The earth shook with every step. Bright voices of conversation bounced back and forth, stirring the forest air.

　Dalphomon, the "god" of Cross Connectia and voice for all things wild in this land, felt each and every whisper throughout the life that filled the forest.

　—That won't do.

　As Dalphomon thought to itself, a fern growing somewhere in the forest rustled somberly as if to say exactly that. No matter how hard Dalphomon mulled, it couldn't truly grasp what was about to unfold before its eyes.

　—I shall reflect on the information at hand. Mistymon's group, who claim to be my guardians, have made peace with the humans who came in search of Cool Boy. And they—the humans and their partners, Mistymon, and a number of Digimon in this world—are now about to step foot into the heart of my forest sanctum.

　—I can comprehend this. Mistymon and the others are surely against the destruction of this world. And they are trying to join forces with the humans to defeat me since I have chosen destruction.

　—Is that really so?

　—Every time I try to go over this, I always encounter "noise." Utterly loathsome noise. Loathsome because it symbolizes the path taken by my deplorable counterpart. And because it reminds me that the "natural world" I stand for is merely an imitation of the nature existing in the human world.

　...Yes, I know. How could I forget?

　There was no getting around the fact that Dalphomon was nothing more than a machina. A primitive machina that landed in Cross Connectia before it had even become a world.

　Its role was to choose the "operating system" for the world. To its displeasure, the world was a small, cramped one. And it was a world where lifeforms would have to compete over limited resources to survive. Given this, the deity decided that the world would be "the wild"—a system of survival of the fittest.

　Dalphomon realized how many weak lifeforms would be fated to perish, yet still considered this the best option.

　—Having made that choice, perhaps my life is now forfeit as well.

　Yes, this is the only way.

　The pensive Dalphomon shook off the noise disrupting its thoughts. Its duty would not change, no matter what the humans decided or what the Digimon of this world desired.

　As the voice of all things wild in this world, and the messenger for the beginning and the end, it simply had to act as such.

　Dalphomon silenced the faint anxiety running through its chest. Its ears had already locked onto the sound of multiple footsteps approaching its domain.

"Cool Boy!"

　Yuuki's voice echoed throughout Dalphomon's domain. The young man with silver hair, Cool Boy, turned to look with narrowed eyes as if he had been waiting to hear exactly that.

"Hey, Yuuki. And everyone else, too."

"I'm so glad to see you looking super great!"

　Having found him to be safe and sound, Yuuki, Winr, Ryutaro, and Suzune all nodded at each other. Cool Boy noticed the slight tears of relief in their eyes and gave a small sigh, causing them more concern than he had expected.

"I knew you were okay, Cool Boy. But where's Zenith?"

"What do you mean by—oh, right... Zenith's disappeared, huh."

　Baffled for a moment by Suzune's question, Cool Boy swiftly realized what the situation was. It had been clear from the start that the debugging team's policies and Zenith were at odds, and that a quiet hunger lurked within him. There was no way Unchained would fail to capitalize on that.

"Then that means..."

"Yeah, Zenith's probably in Lacuna... He's our enemy."

"Wait, seriously?"

"It's okay, though. Because you've already fulfilled your mission by finding me."

　After thinking for a while, Cool Boy quickly told Ryutaro, whose face had been drained of color.

　While Zenith's obsession with Owen Dreadnought had the potential to spell disaster, things were likely to work out with Shoto Kazama and everyone else around. Cool Boy realized he was irresponsible to be placing so much trust in them, but the truth remained that there were more pressing matters to focus on.

"...Our mission isn't over yet."

"Yeah, not until we bring you back safe and sound. Everyone's gotta see you looking as fit as a horse. It'll totally knock Yao out."

"...Yeah."

　As he nodded in response to Winr and Ryutaro, the air shook. Dalphomon's voice rang out. From the darkness emerged the silhouette of a beast with multiple eyes. Mistymon, who used to frequent this place, stood frozen holding its breath, and then fell to its knees, lowering its head. The Magic Warrior seemed panicked—possibly because it had never actually seen Cross Connectia's god before.

"Welcome, adventurers."

"You're...Dalphomon?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Yuuki, this Digimon is the real deal. The power of this aura is through the roof."

　Everyone could instinctually feel exactly what Impmon was saying. Mistymon lifted its head and took a step forward.

"Great Dalphomon, please forgive the discourtesy of us appearing before you in this manner."

"I have not given you any orders, Mistymon. However, my dear child of this world, if forgiveness is what you seek, then so be it. I forgive you for all of the violence you will bring forth from here on."

"Then, please..."

　Mistymon spoke boldly.

"I beg you to reconsider. Rather than simply accepting that this world is fated to be destroyed—"

"You wish that we defy fate by co-operating with the humans?"

　Dalphomon's words charged the atmosphere with anxiety in an instant.

"I never expected to hear you utter such words, Mistymon. You, who harbored more hatred for humans than anyone else."

"With all due respect, Great Dalphomon, my 'hatred' for humans was because of responsibilities that I imposed on myself. But now, I am striving not to resent anyone any longer... Although it is not easy."

　Cool Boy could feel that Mistymon's words were directed towards him as well. He likely needed to have a talk with Mistymon once everything was over, just like Cherrymon said. Over a day or two, or even a year or two, however long it would take. He figured that would be the only way to repay the Magic Warrior who had made such a brave decision.

"I want to truly act for the good of the Digimon in this world."

"And you mean to say that that involves going to another world... To Lacuna with the humans?"

"I have already heard about the poison that fills Lacuna from Altea and the others. As well as the unprecedented danger that has befallen their realm."

"Then—"

　Another Digimon knelt beside Mistymon. It was Panjyamon, a silver-white lion who formerly led the Guardians alongside Mistymon.

"Even so, we want to have faith in Suzune and the other humans who say that they will find a way."

　Several shadows stepped forward as if to carry on from Panjyamon's words. Dinohyumon, Floramon, and other Digimon of Cross Connectia.

"Same goes for me! I don't really get it, but I don't think it's good for us to just disappear!"

"Yeah! I mean, sure, sometimes you can't do anything when things really are helpless, but I don't wanna give up when there's still hope!"

　Dalphomon remained silent. Cool Boy raised his eyebrows slightly. He had already sensed the majestic god's hesitation, but its behavior was unexpected given its "wild" nature.

　It should have been able to use its powers to subdue the Digimon voicing their opinions, just like it did with Cool Boy, yet it didn't. Was it out of mercy for the lifeforms of this world, or...

　The air trembled. Dalphomon's voice echoed with more hesitation than before.

"...With my abilities, I could take you and all of the Digimon in this world to Lacuna."

"Then—"

"However, I cannot make any guarantees beyond that. I will be engulfed by my other half in that world. Engulfed by a despicable Digimon that is my polar opposite."

"What?"

　Dalphomon's words, tinged with disgust, drew a deflated utterance of confusion from the solemn-faced debugging team. Looking over, it was Yuuki who piped up, as expected. Impmon kicked her in the shin as if to tell her to read the room and keep her mouth shut.

　But her reaction didn't slip by Cool Boy. Amongst the reports of the incidents that the debugging team experienced, a number of them were resolved by her small observations.

　And he had heard that tinge of disgust in Dalphomon's voice before.

"You will be left behind if I am no longer—as uninvited visitors in a world in dire straits."

"Great Dalphomon..."

"Even so, we—"

　Mistymon and Panjyamon opened their tightly pursed lips. At the very moment, an answer struck Cool Boy in his mind like a bolt of lightning. He suddenly moved to object.

"No!"

　Before he could shout, Yuuki's voice echoed. Mistymon, Panjyamon, and everyone around looked at her in surprise.

"I know Dalphomon will cave in if you guys insist on it, and go ahead and send us to Lacuna."

"What's gotten into you, Yuuki? We came here to convince Dalphomon. If it wants to help us, then we should let it, no?"

"No, I came here to befriend Dalphomon!"

　Yuuki gave a firm response to Impmon's point.

"If Dalphomon does go ahead and accept that request, we won't be able to become friends."

　Only Cool Boy noticed Dalphomon's eyes opening slightly in response to what Yuuki said.

"But..."

"You should understand, Mistymon. You're not able to say what you really want to say right now because of the weight of your responsibility again."

"..."

　Altea gently tapped the puzzled Mistymon on the shoulder. To their side, Suzune also turned to shake her head at Panjyamon.

"We were too hasty in our plans. Our insistence now would drive Dalphomon into a corner."

"You're right..."

"..."

　Upon hearing what Altea and Suzune had said, Mistymon and Panjyamon looked at each other, nodded, and then turned to face Dalphomon again.

"Great Dalphomon, if I may humbly ask of you, please, just this once, listen to what the humans have to say."

"Rest assured. They will never let you down."

　Silence fell for so painfully long. So long, in fact, that no one even noticed Dalphomon's voice breaking it at first.

"...Very well. I have all the time in the world to hear what you have to say."

　Mistymon and Panjyamon bowed deeply in response before stepping back. Behind them was Ryutaro with his arms around the shoulders of Floramon and Dinohyumon.

"Alrighty, that's about all we need to say!"

　He then turned to Yuuki and gave her a hearty thumbs-up.

"Yuuki, the rest is on you."

"Huh? Just li'l ol' me?! Why?!"

　Winr stood next to Yuuki, who was shouting incredulously, and adjusted his glasses.

"If you want to become friends with Dalphomon, then now's your chance."

"I know that! But why is everyone leaving?!"

"I honestly don't understand how it happens, but you always become friends with everyone while you chat away with them. So..."

　Winr and FunBeemon looked at each other and nodded.

"We all believe in you. You're capable of becoming friends with even a god."

"Teacher..."

　Struck by Winr's words, Yuuki looked at everyone—Ryutaro, Suzune, and Altea all looked back at her and nodded profoundly.

"...Right. Okay. Then we'll have a quick chat! And Impmon, I want you to stay by my side!"

"The heck? That's my only job?"

"I want you to be here with me!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever."

　Their companions saw them off as Yuuki and Impmon had their usual banter and found themselves standing before Dalphomon.

　The painful silence was a sign that Dalphomon was waiting for them to speak. Cool Boy looked at the girl and the little devil standing at attention and muttered.

"It's in your hands, Yuuki and Impmon."

　The image that came to Dalphomon's mind as the girl stood there was a scene from the past.

　It was a memory that should have meant nothing to Dalphomon. A memory that was not in the center of its thought processes. The memory of a single flower on the very edge of a forest.

"That concludes my report, Great Dalphomon."

"Thank you, Jesmon."

　In that memory, Dalphomon was being briefed by Jesmon, the leader of the Guardians at the time. It was about a creature known as a "human" that had arrived from the outside world. A human named Cool Boy was trying to save the Digimon living in this world.

　Having always believed that the world should move at its own accord, Dalphomon was perplexed. What might be the right way to respond to this friendly visitor from another world?

"Is something the matter, Great Dalphomon?"

"No, nothing at all."

"I will deal with the human if you have qualms about what he is saying."

"But you still aren't of the mind to do so. Do you believe in this human?"

"Well..."

　Jesmon stood in front of Dalphomon, looked down for a while, and then nodded.

"I believe that there might be things that only those from the outside can see."

"Things that only those from the outside can see?"

　No amount of thinking could bring forth an answer from the system. So, for the first time in a while, Dalphomon decided to think as a Digimon.

　A different creature from the outside. Scary. Mysterious. Unsettling. But maybe they'll be able to...

"Jesmon."

"Yes?"

"You mentioned earlier that the human called this world by a certain moniker."

"Yes, he referred to it as 'Cross Connectia.'"

"Cross Connect..."

　Those words filled its heart with a warmth that it had long forgotten.

"...That is a fine name."

　Dalphomon muttered quietly. In its heart shone a small light that had never been lit ever since it became the "god" of this world.

"Um, Dalphomon?"

　The girl named Yuuki stood before the hulking Dalphomon and looked up at it.

"Can you tell me something? What is it that you're afraid of?"

　Memories flooded back to Dalphomon. That's right... A creature called a human once gave me hope.

　—Maybe she can find the small machina that still remains inside of me.