Shadow got a push of a lifetime once he undid the last seal, gasping for air. The alarm in his head silenced immediately as Glitch choked on the ham he wolfed down.

The boy munched, licked, slurped, and gulped every single crumb he could find. Shadow sat down, giggling at the boy. It reminded him of the good and simple days of his priesthood.

Minutes later, Glitch tossed away one basket as he had finished eating. Tears spurted into his eyes, realizing he had let himself be bribed by food.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Glitch's voice broke Shadow's memories.

"Well, you remind this boy Sonic I used to take care of. He was wild, rebelling, and pulled pranks left and right. The adults around him had a hard time dealing with him. But he was never a bad kid."

Glitch's ears perked up, signaling the priest had his full attention.

"Sonic was dragged into the orphanage after the tragic death of his parents. He couldn't get over it. And deep in his heart, he never believed that was the case."

"And was it?" the boy breathed out.

Shadow gave him a small nod. "I've met him shortly after his move to the orphanage. Seeing him like that was breaking my heart. I couldn't replace his parents, but I could help him." The priest let out a small sigh. "I can't remember how many times he had kicked me in my shin."

He gave out a small laugh. "Or how many times he pranked me, or how many times I had to help him out. It took long months, perhaps over a year, before he stopped being in full alert mode next to me. I gave him lectures about his pranks, but I refrained from yelling. Shouting can never solve the problem.

"Sonic craved for parental attention and considered the entire world as his enemy who took away his parents. Losing your loved ones hurts, and it's difficult for such a scar to heal. Much less for a small kid that gets thrown into an unknown world."

He looked up at Glitch, who was crying, resonating with Sonic's experience.

"Glitch, I know why you hate Silver." Shadow lifted his hand, stopping the boy from barking. "And I won't ask for details, or you, forgiving him, or anything like that. All I'll say is that you are victims of the circumstances. You both made your mistakes."

"But why was he such a jerk?" Glitch spat out, lowering his head. "I tried to be his friend! I tried!" He dug his fingers into the stone, but the seal protected it from his claws.

"I trust you, but Silver saw it as trampling over his mother's memory. Probably like Sonic had seen me at the start."

Glitch lifted his head, tears rolling down.

"Both of them viewed our friendly attempts as an attack against those they have lost. As a way to tell them 'forget about them' when they couldn't. You couldn't understand, nor many adults would notice it.

"Silver felt like in a prison, bottling up his emotions for years, while Sonic opened his heart to me. But I can only imagine how he would turn out if I wasn't there." He smiled. "And I'm happy it's not a reality he has to live in."

The boy wiped his tears.

"Glitch, I'm truly worried about you."

"About me? Why?" His tone lost all hostility.

"Your limbs—"

"No! Don't take them!" The boy formed a half-ball, showing his inexperience with curling. "I don't want to be a cripple again!" He sobbed.

Shadow took a deep breath; Another sensitive topic. "I don't want to take them away. I don't want to cause you pain. But those limbs may torture you in the future."

"How?"

"Have you experienced any difficulties? Like pain, jerking, or any unpleasant feeling?"

Glitch unrolled, glancing at his palms. In his mind, he was weighing his options and planning his answer. "They sometimes... turn a bit hot... if I use my powers for too long."

"Did it happen any other time?"

The boy puckered his lips, deep in his thoughts. "I guess a bit at the start. He said it shouldn't last for too long."

Shadow frowned. "Do you know the origin of those limbs?"

Glitch's eyes blinked, reflecting his confusion as that thought had never crossed his mind.

"Those aren't ordinary limbs. They belong to a demon." Shadow's face muscles underwent a test of endurance as Glitch laughed, almost rolling on the ground.

"Demons? Those are just scary stories to make kids go sleeping early. There are no demons." He grinned at the priest as if he had bested him.

Shadow took another deep breath, preparing to shatter this boy's illusion. "I'm afraid demons are real. They appear all across the continent and beyond it, causing panic and killing innocent people."

The seriousness in his tone made Glitch tense up.

"And that's one of the reasons The Order had set their eyes on you."

"What would priests want from me?" Another spark of fear had grown inside Glitch, giving him shivers.

A realization reflected on Shadow's face as he once more saw a small Sonic.

"How clumsy of me. I've been asking a lot of questions all this time, forgetting you may have your own."

This again pinched Glitch's interest, and the boy leaned closer.

"I can't guarantee to answer them in detail, but I hope my answers can provide you an insight into your current situation."

Based on the slight movements with fingers, hands, and how he turned his head, Shadow could tell the boy was sorting everything in his mind.

"Who are you?"

The priest smiled, glad he started with the basics. "My name is Shadow, and I'm a priest, but in reality, I'm a special agent of The Order. The public knows only little about the real dealings because that would cause mass panic and disorder.

"The world is facing threats from demons every day, and The Order was established to stop them and prevent them from hurting more people. For that, many gifted individuals started to work here, I included."

"Cool." Glitch's eyes were firmly locked on Shadow as if he was a celebrity.

"This is also confidential information, so keep it a secret. I'm not allowed to speak about it, but given your unique circumstances, I'll risk it. Because it's not just fighting with demons but also helping people with extraordinary gifts or powers that awaken inside of them.

"Once that happens, it's impossible to go back to their old life. Many of them join The Order as agents or employees, giving others the help they had received."

He let the boy digest it as Shadow had noticed the boy had a harder time to understand certain words.

"So, what's going to happen to me now?"

"That's something you decide. If you cooperate, I can promise you I'll do everything within my power to ensure you will be treated well. That includes access to proper meals, a room of your own, and a certain degree of free movement.

"Of course, that would come with you being watched, and I can imagine you would have to visit our medical team regularly." He nodded towards the demonic limbs. "Their unknown nature may cause you harm later."

Tears rolled down Glitch's cheeks. He hugged his arms, tucking his legs closer.

"I know you don't want to lose them, but we can replace them."

Glitch's head shot up like he was an ostrich. "Really?"

"Well, I'm not fully informed, but we have a mechanic who had built prosthetic limbs... artificial... mechanical..." Shadow tried one word after another, seeing Glitch couldn't comprehend them. "New limbs and adjust them to you." He avoided using the word fake as he feared that could make the boy depressed.

"As I've said, your limbs are one reason The Order searched for you."

"The others?" While still tense, he relaxed his posture.

"You have attacked Silver, who is another S-class agent like me, but that's more like a minor detail. All agents are people with their flaws, mistakes, and strengths.

"The primary reason you are here is that you may be connected to a certain scientist who practices dark arts and is the mastermind behind hideous crimes."

Glitch whimpered as if Shadow was telling him a scary story during a stormy night.

"I have his picture here, and I need you to tell me if it was him or not."

"B-But! He was really kind to me!"

Shadow dug his fingers into his knees. 'Kind? Dr. Finitevus?' But then again, that doctor was so unpredictable he could act kind in front of this kid while being devilish to others.

"Glitch, please, tell me honestly if it was him or not," Shadow repeated.

"What do you want to do to him?"

"Arrest him." But being dead would be preferred by many. "And if he was truly kind to you, there may be a chance for his redemption." As much as Shadow hated himself for this lie, he was too close to back down now. And maybe he wanted to believe this boy. That the mad doctor could have a heart.

"Here is the picture." The priest reached into his inner pocket. "Have a good look at it." He cast away his eyes as he put his hand forward. There was enough pressure on the boy.