Scene 6: The Ritual Preparation
Exterior FOREST EDGE – NIGHT
Be-el and Azazel continue deeper into the forest with the virgin woman in tow, the weight of their actions hanging heavily over them. The air grows colder, and the shadows deepen as they move further from the safety of the village.
Interior FOREST CLEARING – NIGHT
In a secluded clearing, the UNKNOWN WOMAN suddenly appears before them, her presence both ethereal and commanding. Her eyes gleam with a mixture of satisfaction and purpose.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (smiling) Well done, Be-el and Azazel. You have done a great job. Now, we must proceed to the next phase.
BE-EL (skeptical) What do you need us to do next?
UNKNOWN WOMAN (calmly) We must take the virgin woman to the catacombs beneath the old church. The church was built on an ancient Wicca pagan ritual site. Once we are there, I can perform the ritual that will restore some of your powers, Be-el.
AZAZEL (intrigued) And these catacombs, are they guarded?
UNKNOWN WOMAN (nodding) Yes, they are guarded by the Holy Order of Acolytes. They are not powerful, and their numbers are few. You and Azazel can overpower them with ease.
BE-EL (concerned) And what will happen to her? Will she be alive after the ritual?
The UNKNOWN WOMAN’s expression hardens slightly, her eyes narrowing.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (firmly) Power requires sacrifice. Think of her not. Focus on the greater good, Be-el. Her life is a small price to pay for the power you seek to reclaim and the redemption you desire.
Be-el looks at the virgin woman, who is trembling with fear, and then back at the UNKNOWN WOMAN. His face reflects a mix of guilt, doubt, and determination.
BE-EL (softly) I understand. Let’s get this done.
The UNKNOWN WOMAN nods approvingly and turns to lead the way. Be-el and Azazel follow her, with the virgin woman walking hesitantly behind them.
Exterior ANCIENT CHURCH – NIGHT
They arrive at an old, decrepit church, its once grand structure now crumbling and overgrown with vines. The air is thick with the scent of decay and the faint whispers of forgotten rituals.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (pointing to a hidden entrance) The entrance to the catacombs is there. Be cautious. The Acolytes will not welcome our intrusion.
Interior CHURCH CATACOMBS – NIGHT
The group descends into the dark, winding tunnels of the catacombs. The walls are lined with ancient runes and symbols, remnants of the old pagan rituals. They move cautiously, their footsteps echoing in the silence.
Suddenly, shadows shift ahead of them, and a small group of HOLY ACOLYTES appears, blocking their path. The acolytes, dressed in simple robes, hold ancient weapons, their eyes filled with determination. They are a mix of men and women, all with resolute expressions and auras of divine protection.
HOLY ACOLYTE LEADER (defiantly) You shall not pass! This place is sacred, and you are not welcome here.
The leader, a tall woman with piercing blue eyes and short, cropped hair, steps forward. Her face is stern, marked with the lines of dedication and sacrifice. The other acolytes, ranging from a burly man with a thick beard to a slender woman with fiery red hair, tighten their grips on their weapons, ready to defend their sacred ground.
AZAZEL (grinning) Sacred or not, we’re coming through.
Azazel charges at the acolytes, engaging them in a fierce battle. Be-el hesitates for a moment, his eyes flicking to the virgin woman, who stands trembling behind him. With a deep breath, he joins the fray, his movements precise and powerful.
The acolytes, though determined, are no match for the combined strength of Be-el and Azazel. One by one, they fall, their cries echoing through the catacombs.
BE-EL (shouting) Azazel, watch your back!
An acolyte lunges at Azazel from behind, but Azazel spins around just in time, parrying the attack with a swift movement of his blade. He counters with a powerful strike, sending the acolyte crashing to the ground.
AZAZEL (grimacing) These pests are more persistent than I thought.
BE-EL (ducking under a swing) Stay focused. We can’t afford to be careless.
Be-el disarms another acolyte with a quick, precise movement, then delivers a knockout blow. The leader of the acolytes charges at him, eyes blazing with righteous fury.
HOLY ACOLYTE LEADER (raising her weapon) You will pay for your sacrilege, fallen one!
BE-EL (defiantly) I don’t seek to destroy, only to reclaim what’s mine.
They clash, the leader’s weapon meeting Be-el’s with a resounding clang. Sparks fly as they exchange blows, each strike echoing through the catacombs.
HOLY ACOLYTE LEADER (gritting her teeth) You are a blight upon this sacred ground!
BE-EL (pushing back) And you are standing in my way!
With a final, powerful thrust, Be-el disarms the leader and knocks her to the ground. The remaining acolytes hesitate, then flee into the shadows, leaving the catacombs eerily silent.
Interior CATACOMB CHAMBER – NIGHT
They reach a large, circular chamber at the heart of the catacombs. In the center of the room is an ancient altar, surrounded by pagan symbols and relics. The air is thick with the energy of forgotten rituals.
The UNKNOWN WOMAN moves to the altar, her presence commanding and powerful. She gestures for Be-el and Azazel to bring the virgin woman forward.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (lifting her hands) Place her on the altar. The ritual must begin.
Be-el gently guides the virgin woman to the altar, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. He looks at the UNKNOWN WOMAN, his expression one of conflict.
BE-EL (quietly) Please… is there no other way?
UNKNOWN WOMAN (coldly) Power requires sacrifice, Be-el. Do not let your emotions cloud your judgment. This is for the greater good.
Be-el nods reluctantly and steps back, joining Azazel as the UNKNOWN WOMAN begins to chant in an ancient, arcane language.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (chanting) “Exaudi nos, spiritus antiqui. Potentiam tuam tradere, ut hunc angelum revocemus. Vitae sanguinem, sacra hostia, da nobis vim tuam.”
The air crackles with energy, and the symbols around the altar begin to glow. The virgin woman’s cries for mercy echo through the chamber.
VIRGIN WOMAN (sobbing) Please, have mercy! I don’t want to die!
BE-EL (agonized) Just endure it a little longer. It will all be over soon.
As the chanting intensifies, Be-el begins to feel excruciating pain coursing through his body. He falls to his knees, screaming in agony.
BE-EL (screaming) It hurts! I can’t… I can’t take it!
AZAZEL (firmly) Endure the pain, Be-el. You’re almost there. You can do it!
The virgin woman continues to scream, her voice filled with terror and pain.
VIRGIN WOMAN (pleading) Please! Make it stop! I’ll do anything!
UNKNOWN WOMAN (chanting louder) “Exurge, fortis angelus, et vim tuam recupera! Vitae sanguinem, sacra hostia, tradimus tibi.”
The chamber is filled with a blinding light as the ritual reaches its climax. Be-el’s screams intensify, and the virgin woman’s cries are cut short as the energy consumes them both.
Interior CATACOMB CHAMBER – MOMENTS LATER
The light fades, and Be-el stands, transformed. His eyes glow with newfound power, and his presence is more commanding, almost divine. He looks at the UNKNOWN WOMAN, who smiles approvingly.
UNKNOWN WOMAN (satisfied) It is done. You have some of your power back, Be-el. Remember, this is only the beginning. More sacrifices will be needed.
Be-el looks at the lifeless body of the virgin woman on the altar, a mixture of sorrow and resolve in his eyes. He turns to Azazel, who places a hand on his shoulder.
AZAZEL (softly) You did what you had to do. We’re one step closer to our goal.
Be-el nods, still grappling with the weight of his actions.
BE-EL (resolute) We move forward. For Beatrice. For our future.
FADE OUT.
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