The moving arena gave Jax thirty seconds to accept Crowncast's confession script. Four doors surrounded the circular stage, each opening onto a different city feed while the floor changed its regional license beneath him.
One suppression cuff remained around his left wrist; the second had become the authorization seal connecting his detention to viewers who accepted Dorian's charge.
{ TRIAL BY AUDIENCE }
{ Detainee objective: state that Nox controls his actions through a concealed contract. }
{ Challenger objective: obtain a verified confession or combat surrender. }
{ Licensed challenger benefits: equipment restoration, medical recovery, and audience reinforcement between rounds. }
{ Detainee benefits: release upon verified confession. }
"You forgot the option where the accusation fails," Jax said.
"The program tests whether you will continue protecting the person who compromised you," Dorian said through his image above the northern door.
