Chapter 4: Malice from the Dark
As the guardian of the Village of Beginnings, Elecmon, though only a Champion-level Digimon, was privy to many secrets that most others never learned.
He knew of the ancient legends, prophecies of chosen children called the 'DigiDestined' who were fated to save the Digital World from encroaching darkness.
While the stories often sounded like little more than fairy tales, recent events had given him pause. First, there was Nyaromon, who had displayed the unmistakable potential of a Holy Digimon even within her Digi-egg. Then came the human boy, Mizuki, whose very presence radiated a strange warmth that made others want to draw near.
These coincidences, one after another, appearing right before his eyes… it couldn't all be baseless.
Perhaps, he mused, letting Nyaromon and the human child stay together might bring about some unexpected, positive change.
That was what Elecmon had believed.
It was a belief he held right up until the moment he detected a presence that had no right to be anywhere near the Village of Beginnings.
Neither Mizuki nor Nyaromon were aware of Elecmon's growing alarm.
The human and the Digimon were simply enjoying each other's company, chatting happily under a clear, star-dusted sky. After her initial shyness and fear of strangers, Nyaromon had gradually opened up, becoming much more outgoing in the time she spent with Mizuki.
Her previously hesitant, intermittent words had smoothed into a coherent, almost chattering flow. And almost without exception, her topic of choice was complaining about Elecmon's strictness.
"Um, you know? I really, really hate fighting, but Elecmon always forces me to train…"
"I know he's doing it for my own good, but I just don't like it…"
"I don't get it. Why can't everyone just live in peace? Wouldn't it be so much better if we all just got along?"
Listening to Nyaromon's continuous grievances, Mizuki was tactful enough not to interrupt. He simply played the part of a good listener, offering a soft hum of agreement or a gentle nod at just the right moments. His quiet attentiveness only served to deepen Nyaromon's good impression of him.
'He really is different!' she thought with a surge of joy.
Carried by that happy feeling, Nyaromon unconsciously shuffled a few steps closer to him. Under the soft glow of the moon, their shadows stretched and lengthened across the grass, eventually merging into one, as if foreshadowing the deepening of their bond.
However, neither of them noticed that beneath this peaceful, leisurely atmosphere, the shadows around them were growing unnaturally deep.
As dark clouds rolled in from some unknown corner of the world, shrouding the clear night sky, a malicious gaze fell upon them.
"And, and, let me tell you, I actually—"
"—!"
Without warning, Nyaromon's words were cut short by the sound of something unfurling in the air.
Behind Mizuki, a pair of pitch-black wings suddenly spread wide. They were tattered and grotesque, riddled with holes that revealed an unsettling, ominous strangeness.
Under Nyaromon's startled gaze, Mizuki's senses screamed. He reacted instantly, scooping the small Digimon into his arms and throwing himself into a forward roll.
It was that sudden, desperate action that allowed him to evade the malice striking from behind, carrying Nyaromon to safety by a hair's breadth.
"Oh? You actually dodged that?" a low voice drawled. "Just a little brat…"
Looking at his empty, clawed hand, the figure emerging from the darkness sighed dismissively before turning his attention back to his target.
Reflected in Mizuki's wide eyes was a figure straight from nightmare. A dark manifestation described only in legends, an embodiment of endless malice and curses.
This was a demon from hell.
Or rather, a Devimon.
The moment he recognized his opponent, Mizuki couldn't help but groan internally.
'Are you kidding me? I'm getting ambushed by a boss before I've even left the beginner village? That's not how you play the game!'
As if he had read Mizuki's mind, a faint, cruel smile curved Devimon's pale lips.
"It seems you know who I am," he purred. "That makes things easier."
"Child, I bear you no ill will."
In the encroaching darkness, Devimon's crimson eyes flickered with an unsettling light. He extended his sharp, black claws toward them, the tips glinting coldly in the dim light like the fangs of a venomous snake.
"Hand over that little one in your arms."
"Give her to me, and I will let you leave. How about it?"
"...Heh heh."
Mizuki glanced down at the small creature trembling in his arms, feeling her shake under the weight of Devimon's oppressive aura. Then, his gaze snapped back up to meet the demon's.
"So, you're telling me to cherish this life I fought so hard to get back, and not throw it away for a stranger I barely know?" Mizuki said, his voice surprisingly calm. "It sounds like a reasonable deal."
Devimon's smile widened. "In that case—"
"But I refuse!"
As the words left his lips, a dazzling light flared to life in Mizuki's eyes, shining with a fierce intensity that defied the gloom cast by the dark clouds overhead.
"I'll admit, I'm no saint," he declared, his voice ringing with conviction. "But being the kind of scum who betrays his savior? That's one thing I can't bring myself to do!"
"Well said, brat!"
The instant Mizuki's words fell, a new voice boomed through the clearing. Several dazzling bolts of lightning erupted from behind him, streaking through the air to form an electric cage around Devimon, cutting off all his escape routes. It was an attack meant to utterly annihilate him in a single strike.
However, facing such a ferocious assault, Devimon merely sneered.
He didn't even bother to dodge. He simply stood his ground, allowing his powerful body to endure the full force of the lightning bolts.
It was clear that just as this Elecmon was no ordinary Champion, this Devimon was far beyond the common measure of his level. Neither of them could be judged by common sense.
Elecmon showed no surprise that Devimon had taken his attack head-on. He lunged forward, planting himself firmly between the demon and the two he was protecting.
Without looking back, he barked, "Brat, take Nyaromon and get out of here, now!"
"Leave this to me!"
"Elecmon…"
Hearing the familiar, commanding voice, Nyaromon subconsciously looked toward her guardian.
But Elecmon no longer had time to spare for her. His furious gaze was locked on his opponent.
"Devimon, you dare to lay a hand on the Village of Beginnings!" he roared. "Are you trying to break the agreement?"
To leave the Village of Beginnings unharmed was an unwritten rule, a sacred truce recognized across all of File Island—and indeed, throughout the entire Digital World.
But now, Devimon was—
"Break the agreement? No, no, Elecmon. Why must you paint me with such a crude brush?" Devimon chuckled, his tone relaxed and mocking. "I never had any intention of harming the Village of Beginnings."
"You know my goal has only ever been one thing."
As he spoke, Devimon's gaze drifted past Elecmon, landing on the two cowering behind him—or more specifically, on the small, trembling form of Nyaromon.
"That," he hissed, his eyes gleaming with avarice, "is a Holy Digimon."
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