After the congregation and officials had their brief meeting, the walked back into the sanctuary, and had a seat. The whole place is totally silent with their eyes and ears focused on Judge Marius.
Baliff: "The defendant will rise and face the judge!"
AXEM stands up while still shackled and faces Judge Marius as the judgement is read...
Marius: "This wasn't an easy decision to make. Clearly you did not intend for this whole mess to occur. It is obvious that your words are genuine and heartfelt. However, we feel that none of this would have happened if you had not taken Ella out of the protective custody of her gaurdians, King Midus and Queen Mia. Regardless of your intentions, it is the judgement of this court that you are responsible for the loss of Princess Ella." (to the procession): "The Grand Court of the United Prefectures finds the defendant Axem the Stone Pillar... GUILTY of failure to protect the the princess from being kidnapped!! You will submit to a sentence of Duchess Ali's choosing."
Ali: "Axem the Stone Pillar, My sister Ella of the Light was considered royalty, right alongside myself. As far as I am concerned, you are just some pond scum who took her from all of us. For that, you will spend the rest of your life in the dungeon under the Duke's Residence in Tanchi City!"
Marius: "The judgement and sentence have been entered into record. This trial is adjourned!"
The whole parliament is in an uproar. Some cheers are heard, some crying is heard, and some shouting and cursing is heard...the latter is heard coming from the spot where the party was sitting. AXEM's facemask is readministered and he is lead away in custody. The whole Parliament turns empty rather quickly and the outside foyer area is quite populated like one would expect after a trial had just ended.
TRITHAL, and THRAX decided they ain't gonna accept that so they search to find King Midus. After several minutes, they manage to track him down in a massive sea of people.
TRITHAL: "King Midus, that can't be it!! That is bullshit!"
King Midus: "I am afraid it is the end for Axem. He has been found guilty of the crime."
This is just a testament to how closely-knit the quartet is: They won't give up.
TRITHAL: "There has got to be something we can do!!!"
King Midus: "..........meet me in my study in one hour."
The party now assumes they are getting somewhere, so they agree to that and head straight to the entertainment room where they were previously. They decide they will wait an hour and head to King Midus' study as he instructed.
Aelle: "So, guys, what, in the name of Xanatos, are we gonna say in an hour when we see King Midus?"
TRITHAL: "Well, there has got to be something we can do!"
THRAX: "Axem? Gone forever? eh-eh. Don't think so."
TRITHAL: "Remember when we almost got butchered and tortured for what we did to the catwalk in Episode 4?"
CHRIS: "You mean, what you did, not us."
TRITHAL: "Pfff. Whatever, Chris. Anyhoo, remember the 'unless'?"
THRAX: "Yeah, I do."
TRITHAL: "Well, there has got to be an 'unless'."
THRAX: "What are you thinking?"
TRITHAL: "You will just have to wait and see."
Alys: "Why won't you tell us now?"
TRITHAL: "'Cuz it would ruin the stomp dramatic effect for the reader!"
Entire party: "OOOOOOooooh!"
An hour passes and, as instructed, proceed to King Midus' study, where oddly enough, they were given their last mission. The gaurds at the door let them in and King Midus is pacing back and forth.
King Midus: "Thank you, gaurd bishop. Return to your post."
Gaurd bishop: "Yessir."
Gaurds then close the door and leave the party alone with King Midus.
King Midus: "So you was wondering if there was something you could do, hmm?"
TRITHAL: "Yeah. There has got to be an 'unless' just like before. We corrected that goof-up, defeated Liiche, restored your health and balanced out the good and evil. And with all due respect to you, Ali, and Ella, Axem was a part of all of this good we did for you. I think we are owed something."
King Midus: "You make an interesting point, Trithal. OK, here's the 'unless'..."
There is a dramatic pause...
CHRIS: "I can't take the suspense!"
King Midus: "We have tried to find Ella, but were unsuccessful. Our intel suggests that Ella may still be alive. In light of all that has happened, we strongly feel that whoever orchestrated Ella's capture, is resurfacing, thereby re-opening up the case. Axem will remain imprisoned for life...unless you nine trek towards the Muriad prefecture which is north of here and try to find Ella. Eventually arriving in Fafara which is on the eastern of side of the Muriad prefecture where Ella was last to be alive."
CHRIS: "Couldn't we just move a sofa or something?"
King Midus: "If you can find Ella and bring her back her safely, I can pull some strings to make sure that Axem will be set free. This is a tough decision. I will allow you some time to make the call in your entertainment room. I will be here when you come to a decision."
The party leaves the study and heads over straight to the entertainment room to discuss their new mission.
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