Judgment of the Elders

Belang's soul was ripped from his body, floating helplessly looking down at his own hollow shell standing still on the sphere.

Dalnim, with a dismissive gesture, cast the lifeless form into the swirling void.

Then, with a flick of his fingers, he molded a new form from the nothingness—a humanoid grasshopper, its exoskeleton gleaming ominously in the dim light.

With another flick, he infused this vessel with Belang's bewildered soul, sealing his fate.

"You have lost your original form for good," Dalnim proclaimed. "Inside or outside of Rona, this is the new you. This will be your permanent form, with no further changes. You are now an Invitor, tasked with bringing unfortunate souls into Rona for four years."

"...four years in Rona is more than a hundred years on Earth," Baldr said, a hint of sadness in his voice. "I'm sorry you have to go through this, my friend."

"But I think there's a bit of luck in you," Caishen interjected, his jolly voice booming through the chamber.

"Fortune must be on your side! Most who did the same are reborn without any memory of their past, lost in complete oblivion. Let me bless you with more fortune! Ho ho ho!" He shook his bell, and a shower of holographic gold rained down upon his chair. With a final chuckle, Caishen and his cat vanished along with the shimmering coins.

"I'm sorry, son, but you should learn your lesson," Zeus boomed, his voice laced with authority. "We won't be so lenient if we meet again." A powerful bolt of lightning enveloped him, and he vanished with a thunderous crack.

Osiris materialized on the judgment sphere beside Belang. He held out his hand, revealing fleeting, distorted vision of Belang attempting to steal the particle again in the future. With a solemn expression, Osiris closed his fist, the vision dissipating into nothingness.

"Why am I supposed to steal it again?" Belang exclaimed, bewildered. "This is already bad enough!"

"Well, it's your story," Osiris replied calmly. "We only show a glimpse of what might happen. The difference is, that second time, it will truly be you, not the friend you're trying to protect." He tapped Belang's head with his staff, and an ornate Egyptian headdress materialized atop his head.

"That looks rather dashing on you!" Osiris chuckled.

"If you elders already know it wasn't me who stole it this time," Belang questioned, his confusion growing, "why am I receiving this judgment at all?"

"Because you're going to protect your Celestrias friend at any cost," Shiva explained, her voice like the whispering wind.

"And as I said, we're simply making things easier for you, saving everyone's time. We have a land to look after, you see." She paused, her gaze piercing. "As Osiris has shown you, I sincerely hope we do not meet again."

"Hopper boy, let's not meet again either," Osiris warned, his voice laced with amusement. "Or else, you'll be my slave in who-knows-where! Gahahaha! I would thoroughly enjoy torturing you every single second." With that, he disappeared in a plume of thick, black smoke.

"Belang, don't be a fool!" Amaterasu's voice thundered from her chair. "Bad actions lead to devastating consequences." Remember that! Rona should be a peaceful land, and we intend to keep it that way for eternity!"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it..." Belang mumbled, glancing at Amaterasu, who seemed utterly displeased with him.

Amaterasu transformed into a fox, slicing through the void and disappearing from the judgment area.

"Belang," Dalnim began, his voice firm and unwavering," you should know that all the votes from the elders were to let you remain yourself. If even one of us had judged you worthy of rebirth, then that would have been your fate. It is foolish of you to take the blame for another's wrongdoing and face such unpleasant consequences."

"Enough, Dalnim," Baldr interjected, walking across the void towards the sphere. "He has learned his lesson."

"Why are you still here, Baldr?" Dalnim inquired.

"Dalnim, Celestrias are wonderful beings," Baldr replied with a warm smile," and Belang has a good heart. It would be my honor to escort him from this place." He placed a comforting hand on Belang's shoulder.

"If you say so," Dalnim conceded. "Belang, like the others, I'd prefer not to meet with you again. Be like the moon, shining in the darkness." A blinding light erupted from Dalnim, leaving behind the faint scent of ozone as he vanished.

"So," Belang asked, "how do we get out of here? Someone must be waiting for me by now."

Baldr rubbed his hands together, emitting a soft light. He then placed his hand on Belang's shoulder, and with a gentle whoosh, they materialized behind Belang's house.

"Woah! That's unexpected!" Belang exclaimed, surprised to find himself back in his backyard. "Thanks for the lift!"

"I have a question," Belang continued, his curiosity piqued. "What exactly are you elders? A faction of Darkseed and Celestrias? Deities? Gods? And why do you stay in your own dimension, instead of helping with the war outside?"

"We are neither of what you said," Baldr replied calmly, "yet to some, we are all that you mentioned. Which side should we help? Celestrias? Darkseed? Or Atman? Darkseed needs Atman to grow. Celestrias needs orbs to grow. And Atman only sides with its own interests to grow. Perhaps that's not the answer you were seeking?"

"... That is quite insightful." Belang said, grasping the deeper meaning behind Baldr's words.

"Your Invitor supplies will arrive tomorrow," Baldr announced with a gentle smile. "Let's not keep your friend waiting any longer. Farewell, have a pleasant day, my friend." He gestured warmly towards Belang's house.

"Huh?" Belang murmured, glancing between his house and the spot where Baldr had just stood.

The elder had disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, Belang entered his house. Inside, he found Purnama, now transformed into a tree-man with a vibrant white afro, moving with a swaying, rooted grace, waiting for him.

Purnama even prepared a table laden with deliciously aromatic food.

Purnama recounted his journey—how the gateway had transported him to an island on Earth. With Zirko's help and the woman's guidance, they crossed the sea and brought her back to her homeland. Then, he hurried back to the island to re-enter Rona, unaware of the time that had passed.

Belang explained he'd gone out to return the particle, carefully omitting any mention of his capture and trial. Accustomed to the frequent form changes in Rona, Purnama hadn't realized that Belang's current appearance was permanent.

After sharing the meal with Belang, Purnama announced it was time for him to return to Aurea and rejoin the Kshatriyas.

Still oblivious to the ordeal his friend had endured, Purnama bid farewell as he left Rona and journeyed back to Aurea.

Time passed by quickly...

One fine day, on an investigative mission on Earth, Purnama stumbled upon a fox in the forest as he foraged for food for Suria. This fox was none other than Amaterasu in disguise.

Amaterasu revealed her true form and, with a voice filled with urgency, recounted Belang's capture and trial. She urged Purnama to make a wise choice when the time came to save Belang's life, her form shimmering before vanishing into thin air.