You People...

Marigold began her testimony with some background on herself, or, more specifically, on mages. She explained how our world used to be one of strife. Warriors fought tooth and nail to secure territory, hunters risked their lives facing down fierce beasts, and disease and misfortune seemed to lurk around every corner—that is, until the discovery of magic. The world's most studied academes convened, and with their new discovery, they found a way to unite humanity. So great were the medicinal and protective powers of magic that the grand conflicts of old became trite in comparison, and the world entered a period of peace and prosperity. Towns and farms were defended from the elements with wards and barriers. Injuries and even the worst illnesses could be healed with a little spell. Food, water, and other resources were made plentiful. There was no longer any need to wage war, for the right to live happily was easily afforded to everyone—or at least, that's what most people thought.

"Traditionally, mages have traveled from town to town, providing aid to those who need it," said Marigold. "I am one of those mages—a witch." She recounted our adventure so far. She described our partnership as "a source of amusement," claiming that she hadn't taken my quest for truth seriously at first. I had been well aware of that, but it still irked me. At the very least, she did not try to push all the responsibility onto me. When she spoke of blasting the sealing stone with her magic, everyone in the room gasped, and Oemenon rose with a clatter before being gently tugged back down by whoever was sat next to him. Garramat nodded his head but stayed silent, presumably having learned that speaking out of turn would only annoy the others, but when Marigold finished her account he stood and threw up his arms vindictively.

"She is the one who broke the seal!" he shouted. "She admitted it herself. She feigns ignorance, but an attack is an attack!"

"But how...?" said Oemenon.

"Her power is feeble," said Estille. "I saw it firsthand. Perhaps the seal had simply fallen weak over the eras."

"She is hiding her true strength!" Garramat cried.

"Repeating yourself is unnecessary," Estille said, their patience clearly wearing thin. "If she had such strength, why hide it when she could attack us right this instant?"

"No, no! They want to infiltrate us! I don't know what their plan is, but—"

"You contradict yourself. We are in agreement that the integrants are lesser creatures, dull and insignificant, yet you think they could concoct some genius plan to destroy us from the inside?"

Garramat grumbled and sighed. "I... see your point. But..."

The judge spoke up. "Both of you. Whether they plot our downfall or are too unintelligent to do so is a matter of speculation. As far as she is aware, she has told no lie; I am nearly certain." Estille and Garramat lowered their heads. What did the judge mean by that? Could he tell when someone was lying? That was scary... what if I ended up saying something wrong? I had to focus. I took a deep breath, and then it was my turn.

"I am a Holy Knight," I began. "I have devoted my life to but a single goal: to open the eyes of my world to the truth—the truth that lies beyond the sky." The judge raised an eyebrow, and Marigold shot a fierce glance my way. Right, right—just stick to the facts... but these were the facts! "Long have I waited to find this truth," I said. "I have explored the writings of philosophers of old, and I have pondered my thoughts, meditated, searched deep within and without myself... finally, I found that stone. I knew not what it was, but it intrigued me, and you've heard from Marigold what came next. When Alithet appeared, I was overjoyed to have finally found something out of the ordinary, something otherworldly. Neither of us knew what to make of it. There was a voice that commanded me to fight, and I found myself in control of the giant. At first, I thought the voice was Alithet itself, but... I have inferred otherwise. Still, I cannot be sure. Can I ask you to confirm: was that the one you call Ariel?" I knew I was supposed to keep the questions to a minimum, but I thought this one was fairly safe, at least.

The judge nodded. "A voice coming from Alithet... it could only have been Ariel. And, what did he tell you?" I recalled Ariel's words, but they were few and uninformative. I continued on, and, finishing my account of the events that led up to our incarceration, I looked to the faces of the judge and the others. They were inscrutable, and they instilled in me the sense that I had left something out. I felt like I needed to defend myself more. I needed to show them that my desires were pure.

"All I have ever wanted was to break through to the other side," I said, "not to fight, though I would fight if I had to, but to learn. I wanted to discover this world and bring some excitement into my own! Well, you lot have certainly shown me excitement! But, this prison is suffocating, despite its vastness." I searched my mind for my next words, and I found myself thinking about Ariel. I still had reservations about giving him up.

"You people," I said. "Are you truly gods?" The judge raised his head, and I heard Garramat let out a sudden laugh.

"Gods..." the judge muttered. "You are a strange one, Godwin. A Holy Knight who knows little of the holy and is hardly a warrior—we have gone by a thousand names, though none of them have captured the totality of our essence. But, yes; there are those who call us gods."

I bowed my head. "Then, I have found what I sought—but, please, teach me. I-I..."

"What is it?" said the judge, tapping his finger. "I see your heart struggling. If you have something more to say, then say it."

"I am afraid," I blurted out. "I am afraid for Ariel, and of him! The truth is, I don't know him. I don't know what he did to all of you to make you hate him so, and I don't know what he was trying to do with Alithet. But, I can't help it! I heard Estille say that Ariel created my world! Does that not make him my god? Do I not owe something to him? If he is evil, then I do not wish to side with him, but I fear his wrath, and I feel my guilt weighing on me. Please... I don't wish to hurt any of you, nor do I have the means—I just—well, I'm just lost here!" I didn't want to say all that. It was as if the judge was drawing out each word from my mouth, laying the whole truth bare. I panted, and looked over at Marigold, who was doing some kind of deep-breathing exercise to calm herself. I was sure I'd have to face her ire later, if we survived.

"Estille," said the judge. "Their fates have been revealed to me. You may do as you wish with the integrants." I wasn't sure what that meant. Was the hearing over? Was that good? Was it bad?

Garramat snapped to his feet. "What!?" he yelled. "But his guilt—!"

"You listen only to their words and your mind," said the judge. "You must listen to their hearts. Are there any objections to my verdict?" Aside from Garramat, there were none. It seemed it was decided.

Estille came down toward us, smiling coolly, and the man who had restrained us before appeared and detached us from our stakes. Marigold glared at me, mouthing "you idiot." I shrugged. It was done now.

"Congratulations," Estille said. "You will be allowed to persist for some time longer."

"Then—"

"You will get what you want, Godwin 'Bergman.' I will see that you learn the ways of this world. And then, I will bring excitement immeasurable to yours."