There was zero possibility in the world for Xavier to establish his absolute innocence before the bitter remains of his assembly.
They ambushed him without hesitation, restraining his limbs and binding him with heavy ropes the moment their eyes fell upon the rotting, submerged bones decaying at the bottom of the ancient well.
Even Xavier found himself so thoroughly paralyzed by shock that he offered zero physical resistance. He merely stared at his former followers in stunned silence, his mind racing to formulate a logical defense that might dismantle the mounting evidence against him.
The moment he was dragged before the gathered crowd, surrounded by the visibly sick and the few remaining healthy survivors, a deep, burning shame washed over him at the indignity of standing bound like a common criminal before his own people.
