(As the group walks along the road toward the imperial palace, the sun begins to rise higher, and the air grows warmer. Suddenly, an old woman appears before them, carrying an enormous load on her back, barely able to walk.)
Diana:(pointing with her finger): Look at that old woman! How is she carrying all that weight when she can barely stand?
Tarkan:(glancing with half interest): Maybe she's stronger than she looks. Be careful… this could be a trap.
Agnes:(hesitantly): But… what if she really needs help?
Selena:(interrupting coldly): If she can't carry it, she shouldn't have left her house.
Diana:(sighing): Fine. Let's help her. I don't want to be responsible for an old woman dying in the middle of the road.
(The group approaches the old woman, who stops and looks at them with a face full of exhaustion.)
Old Woman:(with a trembling voice): Oh, my children! Could you help me? This load is very heavy… but I can't stop. My daughter is sick and needs medicine.
Diana:(with a playful smile): Of course we'll help you, right everyone?
(Tarkan sighs, Selena crosses her arms with a displeased expression, while Agnes smiles nervously.)
Tarkan:(muttering): Why do I feel like this is going to be extremely exhausting?
(The group begins lifting the load, but the moment they touch the bags, they realize they are far heavier than expected.)
Diana:(struggling to lift one sack): What are you carrying in here? Mountain rocks?
Old Woman:(innocently): Just simple tools… some pots and glass jewelry.
Selena:(with a sarcastic look): Are those pots made of iron or what?
Agnes:(trying to lift a bag and almost falling): It seems we need supernatural strength to carry this!
(After great effort and teamwork, they manage to carry the load and escort the old woman into the city. Along the way, she tells them about her life and her sick daughter.)
Old Woman:(emotionally): My daughter is very young and ill. I need money to buy medicine… that's why I collect these things to sell.
Diana:(wiping sweat from her forehead with a sarcastic smile): If you've been collecting all this your whole life, you might as well buy a medicine factory instead of just one dose.
(The group laughs, even the old woman smiles despite her exhaustion. They finally reach the city, and the old woman bids them farewell with deep gratitude. The group feels as if they've won another battle—this time against heavy loads.)
Tarkan:(with a bitter smile): If this is the only kind of monster we'll face here, I'll be happy.
Selena:(sighing): Don't dream. The road to the palace is still long.
(The group continues on their way, ready for more surprises in the Lands of Fire.)
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•
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(As the group wanders through the crowded marketplace after helping the old woman, Diana stops from time to time to inspect goods, making sarcastic remarks that draw laughter. Suddenly, "Lakis" appears before them, leaning against a nearby wall with a clearly provocative smile.)
Lakis:(mockingly as he sees them): Oh? So you're here too? Still trying to survive in these dangerous lands? Looks like you'll need a lot of luck.
Tarkan:(sarcastically): What do you want now, Lakis? Can't you stay away from us?
(Lakis ignores Tarkan and looks directly at Agnes.)
Lakis:(smirking): And are you trying to prove your strength here as well, princess? Or do you still need someone to save you every time?
(Anger flashes in Agnes's eyes as she tries—and fails—to stay calm.)
Agnes:(angrily): You talk as if you never make mistakes. Maybe it's time you learned something about respect!
Lakis:(raising an eyebrow mockingly): Respect? From the weak? I don't think I need that.
(Diana struggles to hold back her laughter, while Selena merely exchanges looks with Tarkan. Agnes suddenly loses her patience and lunges toward Lakis, attempting to strike him.)
Agnes:(furious as she charges): I'll show you who's weak now!
(But at the exact moment she tries to land the blow, her foot catches on a small stone. She loses her balance and falls hard… straight onto Lakis, who also crashes to the ground.)
(A moment of silence follows—then Diana bursts into loud laughter, while Lakis stares at Agnes with a mix of shock and irritation.)
Lakis:(sarcastically, from the ground): Seriously? Is this your fighting style? Attacking me with clumsy moves?
Diana:(holding her stomach from laughing): Agnes, I think you've invented a new combat technique! The direct-fall attack!
(Agnes blushes deeply and quickly tries to stand up, avoiding Lakis's gaze.)
Agnes:(embarrassed): That wasn't intentional! The stone was to blame!
Lakis:(standing up and brushing dust off his clothes): If you plan on falling onto your enemies every time, you might succeed… but not with me.
(Selena lets out a heavy sigh.)
Selena:(coldly): Let us know when you're finished. We still have a long road ahead.
(Tarkan shakes his head with a small smile as Agnes tries to regain her dignity. Lakis steps back, smirking, then turns to them once more.)
Lakis:(confidently): Good luck on your journey… you're going to need it.
(Lakis walks away, leaving the group behind. Diana leans closer to Agnes and whispers mischievously.)
Diana:(with a sly smile): I think he likes you, Agnes. That falling attack seems effective.
(Agnes glares at her but can't find a response. The group resumes walking, laughter still lingering in the air.)
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(They finally arrive at the palace, where they are greeted by the Emperor's advisor, "Nikel.")
Nikel:(with a welcoming smile): Welcome to the Empire of Fire. I will take you directly to Emperor Ranius.
(The group follows Nikel through the palace corridors toward the throne hall.)
He leads them through wide halls adorned with luxurious furniture and murals depicting the Empire's greatest battles. At the end of the hall, Emperor Ranius sits upon his throne, his cold, stern face reflecting the authority and power of the empire.
Ranius:(studying them carefully, then smiling calmly): Welcome, children of the empires… welcome to the Empire of Fire.
A brief silence follows, broken only by hesitant footsteps.
Agnes:(stepping forward, hands clasped): Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty.
Ranius:(nodding slowly): Your training will be harsher than before… and far more intense.
Tarkan and Selena exchange wary glances.
Ranius:(turning slightly to his side): Nikel.
Nikel:(bowing respectfully): Your command, Your Majesty.
Ranius:(in a cold, measured tone): Summon the servants and lead them to their rooms.
Nikel:(lifting his head): As you command.
Ranius:(eyes narrowing slightly): Let them rest today… for starting tomorrow, a long training awaits them.
Agnes:(swallowing, whispering to the others): It seems our journey here will be a long one.
Nikel:(casting her a brief sideways glance): Enjoy it while you can. It won't last.
(The servants move silently, and the group begins to leave the hall, while the Emperor's gaze lingers on them—measuring their future from this very moment.)