A vast platform floated amidst the very fabric of space, defying the laws of physics. It shimmered with an unearthly glow, undefined by mortal understanding, suspended in the starlit void.
The castle atop it was a masterpiece of a mysterious, black material. Its texture gleamed with a deceptive luster, a beauty so profound it bordered on surreal. Yet, beneath the polished surface lay a substance that no being, mortal or divine, had ever managed to replicate.
Guards surrounded the castle on all sides, their mere presence radiating an oppressive aura that reverberated through the endless, starlit blackness. Each stood like a sentinel of the cosmos, their power a silent proclamation of their authority. To gaze upon them was to understand insignificance; no one could see beyond the abyss they guarded.
Inside, the great hall shone with otherworldly brilliance. Lights danced upon a platform forged of celestial karbanic gold a material so rare and mystic that its existence was a legend in itself. The hall's atmosphere was ethereal, a blend of light and shadow, awe and foreboding.
At its heart sat Aetherion, the Supreme Sovereign of the Cosmos. His throne, carved from the same enigmatic black material as the castle, exuded regality. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest as his gaze fell upon the young man standing below. Amusement flickered in his eyes, sharp and predatory, as though he were a predator toying with his prey.
The young man, Ray Whiterose, stood with his head slightly bowed. His silver hair caught the celestial light, giving him an almost angelic glow. His face was calm, betraying no fear, though a trace of sadness lingered in his eyes.
"I must admit," Aetherion began, his voice a rich baritone laced with mockery, "it's shocking. Not a single member of the Whiterose family thought you worthy enough to attend. Not even your sister, or at the very least, a butler to represent them. I had hoped for some semblance of respect. But alas, it seems even they deem you... insignificant."
The Sovereign's chuckle echoed through the hall, its mirth cutting deeper than any blade. "Tell me, Ray Whiterose, are you embarrassed?"
Ray's gaze rose slightly, meeting the Sovereign's eyes. His voice was steady, unyielding. "The presence of my family, or lack thereof, is irrelevant. I was summoned to this Court of Judgment for a reason. Whether others are present has no bearing on the accusations laid against me."
Despite his firm words, the Sovereign's earlier jab had struck a chord. The faintest flicker of sadness crossed Ray's expression, but his pride refused to let him bow or falter.
Aetherion leaned back, his amusement deepening. "Ah, how noble. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
The Sovereign's gaze shifted, landing on a striking young woman standing at the opposite side of the hall. She appeared to be around seventeen, her violet eyes cold and unreadable, her face an impenetrable mask of indifference. Her beauty was as chilling as it was captivating this was Ember Darkheart, the sole heir of the Darkheart family, a lineage revered and feared across the cosmos.
Behind her stood several attendants, each exuding an aura of quiet authority. Among them was a woman with emerald-green hair, clad in a maid's uniform. Unlike the guards outside, no aura emanated from her. Yet, her mere presence carried a weight that was impossible to ignore.
Aetherion's lips curled into a sly smile. "So, young lady of the Darkheart family, you claim this boy" his voice dripped with mockery as he gestured to Ray "attempted to force himself upon you. Is that correct?"
The hall fell into an oppressive silence. Not even the guards dared to breathe. The gravity of the accusation hung in the air like a blade poised to strike.
The Sovereign's gaze flicked back to Ember, his amusement tempered by a flicker of curiosity. "I must say, it's rare to witness such a spectacle. A Darkheart accusing a Whiterose of such a crime... and in a court presided over by me, no less."
Ember's expression remained unchanged, as though the weight of the hall's silence meant nothing to her. Behind her, the emerald-haired maid stood motionless, her presence speaking volumes about the importance the Darkheart family placed on this matter The Imperial Head Maid.
Aetherion's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Fascinating. The Whiterose family has shown no support for their own kin, not even sending a single representative to defend you, Ray. It would seem they've cast you aside entirely."
The Sovereign's voice lowered, a dangerous edge seeping into his tone. "A child of an imperial lineage, abandoned by his own blood. Alone, under the weight of accusations that could shatter even the strongest of wills. Tell me, Ray, how does it feel to stand here, isolated, while the world watches and waits for you to crumble?"
Despite the overwhelming pressure in the hall, Ray stood firm. His silver hair shimmered under the celestial light, and his voice, though quiet, resonated with an unshakable resolve.
Aetherion leaned forward, his gaze sharp and predatory as it danced between the two figures before him. "Ah, yes. The young lady of the Darkheart family Ember, isn't it? Your childhood sweetheart, your beloved girlfriend." His tone dripped with mockery, a chuckle escaping his lips. "Quite the scandal, wouldn't you say? A tale of trust and betrayal that even the cosmos itself might find entertaining."
He paused, savoring the silence that followed. His amusement only deepened as he continued, his voice reverberating through the grand hall. "Tell me, Ray Whiterose, how does it feel to be accused by the one person you should trust the most?"
Ray's hand rose abruptly, cutting the Sovereign's words mid-sentence. The hall froze.
For a moment, silence reigned, the audacity of Ray's gesture sending a ripple of disbelief through the room. The guards surrounding the court bristled, their auras spiking in outrage.
"How dare you!" one guard snarled, his energy flaring as the others followed suit, their collective power sending shockwaves through the hall. The sheer weight of their combined cultivation was enough to make lesser beings collapse.
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