Masked faces, sun and moon symbols, and fluttering flags appeared in unexplained scenes
repeating themselves on enormous banners—reflected in the eyes of children and adults alike, bound by the same limit.
The narrator's voice came deep, real, machine-like—without emotion:
Narrator:
"Today… the day of coronation has drawn near.
When the Five Kingdoms merge into one, in a reign where there is no separation,
no division… a reign of light."
Everyone fell silent, as if the words chained their breath.
Koran smiled subtly amidst that silence.
(Internal monologue – Koran, watching the screen with boredom):
"Ah, how I love these grand names… the light.
Always something new… new king, new hope, new era.
But everything stays the same.
And what's most ironic… is that he's the same too."
The broadcast continued showing strange images no one dared to question.
It was as if the entire world became fixated on that screen.
Amid the rising noise of students, Timo's voice came suddenly,
not loud but firm, unlike his usual self:
(Teacher, pointing to the screen, calm voice:)
"With this treaty… the Five Kingdoms were unified."
Silence reigned again as everyone in class automatically turned to the screen,
where old footage appeared—black and white, seemingly taken from ancient archives.
(Teacher, in a neutral tone:)
"The Cosmic Treaty… the cornerstone of our era.
Before it, there was nothing but blood, war, and division."
Scenes of old kings signing the treaty flashed—
masked faces, strange symbols where sun and moon intertwined,
and ceremonial words on ancient flags.
The class stared in awe or childish excitement.
(Internal monologue – Koran, sarcastic, eyes half-closed at the screen:)
"A cosmic treaty… big enough words to silence any curiosity.
I bet they used 'cosmic' hundreds of times just to justify everything.
Fear, obedience, peace… all become elegant and comforting
when put under the banner of a cosmic treaty."
When the official broadcast ended and the screen dimmed,
the students began to raise their voices again as if they'd woken from a dream.
Timo was the first to break the silence, nudging Koran lightly with his elbow, whispering with excitement:
(Quietly but excited – Timo:)
"Did you see how the other kingdoms looked?! Those floating bridges!
Imagine being there!"
Koran chuckled quietly, watching Timo's eyes shine like a child imagining a grand adventure.
(Next to them – Another student, curious:)
"Did you know some cities have golden food dishes?
Imagine eating off a plate made of real gold!"
(Scoffing – A girl pulled her lips:)
"Food? Gold? All of that was nonsense. Just showy tricks.
We at least live a better life here… not in castles above mountains."
(Laughing – a student from the back row:)
"Imagine living in a time before all this cosmic treaty stuff.
Swords, blood, wars… I'd have been a knight! Or maybe a general!"
The class erupted with small laughter and overlapping voices—
some whispering about the new cities, the old kings, and the scenes from the broadcast.
But Koran remained in place, still amidst the noise, his mind slowly sinking.
(Internal monologue – Koran, drifting thoughts:)
"They laugh, they talk, like they just watched another episode of some show.
Should I laugh with them too?
I don't know why I don't feel surprised…
Everything seemed… fake to me.
Like we're puppets being moved by an expert hand.
Smiling. Clapping."
His eyes slipped toward one of his classmates in the corner—
still staring at the screen, his mind clearly lost.
As if the screen was swallowing him.
(Internal monologue – Koran, continuing flatly:)
"I bet that boy also thought this moment was life-changing.
But something feels off…
Like these moments aren't even for us,
but for those faces that always appear on the screens."
Timo suddenly waved his hand in front of Koran's face to snap him out of it:
(Joking – Timo:)
"Hey! Don't tell me you were daydreaming about golden food too?"
Koran smiled faintly from the corner of his lips, not reaching his eyes.
(Quietly – Koran:)
"I was just… thinking how everything seems…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
It was as if he forgot what he felt.
Or couldn't find a word that could explain it.
(Unaware of the tension – Timo, excited:)
"This day is gonna be awesome! Can you imagine how big the fireworks show will be?!
Maybe Elios himself will give a speech… or appear right here!"
Timo laughed like it was a joke.
Koran remained quiet, watching the gray sunlight creeping through the far classroom window.
(Internal monologue – Koran, with a cold, sarcastic tone:)
"Even the sun today looks like it's just watching us."
Then the bell rang.
Students rushed out as if they'd been locked up all period.
Koran and Timo walked out with the wave, surrounded by chatter and laughter.
The street in front of the school was full of life.
Despite all its technological advances, the First Kingdom was never devoid of people.
The sidewalks were full, some walking fast, some pausing,
others passing by shining storefronts with steaming coffee mixing with the smell of baked bread,
and faint perfume scents rising in the air.
(Sniffing the air – Timo, laughing:)
"Mmmm! Do you smell that?! I love this street—pastries on a day like this!"
He pulled Koran by the arm toward the central square with the human wave.
But the attention of the entire crowd that day wasn't on the food…
not at all.
---
On the massive screens stretched across tall buildings,
new clips began to play every moment, accompanied by music—
festive but fragmented.
Huge posters filled every corner with slogans like:
> "The city prepares for the great day of light!"
"Get ready for the majestic era!"
"The new covenant begins here!"
Loudspeakers fixed in street corners began to broadcast soft, repeated messages,
like whispers of enchantment:
> "Every road leads to the day of light… Don't miss the event."
(Looking around – Timo, wide-eyed:)
"Dear god! Have you ever seen the city look like this before?
Everyone looks… enchanted."
People were taking pictures, smiling, debating passionately,
pointing at the horizon where something massive seemed to approach.
(Shouting to friends – A student behind them:)
"We're going tonight! No one's missing the parade!"
(Excited – A girl near them:)
"I heard there's gonna be a huge light show above the palace!
We'll see all the kingdoms!"
---
Amid this wave of public excitement,
Koran walked silently, his gaze thoughtful.
(Internal monologue – Koran, sarcastic with detachment:)
"So many smiles…
Like they're all tied by some invisible thread.
This song of unity… why do I feel like I'm the only one outside of it?"
Timo noticed Koran's silence and smiled mischievously, patting his back:
(Playfully – Timo:)
"You really think you'll escape me tonight?
I'm dragging you to the festival if I have to carry you!"
Koran laughed faintly, unfazed by the joke:
(Quiet smile – Koran:)
"You dragged me into this, so you're paying for the cake too."
Timo laughed loudly, as the crowd around them thickened.
The city was slowly transforming into a giant stage—
the festival hadn't started yet,
but it was about to.
Suddenly, amid the loud, festive air—
a strange sound broke the chaos.
A sharp, panic-filled scream made everyone turn.
A ragged man with a messy beard and tattered clothes stood above a wooden box,
waving his arms violently, shouting:
> "It will rain blood on these streets! Blood!
Don't be fooled, you blind fools! Behind the festivals… torment awaits you!"
Some laughed and turned their backs.
Others gave him worried glances and walked away.
(Whispering to Koran, laughing – Timo:)
"Another crazy guy, huh? They always pop out before festivals!"
Koran kept looking at the man—
the madman.
(Eyes wide – the madman continues ranting:)
"The sun will burn! The moon will be slaughtered!
The symbols you worship will collapse!
The new king… the king will lead you to the abyss!"
The city guards began to move toward him,
and he ran into an alley, screaming insanely:
> "Blood! Soon there will be blood everywhere!"
For a moment, the street fell into a strange silence.
Everyone's breath seemed stolen.
(Breaking the tension – Timo, with a nervous laugh:)
"Let's just move. Pretend we didn't hear him before his madness infects us!"
Koran turned slowly, laughing awkwardly but with an unsettled tone.
He looked back at the alley where the man had vanished.
(Internal monologue – Koran, coldly:)
"I don't know if his words were madness… or echoes of something real."
---
Scene End – Final Shot: The Prince and the King ✦
At that very moment, behind the walls of the Third Kingdom's palace,
in a room adorned with ancient statues of forgotten gods—
Elios sat in silence before a window overlooking the palace courtyard.
The door opened quietly as King Orestus, his father, entered.
He walked with slow, confident steps, wisdom gleaming in his eyes.
He sat beside him for minutes without saying a word.
Then leaned toward his son and whispered something in his ear—
words no one heard, no one knew,
spoken so low the world wasn't meant to know them.
Elios remained silent, listening attentively, without responding.
In the end, the king placed a hand on his son's shoulder
and said one clear sentence we could hear:
> "Watch them closely… no one can be trusted."