Chapter 9: An Eye for an Eye

Seraphimon's morning had not gone satisfactorily. As soon as he got up, Sorcerymon had come to fetch him from his quarters. First, a few pending trials awaited him. They weren't of vital importance, but Sorcerymon, a very responsible and efficient digimon, didn't like to delay things. He had moved the date up from two days later to that very morning.

However, Sorcerymon had been acting a bit strange these days. Since he had moved the date up, he had been behaving oddly. Seraphimon could sense that he was hiding something. He had asked him multiple times, but Sorcerymon had never given him a clear answer. So Seraphimon thought that maybe they were personal matters that were none of his business, and he stopped insisting.

After wrapping up the trials, he went to his office, a spacious room with glass walls that reflected the light from the hanging chandeliers. Despite the luxury that surrounded him, the air was filled with a solemn coldness. The dark blue velvet curtains hung heavily, barely letting in the sunlight. It was a place that exuded authority and control, just the way Seraphimon preferred it.

As he progressed with the paperwork, his thoughts wandered. He would take a short break and go see his beloved Ophanimon. Just thinking about her gave him a sense of relief amidst his endless duties.

However, something disrupted his particular routine. Sorcerymon entered the room, looking distressed, and said:

"Seraphimon, Kingchessmon wishes to see you."

Seraphimon looked up coldly. The relationship with the elderly king of the Chess Kingdom was somewhat tense at the moment.

"Tell him I'm busy," he replied.

"I can't tell him that. The meeting has been scheduled for several days," Sorcerymon responded.

Seraphimon sighed, his hands gripping the desk tightly. "So that's what you were hiding from me, Sorcerymon? You knew you couldn't reject the meeting, but you also couldn't tell me, right?"

"That's true," Sorcerymon replied with a touch of indifference, regaining his composure. "Shall I let him in?"

Seraphimon felt a stab of irritation but hid it behind a mask of serenity. "Wait a moment, until I calm down. This news has… 'surprised' me. Yes, surprised. I think that's the most suitable term."

Sorcerymon gave a slight smile. "I hope you'll also use euphemisms during the meeting. When requesting it, Kingchessmon seemed… irritable."

"Has he ever been in a good mood?"

"You know perfectly well that he has."

"Leave, Sorcerymon. Tell him to come in, but warn him that I don't have much time."

"I will," Sorcerymon replied as he left the room.

Minutes later, Kingchessmon entered his office. He was a short and somewhat chubby digimon. His toy-like body was covered in white metal armour, adorned with numerous medals for personal achievements. Kingchessmon loved to recount how he had earned those medals, but that was another story. His round head sported a large crown, a symbol of his reign. His eyes were covered by a golden visor, which was part of his armor. Below it, a large mustache protruded. He wore a large blue cape and carried a metal staff. Despite knowing Kingchessmon's age, Seraphimon always found him to have a somewhat childlike appearance, which contrasted with his serious personality. Secretly, he enjoyed teasing Kingchessmon by talking about his superhero cape, toy staff, and big boy mustache.

Their eyes met for the first time in a long while. Previously, Seraphimon had been an object of admiration for Kingchessmon; now, however, their enmity could not be greater.

"Good morning," was the first thing Kingchessmon said upon entering.

"Good morning," Seraphimon replied reluctantly. "What brings you here?"

"You should know why I'm here," the king replied, his voice reflecting a mix of weariness and desperation.

Seraphimon braced himself mentally. "Here comes his reprimand," he thought. The angel assumed he was going to hear the same old story… "That his daughter was still missing, that he was very worried, that it was all his fault, and that he would never forgive him." The same thing, with some variation. Then, he would respond, "I'm very sorry too, but you know it wasn't my fault. I'm also worried about her, but I'm sure she's fine. She knows how to defend herself perfectly well." And after a long, uncomfortable silence, the Chess King would leave the way he came.

It wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation. And each time, it became harder to endure.

This time, he had even allowed himself to hope that, for once, they wouldn't talk about her. But that wasn't going to happen.

"She's been missing for two months now," Kingchessmon began. When he spoke of his daughter, his voice turned weak, and his face wore an expression of deep sadness.

"I know," Seraphimon said simply.

"We still have no clues about where she went, nor do we know her current whereabouts. Every day, I send out patrols, with thousands of my soldiers searching for her, but we've never had any results."

"It's not a good idea. I'm not saying you should stop sending men, but you should reduce the number of soldiers and the frequency of the searches. You're leaving your kingdom unprotected."

Kingchessmon clenched his fists and shouted with a mixture of anger and desperation, "Do you think I don't know that?! I've never done anything so reckless, but... I just want her back."

Seraphimon felt a pang of empathy, remembering the anguish he would feel if something happened to Ophanimon. "I understand," he said, trying to calm him.

"Before I leave, I'll give you a warning," Kingchessmon said seriously. "She will come back to you, you know that. She will come to see you. It won't be today, or tomorrow, but she will come. And if you say or do anything to drive her away... you'll pay for it…"

With this final threat, Kingchessmon left Seraphimon's castle.

Seraphimon was left reflecting on Kingchessmon's warning. "If she hasn't come to see me before, why would she do so later?" the angel wondered. "It doesn't make sense." However, deep down in his heart, he knew that at some point they would see each other again, he and his former beloved.

His thoughts were interrupted. Sorcerymon knocked on the door and entered Seraphimon's office.

"Seraphimon, you have a visitor. Nefertimon, Ophanimon's housekeeper, has come to see you."

"It must be that Ophanimon cannot come to see me today," Seraphimon thought.

"She says it's urgent. She's badly injured."

"Let her in."

Nefertimon entered Seraphimon's office as best she could. The flight from Ophanimon's castle had exhausted her. The battle against the Olympians had been grueling, and she had miraculously escaped Marsmon's last attack. She made a slight bow as a sign of respect and then lay down. Seraphimon allowed her to skip the rest of the protocol due to her condition.

"They... they... they have kidnapped Lady Ophanimon," she said, exhausted, and collapsed.

Seraphimon called Sorcerymon, and together they revived her. After treating her wounds, Nefertimon spoke again.

"After the meeting, Ophanimon ordered the defenses to be reinforced. Not too much, so as not to alarm the Olympians, but enough to be necessary. The next morning, at dawn, they appeared. The defenses did their job, but only managed to delay them. Then it was my turn. I faced Minervamon, but I was badly wounded when Marsmon joined the battle. Ophanimon began her fight. She defeated some of them, but she couldn't handle them alone..."

"Where did they take her?" Seraphimon asked, alarmed.

"I don't know. Find her, save her," she said before collapsing again.

Sorcerymon and Seraphimon watched her for a few moments.

"She will recover," Sorcerymon assured.

"Sorcerymon, take care of her. I'm going out."

"Are you going to inform Cherubimon about Ophanimon's kidnapping?" the icy mage asked.

"Yes, exactly that," the angel replied.

Seraphimon left his office and slammed the door behind him.

"Kidnapping Ophanimon. How dare they. Those Olympians will pay," Seraphimon thought as he flew away. He knew exactly what to do. Despite being an angel of justice, his regal, sometimes even cold, nature made him consider revenge as a solution to certain problems. And that was exactly what he was going to do.

Seraphimon flew swiftly towards his destination. His mind was focused on his mission to rescue Ophanimon. He reached the edge of the ocean and flew further, over the dark but calm sea. As he approached his destination, the water changed colour, becoming clear and transparent. He could then appreciate that he was in the right place.

He concentrated all his energy into the palms of his hands and launched a powerful attack that struck the immense ocean. The waters parted, creating a path to the seabed. He descended quickly, landing with lethal grace. There, a female figure soon appeared amidst the commotion the angel had caused. It was AncientMermaimon.

"Only someone with as much power as you can momentarily lift the seas, Seraphimon," said the siren, with a mixture of admiration and concern in her voice.

"Just enough time," replied Seraphimon, his tone icy.

"Just enough time for what? Why have you come?" AncientMermaimon tried to remain calm, but her instinct told her something was wrong.

"I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you," said Seraphimon, taking a step towards her.

"You could have sent a messenger to bring me to your palace," AncientMermaimon said, retreating slightly.

"It was urgent, and I wanted to discuss it with you in person," Seraphimon lied, though both of them knew the truth.

"I understand…" was all AncientMermaimon could say. "Please, accompany me to my dwelling."

"I don't think that's a good idea…" Seraphimon said slowly, adopting a combat stance.

Suddenly, without the siren expecting it, he launched seven golden orbs at her, which she barely managed to dodge. The angel charged at her, and she threw her trident to fend off the assault. Seraphimon grabbed the weapon and broke it in two, letting the pieces fall to the ground.

The angel approached quickly, attempting to seize her. AncientMermaimon resisted, feeling the cold touch of Seraphimon's gloves. She knew she was lost. She couldn't defeat him without her trident in a hand-to-hand combat, especially not while the seas were parted. If she summoned the waters, it would consume a lot of energy and only manage to delay Seraphimon, who would part them again, and, frustrated, come at her with even more rage and strength.

She could only try to buy time for someone from the Valley of the Sirens to call for reinforcements. She gave Seraphimon a tail swipe that left him momentarily disoriented. She took the opportunity to try to escape, heading towards the masses of water still held apart.

She didn't look back, knowing her enemy was there and wouldn't stand idly by. She was almost there. Just a few more steps, and she could escape, at least temporarily, or at least call for help to restrain that strange being who ruled the Digital World with an iron fist.

But Seraphimon was not going to let her go that easily. With a powerful flap of his wings, he closed the distance between them in an instant. His hand shot out, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her back. AncientMermaimon struggled, but his grip was too strong.

"You won't escape," Seraphimon said coldly. "Tell me where they took Ophanimon."

"I don't know!" AncientMermaimon cried out. "I don't know where she is!"

Seraphimon's eyes narrowed. He could sense the truth in her words, but his anger and desperation clouded his judgment. He released her, but the threat in his voice was clear. "If I find out you're lying, there will be nowhere safe for you in the Digital World."

With that, he turned and flew off, leaving AncientMermaimon trembling and gasping for breath, the parted seas slowly closing behind him.

The truth was that AncientMermaimon barely knew Seraphimon. They had crossed paths at some meetings in his castle to discuss matters of great importance for the Digital World, but they had exchanged nothing more than a few cordial words.

However, she completely understood what was happening: the plan to kidnap Ophanimon had been a success, and Seraphimon was searching for a way to rescue his beloved. Kidnapping her and asking Neptunemon for an exchange was a good idea, she thought, although it would harm her.

She suffered a painful impact on her back and collapsed. Seraphimon's Seven Heavens had struck her down with a precise blow. Seraphimon approached the unconscious siren and hoisted her over his shoulders. He took flight as the waters crashed back into their original course with a deafening roar.

He continued his journey to Cherubimon's Castle. It had been a long time since he had visited that place, as meetings were usually held at his own abode, the central point of the continent. The Star Rose, however, was a fascinating place. It had a special aura, with its eternally starry sky contrasting with the pink and purple mountain range. And in the midst of that vast nothingness, the enormous structure where his companion resided stood tall.

He arrived at the main gate and knocked. A Goatmon opened the door. It was one of Cherubimon's servants. They quickly led him to his master, understanding the gravity of the situation without asking questions. They went to the underground dungeons, where the digimon condemned by Seraphimon were imprisoned.

Cherubimon, upon seeing the apparently lifeless body of AncientMermaimon, could not suppress a cry of pain.

"Seraphimon, what have you done?" Cherubimon's voice was a mixture of shock and sorrow.

"I had no choice," Seraphimon responded coldly. "Ophanimon has been kidnapped by the Olympians. AncientMermaimon was involved. I need your help to find her."

Cherubimon looked at AncientMermaimon and then at Seraphimon, his eyes full of conflict. "This is not the way, Seraphimon. We must find another solution. Violence will only beget more violence."

"I don't have time for this," Seraphimon said, his patience wearing thin. "Ophanimon's life is at stake."

Cherubimon sighed deeply, knowing there was no changing Seraphimon's mind when he was set on a course of action. "Very well. I will assist you, but know this: we must tread carefully. The Digital World cannot afford a war between its guardians."

Seraphimon nodded, feeling a slight twinge of guilt but pushing it aside. "Let's begin then. We need to gather information and plan our next move."

As they prepared to leave, Seraphimon couldn't help but glance back at AncientMermaimon, a part of him hoping that, in the end, his actions would lead to Ophanimon's safe return.

Cherubimon looked at Seraphimon, his expression a mix of shock and concern. "But what have you done? Why did you kill her?"

"Calm down," Seraphimon said, gently laying the siren on the cold stone floor. "She's just unconscious."

Cherubimon felt slightly relieved.

"They have kidnapped Ophanimon," Seraphimon continued. "So, I decided to take action. I went to the Valley of the Sirens, where I had a pleasant but fruitless conversation with AncientMermaimon, and in the end, I had to bring her here by force."

"I see…" Cherubimon said quietly. He had never liked the methods that Seraphimon often employed. Though he understood his anger, his immense frustration at trying to recover his beloved. In his situation, he wouldn't have known what to do. Perhaps he would have opted for more peaceful methods, although they might have been less effective than the blackmail Seraphimon was about to carry out.

"I need you to imprison her," Seraphimon said. "Preferably in a secluded, discreet location. And with maximum security."

"I can find her a suitable place. How long will she stay?"

"Until we recover Ophanimon. It's only fair."

"Do you think they will attack again?" Cherubimon asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Don't doubt it. Please reinforce the security of your castle. They might try to rescue her."

"I will do so," Cherubimon responded. "I hate to say this, but you should go now. I'm dealing with certain matters of great importance, and I need to be calm, especially while I find the right place to house AncientMermaimon."

"Don't worry, I'll leave now. I'll come to see you tomorrow at the same time to design the strategy we need to adopt."

"Agreed."

The Goatmon escorted Seraphimon to the exit. After he had left, they returned and took AncientMermaimon to the cell Cherubimon had indicated.

When Cherubimon was sure they were gone, he made a signal. Dianamon then emerged from her hiding place.