Mythrax took long strides into the chamber, his light brown cloak billowing around him as he came to stand atop a dark wood podium. The chamber was massive, capable of holding nearly one hundred people, but instead, the space was taken up by nine granite thrones that dwarfed castles. Save for his podium and the thrones, however, the room was barren, Mythrax assumed the room was built for the purpose of his trial. In three of the nine seats sat figures as large as mountains, two of which did not look happy to see him. “Well, whoever would have thought I'd stand before the oh-so-great gods? You humble me with your presence.” Mythrax said, looking to all of them and smiling underneath his hood.
A gruff voice responded. “Arrogant whelp! You dare speak before gods when not spoken to?!” Mythrax turned his attention to the voice and raised his hands in mock defense, The thick steel cuffs binding them jangling as he did. “You seem tense about something,” he teased the god, further angering him. He was a blue-skinned, bulky god and one of the many Hindu gods who ruled over Universe Ten. Shiva sat in the far right seat closest to Mythrax. Mythrax noticed he didn’t have much on in the sense of clothing, he wore tiger fur shorts looking to be made from the actual hide of a tiger, though in this case, several. He also wore beaded necklaces and bracelets but every so often it would instead be an enormous black cobra.
Anger emanated from Shiva, he went to speak, and Mythrax prepared to tease him further, but before either had the chance to say anything a deep booming voice rang out “ENOUGH! We have neither the time nor I the patience for trivial banter.” Mythrax’s taunts were caught in his throat as he turned toward the source of the voice. There was another massive figure sitting in the middle seat, the one who put Mythrax on trial. He wore a plain black wool shirt covered by a fur cloak, he had a pure gold eye patch covering his right eye. He had on gray cotton pants and his equally gray hair was down to his shoulders. He sported a long gray beard with braids spread through it, which hid the expression resting on his lips. He looked down at Mythrax “Mythrax, Timelost King of Worlds, you stand trial for grabbing the timeline created by the gods and twisting it for your own selfish purposes. This trial will determine the fate of you and your kinsman.” he said, melancholy apparent in his voice.
Rage bubbled up from within Mythrax’s body as he spoke “MY selfish purposes?! Is that what you tell yourself, Óðinn?! My kinsman sat down there slaughtering each other for EONS while our creators did nothing but WATCH!” Mythrax said, slamming his hands down on the podium, rattling his chains, and sending a boom through the room as he splintered the wood “Slaughtering each other fighting wars because of the Horsemen! THE HORSEMEN YOU BASTARDS CREATED?! Not just that but a HORSEMAN broke the cycle, causing MORE needless deaths!” he roared.
Mythrax, breath ragged, looked at his creator expecting anger to come from the god for his outburst, but he only saw disappointment and sadness playing across the god’s face. “I also saved you spineless gods from war, we both know what would have happened had I let your Horseman continue his path of destruction and defiance,” he said coldly to Óðinn.
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“You do not decide that Mythrax,” Óðinn said, his expression unwavering. “I don’t seek your pity, Óðinn. Wipe that disgusting look off your face” Mythrax spat back, causing the god’s composure to flicker, his expression replaced with one of disdain before correcting itself.
“My child, I wish I could bear the weight of these wrongs to you and your kinsman, because I truly do feel this is our fault, but you acted against the gods. You’ve backed me into this corner where you and your kind must now stand trial, not just before me, but now before a council of gods to prevent said war.” Óðinn replied solemnly. “Today, only three of us are in attendance, for the other gods had matters to attend to in their respective universes, but they shall join us soon. For now, you stand before Shiva, elected representative of Universe Ten, and Dionysus, elected representative of Universe Three. Speaking for this universe and taking responsibility for my creation is me, the ruler of Universe Five.”
Mythrax, now having regained his composure, looked to the third seat on the left. There sat another figure dressed in a full white tuxedo. He sat with his elbows on his knees and hands folded studying Mythrax curiously and in an amused tone said “So this is the legendary Mythrax, who tread too close to the god's territory.” Now leaning back and resting his elbow on the armrest of the massive seat, he smiled down at Mythrax. He had short light brown hair and was clean-shaven. Aside from his suit, the only other aspect Mythrax could discern was he was a rather heavy-set god, which made sense being the god of wine. “As you’ve heard, I am Dionysus, representative of Universe Three.”
“A pleasure, Lord Dionysus. As you know I am Mythrax,” Mythrax said, Lowering his head in a shallow bow, enough to show respect but not subservience. The smile on Dionysus’ face broadened. “Given your outburst earlier, I figured you lacked manners and that this would be a rather eventful trial. I see now I was mistaken. I’m truly curious how you and your kinsman ended up in this situation, Sir Mythrax. The reason as to why you would've altered this timeline for malicious intent eludes me. You seem far too experienced to make an amateur mistake like that.” he said, resting a plump cheek on his heavy upturned hand.
“I wonder the same. It’s not often the affairs of mortals require us to step in,” Shiva spoke up, lifting his feet into his seat and crossing his legs over one another. “Óðinn, we mustn't prolong this trial further, I feel it is best for now we begin and inform the others as to what has been told to us once they arrive.” Shiva said, looking at the still solemn-faced god.
“I concur. We must not wait any longer,” Dionysus agreed. Óðinn sighed heavily and looked upon Mythrax again. “Mythrax, my child, please start from the beginning and tell us why you chose Magnus Noir to be the savior of Dragonkind. You went through all the effort to alter the timeline yet you chose a champion instead of doing it yourself?”
Mythrax sighed, taking a step away from the splintered podium and crossing his arms behind his back. "I stand before you, gods of this realm, for the crime of saving lives," he said, his scrutinizing gaze passing over each of the gods to be sure the sarcasm in his words wasn't lost on them. "I stand before you for doing what you wouldn't."
"I stand before you to tell you the tale of Magnus Noir. The Redeemer."