INT. CRIMSON LOTUS PALACE — SHIN'S CHAMBER — MORNING
Pale morning light slips through the silk curtains.
Shin lies asleep on her bed.
But it isn't peaceful sleep.
Her brows are tightly drawn together. Her fingers occasionally twitch against the blanket. Her breathing is uneven.
A faint trace of sweat covers her forehead.
For a moment, her lips move.
SHIN
(weakly, in her sleep)
...Mother...
She turns restlessly.
SHIN
Don't...
Please don't leave...
The door quietly opens.
Shinzi steps inside carrying a small tray with a bowl of medicine.
He stops when he sees her.
His expression immediately softens.
He approaches the bed and places the medicine on the table.
SHINZI
Still having nightmares...
He gently pulls the blanket over her shoulder.
Shin doesn't wake.
Shinzi looks exhausted.
Dark circles sit beneath his eyes. His hair is slightly disheveled, and the usual confidence in his expression has been replaced by worry.
He reaches toward her forehead.
SHINZI
You're still warm.
He sighs.
SHINZI
Come on, little sister...
You have to get better.
INT. CRIMSON LOTUS PALACE — INNER HALL — SAME TIME
The atmosphere in the palace is tense.
King Lian sits at the head of a long wooden table.
Standing beside him is XU CHENG, the chief soldier.
Xu Cheng is an old man with a straight back and sharp eyes. His armor bears the insignia of the Crimson Lotus Sect.
He has served the royal family for generations.
His loyalty to the king isn't merely political.
His family has served the Crimson Lotus bloodline for centuries.
KING LIAN
Xu Cheng...
Tell me honestly.
What did they do to my daughter?
Xu Cheng lowers his gaze.
XU CHENG
Your Majesty...
We don't know yet.
KING LIAN
That isn't an answer.
He stands.
His voice trembles slightly.
KING LIAN
She walked into Golden Phoenix Valley in the middle of the night.
She spoke of her mother.
Then that black energy appeared inside her.
Now she cannot even sleep peacefully.
He clenches his fist.
KING LIAN
I don't want to lose her.
Not her.
Not after everything this family has already endured.
Xu Cheng looks at his king.
KING LIAN
The Crimson Lotus Sect has survived wars.
We've survived betrayals.
We've survived Linjian's attempts to destroy us.
But if something happens to my daughter...
His voice cracks.
KING LIAN
I don't want to lose the charm of my sect.
I don't want to see this palace become a place where everyone lives in fear.
There must be a cure.
Xu Cheng remains silent for several seconds.
Then—
XU CHENG
There is one.
The king immediately looks at him.
KING LIAN
What?
XU CHENG
There is a method that may remove the curse.
KING LIAN
Then why didn't you tell me?
XU CHENG
Because...
the price is too high.
KING LIAN
What price?
Xu Cheng's expression darkens.
XU CHENG
The ritual requires the life essence of the eldest son of the royal bloodline.
Silence.
The king stares at him.
KING LIAN
No.
XU CHENG
Your Majesty—
KING LIAN
I said no.
XU CHENG
If the curse continues—
KING LIAN
I will find another way!
His voice echoes through the hall.
KING LIAN
I cannot sacrifice my son to save my daughter.
I cannot.
Xu Cheng lowers his head.
XU CHENG
I knew you would say that.
KING LIAN
Shinzi has already carried enough responsibility.
He has spent his entire life protecting this sect.
I will not ask him to die for it.
A pause.
KING LIAN
There must be another way.
XU CHENG
Perhaps there is.
But we have very little time.
INT. INNER HALL — CONTINUOUS
Footsteps approach.
Shinzi enters.
He looks exhausted but composed.
SHINZI
Father.
Xu Cheng immediately straightens.
XU CHENG
Prince.
Shinzi looks between them.
SHINZI
I came to ask about Shin.
The king's expression immediately softens.
KING LIAN
She's stable.
Shinzi exhales.
KING LIAN
The physician says her condition hasn't worsened.
SHINZI
So she's going to be okay?
KING LIAN
Yes.
Everything will be alright.
Shinzi closes his eyes for a moment.
Relief.
SHINZI
Good.
I...
I haven't slept properly since last night.
KING LIAN
You should rest.
SHINZI
I will.
After she's better.
Xu Cheng watches him silently.
There is something in his expression that Shenzi doesn't notice.
A secret.
A terrible secret.
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOM!
The entire palace shakes.
The windows rattle violently.
A shockwave rolls through the hall.
SHINZI
What was that?!
XU CHENG
Attack!
Shinzi's hand immediately reaches for his sword.
KING LIAN
Everyone outside!
EXT. CRIMSON LOTUS PALACE — MAIN COURTYARD — MOMENTS LATER
The palace gates have been shattered.
Smoke rises from the entrance.
Crimson Lotus soldiers rush into formation.
Shinzi, King Lian, and Xu Cheng emerge from the palace.
The courtyard is filled with armed men.
At the center stands a group wearing the insignia of—
LINJIAN SECT.
And among them...
YU YAN.
He stands calmly, a faint smile on his face.
SHINZI
Linjian...
Yu Yan steps forward.
YU YAN
Your Majesty.
Prince Shinzi.
What a pleasant surprise.
SHINZI
You call this a visit?
You attacked our gates.
YU YAN
Oh, come now.
We merely announced our arrival.
KING LIAN
Your announcement damaged my palace.
YU YAN
A regrettable accident.
No more.
Shinzi's eyes narrow.
SHINZI
What do you want?
Yu Yan looks around.
He notices the empty courtyard.
YU YAN
Something seems strange.
Where are the welcoming attendants?
Where are the musicians?
Where are the servants?
He spreads his arms.
YU YAN
Are these the manners of Crimson Lotus Sect?
When guests arrive, shouldn't someone welcome them?
King Lian steps forward.
KING LIAN
We welcome guests.
He looks directly into Yu Yan's eyes.
KING LIAN
Not enemies.
The soldiers behind Yu Yan tense.
Yu Yan simply smiles.
YU YAN
Enemies?
How harsh.
KING LIAN
If you know you are not welcome, leave.
Yu Yan laughs quietly.
Then his eyes wander toward the palace.
YU YAN
Actually...
I came looking for someone.
Shinzi's expression changes.
YU YAN
Where is Princess Shin?
Silence.
YU YAN
I heard something rather unfortunate.
He pauses deliberately.
YU YAN
They say the princess attempted suicide.
Shinzi freezes.
The atmosphere changes instantly.
His hand closes around his sword.
SHING!
The blade slides from its sheath.
He points it directly at Yu Yan.
SHINZI
Don't.
Yu Yan smiles.
YU YAN
Don't what?
SHINZI
Don't you dare speak my sister's name with that filthy mouth.
Yu Yan's smile widens.
YU YAN
Ah...
So the rumors were true.
She's ill.
Shinzi takes one step forward.
SHINZI
You came here...
knowing she was vulnerable.
You attacked our palace.
And now you're using her name to provoke me.
Yu Yan tilts his head.
YU YAN
Perhaps I simply wanted to see whether the great Prince Shinzi still had his temper.
SHINZI
You are standing on Crimson Lotus soil.
Choose your next words carefully.
YU YAN
Or what?
Shinzi raises his sword.
Spiritual energy begins gathering around the blade.
Xu Cheng immediately steps forward.
XU CHENG
Prince!
The king lifts one hand.
KING LIAN
Shinzi.
Shinzi doesn't look away from Yu Yan.
KING LIAN
Not yet.
Yu Yan chuckles.
YU YAN
Still protecting him, Your Majesty?
How noble.
His gaze shifts toward the palace.
YU YAN
I wonder...
how long that protection will last.
Shinzi's eyes turn cold.
SHINZI
If you came here looking for war...
you found it.
The wind sweeps through the courtyard.
Crimson Lotus soldiers raise their weapons.
Linjian soldiers do the same.
Yu Yan's smile disappears.
For one brief moment, the two sides stare at each other.
And somewhere inside the palace...
Shin remains asleep.
Unaware that the enemy has arrived.
CUT TO BLACK.