Act 1 Scene 5:
(As the curtains rise for scene Five, the audience is met with a familiar sight: the Adapetus Æther's workshop. However It is evident that turmoil has visited the once orderly place. Broken contraptions and shattered glass containers are everywhere the eye can see, bearing witness to recent violence)
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(The Adapetus Æther is a dishevelled figure, bearing unmistakable signs of torment. His once-nervous demeanour has transformed into a powerful paranoia. Bruises and scars mar his face, serving as cruel of the pain he has endured. His eyes dart around the room, perpetually wary, as though expecting danger from every darkened corner. The others stand near him)
(Stage directions: The stage should be dimly lit, apart from the spotlight on the characters, a faint haze – created with dry ice – should be present)
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Captain Star-Caster: (Softly, turning to the Adapetus) Your suffering pains me.
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(The inventor does not respond)
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Protagonist (heartfelt): Tell us what happened, dear Adapetus.
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Adapetus Æther: (with a voice wrought with trauma): They... they ripped me from your midst, plucked me away from our sanctum - my beloved workshop - on the very day of that heinous ambush. Dragoon-mage Drakonvyr, driven by insatiable thirst for the blackest depths of Æther's forbidden knowledge, inflicted upon me a torment most foul. I resisted, steadfast in safeguarding our secrets, yet their sadistic revelry knew no bounds. The anguish I endured... it was akin to being consumed by an unrelenting abyss, like plunging into the very heart of the Ætheric void.
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(A new character enters the stage. He wears red and white robes and is holding astaff, a guardian accompanies him holding a white and gold weapon)
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(He takes the weapon from the guardian who then exists the stage)
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (In a powerful voice) Hark, esteemed guests, I am Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr, leader of the venerable Order of the Dragoon, a sentinel of justice in these turbulent times. Our paths converge as a testament to concealed truths and heinous acts intermingled. (His gaze falls upon Lord Preen) Lord Preen of Narciss, your familial lineage casts its own ominous spectre. But in this intricate masquerade of revelation and secrecy, who indeed bears the burden of transgression?
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(He pauses, taking in the hate painted on the faces of the characters)
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Dragoon-mage Drakonvyr: (with conflicted determination): Yes, I sanctioned the interrogation, a grim necessity, a means to ensure our realm’s survival. Sacrifices must be made to safeguard our people from the unpredictable forces of Æther.
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Captain Star-Caster: (inquisitive) Survival, thou say? What dost thou mean, exactly?
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(Stage directions: blue lighting, the spotlight should move between the Adapetus Æther and Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr depending on who is talking)
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (with fervour and bitterness) Behold, ætheric storms, an unpredictable menace that so frequently descends upon our realm, their ferocity unrivalled. Their genesis? The unrestrained deployment of Æther technology, which we have repeatedly warned against. A confluence of forces brought upon by those who dared to ignore our cautionary words.
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(He motions to the Adapetus Æther)
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Lord Preen (inquiring): Is it true, Adapetus Æther, that you ignored the warnings? I’ve heard whispers of these dreaded ætheric storms. The consequences of such recklessness... are they known to thee?
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Adapetus Æther: (nervous) Lord Preen, thou hast heard of the destructive storms, but thou should also acknowledge the brilliance of Æther. The energy we have harnessed revolutionizes our technology, giving rise to powerful engines that have changed the course of our world. The storm's calamity is but a shadow when compared to the brilliance of progress fuelled by Æther's boundless power. Sacrifices, even in the form of tempestuous chaos, are sometimes a necessary step toward the enlightenment of our realm.
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (with conviction) Adapetus, there exists the undeniable truth that Æther, when not restrained, leads to Æther sickness – a blight on the minds and bodies of our people. Countless have fallen victim to this insidious affliction, their lives forever marred by physical and mental torment. It is a consequence we can not ignore, a testament to the moral darkness enveloping the heart of Æther.
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Protagonist: (Confused) Wait, did thou kidnap us to have an ethical debate?
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Adapetus Æther (defensively): While it is a tragic reality that Æther sickness plagues some, it is not the sole facet of Æthers’ legacy. The strides made in medicine, enabled by Æther's power, offer the potential to address maladies, including the very Æther sickness thou speaks of. It is true that we do not possess a definitive cure for Æther sickness yet, but we remain committed to harnessing the full potential of Æther for the betterment of our people.
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (firmly) Consider, honourable guests, the perilous dance of resource conflict, the very cradle of bloodshed and turmoil. As Æther technology proliferates, so too doth the demand for its precious resources. This insatiable hunger for Æther's gifts has ignited resource wars, kindling geopolitical tensions that threaten to engulf nations in an all-consuming blaze.
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Adapetus Æther: (with a measured tone) The breath-taking advancements in transportation, courtesy of Æther technology, art a testament to human ingenuity. Airships and vehicles propelled by the boundless energy of Æther have ushered in an era of unparalleled mobility. The world, once vast and insurmountable, now lies within our grasp. Travel is transformed, connections strengthened, and distances diminished. To shun this wondrous progress is to deny the very heartbeat of human innovation.
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (Solemn) As we plunge deeper into the embrace of Æther, we chain ourselves to its fickle essence. Placing unwavering faith in its mechanisms is a perilous dalliance, for we bind our fate to an erratic force, one that may forsake us in our direst hour, as we grow ever more reliant upon it.
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(The protagonist, Lord Preen, and Captain Star-Caster all remain silent, now unsure of their side)
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Adapetus Æther: (with enthusiasm) Yet in the heart of this marvellous force, we find a dependable companion, the very lifeblood of progress. As we lean on Æther, we forge our path to a future where barriers dissolve, unifying distant souls and civilizations. Communication, no longer hindered by vast distances, binds humanity in a collective symphony of knowledge, hope, and understanding.
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: Æther, a double-edged sword that we wield with reckless abandon, not only tempts our desires but also erects formidable walls of defence. Yes, it may protect us from the unknown perils that lurk, but in doing so, it shackles our vulnerability to the very contraptions we create. We dwell in a fortress of our own making, ignorant to the weakening foundation beneath, lulled into a false sense of security.
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Adapetus Æther: (desperate) In an ever-shifting world where the skies are filled with Æther-powered marvels, we mustn’t forget the vital role Æther technology plays in bolstering our defensive capabilities. With Æther-based weaponry, we have the means to protect our realm against the unseen threats that lurk beyond the clouds, ensuring our dominion over the heavens and securing the future of our civilization. The advancements in Æther-based weapons have given us the power to fend off adversaries and preserve the peace that we hold dear.
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(The protagonist clears her throat loudly, surprising the two men)
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Protagonist: (Sternly) Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr, and Adepetus Æther, I must concede the merit of your arguments. The Order of the Dragoon has sounded a dire refrain of caution, and the perilous potential of Æther’s destruction is an undeniable truth. Yet to resort to violence, Dragoon-Mage, and to avert our gaze from these forewarnings, Adepetus, are treacherous paths upon which we ought to step with caution.
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Lord Preen: Where did the ætheric disruptor come from?
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(He motions to the object that the Dragoon-Mage is holding)
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Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr: (Revealing) Lord Preen, the Ætheric disruptor was obtained from Earl Bigot of Narciss, in a transaction that left a sour taste in our mouths. His dealings are not to be trusted. (Expressing disapproval) The Order has deemed the activities of the Adapetus in Narciss sacrilegious, particularly their biological research, which treads on the sacred boundaries of nature. (He continues) We anticipate the arrival of an ambassador, a crucial figure who shall soon grace our gathering. This visitor’s purpose is shrouded in uncertainty, yet I sense that their presence signifies a potential shift in the balance of power.
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Lord Preen: (With concern) My main worry about the Narcissian Ambassador lies in the fact that he might recognize me. Abandoning my father's orders painted a target on my back, the repercussions of my defiance loom like a shadow over me.
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Adapetus Æther: (With a grave tone) Lord Preen, the path you tread, and the Narcissian Ambassador's presence could spell unforeseen consequences. We must proceed with great caution.
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(They exit the workshop, led by Dragoon-Mage Drakonvyr)
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(The lights dim to darkness)
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End of Scene Five
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