Seven Elders of Bunian

Knock! Knock!

"That's rather early, Purna..."

Anticipating Purnama's return, Belang was startled to find four raven guards, clad in full plate, standing before him.

The guards seized Belang, while another approached the chest, opened it, and extracted the particle.

Chained and filled with a chilling uncertainty, Belang pondered his impending fate.

Before escorting Belang to the Prison of Needed, the guards made a detour into the city. They released the particle, which soared back to the monument atop the tree. It was drawn into the roots with a swift, vacuum-like pull, restoring the monument's radiant aura.

Then, they continued their journey to the prison via the Dessert Cave. Deep beneath the prison floor, Belang was released from his chains in a mysterious chamber. He stood upon a small, spherical platform, suspended in a ring of nothingness, to face his trial.

Seven colossal chairs materialized in the void, each occupied by a towering elder. They had appeared as if from thin air, their presence heavy with ancient power, to question him and determine his punishment for possessing the particle.

The names of these elders—Zeus, Shiva, Osiris, Amaterasu, Balder, Caishen, and Dalnim—were not unknown to humanity, resonating with primal familiarity, echoes of old stories told across the Earth.

Belang was utterly overwhelmed by their sheer presence.

"To the underworld with him!" Osiris's voice boomed, shattering the chamber's oppressive silence.

"Come now, Osiris," Caishen chuckled, his voice a jovial rumble. "Let us first hear this diminutive creature's plea. Ho ho ho! Perhaps he shall bring fortune to the realm, much like my blessed feline here."

He stroked the head of a snow-white cat, the size of a rhinoceros, which purred contentedly in his lap. The cat's fur was as soft as freshly fallen snow, and its eyes gleamed like polished emeralds. It was a creature of breathtaking majesty, and even Belang, found himself captivated by its otherworldly beauty.

"I concur with Osiris," Shiva declared, her voice resonating with unwavering authority. "This creature pilfered the particle. A grievous offense in Rona, for which he must pay the price."

"Hmm… hold," Zeus interjected, and with a blinding flash of lightning, he stood before Belang, assuming a human-sized form.

"Reveal your true form," Zeus commanded, snapping his fingers.

Belang, who had been transformed into a Cyclops dwarf, reverted to his original appearance.

He stood as a burly, mature blacksmith, boasting a springy mustache, a stark white and black striped beard, and flowing windswept hair. He was clad in leather apparel, accented by a silver armlet, orange goggles perched upon his brow, a flat cap upon his head, and sturdy red boots.

"Ah! A most unexpected revelation! A Celestrias…" exclaimed Dalnim, her voice laced with surprise. "What purpose drives you to seek the particle?"

"That is of no concern to you," Belang retorted, pushing his orange goggles onto his forehead, his expression defiant.

"That was brave but foolish," Zeus remarked, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice. "You remind me of my sons, most of whom share that trait."

With a crackling surge of lightning, Zeus unleashed a playful barrage of mini-bolts, forcing Belang to spin, leap, and duck with desperate agility...

"I, too, wish to observe this creature more closely," Baldr declared, his voice gentle yet firm.

A cascade of luminous blossoms rained down from above Baldr's chair, transporting him to the judgment sphere.

"My aging eyes are not what they once were." He conjured a single, perfect flower and offered it to Belang.

"Try and hold this, my friend," Baldr said with a gentle smile.

"What is this? A poisoned bloom to slay me?" Belang scoffed, puffing out his chest. "You giants know I'm a Celestrias, yes? I fear none of you!"

"GAHAHAHA! This one is truly amusing!" Osiris roared with thunderous laughter, his voice shaking the chamber.

"It is quite safe; simply take it," Baldr repeated softly.

With a hesitant sniff, Belang accepted the flower from Baldr. It instantly blossomed into a vibrant bouquet before vanishing into thin air.

"Ah, so that is the nature of your being," Baldr said with a knowing smile, before vanishing and reappearing upon his towering chair."

"You know, young one, we all possess our unique gifts," Amaterasu stated, her voice resonating with quiet authority. 

With a flash of light, she transformed into a magnificent, silver fox, leaping from her chair and circling the void.

"I do not particularly care what the others think of you, but possessing something that should never have been moved is forbidden for a reason."

"My feline companion assures me this fellow brings luck," Caishen declared, showering Belang with a torrent of gold coins. "I say we spare him! Ho ho ho!"

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouchy!" Belang yelped, hopping and dodging the stinging deluge.

"Hahaha! Dance, you strange, bearded man!" Zeus bellowed with amusement.

"Enough! Amaterasu exclaimed, her voice sharp with annoyance. "It is my turn to speak, and this is the first time we have convened in ages. It is utterly rude to interrupt!"

"Oh, we have turned now?" Shiva quipped, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Where might one acquire a ticket?"

"What is this, a farce?" Belang exclaimed, exasperated. "If you intend to punish me, then be done with it!"

Amaterasu swooped down from the void, hovering before Belang.

"Protecting another and shouldering the blame? Do you believe that to be noble?" she challenged.

"Well, the responsibility is mine," Belang admitted. "I required assistance with my task, and I accept the consequences. Now, will you pronounce judgment, or shall we continue this charade?"

Osiris tapped his wand, and a scale materialized within the sphere. A single feather rested on one side, while Belang stood on the other. The scale wobbled, then settled, the feather side dipping lower than Belang's.

"Scaling my sins, are we? How quaintly old-fashioned," Belang scoffed, bouncing on the platform in a futile attempt to tip the scales. "You should probably calibrate this ancient contraption. Something seems amiss."

"My, my," Zeus chuckled, "you possess a certain audacity. I am impressed. Proceed, Dalnim, I believe we have our answers."

Dalnim materialized before Belang in human form.

"Elders, your judgments, if you please," Dalnim requested, raising his right hand.

Each elder delivered their judgment uniquely. Osiris flicked his wand, sending a feather spiraling towards Dalnim. A delicate flower petal drifted on a gentle breeze from Baldr. Shiva conjured a swirling flurry of snow. Caishen's cat coughed up a gleaming gold coin. Zeus unleashed a crackling bolt of lightning. And Amaterasu released a small, contained orb of fire from her temple.

All the pronouncements were absorbed into Dalnim's outstretched palm, glowing with an inner light. He then pressed his hand against Belang's chest.

"THIS IS OUR JUDGMENT!"