I was enjoying tea when a black origami crane flew in. I simply tapped it. It flew a few inches away and burst into flames. A chirping voice relayed the message with the air of authority. I was summoned to witness a trial. Lissette was being tried for interference. I ran to change my clothes. Tiberius saw me coming and asked why I wasn't enjoying my stinging nettle tea. After my explanation he roared in anger as he stormed off to have a chat with Erebus. Both of them talked about something in secret and then he volunteered to go on my behalf. But Harkness made it clear that the request was for me only. I had touched the parchment and it will only allow me. The black dot on my hand is a ticket that lets me pass. Anyone else would suffer immense pain. Tiberius will be killed. They have a history of rejecting any representatives or proxies or ambassadors or regents or instead of. I got the invitation means I go. He stared in anger as I was taken away to change. I was dressed in a gown fit for a queen. A sealed door on the first floor unlocked itself with a click. It opened to show the beach. A glowing door frame was on the surf. The edges were glowing as the sun was setting. I was told to go in without hesitation. The door frame only showed the black sea so I thought this was a prank. Until Erebus pushed me inwards. I saw only darkness and then I heard a train. I saw a tunnel charging at me. It came at me like a snake. Swallowing me whole and once the lights weren't painful to look at I noticed that I was standing in front of a court house.
As I walked in I saw the walls were black and silver bricks. The room looked decently lit. There were fourteen women who were sitting in rows. Seven on either side. Their clothes and manners explained their allegiance. The ones on the right looked like their clothes were made from the rainbow itself and had a faint glow. Two of them had a high necked gown with frills on them. Three had an off shoulder gown with lace. One appears to be in a wedding gown. One looked like she came straight out of a fairytale. They each wore a crown or a tiara signifying their royalty status in whatever realm they hail from. Three wore flower crowns. Three wore silver tiaras. Only one wore a tall and heavy gold crown studded with emeralds topped with a diamond the size of a duck egg. Their voices ranged from melodious to chimes. They smiled as they welcomed my presence. I bowed to show respect. They inclined their heads with delight. They explained how they pulled out their previous engagement to attend. Attendance is mandatory. This was decreed years ago to ensure lasting peace. After the court hearing people from both sides would find a way to ensure there is no war. The rule was simple. Look at the evidence and judge accordingly. Do not lean to one side or the punishment is death. Listen to everyone's testimony and ask as many questions as I see fit. Even repeat the question if necessary but make sure I am satisfied with the answer. I heard a short and sharp cough to attain my attention so I turned to face the ones on the left.
Their clothes looked like they were sewn from midnight. Their fabric was designed to look like the gowns were made from dragons scales, tiles, rock formations and liquid midnight turned into a waterfall. The first woman had ridged horns starting from the temple going back in an S shape. She looked like she was trying to hold her breath because the place smelled like animal manure. The next one had seven horns on the top of her head. The first two in the front were small and were straight and smooth. The ones three that were immediately behind it were rough and longer and slightly curved with thorns sticking out every inch and the two behind it were bent backwards. The next one was pale white with eyes that were completely black. She didn't have horns. She had three candle flames on her forehead. The one center one longer while the ones flanking it were shorter. I also noticed a thin line of fire barely touching the flames as it went around her head to complete the look of a crown. The next one had five candle flames on her forehead the center one and outer ones being longer while the other two were shorter. There was no band going around her head. The next one had a thin tapered horn that began from the back of her head and came forward to the front. The horns barely touched each other as they met in the middle. She was soaked to the bone and was still dripping black liquid on the floor. The next one had her hair tied in a tight bun. She had an obsidian mandala on the back. The outer ring had four needles pointing in all four directions. East, North, West and South. The last was wearing a veil held in place with an obsidian crown with spikes of various sizes and thickness. She had several unusual symbols tattooed on both arms. Their voices were harsh and entitled. I bowed to show my respect and their expressions became more arrogant. One from either side stood up and declared that the presiding judge had arrived. They asked if I consented to take the responsibility. I agreed and they clapped their hands seven times. Then they pointed at the small children's pool in the front.
The pool began to bubble as it boiled over. A faint light appeared as a white and gold ornate chair resembling a throne rose from the depths. As the boiling ceased I saw a small gold brick path rise over the water to allow me to reach the throne. I stepped on the first brick in the pool. I heard a sound of metal groaning. I looked to see the center of the macabre courtroom which was a mix of gold and black bricks sank a few feet and slid under. The next step I saw Lissette rising from a platform. Her hands and feet were bound with angry red chains. Stepping on the third brick and a door opened from the far end of the courtroom. The next brick and a ghostly figure glided in. It had no legs. I only saw the upper half of a man wearing a curly white wig and black robes. He had a foot long file tucked under one arm. The lower half was completely blank. He looked like he was finally getting his revenge. The door slammed shut with a loud bang when I stepped on the next brick. I put my foot on the footstool and I heard a shriek. I saw shadows scrambling together to form a table. The ghost placed the file on it and he stood still. I didn't take my seat. I simply ordered him to show some respect to the ladies present. The ones on the left smiled and the ones on the right stared curiously. He gave a nod and the ladies on the left side hissed and the ones on the right just stared. I ordered him to show some sense of courtesy since they are clearly royalty. He gave me a dirty look and both sides made it clear when I gave an order he obeys. If he can't comply then he will be replaced by someone else. He looked like someone had struck him. The seven horned one gladly promised to turn him inside out. He stared with obvious rage but with gritted his teeth as he bowed to show respect.
I sat on the throne and flames erupted around Lissette as the chains vanished. I asked everyone to introduce themselves. The ones on the right rose to comply. The first one was dressed in red. Her name was Ariel. She is the princess of Luminara. The next is Merida she was the crown princess of Gossamer. The next is Sabrina. She is the youngest princess of Etherean. The next was Priscilla. She is the Queen of Adroit. The next was Taj. She is the princess of Altruist. The next was Marina. She is the crown princess of Pragma. The last one is Celeste. She is the princess of Erudite. The half man introduced himself as Tartarus. The ones on the right gave him an angry look. The ones on the left laughed hysterically as though he was nothing more than a court jester. The three flamed one clapped her hand with approval. She grinned, "Court jester. I can think of more colorful titles than that. But for now this will do." I gave him one final chance to redeem himself. He stared with obvious rage. I asked what would happen if he was evicted. Ariel explained the trail was issued by him. So if he is evicted the case is overturned. He stared with contempt and he introduced himself Jack. The ones on the left applauded. I nod curtly before requesting an introduction from the queens on my left. They never bothered to rise from their seats. They just sat with a sense of superiority and just inclined their heads as they kept things as brief as possible. The veiled one was the Queen Jetta of Nyx. The mandala one was Queen Nisha of Amaya. The one who was dripping on the floor was Queen Chhaya of Morrigan. The five flamed one was the Queen Vespera of Indigo. The three flamed one was Tristessa of Morwenna. The seven horned one was Queen Dirges of Keres. The one who looked like she was holding her breath introduced herself as Belladonna of Desdemon and went back to holding her breath. Ariel gave her a scandalized look but said nothing. The seven horned one was deep in thought. She seemed to be mildly annoyed. After a minute or two she finally chose indifference as she waved her hand to summon a red sash I must wear to cover my eyes as I oversee these proceedings. Once it was secured I was given a gavel. I took a deep breath, "The trial is in session"