CRYSTAL LAND

A SECRET BEYOND

INT. AYINLA PALACE – PRINCESS ALAN’S CHAMBER – EVENING

Princess Alan stands before her mirror, adjusting her hair. Behind her, Xena stares silently through the window.

The Wise Man’s words replay in her mind.

The place exists.

Xena’s expression tightens.

A MAID enters, closing the door behind her.

MAID

My lady, I was told to inform you that the prince has arrived.

Alan’s face immediately lights up.

PRINCESS ALAN

My brother is back?

She quickly turns from the mirror.

PRINCESS ALAN

Xena!

Xena snaps out of her thoughts.

XENA

Yes, my lady?

PRINCESS ALAN

Come. My brother is here!

Alan hurries out of the chamber.

Xena follows, though reluctantly. Her mind is still occupied by the Wise Man’s words.

⸻

INT. AYINLA PALACE – CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS

Alan walks quickly through the corridor, excitement in her steps.

Xena trails behind.

Suddenly—

Xena stops.

Faint voices drift from somewhere near the garden.

She looks toward the sound.

The voices are distant. Too distant for an ordinary person to hear clearly.

But somehow, Xena can.

KING (O.S.)

After all these years, you return with no news about the mission?

Xena’s eyes narrow.

She instinctively listens.

PRINCE (O.S.)

Father, my men and I searched everywhere. Valleys. Seas. Mountains. We searched across the earth, but we couldn’t find anything close to your description.

A pause.

PRINCE (O.S.)

It seems nothing like that exists.

KING (O.S.)

So you’re saying the books are nothing but myths?

SECOND VOICE (O.S.)

Yes, my lord.

Xena glances around, confused by how clearly she can hear them.

KING (O.S.)

The kingdoms of Liam, Nayta, Furha, and Naem are still searching for this place. You will continue the search until it is found.

PRINCE (O.S.)

But Father, we have searched for years. My men are exhausted. There is nothing—

KING (O.S.)

Enough.

Silence.

Xena remains still.

KING (O.S.)

You will remain here until I decide otherwise. Then you will return to the search.

PRINCE (O.S.)

And if I refuse?

A long silence.

When the King speaks again, his voice is calm—almost unnervingly so.

KING (O.S.)

You are my son, not my equal. Do not mistake my patience for permission to disobey me.

Xena’s expression changes.

KING (O.S.)

You will find that place, or you will give me a reason to regret ever sending you.

The Prince says nothing.

KING (O.S.)

Do I make myself clear?

PRINCE (O.S.)

Yes, Father.

KING (O.S.)

Good. Then do not return to me empty-handed again.

The voices fade as the King walks away.

Xena remains frozen for a moment.

That place.

The words linger in her mind, but they mean nothing to her yet.

She hears footsteps approaching.

Xena quickly moves away from the corridor, pretending she had simply stopped to look around.

⸻

EXT. PALACE GARDEN – MOMENTS LATER

The Prince walks with his closest friend, GIDEON.

The Prince looks exhausted.

PRINCE

I hate being a prince.

Gideon glances at him.

PRINCE

I hate everything about my life. I can’t even live with my own family and have a normal life.

He kicks a small stone along the path.

PRINCE

My father doesn’t love me. Who throws his own son across the world searching for something that may not even exist?

Gideon lets out a quiet sigh.

GIDEON

Prince, I’m here for you. And I love you like a brother. Never forget that.

The Prince looks at him.

For the first time, the anger in his face softens.

PRINCE

Thank you for always having my back, Gideon.

Gideon gives him a small smile.

Behind them, Xena watches from a distance.

She quickly turns and hurries after Princess Alan.

She doesn’t understand what she just heard.

She doesn’t question why she could hear a conversation from so far away.

And she certainly doesn’t realize that the mysterious place the King speaks of may have a connection to something she has already seen.

Not yet.

For now, it is simply another mystery.

CUT TO BLACK.