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Princess Raina: I uttered nothing wrong. What exactly is the reason you journeyed with us?
Elva: (Tolerant) Easy, lady. I am only on this crazy mission to avenge my Pa.
The air becomes silent.
Elva: Satisfied now?
Princess Raina: (Snorts) Liar. Using the peacefully laid as an excuse—how ignorant.
Duke Balin: (In a whisper) Raina?
Elva: (Taking a few steps toward Raina) What did you just say?
Princess Raina: You heard me.
Elva: (A glance away alongside a scoff) Do you hate me or something?
Princess Raina: Who doesn't?
Elva: Nay, it's just you...
Princess Raina: We all do.
Elva: (Waving a finger at Raina) You have a problem.
Princess Raina: We will never trust a bratty, churlish thief.
Elva: (Halts)
Princess Raina: Not at all!
Elva: (Eyes closed) That's not true. You don't see me that way. (Eyes open) Balin?
Balin tries to speak, but Raina's side glare makes him retreat.
Elva: Alf?
Alf just stares at her in silence. Heartbroken and criticized, Elva snorts.
Elva: So much for a squad...
Walking away from the heartless nobles, she dashes her wooden staff against the face of the broken stones.
Duke Balin: (Sighs) [Matters not... I can still get her back.]
Alf observes Balin, and as Raina walks past them, Balin notices Alf's gaze. Then the mischievous Alf just shrugs with a grin and follows Raina like a child.
Duke Balin: (Shakes head)
At Elva's side, she wanders about in anger.
Elva: Street brat... glorious rodent... wealth repellent... all they can name! Churlish thief... is that all they got?
Wind starts to howl. Rodents and little creatures of different kinds begin to tap, whisper, and beat while the rhythm sets in.
Moments pass...
Princess Raina is helped to climb a rock by Duke Balin.
Princess Raina: That light—that must be the exit!
As she steps forward, an array formation activates, drawing the attention of many Xiaonu-les.
Few Xiaonu-les: Livings, livings, caught and cut in our land, hal ma tënil.
NOTE: "Hal ma tënil" (FõLa) translates as "Hear our cry."
Xiaonu-le 1: I don't think they will help.
Xiaonu-le 2: (Points at Alf) What about him?
Seeing a Xiaonu-le attempting to touch Alf, Princess Raina fends it off with her Shaman's Whip. Alf places a hand on Raina's shoulder from behind, trying to speak, but finds his voice gone.
Xiaonu-le 3: They are Therds.
Xiaonu-le 4: (Disappointed) It seems they will not help us. End them.
DASH! The Xiaonu-les begin to attack from all angles. The two nobles do their best to protect their new Elflord, but their powers seem ineffective.
Duke Balin: We are defenseless against them!
Princess Raina: Excessive light they rebuke... only the Yär's Energy can subdue them!
Duke Balin: Alf isn't strong enough yet!
Sadly, Raina is struck on the left shoulder, sending her to her knees.
Princess Raina: Ah!
Alf: (Kneels by her side in worry)
Princess Raina: My arm... I can't move it...
Alf quickly shoots a Xiaonu-le aiming at her. Meanwhile, Elva—some distance away in the desolated state—feels a sharp pain; her left arm goes numb. She falls to a knee, chest heaving in discomfort.
The Xiaonu-les hover over the three nobles like a plague ready to befall its victims. Hoping for a miracle, Duke Balin rests Raina's head against his chest, with Alf still beside her.
Then... the Xiaonu-les attack!
But a hemispherical barrier rises up and blocks them.
Xiaonu-le 3: What is this?
Princess Raina slowly opens her eyes and gasps—Elva, genuflected before them, controls the barrier with her outstretched hands.
Elva: (Shimmery red eyes glaring at the Xiaonu-les) Who gave you permission to hurt me people?
NOTE: "Me" (FõLa) translates as "My."
Elva stands on her feet with a stomp that causes the barrier to glisten further.
Xiaonu-le 4: Impossible! Only the Tamer of the Sun can fight against us!
Xiaonu-le 2: Who are you?
Elva: (Mumbles) The same question again and again... Hear me, you all, once and for all... (Hand spell with the box) I am... (casts) the Daughter of the Sun!
Immediately, all the Xiaonu-les present are sucked into the box, which divinely seals shut. Elva, weakening, picks up the box as the barrier fades.
Princess Raina: (Repentant) Elva, you... 😐
Suddenly, Alf holds his temples in pain—his eyes flickering from sky-blue to black—while Elva's eyes flash from hazel to white, blurring her vision. Not able to hold her wobbling body, she collapses.
About the second hour of dawn, in a wilderness of fine cream and pink-colored dusts...
We see Balin and his little cousin, Alf, conversing opposite a small fire. Raina approaches them with a herbal cup in her hand.
Princess Raina: (Sighs)
Duke Balin: She didn't take the medicine.
Princess Raina: (Shakes head) She's still upset. I apologized to her, but she didn't accept that either.
Duke Balin: Well... she rejected me too.
Alf calmly glances at the cup in Raina's hand.
Within a minute, Alf quietly approaches Elva, who is seated alone on the sand, admiring the dazzling night sky.
Elva: (Detects him) Seems they sent you as the last straw. (Serious—as a Urulókë's Vessel should be.)
Alf: (Pure and timid) It is said... you refused to drink the tea. They are worried.
Elva: (Scoffs in disbelief) I'm a churlish thief. I won't benefit from their worry.
Alf: H... You really don't want to drink this?
Elva: (Glances at him and looks away again)
Alf: ... Then I'll take it in your stead.
Elva: (Quiet)
Alf: (Cup's tip between his lips) I am really going to drink it.
Elva: It is thy will, not mine, Your Majesty.
Alf: (Sighs and gulps the tea)
Elva: Enjoy...
Suddenly, out of the green, Alf grabs Elva by her right wrist. Pulling himself closer to her, he transfers the tea—mouth to mouth!
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