The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Three: "Conspiracies"

Chapter Three: Conspiracies

 

Zelos sits on the stone while Glenn walks the perimeter and Elsea fusses over Zara.

Zelos stands and squints into the darkness.

Zelos steps forward, to the edge of the stone ring.

Zelos: “Glenn? Glenn! Come quickly!”

 

Glenn rushes to Zelos’ side

Glenn: “Is it your eye?”

 

Zelos: “No, not my eye.”

Zelos points into the darkness.

Zelos: “It’s that.”

 

Glenn, standing next to Zelos, holds the torch out before them. Elsea and Zara both peek forward from where they sit, Zara replacing her boots while Elsea binds them.

Glenn: “What?”

 

Zelos: “The woman. Pinned to the wall.”

 

Glenn: “I can’t see the wall.”

 

Zelos: “You can’t?”

 

Mary, off-screen: “My, my, it seems you have the better night-sight, pumpkin.”

 

Glenn goes wide-eyed.

Glenn steps forward, one hand holding the torch, the other coming to rest on the hilt of his sword. Behind him, Zara and Elsea sit up, Elsea putting her body in front of Zara, sky blue magic flaring around her palms.

Glenn: “Who’s there?”

 

Mary, off-screen: “A ghost, long forgotten by the good people of Fiona. And, it seems, forgotten by you, Sir Knight.”

 

Zelos: “Glenn, it’s her. It’s the woman pinned to the wall. Here, give me the torch.”

Zelos steals the torch from Glenn’s grasp.

Zelos wades into the water, splashing toward the far wall.

 

The light of the torch bounces off of the wet wall while Glenn, Elsea, and Zara watch from the center of the cavern.

Elsea and Zara watch in tense silence.

Glenn steps forward, staring into the dark.

The shadows on the wall show a vague outline of Mary’s slender body, suspended.

Show her arms pinned to the wall by jagged spikes, her dress stained and frayed. Her long, dark hair hangs over her body. She appears to be crucified against the wall.

Glenn loses his grip on his sword and stares slack jawed.

Glenn: “You.”

 

Mary: “So, that is you, Sir Glenn! And how you’ve grown. Filled out in the shoulders. I dare to say that the young boy I once knew has grown full into a handsome young man.”

 

Zelos stops at a mound of earth by the wall and looks back.

Zelos: “Glenn, who is she? And why is she staked to the wall?”

 

Glenn: “She’s a ghost, like she said.” 

Glenn closes his eyes tight, frowns.

Glenn: “I didn’t even think…”

 

Mary: “Fear not, for you are not alone in forgetting me. In point of fact, I must admit, I am most like little more than a cautionary tale told by mothers to keep their children in doors at night.”

 

Zelos: “What are you two on about?”

 

Glenn: “She’s the Red Witch, Zelos. A murderer. A traitor to the throne. We couldn’t kill her, so we locked her down here and wrote her out of the history books.”

 

Mary: “What a nice, safe story for all the children, but I assure you both, the truth is far more complicated than the fiction.”

 

Zelos: “And how come I’ve never heard of this?”

 

Mary: “Why, because you were naught but a pink-cheeked little boy, not even a child. At that time, you were more fond of tugging my hair than hearing my stories. You would chew it, as well, though at the time it wasn’t nearly so filthy.”

 

Glenn: “Let’s go. We’ve rested long enough.”

 

Zelos: “What? Glenn, no. We’re not just leaving her here.”

 

Glenn: “We are.”

 

Zelos: “We need to find a way to get her down.”

 

Glenn: “No.”

 

Zelos jams the torch into a stand.

Zelos starts up the wall.

 

Glenn: “Stop!”

 

Zelos: “Why?”

 

Zara: “Perhaps because she’s a murderer, you fool!”

 

Zelos: “Apparently, so are we.”

 

Zara: “Oh, this is hardly the same.”

 

Zelos: “She says the truth is more complicated. Considering our circumstances, I am inclined to believe her. Besides, we aren’t really in a position to be turning down help so easily, are we?”

 

Glenn: “I was there, and I promise, it isn’t as complicated as she says. I saw her do it with my own eyes.”

 

Zelos: “She can use magic, Glenn, a fact which you told me with your own mouth.”

Zelos reaches Mary and seizes one of her bindings.

Zelos hesitates, looking Mary in the eyes.

 

Mary smiles.

Mary: “Fret not, dear. These silly little things are simple tools what keep my magic contained.”

 

Zelos: “It won’t hurt?”

 

Mary: “It won’t kill.”

 

Zara steps out from behind Elsea, scowling, fists at her side, screaming.

Zara: “Zelos! You stop that right now and come down. We have enough trouble as it, we don’t need anymore added to it!”

 

Zelos plants his feet to the wall and pulls.

Zelos: “She can help us!”

 

Zara: “And how might she do that? By turning us all to toads while we sleep?”

 

Mary: “I assure you, princess, were I to turn you to toads, I would not be so cowardly as to wait until you are sleeping.”

 

Zara huffs.

Zara: “Ridiculous!”

 

Zelos: “You know the old adage, Zara: an enemy of an enemy is a friend.”

Zelos pulls.

The stake gives way with a spray of blood, dropping Zelos into the water below.

Glenn wades into the water, splashing on his approach to Zelos.

Mary screams on the wall, her arm free, blood gushing down her arm and soiling the wall.

Her forearm heals in a flash of red light.

Zelos surfaces, Glenn helping him to stand.

They stand together and look up at Mary.

Zelos: “That’s one.”

 

Zara: “I, for one, cannot…”

 

Elsea: “With all due respect, m’lady, Zelos may be right.”

 

Zara and Glenn: “What?”

 

Elsea: “I mean to say, we don’t know the details of her crimes and…”

 

Glenn: “I do.”

 

Elsea: “Be that as it may, this can now be considered enemy territory, and it is as the prince says, an enemy of an enemy…”

 

Glenn: “We’re not talking about this.”

 

Zelos: “Because it’s already done. Too late to argue now.”

 

Glenn: “I was arguing from the start!”

 

Mary: “Boys!”

Everyone looks up at Mary.

Mary flexes her free hand, smiling viciously.

Mary: “I would move were I you.”

Runes written across Mary’s flesh flash bright red. The room is filled with red light.

 

Zelos and Glenn go wide-eyed.

Zelos and Glenn rush away from the wall, Glenn pushing Zelos forward as they run.

 

Mary presses her gleaming palm flat to the wall. Magic spreads through the wall, creating a spiderweb of blood red light.

The stones part in an explosion of dust.

The stones crumble behind her.

Mary drops slowly onto the debris, her body still glowing red.

Mary lands and draws the remaining stake from her left wrist.

Mary drops the stake into the water, her left arm healing in a flash of red light. She stares at the party.

 

Elsea and Zara stare in shock.

Glenn and Zelos stare up at her from the water, Glenn doubled over, Zelos on his back and up to his neck in the water.

 

Mary rolls her right wrist.

Mary: “Now then, where to boys and girls?”

 

The party stares a moment longer.

Everyone looks at Glenn.

 

Glenn straightens up and sighs.

Glenn: “First, we need to find a way out of here.”

Glenn points to the left.

Glenn: “There should be an exit up there. You three go ahead. I need to speak with her in private.”

 

Mary: “Only just reunited and already trying to get me alone. My, you’re not so gallant as I remember, then.”

 

Zelos: “Glenn?”

 

Glenn: “No arguments.”

 

Zelos sulks toward the exit with Zara stomping after him. Elsea waits.

 

Glenn: “I’ll be fine. Watch those two, please.”

 

Elsea nods.

Elsea leaves.

 

Mary: “Pretty thing. And sweet, too.”

 

Glenn: “What do you know of sweetness?”

 

Mary: “Tsk, tsk, Sir Knight. No need to be rude. After all, we are friends now, aren’t we?”

 

Glenn: “The prince trusts you. I know you.”

 

Mary: “Yes, you do, and you know very well what I am capable of. So, mind that, and mind your tone for good measure.”

 

Glenn: “I won’t fight you.”

 

Mary: “That is most like in your best interest.”

Mary bursts into laughter.

Mary: “Sir Knight! I am joking. I harbor you no ill will, of that I can assure you.”

 

Glenn: “Then what do you want?”

 

Mary: “Why, whatever do you mean?”

 

Glenn: “Just what I ask.”

 

Mary walks carefully down the rubble.

Mary: “Seems a strange question, that. I have many plans, all of varying degrees of urgency. Most immediately, I would like a hot bath, a warm meal, and a change of clothes.”

 

Glenn: “And then?”

 

Mary: “Mayhap a haircut.”

Mary examines her hair closely.

Mary: “What think you? Would short hair better suit me, or do you like how long it has gotten?”

 

Glenn: “You’re evading the question.”

 

Mary: “No, I am evading answers you aren’t ready for.”

 

Glenn grabs her by the wrist.

Glenn: “I won’t let you hurt the prince.”

 

Mary stares at him a moment.

Mary jerks away her right hand while conjuring magic in her other hand.

Glenn is thrown to a wall, held suspended in an aura of red light. Red blades of light form in the air and hover about his body, one pressed to his throat.

Mary: “Never think to restrict me again!”

Glenn holds her gaze.

Mary laughs and drops him back into the water.

Mary: “I see you’ve taken to your oath quite ardently, haven’t you? Fear not, for I have no issue with the little pumpkin. After all, he is not the one who sealed me down here.”

 

Glenn stands, soaked.

Glenn: “You promise?”

 

Mary: “I swear it on my life, and I’ve quite a long life, I assure you. I shan’t harm a hair upon his handsome little head. Now that we have that settled, I’ve questions of my own.”

 

Glenn crosses his arms

Glenn: “Yes?”

 

Mary: “The princess, covered in blood. The prince making claims of being branded traitor. Your flight from the castle, the very place where all parties involved should be most safe. It is all—Curious. Exactly what has transpired on this night?”

 

Glenn: “Long story.”

 

Mary: “Go ahead. After all, you should know well my affinity for stories.”

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Zelos, Zara, and Elsea walking a wooden path along the wall. Zelos carries the torch before him. Zara walks in the rear with her dress lifted, shivering.

 

Zara: “Do you think we should go back for him?”

 

Zelos: “Why would we? We haven’t found an exit yet.”

 

Zara: “I know, but that woman is a lunatic. You saw how she smiled before she tried to crush you.”

 

Zelos: “Oh, she’s fine.”

 

Zara: “She’s unstable, and I don’t understand why you’re so insistent on trusting her.”

 

Zelos: “She’s never done anything to me. Besides, she could have killed us all as soon as she got free, and she didn’t.”

 

Zara: “And that is your criteria for a good person? Not killing us?”

 

Zelos: “It’s a place to start. Anyway, I’ve only known her for a few minutes, and I already like her better than you.”

 

Zara: “I should say the same about you!”

 

Elsea points ahead.

Elsea: “Sunlight!”

 

Show a small shaft of light cutting into the darkness, merging with the light from the torch.

Zelos covers his eyes and peers ahead.

 

Zelos: “It’s distant, but it is light. We should head back.”

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Glenn and Mary, Mary sitting on the rubble, legs crossed and kicking the water idly. Glenn stands with his back to the wall, arms crossed, staring at her.

Glenn: “And that’s it.”

 

Mary: “An assassin princess, a traitor prince, and a dead king. Myths are made of such things, you know.”

 

Glenn: “Nightmares.”

 

Mary laughs.

Mary: “You don’t honestly believe that girl killed the king, do you?”

 

Glenn: “I don’t know what to believe.”

 

Mary: “Then why take the time to save her.”

 

Glenn: “I didn’t.”

 

Mary laughs again.

Mary: “It seems that young man is intent on saving the entire world.”

 

Glenn: “It does.”

 

Mary: “It does leave the question, however: if they are innocent, then who is guilty?”

 

Glenn: “Don’t know. Right now, we focus on escape.”

 

Mary stands, smoothing her dress.

Mary: “Ah. There is something that we can agree on.”

 

Glenn stands.

 

Zelos, off-screen: “Glenn! We found an exit!”

 

Glenn: “That was fast.”

 

Mary: “Escape routes are hardly effective should the exit be well-hidden.”

 

Zelos, Zara, and Elsea enter the chamber.

They stop, Zelos in the lead with the torch.

Zelos: “We found the exit.”

 

Glenn: “We heard.”

 

Zara peeks out around Elsea’s side.

Zara: “Are you two done talking?”

 

Glenn looks at Mary, who smiles back at him, waving.

Glenn: “More or less.”

 

Mary: “Fear not, princess, the good Sir Knight has been most becoming, and I think we shall get along famously from this point on.”

 

Zara: “So you ARE coming then?”

 

Elsea: “Princess, please be kind.”

 

Mary leans forward toward them.

Mary: “No, let the girl speak her mind. I enjoy my prey most when they are feisty.”

 

Zara recoils behind Elsea.

 

Glenn frowns.

Glenn: “Mary.”

 

Mary: “Yes, yes, on my best and all. I know. Now, then, let us retire from this musty old place. I’ve seen enough of it to last a lifetime, and I fear my hair would be quick to agree.”

They walk together toward the tunnel exit.

Hold this image of their backs and fade to black.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Open to a cavern mouth in the woods. The trees are bare, snow is on the ground, a small stream nearby is frosted over. The sun is rising over the trees.

Show trees in the forest, spindly and dark, snow weighing down their branches.

Show a single bird hopping in the snow.

The bird takes off.

Show Zara sitting on a fallen log, curled up for warmth. Zelos stands nearby, staring out through the forest, sulking.

Glenn, Elsea, and Mary talk a short distance away.

Glenn: “Selim is close. It’s a small farming community, but traders stop there on their way to the castle. They sell leathers and sundries, so we can resupply. Elsea, how much money did you bring?”

 

Elsea: “We have enough for supplies. What should I get?”

 

Glenn: “New clothes, packs, rations if there’s enough.”

 

Elsea: “There should be.”

 

Zelos: “I still don’t see why I can’t go.”

 

Mary: “Oh, dearest pumpkin, we’ve told you already: royalty are icons. You’d be recognized the minute you set foot onto those muddy, ice-packed streets. The maiden and myself, however, will remain entirely invisible.”

 

Zelos: “You’re just as well-known as I am.”

 

Mary: “Once upon a time, mayhap, but it has been well-over a decade since I have made myself known, and never so far out. No, I will be fine, that much I can assure you.”

 

Zara: “Let it go, Zelos. You’ll just have to sit out for once.”

 

Zelos: “Easy for you to say. You’re happy just sitting around on your royal rear.”

 

Mary laughs and Zara glares at her.

 

Glenn: “We need to wait until we have new clothes at least, Zelos. Dressed as we are now, the villagers will recognize us instantly.”

 

Zelos: “Whatever.”

 

Glenn: “Mary, I’m asking kindly: best behavior.”

 

Mary: “That’s hardly a request.”

 

Glenn: “Please.”

 

Mary: “Oh, don’t concern yourself overmuch. The good lady will be there to keep me in line, of that, I am sure.”

 

Elsea stammers, looking anxiously at Mary.

 

Mary: “What is that? Do not pretend. As skilled a magician as you are, I ought be frightened of you.”

 

Elsea: “Let’s be off. The sooner we leave, the sooner we return.”

 

Mary: “My, you are an industrious one, aren’t you?”

 

Elsea blushes.

 

Mary: “And the way you flush! My heart, do be still!”

 

-Four Thrones-

 

Show the castle overcast, pale snow clouds hanging low and heavy in the sky.

Show the sea, dark and shifting gently, wetting the docks.

Show the castle gate where the Black Guard stand ready. Two guards stand on each side of the gate, one with his head drooping, bags under his eyes. The other stands straight. Their breaths appear in puffs of fog.

Show the courtyard, the flower beds bare, the fountain off, the trees thin and spindly. Soldiers move about the courtyard, all dressed in leather armor or dark plates, each carrying a sword and shield or short bow.

Show the busy hallways, stewards and soldiers passing each other.

Show the King’s bedroom, where the King has been put to rest, his hands still bloody. He is pale now. Metis stands at his side, head hung low, tracing his fingers along the King’s arm.

Metis: “Despite everything, I will miss you, you old fool.”

Metis produces a rolled parchment from inside of his robes.

Metis places the parchment in the King’s robes to where it will be visible.

Metis wipes the tears from his eyes while someone knocks at the door.

Metis looks to the door.

Metis: “Enter.”

 

Black Guard6 enters the room and salutes.

Black Guard6: “Prince Metis, sir.”

 

Metis: “Yes?”

 

Black Guard6: “We’ve searched the castle and the surrounding areas. There is no trace of them, sir.”

 

Metis: “And the guests?”

 

Black Guard6: “We’ve searched their caravans as they were leaving and are confident that none of them are harboring the fugitives. Somehow they just…disappeared.”

 

Metis: “I highly doubt that they could simply disappear.”

 

Black Guard6: “O-Of course, my lord. I apologize. I was…”

 

Metis approaches the guard and puts a hand on the guard’s shoulder.

Metis smiles gently.

Metis: “Be calmed. I was simply thinking aloud. I know you and yours are doing your best to find them, and if anyone can find them, it is the Black Guard.”

 

Black Guard6 smiles back.

Black Guard6: “We will certainly do our best, my lord.”

 

Metis: “I know you will.”

 

Eros, off-screen: “Metis, have you heard? The guard has found…”

 

Eros and Kratos stop at the doorway.

Metis and Black Guard6 look toward the doorway.

Metis pats Black Guard6’s arm.

Metis: “Now then, you’ve work to do. I won’t keep you.”

 

Black Guard6 bows.

Black Guard6: “Yes, my lord. Thank you.”

Black Guard6 bows to each of the princes.

Black Guard6 leaves.

 

Eros: “Has he any better news?”

 

Metis: “Unfortunately, no. From what they can tell, the fugitives disappeared into the air.”

 

Eros kicks the wall.

Eros paces.

Eros: “Impossible! If they are not in the castle, then they escaped with one of the so-called guests. I say we call back each one and force the information from them!”

 

Kratos puts his hand on Eros’ shoulder.

Kratos: “Calm down. The soldiers are working themselves to the bone. Zelos and Glenn are each cunning in their own right. It isn’t impossible to think that they would find a way to escape.”

 

 

Metis: “Have you any insight, then, Kratos?”

Kratos: “Yes. One. Do you recall the old tunnels beneath the castle?”

 

Metis smiles.

Metis: “Ah, yes! The ones you played in as a child? Glenn closed them off upon becoming the captain of the guard, didn’t he?”

 

Kratos rubs his beard.

Kratos: “Those would be the ones, yes.”

 

Eros: “I know nothing of any such tunnels.”

 

Metis: “You would have been too young to remember, but there were escape tunnels built beneath the castle. Originally, they were meant to grant passage to fleeing royalty, but in the modern ages they were converted to sewers as a stable peace had taken the land.”

 

Eros: “And you two think that they escaped through those tunnels?”

 

Kratos: “Most likely.”

 

Metis pats Kratos’ arm.

Metis: “And they say that I am most clever.”

 

Eros: “If we know their escape route, we should send soldiers down to capture them immediately.”

 

Kratos: “That would be a waste. By now they would have cleared the tunnels. Sending soldiers down would only strain resources.”

 

Eros: “So, instead we should stand and talk about the problem?”

 

Metis: “Calm yourself, Eros. Hasty action often makes for poor decisions. Recall, if you will, the tale of the tortoise and the hare.”

 

Eros: “Oh, come off it, Metis. Children’s stories won’t capture them. Effort will!”

 

Kratos steps between Metis and Eros.

Kratos pins Eros to the wall.

Kratos: “And bickering only wastes the time you’ve concerned yourself with. So, mind your tongue!”

 

They part.

Eros sulks against the wall.

 

Kratos steps away.

Kratos: “If I am to be honest, I still can’t believe everything that has happened.”

 

Metis: “Neither can I, but I saw the girl impale him with my own eyes.”

 

Kratos: “And I do not doubt you. What I can’t comprehend is Zelos. Why would he betray our father—his father? What would he have to gain?”

While they talk, Eros busies himself in the background.

 

Metis: “I have the same question myself.”

 

Eros: “What’s this in father’s robe?”

 

Metis and Kratos look to the body.

Metis: “A parchment, it seems.”

Metis pulls the scroll from the King’s body.

Metis unrolls it.

Metis: “It is…It’s his will.”

 

Kratos and Eros make eye contact.

Kratos: “We should wait. He is not even properly buried yet, and we have other concerns.”

 

Eros: “I think we should read it now.”

 

Metis: “I agree with Eros. Perhaps there’s a clue to this tragedy within these words.”

 

Kratos: “…Perhaps.”

 

Metis unrolls the parchment entirely.

Metis examines the parchment closely.

Metis: “Oh. Oh my…”

 

Eros: “What? What does it say?”

 

Metis: “It…”

Metis looks away, handing off the parchment to Kratos.

 

Kratos reads the will closely.

Kratos: “…It says that Zelos was to be named heir upon the King’s death.”

The room goes quiet.

 

Eros punches the wall while Kratos rolls up the parchment slowly.

 

Kratos: “Truth be told, I am not entirely surprised.”

 

Eros: “Father always did favor the bastard.”

 

Kratos: “I thought I told you to watch your mouth! Zelos is our brother, regardless of how…”

 

Eros: “Zelos is a murderer! Just the same as his little bitch, Zara!”

 

Kratos: “Don’t you dare speak to me like that!”

 

Metis steps between Kratos and Eros.

Metis: “Calm down, both of you! Our family has suffered enough violence as is. Now is the time for cooperation, not conflict.”

 

Eros: “How can I cooperate with Kratos when he refuses to see reason?!”

 

Metis turns to Eros.

Metis: “Quiet! Kratos is eldest, and if for nothing else, show him respect for that.”

 

Eros: “But…”

 

Metis: “Eros, perhaps it is best if you leave to collect yourself.”

 

Eros stares at Metis for a moment. His eyes go dark purple.

Eros sighs.

Eros leaves, slamming the door behind him.

 

Kratos holds the will tightly in his large hands, staring at the floor. 

Kratos lifts his gaze as Metis turns to speak with him.

 

Metis: “He has quite the temper.”

 

Kratos: “He has always been passionate.”

 

Metis: “Yes, but that does not make him wrong.”

 

Kratos: “So, you would betray our brother as well?”

 

Metis: “No, I will not betray him. Rather, I refuse to suffer his betrayal.”

 

Kratos: “We don’t know that…”

 

Metis: “However you might ignore it, Eros was right in saying that father favored Zelos. Grant me that much at least.”

 

Kratos: “Yes, but that doesn’t make him a murderer. What would he have to gain in murdering the man who gave him everything?”

 

Metis pulls the will from Kratos hands.

Metis holds up the unrolled, wrinkled parchment of the will.

Metis: “The throne.”

 

Kratos: “And Zara?”

 

Metis: “Just as father favored Zelos, so he also favored him with the young princess. With father dead, Zelos would have been made king by morning, and Zara would have been queen at his side in short time.”

 

Kratos sighs.

Kratos: “But, he was always so gentle.”

 

Metis: “He was impulsive. When he saw something, he took it without thought, and this time his impulses went too far. He saw the throne, convinced the princess to kill the king, and his brashness brought the entire plan tumbling down.”

 

Kratos: “He is our brother!”

 

Metis hugs Kratos.

Metis holds Kratos at arm’s length and looks him sternly in the face.

Metis: “Perhaps that was once true, but now he is a traitor no different than the Red Witch.”

 

Kratos straightens up, his jaw tight.

Kratos wipes his eyes.

Kratos: “If you’re right, then where do we go from here?”

 

Metis: “We bring him to justice.”

 

Kratos: “And the kingdom? Who will rule it?”

 

Metis: “That is a complex issue not easily solved. Once Zelos is punished, we will address it formally, but no time before.”

 

Kratos: “Someone must rule, Metis.”

 

Metis: “Considering things, I would argue that the kingdom is rightfully yours.”

 

Kratos pauses.

Kratos turns to look at his father.

Kratos: “I…would be king?”

 

Metis: “In due time, yes. For now, we must organize a proper search and put those traitors down.”

 

Kratos stares at the King’s dead body.

Kratos turns to Metis.

Kratos: “Metis, I am a hunter and a soldier unfit for lordly duties.”

 

Metis: “Then what will you do, brother?”

 

Kratos: “What I know. I will hunt Zelos and bring him to justice myself.”

 

Metis: “But, Kratos, we have soldiers for that task. You needn’t take yourself out into this cold winter.”

 

Kratos: “I disagree.”

Kratos goes to the King’s side.

Kratos pets the King’s hair.

Kratos: “I must do this. For him.”

 

Metis: “So, you would hunt your own brother.”

 

Kratos: “Zelos is no brother of mine. You and Eros both have made that clear to me.”

 

Metis places his hand on Kratos’ shoulder from behind.

Metis: “Father was proud of the man you became, Kratos. The throne should be yours, and it will be yours, when you are ready to take it. Until then…”

 

Kratos: “You and Eros will tend to it. For now, I must go and prepare. See my wife and child one last time before I leave.”

Kratos looks at Metis.

Kratos grabs Metis’ hand on his shoulder and squeezes it.

Kratos: “Be well, brother.”

 

Metis: “And you.”

Metis watches Kratos leave.

 

Fade to black.

Chapter End.