“Mount Stone!”

Mollumon dived behind the pillar as the projectiles flew in his direction, clanging off the spines and in some cases shattering. A flickering of shrapnel embedded itself in his tentacle, and he winced, but held firm, straightening up and opening his lungs.

“I swear to you, I just need to talk. I’ve come completely alone.”

“GET OUT!”

“Take your murderous vermin with you!”

Another peppering reverberating through the octopus’s body. He pulled further into his barrel, trying to gain some guard against the barrage. Every part of his body was screaming at him to run, but every part of his mind was screaming back. These Digimon were running scared, and angry. They needed to be kept safe.

He angled himself around, the lip of his barrel pointing upwards as he released a faint glow. It shone off the angled spokes, glittering faintly, but Mollumon made sure to keep it lit.

“I’m so sorry for what happened. But I can assure you, we have no idea what did it either. Whatever it is, it’s still out there, and if you carry on on your own you’re all in danger as well. Please, just give us a chance to-“

“You’ve had your chance.”

Mollumon retracted, eyes widening as he recognised the deep voice and deeper footsteps of Doedimon, parting the rebels before him. The armadillo straightened up, and pulled the chain mace with him, the twin flails swinging above his head.

“One of us was willing to listen. He’s dead now. That was your chance.”

Mollumon clicked his beak back and forth in desperation. “Doedimon, I know you want to avoid anyone else-“

“Save it!”

Faster and faster the flails flew, and Mollumon could see their reflections in the spines before him, glowing and shining a brilliant white as they formed into a giant, devastating ring.

“Diamond Diabolo!”

Doedimon cast his arm forwards, the force of his weapon sending him onto one knee as it left his hand. Mollumon had barely a split second to move before the ring slammed into the web of metal, shattering it like so much glass. The octopus scrambled wildly as the platform fell beneath him, before giving up on escaping and just pulling fully into his barrel, placing his bets on gravity and sheer luck.

The world seemed to shake for a few minutes, with even the rebels crouching and holding their close ones. Doedimon’s mace rolled back towards its owner, its energy spent and its chain lax. He took a step, and reached out, but his arm cramped once again and he pulled it in. He decided to leave it for a moment, instead standing up to his full height, and yelling into the new wall of rubble before him.

“When you come here again, we’ll be gone. I can’t allow you to put any more of us in danger, whether that’s your intention or not.”

From behind the wall, Mollumon unravelled himself, pushing shards of metal out of his way. He tilted his head up, and called back.

“I promise you, we’re not leaving this city until we can make sure you’re all safe.”

“Then we’ll be more direct.” Doedimon turned, and limped back to the medical bay, his voice gravelly.

“If I see ANY of you with my own eyes again, I’m going for your heads. And next time, I won’t miss.”

Mollumon listened as the footsteps decayed away, followed by the myriad movements of the rebels. He twisted, still embedded in the pile of collapsed rods, but he was a slippery character when needed, and it didn’t take him long to unwrap himself.

He stood up, and winced, plucking splinters from his rubbery flesh. Being mostly muscle, it was thick enough not to bleed, but he could still feel the discomfort from the pinpricks.

Though nothing like the discomfort he was feeling inside, as he stared up against the new barrier against their efforts. The one lead they had, snuffed out in the space of an evening. And it had now ruined their chances with the rest of the rebels as well.

Mollumon reached out an arm, clamping it against the wall, and slowly brought his head forwards, knocking it hard against the metal.

“Damn this...”

It was a long and uneventful walk back to their quarters, but Mollumon couldn’t bring himself to let his guard down even for a second. He stayed well to the side, avoiding the gazes of the citizens as they walked down. He had no way of knowing how much they knew. His gut instinct told him everything. The Spokes felt empty, and yet somehow more suppressive than usual.

Though he knew all too well that it wasn’t empty enough. And while he kept to the sides, he was very wary not to delve deep into the side alleys, for fear of what might be lurking just out of sight. Waiting to strike again.

By the time he reached the Elite’s quarters he realised he was rushing; coiling rapidly up the steps and into the domed room, quickly shutting the door guard behind him. Serpemon looked up, giving an acknowledging whistle.

“I’m guessing it went perfectly and they were all very understanding and willing to compromise.”

Mollumon lowered his head, and shrugged the satchel off his right shoulder.

“Not the time, Serpemon.”

The snake stretched his mouth out in a grimace, but said nothing more, returning to rolling his tail globe back and forth. Mollumon pulled his arms in, still twitching at the shards of metal stuck within. He rolled across the room, before nearly falling flat over Coremon as the manticore rocked against the wall.

“Hey!”

“Watch it, alright?”

Coremon stared ahead, chewing his knuckle until the fur darkened, and a half-dazed look in his eye. He hadn’t slept at all. None of them had.

“Mollumon, please tell me you’ve seen something in your books about white ash or decayed husks.”

Mollumon pressed a tentacle against the wall. “If I knew a thing, don’t you think I’d have brought it up by now?”

“I was only asking.” Coremon looked away. “You’re always staring into them, after all.”

“Even if we knew more about the rebels, it would be completely mad for them to up and slaughter one of their own just to make a point.” Serpemon glanced between the two, before sitting upright, placing his hands on his cheeks. “Knowing what we know about the Sovereigns, it doesn’t look like their modus operandi either, nor any of the inner court staff.”

Mollumon raised an eyebrow. “How can you possibly know that?”

“Observation. A feel for Digimon.”

Coremon narrowed his eyes. “Doesn’t stop this all being their fault anyway.”

Serpemon’s eye twitched, ever so slightly. He sat up, and pressed his gloves against his lap. “Coremon, I know you’re upset, but we still have absolutely nothing to go on. Don’t go picking fights you can’t win.”

The manticore raised his head. “You’re defending them? Why?”

“I’m not defending them so much as defending us. You know very well we’re on thin ice just being here in the first place.” Serpemon clicked his jaw back and forth. “We may end up needing their help just to get to the bottom of this, anyway.”

“How are they ever going to help anything?” Coremon snapped, thrusting his arm wide. “Are you seeing what’s happening to this place? These people? What they’re going through due to the whims of some...quack royal posse?”

Serpemon stood up, clenching his fists. “Yes. I do see it. And I stay quiet. That’s part of being an ambassador, Coremon; you find the right way through words, not by forcing the issue.”

“Digimon are dying.”

“They’ll die even quicker if you can’t take a step back and breathe.”

Mollumon turned around, watching as the two smaller Elites closed in on one another, circling around and around the small room.

“You really think we could have saved Lekismon back there? We don’t even know what it was that killed him!”

“That’s no reason not to try and stop it happening again!”

“By what? Running off into danger at the first scream? Getting caught right at the scene? Getting your body inverted and disintegrated in an instant? Like that, do you mean?”

Coremon furrowed his brow, his pupils narrowing into slits. “You both followed after me; don’t act like you have the high ground.”

“We were following you.” Serpemon pointed a curled finger at his friend. “You are an asset of the Fire Kingdom. If you get caught or you get killed off, where do you think that’s going to leave us? How do you think that’s going to help Muspelmon’s memory then?”

“Don’t bring him into this right now.”

“I will, Coremon, ‘cause that’s all you ever seem to be doing right now, and it’s messing with your judgement.”

Serpemon held his teeth together, watching as Coremon seethed in front of him. The snake took a breath, and raised up his palms.

“I miss him too. We all do. If he was still here then we wouldn’t be in this situation to begin with. But that’s all the more reason to do it in a way that’s going to work.”

“Yeah...until it doesn’t...”

Coremon padded back and forth, little jets of flame spitting up from his shoulders. He found himself locking eyes with Mollumon who was stood in the archway, looking between the other two Elites.

“What about you?”

“...what about me?”

Coremon scowled. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

The octopus narrowed his eyes, and pulled his head further into the lip of his barrel. “What is there for me to say? You’re both throwing enough at each other. I’m busy.”

Serpemon raised his lip. “Busy, Wiggles? What with? More history? More blueprints? Maybe if you spent less time staring at bits of digizoid you’d have more luck getting people on our side.”

BANG

Mollumon’s tentacle shot sideways, crashing against the door arch as he stared at the ground.

“I’m trying, damnit. We’re all goddamn trying. There’s a massacre waiting to happen out there and I’m desperately trying to think of a way to stop it-“

“There’s your problem then.”

Mollumon’s eyes snapped towards Coremon as he marched over, flicking his palm out. “You’re always thinking about this, and thinking about that, and when the time comes when we have actual danger on our door you’re too busy bottling it to actually get the job done.”

“What do you suggest then? What in Yggdrasil’s name are you going to accomplish by just ‘getting the job done’?” Mollumon curled the ends of his tentacles until they went nearly white. “We have to save people and stop the Spokes from descending further into chaos and find out what happened to Muspelmon; why don’t you tell me how we do that in one fell swoop?”

Coremon straightened up, his hand going to his chest. “We’re Fire Kingdom soldiers. We make things right. We make peace. And if we can’t, then we go back to Surtremon and get his aide. Bring some order to the Spokes whether they want it or not-“

CRACK

Mollumon reared back, stunned by the green blur that had suddenly shot across the room. Though not as stunned as Coremon was as Serpemon’s fist sent him reeling sideways, leaving him spread-legged on the floor. He rolled upwards, holding his cheek and tasting blood.

“Serpemon, what the-“

“Don’t.”

Coremon paused, looking into the whites of Serpemon’s eyes as the snake stared venomous daggers into him, his hand still clenched by his side. Even Mollumon was drawing back, pressing himself further down until he was shorter than the snake.

Serpemon barely opened his mouth, but his words were laden with deadly fury.

“We are soldiers, yes. But you have no goddamn right to force our will on these people like that. None of us do.”

Coremon got to his feet, and opened his mouth to speak, but Serpemon was up in his face before he could do so, gloved hand gripping the manticore’s collar. He stared into Coremon’s face, his acidic eyes wide.

“You haven’t seen war. You haven’t seen true tyrants. There’s no winning solution; no perfect play. Only death, and ruination of what makes this world special. And as a soldier it’s your duty to stop that possibility in its tracks.”

He threw his arm back, leaving Coremon on the floor, rubbing his neck. The snake took a breath, his voice rising slightly.

“If you can’t fulfil that one duty, then you’re on the wrong fucking path.”

The two stared at each other; no further jabs, insults or even words. Just a slow, crippling tension. So thick that when Mollumon cleared his throat the both of them jumped.

“We’ve got company.”

The three looked up towards the doorway, where a Sagittarimon stood, hand raised in a knocking position against the archway, and legs crossed very tightly and firmly. Mollumon looked between the other two Elites, before nodding in acknowledgement.

“Can we help you?”

The Sagittarimon straightened up, taking a few goes to get his sentence started.

“I...uh...umm...I...The...Sovereignty request your...presence...ifthatsokayImsorry...”

He made a movement somewhere between a salute and a praying gesture, before rapidly backtracking down the hallway with a hurried clatter. Mollumon raised a tentacle to his beak.

“Well, I hope you two have gotten all that shouting out of your system.”

Coremon groaned, stretching his arms out in front of him.

“No promises.”

“Goooood....this is gonna suck.”

Hamadryamon sat up straight, her arms splayed out before her as her nails curved against the smooth metal of the table.

“You’ve got some explaining to do.”

The tone was less than pleasant, as it was always going to be. But there was something about the timbre behind it, and the rigid, spiky way she held herself, that really twisted Coremon’s insides. Having the other Sovereigns stood all around the dryad didn’t help either, the four of them forming a wall that bore down on the three Elites. Coremon shrank down in his position between the other two, clamping his mouth firmly shut.

Muscovymon clicked his bill, and threw a couple of tablets down on the table before him. “One of the rogue citizens found murdered last night. A very abnormal manner of death as well; almost mummified in an instant, to the point where he didn’t naturally disappear.” He pulled the brim of his cap down, his mechanical eye looking at the three in turn. “You were all seen down there at the same time he was found. Care to deny that?”

Mollumon rolled the ends of his tentacles up. “There’s no reason for us to do so.”

“The middle of the night is an odd time to be going on tours. May I ask why you were there?”

The octopus closed up, his body going tense. His eyes darted sideways, trying desperately to think of the right response as he felt the hard stare of all four Sovereigns.

“Oh, we were going to meet up with him.”

Mollumon choked, glancing sideways at Serpemon, who shrugged. “You said it yourself; no reason for us to lie.” He scratched his cheek. “Someone made contact with us, we went to the location, he was unfortunately gone from this world. That’s why we were there.”

Hamadryamon’s fist clenched, her nails scraping against the metal. “You’ve seen first hand we have rebellious factions here. Why didn’t you come straight to us when you were contacted?”

There was a shuffling as Gryllimon leant over, whispering into the dryad’s ear. Hamadryamon’s lip curled in real time.

“It seems you’ve already tried to make contact with that group first. So this was planned mutually then.”

Serpemon laid his palms flat on the table. “If I recall correctly, we were allowed certain freedoms during our stay here. One of those freedoms being to communicate with the citizenry of this place.” He looked up. “Are they not citizens?”

Now Hamadryamon’s lip was curling up enough to show her pristine white fangs, grinding together. Serpemon pressed his lips out.

“Are there any off-limits parts of the outer districts that we shouldn’t enter?”

“Your freedoms were granted based on trust,”said Gryllimon flatly, her bows flexing. “If you choose to undertake certain tasks with those freedoms, then that level of trust may be changed.”

Now it was Serpemon’s turn to withdraw, giving Gryllimon a hurt look. Muscovymon leant forwards, planting a palm against the table.

“Your meeting with the rebellion in whatever context is not the issue here.”

“It most certainly is-“

“Hamadryamon, hush.” Muscovymon lowered his head. “The issue is that one of our citizenry has been murdered, in a manner we’ve never seen before, during the time of your ‘ambassadorial visit’.”

Coremon looked aside. “I’ll agree with you; it’s not a good look.”

“It’s almost perfectly so.”

Muscovymon turned around as Hasdielmon leant forwards from his position, his skirts rumbling slightly. “Especially considering the last time we met, there was another untimely death when we were all present.” His eyes coasted down, focusing on Coremon. “You harbour ill will towards us for that day still, don’t you.”

Coremon flinched, pushing his front paws together as he felt the calm anguish of the angel’s stare. He began to shake his head, but paused himself, holding his nerve.

“I...have sour feelings about that day. I’m sure you can understand why.”

“Of course.” Hasdielmon leant over the commander of the guard. “If there was a revenge plot going on here then it wouldn’t be this blatant.”

There came a scoffing sound from Hamadryamon. “From the Fire Kingdom? Blatant’s all they know.”

“Hey,” interjected Coremon forcefully, “That’s out of line.”

“I’m displeased with your conduct. I’ll say what I like.”

Mollumon reached out, holding a tentacle over Coremon’s shoulder before the manticore could reply again.

“I assure you, your highnesses, we had nothing to do with this death. We were just in the vicinity.”

Hasdielmon switched his focus. “You know of nobody with abilities like this?”

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

Muscovymon placed a hand on his cheek. “That I’ll agree with you on. While there are signs of burning, it’s like no power I’ve ever seen even during my years serving.”

Hamadryamon gave a humph, but straightened up, readjusting her position to something more stately.

“It seems the consensus is that you’re not involved in the outcome, although your presence is still under question.”

Serpemon nodded in a semi-polite manner. “Are we free to go?”

“Not so fast.” The dryad leant forwards. “Given the timing of this unfortunate event and the fact that you were present, I think it would be prudent to re-evaluate your authorisations for the final day of your stay.”

The Elites looked amongst one another, with Mollumon raising a tentacle. “I’m sorry, I don’t-”

“Agreed.” Muscovymon raised a hand, with Gryllimon following suit not long after. Coremon hopped up, splaying his paws against the table.

“Hold on a minute, I thought you’d agreed that we had nothing to do with this? Why are we being punished?”

“It’s not a punishment. It’s for your protection. And for the wellbeing of our citizens.” Hamadryamon cocked her head. “You are to remain in your quarters or in the council building at all times, unless you are escorted in the outer districts by one of us or our senior staff.”

Mollumon clicked his beak. “Can we please renegotiate this-“

“This is my renegotiation.” Hamadryamon leant back. “You were told as such on the first day. We reserved the right to take action should we feel it’s necessary. Those are the new terms, and that’s all.”

“It’s not all!”

Now Coremon was straightening up further, face splitting apart in anger as he waved a palm to one side. “Someone’s just died! Whatever did it is still out there! Your ‘citizenry’, as you put it; they’re all in danger. We need to help them!”

Bang.

Muscovymon stood up, his good arm crashing down on the table as he glared at the manticore.

“We will help them. You will follow instructions. As you should have been taught to do by your superiors.”

Hasdielmon leant forwards. “We’ll make sure to up our patrols of the districts to locate the cause of this. We can stop it before it happens again.”

“It’s already happening though.” Coremon grimaced. “Haven’t you seen out there? They’re terrified.”

Serpemon winced, but he shuffled forwards, clearing his throat. “Your highnesses, are you aware of the rumoured disappearances among your civilians?”

Hasdielmon paused, and shared a glance with Hamadryamon. The nymph turned her head.

“I can’t say that I am...”

“As I said, rumours, but we have heard from multiple sources.” Serpemon looked awkwardly aside. “It’s entirely possible there’ve already been other victims.”

Muscovymon straightened up. “There’s a long stretch between ‘disappearing’ and ‘immolating’, if you ask me.”

Hamadryamon ground her teeth. “If those rebels are disappearing outside of our view then that’s their own prerogative. We can offer protection only if they accept it.”

“Oh, come off it.”

“I’m sorry?”

Mollumon and Serpemon both tilted away, as Coremon got up fully, crouching on the table and glaring daggers at all four Sovereigns. “If you actually cared about protecting them you’d go above and beyond to do so, regardless of whether they revere you or not.”

Hamadryamon stood up, and Mollumon noted Muscovymon and Gryllimon reacting much in the same way that he was, slowly backing away from their fellow Sovereign. He kept quiet, as the dryad arched her shoulders.

“Are you explaining to me how to run a nation, Fire soldier?”

“Your nation’s falling apart, ma’am.”

“Only due to the actions of a SELFISH few!” Hamadryamon swung an arm out, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “Why do YOU care so much about them anyway?”

“Because you don’t!”

Hamadryamon stepped back, mouth opening in shock, as everybody else save for Hasdielmon seemed to shrink down in unison. Coremon wasn’t finished though, his blue eyes blazing and his arms splitting sparks.

“You’re the worst. You have some sort of vendetta against your own people and all you care about is your own gain. Your own status. Pretending that these precious districts of yours are perfect edens, while blatantly ignoring every bit of suffering these people are going through.”

He hunched over, his arms rippling with rage.

“If the Spokes were really so perfect then there wouldn’t be any need to rebel.”

He stood upon the table, staring defiantly at the wood nymph as her shoulders rose and fell. Her arms stretched sideways ever so slightly, and Coremon could see the vines rippling underneath the long sleeves of her gown, brimming with energy.

And it was at this point, that the manticore realised, he had fucked up.

“....... how......DARE you-”

“Enough.”

The voice rumbled across the table, causing both dryad and manticore to stand back, their aggression halted. Hasdielmon floated forwards, holding out a palm.

“This is a place of diplomacy. If you aren’t able to abide by those creeds, then we will make no progress here.” He turned aside, eyes focused on Hamadryamon. “Hamadryamon, we need to talk.”

“But darling-“

“Later.” The angel turned back to the three Elites. “You’ve said your piece, and have received your instructions. I’m sorry for the treatment you’ve received during your stay, but nothing will be gained from accusations.”

He glanced up at the door, nodding at the Sagittarimon on guard; the same one that had summoned the three in the first place.

“Escort our guests back to their quarters. And please make sure they stay in place. We can’t have any more incidents.”

Coremon gritted his teeth, but he felt Serpemon and Mollumon’s hands on his shoulders, and he forced himself to calm down. Not all that simple when faced with the towering body of the angel before him.

Hasdielmon lowered himself, holding his hand around the dagger at his neck.

“It may be for your own benefit to return to the Fire Kingdom early. I can put you in touch with Caesiumon. I suggest you make your arrangements.”

He waited for a reply, but got none. Only the silent acknowledgement of the three. Eventually the angel straightened up, and nodded at Sagittarimon. He trotted over, looking decidedly unhappy and awkward about this turn of events, and gave a nervous salute.

“Um...ambassadors, if you will-“

“It’s alright.”

Coremon pulled out of the other two’s grip, and padded slowly towards the door, his head held low.

“We’re going.”

The snake and the octopus shared a glance behind him, before giving their acknowledgements to the sovereigns and following after him. The great door closed, and the council room was left in silence.

Hamadryamon held her hands over her elbows, shaking as she walked across the chrome-lined streets of the capital. Not due to the cold; the temperature within the dome of the Spokes was as regulated as always. But the anger and hurt deep within her was sufficient to make her react physically.

That wretched little ape…

His words had been bad enough, crawling under her skin with pinpoint accuracy. But after the fact, behind closed doors, when she’d confided with Hasdielmon and demanded their immediate removal, the angel’s words had somehow cut deeper.

“The outsiders have untainted eyes. If that’s what they see, then perhaps you owe it to ask yourself why they see that.”

She paused, leaning against a building as the vines rippled around her forearm. She shuddered, her teeth chattering and grinding involuntarily.

“This is my home. My home. My perfect home.”

She looked up, seeing the silvery spires and lattices forming the gorgeous labyrinth all around her, still far more beautiful than she could comprehend.

A memory struck her, looking up at the very same structures of the capital, and the blooming secondary districts all around. All of them seeming much bigger and grander then. But then she had been so much smaller, her hand curled in the caress of her own predecessor. The Sovereign before.

“We have a duty to this place. To the preservation of history and beauty of the digital world. Every building holds a story, and these stories will outlast us all. That is what you will dedicate yourself to. It’s a story that you won’t see end in your lifetime, but that is the way it should be. Be proud of your legacy.”

Hamadryamon’s hand closed around nothing, and she brought it up to her chest, feeling tears falling down her cheeks, out of her control. It had been years since her predecessor’s death, just as the first of the weaker districts had begun to collapse. Hamadryamon had stood there, gathering the new pillars around her to keep the remaining havens standing. Still standing tall, even as the districts remained taller, and out of reach.

As they should be. As they had to be.

“You...are all...irrelevant…”

The leaves fluttered around her horns, picking up a disturbance in the air. She tensed, and the vines rippled beneath her; a wooden whirlpool of barely concealed rage. She turned her head, ever so slightly, but enough to see the shadows moving against the chrome.

“None of you have a legacy here. None of you have a purpose other than destruction. The ruination of everything this place has built. How dare you…”

Her hand clenched and unclenched, marking the wall beside her. She took a step. Then pulled back, unable to move. The noises were getting more intense. Clattering. Scraping. Shearing.

Hamadryamon turned, and her lip curled upwards into a sneer of rage.

“No rebel...no Fire Soldier...no outsider is going to destroy the legacy of the Spokes. Not while I still stand here as its protector.”

She held out her arm, the vines spiralling out into her hand, then twisting into a single, needle-sharp rapier.

“And if I need to force the issue...if I need to cut you out of this place entirely...then you should curse yourself for blemishing that legacy. Whoever you are.”

Crash

Splinter

The alleyway shone and sparkled as two walls gave way to shards, scattering over the pavement. Hamadryamon saw the great silhouette in the alleyway, and the eyes staring out in the murk as the fog expanded. And she bristled, her hair standing on end, and her vines rising up before her.

“STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!”

She charged, her arm rising up as the rapier expanded, shimmering with a dark green light as the jewels across her body blinked in and out.

“Thanatos Liana!”

With a sweeping motion she brought her arm forwards, rage fogging up her vision as the vines thundered across the street towards the shadowed figure, as it looked up, taken off guard by the sudden, lethal onslaught.

“HahaHA-”

The shimmering lights pulling in through the windows did little to dispel the despondent mood within the Elites’ quarters, and without many of their personal possessions to distract from things now, it felt even more grim. Mollumon pulled the tips of his tentacles together, stealing a glance up at Coremon, but the manticore was bundled up in his own thoughts. Not a look which suited him for as long as the octopus had known him.

Presently there came a knock at the door, and the two of them glanced up as Sagittarimon entered, followed by a similarly grim looking Serpemon.

“I’ve had a word with Caesiumon. The networks need some configuring but he can get us out of the Spokes at least.”

Mollumon smirked. “What, he can’t fake another breakdown like at Grid Central?”

“Sounds like we may be getting the priority call here...”

Mollumon let off a couple of bubbles, before looking over at Coremon.

“Well, no time like the present I suppose...”

Coremon shuffled onto his feet, and gently padded towards the door, looking over his shoulder at the little room that had been their home away from home. Still cramped, and the light had hurt his eyes. But it was something familiar at least.

The three of them made their way down the spiralling steps, and across the pewter pavements, with Sagittarimon shadowing their footsteps from a little distance and offering no comment whatsoever. Not that he had much call to, as the three Elites walked awkwardly, staying apart from one another and keeping their heads down against the bustling of the street.

Until Coremon could take it no longer, stopping in his tracks on the pavement. Mollumon turned around, holding his bag closer.

“You forgot something?”

“I’m sorry.”

Coremon ground his teeth, shaking his head and coiling his tail against his back. “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have said any of that to the Sovereigns. If I hadn’t, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”

Serpemon stuck his bottom lip out. “Nope. You shouldn’t.” He spun on his tail, and raised a finger. “Counterpoint though; it was funny as hell.”

Mollumon nodded. “I’ll go with that. You should have seen the look on Hamadryamon’s face.”

“Guys...” Coremon sat down, giving a humourless laugh. “We had a chance to make some headway and I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut and my emotions in check. Now we’re being kicked out. I’m ruining everything.”

Mollumon tilted his beak, and shuffled forwards, lowering his body to the manticore’s stature. He reached out, holding a tentacle over Coremon’s shoulder with only a hint of awkwardness.

“It’s our first mission, you know. We knew this was never going to be an easy place to begin with, let alone with all the extra shit that’s gone on.”

Coremon looked up, his eyes crumpled. “But we’re supposed to be the best!”

“The best in training. And sometimes that’s not good enough on its own.”

Mollumon tilted his head sideways. “But, look at it this way. We’re all still here. Walking out for now, ready to walk back in when the opportunity comes. And it will do. Nothing’s been ruined; it’s just been pushed back slightly.”

His tentacle curled round, pulling Coremon’s eyeline to meet his.

“You haven’t failed anyone yet. Not us, not the Fire Kingdom, and not Muspelmon. He chose you for a reason, and you will still make him proud.”

Coremon stared into the octopus’s flaming pupils, wanting to respond, but unable to, the words sinking in instead. Eventually he relented, his shoulders loosening ever so slightly.

“Thanks Mollumon.”

Mollumon smiled, a rarity for him. But that soon disappeared as the both of them heard the sounds of commotion, not a few blocks away. They turned in unison, just to see a pair of Rinkmon sliding up, past them, towards Sagittarimon.

“Squad Leader!”

Sagittarimon stumbled for a second, before straightening up, keeping one eye on the three Elites. “What is it? I’m supposed to be escorting-“

“It’s Lady Hamadryamon, sir,” sputtered one of the Rinkmon, and they leaned in close, pulling the guard’s ear out of prying ears. Not that it mattered to Serpemon, who was staring with a deadly serious expression in the direction of the hubbub.

“I smell big trouble...”

“Autumn Claw!”

The scream burst out across the roads, followed by the entire district shaking as a flurry of copper leaves sprang skywards. The two Rinkmon immediately sped off, followed by Sagittarimon galloping after them. He slowed momentarily, pointing a finger at the Elites.

“Stay out of this. I can’t vouch for your wellbeing if you don’t.”

He left before any of them had a chance to react, leaving them, stunned and alone on the trembling ground. Serpemon pressed his lips together.

“Are...we actually going to-“

“No, Serpemon, of course we’re not going to stay out of this.”

Coremon bared his teeth, rolling his shoulders as the fur flared up again.

“Let’s go.”

They ducked down, moving as fluidly and effortlessly as a trio through the streets as they did through their own home, keeping well out of notice from everyone around them. Not that it seemed to matter, as the attention of the crowds was held entirely by the commotion at the central fountain; the very same that Hamadryamon had shown them with great pride on their very arrival.

It wasn’t there anymore. At least, not in one piece. The curved supports and carved figures were lying shattered, the metalwork split from within by twisting vines and made rust-red by sharpened leaves, left by Hamadryamon’s claws. She herself was stood some way away, carving away at the floor behind another sculpture, while several of the royal guards tried desperately to get through to her.

“Your highness! Please! You must stay calm!”

“Don’t TOUCH ME!”

She swung her arm backwards, and a gust of wind blew razor-like leaves against the crowd, forcing the guards on the defensive. The sudden break in bodies allowed the Elites a brief glance at the scale of the destruction, causing them to wince. Serpemon stuck his tongue out.

“I really can smell big trouble.”

“What, the mighty Sovereign’s gone off her rocker finally?”

“I meant literally.” The snake looked across at Mollumon. “It’s the same scent as last night. I’m sure of it.”

Coremon took in a breath, and squinted, aiming for a better look. There was something off about Hamadryamon’s movements. A rasp to her voice. A desperation to her gestures.

“They’re out to kill me! I won’t LET THEM! Autumn Claw! ”

Coremon ground his teeth. “Whatever it is that killed Lekismon...you think it’s gone after her?”

Serpemon’s glum stare told him everything he needed to know, and he braced himself against the ground.

“It really isn’t gonna stop unless we do something, is it...”

The snake widened his eyes. “Coremon, what are you-“

“If we’ve got no time left, then I’m gonna force the issue. Sorry, I’m about to completely ignore what you’ve warned me about. Don’t follow me.”

He tensed his legs, and jumped forwards, disappearing through the legs of the Kongoumon in front of him before either of the other two could stop him. Mollumon tensed, his eyes widening.

“Damn you!”

Coremon darted forwards, between legs and tails and further towards the scene of destruction. He emerged, blinking at the bright shrapnel that lay strewn around everywhere. The ground shook again, as Hamadryamon swiped downwards, her claws rending up the flaking metal.

“I’ll tear them out one at a time if I have to! They won’t get away with this! This is MY home. MY legacy. They will NOT take it from me!”

“Please stop!”

The wood nymph twitched, her shoulders rising and falling, as the guards immediately turned towards Coremon. The Elite could see Sagittarimon shaking his head, desperately motioning for him to back off.

But it was already too late. She’d heard him.

“What are you doing here...”

Coremon held his ground, swallowing as he heard the venom in the voice.

“Lady Hamadryamon...is everything alright?”

“Does everything LOOK ALRIGHT?!”

The wood nymph spun round, facing Coremon head on for the first time, and he was unable to stop himself from recoiling in horror. The entire left side of her face and shoulders had been rent apart; one great grey wound reaching from below her visor, down her cheek and across her collar bone. Further scrapes adorned her shoulder and upper arm, the silken dress ruined and blackened. There was no blood across her fair skin; only black and grey ash, exactly as Coremon had seen on Sifamon and Lekismon.

“You...it came for you...”

Hamadryamon raised a shaking hand, clamping the great claws around her opened cheek.

“It...hurts...so much...that thing...it came from underneath, I know it. It came from where those scum are hiding.”

Coremon shook his head. “Please, think about this. They’ve lost people as well. This isn’t anything to do with them.”

“They’re trying to kill me! They want me gone-“

The wood nymph took in a breath, and looked down at Coremon, the clean side of her face twitching wildly.

“...you’re...all in this together, aren’t you...this all began when you arrived...”

She took a step forwards. Coremon took two back. He glanced at the guards, but they didn’t move to stop her, instead placing themselves between Hamadryamon and the crowd.

“What is this? Revenge? A call to war? Or does it go deeper than that? How long have you been conspiring with them?”

Coremon could feel his legs shaking, the dryad towering over him as she carried on incessantly.

“Please...you have to stop...we’re innocent...every one of us is innocent-“

“There’s NOTHING INNOCENT ABOUT YOU!”

Hamadryamon let out a feral screech, and rushed forwards, bringing her right arm forwards as a black baton of wood twisted together in her grasp.

“THANATOS LIANA!”

Coremon didn’t hesitate; he sprang sideways as the vines erupted from the ground, following Hamadryamon’s movements like water. He saw another torrent approaching his path, and angled himself away, leaping off the rippling wood. He felt a sting of pain from contact; thorns, maybe, or draining magic. He quietly prayed it wasn’t the latter, and forced his adrenaline to the surface, running at full pelt as the dryad chased after him.

“ADMIT IT!AUTUMN CLAW!”

A gust of wind buffeted the ruined plaza, as the crowds were forced back, more and more of the royal guard appearing and forming a barricade between them and the wild Sovereign. From far back, Mollumon tried desperately to see, but he only caught flashes of black energy and fluttering leaves.

“Get out of my way! She’s going to kill him-“

A claw grasped him by the tentacle, and he found himself jerked back, held fast by Serpemon. He struggled, pushing back against the serpent.

“That’s...our... friend, you arse!”

“Mollumon, I know, but we need to stay out of sight.”

Serpemon glanced behind him, before dragging himself and Mollumon behind a half-chest, shielded from the rush of power. He peeled back a flap, and pointed through.

“Look, he’s leading her away.”

Mollumon squinted, seeing that, indeed, Coremon’s movements had a definite pattern to them, pulling the Sovereign’s attention away from the crowds and from the plaza, and solely upon him.

“That...idiot!” Mollumon clacked his beak together. “She’s a Mega level! She’s going to slaughter him!”

Serpemon allowed himself a small grin.

“Not if he can help it, by the looks of it.”

“Autumn Claw!”

Hamadryamon slammed her claw earthwards, and the sudden wind caught Coremon off balance, sending him rolling sideways. Unable to get up in time, he found himself lifted by the rush of tendrils and slammed into the back of a building, temporarily taking the air from his lungs.

He looked up, and found himself face to face with the dryad, her own twisted in fury as she screamed in his.

“WHERE IS IT? WHAT MANNER OF MONSTER HAVE YOU BROUGHT IN HERE?”

“Solar Spikes!”

Coremon’s arms flared up with a dazzlingly bright light, and Hamadryamon screamed as the flames licked their way up her tendrils and up to her arms; only a brief flash, but enough to reignite the burning pain within her. She hunched over, smoke pouring from her claws.

“You... dare to strike me...”

“I’ll do it again if you don’t see sense.”

Coremon hunched over, his shoulders blinking with white flame, the blast having taken a lot out of him by necessity. But still, he smirked, brushing his chin.

“I’ll do the other cheek if you’d like. It’s a fitting look for you.”

“YEEEEEAAAAAAARGH!”

Hamadryamon’s raging cry resonated off the metallic shrapnel as she slashed left and right, each new blow taking new gouges from the environment. But Coremon kept back; moving sideways, up, down, using the swinging vines as kickboards and sending out blasts of white fire back towards the Sovereign’s face. She brought a claw down, and he rode the gust of wind back. She summoned a torrent of vines, and he used the momentum to gain distance. Years of training with the Commanders, and their own brutal assaults, had left him more than able to match her moves. Hamadryamon was wounded. She was furious. She was a ruler, not a fighter. And every mistake she made gave Coremon an extra few feet to move, drawing her further away from the now-dispersing crowds.

But those very same sparring sessions with the Commanders had always had the same conclusion; namely, he couldn’t afford to drag this out, particularly against a Mega level. And Coremon was beginning to feel the fatigue setting in, and with it, the effects of the paralytic power that Hamadryamon possessed.

Perhaps she could sense it too, as she suddenly changed direction in mid-sweep, her hands opening up as a dark purple haze erupted outwards.

“Viral Vitae!”

“Solar Spikes!”

Coremon thrust both arms upwards, forming a wall of flame between him and the gas, and dispersing it away from him as best as he could. But he could feel something in his vision changing as it blew past, and all of a sudden he stumbled, bracing himself against the shattered ground as the black magic wound its way into his senses.

Hamadryamon stood before him, wobbling to and fro – though he couldn’t figure out whether that was from her attack, or whether she was just as exhausted as him. Still, he saw the whites of her teeth, and prepared to jump again.

“You...can’t win...”

The manticore shook his head.

“I don’t need to win. I just need you to lose.”

“Thanatos...LIANA!”

The vines came in from all directions, and Coremon picked his moment, spinning up with them and gaining momentum. A quick flash of flame and a kick behind him and he was free in the air, his arm swinging sideways as he went for Hamadryamon’s face.

“You...are going...to STOP-“

“Cannonball Quack!”

A deep bass hummed through the air, followed by a mighty shockwave, sending fragments of the ground all around. Both Coremon and Hamadryamon were blown apart from each other, lying stunned against the ground. Coremon wriggled around, pressing against the unstable ground as he looked skywards, but all of a sudden there was a flash of blue and red, and he found himself pressed into the ground by the great, webbed hand of Muscovymon, his grip firm as concrete.

“Stand DOWN!”

There came a laugh from one side, as Hamadryamon unfurled herself, vines rippling up alongside her.

“That’s it...hold him there, Muscovymon...hold him while Ifinish this!”

“Guilt Construct!”

The dryad collapsed to her knees, her arms falling inwards, and a shadow passed over the battleground as Hasdielmon landed with a mighty rumble behind her. She struggled, pushing against the angel’s power, but he reached down, clamping a bandaged hand over her good arm and holding her firmly.

“That’s enough!”

Coremon couldn’t help but grin, but Muscovymon caught his expression, and pressed further, leaning in towards the Elite with a voice that could shake stone.

“Do you have ANY idea what you’ve just done?”

“In fairness, she started it.”

The hand pressed further, and Coremon choked, pulling his mouth sideways as he yelled up at the Sovereign. “I’ve stopped her from injuring or killing several of your innocent citizens, that’s what I’ve done!”

Muscovymon held still, his muscles locked almost solid. He reared up, looking along the side of the battleground, where the guards were holding the crowds further back, and at the gaping holes across the district, adorned with fragments of curved tendrils and black stains.

Hasdielmon lowered himself, his glowing eyes fixated upon the dryad in his grasp.

“Hamadryamon...explain this right now.”

The wood nymph was beside herself, holding out shaking, accusatory finger, “It’s him! It’s them! They’ve let loose...some sort of...creature in our city!”

Coremon shifted, glaring down from Muscovymon’s grip. “We have nothing to do with this. We’ve been trying to find out what it is as well.”

“It tried to kill me!” Hamadryamon whirled round, gesturing at her face to Hasdielmon. “Look at me! Look at what it’s done to me!”

The angel lowered his head, looking over the nymph’s deep wounds, and the shake in her hands.

“Oh Yggdrasil...”

“It started when they arrived! It’s down to them! It’s their fault!”

“Hamadryamon-“

“We’re not safe! None of us are safe unless we kill them first-“

“You do not have that right.” Hasdielmon’s eyes dimmed, focusing intensely on the dryad’s face. “Especially not after what you’ve done to this home you love so much.”

Hamadryamon twitched, veins popping out over her arms. But the angel turned from her, looking up at Muscovymon.

“What do we do?”

The duck pressed his beak together, hiding his gaze from the angel. Coremon shifted beneath his hand again, looking up at him.

“I’m telling you; we’re innocent. And I will bet you the rebels are as well. There’s something else going on here.”

“That’s for us to judge.”

Muscovymon sat back, and released Coremon from the press...but not from his grip, still holding the tiny manticore’s head near to the ground. He looked up, and gave a sharp whistle, calling the surrounding guards to him.

“Get the civilians to safety. And find the other two Fire Soldiers. I want them held for questioning.”

Coremon glared up at him. “On what grounds?”

“Suspicion of anarchy and espionage, for one.” The duck looked down on him. “And in the case of this creature you’re talking about, you’re not cleared from involvement there either.”

Hamadryamon hissed beneath her breath, a strand of hair falling over her shoulder. “They have to be erased right now. They can’t be allowed-“

“Lady Hamadryamon, I said for questioning.” Muscovymon’s gaze fell firmly upon her. “With all due respect, you are in no fit state to make any judgements right now.”

The dryad’s expression twisted in fury, but Hasdielmon’s hand fell on her shoulder, holding her back. The guard Sovereign held Coremon closer, his mechanical eye shifting sideways.

“If you’re telling the truth, it’ll all come out. But the safety of my citizens comes first, and this is my jurisdiction. Hasdielmon, do you agree?”

The angel didn’t respond for a second, his eyes shifting between the duck, to Coremon, to Hamadryamon, and to the surrounding destruction. Eventually he gave a slight nod.

“I leave it in your hands. Coremon, please co-operate with him.”

The manticore’s head fell forwards, the exhaustion catching up with him as he stopped resisting.

“Yes, your highness.”

From their viewing point out of sight, Mollumon watched with wide, horrified eyes, as their colleague changed hands from Muscovymon to Sagittarimon, his arms being restrained without resistance.

“No...this isn’t right...this isn’t just...”

“Mollumon?”

The octopus felt a claw around his tentacle, and he instinctively resisted, pulling against Serpemon. “We can’t leave him alone. We have to explain things.”

“We will do. But if we’re taken as well then we have nothing to explain.”

“Serpemon, he was protecting them!”

“And the Sovereigns will protect him. For now at least.”

Mollumon twisted round, staring into Serpemon’s face, but the snake’s expression was impenetrable, his eyes flicking back and forth.

“He’s put himself on the firing line, which means we need to stay away from it. He’s smart. He’ll stay safe for us.”

Mollumon gritted his beak, his expression distraught.

“I’ve failed him.”

Serpemon pulled the octopus’s tentacle closer, his expression grave. Then his ears flicked, and he looked behind him.

“They’re going to be searching for us. We need to disappear.”

Mollumon looked over his shoulder, seeing Muscovymon directing several of the royal guard, a few already heading in their direction. For a split second he considered pulling away, approaching them directly.

Then his gaze hardened, and he stopped resisting.

“Alright then. I’ll follow you.”

The dust and the shrapnel settled in a fine film over the ruined plaza, as the royal guards began to spread out, guiding the remaining onlookers back to safety. From his hold in the Sagittarimon’s arms, Coremon looked out, almost expecting to see a flash of green or purple amongst the wreckage.

But there was nothing to be seen. And he couldn’t be more relieved.

The manticore allowed himself a wry smile. And with a nudge from behind, he was lead away, back to the Sovereign’s capital.

TO BE CONTINUED...