“Thirteen counts of murder. Thirty counts of attempted murder. Fifty counts of grievous bodily harm. Pretty impressive. Especially for self defence…”
The Temthan prosecutor walked up and down, taunting the prisoner with his ability to stand. For everyone’s safety, the prisoner had been tied to their chair, unable to move anything apart from their jaw.
“Self defence. They would have slaughtered us all!”
“Yes, you have said that. Did you really have to kill them though? Someone with your talents…”
The prisoner growled. “It was that or they rape me and the other thirty females in my village! What was I supposed to do? Let them?”
The prosecutor’s smile faded. Situations like this were what he hated most about these cases. Murder to protect other beings. Defence of a third party. The only problem was, in rural Temthan locations like this, being murder-free was a huge thing for their tourist industry here. The fact that a famous Temmar music-maker and her close friends and family had all been kidnapped was bad enough, it was even worse that this Temthan citizen had gone and murdered thirteen beings in her bid for freedom. Especially when she had access to non-lethal weaponry. That was why the prosecutor was on this case.
“You didn’t have to kill them.”
“They would have killed me, given the chance. Raped me first, probably. And probably murdered my FAMILY in front of me! The way they MURDERED my partner!”
The prosecutor sighed. “I know, I know…”
Someone knocked on the door behind them. The prosecutor spun around to see who it was. “Who is there?”
“The second prosecutor you wanted.”
The prosecutor blinked. “I did not…”
“Judge ordered one. They’re here. Sending them in.”
The door opened, and in walked a talk, muscular, white and silver Temthan. His eyes shined bright blue. The door quickly slammed shut behind him.
“Hello, Gallianu. Hello, accused.”
His voice was heavenly, a very rare trait among normal Temthans. Only a handful of sub-races, the Temmar in particular, had nice voices.
“Hello, what is your name?”
“Keros. I am here with a plea-bargain. They’re calling for life imprisonment or execution. I have a better deal.”
The accused growled again. She was in pain. Her injuries had been treated, but she was bruised and beaten. There had been so much messing around, all she wanted to do was go outside in the sunshine, and perhaps write a song or something.
“What sort of deal?” Gallianu asked. “I was told if she pleaded guilty, she would get fifty years.”
“There is a Research and Development company interested in her. Forced experimentation. One year. She might not come out of it as beautiful as she is now, but one year compared to the rest of her life… Plus, this R&D group, they are connected to the Whenvern…” Keros paused. “Oh, who am I kidding? I am no good at subterfuge. Not my duty…”
A pair of wings suddenly spouted from Keros’s back. Horns grew from his head and shining blue armour appeared out of thin air.
“Holy Whenvern!” Gallianu fell backwards, leaning against the plastic wall of the prisoner’s cell.
“Well said,” Kairos smiled. “I am not really sure why I sneaked in. Perhaps to see this little prisoner myself. I’ve been scouring the skies, looking for someone to help me.”
“Why?” the prisoner asked.
“Two weeks ago, The Demon Stasis found a new pet, someone to serve him, to help him destroy our ranks. I want to combat this threat. Unfortunately a few days ago, I caught word that the Cycle had taken the lives of not one but three subjects I had intended to use to create a new warrior. I am happy to have made it before Death could claim you, little prisoner.”
Gallianu had no idea how to respond. Neither did the Temmar. Neither of them had a chance to, as Kairos raised his clawed hand, and the prisoner’s binds exploded into nothingness. A beam of light then enveloped the prisoner. Something could be heard. A beat. A tune. A melody.
The light faded as soon as it had appeared. But the prisoner was different. A beautiful, elegant body. Her wounds were gone. Her cuts and scratches all faded away. Her clothes were replaced with a delicate, vine-like armour, far stronger than it looked.
With a flick of his other claw, the plastic cell walls disappeared, and the prisoner stepped forward. Kairos smiled, pleased with his work.
“B-b-but what do I say to…”
Kairos turned to Gallianu. “Divine judgement, my friend. The Whenvern has judged the prisoner and made his decision himself. Your security cameras have all of this recorded, you can all see my power. There is no need to worry.”
“What… have you done to me?” the prisoner asked, admiring her beautiful new body.
“I have blessed you. You will serve by my side.”
“Thank you…” The prisoner fell to her knees, but Kairos gently picked her up, holding her hands tightly, giving her confidence and strength.
“Welcome to your new life, Tempo…” the Whenvern grinned as they disappeared in a flash of light.