The Tomb

Apastron’s cold gaze bore down on Umbra as he adjusted his ceremonial necklace. “Before we go into the celebration hall, listen to me. If you do anything to make a scene and tarnish my reputation…” He pulled Umbra closer, giving him an eye full of his needle-like teeth, “You will pay. Understand? Tonight, we're a model family.”

Umbra nodded weakly, hanging onto Apastron’s clothes for support. The decorative feathered bands around his arms concealed the bruises Apastron had given him the night before, and kohl brought out his tired eyes. He was being run near ragged by familair training and his empty stomach didn't help any.

As they walked into the room where the feast was being held, Umbra leaned further onto the crook of Apastron’s back, cherishing the touch of his skin. He had never been this close to him without being swatted away. Human contact felt almost foreign to him, but it was a pleasant feeling.

Umbra wished it could be like this all the time.

----

Umbra hit the ground with grace, bending his knees ever so slightly for impact. Tails landed beside him, and Umbra had to suppress the fatherly urge to grab him by the collar to steady him.

“Where are we?” Umbra murmured, lifting his head. The storm clouds had thickened, and he could see flashes of lightening in the distance.

A shorter, flat-roofed temple stood before them, an ominous figure on a barren hillside. The structure was crumbling, the stone bricks worn and chipped away by the elements. Unreadable script was carved into the foot of the temple, appearing almost like runes. The air around it was heavy and foreboding.

Tails remained silent, taking a shuddering breath. He trudged to the door of the temple, which was blocked by a large bolder. Straining, he pushed it several inches, creating a slim entrance. Inside, it was pitch black.

“Come on,” Tails murmured, shuffling on his feet, “Let's hurry.”

Umbra cautiously withdrew his phone, turning on the flashlight. Swallowing down his fear, he stepped into the darkness, Tails striding beside him.

The dusty floor sloped down aggressively, taking Umbra off guard. Cold, wet air hung around Umbra's face, and his gut twisted. The confined, musty halls brought back memories of The Circle of Life. He pushed down the fringes of panic, not wanting to lose his composure around Tails.

His eyes wandered, his phone's flashlight following his line of sight. The walls of the temple were covered in murals that had to be thousands of years old. The images depicted the Minor Gods, a tier of deities below the Überdragons. The horned, twisted Demon King glowered at the top of the mural, and Umbra's own Goddess stood beside him. Umbra instinctively bared his teeth at Celeste’s serene image, still not forgiving her for scorching his chest, burning out Esper’s eyes, and attempting to murder Seraph.

They moved into a much wider chamber, Umbra taking a sigh of relief as the walls no longer seemed to be closing in on him. Gold and lavish decor adorned the walls, and it reminded Umbra of a throne room. On the furthermost wall was a massive painting of a six-eyed, humanoid figure covered in tattoos.

Coatl? Umbra thought, recognizing the figure from his history classes. Coatl once was the Serpentine God, but he grew corrupt and was sealed away for the safety of the people.

At the feet of Coatl, children seemed to be kneeling, tears drawn running down their face. Umbra's stomach burned as he realized he must have hurt them.

Tails slid into the center of the room, and Umbra shined his light at him. He stood by a large stone coffin. Ever inch of its surface was inscribed with magic runes, and small sparks flickered off it.

Tails gently touched the coffin, staring up at Umbra. “Mr. Umbra,” he whispered, looking ashamed, “I haven't exactly been honest with you. This is the real reason why I had to hire you.”  

Author's Note- and it begins