"Fate 1x13: Vow"
by
Roonblah
ACT I
FADE IN:
EXT. CHURCH - NIGHT
TITLE: 1976, NEW YORK
The church may once have been grand, but boards have long
since shuttered the smashed windows. Weeds and litter have
obscured what tiny garden it once had. The church is an alien
in a concrete jungle - the CONDEMNED and DEMOLITION signs
seem completely in place.
There is a flicker of light behind the boards and filthy
stained-glass windows.
INT. CHURCH - SAME
The church interior evidences the same squalid decay as the
outside. The same can be said for almost all the occupants
of the church. There is a small chorus of unintelligible
whispers.
SAVORTES stand alongside MEN and WOMEN, who have a detached,
stoned look on their faces, like they haven't had their
recommended eight hours in about a week. They dot the entire
church, forming lines that angle into a circle, a circle
marked by FOUR ROBED FIGURES.
Each figure stands an equal length apart, one for each main
point on a compass. In the centre, a shimmer of GREEN LIGHT.
The figures are the source of the whispers.
One of the robed figures pulls the the hood of her robe back.
MELARNA, fortyish, is both beautiful and chilling. Her hands
move below her robes.
She lifts her fist, covered in blood. In the other hand, a
wicked knife.
MELARNA
And the thirteenth rite begins.
Tendrils of the green light snake toward the blood, slipping
around it lovingly.
2.
MELARNA
The blood of the worthy. The blood
of the master.
One of the robed figures sounds a bell.
MELARNA
The hour dwindles. The First Day
is born again with the light given
in the old.
She nods at one of the robed figures to her side. The
gibberish chanting starts again - two identical male voices
in identical time. Melarna stares ahead at the robed figure
directly opposite her. A robed figure, hidden in shadow,
bows slightly.
Slowly, demons and man alike nearest the circle move forward
toward the light. They move uniformly and without thought or
hesitation. One man, let's call him HORACE, stops as he
approaches the light - there is an angonised look on his
face, but no discernible reason. It seems a great feat, but
he tries to step backwards.
Melarna glares ahead again. The shadowed figure turns
slightly toward Horace. Though his face mirrors greater
anxiety, he continues forward with the others.
As they reach the inner circle, charges of electricity
stretch between the four robed figures. The green shimmer
grows in height and intensity and wraps threads of itself
through the light.
Horace seems in great pain, though he does not open his mouth.
The lightning sparks become chains linking the four figures.
Each spike of energy pushes through the sorry souls within
the circle, CONSUMING THEM quickly and wholly.
Melarna sways backward.
MELARNA
I feel it. I feel it. More energy.
More!
More people shuffle forward without thought or care into the
circle.
Melarna closes her eyes, lost in the throes of some sort of
ecstasy, swaying to the chanting as though it were a beat.
Her eyes twitch. There is another sound beneath the chanting
and the energy: a BUZZING. Interference.
3.
Melarna opens her eyes to find the source. At the far edge
of the circle, an old, frail PRIEST, holding a shepherd's
staff, and a younger NOVICE walk fearfully, but steadily
through the crowd, reading from a book.
She can't make out the words over the din, but she can guess
their intent. It amuses her. The other figures do not pause
in their chanting or ritual.
MELARNA
Unless you plan on shepherding a
new heaven on earth, your faith
is of little use or consequence
here.
OLDER PRIEST
(over the novice's
chanting)
Vile heretic! Wretched intruder.
You dare bring your filth into
the house of the Lord.
MELARNA
Don't blame me if God's children
forsook the spit and polish.
(looks at the squalor)
I think it suits. Humility is a
virtue of your game, is it not?
(chilly)
As is interference. This is not
the walls of your circus. You
have no power here.
The priests continue forward. Still reading, the youngest
priest steps near the circle first. The energy reaches out
and plucks him into the circle, consuming his scream as well
as his body.
MELARNA
(smiling)
And such is the world as it such
be. Destruction begets creation.
Darkness before light.
The priest raised his staff. Melarna laughs.
MELARNA
Look at the fool. Do you not know
it yet? I
am god here.
OLDER PRIEST
You are nothing.
He slams his staff into the circle. It SHATTERS.
4.
Melarna continues to laugh.
MELARNA
Is that all? You, spring from
greatness, but that time is...
Melarna glances to the side. The GREEN ENERGY EXPANDS; but
the room only brightens in WHITE LIGHT. The robed figures
and priest have to shield their eyes. The crowd does not
seem to see it.
Melarna's features are obscured by the light. She holds a
hand to her face, but beneath it, she is staring into the
green energy - seeing something else--
MELARNA
What is... who
are you?
One final GASP of LIGHT, then--
DARKNESS
The priest blinks, adjusting to the gloom. The robed figures
shake their heads as if stunned.
The green and light storm is gone. Melarna with it.
Instead, a pin-prick of green light, a mere shadow of what
it once was, hovers high above AN INFANT BOY.
It's a heavy moment of silence. No one knows what to do.
The priest acts first. He rushes forward, ducks down and
TAKES THE CHILD. He pushes past the crowd who do not react
at all.
Removing the cowls, CZAR and CAESAR walk into the centre of
the circle. They are calm, though worried. No one follows
the priest and boy.
Beneath the hood of the last robed figure, finally moving
out of the shadows, NADYA WATCHES HIM GO--
INT. BEDROOM - DAY
Nadya smiles as bare flesh moves across her vision. She lies
back against the covers, thoroughly pleased with herself.
Positively glowing, she looks toward--
INT. BATHROOM - SAME
JASON leans over the sink and looks at his reflection in the mirror.
For a moment, he stares at himself - his reflection - as
5.
though there were something there
, something else, something
not right.
He shakes it off and turns on the faucet, waiting for the
water to warm. He ducks down to rinse his face. As he
straightens, he stares in the mirror again.
There is a A MARK on his shoulder. He moves closer scrutinizes
it in the mirror. It looks very much like--
THREE SCRATCH MARKS
They're almost too perfectly placed.
He starts to laugh.
JASON
You know, I think you've marked me.
NADYA (O.S.)
Mmm.
She snakes her arm around his shoulder, lightly feathering
the mark before pulling his arms around her. She leans into
him.
NADYA
Do you mind terribly?
He smiles, but looks back into the mirror - something isn't
kosher. She notices.
NADYA
What?
He shakes it off.
JASON
Nothing. I guess I'm tired of
feeling that something's wrong. I
just want it to be done.
Nadya nods and moves back to lean against the sink.
NADYA
That is the problem with rare,
mystical ingredients. They tend
to stay, well, rare.
(reaching out for him)
But Samuel is working on my plan
B. I don't think it'll be long now.
In the meantime-
(MORE)
6.
NADYA (CONT'D)
(she nibbles his neck)
- how would you like it if I
distract you?
He laughs, letting her. He catches his eye in the mirror.
There's worry beneath the surface.
INT. ROOM - DAY
SAMUEL scribbles in a well-used notebook on his lap. In front
of him, a large desk buried beneath OLD BOOKS and a large
STAR CHART. Atop that is another more artistic rendering of
the star chart - complete with diagrams of demons, elaborate
and illegible scrawlings, and several pentagrams linking
certain star clusters together.
He looks between his notes and the charts - equal parts
frustrated and confused.
SAMUEL
What can't I see?
Shaking his head, he sharply stands and starts rolling up
the charts.
INT. BEDROOM - LATER
Nadya and Jason lie in bed, appropriately covered by the
sheets. She lies across him, tracing the marks she's given
him with her fingers. Jason stares at the roof.
NADYA
What are you thinking?
JASON
Not much. Nothing at all really.
I wish there was something I could
do.
NADYA
Well, there is.
He looks down at her. She smiles and trails kisses on him as
she speaks.
NADYA
You can be a big, strapping hero
and get me the keys so I can help
Samuel. I know it'll be over soon.
It all comes down to the right time.
7.
JASON
What about place? I thought it
was important too.
NADYA
I already have the place.
(off him)
Here.
She smiles.
NADYA
(cont.)
It doesn't matter where you are,
as long as you know when the bus
you want will arrive and what
price the ticket is.
JASON
(laughs)
So that's what the complexities
of the keys boil down to. Public
transportation.
She playfully smacks his shoulder.
NADYA
Something like that, but buses
don't have fifteen or twenty-five
year gap between journeys. Those
are the trips worth making. That's
why we have The Key.
JASON
You really love this stuff. What
are you going to do when they're
gone?
NADYA
(wriggles)
I'm sure I'll think of something.
JASON
Okay, okay.
(seriously)
Do you really think you and Samuel
can find a faster and better
solution than some magical fire
if you use the keys?
She nods casually. He looks at a clock next to the bed.
JASON
He should be here soon.
8.
Nadya shrugs as though she it doesn't matter either way. She
moves away from him, and sits up at the edge of the bed, her
back towards him.
NADYA
I think I can do something, but
it has to be your choice.
Jason considers. He moves to get out of his side of the bed.
JASON
Well, it sure beats waiting around
for the next disaster.
Nadya watches him through veiled eyes.
INT. CORRIDOR - DAY
HUGHLY and DAWN leisurely walk up the passage way. Dawn,
munching on an open packet of junk food balanced within a
grocery bag; Hughly, arms full of similar bags.
HUGHLY
I know. I can't believe it either.
I'm not sure how I could have
survived all these years without...
erm...
DAWN
Tootsie rolls.
HUGHLY
Of course. I will correct that
oversight immediately.
He seems perfectly sincere. Dawn gives a great big smile -
she's so the diet diva.
They near a door. Hughly starts to fumble around with the
bags in order to pull some keys out of his pocket.
DAWN
Oh wait.
She adjusts her single bag and grabs the keys, unlocking and
opening the door to--
INT. JASON'S APARTMENT - SAME
Dawn motions for Hughly to go on without her as she retrieves
the keys and closes the door behind her.
She makes it a little into the apartment when there is a
knock at the door. Frowning, she heads back to it.
9.
DAWN
(loudly)
Secret password?
SAMUEL(OS)
(not amused)
Dawn.
She opens the door.
DAWN
Hey, you're-
(sees him)
-prepared for a lecture.
Samuel rushes in, overloaded with charts and a full bag of
scrolls, books and papers. Dawn watches him go, heading for
the nearest table. She shuts the door and digs her hand into
her bag of junk food.
DAWN
I'm in no way suddenly very worried.
She shrugs - whatcha' gonna do? - and walks across the open-
plan apartment to the kitchen section. She dumps the bag
next to the others.
Hughly is already unpacking his bags. He sees Samuel.
HUGHLY
Would you care for a cup of tea
Mister Zabuto?
Samuel looks up distractedly as he unrolls maps and scrolls.
SAMUEL
Uh. No, thank you.
(he looks around)
Do you know where they are?
DAWN
The lovebirds? We haven't...
(sees something)
Never mind.
She nods toward Jason as he exits the training room. He wears
a sleeveless T-short, tired eyes and a bed-head. He also
carries a BAG.
JASON
Heya, what you all doing here?
10.
DAWN
We're checking-in.
(off his confusion)
Because it's our check-in time.
You know, scheduled and regular.
JASON
(pulling a face at
her)
Yeah, I remember. I just... guess
I lost a day or two there.
DAWN
(under her breath)
Not coming up for air will do that.
Jason is distracted by Samuel's determined behaviour to cover
as much as the table in paper as he can.
JASON
Sam, are you okay there?
Samuel doesn't seem to have heard him. Jason raises a
questioning eyebrow at Dawn. She shakes her head.
Jason heads toward Samuel, trying to make sense of everything
he's lain out.
JASON
Do we have a problem?
NADYA (O.S.)
Problem?
(smiling)
I'm sure I don't like the sound
of that.
She descends the staircase, looking down upon them all.
NADYA
I've given you everything. Have
you still not been able to
calculate the correct time?
SAMUEL
Yes I have. But we can't do this.
I can't think why I ever agreed
to thi.
NADYA
When is it?
SAMUEL
No. You have to listen--
11.
NADYA
(a command)
Tell me.
He looks at his watch.
SAMUEL
A few hours from now. The window
is open for the next three days
in the minutes between days end
and night's beginning.
NADYA
(whisper)
Sunset. So soon.
Samuel realises what he's said. It's more than he meant to.
SAMUEL
No! We can not do this.
NADYA
(comforting)
Without your little ritual, there
is no means to expel the keys'
energies so that they can never
be reforged again. This is one
surefire way they won't have the
power to be used again.
(harder)
Or would you rather wait until
our enemies have them? I can't
protect them forever.
He shakes his head in growing confusion.
SAMUEL
No. Something is wrong here.
NADYA
Samuel, I think you're tired. You
should probably--
SAMUEL
No! I don't want to hear what you
think. I want to hear the truth!
Shocked silence fills the room. Nadya and Samuel stare-off.
Hughly quietly stops what he is doing and leaves the kitchen
area.
DAWN
Guys...
12.
Samuel calms down. Nadya gives no indication of what she is
feeling.
SAMUEL
Nadya. We must end this the right
way. We're so close and we must
not risk the...
(he notices what Jason
is holding)
What is-- are those the keys?
JASON
(remembering he has
them)
Yeah, I thought we'd get ready
for Nadya.
Samuel turns slowly toward Nadya: a scary thought forming.
SAMUEL
You have no intention of waiting.
NADYA
I've waited long enough.
She looks dead-ahead as--
JASON ELBOWS SAMUEL IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD
FADE OUT.
END ACT I
13.
ACT II
FADE IN:
MUSIC: ABBA - DANCING QUEEN
EXT. SUNNY STREET - DAY
Birds are singing. Sun is shining. What a beautiful day.
PINK BOOTS hit the asphalt in time to the music, while an
equally pink short-skirt sashays along too.
ON NADYA
Big hair. Big make-up. Big smile.
She's taking in the world around her, and loving what she
sees. She walks beside a small park bordered by hedges and
trees. On the other side of the street is a thriving, growing
city community, net yet spoiled by crime and decay. Think
Greenwich Village.
A tiny CINEMA lords the poster of CARRIE next to a ticket
booth.
Some CHARACTERS in conservative garb hand out buttons to
random PEDESTRIANS. They hold patriotic signs that read:
VOTE JIMMY CARTER
Nadya smiles at this, but her attention is more notably drawn
and fixated to a COUPLE ON A PARK BENCH, making out like
there is no tomorrow. Nadya is clearly fascinated, and a
little envious.
MOVEMENT to her side startles her--
Melarna, Caesar and Czar join Nadya from a side-street. They
are like a triumvirate of grace and perfection. Nadya stands
out starkly against them in her colourful and fashionable
attire.
Nadya immediately bows her head, submissive in every gesture.
MELARNA
Well?
NADYA
It is done.
14.
Melarna simply raises an eyebrow. Nadya looks to the park
beside her. Horace, from the teaser, stumbles out of the
hedges. He's glazed over, staring straight ahead, seeing
nothing.
Melarna isn't terribly impressed, but isn't terribly
surprised either.
MELARNA
Daughter--
NADYA
He has never spilt innocent blood.
His soul is untainted.
MELARNA
I will never understand your pity
for these creatures.
(utter disgust)
Nor your desire to be like them.
Nadya just takes it; it's an old argument. Sighing, Melarna
steps away from the brothers. She strokes Nadya's hair -
it's almost affectionate.
MELARNA
Darling, I've already had to
destroy your father because you
were born weak. You should be
beyond all this.
(sing-song sight)
Pray, I never have another child
to replace you.
She smiles without malice at a stricken Nadya.
MELARNA
We've had to find another location.
(laughing)
This city has a slayer.
CAESAR
Food for demons.
CZAR
No real reason to hide.
MELARNA
It is not wise to tempt the fates,
children.
15.
INT. JASON'S APARTMENT - DAY
MELARNA (OS)
Fate is an unforgiving mistress
to those who forget her power.
Dawn yelps as Jason punches Samuel again, who drops to the
ground, out cold.
DAWN
Samuel!
She rushes forward, pausing when she sees the three SCRATCH
MARKS ON JASON'S SHOULDER GLOW white. She knows what it means
and turns to Nadya--
Forgetting to watch for Jason's fist--
He scoops her up as she falls, then stands impassively
waiting for Nadya.
Nadya looks at the charts and notes laid out on the table.
NADYA
Five hours.
She starts to gather the charts up--
HUGHLY
Contego!
Hughly wields an open JAR OF POWDER, last seen in episode 10.
He spins it above his head in a circular motion. Red powder
emerges and magically congeals in a shimmering circle around
Hughly, Samuel and parts of the table and the objects upon it.
As the circle glides slowly to the floor, Hughly's eyes dart
between Nadya and Jason.
Nadya isn't terribly concerned. She reaches out toward Hughly
and isn't surprised when her hand touches a barrier that
shimmers on touch.
NADYA
What a good idea.
Hughly waits for some kind of reaction from Jason - there's
nothing, not even a blink.
HUGHLY
Why are you doing this?
NADYA
Because it has to be done.
16.
Nadya pulls the charts on the table. They resist, magically
bound by the circle. Nadya considers for a moment.
Her eyes BLACKEN.
SPARKS flicker from her hand. The charts catch fire, but the
flames veer away from the boundaries of the circle. She's
impressed.
NADYA
So... while we were all risking
our lives and jumping into the
unknown, he had this? Here? Not
with us where it would have been
more help?
She shakes her head and smiles at Jason.
NADYA
Adorable. Not too bright.
Swiftly, she turns and heads toward the door. Jason follows,
carrying Dawn.
Hughly watches; frustrated. But not helpless. He pulls his
cellphone out of his inner jacket pocket.
OFF THE PAPERS ON THE TABLE BURNING
INT. THE CITADEL, UPPER FLOOR - DAY
The building hasn't changed radically since it was last seen.
There are no workmen. The project gives every sign of being
abandoned. The building, however, is not.
SAVORTES mill about lighting torches and candles. The circuit
breakers are still burned out from the building's last
encounter with Devon.
One demon speaks in its own language to WARCRY.
WARCRY
Assume nothing. The window only
opens in eight days. The brothers
may yet return.
NADYA (O.S.)
They won't.
She stands in front of the circle of altars. Jason places
Dawn on the floor beside them, quite close to the edge of
the drop, then stands next to Nadya.
17.
NADYA
Cancel your plans for next week.
We have a date for tonight.
Warcry thinks she's a flaming loon. The Savortes start to
move in with nasty intentions.
WARCRY
Why should we care what you think
or listen to what you say?
Nadya smiles. She glances over the Savortes--
They stagger to a halt--
Then all BOW reverently.
Warcry is astounded, but quick to realise-
WARCRY
If that's a family trait then...
(starting to laugh)
The brothers' enemy was their
sister? They never told me. Your
family likes secrets. Wasn't your
mother the greatest sorceress
this world never knew?
NADYA
(touchy subject)
There' a time for secrets. And
then there isn't. What else do
you think
you know?
WARCRY
(holding up a hand)
I have no desire to quarrel with
a creature like you. I only wish
I'd known of your status last
time we met.
(considers)
Though I suppose it does explain
why I didn't gut you.
NADYA
("don't care")
Lucky me.
(looks at Dawn)
Do you have any chains?
Warcy nods at a nearby Savorte, who gets off its knees and
goes elsewhere.
18.
NADYA
I have a lot to do and short time
to do it in.
Warcry approaches her and studies Dawn.
WARCRY
I'm making a guess. You have no
intention of freeing your mother
and letting her rewrite the
world's history, present and
future in her image?
(off her silence)
Well, I suppose the billions of
souls she would have consumed to
achieve that should be thanking
you. What is your
plan? You need
four to permanently rewrite reality.
NADYA
I'm not going to rewrite this
world.
(turning away)
I'm going to save it.
She walks away with Jason as a Savorte chains Dawn to the
railing within the circle of the altars. Warcry watches Nadya,
amused.
WARCRY
(to himself)
And who will come to save the
world from you?
INT. JASON'S APARTMENT - DAY
Hughly sits in the circle beside Samuel, who is coming to.
The papers on the desk have finished burning, little more
than ash. A half-moon of the papers are untouched by flame.
Samuel sits up. Hughly moves to help him, but Samuel holds
up a hand - he's sore, but okay.
SAMUEL
Nadya did this?
Hughly somberly nods.
SAMUEL
Where--
Hughly shakes his head.
19.
HUGHLY
I think you'd best wait for the
full story.
SAMUEL
And who is going to tell it?
There is a knock at the front door. Hughly gets up.
HUGHLY
Cesso.
The circle disintegrates with an IMPLOSION of red light.
Samuel struggles to his feet. He's more than a little whoozy.
Hughly looks through the peephole of the front door. He opens
it--
DEVON PAYNE enters, heavy bag slung over her shoulder. Hughly
follows her, not particularly surprised.
To say that Samuel is shocked is an understatement.
Devon dumps the bag on the table. She frowns at the burnt
papers.
DEVON
She's early.
Hughly clears his throat. Devon looks up and notices Samuel
rubbing the back of his head. She seems uncomfortable and
unsure for a moment.
DEVON
Are you okay?
SAMUEL
I think I am confused.
He makes his way unsteadily to the couch and sits down. He
gathers his thoughts before looking at her again.
SAMUEL
You knew
she would betray us.
Devon waits for the storm: a silent rock.
SAMUEL
You knew. And you left.
He stands up, anger moving under his skin.
20.
SAMUEL
When did you know?
(off her non-reaction)
How long?
Devon doesn't look at him.
DEVON
You never needed me to get the keys.
Samuel has trouble staying calm.
SAMUEL
Did it ever occur to you to tell
us? Did you ever think... did you
think?
Devon looks up sharply.
DEVON
I made a choice. I chose to fight
it.
SAMUEL
Fight what?
DEVON
Whatever the hell I am. Whatever
it is the world wants me to screw-
up.
Samuel is confused. Devon breaks eye contact again.
DEVON
What if she's meant to win? What
if I'm meant to help?
Samuel is still shooting blank looks.
DEVON
The first day I met Dawn, I had a
Watcher tell me that I was a giant
pair of scales. Look at the world.
There are two vampires with souls
fighting the good fight. There's
an army of thousands of slayers.
Dawn herself is a huge power that
stills growing.
(quiet)
Bad things happen to good people
around me. What if I'm meant to
undo everything people have fought
and died for?
(MORE)
21.
DEVON (CONT'D)
I made a choice to fight it. I
don't want to be... fate.
Samuel softens. He looks over at Hughly, who uncomfortably
waits. Samuel holds Devon's shoulders. She braves looking at
him openly.
SAMUEL
I once believed that to save the
world, one needed to stand alone
against the darkness. I don't
believe that anymore. There is so
much darkness. When you look at
the world, do you see enough good
that fate needs it to be undone?
He squeezes her shoulder.
SAMUEL
(cont.)
Cruelty is one thing that is never
in short supply.
(sigh)
Next time, just try and confide
in one of us.
DEVON
(small smile)
I did.
She nods at Hughly then suddenly moves with a nervous energy.
She pulls vials, powders and herbs out of the bag. Samuel
inspects them.
DEVON
I have everything. For the ritual.
She holds one bag of black herbs.
DEVON
(shamed)
It's just not enough.
Samuel takes the bag from her; considering.
DEVON
I've been waiting for the rest...
I thought she'd follow through
their plan later.
HUGHLY
Whose plan?
22.
DEVON
The brothers. The ones we've been
trying to out-race. But I guess
she has something else in mind.
HUGHLY
Why Jason? Why would she make
him... why wouldn't the potion
I've been giving us work on Jason?
Samuel finally started questioning
things, maybe if Jason--
DEVON
It wouldn't have made a difference.
Her control over him is a lot
more than just memory alteration.
I've got nothing for that. Maybe
that's why she's made a move now.
She knew Samuel wasn't listening
anymore.
SAMUEL
No. She has an ultimate plan. It
occurs in a few hours.
They stand in silence; taking stock of their meagre
preparation time.
HUGHLY
What about Dawn? You told me not
to give her any of the uh...
DEVON
Fog of the clouded mind.
HUGHLY
Yes, why not? Maybe she could
have helped or...
DEVON
Dawn's entire existence is an
altered memory. We can't risk the
kind of memories she might be
left with, but she still might be
able to interfere with--
Samuel hasn't really been listening.
SAMUEL
I can make this work.
He nods to himself and rushes over to one of the many art
pieces displayed. Grimacing apologetically at Highly, he
SMASHES the glass with his cane.
23.
He pulls out a SMALL SHEATHED CEREMONIAL DAGGER.
SAMUEL
I can make it work.
DEVON
How much time will you need?
SAMUEL
As much as I can get.
He tosses the dagger into the bag on the table.
SAMUEL
Assuming we even know where
they've gone.
He leans on the table, thinking.
SAMUEL
It would need to be close. The
timings I gave her were specific
to this locale. The times will
work anywhere within a...
(calculates)
I'd say, roughly five mile radius.
A completely different location
would require calculations she is
not capable of doing.
DEVON
How bad will it be if she...?
SAMUEL
There will definitely be
consequences she can't foresee.
She plays with something she does
not understand; with power she
hasn't earned.
DEVON
I think I have an idea where they
could be.
HUGHLY
Then let us arrive prepared.
He stands ready with a sword in one hand, and two more
sheathed and under his other arm. The old guy holds the scary
powershot. Don't piss him off.
24.
INT. THE CITADEL, UPPER FLOOR - DAY
Dawn groans, waking up. She sits up and tugs at the
restraints on her wrists. She is chained to one of the semi-
circular altars. They circle her. She skooches backward to
try and see over them.
NADYA (OS)
I'd look behind you before you
went any further.
Dawn does. It's a moment of vertigo when she realises she is
sitting at the edge of the huge circle cut into the floor
within the centre of the altars. The sharp drop is scary to
behold.
Dawn scuffles back to the altar. She peers around the
curvature.
DAWN
Why do crazy people keep taking
me to high places?
NADYA
(matter of fact)
Astronomically large holes in the
sky.
Nadya's stares down; her eyes hover over one of the keys. A
field of energy volcanoes outward from the key, folding over
itself until it forms a protective dome around the key. It
looks very much like a stretched portal.
Dawn sees that almost all of the keys are within a similar
cocoon.
Jason stands to one side seeing nothing at all.
Dawn has no clue what the hell is going on.
NADYA
I suppose it's symbolic.
(looking at Dawn)
The big giant shaft down the
building. She'd perform the ritual
up there. Your blood would drip
down and your power would destroy
and create the world as she saw fit.
DAWN
Who?
NADYA
My mother. Melarna.
25.
DAWN
Your...
Dawn is a little taken back. Nadya steps away from the keys
for a moment.
NADYA
She was going to be the greatest
sorceress the world had ever known.
Well at least, whoever was left
in the world would have revered her.
She turns away from Dawn and walks to another key.
NADYA
Do you know why no one knows her
name?
(doesn't really wait
for an answer)
Blind luck. A twist of fate.
Something that should never have
affected her magicks, somehow...
brought something else, someone
else, into contact with her. She
lost to a superior power.
Nadya creates another dome to shield the last unprotected
key. Dawn has heard enough.
DAWN
What are you doing?
NADYA
I don't think you're strong enough
yet, but I don't like to leave
anything to chance.
She lifts up a crystal ball. She stares at it intently. A
SIGIL glows in the centre. Satisfied, she places it on one
of the alters.
NADYA
And I'm counting on an uninvited
guest.
DAWN
No, I meant... Nadya?
She holds up her hands; the chains scrape along the floor.
Nadya is uncomfortable - guilty.
26.
NADYA
I never wanted it to be you. It
shouldn't have been you.
She steels herself.
NADYA
But this is what I have to do.
Dawn swallows bile.
DAWN
And Jason? Is this what he has
to
do? Is that why you're not giving
him a choice?
Nadya looks at Jason. He stares ahead, unaware of the
conversation.
DAWN
Nadya, please. You have to know
that this is wrong. You can't
control the ones you love and
still call it that. You can't
take who he is. He loves you.
Please--
NADYA
(quiet)
Love doesn't happen the way it's
supposed to.
(growing anger)
I did everything right. I said
the right words. I was strong and
I did things that nobody else
could do. But it wasn't enough.
She turns to Dawn.
NADYA
It's never enough.
DAWN
I don't understand.
NADYA
This world is cruel. Everything
is so random. Failure; victory;
friendship; love; power. Each
waits on the edge of a coin.
Imagine if they didn't. Imagine
if you could choose. Nothing left
to chance. No such thing as fate.
27.
DAWN
It's not possible. That's the point.
NADYA
There's so much about yourself
you don't really know, do you?
You change things. You can make
things real, even if they are not
meant to be. You can turn shadows
and light into flesh and blood.
DAWN
Wait. Shadows and light--
NADYA
You showed me where they were.
I'll take care of the rest.
Nadya makes to walk away. Dawn yanks hopelessly at the chains,
trying to get up.
DAWN
No, you can't do that. You don't
know what will happen.
NADYA
(venom)
I know exactly what will happen.
There won't be any more accidents,
no serendipity or bad strokes of
luck. The one you want won't fall
in love with someone...
(spits out)
less than you. Children will be
born equals. Fathers won't have
to die. Mothers will be proud.
Nadya considers, trying to sound reasonable. She kneels down
and touches Dawn on the shoulder.
NADYA
Your sister
might even be allowed
to save the world. Don't you
understand Dawn? With your
sacrifice, you could build a
better world for everyone. A world
where good could actually triumph.
DAWN
Oh. A good death. That makes it
all right? Is it easier for you
that way? Thinking of murder as a
noble sacrifice.?
28.
Nadya stands up; the guilt is etched right there, but she
can't let it win.
NADYA
I can't murder you Dawn. You're
not real.
DAWN
I have a sister. I have friends.
I'm real.
NADYA
And what's inside you, Dawn? We
had our own Key once. Do you want
to know what happened to it?
Dawn blinks; she wants to know.
NADYA
It built a prison made of flesh
and bone. A boy child that looked
and felt real, it probably sounded
real when it grew up too, but it
was just a thing. A meat-cage for
a fallen god. Is there a god in you?
Dawn tries to show no fear or emotion. She turns her head
away from Nadya.
Nadya watches her for a moment; real guilt and sadness
wrestling on her face.
NADYA
(quietly)
You might not die.
Dawn glares at her.
NADYA
Our Key regenerated before it was
taken. Maybe you'll come back,
just as you are, in a decade or two.
DAWN
(cold anger)
I really hope so. I really hope
you'll be waiting too.
WARCRY
It's time.
He stands beside a small army of Savortes. He wears his
warrior's uniform; sword strapped to his back.
29.
The sun hangs low on the horizon. It's before the time of no
return.
Nadya and Dawn have a stare-off. Nadya is almost wavering.
NADYA
Take her chains off.
WARCRY
What?
NADYA
Do it.
He shakes his head and approaches Dawn, kneeling as he
unlocks the chains.
Dawn stands up unaided. She watches Nadya - dare she be
relieved? Nadya steps toward her and gives a small, sad smile.
NADYA
I promise... it won't hurt at all.
DAWN
No!
Nadya waves a hand over Dawn; the same energy that covers
the other keys balloons out around Dawn, encasing her in a
rippling cocoon. Dawn no longer moves, as though frozen inside.
Nadya's eyes are black. She heads up the closest staircase
to the platforms above. Jason and Warcry follow.
The Savortes move around the altars, finally kneeling before
them.
The cocoon rises, rotating until Dawn faces downward. It
floats into the centre of the four platforms, directly above
the deadly drop. The cocoon settles in the air, at least
four feet away from each platform point, below Nadya's eye-
level.
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
Nadya deliberately avoids looking at Dawn, keeping her eyes
on the inanimate keys below her. All thirteen shimmer under
their cocoons.
She steps onto the edge of one of the four platforms. Jason
and Warcry wait on the walkway behind her, forming a triangle.
Nadya closes her eyes.
The other three platforms each hold some of Nadya's "power"
spheres and the linking crystals. They glow and vibrate.
30.
There is pain on Nadya's face.
NADYA
I need...
The pain grows more intense.
NADYA
(cont.)
More.
Lightning shoots from her in a circular arc. It connects
with each sphere and linking crystal, SHATTERING them. It's
not enough. The energy divides and criss-crosses, punching
into the chests of many of the kneeling Savortes. They scream
in agony as, one by one, they are consumed by the energy,
leaving nothing but ash.
Warcry's eyes widen, seeing the army be decimated.
WARCRY
(to himself)
We'll run out of the help.
Nadya YELLS in pain.
The energy CONGEALS AND ARCS into the keys on the altars.
They glow with a connected lucent energy before--
A LARGE LANCE OF WHITE LIGHT HITS DAWN
For a moment, there seems to be no reaction, until--
GREEN LIGHT BILLOWING FROM DAWN PYROCLASTICLY BLANKETS THE
ENTIRE LANDSCAPE
Once the light clears, everything is as it was before - less
quite a few Savortes. There are a handful left.
Tired, Nadya smiles - satisfied.
Short-lived.
NADYA CRASHES AGAINST A SUPPORT PILLAR and CRUMBLES to the
walkway.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - SAME
Devon, flanked by a bag-toting Samuel and Hughly, move
forward onto the floor without hesitation.
FADE OUT.
END ACT II
31.
ACT III
FADE IN:
INT. OPULENT PAD - DAY
Nadya, looking very much like a GOTH, leans back with eyes
closed. She's pleased.
In front of her, TWO KEYS rest in her lap. Her hand rests on
them both.
BRIGHT LIGHT and a SOUND LIKE ZIPPING startles her. She opens
her eyes and glares at--
Caesar and Czar step out of a JAGGED TEAR that seems to cut
through the fabric of the surroundings. Once through, the
tear closes, leaving everything around it intact and untouched.
Both smiling, Caesar tosses another key beside Nadya.
NADYA
(not impressed)
Wow. This one only took two years.
She holds up the key to inspect it, then places it in her
lap with the others.
The twins frown at this.
CAESAR
You are meant to keep them safe.
CZAR
Not play with them as trinkets.
NADYA
I can shield them in my sleep. If
you'd let me protect the master
key, we'd still have it.
The brothers are unconcerned.
CZAR
We will reclaim it.
CAESAR
We have time.
32.
NADYA
Why waste it?
She takes up the keys and walks across the room, placing
them into a ornate chest.
The twins share a look - here it comes.
NADYA
While you've been following your
noses, I've been following the
power. If you listen to me, we'll
find them all within a year.
The brothers circle her as they speak.
CAESAR
Is there a need to hasten?
CZAR
The next doorway to our mother
opens in fifteen years.
CAESAR
Your enthusiasm is commendable.
CZAR
But your way is flawed and
unacceptable.
Nadya restrains her temper - barely.
NADYA
The same old argument.
(mimicking)
My ways are less than your ways.
I'm not as strong. Not as pure.
Not as full of hot air.
She pokes a finger in their direction.
NADYA
I am every bit as powerful as you
are. You're so stuck in ritual
and rule that you can't even see
that the world is shifting and
leaving you behind. I'm
leaving
you behind.
CAESAR
The world is changing.
CZAR
This much is true.
33.
CAESAR
But you are not its herald.
CZAR
This is what you do not know see.
CAESAR
What you have never seen.
CZAR
You advocate the use of borrowed
power.
CAESAR
Power that is not yours.
CZAR
Is seductive and deceiving.
CAESAR
Mother forgot this.
CZAR
You would do well to remember.
CAESAR
If you depend on power that is
not your own...
INT. UPPER FLOOR - DAY
Nadya pushes herself up so that she can see--
DEVON
Stands waiting; she doesn't take her eyes off Nadya. Behind
her, the last light of the day is fading.
CZAR (OS)
You will never understand true
power.
Nadya starts to get up slowly - not breaking eye contact
either.
Samuel and Hughly race past Devon. Hughly brandishes a sword;
Samuel has the bag over one shoulder, his cane waving in
another hand before him. Hughly attacks the nearest
Savortes - hugely depleted in numbers. He fights well for an
old guy.
Samuel looks up and sees Dawn.
34.
SAMUEL
Oh my god.
He joins the fight with vigor.
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
Warcry watches amused, as the two older men successfully
take on the remaining demons.
WARCRY
This is a very good reason not to
kill your minions.
He nods at Jason as though looking for agreement. Jason
doesn't even blink. Warcry shrugs, grabs his sword and
LEAPS
from the platform onto the lower floor level, in front of
the altars with the keys. He bows neatly to Hughly, who holds
his sword in front of him.
HUGHLY
(to Samuel)
Continue.
Samuel rushes around the two men.
NADYA
walks out to meet Devon. She's poised and unaffected despite
the earlier fall.
NADYA
I was sure you'd show up
eventually. You're a bit late.
She brushes her hand against a pillar. The SIGIL from earlier
glows upon it, and other pillars all across the floor. The
crystal ball glows similarly. It's not lost on Devon.
DEVON
("don't care")
New trick?
Nadya smiles - quite chuffed with herself.
35.
NADYA
That's the beauty of travel.
Someone out there is guaranteed
to have done the work for you.
(considers)
Maybe it's a little unfair making
sure I'm the only one of us
allowed to use our superpowers...
(darkly)
But then, you did take something
that belonged to me, so I'd say
we're even.
Devon shrugs and gives an honest-to-god cheeky smile. She
nods over Nadya's shoulder--
THE SIGIL BALL rises in the air
Nadya stares in shock. She glares at Devon.
DEVON
(spelling it out for
the umpteenth time)
I'm not a witch. You can't cut me
off from borrowed power.
The ball SMASHES to the ground.
DEVON
(cont.)
This is me.
ALTAR
Samuel touches one of the keys. The portal cocoon shocks him.
He pulls his hand back in pain. He looks down at the handle
of his cane in his other hand.
WARCRY AND HUGHLY SCUFFLE IN AND OUT OF FRAME BRIEFLY
Samuel WHACKS the portal with the cane. It too, ricochets
off, hurting his other hand.
Samuel glances to the side irritably.
SAMUEL
Devon? A little help please.
DEVON
Raises an eyebrow and tries to peer around--
36.
NADYA
Who is amping up to full strength. Her eyes are blacker than
sin. It will be the greatest chick fight ever!
Without much thought, Devon splashes her hand against the
air in front of her.
Nadya is hit by an invisible wall. She PROPELS backward,
crashing painfully against a pillar. Knocked out cold.
Devon steps over her.
DEVON
You never knew me at all.
She walks forward - a gal with a mission - stopped abruptly
by Warcry and Hughly dueling into her path. She regards them
for a moment. Hughly is holding his own against an
increasingly annoyed - and bigger, stronger, younger -
opponent.
DEVON
Hi.
He elbows Warcry in the face.
HUGHLY
Hello.
DEVON
Do you want me to..
She pushes against the air. He blocks and ducks around a
heavy blow.
HUGHLY
No no. I'm fine thank you. I
haven't given a lesson like this
in a long time.
She shrugs.
DEVON
Okay.
She steps around them.
Hughly rushes Warcry off-screen.
PLATFORM
Jason slumps his shoulders as though relaxing them for the
first time in hours.
37.
He sees the long drop from the platform, and steps back
quickly.
He struggles to get his bearings. At first, he isn't sure
what to make of he portal-like light hovering some distance
in front of him, until he looks closer.
JASON
Dawn?
Within her cocoon, a second MORE ELECTRIC PORTAL is bleeding
out from her skin, pushing up against the first like water
in a fishbowl.
Frantic, he looks around for anything that could help her.
He sees Devon reach Samuel at the altars below.
ALTAR
Devon stands beside Samuel and regards the domes. Eyes
already WHITENING, dust and grit spirals over the cocoons.
Samuel squints as the wind kicks up more dust past him.
Devon's hair moves about her face as she concentrates further.
Bits and pieces of the altar BREAK OFF, invisibly chiseled
and eroded. Larger chunks SMASH and SHATTER against the floor
as they hit it, skidding across the room.
The domes remain unchanged. The keys unaffected.
Samuel places a hand on Devon's shoulder. It's useless.
She startles slightly at the contact. The wind dies down
immediately. She glances at him.
SAMUEL
If these are the same as the one
surrounding Dawn...
JASON
Don't give up yet! We can't give up.
Jason rushes over to them.
SAMUEL
We aren't giving up, but none of
us are a match for Nadya or what
she knows.
JASON
There has to be a way.
He looks to Devon. She can't quite make eye-contact.
38.
JASON
(quiet)
I did this.
(louder)
There has to be a way.
Frustrated, he punches the nearest dome. He grunts and yanks
his arm back in extreme pain, but not before something
SKITTLES across the floor-
A KEY
Jason stares at it.
The DOME COLLAPSES ON ITSELF.
SAMUEL
How...
He sees the three claw marks - Nadya's mark - on Jason's
shoulder. He exchanges a glance with Devon.
DEVON
She always underestimates the
little things.
Jason snaps out of it.
JASON
I can fix this. I can fix it.
He starts attacking each dome with his hands. It hurts like
seven kinds of hell, but he keeps on doing it. Manic.
Samuel and Devon can only watch, completely helpless.
ON DAWN
The second liquid portal FILLS THE SPACE within the cocoon.
With nowhere left to go--
THE COCOON CRACKS OPEN
The liquid portal ERUPTS in the air, blossoming around DAWN.
Energy like LIGHTNING SHOOTS FORWARD past Devon and Samuel
into the horizon - STRIKING THE AIR outside in two places
MULTIPLE TIMES.
Jason ignores the chaos, mind completely bent on freeing all
the keys. He's halfway there.
Devon peers ahead into the night sky ahead.
39.
DEVON
It's too late.
EXT. DIAMOND BUILDING - NIGHT
Two HOLES RIP open the horizon. Small at first, but
exponentially increasing.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - SAME
Devon and Samuel are transfixed as they watch the portals
grow. The energy from both creating a wind.
JASON
It's not too late. We can still
stop it.
He doesn't stop. His hands are bloodied; his eyes are
watering; but he doesn't pause or look.
DEVON WATCHES--
EXT. DIAMOND BUILDING - SAME
Something can be seen within both portals.
In the one, everything looks identical to the horizon they
already see, but the light is green and shadows and light
dance frantically near the portal.
In the other, STARS and BLACKNESS and--
A GIANT CLAW
ALTAR
Devon involuntarily jumps back, hitting her back against the
nearest altar.
SAMUEL
Oh dear lord.
Even Jason stops and gawks.
A HUGE ROAR shakes everyone.
ON WARCRY AND HUGHLY
They stop fighting and just goggle-eye the landscape.
WARCRY
What has she done?
40.
He's allowed a moment to think on that, before Hughly charges
him again.
ON THE TWO PORTALS
As both grow, more of the claw and its owner can be seen.
It is a mammoth DEMON - a PENANCE DEMON.
It manages to get it's entire clawed hand out of the portal.
It's massive snout follows suit.
JASON
(swearing at himself)
Don't be useless. Fix it.
He knocks a few more keys free, there is only one that isn't
free. Samuel tears himself away from the growing horror in
front of him too. He flusters toward the bag he left to the
side, pulling out ingredients.
SAMUEL
The ritual... maybe if we start
it...
Jason nods, jittery and flustered, he starts gathering up
the keys; dumping them on the intact altar.
Devon hasn't taken her eyes off the portals.
THE GREEN WORLD
With its whispers and lights holds her complete attention.
The lights move fast and furious, like they know what's coming.
In the centre of all that turmoil, there is a space with no
light or shadow at all. Devon stares at it - it seems to
grow - almost into the shape of someone. The whispers almost
overshadow the growling of the demon.
Devon looks around her.
Jason and Samuel talk, circling the keys, throwing herbs and
powders, but she cannot hear them.
Hughly and Warcry clash beneath Dawn. There isn't a sound.
Only the whispers.
And the shape. Growing closer and closer.
41.
DEVON'S EYES
The shape of a woman rushes forward into the reflection of
her eye.
GENTLE VOICE
(whisper)
Fate is what you make it.
BACK TO SCENE
Devon startles, shutting her eyes tightly. Opening them,
there is no shape anywhere to be seen. The whispers are
simply a buzz beneath the roaring.
Pained, Devon looks down at her hand. It is within the last
dome. She pushes the last key along the table and steps away
from the altar as the dome collapses. She looks at her hand,
then back at the shadows and light, nodding.
SAMUEL
holds a book open in one hand, and holds a glass jar of
finely ground herbs in another hand. Black candles surround
the keys.
SAMUEL
Light them when I signal.
Jason holds a lighter and nods. Samuel flicks small amounts
of the powder over the keys as he speaks.
SAMUEL
When there is darkness... light
shall shine.
Jason looks over Samuel's shoulder.
JASON
Uh no. Keep going. Maybe think of
a plan B.
He drops the lighter and rifles through the bag they brought
with. He unsheathes a short SWORD. Assessing the situation
that only he can see, he grabs another short SWORD - one for
each hand.
Samuel looks behind him - the slim reinforcements have arrived.
Half a dozen Savortes stream in through the stairwell.
Jason advances to meet them.
Sword meets claw.
42.
Claw is no match for an incredibly pissed-off Jason, who
uses his swords to appease his guilt. One skilled slash,
swoop and feint after another.
Samuel tries to ignore it all. He hurriedly empties all the
powder over the keys, dumps the bottle and starts to light
the candles while he reads.
SAMUEL
When there is cold... warmth shall
spread.
JASON
stabs a Savorte, and kicks another away. It trips over
another downed comrade, and plunges off the ledge of the
building.
HUGHLY
criss-crosses Jason. Jason nods as the older man continues
to duel Warcry. Hughly gives a relieved smile.
JASON
continues to fight multiple opponents at the same time. The
Savortes are attempting to gang up on him, but he cuts off
any advantage they try to gain - and that includes the use
of their limbs. He's absolutely brutal.
HUGHLY AND WARCRY
Warcry falls to the floor, but he holds his sword aloft.
Hughly takes a massive swipe at it with his own sword.
It shoots out of Warcry's hands and lands on the PLATFORM
ABOVE.
WARCRY
How is this even possible?
Hughly tilts his head toward Jason.
HUGHLY
Who do you think taught him?
WARCRY
I don't care. You are not meant
to be my equal.
Hughly puts the tip of the sword to Warcry's throat.
HUGHLY
With a sword, I'd agree.
43.
Worried, Warcry doesn't see the kick to his head coming.
HUGHLY
But you should see me with a hammer.
He turns away from the unconscious man, smiling briefly at
Jason having brought his opponents down to two.
Looking up, he sees Dawn hanging motionless with the amoeba-
like portal. He also sees something else--
DEVON stands on the platform, staring at Dawn, dead ahead of
her.
HUGHLY
Miss Payne? Devon? What are you
doing?
SAMUEL glances up from the book at the panic in Hughly's
voice. Jason turns around too.
SAMUEL
Devon?
PLATFORM
Devon ignores them.
DEVON
(small smile)
Plan B.
She takes off in a run.
ALTAR
Samuel drops the book.
SAMUEL
Devon no!
Jason can't move for the shock of it.
DEVON
reaches the end of the platform.
She leaps.
Hands outstretched.
Her fingers touch the portal.
44.
RIPPLES resembling WAVES move through the portal from her
fingers - she's using her power within the portal.
The waves HIT DAWN moments before Devon truly enters the
portal.
The FORCE PROPELS DAWN FROM THE PORTAL and onto the platform
on the other side.
She skids and rolls, but is most definitely conscious again.
She shakes her head and looks at--
THE ENERGY OF THE PORTAL YANKS DEVON BACK--
Her face is SQUEEZED IN PAIN, she might even be screaming,
but no sound comes from the portal. The portal disappears.
DEVON DROPS through the massive hole below.
DAWN'S EYES WIDEN IN TERROR
FADE OUT.
END ACT III
45.
ACT IV
FADE IN:
INT. UPPER FLOOR - NIGHT
There's an almost physical silence. Hughly and Samuel stare
above the altars - not seemingly to believe that the portal
is gone. There is no sign of Devon.
Behind them, outside the building, the crackle and roar of
demon and portals growing larger are only disturbed by a
sickening squelch as Jason brings his sword up. Another
Savorte dead.
Samuel is the first to turn away. He returns to the altar
and shakily picks up the book. He is subdued.
Jason falls bag sluggishly. He heads up the stairs.
SAMUEL
(reading)
Fire of spirit. Cleanse this plane
of all memory and whisper.
He takes another vial and throws the contents on the keys.
NADYA (O.S.)
I really wish you would stop doing
that.
She stands upright.
NADYA
I hate seeing you waste your time.
She stalks toward him.
NADYA
Devon killing herself was almost
noble, but it won't stop what
I've started. Neither will your
archaic ritual.
She laughs, proud and almost giddy.
46.
NADYA
You can't conceive the power it
takes to do what I have done. To
undo the bonds of fate. To change
the way the world works. My will
is being done. There is not enough
blood in the world to end this.
So why don't you just forget--
A HUGE AND PAINED ROAR makes her turn.
EXT. DIAMOND BUILDING - SAME
The PENANCE DEMON RETREATS into its portal. It tears at the
edges of the portal in frustration and pain.
The GREEN WORLD grows smaller. The lights and shadows within
it move less frantically.
NADYA
What!?--
She looks up.
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
DAWN concentrates on the portals. Her eyes are almost
ELECTRIC with the multi-coloured ripples of a portal.
EXT. DIAMOND BUILDING - SAME
The portals grow much smaller. The whimpers of the demon can
still be heard.
Nadya stands at the edge of the floor.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - NIGHT
Nadya clamps her jaw shut.
NADYA
Fine. There's more than one way
to drain a key.
She turns sharply--
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
Dawn relaxes. She's hellova tired, but she's done good.
JASON
Dawn, are you okay?
She smiles up at him.
47.
DAWN
Yeah. Could do with a snuggly
blankie and to sleep for a week.
I'm glad you're back.
He offers a hand. She takes it and he helps lift her up.
JASON
Let's just get this over--
He lets go of her hand, and brings up his sword.
She falls to the floor with a startled yelp.
He bears down with the sword-
She rolls before the sword impales her.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - SAME
Nadya smiles at the one-sided fight happening above.
Samuel grabs his cane and quickly, but quietly, moves behind
Nadya. He brings up the cane--
SPARKS HIT HIM flat in the chest and he is thrown backward.
He skids along the floor and has to scramble forward and
claw at the ground to stop himself from toppling over the
edge of the building. His legs are partially there already.
PLATFORM
Dawn ducks and dives, but Jason's bigger, armed and a better
fighter. Her only advantage is how small and fast she is.
Salvation is just around the corner. She spots Warcry's
abandoned sword and runs toward it. She dives just as Jason
swings at her head.
His sword hits a metal support beam. He brings it back and
plunges down--
SWORD HITS SWORD
Dawn's arm jolts under the pressure. That hurt. A lot.
She lies on her back and tries to hold her steel against his.
Her legs push against his chest, but he puts his full weight
into it.
Jason continues to bear down. He shows no emotion and doesn't
hear the strain in Dawn's voice.
48.
Dawn's face is twisted in the struggle. She knows she's going
to lose in this fight.
DAWN
Jason please. Fight it. You
great... big... idiot.
She pushes with every bit of strength that she may have
hidden deep in her reserves. It's only enough to momentarily
push him back.
Dawn braces herself to take the strain off another hit--
ANOTHER SWORD BLOCKS JASON'S
Hughly stands beside him, stopping him.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - SAME
Samuel swings his legs back onto the floor and scurries to
his feet quickly.
NADYA
I don't really want to hurt you,
but you do have a habit of
questioning me. Why is that?
Samuel tries to stand tall against her, no matter how winded
he is.
NADYA
You seem to think you're wise and
that I should listen to you, but
what do you actually know? Nothing.
Just like you do nothing
. Isn't
that the reason for your repeated
failures? You sit back and say
meaningless words while others
die. At least I'm doing something
.
Perhaps you can say thank you later.
SAMUEL
I do have something to say.
Nadya waits, amused.
SAMUEL
You are a delusional, silly girl
and it is no small wonder that
you have to control someone for
them to bear you.
That's not what she expected to hear.
49.
NADYA
Are you trying to make me angry?
SAMUEL
I think you were angry before we
even met. It was your choice to
stay that way.
Nadya purses her lips to stop them from opening.
SAMUEL
And just so we're clear. You will
never touch Dawn or Jason ever
again.
With that, Nadya laughs.
NADYA
Oh, you're going to stop me, are
you?
Once more, SHE IS SLAMMED INTO A PILLAR. She stumbles away
from it - only winded - it wasn't as hard as the previous
time. She turns toward--
DEVON
Hey bitch. Not done yet.
Devon looks like hell - if hell had actually eaten her,
gotten sick on her and thrown her back up. She already seems
defeated, but she glares at Nadya with a stone-cold intensity.
Devon moves to stand in front of Samuel. Samuel bows his
head to her. Glad to see her, but worried.
NADYA
What the hell does it take to
kill you?
DEVON
Wanna find out?
Nadya weighs up Devon. It just seems too damn easy.
NADYA
You're not going to try and talk
me out of my wicked ways?
DEVON
Like he said, you made your choice.
NADYA
So did you.
50.
Devon moves her head in Samuel's direction, but keeps her
eyes on Nadya.
DEVON
Go.
Samuel hesitates. Nadya's eyes are already turning black.
DEVON
Go!
Samuel starts to run--
A rush of LIGHTNING streaks toward them both--
The majority of it BREAKS against an unseen shield. Samuel
still has to dive forward to avoid getting toasted.
Devon flinches under the strain off keeping the lightning
away from her and Samuel. The energy of the flows around the
rounded sides of a shield like water over rocks.
With a cry, she pushes back with her hands. The lightning
REBOUNDS on Nadya, who has to jump out of the way quickly.
She runs toward a pillar and hides behind it - all manner of
pissed.
SAMUEL
Stumbles back to his feet.
HIS POINT OF VIEW
Nadya flings LIGHTNING BALLS toward Devon from behind the
pillar. Devon PUSHES THEM BACK taking chunk by chunk out of
the pillar. Nadya yells in frustration.
Samuel looks up. Jason is dueling both Hughly and Dawn on
the walkway above.
There is nothing Samuel can do to help either party. He does
the only thing he can-
He rushes to the altar, and fumbles with more vials of
ingredients. He throws liquid over the keys.
SAMUEL
(whispering)
Fire of spirit. Accept this
offering. Accept my worthiness
and my spirit.
He pulls the small ceremonial knife from the bag and
unsheathes it. He makes a cut on the palm of his hand.
51.
He holds it over the keys. The blood drips, mingling with
the other elements. As it hits, tendrils of smoke begin to
form.
With his other hand, he lifts a candle.
SAMUEL
Fire of spirit. Fire of all fires.
Burn clean this unholy thing.
He dips the candle flame toward the keys--
WARCRY tackles him to the floor.
WARCRY
I'm sorry old one. I expect she'll
need those when she's done. It is
not long to go now.
Samuel stretches to see--
DEVON TUMBLE ALONG THE GROUND
She lies in a heap, winded.
Nadya is no longer hiding. She walks confidently across the
floor.
NADYA
All that bluster and I'm still
better than you.
Devon struggles to lift herself on her elbows. She faces
Nadya head-on.
NADYA
Why did you think you could ever
win?
DEVON
Because I'm not afraid.
She SLAMS her fist down on the ground - instead of a dull
thump it is a mighty roar. Nadya stumbles as the floor CRACKS
APART AND DROPS.
INT. FLOOR BELOW - SAME
The mostly intact SEGMENTS of floor CRASH onto the next floor,
pulling apart metal framework and smashing open the ground
below it. The floor segments lurch upward as parts of the
ground give way to the next floor.
52.
The two women tumble from the floor segments, heading for
the great circular opening in the building. The deadly drop
looms closer as the floor segments increase their sloping
angle upwards. Both women try to slow their descent by
leaning into the floor segments and using their hands--
Nadya fires off another volley of lightning at Devon.
Devon pulls her arms inward and lets herself drop faster.
She reaches the edge--
Over she goes.
Nadya barely has time to be elated. She reaches the edge
just as quickly--
She's gone.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - SAME
WARCRY waits for some sort of sign. He stares intently at
the broken floor.
Samuel struggles to move with Warcry pinning him down. He
hasn't noticed the dagger in Samuel's other hand.
With one burst of strength, Samuel yanks up with his arm and
STABS Warcry in the back.
WARCRY YELLS.
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
Dawn grunts as she falls on her ass. It looks like she has
taken a lickin'. There is a cut on her cheek and some blood
flowing from a wound on her arm.
Hughly pushes forward against Jason. They perfectly counter
each others moves - master and pupil. It's a fight that will
never be won fairly.
BOOM
Something loud and scary makes the building and platform shake.
It's just what Jason needs. He kicks Hughly's legs from under
her and pushes him off the platform.
DAWN
No!
She jumps forward; her outstretched hand a futile gesture.
53.
FINGERS POKE through the grate of the platform. Hughly
managed to grab hold.
Dawn leans back, unable to decide between relief or despair.
She has time for neither. She jerks out of the way just in
time as Jason's sword comes down again.
She quickly gets up to her feet. Sword ready. Standing on
her own. She grips the sword tighter.
INT. ATRIUM - NIGHT
Nadya stands dead-centre of the room. Above her the shaft
encircled by a dozen or so floors. Each looking like they
are falling apart. It looks very much like an arena. She is
surrounded by all huge pieces of rubble and metal.
She is covered in concrete dust, her clothes are torn and
her hair is a wreck. A good reason for her psychotic-level
anger.
Glaring straight-ahead of her with pitch-black eyes, her
entire body spasms as it release a 360° wave of lighting
balls. As they connect with solid matter, the entire building
shudders to the massive BOOM.
To the side of her, Devon leans against a pillar, hidden for
the moment. She too is covered in concrete dust, making the
cuts along her hands and face stand out more vividly.
She waits for the inevitable.
INT. UPPER FLOOR - NIGHT
Warcry stumbles around, trying to remove the dagger from his
back. He stares incredulously at Samuel, who merely watches
somberly.
WARCRY
I will not die this way.
Warcry yanks the dagger out. He holds it in front of him,
pointing it at Samuel.
WARCRY
But you will.
THUD
Hughly falls on him from above, either knocking Warcry out
or killing him.
HUGHLY (OS)
I'm all right.
54.
INT. PLATFORM - SAME
Dawn is putting all her concentration into not dying at the
end of a sword. She meets his blows and counters, trying to
conserve as much of her energy as possible.
DAWN
I don't want to hurt you Jason.
She fakes a lunge, redirects his sword then takes a nick of
blood from his shoulder where Nadya marked him.
DAWN
(hopefully)
Unless it'll work.
Jason didn't even flinch. He swings. Her tactic failed and
he has the advantage again. He's a battering ram and it's
all she can do now to hold on just a few moments longer.
INT. ARENA - NIGHT
Devon takes a deep breath and pushes against the pillar as
she runs a silent count-down in her head.
Zero.
She races out from the pillar.
Nadya spots her immediately and whips her hand to follow.
CONCENTRATED CHAIN LIGHTNING chase Devon as she runs,
following the path of the room in a circle. She passes pillar
after pillar as she tries to outrun Nadya's damage path. The
pillars are taking more of the damage, but Nadya can see she
is getting closer to Devon, or perhaps Devon is slowing.
Lip curling over her teeth, Nadya forces more power down her
line-
Devon is directly in its path--
She leaps--
The LIGHTNING BLAST EDGES HER, sending her crashing along
the floor, out of the way of--
A PILLAR COLLAPSES as it takes the full weight of Nadya's
power. Metal framework from the floor above comes SHOOTING
DOWNWARD.
Nadya barely reacts as she is HAULED BACK AND VIOLENTLY
PINNED to the wall behind her, beneath a tangle of metal.
55.
NADYA FACE
Her breath is quick and her eyes dart around. She doesn't
seem to understand what just happened.
Devon limps slowly toward her.
Nadya turns her eyes toward her. The shock and disbelief are
still there, but fading away as surely as her life.
DEVON
Almost seems sad.
Nadya is dead.
Devon turns away.
INT. PLATFORM - NIGHT
Jason batters Dawn's sword away. She crumples, holding her
arm in pain. He lifts the sword--
She looks away and shuts her eyes--
Nothing.
Dawn peeks through horror-movie eyelids, until finally she
looks up at Jason.
He is completely lost. He stares at her and then his sword--
He THROWS it from him as though it burned. Staggering, he
drops to his knees. His eyes could be close to tears. He
can't look at her for the shame.
JASON
I thought I was stronger than that.
Dawn gets to her feet.
JASON
I thought I was stronger.
She reaches out her hand to him - he can't ignore it. She
gives him a small smile and moves her hand again.
MUSIC: LISA GERMANO - FROM A SHELL
He takes it and lets her help him up.
56.
INT. ALTAR - LATER
Samuel chants and throws more herbs onto the keys. Dawn and
Devon stand to one side, just watching. Hughly gathers up
weapons and places them into his bag.
Devon turns as Jason arrives. He carries Nadya, wrapped in a
jacket to hide her wounds. It looks almost intimate. Devon
looks away.
Samuel steps aside as Jason places Nadya on the altar. He
smoothes over her hair, then snatches his fingers away. He
turns to Samuel who motions to the candle. Jason takes it
and lights the keys.
A FLUORESCENT WHITE FLAME SPARKS INTO LIFE
Jason steps back and watches the flames quickly grow larger
and spread. His eyes don't move from the flames.
Samuel stands beside Dawn.
DAWN
This can't happen again.
He turns to her.
DAWN
Not to me. Not to anyone.
She turns back to the flames.
DAWN
I can't let it happen again.
Devon is the only one not lost to the fire. She glances at
Jason. His stony profile is trying to fight pain, but notices
little else.
Sad, perhaps for him, Devon turns and walks away. The night
colours grow colder as she leaves the fire and the others
behind. She rounds a corner and is out of sight and earshot.
It is then that she stumbles.
She grips the nearest wall and rakes her, already-bloody,
fingernails over it. She is fighting intense pain. Physical
pain. Clutching her head in her hands and covering her mouth,
she falls to her knees. She rocks herself, stifling whimpers.
MUSIC ABRUPTLY ENDS
She brings her hand away from her face. Fresh, red blood
appears starkly against her ghost-like hands.
57.
Reaching up she finds the source of the blood. Blood streams
from her nose as intensely as the pain she closes her eyes
against.
OFF THAT
FADE OUT.
END SEASON ONE
Sophocles Screenplay Software 2007
www.sophocles.net