As the recess came to an end, the crowds gathered back into the hall.
The prominent members of the upper echelons of the dark hierarchy reentered as well.
King Kenius took his seat, and nodded to the announcer.
The announcer acknowledged and spoke out loud: “Now, with the conclusion of the first trial of the three mages, they have been sentenced to shadowfication on the charges of sedition and high treason.
The next being to take the stand is accused of the same charges and being the mastermind behind the whole plan.
The trial for the ex-human prince, John, will begin.” With that, the royal guards walked in, but the prisoner was no where in sight.
5 Royal guards, their faceplate covering their faces to not show who they are, lifted their halberds and aimed towards the dias.
A Royal Guard commander then walked in to the steps of the throne and knelt.
“Your Majesty, the Royal Guard are ready to receive custody of the prisoner.” King Kenius nodded and raised his hand.
Dark energies began to swirl in the throne room.
The crowd was feeling first hand, the legendary dark magic of old.
“This is…Dark Magic at its purest!” “The King’s magic!” “What terrifying power” Being only at rank 3, but having trained with the great phantasm, Kenius wielded control of his powers well.
In the center, just above the dias, a rift teared open in the open space.
Chains began shooting out, wrapping themselves onto the halberds of the royal guards and some chained to the floor.
As the rift unveil its contents, John came out, only he did not quite look the same.
Ages in the dark pocket dimension has taken its toll on the King’s father.
His once long, neat, slicked back hair is now in a disheveled mess.
His facial hairs has grown unkempt, leading to showing more time has been experienced in his banishment then the real world.
He only was wearing pants, while his body were chained up.
However, they were not shackled around things like wrists and ankles, the chains itself pierced through several key areas like his palms, his feet, even his shoulder blades.
There were dried blood where the chains pierced through.
The main purposes was to block the flow of mana in the users as the chains were not ordinary, they were charged with dark magic to prevent its captive from using any sort of magic to free themselves.
The royal guard tugged on the chains to tighten their grip, leading to a soft moan of pain from John.
This caused him to arose from his slumber.
The bright lights of the hall blinded the human prince, as he tries to adjust to the luminosity of the room.
He took in his surroundings, noticing the dark council, his brother-in-law, and the large crowd behind him.
Also, the guards around him that are holding his chains, rendering him immobile.
“Quite an audience you have amassed, my son” as he tried to tug at the chains.
The guards, remembering the earlier escape attempt from Zilant, pulled their halberds, resulting in John’s arms being outstretched as he knelt of the floor.
This slight pull opened up old wounds on his palms as blood started to trickle down onto the throne room floor.
The announcer then continued: “John, of the Human race, father of the king.
You have been stripped of all titles by his Majesty, the King.
Now, it will be your trial for the following charges: 1.
Sedition 2.
High Treason 3.
Mastermind of the whole operation Your accomplices and subordinates in this endeavor has been judged and their sentence carried out earlier.
Do you plead guilty?” John looked up, and smiled.
He then asked: “Judged them?
How did you do it?
You killed them all?” Mensarius stepped in to answer.
“Shadowfication, brother-in-law.
They now serve the shadow race for the glory of the dark faction.” John broke out into laughter, and heckled the crowd.
“Is that what you wish to see of me as well?
The King’s father being turned to shadow?
To be a mindless servant?” He then redirected his attention back to Kenius.
“I do not plead guilty, my son!
I did all these for a reason!” Kenius looked at his father, hoping that he would be all humble and contrite.
In the end, he chose defiance.
“So be it.
Proceed with the trial then.
This will be a normal trial, but a trial of the highest order.
We will grant you your time to defend yourself.
Let the judgement speaks for itself and let it be a lesson to the denizens of the Dark Faction.” The announcer began the proceedings.
“The court calls upon its first witness, Prince Ryggatigris of the Werebeasts.” Prince Ryggatigris stood up and adjusted his clothes.
He then walked forward, passing by John who was chained to the floor.
As he passed, he looked at John, and they locked eyes.
Prince Ryggatigris smiled and went forward to take the stand.
“Your Majesty, my fellow princes and lords of the dark faction, I am Prince Ryggatigris.
Let me reveal my account of what happened.” Prince Ryggatigris then regaled his tale with a dramatic flair.
Speaking of how his reputation was at stake, and how Prince John undermined him at every corner.
He had called bullshit on Prince John’s stance when he first presented his son to the Dark council.
He even shared his views with the Count and Hollowed Sovereign, which they seem to detect something going on within the Young Prince’s body.
Finally, he ended that his suspicion was that Prince John wanted his son to rule, but him being the true shadow ruler behind it all.
The crowd reacted in support of Prince Ryggatigris.
They could not believe the tales that were coming out of the werebeast prince’s mouth.
Such politicking and scheming, and to abandon the laws set by the Kings of old.
Upon hearing that John want to control his son to rule the Dark Faction, the crowd erupted in a roar, calling for penance and blood.
Mensarius raised his hand and shouted: “There will be order in the courts.
Failure to do so will be handled by the Royal Guards!” The Royal guards controlling the crowd positioned their halberds and shield, waiting to attack any hecklers and disruptors.
The crowd went silent.
“I did it…
for the good of the Kingdom!” John could not take it, he felt accused.
The whole narrative had been twisted and warped to bring him down.
“You will speak only when it is your turn.” Kenius spoke.
“Thank you, Werebeast prince.” The announcer then called on the next witness, the shadow prince, One-who-walks-in-shadow.
John, seeing his former ally step up, smiles.
The shadow prince is on my side.
It will defend me.
The robed being began speaking.
“I knew John all his life, even before he became a Prince.
I had close working connections with his father.
The John I knew was a kind and charismatic young person.
When he married into the Human Race’s royalty, I was proud of him.
However, a series of unfortunate events led to him ascending to being the Prince of the Human Race.” At this juncture, Mensarius flinched as he knew what the shadow prince was referring to.
“John showed empathy to humans and humanoids alike.
You can see that he had snakefolk, insectoids, catfolk, and dark elves under his wing.
These charges brought to him today, I personally find it unbelievable.
John is someone who sees the big picture, a grand design.” John smiled as he thought to himself.
Yes, sway the public opinion.
You are doing so well, my ally.
Once I reclaim power, I will send more folks to you for shadowfication.
John gave an approving nod to the shadow prince.
The shadow prince continued.
“However, the measures used are considered extreme and drastic.
To mind control one’s own flesh and blood like a puppet is despicable, even by our standards.” The happiness drained from John’s face.
What is going on?
“John told me that he had his mages placed all the seals and he himself was the main contributor by using his corruption magic to twist his son into absolute obedience.
He even faked the King’s Insignia as he did not know where the original one is or if it has manifested in the first place.” Knowing that the shadow prince is throwing him under the bus, John screamed towards the shadowed one.
“What in the blazes do you think you are saying!
You are supposed to help me!” The robed one continued, even after witnessing John’s exasperated attempt to pull itself back to his side.
“It would have been successful, if not for the awakening of our majesty during his coronation.
There, the truth was revealed and now, all will come to light, and in time, be buried in the shadows of time.
That is all.” The shadow prince, knowing that this is it for John, had already planned to sacrifice him, for the greater good.
Shadows are loyal to the host of shadows, the main shadow one, who serves the Dark Faction.
Allegiances and alliances are albeit temporary and for each of their benefit.
One-who-walks-in-shadow does not see any benefit to siding with John, decided to abandon his ally in his greatest need.
“If you knew all these, why did you not report it?
In fact, why did you not stop it?” Mensarius queried.
“The shadows and the its guards are neutral.
All beings have shadows, it is not up to us to judge them.
I did neither support or was against the plan of John.
If you wish to proclaim me guilty, I would say the crime is inaction.
I will accept the punishment, for not doing anything.” The shadow prince humbly replied.
Mensarius thought: This shadow is good.
It cleared itself of any wrongdoing and if we were to further push for punishment, the act of punishing others for doing nothing may set a wrong precedent.
The King interjected: “I have heard and understood your stance.
While yes, watching a murder happen and not doing anything is not a crime by law, but the moral obligations is to stop or report it.
Your inaction has cleared you of crimes, but your morality is being called into question.
What is to say if the shadows cannot protect the Dark Faction due to inaction?” Mensarius, surprised at the King’s answer, was elated.
This was a great answer.
Its not a crime by law, but calls the character of the being into doubt.
He even brought it into the issue of the whole race.
“My King, my actions are my own.
It does not define the whole race of shadows.” “But you are its prince.
And the shadows operate on a hivemind mentality.
If you were to stop them, they will, unless a higher authority is allowed to call them to action.” Sensing it is being cornered, the Shadow Prince mentions: “My King, the authority of whom you speak of, is you my sire.
Command the shadows as you see fit and even I will obey.
We live to serve the dark faction.” Kenius remarked: “These are strong words, shadowed one.
Its literally a verbal contract to the King.
Are you sure you wish to make that promise on behalf of your whole race?
You will not enjoy the full autonomy that you have so far.” Beginning to hesistate now, the Shadow Prince answered with hemming and hawing.
“My King…
if we can take it privately…
this is a large commitment…
essentially selling my whole race to slavery” Kenius stated: “Do you think I as King, will sell the shadows to slavery?
Do you not wish to commit your race to me for my causes?
For the Dark Faction causes” Sensing the shadow prince is being boxed in, John added more fuel to the fire.
“You have betrayed me, who is to say that you will not betray the king next.
Words are empty, as I have learned from you.
Unless you pledge your commitment, who is to say you will not betray your next ally again!” The shadow prince’s robes crinkled and turned more wrinkly, its hood on its face is wrinkled in a way that shows anger.
The robed one reached back and took out its great weapon.
“I will silence this traitor!” As the shadow swing its sword, threatening to lop off John’s head, Kenius stepped in.
He pulled out the sword of imminent darkness and dashed towards the prisoner.
Both swords clashed and sparks flew.
“How dare you, Shadow Prince.
The prisoner has not been judged and sentenced by me.
You dare to take him for yourself!” Kenius angrily scolded.
While John laughed at the sight in front of him, the shadow prince withdrew its blade.
“I apologize, your majesty, I had lost control for a bit.” “Return to your seat, I have heard your account.
For the matter of your allegiance, we will speak about it another time.” The shadow prince bowed and went back to its seat.
Actually, it was all within the Shadow Prince’s calculations.
It did not want to give an answer as it will be binding.
It chose to use an angry outburst to weasel itself out of the situation.
It seemed that no one caught on to it and its plan.
King Kenius returned to his throne.
“Now” Kenius spoke.
“John, it is time to give your defense.” John, eagerly waiting for his turn, was still chained and pulled out, like a chicken being stretched out before a butcher cuts into it.
The chains rattled with every movement.
John opened his mouth and began.
“I do not plead guilty.
I did what was necessary to ensure the survival of the Human race AND the Dark Faction.
I could definitely rule this nation better than you.
I just do not have the king’s magic and insignia.
Who knew that my son would be the one blessed with it.
However, an 18 year old boy, living under rich conditions, with no experience, would destroy the efforts that I have put in all these years.
We enjoyed peace and prosperity.
The recent war with the fire nation was also indirectly caused by my son, causing our citizens to suffer and lives were lost.” Kenius, listening in, is enraged that his father is trying to twist the narrative to improve his own standing.
“You could have been an adviser, to train me in the ways of ruling.
You are my father.
no?” “Adviser, like your uncle next to you?
How much of his advice have you heeded?
How much have you rejected, trying to carve out your own mark as King.
Even the shadowfication, I believed your Uncle would have caution you against allowing it to happen, but it did anyway.” John had hit every nail on the head, despite being in isolation.
Mensarius looked down on the ground, feeling sad.
Kenius was taken aback on how accurate his father had read the situation, but gathered himself and replied: “I did what was necessary for the realm.
It was the correct punishment, it had precedent, and it sends a message.” John laughed “Yes, it was the correct thing, but was it the right thing?
Ask the crowd how they felt?
Fear, A king who rules with an iron fist, a tyrant, one action could lead to multiple paths.
Even with statecraft knowledge, you did not care for the sentiment of your denizens.
You just wanted to instill fear and create deterrence!” The crowd began to talk amongst themselves.
What John said was right, was there such a need for such an extreme punishment and to show the world their pain as it happens?
The King was trying to show that if you go against me, this is your fate.
The crowd started chanting: Prince John!
Prince John!
Prince John!
And there it was, corruption at its finest, even without magic.
The ability to sway the crowd into your side was one of the key skills that John had acquired while climbing the ranks of this political ladder.
Sensing the momentum on his side, John added more: “If I were the King, or had command, for such heinous crimes was done, but what was the motive for doing so?
Lets say if they were not my subordinates but of another prince, and I had the deciding power, what was ordered was mainly for the betterment of the Dark Faction.
Yes, there will be some to refuse that their King was being controlled, but the main idea is to have one above all to control and decide the fate of everyone!
I would lock them up and let them serve time, but pardon them once they are done.
Or, as their punishment, continue to perform the seals but on a less controlling scale, and give room for the King to grow and learn.
We need a good king, especially with all the turmoils happening around the world!” Some of the Princes nodded their heads.
Ryggatigris was not one of them.
The crowd was cheering at this point.
However, no one can deny that the craft of being a statesman has shown clearly from John.
To John, if you control the narrative and the opinions of beings, you win.
Mensarius started to worry, they are beginning to lose control of the flow.
“My King, this-” Kenius spoke.
“So your defense is, no matter the cost, if the actions warrants the results, and the results are favorable, then all shall be forgiven?” “It is not a case of all shall be forgiven, but each case shall be judged on its merits.” John barely stood up, but now brimming with energy, as he felt the tides have turned.
“I see, so if I were to use the aspect of domination to make you serve me, it will be great for the Dark Faction.
In fact, if anyone is of great prospect, they should be brought to me and I will dominate them as my thrall.
There, they can serve the dark faction to their fullest abilities.
Heck, I do not even have to pay them, just ensure that they survive and their abilities put to good use.
For the betterment of the Dark Faction, the merits definitely outweigh the cons, am I right?” as Kenius raised his hand, swirls of dark energy began to form.
“You are literally taking what I say out of context, you fool of a son!’ John remarked, before a blade was on the corners of his mouth, held there by Prince Ryggatigris.
“You are still addressing the King.
You better call him by the proper honorifics.
” John tried to weasel his way out of this.
“See what I meant everyone?
Still lacking understanding.
As a King, you rule over your citizens, not control them?
Your mandate as King comes from the beings that lived in it.
You live to ensure our safety, our progress and to be the spearhead to guide and overcome all trials and tribulation.
If you do this, you just a necromancer raising a skeleton under their control!” The last remarked prompted a few undeads to curse and swear out loud, as what he said was kind of “racist”.
With the words entering his ears, Kenius cannot believe the hypocrisy this man is spouting and that the crowd is gobbling it up like candy.
“So, it is alright to mind control the King, but it is not alright for the King to mind control everybody?
Even if both are for the sake of the Dark Faction.
I think I have heard enough.
I will go to sentencing immediately.” The crowd began to chant: “Innocent!
Innocent!
Innocent!” John looked at his son straight in the eye: “Rule wisely, my son.
Make your mother proud.” Kenius gripped the armrest of the obsidian throne, upon hearing his father mentioned his mother, with such strength that a piece of obsidian got chipped off.
The throne, being damaged, was suddenly rushed by the souls from the spire behind.
The souls repaired the throne and restored it to its original condition, but the piece that chipped off is still in the King’s hand.
His grip grew further and it smashed the piece into tiny little brittle pieces as the black sand hits the floor.
“My mother?
You mean the one you divorced and then died later?
And then you took her position as a prince in the council?!” Kenius’s eyes flared with anger as he recalled some of the past events.
The audience gasped in shock.
While most knew that Prince John ascended as the Human race’s representative, they did not know about the divorce and death of their Princess of the Ius family lineage.
Murmurs continued as beings began questioning, what else is the dark council hiding.
Calls for transparency and the crowd was about to revolt.
Royal Guards tried to maintain order, both on land and in the air.
“Silence!” King Kenius called out.
All movement stopped.
Everyone was focused on their King.
“I invited the public here to show what happens when you go against your King.
If you wish to openly rebel, i will personally have you all suffer the same sentences without trial!” With that one line, the audience settled down and fall in line.
No one wanted to be turned to shadow, and most of all, no one knew the fate of the King’s father, now that more and more revelations are coming out.
“Now, we have delayed this long enough.
I will now pass my sentence.” King Kenius took out the sword of imminent darkness and pointed it at his father.
“John, of the human race, as punishment for sedition and high treason, however, we do take into account for your years of service to the Dark Faction and all the good you have done, no matter the methods.
I sentence you to imprisonment in the depths of the abyss.
The punishment will be for a millenia, or if the third age comes, whichever is first.
You will also be stripped of all your power and talents right now.
You will not be granted the peace of death until you have fully served your time.
Prince Thalassos the Drowned and future abyssal princes will personally see to the arrangements and to extend his lifespan artificially if required.
Once you are done serving your time, you will be given the choice of living in this world till your life ends, or immediately leaving this world and return to the great cycle of rebirth.
That is all.” With that, King Kenius swinged his sword and stabbed it to the ground, channeling his dark magic.
Tendrils and vapor flowed from the sword and extend out to John.
It then began piercing John in multiple places, draining out his powers and talent.
The sword’s center jewel gleamed with a sickly green light as it absorb the talent into itself.
John let out a final scream of defiance: “Your mother’s….talent…
will destroy…us all!” before finally fainting.
John, now an empty husk without his powers, collapse to the ground.
The chains that pierced him were no longer required and were un-summoned by the king.
As the chains pulled back into the rift, it closed up and only a weak, feeble man in his pants lay on the floor of the throne room.
The Royal guards picked him up, binding him in normal chains, while the Abyssal Prince stood up and bowed, before heading out to arrange for the transport of the prisoner back to its realm.
The guards began to disperse the crowd.
The princes left the throne room, leaving behind the King ,his three lords plus his grand vizier.
And with that, the trial ended on a peaceful note, but King Kenius was never the same.
He judged his own father and sentence him to a long period of suffering.
What changes will this event bring about, Kenius himself did not know.
All he knew was that he had to steel his heart and resolve, and needs to be as cold as ice, preventing earlier outbursts unbecoming of a king.
He turned to his uncle, asking what his father meant by the last thing he shouted.
Before Mensarius walked off, as his face reflect a pale tinge of sadness hidden behind a false smile, he told the King this: “I will tell you all in due time, my boy.
All in due time.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS MishuAurius Before we knew it, I am 20 chapters in.
A bit of a talking chapter this time.
Thanks all for reading.