Between Genius and Ruin

  Inside the cave. A group with pickaxes are striking the walls, extracting glowing bluish crystals. The sound of metal echoes, and sparkling dust fills the chamber. Kail: (as his eyes light up when splitting a crystal) 

  — Wow, I’ve never seen such beauty in my life! Darion: (breathing heavily, rubbing his back) — Beauty, you say? My back feels like it’s about to break. The camera moves closer to Moris. He sits aside, holding one crystal in his palm, deep in thought. Light flickers between his fingers like tiny sparks of electricity. Moris (inner monologue): "This light… it’s not ordinary light. There’s an electric current flowing inside. If I pull it with magnetism… maybe I can extract stable energy." Moris opens his palm and places his five fingers against the crystal. Through magnokinesis, an invisible field radiates. In a moment, a thin current of electricity stretches from the crystal to his fingers, shining brightly. Moris: (laughing with joy) — I was right! That means to draw power from this crystal, a magnet is required… At that moment, Lucas comes over holding several crystals in his hands. Lucas: — Master, we’ve finished collecting. So many shining crystals! The Queen will be delighted. Moris: (smiling, nodding) — Good work.

  Let’s head back. – Return to the forest The group exits the cave and climbs onto the back of the Trak vehicle. The mood is cheerful. Along the road, they laugh and chat as if singing. Kail: — If we sell these, we’ll have wealth for a lifetime! Darion: (laughing) — First, let’s live long enough to spend it. The camera shows the vehicle from outside: through the thick forest, sunlight peeks between leaves, while the Trak’s wheels roll forward, loaded with heavy crystals. – The Queen’s palace In the Elven palace, Lucas stands before Mia, reporting. Lucas: — Your Highness, the mission was successful. No one was harmed. Master Moris took the shining crystal for research. Mia: (smiling brightly) — Wonderful news! I’m grateful to you all. Give each of them one hundred gold. The camera focuses on Lucas. He looks surprised, then bows and hurries out to bring the good news to his friends. Each of them rejoices, receiving their gold. Lucas goes to the laboratory. Moris is sitting at the desk, spreading out his instruments, observing the crystal. Lucas: — Master… the Queen rewarded the mission with one hundred gold. This is yours. Moris: (without lifting his head) — Keep it. I don’t need gold. Lucas: (surprised) — But it’s all thanks to you! How can you not accept it? 

 Moris: (lifting his head, looking straight at him) — Right now, I need something more valuable than gold. Lucas: — And what is that? Moris: (coldly, turning back to work) — Silence. I’m researching. Lucas falls quiet for a moment, then awkwardly: Lucas: — A-ah… alright. Forgive me. He slowly leaves. The camera focuses on Moris. The shining crystal is on the table, and he is placing magnets on either side. – The explosion Moris strengthens the magnetic field. The electricity inside the crystal begins to flow excessively, making it vibrate. The window glass rattles, the table trembles. Moris (inner monologue): "Still not enough… I need to increase the pull…" He adds another stronger magnet. Suddenly, the crystal flashes with blinding light and explodes violently. Windows shake, smoke spreads everywhere. Elven guards rush in, shouting. People outside panic. Lyra is seen running from afar. Lyra: — Master!!! From the smoke, Moris appears, his clothes torn, his hand burned. But he tries to stand tall. Lucas (running over): — Master, are you alright?! Moris: (coughing, waving the smoke away) — Everything’s fine… just a small technical problem. Lyra: (teary-eyed, voice trembling) — This is no small problem! You look like you were struck by lightning! She stretches her hand and casts green healing magic. Light flows into Moris’s body, healing his wounds. Moris: (smiling weakly) — Thank you… but don’t worry. This is nothing unusual for me. Lyra: (angrily) — Don’t you realize you could have killed yourself?! Moris: — No, I only want progress. – The weary dawn Night. 

 Moris is alone in his laboratory. Tools scattered across the desk, papers filled with calculations, signs of endless work. His eyes are red. Moris (inner monologue): "There must be a safe way… These crystals are the key to an energy revolution." The camera shows morning sunlight coming through the window. Moris has dozed off, leaning on the desk. His face tired but determined. But he doesn’t sleep much and continues the experiments. Time passes quickly. At one point, the magnetic force weakens then strengthens, frustrating Moris as he fails to create balanced magnetic fields. Laboratory. Midnight. The walls are faintly lit by the bluish glow of mana crystals. On the table are scattered papers, sketches, and instruments—the marks of exhausting labor. Moris sits at the desk, dark circles under his eyes, his hands trembling slightly. He places magnetic coils on both sides of the crystal and turns the current regulator. Moris (thinking slowly): — One more time… I must find balance… too little and there’s no power, too much and it explodes… He takes a deep breath and activates the device. Scene: The crystal begins glowing slowly. At first, everything seems fine. But suddenly, its glow grows too strong, sparks of electricity flash in the air. Moris (alarmed): — No, no… I overdid it again! The crystal cracks and bursts with sparks. The sparks hitting the metal table ignite like small flames. Moris shields his face just in time. Silence. Only smoke and the smell of burnt metal. Moris breathes heavily, sinking back into his chair. — Damn it… another failure. He sighs in frustration at yet another failed experiment. 

  He is trying to draw pure energy from the crystal using magnetic fields. But the problem remains—the magnet’s strength fluctuates, sometimes too weak, sometimes overwhelmingly strong. — "No… still not working. I can’t maintain balance…" — Moris mutters, slowly moving the magnet. A weak current seems to flow from the crystal, but then the magnetic force suddenly surges, shaking the laboratory. Lights flicker, some devices burn out. — "That was close… One more mistake, and everything will be destroyed." — Moris wipes his forehead. At that moment, the door creaks open. Queen Mia enters. She wears a simple silk robe, light nightwear. She approaches Moris with concern. Mia: — You’re experimenting again? Look at your eyes… you haven’t slept properly for a week. Moris (shaking his head): — I can’t stop now. This could be my greatest breakthrough. If I turn mana crystals into a stable energy source… the entire kingdom will change forever. Mia (softly): — But you are human, Moris. Your body has limits. If you don’t rest now, you’ll lose yourself on this path. She leans closer, placing her hand over his. Mia: — You are precious to us, not only for your inventions but for yourself. We can’t afford to lose you. Moris looks into Mia’s eyes. For a moment, time seems to stop. A rare calm fills his heart. But then Moris quickly pulls his hand away. Moris (quietly): — No, Your Majesty… I… I don’t have time. Thank you for your kindness, but I must continue. At that moment, a creak comes from the outer door. In the shadows, Lucas stands. He had come to deliver a bag of gold, but instead he sees the scene: Mia sitting close to Moris, holding his hand, speaking to him… He freezes, unnoticed, then clenches his fist. Lucas (inner thought, whispering): — The Queen… and Master… You two… His heart pounds heavily. He hides deeper in the shadows. 

   Mia (to Moris, still gently): — No, this cannot go on. You’ll harm your health. Stop everything now and rest a little. Sleep. Tomorrow you can continue again. Moris (sighing): — No, not yet… I still haven’t found the solution. If I stop now, everything will be wasted. In science, even one second can matter. Mia shakes her head slightly, saddened. Mia: — Your science is great. But your life is greater. Don’t forget that. She rises and heads to the door. As she leaves, Lucas steps back, staying hidden. He silently watches her go. Scene: Lucas stares long at Moris. His eyes burn with anger and jealousy, but also conflict and respect. Lucas (inner thought): — Master… you’re doing everything for us. But… why do I always remain small compared to you? Why does the Queen’s gaze turn only to you?.. He quietly disappears into the night. Meanwhile, Moris remains at the desk, staring at the crystal in thought. Moris (to himself): 

 — Resting… maybe she’s right. But the future of this world… is in my hands. The camera pulls back, showing the smoke-filled, half-lit laboratory. Dawn approaches, but Moris has not slept… Then Moris smiles and says: without failure, there is no science. The beauty of science lies in learning from mistakes. He chuckles softly. Moris: — The Queen is right… I let myself be carried by feelings. I’m rushing now. And without energy, I cannot complete this device. Maybe… resting really is the right choice. ---