Joel hadn’t said much since the fight. He wasn’t sure if that was normal, or just him. His sketchbook was still pressed to his chest. Salamon walked quietly at his side the entire way to the mansion, never pushing him to talk, just… being there.

He appreciated that more than he could say.

Everything after Coelamon felt like a blur. He remembered the chaos, Andrew’s voice cutting through the noise, the Digivice pulsing in his hand, Salamon’s light slicing through the air. He remembered the sound the monster made when it laughed through the pain. And then… it left.

They had won. Apparently.

Joel hadn’t cheered. He’d just stood there in the aftermath, heart pounding, unsure whether it was adrenaline or disbelief.

Then came the explanation… or rather, two explanations, back to back. First, Dorumon spoke about magic and machines and emotional energy being harvested, which made Joel’s stomach twist. The way he talked about it all… like they were resources, not people, only added to the anxiety of this whole situation. And then Elecmon cut in, softer, clearer, still overwhelming but at least… kinder. More human.

Joel liked Elecmon more than he liked Dorumon. That much was certain.

He didn’t mind Andrew stepping up to introduce himself. It made sense. Joel wouldn’t have known he was famous if he hadn’t said anything, and honestly? It didn’t change much. The version of Andrew he’d met was loud, but not fake. That mattered more.

⸻

Now they were here.

The mansion was gorgeous in a way that felt wrong somehow. Too grand for a bunch of scared kids covered in sand and fear. But the couches were warm, and the fire was real, and for the first time since waking up in this strange world, Joel let himself sit down. Salamon curled up beside his feet.

He looked around at the others. Some were talking. Some were still shell-shocked. Joel didn’t blame them. He felt like his soul had been dropped into a blender, shaken, and poured out.

He hadn’t introduced himself. Not yet. But that was okay.He would. Just… maybe after fruit. And milk. And five minutes where no one was being hunted or digitized or turned into a battery for a war between angels and devils. Joel reached for a lime green fruit with purple stars, then paused. He looked down at Salamon. “You think this one’s safe?”

She looked at it. “No idea. But it looks fun.”

Joel gave a tiny, tired laugh. “Good enough for me.” He took a bite. It was weird. It was sweet. And for a second, it made everything feel normal.