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Chapter 4 — The Black Beast Comes from the Sky
SOUTH OF GYRIA – ROAD TO THE NORTH
Horses gallop at high speed. Armed soldiers ride northward.
Victor adjusts his saddle, pulls his horse by the reins, and mounts. Sara runs up to him and embraces him tightly.
SARA
Take care, brother… don't die on me.
A tear falls down her cheek.
VICTOR
Hey… it's going to be alright. I told you I'll come back to you. Just wait for me, okay?
SARA
Okay. I'll wait for you, brother.
Alex approaches.
ALEX
I hope you find what you're looking for… and come back soon.
VICTOR
You can count on it, my friend.
Victor is about to mount when Amélia appears, out of breath.
AMÉLIA
You were going to leave… without saying goodbye to me?
VICTOR
It wasn't like that, I—
AMÉLIA
What were you going to say? That you didn't want me to know you were going to war? That maybe… you won't come back?
VICTOR
I just didn't want you to worry about me…
AMÉLIA
And would it be so bad if I did?
VICTOR
I just… care so much about you. And I have to go.
She hugs him, crying, and impulsively kisses him. They kiss intensely.
AMÉLIA
I love you. Do you hear me? Make sure you come back to me. Got it?
VICTOR
Okay… I got it. I'll make sure I come back.
AMÉLIA
Promise me. Promise me you'll come back!
Victor mounts his horse, looks into her eyes.
VICTOR
I promise.
He rides off with the other soldiers, galloping north.
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WEST OF GYRIA – BLACK ELF CASTLE
Valtherk watches from above, observing columns of smoke rising to the north. His expression is cold and arrogant.
Nelan, a dark elf, kneels before him.
NELAN
My king, you called for me?
VALTHERK
Yes, my daughter. I want to know… why haven't you obtained the Karips yet?
NELAN
We are close, my father. Just a little longer.
VALTHERK (dry, irritated tone)
Then why do I sense the presence of humans… shapeshifters… weak elves? Why do they still breathe?
NELAN
It doesn't matter how much they resist. They won't survive.
VALTHERK (staring)
Then eliminate them. I want every living creature crushed.
NELAN
Yes, my father. But there's a problem: our forces cannot cross into the South. Something is blocking us.
VALTHERK
So… it's the Dragon. He's returned. But he won't be enough to stop what's coming.
Send the Draquia. Burn the South to ashes.
NELAN
Yes, my father. I'll send it right away.
Valtherk turns his gaze back to the smoke as thousands of dark elves march toward war below.
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NORTH OF GYRIA – BURNING VALLEY
Morfios and Seinal watch the enemy army advance.
SEINAL
We need to retreat… until reinforcements arrive.
MORFIOS (shouting to the soldiers)
RETREAT! The enemy is too strong. Fall back!
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SOUTH OF GYRIA – CASTLE
Alex comforts Sara.
ALEX
Your brother is strong, Sara. He'll come back.
AMÉLIA
Alex is right. Victor will come back to us. You can count on it.
SARA (with tears in her eyes)
I know… he'll come back…
Alex steps away, heading for the bath. Suddenly, he screams and drops to his knees, clutching his head. Violent visions flash before him: a dark artifact, a floating black sword.
SOMBER VOICE (OFF)
Alex… find me. I chose you. Come…
Sara and Amélia rush to him.
AMÉLIA
Alex?! Are you alright?
ALEX (gasping)
I'm… I'm fine… it's nothing…
SARA
Your nose… it's bleeding…
ALEX
It's nothing...
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ARCONES – BELGUINER'S FARM
A sorcerer arrives on horseback.
SORCERER
Hey, kid. How's it going?
PETER
Good, sir. Who am I speaking with?
SORCERER
Aaron. And you?
PETER
Peter. How can I help?
AARON
I'm looking for Belguiner. Is he around?
PETER
Yes, he's inside. Should I call him?
AARON
No need. I'll go in myself.
Aaron meets Belguiner inside.
BELGUINER
Aaron?! I thought you were dead!
AARON
I thought the same about you…
Before they can continue, Peter bursts into the room, panting.
PETER
Gentlemen… the dark elves… they're attacking! They're here!
BELGUINER
How many?
PETER
A thousand, maybe more!
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ARCONES – VILLAGE IN FLAMES
Dark elves invade with shadow creatures. Swords, arrows, and fire devastate the village.
Aaron, Belguiner, and Peter rush out, armed.
AARON
If we don't run now, we'll die!
An elf shoots an arrow, but Aaron catches it and throws it back with force, killing him.
Belguiner fights with two swords. Peter also battles the invaders.
Arrows strike Belguiner in the foot and abdomen. He falls.
Aaron causes a magical explosion, knocking back the enemies. Peter carries Belguiner to the horse. They flee.
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FOREST – SUNSET
They stop. Belguiner is pale.
PETER
He's going to die! I'll pull the arrows out!
AARON
No! Let me handle this.
Aaron examines the wounds.
AARON
The arrows… they were poisoned. If we don't act fast, he'll die. Go into the forest… find carcotes — a red flower shaped like a butterfly. Hurry!
Peter gallops off at full speed.
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CASTLE – ZURY AND CLARA
Zury dons her armor.
ZURY
I feel it… my son Max is alive. Waiting… scared.
CLARA
You're a mother. And mothers know. I'll look after Soleya for you.
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ROOM – LION AND JACK
Nicia enters.
NICIA
Lion. We need to leave. Now.
JACK
Where to?!
NICIA
You're not coming. Only Lion.
JACK
What do you mean?! I'm going with him!
NICIA
He's the Dragon. You're just a boy. Stay.
LION
Jack… please. Stay. I don't want to lose you.
Jack refuses. Lion, frustrated, yells — his eyes glow white.
LION (shouting)
You're staying here! UNDERSTAND?!
Everyone flinches. Lion takes a deep breath, calming down.
LION (quietly)
I'm sorry. But you… are my only family.
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SOUTH – ON THE BORDER WITH THE NORTH
Victor rides with the army.
SOLDIER
You seem scared. There's still time to turn back…
Suddenly, a burst of fire consumes the soldiers. Victor is thrown against a tree.
He opens his eyes… and sees the Draquia flying straight toward the castle in the South.
VICTOR
The city… my sister…!
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CASTLE – EXTERIOR
The Draquia descends from the sky, roaring.
SOLEYA (looking up)
What the hell is that…?
TO BE CONTINUED…