Vector. He was here. Right in front of her. Completely comfortable and unharmed. Not starving or in pain or in any apparent danger. The more Rouge tried to understand how and why this was happening, the more she found that she really could not believe it.
"Well," Rouge finally managed to speak slowly while Vector continued to smirk at her, "good to see you're safe. Now, if someone doesn't explain to me what the hell is going on here I may genuinely pass out from shock."
"I got moved out of my death row cell a few hours ago," Vector recapped. "By these guys." He pointed to the group of guards who had now let go of Rouge and were now standing around looking at her admiringly.
"We were ordered to move him by our superior," one of the guards pointed out. "As for the reason why, we really don't know."
"Maybe the council feels bad for putting me in here in the first place?" Vector suggested. "Or maybe they just like my bubbly personality!"After giving Vector a scowl, Rouge bombarded him with questions.
"How long have you been here? Do you know anything about Knuckles? Or Espio and Charmy? And what do you mean by superior?"
"Woah, slow down, bats. I've been locked up in this tower ever since I got here. Knuckles is being held somewhere here as well…I don't know where Charmy and Espio are," he concluded, his voice singeing with regret. Rouge gave him a sympathetic look before turning to the guards.
"So none of you are happy with the way things are being run around either, I take it?" she questioned them.
"We're a very small group," one of them admitted. "But yes, much of our kingdom has fallen into decay, and some of us must act for the preservation of our future. We were ordered by High Seer Phaidra to move your friend."
"I guess that would make sense," Rouge said. "Although I wish he had informed me had intelligence on the inside as well. Why wouldn't he just break Vector out himself like he did with me?"
"Its gettin' too risky for him," Vector explained. "The only reason he agreed to have you come in and bust me out was because he really had no other option."
"Well, it would have made things a bit easier for me if I had known you were expecting me," Rouge pointed out. "So he better not expect any gushing gratitude."
"These are difficult times for every one of us," one of the guards said. "Uncertainty, confusion, deceitfulness…this is how we live. But all that matters now is that you're here, and you're able to get your friend out. Targes and Xanthe will figure out what's happened and Phaidra will surely be seen as a traitor."
If we're gonna leave, we've gotta leave now, Rouge. This Targes guy thinks you're dead already, and I'm next on his list. I don't even know what he's done with Knuckles, but we can't help him if we're locked up like this. We've gotta get somewhere safe and figure out a plan from there," Vector breathed out nervously.
"Yeah, met that piece of work already. Didn't really care too much for him," Rouge reflected with distaste. "Still…I know something bigger is pulling all the strings here. Deciding who lives and who dies. I just hope ol' Knuckie is smart enough to see it too. Let's go," she finished abruptly, beckoning Vector to follow back the way she had come.
"I've always liked these gardens very much. I think the privellas are going to bloom a bit early this season," Esmee's voice drifted over from one of the fountains. "They'll provide great contrast for the tower grounds, don't you think?"
Phaidra had been reviewing some government documents and proposed policies concerning the structural measurements of stitching markets. It really was about as interesting as it sounded, so he was more easily distracted than usual.
"You always say that, but it has never happened within your lifetime," Phaidra commented, squinted to read the fine print of the documents simultaneously.
"But I really do have a strong feeling about it this time," Esmee replied softly. "You just wait and see."
Phaidra chuckled quietly as he went over the last terms of the policy before giving it approval. Esmee always seemed to find some way to provide both amusement and admiration with her child-like curiosity. Even after the untimely death of her parents, neglect of her uncle, and finally the separation from her older sister, she still retained the ability to see beauty and inspiration in the simplest of things. She also never seemed to lose her care-free spirit, despite the tense circumstances they were both now in.
Rouge had successively broken Vector out of confinement and both of them were now safe, for the time being anyway. The tension within the council of seers was now so strong, even the slightest disagreement sent the entire body into a frenzy. The majority of the seers agreed with whatever decision Targes decided to make, especially when it came to military forces. As much as this worried him, Phaidra also had to give Targes some admiration because of it. He had attained quite a way with words since becoming a high seer, and now even some of the militia would only take orders from him directly.
Of course, Phaidra had some under his orders as well, but largely only as a counteraction. He had kept this move as secretive as he possibly could because he knew full well that Targes did not trust him, a felling which was quite mutual. Even Xanthe, the third high seer, had been leaning more toward Targes' views on governance, causing even more strain not only among council members, but even more importantly among the Mearyn citizens. It was truly becoming a city divided.
"I do hope the newcomer knows what he's doing," Esmee's voice suddenly broke Phaidra's thoughts. "He seems very brave. And loyal. But too trusting. I don't think he should trust my uncle."
"No one should trust your uncle," Phaidra stated. "But he's got overwhelming support from the public, which is helpful in rallying others to your cause. As for Knuckles, Targes has kept him hidden away very strictly for the past week…I haven't had a chance to speak with him," he concluded in a disappointed sort of voice.
"It would be helpful if we could," Esmee murmured as the sun began to disappear below the horizon adjacent to the distant mountains. "Rouge seems to be particularly concerned about him."
"She would be," Phaidra said, looking down at the papers again and smiling slightly. Esmee knelt down beside one of the fountains, running her hands through the water while Phaidra began signing document after document. A few moments passed in comfortable silence when racing footsteps could be heard coming toward them. Looking in the new sound's direction, both Phaidra and Esmee saw a guard sprinting up to him.
"Sir! Phaidra, sir, you must come quickly! Something is happening! Targes…," the soldier stopped in front of the pair, gasping for breath. "…has called some sort of secret ceremony, and he's brought that echidna with the spiked fists with him! They've gone to Targes' private residence!"
"Inform as many other guards as you can, and make sure Xanthe knows of this," Phaidra commanded immediately. "We've got to get over there now!"
What is going on here? Knuckles thought as more Mearynites poured into the atrium. That seer had better not have brought me out of the tower just to mingle at a dinner party. Looking around with a sullen expression, Knuckles saw the guests of the house, or mansion, or whatever was the most appropriate term just talking and laughing. Most of them wore extravagant and flamboyant looking clothing and jewelry, suggesting that they were quite wealthy. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves and a few had come up to him to try and make conversation, which he just rebuffed.
He had been told by Targes' bodyguards that Vector and Rouge would be reunited with him tonight as long as he agreed to do what he was told. He just wished he knew what he was supposed to do so all three of them could leave and look for Espio and Charmy. Unfortunately, things never seemed to be that simple. He had no idea what Targes needed him for, but if a crowd this large was showing up, he guessed it wasn't for housecleaning. The murmuring and laughing of the crowd suddenly died down, and Knuckles' attention was drawn to the back of the room.
There was a long, dark table speckled with a variey of odd looking herbs and a large glass ball held in a golden stand in the middle of it. It had a faint white glow and appeared to be pulsing. Behind it was a wide and tall bright golden curtain, which opened to reveal Targes. He had a crazed appearance, looking as if he could hardly contain his nerves for what was about to occur.
"Let me first welcome all you here tonight," he greeted the room in a forced-friendly sort of way. There was also a nervousness in his voice, as if he needed everything he was about to do happen perfectly. "Most of you already know why you are here, and all of you know that we are the elitist members of our great society. We control the welfare and capital Mearyn, and thus we also govern its future." There were mumblings of approval and support. Knuckles just stood with his arms crossed, becoming increasingly irritated with Targes' speech. "I, for one, have a vision of a future without war. A future that will ensure our survival and our continued rule. However, there is a major obstacle which could divert our future down a very different path: The Goribes. It is unfortunate but true to say that if drastic measures are not taken, they will only continue to cause problems for us. Are we all in agreement? Are we all aware of what must be done?" This time, there was an uproar of "yes" and cheers from the crowd. Targes then looked directly at Knuckles and continued to speak. "Knuckles, this is where we need you."Knuckles was about to respond by telling Targes to get to the point, but was instead surprised by the calling of several guards who then held Knuckles in place.
"What the-what are you doing?" Knuckles shouted at Targes as he struggled to get free. Targes stepped to the side of the curtain and pulled it all the way back. Trying his best to conceal his unimaginable fury, Knuckles' felt his blood swell up within him as he heard a despised voice that was all too familiar.
"Long time, no see, Knucklehead," Eggman snickered.
"Nowhere near long enough," Knuckles retorted. "So Espio wasn't seeing things. You really did transport Rouge here."
"An unfortunate mix up on my part," Eggman said. "You see, my chaos converter was targeting you the whole time. It does still need a bit of work, having malfunctioned while closing the portal again, but now here you are! Funny how things work out, eh?"
"Funny is not a word I would use," Knuckles breathed, his voice rising. "You brought Rouge here, now tell me where she is!" Eggman just clicked his tongue in disapproval while waving his finger.
"Oh Knuckles, so impatient. Always was your greatest weakness. But I suppose you've waited long enough. Targes, let's get this over with, shall we?" he asked, turning his head. Knuckles had not paid attention to Targes since Eggman had entered the room, and now saw him leading a group of seers pulling a glass capsule around the table. The capsule was a narrow veil of some kind and contained a thick, swirling, misty smoke. Once it was pulled to the middle of the room, Targes resumed his position at the table behind the large white ball while each of the seers took a position in the room behind the crowd of socialites. Then Knuckles heard the drums. Slowly and softly at first, but became louder and more profound once Targes spoke again.
"Valde aer, audite meus nobis nostrum carus proeliater," Targes chanted with his srms outstretched into the air. The remaining seers now each held up the herbs on the table and lit them. Targes continued the ritual as the glass ball began to pulse faster and rise toward the veil. "Tribuo suus, viscus, cruor, quod buone. Tribuo suus os, sanus, sapor, nidor, quod tactus!" His tone became louder while the veil had now seemed to melt away and the mist within started to spin around the glass ball. The room had grown darker and Knuckles could hear a wind howling strongly outside. "Restituo suus ut pro quod permissum suus transeo!"
All Knuckles could do was look on in amazement and shock as the glass ball took in the mist and flashed rapidly. The wind from outside suddenly blew the doors open to the atrium and extinguished all the lit herbs. The drums were now beating at a pace akin to a hummingbird, and the scent of the herbs filled Knuckles' lungs. He bent his head down to cough and when he looked up again, the ball was radiating a hot white.
"Permissum suus transeo! Permissum suus transeo!" Targes bellowed. A second before everyone in the room was blasted backward, Knuckles saw the ball crack in several different places and finally shatter. He consequently felt the guards letting go of him, and then being slammed against one of the walls. He then dug his fists into the floor to prevent himself from falling flat on his face.
The scene had become immensely quiet. Knuckles looked around to find everyone sprawling on the floor with some of them looking as if they had been knocked unconscious. Looking up to where the glass ball had been, Knuckles eyes widened at what he witnessed.
A taller echidna now stood in the center of the atrium. Having a very feminine looking figure and facial features, Knuckles was taken aback to see that instead of a shade of red, her fur was stunningly white. She wore a metallic looking dress which left her arms exposed along with a ring that had a green gem encrusted in its centre on her right hand. She surveyed the room with shining green eyes after examining her own hands and feet. Her eyes stopped as soon as they spotted Knuckles, and a warm, kind smile spread on her face instantaneously.
"Brother," she said.