Chapter Eleven: A Game of Masks
Open on the
forest.
Show the
resistance cavern mouth. The trees still
have ropes hanging from them but the bodies are gone. Dried blood stains the bark, and there are
dark spots on the ground.
Show some
rope and the frayed ends.
Show the
blood caked into the dirt.
Show the
sunrise through the trees.
Show rows of freshly dug graves.
Show the
cave interior where the remnants are gathered.
Some are sleeping, leaned against walls.
Others are gathered together, huddled and looking tired and dirty.
Show Niva in
the corner, hugging her knees. She has
dark bags under her eyes and is covered in dirt. Her face is blank.
Remi
approaches with a bowl.
He offers it
to her, but she stares ahead.
He sets it
beside her as he sits.
He pats her
back.
Show the
cave entrance from inside. Dawn enters
with Diando at her side. They cast long
shadows.
Dawn stands
at the entrance and looks down at all of the people.
Show her
face. It is covered in blood and
dirt. She looks tired.
Dawn steps
forward, to the edge of the entrance.
Show
soldiers looking up and shaking friends awake.
Show Remi
looking up.
Show Dawn
facing them resolutely.
Dawn: “Listen, I know you’re all tired, and I know that you
deserve some rest, but I have something to say.
We’ve had a long night, but it’s not over yet. For some of us, it will never end.”
Dawn looks
at the ground sadly.
Show the
rest of the soldiers adopting melancholic gazes.
Show Niva
staring ahead emptily.
Show Dawn
again.
Dawn: “I’m no good at speeches, and I’m not sure one will
help anyway, but…I am your princess, and I need to say something. So, this is what I have. They’re cowards, all of them. They have the lands, they have the numbers,
they have the weapons, and this is the best they can do. Misdirection and hit-and-run, and do you know
why? Because they’re afraid of us.
“They’re afraid of a fair fight. It’s why they attack in the night, and it’s
why they attack where we’re not looking.
They offer one hand and strike with the other. They don’t want to win, they want to
destroy. This isn’t about conquering us,
it’s about breaking us, and I don’t know about you but last night they
succeeded. They broke me. My pride, my integrity, my honor.
“But that doesn’t matter.
History won’t remember you or me or the people we lost last night. It will remember only one thing—Fiona’s
greatest mistake, the beginning of the end.
Up until now we’ve done nothing but hide and scout. We’ve played it safe because we had too much
to lose, because we cared. We held
convictions and kept lines we wouldn’t cross, and they—Well, they crossed them
all, and they broke me.
“Now, I have none of that.
This is two homes, two that I’ve lost to them, and that’s fine, because
when I’m done…”
Dawn’s face
turns fierce.
Dawn: “Last night they fought with monsters, unholy beasts
unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and I figure it’s time to return the
favor. As far as I’m concerned, I died
with my people. I’m gone and buried, but
I’m not ready to rest. I can’t! Not until I see Fiona burn! And not until I see that bastard Metis burn
with it!”
Show the
room. Soldiers are standing and
cheering.
Show Niva
and Remi staring around them.
Diando
approaches Dawn.
Diando: “So, we mean to become monsters now?”
Dawn: “I think we already have.”
Dawn looks
at the soldiers.
They go
quiet.
Dawn: “Here’s the stark reality: we won’t survive. So, I won’t ask you to come with me. If you want to return to your families, then
do it. See them, be with them, love them
while you can because life is too short.
Anyone else, get ready because we move at noon, and we march on the
Black City.”
Cut to
forests outside of Anthem. Show the
forest from a distance. The sky is
overcast, and it is raining.
Show
droplets of water falling from leaf to leaf.
Show a
droplet of water hitting Glenn on the head.
He is standing in the forest with his cloak on and his hood up.
He looks up
and grimaces.
Glenn: “More rain.”
Glenn sighs.
He kneels
down and looks at the forest floor.
Show shallow
footprints leading deeper in from his position.
In the background there is a distinct figure, a body.
Glenn looks
ahead and squints.
Glenn: “Is that? Can’t be.”
Glenn moves
ahead to a body lying face down.
Glenn kneels
beside the body and turns it over.
Show Zelos’
muddy face. His eyes are closed, and he
has a scar on his throat.
Show Glenn
looking him over in surprise.
Glenn
smiles.
Glenn: “I found you.
I finally…”
Glenn checks
his pulse.
Glenn sighs.
Glenn: “And you’re alive.
Oh, gods.”
Glenn sits
up and looks around.
Glenn: “Is Dawn?”
He stands.
He steps
over Zelos.
He checks
the ground for anymore footprints.
He sighs.
Glenn: “No.”
Glenn looks
back at Zelos.
Glenn: “Still.”
Glenn kneels
beside Zelos.
Glenn shakes
him.
Glenn waits.
He feels
Zelos’ forehead and frowns.
Glenn: “Warm.”
Glenn lifts
Zelos up onto his shoulders.
He stands.
Glenn: “Don’t worry.”
Glenn starts
off out of the forest. Show him from the
behind with Zelos hanging over his back.
Glenn: “We’ll get you back, taken care of. Spent all of this time looking for you, won’t
let you die now.”
Hold that
image as they leave.
Cut to the
hamlet during the day. Show the muddy
streets of the hamlet in the rain. It is
drizzling.
Show the
people of the hamlet working in the rain.
Some are pulling carts. Some are
closing shops. Some are hurrying through
with their hands up over their heads to shield them.
Show a bowl
lying in the mud. The contents are
spilled out.
A boot
stomps on the wooden bowl, snapping it to pieces. The boot is black leather.
Show two
Fionan soldiers standing over a small Silvaran girl. The mud is below one soldier’s boot.
The other
soldier shoves her. The girl falls into
the mud.
The girl
cries.
Fionan Soldier9: “We tell you to come over, you do it. We tell you to give us a bite, you do
it. We tell you to keep quiet, you do
it. Got it?”
The girl
nods and sobs.
Fionan Soldier9: “Good, then stop that damn crying!”
Fionan
Soldier9 yanks her to standing. She
stifles her sobs.
He pulls her
head back by the hair.
Fionan Soldier9: “I thought I told you to shut your damn
crying mouth!”
Silvaran Girl: “I’m sorry!”
Fionan Soldier9: “Oh, you will be!”
Fionan
Soldier9 draws his blade.
He holds it
with the edge to the girl’s throat. She
cries harder.
Fionan Soldier9: “This is your last chance, you Silvaran
whore!”
A hand rests
on Fionan Soldier9’s arm.
The soldier
turns and swings his blade.
Sir Fredrick
ducks under the blade.
Sir Fredrick
grabs the soldier by the arm.
He spins the
soldier around and throws him into the mud.
Sir Fredrick
takes the blade from Fionan Soldier9’s hand as the soldier flies.
He holds the
tip of the blade to Fionan Soldier10’s throat.
Hold on the
image of them standing like this. Sir
Fredrick has Fionan Soldier9 face-down in the mud with his arm twisted behind
his back. Fionan Soldier10 is at blade
point with his hand on his own blade.
Fredrick: “You may wish to release the blade.”
Fionan
Soldier10 shakes.
He nods and
releases the sword.
Sir Fredrick
releases Fionan Soldier9.
Fionan
Soldier9 stands. His helm is left in the
mud. His hair, armor, and face are all
covered in mud. He glares at Sir
Fredrick.
Fionan Soldier9: “Damn peasant, who do you think you are? Do
you know who I am?”
Fredrick: “By name, no, I do not, but it doesn’t take a name
to see a thug for a thug.”
Fionan Soldier9: “Thug? You’re calling me a thug? I’m a Fionan soldier, a member of the army
that took this city, you might remember.
I was once a part of the Black Guard!”
Sir Fredrick
smiles.
Fredrick: “Impossible.
A member of the Black Guard never leaves his post. In doing so, they would be branded traitor
and hunted without mercy. Or, are you
admitting to the act of treason.”
Sir Fredrick
turns the blade on Fionan Soldier9’s neck.
Fredrick: “If so, then it is my duty as a citizen of Fiona
and as the king’s dark hand to remove such stains.”
Fionan
Soldier9 gulps.
Fionan Soldier9: “Wh—What?”
Fionan Soldier10: “Wait, the king’s dark hand. Then that means…”
Fionan
Soldier10 bows.
Fionan Soldier10: “I apologize, sir, if we’ve offended
you. We hadn’t meant to. It is just that the girl was disrespectful,
and…”
Fredrick: “I have no need or interest in excuses or lies.”
Sir Fredrick
flips the blade and holds the hilt out toward Fionan Soldier9.
Fredrick: “Just know that, should I catch you indulging in
such behavior again, I will kill you without hesitation
Fionan
Soldier9 yanks the blade from Sir Fredrick’s hand.
Fionan Soldier9: “Just who the hell…”
Fionan Soldier10: “Come on!”
Fionan
Soldier10 drags Fionan Soldier9 away.
Hold on Sir
Fredrick standing in the rain with the girl huddled behind him.
Fionan Soldier10, off-screen: “Don’t you know who that
is? He’s the dark hand! He’s the Captain of the Black Guard!”
Fionan Soldier9, off-screen: “Him?”
Sir Fredrick
kneels and collects the pieces of the bowl.
He turns and
offers them to the girl. The girl
winces.
Fredrick: “Fair maiden, I do apologize for their behavior.”
Sir Fredrick
smiles.
The girl
hesitantly takes the bowl.
She bows.
Silvaran Girl: “I’m sorry!”
The girl
runs off.
Sir Fredrick
watches her retreat.
He frowns.
Fredrick: “No, young miss, it is I who should
apologize. I am sorry for all of this.”
Sir Fredrick
looks down at the bag in his left hand.
Fredrick: “But what is to be done must be done, though that
is a truth too harsh and too awful for one as young as you to know.”
Cut to
black.
Dawn, off-screen: “What are you doing here?”
Open inside
of the meeting room in the resistance cavern.
Dawn is there with Diando, Remi, and Nick. Nick is tied to a chair in the center of the
three. He has a bruised cheek and a
bloody lip. Dawn is standing with her hands
on her hips. Remi and Diando are beside
her.
Show Diando
glaring.
Show Remi
rubbing his hand.
Nick: “Hey, guys and gal, what’s with all the animosity?”
Dawn: “Your tip last time.
You set us up?”
Nick: “Off day.”
Diando: “Careful, kid.
You’re in enemy territory.”
Nick: “Yeah? Am I
your enemy now?”
Dawn: “I don’t know.
You tell me.”
She takes an
arrow from her quiver.
Dawn: “And think very carefully before you try to lie to
me.”
Nick grins.
Nick: “Listen, I’m not who you think I am, but I’m not your
enemy.”
Dawn: “Are you sure that’s the lie you’re going with? Because, I’ve buried a lot of people I know today,
and I’m not looking forward to burying one more.”
Nick: “I’m not lying.”
Dawn: “Nick.”
Nick: “Not entirely, anyway.”
Dawn holds
the arrow to his neck.
Dawn: “Talk. Fast.”
Nick: “I’m not your enemy, but that doesn’t make me your
ally. Before the war I was an actor, and
now I’m a spy. I was hired by Lady
Daphne to get the resistance out of the city so she could gain control without
interruption.”
Remi: “You little liar!”
Remi lunges
for Nick but is caught by Diando.
Diando: “Calm down, Remi, calm down!”
Nick holds
Dawn’s gaze.
Nick: “That’s the truth.”
Dawn: “Well, we were gone.
Why did you keep feeding us information?”
Nick: “That was the general’s idea. He was hoping to whittle you down, capture
you bit-by-bit. He wanted to end the
resistance with as little bloodshed as possible. The hope was the demoralize you, not to
murder you. That’s what he told me, at
least.”
White light
lifts Nick
Nick slams
into the wall. His chair shatters under
the force.
Diando
lowers Remi’s hand.
The magic
fades around Nick.
Nick falls
to the floor. He is free, but he remains
slouched.
He feels the
back of his head and finds blood.
Dawn: “So why come back? Why tell us any of this?”
Nick: “I don’t know, maybe because they lied to me,
too? Or because I’m not a very good
actor. I got too into the role, and I cared too much.”
Dawn: “Keep lying and I’ll let Remi take all of his
frustration out on you.”
Nick glares
at her.
Nick: “Listen, they told me that you would be captured. They told me this would keep the battles out
of the streets and away from the people.
Lady Daphne wants to help rebuild, and the general said he wanted you
all to surrender. They said that there’s been enough death!”
Dawn: “You expected me to believe you after what happened?”
Nick sighs.
Nick: “No. I don’t
even believe myself anymore.”
Nick stares
at the blood on his hand.
He screams
and kicks the chair.
He stands.
Show Remi
and Diando standing ready behind Dawn, who is in a fighting stance now.
Show Nick
staring at them.
Nick: “I didn’t expect any of this! I didn’t want any of this! I didn’t know—I didn’t know that thing would
be…I’m sorry, alright? I’m sorry!”
Show Dawn.
She relaxes
and crosses her arms.
Dawn: “And you’re not forgiven.”
Nick: “They’re not finished.”
Dawn: “What? What does that mean?”
Nick: “It means they think YOU’RE dead, and they want to
finish the job. They want to wipe the
name Estein from history.”
Dawn goes
wide-eyed.
Dawn: “What?”
Nick: “They know Zara’s in Anthem, and right now they’re
preparing the airship.”
Dawn: “But the mainland is safe. Fiona’s never…”
Nick: “Seems the great and bloodthirsty king Metis has
higher aspirations than those of his forefathers.”
Dawn: “But…”
Remi hugs
her.
Nick watches
them.
Diando steps
forward and pins Nick to the wall.
Diando: “And why would they trust you with that
information?”
Nick: “They didn’t.”
Nick laughs.
Nick: “Guess I really can’t be trusted.”
Diando: “Guess so.”
He looks
back.
Diando: “What do you think?”
Dawn: “Why would he lie about this?”
Nick: “I came to tell you because the airship hasn’t
launched yet.”
Dawn: “What?”
Nick: “They’re still preparing, so if you all act fast…”
Nick sighs.
Nick: “It’s dangerous, and the chances are slim, but…
Nick looks up at Dawn.
Nick: “You could save her.”
Dawn: “Is this another trap?”
Nick: “Wouldn’t be a very effective trap if I’m telling you
how dangerous it is.”
Diando: “If you’re lying to us…”
Nick: “There are better ways to manipulate you than
this. If I wanted you dead, I’d just
have to wait until you did something foolish like attack the king.”
Dawn looks
self-consciously at Remi.
Nick: “You don’t have to trust me, and I understand why you
wouldn’t, but regardless, Anthem will burn just like Silvara did. That’s the truth.”
Dawn: “Fine.”
Show Dawn
staring resolutely at Nick.
Dawn: “Tell us everything you know.”
Cut to
black.
Open on a
crevice cut roughly into the stone. Nick
is wedged inside with his hands chained to the wall. He has bruises on his face and a bloody nose.
Show him in
the crevice. A shadow falls on him.
He looks up
at it.
Show Niva
standing over him. She has a
tear-streaked face, and she scowls at him.
Nick: “Well, hello, there!
Come to get your licks in?”
Niva: “I thought about it, but no. Not that I blame the people who did. You got
a lot of people killed.”
Nick hangs
his head.
Nick: “I did. Though, the more I think about it the less I
believe things could have turned out any differently. People were going to die. That’s what happens in war.”
Niva: “That wasn’t war!
That was…”
Niva wipes
her eyes.
Niva: “No, I won’t let you do it. I won’t let you make me cry.”
Nick: “That’s not what I wanted. None of this is what I wanted.”
Niva: “It’s what you got, what we all got. That’s the reality of it.”
Nick: “I know that!”
Nick looks
up at her, and he is scowling now.
Nick: “Everyone keeps reminding me of what happened, but I
know! I know what I did, and I know my
intentions don’t make it better, but neither do your accusations! It’s done! It’s all done.”
Niva: “And what, we should all just lay off? Let it go? We can’t. If we have to suffer, then…”
Nick: “Then I should, too?”
Niva kneels
down.
They look
into each other’s eyes.
She reaches
past him.
She unlocks his cuffs.
His arms
fall. He stares at her.
She smacks
him.
She stands.
Niva: “Go.”
Nick
stands. He is rubbing his wrists.
Nick: “Won’t they be angry with you?”
Niva: “I don’t care.
Your death won’t bring anyone back.
It’ll just be another body for someone to bury.”
She turns
and walks away.
Nick: “I promise, I’ll make it up to you.”
Niva stops.
Niva: “Don’t.”
Nick: “Don’t what?”
Niva looks
back at him.
Niva: “Don’t lie anymore. If you want to make it up to me, then just
disappear, because while I don’t want you to die, I don’t want to know you’re
alive, either. So, just go, and
disappear, and let me forget you were ever there.”
Show Niva’s
back as she leaves.
Show Nick
watching her.
Fade to
black.
No comments:
Post a Comment