Chapter 108: Skeleton Stands Trial

Inside his cell, Ty addressed the armored guard with a soft yet firm voice, his lipless skeleton skull somehow managing to convey sincerity. "Sir, I'm sure this is some kind of misunderstanding," he said, trying to ease the tension. He noticed the guard's nervousness as he reported Ty's awakening to someone on the other end of the radio.

"J-just stay back and don't try anything funny!" the guard warned, his voice shaking slightly.

Ty, slightly amused but also wanting to defuse the situation, replied boldly, "If I wanted to do something funny, I'd turn this dungeon into a sauna." The guard looked at him in confusion. "A what?" he asked.

"Eh, never mind. But really, how long must I sit in here? I really don't want to be wasting—"

His words were abruptly cut off as the door to the cell block slammed open. General Mattison entered, his appearance marked by bandages and visible cuts from the recent conflict. "Let him out of the cell, he's good to go. See, his eyes are green," Mattison instructed the guard. "According to his friends, you only need to worry when they change colors."

Ty greeted the General politely, despite the circumstances. "Good day... or maybe good evening, Mattison. Though I don't know the time of day, I hope you are recovering nicely."

His tone carried a mix of respect and genuine concern, acknowledging the General's condition while also seeking clarity on his own situation. As the General motioned for his release, Ty prepared to step out of the cell, his mind still processing the recent events and pondering his next move.

The guard, visibly shaken but obedient, fetched a set of keys that were not ordinary by any means. They were attached to a line of blue magic, which intrigued Ty as it hung from the guard's waist. The guard selected a small metal key and inserted it into the lock of the metal bars, which creaked as they swung open.

Ty stepped out of the cell and immediately sought clarification on his situation. "So, why exactly was I in this cell, and how long was I knocked out this time?" he asked, his curiosity evident.

They soon entered a grand room, dominated by a single podium at its center. A giant step-up, about ten feet away from the podium, led to a raised area where men and women in black gowns, all of advanced age, were seated. The room had an air of solemnity and importance.

As Ty made his entrance, the ongoing discussions among the seated elders came to an abrupt halt. Every eye turned towards him, their expressions a mixture of shock and intrigue. The sight of a skeleton walking in, seemingly non-hostile, was clearly unexpected and unprecedented.

The elderly man in the blue cap, who clearly held a position of authority, addressed General Mattison with a formal and somewhat stern tone. The insignia of '1' on his clothing indicated his high rank. "General Mattison, please inform us of the crimes against this 'monster' 'Ty', as you have him labeled, and we will rule in or against his favor," he commanded.

Turning to Ty, the elderly man continued, "Mr. Skeleton, generally, you are allowed to have friends or family present during hearings, but due to the urgency of this situation, we will proceed without them. I hope you understand." His voice carried a hint of coldness, underscoring the seriousness of the proceedings.

Ty, taken aback by the sudden turn of events, blurted out in confusion, "Wait, I'm in a what now?! I'm on trial??"

"Yes, technically," Mattison responded, confirming Ty's fears. "As I told you back at the Cathedral, I was there to arrest you. It was my responsibility to bring you in once I heard you had lied to me and most likely had forged paperwork from King Griswald."

Mattison's words made it clear that Ty was facing serious accusations. The implications of forged documents and lying to a high-ranking official were grave, and the atmosphere in the room grew more tense.

"I will be presenting this matter, and your sentence will be decided accordingly," Mattison concluded, indicating that the trial would proceed swiftly.

Ty, now realizing the gravity of his situation, prepared himself for the accusations to be laid out before the assembly.

The unexpected trial and the charges against him added another layer of complexity to his already complicated situation. He stood there, a skeleton among the living, ready to defend himself and clarify the misunderstandings surrounding his actions.