Frostbitten

Chapter 13 - Shilvonic

Shadow clenched his fists, mind racing with possibilities, when suddenly he sensed Blaze's presence in his mind.

"Shadow, can you hear me?" her voice echoed through their link.

"Blaze! Are you alright? Where has he taken you?" Shadow responded.

"I'm in my own castle dungeons, unharmed for now," she reassured him. "Silver plans to use this place as his new stronghold. But don't worry, I will find a way to escape and stop him from within."

Shadow hesitated, then thought back firmly. "No Blaze, it's too dangerous. We will come for you."

"There's no time," she insisted. "Every moment Silver...Mephiles, grows stronger. I have to try and disrupt him from inside while I still can. Have faith in me, Shadow."

He wanted to argue, but knew she was right. With a heavy sigh, he responded. "Very well. But we will be there as swiftly as possible."

Through their psychic bond, Blaze could sense Shadow was injured, though he tried to hide it.

"You're hurt," she said. "Please, don't push yourself too hard for my sake. Be careful."

Shadow started to protest but she cut him off gently. "No arguments. I couldn't bear it if anything worse happened to you."

Her voice softened. "Especially when we still have so much ahead of us..." She trailed off shyly. Even across the distance, Shadow could feel the affection warming their link.

Before he could respond, Blaze continued hurriedly, "Whatever comes, know that I care deeply for you Shadow. You have my heart."

Shadow's own heart clenched with emotion. But just then, Blaze's presence dimmed in alarm. "Silver's returning - I have to break our link. Don't give up hope!"

The connection severed, leaving Shadow reeling. She loved him - just as he realized he loved her. That strengthened his resolve like never before.

Turning to Sonic and Tails, he said with fiery determination: "Let's move! We have someone important waiting for us." And a corrupted friend to save as well. Shadow would let nothing prevent him from reaching Blaze's side again.

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Shadow struggled to maintain his pace as the pain in his injured arm steadily worsened. Noticing him lagging behind, Tails called out "Let's take a quick break over there!"

He gestured towards a rocky outcropping nearby that would provide cover for them to rest briefly. Shadow started to protest but Sonic intervened.

"Good idea, Tails. We could all use a minute to catch our breath." He gave Shadow a meaningful look that brooked no argument.

Reluctantly, Shadow allowed his companions to lead him over to the shaded area. As much as he hated to slow down when Blaze needed him, he knew he had to regain some strength.

Tails immediately got to work attempting to establish communications back to their own dimension. Meanwhile, Sonic sat down beside Shadow.

"How's the arm holding up?" he asked with a knowing gaze.

Shadow gave his blue counterpart an annoyed grunt, but stood up to look through the medical supplies Tails brought. Sonic watched with a grin.

"Geez Shadow, you really did a number on yourself back there didn't you?" Sonic said, unable to resist ribbing his friend. "What would Blaze say if she saw her brave knight was turning his arm into a noodle from sheer stubbornness?"

Shadow shot him an irritated look. "It's merely fractured. I've endured far worse." But he did wince slightly as he wrapped the bandages firmly around his forearm.