SkyCloud Central Court
........
High judge Malkor Veyren sat on the highest position, surveyed the courtroom and said, " Let the retrial begin!"
Silence.
An oppressive silence loomed over the courtroom causing High judge Malkor Veyren to frown in annoyance. He spoke again, "Let the retrial begin!"
And then he surveyed the courtroom again, this time spotting some anomaly. The previously vibrant advocate Malia Rose seemed to lost her spirit. Vacantly rising from her seat to address the retrial.
"Your honour. With all due respect, I wish to know what exactly did Neo do to warrant him being thrown into the Abyss!"
Her voice was particularly loud at the end, causing everyone to look over in surprise before a frown collectively took over the courtroom. Except for the people of Sunblade Linage, who were already in the know.
High judge Malkor Veyren was surprised too, " I don't recall sentencing him to Abyss. If I recall correctly, he was sentenced to 10 years of high security confinement in 5he central prison."
"Yet he is now in Abyss Prison!", Malia's spmewhat enraged vouce rang out, silencing even the high judge. He truly had no retort to that.
Moments later, he sighed and daid in a tired vouce, " I will write the order for Neo to be released temporarily until proven guilty. The court will proceed with the cases. Dismissed!"
Saying that, he didn't walk out immediately but took out a black rectangular tool. Writing something on it, the black surface lit up and a hologram appeared on top of that.
Warden's emotionless vouce rang out, surprising everyone,"High Judge! Do you have any orders?"
High judge Malkor didn't waste time and immediately showed the order he wrote and remarked, " There has been mistake. Someone has been sent there accidentally . Release him for a retrial."
Warden didn't even glance at the order paper, it's artificial eyes fixated on the High judge, saying slowly," It took you long enough to find out. Too long in fact. He is already in his way to the court!"
Hearing this, Malia's eyes put up brilliantly. Ayna and kael looked up in surprise while the whole courtoom buzzed with noise. Even yhe fact that High Judge malkor didn't stop the commotion goes to show how surprised he was.
He questioned the AI, "Who ordered his release? The Governor? Does he even know of the matter?"
Warden was expressionless as ever, replying mechanically," Arcane rule#01, Heavenly Trials cleanse person. One not punished by Heavens cannot be detained in Abyss. Otherwise, terminal protocol will be initiated!"
High judge Malkor Veyren, along with everyone on the courtroom were astonished and speechless beyond imagination. Even Damian Sunblade had his smile wiped away.
....
Outside the Court.
A black vehicle landed. The door opened and a youth stepped out. Looking around and sauntering inside the courtroom accompanied by two law enforcement officers. From his demeanor, he pooked like a ypung prince patrolling a newly built palace.
Of course that was untrue. For he is but a prisoner for now. A special one. His crimson eyes and the wide smile on his face contrasted starkly with hos identity as a prisoner.
Soon he was brought into the pedestal before High Judge. Looking around, he found famialiar faces, waving at them.
Principal Velren looked awkwardly at the scene while kael waved back only to ve stopped by Ayna. As for Damian, he was confused as to why Neo seemed not harbour any malice towards him, the main perpetrator.
At that moment, an authorative voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention," Neo of SkyCloud! You have been accused of theft and attempts of escaping law. What fo you have to say?"
Neo looked at the High judge in crimson and gold robes, looking majestic and impartial and said with surprise," Hmm? You are asking for my opinion? Do I even have a say over anything?"
Neo's answer displeased high judge. Seeing the situation tense, Malia rose from her seat and said, "Your honour! Let me address the court for the retrial!"
High judge Malkor merely waved his hand, still staring at Neo,"I just wanted to know, the youth who was unjustly accused, what does he think? Do you harbour anger? Helplessness?"
Neo tilted his head,"Why should I? Everything seemed to be going well for me." Saying that, he grinned. His grin caused heavy expressions to appear on all those in the know.
High judge Malkor just sighed and allowed Malia to present the evidence. After cursory glance, he announced Neo's innocence and compensated him for the injustice he suffered with a SkyCloud Sword Token. With the token in hand, no one would ever dare to arrest or even accuse him without solid proof.
Even if they have evidence, the evidence will be scrutinized deeply until they are sure it's not a conspiracy. Essentially, this is a deterrent token from the High Judge himself.
.......
Outside the Court
Maliacouldn't help but look at principal Velren, seeing his heavy expression she asked, " Principal, are you not satisfied with the results of the retrial? Neo was even compensated with such honour!"
Ayna and kael too looked at their Pincipal with confusion. Principal Velren sighed," Can't you see? Neo.... He might never truly recover from this blow!"
He looked saddened. And this surprised the trio of youngsters. They looked at the cheerful Neo and were unconvinced. Kael even joked," Look at that guy, still having the mood to smile. How can he be dealt a blow? He must high on clouds now!"
The reply he got though, struck the crucial detail every one gas been ignoring,"When have you ever seen Neo this cheerful. Even in his happiest moments, he just smiled more genuinely. I have only seen this type of wide grin in two types of people. One who is fearless, other....who has succumbed to madness!"
Kael, Ayna and Malia looked over. Indeed Neo seemed completely different from what they recalled. The constant tension in the courtroom made them inadvertently overlook this detail. But now that they had, thwy can't help but muse, Is he truly the Neo we knew? Or someone else?