*Scene 5: A Bar, A Spark, A Shadow"*
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*[INT. RAVENSPINE BAR – EVENING]*
*A dimly lit tavern on the outskirts of the town. Wood creaks, candles flicker. Rough adventurers drink, laugh, and trade tales of beasts slain. The air smells of sweat, firewood, and stale ale.*
*The door creaks open gently. LORD MODEUS steps in — tall, dark-robed, silver-eyed, otherworldly calm. He walks in slow, studying every detail of the mortal scene with distant curiosity.*
*BARTENDER (gruffly)*
What'll it be, stranger?
*MODEUS (softly)*
Something… bitter. Something ancient.
*The bartender hesitates, then pours a dark crimson brew into a goblet and slides it to him.*
*Before Modeus can take a sip, a group of rugged adventurers at the corner snicker.*
*ADVENTURER #1*
(*mocking*)
Look at this... royal creep. Did your tailor forget you were coming to a bar?
*ADVENTURER #2*
(*grins*)
He probably bathes in perfume and drinks blood from crystal.
*They laugh.*
*Modeus remains still, hand on the glass. He doesn't even glance at them.*
*ADVENTURER #1*
Oi! I'm talking to you, freak.
*With a swipe, he knocks the glass off the counter. It shatters. Silence.*
*Modeus stares at the shards. Still calm. Still silent. Then he turns to leave—**ADVENTURER #2*
Aww, the princess is walking away—HEY!
*He throws a mug. It flies.*
*Time slows.*
*The mug stops mid-air.*
*The air pressure drops. Glasses crack. The tavern trembles. Shadows deepen.**
*The aura hits.*
*A black-red energy spills out like fog. Walls groan. Patrons freeze in place, paralyzed by fear. The temperature shifts violently cold.*
*Modeus, eyes closed, lets out a faint sigh...*
*MODEUS (low whisper)*
...you are not worthy of wrath.
*He steps outside. The moment he exits, the aura vanishes. The adventurers collapse, gasping.*
---
*[EXT. BACK ALLEY NEAR BAR – SAME TIME]*
*MIA stands on a rooftop nearby. Her detector lights up violently.*
*MIA*
(*eyes widen*)
There you are...
*She dashes. In a blink she lands near the bar, looking around quickly.*
*MIA*
...gone? Again?
*She kicks a barrel in frustration. Then notices a civilian hiding near the entrance, trembling.*
*She walks over, flips a coin with a glowing rune on it.*
*MIA*
You saw him. Talk.
*CIVILIAN (shaky)*
He… he didn't even touch anyone… but the whole place… *screamed*. He just… walked.
*Mia nods and walks off.*
*MIA (muttering)*
Whatever you are… you're not just a threat.
You're a *storm waiting to wake*.
– Scene 6: The CHAMBERED WhiSper"*
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*[INT. SMALL INN ROOM – NIGHT]*
*A cozy but worn room. Faint candlelight flickers on cracked walls. LORD MODEUS lies on the bed, arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling in silence.*
*The room is still… until the mental image of *MIA CONSTANTINE* flashes before his eyes—the fierce eyes, the rage in her voice, the flare of energy in her aura.*
*MODEUS (soft chuckle)*
Hmmm…
What an interesting human…
Fiery little thing.
I do hope to see her again.
*Suddenly—*
*A ripple of *arcane transmission magic* appears mid-air above him. Gold and violet glyphs shimmer as a small *holographic seal* of the Kovar royal crest pulses into existence.*
*Aisha Helga da El Kovar's voice, sweet and childish, pierces through.*
*AISHA (soft high-pitched tone)*
Mooooodyyyy~!
Where did you go?!
I woke up and your chambers were *empty!*
Nobody will tell me where you went!
Are you hiding from meee?
*Modeus's smirk fades. He turns his head, sighing with light irritation.*
*MODEUS*
Aisha… you shouldn't be tampering with sealed transmissions. Again.
*AISHA*
But I miss youuu~
Are you coming back tomorrow? I saved your favorite infernal tea!
*Modeus pauses. His eyes glance away as he thinks.**MODEUS (flatly, lying)*
Soon. Just tending to some… trade talks in a distant realm.
I'll be back before the next blood moon, alright?
*AISHA (pouting)*
Hmph… you better. I'll tell Father you skipped royal lectures again!
*MODEUS*
I'd prefer war over that.
*He waves his fingers; the glyph dissolves with a shimmer. Silence returns.*
*MODEUS (exhaling)*
Even across realms, peace evades me…
*He shuts his eyes. Darkness takes him.*
TBC