[i]They don’t remember agreeing? How odd.[/i]

The crowned Penguinmon that had recently been keeping watch of the mainland across the water had waddled in behind the humans, staying far enough to keep out of notice. The Goddess had said the dreams were sent, so they must have simply passed them off as a product of a good night’s sleep. Human unconsciousness has always been nebulous to Digital Lords who’ve had to enlist the help of humanity, it was hard to make sure people knew what they were agreeing to. Then again, it’s the heart’s choice, not the head’s.

Kingwhamon’s apparition gestured from behind the humans, briefly catching Gotsumon’s eyes. There was a glance shared between them, one that carried the understanding that these humans had not, in fact, been kidnapped. Gotsumon has regaled Kingwhamon of his adventures with humans before his arrival on the Archipelago. The rocky guide for this new generation of humans had dealt with human panic in the digital world before, Kingwhamon had every faith that Gotsumon could handle this.

Musing to himself, Kingwhamon wondered which would cause more emotional distress, the knowledge that their human hearts longed to cross the threshold of worlds, or the fact the island they were on was in fact a Digimon.

[hr]


Gotsumon looked between the increasingly confused humans and Digimon as the word “kidnapped” started floating around. Amazingly emotive for a pile of rocks, his expression seemed to soften like a compassionate parent consoling their ignorant child’s misplaced fear. Reina was the first to receive Gotsumon’s kind gaze, an unnerving juxtaposition of calmness to her frustration and anger.

“You’ve not been kidnapped. You had to agree to come here in order to cross the thresh-hold between worlds.”  Gotsumon paused for a second, looking over at Akeno with a nod to acknowledge her suggestion as an appropriate path.


“For a human to come to the Digital World their heart must agree or else the transference of consciousness is not possible. Most humans will remember it as a dream. The gods of this world reach out to the human world for souls willing to heed their call, usually because us Digimon can offer a way in which they can accomplish something for themselves as well.” Gotsumon held a certain gravel-toss (gravitas) as he spoke, making it hard to interject but easy to listen to.
Gotsumon looked from Akeno towards Kieran and then Hide. “Most humans agree to come here because they seek to fill a hole in their heart. Adventure and heroism tends to lend itself towards those who seek self-discovery and fulfillment.” He turns his gaze back towards Akeno. “So when we called for help, something within you heard us.”


The chosen’s guide drifted from a knowing expression to one that was noticeable more concerned. “Though I’m afraid the other end of the bargain isn’t all about self-discovery and soul searching.” Gotsumon became somber of tone and seemed to shrink within himself, recalling traumatic experiences that lead to those standing before him in the first place.”


“We’re in trouble. Digimon keep disappearing and coming back… changed, catatonic, and despondent. A dark ocean that seems on the very edge of this world and the next takes them, a dark fog obscuring them from this existence into the next on our islands, and then returning to us husks of what once were our friends.” Gotsumon shuddered, sending a cascade of clicks and clacks down his body as his stones rattled and quaked. 

Gotsumon at this point spoke quietly, just above a whisper. “Humans aren’t affected by such digital phenomena, so we needed to ask for help.” Gotsumon looked down, gathering some courage and then looked back towards Reina, the human Gotsumon had already decided to put his full faith in. “If you truly do not wish to help, the Lords of our Archipelago can send you back home.”

[hr]

Towards where the Apparition of Kingwhamon once was stands a different penguinmon, keeping the same watch the apparition had. The trees on the adjacent island gently shifted in the wind and the dense undergrowth behind them betrayed no movement or advancement. The last of the penguinmon still hadn't returned from trading with a nearby village. The sentry shifted from foot to foot in discomfort, flicking his gaze from left to right repeatedly as if expecting danger.

The chosen were here now! There was nothing to be scared of! With the arrival of humans always came evolution and heroism as Kingwhamon explained! Right? So why was this penguinmon so worried? Something just didn't feel right. Could KingWhamon feel it too? The sentry looked back towards the heart of the village were the humans stood listening to Gotsumon before the facilities. KingWhamon's Apparition had slowly
waddled amidst them it seemed. 

[hr] 


[hider=Meanwhile… in an unknown corner of the ocean]
“The Lords of the Archipelago have decided to bring humans into this my master.”
A lone divermon floated under black waters, light barely penetrating enough to see. His voice betrayed his discomfort towards his surroundings. The ocean around him was silent, lifeless except for his unseen master. Two large yellow eyes glowed softly in the distance, blinking in response to the divermon’s words.

A disembodied voice replied from the direction of the yellow gaze. It shook the water and sent icy cold currents in all directions, causing the divermon to shiver. “If they seek to use such creatures to investigate us, then so be it. We’ll test the supposed digital immunity of the human existence. [/hider]