Shadaze: The Unforgiven

Chapter VII - Solomon

"Where are you taking me?"

"Quiet." the feline commands, coming to a stop behind a tree before peeking around it. She studies the forest ahead for a moment, as if she once knew this path well, but has since traveled many others. Her eyes are keen on the numerous trunks and roots in the distance, trying to decipher any movements between the leaves falling around them.

The extended pause feeds Shadow's frustration, who begins to walk off. "Look, if you don't even know where we're going-"

"One more step and you're dead."

Shadow defies his defiant conscience, taking the cat's outstretched arm as a sign of sincerity. Without hesitation, she brings two fingers to her mouth, and sends a high-pitched pattern of whistles through the forest. Within a few moments, they are reverberated in the distance, relieving some tension in the cat's expression.

"Put your hands up, and follow me." she insists, creeping around the tree, keeping a steady hand on Shadow's chest to show their alliance. It isn't until he inspects the distance further that Shadow finds several figures laying in the grass, bearing bows and arrows on their backs.

As they approach the group, they all stand at attention, and cock their arrows at Shadow. "Princess, it's you!" one of them greets the feline, inspecting her guest. "Welcome home. It's been a while, your highness. Might I ask who this stranger is?"

"He's with me." she affirms, nodding in approval for the guards to lower their weapons. They kneel on either side of her as she passes. She turns to the ebony one, "You're lucky I remembered my way. One sight of you with me and they would've killed you."

Shadow swallows hard, "Yeah... thanks, I guess?"

They continue on a short path, through thickening trees, until they reach a tall fence line enclosing an area. They make their way to the gates, past several more guards, all casting deadly glares upon Shadow. Those perched in the watch towers are seen peeking down with curious eyes, watching Shadow's every move. It becomes clear to the ebony one that he has been identified as an outsider.

"Everyone's watching us..." Shadow mutters, matching the feline's strides to walk beside her.

"Everyone's watching you." she corrects him, keeping her eyes forward as she struts along. Ahead is their destination: the tallest building in the small village, built by stones as old as the soil they're founded on. Large, lilac banners hang from the roof of the castle-like structure, highlighting its importance despite its tattered appearance. One could infer that this particular building had been erected long before any of its current inhabitants were born.

Ebony follows the cat through the building's large doors into a grand hall - however grand one could imagine such an old establishment being. An intricate fresco stretching across the high ceiling adds depth to the atmosphere, though. At the focus point of the room sits a large-bodied cat on a throne carved from wood, wearing a gaudy crown and a dark purple robe. His fur matches that of the princess, as well as everyone else's about the village. Two armored guards bearing swords stand on either side of him, watching the two as they approach the king. His expression softens as they draw near:

"My lovely daughter Blaze, I'm so relieved you've returned safely!" he smiles, "Have you finally heeded my pleas for you to stay in the kingdom?"

The princess sighs, "Hardly. But I have someone you might like to meet."

"Oh, how rude of me!" the elder gasps, fixing his eyes on Shadow. He holds his arms out, "Welcome to the kingdom of Solomon, young one. You can call me King Pyrus. Might I ask your name?"

Shadow looks to Blaze for a moment, before she urges him down to a knee. "Uh... Shadow The Hedgehog, your majesty." He seeks approval through the king's eyes, "I'm... uh..."

"He experienced the Red Death." the princess intervenes.

The king's brow shoots up, "Is that so?"

Shadow takes a look around him, "Honestly, your majesty, I have no idea what any of this is about. All I know is that I used to live here on Mobius before a disease was released, and I was taken to a safe haven with the rest of the survivors-"

"When did you experience it?"

"I... I guess almost two years ago?"

Pyrus chuckles, stroking the tuft of fur hanging from his chin. "Blaze, I realize your motive-"

The princess takes a step forward, "Father, if this is not fulfillment of the prophecy, I don't know what is."

Shadow's eyes cut between the two, "I'm sorry, what? What prophecy?"

His inquiries are ignored. "Blaze, your cause is noble, but this man is clearly mad. Perhaps both of your imaginations have bested reality."

Just as Shadow opens his mouth to take exception to that claim - or agree with it, for all he can tell - Blaze steps in for him again. "Father, I mean no disrespect. But the prophecy states that the only one who can save us was killed in the Red Death, and will return-"

"I'm aware of the story." the king affirms, performing a casual analysis of his claws. "It also states that the return of the messiah will mark the end of the world as we know it, for that is the only way to repair it as it stands. I don't see the kingdom crumbling, do you?"

"That's only if you read far too into it-"

"Blaze, my dear," the king's eyes fix on hers, and he presents a warm smile to complement his dismissive demeanor. "I know how eager you are to change this world. However, you have to think rationally - consider the circumstances! You can't just trust anyone who comes along and claims they've done this or that."

Shadow is far too perplexed to form coherent thoughts, let alone speak. Blaze clenches her fists, "What reason would he have to lie to us? The prophecy is not known beyond these walls!"

The king chuckles again, "Ah, Blaze, one day you will sit upon this throne, and then you will understand."

The princess shows her fangs at first, but then crosses her arms to tame her voice, "Shadow, why don't you tour the castle while you're here?"

"Take him to the study." Pyrus commands, sweeping his hand to the side, his many golden rings rattling against one another. A guard leaves his post beside the monarch, and takes Shadow by the shoulder to lead him away. He hears Blaze utter a spiteful phrase just as he quits the grand hall.

Shadow examines the castle, only just worthy of that title, for it is a hut in comparison to the Sanctuary. Elegant statues and paintings line the dusty stone walls, including one or two he believes to be of Blaze, though he can hardly tell with how the guard is pushing him along. In all fairness, one wouldn't infer the worn outward appearance of the castle by examining its insides, for they are in much better shape. Perhaps it's the lack of extravagant chandeliers, or some other materialistic value, that prevents Shadow from believing this is where royalty resides. He can only ponder these thoughts for a moment further, before the guard turns him into the study, and closes the door on him.

"They certainly don't like visitors here..." Shadow whispers, fixing his eyes upon the candle-lit bookshelves before him. An impressive collection of readings as archaic as the castle itself hold Shadow's attention for quite some time. He examines the rows upon rows of stories, excited by them, for he never saw books of any kind in the Sanctuary. He can only hope this is not another dream or vision, and that he truly is away from that dreadful place.

After flipping through several of the paperbacks on the shelves, Shadow looks to the small desk by the doorway, where a particularly thick book lies next to a candle. He takes it in his hands - anything to distract himself from the echoes of Blaze's and Pyrus's strained voices from down the hall - and runs his fingers across its leather cover, bearing no title. Its sheer weight is enough to denote its importance without one. Shadow takes a moment to thumb through the hundreds upon hundreds of pages, all overflowing with prolific strings of tales far too complex to be understood without proper introduction. Still, true to his character, Shadow decides to begin his perusal at the bookmark left by the previous reader.

He squints at the small print, attempting to infer the appearance and motives of the many characters he's greeted with, not unlike his current reality. Straight away, he encounters several words he has never heard before, and must infer their definition through the context given. Over the next few paragraphs, he is able to experience and interpret the characters and situations at his own free will, something he had not done in quite some time. This soothing process leans Shadow back in his chair as he twists his chest fur between his fingers. He turns another page, which begins with a peculiar passage:

They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." Even as he spoke, many believed in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Just then, Blaze enters the study, breaking Shadow's thoughtful lull. Her face is flushed from stressful discussion. She leans on the desk, placing herself at his eye level, "Shadow, are you certain you lived through the Red Death?"

The hedgehog crosses his arms, "It's exactly what I said. There was a disease released here, I survived, and I was taken to a haven with the other survivors. We didn't call it the Red Death, though. We called it the Disease of Nothing."

"Why is that?"

Shadow shrugs, "I guess we thought nothing was left behind. That's why I'm so surprised there are people still here on Mobius. We thought we were the only survivors."

"How many of you were there?"

"A few hundred."

Blaze kneads her forehead, "This makes no sense whatsoever. The only major disease I've ever heard of happened centuries ago. I've been all over Mobius in the past few years, and I've not once heard of another one. Where is this haven you speak of?"

Ebony shakes his head, "I have no idea."

"What do you mean? How am I supposed to believe you came from a place you can't even take me to?"

Shadow stretches his arm out, allowing her to read the imprint on his wrist. "That's my identification mark. It's how they kept track of me there. It's really complicated," he asserts, wiping his face with his palm, "the last thing I remember happening is that I was running for my life, and I jumped over the edge of the place - we called it the Sanctuary. I just jumped into the darkness, and I ended up here somehow. We were never allowed to go outside because we were told the air out here was still infected, and that it'd be that way for hundreds of years, so I don't have a clue where it could actually be."

"Do you know who was keeping you captive, at least?"

Shadow thinks for a moment, but can only fall into his hands. "I'm sorry, Blaze... it's Blaze, right? I'm just having a hard time coming to terms with all of this. If what you're telling me is true, and this really is Mobius, I've been lied to. And I think something terrible is going on back in that place..."

Blaze straightens her back, "Perhaps there is. I hope you're telling the truth, Shadow, because you've gotten me invested now. If our prophecy holds true, despite what my father says, your return marks the beginning of change in this world. I hope it isn't wrong."

Ebony opens his hands, "Could someone explain this prophecy to me? I'm more confused by that than I am about how I got here."

The princess grins, "Perhaps at a more appropriate time. I'm sure you'll find it as captivating as I do, nonetheless." She examines his bare chest, "First, though, I'll fetch you some proper clothes and show you to your chamber. My father has... graciously granted you permission to stay here in the kingdom, after some convincing of course."

"Woah, woah, I didn't know I was signing up to live here..."

"And you have somewhere else to go?"

Shadow twists his lips, "I guess not."

The feline nods, and just as quick as she exits the study, she reappears in the doorway, projecting her earnest voice at the ebony one. "Oh, and it's Princess Blaze to you."

She smirks and walks off, leaving him to return to his musings. For all the hostility Shadow could sense, the fading clicks of the princess's boots on the hallway floor are far more comforting to him than was the silence of his Sanctuary cage.

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE PLEASE READ:

Okay y'all, I know I've got some serious explaining to do, especially after not updating for a little over a year...

Look, I won't lie, this story fell down my pecking order a little. I got frustrated with it, because I didn't want to swallow my pride and admit I made a few mistakes while working this plot out in my head. Every time I started to write this chapter over the past year or so, I just kept on thinking about how poorly I set myself up for the rest of the story, and that always discouraged me from continuing. What made it even worse was that I could never really pinpoint exactly how I wanted this story to progress in the future, either. I have to get better at that.

HOWEVER, all that being said, I think I know where I went wrong, and after I fix those little details, I think this will go much more smoothly. After this is published, I'm going to go back and make a few changes to the story so far, some of which I'll include right here to make things easier:

1. I'm omitting guns. I don't know why I even included that one scene with them, with all the ammunition, or whatever. I think I had a plan for it at the time, but the way I want to go with this story now can really benefit by that just... not being there, lmao.

2. I'm going to go back and do a better job of explaining the whole simulation video game, especially the characters within the video game. THEY ARE ROBOTS. Just to make that clear. I forget what the hell I said they were in that one scene, but everything will be much better if they're robots.

Amongst other changes, obviously. But those are the two biggest ones. The earlier parts of the story will be corrected by the time chapter 8 is published, so whenever that happens, it might be a good idea to read through all the chapters just to get a better feel of what's going on? I don't know how much I'll really change other than those two major things, though. Just giving y'all a heads up so there's no confusion.

Other than all that, I FINALLY think I know how to fit everything together in this story, so hopefully I'll be able to come out with more frequent updates in the future (because let's face it, y'all thought this story was dead lol). I'm not giving up on it as long as you aren't!

That being said, I really really REALLY appreciate the nice reviews that were left while this story was on hold (as well as all the nice reviews you all have left me, for that matter)! Reading those were what inspired me to push through and finally get this story moving again. I know it sounds weird, but positive reinforcement really keeps me going these days when I have so much schoolwork to worry about. Any other writers out there can testify for me, lol. Even one nice/constructive comment makes my whole week, so I appreciate and thank all of you who take the time to leave one! It never goes unnoticed.

Let's see... I think that'll do it for now! Yeah, I'm ditching the "no author's notes until the end of the story" shit. Idk why I even did that. Ask the me from three years ago I guess, lmao. I'll also be better about giving updates on this story (and my others) on my profile page in the future, so check there if you're ever curious about my progress on the next chapter!

What a nice April Fool's gift, huh? A real update! I swear this isn't a joke, lmao. I'm seriously continuing this story. And I'll try my best to get chapter 8 published before 2018!

Thanks for reading! Love you all!