The climb is long and exhausting. I don’t know how many flights of stairs we climbed, what story we were just on, or even how much time we had spent climbing. I just know that it was way too long. Bea, however, is able to keep her momentum almost the entire way up, and I immediately wish for her incredible powers.

“Come on, you slug, hurry up!” Finally, a phrase I recognize. Unless a slug is something else entirely in this world. I’m sure they are both slow.

Eventually, we arrive at the top. At least, I hope it’s the top. A door stands in front of us, very similar to the one at the bottom of the tree. I am hoping that there are no more stairs behind that door, and thankfully, when Bea opens the door, there aren’t. However, the room looks similar to the throne room from the goblin town. There is a big chair at the other end of the room, but instead of precious gems, the room was made from the wood of the tree. Everything is smoothed out to shine, and I don’t think there could be any way someone could get a splinter in here.

There is a door on either side of the throne, and neither one has a door. I can’t see far beyond the doorways because of the lack of light down the hallways, but I can make out a faint humanoid shape walking out. It is tall and slim, its hands hanging down by its sides. Its legs are like sticks. Overall, this person looks like he or she hasn’t eaten much in a while.

When the figure steps out into the light, I clearly see that it is a male. He must have aged well because he looks like he’s in his forties, or whatever the relevant age is here. His skin is an olive tone, his hands are large and nimble, his eyes are a deep shade of blue, and his hair is a light brown. He has a small smile when he looks at us. When he speaks, his voice is one of those wise wizard voices: smooth; not too deep, but not light; and aged.

“Welcome to Glockensville,” he says. He takes a seat at the throne. “I assume one of you is here for a trial, right? I can never keep track of my schedule. Anyway, my name is Rodge, but if this is a trial, then you have to refer to me as Judge Be’ilick. Do you understand?”

I nod my head. Bea says, “Yes, Judge Be’ilick. This is a trial on the accusations that I, B’anca Lo’andra’as, am a murderer. I am ready for my trial and verdict as you see fit.”

Judge Be’ilick smiles. “I’m glad you understand. Ms. Lo’andra’as, as your Judge, I have the duty to examine all the evidence placed before me and study your case extensively, as I have done prior to this trial. All I need to know now is your evidence and testimony against this prosecution. You have spent the last five years in the prisonlands awaiting this trial, so I hope you have thought much about what you have to say. Do you need another minute to gather your thoughts, or are you ready to speak?”

“Judge Be’ilick, I am ready to give my testimony.” Bea seems confident in what she has to say.

The Judge says, “Begin,” and Bea immediately launches into a long story about how she was raised and about what she did as her job. She explains where she was on the night of each of the thirteen successful murders (“I was in my shop on that night, working on a new design for one of my regular customers.”) and where she was on the night of the two attempted murders (“I was just outside my shop, grabbing a drink with one of my friends.”). She never once mentions the parking tickets in her statement.

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She takes thirty minutes to explain everything in excruciating detail. When she is done, Judge Be’ilick says, “Is that all, Ms. Lo’andra’as?”

Bea says she is.

“Thank you, Ms. Lo’andra’as. If you will give me a minute, I will decide your verdict.” Judge Be’ilick stands up from his chair and walks out the door to his left.

As he leaves, I notice one more thing about him. I ask Bea about it. “His ears are round. Why are his ears round? Is he a human as well?”

Bea stares at the door Judge Be’ilick left through. “He does have round ears. He does look like a human, similar to you and all of your kind. However, he is still not human. He is… something more.” She doesn’t continue.

“Well, what is he?”

“That’s not important right now.”

Judge Be’ilick decides to return right at that moment. He walks over to his throne and takes a seat. He folds his hands together in front of him. “Ms. Lo’andra’as, after reviewing all of the evidence and testimonies, your verdict has been decided. Unfortunately, your testimony was not strong enough to defend yourself against all of the evidence collected from the murders. However, we could not directly tie you to the murders just based on the fact that you were the manufacturer of the weapons used in the murders. We could use them on the basis of conspiracy, unless your comrade here…” He looks at me, and when he does, there is some kind of recognition in his eyes. Now that I think about it, I don’t think he ever looked at me the entire trial. “You.” His voice is soft. “What are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be here. You know what happens when you come in my pre—”

He’s interrupted by… something. I don’t know what it is, but his blue eyes become pure white. They shine brightly, and his mouth is still open from his last word. I am so confused about what was going on here. I don’t understand what is going on, or what he meant about me knowing things.

Judge Be’ilick finally speaks again, but his voice is deeper. Rougher. More powerful.

Power in you.

Power in me.

But everything that you see

Is already overdue.

Your journey will take you far,

But not in the way you think.

On your way to the water pink,

You will see all behind the bar.

Long and heavy

You will feel.

At the midnight peal,

Your friend will reveal.

The Judge closes his eyes and falls back into his chair.

Now I’m just more confused than I was before. “What the heck just happened?”

“He just gave a prophecy,” Bea answers.

“I thought he was only a Judge!” I say. I can’t believe that he’s anything else.

“No, he’s not. Like I said, he’s more than human. Not quite sure what he is, but definitely not human. He’s lived too long for that to be true.’

“Wait, how long has he lived for?”

“About five thousand six hundred twenty-three years, two months, and eleven days.”

I gape at her. Why did she know that exact number?

“But that’s just an estimate.” I just shook my head at her.

The Judge wakes up. He rubs his eyes. “I knew this day would happen. Both of you get out. NOW! Forget your verdict, B’anca, you need to help this… this boy find his mission.”

“Judge Be’ilick, why do I have to help this human? There’s nothing special about him, as you can clearly see.”

“He may not be special now, B’anca, but he certainly will be very soon. I need you to help him. No more questions at this time. I need you both to leave, and I need you both to hurry. The world is at stake.”