The Blackest of Rooms: Act III

The Blackest of Rooms by Ursula Seleivara

Characters and the Cast that played the roles

Darak the handsome prince of light and goodness Mr Aneirin Menelaos

Ashra the dark tormented girl Mrs Nawen Beign

Appalea the beautiful woman-promised to marry Darak Miss Frannie Mouze

Ixtlan the dark creature/devil who helps Ashra Mrs Rali'vinee

Wendoyln Ashra's friend and confidante Mrs Thienna Skybreaker

Guhner Darak's right hand man-a priest Mr Archibald Thel

Narrator Sets the scene, announcements Miss Glorandrea Aersinith

Act III

Scene One: The dark forest where we last saw Ashra.

Narrator: We return to the forest where young Ashra cries alone in the dark draped across a large stone. As her tears fall on the rock, the rock suddenly begins to glow. Bright red runes appear on the stone. The runes turn to words, an ancient tongue. ((Ashra puts on the red light, lighting the stage))

(Distraught, Ashra runs her finger across it, trying to make out the words.)

Ashra - Ix...Ix (she struggles with the language slightly) Ixt... What curse is this? If evil is here to take me, take me now as this life holds little for me. My heart is stone and I want to see... (she looks over the stone again) I want to see him suffer as I do.

Narrator: The runes glow brighter as the words leave her lips.

Ashra - Ixt... Ixtlan.

Narrator: As the word leaves her lips, the ground trembles and shakes. A coldness fills the air, sulfuric and bitter. A creature appears. Ashra stumbles back.)

~Ixtlan appears.~

Ixtlan - (voice booming) Why do you call me here, foolish child!

Ashra - I did not call you, creature!

Ixtlan - You spoke my name. You called me here. Now speak. What do you want of me?

Ashra - I spoke your name? Ixtlan? You are Ixtlan?

Ixtlan - I am Ixtlan. You bring me here and I find you crumpled in a ball, wet with your tears. I grow impatient. What do you need of me? What do you want?

Ashra - I want...(she wipes her tears from her face) I want him to know my pain, my suffering.

Ixtlan - (the mighty creature wraps his wings around the small woman) Suffer he shall! ((Fancy fiery exit, stage lights go down, scene changes))

Narrator: The two disappear in a fiery burst. ((curtain down))

Scene Two: A dark forest ((Lights up on stage, curtain up, Ashra and Ixtlan are standing center stage when curtain goes up))

Narrator: Months have passed since we last saw poor Ashra. The cold has turned to warmer days. Spring flowers are beginning to bloom everywhere, except where the Ixtlan and Ashra stand.

Ashra - Ixtlan, the wedding is near. Are we ready? It must be just perfect.

Ixtlan - Child, you always question me. I promised you that you would have your revenge. Together we will make him suffer. We will make them all suffer.

Ashra - Not Wen. She is to remain untouched. You know the deal we made. Wen is not a part of this.

Ixtlan - Not Wen. (the large creature laughs a deep laugh, one clawed hand pats Ashra on the head) Foolish girl and your attachments. They will be your death, you know?

Narrator: the creature's form shimmers and changes to the appearance of Darak briefly.

Ixtlan - Is this what you seek? You will destroy him, so you must be sure. I need your promise, Ashra.

Ashra - Stop doing that, Ixt. I know who he is. I do not need to see him.

Narrator: His form returns to normal.

(she leans in and grabs his giant clawed hand) Ashra - It is almost time. I am not sure I would have survived if I had not found you. Your heart to my heart, Ixtlan, they shall be now and forever tied. There is no turning back now.

Ixtlan - Come, let's go see your Prince Darak. (stage lights down, curtain down))

Scene Three: Castle Interior, decorated for a wedding. ((King/Queen, Darak, Guhner, Wen all off to the side, Appalea waiting on other side to make her entrance up the aisle/across stage))

Narrator: The Castle is a rush of activity. The people lined the way to watch the wedding of Prince Darak and Lady Appalea. The king and queen at the end of the aisle, with Prince Darak standing next to Guhner, awaiting his bride. Wendolyn stands to the side holding a bouquet of flowers.

Guhner - I searched again, Darak. No sign of her. Wen said she has not seen her since the ball.

Darak - She would not stay mad this long, I am sure she will come.

Guhner - Darak, you need to let it go. I fear something may have happened to her. This is your second chance. Lady Appalea will make a great wife. She loves you and you will love her in time.

Darak - I will not let (interrupted by the king)

King - Quiet you two. Son, love has nothing to do with it. You will straighten up and you will marry. End of story.

Narrator: Lady Appalea walks down the aisle, radiant and glowing, as the wedding music starts.

((a portal will open mid stage and Ashra and Ixtlan step through. Darak and Guhner draw blades))

Narrator: The king, queen and Lady Appalea are quickly rushed away to safety.

((Ash and Ixt are center stage))

Ixtlan - You all shall perish! Ashra is mine and we will see each of you suffer and burn!

Darak - Ash! Come to my side, I will protect you! (blades drawn, side by side with Guhner)

Wendolyn - Ash, my friend! (Wendolyn rushes for her)

Ixtlan - You are not part of this, girl. He casts a spell, freezing her into stone.

Ashra - My friend. (she runs a hand across Wendolyn's stoned cheek and turns to Darak and Guhner) I do not need your protection. I am beyond your protection, Darak. (looking around) A shame, it was such a lovely wedding.

((Ixtlan starts throwing fire all around))

Darak - Beast, you've bewitched her! Free her from your spell at once!

Ixtlan - You do not make demands, Prince. You are nothing.

Darak - Guhner, to me!

A portal opens and Ashra and Ixtlan go through, followed by Darak, Guhner. The scene goes black.((lights down, curtain down))

Scene Four: The Battle

((Darak, Guhner fight Ixtlan, Ashra stands to the side watching.))

Darak - Free her from your spell, beast!

Ixtlan - You've barely scratched me! Do you think you can make demands?

Guhner - Ashra, come to my side, we will bring you back through the portal. We can help you.

Ixtlan - She is going nowhere but with me.

Narrator: The battle rages on. Darak and Guhner are nearly beaten, Ixtlan not even a scratch. Ixtlan raises a mighty clawed hand to pierce Darak's heart and finish him.

Ashra - No! Wait! (Ashra steps between the two)

Darak - No! Ash!

Narrator: As the claw enters her heart, Ashra falls to the ground. At the same time, the mighty Ixtlan falls, his heart linked to hers. He crashes to the ground with a thud.

((the two fall down on stage))

Darak - (Darak kneels over Ashra, dying, holding her in his arms. He brushes her hair back away from her bruised and bloodied face. Ashra, what have you done...

Ashra - (Her breath is low and shallow, her voice barely a whisper) I..I am sorry Darak. I just wanted to ... (Her voice trails off into a cough)

((He leans his head lower to hers))

Darak - Ashra, don't speak. Let me heal you. He begins applying bandages and uttering prayers under his breath, trying to stop the bleeding.

Ashra - Your god cannot reach you here, Darak, it is too late. You must go before the portal...

((She sputters as the bandage falls off, blood oozing out from where her heart should be))

Darak - Ashra, I...I love you. It's always been you. Forever. (sobbing)

Narrator: Nothing but silence as his tears fall on to her face. His words hang in the air. She will never hear the words of love that drove her here in the first place. The portal begins to flicker.

Guhner - Darak, we must go, the portal is failing!

Darak - I can't just leave her here. She...

Guhner - There's no time. (he grabs Darak and pulls him through)

Narrator: The portal closes, leaving Ashra alone in the darkness. Ixtlan's massive body nearby.

((*pause for drama, silence*)) (A soft laugh emanates from Ashra. She sits up and wipes his tears from her face. Ashra walks to Ixtlan. Ixtlan stirs and stands.)

Narrator: The wound on Ashra now healed, as Ixtlan's heart was never pierced, their link bringing her back.

Ashra - You were wonderful, Ixt. Better than I imagined.

Ixtlan - Your plan was brilliant, little one. He is a broken man, under the weight of his loss.

Ashra - (she takes Ixtlan's clawed hand) Good. Now, where shall we go, my love?

((Ixtlan laughs and opens a portal and the pair step through.))

The End