Chapter 5: Dark Mists

You know the routine by now.

"We each play out the parts fate has written for us. Free will..is an illusion." Kain, Soul Reaver 1



Sonic stood still, hoping to avoid the blade. The despair returned. Tails, Sonic, and Robotnik dropped to their knees. They began to weep. Not tears, blood.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US?! STOP THIS NOW!" Cried Sonic.

She kept a straight face. "Witness the end of an age, and the dawn of a new era. The planet refuses to shrug off the ignorance of your species." She faded away. A black mist filled the room, taking away all sense of sight and sureness from everyone.

"We have to find her!" Rouge demanded.

"Oh yeah, and how do you suppose we do THAT?" Robotnik said sarcastically. "If you haven't noticed, we're all on tip of the most overwhelming despair and we can't see a $%$in' thing!"

"SHUT THE @^$% UP!"

"Both of you, SILENCE!" Shadow snapped. "Come here. Follow my voice."

They stumbled around the room. Alas, they all finally found where Shadow was.

"There's a door here." He said, feeling around.

"Where'd that come from? It must be a trap." Said Tails.

"That's not true. Vampires don't go around laying traps. It's below them." Robotnik uttered. Shadow opened the door. They had finally found a way out of the Temple. They all had a new look of hope in their eyes..for the time being. They saw Elexis standing about twenty feet away. She walked forward.

"I imagined you'd be here sooner."

"What? What do you want with us?" demanded Knuckles.

"I want nothing from you."

"So.you find our pain amusing?"

"I never said that. However, if you would have learned your history well, you would know why."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'."

Elexis pointed to the city. "Now.look what you have done to our home. Whatever is left of us serves you. I will restore the natural order, vampires prey upon humans."

"Just YOU? ONE vampire. Heh. I don't think so." Sonic said, a little too over confident.

"Sonic, do you ever just shut up and accept the fact that your not invincible?" Rouge sneered.

"Is that a challenge? If so, I will take on all of you at once. Otherwise, I'll spare you for now." She warned.

"Oh yeah? And where's this 'horrifying new breed'? Your nothing but a fake."

"Sonic..SHUT UP!!!!!" Yelled Robotnik, whose face was covered in blood from weeping. He ran over and covered Sonic's mouth with his hand.

"Oh yes. The breed. Would you like me to awaken it?"

Sonic bit Robotnik's hand.

"OW! You little piece of $^&t!" He yelped.

"Sonic," Tail said. "You're getting ahead of yourself. Knock it off." He turned to Elexis. "Please, don't." Tails did a double take. She was gone. "Sonic...if that breed gets released...." He stopped there. A sense of true horror filled the air. This was no paranoia. SOMETHING had made them deeply afraid

"We should get going before we find out if Sonic blew it." Urged Knuckles. They began to head back. Surprisingly, nothing happened as they made their decent into the city. They all decided that Sonic's house would make a better area to stay during this time, since it was much closer. Robotnik, Shadow, and Rouge weren't comfortable at first, but that feeling passed when they thought about walking all the way back to Robonik's lair. They sat around the table thinking of what could happen and contemplating their next move. It was then they found out they had not slept in two days, so they rested.

The next morning came quickly. Still aware of what could be happening at the Temple, they again gathered at the table.

"I admit, I'm afraid. Very much so." Admit Robotnik.

"I doubt there is anyone in here who isn't." Stated Shadow.

"Eggman," Sonic said. "I want you to spill the beans on what you know."

"What?"

"In the Temple, Shadow said you knew something from reading, tell us what you know."

"Very well." He sighed. "Over 7000 years ago, vampires were dominant on the planet. They were not of a destructive nature. Until the humans came. The war between the two species lasted about 1000 years, with the humans sparring only two. One of them was Calypso who, as you know, sealed Elexis in the sword she created. It was made for destruction. To bring the humans and other inhabitants like yourselves to their knees. And since Elexis IS the sword, she's not a small threat here. Calypso was determined to cleanse the earth again. She was no ordinary vampire, though. She told prophecies threw murals, like the ones in the Temple. She was never wrong. She was divine. She was with God. Now, when she sealed Elexis, Elexis didn't even exist. It was another 1000 years before she was born. So her soul was destined before she existed. As for the other vampire, he was found dead. So the mural on the wall wasn't just a painting, it was a prophecy. We could be living it now. Also, now that Elexis has consumed Calypso's soul, she's more powerful than ever. Now, that the time has come, we have a choice to make, make peace with the vampires and clean up our acts, or die."

"So then what's with the new breed?" Asked Sonic.

"The new breed comes AFTER the decision is made. No matter what the outcome, though, their coming is inevitable. They will be similar to Elexis' appearance, but not quite as powerful. That's all I know."

"Well, the answer to either make peace or die question is easy." Remarked Rouge.

"Hold on," said Robotnik. "The question probably wont be put the I said. It may be less obvious. You might, suppose, Sonic's little outburst back at the Temple was the reply. Afterall, she didn't threatened US. We threatened HER. See what I'm saying?"

"So.you mean, Sonic may have sealed our fate?" Asked Tails in shock.

"Yes. MAYBE. The only way we'll know for sure is if we see that new breed. Then we know its over. If, however, it wasn't the time, then we make the choice."

"Which, like I said, is easy." Said Rouge.

"Now wait." Sonic said, almost interrupting Rouge. "If we 'make peace', how do we know we won't be slaves?"

"Well," Robotnik started. "Keep in mind that they weren't a malevolent force until we came along 7000 years ago. They may have forgiven us."

"Or NOT." Shadow said. "WE destroyed them, remember?"

"True, and they are not exactly weak, either. They could easily wipe us out. Elexis, according to what the book was saying, could take us all on. And by 'all' I mean probably this whole city and then some."

"So, what do we do?" Asked Tails.

"The only thing we can do is wait. If the breed shows up, that's it. If it doesn't, we should revisit the Temple."

"ARE YOU NUTS?! I'M NOT GOING BACK!" Shadow said. He didn't mean to seem weak, but after the previous experience, he didn't want to repeat it. Everyone looked.

"Now come on." He said. "Does everyone want to go threw that again? The pain, the blood, the shear terror that you KNOW you felt."

"True. But what else will there be to do? Stand here helplessly?" Robotnik said. He was never one for encouragement speeches.

"WE ARE if Sonic screwed us up!"

"CAN IT, SHADOW!" Sonic yelled.

Rouge interrupted. "Eggman, were there as specifics as to exactly WHEN this breed would run loose?"

"I think it was the day after the decision."

"So I guess tomorrow we die or set off."

"Of course."

"Wait, can't we just fight this thing?" Sonic said.

"Sonic, listen, just go with this plan, okay? If we fight it, something worse might arise. Is that what you want?" Tails said.

Sonic sighed. "No. I suppose not. But what if good comes out of it? Let's be optimistic here."

"Let's be REAL here." Said Robotnik. "Whatever comes, comes. If Elexis' fate was predestined, so is ours. Deal with it."

The group rested that night, not knowing what would become of the next day or the days to come.



So.what's to become of the next days? Where'd Elexis go? What's she up to? Wait and find out!