THE CARD OF FATE
730 Words
INT. WISE ONE’S CHAMBER — AFTERNOON
XENA walks into the chamber, her face carrying a mixture of curiosity and unease.
The WISE ONE sits quietly beside a low wooden table, studying her.
WISE ONE
What is it you seek me for?
Xena takes a seat.
XENA
My dreams. It’s a recurring one.
The Wise One leans forward.
WISE ONE
Share the details.
Xena takes a breath.
XENA
There is a man. His face is masked. He signals for me to follow him. He leads me down a path… and I walk. But the path never ends.
The Wise One’s expression changes slightly.
WISE ONE
A man. A path.
He reaches beneath the table and brings out a worn deck of cards.
WISE ONE
Let me do your reading.
He shuffles the cards slowly, deliberately, then places them face down before her.
WISE ONE
Pick one.
Xena hesitates before selecting a card. She hands it to him.
The Wise One looks at it briefly.
The Wise One turns the card over.
Xena leans forward.
The illustration is strange and ancient.
A long, winding path stretches from the bottom of the card into the distance, disappearing beneath a brilliant beam of golden light.
At the end of the path stands a crown resting upon a broken stone throne, surrounded by faint rays of light.
But the journey is not without danger.
On either side of the path are the remains of a massive broken wall, its fallen stones scattered across the ground. Beyond the wall is a deep, dark hollow, almost like a void swallowing the edges of the light.
A small figure stands at the beginning of the path, facing the crown.
The Wise One studies the card.
WISE ONE
A long journey lies ahead of you.
His finger traces the winding path.
WISE ONE (CONT’D)
One that will take you farther than you have ever imagined.
He moves his finger toward the golden light.
WISE ONE
The light speaks of clarity. Of truth revealed. What is hidden from you now will become clear when the time comes.
His eyes move to the crown.
WISE ONE
And the crown…
A pause.
WISE ONE
…speaks of reign.
Xena looks at him.
WISE ONE (CONT’D)
Not merely a throne, but a purpose. A place you are destined to occupy. A reign so significant that the world will have no choice but to bow before it.
Xena looks at the broken wall.
XENA
And the wall?
The Wise One’s expression becomes more serious.
WISE ONE
What stands between you and your destiny will not remain standing.
His gaze shifts toward the dark hollow.
WISE ONE (CONT’D)
But neither will the darkness beneath it wait forever.
Xena frowns.
WISE ONE
The path leads to the crown, yes…
He slowly places the card back on the table.
WISE ONE (CONT’D)
…but the hollow lies beneath the crown.
A beat.
WISE ONE
Be careful, Xena.
He looks directly into her eyes.
WISE ONE
Doom must not arrive before the reign.
XENA
Can you be clear with your words?
The Wise One gives a faint smile.
WISE ONE
The meaning will find you.
He looks down at the card again.
His expression suddenly darkens.
WISE ONE (CONT’D)
But be careful…
A beat.
WISE ONE
…that doom does not arrive before the reign.
Xena’s face tightens.
Before she can ask another question, the wooden doors creak open.
The OLD WIZARD walks into the chamber.
Ancient. Quiet. His presence alone changes the atmosphere.
Xena rises immediately.
XENA
Greetings.
She attempts to walk past him.
The Old Wizard reaches out and gently takes her hand.
OLD WIZARD
My queen.
Xena freezes.
She slowly turns toward him.
The Old Wizard produces a small, weathered purse and places it in her hand.
XENA
For me?
He nods.
OLD WIZARD
Yes. It is yours.
Xena looks down at the purse, puzzled.
Before she can ask anything else, the Old Wizard releases her hand and walks toward his chamber.
The door closes behind him.
Xena and the Wise One stare after him.
A long silence.
Xena turns toward the Wise One.
He gives her a calm, reassuring nod.
Xena looks once more at the purse in her hand, then walks out.
The Wise One watches her leave.
His eyes return to the card.
The broken wall.
The light.
The crown.
And the hollow beneath it.
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