[Scene 1 – Welcome to Noctavia: The City of Beauty]
A city opens up before Ravik's eyes… as if it has emerged from a dream.
City Noctavia — the third most beautiful city in the world.
Bluestone-paved streets, crystal-like roofs, and a sky lit up with magical lights.
> Ravik (smiling softly):
"In the midst of all this destruction… there is a place alive…"
"And this place… could be my last battlefield…"
Background: City dwellers laugh, help, and spread love in the open markets.
---
🏰 [Scene 2 – Lord Lexar Arthen's Palace]
In the center of the city stands a huge fortified palace —
the residence of Lexar Arthen, the City Lord of this city.
Lexar's only daughter — Liona Arthen,
beautiful, simple, and an epitome of compassion.
People say on seeing her face —
> "She doesn't just speak, she blesses with her very presence."
She distributes clothes, food, and laughter to the poor children standing near her.
---
☠️ [Scene 3 – Skeleton Head & Ravik's Unseen Deal]
The story cuts to an old shadowed corridor —
where Ravik talks to a Skeleton Head.
But we don't hear what was said.
We only see Ravik's face —
which for the first time seems a little emotional, a little unstable.
> Skeleton (laughing):
"So the deal is done…"
"But remember Ravik… every love has a price… of a soul or a life."
Cut.
---
💘 [Scene 4 – First beat: First scene of Ravik and Liona]
Ravik hears a music while walking in the streets of the city.
The sound is so clean, innocent, and calm.
He walks towards it – and sees:
Leona Arthen is sitting with children in a park.
She is applying medicine on their wounds, feeding them with her own hands.
Ravik's eyes stop there.
His heart beats fast –
A feeling that Ravik has not felt in ages.
> Ravik (in his mind):
"Why… my soul is trembling?"
"This is not fear… this is something else… what is this?"
Liona catches sight of Ravik
She smiles—a pure, selfless smile.
> Liona (slowly):
"Hello, are you new here?"
"I'm Liona. Are you hungry?"
Ravik can't speak.
His lips move slightly…
But the words get stuck.
---
💔 [Scene 5 – Ravik's Confusion]
> Ravik (in mind):
"I didn't ask for love… I only asked for power."
"But this girl… she's reaching my soul…"
Cut.
---
🔚 [Chapter End – Fear of Beauty]
Skeleton Head's voice echoes in Ravik's mind:
> "If you get attached to her… either she will survive, or you."
"Love, Ravik… will open you up. And opening up, for someone like you… is worse than death."
Ravik walks away, but looks back at Liona.
---
Title: Chapter 20 – The Slow Flame of Relationship: Ravik and Liona
Genre: Romantic Development | Emotional Depth | Dual Identity | Fantasy Drama
---
🌸 [Scene 1 – Ravik's Routine in Noctavia]
Ravik is now living like a normal citizen in Noctavia.
Every day he teaches street children,
brings medicines for some old people,
and sometimes… helps out with Liona Arthen's chores.
> Ravik (in his mind):
"This city doesn't know me…"
"…but I'm not Ravik to anyone here—I'm just a stranger."
"Perhaps this is my first solace…"
---
🍃 [Scene 2 – Liona's Innocent Help]
One day Liona sees him in a torn shirt.
She doesn't say anything, but the next morning she gives Ravik a stitched kurta.
> Liona:
"This is for you. Made by me."
"Sometimes, some people don't speak... but we can see what they need."
Ravik's face softens for a moment.
> Ravik (slowly):
"Thank you… Liona."
For the first time, he has a 'real smile' on his face.
--
🌧️ [Scene 3 – Rainy evening and first close-up]
One evening, it starts to rain in Noctavia.
Liona and Ravik get stuck under a tree.
Ravik tries to keep his distance,
but Liona comes closer and asks:
> Liona:
"Why is there so much silence inside you, Ravik?"
"Sometimes it seems you are hiding a huge burden..."
Ravik stays quiet.
But his face slowly gets wet with the rain.
> Ravik:
"Maybe because... I have lost so much."
"So much... that now I am afraid of anything coming close."
> Liona:
"Then don't let her come close...
Let her stay close. She will come on her own."
Ravik sees her... for the first time... without a mask.
--
💗 [Scene 4 – Flowers in the cracks of the heart]
Over the next few weeks...
Ravik and Liona share food together,
treat injured birds,
and sometimes just sit quietly in the park.
Their conversations have few words,
but the feelings are getting deeper.
> Liona (smiling):
"When you are silent...
It seems like the whole world stops."
> Ravik (slowly):
"And when you smile...
It seems like the world starts moving."
---
☠️ [Scene 5 – Skeleton's Whisper & Inner Conflict]
Ravik is sitting alone at night,
Skeleton Head's whisper comes to his ears.
> Skeleton:
"You are getting trapped Ravik…
Love will break you.
And if you break…
This city, this girl, all this…
will burn to ashes."
Ravik closes his eyes.
> Ravik (in mind):
"But if I don't break…
Will I remain a human being?"
--
🔚 [Chapter End – Love, Among Shadows]
Leona calls Ravik close to her.
> Liona:
"Tomorrow is my birthday…
Will you come?"
Ravik doesn't say anything…
But there is something new in his eyes –
A 'yes' which is said without words.
---