part 2 final judgment

"We have good news. The trap worked. We have captured Seth's daughter!"

The room erupted in murmurs, the words spreading like wildfire as everyone stood, eyes wide, exchanging whispers.

A gavel struck the large podium, the sound silencing the chaos. "Hold your tongues!"

"Bring them to us!" the head council member commanded. "We would like to have a word with them both!"

In a dimly lit room nearby, Seth, Charlene, and their counsel, Idris, were huddled in tense discussion.

Idris paced, his brow knitted in worry. "We're in uncharted territory, Seth. When I went before the council earlier, they were bloodthirsty. This isn’t looking good for you. All is lost!" He threw up his hands in disgust, his feet pounding the floor as he resumed pacing.

"Charlene, you picked the worst time to show up! What on earth possessed you to come here?" he snapped.

Seth spun toward his daughter, grabbing her by the shoulders, shaking her with urgency. His voice softened, yet desperation clung to every word. "I'm so happy to see you, Princess."

He pulled her back, scanning her face. "Where’s your mother?"

Charlene quickly explained how her mother had sacrificed herself, helping her escape through a portal. "Mom sent me to help you."

Seth’s worry deepened, but he forced himself to focus. "If we can contact the Sec, if we can somehow send word that we’ve been captured, maybe there’s still hope."

Idris shook his head sharply. "I tried reaching out earlier when you were tortured. They wouldn't risk discovery for just one fate."

Charlene tugged at her father’s arm. "Why don’t we open a portal? We can escape to Earth and find Mom! Let’s leave now!"

Seth gestured to the sigils on the walls, frustration in his voice. "Look at those sigils. They keep us in. We can't leave the room... or this realm. If we could just make it outside..."

The door suddenly swung open.

"You are being summoned to the grand chamber."

A Fate stood in the doorway, pointing toward the hall.

Idris, Seth, and Charlene stepped out, the air thick with tension. As they walked, ReNew spoke to Charlene privately in her mind's eye.

ReNew’s voice was urgent. "We don’t have much time. Listen carefully. Don’t volunteer any information. Only speak when spoken to. Be as vague as possible. They don’t know you understand your soul spirit or that I even exist. Let your father and Idris handle this, okay?"

Moments later, they stood before the council, a dozen Fates seated high upon stools, their eyes fixed on the newcomers.

"Charlene!" Seth whispered urgently. "Stand behind me. Don’t say anything. Keep your head down. Try not to be noticed. Whatever happens, know that I love you. You can survive this, darling. Live to fight another day."

Seth quickly positioned Charlene behind him, shielding her as best as he could.

The head council member stood, gavel in hand. "You are sentenced to death!" His gavel pointed directly at Seth.

Idris stepped forward, voice strong despite the danger. "Whose will is this?!"

The head council member sneered. "It is the will of the council."

Seth's voice rang out with defiance. "Since when does the council have the authority? The One Spirit is the only one who can give or take life. Have you forgotten this, Head Council? This is the foundation of our society. I demand to speak to the First Spirit."

Idris added, "I second the request. We have the right to speak to the First Spirit."

The head council member’s face twisted in fury. "How dare you, filthy mongrels!" His nostrils flared, and the room grew tense.

Idris shot back, "We have every right to request judgment from the First. And that judgment will be final! Head Council, are you above the principles of this realm?!"

The council erupted in a chorus of approval, their voices rising in unison. "Yes! Approve! Call in the First Spirit!"

The doors to the chamber swung open once again, and a large glass box was brought forward. Two armored bearers unlocked it, revealing the original soul spear. Reverence filled the room as everyone bowed their heads.

Placed on a satin pillow, the spear gleamed in the light. The glass was removed, and the council spoke in unison.

"Speak to us now... First Spirit... First Soul... Bringer of Life."

Everyone rose, touching their soul marks in solemn reverence.

For over five hundred years, the Soul Spirit had remained silent, slumbering, forgotten by most. But now, illumination flooded the room, growing brighter by the second. The spear began to change, twisting and shifting until it took the form of a woman. She stood tall and regal, her long white robes flowing around her like a mist, hair as white as snow cascading to the floor. Her skin shimmered like bronze.

A chair was brought to her, and she settled with grace.

She opened her eyes, scanning the room, and spoke. "Your need must be great to wake me from my slumber. Speak to me, my children."

Idris glanced at Seth. "Man, make it count. Your life is on the line."

Charlene stared in awe at the Soul Spirit's beauty, unable to tear her gaze away.

In her mind’s eye, ReNew’s voice was urgent. What are you doing?

ReNew’s response came quickly. It wasn’t me.

The Soul Spirit waved her hand, beckoning Charlene forward.

"It was me, my child. We have much to discuss."

ReNew stepped back, a flicker of unease crossing her consciousness.

Charlene stepped forward, her heart racing.

"These changes are overwhelming for you," the Soul Spirit continued. "I hear your thoughts. While I slumber, I still hear and watch over my children. Yes, even on Earth. This is one of my gifts. By the way, I can hear your thoughts. No need for words."

Charlene’s voice trembled as she spoke, "Then you can help us? Please, don’t let them kill my father!"

The Soul Spirit smiled gently, her voice calm. "It’s not that simple, little one. For millennia, things have been done a certain way. But your father has broken the principal rule. They now demand judgment. We do not interfere with the journey."

She paused, eyes narrowing with a hint of sadness. "The old ways are outdated, my child. But evolution comes whether we are ready or not. You see, change is inevitable... and a war is already on the horizon."

The Soul Spirit’s voice softened. "Charlene, I have something to offer you..."

Unseen by the others, the Soul Spirit continued speaking with Charlene, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of something darker. Everyone else remained unaware, caught in the trance of the Spirit’s power.

"I have made my decision, and it is final. Seth and Idris, step forward."

"You will become elders," the Soul Spirit declared. "You will take a seat on the council. You will speak on behalf of the Sec. They now have a voice at the table."

"My children, great changes are coming. Evolutionary changes. The old ways are not bad... just outdated. At one time, the originals were forced to leave Earth. Do you remember that feeling when you encountered the Sec? Embrace these changes, for they are inevitable. We must evolve to survive."

The Soul Spirit smiled, her voice filled with finality. "There is more than one way of doing things."

She turned her gaze to Charlene. "Come forward, my child."

Charlene stepped out from behind her father, standing tall before the Soul Spirit. She turned to her father, mouthing the words, "It’s okay."

"Unfortunately, your father's punishment falls on you," the Soul Spirit continued. "Your father's role, before he left this realm and broke the First Principle, was to be a journeyer. You will take up his mantle. You will continue his work until it is no longer needed. And you are forbidden from returning to Earth. Do you understand?"

Charlene bowed her head in agreement. "This is the final judgment?"

With a curtsey, she stepped back.

The room fell silent as everyone bowed their heads in submission. In unison, they spoke: "The final word has been spoken. Let peace be restored."

A warm light bathed the room, and the Soul Spirit returned to her form as the spear, resting once more on the satin pillow. The glass was placed over it, and it was taken out of the room