The Judge and The Brand

   The next day the group wakes up and heads out to get ready for school. They eat breakfast and only Zero and Rhyunous tell Viltro goodbye. They head outside and Isha is there.

“Viltro taught me teleport so he doesn't have to always be there.” She waves her hand and they disappear and reappear at school. They all head in. As they climb the stairs Vero shouts.

“Hey Zero.”

“Hey Vero Good morning. What do you think will learn today, Vero?”

“If I had to guess, probably Brands.”

“Brands?”

“Yeah, let's hurry up and learn about them. Race you there.”

Zero and Vero race to the class getting there at the exact time.

“It's a tie,” Rykar says.

The group enters the class and sits down and waits for the teacher to arrive. She opens the door.

“Good morning class.”

“Good morning Ms. Barir” all the class says.

“Yesterday we learned of the celestials. Today will learn of Brands.”

Sierrna Raised her hand.

“Yes Sierrna?”

“Are these Celestial Brands or Death Brands?”

“Very good question. I'm surprised you knew of two but there's three in total.”

“Does anyone know the last one?”

Isha raised her hand.

“Yes Isha?”

“It's the Submission Brand.”

“Yes, correct. I'm so happy you all know so much already. Just like Sierrna and Isha said, The three brands Are celestial, death and submission. Will start with the celestial brands, placed by a celestial. They make the affected user obey all their actions but the host has no idea that they are being affected.”

Rykar raised his hand.

“Yes Rykar?”

“Is there a way to tell if a person is branded?”

“Yes there is, the affected person will have lots of blackouts, memory loss and bloody noses. Any further questions on the celestials brand? No good. Next is the Death brand pretty self explanatory the affected user dies within two days of the brand being activated. It was used to get rid of people in secret.”

Vero raised his hand.

“Yes Vero?”

“Is there a way to stop a death brand?”

“Unfortunately no once activated the effect can't be stopped unless you could somehow stop time or kill the one who placed the brand which is impossible so your answer is no. Any further questions about Death brands? No, ok. Onto the final brand Submission these brands are used to make someone obey your every command unlike the celestial brand the user knows of everything and if the user decides to not obey the first punishment is pain the second it'll stop your heart, right before death it'll bring you back and the third time it'll kill you.”

Zero raises his hand.

“Yes Zero?”

“Can you remove the brand?”

The teacher paused for a moment.

“Yes technically you can but you have to undergo what they call the brand’s trial. What the trial would be is up to the person the brand was put on. If you succeed in doing so you'll be inflicted with all the pain the branded had gone through up to the moment of the branding. Any other questions?”

Rhyunous raised his hand.

“Yes, Rhyunous?”

“How can you tell them apart?”

“I'm glad you asked if you would take a look at the holo.”

Three images were displayed. The first image was a dot,

“That one is the celestial brand as it looks as just a part of the skin they are very hard to find.”

The second image was a skull or a scythe.

“The death brand can be either of the images.”

The final brand was a picture with some symbols.

“What's the symbols?” Vero asked.

“It's the ancient word for Submission. It's usually accompanied by an image of the person who branded them so if it was a fire user it would be a flame and then symbols.”

Ding dong

“Class is over everyone please study up and be safe.”

Couple weeks pass, Zero, Rykar, Sierrna, Isha and Rhyunous have now found a daily routine of racing Vero up the stairs, always being a tie and then learning and hanging out in class everyday. It's the end of the day in class. Vero pokes Zero in the shoulder.

“Hey you want to hangout Zero?”

“Yeah that sounds like fun”

“Cool, we can head to the movies.”

After Vero mentions that. Melody and Sierrna came up to them.

“Can I come with you guys Vero?” Melody asked.

“Wait, you want to come with us to the movies Melody?”

“Yeah I mean we're all friends right?”

“Ok sure you can join us.”

Sierrna was standing there with her arms crossed looking mad at Zero, Val leaned closer to Zero and whispered in his ear.

“She's mad because you didn't invite her.”

Zero then looks at Sierrna.

“Would you like to come with me to the movies Sierrna?” Sierrna blushing silently says.

“Of course I would.”

The group gets their things and heads to the movie theater.

“Hey Zero, you've never been to a movie theater before right?”

“Yeah me or Sierrna haven't been”

“Oh then this is like your first time? Then we have to see what they call a comedy. I think you guys will love it. sound good to you melody. If we see a comedy?”

“Of course it'll be like we're on a double date”

Vero, Zero and Sierrna all start blushing and look away.

“Oh I didn't think it was like that.”

Melody puts her hand on her chin and gives a little laugh.

“I'm only teasing you guys or am i?”

The group enters the movie theater, Zero is amazed at the giant line in front of them, he looks at the holo showing all the movies playing. After waiting a little they reach the front counter and they decide to see a movie called,

“I had so many peaceful days till I met this girl then my life changed forever.”

They headed to the concession stand, Sierrna grabbed Zero's arm and pulled, she pointed to something in a bucket that said “Popcorn”

“Can we get that?” Zero looking puzzled looks towards Melody.
“Um Melody, what's that?”

“Oh that's popcorn it's so good you gotta try it. I'll buy you guys a bucket” She then looked at vero and said.

“Did you want to get one Vero?”

“If it's not too much.”

“Of course not, it's my treat. Alright let's go see the movie.”

The four of them watched the movie, after the movie the group headed out. Vero said,

“How can some be so oblivious to someone liking them. Like it was so obvious, don't you agree Zero?”

“Yeah it was pretty obvious.”

The girls both looked mad at them and both thought the same thing.

You can't tell we do.

Sierrna pouted and sighed

“I hate that it ended on a cliffhanger. Hopefully they'll finish it.”

Melody laughed

“Probably not. I heard the studio that made the movie usually doesn't finish the stuff they start.”

Vero was irritated by this news and yelled.

"Then why even start something in the first place!”

Melody chuckled

“That's just how that stuff works. I guess it's ok, maybe someday it'll get finished. I could buy you the book set so you could finish it Vero.” She said with a smile.

Vero was very happy to hear that he would at least know how it ends.

“That would be great.” Vero said with a smile.

Melody looked away while blushing.

“Of course I'll get you them.”

The four hangout and talk about the movie for a little bit more before deciding to head home. Zero and Sierrna arrive at home, have dinner and get ready for bed. As Zero is heading to bed he hears a knock on his door, it was Isha she looked really upset.

“Hi Isha, what's wrong?”

“You went on a date with Sierrna thats whats wrong?”

“Wait, I can explain.” Zero said while frantically waving his arms, Isha interrupts him and pushes him in his room to his bed and pushes him down and gets on top.

“You're taking me on a date tomorrow whether you like it or not.”

“Ok please get off me this is weird”

“What Zero? You don't like having your future wife on top in her night clothes.” she smirked and started to move more on top of him, Zero started blushing.

“Stop please.” Isha reached behind her and to her bra strap.

“Come on Zero , be more brave.”

Right before she could, she's pulled by the hair off Zero and dragged out of the room by Rykar.

“Come on sierrna stop it.”

Isha shouts

“I'm not sierrna you dummy.”

After dragging Isha out Rykar shows back up.

“You know that was Isha right?”

“Oh yeah but she was kinda going far and it's a good excuse if I got caught dragging her out” he laughed after saying that.

“Thanks Rykar”

"No problem Bro see ya tomorrow, Night.”

The next day at school kids were fighting. Zero interrupted the fight.

“What's going on here?”

Arden was holding his fist ready to swing.

“These kids think there better than us”

“Ok and what's the problem with that?” Zero asked.

“Everything” Arden responded.

“Come on Arden, it's not worth it.”

“Yeah you have Zero take you away baby” the kid taunted.

Arden went to punch the kid Zero caught it.

“Stop it Arden.”

“You're so weak you can't even get by someone whose manipulation less. That's too funny,” the kid said.

“Hey shut up,” Zero said.

“Or what?”

Zero looked at the kid dead in the eye.

“You'll regret it.”

“Yeah ok"

The kid formed a rock sword and swung at Zero. Zero raised his forearm to take the hit and the sword shattered into pieces. The kid who attacked Zero looked at him with fear. Zero looked at him with a deadly gaze.

“No more fighting while I'm here ok?”

“Yes I'm sorry Zero, come on guys let's go.”

“Thanks Zero but are you ok?”

“Oh yeah it was nothing I didn't even feel it at all” Zero laughed with Arden.

“Ok let's go to class”

“Right.”

Zero and Arden reach the classroom and see Vero reading a novel.

“Hey Vero, what are you reading?” Zero asked

“Oh I'm reading the next part of that movie, Melody bought me all of them.” Vero responded.

Melody looked at Vero and smiled and waved. Vero started blushing and hid his face in the book. Zero sat down and looked over at Sierrna who looked back and smiled. Isha then appeared in front of Zero. She smiled and looked at him and sat down. The teacher then came in and started the test. After the test Rykar went up to Zero.

“Heyo Zero want to hangout at the park today? Me and Val are heading there.” Rykar asked Just as he asked Isha showed up

“Yeah, let's go to the park with them.” Isha said.

The group grabs their things and heads towards the local park. They arrive and see some swing sets they all get on one and start to swing. Isha swinging next to Zero looks at him

“Do you know why I love you so much Zero?” Isha asked?

“Not really I mean we just met a little while ago so it's kinda of confusing for me.” Zero stated while looking at her.

“It's because you're the only one who is special to me, your charm, your strength and you have done the impossible from time to time and always exceed expectations. You're perfect to me no matter what I'll always be by your side.” Isha said while looking up with a smile.

Zero looked up with her and smiled. Rykar and Val sat together at a table.

“Hey Rykar?” Val asked.

“Yeah Val what's up?” Rykar responded while looking at her.

“Um.” she said looking nervous

“Do you have someone special Rykar, like a girlfriend?” She asked while blushing a lot. Rykar looked at her and smiled

“No I don't.” Val looked really happy at hearing that, she then grabbed Rykar’s hand.

“Would you like me as a girlfriend?” Val asked while looking into Rykars eyes. Her heart was pounding. Rykars face turned pure red as he looked at her.

“Yes, I would love that Val.” Rykar said while hugging Val.

Zero and Isha show up and congratulate the two. The group leaves the park and heads for the store. At the store a man is selling something called Soulbound rings. Val looks interested and approaches the man.

“Sir what are these?” Val asked.

“Glad you asked, young lady, it's a soulbound ring using some of your blood. It'll tell someone if you're alive or not by displaying your main manipulation so in other words it'll work and display as long as the person whose blood in the ring is still alive. Would you like to purchase a set young lady?” The merchant said.

“Let's all get one so we will always know if something happens.” Val said.

“Sounds good.” Rykar said.

The merchant grabs everyone's hand and pricks them till blood comes out and pours it into the ring, one ring shows a raging fire. He gives it to Val. He gives a ring that shows a poison cloud to Rykar. He then gives a ring with a dimension like structure to Isha. He then gives a final ring to Zero with Fire fighting water and lighting striking it. The Merchant thanks them and they leave while looking at their rings. They part ways with Val, Rykar gives her a hug and leaves with Zero and Isha as they return home, they eat and go to bed ready for the next day. The next day Zero heads to the school and Goes to class where he sees Vero on what looks like volume 3 of the light novel series Melody bought him. Zero sits down.

“Hey, I see you're really into that series now.” Zero said.

“Yeah it's been great. I love that she got me these, hey Zero where'd you get the ring?” Vero asked.

“I got it from a merchant in the shopping district. He said, It's supposed to tell you if the person whose blood is in the ring is still alive.” Zero said. Melody overhearing this comes over.

“Let's go get some Vero after school.” Melody implied.

Vero looked and smiled and nodded his head. The teacher then came in and announced that the students will be having a strength test with a special guest and to head to the gym. All the students head down to the gym and when they get there the Dynosians recognize who it is. It's Viltro. He waves at them as they all enter the gym, next to him is another teacher.

“Hello students my name is Viltro Dynosion and today i'll be testing your strength and training you guys in close corner combat. So for today your goal is to hit me as hard as you can and will see who's the toughest of the bunch.” Viltro said while smiling and laughing.

The kids formed a line and started punching Viltro. All the kids kept failing and then it was Isha’s turn. She winded her fist up and hit viltro sending him flying back. The teacher built a rock wall to stop him from going back further. Viltro, not shocked, prepares for the next waves of students to come up. It was Rykar, he punched Viltro sending him back to the same spot as Isha did. He again gave him a passing grade and waved the next one. It was Sierrna She punched Viltro sending him through the stone wall and straight to the back wall of the gymnasiums. He got up and shook off the rocks and dust. He gave Sierrna a passing grade and waved to the next person. Zero approached him and swung his right arm at Viltro, Viltro was sent flying back, broke through the walls of the gym and sent flying through two more walls. Viltro got up shocked at how far he went, when he got back he gave Zero a passing grade. The final student was Rhyunous. Viltro, getting tired of being hit, was going to dodge the punch. As Viltro went to the side to avoid a front punch to his surprise Rhyunous swung left and he hit him, sending him flying into the wall of the side of the gym. Viltro, shocked, came up to Rhyunous.

“Why did you change the direction of your swing?”

“You were gonna dodge if I kept it straight.”

“How’d you know that?”

“I saw you dodge before you did”

Viltro, hearing that, was even more surprised but shrugged it off and gave Rhyunous a passing grade. A couple hours went by. Everyone was done and only nine people passed the strength test, after the test everyone got in pairs and began hand to hand combat training. The training was finished and everyone was sore and tired and headed home. The next day Vero and Zero raced to class and tied again. During class they learn about manipulations and weaknesses.

“So in turn if you have a fire manipulation you can still be hurt by fire and vice versa with all other manipulations. Fire manipulations are usually weak to strong water manipulations and wind would just increase your fire as it would hinder water. There are so many combinations that can be used against or with manipulations the possibilities are endless. So keep in mind the basics, will be having a test next week and this will be on it Vero.”

Ms.Barir said and flicked a marker at Vero who was reading volume seven of the series.

Ding dong,

“Zero Dynosian please report to the principal's office.”

“You can go Zero.”

Zero got up and left the room and headed out while hearing everyone wondering what he got called for. Zero headed to the office and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Zero entered the room.

Fay was in her chair.

“Sit down Zero.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“No, I just need to ask and tell you something.”

“Ok what is it?”

“I need you to tell your dad we're having that meeting in a year's time. Ok? Also, what do you think of vero?”

“I think he's great, me and him are friends but dad didn't seem to like the idea.”

“Yeah that doesn't surprise me.”

Fay crossed her legs. Zero looked and saw the symbols he saw in class with a crown. He didn't say anything about it.

“Ok that's all I needed. you're free to go Zero.”

“Ok have a good day ma'am.”

As Zero was leaving Fay said,

“I'm glad Vero’s made a friend thank you.”

Ding,

“School is done please don't leave your belongings” the lady on the intercom said.

Zero headed outside. There waiting was the group,

“Hurry up, let's go.” Isha said.

Zero ran to them. Isha waved her hand and they disappeared and reappeared at the house. The group entered the house and Viltro had already made dinner.

“Welcome home kids.” Only Rhyunous and Zero said

“Hello.”

“Anything interesting happened today?” Rhyunous said we learned about manipulations, weaknesses and strengths and they can be used with others to make them stronger their cool but really scary too.”

“Oh is that so that's cool Rhyunous. Done with your plates I'll take them.”

Viltro got up and started to walk.

“Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Fay said that the meeting will happen in a year's time.”

Viltro dropped the plates and they shattered. Everyone is shocked.

“Are you okay?” Viltro had a depressed look on his face.

“Did you say in a year's time?

“Yeah, is it a bad meeting?”

“It's time I tell you guys everything were going on a trip ok.”

Everyone got up and followed viltro outside.

“Teleport”

He waved his hand down and they disappeared and reappeared right in front of the ruins where Zero found the sword. Zero immediately recognizes the place.

“Wait, this is where I found that sword.”

“Yes I know Zero.”

“How do you know?”

“Just come with me into the temple. ok?”

Everyone followed Viltro into the temple.

“Welcome to the Dynosian temple of Dimensia.”

Viltro touched one of the pillars and the entire temple lit up. The rest of the group was amazed at the site of the temple.

“Ok now let's head to the center.”

They headed to the center and Viltro tried to press a floor tile but it didn't do anything.

“It must be dead dangit.”

“Um Viltro?” sierrna said.

“Yes?”

“I can fix it if you want.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I'm a tech wiz. Let me see, ok yeah I see the problem.” she grabbed wires and messed with them then put them back.

“Ok it's all good.”

Viltro stepped on the tile again then all of the sudden the temple started to shift and the walls opened up and started to place down and spread out. Then in the middle a statute started to materialize. Everyone saw a big strong man holding a sword upright pointing to the sky. They read the inscription here represents the founder of the UDF Leo Chamberlain.

“Woah that Leo guy looks cool.” The group says. Isha doesn't agree with the statement. Viltro thinks to himself, that's not Leo and laughs. “Ok now down to business. Zero, Rykar, Sierrna, Isha and Rhyunous. I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?” they all say.

“You learned of the celestials?”

“Yeah.”

“Well there's no real easy way to say this but Judge is coming to kill Zero in a year's time.

“What!!!!” They all scream.

“Why, what do you mean, why Zero.”

“He's being targeted because of his power. When he touched the crystal it alerted the Judge to his presence. So from this day forth will come here after school to train for his arrival.”

“How?”

“By using the temple it was designed for that very purpose. We'll start tomorrow. This place was built to unify the races of the domanis but in the end he was only able to recruit five of them. They fought till the end but even they perished fighting Thanatos. It's been a cycle trapped forever an order appears and then the celestials wipe them out the only order to ever get close and corner him was the Dynosians. I gave you that name because I believe you guys will kill the king and restore the domains to normal.” Viltro said while explaining what they needed to do.

“Well count me in then if it's for big bro i won't let nothing happen to him.” Rhyunous said while smiling.

“Can’t let my future husband get hurt.” Isha and Sierrna said at the same time then looked at each other and started to yell at each other.

“Well I for one will be the new king not Zero so you'll be competing with me for it Zero.” Rykar said with a cheeky smile. Viltro smiled and Zero thanked everyone.

The group heads out and the temple reassembles back to the original state instead of being all opened again.

“I'm sorry, I was hoping to wait a while before telling you guys.”

Viltro teleports the group home and they all head to bed. During the night Zero walks over to Sierrna’s door and knocks on it. Sierrna answers the door.

“What's wrong?”

“Can you look something up for me?”

“At this time of night?”

“Yes please.”

“Ok come in. So what am I looking up for you?”

“Brands with a crown.”

“A crown? Ok. D-Device holo active.”

A holo screen appeared.

“Crowns in brands.”

The holo screen showed a bunch of text.

“That's strange there's no info on it.”

“No info at all.”

“Ok. Can you look up how to take on a brand trail?”

“You have to touch the brand with the intent to take it on.”

“Thank you sierrna sorry for waking you up.”

“It's ok. Night.”

“Night.”

Zero returned to his room and went back to sleep. The next morning everyone eats breakfast and heads to school. At school Zero meets Vero they race again and again they tie. During class they learn about how to manipulate their powers. Zero raises his hand.

“May I go to the bathroom.”

“Yes, just come back quick Zero.”

Zero leaves and heads towards the principal's office; he waits till Fay starts to head towards her office. He sees Fay, he waits and crashes. Zero and Fay bump into each other and Zero falls and his hand lands near her ankle where the brand is he touches it.

“Ow. Are you, ok Zero?” No response.

“Zero?”

She grabs his hand and realizes what he did.

“Zero, why would you do that?”

She picks up Zeros and brings him to the nurses office, She sets him down and stays near him. She then calls on the intercom for Isha. Isha arrives shocked to see Zero and Fay with tears in her eyes.

“Please go get Viltro quickly.” Isha, confused, asks why. Fay screams

“He's taking on the brand's trial!” Vero walking by heard her.