The frantic, muffled scuffling could be heard through the stone walls of the dimly lit basement, as the various covenant members began to prepare the church for what was to come. Norman’s team along with William coordinated the effort, while Simon and Katherine guarded Victoria below. Despite the atmosphere, several of the more egotistical members of the church tried to approach Simon within the basement to justify why their presence would help with the trial. The prideful ministers were browbeaten into compliance by all of the senior leadership, understanding their position and what was expected. The pastors all knew that they were to cast aside their own pride when calling upon their lord, who both knew and saw all.

Once the church had been adequately prepared the vampire was escorted upstairs, with both Simon and Katherine carrying Victoria to the altar. The few clergymen who were allowed to remain within the church stood guarding the various doors, engaging in hushed conversation if their stations allowed for it. From beyond the confines of the church various nuns could be heard shooing away any curious on-lookers trying to peer into the chapel. Both William and Simon felt the growing heavy atmosphere of hostility and hatred that had manifested within the church, all centered on a single individual.

Once the preparations had been finalised, Simon gave the signal to the highest-ranking clergy. The priest’s prayer reverberated around the halls, amplifying and echoing his voice throughout the various nooks and crevices. Simon watched silently as Elias and Norman paced back and forth in front of the lectern, rhythmically swinging censers filled with holy incense. With each verse the beams of sunlight seemed to intensify, growing in strength as the priest reached conclusion of his rites.

With the prayer’s climax, a wave of divine awe emanated from the sunbeams, as two holy figures manifested atop the altar, each releasing a calming glow. The assorted religious men all knelt before the two figures from their respective posts, in contrast to the vampire who had collapsed onto her knees in pain. One of the two figures resembled the angels depicted in contemporary art, an androgynous human form with a pair of large, feathered wings emerging from its shoulder blades. The pure white cloth that covered their tanned chest, reminded Simon of the togas worn by the ancient Greek philosophers, minus the ornamental decorations that displayed their wearer’s status.

The other form was far removed from any mortal body that Simon had ever seen. The second being comprised entirely of human-heads, molded together to form a ring resting on top of a golden halo. Each head was different, both in gender, nationality and apparent age, but all wore the same sombre expression as it judged everyone in the room with its cold and expressionless eyes. The angel gently floated above the altar, rotating its body slowly and silently radiating its unspoken power.

Everyone remained kneeling, relying on the high priest to welcome their presence “O’ servant of our Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers.” The amalgamation was the first to speak, words seemingly forming from all of their mouths and yet none of them simultaneously. “You may rise.” The angelic Prescence waited patiently for most of the attending parties to revert to a more comfortable stance. “We have been called here by our loyal soldiers to judge a soul that has lost their humanity.” it said, its stationary body motionlessly indicating towards their winged colleague. “You, Remus, shall be the one to judge this being of chaos, with the full weight of our lord behind you. Consider this a test not only of the vampire’s character, but of your own as well.” The angelic figure bowed to turn their full attention onto the vampire. “I accept the task you have given onto me, Utultar”

Remus raised their hands, summoning chains of light from the church floor that quickly bound Victoria sending her into anguished cries. Simon noticed that most of his colleagues wore looks resembling zealous gratification, sneering down at one of their most hated foes writhing in pain. A few of the more sympathetic souls cringed in response to her tortured cries. The pair of warriors, who were previously guarding the prisoner, were gently lifted up into the air and carefully placed on to the nearby pews. “Bound before us is but a lowly creature, deprived of their humanity. Their soul shall now be judged before our lord’s truths.” The angel lowered itself onto the church floor, erasing all nearby shadows with its heavenly radiance. “Should you bare false testimony, my righteous chains will sear your flesh as a reminder for what awaits you.”

Simon and his disciples could only watch as Remus conducted his trial, setting out punishments for dishonest behavior. “Hell-spawn, my first question for you is: Do you harbor hatred against humanity? Do you harbor any ill will against your former kin?” The vampire was noticeably struggling to remain upright, clearly relying on her binds to not collapse. “I bare no ill will against humanity, instead I....” Her follow-up was cut short as Remus ignited her bonds, “Do not try to lie and avoid the questions. You have been warned.” The vampire now panting, struggling to answer could only respond “I hold no such thoughts.” In the silence that followed, Simon snuck a quick glance around the room, noticing various confused faces wondering as to why such a fictitious statement would not garner a violent reaction from the angel’s bonds. Even Remus gave temporary pause, expecting the chains to activate to her lie and cause additional pain.

Partially due to their annoyance, additional chains emerged from the floor causing additional pain and exhaustion onto Victoria, and almost daring to punish her for deviating from her expected nature. Remus, emboldened by their perceived setback, continued his questions “Have you ever stolen anything?” The weakened vampire, could only pant out a response in the negative. This line of accusatory questioning continued as the vampire continued to deny completing any hedonistic or criminal acts, much to the annoyance of Remus. Simon mused that her judge and accuser was anticipating an ever-growing list of her misdeeds; however, their own holy magic was evidentially showing the opposite. Many of the more open-minded observers had noticed that Victoria was getting burned only when she tried to defend herself or expand her answers. Despite Remus’ planned climax failing to gain the momentum that they had hoped, they continued to the more egregious accusations. “Have you ever killed before?”

The vampire, pushed to the edge, again stubbornly tried to expand on the question. “Can you please clarify what you...” Again, the vampire was silenced by an intense white-hot pain. “Do werewo....” each attempt being abruptly cut short. Gasping for air, she eventually relented “Yes...” Satisfied, Remus dismissed his chains as Victoria could only lie collapsed on the floor. “I believe we have heard enough. Despite your previous answers, you are still a sinful and murderous creature. William, as per your agreement come forth and execute this murderous vampire. Despite her apparent lawful acts, her true nature cannot hide from our lord.”

Solemnly, William walked up to Victoria with his sword drawn. Remus lifted Victoria in the air, using their golden chains to form a makeshift executioner’s block. William readied his sword, resolving himself to his task. “Do you have any last words?” Instead of acceptance, anger or hysteria the vampire seemed to be resolved. “I think it is clear to everyone here that this trial was entered into with a predetermined outcome. No matter what words I could say, our Judge would never allow me to be saved, redeemed or see any result other than divine retribution.”

Simon could only continue watching, understanding that her words would likely fall on unsympathetic ears. “'When they continued to persist in their question, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.' The book of John, Chapter eight, verse seven." While most of the spectators were held in a shocked, yet courteous silence, Remus held back their tongue, knowing that whatever biblical utterances Victoria made, would not change her fate. Summoning the last dregs of energy, the vampire to continue her last words, “By the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas there are but seven vices that spur sins and immorality, those being pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. Despite your status as self-proclaimed moral arbiters, you have committed several of the cardinal sins in the process of conducting this trial; including both your pride as a representative of your lord and your wrath towards anything not of your church.” As she spoke her final words, Victoria’s gaze was focused solely on the angel before her. “While you might celebrate your judgment here today, when you look back on this trial you may regret the outcome. For when you are faced with an opposition who is in a position to counter your questioning, you may very well find yourself lacking.”

Painfully, Victoria turned her neck to look at William. “I have said my piece, shall we end this facade?” Remus recomposed themself as to hide any anger they held in regards their authority and virtue being questioned. The angel then nodded to William, giving the command to end her life. As the sword swung down over his head, it was caught by yet another blade of light. Utultar decided to speak, “Stay your sword!” Its commanding words reverberated around the cathedral, causing many observers to collapse onto their knees.

“We were going to address this once we had returned, however this vampire’s words are true. While I am not able to ascertain this creature’s true nature, she has conducted herself with more virtue than your own actions.” The magical constructs disappeared as Victoria fell to the floor, despite being free of her bonds, her body was unable to sustain her weight. “Due to my colleagues' actions, I shall take over this trial.” Utultar’s words instantly dissipated the hostility that was suffocating the room. Ignoring the shock of their colleague, the more senior angel pressed on. “Victoria, you attempted multiple times to explain your actions. You may speak freely and explain any number of them. Would someone mind bringing a chair, as my creations would only torture her further.”

The slight reprieve was enough for Victoria to regain enough of her strength to talk coherently, “Most of my answers do not need clarification. I will only clarify two points, as they require elaboration. I harbor no ill will against anyone. I try to live by making mutually beneficial trades, those who are not willing, coercive or forceful are poor choices. Humanity as a whole has many kinds of people, good and evil. Working with either will allow me to survive and carry about my own affairs.”

Unfazed by her explanation, Utultar continued with a fairer assessment of her character, “So, how do you feel about the church?” Despite the scowl held by Remus, Victoria continued her measured response “The church, despite its outward appearance, is the same as any human organisation. It is fraught with corruption and infighting; however, some orders and parishes do perform beneficial acts. I can only appraise particular members I encounter and not the church as a whole. I believe that both holy and dark factions have worked together in the past, I see no reason as to why we cannot co-exist to some extent.” This response garnered several dissatisfied murmurs from spectators, only to be silenced by Utultar. “Regardless of her being, this vampire’s words are correct. Given the many issues which still linger from the various anti-popes, I would not discount her words so lightly.”

“I also wanted to clarify a few things regarding the few occasions where I have killed.” Whatever hostility was dampened by the archangel’s words, were quickly renewed. “Subject tp how you count a life, I have killed either twelve or fifteen people depending on whether or not we include werewolves. All of the twelve humans were lawfully killed as punishment for their various crimes, counting both when I was human and as a vampire. I was given authority to act by a lord of this land that was recognised by royalty. If I recall correctly 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.' from Mark chapter twelve, verse seventeen. One can interoperate that as abiding by the earthly laws in addition to God’s laws, although that is a point of contention for scholars.” Simon hesitantly spoke up, “If you don’t mind me interjecting, may I ask with what crimes were these people charged with?” The angel acknowledged his question, without seemingly moving, and directed Victoria to speak, “They were all bandits or violent mercenaries that had committed some combination of murder, rape, assault, arson and crimes against the crown. All were given a fair hearing and were found to be guilty under the law.” Utultar did not immediately respond, appearing to stare off into the distance. “What this vampire has said is the truth, all of the lives she has taken followed that procedure.” Several murmurs and gasps could be heard through the halls, Simon noticed how even Warin’s expression was that of shock.

Silence quickly fell upon the hall, as evidently that was her final answer, signaling an end of the latest questioning. Simon was still unconvinced that Victoria could escape death, but now she was allowed to speak freely to those around her where she managed to sow some seeds of doubt. The Archangel broke the silence, “We have heard your words and actions. While you are not committing any heretical acts, we cannot properly judge your soul. We have one final test which will determine your fate. We shall enter your soul and judge it accordingly.”