ACT II
The Sindi Vermillion is staring at the background which is now covered in stars and its twin moons. She is wearing the orange dress of mourning. The lights are dim save for the bright stars and moons thanks to a special paint that makes them glow in the dark.
SINDI
Stars! Oh stars! I used to look at you with fascination. Now I feel nothing in front of your beauty. I know I said that I will accept my faith with dignity befitting my rank, but stars please listen. I lied. I would do anything. Anything to feel love again. To be filled with joy. I would sacrifice everything: my wealth, my comfort, my friends … even my kingdom. Alas, it can't be done.
An old man emerges on the stage, slowly walking towards Sindi. His beard is long. He interrupts Queen Sindi's monologue.
OLD MAN
Excuse me Queen, I heard your conversation. I think I have the solution for you.
SINDI
How did you enter my chamber? My guards should have stopped you. Who are you?
OLD MAN
So many questions, my queen. I shall answer with my own. Were you sincere when you spoke to the stars?
SINDI
I was.
OLD MAN
Then I know someone who can warm your heart.
SINDI
What type of sorcerer is he?
OLD MAN
Oh! Not a sorcerer, my queen. He is a god. The god!
SINDI
The god of what?
OLD MAN
Of everything
SINDI
Impossible! You're saying absurd things old man! Torturing my soul with empty promises when I'm already dying. A god of everything! Why not a Grox that can fly.
OLD MAN
My Queen, would you rather resign yourself to your faith or save your soul?
Queen Sindi takes a long moment to think about what is offered.
SINDI
What would be the price to reverse the will of the Gods themselves?
OLD MAN
Everything
SINDI
Everything?
OLD MAN
Everything
SINDI
Will I know love again?
OLD MAN
You will never know greater love
SINDI
What do I need to do to accept such offer?
OLD MAN
No need, when you allowed me to talk to you already accepted my help
SINDI
Is that so?
OLD MAN
Indeed
SINDI
What do I have to do now?
OLD MAN
Just look at the stars!
Sindi Vermillion looks at the stars while the old man runs away from the stage. The crowd is so captured by the view, they didn't even notice that the Old man's fake beard fell down. The white light shines on the starry background for a minute. Then, a small melody starts to kick in. A humble choir sings in broken high Gothic. A Cardboard ship is slowly lowered on the stage. On the ship is the animatronic of the Emperor, dressed in imperial garb and made of metal for the body and a dented plastic mask for his face. As His ship steady above the stage, the songs get louder. Emotions run through the crowd. The sinners start crying in front of the Lord's image. Some repent. Others strip naked. Rival gangs embrace their enemies like they were brothers. In this hole, away from His eyes, the fervor of a pure faith exudes through thousands wretched souls. Then the song abates, the light dims and the animatronic speaks with a guttural machine voice.
HIM
Child. I have come to save you
SINDI
Who are you?
HIM
I am the one you've been calling for every night
SINDI
You are?
HIM
Do you have everything, yet you feel empty? Did your heart close to all emotions, yet ache for love?
SINDI
Yes! Yes! How do you know?
HIM
I know all! I heard you through the depth of the cosmos and I have come to save you.
SINDI
How can you achieve such a miracle? The Gods have taken away all love from me. I feel no joy or hate. I am dead. Their decision is finale
The Emperor Animatronic lifts his left hand and starts reciting the emperor's blessing.
SINDI
What is this, I… I feel whole again! Oh bless you. How can this be? The Gods curses cannot be lifted.
HIM
Their power is insignificant. I can easily break it, but I will need something from you to break it permanently.
SINDI
What will you need?
HIM
You need to accept my love
SINDI
How can I?
HIM
You need to give up all things holding you back. Only then can you fully welcome my love.
SINDI
Like the old man said.
HIM
You mean my son Horus? He does like deception, but what he said was mostly true.
SINDI
Who?
Horus emerges from the side of the stage wearing a paper-mache armor. The actor walks with a confidence befitting a son of His will.
HORUS
It is I! Horus! Son of the Emperor. Yes, I was the old man. I came to test your faith to see if you were worthy of my father's attention
SINDI
How deceitful
HORUS
I learned from the best. Right father?
HIM
Indeed my son you … ha … ve… ERROR! ERROR!
The Emperor's static voice suddenly dies down. Fumes are emerging from his metallic body. His plastic face seems to melt. His body and ship are quickly hoisted up so the crew can try to avoid a fire. Horus is alone in the middle of the stage. Unsure what to do. They look at the audience for a minute then at the left side of the curtains gesturing to someone out of view. Then look at Sindi again.
HORUS
Did you see? Father is leaving your planet and removing his offer to free you from your curse.
SINDI
Oh no! How is this possible?
HORUS
The Emperor's power has been perturbed by the Gods! We need to work together to bring him back.
Cries of despair emerge from the crowd
SINDI
How can we do so?
HORUS
Call your spirits
SINDI
They can help?
HORUS
Yes quickly!
SINDI
Helias! Parilia! Felinia! Please come here! Your queen needs you.
The three nature spirits come on the stage nervous.
THE THREE SPIRITS
What can we do for you, my queen?
The Red queen looks at Horus with concern.
HORUS
Your Queen needs your help to save her soul. Will you do what is needed to save her?
HELIAS
We will do everything for our Queen
HORUS
Even give your life?
FELINIA
If this is what our queen wishes.
SINDI
Horus what are you implying?
HORUS
I told you it would cost you everything
SINDI
That can't be!
HORUS
This is the price
SINDI
I can't, you can't…
FELINIA
Will it cure her?
HORUS
Absolutely
PARILIA
How can we believe you?
HORUS
I swear it upon my blood! Your sacrifice will save the queen
Horus expose his arm and the actor pretends to cut it with a plastic blade. The blade, when pressed against the flesh, releases a red paint on their arm that looks very similar to blood.
SINDI
You know if you lied, you just doomed yourself to the 9th level of the Crimson Inferno.
HORUS
I fear no Demons or Hell! I am the most blessed of the Emperor's children. Nothing can break me. Now Spirits do as I say! Helias turns your warmth on Felinia until she is set aflame.
HELIAS
You can't ask me to do this to my sister.
HORUS
I'm not asking.
Helias looks an instant with pleading eyes to Queen Sindi Vermillion who looks away
HELIAS
Is this what you wish for my queen?
SINDI
His eyes made me feel whole, my heart was warm. Do as he says
Helias turns his eyes to Felinia who looks resigned. He raises his arms toward her and an orange light drapes her costume. Then, the song of mourning starts to rise from the choir. Half a dozen kids dressed in flames gather around Felina singing! Their high Gothic is slightly better than before, but still woefully amateur. Despite this, the tone of mourning seems to have an effect on the crowd as the flames engulf her. Felinia disappears from the view of the spectators.
HORUS
Perilia! Now jump in the flames to extinguish them
PERILIA
For you, my Queen
Perilia walks towards the circle of fire with resignation. Intoning the old chant of sacrifice. Her voice is splendid and fills the room with emotion. She is then surrounded by the fire. Fog slowly drowns the stage. Perilia and the flames are disappearing behind the fog.
HORUS
Helias on your knees!
HELIAS
Noooo!
Horus pretends to push Helias who immediately falls to his knees. He then puts the plastic blade on his throat, slashing it slowly so that a lot of fake blood covers him, turning his orange costume red. Then, he let the body of Helias fall on the floor. He turns to Queen Sindi Vermillion and kneels.
HORUS
My queen, you have paid the price. My father is satisfied. He shall come back soon to free you from your suffering and make your dynasty rule this planet for ten thousand years.
SINDI
Oh my! Thank you Horus I have never been happier in my whole life. I already feel his love filling my heart. I cannot wait to see him again.
The shadow of the Emperor Animatronic emerges from the wall of fog that has accumulated over the stage. His ominous appearance expanding over the stage with the fog.
HIM
Now you know my love child.
THE CURTAIN CLOSES