In a forgotten kingdom, Princess Aurevia grows up longing for her father’s love, hiding her pain behind strength and duty.

INT. ROYAL PALACE – GRAND HALLWAY – MORNING

Golden light floods through the tall stained-glass windows of the palace. The floor is made of polished white marble. Everything is elegant — but silent.

Footsteps echo.

PRINCESS AUREVIA (16) walks slowly, dressed in fine royal clothes. Her long black braid swings behind her, a sword slung awkwardly at her side. Her eyes are soft but guarded — she carries loneliness like a hidden jewel.

She pauses before a large wooden door.

INT. THRONE ROOM – CONTINUOUS

The throne room is vast. Banners of the kingdom’s sigil — a golden lion on violet silk — hang from stone pillars. Servants whisper. Scribes shuffle scrolls.

At the far end sits THE KING — tall, regal, mid-40s — surrounded by advisors. His expression is cold, unreadable.

AUREVIA

(quietly, holding her voice steady)

Father… I completed the temple rites.

And passed the sword trial.

The King doesn’t look up. His hand moves, signing a document.

AUREVIA (softly, hopeful)

I thought… maybe you would come see—

KING

(interrupts, flat)

Later. The council meets now.

She bows. Her voice caught in her throat.

INT. AUREVIA’S ROOM – NIGHT

Aurevia removes her crown gently, placing it on a velvet pillow. Her fingers tremble.

She sits by the window, moonlight casting soft silver across her face.

For a moment, she smiles — then her eyes well up.

AUREVIA

(whispers)

Am I still your daughter, Father? Or just a shadow of duty?

A single tear rolls down her cheek.

The wind picks up outside. Leaves swirl unnaturally.

EXT. ROYAL GARDEN – MIDNIGHT

The garden glows softly. Blue night blossoms bloom under the moon. Aurevia walks barefoot in her nightgown, drawn by the wind.

She pauses beneath the Old Moon Tree — ancient and silver-leaved.

A shimmer moves through the trees.

VOICE (O.S.)

You’ve carried too much pain for someone so young.

Aurevia gasps and turns.

From the mist, a girl appears — glowing faintly. She looks 17, wearing soft, celestial robes. Her presence is calm, like moonlight. Her name is LIORA.

AUREVIA

Who… who are you?

LIORA

Someone born from your tears.

A soul who waited beyond the veil to answer your silence.

AUREVIA

(tears falling)

You… came for me?

Liora nods, stepping closer.

LIORA

Not just to come.

To stay. As your sister. If you’ll have me.

Aurevia stares. Then, for the first time in years —

She steps forward and embraces her.

The entire garden blooms in golden light.

INT. PRINCESS AUREVIA’S ROOM – EARLY MORNING

Golden rays break through the sheer curtains. Birds chirp faintly.

Aurevia lies in bed, peacefully… but her eyes snap open.

She rises — no hesitation. No crown. No tears.

She looks toward the moon-shaped pendant on her table — a gift from Liora, softly glowing. She smiles, quietly.

AUREVIA (V.O.)

 “He won’t see me as a daughter.

But today, he’ll see me as a warrior.”

EXT. TRAINING GROUND – LATER THAT MORNING

Steel clashes. Dust rises. The practice field behind the palace is alive with soldiers. Aurevia, now in warrior robes, sword strapped to her back, walks onto the ground.

She removes her royal jewelry one by one, setting them aside — piece by piece shedding her past weakness.

Then, she begins.

Fast strikes. Clean blocks. Fire in her form. The soldiers pause to watch. Whispers spread.

SOLDIER (to another)

 That’s the princess?

ANOTHER SOLDIER

 That’s not a princess. That’s a storm.

INT. ROYAL PALACE – WAR CHAMBER – AFTERNOON

The King, seated at a round table of stone, listens intently as a MESSENGER kneels.

MESSENGER

 My Lord… scouts report an enemy battalion marching from the Black Vale.

Three days away. At most.

Gasps fill the chamber.

Tension rises. War generals mutter strategies. The King frowns.

KING

 Who will lead the frontline?

The room goes silent.

Suddenly—

AUREVIA (O.S.)

 I will.

Heads turn.

Aurevia steps into the war chamber — armor half-worn, sword strapped across her back, face calm but bold.

KING (surprised)

 Aurevia? This is not a stage for heirs to impress. It is war.

AUREVIA (strong)

 I’ve trained in silence.

Fought shadows no one saw.

If I fall, I fall for my people.

If I win… let it be known your daughter stood, while others hesitated.

The generals exchange looks. Even the King is struck silent.

LIORA (O.S., whisper to Aurevia)

 I’m with you. Every step.

From behind a pillar, Liora watches — invisible to all but Aurevia.

A gentle nod. A soft smile.

KING (softly)

 Then rise, Aurevia of the Flame.

Lead… and let the kingdom see your light.

Aurevia bows deeply — but not as a daughter.

As a commander.

INT. PRINCESS AUREVIA’S CHAMBER – EVENING

Golden sunlight pours through the windows. Aurevia opens a chest at the foot of her bed. Inside, her ceremonial armor gleams — silver and violet, marked with the royal crest.

She places each piece on her body slowly — her hands slightly trembling.

Her reflection in the mirror looks back at her — uncertain, yet determined.

A soft glow forms near the doorway.

LIORA appears, wrapped in moonlight, barefoot and smiling.

LIORA

You’re trembling.

AUREVIA (small smile)

I’ve been training my whole life. But now it feels… real.

LIORA (gently)

It is real. But you won’t go alone.

Aurevia turns, her eyes softening. Liora steps forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.

LIORA

You carry more than a sword, Aurevia.

You carry every girl who was ever told she couldn’t.

You carry me.

Aurevia closes her eyes, takes a deep breath — and her fear quiets.

INT. ROYAL THRONE ROOM – NIGHT

The palace torches are lit. The war generals stand at attention. The King sits upon the high throne, his face unreadable.

AUREVIA, in full armor, walks into the room. Everyone turns. Silence.

She kneels before the King, bowing her head.

AUREVIA

I seek your blessing, Father.

Not as your daughter — but as the commander of your army.

The King’s eyes search hers. For a moment, he says nothing. Then:

KING (softly)

You wear the flame well, Aurevia.

He rises and steps down — gently placing his hand on her head.

KING (firmly)

Bring back victory. And bring back yourself.

Aurevia looks up, shocked. A flicker of warmth shines in her father’s eyes.

She bows again — but this time, her heart is full.

EXT. ENEMY CAMP – NIGHT

The rival camp burns with torchlight. Around a fire, ENEMY COMMANDERS sit, drinking and laughing.

ENEMY GENERAL

So the king sends a girl to command his men?

SOLDIER

They say she’s his daughter. Pretty little thing, I’m sure.

ANOTHER COMMANDER

What’s next? A royal tea party at the frontline?

Laughter erupts. One of the soldiers throws a dagger at a tree trunk — hitting off-center.

ENEMY GENERAL

Let them bring silk to a sword fight.

We’ll write her name in the dirt by sunrise.

EXT. HILLSIDE – DAWN

Aurevia rides at the front of the army. Behind her: rows of soldiers, banners flapping in the wind. The sky is turning pale gold.

Her eyes look forward — but her heart is steady.

Liora rides beside her on a silver horse, unseen by the others. Her presence like the moon walking beside the sun.

LIORA (whispers)

They laugh now.

But tomorrow… the world will remember your name.

Aurevia grips her sword. Her voice is calm.

AUREVIA

Let them laugh.

She raises her hand — signaling the march forwar

EXT. WAR CAMP – NIGHT

Hundreds of tents stand in neat rows under the night sky. Torches flicker. The warriors have gathered around a large map tent at the center — murmurs fill the air.

INT. STRATEGY TENT – CONTINUOUS

A long wooden table stands at the center, covered in maps, markers, and scrolls. Around it are ten high-ranking generals, war chiefs, and field commanders — all hardened men.

PRINCESS AUREVIA walks in wearing her battle cloak, a silver circlet on her brow, and a map scroll in her hand.

She walks to the head of the table — but not a single soldier rises. They glance at her. Some smirk. Others look away.

Aurevia unrolls the scroll.

AUREVIA (steady voice)

I’ve studied the terrain around Black Vale. If we reposition the eastern flank near the canyon wall and split the archers—

She’s cut off by soft chuckles.

GENERAL #1

We’re receiving battle plans… from a royal tea girl?

COMMANDER #2 (muttering to another)

Is she going to ask the enemy to surrender with manners?

The laughter spreads — quiet, bitter, cruel.

GENERAL #3 (loudly)

Forgive us, Your Grace, but some of us prefer to survive this war.

AUREVIA (still calm)

I do too. That’s why I suggest flanking their blind side during sunrise. They’ll be moving from the east—

COMMANDER #2 (interrupting)

—And how would you know that?

Read it in a fairy tale?

AUREVIA (voice sharpens)

I know because I’ve walked the cliffs of Black Vale at dawn.

I’ve studied every valley, shadow, and weak point since I was thirteen.

A tense silence falls. A few shift awkwardly. But the scoffing returns.

GENERAL #1 (sarcastic)

Then perhaps next you’ll teach us how to braid our swords.

Aurevia clenches her fists. Her breath shakes. Her eyes sting—but she doesn’t let tears fall.

Suddenly, a soft silver glow begins behind her.

LIORA appears in the shadows of the tent. No one else sees her — only Aurevia. Her voice is quiet and firm.