-Mimicking Angels-
Part: IV


The night air was dreadfully still.

No airstream blew through darkness; no gentle winds ruffled the trees. Everything stood agonizingly motionless, as if time itself had stood fast.

A small, green flash of radiant light broke through the frozen environment. Slight hints of black tore through the ebony sky and began to mold into an onyx silhouette, which appeared to mix together with the heavens.

The profile of the figure collided with the ground once the bright green illumination had vanished. A glowing jade gemstone was clutched into its palm in a tight grip. Crimson blood pooled around the form, surrounding its burned and wounded body. Slashes and cuts tattered his worn-out corpse as a crimson river cascaded from the figure and gathered in a small puddle. Blood painted the grass a scarlet hue as it stained the land on its journey downward.

A calm, kind wind seemed to caress the shape peacefully, blowing its quills as it embraced the bleeding creature. It trembled lightly and cracked open one eye at a snail's pace. Slowly blinking away the burned, reddish dead skin from its eyelids. Glazed over ruby orbs quickly accustomed themselves to the murky darkness.

Damnit, it thought grimly midnight…

Carefully, it raised its ragged arm to its muzzle. Blood haunted his features; even the jewel grasped into its hand had small speckles of crimson coating its lustrous shine.

I don't have enough Chaos Energy to use Chaos Control, I'm sure I won't make it through this night, what with my injuries… might as well just wait here until my body shuts down… or I die from blood loss…

It wasn't like he could just stand up and run to the closest hospital, if there were any that was. The darkness was blinding, however he could tell he was literally in the middle of nowhere. What would the people say anyway? What if a G.U.N soldier were to catch sight of him? He quickly banished these thoughts, he wasn't going anywhere, why waste his remaining strength thinking about the impossible?

Suddenly the crystal lodged into his hand began giving off a light green glow that grew violently within seconds. Its bioluminescent radiance lit up his surroundings and body. Using his peripheral vision he could barely make out a small lake, or at least it appeared small, he couldn't really tell. Large bushy trees roofed the landscape; he could hardly distinguish the petite flower buds jacketing the tops of the vegetation.

He was ripped from his observations when he heard a rustling amongst the trees. He instinctively attempted to shift his head toward the clamor but he was proved unsuccessful, as he only felt a stab of pain in his neck. He settled on twitching his ears to find the source of the sound, at least if he knew where it was coming from, he'd save himself some shock.

The figure's forthcoming seemed inevitable, so he closed his eyes and waited for its approach. A black outline hurtled itself from the olive thrush, and landed securely on one leg. It lowered its head in a bowing gesture before raising itself to its full height. A small shard of a green gemstone was on his chest. However the jewel wasn't attached to a necklace; it was literally wedged into his upper torso. It glittered sharply, and its facial appearance was visible… it was defiantly a hedgehog, a male at that.

Dark blue fur enclosed him with black streaks on the tips of each quill. Slightly golden gloves encased his hands. But the most distinguishing feature were its blood-red eyes that glowed slightly in the dim abyss.

Who is this…? he stared up at the stranger through narrowed eyes.

The unfamiliar creature simply gazed at him, despite its strong appearance and the deadly shade of its eyes, he felt as if he was in no danger, nor did he feel any hostility for this alien. He stared at the figure further taking more note at its similarity to a certain blue blur…

"Son-… ic." He croaked his voice wasn't obeying him and simply came out as a spurt or sounds.

"It is best if you do not talk," the mysterious being replied in a deep, smooth voice. "You are wasting what little energy you now possess."

The form bent down so that he was only a few inches taller that the pathetic individual before him. "But first, give me your name."

"Shad… ow…" he replied difficultly, "And… you…?"

"Lucifer Angelus, but you can refer to me as Luce if you wish." He bowed respectfully, his silky tone and calm voice relaxed Shadow. He was positive now that this hedgehog; Lucifer, was of no threat to him.

"Such devastating wounds…" Luce spoke to himself faintly looking over Shadow's thrashed body. "Treatment will be difficult but I am sure Korome can handle the task."

Luce stood upwards once more and lifted his stare to the lands beyond. "I suppose I have little choice…." He sighed lightly. "I expect I'll have to take you to Ridomak, if you wish to survive that is. What is your decision Shadow?" Luce's ruby orbs were on him once more, his question still lingered into the cool night air.

Shadow was fighting to hold back his own query. What was Ridomak? Who was Korome? Was there any really reason why the Lucifer figure was welling to help him? So many doubts racked his brain. When suddenly his thoughts turned back to Maria. What if this what his fate? What if this was a chance that he was destined to take?

To hell with it, I'll put up with the consequences later. Shadow decided, If he says he can help my injuries, I might as well accept the offer. What have I got to lose?

Shadow vaguely nodded his head and let out a small-shriveled sound. Luce tilted his head to one side and shrugged, "Yes then?" Shadow nodded again. "Alright, Ridomak is around four or five hours from here. Since I will have to carry you, I estimate it will take anywhere among six hours to eight hours. Try to remain conscious until we reach the city."

Luce bent down and gently grasped Shadow's tattered left arm and raised it over his left shoulder. Luce's right hand held onto Shadow's right arm as he hoisted Shadow slightly above the ground, and took off at lightning speeds.

End of Ch.4