INT. PALACE CORRIDOR
As soon as Alpha Malik walked out he commanded Evans, to follow him into the depths of the palace dungeon.
As they made their way down the corridor, maids scurried about, their voices hushed but alive with whispered tales. The air crackled with rumors of the king cradling Aurora, the very one who had taken his father’s life.
Within the hushed murmurs, questions arose, borne from a mingling of curiosity and skepticism. Was it possible that the king still harbored love for the ordinary maid? Some declared that love, in its mysterious ways, defied reason, for why else would the king’s heart be drawn to one of such humble status?
Shastina, her words carrying a flicker of defiance, dared to challenge the doubts that lingered. “Yes, she may be an ordinary maid, but do not forget Aurora’s grace and elegance. Her beauty surpasses that of all the noble women. Is it not conceivable that the king could fall in love with her?” Yet, her response was met with scoffs and disbelieving glances, her words unable to sway the stubborn skepticism of her companions.
Startled by the king’s sudden arrival, the maids ceased their gossip, their wide eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and trepidation. Seizing the opportunity to restore order, Evans confronted the maids, positioning himself as an authoritative barrier, effectively halting their path.
Evans’ words reverberated through the corridor, his voice laced with unwavering authority. “No more idle talk. Report immediately to the Functioning Sanction Committee for spreading rumors. Such behavior is not tolerated here,” he uttered firmly, his gaze sweeping across the maids without hesitation. Deep down, he knew that the king would not hesitate to punish those who spoke ill of Aurora, the object of his affections.
Fear clenched the hearts of the maids as they realized the weight of their loose tongues. Trembling, they longed to disappear, seeking solace within the sheltered depths of the palace. However, their retreat was halted by the king’s commanding voice. His piercing gaze settled upon Shastina, who had caught his attention. While he had never directly approached her as the masked girl, his encounters with her had left an indelible impression. Now, seeing her unmasked, he acknowledged the regret of standing her up two nights ago, compelled by his obligations to Xena.
“What is your name?” the king inquired, skillfully feigning ignorance, careful not to reveal his knowledge of her true identity. He desired to preserve the illusion, not wanting her to suspect that he was aware of her secret.
“My king, my name is Shastina,” she stammered, her voice quivering in the presence of royalty. It was the first time she had stood before him, her nerves laid bare. Now, in the presence of Alpha Malik, she understood the gravity of his aura, demanding honor and respect.
The king’s face didn’t light up as he stood next to the unmasked Shastina. Alpha Malik had expected to feel an electric surge whenever he was near her, but now he felt nothing. He wondered what had changed, why he didn’t feel the usual excitement. Moreover, there was a calmness she brought that subdued the wild emotions within him, like he was feeling right now, yet he couldn’t fee any calmness.
“Go back to your duty. You don’t need to go to the sanction committee. Just make sure you don’t gossip anymore,” Alpha Malik said, his voice firm, as his final words landed on Shastina. After a brief moment, he and Evans continued their serious walk towards the dungeon.
“Arrange a meeting with the masked girl tonight. I must see her. Make it happen,” Alpha Malik commanded with authority.
“Yes, my lord,” Evans replied nervously, realizing that Aurora had revealed Shastina’s name to the king. He wondered who would take the place of the masked girl now that Aurora was sick. But he knew the king would recognize anyone other than the original masked girl, and they couldn’t proceed without her.
INT. DUNGEON – DAY
Upon entering the dimly lit dungeon, Alpha Malik was greeted by Jaguar, his trusted advisor, and two guards. In the gloom, a harrowing sight unfolded-an assassin, bound and bloodied, endured the merciless blows of the guards’ fists. His head hung low, but as the king approached, his eyes flickered with recognition and trepidation.
The guards, startled by their sovereign’s presence, ceased their assault and hastily straightened their stance, bowing in deference. Alpha Malik, his face a mask of determined rage, stepped forward, seizing the rod previously employed as a tool of torment from one of the guards.
Closing the gap, he tightened his grip on his mouth forcing blood to trickle from the assassin’s mouth, staining his chin scarlet.
“So, they sent you to end my life. Did you realize the precious existence you nearly snuffed out, out of me?” Alpha Malik’s voice seethed with anger, his teeth clenched tightly. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, piercing through the silence of the dungeon.
Jaguar, sensing the gravity of the situation, exchanged a knowing glance with Evans. In that shared moment, their concern for Aurora, and their understanding of the king’s emotions, intertwined. They bore witness to the raw revelation of Alpha Malik’s feelings for the woman who brutally murdered his father, a truth that seemed unfathomable to anyone else.
“Please, my king, forgive me. I beg of you,” the assassin pleaded, desperation lacing his words. The king’s grip tightened, squeezing the life out of him, causing blood to spill from his mouth.
“Forgiveness?” Alpha Malik’s voice thundered with fury, his rage consuming him.
“Hope she survives. Pray she didn’t die, or else I will tear you apart piece by piece,” Alpha Malik threatened, his words filled with venom.
With relentless fury, Alpha Malik unleashed his wrath upon the helpless assassin, raining down blows upon him with the rod. Each strike intensified the pain, causing fresh streams of red to flow. The dungeon reverberated with the anguished cries of the captive, their torment forming a discordant symphony of suffering.
Undeterred by the cries, Alpha Malik’s anger surged. “While she suffers in unimaginable agony, I want you to feel pain too,” he said, his voice brimming with rage.
Another forceful blow landed, further increasing the flow of blood. The guards, trembling in fear of their king, bore witness to a side of him rarely glimpsed. Nearby, Jaguar, his heart heavy with concern, hoped that Alpha Malik wouldn’t prematurely end the assassin’s life, recognizing that crucial information remained hidden within him. The imminent rebellion orchestrated by the king’s own brother weighed heavily on Jaguar’s mind.
We need to get information from the man before the king gets too angry,” Jaguar told Evans, bringing him back from his thoughts about finding the masked girl.
Just as they were about to refocus on the king and the man, they noticed that the man had stopped talking.
Fear crept into their minds as they realized why the assassin had fallen silent. They looked at the king with wide eyes, their mouths hanging open, as they saw something that made them…