The Second Archon War: Chapter 171 (Patreon)

Interlude 19: It All Comes Out in Court

The second day of the peace conference disposed of Finland. A great many witnesses were called on both sides, and it unironically featured a Finnish bard regaling the battle with a ballad while accompanying themselves on the kantele, singing about Finnish independence and the Winter War of 1939.

However, what shocked the audience was when the courtroom was sealed, and all media were expelled, save for one court stenographer and a sketch artist. 

This is the most vital testimony you shall hear this day, and why you have been invited, along with representatives from your military and cape teams, Focalors informed the dignitaries. She’d stopped lounging at the high seat, and was ramrod straight now, her tone grim instead of playful. What you are about to hear shall be Sealed to the Court. You will be unable to speak of it until given permission. This is Forbidden Knowledge. Some of it will be shared publicly, and the seal upon your words will be lifted at that time. But to even know what we are about to share could damn you and your country to a fate far worse than simple death. 

“When you say we cannot speak of this, do you mean that we must not, or will you place a spell on us?” the Canadian ambassador asked. 

I mean that you will be unable to. What the God of Justice decrees in her court cannot be broken so easily, Focalors decreed, and pointed with the gavel. Seal the doors, and expel all but those necessary to witness this. May Fate not judge us too harshly, and Heaven preserve us. 

When the doors were sealed, Focalors nodded. I call forth Grandmaster Catherine Schimdt, Harbinger Anastasia Karimosova, and Bishop Matti Korhonen of the Lutheran Church as the first witnesses. 

There were horrified gasps as the Dancer appeared, and even a few shouted objections, but Focalors quieted them. As Lord Barbatos and Lord Ziz are both present, any suspected meddling with mortal minds will be swiftly erased, and the perpetrators held in contempt of court and tried at a later date. Take the stand! 

The witnesses took the stand together, looking grim, and Focalors spoke again. Your testimony this day will be read into the record for the pending case against those who would meddle with Forbidden Knowledge. For now, keep your testimony related only to the conduct of the Tsaritsa and her forces in regards to Finland, specifically in relation to the Abyssal Incursion of August the 3rd, in the Year of Our Lord 2005.

Bishop Matti, dressed in fine ecumenical robes but seated in a wheelchair, gave a wan smile. He was a sickly looking man in his late 70s, with snow white hair and liver spots on his face, but a kindly expression. “Does this mean that you recognize the supremacy of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Archon Focalors?” 

I recognize that the Christian Church has done more for Justice in your lands and many others than any other institution in history, and I acknowledge Jesus Christ as God of the Christians. For my personal beliefs, I find him to be a worthy and wise god, who exemplified all that a god should be to their people. But that is neither here nor there, Focalors said gently. Tell us, Bishop Korhonen, how did you receive your wounds?

“Well, it was not at the hands of the Tsaritsa,” the Bishop said with a slow shake of his head. “Much as the Dancer attempted to sway me to spout Heresy and go over to the blasphemy of the so-called Church of the Frozen Heart.”

“Objection,” the Witch said mildly, in a drastic departure from her usual antics. “That is not what is at issue here.”

Sustained. Anastasia will confess her own sins momentarily, but that is not what we are to enquire about. Please, keep your comments to the issue at hand, Bishop. Not to your views on the Church of the Frozen Heart. Though your comments about your mistreatment will remain on the record. 

“Yes, my apologies,” the Bishop said, and nodded to Anastasia. “I will note that when the threat came, the Dancer set me free, and begged me only to pray for the people, that as many as possible might be saved. Well, I suppose I should start a few days before the incident. This would have been about July 31st. I was under house arrest, but my guards spoke of strange monsters in the woods. That was not too unusual: A great many monsters are in the woods of Finland these days, and I could only take grim satisfaction in the thought of more Fatui being punished. This I repented for nightly in my prayers, but it is how I felt.

“Then, it became more than rumours. Pig farms were overrun by monsters. Horrific scenes of human sacrifice, with flayed corpses, were found. The Dancer brought me to these scenes. At first, it thought it was to torture or taunt me. But I will let her explain her rationale.”

“I brought the Bishop to inquire as to his knowledge of Finnish pagan rituals,” Anastasia stated. “I knew a little of Slavic folklore and old religions, but flayed corpses and hanged men spoke to me of sacrifices to Odin and the old Norse Gods.”

“I did explain to her that Finland was never Norse: she was thinking of the Danes, Swedes, or Nordes. This was nothing of Finland, or old religions that I knew of,” the Bishop said, shaking his head slowly. “But it was most disturbing. Then, a few days later, the attack began.”

Anastasia took up the tale seamlessly. “They came out of the woods. We’d been fighting patrols of the orcs for days. They were pigs, warped and changed to walk on two legs, but still with cloven hooves, tusks, and above all, a hunger for the flesh of men. We fought them in a pitched battle near Piete on the 2nd, and we thought we’d won and drove them off or killed them all.”

And by ‘we’ you refer to the Fatui? Focalors prompted. 

“And a few of my puppets,” the Dancer agreed, “but yes. My forces fought some two or three hundred orcs and killed about that many. We didn’t know what they were. The next day, on the 3rd, they attacked Helsinki directly. But this time, there were thousands. And they opened portals. That was when I went to the Bishop, and asked him to pray to the Tsaritsa for salvation.”

“I refused,” Matti said, his face grim. “But I agreed to lead the faithful in prayer in the cathedral. I even led services alongside Olavi Saarinen, who had traded in his Lutheran priest’s robes for the hat of the Bishop of the Frozen Heart in Helsinki. It was that dire. Men, women, and children, they were all being slaughtered, or worse. It was so bad the Cathedral was breached, and I used my staff to smite a demon hound. The Lord was with me, and my blow felled the creature.”

“Not one of the little ones, either,” Cookie commented. “A big one: three meters tall, and five or six long, by witnesses’ reports. Bishop Korhonen slew it with a silver staff, and fought off an entire pack of the things before they could ravage the innocents taking shelter in the cathedral. It wasn’t until one knocked him down and broke his back that he stopped, but by then Ajacks and Itul were in the Cathedral, and killed the rest of the Rift Hounds.”

The rest of the story was the cooperation between the Knights, Fatui, and residents of Helsinki to resist the Abyss. It was highlighted that it was only through the efforts of the newly deified God of Compassion that Helsinki was saved at all, and that hundreds of Fatui had given their lives to defend Helsinki. 

Thank you. The Court calls Lord Buer as the expert witness of the Archons.

A stool was brought, and Nahida floated in a bubble of dendro, down from the high table with the Archons to perch on the stool. Hello. I’m Buer, also called Nahida Saeed. I will be providing expert testimony as to the nature of this Forbidden Knowledge and why it is so significant that the Abyss targeted Helsinki.

As she spoke, Nahida did not look like a little girl anymore, even one that somewhat resembled an elf. Instead, she had a faint radiance about her, her eyes began to glow with power, and a sense of weight to her words and bearing that conveyed that she had cast off her mortal guise, and was speaking as an Archon. 

Diagrams appeared in the air, showing a glowing white tree growing upon a planet, and a dark void all around it. A golden light filled the tree’s roots, and green shoots and steps sprouted from it. 

Let us conceive of Life itself as a Dream, drawn upon by the roots of the Tree of Life. This is a poor metaphor, but it allows us the nearest glimpse of the underpinnings of reality, and for this demonstration, it will suffice. All life is recorded on the bark of the Tree of Life, from the smallest microbe to the mightiest king. If that name is erased or damaged, the life that name represents is corrupted or erased. Great care must be taken that this is not so. Such is my task as the Branch of Irminsul, for I am a cutting of the Tree of Life, planted by Allah in the Garden that was the first home of all life. 

The image showed Nahida being cut from the tree, and planted first in Teyvat, and then later upon Earth Bet. The names of many living things, plants, insects, mammals, and humans, were shown upon her skin and bark, and Nahida nurtured and protected all Life, sheltering it from the empty dark beyond. 

However, as we know, Life did not stay in that walled garden. It grew, and it spread, for the Dream that all life spreads from is the lynchpin of reality, and can be found upon myriad worlds, in myriad realities. But, opposed to that Dream, outside of its light and imagination…is a Nightmare. It is composed of Quantum, that is, chaos, destruction, and death. And from that Nightmare comes the Abyss. 

Dark shapes began to float within the Abyss. Some were wolves, others far more demonic. They slavered and snarled and crept close to Nahida, who tried to shelter the golden life. 

The Abyss is Forbidden Knowledge, for it is like a cancer. Even knowing of it can cause it to fester and spread within this world. And when it manifests, it manifests as demons. Legends and myths that tell of hell, a place of torment and destruction where sinners are sent, come from the Abyss. For whoever sins, the Abyss is drawn to it. Where Chaos and Destruction are sown, the Abyss takes root. Now, it is here. If we do not act quickly, if we do not prevent its spread, then it will consume all of this world. 

Other lights in the darkness were ravaged and consumed by demons, breaking apart into nothingness and darkness. 

This is not some idle threat. Already, thousands have been lost to Abyssal Corruption. Those whose souls I can save, I have. And they will be purified and returned to the cycle of life. Many, however, are lost to us completely. Not even the Archons can save them, for their souls have been consumed and corrupted. Swallowed up by sin, they are damned eternally, and the Abyss will turn them into demons in its endless hunger. For the Abyss cannot create, cannot think, cannot have any warmth or life. It only hungers and craves. It gives power, but only the power to destroy. And in the end, any hand that wields the Abyss will be consumed and destroyed. 

Humans and beasts alike were taken by the Abyss, devoured and twisted before being annihilated. Some fools tried to summon the Abyss to consume their foes, but they themselves were consumed. 

There will be no afterlife for those who are taken by the Abyss, no spinning back out in the ever-turning wheel of life and reincarnation in the cycle. They are damned and worse. If you find the Abyss in your lands, exterminate it. If you know of those who draw on the Abyss for power, prune them, for it is a mercy. Call upon us, the Archons, and we shall come to your aid. For mankind are our children, and we would protect you from this horror. 

Suddenly, a second person stepped up onto the dias. The Tsaritsa, her face veiled and her hands clasped before her, expression grim. 

Such is the horror of the Abyss that I consented to this trial. My quarrels with my fellow Archons are but petty bickering compared to the threat the Abyss represents. The Sustainer of Heavenly Principals, though I loath him, would be a preferable master and fate than to allow even the meanest roach from the Abyss to fester in my lands. There is some part that my sin must play in the Abyss’s arrival, for I quarreled with the other Archons over meaningless baubles and old grudges. But I was not the one who summoned the Abyss. And I will have my recompense from the arrogant, foolish children who dared treat with the antithesis of all life.

As the Tsaritsa spoke, her gaze bore into the American Secretary of State, who flinched and looked away, sweat breaking out on his brow. However, before he could break completely under the wrath of the God of Love, Focalors interrupted. 

That is not what we are to determine this day. Do you wish to take the stand and testify now? We had agreed that it is mortals who should speak this day, as it is the gods’ place to judge, not to give witness themselves. However, this concerns you. Do you appeal to the people of Finland?

No, the Tsaritsa shook her head, and frozen tears trickled down her cheeks, her face contorted in anguish. I have lost that right when I failed to protect them from the Abyss. As their god and ruler, such was my obligation. A god who cannot keep the Abyss from threatening their realm is no god at all. 

“And I suppose you expect us to believe that you are the only ones who can safeguard us from this new threat that you’ve imagined?” the American secretary blustered. 

This time, the snarl of fury that came from Dantalion and the fury of her gaze was such that the man cried out, and was nearly flash frozen to death as the temperature of the room dropped to freezing in an instant.

DO NOT TEMPT MY FURY, MORTAL FOOL! YOUR TIME OF JUDGEMENT WILL COME! 

Then, Alexandria was there, shielding the man, and meeting the Tsaritsa glare for glare. It lasted only a heartbeat, until Focalors brought her gavel down with a bellow of ORDER! 

But it was long enough that the nations of the world took note: Alexandria could stand up to an Archon. And, whatever she and her nation had done, it had earned the wrath of the gods. Some were impressed. Most were horrified. 

I accept the testimony of the Tsaritsa that she relinquishes her claim to Finland, and will take that into account in my judgment. However, there is another god that may lay claim to this land, and in time of need, defended Finland from the Abyss and its horrors, saving it from certain damnation, Focalors declared. 

“I object to the classification of Kollei Snezhnaya as a god. She is merely an angel,” Cookie said flatly, and Bishop Korhonen nodded his agreement. 

“I, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, are willing to accept Kollei as the Angel of Compassion. We will not accept her as ruler of Finland, but we will accept her as God’s chosen spiritual guide, much in the same way that Lord Barbados is for Germany and Poland.” 

Very well, then am I believe we are ready for the Judgement of the Oratrice, Focalors decreed, and once more submitted her notes into the giant scales. 

Once more, the Tsaritsa’s side swiftly lowered, and Focalors declared: Guilty! This is my judgement: to the people of Finland, the Tsaritsa must pay reparations for the cost in lives, treasure, and land lost during the Fatui’s invasion. However, the Tsaritsa is NOT held liable for the Abyssal Invasion. For this, she found Innocent. Finland is given to Kollei Snezhnaya, Angel of Compassion, to oversee as spiritual advisor, if not temporal ruler. She must steward her new lands well, for it is inevitable that Finland will come under attack from the Abyss again.

Focalors lowered the paper she had written her verdict on, and her glowing eyes transfixed the audience. Now: What has been said today regarding the Abyss must be held in secret. The Abyssal Trial will be held the day after tomorrow. Prepare yourselves for that case, for it shall be President Alexandria and the United States who will be the defendants. We will be calling witnesses to testify. A list is being presented to the American delegation now. 

“And if we refuse?” Alexandria demanded. “You have no evidence and no right to accuse us of any crimes! Additionally, the United States was and is at war with Russia, and any attacks we made were legal under the articles of war!”

This time, Focalors voice boomed out from the judge’s bench. THEN IT IS WELL THAT IT IS I, THE GOD OF JUSTICE WHO JUDGES YOU, AND NOT THE GOD OF WAR. FOR THE ARCHON OF NATLAN WOULD SMITE YOU AND YOUR NATION INTO THE DUST FOR SUMMONING THE EVIL THAT THE GOD OF WAR AND HIS HEIRS HAVE FOUGHT FOR 500 YEARS!

Those who revered the Archons found themselves prostrate on the ground in abject awe and worship. Those who opposed them were driven to their knees in agony. Save one: Alexandria stood tall, the light and glory emanating from Focalors having no effect on her. Instead, she cast a twisting shadow on the far wall, and in that shadow, darkness roiled and lingered, wicked faces and tendrils coming off of her as a visible miasma emanated from Alexandria’s skin.

SHE IS ATTAINTED ALREADY! The Raiden Shogun bellowed, drawing forth her blade with a peal of thunder. 

Keiga roared, and the room seemed to stretch and swell as she took on her draconic form, looming over Alexandria, who was a lone figure of shadow against the bright light coming now from all five Archons. 

That was when the door was blown off its hinges. Focalors cried out in pain as her seal was broken, and then moaned in horror as a golden light streamed forth from a figure in white armor. Floating over the rubble, Scion stepped forth, a shining golden blade bare in his hands. At his left was Tohu, and at his right, Bohu, both of the twins grinning wickedly and with weapons bared. 

S-Sustainer! Why do you interrupt this court? Focalors gasped, then reasserted control. Lord Sustainer! I must object! This is a legal proceeding, and I am within my rights to preside here!

FLOWING BROADCASTER. WE HAVE NOT YET MET, Scion rumbled as the Archons hurried forward, putting themselves between the king of Demons and the mortals assembled. Buer even hurried around the Twins, seeing to the evacuation of those who had been outside. Several had been killed by Scion’s brutal arrival, and others grievously wounded by the Twins. Buer hastily whisked them away into the Dream, then summoned the Aranara and prepared a binding script behind the Warrior to shield the mortals of Geneva. 

Get behind me, foolish Yankee, Beelzebul snarled at Alexandria, but the President batted aside the Electro Archon’s attempts to haul her bodily away from Scion, and instead stepped forward and took an at-ease posture between the Archons and the Entity.

No, Lord Sustainer, Focalors said, standing imperiously. I had expected you to come courting me, but not in a literal court. I must say, if this is how you intend to woo me, I find it lacking. There are better ways to approach a lady with whom you wish to consummate the Cycle. Keep this up and I may change my mind.

Focalor’s words seemed to catch Scion off guard. He regarded her for a moment, seeming to process something. Then he bowed his head. FORGIVE ME, FLOWING BROADCASTER. I SHALL MAKE BETTER ATTEMPTS TO COURT YOU. YOU WILL BECOME MY SIXTH MATE, AND WITH YOU, I SHALL COMPLETE THE CYCLE. IT IS WELL YOU RECOGNIZE THIS.

My my, only the first date and you’re already talking about children? Tee hee, I’m afraid I’m a bit harder to catch than that, Scion. I expect proper gifts and offerings to someone of my magnificence next time, Focalors preened, fluffing her hair and smoothing an imaginary skirt. 

The other Archons looked rather disturbed by this display, but Scion only nodded. IT WILL BE DONE. NOW. AS TO THE YANKEES, AND THE ABYSS. YOU MAY HOLD YOUR TRIAL. BUT I WILL BE THE ONE TO DELIVER JUDGEMENT. IT IS MY RIGHT, AS THE SUSTAINER OF THE CYCLE, AND HOLDER OF THE HYDRO GNOSIS. 

Extending his hand, Scion brought forth a glowing blue chess bishop. 

Focalors gasped, putting a hand to her chest. Ah, yes that is…my former Gnosis. Er, if you mean it as a gift, I must decline for now. Perhaps when we are further along in our relationship…

When the time comes, you will be granted this power, and bear my seed. Our progeny will spread throughout the stars, and we will solve the final problem, Scion decreed, which put dread into the hearts of all who could hear. 

Then, abruptly as he had arrived, Scion and the Twins departed. They simply flew past Buer, and into the sky, before vanishing completely. 

As soon as they were gone, Beelzebul whirled on Alexandria, her face full of fury. YOU WOULD SIDE WITH THE SUSTAINER AGAINST US, YANKEE?!

“I would side with humanity against all alien threats. You included,” Alexandria scoffed. 

“Ah, forgive us, Archons but…why…why was Scion in the presence of Endbringers?” Dr. Marković gasped, rising to her knees and picking up one of her broken shoes from the floor, her hair a disarrayed mess, her suit stained with dust, glasses slightly askew. 

Because he is the Father of Demons, and they, his spawn. At least, in part. They are truly remnants of the Dead God who was his original mate when he came to this world, Buer explained, floating down and giving Ziz a hard look. The Anemo Dragon closed her mouth and sulked, but held her peace. 

This is the line in the sand, the Tsaritsa said, and looked around the shattered room, her expression stern, but suddenly full of love. Now you understand why I waged my war. Now you understand what is at stake: We must save as many of our children as we can, before Scion consumes all in his mad cycle. Do not be mistaken: His Cycle would be the doom of this world, and the death of all we Love. You are either with us, or you are with him. Choose, my beloved. And choose swiftly. 

“You do not have to choose the tyranny of either brand of aliens!” Alexandria shouted, floating up in the air and glaring around the room. “The United States and its allies stand against the alien menace from all sides. We stood against the Endbringers, even before your supposed saviors arrived! We stood against the Tsaritsa! And we will stand against Scion!” 

You are mad, Yankee. You have called upon the Abyss! For this, you will stand trial, and for this, you shall perish, Beelzebul growled, pointing her blade at Alexandria. 

“You fear it in our hands only because it is a weapon that could destroy you, alien. You, who subjugated one land, and have just destroyed how many hundreds of thousands in your mad reign of terror! Put me on trial! I will reveal to all your myriad of crimes!” Alexandria declared. 

Enough! Beelzebul, control yourself, Barbatos said, putting a gentle hand on the Shogun’s shoulder. She gritted her teeth, but sheathed her blade, and nodded to the Angel of Freedom. Barbatos fixed his eyes on Alexandria, his own expression stormy. I believe in Freedom, Rebecca Costa-Brown. Mortals must determine their own Fates. But that does not free them from the consequences of their own actions. Your trial will come. Gather your witnesses, and be prepared to face Judgement. 

“I reject your right to judge me, but the world has a right to know, and to choose for themselves. I will be here, never you fear,” Alexandria smeared. 

Just then, a panicked looking Miss Militia appeared, and ran up to the president. Alexandria lowered so she could hear the whispers of her subordinate. When she did, cold fury wrapped her. “What!? BIRDCAGE!? He- YOU! THIS IS YOUR DOING, YOU TREACHEROUS WITCH!” 

The Tsaritsa regarded the finger pointed at her, but she only smiled smugly. It seems your house is not in order, Madam President. Perhaps you best go attend to it. It seems some who Love you have not rejected all sense. The Clock Strikes Midnight. Judgement, it seems, has come early. 

A door appeared, and Alexandria whirled and stalked through it, even as the Tsaritsa’s icy laughter filled the chamber. 

Ah, what a magnificent performance! Focalors, I begin to enjoy myself! Yes, let the world judge me! Let the world mock and disparage me! So long as I preserve all I Love, it is well worth the price! Let us see if that Yankee fool feels the same come her own day in court!

Buer shook her head. We have no time. Please, everyone. Go: make ready your defenses, and prepare your people. When the Trial comes, you will need to choose your own fates. Please, choose with Wisdom. My family and I are available to answer any questions you would ask in private. This knowledge must be concealed, for it is Forbidden, but we shall tell you what we can, that you might act with discretion. 

The second day of the conference had ended at the Stroke of Midnight, but it was the desperate actions of the man the world would call Traitor that would be more telling than even the trials of the gods and the decrees of demons.