Strange Aeons [Book 1]

12. When the Smoke is Going Down [part I]

She woke up to the most unusual sound, especially for her. Cheering, applause, enthusiasm. The arena was literally trembling under the thunderous audience shouting in acclamation for their endeavor.

The Expendables were on their side of the arena, sitting on their camp beds. River was holding his head, Irissa was still laying down, with a hand pressed on her face. Staccato was leaning against the wooden wall of the bleachers, and it was impossible to decipher his expression under the hood, but his crossed arms were a clear sign he wasn't happy, at all. Justin himself was nowhere to be seen. Algernon had already gone back to his seat.

Chico had awakened before her, and was finding himself drowned in ovations, with people chanting his names at the top of the adrenaline rush that had possessed the audience. Someone had even thrown a bra to him, and Chico was swinging it around with pride.

Banshee shook her head and looked around. Her name was chanted by someone too. She saw a big hand enter her vision, offering her help to get up.

She caught Garaham's hand. His serious expression was ruined by the light of excitement in his hazel eyes.

«You won. Wouldn't you prefer to celebrate standing up?»

«So... we did? We really, really did? We... won?» she asked, lifting herself up with his help. Garaham nodded, probably as incredulous as she was. A complete victory, and in front of the whole Order. That was something new, for the Pollos.

As enthusiasm rose, she caught Vopros in the warmest hug. He didn't push her away, but sort of hug her back, and she shivered when she clearly felt the insane amount of explosive under his uniform's shirt.

They grabbed Chico and they jumped, knitted together, for a whole circle. Banshee raised his hand toward the sky as if he was a wrestling champion. Chico howl with joy even more.

Then, Banshee turned and did something no one would expect she ever could have the courage to do: she hugged Garaham. As tight as she could, her arms around his neck, banging loudly against his armor. And to the amazement of the Irish woman, instead of stiffening and teleporting her away, he hugged her back.

«Order! Order!» called Algernon, banging his gavel with renewed energy. It took some minutes, more gavel-banging and a couple of Silent spells to tame the loudest galleries.

The two Covens lined in front of the judge's chair.

«Let's put an end to this farce.» Algernon growled, apparently in an even worst mood than when the trial started. «The prosecution lost. Which means the absent Justin and his unfortunate champions have to pay for the wrong accusations moved towards the winners. And, as per the so beloved Codex, the winners get to choose the compensation they consider proper for their sufferings.» he said, fast. Then, looked towards the Pollos with the clear intention of passing down the clear message to hurry.

Just in that moment, Justin appeared in front of the Judge's seat, his noble ibis perched on his shoulder. Chico frowned. Of course, he knew that familiars could respawn, but they usually didn't take so short a time to do so.

«Here I am! What'd I miss? We won? Of course we won! Good job everyone! Let's go home then!» he said, smirking towards the Expendables with no pauses whatsoever.

«I was just announcing the complete and utter defeat of your so-well-chosen champions, Justin.» Algernon's voice, suddenly, got back a deep and profoundly satisfied tone, as did his face when he saw Justin's smile crumble and fall.

«...we lost?» he said, taken aback. He looked at the ibis. The ibis looked at him. Justin pouted. «You underwhelming voice of doom, you!» he reproached the beast, and then turned towards the Judge's seat and shrugged. «Well, we lost. Come to think of it, probably Eva simply misplaced the thing. Or the museum. Humans are so messy. Both when they're alive and when they're dead.» he glared towards the Expendables, without stopping his gaze on no-one in particular.