Deon's foot was starting to hurt as the group followed Leomon. There was an awkward silence that weighed heavily on them after Imogen's outburst; Deon didn't know what went on between those two in the past, but he did not have a good opinion of the tall, older man who dragged his feet shortly behind them.
Imogen was at the front of the pack with Tavaras, just behind Leomon; both of them more eager than ever to find a way home. Dorumon was visibly struggling to keep up, but Tavaras pushed to keep their rest short, allowing only a short snooze before the sun started to rise. Deon stifled a yawn; the adrenaline from the battle had kept all the humans awake most of the night. It was only at Leomon’s insistence that moving in the dark was too dangerous that had kept them sitting where they had just fought for their lives.
That and the fact their partners were just barely hanging on.
Partners , Deon thought, looking at Veemon shuffling along beside him. They had known each other for barely a day, but he felt close to the blue creature, almost as though he was a long lost friend. What even was this place? Excitement was building back up in his head.
As much as he wanted to just sit down and analyze every nook and cranny, he certainly didn't blame anyone for wanting to keep moving. Although the young boy wouldn't admit it, beneath that excitement and thirst for learning about this strange new world, he was scared out of his mind at what was happening. They had just been assaulted by three frightening and powerful creatures.
Deon was no fool; if this Leomon hadn't found them they'd all be dead.
He looked ahead at the Lion-man's back; he seemed trustworthy, and he was the only thing so far that didn't want them dead. But what was he really? Why was he looking for them in the first place? He said everything would be explained back home, and no one was in any mood to push that subject at the time.
“Leomon, was it?” Tavaras broke that 3-hours long awkward silence. The orange Digimon merely grunted in affirmation. “At least tell us what this home you’re taking us to is called.”
“It is called Sanctuary Village.” Leomon’s voice was clear and strong, and there was an immense amount of pride emanating from the warrior as he spoke. “A symbol of hope and salvation for us on the Gigabyte continent.”
“Gigabyte?” Deon gasped; that term was computer related.
Leomon turned to him, cocking his head. “Is that a surprise to you?”
“Oh, uh,” Deon started to stammer, feeling everyone’s eyes on him. “I-it’s a unit we use to measure data storage.” He heard Tavaras cough at the front of the pack, and could have sworn he heard the word “nerd” coming from the young man’s mouth.
“Hmm.” Leomon turned his head back to scan what was ahead of them. “I do not know of what you speak. There are others in the village with far more knowledge than me.”
“Salvation from what, exactly?” Tavaras pressed. “Those creatures that attacked us?” The lion shook his head.
“From the Digital World itself.” He said quietly, pressing his lips together, and from the back Deon thought he could see a thousand-yard stare from the seasoned warrior. “We are close now; you’ll get far more substantial answers from those that govern it. I am merely a soldier.”
—
Deon winced as they came upon a clearing in the forest. The sun, now without the thick canopy of leaves covering its light, hit him right in the face. He stopped and rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them his mouth opened in wonderment.
In the clearing lay a makeshift village of sorts; full trees, the same as what they had just walked through, were now cut down to the size of a typical two or three story suburban house. The “buildings” had holes and pathways drilled throughout them, mimicking the windows and hallways they were used to back wherever home was.
Digimon of all different types, colours, and sizes were hustling and bustling around the place, living their lives. Some larger ones were carrying wood, others were focused on working with surrounding materials, and a large cart full of what looked like fruits was parked outside one of the buildings.
Through all the brilliant craftsmanship, Deon also saw the scars of the village; deep gashes in the earth, and chunks taken out of the tree stumps they used as buildings.
"Welcome to Sanctuary Village". Leomon said, pride back in his deep voice.
"Take us to your leader." Tavaras said in a nasally, alien voice. Senna stifled a giggle as Leomon just nodded, not getting the reference.
"Yes, I imagine you’d want your answers now. Follow m-"
"Leomon! Where's your sense of hospitality?" A woman's voice interrupted Leomon, and Deon saw a short, elderly lady with white hair in a bun walk up to them, holding a broom.
Babamon [https://wikimon.net/images/4/46/Babamon.jpg]
"Do forgive him. He may be one of our champions, but has the social skills of a Hermitcrabmon."
"My apologies, Babamon." Leomon stepped back and gave a small bow.
Babamon looked at the group one by one, assessing them. "You're tired. Come get refreshed first."
"Ah, thank you but we really should figure out our next plan of action as soon as possible." Tavaras said, nodding his head respectfully towards her. Deon saw Senna open her mouth, and then shut it with a frown.
"No." Babamon shook her head. "You will rest first. You are in no condition to do anything else." At that, she turned around and began walking. The humans all looked at each other, and Deon could see Tavaras chew on his lips, analyzing the village. Senna on the other hand shrugged her shoulders and started walking after the old woman.
“Hold on!” Tavaras stepped forward and grabbed Senna’s shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. “I get this might look fine, but you can’t just believe this old lady! This could be a trap!”
Babamon turned around and waddled up to Tavaras, and despite being less than half his size stared him down. “Hmm. You have a warrior’s soul, boy; that will serve you well in this world. Your vigilance is admirable, but you must also learn to relax when given the opportunity..” She gave him a thin smile, the stitches holding her mouth together stretching, and waved to the village ahead. “This is a home for peaceful Digimon; all of us here want nothing more than a peaceful existence. Although Leomon may seem gruff, he bears the same will as all of us. His actions speak for us all.” At that, Babamon walked towards the village.
“It feels peaceful here.” Senna said, turning her head to look at them with a tired smile and petting Biyomon. “Our Digimon partners need a break at the very least, Tavaras. Look at poor Dorumon.” The purple, furry dinosaur smiled weakly at her, his eyelids drooping despite having slept the night before. She nodded and continued walking.
Without a word, Imogen followed after Senna, the cocoon close behind as always. Deon looked down at Veemon; the blue imp’s eyes were drooping, but returned his look and gave him a thumbs up. Deon nodded, and feeling safe enough at the Digimon’s words, walked after the girls.
“The girl is right.” Babamon called from ahead. “Trust your feelings.”
Senna was right, this may be an unfamiliar place, but none of them were in any condition to do anything but trust them.
—
Senna yawned loudly, finally feeling free after the boys had been dropped off at their “house”. Oh but it was just lovely here, almost like one of those Disney films that was always playing on the foreign channel, the ones she used to try and learn English, hoping a dashing young prince would come and wake her up from the nightmare she found herself in.
Maybe one did, but she couldn’t for the life of her remember. The nature, the sense of community she felt around her, and even the stare’s they got from the residents as they walked by felt like something out of a dream. She felt like a celebrity!
“We’re almost there.” Babamon said, sensing both Senna and Imogen’s tiredness as their feet dragged. The blond girl was quiet as ever, and Senna was trying to figure out how she could get her to talk. Maybe she would without her brother around? If nothing else, Senna did not want to be stuck in a sterile, quiet room.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Stopping, she found herself looking at a house that was the exact mirror of what the boys were led to - a hollowed out stump, as tall as the two story house she remembered her family used to live in. It was simple, at least from the outside, with a large opening on the ground for a door, and two holes higher up.
Walking into it, she couldn’t help but gasp. As the three women walked up a short flight of curving stair, Senna gazed at wonder at the room Babamon led them into. Rounded walls with the holes she saw from outside acting as windows to the bustling "streets" outside, and there were three bunk beds along the inside wall. The smell of nature even inside was intoxicating to the young girl, who for years had only ever known the mechanical sterility of a hospital.
"This is amazing Babamon, thank you!" She gushed. "These look perfect for us."
Babamon nodded with pride. "Thank you my dear girl. We spent all of yesterday getting this ready for your arrival." She stifled a tear. "It warms my old heart that you enjoy it. Ah!” The elder Digimon waddled over to the door on the inside wall between two of the beds. "I think you'll really enjoy this!" Opening it, Babamon led her through a beautiful looking washing room with two tubs.
Senna’s eyes widened and she ran into the washroom, doing a twirl. Opening a secondary screen door at the other end, she was greeted with a burst of steam and heat. Her mouth dropped at excitement she hadn't felt in years as the steam gave way to a beautiful hot spring.
"Eeeee!" She couldn't hold it in any longer, and screamed with joy. “Oh. My. God. Imogen -” She turned to look at her companion, only to find her missing. Senna peered back through the doorway, and saw the blonde girl sitting on one of the beds. Senna frowned, and turned back to Babamon.
"Now, I read that humans really enjoy these. Can we get you anything else while you relax?" The elderly woman asked. Imogen stayed quiet, but Senna thought for a bit and was hit with something she'd wanted for a long time now.
"Um, do you have a seamstress by any chance?" She grabbed her hospital gown and pulled at it a little. "I hate these things."
Babamon thought for a bit, and then clapped her hands. "Ah, I think I have the perfect candidates for you my dear." From another door in the washing room appeared two small, plant-like Digimon. One of them, like a green weed with purple claws and a crinkly pink flower blooming on top of her head. The other, by contrast, was like a rose. Smoother green body and red-petal head, and purple arms with a yellow filament in each.
Palmon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/6/61/Palmon.jpg/480px-Palmon.jpg] Floramon [https://wikimon.net/images/thumb/2/24/Floramon.jpg/480px-Floramon.jpg]
"Now." Babamon continued, pointing at Senna. "Off with that thing so Palmon and Floramon can get you measured." Senna excitedly ripped off the gown after reaching inside the pocket and removing her lucky charm: a silver necklace with two overlapping circles. She noticed Babamon raise an eyebrow at that, and decided at the last minute to wear it into the hot springs. As the two plant Digimon analyzed her, Babamon waddled into the bedroom and pointed at Imogen. "You too dear."
Imogen shifted back uncomfortably in her bed. "Um, no thank you. I'm okay with my clothes." Babamon shook her head and clicked her tongue.
"Nonsense. Off with those rags girl - we can't have her in the finest clothes Sanctuary has to offer and you in... that." Imogen blushed, but shook her head stubbornly.
"I’m sorry, but I’m not comfortable doing that in front of everyone." She said quietly. Senna shook her head in disbelief. What was the problem? They were all girls here. Babamon sighed.
“Fine, how about I do the measurements myself, when the other girl isn’t looking.” Imogen gave a slight smile, sitting back and hugging her knees, while Palmon and Floramon finished measuring Senna and ran back out to start their work.
"I would appreciate that. I do have one request though - the jacket stays untouched." Babamon nodded her head, and Senna frowned, washing herself down. Sitting in the hotsprings alone wasn’t what she had in mind, but it would have to do.
For now at least. Hopefully after enough time the other girl would start to open up.
—
Deon lay on his bed, staring up at the top mattress Veemon was sleeping on. After a day on sand and another in the forest, the comfort of a nice bed felt like heaven. So many things were going through his mind. How did the Digimon know they would want this? Were there other humans here? Did the Digimon themselves use things like this? He saw a lot of different types of beasts on their walk through the village, and he couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to cater to all their preferences.
He yawned, starting to drift off. The three men had been quiet since Babamon left them, the awkwardness of sharing lodging with strangers on top of everything they had been through.
Or he would have slept, if Tavaras didn’t break the silence. "So. What's your deal Edward?" Tavaras sat in his own bed, having taken the middle one, and looked at Edward; it wasn't a question this time. Deon could sense the man was pissed off, and couldn’t hold it in any longer. A gentle breeze blew through the windows looking out into the forest.
Deon shifted and turned his head to see what was going on. The older man stayed lying down, hands behind his own head. The mood had been tense ever since Imogen had gone off on her brother, and had only gotten worse as Babamon had shown them to their room.
Like Veemon, both Dorumon and Wormmon slept soundly on the top bunks of their respective partner’s beds.
"Well, I've been working in an auto shop for the las-"
"I don't give a shit about your backstory." Tavaras interrupted. "What was the deal with your attitude in that battle." Edward turned his back at the biting comment. Tavaras glared at him.
"Look man, I'm scared of conflict, okay? I'm no good in those situations." His voice was muffled by the pillow around his face.
Tavaras stared at Edward incredulously. "No, your sister is scared of conflict. You're just plain scared."
"Whatever dude, I don't have to explain myself to you." Edward turned back around and sat up, but refused to make eye contact with either man, but Deon could see some shame creep up on his face.
"Yeah, actually you do. Like it or not, we're a team stuck together in this mess." Tavaras said. Edward looked up and recoiled a bit at Tavaras's comment.
"No, I don't know any of you. I don't owe any of you anything. Why should I be brave and put my life on the line for a bunch of strangers, huh? I've got a life back home I want to get back to in one piece." Tavaras shook his head in amazement, and clenched his hands tightly to try and stop them from shaking.
"You know, Edward, if it had been Deon who froze there and ran away, I could see and understand that. Senna and Imogen, I could see and understand that." He turned and gave a nod of respect to Deon. "And it's not because you're the only other adult here. It's because, unlike you, THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR BABY SISTER IN THE LINE OF FIRE." Tavaras leaned forward as he shouted. Edward cowered back in his bed as Tavaras continued. "And every single one of us, except YOU, STEPPED UP WHEN IT MATTERED MOST." He jabbed his finger directly in Edward’s direction.
Tavaras took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He looked the blonde hair man straight in the eyes. "I want to get home, Edward. If you're gonna be dead weight, just say so." He leaned back and closed his eyes. "I'll try my best to look after everyone else, and make sure there's not only one ticket needed when our ride comes. I suggest you do the same, because we are a team, and a team needs to be greater than the sum of its parts."
The three men sat there, each lost in their own heads. Deon fingered his necklace. Like Tavaras's, silver with two overlapping rings. He had found a new respect for the older boy, and once again tried to block out the sirens from his head.
—
Imogen felt the firm dirt path beneath her feet as she made her way through the village, lost in thought. The moon and stars behind the ominous scar in the sky lit the houses around her like sheer drapes over her sister’s dollhouse, and the emptiness of it all made her feel uneasy.
Back at home, there would be some life. Dogs, cats, squirrels, even the lights from other houses gave some semblance of activity.
Here and now though? Nothing. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling something was looking at her. Imogen grabbed her jacket and hugged herself, trying to appear as small as possible. Maybe this was a mistake, but after having fallen asleep almost immediately after Babamon left, she was wide awake despite it being, to her best guess, just past midnight.
When she had woken up, that other girl, Senna, was sound asleep. Imogen really hated the feeling of being cooped up with nothing to do. Though it wasn’t all bad, she knew Senna was the type of girl who would talk her ears off.
What she needed now was time alone to clear her head. It was funny, she was thrown into a dangerous new world she knew nothing about, yet she felt freer than she had her entire life. But that thought was fleeting; she had been away from home for too long, and desperation clung to her.
Suddenly Imogen stopped, snapping back to attention and taking a step back at the sound of rustling foliage right in front of her. She jumped and almost let out a yelp as her ever-present partner swiftly flew in front of her like a shield.
The young girl stood there paralyzed. What should she do? If she ran, could whatever it was behind the bushes catch her? Would her partner be able to protect her? Would it be willing to?
“Aren’t you being a little brave tonight, prowling around the village? Tuskmon.” A voice called out from behind Imogen, familiarly clear and strong. She heard heavy footsteps come up from behind, and Leomon stepped in front of her and her partner, hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to pounce like a cat on a mouse.
The bushes rustled heavily, and Imogen tensed up, trying to steel her mind for a fight. Relief washed over her and she breathed as the footsteps instead faded back into the thick forest. At that, Leomon took his hand off his sword, and turning around, knelt in front of Imogen.
Imogen instinctively took a step back, trying to make herself smaller, and she felt her partner’s hard shell as it moved between her and the beast-man.
“You shouldn’t be out here so late at night.” The warrior's voice was gentle and calm, looking at her from around the purple cocoon. It was not the tone she had expected, and Imogen found herself loosening the grip on her jacket. Her partner floated to the side, letting her eyes meet Leomon’s.
“Sorry.” She mumbled. “I just wanted to take a walk to clear my head.” Leomon nodded and stood up.
“Understandable. I can’t imagine how scared you must feel to be in a strange new world.” He exhaled. “I wish we lived in a world where you could do that, but some of the Digimon around here are controlled by their basic primal instincts, and are quite dangerous. Especially at night.”
“Primal instincts?” Imogen whispered. Her legs trembled. What had she gotten herself into?
“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” Leomon smiled down at her. “Just don’t go out at night, and if you must, make sure you go with a strong group. Now,” Leomon gently grabbed her shoulders. “Why don’t you head back to your room. This may feel scary for now, but I’m sure in time you’ll learn to love this world and the people in it just as I do.”
Leomon’s words rang in her head as she headed back. The thought of her being stuck in this world long enough to feel the way he did scared her more than anything else.