Chapter 6 the Kalcazra
It had been two days since Tails and Sonic met with Big. Now they found themselves looking over a great marsh that expanded at least three leagues until it ended at the river Hanfel that flowed through Xeros. Beyond the river was the field of Gorthan where the gate to Nathelien was built.
"Are you sure this is the only way?" Sonic asked.
"Yes, if we went around the Marshes it would take weeks to reach the gate."
"But this place smells so rotten!" Sonic complained.
"The foxes will have to bear it. There will be worse stenches in the Land of Shadow. Yes, far worse."
They continued travelling until night fell where they hid themselves and slept. They did not dare to travel at night. For during the night the Disciples of Northank were sent out to find victims that were foolish enough to travel near Nathelien. Sometimes during the night they heard screeches that sounded as if they were coming from some beast high in the air.
When dawn came they packed their things and began travelling again after having a small bite to eat. Suddenly Tails stopped abruptly when he saw what looked like a dead body in the water.
"What is that?" He asked.
"Long ago there was a great battle here in the Marshes of Gorthalion. Yes, that is their name. A battle against the Lost and the mobians that dwelled on the coast of the Amroth Sea to the south." Big said frowning.
"You mean that there were mobians here before us?
"Yes, many centuries ago they traveled here by some unknown passage that links our world with this one, a passage through… Northank wraiths!" Big yelled.
They looked to see a great fell beast flying in the sky above them. The beast seemed to be some craft of Northank that dwelled in that wretched place.
The three quickly hid themselves in the nearby brush.
"I thought you said they didn't hunt during the day!" Sonic said when it flew away.
"That one was not hunting. That was a messenger traveling to Rathadur or Metalthron, but we must go. For we are nearing the end of the Marshes." Big explained.
They followed Big for some time until they reached the end of the marsh where they found themselves on a deserted field where not even grass grew.
"We have reached the barren fields of Gorthan. The gate is very close now." Big said smiling.
Sonic and Tails followed him for a few more hours until they finally beheld it: the Kalcazra, the gate that guarded Nathelien. It stood silent and forlorn with no visible watchmen.
"Something is wrong, Big said, there are no watchmen! They are gone! He no longer rules this land!" Big yelled in shock.
"Quiet, there is someone on the gate." Tails said.
It was a wight clad in heavy mail. He seemed to be watching the north path as if expecting someone to come down it. Indeed in a few short minutes a great company of what looked to be Lost followers came down the road.
"Look, who are they?" Sonic asked.
"Those are horrible creatures. As disgusting as it might sound some Lost Followers bred with Mobians. Their children were both half mobian and half Lost. But since they were neither one nor the other neither side accepted them, and they were forced to make their own tribes in the East. They called themselves the Agmarians. But why they are here I do not know. Perhaps they wish to take revenge on the Lost for expelling them. They should know now that assailing the Kalcazra is useless." Big said confused.
When the wight saw them he blew a horn and the gate began to open. Then, after a few minutes the Agmarians marched into Nathelien.
"It is as I feared," Big said shaking his head. "The Necromancer has taken control of Nathelien and has allied even with the wild ones. His shadow will soon spread to Xeros where he will destroy the Chao. Then there will be nothing to stop the Shadow from enveloping the world in darkness. He will siege the Capitol City, Thrandyl."
"Sonic, we have to go through the gate. I know it is hopeless but we have no other choice." Tails said urgently.
He then got up and began to walk toward the gate, but he was stopped when Big grabbed him.
"No you cannot go through there! Don't take it to him. Agumar wants the Emerald as well, for his own purposes. There is another way into Nathelien much more... secret." Big said smiling.
"You couldn't have mentioned that earlier?" Sonic asked.
"Foxes did not ask Big and so Big did not speak."
"Take us that way, Big. It must be safer than this." Tails said frowning.
"Oh, yes, it is safe… very safe." Big said smiling.
The three left the fields of Gorthan and went south into the forest of NostIthiel. They traveled a few more hours through the forest until dusk came and they slept until the morning.
When dawn came they set off again. As they were traveling they heard marching in the forest.
"What is that?" Sonic asked.
"They are not Chao for they are too loud and they are not mounted." Big said.
The three peered through the bushes to see another tribe of Agmarians.
"That is the wild southern tribe near the Amroth Sea." Big said quietly.
Tails looked behind him to see that Big had gone off somewhere. He decided that Big would be back soon and not to worry. Suddenly they Agmarians went into a panic as many bow shots rang from the nearby trees.
"Look Sonic, they are chao!" Tails said excitedly.
They were indeed Chaos Chao of Xeros. They had ambushed the Agmarians and were driving them off into the woods.
"We need to leave Tails before we-"
Suddenly Sonic and Tails were bound with ropes. They turned around to see several Chaos Chao. One of them stepped forward. He seemed to be their leader.
"I am Lighthrawn son of Lord Halbathrawn of Thrandyl. What business do you two... Mobians have in Xeros." He asked angrily
"Our business is not for you to know! Now release us!" Sonic said annoyed
"My men have followed you for quite some time. They believe that you are spies."
"Spies! We aren't spies!" Sonic and Tails yelled in unison.
"The only mobians around today are the Agmarians and the Necromancer's disciples, but if you aren't them then where do you hail from?"
"We're from Mobius!" They said in unison.
There was along pause before Lighthrawn spoke again.
"You two are the ones The Chao of Rathadur spoke of a week ago. They said that Dyrnwyn has returned and that there is still hope for us. You are the ones that carry the Emerald and you went to the Kalcazra. You wish to destroy the Emerald. We will take you to our hideout where you will be safe for a time." He said happily.
Sonic and Tails were unbound and followed the Chao through their forest.
ALL CHARACTERS EXCEPT LIGHTHRAWN ARE COPYRIGHT BY SEGA
Hooray! Finally a short chapter! And I couldn't have asked for a better time for one since Sonic and Tails's journey is so boring.