From the year 1346. to 1355.
A peaceful field near a giant river. We see an armored figure strolling with a melancholic expression. It's the Land of Serbs or Serbia, previously known as Rashka. She looks around as if looking for someone. She has been traveling all over her newly established empire for many days now. From the south cost of the Adriatic sea ending near the Peloponnese, to the good chunk of Bulgaria and the mighty Danube. She wandered the area alone and deep in thought.
Flashback:"The newly appointed king was ready to continue the conquering streak of his predecessor" the narrator speaks. We see Rashka battling with Hungary. They take a few good swings at each other and seem to be in a deadlock. After a few strenuous minutes, Rashka says: "Hey, where's your Adam's apple?" Hungary panics and loses her focus for a second which is long enough for Rashka to strike her sword away from her. Hungary stares at her unarmed to which Rashka simply extends her palm in a 'hand your territories over' gesture. Hungary exhales through her nose, as Rashka's army cheers behind her.
Next scene: We see a short rock wall in the middle of the field. "Fighting with Bulgaria was business as usual." We see Rashka jumping over it as her army with one of her previous bosses follows. She quickly returns smirking, holding a crown. The army follows. Bulgaria comes and jump over the same wall followed by his forces. He quickly returns with the spoils of war. This scene repeats a few times, with only the bosses changing. It stops when Rashka comes with king Stefan Dušan. They return with a crown and a few representatives of provinces.
Next scene: "Some battles were easier than others" the narrator continues. We see the king getting into his battle gear, when a messenger arrives. He opens it and raises his eyebrows reading the content. The other knights and Rashka look at him curious.
(from 1341- 1347) A scene of Romanos and Byzantium arguing. This is one of the rare opportunities she has let him in the room. "I am telling you mother, Kantakouzenos would be a better emperor!" Romanos yells pacing.
"No, the Empress-Dowager had spoken. That imposture will only take the throne for himself" Byzantium says looking away, hiding her arms with long sleeves.
Romanos is getting furious: "Times have changed! We need strong people to lead. We can't simply fall back on tradition."
"I said what I meant. If you don't like it, there's the door" Byzantium raises her voice turning away from him. The teen walks out slamming the door.
Next scene: We see Rashka smiling, placing a giant book on the table. Sitting next to her is an extremely dissatisfied Romaons sulking. "Would you look at that. You finally came to my place" she says genuinely happy.
Romaons looks away still sulking. "I can't believe my boss gave me up for military assistance."
"Well, he really really needed my warriors. But don't worry, you'll love being my roommate. We are gonna have so much fun. Hunting and playing and making laws together" she says opening the book. He turns and reads a little. "What's this. Half of these are mine."
"Yes", Rashka replies "my boss went through all the rulebooks he could find to create the perfect one. He was very thorough." She points with her finger at a specific part. "Here it says that the Land of the Serbs and Romans..."
"Wait! What? Where?" Romanos jumps and starts reading.
"Here" Rashka points "Between chopping limbs for adultery and a tax for swearing."
"No" Romanos yells standing up.
"Relax. Not all of them are this harsh" she replies.
"I refuse to be a part of this! I want to rebuild the Great Roman Empire not to play pretend" he blurts.
"Hey, that's very disrespectful! My boss won fair and square and he is going to be the new emperor" she jumps.
Romanos grabs his head and sighs. "I just can't any more...I'm going to my room" he says and leaves. "You better. And think about what you did" Rashka says stern and folds her arms sulking.
Next scene: (1345) A lavish coronation held at the church in Skoplje (Скопље) the new capital" the narrator fills us in. The church has an otherworldly glow as the nicely dressed guests observe the king covered in golden robes. Rashka is standing with the capital who resembles modern Northern Macedonia behind her boss. The patriarch places a crown on Stefan Dušan and says: "All hail our glorious Emperor! May you live long and rule well. And all hail our Land of Serbs, our glorious home. May you feed and protect us centuries to come."
All the guests cheer which brings a tear to Rashka's face. End of flashback.
Looking at the water, Serbia spots a hooded figure picking something from the ground. Thrilled, Serbia runs down calling out: "Lepenski Vir! Lepenski Vir!"
The hooded person stands up and looks in all directions. Her clothes are rags that seem they might fall apart at any moment. She notices the teen running straight towards her, picks her basket and runs. She manages to hide before Serbia can reach her. Confused, she walks quietly searching.
Next scene: After some time, the ancient entity gets out of the small hole she hid in. Thinking that the teen is gone, she slowly gets out and takes her basket. All this time, her hood and all other parts of her body, except her hands, stay covered.
"It's such joy to see you again, ancient one. Do you remember me" Rashka says in a friendly way.
A little startled, Lepenski Vir nods and quickly passes her. Serbia observes her picking mushrooms for a while.
"All of the elders are either gone or too exhausted to do anything. I am happy that you are still alive and vibrant" she tries to start a conversation. The hooded granny, glances at her and returns to her work.
"I sometimes think about them, you know. Trying to recall who they were, what they liked. I'm ashamed to say that I don't remember them as much as a should. I should have paid more attention while I still had the chance" she says sad.
The entity in rags takes pity and turns to her. She nods as if encouraging Serbia to speak. She smiles warmly: "Thank you. May I ask why you hide from the world? Are your people still alive?"
Granny's head bows and her hands start to tremble. Serbia quickly apologizes: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad. I just wanted to talk to you."
The hooded figure calms down and nods for her to continue. Serbia clears her throat: "That apple you gave me on my creation day...Why did you chose me? Did you know I was one day going to rule all of this?"
The figure shrugs. Serbia is not very pleased with this answer: "Alright, would it be possible for you to tell me what to expect next?"
She nods and takes a nearby stick. With her bony wrinkled hand, she draws on the sand a cross with four Ss on it. Serbia sees it and laughs.
"Silly granny! That already happened!" she says excitedly looking up. The ancient entity is nowhere to be seen. Serbia looks at the drawing again wandering what it means. Unfortunately, she will understand it soon enough.
Next scene: (1355) A peaceful day in the forest. Emperor Dušan is hunting with his knights. Serbia is there too. Suddenly, the emperor grabs his chest. Frightened, everyone stops and jumps to get him off his horse. They carefully place him on the ground. The strong, powerful man was gasping in pain, sweating with a terrified look on his face. Serbia, panicking, yells for everyone to move so he can breathe. He grabs her hand and looks at her frightened. She holds his hand trying to comfort him. The emperor closes his eyes. He dies then and there.