Chereads / The legacy of Powers / Chapter 22 - The Tribunal

Chapter 22 - The Tribunal

In a pristine white room, Amara lay still, her form a contrast against the sterile surroundings. Beside her, in a delicate cradle, rested Ignatius, serene in his slumber. The air was filled with a sense of calm, interrupted only by the soft hum of machinery and the steady rhythm of their breathing.

As Amara stirred from her slumber, her senses gradually coming back to her, a servant appeared at her side, ready to guide her to a meeting hall. With a gentle touch, the servant offered a reassuring smile, silently urging Amara to follow.

Servant: Lady Amara, if you would please accompany me to the meeting hall,

Rising from her bed, Amara allowed herself to be led through the corridors of the grand estate, the soft glow of torchlight illuminating their path. Anticipation fluttered in her chest as she wondered what awaited her in the meeting hall.

Amara realized that the white room where she woke up was just one part of a sprawling, multi-level building reminiscent of a headquarters. This vast structure boasts numerous floors, each housing various rooms and facilities. From administrative offices to meeting halls, laboratories to living quarters, the building serves as a hub of activity, bustling with people going about their tasks and duties.

Its imposing presence dominates the landscape, a symbol of power and authority within the realm. As Amara traverses its corridors, she is greeted by the sight of busy servants and staff members, each contributing to the efficient operation of this impressive infrastructure.

As Amara entered the meeting hall, her eyes swept across the expansive table where powerful figures from various kingdoms and realms were seated. Some wore crowns upon their heads, while others exuded an air of authority and wisdom.

Amara recognized the solemn atmosphere of the tribunal's building—the seat of the largest authority in the realm, formed to safeguard member empires from the divine beings whose mere existence posed existential threats to humanity and other demi-humans.

It was a gathering of kings, bureaucrats, and monarchs, united in purpose and resolve to ensure the safety and prosperity of their lands in the face of supernatural peril. With a mixture of awe and trepidation,

With a sense of urgency in the air, one of the assembled figures spoke up, his tone firm and decisive. "Let's expedite this process," he declared, prompting a flurry of movement as chairs scraped against the floor and attention turned towards the center of the room. 

Amara found herself gently guided to stand in the focal point of the gathering, feeling the weight of all eyes upon her. Among the distinguished individuals present, she recognized the old man whom she had encountered upon awakening. His presence brought a sense of familiarity amidst the solemnity of the occasion, offering a glimmer of reassurance amid uncertainty. As he joined the assembly, Amara braced herself for the forthcoming deliberations.

The old man, assuming his role as the head of the tribunal for the year, began to address the assembled gathering. With a voice tinged with authority and wisdom, he spoke of the Tribunal, also known as the Central League—a formidable organization dedicated to safeguarding humanity and demi-humans alike.

"I'm the Monk, You are familiar with the name Tribunal, or the Central League, I'm currently the working leader of the league," he began, his words carrying the weight of centuries of history. "It stands as the most powerful bastion of defense, shielding our realms from threats both mundane and otherworldly."

He proceeded to recount the origins of the Tribunal, a tale steeped in the annals of legend and valor. When the fearsome BramhaVidra laid waste to kingdoms with his unstoppable might, leaving devastation in his wake, the bureaucrats, kings, and monarchs of the realms united in a grand alliance. Together, they waged a titanic struggle against the dark forces threatening their world.

"In the crucible of war, against the might of BramhaVidra, our unity became our strength," the old man continued, his voice resonating with solemnity. "Through unwavering determination and sacrifice, we emerged victorious, driving the darkness back to whence it came."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle upon the gathered assembly. "Yet, our vigilance must never wane," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the room. "For even as one threat is vanquished, others may arise to test our resolve. It is the solemn duty of the Tribunal to remain ever vigilant, to safeguard our realms from the shadows that lurk beyond."

The old man's gaze shifted towards Amara, his expression grave yet tempered with a hint of compassion. "Amara," he began, addressing her directly, "despite the protection granted by the Tribunal, your family found itself targeted in a realm under the rule of one of our esteemed Human member, Blackbeard."

He paused briefly, his words hanging heavy in the air, before continuing with a sense of resolve. "Regrettably, our resources are stretched thin, and we find ourselves unable to discern the origin of this brazen attack. In light of this, we must rely on your cooperation, Amara."

His tone conveyed a sense of urgency, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "We implore you to assist us in uncovering the truth behind this assault, for the safety and security of all within our realms depend upon it. Together, we must seek justice and ensure that those responsible are held to account."

As the weight of the tribunal's request settled upon her, Amara's mind raced with conflicting thoughts. She pondered the consequences of revealing the truth—of the potential repercussions that might befall the Elanor Kingdom, that would be good for her friend,

A flicker of concern pierced her thoughts as she realized Oliver's absence. Where could he be at such a crucial moment? Her brow furrowed with worry as she scanned the room, but there was no sign of him.

With a furrowed brow and a tremor of worry in her voice, Amara addressed the tribunal. "Do any of you know the whereabouts of Oliver?" she inquired, her tone tinged with concern.

The old man's response did little to assuage Amara's concerns, but it provided a glimmer of hope. "We do not know Oliver's whereabouts at this time," he explained, his voice measured and grave. "However, his talisman remains inactive, indicating that he is still alive. But locating him will require time—possibly a few weeks."

Amara's heart sank at the thought of waiting, but she understood the necessity of patience. "I will cooperate with you to the best of my abilities," 

Amara's voice trembled slightly as she continued, her gaze steady despite the turmoil within her. "The last time my family was attacked, it was by the Eleanor generals," she revealed, her words weighted with the gravity of the situation. "But I cannot say for certain if they were acting under the orders of the Elanor Kingdom or if there were other forces at play."

Her admission hung heavy in the air, underscoring the complexity of the situation.

The old man's suggestion to summon Blackbeard, the Human King, stirred a sense of apprehension within Amara. She couldn't shake the nagging fear that Blackbeard might have been complicit in the attack on her family. Despite her misgivings, she understood the necessity of seeking answers from him directly.

"I understand the need to speak with Blackbeard," Amara replied cautiously, her tone betraying her lingering doubts. "But we must tread carefully. If he indeed played a role in the attack, confronting him directly could jeopardize our safety and further escalate tensions."

One of the members rudely mocked Amara for suspecting the king of her own country,

The rude remark from the bureaucrat cut through the tension in the room, his words laden with skepticism and disdain. Amara felt a surge of indignation rises within her, but before she could respond, the old man intervened with a firm rebuke.

"Careful now," he cautioned, his tone carrying the weight of authority. "You must watch your words, especially when addressing the wife of the individual you're temporarily substituting for."

His reprimand served as a sobering reminder of the respect owed to Amara as the spouse of a significant figure.

With a commanding gesture, the old man raised his hands, his eyes alight with a shimmering glow as he spoke with authority. "We summon you, Blackbeard, to this assembly."

In a flash of brilliance, Blackbeard materialized before them, his presence imposing as he approached the gathering. With a respectful nod, he acknowledged the old man before taking his seat, ready to address the pressing matters at hand.

The old man fixed Blackbeard with a stern gaze and posed the crucial question, "Do you have any knowledge of the assailants who targeted the Harizama family? Who could show such disrespect to the Tribunal?"

Blackbeard's voice carried a weight of concern as he recounted the events. "The Eleanor kingdom's generals were searching for my jurisdiction, purportedly for a traitor. It was during this operation that they reached the Harizama residence. I cannot attest to the details, but a confrontation ensued, instigated by Oliver. The resulting clash wrought havoc upon the entire residential district of the capital. To my astonishment, even the Eleanor queen herself engaged in the conflict. Following the chaos, Oliver vanished without a trace." 

The old man's tone was measured yet probing. "Are you implying, Blackbeard, that Oliver harbored a traitor from the Eleanor kingdom within his abode?"

Blackbeard's response was terse yet contemplative. "It's a possibility that cannot be ruled out."

The old man's voice held a tone of resolve as he addressed the gathered assembly. "The Eleanor Kingdom's defiance cannot go unpunished. Their aggression against one under the protection of the Tribunal demands a response." With a commanding gesture, he brandished his wand, his voice resonating with authority. "Prepare for war against the Eleanor Kingdom."

-- 

Back in the Eleanor kingdom,

As Oliver sat alone in his room in the Eleanor kingdom, he couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion and regret. He had never expected his encounter with ELa to turn out like this.

He had always been a loyal general, dedicated to his queen and his kingdom. But ELa had awakened something within him that he had never known existed, a desire for power and control that terrified him.

As he sat there, lost in thought, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. Would Ela do now,

With a heavy heart, Oliver realized that he had made choices that could never be undone. He could only move forward and try to make amends for his mistakes.

But even as he acknowledged his errors, he couldn't help feeling a flicker of excitement at the thought of his encounter with ELa. He knew that he would never forget the pleasure and the power that they had shared and that he would always be drawn to the darkness that she represented.

As he lay down on the bed, his mind still whirring with conflicting thoughts and emotions, Oliver knew that his life would never be the same. But he was ready to face whatever was to come, as long as he had the strength to endure it. But his only concern was the security of his family.

Oliver thinks to himself," what if I tame Ela, If I could make her a slave to my dick, she will get me anything, if I do the thing right I can even trick her to give me the kingdom, How good it would be to have a whole fucking kingdom in under my control, it would be fucking awesome, no one would ever try to raise a hand on my family, not even that blackboard."