledge of which tore at the maroon haired Digidestined's heart, at knowing that the evil he had been fighting was a variant of the girl he loved, one who had lost him in her reality and was willing to do anything to get him back.
With Mortismon's defeat, Davis had little time to reflect on what he had learned as MagnaVeedramon was the only one left to fight after that battle, where his own fallen counterpart stole the fallen Primordial's power, along with the stolen energies of the Primordial Fragments so he could become a literal God, just so he could avenge the death of his Kari.
To this day, Davis wondered if his and Kari's counterparts were at peace and with one another, a question he hoped he would get the answer to someday.
Staying close to Davis, Kari held her own thoughts to the events back then, the Digidestined of Light feeling an empathetic connection to her counterpart.
Although she was evil, Kari felt that things could've been different in her own life and she too could've ended up like the Dark Lady if she too had lost her own Davis.
Through all the pain and all the suffering that occurred during that battle, the only thing Kari had cared about in that moment was saving Davis and making sure he was once again safely in her embrace.
It had actually terrified Kari, to see how important Davis was to her and that she was willing to throw even her own life away just to save him.
And yet, the Digidestined of Light knew she could not live without Davis in her life, this allowed Kari to know what her counterpart felt and knew that their paths could've easily have been the same.
Sensing each other's inner turmoil and without even looking at one another, Davis and Kari's hands found one another, the lovers holding each other closely as they continued to look upon the ruins, while their Digimon partners and everyone else present looked upon the pair with understanding and supportive smiles.
"We need to make certain that what happened here does not go in vain." Davis then said in a serious tone, his words receiving nods from the rest of the team as they turned and made their way toward the Dark Tribe's capital, unaware of how close the past was catching up to them.
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Nearly an hour after leaving the ruins of the Dark Lady's citadel, the humans, Digimon and Appmon found themselves at the gates of the Dark Tribe's capital, the original group laying eyes upon the city for the first time.
Looking past the gates and the towering walls, Davis and the others took in the mediaeval gothic style buildings that formed the city.
The alleyways and streets all led to a massive cathedral-styles castle at the centre, one with a cloud of darkness swirling around the high towers, this being the energy of the Infinite Dark .
After receiving nods from the ShadowKnightmon who stood guard at the entrance, the heroes and heroines made their way down the main street and toward the castle.
Taking in the scenery around them, as well as the looks they were receiving, to see many of the Digimon of the Dark Tribe looking with awe to see that the heroes and heroines of Witchelny had returned.
However, it was apparent that some of the Dark Digimon held a sense of hostility as they sent suspicious glares toward the direction of the humans, Digimon and Appmon which caused a tension to fill the air amongst the heroes and heroines.
"Geez, you'd find more excitement in a graveyard." Kazu commented sarcastically as the group continued to proceed through the dark citadel.
Having expected a hero's welcome from what he heard from Takato and the others about their victory from the past instead of the near silent reception they were receiving, Kazu, Guardromon and the newcomers remained with a shared sense of unease.
Sensing the hostility from the small number of Dark Digimon, Gaomon then said with caution in his voice. "Sir, We should keep our guard up. We don't know what could happen."
"Perhaps you should wait for an old friend then." Another voice then cut in.
Turning to the source of the voice, the heroes and heroines looked to see another Digimon descending down and landing a few feet from them.
Looking upon the Digimon, the group took in his black armour and the gold trims along it, as well as the black metal wings that extended from his back, giving him an imposing presence as TK and the rest of the newcomers looked upon the Digimon with caution.
However, easily recognizing the Digimon before them, Davis, Veemon and the rest of the original heroes and heroines gained bright smiles as they approached their old friend, the Digidestined of Miracles taking the hand of the Digimon in a friendly handshake.
"ShadowEclipsemon, it's good to see you again!" Davis said happily, the enthusiasm shared by Veemon.
"Likewise, my friends." The Chief Mystic of the Dark Tribe and fusion of Eclipsemon and Wraithmon said in reply, his friendly tone diffusing the tension within the newcomers to Witchelny.
Looking around though, Davis, Veemon and a few others noticed that the Digimon who were glaring at them seemed to leave upon seeing ShadowEclipsemon, as though not wanting to catch his attention and to inform the group that something was up.
"It's good to see you, ShadowEclipsemon, but we really need to talk to Ankokukyomon and find out why he hasn't been with the rest of the Tribal Council." Veemon then remarked, the Digimon of Miracles hoping their old friend would help them understand what has been troubling the Dark Tribe.
Instead of answering Veemon immediately, however, ShadowEclipsemon looked around, as though seeing if anyone was listening in, before he turned to Davis and Veemon in particular.
"Not out here, please follow me into the castle, everything will be explained there." He said in a hushed tone.
A little unnerved to hear the dark mystic Digimon speak in such a secretive tone, the heroes and heroines looked to one another, before silently following ShadowEclipsemon toward the castle.
And although it wasn't said, Davis and the others were certain that the answers to their questions would not be to their liking.
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Following their new guide, the heroes and heroines walked down the main hall of the castle as ShadowEclipsemon led them to the throne room.
As a pair of large doors opened, revealing a massive chamber, one with a large golden throne at the other end, one shaped like swirling shadows that reached upwards to a large sphere of darkness above the throne, this being the Infinite Dark itself.
Looking toward the throne, Davis, Kari and the others then took in the sight of two figures, one sitting on the throne and his companion to its side, both of whom seemed to be deep in conversation.
The first Digimon, the one sitting on the throne, held a humanoid appearance with pure white skin and hair.
Clad in black armour with skull designs upon it and a throne-like crown, the Digimon held a great darkness in his being, which included a black blade that rested upon the sheath attached to his belt, this giving the being a regal appearance, despite his throne being three times his size.
The second Digimon resembled Tactimon in appearance, one whose armour was made completely out of bone.
However, their appearance allowed the original heroes and heroines to know that this was most likely DeathTactimon's replacement in the Dark Tribe.
Noticing their presence as they walked toward them, the Digimon seated upon the throne, Ankokukyomon, placed his hand up, the gesture causing the Tactimon to stop talking and looked to the new arrivals.
The leader of the Dark Tribe then stood up and said with a bright smile on his face. "My friends, it is so good to see you all once again."
"And it seems you have brought more friends this time." Ankokukyomon then stated as he looked at TK, Izzy and the other newcomers, who felt weary by the dark smile of the Dark Digimon.
For Davis, Veemon and the original team, however…
"I seem to recall a Digimon about this tall..." Davis said as he held his hand down to about Veemon's height, who shared in Davis' words and added. "Whose ego was much bigger than himself."
Freaking out sightly, TK, Cody and the rest of the new group were certain that Ankokukyomon would take offence to Davis' remark and they would all be in trouble for it.
However, instead of anger, Ankokukyomon gave an amused chuckle instead, bowing slightly as he replied courteously. "I can assure you, I am much more... dignified than I was back then."
"Ah, but where are my manners?" The ruler of the Dark Tribe then questioned aloud as he straightened himself.
Gesturing to the bone styled Tactimon, Ankokukyomon introduced his servant.
"This is SkullTactimon, the head of our Tribe's militia."
"A pleasure to finally meet the legendary Heroes of Witchelny." SkullTactimon said in reply and with a polite bow, before ShadowEclipsemon moved to join his Tribe's leader and stand by his side.
"You all already know ShadowEclipsemon." Ankokukyomon then said as he gestured to his Chief Mystic, before looking back amongst the humans, Digimon and Appmon. "And Arcturusmon is out... hunting."
The last statement caused some alarm to fill the heroes, each just wondering who or what the Dark Champion was hunting, before Ankokukyomon raised his hand, cutting off any questions and concerns.
"Now, I know you have a lot of questions, including why I have been absent from the Council meetings, but before we talk, I know you have had a long journey, so allow me and my staff to give you the proper welcome heroes deserve with a feast." He offered kindly.
Noticing a sense of unease within Ankokukyomon's tone, Davis looked to Kari and the others, who nodded in response, the group then followed the leaders of the Dark Tribe to the dining hall for food, drinks and to discuss the fate of the Dark Tribe.
A few minutes later, the heroes and heroines all sat with Ankokukyomon and his allies amongst a large table as they were served various foods and drinks provided by the Dark Digimon.
And while this wasn't Davis' cooking, the Digimon and Appmon dug in regardless.
Enjoying the freshly cooked meal as Davis and the rest looked to the leader of the Dark Tribe, who looked to the heroes and heroines with a serious expression.
"The situation is complicated." Ankokukyomon than said, his words earning a silence from those chowing down as they allowed the Dark Digimon to speak and explain what had been going on with the Dark Tribe.
"Since our victory against the Dark Lady, there have been a small number of those within the Tribe that cannot accept her loss and have not recognized my ascension as ruler of the Tribe, even after the past two thousand years." Ankokukyomon went on to say.
Placing his hands together on the table, Ankokukyomon remained with a seriousness in his words. "They call themselves the Cult of the Fallen, and believe that the tribe should return to how things were under the Dark Lady's rule."
With a few clenching their fists, Davis and the rest of the original heroes and heroines held frowns upon their faces, a shared sense of anger to hear that there were still those who blindly followed the Dark Lady even though she had been vanquished.
"For years, they have been nothing more then background noise, the pests you find spewing nonsense in alleyways or on the sides of streets." Ankokukyomon continued in his tale, his eyes narrowing and his seriousness remaining. "However, since the arrival of these invaders, of these Legions, more and more have started to listen to their call, and slowly, their numbers have begun to grow."
"Even then, they posed little threat, especially when compared to the Legions, until we learned what the Cult had recently found." ShadowEclipsemon then told Davis and the others.
Holding his hand out as an illusion formed at the centre of the table, resembling a dark crystal with a matching aura around it, the imagery earned the attention of Davis, Kari and the others as they looked upon the image with confusion.
"This is a Soul Shard, it stores an echo of an individual, where, with the proper ritual, one can resurrect that individual and let them walk Witchelny again should anything happen to the original." The Chief Mystic of the Dark Tribe then told the humans, Digimon and Appmon.
"So, basically, like saving a file onto a flash drive or a disc in case the original is corrupted or destroyed." Davis replied as he got the gist of what ShadowEclipsemon was saying, which caused Izzy, Thomas and most of the group to nod in understanding.
"So... what makes this one special then?" Eri questioned, the pink haired idol uncertain as to the importance of the shard and why Ankokukyomon and the others needed to explain it to them.
Looking to ShadowEclipsemon and SkullTactimon, Ankokukyomon then turned his eyes to Kari, the leader of the Dark Tribe then telling the Digidestined of Light. "Your counterpart thought ahead."
Hearing these words and their meaning registering in their minds, Davis, Kari, their Digimon partners and the rest of their friends widened their eyes in shock, horror and disbelief as Tagiru then began to say. "Wait... don't tell me..."
"This Soul Shard holds an Echo of the Dark Lady herself." Ankokukyomon said in reply, before adding with a continued frown. "It was created during the final battle, right after Wraithmon's defeat."
"From what some of the Dark Lady's former servants have told us, her plan was that in the event you stopped her, her Soul Shard and the Orb holding the Data of her beloved would be taken somewhere safe, where she would be resurrected and start her plan all over again." SkullTactimon then said as he took in the horrified looks upon the original heroes and heroines' faces, along with the concern and worry expressed by the newer group.
"However, she did not take into account Mortismon's interference, nor the events that followed, and the shard was lost to time, at least until now." ShadowEclipsemon added, before he looked to his leader as Ankokukyomon held a dark look to him.
"The Cult believes that if they resurrect her, the Dark Lady will destroy the Legions and bring Witchelny back under her rule, and that they will be elevated alongside her." The Leader of the Dark Tribe told the humans, Digimon and Appmon, before looking at the heroes and heroines and telling them. "But you all know as well as I that it won't end like that."
Looking specifically to Davis and Veemon, Ankokukyomon than said. "You defeated and ended her beloved. If she is revived and learns that he is gone, she will burn Witchelny and everyone upon this world in retribution, her rage will consume Witchelny in fire!"
Finished with his explanation, the leader of the Dark Tribe then sat back in his chair as he looked upon the original heroes and heroines, their expressions of understandable fear and shock, while the newer group looked to their friends with concern.
"Why... why haven't you informed the other leaders about this?!" Shoutmon then all but questioned in confusion, looking at Ankokukyomon with understandable outrage as he then said. "Arcanadramon would send help in finding the Cult!"
"Politics." Ankokukyomon said in reply and with a sigh, his response confusing most, before Thomas, understanding the situation, answered for the Dark Tribe's ruler.
"If he calls on the other tribes for help, the Cult could use that response to rally more to their cause, simply stating that relying on the other leaders makes him weak and unfit to lead." The DATS genius told his friends, who nodded in understanding, realizing that the other tribes coming to aid would only cause more problems rather than solve them.
"How about this then." Davis then said as he looked to Ankokukyomon and offered. "You're not asking us for help, we have come on our own to help you. We need the Dark Tribe's help against the Legions, and we cannot let the Cult succeed and force us to fight two battles at once."
In response, Ankokukyomon grinned as he looked at Davis, remembering why he liked him the best out of the group, before sighing as he stated. "Unfortunately, we have no idea where the Cult is hiding the Soul Shard. Arcturusmon has been hunting them, but every time the invaders show up, he is forced to stop his hunt and battle our foes, and the militia is not large enough to slit up and perform both tasks at once."
"What about the Orders?" Henry then questioned, his words getting everyone's attention.
"Arcanadramon said that each tribe has their own orders that have formed to protect Witchelny, doesn't the Dark Tribe have some that could help?"
Looking to one another, the leaders of the Dark Tribe nodded, before SkullTactimon spoke up and said to the group. "We have three Orders that have focused much of their attention on battling the Legions, and each do not support the Cult of the Fallen, but... they also do not see eye to eye with each other, allowing old grudges and their beliefs to drive a wedge between them."
"That being said, each of the Grandmasters were there during the final battle against the Dark Lady, and each has a respect for the heroes and heroines who saved our world." ShadowEclipsemon then stated, looking to his old allies and telling them. "If you approach them, I am certain they will hear you out, just remind them of their duty to Witchelny."
"Ok, what are the Orders then?" Gatomon then questioned, the Digimon of Light curious about their new potential allies.
"The Knights of the Dark Blade are a military order, and the easiest for us to contact first." SkullTactimon said through his information. "They are an order of powerful Dark Knight Digimon that believe in a straightforward action and refuse to sit around waiting for their foes to come to them. They do possess a sense of honour, and that should help you win their allegiance."
"Then you have the Shadow Court, who are an order of Dark Mystic Digimon." ShadowEclipsemon then stated, a sense of pride in his voice as he then told Davis and the others. "Unlike the Knights, they believe understanding our foes is the first course of action, and have been studying the invaders since they first began to appear on Witchelny, which has caused some tension with the Knights, as the Court sees them as reckless fools charging to their doom."
"Lastly is the Void Syndicate." Ankokukyomon said with a small growl, letting Davis and the other humans, Digimon and Appmon know that he liked this group the least, where the leader of the Dark Tribe then explained. "A cabal of assassins and spies who have formed the Dark Tribe's 'underworld', and their leader has often opposed me, even if he has the Tribe's best interests at heart."
"Though they are few in number, each Order is made up of powerful Mega Level Digimon that can stand against any foe." ShadowEclipsemon then cut in, ignoring his leader's sour mood for the moment, where SkullTactimon added. "I will send word to the Knights of the Dark Blade and set up a meeting between them and you."
"We appreciate that." Davis said in reply.
Feeling tired and frustrated after everything he had just heard, a feeling shared by most of his friends, Davis knew that if they didn't stop the Cult, then the evil they had fought and defeated long ago would return with a great and terrible vengeance.
"In the meantime, and as we wait for their reply, you are guests in my castle." Ankokukyomon then said with a kindness and welcoming in his voice, which remained as he offered to the group. "Rest for the night and we will discuss this more tomorrow."
"Rest, my friends, we still have time before the Cult can even perform the ritual, so recover your strength for the battle ahead." ShadowEclipsemon suggested, his words receiving approving nods from the group as they got up and headed to the rooms prepared for them, the original heroes and heroines worried about what might happen, while TK and the newcomers were left bewildered by what they had gotten themselves into.
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Entering the main ritual chamber, a Lichmon approached the leader of the Cult of the Fallen, DarkShikyomon, and said to his Master. "My lord, the heroes have arrived at the capital and have spoken to Ankokukyomon, but there is no sign of the other Tribes with them."
Removing his eyes from the Soul Shard, DarkShikyomon looked over his shoulder and merely said back. "Very well then, keep an eye upon them, they cannot be allowed to stop our Mistress' rebirth!"
Nodding in reply, the Lichmon left, before DarkShikyomon looked back upon the shard and said with absolute devotion in his tone. "Soon, my Mistress, you shall walk amongst us again, and all who stand before us will feel the Dark Lady's wrath!"
For a brief second, the dark aura around the shard intensified, as though the entity slumbering within the gem heard DarkShikyomon's call, the dark energy ready to awaken, no matter the cost.
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Author's Note: The heroes and heroines have arrived at the Dark Tribe, but the situation is much worse than they thought. Will they be able to stop the Cult before they bring the Dark Lady back? Stay tuned as the adventure continues.
P.S.: Likewise, I am happy to announce that I will soon be starting a second story that will be updated after every chapter of Destiny's Salvation, an idea I have had for many years that will finally come to life, with some modifications based on how Ghost Game ends, and will be updated alongside Destiny's Salvation until both stories are finished. Hope you all will enjoy it.