CHAPTER 70

"Um, Mistress Bethany." Death tapped her on the shoulder. "I would be happy to verify the identity of—"

She clamped her hand across Death's mouth, the feel of his teeth against her palm causing her whole arm to go numb.

"I don't like that title." Her eyes went to Mehkhkahrel, who now seemed to be seriously studying her. "As your legal counsel, I recommend that you speak only when I grant you permission."

Death mumbled his agreement.

"I move that this case be dismissed on the grounds that I cannot verify either the identities of the horsemen or the grounds by which the Apocalypse is allowed to occur."

War's jaw dropped open, and he looked at Famine. Famine scowled and stepped forward.

"Now see here," he said a little too loudly. "We can verify that this individual is in fact one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse. And I have a feeling our brother would agree. If three of the horsemen agree that Pestilence is the fourth, then that should be good enough for the court."

"But how do I know that you all are the four horsemen?" Beth gestured at Death. "My client may be the physical manifestation of Death, but he was not brought here for the Apocalypse. A failed spell has trapped him here until he can fulfill his goal. Therefore, even if he is indeed one of the four horsemen, we can prove that the means of his arrival are not of biblical portent. In fact, I would like to know how you all even found out that he was here on Earth."

"It was reported to us." Mehkhkahrel's lips curled away from his teeth. "This is a matter which would have been resolved long ago if not for the protection of your home against his discovery."

"But if you couldn't see him, then how did somebody—" she could almost hear her thoughts click into place. Someone wanted Death out of the picture, and it was a very short list. If the options were making Death go home or global annihilation, the choice would have been a simple one.

"Should the four ever walk as one on the soil of the Earth, then the Apocalypse shall commence." Mehkhkahrel's voice had a tone to it that Beth didn't like. "It is why we went to so much trouble to bring you here, to this extra-dimensional space, before gathering. There are certain rules."

"See? So it's settled, then?" War's eyes were now glowing in excitement.

"No. This child speaks with wisdom in regards to the book that was written. It is not a true telling of what is to come." Mehkhkahrel looked over at War. "And though I have summoned you from the Void, it was not to start the Apocalypse. It was for this proceeding. It is not written that an angelic being shall casually open the Sour Seals of their own whim."

"Fuck!" War slammed his sword into the ground. "But we are all here, that should have to count for something! We have utilized avatars, have walked the land in mortal form, but never have we been so pure! The world is ready for us, ripe for the taking, and you would deny us?"

"You agreed to abide by the laws of this land, as did I." Mehkhkahrel rolled his head so that he was looking at Beth. "And this child has made her case that Death's presence alone is not enough to qualify."

"FUCK!" War yanked his sword out of the ground and hurled it into the fog.

"As such, I am ready to pass down judgment." Mehkhkahrel looked at Death. "It's time for you to return to the Void."

"Objection!" Beth moved in front of Death. "You said yourself that his being here was an accident. Now you intend to penalize my client for committing no crime!"

"But I believe I established that either Death must participate in the Apocalypse or he must be dismissed." Mehkhkahrel tried to cross his arms across his chest, but they stuck out straight instead and made an X.

"But you also agreed to abide by the laws of this land. He's the defendant, and if he is proven innocent, you don't get to punish him for it."

"Your Honor." Famine wore a shit-eating grin. "This young lady argues that her client be allowed to remain, as he was summoned against his will. Is that correct?"

"It is." Mehkhkahrel's eyebrow lifted in interest.

"Well, since we were also summoned against our will, I argue that we be allowed to remain as well. It's only fair, per the laws of this land." Famine turned his gaze on Beth. "In fact, you can go ahead and send us all back to Earth right now."

"No." Beth's voice barely broke a whisper. Mehkhkahrel himself had said that all four of them on Earth together was the qualifying event.

Famine chuckled. "I'm sorry, little lady, do you have an objection? You see, we aren't eager to go back to the Void. We have things we've just been dying to do out here. So what do you say, Your Honor? After all, it's only fair."

"Ob...objection!" Beth held up her hand. "Dismissal of the case by the prosecution with current terms would put undue hardship on my client."

"On what grounds?" Famine sneered at her. "You ain't gonna win this."

"If these four should walk the Earth together, then the Apocalypse starts. Death would be forced against his will to join in, which could be seen as a form of indentured servitude, forced labor, or even slavery. All of which is forbidden by the laws of my land." She glared at Famine, then turned to Mehkhkahrel. "You said so yourself that you would agree to our laws, but it seems like every choice made leads to the destruction of my whole planet. That would indicate a premeditated bias on your part, and you said you were free of such a thing."