Back in the city, young Ashen is on his way home from school. He stops by a small fruit stand run by an elderly lady, who hands him a basket filled with apples and bread.
[-GRANNY]
"Young Ashen, come over here, I have something for you."
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"Oh, you don't have to. I'm kind of in a rush, I need to do my homework and train a little with my father."
[-GRANNY]
"Oh, just a moment, it won't take long... Here, take this for you and your father."
Ashen looks surprised, but without saying much, he accepts the basket, thanks her, and runs back toward his home.On the way, a few kids from school stop him and talk to him, but he doesn't seem to be in the mood. A bit further down the road, three older boys call out to him, threatening that if he ever sneaks off from school again with the princess, he's going to get into serious trouble. Suddenly, they shove him and walk away with aggressive looks.
Ashen loses his joy and runs home in tears. He enters the house, climbs the stairs, and a voice is heard.
[-MAGNUS]
"Ashen!"
Ashen stops and looks at the man.
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"Yes, father?" he says, eyes full of tears.
[-MAGNUS]
"Why are you crying, my son?"
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"Ah? I just tripped and fell on the way home..."
[-MAGNUS]
"Ashen."
(He walks toward him, takes out a cloth, and gently places it on his son's wounds, healing them slightly with his power.)
"As your father, I worry about you more than anything in this world. I want you to remember — there will always be sunny days full of joy, but even those days sometimes turn to rain and storms. Sadness and anger may follow. But even in the rain, there is beauty... You just have to find it, because it lives within you, my son."
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"But I'm small and weak… I have no physical strength like the others, and I'm not good with any weapon like Aurora."
[-MAGNUS]
"We are all born with talents, and we must use them. And you, my son, do not possess just any talent… You are the son of the great Sorcery Magnus, and one day, my power and the strength of our whole family will pass down to you."
Ashen stops crying and thinks for a moment.
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"Haha, yes, father! I'll do it. I'll become strong! Umm… how does someone become strong?"
(The 11-year-old Ashen looks at him curiously.)
[-MAGNUS]
"First, he eats his food. Come on, let's eat — I even made apple pie, and I know it's your favorite."
[-ZER-ASHEN]
"Yesss, let's go! But… aren't we going to train?"
[-MAGNUS]
"Not today. You can rest. Come on."
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door. KNOCK KNOCK.
A royal guard from the kingdom arrives to summon the Sorcery of the realm. The hour is strange for such a visit. As Magnus calmly opens the door, the guard speaks:
[-GUARD]
"Sir Magnus, the tomb of Morgana has been disturbed. Her remains… are missing."
Magnus, both furious and horrified, prepares to head to the King's castle.
[-MAGNUS]
"Ashen, tonight you'll eat alone. The King has summoned me. Something urgent has happened. Don't worry, I'll be back soon."
He mounts his horse and rides toward the castle.
In the dungeon, King Thaddeus stands before the broken tomb, puzzled.
[-KING THADDEUS]
"What could've caused this? Who would take Morgana's remains, and for what purpose? So much gold and powerful weapons… Why choose this?"
Magnus arrives and bows respectfully, stepping into the dungeon.
[-KING THADDEUS]
"Ah, Magnus. It's been a while. How have you been?"
[-MAGNUS]
"Very well, Your Majesty. So far, all has been calm. Now, where is it?"
[-KING THADDEUS]
"My guards said the door was unlocked when they arrived. The guard on duty was found dead, and the tomb shattered. I wonder… what use are the bones of the dead?"
[-MAGNUS]
"No one took the remains... Look at the cracks the tomb broke from the inside. Someone has resurrected Morgana. Allow me to consult the other Sorcerers… Maybe we can discover who would bring her back, and why."
[-KING THADDEUS]
"So… the dark days are truly returning."
(He stands up and roars across the hall.)
[-KING THADDEUS]
"SOUND THE ALARM! From this day forth, the Kingdom of Justice will prepare for war! I want every general training new soldiers. Send ravens to our allies. No one shall destroy the Beacon of Argus. The Justice Kingdom will stand strong something evil is on its way."
Far across the ocean, Morgana arrives at the Infernal Kingdom, seeking her old allies. But time has passed, and things have changed. No one remembers her — not even the King.
[-MORGANA]
"Greetings, King... Atlas."
On the throne, King Atlas sits, staring at her.
[-ATLAS]
"Who are you? And how dare you speak my name?"
[-MORGANA]
"I figured you wouldn't remember me. So… what do you say about"
Atlas leaps from his throne, swinging his mighty axe to behead her. A soldier steps in and blocks the blow with his weapon.
[-ATLAS]
"UZUR?? What are you doing? Why are you protecting her?"
[-UZUR]
"Lord Atlas, this woman is not someone you want to fight. This woman… is Queen Morgana."
Atlas lowers his weapon slowly, eyes narrowing. Flames flicker around his hands as he studies her.
[-ATLAS]
"Lady Morgana… died thousands of years ago."
(He then shouts furiously.)
"PREPARE YOURSELVES! THIS PLACE SHALL BE YOUR GRAVE!"
(He grins with a terrifying smile)