34Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjIYFmauNYChapter 2
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" THE CONSPIRACY"
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The courtroom cathedral looms in purple drapes and shadows.
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The Supreme Judges sit elevated on their marble dais — and then-
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Queen Alexandra walks from a back room and sits in The Kings Chair, poised, unreadable, her presence bending the room into silence.
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Metro is brought forth from the holding cell. He's now in the center of the floor, only a few paces away from Zacharias. His wrists are unbound, but Cornelius keeps a firm hand on his shoulder as he guides him to the defendant’s platform.
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Behind Zacharias stands the High Priest of the Province, Benjamin, wrapped in a copper‑gold robe that glimmers like forged sunlight. His priests — and Zacharias’s own — crowd behind the accuser and the accused, forming two walls of tension.
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The Queen has a long black gown on with purple eyes. Her hair is tied, and she has purple jewels over her forehead and nose. She looks intensely at Metro, not saying a word. Not breaking eye contact. For a long period. Metro doesn't look away, he tries best to look like a baby lamb.
The Queen smacks the gavel.
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WHACK!
(echoes on purpose)
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Queen Alexandra:(looks at Zack)
High Priest Zachrias...
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Zacharias steps forward to his platform, directly before the Queen and the five judges. His voice rises with practiced reverence.
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Zacharias:
“Seeing as we do enjoy our great quietness, and that your deeds are done unto the State, we accept it always, My Queen, with all thankfulness. But that I will not be further tedious to you, I pray you will hear us just a few words.”
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He turns, eyes narrowing at Metro.
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“For we have found this man a pestilent fellow — a mover of sedition among the villages of your territory. A ring‑leader of a growing sect. One who hath gone to profane the temple. Whom we would have taken and judged according to our law… but we brought him here before you, that thou may take knowledge of all things wherefore we accuse him.”
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The corrupt village priest behind him hiss in fury, nodding vigorously, feeding the lie.
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Benjamin and his priests do not move. They watch in cold silence, unreadable.
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Queen Alexandra lifts her hand. And locks eyes with Metro.
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The room stills.
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Queen Alexandra:
“So you're claiming Conspiracy.
Metro son of none.
Speak for yourself.”
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The Queen looks deeply into Metro, invading him, but ever so slightly grinning.
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Metro steps forward, lifting his eyes to the Queen.
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Metro:
“For the knowledge that I have obtained, and knowing you have judged many years over this nation, I answer cheerfully for myself.
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Because everyone here must understand — it has been years since I have stepped foot in the temple to worship. No one has ever found me there disputing with anyone, nor raising up the people, neither in the churches nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things they now accuse me of.
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But this I confess:
that after what they call heresy… is the way I worship my God. As our fathers did. Believing all things the prophets have spoken. Holding a hope towards salvation — which they themselves also allow — that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both just and unjust.”
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Cornelius’s eyes widen, following every word with a curious intensity.
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Metro:(continues, voice steady.)
"And here I strive always to keep a conscience void of offense towards Him.
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'After many years in my troubled youth, I returned to my homeland to bring alms and offerings to the poor. Many priests found me there, purified — not with a multitude, or with much noise. Who should be here today to object, if they had anything against me.'
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‘Or else let these who stand here say if they have found any evil in me…except for this one voice crying treason against me while I stand before you this day.”
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The chamber falls into a heavy silence. Even the Queen leans forward, locking in like a hungry falcon.
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The priests erupt at once, hissing complaints they can't prove. Their voices tangle into a chaotic chorus of accusations, each one thinner than the last.
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Zacharias doesn’t join them. He simply gazes at Metro — cold, calculating, waiting for him to slip.
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Metro lifts his chin.
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Metro:
“I have never gone against the law of the priests, nor against the temple, nor against Hasan. I have not offended anyone at all.”
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A murmur ripples through the chamber.
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Queen Alexandra’s lips curve into the faintest smile.
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Queen Alexandra:
“Are you willing to travel north past Felix, to meet The High Council, to finalize matters?”
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Metro inhales slowly, then speaks with calm conviction.
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Metro:
“I stand here at the Great Hall’s judgment, where I ought to be judged. To the priests who stand before you, I have not wronged, or offended anyone, nor committed anything worthy of death. These men have knowledge of that. I refuse to die — especially when they cannot prove what they accuse me of. No man may deliver me. I appeal to remain here, in the Great Hall.”
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The Queen’s eyes brighten with interest. She hides her smile behind her glowing eyes, they twist creepily.
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Queen Alexandra:
“Go on.
Speak for yourself.
You are permitted to speak.”
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Metro nods slowly, in reverent respect. When he lifts his head again, his eyes glow white.
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Metro:
“I am happy to stand before you this day, My Queen. I shall answer for myself concerning all things these priests accuse me of. I know you are an expert in all customs and questions regarding them. Therefore, I ask that you hear me patiently.
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I've lived a treacherous life since my youth. I did not live a righteous lifestyle, nor did I desire to. Not until I met a wandering priest who converted me.”
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The chamber quiets. Even the judges are leaned in.
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Metro:
“That same Spirit has led me out of darkness. Slowly over time it drew me to the Temple. I'd grown more faithful than I had ever imagined. I've been following my instincts ever since…
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…in God.’
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'I have borne testimony of His love, His gift of fire, His healing. And for this cause I have great hope — and for this hope’s sake, I am accused by these men.
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"Why should you be astonished?
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Metro looks back at the priest, then towards the Queen.
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'Why should it seem incredible to you that someone has awakened — from deep sleep unto clarity — by a Divine Source?
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I believe I must do many things in His name. And I have done them. In the villages. In the Whispering Outpost. Wherever I am sent.
For this I have been mocked, separated from my own, outcasted, imprisoned… accused by those who once uplifted me as brethren.”
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He pauses. The chamber holds still.
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Metro:
“I have seen visions — That I might heal someone through that same Spirit which healed me. That they may turn from darkness to light…
and from the power of Satan unto God. That they may receive forgiveness, and an inheritance sanctified by faith — which is in Him.”
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The blue‑glass windows flickers with white light across his face.
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The Queen doesn't blink. She trying to merge with him by eye sight alone. Wide smile. No teeth exposed.
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Queen Alexandra:
You speak with much conviction, you shall stay to be judged in The Great Hall at your request. We will wait for Felix to arrive, then we'll get to the uttermost of your matter.
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The Queen smiles beautifully now, but sadistically. She slams her gavel again.
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BAM!
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Queen Alexandra:(eye contact still connected)
“Meeting adjourned.”
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