Scene 5: The Sacrifice
Exterior FOREST EDGE – NIGHT
Be-el and Azazel stand at the edge of the forest, gazing towards the distant lights of a small house nestled in a clearing. The air is tense with anticipation.
AZAZEL (whispering) This is it, Be-el. The house the woman spoke of. We need to be swift.
BE-EL (nervous) I still don’t feel right about this, Azazel. There must be another way.
AZAZEL (firmly) We’ve discussed this. Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary for the greater good. We need that power to save Beatrice and regain your past.
Be-el nods reluctantly, steeling himself for what is to come. They make their way quietly through the underbrush, approaching the house.
Interior SMALL HOUSE – NIGHT
Inside, a modest, warmly lit home, a family sits together. The father, a sturdy man with broad shoulders and graying hair, has a kind but weathered face, etched with lines from years of toil and care. His eyes, a soft brown, reflect a deep love for his family and the wisdom of a life well-lived. He sits by the fireplace, engrossed in a book, the flickering flames casting a warm glow on his face.
The mother, a woman with gentle features and a nurturing aura, sits nearby, her hands deftly sewing a piece of clothing. Her long, dark hair, streaked with silver, is tied back, revealing a face marked by the passage of time and the joy and sorrow it has brought. Her eyes are a serene blue, filled with a quiet strength.
Their daughter, a young woman on the cusp of adulthood, stands by the stove, stirring a pot of stew. Her long, auburn hair is tied back in a loose braid, revealing her striking green eyes. She moves with a graceful efficiency, her simple dress accentuating her natural beauty and giving her an ethereal appearance.
FATHER (looking up from his book) Dinner smells wonderful, dear. What’s on the menu tonight?
DAUGHTER (smiling) Just a simple stew, Father. I used the vegetables we harvested this morning.
MOTHER (nodding approvingly) You’ve done a great job with the garden this year. We’re lucky to have such a bountiful harvest.
FATHER (smiling warmly) And lucky to have such a talented cook in the house.
DAUGHTER (blushing slightly) Thank you. I enjoy cooking for the family. It makes me happy to see everyone well-fed and content.
MOTHER (sewing) Speaking of contentment, I finished mending your cloak today. You can take it with you tomorrow when you visit the market.
FATHER (gratefully) Thank you, my love. It’s been getting colder lately. I appreciate you always looking out for me.
DAUGHTER (playfully) You better stay warm, Father. We can’t have you catching a cold and complaining about it for weeks.
The family shares a light-hearted laugh, the warmth of their bond evident in their interactions.
MOTHER (smiling) It’s moments like these that I cherish. Simple, everyday moments with my loved ones.
FATHER (nodding) Indeed. It’s the small things that make life worthwhile.
DAUGHTER (thoughtfully) I sometimes wonder what lies beyond our village, though. There must be so much to see and experience.
FATHER (gently) There is a big world out there, but there’s also beauty in the life we have here. Remember to appreciate the present while dreaming of the future.
MOTHER (softly) Your father is right. There’s a whole world to explore, but never forget the love and comfort of home.
DAUGHTER (nods) I understand. I do love our life here. It’s just… sometimes I feel a longing for something more.
FATHER (smiling) That’s natural, my dear. We all have dreams and aspirations. Just promise us you’ll follow them wisely.
DAUGHTER (smiling) I promise.
The peace of the moment is shattered when Be-el and Azazel burst through the door.
FATHER (startled, standing up) Who are you? What do you want?
BE-EL (urgent) We don’t want to hurt anyone. We just need your daughter.
FATHER (defiant) Over my dead body!
The father reaches for a nearby object to defend his family. Azazel seizes the moment, lunging at the father with demonic speed.
AZAZEL (grimly) So be it.
Azazel strikes the father down, the force of the blow sending him crashing into a table. The mother screams, rushing to her husband’s side.
MOTHER (horrified) No! Please, no!
Azazel turns to her, his eyes cold and merciless. He attacks her swiftly, and she falls beside her husband. The young woman, frozen in terror, watches as her parents are killed.
DAUGHTER (crying out) Why? Why are you doing this?
AZAZEL (to Be-el) Get the girl, Be-el. We don’t have much time.
Be-el, visibly shaken by the violence, steps forward and gently takes the girl by the arm. She doesn’t resist, too shocked to move.
BE-EL (softly) I’m sorry. I never wanted this.
DAUGHTER (sobbing) Please, don’t hurt me.
BE-EL (reassuringly) We won’t hurt you. We just need you for something important.
They lead her out of the house, leaving the bodies of her parents behind. The night air is cool and silent, a stark contrast to the horror that just unfolded.
Exterior FOREST EDGE – NIGHT
Azazel and Be-el stop just inside the forest, the girl trembling between them. Be-el turns to Azazel, his face a mix of guilt and confusion.
BE-EL (troubled) This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. We weren’t supposed to kill them.
AZAZEL (calmly) Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. What matters is that we have her now. We can proceed with the ritual.
BE-EL (angry) But they were innocent! We’ve just destroyed a family.
AZAZEL (convincing) Focus on the bigger picture, Be-el. Their sacrifice is a means to an end. We need the power to achieve our goals. We can’t let emotions cloud our judgment.
Be-el looks at the girl, who is silently crying, then back at Azazel. His resolve wavers.
BE-EL (sighing) I understand what you’re saying, but it doesn’t make it any easier.
AZAZEL (softly) It never is. But remember why we’re doing this. For Beatrice. For your redemption. Sometimes, the path to our goals is fraught with difficult choices.
BE-EL (resolute) You’re right. We have to stay focused. But this… this is something I will carry with me.
AZAZEL (nodding) As will I. Now, let’s get this done. We need to get her to the woman and complete the ritual.
Be-el and Azazel continue deeper into the forest, the girl in tow. The weight of their actions hangs heavy in the air, but their determination to see their quest through remains unwavering.
FADE OUT.
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