Chapter 5 – The Flames of the South
SOUTH OF GÍRIA – CITY IN FLAMES
Soleya looks up at the sky, eyes wide in shock at the colossal creature.
SOLEYA:
— What... what the hell is that...?
The Draquia lets out a terrifying roar and lands on a house, crushing it completely. Debris flies everywhere.
JACK (scared):
— What is that thing?!
Clara runs in, grabbing Soleya by the arms.
CLARA:
— That's the Draquia. Now run! We have to get out of here—now!
They sprint through the city streets, dodging rocks, fire, and collapsing homes. Everything is chaos.
CLARA:
— You two need to escape immediately! I'm going after His Majesty!
SOLEYA (desperate):
— But why are you staying?! Come with us!
CLARA:
— I need to find him! As soon as I do, I'll catch up. Now go!
The Draquia circles above the city, spewing fire, destroying everything. Houses burn, people scream, and many are crushed under its massive limbs.
JACK (breathless, to Clara):
— We need to go… now!
Jack, Soleya, and Clara split up. Jack and Soleya flee toward the forest.
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SOUTH OF GÍRIA – ANOTHER PART OF THE RUINED CITY
Sara, Alex, and Amélia run through the streets in a panic. The Draquia lands in front of them, blocking the way. The ground trembles.
AMÉLIA (trembling, in tears):
— Oh God… I don't want to die… I don't want to die...
SARA (in shock):
— What do we do now…?
ALEX (instinctively):
— Nobody move. Stay completely still.
The Draquia steps toward Alex. It sniffs the air deeply, looming over him. Alex feels a searing pain in his head. Visions flood his mind — a black sword floating over a dark artifact.
DARK VOICE (echoing):
— Alex… come to me…
— I choose you...
Alex drops to his knees, gasping. The pain stops. The Draquia sniffs him one last time… then releases a thunderous roar and takes off, destroying everything in its path.
SARA (running to him):
— Alex?! Are you okay?
ALEX (recovering):
— Yeah… I'm... I'm fine.
AMÉLIA (frantic):
— What the hell just happened?! We need to get out of here!
ALEX (standing up):
— You're right. Let's go. We need to get as far from here as possible.
SARA (concerned):
— Your nose… it's bleeding again. Are you sure you're alright?
ALEX:
— It's just fear… That's all. Let's go!
They run off into the forest.
---
SOUTH OF GÍRIA – RUINED CASTLE
Clara runs in, shouting:
CLARA:
— Your Majesty?! Are you here? We have to leave now!
She reaches the throne room — and a blast of fire explodes toward the castle. Clara shields herself. Stones fall, part of the ceiling collapses on her.
Covered in dust, she gets up, stunned.
CLARA:
— Oh my God… I'm alive...
A weak voice echoes.
VOICE (in pain):
— Someone… please… help me!
CLARA:
— Your Majesty…?! Is that you?
KRAVONS (struggling):
— Yes… I'm here… Help me...
Clara pushes debris aside and rushes toward the voice.
CLARA:
— Where are you?! I'm coming!
She finds Kravons, partially buried.
CLARA (shocked):
— Oh my God… Are you alright?
KRAVONS:
— I'm trapped. I need help...
Clara removes stones and manages to free him.
CLARA:
— We have to go now!
KRAVONS (dazed):
— What's happening?! The Dark Elves have never attacked the South!
CLARA:
— It wasn't them… it was the Draquia.
KRAVONS (stunned):
— The Draquia? That was just a myth...
CLARA:
— Nicia always said it existed. And that it vanished only after the Sacred Dragon sealed it.
The Draquia roars in the distance.
CLARA:
— Come on! We must get out of here!
They mount and ride toward the forest.
---
SOUTH OF GÍRIA – FOREST, BY THE RIVER
Jack and Soleya arrive, out of breath.
SOLEYA (exhausted):
— I… I need to rest for a bit…
JACK:
— Are you crazy?! What if that thing finds us?
SOLEYA:
— We're far enough… It won't catch us. Relax.
She washes her face in the river.
JACK:
— Do you know what that creature was?
SOLEYA:
— Not a clue.
---
NORTH OF GÍRIA – BATTLEFIELD
Nicia dismounts, surveying the horror.
NICIA:
— What happened here…?
Corpses everywhere. Fields soaked in blood.
ZURY:
— A massacre.
NICIA:
— If it's like this here… the Dark Elves won't take long to reach Karips.
ZURY:
— I won't let that happen… not while my son is out there.
NICIA:
— If Max is still alive… we'll find him. But... I can't even see him in my visions.
She turns to Lion.
NICIA:
— Lion, come with me.
LION:
— Where to?
NICIA:
— I need you to do something.
They walk to a field.
NICIA:
— This is far enough.
LION:
— What do you want me to do?
NICIA:
— Release it.
LION:
— Release what?
NICIA:
— That power inside you. When you yelled at Jack... your eyes lit up. I want to see that again.
LION:
— But I don't know how I did that... it just happened.
NICIA:
— Then I'll help you. I'll train you.
LION:
— Train me?
NICIA:
— Exactly.
ZURY:
— Nicia, do you think we have time for this?
NICIA:
— We don't. But we also don't have the strength to win without the Dragon. We need him... now.
---
SOUTH OF GÍRIA – FOREST
Aaron presses on Belguiner's wound, trying to contain the venom.
AARON (grumbling):
— Kid… what's taking you so long...? The venom's spreading...
---
FOREST – IN SEARCH OF THE FLOWERS
Peter finds two ruby-red flowers shaped like butterflies.
PETER:
— Could this be it…?
He checks the drawing. Yes — the Carcotes flower. But as he turns...
CLANG!
A sword hits him. A Dark Elf appears.
PETER (falling):
— Oh no...
The elf kicks him, sending him rolling. Peter gets up, tries to flee — but the elf throws a log, knocking him down. The enemy raises his blade.
PETER:
— Crap!
Peter hides in a hole, panting.
DARK ELF:
— I smell you… human. I'll find you...
The elf steps closer. Suddenly — his head drops right into the hole next to Peter.
PETER (screaming):
— What the hell?!
A female figure looks into the hole.
??? (sarcastically):
— Done peeing your pants, little man?
PETER:
— Who are you?!
SASHA:
— You can call me Sasha.
PETER:
— Thank you… really.
SASHA:
— No problem. But I'll take something in return.
PETER:
— What?!
SASHA:
— Your horse, of course.
PETER:
— But… someone might die if I don't make it in time!
SASHA:
— Girlfriend?
PETER:
— No…
SASHA:
— Father? Mother?
PETER:
— Neither. But... he's like a father to me.
SASHA:
— Hmm. Alright. But I still need the horse.
PETER:
— How about you take me to him… and then keep the horse?
SASHA:
— Deal.
They ride off to Aaron.
AARON:
— What took you so long?!
PETER:
— A Dark Elf attacked me...
AARON:
— Doesn't matter. You're in one piece. Give me the flower.
Aaron treats Belguiner. Then eyes Sasha.
AARON:
— Who's that?
PETER:
— Sasha. She saved my life.
AARON:
— Impressive. Must be strong.
SASHA:
— I've heard better compliments. But thanks.
---
SOUTH OF GÍRIA – THE WAY BACK
Victor, wounded, rides slowly.
VICTOR (whispering):
— Forgive me, Sara… please wait for me...
---
FOREST – RIVER
Soleya swims peacefully.
SOLEYA:
— This feels so good… I could stay all day.
JACK (nervous):
— We don't have all day! Let's go!
SOLEYA:
— Relax, scaredy-cat! We're far. She won't find us.
JACK:
— How can you be so calm?! The city was destroyed!
SOLEYA:
— Complaining won't bring them back.
JACK:
— They were people… like us.
SOLEYA:
— And you should be thankful we're still alive.
JACK:
— Do you even have a heart?
SOLEYA:
— Of course. But... why do you care so much?
JACK (softly):
— Because I care about Lion. He's like a brother to me.
SOLEYA:
— Tell me more about him...
---
NORTH OF GÍRIA
NICIA:
— Close your eyes.
LION:
— Okay...
NICIA:
— Believe… you are the Dragon. Feel it.
LION:
— Alright...
NICIA:
— Repeat after me: I am the Dragon.
LION:
— I am the Dragon...
NICIA:
— Again!
LION (firmer):
— I am the Dragon!
NICIA:
— Now feel it… release that energy.
LION (tense):
— I… I feel something...
His eyes glow white. He screams, seeing visions of someone chained and wounded.
BOOM!
A surge of energy erupts, throwing Nicia into a tree. Lion collapses.
ZURY (rushing over):
— Hey! Kid! Wake up!
---
FOREST – CROSSROADS
JACK:
— Lion's always been by my side. He's someone special...
SOLEYA:
— Wow... I'd love to know him better.
JACK:
— Look… it's Clara!
SOLEYA:
— You made it out!
JACK (kneeling):
— I'm glad you're safe, Your Majesty.
KRAVONS:
— No need to kneel, boy.
CLARA:
— We won't be safe for long.
JACK:
— That thing... what was it?
CLARA:
— A Draquia. Created by Karips… by the first Dark Elf: Guenorl.
JACK:
— Where is he?
CLARA:
— No one knows… some say he died. Others… that he vanished long before the Sacred Dragon appeared.
---
DARK ELF CASTLE – DUNGEONS
Nelan descends the stairs. She opens a cell. Inside, a man lies chained, covered in wounds and burns.
NELAN (coldly):
— You must be exhausted...
But soon, we'll free you from all this suffering.
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TO BE CONTINUED...