Chapter Two: Testimony in Ash

“It doesn't matter.” “Then it matters enormously.” Hot paper ash crept beneath the door and arranged itself into words: AUDITORIUM TWELVE. THE TRIAL BEGINS. *The Court of Ashes* was playing for the press. Bai Jin removed his silver mask and stepped through the screen. Colorless flame covered the room, burning only words from advertisements and exit signs. “Ye Lan,” he said, raising a gray pistol. “You are charged with murdering 4.17 million people.” Lu placed himself before her. Bai fired through his shoulder and struck the floor beside Ye Lan. Ash-flame opened into another Jichuan, cut into pieces by countless screens. A countdown hung in the sky. Nobody had a shadow.