I never expected to witness this legendary battle with my own eyes.
Aomori glanced at Tentomon. This warrior, who wielded the power of thunder, would be known to posterity as AncientBeetlemon, whose legacy was passed down to all Insect-type Digimon.
"The reputation of your group rings across the universe. Even in my own timeline, I have heard the legends of the ten of you," Aomori said truthfully.
"Is that so?" Tentomon shook his head, seemingly indifferent to fame. "It is not safe for you here. Come with me to our headquarters."
Seeing an opportunity to integrate into the faction of justice, Aomori readily agreed.
Aomori recalled Absol and his other companions and mounted Pidgeot, following Tentomon toward the stronghold of the resistance against Lucemon.
At first, Tentomon worried that Pidgeot wouldn't be able to keep up with his speed and intentionally slowed down. However, when he noticed the small bird trailing him with ease, he quietly increased his pace.
The two flew one after the other, carving two white streaks through the sky. In an instant, they reached their destination.
"The gathering point is just ahead."
Aomori looked in the direction Tentomon indicated and saw a valley. It was a lush paradise of flowers and birdsong. At its center stood a stone tower, surrounded by numerous Digimon of all sizes busily moving about.
Further ahead lay a scarred land riddled with "wormholes." Even the sky there was somber and dim, creating a stark, jagged contrast with the vibrant valley.
He recalled Pidgeot as he and Tentomon landed in the valley.
As if sensing their arrival, a Digimon was already waiting for them. She appeared as a tall human female with five pairs of large wings, clad in teal-colored armor. Her demeanor was heroic and dignified. It was Ophanimon, a figure Aomori knew all too well.
She bowed slightly toward Tentomon and spoke in a gentle, mature voice, "Lord Tentomon, welcome. The other nine lords have been expecting you for some time."
"My apologies. I encountered a human on the way, which delayed me slightly," Tentomon replied without a hint of arrogance.
Ophanimon wore a helm, so Aomori couldn't see her eyes, but he could feel her gaze fall upon him.
"A human?"
Information about the Human World was no secret in the Digital World, but this was the first time she had seen a living human. Ophanimon was clearly curious, though now was not the time to indulge her.
"Lord Tentomon, Lord Greymon requests your presence at the strategy meeting in the council hall," Ophanimon said, pointing toward the nearby stone tower.
"Very well." Tentomon nodded, then looked at Aomori, unsure of where to place him.
"I'll stay with this sister here," Aomori said. He knew a war council was no place for an outsider; it was better to build a rapport with Ophanimon and gather some intel.
"Very well."
After Tentomon departed, Aomori walked up to Ophanimon. He looked up slightly at the cross-star on her helm and introduced himself: "I am Aomori, a human who accidentally entered the Digital World."
"Hello, Aomori. You may call me Ophanimon." She smiled warmly. "I would like to say 'Welcome to the Digital World,' but it is clear you have arrived at a difficult time."
Aomori clenched his fist, and Holy Light began to flow around it. "It's quite alright. Having been in the Digital World this long, I'm not exactly defenseless."
Truth be told, against a Mega-level Digimon like Ophanimon who wasn't specialized in combat, Aomori could probably make her cry with a single punch. He could easily take on two of her.
If it were that other "Zero-Percent-Win-Rate" angel, he could probably take on ten.
Ophanimon sensed the familiar energy and was stunned. "This is Holy Light? For a human to master such power... how wondrous."
"Humans are beings of infinite possibilities."
"That is certainly true."
Ophanimon marveled for a moment before saying, "Let me arrange a place for you to stay, Aomori. Please do not mind the humble conditions."
"I don't mind at all. I've had a difficult journey myself."
Aomori followed her through the valley, drawing surprised looks from various Digimon along the way.
"Don't mind them; everyone is simply curious about humans." Stopping by a cluster of small stone huts, Ophanimon pushed open a door. "You can stay here."
"Thank you."
The hut was tiny and sparse, containing only a single stone bed.
After noting the location, Aomori asked, "Could you show me around? I'd like to get familiar with the environment."
"Of course."
As they toured the valley, the two shared stories and quickly became acquainted.
"I didn't expect the Digital World of another timeline to fall into darkness as well. Why can't everyone just live in peace?" Ophanimon asked compassionately.
"Perhaps only after experiencing pain and sorrow can one truly understand the value of peace."
"You are right." Ophanimon struck a prayerful pose. "I have always believed that the power of love is invincible. No matter how much suffering or how many setbacks we face, love will eventually triumph."
"That's why, even though this is the last pure land, the Digimon gathered here have awakened to the value of peace. With everyone united, we will surely defeat Lucemon!" Aomori said firmly.
"Well said!"
Suddenly, two other Digimon appeared. The speaker was a ten-winged angel wearing armor similar to Ophanimon's—Seraphimon.
The other Digimon looked like a giant lightbulb... no, a large white rabbit. It was Cherubimon.
Together with Ophanimon, these three were the Celestial Digimon, the "Three Great Angels." After Lucemon's defeat, the three of them were destined to rule the Digital World.
However, this triangular structure was famously unstable. Because Ophanimon would show favoritism toward Seraphimon, Cherubimon would be forced to "third-wheel" for years, eventually allowing a lingering Lucemon to corrupt it. That fall would eventually lead to the events of the fourth generation of DigiDestined.
One couldn't entirely blame Cherubimon; in its shoes, Aomori might have turned dark even sooner.
"Seraphimon, Cherubimon. Why have you both come?" Ophanimon asked. In these dire times, everyone had duties that rarely allowed them to gather.
"It's an emergency notice." Cherubimon's plump face crinkled. "The ten Lords have decided to engage Lucemon in a final battle tomorrow."
"The battle that will decide the fate of the Digital World is upon us."
"So soon?!"
Aomori felt the same way. He had only just arrived and planned to get close to AncientGarurumon and AncientBeetlemon to ask for insights on Light and Lightning affinities.
But if it was a collective decision by the Ten Legendary Warriors, no one could change it.
Ophanimon had to bid Aomori farewell to handle the preparations with Seraphimon and Cherubimon.