II. The Fire in the Sky
I ran through the woods, the smell of ash growing stronger as I went. My eyes scanned over the forest, searching for signs of anything at that point. It took me some time to make any progress, but I had finally reached small flames that covered many spots in the area; I was close. The deeper I went, the larger the flames grew. The trees up ahead were either crippled or completely burned over. The smoke grew thicker, and breathing slowly became a struggle. I was losing my bearings due to it, and was only left with the trails of fire that would lead the way. A hill slowly appeared in the middle of the smoke as I kept moving, but the flames were out of control, quickly spreading and eating away at anything in their path. The sound of wood ripping caught my attention, as a tree fell toward me. I leaped, and took hold of the embers, extinguishing most of the fires around me, although they had already done their work. I was left with nothing but smoke, falling ash, and steam emanating from the hill up ahead. The closer I got, the louder my heart thumped. My breathing became quick. My mind raced…
Was it really him who arrived? If so, was he well? What was going on? Has a new threat emerged? Through my thoughts, anticipation grew within me. I had to focus on whatever was awaiting, however, whether it was good, or bad. I thought of dashing my way through, but running any faster and I would lose balance with the terrain. But, from what I saw afterward, I almost did.
There he was, in the middle of it all. Covered in soot, and bruises.
"S-Sonic...?"
The fact that he was there, laying on the ground up ahead, was enough for disbelief. I had started making my way down quickly, but ended up falling downhill... I still remember, how awful he looked...
"Sonic?!"
Covered in dust, I kept running toward him. He wouldn't do anything.
"Sol... No, please..."
No response. I quickly fell to my knees and lifted his head. He was still, his fur growing pale...
"Sonic!"
He couldn't just come crashing down into my home. My life.
"S-Sonic?! Sonic, wake up!"
Just for him, to fade away again.
"...please...!"
Rumblings of footsteps and metal clashing were approaching me from a distance. And soon, a familiar face emerged: Maia, with knights at her side, who was standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Maia! Please, he's... I-"
"Clover," Maia quickly called upon one of her own, who was making her way toward me. The rest gathered while she brought me away, letting Clover treat him as best as she could.
"Lady Blaze?" Maia worried, standing beside me. "What are you doing here?"
"Maia, you have to help him. Please, he's-"
"Stay calm, we're looking into him right now," she assured. "How is he?" she asked Clover as she turned to her.
I crouched beside her, as she continued her work…
"Just tell me he is fine, nothing more..."
"Your Highness, he is heavily wounded. But rest assured, he still lives."
I felt relief travel through me like never before. So weightless, hearing her words...
"...thank goodness."
"But we should turn back," suggested Maia. "In this state, Theobald is the only one who can attend to him."
I stood up, and nodded. Another knight began to carry Sonic in his arms, yet I insisted on doing so instead. We departed, backtracking our way from that clearing, while he remained in my arms, cold and still. But I made sure to keep him warm. Keep him safe.
As I looked at his blood-stained fur, I couldn't help but worry... Sonic can be reckless sometimes. But he is undeniably a force to be reckoned with. Yet, there he was, sitting in my arms...
"...What, happened to you?" I muttered.
The journey towards the palace was one surrounded by cautious eyes from the knights staring into him...
I assured Maia, "Maia, I promise you. I will explain... But right now, our priority is him."
"I understand," she replied.
Soon, the rear walls came into view. The gates opened, guards moving out of the way as we rushed up many stairs. Through halls and steps, we reached and burst through Theobald's ward, speaking with his assistants. It took him a moment to register the scene, sharing the urgency right afterward.
"Y-Your Highness...? S-Sol's grace, lay him there!" he quickly yelled.
Maia helped me place him on one of the beds, as Theobald and his assistants rushed to grab supplies…
"What happened?"
Maia spoke for me, "We... believe, he's the one. Who fell from the skies, this sunrise."
Theobald froze, stopping altogether after hearing those words...
"You, don't mean... That, streak of light..."
Maia couldn't form any words to explain. She slowly raised her hands as she tried to form any explanation, but she heavily sighed, her hands falling to her sides in defeat. Dumbfounded, the doctor struggled to continue treating him…
"I-I'll do my very best, but, we need this room... If you please."
I, along with Maia and the rest, made our way toward the doors. My eyes remained on Sonic, as the doors stayed open. And once they slowly closed, he was gone, once more... A cold steel arm held my shoulder as I turned to meet Maia speaking to me. Her voice seemed, distant, however. I was overwhelmed, and covered with faint blood stains on my clothes. On my fur. Gloves...
His blood.
"Princess Blaze-"
"Y-Yes, I'm... all right." I lied.
I felt drained, and somewhat inclined toward my side, only to find Maia keeping me upright, and escorted me to my room, although I kept insisting I was well…
As time passed, I stood on the balcony in new attire, as Maia sat down beside me on a chair.
"I guess, an explanation is in order…"
"Forget I ever asked, your highness."
"Maia, how many times must I tell you to just call me by my name," I smiled. "I don't need any formalities from you."
"Very well," she agreed with a chuckle.
"Maia, do you remember... when our kingdom was in peril? And, a distant world was colliding with ours?"
"I do... In fact, you've told me those tales many times over. About this hedgehog, who helped you, save..."
"...Maia. That, hedgehog..."
"...Is Sonic?", she asked in utter surprise. "'The', Sonic? Champion of his world? The one you almost killed?"
"I did no such thing! It was... a misunderstanding, of sorts."
"Right... Well, that explains..."
"What, do you mean?"
"You two must be fairly close."
"Yes... He, is a formidable ally."
"Is, that all?" she quietly wondered.
"Well, he is, a great friend... My trust is well placed in him."
"Clearly... And what else, I wonder?" She said, taking a sip of her tea.
As I looked at her from the corner of my eye with a raised brow, she raised her hand and chuckled, "Fine, I'll pry you no more. But, I can't help but think. What do you think has brought him here...?"
"...I don't know," I said, looking down at my clasped hands resting on the balustrade. "But, it cannot be anything good."
"I'll keep the royal guard on high alert. I'm sure the council will want to hear about this very soon."
"...Right."
"...Blaze. Don't worry yourself. He'll be fine," she reassured, placing a hand on my shoulder.
And in my silence, I truly hoped so...