The sound of explosions jolted Tavaras awake. He scrambled to his feet and looked around, adrenaline bringing his slumbering mind immediately into focus. Dorumon sprang up next to him, alert and with eyes sharply scanning, while Imogen, Edward, and Wormmon scrambled up, shaking off sleep. Chrysalimon had immediately parked itself in front of its partner.

Where were Deon, Veemon, and ROOT? Tavaras saw smoke billowing in the distance over the treetops. Shit, was it SkullSatamon? Why were the others so far away?

"Put the fire out!" He yelled. The orange flames were still roaring loudly, illuminating the lake behind them. The enemy was far enough away they may not have seen it yet. Tavaras, Dorumon, and Edward quickly began kicking mud to smother the flames, and Tavaras felt the chill of the cool night setting on his face. Gathering their belongings, the group headed into the cover of the forest, and with bated breath waited.

Tavaras's heart raced as he peeked into the lakeside from the tree he hid behind, the stars in the night sky dancing like white fireflies on the lake. He didn't know if they would be able to handle it if two or more attacked at once, limited as their firepower was. The explosions in the distance stopped, and Tavaras clenched his jaws. If Deon was there, there's nothing he could do to help him at this point.

Imogen was huddled on the ground on an adjacent tree with Edward hovering over her. They both glanced up as the noise let up.

Minutes passed and the tension began to ease. Tavaras whipped around, hearing a twig snap from behind. Was this it? Dorumon rushed in front of him protectively. Slowly, a faint orange glow appeared, accompanied by soft footsteps. Tavaras heard Imogen breath in relief as ROOT came into view, closely followed by Deon. His eyes widened as they got closer; both her and Veemon were covered by cuts and bruises.

ROOT looked at the cleared lake side and nodded approvingly. "Smart. We should probably get moving. If the Nightmare Soldiers weren't already upon us, they will be very shortly."

Tavaras shook his head. That woman was insufferable. "Hold on! What in the name of all fucks that are holy happened?" The Keepers turned to him, and squeezed her eyes shut.

"You are owed an explanation. But let's talk as we move." Tavaras looked at Deon, who walked over to his own pack next to Imogen.

"Are you okay?" She asked, concern on her face upon seeing Veemon. Deon shook his head.

"Let's go." He said quietly. "Like ROOT said, we need to get out of here."

The group began walking towards the mountain, their path illuminated only by ROOT's sash and what stars bled through the thick canopy above. They took it slow, being careful with their footing and going as quietly as they could. "Okay" Tavaras whispered, after they had walked an hour. He noticed ROOT stumbling, seemingly too stubborn to ask for help. He'd have given it too, but if she wanted to suffer it was no skin off his back. He noticed she was missing her weapons. "We're probably far enough now to stop and rest."

The Keeper looked at him, eyes weary. She took a deep breath and nodded. "No fire. Not tonight." She walked over to a nearby tree and collapsed along its side. The others followed, keeping close together. ROOT opened her eyes and locked them with Tavaras's own.

"I'd been had." She said. Tavaras narrowed his eyes. "Wisemon. He took advantage of my hubris, and lured me to the Spirit Shrine. He wanted to kill me before we reached Echo Mountain." Tavaras recoiled and slumped back against the tree himself. "If Deon hadn't followed me... Tavaras, they need you humans for something."

This was too much, Cherrymon and the others had been nothing but helpful to them. "They need us to get home! That's what they've been saying all along. They saved our lives countless times!" He stood up and pointed at ROOT angrily. "Maybe you're the one holding everything back! Maybe that's why they needed to get rid of you!"

"Tavaras." Dorumon grabbed his leg.

"What? ROOT's been nothing but a giant pain in our side this entire time."

"No." Wormmon stepped in. "Wisemon. This whole church is connected to the Demon Lords somehow."

"And how do you know all this?"

"I- I just do." Tavaras narrowed his eyes.

"Tav, please." Deon looked up at him pleadingly, his own eyes tired and filled with sadness. "Wisemon and Guardromon tried to kill me too. He said there were still four more humans to use. They have some ulterior motive. To have Kiwimon, and then even Woodmon side with the Devimon and the others? This can't be a coincidence."

"Guardromon?" He stared in disbelief. Guardromon was the one Digimon he counted to be on their side. "Where is he? I'm going to go talk to him myself." Deon shook his head, tears in his eyes. He held out his hand and Tavaras saw the silver pendant, no longer attached to a chain.

"He's gone, Tavaras. Sorry. Veemon and I killed him." Tavaras sank to the ground. Deon of all people? What the fuck even happened. "Wisemon, he used this." Deon pointed to the eclipsing circles in his hand. "He used it to fuse Guardromon and Airdramon together. They were rampaging all over the place, and..."

"We didn't have a choice." Veemon finished his partner's sentence.

"Why?" He looked at ROOT. "Why couldn't you just leave this be?"

"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement, Tavaras." She replied. Her cold voice pissed him off. "They need something from you, and they're scared that I’m leading you to Echo Mountain." Tavaras gritted his teeth and grabbed his face. Fucking woman.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Why did everything seem to lead to the deaths of those he considered friends?

—

Imogen sat quietly against the tree, the sounds of birds and insects echoing in the dark. After the scare earlier that evening she found it difficult to get any sleep, and it seemed as though Tavaras had the same issue. Her brother on the other hand had no such trouble, and Deon, Veemon, and ROOT understandably were out cold. The latter two were covered in bandages; she had helped them with the medicine Babamon provided, but they sorely missed Jijimon's healing.

Imogen stood up and walked up to Tavaras. He looked at her questioningly; his eyes still holding that same pain from earlier in the week. Silently she sat back down next to him. Nothing needed to be said.

Through the dense leaves, the large gash in the sky surrounded by the curtain of starlight stared back at her as she sat lost in her own thoughts. Imogen didn't know what to think of this world anymore. Edward had told her about their sense of justice, which, just like with her brother, had come as a shock. A single Digimon who acted as judge, jury, and executioner.

And now Guardromon. The silent Digimon who they all thought was on their side. But without hesitation he attacked Deon. Imogen closed her eyes, heart panging from the betrayal. But was it really? She had assumed they shared a similar sense of justice. She had assumed Guardromon and the rest of the Church was on their side.

These were creatures with their own needs, wants, and dreams. Their world is what they made it to be, and it's what they're all comfortable with. Palmon and all her other friends in the Village were good people living life the best they could with a terrible fate literally hanging over them.

"You okay?" Tavaras whispered. Imogen opened her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm confused. About everything." Tavaras nodded and held her arm. She let herself have a little smile; at least they could figure it all out together.

Resting her head against his shoulder, she dozed off.

Imogen walked along a cobblestone path, grey skies and morning fog surrounding her like a mist of uncertainty. Where was she? It looked familiar, like a childhood home. Her hand flexed, expecting to feel the warmth of her mothers touch. Nothing. Right, she looked down seeing a baggy shirt and torn jeans; she herself was a grown woman now.

The fog gently lifted, and Imogen was greeted by the sight of the street she grew up on. The small, moss covered homes of stone and brick. The corner store she would sometimes run and get candy from. Cars parked on the sides of the street. She breathed a sigh of relief; she was home. "Iggy, come play with us!" Imogen felt small hands grab hers from behind and pull. She looked, and a warm smile touched her lips seeing her brothers and sisters pulling her towards the small park atop vibrant green grass.

As she moved forward, she felt a leathery grip grabbing her other hand. Turning back around, she saw a strange green creature with black eyes, reminiscent of a plant. Beside that creature stood another one shaped like a flower with various shades of green, purple and red. Imogen looked at the things perplexed, and then the fog further lifted.

Behind the houses and cars and parks stood a dense forest of trees the size of small skyscrapers. Along the streets stood a large blue and white wolf surrounded by small creatures. A green rabbit with guns. A short elderly couple. A young girl with short black hair and a light green shirt, pink bird hovering overhead.

Grey skies gave way to a dark purple scar in the sky, and memories came flooding back to her.

Imogen screamed, falling to her knees as two forces pulled her in either direction. She felt trapped in a cocoon. What was happening? What is she going to do?

—

Imogen jolted awake with the sun shining on her face. The young girl was laying on the ground now, blond head resting on her pack. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and yawned. The dream gnawed at her; what was that? Why were things blending together like that?

Tavaras, Edward and their partners were all up and eating breakfast while the others still slept. She still wasn't used to not knowing what time it was, although admittedly it was nice to not worry about getting to school on time. Or back home in time.

Imogen gripped her pack. She would not think of that now; that's something to worry about when she got home. Reaching into her pack, Imogen grabbed the first thing she felt - something akin to a banana. Taking a breath, she calmed down and let herself savor the sweet taste of the fruit. A chance at a peaceful meal, as long as she kept her mind off the looming threat of Devimon and the others. And away from the perils that haunted this world.

"So what now?" She heard Edward ask. Tavaras looked at him inquisitively. "It seems like we can't trust anyone anymore. So what do we do? Can we even trust her ?" He shot a glance at ROOT. Tavaras's jaw clenched.

"I don't know man. I really don't know who I can trust." Poor guy, he had really thought the Church was on their side. If Deon hadn't also witnessed what happened, Imogen had a feeling Tavaras would turn on the Keeper. "The fact is, she's still the only lead we have."

"I trust her." Imogen walked up to them. Edward looked taken aback, and Tavaras pinched his eyes. "It just feels like she is who she says she is." Imogen had that gut feeling ever since she was little, to tell if people were lying. Of course she had thought that of Guardromon and Cherrymon too, but she pushed those feelings to the side. "I know you guys butt heads with ROOT a lot, but think about it. She's been honest with us about what she was after this entire time."

"I trust her too." Wormmon chimed in. "The Keeper of the Chronicles has the reputation for seeking knowledge that is well known across the Digital World, and like Imogen said she's done nothing to show otherwise."

"F-fine." Edward stammered. "I guess you're right." Tavaras squeezed his eyes shut.

"Like I said, we don't exactly have a choice." As they finished their small breakfast, Imogen heard shifting behind her and turned around. ROOT opened her eyes and climbed to her feet. She reached by her belt, and Imogen saw sadness in her eyes as her hands grasped empty air. She gave a bitter laugh.

"Well at least you don't have to worry about me being a threat to you. That cursed Wisemon. " She muttered under her breath. "OK, we should get going. We're losing daylight."

"Deon and Veemon's still sleeping." Tavaras argued. ROOT looked over at him and closed her eyes, nodding. Imogen could see her getting antsy as she walked over to her and the others.

"Tavaras, I know you don't trust me. And you have good reason, after what you've all been through here." She stood next to Imogen and looked the black haired young man straight in the eyes. "My goal is to get you to Echo Mountain. I make no promises for after that, but until we get there, I want nothing more than to keep you all alive." She glanced back at Deon and barked a laugh. "Hell, I even consider him a friend. ME!"

Imogen looked at her with a sense of pity; the woman's entire world had been flipped upside down, and all she wanted was some sense of familiarity back in her life. Her sense of purpose fulfilled. "You... you haven't had much interaction with other people, have you?" She asked gently. ROOT shook her head and smirked.

"I mean there's Clockmon, but he's more of a silent acquaintance." She sighed and looked at each of them in turn. "My personal feelings aside, I want nothing more than to discover what happened in the past. And then, if possible, I do hope you get home, despite what may await us."

Imogen felt sincerity in those words, and smiled at her.