KING'S CHAMBER
Sunlight streams through the ornate windows, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. KING JOHN sits on the throne, his face etched with a grim expression. The letter, with its chilling message from the "Black Wolf," lies crumpled in his hand.
CSO MARKUS
(Concerned)
Your Majesty, what is wrong? You look… troubled.
JOHN
(Voice low and dangerous)
There is going to be a war, Markus.
MARKUS
(Stuttering)
War? How… war? What do you mean?
JOHN
(Eyes fixed on the crumpled letter)
Black Wolf… he's coming back. He intends to reclaim the kingdom.
MARKUS
(Scoffs)
But… but Your Majesty, he's a madman! Exiled, disgraced…
JOHN
(Cutting him off)
He's also powerful, Markus. Incredibly powerful. He wouldn't dare to threaten us unless he possessed a force to be reckoned with.
MARKUS
(Concerned)
But… but Your Majesty, we have built a strong army. We are prepared.
JOHN
(Shaking his head)
He claims our power is nothing compared to his.
MARKUS
(Frowning)
He's bluffing.
JOHN
(His voice hardening)
I don't think so, Markus. I don't think so at all.
SECRET UNDERGROUND CHAMBER
The air is thick with the scent of ozone and damp earth. King John, accompanied by Markus, descends a long, winding staircase, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Finally, they reach the bottom, entering a vast cavernous chamber. Strange, glowing orbs illuminate the room, casting an ethereal glow on the scene.
JOHN
(Whispering)
This place… it's magnificent.
MARKUS
(Eyes wide)
This is… this is the legendary Chamber of Power.
In the center of the chamber stands a circular table, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light. Three orbs, pulsating with an eerie glow, rest on the table. One, a fiery red, the second, a deep, inky blue, and the third, swirling with a vortex of green energy.
Suddenly, a voice echoes through the chamber, deep and resonant.
VOICE
(From the shadows)
Who dares to disturb the sanctity of this place?
John and Markus turn to see an ancient figure emerge from the shadows.
JOHN
(Bowing his head)
Your Majesty.
VOICE
(Drawing closer)
King John. And you, Markus.
The figure steps into the light. It is MASTER SHAKHTER, the last surviving descendant of the ancient order of protectors, a man whose age seemed to defy the laws of time.
SHAKHTER
(To John)
What brings you to this sacred place, young King?
JOHN
(Concerned)
Master Shakhter, we are facing a grave threat. Black Wolf… he is returning.
SHAKHTER
(Eyes narrowing)
Black Wolf…
JOHN
(Continuing)
He claims his power surpasses our own.
MARKUS
I think he's bluffing master.
SHAKHTER
(A long silence)
He is not bluffing. Black Wolf possesses ancient magic, powers long thought lost.
JOHN
(Determined)
Then we must prepare. We must be stronger.
SHAKHTER
(Nodding)
You are correct. The time has come.
Master Shakhter asked the King to lie down on a bed in the room. John, despite his apprehension, complied. The ancient mage moved with a grace that belied his age, his hands glowing with an ethereal light. He began to chant, an ancient incantation that echoed through the chamber, the air crackling with energy.
The fiery orb on the table began to pulsate violently, its color deepening to a blood red. Master Shakhter, with a swift movement, poured a portion of the shimmering blue liquid onto the orb. The fire roared, intensifying a hundredfold, its heat radiating outwards, scorching the air.
John, his hands bound to the bed, felt a searing pain pierce his chest. The fiery energy, amplified by the blue liquid, surged through his veins, igniting a power within him he had never known existed. He screamed, the sound echoing through the cavernous chamber, a primal cry of both agony and exhilaration.
JOHN
(Screaming)
PALACE COURTYARD
A large crowd gathers in the courtyard, their faces etched with worry. Markus, his voice grave, addresses them.
MARKUS
(To the crowd)
My fellow citizens, I bring grave news. Black Wolf, the exiled King, has returned. He seeks to reclaim the throne and plunge our kingdom back into darkness.
A wave of fear sweeps through the crowd.
MARKUS
(Continuing)
But fear not! His Majesty, our King, will not yield! He will fight for our freedom, for our very survival!
MARKUS
(Raising his voice)
All able-bodied men, prepare for war! Report to the training grounds immediately!
The crowd, despite their fear, responds with a surge of defiance. They will not be cowed by the threat of the Black Wolf. They will fight for their King, for their freedom, for their very lives.