Chapter 7 — The Roots of Pain and the Rise of Power
SOUTH OF GIRIA — RUINED CITY
Victor arrives at the city. Houses have collapsed, the castle lies in ruins, and no one is around—only destruction everywhere.
Victor dismounts his horse.
VICTOR
This can't be… Sara, Alex, Amélia...
He falls to his knees, crying.
VICTOR
I'm sorry… I'm so sorry.
He gets up, mounts the horse again, and rides off toward the forest.
---
CUT TO – NORTH OF GIRIA
Morfios washes his face. Seinal approaches.
SEINAL
Do you think they saw it?
MORFIOS
I think so. If they don't send reinforcements, the North is lost. And as for the South...
SEINAL
Do you trust the king?
MORFIOS
Yes. I trust him. Deeply.
SEINAL
Have you ever imagined what your life would be like without the dark elves? Because I have so many things I still want to do… things I dream of.
MORFIOS
Honestly... I haven't thought about it.
SEINAL
Why not?
MORFIOS
I've always wanted a family. One I could protect... and live for.
SEINAL
Then fight. Let's defeat those damn elves. That way, you'll have what you've always wanted—a family.
MORFIOS
After all my wishing... I did have a wife once. That was 24 years ago.
SEINAL
What happened to her?
MORFIOS
She was pregnant... and when she was about to give birth... they came.
---
FLASHBACK – 24 YEARS AGO
Morfios sits on the bed. His pregnant wife stands nearby, watching him.
MORFIOS
You look so thoughtful. Is something wrong?
NORY
Nothing happened... I was just thinking.
MORFIOS
Thinking about what, exactly?
NORY
When our child is born... do you think he'll be safe?
MORFIOS
Of course he will. Why would you even ask that?
NORY
The dark elves are still attacking... They won't stop. As long as we—shapeshifters, elves, dwarves, humans—exist, they'll keep coming for us.
MORFIOS
Then I'll protect you. I'll be your shield.
They hear screams outside. Swords clashing. People dying.
Morfios rushes to the door. As he opens it, he's kicked in the stomach by a dark elf.
He stands, grabs a cane, and attacks the elf, but the cane is sliced in half. The elf stabs him in the stomach.
Morfios grips the elf's shoulder with strength. Blood pours.
Nory watches, horrified.
NORY
My love! No… please don't kill him! I beg you!
The elf glares with murderous intent.
MORFIOS (weakly)
My love… run. Go far away. Protect our child...
Another elf shoots two arrows into Nory's belly. He enters and drives a sword into her, then yanks it out brutally.
MORFIOS
NO! NO! NO!
He rises, shoves the first elf aside, and pulls the sword from his own gut.
He slashes the first elf's throat. The second draws a bow—but Morfios throws the sword, piercing his face.
Morfios rushes to Nory, kneeling and cradling her, sobbing.
---
CUT TO – PRESENT
MORFIOS
In that moment… it felt like I no longer existed. Like something else took over me.
All that remained was rage… and the desire to kill every last dark elf.
SEINAL
I'm truly sorry for that. And I apologize for asking something that brought back pain.
MORFIOS
It's fine. I chose to share it.
Seinal looks up. A dragon-like creature—the Draquia—soars overhead, breathing fire wherever it passes.
MORFIOS
What is that?!
SEINAL
I don't know... I've never seen anything like it.
The creature unleashes a deafening roar.
---
CUT TO – SOUTH OF GIRIA, FOREST
Alex trips and falls.
SARA
Alex, are you okay? Are you hurt?
ALEX
I'm fine. Almost twisted my ankle, that's all.
AMÉLIA
Then be more careful.
ALEX
Alright.
SARA
Do you think Victor is still in the North?
ALEX
Knowing him? Yeah. I'd bet on it. But don't worry. He's coming back.
AMÉLIA
Alex is right. Let's trust Victor's words. He made a promise to us.
SARA
Okay... I'll believe in him.
AMÉLIA
What if we follow him to the South?
ALEX
That's a really bad idea.
SARA
But we have nowhere else to go.
ALEX
Even so, it's too risky. We wouldn't last long in the North. The dark elves are overwhelming in number.
AMÉLIA
And you'd rather stay here doing nothing while Victor is out there? Your best friend?
ALEX
You know this isn't a good idea...
SARA
Still... it's worth trying.
ALEX
Fine. I'll go with you. But no reckless moves.
SARA
Deal.
Alex grabs his head, leans against a tree.
ALEX
Damn it... not again...
He lifts his gaze. A vision strikes—someone chained in a cell, covered in wounds, a black burn on their arm. Then the dark artifact appears, the black sword hovering above it.
MYSTERIOUS VOICE
Come, Alex... Come to me...
Alex lowers his head, breathing deeply.
SARA
You gonna tell us what's going on with you, Alex?
AMÉLIA
And don't lie or hide it.
Alex wipes blood from his nose.
ALEX
I don't know what's happening to me... but this time was different. I didn't just see the artifact. I saw someone.
AMÉLIA
What are you talking about?
SARA
Artifact? You saw someone? It's just the three of us here!
AMÉLIA
Alex, are you really okay?
ALEX
I saw someone... chained... in a cell.
---
CUT TO – SOUTH OF GIRIA, FOREST
Clara dismounts. Before her is a cliff. Below, an army of dark elves mounted on shadow beasts.
JACK
That doesn't look good...
KRAVONS
They're probably heading to finish what that creature started in the city.
CLARA
If so... there'll be no survivors left in the South. They outnumber us heavily.
SOLEYA
We should go warn the city! There might still be people there!
JACK
With the Draquia's attack, chances are they've all fled—like we did.
SOLEYA
Perfect. Then let's warn the rest. They're probably headed to Arcones.
CLARA
No. You're not going anywhere.
SOLEYA
And why not?
CLARA
It's too dangerous. I promised your mother I'd protect you—not throw you into harm's way.
SOLEYA
You think she can't take care of me? And FYI, I've got valuable info. I can take care of myself. Got it?
CLARA
I'm not arguing with you, Soleya.
KRAVONS
Will you two stop already?
CLARA
I'm sorry, Your Majesty.
KRAVONS
Good. We're heading to Northeast Malonia. We'll need his help.
CLARA
My king, that's a terrible idea.
KRAVONS
Got a better one? If we don't act, there'll be nothing left—only darkness and silence.
CLARA
No! We still have the Dragon. That means we have hope. We can win—without him.
And Malonia is miles from here!
KRAVONS
Whatever happened between you two... now's not the time to dwell on the past.
We need him.
We're going to Malonia—and that's not a request.
We'll need Kareos.
---
CUT TO – NORTH OF GIRIA
NICIA
Time to get up. Let's continue.
LION (sleepy)
Continue what?
NICIA
Your training. You must unlock... and learn to control the power within you.
LION
Alright. Let's do it.
He gets up and follows Nicia to an open field.
NICIA
I want you to hit that tree.
LION
With what? You didn't even give me a bow and arrow!
NICIA
Stop joking and take this seriously.
LION
I'm not joking!
NICIA
You released a powerful surge yesterday. I want you to hit that tree with the same energy.
LION
And how do I do that?
NICIA
Just like yesterday. Close your eyes. Release the energy inside you.
LION
Alright... I'll try.
Lion closes his eyes. A vision strikes him—he sees a man, chained in a cell, with black burn marks on his arms.
His eyes open—energy bursts out of him wildly. A shockwave erupts. Several trees fall.
Nicia runs to him.
NICIA
Are you alright?! What happened? Are you hurt?
LION
Don't worry... I'm okay.
But I don't know what just happened...
---
CUT TO – WEST OF GIRIA, DARK ELF CASTLE
VALTHERK
Bring him to me.
NELAN
Yes, father. As you requested... we've detected the presence of the Dragon...
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TO BE CONTINUED...