[Location: Training courtyard in the Fire Palace. The sun is high, and the heat is increasing. In the center of the courtyard, small, dancing tongues of fire are lit on braziers.]
(Agnes enters with Tarkan, Selena, and Diana. Each of them wears a different expression: Agnes is nervous but trying to hide it, Selena is cold and calm, Diana is smiling slyly, and Tarkan is optimistic and tranquil as usual.)
Diana (stretching her arms and observing the place):
"Here it is, the Fire Courtyard! I feel like every stone here wants to swallow us."
Selena (looking at the ground with sharp eyes):
"It wants to test us… This place is not for the weak."
(Agnes swallows, then tries to step forward steadily. She feels the air swirling around her, but it's more violent than usual, as if challenging her very presence.)
Agnes (whispering to herself):
"Calm down… This is my chance…."
Tarkan (turning to her calmly):
"Agnes, remember… your power is a part of you, not your enemy. Don't fight it, understand it."
Agnes (looking at him shyly):
"I'll try… but it's harder than it seems."
(Suddenly, the courtyard gates open, and a tall young man enters with confident steps. His black hair sways in the hot wind, and his red eyes gleam coldly. It's "Lakis".)
Diana (smiling slyly and whispering):
"Oh… here comes the arrogant prince."
Lakis (looking at them disdainfully, his voice deep and dry):
"I wasn't aware the courtyard had turned into a place for amusement. Training here is not for children."
(Diana's eyes flash with anger, and she steps forward with a mocking lightness.)
Diana:
"And who said we're children? At least we don't act like a pompous statue!"
Lakis (raising an eyebrow sarcastically):
"You… are as annoying as sparrows. I'd prefer the sound of sheep to hearing you."
Diana (laughing slyly):
"Then let me increase your annoyance."
(She suddenly raises her hand and releases a small spark of her power towards the ground in front of his feet. Lakis stops, looks at her coldly, but his eyes flash with suppressed fire.)
Lakis (with restrained anger):
"Are you trying to provoke me…?"
Diana (placing her hand on her hip with a challenging smile):
"Did I succeed?"
(In an instant, Lakis waves his hand, and a small flame rises near Diana, but she steps back and laughs lightly, unafraid.)
Agnes (looking fearfully, taking a step back):
"Stop… this isn't training, it's a brawl!"
Selena (calmly, but with a sharp tone):
"Diana, enough. You're truly playing with fire."
(But Diana and Lakis move closer, and the tension increases. Then, Tarkan takes a firm step, extends his hand, and separates them, his voice stern as iron.)
Tarkan:
"Enough!"
(The two fall silent for a moment, as if his voice restored balance to the courtyard. He looks at them sternly.)
Tarkan:
"We're not here to squabble. We're here to train. If you want a pointless fight, go elsewhere."
(Lakis takes a step back, puts his hands behind his back, and speaks coldly):
"Fine… but don't expect me to be merciful when real training begins."
Diana (smiling triumphantly, despite her anger):
"We'll see who shows mercy to whom, fiery prince."
(Tarkan sighs and shakes his head slightly, while Agnes looks at them all, her heart pounding fast. She feels tomorrow won't be easy, and the Fire Courtyard will test them all, each in their own way.)
(The four stand in a small circle, each preparing themselves.)
(Tarkan looks at everyone sternly. After ending Diana and Lakis's squabble, he decided to be the trainer.)
Tarkan (in a steady voice):
"Now… we'll begin training. It won't be play or argument, but a real test of our powers."
Diana (raising her chin with a sarcastic smile):
"Finally! I was about to die of boredom."
Selena (looking at her coldly):
"You'll wish for boredom when you fail."
Diana (turning towards her, smiling slyly):
"We'll see who fails, ice princess."
(Tarkan sighs, raises his hand, and points towards Agnes, who stands nervously, but her face grows more determined.)
Tarkan:
"Agnes… you'll start. Show us what you can do."
(Her eyes widen slightly, then she takes a deep breath. She looks at the empty courtyard before her, slowly opens her hands. The air begins to move around her, her hair flies, and her dress flutters. She feels a tremor in her chest but whispers to herself.)
Agnes (whispering):
"I'm not afraid… the wind is my friend, not my enemy."
(Suddenly, a small whirlwind forms before her, growing little by little. Dust flies, and the sound of wind rises. She raises her hand upward, and the whirlwind rises with it. Her features are tense, but her eyes shine with courage.)
Diana (raising an eyebrow, speaking sarcastically):
"Hah… she's improving from before."
Selena (with serious eyes):
"She's putting in effort… but the wind doesn't like control."
(The whirlwind is almost out of control. Agnes closes her eyes tightly and shouts with a surge of courage:)
Agnes:
"Stop!"
(Suddenly, the wind disperses as if struck by calm. The dust settles, and the sound disappears. Agnes stands in the middle, breathing quickly, but her face lights up with pride.)
Tarkan (with a slight smile, shaking his head):
"Well done. Courage is facing your weakness… not running from it."
Agnes (looking at him with a small smile, breathing deeply):
"I didn't run… and I won't."
(Diana claps lightly with playful sarcasm but can't hide her admiration.)
Diana:
"I think the Wind Saintess will master her power soon."
Selena (looking at Agnes seriously, in a calm tone):
"That's a good step… but you have a long way ahead."
(Agnes smiles gently, and inside, a new feeling of courage ignites. Perhaps this is the real beginning.)
(Agnes stands catching her breath after her first attempt.)
Tarkan (in a firm voice again):
"Next step… a real confrontation. Agnes, you'll fight Selena. No mercy here, only showing power."
(Agnes's eyes widen slightly, but she raises her head and composes herself. She steps forward, a light wind swirling around her as if trying to protect her.)
Agnes (in a steady voice despite the fear weighing on her chest):
"I'm ready."
(Selena raises her hand, and a layer of shimmering ice forms around her, glistening under the sun. A light, cold smile touches her lips.)
Selena:
"Let's see if air can resist frost."
(Selena begins throwing small ice shards towards Agnes. Agnes quickly steps back two steps, raises her hand, and the wind swirls strongly, pushing the shards away; some shatter, some deflect.)
Diana (laughing from afar, placing her hands on her waist):
"Thrilling! Air against ice… this won't end quietly."
(Agnes breathes deeply, trying to gather her focus, extends her arms forward. A strong gust of wind rushes towards Selena, raising dust and nearly knocking her over, but Selena quickly raises an ice wall; it cracks under the pressure but holds firm.)
Selena (looking from behind the wall, her voice calm but challenging):
"Better than I expected… but the wind is fickle, it doesn't know stability."
Agnes (clenching her fist, her eyes gleaming with resolve):
"Even the wind… can find its way."
(She runs lightly to the side, raises her arm, and a small whirlwind spins around Selena from behind. Selena turns quickly, places another ice barrier, but the whirlwind slightly disrupts her balance, sending her silver hair flying into her face.)
Diana (whistling in admiration):
"Hah! You really annoyed her."
(Selena breathes slowly, stamps her foot on the ground. Suddenly, ice surges from the ground in pillars, trying to surround Agnes. The latter lets out a light cry, then jumps back and releases a strong blast of air that scatters the pillars before they close in on her.)
(Tarkan suddenly intervenes, clapping his hands forcefully. The wind and ice stop as if something stifled their breath. He looks at the two sternly.)
Tarkan:
"Enough. You've both shown enough for today."
(Agnes puts her hand on her chest, breathing with difficulty, but smiles a small smile. Selena adjusts her hair strands coolly but casts a fleeting glance at Agnes as if acknowledging something without words.)
Agnes (in a tired but resolute voice):
"I won't give up… even if the path is difficult."
Selena (content with a short sentence, in a low voice):
"Perhaps… you have hope."
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The sun was tilting towards sunset, coloring the courtyard with soft orange hues, as everyone slowly left after training ended. Sweat glistened on Agnes's forehead, and her chest rose and fell with clear exhaustion. Beside her, Selena was gently wiping ice traces from her arms, and Diana was yawning as she leaned back gracefully.
Diana (playfully):
"Hah, finally this long day is over. I thought I'd melt from the heat, not from the training!"
(Selena laughs lightly, a small, cold look in her eyes, but she doesn't hide a faint smile that touches her lips.)
Selena:
"One accustomed to ice can't bear the heat of fire."
Agnes (intervening, placing her hands on her waist, looking at them with a tired smile):
"You're both exaggerating... It was useful training. I feel like I'm starting to understand my power a little."
Diana (staring at her, smiling with half her face, then leaning towards her):
"A little? You were like an unstable storm, but... I can't deny you surprised us."
Agnes (shyly, lowering her head):
"I'm still learning. The wind doesn't always listen to me."
Selena (in a calm voice as she walks ahead of them):
"Power doesn't come quickly. Ice doesn't form in a moment; it hardens with time."
(The three girls walk through the long, ornate palace corridor, its walls of red stone, with columns of illuminated fire braziers on both sides casting a warm glow. A gentle breeze passes, playing with Agnes's hair, which shines under the light.)
Diana (looking around, admiring the place):
"This Fire Palace is stunning, though I prefer the solidity of rock. I feel as if everything here breathes heat."
Agnes (quietly):
"True... and yet, there's a different warmth. Not like the sun's warmth, but like a boiling heart."
Selena (looking at her with a hint of curiosity):
"You resemble your father in the way you speak."
Agnes (turning to Selena in surprise):
"Have you met my father, Selena?"
Selena (turning to her):
"Yes, that was a long time ago."
Diana (laughing):
"Oh, that's rare praise from the Ice Princess! Write it down, Agnes, it won't be repeated!"
(Agnes laughs in turn, the atmosphere between them becoming lighter and warmer as they approach the inner courtyard fragrant with flowers.)
Agnes (breathing deeply, lifting her face to the sky):
"How beautiful the sunset is here..."
Selena (whispering):
"Fire and calm, a strange contradiction."
Diana (stretching her arms, enjoying the atmosphere):
"As for me, I'll consider it rest time. Let's go to the royal bath; I won't fall asleep covered in dust!"
(Selena laughs quietly. Diana grabs her arm and Agnes's arm, pulling the two with her as she says playfully:)
"Come on then, before one of you collapses from exhaustion!"
(In the stillness, Tarkan and Lakis stood facing each other, having decided to continue training.)
Tarkan (in a low voice):
"It seems the girls need rest… but we have no time for that."
(Lakis wipes his sweat, a sarcastic smile forming on his face:)
"Yeah, because a prince doesn't know the meaning of laziness, right?"
Tarkan (calmly and sternly):
"Because fire doesn't go out unless it surrenders."
(Tarkan stood straight, catching his breath calmly as he raised his long sword. On the other side, Lakis wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled lightly—a smile that couldn't be discerned as sarcasm or enthusiasm.)
Lakis (in a tired but provocative voice):
"Do you intend to continue training until the wall collapses or until we disappear?"
Tarkan (in a dry tone):
"Until I am not weak when I need strength."
(Lakis laughs, waves his sword with one hand, then steps towards him lightly.)
"Your words sound like you."
(He suddenly raises his sword, attacking with a fast sideways slash, which Tarkan blocks with his own sword. Sparks fly between them, and the air fills with the heat of conflict.)
Lakis (with a deadly calm):
"Your focus is scattered, Lakis."
Tarkan (laughs, attacks again):
"You're the one exaggerating seriousness. Fighting isn't just about scowling."
(Tarkan steps back, stamps his foot on the ground, causing light fire to fly around him. He surges forward with sudden force, forcing Lakis to retreat with consecutive, rapid strikes. Each blow clashes with another like muffled thunder.)
Tarkan (breathing with effort):
"So this is it… the scorching prince shows no mercy even in training."
Lakis (in a low voice):
"Mercy has its place outside the courtyard."
(They fall silent for a moment, hearing only their ragged breaths and the crackle of nearby fire. Tarkan smiles lightly.)
Tarkan:
"You know, no matter how much you fight me, you can't escape the idea that you've put yourself in a cage, always."
(Lakis freezes for a moment, his eyes flashing with a faint glimmer of anger.)
"A cage?"
Tarkan (walks slowly, putting the sword on his shoulder):
"Yes. A cage you made yourself. Discipline, silence, suppressing anger… they're all walls that keep you alive but deprive you of breathing."
(Lakis falls silent, looks at the dancing flame before him. His voice comes later, with faint coldness:)
"Air doesn't matter to fire, as long as it burns."
(Tarkan shakes his head, laughing, then turns lightly:)
"A nice saying, but a lie, because fire dies without air."
(He walks away slowly towards the back courtyard, leaving behind the sound of his footsteps and a sarcastic smile, while Lakis remains standing in place, staring at his sword as if it holds an unspoken answer.
The wind passes lightly, touches the brazier flames, and the fires dance around him in heavy silence, heard only by his heart.)
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[With the girls]
Selena sat quietly as usual, one leg crossed over the other as she sipped her tea, cold as usual. Beside her, Diana couldn't stop moving, picking up a sweet, putting it down, picking up another, her eyes darting between the two with a childish curiosity not free from annoyance.
Diana (leaning towards Selena):
"Is all you do sit in silence? Don't you get bored?"
Selena (sighing lightly without looking up):
"Quiet isn't boring; it's peace for the mind, unlike your constant chatter."
Diana (laughs):
"Oh my god, always cold as a piece of ice… no wonder you have no friends!"
Selena (replying with deadly calm):
"And because you're from Earth, perhaps you should keep your feet on the ground too, not in other people's mouths."
(Diana freezes for a moment, then laughs a forced, light laugh and turns towards Agnes, who was watching them silently, sipping her tea with slight shyness.)
Diana (playfully):
"Agnes, let's talk about something sweeter than these cold mountains. How many siblings do you have?"
Agnes (hesitates a little, then smiles faintly):
"Four in total, but…"
Diana (cutting her off quickly):
"Four! That's a lot! I have many brothers too, but they're all younger!"
Agnes (smiling):
You mean Sophie and Nur.
(Selena laughs lightly, while Agnes looks at her then continues calmly:)
"Prince Rizef is my older brother, I think you know him."
Diana (nodding quickly):
"Of course! I saw him at one of the banquets I attended with my father. He was very handsome, but he seemed stricter than necessary."
Agnes (with a slight smile):
"Yes… Agenor, my younger brother. He and I share the same mother."
(Diana raises her eyebrows in surprise, leans her body forward and says excitedly:)
"Same mother? Oh, that's very rare!"
Selena (placing the cup calmly and looking at her coolly):
"Aren't you and Tarkan from the same mother too?"
Agnes (her eyes widen in surprise, tilting her head slightly):
"Is that true?"
Diana (sighing while waving her hand exaggeratedly):
"Lily, stop saying it like that! I mean… it's rare to find princes and princesses who are siblings from the same mother. You know how much emperors love concubines, and how their mothers change like seasons!"
(She laughs lightly, while Selena settles for a silent side glance. Agnes's voice lowers a little as she continues after a brief silence:)
"And I also have an older brother… older than Rizef, and older than me."
(She pauses for a moment, as if the memory weighed on her chest, then says with a faint, sad smile:)
"His name is Derrick."
Selena (raising an eyebrow with simple curiosity):
"Derrick? I've heard of him… It's said he died young, isn't that right?"
Agnes (lowers her head slightly, her fingers tightening around her cup):
"Yes… he was thirteen years old. He died in an accident whose truth is still unknown."
(A heavy silence falls, broken only by the rustle of curtains and the gurgle of the fountain behind the window. Diana's smile fades gradually, then she places her hand on Agnes's lightly.)
Diana (in a soft voice):
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to remind you of something painful."
Agnes (smiles faintly, despite a slight tremble in her voice):
"It's alright… I've grown used to absence more than presence."
(Agnes lifts her gaze towards her calmly, the smile still on her face, but this time it was pale like a cloud before rain.)
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[Flashback]
(In the Wind Empire, in the palace courtyard, young Agnes ran laughing, her hair flying around her face like small bird wings. Behind her was Derrick, a young man of thirteen, chasing her lightly with a broad smile never leaving his lips.)
Derrick (running behind her):
"You won't escape this time, Agnes!"
Agnes (laughing loudly, turning towards him lightly):
"I will! You won't catch me today!"
(She raises her hands, a gentle breeze blows, pushing flower petals towards Derrick's face. He stops laughing as he tries to brush them from his hair.)
Derrick (sarcastically):
"Now you're using your power against me again! That's not fair, little princess!"
Agnes (stops and puts her hands on her waist):
"You're always stronger than me; I have to use what I have!"
(He approaches her with slow steps, then reaches out to gently wipe the flower dust from her hair, his voice suddenly softening.)
Derrick:
"You know, when I see you laugh like that, I feel as if the wind itself is smiling at the world."
(She stares at him with wide eyes, not fully understanding what he means, but she smiles a shy smile.)
Agnes:
"And I feel you're closest to the sky, brother… you're not afraid of anything."
(He laughs softly, sits on the grass, and gestures for her to sit beside him. She sits near him, holding her small dress so it doesn't get dirty.)
Derrick (in a quiet voice):
"Agnes, one day, you'll be very strong… stronger than everyone. But always remember that strength isn't just for fighting, but for protecting those you love."
(She lowers her head and says with childish seriousness):
"I promise, I'll protect everyone! Even you!"
(He laughs loudly, then pats her head lightly.)
Derrick:
"Then I'll be reassured, now that Agnes protects me."
(The winds grow gentler around them. In that moment, a beautiful, unforgettable silence reigns… a silence that will remain etched in Agnes's memory forever.)
(The image fades gradually, while Agnes closes her eyes in the present, her lips moving lightly, brokenly:)
Agnes:
"You were always the wind that carried me, Derrick…"
(Agnes opens her eyes slowly, her gaze still stuck in the past, and the air around her moves lightly as if consoling her. Suddenly, there's a light knock on the door.)
The Maid (in a gentle voice, slightly bowed):
"My princesses, it is time for dinner. His Majesty Emperor Ranius awaits you in the great hall."
(Agnes breathes deeply, smooths her dress to regain her composure, then says in a quiet voice:)
"Thank you, we'll come right away."
(She exchanges looks with Selena and Diana, then they begin walking through the long corridor. The palace is illuminated by blue flames that emit no heat, only a soft glow on the walls.)
(They reach the great hall, where the heavy doors open smoothly.)
(At the head of the hall sits Emperor Ranius, with a commander beside him, while on the other side of the table sit Tarkan with a calm face and a slight smile, and Lakis with his usual annoyed features, his chin resting on his fist, his sharp glances avoiding everyone.)
(The girls advance with a graceful bow.)
Selena, Agnes, and Diana (in unison):
"Greetings to the great Fire Emperor."
Ranius (in a deep voice):
"Welcome, all of you, princesses. I hope your stay is comfortable in our palace."
Agnes (calmly and respectfully):
"Our stay has been wonderful, Your Majesty. We thank you for your generous hospitality."
(Ranius gestures with his hand towards the opposite seats.)
Ranius:
"Please, have a seat. We have prepared this dinner in honor of your arrival and the beginning of your training in the lands of Fire."
(The girls sit quietly. Agnes sits in the middle, with Diana beside her, unable to hide her curiosity as she observes the table adorned with luxurious dishes. On the opposite side, Tarkan and Lakis exchange fleeting glances.)
(Lakis looks at them with a sullen expression, then whispers coldly without lifting his eyes from his plate:)
Lakis:
"It seems the Fire Palace is filled with guests these days."
Diana (with a small laugh as she picks up her spoon):
"Does that bother you, Fire Prince?"
(He lifts his gaze towards her for a moment, his voice quiet but with a hidden edge:)
Lakis:
"Noise only bothers me."
(Diana laughs lightly and whispers to Agnes: "He's fun when he's angry!")
(While Selena raises an eyebrow coolly, she looks towards Tarkan, who settles for a calm smile as he says in a low tone:)
Tarkan:
"Don't mind him; he doesn't like gatherings, even dinner tables."
(Emperor Ranius intervenes with a strong but friendly-toned voice:)
Ranius:
"Calm down, children of the empires, this is not a training field. Tonight we celebrate our unity, not our differences."
(Agnes nods respectfully, smiles faintly, and whispers to herself:)
"Even the winds fear the fires of this place..."
(As dinner begins to be served, Agnes quietly looks at the table before her, but her eyes don't see the shiny dishes or the glittering juice glasses; instead, they occasionally follow the face of Lakis sitting opposite. Silence surrounds him like an invisible shield, his features rigid and annoyed by something. He rests his chin on his hand, his gaze lost in an unknown corner, as if trying to escape this world.)
(Agnes fixes her gaze on him for a moment, contemplating that strange contradiction within him; fire inhabited by coldness. She whispers to herself as she gently holds her cup:)
Agnes (to herself):
"How distant he seems...."
(She quickly lowers her gaze, afraid someone might notice her agitation.)
(But Lakis lifts his head for a moment, and his gaze passes over hers fleetingly—a brief glance but enough to make her heart beat fast. He immediately turns his face away, yet Agnes feels something warm spreading in her chest, strange to her, like a candle igniting in a gust of wind.)
(She breathes slowly, then smiles faintly, unnoticed. In that moment, she didn't know that someone else, somewhere else in this world, was thinking of her too...)
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[Location: Ice Empire — A quiet night, snow falling gently behind the windows.]
(In a cold room bathed in moonlight, Nine, the Ice Prince, sits at his desk filled with old books and manuscripts. His long fingers flip pages calmly, but he isn't actually reading; his mind is lost elsewhere. He sighs lightly, the sound of the snowy wind accompanying him.)
Nine (whispering softly):
"Agnes..."
(He lifts his head, looks towards the window where his face is reflected on the snow-covered glass. He touches its cold surface with his fingertips, as if touching her.)
Nine (continuing in a slightly hoarse voice):
"How long has it been since you left? I don't know why, every time I try to focus, my name gets lost between your breaths."
(His white breath floats in the cold air, melting quickly. He smiles weakly, then whispers with a sad sarcasm:)
"You, girl of the wind… you took my warmth from among the snows and left me thinking of you among the storms."
(He puts the pen aside and closes the book slowly. Then he rises, walks to the window, opens it despite the severe cold. A strong wind blows into the room, playing with his white hair and scattering papers on the floor.)
(He closes his eyes for a moment, breathes the cold air, then opens them as if he sees her before him—her hair flying, her smile light as a distant dream.)
Nine (in a low but sincere voice):
"Can you hear me now, Agnes? I hear the echo of your voice in every storm that passes by me."
(A snowflake falls on his hand. He watches it melt slowly on his warm skin.)
"Even ice melts when I think of you..."