Abyss Prison, Cell K-6
...
The usually monotonous and repetitive prison cell has taken a drastic turn today. All 9 prisoners blankly stared ahead at the rusted and worn out wall that stood out distinctly from the other three wall. A holographic projection of the Warden was also facing the same direction.
The prisoners usually had no luster in their eyes, appearing increasingly lifeless. But today they all had the same light of curiosity any living being had.
All of a sudden, air distorted just in front of the rusted wall and a black portal manifested for a brief moment. So brief that ordinary people might just feel like a blink. But the prisoners here were not ordinary nor was the Warden.
They all knew what it meant to have a blink of darkness without their perception. It was the portal that appeared after Heavenly Trials and swallowed Neo.
And right now, Neo appeared once more on cell k-6 after disappearing for a whole day. The first thing he did after appearing was to stretch comfortably.
"Mmn, my bones feel rusted already. How long has it been?"
Silence reigned among the prisoners. Eventually an old man in silver hair, whom Neo remembered to have adviced to give up spoke, "A whole day...it has been a Whole day since the portal appeared. To my knowledge, I don't know of any who has stayed in Heavenly zone for a whole day at their first visit!"
Neo ignored the trembling of the old man's lips. He pursed his lips in annoyance instead and murmured, "No wonder I feel like my bones are going to rust. It has been a long time indeed."
And then he walked towards the wall and stretched his hand to claw on it. The wall, already rusted was cleanly sliced by Neo's fingers as gravel and dust fell. After a while, Neo stopped, admired his work and clapped in satisfaction. A line appeared on the previously empty wall.
[01/01/3000]
A simple date, yet it stirred the lost souls of Abyss Prison like Heavenly Dew. For today was indeed the First Day of New Year. Since the day Three Suns occupied the Sky, every year started with the conclusion of Heavenly Trials!
The Warden of Abyss Prison was completely ignored but it stayed, as a hologram and recorded everything. Yet it still couldn't reach any point or explain any phenomena that had happened. And clearly, the Warden doesn't have permission to interrogate the prisoners. So it just gave up and compiled everything in incomprehensible file, named "Anomaly of Neo, suspected to be a Heavens Chosen!".
...
SKYCLOUD CENTRAL COURT
...........................
White stone floors gleaming under light filtered through high crystalline arches. Pillars of glass and steel stretched to the ceiling, inscribed with the Creed of Justice in looping, archaic calligraphy.
At the highest tier of the tiered courtroom, sat Judge Malkor Veyren. Draped in robes of crimson and black trim, the man's sharp aquiline features and cold, eyes betrayed no emotion.
Below, seated with calm precision at the petitioner's bench, was Malia Rose. A vision of poise and intellect, the young heiress of the Violet Rose Family wore a robe of muted lavender, her black hair tied in a formal coil, violet ribbon dangling like a whisper. Her eyes, however, shimmered with intelligence.
She stood as the proceedings began.
"Your Honour, I, Malia Rose, formally petition this court to reopen the case of Neo, accused of theft and attempted escape. I submit that the previous verdict was not only premature—but dangerously flawed."
A low murmur swept through the gathered observers. Notably present were elders from the Skycloud Council, representatives of the Sunblade and Violet rose family, and Principal Velren with his students, Kael and Ayna.
Judge Veyren's voice, low and echoing, cut through the stir, "On what basis do you bring forth this challenge to a concluded case?"
Malia didn't falter. "Let me present the facts."
With a flick of her fingers, five illusionary projections bloomed in the air behind her, suspended by her artifact crystal quill.
"First, the owner of the antique shop—alleged victim of the theft—died mysteriously just one day after the case concluded. There is no autopsy, no investigation. He was the only key witness. And now, he is gone."
Gasps, again. Malia continued smoothly.
"Second, the video footage that allegedly showed Neo committing the theft has vanished from court records. All we are left with is a testimonial from a Martial Sky enforcer whose memory, conveniently, has become... hazy."
She waved her hand. Another illusion rose—this time a map.
"Third, the so-called escape attempt. The route provided is geographically impossible—Neo was not supposed to be escorted out of the city. He was supposed to be escorted to the prison and yet the place of accident is clearly on the outskirts of the city. This is clearly a fabrication of the so called escape attempt."
Judge Veyren's fingers flexed slightly. That alone was more movement than most would see from him in a year.
"Fourth, the thugs who allegedly 'rescued' Neo were never caught. They were directly killed by Martial Sky Guards. However from autopsy, their identity has veen uncovered. They are street thugs, and I refuse to believe any street thugs will dare to attack a law enforcement car. The Law Enforcement Officers of SkyCloud city aren't just pretty vase!"
Malia paused, letting the implication sink in.
"And fifth—the Martial Sky Guard's involvement. Why was a low-level theft assigned a Martial Sky task force usually deployed for high level criminals? And why was the case concluded in three hours, a court record never before seen in central trial history?"
A sharp laugh erupted from the viewing stands. Someone murmured, "Fastest verdict this court's ever seen—someone must've had dinner plans."
THUMP. THUMP.THUMP.
Judge Veyren raised hit the hammer and silence fell like a guillotine.
"This is not a theatre for mockery," he intoned. Then turned back to Malia. "And what remedy does the Violet Rose petition for?"
"A retrial," Malia said without hesitation. "A full review, overseen by neutral observers, and the immediate suspension of any verdicts against Neo until this is done."
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