Chapter 45
Voice in the Night
The inside of the pavilion was lit by four braziers situated in the corners of the tent. Red gems glowed softly without the aid of smoke or flame. Lavish carpets furnished the floor while expensive tapestries adorned the tent walls. A trestle table had been set in the center laden with smoking meats. Sonic did not recognize them by sight but the smell made his mouth water instantly.
Arthur sat at one end of the table and still wore his helmet even at dinner. Silver sat on his right while Rayne and Gawain left the place at Arthur's immediate left vacant. "You wanted to speak to me?" Sonic asked quietly. The somber red lighting and the austere decor of the tent made Sonic feel as if he were addressing an ancient king.
"Yes, please take a seat." Arthur motioned to the chair at his left.
Sonic did so and quickly found himself in the spotlight. Rayne had removed his armor and allowed his long black quills to hang loosely down his chair. A long white scar ran down his chest just below a dangling red pendant he wore around his neck. He stared curiously at Sonic as if he were some form of mid meal entertainment.
Silver seemed annoyed that Sonic had been given a seat of honor just a step less prominent than his own. Sonic could tell that he was by the far the youngest of the knights. He had the haughty confidence of someone who had risen to a high station while still in their adolescence.
"Your wounds seem to have healed." Gawain reported from across the table. He had removed his lens, but his eyes were still two starkly different colors.
"Yes, I feel much better."
"And you will feel even more recovered once you have eaten." Arthur chimed in. He waved his hand over the spread of food. "Please, join us in the sacrament of table."
Sonic smiled but hesitated before taking any food. The meats were oddly shaped and colored compared to what Sonic was used to. He allowed his nose to guide him and Sonic stripped away a chunk of what he felt must be this world's equivalent to chicken. Once his plate was full, he scanned the table to make sure there wasn't any special blessing that had to be done before he could eat. However, he assumed there wasn't one since Rayne was already shoveling mounds of food into his mouth.
Hoping desperately that the food would be good, Sonic risked a small bite. To his immense satisfaction it was. Sonic was never known for his table manners and starved as he was it was even more difficult to restrain himself. He attempted to eat as slowly as possibly, but still found himself assuming more and more of the spread. His rapid inhaling caught the attention of Rayne who stopped his own gorging to watch.
It wasn't until everyone had put down their forks did Sonic notice they were all watching him. He paused in the middle of a huge bite of something that tasted like mashed potatoes. Sonic gulped slowly. "Sorry, I was really hungry."
Rayne chuckled while Gawain shook his head in solemn disapproval. Silver, however, glared venomously at him, as if the display had greatly offended him. "Your apology is not needed." Arthur said. He was the only one who still had a clean plate. "With the emperor's newest wave of restrictions, a meal like this is a rarity."
Sonic nodded and pushed his plate away. He was still slightly peckish but he felt he might give off a bad impression if he continued to gorge himself. "Well then," Arthur began. "Now that we have eaten. Let us talk. Would you mind telling us how you found yourself in that grove last night?"
"I…" Sonic glanced around the table. All the knights were suddenly looking serious and interested. He wasn't sure what he should say. If he told them he was from another planet they might think he was crazy. Or burn me as a sacrifice like Flip said. Sonic was confident the Thirteens were not nearly so barbous but he still wondered if the truth was his best option. At last Sonic decided on a revised version of events.
"I'm new to this District. I walked through the grove while passing through the forest. There was something about it that I felt drawn to. I decided I would go back at night, that is when I found Priam and his congregation. The priest gave me permission to watch the ceremony just before Zero arrived. I couldn't just stand there and let him take the others so I challenged him." It was difficult for Sonic to keep his expression neutral while addressing Arthur. The rebel leader's medieval mask produced an aura of intimidation and inscrutability.
"Your story is…true," Arthur started gravely. "Yet there are gaps that obscure the full picture. Priam would not have allowed you to witness one of our most sacred ceremonies without good reason. You have not lied about his daughter's role in your presence there that night, but you have not told all."
Sonic's insides squirmed. Of course. He should have remembered that Arthur had spoken to Priam before him. His mouth felt dry as he tried to speak. "Jasmine thought she had seen me in a dream. When I met her in town earlier that day she slipped me a note urging me to meet her in the temple."
"And why did you try to hide that!" Silver snapped.
"Because," Arthur answered. "Jasmine broke a sacred law by inviting an outsider, a marked imperial at that, to our ceremony. I assume once this was known, Jasmine's actions were sternly rebuked?"
Sonic nodded. "The others were furious at her, even Priam. Some even wanted her dead."
"You need no longer fear for the girl's safety. Jasmine's actions were made out of desperation not malice. She saw in her dream that which her waking heart most desires, a way out of imperial domination. To her child mind, that salvation comes only through the agency of a great hero. Your protection of her is admirable. Yet there is still more to your story." Arthur's eyes were hidden but the ridges in his metal helmet converged almost like furrowed brows. Sonic felt as if the rebel leader could see right into his mind.
"Lies are not your nature. Those who master the art understand that to lie is not to tell a falsehood, but to obscure the truth with a multitude of half truths. You need not fear us. Tell your story plainly and in this dark age of suspicion and violence, give trust a chance."
Sonic grinded his teeth. There was no point in resisting anymore. Arthur was right, Sonic could not tell a lie with a straight face. Throwing caution to the wind, Sonic told his tale. He knew he must have sounded insane as he described his interdimensional pursuit of Eggman and his arrival in a new world. However, Arthur did not interrupt him and allowed him to describe in detail the exact reasons he had arrived in the temple the night before.
When he was finished, Sonic leaned back in his chair and glanced quickly around the table. Sir Rayne's mouth hung open. Sir Gawain's stoic smolder had broken into an expression of utter bewilderment. Silver's fists lay clenched on the table. His glare burned hot with poorly restrained anger. Arthur remained still and completely unreadable. The rebel leader had not moved throughout Sonic's entire speech. Now he drummed his fingers thoughtfully against the chin of his helmet.
"You…tell quite the story," He said at last.
"Do you think we'd be stupid enough to believe something as insane as that!" Silver protested. "Are you mocking us?" He slammed his hands onto the table and half rose from his chair.
"Silence!" Arthur snapped. "Another outburst from you and you will be asked to leave. Remember your place."
Silver's eyes darted to the ground. He sat meekly back in his chair and did not look up. "With all due respect," Rayne interjected from the other side of the table. "I share Silver's concern. This stranger's story, it is simply not possible."
"And why is that?" Arthur countered. "It is widely rumored that the emperor is not from Arvana. His race has never been seen here before and he brought with him strange machines and technologies far beyond our scope. Whether or not the emperor and our guest are from the same world however, that much is difficult to accept."
"What is it that you called emperor Robotnik?" Gawain asked Sonic.
"Doctor Eggman, that's…that's what we called him back on earth."
Gawain frowned. "Do you really expect us to believe that you were somehow his rival? That he got so dejected after numerous defeats that he fled his homeworld?"
"I don't expect you to believe anything," Sonic fired back. "I was asked to tell the truth, and that's what I've done."
"The emperor conquered a thousands year old empire in mere months." Rayne pointed out. "His armies can turn forests into deserts, and they increase daily. Yet you claim that you managed to defeat him by yourself, not once but countless times?"
"Not always by myself. I usually had help. But yes, on earth we always managed to stop Eggman before he could take over."
"And what proof do you have of these battles?" Gawain demanded. "Why should we believe you?"
Sonic frowned. He racked his brain for some way he could definitively prove his story but was at a loss. After a moment of awkward silence, Arthur spoke. "He cannot prove it. The burden is on us to extend trust." Arthur turned his chair so he could face Sonic straight on. "You can already tell that trust is not something we take for granted. Soleanna was not always such a suspicious and stranger weary place. War, and slavery have darkened our hearts. Now we guard our secrets and our treasures with jealousy."
"Everything that made us who we are has been stripped away; our sacred places, our ceremonies, our homes, our land, and even our name. Only scraps remain and we preserve what we have only by guile and resolve. The extended hand of friendship has often been used to pull us from our hiding places. Only under such a shadow can one who conceals their face behind a mask demand transparency from another. While caution is a useful shield it can never defeat an enemy. There comes a time when it must be laid aside. To that end, I have decided to believe you Sonic the Hedgehog. As impossible as your story is, it is the only one that ties all the loose threads."
In the pause that followed, the other knights all nodded gravely as if signaling that they would follow their leader's example. All except Silver who had folded his arms and glared petulantly at his plate.
"So," Arthur started again. "If your story is true then I wonder why it is that you have come here. If Robotnik was such a great enemy of your planet, why did you pursue him to ours?"
Sonic fumbled for an answer. It was the question that had haunted him ever since he had learned of Eggman's departure. Knuckles and Shadow had not held back their opinions when it came to Sonic's true intentions, but personally Sonic felt conflicted. "I… I feared what he would do. If he was loose in another world, I feared he would destroy it, and it would be my fault."
"And why is that? Can you be blamed because you did not allow evil to befall your own home?"
"I…well…I had defeated Eggman numerous times but I never considered putting an end to him for good. I always thought I would be around to stop him before his evil plans could get very far."
"And why did you not stop him? Did you hope for his reform?"
Sonic again had the sinking feeling that his mind was being read. "No…" He admitted. "I…I enjoyed fighting him. He would always come up with some new machine or device to try and destroy me. Every battle was a new opportunity to test my abilities and every conflict led to a new adventure." Sonic hung his head after answering.
"This admission shames you?" Arthur pressed.
"It's my fault that Eggman came here and has done all this evil."
"Do not be too eager to assign blame," Arthur replied softly. "Wisdom is accepting the limitations of our vision. You do not know what would have happened had you attempted to destroy Robotnik for good. Nor should you feel ashamed for your actions. Many warriors loath to kill an enemy who continually tests them. The desire for battle is often more contagious than the desire for victory. But I think I understand your story. What is your plan now? Do you still wish to fight Robotnik?"
Sonic shrugged. "I'm not sure. I…when I was in the village. The people there seemed to genuinely love him. I don't know what my place is here."
"Then perhaps you should leave?" Arthur suggested. "I do not question your abilities and I will not deny that my cause could use a warrior of your caliber but I do not think this is your war to fight. This contest against the emperor is no adventure and there will be no thrills to chase. On one side of the cliff is annihilation and the other assimilation. Yet that is our fate and not yours."
Sonic swallowed. "I can't… I can't leave. I was in such a rush to get here I didn't plan a way to get back. The power source I used to transport myself here only exists on earth."
"Hmmm.." Arthur pressed his long slender fingers together and thought deeply. "Perhaps the Sol Gems can aid you. You witnessed their power first hand. If your desire is to return to your world then I suggest you attempt to find some."
"What are Sol Gems?" Sonic asked, his interest piqued. To his surprise, the question caused Gawain and Rayne to frown.
"Devilish blights," Mummored Gawain.
"Horrors of nature," Added Rayne.
"They are gems of immense power." Arthur explained. "When crushed, the gems release an outburst of energy unrivaled by any other source. The return causes no waste. In ancient days, Sol Gems were created rarely and for ceremonial purposes. When the emperor learned of them, he swiftly moved to increase production. He uses the gems to power machines of unfathomable power. It is rumored that he can travel across dimensions and planets. Lord Mesto studies them intently and it seems he has been giving them out to his chief generals."
"What's so bad about them then?" Sonic pressed.
"While the emperor and his cronies maintain that the use of the Sol Gems creates no waste, the creation of them is anything but safe. There are pits within the city that lead down into the core of the planet. It was from those ancient furnaces that Solaris first raised the city of Sol. The flames there create the gems but at a great cost to the vitality of the planet. In the past, greed led my ancestors to hoard the gems and use them to create a utopia. The king of Soleanna learned that the cost of their prosperity would eventually lead to the destruction of the whole planet. So he called Solaris to bring down the Flames of Disaster upon the city and destroy it. In his mind, it was right for one city to fall so that the planet could live. But now, the king of Soleanna is the captive of the emperor and there is none who can stop his advances."
Sonic felt a heavy weight drop into his gut. "Does…does Eggman know what he's doing?"
Arthur nodded. "The emperor understands that Arvada will be destroyed. Our spies report that he does not care. He plans to use the gems to create an empire in the stars. His sights are not on the rule of one planet but of entire universes. The Sol Gems are but a means to a greater end."
The rebel leader sighed. For a fraction of a moment, the spell of imposing intensity broke. "Perhaps this is fate. Most of Arvada has come to accept Robotnik as their ruler. He rules with absolute authority but he is not unnecessarily cruel. Only those who stubbornly hold on to what they believe are crushed. The rest are free to live in peace and prosperity. Arvada will die, but the emperor may find a way to take its citizens with him as he dominates the universe. But we, we few, cannot accept this fate. Perhaps, we are the shell that must be crushed for a new being to emerge."
"No!" Silver interrupted. He smacked his palm against the table, looking scandalized. "The emperor must be destroyed! And you!" He pointed at Sonic. "You're the reason he is here in the first place. You are the cause of all this destruction." A green glow lit in the hedgehog's yellow eyes. "If we had any sense we would have executed him as soon as he walked into camp-"
"That's twice I've warned you." Arthur did not raise his voice, but it still cracked like a whip. "Excuse yourself Sir."
"But…" Silver's eyes cooled. He looked around the table as if fishing for support. When everyone averted his gaze he swallowed heavily. "I…I just…he.." In a fit of childish rage, Silver pushed his chair back so forcibly it fell to the floor. He made no attempt to hide his malice as he stormed out of the tent.
"My apologies." Arthur said. "Why don't you take a moment to think things over. For what it is worth, we do not find you obligated to fight for us. We would even be willing to help you find a Sol Gem and speed you back home. You have already done us a great favor by saving Priam and the others."
Sonic rose from the table. He bowed awkwardly to Arthur and walked out of the tent. The camp was dark and silent when he emerged. Unsure of what to do, or where to go, Sonic struck out into the trees. He walked until the density of the forest shielded him from the camp. After a few minutes he reached a stream. Sonic sat on a boulder beside the water and propped his chin in his hand.
What was he going to do? Sonic had never felt more confused in his life. On one hand, he had found what he now realized he had been waiting for. His next great adventure was laid out before him, clear as day. At the same time, however, adventure had never seemed less appealing to him. His heart, his perpetual guide and compass, was suspiciously silent. Sonic felt empty and quite alone. He would go as far as to even wish that Knuckles was here, just so he wouldn't have to face this choice alone.
But none of his friends were here. The only person he knew in this strange place just happened to be his oldest enemy. Sonic chuckled to himself as he imagined running straight into the Imperial Palace and asking Eggman for advice. His smile faded as quickly as it came. Eggman often teetered on the line of silly nuisance and threatening villain. Sonic could recount innumerable occasions where a flustered and defeated Eggman pulled at the ends of his mustache and looked cartoonishly impotent. But Sonic could also remember all the times he had been jarringly reminded of what Eggman was capable of. Their last encounter aboard the Space Colony Ark was a stark example of what could happen if he did not take Eggman seriously.
Sonic turned over his arm and peered down at the Imperial Persona still marked on his skin. The image of Eggman's twisted smile made Sonic grimace. "Was he always so impressed with his own face?"Sonic jolted upright. Arthur slipped between the trees and approached him silently. "The emperor I mean."
"O…" Sonic instinctively held his arm behind his back. "Yeah, Eggman used to plaster it on everything."
"You do not need to hide your mark," Arthur said as he approached the edge of the stream. "Priam already told me you have it."
"Right.." Sonic said, moving his arm but not dropping his guard.
"You are conflicted." It was not a question and Sonic wasn't sure how to respond. "I think I may understand how you feel."
"You do?"
Arthur nodded. "You feel guilty, but not because of what Eggman has done. It is because you are unsure of your own motivations for coming here." The rebel leader was not watching Sonic. He stood stiff and still by the water's edge. "Am I right?"
"My friends…they seemed to think I was coming here just for the thrill of it."
"And were they correct?"
"I…I'm not sure." Sonic admitted. "I…I had gotten bored with Eggman gone. I was so used to chasing after him that I never really considered just letting him go. My friends worried that pursuing him might bring him back to earth. But I never really worried about the risk. I never do."
"Perhaps you didn't once. But something changed. You were worried. For once, your resolute heart was clouded. You were unsure of yourself, and you feared uncertainty more than the threat of Eggman." Arthur spoke almost in a whisper, yet his voice carried in the still night.
"When I'm conflicted…I…I can't run as fast. I need…I have to be certain of where I'm going, of what I'm doing. There was… an incident back on earth. If I had been more sure of myself, if I had been certain I could have prevented it, I could have been faster." Sonic was surprised to find himself revealing so much.
"I…understand," Arthur's voice broke slightly. For a moment, Sonic felt he heard a hint of the rebel's true voice. It was much higher and softer than the one that usually echoed out of the helmet. "When our choices have such drastic consequences, at times we can blame the outcome on our indecision. When Robotnik was first coming to power, Mesto led a coup to take full control of district thirteen. I was in the palace when he attacked. I had my own choice to make. I could attempt to save the king or help the servants and guards escape." Arthur curled his hand into a fist. "I hesitated and indecision caused me to lose both. The king was taken and Mesto's minions killed hundreds. If it were not for my knights, I would have died that day also."
"Perhaps." Arthur turned to Sonic and stepped towards him. "Perhaps your motivations don't really matter. What matters is that you are here now and you have a choice. What if it is your destiny to fight Robotnik, no matter where he goes?"
Sonic frowned. "I don't believe in destiny. I never have. It's too mechanical…too strict. Nothing forces us to do what we do. We all have our choices to make. Robotnik believes in fate. He has always believed that he was destined for greatness, that he is supposed to rule the world."
Arthur turned his head as if trying to see Sonic from a different angle. "You are a unique creature, Sonic the Hedgehog. Many sing the praises of freedom, yet not all are willing to embrace its implications. I wonder though, how far will it take you? You may not believe in destiny or a higher power, but it does not need your permission to use you as it will. When the wind blows you can set your sail against it, but your course will never be your own."
"I'm not much for sailing metaphors but I'm pretty sure that's why they invented oars."
Arthur giggled. The sound was so unexpected that Sonic raised an eyebrow. He was pretty certain that giggling was not very knightly. Arthur raised his hand as if to cover his already hidden face as he stifled his laughter. "You really are as quick as you boasted," He said at last.
Sonic smiled. "Could I ask you a question?"
"That would be fair since I have asked so many of you."
"Who are you?"
Arthur wrung his hands together and looked up into the forest canopy. "I suppose you mean, who am I beneath my disguise?"
"Yes, who are you really? But I understand if you can't tell me. I know you probably wear that helmet for a reason."
Arthur shook his head. "I am…"
"Arthur!" Gray hooded rebels sprang out of the trees with Sir Gawain at their head. He had his scope over his shining eye and his rifle in hand. "Scouts have reported that sentinels have descended into the basin. There are thousands of them!"
"What?" Arthur snapped. "That…Zero must have found out our location." Without another word, Arthur strode back in the direction of the camp. No one paid Sonic any attention as he followed.
The camp was alive with frenetic activity. Sonic could hear children wailing as healer's woke them from their beds. Dozens of rebel soldiers were marshaling in the center of the camp. Priam had formed a circle around him and was praying loudly for Solaris to deliver them.
"How?" Rayne's voice shouted. "How did they find us?" Arthur hurried in that direction and Sonic came with him. At the sight of the rebel leader, the sounds in the camp slowly died. Everyone had turned their attention to Arthur.
"Zero may not know our exact location. It is possible he is just sending sentinels to scope out the valley. We must stay low and silent tonight."
"He knows!" Everyone turned to see Silver coming out of the forest. A group of green hooded rebels followed behind him. "The Jackal Squadron is leading the machines. My scouts overheard them talking. They are following a GPS signal straight towards us."
A hush fell over the camp. Sonic saw many faces turn white with fear. "What are you talking about?" Arthur asked. "What signal?"
Silver smiled triumphantly and pointed. For a moment, it appeared as if he were pointing at Arthur. Too late, Sonic realized Silver was indicating him. Everyone in the camp turned to face him. Their expressions of fear soon turned to anger. "Me? I…I didn't-" But before Sonic could state his denial a flash of pain spread up his arm. Sonic cried out and fell to his knees. It felt as if boiling water was being poured all over his arm. His vision blurred as he thrashed upon the ground.
Strong arms took him in hand and Sonic was lifted off the ground. His head slumped sideways as the pain slowly ebbed away. Sonic opened an eye to see the Imperial Persona on his arm. It was flashing red. "The mark…" Rayne let Sonic go and he fell face first to the ground.
Cries split the night and footsteps rushed forward. BANG! A bolt fired into the sky and silence fell again. Sonic rose up and found himself in a ring of rebels with Gawain and Arthur beside him. Gawain had been the one to fire his weapon into the air.
"He's brought them to us!" Silver spat.
"He did not know." Gawain replied coolly. His response earned him an angry outcry from the crowd.
"No!" A girl broke the circle and came rushing to Sonic's side. It was Jasmine. "It wasn't his fault, he didn't mean to."
"Step aside child!" Silver exclaimed. "He must be removed before he can sabotage us further."
"No!" Jasmine was weeping and clutching Sonic. "Please…"
"Enough," Arthur whispered. Despite the yelling voices, the rebel leader's command was followed instantly. "He did not know. Nor did we. The mark must have been upgraded. It never tracked location in the past. We are the ones who brought Sonic into our camp. The fault lies with us."
"I'm sorry," Sonic managed through gritted teeth. He was still breathless from the pain. "I…I didn't know."
"Apologies won't save us. We need-"
"THIRTEENS!" A voice boomed over the entire valley. It was magnified by what felt like a thousand speakers. Rebels screamed in dismay and Jasmine clapped her hands over her ears. Sonic knew the voice at once. It was Zero. "We have found your little hideaway. The valley is completely surrounded. You will not escape with your lives. Give up your leaders and we may show mercy to those who prove themselves loyal to the empire. Resist, and your bones will be used as a warning to any future traitors. You have one hour."