Act 3: Strengthening Bonds
[STANDARD OPENING NARRATION – VOICEOVER]
Narrator (V.O.):
"Long ago, the Demonrealm was sealed away. But now, the gate has broken open."
"For the first time in history, the realms of the living stand united—an uneasy alliance forged to push back the threat."
"But the tide of war cannot be turned by armies alone…"
"Only the one who carries the ancient power of Darkness can shift the fate of the living realms."
"And his soul walks the edge of ruin…"
[Scene 1 – Elven Kingdom, Royal Terrace – Night]
A glowing crescent moon casts silver light across the marble balcony. The Elven King Aurenvir stands with his sister, Lea. Both gaze toward the eastern stars, their expressions stern.
Aurenvir (serious):
Lea… I don't know what to think about this new Sultan.
Something about him doesn't sit right with me.
I don't believe he has what it takes to stand against the Demon Lord.
Lea (crossing her arms):
You're right, brother. That silly boy hasn't even gone for his ceremonial hunt yet.
That's tradition—it's supposed to be the first trial of every Sultan.
Aurenvir:
That alone is alarming.
Do you think something's wrong with the power?
Lea (suspiciously):
It's very possible.
He might not even be the true heir to receive it.
If I'm not mistaken… wasn't it around four hundred years ago that Sultan Kerem was supposed to inherit the power—but never did?
Aurenvir (thinking back):
I remember.
They sent him off to some remote school, claiming he was to become a diplomat.
But he was never seen again.
Lea (smiling slyly):
How do they plan to cover this up?
Aurenvir (shaking his head):
I don't know…
Lea (whispering with amusement):
Ooooh, Aurenvir…
They can't hide it forever.
The truth has a way of revealing itself—
And soon… we'll know everything.
[Scene 2 – Village Rooftops – Afternoon]
Sunlight beams across the red clay rooftops. Aslan and Hakan leap from house to house with youthful energy, laughing.
Hakan (holding his stomach):
Maaaaan, I'm hungry!
Aslan halts on one rooftop and turns to him, thinking for a second.
Aslan (grinning):
I've got an idea. Hand me that hook you found earlier!
Hakan quickly hands over the small metal hook.
Hakan (curious):
What are you gonna use it for?
Aslan (kneeling):
Watch and learn.
He ties a piece of rope to the hook and lies flat on the rooftop, lowering it slowly down the side toward the bustling market street below. Hakan peeks over the edge, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hakan:
You're a genius!
Below, a fruit stand bustles with customers. Aslan maneuvers the hook skillfully and snags a large bunch of ripe bananas.
Slowly… gently… he lifts them upward…
Fruit Stand Owner (suddenly shouting):
Hey! Hey! You gotta pay for those!
He looks up and sees two boys laughing as they take off running across the rooftops.
Fruit Stand Owner:
You damn little thieves!
Cut to:
Aslan and Hakan sprinting through a narrow alleyway, laughing, each with a banana in their mouth.
Suddenly—
THUD!
Hakan tumbles down a short flight of stairs—crashing right into a burly man who was passing by.
Angry Man:
Hey! Watch where you're going, you little brat!
He grabs Hakan and shoves him off roughly.
The man raises his hand to strike—
WHAP!
Aslan hurls the banana right into the man's face.
Angry Man (furious):
Now you've done it!!
He lunges, but—
Hakan (grinning):
Not so fast!
Hakan locks his legs around the man's, causing him to trip. The man stumbles and crashes down hard.
Angry Man:
You little fools! Come here!!
Just as he's about to charge again—
GUARD (O.S.):
What's going on here?
A pair of village guards appear, weapons ready.
An older lady rises from the ground, brushing off her dress.
Lady (pointing):
That man was harassing me.
These two little boys saved me!
Cut to: Aslan and Hakan back on the ground, gathering the fallen bananas. One hangs from each of their mouths. They stare blankly as chaos unfolds around them, more interested in their snacks than the situation.
The guards seize the angry man and begin questioning him. The lady walks over to the boys.
Lady (smiling warmly):
I'm so thankful for you two! You're my heroes!
She plants a kiss on each of their cheeks.
Voice (O.S.):
Petrice! There you are!
A refined, striking woman strides in with regal poise. Her golden jewelry glints in the sunlight. It's Sylvia.
Sylvia:
Joshy told me what happened.
Is the matter resolved?
Petrice:
Yes, Lady Sylvia.
Sylvia:
Very well. Get back to work.
Petrice bows and walks off quickly.
Sylvia (now looking at the boys):
Well, well… So you two are the ones to thank.
Adorable!
So strong!
You'll make excellent future customers.
She ends with a fancy, noblewoman laugh. Aslan and Hakan blink blankly, still chewing bananas.
Sylvia:
Joshy!!!
From a distance, a boy about their age comes sprinting toward them.
Joshy (panting):
Y-Yes, my lady?
Sylvia:
See that these two are rewarded for their heroism.
Ta-da~ Bye boys!
She vanishes back into the crowd.
Joshy (bowing politely):
Please, follow me. I'm Joshy, Miss Sylvia's assistant.
Aslan:
Nice to meet you! I'm Aslan, and this is Hakan.
How come we've never seen you outside?
Joshy:
Oh… I can't really leave.
You see, I pledged my loyalty to Miss Sylvia ever since she took me in.
Aslan:
So… you're her slave?
Joshy (offended):
What?! No! Not a slave!
Aslan (grinning):
Servant?
Joshy (puffed up):
No! Assistant!
Aslan and Hakan burst into laughter, teasing Joshy.
Aslan (playfully):
Why's your head shaped like that anyway?
Joshy (flustered):
What? What's wrong with my head?! It's normal!
Aslan (smiling):
Just messing with you. So what's our reward?
Cut to: A small shed behind Sylvia's establishment. Dusty, mysterious. Inside—ancient trinkets, relics, amulets, rusted weapons, strange items with stories behind them.
Joshy (gesturing):
You can take one item each. Whatever you like.
Aslan and Hakan step inside, eyes wide with curiosity.
Their gazes fall upon a strange object hidden under cloth—
A blacked bone dagger.
They both lunge.
Hakan:
Mine! I saw it first!
Aslan (already holding it):
Too slow!
Hakan (grumbling):
Not fair…
He starts scanning the rest of the items. His eyes catch a silver amulet, embedded with a strange glowing gem and an old crest. It pulls at him.
Joshy:
You two happy with what you got?
Both boys nod enthusiastically.
Joshy:
Great. I have to get back to Lady Sylvia now.
It was nice meeting you two!
Aslan and Hakan wave him off and dash away, relics in hand.
[Scene 3 – Sword Training Ground – Late Afternoon]
Sunlight filters through tall trees. Wooden swords clash under the guidance of a wise, weathered warrior—Erdal. The boys train in a peaceful glade behind the village.
Erdal (calm but firm):
Safer—when you block, you hold your blade with both hands.
And don't close your eyes. Got it?
Safer (nodding nervously):
Okay!
Erdal:
Alright—go again!
Hakan charges in. His movement is fast, unpredictable. He feints a right swing—
Safer (narrating to himself):
He's going right!
But it's a fake—Hakan suddenly switches to the left. Safer panics, his eyes instinctively shutting…
Erdal's voice echoes in his mind:
"Don't close your eyes."
Safer gasps, opens them, and quickly blocks the real strike just in time!
Safer (smiling, proud):
I blocked it!
But—
Hakan pushes forward, dragging his wooden sword down Safer's, breaking his stance. Three fast strikes follow. Safer blocks them—but the fourth strike hits his knee!
THUD.
Safer falls back. Hakan plants his sword to his chest.
Hakan (grinning smugly):
You'd be so dead if this were a real fight!
Erdal (walking over, half-chuckling):
Alright, alright, we get it—you're strong.
But let me show you a technique where brute force alone won't help you win.
He looks over his shoulder.
Erdal:
Aslan!
Aslan jumps up, startled, mid-conversation with friends.
Aslan:
Y-Yes, Grandpa?!
Erdal (smiling):
You'll be demonstrating with me.
Aslan jogs forward, wooden sword ready.
Aslan:
I'm ready, Grandpa!
Erdal takes his stance—one knee bent, one foot behind, sword angled downward, and his free hand stretched out behind him.
Aslan dashes forward—but catches a root underfoot and stumbles.
Aslan (panicking):
Wha—!
A gust of wind gently lifts him mid-fall.*
Erdal (calmly):
Careful, boy.
Aslan (embarrassed):
Y-Yeah…
Aslan (internal):
That was so lame… I can't fail like that!
He resets his stance, eyes narrowing. He rushes forward again—
He jumps right, then spins left with a blade sweep. Erdal blocks it with ease and immediately counters.
Aslan (caught off guard):
He's coming in?!
Aslan instinctively leaps toward Erdal, swinging low. Erdal parries effortlessly and spins around, sweeping Aslan's legs out from under him.
Aslan falls—hard.
Aslan (slamming fist into the ground):
Dammit! I failed again!
Erdal (kneeling):
It's alright to fail.
Aslan (angry):
No! It's not!
Erdal (soft, nostalgic):
You know how many times your Uncle Ali failed during this training?
Aslan's eyes blink in surprise.
Erdal:
He got angry too. Just like you.
But he learned to stay calm… and to always get back on his feet.
And one day, you'll grow up to be strong.
Stronger than you can imagine.
Aslan stares at his grandfather… a fire begins to light in his gaze.
Aslan (determined):
I want to try again!
Erdal:
Good. Let's do it.
They separate and take their positions again.
Erdal (thinking):
That look in his eye… something's coming.
Aslan rushes in again—but this time, something's different.
Wind swirls around his feet. His speed increases dramatically.
He fakes right—then zips left—but suddenly dashes back to the right again. Erdal's eyes widen.
Erdal (inner voice):
Wha—how is he moving this fast?!
Aslan spins and slashes—ten times! Erdal blocks them all but is forced to retreat.
Erdal:
Boy… where did you learn this? And when?!
Aslan stays focused, not answering, his stance controlled.*
Erdal (smirking with pride):
Sneaky brat… using wind magic without my knowledge…
But I'm proud of you!
Erdal's expression softens, almost motherly.
Aslan suddenly leaps high into the air—
—but with two extra gusts of wind, he sends cross-currents from both the left and right toward Erdal.
The winds almost slam into Erdal—
Erdal (reacting):
Not bad!
He conjures a gust of his own, redirecting the flow just in time.
CLANG!
Aslan's descending strike is blocked—but he jumps back quickly. Erdal retaliates by summoning a mini-tornado beneath Aslan—
WHOOSH!
Aslan is lifted, spun mid-air, and crashes back to the ground with a groan.
Aslan (groaning):
Ugh… I almost had it…
Erdal approaches, impressed.
Erdal:
You're eager. You're ready…
And now, it's time I take you to the next level.
But something's wrong.
Aslan isn't answering. His body trembles. Dark veins spread across his hands… crawling toward his neck.
Erdal (alarmed):
A-Aslan…?
Erdal steps closer and freezes. His eyes widen in realization.
Erdal (whispers):
No… It can't be… This aura—
I've seen it before!
Erdal (shouting):
Class dismissed!
Hakan, open the door—NOW!
The kids hesitate, confused, but begin to leave. Hakan rushes to the door.
BOOOOM!
A massive pulse of wind magic bursts out from Aslan's body, slamming the door shut. Dust flies. Erdal slides back.
Erdal (yelling):
Aslan! Come back to your senses!!
Hakan is frozen in fear, glued to the wall by the pressure of the wind.
Erdal makes himself small, lowering his stance to push forward through the aetheric storm.
He lunges forward and grabs Aslan, pinning him to the ground.
Erdal:
Aslan! Listen to me! Come back!!
No response. The dark veins continue pulsing.
Erdal (desperate):
Hakan! The bucket! NOW!
Hakan bolts, grabs a bucket of water, and throws it at Aslan.*
SPLASH.
The dark veins retreat instantly—but Aslan goes limp, unconscious.
Erdal (terrified):
Aslan!
He scoops him into his arms and rushes inside.*
Erdal:
Hakan—go get Gulsah. Hurry!
Hakan darts out of the house at full speed.
Erdal places Aslan in bed, his face tense and full of concern.
The scene shifts as a mysterious man walks through the forest.
His face remains hidden, the shadows clinging to his features as he strides forward with a rugged, powerful presence.
Suddenly, a heavy wave of aura crashes over him.
He halts mid-step.
With a sharp gaze, he turns toward the tree line.
Then—without hesitation—he leaps away into the shadows.
[Scene 4 – Erdal's House, Nightfall]
The door bursts open. Gulsah storms in, panic-stricken, with Hakan following close behind.
Gulsah (panicked):
Aslan?! What happened, Father?!
Inside, Aslan lies motionless in bed. Erdal sits beside him, his expression solemn.
Erdal (calm but firm):
Hakan… head home before it gets dark.
Hakan (worried):
But… Aslan—
Erdal (softly):
He'll be alright. You'll see him tomorrow.
Hakan hesitates, looking between Aslan and Gulsah. He nods reluctantly and walks out, quietly closing the door.
Erdal (after a heavy pause):
…Who is Aslan's father?
Gulsah freezes in place. Her hands begin to tremble.
Gulsah (defensive):
You already know who!
Erdal (eyes narrowing):
The adventurer you never introduced us to?
The man who supposedly died in a dungeon?
Gulsah (voice cracking):
You know it's Fikret…
Her eyes well up. Tears spill down her cheeks.
Erdal:
Then why lie to me?
Gulsah (emotional):
Because I knew it wouldn't last!
And because I knew… you can't stand them!
Erdal opens his mouth—ready to argue—but exhales slowly and lowers his gaze.
Erdal (quietly):
Maybe I deserved that.
But this… this was something I should've known.
A long silence.
Erdal (serious):
Anyway… Aslan will be fine…
—for now.
Gulsah (shaking):
What do you mean "for now"? What are you not telling me?
Erdal (sighing):
Fikret is gone.
And if Aslan really inherited that power… then the Yildirim family will know.
Gulsah (shocked):
But no one knows! I've kept it hidden—completely!
Erdal:
You've never told anyone?
Gulsah (hesitant):
Only… his little brother. I met him once.
Erdal (growling under his breath):
That filthy snake… Zulkarneyn.
He stands up and begins pacing the room.
Erdal:
The Sultan has eyes everywhere, Gulsah.
Whispers, shadows, birds in the wind.
If we know… they know.
Gulsah:
Then what do we do?
Erdal (resolute):
We send word to your brother. Now.
Stay here with Aslan. Lock the doors.
I'll send a hawk.
He grabs his cloak and strides to the door, grabbing his satchel.
Erdal (firmly):
Stay strong.
He steps outside into the wind. Gulsah slowly sits down beside Aslan, burying her face in her hands as tears fall silently.
[Scene 5 – Aslan's Dream: The Mist Realm]
Everything is white. Fog. Dense. Endless.
There's no ground. No sky. No walls. Just thick, cold mist in every direction.
Aslan walks slowly.
His feet don't make a sound.
He glances around, confused.
Aslan (softly):
What… is this place?
Suddenly, a distant scream echoes. It's faint—but unmistakable.
He begins to run. Each step feels sluggish—like he's moving through water.
The mist parts—revealing a horrifying sight:
A massive town… burning. Smoke rises. Bodies are everywhere.
Aslan falls to his knees, eyes wide, tears forming.
Aslan (broken):
What is happening…?
He grips his hair. His breath shakes.
Then—
Whispers surround him. Echoing. Distant.
???:
"Stay… stay… stay strong… strong…"
Aslan (spinning around):
Who's there?!
No one. Nothing.
**The whisper returns—**but this time, right behind him.
???:
"Don't lose yourself…"
Aslan turns fast—too fast—and stumbles backward onto the ground.
Aslan (terrified):
Who's there?!
What do you want?!
No response. The silence returns, oppressive and endless.
He slowly rises and begins walking through the burning ruins.
He reaches the center of the town—a square choked in smoke and ash.
There—two figures lie on the ground, impaled by spears. Their hands stretched forward, fingers barely touching.
Aslan looks away, unable to stomach the sight.
But something catches his attention—
A girl. A small girl. About his age.
She stands still in the center of the square, watching him silently.
Aslan (nervously):
H-Hello?!
Then—
A SCREAM.
Not a whisper. A roaring voice, right next to his ear.
???:
"HIDE!!"
Aslan falls, covering his ears, shaking violently. The world spins.
When the sound fades, he lifts his head—
The girl is gone.
He looks around. Nothing but smoke and death.
Then—
Far in the distance, a shadow appears.
Large. Human in shape—but growing bigger with every step.
It walks slowly… steadily… toward him.
Aslan (panicking):
No… No no no—
He turns and runs—but it's like trying to run through mud.
Each step feels like inches. The world darkens.
The buildings vanish. The town dissolves into void.
He glances back—
The figure is right behind him. Its hand reaching forward—
Aslan (screaming):
STAY AWAY!!!
Everything turns pitch black.
[Scene 6 – Erdal's House – Late Night]
Aslan bolts upright in bed, drenched in sweat. His scream fills the room.
Aslan (gasping):
AAAHHH!!
Before he can panic further, arms wrap around him—
Gulsah (softly):
It's alright… I'm here. I'm right here.
Aslan turns to her, still shaking. Nearby, his grandmother Necla hands him a cup of water.
Necla (gently):
Here, sweetheart… drink this.
Aslan drinks slowly, breathing uneven. He lays back against the pillow, heart pounding.
A long silence. Then—
Erdal (serious):
What did you see?
Aslan (still catching his breath):
I… I don't remember clearly…
There was a town… burning…
People… a girl…
And then… a shadow caught me, and everything went black.
Gulsah stands up abruptly, tense.
Gulsah (sternly):
Father, don't—
Erdal (interrupting):
The boy has to know.
Gulsah clenches her fists, then sits back down in silence.
Erdal (quietly):
Aslan…
You have a power.
Your mother and I have both noticed it waking inside you.
It's old. Dangerous.
It chooses one bearer at a time—and no one truly understands it.
Aslan's eyes widen slightly. His fingers twitch. He recalls the voice in the dream.
Aslan (shaken):
The girl…
She told me to hide it.
Erdal's expression tightens. He looks at Gulsah, then back at Aslan.
Erdal:
Then it's already begun.
Erdal (firm):
We don't know the full nature of this power—but one thing is clear.
You have to keep it hidden. At all costs.
If the outside world discovers it… they'll come for you.
Aslan's breathing calms. His eyes burn with confusion and fear.
Aslan (whispering):
So… what happens now?
Erdal:
We're leaving.
Tomorrow.
Aslan (sitting up):
What about Hakan?!
Erdal:
They've already been told.
They're coming with us.
Aslan leans back, covering his face with both hands, trying to process the weight of everything.
[Scene 7 – Outside the House – Deep Night]
It's dark again. Still. Silent. Crickets sing. The breeze dances through the trees.
But something isn't right.
POV: Dark silhouettes leap through the branches—swift, silent, deadly.
Four cloaked figures land in unison before Erdal's home. Shadows wrapped in cloth. Eyes glowing faintly.
They spread out—forming a perimeter.
One ninja kneels by the front door, picking the lock. His fingers are skilled, fast—
Voice (O.S.):
"I've been waiting for you."
The ninja jolts, startled, falling backward. The others turn sharply.
From the shadows, Erdal steps into view. His eyes glint with calm fury.
Despite his age, his stance is sharp—his presence commanding.
He slides his blade from its sheath with a metallic whisper.
Erdal (dryly amused):
Zulkarneyn only sent you four?
What's he thinking…?
He takes a slow step forward.
Erdal:
He must think I'm too old to dance.
One of the ninjas (threatening):
Give up, old man. You're surrounded.
We don't want to kill you.
We just want the boy.
Erdal (voice rising):
You think you can take the rightful heir?!
You're MAD!
WHOOSH!
A shockwave of wind magic bursts from Erdal's feet—leaves spiral, branches bend.
In a blink, he launches forward.
CLANG!
His blade meets one ninja's chest. The man is hurled backward, groaning.
The others close in immediately—
But Erdal is faster.
He spins like a leaf in a storm, deflecting shuriken, slashing low, then parrying upward. He disarms one, slashes another's leg, and ducks beneath a spear swipe.
Erdal (focused):
You boys aren't trained…
You're rehearsed.
But his breath is starting to grow heavier.
His knees ache. His muscles resist. His age begins to show.
SLASH.
A blade grazes his arm. He winces.
CRACK.
A punch lands on his ribs. He stumbles.
The three remaining ninjas regroup. They surround him.*
*Erdal drops to one knee. Breathing ragged. Bloody.
One ninja steps forward, blade raised.
Ninja (coldly):
This is the end, Erdal.
TWIP.
THUD.
An arrow slices through the air and lands in the ninja's throat.
He collapses instantly.
Voice (O.S.):
Step away from my father.
The others freeze. All heads turn.
From the darkness of the forest… Ali emerges.
Bow drawn. Quiver at his back. Eyes full of fury.
Erdal (chuckling through bloodied lips):
Took you long enough… boy.
Ali (focused, calm):
Now rest, old man.
I'll handle this.
Music swells. The camera pans upward through the trees, moonlight filtering down over the battleground. The screen fades to black.
Credits‼️‼️‼️‼️