Asgard, Mount Olympus, any number of jade palaces of the celestial heavens, there were many words and ideas offered by humanity throughout the ages when it came to one central idea. Their gods existed and thus they had to have a place to live.

Sometimes those dwelling places of the gods would be describe as gleaming towards with walls made of fine crystal. These towers would thrust toward the sky like a mighty fist. The gods would fly through the air on chariots of blazing fire, or ride atop steel horses that belched smoke and cried thunder.

Those ancient musings were not far from the truth, in regards to one mighty city. However, a modern visitor to this particular home of the gods would be mildly disappointed.

The gleaming towers were massive skyscraper style office buildings or residences that one might find in any modern city. Albeit, the buildings in the Divine City were much larger in scale.

The flaming chariots? They were helicopters or air planes. The steel horses were motorcycles, or perhaps some other vehicle.

In truth, he gods were neither as holy, nor sacrosanct, as many would be led to believe. Gods, as it was known by many, were basically cosmic level fanboys who enjoyed living their lives like their favorite fictional characters. There were an untold number of universes in existence. In many of those instances of existence there was a world known as Earth. Upon those many divergent Earths there would often arise a particular phenomenon. Modern Human Society. In the Divine City, the people enjoyed living in a state similar to a near future modern world.

The gods held day jobs wherein they pretended to be important business men, or a lucky few might take on the role of a street-side hotdog vendor. Outside of a few vital roles, such as the role of an arbiter who judged criminal cases or made civil rulings, the gods literally needed nothing. They used tools as a means to flavor their creative talents, but those tools were largely superfluous outside of certain world creation engines and software that made such things simple affairs.

If a god was hungry, they could prepare a meal the old fashioned way by cooking the meal on a stove, or they might simply conjure forth a lavish meal. They might even decide they were no longer hungry and it would be so. Even the weakest among the gods could easily have any material possession that they desired.

A lack of deprivation, and the ease in which one might have anything they wished, inevitably led to boredom. In that boredom they latched onto any entertaining thing that they could acquire. This truth fueled their tendency toward the creation of fandom, cosplay, and the attempts to live like regular Earth humans.

However, the gods often took their attempt at immersion and authenticity too far. They became too heavily invested in the object their fan-worship. Certain ideas became all important to them. Any obstacle in the path to their ideal existence would inevitably cause one of two responses to occur. Either they would relish the challenge, or they would become frustrated and wrathful.

Deep in the heart of the Tower of Justice, a young junior arbiter freshly appointed to their august ranks sat across the Table of Judgment from a young deity who had been called in for questioning.

"My Lord Arbiter, I fail to see the reason for this inquisition," stated the young deity. A male divinity of sallow complexion and dark black hair, he chose to have bright yellow eyes reminiscent of a hungry wolf.

Emeritus, the junior arbiter who held the investigation, tilted his head to the side. "You do not know? Tell me, young Sax of House Karash... Do you truly not know why you are here?"

A smug expression on his lips, Sax asked, "Dread Arbiter... if I knew, would I have asked?"

"Correct your demeanor," stated Emeritus in a flat even tone.

All traces of his smug demeanor instantly disappeared from Sax's expression. However, his words remained sarcastic. "Of course, Junior Arbiter Emeritus."

Emeritus gazed coolly at the young deity before him for a moment. Unamused by the creature's sarcastic speech pattern, he was forced to take a moment to correct his own demeanor. He could not simply lash out and turn the little snot into a pile of smoking giblets. Not without an inquiry, and those sorts of undertakings were quite wearisome when they involved something as trivial as the destruction of a physical avatar.

Sax had none of the good graces necessary to appear properly chastised by the cool gaze of Emeritus Hellborne. Instead, his expression slowly became smug once more.

"You are under investigation for threats of deicide, proliferation of technology to low-tech worlds, harassment, and now you are party to the annoyance of an arbiter." Emeritus steepled his fingers together then used them to lightly hide his mouth.

"Such spurious, illegitimate, allegations dread arbiter," replied Sax in a mildly scandalized tone. "Why would I perform such heinous deeds? Who speaks so ill of me?"

Emeritus performed a light sweeping gestured with his hand. A holographic image appeared between them. It was an image of an altercation outside of the Origin Entertainment Empire's high-rise business fortress. Sax had his fist drawn back as though he intended to swing, while a second young male deity stood between him and two additional female deities. One had bright blue hair, and a certain cold beauty which left an undeniable impression even among those who lived in a city of the divines. The other young deity was the red-headed cosplay ninja, Shara.

"Silence," stated Emeritus.

"I must be silent? These allegations are spurious at best!" Sax ignored the image that hovered between them, the smugness in his expression intensifying.

"Silence Ardent, the god of death in the Origin Empire's familial pantheon. He stands witness to your actions," said Emeritus coolly.

Sax's expression shifted suddenly. He glowered darkly at the junior arbiter. "You call me here on the word of that hateful family's useless son, but you do nothing in regards to what they did to me? Years of planning ruined by their blatant favoritism and—"

"Enough," said Emeritus with a snort. "You will be silent."

Sax tried to speak further, but his voice refused to come out. The arbiter's will was law within the space known as the Tower of Justice. That power was further amplified at the Table of Judgment. Only in an actual court trial would their power be any greater. At that point, no one in the city could gainsay their rulings. Though, some of the most powerful deities might warrant a full tribunal to keep them in line should they be found guilty of a crime which might warrant such an event.

"The matter of your petty concerns in relation to the ARS Casual server, and disproven charges of unfair business practices, are not currently considered to be part of to this inquiry," said Emeritus.

He took a moment to allow those words to sink in then continued, "You are not on trial, and have merely been called in for questioning in regards to the actions that have been alleged. You may add the case that you mentioned into the matter as a reason for why you went to their business fortress, but you may not use it to deny your alleged actions."

Emeritus gazed intently at Sax. "I shall grant you a piece of unsolicited legal advice. Be warned; the addition of that matter as evidence in this case will be seen as evidence against you given that it implies motive for the actions alleged."

"Do you wish to enter that case into evidence?" asked Emeritus.

Allowed to speak once more, Sax asked a question. "Would it matter? This is no inquiry. My guilt has already been decided, because I dared to offend the high and mighty Ardent family."

"Do you admit guilt?" asked Emeritus.

Sax nearly waved the entire matter away and agreed, but he remembered one other listed charge. "Did you not also say something about proliferation of weapons?"

"Correct. It is alleged that you went to the home world of one of the individuals involved in your case against the Origin Empire and conspired to have him murdered utilizing advanced technology," replied Emeritus.

"What proof is there of such a thing?" asked Sax, his tone slightly fearful. "Rather, that it had anything to do with me?"

"Class three bio-boosting nano-technology and a class three disruptor rifle were discovered, along with the failed plot to assassinate him," said Emeritus. "The rifle was converted through the city power grid so that it would injure a god, and as such it might have overwhelmed the protections afforded to the man in question."

"Again, what does it have to do with me?" asked Sax in a tone calmer than before. "Surely, there is no reason to believe I have ever been to that world?"

"The one who violated the non-interference law has spoken your name as their employer in this matter." Emeritus bade the holographic projection to disappear while he awaited Sax's response.

Sax did not betray himself with a visible expression, but he seethed internally. The rat bastard had sold him out!

Emeritus tapped the table top lightly to make certain that he had the young deity's attention. "Weapons proliferation is a serious charge. The threats of deicide, while damaging, are largely untenable. You do not have the power to kill another god, not permanently."

Sax's lips quirked slightly, but he betrayed himself no further. "This charge is a lie. I had nothing to do with it. There is no connection between me and whoever has implicated me, and it is clear they are using my known dislike for that garbage fire of a family as a means to lessen their own sentence for such a heinous action."

The junior arbiter gazed intently at the other deity for a moment. He then said, "If I were to perform a Veritas reading, would that statement remain the truth?"

"I do not consent," replied Sax smoothly.

Emeritus' eyes narrowed slightly. "I do not believe your words to be the truth. However, this is not a trial. As such, if you do not consent to further scrutiny on this matter I cannot legally perform a Veritas reading."

The smugness in Sax's expression after those words were spoken was undeniable. He might very well have had the most punchable face in the entire continuum.

"Having made a statement that refutes the word of the deity who named you, and your expressed desire not to consent to a Veritas reading, this inquiry in regards to the proliferation of advanced weapons to a world with lower technology is at an end," said Emeritus.

If possible, the smugness in Sax's expression increased three fold for a brief moment only to have it turn to one most sour when emeritus spoke again, "If new evidence arises in the future which implicates you in this matter, and it proves that you were indeed the originator of the situation, you will face the charges in court. It is my ruling that you will automatically face the possibility of maximum punitive sentencing for this crime."

Sax growled a little but let his anger pass without making a scene. The arbiter clearly believed him to be guilty. He knew that a fit of rage at the Table of Judgment could only end badly for him.

"In the matter of the other three issues brought up for inquiry—" began Emeritus.

"Three issues? Do you mean to say that you intend to inquire about my annoyance of an arbiter?" asked Sax incredulously.

"Correct. You show no proper sense of decorum. Your demeanor, after having been addressed as inappropriate, continues to be inappropriate." He tapped the table twice then spoke once more, "Further, I do not believe your words in regards to the proliferation of technology incident to be true. This annoys me and I find your actions contemptuous of both the rule of law and my own sense of propriety."

"You're allowing personal bias to color your judgment!" hissed Sax. "I have been proven innocent of that charge."

"No. You have not. You have claimed innocence on the matter," countered Emeritus. "You have also refused further exploration and verification of the matter upon request."

"I fear I must repeat myself once more," continued Emeritus. "This is not a trial. It is an inquiry into allegations made against you."

Sax started to say something, but the arbiter raised his hand and shook his head. "Your statement of denial has proven nothing, and your every action at this inquiry has rendered your character to be highly suspect in my opinion."

Emeritus tapped the table once more. "As this is an inquiry, and not a trial, there is no legal precedent which grants me the authority to force you to allow me to peer into your soul in order to verify truth from fiction."

He tapped the table, hard, once more. "Continue to press this matter in a bid to slander me for your own sense of self-satisfaction, and the charge will change from annoyance of an arbiter to contempt of law."

Sax glared hotly at the arbiter for a moment but then he shrank back a bit. Contempt of law was a far more serious charge than annoyance of an arbiter. The latter would result solely in making certain that he is not to be allowed leniency during a court trial in regards to the current allegations. The latter would include that plus a punitive arbiter ruling and possible prison time, worse he might be forced to perform community service.

"Given the fact that you have legally annoyed me, I must keep that in mind as I make my next decision." Emeritus took a breath then held it for a moment to add a bit of drama to the proceedings. "I find that the allegations regarding threats of deicide and inappropriate harassment do in fact hold merit."

Sax hissed angrily like an enraged cat. He could do nothing about the situation, however, as the arbiter's word was law itself. He would have his day in court, but there was little doubt in regards to the outcome.

Ordinarily, that would be the end of the inquiry. However, there was one more piece of business. Sax's anger rose ever higher as the arbiter continued to speak.

"As you have legally annoyed me, and proved to be of low character, I issue an injunction against you," said Emeritus. "Sax of House Karash, you are hereby ordered to stay away from the Ardent family, their intimate associates, and all of their owned properties until such time as the trial is complete."

"What! That would mean that I cannot even log into the ARS servers!" snapped Emeritus.

"Yes. Until your court date has come, and your trial completed, you will not be allowed to enter into any world owned by the Origin Empire," said Emeritus. "They have already restricted access to their servers anyway, due to your alleged antics."

Sax positively seethed with venomous rage upon hearing that. There was still a pending court case wherein he could plead to force the Origin Empire to allow his guild to remain active on ARS. While a junior arbiter had ruled in the empire's favor, he had appealed to a higher authority.

It was bad enough when that stupid cosplay slut had her guild spawn camp his guild, but now he could not even return to ARS at all. His other court date would take place soon. "When is my court date, arbiter?"

"As the criminal allegations are considered to be a minor threat at best, I feel the court date does not need to be expedited. The trial will take place in approximately seventy-four years, six months and twelve days," replied Emeritus smoothly.

"Seventy-four—" Sax fell back in his chair. Decades away, it would take decades before he could even set foot into ARS once more. "I have a pending appeal against the restriction to my access to ARS!"

"I am aware of that fact," said Emeritus. "Should the arbiter rule in your favor, the Origin Empire would have to unrestrict your access. However, my injunction will remain."

"Even if..." Sax shook his head slowly in disbelief. "How can this be legal? How is what you did within the bounds of the law?"

"Nothing done here today is outside of my authority or jurisdiction," said Emeritus.

Emeritus continued, "As a piece of unsolicited legal advice, I suggest in the future that you should mind the instructions of an arbiter when they order you to correct your ill-behaved demeanor."

Sax glared at the man as it was now Emeritus' turn to wear an insufferably smug expression. Oh, how he wanted to punch the bastard right in the mouth. "I did not ask for your unsolicited legal advice and wish to appeal your ruling."

"Appeal denied," replied Emeritus. "I have every legal right to offer unsolicited legal advice, if I do in fact announce it as such before-hand."

"How can that be lawful!" snapped Sax.

Emeritus offered him a penetrating gaze. "I am the law."

Sax started to speak, but held his tongue. Nothing good would come of him continuing with this farce. The arbiter could say anything he liked so long as he tossed a disclaimer in front of his words. Worse, his Judge Dredd reference quite eloquently spoke his mind on the matter. There would be no use in arguing the matter further.

"As this inquiry is now at an end," said Emeritus before he tapped the table top, "I bid you leave these chambers."

Unable to vent his anger, Sax rose swiftly from his seat. His rise coincided with a similar action elsewhere. Sax opened his eyes, and greeted his ceiling. Groggy at first, it took him a moment to realize what had happened. "That damned dream again..."

Sax grumbled loudly about the unfairness of the legal system then rose from his bed. He put on his fuzzy bunny slippers then wandered over to a closet near the far wall. He opened it up and began to search for the clothes he intended to wear to his business meeting that day. He was forced to shift his little diorama which depicted one of his fondest memories. It was a captured scene that showed the brutal execution of Shara's blue haired sister Origin and her boy-toy, also insufferably named Scott, to one side.

He sighed softly as the diorama eased his heart. Scott's blue-haired miniature form dangled from the rope around his neck while his stupid plastic face continued to be frozen in an expression of horror. Nearby that stupid avatar of Origin, the elf girl Rhea, held an expression formed from exquisite pain as the poison in her system continued to bleed her hit points away.

They had deserved it of course, each of them forced to watch the other slowly die. That blue-haired bimbo of a mortal man had killed his entire goblin army, slew one of his commanders, and stolen their ill-gotten loot!

His nose wrinkled in anger as he recalled the report that he received that day. That idiot Karsh had been slain, and their guild Corpse Rat had lost significant status. It was hard to build their reputation as a villainous guild of monsters, when one low-level sorcerer was able slay an entire guild outpost of equal or higher level monsters!

In a fit of anger, he exclaimed loudly at the dying image of Rhea. "I did nothing wrong, you hateful bitch! So what if I tried to send a bloody message to the avatar of the heir apparent of the Origin Empire? It was a game! There was no need to sic that red haired ninja slut on my guild!"

Everything in his life had gone wrong after that fateful day. What should have just been a warning, a way to tell everyone on the server that the Corpse Rats were still an up and coming horde of darkness, had gone to shit. The stupid cosplay slut had shown up with her guild of assassins and slaughtered several of his higher leveled players like trash.

Sax shook his head as he recalled the hateful days that followed. Everything was handled in the game world financially, so the arbiters would not even hear his case. "Every day, your guild hunted mine like starving dogs. We were de-leveled and spawn camped to the point that we became a joke. Everyone left... except that idiot Karsha."

It was ridiculous. People acted almost as if a guild of monsters shouldn't burn, rape, and pillage! What was so wrong with playing the villain? The people living there were just mortal NPCs after all. They live. They fuck. They die. Why not enact a hellish blood crusade and ravage the land just for shits and giggles? At least the short depressing lives of the local mortals wouldn't be so depressingly boring.

The worst thing about life was the perpetual boredom, after all. His guild made the game fun! Fun was good! It brought joy! Who did not like joy? Damned fun killers. That's who. So many people wanted to cry about one thing or another and just try to steal his joy.

"It's like no one can take a fucking joke anymore," muttered Sax belligerently.

He found a good suit to wear for his business meeting then checked the time. "Guess I can play around for a little while..."

Sax wandered over to his monitoring system then placed his skull cap atop his head. Soon, his eyes closed. When he opened his eyes once more, he was in another world entirely.

"Greetings, Boss King," said an imp as he flew over to the man perpetually wrapped in darkness. "Do you have any orders?"

The bright yellow eyes of Boss King glowed with a sinister light. It was time to play a fun game.