Myotismon had fallen, and the fog-covered Misty Realm finally returned to its original appearance.
With the region's data restored by Zero and Angewomon's purification, coupled with the first rays of sunlight piercing through the dissipating mist, this land—once resembling a kingdom of the dead—felt like it had finally returned to the world of the living.
All around, the sinister red flowers quickly wilted away, giving rise to fresh green sprouts emerging upon this formerly lifeless terrain.
The lingering scent of death disappeared from their nostrils. Everyone took a deep breath, exhaling a long sigh of relief, feeling instantly refreshed and invigorated.
"With Myotismon gone… the Dark Army has suffered a catastrophic blow."
Naturally, Myotismon's castle now belonged entirely to Zero—though its gothic decorations didn't exactly match Zero's tastes.
"…I'll have to find an opportunity to redecorate it sometime. No need for these flashy gimmicks now. Gatomon, Wizardmon, please lead the way."
With Gatomon and Wizardmon guiding, Zero easily navigated the castle's complicated layout, quickly reaching Myotismon's throne room. The towering throne had now lost its master.
Curious, Zero and the Yagami siblings approached, with Zero and Taichi even taking turns sitting upon it.
"…It's uncomfortable. Cold, hard, and digs into your back. Nothing beats a good sofa."
This was Zero's ultimate verdict, and Taichi wholeheartedly agreed.
A throne's sole purpose was to project grandeur; its intimidating appearance often adorned with exaggerated sculptures. Myotismon's gothic castle styled his throne more like a gravestone. Although visually imposing, no one ever seemed to consider the comfort of whoever might sit upon it.
According to Gatomon, even Myotismon himself didn't think highly of this throne. He'd sat upon it purely due to his status and position…
…Given the choice, he much preferred lying in his coffin, which at least had velvet padding, making it far more comfortable than this throne.
"Imagine preferring a coffin over a throne… and yet so many people desperately chase after it. Put another way, even the Undead Lord who controlled nearly half of Server Continent lacked the freedom to pick his own chair design…"
Zero jumped down from the throne, turning around to set it aflame with a breath of fire, reducing it to a lump of charcoal.
"…What's the point of keeping garbage like this?"
Myotismon was a schemer with grand ambitions, craving precisely the power symbolized by that throne. No matter how uncomfortable, cold, or rigid it was—less comfortable even than a coffin—he would gladly endure it.
Zero, however, had zero interest in such things. To him, this was nothing but worthless garbage. Burning it felt entirely justified…
…Evidently, everyone else present shared this opinion, showing no hint of regret over Zero's actions.
As the flames subsided, beneath the charred throne, a hidden passage emerged.
"Just as expected. A sensible design. The 'Door' is of utmost importance. Naturally, Myotismon would keep it somewhere immediately accessible."
Thus, hiding it beneath the throne was entirely reasonable. The throne symbolized Myotismon's authority, and this hidden passage represented his ambition—his gateway to the human world.
Through the tunnel beneath the throne, the group swiftly arrived at a secret chamber. Inside stood a stone altar with nine indentations, directly facing a heavy stone gate.
That gate appeared untouched for countless years, thickly coated in dust. Old and worn, it radiated a mysterious aura…
…The power to warp time and space, linking two distinct worlds!
"So this is…"
Wizardmon stared at it in fascination. As a wizard in training, beings like him were driven by intense curiosity and drawn irresistibly to unknown phenomena.
The mystery contained within this stone gate captivated him utterly.
And yet, for some reason, as he stared entranced at the gate, something stirred within his mind… faint, shattered images tumbling from the depths of his memory.
"?!"
Wizardmon suddenly gasped, drawing the others' attention.
"What's wrong, Wizardmon?" asked Gatomon, her voice filled with concern. Ever since the moment she'd declared herself ready to sacrifice her life and openly called Wizardmon her "friend," she'd grown considerably more frank in expressing her feelings.
"Oh… It's nothing," Wizardmon replied, shaking his head and adopting an intentionally casual tone, clearly not wishing to worry the others.
"…It's just seeing something so extraordinary makes me restless, that's all."
His explanation raised no suspicions. Indeed, the others easily accepted it. As Wizardmon had said, this was undeniably an astonishing, mysterious creation.
Even those with no understanding of magic would grasp instantly—this was no mere conjuring trick.
This was power worthy of being called a miracle…
This artifact likely belonged to some ancient ruin. Certainly, nothing made with current technology. Even the Metal Empire would find it extremely intriguing.
Zero even suspected that the program underlying Spiral Mountain included technology derived from this stone gate.
After all, the Metal Empire represented the current pinnacle of "dark tech." Rejecting mysticism entirely, they instead pursued technological ascension.
Spiral Mountain itself represented the culmination of their efforts, painstakingly crafted by their lead tech genius, Datamon.
Of course, Datamon himself resented being forced into creating such programs, thus cooperating with Etemon to feign coercion and secretly oppose the Dark Masters.
That way, if discovered, he could always blame Etemon, ensuring his own safety…
In this regard, he had even less backbone than Etemon. At least Etemon openly challenged the Dark Masters—interrupt his vengeance? He'd fight you anyway!
…Whether he could actually win, of course, was another story~
Yet while Datamon lacked resolve, his technical skill was undeniably top-tier…
Just before his death, Datamon confidently claimed no one else in this world could unravel Spiral Mountain's programming:
"You'll never defeat 'them.' I'll be waiting in hell!"
"Then wait patiently. I'll soon send the Dark Masters down there to join you, so you can settle your score in hell once and for all~"
Zero playfully mocked Datamon's threat. Had any other Digimon on Server Continent made such a statement, they'd surely be considered insane.
But from Zero—who personally eliminated Devimon of File Island, and now Etemon and Myotismon of Server Continent's Dark Army, successfully evolving to the Mega level—such words felt anything but frivolous.
"Taichi, Hikari, you two can finally go home now~"
Zero gestured toward the gate. Taichi and Hikari stood dazed for a moment.
Throughout their entire journey, securing this gateway to the Real World had been their primary goal, fighting tirelessly to reach this point.
Along the way, Taichi and Hikari had evolved from helpless bystanders into integral parts of the battle, helping Zero and Gatomon surpass their limits, ultimately defeating Myotismon.
They'd grown into true Tamers, forging an undeniable bond with the Digital World.
"If we go back now… what about the Digital World?"
Just as Zero had anticipated, Taichi and Hikari were no longer eager to return home and simply forget everything. They had started to worry deeply about the Digital World's crisis.
After all, they'd formed bonds here since childhood. Destined as saviors, they'd inevitably walk this path, willingly shouldering the immense responsibility of saving this world.
"Well, if you're both still willing to fight, we'd naturally be thrilled. But first, you could head back to the Real World to let everyone know you're safe~"
Of course, their family and friends couldn't be abandoned. Informing loved ones of their safety was only natural.
"Yeah, that's true… Haha, when I tell Koushiro about all this, he'll probably freak out~" Taichi laughed lightly, his first instinct not even toward their parents.
To adults, this whole story might sound absurd, but friends their age would more readily believe it.
Zero paused briefly. He'd almost forgotten—Koushiro was Taichi's friend, offering another valuable connection.
But most urgently, Zero wanted to check on Rina and Hajime. Who knew what condition they were in now?
"But before that… there's still some cleanup here to handle."
Zero definitely planned to return briefly to the Real World with Taichi and Hikari. Gatomon, having sworn never to part from Hikari again, would naturally join as well.
…So what about this castle?
If everyone left, and someone else seized the castle, wouldn't this vital door fall into other hands?
"Leave it to me…"
Wizardmon adjusted his hat brim, speaking softly yet resolutely.
"Eh?" Gatomon was startled. "…Aren't you coming with us?"
Wizardmon smiled coolly. "My task here is complete. With Hikari, Taichi, and Zero-sama beside you, I'm no longer necessary. I'll stay behind and handle things here. Gennai-sama and Piximon-sama could also use my help."
Wizardmon's greatest wish had always been for Gatomon to find happiness beyond Myotismon's shadow. With Hikari's support and Zero as her ally, he could rest assured.
Just as everyone discussed these plans, a violent earthquake suddenly shook the entirety of Server Continent…
"?!"