The price of freedom is high, it always has been.
Delarune's hidden tunnel, Underneath the Kingdom of Nieves, Northern Ardeneon.
June 2
"River are you okay?" Skai walks up to River, sitting beside him. River doesn't even bother to pretend this time, he shakes his head holding back his tears.
His father was leaving him again. Leaving him to fend for their family. He didn't even know what he was doing, he just wanted to not be in charge for once. He wanted to be able to relax, He wanted to be a kid.
"It's okay" Skai gets on her knees wrapping her arms around him and he let it all out. Silently crying, they just saved the world, but River didn't feel like a hero. He felt like a complete loser.
"River, don't worry" she tells him while patting his head "You don't have to take care of me"
"Skai I'm not against taking care of you" He tells her through the tears "I just never got to be me, to be a kid, to experiment or explore who I am."
"Forget about Dad" she tells him "I'll take care of you, I promise you this" she pauses "I'll always look out for you, so be who you want to be... don't let me dad or anyone else hold you back"
River looks up at her in awe "Who are you and what did you do with my sister?" he laughs a little sniffing back his tears.
"Haha" she dryly chuckles "she grew up...I think"
"I'd turn myself in with him" River tells his sister, and she hums still patting his head "Why?"
"This isn't living, I'd rather be locked up than be living in fear and false hope" he tells her.
"Me too" she adds.
"It's hard" River opens up. "I don't have a mom, and my dad couldn't care less about me" he sighs "It's so hard" he blinks back the tears forcing to resurface.
"I care" their father finally spoke up from the safe distance he was watching from, and River quickly wipes his tears not wanting him of all people to see him like that.
Skai slowly moves away, and River looks down at his hands.
"You really don't" River mutters and Kaito sits on his other side.
"River, you're my first child and my first son" he tells River.
"I'm your only son." River corrects and Kaito sighs looking at the floor.
"It wasn't always that way...the point is I do care" he tells River "I know I was hard on you, but I had to be...I needed you to be ready."
"Ready for what?" River asks calmly.
"Hard times. You were shy and introverted, you didn't talk much, didn't want to do much either. I wanted you to be strong, to be ready for this, we couldn't live on earth forever. I wanted you to have that sense of responsibility. It was how I was raised."
"But I'm still weak" River tells his father with a shrug.
"My son isn't weak" Kaito shakes his head, throwing an arm over River in assurance.
River couldn't stop thinking about what Kaito meant when he said it wasn't always that way. He began to wonder if Kaito had another child.
"If you're turning yourself in, I will go as well" Delarune tells Kaito turning to Elijah's mom "Take care of him"
"Uh uh" Elijah interferes "I want to live here, I don't want to have to hide, I want freedom. If I can't have that I'd rather be locked up."
"Elijah's right" Emily adds "I don't even have family anywhere, what's the point of wasting my life more and living in fear."
"I'm wanted dead by every single member of the great council and my grandfather. I'd rather they just take me at this point...it's getting exhausting" Dexter speaks up.
"I guess it is sort of exhausting being wanted" Suzumi says quietly, and they all look at her confused except Elijah.
"You're wanted?" River asks.
"My mom's crimes and existence not mine" she shrugs, and Elijah lifts a brow "Okay maybe a little of mine"
And so it was. Somehow they all found themselves at the great council's waiting room.
"You can come in" The secretary motions for them to enter and the big arced oak doors are opened for them. They walk in Kaito, Delarune and Esmeray holding each of the 'prisoners' pushing them into the room.
"Well this is quite unusual" One of the members speaks up. It was like a court room except for the fact that their seats and table were way taller than a regular judge's.
"It says here that you are turning yourself in?" Another speaks up.
"Yes" Kaito responds.
"All of you?" A lady member speaks.
"Yes" he answers again.
"And you have prisoners of your own" One member jumps down to where they are landing softly, and he gasps seeing Queen Soleil
"What is this?" King Khalil flies down and another member walks towards them seeming to have taken a different approach.
King Khalil and the newly joined member look at Kaito and he physically gulps.
"We found them in the rink of time...tampering with it." Mr. Starling speaks up.
"And what were you doing in the rink of time if not tampering?" the newly joined member asks and the one who had noticed Queen Soleil's presence jumps back up doing something to bring the table to ground level.
"Come forward" one lady speaks and King Khalil and the other member return to their seats as they move closer to their table.
In front each member was an identity block made of gold.
KING KHALIL OF ZEPHYR
KING ORYN OF ZALE
(The man who was looking at Kaito with King Khalil)
QUEEN ODELIAH OF SHIVAN
QUEEN KAMARI OF TENEBRIS
QUEEN LUCELIA OF MINERVA
CHIEF ACHERON OF HESPERIA
HON. NOKOA ASTERIN OF NEFELI
HON. ROTHAST MORAN OF AELIUS
(The member that jumped down to them)
CHIEF EINAR VALESK OF NIEVES
One chair is empty
QUEEN SOLEIL OF AELIUS
"An impromptu hearing but we will go through with it" Queen Lucelia starts "Seeing as it involves criminals of your caliber"
"But first" King Oryn speaks up. "We will hear you out. Why did you bring a member of our council here in chains."
"Again, they were tampering with the rink of time." Delarune tells them proceeding to explain what happened in details to them.
"We can't believe you without testing you" Chief Acheron tells them looking at Nokoa Asterin who is sat next to him.
"He's telling the truth" Nokoa Asterin answers.
They all talk discreetly for a short while.
"Have your seats" Nokoa Asterin instructs, and stone chairs erect from the floor. They all sit down as Nokoa Asterin reads through a scroll.
He is clearly the one whose intelligence exceeds all, he is the leader.
"You will be called forward in alphabetical order." Einar Valesk tells them as Nokoa Asterin gives him the paper. "Those found in the rink if time will be given a separate hearing, guards please take them out"
The three of them are taken out of the room.
"Delarune Starling" Einar Valesk calls "Please step forward."
Delarune does as he is told.
"His crimes include; Theft, trespassing, Identity theft, assault" he pauses "to palace guards, violation of section 1 which states that no sprite is to leave Ardeneon to another world without permission from the great council after due processes are followed, violation of section 103 of the Ardeneon law book which states that no sprite is to engage in any activities that will bring forth an offspring during the week of the appearance of the laberlif moon, intention to break said law, murder on multiple counts." Nokoa Asterin concludes.
"State your claim" Rothast Moran tells Delarune.
"Assault and murder were self-defense and if it was in Hesperia, I don't believe it can or should be used against me here, I've settled all my affairs that took place in Hesperia, in Hesperia. That aside I plead guilty." Delarune looks down.
"He does have a point, nearly everything is legal in Hesperia" Chief Acheron tells his fellow council members.
"He killed our guards!" Queen Odeliah calls out.
"Your guards tried to kill my infant" Delarune says calmly "I'm sorry your majesty but you would do the same."
"You may have your seat" Einar Valesk instructs. "Dexter Bardo biologically known as Bardo Jadic. Please step forward."
Dexter steps forward.
"His Crimes include trespassing onto transport ships, breaking and entering, freeing legally acquired prisoners, destruction of property, being born." Dexter scoffs at the last one.
"Is there something you would like to add?" King Oryn asks, and Dexter shakes his head.
"State your claim"
"Guilty as charged" Dexter stares out the huge windows.
"You may have your seat" Einar Valesk instructs "Elijah Starling, please step forward."
"His crimes include trespassing, theft, destruction of property, breaking out of legal hostage on two counts, being born. State your claim"
"Guilty of all but the last. I didn't ask to be born." He responds calmly.
"Yes well, take your seat" Einar Valesk responds. "Emily Solaris please step forward"
"Her crimes include" Nokoa Asterin begins "trespassing, theft, destruction of property on two counts, breaking out of legal hostage on two counts. State your claim"
"Guilty"
"Esmeray Starling"
She stepped forward before they even asked her to.
"Her crimes include Violation of section 1 of the Ardeneon book of law and Violation of section 103 of the Ardeneon law. We have reason to believe that you are also guilty of intent." Nokoa finishes "state your claim"
"Guilty"
"Kaito Ladiston"
Kaito steps forward before they call his crimes he responds "Guilty"
"We are yet to list your crimes Mr. Ladiston." Rothast Moran tells him.
"I'd rather you don't" Kaito pushes off.
"We will be following protocol" King Oryn speaks up and motions for Nokoa Asterin to continue.
"His crimes include Theft, Identity theft, assault, trespassing, violation of section 1 of the Ardeneon book of law, intention to break said law, murder on multiple counts, breaking out of legal hostage on multiple counts, breaking and entering. Attempted murder on multiple counts"
"Would you like to re- state your claim, or does it stand as was?" Rothast asks.
"Murder is two counts, I'm sure you do know that the Hesperian parliament refuses the great council the right to trial their cases. But for further explanation there were two sprites that died on my hands, and it was self-defense, I didn't attempt to murder anybody outside Hesperia except maybe Queen Soleil she was really pissing me off I won't lie, point is rather I made sure they didn't die, I plead guilty of everything else."
"Then you may take your seat."
"River Ladiston"
River stands up walking up to just a few feet before their table like everyone else. Waiting for them to list his crimes. He never thought he would be a criminal, none of them did, but so much can happen in 4 months.
"His crimes include trespassing, breaking and entering, freeing legally acquired prisoners, destruction of property." "Please state your claim."
"Guilty" River responds going back to his seat.
"Skai Ladiston"
Skai steps forward and believe it or not she had the least number of crimes. "Her crimes include trespassing and breaking out of legal hostage."
"State your claim"
"Innocent until proven guilty" she just wanted to be different.
"We're the great council, we have eyes everywhere" Queen Kamari speaks up for the first time.
"Did you see me trespass or break out of any hostage?" she asks cheekily no one responds. "Yeah...I didn't think so"
"Skai Ladiston, are you denying participating in any of these activities?" King Oryn asks, and she pauses in thought.
"No, I'm just saying it doesn't make much sense that we're all guilty on the spot, shouldn't there be evidence or something?" she asks, and King Khalil shakes his head at her. Skai seems to see it and catch on.
"On second thought, I plead guilty" she scurries back to her seat and King Khalil's face visibly relaxes.
"Suzumi Mako" Suzumi steps forward.
"Her crimes include Theft on multiple counts, assault, trespassing, breaking and entering on multiple counts, violation of section 1 of the Ardeneon book of law, destruction of property on multiple counts, fraud, attempted murder, murder." Nokoa Asterin looks at her seeming to feel pity for her.
"State your claim." Rothast Moran tells her. Everyone looks at her confused, except for the three adults and Elijah.
"Theft, trespassing, breaking and entering, destruction of property, fraud. Guilty." She responds.
"Are you claiming that you are not guilty on all other allegations?" Nokoa Asterin asks, and she nods. "Are you aware that it is also a crime for a younglin under 23 years to withdraw from scire."
"Other younglins under 23 years of age have parents Honorable Asterin. I need to make shiflings to live." She answers him blankly.
"Is Takashi Mako not here with you? Your crimes extend to him?" he further asks.
"If I may ask. Why am I getting a questioning?" she asks.
"Your crimes are much more serious given your age" King Khalil responds "You may take your seat"
"Given the situation behind your arrest, we will look at your accomplishments."
"Delarune Starling" Nokoa starts.
"Before you do that I want to add that my wife did not commit any of those crimes by her will, I coerced her" Delarune says trying to protect his wife.
"Delarune" Esmeray calls him out.
"It's the truth" Delarune tells her.
"Order!" Queen Lucelia calls.
"Delarune Starling, Kaito Ladiston and Suzumi Mako" Nokoa starts again. "You were guilty of murder, but you saved billions of earthlings, sprites and other dimensional life forms from a catastrophic fate for that we say thank you."
"For your other allegations, we will reduce the sentence, giving Delarune Starling 2 months in exile and Kaito Ladiston 4 months after which they will be faced with community service and home monitoring. As for Suzumi Mako you will be given 7 days in exile for fraud and multiple counts of breaking and entering, this will not be on your records as a reward for your immense bravery and courage."
"Esmeray Starling. You are free of all charges, Delarune Starling tells the truth with a hint of protection which furthers suspicion so, you will be written off as a victim. You will be let off on a warning and placed on house arrest for two months because you did in fact have the baby"
"Bardo Jadic, Elijah Starling, Emily Solaris, River Ladiston and Skai Ladiston. You are also free of all allegations and let off on a warning. This must not repeat itself. Your heroic actions and courage supersede all your criminal activities." Nokoa Asterin finishes.
"We would also like to apologize. We brought you here and sent you on a fruitless chase with the intention of bringing you to us. You are just younglins. Because of that in your presence I will be stepping down as a member of the great council" King Khalil speaks up and gasps go through the entire room.
"So will I" Queen Odeliah adds.
"Will you two calm down" King Oryn tells them both "We've got another 300 years in us"
"I don't think I can continue judging people knowing we planned to kill two innocent children" King Khalil says. "that's attempted murder, and let's not forget the completely unnecessary doomsday trick, scaring them like that was just cruel."
They all continue conversing more quietly seeming to realize that their 'criminals' could hear them.
"Delarune Starling, Kaito Ladiston and Suzumi Mako your sentence has been cut in half. This means Delarune Starling will be detained for 1 month, Kaito Ladiston will be detained for two and Suzumi Mako will be detained for 3 days and 12 hours."
"The Scire session will be starting soon. It is important that you all get registered. You will receive letters from us soon. Meeting adjourned. Delarune and Esmeray Starling. Kaito Ladiston and Suzumi Mako. Please stay back"
The rest of them leave the room confused.
"Does that mean we should call you Bardo instead of Dexter now?" Skai asks Dexter and he shrugs. They were all sort of shaken.
River couldn't help but think about how Suzumi was going to be locked up in a room by herself. He hoped it wouldn't be dark, He hoped she didn't get scared.