Kraks scanned the room, looking for any further comments for the peanut gallery and when none were forthcoming he faced Kat.
"First and foremost, Kat, do you consent to the reading in full of the error scenario list I have been provided to the additional observers. It is within your system rights to refuse such a request and while this will not trigger the chains of covenant it is still an important matter" said Kraks
"I accept" said Kat
Nodding along Kraks continued "Ok, now Kat I believe this is your first experience with an error. Would you like me to inform you of standard error procedure"
"Please" nodded Kat
"Ok. Disputes are a different category and will not be touched on. Errors are consider to have occurred when the D.E.M.O.N.S is directly responsible for an unforeseen outcome that causes harm to the User could have been prevented. When an Error is deemed to have occurred the User it affects is able to claim compensation proportional to the Error immediately and without prejudice. Do you follow?"
Kat nodded.
"Ok, in your case the reason for this hearing is that you have a number of conflicting errors that I will now list"
"An error in the awakening process that caused significant extra demonic energy to be expanded. An error in the awakening process causing increased likelihood of death in User Kat. An error in the forming User Kat's Demonic Flame causing unforeseen changes to the size and shape of User Kat's flame. Do you agree the following is accurate and understandable"
"Yes"
"Ok good. I apologise for the slightly strange language I am required to read out the error listing in full and by word before we address the conflict. Before we move on to that, observers do you have any additional questions" said Kraks
None of the beholders moved, Kat got the impression they just didn't want to annoy Kraks.
"Ok, now to begin with, these errors cause conflicting information when relating to the amount and manner of compensation. I'll go over the errors in order" Pulling up another tablet Kraks adjusted his glasses and continued
"Kat, during your awakening you were given an additional demonic energy that surpassed the amount necessary, to the tune of 500 standard units of demonic energy"
Kraks was interrupted by Rulrok "500 units? How could such a thing be allowed. That much demonic energy could be used to awaken 50 demons"
"Wait your turn" Kraks glared at Rulrok "But to answer your question, Kat had to undergo a full awakening"
"That only accounts for 100 units, why was she ever given another 400, that's not safe" said Xaz'gelen
"According to the report Kat's home dimension suppresses demonic energy and as such nothing was detected leaking from her during the final step" said Kraks
A barking laugh was heard from Xoglaxuch who had yet to speak "Heh. I never thought I'd see the day. A dimension that can supress demonic energy, how can it possibly have done so"
"I'm not allowed to inform you of that, Kat might be, but I'm not" said Kraks
*System can I inform them? Should I*
--
User Kat is allowed to inform any Individual of the details of User Kat's home universe. D.E.M.O.N.S is unaware of what User Kat should do.
--
*Great, thanks for the advice… not.* "My dimension suppressing all forms of higher energy" said Kat
This got the old beholder's attention a flash of light gleamed in his eye before nodding slightly without saying anything.
"Why does that matter?" asked Bob
"It means, that the dimension can suppress demonic energy because it doesn't target it specifically it suppresses everything. Clearly it doesn't do so perfectly because Kat was able to awaken but just the fact that the universe doesn't collapse is interesting in and of itself" said Xaz'gelen
"Um, why would a universe collapse?" asked Kat
"I'll tell you, the others probably can't" said Xoglaxuch "A universe is built upon it's laws, and its higher energy. If an incompatible energy enters into that world, either the person using it is torn apart and killed or the universe is torn apart and killed. For some reason, no universe has ever been able to suppress demonic energy, they all tear themselves apart instead"
"How would we know though? If a demon has to travel there isn't there a chance they died instead?" said Kat
"I can explain that one." Said Kraks "It's only if the energy and the universe clash that this happens. Say you had mana and never casted a spell nothing would happen to you. On top of this, demons that have been summoned are automatically sent out of the dimension instead of dying. These two factors mean that a demon could find a world without it killing them but we never really have"
"So was my dimension completely unknown before this?" asked Kat
"Possible, but doubtful. The fact that D.E.M.O.N.S was connected to it implies that a demon was summoned there or at least visited in the past. Then again, I don't truly know how D.E.M.O.N.S does what it does, that's just what I've heard" said Kraks
"Anyway, back to the issue at hand. The first error is that you were given more energy then intended. This has some nock on effects, but for this issue the main point is should you be charged for the extra 400 units? You will already be required to pay for the initial 100 but you never asked for the additional amount"
"Well I think" said Rulrok "Nothing yet" finished Kraks
"These issues are too closely linked so moving on. Kat's increased likelihood of death. This is much harder to quantify because D.E.M.O.N.S has never experienced an awakening in a dimension like yours Kat. As such while you were likely put at greater risk, exactly how much is up for debate. Perhaps it was a negligible amount, perhaps you barely survived. We simply don't know. Kat was however not properly informed of the awakening process, and was never giving a way to deal with it considering her unique aura" said Kraks
"Finally" said Kraks eyeing the others for interruptions "Kat's starting flame isn't a fire, it has taken a shape"
"What that's it?" said Vraz'gelen
"That's all that's written under the error" said Kraks "I'm not entirely sure why this counts as an error to be honest"
"Isn't shaping a sign of at least rank 3?" said Bob
"Indeed, normally a simple shape will emerge at rank 3 or above" said Tulvan
"What shape is it?" said Xaz'gelen
"How rude, I can't believe you'd even ask that" said Rulrok
"But it could be important" said Xaz'gelen
And then the beholders were off to the races. The arguments started flying left and right, once again taking to the sky
"There they go again" said Kat.
"Ah the joys of the young, it warms my heart to see the old arts haven't died" said Xoglaxuch as he hovered behind Kat.
Spinning around in shock Kat looked at the tie wearing beholder. She hadn't heard him move behind her. *Then again, if you don't have feet perhaps that easier.*
"Why do you say it warms your heart?" said Kat
"Well, beholders have traditionally found diplomacy and research to be their true battlefield. There's only one other family that can claim the same, though I'm not allowed to speak about them" said Xoglaxuch "But in the more recent centuries more and more beholders have chosen the way of combat. It disappoints this old soul to see the old arts lost. It's not the end for us by a long shot but the youth are more hot-headed these days"
"Uh huh" mumbled Kat not really following "Anyway, why does it matter what my demonic flame looks like?"
"Well, it is an immensely personal thing to share ones flame. Even speaking on it's true form is consider something for close friends and family" said Xoglaxuch
"Though not always family" Xoglaxuch muttered softly but more than loud enough for Kat to hear.
"Right… then why did they even ask?" asked Kat
"Well, they've not worked here a long time. The kids are used to getting absolutely every scrap of information relating to the case, and something as important as a rank 1 demon with a shaped flame is valuable and interesting in the extreme" said Xoglaxuch
"I think I understand Xoglaxuch. Do you think I should tell them? I do believe it to be somewhat relevant but if it's so precious I'm not sure I should share" said Kat
"I think, if you believe you must, bind them with the chains to never speak of your flames appearance to anyone. Actually do it properly and prevent them from even considering informing others in any way shape or form. It sounds like your flame is going to be quite shocking, and you don't want other fools to come barking at you" said Xoglaxuch
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind" said Kat as she sunk back into the chair.. *It seems like another argument I'll have to wait out.*
