Elizabeth sat against a tree, resting her legs. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, sun peeking through the thick canopy. The adrenaline had slowly worn off after learning about her kids, and now tiredness hit her like a brick wall. Mark's stomach growled, and Elizabeth looked at him. It was breakfast time, but they had no food or water.
Leomon, the sentinel patiently waiting, took a step towards them and drew his sword. Fear grew in her eyes and her heart pounded. What was he doing? Leomon jumped high in the air and swung at an overhanging branch. It fell in a loud crash in front of her, and to her relief Elizabeth saw fruit that looked like mangoes.
"Eat your fill. Once we cross into the mountain there won't be any food. At least for us." Gratefully, the two humans dug into the fruit. The sweet flesh filled them with energy, and the juice provided much needed hydration. Reinvigorated, Mark extended his hand to Elizabeth with a calming smile and pulled her to her feet. "Let's go find our babies."
The walk was easier with body and mind at ease, despite the increasingly steep slope. It felt as though the mountainous terrain blended in with the forest as dirt gave way to stone and more and more distance appeared between the giant trees. Elizabeth wiped her brow; the heat from the sun beating down through the increasingly sparse cover of leaves.
"Despite the thousand years away, this place looks the same." Mark said. They reached the tree line and stared in wonder at Divinity Mountain, the peak of which jutted into the clouds. That was where they'd have to go to try and find their way back home. All four of them. One problem at a time though.
"You know." Elizabeth turned to her husband with a teasing smile. "Since we won't remember any of this when we get back home, if there's anything you want to get off your chest now's the time."
"Hmm." Mark paused and put a finger to his chin. Elizabeth lost her smile. She was kidding , was he actually going to tell her something? "When we first got married, I never thought I would love someone as much as I did you on that day. I was wrong." Elizabeth's heart started beating. What was he trying to tell her? Who was it? Her mind raced, thinking about everyone in their lives they had shared for the past 15 years. "I was too proud to thank you, Elizabeth, for blessing us with six wonderful children. Even more than our work. More than this world we created. I dream of no better life than raising our family together."
Tears fell down Elizabeth's cheeks. She really had to stop crying so much. She wrestled her hands from her husband's grasp and pounded him on the chest. "You idiot! Why would you start it with that?" Mark got to his feet with a sheepish grin on his face and held his hand behind his head while Elizabeth threw herself at him in a tight embrace. "I know you feel that way you idiot." She whispered. "Actions speak louder than words, although it is nice to hear that every once in a while."
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt a disturbance ahead of them. "Run!" Leomon's voice rang out. He jumped in front of them, mane flying wildly in the wind as he braced himself against a thunderous explosion echoing in the distance. Taking the chance, all three of them ran back into the forest and hid behind a tree. Another explosion rang out and Elizabeth chanced a peek around the side of their cover.
Partway up the mountain, two creatures engaged in battle. One, a humanoid being of black and white. He flew around on ten wings, five angelic white on one side and five demonic black on the other. Black and white coat was trimmed with gold and blood red.
The other Digimon looked like a giant brown comet with powerful arms and legs jutting out from the sides. It looked viciously at its opponent with a helmeted head, and magma erupted from its back as it flew towards the other Digimon, arms extended.
Lucemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/7/76/Lucemon_falldown.jpg/320px-Lucemon_falldown.jpg] AncientVolcamon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/c/c5/Ancientvolcamon.jpg/320px-Ancientvolcamon.jpg]
Another powerful explosion rang out as the two titans collided in mid air, the humanoid one's kick sending the volcanic Digimon hurtling to the mountain below. "That's Lucemon!" Leomon grunted, fear evident in his voice. "The strongest of the Demon Lords." Elizabeth looked on with bated breath as Lucemon's opponent got back to its feet.
"AncientVolcamon... the Legendary Warrior of Earth." The lion gritted his teeth. AncientVolcamon leaned forward and magma shot out of its back at blinding speed, the heat of which Elizabeth could feel even way back behind the tree. Lucemon gathered white and purple orbs of energy in either hand. He brought them together and shot it to intercept the stream of volcanic rock.
To their shock, the orb of light and darkness cut through the magma stream, eradicating it entirely. Just as it reached a stunned AncientVolcamon, the attack disappeared in a flash of light.
In front of AncientVolcamon stood another Digimon garbed in a luxurious green garb. Its body was a mirror, and its face hidden by the shadow of its hood.
AncientWisemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/3/3c/Ancientwisemon.jpg/320px-Ancientwisemon.jpg]
"AncientWisemon." Leomon looked relieved. "The Legendary Warrior of Steel." Lucemon smirked at the newcomer.
"And yet again, AncientVolcamon, another one of your peers comes to your rescue." Before anyone could pursue, the Demon Lord flew away.
"YOU!" AncientVolcamon turned to his ally, screaming. "I HAD HIM." AncientWisemon held up a purple-tasseled hand.
"Peace, my friend. We are in this war together."
"I.." AncientVolcamon struggled with his words. "I DON'T NEED HELP!" His yellow eyes glowed red and with a thunderous punch knocked the green-garbed warrior of steel away.
"No! Don't let your pride get the better of you!" The volcanic Digimon roared as his back erupted, hurtling towards his friend.
"Elder Sign!" From AncientWisemon's mirror purple tentacles appeared, thrashing wildly and knocking AncientVolcamon back. "Calm down, my friend!"
"GAHHH" The hunk of earth grabbed his own head and stumbled to his knees in agony. The earth shook as he slammed his fists into the mountain. Sensing his presence agitated the Warrior of Earth, AncientWisemon backed away, flying towards the peak of the mountain.
"What the hell." Mark muttered, after the shaking had subsided. Leomon shook his head.
"We are running out of time, and fast." He turned to them. "Come, we best walk around the mountain." Elizabeth almost sank to her knees. More time before she could get to her kids.
"LEOMOOOOON" A sweet voice called from the sky, and Elizabeth looked up to see a human woman like Digimon fly towards them. She had gold wings atop layered green shoulder pauldrons, rainbow coloured hair and avian-like mask. She wore white clothes trimmed with gold and carried a saber.
AncientKazemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/a/a7/Ancientirismon.jpg/320px-Ancientirismon.jpg]
"A-AncientKazemon?" Leomon looked up in surprise, and Elizabeth noticed his yellow cheeks flushed with red. She landed in front of them and was much larger than even the Lion.
"Hey big guy." Elizabeth and Mark both looked at each other, shocked by the sultry tone, Elizabeth remembering her own voice when she and her husband were still dating and her face turned beet-red. "What are you doing here?" AncientKazemon rubbed her finger along the beast-man's chest.
"I am trying to take the humans here to Wisemon; I believe he is looking after their children." He was standing straighter than before, his muscular chest puffed out. The bird-woman suddenly noticed them there, and she glared at Elizabeth. "This is AncientKazemon, the Legendary Warrior of Wind." Leomon introduced. The blond woman grabbed Mark's arm tightly.
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"I'm married to him." She said quickly. AncientKazemon appraised the two.
"I do love how loyal you are." She cooed towards Leomon. "How long will you be away?"
"It will take at least six days to get there, as we need to go around the mountain." Leomon said a matter of factly.
"No. That's too long."
"Eek!" Elizabeth shrieked as the warrior of wind picked her and Mark up. Deep blue eyes winked at Leomon.
"I'll be right back. Get comfortable."
Elizabeth felt the wind rush through her long, blond hair as they soared through the sky. Climbing over the mountain, the cool air stung her face. As awkward and painful as this was, if it would get her to see her children faster she'd suffer through anything.
As they ascended through the clouds, she held a hand over her eyes and chanced them open, peeking through shielding fingers. The top of the mountain looked the same as when they were first there a millennium ago. Covered in snow and ordained with a rock formation that looked as though it was grasping at the heavens.
Elizabeth's mind flashed back to their last day in the Digital World. Her, Mark, and their three colleagues saying farewell to the beauty of the world they created in the infancy of the internet. A machine created from the dust of digital energy boring a portal in the sky. Their consciousness returning to their bodies. The relief she had felt when it had worked.
She vowed to never again return here while her kids were still growing up. It was dangerous even then, with no guarantee that it would work and that her three kids would ever see her again. Now it was even more dangerous, she had more kids to worry about, and they had no idea how to build a machine that could bore through the armour that built up after their first attempt.
And yet, coming back she felt complete , as if a piece of her soul returned to her. The hollowness she felt in the years between that could not be filled even by her kids or the love of her life was gone. She and Mark had long nights talking about what was missing, that almost alien drive to get it back causing them to bury themselves in their work.
As they flew through the sky, Elizabeth felt that trepidation again. But she would need to be strong. She would not allow the mistake of rebuilding her dream cause her to lose those she loved most. She looked across at Mark, dangling there with eyes closed. His features were stone, and she could imagine he felt the same as she did.
AncientKazemon descended once they passed the mountain, and Elizabeth saw a sea of trees along with a long, winding river to the east. Flying lower now, she was able to remove her hand from her face, appreciating the warmer weather and the sun beating down even as her legs dangled from the Warrior's tight grip.
A short while later, they saw a clearing in the woods and three figures on the hill. Her heart skipped a beat and a wave of relief washed over the anxious mother seeing her children sitting behind the protective figure of a red cloaked Digimon with a yellow hood and wings, standing atop an open book.
Wisemon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/8/8d/Wisemon2.jpg/320px-Wisemon2.jpg]
Not waiting for AncientKazemon to fully let her go once she landed, Elizabeth jumped down and ran to Imogen and Edward hugging them both tightly. "Oh my babies, I'm so glad you're safe!" She cried, kissing their foreheads.
"Everything good? Great. I have a hunk to get back to." A gust of wind blew their hair back as the Warrior of Wind shot up to the sky, leaving Mark to stumble over to his family.
"Mum, we're fine!" Edward exclaimed, embarrassed at the motherly affection. Imogen on the other hand dug her hands into her mothers back, sobbing uncontrollably.
Sniff, "I'm sorry mummy! I didn't know." She wailed.
"Shh, it's okay sweetie" Elizabeth stroked her daughter's blond hair. "You're both safe now, that's all that matters."
"Thank you Edward, for not leaving your sister." Mark walked up and ruffled his son's hair. Edward glanced to the side, blushing.
"Yeah... I guess. Not like I had a choice once she pushed that button."
"Wisemon." Mark turned to their old friend - it definitely was him; they'd know that presence anywhere. "Thank you, so much, for looking after Imogen and Edward. We owe you more than we can possibly repay." Elizabeth gave the old Digimon a warm smile. His knowledge and power had been instrumental in helping them find a way back the first time.
"It is nothing, my friends. Although the circumstances of your arrival pains me, it is good to see you again." The bookkeeper floated over to them as Elizabeth sat on the grass, holding her daughter close.
"What exactly happened here over the last millennium?" Elizabeth gestured around her. "Why is there so much destruction? So much danger?" Wisemon held his hands up theatrically.
"As is always the case in life, evil festers and attempts to thrive. In the case of our Digital World, that evil is given power and form through the Seven Demon Lords. You have seen the effects yourself in AncientKazemon; their influence grows in even the mightiest of us and soon the world shall fall to chaos."
Elizabeth bowed her head. "I'm so sorry, for everything this world is going through. Was there a way we could help, we would, but our first priority must be to get our children home safely." Guilt gnawed at her conscience. The Digital World was just as much her baby as Imogen and Edward.
"Alas!" Wisemon exclaimed. "The method previously used will work no longer."
"Yes, during our research we did notice the barrier protecting this world was a lot tougher than before." Mark frowned, arms crossed.
Elizabeth stayed quiet, locking eyes with Wisemon. Before they had settled on the boring machine, she and the Digimon spoke of another option. She reached into the inside breast pocket of her jacket and fingered the object held within.
"There has to be a way to amp up the power!" Mark continued, slamming his fist into his upturned hand. He had no idea, and Elizabeth was hesitant to tell him. He would be vehemently against it, as was she of course. Not unless there was no other way. "The Digimon now are far stronger than before; can't one of the Legendary Warriors lend their strength?" Wisemon shook his head, more explosions in the distance.
"Maybe all of them. But there is no machine." The bookkeeper said. "The surge of power required completely demolished it once you left; it can be used only once." Mark bit his lips.
"We can rebuild it." Elizabeth shot up, hope in her heart.
"It took over a year last time!" Mark cried. "And that was with the five of us. They can't spend all that time here." He pointed at the kids. "Hell, the longer we stay here the longer our bodies will just be lying unconscious back home!"
"What choice do we have?" She shot back.
"Take your time, my friends. Think, brainstorm. But know this world does not have much longer." Elizabeth looked at the ground crestfallen. The Digimon from the previous day coming to mind. The wrath. The pride. The lust.
—
"Maybe we're thinking about this all wrong." Elizabeth said. The sun was setting and both her children curled up next to her, sound asleep in the safety of their mothers arms. Mark looked at her expectedly. Neither had said anything since their initial thoughts. "We need the power of the Digimon; what if we work to save them first, then we can take whatever time we need to build the machine."
"Lizzy." Mark looked at her with pity. "I know you want to save this world too, but there has to be a faster way. Come on, Wisemon might think of something we haven't." She shook her head. Carefully laying the kids' heads on the soft grass, she got up and walked to her husband.
"Not one that can get all four of us back." She whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. "There's something I need to tell you." Mark stood there rigidly and looked at her, eyes full of fear. Elizabeth reached in her pocket and pulled out a pendant. Two circles of brilliant gold overlapped each other in an eclipse.
"A Soul Link?" Mark looked confused. "I thought there were only four! You were the only one of us that didn't get one. Why's it gold?"
"I'm sorry I hid this from you, my love." She caressed his shocked face, the stubble feeling rough but comforting in her hand.
"It's called a God Link." Wisemon floated up to the couple. "It's a device that, like the Soul Link, combines the essence of different beings."
"What?" Mark rounded on him. "What's that supposed to mean? You told us before it was only a trinket! Nothing that had any use!"
"And for yourself, that is the case. The Soul Link's true purpose was to combine souls that were once one, bringing forth power and potential once divided. Your souls are complete here. At least the human one." He looked at Elizabeth, and she averted her gaze. "The God Link has a different purpose. It is meant to create Gods. Beings with the power to alter reality and the borders of the world itself." Wisemon raised his arms in reverence. "You, Elizabeth, were chosen as the bearer of the God Link because you have within the potential to wield the power of the World! Your destiny is to be the Guardian we need! Destiny acted through you to build the machine. And it acted through your daughter to bring you back to us in our time of need!"
"That's bullshit!" Mark sounded incredulous. "This was all pure coincidence. We built the device because we wanted to. And Imogen just got curious, like all kids do."
"This should have happened a thousand years ago!" Wisemon countered. "Coincidence or fate, call it what you will, but the Digital World brought you back to us in our time of need. While you lived your life in the safety of your human world, this world desperately tried to save itself, even dividing the power meant for you into the Legendary Warriors." He pointed sharply at Elizabeth with the last line.
"I have a family, Wisemon!" Elizabeth shouted. She felt Imogen stir behind her and lowered her voice. "I can't leave my family, no matter how much I want to save you all."
"That's not possible now." Wisemon said. "The only way to get home is the same as saving the Digital World. You must use the divine power of the God Link! You must use it to seal the Demon Lords in the Dark Area, and that same power can open a path between our worlds. Your husband and children can leave."
Elizabeth looked away and bit her lips. She felt her husband’s anger beside her, and that he would do anything to stop this. There has to be another way. There just has to! She glanced back at her children.
Doesn’t there?