Our New Life Together
Chapter 7: Nightmares
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The world around Blaze collapsed as she sprinted through the humid air, desperately trying to escape the pursuing figure. Despite her pyrokinesis, Blaze couldn't help but feel a deep sense of heat settling deep within her bones. The ruins of Crisis City surrounded her on all sides, stretching on for miles. The once crystal clear skies were covered in blood red. The thick and humid air forced her lungs to ache with every breath. She shot around, desperately searching for a way to escape. No matter where she ran, Blaze could do nothing to escape. The darkness claimed the world she once loved, surrounding her on all sides.
From the darkness came two red irises glowing ominously. She froze, her breathing accelerated as the panic strengthened. Those haunting eyes paralysed her in fear. She can't breathe. The clanking of heavy footsteps reverberated throughout the area. Blaze raised her hands, unable to call on the flames of her soul to protect herself from danger. The red orbs multiplied, spreading out in every direction. With every sharp turn, all sets of eyes were upon her.
"You cannot escape me..."
That deep, smooth voice sent Blaze's heart plummeting down into her stomach. She strained to push through the strange mugginess, the sensation reminding of what one feels when they are drowning. Blaze felt as if her chest was placed into a vice. The very air seemed to be squeezed from her lungs and with every exhale it became harder and harder to take air in.
"I am forever..."
His words drilled into her skull. She clapped both hands against her ears, desperately trying to drown out the voice. "You're not real!"
Blaze's body began to shiver in the frigid conditions. Despite the scorching temperatures, she could see her own breath as it was expelled from her body. The exhale formed a small cloud before it disputed into the void of air. From the shadows that claimed her home came that monster who robbed Blaze of everything once before. Those haunting eyes ensnared her, the dark presence that surrounded his person carrying great power.
His claw hand outstretched, the motion forcing Blaze to freeze in terror. "I am eternal."
"Mephiles," Blaze whispered, her voice shaky and soft. "I... Killed you."
The evildoer tilted his head, his eyes telling her to expect pain if she dared to attack him. He always enjoyed hearing the suffering of others; their cries were a symphony to his ears. "You will never escape me, Blaze..."
Blaze's breathing expedited, suffocating in her own panic. She's gasping for air, but she can't draw breath. Her mouth became dry, her breathing growing short and frantic, and she could hear her pulse pounding in her ears.
The mere sight of Mephiles stripped away years of confidence and self-reliance. Everything she built collapsed at this moment. Her body refused to obey her commands. She could only watch as Mephiles threw out his hand, forming a familiar energetic weapon. Blaze yelped and threw up her arms in a futile attempt to cushion the deadly weapon, but nothing could be done to stop Mephiles from taking her life.
With a loud scream, Blaze's eyes flew open and her body jerked forward, jolting back to reality. In a fit of panic, she threw away the bed covers and sprung to her feet. Her eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for the monster that plagued her dreams. She struggled to draw in ragged, panicked breaths. Her heart thudded strongly in her chest, blood pounded in her ears, hands and feet tingling in fright.
She continued panting, refusing to blink till she was certain the nightmare was over. Ruined buildings and lava filled streets no longer surrounded her. The darkness of her royal bedroom greeted her instead, barely lit up by her flames. Blaze raised her trembling arms, realising her terror forced her flames to engulf her out of panic. She quickly clutched her hands, quenching her fires and basking the room in full blackness once more.
A knock on her bedroom door forced Blaze back on the defence, springing around in alarm. The shadow outlines of two figures slipped through the small gap in her door.
The voice of one of the night guards, Brianna, spoke through with concern. "Is everything all right, Your Highness?"
"I'm fine!" Blaze called back, all the while silently cursing the panic in her voice. "Don't come in! I-I'm fine, really!"
The shadows moved away from her door. Her breathing slowed to a reasonable level, but a feeling of terror continued to swell within. She quickly donned her slippers and raced into her personal bathroom, awkwardly flicking on the light switch along the way. Blaze turned on the tap and cupped mountains of cold water into her gloveless hands, splashing the refreshing substance over her face.
Blaze studied her own features in the mirror, disheartened to see the fear within her eyes. The cold water gave her fur a healthier glow, but nothing could shake away that lingering feeling of fear. Her golden eyes once acted as her shield and sword, serving as the gathering of clouds for a rainfall no one will ever witness. But that barrier was no more. In place of the mighty fury of a princess was a frightened child.
She turned off the tap and rested both hands against the sink for support, all the while taking in deep breaths to compose herself. "You're okay… You're okay… Just a dream…"
Despite the reassurances, a feeling of claustrophobic began to engulf her. Overwhelmed with too many emotions, Blaze pivoted on her heels and charged through her large bedroom till she reached the balcony. She threw open the doors with more effort than necessary, almost breaking the glass in the process. The outside world welcomed her presence. The fresh air allowed her lungs to expand as if on automatic refill. With the rising of her chest came a sense of calmness.
As Blaze breathed, the image of waves gently rising over the wet sands came to her thoughts, and with them the sound of water and the song of sky-borne birds. She took a seat on one of the chairs, bringing her gaze to the night sky. The stars of heaven bloomed in the velvet black. Into the black heavens, upon this clear night, comes the grace of white-gold moon.
The beautiful stars once brought her a sense of peace after a long day, but even they lacked the strength to tame her fear. Her hands trembled ever so slightly. She clenched her hands tightly in a futile attempt to quell her agitation, but her arms continued to shake uncontrollably. The endless constellations that lit up the sky did nothing to provide any form of comfort. There was only one person who understood her pain.
Silver.
She needed to see him. She wanted to see him so desperately. He was somewhere within the castle grounds, yet Blaze felt as if he was miles away. As much as she desired to reunite with her best friend, Blaze knew deep down she could not. It would be selfish of her to wake him up at such an hour. Even if he were awake, she would have been forced to traverse the hallways to his bedroom, all in the eyes of several guards. It was very easy for her people to get the wrong impression between them.
Blaze pushed herself to stand and lean on the balcony overlooking the royal garden. Her castle, as large as it was, didn't trigger her acrophobia. She peered down towards the beautiful landscape. Trimmed formal hedges covered most of the surrounding area, small trees covered the corners of the garden and water flowed gently from the fountain in the centre. Cobbled pathways around the garden allowed easy travel through the peaceful area.
Despite the early hours, the garden was not completely void of life. A few of the night guards patrolled the area, each holding a lantern to safely traverse through the darkness. They were oblivious to their ruler's presence above, too focused in ensuring the safety of the castle and its occupants. Blaze watched them go about their business, all the while she wished for company. A quick glance at the clock inside revealed the hand reaching close to the number two mark. Only a few more hours till her day officially began.
With a hesitant sigh, Blaze prepared to retreat indoors. A cyan glow captured her peripheral vision before she stepped inside. She turned around and approached the side of the balcony that overlooked one of the garden's corners. A small area of the garden homed one of the trees. The tall hedges that surrounded the area acted as a perfect shield from prying eyes, should anyone long for some privacy.
Blaze clenched her teeth to suppress her gasp. As if the universe heard her wishes, the one she longed to see was little more than a short distance away. Silver sat comfortable within the tree, learning against the bark while his legs dangled over the branch. Cyan energy softly surrounded his legs, keeping him stabilised. He failed to notice her presence, too engrossed in the book that rested within his hands. His powers acted as a provisional lantern, allowing the knighted hedgehog to read within the darkness.
Intense joy filled her veins, yet Blaze knew the opportunity could easily pass if she didn't make haste. She ran to the edge of the balcony and cupped both hands over mouth to amplify her voice, calling out for him in a sharp whisper. "Silver! Silver!"
No response, not even a stir. Her voice failed to reach his ears, or perhaps he was too engrossed in his book to notice her. Either way, she refused to give up. After a quick glance to make sure none of the royal guards were within hearing range, she snapped her fingers, forming a small flame at the tip of her thump. Without warning, she flicked the harmless flame directly at the foot of the tree.
Silver suddenly jolted, falling out of the tree with a surprised yelp. His powers saved him from hitting the ground. Pushed into fight mode, he darted around in a panic to find the source of the fire. As his eyes reached the balcony, confusion and concern plastered his expression. "Blaze?"
She quickly shushed him, peering over the balcony once more. The royal guards were too far out of range for now to notice the commotion. Blaze frantically waved her hand back, urging him to approach. Without hesitation, Silver cupped the book under his arm and floated gently towards her. No sooner after his feet pressed against the ground did she suddenly grab his wrist, forcing the two of them inside her bedroom. Blaze closed the doors with both care and desperation, followed by throwing the curtains close and bathing the room in further darkness.
All the while Silver stood there confused, the book still held firm under his arm. "Blaze, what's going-"
Blaze suddenly threw both arms tightly around his back, oblivious to her own strength. Her head buried into his shoulder with her eyes closed, desperately seeking the comfort of a friend. "I… Really needed to see you."
Her powerful grip held him close, threatening to crush his lungs if she increased her strength any further. With no reason to rebuff her hug, Silver returned the gesture, gently placing both arms over her back. The book dropped to the ground, but he didn't care for its condition at the moment. Blaze's well-being came first. His kind eyes observed her with concern, his gentle voice whispering softly into her ear. "What's the matter?"
Blaze slowly became aware of how tightly she was holding Silver, loosening her grip slightly and freeing the hedgehog of her death grip. Her head continued nuzzling against his shoulder, refusing to move. "It happened again."
Silver's eyes briefly perked open, grasping the situation in no time. His grip on her tightened ever so slightly, leaning the side of his head down against her own. "It's okay, Blaze. He can't hurt you anymore."
"Not in reality, but even you can't protect me in my dreams," Blaze softly admitted. She suddenly caught onto her own words, bringing her head back for their gazes to meet. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"I know," Silver reassured, offering a smile of comfort. "It's okay. You're safe now."
While one arm held her close, Silver rubbed his free hand in soft circles around her back. His movements were gentle, kind, with only good intentions. The hedgehog carefully peered down towards his friend, barely able to study her features in the darkened room. The moonlight that peaked through the exposed gap in the curtains only offered so much. But from what he could see, it pained Silver to see the feline in such a vulnerable state. With her hair hung down and purple silk pyjamas in place of her usual royal attire, it was difficult to see her as the mighty guardian of this world.
With a disheartened sigh, Blaze finally loosened herself from Silver's grip, wiggling to free herself from his arms. Her hands softly took one of his own, a hopeful expression forming across her face. "Silver… Do you… Would you…"
Silver tilted his head, patiently waiting for her to finish. "Anything. I'll do anything."
Blaze silently chastised herself for allowing her nightmares to get the best of her again. Despair ate her up inside, a great terror threatening to destroy the hardened shell she imprisoned herself within for so long. But in this moment of weakness, she couldn't keep up this facade any longer. For now, she didn't want to be a princess. She wanted to be Blaze.
Finally, she forced out her request in a soft whisper. "Will you stay?"
Without hesitation, Silver nodded. "I'll stay."
Relieved, Blaze exhaled and found her bed calling for her to return. She slowly slumped her way over, kicking off her slippers and arching her way underneath the covers. As she settled, her golden eyes casted over towards the end of her room where Silver took refuge on a small dressing chair.
Confusion overtook her anxious expression. "What are you doing?"
"You asked me to stay," Silver said confusingly.
Blaze gestured for him to approach. "I'm not having you sleep there. Get in the bed."
Startled by the request, Silver's brow furrowed. "You want us to… Share a bed?"
Blaze narrowed her eyes. "Is that a problem?"
"No, not at all!" Silver quickly exclaimed, hastily removing his boots and awkwardly stumbling towards the large bed. The darkened room limited his visibility. In his haste to approach, he awkwardly tripped over his own feet, but stabilised himself mid-fall with his powers.
He reached the opposite end of her bed, carefully slipping under the covers and resting his head against the soft pillows. The comfort of her bed soothed him, the softness of her mattress released all the tension in his muscles. His own bed was comfortable, but this was far out of that league. Silver settled nicely, turning his head for their eyes to meet. There was still a large space between them. The perks of being a princess gifted her with the best furniture in the kingdom.
"Are you sure you're okay with staying, Silver?" Blaze asked once more, the side of her face buried within her pillow. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
While he admitted her request had come as a surprise, Silver didn't feel any uneasiness in the slightest. He kept his voice low, whispering in return. "No, I'm really comfortable. I mean, we used to share beds when we were in Crisis City… Well, worn out mattresses anyway."
"Exactly," Blaze caught herself mid-yawn, feeling her battle against sleep was a losing victory. However, her interest peaked, leaning her head up to speak her mind. "Silver, what were you doing outside so late? It's almost two in the morning. I thought we had an agreement on no more late night studying."
Silver outstretched his palm, gently restraining the same book in a telekinetic hold and calling it over into his hand. The cyan glow of his hand illuminated the front cover. "It's a story book."
She squinted her eyes, slowly reading the title of the book. The Tales of Sir Arvo. "I see. But I still don't understand why you were outside. You have your own room."
"I know," Silver admitted, slowly dragging his fingers over the book's cover. "There's so many great books in the library. This one has been my favourite one so far. Reading inside is fine, but there's something about the night sky that makes it more personal for me."
Her expression grew from mild interest to outright curiosity. While the desire to sleep was strong, Silver's fascination with the night sky aroused her interest. "I… Relate to that."
Half-expecting one of her teases, Silver turned towards her with surprise. "You do?"
Blaze softly nodded. "Sometimes when I've had a stressful day, I stand outside and watch the stars. It brings me a sense of calmness."
"Hey, me too!" Silver exclaimed a little too loudly, forcing Blaze to quickly place one finger to her lips, sternly shushing him lest he woke the rest of the castle's residences. He lowered his voice to a reasonable level once more. "Sorry. But I love watching the stars. Maybe we should watch them together one night."
In place of her brief frown, a semblance of a smile gently flickered onto her lips. "I would like that very much."
Her eyes peered down towards the book still resting in his hands, one she did not recall reading during her free time. "This book of yours. What's it about?"
Silver's eyes briefly lit up in the darkness, surprised to see her intriguement over his love for stories. Though he was aware of his own naïvety, he silently questioned whether or not she was merely seeking to distract herself from returning to sleep. But in the darkness that claimed the bedroom, Silver noted the sincerity washing over her features. She truly wanted to know, and he was all too happy to share his love for reading. Excitement crawled forward, ready to unleash his passion.
He set the book down to the nightstand and turned around once more for their eyes to meet. "It's about the tale of a brave knight who sought to avenge his king."
Blaze listened to every word with consideration. "The king died?"
Silver nodded, a hint of remorse mounting his expression. It was as if he truly believed the story was real and the death of a fictional character hit him hard. "Murdered by his own brother. The brave knight, Sir Arvo, wanted to overthrow the evil brother. But he couldn't do it alone. He had help."
While she hung onto his every word, Blaze couldn't stop herself from smiling at his genuine enthusiasm for stories. He truly loved them. "Who helped him?"
"Lady Meetra," Silver replied. "She was also a proud knight of the kingdom. The two of them set off to find a way to beat the evil tyrant…"
He slowly trailed off, allowing his words to hang in the air longer than expected. Curious to know why he stopped, Blaze spoke up. "And did they beat him?"
"I don't know," Silver admitted. "I didn't get further than that."
With a satisfied hum, Blaze allowed her head to rest against the pillow once more. "Then I hope they win."
His own smile returned once more. Even during her worst days, that smile of his could always brighten her day. But it was that same smile that frustrated Blaze to no end. Silver understood her fears, the one friend who knew of her pain and anguish. Their old lives in the future had given them nothing but fuels of nightmares for years to come. Iblis destroyed everything they once loved and adored. Mephiles manipulated them and took away their old lives. That same monster continued to haunt her in her dreams, the one place she couldn't escape him.
It frustrated Blaze to know how Silver overcame such hardships so easily. He never concealed his emotions well. That happy smile of his, those childish eyes were as honest as could be.
"Silver," Blaze whispered. "I need to know."
Concern plastered Silver's expression once more. "Know what?"
"How… Did you get over it so quickly?" Blaze questioned with confusion. "Every day, you seem… So happy."
Silver chose his next words very carefully, unwilling to accidentally offend her. "You don't want me to be happy?"
"Of course I do," Blaze said with a small tut. "I just… Have trouble understanding how you could move on so quickly."
His confusion strengthened, eyes absently darting towards the large ceiling above. "I'm not over it."
Blaze's eyes widened like they were about to burst. "What?"
"I'm not over it," Silver repeated, bringing his gaze back to her own. "I haven't even begun to get over it. I still think about it."
Her mouth hung open at the revelation, the sudden realisation striking a chord. The sharp intelligence she usually carried was drowned out by the static of confusion. "But… If you haven't got over it, how do you find it within yourself to act as if everything is fine?"
The knighted hedgehog held his breath, the reassurances he wanted to give died on his tongue. Instead, his hand reached out to gently take her own. "I have you."
Blaze allowed him to gingerly take her palm, all the while confusion continued to engrave her expression. "Me?"
Silver offered a kind smile once more. "Whenever I think about the bad things that happened, I think about you, Blaze. Being here with you is everything I could ask for. You're my friend and I want to keep you safe. I… Know it's hard, but I know we can move past everything one day."
His sincere words left Blaze in a trance, her mouth hung open while her eyes fixated on his kind exterior. She tried to respond, her words almost squeaked out, betraying the tears residing behind her eyes and threatening to spill.
"I meant what I said when we were fighting Mephiles," Silver promised. "I won't ever let you go again. You're stuck with me."
Blaze glanced away, feeling her golden eyes stinging with joy. She could taste the tears in the back of her throat. The softness of his hand, the kindness in his voice. It was almost too much for her to take. She almost laughed at the irony. Countless battles could do nothing to break her hardened exterior, but the kindness of her friend broke that barrier with ease.
With a small laugh, Blaze returned focus to him once more. "Then I guess I better get used to you being here."
The friends continued chatting for some time. Eventually, Blaze lost her battle with sleep and finally drifted away from reality once more. Silver watched her rest momentarily, relieved to see the tension in her expression fade. He briefly contemplated leaving and letting her rest alone, but he promised to stay for the night. Silver never broke his promises, no matter what. With a relieved smile, he too drifted away, feeling the cradle of a loving home.
The next morning...
Blaze tilted her head towards the first rays of the sunshine, breathing in the morning, absorbing the promise of a new day. She softly opened her eyes with a small groan. The beautiful sunrise bathed her bedroom in a gentle glow, the golden light softly caressed the room. The darkness was subdued for another night.
With a relieved yawn, Blaze rolled to one side, expected to be greeted by her best friend. Her eyes suddenly shot open. The other end of her bed was completely empty. The pillow and the mattress had no outline. To her further confusion, the curtains that had been closed the night before were now wide open, allowing the golden sun rays to enter her room. Confusion plastered her expression, questioning whether last night's events happened.
She leaned up, slowly studying the large bedroom for another presence. As her eyes drifted to the nightstand, an out of place object captured her interest. Blaze leaned over and grabbed the small note, forced to squint her eyes to accurately read the contents. It only took a single glance to confirm this was Silver's handwriting.
i hope u slept better dont worry i made sure no one saw me leave-sea u soon!
Blaze couldn't help the smile that lifted the edges of her mouth. In both their old and new lives, Silver never had good handwriting or understood the basic concepts of spelling and grammar. Saving the world on countless occasions didn't leave time for studying. But now that he resided in a castle with one of the biggest libraries on the planet, there would be plenty of time for him to improve.
She shifted her focus to the small clock. Only fifteen minutes till the hand reached the seventh mark and her day officially began. Her moment of joy faded, memories of last night's nightmare beginning to resurface. The nightmare, as the demons of dreams, deeply tested her willpower. Blaze questioned whether she could one day grow strong enough to look into these dark recesses of the brain.
"No," Blaze muttered, shaking her head. "Don't think about it. Just go about your day."
And she did just that. Without another thought, Blaze threw off the covers and approached her large wardrobe that homed several outfits. Despite the numerous options, she only owned a handful of clothing she actually felt comfortable wearing. She donned her royal attire in no time, fighting the urge to glance at her scar along the way. Blaze tugged on her fur gloves, pausing to study her facial features in the mirror once more.
Doubt still lingered within her eyes, but she swallowed her own fear to expand the safe zone for her people, to become the strong princess they deserved. She grabbed the red band resting on the nightstand and binded her hair up. Blaze stopped once more to study herself in the mirror, checking for flaws in her appearance. Her royal attire was more than just an outfit. It served as a barrier to discourage others from seeing her as just a princess. The only part of her still uncovered was her head and tail. The tension in her shoulders faded. Relief began and she carried on as normal, only somewhat happier than before. With renewed spirit, she turned around and marched towards the bedroom door, ready to undertake her royal duties.
Silence filled the dining room as Blaze ate her breakfast. The large table seated at least twenty people for formal events, but only the princess occupied the space for today. Her breakfast was nothing special; just some oatmeal with a drop of honey and a fresh cup of black coffee. While she ate, Blaze simultaneously studied paperwork related to today's meetings. Truthfully, she didn't need to study it. She read over the contents days ago and her advisors were on standby for assistance if needed. The paperwork was simply a distraction, hoping to keep her mind occupied and avoid thinking about the previous night's events.
At least she wasn't alone. Naomi, her personal servant of many years, took to her duties as usual. The otter worked with great pride, always carrying a warm smile while she proudly served the throne. She gently brushed her feather duster through the portraits lined up against the wall. A couple of other maids occupied the ends of the room, following the orders of the kind otter. While Naomi took her title as Head of the Castle's Maids with great pride, never did she let the position corrupt her, treating everyone with kindness and not ordering them to do anything she wouldn't do herself.
Blaze admired her compassion. During her early days when she maintained distance from others and acted quite cold, never did Naomi take the brusque attitude personally. Now that Blaze finally learned to open up from that imprisoned shell of hers, she finally appreciated what she had at last. She finished the last of her oatmeal and gently moved the bowl to one side. While she tried to keep focus on the paperwork till it was time to leave, her mind said otherwise. Too many emotions raced around her mind at once. Fear of her nightmares, guilt for how she once treated others, concern for Silvel's well-being and too many more to name.
Swallowing the excessive saliva forming in her mouth, Blaze softly called for the attention of her closest aid. "Naomi?"
The otter immediately paused in her work, placing the duster down and walking over. Her eyes were first drawn to the empty bowl, but upon noticing the concern plastered on Blaze's face, she soon realised the princess didn't simply call her over to clean up.
Naomi reached the table and took a small bow. "Yes, Your Highness?"
Blaze subconsciously grabbed the spoon, dragging it around the bowl out of agitation. "Could I confide in you about something?"
Naomi masked her emotions well with that kind exterior, but even she could not conceal the smallest hints of concern filling her eyes. For as long as she served the throne, Blaze never asked to speak with her in private. Nevertheless, the otter straightened up and placed both hands against her skirt. "Of course, Your Highness."
Blaze gestured for her to take a seat, all the while nervously drumming her fingers softly against the table. Her eyes darted to the end of the room where the other maids continued to go about their duties, completely oblivious to the approaching conversation. Naomi took her seat and patiently waited for her ruler to speak up. Blaze hated moments where her tongue seemed to escape her. Time with her friends had taught her self-confidence, yet she could never truly escape that shy exterior she carried for so long.
Forced to glance away towards several directions lining against the wall, Blaze finally found her voice at last. "Naomi. Have you ever experienced… Haunting thoughts?"
Naomi softly moved her head to one side. "Do you mean nightmares, Your Highness?"
Blaze nodded, her gaze still fixated to the wall. "Yes. Nightmares."
The otter momentarily paused to think over the question, hands gently placed within her lap while one leg crossed over the other. "Not often. May I ask why, Your Highness?"
Finally mustering the strength to return her gaze, Blaze shifted around for their eyes to lock. Her golden orbs that once held fury faded away, leaving behind great concern. Naomi matched her stare with just a small smile and her warm eyes. No judgement and no discrimination against the princess.
Finally finding her voice at last, Blaze elaborated. "Naomi, are you aware of what happened… Last time I was in the Chaos Dimension?"
Naomi slowly nodded. "Only vaguely, Your Highness. Gardon informed me it was a private matter. But I understand it was related to the intruder who damaged the bell tower."
Blaze didn't need to respond. Her eyes held the answer she didn't feel comfortable sharing. Her hand grasped the end of the table, threatening to tear a large chunk away with her super strength. "His name was Mephiles. Let's just say… We had history."
Catching onto the increasing concern filling her ruler's eyes, Naomi spoke up. "Your Highness, if you are not comfortable sharing, please don't feel obligated to do so."
"It's all right, I want to," Blaze reassured. "I'm… Just not that good at this kind of thing."
Naomi offered a comforting smile. "Take as much time as you need, Your Highness."
Even as panic clutched her chest with her heart thudding strongly, Blaze knew she had dug the hole too deep to simply climb out of. She had to press on. "I will one day share with you the full details of what happened. But Mephiles continues to haunt me… I thought beating him would bring me some peace, but he continues to plague my dreams. I feel trapped, like I can't escape him no matter where I go."
With a heavy sigh, Blaze finally brought her attention back to the otter. "What I am trying to say is… I'm afraid."
Naomi leaned back at the declaration. For as long as she served the throne, never did she recall a single moment Blaze expressed fear. She threw herself into battle countless times, bravely fighting against Nega's forces and pirates. A true warrior who fought to the end. To hear her confess such a vulnerability was both a surprise and an honour. The princess would never have told anyone this, only someone she deeply trusted.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, Your Highness," Naomi softly reassured. "Whoever that monster was is gone now. Forgive me for saying this, but he only haunts your dreams because you allow it."
Curiosity over faded Blaze's fearful expression. "Maybe. But if he's dead, why don't I feel any peace?"
"Sometimes the hurt can still linger, even if we tell ourselves we're fine," Naomi elaborated. "I've been in your position before, Your Highness. I was once haunted by my nightmares of someone who tried to hurt me."
"You… Were?" Blaze slowly responded, her hand subconsciously fiddling with the fur end of her glove.
Naomi nodded, not carrying any sense of deception. Her honesty was sincere. "It was a dark time."
Blaze leaned back with surprise, questioning how her personal maid could go through her own trauma and still carry such a warm presence. Unlike herself, Naomi did not possess any martial arts, nor wield hidden powers. She was the definition of a pacifist. "Forgive my asking, but how did you overcome them?"
"By being with the people who care for me," Naomi kindly explained. "My husband was very understanding. Always has been. Talking with the people who are there for you can relieve a great burden. I am honoured you felt comfortable sharing your thoughts with me, Your Highness, but you and I both know who you really want to share your feelings with."
Without blinking, Blaze responded in a soft whisper. "Silver."
Naomi smiled once more. "Princess Blaze, I have served the throne for several years. If I may say so, this is the happiest I have ever seen you."
Both flattered and embarrassed by the comment, Blaze felt a light blush beginning to form on her face. "You think so?"
With no hesitation, Naomi nodded. "I've seen the way you both look at each other. I know you would never have just invited anyone to stay in the castle. He's a kind man and I can see how happy he makes you. He's good for you."
Blaze fell silent once more, clutching her hands in an attempt to quell her embarrassment. While it was no secret she had changed considerably since meeting Sonic and the others, it never occurred to Blaze how expressive she had become. No longer did that stern exterior of hers conceal her feelings. Her shoulders no longer tensed, she smiled more and even grew to have fun in her free time.
With a brief and relieved laugh, Blaze returned her grateful smile. Naomi was more than just her personal servant. She was a friend. "Thank you, Naomi."
The otter stood up and took a small bow. "It was my pleasure, Your Highness. May I part some wisdom my mother once shared with me?"
Blaze nodded.
"In the darkest of moments, one step in the right direction is often more than enough," Naomi said. "Take a gamble. Your heart will heal."
She allowed her words to hang in the air for a moment. Blaze absolved them with consideration, feeling a sense of relief. Naomi, as young as she was, carried incredible wisdom and compassion, the traits of a kind ruler. Without warning, Blaze jolted her hand and grasped the cup of coffee, consuming the contents in one go. The coffee was still scorching, but her pyrokinesis allowed her to withstand even the hottest temperatures.
The tension in her shoulders finally faded, her balled fists straightening out and a sigh of solace escaping her suppressed lungs. With renewed vigour, the confidence within her golden eyes resurfaced once more. The mighty guardian returned. "Thank you, Naomi. I am grateful to have you here."
Naomi bowed her head. "It is my honour as well, Princess Blaze."
With nothing further to say, Blaze allowed the kind otter to return to her duties. A quick glance at the nearest clock confirmed her breakfast time was ending. The large hand was dangerously close to reaching the eighth mark. Only ten more minutes till her first meeting of the day began. She quickly returned her glance to the folder that still rested on the table, desiring to read over the contents one more time. Her inner concerns would have to wait. She was still a princess, a mighty ruler who took an oath to protect the kingdom and its people. Without another dwelling though, she stood up, placed the folder under her arm and strided out of the dining room with determination.
As midday reached, Blaze finally left her second meeting of the day. Only one more to go, but at least she had thirty minutes to kill beforehand. This created an opportunity to find Silver and thank him for last night's kindness. She reached the castle's garden and peered around, all the while the afternoon sun gently caressed her in its warmth. Her pyrokinesis made Blaze oblivious to the sun's warmth, her body temperature unchanged. Blaze softly peered around the garden, her heeled shoes creating a soft clacking that reverberated around her.
Only a handful of guards occupied the garden during the day. The gardeners took great pride in maintaining the beautiful landscape. Blaze kindly greeted them along the way, taking a moment to thank them for their hard work. Appreciative of the praise, the gardeners continued their work with renewed vigour. Meanwhile, Blaze finally reached one of the corners of the garden, the same one her friend resided in during the night prior.
Just as she anticipated, Silver was there, but not as she expected. While the tall hedges shielded her eyes from his presence, they did nothing to drain out his loud and raspy voice. Curiosity mounted her expression, desiring to know who he was talking to. Outside of herself, Marine, Gardon and Naomi, she wasn't aware of his relationship status with others. She carefully peered around the small opening, a hint of surprise filling her eyes.
Silver was very much alone, yet spoke as if he was surrounded by hundreds of prying eyes. He was moving around quite exhilaratingly, his movements dramatic. His usual kind and gentle voice was replaced by an exaggerated accent. He paused momentarily to glance at the same book resting on the bench, before acting out the events once more.
Unable to restrain herself, Blaze stepped inside and intentionally made her presence known. "Silver?"
The knighted hedgehog jumped, darting around with surprise. Embarrassment claimed his expression, eyes as wide as saucers. He fell silent, finding himself tongue-tied in the presence of his closest friend. "H-h-hi! Uh, how much of that did you see?"
Blaze rewarded his panicked expression with just a small smile and warm eyes. "Enough to pique my interest."
Silver responded with a nervous chuckle, unable to bring his gaze to her own. He retreated to the nearby bench, one hand rubbing anxiously up and down his arm for self-comfort. Blaze's smile dropped, but the warmth in her eyes never left. She sat beside him, gently resting her hand on his shoulder.
"Silver, don't feel embarrassed," Blaze replied. "It's good that you're enjoying yourself."
Still unable to resume his gaze, Silver instead cradled the book within his hands, tucking it between his arms. "So, you're not gonna laugh at me?"
"Of course not," Blaze assured with a gentle chuckle. "Silver, I want you to feel like you can be yourself here. You don't have to act mature just for my sake."
The knighted hedgehog continued staring towards his boots, though the redness dusting across his cheeks slowly faded away. Brief silence descended upon the enclosed area, allowing the soft chirping of the birds to come so sweetly, almost tangible, as if it were softly spun on sugar.
Blaze pressed forward once more. "Silver. Thank you for staying with me last night. That… Was really kind."
The praise finally brought Silver's attention back to her own. Joy now overshadowed his initial discomfort. A gentle smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I'd do anything for you, Blaze. We're friends."
"Friends," Blaze echoed. "Always."
Despite the tension in his shoulders folding, a sense of awkwardness still filled the air between them. A quick glance at her wristwatch revealed she still had some time before her next meeting. Her golden eyes darted between the book and Silver. An idea formed within her mind, one that could benefit them both.
"Well," Blaze began. "Seeing as I am here, why don't we both act out the book together?"
Silver's eyes lit up with surprise. "Really?"
Blaze nodded.
His mouth dropped open, enthusiasm filling his gentle demeanour. With renewed confidence, Silver sprung to his feet and found the page he left off at. He returned the book to its original position, taking a quick glance to find the line where he left off at. Truthfully, he never realised how much fun one could have acting out a book. Blaze's offer to join him washed away the initial embarrassment of being caught in the act. The generous offer caught him off guard. In both their old and new lives, he didn't recall a single moment where the two actually had fun outside of saving the world.
As Blaze jumped to her feet, she briefly glanced at the book to gain some context. "So, how does one go about acting out a book?"
"I never really thought about it," Silver admitted with a light shrug. "It's just something that comes to me."
Blaze hummed with interest. "I see. Well, after you."
With an excited nod, Silver picked up a discarded stick and used it as a make-shift sword. His voice strengthened, putting on an exaggerated, old-fashioned English accent to play the role of Arvo. "And so the brave knight took up arms and said, "I will avenge the king and the kingdom!""
The princess momentarily paused, questioning her next decision. The lack of movement on her part forced a familiar nervous expression to plaster Silver's expression once more, fearing he had made her uncomfortable. Blaze cursed her mind for doing what it did best: overthinking everything. For once in her life, she let go of all rational thinking and simply allowed herself to live in the moment.
A playful smile flickered onto her lips. She too grabbed a stick and struck a creative pose, momentarily pausing to glance at the next line in the book. ""Your kingdom will fall, as will you, brave knight! On your guard!""
Silver's own smile returned. Their make-shift swords collided with gentle taps, neither truly trying to beat the other. They let go of all responsibilities and simply allowed themselves to live in the moment. Laughter filled the air, their unrehearsed fencing becoming more sloppy. Silver felt so glad to be able to share his passion for reading with his best friend, even more grateful to see her willingly volunteer to partake in the fun.
While their playing continued, Gardon unknowingly stumbled upon them. The commotion captivated his attention while he previously conversed with the head gardener. The nervous and disciplined guard he was, Gardon initially rested his fingers on the handle of his blade, preparing to draw his weapon and defend the kingdom if necessary. A brief frown set into his muzzle, watching with mixed reactions as his ruler willingly participated in childlike games with the knighted hedgehog. He paused, unsure on how to feel about the revelation.
That's when his breathing softened and a hint of a smile formed across his face. He served the throne for as long as he could remember. Gardon held nothing but undivided respect for Princess Blaze, never questioning her decisions, nor did he ever doubt her skills. That stern exterior of hers served as a shield of sorts. At heart, despite her powerful position, Blaze was very much still a child.
To see her actually having fun warmed his heart. He too noted the changes of her demeanour over the past few weeks. Silver was good for her, his kind nature allowing Blaze to escape that hardened shell of hers. A quick glance at his pocket watch confirmed the time for her next meeting was approaching soon. Duty dictated that he should interrupt their playtime and remind the princess of her duties. His heart said otherwise, urging him to let her be. And he did just that, turning around and striding away with satisfaction.
Oblivious to the koala's brief visit, the best friends continued their self-entertainment till they eventually collapsed onto their backs. Their laughter died down to soft chuckles, as they lounged across the well-maintained grass.
"That… Was surprisingly fun," Blaze admitted, shifting around to face him. "We should do this again."
His eyes lit up with further surprise. "Really?"
"Really," Blaze confirmed. "You were right, Silver. Stories are fun."
To hear her confess this filled his heart with pure joy. He couldn't wait to act out more stories with her one day.
Blaze glanced at her wristwatch, suppressing a surprised gasp. Time slipped away from her faster than expected. Her next meeting was set to begin very soon. She swiftly sprung to her feet and smoothed down her tailcoat.
She stopped just short of running away to flash her smile at the kind hedgehog. "Silver, I'm afraid I have to go."
"It's okay," Silver reassured. "You go. I'll be around when you're free."
With a grateful nod, Blaze pivoted on her heels and made haste to return. Her heart continued racing with excitement, a joyful smile threatening to crawl its way onto her muzzle. She hardened her exterior, knowing her time of joy had to come to a temporary hold. Royal duties awaited her. But now, with the reassurances she could one day overcome her inner trauma, Blaze held a great burden lifted from her shoulders.
When one finds a good rhythm, when one realises what to do and how, when a pathway emerges to the goals of the heart, one feels relieved. Emotional pain may leave invisible scars, but they can be traced by the most gentle of touch. Silver was her light in the darkness. For as long as he was by her side, there was nothing she couldn't live through.
I really enjoyed writing this chapter. It reminded me of what I love writing so much. I'd be lying though if I said the last part of this chapter wasn't inspired by another story I read. If you haven't already, please go check out Hero and Maid by The Pen Vs The Sword. One of my favourite stories. Have a good day and I shall see you all in Chapter 8: Calm Before The Storm.