Using the redirect psychic ability had left Daniel's mind feeling drained. *Looks like I can only pull that off four or five times at most. My soul power still needs a lot more work.*
"Agumon!"
"Kabuterimon!"
"Gabumon!"
Taichi, Matt, and Koushiro rushed toward their downed partners, worry etched on their faces. The bond between these warriors and their Digimon was undeniably strong.
"Three Ultimates, and none could take him down? Who the hell is this guy?"
Taichi muttered in disbelief. It made sense—recently, a Perfect-level foe had been crushed by MetalGreymon alone.
"It's not that simple. Every Digimon's strength varies—level isn't everything. Defeating this Myotismon might be exactly why we're here."
Koushiro cradled Tentomon, expression grave.
"Flower Cannon!"
Lillymon, the last standing Perfect, had lost her playful demeanor. She aimed her blooming flower bud at Daniel and fired another green energy blast.
Daniel summoned the Demon Blood Whip again, lashing out. The whip scattered the Flower Cannon mid-air, petals exploding harmlessly.
"You look almost adorable when you're not causing trouble. But I'm the demon king—no mercy for pretty things. Deadly Scream!"
Gray-black bat shadows shot from his hands, slamming into Lillymon.
"Ah... what is this? I can't move!"
Lillymon froze as the shadowy illusions struck. Her body stiffened, petrifying from the inside out. In Daniel's eyes, her pink petals and green wings turned lifeless gray. All vitality drained—she lost flight and plummeted from the sky.
On the ground, the heavily wounded Birdramon struggled to rise, desperate to rejoin the fight.
"No, Birdramon—you're too hurt! You can't keep going like this!"
Sora clung to its wing, trying to hold it back.
"It's okay, Sora. I have to go."
Birdramon tried to flap free, but Sora gripped tighter, terrified for its safety.
"Let go, Sora. Why don't you understand?"
The words hit Sora like thunder. Her hands loosened. In the real world, she'd said the exact same thing to her mother countless times—whenever her mom tried to stop her from playing rough sports or acting "like a boy," insisting she learn proper etiquette instead.
Sora had always thought her mother didn't love or respect her. But now, standing in her mother's shoes...
"So that's it... Mom was always protecting me. She loved me so much, and I thought she didn't care. I'm such an idiot!"
Tears welled in Sora's eyes as warmth flooded her heart.
At that moment, her Crest of Love blazed with radiant light—blinding even Daniel. Birdramon, charging toward the danger, glowed with evolution energy.
"I feel Sora's love—so much love, filling my heart completely! Birdramon—digivolve to Garudamon!"
The injured Birdramon transformed instantly into the towering Garudamon—a majestic bird-human hybrid, human-like body covered in fiery red feathers, massive wings unfolding behind her. Wounds healed in a flash. Strength surged.
Daniel inwardly cursed. *These warriors really have plot armor. Every crisis triggers some insane comeback.*
Garudamon—super-evolved bird guardian of earth and wind, signature move: Shadow Wing Slash.
*If I push her too far, could this trigger even higher evolution? I can't risk facing something like Seraphimon yet. Not with my current power.*
"I will protect Sora and everyone! Shadow Wing Slash!"
Garudamon scooped Sora into her massive hand, then soared high, unleashing a razor-sharp vacuum blade shaped like a bird in flight—too fast to track clearly.
"Night Raid!"
Daniel avoided overusing psychics and countered with his balanced attack. Swarms of bats collided with the shadow wing, erupting in blinding light.
"Now—go!"
Garudamon descended to the group, gently placing the warriors and their partners in her palm. With powerful wingbeats, she rocketed skyward.
"Hmph. Think you can just leave without paying a toll? Demon Blood Whip!"
Daniel extended a crimson lash from his right hand. It stretched impossibly long, catching up to Garudamon in the clouds.
"Lillymon!"
In Mimi's heartbroken cry, the whip coiled around Lillymon's slender waist. With a sharp yank, Daniel pulled her down.
"Haha... I'll let you warriors escape—for now. This Lillymon? I'll take care of her personally."
Daniel caught the falling fairy Digimon in one arm, holding her close.
The group had no choice but to retreat, comforting the tearful Mimi. They knew they stood no chance right now—their partners were too injured to fight again.
"Myotismon-sama is brilliant! With Lillymon as bait, those warriors will come crawling back!"
DemiDevimon cheered from the side.
"Myotismon... M-Master... are you still planning to head to the other world? To search for more power sources?"
Gatomon asked hesitantly, still kneeling nearby.