Holy War

by Griff4823

The sequel to "A Dragon in Shining Armour". The Royal Knights secured victory and peace set over the continent, but it isn't to last. The autocratic Metal Empire, a team of amoral mercenaries, and a mysterious Digimon in the shadows; it's up to the Order of the Royal Knights to intervene. Can they stop things from spiraling out of control, all while dealing with their own issues?

80. Chapter 56: Iconoclasm

(Author's Notes: Here's Chapter 56! I wish I could have posted this on Sunday because that was Father's Day and Angemon is a good dad. But here it is anyways. Enjoy and review if you can!)

---

Chapter 56: Iconoclasm

A soft, rapid fluttering sound filled the air.

A series of quick snaps repeated, the membranous fans pounding through the air currents with sharp, powerful motions. The two pairs of insect wings whipped against the breeze at a prestissimo tempo of thousands of beats per minute.

Despite the swiftness with which his wings shuddered, TigerVespamon flew at a relaxed speed. His crimson scarf ruffled behind him in the wind as he flew above a simple, country road. The sunset cast orange rays across his golden body, causing his compound eyes to sparkle like cut rubies.

He had taken the Locomon from Gold Keep to New Terminal, and then to Falconhead in the west of the Republic of Node. From there, he had travelled to Vernal Spring by wing.

TigerVespamon followed the road from Vernal Spring further into the Western Reaches. He soared over vast, pastoral grasslands that stretched for many kilometers into the distance. The rolling fields of emerald grass, accentuated by the marigold rays of the dipping sun, created a picturesque view awash with warm colours.

He looked ahead of him and to the right. There, he could see the beginning of a large, venerable forest. Its ancient trees towered over the surrounding landscape, their thick, primordial roots burrowed deep into the ground. The substantial boughs of the trees created an umbrella-like canopy that shaded the interior of the forest. Despite this, the trees were dispersed enough to allow beams of light to shine through the gaps in their branches.

The Forest of Equilibrium was one of the oldest forests in the Digital World. While the ancient forest was certainly a commanding sight, it was neither ominous nor daunting. Rather, it was a landscape that invoked humble reverence and arcane wisdom.

In the far distance, too far to easily reach but large enough to serve as a magnificent backdrop, was a small mountain range of dormant volcanoes. They weren't incredibly steep, but their tall, conical peaks allowed them to tower majestically over the surrounding, flat landscape.

What TigerVespamon focused on was the large, but humble building that sat at the edge of the woodland. He set his eyes on the stone monastery that was half-built into the spacious forest. A wave of comfort washed over him when he spotted the familiar, two-storey abbey. As he grew closer, he saw that the fruit groves surrounding the front of the monastery were in bloom for the spring season.

The fields, the forest, the mountains… they all combined to form a stunning view. Having grown up there from his late childhood, he didn't always get the chance to appreciate the beauty of the truly Arcadian landscape that surrounded his home. He was glad that, for all the tumult he felt from the world outside, everything was still peaceful here.

TigerVespamon smiled softly and began to gently descend as he neared the monastery. Once he was low enough for his boots to brush against the ground, he gracefully touched down on the dirt path leading up to the abbey entrance. The humanoid hornet came to a gentle stop and raised his head up look up at the long abbey. After a moment of admiring, he walked up a short set of wide, stone steps, proceeding towards the double doors of the large cathedral.

It wasn't too late in the evening yet, so he guessed that there were likely some monks around the church at this time. Though, he considered the possibility that they were still dining in the refectory. He wondered if it would be alright for him to just walk in, as he hadn't informed them of his arrival. To be safe, TigerVespamon decided he should knock first.

He raised his hand and tightened his black fingers around one of the metal knockers on the surface of the door. He then firmly rapped the knocker against the metal base, knowing that he had to do so loudly to be heard through the thick doors.

"Just one moment. I'm coming," a muffled voice spoke from inside.

TigerVespamon stepped back and waited patiently. After a few moments, the pair of doors slowly opened, revealing an Angemon in white, monastic robes on the other side. The Angemon finished pushing the doors aside and looked up at the guest with a smile.

The sight of the familiar abbot was enough to form a smile on TigerVespamon's hornet-like face. "Father Angemon…" he greeted, his voice soft and airy, but full of warmth.

Angemon gazed at TigerVespamon with surprise. "TigerVespamon…?" he wondered.

TigerVespamon stepped forwards and gently hugged the angel Digimon. After his initial surprise, Angemon smiled and returned the platonic embrace. After a few moments, Angemon pulled away and cupped his palm against TigerVespamon's cheek. "What are you doing here?" he warmly asked.

"We were given a few days of absence. I decided to return home," TigerVespamon explained. "I apologise for not sending any forewarning, but I left in a hurry. I was also hesitant to pay for a courier to deliver a message all the way out here."

"It is fine, TigerVespamon," Angemon assured him, removing his hand from his cheek. "You know you are free to come and go as you please. You are part of our family, after all."

At the mention of the word 'family', TigerVespamon's compound eyes softened. Although it wasn't easily apparent on his face, his smile levelled off. "Thank you, Angemon…" he gratefully answered.

Angemon smiled and moved aside, gesturing with his arm towards the interior of the chapel. "Come in, please," he offered. "It is going to be chilly tonight."

TigerVespamon walked inside and was greeted with a wave of warmth. The orange rays of sunlight poured through the windows and the oculus of the chapel, casting warm rays across the floor of white marble. The torches lining the walls were already lit in preparation for the night. On the other side of the chapel's nave, floating in a pair of receptacles on each side of altar was a pair of glow forms. These concentrated balls of light data illuminated the center of the nave.

As he stepped down the center aisle of the spacious but modest chapel, TigerVespamon felt a sense of comfort and nostalgia in his unsettled heart. The familiar setting helped to calm him and ease the conflicting emotions that were a gentle current beneath his placid surface. The slightly musty scent of stone and the faint fragrance of incense were all too familiar, but it entered his nose strongly after having been gone for an extended amount of time.

"It's good to be home," TigerVespamon said, closing the doors behind him. "How is everyone?"

"They are good. Everyone's eager for fruit-harvesting season to begin," Angemon explained with a smile. "The fruits are still unripe, so I would guess that we still have another week until they are ready to be picked."

TigerVespamon nodded and smiled, beginning to walk beside Angemon. They made their way down the center of the nave, passing by the stone arcades that separated the central nave from the side-aisles. They walked past the simple cushions that were used for seating during meditation and prayer, making their way towards the transept in front of the altar that led to the pair of doors on the right and the left walls.

"I am glad to hear that. It's a shame that I will have to leave by then. I enjoy picking fruit with everyone," TigerVespamon responded.

Angemon grinned playfully at the humanoid hornet Digimon. "I know you also enjoy eating Pidmon's fruit tarts, so I can imagine your disappointment."

"There is that, as well," TigerVespamon answered with a small, bashful smile.

Angemon came to a stop in the cross-shaped intersection of the aisle and the transept, turning to face TigerVespamon completely.

"How have you been?" Angemon wondered. "I heard that the Demon Lords attacked New Terminal. When I heard from SlashAngemon that the Royal Knights were involved, I became worried when I didn't hear from you. You weren't hurt, were you?"

A sense of guilt panged at TigerVespamon's heart at the angel's worry. "I'm sorry. I should have written. I intended to, but… I was distracted," he tentatively said. "Rest assured that I am well. We showed up late to the battle, so I didn't actually engage in any combat. I am still a recruit, so they typically tend not to throw us straight into battle. I mostly just helped with the wounded."

"I see… That is a relief," Angemon responded. Despite the helmet covering the top half of his face, Angemon inspected at TigerVespamon carefully. He stared at him using his mind's eye, allowing him to pick up cues that weren't immediately apparent to the naked eye.

"…How are you, otherwise?" the angel wondered.

"I am… alright," TigerVespamon answered after some hesitation.

"You seem a little troubled," Angemon observed, placing his hand on TigerVespamon's shoulder. "Is something bothering you, TigerVespamon?"

TigerVespamon paused and looked down. Angemon could obviously sense his unease, but he was hesitant to tell him about GrandisKuwagamon. He wasn't sure why. Everything involving his brother made him doubtful and uneasy about himself. Ever since he encountered GrandisKuwagamon in Vernal Springs, he began to question himself. Nothing seemed clear to him now.

"…Father, is it wrong for me to call myself TigerVespamon?" the hornet Digimon asked, looking at the angel with uncertain eyes.

Angemon gazed at the golden insect man with surprise. That hadn't quite been what he had been expecting.

"Why do you think that?" he asked him gently.

TigerVespamon softly frowned. "Because I am not a member of the Royal Base. The prefix 'Tiger' is bestowed only upon those who are Royal Commandos of the Royal Base's Covert Honey Corps."

"Hm? This has never bothered you before…" Angemon mused. "When you first evolved to your Ultimate form, none of us knew what to call you. We simply agreed to use the first name that came to your lips during your evolution process."

"Yes, however, prior to that, I did not know that 'Tiger' was a special title. Perhaps I was mistaken in saying so when I evolved," he explained. "It wasn't just Sir Dynasmon's confusion that made me consider it. While I was at the Order, on several occasions, Digimon mistakenly thought that I was a former Royal Commando. I had to explain that that was not the case, to their confusion and my embarrassment."

"May I ask why it bothers you?" the sagely angel wondered.

"I feel like an impostor…" TigerVespamon explained, turning his cheek.

Angemon smiled and placed his hand on TigerVespamon's shoulder, rubbing the armoured plate reassuringly.

"What is in a name, TigerVespamon?" he asked wisely. "There are many Digimon with the name TigerVespamon, each one an individual. Whether you are Vespamon or TigerVespamon, what matters is that you are you. You are a brave, loving, and humble Digimon. You may call yourself whatever you like, but you need not feel as though you have to change your name simply because of what other Digimon may think of you."

TigerVespamon looked down slightly, his gaze landing on Angemon's hand. "…Thank you, Angemon… but it isn't only about my name. I sometimes feel as if… I'm pretending to be something that I am not."

"What do you mean?" Angemon wondered. "You have not questioned who you are since you were a teenager…"

The yellow insect Digimon sighed. After a moment of hesitation, TigerVespamon shook his head. "It is nothing, Father Angemon. I have just had a long journey."

Angemon frowned a little and continued staring at the younger Digimon. "TigerVespamon… Pardon me if I am incorrectly assuming, but I feel as though your words perhaps relate to something deeper than just worrying about your name…"

TigerVespamon's cheeks muscles tightened just barely and he remained quiet.

Angemon gently squeezed the hornet Digimon's shoulder. "If something burdens you, you know that you can tell me anything…"

TigerVespamon nodded pensively. Now that he was home, his guard began to lower. He knew that the angel was right. He trusted Angemon implicitly. After all, he had already told Angemon everything.

The striped, yellow insect sighed gently. "I… met him," he answered.

Angemon looked at TigerVespamon, his initial confusing turning into surprised realisation at who he meant. "…GrandisKuwagamon?" he wondered. Upon seeing TigerVespamon's nod of confirmation, the corners of Angemon's lips turned down slightly. "I see… Oh dear… How did your paths cross again?"

TigerVespamon clasped one of his hands over the other. "From what I understand, GrandisKuwagamon was captured during the battle with the Metal Empire in Saversburg, before I passed the Order's recruitment examination. Apparently, he had agreed to help the Royal Knights, but he ended up taking an opportunity to escape from captivity." The hornet warrior grimly lowered his head. "He went to join the Demon Lords, Angemon."

"TigerVespamon…" Angemon replied with melancholic sympathy. "Is he still with them now?"

TigerVespamon sighed and shook his head. "In a way, it would almost be easier if he was…" he answered in a gentle murmur. "No, he…" TigerVespamon hesitated as he attempted to parse his feelings and choose his words. "…From what I have been told, at some point during the battle, one of my fellow recruits, by the name of VictoryGreymon, engaged with GrandisKuwagamon and made him see the error of his decisions. Without going into the details too much, GrandisKuwagamon surrendered and was taken into Royal Knight captivity after the battle. It was when he was in their dungeons that I was able to speak to him."

The chitinous muscles below his eyes tightened softly. "…When I spoke to him, I asked about Manu Village. He confirmed my suspicions… I hadn't been completely sure before, but what he said removed any doubt in my mind. He is indisputably my brother…"

"I see… So it is as you thought…" Angemon mused calmly. After a moment, the angel looked at his apprentice quizzically. "You said he 'was' in the Royal Knights' dungeons. Is that no longer the case?"

TigerVespamon frowned, but nodded uneasily. "Yes… It seems that he is working for the Royal Knights now…" he responded, his voice low, while still retaining its ethereal airiness.

Angemon hummed, still looking at his acolyte inquisitively. "The Royal Knights asked him to work for them after he escaped to work for the Demon Lords?" he wondered, sensing that there was something more to the story. "That sounds particularly lenient for them, under the circumstances."

"I suppose it was easier to believe that he had changed his ways after he took an attack to save VictoryGreymon," TigerVespamon responded, although his words seemed to stick in his mouth.

Angemon paused with surprise. "He risked his own life to save a comrade of yours?"

"It seems he has developed a few friendships among some of the members of the Order…" TigerVespamon explained, glancing away slightly.

"I see…" Angemon gently responded. The celestial abbot carefully studied TigerVespamon's face as they spoke. He could see the hidden bitterness beneath the surface by his subtle mannerisms and choice of words. He looked at the humanoid insect not with judgment, but with curiosity. "…Does that displease you, TigerVespamon?"

"No… I just find it strange that they are so willing to trust him after all that he has done," TigerVespamon answered. "There are many in the Order who cannot forgive what GrandisKuwagamon has done, even if the others can."

Angemon smiled a little. "Not everybody forgives at the same speed… Some are quick to accept one's apology, while others require more time," he answered wisely.

The angel studied TigerVespamon not with his eyes, but with his heart. He empathized with the bug Digimon and understood how his apprentice must be feeling.

"…I remember, the day that the Dukemon and Dynasmon left after their stay here, you came home trembling. It was clear that you were mortified at the fact that your brother was not only alive, but he had joined a band of notorious criminals. When you told me what had happened, I knew that the encounter opened your old wounds… However, I would have thought that it would come as a relief that he is attempting to change his ways."

TigerVespamon slowly turned away from the angel. "Is he, though?" he whispered.

"Is he not?" Angemon questioned. "Putting one's own life in danger to save another is no small act."

"Does one moment of good wash away an entire life of evil?" TigerVespamon questioned, looking over his shoulder at Angemon.

Angemon smiled. "Perhaps one moment is not enough, but if he continues to do the right thing, then surely that speaks to his desire to change for the better, doesn't it?"

"He is a murderer, Father…"

"Do you know that for certain, TigerVespamon?" Angemon questioned. "I don't deny that he may have killed, but you were not there to witness the circumstances of each crime he has committed. For all we know, he may have acted in self-defence or in the heat of combat. You should not be so quick to judge."

TigerVespamon frowned, unable to help but feel a little defensive. "Pardon…? I don't understand why you are making excuses for him, Father. The Religion of Light is unequivocal in the fact that murder is a sin. He is a convicted criminal."

"It is because he is your brother, TigerVespamon…"

TigerVespamon gently tightened his fist. "He has not been my brother for a very long time…" he murmured. "He is not the sweet, caring brother who I remember. You do not have to look past his transgressions for my sake."

Angemon's cheek muscles softened and the corners of his lips curved down gently. He squeezed TigerVespamon's shoulder gently before removing his hand. "I am not condoning nor excusing his actions. However, I do understand the circumstances that led him down that dark path…"

"Whatever happened in his past is no excuse," TigerVespamon answered, his demeanour cool and detached and his voice stiffly resonant.

"TigerVespamon…" Angemon spoke, his words soft and lightly reprimanding. "It is your past as well. You both shared that great tragedy. You should not distance yourself from your shared trauma."

The hornet Digimon gently shook his head. "But I have already distanced myself from it. I am at peace with what happened to Manu Village and my family. For many years now, I have moved on and created a new life for myself with all of you… I want to put my past behind me. My brother is a part of that past."

"But now he is a part of your present. If you are really at peace with your past, then does that not mean that you should be at peace with your brother as well?" Angemon suggested thoughtfully.

TigerVespamon winced and paused. "That… isn't the same thing," he insisted. "I am at peace with what I thought happened to my brother, but I cannot accept what he has done." He bowed his head slightly, thinking to himself. "I am not sure that I can forgive him, Angemon."

Angemon hummed. "Have you asked yourself why?" he asked his apprentice philosophically.

"Because he has killed people," TigerVespamon reiterated with a rare touch of force to his usually serene words. "My brother, my once sweet and thoughtful brother, has become a notorious criminal who lives a life of vice."

"Would you feel differently were he not your brother?" Angemon wondered. "Perhaps it is shame that makes you feel this way? I hope you know that none of us will judge you for GrandisKuwagamon's turbulent past. They may not even judge GrandisKuwagamon himself, given the circumstances. I know that I certainly don't."

"I do feel some shame regarding him…" he admitted. "But that isn't the only reason. It pains me to know that my memory of him is false. That my brother could become somebody who could act so reprehensibly. Even if he claims to have changed or to have regret for his actions, I will never really know whether he means it. I don't know him at all…"

Angemon offered him an assuring smile. "We do not know for certain that the Being of Goodness exists, yet we still choose to believe. That is why it is called faith."

"Yes, but I have faith in God. However, I do not have faith in my brother. I cannot forgive him…"

"Cannot forgive him? Or won't?" Angemon gently pressed him.

TigerVespamon frowned and turned his head away, eyeing the door that led deeper into the monastery. "Does it make a difference…?" he murmured. "I simply want to move on with my life, Father. Why is it that you are excusing his wrongs so easily?"

Angemon sighed gently. "I am not trying to pressure you, TigerVespamon," he explained. "I just think it would be a shame to exile your brother from your heart… Is it not in our belief to be forgiving?"

TigerVespamon's eyes softened. "It is… but are there not limits to one's forgiveness? Can we forgive the Demon Lords?"

"Perhaps, if they ever wish to seek forgiveness," Angemon replied.

"How can you say that, Father…?" he asked him. "After everything that they have done…" TigerVespamon clenched his fist. "After all that GrandisKuwagamon has done… Do they deserve forgiveness? He chose the path that he took…"

Angemon stared at the insect acolyte without emotion. "Did he?"

TigerVespamon frowned at the older Angemon with confusion.

Angemon glanced up for a moment as the light of the setting sun ceased to shine through the oculus. The chapel was primarily lit by the light of torches now. As the light faded, he looked back down at TigerVespamon with a smile.

"That night, those raiders destroyed your village. You and GrandisKuwagamon – or, rather, Tentomon – were separated. I found you, but I did not find your brother. You each thought the other had perished…" he explained.

"Yes…"

"You both survived that tragedy. You were both undoubtedly traumatized by what happened. The tragic deaths of your family and friends…" Angemon explained. "The difference between you two is that I found you. GrandisKuwagamon was not so fortunate, and it breaks my heart that I was not able to find him."

"It wasn't your fault, Father… He, Kunemon and Kokabuterimon had already left by the time that you found me…" TigerVespamon explained.

"Even so… life could not have been easy for them. They had to bear that pain alone. They must have barely been able to survive," Angemon explained. "When you judge them, try to remember that they did not have anybody to lean on like you did. They surely must have had to make difficult choices… Perhaps, if you had gone with them, you would have ended up making the same choices that they did."

"Father…" TigerVespamon responded, unable to help but feel slightly hurt by the insinuation.

Angemon sighed and gripped TigerVespamon's shoulder. "I don't mean to say that you have an evil bone in your body, TigerVespamon… However, you were all children, lost and impressionable. I just want you to see how your brother might have ended up going down a dark path without ever meaning to. The fact that he is trying to make amends means that there is still hope for him."

TigerVespamon was quiet, thoughtfully brooding over Angemon's words of wisdom.

"I know that he caused you a lot of pain, TigerVespamon. I understand that it is hard for you to forgive him right now. However, I am saying all this not just for GrandisKuwagamon's sake, but for your own as well. Hatred and resentment are heavy lodestones to bear…" Angemon advised him. "The fact that you two have met each other again after almost certain death should be a blessing, not a curse."

The insect Digimon looked down at the tightened palm of his black hand. He unclenched his fingers. As he stared downwards, the shimmer of his star crystal necklace caught his eyes. The pure, white crystal that Angemon had given him before he had left for the Order. That act of kindness was just like Father Angemon… Guilt began to grip his heart and he couldn't help but faintly grimace.

"Am I a bad Digimon, Father Angemon?" he wondered. "You can forgive so easily, and, yet, I…"

"You are not a bad Digimon. In fact, you are a very kind Digimon who I am proud to call my acolyte," Angemon assured him with a small smile. "Anybody would be conflicted in such a difficult situation. I merely want to help you to navigate these foggy and tumultuous waters, as your friend and mentor."

TigerVespamon smiled slightly and looked down at the luminescent star crystal that hung from his neck. "Thank you, Father Angemon… You are a light in the darkness." After a moment of thought, he looked up at Angemon again. "Maybe I will try to understand him…"

Angemon smiled a bit wider. "I am glad to hear that…" He turned and extended his arm towards the door on the right arm of the transept. "Now… you must be tired and hungry after such a long trip. Why don't we go and meet the others? They will all be happy to see you again."

TigerVespamon nodded. "That sounds good. I am eager to see everybody."

Angemon walked ahead of him, leading the bug Digimon out of the chapel and into the warm, branching corridor. "We are having smoked moonfish and sky berry, hermit's fig, and dawnwort salad."

The yellow and black insect felt his stomach rumble as he began to detect the faint notes of aromatic food coming from far down the hallway. "Pidmon makes delectable fish…"

Angemon smiled and continued walking down the dimply lit corridor. "After, feel free to sleep in your old room. You should get plenty of rest."

TigerVespamon nodded and continued following Angemon towards the refectory. He moved with his usual, airy grace, causing his shimmering gem to bounce against his chest as it bobbed back and forth from the string.

He felt more unburdened now than he did when he had arrived. He could always count on a long chat with Angemon to help him work through his concerns.

It felt good to be home. For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace.

TigerVespamon's concerns faded and he settled like tranquil water. While he began to feel at ease, the sun dipped below the hilly horizon completely.

As the solar orb dipped below the world, the darkness of the night began to creep over the monastery. The nearby forest darkened and the shadows of its branches reached towards the peaceful temple of God.

---

Night began to set over the Western Reaches. The sun had dipped completely over the mountainous horizon, causing the monastery to become inundated with darkness. The pair of moons overlapped in the night sky above, one in a waxing gibbous phase and the other a waxing crescent. They offered soft, lunar light that cast across the grassy meadows in front of the monastery.

Although it was fairly dark out, there was enough pale light across the open plain to see for about a couple kilometers – and further for Digimon with night vision. The Forest of Equilibrium, meanwhile, was shrouded in darkness. Only a few eerie pillars of moonlight were able to pierce through the forest's thick canopies. The ancient woods were black and foreboding to travellers.

Two such travellers made their way through the forest. Gentle footsteps and the soft purring of an engine were the only sounds that could be heard in the silent woodlands. They made their way towards the edge of the forest, where the trees gave way to sprawling meadows.

Two beetle Digimon moved between the trees until they reached the threshold of the tree line. They emerged out of the forest's shadows, and the soft moonlight cast across their indigo armour. The pair moved behind a large, thick bush and gazed out across the field that ended the woodland. Their green eyes rested on the lone monastery, which stood about a kilometer down the edge of the forest.

Blitzmon raised his hand, causing the brown traveller's cloak that rested over his broad, armoured shoulders to spread apart. He quietly pressed down on the brambles of the bush, cautiously pressing the branches down so that he could get a better look.

"That's gotta be it," Bolgmon said from behind him, able to easily see over the thick bush with his tall, panzer-esque physique.

"Shh. Be quiet," Blitzmon hushed him, carefully peering over thick brambles. "And duck down. We don't know if there are sentries."

Bolgmon rolled his eyes but obeyed, bending forwards and planting his cannon arms on the ground. Bowing down to the sturdy, firing stance allowed him to stoop low enough so that he was at the same height as Blitzmon.

"Sentries? At some backwater monastery out in butt fucking nowhere?" Bolgmon sarcastically asked, though making sure to speak quietly. "Yeah, right. These angels probably just prance around, sing hymns, drink milk tea and... give each other chaste hugs or something. I dunno."

"Yet, this is the location of the Orb of Yang, according to Bagramon," Blitzmon retorted. "If this is an object that's really as powerful as he says, then won't there be an organised force protecting it?"

Bolgmon shrugged and glanced at the smaller scarab outlaw. "Not if they aren't expecting an enemy. It's gotta be peaceful here, like, what, 99% of the time? I mean, look around. It's like something out of a picture book, not some Sky Colony fortress. It's not like they'd be vigilantly expecting an attack."

"I suppose, but there must be some force," Blitzmon reasoned. "Bagramon mentioned that there was a group of Ex-Powers veterans."

"…who probably came here for an easy retirement. I bet they're pretty rusty," Bolgmon cockily said.

"Don't underestimate them, Bolgmon," Blitzmon calmly chastised him. "The Powers are some of the most professional forces around. With just the two of us, we'll probably be outnumbered, so we have to be smart about this."

"Yeah, fine…" Bolgmon replied, turning off as his engine so as to limit his noise. "So… How should we do this?"

"Our only advantage is the element of surprise," Blitzmon explained. "If we fight our way in, there's a decent chance we'll get swarmed and defeated."

"So, we sneak our way in?" Bolgmon asked.

"That's more difficult without GrandisKuwagamon around," Blitzmon reminded him. "We don't know the layout of the interior. Specifically, we don't know where the vault's located. Even in the middle of the night, it won't be easy sneaking around in tight corridors if we don't know where we're going."

"I can try to do a scan of the building to try and figure out the layout," Bolgmon offered.

"I have a better idea," Blitzmon decided. He stood up and reached behind his head. Grabbing hold of the hem of his cloak, he pulled the hood up and over his head until it rested behind his horn. "I will infiltrate the monastery myself."

Bolgmon tilted his cannon-horned head. "Okay. How?"

"Using the front door, disguised as a simple traveller seeking shelter," Blitzmon explained, gesturing to the hooded cloak that we wore over his upper body. "They won't deny the entry of somebody seeking sanctuary. Once I'm inside, I can figure out where the Orb is kept."

"That's not as fun as blowing the place up, but I guess it'll work," Bolgmon agreed. "So, what do I do?"

"You'll stay here and provide me with support," Blitzmon told him, walking to Bolgmon's side and grabbing hold of the large backpack that was strapped over Bolgmon's back.

"What? That's boring!" Bolgmon protested.

"Shut up and stay still. I need to put your camouflage on," Blitzmon sternly answered, taking a large, furled up net of green mesh that was interwoven with branches and foliage. He threw it over Bolgmon's ample back, swathing him with the camouflaged net. He then wrapped some mesh around Bolgmon's artillery horn, making sure that barely any of his blue armour or orange suit showed. Blitzmon stepped back and admired his handiwork, satisfied that Bolgmon blended into the forest.

"Ugh, I hate standing sentry. I'm going to get a backache like this," Bolgmon complained.

"More like bellyache," Blitzmon quipped. "I need you to scan the building and watch the windows. In case something goes wrong and I need help, you should see my lightning flashes. I also need you to watch for any changes that I need to know about. Is that understood? I'm vulnerable while I'm in there. If need be, provide support."

"Yeah, I got it…" Bolgmon conceded, glancing up from his prostrate position.

Blitzmon smirked down at him with quiet confidence. "Good," he replied, walking to Bolgmon's front. He reached out and patted Bolgmon's metal cheek. "Now stay put like a good bush."

Bolgmon rolled his eyes but nodded from under his camouflage. "Fine…" he murmured. The stationary turret glanced up at Blitzmon. "Be careful."

Blitzmon stared down in response, his demeanour cool and composed. "I'm always careful," he replied. "Just focus on doing your job and watching my back."

"I will," Bolgmon answered, readjusting his placement and shuffling his upper body to get comfortable. "Just don't get into trouble underground where I can't help you."

Blitzmon readjusted the hood that rested on his blue, horned head. "I won't," he assured the other mercenary.

He began to walk around the bush that lay in front of them. Without another word, he stepped out of the forest's tree line and proceeded across the grass. He kept hold of the edges of his cloak, covering his body so that the armour underneath didn't reflect the moonlight.

Blitzmon crossed the grass that separated the forest from the dirt path that ran horizontal to it. Keeping as low of a profile as he could as he moved, the beetle man approached the lane and walked onto it. It was only then that he began to make his way towards the monastery. He knew it would be strange for a traveller to approach from the forest, so he figured the best course of action would be approach from the most obvious route. An ordinary Digimon would stick to main roads in the middle of the night. He was conscious that there could be someone watching him.

Blitzmon began making his way down the path. It curved to the right about half a kilometer ahead of him, towards the entrance of the building. He glanced at his surroundings. To the left was a sprawling meadow that was mostly empty, with the exception of an orchard in front of the monastery that the angels must have tended.

As he looked to his left side, he stared into the darkened distance. He knew that somewhere in the obscured shadows, a dozen kilometers away, was Restart Forest, the forest where his home used to be. Although this reflection briefly crossed his mind, Blitzmon quickly discarded the thoughts of nostalgia. They were empty memories. They served him no purpose. Living in the past was only an obstacle to his future. All that mattered to him was what needed to be done in the present. And in the present, he had a job to do.

Blitzmon continued walking, his cold, green eyes fixed on the building ahead of him. He knew it was nearing midnight, so he figured many of the angels were likely asleep. He could see through the windows that there were still lights flickering in what looked like the monastery's chapel, which also seemed to be the monastery's main entrance. The rest of the windows were dark, from what he could tell. Blitzmon judged that there might be one or two Digimon still awake. That would be ideal for him, as there would be fewer eyes on him.

The disguised mercenary reached the curve in the rural path and turned to the right. He found himself in front of a pair of large, wooden doors. The monastery had obviously been there for some time; the wood was aged, and moss grew on the sides of the stone building.

He took a slow, centering breath and raised his arm from underneath his cloak. He gripped the metal door knocker, feeling the smooth, weathered metal in his palm. With a powerful swing, Blitzmon began rapping the knocker against its metal base. He was able to hear the loud banging echoing through the chapel on the other side of the door.

Blitzmon waited, but there was no reply.

Once more, he began hammering the knocker against the monastery entrance, making sure that it was loud enough to be heard inside.

Again, he waited, but there was no response. He wondered if he would have to try a different tactic. It was fairly late after all.

Blitzmon waited about half a minute before trying again. He banged the metal weight strongly against the surface of the door. The mercenary listened…

The faint sound of footsteps resonated on the other side of the door. Blitzmon released the handle and stepped back.

The footsteps stopped on the other side of the door, and he heard the releasing of locks. The door pulled open a crack, and a helmeted face emerged as gentle light poured out of the chapel and into the dark.

"Yes? Can I help you?" Father Angemon asked uncertainly, looking out to see who was calling at this time of night.

"I'm sorry to bother you at this late hour," Blitzmon contritely said. "My name is Blitzmon. I'm a traveller."

Angemon smiled and opened the door more receptively. "Oh… Hello, Blitzmon. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Father Angemon. I am the Keeper of the Light at this monastery."

"Does that mean you are in charge?" Blitzmon wondered. He glanced at the angels vestments. They were humble, white robes, but the ornate, crystal pendent around his neck carried with it a sense of authority that confirmed Blitzmon's guess.

"Yes, I oversee this holy mission as ordained by the Celestial Commander of the Dominions, Dominimon," Angemon explained. The angel Digimon placed his hand on the side of the door as it opened completely. "It is rather late to be this out this far… Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Actually, I was hoping that you might offer sanctuary…" Blitzmon tentatively said, gazing at Angemon from underneath his hood. "I'm a little bit lost and I don't feel safe travelling at night. I've heard that bandits from Dark Point rob travellers when it goes dark."

"That may be true, though they never travel this far. They typically stay to the west of the mountains," Angemon assured him. "You are quite safe here."

"Are you sure? I thought I saw something glowing in the forest," Blitzmon lied.

"That was likely just the natural properties of magician's moss, or perhaps a will-o'-the-wisp," Angemon explained, trying to qualm the traveller's unease. After a few moments, Angemon smiled warmly at him. "But, of course our doors are open to all who need a safe place to stay."

"Are you sure? I don't want to be an imposition on you," the mercenary insincerely inquired.

"It is no inconvenience at all. We welcome all guests here," Angemon encouraged him. The angel moved aside, allowing Blitzmon to see inside the monastic temple. "Please, come inside where it's warm."

Blitzmon leered inside the temple. He could see a wide, open room of marble flooring, with rows of pillars running adjacent to the walls inside. Torches kept the nave of the church well lit and toasty. He stepped into the threshold, feeling the monastery's warmth against him. He smelled the stuffy aroma of stone, paper, and lingering incense. A cursory glance around the temple revealed two open doors opposite each other on each side of the transept. He wondered which one led down to the vault.

"Thank you, Father…" Blitzmon responded, accepting his invitation inside.

"Where is it that you are travelling to?" Angemon wondered.

"Glade Hollow," Blitzmon answered without hesitation. "I have some friends there. I passed through Vernal Springs, but I think I took a wrong turn at some point afterwards…"

"I'm afraid that seems to be the case. Glade Hollow is southwest from here," Angemon informed him. "But don't worry, in the morning we will help you get your bearings again."

"You're very kind," the mercenary said, glancing at the angel as he walked by him.

Angemon smiled and closed the door behind them. "Now, it is no great service, Blitzmon. We merely believe in lending a helping hand to those who need it. We all need help now and then; if I can lighten the burden of others with small acts of charity, it would be wrong of me to do otherwise."

"You do more than most," Blitzmon answered. He wiped indigo and yellow boots on the doormat, causing static sparks to pop beneath his feet from the friction.

"That is all the more reason to do so," Angemon replied. "The world could use more acts of kindness."

"Indeed…" Blitzmon answered, furtively glancing around the temple's nave to make sure there were no guards present. "This world is a very dark and cynical place at times."

"At times. But it can also be warm and beautiful," Angemon gently discussed. "I believe that if more Digimon thought about others before themselves, there would be less war and destruction." Angemon chuckled softly. "Though, I admit, I am not exactly ending any wars by providing weary travellers with hot meals…"

"I certainly appreciate it," Blitzmon assured him, reaching up and pulling down his hood.

"Thank you." Angemon turned to him. "Now, why don't I show you to your room? Have you eaten? There is still some fish, as well as some stew, left over from dinner earlier."

Blitzmon thought for a moment. That would give him an excuse to see different areas of the monastery. "If you're sure you don't mind…" he agreed while trying to appear hesitant. He had to admit, he was pretty hungry.

"You would be doing us a favour," Angemon insisted, beginning to lead him down the nave. "Please, follow me. I'll show you—"

Blitzmon began to follow him, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He heard footsteps echoing down the aisle from the corridor on the left. His guard reflexively went up, and he looked towards the arching doorway to see who the approaching Digimon was.

"Father Angemon, is that you?" a soft voice asked, echoing with ethereal resonance.

Angemon halted at the voice. "Yes, it is," he replied, stopping ahead of Blitzmon with his winged back to the guest.

Blitzmon remained still, watching as the Digimon emerged from the dark corridor. From his position, he could just barely see him beyond the furthest most pillar. The nearby torchlight reflected off the Digimon's body in a flicker of gold. Quickly sizing up the Digimon, he saw a humanoid body accentuated by black and yellow stripes, ruby eyes, and a red scarf.

He had expected to see another angel Digimon walk into the chapel. Instead, Blitzmon saw a TigerVespamon.

Blitzmon's eyes narrowed with reflexive curiosity as he inspected the intrusive insect. A bug Digimon? And he was an Ultimate level one, at that. What was he doing here? Did he work here? This could pose a problem for him.

In the brief few seconds that Blitzmon had to make a first impression, there some something that felt strangely familiar about the wasp Digimon. He didn't know why, but he briefly wondered if he had seen him before.

Blitzmon moved closer to Angemon as he lost sight of the golden insect behind the large column. He did his best to get back into character as a traveller, relaxing his muscles and softening the sharpness of his eyes.

"Who are you talking to?" TigerVespamon asked, walking out of the door and into the transept. Initially, he couldn't see them very well due to the nearby torch and the row of pillars separating the nave from the side aisles.

Angemon smiled and turned to Blitzmon reassuringly. "We have a guest who will be staying the night," he informed him.

TigerVespamon walked out from behind the stone pillar and stepped into the nave. Initially, he couldn't see the Digimon due to Angemon's outstretched wings. All he could see was a tall, double-hooked horn.

As TigerVespamon continued walking to the right, he was able to see past Angemon, at the guest who the abbot spoke of. TigerVespamon stopped upon setting his eyes on the guest, who he saw was a Blitzmon. Initially, he didn't react. The brown cloak that covered most of his body made him seem like a simple traveller. He was about to not think anything of it.

However, then TigerVespamon looked at his face. He noticed the beetle man's round head, the shadows flickering across his masked face, but, most of all, the cold, emerald eyes that were staring back at him. TigerVespamon stopped and stared at him, as if trying to place him.

An uneasy feeling began to sink into Blitzmon's chest. "Nice to meet you…" Blitzmon greeted in a low, reserved voice.

That voice. TigerVespamon suddenly froze in his tracks as the cold, forbidding words swept over him like a blizzard of realisation. Within the haze, a traumatic memory ignited.

"You'd use innocent Digimon as hostages?!" Dynasmon shouted.

The Blitzmon smirked darkly. "If it means surviving? Of course we would."

It was him.

It was that moment in Vernal Springs. That moment he would never forget. When he had met GrandisKuwagamon, when he realised that he was still alive… He remembered that moment like it was yesterday. That shocking and emotional memory was engraved in him forever.

Although he had been mainly focused on GrandisKuwagamon, he remembered, there were two Digimon with him. A Blitzmon and a Bolgmon.

This was that Blitzmon. He was certain of it.

As TigerVespamon's compound eyes stared at him with utter shock, his muscles began to tense. His shoulders tightened up and his fingers curled into half-fists. His heart began to palpitate, and his insides churned tightly with burgeoning horror.

Blitzmon watched as TigerVespamon's demeanour subtly changed. He read every movement. He watched as the insect's head began to dip, as his feet began to shift and steady on the floor, as his translucent wings began to twitch.

Blitzmon's eyes darkened. The body language made him feel threatened, and his own natural instincts began to spark inside him. He clenched his fists and began to slowly shuffle his feet. A single spark crackled and jumped up the length of his horn. They were like two predators waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Angemon, get away from him!" TigerVespamon shouted, summoning the Royal Meisters in his hands in a flash of light. He gripped their hilts and they ignited with humming beams that took the forms of blades.

Angemon frowned with confusion, but he immediately recognised the urgency in TigerVespamon's voice. "What?" he asked, beginning to turn towards Blitzmon.

Blitzmon knew he was found out. In the briefest of moments, TigerVespamon's voice and body triggered a realisation. He had seen that Digimon before. But, more important than that, TigerVespamon knew who he was. His façade undone, he felt compelled to act.

By the time the blades appeared in TigerVespamon's hands, Blitzmon had already begun to move. Electricity coursed through his hands from the electrodes on his wrists. He kicked off the marble floor and threw himself at Angemon.

Angemon sensed the mercenary's sudden movements in the corner of his vision and he reflexively raised his arms to try and defend himself, but he was too slow. Blitzmon closed in faster than he anticipated and set upon him.

His arm drilled forwards and his electrically-charged knuckles burrowed into Father Angemon's cheek. The angel flinched with shock and his head jerked to the side. In the span of a second, Blitzmon followed up by driving his other fist into Angemon's stomach. Lightning surged from Blitzmon's hand and coursed through Angemon's body, drawing a surprised yell of pain from the angel's throat.

As the debilitating stream of electricity ceased, Blitzmon swiftly withdrew his fist from the twitching angel, hopped backwards, and slammed his boot into Angemon's ribs. The angel sailed backwards and his winged back slammed into the stone pillar behind him.

"Angemon!" TigerVespamon cried out. His face hardened and his wings beat up a storm. He began to dash forwards, swords in hand.

Blitzmon turned to him without missing a beat. His horn began sparking as a powerful current of electricity coursed up its length. Just as TigerVespamon began to rush towards him, Blitzmon countered by unleashing a torrent of lightning from the tip of his horn.

"Lightning Blitz!" he shouted, bowing his head and pumping a stream of electricity towards TigerVespamon.

The dim interior of the nave lit up in a white flash. TigerVespamon saw the lightning rush towards him and he reacted swiftly. He swerved backwards as the lightning bolts tore across the floor in front of him. He was forced to stop his charge as the lightning exploded in front of him. He could feel the numb static of the attack licking at his legs.

He continued beating his wings and flew to the left, trying to move around the fading flashes of electricity. He wanted to get to where Angemon was while also keeping pressure on Blitzmon. From TigerVespamon's brief glance around the room, he saw Angemon crumpled on the floor at the base of a pillar. However, Blitzmon was no longer where he had been when he had launched his attack.

It was then that TigerVespamon noticed a flash of blue and yellow out of the corner of his eye. He turned just in time to see Blitzmon speeding towards him from the right. His red eyes widened. He barely had time to raise his blades before Blitzmon closed the distance. He hadn't been prepared for Blitzmon's sheer speed.

Blitzmon's green eyes narrowed and he zipped across the floor towards TigerVespamon. He moved so fast and so smoothly. It was like he was as light as a feather. It was only a couple of seconds until he was directly in front of TigerVespamon.

As soon as he had finished with Angemon, Blitzmon had activated the cathode and anode on his wrists. These special conductors released a magnetic field that created an anti-gravity state around his body. With his friction sharply reduced, Blitzmon was able to speed across the room faster than TigerVespamon had anticipated. Blitzmon's X-Antibody only served to increase the mercenary's speed and power.

"Thor's Hammer!" Blitzmon growled, hurling an electrified punch towards TigerVespamon's face.

TigerVespamon tilted his head to the side just in time to avoid getting knuckles embedded in his mouth, but the lightning from Blitzmon's fist jumped along his yellow cheek. He jumped backwards and thrust one of the Royal Meisters towards Blitzmon, but the mercenary weaved around the blade.

"How is he nearly as agile as me?" the Ultimate level insect wondered fleetingly. Despite his concern, TigerVespamon remained as calm as possible. In the milliseconds that he had to spare, he watched Blitzmon's movements and struck. He pivoted and thrust his other Royal Meister towards Blitzmon's side.

Blitzmon's watched as the blade plunged towards him like a stinging bee. He quickly raised his arm just in time to avoid getting his elbow joint sliced. Instead, the laser blade slid along his indigo armour, creating a glowing, orange streak along the breastplate that caused the metal to start to bubble.

The mercenary grunted with mild pain and used TigerVespamon's close proximity to grab him. He closed both of his hands around the wrist of TigerVespamon's extended arm and began pumping electricity into the appendage.

TigerVespamon shouted with pain as lightning surged up his arm. The muscles of his left hand seized up and he dropped the Royal Meister to the floor involuntarily. The acute, numbing pain that coursed up his left arm told TigerVespamon that he had to act quickly to put distance between them. He brought his free hand up and slammed the sharp pommel of his remaining Royal Meister into a pressure point on the side of Blitzmon's wrist.

Blitzmon flinched and snarled with pain as his own hand tensed up and spasmed. The intense pain in his hand was enough that he could no longer hold onto his enemy's arm. His eyes narrowed with cold fury as he watched TigerVespamon wrench his arm away and gracefully jump back several meters. "Tch…" Blitzmon scoffed, locking eyes with him. He kicked TigerVespamon's fallen Royal Meister behind him, sending the blade spinning across the marble floor, far out of TigerVespamon's reach.

TigerVespamon winced but maintained his composure. He held his remaining Royal Meister out in front of him like a sabre and watched Blitzmon's movements. "How is he so swift and powerful?" TigerVespamon wondered. "Even if he has more battle experience than I do, the difference in power between an Adult and an Ultimate is too great for that to matter significantly. He is too strong to be a regular Blitzmon…"

Blitzmon didn't allow him any time to catch his breath. He raised his fist over his head, which crackled with lightning, and he slammed it down onto the floor. "Mjölnir Thunder!" he shouted as the marble floor fractured around his hand. Lightning streaked from his hand and pierced through the air towards TigerVespamon.

TigerVespamon grunted and dashed to the side, just in time to avoid the lightning bolt that streaked by him and ripped into the chancel at the back of the room. He swept forwards and closed the gap between them, plunging his sword forwards. "Mach Stinger V!" TigerVespamon began jabbing his beam sword rapidly in a refined, precise fencing technique.

Blitzmon's eyes narrowed and he maximised the polarity around him. He swerved back and forth dextrously, dodging the rapid-fire strikes to the best of his ability. It was taking all of his speed and concentration just to keep up with the amazingly swift stabs. The laser blade grazed the armour of both his shoulders, it tore through his orange jumpsuit, searing the side of his hip and his outer thigh.

When it was clear that TigerVespamon's stamina wasn't wearing down, Blitzmon knew he had to take proactive measures. Lightning crackled from his horn and coursed outwards.

"Lightning Blitz!" the blue beetle shouted, unleashing a torrent of lightning from his body that slammed into TigerVespamon's chest and threw him back.

Now that he was graced with a reprieve from the wasp's stinging barrage, Blitzmon retreated several meters to regroup. He placed a hand on his bleeding side and winced. He counted himself fortunate that he only had to contend with the single blade; otherwise he would be much worse for wear. He wasn't sure if he would be able to face TigerVespamon in single combat for much longer. The Ultimate level Digimon was faster and had an edge over him in his current form in terms of power and stamina. He had been barely able to keep up after that last assault, as evidenced by the sweat that was starting to soak his jumpsuit.

Still, he had an advantage in another way: his killer instinct. Blitzmon noticed that none of TigerVespamon's strikes seemed to be aimed for his vitals. It seemed like his fighting style involved hitting the enemy's nerves and pressure points to incapacitate them. He could use that to his advantage…

Wincing from the electricity, TigerVespamon stood upright, despite his smoking carapace. He gripped his Royal Meister and prepared to attack again. While he preferred to stay on the defensive and deflect an opponent's attacks, he knew that he couldn't parry electricity. He had to take the initiative.

His eyes drifted across the floor towards Angemon, who was still on the ground, stirring weakly. He then glanced at the other Royal Meister which was back near the entrance of the nave. Blitzmon stood between him and both of them.

However, sounds coming from behind him drew his attention. He heard metal pounding against stone echoing in the distance.

"What in the holy name of God is going on here?!" a deep, commanding voice bellowed from the corridor.

TigerVespamon looked over his shoulder, panting softly as he recovered from the blast. From the same corridor that he entered from, he saw an archangel Digimon with arms and wings of sharpened metal. The blue-haired angel looked through his visor around at the scene before him with shock. "SlashAngemon!"

"Angemon?! TigerVespamon?!" the SlashAngemon demanded, glaring as he saw Angemon's barely conscious body and TigerVespamon's injured body. He glanced at Blitzmon with a hostile scowl. "Who is this?!"

"He is an enemy," TigerVespamon responded succinctly.

Blitzmon beheld SlashAngemon with a narrow glare and a silent curse. A second Ultimate level Digimon. He definitely couldn't deal with them both in this form. However, he saw an opportunity in front of him. TigerVespamon was looking at SlashAngemon, not at him.

The mercenary rushed forwards, pouncing on the opportunity.

"Look out, boy!" SlashAngemon shouted to him, seeing Blitzmon's opportunistic movement. He began dashing forwards, his massive blade arms glinting in the moonlight.

TigerVespamon turned back forwards, seeing Blitzmon move out of the corner of his vision. He tried to stab forwards, but he was unprepared and Blitzmon moved too quickly. The Royal Meister cut along Blitzmon's armour, but it failed to hit its mark.

Blitzmon took the blow and closed in on TigerVespamon, moving past his range. He wrapped his arms around TigerVespamon's biceps and upper body, rendering his sword useless as he pinned his arms to his sides in a tight bear hug. From that close distance, Blitzmon glared into TigerVespamon's eyes, face-to-face. Their cold gazes locked, until Blitzmon's body became wreathed in electricity.

"Punishment Shock!" Blitzmon hissed, his horn and wrists channeling electricity through his body. He unleashed a massive surge of lightning into TigerVespamon. The wasp Digimon shouted and writhed as electricity coursed through his muscles. Blitzmon continued trapping the helpless insect in place as he launched wave after wave of electricity into his body.

Their entwined bodies lit up like the center of a lightning cloud. As he subjected TigerVespamon to a continuous, electrified hold, Blitzmon began head-butting the insect viciously. He slammed the base of his horn into TigerVespamon's forehead several times until the acolyte was bleeding and dazed. After the fifth strike, Blitzmon threw TigerVespamon to the ground, satisfied that he had subjected him to enough harm for the moment.

Thoroughly stunned, TigerVespamon crashed to his hands and knees, his body smoking and trembling, blood running down his forehead, nose and mouth.

SlashAngemon's body tightened as he watched Blitzmon hurt the acolyte. He began banging his swords together, creating a clamourous racket that echoed through the corridors of the monastery. "To arms! To arms! Everybody, weapons to the chapel! Now! We're under attack!" SlashAngemon shouted in a thunderous voice that pierced the very depths of the monastery.

Blitzmon hissed as he heard a distant trumpet, followed by shouts and the rushing of footsteps. He was about to find out just how many angels were in this abbey. He got lucky with TigerVespamon, but he knew that he wouldn't have any such luck now that he was facing down what appeared to be a seasoned archangel and a host of angel monks. He knew that he was going to have to bring out the big guns.

He watched as angel Digimon began to pour out of the two doors on either side of the transept. He didn't have time to count them as they emerged. SlashAngemon was already surging towards him, curling his body into a wheel of holy blades.

"Heaven's Ripper!" SlashAngemon shouted as he tore across the floor, chips of marble flying behind him in his wake.

Blitzmon watched as the metallic wheel closed in on Blitzmon at fearsome speeds. That was his main concern, but he was also wary of the fact that angel Digimon were funnelling into the back end of the church by the second. He had to act quickly.

SlashAngemon closed in on him in the matter of seconds, prepared to tear him to shreds. When the bladed angel was no more than three meters away, Blitzmon suddenly ripped off his cloak and threw the rippling fabric towards SlashAngemon.

The cloak unfurled in the air, briefly obscuring SlashAngemon's vision before the fabric caught on his bladed wings and was ripped to shreds.

It was just enough time for Blitzmon to jump out of the way of SlashAngemon's path. The mercenary beat his wings and rose into the air, his horn sparking with electricity. As he ascended, he watched as SlashAngemon circled around down one of the side aisles.

Blitzmon stopped in the air in front of one of the windows. He glanced out into the night, where he saw a bright glow in the distant tree line. He made a subtle sign with his electrified hand.

He took the momentary reprieve to look ahead of him. He spotted three Angemon, three Pidmon, two HolyAngemon, a Gargomon, a Piccolomon, a Darcmon, a Pegasmon, and a Tailmon. They all had poured out into the area around the transept, just beyond the rows of pillars.

Blitzmon stared down at them coldly and spread his arms and legs out in the air.

"Who are you?! What do you want here?!" SlashAngemon demanded, coming to a stop in the center of the nave, about ten meters ahead of the gathered monks.

"Me?" Blitzmon asked with cool nonchalance, even as electricity coursed up his body. "I want nothing. I merely work for Bagramon. For me, this is just business."

SlashAngemon glared up at him and crossed his blade arms in front of himself threateningly. "You work for the Fallen Angel of Death? What does he want?!"

Blitzmon leered down at him, lightning crackling out of his eyes as his body began to glow white. "I don't know. I don't care. But you're all in the way, so unless you want to part with the Orb of Yang peacefully…"

SlashAngemon scowled at the mention of the relic. "We will never hand such a precious artifact over to that traitor!"

Blitzmon scoffed. "Didn't think so," he answered. "In that case…"

He pitched his body forwards, his glowing arms and legs stretched towards the church floor. "…It's time I show you my true form… Double Spirit Evolution!"

Blitzmon's body suddenly began to swell as he grew massively. His arms and legs turned into side-facing legs, and a third pair sprouted from his torso. He expanded into a massive, armoured insect with six legs. His incredible weight caused him to fall out of the air and crash to the church floor, causing the marble to split beneath him. The entire monastery trembled and the nearby columns shuddered and cracked at the powerful quake his landing created.

The anode and cathode conductors that were on his wrists had moved to his back, which was heavily armoured by a thick, metal carapace. His metal back opened up into a pair of elytra which protected a pair of large, golden wings that created electricity whenever they twitched. His face was no longer that of a humanoid beetle man, but that of an eyeless rhinoceros beetle. A pair of giant, yellow horns above his mouth sparked with electricity, the top horn a curved spike while the lower one was in the shape of a curved axe. Extending behind the horns was a set of armoured frills like a triceratops.

Blitzmon filled up the back quarter of the church. His body was almost wide enough to stretch across the width of the nave, though not quite so thick as to touch the pillars around him. Nevertheless, he was no longer a small, beetle man, but a huge, tank of an insect. His fearsome horns surged with electricity, causing enough light to pour out of the windows and into the darkness.

"RhinoKabuterimon!" the Ultimate level insect boomed.

From RhinoKabuterimon's side, TigerVespamon weakly looked up at the hulking insect, beholding the mercenary's true form. So, within the Adult level beetle man was actually an Ultimate level. He wondered if he had an X-Antibody like GrandisKuwagamon did.

TigerVespamon weakly tried to pull himself up, but his arms and legs wouldn't cooperate. His muscles still seized and trembled from the electric current still running through his body. "Move, TigerVespamon… You have to move…" he thought to himself, eyeing the Royal Meister on the floor nearby.

SlashAngemon glowered at the giant insect tank in front of him. "Everybody, cover me!" he shouted, looking at the amassed monks behind him. "I'll cut him down!"

"Yes, Commander!" one of the HolyAngemon replied, preparing the laser blade on his wrist. Around him, all of the militant monks readied their weapons and prepared to defend their homes.

"You had your chance," RhinoKabuterimon spoke, lowering his head and lining up his horns.

"Heaven's Ripper!" SlashAngemon shouted, curling up into a lethal wheel and tearing down the nave towards RhinoKabuterimon.

RhinoKabuterimon stomped his foot against the ground, creating a seismic reverberation that caused the foundations of the monastery to shudder. He dug his claws into the marble and prepared himself. He raised the shell-like elytra that covered his wings and pointed the electric conductors forwards. The conduits began to pulsate and emit an invisible field in front of his body.

Watching as SlashAngemon approached, RhinoKabuterimon knew that the angel's attack wasn't as simple as a frontal assault on an obviously defensive Digimon whose main defenses and weapons were at his front. He doubted the former officer of the Powers was that stupid. However, he let him believe that he was falling for it. RhinoKabuterimon made a show of digging his feet in and aiming his sparking horn at the charging angel's position.

Meanwhile, the three Angemon released a simultaneous trio of beams from their fists, which streaked past SlashAngemon and slammed into RhinoKabuterimon's armoured body.

The insect felt the blinding beams burn against his sturdy carapace, but he held firm. He knew that they were a distraction, and that SlashAngemon would strike in moments. He had to be ready. RhinoKabuterimon lowered his frilled head and prepared to fire. But it was a ruse.

When he was five meters away, SlashAngemon suddenly vaulted high into the air. He planned to lunge over RhinoKabuterimon's horn and frills in order to drill into the mercenary's exposed back. As he descended, RhinoKabuterimon suddenly wrenched his head upwards and the flat edge of his horn pulsed with electromagnetic energy.

SlashAngemon felt himself slam into an invisible wall. Grunting with surprise, he attempted to uncurl himself, but it was as if there was an immense pressure against his body that made him barely able to move. "W-What?!" he demanded, straining his head to look down. As far as he could see, there was nothing physical in front of him. It was as if there was some sort of unseen force that was keeping him in the air.

RhinoKabuterimon raised his head up, his horn glinting in the light. "That's the thing about half your body being made of metal: it makes you magnetic," he explained. "That makes attacking somebody who can create electromagnetic fields a bad idea."

SlashAngemon grimaced and unfurled his body. He attempted to pull away, but RhinoKabuterimon adjusted the field's polarity so that the angel was unable to escape. RhinoKabuterimon held the metal angel aloft over his head, keeping him fixed in the magnetic field.

"SlashAngemon…" TigerVespamon thought as he pushed through the pain and numbness to his muscles. He crawled towards the stone column in front of him, clutching his sword with one hand, and placing a hand on the stone with another. He planted his foot firmly on the floor and began to drag himself to his feet.

"Commander!" one of the HolyAngemon shouted, beginning to rush forwards. As soon as he began to move, the rest of the waiting angels made to move forwards as well.

However, one of the Angemon suddenly stopped. He heard a sudden swell of noise to the left, and he saw a bright flash in the window out of the corner of his vision. The monk turned his head slightly, and he froze to see a torrent of light roll towards the window and plough through the stone. "Look ou—!"

RhinoKabuterimon watched with dispassion as a massive pillar of positronic energy blasted through the monastery wall and ripped through back of the church. The entire room fulgurated as the full-powered laser swept across the transept where the monks were.

The giant beam engulfed the thirteen angel Digimon and consumed them, along with the nearby pillars which fractured and crumbled into dust. Each of their silhouettes could just barely be seen within the sustained, raging torrent. The shadows of their forms swiftly disappeared within the incandescent folds, one by one. The sustained positronic laser tore through them and gushed out the opposite side of the small cathedral, the temple walls collapsing around it.

"NO!" SlashAngemon bellowed, looking over his shoulder with horror. His face morphed into one of pain and fury, and he fought against the magnetic pull to cross his bladed arms over one another. "Holy Espa—"

As soon as RhinoKabuterimon noticed SlashAngemon's blades begin to glow with holy light, he wrenched his head to the side. Using the force of his magnetic field, he hurled SlashAngemon into one of the stone pillars. The angel slammed into the stone surface and broke clear through it, causing the support to crumble around him.

Angemon weakly raised his head, blood trickling down his lip and forehead, and watched with horror as the other monks disappeared in the onslaught of light.

TigerVespamon had instinctively looked towards the beam as it entered, and his compound eyes were momentarily blinded by the intense light. As the beam faded, his eyes stung and he could see a red streak in his vision. He winced and tried to readjust his vision as darkness began to take over the monastery again.

He looked towards the back of the church where the beam had struck. That was where everyone had been. He looked around the darkness, but he could see only a cloud of smoke and dust. He expected to see the rest of the monks – his family – but he couldn't see them anywhere. As his vision readjusted and the smoke began to clear, the stunned TigerVespamon looked around ardently. He tried to see somebody – anybody – but there was nobody to be found. All he could see was a thin veil of smoke and a thick, smouldering trench that was torn through the back of the church. It was a scene of ruin and desolation.

"Where did everybody go…?" he wondered in a dazed shock. "The others were right th-…"

TigerVespamon's insides suddenly tightened and sunk deep into his body as he began to fully grasp the situation in front of him. There was a reason why the chapel was suddenly so empty. His mandibles slowly opened and his face began to pale as the realisation set in:

They were gone.

His arms and legs began to tremble. His normally calm breathing began to speed up. His heart started to race. It was like there was as icy hand clutching it and squeezing tightly.

"No…" he whispered, his red eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. The blood drained from his face and a primal chill coursed through his body. "Please, no… Everyone's…"

TigerVespamon's throat began to tighten up. Sweat laced his palm as his fingers tightened like a vice around the Royal Meister. His aching heart became a maelstrom of sorrow and fury. His vision became glossy and his eyes stung as tears began to form.

His fingers scraped against the stone column as he turned a tearful, withering glare towards RhinoKabuterimon.

Meanwhile, RhinoKabuterimon carefully looked around what was left of the transept and chancel of the church. He could see only shattered stone and unearthed soil littering the area. A lingering veil of dust and data hung over the temple, causing the moonlight filtering in from the oculus to reflect off the residue like a holy ray from the heavens.

As he stepped forwards, he heard the rhythmic growl of an engine and the familiar puttering of tank treads. He watched as a large, dark silhouette emerged over the crest of stone rubble in the massive hole in the wall.

Bolgmon rolled through the breach of smashed rock, crushing collapsed bricks into dust beneath his treads. As he emerged through the hole, smoke wafted up from the heavy duty cannon on his head.

The insect tank rolled into the church and looked around. As he did, he let out a long whistle, impressed with himself at the carnage that he created. "Damn… Not too shabby, if I do say so myself..." he mused, tilting his head as he admired the destruction around him. "Hey… How many was that? Did I beat my record?"

"What took you so long?" RhinoKabuterimon curtly asked him.

"Hey, I had to get my targeting right. I had to make sure I didn't hit you by accident," Bolgmon explained with a wry tilt of the head. "So! Did I kill all of them?"

Bolgmon looked around the smoky, devastated floor, using his sensors to track any motion. He rolled down off of the pile of rubble and drove around the massive furrow that cut across the rear of the church. As he did, Bolgmon noticed a bit of movement on the floor. The HolyAngemon who had been at the front of the charge had managed to survive the blast, but his wings were mangled and his back was badly burnt. The wounded angel groaned and tried to crawl away.

"Oh, I missed one," Bolgmon nonchalantly noted. He aimed his arm, began charging electricity in his rotary cannon, and fired a powerful blast of lightning. The concentrated shot tore through HolyAngemon's back and detonated, immediately reducing him to data.

"No!" an enraged voice shouted.

Bolgmon looked up as his sensors responded to a sudden movement near the far end of the church. "Blitz, look out!" he shouted, watching as TigerVespamon lunged at RhinoKabuterimon from the side.

RhinoKabuterimon unleashed a sharp hiss of pain as he felt something white-hot embed itself in his side. He quickly turned his head and saw TigerVespamon standing beside him, glaring up at him coldly. The acolyte had stabbed the tip of his beam sword in his left side, between two of his legs. He began to push the sword deeper into his body, straining against the dense armour's resistance.

A deep growl resonated from RhinoKabuterimon's throat and he swept his horned head outwards. The electromagnetic field impacted TigerVespamon hard, pulling the blade from his side and knocking the hornet away. In his pain and annoyance, RhinoKabuterimon wrenched his head strongly and sent TigerVespamon slamming into one of the nearby pillars.

TigerVespamon's back impacted the column hard and the Royal Meister flew from his hand. After a moment, he slid down to the base of the pillar and lurched forwards. His moist eyes flickered dully as blood dripped down his head and he struggled to hold onto consciousness.

As RhinoKabuterimon began to turn towards TigerVespamon to finish the job, there was another shout from within the dust.

"Leave him alone, you heathens!" SlashAngemon bellowed, lunging towards RhinoKabuterimon from the darkness. He spread his bladed wings and soared towards him, crossing his arm blades in front of himself as he poured holy energy into them. "Holy Espada!"

RhinoKabuterimon watched as SlashAngemon swept his blades outwards in an x-shape, forming a crossed laser that sliced through the air towards him. The heavy beetle began beating his insect wings rapidly, generating static from the fast movements while also lifting himself off the ground. Using the magnetic field around him, RhinoKabuterimon threw himself to the side at speeds faster than one would think capable of his gigantic body.

He flew to the right just in time to evade the brunt of SlashAngemon's last ditch attack. The cross of holy energy swept along his left side, slicing across the surface of his thick, chitinous carapace.

RhinoKabuterimon's body slammed against the midsection of the surviving pillars, but he was in control of his movements enough to angle his horn precisely. He levelled his frilled head as electricity coursed up and gathered at the tip of his horn.

"No!" Angemon pleaded with all of his strength, reaching up to the massive insect hovering a few meters above him. He grabbed hold of one of RhinoKabuterimon's feet. "Please, I beg of you…!"

RhinoKabuterimon grunted and shook his hand off. "Thunder Laser," he spoke.

A powerful beam coursed from RhinoKabuterimon's horn, strong enough to knock him backwards into the pillar behind him. The concentrated electricity accumulated into a laser that pierced through the air at high speeds. SlashAngemon saw the torrent of lightning surging towards him. It was too fast for him to avoid in his weakened form. He quickly brought up his blades in front of his body to protect himself.

The laser slammed into his arms, its force powerful enough for SlashAngemon's guard to falter. The beam parted around his body, but it began to pierce through his shield of blades and strike his body beneath. As much as he pushed against it with all of his strength, he could feel his crossed arms slowly being pulled apart.

SlashAngemon grimaced with agony as the lightning began to burn at his body and course through his metal. "A-Angemon…! T-Ta-Take the b-boy… and r-run…! Go-God… be with- "

The laser overtook the archangel and obliterated him. Angemon watched with horror as his friend disappeared within the destructive light. As the last bastion of resistance vanished, the beam tore through the back of the chancel and pierced out of the back end of the monastery with a thunderous crash. Nothing remained of SlashAngemon but the scattering of data particles. They drifted towards the crumbling oculus, sparkling in the moonlight as they ascended towards the sky.

RhinoKabuterimon grunted and stared coldly at the empty church before him. He slowly touched down on the ground, his horn still sparking with overloaded electricity. He looked around cautiously, wary of any more surprise threats. Angemon was on his hands and knees, injured and distraught. He was more concerned about the remaining Ultimate level. TigerVespamon remained slumped against the base of the pillar, blood dripping off his chin. If he wasn't already unconscious, he was nearly so. He was no longer an immediate threat, RhinoKabuterimon determined.

The nave around him was littered with debris and dust. The pillars were either destroyed or badly fragmented; the columns seemed ready to collapse around them if they were further disturbed. The back of the chapel was almost completely destroyed, barring the two corridors that led deeper into the monastery. How damaged the building was beyond this chamber, he couldn't say. He hoped that he didn't hit the vault where the orb lay.

Bolgmon sighed and began driving over towards them. "Was that all of 'em?"

RhinoKabuterimon glanced over at Angemon, who was on his hands and knees, staring at the ground in grief. "I believe so…" he murmured. RhinoKabuterimon exhaled as his body took on a powerful light. He suddenly shrank in size and returned to his humanoid Blitzmon form.

As Blitzmon stepped forwards, he suddenly hissed with pain and clutched his side. He looked down at his hip and saw a small splotch of blood in his orange jumpsuit, roughly in the area where TigerVespamon had stabbed him. He grunted and pressed his palm over the flesh wound.

"You're hurt," Bolgmon observed, leering at the blood with concern. "You okay?"

"I'll be fine… It's not too deep," Blitzmon muttered. Instead of addressing the injury, he turned towards Angemon.

Meanwhile, Bolgmon rolled over to TigerVespamon, slowly coming to a stop in front of the wounded Digimon. TigerVespamon's eyes flickered, and he shifted his head just barely. He was in too much pain to move. He was only faintly aware of the Digimon in front of him.

Bolgmon leered down at TigerVespamon and slowly extended a long, metal spike from his cannon arm. He raised his arm and pointed the steel needle towards TigerVespamon's face before looking over his shoulder. "Hey, Blitz, who the hell is this bug? I thought it was only supposed to be angels here."

"I have no idea," Blitzmon answered, narrowing his eyes as he stepped up to Angemon. "He was with the Royal Knights in Vernal Spring that time."

"Huh," Bolgmon mused, eyeing the bug warily. "So, want me to kill him?"

Angemon grimaced and raised his head, looking up at Blitzmon with a beseeching gaze. "Enough… Please… Don't hurt him," he begged the mercenary.

Blitzmon reached down and grabbed Angemon by the hair, pulling him up into a kneeling position. The beetle man leered down at the beseeching angel coldly. "This all could have been avoided. I'd have preferred to steal the Orb of Yang without all this bloodshed," he explained to him. "Yet, this is the position we find ourselves in… You're in no position to dictate to us, priest."

"I beg you… Too many have died today," Angemon bitterly said to him. "Don't add another needless death… Please, I raised him from a child after his village was destroyed… If you have any decency, please, spare him. You, of all people, should want to spare him, Blitzmon."

Blitzmon frowned at Angemon's words and hesitantly looked over his shoulder at Bolgmon. The larger cyborg beetle eyed Blitzmon uncertainly, waiting for his direction.

Blitzmon turned back to look at Angemon, who he still held upright by his hair. "I'll spare him if you tell me where the Orb of Yang is and how to move it. If not, he dies," he threatened in no uncertain terms.

Angemon's teeth gritted tightly as he stared up at Blitzmon.

"A…Angemon… D-Don't…" TigerVespamon weakly murmured through his flickering moments of consciousness.

"Ah, ah, ah," Bolgmon warned him, pressing his needle against TigerVespamon's forehead, right between his compound eyes. "I'd shut up if I were you."

Angemon hesitated and looked past the mercenaries, over at the wounded TigerVespamon. After a few moments of thought, he looked up at Blitzmon uncertainly. "…If I tell you, I need your word that neither of you will harm TigerVespamon," he responded.

Blitzmon leered down at him, looking at where Angemon's eyes would be behind his helmet. "You have my word. If you cooperate, we have no reason to kill him," he affirmed in a cool, but sincere voice. "All we care about is getting the Orb of Yang."

Angemon sighed and looked off to the side with a flicker of regret. "Very well... I will tell you… but I am holding you to your word," the Keeper of the Light told him, looking at Blitzmon carefully.

"I have no reason to break it," Blitzmon replied. "Where is it?"

Angemon calmly gazed at the mercenary. "…Go to through the corridor on the right. Take the stairs down to the cellar, and proceed to the library at the back of the corridor. Once you are inside, make your way to the back left quadrant of the library. At the end of the third shelf is a false book: the Third Volume of Natural Philosophy. It must be pulled to activate a secret passage that leads to an underground chamber. Proceed through and you will find the secret room where the Orb of Yang is being kept," he informed him.

"Why the subterfuge?" Blitzmon questioned.

Angemon looked down. "…The Orb was once kept secret in a shrine, hidden in the depths of the Forest of Equilibrium. However, that shrine fell into disrepair over time, and it faced threat from looters and treasure hunters. After the shrine was damaged, Caturamon and Makuramon came to us with the Orb and asked if we would take care of it. We came to realise its importance and that Huanglongmon's legacy was just as precious as that of our God," he explained. "To put it simply, the Virtues and Dominions would likely not understand if they discovered that we were taking care of a relic belonging to the Golden Faith. What they believe differs slightly from what we have come to believe."

"I see," Blitzmon replied, his grip on the angel remaining tight. "Once I'm there, how do I move it? I'm told it's dangerous to the touch." His green eyes narrowed as he leered down at the abbot. "And before you get any ideas about tricking me, I'll remind you that if anything happens to me when I try to move it, Bolgmon will kill you both."

"Slowly," Bolgmon warned him, causing a strand of electricity to spark up the length of his metal spike.

"The thought did not cross my mind," Angemon answered grimly. "On the left side of the room is a box. There is a white cloth that shimmers like the stars. Use that to carefully wrap the Orb. Once that is done, move the Orb into the stone reliquary marked with runes. Use that as a receptacle. Then, it will be safe enough to transport. It will not be light."

"Is there anything else I need to know?" Blitzmon asked him.

"Be gentle with it…" Angemon answered. After a moment of hesitation, he stared Blitzmon in the eyes. "And I would advise Bagramon against using it for whatever he is planning."

"Noted, but that is none of our concern," Blitzmon answered, releasing Angemon's hair and letting him slacken. He raised a hand, which began to crackle with electricity. "Thanks for your cooperation."

In a swift movement, he chopped a pressure point in Angemon's neck and sent electricity coursing through his body. Angemon jolted sharply as the lightning zapped him and he collapsed to the ground in a heap. A few stray feathers floated down around him as his helmeted head hit the marble floor.

Bolgmon eyed the unconscious Angemon for a few moments before looking back up at Blitzmon curiously. "Sooo… What now, Blitz?"

Blitzmon looked down at Angemon for a few moments before turning around to face Bolgmon. "Bind him. We're taking him with us and heading to Dark Point," he commanded in a low, menacing voice.

Bolgmon blinked and gawked at his companion. "Whaa?! Why?! Bag of Bones didn't say anything about that!" he retorted with confusion.

"Just do it. We may need him in case anything goes wrong with the Orb of Yang," Blitzmon explained. "Besides, Bagramon might appreciate having a ranking angel captured alive. He could have information that's useful to our client. That could mean a bonus for us."

"N-No!" TigerVespamon shouted, fighting against his fading consciousness despite how much his body protested. He weakly attempted to drag himself up.

"Oh, just shut up already," Bolgmon answered with annoyance. He retracted his needle and slammed the steel muzzle of his cannon across TigerVespamon's face.

TigerVespamon's head jerked to the side and he crashed to the ground. The blow was hard enough to help him into unconsciousness. The vespid acolyte lay on the ground, unmoving and helpless.

"Much better!" Bolgmon said with a proud smirk. He turned towards Blitzmon and pointed his cannon arm at the unconscious hornet man. "So, between you and me, we're really killing this guy, right?" he asked for clarification.

Blitzmon stared down at TigerVespamon with a frown. He considered Bolgmon's suggestion for a moment, and then recalled Angemon's words. "…No," he decided.

Bolgmon blinked. "…What? Really? You're actually serious?"

"I'm always serious," Blitzmon responded with a firm glare. "When I say I'm going to do something, I mean it."

"Yeah, but…" Bolgmon sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Is that enough of a reason?"

Blitzmon eyed him. "Do you really want to break our word and kill somebody who can't fight back? We don't have any reason to get our hands that dirty without reason," he explained. "I'd expect you to be sentimental, given that he's an orphan like us."

Bolgmon frowned uncertainly. He hesitated and looked down at the unconscious insect. "I know what you're sayin', Blitz, but… We just wiped out his whole flock of angels. When he wakes up, he's gonna be pissed. He's gonna come after us. And we're going to be moving slowly if we have to carry that Orb and its heavy ass box. Do we really want to deal with that kind of hassle? Normally, you wouldn't think twice about offing him."

Blitzmon's eyes narrowed and he cast his gaze down at TigerVespamon. "It's something about what the angel said… That we should want to spare him…" he murmured. "There's something about this guy… something that makes me think we should spare him. It's like…"

"…What?" Bolgmon wondered.

"Forget it," Blitzmon responded, shaking his head, unsure how to put it into words. He continued staring down at TigerVespamon, his mind deep in thought as he weighed up the decision. "…You have a point, though. We can't allow him to follow us…"

After a few moments, Blitzmon sighed and folded his arms. "…Restrain him too. Keep him trapped here and toss his swords somewhere safe. Don't half ass it. Bolgmon."

"Aye aye," Bolgmon responded, half-saluting to show his compliance.

"You do that while I go and get the orb," Blitzmon said. As he turned away, he looked around at the desolation around them. "Maybe being stuck here will remind him what happens to those who oppose us."

Blitzmon turned and began walking down the nave, heading towards the right corridor at what remained of the back half of the monastery's chapel. Once he reached the fractured entranceway, he stopped and sighed, glancing over his shoulder. As Bolgmon got to work, Blitzmon walked down the corridor, leaving the scene of destruction behind him.

---

Following Angemon's directions, it didn't take Blitzmon long to make his way through the monastery cellar. He soon found himself in the library.

The room was stuffy with the aroma of old paper. It wasn't a very big library, being underground, so it smelled even more strongly than the Timeless Library had done. The mercenary had to resist the urge to sneeze.

The library contained rows of bookshelves filled with religious, mystical, and scientific books. Blitzmon stood in front of a large bookshelf at the back of the room. He scanned the shelf, searching for Volume Three of Natural Philosophy, like he had been told.

After a minute of searching, he found the book of the left side of the shelf, resting against the wooden frame. The insect mercenary placed his hand on the top of the book and found that it didn't contain pages, but a block of wood beneath the covers. Blitzmon arched his brow, but carefully pulled the book back like he had been instructed.

As soon as the book was pulled, it activated some sort of contraption. The sounds of gyrating gears began to fill the empty library. The bookcase began to creak open, pushing outwards from the wall like an opening book. Blitzmon took a few steps back to allow the book to open, while also keeping on his toes in case it was a trap.

However, Angemon was true to his word, Behind the bookcase was a hole in the wall which led into a tunnel-like passage. Blitzmon frowned and cautiously made his way in, ducking his horned head forwards to allow himself to fit. As he pointed his horn ahead of him, he formed a small spark at its tip so that he was able to see in the dark passage.

The mercenary made his way through the tunnel, which was no more than about ten meters. As he reached the end of the passage, the narrow warren opened up. At the end of the tunnel was a small room with walls made of stone. As Blitzmon entered, he could see that the floor was made of natural, uncut stone, and the ceiling was formed by the thick, branching roots of a tree.

In the exact center of the room was an object. A spherical shape hovered in the air above a black pedestal. The pedestal was immaculate without any sign of wear, and its surface was inscribed with ancient Digimoji and runes. The orb was about the size of his head, as Bagramon had told him.

Even with his horn dimly lighting the room, it was like his light disappeared upon hitting the object. It was a sphere, made of the blackest darkness. He could just barely see a glossy sheen that told him that there was actually a crystal coating. The darkness within was impenetrable, no matter how much light he shone upon it. It wasn't just darkness, it was as if the contents were some sort of primordial void.

However, as Blitzmon cautiously approached the sphere, he could just barely see something within the darkness. Flickers of light. Like stars twinkling in the darkest night. It was an object that radiated both beauty and oppression. He felt like if he were to touch it, the mere vestiges of its power would tear him apart.

It was the Orb of Yang. He was certain of it.

Blitzmon released a shaky breath and calmed himself at the daunting relic. He wasn't a religious Digimon, but he could tell the object's power just by being near it.

The mercenary got to work. He walked towards the wooden box on the left side of the small chamber. Blitzmon opened the chest and saw a neatly folded cloth inside. Next to it was a stone box, the sides of which were also carved with warding runes.

"I guess that's the cloth and reliquary…" Blitzmon thought to himself. He reached in and took the cloth out of the chest, unfolding it in his hands.

He turned towards the Orb of Yang and cautiously approached it. Not wanting to get too close to its raw power, Blitzmon swept the large cloth outwards, unfurling it above the hovering sphere. Blitzmon stepped backwards and allowed the cloth to settle on top of the orb. The magical cloth remained intact against the Orb of Yang. It didn't rip apart or disintegrate.

This strengthened Blitzmon's courage. He tentatively reached out and carefully pressed his finger against the cloth-covered surface. There was no pain, no adverse reaction. He could just feel the solid crystal shell through the cloth. Blitzmon sighed with relief.

He slowly placed his palms against the Orb of Yang and daintily wrapped it in the cloth. When it was clear that the cloth was protecting him, he felt emboldened enough to slowly remove the orb from the pedestal. Blitzmon slowly carried the orb over to the stone box. As he held it in its arms, he could feel its resonant power against him, even through the special cloth.

Once he was standing over the chest, he gently lowered the Orb of Yang into the stone receptacle. He placed the rune-marked lid over the reliquary to seal it tightly. Then, Blitzmon slid his hands down the side of the box and gripped a pair of small handles. Once his grip was sure, he pulled it up and carried the heavy reliquary in his arms.

Despite his arms straining painfully at the great weight, a small grin formed on Blitzmon's face. He gazed down at the relic in his arm. His green eyes shone brightly as his electricity reflected off of them.

"…Mission accomplished," he whispered. "Time to bring this back to Bagramon."

Blitzmon turned around and slowly made his way out of the chamber with his objective. He hoped that Bolgmon was done with what he was doing. He didn't want to hang around longer than they had to. The whole experience left him with an uneasy feeling.

As he walked through the shadowy tunnel, the mercenary's eyes darkened

"I've made my decision. A job's a job."