18th August 2019

SHAY

Noah and Renee were captured yesterday.

The ISA has taken them to a separate questioning room, after which they would be tried at court. Since the ISA suspects me of being closely involved, I'm allowed to witness the court proceedings and answer the questions that may be directed towards me.

I swallowed. Isaac told me that I would be fine and that Noah and Renee were the ones who would suffer the most. As if that made things better.

"But, what will happen to Noah?" I'd asked him worriedly.

Isaac's face darkened. "You'll know soon, Shay. I can't reveal the details."

It wasn't exactly reassuring, but this was what Isaac was willing to offer me. That, and a soft hug.

I arrived at the Court of Spirit Law at dawn, and I was ushered in by higher Spirits to the place Noah and Renee were in.

The court resembled a ballroom, with high glass ceilings, and white pedestals for Higher Spirits to sit upon. Wooden chairs were arranged into rows, for Spirits like me and I was asked to sit upon one of them.
Not many people were present, just a few higher Spirits, Noah, Renee and Lord Augustus.

Today, Lord Augustus wasn't a beam of light. He was in his lower form, his bald head shining in the light of the room, his pasty, cruel face watching Noah and Renee, who stood before him.

Noah's face was ashen, his eyes darting and clinging onto the slightest movements in the room. Renee, on the other hand, stood extremely still, observing Lord Augustus as if he were a lab specimen.

I wondered what was going on in their minds.

Madame Irene was something like an advocate, presenting the court case to Lord Augustus, and asking Noah and Renee the questions. Hopefully, madame Irene would be fair, she was friends with Claudius after all.

"Good Morning to one and all here. We are gathered here to discuss the crimes of Spirit Guide Noah Stark and Human Renee Durvont."

I noticed that the ISA didn't recognise Noah as a Higher Spirit and Renee as a Highest Spirit. Thankfully, Noah kept his loud mouth shut and refrained from correcting her.

"Noah Stark has been convicted of multiple crimes. The notable ones include, in order of initiation:
Providing illegal Spiritual Knowledge to a human, under Act 24 of SPC.
Creating an illegal Realm, under Act 378 of SPC.
Illegal Ascension to the 9th Dimension, along with a human, under Act 389 of SPC. The remaining details are provided to you, Lord." She pointed towards the file, which Lord Augustus was now reading.

Noah swallowed. It was clear that he was in big trouble now.

"Noah Stark, do you admit to committing these crimes?" Madame Irene asked, her voice booming with authority.

"I don't remember doing anything," Noah answered. "It's all blurry in my head."

I had to stop myself from gaping at him in disbelief. He had decided to lie to the court?

Lie to Lord Augustus?

"Noah Stark, did you understand the question?" Madame Irene asked, sounding confused.

"Yes, Lady Irene," Noah looked straight at her. "I had no clear intent to do any of these actions. Nor do I recollect doing them."

Madame Irene blinked. She then turned towards Renee.

"Renee Durvont, do you have any memory of committing these crimes?" Madame Irene asked.

"No, Madame Irene. I do not remember anything either," She said confidently.

"They are lying, Madame Irene," Lord Augustus spoke up, his voice gentle for someone so cruel. "Lying in a court of law is also an offence."

Noah looked at Renee, his face appearing to be tense and worried. Did they think that they would get away with lying?

Oh, if only Izzy had given them some pointers!

"We are lying," Noah admitted. "I'm sorry, Lord Augustus, but he told me to lie."

"He? Who is he?" Madame Irene.

"Sir Johannes," Renee answered, much to my shock.

Where did Sir Johannes come from?

"Please elaborate," Madame Irene said, her eyes narrowed at the pair of them.

"I fell in love with Renee Durvont when I went to collect her soul from the Earthly Realm. After initial confusion, she was said to be alive. But I wanted to see her again since I couldn't forget her," Noah explained.

I wondered why Noah was telling them all this. My eyes glanced at Renee, who was nodding to every word that he said.

"Sir Johannes promised me a life with Renee. He told me to create a Realm where we could meet, and he told me that Spiritual Ascension was a way we could see each other again. I was expertly manipulated into his scheme without my knowledge." Noah told them.

"Sir Johannes guided us through every step. Our crimes were all his idea," Renee added. "I have proof."

"Where is this proof?" Madame Irene asked, looking completely astonished at what they were saying.

I didn't know what to believe anymore.

Renee showed them a memory of Sir Johannes upon a beach, talking about Renee going to the White Realm.

"That isn't an issue. You have reached the White Realm purely due to my efforts. I am responsible for your achievement." Johannes seemed to be saying.

Lord Augustus too looked surprised, watching the memory intently.

I knew that they'd scored a point here. It was genius, purely genius, to blame it all onto Johannes. Who, by the way, had to be punished for all that he had done to the LOLtube.

I suppressed the smile that made its way to my face. Maybe they could get out of this with a mild punishment.

"Johannes is to be interrogated," Lord Augustus looked troubled. "I cannot believe that this is another one of his twisted schemes."

"Court Dismissed," Madame Irene announced. "Will be resumed once Sir Johannes is here."

I couldn't hold back my smile any longer.

Noah Stark always knew how to wind his way out.

*****

"Was that true?" I asked Noah, who was sitting upon a wooden bench. We were in a room adjacent to the courtroom, and being watched by Higher Spirits. Fortunately, the Higher Spirits weren't listening to our conversation.

"No," Noah said, his eyes fixated onto the Higher Spirits.

"Noah came up with it," Renee answered, smiling proudly at Noah.

"It's so smart, Izzy would be impressed," I beamed.

Noah nodded but didn't say anything. I knew that he was still worried, the worst wasn't over yet.

And now that Johannes was being brought in, who knew how he would twist Noah's words?

"Shay, remember to upload the pdf," Renee reminded me. I nodded, thinking about the book she had written. I was tasked with uploading the last pdf onto her website since I was the only person left who could use the Spirit Internet properly.

I had grumbled about it yesterday, even though I didn't mind helping them out.

"Sir Johannes is here," Another Higher Spirit had walked in, and calling us to take our places in the courtroom.

Here we go again.

*****

Sir Johannes looked much frailer than what I'd seen last time, in Renee's memory. His silver goatee looked rather wispy, and his wrinkles had deepened, giving him an aged look. What struck me the most was his confidence, or rather the lack of it.

I'd never seen him look so powerless.

Madame Irene summarised everything that Noah and Renee had said so far. Lord Augustus sat back in his chair, watching Johannes with an unreadable expression. Of course, their hatred for each other ran deep.

"It was not me!" Johannes yelled as soon as Lady Irene gave him a chance to speak. "I am innocent!"

I snorted. Everyone wanted to lie in the court today.

"Johannes, the girl has a memory of you accounting for all their crimes. Is that not enough proof?" Lord Augustus asked him.

"That is false! That is not me!" He shouted again. "Please, Augustus, you need to believe me!"

"Would you care to explain why that is not you?" Augustus asked, sounding tired more than anything.

I noticed that Madame Irene had stopped talking, the conversation running only between Johannes and Augustus.

"My comrades have left me, to work for someone else, someone supposedly more powerful than I was. I do not know who he is, but there is a high chance that he is pretending to be me." Johannes spoke, his voice trembling with every word.

Another person who was pretending to be Johannes?

Why was everyone coming up with new twists today?

"And why would he pretend to be you?" Augustus asked.

"So that his identity may remain anonymous? I do not know, Augustus, but I do know that my comrades have been possessing humans, one notably being this human girl's brother," Johannes answered.

"Possessing humans? Again?" Augustus asked incredulously. "You did that back in the 1990s."

"I am not doing it now... They are!" Johannes argued. "Where can I go? I'm chained to my pit of darkness for eternity!"

He let out a sob, a rather disgusting noise similar to that of a braying donkey.

"I'm old and weak. I do not have the strength to carry out my schemes," Johannes wailed.

"Stop crying, Johannes," Augustus snapped, looking irritated, before adding, "We're the same age."

"And we had similar goals! Everything used to be fine until you betrayed me!" Johannes yelled.

It was clear that he was trying to be a victim here.

"Please, Johannes, that happened years ago-"

"Why?" Johannes asked, with so much pain in his eyes, wringing his hands together. "Augustus... Why?"

Augustus blinked, his eyes filled with emotion for just a second, before disappearing in an instant, a cold look masking it.

"You know why. And this isn't the time or place for that conversation," He said smoothly, signing on a sheet in front of him.

"What... What did you sign?" Johannes looked stunned at his casual gesture, his mouth hanging open.

"That you are clearly guilty of your crime," Augustus looked straight at him.

"I AM INNOCENT!" Johannes howled, tears streaming down his face. "BELIEVE ME!"

"You have made up another story-"

"IT IS TRUE! MY COMRADES HAVE LEFT ME!"

"And, two Spirits claim that you had guided them to commit the crime-"

"I DON'T KNOW THESE KIDS! I AM INNOCENT!"

"I cannot put up with your crimes for eternity, Johannes. Do not hold me as a reason for being the bad guy," Augustus told him.

Johannes sank to the ground, his knees hitting the floor with so much force. He bent his head, his arms folded and shaking with respect, his breaths ragged.

"I... am... Innocent!" He said, hurt and pain reflected in his voice. "I cannot be convicted if I am innocent."

Lord Augustus stood up.

"You are an Enlightened, Augustus. If you seek, you will know that I am innocent today," Johannes said, sounding strangely determined.

I sat up. Lord Augustus was all-knowing, and he would know by now if Johannes was guilty or not. And the way Johannes was begging, something told me that he could be innocent, that he may be speaking the truth.

Augustus froze. He narrowed his eyes at Johannes, who was surprisingly smiling at him.

"You are guilty of the crimes," Augustus told him flatly.

"Am I, Augustus? And you saw that?" Johannes nearly cackled.

How did his mood switch in an instant?

"Of course I did," Augustus looked busy with the papers. "Madame Irene, please proceed with the punishments."

Johannes's laugh was hollow, echoing through the courtroom, "Oh how the turntables!"

"Stop talking out of turn, Sir Johannes," Madame Irene piped up.

"Are you afraid that I'm going to expose you, Augustus?" Johannes asked sarcastically. "Afraid that I'll get your little secret out?"

"Sir Johannes, you will be chained to the pit of darkness for an additional ten years," Augustus announced. "That is your punishment."

"WHAT?!" Johannes screamed. "I'M INNOCENT!"

"This is why you shouldn't pretend to be so smart," Augustus snapped.

"AUGUSTUS ISN'T A PART OF THE ENLIGHTENED! HE'S FAKING IT!" Johannes screamed. "THIS IS THE TRUTH!"

My jaw dropped. Augustus was faking it all along?

Oh wow.

Izzy would know.

"SILENCE!" Lord Augustus shouted. "TAKE HIM AWAY!"

The Higher Spirits dragged Johannes away, who looked satisfied with a smug grin on his face.

Ladies and gentlemen, that's my role model for you.

"Noah Stark will be joining Sir Johannes in the pit of darkness as well," Augustus announced.

Noah, who was previously enjoying the whole exchange with Johannes, now froze in his tracks.

"But, Lord Augustus, I was manipulated!" He shouted.

"No, you weren't," Augustus frowned. "Take him away!"

"I do not intend to align with Johannes! I hate him!" Noah yelled.

"Silence!" Augustus bellowed. "How dare you scream in a court of law, Noah Stark?"

Noah shut up. He hung his head, tears streaming down his face.

"You will be chained to the pit of darkness for five years," Lord Augustus announced.

Renee was crying too, and after a moment of hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Noah, who readily clung to her.

Surprisingly, I found tears running down my cheeks too.

"Renee Durvont is to be severed from the Spirit Realm," Lord Augustus declared. "In addition to this, her memories of three months are to be wiped away. Any breach of information in the Earthly Realm is to be taken care of."

They had seen this coming. Renee would always receive a lighter punishment.

Even then, we hadn't anticipated the fact that she would be severed from the Spirit Realm.

"Case settled," Lady Irene announced. "The convicts are to be prosecuted immediately."

I hurried over to the pedestal where Noah and Renee were standing and crying onto each other's shoulders. My heart broke at the sight, this is exactly what I thought would happen.

And it did.

I don't know what to feel anymore.

"Do what I told you to do, Ren," Noah whispered. "We're well prepared on your side."

"What about you?" Renee asked him, her breath catching in her throat.

"The Astrascends will break Noah out," I whispered. "It is my promise."

Noah looked shocked, but he nodded.

"Come to the Before Realm, Ren. I'll meet you there," Noah told her.

"I will," She nodded with a small smile.

Then Noah kissed her, not caring about the higher Spirits, Lady Irene or Lord Augustus. It was only for a brief moment, but the court grew silent, and I swallowed nervously.

Then Lady Irene spoke.

"If you are done, then we may proceed," She said, completely ignoring the kiss.

I heaved a sigh of relief. I didn't want Noah to get into more trouble than what he already was in.

Noah gently detached himself from Renee and stood boldly in the court, his head held high. Two Higher Spirits took his arms and pulled him towards the exit.

"He told me that he loves me, and always will for eternity," Renee whispered, her eyes blurry with tears.

I smiled at her. She smiled back at me.

"Spirit Guide Shay Williams is to be imprisoned for two months, due to her efforts in helping the convicts," Lord Augustus announced suddenly.

I spun around, gaping at him in shock. "I thought I was cleared of all charges!"

"I have decided that you aren't," He replied, with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Shay Williams is to be imprisoned tomorrow, at dawn," Madame Irene announced, avoiding my gaze.

Noah didn't know.

Noah would think that I wasn't going to break him out of prison. That I'd broken my promise.

Why can't I get to do one thing right?

"Renee Durvont, please kneel before the Court," Lady Irene announced. "We will be erasing your memories."

She walked forwards, a strange blue liquid in her hands. With her fingers, she moved the liquid of her bottle and made it flow through Renee's head.

Five minutes later, she pulled the liquid out, which was now white.

Renee's eyes remained closed.

"And now, we shall sever her Spirit," Lord Augustus declared, as he rose from his throne.

I scrambled back into my chair, terrified out of my wits. I had seen this happening to Isaac before, and I didn't want to watch it again.

Lord Augustus raised his hands, reverting into his light beam form. He looked at Renee's limp body and directed a beam of light towards her.

The beam of light was blinding, and I closed my eyes, crying at what was happening to Renee. She didn't deserve any of this, the only mistake she'd committed was falling in love.

I knew that she wouldn't call it a mistake. According to her, falling in love was the only right thing she'd done.

Once the light dimmed, I slowly opened my eyes, scared of what I might see.

There was a scorch mark upon the white pedestal, a mark that was strangely Renee shaped.

It was over. She had been severed.

Renee Durvont was gone.

*****

~END OF PART 3~

*****

(A/N: So that was the last chapter😭 It was also the longest in this book.

Do you think Johannes is innocent, or is he lying?

Do you think Lord Augustus is a part of the Enlightened, or is he faking it like Johannes said?

What do you think will happen to Noah next? Will Shay try to help him?

Will Noah and Renee see each other again?

I'm really excited to hear your thoughts and comments, and I'm so glad to see that you're all enjoying it so far. :)
The Epilogue is coming up soon. Thank you all for reading. )