(A black screen appears. In white Lobster font, the text reads: “PRESENT DAY, 2023 – BURSA.” The screen fades in to reveal a teenager walking down the street.)
Arda: "Ugh, what am I going to do? The high school entrance exams (LGS) are this year, and I need to study hard, but it’s so boring. Anyway, I have to try and find a way to focus."
(A simit seller passes by.)
Simit Seller: (Carrying a tray of simits and pastries on his head, shouting) "Fresh from the oven! Get your fresh simits here! 10 Liras each! Step right up, fresh simits and pastries, all for 10 Liras!"
(The perspective shifts. Arda passes by stores like WOW Market, P?M, JC LA?K?, and BATSANS. Cars of various brands, including MWN, drive past.)
Arda: "Man, if they didn't take attendance, I swear I wouldn't step foot in school. But what can you do? They check. Plus, my birthday is coming up this weekend. It’s really tough being a student these days."
(Arda arrives at the school. The grey iron gate of Ko? Middle School creaks as usual. As he enters, the atmosphere of the corridor remains unchanged: the sound of pencils, the dragging of bags, and the distant smell of the canteen.)
Arda: "I didn't miss this place at all." (In the corridor) "Ugh, man..." (He sees Eymen and Kayra) "Hey, brothers! What’s up? How are you guys?"
Eymen: "We’re good, how about you?"
Kayra: "Honestly, man, how’s life treating you?"
Arda: "Not bad. You guys seem to be doing well, though."
Eymen: "Yeah, I can't complain."
Kayra: "I'm doing great."
Arda: "Of course you are. You’re the handsome one. Tell us, who confessed their love to you this week?"
Kayra: "Actually, even I’m surprised—no one confessed this week."
(Lunchtime arrives. The aroma of freshly toasted cheese sandwiches and 'kumru' fills the air.)
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Arda: (Sitting at a table with Eymen and Kayra. Eymen is eating a kumru, Kayra a doner wrap, and Arda a toastie. Arda pulls out a mysterious, purple-hued book.) "Found this book at home."
Eymen: "Whoa, open it up! What’s it about?"
Kayra: "He’s right, let’s see it."
Arda: (Opens the book. The text is neither fully Turkish nor English, but a strange mix of both.) "What is this? I can't read a single word of it."
Eymen: (Squints at the page and finds a Turkish section) "Wait! This part is in Turkish."
Kayra: "Yeah? What does it say?"
Arda: > "O thou of open heart,
if thou canst see these lines, the sacred burden is entrusted to thee. On the day thou wert born, power was with thee. And now, let that power be remembered no more as a secret. Whatever thy character may be, the world shall feel it..." "Wow... Wait a minute. If we can touch and read this, does that mean..."
Eymen: "For real... are we going to have powers too?"
Kayra: "Man, I wonder what mine will be!"
Arda: "Kayra, I bet yours is something like a werewolf. Like, you can transform parts of yourself to get stronger. I think that fits you perfectly."
Kayra: "Ugh, can you stop making fun of me for once?"
Eymen: "Anyway... I wonder what kind of power I’ll have?"
Arda: "Yours..." (Thinks for a moment) "No, I can't even guess what yours would be."
(The end-of-lunch bell rings. Students head to their classrooms. Eymen and Kayra walk ahead while Arda trails behind, unable to take his eyes off the book. At 16:15, school ends, and everyone heads home.)
(Arda enters his house and notices a different pair of shoes. Thinking there’s a burglar, he creeps inside, only to be confronted by a man named Mysterio, who claims to be his older brother.)
Mysterio: "You’re probably wondering who I am, maybe even coming up with conspiracy theories. Don’t bother. I am your brother. I believe you are finally old enough to handle the truth." (A few minutes pass) "Yes, that is the secret we’ve been keeping from you."
Arda: (Looking stunned) "Yeah, right. Sure. You really think I’m the type of guy to believe some stranger who broke into my house?" (His expression turns angry)
Mysterio: "I figured you wouldn't believe me at first. How about I show you that I have power too?" (He holds his palms close together. An emerald lightning bolt logo is visible on his right palm. Electricity crackles between his hands, forming a brilliant glowing orb.) "I call this an Electro-Ball. If you understand now, that’s good news. And I want to ask you something... did you open the book today? Did it say: 'O thou of open heart, if thou canst see these lines, the sacred burden is entrusted to thee...'"
Arda: (Steps back, face frozen in shock) "H-How... How did you know?"
Mysterio: "I just knew. Do you believe me now?"
Arda: "Can I ask one more thing? My friends saw the book too. Can I tell them about this?"
Mysterio: "Absolutely not."
Arda: "But why?"
Mysterio: "Because they can only see the book. They cannot feel it."
Arda: "Okay then..." (He looks a bit disappointed)
(The scene suddenly cuts to a dark corridor filled with massive test tubes. Some are cracked, others shattered, with liquid leaking onto the floor. Wires are tangled everywhere, and lights flicker intermittently. A man whose face is hidden in shadow is talking on the phone. On his pinky finger is a steel ring with an emerald stone, engraved with an unknown language.)
Unknown Person: "Yes. Any last words?" (He checks his watch; it's 21:34)
Person on the Phone: "Yes. When I researched the old subjects in the control room, I noticed some humans showing superhuman reactions. You need to check it out."
Unknown Person: "Understood. I'm going."