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?

118. Chapter 83: The Setting Sun

(Author's Notes: Hey, all! Sorry for the delay. I've been busy these past few weeks, partially due to family visiting for a couple weeks. I hope it won't take too long to post the next chapter, but I can't make any promises, other than that it will get done! I've run out of a buffer between the chapter I'm writing and the chapter I'm publishing, so I'll need to do my best to get on top of that again. At least it's taken until close to the finale of Holy War to happen, I guess, haha. I'm going to do my best to get back into a good productivity loop now.

Anyways, here's Chapter 83! As always, read, review, and enjoy!)

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Chapter 83: The Setting Sun

The sun reached its zenith in the sky.

It was a warm, spring day with only a few, puffy clouds dappled across the blue sky. Rich, golden rays of light cast down over Castle Avalion.

The training grounds on the northern edge of the castle were virtually empty.

The field of fresh grass shimmered warmly as the vibrant sunlight reflected off of the emerald blades. Due to the bulk of the army being away on campaign, the grass seeds were given the opportunity to grow unabated. The seedlings were sprouting under the spring sunshine and growing strong enough to stand on their own.

One Digimon stood alone in the center of the grounds, making the most of their remaining time before they had to leave tomorrow. The Digimon's white, metal body and a red cape stood in contrast to the verdurous sea of grass beneath him.

Jesmon stood in an offensive combat stance. His left arm was extended, his bladed tail was raised and poised defensively, and his right arm was coiled back, ready to strike. He measured his breathing and shifted his balance on his bladed feet. He stared at the empty space before him with unbreakable focus. And then, he struck.

He unleashed his potential energy in a flurry of kinetic stabs and strikes. He thrust with his arm, parried with his tail, spun, kicked, slashed, plunged… With each successive movement, his speed increased, his cape whirling with him as his limbs became blurs of grey and red. Jesmon moved with intensity, purpose. Each movement was finely-honed and precise.

From the edge of the training grounds, Sistermons Noir and Blanc watched the newest Royal Knight train himself.

Sistermon Blanc held her trident close to her chest, watching anxiously as Jesmon continued his relentless volley of blows.

"He's been training since dawn…" Sistermon Blanc said uneasily, her bunny-shaped klobuk reflecting her worried expression. "Do you think I should ask him to have a break…?"

Sistermon Noir lazily lay in the grass with her hands resting behind her head, only half-watching as Jesmon practiced. "If you want to get in the way of all those swords, be my guest," she nonchalantly replied.

"Um… maybe I'll wait until he finishes this set…" Blanc nervously decided.

The pair watched as Jesmon continued training for another couple of minutes. As his dynamic movements came to a smooth, gradual end, Jesmon stopped and managed his breathing, trying to catch his breath.

Sistermon Noir sprang up to a sitting position and leaned forwards on her bent knees. "Aw, that's no good, Hackie! How are you supposed to get any better like that?! The air won't fight back!" she goaded him with a smirk.

Jesmon centered his breath and closed his eyes, not turning around nor reacting to Noir's teasing. He was intensely focused. While his training was for the purpose of honing his Tekken Seibai combat abilities, he also hoped that by working himself up into an adrenaline-fuelled state, he might be able to tap into his deeper ability.

However, over the past couple days, he found he was no closer to success.

Jesmon sighed and got into another combat position, his caped back still turned to the Sistermons. He prepared to try again.

It was then that the Sistermons heard heavy footsteps and the fluttering of fabric behind them. They turned just in time to see a white jacket flowing as it passed by them.

Jesmon closed his eyes. He tried to ignore all distractions. He tuned out the sound of voices and footsteps. He centered himself and tried to draw himself into a meditative state, attempting to stabilize his internal chi from all external interruptions.

He took a slow, calming breath. his mind like a halcyon lake - tranquil, at peace…

And, then, all serenity was roughly and unexpectedly shattered as a set of knuckles sharply cracked across his cheek, like a boulder splashing into the water.

"BUWAH!" Jesmon yelped in pain and shock as a bare fist cuffed across his face, knocking him off of his feet despite them hovering inches off of the ground. The Royal Knight crashed unceremoniously to the ground, a strand of saliva spilling from his mouth from the abrupt punch.

"…Urk… Ow…"

Jesmon looked up in a confused daze. Beyond the white spots in his vision, an imposing figure towered over him.

At first, he had expected to it to be Sistermon Noir, but slugging him in the face wasn't really her style. As soon as his sight focused, the assailant became immediately obvious. The black bodysuit, the flowing, white jacket, the striking red hair, the visor, the mustache, the stern disposition…

It was Gankoomon.

Jesmon blinked, gazing up at the knight with confusion. "S-Sensei?! What was that for?" he asked, more shocked than hurt by the punch.

Standing with his arms folded, Gankoomon loomed over his junior knight. Despite his confident posture, he fought back a scowl to hide the fact that his hand hurt more than Jesmon's cheek did.

"To wake you up!" Gankoomon boisterously declared. "Besides, I'm your sensei; I don't need a reason to hit you!"

Jesmon blinked again. "Huh…?"

"You heard me. Now…" Gankoomon took an imposing step towards him, uncrossing his arms. He raised an arm and extended it towards him.

Jesmon braced himself. However, after a moment, his anticipatory flinch softened and he watched with confusion as Gankoomon offered his hand to him.

"…Are you just gonna lie there or are we going to train?" Gankoomon asked him, a small grin on his face as he held his hand out to his pupil.

Jesmon blinked once more. Then, his eyes widened and sparkled as overwhelming joy washed over him. Without a second of hesitation, he reached up and eagerly grabbed Gankoomon's hand with his own.

"Sensei!" he exclaimed with heartfelt glee.

With a smooth yet forceful heave, Gankoomon pulled Jesmon back to his feet. He released his hand and inspected the steel dragon knight carefully.

"So, I'm guessing you're still struggling to tap into those beings?" Gankoomon inquired.

Jesmon, after wiping his glossy eyes a little, nodded affirmatively. "Yes… I can't seem to figure it out. I've tried meditation, I've tried emptying my mind, I've tried working myself to exhaustion… I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong."

"Hm…" Gankoomon brooded, frowning behind his visor. "I think that's where you're going wrong."

"Huh? Where, Sensei?"

"You're thinking too much. Trying to force it is the first problem you're having," Gankoomon explained.

"But I've even tried not thinking," Jesmon informed him. "Alphamon said the same thing; that's why I've been meditating."

"It's not good enough just to not think. It's not just about having a serene heart. Your ascetic training gives you a good foundation, but you need more than that," Gankoomon impressed upon him. "I'm going with my gut here in assuming that those creatures of yours are anything like Hinukamui. Hinukamui is a being of emotion – my emotions. His strength comes from the strength of my heart."

Jesmon frowned with thought. "The strength of your heart…?"

Gankoomon nodded. "Hinukamui comes from deep inside me. Just like those beings come from inside you. You don't need to tap into your mind; you need to tap into your heart," Gankoomon explained. "Connect with your feelings, understand them, and then channel your emotions into willpower. They'll respond to your sincere and powerful will, just like Hinukamui responds to mine."

Jesmon pensively considered Gankoomon' words. "Do you think that's why they activated when GrandisKuwagamon was in trouble? I thought it might have been from the adrenaline, but what you're saying makes sense…"

"Well, you just evolved didn't you? And you saw your friend in trouble. Your emotions were in overdrive," Gankoomon suggested. "That's probably why you haven't been able to replicate it."

Jesmon nodded. "So… what should I do?"

"You need to figure out how to harness that emotional energy on your own, without needing external stimuli," Gankoomon advised him. The red-haired knight stared at Jesmon with firm resolve. "…Fight me."

"…Huh?" Jesmon asked, unsure if he had heard him correctly.

Gankoomon's brows furrowed, and traces of golden energy began to dance along the shoulders of his jacket as he began to emanate with an overwhelming pressure.

"I said… fight me! Hinukamui!"

Without warning, Hinukamui exploded out of Gankoomon's shoulders with a mighty hiss. The blazing dragon towered over him like a raging titan, his eyes setting Jesmon directly in his sights.

"Begin!"

Jesmon looked up with widening eyes, watching with stupefaction as Hinukamui raised his fists over his head in a double axe-handle punch. He couldn't quite comprehend that he was the target.

"Uh…"

Before he could even finish that thought, Hinukamui's hulking aura fists came smashing down towards him. Jesmon, acting purely on panicked instinct, lunged out of the way. As the blazing fist crashed into the place where he had been standing, he was showered with dirt, having just escaped right in the nick of time.

Jesmon crashed to the ground in a clumsy, unprepared roll, his cape half-twisting around one of his legs. He came to a stop on his hands and knees, looking back at Gankoomon and Hinukamui with a stunned expression.

"S-Sensei?! What are you doing?!" he exclaimed.

Gankoomon scoffed and took an imposing step towards him, Hinukamui bending forwards and preparing to throw another punch. "You wanted to train with me, didn't you?" he asked him, his voice a low, gravelly thunder. "Well, I'm giving you what you want. Or have you forgotten what my training is like, already?"

Jesmon cringed and got to a kneeling position. "N-No, but I wasn't ready!"

"Do you think Demon will wait for you to be ready?!" Gankoomon rebuked him. "Remember what I taught you: be ready to adapt to anything! Now stand up!"

Jesmon looked up to see Hinukamui descending on him once again, throwing his blazing fist towards him while he was still down. "Gah!" he exclaimed, extended his bladed leg into a massive leap to hurl himself out of the way.

Hinukamui's fist plowed into the ground right behind him, once again showering him with clumps of earth and grass.

Jesmon managed to catch his bladed feet on a pair of magical circles, and he spun around with wide, overwhelmed eyes. "S-Sensei! Just wait!" he beseeched him, hoping for just a few seconds to catch his breath.

"NO! You haven't grown soft, have you?!" Gankoomon barked, sweeping his arm out and directing Hinukamui to charge towards him. "If you've gotten complacent just because you're a Royal Knight now, I'll need to teach you a lesson! Tekken Seisai!"

Jesmon jumped back as Hinukamui closed the distance and swept at him with a punch. However, as soon as he landed, Hinukamui continued pursuing him, lashing out with an immediate follow-up swipe.

Unable to retreat in time, Jesmon was forced bring up his arm to block the massive, clawed hand. He could feel Hinukamui's heat and pressure straining against his arm as he struggled to hold the powerful dragon back.

"Hack-chan!" Sistermon Blanc exclaimed with worry.

"Ooh, now things are getting interesting…" Sistermon Noir remarked, leaning forwards eagerly.

The moment that he felt the pressure begin to ease, Jesmon jumped back, but Hinukamui pressed after him in a relentlessly aggressive assault. Gankoomon was refusing to give him even a moment to breathe.

"Rrk," Jesmon grunted, staggering backwards on his feet as golden claws swiped at him. He bit down tightly and sweat dripped down from his forehead to his chin. It was all he could do to inhale half a breath before Hinukamui set upon him again with a flurry of blows.

"You'll have to do better than that, Jesmon! Focus!" Gankoomon shouted, standing still as he focused his energy into commanding Hinukamui into attacking his student. "Are you just going to run away?! Run away from being a Royal Knight?! Are you going to give up now that you've gotten what you wanted?! Was the title all you wanted all this time?!"

"Nnngh!" Jesmon growled. As he saw the next blow speeding towards him, rather than evade, he bent his legs and entrenched his stance. "…N-No!" he insisted.

Jesmon brought his bladed arms up, crossing them protectively in front of his body as he absorbed Hinukamui's powerful punch. He winced and was pushed back a few meters, but he held his ground.

"Then prove it!" Gankoomon shouted, slamming his wooden sandal into the ground, causing a sudden eruption of earth below Jesmon. "Show me what this means to you! Prove to me that you're worthy – that this wasn't just some childish fantasy! Show me your ambition! Show me your passion, Jesmon!"

"Grk!" Jesmon grunted as the explosion of earth blasted him back. Blinking away the dirt in his eyes, Jesmon's expression hardened and he burst through the cloud of dust. "Grraaaaaah!"

The newest knight raced forwards to attack, and he was immediately met with Hinukamui. Jesmon raised his arms to block a punch – and then another – and then another.

"Well, Jesmon?!" Gankoomon demanded, pouring more of his power into Hinukamui's blows. "Show me! Where is your resolve?!"

Jesmon grimaced, slowly being pushed back by every punch. His arms strained and ached from the enormous pressure, but he didn't break. He held firm, his eyes tight as flickering aura swept past him with every blow. "My resolve…"

"What was it that you wanted to do?! What was it that you wanted to achieve?!" Gankoomon passionately shouted. "Why did you want to become a Royal Knight?!

"I… I wanted…" Jesmon spoke, his voice strained. After a few more blows, his arms throbbing and the roar of Hinukamui buffeting his ears, his tightly shut eyes snapped open. "I became a Royal Knight to protect people!"

"Who?! Who do you want to protect?!" Gankoomon demanded, his face hard as he clobbered on Jesmon's defensive guard.

Jesmon's yellow eyes hardened, flickering with passion and determination. His emotions were racing. The combination of the physical pressure wearing him down to his core and the powerful thoughts that were entering his head triggered something in his heart.

He thought about those moments that made him. He thought about the people that he couldn't save – that Sealsdramon, Gorimon, the militia of Hope's Crest, Angemon… Then, he thought about the people he had been able to protect – the villagers of Shadow Retreat and GrandisKuwagamon…

He remembered… He didn't just want to protect a few Digimon. He wanted to protect everyone who needed it. He wanted to protect everyone who he could. That was why he wanted to be a Royal Knight: not for the title or the vanity or to prove that he could… He wanted to be a Royal Knight so that he could protect all the Digimon who needed protecting.

In that haze of emotion, Jesmon remembered each of their faces, each one stirring something in his heart and spurring on his passion.

"I want to—grah!"

Gankoomon caused the ground beneath Jesmon to shake, causing him to lose his balance. Then he directed Hinukamui to aggressively press his advantage. Hinukamui closed the distance and brought his huge blazing fist up beneath Jesmon in a mighty uppercut.

The massive punch caught Jesmon underneath his crossed arms, slamming into his chest and breaking his guard. As Hinukamui's knuckles dragged against his chest, the blue crystal embedded in Jesmon's breast began to shimmer brilliantly.

Jesmon was sent flying back, crashing onto his caped back. Half-winded, Jesmon grimaced and tried to pull himself up on his elbows. As he looked up, he saw Hinukamui towering over him threateningly. He watched as the aura dragon hissed with energy and reeled his arm back for a devastating final punch.

Jesmon's eyes blazed with passion and resolve. As he sat up, courageously anticipating the punch, the crystal on his chest intensified with intense, radiant light.

"I still want to…" he spoke. His body began crackling with orange energy, as Hinukamui's fist plunged forwards.

"I want to save people! And I want to work alongside everyone to do it!" he cried out. "Schwertgeist!"

Right as Hinukamui's fist descended on him, Jesmon's body exploded with energy. The aura dragon's knuckles slammed into an invisible barrier, raging powerfully just feet from Jesmon's face.

Jesmon's wincing face softened, momentarily confused as to why Hinukamui stopped. Then, he realized that he hadn't stopped; the aura dragon's fist was still pushing hard, but it was being prevented from hitting him.

Then, in that moment of revelation, Jesmon sensed something: he realised he was no longer alone.

Jesmon looked around.

To his left, he could see a blazing fire ball hovering next to him in the air. Rather than simply being a pure sphere of energy, it sported a tangible v-shaped crest, as well as long, slender arms like swords.

Then, to his right, he noticed another, almost identical one, floating equidistantly apart.

Finally, sensing a third presence above him, Jesmon looked up. Hovering above him was the third and final spirit.

It formed a protective triangle with the other two, the trio of being acting in unison to create an invisible barrier that protected Jesmon from Gankoomon and Hinukamui's attacks.

"What…?" Jesmon breathed, panting with intense emotion. "It worked…? You're back!"

Gankoomon looked on with shock as he watched the three, fiery sprites appear and defend Jesmon from his and Hinukamui's attack. He observed the three beings, noting how they really did seem similar to Hinukamui in nature.

Then, his gaze landed on Jesmon. He watched as his Ultimate-level student stood up straight, surrounded by the three manifestations of his power.

And… a soft smile formed on his face.

He smiled with pride… pride for what Jesmon had been able to accomplish. He realised that he had helped to shape Jesmon into who he was today. More than that, he was proud of Jesmon for having the strength and determination to overcome all of the hardships that he faced. He recognized his achievements… and the fact that his student had more inner fortitude than even he did.

Gankoomon now felt that he could truly, sincerely smile for his student, as well as for himself.

After a few moments, Gankoomon snapped his fingers, and Hinukamui immediately backed off, floating halfway back towards him.

Jesmon sighed with relief as the pressure against him finally lifted. He took a few moments to catch his breath, and then he stood up straight, turning his attention to the three familiars.

"You three came back… Thank you," Jesmon happily told them, a relieved smile forming on his face. "I'm sorry that it took so long for me to figure out how to summon you again."

The three spirits, sensing that Jesmon was no longer under threat, relaxed their formation and dipped in the air. They then turned to Jesmon and descended on him, crowding him and hovering around him buoyantly.

"Haha, h-hey!" Jesmon laughed as the trio of spirits affectionately bounced around him. "I'm happy to see you too."

"Oh, but you're going to need names…" Jesmon remarked, looking down at the aura familiars as they whirled around him.

The three spirits stopped and hovered back a few paces, lining up and looking at Jesmon curiously.

Jesmon looked at the three familiars from left to right. On closer inspection, he noticed that while they seemed almost identical, they each had a few subtle differences.

The one on the left – the one with an 'A' symbol on its crest – had slightly shorter swords and had more pronounced head crest.

Meanwhile, the one in the middle had a 'P' symbol on its head. This one was a bit more fuller in body than the other ones, as well as having longer swords.

Finally, the one on the right sported an 'R' shape in the center of its crest. This last spirit was a little more slender and had a longer tail, as well as more fiery spikes near the bases of its swords.

"Names, names, names…" Jesmon mumbled to himself, attempting to come up with names. The three familiars waited and looked at him eagerly.

"Wow, Hackie. You actually did it?" Sistermon Noir remarked, casually walking over now that the fight was over. "I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you." She grinned and winked. "It's too bad. I was having a lot of fun watching you make an idiot of yourself trying to summon them."

"Noir," Sistermon Blanc lightly scolded her, following behind her. "You did an amazing job, Hack-chan," she praised him with a big smile. "Are these the creatures you were talking about? They're so cute…"

"Thanks, Blanc, Noir," Jesmon replied, smiling at the Sistermons. Then, Jesmon turned back to the three aura beings. "Oh, I think I know what your names are."

Jesmon first pointed at the spirit on the left. "Atho," he dubbed it. Then, he gestured to the wisp in the middle. "Por." Finally, Jesmon turned to the aura being on the left. "Rene."

Jesmon looked at the trio of blazing spheres. "Er, do you like them?" he wondered.

Atho, Por, and Rene all started bobbing up and down enthusiastically, gleefully showing their excitement.

Jesmon chuckled a little. He could already feel a strong connection between himself and them.

Before he could dwell on them further, his attention was pulled away from the three spirits when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. He heard the heavy thud of wooden sandals nearby, and he was immediately reminded that he had just been attacked a minute ago. Was the training over? Or did he have to prepare for a second assault?

Jesmon turned to see Gankoomon walking towards him. For a split moment, he began to raise his guard.

However, he then saw that Gankoomon's posture was soft. His stance was open and relaxed, his gait was mellow and unhurried, and his arms hung tranquilly at his sides. It was clear from his Gankoomon's demeanour that he was approaching without hostility. In fact, he looked almost… at peace.

Gankoomon came to a stop in front of Jesmon. He reached up and pulled off his visor so that he could look at Jesmon with his bare eyes.

Jesmon blinked. "Sensei?" he asked.

"You did it, Hackmon…" Gankoomon softly told him, a small yet sincere smile resting on his face. "You did it like I knew you could…" He stepped forwards and placed a hand on Jesmon's shoulder, squeezing gently.

"You've grown so much from when I took you in as a Hackmon. You've gotten so strong, not just in your body, but in your heart and spirit… You've overcome things that would have broken others. Despite that, you've accomplished your dream and become a Royal Knight…"

Gankoomon frowned, slowly removing his hand from Jesmon's shoulder. He stood straight and took in a soft breath.

"…A real man should be able to have the strength to admit when he's wrong…" Gankoomon determined without hesitation. He looked Jesmon straight in the eyes, softly imparting his guilt and regret onto his former student.

"I'm sorry, Hackmon. I was wrong…" he sincerely apologised. "I was weak… selfish… jealous. I didn't want you to depend on me, and I didn't think you needed me now that you have the rest of the Royal Knights. Seeing you become so strong, I felt… I don't know." He awkwardly rubbed his neck. "That's why I said what I said…"

Despite his shame, Gankoomon gazed at him earnestly. "But the truth is, Hackmon – no – Jesmon…"

"…I'm so proud of you. Seeing the man you've become… I'm proud to call you my student."

Jesmon's eyes had been wide with surprise at hearing Gankoomon's contrition, but his heartfelt words caused an immediate reaction.

A huge smile formed on his face. His eyes became bright and glossy with pure joy and emotion, and his cheeks glowed a rosy hue.

"Sensei!" he exclaimed, rushing forwards. He immediately wrapped his arms around Gankoomon's large, jacket-clad body, pulling him into a massive hug.

Gankoomon initially tensed up, but he soon relaxed and sighed. Without another moment of hesitation, he wrapped his arms around Jesmon's waist and hugged him tightly.

Jesmon shut his misty eyes and leaned into the powerful and intimate hug. "I couldn't have done it without you, Sensei… Thank you for everything," he spoke with heartfelt emotion. "When you found me that day… If it weren't for you…"

Gankoomon smiled softly, tenderly rubbing Jesmon's caped back. "All I did was help you stand on your own feet… You did the rest…"

"No…" Jesmon said, shaking his head. "What you did for me… was everything…"

Meanwhile, Sistermon Blanc wiped her tearful eyes at the emotional and loving exchange. Sistermon Noir looked on with an outwardly bored demeanour, though a slight smirk found its way onto her face.

However, she soon became distracted by something out of the corner of her eye. A trio of figures were approaching from behind them.

"We're not interrupting, are we?" a deep voice asked with a wry flutter of levity to its cadence.

Gankoomon's muscles immediately tensed up, momentarily squeezing Jesmon a little too tight. He immediately recognized the voice, and suddenly felt a sharp flash of anxiety and embarrassment. He began to let go, though, he did so slowly, not wanting to recoil too abruptly and give him the satisfaction of looking embarrassed.

Gankoomon turned towards the voice. There, he saw Alphamon, Craniamon and Magnamon walking across the grass from the direction of the castle.

Although Craniamon's face was obscured by his visor, the twinkle in his eyes conveyed what could only be described as a hidden, shit-eating grin. Alphamon seemed quite satisfied, and there was a wry twinkle in his eyes. Magnamon was also smiling, though it seemed more genuinely pleased than teasing.

Gankoomon scoffed and folded his arms. He angled his face away irritably, largely to conceal the redness in his cheeks. "Tch. What the hell's the point of asking that after you've already interrupted?" he testily bit back.

Jesmon, completely unashamed about hugging his sensei, casually let go and turned to the violet and gold knights. "It's alright, Senpai," he assured them. "We're finished now, I think."

Magnamon smiled at them. "Hey, you two. Sistermon Blanc, Sistermon Noir," he added, making sure to look at the two nearby Sistermons.

Sistermon Blanc immediately squeaked, blushed, and tried to hide behind her older sister, only for Sistermon Noir to dodge and duck behind her, leaving her exposed. "…U-Um… hi…" she greeted, her face and bunny-shaped headpiece turning beet red. "S-Si-Sir Magnamon, I mean…."

Magnamon smiled kindly at her before turning back to Gankoomon and Jesmon. "What are you two doing?" he wondered.

Gankoomon awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, still not looking at his fellow knights directly. "Just… sorting a few things out between men…" he insisted, inwardly hating that he was flustered.

Jesmon beamed happily. "Sensei showed me how to summon Atho, Por, and Rene!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, he did, did he?" Alphamon asked, casting a sly, knowing grin in Gankoomon's direction. "That was good of you, Gankoomon."

"Tch…" Gankoomon answered, folding his arms again and casting a scowl at the trio of knights.

"So, these are those things you were talking about?" Craniamon asked, gesturing to the three, floating aura creatures who bobbed up and down around Jesmon.

"Atho, Por, and Rene, was it?" Alphamon questioned, smiling as he looked at the trio. "Remarkable, Jesmon. They really do seem quite similar to Hinukamui."

Craniamon nodded. "Impressive. They really are something. It looks like your hard work paid off," he complimented him.

"Yeah. Great job, Jesmon," Magnamon added, eyeing them curiously as well. "How did you manage to do it?"

Jesmon smiled humbly, his cheeks a little red at the praise. "Thank you, Senpais. It's all thanks to Sensei; he told me that I had to channel my powerful emotions and remember what I want to protect. That's how I was able to summon them."

"Ah… Yes, I suppose that makes perfect sense," Alphamon realised. "After all, if you're anything like Gankoomon and those three are like Hinukamui, then sincere and passionate emotion would be the key. It seems my advice may have hindered more than helped…"

"No, you made me realise things too, Alphamon-senpai," Jesmon insisted.

Gankoomon eyed Alphamon sheepishly. "Jesmon's not the only one…" he admitted.

The black knight smiled. "I'm just glad that you two are reconciled."

Jesmon gazed Alphamon eagerly. "Does this mean I can come on campaign tomorrow?" he asked.

Alphamon glanced at Gankoomon, who didn't give any sign of his disapproval. "Well, I don't see why not," Alphamon agreed. "However, I wouldn't let your expectations get carried away. Given your limited experience with large-scale battles, I should expect Duftmon will relegate you to a support role."

"That is perfectly fine, Senpai," Jesmon exclaimed. "I just want to contribute in some way."

Craniamon smiled and began walking over to Jesmon. "I like your moxie, kid," he told the junior Royal Knight. He slung an arm over Jesmon's caped shoulders. "What do you say you and I do some training sometime? I'd love to test out your abilities for myself…"

Jesmon's eyes widened with excitement; this was the most amount of attention and affection he had ever received from Craniamon. To be honest, while he had the utmost respect for Craniamon, he had always been kind of intimidated by him, so seeing him take the initiative with him was exciting. "I'd love to, Craniamon-senpai!" he eagerly agreed.

Craniamon shot Gankoomon a sly, competitive grin. "Good. I'm sure there're all sorts of things I can show you," he told the younger Royal Knight.

Gankoomon, thoroughly rankled by Craniamon butting in, marched over and roughly pushed Craniamon away from his student. "Buzz off," he grunted, nudging in between them. "Come on, Jesmon. You don't think our training's done for the day, do you? It's not just enough to summon them; you need to learn how to work with them!"

"O-Oh. Yes, Sensei," Jesmon agreed. He then raised a brow. He noticed that Atho, Por, and Rene were no longer close to him, and he immediately wondered where they had gotten to.

He looked around and spotted the three aura beings. Atho, Por, and Rene were gathered around Hinukamui, bobbing and looking up at the large dragon eagerly. Hinukamui looked down at the trio of comparatively small creatures, awkwardly rubbing his neck as they looked up at him expectantly.

"Come on, Hinukamui! Jesmon!" Gankoomon called out to them, walking deeper into the training grounds.

Hinukamui perked up, happy to be saved by Gankoomon from the uncomfortable situation. He immediately turned away from the three to follow after his master. However, when he looked over his shoulder, he was alarmed to see Atho, Por, and Rene following after him in single file like ducklings.

Jesmon chuckled and began to follow as well. "It looks like you're going to have to get used to being a big brother now, Hinukamui-kun."

Hinukamui slumped exasperatedly, floating after Gankoomon with his juniors in tow.

"Oh, before you two go," Magnamon spoke up, catching Gankoomon and Jesmon's attention. "There was a reason we came over here."

Gankoomon stopped and turned around. "Huh?"

"Ah, yes," Alphamon remembered. "Have any of you seen Dukemon today?"

"Nobody's been able to find him," Magnamon explained. "I had breakfast with him, but I haven't seen him since."

"Oh… No, I haven't seen him," Gankoomon responded. "Maybe he went into town?"

"That's what I said," Craniamon added.

"Sorry, Senpai. I haven't seen him either," Jesmon replied. "I've been out here training since dawn too."

"Alright. Well, thank you anyways," Alphamon told the pair. "I'll leave you to your training. Don't over-exert yourselves; we need you to have enough energy for tomorrow."

"I know. Just another hour or so," Gankoomon assured him, walking off with a wave.

Alphamon turned to Magnamon and Craniamon. "I'm going to check around a little more," he informed them.

"Alright, Alphamon," Magnamon replied. "We're going to stick around here and make sure those two don't get too carried away."

"I'm sure Dukemon's fine," Craniamon told him. "Knowing him, he's probably stocking up at the bakery in Knight's Cross."

Alphamon smiled. "You could be right…" he conceded. With a polite nod to them and the Sistermons, Alphamon turned and began walking back to the castle.

When he was a bit further away, a soft frown of gentle concern formed on his face.

"I hope that that is all that it is… I do hope he's okay."

---

The afternoon passed.

The sun dipped into the western sky until it was a deep, amber hue. The blazing, red orb descended into the horizon, dragging behind it a darkening gradient of violet, dark blue and black that stained the sky. The encroaching night was lit only dimly by the cold, silver moons.

Vivid, vermillion light filtered in through the balcony of the dark bedroom, staining the right-hand wall with an intense orange saturation. Out of the receding sun's rays, in the dark shadows of the room, a figure sat alone.

Dukemon sat on the end of his bed in silence. He was hunched forwards with his head bowed and his arms on his knees. His upper body armour was haphazardly strewn across the floor, thrown in a fit of rage. He sat bare-chested, one of his belts half-undone before he had given up and crumpled on the edge of his bed in frustration.

Alone in the dark, he stared bitterly at the black symbol that marred the center of his chest. With weary, razor sharp eyes, he gazed at those four black, interconnected triangles that he carried on his body ever since he was a Guilmon. The mark of the Digital Hazard.

He hated that mark. He hated the sight of it. The prejudice that he faced because of it… He was forever branded by it – forever reminded of how he was different from everybody else. The constant reminder of what he truly was… No matter how hard he tried to overcome it, to not let himself be defined by it… it always lingered at the back of his mind, hiding in the shadows and emerging when he was in a low moment. As much as he wanted to, he could never really escape from it.

After he had confessed to the Digital Hazard activating, Dukemon had hoped that his friends had accepted him despite everything. When he saw their reactions, he really believed that they had… However, he now realised that he couldn't have been more wrong. It was clear to him that they had just been humouring him, giving him false reassurances so that he would be assuaged.

His whole world had been turned upside down. His friends… his god… even his own judgement. He couldn't trust any of it anymore… Hearing what Alphamon and Omegamon were saying behind his back… that Yggdrasil ordered them to keep an eye on him because It thought his Digital Hazard would activate… It was painfully clear to him now. He had been blind - naïve – just like Leviamon said.

He had wanted to believe so badly… He put all of his faith in Yggdrasil and his friends. It was brutally obvious now that his trust wasn't reciprocated. All that time, they were just paying him lip-service. He felt like such a fool.

Dukemon sat alone, completely consumed in the whirlpool of his own thoughts. He kept going over-and-over it all in his mind, reassessing every past interaction that he had. The longer that he brooded, the worst that he felt. The pain and sorrow that tore at his heart since he overheard that conversation was morphing into something else. The excruciating ache and the heavy lodestone of sadness started hardening off, synthesizing with the bubbling fury inside him.

Dukemon's bloodshot eyes were as sharp as the blade of a sword. He glared bitterly down at the Digital Hazard symbol that stained his scales. Every thought he had was that of sorrow, betrayal, and fury. Each subsequent notion piled upon the previous one, gathering mass and momentum like a snowball careening down a slope.

His hands slowly tightened into trembling fists. His nostrils flared with every heavy, drawn-out breath. Dukemon was seething with simmering rage.

"How could they do this to me? After everything that I've given… How could they think so little of me? How could Yggdrasil distrust me like that? I've never been anything short of loyal."

As dark thoughts swirled around in Dukemon's mind, he was unaware of the presence that emerged outside of the balcony.

"Dukemon?" a familiar voice questioned, immediately spotting the Royal Knight sitting on the bed. "There you are. I have been searching everywhere for you."

Dukemon's shoulders stiffened. He slowly lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder to peripherally eye the owner of the voice.

Zero ARMS: Grani emerged in the window, the crimson metal of his body awash with the fiery, amber sunlight. The light glinted off his body like brilliant embers, reflecting the sunset rays into the darkness of the room.

Dukemon's eyes remained hard as he watched Grani float into his room. Grani… was he in on it too? No… Alphamon and Omegamon said that they hadn't spoken to him, but would Grani stay loyal to him if they did? After all, what Leviamon had told him before about Grani lingered in his mind… Was Grani not telling him everything? Was he wary of him too?

He couldn't stand it anymore. He had to know… At the very least, he had to know if his best friend still believed in him.

"Dukemon?" Grani asked, frowning curiously as he gazed at Dukemon. His eyes quickly darted around the room, gathering information in an instant. He took note of the armour scattered on the floor, the darkness of the room, and Dukemon's disposition. "Query: are you alright? The others have been searching for you. Have you returned here to catch up on some sleep?"

Dukemon didn't reply immediately. He remained sitting on his bed, facing away from Grani in protracted silence. His body was strained and he radiated an aura of hostility that even Grani was able to pick up on. The darkness of the room that enshrouded him was like a barrier between them.

"…Dukemon?"

"Grani…" Dukemon finally spoke. His normally relaxed and easygoing voice now sounded strained and guarded with weariness and suspicion. He half-turned his head, his gaze finally venturing to his friend. "I need to ask you something…"

It was in that moment that Grani detected the pain and bitterness hidden behind the knight's eye. It struck him, but he continued with cool methodology. "Affirmative. Please proceed with any inquiry."

Dukemon turned towards him a little more, lowering his guard just a little, wanting to see Grani's response for himself. "You wouldn't lie to me, right…?" he tentatively asked him.

Grani blinked, a slight frown forming on his face. "Affirmative. You know without uncertainty that I would not lie to you, Dukemon," he assured him. "What is this about?"

Dukemon stood up from his bed and turned to the Zero ARMS, who slowly drifted in from the window. His sharp, yellow eyes glistened faintly in the deep, amber light.

"Is it true what Leviamon said…?" he asked. His eyes narrowed, and his voice was nearly demanding. "Did you warn him off me?"

Grani paused, but only for a beat. He angled his body, and stared directly into Dukemon's eyes. "Yes, I did," he confirmed honestly, without any shame or remorse.

Dukemon's expression hardened as a flurry of mixed feelings flashed across his visage. "What? Why?! Why didn't you tell me?!" he demanded with frustration. The knowledge that Grani wasn't lying was quickly replaced by the infuriating fact that he was once again left in the dark about something regarding him.

"I did not see the logic in bothering you with such a trivial detail," Grani calmly reasoned.

"I think it's up to me to decide if it's trivial or not, Grani," Dukemon sharply chided him. "How could you lie to me like that?!"

"Correction: I did not lie to you at any point, Dukemon," Grani urged with a little bit of intonation in his temperate voice. "I merely neglected to inform you of a comment that I made to Leviamon in passing. You already know my feelings with regards to that Demon Lord. Was that unreasonable of me? You do not typically require that I disclose the minutiae of every conversation that I have."

"It's a little bit more than that, Grani," Dukemon insisted. He scowled and broke his gaze, folding his arms with frustration. "Though, maybe I should be used to it by now. You neglected to tell me about Leviamon, just like Alphamon and Omegamon neglected to tell me that Yggdrasil wants me dead, but what does that matter? I guess you're just looking out for my best interests like they are, right?"

Grani blinked with imperceptible astonishment. Dukemon's shocking assertion left him momentarily speechless.

"Pardon? Seeking urgent clarification: what do you mean?" Grani pressed, his voice more urgent than before.

"You really don't know? Are you sure about that, Grani?" Dukemon wondered cynically. The knight gazed at the biomechanical Zero ARMS, seeing his confused expression. "…Maybe you don't. I guess that makes sense. They're probably worried that you'd tell me. They must have sent you around here to check up on me, though."

"I did speak to Omegamon earlier, but he was merely asking where you were. I came here of my own accord," Grani explained, a confused and anxious frown forming on his face. "Dukemon, what did you mean? Why do you believe that Yggdrasil desires your deletion?"

Dukemon scoffed. "Isn't it obvious?" he exclaimed, pointing to the symbol on the chest. "Because of the Digital Hazard!"

"Dukemon, I know that you have had a difficult day, but you are being illogical. Take a moment to think clearly…" Grani advised him. "You are a Royal Knight with Yggdrasil's blessing, and you have been for ages. Why would Yggdrasil have any doubts about you after all this time? Is this Leviamon's doing? Conjecture: he has told you this misinformation as a means of psychological warfare."

Dukemon grimly shook his head. "You don't understand…" he answered, each word like a weight. "I overheard Alphamon and Omegamon talking… I heard them with my own ears, Grani. They said that Yggdrasil ordered them to keep an eye on me. They said Yggdrasil believes that the Digital Hazard will activate…" Dukemon shut his eyes. "They don't trust me… They think…"

Grani beheld Dukemon with stunned disbelief. "I cannot believe that…"

Dukemon turned, glaring sharply at his friend. "I wouldn't lie about something like this, Grani!" he defensively maintained.

"I know…" he calmly assured him. "I only mean…" Grani sighed and trailed off. For a few seconds, there was silence in the room. Then, Grani looked at Dukemon with steady, azure eyes. "Apologies, Dukemon, but I have to ask: …is it? Is there any truth to what Yggdrasil said?"

Dukemon's face crumpled, his heart flaring with pain as his best friend's question. He turned away from Grani, glaring into the dark end of the room. "You tell me," he retorted acerbically. "You're my Zero ARMS; it's your job to know, isn't it?"

Grani frowned with concern. "You have been having nightmares lately, with increasing frequency and severity. However, I have not witnessed any external signs of degradation… My analysis as a Zero ARMS is that you are stable. I believe that, Dukemon."

"Tch. Then you're the only one," Dukemon bitterly claimed.

Grani frowned a little more. "…Query: You would tell me if you did begin to feel anything change within you, correct?" he tentatively asked.

Dukemon half-turned, side-eyeing Grani suspiciously. "Why? So you can tell them?" he insinuated. "I know they want to use you to keep track of me."

"Negative," Grani plainly stated. "It is so that I could help you… You are my first and foremost priority, not the Royal Knights. You always have been. You can trust me, Dukemon."

Dukemon winced and brought his hand to his face, rubbing it wearily. "I… I know. I know I can," he reminded himself with a laboured sigh. "I just… I'm not sure what to believe in anymore…"

"You know that you can believe in me. You can believe in the others too," Grani assured him. "You have always believed in them, Dukemon. Remember that."

A depleted scoff escaped Dukemon's mouth. "Yeah, I have… but do they believe in me?" he wondered. "I always thought they did… Even when I doubted them, in my heart, I always believed that I was wrong and that they would have my back when everything was on the line…" He bowed his head, his grimacing gaze resting on his breastplate across the floor. "…But now… I guess Leviamon was right all along…"

Grani blinked. "Pardon? Negative. Leviamon was not correct in the slightest," the Zero ARMS maintained, realising that whatever Dukemon was talking about, it wasn't good. "I do not know what Leviamon has been telling you, but he is a Digimon that specializes in falsehood and manipulation. You stated as much after your last confrontation with him. He has gotten into your head and influenced your perception."

"No. Not this time," Dukemon replied with certainty. "For all of Leviamon's flaws, he was right about one thing… I've been deluding myself this whole time. He had me figured out…"

"He does not know the first thing about you," Grani insisted ardently. "Dukemon, you require some perspective. You cannot make conclusive judgements about Yggdrasil or your friends having only heard half of a conversation. Step back for a moment, recalibrate, and then confront them about it."

"It was more than 'half' a conversation, Grani," Dukemon forcefully defended, a sudden flare of anger returning to his despondent voice. "You want me to confront them? So they can placate my concerns and assure me that it wasn't what I thought? That's what will happen. And if I do, I'll let myself believe them because I want to believe them! I know how slick of a talker Alphamon is. He could convince a Whamon to walk on dry land!" Dukemon scowled and turned to Grani. "Don't you get it, Grani? Me knowing is the only bit of control that I have left!"

Grani's frown deepened with clear concern. "Dukemon, you say that you have control, but the more you speak, the more your words sound like Leviamon's voice rather than your own…"

"I know my own mind, Grani!" Dukemon suddenly shouted, sweeping his arm outwards in frustration. "I know what I heard, and I know what it means! Leviamon was right about everything! Just because he's right, that doesn't mean I can't think for myself!"

"You make such a claim, yet you never would have said these things before you started speaking to that Demon Lord," Grani observed, his gaze sharpening incisively. "You would not be so afraid of your friends. You would not distrust them so. Even if you quarrelled with them, you would always engage with them directly… Negative: you have allowed Leviamon to come between yourself and others."

Dukemon's teeth clenched tightly as he attempted to fight back his resurgent emotions. "I wonder why I can't confront them! The moment I raise my voice to them, they'll automatically assume that I'm losing control! They'll just try to calm me down and tell me what I want to hear. All of you think that I can't be trusted with the truth. If they were my friends, then they would trust me!"

"Those sound like Leviamon's words to me, Dukemon," Grani rebuked, his mechanical eyes squinting at him critically. "Personal opinion: I am disappointed in you, Dukemon. I cannot understand why you would even consider the words of the Demon Lord of Envy, who cares only about himself. You must know that he cannot be trusted."

Dukemon's eyes hardened defiantly. "On the contrary, maybe Leviamon's the only one who has been truly honest with me," he bitterly suggested. He took a step towards him, meeting Grani's cool gaze with a fiery one of his own. "…Tell me, Grani… why did you really warn Leviamon off of me?"

Grani stared back unflinchingly. "As I have said before, I do not trust him, nor have I ever trusted him. From the moment that he began taking an interest in you, I knew that it was for nefarious purposes," he bluntly explained. "I warned Leviamon to keep his distance from you because I could see that he was manipulating you. It is unambiguous that I was correct to do so, because it is apparent that he is succeeding."

Grani hovered a little closer in response, his head passing the threshold of the shadows. "Dukemon, Leviamon is utilizing your insecurities against you. He seeks out other Digimons' weaknesses, amplifies them, and manipulates them to his own ends. He wants you to distrust your friends just as he does," Grani advised him insistently. "Furthermore, when I advised him to stay away from you, he threatened to kill me. Before you attempt to exonerate Leviamon's character, you need to remember what he is capable of."

Dukemon stifled a wince. "…There you go again! You just automatically assume that I can't think for myself. It has to have been Leviamon's idea! Never mind the fact that I heard Alphamon and Omegamon with my own ears," Dukemon sharply censured him. "I don't need your protection, Grani. I don't need you micromanaging everything that I do. And I certainly don't need to be constantly scrutinized in case I start to crack!"

Dukemon scowled bitterly and took another step forwards. "It's always been like this! You don't think I've noticed their sideways glances, their whispers whenever I lose my temper?" he passionately charged. "I'm not suddenly going to snap and unleash the Digital Hazard at the slightest provocation! All of the other Royal Knights are so terrified of the Digital Hazard activating that they're treating me like a feral beast that they have to throw a few table scraps to satiate!"

Grani's eyes narrowed a little more tightly. "You say those things, yet you refuse to engage with your friends and explain to them how you feel. It sounds to me that you are not looking for a tangible solution. You would rather catastrophize the situation and indulge in self-pity," he coolly accused him. "That is far easier than having to face up to your fears and confront your friends about their hurtful words, is it not? It is much easier to be a martyr in silence."

Dukemon's eyes tightened with rising anger. "Self-pity?!" he demanded "Are you saying that I'm the problem?! Why is it me that's supposed to do all the work? Why is it always me that has to be the one to give?" Dukemon snarled with frustration. "You just think I'm overreacting. You think I should just ignore what I heard them say and go back to being Yggdrasil's quiet servant, don't you?!"

Grani held steady in response to his friend's conflagrant anger. "Dukemon, calm down," he temperately urged him. "You are not acting yourself. You are being paranoid."

"Of course. Now I'm paranoid! Never mind the fact that my closest friends and our god are all against me!" Dukemon exclaimed, his expression fierce with pain as he felt his walls crashing down around him. "I can't believe I'm hearing this – not from you of all people, Grani! You're the last person that I expected this from! I thought… I thought at least you would have my back…"

Grani frowned deeply. "I do, Dukemon. That is why I am doing this!" he protested emotively. "I apologise, Dukemon, but you are being paranoid. You requested honesty, so there it is. I cannot speak for Yggdrasil's directives, but I will ask you to remember when you told the Royal Knights about the Digital Hazard. They have already accepted you, Dukemon."

"All they did was put on a good performance… They said what they needed to say to get me to fool myself into a false sense of security," Dukemon sourly protested, stepping on his cape that lay heaped on the floor. "They don't trust me, Grani."

Grani stopped cold, his own placid eyes belying the bubbling passion within him. "Is that the truth?" he wondered, his voice frosty and terse. "If you truly believe that all of your friends are against you, yet you do nothing productive about it, then perhaps you are the one with trust issues, Dukemon."

Dukemon's eyes widened.

"What…?"

"Rather than act constructively, instead, you are merely destructively feeding your insecurities like Leviamon wants you to," Grani advised him, bluntly, ardently. "I am warning you, Dukemon, if you continue down this path, the logical conclusion will be that you will end up just as bitter and twisted as Leviamon is..."

Grani's eyes narrowed tightly, flickering with the most emotion that had ever been seen within him.

"And if you do that, Dukemon… then, you will truly become the monster that you believe yourself to be…"

Dukemon's face twisted and morphed into an expression of utter rage and pain. His mind became a haze of crimson fury as his aching heart felt as if it was splitting apart. In an overwhelming rush of adrenaline, Dukemon snapped.

"What the hell do you know?!" Dukemon erupted. "How the hell could you possibly understand anything about me?!"

Dukemon glared viciously, his eyes fierce with withering rage.

"You're just a damn Zero ARMS!"

The cruel insult echoed throughout the room, reverberating off of the stone walls.

As the echo faded, the only thing that remained was silence.

Dukemon stood still, panting with rage and fury. Then, the adrenaline faded and the reality of what he had just said was beginning to catch up to him.

Directly in front of him, he could only watch helplessly as Grani's face changed. Grani's blue eyes widened for only the faintest of seconds. Then, his tight expression began to gradually soften with what could only be described as veiled sadness.

Any anger that Dukemon felt immediately vanished. His eyes widened with absolute horror at what he had just said. As soon as the words left Dukemon's mouth, he immediately regretted them. He was absolutely mortified.

"I…" he stammered breathlessly, unable to believe what he had just said. "Grani, I… I didn't mean…"

Wordlessly, Grani turned away and began floating back towards the window that he came from.

Dukemon's heart twisted as absolute guilt and shame consumed him. He was disgusted with himself for what he said. In that moment, he would have given anything to take it back. He had to. He couldn't let Grani leave thinking that that's what he thought about him.

"Grani, wait!" Dukemon begged him, reaching out after him as Grani moved back into the faint sunlight.

Grani came to a stop halfway through the window, the weak, amber rays consuming his mechanical body.

He slowly turned forty-five degrees, just enough to look back at Dukemon. As he did, his sapphire eye seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

"…I may be merely a Zero ARMS… but I do have feelings," Grani softly informed him.

"…You taught me that."

Grani turned ahead, and without another word, he floated out of the window. With the Zero ARMS gone, the crimson knight was left all alone in his dark room…

Dukemon's mortified eyes gleamed as Grani descended out of view.

"Grani…" he whispered, quietly calling him to come back.

After a few moments, when Grani didn't return, the reality of the situation came crashing down on him.

Dukemon's face fractured, and he fell to his knees, bending forwards and clutching his face.

"I'm…" he choked. "I'm sorry…"

The lone knight knelt there in his guilt and self-loathing. For the first time in a very long time, he felt truly alone…

---

The sun went down over the horizon.

Dusk overtook the castle and the halcyon darkness of the night sky hung over the landscape.

Mostly everyone was turning in for the night. At the very least, the Royal Knights were having an early night as they had to get up before dawn to catch the early Locomon to New Terminal.

Captain Karatenmon was no exception. Although he wasn't typically one to engage in direct battle, Karatenmon was still accompanying the Royal Knights to the front. He had to meet up with the Rooks that were gathered there in order to give them new instructions. Although not taking to the field directly, the Rooks could still engage in espionage and coordinate with the Recon Squad for potential covert operations.

With the sun now down, Karatenmon entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him.

After locking the door securely, Karatenmon smiled and turned around, holding a metal watering can in his other hand.

"Alright. Who's thirsty?"

The corvid spymaster looked around his simple, somewhat untidy, ninja-styled room. Several potted herbs, plants, and flowers rested on the window sill and on the small, outside balcony. They were mostly still small, currently in the process of blooming in the spring season.

Karatenmon first walked over to the glass doors of the balcony. He unlocked the latch and proceeded to disarm his security system by disconnecting a few wires. Then, he pulled the doors open, stepping out onto the balcony that was a couple meters wide and just long enough for a table to put his plants on.

He began bringing the pots in from the balcony one-by-one, placing them in a metal trough that he placed on top of his cluttered work desk. After fetching the last of the sprouts from the balcony, he gathered the three pots that were lined up along the window sill. Once they were all gathered in the basin, he began pouring water from the watering can into the trough to keep the dry soil suitably moist and the roots fed.

"There, that should do for a few days," Karatenmon said with a small grin. "I've asked Phantomon to water you all if I'm any later."

Karatenmon placed the watering can down near the door. "Now…" he stated, picking up the trough of pots and water. With a grunt, he picked up the heavy tray and lugged it over to the balcony table. As he approached, his ankle accidentally caught the stem of the watering can and knocked it over with a clamour, spilling a bit of water out onto the balcony.

"Oops. Clumsy…" Karatenmon murmured, placing the trough down on the table. Then, he turned around and bent down to pick up the spilled watering can.

Karatenmon grabbed the handle and stood back up. Then, he smoothly turned around to place it back on the balcony table.

The moment he turned, he suddenly found himself face-to-face with a pair of piercing blue eyes, bridged by a crimson beak that was pointing directly at his face. For a silent moment, his blood ran cold.

"KAH!" Karatenmon shouted, immediately recoiling and reaching for his sword.

Then, after the initial astonishment wore off, Karatenmon immediately recognized the familiar figure. The figure that was hovering right outside of his balcony was none other than his fellow captain - Zero ARMS: Grani.

Grani silently floated in place outside of his room, not reacting to Karatenmon's surprise at all. He merely stayed still, gazing at the crow man with a taciturn and unreadable expression.

"Grani!" Karatenmon exclaimed, sighing and moving his hand away from his hilt. His body relaxed and he stood up straight. "Don't sneak up on me like that. You scared me half to death!"

Grani stared at him flatly. "Opinion: Considering the amount of times that you sneak up on others, you are logically in no position to complain," he dryly noted.

"Er…" Karatenmon murmured, sheepishly rubbing the feathery nape of his neck. "…That aside, what are you doing sneaking around outside my room at this time of night?" he questioned.

"Clarification: I was not concealing myself or intentionally acting in a surreptitious manner. I merely did not announce my presence because I assumed you would have detected me with your keen eyesight and your experience as a ninja," Grani explained.

"I admit, I might have been a little distracted, but you also approached in my blind spot, and you fly without making a sound," Karatenmon answered with a slight smile.

Karatenmon sighed and placed the watering can down. "Anyways… what are you doing here? Is there something that you need from me, Grani?" he wondered curiously.

Grani frowned ever-so-slightly. For a few, awkward moments, he merely floated in place without making a sound. He made no indication of a response, nor did he attempt to come any closer.

The uncharacteristic behaviour immediately struck Karatenmon as odd. Usually, Grani would have a calm and rational explanation without delay. However… it almost seemed to him as though he was struggling to respond.

Karatenmon had almost never seen Grani like this. When they first met, he had always been mechanically rational, almost aloof and otherworldly in his logic. He had been socially awkward, but never self-aware in his awkwardness. He would merely interpret things as he saw them. The way he was acting now… as if he was running various conflicting responses in his mind… was something different from before.

Something must have happened. There must be something affecting him that Grani was attempting to process, but was having trouble doing so. He deduced that that Grani didn't just happen to fly there for no reason…

Karatenmon smiled softly at his friend. "…Would you like to come in, Grani?" he offered.

Grani hesitated. "…If it is not an inconvenience for you," he replied tentatively.

Karatenmon smiled and stepped out of the way, clearing the path for Grani to enter. "Not at all. Come in."

Grani slowly hovered inside the balcony doors, which were just wide enough to accommodate his winged body at an angle. He floated inside and pivoted in place, being careful not to accidentally knock over anything with his fixed wingspan.

The Zero ARMS turned to Karatenmon, looking at him with a faintly uncertain expression. "…I apologise for being an imposition," he stated. "I will not keep you an undue amount of time, as you require your sleep."

"It's fine, Grani," the crow man insisted, walking in front of him.

As Grani continued to quietly float in place, an awkward silence began to emerge. The crimson bird, rather than say what was on his mind, started to glance around Karatenmon's room. He noted the unmade bed, the mess of paper and spilled water on his desk, the open notebook and haphazardly-placed quills…

"A critical observation: how is it possible for the Captain of the Stealth Forces to be so disorganized?" Grani chided him. "Your room is an ignominious exhibition of untidiness. It is a disgrace for somebody of your rank, Karatenmon."

Karatenmon arched his brow with an easygoing smile, curiously cocking his head. "I'm not disorganized. I know where everything is; it just takes me a little while to find what I'm looking for," he answered with a chuckle. "Besides, Alphamon's no better."

"Alphamon is our superior, and I would not consider reprimanding him," Grani calmly explained. "You, however, are of equal rank to me. Therefore, I find it pertinent to address your faults and strongly urge amelioration."

"Alright, alright," Karatenmon answered with a smile and a half-dismissive wave. "I'll take note of that for the future."

Grani frowned at the corvid spymaster. "Will you, though?" he challenged him. "This is not the first time that I have given you such an admonition. Only recently, on the 4th day of the Sign of Majiramon, did I remind you to become better organized. Yet, you have made no efforts to amend your bad habits. It is unacceptable, Karatenmon."

Karatenmon awkwardly rubbed his feathery neck. "Sorry, Grani. I've been busy and it was pretty low on my list of priorities," he explained. "It's just a bit of desk clutter. What are you so upset about?"

"It is not merely about the clutter," Grani informed him, a slightly forceful cadence to his reprimanding words. "It is about your general attitude. You are exceedingly unsystematic and feckless, Karatenmon."

Karatenmon folded his arms. "Hey, that's not entirely fair; I've got plenty of feck," he lightly defended.

Grani sighed with frustration. "Even now, you do not take this seriously…" he lamented. He frowned at Karatenmon earnestly. "Karatenmon, you are so talented… I merely wish for you to live up to your potential and treat your responsibilities more diligently."

After a moment, Karatenmon's lightly miffed expression disappeared, and a small, understanding smile formed on his face. "I promise you, Grani. I am taking my responsibilities seriously. I think about my Rooks every day, and I'm always working to expand our intelligence network." The crow man looked around his room. "As for the mess… I'll try to work on that too."

Grani's frown softened and he eased off, becoming a little more aware of himself. "…Thank you," he mutedly acknowledged.

"Though…" Karatenmon tilted his head curiously. "I get the feeling you didn't come all the way off just to reprimand me for being sloppy," he noted with a perceptive grin.

Grani went silent. He inwardly processed Karatenmon's astute insight and analyzed whether there was truth to the his words. The more he thought about, the greater the bothered look in his eyes became.

"Is there anything wrong, Grani?" Karatenmon asked him.

Grani looked down, appearing almost guilty. "…I apologise. I am acting illogically," he explained. "You have done nothing out of the ordinary that warranted that excessively fastidious admonition. I do not know what is wrong with me…"

Karatenmon smiled and walked closer to him, tentatively placing his hand on Grani's wing. "There's nothing wrong with you," he assured him. "But… did something happen?"

Grani sighed. "Affirmative… I suppose that that is an accurate assessment," he confirmed. "Dukemon and I had an argument…"

Karatenmon was at a loss for words. Grani and Dukemon were always inseparable. The two had been snippy with each other before, but to think that they would ever have such a serious argument… It was shocking to him.

"You and Dukemon?" Karatenmon followed up incredulously. "I'm struggling to picture it, to be honest. What did you two argue about?"

"I apologise, but I cannot divulge that information. The topic of the argument is very personal to Dukemon, and I cannot breach his trust," Grani explained. "Suffice to say, Dukemon has been struggling recently."

"I see…" Karatenmon mused with an inquisitive frown. "Then, without going into any details, what was the point of contention between you two?"

Grani frowned. "…The maximum limit of what I can say is that Leviamon has been causing problems. He has been attempting to manipulate Dukemon's insecurities from the moment that he arrived," he explained. "Leviamon's psychological warfare has had some success, for reasons I cannot disclose. I have been trying to convince Dukemon that Leviamon is merely attempting to sew doubt and chaos, but he feels as if his negative beliefs have been substantiated."

An uncertain sigh escaped his beak. "By the end of it, we both said some hurtful comments to one another…"

Karatenmon nodded understandingly. "I see…"

"I… am worried about him, Karatenmon," Grani admitted. "The only other instance when I have seen him like this was after we first met." His blue eyes trailed to the ground at the dark memory, quietly concerned about his portentous words. "…Quandary: I can see that he is struggling, yet I do not know how to help him. I fear I am failing in my duty as his Zero ARMS…"

Karatenmon closed his eyes and exhaled. "Well…" he pensively said. "Don't shut down the idea immediately, but… perhaps you don't need to?"

Grani frowned skeptically. "Explanation required."

Karatenmon smiled. "I know how close you and Dukemon are… Maybe you two are a little too close?" he suggested.

"Query: What are you implying?" Grani judiciously inquired.

Karatenmon scratched his cheek. "All I mean is that you two spend so much time together and you know each other so well. That's not a bad thing, but… maybe Dukemon needs some space," he tentatively suggested. "When you basically live in each other's pockets, it can be easy to feel crowded and lash out at the one you're closest with. That happened all the time with me and my friend Ravmon back at the ninja village. My being exiled has done wonders for our relationship."

Grani stared at him flatly. "I hope you are not suggesting that I go into exile…"

"Haha, uh, no. You don't have to go that far," the crow man sheepishly replied. "I just mean that maybe you two need to give each other some space. Let Dukemon talk with Omegamon or one of the others or something."

Grani frowned critically. "…No. That would be unwise. It would be ill-advised for me to abandon him now. He feels isolated… It is the other Royal Knights that he feels isolated from…"

Karatenmon blinked. "…Oh…" he replied. "We can forget that idea, then…"

"He needs me now more than ever…" Grani explained. "However, I am concerned that he will push me away as well."

"I see… I didn't realise it was that serious," Karatenmon answered. "Then… all you can do is be there for him. Whatever his doubts are… this is something that Dukemon needs to figure out on his own. If you tell him what to think like Leviamon has, it might just make things worse. Just be there to listen to him. Reassure him and dispel his worries, but also let him vent. Let him know that you're there for him."

"Will that be sufficient?" he uncertainly wondered.

"Not on its own," Karatenmon replied. "If it's the other Royal Knights he's having trouble with, then he is going to need to talk to them."

Grani nodded. "Affirmative… I will follow your advice, then," he agreed thoughtfully. "…However, there will not be sufficient time before tomorrow's battle. He is going to need more time before he is ready to confront them."

"Battle?" Karatenmon asked the Captain of the Recon Forces. "It's definite, then?"

"Yes, excluding any unexpected changes in the Demon Lords' army movements," Grani confirmed. "Alphamon and Duftmon are prepared for a confrontation tomorrow."

"I see… Then I guess I'd better say what I have to say now," Karatenmon stated with a calm but sheepish smile.

"Thank you for caring, Grani..." Karatenmon told the crimson eagle. "I know that's the reason you nag me. And I promise I'll try to be more organised."

"…Well, I suppose that is progress, then," Grani retorted, reticently glancing away from the crow.

Karatenmon smiled supportively. "All that being said… I don't think I was entirely off the mark with what I said."

Grani looked at Karatenmon quizzically. "With regards to what?"

"Well…" the raven man carefully began. "I know how seriously you take your responsibilities as a Zero ARMS. Your commitment to Dukemon is laudable, but… haven't you ever wanted to do something for yourself?"

Grani blinked with surprise. Then, a quizzical frown reformed on his face. "…For myself?" he wondered.

"Yeah… Hasn't there been anything that you have wanted to do outside of supporting Dukemon and your own responsibilities as Captain of the Recon Squadron?" Karatenmon encouraged.

"…To be honest, I have never given it much thought," Grani admitted. "I am a Zero ARMS, Karatenmon; it is not one of my fundamental precepts to 'want' things. I have been content with serving my function as Dukemon's support. Even becoming the Captain of the Reconnaissance Forces was a stretch from my original protocols."

"And that's respectable," he answered, "but…"

Grani hovered in place, staring scrutinizingly. "'But'?"

A soft smile formed on Karatenmon's face. "…There's a whole world out there. A huge, beautiful world… It's filled with all sorts of new experiences – new places to explore, new sights to see, new Digimon to meet… It's why I was so desperate to leave my village. There's so much that you can get out of this world if you only let yourself be open to it."

"Observation: You are quite the romantic, Karatenmon," Grani noted with a lightly wry cadence.

Karatenmon chuckled and turned around, casting his gaze out the balcony window to the distant horizon. "Yeah, I guess I always have been…" he distantly mused. "After all this business with the Demon Lords is over, when we save the world… I'm going to take my vacation. I think I'm going to do some travelling."

He turned back and looked at Grani with an encouraging grin. "I'd like you to come with me…"

Grani was silent for a moment, before ultimately sighing. "That is quite the optimistic plan: automatically assuming that we will be triumphant. There is no guarantee of that outcome, even though we will all work tirelessly to ensure that end."

Karatenmon laughed. "Well, I'm an optimist... Just humour me for a moment, Grani. Assuming that we do win… do you think that that's something that you might be open to?"

Grani, rather than dismissing it outright, thought about the idea carefully. "…I cannot say at the moment. I would need to speak to Dukemon, Alphamon, and my leftenants. My work obligations aside, I mentioned that Dukemon has been struggling at the moment," Grani conscientiously explained.

Karatenmon nodded. "Of course. Assuming that everything is settled and Dukemon is okay."

"Assuming that…" Grani deliberated. "…Perhaps. …It is possible that it would be a beneficial experience… and you will require somebody to keep an eye on you, of course. I will think about it."

Karatenmon's smile widened. "…You know… if I asked you that when we first met, or even five years ago, I don't think you would have even considered it. You're in danger of loosening up, Grani."

Grani pivoted away, floating back towards the balcony doors. "I merely concede that you make some valid arguments, Karatenmon," he stiffly replied.

"Heh. I won't push my luck then," Karatenmon lightly replied.

"That would be wise," Grani concurred as he prepared to leave. "I should be departing now. I apologise for keeping you up, as well as for some of my unwarranted criticism."

"Don't worry about it. You had a point," Karatenmon assured him. "What are you going to do now?"

At this, Grani stopped near the opened doors and frowned with thought. "…I must return to Dukemon," he explained. "Regardless of what he said, he needs me now more than ever. I will apologise and let him know that I am there for him."

Grani paused, before turning his sapphire eyes back to Karatenmon. "…Thank you, Karatenmon," he spoke sincerely. "Your perspective was helpful."

The corvid spymaster nodded and smiled understandingly. "It was my pleasure, Grani."

Grani glanced around Karatenmon's room, eyeing the potted plants, the paintings, the journals, among his other personal possessions.

"Correction: My prior analysis of you was faulty," Grani explained. "You have changed, Karatenmon. You have settled in and become less flighty. One might even say that you have taken root."

At this particular choice of words, Karatenmon couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. "…Was that a joke?" he wondered.

"A humorous observation," Grani dryly responded, a deadpan gaze as he stared at the crow.

Karatenmon chuckled and sheepishly rubbed his neck. "Well, you've got me there," he admitted. He smirked and looked around his room. "…You really think I've settled down?"

"Considering how, when you first became Spymaster, you took any opportunity to use your job to travel… yes, I can say so with confidence," Grani told him. "You have made this place your home."

"Home, huh…?" the corvid spy master considered. "I guess we've both changed, then…"

"…I suppose so," Grani stated, turning back towards the open window.

There was a gentle silence between them, and the only sounds that could be heard was the relaxing atmosphere of the evening.

"Goodnight, Karatenmon. Make sure to get plenty of rest," the Zero ARMS said to him. "I will be by before dawn."

"Goodnight, Grani," Karatenmon told him with a soft smile, following him to the window. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Grani nodded and tilted his body, carefully flying out onto the balcony. After straightening himself out and hovering up to avoid knocking anything over, Grani turned and gave Karatenmon one more nod.

Then, the Zero ARMS tilted forward and descended, gently making his way back towards Dukemon's room.

When Grani was gone, Karatenmon stood in the balcony doorway and just admiring the night sky. He beheld the distant glimmer of the stars within the tranquil darkness.

"Taken root, huh?" he wondered, smiling warmly as he gazed down at his potted plants.

Without another word, he placed his talons on the edges of the doors and closed them. He turned his winged back and walked into his room, turning in for the night.

---

Dukemon strode down the hallways.

He checked every floor, looked down every corridor. He scoured the castle, desperately searching for Grani.

As much as he wanted to, he wasn't about to hide in his room. He had to find his friend. He had to apologize to him. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he didn't try to make things right with him.

Dukemon had looked all over the castle. He hadn't been able to find him anywhere inside, not on the first floor, the second floor, or the third floor, and he doubted he would have gone down to the basement. He had left through the balcony, so this could only mean that Grani was outside somewhere, perhaps the ramparts, or maybe even beyond the castle grounds.

He didn't care how far he'd have to go; he just had to find him, even if it meant searching outside of the castle at night on the eve of their renewed campaign.

Dukemon pedalled down the stairs from the third floor, heading back towards his room. He wasn't exactly dressed for wandering around outside, so he decided to return to his room to change before setting out.

He single-mindedly walked down the corridor towards his room, intent on changing as quickly as possible. He stopped in front of his room and opened the door.

As he stepped into the dark bedroom, Dukemon stopped dead in his tracks.

On the opposite end of the room, right in front of the opened balcony windows, was Grani. He floated in silence, gazing at Dukemon with quiet, yet steadfast eyes.

Dukemon stood in silence for a few, nervous seconds, momentarily nervous about what Grani might say.

Grani stared at Dukemon, seeing the wrought and emotional state he was in. He was now certain of what he should do. He opened his beak to gently call out to him. "…Duke—"

Before he could even finish, Dukemon's expression cracked. The crimson knight broke into a run and rushed towards Grani.

"Grani! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Dukemon choked out, wrapping his arms around Grani's neck and pulling him into a desperate hug. "I didn't mean it! You know I don't think that way at all! You've always been equal to any Digimon! You're more than equal to me!"

Grani sighed and leaned into him, allowing Dukemon to hug him as much as he wanted. "…Dukemon… I know you did not mean it," he gently assured him. "It was you who convinced me that I am not a lesser being."

"Y-You're not! I'm sorry. Please…" Dukemon begged him, pressing his tearful face into Grani's neck. "Please don't leave me, Grani. You're the only one who trusts me."

Grani closed his eyes. "I will always trust you, Dukemon…" he promised him. "I apologise for the hurtful comments I made."

"N-No, I'm sorry. What I said was unforgiveable," Dukemon lamented, holding him tighter. "If anybody's the lesser one, it's me. You understand me better than anyone. You've only ever been there for me. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

"That is quite enough. All is forgiven now, Dukemon…" Grani calmly assured him, allowing himself to be a stable presence.

"I just… I don't know what to do, Grani. Nobody trusts me," Dukemon ruefully explained.

"Opinion: I am sure that is not entirely true…" Grani carefully assured him.

"I know what I heard, Grani… Yggdrasil doesn't trust me. Alphamon and Omegamon don't trust me. Neither would the others if they knew what Yggdrasil said," Dukemon insisted.

"I believe what you heard was accurate," Grani assured him. "However, there may be more to it. Suggestion: you should talk with them about it."

Dukemon grimaced, his eyes wet and bleary as he pulled away from Grani slightly. "How can I…? I don't know if I can even trust them now… not when they don't trust me…"

"It is not a problem that you can hide from, Dukemon…" Grani lightly urged him.

"I… I just don't know…" he weakly murmured. Dukemon pulled back, his shimmering eyes gazing at Grani with a look of abject fear and sorrow.

"I… feel so alone…" he confessed.

Without hesitation, Grani moved forwards, gently pressing his forehead against Dukemon's.

"You are never alone, Dukemon…" he promised him.

Dukemon closed his eyes, feeling just a tiny bit of relief from Grani's words. "Thank you, Grani…"

After allowing Dukemon to feel his support for a few more moments, Grani slowly pulled back and gave Dukemon an advisory stare.

"Recommendation: You should get some rest," Grani advised the crimson knight. "We have a big day tomorrow, and we will need all the energy we can get for the battle."

Dukemon nodded weakly. He was emotionally exhausted. He couldn't argue with Grani even if he wanted to. He was completely drained, and he knew that Grani was right.

"A battle, huh?" he mused. Despite how exhausted he felt, he couldn't help but perk up at the idea. A battle was just what he needed… He had so many emotions inside of him and no way to vent them. It sounded like just the distraction that he needed.

"Yeah… You're right. I can't waste precious time worrying about this right now," Dukemon agreed, walking over to the bed. "I need all the energy I can get."

Grani nodded. "I will power down as well, then…" he agreed.

Dukemon smiled weakly at Grani and sat down on his bed. "You'll wake me up, right?"

"Before dawn, as usual," Grani confirmed, looking him dutifully in the eyes.

"Thank you…" Dukemon told him, his golden eyes appreciative but weary. "Goodnight, Grani."

Grani nodded, his sapphire optics staunchly fixed on him. "Goodnight, Dukemon."

With those words, the two lay down and soon went to sleep. After an exhausting day, they both knew that they had to prepare for the dawn that was to come.