Scene 1: Elliotte and Anther in the Market Square

The market buzzed with the hum of voices and clinking metal as two boys wove through the crowd.

"Bet you can't catch me, Elliotte!" Anther called, laughing as he darted through a narrow alley, his sandy hair catching the sunlight.

Elliotte dodged a fruit cart, grinning. "Oh yeah? Just wait till I—" He was cut off by an old woman shaking her fist after he nearly bumped her basket of eggs.

Anther slowed, letting Elliotte catch up. "You know, one day, your father's going to find out about all this sneaking around," he said, only half-joking. "And he's going to make you scrub floors or something."

Elliotte shrugged. "My father doesn't have to know everything. Besides, who else am I going to race through the market with? No one else has the guts to keep up."

Anther laughed and clapped Elliotte on the shoulder. "Lucky me, then!"

Just then, Lily, Anther's little sister, ran up and tugged on Elliotte's tunic. "Do you have any new stories about the palace?"

Elliotte crouched down, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Maybe… but if I tell you, you can't tell anyone. It's top secret."

Lily's eyes widened with excitement. "I promise! Not even a whisper!"

Scene 2: The Ceremony of the Light Ring

Back at the palace, William Lancaster's stern gaze fixed on his son. He held a box with an ornate ring that shimmered even in the dim light of the throne room.

"Today marks the beginning of your responsibility, Elliotte," William intoned, as he opened the box to reveal the ring of light, Exilibur.

Elliotte looked down at the ring, his heart pounding. "But, Father… why now?"

William's brow furrowed. "Because you are thirteen now, old enough to bear the weight of power. This ring binds you to our family's duty. It will give you the strength you need to protect the kingdom."

Elliotte hesitated but finally slipped the ring on. As he did, a wave of energy surged through him, the ring glowed fiercely as the light morphed into a gleaming blade of ethereal steel in his hand.

William's expression softened, just slightly. "There is more to it than that, Elliotte. Exilibur is but the first. There are nine others, hidden in this world. You must find them and complete the power of the light."

Elliotte nodded, but a thought tugged at him. "Why is it just the royals that can use this power?"

William's gaze turned cold. "Power belongs to those who can wield it wisely. And commoners are… unfit for such a burden."

Elliotte opened his mouth to argue, but William raised his hand, dismissing him. "Enough questions, Elliotte. Remember, duty above all."

Scene 3: Anther Receives the Wooden Ring

Anther and his father Jacob wandered through the commons, browsing the wares of a visiting merchant.

"Look at this, Father!" Anther's voice was filled with awe as he held up a small wooden ring with a peculiar carved design.

Jacob chuckled. "A bit plain for jewelry, don't you think?"

"But it's… I don't know. It feels special." Anther grinned, his eyes pleading.

Jacob rolled his eyes, reaching into his coin pouch. "Alright, alright. But don't go thinking it's magic or anything. It's just wood."

Anther slipped it onto his finger, smiling with satisfaction. "Thanks, Father! I'll keep it safe."

Later that night, alone in the fields, Anther's hand started to ache fiercely. He gasped as wisps of dark magic spiraled from the ring, and he clutched his wrist, gritting his teeth.

"What… what is this?" He staggered, pressing his hand against his chest, willing himself to stay calm. The magic settled, but Anther could feel it pulsing inside him. "I don't understand… this can't be real."

Scene 4: Elliotte's Discovery

The next morning, Elliotte hurried out to meet Anther in the fields. As he drew closer, he saw Anther practicing with the ring, tendrils of dark energy coiling around his hand.

"Anther!" Elliotte called, stopping short as he took in the sight. His eyes widened. "What… what are you doing?"

Anther's face fell, the magic fading from his hand as he hid the ring behind his back. "Elliotte, I… it's nothing. Just a… just something I found."

Elliotte's gaze was fixed on Anther's hand. "That's magic. Anther, that ring—my father said commoners aren't supposed to have them. If he finds out…"

Anther's eyes darkened, a defiant edge in his voice. "So what? Why should they get to decide who uses magic? Maybe we deserve some of this power too!"

Elliotte hesitated, torn. "I… I have to tell him, Anther. Maybe he'll just take it and leave you alone. I'll make sure he understands."

Anther stared at him, a flash of betrayal in his eyes. "You'd go to your father over me?"

"Anther, please. I just don't want you to get hurt."

But as Elliotte walked away, he couldn't shake the dread in his stomach.

Scene 5: The Midnight Raid

That night, a pounding at the Ashford family's door woke Anther from a fitful sleep. Jacob rushed to the door, opening it to see royal guards in the doorway.

"Where is the ring?" one guard growled, grabbing Jacob by the front of his tunic.

Jacob, his face pale, stammered, "Ring? I don't know what you're talking about—please, just leave us alone!"

The guard struck him across the face. "Don't play games with us. The order is clear. Hand over the ring, or face the consequences."

Anther, clutching Lily's hand, whispered, "Run, Lily. Don't look back."

The guards continued their assault, and Jacob cried out in pain. One guard raised his sword, and Anther watched, frozen, as his father's head fell to the floor.

Lily's scream filled the room, but the guards turned on their mother, dragging her outside as she kicked and screamed.

"No! Stop! She doesn't know anything!" Anther cried, running after them, but they held him back, forcing him to watch as they tied his mother to a tree and set it ablaze.

Anther's last look at his mother's face was one of horror and helplessness, her eyes pleading even as the flames consumed her.

With Lily sobbing beside him, Anther pulled her into the woods, stumbling in the darkness, his hand clutching the wooden ring. He whispered, "I swear… I'll make them pay."

Scene 6: Elliotte's Realization

The next morning, Elliotte slipped away from the palace to see Anther. As he reached the commons, he stopped short at the sight of the charred remains of the Ashford home.

"No…" Elliotte whispered, his heart sinking. He stumbled forward, his gaze scanning the ruins until he saw a royal guard leaving the area. The truth hit him like a punch.

"Father… he didn't spare them." Elliotte sank to his knees, the weight of his guilt crushing him. "I trusted him… I thought he'd help."

He touched the ring on his finger, feeling its warmth now like a curse. "Anther… I'm so sorry."

Elliotte clenched his fist, tears streaming down his face, swearing to himself that somehow, he'd make things right. But he knew that after what he'd done, nothing would ever be the same.