The Tale

Umbra couldn't focus. His instructor's voice was nothing but a dull drone in his ears.

He felt isolated. His father hadn't spoken to him since their falling out at the doctor's office. The silence that hung over his house was suffocating. No one looked at him. No one acknowledged him.

Umbra suddenly leapt from his seat, hurling his psychology textbook to the floor. All eyes went on him. His peers whispered. Umbra heard his name. That was the first time this week Umbra had heard anyone talk about him. He didn't care if it was negative.

"Mr. Astral!" his instructor snapped, stomping to him and grabbing his arm, "Let's speak in the hall."

As his instructor dragged him out the door, Umbra whipped his head around, basking in the stares he was receiving. His heart throbbed. He could get used to this.

----

"I am the god of my people," Coatl began, wringing his hands, "And I have been the Emperor of the Serpentine since the beginning of time."

Umbra had taken a seat on the floor, allowing Coatl to tell his story. Tails leaned against his shoulder weakly, eyes threatening to droop shut.

"I loved my people, and, for the most part, they loved me back. I tried my hardest to be a fair and just ruler. I let anyone who needed it take refuge in my temple. I suppose I was too much of a bleeding heart, if I'm being honest."

"Eventually, I thought it would be wise to allow my subjects participate in the government more. I allowed them to elect a small group of Serpentine to give me council about my choices. I brought Xantheus, a rich merchant, Adil, a skilled diplomat, and Ridhwaan, a prized hunter into my temple."

Coatl stared solemnly at the floor, his eyes narrowing. "But they became wicked. I caught wind of their conspiracy against me, but I just couldn't bring myself to fire them. I was too meek. I feared how their families would fare if they lost their jobs."

"But one day, they summoned a beast. I'm not sure how they did it, but my council unleashed a monster to attack their own city. I had no choice but to fight it, and they knew that. I had to protect my citizens." Coatl paused to take a breath, his eyes wandering to the stone coffin. "The fight was taxing, even for a creature like me. My council cornered me while I was weak. I couldn't defend myself from the sealing spell. Before I knew it, I was trapped in this place, hovering between being alive and dead."

From his position on Umbra's shoulder, Tails looked up. "After they sealed Coatl, the council claimed that he had been destroyed in the fight and his last wish was for them to carry on the Serpentine race."

Tails crossed his arms, a bitter scowl on his face. "As the years went by, the old generation began to die off. The council began to tweak our history scrolls, teaching the new generation that Coatl was a monster. Soon, that's what everyone believed."

"I thought I was lost forever until Tails stumbled into my tomb. I had never been so happy to see another living being in my entire life," Coatl murmured, smiling, "When I first spoke to him, I was worried I would scare him away. But he stayed and listened to me."

Coatl knelt down, placing a hand on Tails's head. He brushed his hair away from his face. "You're a good kid, Tails. I'm glad we met that day."

Tails's eyes seemed to shine as he touched his head to Coatl's chest. Umbra suppressed a grin, Coatl's caring and gentle disposition with Tails reminding him of himself and Victor.

Umbra stood, brushing off his jacket. He reached to shake Coatl's hand, when a loud noise hit his ears.

"Those were footsteps!" Umbra hissed, clenching his fists.

Tails whimpered in fear, the joy Coatl caused washing away. "They found me," he rasped.

Author's Note- just a short lil exposition chapter. now we're ready for the climax :D dont forget to vote and comment!!!!!

also my pal elegantmeow made a comic that i feel should be shared here