As Takato and Arthur ventured deeper into the dark forest, the atmosphere grew thick with an eerie presence. The trees loomed over them, twisted and gnarled, their bark dark and uninviting. A cold wind howled through the branches, carrying with it the unsettling creak of the forest. The only light came from the moon, a pale, ghostly orb hanging high above them, casting long shadows on the ground.
Takato's heart pounded as the dark forest seemed to come alive with millions of unseen eyes. It felt like every tree, every shadow, was watching them, waiting for something to happen. The wind whistled in strange patterns, carrying the faintest whispers, as if the forest itself was trying to speak. Takato couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was lurking just beyond their sight.
Arthur, always sensitive to the more supernatural elements of their surroundings, was visibly shaking. His wide, fearful eyes darted from shadow to shadow, and every rustling leaf sent him flinching. He had always been scared of dark places, and this forest was the epitome of his fears. The unknown, the darkness, the eyes watching him—it was overwhelming.
"Takatomon, this place is scary," Arthur mumbled, his voice trembling. His fear was palpable, and Takato could see how hard he was trying to hold it together.
Takato, despite his own unease, smiled reassuringly at his partner. "Relax, Arthur. I'm right here with you. We just have to deal with a rookie digimon, that's it. Don't let the dark get to you. We've got this."
It wasn't easy for Takato either—he wasn't accustomed to such terrifying surroundings, but he knew he had to keep his composure for Arthur's sake. This was a test. Yeong had carefully designed this mission, knowing that Takato and Arthur would face more than just a battle. The fear of the environment was a challenge in itself, and they had to push past it to succeed.
Arthur took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "If you say so, Takatomon. I'll walk ahead and smell out the enemy." He gulped, his nerves still getting the best of him. But he was determined to do his part.
With a quick sniff of the air, Arthur's keen senses locked onto their target. His nose twitched, and his eyes narrowed. "This way!" He shouted, his voice filled with sudden determination, as he charged forward, forgetting the fear for a moment in his singular focus.
Takato quickly followed, activating his Digi-barrier, a protective shield linked to Arthur. The barrier would hold as long as Arthur didn't lose the battle, providing them with a crucial safeguard against any unexpected attacks. Takato knew better than to take the environment lightly. Many tamers had died from surprise attacks in situations like this, and he wasn't about to make that mistake. The Digi-barrier was essential, and he wasn't taking any chances.
As the duo raced through the forest, Takato couldn't help but wonder how Naruto and Asura were faring. He knew that they weren't affected by places like this, and it was probably just another walk in the park for them. But for Takato, and especially for Arthur, this was a real challenge—a test of both their physical and mental fortitude.
Soon, they emerged from the dense underbrush into a large, open clearing, bathed in the cold, silvery light of the moon. The clearing was vast, the size of a standard Digimon battle arena, and it felt strangely out of place in the heart of such a creepy forest. In the center, frozen in place, was their target: a rookie-level Digimon. The battle hadn't started yet, and it was as if time itself had paused in anticipation.
Takato took a deep breath, his nerves settling as he prepared for the confrontation. This was their moment. No more running. No more fear. It was time to face whatever waited ahead.
"We've got this, Arthur," Takato said, his voice steady now. "Let's make sure this fight ends on our terms."
Arthur, though still uneasy, nodded firmly. The fear of the forest had subsided for the moment, replaced by the primal urge to fight. They had a mission, and they were ready.
The clearing was silent for a moment, the eerie atmosphere of the forest pressing in around them. Takato's eyes narrowed as he studied their opponent. There, in the center of the arena, stood Dracmon—its pale, almost ghostly skin making it look like a creature from a nightmare. The black mask with its ominous red and green markings only added to its intimidating appearance. Its wings, connected by a golden trinket that wrapped around its waist, flickered slightly, giving it an air of unbalanced grace.
Embedded in Dracmon's palms were grotesque eyeballs, their irises matching the unsettling marks on its face. The Digimon's posture was casual, but the way it tilted its head and gazed at Takato and Arthur made it clear that it was sizing them up, enjoying the moment of suspense. It exuded an air of malicious mischief, a perfect embodiment of the Dark Area's reputation. Takato could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as Dracmon's unsettling, hollow gaze locked onto him.
Takato's Digivice buzzed softly, and he quickly glanced at it, reading the data on Dracmon. Level 20. Takato's stomach sank. It wasn't a rookie. It wasn't a pushover. This Digimon was on a whole other level—stronger, faster, and far more dangerous than the average Digimon they'd faced before. But Takato wasn't a rookie either. He had trained, prepared, and had no intention of letting his partner face this challenge alone.
Arthur, standing next to Takato, eyed Dracmon warily, his body tense and his tail twitching. Though Dracmon was more experienced, Arthur had the raw strength and power of a Digimon who had spent the last few days honing his fighting techniques under Takato's guidance. Takato had taught him to use his body more strategically—relying on instincts but also on thought-out maneuvers that would give him an edge. The armor that covered Arthur's body gleamed in the pale moonlight, a testament to the tough training he had gone through. The sharpness of his tail, which could now act as both a weapon and a defensive tool, would come in handy in this fight. His small guns and bombs were still an option, but Takato had made it clear this battle would be a true test of Arthur's growth.
"No wings or humanoid form for this one, Arthur. We fight this one on our own terms," Takato said, his voice calm but firm. He could see the hesitation in Arthur's eyes, but the tamer's words seemed to center the rookie Digimon. Takato was right—this was a battle they needed to win without relying on outside support. It was time to prove that Arthur had grown beyond just a wild, untamed partner.
Takato could feel the intensity of the moment settle over him as he stood beside Arthur, watching the battle unfold before them. Dracmon was standing still, its wings slightly raised, the mask on its face glinting under the moonlight. It had been toying with them so far, but Takato knew better than to let his guard down. This was no simple fight. Dracmon wasn't just any Digimon—it was a Nightmare Soldier, a creature of dark mischief and malice.
"Arthur, are you ready? This guy is bad news. Don't listen to his words and definitely don't look into his eyes. Remember, the eyes are in his hands, don't look at them. Okay?" Takato's voice was calm but firm as he spoke to his partner, his arm wrapped around Arthur in a gesture of reassurance.
Arthur nodded sharply, his body tense with the anticipation of the fight. He glanced at Dracmon, his eyes narrowing when he saw the eerie orbs embedded in its palms. His natural instincts as a Virus Buster flared up at the sight. He could feel his aggression simmering just below the surface, the urge to strike overwhelming him.
"I understand, Takatomon," Arthur responded, his voice low but steady. His smile was wild, feral almost, as his eyes changed, taking on a more predatory, bestial hue. He could feel the hunger within him—the desire to fight, to overpower, to destroy. It was a sensation he had often fought to control, but today, the call to battle was too strong. "And I feel really good. Can we start?"
Takato could see the glint of excitement in Arthur's eyes, the shift in his demeanor as the rookie Digimon embraced his fighting spirit. He knew this was a critical moment. He had trained Arthur, yes, but there was always the risk that his aggression could overwhelm him. The fight with Dracmon would be a true test. Takato's mind flashed back to Naruto's warning about Digimons with aggressive tendencies and the dangers they posed.
As a Virus Buster, Arthur's natural inclination was to fight—to defeat, to destroy. But Takato had worked hard to teach Arthur the importance of control. Aggression could be a weapon, but it also had the potential to turn on its wielder if left unchecked. The key to success, Takato had taught him, was balance.
Takato stepped back, giving his partner the space he needed. He placed a hand on Arthur's shoulder, his tone shifting to a more serious note. "Remember, don't act like a monster. What is our aim?" He asked, his voice full of enthusiasm and conviction, wanting to keep Arthur grounded.
Arthur's eyes flickered with a momentary hesitation, but then, his deep breath calmed him, and he answered with unwavering resolve. "King of all Knights!"
Takato smiled, his voice gentle yet proud. "And, is the King a monster?"
Arthur's lips curled into a grin, a knowing look flashing in his eyes. "He is a being of grace and skill."
"Good," Takato said, his voice filled with approval. "Now go and kill him." He gave Arthur a final push, a gesture of both encouragement and confidence. He knew Arthur could do this. He believed in him.
With that, Arthur took a step forward, his body moving with purpose. His eyes locked onto Dracmon, no longer distracted by the fear or the whispers of doubt. His tail swished from side to side, his claws digging into the dirt as he prepared himself for the fight of his life. The battle wasn't just about defeating Dracmon—it was about Arthur proving to himself that he could control his aggression and fight with precision.
Dracmon, sensing the shift in the air, tilted its head slightly, its eyes glinting as it observed Arthur. The playful, taunting smirk on its face remained, but there was something else—an edge of seriousness. Dracmon was always ready to make things more complicated. It wasn't going to make this easy.
Arthur's body had grown stronger with each passing day. His training, combined with the healing power of his partner and the experience he had gained, had pushed him far beyond his limits. Now, armored and more powerful than ever, the 100 kg weight he carried didn't even feel like a burden anymore. His strength had increased exponentially—he could easily lift up to 300 kg, and with more time, he'd be able to bench a staggering 1000 kg without breaking a sweat.
As the battle with Dracmon raged on, Arthur's instincts began to flare. His eyes locked onto Dracmon's defenseless neck, and a deep, primal urge surged within him. He wanted to sink his fangs into it, to taste blood and consume the dark Digimon before him. His mind flashed with images of a savage, unrelenting victory.
But Takato's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of his goal, his purpose. He had to control the beast within, focus on his strength without succumbing to the darkness.
With a growl, Arthur shook his head, shaking off the temptation. Dracmon, sensing the shift, finally came to life. The mischievous vampire-like Digimon bounced in place, shaking off the tension as it surveyed its surroundings.
"Ooh, a freaking Guilmon." Dracmon's voice was taunting, and it danced around excitedly, clearly amused. When its eyes landed on Takato, however, its expression soured. "Che, a slave of the humans. How distasteful can you get? You are a shame to the Royal Knights."
Dracmon's words were a deliberate attempt to rile up Arthur, to attack his pride as a dragon-type. Arthur's body tensed, the flames of anger flickering within him. He couldn't stand to hear such disrespect from a lowly creature like Dracmon. With a loud growl, Arthur released a powerful roar, the dragon spirit within him fueling the sound, sending waves of fear and hesitation toward his opponent.
But Dracmon was quick to act, blocking his hearing before the full force of the roar could reach him. It was a smart move, but not enough to stop Arthur. Without missing a beat, Arthur charged forward, his claws igniting with fire as he plowed through the dark syringes Dracmon shot in retaliation. The flames seared through the air as Arthur crashed through the attack with brute force.
Dracmon, startled by the intensity of Arthur's charge, quickly spread his wings and took flight, soaring upward to gain distance. His wings flapped with a dark, ominous energy, and he screeched—a sharp, ugly sound that seemed to cut through the air. But Arthur was prepared. His armor blocked the sonic attack, protecting his ears and allowing him to stay focused. Locking onto his target, he unleashed a fireball that hurtled through the air, its fiery glow lighting up the night.
Dracmon was agile, however, and dodged the attack, landing gracefully on a tree branch. But it couldn't stay airborne for long; flying drained his energy, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he would need to land again.
"Hey, aren't you strong?" Dracmon called down from his perch, his voice sweet and coaxing. "Why don't we join forces and get out of here? My boss is GranDracmon, you know."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. He had heard of GranDracmon before—he was a powerful being, the King of Vampires, and one of the oldest entities in the Digital World. GranDracmon's territory in the Dark Area was vast, and his strength was unmatched. He had even gained the loyalty of Chaos Dukemon, a dark version of the Royal Knights. Dracmon was tempting Arthur with promises of power, claiming that he could become like one of GranDracmon's powerful servants if he joined him.
"GranDracmon is stronger than the Royal Knights and the Demon Lords," Dracmon continued, its voice dripping with allure. "He could make you stronger if you serve him. You could become one of his Chaos Dukemon. You could have all the power you've ever dreamed of."
Takato's voice cut through Dracmon's words in Arthur's mind, a sharp reminder of their bond and their shared goal. "Grr, I am no one's slave. Arthur will become the King of all Knights, and your master will just be another target for me to defeat. Now die!"
Arthur's roar of defiance echoed through the forest, and without hesitation, he unleashed a flurry of fireballs in rapid succession, his gatling gun of flame cutting through the air. Dracmon was caught off guard, unable to avoid the barrage. He attempted to fly away, but Arthur's relentless assault forced him to dodge and maneuver clumsily. As Dracmon tried to gain altitude, a few of the fireballs hit their mark, sending him spiraling to the ground.
The impact was devastating. Dracmon crashed into the earth with a howl of pain, his wings torn and battered from the force of the blast. He lay on the ground, groaning in pain, unable to regain his balance.