Old Ones Return (VII)

*Cameron gets up and approaches Thiera*

<What happened?>

*Lyra looks over at Tsune*

Lyra:<...I think we should get King Drasil to do it anyway.>

*Thiera isn't exactly 2 feet away, so Tsune grabs his arm before he gets far.*

Ts"If she wanted to be around us, she would have come this way."

*Then Lyra catches her attention, so she shrugs.*

*Cameron stops and looks back at Tsune. He opens his mouth, then closes it. Meanwhile, Lyra gets up and walks over to King Drasil*

Lyra:<My king, we were wondering if you could help us with something to prepare for battle.>

Taiyo: "Nothing will go back the way it was, will it?"

Renamon: "I'm afraid not"

*Having heard her approach, King Drasil turns.*

Drasil<Speak your request.>

Lyra:<Azuma and Hitomi, the humans partnered with Patamon and Salamon, are unable to biomerge. We thought...we thought that you might be able to help them do that. Oh, I should probably mention that they really don't want your help, so we're trying to force them into this.>

Meanwhile, Hideki is angsting somewhere.

Monodramon: "You do not want to fight?"

Hideki: "No. I won't abandon you, but I find no happiness in doing so."

*King Drasil smiles a nasty smile.*

Drasil<I will draw out whatever latent abilities they possess, or they will die trying.>

*And so he stalks off towards Azuma & Hitomi.*

Lyra:<Uh, thanks...I hope...>

*She heads back over to Tsune and sits down to watch the coming drama*

They're doing those things they were doing before, mostly angsting.

*So Drasil sidles right up to them, staring down his nose as if they are mud.*

Drasil<I am told that you are still incapable of Bio-Merging. Ostensibly the only individuals among your number who are so...deficient.>

*His lip curls slightly.*

Azuma: "And you remain as obtuse as ever."

Drasil<Your allies seem to feel as if you require my assistance. I do not believe they have faith in you.>

*Watching the tent, waiting for the drama to become visible*

Azuma: "As much I have in you."

Hitomi: "I believe in him."

Drasil<The weak often rally together, blustering in a vain attempt to appear more intimidating to their King & God. But tell me...

*He tilts his head back to look even more down his nose at them.*

Drasil<...how did it come to this? Their shame in you, I more than understand. But what reason have you to shun them in turn? Was it spite? An irredeemable failure? Their own blatant weaknesses? Or perhaps your own self-disgust?>

Azuma: "You are neither a God or King. You're nothing but a tyrant. A monster. You could've put an end to all of this and yet you didn't. You see us as ineffectual yet you're no different."

Drasil<Then depose me. But first, you will bow.>

*He points to the floor, an invisible force shoving them to their hands & knees.*

Drasil<...And you will beg for my assistance.>

Azuma resists and tries to stand.

Azuma: "I won't just depose you..."

Drasil<No. You will not.>

*With a lazy wave of his hand, he sends them tumbling until they're tangled together, along with their fallen tent.*

Drasil<Bark all you wish, but your teeth will never scratch the heavens. All you can do is sink into the pit where I have banished the rest of this world's evil!>

*His fist glows as he punches the ground, causing it to collapse, dropping Azuma & Hitomi into a deep, dark hole. From the perspective of the outside world, BanchoLeomon can be seen running up to King Drasil, until the latter points to him, forcing him to bow as well.*

Bancho<What are you doing--urgh?!>

Drasil<I have been besought to pass judgment on these mortals' worth as divine soldiers. Do not interfere.>

Patamon and Salamon Digivolve, Angewomon and MagnaAngemon grabbing their partners and flying out of the pit, MagnaAngemon flying towards Drasil.

*While they are flying up, King Drasil makes a motion as if shutting a door. Next thing they know, the earth above them slams shut. When they hit it, it's like running into solid steel, & they tumble once more into the darkness.*

They right themselves and hover, using their wings to slow their inevitable descend.

*So they fall slowly through the darkness, hearing a woman's tears.*

Th"Then just sit around and wait for everyone else to work things out, if that is what makes you happy!"

*As the echo fades away, the pitch of the tears changes slightly, & the voice becomes much colder.*

Taiyo<Sorry won't bring her back.>

*The apparent bottom of the pit is briefly illuminated by a lightning flash, where they can see Euryale's battered & bruised body lying awkwardly on the ground, blood seeping from her head. Aside from the tears, they can now hear whisperings of "your fault" & "atone" over & over again.*
===========================
*Thiera runs across the fields to the sight of Azutomi being swallowed by a fissure, because that's just crazy.*

Th"What has happened here?!"

Bancho<That is what I'd like to know. What is this I hear about this--creature being tasked with training your friends in Biomerging?>

Th"What in the world are you talking about?!"

*King Drasil turns to them. Huckmon comes running over with Kudamon around his neck & the Sistermons behind him. Craniamon stands watch nearby. Other than that, the Royal Knights are spread throughout the camp, & do not notice the scene.*

Drasil<I have done what needed to be done.>

*BanchoLeomon growls at King Drasil, who chuckles.*

Drasil<Well, let it hereafter be known that even God succumbs to Deja Vu on occasion.>

MagnaAngemon's descent quikens.

Azuma: "Leave her out of this, this is on me."