The daunting stairs loomed ahead, striking fear into her heart. Doubt clouded her mind, questioning her ability to ascend and regain her dignity, despite her overwhelming exhaustion. The guards’ merciless stares silenced her protests. By the time she reached the top, sweat drenched her, each breath a desperate attempt to refuel her weary body. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, yet fear kept her from asking for sustenance.

Upon entering the colossal pyramidal building, she was met with endless corridors and vast rooms. After what felt like an eternity, she was told to halt. The room on the third floor bore banners proclaiming ‘THE MOTHER WATCHES ALL.’ Across from her stood a raised platform, adorned with a large white desk. On the wall behind it, a penetrating white eye stared into the souls of all who beheld it.

The gallery buzzed with curious onlookers eager to witness the trial of the girl who had slain her own parents. Whispers, shouts, and curses rained down upon her, only silenced by the judge’s arrival.

The judge, a stout middle-aged woman with white hair, settled into her seat on the dais. A voice echoed, “All rise for the oath!” As the spectators stood, the judge declared, “I stand here as the eyes of the All-Mother, delivering justice in her name. I vow to remain impartial, my sight unclouded by falsehoods. Let the trial of Wallona Saelfoss commence!”

The prosecutor, a stern woman in a white robe with golden stripes, stepped forward. “Mother Above, the defendant, Wallona Saelfoss, on the 23rd day of the fifth moon of the year 532 A.W., cold-bloodedly murdered her own parents. The prosecution urges the Mother Above to decree the harshest punishment for this grave sin.” Her voice crescendoed with righteous anger, her determination etched across her face.

The judge turned her gaze to Wallona. Another woman, standing beside her, rose and spoke, “Mother Above, the defendant acknowledges her mistake and is prepared to repent for her sins. Please consider her youth and immaturity; lessen her punishment.”

Wallona, surprised by this unexpected support, refrained from protesting, silenced by a subtle signal from the woman. The prosecutor, with barely contained fury, addressed Wallona, “Miss Saelfoss, is everything I’ve said so far true? Did you murder your parents on the day of 23rd?” the prosecutor asked.

“No!” Wallona shouted. “It was an accident. I was… I was trying to protect them. But I didn’t know that the consequences of my actions would be this.”

“Accident!?” the prosecutor said, barely suppressing her anger. “Oh, so are you trying to say that some thieves broke into your house, and in order to protect your parents, you used your magical abilities? But you couldn’t control your powers and accidentally killed even your parents along with the thieves. Is this right?”

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“Yes,” Wallona replied.

“Then let me ask you this: where are the dead bodies of the thieves, or at least their blood? Mother Above, the investigators have thoroughly searched the site of the incident but have found no other bodies except those of Mrs. and Mr. Saelfoss.”

Wallona’s eyes widened. The lawyer’s words contradicted her memories, leaving her bewildered and questioning the very reality she had experienced. Why were they lying? She couldn’t fathom the deception.

“I don’t know,” Wallona stammered, her voice quivering. “I saw those bodies, broken and covered in red, lying near my parents in a pool of blood. I can’t understand why the lawyer and even the investigators are lying.”

The prosecutor’s gaze turned colder, her skepticism evident. “Lies won’t save you, Miss Saelfoss. The evidence is against you, and you can’t escape the truth. You murdered your parents, and now you must face the consequences of your actions.”

Wallona felt a surge of frustration and helplessness. How could she make them believe her? She desperately searched for words, for anything that could prove her innocence. Yet, the weight of accusation and disbelief bore down on her, drowning her in a sea of uncertainty.

The prosecutor’s voice lashed out, venomous and accusatory, “And despite the current state of the house, there’s no sign of forced entry. All the blood shed in that house belongs to the Saelfoss family members. Based on these undeniable facts, we can conclude that the tale spun by the defendant is nothing but a web of lies to prove her innocence.”

“No!” Wallona’s cry echoed through the courtroom. “These are all falsehoods! Why do you harbor such hatred towards me that you weave such malicious fabrications?”

The lawyer’s anger flared, no longer concealed. With an intensity that shook the room, she declared, each word weighted, “This is the truth, Miss Wallona. How dare you accuse a lawyer of falsifying evidence under the gaze of the All-Mother in this sacred space! What evidence do you possess? Tell me this: did you not have numerous conflicts with your parents before the incident occurred? Do not attempt to deny it; we have several witnesses who can attest to your discord.”

“Yes,” Wallona admitted, her voice trembling. “My parents were initially against my solo journey across the continent.” As she spoke, a smirk played on the prosecutor’s lips. Anxious that her words might be misconstrued, Wallona turned her gaze toward the judge and pleaded, “But they eventually agreed to my request. I had no motive to harm them, let alone kill them. Please, believe me. How could I ever contemplate harming, let alone murdering, my own parents?” Her voice faltered, and tears welled in her eyes.

The prosecutor snorted derisively, advancing toward Wallona, gripping the witness stand. Locking eyes with her, she retorted, “Can anyone confirm that you had reconciled with your parents?” Then, addressing the judge, she asserted, “Mother Above, I believe this is a desperate attempt by the accused to portray herself as innocent. The undeniable truth remains: Miss Saelfoss’s parents are dead while she stands before us alive. There’s no need to further waste the court’s time. The prosecution implores the Mother Above to impose the harshest punishment.”

Wallona nodded inwardly, acknowledging the grim reality. Her parents were dead, and she bore the burden of their demise, regardless of the accidental nature of the tragedy. She deserved punishment; she welcomed the strictest judgment.

The judge turned to Wallona’s lawyer, inquiring, “Does the defendant have anything else to say?”

Before the lawyer could respond, Wallona interjected, her voice unwavering, “No, Mother Above. I am prepared to accept my punishment.”