Mayu's Trial

~Narrated by Neptune

His eyes were already open, and his hands were already moving. His hands fought dancing sparks that frightened the little one, so much so that the little one was lured into a corner of isolation. He reached out and slowed his movements, but he could not stop what has already been done. Hyperventilation, shaky breaths, lost of focus and direction; he should have expected this from the little one. He planned all of this after all, to complete one task.

Take the little one to see the first trial in Prazan's history

My name is Neptune, and I will be your narrator for today!

Of course they didn't know things like "trial" or "corruption" or "guilty," but they will know soon enough. After all, they don't have a choice in the matter.

"It's okay Venus, I put out the fire." He assured the little one, speaking slowly to remain calm. His words were hollow, without meaning, just like his will and his love. The sound made the little one flinch, but he could tell that they were calming down.

"Do you promise?" He could see the little one slowly turning their head, and that their mask was coming ajar.

"I promise." He reassured the small one as he gently rested his hands on their shoulders, letting the sign of reassurance sink in for a brief moment. Thankfully, the child understood, and they began to move back to himself.

"Promise with caramel and sprinkles?" Venus' mask was gently readjusted by the older masked male, and things were back to the way they used to be. Whether or not that's a good thing is still in the debates.

"I promise with caramel and sprinkles. Now hurry, we dont want to be late. We're almost there." The older male went from reassuring the child to urging them to continue within a split second, a reminder of who they really are.

"I didn't realize we were so close, why didn't you tell me Mars?" And of course, the child accepts this, as the child never had a choice in the matter. Nor will they ever.

"I did not realize it until now. If we have enough time I will buy you some ice cream after the trial."

"Who is on trial Mars?"

"A girl by the name of Mayu Satama. She has been accused of kidnapping her little brother."

"What's her brother's name?"

"Tate Satama."

The child paused. One wouldn't notice at a first glance but the child was somber, their posture no longer as upright as it once was. But of course, Mars ignored it. The child will learn sooner or later that they can't let this show when they are older, and Mars will teach them how. But not now. The child will have their innocence- at least for this time.

"Did she do it?" The child inquired, looking up to Mars and grabbing their sleeve as they helped him clean up the fireplace.

"No she did not." Mars was blunt and neutral in their response, kicking dirt back into the place where they were before packing up their supplies as SOP.

"So they wont be mad at her will they?" Venus asked quietly, lowering their voice as they handed Mars a blanket to place back in the bag.

"They already are." Mars informed the little one blankly as he took the blanket and packed it with everything else, giving Venus a pat on the head as SOP.

"Why?" Venus only continued to inquire as they followed Mars away from the former campsite, out in the woods to the east.

"Because they don't care if she actually did it or not."

"Then what's the point?"

"She needs to be eliminated so that they can get power."

"What's so great about power?"

For the first time in years, Mars could feel something. Something he didn't want there. Something that made him alive, and it was going to get them both killed. "I don't know Venus. I'm sorry, I don't know." Was all Mars could say as they arrived at the town, where the trial was taking place in a plaza.

The two of them lowered their voices as they took their seats.

"Dont be sorry, I know it's not your fault."

"Why do you know what fault means?"

"Mayu-Chan was nice enough to teach me."

"Did she teach you all of those other words?"

"Yes. I hope she isn't declared guilty."

"I'm sorry Venus. Now quiet down, the trial is starting."

The judge was a masked figure, as standard procedure for all cases.

"All reside, we now begin the trial of Mayu Satama. Miss Satama, how do you plead?" The judge's voice boomed throughout the quiet, filled room.

A young woman stood up, tears in her eyes as she was escorted to the podium with two guards.

"You know I'm not guilty." The woman glared at the judge in front of her.

"I declare guilty as charged." The judge called loudly

"But.. that wasn't even five minutes..." Venus began to feel a weight in their chest

"I'm sorry Venus. They declared her guilty." Mars told them gently

"Is she going to die?"

"Yes she is going to die."

"What did she do wrong?"

"She got in the way of corruption."

"Is that wrong?"

"No."

"Then why?"

"Because they want power."

"Do they have it now?"

"Yes."

Mars took the entire time on the way back trying to understand what he was feeling. But he remembered a riddle taught to him earlier

"Murderers I kill

Thieves I stab

My best friend is grief

What am I?"

The next day, Mars brought Venus back to their home and reported the findings to his master. As standard operating procedure, Mars was given a routine check in order to ensure that he is stable.

His master asked him, "What's your name?"

Mars replied "My name is Mars."

His master asked him "Who do you serve?"

Mars replied "I serve you, Valerie Floros, with my entirety."

His master asked him, "Mars, what do you remember?"

Mars told his master, "I remember serving you and I remember training."

His master asked, "Mars, how do you feel?"

Mars did not speak or reply in any way.

His master asked, "Mars, who are you?"

No response.

His master asked, "Mars, are you alright?"
Silence.

His master asked, "Mars, what are you?

Mars told his master, "I am guilt."

Mars disappeared by the next morning.