(3rd Person POV)
Within a week of its opening, Hell'a Fun! began receiving a flood of inquiries and proposals from companies eager to establish their own locations. Many of these interested parties were the very business guests who had attended the initial introduction, now fully convinced of the arcade's potential.
Discussions about construction plans and site selection for new Hell'a Fun! branches throughout Horn City were already underway.
With the filming of Lord of the Rings wrapped up, George shifted his full attention to the business side of things.
One particular businessman caught his eye—Yamauchi from Japon, who had not only applied for a franchise but was also actively scouting locations to open a Hell'a Fun! in his home country.
George extended his full support to Yamauchi, recognizing the significance of having the first international Hell'a Fun! branch. The prospect of expanding beyond the borders of Horn Kingdom was an exciting milestone for the fledgling franchise.
The business side of Hell'a Fun! was thriving, with investors drawn to the low-risk, high-reward potential of the arcade. The unique concept and proven success of the flagship location had instilled confidence in the franchise's future.
Meanwhile, in the realm of filmmaking, Arthur was putting the finishing touches on the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.
The plot of this sequel had diverged significantly from the version Arthur remembered from his previous life, adding an element of intrigue and novelty to the project.
Simultaneously, the filming of Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was in full swing, though its completion was still a ways off. The ambitious endeavor of shooting two films concurrently had not gone unnoticed by the media.
Rumors began to circulate, and soon enough, leaked information from Hellfire employees started making headlines in local newspapers and TV broadcasts.
"Breaking News: Arthur Pendragon Attempting the Impossible! Sources Confirm Simultaneous Filming of Two Lord of the Rings Sequels!"
"Insiders Reveal Arthur Pendragon's Bold Move: Shooting Two Epic Films at Once!"
"Titan Pictures CEO Skeptical of Arthur Pendragon's Ambitious Project, Calls It 'Madness'"
The buzz around Arthur's audacious filmmaking feat spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of media outlets not only in Horn Kingdom but also in Evros, Empirica, the Middle East, and Eden.
The revelation that the films in question were sequels to the immensely popular Lord of the Rings franchise only fueled the media frenzy.
Journalists and commentators seized the opportunity to capitalize on the hype, knowing full well the global impact the original film had made just a few years prior.
The news reignited the "One Ring" craze, with fans worldwide eagerly speculating about the plot and direction of the upcoming sequels. The mere rumor of Arthur's involvement in expanding the Lord of the Rings saga had millions of devoted followers buzzing with anticipation.
Amidst the swirling rumors, an unbelievable piece of information found its way to the public – Arthur Pendragon had allegedly secured the cooperation of two dragons for the filming of the Lord of the Rings sequels.
This news stretched the limits of credibility, and without concrete evidence, many dismissed it as nothing more than a sensationalized fabrication. The secrecy surrounding the filming locations, with most scenes being shot within the confines of the VFX Studio, only fueled the skepticism. Occasional outdoor shoots provided little insight, leaving the question of the dragons' involvement shrouded in mystery.
***
Inside the VFX Studio, the growing hype surrounding the Lord of the Rings sequels did little to distract Arthur and his dedicated crew from their work. They remained laser-focused on the task at hand, pouring their energy into crafting the epic films.
While The Two Towers had wrapped up filming and entered the editing phase, The Return of the King continued to demand their undivided attention. The production had already spanned several months, making it the longest and most ambitious project Arthur had ever undertaken.
The extended time on set had forged deep bonds among the cast members, transforming professional relationships into genuine friendships. Arthur, not only as the director but also in his role as Aragorn, found himself growing closer to the cast and crew with each passing day.
His connection with Firfel, who portrayed Arwen, Aragorn's love interest, had evolved beyond mere friendship. Though neither had openly acknowledged their feelings, the chemistry between them was palpable.
During a break in filming, Firfel approached Arthur, a question burning on her lips. "I know people have been asking, but I can't help but wonder – do you plan to release the two Lord of the Rings sequels simultaneously?"
Arthur chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee before responding. "It's still under consideration. Whether we opt for a few months' gap or a full year between releases will depend on finding the right timing."
Firfel smiled, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I'm sure the fans would be thrilled if both films hit the theaters at once."
Nearly choking on his drink, Arthur laughed at the suggestion. "Release them together? Why not just combine the two into a single epic film?"
Firfel's laughter mingled with his, the joy of their shared vision filling the air.
As filming resumed, the actors, particularly Lewis Light, showcased the depth of their immersion in their roles. Months of inhabiting these characters had imbued their performances with a level of authenticity that was truly remarkable.
Even the orcs, initially wary of the dragons' presence, had grown accustomed to their scaly co-stars. During breaks, they could be seen engaging in playful interactions with the majestic creatures, a testament to the camaraderie that had blossomed on set.
***
As February drew to a close, the filming of The Return of the King approached its grand finale.
Arthur, embodying the triumphant Aragorn, stood amidst his allies, their faces alight with the joy of victory.
Firfel, radiant in her role as Arwen, stood nearby, her eyes locked with Arthur's. In a moment that blurred the line between fiction and reality, they shared a deep, passionate kiss.
The entire set fell silent, actors and crew alike transfixed by the raw emotion that seemed to transcend the boundaries of their characters.
Arthur and Firfel's kiss lingered, the intensity of their connection palpable to all who bore witness.
As Firfel melted into the kiss with Arthur, she found herself surrendering to the moment, her fingers instinctively reaching up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.
Arthur's hand gently caressed her silken locks, the tenderness of his touch sending shivers down her spine. Then, in a bold move that caught her off guard, he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue, seeking entrance.
Firfel's eyes flew open, her heart racing at the unexpected intimacy. 'Are we still acting?' she wondered, her mind reeling.
Yet, to her surprise, she felt no inclination to resist. The walls she had so carefully constructed around her heart crumbled, and she parted her lips, inviting him to deepen the kiss.
Their tongues danced, exploring each other with a passion that ignited the very air around them. Arthur, equally astonished by Firfel's willingness, lost himself in the intoxicating taste of her, the rest of the world fading away.
The cameras captured every moment, the intensity of their connection palpable even through the lens. The other actors, initially smiling for the sake of the scene, found their expressions transforming into genuine grins as they witnessed the raw emotions unfolding before them.
Lewis Light leaned closer to his elven co-star, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Looks like they're finally acknowledging their feelings for each other," he whispered conspiratorially.
The elf chuckled, nodding in agreement.
Over the months of filming, the cast and crew had become privy to the undeniable chemistry between Arthur and Firfel, the unspoken attraction simmering beneath the surface. It seemed that the kissing scene had provided the perfect catalyst for them to express what had been brewing in their hearts.
The kiss lingered, stretching on for a full two minutes as Arthur and Firfel lost themselves in each other, the world around them fading into insignificance. It was only when the cameraman and the rest of the cast simultaneously cleared their throats that the couple became aware of their prolonged display of affection.
They broke apart, cheeks flushed and eyes averted, the weight of their actions settling upon them. Arthur's gaze sought Firfel's, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, the intensity of the moment still too raw.
Flustered, Arthur addressed the crowd, his voice uncharacteristically low. "I guess that's a..." He paused, swallowing hard. "Cut."
As the word left his lips, the entire set erupted in applause, the sound reverberating through the studio.
With that, the filming of The Return of the King came to a close, the final scene etched not only on film but also in the hearts of those who had witnessed it.
Lewis Light joined in the applause, a smile stretching across his face. In all his years in the industry, he could say with certainty that this had been the longest and most memorable movie he had ever been a part of.
Months had passed swiftly, and as March drew near, they reflected on their journey with pride and fulfillment, knowing they had crafted something remarkable together.