Treasure Hunt

"Yeah probably. Can't blame being unlucky all the time. Though starving to death in a white void was not in my top ten ways to die," Talvi chuckled. "I figured it wouldn't hurt to try asking though. It may be considered meddling in mortal affairs though. Wouldn't want to get you in trouble would we?"

There was a moment of silence before he spoke up again. "I am not your personal divine being to be used whenever you're in trouble." He began, "However, starving to death is not something anyone should go through either....very well Talvi. I will help you on one condition." He said, "I'd like it...if you would speak with me more." Naoi had chosen to befriend her, he would want to be able to talk to her every now and again. Friends were rare and he may not find another in quite a few millennia.

"I want to hear your stories about the wind you soar on. See what being free from your cage has done for you. If we're to be friends, conversation occasionally should be a part of it." He stated.

"I am not your personal divine being to be used whenever you're in trouble." He began, "However, starving to death is not something anyone should go through either....very well Talvi. I will help you on one condition." He said, "I'd like it...if you would speak with me more." She smiled at his teasing. Not her personal divine being to be used. Honestly she never thought that. She doubted she could bind any god in such a way.



"I want to hear your stories about the wind you soar on. See what being free from your cage has done for you. If we're to be friends, conversation occasionally should be a part of it."

"Most of my friends I have never met in person. I saw their words and occasionally heard their voice but none of them I'd really seen in person," Talvi said thinking about his words. "As for what being out of my cage has done for me. It has given me mortality. I only have one life that could be easily taken away if I am not careful."

She sat up against the wall and head board, "I have met several digimon since coming here. However only you and Sam do I call friends really. There is that obnoxious bear who I want to pummel, those goburimon which are now afraid of me for pummeling them," She chuckled at it. The looks on there faces had been rather funny. "My guild leader whom I have met for business only, and an Octomon who was a hologram and beat me in a fight."

"When it comes down to it. I may be out of my cage but I am still lonely. And life is a lot harder than it looks. Though I should probably know that there are enough drama shows to swim in. I don't really do drama though....and yet I wouldn't trade this difficult life for going back in a cage. I could be starving and selling my body for money and I wouldn't return to it. Because I'd still have the freedom to go where I wanted and be who I wanted."

"Most of my friends I have never met in person. I saw their words and occasionally heard their voice but none of them I'd really seen in person," Talvi said thinking about his words. "As for what being out of my cage has done for me. It has given me mortality. I only have one life that could be easily taken away if I am not careful."

Naoi listened as she spoke about her so called friends that she had never met. How could someone be friends with a person they've never met in person before? It didn't seem logical. As for her mortality, he was aware of it. He could no longer see her appointed time of death because a part of her soul had been stolen, but he new how quick mortal life was.

"I have met several digimon since coming here. However only you and Sam do I call friends really. There is that obnoxious bear who I want to pummel, those goburimon which are now afraid of me for pummeling them," She and he were friends now...still such a foreign concept for him. Every time he thought about it, it felt to him out of place given his position in the world. he was giving into his own mortal mind...one that longed for something other than his appointed destiny in this world. Being immortal wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

"My guild leader whom I have met for business only, and an Octomon who was a hologram and beat me in a fight."

"When it comes down to it. I may be out of my cage but I am still lonely. And life is a lot harder than it looks. Though I should probably know that there are enough drama shows to swim in. I don't really do drama though....and yet I wouldn't trade this difficult life for going back in a cage. I could be starving and selling my body for money and I wouldn't return to it. Because I'd still have the freedom to go where I wanted and be who I wanted.

So she had freed herself physically from the suffocation of her cage but her heart still belonged in one. Loneliness was a synopsis for Anubismon. No one bothered with him for obvious reasons, and he didn't with them. He never dwelled on it, but as he listened to her, she brought it to the forefront of his mind. He was lonely too but the harsh reality of the world had made him cold and harsh and he stopped trusting only ever seeing the bad. It never bothered him before but it was now. Another foolish emotion for him to be lingering on...when this human dies, he'll be back to being lonely and be okay with it....right? As Naoi thought on that, something else sparked in him...what was it?

It was something he had not felt in a long time...it made him uneasy and fidgety. He looked for the word to surmise this long forgotten feeling. One word came to mind...fear. How could he be feeling fear? He was afraid of being alone again? What was happening...what was Talvi doing to him? This was completely out of character for him. He feared losing this friendship. Was it because he experienced loss when Sanji died? No...Sanji was a friend, but not like this. Talvi was bringing his mind back to remembrance of things he threw away.

Perhaps this was a bad idea. To feel this way again could have consequences on his position. He should help her and than cut ties and fall back into line.....the conflict in his mind raged on. He knew it was the proper thing to do, but he didn't want too. He didn't want too? Why? What was so alluring about a single human? The ability to be free perhaps? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad....hearing more about it. Perhaps she'd learn how to free her heart too. It was something he found intriguing.

Yes. They're only stories....she will learn how to cope with loneliness. Talking would be fine. His own loneliness could be quelled then...if even for a short time.

"Hmm.....so then...your loneliness cages your heart?" Naoi asked, should he tell her? That he feels lonely? Would that be okay? They're friends....Naoi remembered friends are supposed to help friends. It should be fine. "I...am lonely too." He simply said. Had he a physical form, he'd be hesitant...luckily she was not deep enough in her psyche.

He remained silent after that, not knowing what else should be said. This was hard...his internal conflict. It could sicken a person.

"Hmm.....so then...your loneliness cages your heart?" Talvi nodded it summed it up rather well. No matter how she looked at it she would be caged in some form or another. "I...am lonely too." He simply said.


"I bet. After living as long as you have everyone around you eventually dies. You must have seen a lot of pain in your life," Talvi responded. "I wish I could help you to be rid of your pain. I guess you'll have to just suffer through some years of happiness with me no matter how fleeting it may be. Cause our two lonely souls can keep each other company for at least a little bit." It was a pain not being able to see his face. The small flame had no expression for her to read and respond to.

"You've lived for a long time. Have you ever fallen in love," Talvi asked.

"I bet. After living as long as you have everyone around you eventually dies. You must have seen a lot of pain in your life," Pain was an unfamiliar feeling for him, he had witnessed others go through it but he himself never had...because he had no one to pain for. Right? Sanji's death...why was that suddenly brought to his remembrance? Did that hold some significance to pain? As he remembered more of the news, he began to remember an ache in his chest. How odd. It was small and brief...but maybe that was pain? The loss of a friend. Would he feel that when Talvi was gone too?

A troubling thought. "I wish I could help you to be rid of your pain. I guess you'll have to just suffer through some years of happiness with me no matter how fleeting it may be. Cause our two lonely souls can keep each other company for at least a little bit."

Happiness.......a word he never associated with. His work never brought that, only sorrow and hatred. He wasn't sure he could be happy...unless this was it. Coming when ever she beckoned just for the chance to hear her story. The small portion of the day when he wasn't judging...just being here. Yes.........it's possible that this was 'happiness.' A similar feeling when he spoke with Sanji many times. He'd nearly forgotten it like all the rest. He certainly was happy right now.

"You've lived for a long time. Have you ever fallen in love,"

Love? What a strange question to ask. No one would love a death bringer...but she asked if he had loved. Love, the emotion that binds deep emotions of two creatures together. The ultimate form of happiness to his understanding and also a dangerously powerful motivator. It caused more deaths than he could count in these millennia, it was also coveted by things. Love was a messy business...but that didn't answer her question. Did he love anyone? He certainly lived long enough. Perhaps during his conception? He loved his mother, Yggdrasil...but he was certain that her inquiry was of a different nature.

He wasn't sure....so he had to answer truthfully.

"I....don't remember." He hesitantly spoke, it was then that Naoi's soul had been cast from her dream world, unable to remain.

He was silent for so long she wondered if she had over stepped. Friendship was sometimes gradual. She was about to say something when he spoke up.



"I....don't remember." She watched him disappear jumping from the bed.

"I'm sorry Naoi I didn't mean to overstep," she called out. She felt she had done something wrong and it hurt her chest.


With that Talvi woke with a small start. She got up stretching out her back. Sleeping against a rock was not the most comfortable thing in the world. She looked to Damian remembering parts of her dream about Naoi.
She wondered what happened to startle her so from her sleep.

Damian turned his head and looked to her, "Enjoy your sleep?" He asked. "After all, there is naught much else to do." He stated. "Unfortunately, I don't have anything to entertain you with...I normally don't expect to have roommates." He chuckled.

"You seemed to be stirring quite often in your slumber. Did you have a nightmare?" He asked. "It is not uncommon to fear your future here. You should make the most of it. Unless you had a nightmare of your past?" Damian shrugged, "Either way, you're safe here until the end."

"Enjoy your sleep?" He asked. "After all, there is naught much else to do." He stated. "Unfortunately, I don't have anything to entertain you with...I normally don't expect to have roommates." She smiled a bit and looked around though there wasn't anything to see.



"You seemed to be stirring quite often in your slumber. Did you have a nightmare?" He asked. "It is not uncommon to fear your future here. You should make the most of it. Unless you had a nightmare of your past?" Damian shrugged, "Either way, you're safe here until the end."


A bit comforting she supposed. "It was a bit of my past and a bit of my present rolled into one. I am not unfamiliar with cages like this. Though I at least had games, tv, and books to keep me entertained," Talvi said smiling a bit. Thinking about her dream got her to thinking about Naoi. The name she had given to anubismon. She wondered if he would come for her. Should she try again with the name?

"How many angels are left," Talvi asked. If he was going to release this thing on the world to make a new one maybe she should try to stop that. Once she got out hunting them down and protecting....a god...yeah she probably couldn't do much. She was no doubt ten times weaker than one of his angels. If they had been dying then that meant something at least eleven times stronger was doing it. She wondered if their deaths had anything to do with the shadow spirits and their master.

"It was a bit of my past and a bit of my present rolled into one. I am not unfamiliar with cages like this. Though I at least had games, tv, and books to keep me entertained," Damian chuckled he quite enjoyed this cage as she so blatenly put it. He was never really lonely since Baihumon was always here, even if slumbering. He'd often speak to him and he was content.


"How many angels are left," Damian looked at her with a hum of thought, "A handful to say the least...the dark one and his followers have taken up residence in the summit. They've disguised themselves as angels. It probably will be a few more years untl they die out and I can awaken my master. Then the world will be reborn with fire." He answered, calm about the armaggeddeon he so easily spoke of. Probably because he'd be the one to usher it in.

"Getting tired of this cage then child of Irismon? Fret not. As soon as the last has fallen and my master stirs from slumber, you will be released. Wel...if madness doesn't claim you first...or some other horrid disease. Mortals are so fickle." He chuckled to himself.

"A handful to say the least...the dark one and his followers have taken up residence in the summit. They've disguised themselves as angels. It probably will be a few more years until they die out and I can awaken my master. Then the world will be reborn with fire." They were at the summit? In disguise of the very beings suppose to protect them? Bad or horrible didn't even begin to describe it.


"Getting tired of this cage then child of Irismon? Fret not. As soon as the last has fallen and my master stirs from slumber, you will be released. Wel...if madness doesn't claim you first...or some other horrid disease. Mortals are so fickle."

"Sorry Mr. Hatter I am already quite mad," Talvi joked hiding her worry. "Is Bagramon one of those hidden on the summit? Or is he stirring his trouble elsewhere?"

"Sorry Mr. Hatter I am already quite mad," Talvi joked hiding her worry. "Is Bagramon one of those hidden on the summit? Or is he stirring his trouble elsewhere?" Damian seemed surprised about her knowledge of these things.

"To know of Bagramon, you are well informed. Unfortunately, Bagramon's powers far outclass my own...if he is, I don't know. Bagramon is a man who follows his own ideals that he thinks will better Digimon, if he feels the current system of hierarchy doesn't work I wouldn't put it past him...but that would be drastic even for him. Since the goddess has left this world, it's not impossible." Damian did question why she was so curious. "Why so many questions about such things? I suppose it's a way to pass the time, but what does it matter to you? If you don't mind my asking." He said trying not to be rude.

Talvi was no closer to finding Bagramon. Though now she knew some of his men were at the summit posing as these demi-gods. If Naoi started working against them they could trick him and take his life. She definitely had to warn him.

"Why so many questions about such things? I suppose it's a way to pass the time, but what does it matter to you? If you don't mind my asking." He said trying not to be rude.


"Not at all. It is only fair you understand my reasons," Talvi waved it off. "They interfered with my trial and stole a bit of my soul. They are making dark copies of the spirits to help them take over. They had nearly lost their chance at mine which was when Bagramon's name slipped. He is apart of it some how which makes us enemies."

"Not how I wanted my digital journey to go but I have a goal now. Thing is I am much too weak to take down something like him," Talvi paused looking to Baihumon. "I'm going to need to make powerful allies from those who call him foe as well." Which meant the other spirits naturally, Naoi....and maybe some of the others from the summit. She doubted Baihumon would take interest since he wants to reshape the world anyway. Letting it go to hell first would just justify it.

"Not at all. It is only fair you understand my reasons," Talvi waved it off. "They interfered with my trial and stole a bit of my soul. They are making dark copies of the spirits to help them take over. They had nearly lost their chance at mine which was when Bagramon's name slipped. He is apart of it some how which makes us enemies."


Damian didn't seemed surprised, "The power of the world is in flux. Digimon are starting to take things into their own hands. The angels were created to govern the world and put the Sovereigns who had ruled before them to sleep. As was the will of the goddess Yggdrasil. The angels were corruptbile beings, thus was the warning of my master. Yggdrasil did not listen...her infatuation with human ideas plagued her rational programming. Now we see the results, angels became demons and now seek to change the world under what they feel is right. Humans have been allowed to much freedom in this world. My master and his brothers will change that." Damian looked up, imagining the day in question.

"The world will be purged in fire and reformed. The human influence will be cast out of our world and the Sovereigns will reign supreme just as intended. Just as they did in simpler times. The involvement of humans with digimon will once again be limited to a chosen few. It will be a wonderous age." He said. "You should place your trust in Lord Baihumon and his brothers, if what you say is true, they will take care of the Sage of Death and whatever nefarious thing he may be doing." He gave a friendly smile.

"But I get the feeling you're not the type." He chuckled.