[] The wind of fate shifts
The mountain stands unchanging
Dawn dyes the sky red
[] Defeated in Power
The Lion lays in waiting
To stand proud once more
===
Upon stepping out into the city proper, you and Ardat are…
not immediately met by a wave of screams and the local Host force's braying for your Lady's death.
"Hey that's him! The Brutal Brawler!" Instead you're buried under a (figurative) wave of tourists and excited gladiators, most of which are ignoring the Demon Lord at your side. A surprising development, and if Ardat's rapidly worsening expression is any indication, not what she was hoping for.
"How long do you think it'll take you to finish off that damned Angel?"
"When you beat *Morningstar*, are you gonna use a kick or a punch?"
"Can we have your autograph? My sister and I are big fans-" The last speaker, a Witchmon, promptly faints before she can finish her sentence thanks to a glare from Ardat. Holding back a sigh, you sift through the barrage of questions and…
They think I have a major advantage over Morningstar? Why would… is it because he's just a Champion?
It's a baffling notion, that Angel has a strength surpassing many Megas. You know full well it will be an uphill battle, if you even
can achieve victory when the time comes and he sprouts all of his extra wings.
Unfortunately, before you can clarify the matter, Ardat stamps a foot against the ground and sends a weak shockwave of air across the crowd, silencing them.
"Fools! You do not see the mountain for the hills!" The Lilithmon declares, before taking a step into the air, making sure to force *Clacks* with every footfall of course.
"Beware, and be in awe my future subjects. For you stand before me! The Demon Lord of Desire!" Despite her jealousy driven action, the womon manages to keep a firm control of her aura, preventing it from either annihilating the crowd, or even charming them.
A series of gasps flood out from the gathered mon, and a few of the tourists actually flinch back in terror.
Well done, relying on your own charisma and… flare for the dramatic.
"What, so you're like Astamon?" One of the stronger Wizardmon asks, sending her a dubious look. "You're not just some weirdly dressed LadyDevimon?"
"How dare-we-*Ahem* Yes, you stand before a true Demon Lord! A-"
"But you have boobs!"
Eh?
"What?" The womon's dignified expression falls way into baffled shock.
"You're a girl right, so wouldn't it be… Demon Lady?"
"N-no, it's a type classification." She clarifies with a terrifying-er, sweet smile.
"It's similar to how Bastemon are classified as Beast-"
"But you're not a cat, or saying Nyah!" Another suspicious member of the crowd points out, much to the Demon Lord's consternation.
I know not why, but I blame Sparks for this.
"Not like that you-you ignoramus buffoons!" And like that the veneer of class is replaced by a frustrated, cutely pouting womo
n. "We're a Mega! And a Demon Lord Type! It-It's not that hard to understand!"
You let out a snort, more than a little amused by the whole situation…
!
The whirl skywards towards the incoming streak of golden light. Ardat freezes mid sentence, a flash of terror going through her aura before she catches herself.
"That. Is quite enough." A deep, almost melodic voice booms.
"Forgive me for cutting this short citizens, but I have an important matter to discuss." SlashAngemon descends from the sky, his aura focusing on the gathered crowd.
"Disperse." He doesn't speak particularly loudly, however the order is backed by a sense of power that strikes the crowd's very instincts.
All at once even the most undisciplined members of the group find themselves orders filing away in an orderly fashion. A few stragglers try to glare as they move away, but not a one challenges the Mega's authority. None can. Even you have to take a moment to resist the urge to walk away
The Seraph sets down a few meters away front of Ardat, his arms crossed and mouth set in a firm line. He hasn't transformed his limbs yet, but all three of you know it wouldn't take him any time at all to do so and close into slashing distance.
He's ready to fight if he must, but showing a… neutral stance? He's not trying to threaten us…
Ardat pales further, looking like she's ready to bolt before she forcibly calms herself down. Instead of stepping back, she steps forward
into his range and plasters on an easy smirk.
"So it is that we meet again Seraph of The Host." Your Lady muses, easily meeting the other Mega's helmet-covered gaze.
"And to what do I, Empress Ardat the Lilithmon and Demon Lord of Desire owe this pleasure? If you're here for our head, then you're sorely mistaken." You
stare at the moment, only barely managing to keep yourself from gaping at her display of… either confidence or stupidity. You're honestly not sure what this falls under.
… Evolution to Demon Lord or not, SlashAngemon could still delete both of us here and now if he wanted to.
The Blade-Angel's mouth gradually curls up into a smile, yet there's a sort of sadness tinged through his aura, underlying the happiness.
"I'm glad that Sir Scratch's daughter survived, even if you became one of... Astamon's cursed ilk." He notes, before glancing over to you.
"And was taken in by Bulwark. As I suspected." The Mega finishes with a brief chuckle, making you blink in surprise.
How did he know? Is there an information amongst Bulwark? Did-
"We see, did your vaunted *Lord* tell you about us?" Ardat challenges, leading the Seraph to shrug.
"I prayed upon the matter, but it was either your taking shelter from some powerful figure, or hunted down and slain by another hand." After a moment he perks up as if remembering something and continues on.
"Sanzomon was dearly worried about you, she misses your chats."
"I missed Sanzomon-Sensei too.-I-we mean yes! She would miss our amazing, and knowledgeable presence." Ardat nods just a little too hastily.
"But as the server's newest Demon Lord, we are... fated to be at odds."
"Taking your head may be necessary one day." SlashAngemon agrees, and on instinct you make to step protectively in front of your Lady. However the Seraph raises a forestalling hand, and his aura flares in warning.
"May be necessary young hero, for the moment I come not as an executioner. I come as but a humble follower of The Lord concerned for a friend's ward."
"I see…"
Thanks The Great Tree he's not take insult.
"We accept this meeting under the flag of truce." Ardat murmurs, prompting you to look up… where there is not in fact a flag fluttering
. "But then, why are you here Seraph?"
"I came because the Lord decreed I test your character." He retorts, in a way that almost sounds like… sarcasm? After a brief second to shake his had, the Mega turns his head to focus upon…
you."And I wished to greet Sir Scratch's student. You've gotten stronger since even that last match, haven't you?"
"Aye." There's no point in lying here. SlashAngemon might not be able to calculate your entire arsenal, but he's one of the most experienced warriors alive.
"Chevalier… hmm. Verge. I deeply regretted that you were forced to leave The Blessed Host. I foresaw great triumphs ahead with you as one of our Knight-Commanders." The Angel's smile takes on a wistful tone.
"Truly, I would have been blessed to train both yourself and Pit in the fighting arts."
"C-come again, you would have... mentored me personally?" For a moment you peak with a sense of giddiness, though it's quickly washed away by reality. That opportunity has passed.
"I would have." He answers with an almost ruefal sadness, before leaning back to stare up at the clear blye sky.
"Yet now I realize, your departure was a blessing."
"How dare you say that! Verge would've been the best Knight-Commander your host had ever seen!" The Lilithmon answers for you, poking a golden claw at the armored angel… who just grins. Before things can escalate further, the far older Mega chuckles again.
"Not like that sweet little Empress." SlashAngemon raises his palms in a mollifying gesture.
"It's his new position and influence at Bulwark that I speak of. The young Hero here is a good friend to my protege. And now that you've descended into that baleful existence… if Leopardmon is going to try what I believe he will. Then we may just see a peaceful server in the next year." Ardat stares at him, stuck between states of anger and pride. In the end she settled for pouting at the angel half-heartedly.
A… peaceful Server? If Ardat were the lead then Gloaming, then mayhaps…
"Sanzomon has no interest in a war between The Host & Bulwark." The Seraph continues.
"Despite his… ambitions, I'm certain that Leopardmon puts his righteous duty to this server first. So long as he remains true to this server's denizens, Bulwark won't come into conflict with The Host."
You appreciate the Megas optimistic sentiment however… are dubious of his proposed future.
"And what of Ophanimon?" The Seraph winces at your question, but is quick to reaffirm his smile.
"Dear Ophanimon will come around, she's recovered much of her graceful spirit thanks to Pit."
…
You keep yourself from visibly reacting to his words. Ardat on the other hand, strikes a pose and laughs.
"We shall see Hero Of The Blessed Host! I too desire a peaceful transition of power!" The Lilithmon declares, before-
!!!
A monstrous figure emerges from her shadow, an ethereal, five limbed creature that's just
barely not manifested into reality.
Spirits below Ardat! Right in front of SlashAngemon?!
"But should we meet upon the field of battle SlashAngemon, then make no mistake! We shall crush you with the same prejudice as any other that gets in our way!"
… By the Great Tree, what did I do to deserve this?
Instead of reacting to the proffered threat, the armored angel snorts in amusement.
"I will pray that day does not come to pass. For the moment I must say farewell, there are other holy duties for The Lord that I must attend." His attention flickers, to the transportation tower behind you and a cry of surprise rings out. The Mega's aura
flexes, and a series of bats flutter out from behind it, before quickly scattering in all directions
. "Besides, I've kept someone from this meeting for too long already." On cue, a silvery-purple streak of light descends and lands beside him.
How could he sense that Vamdemon, I couldn't… Experience Verge. Experience.
Garummon, your rival matches the Hero's look with a glower… however that only serves to make the angel happier.
"I see that you burn with the light of justice. May The Lord favor you." The Seraph declares, throwing a quick salute to the younger mon even as he lifts off.
"And may The Ten have mercy on you." The wolf digimon growls back
. "For I will have none." Not that SlashAngemon responds, he just waves at you and Ardat before vanishing in a flash of gold.
"You. The womon of my rival." The Ultimate level Legendary Warrior snarls towards Ardat, before switching his gaze to
glare at you.
"You're both coming with me. Now."
===
AN: Leaving off on a little cliffhanger here. Next snippet shouldn't be over a thousand words I think, but this is a good spot for me to end off today. I hope you all enjoyed this interaction with All Slash.