SCENE 1 – SECRET SPY OUTPOST OUTSIDE RAJGADH
[FORESTED HILLTOP – NIGHT]
Aryan stands in a moonlit tent with a panoramic view of Rajgadh in the distance. Around him are Zahira (spy mistress of the Crescent Veil), Viraj, and two new elite warriors—Rudrak, a stoic, broad-shouldered former temple guardian, and Kamaal, a lean, lightning-fast twin-dagger fighter with a cocky grin.
A glowing map is laid out between them.
ARYAN (calmly):
"We strike no blade… only truths. Let the cracks inside Rajgadh widen."
ZAHIRA (nodding):
"Our informants say merchants have begun hoarding grain—prices doubled overnight."
VIRAJ:
"Rumors of betrayal in Rudrasen's court are spreading. We've planted letters implicating three nobles."
RUDRAK (quietly):
"What if they sniff you out, Aryaveer?"
ARYAN (smirking):
"They're chasing shadows while I rearrange their pillars."
SCENE 2 – RAJGADH MARKETPLACE
[DAY]
Laughter, chaos, confusion. Merchant carts overturned. Commoners argue over food prices. Beneath the noise, spies spread rumors—some true, some false.
Sena the tiger cub (now strong enough to carry small loads) prowls in the crowd calmly, drawing awe.
A young boy stares, wide-eyed.
BOY:
"Is that… a god-beast?"
MERCHANT (whispering):
"No. He belongs to the boy who walks like a king."
SCENE 3 – PALACE WAR ROOM
[RAJGADH PALACE – NIGHT]
Rudrasen slams his fist against a table. Maps shake.
RUDRASEN:
"The boy says nothing, yet my own lords question me! Food riots, grain stolen, nobles whispering betrayal!"
MINISTER:
"Shall we arrest him?"
RUDRASEN (growling):
"Fool. He's done nothing—officially. He smiles and poisons the air."
He pauses… confused and uncertain for the first time in years.
SCENE 4 – MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT
[DUSK]
Aryan sits alone on a ledge, legs crossed, watching the city lights of Rajgadh below. Sena curls beside him. Devika and Ranvi arrive with warm food.
DEVIKA:
"You're barely eating."
ARYAN (distantly):
"Because I'm still tasting victory."
RANVI (teasing):
"Victory? What if they catch you?"
ARYAN (smiling):
"Then they'll realize too late… they were never hunting me. I let them think they were."
SCENE 5 – RUDRASEN'S CHAMBERS
[NIGHT]
Rudrasen stares at a single note left on his desk. It's unsigned.
"The roots of your tree rot from within. By the time you raise your axe, the forest will belong to me."
His hands tremble.
SCENE 6 – ROYAL GATES, DEPARTURE
[DAWN]
Aryan mounts his black horse. Behind him, a silent retinue of allies and spies depart. Villagers bow as he passes.
Rudrasen watches from his tower again. This time, there's no mocking. Only fear.
RUDRASEN (muttering):
"He didn't defeat me… he made me defeat myself."
And far in the distance, Aryan smiles faintly, eyes fixed on the eastern horizon.
End of Episode 19