Levitate || Joshler

s e v e n t e e n ☄️

(Flashback)

Josh stood outside of the tent, staring up to the sky, with Jenna by his side.

"Do you think we can do this?" She asked him.

"Of course we can." Josh replied. "We're gonna get Tyler back, like we promised."

Jenna stroked Josh's arms.

"Did I, ever tell you what he, did to me?"

Josh turned to her.

"Yes."

He started walking off.

"And I dare not talk about it."

"The clan needs to know the truth so that all memory of the leader can be erased. If there are still people in this clan who refuse to believe it, they must be thrown out for good."

"As the leader, I believe in second chances."

"You know Ender and Wren did terrible things to please their leader. They shouldn't live in this clan."

"I will not hear it, Jenna."

"The leader killed my friend and took my sight away! He beat Lilac right in front of me! He forced himself on me for pleasure! Ender and Wren are an abomination to this society and I don't want to live to seem them supporting you!"

"Ender and Wren are locked up right now. When Tyler is rescued, I will decide what happens to them."

(Present)

Josh was seated on his throne in the council hall, with Kai and Linh on his left, and Jenna on his right. Ari was standing with the accused, Ender and Wren, who had brought forth their defender, a brothel worker named Symon.

Symon was a believer in the previous leader, and had represented brothel workers who faced justice in the past. Josh did not trust him, and knew that he had a chance of screwing up.

Separating the accused and Josh was the brimstone of fire, which the Banditos believed would engulf with flames of guilt or innocence.

It also represented the rage Josh had towards the accused, who had attempted to end his life, take his power, and take his precious flower away from him.

At last, when the Bandito crowd was present, Josh knotted to Kai, and the trial began.

"Ender Mastel and Wren Bondarenko." Kai announced. "You both stand accused of war crimes, treason, and conspiracy to attempt murder. How do you plead?"

"My clients plead not guilty!" Symon cried; standing up from his chair.

"The accused will answer the question, Symon." Josh said. "You sit down and stay silent."

The man did as instructed, and Kai repeated the question.

"Accused, how do you plead to these charges?"

Ender looked at his wife, who sat holding her stomach in fear. They both knew what they were facing, but they stood their ground. On behalf of them both, the Bandito stood up in his defense.

"We plead not guilty."

Kai looked back to Josh, and he nodded.

It was time to present the witnesses.

"My lord, I call my first witness, Aries Soroka."

~

Ari came from his post and approached the witness chair right next to Josh's throne.