The bells of the royal court tolled three times, echoing through the capital.
Today was the day the Tribunal of Forbidden Arts convened—a stage not meant to uncover truth,but to define it under the will of those who held power.
The Hall of Flames
The Hall of Flames had stood since the ancient era, built solely for judgment.
Its high ceiling glittered with hundreds of enchanted chandeliers, their light cold and merciless.
At the center rose a solitary stone dais where the accused stood alone.Encircling it from above were tiers of seats for judges and nobles, towering like walls of authority.
And upon that dais today stood—Serena Alveir.
She wore no jewelry, only a plain gown.Her blue eyes trembled yet refused to falter.
The whispers of the hall crashed like waves:
"So it is her—the woman of forbidden light.""She drew the monsters to our gates. Who else is there to blame?"
Valkyria's Opening Move
A sharp crack of the gavel echoed— Bang!The trial had begun.
From among the nobles, Irena Valkyria stepped forward as the accuser's witness.
She wore a deep indigo gown, majestic as though she were already queen of the court.
With a graceful bow, her voice flowed sweet as honey laced with venom.
"Lords and judges, I stand here not to condemn, but to safeguard our realm."
"The power wielded by Serena Alveir is no ordinary magic. It is silver light, a force recorded in no scripture, no grimoire, no school of sorcery."
Her gaze slid toward Serena, lips curving in a faint smile.
"And every time this light has appeared… the shadow beasts have invaded. Coincidence? Or calamity she herself brings?"
The hall erupted in murmurs.
Serena's Answer
Serena stepped forward, her voice firm.
"I deny it. This power is no curse. It is the ancient covenant of House Alveir—passed down to protect, not destroy."
She placed her sword upon the stone dais, the silver gleam unyielding.
"Without this light, the children at the northern gate would have been devoured by the beasts. You cannot deny their lives were saved."
Whispers rose again.Some nodded, others sneered in disbelief.
Twisted Proof
Irena clapped her hands.A cloaked man entered, carrying a crystal of recorded magic.
"I submit evidence before the Tribunal."
The crystal flared—an illusion rose in the air, showing Serena's battle.
But the vision was cut and altered.It showed only the beasts appearing the moment her silver light ignited—erasing the scene where she shielded innocents.
The uproar was instant.
"Look! The beasts followed her light!""She is too dangerous to remain among us!"
Serena's face went pale.Yet she bit her lip and stood unbowed.
The Crushing Pressure
Judges pressed her with questions like spears.
"What proof have you that this so-called 'Stellar Covenant' exists?""If it is of true bloodline, why are there no records in Alveir's archives?"
Their voices bore down like stone.
Blood touched her lips as she bit down, but still her words rang resolute:
"Even without records, I feel the call of my ancestors in this blood. This light is not darkness—""And I will not bow to lies that would see it branded as such."
The Silenced Prince
Crown Prince Lucius rose to speak.
"That power saved lives before my very eyes! It is no—"
But nobles of Valkyria's faction cut him off.
"Your Highness, preserve neutrality! If you speak now, the throne itself will stand accused of bias!"
Their voices thundered louder, forcing Lucius back into his seat.
His hands trembled, eyes blazing with helpless fury.
A Shadow Stirs
In the dark edge of the hall stood Kyren Adelric, arms crossed.
His gaze was cold, yet sharp with hidden fire.
Softly, only for himself, he whispered:
"So they twist the truth with forged visions… Very well. Then I will use truth itself to cut their chains."
A faint glimmer of runes flickered beneath his sleeve—a secret preparation, unseen.
Valkyria's Smile
Irena raised her fan to her lips, her eyes shining with triumph.
"When truth cannot be proven, we must choose the safest path for the realm."
"And the safest choice… is to erase both the power and the one who wields it."
The murmurs turned to shouts of support.
Serena stood upon the stone dais as if before a precipice.But within her chest—a stubborn flame refused to yield.
Closing Scene
The Tribunal of Forbidden Arts became a stage where truth was strangled by schemes.
The light that had just begun to shine was branded as shadow.
Yet deep within the hall's darkness, only a few knew—the game was far from its end.