Arc 7, Chapter 21
The Rebellion
Umbra squeezed the medallion between his fingers. The gold gleamed cheerfully, but Umbra wasn't smiling.
He knew he should have been happy. He had worked tirelessly and was rewarded for his efforts. The medallion his instructor hung around his neck should have been a symbol of his pride.
An empty feeling bored a hole in Umbra's chest. He had been holding onto the hope that, somehow, excelling in his training would win back his father's affection and respect. But he hadn't even bothered to show up to his graduation.
Umbra leaned against the balcony, staring out at the jungle floor that sat several floors under him. He had no idea what he was supposed to do next. He was fifteen, it was highly unlikely he would get assigned on on case, Valedictorian or not.
He heard footsteps behind him. Probably another adult wanting to shake his hand.
"Hey, Astral."
Umbra turned around, heart throbbing at the venom in the voice.
A group of his peers had assembled, scorn written on their faces. He recognized them as the children of the less aristocratic families. He had never spoken to them.
Umbra stayed silent, hands starting to tremble on the edge of the balcony.
"This just makes me sick, y'know? Of course the whiny rich kid came out on top. It's not like everything else has been fed to you on a silver spoon."
Beside the teenager in the center, a boy with flame-colored hair cracked his knuckles. Umbra remembered seeing him in the locker room.
"I don't want any trouble," Umbra whispered, every instinct screaming for him to run for his life. But he was cornered.
"But we do, Astral."
----
Tails stood at the door of the tomb, a slight quiver in his hands. Umbra had a firm hand clenching his shoulder.
"Tails!" Coatl cried, throwing his arms around him, "Are you okay? I was so worried!"
"I'm fine-" he paused, looking down, "I mean, uh, we can talk about it later. Right now, I have some business to take care of."
Tails bright eyes burned with authority as he stepped in front of the bound Serpentine at his feet. Xantheus grit his teeth, Coatl's chains keeping his arms tightly at his side. Tails nodded at Coatl, and he seemed to understand. Coatl touched his foot to the floor, and the chains dissolved.
"Tailsium!" Xantheus spat, rubbing the blisters on his wrists, "Stop this foolishness! Get away from that beast!"
Umbra watched Tails with bated breath, praying he wouldn't shrink away. He stood firm, frown tightening as he glowered down at Xantheus.
"No," Tails hissed, stern and centered.
Horror flashed across Xantheus's face. "Tailsium, you have never told me no. You can't do this."
Tails knelt down, sinking to Xantheus's level. He stared him directly in the eyes, flicking out his forked tongue. "I said no, Xantheus. I'm afraid your services are no longer needed. Take your council members and leave."
A ripple of shock spread through the council as Tails's words were processed. Umbra couldn't help but grin.
"I banish you," Tails murmured, power leaking into his voice, "On grounds of deceit, treason against our lord Coatl, and, finally, your treatment of me. I never want to see your face in my kingdom ever again."
Xantheus stayed still, frozen in shock. Tails moved his hand, and his back straightened. He flicked his fingers at the door and Xantheus stiffly stood up, controlled by his magic, and stumbled out the door. The rest of the council followed suit.
The second the room was clear, Tails let a deep, pent up breath. He grabbed Coatl's arm for support.
"Holy crap," he breathed, "I just did that. That was really cool."
"That was amazing!" Coatl beamed, hugging Tails,"I'm so proud!"
"He's right," Umbra said, bringing his hands to his hips, "You acted like a true ruler, Tails."
Tails smiled unsteadily, glancing shyly at the floor. "I think it's time I hold a gathering. The people deserve to know what's going on."
Author's Note- we're almost done with arc! theres gonna be 25 chapters, with the last one being a short-ish epilogue.
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