It was nearing 10 o' clock in the evening. Quite a few of the guests left to their rooms for the night, including Ambassador Xian Yi and Prime Minister Charles Etwin. But about an hour ago, a few of the guards attending the party had discovered the incapacitated new suits in the bathroom, discreetly escorting them to the holding cells. As the party wrapped up, Isaac noticed a few cups sitting out. He saw they were next to the mead barrel. Now, while Isaac had trouble holding his alcohol, if he was going to bed soon, then it wouldn't be too much of a problem to have just one cup of mead. He walked to the table to grab a cup, and then quickly filled it up with mead.
"Isaac, are you sure that's a good idea?" Sally asked, noticing he was filling the cup.
"If I'm able to handle 2 tankards of wine, I can definitely handle a cup of mead." Isaac said, drinking from the cup. As Isaac drank, King Nigel saw him drinking, and immediately became concerned.
"Isaac, I should warn you, that mead is a little high on the alcohol content. I believe it's about 20 percent." Nigel warned. Isaac took the cup from his lips, already feeling a buzz.
"Do not worry 'bout a thing, sir! Only one for me!" Isaac said, putting the cup down.
Nigel shook his head, realizing that his daughter was truly dating a lightweight.
"Sally, make sure Isaac gets to his quarters all right. I'd rather not hear that he ended up cracking his skull open passing out while going down the stairs." King Nigel said, walking towards the door.
"I will, dad. Good night." Sally said, bidding her father good night.
"Good night, Sally. Good night, Isaac." Nigel said, before leaving the room.
"Night, sir!" Isaac said, his words beginning to slur.
"Is Isaac getting drunker?" Tails asked, seeing that he was.
"He passed out from one shot of vodka, which was about 60% alcohol. The mead was only about 20%. He may not pass out, but he's going to keep getting drunker until his body begins to flush it out." Amy explained.
"Man, those night classes are really paying off!" Vector commented, impressed.
Taking his arm into hers, Sally began walking out of the ballroom with Isaac. While Isaac was not 'pass-out' drunk, he was still stumbling a bit. He looked over to Sally, smiling like an idiot.
"See something you like?" Sally asked.
"Yeah… you're pretty!" Isaac exclaimed, sounding like an idiot. Sally could only smile, blushing lightly.
"Well, you're not too bad looking yourself." Sally responded, flirting.
"We shouldn't talk too loud; your father might hear us!" Isaac whispered, being ridiculous. Sally giggled, enjoying this. They continued walking, eventually reaching Isaac's door. Isaac opened it, practically stumbling inside. Sally quickly followed, wanting to make sure Isaac didn't hurt himself.
"I'm fine! Just… gotta change into my sleeping clothes." Isaac said, grabbing them from his chair and walking into the bathroom. As he changed, Sally sat herself in the chair next to his bed. After a few minutes, Isaac walked out in his sleeping clothes, a little bit sobered up.
"Alright, I think I'll be fine for the rest of the night, Sally." Isaac said, yawning. In response, Sally brought a leg up, removing her heels.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Isaac asked, confused.
"Well, what's it look like? I'm staying here for the night." Sally answered, removing her makeup. Isaac's eyes widened, realizing that would be breaking one of her father's rules.
"I… I can't allow that! Your father said you can't be here after eight!" Isaac explained. Hearing that, Sally grinned, already noticing a loophole in her father's rules.
"Actually, the rules say you can't be in my chambers after eight. There was never a mention of me being in your chambers, though." Sally explained. While Isaac was drunk, he knew that this was just a technicality of the rules. It had no real basis.
"I'm sorry, but I can't allow it. I'm sure your father would kill me! Listen, I'm going to go brush my teeth. When I come back, I beg you, please leave! I don't want any of us to get in trouble." Isaac said, walking into the bathroom. After brushing his teeth for a few minutes, Isaac walked out, ready to go to bed. But as he walked out, he saw Sally's dress hanging on a hanger, her heels right under it. Isaac saw Sally resting on his bed, in nothing but her bra and underwear. Isaac felt something drip from his nose. He reached to his nose, seeing that his nose was bleeding!
"You've got to be kidding me." Isaac muttered, walking back to the bathroom. After grabbing a handful of toilet paper and putting it over his nose, he walked back out, seeing Sally was now under the covers. Isaac sighed, realizing there was no convincing her to leave.
"Sally, if I get in trouble because of this… I'm going to be upset." Isaac said, getting himself under the covers. "You won't. My dad told me to make sure you wouldn't crack your skull open tonight. He never said I couldn't do that for when you go to sleep." Sally explained.
Isaac rolled his eyes, knowing there would be no convincing her. After making sure his nosebleed stopped, he threw away the bloodied toilet paper in the trashcan next to his bed. As he made himself comfortable for the night, Sally gingerly placed her arm over him, nestling her head into his chest. Isaac immediately wanted to protest to this, but… some part of him made him hold his tongue. Isaac laid back, feeling more tired than before.
"I love you, Isaac." Sally said, holding onto him tighter. Instinctively to these words, Isaac moved his arms around Sally, holding her close.
"I love you too, Sally." Isaac responded, closing his eyes. As the night passed before them, Isaac could feel a presence before him. Isaac slowly opened his eyes, finding himself in the clearing of the Great Forest. Isaac quickly sat up, already dressed.
"I'm here again? Wait, does that mean…?" Isaac asked himself, before hearing someone whistling in the distance. Isaac followed the whistling, finding his father again. He was carrying an armful of split logs, walking towards the house. As he approached the door, his father balanced the firewood in his right arm, quickly opening the door and swinging it open with his right arm. As Azazel walked in, Isaac closely followed, making it in before the door closed.
"I am home, my dear!" Azazel announced, walking in. After stopping at the fireplace and placing the firewood with the others, Azazel walked into the kitchen, which was mostly comprised of a few wooden counters, a smaller fireplace with a cast iron pot over it, a dining table, and a clay oven that had whatever was being cooked in the top compartment and the firewood fed into the grate. Azazel's wife, Gloria, was cutting up vegetables for a salad to go with dinner. The main course of dinner, a venison roast, was already cooking on a spit over the smaller fireplace.
"My dear, you look more beautiful than the day I had married you." Azazel said, walking over to Gloria and hugging her. Gloria giggled, removing Azazel's hands from her.
"You lie. One, my hair is a mess! And two, you have never seen me on our wedding day." Gloria pointed out, referencing Azazel's blind state. Azazel only smiled, hugging his wife again. But this time, his left hand slowly went to her stomach, which was more pronounced.
"I know you to be more beautiful, carrying our child. For only you are strong enough to do so. I truly wish I could carry our child to give you respite." Azazel said, kissing his wife. Gloria, while returning his affections, couldn't help but laugh.
"You act as if carrying this child is a burden! I am more than happy to carry our child, my sweet husband! Now, if you want to help, I need you to feed the fire to cook the meat. I would do it myself, but I am already nauseous enough." Gloria said, wanting to keep herself from the smell of cooking meat.
Azazel obliged, feeding, and stoking the fire that cooked the roast. As they did so, Isaac walked around the room, remembering it as it were. As the visions of his mother and father continued their tasks, Isaac left the room, going to where his room would be. He opened the door to his room, looking in. He saw a crib in the corner of his room, a handmade structure made from oak. It was finished with beeswax. Isaac removed one of his gloves and felt it, smooth to the touch.
"This cannot be a dream! Everything is too vivid!" Isaac exclaimed, studying the room. As he walked around his room, Azazel walked into the room. Isaac froze, instinctively not making any noises. Azazel put his hand onto the wall, using it to guide himself to the crib. Azazel smiled upon making contact with the crib.
"Soon, my dear child, you will be with us. Though, I wonder what you will become in this world. Will you be a great hunter, taking down elk to feed many? Or will you become a great scholar, giving knowledge freely? Perhaps, I assume too much too early. But know that I wait eagerly for you, my child." Azazel said, walking back to the door.
"Father, wait!" Isaac said, reaching for his shoulder. But to his misfortune, Isaac's hand only phased through him. Azazel walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Isaac went to the door to exit the room, but the moment he reached for the knob, the door suddenly vanished! Isaac turned around, seeing the room had disappeared. Isaac soon found himself in a void. A void where nothing existed.
"I've heard of a clear mind, but this is ridiculous." Isaac observed, seeing nothing in sight.
"That is because nothing has been built, yet." A feminine voice responded. Isaac quickly looked around, not being able to see anyone.
"Who's there? Are you friend… or foe?" Isaac asked, his hand reaching for his sword. A figure erupted into the void, emanating a bright light. The figure's light soon illuminated the void, creating a village environment. Isaac could see the homes, the shops, and the chapel that was almost in the center of this village. Almost as if it were real.
"What is this magic? This is… unnatural." Isaac observed, not believing his eyes. The figure soon formed before him, revealing herself as a strange Mobian hybrid. She had chipmunk and squirrel characteristics, but also had quills, usually found on hedgehogs. She was wearing steel armor, a cloak affixed to a clasp on her shoulder. She was equipped with blades and guns, an unusual combination.
"Who are you?" Isaac asked, not recognizing the figure. The figure, while smiling, had tears streaming from her face. She walked up to Isaac, standing a few feet from him. She was only about half an inch shorter than him, already unusually tall for a Mobian.
"My memories haven't lied to me yet. It's really you!" She said, wiping tears from her face. Isaac reached into his pocket, producing a handkerchief. He handed it to the figure, who proceeded to wipe her tears from her fac with it.
"Do I know you?" Isaac asked, feeling as if he knew her. She shook her head, putting the handkerchief into her own pocket.
"Not for quite a while. But for now, you may call me 'The Architect'. You know, when they told me I would be able to talk to you this way, I thought them to be insane! I guess I owe them an apology." She answered.
"Where are we? I have never seen a place like this before." Isaac asked, still looking around.
"You won't find a place like this anywhere on Mobius. I created this place from images I have seen from books and letters in the Historical Archives. But make no mistake, this place is as real as you or me." She explained, a soft breeze flowing through her hair. As Isaac studied her, he began to see some resemblance to someone he knew.
"You look a lot like someone I know. Are you sure we haven't met before?" Isaac asked. The Architect merely shook her head, before quickly equipping her sword. Isaac did the same, a reflex from his training. They stood across from each other, both of them prepared for a fight.
"How much do you know about fighting?" The Architect asked. Isaac smirked in response to this question. "More than you could possibly know." Isaac answered. The Architect smirked as well, walking to the left. Isaac walked to the right, the both of them circling.
"We'll see about that. So, I step to the left…" She said, before taking a swipe at Isaac. Isaac deftly blocked the strike, throwing her arm above himself to deliver an undercut strike. The Architect blocked this as well, sparks emanating from the clash.
"Very good. Now, I step to the right…" She said, before delivering another series of strikes. Isaac blocked these as well, but he could feel they were stronger than before. After pushing her away with his sword, she jumped back, creating some distance.
"Come on! You're taking it easy on me, aren't you?!" She exclaimed, pointing her sword at Isaac. Isaac frowned, feeling as if she was taking this a bit too seriously.
"And risk killing you?" Isaac asked. The Architect laughed, herself in hysterics after hearing Isaac's words.
"We can't die here! I created this place! We may be able to feel pain but dying here only awakens us from our slumber! Now, as I have said before, is that all you got?!" She asked, twirling her sword. Isaac grinned, now knowing he doesn't have to restrain himself here.
"Just remember… you asked for this fight." Isaac said, charging towards the Architect. Isaac slashed his sword down, the Architect quickly blocking it. But Isaac grabbed one of his knives and attempted to stab her while she was open! The Architect jumped back, narrowly avoiding the blade! She looked at Isaac, almost in a state of disbelief.
"So… that's how it's going to be." The Architect said, grabbing one of her guns. Isaac's eyes widened, quickly retreating from the new threat. She laughed as she rained lead, Isaac barely avoiding the shots! Isaac leaped behind a wall of crates, the shots hitting where his head was only half-a-second ago.
"Can't take the heat, Isaac?" She asked, reloading. Upon hearing those words, Isaac thought up of a new tactic. A tactic he had never considered to use in battle. As the Architect was reloading, Isaac quickly vaulted over the wall of crates, unarmed. The Architect looked at him strange, unsure why he was unarmed.
"Umm… you realize this is a fight, right? I don't think you can beat me without a sword." She questioned. Isaac only smirked, taking off his gloves. Feeling his hands heat up, Isaac performed a palm strike, a great stream of fire exiting from his palm! The fire reached towards The Architect, only for her to deploy a collapsible shield from the gauntlet on her arm! Isaac stopped the stream of fire, seeing the shield was incandescent! The Architect peered from her shield, seeing Isaac was still there.
"Okay… I actually forgot you could do that. That's… going to complicate things." She said, slowly backing up. Isaac only walked forward, his body feeling as if it were on fire. Breathing in, he could feel the ground below him begin to dry out! Breathing out, he could feel the heat of the ground below him exit from his nose. Suddenly, Isaac ran, leaping up into the air. As Isaac fell to the ground, Isaac charged a fireball into his hand, punching into the ground upon landing. Fire burst forth from the earth, a trail of explosive flames leading towards The Architect! She quickly leaped out of the way, narrowly avoiding a column of fire erupting from the ground below her!
"Eṉ irattam mākmā! Eṉ mūccu neruppil uḷḷatu! Uṅkaḷ tuppākkikaḷai vaittiruṅkaḷ, itu eṉakkut tēvaiyāṉa tuppākki! (My blood is magma! My breath is on fire! Keep your guns, this is the gun I need!) Isaac shouted, firing out a fireball from his hand!"Holy sh-" She began to say, before the fireball hit her chest. She flew twenty feet from the impact, landing near one of the homes. She quickly retreated inside, blocking the door. Isaac only stood outside, feeling the power course through his veins. The Architect broke out one of the windows, firing two Uzi submachine guns at Isaac. Isaac quickly acted as if to shield his face, but the bullets never reached him! They melted and fell to the ground upon losing their momentum! Isaac looked from his arm, seeing that he was still untouched.
"How's this for firepower?!" Isaac yelled, producing great streams of fire from his palms. The house quickly ignited, becoming a bonfire! As Isaac saw the carnage, his memory struck him, a flash of his trauma seeping through. Instead of the home created by The Architect, it was now the home he had lived in before The Order brought it down!
"No! No, I can't do this!" Isaac exclaimed, focusing his powers. The fire soon extinguished itself, the house, while charred, was left untouched inside. The Architect slowly opened the door, the door falling off due to its melted hinges. She looked out, seeing Isaac on his knees, his face buried in his hands.
"If this is some kind of trick… No, I know him better than that! He wouldn't resolve to this level." The Architect told herself, slowly walking to Isaac. Isaac was actually sobbing, horrified by what he had almost done. When she reached him, she crouched down, seeing Isaac wasn't faking.
"Why'd you stop? You had me! You would've won!" She asked, confused why Isaac stopped his assault.
Isaac took his hands from his face, showing his eyes were already red. Isaac slowly shook his head, showing his distaste for this fight.
"How can you say I won when all it would do is remind me of when I had lost my parents?" Isaac asked. The Architect was surprised! Despite having previous knowledge about Isaac, this was the first she was hearing about it.
"I'm sorry… I didn't know. You had never mentioned it to me before." She said, the village slowly dissipating back into the void.
"How do you know me?" Isaac asked, still broken. The Architect only shook her head, standing up.
"I can't say. All I can tell you is that I know you. You're the reason I'm a hero! I just want you to know that!" She said, helping Isaac up. Isaac could only look at her, her familiarity overwhelming his other senses. It was driving him crazy, not knowing who she was!
"Architect… I wish to wake up now." He requested. Nodding, The Architect grabbed Isaac's hand, drawing a rune into it. The rune looked like two triangles on their sides, the tops meeting together. The rune began to glow yellow, illuminating the void.
"Until next we meet, Isaac." She said, quickly hugging him. Isaac didn't quite know how to respond, but he hugged her anyway, as a symbol of assurance. The Architect released a few sobs, before dissolving into the void. As she did, Isaac's vision began to become white, before his eyes shot open. Isaac quickly sat up in his bed, feeling as if his lungs were on fire. He looked to his left, seeing Sally still asleep. She wasn't under the covers. Instead, she had decided to sleep over the covers sometime during the night. Isaac wiped his forehead, feeling it drenched with sweat.
"I must've been radiating enough heat to heat the room. No wonder Sally's sleeping without the blanket." Isaac thought, silently getting up.