Chapter Six: Into the Wasteland
The portal spat Alex and Grimdramon out onto cracked ground under a swirling, ash-colored sky. The air felt heavy, charged with a dark energy that sent shivers down Alex's spine. The wasteland stretched out endlessly, littered with jagged rocks and broken fragments of data that flickered in and out of existence.
"This place feels... wrong," Alex muttered, his hand instinctively gripping the Book of Darkness at his side.
Grimdramon landed beside him, his claws scraping against the ground. "The corruption here runs deep. Stay close, Alex—something's watching us."
The Book of Darkness glowed faintly, its pages fluttering open on their own. Alex glanced down and saw a map forming on the page, with a pulsing dot marking their destination.
"Looks like it's pointing us that way," Alex said, gesturing toward a massive structure in the distance. It loomed like a fortress, its spires twisted and flickering with dark energy.
As they started walking, the ground beneath them trembled. Grimdramon tensed, his wings flaring out. "We're not alone."
The ground erupted, and a massive, centipede-like Digimon burst forth, its segmented body glowing with corrupted data. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Alex, and it let out a deafening screech.
"Datamonster detected!" Grimdramon growled, crouching low.
Alex fumbled for his Digivice, its new form feeling foreign in his hand. "What is that thing?"
"It's Millenniopedamon," Grimdramon said grimly. "A nasty corrupted Digimon that thrives in places like this."
Millenniopedamon lunged, its sharp mandibles snapping inches from Alex. Grimdramon sprang into action, intercepting the attack with a blast of shadowy flame.
"Stay back, Alex!" Grimdramon shouted, circling the creature.
Alex gritted his teeth, his hand tightening around the Digivice. "I can't just sit here. I have to help!"
The Digivice suddenly pulsed with energy, and the Book of Darkness began to glow in response. The Crest of Shadowflame around Alex's neck burned with a warm light.
"Alex, focus!" Grimdramon yelled. "Use the Digivice—it's syncing with me!"
Alex raised the device, and a surge of energy erupted from it, enveloping Grimdramon in a swirling aura of shadow and flame.
"Grimdramon, digivolve to... NIGHTSHROUDMON!"
Grimdramon's form shifted, growing larger and more menacing. His sleek, draconic body was now encased in black and crimson armor, and his claws glowed with an intense, fiery energy.
Nightshroudmon roared, the force of his power shaking the ground. Millenniopedamon hesitated, its movements less aggressive.
"Time to show this bug what we're made of!" Nightshroudmon growled, leaping into the air.
The battle was intense. Millenniopedamon unleashed a flurry of corrupted energy blasts, but Nightshroudmon dodged with precision, countering with his Shadowflame Slash. The attack cut through the creature's defenses, sending it reeling.
Alex watched in awe, his heart pounding. "You've got this, Grim—er, Nightshroudmon!"
With one final attack, Nightshroudmon unleashed his ultimate move: Eclipse Inferno. A massive orb of dark fire consumed Millenniopedamon, purging the corrupted data and leaving behind a small fragment that floated gently to the ground.
Nightshroudmon reverted to Grimdramon, panting heavily as Alex ran to his side.
"You okay?" Alex asked, placing a hand on his partner's shoulder.
Grimdramon nodded. "Yeah, but that was just the beginning. We've got a long way to go."
Alex picked up the fragment, feeling its dark energy pulse in his hand. The Book of Darkness absorbed it instantly, its pages flipping rapidly before settling on a new passage.
"What does it say?" Grimdramon asked, peering over Alex's shoulder.
Alex read aloud: "One fragment claimed, but the darkness stirs. The fortress ahead holds another, but beware—an old foe waits within."
Grimdramon growled. "Sounds like a trap."
"Probably," Alex said, tucking the book away. "But we don't have a choice. Let's keep moving."
As they approached the fortress, a chilling wind swept through the wasteland, carrying with it an eerie laughter that made Alex's blood run cold.
"Something's waiting for us," Grimdramon muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Alex clenched his fists, determination burning in his chest. "Let them wait. We'll face whatever comes next—together."