Chapter 5: My Instincts Scream for Power
"Elecmon, my goal has only ever been one thing."
"The data of a Holy-species Digimon. That was the condition I set when we made our little agreement."
Sharp, black claws glinted menacingly in the shadows. Devimon's crimson eyes were locked onto the small, trembling Nyaromon cradled in Mizuki's arms.
"I promised you I wouldn't harm the Village of Beginnings," Devimon continued, his voice a low, chilling purr. "In exchange, you were forbidden from hiding the existence of any Holy-species Digimon. It seems you were the first to break our pact."
"Heh. What Holy-species? I have no idea what you're talking about." Despite the overwhelming pressure, Elecmon put on a show of utter confusion. "That's just a Nyaromon who's too scared to even fight. How could you mistake her for something so grand? Devimon, did Andromon and his cronies fry your brain?"
"Hmph."
Devimon ignored Elecmon's taunts and the subtle threat woven into his words. A scornful chuckle escaped his lips. He made a show of relaxing, as if to speak, but then he struck without a shred of warning.
"Death Claw!"
His already long arms shot forward, stretching unnaturally as they lunged toward Elecmon like a pair of striking vipers.
But Elecmon was ready. He threw himself to the side, narrowly dodging the blow, and immediately retaliated with his own signature technique.
"Flickering Thunder Strike!"
"Hah! Useless," Devimon sneered, not even bothering to move. He took the crackling bolts of electricity head-on, his dark form absorbing the attack without so much as a flinch.
His body, however, paused for a fraction of a second.
'He dodged again?'
It turned out Devimon's initial lunge at Elecmon had been nothing more than a feint. His true target had always been the Nyaromon protected in Mizuki's arms. But that human boy… he seemed to have anticipated the attack, moving to evade it before the claws even changed direction.
Devimon's crimson eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the young man finish an awkward roll, scrambling back to his feet a short distance away.
"Young man," Devimon mused, a sliver of genuine interest coloring his tone. "I must say… you are quite interesting. Could it be that you are one of those legendary DigiDestined?"
"Devimon, where are you looking?! He's just a kid!" Elecmon shouted, trying to draw the fallen angel's attention.
"Flickering Thunder Strike!"
As he fired another volley of electricity, Elecmon yelled at Mizuki, "Kid, what are you standing there for? Run!"
Devimon's patience, already thin, seemed to have finally snapped. "Time and time again," he growled, his voice losing its playful edge. "Do you truly think I am joking with you, Elecmon?"
After once again absorbing Elecmon's attack without effect, the annoyed Devimon lashed out. An elongated arm shot forward, this time with lethal speed.
Having just dodged the first Death Claw, Elecmon hadn't had time to regain his footing. The second attack slammed into him before he could react.
A suppressed cry of pain was torn from his throat as his body was sent tumbling through the dirt, landing in a heap near Mizuki's feet. His form began to flicker violently, the pixels of his body wavering in and out of focus.
It was a sign his data was on the verge of collapse.
Seeing this, Mizuki's pupils constricted. 'No, Elecmon… I can't let him keep fighting.'
With that thought, he quickly shifted Nyaromon from his arms to tuck her securely under one elbow. With his free hand, he scooped the flickering Elecmon off the ground. Then, he turned and ran, sprinting in the opposite direction of the looming demon.
Devimon simply retracted his arms and, with a single, powerful motion, spread his tattered wings. In less than an instant, he was a wall of black leather and malevolence, completely blocking Mizuki's path.
A chilling aura pricked at Mizuki's back like a thousand needles. His wide eyes reflected the image of sharp, dark claws descending toward the top of his head.
In that critical moment, Mizuki's body moved on pure instinct. Relying on a reaction speed that defied logic, he twisted aside, the claws missing their mark but grazing his cheek, leaving a stinging, shallow cut.
"Again?"
This time, Devimon was genuinely perplexed. If he had underestimated the boy before, that was one thing. But this last attack had been serious. It should have been impossible for a mere human to dodge.
And yet, he had.
Could a seemingly weak child truly possess such reflexes? Or did his body harbor some power that even Devimon couldn't perceive? But there was no Digivice, nothing on him that matched the ancient legends.
Curiosity warred with his murderous intent. All in all, the boy was an enigma.
On the other side, Devimon's momentary hesitation granted Mizuki a precious chance to catch his breath. With old wounds still aching and a fresh one now bleeding, his situation was dire. If this new body hadn't been so much healthier than he could have ever imagined, he would have collapsed long ago.
His gaze fell upon the two Digimon in his arms.
"Elecmon," he said, his voice steady despite his ragged breathing. "Can I ask you a favor?"
"Kid… little guy, just say it," Elecmon rasped. After a few seconds of rest, his form had stabilized slightly.
"Devimon won't let us go. It's obvious," Mizuki stated, his tone grimly calm. "Someone has to buy time for the others to escape."
It was impossible to know what kind of internal struggle he had endured to speak those words so placidly. Even in the encroaching darkness, his eyes shone with a clear, unwavering light.
"Elecmon, you know this area better than I do. I'm entrusting Nyaromon to you. Please, take her and get away from here."
"I'll stay. I'll buy you the time you need."
"What?! You, a kid? No way—"
"Enough talk!" Mizuki cut him off.
As he spoke, he gripped both Digimon and, with a powerful heave, threw them toward a cluster of rocks nearby.
He had to. Devimon's next attack was already on its way.
"I said," the demon roared, his voice dripping with fury, "are you treating me as if I'm nothing but air?"
"Death Claw!"
As the razor-sharp claws tore through the air toward him, Mizuki's breathing hitched. His mind raced, filtering possibilities, calculating trajectories, searching for the optimal solution—
'To hell with the optimal solution!'His instincts screamed, a primal roar from the depths of his soul. It was time to use his power.'If my guess is right—'
In a flash, Mizuki planted his feet, drew back his arm, and threw a punch. His fist, seemingly small and fragile, slammed directly into the tip of Devimon's descending claws.
The instant they made contact, Devimon felt an unmatched surge of raw, untamed power erupt from the boy's knuckles.
Before the fallen angel could even process his astonishment, his entire arm was violently knocked aside. Though he hadn't sustained any real damage, the sheer shock of the event left him momentarily stunned.
Meanwhile, where Elecmon had landed—
"What a reckless kid…" he mumbled, pushing himself up from the ground. He glanced over at Nyaromon.
She had remained utterly silent since the confrontation began. Only the faint, uncontrollable trembling of her tiny body betrayed the storm of terror and confusion raging within her.
'Why…'she thought, her heart aching.'Why does everyone have to fight?'
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