—Divine Tribunal Chronicle
The Chamber of Verdicts had no shadows—only the unforgiving brilliance of celestial judgment.
Matt stood in the center, bound by silver light. A boy of only sixteen, yet his eyes—calm, haunted—met the gaze of every god present.
Around him, the Circle of Law stood full. Dozens of gods and goddesses, Eternals of both light and time, elemental lords, spirits of starfire. And seated above them all—the Five Imperial Paladins.
Behind Matt, her wings cloaked and face unreadable, stood Amiya.
She had broken every law to raise him.
Now, she was being forced to watch him die.
---
The Accusation.
Monshin rose first.
"This creature—this half-blood—is a danger to existence. Born from the mingling of forbidden bloodlines. Nitine and Eternal. Mortal and divine."
The crowd murmured.
"We have proof," said Analice, smiling cruelly. "Soulprints bound to the Loom of Echoes show his potential. He is not merely powerful. He is… apocalyptic."
Amiya stepped forward.
"He has never harmed anyone."
Thermuz laughed. "Not yet."
"You fear him because you see yourselves in him," she snapped. "Because he is what your power cannot control."
Arshimest raised his hand. "Enough."
He looked to Matt.
"Do you deny what you are?"
Matt stood silently. Then:
"I don't know what I am. I just know I didn't choose it."
A pause.
"But I will choose what I become."
---
The Verdict.
Pailance—the goddess of Balance and Amiya's mother—stood last. Her voice was slow, almost reluctant.
"The boy has no guilt. But his existence alone… unravels too much."
The sky dimmed.
"By order of the Five and assent of Balance… Matt Salurga shall be unmade."
Amiya's scream cracked the Chamber's wards.
"You damned cowards! You fear your own future—so you kill it!"
Guards surged forward.
Matt looked back once. Just once.
She whispered:
"Forgive me. I couldn't protect you from them… but maybe your next life will burn them all."
Then she turned—and vanished in light.
They placed Matt within the Circle of Undoing.
He didn't cry.
He didn't fight.
He looked at the stars.
"If I ever come back… I won't be kind."
Void erupted from the Circle.
His soul screamed.
And then… silence.