Arbiter Tribunal

On a bright, sunny morning, the sky was cloudless, forming a vast blue dome. Lush rainforest surrounded a strait with steep cliffs on both sides. White waves crashed against the sea cliffs, and seabirds resembling butterflies soared upwards on the wind. The sea was vast and the sky was high, with fish leaping and birds flying.

This is the southernmost point where the provinces of Antioch and Kor-shakal Province, separated by a wide strait. The strait leads directly to the Aiur Antarctic Ocean with icy currents, home to incredibly thriving marine life and mysterious colossal beasts.

The Arbiter Tribunal is the oldest and most magnificent building in the area. It resembles a towering conical spire, with a golden body that is openwork. Intersecting staircases, light bridges, conveyor platforms, and curved crystal glass reflect the sun's brilliant golden light.

During the Protoss Empire's golden age, this was the meeting place for the arbitrators of the Conclave to discuss governance. The crystal matrix network within the Arbiter Tribunal radiated surging matrix energy, serving as a warp beacon anchored to the spacetime force field, guiding Protoss Fleets and Arbiter lost in the vast universe back home.

Legend has it that the legendary Templar Knights hero Adun once sat here with the Arbitrators of the Conclave, debating the glorious vision of the Protoss Empire. The Arbiter Tribunal was once a relaxed and comfortable place, where even the Khalai were allowed to discuss what constituted honor and the glory of the Empire. However, after Adun's time passed, strict prohibitions transformed the Arbiter Tribunal into a venue for trying heretics and a center for the arbitrators to exercise their power and issue judgments.

"The Protoss are hoping to achieve peace through negotiation and compromise. Whose idea was this? Didn't the Conclave consider dealing with Tassadar first when the Zerg army was pressing in?" Jim Raynor stepped onto the wide obsidian steps in front of the Arbiter Tribunal, gazing up at the top of the giant spire.

At the very top of that towering spire, numerous beautiful and shimmering Kydarin Crystal are inlaid on the golden tower body. Silver and blue metal bars form exquisite texts and mysterious patterns along the gleaming tower body. These symbols are both derived from the Xel'Naga and a tribute to the creators who once inspired the Protoss.

Each piece of Kadarin was polished to a smooth and warm finish, like the surface of a calm lake. These truly beautiful things, approaching eternity, radiated a star-like light. White energy vortices surrounded the entire Arbiter Tribunal's breathtaking matrix network, like pale mist.

A massive Solarite, larger than a warship, was embedded at the very top of the Arbiter Tribunal. The fragment, radiating brilliant golden light and intense, unstable energy, shone like the midday sun, too dazzling to look at directly.

In the bright white matrix light, the pavilions, towers, and suspended elevators easily broke free from the constraints of gravity, hovering in the howling wind high above, operating in a way that defied the laws of physics and human comprehension. Even though the building's history was as ancient as the Protoss Empire, it remained brand new and gleaming.

The very existence of the Arbiter Tribunal is a miracle in itself, and miracles like this are commonplace in Aiur.

"This is a sign of peace. The Protoss have lost more than 60% of their population in this war, and even the Conclave Arbitrators, who stubbornly adhere to tradition, are unwilling to lose too many of their people due to the civil war." Augustus followed behind Raynor, with Faraday and Kerrigan behind him.

Augustus wore his usual thick black square-collared coat and breathable, comfortable trousers, a staple of the Mengsk Family, with golden ears of wheat and a wolf emblem on his epaulets. The Mengsk Family's guards also wore similar attire; the wolf symbolized the family's resilience, perseverance, leadership potential, or cunning, ruthlessness, and decisiveness.

"Both the Conclave and Tassadar hope to resolve the dispute peacefully and avoid the tragedy of fratricide."

"The Dark Templar that Zeratul mentioned is still running rampant in Aiur. They are looking for any opportunity to assassinate Templar Knights, which is making the conflict between the two sides increasingly irreconcilable," Augustus.

"The Conclave hopes to expel the Dark Templar and send them back to their homeland, thus preventing further conflict and bloodshed among the Protoss. Although this is tantamount to discarding them after they've served their purpose, it's the best solution at the moment. The Dark Templar never intended to stay in Aiur for long anyway, so this would resolve the conflict."

"But will this matter really be resolved as we imagine?" Raynor asked as he climbed the steps, glancing around at the cold metal handrails and the array of Kydarin Crystal radiating matrix light.

"We all know that when we expect something to go in the expected direction, that damn God always pushes it in the opposite direction."

These silver handrails resemble winding vines and snakes, with leaves sculpted from organic metal that curl and curl as if alive. The crystals resonate and vibrate, producing sounds as beautiful as music and the murmur of a clear spring flowing over rocks. The air is filled with the fragrance of flowers, as intoxicating as fine wine. The Protoss ' artistic achievements are unparalleled in the world.

"I dare say, someone is orchestrating all of this in the shadows, making us look like fools." Augustus quickened his pace, passing Raynor and stopping in front of the wide and majestic golden gates of the Arbiter Tribunal, looking at the two members of the Conclave Guard who were guarding the gates.

Both Protoss warriors were clad in golden armor, their exquisitely crafted shoulder armor and helmets inlaid with blue Kydarin Crystal. Their heavy red robes billowed behind them as the matrix light rose. They wielded massive, long-handled energy battleaxes and shields, their azure eyes seemingly burning with concentrated flames.

"What kind of person could manipulate the Protoss, orchestrate a massive war through conspiracy, and use the lives of hundreds of millions of people as pawns to achieve their evil ends?" Kerrigan shook her head. "That sounds truly terrifying."

"Did those Hybrid monsters in Luria give you some unpleasant associations?"

"It's clear that someone is using the genes of the Protoss and Zerg to plan a world overthrow. Zeratul has already gleaned this from the fragments of the Xel'Naga prophecy. As the new Void Rift on Aiur and the Psionic Storm vortex above it become more stable, the Dark Templar's connection with the Void is also growing stronger." Augustus looked at the Protoss Guardian at the door.

"A human." One of the Protoss warriors looked at Augustus, his eyes burning with fury as he stared at him. "This is not a place for you. Stop here."

"I am Augustus Mengsk, leader of the Revolutionary Army. Let your commander speak to me." Augustus stood with his hands behind his back, not backing down despite the Protoss warrior's cold and unyielding attitude.

"I came at the invitation of Executor Tassadar and Arbitrator Aldaris, and I believe I deserve fair treatment from you. While my warriors are still bleeding and sacrificing themselves to save the fallen Protoss, you are still here guarding the last vestiges of the Arbitrators' arrogance? Standing before you is not a lowly and mindless reed, but a thinking human being."

"You are right." After a few seconds, another council guard apologized to Augustus, saying, "Augustus Mengsk, you deserve this courtesy."

The golden doors, drawn open by the matrix, slowly opened, Arbiter Tribunal's Court, gleaming with a soft light, finally came into Augustus's view.

Augustus astonished to discover that the interior of the building was originally hollow, without even enclosed floors. Hundreds of interconnected light bridges and corridors connected floating platforms, and countless crystal mirrors reflecting sunlight illuminated the entire interior of the spire like a golden world.

Protoss Arbitrators, High Templar, and Protoss Preservers of History and Knowledge, clad in red, white, or purple robes, walked along these vast corridors and bridges of light, where every crystal, stone slab, and metal dome was measured in perfect proportion.

Upon entering, Augustus encountered High Archon Taldarin and his friend, Executor Mojya, descending from a teleportation platform. Beside them stood a tall Protoss clad in an orange robe and pure gold armor, the canvas-like insignia on his body signifying his descent from the Oliga Tribe, historically the leaders of the Protoss Empire's Great Fleet.

"This is Executor Mojya, his Fleets is crossing the edge of the Koprulu Sector." Taldarin and Augustus old acquaintances; his golden Dragoon was even larger than Fenix's.

Taldarin used his spider-like, slender mechanical limbs to point at Mojya, who was wearing an executive robe, and then introduced the tall Protoss leader to Augustus.

"He is Yurlan, the leader of the Fleets, the Son of the Stars, and one of the commanders of the Great Fleet."

"Humans." When facing humans, Yurlan was clearly much colder than his gentle and kind colleagues, but he still showed Augustus respect. The generals under Tassadar had all heard of Augustus's deeds to some extent. Perhaps humans were not worth mentioning, but their leader deserved the respect of the Protoss.

"Augustus the human." Yurlan still sounded unfamiliar when he said the name. He examined Augustus's mind as if trying to find a despicable intention to harm the Protoss. But all signs indicated that he had failed.

Augustus Mengsk was impeccable; his exceptional qualities were enough to mask his common human desires. If Augustus harbored any other hidden thoughts, it only meant that he was meticulous enough to confuse the perception of a powerful telepath.

"I am Yurlan of the Origa tribe. Augustus Mengsk, you are a hero among men. I hope that in the years to come, you will continue to uphold your principles." Yurlan gave Augustus a salute in the manner of the Protoss Empire Fleets.

"Your resilient heart is almost unbreakable, but even the most dazzling gem will be shrouded in shadow when darkness falls. Here you have earned the respect of the Protoss, a respect that makes us regard this alien race as a mentor and friend from afar. Do not betray our trust."

"I swore never to betray the ideals of my fathers, and now I swear never to betray the Protoss. Let all the ages bear witness to this," Augustus replied.

"Augustus kept his word," Raynor smiled. "You can trust him completely."

"Forgive Yurlan's rashness and rudeness; he was merely acting impulsively," Taldarin told Augustus. "The tragedy of Aiur has enraged Yurlan, making him increasingly suspicious and irritable. In truth, Yurlan is kinder and more sincere than any of us."

"I know, we humans usually call that a sharp tongue but a soft heart." Raynor nodded. "My mother is that kind of person—of course, I'm not saying you're my mother."

"I can sense your respect for your mother. Humans and Protoss are both races with rich emotions, and the Firstborn is simply showing enough restraint." Yurlan didn't grasp the humor in Raynor's words, who had already figured out which Protoss was not someone to be joked with.

Only Fenix and Zeratul could appreciate Raynor's humor, and perhaps that's why these two respectable Protoss warriors were able to understand human emotions and fight alongside humans.

"I am Mojya, the executive officer of the Protoss Expeditionary Force." Mojya is a Protoss with a long, pointed chin. His grayish-white skin and rough wrinkles on his face make him look more like a snake or a lizard.

In fact, Mojya's words, though seemingly terrifying, were gentle and approachable. All respected Protoss commanders possessed some outstanding quality; they were mostly natural leaders or generals, with unwavering and steadfast wills.

"Where is Tassadar?" Augustus asked Taldarin.

"He's in the courtroom." Taldarin led Augustus onto another teleportation platform.

The teleportation platform in the Arbiter Tribunal connects the entire magnificent building. After a humming sound of matrix rhythm and a flash of white light, Augustus and the others arrived in the courtroom, which had a giant dome and ornate niches.

A circular seating arrangement, encircling the entire courtroom, faced the floor of the courtroom. Standing within it were several Dark Templar bound by energy shackles and a static force field; presumably, these were the perpetrators identified as the ones who attacked the Templar Knights.

Seated in the seats were eleven arbitrators dressed in magnificent robes, opposite them the Templar Knights class represented by Tassadar, Artanis, and Fenix. On one side were the former ruling class of the Protoss Empire, and on the other side were military leaders and the most outstanding warriors.

Standing in the courtroom were heavily armed council guards, Tassadar, and Templar Knights, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere throughout the hall. As Augustus, Tassadar, Raynor, and others walked directly toward Tassadar's seat, a Protoss arbitrator in a golden robe brushed past them.

Augustus was startled when he saw the arbitrator, for he had not paid any attention to him before; he appeared as if he had suddenly appeared, dressed in fine clothes yet giving an unremarkable impression.

The arbitrator wore a long hood, beneath which were hidden golden eyes that looked like molten gold. His gaze was as venomous as a snake and as unfathomable as an abyss.

"Snort--"