Fabula
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

Master humiliated by Dalios refusal

The Master arrives at Dalios’ terrace posing as a divine emissary empowered by Kronos, confident his hypnotic assertions of authority will dominate the skeptical king. Dalios resists fiercely, first dismantling the Master’s claim through sharp wit by exposing the absurdity of divine gossip from Olympus, then rejecting the manipulation outright. The Master’s attempts to mesmerize Dalios fail as the king identifies his power as crude fascination, not divinity. With his false aura of control shattered, the Master withdraws in disgrace, forcing him to reconsider his approach to securing the crystal of Kronos. This confrontation elevates Dalios’ authority and escalates the dangerous brewing alliance between the Master, Queen Galleia, and the Venetian collaborator.

Plot Beats

The narrative micro-steps within this event

4

The Master, presenting himself as an emissary of the gods, attempts to convince King Dalios to obey him by claiming mastery over Kronos, backed by the testimony of Krasis, a former Atlantean.

skepticism to tension ["Dalios' Terrace"]

Dalios questions the Master's authority and motives, revealing his understanding that Kronos is not a god but a potentially dangerous entity, and refuses to be swayed by the Master's claims.

tension to confrontation

The Master attempts to mesmerize Dalios, but the King resists, recognizing the technique and asserting his experience and wisdom, leading to the Master's frustration.

confidence to frustration

The Master, acknowledging Dalios's wisdom and cunning, concedes defeat in their verbal sparring, deciding to leave but not before being rebuffed by Dalios's refusal to engage further.

anger to withdrawal

Who Was There

Characters present in this moment

4

Initially confident, then frustrated, finally diminished

The Master attempts to assert authority through a combination of false divinity, hypnotic posturing, and provocative rhetoric. Failing to mesmerize Dalios, his confidence curdles into petulant arrogance before collapsing into shameful withdrawal. His grand scheme unravels under scrutiny, forcing him to recalibrate his approach.

Goals in this moment
  • Convince Dalios of his divine authority to secure the crystal without resistance
  • Maintain face despite failed manipulation tactics
  • Preserve the illusion of control for future leverage
Active beliefs
  • Divine guise guarantees obedience even from educated skeptics
  • Hypnotic power is absolute when wielded confidently
Character traits
Arrogant Manipulative Theatrically domineering Petulant when thwarted Unwilling to concede failure
Follow The Master's journey

Cautiously confident, humor masking lingering wariness

Dalios resists the Master’s divine pretensions with mocking precision, dismantling each of his claims through sarcasm and sharp reasoning. Standing his ground, he refuses to yield the crystal or acknowledge the Master’s authority, revealing a deep-seated skepticism toward temporal manipulations and divine pretense.

Goals in this moment
  • Protect Atlantis’s sovereignty and the crystal from alien manipulation
  • Expose the Master’s fraudulent claims without escalating conflict prematurely
Active beliefs
  • Divine claims must be vetted through reason and evidence, not blind obedience
  • Temporal powers are perilous and must be guarded against, whoever wields them
Character traits
Skeptical Witty Unyielding Experienced Impervious to hypnosis
Follow Dalios's journey
Supporting 1
Galleia
Queen
secondary

Intrigued by implications, cautious about commitments

Queen Galleia observes the confrontation from concealment behind a column, silently assessing both Dalios’ defiance and the Master’s vulnerabilities. Her calculated silence masks a growing curiosity about temporal mechanics and political opportunity.

Goals in this moment
  • Monitor the Master’s influence on Atlantis’s internal politics
  • Assess the viability of aligning with the Master if his claims gain traction
Active beliefs
  • Power that cannot be explained should not be ignored
  • Royal authority must adapt to survive shifting alliances
Character traits
Observant Pragmatic Deliberate Mysterious Context-sensitive
Follow Galleia's journey
Krasis

Though physically absent, Krasis is invoked by the Master as a living testament to his divine claims. His silence in …

Objects Involved

Significant items in this scene

1
Crystal of Kronos

The Crystal of Kronos becomes the object of contention as the Master claims to wield it as proof of his domination over Kronos, using it as a divine emblem to intimidate Dalios. Though not physically present, its shadow looms over the conversation, driving the Master’s bluff and Dalios’ refusal to yield any artifacts of temporal power.

Before: In possession of the Master as a prop …
After: Still in the Master’s possession but his authority …
Before: In possession of the Master as a prop to support his divine claims
After: Still in the Master’s possession but his authority over it and its narrative weakened

Location Details

Places and their significance in this event

1
Dalios' Terrace

Dalios’ Terrace serves as the stage for a high-stakes public confrontation between temporal authority and royal skepticism. The terrace’s grandeur and ritualistic layout amplify Dalios’ defiance, transforming the space into a arena where political and metaphysical power are tested through wit and presence rather than force.

Atmosphere Prestige-laden tension, evening light casting long shadows that mirror shifting power dynamics
Function Confrontation platform for ideological and political duel
Symbolism Represents the resilience of reasoned authority against forced submission and temporal deceit
Access Limited to the Master and key Atlantean figures
Evening golden light Marble terrace with ritualistic tile patterns Smoke from braziers clinging to the air

Narrative Connections

How this event relates to others in the story

What led here 2

"The Master's attempt to assert dominance over Dalios through a hypnotic display and divine claims (Beat 467...) leads directly to Dalios's skeptical challenge (Beat 0b6...). The Master's opening gambit sets up Dalios's resistance."

Dalios dismantles Master’s divine facade
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

"Dalios's resistance to the Master's hypnotic influence on the terrace (Beat 0b6c...) showcases his wisdom and fortitude, which culminates in the Master explicitly acknowledging Dalios's 'wisdom and cunning' and conceding defeat (Beat 1b4e...). This arc demonstrates Dalios's growing resistance to manipulation."

Dalios dismantles Master’s divine facade
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5
What this causes 5

"The Master's attempt to assert dominance over Dalios through a hypnotic display and divine claims (Beat 467...) leads directly to Dalios's skeptical challenge (Beat 0b6...). The Master's opening gambit sets up Dalios's resistance."

Dalios dismantles Master’s divine facade
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

"Dalios's resistance to the Master's hypnotic influence on the terrace (Beat 0b6c...) showcases his wisdom and fortitude, which culminates in the Master explicitly acknowledging Dalios's 'wisdom and cunning' and conceding defeat (Beat 1b4e...). This arc demonstrates Dalios's growing resistance to manipulation."

Dalios dismantles Master’s divine facade
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

"Dalios's skepticism about Kronos's divinity (Beat 0b6...) is reinforced by his later confession of deep fear and traumatic memory regarding Kronos (Beat ac7...). These linked moments show his evolving relationship with the myth—from rational dismissal to personal trauma."

King Dalios confesses his fear of Kronos
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

"Dalios's skepticism about Kronos's divinity (Beat 0b6...) is reinforced by his later confession of deep fear and traumatic memory regarding Kronos (Beat ac7...). These linked moments show his evolving relationship with the myth—from rational dismissal to personal trauma."

The crystal's indestructible paradox revealed
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

"Dalios's skepticism about Kronos's divinity (Beat 0b6...) is reinforced by his later confession of deep fear and traumatic memory regarding Kronos (Beat ac7...). These linked moments show his evolving relationship with the myth—from rational dismissal to personal trauma."

Dalios makes desperate plea for Doctor’s aid
S9E25 · The Time Monster Part 5

Themes This Exemplifies

Thematic resonance and meaning

Part of Larger Arcs

Key Dialogue

"MASTER: You will obey me. You will obey me!"
"DALIOS: A very elementary technique of fascination. I'm too old a fish, too old in years and in the hidden ways to be caught in such a net. You are no emissary from the gods."
"DALIOS: You have said nothing to me yet. When you find the true words to speak, I will listen."