Heart of a Hero: Isabella and Zuma's Valiant Journey

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Isabella is a twelve year old, who lives in a small village in Brazil. She loves animals and exploring the mysterious jungles around her village. Her best friend is Zuma a cheeky blue macaw, who is always getting himself into mischievous adventures. One day, Isabella and Zuma are out for a stroll in the jungle when Zuma quickly absconds into the deeper parts, following some sort of commotion. Isabella, determined to get her makeshift sidekick, hastily follows but soon finds herself ankle-deep in a situation she could have never have anticipated. A tribe of local bush-pirates stand guard around an ancient ritual sacrifice spot, preparing for a ritual that will take a life in exchange for a new found power. The menacing figure at the center calls himself Nim-Ankh, he explains to the bewildered onlookers that in order to obtain their kingdom's rule, the the tribe puppet king and his royal-court will withdraw their energy into a human castaway whose destiny soon to be written in either fury or conquest. But Isabella spots Zuma in the restricted area, thrown in between the captives. Mustering up her courage, Isabella declares herself a seeker and offers the pirates a trade according to their own twisted set of rules If the castaway is given her own freedom, Isabella promises to take the place of the troubled prisoner and attend to the unspeakable secret of the nearby 'Devaluing Stream.'

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After being granted Zuma’s freedom, Isabella is cornered into a race against time as Nim-Ankh started the elaborate ritual that slowly but surely drains her precious energy. Disregarding, the danger, Isabella sets out to locate the Devaluing Stream, navigating the entanglement of secret paths and rigged traps prepared by the ancient cult. Along the way, Isabella meets with the former castaway, they frantically discussion the details of the ritual, the rules and regulations and decide on the passageway that leads to the Devaluing Stream.

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After a journey full of struggles, Isabella finally reaches the Devaluing Stream in time for the ritual. And much to her shock and horror, she must have to sacrifice her own limb in order to save a life! It turns out, the cult has its own strict rules that a lost body-limb can save a life. Isabella’s courage and friendship is tested during this pivotal time. Terrified and tempted to run away, Isabella musters up the strength to tend to the needs of the ancient cult, to rescue Zuma and protect the reign of the tribe.

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Deeply conflicted and despite her tear-filled apologies, Isabella performs her duty courageously, completing the unspeakable task, while the tip of the Devaluing Stream trembles under the weight of her sacrifice. In the end she falls down, faint yet victorious, and is quickly surrounded by the astonished tribe members. They thanked her and took back the rule of their kingdom with no sign of blood and gore anymore. Isabella and Zuma had emerged victorious, both alive and reunited once more. But it was at the cost of Isabella's lost limb – now her identity as a hero was permanently embedded in the annals of ancient Brazilian stories. Despite the pain and distress, Isabella realized that nothing could have waited on the power of friendship and the strength of her conviction; which, when blended, could twist an unwritten rule or trope of life and alter the course of the future.