Inside the gleaming chambers of the Celestial Tribunal—a vast, dome-shaped hall suspended in the air, with transparent walls that overlooked the radiant city of the Skyborn Order—every seat of the high council was filled. The room shimmered with spiritual energy, blue glyphs pulsating in the walls as the proceedings began.
Councilwoman Maresa Nyaga stood and raised her hand, calling for order. "Today we gather to pass judgment on two matters—Kayen Telani, a vessel to a forbidden entity, and Aahliya Shenati, an Abyssborn insurgent caught trespassing into our domain."
The silence that followed was sharp.
First came Kayen's turn.
Kayen stood alone on a glowing circular platform at the center, eyes wary, fists clenched. He looked smaller than ever before under the Tribunal's scrutiny.
Whispers danced across the council seats until Tavion, the older, stern-faced councilman, rose.
"This boy is a danger to all of us. Vessel to a creature that should never have existed. Even before we apprehended him, strange anomalies followed him—disturbances in the spiritual field, unexplained bursts of dark-light energy. What more proof do we need? The entity inside him is watching, waiting."
Murmurs of agreement rippled. Kayen remained silent.
Then, Eliadan stepped forward, his cloak swirling as he raised a calming hand. "I've studied those anomalies myself. Yes, there is energy unlike ours, but no sign of active corruption. What I see in Kayen is restraint—instinct held back, even when cornered. We've seen others possessed, and they do not hold back. This boy resists."
Councilwoman Jiroka Vane, cold-eyed and calculating, interjected. "We are not executioners, but we cannot gamble with the unknown. What if Effilim fully awakens? What if the boy turns?"
Eliadan paced slowly around the circle. "Then we train him. Shape him. Equip him to resist. Turn the tide against the Abyssborn. Let him serve as an agent under our watch. Let the Skyborn reclaim what darkness sought to corrupt."
He turned to Maresa. "He is not our enemy. He is our opportunity."
A tense silence held the chamber.
Maresa stepped forward. "We will vote. Councilmembers—aye, or nay—do we accept Eliadan's proposal to induct Kayen Telani as a Skyborn agent, under probation and surveillance?"
One by one, hands lifted.
A majority.
Maresa nodded. "The Tribunal has spoken. Kayen Telani, you will serve under the Skyborn Order as a provisional agent. Should you falter, the consequences will be immediate."
Kayen exhaled slowly, nodding, though the fear didn't leave his eyes.
"Next," Maresa called, "Aahliya Shenati."
The platform shifted. Aahliya was brought forth in spiritual bindings, face marked with bruises but eyes glinting with rebellion.
Tavion spoke again. "She is a demon. A spy. We should not be debating this. Eliminate her and end this circus."
Selasi's eyes narrowed.
Aahliya laughed bitterly. "Why don't you come down here and try, old man?"
"Silence her," someone shouted.
"She risked our entire defense grid," Jiroka added. "We're wasting time."
But then Eliadan stepped forward once more.
"She is dangerous, yes. But useful. She carries knowledge about the Abyssborn faction we could never extract by force. I propose a compromise. Let her live—but only under strict control."
Selasi frowned. "You're not seriously—"
"She will be placed under my care," Eliadan continued. "And fitted with a soul-lock collar. A device that, if tampered with or removed by unauthorized means, will result in immediate spiritual collapse. Death."
A small gasp echoed from the crowd.
Maresa spoke carefully. "The soul-lock is irreversible unless released in the presence of a council member. This would bind her… absolutely."
Selasi stepped forward. "And I will monitor her daily. She works. She trains. She doesn't slack. If she even yawns the wrong way, I'll know."
Aahliya rolled her eyes. "Great. Babysat by Miss Stoneface."
Arguments sparked again, but eventually the votes were cast. It was a narrow decision—but the motion passed.
"She lives. But under condition," Maresa announced. "Should she step out of line—she dies. No delay. No trial."
A guard moved forward, presenting a glowing black choker encrusted with sky-runes. Aahliya grimaced as it was locked around her neck. It pulsed briefly with energy.
She hissed in pain. "Sadistic jewelry. Lovely."
Selasi smirked. "Get used to it."
As the meeting closed, the audience filed out in scattered murmurs.
But down a quiet corridor behind the tribunal chambers, one cloaked figure broke away.
It was Councilman Tavion.
He stepped into a shadowed alcove, drew out a sleek communicator, and tapped in a coded sequence. A flicker, and a hologram of Andrew Shenati appeared.
Tavion spoke first. "It's done. They've voted. Kayen lives. Aahliya's been released under guard."
Andrew's face tightened, but he remained composed. "I see. That may complicate things."
"She's under Eliadan's protection. But we can exploit that. They're watching the boy closely now."
Andrew nodded. "You did well, Tavion. Keep feeding me updates. Our moment is coming."
The feed cut. Tavion's lips curled into a sinister smile as he slipped the device back into his robes.
"Let them have their little victories."