The Rise to Godhood
Chapter 8: The Trial.

Areela felt heartbroken as she sought Zelinko among the spectators in the Ronesian Criminal Court. Murder trials were uncommon in Zetan society, and her case was the highest-profile case in a long time. She and Kailow were on trial for murdering Xialiab Sandrom, while Zelinko was not in the courtroom.

Judge Jasper Javonom hit the gavel to silence the spectators and spoke, “Areela Kheeran and Kailow Voltrom. The two of you stand trial for murdering the prominent scholar Xialiab Sandrom. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” Kailow replied.

“Not guilty,” Areela stated.

Judge Jasper turned to Areela, gave her a stern look, and spoke, “Your fingerprints were on the murder weapon. Furthermore, you were covered in Xialiab’s blood, and you were in the room when our police officers arrived. So how can you claim innocence?”

Areela drank some water to calm her nerves, and she got teary-eyed when she realised that Zelinko hadn’t arrived for the trial.

“I did not murder Xialiab. He was about to murder Zelinko Siblexom when I intervened. So I killed him in self-defence. It was the only way to save the mayor’s son.” Areela explained.

“Oh yes. You and Kailow came together with an insane story to blame the mayor’s son for murdering the head of the Ronesian Science Academy. There is, however, a problem with that story. Zelinko was at his wedding with his newly-wed wife, Lady Shauwana.” Jasper stated.

“It’s a lie. Zelinko was with us at the science academy.” Kailow interjected.

Jasper hit the gavel, stared at Kailow, and exclaimed, “Silence, servant. Don’t speak unless spoken to first.”

After his exclamation, Jasper sent a sublime psionic blast towards Kailow that muddled his senses and made him unable to speak.

Jasper turned to Areela and spoke again, “Here is what happened that fateful night. Xialiab sought a court document to detain you to protect his unborn child. Once you were in his custody, you asked your brother to break you out. You were the one who dealt the killing blow while Kailow was your accessory.”

“No, it’s not true. Kailow and Zelinko came to save me from Xialiab. The child wasn’t his, so he wanted to perform experimental surgery to disfigure it.” Areela replied.

“Enough. Admit the murder, and the court will spare your brother and child.” Jasper roared.

“No, I am innocent!” Areela said defiantly.

“Silence! I have had enough of your insolence.” Jasper shouted, lost control of his emotions, and blasted Areela with a psionic blast that knocked her out.

The onlookers stared in awe at Judge Jasper, and medics rushed to Areela. Jasper flushed, and his cheeks turned silvery from the embarrassment. This was not how a judge should act. He had lost his patience with the insolent servant who had murdered his half-brother, Xialiab. Jasper hit the gavel many times and shouted, “Court adjourned, please leave the courtroom.”

Guards entered the courtroom and escorted the onlookers out of the building.

***

Zelinko couldn’t enjoy his time on the luxurious space yacht, which orbited the beautiful pink gas planet Seralius. He was on a honeymoon with his wife Shauwana, yet another woman’s fate occupied his mind. Moreover, Zelinko felt terrible for not protecting Areela as she stood trial for murdering Xialiab.

After the Ronesian Science Academy confrontation, Zelinko had been too weak to move. Finally, after an undisclosed time, he had opened his eyes when his father Siblex and his wife Shauwana had helped him away from the scene. They had dragged him onto a space yacht to leave for his honeymoon the following day. Two weeks later, he had recovered from his fight with Xialiab, and he was cruising the Zetan star system with his newly-wedded wife.

Zelinko turned on the hologram TV and watched Areela’s trial. It was a foregone conclusion. Areela belonged to the servant caste, and the judge was Xialiab’s half-brother. Nothing except for his intervention could save the mother of his future child.

Zelinko struggled with his conscience. He wanted to save Areela, but admitting what happened would destroy his marriage and his father’s career. What would he do?

Shauwana entered Zelinko’s room, turned off the TV, and spoke gently. “Don’t worry about that trial, my dear. Areela’s conviction will be for the best. If your unborn child means so much to you, we can adopt him. He will, after all, be an orphan otherwise.”

“But this is not right. This is all my fault. I seduced Areela as I wanted to be the one fathering the chosen one. She never stood a chance.” Zelinko said and sighed.

“Don’t be silly. Who cares about prophecies uttered by a delusional seer on her death bed? Think ahead, my dear. I forgive your transgressions, and we can rule Ronesia after your father’s retirement. That’s a goal to strive for.” Shauwana said.

Zelinko nodded. He didn’t want to argue with Shauwana about his problems. It served no purpose, and besides, there was no way he would be able to get back to the trial in time to save Areela.

Shauwana smiled at Zelinko, unzipped her dress, and spoke. “So, so, my dear. Do you know what’s the best part of being pregnant is?”

“Um, no, please tell me,” Zelinko said and stared away in the distance.

“The best part is that we can enjoy as much sex as we want without the risk of breaking the conception laws. I cannot get pregnant if I am already pregnant,” Shauwana seduced.

Zelinko gave in to Shauwana’s advances and kissed her. If he couldn’t get rid of his mental anguish, he could at least enjoy Shauwana’s body.

***

“Areela Kheeran, the court replaces you guilty of murder. You will be executed on the autumn solstice eight months from now. Kailow Voltrom, the court replaces you guilty of being an accessory to murder, and the court sentences you to deportation to Disyerto-2. You’ll remain in prison until the next spaceship is ready to take you away. Case closed.”

Areela covered her face and sobbed in silence as Judge Jasper Javonom hit the gavel and handed her the final sentence. Only a miracle could save her now.