Eclipsed

Chapter 74

As Ren remained cuffed to the cold stone wall of his prison cell, sleep clung to him like a blanket, but it was quickly disturbed by the harsh voices of a few soldiers.

"Time to leave up!" one of them grunted, and Ren was roughly dragged from his cell. His body was weak, still aching from the brutal assault he'd endured, but he had little choice but to comply. He staggered as they pulled him along, his vision blurred, his body barely functioning as the pain from his wounds pulsed with each step.

He was ushered into a courtroom, the heavy wooden doors creaking shut behind him as he was forced to stand before an audience. The stark, cold room made his heart race in anticipation, but his expression remained emotionless—unfazed.

Across the courtroom seats, he spotted familiar faces—Aiko, Kael, Quinn, and Alina—sitting among the audience. They were all seated, Aiko's gaze was intense, though it lacked sympathy. Kael and the others seemed tense, awaiting the proceedings, but it was clear none were there to defend him.

The judge, a stern older man with a commanding presence, stood from his seat, his voice echoing through the silence. "Defendants, please stand."

But there were no defendants to stand. Ren was the only one in the room, and the judge's gaze swept across the figures of authority present, most notably the Queen of Kagestu, seated with an air of cold dignity. She was an elderly woman, her long, green hair cascading down her back, her sharp eyes glowing with authority. Though frail, her posture remained upright, exuding power and influence in the courtroom. Her presence commanded respect, and even Ren couldn't help but notice the icy determination in her gaze.

The judge's voice cut through the stillness again. "The execution of Ren will happen in two days at noon. Now, everyone is dismissed."

With that, the room slowly began to empty, the echo of footsteps fading as the onlookers dispersed. Ren didn't look up, not once. His face remained neutral, his eyes never meeting anyone's. He couldn't find it in himself to care anymore; everything had spiraled out of his control.

As Ren was escorted back to his cell, his thoughts were interrupted by a voice—a familiar one. Aiko approached him, her footsteps ringing in the silence. She was unrelenting, eyes fixed on him as she stood before him, her arms crossed.

"Just so you know, you got what you deserved."

Ren didn't respond, his silence was almost as heavy as the air in the cell. He lowered his gaze, his mind drifting, but Aiko wasn't finished.

"I didn't care if you were the son of Yoruzen... frankly, that didn't matter. I cared about you anyways, but... why did you kill all those innocent people in the land of Astrothesiai?"

The question hung in the air, its weight pressing down on Ren like a suffocating force. His wounds were still fresh, but his mind was colder than ever. He didn't make eye contact, his face grim.

"I did what I had to do..." he said quietly, his voice hoarse. His answer was as curt as always, the words devoid of emotion.

Aiko's hands balled into fists at her sides, her frustration palpable. "What do you mean, 'you did what you had to do'!? They were innocent people, Ren! Why!? I don't understand. At least tell me why!"

Ren chuckled bitterly, but it was followed by a sharp wince of pain. He shifted slightly, the injuries making him groan. Despite that, a sardonic smile tugged at his lips as he looked at her, eyes still distant.

"They're quite alive, alright..." he murmured, though his words were vague, almost taunting in their ambiguity.

Aiko's face flushed with anger. "Damn you... a lying bastard until the end..." she spat, frustration evident in her tone. She turned to leave, her steps heavy as she walked away from him, her back turned in the face of his refusal to explain.