Frontiers Unexplored

33) Deteriorating Shadow

This chapter contains discussion of domestic abuse. Please be careful when reading and proceed with caution. Take care of yourself.

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Chihiro was absolutely sick of walking. 

The group of three humans had been moving for quite some time since the retreat of Velgemon, and they were getting more tired than they had ever thought possible. Chihiro was convinced that if they hadn't been as active as they were back on Earth, their legs would have already given out. They were lucky to still be upright, and the same applied to Takuya and Koji. 

Chihiro glanced at Takuya out of the corner of their eye, and they immediately noticed how much better he appeared to be feeling. His shoulders were pulled back in a display of confidence, as if the bandanna that had been wrapped around his wrist before had been weighing him down with the force of a million pounds. Since it had been returned to its original bearer, Takuya was feeling much better, and Chihiro had to admit that he looked as good as he possibly could have given the situation. 

Koji, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. He had barely managed to look up from the ground since the battle against Velgemon drew to a conclusion. Chihiro didn't know what had happened during the fight, but they assumed that there had been a psychic connection of some sort, and all they could do was cringe at this knowledge. They knew exactly how awful it felt to share memories even if it was just for a split second, and Chihiro wouldn't wish an experience like that on anyone. 

They assumed that it was likely a side effect that came with merging with a Digimon. The monsters were far more in tune with the Digital World than a human ever could be, and not even a human was as connected to the world around them on Earth. Chihiro knew that Spirit Evolving had side effects (hell, they had felt them whenever they touched Takuya's incredibly hot skin), but this had to be the indirect impact that they hated the most. No wonder Koji was so bothered; he had to deal with that on multiple occasions, and Chihiro hadn't even been able to cope with it once. 

Chihiro wanted to ask what was going on, but they were cut off when they saw a set of figures on the horizon. A gasp left their lips, and Takuya looked over at them. Chihiro pulled their D-Tector from its place at their waistband before checking the radar. Their suspicions were confirmed immediately, and relief flooded through them. 

"The rest of the group is here," Chihiro said with a sigh. They let out a bark of a laugh, and one hand came up to remove their hat. They ran one hand through their messy brown hair after placing their D-Tector back in its regular spot, and they undid their ponytail before putting it back together. They hadn't realized how incredible it would feel to see other people until that moment. Chihiro had always been content flying solo, but connecting to others was certainly establishing it to be something they rather enjoyed. 

Takuya immediately broke out into a run, and Koji looked up, snapping out of his trance. He had previously been watching the dusty ground, but when he saw that Takuya was moving faster, he followed suit without bothering to ask what the reason was. Chihiro followed both of their leads, and their feet slammed relentlessly into the dirt below as they propelled themselves forward. How had it only been a few hours since the group split up? It felt as if they had been divided for days upon days already. 

There were two unfamiliar figures that Chihiro recognized in the crowd, and they let out a gasp. If their group had been fighting against Velgemon, that meant that the pair of newcomers were the Warriors of Water and Steel. Chihiro looked to the girl with light brown hair first, and they immediately knew that she had to be the human form of Oceaniamon. That meant the person with red hair, tanned skin, and freckles was the Warrior of Steel. Chihiro had to look away to keep from glaring at them.