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Title: ZEN: Rise of the Guardian
Volume 3: The Return of the Flame
Part 2 – "The Tribunal"
The world barely had time to breathe after Zaiko's return… and then the sky darkened once more.
A massive triangular ship blotted out the sun, hovering silently above the Earth. Cities panicked, governments scrambled, and heroes around the world prepared for war. But Zaiko didn't flinch. He knew exactly who they were.
The Celestial Tribunal.
An ancient force that presides over universal laws — higher than gods, older than stars. They judged entire civilizations in cold logic. To them, Earth was now "out of balance," corrupted by Zaiko's rebellion and Zen's uncontrollable power.
They came not to fight.
They came to decide.
The Tribunal's voice echoed through the world:
"Earth must surrender its guardians for judgment."
Zen stood atop Arken Tower, watching the sky. Sam patched in communications from around the globe, but Zen barely heard them. His fists were clenched. He turned to Zaiko.
"You knew they'd come."
Zaiko nodded. "The moment I chose Earth over balance… I became their target."
Zen stepped forward. "Then let me face them with you."
Zaiko paused. "No. This is my fault."
But Zen didn't step back. "Then let's take the blame together."
The two ascended into the Tribunal's domain — a space beyond dimensions, where time stood still and light bent in impossible ways. There, they faced the three High Judges: Vorran (Time), Seraphiel (Order), and Kraess (Destruction).
The judges deemed Zen "unstable" and Zaiko "traitorous." Their sentence: Erasure. Not death — unmaking. Every memory, every trace of their existence would vanish.
But then… Zen spoke.
With unshakable resolve, he stood tall and told them what Earth had taught him — that chaos and balance can coexist. That power doesn't have to corrupt. That Zaiko changed. And that Earth deserved a chance to grow, not to be erased.
The Tribunal, unmoved, prepared the sentence — until something unexpected happened.
Sam broke through the Tribunal's dimension using Zaiko's Ember Core and a risky quantum portal. His arrival triggered a pulse — not of power, but of humanity.
Vorran, the Judge of Time, hesitated. He saw the future — Earth's future — if Zaiko and Zen remained. Not destruction… but hope.
The Tribunal did not speak again. The sentence was… delayed.
Zaiko and Zen were returned to Earth. But the warning was clear:
"We are watching. And we do not delay twice."
Now, Earth stands on thin cosmic ice.
Zaiko turns to Zen. "They'll come again."
Zen nods. "Then we'll be ready."
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