Episode 4: "The Curse of the Black Mark"
Narrator:
The Shadow Queen vanished…
but she didn't leave empty-handed.
She left something behind—
a curse meant to break Ayla from the inside.
Darkness has begun its slow hunt.
🌑 Scene 1: Forest of Luminara – Minutes After the Battle
Ayla collapses on her knees.
The black mark on her arm pulses like a heartbeat—
thump… thump… thump…
each pulse sending fear through her veins.
Meera rushes:
"Ayla! Hey—look at me! Stay with us!"
Ayla's eyes flicker gold to black, gold to black...
Ayla (trembling):
"She's inside my mind…
I can hear her voice…"
Zara:
"Dammit. She cursed her. Hard."
A sudden icy wind sweeps the forest.
Even the trees seem to shiver.
👁️ Scene 2: Ayla's Nightmare Vision
Ayla closes her eyes for a second—
but that's enough.
She is thrown into a dark void.
Shadow Queen's voice (echoing):
"Welcome, Ayla…
to your new home."
Shadows wrap around Ayla's wrists like chains.
She screams—
but no sound comes out.
Shadow Queen:
"You think you're strong?
I will show you what fear tastes like."
Ayla sees visions:
—Zara turning away from her
—Meera crying
—Prince Rayen lying in blood
Shadow Queen:
"You will watch everyone you love disappear…
starting with him."
Ayla breaks down in terror.
🔥 Scene 3: Outside – Ayla Awakens in Panic
Ayla jolts awake, gasping.
She clutches Meera's hand so tight it hurts.
Ayla (crying softly):
"She… she showed me things…
horrible things…"
Zara kneels beside her, for once looking scared herself.
Zara:
"Ayla, listen to me.
You're not alone. We're here with you."
Ayla shakes her head.
Ayla:
"No. You don't understand.
The curse isn't just on me…
It's spreading."
She shows her arm—
the mark has grown.
Meera:
"If this grows to your heart…
you'll become one of her shadows."
Ayla's breath stops.
Fear fills her eyes.
🌧️ Scene 4: The Forbidden Cave – Seeking Help
Rain pours as the three run toward a hidden cave.
Inside lives the Oracle of Mirrors,
the only being who can read curses.
The Oracle appears—
a tall glowing woman with mirrored skin.
She touches Ayla's arm and gasps.
Oracle:
"This is no ordinary curse.
It is a soul-binding mark.
If not broken in seven nights…
Ayla will become the Shadow Queen's servant forever."
Ayla steps back, trembling.
Ayla:
"Seven nights…?
That's all I have?"
Oracle (stern):
"And there is one more truth…"
A long, haunting silence.
Oracle:
"To break the curse…
Someone must enter the Shadow Realm
and fight the Queen face to face."
Zara clenches her jaw.
Zara:
"Then we'll do it."
Oracle shakes her head:
"No…
Only one person can enter."
They all turn to Ayla.
Ayla's heart drops.
Ayla:
"You mean…
I have to face her alone?"
⚡ Ending Twist
The cave lights flicker—
The Shadow Queen's voice slithers through the air:
Shadow Queen (whispering):
"Seven nights, Ayla…
The clock has begun."
The cave walls crack.
Alya's mark burns, glowing violently.
She screams—
Meera holds her, Zara pulls her close—
But the Shadow Queen laughs:
Shadow Queen:
"In seven nights…
Ayla will be mine."
Darkness closes in.