The arena filled with murmurs of disagreement and disbelief as the gods deliberated on what they had just heard. They looked down on the trio below with a mixture of disdain and confusion.
Considered an intruder and a thief by the gods, Dhara trembled and stuttered as he tried to make his case when he was ordered to. Apparently being an archeologist didn't help him much since they considered them as tomb raiders and temple desecrators.
"Breathe..." Kaos echoed in his mind. He heaved a sigh of relief, realizing she was still with him. With renewed confidence he cleared his throat.
"gods and goddesses," the room became quiet "A few months ago, I was oblivious to the inner workings of how godhood works, in fact I didn't believe anything like this existed until I entered the Temple of Death and she appeared in front of me. I had no choice but to believe and despite all the dangers we have been through, the goddess of Chaos sacrificed herself because she cares, and I believe it would be just if she isn't vilified for doing the right thing..."
"What insolence! This thief has no right to be a witness. He is not even worthy to stand before us gods!" One of the high gods sneered at him.
"Settle down, Taver. let him speak"
"hmph!" he sat back down with his arms folded in defiance.
"speak, mortal and make it quick" she gave a little smile.
"Thank you, goddess. She had no reason to save me, she thought I didn't deserve to die and gave up her godhood to keep me alive until the god slayer was vanquished and I was brought back to life"
"was this god slayer not your friend?" Taver spoke again "the human girl, was she not your friend?"
"she made a deal with one of the gods among you, did she not?" Dhara stared him down and Taver huffed in annoyance "Wejah being my friend doesn't mean I know everything about him and support what he did... I guess we all one way or another have some form of skeletons in our closets. Neema turning out the way she did was my fault which I'll gladly responsibility for because I entertained her for too long and it got out of hand" he cast a quick glance at Inke, who looked fully healed now that he got his essence back. "but I'm not here to play the blame game...Punish me how ever you see fit, but she should not be punished for fixing things"
"He is right. If you are going to punish Kaos, you would have to punish me and every other person she has saved." Strife spoke up.
"And the fact that she is frolicking with this worthless human, humans are already useless as it is...look around you, no other gods peaked your interests?" Taver smirked
"I will not let you speak to him that way!" Strife snapped and she was immediately restrained.
"It did for a while, I got bored of it" she replied nonchalantly.
"...besides all of you hated her. Why would she remain among those who want nothing to do with her? you did nothing when she fell into slumber and now you think you have the right to judge her?" Dhara yelled, getting angrier by the minute.
"you are out of line!" Taver boomed, descending from his seat.
"so are you, Taver!" Kaos blocked his hit. "you shouldn't hit a witness." she clicked her tongue, irking him even more "you're not allowed to judge with personal feelings and this doesn't seem like the transparency you all preach!" she let go of his hand.
"You!" he huffed "...should have been destroyed a long time ago. You are banished from here! leave!" He screeched.
"might I remind you, Taver, we are a council and you have no power alone" The goddess from earlier reprimanded "last warning Taver and you will be publicly demoted and i am sure it would be extremely embarrassing for you and pantheon" She warned and he relented.
"shall we proceed?" she cleared her throat "and before we do, let me remind you, every questions asked is purely for the purpose of passing better judgement"
"yes, your honor."
"any more questions from the high seat?"
" yes, if I may." he slowly got up. He looked frail and he seems he was almost out of time. Kaos instantly went rigid when she saw the god. it was like watching her self wait for her being to wither. "I was in charge of Cross examining you, Dhara, is it?" he paused and Dhara nodded "I discovered, a god residing in you as her host but I couldn't tell which one it is...all the gods and their pantheons are accounted for, what kind of being are you a host to?" he coughed.
"Take a seat, Fern. you shouldn't exhaust your strength" The high goddess advised
"Thank you, your honor"
"well?"
The room grew cold suddenly and a cold wind snuffed out all the light only for the torches to be replaced with blue lights. Eerie sounds filled the hall. A scared shrill alerted them to Dhara whose eyes had turned completely black, his blue Iris brightened and a fanged smile played on his lips. Multiple thin black spikes arose from around his head to form a crown and basically everything about him struck fear into the hearts of the gods in the arena.
"I am Tsatu, the god of death and the underworld. Unpleased...to make your acquaintance" he snarled.
"The god of death? but he already exists..." Fern pointed at one of the gods identifying as a death god. "how is it possible for you to be a death god?"
"how disrespectful of you, Fern..."
"Insolence, I tell you! they should be banished!" Taver interrupted but he didn't get the chance to continue because Tsatu was in front him before anyone could register a thing.
"your insolence tires me, Taver." he cupped his face, his mouth opening slightly " and your voice irks me too" he gripped harder and he suddenly began to struggle. "This should be a lasting lesson to you" he left him sprawled on the floor, clutching his throat.
"let him go!" the high goddess ordered and Tsatu did as told. Taver stopped clutching his throat, he panted as he got off the floor. His legs wobbled as he stood "take him home" she ordered the spirit guards.
"see? I can be very reasonable, sometimes. " Where were we? oh yeah, I was introducing myself... I am the first and oldest death god, I do not only usher human souls to the afterlife, I usher gods too."
"but the underworld is a barren plane now...it has not been inhabited for a while..." Fen queried
"yes and I intend to change that and let me make myself clear. One of you lot tried to harm me and my family, after this little clue and you try to mess with us again... I'll make sure I send you to my favorite part of the underworld, trust me, they would love you" he stepped back and Tsatu disappeared as she came.
The remaining high gods mumbled amongst themselves and before long one of them spoke up.
"I am Chaela, one of the high gods of Judgement and I hereby pass my judgement." She floated down. She took the chains on Strife and with a smile "Goddess Kaos will retain her realm, Goddess Strife will return to her master, pending the paperwork for transfer is reviewed, and Dhara Smith, returns to earth with supervision from the sentinels of the gods..." she stopped, turning around "by order, let the god of envy and mischief approach the bench..." she smirked and he solemnly stepped forward "Seeing that you willingly offered up a deal with the human girl and preyed on her weakness, causing unwarranted trouble and destruction to the earthly plane for your amusement, I hereby sentence you to a Century of hard labor in the field of souls with no possibility of release. I, by the order of the council, close this case." She announced.
Every god in the arena stood up in respect and agreement for the judgement passed. One by one the council members disappeared in shimmering light, leaving Chaela.
"Thank you..."Kaos bowed
"It was the least we could do. Personally, I'd like to apologize" she smiled sadly "I did nothing when the slumber took hold of you for that I am sorry" She nodded as she disappeared too.
"Thank you, Strife" Kaos turned to face the teary goddess. "oh..." Strife enveloped her in a hug.
"I'll see you soon...I've got to go now." she smiled "and um...Tell Dhiji that..." she shook her head "nevermind, see you..." she waved.
"please tell me we can leave now" Dhara whined "I miss home"