7. Divine Intervention
The ancient temple sat nestled on an island in the center of a wide river, in a deep valley in the shade of a mountain. The ancient stone structure had withstood the ravages of time in near flawless condition. Legends said that, rather than being built by mortals, it had been built by Sol and Luna themselves, and had been their wedding chapel. As such, the sacred place was considered untouchable. Religious pilgrims, even the most fanatical, would come no closer than the shore of the island. As such, there would have been a great uproar from anyone there – had anyone been there – when the temple was illuminated by the flash of light as Shadow appeared not two feet in front of the temple doors.
Shadow stared up at the ancient building, seeing stonework the likes of which had never crossed his eyes before. The plain slate grey stones fit together, held fast by interconnections exact to the nanometer, with no sign of mortar to hold the blocks fast. The monolith soared upward into the heavens, a tower more than seven stories tall, the massive, arched double doors surmounted by a symbol Shadow has only rarely seen in the city of Solluna: a stylized sun embraced by a crescent moon, representing an eclipse, the symbol of the joined gods.
However, Shadow had no real interest in architecture. He had come to this ancient temple for a specific purpose. Irreverently, he pushed open the double doors, unsurprised that the slightest pressure let the doors swing open wide, revealing immaculate stone pews and shining marble floors. The columns that rose to hold the spiral stairwell that ran up around the edge of the single inner chamber curved delicately, looking more decorative than structural. Ignoring all this, Shadow walked straight up the center aisle, coming to a halt before an altar that sat in the exact center of a circle of sunlight. As he approached, his eyes were drawn to the symbol on the altar. It was the same symbol as above the doors outside. However, as he approached, the sun part of the symbol began to glow with the fire of the Sol Emeralds.
Shadow came to a halt as the heat emanating from the altar reached his threshold to withstand. It felt like he was gazing into a pool of magma. However, there was no fear in his heart as he faced this essence of power. "I don't believe in Gods," he stated bluntly.
The sun symbol flared brightly, angrily, and the heat increased.
Shadow remained impassive, even as the heat ate away at his strength. It was nothing compared to what it had felt like reentering the Earth's atmosphere after using Chaos Control to reposition the Ark. Admittedly, he had been in his Super form then. "I do not believe in gods," he repeated. "I know that there are greater beings in existence, that exist at higher levels of reality and have stronger connections to the forces that make life possible in the world, or worlds. I know they exist, and have encountered a few in my time. But I do not believe there is anything divine about them."
The light faded a bit, as did the heat.
"I have heard the story of Sol and Luna. I know why the line from which Blaze descends is bound to the Sol Emeralds." He took a deep breath. "I understand all too well how grief can drive one to madness."
The sun symbol flared again, and then the moon symbol flared blue, releasing a brilliant light. The light took shape in front of Shadow, taking on the image of a winged humanoid. The being opened her eyes to gaze down at Shadow. "I am sorry it had to happen, Shadow," she said softly.
Shadow's eyes nearly popped from his head in shock. "M…Maria?" he stammered. "Is…is it really you?"
The figure nodded. "It is, in a manner of speaking. Sol cannot communicate directly with mortals, and can only send messages to the living who are his followers. Since you do not follow him, he turned to the afterlife and asked for one of the souls at peace to be infused with some of his power to manifest again in the mortal world to speak to you for him. I volunteered." Maria giggled then. "I had to convince Grandpa that this conversation would go better if you heard it from me, rather than from him."
Shadow smiled. "I've…I've missed you, Maria."
"As I've missed you, Shadow." Maria smiled softly. "And you haven't much changed over the years. So disrespectful to Sol, when you came to ask his permission to take his Bride for your own?"
Shadow shook his head. "Not…exactly. Whether or not Blaze chooses to marry me is her choice, in my opinion. I came to challenge Sol to make him relinquish his claim on her."
The light from the sun symbol flared again, though not with anger or extra heat. The light resonated with Maria's laughter. "Shadow!"
"I'm serious," he countered. "It won't be the first time I've fought a supernatural being tied to a penultimate force of creation. And this time, I'm fighting for something much more important than the fate of the world."
Maria smiled as the light faded again. "It makes me so happy to hear you say that Shadow…even if you are being rather foolish." She floated down to stand on the ground before him, her wings folding to her back. "Think about it, Shadow. The reason you came isn't because you believe you need Sol's permission…but because Blaze's people believe you do. The only way you can wed Blaze, regardless of her choices in the matter, is if you come away from this with some proof of Sol's blessing upon you and Blaze." She chuckled. "And you won't get that by fighting Sol."
Shadow sighed. "I suppose. Then what should I do, Maria?"
Maria smiled. "There is a way, a rather easy way. But it will require a great sacrifice from you…and there is no guarantee you will survive."
"Whatever it takes, I will do it."
Maria nodded, her smile fading. "As you have been told, tradition dictated that a life was given to the fire for the great magics. In truth, however, it is what is offered that is far more important. Tell me Shadow, would you offer your life, your heart, your very soul to Blaze? Is your love for her strong enough to do that?"
"Without hesitation," Shadow replied.
Maria spread her wings, once more floating into the air. "Then kneel, Shadow. You shall so swear to this, and the fires of Sol shall test your commitment, the strength of your devotion."
Shadow dropped to one knee, crossing his arm in front of his chest, resting it on his knee. "Tell me what to do, Maria."
"Swear your devotion, Shadow the Hedgehog," she intoned, plunging her right hand into the sun symbol on the altar as its light flared brightly.
Shadow nodded. "For the love of Blaze, for her happiness and well-being, I do swear my life, my heart, my very soul. All that I am is for her."
The altar rang like a bell as Maria pulled her hand from it, glowing red. "Then let the fire of Sol test your devotion," she intoned. She held forth her hand, her thumb pointing down while her other fingers spread wide upward, and placed her hand against Shadow's forehead.
As the full power of the fire of Sol flowed into his body, Shadow bit his lip, struggling to remain stoic, before he finally screamed in agony.
Blaze was smiling softly as she stepped out of her bath, carefully drying herself. It felt nice to finally allow herself to relax, to enjoy her life. She knew it likely wouldn't last too long. After all, the Emeralds would only withhold their fire for so long as she was with child. Still, she had learned how to let a little of herself out without erupting in flames, so she wasn't too worried. She also knew the Seven – the ring of Steel that guarded her – would be much more alert in her protection. They – like much of the palace now – feared Shadow's retribution now more than they feared Sol's wrath.
As she pulled on her robe, High Minister Shine stepped into the room. "It is good to see you so aglow with joy, Highness."
Blaze smiled at him. "It is good to be able to feel such joy," she said softly. "Where has Shadow gone to?"
Shine shuffled nervously. "He went to the Chapel further inland. He said…he goes to ask Sol's permission to wed you."
Blaze's eyes widened considerably. "What? What brought that on?"
"Well…" Shine shifted from one foot to the other, his ears twitching. "I told him of the reaction some of the people had regarding his surviving giving you child. He told me that he had come last night with the intent of asking you to marry him." He paused as Blaze blushed, her hand going to her mouth, tears of joy in her eyes. "I told him that, as the Guardian and Bride of Sol, you could have no mortal husband unless Sol himself decreed it so."
Blaze groaned, her hand going to her forehead. She knew Shadow well enough to know where that would go. "Shine, Shadow was made as a living weapon. If he goes to get Sol to declare that we can be wed, he has no intention of asking nicely. We need to get to the Chapel while it's still standing!"
Shine's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"Shadow probably went there to challenge Sol to a fight!" Blaze fretted. "Shadow has no fear in him…of anything!"
At that moment, a scream of unknowable agony erupted across the countryside, a scream Blaze recognized from her time in the rainbow sea. "Shadow!" she yelled in fear. As she turned to race towards the source of the scream, the Sol Emeralds flew to her, forming a platform for her to ride. Shine quickly summoned the Seven and the Royal Guard to follow as fast as they could move, he himself putting on an appreciable turn of speed despite his age.
Shadow's scream finally petered out as he slumped to the floor. He struggled desperately to draw in a breath, and then another. After a time, he managed to push himself back to his feet.
Maria smiled down at him. "You have passed, Shadow. Sol's blessing is upon you in all you do."
Shadow managed to smile as his strength slowly returned. "Does that mean…?"
"Yes," she confirmed. "No one in Solluna will dare stand in your way in your courtship of Blaze…and you need no longer fear the fire of Sol. It will no longer harm you."
His smile broadened. "More than I'd hoped for. …my thanks to Sol," he mumbled.
Maria laughed. "Sol neither expects nor wants your thanks. He will have his own repayment in the fullness of time. He has seen through your life force that his loneliness will soon be at an end, and for that he is grateful." She shook her head at Shadow's confusion. "Nothing for you to concern yourself with right now. Time will tell…and show."
Shadow nodded. "I understand. And…there's something I should be grateful to him for. Something I'm finally able to say." He looked up into Maria's eyes, unshed tears in his own. "Sayonara, Maria Robotnik."
Smiling, Maria enfolded him in a warm embrace. "Sayonara, Shadow the Hedgehog," she whispered, kissing him on the forehead where not so long before her hand had burned. He felt a small surge of energy, and she faded from around him, the sensation of her kiss the last to fade, like a Cheshire Cat but far more comforting.
Smiling softly, Shadow turned and walked out of the Chapel. He was rather surprised to find Blaze, Shine, the Seven, and a rather large number of soldiers. However, he was even more surprised when all assembled – Blaze included – took one look at him before genuflecting, falling to hands and knees, their foreheads placed to the ground.
Confused, Shadow stepped forward. "Blaze, what…" His voice trailed off as he saw his reflection in a mirror bright shield dropped by one of the soldiers.
In the center of his forehead, glowing a pale yellow, was the same sun symbol that had glowed upon the altar: a small circle the size of the palm of a hand; one ray waving downward along the bridge of his nose; and four rays waving upward towards his spines. "What?" he asked in confusion. "Blaze, what's going on?"
Blaze actually shivered a bit at his attention, leaving him even more confused. Then he heard a voice in his mind. Return to the palace with her. This has not happened since the Choke was cast, and there are protocol-
"Protocol be damned, Sol," Shadow grumbled, loud enough for the entire silent crowd to hear. "I'm not tolerating the woman I love having to act afraid of me just because of your stupid rules." He blinked. "And I thought you couldn't communicate directly with those amongst the living who weren't your followers?"
Chuckling, Blaze stood up. "He can, if they are his chosen Avatar," she said softly.
Shadow blinked. "Wait, what?"
She gently, shyly took his hand in hers. She pointed to the symbol on his forehead. "That's what this means," she said aloud. "It means that Sol has selected you as his Avatar, the living vessel of his will. Your will is his, as you have been chosen to speak for him, as bound to the fire of Sol as I." She leaned in close. "And in answer to the question you didn't get to ask," she whispered softly, "yes."
Shadow blinked, then smiled widely. "I love you, Blaze," he replied, before pulling her into his arms, his lips finding hers. She let out a brief gasp of protest before melting into the kiss.
You do realize you've probably scandalized the entire Solluna armed forces, Sol mumbled in Shadow's mind.
Ask me if I care, Shadow replied.
Why? I already know the answer. Sol's chuckle echoed. Besides, I can tell this is only the beginning.
