Chapter 127
The Spoils of War
Silver landed with a dull thud. He brushed aside the dust and coughed into his cloak. "This is your old home?" He asked dubiously.
"Yes," Jasmine answered out of the darkness. She had wandered alone deeper into the house.
"Let me take care of this." Whoosh! A green plasma took shape around Silver's hand, illuminating the space in an eerie green light. This gave Sonic a better view of the house than he had received earlier. Despite how tiny and cramped it appeared on the outside, the interior was fairly spacious.
"I think we can fit," Silver said as they entered the living room. "We'd have to clean up a bit, but there is enough room…" He paused as he noticed the scorch marks on the walls and the general disarray of the furniture. Silver frowned and scratched his chin. "If the empire has condemned this place, then I doubt they would be checking on it very often." He rounded on Jasmine. "Why do you have that secret entrance in the first place?"
Jasmine's face paled. "Well…it…my father used to lock the door at a certain time. If I wasn't home before then he would not open the door for me. I made that little tunnel so I could go in and out whenever I wanted. My mother knew about it, she helped me make the hand ledges. I think even my father knew but he pretended not to notice." She was blushing badly by the time she stopped speaking.
"Well adolescent antics aside, I think this is perfect." Silver smirked and clapped Jasmine on the back. "You had better hurry back to the estate okay. Thanks for showing us this."
Jasmine blushed a second time before bowing curtly, thinking better of it, letting out a girlish giggle and retreating out of the room.
"Should we be heading back?" Sonic was eager to hear how the meetings with Mesto had gone.
"Not yet, I want to go talk to one of my scouts. I think this should serve as the perfect hideout, but Ivan would know for sure. Besides, I want to gauge the temperature in the city, see how people are reacting to Blaze's return."
Sonic followed Silver back up the trap door and into the hidden alley. Two of his scouts stood outside the entrance while not being obvious about doing so. Silver approached one and whispered something. Silver got the intel he was looking for because he came back over to Sonic and steered him down a side street. "Ivan's at a tavern just down the street. This shouldn't take long."
Upbeat melodic music anticipated the tavern as they rounded a corner. Flashing neon lights flashed violently out of a glass, futuristic looking building set disjointedly beside some more traditional looking villas. They had walked halfway across the city to reach this place and had clearly entered one of the more imperially dominated districts. A neon sign above the tavern flashed strange characters which Sonic's translator read as the Hermit's Hamlet.
Silver and Sonic mixed into the river of people streaming into the club. The lights inside were pulsing so intensely that Sonic was temporarily blinded. When his eyes adjusted, a dim blue world materialized in front of him. Like the city outside, the tavern itself was a strange mix of dystopian future and idyllic fantasy past. Crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, swinging upon silver chains. The lamps were filled with blue flames that shifted and shimmered. These artful flourishes were countered by metallic strobe lights and other flashing devices that reminded Sonic starkly of the lighting inside some of Dr. Eggman's bases.
The energetic crowd was concealed beneath the mist of a pumping fog machine. Sonic could just see the faint outline of the gyrating forms. The dancers may have been ignorant, but Sonic did not miss the signs of imperial surveillance that littered the establishment. Half a dozen imperial soldiers patrolled the tavern, and a few sentinels hovered in the shadows near the roof.
With hoods raised, Silver and Sonic moved to one of the more secluded alcoves. The people here were busy in intent conversation. Two huge walruses sat on a round cushioned sofa. Each enjoyed a beverage larger than Sonic's head. A group of hedgehogs and wolves stood in a circle around them. Silver nodded in the direction of one of the hedgehogs sitting across from the walrus. He wore the signature gray cloak of one of Silver's scouts. Sonic assumed that this must have been the Ivan they were looking for.
Ivan spun a silver knife on the center of the table, allowing the edge of the blade to dance between his fingers. "Still you can't deny that she beat the legions at Castle Town." Ivan said smoothly, his eyes locked upon the edge of his knife.
The walrus on the right smirked, flashing a set of razor sharp fangs. "And she lost at Masada."
"The princess wasn't at Masada," Ivan replied casually.
"And how do you know that?" The left walrus inquired. His tone was sharp and laced with suspicion.
Ivan shrugged and flipped his knife right side up. "Masada was not a proper battle. The rebels started their march from the forest. They've gained territory the whole time."
"Har," Right walrus plopped his drink hard on the table. "And what does she plan to do with all that territory?" The nearby listeners stifled a chuckle. "The princess could win a thousand battles, and it still wouldn't make a difference."
"You're right," Ivan pressed his blade back into the table and spun the hilt. "But it does mean something. The empire claims to be invincible does it not? Are her victories not cracks in that armor?"
The left walrus shook its head. "Strategic defeat can be more valuable than victory. The emperor has not lost anything he wasn't willing to give. Besides, the legions were not focused on the battles here. They have a far more important frontier to worry about."
"What does that mean?" Ivan asked crossly.
"It means, the eye of the emperor is set elsewhere. This ordeal with the princess is but a small trifle to him. Haven't you ever wondered why the emperor did not send his own personal legions to the area?"
Ivan hesitated. "Her victories were not hollow. The Sol Gems that the emperor covets so greatly are mined in this district. A great deal of the empire's ability to make war would be compromised should this city fall."
"Would be, could be," Said the right walrus. "It doesn't matter. The princess ought to have never started fighting in the first place."
"A thousand victories mean nothing, but a single defeat could mean losing everything. Unless…" Ivan snatched up his knife and returned it back into his cloak. "We've already lost everything, and we just don't know it yet."
"Piss off," Grunted the left walrus. "We had plenty before these battles started. All of us who kept our heads down, who got our marks and got on with life that is."
"What about High Priest Leon?" Ivan countered. "Mesto promised certain privileges to the Church, but he double crossed them. Leon was murdered." At these words there was a certain amount of muttering. Sonic could tell that Leon's death was still a sore subject amongst the Thirteens of the city.
"I never said Mesto was a saint," The right walrus admitted. "Things could be better, but they could be a whole hell of a lot worse. If Blaze had any sense she would have done better to stay hidden. There is nothing to be gained from fighting the empire."
The onlookers broke out into a series of nods and whispered agreements. The simple, pragmatic doctrines of the walrus seemed to be representative of the general view. However, Ivan was not dissuaded. "And what of your conscience? They've taken our names, our temple, and our god. What are we once everything has been stripped away?"
"You're a bold one," The left walrus said with a grim smile. "Perhaps you've got some notions of bravery swimming around in that spikey little head of yours. Well let me tell you, there is plenty left to lose. Don't believe me? Just ask those that are dragged into Mesto's dungeons. If only all they had to fear was dying."
Mentioning Mesto's dungeons sent a wave of dread over the listeners. Sonic saw many of them physically cringe. A few made frantic whispers and walked away. Ivan pressed his hands together and glared intently at the two hulking walrus in front of him. "That will be our fate anyway. The empire will make increasing demands for loyalty, and at every step there will be a purge. It started with the unmarked, tomorrow it might be the unaffiliated. Then Mesto will come for the loyal, and then the zealot. It will not matter. In the end, we will worship the very gods who murder us. Mesto may not come for you yet, but who will be left to fight for you if you do not stand up now?" Ivan finished his drink with one huge gulp and pushed his chair away from the table. He tossed a few coins next to his empty cup and left.
With the conversation at an end, Silver hurried over to intercept Ivan. The three hedgehogs found their own table in an isolated corner.
"That is the general sentiment," Ivan explained after a few minutes. "There are few places where there are those who are still ready to fight, but most are too afraid to even hope for liberation."
Silver cracked his knuckles in frustration. "What was the point of those victories if they've meant nothing? We aren't a step closer to taking down the empire."
"Calm down," Sonic said reassuringly. "I'm sure Blaze has a plan."
Silver sighed. "I hope so." He turned to Ivan. "What is this about 'the eye of the emperor is set elsewhere?"
Ivan shrugged. "It is not the first time I've heard something like that though. Yesterday I was spying on a group of soldiers. Apparently, the empire has mobilized half a dozen legions. No one seems to know exactly where they are going, but one thing is clear, it isn't for the defense of the city."
Silver's eyes lit up. "You don't think another province rose up in rebellion? Perhaps district 11, the Vanomites were always fierce enemies of Tralajians."
Ivan shook his head. "I have no idea. If there was another rebellion I doubt we would ever hear about it. The empire would not want it getting out that they were fighting a war on two fronts."
Silver smacked his hand on the table. "We should act now." Silver looked around wildly as if expecting Blaze and her rebel army to come rushing out of the dance floor. "There will not be a better chance."
"Convince your sister," Ivan advised him. "Opinion towards her is only growing more sour by the day. Her outburst at the Church didn't do her any favors. Many are spreading rumors that she promised to destroy the temple."
"That's not exactly what she said," Sonic pointed out. "I'd bet that priest, Caiphax or whatever his name is, spread that rumor."
"Whatever the case-" Ivan's words were interrupted by the sounding of a loud trumpet. The conversations in the tavern came to a swift end. The music stopped. Everyone turned in their seats. Drrruuuuuuummmmm! A loud booming note rang over the city. "Those are the horns of Gabriel," Silver said in a hushed whisper.
Twice more the trumpets rang. The note was so loud Sonic could feel it reverberating inside his skull. 'It's too late for a service…and there is no feast today," Silver said as he looked around.
"It's Mesto," Ivan muttered. "He must have caught another spy. He has been putting on public executions for the past few weeks."
Silver leapt to his feet. "Bastard. He would stain the holy temple with blood? Do his blasphemies know no end?" He turned to Sonic. "Come on, we should check this out."
The trio left the tavern and found that a mob of imperials and Thirteens alike had already taken to the streets. At Ivan's suggestion, the three hedgehogs raised their hoods and mixed into the group. To Sonic's surprise, they were not alone in hiding their identity. Many in the street covered their faces with hoods, some even going so far as to wear masks. Sonic's stomach twisted when he recognized the design, dizzying red spirals reminiscent of the mask Infinite wore.
Unlike the crowd that had gathered to welcome Blaze, this mob was disorganized and infected with a violent, intoxicating energy. Sonic was pressed in on all sides and people were pushing, shoving, and exploding into sudden fits. The closer they got to the Church the more rabid the masses became. Imperial soldiers joined the throng, holding up their spears and leading chants. Sonic did not understand. It was as if the city were celebrating some great victory. He looked to his side and saw Silver's face beneath his hood. His eyes were darting back and forth on the alert, and clearly just as confused as Sonic was.
No guards or sentinels delayed the swarm as they reached the steps leading up into the Church. Despite what Caiphax had said that morning, everyone was allowed to penetrate into the inner courts. They all pushed deeper into the temple until they reached a massive chamber that Sonic could only describe as a kind of theater. Five hundred rows of stone benches funneled above a stage set at the base of the sanctuary. Sonic allowed himself to be herded along with the crowd until he was positioned near a rail with a good view of the stage beneath.
The inner sanctum had a circular roof with an open canopy. Tonight was a new moon so only empty darkness filled the arena from outside. Within, the sanctum was lit by torches. The dim lighting made it impossible to see anyone's faces. Pressed tightly together, the entire gathering lost all sense of distinction, they were merely a collective of hooded faces with a single deadly intention. Sonic felt chills trace down his arms as Silver and Ivan took up positions to his right and left.
"Mesto…" Silver breathed, his voice shaking with rage.
Set prominently within the stage at the base of the funnel shaped theater was a raised platform. Seven figures in black robes walked in a tight circle while raising up different kinds of metal rods. They seemed to be muttering something, as Sonic could vaguely hear the echo of their chanting. At regular intervals they would stop and strike their metal rods into the center of the ring, causing a faint spark of rainbow colored fire.
Ivan stroked his chin and frowned. "Tin, iron, lead, copper, mercury, silver, gold, they are preparing to do dark magic."
Sonic said nothing. His heart skipped a beat and an anxious thrill zoomed up his spine. The metal rods glinted in the light of the fire. Each of the different metals refracted the light and threw back a different color. Sonic was reminded of the colors of the Chaos Emeralds. Suddenly, the entire Cathedral took on a whole new shape. It was as if a veil had been removed from his eyes. Sonic saw that the entire sanctum was shaped like an expanded version of the shrine of the Master Emerald, only it was flipped upside down. This comparison only doubled Sonic's dread.
A gong sounded below. The shifting crowd became silent. Sonic could hear his own heart thumping in his chest. Fire crackled and sent huge sparks towards the ceiling. A door opened and closed. Shuffling footsteps echoed in the silence. Sonic saw three shadowy figures ascend the platform. Lord Mesto was the first to be revealed. A blood red cloak billowed at his back despite the stagnant air of the sanctum. Upon his hand he wore a metal glove empowered with a Sol Gem. The stone glinted in the darkness.
Mesto flexed his hand and the Sol Gem sparkled, illuminating the features of his face. "Tonight it is my great honor and privilege to announce that our glorious emperor has achieved victory. In a feat beyond what we thought was possible, he has extended his benevolent reign beyond the territory of this world and into the great beyond!"
At this pronouncement there was a mummer excitement. Mesto had to raise a hand to prevent the throng from shouting out thunderous praise and applause. "To ensure the eternal security of our empire and to extend its peace and prosperity across the very universe, our emperor has done the impossible, transferring entire legions across space in an instant and conquering another world. His victories have been absolute and staggering. Some tried to resist him, but it was pointless. Behold the fallen and disgraced." Mesto waved his hand and there was movement behind him.
Imperial guards hoisted up a limp figure and tied it crudely to a wooden stake. Black chains were wrapped around its middle and legs. When the soldiers stepped away, Sonic felt his heart sink. The dead figure was a human. "Is that-"
Sonic couldn't hear Silver. He staggered in a daze. The world seemed to tunnel around him, focusing solely on the dead man. He was an older man with an angled face and cropped beard. He seemed almost familiar somehow though Sonic couldn't say whether or not he had ever seen the man before.
"These are the vermin that attempt to resist the destiny of our emperor. They are a putrid race whose evil has infested their own planet. A once beautiful world now chokes on the fumes produced by this mongrel race. Our emperor can save them, but some are too short sighted and proud to submit. This man was such a one. He was a chief general!" Mesto declared with a ringing voice. "Look how he is now brought low. Behold the fate of those who resist the empire!" Mesto flexed his gloved hand. Jets of pink lighting shot out of his fingertips and ignited the black chains. There was a loud WHOOSH as the dead man was completely entombed in a spiraling ball of fire. The flash of light was so intense, Sonic drew back.
When his eyes adjusted Sonic watched in stunned silence as the flames continued to rise .He felt shaky and cold. In fact, the entire theater felt as if all the hot air had been sucked out of it. The flame that was raging so intensely gave off no heat at all. Instead, it seemed to absorb the heat of the room, giving back nothing but light and shadow in return.
The crowd was on edge. Many screamed insults at the dead, burning prisoner. The sudden vitoral of hatred and negative emotion that swept over the crowd gave Sonic whiplash. Sonic turned his head slightly. He could just see the face of the figure standing behind Ivan. The female echidna had her hood up, so Sonic could only just see the light of her eyes. Her gaze was transfixed on the fire, a kind of manic eagerness resided in the deepest depths. Suddenly, her face stretched into a hideous, gruesome smile. She lurched forward and started screaming, urging on the fire to burn the heretic who dared resist the emperor.
Then, all at once the flames extinguished in a puff of white smoke. Imperial soldiers started to roll up tables covered by sheets while more prisoners were paraded onto the stage. These prisoners were still alive, and not all of them were human. Sonic saw a few rabbits, a fox, and an old cat. A few young women had been separated from the others. They were left naked with their hands tied behind their backs.
Mesto resumed his position at the center of the stage. "The spoils of war!" He shouted as he removed the sheets. Piles of gold, weapons, and advanced technology spilled onto the floor. Sonic saw machine guns, missile launchers, computers, phones, radios, and more sophisticated equipment that Sonic could not even name.
Imperial soldiers gathered up the gold and started to throw it into the crowd. The masses started racing in every direction to catch some. Sonic felt as if he were watching the scene from high above, his body completely out of his control. Imperial soldiers gave liberally to the crowd from what they had stolen from earth. The human women were auctioned off to the highest bidder. Their screams of protest were drowned out by the insults of the crowd.
The prisoners who were not sold were lined up in a row at the front of the stage. Crude blocks were placed in front of them and they were forced to drop to their knees and place their heads on the blocks. The scent of blood was in the air. The crowd was desperate to see these enemies of the empire die. One of the prisoners, a green hedgehog, tried to fight back. He shoulder charged one of the soldiers and started to race down the stage. Mesto raised his hand and struck the prisoner with a jolt of pink lighting. He fell to the floor trembling and shaking all over. The guards lifted him up, but instead of taking him to his block, carried him over to the wooden stake. Sonic realized that it had somehow not been burnt when the first prisoner had died.
The hedgehog realized what was happening and started to scream as hard as he could. His terrified cry echoed up to the rafters. Mesto drowned out the noise by signaling to his disciples to resume drumming their metal rods. The echoing clammer of the striking metal was unnaturally loud. Sonic winced as the high pitched clash reached his ears.
His heart thumped in time with the clashing metal. Sonic felt the world start to slow down. Imperial soldiers drew their swords and stepped up to the kneeling prisoners. The fever of the crowd reached its zenith. The blood was coming. Sonic leaned forward, his foot already on the rail as he prepared to leap down onto the stage.
"No!" Silver grabbed him and yanked him back.
"I won't stand by and watch this," Sonic growled.
"You must," Someone moved out of the pressing crowd. Blaze's face was hidden beneath a low hood, but her voice was unmistakable. "Mesto's creature is not far. You do not yet have the power to defeat him." Blaze motioned with her head towards the open roof.
Sonic looked up, and for a moment he saw nothing but darkness. But then, he saw a faint shimmer. There was something hovering in the unreached shadows. A faint reddish light illuminated the faint outline of..
"Infinite…" Sonic hissed.
"Do nothing," Blaze repeated as she came over to stand beside them. Her eyes were cold. Much of the yellow color had faded, leaving them almost white as she stood looking down upon the dais.
Mesto's disciples stopped striking their metal and the rancorous music stopped. The green hedgehog had lost the will to scream. His expression was that of a wild terror that could not be expressed with sound. Mesto lorded over the scene as if the fear and death that was about to occur was his source of food. "What we do here is a mercy," He said softly, but loud enough for his voice to travel. "You cannot see your place in the emperor's world because you do not understand your own life. It must be revealed to you. All things are known by becoming what they are not. That is the fundamental law of the universe. You are a slave, but you will be reborn free."
Everything happened without preamble. The imperial soldiers struck down the prisoners as Mesto fired a jet of pink lighting. The green hedgehog vanished behind an inferno. There was complete silence at first. The beheaded crumpled into a heap and their blood pooled off the stage. The only sound was the faint rustling of the chains as the burning hedgehog struggled vainly to escape. Sonic's heart felt as if it had dropped into his stomach. Silver gasped and turned away. Only Blaze remained completely still and silent.
After a few moments, Sonic could not watch anymore. He lowered his eyes and stared at the stone banister in front of him. It took almost ten minutes for the flames to burn out. The crowd experienced a second wave of frenzy, but Sonic ignored it. He was only distantly aware of Mesto making a final call for loyalty in the emperor before dismissing the crowd. Sonic felt himself pulled away as he, Ivan, Silver and Blaze were reabsorbed into the crowd.