Elijah pointed to one of the images, "I choose this one." The cave may be off in some areas but comparing it to the other two, Eric can understand with his intelligence.
"Alright."
Helios opened his hand and a magic circle appeared above his hand. His eyes glowed again as a scroll surfaced from the circle.
The scroll is something like a gate pass and Eric must show it to the inhabitants of the mountain and the cave. Or he could suffer from being mistaken as a trespasser.
"I express my gratitude on behalf of my master," Elijah lowered his head and placed his hand on his chest. "This humble servant takes his leave."
Helios nods and watches him exit his office. He tilted his head to the side and heard his neck joint crack before he resumed taking care of the unending paperwork.
— THREE WEEKS AFTERWARDS
Every person from the last assembly is invited again to discuss the sentence that will be given to Irene and the recent findings in their investigation.
Not much has changed in the appearance of the palace but the change in atmosphere can be noticed even by a fool. The silence that bothers the talkative gods, the awkwardness that bothers the introverted gods, and the thought of waiting for a long time bother the time conservative gods.
Well for someone, nothing can't be more uncomfortable than having that someone who insulted you leaning on your shoulder.
"O'Herrscher of thy Chaos, can I ask for you to not lean on me?" Thales is sweating buckets and has a pale face clearly expressing his discomfort.
Pyrros lifted his head and sat straight. He pulled Thales' chin in his direction, "Did I ask for your opinion? Nay.."
He flicked his forehead, "..am I right? So shut your mouth and ignore me."
Well, no gossiper would shut their mouth for a long time so when a rude someone opened his mouth and spouted a few rude words, they started whispering to themselves.
"Hey, hey. Have you heard about the Celestial Church?" he glances from side to side.
The person he was talking to, covers the side of their mouth, "Weren't they an infamous cult back in the old ages? I heard they have someone called a priest or pope who has a close relationship with the Celestial Saint."
"Pfft." Someone near them barely held their laughter when they heard a mortal has a close relationship with that anti-social troublemaker. "I think they fit as comedians than loyal devotees."
"Well that's true, the Celestial Saint we know doesn't take interest in stuff like religion, she goes around making His Majesty cough blood with her outrageous act—"
The gossiping gods shut their mouths completely once Michael passed the crowd to enter the inner court hall. It meant that the meeting is to start in a few minutes.
Followed by Michael is Irene then an unexpected guest. His hood slid off his head and revealed his face. An angelic face to hide the masked monster; the face of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Immediately, everyone thought of his name, 'Eric?!'
Eric, an alias for a god from a different world. A god whose authority is second to Helios in this universe and ability capable of bending time and fate. And a god who is supposed to have ascended as a Primordial deity.
His very existence makes everyone uneasy. As said previously, he can bend time and fate which roughly means that he can allow someone to travel between separate timelines and can rewrite someone's fate.
Insane people seeking death might want to meet him while those who desire another chance in their life would want to meet him too. Although the timeline he sends you in is just the imaginary world after death.
When Eric had his feet land on the inner court hall's floor, the ringing of a bell and the soft sounds of a trumpet is heard.
Though to their surprise, it wasn't just those three or the Heavenly Ruler who is in attendance but even the Celestial Goddess and other important gods.
"Arrange yourselves from the previous format."
The immortals arranged themselves after the end of Oliver's words. And as they continue to go to their last positions, Oliver proceeds to mention multiple subjects.
"Time is to not be wasted with unnecessary chatters. Raise thy hand, if wish to join the discussion. Observe proper court etiquette during the assembly."
Everyone had organized themselves to their former positions. Oliver who is yet to finish his dialogue sneaked a glance at Helios. Feeling someone's gaze towards him, he looks at Oliver and then nods.
"Whoever does not comply shall be subjected to a given penalty. This court is now in session."
...Meanwhile
At a location where the scent of blood reeks from every corner and hundreds of cold bodies are scattered everywhere. The cries of those affiliated with the divine races became music to many demonic ears.
This moment that he waited for centuries to occur and this chance that he waited for his hatred to subside. Watching it with his own two eyes, making it happen with his sinful hands, gives him the bliss he yearns for.
"My lord, everything is prepared." Invidius moved his neck to a side and heard a crack then moved it to the opposite side to hear another crack.
Abaddon nods his head while locking his gaze on the structure in the distance. His brows twitched, "Abnormally, I feel tired and bothered."
Kassandra appears out of nowhere and said in an earnest tone, "Are you alright?"
The Capital Vices looked at Abaddon with a worried gaze as he stares blankly in the same direction. His eyes became hollow and lifeless like the void.
"Abaddon?" she repeated his name.
He blinked. "Yes? Ahem. Do not fret, my mind just wandered for a bit. Overall I feel fine."
Kassandra stares at him with a doubtful look before letting out a heavy sigh. "Don't scare me like that!" she smacked his shoulder.
Then her mouth formed a pout. Abaddon chuckles nervously as he scratches his cheek. The other generals sighed.
"Hey, Kassie. Halt your sassiness as a brat, and lastly don't be a bad model to your kiddos over there," Ira pointed at her army stationed nearby with his thumb.
"Huh?!" she sneered as a reply.
"Is that an official invite, bitch?" the personification of wrath curved his mouth into a huge evil grin.
"Improving your ability to provoke me, Ira." Kassandra's voice became deep.
"Woah, easy now," the blonde one got between them, "Don't be such a jerk, Ira. And you, Kassie, maintain your composure."
"None of your business, Sufèrvia." Both said in a united flat tone.
"Why you!"
"Enough," Invidius silenced them.
He maintained his stern look. It is considered a usual bonding activity for the wholesome two to argue over the most useless topics, so there is nothing out of the ordinary.
"We are here to crush our archnemesis who are floating in the air like a fly. We are not standing on this blursed land to argue with each other over trivial things."
"Am I right, my lord?" Invidius shifted the focus to the once again, distracted Abaddon.
"..." An awkward silence dropped.
"Lord Deimos!" he practically yelled.
"Correct, we are here to fulfill my quench for revenge towards Helios. I do not tolerate any unreasonable actions."
"Understood..!" The three hesitantly replied.
Abaddon's gaze still focused on Keraunos Palace. He then turned his body in the direction of his men, with numerous quantities spanning thousands.
"My children! I apologize for the long wait, and to not bother any of you further, I declare for our march to resume! Yell for the success of our conquest!!"
"RRAAAAAAAR!!!" The tens of thousands of demons responded at the top of their lungs, or gills.
...
"Dear defendant, on behalf of this trial, your title is to be stripped from your name," Eric noticed some sharp glares targeted at him, "I dare thou to challenge thy authority and shall face an undesirable consequence."
Representing as the judge of the court, his authority is below Helios and Callista—the Celestial Deities. Whoever challenges his authority is disrespecting those who are above him.
"Is there any who is stubborn to remain unmoved by my words?"