Act 2 Scene 5:
(Grand meeting room, adorned with opulent Narcissian aesthetics, towering marble columns support a vaulted ceiling. A large, intricately carved table occupies the centre, surrounded by ornate chairs. Lush and bold tapestries depict Narcissian triumphs, and symbols of power adorn the walls. One such tapestry – the largest - depicts a fierce and chaotic battle. Soldiers clash with unidentified adversaries in the midst of a tumultuous landscape)
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(The protagonist, Lord Preen, Earl Bigot, and both Adapeti are present)
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Protagonist: (Curious) Why have I been summoned to the High-Exarchs' meeting room? What pressing matters could possibly draw me into this chamber of authority and intrigue?
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Adapetus Æther: (Distrustful) Why have we gathered in this opulent chamber? It seems I am a pawn in a game I do not comprehend.
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Earl Bigot: (Commanding) Your lack of understanding is inconsequential, Adapetus. You are here because your knowledge may serve Narciss well.
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Adapetus Æther: (Intimidated) If it must, your Eminence. My knowledge, once a beacon of improvement, now carries a hopelessness in the iron grip of Narciss.
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Earl Bigot: The Earldom of Narciss, a bastion of aristocratic virtue, shall extend its benevolent influence over the neighbouring realms. The Pheasantine Republic’s feeble experiment with democracy shall crumble before our might, ushering in a new era of order. Aquiloria’s meritocratic illusions shall bow to the aristocratic truth, recognizing the inherent superiority of noble blood. In Vorantis, the Technocratic Enclave, our skilled manipulators will exploit their obsession with progress, turning their own innovations into tools of control. Umbracrest, lost in the chaos of anarchy, shall become fertile ground for Narcissian dominance. Cerulea, the Theocratic Confederacy, will witness the ascendancy of the Order of the Dragoon, aligning its conservative beliefs with the might of Narciss. Such is the grand tapestry we weave, each region’s weakness becoming a stepping stone to our unparalleled supremacy. The Narcissian vision shall rise above the fractured realms, shaping a world where the aristocracy reigns supreme, unchallenged, and eternal.
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Earl Bigot: The mighty ND Narcissus, our towering Dreadnought, shall cast its imposing shadow over the realms we seek to conquer. With a cadre of ethereal Wraiths and agile Strikers under its dominion, it shall be an instrument of divine retribution. The Wraiths, sinister spectres of the skies, shall destroy the command ships of opposing leaders, sowing discord and chaos. Stealthily, they shall disable their airships, leaving them defenceless against our impending onslaught. Meanwhile, the Strikers, swift and lethal, shall rain down destruction upon the helpless vessels. As the Dreadnought advances, cities shall tremble, and the once proud leaders of these realms shall bow before the might of Narciss. The very heavens shall bear witness to our ascendancy, as the ND Narcissus dominates the skies, obliterating any who dare oppose the aristocratic order.
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Adapetus Æther: (Angry and Sarcastic) Ah, is that the grand vision? To unleash the Dreadnought and its spectral minions upon unsuspecting lands? How noble! Surely, this was the pinnacle of technological innovation that I, from the scientific haven of Vorantis, envisioned—ætheric power used for global dominion. I see no ethical quandaries here. And pray tell, let us not forget the delightful creations from my esteemed colleague, the Adapetus Biomechanical. Those charming biomechanical creatures, born of twisted ambition and scientific curiosity, lurking in tanks like grotesque trophies of Narcissian prowess. A display of magnificence indeed!
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Adapetus Biomech: (Pleased) Behold the culmination of twisted brilliance! Our biomechanical forces meticulously designed to install fear and chaos in the hearts of our adversaries. The brutes, with their relentless strength, eviscerate foes with swift brutality, their metallic limbs tearing through flesh and bone. Their jaws, equipped with razor-sharp metallic teeth, rend through armour as if it were paper. Lurkers, the silent reapers, strike from the shadows with a gruesome finesse, their clawed appendages poised to tear out throats and vital organs. With heightened senses compensating for their blindness, they navigate the battlefield with predatory precision, leaving behind a wake of terror. Lunatics, the embodiment of insanity, unleashed blood-curdling screams that pierce the battlefield, spreading terror among all who hear. Their erratic movements make them unpredictable and unnerving, creating a psychological battlefield where fear becomes a weapon in itself. Enter the pyromaniacs, twisted beings armed with flamethrowers and other incendiary devices, turning the very air into a blistering inferno. Their relentless assault leaves nothing but ashes in their wake, a testament to the devastating power they bring to the battlefield. The occults, possessing both intelligence and mastery over sky essence magic, orchestrate this mechanized symphony with strategic brilliance. Their eyes glow with an otherworldly light as they manipulate the forces of the sky, directing the biomechanical entities with eerie precision. Picture this macabre ballet, each biomechanical entity, a grotesque performer in our grand theatrical display of conquest! From the brutal efficiency of the brutes to the calculated strikes of the lurkers, every element combines into a nightmarish vision of warfare.
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(The protagonist is visibly repulsed by this)
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Protagonist: (Horrified) By the heavens, what monstrous abominations have you wrought upon the world? This is madness!
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Lord Preen: (Uncertain) This... this was not what I signed up for. Are we to unleash such horrors upon the innocent?
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Earl Bigot: (Persuasively) Lord Preen, do you not see the power at our fingertips? The might of Narciss will be unmatched, and you shall be part of this glorious conquest. Embrace the strength we command and cast aside doubts that only hinder progress. The world will kneel before Narciss, and you shall stand among the triumphant.
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Lord Preen: (Choosing Bigot) I... I never signed up for atrocities. But if this is the path to power, then so be it. I stand with my father, Earl Bigot.
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Protagonist: (Upset) No, this is far beyond the realm of reason! I can not be part of such monstrous schemes.
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Lord Preen: (Upset, but firm) Farewell, old friend. This is the way the world turns, and I’ll turn with it.
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Earl Bigot: (Smirking) Ad Astra Per Aspera. Through hardships to the stars, Lord Preen. You’ve made the right choice.
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Adapetus Biomech: (To Adapetus Æther) Come, there is something you need to see.
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Earl Bigot: (To the Protagonist) You, my dear, will accompany us to an airship. We have matters to attend to in the Dreadnought’s brig.
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Protagonist: (Sadly, with a yearning quality) United we stand, a brotherhood so grand...
Democracy is our guide, with justice close at hand.
Against the shadows tall, we stand firm and strong,
A lone voice against tyranny, we sing this freedom song.
(Chorus)
Brotherhood, democracy, side by side, we strive,
Against the tide of darkness, for freedom, we survive.
In the face of tyranny, we won’t stand alone,
United we’ll prevail. Our seeds of hope are sown.
(Verse 2)
In the halls of power, where shadows often creep,
We’ll light the lamp of freedom, our promises to keep.
Though solitary it may seem, our resolve won’t break,
For in our hearts, the flame of justice we’ll awake.
(Chorus)
Brotherhood, democracy, side by side, we strive,
Against the tide of darkness, for freedom, we survive.
In the face of tyranny, we won’t stand alone,
United we’ll prevail. Our seeds of hope are sown.
(Bridge)
Through trials and tribulations, our path may twist and turn,
But with democracy as our guide, we’ll quench the fires that burn.
In the echo of our anthem, a rallying cry resounds,
For brotherhood and freedom, our purpose knows no bounds.
(Chorus)
Brotherhood, democracy, side by side, we strive,
Against the tide of darkness, for freedom, we survive.
In the face of tyranny, we won’t stand alone,
United we’ll prevail. Our seeds of hope are sown.
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(They exit. The protagonist with her head held in her hands, quietly sobbing)
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