Regis stood in line for Judgment. Every teenager who turns sixteen gets judged on Cleansing Day. For those who have never committed a sin in their life, they have nothing to fear. They get sent to the nice, rich capital of Virtue, where they have everything they need, and they receive the highly valued title of Sinless, and may even fall in favor with the High Judge. Things are different for those who sin. The more sins one has committed, the worse of a hell hole you get sent to. For those lucky to have committed few sins, they can live in Inner City or Outer City, but any more sins, and you get sent to some dreaded places. And the worst of all, the Underworld. Where the most sinful people get sent, and one of the poorest and most crime-ridden city's in Judgment.
Children spend most of their lives living up to the virtues, as ten of the corresponding Heavenly Virtues cleanse one Deadly Sin. Those who are more sinless have a higher chance of receiving a boon of the Gods, which is a joyous occasion.
Unfortunately for me, I have sinned.
I have no clue how much, or when, but I felt that I have sinned. My parents were believing that their kid was completely sinless, but my gut said otherwise.
And the Judges know when you have sinned.
My best friend Kaizen nudged me and nodded towards the elevated platform before the desk where three imposing figures sat.
"Look! Stacy's getting Judged. She spent all of yesterday bragging about how she was perfectly sinless. Man, I hope she has at least a few sins."
"Never wish sins on someone!" My mothers hand flashed across his face, tousling his long black hair.
"But Ms. Meadows, she is the worst person in the wor-"
His voice was silenced by the Judges, announcing the results of Stacy's Judging
"Miss Stacy Wellgreen, you have been Judged. You have committed one sin, the sin of Pride. You have been sentenced to live in the Inner City. You are dismissed."
Kaizen smiled at Stacy's horror. Her parents glared at her with such malice, that not even the Gods could withstand their gaze.
"Wait! WAIT! I can cleanse my sin! Please! Please give me another chance!"
Her cry's continued as she was led from the room by two armored guards, leading her to her new home in the Inner City.
"Ha! I bet you that her sin was her boasting yesterday! Good riddance!"
I opened my mouth to speak, but I was interrupted.
"Kaizen Wolken, please advance towards the Judges and prepare to be Judged."
Kaizen gave me a smirk and went up to the stand, where the Judges gazed at his sins. Kaizen looked back at me and gave me a look, where he mouthed '7'. I assumed it was the amount of sins he committed. After a bit, the Judges spoke:
"Mr Kaizen Wolken, you have been Judged. You have committed seven sins. You have been sentenced to live in the Outer City. You are dismissed."
I was glad that Kaizen was still near the capital. If he had committed a few more sins... and he would have had to be sentenced to The Sinner Lands, where those who sin live. It encompassed all that was outside the City, and was mainly wilderness with many urban towns. Nature is full of dangerous monsters, and the Titans roam the wild as well, making it very dangerous to explore.
I realized that this might be the last time I saw my best friend. After all, I would be Judged, and unless I had 10 sins or less, it would be difficult to see him again. Same goes for my parents. A chill crawled down my spine, as if I was being watched. In the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a figure, but as soon as I saw them, they disappeared. I went to go over to check, but the Judges had other plans
"Regis Meadows, please advance towards the Judges and prepare to be Judged."
The voices of the Judges were always the same, the same as when my sister became the first in my family to have zero sins. She went to live in Virtue, and probably forgot all about her family and her little brother. That was seven years ago, and I still miss her dearly.
"Mr Regis Meadows, you have been Judged."
I held my breath. This was the moment that decided my fate, and if I lived past twenty, and if my parents would continue to love me.
"You have committed six hundred and seventy eight sins."
My heart froze, and time seemed to stop. Six hundred and seventy eight sins. There was no way that was how much. There had to be a mistake!
"You have been sentenced to live in the Underworld."
'No... it can't be! In the Underworld, I'll last less than a week there! If mother doesn't kill me first...'
Kaizen, from across the room, looked at me in horror. All eyes were focused on me, all ranging from shock to horror to glee.
"You are dismissed."
Powerful hands grabbed me from behind and everything turned black.