Defending the Noble District

"We hide someplace high. They will be looking at the ground for us. We must surprise them....let's see if we can't find a library, " Kaa nodded and limped behind Theos as they walked into the home, each step a reminder of his battered body crying out in pain. Kaa watched Theos walk into several rooms, he'd wait outside in the hall for Theos wondering what it was he was exactly doing. He didn't seem to be spending much time in the rooms. He felt himself growing more and more exhausted as they traveled in.

Eventually, they came to a study and Kaa peaked inside after Theos wandered in. "Go ahead and hide," Kaa nodded and limped inside looking to the desk, he crawled under it. Whoever lived in this home was not of gargantuan size like most of the nobles. It hid Kaa comfortably, he leaned up against he brown wood and stained it. He waited there and turned his head when Theos passed him by, he watched him climb up onto the bookshelves and laid out of his sight. Kaa couldn't climb so this is the best he could do.

Kaa took a breath and tried to relax, he closed his eye to just take a moments rest. The Evilmon flew through the rooms one by one, looking and not finding them. "They may bleed out if we just leave them." One said, "With all this blood loss, we may be able to catch the dog after all. Keep looking." The other replied. Before long the entire floor had been searched except the one they were hiding in, "One more room on the bottom floor, think they're upstairs?" The Evilmon shrugged, "Possibly but we should check this room first."

Their voices woke Kaa from his small respite and he pressed against the desk with his tail curved so it wouldn't be seen. "Why don't we just start blasting each room until we hit something?" The Evilmon suggested, "We have a chance to catch it now, let's not be so hasty." The Evilmon walked in and eyed the furniture in the room. Their tiny claws pattering on the floor, the others wing flaps as it hovered inside. Kaa kept his eyes on Theos and would move on his command. He steadied himself, keeping his wounded leg off the ground a bit.

The Evilmon slowly made it's way towards the desk, the other watching his ally from the entrance of the room. There was an eerie silence, the footsteps and wing flaps had stopped. Kaa tried hard to listen, what happened? Did they leave? Kaa couldn't tell and he was to scared to peak over or around to find out.

Just then, Kaa and Theos would hear a breath followed by a small scream. If Theos had been looking at Kaa, he'd see the young prince try to word Theos name and reach out to him before disappearing with the desk across the room ending in a horrifying crash. "Ha ha ha ha ha!" The Evilmon laughed as they both stood below the book shelf now.

"We found the prince! A half-dead prince." Theos would see just Kaa's tail sticking out from the debris that lay atop him. The vile demons had found him, and moved towards the debris. "Next time you hide, you should probably make sure your shadow can't be seen whelp." The Evilmon taunted. "If the prince is here...the pup must not be to far off...we can use him to lure it out." They said unbeknownst that Theos was above them. The irony. "I say we torture the lad until he screams out for him.!" The Evilmon nodded.

"Lets pluck out his eyes and bite off his tail! Ha ha ha!"

For a moment, this looked just like the mines to Theos. Dan, the debris, Cursed Exodus, the life or death battle. Was this Dan all over again? Was Kaa disfigured underneath the debris? Would Theos be plagued by a new nightmare? The image of the young prince reaching out to him in his final moment. The expression of fear the last thing on Kaa's face before disappearing behind the debris burned into Theos mind. This can't be real.

"Oh? I think the tip of it's tail twitched." The duo laughed...and would laugh for the last time.

Theos lay there on the bookshelf for quite some times his ears twitching at every sound and creak. Until their voices could be heard their respite was over and his ears went back as he eyed the door.  "Why don't we just start blasting each room until we hit something?" The Evilmon suggested, "We have a chance to catch it now, let's not be so hasty." Theos waited for them to come closer. Why wasn't the other one entering? Had they been made?Within moments the desk was flying through the air. Theos snarled with the crash but quickly silenced himself. He would give away his location otherwise.

Theos struggled to bite back his instincts to snarl and growl at the pair. Their taunting words ringing in his ears like adding fuel to an already intense blaze. Leaped from the shelf his body weight aimed at one and his head at the other. His mouth open to rend the ones neck while he crushed the others beneath his weight to ground them both permanently. If he got a hold he would not let go instead he would chew at the neck threatening to tear its head off completely. The more it would struggle the larger the rip. His eyes closed to protect them from the scratches he may receive. His hooves ground into the one he had pinned crushing the bones of the one beneath him.

The Evilmon were taken off guard and they heard the falling Theos from his high perch. Time seemed to have slowed for them and they couldn't turn around fast enough to react, how did they miss him? It was a thought they couldn't process fast enough. Theos's body landed on top the head of one of the Evilmon, pressing his skull against the ground. He flailed and his muffled yells went silent when a resounding crack and eruption of blood spilled all over the floor turning Theos's hooves a crimson red.

A few of the devil's teeth and bone fragments, shooting out like broken shards sliding across the floor. The horrific sight of the crushed devil was momentary as it's lifeless corpse disappeared into fragments of data leaving the stain that it was once there behind. The second yelling as it was trapped within the jaws of an enraged Theos. "Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!" It cried out in vain. Theos rock crushing jaw like a vice sinking into its soft flesh under it's dark fur. Burrowing deep into the bone, blood filled its throat and it choked.

Theos grip so strong it didn't even make it to the mouth of the Evilmon and spewed small streams from the tight puncture as he bit into it. The taste as foul as one would think laying upon Theos's tongue. Until finally the devil's body relaxed, twitching in his jaws. Theos teeth reaching the vertebrae of it's spine and turning it to dust, the devil fell to the floor with a chunk of its bloody flesh hanging from Theos mouth. The hole in the back of its head leaking and mouth pooling. It soon turned to fragments and disappeared. The flesh in Theos's mouth slowly dissipating leaving behind its raw taste.

The Evilmon had finally been killed at a cost. Now that remained was Kaa, buried under debris. His tail not moving and the unknown of what lies underneath becoming a scary reality. Had their training not been enough?

Theos would have difficulty freeing Kaa but with the nagging feeling of needing to help despite his wounded body keeping him going he would succeed. Kaa was free and he laid there, he opened his eye as light returned and he focused on Theos looming over him.

"Am....I dead?" Kaa asked. Theos eyes would quickly be drawn to the thin spear-like shard of wood pierced in Kaa's thigh. It was clean through and literally pinning him to the floor. Kaa realizing he was still alive finally reached his limit and tears rolled down his face.

"I thought I died...." He lifted his head and looked at Theos. "Theos I was so scared...." Kaa said, trying to move his leg and it twitched with the spear. It still had movement which means it did not damage anything important. He cringed and looked down at it.

"I should have....been more careful." Kaa said laying his head back down. The realization of Kaa still alive now behind him, Theos would hear the outside had grown silent. He heard the cheers of the remaining guards and nobles. They had won.

Theos breathed heavily spit hanging from his mouth. He let out a sigh and looked up before looking over to Kaa. He approached slowly but made it there and began digging. The wood being pushed to the sides along with the assorted knickknacks that had once been there. He paused roving the papers scattered over his body. He hovered there breathless and wanting nothing more than to sleep. 

"Am....I dead?"

"No," Theos answered softly. Tears also running down his face. He hurt all over but Kaa was alive...it was tears of relief.


"I thought I died...." He lifted his head and looked at Theos. "Theos I was so scared...." Theos stared at it a moment. He didn't think it would be wise to remove it. The bleeding would just get worse.


"I should have....been more careful." Theos ears pricked to the sounds outside....it was safe to leave the house....he had to go.

"Kaa I am going to send someone in to stop the bleeding....and I'll go fetch Magi. I am sure he is tired too but he can heal you no problem okay. I'll be back soon I promise," Theos said nuzzling his cheek.

Theos would break away at a hobbling trot. His mind a haze even as he left the building. He looked around for Kemba. Seeing him where he left him. He had to hurry.....he had to stop them from dying. 

"Kaa's inside....someone go help the bleeding," Theos cried out hoping someone would answer his call. He didn't doubt his bloody hoof prints would lead them there. So he went to Kembas side a moment hoping to reassure him. He had left his sword on the bookshelf....they would have to retrieve it later.

"I'm going to go get Magi now....ok," Theos said hoping...praying that he would survive long enough. He was shot mentally and physically. Everything was beginning to feel like a bad dream faded and hazy. He had to find Magi though...he got up before he faded completely and began walking unless someone stopped him. He knew the streets now and he was on autopilot as he headed for Small Town. His memory blanking on how he would get there.

"Kaa I am going to send someone in to stop the bleeding....and I'll go fetch Magi. I am sure he is tired too but he can heal you no problem okay. I'll be back soon I promise," Kaa watched Theos hobble out and he simply closed his eyes. He could finally rest.

"Kaa's inside....someone go help the bleeding," Blake was within ear shot, his own body worn but he fought alongside his father so he was better off then most. "Kaa is?" Blake looked at the home Kaa was in and darted inside, "Father....take care of the nobles!" Kilgath nodded.


"I'm going to go get Magi now....ok," Kemba reached out for Theos to hold his leg. "Theos wait..." Kemba said with half an eye closed. He smiled at Theos, "I...I am fine. Let me come with you. I'll just....stress if you go disappearing. We may have....won the noble district....but there is no telling how many....enemies are here to...Small Town." Kemba used his good leg to force himself to his feet. He let out a pained yell and nearly stumbled forward, but braced himself on the home.

There was a stain left behind when Kemba stood, a shard of clay from the home in his side. His white fur in that area flush with red, he reached for it and cringed as he went to pull. "AH!" He yelled.

"I can still....go with you. I just have.....to remove this blasted....shard." Kemba cringed as he tried again. "I can't let you leave....my sight ever....again." Kemba said putting on a brave face. The fact he was still moving was proof enough that his wounds weren't fatal but removing that shard could be very dangerous if its lodged somewhere keeping him from bleeding out.

"Gotta....get my sword too." Kemba said looking around for the blade as he grasped the shard, cringing and stopping. "That.......really hurts." Kemba said. "Help me?" He asked in a cutesy tone. He began purring with his tail swaying, trying to butter up Theos.

"I'm going to go get Magi now....ok," Kemba reached out for Theos to hold his leg. "Theos wait..." As Kemba grabbed his leg he felt ready to collapse. He was exhausted they went straight from training to this. The fact they were all injured so badly was proof of their inexperience in the art of combat, "I...I am fine. Let me come with you. I'll just....stress if you go disappearing. We may have....won the noble district....but there is no telling how many....enemies are here to...Small Town." Theos pressed himself close to be used as a crutch.
Theos watched and knew it was unwise to do anything. He had no idea what that shard had hit in the long run. He wasn't going to risk removing it. All he knew was at least it didn't pierce the spine or lung.

"I can still....go with you. I just have.....to remove this blasted....shard." Kemba cringed as he tried again. "I can't let you leave....my sight ever....again." Theos shook his head. It wasn't like he wanted to leave. If anything he wanted to lay down and wallow in his own pain and tiredness. His mind relieved to know he and Kaa are still alive. All that was left was to get them all healed.


"Gotta....get my sword too." Theos remembered taking it with him. "That.......really hurts." Kemba said. "Help me?" His cute actions made Theos give a tired smile.

"Sorry. You should stay and rest though....if A battle finds me I'll run, promise," Theos said giving a faint wag of his broken tail. The pain shooting into his bruised and bleeding hips. He turned his head to try and hide the cringe of pain. "Removing that shard could be dangerous....don't worry I'll return soon. Your sword is on a bookshelf in that home," Theos said again after a moment. Once he trusted his voice not to show the pain again his nose pointing to the home. Blake had answered his call so he was sure Kaa was okay. 

"Love you," Theos said nuzzling Kemba before heading towards the battered gate unless stopped. Was it odd that he felt just like that worn inanimate object. He stepped in line with it and leaned against the bars. He could do this.....even as his body said he couldn't. his back legs were ready to give out but if they did he would just crawl. He had some practice with that today. At least he didn't have to worry about being electrocuted. He pushed himself off the bars and continued wanting nothing more to find Magi and be done with today.

"Sorry. You should stay and rest though....if A battle finds me I'll run, promise," Kemba knew he was in pain despite Theos efforts to hide it. He lost his smile and became concerned, this was why he wanted to go along. Not that he was in any better shape.

"Removing that shard could be dangerous....don't worry I'll return soon. Your sword is on a bookshelf in that home," Kemba hugged Theos as he was nuzzled, "Love you," Kemba reached out for Theos but the strain he had put on his battered body caused him to jerk backwards and he wound up sitting down. "Damn it all...." Kemba said.

Blake walked over to where Kemba sat, his sword in his hand. "Here. Kaa said your sword was in there, thought I'd bring it." Kemba gave a half smile and nodded. "Where is Kaa?" Blake moved and Kaa hobbled over, the shard of wood had been removed, and his leg bandaged with piece of cloth. "I'm here." Kaa said.

"Kaa, I'm so glad you're alive." Kaa smiled, "Yea...for a second there I didn't think I'd live....Theos saved me." Kemba looked away and frowned, "Yea...he does that a lot...saving everyone but himself." Blake knelt down looking at the shard in Kemba's side. "Well, the good news is if you're conscious then you're not losing dangerous amounts of blood. It's possible that its only a flesh wound but, I'm no doctor. I know you want to help Theos but in your condition we shouldn't push it." Blake stood and looked to see Theos hobbling.

He wasn't to far and was still within view. Kaa laid down resting his head on Kemba's lap, "I'm gonna go to sleep now..." Kaa said. Kemba nodded, "You've earned it." Kemba said stroking his head. "You should sleep too." Kaa said looking up at him, Kemba shook his head. "I won't sleep...until Theos comes back. I need to know he's safe." Blake looked back at the two and he looked around the noble district. Blake sighed and ran over to his dad, "Father....I need to go to Small Town to get medical help."

Kilgath who had minor wounds looked to him, "That would be wise...many digimon here are in very bad shape. We had fatalities in both the guard and nobility as well. I need to do a head count and gather the wounded together...we won't be able to stave off a second attack. Not without reinforcements...so go." Blake nodded, "Be strong father." Kilgath grabbed his sons shoulder and smiled, "You as well son." Blake turned and ran past the sleeping Kaa and worried Kemba. "I'll bring back Theos no matter what!" He called out on the run.

It took no time at all for him to reach Theos, after all his wounds kept him at a hobbles pace. Blake ran in front of Theos and blocked his path, "Are you crazy pup? Look at you, you're in no shape to go through enemy occupied bazaar to reach Small Town." Blake pointed back towards the Noble District.

"Go be with your boyfriend. He needs you and you need him. Let me go to Small Town and bring back Magi. My wounds are mostly flesh wounds, I'll be able to hold my own." Blake said. "Go and kiss Kemba....rest and sleep, be by Kaa's side. I'll be back before you know it. I promise." Blake said, he waited to see Theos's reply.

"Or at the very least, let me accompany you if you insist."

Theos started as his view was blocked. He looked up at Blake questioningly.

"Are you crazy pup? Look at you, you're in no shape to go through enemy occupied bazaar to reach Small Town." Blake pointed back towards the Noble District.
 "Go be with your boyfriend. He needs you and you need him. Let me go to Small Town and bring back Magi. My wounds are mostly flesh wounds, I'll be able to hold my own." Blake said. "Go and kiss Kemba....rest and sleep, be by Kaa's side. I'll be back before you know it. I promise." Theos had to say that sounded good but even if Kaa and Kemba were not fatally wounded others might be. If they did get in a fight Theos could continue while Blake held them off....because Theos knew it would be impossible for him to fight full out again.



"Or at the very least, let me accompany you if you insist."


"We'll go together," Theos said smiling slightly. "It'll good to have some company and watch one another backs," Theos continued walking beside or even slightly behind Blake. "I'm sure Magi has been kept busy. I hope all this healing hasn't worn him too thin." Theos slowly fell into silence as he took in the blood stains around them as they walked. The sight was faintly horrible and he had to wonder how many died. 

"We'll go together," Blake had a feeling that would be Theos's answer, "It'll good to have some company and watch one another backs," Blake sighed but gave a smile as he walked alongside Theos towards Small Town.

"I'm sure Magi has been kept busy. I hope all this healing hasn't worn him too thin." Blake nodded, "His magic power is the strongest I've ever seen. Though I've only ever seen two magic casters and one of them took my arm." He said referring to Sheila. "He has more power then that witch so I'm sure a bit of healing isn't beyond his abilities. I really want to make sure that the safe zone has been set up so that we can bring the nobles there. I just hope they won't be attacked in our absence."

Blake looked around at the small fires still burning and up at the thick black cloud covering the sky. The city was still burning and the screams and sounds of battle had lessened, "I wonder....if we're winning." He said looking in front of him. "Coraggio is a massive place....who knows how many enemy combatants are spread throughout its many districts. The sounds are faint now, this battle is coming close to the end and we have no idea what side we're on." Blake walked by a stand that gripped his heart.

It belonged to an old merchant he fancied on his trips to the bazaar, it was in ruins and his prized ceramic merchandise shattered everywhere. He wondered if the merchant had been killed, "This bazaar should be a bustling place full of life." Blake said his heart breaking at the emptiness of this road. The destruction and blood left behind left bad imagery in his mind, it wasn't long before they came across a crater. It was a spot where Stall had set off one of his hidden bombs. The size of the hole in the earth foretold to many casualties.

Shadows of the digimon that once stood there burned into the ground. They had no idea and were dead long before they could react, Blake clenched his fist when he realized some shadows were small and child sized. Inside the crater were destroyed pipes where clean running water poured out. He took a moment to peak into the gaping hole before moving on, keeping his eyes out for any enemies still on this road.

"There isn't a single soul except us..." As Theos was walking down the road, his hoof would kick something. When he would look down, it would be a charred and torn doll, colored a dark red on the side that lay on the ground. Further inspection would reveal that it lay in dried blood. The stain was in a peculiar shape, it depicted a reptile digimon cradling something in its arms before it died and dissipated. It wasn't hard to realize that a mother died here with her child cradled in its arms and all that was left was the doll of the child.

Blake looked back at Theos and frowned, "Scomparsa will pay for this...." Blake turned and continued on.

BATTLE END!

Battle Won! - 50 exp

Rank Adult - 200 x 6 - 1,200 exp

Level Difference - Boogeymon x2 Level 40 (+7 level difference) = 117 x 2 - 234 exp + Boarmon x2 Level 32 (-1 level difference) = 104 x2 - 208 exp + Evilmon Level 28 (-5 level difference) = 100 x2 - 200 exp = 642 exp

Level Bracket - Boogeymon x2 Level 40 = 8,000 exp + Boarmon x2 Level 32 = 6,000 exp + Evilmon Level 28 = 5,000 exp = 19,000 exp

Performance - Great! - 40 exp

Total experience: 20, 932 exp

Theos has gained 4 levels! Theos is now level 37!

Experience to next level: 6,407