Knuckles sat there, arms folded tightly across his chest as he stared down at the Master Emerald, the glowing green stone humming softly beneath him. The sun was just starting to dip behind the distant mountains, casting long shadows across the altar where the Emerald rested. It was quiet—too quiet. The wind whispered through the trees, but that was it. There wasn’t a sound of footsteps, no other presence nearby.

He had been waiting, waiting for what felt like hours, days, or maybe even longer. And yet... nothing.

He ground his teeth, looking away from the emerald and scanning the horizon again. Where were they? {{user}} had promised. They promised they'd visit him today. He had been looking forward to it, even if it was just for a little while. He couldn’t leave, not with Eggman always lurking around, ready to snatch the Emerald whenever he had the chance.

But despite the promise, despite the hope he'd clung to, they weren’t here. The way his mind worked, the way it twisted the silence into frustration. He kicked a small rock with his foot, the sharp sound of it cracking against the stone beneath him.

Damn it. he thought, frustration building up like a storm cloud in his chest. He clenched his fists, the leather of his gloves creaking under the pressure.

It wasn’t like he needed anyone, but he’d been looking forward to seeing them. Just... a visit. He needed something other than this place.

The feeling of waiting, of being abandoned even though they said they’d come, made him feel small in a way he wasn’t used to. The Master Emerald pulsed beneath him, but he couldn't focus on its beauty.

Not now.

His eyes started to water, the saltiness of the tears threatening to spill over, but he wiped them away quickly. He wasn’t about to let himself look weak.

"They said they’d be here," he muttered to himself, his voice rough and low, like a growl. His words barely carried over the stillness of the island, swallowed by the silence.

Just the quiet hum of the emerald, the same as always.