"And before you dismiss our evidence," Vincent added, his voice cracking as fury overwhelmed his careful control, "you should know we can prove Prometheus murdered my patient Michael Wright without an active contract."
His jaw clenched so tight I could hear his teeth grinding from across the chamber. Color flooded his face, that careful therapeutic mask crumbling to reveal the raw, vengeful man beneath. His hands shook as he grippedthe podium.
"Michael was planning his wedding," he continued, voice breaking. "He trusted me. He was getting better, and that monster—" He slammed his fist against the podium, the sound echoing through the chamber like a gunshot. Several guards flinched, hands dropping to weapons.
From his throne, Rhadamanthys watched Vincent keenly. His fingers stilled on the pearl handle of his revolver, dark eyes narrowing slightly. The cowboy Judge leaned forward, spurs clinking softly as his boot shifted position. In his world of calculated power plays and ancient protocols, Vincent's unfiltered rage was something rare—something authentic. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Vincent struggled visibly to regain composure, dragging in a ragged breath. "The Pantheon's most fundamental rule is that innocents aren't targeted without authorization. Prometheus killed an innocent man who trusted me just to draw us out."
"But there's something else," Lo interjected, stepping forward smoothly as Vincent faltered. "Something far more damning." He pulled a sleek black drive from his pocket. "This contains evidence that Director Prometheus eliminated Director Apollo on Zeus' orders."
A shocked murmur rippled through the chamber.
Way to go, Jasper!I thought.The bastard came through after all.
“Zeus is a myth,” Minos said carefully.
“Well,someoneordered Prometheus to kill the Asian director, and the conversations on this drive prove it. There are also financial transfers to the assets who carried out the hit." He turned to me. "But more importantly, we have eyewitness testimony. Prometheus confessed this to Luka directly during their confrontation, with Ana Aleksandar present as witness."
"Is this true?" Aeacus directed her cold gaze at me.
"Yes," I confirmed, meeting her eyes steadily. "In his penthouse, Prometheus explicitly stated that he'd been ordered to arrange Apollo's disappearance. He said he'd been 'consolidating power' in preparation for 'when he comes for me next.'"
Rhadamanthys shifted on his throne. "And the sister can confirm this?"
"Ana heard everything," I said. "She can testify to his exact words. Her testimony, plus the information on that drive, should be more than enough evidence."
"And the source of these files?" Hera's voice cut through the murmurs, sharp with suspicion, from her screen.
"A secure source who wishes to remain anonymous," Vincent replied evenly. "Someone who recognized corruption in the organization they once served and chose to gather evidence rather than remain complicit."
"Convenient," Hera remarked coldly. "Unverified evidence from an unnamed source."
"The evidence speaks for itself," Lo interjected smoothly. "And can be verified through your own systems. Every file bears Prometheus's digital signature and verification codes."
"And this isn't just about files," I added, my voice hard as steel. "Ana and I both heard Prometheus confess. He explicitly stated that he eliminated Apollo on orders from above. He was paranoid about being next on the list."
"The assassination of a director by another director," Vincent pressed, seizing the moment, "represents a fundamental breakdown of the Pantheon's organizational structure. If Prometheus could eliminate Apollo without consequence, who might be next?"
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Every director on those screens suddenly looked distinctly uncomfortable.
Minos turned to me. "Luka Aleksandar. You have admitted to killing Director Prometheus. Do you have anything else to say in your defense before we render judgment?"
I paused, considering my words carefully. This was the moment everything hinged on. When I finally spoke, my voice was calm and measured.
"With respect, Judge Minos, I did what was necessary. Prometheus took everything from me—my childhood, my sister, my humanity. He manipulated everyone around him, including the Pantheon itself. I won't apologize for ending his reign of abuse."
A murmur rippled through the chamber.
"The Pantheon's traditions exist for a reason, even those we have long neglected,” Director Hades said.
Poseidon snorted. "Dr. Matthews has presented compelling evidence of Prometheus's violations, but precedent demands consequences for killing a director, regardless of justification."
Hera's eyes narrowed. "Aleksandar has been consistently disobedient and unpredictable. The punishment should reflect the severity of his actions."
"The Tribunal will now deliberate in private," Minos announced. "All parties will withdraw until summoned."
This too was part of the ritual, I knew. The Tribunal would retreat to their private chamber, weigh the evidence, and return with a unanimous verdict. There was no appeal, no higher authority to plead to. Their word was absolute.
