Chapter 12 – Temptation
While the strange meetings were fresh in their minds, the Seven entered the domain of Thanatos. There was no hint of light except that of the Servers and R'Thrys, which hovered very close to their respective users as though frightened of the cruel dark.
All was silent, except the momentary rumblings of a god in conflict with the Master. They felt very alone.
Thanatos acted. Within the counsel of his being, where none heard, he decreed:
"As they believe they are alone, so shall their might be divided, and they shall be mine."
To be blinded of sight is a nightmarish experience. To be blinded of thought, feeling, even memory, to be in a universe of utter isolation and despair, is hellish. And thus it was for each one of the seven.
Breath abandoned them…
Even the sound of their footsteps was gone…
So quiet…
So still…
I am alone.
***
And yet, one would not believe this. Beholding the entirety of aloneness led him into using the final hope, that of prayer.
"Where are you, Lord? Why are you silent when I am dying? Do you even exist?"
His thoughts… were empty. But he continued.
"Coming so far and failing does not sadden me. Not even the death of this planet saddens me. What saddens me is that… you say nothing. While I die, while this planet dies, you hold your peace."
There was no answer. He felt death turning his body and mind to naught. But before he died, he needed to express the nameless desire and longing that had gripped his heart throughout his life.
"All my good works… all my life's struggle, they are nothing."
In the midst of stupefying numbness, he experienced the exquisite agony of tears.
"All I have left… is you."
And it was in that moment. In that moment of absolute stillness and surrender he felt a presence more real, more present, and more tangible than anything he had ever felt before.
It was in that moment that Emess broke free.
"Yea," he thundered, causing the darkness to quiver, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil! For Thou art with me!"
As the dawning sun frightens away the horrors of night, so did his faith drive all darkness from his mind, and such was this power, that his friends were also set free.
***
For the longest while they did nothing but pant for air, clinging to one another in the night for assurance that they were still alive.
"We're still here, thank Destiny!"
Tails held Sonic's forearm and did not let go.
"Please… don't let that happen again… so dark…"
Sonic tried his best to comfort the shivering kitsune. Kootan, rubbing the temples on either side of his head, was the first to stand up and point. A green light was visible, suspended in the darkness, as Thanatos swirled about it, making its light flicker and wink at them.
"There is our goal. Let us go."
A quaking Hannah stumbled past him with her purple Emerald revealing the shock and horror etched onto her features. Sonic and Tails, inseparably linked, went also with their green and blue lights. Lazer, the Flame Emerald illuminating his trembling frame, followed with arms wrapped around his chest. Emess walked with steady and sure feet, White Emerald showing the serene glow of triumph upon his face. But Knuckles did not get up. Kootan sat beside him, the dark blue and yellow lights mingling around them.
"We must end this."
"I cannot move even if I wanted to. I'm so tired, Kootan, I cannot make it."
A gentle hand rested upon his exhausted head. Kootan looked off into the darkness, not seeing it, but a place of magic he knew well.
"Courage, my friend. There is some power left in you. I will help you realize it."
Without words, the magic flowed into Kootan and then to Knuckles, and the guardian's strength was not renewed, but re-awoken. Slow and deliberate movements brought the echidna to his feet again.
"Thank you. I'd forgotten there was a Mobius to save."
"It waits for you, and us, to release it. Never forget that there is some good left in this world."
"I'll try."
What mode of travel the gods use, none can say. Destiny and Fate left the perilous care of their world with the Walkers and crossed the universe.
There is a place of zero energy, a dead zone, where there are no galaxies, no stars, where not even solar winds or stray asteroids disturb the perfect void. They went to this place, so far from home, and so very empty.
Empty, except Death, whose voice was heard loudest here.
"Why do you approach Me?"
When their concerns are one and the same, it is not necessary for Destiny and Fate to speak with separate voices. Thus, as one voice, they communicated with Eternal Darkness.
"You know of Thanatos, the one who eludes you."
"Yes."
"We have arranged for him to be brought to you."
Death pondered this.
"He is serving My purpose with greater satisfaction than both of you."
"Be patient with us. We are offering you his life."
"You say you have arranged his demise."
"There is one through whom you shall work. When that one's work is complete, you shall act. But allow us to reason with him first!"
"I shall participate in your plans."
"We are grateful."
They departed from his dreaded presence with haste. Death affirmed within his being,
"I shall aid you in the death of your son."
Sonic was the first to reach the Master. Its emerald glow filtered through the fog and clouds of the very god around them. His paw touched it… but it was not there.
"Huh?"
Then he saw many emerald lights in the night, and was bewildered. Tails groaned at the façade.
"He's tricking us. We'll never find it!"
Knuckles came up to them, trailing earth's light.
"None of your senses will help you. Everyone, use your Emeralds, and reach out with your minds."
Seven emeralds were touched by seven minds. Echoes of their mental energies spread out from the Servers to embrace the night, and locate the Master.
This did not go unnoticed by Thanatos, who felt their minds become open and susceptible to his thoughts. As the Seven moved closer to the Master he spoke words to each of their minds, his voice sounding like the chimes of heaven.
"Sonic. Stop this foolishness, and enter into my might. With my hand guiding you, all Mobius will love you, your wife and children. Your life will be eternal, as mine is eternal, and you will be lauded as the greatest hero of all. All I ask in return, is that you choose the right path."
Sonic heard these words, finding them pleasant and truthful. All he had to do was turn back…
"No, Thanatos. There are higher truths than power and prestige. You just don't know what they are."
Sonic placed his paw upon the Master Emerald, and Thanatos departed from him.
"Tails. You desire knowledge? I will give you the knowledge of the universe. No secret will be withheld from you. You shall know all, and be able to create your own rules, using the power I shall give you. Just turn back, and you will become a god."
"Sorry, Thanatos," the young Tails replied, "I don't want to know everything, or else I would lose the love for learning. And why would I want to be a god? I'm happy the way I am."
Tails touched the Master.
"Kootan, surely you desire more from life. What would it profit you to deny me? Come with me, and I shall show you the wonders of the cosmos! You shall be the conductor of the grandest miracles ever beheld! Take my hand…"
Kootan smiled.
"Then, to be with you is to miss the whole picture. We are not meant to see only the wondrous, the beautiful, but also the poor and ugly, so that we can witness the miracle that is life."
His hand held the Master.
"Lazer. I know your pain. I know how futile you believe life to be. But life with me is not in vain! Nothing is impossible for me. I shall return your family. Yes, even the people of Xadra shall be resurrected."
Thanatos seemed to smile.
"Lazer, why must you be separate from Firey? Such a connection will be nurtured under my government. Ask me, and all this will be done for your sake."
Lazer was pained to hear this.
"I made my choice. As for Xadra, the dead shall remain dead. Xadra died because you commanded it. For this, you cannot be forgiven."
His paw took the Master.
"You are weary, Knuckles. What has your life as a guardian, serving the Walkers, done for you? Worship me and the Walkers will serve you. Do not believe for an instant that those three can match my strength or wisdom. Not even Destiny and Fate, their gods, can overcome me. I am the future. Rest your weary soul in me."
Knuckles shook his head. The path ahead of him seemed so long, so unutterably difficult, all he wanted was rest... but he did not give in.
"I won't be called a hypocrite. I chose to serve the gods of Mobius, and I will do so until death."
His paw sought refuge with the Master.
"Mortal man, why are you still alone? Why do you insist on worshiping an invisible, silent god? Be mine, and I shall be yours, your god, and your redeemer. I am real! Your blessings will not be small, but great! Your strength shall not be limited by your frail body, but everlasting! Confess me as your god, that is all I ask of you."
To this, Emess replied, "I shall tell you a mystery, Thanatos, that you will never solve: the strength of God is made perfect through my weakness!"
His hand found the Master. At last, Thanatos resorted to his past servant. His voice was not pleasant, but terrible, his words not cajoling, but harsh.
"Hannah Nyress! Hear me. I am your god, your master. When I destroy these mortals, who will save you? Will you run? Will you hide from me? Though you flee to the depths of the Void, I will find you. Nothing will save you. Only I can save you. You shall have all the power you desire. Do you think I am lying? You know my words to be true."
Breath caught in her throat. What an ultimatum! Yes, all his words were true. But could he destroy the Seven? Hannah hesitated, and her paw did not reach the Master. Thanatos lifted his hand…
That was when Death made his entrance and Hannah's eyes became twin orbs of blackest void.
"Thanatos."
He winced. Hannah lifted her dreadful gaze to the night.
"Hear my name: I AM Azell. I AM the end of all life. Surrender to Me, and you shall be at rest forever."
Hannah/Azell smiled, and Thanatos shuddered.
"Do you think I am lying? You know my words to be true."
Azell left a very weak Hannah to use the Master for support. The Seven was complete. The dark god saw this, knowing in full what this union meant.
"I will not suffer this to happen."
