Setting: Capital City of Velaris – Royal Library Ruins, Inner Palace Courtyard, Secret Interrogation Cell
Theme: Past revelations, rising rebellion, seductive manipulation, loyalty put to trial
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[Scene 1 – The Ruins of the Library]
Thunder rolled across the skies of Velaris as Lyra and Kaelrin stepped into the decaying ruins of the Royal Library — a place sealed off since the last Crimson War. Moonlight poured through shattered glass ceilings, revealing broken pillars and shelves burned black by old flame.
Zerith, the blind seer and former scribe of the court, waited inside, sitting among ash and petals.
> "You came for the truth?" he rasped. "Then bleed for it."
Kaelrin hesitated. Lyra stepped forward and cut her palm, letting her blood drip onto the ancient sigil.
A flash. A roar. The sigil pulsed — and suddenly memories not her own invaded her mind:
— Her father kneeling in front of masked figures.
— A child taken and hidden.
— A whisper: "She must never know she's one of us."
Lyra collapsed to her knees. Kaelrin caught her.
> Kaelrin: "What did you see?"
> Lyra (trembling): "My whole life… it was a lie."
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[Scene 2 – Inside the Inner Palace]
At the palace, nobles debated in secret halls. Murmurs of the Crimson Pact's return twisted through corridors like smoke. Some were terrified… others tempted.
And a few… had already pledged.
> "They offer immunity. Power. Bloodline restoration," said Lord Varek, swirling his wine.
> "And what do they ask in return?" Lady Miren asked.
> "Just a name," he smiled darkly. "Lyra's."
From the shadows, a figure watched — Darien. His expression was blank, but inside, a storm raged.
He turned and slipped away.
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[Scene 3 – Interrogation of a Traitor]
Below the palace, in a cold cell scented with iron and silence, Thorne sat chained to obsidian cuffs.
Kaelrin entered, followed by Darien.
> Kaelrin: "You walked out of Norwyn with a dead noble and a stolen sigil. Start talking."
Thorne smiled, even bruised.
> "The Pact lives. You should be grateful. We kept her alive all these years."
> "She's not yours," Kaelrin growled.
> "Oh, but she was ours first."
Darien slammed him against the wall.
> Darien: "Why her? Why now?"
> Thorne: "Because she's the flame. The crown. The match that could burn down this kingdom or light a new one."
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[Scene 4 – The Courtyard Duel Proposal]
That night, Lyra stood alone in the inner courtyard garden — vines now twisted red from the rising blood moon above.
Thorne was brought in under heavy guard.
> Thorne: "You're not safe with him."
> Lyra: "And I'm safe with you?"
> "I know what you are. He only knows what he wants you to be."
Lyra stepped forward, close enough to feel his heat.
> "Then prove I mean more than your mission."
> "Let me challenge him. Before the Court. You decide who stands beside you."
She looked up.
> "A duel?"
> "To first blood."
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[Scene 5 – Kaelrin's Fury and the Decision]
When Kaelrin heard of the proposal, he was nearly impossible to restrain.
> "He manipulates her!"
Darien looked at him quietly.
> "Then don't fight to win. Fight to remind her."
Later, Lyra walked into Kaelrin's quarters — her expression unreadable.
> Lyra: "He asked for a duel. In front of the nobles. To settle who I choose."
Kaelrin's jaw clenched.
> "And what did you say?"
> "…I told him I'd think about it."
> "You didn't say no?"
> "Because I'm tired of people deciding for me."
Her voice cracked. "If I have to burn both of you to find out what's real, I will."
Kaelrin stepped back.
> "Then burn me. But do it knowing… I've never once lied about loving you."
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[Scene 6 – The Pact Moves in Shadows]
Far from the palace, inside a ruined chapel, three new members were being marked with the thorned sigil.
A high priestess of the Pact spoke in a voice like silk and venom.
> "The duel will distract them. While they bleed for her, we'll take the city."
And behind her, a massive stone sarcophagus began to crack open.
From within stirred the First Thorn — the founder of the Pact, long thought dead.
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To Be Continued...
In Chapter 30:
The official duel is declared before the Royal Council
Kaelrin and Thorne train in secret… and in fury
Lyra receives a cryptic letter revealing the true identity of the First Thorn
The Pact attacks a noble district to provoke chaos