The Trial: Journey's End

Written by: AtheistBasementDragon

Edited by: The Usual Gang of Drunken Perverted Idiots

Chapter 15: What Lies East of East

...Kirakira Prison...

When Skana was gone, Neia was marched straight to the warden's office to explain the damage to the visiting room. Mu'Ka sat behind his desk, his hoof tapping up and down on the floor. Chains were on Neia's wrists again, though more to make a point than anything. Neia stared blankly at him, waiting for him to speak, with her hands hanging down in front of her.

"Well?" He asked finally and stared blankly at her.

"Well what?" She asked. Her voice flat and indifferent.

"You damaged my prison." He said and began to tap his quill on the paper in front of him with increasing impatience.

"Your prison was between me and my wife and child." Neia answered, "If it had not resisted, it would be intact." It was sarcasm in the extreme, and Mu'Ka's deep brown eyes took on an angry twitch.

Neia lowered her eyes after a moment. "I'll have the damage repaired at no cost to you. Sorry. But I saw them and... I just... I had to."

Mu'Ka set the quill down and rubbed his forehead in annoyance. "I knew you'd be trouble, but not this sort. I thought you'd end up being a status symbol that the gangs fought over having as a pet. Should have listened to the demoness and that other woman."

"I said I was sorry... well, I mean for the inconvenience, I can't be sorry for doing anything that lets me touch my wife." Neia admitted with a somewhat reluctant frown forming slightly on her face. "What's the usual punishment for damaging prison property?"

"Most of the time it's the whip. But... I've never had one apologize and offer to have it repaired either." Mu'Ka thought about it for a moment, rubbing his jaw in thought, "Fine, no food for you for the next two days. Water only, and back to your cell for that time except for trial."

"As you wish, I'll have it repaired after I'm out." Neia acknowledged even while her stomach growled in loud protest.

The same behemoth of a guard that had taken her to both locations, returned her to her cell and closed the bars behind her. She flopped down on her bunk and stared at nothing until the sound of her own growling stomach was the only thing she heard, until sleep finally claimed her.

She woke up to the sound of tapping on the bars of her cell and finding her regular clothes being slid through the bars. "Today again?" She asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Yes." The guard said with rather more respect in his voice than she'd heard last time.

She slung herself over the cot and took the clothing as the bars opened up and she was escorted off to wash herself.

Within the hour she found herself in front of her defenders at the entrance where her 'visit' had begun. "Are you ready, Neia Baraja?" Albedo asked as she looked down at the diminutive human.

Neia's eyes were beautiful in their defiance of her circumstances, and the depth of the blackness, and the bright red dots that began to glow within, set the heart of the demoness alight as she understood the source of what lived in the Black Paladin's eyes. "I am..." Neia said in the low, reverberating voice that came when her master's power was evoked, willingly or no, "Empress to be." Her eyes squeezed shut at a sudden pain and her chains rattled as she grasped her head.

Albedo felt her heart still at the manner of address, and her mind whirl with sudden confusion at the evident pain that flashed over the Pope's face. "Sorry... Lady Albedo, pain hits there sometimes... think nothing of it. Might be hunger or anxiety talking. Please, let's... get this over with."

The succubus didn't say a word, she gestured to her left, and Pandora's Actor approached with gag and hood in hand.

She opened her mouth, but before the silver gag could be inserted, Neia blurted out, "Ah... just one thing... you didn't borrow these from... you know... Vanysa and Demiurge... did you?"

Pandora's Actor chuckled, "Nein, mein frau. These are... 'clean' ones."

Neia sighed with relief, "Thanks be to god, alright... see to it, and just brief me on the way there."

The gag slid over her tongue and held it fast, and was quickly cinched behind her head. Then darkness descended as the black leather came over her and stole away the light that shone through the windows into the room.

The adamantite chains came next, and then she was patiently led out of the room and aided in stepping into the carriage. To her surprise, Albedo's hand was on her back, gently guiding her steps, feeling almost affectionate. 'I wonder what's gotten into her?' Neia pondered as she pulled herself up and into the cushioned seat making herself comfortable as she could as they began the ride.

"Today you will face Enri." Pandora's Actor said without his usual dramatic flair, Neia could practically feel his arms crossed in front of himself, as surely as she heard the displeasure.

Her head whirled, as if she could see through the hood. He went on, "No, she was not witness to your actions, yet she was the impetus behind this. And she can speak to your own words on the subject."

Neia lowered her head. 'That makes sense, I shouldn't be surprised. Foolish of me, oh well, it couldn't have been helped even if I'd foreseen it. She is my father's loyal servant, it isn't as if I could do anything against her.'

"After that, we can expect at least Gagaran to testify, and if there is time, Queen Zesshi Zetsumei." Pandora's Actor had lost its edge when he got to the matter of the half elf Queen.

"Understand, they are not just striving to show that you are guilty, but that you are so dangerously destructive that you must surely have set out to make those things happen. If they can show you to be a mindless monster, then they will have done enough. Therefore we must humanize you, in this, we are helped by their fear." He explained.

Neia cocked her head to one side, unable to ask, Albedo picked it up. "Hooded and gagged, you appear your true height, which is to say... you are short, human. And what is more, without the eyes visible, your monstrous inner nature is hidden away." Albedo looked out the window of the carriage, "Just shows how inferior they are, to not recognize the projection of my master's glory."

Neia jerked her head up and down in an enthusiastic nod.

As he looked at the powerful gesture of agreement by the Black Paladin, Pandora's Actor settled into a sullen mood. Neia's fists were clenched as she heard the sound of the city when they came near. He could see the way she suppressed her emotions. Albedo was clearly no happier than either of them, she glared out the window at the minotaur crowds which had already begun to gather for the spectacle.

"They are so small." She uttered with contempt. "Even that village born girl could speak up to you. Yet they have to keep you hidden and gagged?"

"Large of body, small of spirit. A Kingdom in doubt, like Re-Estize before mein vater. Their failures against the Beastmen of the Devor Empire have shaken their confidence." Pandora's Actor remarked with distaste.

'Devor... Devor... yes, the Triumvirate member that borders the Minotaurs. Rargnan's Kingdom had minotaurs in it, I assumed they'd have a similar status but… maybe not?' Neia pondered, but as if he could sense her thoughts, he went on.

"The Devor think of the minotaurs like cattle, humans like pigs, and many other races are even lower."

"No wonder they give way to fear so easily from a 'mere' human." Albedo remarked sardonically, and laughed behind the hand she held to her lips. "Fools."

"Listen to me, mein gut Päpstin... I think it nooooo coincidence that you are hooded and gagged, I smell the demons thoughts on this, we are, as said before, helped in this, but 'only' if you do not give way. Depriving you of your face and your voice is meant as humiliation, they aim to break you, so that you lose control and become a faceless monster. We aim to keep you dignified, to keep you seeming strong, but normal, the hood may serve as your shield or their weapon. Bear with it, and let us play our hand!" Pandora's Actor urged with the surge of dramatic passion with which Neia was more familiar.

"My master, my future husband... loves you." Albedo said with a calmer voice than the words suggested, and Neia could feel the golden eyes boring into her head. "You will not break today, or it would shame him, do as you have always done. Endure."

Neia moved her head up and down in slow solemnity. Her fists stayed clenched and she felt the sudden pressure of the hands of Pandora's Actor on her shoulders.

"Trust me! I know mein vater's soul, he hates this as you do! But I know what you do behind walls of stone, endure this day well, as the price you must pay for tomorrow! Leave the speaking to us, unless you think my skills as a thespian to be inferior to your own!" His voice was moving, passionate, enthusiastic, and proud, and in spite of herself, Neia felt her body relax and she rested herself against the back of her seat.

It was good enough, they rode in silence, and when at last the carriage stopped, Neia emerged from the carriage with some assistance, and walked with her back ramrod straight. The eyes meant nothing to her, even could she have seen them.

She felt the stone through her boots, and her hands, despite being bound by chains at the wrists, could move a bit, and touched the fabric of the familiar clothing. 'I am still myself, whatever that means. I faced Jaldabaoth, Remedios, Astraka, Suchala, and the hoards of demihumans. I will not sin here.' She reminded herself, and therefore carried herself as if in state, her steps echoed as silence began to fall, she felt the steps, but required no guidance this time. Only the rattle of the chains that held her fast, and the steady martial footsteps that did not break or falter, filled the air and bounced across the acoustics of the pavilion where she was being tried.

When she reached her seat, she allowed Pandora's Actor to assist her, and she sat.

She heard a voice announce, "Rise for the adjudicator." The sound of mass standing echoed briefly, until the adjudicator entered, took his seat, and sat for himself.

"Be seated." The same voice said, and the spectators, jurors, and various officials sat.

"Your Honor," Demiurge began, "I call Enri Emmot-Bareare to the stand."

Neia suppressed a growl as she heard the familiar human footsteps of her rival, ally, and the force behind her present circumstances. 'I knew this was coming... but still.'

Enri went behind the podium, and Demiurge quickly asked her, "You served as General of the Army of Carne, didn't you?"

"I did." Enri said firmly. Her eyes raked over the pavilion of inhuman faces.

"And while in that capacity, did you ever have occasion to learn what your counterpart, General Neia Baraja, was doing? Or to speak with her on the matter?" Demiurge asked her with a barely suppressed wolfish grin behind his clipped and professional tone.

"I... yes. She was engaged in abject slaughter!" Enri slammed her fist on the podium in front of her, she gritted her teeth furiously, "She took captives in the South, forced them to fight her, and cut off their hands and ears, she drowned the city of Yanana, she ordered most of Wheaton to be slaughtered and then burned the entire place to ashes because of a handful of would be assassins!" She seethed as she uttered her words, they dripped from her poisonous tongue, and Neia felt her skin crawl as if it was being licked over by a monster.

"But that isn't all, you had private words, didn't you?" Demiurge asked patiently, with seeming sympathy.

Enri's entire body visibly locked up. Demiurge glanced down at his paramour, and at a nod from him, she stood.

Vanysa approached, 'woman to woman' her wide gray eyes, captivating and penetrating, she came to where Enri stood frozen, and touched her hand, "It's alright, she's contained, she can't do anything."

Enri relaxed under the gently coaxing voice of the demoness of vengeance, "Y-Yes we had a private talk... things got... emotional."

"Did she threaten you?" Vanysa coaxed, lightly stroking Enri's hand as if to soothe her.

"Not... not exactly. She put her hand on my throat... and..." Enri started to answer, only for Vanysa to press a little harder.

"Was she going to kill you, Enri?" Vanysa asked softly, leaning forward slightly.

"I... no, maybe, I can't say." Enri answered, turning her face away from the questions.

"Objection, conjecture! How can she say what she 'might' have done?! This is about what did happen, not what might have!" Albedo's voice carried over the court, and the adjudicator pounded his gavel sharply.

"Sustained. Witness will refrain from answering the last question." The adjudicator remarked.

"Rephrase. Have you ever known her to respond with violence far beyond what is necessary?" Demiurge asked from the table.

Vanysa felt her wings tremble with excitement. He's so amazing... he knows just what to ask...'

"That's all she does!" Enri shouted with a passionate outburst, her hand covered her chest, "I read every single document, I remember everything she did in her own words! Slaughter! Slaughter! Slaughter! How does anyone drown a city and sleep at night?! How does anyone burn a city and sleep at night?! How does anyone cut off hands and ears of those who haven't a chance, and go back and kiss their wife goodnight?!" She was breathing hard as if she'd just been in a terrible battle, she put a fist over her chest... "It was war, death happens, but that wasn't war! That was..."

"Revenge?" Vanysa prompted slyly.

Enri nodded.

"We're through with this witness." Demiurge said confidently, and Vanysa withdrew and sat primly beside her lover, smiling like the cat who ate the canary.

Albedo rose to her feet and gave Enri a motherly smile, "Tell me, and the rest of the court, about the rebellion that took place all over the South of the Slane Theocracy."

Enri went from wide eyed and emotional to suddenly confused. "What rebellion?

There was stirring in every seat.

"Oh, so you're saying she was successful at keeping the peace. Not a single land she conquered, rose in rebellion?" Albedo asked as if she didn't believe the question she obviously knew the answer to.

"No, none. What she captured, stayed secure..." Enri reluctantly admitted.

"Just like yours?" Albedo asked teasingly.

As if the words were ripped out of her, Enri uttered them with guttural loathing, "No... the North of the Theocracy rose up in rebellion all over the place, toward the end of the war."

"And how many of your soldiers died in that fighting?" Albedo asked as her face went stern and demanding.

'Curse you... curse you damned Agante fools! If you hadn't done all that crap...' Enri thought and gritted her teeth, but answered begrudgingly. "There were over ten thousand dead between Ikari, Crossroads, and all the towns and villages, before the insurrection was crushed."

"And an entire army was diverted to assist with this, wasn't it?" Albedo asked, holding her hand out as if to take the answer from Enri, who stared hard at the Guardian Overseer as she answered a reluctant...

"Yes. General Nimble diverted his imperial soldiers, around sixty thousand or so, to help recapture everything that was briefly lost." Enri admitted.

"And how many among the 'conquered' population died in all that fighting?" Albedo asked with a smile on her face as she twisted the knife.

"I don't know exactly but... the North held over five hundred thousand people not counting soldiers and slaves, at least. And the last census of the area had fewer than eighty thousand still there today. Some probably moved, others were conscripted and died fighting or resettled elsewhere but... the dead are countless." Enri replied with a shudder.

A coin fell out of the pocket of a minotaur on the far left hand side of the pavilion. The minotaurs on the far right, heard the sound of it clink off the stone.

"So surely if General Baraja was so monstrous as that, there must be even fewer alive there, mustn't there?" Pandora's Actor asked, putting the kind of melodramatic flare into his words that only he and a handful of others could do.

"That's not fair!" Enri exclaimed and jabbed her finger at the blank visage of Pandora's Actor. "She didn't do it to keep order! She did it because..." Enri trailed off as uncertainty hit her. "Because..." Her arm lowered slowly.

"Yes?" Pandora's Actor probed further.

"I don't know..." Enri's anger dissipated slowly, "I... I know a lot of people died that didn't have to! I know she had them butchered, that she inflicted terrible wounds on many of her captives... but I... isn't that knowing enough?! Maybe it did keep order, maybe it even saved some of her soldiers... but that doesn't mean it was the only way!" The words were ripped out of her soul as her memory carried her back to the death of her father, the way he shouted for her to take Nemu and run from the knights who had come to kill her for no reason.

"When you find it... let us know." Pandora's Actor said dryly, "We're through with this witness." He said, and Enri took small steps away from the podium, and slowly exited the trial.