The Butcher of Gadobhra

Chapter 105: No, you can't hit him!

It was never a slow day in the game development labs of GENESIS online. But today was the first time that the 12 lead designers had actually been able to sit down for pizza together in a month. The joke was that they didn't develop the game, the game developed itself and just dragged them along to watch. They had actually gotten to the ice cream and coffee when things got interesting.

One entire wall of the cafeteria suddenly became a huge screen and the lights dimmed. Wally appeared in front of them as if he was walking into the room...and then walked into the room.

'EEEP!' Sydney was easily startled. Several other people stood up suddenly. Steven just sat eating his ice cream. "I see you had no trouble getting the hologram system installed. I'm surprised you picked this room."

Wally smiled. "And you'll be equally surprised by the other rooms where I've had it installed. But that's fun and games for tomorrow. Today I have a treat for you and thought I'd join you on this side of the wall. Steven pulled a chair out for him and Wally sat his projection down.

Everyone else took their seats and swiveled towards the wall. Scenery scrolled by that seemed to place the area in the northern part of the empire. Finally, after moving over a small Legion outpost they could see the remains of a huge ruined city coming up. Mitchell had just come on board the month before and was still delighted by all the areas of the game he hadn't seen yet. "That's amazing. What city is that?"

"That" said Wally, "Is the ruins of Gadobhra. One of the eight mighty cities dedicated to the darker parts of magic. There was a huge war here in the past and while they couldn't destroy the city entirely, the opposing forces did manage to trim it back quite a bit and contain it. We aren't going there today, hopefully not for a long time. But there is a small village that grew up where Gadobhra's border used to be. There's an interesting trial going on today. "

The camera swept down over a very ruined little village. Samuel looked at it and laughed. "Sort of a fixer-upper? What the hell happened to it." Steven was typing on a laptop, and whistled as he saw the data. He'd been busy and missed the end of the war. He made a note to bug Wally for the highlights. "Wow, just Wow!"

Wally nodded. "Wow indeed. Just about everything happened. Site of the first corporate war, a dungeon evolution and outbreak, and finally a visit from a Fallen Angel come to collect his gold from a poor mis-guided mortal."

Samantha turned to look at Wally. "Damn, I pity the poor person he was hunting. Since when have we had Fallen Angels roaming around?"

"Since forever. They are eternal beings. Which is what makes this so interesting. This Fallen made a mistake. Worse, he got caught, and the mortal has a level 31 Lawyer on his side. A gnomish lawyer. Lots of things are in play, so pay attention children as once again, events surprise all of us."

Bert was looking at a report on his laptop. "Oh shit! We just had to verify how the hell some of the people in this place got so many abilities at the start of Tier 2. I thought Clarence was going to blow a gasket when he had to ask the system to make up rewards for getting 5 abilities to 10."

Wally smiled. "It's an interesting place."

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"So you are saying I don't get to punch him?" Ozzy was visibly upset.

"Not one punch! Not a finger shall you lay upon him. This is going to be tough case, and I want the high road. If anyone sees you laughing like a maniac and hitting Leroy over and over while he's tied up, it will be tough to portray you as the poor, humble soul that you are." Elgebert crossed him arms and stood between Ozzy and Leroy. It was an interesting contrast with the gnome not even coming to the Butcher's waist, and Leroy currently much lower than that.

Suddenly, there was a loud sound of thunder, the sun shone brighter, lightning crackled in the distance, darkness filled the sky, and some of the beams of wood in the ruined buildings sprouted branches and green leaves. All at once.

Several tall humanoids appeared in the village courtyard. One looked around. "I still say we should come one at a time. All the manifestations tend to cancel out and look silly when done at once." Another shook his head. "Not this again. How would we even decide who goes first? All at once is fine and saves time.

The village seemed to grow to accommodate some changes, or maybe it shrank to make room? A large courtroom manifested in the center of it. Five of the beings headed to the front of the court, and several more, mostly cloaked, took seats in the back. A plethora of otherworldy court functionaries appeared.

At the front of the room was a huge stone table with five seats. One of large glowing beings sat in the center. From somewhere a voice said. "Court is now in session, Lord Mithras presiding as High Judge. Marduk, Maat, Justitia and Anbay in attendance"

Ozzy found himself standing on the right-hand side of the room with Egelbert. "What all is going on? Why five judges?" The gnome turned to him and whispered. "The more judges the better! Keeps them in line and doesn't let the bastard threaten one. The Fallen are old, very old. They have a lot of dirt on the younger gods. I requested three. Getting five means someone actually took a hard look at things. That's good for us."

Leroy, still in chains, was on the left-hand side of the room. He immediately started yelling. "I object to this farce. I demand to be released immediately. I'm an angel, one of the first! You can't just keep me chained like some common rabble."

Two of the cloaked gods in the back seemed to be making a bet over something. Leroy continued to yell. "I tell you this isn't fair. I'm innocent. I was framed!"

One of the gods groaned and handed over a heavy bag of coins. The other laughed quietly. "I told you...same line every damn time."

The Egyptian goddess, Maat, scowl and looked at Leroy. "Quiet, please. You'll get your turn to speak. There are a few people we need to have in attendance still to arrive. I'm sure we can all behave until then." She looked to the back of the room. "And might I remind some people that they better not get caught gambling in my court? I'll have you sweeping up the sand in the desert for a month. Don't test me again!" The bag of gold was returned to its original owner.

Slowly the seats filled up with interested and interesting people. Ozzy saw a very nervous Arney sit down next to Ben, and wasn't too surprised when Lilibet sauntered into the court and took a seat after blowing Ozzy a kiss. A very nervous looking imp wearing a bow tie and thick glasses walked up next to Leroy. "Got here as soon as I could boss. Can I be your lawyer today? I've been taking some classes."

Leroy looked down at the small demon. "Get lost, Impy. I've argued my own case for millennia. I own two of the judges outright, and have some dirt on the other three. Go work the crowd. Remind them of who I am and what I know. Make some deals and find a buyer for that butcher."

Impkray nodded. "You got it boss. Off to make deals and grease palms."

Leroy paid no more attention to his imp, and made eye contact with each of the judges. Some glared, and some turned away, averting their gaze.