At the palace, in the king's chamber.
The king exhales deeply after a long moment of thought.
"Do I really have to go back to that unstable woman again for solutions... (Exhales again) Right now, I don't have a choice."
He stands and says, "I'll head out in the morning."
At Melina's store.
"Alex! Alex!"
He responds quickly, "Yes, Mum!" and rushes in to meet her.
"Alex, hm, there's something you need to know. You might not understand it now, but you will eventually. I'm telling you because I'm not sure what fate has planned. Do you understand, child?"
Alex, curious, replies, "Yes, I do, Mum," as he sits directly in front of her.
With a smirk, she touches his head.
"My baby, you've grown so much over the years. At first, I thought I couldn't go through with it..." (Tears rolling down her cheeks) "...but I'm glad I did—with no regrets."
Alex hugs his mum, trying to comfort her. She continues,
"You've turned out to be an amazing child, and I'm proud to be called your mother."
Alex, a bit shocked by the comment, says,
"Mum, of course, I'm also proud to be your son."
She exhales and says, "I have to tell you a little about my story to help you understand."
Back at the king's palace,
The king departs with a guard, leaving the general in charge. He explains he's heading out on an important mission concerning the kingdom and instructs the general to keep watch—no royal mistresses are to leave the palace.
The king and his guard ride off on horseback. After a long ride, the king halts the guard some distance from an eerie, isolated house.
"Stop right here. I'll walk from here."
The guard, looking worried, asks, "Are you sure, Your Majesty? This area doesn't seem safe."
The king replies firmly, "It's an order. Just stay back. I'll walk from here."
The guard bows, concerned. "Yes, Your Majesty."
As the king approaches the house, he observes the sinister surroundings—fetish objects, animal skulls, and dead creatures hanging. He thinks to himself, This place hasn't changed in years… if anything, it's gotten worse.
He knocks on the door. No answer. He knocks again. Suddenly, the door creaks open on its own. He steps inside.
"Hello? Old lady? Anyone home?"
After a moment, an old woman appears from a room.
"And who dares step into the abode of the Scarlet Queen?"
The king bows his head in fear.
"It's just me… the man you made king."
She replies, "Ah, you've returned—after all these years."
"Yes, ma'am. I've come again... I have a favor to ask."
She scoffs, "Of what use am I to the king once again?"
He responds in desperation, "Power! I seek power! I have a lot to lose if I don't have it."
With a twisted grin, she asks, "Hmm… what other power does the mighty king require?"
He clarifies, "Not that kind of power. I need the kind to conquer my enemies."
She peers into his eyes.
"Ahh... I see. You're afraid." (She laughs.) "And what kind of threat puts the great king in such discomfort?"
The king kneels before her.
"It's fate. I'm in a battle against fate."
Surprised, she asks, "Fate, you say? That's the greatest enemy of every living thing. Everything is subject to fate—it brings balance to all life."
She then asks, "And what fate has been laid out for you?"
The king replies, "My downfall—slaughtered by an unknown enemy. That's why I've come to seek your help."
Her tone shifts to seriousness.
"Fate is an unchangeable point in life. I'm sorry… but your fate has been sealed."
Frustrated, the king rises.
"No! It can't end like this! There has to be something I can do! I can't go down this easily, not after everything I've sacrificed!"
She snaps, "And that's why you created your own fate. Your greed, thirst for power, pride, and sins have forged it. Life has a way of repaying you."
The king bows his head, frustration filling his eyes.
"Why? Why—after all I've done to get here?"
She softens slightly.
"Yes, fate can't be changed. It will come to pass. But… it can be delayed."
The king looks up at her, surprised and hopeful.
"Yes… I can't give you the power you desire, but I can share power with people around you."
He asks, "Why is that?"
She answers, "Because you are the one with a sealed fate. No matter how powerful you become, you'll still be subject to it."
The king exhales deeply, lost in thought.
She continues, "I can give power to whomever you choose—but not to you. That would be a waste."
After a moment, the king decides.
"I have three sons: Rufus, Rafael, and Williams. I want you to make them powerful—so powerful that they can conquer nations alone. I want them to lead wars and become the most feared men alive."
She smirks.
"Wise king. It is done."
She stretches forth her hand, chanting incantations. The weather shifts; nature becomes unstable. The house trembles. A shadowy figure with a purple aura appears behind her.
She commands in a deep voice, "Go!"
The figure screeches, vanishing into the sky at the speed of sound. Outside, the guard cowers on the ground as the unnatural event unfolds.
Is the king okay in there? Should I go in? Or follow my orders...?
After the chaos, the old woman tells the king,
"You can stand now. It's done."
The king bows.
"Thank you, Scarlet Witch. Still as powerful as I remember. What do you want in return?"
She smiles.
"Oh, I'm feeling generous today. I'm satisfied with what you gave me before—part of the kingdom. After helping you with a simple memory spell, I got my reward. The people there serve as excellent bait."
The king, concerned, says,
"I've heard rumors that people in that region are suffering. May I ask—what are you doing to them?"
She glares at him.
"Don't you dare question me."
Frightened, the king apologizes,
"I'm sorry for my ignorance. I'll take my leave now."
He exits. As he approaches the guard, the latter whispers to himself,
What in the world happened in there? What is the king involved in? Not that I'll ask him anyway.
The king orders, "Let's return to the palace."
Back at Melina's store.
"And that's how I named you Alex—short for Alexander."
Tears stream down Alex's face.
"Mum, is that why we're in hiding? Why we can't go home?"
She holds his hands.
"Yes, son. It's not time yet. My master told me that when the time is right, I'll know."
Alex mutters, "Master Jonathan… my mum… Bellingham…"
(He holds his head, the symbols on his hands beginning to glow.)
Melina rushes to him, embracing him tightly.
"Alex! Alex! It's okay, son—it's okay. I love you as my son. Nothing can change that."
Eventually, the symbols stop blinking. Alex sobs loudly in her arms, holding her tightly.
As she holds him, Melina looks up and thinks to herself,
Am I doing the right thing? Things have gotten so complicated... I don't know what to do next.
She whispers a short prayer, asking the gods for guidance and wisdom.
Let me know if you'd like this broken into scenes, formatted for a script, or want a title suggestion for the chapter.