Asher and Ely huddled in the corner whispering. He had told her a little more about what he had used Prop Manifestation on, and she talked about a few treasures she knew of. Mainly artifacts that other planets bragged about having. She was a treasure trove of information. It helped that she wasn’t too bad on the eyes. He enjoyed her lavender scent as she slowly let down her defenses.
“Asher Whitmore,” a voice said over the intercom.
“That’s me,” he said standing up. There had been a few other names called like his. After almost 3 days in the huge cell he was happy to get through so quickly. He guessed with his Trial coming up they expedited it.
“You better be telling the truth, human,” Ely said standing with him.
“I am, whatever you are,” he said. “Get in touch with my wife. I plan to be back on Elantontrin in a year and a half or so. Till then work on the list and try to find more stuff we can…liberate. At the very least I’ll get you your money.” She grunted but extended her hand. “What’s this?” He asked, confused by her hand.
“A handshake,” she said like he was an idiot.
“Oh, on my planet we kiss,” he said, staring her in the eyes. He puckered his lips, but she didn’t make a move. “But if you want,” he said, lightly taking her hand and weakly shaking it up and down. She looked like he just stepped on her dog. He laughed leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. Ely hissed at him but he was already moving to the other side of the room.
As he walked to the far wall the mana beam bars slid back allowing him to go up the stairs. The steps were white and glowed. He was reminded of the stairway to heaven. At the top of the staircase a guard attached a set of purple energy manacles to his wrists. They didn’t hurt, but held his hands about 6 inches apart as he walked. It felt like overkill for saying fuck the System, but when in Rome. He was still unable to use his System for some reason, but having lived without it for almost 18 years it wasn’t a big problem. Most of his other cellmates admitted to barely remembering when they didn’t have a System, and without access they felt naked.
The guard stopped him at a white platform in the ground. They stood next to one another as it began to rise up. Asher looked above to see another hole opening in the ceiling. He was reminded of his tournament fight the other day. If they tried to escalate things, he would be sure to demand Trial by Combat.
When the platform came through the hole Asher was a little shocked. He was in another wide open space. At least a few thousand feet wide with thousands of platforms littering the walls. The platforms held every assortment of races he had seen so far on League Prime. Everyone staring at him, he was reminded of the senate room in Star Wars. He gulped as he stared up at the gazes focused on him.
“Asher Whitmore,” a man said as he walked up to the platform Ash and the guard were on. Asher guessed it was a high human. The massive muscles, thick jawline, and haughty attitude was a dead giveaway. Ely had told him a little about the place during their conversations. And her hate for the humans was apparent.
“You are being tried for the crime of Blasphemy to the System. The penalty has yet to be decided. How do you plead?”
Asher looked around for a familiar face. There were none. Not the best at lying, he thought it best to go with the truth. Someone probably had a truth skill on him anyway. “Guilty?” He asked. He heard a few gasps around the large room. People whispered to one another.
Despite how he felt at the time Asher also told the truth. Everyone around him was playing some sort of game. The Burill’s with their manipulation of Alfa. The Interviewer with their own agenda. The only one he hadn’t gotten a weird vibe from was that guy that looked like the devil. There had been a bad taste in his mouth with the System after his quest that went awry.
Yes, the System gave him magical powers, but Asher didn’t like the idea of every quest he did affecting so many people all the time. Tyranis warned him that he could be quested to kill people by the System, and he didn’t want that. He wanted to stick to his gather 3 herbs, and beat up these monster quests. If anyone hurt those he loved, he was more than happy to end their lives. As long as people stayed out of his way, he wouldn’t bother them. That was his philosophy.
“This is pointless,” Tyranis’ voice rang out. A screen above Asher showed the elf’s face, but he still couldn’t find him in the sea of other platforms. “The Lawful Good’s planet still has not been Initialized. He is not part of the League.”
“We understand Tyranis of the Roktai,” the high human said. “Still, he has broken the rules.” There were more murmurs going around. Asher felt like they were plotting his death over a slip of the tongue. “Do you have anything else to say before we decide your fate, Lawful Good?”
Asher looked around. A part of him said to apologize, but another part said fuck all of them. A while ago Tyranis had admitted that a representative from the System could be brought in. He decided to play their stupid game. If they treated the System like a god, then let it answer for him.
“Let the System decide my fate.” The room broke out in an eruption of yelling and talking. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. The high human actually appeared happy with the response. Asher finally caught sight of Tyranis, the elf sat with his wives, Lyton, and Tosh; none of them looked happy.
“You heard the human,” the high human said. In his immaculate hair, and perfect jawline he gave Asher a wide grin as he turned to a specific platform. “System Representative, what say the System?” The screen above Asher focused on a new platform. On it was a humanoid figure in a full body robe. Like some married muslim woman, it covered them from head to toe. It was a light brown color. There was only a slit in the robe for the representative's eyes. The person in the robes slowly stood and approached the end of the platform.
“The System,” a very robotic voice tried to say, but then stopped as a jagged hole was ripped in space next to them.
Like a crack in the air a white light broke out from the space rift and a little figure stepped out. It was a small kid, maybe a human. They wore a simple business suit like on Earth, black jacket, white shirt, and a black bow tie. The child had brown hair cut short. Despite being the size of a 12-year old the face was very mature as it stepped from the white opening in the air. The boy looked around at his surroundings. The robed figure backed up slowly.
“Jump,” the small boy said to the representative. Without hesitation the being in the robe jumped off the platform. As it fell to its death it did not scream and hit the hard metal floor with a thud. No one but Asher paid it any mind. He looked up to where the representative had jumped from. All eyes stared up. No one bothered to look at the screen.
The room quieted down immediately. Asher watched many occupants of platforms drop to their hands and knees as they looked in the small boy’s direction. The high human next to Asher began to sweat. “Avatar of the System,” the high human said as his voice cracked. “We did not expect you.”
The small child looked around a little more. He locked eyes with the high human. The man immediately went to his knees. The guard next to Asher fell to the ground. He appeared to have passed out. Then the Avatar looked at Asher.
He sensed it then. The waves of mana leaking out from the boy. As they locked eyes he felt like he understood what the System actually was. Just a small part of it, but enough. It knew everything. The eyes dug into his soul and saw what made him tick. It knew everything because it was inside of him. It leant him power, and only through its will would he be allowed to continue to breathe.
A crushing typhoon of mana seeped out of the small boy, causing Asher to sweat. As they locked eyes he did his best not to fall to his own knee.
“You have disappointed the System,” the Avatar said. His eyes were locked on Asher, but then they broke away. The small boy's glare began glancing around the room. “All of you have disappointed the System.” People began to wail in anguish from the words. Asher began to sweat. He didn’t think such simple words could lead to so much fear from the other League members. The boy’s voice sounded like a child, but it held a great deal of strength. His words boomed in the large room like thunder.
“What petty games you play. The System has chosen the Lawful Good. He is right to be angry with you. He could kill every one of you here, and the System would only reward him. None of you are safe, and it’s been too long since you were reminded of that.” Asher felt the air vibrate with mana. He gulped.
“War is coming to your League,” he said. The room began to tremble a little. “No sector will be safe. Those that pass the Trials will be rewarded, because they will be the Arms of the System. All 9 will be required for this fight. Whether the Lawful Good lives through his Trials is up to him, but until they are complete, no one may touch him.”
“I am sorry Avatar. We did not know,” the high human said, still on his knees.
“Yes, you did,” the boy spat. “You have simply chosen to ignore. So hear me now people of the League. The System has spoken. While you continue to play your games we see and know all. All of your sins are laid clear as day for the System to pass judgment. If not now, then soon the Heroes will lay waste to all that do wrong. Whether you like it or not. That day will be as many of you feared. The System will send the Lawful Good to the worst of you.” Many more people wailed with the admission. That was news to Asher. He looked around the room. Even the Roktai stared at the ground, as if too afraid to look up.The room became quiet as the Avatar scanned the cowering people.
“Ask your question Lawful Good,” the Avatar said, staring back at him.
Asher was caught off guard getting called out. Under the torrent of mana he tried to think of anything to ask. But right then he could only think of one major question that had been bothering him. “Why did the System have me do all those bad things with my last quest?”
The small boy smiled. “Were they bad?” He asked. Asher frowned. “How about I ask you why you did them, Lawful Good? The quest was to find the culprit. They were right in front of you. I thought you were taught how to investigate. Did you not learn anything about interviewing people?” The boy had a cocky smile on his lips. “As you know, quests are never as straightforward as they appear. But more often than not, the answer is right in front of you.”
Asher hadn’t thought about that. Looking back, the correct answer should have been to ask everyone at Crest first. Most of the time it was a spouse that killed the husband or wife. Always someone close to the target. Why did he jump to the conclusion of sabotage by an outside party? Had he watched too many movies? Did he latch onto the Kimsee solution because it had more intrigue?
“The Lawful Good was right,” the Avatar said, staring back at the room. “We are intruding on their lives. The System does it to test and reward. Because much bloodshed is on the horizon and we need all the warriors we can get. You do it for entertainment and to feel superior.” The room was pregnant with the heavy pause from the Avatar. Asher thought he was done, but then his voice boomed one last time. “Tell me Lawful Good, who among these judges would you want dead? Point them out, and I would have it done. They have caused you issue, and though the System pays its debts, I believe the League should be reminded to pay theirs.”
Asher at first thought he was joking, but as the mana exuded out of the Avatar the stare never lingered. Even so far away Asher could feel it. “I’m good, I don’t think I need anyone killed.”
“Are you sure?” The Avatar said. The mana in the air only became thicker. “Many have plotted to have you taken out of the picture. I could point them out if you like.”
With the Burills already on his back the only one he could think of that he wanted killed was Plarious, but Asher would do that honor himself. “Yeah, no, if I need someone killed I’ll do it myself,” he finally said.
“Then kill the man next to you, the high human,” the Avatar said. “He helped plot a great deal of pain for you today.” Asher looked down at the high human speaker. He was sweating profusely as his eyes shut. Either sweat or tears dropped from his face, Asher wasn’t sure. He had acted so high and mighty earlier, but now he simply looked pathetic.
Asher wasn’t an executioner, despite taking off some people’s heads. Besides, he was supposed to represent his people to this League. It would probably piss more people off if he went through with it.
“I mean, Avatar sir, it looks like it failed,” Asher said. “Maybe I’ll just leave them with a warning?”
The Avatar looked at him, then cracked a smile. A booming laugh was let out by the Avatar as the onslaught of mana disappeared. “Those of you too weak to speak out against wrong. I hope that you understand why the Lawful Good was chosen now. The next time I am called here in regards to the Lawful Good. Know that the System will not be happy.” With a wave of his hand the cuffs on Asher’s wrists fell off and the Avatar was gone.
The large room was silent with the Avatar’s passing. People slowly began to stand up. As if in a daze they looked around, some fearing the Avatar was still there.
“So I passed my trial, right?” Asher asked the high human next to him as the man stood. A wide smile on his face Ash kind of liked having the System in his corner.
—-
“I don’t think this has ever happened before,” Tyranis said. His father-in-law was still in a daze.
“Which part?” Asher asked.
“The Avatar, the trial, any of it,” he admitted.
“You mind starting from the beginning? I feel like I came in about half-way through the story,” Asher admitted. They were on the Roktai platform. Asher noticed it was made from a gray steel and was shaped like a dog bowl. There was a door at the back. More than one group of people had begged for his forgiveness, and they had to lock themselves in there until the people left. They were simply waiting for the crowd to die down outside. Tyranis and his wives appeared a little shell-shocked with the Avatar gone. Lyola’s uncle Lyton stayed quiet off to the side. Tosh was the only one that was mostly there.
Tosh began. “They didn’t let us come back to see you in holding,” he said. “We were called for a general assembly. They talked about some colonization plans of some people. Other minor things. Then sprung your trial on everyone. Before we knew it they voted to have the trial done by those here.”
“I’m guessing that’s not normal,” Asher said.
“Not at all,” Tyranis admitted. “I’ve been a part of 2 trials. And they were heinous crimes. 1 resulted in banishment for a people from the League. What you did? I thought it was a joke.” He paused, shaking his head.
“They showed video of your interview. They proved no mana was used to influence how you acted,” Tosh said. “We asked if there were chemicals used, but unfortunately they didn’t have the right equipment set up to monitor that.”
“Convenient,” Asher said.
“Yes, then they brought you out,” Tyranis said. “Next time someone asks if you did something. Ask for more clarification. Do not admit your guilt.”
“I thought I was,” Asher said.
“They said blaspheme the System. The most you did was curse. Blaspheme implies you denounced the System. A much steeper crime here on Prime.”
Asher let out a long sigh. He didn’t see the difference. But high humans were a touchy lot. He learned that well in prison. “Sorry,” he said. “What about me calling for the System?”
“That’s as dumb as asking for Trial by Combat,” Tosh said. “Your people are not part of the League. They have no real authority to punish you. But if the System said you were guilty, then everyone would accept it. The representative is always dodgy. They could take titles away. Give you a slap on the wrist or have you killed.”
“What was with the rep jumping to his death like that?” Asher asked. He was still a little shook up by that. Everyone else had seemed to ignore it.
“I do not know, but I suspect he may have been compromised or bought. This whole trial was rushed and flimsy.”
“Yeah that high human sure appeared happy I called for the System,” Asher said. “Didn’t like that it actually came.”
“No, no one expected that,” Tyranis said. “I still cannot believe it. I had heard stories. My grandfather spoke of it happening once some 15,000 years ago. But to actually see it was very…humbling.”
“All's well that ends well I guess. Nice to finally know that there’s an actual plus side to being Lawful Good. Looks like the System has my back,” Asher chuckled, no one else did.
“What was with the question you asked?” Lyton finally asked.
“Oh, some dumb quest the System sent me on. Kind of the whole reason I was upset at the System in the first place. You know the Silver Fox I slayed and all the issues a few days ago? There were a lot of consequences to the quest and I wasn’t sure if it knew all that bad stuff would happen.”
“Yes, the old conundrum,” Tyranis said. “Damned if you do the quest, damned if you don’t.”
“Exactly,” Asher said. “In all honesty, I think I’m more confused now.” They sat quietly for a time. Eventually Asher admitted. “I miss my wives. Can we go back to Elantontrin now?”
“Yes, I think we’ve waited long enough,” Tyranis said. They got up together. Tyranis led but Millfadona grabbed Asher’s arm.
“We would like to speak to our future son for a moment,” Millfadona said. The male elves looked back but nodded. They stepped out of the room.
Asher was left with Lyola’s mom Millie, and Lyola’s sister-mothers Reeleah and Kalfear. They looked him in the eyes. Asher gulped. “Lyola’s ok, right?” He asked. He feared they needed to tell him something about his child.
“She is fine,” Millie said. “Angry, but fine. No, we simply wanted to say we are happy you are in the family.” Tears were in her eyes. “I have never seen Lyola so happy before. And seeing you tried we feared the worst. Your first-wife said you would be fine, but we worried. It wasn’t till I saw you there and the strength you showed to the Avatar that we understood a little of what Lyola sees in you.” The 3 women bowed their heads. “We would like to do better at being your mother-in-laws.”
Asher stepped up and hugged all 3 of them. “I love your daughter very much. And I’m glad she has you all. I’ll try to be a better son too.” Asher let the hug linger for a second. Then they were walking out the door. They stepped out into a long hallway.
They caught up with the men. By then the women’s eyes were dry. Walking in silence Asher walked next to Lyton. “You ok?” He asked the tall Stone Elf.
Lyton appeared to be brought out of his own thoughts. “I think so,” he admitted. “I’m simply affected by the Avatar.”
“Yeah, he felt pretty strong,” Asher admitted.
“Yes, I do not know how you spoke to him,” Lyton said. “It was all I could do to not go to my knees.” Asher agreed. He had felt the power from Tiberion when he was close to him. The Avatar was hundreds of feet away, and Asher felt like the being could have destroyed him with a thought.
“I always thought my father was a coward,” Lyton said. “He stopped traveling sectors in fear of a man. Now I think I understand a little of what he meant.”
“I can see that,” Asher said. “I mean. I wonder what level the Avatar is. How long would it take to catch up? It’s so exciting isn’t it? Everytime I think I meet someone strong. There’s someone stronger. There’s always a bigger fish,” he quoted.
Lyton was quiet then suddenly he slapped Asher on the back with a laugh. “Yes, I see your point. I must say I like your point of view, Lawful Good.”
“Ugh, don’t call me that,” Asher said. With that they headed down an elevator. The base level was practically empty as they found the portal to Elantontrin.
“I was surprised you did not ask the Avatar to kill the Burills,” Reeleah said.
“Eh,” Asher said. “There’s really only 1 Burill I hate, and I’ll do that honor myself. Besides, I doubt the Avatar would have gone through with it. I think it was another test.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Tyranis admitted.
Asher was the last to step out of the portal from Prime. His parents and women were there waiting for him. The elves moved to the side as his mother walked up first. Asher opened his arms for a hug but she slapped him on the top of the head.
“You stupid son of mine. How do you alway get in these messes?” She demanded.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, dodging another blow. “They just happen.”
“Do better,” she said, pointing a finger at his face. The only thing he could do was nod. “I am proud that you tried to work with the other Champions.”
“Do you think anything will come of it?” He asked.
“Who knows?” She admitted stepping aside. His father gave him a nod and he joined her.
Tiff was only a few steps away as she jumped at him. Her legs wrapped around him as she kissed all over his face. “You were so sexy on the vids,” she whispered hoarsely in his ear.
“Thank you, my love,” he said. They stared in one another’s eyes for a little bit. She gave him another peck on the lips then dropped down. Revealing Lyola, the shy elf stepped up.
“How are you, my Princess?” He asked. A smile came to her lips as she stepped forward. He bent down and kissed her on the lips lightly.
“I am glad you are back, husband. You will have to tell us all that went on,” she said. Grabbing his hand Tiff grabbed the other and they walked away from the portal.
“Well first they threw me in prison,” he said.
“Prison?” Tiff asked. “Did you become someone’s bitch?”
“No, of course not. I had a few of my own,” he admitted.
“Ha,” Tiff laughed. “Did you get shanked?”
“There was one that tried,” he said. “You’re not gonna believe why she wanted to kill me…”
Asher and Ely huddled in the corner whispering. He had told her a little more about what he had used Prop Manifestation on, and she talked about a few treasures she knew of. Mainly artifacts that other planets bragged about having. She was a treasure trove of information. It helped that she wasn’t too bad on the eyes. He enjoyed her lavender scent as she slowly let down her defenses.
“Asher Whitmore,” a voice said over the intercom.
“That’s me,” he said standing up. There had been a few other names called like his. After almost 3 days in the huge cell he was happy to get through so quickly. He guessed with his Trial coming up they expedited it.
“You better be telling the truth, human,” Ely said standing with him.
“I am, whatever you are,” he said. “Get in touch with my wife. I plan to be back on Elantontrin in a year and a half or so. Till then work on the list and try to find more stuff we can…liberate. At the very least I’ll get you your money.” She grunted but extended her hand. “What’s this?” He asked, confused by her hand.
“A handshake,” she said like he was an idiot.
“Oh, on my planet we kiss,” he said, staring her in the eyes. He puckered his lips, but she didn’t make a move. “But if you want,” he said, lightly taking her hand and weakly shaking it up and down. She looked like he just stepped on her dog. He laughed leaning in and kissing her on the cheek. Ely hissed at him but he was already moving to the other side of the room.
As he walked to the far wall the mana beam bars slid back allowing him to go up the stairs. The steps were white and glowed. He was reminded of the stairway to heaven. At the top of the staircase a guard attached a set of purple energy manacles to his wrists. They didn’t hurt, but held his hands about 6 inches apart as he walked. It felt like overkill for saying fuck the System, but when in Rome. He was still unable to use his System for some reason, but having lived without it for almost 18 years it wasn’t a big problem. Most of his other cellmates admitted to barely remembering when they didn’t have a System, and without access they felt naked.
The guard stopped him at a white platform in the ground. They stood next to one another as it began to rise up. Asher looked above to see another hole opening in the ceiling. He was reminded of his tournament fight the other day. If they tried to escalate things, he would be sure to demand Trial by Combat.
When the platform came through the hole Asher was a little shocked. He was in another wide open space. At least a few thousand feet wide with thousands of platforms littering the walls. The platforms held every assortment of races he had seen so far on League Prime. Everyone staring at him, he was reminded of the senate room in Star Wars. He gulped as he stared up at the gazes focused on him.
“Asher Whitmore,” a man said as he walked up to the platform Ash and the guard were on. Asher guessed it was a high human. The massive muscles, thick jawline, and haughty attitude was a dead giveaway. Ely had told him a little about the place during their conversations. And her hate for the humans was apparent.
“You are being tried for the crime of Blasphemy to the System. The penalty has yet to be decided. How do you plead?”
Asher looked around for a familiar face. There were none. Not the best at lying, he thought it best to go with the truth. Someone probably had a truth skill on him anyway. “Guilty?” He asked. He heard a few gasps around the large room. People whispered to one another.
Despite how he felt at the time Asher also told the truth. Everyone around him was playing some sort of game. The Burill’s with their manipulation of Alfa. The Interviewer with their own agenda. The only one he hadn’t gotten a weird vibe from was that guy that looked like the devil. There had been a bad taste in his mouth with the System after his quest that went awry.
Yes, the System gave him magical powers, but Asher didn’t like the idea of every quest he did affecting so many people all the time. Tyranis warned him that he could be quested to kill people by the System, and he didn’t want that. He wanted to stick to his gather 3 herbs, and beat up these monster quests. If anyone hurt those he loved, he was more than happy to end their lives. As long as people stayed out of his way, he wouldn’t bother them. That was his philosophy.
“This is pointless,” Tyranis’ voice rang out. A screen above Asher showed the elf’s face, but he still couldn’t find him in the sea of other platforms. “The Lawful Good’s planet still has not been Initialized. He is not part of the League.”
“We understand Tyranis of the Roktai,” the high human said. “Still, he has broken the rules.” There were more murmurs going around. Asher felt like they were plotting his death over a slip of the tongue. “Do you have anything else to say before we decide your fate, Lawful Good?”
Asher looked around. A part of him said to apologize, but another part said fuck all of them. A while ago Tyranis had admitted that a representative from the System could be brought in. He decided to play their stupid game. If they treated the System like a god, then let it answer for him.
“Let the System decide my fate.” The room broke out in an eruption of yelling and talking. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. The high human actually appeared happy with the response. Asher finally caught sight of Tyranis, the elf sat with his wives, Lyton, and Tosh; none of them looked happy.
“You heard the human,” the high human said. In his immaculate hair, and perfect jawline he gave Asher a wide grin as he turned to a specific platform. “System Representative, what say the System?” The screen above Asher focused on a new platform. On it was a humanoid figure in a full body robe. Like some married muslim woman, it covered them from head to toe. It was a light brown color. There was only a slit in the robe for the representative's eyes. The person in the robes slowly stood and approached the end of the platform.
“The System,” a very robotic voice tried to say, but then stopped as a jagged hole was ripped in space next to them.
Like a crack in the air a white light broke out from the space rift and a little figure stepped out. It was a small kid, maybe a human. They wore a simple business suit like on Earth, black jacket, white shirt, and a black bow tie. The child had brown hair cut short. Despite being the size of a 12-year old the face was very mature as it stepped from the white opening in the air. The boy looked around at his surroundings. The robed figure backed up slowly.
“Jump,” the small boy said to the representative. Without hesitation the being in the robe jumped off the platform. As it fell to its death it did not scream and hit the hard metal floor with a thud. No one but Asher paid it any mind. He looked up to where the representative had jumped from. All eyes stared up. No one bothered to look at the screen.
The room quieted down immediately. Asher watched many occupants of platforms drop to their hands and knees as they looked in the small boy’s direction. The high human next to Asher began to sweat. “Avatar of the System,” the high human said as his voice cracked. “We did not expect you.”
The small child looked around a little more. He locked eyes with the high human. The man immediately went to his knees. The guard next to Asher fell to the ground. He appeared to have passed out. Then the Avatar looked at Asher.
He sensed it then. The waves of mana leaking out from the boy. As they locked eyes he felt like he understood what the System actually was. Just a small part of it, but enough. It knew everything. The eyes dug into his soul and saw what made him tick. It knew everything because it was inside of him. It leant him power, and only through its will would he be allowed to continue to breathe.
A crushing typhoon of mana seeped out of the small boy, causing Asher to sweat. As they locked eyes he did his best not to fall to his own knee.
“You have disappointed the System,” the Avatar said. His eyes were locked on Asher, but then they broke away. The small boy's glare began glancing around the room. “All of you have disappointed the System.” People began to wail in anguish from the words. Asher began to sweat. He didn’t think such simple words could lead to so much fear from the other League members. The boy’s voice sounded like a child, but it held a great deal of strength. His words boomed in the large room like thunder.
“What petty games you play. The System has chosen the Lawful Good. He is right to be angry with you. He could kill every one of you here, and the System would only reward him. None of you are safe, and it’s been too long since you were reminded of that.” Asher felt the air vibrate with mana. He gulped.
“War is coming to your League,” he said. The room began to tremble a little. “No sector will be safe. Those that pass the Trials will be rewarded, because they will be the Arms of the System. All 9 will be required for this fight. Whether the Lawful Good lives through his Trials is up to him, but until they are complete, no one may touch him.”
“I am sorry Avatar. We did not know,” the high human said, still on his knees.
“Yes, you did,” the boy spat. “You have simply chosen to ignore. So hear me now people of the League. The System has spoken. While you continue to play your games we see and know all. All of your sins are laid clear as day for the System to pass judgment. If not now, then soon the Heroes will lay waste to all that do wrong. Whether you like it or not. That day will be as many of you feared. The System will send the Lawful Good to the worst of you.” Many more people wailed with the admission. That was news to Asher. He looked around the room. Even the Roktai stared at the ground, as if too afraid to look up.The room became quiet as the Avatar scanned the cowering people.
“Ask your question Lawful Good,” the Avatar said, staring back at him.
Asher was caught off guard getting called out. Under the torrent of mana he tried to think of anything to ask. But right then he could only think of one major question that had been bothering him. “Why did the System have me do all those bad things with my last quest?”
The small boy smiled. “Were they bad?” He asked. Asher frowned. “How about I ask you why you did them, Lawful Good? The quest was to find the culprit. They were right in front of you. I thought you were taught how to investigate. Did you not learn anything about interviewing people?” The boy had a cocky smile on his lips. “As you know, quests are never as straightforward as they appear. But more often than not, the answer is right in front of you.”
Asher hadn’t thought about that. Looking back, the correct answer should have been to ask everyone at Crest first. Most of the time it was a spouse that killed the husband or wife. Always someone close to the target. Why did he jump to the conclusion of sabotage by an outside party? Had he watched too many movies? Did he latch onto the Kimsee solution because it had more intrigue?
“The Lawful Good was right,” the Avatar said, staring back at the room. “We are intruding on their lives. The System does it to test and reward. Because much bloodshed is on the horizon and we need all the warriors we can get. You do it for entertainment and to feel superior.” The room was pregnant with the heavy pause from the Avatar. Asher thought he was done, but then his voice boomed one last time. “Tell me Lawful Good, who among these judges would you want dead? Point them out, and I would have it done. They have caused you issue, and though the System pays its debts, I believe the League should be reminded to pay theirs.”
Asher at first thought he was joking, but as the mana exuded out of the Avatar the stare never lingered. Even so far away Asher could feel it. “I’m good, I don’t think I need anyone killed.”
“Are you sure?” The Avatar said. The mana in the air only became thicker. “Many have plotted to have you taken out of the picture. I could point them out if you like.”
With the Burills already on his back the only one he could think of that he wanted killed was Plarious, but Asher would do that honor himself. “Yeah, no, if I need someone killed I’ll do it myself,” he finally said.
“Then kill the man next to you, the high human,” the Avatar said. “He helped plot a great deal of pain for you today.” Asher looked down at the high human speaker. He was sweating profusely as his eyes shut. Either sweat or tears dropped from his face, Asher wasn’t sure. He had acted so high and mighty earlier, but now he simply looked pathetic.
Asher wasn’t an executioner, despite taking off some people’s heads. Besides, he was supposed to represent his people to this League. It would probably piss more people off if he went through with it.
“I mean, Avatar sir, it looks like it failed,” Asher said. “Maybe I’ll just leave them with a warning?”
The Avatar looked at him, then cracked a smile. A booming laugh was let out by the Avatar as the onslaught of mana disappeared. “Those of you too weak to speak out against wrong. I hope that you understand why the Lawful Good was chosen now. The next time I am called here in regards to the Lawful Good. Know that the System will not be happy.” With a wave of his hand the cuffs on Asher’s wrists fell off and the Avatar was gone.
The large room was silent with the Avatar’s passing. People slowly began to stand up. As if in a daze they looked around, some fearing the Avatar was still there.
“So I passed my trial, right?” Asher asked the high human next to him as the man stood. A wide smile on his face Ash kind of liked having the System in his corner.
—-
“I don’t think this has ever happened before,” Tyranis said. His father-in-law was still in a daze.
“Which part?” Asher asked.
“The Avatar, the trial, any of it,” he admitted.
“You mind starting from the beginning? I feel like I came in about half-way through the story,” Asher admitted. They were on the Roktai platform. Asher noticed it was made from a gray steel and was shaped like a dog bowl. There was a door at the back. More than one group of people had begged for his forgiveness, and they had to lock themselves in there until the people left. They were simply waiting for the crowd to die down outside. Tyranis and his wives appeared a little shell-shocked with the Avatar gone. Lyola’s uncle Lyton stayed quiet off to the side. Tosh was the only one that was mostly there.
Tosh began. “They didn’t let us come back to see you in holding,” he said. “We were called for a general assembly. They talked about some colonization plans of some people. Other minor things. Then sprung your trial on everyone. Before we knew it they voted to have the trial done by those here.”
“I’m guessing that’s not normal,” Asher said.
“Not at all,” Tyranis admitted. “I’ve been a part of 2 trials. And they were heinous crimes. 1 resulted in banishment for a people from the League. What you did? I thought it was a joke.” He paused, shaking his head.
“They showed video of your interview. They proved no mana was used to influence how you acted,” Tosh said. “We asked if there were chemicals used, but unfortunately they didn’t have the right equipment set up to monitor that.”
“Convenient,” Asher said.
“Yes, then they brought you out,” Tyranis said. “Next time someone asks if you did something. Ask for more clarification. Do not admit your guilt.”
“I thought I was,” Asher said.
“They said blaspheme the System. The most you did was curse. Blaspheme implies you denounced the System. A much steeper crime here on Prime.”
Asher let out a long sigh. He didn’t see the difference. But high humans were a touchy lot. He learned that well in prison. “Sorry,” he said. “What about me calling for the System?”
“That’s as dumb as asking for Trial by Combat,” Tosh said. “Your people are not part of the League. They have no real authority to punish you. But if the System said you were guilty, then everyone would accept it. The representative is always dodgy. They could take titles away. Give you a slap on the wrist or have you killed.”
“What was with the rep jumping to his death like that?” Asher asked. He was still a little shook up by that. Everyone else had seemed to ignore it.
“I do not know, but I suspect he may have been compromised or bought. This whole trial was rushed and flimsy.”
“Yeah that high human sure appeared happy I called for the System,” Asher said. “Didn’t like that it actually came.”
“No, no one expected that,” Tyranis said. “I still cannot believe it. I had heard stories. My grandfather spoke of it happening once some 15,000 years ago. But to actually see it was very…humbling.”
“All's well that ends well I guess. Nice to finally know that there’s an actual plus side to being Lawful Good. Looks like the System has my back,” Asher chuckled, no one else did.
“What was with the question you asked?” Lyton finally asked.
“Oh, some dumb quest the System sent me on. Kind of the whole reason I was upset at the System in the first place. You know the Silver Fox I slayed and all the issues a few days ago? There were a lot of consequences to the quest and I wasn’t sure if it knew all that bad stuff would happen.”
“Yes, the old conundrum,” Tyranis said. “Damned if you do the quest, damned if you don’t.”
“Exactly,” Asher said. “In all honesty, I think I’m more confused now.” They sat quietly for a time. Eventually Asher admitted. “I miss my wives. Can we go back to Elantontrin now?”
“Yes, I think we’ve waited long enough,” Tyranis said. They got up together. Tyranis led but Millfadona grabbed Asher’s arm.
“We would like to speak to our future son for a moment,” Millfadona said. The male elves looked back but nodded. They stepped out of the room.
Asher was left with Lyola’s mom Millie, and Lyola’s sister-mothers Reeleah and Kalfear. They looked him in the eyes. Asher gulped. “Lyola’s ok, right?” He asked. He feared they needed to tell him something about his child.
“She is fine,” Millie said. “Angry, but fine. No, we simply wanted to say we are happy you are in the family.” Tears were in her eyes. “I have never seen Lyola so happy before. And seeing you tried we feared the worst. Your first-wife said you would be fine, but we worried. It wasn’t till I saw you there and the strength you showed to the Avatar that we understood a little of what Lyola sees in you.” The 3 women bowed their heads. “We would like to do better at being your mother-in-laws.”
Asher stepped up and hugged all 3 of them. “I love your daughter very much. And I’m glad she has you all. I’ll try to be a better son too.” Asher let the hug linger for a second. Then they were walking out the door. They stepped out into a long hallway.
They caught up with the men. By then the women’s eyes were dry. Walking in silence Asher walked next to Lyton. “You ok?” He asked the tall Stone Elf.
Lyton appeared to be brought out of his own thoughts. “I think so,” he admitted. “I’m simply affected by the Avatar.”
“Yeah, he felt pretty strong,” Asher admitted.
“Yes, I do not know how you spoke to him,” Lyton said. “It was all I could do to not go to my knees.” Asher agreed. He had felt the power from Tiberion when he was close to him. The Avatar was hundreds of feet away, and Asher felt like the being could have destroyed him with a thought.
“I always thought my father was a coward,” Lyton said. “He stopped traveling sectors in fear of a man. Now I think I understand a little of what he meant.”
“I can see that,” Asher said. “I mean. I wonder what level the Avatar is. How long would it take to catch up? It’s so exciting isn’t it? Everytime I think I meet someone strong. There’s someone stronger. There’s always a bigger fish,” he quoted.
Lyton was quiet then suddenly he slapped Asher on the back with a laugh. “Yes, I see your point. I must say I like your point of view, Lawful Good.”
“Ugh, don’t call me that,” Asher said. With that they headed down an elevator. The base level was practically empty as they found the portal to Elantontrin.
“I was surprised you did not ask the Avatar to kill the Burills,” Reeleah said.
“Eh,” Asher said. “There’s really only 1 Burill I hate, and I’ll do that honor myself. Besides, I doubt the Avatar would have gone through with it. I think it was another test.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Tyranis admitted.
Asher was the last to step out of the portal from Prime. His parents and women were there waiting for him. The elves moved to the side as his mother walked up first. Asher opened his arms for a hug but she slapped him on the top of the head.
“You stupid son of mine. How do you alway get in these messes?” She demanded.
“I don’t know,” he admitted, dodging another blow. “They just happen.”
“Do better,” she said, pointing a finger at his face. The only thing he could do was nod. “I am proud that you tried to work with the other Champions.”
“Do you think anything will come of it?” He asked.
“Who knows?” She admitted stepping aside. His father gave him a nod and he joined her.
Tiff was only a few steps away as she jumped at him. Her legs wrapped around him as she kissed all over his face. “You were so sexy on the vids,” she whispered hoarsely in his ear.
“Thank you, my love,” he said. They stared in one another’s eyes for a little bit. She gave him another peck on the lips then dropped down. Revealing Lyola, the shy elf stepped up.
“How are you, my Princess?” He asked. A smile came to her lips as she stepped forward. He bent down and kissed her on the lips lightly.
“I am glad you are back, husband. You will have to tell us all that went on,” she said. Grabbing his hand Tiff grabbed the other and they walked away from the portal.
“Well first they threw me in prison,” he said.
“Prison?” Tiff asked. “Did you become someone’s bitch?”
“No, of course not. I had a few of my own,” he admitted.
“Ha,” Tiff laughed. “Did you get shanked?”
“There was one that tried,” he said. “You’re not gonna believe why she wanted to kill me…”
