Interlude (Scene Change)
Meanwhile, in a different place...
Beyond time and space...
In the Divine Celestial Heaven:
The surroundings shimmered like a living emerald. In the sky, insect-like creatures with wings made of diamond and sapphire glided gracefully, sparkling as they reflected light. Each fluttered with its own distinct tone, weaving melodies into the air. In the distance, hundreds of endemic bird species with vibrant feathers ascended into the sky, adorning the blue expanse like a mosaic. The sky itself radiated a dazzling clarity—spreading an infinite sense of peace.
The clouds were not the usual white; they appeared semi-transparent and radiant, as if made from blue crystal. When sunlight touched them, they sparkled like massive jewels suspended in the heavens.
Every corner of the land felt blessed. Endless crystal-clear streams meandered toward infinity, and within them, colorful fish made of glowing stones swam with elegance. These fish didn't merely move—they seemed to whisper the melody of existence into the water.
At the heart of the streams, defying the laws of nature, rose a colossal waterfall. The water flowed upward, carrying the life energy of the earth into the sky. Then, at intervals, silver stars rained gently from above, each symbolizing the beginning of a life, a story.
The entire landscape was in perfect harmony, like pieces of a masterfully crafted painting. Amidst this harmony, towering spires reached for the sky.
These towers were built from white marble, adorned with golden engravings and symbols. Their roofs bore embedded red rubies, reflecting sunlight and adding magnificence to the whole of Heaven. The towers pierced the clouds, bridging the heavens and the earth.
But these towers were no ordinary structures. Inside dwelled exalted beings who wrote the laws of existence and maintained the order.
At the center of them all stood the largest and most majestic of halls:
The Grand Divine Courtroom.
This hall was the sacred core where the Divine Will governed the universe. Its domes were adorned with stars, its columns etched with cosmic patterns. Within, a holiness transcending time and space prevailed. Decisions made here shaped the destiny of the entire cosmos.
And today, an important trial was about to take place in this sacred chamber...
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INSIDE THE COURTROOM:
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The sound of the gavel echoed through the hall, silencing thousands of spiritual beings in an instant. A tense anticipation filled the air.
— Silence, everyone!
All eyes turned toward a single point.
— The court is now in session!
Then, a figure dressed in judge's robes, its body composed of white, sacred flames, slowly walked toward the golden podium. It had no face—only a cluster of light radiating peace and authority.
It stopped in front of the golden stand and calmly brought its hands together:
— Let the trial begin!
Above, seated on their thrones, twelve Beings of Light looked down. They were the Divine Council. Their forms were made of pure white, and they gazed down with a cold sense of superiority. Although the judge seemed to lead the trial, the true verdict would come from their collective will.
Suddenly, a strange vibration rippled through the massive hall. The ground trembled slightly. A hum rose from the depths, and an energy surge was felt.
All eyes turned to a single point…
The Azure Flame appeared!
It materialized calmly at the defendant's stand. It displayed neither fear nor regret—only silent and dignified anticipation.
Then the gavel struck again:
— Divine Soul Overseer! What was that last act of yours?
— My last act? What did I do?
— Do not play ignorant! You revived souls from another world! One of them even carried a demonic spirit!
The Azure Flame muttered quietly to itself:
"Damn… They found out."
— Perhaps you're referring to the last souls I revived, Your Honor? This humble being was unaware of the situation.
— Yes! One of those souls had a crimson aura! It reeked of Hell!
— I understand, Your Honor. Forgive me for saying this, but I had no choice.
The judge clenched its fists:
— No choice? Explain!
The flame stepped forward, its voice heavy and persuasive:
— Those souls were not drawn here by their own will. A distortion in space-time pulled them in. Had I not revived them, the intense energy they carried would have exploded chaotically—leading to greater destruction and more demonic breaches.
— Such a catastrophe would have destroyed everything within the order...
— So you're saying you revived them to preserve the balance?
— Exactly, Your Honor. I had to. There was no other way.
Silence fell. Then, the judge slowly lowered the gavel:
— That defense... seems reasonable. But the final judgment shall be made not by us, but by the Absolute Scales of Fate.
The judge raised a hand:
— By authority of the Divine Will Council, I summon the Absolute Scales of Fate!
Suddenly, grinding gears like thunder echoed through the hall. The ground shook. The marble floor in the center of the chamber cracked open:
BOOM!
A massive pillar adorned with golden engravings rose skyward. Two curved arms extended from its body, shifting shape as they floated.
And finally...
The Absolute Scales of Fate appeared.
The supposed fairest judge in the universe…
Two brilliant lights descended from above and settled into the arms of the scale.
CLINK!
A metallic sound echoed. The scale tilted gently to the left.
The light on the right ignited… and vanished.
Invalid judgment!
The light on the left shimmered and transformed into a parchment. It floated down and landed in the judge's hands.
The judge unrolled it and read aloud:
The Divine Soul Overseer is innocent. Their actions were a necessary obligation within the bounds of duty.
The Azure Flame took a deep breath.
But the tension on its face did not completely fade.
— Then what will become of the souls who crossed over?
— Know your place and wait your turn!
The judge continued:
— Demonic souls are a threat to the order. They are enemies of our dominion. Therefore, they must be eliminated!
The Azure Flame cried out internally:
"I hate this corrupt order… Everyone deserves a chance..."
The Twelve Beings of Light, however, were closed to change. Anything outside the lines they had drawn was a threat. And beings like Mahey had no place in their plans.
But the Azure Flame had a plan.
The power I gave Mahey—the ability to see the future in dreams—will help her fight destiny. She's intelligent and determined. I can use her…
With a sly smile, it thought to itself:
"Time will tell everything..."
Meanwhile, the judge concluded the verdict:
These souls shall be erased by altering the script of fate. And measures will be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again!
The trial ended swiftly. New cases began.
As the Azure Flame stepped down from the stand, it murmured to itself:
Just as I expected. Everything is going according to plan…
Then it smiled:
Watching your battle against fate will be entertaining, Mahey Hilua…
End of Interlude