INT. SPECIAL PRISON - DAY
Sari jolts awake, disturbed by an unpleasant smell that fills the air. As her vision clears, she finds herself in a special prison within the palace grounds. The building's thick walls serve as her confining barrier.
SARI'S THOUGHTS
(confused)
What did I do wrong? Airlangga looked at me, and then General Paraya ordered my arrest. But why? I'm the Princess!
Sari strains her mind, recalling everything she knows about the complex relationship between Madangkara and Rainusa. A realization hits her, and she weakly leans against the iron bars.
SARI'S THOUGHTS
(revelation)
I'm such a fool! Mother escaped from Madangkara because of a grave crime. How does Airlangga relate to it? Why did she abandon me when I needed her most?
The door to the prison corridor opens, and three figures step inside. Sari's shock intensifies as she recognizes General Paraya, Mpu Bhadara, and King Airlangga himself.
Airlangga approaches Sari's cell, projecting a calm demeanor. Mpu Bhadara, an elderly man with a long white beard, raises his concerns.
MPU BHADARA
(reserved)
Stay away from that cell, sire. This woman is very dangerous!
Airlangga dismisses Bhadara's warning, extending his palm as a gesture of reassurance.
KING AIRLANGGA
(assured)
It's all right, Prime Minister. I just need to be sure. Besides, there's no energy beaming on her body. Even if she were to attack me, I can handle it.
Bhadara bows his head in acceptance, acknowledging the King's decision.
Airlangga stands tall and dignified, his eyes focused on Sari, who kneels on the cold cell floor. He addresses her, his voice tinged with a harsh edge.
KING AIRLANGGA
(inquisitive)
Rajni Sari, what is your relationship to Regent Lastika?
SARI
(nervously)
She is my mother, Your Majesty.
Paraya nods in agreement.
GENERAL PARAYA
(confirming)
She speaks the truth, Sire.
A moment of silence hangs in the air as Airlangga processes Sari's response. Then his tone shifts, his words laced with intrigue.
KING AIRLANGGA
(interested)
This is interesting. Regent Lastika, who was meant to greet us, is nowhere to be found. I suspect she must have fled. But her daughter, you, remain behind.
Sari's eyes widen as she realizes her mother had indeed escaped the palace, leaving her behind in this prison.
MPU BHADARA
(skeptical)
Did Lastika intentionally sacrifice her own daughter, offering Sari as a distraction while she escapes without a trace?
GENERAL PARAYA
(resolute)
Lastika wouldn't sacrifice her own daughter. If she were Calon Arang, she would have taken Sari with her, leaving no trace in the palace.
Airlangga contemplates the situation, his gaze fixed on Sari.
KING AIRLANGGA
(revealing)
Indeed, Sari, you bear a striking resemblance to Calon Arang, the powerful witch and former Queen of Madangkara.
Sari shakes her head, her face reflecting pain and confusion.
SARI
(defensive)
My mother is not Calon Arang. I'm sure of that.
Airlangga's tone grows serious as he continues to enlighten Sari.
KING AIRLANGGA
(explanatory)
The main purpose of my visit to Rainusa was to take over Lastika's position as Regent. Since she has fled, the position now belongs to me. My son has ascended the throne in Madangkara, and I have returned to protect my homeland.
Sari struggles to process Airlangga's words, her mind racing to understand his intentions. But what causes her heart to pound is the uncertainty of her own fate as this conversation reaches its climax.
KING AIRLANGGA
(penetrating)
When I look at you, I sense the presence of Calon Arang, a formidable villain. I thought Calon Arang had perished in the war in Madangkara. But now I believe she has resurfaced, seeking an opportunity to seize power.
SARI
(in disbelief)
In Rainusa?
KING AIRLANGGA
(with conviction)
Not only in Rainusa, but perhaps in all of Antapada.
Sari freezes, her wildest thoughts unable to fathom her mother's grand ambitions.
SARI'S THOUGHTS
(desperate)
My mother cannot be Calon Arang. She can't be!
Airlangga, unwavering in his stance, poses one final question to Sari.
KING AIRLANGGA
(determined)
Do you know where your mother has gone, Sari?
Sari's response is resolute.
SARI
(sincere)
I don't know, Your Majesty.
Airlangga turns to Bhadara, who shrugs in response. With a sigh, the King reaches a decision.
KING AIRLANGGA
(resolute)
In that case, we have no choice. Sari, you will remain in this prison. Perhaps one day we will release you, but only when the threat of Calon Arang is eradicated from this land.
Airlangga exits the cell, followed by Bhadara, their gazes lingering on Sari, filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
Left alone, Sari is left to accept her fate, a sense of liminality enveloping her.
FADE OUT.
INT. DIMLY LIT PRISON CELL - DAY
Sari sits in the dimly lit prison cell, her only indication of time being the towering barred window that offers a glimpse of the outside world. Two torches flicker outside, casting eerie shadows across the walls. Sari is left to reflect on the choices and teachings that led her to this point of confinement.
SARI'S THOUGHTS
(whispered)
How did it come to this? I followed my mother's teachings, even though they were filled with bitterness. I never harbored hatred within me, only weariness of the rigid palace life and its stifling rules. What went wrong?
Suddenly, voices break the silence, echoing through the cell corridor. Curiosity piques within Sari, and she edges closer to the bars, straining to listen. There's a loud bang, the sound of a key turning, and the door to the hallway swings open.
Through the dimly lit corridor, Sari catches a glimpse of a familiar figure. Her eyes widen in astonishment.
SARI
(excited)
Jaka!
Breathless, Jaka hurries down the short hallway towards Sari's cell. He leans in, his voice hushed.
JAKA
(whispering)
Shh! Don't make a sound. The other guards might hear us, and I'll have to take them all out. I'm on the run now. We need to escape!
SARI
(baffled)
But Jaka, why are you...
Jaka interrupts, his focus on picking the lock with the keys he possesses.
JAKA
(determined)
I couldn't leave you here to rot, Sari. That's why I came to set you free. Isn't it obvious?
The bars of the cell door swing open, and without hesitation, Sari steps out, her gratitude evident. It's only then, as she notices the empty cells nearby, that she realizes the irregularity of her confinement. As a Princess, she should have been held in a separate cell corridor, away from male prisoners.
Sari and Jaka cautiously make their way through the corridor, passing unconscious guards along the path. Jaka's determination to free himself becomes apparent, and Sari watches him intently, always mindful of the possibility of encountering more soldiers.
They finally reach the exit of the prison building, where Jaka turns to Sari, half-whispering.
JAKA
(relieved)
Good. Now, Sari, we have to leave Astana Nusa before...
SARI
(assertive)
No! We have to go to my house first.
Jaka's eyes widen with concern.
JAKA
(worried)
It's too dangerous, Sari!
SARI
(determined)
Even if we must travel far, I must retrieve my fan, money, supplies... and clothes.
Jaka furrows his brow, contemplating the risks. Eventually, he relents.
JAKA
(resigned)
Alright. Let's go then.
They set off, with Jaka leading the way and Sari following closely behind. Both of them aware of the imminent danger that awaits them beyond the confines of the prison.
FADE OUT.
EXT. SARI'S RESIDENCE - DAY
Sari arrives at her home, weakened by her time in the palace's detention room. The state of her residence leaves her in shock. Furniture and belongings are scattered across the floor, pottery shattered into pieces.
Jaka, who has just joined Sari, comments on the scene.
JAKA
(amazed)
That Airlangga wasted no time. Soon after your arrest, he ordered a search of your house, confiscating anything deemed suspicious.
Sari seeks more information, her expression determined.
SARI
(curious)
What else did they find?
Jaka recounts what he knows.
JAKA
(speaking quickly)
Word is there are orders and rewards for capturing your mother, dead or alive. Magical warriors are likely on the hunt for her now.
Sari wastes no time, realizing the urgency of their situation.
SARI
(resolute)
Then let's not waste another moment. Help me gather what we need for the journey!
She grabs a cloth and rushes to her bedroom. Inside, she changes into a plain red traveling dress, preparing for the unknown ahead. Sari collects all the remaining money hidden in a secret compartment beside her bed. But the most crucial item is her mother's gift, the fan she wields as a weapon. It's sturdier and heavier than her dancing fan.
In her bedroom, Sari breathes a sigh of relief when she finds the fan intact. She opens it, and a piece of paper falls out. She picks it up and reads the contents.
Jaka enters the room, a sense of urgency in his voice.
JAKA
(exclaiming)
Did you hear that, Sari? The alarm bell at the palace prison building is ringing. Soldiers are coming! We must hurry!
With no time to spare, Sari quickly tucks the fan and the important letter into her belt. They rush toward the front door, but Sari hesitates, her gaze lingering on the house that was once her sanctuary.
Jaka notices her hesitation and reaches out to grab her hand.
JAKA
(encouraging)
Come on, Sari! This isn't your home anymore. We have to move quickly! Once we reach "my place of power," we can catch our breath.
Sari remains silent, a mixture of emotions crossing her face. Eventually, she turns away from the house, resigned to the reality of her new circumstances. Her footsteps grow heavy, then come to a halt.
Sari's moment of hesitation catches Jaka's attention. He turns back and firmly takes hold of her hand.
JAKA
(scolding)
We have to hurry, Sari! This is no longer your home. Leave it behind. Our journey awaits!
Sari, her gaze distant, follows Jaka's lead. With a heavy heart, she bids farewell to the comfortable life she once knew within the palace walls and embraces the unknown adventures that lie ahead.
They continue their journey, leaving Sari's home behind.
FADE OUT.