Chapter 11: A Gateway to One's Past
The Infirmary was pretty much the same as the rest of the monastery, the same marble flooring, pillars supporting the heavy stone ceiling in places between beds. Riptos had had plenty of time to survey his surroundings as after all he had been sitting in the same damned bed thinking for the last week. He had been ready to leave days ago, his ribs healing quicker than it would in the instance of most people. His only comforts over the last couple of days being that Midnight hadnt spoken a word to him even though they shared a ward and the occassional visit that Spark managed between classes. As time passed, Riptos grew fond of the rebellious blue hedgehog after finding out about how he wound up here. He mused over that amusing time...
Spark pulled up a chair next to his friend and asked him the one question he knew would irritate him "How you holding up?"
"Like shit, next silly question," Riptos retorted with irritation. "Sorry, sorry," Spark held his hands up joking defeat. "What are you here for anyway?" "I'm here to cheer you up man," Spark said in a lighthearted tone. Riptos held a hand over his eyes "Wonderful, is this Zaragon's idea?" Spark looked a bit dumbstruck "Well i'm your friend aint I? Friends tend to support one another," Seeing he had hurt the hedgehog's feelings, he promptly apologised. Seeing him perk up at that, he jokingly added "Gonna cheer me up then?" The hedgehog laughed before admitting defeat in saying "I don't know how, you always seem so miserable." "You can't blame me for that, I don't exactly have the option to leave." "Neither do I so you aren't alone there." Riptos cocked an eyebrow, were the other people on this monastery trapped here for one reason or another, he had to ask, his curiosity getting the better of him "So how'd you get stuck in this divine hell hole then?" Spark looked sullen "I thought you wanted cheered up," he said emphasising the word 'cheered'. "I'm just curious, if i'm your friend and all, I thought you would at least tell me that," Riptos said adding a saddened face, if that didnt work, nothing would. "Alright, you wanna hear it fine," Spark cleared his throat before starting a story he almost had prepared in his head. "I came from a planet pretty close by called Mobius and used to lead quite a successful life there with my family...til one day," Spark cleared his throat before continuing. "Well I was friends with this kid called Miles, he was saying that he could fly cos he had two tails right? So one day I challenged him to fly off the edge of a cliff and come back again. I never thought he would actually try and do it...I watched him spin his tails and I gotta say I thought I was gonna lose a bet when I saw him fly over the edge, however on the way back," Spark wiped his eye as he saw a tear come to it. "On the way back, his tails just suddenly stopped turning and he plummeted about seventy or eighty feet into the ocean." "I felt really terrible afterwards, I was a social outcast, I lost my best friend after he befriended a blue hedgehog who rescued him on the beach." Spark looked to the ceiling "It wasn't long before he had called my parents and naturally they overreacted saying I had no discipline in my life and i'd grow up to be the black sheep of the family so they pulled in a few favours and got me sent here." Riptos felt a look of deep sympathy, it was nice to know he wasn't the only one trapped here "You know what Spark, regardless you will always have a friend in me" Spark's eyes lit up "Thanks man, I didnt come here expecting to get cheered up myself." "So how long have you been here now," Riptos asked "Bout three years now, i'm due to get a review soon though so if Sarko gives me the all clear, I can maybe go home." Riptos looked glum "A review, it truly does make this place seem like a prison, its like going on probation with a one man review board" "Tell me about it, but still..." Spark looked at his watch "Shit i'm gonna be late for class, i'll drop by later k?" Riptos nodded as his new found friend left the infirmary.
Riptos was shaken from the vivid musings he was having as he felt the nurse shaking him lightly "Argh! What is it?" Riptos said irritably.
"Time for you to go, you ave just been cleared, you are as healthy as ever," The nurse replied before pulling the covers off of him.
"Damn its cold!" he complained.
"No use in whining to me, we gotta get this bed clear for someone who needs it, you have an order from Master Sarko, you are to report to his chamber as soon as you are able."
"Guess I dont have much of a choice," Riptos said rubbing his arms as he got out of bed giving a glance over to Midnight who still looked pretty rough with a bald patch of fur on her chest. He couldn't help but feel sorry before acknowledging her with a nod and walking out towards Sarko's chamber.
On the corridor up to Sarko's private chamber he saw someone he recognised walking out of the door, it was Elena, Sarko's daughter, she looked radiant in her blue dress and he couldnt help but stare hoping she wouldnt look at his gazing expression.
As she walked towards him, their eyes met but no words were exchanged, only actions, Riptos held his gaze and Elena smiled and turned away looking down the corridor. What was this feeling, Riptos couldn't place it but it felt strangely good and natural to him. "Not worth thinking about," he said quietly under his breath before knocking on the heavy oak door that led to Sarko's chamber.
"Enter," he heard the voice of his new master say
Riptos pushed the heavy door open and presented himself to Sarko and bowed "Good Morning Master, you wished to see me?"
Sarko returned the bow and motioned for Riptos to sit at the table "We have much to discuss my young apprentice."
Riptos sat on the edge of one of the pine chairs taking in the surroundings of Sarko's office noting grand and exquisite furnishings such as an open fireplace with an unknown animal head stuffed and perfectly mounted over it.
Sarko sat and looked at the young hedgehog, he had never trained anyone this young, however the fear of Takeo Sekaro's wrath pretty much assured he was going to do it...Takeo was not someone Sarko wanted to get on the wrong side of. "So Riptos is it?"
Riptos nodded "Yes Master."
"Well Riptos, you are certainly a gifted child, I saw that much when I saw you battle Midnight in the courtyard and I have to say it will be interesting training you." Sarko smiled at the end of the sentence.
"Why is that Master?" Riptos said inquisitively
"Well, you have an ability to harness energy which is an ability that hasnt been seen in over two hundred years and I am looking forward to the challenge of teaching you how to unlock your potential."
"How will I be trained Master?"
"The training I will give you will be very tough, that much I promise you, however it is necessary i'm afraid."
Riptos nodded "I am ready anytime you are Master." he said with intent.
Sarko smiled in approval "That's what I wanted to hear my young apprentice, we will begin tommorow, ensure you are well rested, I promise you will learn these abilities but you must do precisely what I tell you...starting now, get some rest and return tommorow morning."
"At once Master," Riptos said and bowed before exiting the room.
Tommorow the training begins.