[KALIGARH CITY – DUSK]
Bells chime. The sun sets behind Kaligarh's sandstone spires. Lanterns glow. People don colorful masks and dance in the streets. It's the Festival of Jyoti—celebrating the triumph of light over shadows.
NARRATOR
Once a year, Kaligarh hides behind masks to remember the night the gods disguised themselves to save the city. But tonight... it's not the gods wearing false faces.
SCENE 1 – PREPARATIONS
[PALACE COURTYARD – NIGHT]
Aryan stands still as Rani Devika fixes his ceremonial robe.
DEVIKA
This festival used to be magical. Before the fear, before the soldiers on every street.
ARYAN
Maybe tonight, we remind them what magic feels like.
BHAIRAV (entering)
Even magic needs a sword watching its back.
He hands Aryan a hidden dagger.
SCENE 2 – THE PARADE
[CITY STREETS – NIGHT]
Drums pound. Aryan, masked in gold, rides on an elephant alongside the King. People cheer, toss flower petals, chant his name:
CROWD
"Aryaveer! Aryaveer!"
A masked fire-dancer passes Aryan and slips a scroll into his hand. Aryan opens it discreetly:
"He walks among you, wrapped in silver flame. Beware the smiling mask."
SCENE 3 – THE MASQUERADE BANQUET
[PALACE HALL – NIGHT]
Guests in elaborate masks dine and drink. Laughter, music. But Aryan moves slowly through the crowd, eyes searching.
He notices a guest in a silver-flamed robe, always smiling, slipping into the library hall.
SCENE 4 – THE UNMASKING
[PALACE LIBRARY – NIGHT]
Aryan follows quietly. Behind a shelf, the silver-robed figure meets a shadowy court minister—Varundev's spy.
SPY (whispering)
The eastern gate will open at moonrise. Kaligarh will fall from within.
ARYAN (stepping out)
Not tonight.
A struggle ensues. Aryan uses his dagger. Bhairav bursts in, subdues the spy. The traitor is unmasked—Minister Ghosh, one of the King's trusted advisors.
SCENE 5 – AFTERMATH
[ROYAL CHAMBERS – LATER NIGHT]
The King looks weary as Aryan and Devika report.
ARYAN
The invasion begins from the inside. We need to seal the tunnels and rally the guards.
KING (weakly smiling)
And we shall. Because we have a prince who sees beyond masks.
CLOSING SCENE – SHADOWS IN THE DISTANCE
[EASTERN CLIFFS – SAME NIGHT]
Raja Varundev stands overlooking Kaligarh, torchlight behind him.
VARUNDEV
The boy plays hero. Let's see how he fares... when the fire truly comes.
[NEXT TIME PREVIEW ]
"Next: tunnels collapse, secrets rise, and Aryan must make a choice that will cost him more than he knows."