Sir Swift (A Sonic the Hedgehog story)

Chapter 17 - Byakko style

After the meeting with Khan, Swift's group was led out to separate rooms in the Tower which the brown Monkey had kindly offered to them. Ling-ling had not uttered a word since their meeting... She was so quiet that it felt like she wasn't there, with the swordhog constantly having to look over his shoulder to see if she was still there.

Khan had however asked Swift to stay with Calasear to answer some more questions. The Hedgehog complied to the free peoples leader's request, as he too had something's to ask Khan.

"Now the first thing I wish to know is, where do you two hail from?" asked Khan, he figured he should start with simple things before delving into the more complex subjects.

"Ahhh, that's an easy one. Our kingdom is called Galotum." Calasear easily answered.

"And what is Galotum like, exactly?"

The living sword didn't say anything but rather let out an exhausted sigh as he stayed silent. This reaction from Calasear made the free people's leader wonder what was going through Calasear's mind. But he didn't have to wait any longer though, as Wise Steel began, "In Galotum's past it was a most prosperous place where different races and cultures lived harmoniously. Lead by an extraordinary individual that I personally mentored, his name was King Leo Galotem. But it's current state..."

"What of its current state?" Khan slowly asked the living sword. If Galotum was so prosperous then why did Calasear's tone become so sorrowful?

"Lee-ana, King Leo's younger sister took the thrown by taking his life." Calasear answered with a steely gaze to the brown Monkey. "Since then, she's been ruling over Galotum for over 1300 years-"

"Wait, wait, wait, wait! For 1300 years? How's that even possible, people can't live that long. Not unless they're a some kind of Deity."

"No, she used something called the Elder Grail that has allowed her live this long." informed Swift this time, adding. "But the immortality is temporary, only giving her about 100 years each time."

"And through continually drinking from this 'Elder Grail', she'll stay immortal." The brown Monkey slowly pieced together the conclusion.

"Speaking of which," Wise Steel spoke up, returning to the previous conversation. "ever since Lee-ana's rise to power, she has plagued our home with despair and fear across Galotum. And when I ran into Swift, or rather, when he ran into me," Calaseared paused with a half smile, allowing some comedic relief to enter the room while he prepared himself to convey the weight of his next sentence, "It has become our mission to restore what Lee-ana has ruined."

"Then what brought you two here to Ja'ching?" Khan asked forwardly speaking his mind. He knew what the Tiger's reason was, and he did indeed wish he could help. These two, however, must have a different reason of their own for being here.

"Because, we understand what she's going through. Both our Kingdoms are in the same state led by despicable tyrants."

Khan did not expect that at all, if his widened eyes were any indication. He had always believed that he was the only one who felt so strongly since the day he was crowned as the young heir of the Free People. It was refreshing to see another youth such as himself share these convictions.

Swift noticed the look in the Monkey's eyes, so he decided to enlighten him. "Let me guess what you're thinking, 'Why are we helping someone who's a stranger to us? What could we possibly obtain from someone who's poor?' Am I right?"

The free people's leader swallowed and didn't admit anything, even though these words almost exactly matched his thoughts.

"That's simple, nothing." The M.A.-Sonic revealed to Khan as Swift continued. "It's because we understand her that I've decided to help her take her home back. Not doing anything to help rid oppression from someone's home, goes against what I stand for and as a Knight."