Glow Beneath The Ruins

🖤 \*\*Episode Fourteen - The Smile Before the Storm \*\*

🎬 **Scene One - Eliar's Room - Midnight - Continuing Live from the End of Episode 13**

[The dim light still filters through Eliar's window. The room is silent, and the air is cold. Eliar is sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, his eyes half-closed, and the phone in his hands is dead after the call.]

**Subtext (Eliar):**

*"Her voice... still rings in my ears. True warmth, the kind that's only given once in a lifetime... and maybe never again."*

[He sighs slowly, then offers a small, sincere smile, as if his heart is melting fearlessly for the first time.]

**Subtext (Eliar):**

*"She's the only one I can be vulnerable in front of... without fear of falling."*

[He closes his eyes. A rare moment of peace passes, but it leaves an impact.]

---

🎬 **Scene 2 - Next Morning - School - Assembly Hall**

[The students yawn, moving slowly in the assembly hall. The air is a little chilly, as if the school woke up late. Eliar stands in his class, his eyes flicking unfocused.]

**Subtext (Eliar):**

*"The captain is silent after the call... and that's worse than any threat. I feel uneasy."*

[A few steps away, Himura is talking to a teacher, but his eyes are watching Eliar with a wry smile. He picks up his phone, presses a button, and puts it in his pocket.]

**Himura (whispering):**

"Live in the moment, hero... the last breath of the truce."

---

🎬 **Scene 3 - Classroom - First Period**

[The students open their notebooks, and the teacher explains boredly. Eliar sits in his seat, absentminded, occasionally glancing at the door. Suddenly... he sees Rei, laughing softly with her friend, then waving at him from afar.]

[He smiles faintly, without realizing it. Everything around him disappears for a moment.]

**Subtext (Eliar):**

*"She's the only one who lets me escape... without moving from my spot."*

---

🎬 **Scene 4 - Backyard - After Recess**

[Eliar stands alone, leaning against the school wall, his head tilted slightly, the sun warming his face. His eyes are half-closed.]

[Footsteps approach from behind...]

**Rei (with a sly laugh):**

"Do you like cold surprises?"

[Before he can answer, she places an ice-cold can of soda on the back of his cheek. Eliar shudders from the cold, then suddenly shudders, looks behind him in shock, then... laughs. A rare, heartfelt laugh.]

**Eliar (laughing):**

"Are you crazy? I almost lost my soul!"

**Ree (with a devilish innocence):**

"You looked like someone who needed a little electric shock... or a cold!"

[He looks at her and smiles. His eyes sparkle with something new. It's as if he's regained a moment of his lost self.]

**Eliar:** "You're... something different."

**Ree (with a warm smile):** And you... laugh finally.

[A moment when the world freezes around them. No sound, no movement. Just the two of them... as if the universe forgot to rotate for a moment.]

[Then Ree laughs, imitating a fake weather forecaster, and points to Eliar as if addressing the audience.]

**Ree (sarcastically):**

"Dear viewers, we bring you good news: Hope has returned to the Grim Lord's face, after centuries of disappearance."

**Eliar (laughing):**

"I'll sue you for that description."

**Rei:**

"Do it, but remember... the Judge likes a good time!"

[They both laugh. Her voice warms him, his laughter pleases her... and everything seems fine. But somewhere... evil is waiting to fall.]

(The next scene will begin with the stunning surprise - ready to be written later)

🎬 **Final Scene - The Boss's House - Private Office**

[The heavy door opens with a metallic clang. Eliar enters hesitantly, his eyes darting around.]

[The Boss sits behind a dark wooden desk, Rita and Himura standing beside him in cold silence.]

**Boss (low but threatening):**

"I think we've gone too far, Eliar..."

[Eliar doesn't answer. His eyes flick nervously from the leader's face to Himura's, then to the huge screen hanging behind the desk.]

**Leader:**

"I gave you a whole month... and I told you clearly: either you convince her... or I convince her."

[The leader presses a small button on the desk. The screen gradually brightens.]

[An image appears on the screen: a narrow room... a concrete cell...

In the center, Rei is sitting on the floor, her hands cuffed in front of her, her face tilted, and **a bloodstain on her wrists**. The light is dim, her face pale, and her eyes closed.]

[Eliar freezes. His eyes widen. He takes a step back.]

**Eliar (in a hoarse voice):**

"... No... no... impossible."

**Leader (with icy coldness):**

"If you can't convince her while she's free...

Maybe you can while she's in our grip."

[Eliar advances, shouting for the first time.]

**Eliar:**

"What did you do to her?! Rei isn't guilty!"

**Chief (interrupting):**

"Don't raise your voice at me, son of the man you taught everything to."

[A heavy silence. Eliar's breathing ragged.]

**Chief (slowly):**

"I gave you a chance... and...

or chose feelings.

Now, you have two choices:

Either you cooperate...or I reshape her mind myself.

And between us... I'm good at breaking people."

\[Rita smirks. Himura remains silent as he looks at Eliar.]

\[Eliar doesn't speak. His hands are trembling. His entire body is starting to collapse internally.]

**The Boss (whispering):**

"Do you want to see how she screams?

If you don't start convincing her tomorrow... we'll show you another side of the truth."

[The scene closes on Eliar's face, his eyes closed, as if his voice has disappeared inside him.]

[A tear falls to the floor... then the door slowly closes.]

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**End of Episode Fourteen - To Be Continued…**