Scene: Alia - A Reflection Beyond Time Cont.
KOREAN KING (KING)
"Alexa Isrovna... I agree to your terms. This treaty will protect my kingdom. But... why do you desire such a secret lair? Moscow is so distant..."
Alexa Isrovna calmly looks at a cup of coffee.
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(In Korean, with a Russian accent, her voice as cold as Alia's)
"Your Majesty, my family believes in the power of time and fate. We know that a time will come when my descendants will need this treaty. This lair will be the key to that inheritance."
(She meets the King's eyes, as if hypnotizing him)
"I have come to protect not just your empire, but your future. You must construct a secret place that goes deep beneath this palace. It must be so hidden that no one will ever find it—only those of the Isrovna bloodline will know."
The King's face no longer holds questions, only surrender.
KOREAN KING (KING)
(In a deep yet exhausted voice)
"As you command, Alexa Isrovna. That lair will be built. The secrecy of this pact will be known only to you and me."
Alexa now stands up. The silence in the room is broken by the sound of her royal dress.
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(With a victorious smile, in Bengali, but kept for effect in the original script)
"Good. Remember, Your Majesty, one must know how to utilize weakness."
(She adds in Korean)
"This treaty will secure your kingdom. But this lair is for my descendants... who may play the same game of power 1700 years from now. If a rival like Anashia comes at that time, this lair will be their secret sanctuary."
Alexa Isrovna exits the chamber. The King sits weakly on his throne. It is now clear in his eyes—he has not merely made a pact with a foreign princess; he has sown the seeds of a powerful conspiracy in the future.
Scene: Isrovna's Hair and the Korean Wonder
EXT. KOREAN DEEP FOREST – DIM LIGHT – 1500 AD
A short distance from the Korean Royal Palace, where the dense forest has dimmed the daylight, ALEXA ISROVNA is walking swiftly. Her destination: the secret location where the King has begun constructing the hidden lair under her command.
Alexa wears a dark, long coat, but her Honey-Brown, long hair (just like Alia's) cascades over the garment like a waterfall, nearly touching her knees. Even in the shadowy light of the dense forest, her hair radiates a strange golden glow.
Following her nervously are two maidservants assigned by the Korean King. These maids are accustomed to the palace interior; their feet seem reluctant to step into such a dark and deep forest. They are utterly amazed by Alexa's hair.
FIRST KOREAN MAID
(Whispering, in an anxious tone)
"Where is this woman going? Even hunters don't come this deep!"
SECOND KOREAN MAID
(Staring fixedly at Alexa's hair)
"Look at her hair! I have never seen a woman with hair so long. Is it magic? I heard that the power of the Moscow Princesses lies in their hair."
FIRST KOREAN MAID
"Be quiet! But truly, her hair looks like it's made of gold. It's like long threads of gold washed in snow water! This foreign woman seems like some ancient deity..."
Alexa Isrovna suddenly stops beneath a massive Oak Tree. The maids' whispering catches her attention. She turns to face them. There is no annoyance on her face, only the same still and cold resolve as Alia.
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(In Korean, with a Russian accent)
"Your task is complete. No more questions. I go alone from here. No one must ever learn about this path. If a single word leaves this place, your hair will not remain long either."
Feeling the sharpness and overwhelming power in her voice, the maids instantly bow their heads in fear. In their eyes, Alexa's long hair is truly the symbol of her power.
SECOND KOREAN MAID
(Trembling with fear)
"Yes... Your Highness, your command."
The two maids quickly retreat. Alexa Isrovna now steps alone behind the massive tree.
Scene: The Red-Eyed Prince
EXT. KOREAN DEEP FOREST – NEAR THE OAK TREE – 1500 AD
After the Korean maidservants quickly leave, ALEXA ISROVNA is now alone. She steps towards the massive Oak Tree, which hides the entrance to the secret lair being built deep underground. Her face is set with full resolve.
Just at that moment...
Alexa suddenly halts. Her eyes focus on a broken stone bench tucked behind the tree trunk.
A Korean Prince is seated there.
He is wearing a traditional deep Green Korean robe. His posture is completely detached, as if he has been waiting for someone on this path for hundreds of years. In his hand is an unusually long cigarette, the smoke from which curls up, cutting through the still, cold air of the forest.
Alexa Isrovna, who is rarely fazed by anything, remains motionless for a moment. Because of the Prince's eyes!
Even in the dim sunlight, the Prince's pupils are abnormally Red (Red Pupil)—like two burning sparks of fire within his eyes. This is not the eye of a normal human.
The Prince stares calmly at Alexa. A cold smile plays on his lips.
KOREAN PRINCE (PRINCE)
(In Korean, softly)
"Alexa Isrovna... Queen of Moscow. I knew the path of this power inheritance would find you."
Alexa Isrovna meets those deep, red eyes for a moment. She realizes this Prince is no ordinary man. Perhaps he is the ancient protector of this lair, or the ancestor of Victor's power.
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(In a firm voice like Alia's, without hesitation)
"Who are you? And how do you know my name? Are you the guardian appointed by the King?"
The Prince slowly twirls the cigarette in his hand and smiles. His red pupils glow brighter.
KOREAN PRINCE (PRINCE)
(With a mysterious smile)
"A name? A name is but a cloak of responsibility, Queen. Here, in this forest, and to this inheritance of power, I have no name. However... if you wish to call me by a special title..."
(He gestures toward the smoke)
"You may call me The Fire-Eyed. I am the secret weakness that is the foundation of every empire."
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(Stands motionless, giving no reply. The unknown force that controls this empire is perhaps standing before her—but she does not fear it. Instead, her eyes try to decipher the ancient mystery from The Fire-Eyed's red pupils.)
"Very well, Fire-Eyed. The foundation of weakness. I will answer before that long cigarette of yours is finished. Will you show me the way, or will you block my path?"
KOREAN PRINCE (PRINCE)
(Leans in and looks calmly at Alexa. His eyes now hold amusement and interest.)
"I will forge your path, Queen. But you must pay the price... with your unwavering resolve. Now, enter."
Scene: The Red-Eyed Prince and the Inheritance of Power (Entry and Call)
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(She wastes no more time. The moment the Prince says "Now, enter," she immediately starts walking towards the massive Oak Tree, completely ignoring the frightening red eyes and the ominous warning.)
She does not wait for him to move, nor does she ask for directions. She simply walks to the base of the Oak Tree and places her hand on the trunk.
ALEXA ISROVNA (ALEXA)
(Softly, to herself, in Russian)
"Za nashu Sud'bu (For our Destiny)."
As her hand touches the tree, the ground beneath the tree trunk suddenly and silently shifts. A secret entrance—a dark, stone stairway leading deep underground—is revealed.
KOREAN PRINCE (PRINCE)
(He takes a long, slow drag from his cigarette, his red eyes fixed on her back.)
"The path of the Isrovna and the path of the Fire-Eyed are now joined. Time will tell which bloodline truly controls the destiny of the world."
Alexa Isrovna does not turn back. She descends into the darkness of the subterranean lair, her long, honey-brown hair slowly disappearing into the shadows. The sound of her heavy royal dress echoing on the stone steps is the last thing heard before the ground shifts back, sealing the entrance.
The Korean Prince, The Fire-Eyed, now sits alone. He slowly exhales a plume of smoke. The long cigarette has not even finished one-quarter.
KOREAN PRINCE (PRINCE)
(Whispering to the empty forest, his voice holding an ancient, victorious chill)
"The game has begun... Alia."