Chapter 5: The Proposal

"If Lord Krishna is involved, then we can be assured… things will go fast," Odin exclaimed, a hint of relief in his voice. Though his words were confident, he drummed his fingers against the table, a faint crease forming on his brow. His chest tightened with an unspoken worry that he couldn't quite dispel.

Finally, a striking figure emerged, towering and lean, his muscles defined yet not overpowering. Despite his youth, an aura of authority radiated from him, commanding attention even among the gods. His head bore a unique crown, adorned with a brilliant blue jewel and delicate peacock feathers, shimmering in the light.

Loki glanced at Hermes and sighed. The god of mischief stood with a lithe, almost wiry frame, his broad face framed by a golden crown adorned with two sharp horns jutting from either side. 

"We were not informed about this!... Why is Krishna here?" Hermes exclaimed, turning to face Loki. Standing a bit taller than Loki, Hermes' well-built frame exuded strength. His red hair caught the light, revealing a handsome face that oozed divine charm.

As Krishna made his way to the podium to greet the three judges, his gaze unexpectedly locked with Loki's and Hermes'.

Loki and Hermes offered tense smiles, but Krishna's face lit up with a confident gleam as he smiled back at them.

"My lords!" Krishna greeted the three judges who were sitting on the stage above them. 

Odin, Ram, and Zeus stood again from their seats as they greeted Krishna.

Just then, the sharp clang of metal striking the ground tore through the chatter in the coliseum. The gods, seated in their respective places, fell silent as a hush enveloped the entire arena.

A towering presence swept into the coliseum, commanding attention with each step. In his right hand, a divine trident gleamed with power, while around his neck, the mighty serpent king Vasuki coiled, its scales shimmering in the light. 

His throat, as blue as the sky itself, while the gentle glow of the moon crowned his head. His beauty and grandeur surpassed even the most illustrious of gods, casting a spell of awe upon all who beheld him.

Beside him walked a graceful lady, his wife. Her eyes, deep pools of mystery, held secrets untold. The delicate curve of her lips hinted at both vulnerability and strength. A cascade of raven-black hair framed her face, falling in loose waves that whispered of midnight breezes. 

Her skin, porcelain pale, bore the faintest blush as if touched by moonlight itself. Adorned with intricate jewelry, she exuded an otherworldly elegance, her presence a mesmerizing blend of grace and power.

"Some gods will try to stretch this matter out... my lord, Shiva. I want to be with you, my love. Let me walk through the judgment with you," the lady said to the man beside her, her voice a gentle plea, as he stood at the entrance, his gaze sweeping over the gathered audience.

"I am aware, Parvati," Shiva replied, his tone somber yet resolute. "Some gods see what I have done as a dire crime. But it does not change the fact that I have indeed broken a sacred law. Even we gods are not free from the bounds of our karma."

"My love... I do not think you have done anything wrong!" Parvati exclaimed softly, her voice filled with conviction. "I can sense that some gods are here for their own benefit," she sighed, folding her hands together.

"Whatever happens today, Parvati, give me your word that you will not transform into Kali," Shiva implored gently, his hand tenderly clasping hers as he looked at her with a reassuring smile.

"My love…do not bind me with this vow! What if something bad happens to you? What if their judgment is unfair?" Parvati looked at her husband with a worrisome look.

"Worried about the Lord of Time?" Shiva smiled, his gaze shifting towards the judges seated on the podium. "Ram is one of the judges... not to mention Odin and Zeus, both well-respected," he continued, his eyes returning to Parvati with a mixture of concern and determination.

"I give you my word..." Parvati sighed softly, her voice trailing off slightly as she turned to walk towards her seat, a sense of resolve mingled with apprehension in her demeanor.

As Parvati arrived at her seat, she found her two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya, already seated. With a smile of reassurance, she took her place beside them, a sense of maternal pride and protection emanating from her presence.

As Shiva entered the coliseum, a reverent hush fell over the audience. All the judges stood up in acknowledgment of his presence. Shiva met their gaze and offered a gentle nod, acknowledging their respect with a serene demeanor.

"We ask for your permission to start this trial, Lord Shiva," Ram spoke up, his words tinged with deep respect, addressing the deity with utmost deference.

"But he is the accused... how can you ask him for permission?" Loki's voice rang out, filled with frustration and disbelief, followed by a heavy sigh that underscored his exasperation.

"Accused or not, he is one of the primordial gods, and not to mention, Lord Shiva is the one who has set forth the set of rules that we follow," Odin retorted with a loud tone, his jaw visibly clenched, emphasizing the weight of Shiva's authority and the respect owed to him.

Shiva stood in the center of the Colosseum, his eyes closed in a moment of silent contemplation. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and gazed up briefly before turning his attention back to the three judges. 

With a serene smile, he nodded gently, granting his permission to proceed with the trial.

Just then, Wenchang Wang, the Taoist deity known as the god of wisdom and culture, rose from the seat behind the three judges. 

His figure was slender, bearing the marks of age, and in his hand, he carried his divine book, a symbol of his knowledge and insight. 

"As the announcer for today's council, I would first like to address the dire situation that has arisen on Earth. With the asuras and demons freely roaming the mid-plane, we cannot delay our response," Wenchang Wang declared, his voice carrying the weight of urgency and concern for the perilous state of the mortal realm.

"With the events that have come forth on Earth, I propose we all work towards the Awakening," Shiva spoke up, his voice resonating with conviction as he addressed the assembly just after Wenchang Wang finished his speech.