The Trials pt. 2

**Aileen POV**

Father had to pinch my side to stop me from running to Devon. Every muscle in my body fought me over flinging myself at him and hugging him close. Father whispered to me, “he suffered severe spinal cord damage. Giving into your longings will not only embarrass you in court, but you could worsen his condition.”
The judge stomped his foot once, demanding attention back to the center of the room. It seemed even the squad leaders had lost focus with the arrival of Devon. Aside from Tom and Lena, the other squad leaders were shooting Devon daggers. Most of them were older, so they may have been close to the late Squad Leader Nye. The judge adjusted his robes as if clearing out the tension in the room. All the squad leaders stood straight and waited for the trials to continue.
“Ms. Sekai, last name unknown, head of the torture wing for Demon Lord Shiuku please stand. You have committed many heinous acts of which we have compiled a rather lengthy list from the information offered to us." The judge kept a neutral tone, but the slight twitching of his eye told how unsettling he found her transgressions.
Strangely, she curtsied to the squad leaders and the judge. "Yes, I did not wish to hide anything for the DSS. The one who gave you such documentation was me. Ms. Aileen had me bring me pack all the documents and books we could. Mallory, Rena, Sam, and myself knew at least a few of us would be on trial. We made a pact to offer any information we had available to you all to prove our loyalty... No matter how incriminating. I shall answer any questions you may have."
To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Sekai wasn't only showing her commitment to the DSS, she demonstrated restraint and elegance. I was proud the future Queen of Lutz was finally taking her soon to be position seriously. Was this what she was working on while we were all kept away from each other?
"It has also come to my attention that you have commited sexual assault on ex member of the DSS Devon. What have you to say on this?"
Sekai's stance stood straight. "Yes, I have molested and taken advantage of Devon on several occasions."
"Do you have any defense?"
"I did not want to. Demon Lord Shiuku had control over me since I was ten. When I first became his possession, he tied up my parents and tortured them for eight days. He made sure I saw exactly what he was capable of. I grew up fearing him and what he would do to me." Never a waver in her voice as she recited her past to the DSS. "I was ordered to be with a horrible man named Hal. The two of us were to humiliate, degrade, and force ourselves on Devon. At the time, I didn't know why he wanted me to abuse Devon in such a way. Now I know that Demon Lord Shiuku was trying to cage Devon by causing him mental trauma. We found a document that proved him to be Demon Lord Darren's son. Hal and I were ordered to increase the frequency of our abuse and molestation of Devon after Aileen and him met for the first time in the woods. We were supposed to break him to where he would never be fit company for any woman."
"So your defense is you were compelled to do his bidding by threat of harm and or death."
A couple of the squad leaders glanced at Devon. Some were snickering at his pain and humiliation. Yi was amoung those who found Devon being sexually tortured was amusing. Someone should teach trash like him sexual assault is horrifying and scarring to both girls AND boys. The others gave him their sympathy. Silently I thanked them and cussed at the callous asshole finding it humorous.
"Please explain what experiments this Hal character was performing and your role."
"He was testing something to do with marks. I was not privy to the reasons, or anything concrete. My role was to heal the victims, so they could be experimented on further... Something I got very good at while in the torture wing."
Mallory slammed a fist on the arm of her chair, staring at the judge. He exhaled deeply and rubbed at his temples. Unenthusiastically he waved her to speak.
"I believe it will be beneficial to combine the trials of us who have left Demon Lord Shiuku with Sekai's. Many of us have done things we are not proud of under threat of painful death. She should not be singled out. We are all victims attempting to live a brighter future." She pointed to every squad leader individually. "Please remember squad leaders, we all risked our lives to help your cause. And that's not including all the information now at your disposal."
The judge spread his arms wide. "Very well, Squad Leader Lena, you have spoken with every individual freed and have come up with a plan yes?"
"Yes, King Ulrich of Lutz please stand. I have spoken to you along with Mallory correct?" Lena was back to her formal self.
My Father stood tall. His stature and cold eyes silenced Yi's leftover giggles from Devon's abuse. As always, my Father's presence demanded respect and attention. There was no ignoring my Father once he took a stance.
"Yes, there are two groups that have left Shiuku's side. The group such as Mallory, who want to oppose him directly and join the DSS ranks; and those such as Sekai who desire a life free of him completely. I am offering sanctuary to all demons and humans whom would like to come to my dimension."
Several squad leaders began conversing amongst themselves while the judge carefully contemplated what Father had suggested. Yi was the only quiet one. Instead of discussing with his colleagues the right decision, he prefered to spend his time smirking at Devon. The old man was starting to test my patience. Had I been early on in my pregnancy, demon aura would be controlling me by now.
The blonde ponytail squad leader who had spoken up to Yi said, "that would prevent the demon lord from using fear to retrieve his old pawns. Afterall, he will need some elementals to build a new hideout. Why not use those who betrayed him and not under the DSS' protection."
All the other squad leaders agreed. The one closest to Lena had yet to speak, but I had started to take notice of him. Between each issue, the judge and others would glance to him. Whoever the man was, he must have been highly acclaimed.
The judge nodded, "all who want to go with the King of Lutz may do so. Any demons whom would like to join the DSS are welcome to take part in the selection tests." A pause and he continued, "unless there is an objection, Sekai and all others forced to join Demon Lord Shiuku shall be pardoned of their crimes. They will be kept under supervision for a while under whichever squad leader they are assigned to. Any objections?"
"Let us move onto the traitors; Jacob and Devon. I do not want to give them false hope that they are off the metaphorical hook. I would like Jacob to stand now."
The judge nodded and asked the others of our group to be seated. Only my Father was never a great listener. He stayed standing along with Jacob. Devon was unable to stand. One of the squad leaders walked over and pushed him in front of my seat. Devon was so close I could just reach an arm out and finally touch him again. And yet, I was unable. This was a crucial moment for him. Lena and Tom had already forgave him. If the DSS would pardon his previous betrayal, his guilt would be gone.
"King Ulrich, you may be seated." The judge narrowed his eyes on my Father. "This does not involve the Kingdom of Lutz nor your dimension."
"It may. I shall remain standing." He said plainly. No room for argument in that hard stare.
What was my Father planning?
"Jacob, unlike everyone else here, you were a member of the DSS before having anything to do with the demon lord. You knew and signed that you were prepared to die to fight him. Instead you commited treason and murder on our property. Defense?"
"None. I was scared and joined him to save my own life. I have broken my oath to the DSS."
The squad leaders were not as interested in this trial as the previous ones. Judging by their bored expression, they already knew how this was going to play out. If not for my Father, it probably would have gone just as they assumed.
"Well then this comes as a rather easy decision. For your treason we shall order a quick execution."
My skin started crawling. Compared to Devon, Jacob hadn't done that much to hinder them. They weren't even discussing the good things he did while at Shiuku's hideout. He had saved all those innocents and gotten them back here safely. Technically I had punished him for the death of Kalum as well. I had stabbed him and let my anger out on him while he was chained up and helpless.
"No."
The judge scowled in Father's direction. "This is not your choice to make, Your Highness. We are not in your kingdom."
"This is true; however, his victim was not a member of your organization. He was my highest ranking knight and friend. He was also a second Father to the Princess of Lutz. His fate should be in our hands."
The respected squad leader smiled while the judge became agitated. Yi and blonde's eyes widened at the blatant challenge in my Father's tone. He was daring them to deny him his revenge.
The judge gritted out, "he betrayed the DSS, not you. Be assured King of Lutz, he will be executed soon. You may even witness his death if you so desire."
"No. His fate belongs to my daughter and I. He shall pay however we deem appropriate back in our dimension."
At last that quiet squad leader interjected his opinion. "I have had enough of this discussion. None of you, not even your Honor, cared about Jacob's fate. I see no reason for you to be so blood hungry, Your Honor."
"He deserves death. We have given a pass to everyone on trial so far. Letting Jacob go would be too lenient." The judge argued.
The squad leader's lips curled slightly. "I am head of the DSS as of this morning. Do not forget your place."
He was the head of the DSS right now. All the squad leaders were still as bored as they had been at the start of Jacob's turn. They all knew who was really in charge here. So why was the judge given control for so much of the trials? Did the head of the DSS find it amusing?
"Whatever has happened in the other trials has nothing to do with Jacob's. He shall not be executed simply because we gave Demon Lord Shiuku's victims mercy. Parker, you are proving to be unfit for a permanent position as judge." The Ruler of the DSS brought his golden gaze to my Father. "You shall be granted Jacob's fate back in your home. We shall keep him until that day. In exchange, you shall have nothing more to do with the trials. Not another word while we move onto our last person. Is that acceptable to you?"
"Yes." Father sat down.
"Very well, we will move onto Devon. You were a spy sent by Demon Lord Shiuku and caused the death of Squad Leader Nye. He was in line to be the nxt head of the DSS. The squad leader was also supposed to assist in training the Final Guardian. You also threatened our peace with Demon Lord Kuzon. He was quite unhappy with the developments outside his home." Parker was now sweating. His position was now in jeopardy.
Devon held his head high, listening silently to the facts of his past mistakes. The judge added, "then you approached the now deceased Roy whose last name remains unknown to us. You convinced him to give up on his fiance Ms. Aileen Lutz and tricked our member Trevor Hemmer. From this Trevor was in critical care for some time and Aileen was successfully abducted. What do you have to say?"
In a hollow voice Devon answered, "I was sold to him as a child. If I were to disobey him, I would suffer a painful death lasting until Demon Lord Shiuku grew tired of my cries and screams."
"We have the documents proving you are the son of Demon Lord Darren; another one of our enemies."
"No. He is not my Father. I was sold and stripped of any claim to the demon lord."
The judge asked the other squad leaders assembled if they had anything to ask of Devon. Any questions needed to be fairly short for he was having problems breathing properly.
Blondie spoke up, "He is a victim as was Sekai and Mallory. Unlike with Jacob, he was raised in such an environment. His major crimes are the death of Nye. We all looked up to and respected him greatly and the abduction of Aileen."
"Sold or not, he was Demon Lord Shiuku's right hand man and helped stalking a small child." That was Yi.
Other squad leader's eyes flickered between Lena and Tom. Neither of them said anything to damn, or benefit him. My Father had his eyes closed and just waited.
"There is a zero tolerance for any harm to a child; physical or emotional. We have always been strict on that," said the squad leader closest to Tom.
Devon rebutted, "I was disgusted by what he did. I always prayed for her to escape. On many occasions I told her to hurry up home."
At least he was defending himself. I had worried he would accept whatever happened without putting up a defense. He really had grown, my Lord of Vernen...Vernen!
"He is the Lord of Vernen." I stood up. "An ally to the Kingdom of Lutz."
Yi groaned, "this again? The King is forbidden to speak. Sit down little girl."
I gave him my cheek to cheek grin. "Yes, he isn't able to speak for himself, so as Princess of Lutz, I shall in his stead."
"This is getting out of hand. Sit dow-" The judge started.
Again the leader chimed in, "no rules have been broken. Let her speak. I'd like to hear where she's going with this."
"The DSS needs as many allies as they can get right? In place of my Father, I would like to offer the support of our army in five years."
"The land of Vernen will fight for you as well." Devon huffed out. He really was in bad shape. If I ever got my hands on Darren, I'd make him pay tenfold. "Let me atone for what I have done."
Yi rolled his eyes. "What good would an army of humans d-"
"Don't underestimate what the everyday person can do. You've seen King Ulrich in action. I have also been informed he took down many enemies during our most recent battle." Blondie grinned at Yi's anger.
Now Lena spoke up, "King Ulrich is Squad Leader Tom and I's unpolished diamond. He has singlehandedly proven a non-elementals worth in battle. Of course he is still rough around the edges. We are already sending someone to their dimension with them. Why not have that person train their army?"
"I agree to that." I said.
The Ruler of the DSS nodded, "those conditions are acceptable to me as well. From what I have seen, he is not evil by nature and has much atonement ahead of him. Just as with Demon Lord Shiuku's son, Devon shall be under surveillance in the other dimension as well."
"But!"
Lena and Tom glared at Yi and the judge. "We shall discuss amongst ourselves now who shall accompany them in their dimension. They are free to go, except Jacob. Or would you like to challenge our Ruler and Final Guardian?"
That was enough of a dismissal for me. I walked over to Devon and got a good look at him. He gave an awkward tug of his lips. Not a smile, but not a frown either.
He tried to cover his left eye with his arm. I slapped it away and kissed the scar. "Don't hide it. I think it's sexy. Gives you a dangerous edge." Before he could respond, I stole a kiss from his chapped lips. Angels sang in the back of my mind. God, had I missed kissing him. Devon gave my hand a quick squeeze. I placed a quick peck on his lips before the doctor retrieved him. With his trial completed, he needed to return to the infirmary and continue his physical therapy.
"Here I come to retrieve my lost daughter, and she's throwing herself all over some young man." I had been so preoccupied with Devon, I hadn't heard the doors reopen. My Father was staring at the man who'd called me daughter with a lifted eyebrow.