Scene — After a Short Time Skip
Morning light breaks gently across the ruined castle. The chaos of battle has faded, replaced by an uneasy peace.
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Scene — Inside a Room in the Castle
Younes lies on a bed, his body wrapped in bandages. Slowly, his eyes open. He stares blankly at the ceiling for a few seconds, then turns his head slightly.
Younes (weakly, raising his arm with effort):
"Hm?… What's with all these bandages? Feels like I just fought a dragon."
He glances around, trying to remember.
(His thoughts)
"I was fighting… yes, Rick. I won… but… why am I here? What happened after that?"
The door opens quietly. Kaiden enters, his steps calm.
Younes (surprised):
"How did I end up here?"
Kaiden (smiling as he approaches):
"When the fight was over, you could barely stand… you collapsed. We had to carry you here."
Younes:
"How long was Unconscious? A day? Two?"
Kaiden (light chuckle):
"A day? No, just a few hours. It's noon now."
Younes (with a sigh):
"Better than wasting a whole day in bed."
He suddenly freezes—remembering something important.
Younes (anxious):
"What about the others? Rin, Linia, the rest?"
Kaiden:
"They're fine. None of them went through what you did. You were the only one in direct combat
He pauses, his tone turning serious.
Kaiden:
" Rick was planning to take the stone from behind, and everything that happened in front was a distraction.
Kaiden sits down beside the bed, his gaze steady
Kaiden:
"I owe you, Younes. You protected Hina… and she means everything to me. I made a promise—to her father, before he passed—that I'd protect her, no matter what."
Younes (quietly):
"You don't need to thank me. I'm fine. It's over. But… where's Hina now?"
Kaiden:
"She's safe, just exhausted. Using the stone drained her energy, but she'll recover."
Younes (with a trace of guilt):
"She had to use it… I couldn't have won without it."
Kaiden (confidently):
"Don't regret it. You did what you had to. You made the right call."
Younes (curious):
"By the way… you said 'before her father passed'. What did you mean by that?"
Kaiden's tone softens.
Kaiden:
"Hina is the heir to the throne. Our world is ruled by a royal line—passed down from parent to child. When she was little, her parents fell ill… and died. Before her father's final moments, he asked me for two things: to help her become queen… and to protect her. From that day on, I've treated her like my own daughter."
Younes (low voice):
"I see…"
Kaiden pulls something from his pocket—a small gray stone engraved with delicate markings.
Kaiden (handing it over):
"Take this—The Protection Stone. You've earned it."
Younes (accepting it with a faint smile):
"If you're expecting me to return it later… or refuse it… you'll be disappointed."
Kaiden (laughs):
"No need. You deserve it."
Cut to Younes gazing at the stone, then toward the window—his expression calm but thoughtful.
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Scene — A Ruined Room
The side wall is torn open, revealing a breathtaking view of nature beyond the castle. The furniture is overturned, debris scattered everywhere. Sunlight spills through the gaping hole, dust floating lazily in the air.
Rin (leaning against a broken wall, smirking):
"Strange… so quiet now. Hard to believe this was a battlefield a few hours ago."
Elliot (sitting on a half-destroyed couch):
"Would you rather be fighting again? Take a breath. Relax while you can."
Rin (grinning as he stares at the horizon):
"No complaints here. If this is our break before the next stone, I'll enjoy the view. Nature looks incredible from up here."
Ethan (arms crossed, annoyed):
"You say that like we're on vacation. Of course the view's nice— Because half half the wall's missing."
Elliot (glancing up thoughtfully):
"With all this damage… how is the ceiling still standing?"
Rin (suddenly remembering something):
"Oh, right! We should leave before they ask us to help fix this place."
Ethan:
"Last thing I want is to go back to that pile of metal we call a ship."
Elliot (seriously):
"Has anyone wondered where the ones who attacked us went?"
Rin (shrugs):
"No idea."
Ethan (narrowing his eyes):
"They're not gone. I can feel it. They'll be back… they always do."
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