//------------------------------// // The Hearing // Story: Rise of the Creators // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// Jason's POV The lights turn on. I squint my eyes until they adjust. I'm in some sort of pit. Above me is row upon row of seats. As I look around, I notice creators filling in. On the floor around me are runes. The runes glow with a soft green light. On my wrists are cuffs, though they have no chains. I'm suddenly snapped to attention when a tall, thin creator with short black hair and a black goatee stood an announced. "Welcome to the hearing of Jason Wright. My name is Prometheus, and I will act in the king's stead." The Creator announced. Prometheus? Wasn't that the guy who gave man fire? "First witness, Suavis Taberna. Suavis, tell us how you found out he was from earth." Prometheus asked, looking expectantly at Suavis. "Well, he told me." Suavis answered, his face betraying no emotion. "And would you say he is murderous?" Prometheus asked. "No. He and Luna seemed happy." Suavis answered evenly. "But, he said he was from Earth. All mortals from earth are barbaric, how could he not attack?" Prometheus asked, his voice sounding annoyed. "I don't know. He seemed patient, calm, and observative. As well as confused when he was arrested." Suavis answered, continuing without pause, "If he were barbaric, he would have fought the gaurds. But he didn't." The creators murmured to each other. Prometheus stood again. "Second witness, Celestia Tempus. Celestia, if you please." Prometheus asked. Celestia approached the stand. I could see her shaking. She was nervous. "What was he doing when you first saw him?" Prometheus asked gently. "He was asleep. He had appeared out of thin air. I watched as my little sister woke him." Celestia answered, her young voice throwing me off. I wasn't used to this new version of her. "And how did Luna wake him?" Prometheus asked, Creators around him sitting forward. "She, well, she slapped him." Celestia answered quietly, her eyes now finding mine. "He didn't seem to be angry. Just confused. And he acted as if he knew Luna." Prometheus turned to me as well. "And why is that?" The question was directed to me. Cautiously, I answered. "Because I'm from the future. I have no clue as to how long or why. But I know who sent me." "Who?" Prometheus sneered. "Spatium." I answered. What I wasn't expecting was Celestia using the royal voice. "HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE MY MOTHER OF TREASON!" She roared, deafening everyone. All I could say was, "Mother?" Suddenly, the scene at the garden made sense. She was sending her daughters away. "Order!" Yelled Prometheus. The Creators were now arguing. But one was stepping up to the stand. I knew her. Spatium was going to speak. "Tell me how you know my name." She asked plainly, holding Celestia in her embrace. "Before I came here, I met you in the Void. This castle falls to it. And the Creators turned to stone. You sent your daughters away. I freed you from the stone, and then you told me I'd find out why it happened. Why the Void consumed El Dorado." I answered, cringing at her distraught face. Prometheus stepped forward again, "You claim a lot. But none have that power. The Void doesn't exist." I said the only thing I could, "Not yet." "What you say is an impossibility. The Void doesn't exist. And even if it did, a mortalis would not survive it." Prometheus countered. "Then perhaps we could see if he is a mortal or not." A new voice called out. Stepping next to me was a being I knew all too well. "Sarai?" I ask in amazement. "Hmm, we must've met in the future if you know me. For I don't know you." Sarai answered, her eyes seemingly piercing my soul. Prometheus glared at Sarai, "How will you prove he is immortal?" Sarai produced a small knife, "Creators bleed gold Ichor. If he is a Creator, then his blood will be the same." Hesitantly, I hold my palm out. Sarai cuts across it with the knife. I cease to function at what I see. Gold Ichor. The blood of Creators. This caused the Creators to stand again and argue. Celestia and Spatuim looked at me in wonder while Prometheus still glared. "He may be Immortal, but he still lies." Prometheus countered. "Then send a Creator to read his mind. Have the truth from the source." Sarai answered, glaring back at Prometheus. Prometheus turned to Spatium. "Would you do the honors?" He asked. The room went quiet as Spatium glided down to me. Her long white horn tapped my forehead, a weird twinge ran through me. Then she turned to the crowd. "He speaks the truth. This city falls to the Void. We turn to stone, and I send him here." Spatium announced, causing the creators to argue again. "Then I believe we only have one more thing to discuss." Prometheus spoke up, "Jason Wright, you are hereby charged with high treason, and will be banished to the endless sands." My stomach dropped. So this is my eternity? At least I thought it would be, until a midnight blue filly spoke up. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"