The Virus of Emerald Hills (Sonadow)

Chapter 18

After a couple of hours resting, the group was on the move again but one of them was struggling severely. That said mobian was Espio who kept hearing voices, ones of the past while pain spread rapidly through his chest. Only a few noticed him slowing down, his eyes kept glancing out to the right and left. Out of the hedgehogs who were awake, considering Maria was snoozing in Sonic’s arms, the hero in blue carried her for Shadow who kept twisting his hands almost expecting something to jump out of the shadows. 

“Espio, I can feel your breathing picking up. Take some deep breaths, I will try and convince the gods to allow you passage” 

Shadow stopped as he spoke, his foreign language had most of them freezing as he whipped around and walked over to Espio who tried his hardest to keep his body language close to himself. Mephiles moved over as well, both he and Shadow shared a nod, as their hands connected creating another mask, one stolen from afar. Espio took it with thanks, his oxygen getting lower. 

“For now on, focus on breathing. No talking unless absolutely necessary” Shadow whispered, Espio could barely nod, slowing his body functions down. “Silver, keep an eye on Espio” the white hedgehog could only nod as he dropped to the back of the group beside Chaos, the immortal god was getting more concerned as Espio was losing his purple colour more rapidly. The group was on the move again and Silver took his mission very seriously, Espio was watched by most of them out of concern while a few watched him like a threat. 

“How much farther, my calves are aching?” Honey turned to the resident prince only for Shadow to hold a hand up as the group came across a chasm which was full of spikes and anything looking dangerous. 

“Nasty” Drax leaned over the edge with Mephiles holding his arm. 

“At least there's no water” Silver teased Sonic who shoved him slightly while Maria reached for Shadow who took her with ease. 

“How many guardians haven’t performed?” Sonic turned to the guardians. Tikal, Honey, Espio and Maria held their hands up. The other three had done it earlier on.

“So, who wants to take on the chasm of death?” Mephiles turned to them all. 

“Neither me or Espio can, we will be needed to access the temple as will Maria potentially so this will fall to Honey….” Tikal dipped her head slightly, she knew why she and Espio kept hearing things, the souls of the dead. 

“Goodie, so what do I do, oh great one?!” her sarcasm had all the attention drawn to Espio who barely blinked. Shadow went to move forward when Espio spoke, “Make your way….quickly across the bridge….*cough*, and work out the puzzle on the other side….the bridge will only take so much weight….so we will have to be quick about it…” he managed to get out as he coughed, he removed the mask so he could hide the blood in his hand. His face twisted until he got his breathing back under control, Shadow eyed him up before strapping it in place, “Keep it on” the ultimate lifeform ordered.  

“Sounds simple enough,” Honey grumbled. 

“Try not to die, I haven’t got my camera to record you” Drax teased receiving a very rude symbol back as he leaned back into Mephiles who wore a very concerned expression, “What is it?” Drax whispered to his partner, Mephiles could only sigh, “If anything is to happen to Espio, we will lose the partial knowledge of where our children are. Even if I agree with Honey in killing him, we need him” Mephiles muttered, allowing Drax to slump into his arms. “I agree, as much as I can’t stand Espio, doesn’t mean I want him dead” Drax muttered, kissing Mephiles cheek making the darker hedgehog frown. 

“Boys! Focus!” Tikal scolded the two of them, Drax and Mephiles only smirked in sync. Chaos ignored their affections as he looked at Espio, the chameleon was snoozing slightly as he leaned against a nearby rock.