Volume 19
The Council of Elders & The Rules of Purification
INT. GUARDIANS' COURTROOM — DAY
The grand courtroom of the Spirit World is unusually quiet.
Ancient symbols are carved into the towering walls, glowing faintly with celestial light. The COUNCIL OF ELDERS has just concluded an important meeting.
CATHERINE, stern and authoritative, remains seated with an expression of deep displeasure.
Beside her, MERCY watches her carefully.
Catherine looks toward the empty seat reserved for ISABELLA, the Head of the Guardians.
CATHERINE
(frustrated)
Isabella's absence from today's meeting is completely unacceptable.
She rises slowly.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
I honestly cannot fathom why she continues to be so careless when it comes to carrying out her responsibilities.
MERCY
You don't have to be so upset with her, Catherine. Perhaps she has a reasonable explanation for her absence.
Before Catherine can respond, the enormous doors suddenly open.
ISABELLA enters the courtroom with a bright smile, completely unaware of the tension surrounding her.
ISABELLA
Greetings!
She looks from Catherine to Mercy.
The silence is deafening.
Isabella's smile slowly disappears.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
Did I... do something wrong?
Catherine folds her arms.
CATHERINE
I'm not impressed by your attitude toward your duties, Isabella.
Isabella's eyebrows rise.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
Your actions are beginning to make me question whether you are truly competent enough to lead the Guardians.
ISABELLA
I don't understand.
CATHERINE
Weren't you informed about today's meeting?
Isabella freezes.
ISABELLA
Meeting...?
She searches her memory.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
What meeting?
Mercy leans toward her and whispers.
MERCY
The Council of Elders meeting.
Isabella's eyes widen.
ISABELLA
Wait... what?!
She looks horrified.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
The meeting was today?
Catherine stares at her in disbelief.
CATHERINE
Don't tell me you actually forgot about the Council.
Before Isabella can answer, a calm male voice comes from behind them.
WILLIAM
Isabella isn't irresponsible, Madam Catherine.
Everyone turns.
WILLIAM approaches.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
She had her reasons for missing the meeting.
Isabella looks at him, confused.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Please pardon her. It's my fault.
ISABELLA
(whispering)
William... what are you talking about?
William gives her a quick glance.
WILLIAM
I forced her to accompany me to see a friend who was recently hospitalized.
He turns toward Catherine.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
His condition was serious, and he was scheduled for emergency surgery. I wanted to see him before the operation, but I wasn't familiar with the location of the hospital.
He bows his head.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
So I begged Isabella to accompany me. I'm truly sorry.
Catherine remains silent.
She studies William for several seconds.
Finally, her expression softens.
CATHERINE
It's all right, William.
She turns toward Isabella.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
If what you've told me is true, then I have no reason to remain angry with you.
Isabella exhales quietly.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
But this is the first and last time I will be this lenient.
ISABELLA
Thank you, Catherine.
Catherine nods.
CATHERINE
You may return to your duties.
She turns to Mercy.
CATHERINE (CONT'D)
Mercy and I have a celebration to attend. We'll return shortly.
ISABELLA
Have fun.
Catherine and Mercy exchange a glance.
In an instant, they vanish in a flash of celestial light.
Isabella releases a long sigh of relief.
ISABELLA
That was close.
William smiles.
WILLIAM
Aren't you going to thank me?
Isabella turns toward him.
ISABELLA
You know that was a dangerous trick.
She narrows her eyes.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
You shouldn't have lied to save me.
WILLIAM
What would you have preferred?
He grins.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Should I have told them you were on a romantic cruise with your boyfriend?
Isabella's expression changes instantly.
ISABELLA
I don't know what you're talking about.
WILLIAM
Really?
He folds his arms.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Because I saw the kiss.
Isabella freezes.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
You and John. At the park.
ISABELLA
(shocked)
You've been stalking me?!
William laughs.
WILLIAM
No.
He shakes his head.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
I just happened to see the two of you coming out of a restaurant.
He pauses.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Although I have to admit... I was curious about your relationship.
ISABELLA
Why don't I believe you?
WILLIAM
Believe me or don't. You still owe me a thank-you.
Isabella rolls her eyes.
ISABELLA
Fine.
She smiles reluctantly.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
Thank you.
WILLIAM
You're welcome.
A brief silence follows.
Isabella looks at him more seriously.
ISABELLA
Why did you cover for me?
WILLIAM
Because you're my friend.
ISABELLA
What if you had gotten yourself into trouble because of that lie?
William's smile fades slightly.
WILLIAM
Then it would've been worth the risk.
Isabella looks surprised.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
We're friends, aren't we?
ISABELLA
Of course.
WILLIAM
And friends are supposed to be there for each other when things go wrong.
Isabella nods slowly.
ISABELLA
You're right.
William smiles.
WILLIAM
Then there's nothing else to explain.
Isabella studies him carefully.
ISABELLA
I don't know if I can completely trust you, William.
His expression becomes curious.
WILLIAM
Why not?
ISABELLA
Because whenever I'm around you...
She hesitates.
WILLIAM
Whenever you're around me... what?
Isabella looks away.
ISABELLA
I get this strange feeling.
WILLIAM
What kind of feeling?
She looks back at him.
ISABELLA
Like I shouldn't let my guard down whenever you're near me.
William smiles mysteriously.
WILLIAM
Perhaps you have a good reason to feel that way.
Isabella gives him a suspicious look.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
But there's something I want to ask you.
ISABELLA
What?
WILLIAM
Will you sing with me in the upcoming competition?
Isabella blinks.
ISABELLA
What?
WILLIAM
I want you to be my partner.
Isabella hesitates.
ISABELLA
There's just one problem...
WILLIAM
What problem?
ISABELLA
I kind of... already...
Before she can finish, another voice interrupts.
MICHAEL (O.S.)
It's time.
William and Isabella turn.
MICHAEL approaches them.
ISABELLA
Time for what?
William suddenly remembers.
WILLIAM
Oh, right.
He looks at Isabella.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Catherine said every Guardian must undergo spiritual cleansing.
ISABELLA
Spiritual cleansing?
Michael looks at her with amusement.
MICHAEL
Poor soul.
Isabella frowns.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
You don't even know what it is, and yet you're the leader of the Guardians in this realm.
He shakes his head.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
What an irony.
ISABELLA
(annoyed)
What exactly are you trying to say?
William steps between them.
WILLIAM
Don't mind him.
He smiles.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
Michael enjoys teasing people.
Isabella sighs.
ISABELLA
Whatever.
She turns toward Michael.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
Can someone please explain what spiritual cleansing actually means?
Michael's expression becomes serious.
MICHAEL
Spiritual cleansing is the test that determines whether a Guardian remains worthy of serving the Spirit World.
William nods.
WILLIAM
It measures our spiritual strength, discipline, and purity.
MICHAEL
The purification takes place once every season.
He looks at Isabella.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
And the next one is approaching.
Isabella becomes concerned.
ISABELLA
What happens during the purification?
MICHAEL
Those who are spiritually unworthy will be exposed.
A tense silence.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
And those who fail the test may lose their position as Guardians.
Isabella's eyes widen.
ISABELLA
Then how are we supposed to prepare?
William steps forward.
WILLIAM
There are rules we must follow before the purification.
ISABELLA
What kind of rules?
Michael smiles.
MICHAEL
There are thousands.
Isabella's jaw drops.
ISABELLA
Thousands?!
Michael laughs.
MICHAEL
Don't worry. Only five are considered the most important.
He raises one finger.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Rule Number One.
His voice becomes serious.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Abstain from sexual lust, immoral desires, and anything that corrupts the mind.
Isabella looks uncomfortable.
ISABELLA
Does that include having feelings for someone?
William immediately answers.
WILLIAM
Not if your love is genuine and pure.
Isabella sighs with relief.
ISABELLA
Thank goodness.
William gives her a knowing look.
WILLIAM
But it would still be wiser to keep your distance from your lover for now.
Isabella's eyes widen.
ISABELLA
That's unfair!
WILLIAM
I'm not the one who created the rules.
Michael raises another finger.
MICHAEL
Rule Number Two.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
No rebellion.
He looks between them.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
No envy. No malice. No unnecessary violence. No killing. No bloodshed.
William sighs.
WILLIAM
Then I suppose I'll have to stop fighting for a while.
Michael grins.
MICHAEL
Don't worry, brother.
He pats William on the shoulder.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
I've got your back.
Michael raises a third finger.
MICHAEL
Rule Number Three.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Guardians must never interfere with human affairs.
ISABELLA
What exactly does that mean?
WILLIAM
It means we cannot use our powers to manipulate human lives.
WILLIAM (CONT'D)
We cannot help humans take revenge, alter their fate, or use spiritual abilities for personal reasons.
Isabella nods slowly.
ISABELLA
And the final two?
Michael raises four fingers.
MICHAEL
Rule Number Four: Never use your powers to intentionally harm another being.
He raises his fifth finger.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Rule Number Five: These rules don't end after the purification.
He looks directly at Isabella.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
Every Guardian must promise to continue following them afterward.
Isabella crosses her arms.
ISABELLA
Honestly...
She shakes her head.
ISABELLA (CONT'D)
These rules are ridiculous.
Michael smiles.
MICHAEL
Rules are always ridiculous.
He shrugs.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
That's probably why they're called rules.
Isabella looks at William.
ISABELLA
Does this ever get any better?
William smiles reassuringly.
WILLIAM
It'll all be over before you know it.
ISABELLA
I hope so.
Michael suddenly looks toward the distant corridor.
MICHAEL
Well, there's somewhere I need to be.
He waves.
MICHAEL (CONT'D)
See you two later.
In a flash of light, MICHAEL VANISHES.
Isabella and William remain standing together in silence.
Neither of them notices the faint glow that suddenly appears around Isabella's wrist.
William's smile disappears.
WILLIAM
Isabella...
She looks at him.
ISABELLA
What?
William stares at the glowing mark.
WILLIAM
Where did you get that mark?
Isabella looks down.
Her expression changes.