SINNER
[Scene: Deep Within the Forest – Near a Raging River]
(Lucian and Elara move swiftly through the thick undergrowth, the sounds of the mercenaries fading behind them. The moon is still high, but the first hints of dawn creep over the horizon. The temple ruins lie ahead, but the journey is treacherous.)
ELARA: (panting) "Do you ever stop moving?"
LUCIAN: (grinning) "Do you ever stop complaining?"
ELARA: (glaring) "I'm not complaining, I'm questioning whether you have some unnatural ability to ignore exhaustion."
LUCIAN: (mocking) "Maybe I do. Maybe I feed on the annoyance of witches."
ELARA: (deadpan) "Well, in that case, you must be immortal."
(Lucian chuckles but doesn't slow down. The trees thin, revealing a rocky incline that leads to a fast-moving river. The bridge that once spanned across is nothing more than broken planks and twisted ropes.)
ELARA: (frowning) "The bridge is gone."
LUCIAN: (dryly) "Excellent observation, little witch."
ELARA: "Can you be serious for once?"
LUCIAN: "Where's the fun in that?"
(Elara steps closer to the edge, peering at the rushing water below. The river is deep, the current strong. Crossing won't be easy.)
ELARA: "We'll have to find another way."
LUCIAN: (smirking) "Or we jump."
ELARA: (staring) "You cannot be serious."
LUCIAN: (grinning) "Come on, Elara. You trust me, don't you?"
ELARA: (scoffing) "Absolutely not."
(Lucian laughs, stepping closer to the edge. Without another word, he jumps. Elara gasps, rushing forward just in time to see him land gracefully on a rock in the middle of the river. He turns, flashing a cocky smile.)
LUCIAN: "See? Easy."
ELARA: (muttering) "Arrogant idiot."
(She takes a deep breath, tightening her grip on her cloak. Then, before she can think too much, she jumps. Her feet land on the slick rock, but she slips—Lucian grabs her wrist just in time, pulling her upright.)
LUCIAN: (grinning) "Told you it was easy."
ELARA: (scowling) "Let go of me before I push you in."
(Lucian chuckles but doesn't release her until she's steady. Together, they leap to the next rock, then another, until they reach the opposite shore. As soon as her boots touch solid ground, Elara exhales in relief.)
ELARA: "Never again."
LUCIAN: (smirking) "I'll remember that."
[Scene: A Hidden Path – Near the Temple Ruins]
(They push forward, the air growing heavier with silence. The ruins loom ahead, half-buried in twisted vines and crumbling stone. But something feels wrong.)
ELARA: (whispering) "We're being watched."
LUCIAN: (casually resting a hand on his sword) "I know."
ELARA: (narrowing her eyes) "And you didn't think to tell me?"
LUCIAN: (smirking) "I didn't want to ruin the surprise."
(Before she can respond, figures emerge from the shadows—six of them, dressed in dark leathers, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. A woman steps forward, her black hair braided tight, her expression unreadable.)
WOMAN: (coolly) "Lucian Draven."
LUCIAN: (grinning) "Ravenna. It's been too long."
RAVENNA: (raising an eyebrow) "Not long enough."
ELARA: (whispering) "Who is she?"
LUCIAN: (amused) "A thief. A liar. And the second most dangerous person I know."
RAVENNA: (mocking) "Only second?"
LUCIAN: (grinning) "I had to give myself first place."
RAVENNA: (scoffing) "Still arrogant, I see."
ELARA: (frowning) "You two know each other?"
RAVENNA: (glancing at Elara) "Unfortunately."
LUCIAN: "Ravenna and I go way back. She once tried to steal my sword."
RAVENNA: (shrugging) "And I would have succeeded if you hadn't been so insufferable."
ELARA: (muttering) "That checks out."
RAVENNA: (crossing her arms) "What are you doing here, Lucian?"
LUCIAN: "Just passing through."
RAVENNA: (deadpan) "Through my territory?"
ELARA: (whispering) "She owns this place?"
LUCIAN: "Owns is a strong word. She controls it."
RAVENNA: (smirking) "And you're trespassing."
(Elara tenses as Ravenna's men tighten their grip on their weapons. Lucian, however, looks completely at ease.)
LUCIAN: "Come now, Ravenna. We both know you won't kill me."
RAVENNA: (raising an eyebrow) "And why's that?"
LUCIAN: "Because you like me."
RAVENNA: (deadpan) "I hate you."
LUCIAN: (grinning) "Same thing."
(Ravenna exhales, pinching the bridge of her nose as if dealing with a headache.)
RAVENNA: (to Elara) "Is he always like this?"
ELARA: (dryly) "Unfortunately."
RAVENNA: (sighing) "Fine. You can pass. But only because I don't have the patience to deal with you right now."
LUCIAN: (mock bowing) "Your kindness is overwhelming."
(Ravenna ignores him, turning her gaze to Elara.)
RAVENNA: "But you… You're the king's runaway healer, aren't you?"
(Elara stiffens. Lucian's playful demeanor fades instantly, his body shifting slightly in front of Elara.)
ELARA: (cautiously) "Why do you care?"
RAVENNA: (smirking) "Because the bounty on your head is twice the price of Lucian's."
LUCIAN: (mock-offended) "Twice? That's just insulting."
RAVENNA: (ignoring him) "Relax, little healer. I'm not interested in gold. But you should know—you're not the only one looking for what's hidden in the ruins."
(Elara's breath catches.)
ELARA: "What do you mean?"
RAVENNA: "The king's men were here. Searching."
LUCIAN: (low voice) "Did they find anything?"
RAVENNA: (shaking her head) "No. But they're close."
(Elara's stomach twists. If the king's men were searching, then time was running out. She looks at Lucian, her expression urgent.)
ELARA: "We need to hurry."
LUCIAN: (nodding) "Then let's not waste any more time."
(Ravenna watches them for a moment before stepping aside, signaling her men to stand down.)
RAVENNA: (smirking) "Try not to die, Draven."
LUCIAN: (grinning) "No promises."
(With that, Lucian and Elara disappear into the ruins, unaware that the shadows of their past—and their future—are closing in.)
[To Be Continued…]