Kings and Queens Chapter 2: Shrouded Mystery, Divine Judgement
A/N: Hello hello, welcome again. Enjoy!
Lanox. It was a city ahead of most others in Elrios. Dark cobblestone, tainted a deep crimson color, paved the streets, and metalwork made up a large portion of the buildings. The blacksmiths here were famous for the work they did with forging steel. Known as the Steel Smiths of Lanox, several of them having gained fame for their skill.
It was a simple place, run by a mayor or some other authority figure. Most of the locals had also adapted to the immense heat of the volcanic area. But this was not the case for a young boy visiting the faraway village. Sure, he was from Sander, which was a desert for the sake of Lady El, but Lanox was on another level entirely. Sticking up in various directions was his matted black hair, already slightly soaked from his own sweat. Curious emerald eyes flashed about, glancing at his surroundings.
"This place is kinda hot.." He grumbled to his father, who simply pet him on the head in response.
"It's fine, Kiel. We won't be here for too much longer. I just need to pick up an order I placed with the blacksmiths. Their services are becoming more and more in demand as the tensions between Lurensia and Fluone rise. We may not be able to travel as easily as well, and I'm a bit worried about that..." The head of the trade caravans sighed, massaging his forehead. "You can look around town if you would like. I heard that there are some paintings hung up in the town's judicial court if you want to go see them. Also, Lanox is somewhat known for having... interesting trials."
The child nodded quickly, his hair bobbing about as he did so. "Alright." He didn't really mind browsing art, since the topic fascinated him and he did want to become an artist someday. With that, he skipped off.
Located by the town hall was an equally large building, on the more uphill area of Lanox. Pillars supported the huge frame of the building, having been styled after ancient architecture. Engraved at the top was the trademark symbol of imbalanced scales, representing the universal symbol of law.
He pushed against the heavy door, shoving fiercely against the large gates. It was surprisingly heavy for just being a door. But eventually, they opened enough for him to slip inside. Quickly scampering through the crack, he made his way inside the enormous building.
It was even larger inside than on the outside. Benches lined a hallway, placed for waiting clients. Doors were lined up neatly, each of them bearing a number plate and a sign at the side that stated the room's purpose. The hallways ran horizontally, then had another hall protruding from the end of each, leading to more rooms. In the center was another huge door, the engraved plate set on the wood reading 'Central Courtroom'. From what he could pick up, something was going on inside from the various voices he was hearing, along with a sound that resembled the noise of something being slammed against a table.
While he was fairly unfamiliar with the rules of a judicial court, it tended to be safe to walk inside even though a trial might be in progress. If his memory was correct, most courtrooms were equipped with a spectator gallery for any who wished to watch the trial in progression, or await for their turn.
Placing his hand on the elaborately engraved doorknob, he pulled open just enough for him to enter without making his presence known. Taking a few wary glances, he snuck into the nearest available seat that he could find, and thankfully, nobody was near it. Now that he did not have to worry about being seen, he poked his head over the railing to view the room. It was most definitely huge, the walls being painted a crisp white, sconces lit with golden flames lining the side walls. Parallel to the viewing area was a raised table. To the left was a large, raised platform enclosed by a railing, where two rows of citizens were sitting, looking as if they were bored out of their minds. Three more tables were placed in front, one directly in front of the first raised table, and the other two were placed behind the second.
But he was completely disinterested in the current ongoing conversation. Hanging on the walls of the large room were enormous paintings, ones that would not easily fit into an ordinary home. A gold frame enclosed the picture on the right side of the wall, which was of a standing figure, with one arm raised and the other clutching dual tablets of stone, inscriptions written on the slates. On the other side, a silver frame surrounded the other photo. It appeared to be one of a judge, with a swirling, sable robe, gavel raised as if prepared to give a verdict. Held in the other hand was a golden scale, lit with flames that almost seemed to burst from the canvas, and crackling silver lighting spilling out of the other.
The paintings were gorgeous, and he was about to move to get a closer look until a sharp cry pierced the air.
His head whirled toward the viewing area where the main court was situated. One of the people had suddenly left their chair, charging at the judge who was sitting on the raised bench. But before they were even close, someone standing at the base of the stand reacted. A flash of light, and arcane text rose from the ground, forming a barrier that blockaded the charging man.
From what he could see, the text read 'No passing from this point onward'. Was this a unique brand of magic? Suddenly, his father's words returned. Lanox was somewhat famed for having interesting court cases. And a few days earlier, his father had also told him that many people would journey to the volcanic town to have a trial held there instead of their hometown.
A woman who was nearby leaned over to him. "Fascinated?" She inquired, gesturing at the glimmering wall of text that was hovering in the air, surrounding a small region. "Nobody knows what that power is. But whatever is written with it becomes a law that must be obeyed. It's as if a deity came down from heaven to create and enforce their divine law. Not even I know how it happens, but Lanox's court is famous for having this occurrence."
Curious eyes stared back at the one who was conversing with him. "Who are you?" He asked bluntly.
"Ah, I'm Kyou." She introduced herself, winking. "I'm the resident researcher of Lanox. I'm also a bit of an inventor if you want to call me that. I sometimes come to watch the cases in this central room because of the circumstances I just described. It's not something I can investigate very thoroughly though. The nature of it is unlike any magic or alchemy..." She sighed, looking longingly at the shimmering words. "I wish I did though. It could be the key to an amazing breakthrough and I can't even touch it."
Kiel's eyes hovered toward the figure who was standing by the judge's bench. Something caught his eye, despite the mythical law that was standing before it. Even though it was slightly difficult to tell with the distance, he could see an emblem engraved within the figure's left eye. Four diamond sigils, pointed inward in a neat formation.
It was... Magic?
"Kyou." He tapped the researcher's arm eagerly. "I think I see something. Do you see the one standing in front of the judge? I think I saw something. Maybe it was a magical sigil... Or at least I think so."
Kyou's purple eyes suddenly snapped forward, squinting slightly to see past the words. "That there is Justice, the enforcer for most of the trials. He's also the twin brother of the judge. I can't see any magical sigil though, so are you sure you weren't just seeing things? I would have seen it long ago if there was one..."
The young boy shook his head adamantly. "I saw it. And it's still there. You can't see it?" He blinked curiously.
"No." The brunette shook her head dejectedly. "But maybe you have a special gift that allows you to. It's not unheard of for certain people to possess the ability to see past illusion magic, like some people have a natural affinity for an element. That's the only way that I can explain the fact you can see what I and everyone else can't."
"There's also the underlying question. Justice is no magician. He's a law student." Kyou crossed her arms. "If he was a magician, I'd have known since I can sense the magical auras of others. There's no such power around him."
She tugged on the crimson and gold scarf wrapped around her throat. "Or, we can just find out." A mischievous chuckle came from her. "Just ambush him after the case is over and we can get all the answers. I know that he's completely incapable of self defense. And if he responds with that magical law thing or whatever it is, we'll have all the proof we need."
Kiel honestly didn't want to get himself involved, but he was curious. "Alright," he nodded silently, affirming the plan. "Also, do you have any idea who those paintings are made by?" He questioned, pointing to the huge murals.
"They're both done by a decreased artist." She responded. "In fact, those paintings are quite ancient. They were done sometime after the war nearly two centuries ago. Why they decided to hang them up in the courtroom is beyond me, but maybe they were just hoping that divine lighting would come and strike some thief dead if anyone laid a hand on them." The researcher giggled. "With the mystery here, I wouldn't be surprised if that was actually their idea."
-About 1 hour later-
"You ready?" Kyou questioned, crouching behind a wall. Kiel nodded, trying to hide his excitement. What a unique power. The ability to summon divine law, and make it so that they had to be obeyed. He hadn't even heard of anything remotely similar.
Soon enough, the back door for the court's central room slammed open, revealing a disheveled judge. Her golden hair was slightly tangled, and she looked right about ready to smash the gavel in her hand against the nearest person's skull. "I swear to Lady El if that ever happens again, I'm going to jump right out of the bench and smash their face in myself..."
"Calm down." The following figure sighed. Silver-blue hair that hung slightly over his eyes was swept aside to keep it from interfering with vision. "It's fairly rare for that to happen. Why don't you go get some rest and prepare yourself for the next one?" He sighed. "Didn't think I'd actually have to do that."
Kyou's interest seemed to be sparked even further at this. She seemed eager enough to leap out right there and then to grab the male of the two. In her hands was a heavy book along with a wine-red parasol. The researcher stood still, like a lion waiting for its prey to walk straight into its trap.
"Alright..." The golden haired female skipped off, her judge's robe billowing behind her as she left.
As soon as the other turned the corner, Kyou leaped from her hiding place, waving her parasol as a rift in the fabric of space burst open, forming a wormhole. She then swung it, intending to use it as a blunt weapon.
Much to her surprise, it was countered with the swing of a glistening silver blade. Mythical energy crackled around the blade, parrying the parasol, which was somehow still intact despite the struggle. Kyou grimaced as she pushed against the sword, trying to overpower him despite the fact she was outmatched in strength.
Kiel watched from the sidelines, the brilliant flashes of combat reflecting in his deep forest eyes. The emblem of four diamonds reflected again in Justice's eye as he reached his spare arm outward. A golden quill formed in his hands, and sapphire sigils of powerful magic swirled about along with lines of an ancient language. The force danced in the air as he appeared to write on one of the magical circles beside him.
Kyou was suddenly forced backward as the same glowing text inscribed itself onto the air before her. A burst of energy broke the lock between them, forcing her to stumble back.
She attempted to swing her parasol again, but found that she was completely immobilized.
Written in the atmosphere above the two were two lines of text. 'Everyone except the writer of the law cannot move or attack,' along with 'No leaving of this enclosed area will be permitted.' Divine law had been inscribed, and even Kyou was helpless against the nature of the ability.
"...Erm..." Kyou said sheepishly. "We just wanted to confirm a curiosity we had?" she tried, completely throwing Kiel underneath the bus for the event. Though it wasn't completely true, since she wanted to find out as well and did not try up until the young boy pointed the mysterious sign out to her.
Justice's sword did not drop from its position. Cold, uncaring eyes stared at them both, invoking an aura of true authority and judgement. "And this was your means? Could you have not simply came and asked? Though I suppose there is no reason for that, since nobody has ever dared to."
"Uh... Yeah?" Kyou blinked. At least she could still do that despite the law. "We couldn't think of anything better..."
Kiel looked rather uncomfortable at this turn of events. "Can... I go now?" He tried, his voice falling quiet due to Justice's clear power. With their current predicament, they could end up dead in less than a minute.
He winced at the glare that was given to him before a sound answer came. "You can. Kyou, while I do understand your curiosity for magic, please do not attempt to ambush me the next time you have such an inquiry."
The merchant's son could have died from relief right then and now as the law was broken, the text vanishing into nothingness as the invisible shackles holding them shattered. He quickly stood up, slipping out through one of the back exits. His father had to be looking for him by now.
Kyou was rather quick to follow for she absolutely did not want to be on the receiving end of his possible anger. They were lucky to have gotten out alive and in a single piece with no missing limbs.
Both Kiel and Kyou slammed the door behind them before sighing simultaneously in relief. "That was way too close for comfort..." The black haired male shuddered, still remembering the fear of being fully controlled by the power of divine authority.
"You did a great job." Kyou slapped him on the back with a smile. "You've found out the long-standing mystery of Lanox's courtroom, which nobody up until now has figured out. And I'm impressed you didn't die back then, Justice's very presence tends to be enough to give people a heart attack or stroke. Or both."
Kiel looked somewhat disturbed by the fact that he could have simply died back then. "I gotta go now, though. It was very nice meeting you." He waved as he composed himself and begun to run off toward the caravans currently situated in Lanox.
"Same to you." Kyou waved, the same smile on her face.
-Hamel, Hall of Warfare-
"I... completely take back what I said two days ago." Steiner grumbled, dabbing a wound on his shoulder. "Note to self, never bet on anyone else if Sol is dueling them. That guy is inhuman, I'm telling you. He grimaced as he wrapped a bandage around a gash on his arm. I now understand why you lost to him."
"When I said fight him yourself, I meant it as a joke." Auberste rolled his eyes. "Besides, would I ever lie to you?"
"Dunno." He sighed. "But this might take a while to heal. That sword cut deeper than most others would. Wonder what that thing's made of. Definitely looks neat though, with the hilt and all. Though to me, it's more redundant than anything with the amount of metalwork detail. Why would you bother to decorate something you're going to have to replace someday? Swords and weapons don't last forever, no matter how good they are."
Auberste shrugged. "Never hurts having something a little out of the ordinary I guess. Though I would have to agree on that point. It's a lot fancier than what you'd expect. I mean, it is something you'll be stabbing or beheading someone with."
"Exactly." Steiner pulled down his sleeve as he finished mending his wound.
"...You know, have you heard of that Anastasis Aiseiri project that the magical branch is working so hard on?" The officer asked out of the blue, glancing upward at the clear sky. "They say they're almost fully done with it, and it'll be ready to go real soon."
"Who hasn't?" Auberste scoffed. "I'm a navy commander, not an undereducated idiot. Everyone in Hamel knows about the Anastasis Aiseiri project. It's too well known for even the commoners to not know. Though I've never trusted head researcher Lex. He seems like a nice guy, but honestly he just creeps me out. Besides, even the name of whatever it is gives me chills. This can't be a good thing."
"I'd agree." His companion nodded. "But it's not like we can do anything. He's the head researcher, he does whatever he wants and we're pretty powerless to stop it. Though they do provide the army and navy with new weapons, so it's something. He's worth putting up with simply because he's too useful to just get rid of."
"Anastasis Aiseiri honestly sounds like some forbidden taboo spell. Though I guess you shouldn't judge by the name." The admiral of the arctic navy grumbled. "We'll just have to wait and see what unholy thing he's unleashed upon us."