SCENE 1 — Viktor's Mansion, early evening
A futuristic, shiny mansion, surrounded by gardens with crystal sculptures. Soft music plays in the background. Viktor is facing away, looking at the sunset, dancing softly alone, as if rehearsing for another show.
Suddenly…
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Viktor turns his head. His friendly smile hides a slight tension.
VIKTOR (whispering):
As punctual as fate...
He walks to the door with light, elegant steps, opens it slowly.
There is Nikkomam — in a yellow cape, a crooked hat, with a serious look… but with a leaf stuck to his forehead.
VIKTOR (smiling):
Well, well… if it isn't the great… hero?
NIKKOMAM (taking off the leaf):
I am Nikkomam! A third-rate hero… but with a first-rate heart!
VIKTOR (laughing charmingly):
Ah, a pure heart... how dangerous.
NIKKOMAM (seriously):
I'm here because many girls have died or been arrested for crimes in the name of someone. Someone popular. Someone... like you, Viktor.
VIKTOR (keeping his smile):
It hurts to be loved too much, doesn't it?
---
SCENE 2 — Living room of the mansion
Nikkomam enters. The place is impeccable: paintings by Viktor, awards, posters, soft lights. The hero trips over an expensive vase, but recovers.
NIKKOMAM:
You may be famous... rich... charismatic... but you smell like emotional manipulation with a touch of brainwashing.
VIKTOR:
Ah... Nikkomam. They follow me because they want to. I've never asked for anything.
NIKKOMAM:
Never with words, right? But with songs... gestures... looks. The subliminal messages. "Sacrifice yourself for something bigger"... is their most sung refrain!
VIKTOR (more serious):
What if they want something bigger? A purpose? The Zerk world was already rotten before me. I just gave color to the flames.
---
SCENE 3 — The tension grows
Nikkomam opens his cape and shows a holographic recording: a trapped girl saying:
> "He smiled and said the world would change... I just wanted to be part of his change... for him..."
NIKKOMAM (hard):
You are destroying lives with your influence. And I came here to put an end to that. Even if no one else cares.
VIKTOR (walking slowly):
Did you come to fight me?
NIKKOMAM:
No...
(dramatic pause)
I came to defeat you.
---
SCENE 4 — Preparation for combat
The room changes. The lights go out. A secret stage descends from the ceiling. Viktor trades his white shirt for a sparkling red jacket. Lights flash. Music begins to play.
VIKTOR:
So the clumsy hero is going to face the world's most beloved artist?
Very well… Nikkomam.
Show time.
NIKKOMAM (with a wry smile):
You can play your last song… because after this, there will be only silence.
SCREEN FADES — Sound of thunder.
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END OF CHAPTER 11