Chapter 3 — The Dragon's Judgment
INT. THRONE ROOM – NIGHT
Kravons rises from the throne, imposing.
KRAVONS
Nicia, can you tell me… why do you believe the boy is the Dragon? What made you think that?
NICIA
As I said… I don't know why the Dragon is inside the boy. But I saw it. I saw him within him.
ZURY
That's impossible, Nicia. And you know it.
NICIA
Zury, you know I don't waste my time on nonsense. I only speak what I see.
CLARA
It's not that I'm doubting you... But let's suppose he is the reborn Dragon. The question is: how could a Dragon be inside a human body? It doesn't make sense, Nicia.
KRAVONS
Nicia, I've never doubted you. I've always believed in your visions. But... are you absolutely sure the boy is the Dragon?
NICIA
Yes, my king. I'm completely certain. He is the Sacred Dragon.
KRAVONS
Then I'll believe too... based on your words, Nicia. I hope you're right.
ZURY
Your Majesty, as much as Nicia has never failed... this is highly unlikely. Believing the boy is the Dragon?
KRAVONS
Enough. If Nicia says so, we must believe. We're on the brink of extinction. We cannot dismiss help — even if it comes from the impossible. Perhaps... it's our only chance to win this war.
He looks at the boy.
KRAVONS
Boy... where are you from? And what are your parents' names?
LION
I grew up in the village of Arcones.
My parents... sold me when I was five, to Lord Belguiner.
KRAVONS
I see.
CLARA
Your Majesty... we still need to think. How will we bring Karips from the North to here?
Nicia turns to Lion.
NICIA
Lion, could you give us a moment? Go rest with your friend.
Nicia nods to a guard.
NICIA
Escort them. Show them a room to rest.
GUARD
Yes, ma'am.
KRAVONS
Clara... call the soldier who escaped from the North.
---
CUT TO – EXT. NORTHERN GÍRIA – BATTLEFIELD – NIGHT
Morfios drives a sword into the chest of a dark elf. The elf collapses, dead.
Seinal shoots an arrow — it pierces the head of another enemy.
Both are wounded. Their troops, nearly wiped out.
MORFIOS
If we don't get reinforcements soon… the North will fall.
SEINAL
You're right. But for now... we survive.
MORFIOS
You're a shapeshifter, right? Can you turn into a bird and fly out?
SEINAL
It doesn't work that way. I can shift into human, elven, or dwarven forms. But animals... Karips forbade it.
MORFIOS
Wait... you're saying something's wrong, right? It seems like the dark elves are searching for something. What if it's... Karips?
SEINAL
You're right. I don't know why I didn't think of that.
We must reach the Shapeshifter Kingdom. It's likely already under attack.
If the dark elves get their hands on it... everything we protected will be in vain.
---
CUT TO – INT. SOUTHERN GÍRIA CASTLE – LION'S ROOM
Lion and Jack lie on their beds.
JACK
Man... look at this! Feels like a dream! Never thought I'd sleep in a place like this.
LION
Are you happy to be here?
JACK
Of course, man! We left that hell. Now we're in a castle.
I told you... things would change. A normal life, no more slaving away.
LION
You really think a normal life is possible in this world?
JACK
Don't you? We're in a castle now! And you still doubt it?
LION
No, Jack. A normal life isn't possible.
Wake up... they only gave us this because they think I'm the Dragon.
Is that normal to you? Maybe... we weren't made for this.
JACK
You could trust yourself a little more.
You always see the bad side.
She said you're the Dragon. Then be it.
---
CUT TO – INT. THRONE ROOM
A soldier enters and kneels before Kravons.
SOLDIER
Sir, you called for me?
KRAVONS
What's your name, soldier?
SOLDIER
Vendor, my king.
KRAVONS
Tell me... what is the state of the North?
VENDOR
If we don't send reinforcements... the North will fall. Only dark elves will remain.
They're everywhere.
CLARA
My king, we must send not just half... but all our soldiers.
If we lose the North, we lose Karips. And the kingdom.
ZURY
But if we send all the soldiers, we leave the South vulnerable.
It's not a wise idea.
KRAVONS
You're right.
NICIA
Sir... I have an idea to retrieve Karips. If you allow me.
KRAVONS
And what would that be?
NICIA
If we send soldiers, they'll die. So... I'll go to the North myself.
Not to win the war — but to retrieve Karips.
CLARA
You've got to be kidding. You're powerful, yes. But you wouldn't survive.
KRAVONS
That's out of the question. We can't lose the most powerful sorceress in the kingdom.
NICIA
We have no choice, sir. It's our only option.
ZURY
You wouldn't make it alone against the elves.
NICIA
I won't go alone. I'll take the boy with me.
As long as he's with me... the dark elves can't attack.
CLARA
You plan to risk your life — and his?
Even assuming he is the Dragon... he doesn't even know how to use that power.
NICIA
I'll awaken it in him. And take a few soldiers with me.
KRAVONS
Do you have absolute confidence you can do this?
NICIA
Yes. I'm sure.
KRAVONS
Then you have my permission.
ZURY
Then I'll go with Nicia... if you allow, my king.
KRAVONS
It's settled. You'll depart... at dawn.
---
CUT TO – EXT. OUTSIDE THE CASTLE – NIGHT
Lion walks. A young woman approaches. Soleya — daughter of Zury.
SOLEYA
Hey... what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?
LION
Just getting some air. I'm heading back in. Am I bothering you?
SOLEYA
No. I couldn't sleep either. You're Lion, right?
LION
Yeah... how do you know my name?
SOLEYA
You can call me Soleya. My mom talked about you.
Lion... the possible Sacred Dragon, right?
LION
I'm not sure it's really me.
SOLEYA
And why not? If the great sorceress Nicia saw it in you...
Do you feel anything? Like... draconic energy?
LION
Draconic energy? What's that?
SOLEYA
Nothing. Just messing with you.
LION
Oh. Okay...
SOLEYA
Alright. See you tomorrow. I'm heading in.
LION
See you.
---
CUT TO – EXT. VICTOR'S HOUSE – NIGHT
Victor sits by a campfire. Sara approaches.
SARA
You should try to sleep.
VICTOR
It's fine. I'll head in soon.
SARA
If you're not ready for the battle, don't go.
I don't want to lose you, brother.
VICTOR
Hey... you're not going to lose me.
SARA
When Mom and Dad died... you weren't there.
I felt alone. Didn't know if you were alive.
But you came back. And I felt alive again.
Now you're leaving... and if you don't come back?
VICTOR
I promise. I'll come home... to you.
But please, stop crying... or I won't be able to hold it in either.
SARA
Okay...
---
CUT TO – INT. ALEX'S ROOM – NIGHT
Alex lies down. He whispers to himself.
ALEX
I hope you'll be okay, Victor...
He lies back. Suddenly, a violent pain in his head. He screams. Kneels down.
Visions: a dark artifact. A black sword floating.
A dark voice echoes.
DARK VOICE (O.S.)
Alex... you must find me.
I choose you. Come to me...
Alex screams. The pain stops. He gasps for air.
ALEX
What was that...? What just happened to me?
---
CUT TO – INT. BLACK CASTLE – THRONE OF THE DARK ELVES
A dark elf kneels before VALTHERK.
VALTHERK
Did you find her?
DARK ELF
No, my lord... But we're close.
Karips will soon return to the arms of the Great Elf.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...