(Training continues in the field until sunset, as Agnes and Diana prepare to end a long day of practice.)
(Suddenly, the ground shakes violently beneath their feet. The two girls look around in alarm as, in the distance, a massive creature of black stone and glowing red crystals emerges. A monster far more savage and powerful than the previous one.)
Diana (shouting in warning): Impossible… That's a Crystal Rock Beast! How did it get here?!
(Agnes turns to Diana anxiously.)
Agnes (fearful and confused): What is that thing?
Diana (arrogance mixed with fear): It's one of the most dangerous monsters you could ever face. But don't worry—I'll handle it… just like before.
(Diana steps forward steadily and begins summoning her earth power. She slams her hand into the ground, causing the soil to split as massive stone roots and pillars surge toward the monster. But unlike before, the beast seems to absorb the energy from the attacks, growing terrifyingly stronger.)
(For the first time, Diana retreats in fear—but her pride forces her to continue fighting. She attacks again, but the monster quickly overpowers her, slamming the ground and sending shards flying. One shard strikes Diana's leg, and she falls to the ground in pain.)
Diana (clutching her injured leg): No… it can't be this strong…
(Agnes runs toward her, trying to help.)
Agnes (worried): Diana! Are you okay?!
Diana (weakly): You have to run… this monster isn't normal…
(Agnes looks at the monster as it approaches with heavy steps, fear filling her heart. But she remembers Tarkan's words about focus and trust. She stands in front of Diana, takes a deep breath, and begins to summon her power.)
(The wind surrounds Agnes—stronger and more stable this time. Her eyes open, burning with determination, as she raises her hands. Fierce winds sharpen into spinning blades around her. The monster charges, but Agnes releases the wind with overwhelming force, striking the glowing red crystals in its body. The wind cracks them apart, shattering the crystals that grant it power, until the beast finally collapses, breaking into small fragments.)
(The wind dies down. Agnes stands there, panting, staring at the remains of the monster. Diana looks at her in shock and gratitude.)
Diana (weak, tinged with embarrassment): Agnes… you saved me.
Agnes (with a reassuring smile): We're a team, aren't we?
(With Agnes's help, Diana tries to stand. She looks at Agnes differently now—a mix of respect and apology in her eyes.)
Diana (sincerely, a little nervous): I want to apologize… I was arrogant and sarcastic with you from the beginning. The truth is, I only act like that with strangers. I was very shy, and I didn't know how to deal with you.
(Agnes smiles warmly.)
Agnes (gently): We all make mistakes, Diana. What matters is that we learn from them.
(Diana lets out a light laugh despite the pain in her leg.)
Diana (genuinely playful): Well, it looks like I still have a lot to learn from you.
(The two girls walk forward together, the beginnings of a strong friendship forming between them. In the distance, Tarkan appears with a group of guards rushing toward them, checking that they are safe.)
<----------❀---------->
(After a day of rest and recovery from the battle, Diana decides to take Agnes on a tour of the royal palace. They pass through ornate corridors and beautiful gardens until Diana stops in front of a massive golden door decorated with distinctive Indian-style designs. Diana smiles mischievously as she opens it.)
Diana (playfully): Welcome to the Harem Palace.
(Agnes steps inside cautiously, looking around in awe. The palace is filled with Indian aesthetics, from silk fabrics to intricate decorations. All the women inside wear traditional Indian clothing in vibrant colors, making the place look like a living painting.)
Agnes (amazed): This is incredible… but who are they?
Diana (with a sly smile): They're my father's concubines.
(Agnes freezes in shock and turns to Diana.)
Agnes (stunned): Concubines? How many are there?
(Diana laughs softly, enjoying the expression on Agnes's face.)
Diana (calmly, teasing): Thirty-three.
(Agnes's eyes widen, unable to process the number. She looks around again, as if trying to confirm it herself.)
Agnes (under her breath): Thirty-three…?
Diana (joking): Yes. My father likes variety.
(As they walk through the palace, four children come running toward them from a nearby room. The children look about eight or nine years old, each wearing an innocent, cheerful smile.)
Diana (smiling, gesturing toward them): And these are my younger half-siblings who were born in this palace.
(The children stop in front of Agnes and Diana, looking at them curiously.)
Diana (pointing to them one by one): This is Cory—the cheerful boy who never knows when to stop joking.
(Cory raises his hand with a wide grin.)
Cory (excitedly): Hi! Princess! Do you want to play with us?!
(Agnes smiles at him hesitantly, but Diana cuts in.)
Diana (teasing): Don't try it—he'll definitely get you into trouble.
(Diana gestures toward Sophie.)
Diana: And this is Sophie, the other troublemaker. If you hear strange laughter or see something broken, she's probably responsible.
(Sophie smiles mischievously and puts her hands on her hips.)
Sophie (cheeky pride): What can I say? I'm talented at causing chaos.
(Diana then points to Noor.)
Diana: And this is Noor—the complete opposite of her sister. She's gentle and quiet, but always annoyed by their pranks.
(Noor looks at Agnes with a shy smile, politely holding the edge of her Indian dress.)
Noor (softly): Hello. I'm sorry if they cause any trouble.
(Finally, Diana points to Haz.)
Diana: And Haz—the shy boy who rarely speaks. He's very smart and loves reading. He's Noor's twin.
(Haz glances at Agnes shyly, then quickly looks away without saying a word.)
(Agnes smiles, observing the special bond between the children. Despite their different personalities and mothers, they seem like they all came from one womb. She feels comfortable around them, despite the strangeness surrounding the idea of the "Harem Palace.")
Agnes (warmly): They all seem to have beautiful spirits, each in their own way.
Diana (playfully proud): Of course—they're the Emperor's children.
(As the tour continues, the children interact with Agnes in their own ways. Cory and Sophie try to involve her in one of their pranks, while Noor stays close, apologizing for their behavior. Haz watches from afar, jotting notes in a small notebook.)
(After finishing the tour with Diana and the children, Agnes continues exploring the Harem Palace. Curiosity fills her thoughts about the women who live there, especially after hearing the children's stories. As she walks through a corridor decorated with luxurious carpets and glowing Indian lamps…)
(She notices a woman sitting by an open window overlooking the inner garden. The woman looks calm, holding a book and reading intently.)
(Agnes approaches cautiously. When the woman lifts her head, she smiles gently. She has a serene beauty, with long orange hair cascading over her shoulders and warm brown eyes filled with wisdom.)
Woman (softly): Hello. Are you Princess Agnes?
Agnes (shy smile): Yes, I'm Agnes. And who are you?
Woman (placing the book aside and standing gracefully): My name is Yisna. I'm one of the Emperor's concubines—and Sophie's aunt.
(Agnes is surprised and steps closer.)
Agnes (curious): Sophie's aunt? Does that mean you were close to her mother?
(A faint shadow of sadness crosses Yisna's face, but she remains calm.)
Yisna (warm, nostalgic): Yes. I was her mother's older sister. When my sister passed away years ago, Sophie came under my care. I tried to be both a mother and a father to her, even though I know I could never replace her mother.
Agnes (admiringly): You seem strong and wise. Sophie speaks about you with great love.
(Yisna smiles modestly and invites Agnes to sit beside her by the window. They begin talking.)
Agnes (hesitantly): May I ask you something?
Yisna (encouraging smile): Of course. Ask whatever you like.
Agnes (curious): What is life like here, as one of the Emperor's concubines?
(Yisna thinks for a moment, choosing her words carefully.)
Yisna (calmly): It's not what it appears to be from the outside. Some women came here seeking power, others were forced by their families' circumstances. As for me, I entered the palace to protect my sister and her daughter. After her death, my responsibility only grew.
Agnes (more impressed): You always seem to think before you act.
Yisna (soft sigh): In a place like this, thinking before acting isn't just a virtue—it's a necessity.
(There is a brief pause before Yisna speaks again.)
Yisna (gently): But tell me about you. I've heard you're struggling with your power.
Agnes (honestly): Yes. It's difficult. I feel like the wind isn't a part of me, but a force trying to escape me.
(Yisna gently takes Agnes's hand and looks at her seriously.)
Yisna (wisely): True power doesn't come from control alone—it comes from understanding. When you understand the wind and make peace with it, you'll find it's not your enemy, but your ally.
(Agnes feels comforted and enlightened by Yisna's words. The two spend a pleasant time talking, and Agnes feels she has found someone new she can trust within the palace.)
<----------❀---------->
Elsewhere…
(In the Palace of the Plant Empire, where nature reigns in every detail. The palace is surrounded by dense forests and towering intertwined trees whose roots extend into the palace itself. Flowering plants hang from the ceiling, and a green carpet of grass covers the floor.)
(At the center of the main hall sits Emperor Raymond on a comfortable chair adorned with plant motifs and soft cushions. His arrogant features dominate the space.)
(Standing on either side of Raymond are his two distinctive aides: Herin, a handsome cat-beastman with cat ears and a tail that moves in harmony with his body, his green eyes gleaming slyly; and the other aide, Undertaker, a tall young man with mysterious features and a sinister gaze, leaning against a marble pillar with a calm but cunning smile.)
Raymond (relaxed, arrogant): So… tell me. Have we gathered everything we need about Princess Agnes?
Herin (calmly, tail flicking): We have some information, Your Majesty—but not everything is clear yet. Her power doesn't seem to be ordinary wind.
Undertaker (cheerful yet sinister, interrupting): Exactly. There's something unnatural about her energy. The wind she controls—or rather, fails to control—is connected to something greater.
(Raymond looks at them with interest and cunning. He leans forward slightly, a dangerous smile forming.)
Raymond (quiet but threatening): Something greater? Go on.
Undertaker (confidently): I searched the ancient texts preserved in the empire and found references to the Tempest Wind Power. This power isn't merely an element—it's part of an ancient legacy dating back to the era of the First Emperors.
(Clear interest appears on Raymond's face as Herin closes his eyes, thinking.)
Herin (curious): If the wind is an ancient legacy, does that mean Agnes isn't just an ordinary princess?
Undertaker (playfully sinister): Precisely. There's a strong possibility that Agnes is the key to a far greater power. She may be the heir of one of the ancient Wind Saints who ruled alongside the First Emperor.
(Raymond leans back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand in thought.)
Raymond (calm, arrogant): How interesting. If Agnes carries such power, then she could be a threat—or… an opportunity.
Herin (slightly worried): But Your Majesty, if this power is real, it may be unstable. It could destroy more than it creates.
Undertaker (dryly): Or it could be used—if it's in the right hands.
(Raymond smiles faintly at his aides.)
Raymond (quietly, deviously): And that is what we will find out. I want you both to monitor every step Agnes takes when she arrives here. I don't want a single detail missed.
Herin (sly smile): Understood, Your Majesty. We'll keep our eyes and ears open.
Undertaker (calm nod): And we'll make sure she never knows she's being watched.
(Raymond rises from his chair and walks toward the window overlooking the garden, idly twirling a flower between his fingers.)
Raymond (low, ambitious voice): Agnes… Heir of the Wind. It seems the time has come for her to reveal her true power… or become part of my plans.
(A sinister smile spreads across Raymond's face, while behind him, Undertaker and Herin smile just as wickedly.)
<----------❀---------->
(Inside a private wing of the Plant Palace, shades of green and gold blend with natural light streaming through large windows. Climbing plants decorate the walls, and rare flowers bloom in every corner. Standing at the center of the room is Princess Sylvia, daughter of Emperor Raymond. Her long black hair flows like leaves in the wind, and her calm eyes reflect her cold demeanor. She wears a simple white dress, yet seems like a part of nature itself.)
(She looks like a female version of Raymond. Sylvia approaches a small table where a rare rose has just bloomed. She stares at it silently, as if speaking to it in a secret language.)
Sylvia (soft voice, carrying intelligence and cunning): Princess Agnes… it seems our meeting draws near.
(She gently reaches out to the rose, brushing its petals with her fingers without harming it. A faint, mysterious smile appears on her lips.)
Sylvia (whispering, as if to the rose): Wind and plants… will we be allies—or enemies?