Chapter 18: The Hearing Begins

Kente's POV

Kente stood in a big round room inside the Priestess's stone house, his boots tapping nervously on the floor. The walls glowed with blue lines, and a high table stretched across the front, where five old people—the elders—sat in long robes. The Priestess was in the middle, her gray hair tied back, her eyes sharp. Kente's tunic was still dirty—tan with orange and blue—but he didn't care. Zuri stood in the center, hands tied with rope, his red eyes looking tired but brave.

Tamara whispered beside Kente, clutching his stick. "This place is scary," he said, his shell flickering dim. "What if they don't listen?"

"They have to," Kente said, his voice shaky but loud. He touched his pendant—it felt warm, like Zuri was with him. "Zuri's good. I'll make them see."

Chioma stood tall next to him, her gold eyes steady. "We all will," she said, like a big sister ready to fight. "Miss Wolo's here too—look." Miss Wolo stood near Zuri, her staff glowing soft, her lava eyes watching everyone.

Kaelon stepped in last, his cloak dark and his smile mean. He held that creepy black stone, and Kente's stomach twisted. "This won't be easy," he whispered.

Zuri's POV

Zuri's wrists hurt from the ropes, but he kept his head up. The elders stared at him like he was a monster, and it made him mad. His pendant glowed a little, warm against his chest, reminding him of Kente and the orphanage. The orange power buzzed inside him, quiet now, but ready.

The Priestess spoke first, her voice deep. "Zuri, you were with the Harvesters. Now you've got this strange power. Tell us why we should trust you."

Zuri took a big breath. "I didn't want to join them," he said, his voice scratchy but strong. "Back in Old Brass, there was a fire at our orphanage. I was just a kid. The Harvesters saved me, but they tricked me—made me one of them. I fought to get free, and this power came up. It's mine, not theirs."

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The elders mumbled, their faces hard. One with a long beard said, "You helped them attack us! That fire could've killed people here too!"

"I know stuff," Zuri said fast. "I was with the Harvesters for years. I know how they move, where they hide. I can help you stop them—I want revenge for what they did to me!"

Kaelon laughed, cold and sharp. "He's lying," he said, holding up the black stone. "He's dangerous. We should lock him up and make him talk—force out everything he knows for the capital's safety."

Zuri glared. "I'm not your tool," he said.

Chioma's POV

Chioma watched Zuri talk, her heart beating fast. He sounded brave, like Old Brass tough, and she was proud. Kente shifted beside her, ready to jump in. Tamara's shell glowed brighter, like he believed too.

An elder with white hair shook her head. "He's a risk," she said. "That power—who knows what it can do? He could hurt us like the Harvesters did."

Kente couldn't wait anymore. "Zuri's my friend!" he shouted, stepping forward. "He's not bad! He made this pendant for me back in the orphanage—it kept us together. He joined the Harvesters to save me from my own juju going wrong. He's good—you've got to believe me!"

The elders looked surprised, whispering to each other. Chioma stepped up too. "Zuri's one of us," she said, her voice clear. "Old Brass doesn't give up on family. He'll fight for us, not against us."

Kaelon smirked. "Sweet words," he said, "but he's a Harvester inside. Torture him—get the truth. The capital needs it."

Chioma glared at him. "You're the real danger," she muttered under her breath.

Miss Wolo's POV

Miss Wolo gripped her staff tight, her lava eyes burning as she listened. Zuri's story hit her hard—she remembered the orphanage fire, years ago in Old Brass. She'd been too late to help then, but not now. Kaelon's mean laugh made her mad, and she stepped closer to Zuri.

"Enough!" she said, her voice loud like thunder. "Zuri's not lying. I saw his power—it's wild, but it's his. He fought the Harvesters with it. He's from Old Brass, like me. I'll take him—put him on my team. If anything goes wrong, I'll take the blame."

The Priestess raised a hand, quieting everyone. "Wolo, you'd risk that?" she asked, her eyes narrow.

"Yes," Miss Wolo said, standing tall. "He knows the Harvesters better than anyone. We need him. I'll watch him—teach him to use his power right."

Kaelon's face twisted. "You're fools," he said. "He'll turn on you. Let me handle him."

An elder with a scar spoke up. "No torture," he said. "Not yet. But we're not sure, Wolo. He's dangerous."

Prophet Mirror's POV

Prophet Mirror stood at the back, his cloak still, watching it all. His hawk flew above, quiet now, but he felt the room buzzing—Zuri's orange power, Kaelon's cold stone, Miss Wolo's fire. Kente's shout made him smile a little—brave kid.

The elders argued, voices mixing. "He's a threat!" one said. "But he knows things," another added. Kaelon's stone glowed brighter, and Prophet's stomach flipped. "He's up to more," he whispered to himself.

The Priestess banged a stick on the table. "Quiet!" she said. "We'll think on this. Tomorrow, we finish it—Zuri's fate gets decided. Go home now."

Prophet slipped out, his hawk following. He had to tell Miss Wolo—Kaelon wasn't waiting for tomorrow.