The Tempest (Demon Lords 2C)

A confused hiss waved its way through the heads of those assembled. Don't lie to me. Everyone knows the sound of Beelzemon, she hissed. When they do not, he makes it well clear who he is. And when they neglect to ask, he goes out of his way to find them. So, too, does my sister. So, too, do the rest of my brothers. And with the everything they have to offer, their gifts, their sweet relief, is it any wonder they draw such attention?

Only Barbamon joins me in the shadows. And unlike me, he does so by choice.

Zachary's response was about as expected. Yet Ryouta, and especially Amelie, were much more receptive to her statements. Ryouta spoke in objective terms, stressing the scope of her power and influence. He was right that the ocean was a huge area of territory to claim dominion over, and that many lives would be caught up in her wake. Amelie, on the other hand, focused on the subjectives. She dismissed the other Demon Lords' appearances and demeanors, earning a mildly amused snort from Leviamon in response. You're correct. I am capable of so much more than they realize, she said. Yet they leave me with this. A big, blue expanse of emptiness. Digimon live here, true, yet few and far between. The one city it can lay claim may as well still be a wasteland. And while the sea touches the land in many places, my influence ends with the coastlines. It ebbs and flows with the tides.

I must travel three times the distance just to find half of the success. All while the rest of the pompous lot splits the cornerstones of this world among them. It didn't seem like Amelie would be getting any thank yous for her glowing description, but the change in Leviamon's tone was palpable. Before, she at least kept her contempt in check, trying to keep her offer of assistance in neutral tones. Yet now, with Amelie opening the door for an ego stroking, the bile in Leviamon's voice was clear. The tension with the other Demon Lords went beyond professional differences.

Maybe it was that bit of commiserating that lead to Leviamon opening up. Instead of focusing on the majority of group rejecting her, Leviamon's focus was now on Amelie. Why? Because I recognize this one, she hissed. Zachary would feel a pair of massive eyes staring him down, even if he couldn't see them anywhere. He was at the frontline of the search for Belphemon. Shortly after he and his companions arrived, Bagramon followed. And now he's here, looking for me. I could ask every boat passing through my domain to hear me out. But if I want to make sure my voice is heard, who better than an angel's little errand boy and his far more competent companions? Okay, so maybe Leviamon wasn't ignoring Zachary entirely! The venom in her voice was enough to put down a baby elephant.

How I wish I could so casually change accommodation, she said, her voice booming through Ilbert's head as well the second he arrived. There is but one place I may stay. It is not cozy. There is no tea. It is my domain, and yet it is also my prison. Despite all of this, it is my home. I am no fool. Knowing where it is gives you far too much power over me. Yet I do still wish to negotiate, even if most of you choose to spurn me as expected. And as you are my guests, the least I may do is explain my regrettable choice of scenery.

The voice grew quiet. Then, softer, it started up again. Humans. You have not one, but two, worlds you call your home.

Why?

Power? Perhaps. Yet what do I have to gain from this?

Leviamon let the question hang, just for a second, before continuing. Whatever actions my brethren take, they do so for their own benefit, she explained. Catharsis. Pleasure. Influence. Resources. When Daemon reduces a city to dust, he does so to build a grand monolith atop it. When Lilithmon plays with the heartstrings of her admirers, she does it to secure a position for herself in the world among them. Even Belphemon, simple and single-minded as he may be, finds purpose in his actions. He remains in a blissful sleep, all while the world around him suffers.

Perhaps I take your advice. Perhaps I choke the seas between my coils without a shred of mercy. Perhaps I let the cities dependent on them stagnate and starve, pleading me for release. Perhaps I smash Elysium back beneath the waves before it can even find its footing. What do I stand to gain from this? The weakened shores of the Digital World would not be mine to plunder, but my brethren's to steal. They could not offer me tribute, for they do not know of where I am or even who I am. And even if I were to get it, what would I use it for? I would simply hoard it, reduced to Barbamon's mirror without a choice in the matter. And I could not even find satisfaction in the destruction I cause. My claws would remain untested, my fangs empty. It would be my victory, but a hollow one.

Zachary offered an alternative. Kindness. That got a scoffing laugh from Leviamon. Many cycles ago, when the Demon Lords walked the earth as one, I tried to be kind to them, she said, voice harsh as the ice on the ground below. They stabbed me in the back, seized my power, and cast me away. It was only a matter of time before their ambitions fell upon one another, but I? I was first. I show them the kindness they deserve. Just as I show the short-sighted Digimon of the seas the same. You see how quickly they turn upon one another when the slightest pressure is applied. I know where their hearts truly lie. Why would I ever show them what they refuse to show one another, let alone myself?

Amelie brought the conversation back to terms that Leviamon understood. Were I not locked beneath the depths, I would take back what is mine in force. I would crush the others before they even knew I had returned, Leviamon snarled. Yet to be constrained to the abyss is the inevitable fate of my kind. The cold, the darkness. All that I've brought to your surface is but a fraction of where I've been, lifetime after lifetime. We all sink down here. And each thrash, each attempt to seize upon that opportunity, only brings us deeper.

It seemed the men of the group, initially resistant to her offering, were now beginning to consider it. First, the elephant in the room. We have a common enemy. Were I to cross you, I would have two enemies. And while my brethren are content to play the long game, I know your kind takes poorly to being slighted. It would simply be foolish to even consider a betrayal, Leviamon said. I know ours is a temporary alliance. You will tire of my presence. And I? Well, you know of my title already. Eventually, we will need to settle this. I simply wish, in victory or defeat, that I may say I was the last one standing.

As for my aid? Look around you. The view from Ilbert's windows had started darkening since Leviamon had started to speak. Perhaps it was, as she mentioned, the darkness that her realm was accustomed to. However, after a few moments it started to look almost inky, swirling in and around itself like several cups of black paint. As if on cue the darkness opened its eyes: dozens of Shademon were surrounding Ilbert, amassed into a single form. I will offer to your aid my eyes and ears. They may not look like much, but they are my tether to the world above the depths. They, along with any that heed my call, shall make up the majority of my forces.

Her points made, she simply sat back and listened. The humans had quite a bit to say about that last question. Ryouta spoke of hard-nosed practicality, confused yet determined. Zachary spoke of idealism and altruism, carried onward by his heart. And Amelie? She simply spoke of objectivity. The world was their home because it was their home. She was also the only one to call out the strangeness of Leviamon's question, although she was only met with silence in response. It was only after a long pause that Leviamon spoke up again. Curiosity, I suppose. In more ways than one, we are worlds apart, she said, a hint of uncertainty behind her voice.

The only thing strong enough to threaten a Demon Lord is another Demon Lord, Leviamon explained. Or, at least. Such is what we believe. To work among our own is to show the greatest threats to our own security our backs. All it would take is a single Demon Lord's actions to throw our fragile balance out of alignment, sacrificing our greater good for his own gain. And all it costs is the weakest link of the chain.

None of us want to be the weak link. And so, none of us allow the opportunity to present itself.

That isn't to say your plan falls on deaf ears. Daemon has tried to organize us into a single force. Yet this, too, is no allegiance. It is simply submitting ourselves to the power he covets. Some of my brothers resent this, and seek to undermine him from the shadows. Some simply disregard him, and hope if the raise chaos in his general direction he'll leave them alone. And Daemon himself, I'm sure, would be pleased as punch if he could cut us out of the deal entirely. We need each other. Yet we can't wait to undermine each other. Such is the cycle we are imprisoned within.

The humans didn't quite operate like that. In fact, all of these humans immediately gravitated towards doing no harm. Ryouta wanted her to turn the seas back to normal. Zachary wanted her to call back her forces. And Amelie wanted a complete cease-fire drawn. Leviamon was quiet for a second, but it wasn't long before a response slithered through the minds of those assembled. I will be sure not to antagonize those who mean me no harm, she finally said. Yet any who make their presence unwelcome in my territory will be dealt with swiftly and brutally. I will not disband what little forces I have, but I will keep them exclusively towards me and mine. I will spare the coastlines, and return my holdings in the shallow seas, but the deepest oceans will remain my domain. And to plot behind my back, or come looking for way in any, shape, or form, will have me well within my rights to break my vows in turn.

Such are my concessions. Do with them as you wish.

With concessions like this made, it seemed nothing could make Envy stop talking. Yet Ryouta's words stopped her in her tracks. As he asked his question, she fell so silent that her presence seemed to retract from everyone's minds. Then it came back in force, her barking laughing practically echoing across Ilbert's walls. You truly know little, don't you? she asked. Eventually, this vessel will be freed. As I fall, its egg will rise from the depths, bobbing at the surface of a brand new life. Yet I? I will remain down here, waiting for another host to call my on. And they, too, shall join me in the depths. I am them, and they are me, and such are we, until the cycle begins a new.

I am not just the imprisoned. I am the prison itself. How would you set that free?

It was perfectly melodramatic of a note to end things on. Yet Leviamon had one last point to address. Namely, Amelie pointed out a rather familiar name. Ophanimon? Is she here? Leviamon asked. I've neither seen or heard of such a thing. Frankly, I've had much bigger concerns than a single angel's snooping. Why do you ask? Is she with you? The bafflement in her voice was genuine, and frankly up until this point Leviamon has either been a terrible or amazing actor. Yet Ryouta's communicator kept beeping its message, each sending more rapid than the last:

S.O.S.