The Courtroom was a large, polished space with floors of smooth beige rock and white walls, the place illuminated by glowing stone on the ceiling. Iron tables were placed on a stage, with Ashlynn and an elderly man sitting behind them.
"Between days 2 and 94 of the year 3700, Incinera Clastflow and Scoria Jones guided thirteen retired Pyrhene into Magma Heaven's core under the apparent promise of a formality, only to lead them straight to their deaths. It has been proven without a doubt that each suffered a cruel fate that they did not ask for. Although Altezar appealed to the rule that allowed him to put a Tephra out of their misery if they requested, he has abused said ruling in a vile manner, as nothing points to any of the devoured Pyrhenes having any consent. This is murder and a direct violation of Altezar's contract." The judge, clad in his worn toga, said sternly. "First and foremost, psychologists have concluded that miss Clastflow is fully competent to stand trial. Only thing that the experts could diagnose her with is Antisocial Personality Disorder, which will not make a trial like this unfair for her. Clastflow has not denied any of the charges against her. Sickeningly, but not unsurprisingly, she has shown no remorse, expressing nothing but glee at aiding the disgraced Altezar, as well as brutally mocking the victims throughout the trial. A deal to get a potential death sentence off the table was proposed, but Clastflow rejected it. When answering a question regarding Altezar, she never resisted the chance to praise him and his crimes."
"And I still do." Incinera giggled smugly as she stood in the middle of the Courtroom, shackled and held in place by two armed guards.
"We have investigated the possibility that she may have been groomed by Altezar. If that were the case, some leniency may be on the table. Although it is true that Incinera joined Altezar before she even reached adulthood, nothing points towards her being manipulated into joining him. Incinera appears genuinely supportive of Altezar's cause, and she has expressed that worshiping and following him gives her all the 'thrill' and the strength she ever wanted. No signs of trauma or coercion have been found." The judge continued. "On top of that, she even made the decision to act on her own accord and disobey an order by doing something even more heinous. She herself has confessed to the murder of thirteen-year old Flamy Cain and expressed that it was 'for the greater good', which can't be further from the truth. Evidence points that her involvement was more than likely. At the end of the day, the primary charge of treason has also been proven, as she willingly aided Altezar in the acts of murdering innocent civilians and preparing a genocide that goes against intergalactic law."
"Oh, joy..." Incinera giggled.
"Incinera Clastflow, born day 73 of the year 3674, for the crime of treason I sentence you to death. The guillotine will be ready if you decide not to file an appeal in the next eight days. Should you succesfully appeal your death sentence, then you won't be out of the woods. For the crime of malicious child murder I sentence you to life in confinement without parole, and should you appeal that as well, you will still have to serve the maximum of 26 years for each accessory to murder, totalling a total of 338 years in prison. Do you understand these statements and the possibility to file an appeal?"
"Yes, sir." Incinera responded confidently.
"Very well. Any last words, ma'am?" The judge asked.
"Hail Altezar." Incinera giggled, after which she was carried out of the Courtroom by force.
"Very well. Onto Scoria Jones, born day 244 of the year 3676. Unlike her colleague, Scoria has expressed remorse. It has been proven that Scoria genuinely believed that what she was doing what was legal and what had to be done and that she did not have any particular gain by aiding in the deaths of the thirteen Pyrhenes. She also had no malicious intent when joining Altezar, as she only wanted to be a tour guide, unaware in what world she would end up as gondolier under Altezar's supervision. There is no evidence that she had anything to do with the death of Flamy Cain, as she herself expressed disgust at Incinera for performing the act. Scoria's remorse has especially been expressed in the form of her surrender and a deal with prosecutor Ashlynn Blaze." The judge continued. "In exchange for her testimony and a convincing admission of guilt and remorse, prosecutor Blaze promised to drop the treason charge and lower each accessory charge. Court has concluded that Scoria is genuinely remorseful and that she has held her end of the bargain. For that reason, she will not be sentenced for treason."
"Thank you..." Socria, sitting on a bank and in shackles, lowered her gaze as she sighed with relief.
"Per miss Blaze's proposal, she will receive one year for each accessory for a total of thirteen years in prison. She will be eligible for parole after twelve years, provided she behaves. Scoria has made clear before that she understands the nature of the trial and the sentences, thus no need to go over that again." The judge said. "Any last words, miss Jones?"
"Thank you... Ashlynn..." Scoria breathed a sigh in relief, after which she was escorted out of the Courtroom and to her prison cell.
"At last, Coryn Lake, who has refused to join us, has also taken a plea deal. His role in the murders is limited and only restricted to collecting data of vulnerable Tephra. He will receive half of a year for each accessory except for one, as it has also been made clear that there's one Pyrhene's death which he had no involvement with. His actions were wrong, but as they are not enough to constitute treason, he will be sentenced to six years in prison with the possibility of parole after five years." The judge concluded the sentencing. "Thank you for your service." He turned towards Ashlynn, giving her a hand.
"My pleasure, your honor." Ashlynn responded stoically.
"Now, before we end this session, I'd like to give the word to President Rocquin." The judge said, followed by a younger man with short black hair and wearing an eggplant robe with a golden ribbon.
"Good to all have you here, Tephra of Magma Heaven. Before you can go, I would like to give a special mention to prosecutor Ashlynn Blaze. With her strength and ingenuity, Altezar has been taken down in ways that the Cavalry couldn't come up with themselves. For that reason, I would like to hand miss Blaze a Medal for Valor.' The president held up a large medal of unalloyed gold attached to a black ribbon. He then stood on his toes to put the medal on Ashlynn. "For courage, strength and devotion to the laws of Magma Heaven."
"Thank you, mister President." Ashlynn shook the man's hand gratefully. "And remember that my teammates were also of great help."
"They will receive their rewards, too." The President smiled. Not long after, the Courtroom was emptied as the judge and all of the attendees left, except for Magmae, Ignisabeth and Calidia. The ruler gestured for the three females to enter the stage.
"Honorable Pyrhenes, honorable daughter of Ashlynn, you have worked together well. Every Alpha member will receive a fitting bonus above the dividend. Calidia will also be given a fee for her work in turning Scoria in. Now, Calidia..." The president turned around towards the daughter. "Has life been going well for you, now that your mother is a national hero?"
"Oh, I did not notice anything major, to be honest. Life has been going on normally for me. I even got myself a part-time job a few days ago. Reception worker at the nearby gym where my mother gained her strength." Calidia replied politely.
"Well. Congratulations. In either case, as heroes of Magma Heaven, you deserve to be celebrated." The president proceeded to grab a bottle of wine from an iron crate that he had brought with him on stage, as well as five glasses. After filling each one of them, every person on stage had a drink. "This one is for you. To the Alphas. Now, say it with me..."
"To the Alphas!" The Alphas, the president and Calidia all lifted their glass while repeating the chant in unison, smiling and relieved as the calamities had come to an end.