"The Awakened Path – Scene 3: Collision at the Market"*
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*[EXT. TOWN MARKET – DAY]*
*The sun hangs overhead. Lord Modeus, robed in a shadowy cloak that sways unnaturally with no wind, walks amidst the crowd. His eyes scan every corner — curious, observant, amused. Human life bustles. Colorful stalls. Spices. Tech. Noise. Mortals.*
*LORD MODEUS (V.O.)*
*(with intrigue)*
So this is the mortal realm... loud... fragile... yet strangely alive. A canvas of chaos painted in flesh and foolishness.
*He stops to examine a strange glowing fruit. Suddenly —*
*[BUMP]*
A body collides into his. Fast. Sharp. Feminine.
*MIA CONSTANTINE (angrily)*
Watch it, creep! You blind or just stupid?
*Modeus turns slowly, eyes meeting hers. He says nothing, just offers a small, amused smile.*
*MIA*
(*scowling*)
What? You think this is funny? That little smug look — ugh, you some kind of lost goth cosplayer?
*Modeus stares silently, absorbing her aggression with eerie calm. He blinks, analyzing her. Trying to calculate a "normal" mortal response.*
*LORD MODEUS*
*(to himself)*
How fascinating... the mortals snarl like cubs even when unprovoked.
*Mia fumes. Just then, her belt-attached *family talisman* begins to glow — bright, pulsing violet.*
*MIA*(*gritting teeth*)
Tch… Great. Of course. Just when I find a weirdo in broad daylight. Whatever, shadow-boy. Try not to bump into knives next time.
*She turns sharply, storming off. Modeus watches her go. Another amused smirk curves his lips.*
*LORD MODEUS*
(*soft chuckle*)
Feisty. Curious little ember… I like her spirit.
*He continues walking through the market, hands behind his back, like a king among sheep. His eyes still keen, but now — slightly entertained.*
*FADE OUT.*
--- Scene 4: COUNCIL of theCONSTANT INES"*
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*[INT. CONSTANTINE STRONGHOLD – WAR ROOM – NIGHT]*
*A massive, gothic-lit hall. A grand round table made of dark obsidian sits beneath a high vaulted ceiling. Around it are over 30 members of the Constantine lineage, each in black or deep crimson garb, laced with sigils, weapons, and ancient relics. The air is tense. Magical runes pulse faintly across the walls.*
*JOHAN CONSTANTINE stands at the head, his presence calm but firm. MIRSHA sits beside him, her hands clasped. The chatter dies as the heavy doors creak open—*
*[MIA bursts in]*
*Mia walks fast, talisman still dimly glowing. She slides into an empty seat, chest rising from haste.*
*JOHAN CONSTANTINE*
(*relieved*)
Thank the wardstones. Mia. You're here.
*MIA*
Got the call. What the hell happened? That spike fried my detector.
*JOHAN*
It wasn't just yours. Every tracker across the country blinked red — then *burned out.* A surge so dark and ancient it shattered containment protocols.
*MURMURS fill the room.*
*MIRSHA*
It came from the northwest quadrant. Near the merchant district.
*CONSTANTINE ELDER #1*
(*gruff*)
You mean where civilians shop like sheep? What if it's already among them?
*JOHAN*Exactly. This entity… this signature — it's *old*. Older than the Seal of Belial. And *calm*, too. That's what frightens me. It didn't attack. It… observed.
*CONSTANTINE MEMBER #2*
Could be a recon force. An alpha scout.
*CONSTANTINE MEMBER #3*
Or worse… a Demon Lord bored enough to walk freely.
*MIA*
(*serious tone*)
Then let me go.
*JOHAN*
(*turns, firm*)
No.
*MIA*
(*stands*)
I already *bumped into him* — or *it*. He looked human, but he wasn't. Said nothing. Just smiled like he knew a thousand things I didn't. Let me scout. I can blend in. Shadow him.
*MIRSHA*
(*cautious*)
You'd be going alone. We don't know what it wants yet.
*MIA*
Then it's better one of us *knows it* before it knows *all* of us.
*JOHAN*
Mia—
*CONSTANTINE ELDER #4*
She's got a point. It hasn't attacked. Best weapon now is eyes, not blades.
*JOHAN (hesitates)... then sighs.*
We vote.
*Hands are raised. One by one. The majority go to Mia.*
*JOHAN*
(*reluctantly*)
So be it… Mia Constantine, by the order of the Blood Seal, you are hereby sanctioned as Watcher-class Recon Agent. Find the entity. Track it. Do not engage.
*MIA*
(nodding, confidently)
I'll find out what it is… before it finds *us*.
*FADE OUT.*
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