All was so dense, one could see the struggle for movement. The room was crowded; full of people, full of anxiety. Lights were on, though it didn't seem like it. The air looked yellow, ill, and everyone in this arena resisted, though they were still slightly indisposed. Observers were split in those who were quiet, almost in absolute silence, and those who mumbled, always whispering on the edge of no sound at all, in a combination of fear and respect. And though it was what everyone expected, some got scared when the assistant finally spoke:

As expected, a huge figure dressed in black entered in the room. Legs weakened all over the crowd as it appeared.

He slowly moved towards his place, with his clothing moving in a delicate agreement. It seemed like he was floating, and even the ones who knew him still found it intriguing how a naked, skinless skull was able to show such a furious expression.

- Please be seated, he ordered in a deep voice, almost without moving his mouth, as he seated in his throne of bones. Here and there some relief was heard as some of the crowd released the now seemingly-overwhelming weight of their own bodies.

– The defendant will rise.

Pale, sweating, this poor man summoned all his courage and strength just to stand before the scariest look he'd ever seen from that eyeless judge.

A small flame seemed to grow behind the judge's eye holes. – That will be enough. – He paused, as if he needed a deep breath, and went on: - The defendant is charged of deliberately and repeatedly harming the color black in the game Magic the Gathering, by designing lesser playable cards and putting this color to a second plane. He is also deemed responsible for the no reprinting of some key cards, without which this color looses competitiveness. – He pulled back on the throne as the flame faded. - To all the following questions you may not answer, but it would be advisable that you do. Do you wish to answer them?

Again the judge came forward, with his renewed flame. He raised his left hand, and a small blue spiral went towards the accused, surrounding him. He had to support himself just to keep on his feet.

– As I said, - said the judge slowly, looking at the bluish defendant, whose legs were buckling and whose breathing became hard - it would be advisable that you do…

Rosewater was only able to nod his head in agreement, the suffering making him unable to speak. The judge retreated his hand and the spiral was gone. Rosewater breathed loudly, putting a hand on his chest to confirm that his heart was still beating.

- Good. – The naked skull's mouth seemed to make a little smile as he turned to his right. – The prosecution has the case.

The massive body on his side was no smaller than his own. Green skin, white eyes, a little pointy beard and a nose piercing would be enough... But the huge horns and evil grin ended all doubts.

- Thank you, Judge – said the creature, leaning back, slowly uncrossing his hands and moving his arms away from the table and into his chair. – Good evening, Mr. Rosewater, he said with the same evil smile. 

- Good evening Mr. Juzam. – He was still sick, although he didn't know whether it was the judge's spell or the terror he felt. 

- I have here some questions to make. You wouldn't mind to answer them, would you?

 Rosewater glimpsed at the Judge. – No, of course not... 

- Good, good... Tell me, Mr. Rosewater… - He advanced towards the table, putting his arms back on top of it. – Are you familiar with Magic's latest expansion - the one called"Odyssey"?

- Yes, I am.

 - You and your department partners are responsible for all cards in this expansion, is this true?

- Yes, it's true.

 - That being so, Mr. Rosewater, would you be so kind to let us know what is, in your opinion, the weakest color in this expansion? 

- Well, it's hard to say... We always try to make things in a way, that in the end, all colors become balanced…

The Djinn's smile was suddenly gone. – BALANCED?! – he roared. The word sounded repeatedly in a spectral echo, making some dry ink fall from the wall above the main door, but no one took notice. Rosewater felt something hit him as he was pushed, falling into his chair.

 - The defender will rise, ordered the judge with an angry voice. Confused and full of fear, Rosewater quickly stood as fast as his trembling legs allowed him. – And you – he said turning to his right – control yourself.

- I'm sorry, your honor. I was not able to control myself before this outrage. – He turned again towards the defendant to continue: How can you say Balanced?

 - Maybe? Maybe?! Tell us, what is black is usually strong at?

Rosewater seemed to shrink a little. – There's Ghastly Demise…

- Ghastly Demise? A card that only kills relevant creatures with three or more cards on the graveyard? A card that allows... regeneration? That Ghastly Demise?

 - Don't make me laugh! A four-mana enchantment! And most of the time it only deals with small creatures!

Rosewater said nothing. 

- I see. – the Djinn said, trying to calm himself. – Let's go another type of cards. What about creatures?

Rosewater's face seemed to regain some of his natural color. – Well, as far as creatures go I think we made some good on this subject. There's Mindslicer... 

- Cabal Patriarch…

Hmm, maybe could be Plaguelord's successor. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. Continue. 

- Stalking Bloodsucker…

- Braids, Cabal Minion…

 - Only playable in combo decks. Far too risky other way. More.

Rosewater started to sweat, again. -  Repentant Vampire…

 - Too expensive for Constructed. He dies too easily to red. More.

 - The new Lhurgoyf…

- Ahh… - Rosewater tried to think. It would be hard to answer in a normal situation, and it was harder with all this pressure.

- So I see. Let's change the subject. Are you aware of a card called… - he slowly moved through his notes with an irony that all presents noticed. He then stopped and raised his eyes to the defendant. - … Dark Ritual?  

Rosewater felt his throat dry faster than he thought possible. He gulped before answering.

- Yes, I know it.

- Y…

- In fact, Mr. Rosewater, shot the Djinn without delay, Don't you think it's a key card for black?

 - Don't you think, Mr. Rosewater, that this card always was the mana acceleration engine that everyone considered to be one of black's main advantages?

The tension in the room rose.

- Tha…

 - If is so, Mr. Rosewater, could you be so kind to tell us where's Dark Ritual and mana acceleration for black in current environment, for Standard and Extended?

Rosewater paused a moment before answering. This time, the Djinn gave him all the time he wanted... Though this time, he wished the Djinn wouldn't.

- Well... we weren't able to reprint Ritual in standard, and had to ban it from Extended because… - Words choked in his throat.  

- Yes, Mr. Rosewater? Because…? – The Djinn's face shows all his teeth, but now with no smile. The accused look all around in search of a help he knew that wouldn't come.

-Yes??

 - Was... too strong… – and he protected himself, almost closing his eyes.

- TOO STRONG???  - The room shook. Pieces of the walls and roof fell apart and made a loud noise, only to be overridden by the echo of the Djinn's voice. His skin seemed to go from green to red, his hands grabbing the edges of the table and braking them in pieces. The crowd went down in their seats in fear, and only panic avoided most of them from running out the room. As for Rosewater, he closed his eyes and thought his end was coming.

Help came from where he least expected it. The Judge turned right with impatience. 

- Magistrate! Calm down! I've warned you once; if I warn you for the third time, I'll take the necessary actions for you to obey my rules!

- That won't be necessary, your honor. – Said the Djinn, slowly recovering his green natural color. He opened his hands, pieces of wood falling to the ground. – I have nothing more to ask Mr. Rosewater. 

The crowd looked right to a table on the Judge's left, where someone else was seated seated. She straightened up as she was authorized to speak, and a brilliant aura stood around her. Two large wings raised behind her and, with her head up high, she spoke:

- ... And after the Apocalypse a great light will came from above the skies, and darkness will lose its strength. The creatures of the dark will lose their vitality and the grim rituals they attended shall be lost in the shadows of old. Creatures of the light will regain their glory and... 

- There. It started, said the Judge between his teeth, moving his head to the other side. 

- Who had the brilliant idea of nominating Serra Angel as the defender, anyway?, said the Juzam.

 - ... And a messenger from above shall walk the earth and teach the people, and his name will be Paiva, and he shall put all Zog's teachings into writing, for his shall be the gift of words. And he shall command de followers of good in a noble crusade, and all this followers shall be named Random de Tonis, and...*

- That's enough! – The Judge made a small wave of his hand, bored with her speech. There was a sudden blue flash and the Angel fell face down on her table, unconscious. Her glow fainted, her wings lost strength and fell behind the table and out of the crowd's sight. 

- Mark Rosewater! – Said the judge while straitened up on his throne and talking to the accused – This court will give his decision right now!

Rosewater trembled. He stood as straight as he could and prepared for his sentence. 

Juzam smiled and almost closed his eyes in glee. Rosewater took a deep breath and waited.

- ... But this court is comprehensive and generous... – The Djinn's smile was suddenly gone and replaced by a surprised expression. - ...Contrary to the opinions of some and the desires of others, said the skull, looking the unbelieving Juzam. Also Rosewater was full of surprise, as was the entire crowd, who mumbled among themselves. The Judge raised his voice above the mumbling and said – Its this court decision that you return to your work and return black's playability and strength to its due level in the following expansions.

-But your honor…! – claimed the non-believing Djinn at his side. 

- Silence! This is my decision! But I warn, you Mr. Rosewater...– and he leaned in his table towards the accused with the flames behind the great skull now perfectly visible – Should you not do so, you will return to this court, and then I won't be so benevolent… 

- But...! – Tried the Juzam

 - I said silence! This case is closed.

 The Judge stood and - as when he entered the room - he left with his robe not touching the floor. Juzam also stood, pieces of wood on his lap falling to the floor, and when he went towards the exit with closed fists he looked to the accused with hatred in his eyes. – I'll be waiting for you, Mr. Rosewater… - whispered the Djinn in a way that only Mark could hear, who at this moment had already fallen on his chair, tired and sick.

The assistants came to collect the Angel's body and carried her out of the room. The crowd also left the room, leaving only the previous center of all attentions. Some looked at him in their way to the exit; some felt sympathy for him, while others smiled in glee as they thought of the fairness of his punishment. Behind stayed Rosewater, alone in the room but with his head full of thoughts. One of them, he thought, was stronger than all others…

Duarte Fernandes, a.k.a., Vodka7up
duarte-fernandes@clix.pt

Translated by Jorge Guimarães, a.k.a. Guimas Guimaraes
Jorge@mail.telepac.pt

Minor adjustments to the translation made by the author.

* – Reference to a well-known Portuguese Magic writer and some of his articles.