Chapter 15: Trial by Words
The chamber was silent, all eyes drilling into him. The Council's five elders sat like judges in a court of execution, and the crowd behind them whispered like vultures waiting for carrion.
> [Decision Timer: 00:00:23… 00:00:22…]
Elias swallowed, blood still dried on his torn tunic. His bound warriors loomed outside the hall, their ember eyes visible through the open doors. To these people, they were nightmares made flesh.
The gray-bearded elder slammed his staff again. "Answer us, system-bearer! Did you bring this curse upon Ashwood?"
Elias's throat burned. If I lie… the system will punish me. If I speak truth… they may kill me anyway.
The girl's voice coiled through his thoughts. "Words are blades, Elias. Use them."
The countdown ticked. His heart thundered. At last, he raised his voice.
"No. I did not bring the curse. But I fought it. When your guards faltered, I bled for this town. Shadows came for you, and I stood in their path."
Gasps rippled through the chamber.
The system chimed.
> [Choice Registered: Diplomacy.]
Skill Unlocked: Persuasion I.]
A younger councilor, sharp-eyed and hawk-nosed, leaned forward. "You expect us to believe you? That these… creatures at your command are saviors, not omens?"
Elias's tether flared, pain lancing his chest. He forced his warriors to stay still, unmoving, statues of black stone and ember flame.
"They are bound to me," Elias said, voice steady. "They obey only my will. And my will kept them from tearing this town apart last night. You saw it. Ask your guards."
A murmur spread through the room. One of the guards from last night shifted uneasily. Finally, he spoke: "He… he fought alone, sirs. We saw it. He held them back."
The gray-bearded elder's scowl deepened, but doubt flickered across the faces of two others.
The system pulsed.
> [Council Favor Shifted: Neutral → Divided.]
Next Condition: Secure one ally vote.]
Captain Seris finally stepped forward, her hand resting lightly on her sword hilt. "The stranger speaks truth. I was there. He could have unleashed those things on us—but he didn't. He fought, and he bled. That is more than some of our own men managed."
The hall erupted in whispers, half disbelief, half uneasy agreement.
The hawk-nosed councilor raised his hand for silence. His eyes lingered on Elias, calculating. "Perhaps you are not a curse. But power such as yours cannot walk unbound. If you wish to remain in Ashwood, you will swear fealty to its laws… and to us."
The crowd stilled. Seris's jaw tightened.
The system chimed one last time:
> [Echo V Triggered.]
Objective: Decide your allegiance before the Council.]
Choice: Swear loyalty (gain safety but bind yourself to Ashwood) OR Refuse (retain freedom but risk exile).]
The timer appeared again.
> [Decision Timer: 00:00:45]
Elias's chest heaved. His fate balanced on the edge of his words—again.