Sequence 1
Moise wakes up in the Royal infirmary surrounded by her father, mother and several priests.
Queen Menefer rushes to hug Moise as she asks, "What happened to me, was that all a dream?".
King Menes replies, "That was no dream, convergence is complete and a part of Lord Maahes lives in you now".
Bewildered, she asks "What does this mean … why me!?", Queen Menefer replies "All will be explained in time, how are you feeling?".
Moise gets up and inspects herself, "I don't feel any different, although I am a bit hungry".
Upon hearing this King Menes deeply laughs, showing off his fangs, and says "Haha good, let's not keep everyone waiting".
Moise raises an eyebrow wondering what he means. They step outside palace and are greeted with loud cheers by the people.
The King addresses the crowd, saying, "Today the great Lord has blessed us with a new guardian, let us celebrate as our forefathers did in the lands beyond!".
After his speech, the Royal Family and their retainers move to the throne room where tables have been set for a feast. Kosey is lying down near a table waiting for Moise to arrive.
He rolls over as Moise gives him belly rubs and sits with her family as servants bring meats of all kinds, wine, beer and flowers.
Moise starts to gorge on the feast as her mother warns, "Please daughter restrain yourself!".
Zaka comes to their table, puts her hand on her chest and greets them bowing "My Lord, My Queen…" She turns to Moise and smiles "My protector".
Moise grins as she wipes her hands clean, she asks "May I be excused?" and The King signals that she may leave.
The two girls step onto a balcony to have a talk, Zaka asks, "Mistress, how did it feel?".
Moise rests against the balcony as she responds, "It was an intense rush of pain, then I was at peace, then I woke in the infirmary. After all that I still know nothing about what this gift is to me and why I was chosen".
Zaka responds, "The great Lord must have chosen you for a reason... ", putting a hand on her shoulder.
"... All will be revealed in time".
They stand there silently staring at the beautiful city below until Lazina, one of the Queen's escorts, walks onto the balcony and calls Moise back into the event hall, "Mistress we are all waiting for you, a special performance in your honor is about to start".
Lazina returns to the hall with Moise and Zaka close behind. Moise takes her seat just as the lights are dimmed for the presentation.
All is quiet, then suddenly a roar is made and five female dancers move onto the stage moving to the sound of loud drums.
They jump and kick and swipe at the air and each other with perfect coordination as if in a battle while emitting sparks of lightning from their limbs.
Suddenly they fall on their knees and the music stops. A bard walks onto the stage behind them holding a massive string instrument.
The entire audience looks on in silence and anticipation as he begins to play.
"In those days, in the land beyond the vast plain, the great mother cast down her light onto the earth and brought forth a beautiful flower.
This flower was put through many trials but refused to wither. He grew and blossomed and brought forth light which glowed as the sun.
The great flower spread its many seeds across the land which became a vast garden by the Great River. Many had come to visit the garden yet the flowers that remained were not trampled upon.
Until one day… ".
The music grows in intensity and Moise sits up to properly listen.
"...The descendants of a mighty wolf, which made the garden it's den like many before, had sought to separate the flowers from the light.
They destroyed the tools which kept the garden and soon after darkened the light."
He pauses as everyone gasps in sadness but resumes playing after a moment.
"The flowers grew weak and withered until a wind scattered their seeds across the great plain.
The seeds floated across the land in search of the light until they took root upon the banks of a stream.
There the light shined brightly upon them and they prospered.
They blossomed and glowed so brightly, some believed themselves greater than the light. They planted seeds in tainted soil and grew to become weeds which choked the flowers and blocked the light.
The great Lord saw this and selected a mighty warrior from a great house to be his advocate. This warrior slaughtered the weeds and cast them by the wayside.
To protect the flowers the great Lord prepared another garden in a different place and the flowers remain in his light to this day".
The bard stops playing and leaves the stage. The crowd roars in excitement and cheering. Moise sits silently lost in thought. The lights come back on and cheerful music plays, Zaka comes by and hands Moise a cup of wine" Mistress for you… Are you alright?". Moise snaps out of it and hastily takes the cup from her replying "Yes, yes I'm fine". Moises' hand shakes as she takes a sip and continues to watch the rest of the entertainment.
After some moments she stands up to leave saying "I feel ill and would like to leave". The King signals for her to go out and she walks a few steps out of the hall before collapsing against the wall.
She sees a figure walk towards her and lift her up, it's Zaka with Kosey not far behind.
Zaka says, "Come Mistress let's get you to your room". Moise gently pushes her off saying, "What would the people say if they saw their protector unable to support herself?".
Zaka stretches out her hand and says, smiling, "Walk with me then". Moise accepts and they walk hand in hand to her chambers where she collapses on the bed and falls asleep immediately.
She dreams of walking through a peaceful thick forest, all is calm until she notices she's being followed. She runs frantically as masked men with swords, bows and arrows shoot at her. Suddenly the same eagle from the convergence swoops down and engulfs her in fire. She screams out of her bed, shooting a bolt of lightning to the wall, destroying a vase and startling Kosey.
A guard rushes, spear in hand, asking, "Mistress are you alright?".
Moise smiles and wipes the sweat off her brow saying, "I am in good health, I just saw a spider on the wall".
The guard shakes her head and leaves, Moise lies down gripping the sheets anxiously and does not sleep for the rest of the night.
Sequence 2
Morning comes and Moise rushes out of the bed to hastily freshen up then dashes from her chambers to the Royal library. A priestess Xota greets her at the entrance "Welcome guardian, you have come to the right place to begin your journey please sit…".
Moise interrupts her saying, "I need to know about a flaming Eagle!".
Xota smiles and replies, "Please sit, I will assist in any way I can".
Moise walks in and sits alone at a table as onlookers stare at her. A small boy walks behind her and taps her thigh, she jumps slightly but relaxes upon seeing him.
The boy just stares speechless as he looks into her glowing blue eyes. Moise tries to talk but a woman rushes in saying "I am so sorry that my son is bothering you please accept my sincere apology".
The boy's mother pulls him away and is about to leave but Moise stops them, "No, bring him here".
The woman reluctantly obeys and brings the boy back, Moise carries him and sits him down on her lap as his mother watches nervously.
Xota returns soon after with a book and explains to her "There are a few examples of a flaming eagle, the one most known to us is the Phoenix, one of the dead gods. Information about it is detailed in this book".
Moise says, "Read it to us, put it in a way he can understand" while playing with the boy.
Xota puts the book down on the table, opens it and raises her hands. Her hair and eyes glow blue as lightning comes out from them to form images. She narrates;
"The Phoenix is the god of rebirth, every 500 years it burns and dies to be born again, stronger than before. The Phoenix has come to symbolise the rising and fall of great kingdoms in the forgotten lands".
The lightning falls back into her palm as she stops narrating, the boy smiles and claps in appreciation.
Just then a priest Seerah walks up to her and bows saying "Greetings my guardian, the Queen demands for your presence immediately".
Moise says "Alright I will be with you soon" then turns to Xota and asks "Let me take that with me".
Xota pulls back saying "Sorry but all books must remain in the library, no exceptions, even the King's Daughter must obey rules".
Moise sighs, "Very well".
She gets up carrying the boy and hands him over to his terrified mother.
She leaves with Seerah and goes to the market square where a huge crowd has gathered.
They make way for her as she walks towards the area where her family is seated.
She greets them but before she can take her seat the announcer blows his trumpet and says "Moise daughter of the great King Menes and guardian of the light, we welcome you to these games which we hold in your honour".
She responds, "I am truly honoured by this event, I hereby declare these games open".
The crowd erupts into cheers amidst the loud banging of drums.
Just as the announcer leaves the stage and Moise takes her seat an elder, Ezek, comes forward to greet the king.
"Praise be upon you my lord".
King Menes acknowledges his presence, "My greetings to you and blessings upon your house".
Just as he is about to walk away Moise remarks, "Elder we did not see you at the convergence ceremony yesterday, was there any reason for your absence?".
He turns around slowly and responds, "I arrived late as I had a personal matter to attend to".
Moise tells him, "I just wanted to ensure all my subjects were safe, there have been some suspicious people lurking around".
He takes offence to this and replies "Know your place girl, you may hold a power beyond your understanding, but you do not rule this land or me!" then storms off angrily.
Queens Menefer furrows her brow at Moise who collapses into her seat out of embarrassment.
She watches the games play out but gets bored after some time but entrance of wrestlers onto the stage sparks her interest and she watches them display their strength trying to pin each other.
After a tense battle one of the men emerges victorious and the whole crowd cheers. Moise gets up from her seat and excitedly congratulates him "Well done great warrior, what is your name?".
He puts his hand to his chest and proudly proclaims "I am Hati son of Zakish" while his opponent leaves the field in disgrace.
Moise responds "Hope you still have strength left in you for I will be your next opponent". The whole crowd falls silent and stares at her as she walks towards him.
Menefer grabs her husband's hand and whispers to him "My love, stop her before she does something she will regret".
He rebuffs her whispering "No, I wish to see how this will play out".
Moise and Hati stand six feet apart and stare each other down. Hati although nervous to be fighting the King's daughter, is confident that he will win.
The announcer blows his trump and they rush at each other with lightning speed. Hati uses his greater size and grabs Moises' head, she responds by striking his ribs with her elbow, pushing him off. They come for each other again, this time Moise swings her left arm and lands a solid strike on his jaw and he responds with a kick right to her gut which sends her flying.
Moise quickly turns to land on her feet and shouts arrogantly "Is that your best?".
They rush at each other again and clasp hands in a fierce contest. Hati gains the upper hand and is about to force Moise into the ground when she grunts "You… will… not…".
Her heart starts to beat uncontrollably as her eyes and hair glow with a blinding light. She summons all the strength in her and launches into the air still holding onto Hati's hands then uses her downward momentum to slam him into the ground screaming "YOU WILL NOT WIN!".
The crowd watches awestruck through the thick crowd of dust as the glow of Moise's eyes and hair fades.
They cheer for her and she jumps in celebration over Hati's unconscious body which has become one with the earth.
She carelessly swings her arm, releasing a strong bolt of lightning which strikes the ground, causing rocks to fly into the air and people near the blast to scramble for safety.
She flinches, shocked at what she had done and turns to see her parents glaring angrily at her.
She smiles nervously, dreading what would happen next.
Sequence 3
Menes and Menefer argue over Moise in their private quarters, the Queen screams, "I told you, no, I begged you not to let her do it and look what it caused!".
Menes fires back slamming his fist to the wall, "I have my reasons!".
Menefer points accusingly, "What reason could you possibly have for indulging our daughter in such reckless behaviour!? People could have died because she has no control over the gift".
Menes replies calmly "Exactly".
Menefer folds her arms and pouts, "So what shall we do with her?".
He tells the Queen "Her pride is bruised, the first punishment, I shall make room for more but now you must teach her a very important lesson".
The Queen responds "Very well, I shall see to it immediately" and leaves the room for Menes to brood.
Moise paces around in her room, restlessly worrying about her fate.
Her friend Neke tries to reassure her, "Moise please calm yourself".
Moise responds frantically, "How can I? Father looked so angry with me!" before collapsing onto the bed and burying her face into her hide pillow.
Neke sneaks over and cuddles her from behind saying, "You will be alright dear".
Suddenly, Queen Menefer barges in saying "Am I interrupting something?".
Moise pushes Neke off and gasps, "Mother!".
The Queen says with authority, "Neke, out, now".
Neke bows and hurriedly leaves saying, "Yes my Queen".
Moise sits nervously at the corner of the bed as her mother points to her saying, "And you, come with me. Bring your spear along".
She meekly replies, "Yes mother" and reluctantly pulls her spear off it's rack.
Moise quietly follows her mother from the palace until they leave the city walls.
They walk far into the plains outside the city until the Queen stops to tell her, "We have arrived, give me your weapon".
Moise obeys and gives her the spear before kneeling down to plead, "Mother I'm sorry".
Menefer stamps the spear into the ground and tells her, "Get up, I did not raise a weakling".
Moise stands as her mother continues, "The great Lord must have played a joke on me. Of all the people to bless with his gift, he gave it to you who has so much already. This power is not something that is given on a whim, you must earn the right to be called guardian".
Putting her hand to her chest, Moise asks, "What must I do?".
The Queen responds, "The power that lies within your heart, tap into its rhythm and let it flow".
Moise's heart starts to beat rapidly as her hair and eyes glow blue, sparks ripple all over her body and grow in intensity. She looks down at herself and says "Mother… I'm scared".
Her mother simply replies "Do not be afraid, embrace the power, let it flow and release it".
Emboldened by these words Moise widens her stance takes a deep breath and releases a thunderous bolt of lightning from her left hand into the air. The flash can be seen throughout the city even up to the King's private chambers.
The glow fades and Moise leans over exhausted. Her mother asks "How did it feel?". Moise jumps up shouting "That was amazing! Can I do it again?".
Menefer laughs, "Please don't, I can't carry you all the way back home".
Moise remarks, "I have never shot a bolt like that before, what else can I do with this gift?".
The Queen replies, "There is still more that I will teach you, this is just the start so you know exactly what you are capable of, and restrain yourself accordingly. Now please, let's go home, I have work to do".
As they walk back to the city and ascend the steps to the palace, Moise turns to her mother and says "Thank you for showing me the way, and also being merciful".
Queen Menefer lays her hand on her daughter's shoulder and says, "I am only doing my duty as a priest, a teacher, a Queen and most importantly a mother" then snaps her fingers to get the attention of the nearby guards.
They surround Moise who nervously asks, "Am I under arrest?"
The Queen responds "Do not think I have forgotten your punishment, for your own safety and the safety of everyone else you will be watched every second of every day until you can control yourself".
Moise groans but realises she is powerless to stop it, "Very well, may I at least go to the library?".
The Queen squeezes her daughter's left cheek saying, "Oh alright, but stay out of trouble".
Beleka, one of the King's Guards says "We will make sure of it".
Sequence 4
The four guards surround Moise on all sides and escort her closely to the library, Moise asks out of boredom, "Do you really have to follow me everywhere?".
Beleka responds, "Yes".
Moise says in response, "Well then I order you to stop following me".
Chieel tells her angrily, "We answer only to the King".
Moise laughs this off, "When I become Queen you'll be sorry".
Chieel tells her, "I shall pay sacrifice to the great Lord so the King may outlive me".
Moise pouts silently until they get to the library where she meets Neke who eagerly awaits her arrival.
There they spend hours pouring over the various books in the library, combat manuals and spell guides, Moise takes a particular interest in the books detailing the exploits of past heros, which surprises Neke, "I never knew you as someone with an affinity for reading, I always thought you preferred to get your hands dirty".
Moise smirks and responds, "There is still so much I need to know, if something big is coming I need to be ready, also I need to find a way to escape my captors" she says, pointing to the guards closely watching her from across the room.
Neke hands her a book saying, "This might help, I found it just lying out of place".
Moise picks it up and remarks, "Hmm 'The art of Illusion'.... Neke this is a children's book".
She also cringes seeing that there's a development of red wax at the back pages but her friend presses her to read it saying "Try ittttt".
Moise gives in and looks through the book noticing some pages have been ripped from it. She glances through guides on how to make sedatives from flowers and how to escape locks but until she reads a very strange warning which says;
"Tame your spark when near this book as the wax which binds the pages is highly reactive and may explode".
An idea sparks in Moise's head and she whispers to Neke, "Read through this guide, prepare a mixture for me and release it in the royal garden as I walk by".
Neke leaves to carry out the task as Moise scoops some wax under her skirt and continues reading until night falls.
The library closes for the day and Moise asks her guards, "I would like to sit in the gardens for a while before I retire for the night".
Chieel gets suspicious and asks, "What we're you discussing in the library"?
Moise scoffs at this saying, "None of your concern, your job is to watch me and not to pry into my affairs. Now I am going to the gardens and it would serve you well to follow unless you would like to experience my father's wrath".
Chieel, disgusted by these words, raises her hand to slap Moise but Beleka grabs it and stares her down saying, "Very well, we will follow but we must leave as soon as possible".
Moise giggles smugly and leads them to the trap in the garden, as they enter the gates Moise holds her breath, closes her eyes and claps twice. The guards are confused by her behaviour but before they can say anything are hit by the sleeping gas which renders them unconscious.
Moise simply walks over them to what looks like certain freedom but succumbs to the gas when she fails to contain her laughter. Neke, who covered her face with cloth when preparing the mixture, drags Moise aside and moans "Moise! Moise! Get up! Don't make me do this".
She pulls down her mask and buries her fangs into Moise's left arm which shocks her back to her senses "Owww! What did you do that for!?".
Neke says hurriedly, while tossing her mask away, "You can scold me later, now we've got to get out of here before they wake up".
The two girls laugh and make their escape but they are watched by two figures hiding behind a bush.
One says, "We must strike now while she is still weak".
The other figure responds, "Be patient young one, she may yet aid us in our mission. She will shake the foundations and when the time is right…"
"...their house will fall!".
The End?