Chapter 120

The Comfortable Soldier

Robotnik City was the dream of its maker, and the nightmare to anyone who still clung to the memory of beauty. Past and future were spliced together in a grotesque amalgamation meant to demoralize the viewer.

Towering marble columns lined the main thoroughfares, their weathered surfaces bearing the weight of history. Between them, graven statues stood sentinel over the bustling streets vigilantly watching their descendants. Yet each relic of genuine culture was darkened by the shadow of the conquering future. Oppressive towers of solid adamant pierced the sky obliterating the beauty and originality of the city.

The dichotomy was striking, and intentional. Nausea inducing holographic signs adorned the walls of classical temples, burying the quiet meditations of the past beneath the blinding color of the future. Beneath his feet, Shadow could feel the rumble of a thousand machines working non stop, the metallic heartbeat of a city in perpetual activity.

The slow, but steady mechanization of the city was mirrored in its citizens. Robotnik City pulsed with life, yet it was a life under scrutiny. Sentry drones littered the sky like a hoard of locusts, while red armored guards patrolled the streets. Their conspicuous armor only served to hide the other vigilants who roamed the back alleys and dark corners. Eyes were one thing, even the human world had slowly transitioned into a surveillance state, but Robotnik was not content to merely watch his subjects.

As Shadow walked the city, he noticed that the citizens did not do anything. Almost all work had been ceded over to machinery or automated processesses. The citizens had been relegated to mere spectators of their own existence. Food was pre packaged and delivered by drone, transportation was done automatically without driver input, the markets were controlled by robots, and it appeared that most of the clothing and goods were probably made by some kind of artificial intelligence. There was a blurry haze to everything, an impersonal swirl of art and color, that taken individually could pass as substance, but taken as a whole appeared to be a colorful sludge mixed together at random.

And yet, the citizens themselves seemed largely happy. They talked loudly to one another, not really noticing the microphones that were recording their every conversation. Children ran through the markets and splashed in the fountains. No one, other than Shadow, seemed to notice anything strange or static about the entire situation.

Shadow kept his head down and pushed through the oblivious crowds. He had seen this trick before. Eggman's spell was well cast, and it would hold many under its sway. The illusion of paradise, at whatever the cost, was so strong a desire that most would gladly spend their days walking over streets paved with skulls and parks fertilized by blood than face the truth. Robotnik City was a veil, a deceptive gloss concealing a festering wound. It was the salt masking the rot, and the coffin that concealed the victims. The juxtaposition of opulence and control painted a chilling portrait of a city that thrived on the fragility of its inhabitants' contentment.

Or at least, that is what Shadow thought. The more he walked, the more he saw, the more that idea was challenged. He kept expecting to catch the eye of someone who had broken free of the spell, to see the restless anger and hatred that bubbled beneath the surface. Instead, he saw a citizenry that seemed to love its chains. Again and again, he saw open street corners littered with statues of Robotnik. There was no police force that stood by them and demanded that everyone bow to them. Instead, much of the fealty and reverence shown to the icons of the emperor appeared to be spontaneous acts of genuine adoration.

Shadow's senses tingled with disquiet. How could this be? He had expected rebellion, dissent, a spark of defiance against the oppressive regime. Instead, he found a populace entangled in their own delusions, willingly dancing to the puppeteer's tune.

The realization settled heavy in Shadow's chest. This was no ordinary tyranny. This was a tyranny of the mind, a manipulation so complete, so insidious, that even the chains felt like garlands to those ensnared. The city whispered its secrets, a siren's song of complacency and obedience, drowning out the echoes of rebellion.

It is only apart of his cover. Shadow told himself. Even if Eggman had truly ingratiated himself to his new subjects, it was not done for their good, but only to serve his other, nefarious schemes. He held on to that belief as he rounded a nearby corner and found what he was looking for. The Mirage Saloon was a large drum shaped building with a neon sign. Wide marble columns held up the front, while the rest of the building seemed to be made of a far more modern material. Shadow ignored this contrast and headed towards the entrance.

As he had guessed, the front was guarded. Hulking boars served as the establishment's bouncers, their tusks hung out of their enormous mouths and they each had the scanning devices Shadow had seen when he entered the city. Bypassing them was easy. Shadow used the Reticus to slip past them, and once inside he became practically invisible. The Mirage Saloon was not a quiet, cozy bar, but a raging, dance house. Flashing lights pulsed on the walls and ceiling, but otherwise everything else was covered in a paint of darkness.

Shadow crept forward. Bodies swelled most of the space, and the disorienting flashing light made it difficult to navigate. Music played at such a loud volume that Shadow could hardly hear himself think. The pumping of the speakers seemed to make the ground physically shake.

Shadow did his best to fight through the crowd. The dancers did not seem to even notice him as he pushed them. The combination of the flashing lights and music seemed to have put everyone in some kind of trance. Shadow watched in a mixture of amusement and disgust as the dancers gyrated and moved their bodies in unnatural poseses.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. With each pounding of the beat, Shadow felt his heart skip a beat. He was feeling anxious and very confined amongst the crowd. Hands kept reaching for him and some even had the audacity to press their bodies up against him. Shadow had to grit his teeth to stop himself from throwing punches. How the hell am I supposed to find a basement here?

Shadow made his way along, until he finally reached the edge of the dance floor. He posted up against the wall and surveyed the room. A red sign flashed over a door near the back of the establishment. Shadow glanced around, he did not want to press through the bodies a second time. Once he decided that no one would probably notice, he leapt over the dance floor and sprinted through the door.

He entered a narrow hallway which led towards a flight of metal stairs. Shadow took them and was surprised by just how quickly the sound of the music receded. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he was engulfed by silence. Shadow crept forward, cringing slightly everytime his footsteps made a loud squeak.

At the end of the hall, he reached an impassable iron door. Shadow took a quick breath before knocking. "What is the seed that can never be unrooted?" A withered old voice called back.

"Verdania." Shadow waited a full five seconds before the iron door was slowly pulled back. He covered his eyes as he was suddenly dazzled by bright yellow light. In complete contrast to the room above, the basement was made completely out of marble. Huge golden torches burned in braziers in the center of the room and from a dozen or so scones along the walls. Water trickled in his ears and he spotted several open baths. Steam hung heavy in the air along with the thick scent of perfume.

A bent echidna wearing a thick white toga shuffled over to him. He squinted at Shadow and his expression turned sour. "Who are you?" He snapped.

"It doesn't matter."

The echidna checked to ensure that the door was closed firmly behind Shadow. "This is a private event."

"I won't be here long. I just need some information."

"Hmmm," The old echidna surveyed Shadow from head to foot. "Well you did know the password, so perhaps I am just being overly cautious. Very well then, enjoy your stay friend."

Shadow strode further into the room. The steam was so heavy that it was pretty easy to be concealed within it. He heard raucous laughter to his right and he saw a table full of wolves and hedgehogs wearing only towels playing a game of dice. Shadow ignored them and continued onward.

Each of the baths had a handful of occupants. Most seemed to be older citizens who lounged in the warm waters. Though some were filled up almost exclusively by females who shot Shadow seductive glances as he passed by. Shadow was thankful for the steam to conceal his embarrassment as he directed his head firmly in the other direction. What the hell am I doing here? Shadow was starting to believe that he would not find any useful information here when he heard someone speak from straight ahead.

"That's what they're saying. A knight as fast as the wind. Apparently, he took down four entire legions all by himself."

Shadow hurried forward and found a table at the far edge of the room, safely removed from the steam and heavy smells. The table was occupied by a thick set echidna. He did not wear a robe, opting instead for a jerkin of leather armor. A sword belt hung behind his chair and a leather helmet rested beneath his legs. Across from him sat a wolf with a bad scar under his left eye. He also wore armor and a long cloak trailed behind him. Between them sat a girl, a squirrel with large amber eyes and soft pink cheeks.

"That's just abunch of Thirteen rabble, you should know better, Severus." The wolf said as he tossed back a huge gulp out of the mug in front of him.

"That's what I thought at first," Agreed the echidna. 'But I've seen the reports from the twentieth legion. There was no great victory at Masada. It was a slaughter, and not a slaughter of Thirteens either. Mesto lost two legions in that desert and all for what? Some abandoned tower?"

The wolf shrugged. "That doesn't prove anything. All these tales about the knight, that is just the sort of fantasy that the Thirteens dream up all the time."

"That doesn't make them untrue," Said the girl. "How else can you explain why Mesto is struggling to subdue the area? It isn't like the Thirteens are especially well known for their military skill."

Severus motioned to the girl. "Theodora is right. It might seem like fantasy, but the emperor's story seemed like fantasy also. Open your eyes Revan, strange things are happening on Arvana."

Theodora opened her mouth to speak, but then she spotted Shadow. Her eyes seemed to grow even larger and her cheeks burned red. "O." She squeaked.

The other two turned and scowled up at Shadow. "Can we help you stranger?" Revan asked crossly.

Shadow seized a chair and sat down. "Yes, I need to know more about this knight."

"What's it to you?" Revan snapped.

"Just answer my question. Is that knight a blue hedgehog, by any chance?"

Shadow didn't need them to answer. The look Severus gave to Theodora was enough to confirm his suspicions. "Listen here," Severus said firmly. "You should be careful going around asking questions like that."

"I'll keep that in mind. Now tell me, where is this District Thirteen? Is it far from here?"

"From here?" Revan repeated. "Have you gone mad? District Thirteen is on the other side of the planet."

Shadow leaned back and folded his arms. "I'll need a map then."

"For what?" Severus asked. "You don't plan on going there do you?"

"What I do doesn't concern you. But I could use a map, if you have one."

"We have a map!" Theodora said suddenly and too loudly. She blushed again and glanced side to side, realizing at once that she had not said the right thing. Severus rounded on her at once. "Keep your mouth shut girl!"

"What are you afraid of?" Shadow insisted. "Loaning me a map won't hurt you."

"It would be a waste," Revan answered. "You must be an idiot if you think you can just go to District Thirteen. The empire controls all roads and moving across provinces is reserved for those with special privileges."

"Like having that mark on your arm?"

Revan and Severus exchanged incredulous looks. "Are you saying that you don't have the mark?"

Shadow held out his arm. Revan snatched it and inspected it closely. He hissed through his teeth. "He doesn't have it. If anyone found him here, we'd be dead."

"But nobody has found him!" Theodora said swiftly. "He isn't hurting anyone." She turned in her seat to face Severus. "Uncle, he is exactly what we have been looking for. Someone without the mark, someone who can actually stand up against the empire."

Severus' face paled. He glanced around as if to ensure that no one else was listening. "How did you get into the city?" He asked in a voice as low as an intaken breath.

"Walked in," Shadow answered normally.

"Do you take us for fools," Revan snarled.

"I take you for cowards." Shadow leaned back casually. "How is it that Eggman subdued this world so easily?"

Revan was so angry he was at a temporary loss for words. Severus seemed slightly ashamed at Shadow's rebuke and hung his head. "Who is Eggman?" Theodora asked.

"Robotnik."

Theodora's red cheeks turned white. "The emperor…" She put a hand to her heart in shock. "Did you just-"

"Insult him? Of course I did. He is a destructive maniac and a coward."

"Quiet…" Severus insisted through gritted teeth. "Even here, amongst the discontent, it is not wise to insult the emperor."

Shadow shrugged. "You might be surprised to learn that I am from the same world that the emperor came from. And so is that blue hedgehog. The emperor came to this planet because he was too weak to take ours."

Thunk. Revan drove his knife into the table. "Enough lies…are you some kind of spy or something? Why would anyone believe you?"

"I don't care what you think. I just need to know how to get to District Thirteen."

"And then what?" Severus prompted. "Do you intend to join the rebels?"

"I suppose so."

"See!" Theodora said happily. "I told you uncle, he is exactly what we've been looking for." She ignored the dark looks of the others and leaned forward towards Shadow. "We've been wanting to rebel also. The emperor, he is destroying everything that once made Verdania what it was."

"So why don't you fight?"

"We can't," Severus said with a defeated shake of his head. "We all accepted the Imperial Persona, the mark, before we understood what it really meant. The empire can always track us now. There was a group of loyalists who tried to stand against the emperor, but they are all dead now. We are all that remain, but we do not fight anymore. This is all the resistance we can muster, the holding on to old customs and traditions. The emperor outlawed the old bathhouses, but we have restored this one." Severus moved his hand across the table and squeezed Theodora's. "It is the small part that we can do."

Shadow had to fight the temptation to laugh. "So that is your rebellion. Bathing?"

Revan's chair scooted backward as he leapt to his feet. "We'd have no problem fighting you!" His hand reached for the dagger on his belt, but Shadow was too quick. No time seemed to pass as Shadow moved out of his chair, took the dagger from its sheath and resumed sitting. Shadow leaned back and spun the blade on his finger. Revan did not understand what had just happened. He stood gawking at Shadow, spluttering incoherently.

"You…you're like the other one!" Theodora said. "A knight as fast as the wind!"

"Don't compare me to him," Shadow said crossly.

Severus examined Shadow with a newfound sense of wonder. "But there is something about you. Yes, perhaps you really are the key. Very well, follow me, I will show you the best way for you to reach District Thirteen." Severus stood and he led Shadow to the far end of the bathhouse. Shadow saw a row of doors which indicated that the bathhouse also served as a kind of inn for weary travelers who wished to stay the night.

Severus took Shadow through the largest of these doors and they climbed up a short set of spiraling stairs. This brought them to what appeared to be Severus' personal chambers. Old tapestries and mounted weapons decorated the walls. Intricately bound tomes rested within glass display cases, giving the entire space the feeling that it was almost a museum of sorts.

"This is all that I have been able to salvage against the emperor's purges. He intends to destroy the old way and to distort the memory of the old empire. Preservation is its own kind of rebellion." Severus motioned Shadow over to the largest tapestry. A map of Arvana was painted onto it. He pointed to a dot on the upper lefthand corner. "This is Verdania, or as it is now known, Robotnik City. Way over here," Severus traced his finger across the map, over the sea and to a point in the right center. "This is Mesto City, the heart of District Thirteen. I am sure if you go there you can find out more about this knight of the wind."

Shadow stared at the map, hoping that a one time look would be enough to direct him. However, his concerns were ill founded, because Severus rummaged through a trunk and handed Shadow a handful of smaller maps. "These should help you. The old imperial forts have been greatly enhanced. You will want to stay as far from them as you can."

"Thank you," Shadow said.

Severus inclined his head and shuffled towards the door. "I suppose you will want to rest before starting your journey? It is a long way after all."

Now that the offer had been made, Shadow felt very tempted. His legs were stiff and sore, and he had not rested since before he had met with Gothro. "I need to leave before sunrise."

"I will send someone to wake you. You may take this room. I'll have food brought up."

Shadow hesitated, stricken by the sudden generosity he was being shown. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Everyone must do their part, I shouldn't have been so quick to judge."

"I think we were all surprised by just how quickly the emperor took over. Centuries of pride and tradition were set aside because of fear and greed. Yet neither of those evils are even half as pernicious as comfort. It is the comfortable soldier that will not even raise his sword in the defense of his life." Severus turned around and shuffled out of the room.

Half an hour later, Theodora arrived with a plate of pleasant smelling, but odd looking food. Shadow thanked her, but was slightly annoyed when she did not leave him to eat alone. Instead, she sat down across from him and poured both of them a healthy measure of some amber liquid.

"I was wondering…if it isn't too much trouble, if you could tell me more about the world you come from. The one the emperor is from. I mean, what is it even called?" She blushed badly when she handed Shadow his drink and their fur made the briefest contact.

Shadow buried his annoyance and bought himself time to answer by taking a drink. The liquid burned his throat, but instantly made him feel warm. He felt a slight tingle run down his back and through the tips of his fingers. "It's called earth."

"Earth?" Theodora repeated as though the word sounded strange. "What an odd name for a planet. What is it like there?"

Shadow shrugged. "Same as anywhere I suppose."

Theodora laughed. Shadow had not meant to make a joke, but her reaction was so genuine, Shadow felt a strange turning in his stomach. He took another sip of his drink. His head was starting to feel slightly fuzzy and he felt very tired. "Earth is full of humans, the same species as the emperor."

Theodora's eyes widened. "You mean…there are more of him? But that can't be."

"You thought Eggman was the only human? No, there are billions of them."

"But are they? Are they just as…"

"Destructive? As a species they are, but as individuals, the doctor is one of the worst. He is a genius, but not in a good way."

"You've battled against him before then?"

"Not me. This knight you keep talking about, his name is Sonic. He and Eggman were rivals and were always fighting each other. However, Eggman could never beat him. That's why he left earth and came here." Shadow could not say why he was talking so much. He felt so weightless, it was as if he was floating in his chair. An electric energy was steadily moving through his body. He smiled faintly at Theodora, who seemed to be feeling the same way. She took another healthy drink out of her cup and leaned forward. Her cheeks were very red, and her large eyes were staring deeply at Shadow.

"It can get lonely here," She said suddenly. "All I ever see are old men who want nothing else but to sit around and relive old glory. No one wants to fight anymore. No one is brave. Not like you."

"You don't even know me."

"But I do," She insisted. "I can see it in your face, I can see the sorrow behind your eyes. You've fought, and you've lost, but you keep fighting." Theodora's hand moved across the table and took Shadow's. Her fingers interlocked between his and she pulled him closer. Butterflies zoomed inside Shadow's stomach. Heat seemed to radiate off his hands and face. However, his mind had no thoughts. His entire being had become purely sense driven. Theodora's face was only a few inches from his own. Her large amber eyes blinked and then suddenly they were kissing. Everything seemed to blur, and Shadow felt himself fall out of his chair. Theodora giggled as she toppled down beside him.

Complete and total ease flooded through Shadow. He forgot everything, his mission, his aches and pains, even the Realm Lord. His vision seemed to blur and spiral until everything except Theodora turned gray. A sly smile spread across her face as she crawled towards him. It was a beautiful smile, and she had such beautiful lips. BOOM. Shadow's heart missed a beat. The moment was subtle, but it instantly filled him with dread. Her alluring smile spread just an inch too far. Shadow tried to raise his arms to defend himself, but it was no use. His head fell back and he knew no more.