This story is my take at turning Digimon into a fantasy setting. It draws from various sources; Magic the Gathering, Exalted, the Nasuverse, Toaru Majutsu no Index, and thereÆs even a bit of Nobilis in here.
Most of the plot I want to reveal during the story, but IÆll say this much; Archangel144 is Takato. HeÆll begin going by that name as soon asàwell, youÆll see.
Happy New Year guys.
_____________________________________________________________
Where Angels Fear To Tread
They were coming. He couldnÆt see them or hear them or sense them in any way that a normal human could, but-
They were there.
They were coming for him, then, which could only mean one thing.
It was time.
But was he ready?
HeÆd have to be, because it was now or never.
The boy strained against his bonds, testing their strength as he had done two hundred sixty-one thousand nine hundred and eighteen times before.
This was one on the few ways he could æobserveÆ his restraints.
They had put him here a long time ago, though he wasnÆt sure how long, having no way to tell. He hoped it had been two hundred seventy-nine days; thatÆs what it should be if everything was happening as heÆd hoped it would. He had not intended or desired to be imprisoned, but it could be helped.
But if they were here, that could only mean they either needed him or wanted to kill him.
If it was the former, his work had held up and they had no choice but to try to force the secrets out of him one more time before it was too late.
If it was the latter, theyÆd managed without him and now they wanted him dead.
Either was fine, as long as they were here. As long as no more than two hundred seventy-nine days had passed.
He opened his clenched fist to flex his fingers before closing it again.
It was New YearÆs Eve.
He already knew how he was going to celebrate.
XxXXxX
ôIs this him?ö The first man asked. ôThe Fallen Angel? Hmph. He doesnÆt look like much.ö
There were six layers of protective wards, three physical walls, and over a hundred seals around the Prisoner; the man had no fear of the boy trapped behind them. Furthermore, theyÆd bound him hand and foot in the strongest of chains; nobody could break Gleipnir, the sacred chain that locked away the Wolf at the End of Time. What was there to fear?
But apparently, even that wasnÆt enough for the Higher-ups. TheyÆd covered his face, an act he didnÆt see any point in since theyÆd also plunged the room he was in into supernatural darkness. He couldnÆt see it, but it was said that theyÆd put a muzzle on him under that hood, too.
How would he have felt to know that the Prisoner within was aware he was there?
And that he knew what he was saying? What he was thinking?
ôHeÆs not anymore.ö The second man, the oldest of the pair. ôWhatÆs an angel after you clip his wings?ö
ôAra, butàhe wasnÆt even a real angel to begin with, was he?ö The first man said, laughing.
The second man chuckled.
ôEven so, be careful. This is a delicate operation; we need to know how to wake her up before midnight tonight. Remember that, 079.ö
The first manÆs face became serious in an instant; he was well aware of the consequences of failure.
In unison, the men went to their respective positions, two places along the wall that were unmarked in any way. The placed their hands on the wall and spoke in turn.
ôLynx079.ö Introduced the first man.
ôGoblin033.ö Said the second.
In an instant, the wards shifted to grant them access, the doors into the prison appeared, the darkness gave way to light, and the seals glowed.
They could enter.
But that was the only thing that changed. To the prisoner within, the supernaturally darkness still lingered, there were no entries or exist to the prison, and the wards and seals still kept him trapped.
Anyone with clearance could enter the prison to speak with the prisoner.
But only Hypnos001 had the authority to release him.
They entered the prison and looked at the Prisoner.
Archangel144. That had been his name, once. But now he was nothing but a bird in a cage.
Goblin walked over the seals without fear; mere steps couldnÆt affect them. Very little could. This room was like the SealerÆs Bible; everything from ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics to English runes to Japanese calligraphy could be found in this room, and every character was soaked in magical energy.
He stepped behind Archangel and untied the hood that covered his head. He tore it off and caste it aside.
One way or another, it wouldnÆt be going back on him.
He stopped for a minute to look at the prisoner. HeÆd never seen him before, at least not without the hood.
He had long brown hair, a result of not cutting it in most of a year, no doubt. It fell to his shoulders in messy tangles; a side effect of the hood. He had red eyes that stared sightlessly into what was fathomless darkness to him.
He did indeed have a gag. Goblin heard it was a punishment for literally biting off the hand of one of his feeders, though he doubted that; he shouldnÆt be able to use any magic within the confines of this sealing array.
Nonetheless, it was with some caution that he stepped behind him and undid the gag. Fenrir, he noted with amazement. Or at least a good copy of it. The sword placed in the WolfÆs mouth, given a new form in an imitation.
He noted and winced at the barbs on it. Ouch.
ôArchangel144.ö Lynx spoke. ôThis is your last chance to comply with our request. How do we wake up the girl?ö
ArchangelÆs eyes didnÆt move, but a smile grew across his face.
ôLynx079.ö He identified, ignoring the question. ôSpecialty: Fire-based spells. Rank: approximately 3.ö
Lynx stiffened noticeably and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped at GoblinÆs raised hand.
ôYou came before him, remember. He simply remembers your voice. You havenÆt raised you level since his capture, either; everything he said was as accurate at the beginning of the year as it is now. Tell me, boy, do you know who I am?ö
ôGoblin033. You specialized in self-enhancement techniques before I was put away, but you were only Level 2. Based on your tone, I take it that has changed; IÆm guessing youÆre now level 3.ö
ôOho? He is good.ö Lynx said.
ôAs interesting as this is, itÆs also irrelevant. How do we wake up the girl, Archangel?ö
The Prisoner was quiet for a minute before speaking.
ôItÆs your lucky day, boys. IÆll tell you on one condition. I want you to answer a question for me.ö
The partnerÆs exchanged looks. That was almost certainly bullshit, butà
They couldnÆt pass this up on the off chance he wasnÆt lying.
ôWhatÆs your question?ö Lynx asked.
ôToday is New YearÆs Eve, right?ö
Goblin blinked, surprised at that question. HeÆd expected something more important.
ôIndeed.ö
Archangel nodded.
ôAh. So I was right. ItÆs been two hundred seventy-nine days. Well, I suppose itÆs my turn to pay up now.ö
Goblin and Lynx leaned forward, failing to hide their eagerness.
ôSheÆll wake up on her own ten seconds after the end of the ritualÆs window.ö He said.
They both reeled back as though theyÆd been slapped and Archangel smiled as if he could see them.
ôDonÆt screw around!ö Lynx said, lunging forward and grabbing him by the throat. ôI donÆt think you understand, kid; if you donÆt tell us, we have no reason to keep you alive.ö
ArchangelÆs smile widened.
ôActually, I donÆt think you understand.ö He said, amused. ôYouÆre both Level 3Æs. Take a look around you.ö
The pair looked around, obeying more out of confusion than anything else.
ôYou see these seals? Imagine what type of man would require all that.ö Archangel said. ôYouÆre nothing to me.ö
Lynx punched him across the face.
ôBastard!ö He swore. ôYou think youÆre so damn great, huh? Then what are you doing looked in a box, motherfucker!ö
ôLynx, calm down.ö Goblin ordered.
ôWaiting.ö Archangel said.
They both stopped and slowly turned their heads towards him.
ôH-huh? What did you just say?ö Lynx asked.
ArchangelÆs smile was quickly becoming smug.
ôI said I was waiting. And IÆm glad you came here, gentlemen. The question I asked you may have seemed like nothing to you, butàI meant everything to me. Because, you seeàit means the wait is over.ö
He began to glow with a pure red light.
Lynx reacted first, and tried to snap his neck.
But he couldnÆt. It was like trying to break a mountain; he tried and he failed. The skin beneath his fingers was like metal.
ôI asked you to look around you gentlemen. To imagine, just for a moment, what manner of being was so frightening that he required all these seals. And now I ask you another questionàö
Red quickly began to war with white as it tried to share a place in his light. But red quickly began to win, pushing white closer and closer to the edge of the aura. And when that edge was reachedàred continued to push. It pushed white out of the aura entirely.
And white shaped itself into a pair of wings and a halo.
ôWhat type of creature could get through these seals anyway?ö He asked.
And suddenly red collapsed on itself, imploding into ArchangelÆs body.
There was a moment of peace, in which both Goblin and Lynx were struck by a horrible realization. Goblin grabbed Lynx and pulled him into a run, rushing outside of the Prison. He shouted a word, and as he passed through each door, it faded away as if it were never there.
Archangel tutted.
ôNo, donÆt get up; IÆll let myself out.ö
XxXXxX
Most of the plot I want to reveal during the story, but IÆll say this much; Archangel144 is Takato. HeÆll begin going by that name as soon asàwell, youÆll see.
Happy New Year guys.
_____________________________________________________________
Where Angels Fear To Tread
They were coming. He couldnÆt see them or hear them or sense them in any way that a normal human could, but-
They were there.
They were coming for him, then, which could only mean one thing.
It was time.
But was he ready?
HeÆd have to be, because it was now or never.
The boy strained against his bonds, testing their strength as he had done two hundred sixty-one thousand nine hundred and eighteen times before.
This was one on the few ways he could æobserveÆ his restraints.
They had put him here a long time ago, though he wasnÆt sure how long, having no way to tell. He hoped it had been two hundred seventy-nine days; thatÆs what it should be if everything was happening as heÆd hoped it would. He had not intended or desired to be imprisoned, but it could be helped.
But if they were here, that could only mean they either needed him or wanted to kill him.
If it was the former, his work had held up and they had no choice but to try to force the secrets out of him one more time before it was too late.
If it was the latter, theyÆd managed without him and now they wanted him dead.
Either was fine, as long as they were here. As long as no more than two hundred seventy-nine days had passed.
He opened his clenched fist to flex his fingers before closing it again.
It was New YearÆs Eve.
He already knew how he was going to celebrate.
XxXXxX
ôIs this him?ö The first man asked. ôThe Fallen Angel? Hmph. He doesnÆt look like much.ö
There were six layers of protective wards, three physical walls, and over a hundred seals around the Prisoner; the man had no fear of the boy trapped behind them. Furthermore, theyÆd bound him hand and foot in the strongest of chains; nobody could break Gleipnir, the sacred chain that locked away the Wolf at the End of Time. What was there to fear?
But apparently, even that wasnÆt enough for the Higher-ups. TheyÆd covered his face, an act he didnÆt see any point in since theyÆd also plunged the room he was in into supernatural darkness. He couldnÆt see it, but it was said that theyÆd put a muzzle on him under that hood, too.
How would he have felt to know that the Prisoner within was aware he was there?
And that he knew what he was saying? What he was thinking?
ôHeÆs not anymore.ö The second man, the oldest of the pair. ôWhatÆs an angel after you clip his wings?ö
ôAra, butàhe wasnÆt even a real angel to begin with, was he?ö The first man said, laughing.
The second man chuckled.
ôEven so, be careful. This is a delicate operation; we need to know how to wake her up before midnight tonight. Remember that, 079.ö
The first manÆs face became serious in an instant; he was well aware of the consequences of failure.
In unison, the men went to their respective positions, two places along the wall that were unmarked in any way. The placed their hands on the wall and spoke in turn.
ôLynx079.ö Introduced the first man.
ôGoblin033.ö Said the second.
In an instant, the wards shifted to grant them access, the doors into the prison appeared, the darkness gave way to light, and the seals glowed.
They could enter.
But that was the only thing that changed. To the prisoner within, the supernaturally darkness still lingered, there were no entries or exist to the prison, and the wards and seals still kept him trapped.
Anyone with clearance could enter the prison to speak with the prisoner.
But only Hypnos001 had the authority to release him.
They entered the prison and looked at the Prisoner.
Archangel144. That had been his name, once. But now he was nothing but a bird in a cage.
Goblin walked over the seals without fear; mere steps couldnÆt affect them. Very little could. This room was like the SealerÆs Bible; everything from ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics to English runes to Japanese calligraphy could be found in this room, and every character was soaked in magical energy.
He stepped behind Archangel and untied the hood that covered his head. He tore it off and caste it aside.
One way or another, it wouldnÆt be going back on him.
He stopped for a minute to look at the prisoner. HeÆd never seen him before, at least not without the hood.
He had long brown hair, a result of not cutting it in most of a year, no doubt. It fell to his shoulders in messy tangles; a side effect of the hood. He had red eyes that stared sightlessly into what was fathomless darkness to him.
He did indeed have a gag. Goblin heard it was a punishment for literally biting off the hand of one of his feeders, though he doubted that; he shouldnÆt be able to use any magic within the confines of this sealing array.
Nonetheless, it was with some caution that he stepped behind him and undid the gag. Fenrir, he noted with amazement. Or at least a good copy of it. The sword placed in the WolfÆs mouth, given a new form in an imitation.
He noted and winced at the barbs on it. Ouch.
ôArchangel144.ö Lynx spoke. ôThis is your last chance to comply with our request. How do we wake up the girl?ö
ArchangelÆs eyes didnÆt move, but a smile grew across his face.
ôLynx079.ö He identified, ignoring the question. ôSpecialty: Fire-based spells. Rank: approximately 3.ö
Lynx stiffened noticeably and opened his mouth to say something, but stopped at GoblinÆs raised hand.
ôYou came before him, remember. He simply remembers your voice. You havenÆt raised you level since his capture, either; everything he said was as accurate at the beginning of the year as it is now. Tell me, boy, do you know who I am?ö
ôGoblin033. You specialized in self-enhancement techniques before I was put away, but you were only Level 2. Based on your tone, I take it that has changed; IÆm guessing youÆre now level 3.ö
ôOho? He is good.ö Lynx said.
ôAs interesting as this is, itÆs also irrelevant. How do we wake up the girl, Archangel?ö
The Prisoner was quiet for a minute before speaking.
ôItÆs your lucky day, boys. IÆll tell you on one condition. I want you to answer a question for me.ö
The partnerÆs exchanged looks. That was almost certainly bullshit, butà
They couldnÆt pass this up on the off chance he wasnÆt lying.
ôWhatÆs your question?ö Lynx asked.
ôToday is New YearÆs Eve, right?ö
Goblin blinked, surprised at that question. HeÆd expected something more important.
ôIndeed.ö
Archangel nodded.
ôAh. So I was right. ItÆs been two hundred seventy-nine days. Well, I suppose itÆs my turn to pay up now.ö
Goblin and Lynx leaned forward, failing to hide their eagerness.
ôSheÆll wake up on her own ten seconds after the end of the ritualÆs window.ö He said.
They both reeled back as though theyÆd been slapped and Archangel smiled as if he could see them.
ôDonÆt screw around!ö Lynx said, lunging forward and grabbing him by the throat. ôI donÆt think you understand, kid; if you donÆt tell us, we have no reason to keep you alive.ö
ArchangelÆs smile widened.
ôActually, I donÆt think you understand.ö He said, amused. ôYouÆre both Level 3Æs. Take a look around you.ö
The pair looked around, obeying more out of confusion than anything else.
ôYou see these seals? Imagine what type of man would require all that.ö Archangel said. ôYouÆre nothing to me.ö
Lynx punched him across the face.
ôBastard!ö He swore. ôYou think youÆre so damn great, huh? Then what are you doing looked in a box, motherfucker!ö
ôLynx, calm down.ö Goblin ordered.
ôWaiting.ö Archangel said.
They both stopped and slowly turned their heads towards him.
ôH-huh? What did you just say?ö Lynx asked.
ArchangelÆs smile was quickly becoming smug.
ôI said I was waiting. And IÆm glad you came here, gentlemen. The question I asked you may have seemed like nothing to you, butàI meant everything to me. Because, you seeàit means the wait is over.ö
He began to glow with a pure red light.
Lynx reacted first, and tried to snap his neck.
But he couldnÆt. It was like trying to break a mountain; he tried and he failed. The skin beneath his fingers was like metal.
ôI asked you to look around you gentlemen. To imagine, just for a moment, what manner of being was so frightening that he required all these seals. And now I ask you another questionàö
Red quickly began to war with white as it tried to share a place in his light. But red quickly began to win, pushing white closer and closer to the edge of the aura. And when that edge was reachedàred continued to push. It pushed white out of the aura entirely.
And white shaped itself into a pair of wings and a halo.
ôWhat type of creature could get through these seals anyway?ö He asked.
And suddenly red collapsed on itself, imploding into ArchangelÆs body.
There was a moment of peace, in which both Goblin and Lynx were struck by a horrible realization. Goblin grabbed Lynx and pulled him into a run, rushing outside of the Prison. He shouted a word, and as he passed through each door, it faded away as if it were never there.
Archangel tutted.
ôNo, donÆt get up; IÆll let myself out.ö
XxXXxX