46 Trial by Justice

"Well, that was something," Shizu weakly chuckled. "I'm... kind of getting nervous now."

"You can do this, Shizu," Riku insisted. "We've studied the paperwork. We have an edge."

Or at least, that was what he hoped. From what he could remember from that massive list of terms and agreements, he could infer that there were at least more than one trial that they could choose to undergo. They could go by the trial by combat that the two prior Champions just took and take their risk there, or they could just go with the more nonsensical, but equally dangerous other trial that Themis would throw at them. Still, they wouldn't know until the god himself told them what they were supposed to do, and they could only wait as the God of Order seemingly began reviewing the papers they submitted just a few moments prior.

"Ah, Riku, the Champion of Nyx," Themis began as he leafed through his paperwork. "I see that you've read through my agreements. For that, I say well done."

"Thank you," he curtly nodded. It wouldn't do for him to look arrogant at a job well done.

"Likewise, Shizu, the Champion of Tyche," the god noted as he took a glance at the other set of paperwork that just magically appeared in front of him. "You clearly took a page from Nyx's Champion. I do not know whether it's by coincidence or intentional, but the offer remains the same."

Together, Riku and Shizu both stood up, an act that both the general audience and the deities in the jury's stand both took notice.

"I didn't think you'd allow your Champion to work with someone else, Tyche," Brahma remarked with his usual loud voice. "Perhaps I should coax my Champion to gain allies of his own!"

"Likewise," Kali interjected, a hopeful gaze turning to Nyx which was currently seated where Ragnarok once was. "There is strength in numbers, after all. Perhaps-"

"No, Big Sister," Nyx coldly replied.

"Ah, I suppose I'll leave you to it then," Kali awkwardly smiled, a bit of hurt coloring her gaze.

Riku silently took note of that recent exchange just as Themis quickly gave everyone a stern gaze, signaling for the rowdy ones to keep quiet as he worked. It was more insight to the deities' dynamics, something that might come in handy in the future.

"Now, back to the matter at hand," Themis stated, his voice quickly turning the entire room silent as he spoke. "As per the clauses signed in both of your contracts, you two have the option to choose either the Trial by Combat, or the Trial by Justice. Whichever you choose will affect your chances of leaving my Realm, and I will ensure that fairness will be afforded to either of you no matter of your tactics, allegiances, or methods used for the trial of your choosing."

Riku quickly gave Shizu a passing glance, and the latter did the same as she clearly looked at him for direction. It would seem that they were choosing for the both of them, and there was no way that he would ever choose the Trial by Combat now that they were afforded a different option.

"Can I ask a question?" he fielded.

"You may."

At the God of Order's permission, Riku began to assess their options as he began, "What does the Trial by Justice entail?"

Immediately, the audience around him let out groans of obvious disappointment, something that surprised him even if he didn't outwardly show it. Was there something about this other trial that didn't sit well with the audience? Not that it matter to him in the slightest, however. He wasn't there to entertain. He was there to win with the least amount of risk as possible.

"The Trial by Justice is exactly what it entails," Themis vaguely stated. "You will be presented a problem, and I require you to give me a solution."

Riku blinked at such a straightforward answer. It sounded easy. Too easy, in fact. Still... "Would it involve combat?"

"If it is the solution to the problem, then yes," the god replied. "You will have no further hints than what I've just described."

Turning his attention back to Shizu, his fellow Champion clearly had no idea what to do as she shook on her feet. She was doing her best to remain calm, but she was failing miserably as the crowd began booing and hissing at them for some reason.

Again, not that it would stop him from doing the smart thing.

"I shall take the Trial by Justice," Riku boldly declared, his voice as level and calm as he could possibly make it.

"Very well," Themis hummed before turning to face Shizu. "And as for you, Champion of Tyche, what is-"

"I-I'll have the Trial by Justice too!" Shizu yelled out in panic before she quickly shrank back into herself. "I-I mean, yeah..."

Themis let out a scoff as he then snapped his fingers, making a what looked like a mundane ink stamp materialize from thin air. He then grabbed it and stamped both of their forms before promptly making both the stamp and the papers disappear into the ether.

"I see. In that case, I shall enact your trials simultaneously to save on time," Themis bellowed as he positioned his fingers for another snap. "Let the Trial by Justice commence!"

Riku and Shizu prepared themselves for anything as Themis then snapped his fingers once again. This time, the two of them both suddenly reappeared in the center of the courtroom where two podiums now currently stood opposite of one another. Giving each other a glance, both him and Riku stood on their respective podiums, their attention quickly being taken by the stack of papers that were now in front of them.

"The Trial by Justice has now commenced!" Themis bellowed, the sound of a wooden gavel booming above them as he struck it against the judge's stand. "Riku, Shizu, proceed with the opening of the case!"