The Forest Gate - Elliott Davidson

8/18/2019 The Forest Gate - Elliott Davidson

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The Forest Gate

By

Elliott Davidson


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1

FADE IN:

EXT. THE DEADLANDS – DAY

The barren dirt ground is cracked. Skeletal vegetation

tries desperately to survive. Dust swirls in the wind.

Swollen, churning black clouds block out the sun above.

Ruins stand out in the vast emptiness, six arched entrances

along a circular path, leading centrally into the earth

below. They’re shut tight by massive stone doors.

Something inside CRASHES against the barricades.

INT. SUV – DAY

STEVIE DORAN wakes, eyes snapping open. The eleven year old

rubs the sleep from his eyes and looks around the car.

He sits in the backseat between his sister, KAYLA,

thirteen, and his brother, RYAN, fourteen.

All three children have dark hair, bronze complexion. Each

a mixture of races, children of the world – their unique

features exotic, beautiful.

RYANWelcome back, Stevie.

Ryan shakes his younger brother. The groggy boy’s head

rocks back and forth like a rag doll.

STEVIE

(giggling)

Stop it.

HENRY and JEN DORAN sit in the front seats. Henry has

almost an olive, Mediterranean skin tone, while Jen’s isclose to a darker Caribbean glow.

Henry glances back in the rear view mirror. Jen leans back,

smiling at her children.

JEN

Almost there.


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EXT. FOREST ROAD – DAY

The Dorans’ SUV drives along a narrow road that winds its

way through a thick West Coast forest. The old trees, green

in the late summer weather, dominate the unassuming route.

EXT. DIRT LOT – DAY

The SUV turns into an isolated dirt parking lot. The SUV’s

doors open, and the children pop out.

Stevie looks at the massive trees that surround them.

STEVIE

It’s so green.

KAYLA

They’re trees, genius.

RYAN

Kay.

Ryan shakes his head at Kayla, a “don’t do that” look. She

responds with an indifferent shrug.

Henry and Jen exit the SUV.

HENRY

Come on boys and girl. Trails are

calling.

Kayla GROANS, but the three kids start walking.

EXT. FOREST PATH – DAY

The forest is thick with trees. Beams of golden light

pierce through the canopy and fall to the forest floor.

The family hikes along a path, Henry and Jen in the lead,

the three children lagging behind.

The kids playfully jostle one another, laughing.


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EXT. FOREST – DAY

Jen leads her family towards a mossy patch off to the side

of the path. She looks back at the kids, grinning.

JENHungry?

The kids nod enthusiastically.

EXT. FOREST – DAY

The family sits on a large blanket, backpacks open, food

out. It’s a happy, carefree meal.

EXT. FOREST – DAY

Lunch is winding down. Henry and Jen sit close to each

other, sharing a conversation just between the two of them.

The kids sit on the blanket, eyes roaming about the forest.

STEVIE

Mom, Dad, can we look around?

Check out the forest?

Henry and Jen share a moment of silent contemplation.

JEN

Sure.

RYAN

Really?

HENRY

As long as you stick together.

The kids clamber up onto their feet, instantly animated.

JEN

Don’t go too far. We don’t want to

have to bring out the hounds to

find you three. Okay?

RYAN

Okay.


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Stevie, energized, is already ten feet away.

STEVIE

Yup!

Kayla shakes her head, annoyed, but amused all the same.

HENRY

Ryan, keep an eye on Kayla and

Steven.

RYAN

Yeah, yeah.

KAYLA

What? Keep an eye on me?

Kayla shoves Ryan playfully.

RYAN

Don’t worry, I won’t. You’re not

worth the effort.

The two kids laugh as they walk away from their parents.

KAYLA

(to Ryan, whispering)Freedom.

Ryan nods in agreement, grinning.

Stevie, now twenty feet away, waits for the other two.

STEVIE

Come on already!

EXT. FOREST – DAY

The kids walk through the forest.

Stevie bounces around, jumping off of fallen logs and large

rocks. Then he stops dead in his tracks.

STEVIE

Whoa, weird.


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RYAN

What?

STEVIE

Dunno. Had a funny feeling all thesudden. Like déjà vu. But not.

KAYLA

Helpful.

A bird lands on a stump near Stevie. He gestures for Ryan

and Kayla to stay still, then holds his hand out, slowly.

The bird hops around on the stump, jittery, but moves

closer to the boy.

A flutter of wings, and the bird lands on Stevie’s

outstretched hand. Stevie examines it, grinning.

Ryan and Kayla watch, both silent.

Kayla takes a gentle step towards Stevie. The bird pops off

of Stevie’s hand, flying off through the trees.

STEVIE

Cool.

Stevie shrugs and continues walking.

RYAN

Says you. This place is starting

to weird me out.

STEVIE

Really? I like it. There’s

something about it.

KAYLAWhat does that mean?

Stevie slows, cocks his head.

STEVIE

I don’t know. It’s just ...


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Ryan and Kayla share a wary, doubtful glance.

RYAN

Just what?

Ryan and Kayla look over. But Stevie is nowhere to be seen.

RYAN

Stevie?

Ryan looks around, searching for his brother.

RYAN

Stevie?

(to Kayla)

Where’d he go?

KAYLA

I don’t know.

They begin to walk around quickly, scanning the forest.

KAYLA

Stevie?!

RYAN

Stevie, where are you?!

Ryan runs over to where Stevie had been moments before, and

moves between two weathered stones that lie in the dirt.

EXT. GATE TEMPLE RUINS – DAY

Ryan marches forward.

RYAN

Stevie?!

STEVIEWhat?

Ryan looks to his left, and sees his brother, crouched on

his haunches. Stevie stares at Ryan, bewildered.

RYAN

Where’d you go?


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STEVIE

What do you mean?

RYAN

What do you think I mean? Wherewere you just now?

STEVIE

When?

RYAN

Just now!

STEVIE

Huh? Here.

RYAN

Didn’t you hear us? Didn’t you

hear us shouting your name?

STEVIE

No. I was just looking at this.

RYAN

At what?

Stevie points in front of him.

STEVIE

At the walls.

And Ryan finally notices the ruins that surround them.

Stone walls are all that remain of an immense complex of

intricate chambers. The ruined walls, none of which are

more than a foot or two above the ground, stand out against

the trees, brush, grass, and moss.

Ryan scans the stones, eyes slowly narrowing.

RYAN

Stevie, how’d we get in the middle

of this? I didn’t see any walls

when we came through here.

Where’d they come from?


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STEVIE

I don’t know.

RYAN

This wasn’t here before. I’m sureof it. What - wait, where’s Kay?

What happened to Kayla?

Kayla isn’t with them. Ryan turns around and begins to

retrace his steps, spooked. He looks around the forest.

RYAN

Kayla?

Ryan nears the two weathered stones and walks between them.

EXT. FOREST - DAY

Kayla appears before Ryan, forming, solidifying, collecting

right before his eyes. Kayla stares at Ryan, mouth slack.

KAYLA

Where’d you go?

Ryan looks around. The stone walls are gone. So is Stevie.

RYANNo way.

Ryan spots the two stones. They glow ever so slightly.

RYAN

Kayla, follow me. I don’t know

what’s ... just follow me, okay?

KAYLA

Okay?

Ryan walks back between the stones.

EXT. GATE TEMPLE RUINS - DAY

The stone walls form in front of Ryan, growing from

nothing, matter piling upon matter.


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Stevie stares at Ryan, eyes wide in amazement.

STEVIE

You disappeared.

Kayla appears behind Ryan, bumping into her brother. Theystumble forward together, but remain on their feet.

Kayla looks around, completing the stunned trio.

KAYLA

What ... ?

The three children are spellbound by the ruins.

KAYLA

What is this place?

RYAN

No idea, Kay.

The kids roam around, laughing, touching the remains of the

walls, walking through long gone hallways and rooms.

STEVIE

Very cool.

Ryan turns back to the pair of stones, crouches beforethem, takes a closer look.

The stones are clearly carved, rectangular, their tops

broken off a foot above the ground.

Both stones are covered in glyphs, etched designs that give

off a faint white light.

Stevie approaches, stands beside Ryan.

STEVIEWhat are you looking at?

Ryan nods at the stones.

KAYLA

You guys, this is insane.

Seriously, what is going on?


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Kayla joins her brothers.

STEVIE

Not just rocks, are they?

RYAN

No. Someone made them, carved

them, or whatever. They’re the

bases of pillars.

STEVIE

All that’s left.

The three kids are lost in thought.

STEVIE(quietly)

They brought us here.

KAYLA

What?

STEVIE

Like a doorway. A gateway.

KAYLA

You’ve been reading too manystories, Stevie.

RYAN

No. No I think that’s about right.

KAYLA

You’ve got to be kidding me.

STEVIE

They brought us here. Wherever

here is.

The kids all stare at the stones, speechless.

Then the markings on the stones begin to fade, and Ryan is

instantly alarmed.

He stands, steps between the stones. But nothing happens.


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RYAN

Oh no.

He steps back through the rocks, towards Stevie and Kayla.

RYAN

No, no, no.

KAYLA

Ryan?

Ryan tries again. No luck.

Kayla steps between the stones, and only succeeds in

joining Ryan. Now she’s panicked as well.

KAYLA

Ryan? Ryan this isn’t good.

Stevie stands still, watching his brother and sister.

Ryan tries the stones again, but remains with his siblings.

He runs his hands through his hair.

RYAN

This can’t be happening.

KAYLA

What do we do?

RYAN

I don’t know.

KAYLA

What?

RYAN

I don’t know, Kayla!

Ryan looks at the palatial footprint of the ruins,

completely at a loss.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

Steven.


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Stevie – and only Stevie – looks off into the forest.

STEVIE

(quietly)

Did you ... ?

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

Come to me, Steven.

Stevie’s confused, on guard – but he begins to walk towards

the outer edge of the ruins.

STEVIE

Hello?

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

This way.

Stevie keeps going.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

Quickly.

Ryan and Kayla spot their departing brother.

RYAN

Stevie, where are you going?

Stevie doesn’t respond, doesn’t turn back. Instead, he

begins to walk faster, away from the ruins.

Ryan goes after him.

RYAN

Stevie, get back here!

Stevie begins to run. Ryan picks up the pace, chasing after

Stevie, and Kayla follows.

EXT. THE FOREST OF THE OTHER SIDE – DAY

Stevie charges through the foliage, focused, possessed,

shoving branches and leaves aside as he presses forward.

Ryan and Kayla try to catch up with their brother, pushing

through the forest.


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RYAN

Stevie! Stevie, stop!

KAYLA

Stevie, wait up!

EXT. FOREST EDGE - DAY

Stevie bursts out of the forest, onto a sloping grass hill.

He comes to a stop, panting, eyes wide.

Ryan emerges from the forest, then Kayla.

RYAN

Stevie, wha-

Ryan falls silent, stares ahead. Kayla’s mouth hangs open.

Ryan and Kayla walk over to their brother, the three of

them awestruck.

KAYLA

Wow.

Before them, half a mile down the gently sloping grass

plain, is an extensive town encircled by a high stone wall.

The town’s stone buildings create a dazzling multicoloured

mosaic. The sun reflects off metal rooftops. Light grey

smoke drifts up from the roofs throughout the town.

Beyond the town, farmland stretches out towards the

horizon. A wide river weaves its way past the habitation,

snaking through the farmlands.

Stevie starts to move towards the town.

Ryan runs after Stevie, grabs him firmly by his arm.

RYAN

Where are you going?

Stevie looks at the town below, spellbound.


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STEVIE

Down there.

RYAN

What’s wrong with you?

STEVIE

Nothing.

Stevie takes a slow step away from Ryan, and continues on

towards the town.

Kayla snorts dryly and follows suit, leaving Ryan behind.

EXT. TOWN GATES – DAY

The kids approach a massive arched gateway in the town’souter wall. Unwatched and in a state of disrepair, the

gateway’s large wooden doors remain half open.

Stevie edges towards the entrance. Ryan grabs onto his

shoulder and pulls him back.

RYAN

Stevie, don’t.

Stevie shirks him off and moves towards the arch.

EXT. TOWN ENTRANCE – DAY

A wide, deserted street leads into the town.

Stevie passes under the arch and slinks off to the side,

hiding in the darkness of a nearby alley. His siblings join

him in the shadows.

EXT. SIDE STREET – DAY

The children huddle together in the alley. Stevie peersaround the corner, looking towards the heart of the town.

RYAN

What are we doing here, Stevie?

STEVIE

Taking a look.


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Stevie turns the corner, creeps away.

EXT. MAIN STREET – DAY

Stevie, still in the shadows, moves in behind a pile ofstone bricks off to the side of the street.

Ryan and Kayla sneak out of the alley and join their

brother. Ryan shakes his head, frustrated.

RYAN

This is a bad idea.

STEVIE

Don’t worry, Ryan. Don’t worry.

The children look out at the marketplace beyond.

EXT. THE MARKETPLACE OF NILETHET – DAY

The town is alive with activity. People are dressed in all

sorts of clothing: robes, shirts and pants, kilt-like

dress, toga-like wraps; sandals, boots, bare feet; some

garments impressive, some threadbare.

The people go about their day, buying, selling, walking,

talking, leading animals, leading children, pushing,pulling, carrying anything and everything, moving about the

worn stone streets.

EXT. MAIN STREET - DAY

The children peer over the stone blocks, watching the

townspeople.

KAYLA

Wait. Do you guys see ...?

Kayla leans in a little closer.

RYAN

What?

A door SLAMS behind the children, and they spin around.


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A young man steps out onto the main street. He stares at

the children, and they stare back.

The young man is humanoid, but clearly not human. His eyes

are large, almost canine; his cheekbones sharp,

exaggerated, wide; his nose narrow and fine, but with largenostrils; his chins low, strong.

Alarmed, the man begins to SHOUT in a quick, rolling,

incomprehensible language, calling back into the doorway.

RYAN

We’re in trouble.

KAYLA

Yep.

Ryan grabs Stevie.

RYAN

Come on!

The kids get to their feet.

A handful of other men appear from the doorway, blocking

the path to the forest. The strange men stare at the

children, nervous - but they stand their ground.

KAYLA

What do we do?

Ryan turns around and looks at the townspeople at the edge

of the marketplace. Seeing Ryan, the townspeople step back,

cry out in alarm.

Ryan moves towards the market, pulling Stevie with him.

RYAN

This way.

KAYLA

Are you crazy?

RYAN

They’re afraid of us!


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KAYLA

What?

RYAN

They’re afraid of us!

The nearby townsfolk begin to scream, pushing each other to

get away from the oncoming children.

The children press into the crowd of townspeople, and are

lost in the writhing masses.

EXT. THE MARKETPLACE OF NILETHET – DAY

The marketplace is chaos. People flood out of the open

market into side streets and shops, tripping over each

other, bottlenecked, trapped, panicked.

The small children weave through the terrified people.

KAYLA

Ryan, we’re trapped in here!

Ryan scans the area quickly, spots a vacant stall selling

fabrics. He rushes over to it, and the other two follow.

EXT. MARKET STALL – DAY

The three children hide behind the hanging fabrics.

KAYLA

This was a bad idea.

RYAN

Those guys back there looked about

ready to grab us, Kay. We’ve got a

better chance in here.

KAYLADid you see their faces?

RYAN

Yeah, I saw ‘em, Kay.

Stevie looks out at the churning body of people.


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STEVIE

We’re scaring them. I don’t want

to scare them.

RYAN

I don’t think there’s much we cando about that now, Stevie.

Ryan points to a nearby street leading out of the market.

RYAN

You see that street? We run for

that one, fast as we can. We get

out of this market, past the wall,

and head back to the forest. Okay?

Kayla exhales sharply, nervous and agitated.

KAYLA

Fine, yeah.

RYAN

Okay, let’s go!

EXT. THE MARKETPLACE OF NILETHET - DAY

The kids bolt out from the stall and race towards the exit.

The crowds have thinned, but the townspeople that remain

still run away from the kids, screaming.

The children near the street, frightened people running

ahead of them.

At the street’s entrance, VAMAHLLO, a grizzled town guard,

stands waiting.

The guard wears a robe-like uniform, dark red with gold

trim, his head covered in clinging gold chain mail.

He wears large leather gauntlets covered with deep

engravings, similar to those on the broken pillars.

Glass balls adorn the guard’s leather belt, black, like

large droplets of oil that absorb the light.


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Kayla’s breathing speeds up. She takes a step backwards,

turns away from Vamahllo.

A half dozen other guards have appeared, moving steadily

towards the children.

Vamahllo snaps out his right hand, reaching towards Kayla,

and closes his fist. The guard raises his hand to the sky,

and Kayla is lifted off of the ground.

Kayla screams.

Vamahllo opens his hand. Kayla remains in the air, held up

by an unseen force.

RYAN

Kayla!

Ryan runs to his sister, but something takes a hold of him

– like an invisible hand grabbing his entire body - and

he’s lifted into the air as well.

Stevie stares at the guards. He shifts his weight,

frightened, but he doesn’t move.

Vamahllo reaches out, very slowly, very deliberately, and

Stevie joins his brother and sister above the ground.

The guards reach to their belts, each plucking away one of

the black orbs. The balls lift out of the guards’ gloves,

hover before the children, and begin to undulate.

Like tar, the balls stretch out until they resemble long

strands of gum. They begin to wrap around the children,

holding the children’s arms against their torsos.

The three children float above the ground, bound, helpless.

ONABERUS (O.S.)Vamahllo.

Vamahllo turns and looks to the street behind.

ONABERUS, an aged male with long, sweeping white hair that

melds into an equally long beard, dressed in a heavy and

ornate blue robe, steps into the marketplace.


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Vahahllo makes way for Onaberus, and the older man walks

towards the children.

Onaberus motions the kids towards him. They glide smoothly

through the air, moving before the older humanoid.

Onaberus addresses the kids in his alien language, but they

can’t make any sense of the words.

KAYLA

This is so bad.

Onaberus studies the children.

He rummages through the pockets of his robe and pulls out

three small bands made of bone and braided leather.

Onaberus reaches out to Stevie.

RYAN

Don’t touch him!

Onaberus eyes Ryan briefly before he takes Stevie’s hand.

Onaberus places the band across Stevie’s palm, and closes

the boy’s fist.

ONABERUSDo you understand me now?

Stupefied, Stevie just barely manages to nod.

ONABERUS

Good.

Onaberus tosses the two other bands to Vamahllo, then ties

the first leather band around Stevie’s neck.

Vamahllo does the same for Ryan and Kayla.

ONABERUS

Now, what are you creatures, and

what are you doing here?

The children are dumbstruck.


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ONABERUS

I know you can speak. Answer the

question. What are you doing here?

STEVIE

We’re lost.

RYAN

We’re not supposed to be here.

KAYLA

It was an accident.

ONABERUS

(coldly)

How so?

STEVIE

The stones in the forest. The

glowing stones. They brought us

here.

Onaberus’ eyes narrow.

ONABERUS

Stones?

RYANThe stones at the ruins. We walked

through them, and then we were

here. The walls just appeared

around us. I don’t know how, but

they did.

STEVIE

But the stones stopped glowing. We

can’t go back.

ONABERUS(laughs humorlessly)

Oh I’m sure of that.

KAYLA

What’s so funny?


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ONABERUS

The forest gate hasn’t worked for

ages, millennia.

KAYLA

What?

ONABERUS

None of the gates work anymore.

They’re old stone, broken relics

from a dead age.

RYAN

That’s impossible!

ONABERUS

No, what you’re telling me isimpossible. And it’s irritating

me. Tell me the truth. Now. What

are you doing in this town?

KAYLA

But it is the truth! Ryan?

RYAN

That’s exactly what happened!

Those stones took us from our

home, and brought us here.

ONABERUS

Enough.

RYAN

They did!

ONABERUS

Enough!

(to Vamahllo)

This is a waste of time. Covertheir mouths. We’ll see if a jail

cell gets them talking.

RYAN

No, wait–


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But it’s too late. The guards move in on the children, and

the black tar-like binding quickly ripples up over their

shoulders, past their necks, and over their mouths.

Onaberus and the guards start to walk away, and the

hovering children float behind them.

INT. HOLDING CELL – DAY

The children, now free of the black bindings, are kept

behind the thick metal bars of a barren holding cell. Light

from the setting sun paints the walls crimson.

On the other side of the bars, red guards man the entrance.

Stevie sits atop a small bed in the corner of the cell,

staring off into space. He rubs at the side of his head,massaging his temple.

Ryan sits near him, brooding.

Kayla paces back and forth, inches away from the bars.

KAYLA

I don’t want to be here. We have

to get home. Mom and Dad are

probably freaking out by now.

Kayla turns and stares directly at Stevie.

KAYLA

This is all your fault. You know

that, don’t you Stevie? It’s your

fault we’re here.

Stevie looks up at his sister.

KAYLA

We’re stuck here because of you.If you hadn’t stepped through

those stones, we wouldn’t be

prisoners in some crazy, nightmare

jail cell.

Stevie remains mute.


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KAYLA

Well? You gonna say anything?

STEVIE

What do you want me to say?

Kayla takes a slow, threatening step towards Stevie.

KAYLA

How about you start with why you

ran off, back in the forest. Why

you ran away from the only place

that could get us back home.

RYAN

Leave him alone, Kay.

KAYLA

No, no I want to know. Don’t you?

Ryan stares Kayla, uneasy, but he doesn’t object.

KAYLA

Well?

STEVIE

It wouldn’t have done any good to

stay there. Whatever we steppedthrough, it closed. Closed on us.

You saw it, just like I did.

KAYLA

(steps closer)

But why did you run?

STEVIE

You wouldn’t believe me.

KAYLATry me.

Stevie looks at the floor, shrinking, reluctant to speak.

STEVIE

I heard something, called my name.


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RYAN

What?

Stevie holds his head in his hands.

STEVIEI heard a voice. I know it must

sound ... I heard it. I heard her.

Ryan and Kayla share a long, sceptical glance.

STEVIE

She just told me to follow her.

Into the forest. And I couldn’t

resist. I had to follow her.

RYANWhy?

Stevie shakes his head, frustrated.

STEVIE

I don’t -

The door to the room beyond the jail cell opens with a

CLANK. The three children look up, and watch as Onaberus

enters the room.

STEVIE

- know.

Onaberus walks up to the metal bars.

ONABERUS

Do you have names?

KAYLA

Of course.

ONABERUS

Then tell them to me.

The children are reluctant to answer.

RYAN

I’m Ryan.


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KAYLA

Kayla.

Stevie remains silent.

ONABERUS

And you?

STEVIE

My name’s Stevie. Steven.

Onaberus holds Stevie’s gaze.

ONABERUS

I am Onaberus, the appointed

keeper of Nilethet, this ...glorious little border town.

Onaberus gestures casually at the metal bars of the holding

cell, and those in the center recede into the ground. He

steps into the cell, and the bars rise up behind him.

ONABERUS

I want to continue the discussion

we started in the market. And I

hope you decide to be a little

more helpful this time.

RYAN

Helpful? Helpful? What did we do?

Why do you have us locked up here?

We didn’t do anything!

Onaberus takes another step closer, crosses his arms, and

looms over Ryan.

ONABERUS

You three outlanders sneak intothis town, terrorize the people-

STEVIE

We didn’t mean to.


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ONABERUS

-send them screaming through the

streets. And when we catch you,

when I ask you why you’ve come

here, you lie to my face.

RYAN

We weren’t lying. We came from the

forest, from those stones.

ONABERUS

I don’t want to hear it. The

forest gate no longer works. You

couldn’t have stepped through.

Onaberus steps away, turns to the bars of the jail cell.

KAYLA

Do you think we’re making this up?

Are you serious? Look at us! How

much less could we fit in? Do we

look like we’re from around here?!

Onaberus cocks his head, looks back at Kayla curiously.

ONABERUS

What did you say?

KAYLA

I said: do we look like we’re from

around here?

Onaberus inspects Kayla a moment longer before reaching out

at her, taking her head in his hand, her cheeks held

between his thumb and his fingers, mouth pinched together.

RYAN

Leave her alone!

ONABERUS

Quiet.

Kayla glowers at Onaberus, but doesn’t speak.

He studies her face, moving it roughly from side to side,

taking in her features, her profile.


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Onaberus lets go. His eyes move from one child to the next.

Then he walks to the bars, and they drop into the ground.

Onaberus goes beyond the cell, but the gap remains open.

ONABERUS

You three are coming with me.

Unbound. Don’t try anything.

Onaberus stops, scrutinizes the children one last time.

ONABERUS

We’ll have to do something about

your clothes. You stand out enough

as it is.

EXT. THE STREETS OF NILETHET – NIGHT

Onaberus guides an old open caravan pulled by thin, cat-

like creatures.

The caravan is accompanied by a handful of red guards

riding similar animals, led by Vamahllo.

The children sit in the back of the caravan. Now they wear

nondescript robes similar to Onaberus’, with more foreign

garb underneath, in place of their street clothes.

The group comes to a stop in front of an old building on a

deserted, neglected street.

Onaberus rises, motions for the children to do the same.

INT. OLD HALL – NIGHT

The world is absolute darkness. Then a giant door opens,

and light cuts into the shadows of an ancient stone room,

its ceiling supported by countless cracked columns.

Onaberus takes a step into the room. He lifts his hands,

and his palms ignite.

A half dozen balls of flame rise up from his fingers,

floating before him, torch-less fire lighting the hall.


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ONABERUS

This way.

The children enter. Red guards stand behind them.

ONABERUS(to Vamahllo)

Stay by the entrance. We won’t be

long.

Onaberus walks further into the room, and the children

follow. Soon they travel in a small patch of illumination,

the group otherwise surrounded by darkness.

Bits of rubble and stone chunks scatter the floor, seen

only briefly in the light.

ONABERUS

I’m taking you down into the old

city, the forgotten kingdom this

town is built upon. It’s been a

long time since anyone has come

this way. Watch your step.

INT. CATACOMBS ENTRANCE – NIGHT

The group comes upon a large stone slab that sits on the

floor. Covered in engravings, it’s easily ten feet acrossand twenty feet long.

ONABERUS

Stand back.

Onaberus gestures to the massive slab and it lifts up off

the ground, sliding away from the group. Dust puffs up from

underneath, filling the air.

The air clears, revealing a stone stairway.

Onaberus heads down the stairs. The fireballs follow him,

and the children move quickly to stay in the light.

INT. CATACOMBS – NIGHT

Onaberus leads the children along an ancient tunnel.


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ONABERUS

This tunnel once travelled

underneath the city, to the

forest, and the center of a temple

built to protect the gate. The

broken walls you saw are allthat’s left of that place.

The group keeps walking.

Stevie rubs at his temples, grimacing. Dark bags hang under

his eyes.

RYAN

You okay?

Stevie nods wearily.

Engravings appear on the walls, a glyph here, a character

there. But soon the walls are covered by artwork and the

pictograms of a lost language.

Onaberus touches the walls, trailing his fingers along the

stone as he walks by.

ONABERUS

This is what I wanted to show you.

Up ahead, the tunnel comes to an abrupt end, choked off by

fallen stone. Onaberus comes to a stop before the dead-end

and looks at the walls.

Scenes of people meeting one another dominate the walls,

and though the artwork is stylized, it is clear that many

of the individuals are human.

Different peoples from different cultures are displayed:

Native Americans, Mayans, Greeks and Romans, Egyptians,

Celtic Britons, Persians, Chinese, Japanese, African, etc.

These separate groups of humans all meet with people that

look like Onaberus and his kin.

The kids’ eyes roam whimsically about the engravings.


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ONABERUS

These are your people, are they

not?

RYAN

Yes. Well, they were, a long timeago. But they’re from where we’re

from. Our world.

STEVIE

They’re all humans, like us.

Stevie points at one of those of Onaberus’ race.

STEVIE

And these are your ancestors?

ONABERUS

That’s right. Koboldoi.

STEVIE

This isn’t myth. This is history.

People from our world met people

from yours. The gate brought them

together.

ONABERUS

There was a time when people frommany different worlds lived

alongside one another, learned

from one another, died for one

another. But those days are gone.

Now the gates are closed. Have

been closed for a long time.

STEVIE

Then where did you think we were

from?

ONABERUS

So many different tribes were

trapped here when the gates were

closed. Outlanders. They keep to

themselves now, tucked away in

their own separate cities, removed

from the rest of us, rarely


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venturing outwards. That’s what I

assumed you three were, but ...

Onaberus laughs, smiles even.

ONABERUSCould it have opened? After all

this time?

KAYLA

We’re here, ain’t we?

Onaberus examines the children once more, then looks aside

to the adorned tunnel walls.

RYAN

So how do we open it again? How dowe go home?

ONABERUS

I don’t know. I can’t even begin

to imagine how the gate was opened

in the first place.

EXT. FANTASTICAL FOREST – DAY (VISION)

A flash of a beautiful forest.


Stevie gasps.


Another glimpse of glorious, ancient old growth trees.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

Steven.

INT. CATACOMBS - NIGHT

Stevie breathes quickly, eyes wide. He leans himself

against the tunnel wall.


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Stevie stands alone in an impossibly magnificent forest.

The entire forest is cast in an ethereal glow. The upper

branches of the trees are too high to be seen. Some of thetree trunks are as wide as houses.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

This way, Steven.

Stevie walks through the forest, dreamily slow.

Ahead, around the curve of a massive tree trunk, is an

ever-increasing source of light.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)You’re almost there.

Stevie rounds the tree trunk, reaches the edge of a

clearing in the forest. A brilliant golden light waits at

the other side of the open space.

Though too bright to see details, the shape is clearly

feminine. Her hair trails off to the side, dancing

gracefully in its own wind, ribbons of light.

FEMALE SHAPEHello, child.

Stevie stands before the glowing form.

STEVIE

Who are you?

FEMALE SHAPE

All worlds, made one. Watching.

The female shape leans in gracefully towards Stevie.

FEMALE SHAPE

I have waited a very long time for

you. Generations. Centuries.

Stevie stares at the figure, eyes wide, eyebrows high.


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STEVIE

Waiting for ... me?

FEMALE SHAPE

I wish I could have waited longer,

wish I could have given you timeto become the man you will need to

be. But I had no other choice.

The glowing female entity casts her head downward sadly.

FEMALE SHAPE

Your path will not be an easy one,

Steven. You cannot imagine what

lies ahead. And for this I am

truly sorry.

Stevie looks at the glowing figure, confused, scared.

STEVIE

What do you want from me?

The female form shrinks, shoulders hunching.

FEMALE SHAPE

I am sick, Steven. Dying. And all

worlds will fall if this sickness

continues to spread. I cannotfight this plague on my own.

The shape stands tall again, steps closer to Stevie.

FEMALE SHAPE

Through your hands, I can prevent

this destruction. And through my

eyes, you will see ... everything.

The glowing shape begins to dim, along with the light of

the forest.

FEMALE SHAPE

Everything that I am, Steven, I

give to you. Take your strength

from me.


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STEVIE

I’m ... I’m not ...

FEMALE SHAPE

There is no other way.

She reaches out to Stevie.

Stevie extends his hands, the child’s fingers nearly

touching the fading fingertips of the luminous being.

The light of the forest, and the female shape, have almost

disappeared.

FEMALE SHAPE

Do not be afraid, child. It must

be this way.

Their hands meet. And then darkness.


Stevie lies on the stone floor, cradled by Ryan. He holds

his hand out, reaching at nothing.

RYAN

Stevie? Stevie, can you hear me?

Stevie’s eyes focus on his brother and sister, but only for

a moment. He looks down the tunnel.

STEVIE

Something’s wrong. Something’s

wrong in the town.

Onaberus looks down the dark tunnel, narrows his eyes.

ONABERUS

We should go.

They pick Stevie up off the floor.

INT. CATACOMBS ENTRANCE – NIGHT

Onaberus and the children rush out of the catacombs.


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INT. OLD HALL – NIGHT

Vamahllo and a handful of red guards flood into the old

hall, torches in hand. The glyphs on their gloves glow

white hot.

INT. OLD HALL - NIGHT

Onaberus and the children run through the dark.

INT. OLD HALL - NIGHT

The guards encounter Onaberus and the kids.

VAMAHLLO

Sir, you’re needed immediately.

The town’s under attack.

ONABERUS

From whom?

Vamahllo hesitates, trying to come up with an answer.

ONABERUS

From what?

EXT. STREETS OF NILETHET – NIGHT

Onaberus, the kids, and the guards exit the old building.

SHOUTS and SCREAMS echo from afar.

Vamahllo leads the way down the street, on foot.

VAMAHLLO

They came out of the shadows.

They’re like smoke. Monsters made

of smoke. We can’t hold them back.

I’ve never seen anything like themin my life.

EXT. ALLEYWAYS – NIGHT

The group weaves through narrow alleys and corridors.


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EXT. TOWN SQUARE – NIGHT

The group comes makes their way to an open square. Panicked

townspeople run through the streets.

Shades – smoky black creatures – run amok throughout thesquare, crawling, climbing up walls. Searching.

ONABERUS

Shades.

EXT. ROOFTOPS - NIGHT

One of the shades crawls over the edge of a nearby rooftop.


Stevie winces, closes his eyes. He cries out.

INT. PRIME GATE CAVERN – NIGHT

Underground, a womb of dirt and stone. Destroyed megalithic

structures. Gnarled pyres.


Stevie stumbles and falls onto his hands and knees.

INT. PRIME GATE CAVERN – NIGHT

A large stone dais is central to the cavity. A dark mass –

like a spider egg cocoon, like a clump of hideous vines,

like a cancerous cell – pulses atop the dais.


Stevie clutches his head, grimacing.

Onaberus, Ryan, and Kayla reach out to Stevie, pick him upoff the ground.

ONABERUS

Are you alright, child?

RYAN

Was it the voice?


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Stevie opens his eyes slowly. His body shakes.

STEVIE

No. I saw a cave, a hole,

underground. Lit by torches. Andin the middle there was ...

something dark. Horrible. It’s

searching. Searching for us.

The shade jumps down onto the cobbled street, fifteen feet

before the group. Like acrid smoke, a wispy, impish demon

with no discernible edge to its form.

Stevie cowers behind his siblings.

The guards reach out to the shade, gesturing with theirgauntlets, and the creature is blown apart into tendrils of

smoke. But it quickly reforms.

The guards continue to attack the shade, but to no avail.

ONABERUS

Stop. I’ll deal with it.

The shade, crouched on all fours, takes a step towards the

group. Then it cocks its faceless head.

The shade’s shape changes. Still anchored to the ground

where its hands and feet lay, the shade’s mass is pulled

forward, forming a much taller being standing upright.

The new form’s head is similarly blank, except for crimson

eyes that burn from within, staring at the children.

SHADE

You. I’ve found you.

The shape takes a step towards the kids.

SHADE

Now where did you come from?

Onaberus raises his hand to the shade. The shade flashes

white, and it begins to SIZZLE, evaporating.


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The taller shape is pulled back into the hunched shade. The

shade jumps backwards, hurt. It crouches ten feet back, and

the other being quickly comes through once again.

SHADE

Step aside, beggar.

The darkness of the shade lashes out at Onaberus, a stream

of smoke that blanket’s Onaberus’ head and chest.

Onaberus staggers backwards, falls onto a knee.

SHADE

Do you see what I see?

Stunned, Onaberus counters, thrusting both hands forward.

The shade glows white, HISSING again, deteriorating.

Onaberus pushes forward, and the shade disintegrates into

nothingness.

Onaberus turns back to the group, eyes wide, sweating. He

stares at the children, terrified.

ONABERUS

We have to get the children out of

the town. Back to the caravan.

Hurry!

RYAN

What? No! We can’t leave here, we

can’t leave the gate!

All of the shades in the square turn their faceless heads

in unison towards the group.

ONABERUS

If we stay here, you will never

see your home again. Now go! Go!

The guards head towards the exit of the square. Onaberus

pushes the children forward.

Another shade drops from the sky before them, and the

taller figure comes through.


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SHADE

Give me the ch-.

Onaberus’ hand is already out, and the shade is burnt away.

EXT. STREETS OF NILETHET – NIGHT

Onaberus, the kids, and the guards run back towards the

entrance of the Old Hall.

The guards head for their waiting mounts.

ONABERUS

No, I need you on the wagon!

The guards leap up onto the back of the wagon.

The kids reach for the sides of the caravan wagon. Onaberus

flicks a finger at them and they’re lifted up off their

feet, tossed roughly into the back.

ONABERUS

Vamahllo, get us going!

Vamahllo takes the reigns and sets the wagon in motion.

Onaberus kicks off of the ground, almost soaring, and lands

in the back of the wagon.

The caravan charges down the dark streets.

Behind the caravan, a wave of shades comes around the

corner. They move along the stone walls and stone streets,

chasing after the children.

ONABERUS

Vamahllo, head for the docks. Get

us to the river!

VAMAHLLO

Yes, sir!

Onaberus moves to the back of the wagon, watching the

oncoming flood of shades.


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ONABERUS

Stay in the middle, children. Stay

low. The rest of you, do your best

to keep these monsters back.

The kids move to the center, Stevie hiding behind Ryan.

The remaining guards line the side railings of the wagon.

ONABERUS

I’ll do whatever I can.

There is a moment of calm as Onaberus, the guards, and the

young children stare back at the oncoming darkness. Then

Onaberus raises his hands, and the assault begins.

One at a time, the shades nearest the wagon burst intowhiteness as Onaberus takes aim. Some fall to the ground,

some pull to the back of the pack, some continue towards

the wagon and are eaten away.

Other shades are torn apart into smoky clouds by the

guards, but they quickly reform and return to the chase.

The guards look around frantically, moving from one shade

to the next. Their hands are a blur.

Some of the guards launch the orbs on their belt at theshades. The orbs stretch out and wrap around the shades.

The shades simply reform around the tar-like substance.

Some of the shades jump down from the walls, dashing along

the ground. The guards react instinctively, and the shades

are blown apart.

Other shades pass through their disintegrated brethren.

Those at the front of the pack flash white, destroyed by

Onaberus, the foamy crest of a growing wave of darkness.

The wagon continues to weave through the streets, crashing

into crates and barrels. The animals pulling the wagon pump

their legs against the cobblestone.

Onaberus looks ahead.


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ONABERUS

We’re close! Keep fighting!

The shades jump down from the walls, and are turned into

mist. They lunge at the wagon, and are obliterated. But the

shades draw closer, and in greater numbers.

The shades gain on the wagon, moving along the walls,

looming over the group. And then they come down.

The two walls of shades pour over the caravan, falling upon

the guards, upon Onaberus, and upon the children.

Most of the shades that touch down on the wagon are barely

able to stand before they are obliterated.

But one rises up beside the children, and the tall beingcomes through.

SHADE

I’ve been waiting for you.

The tall figure reaches down and takes a hold of Stevie.

Ryan and Kayla look up at the shade, eyes wide in horror,

as the darkness of the figure spreads over their brother.

Stevie stares at the red eyes of the figure. The shade

pulls Stevie towards him, pulls the child into him.

Onaberus looks to the children, sees the shade. He raises

his hand, but he can’t seem to reach out fast enough.

Stevie closes his eyes. He inhales, taking in a breath that

lasts forever. Then Stevie opens his eyes, and he SCREAMS –

not in fear, but in defiance.

The entire street goes white, night becoming day, all

colours bleached away.

The shades near the wagon are blasted away instantly, like

something caught in a nuclear explosion - radiating from

Stevie - travelling through the streets in all directions.

Onaberus and the guards shield their eyes.

Ryan and Kayla grimace, clutching their heads.


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The light clears away all of the nearby shades, leaving the

wagon practically alone in the street.

Then the light fades.

Stevie’s eyes roll into the back of his head, and he

collapses onto the wagon’s bed.

Those shades that were at the very back of the group and

survived the blast continue to chase after the wagon.

ONABERUS

(to Vamahllo)

Keep going, keep going!

The wagon picks up speed, but the shades draw near.

Onaberus moves over to Stevie and takes the boy’s head in

his hands. Stevie’s body is limp.

Ryan and Kayla, both stunned, look over at their brother.

RYAN

What happened?

Onaberus continues to inspect the boy, ignoring the comment

altogether. He looks ahead.

ONABERUS

We’re here.

The wagon nears the end of the street.

EXT. THE DOCKS OF NILETHET – NIGHT

Long wooden docks stretch out into the river’s waters.

Countless paddle-wheel riverboats are tied to the docks,rocking with the river’s current. Thin pillars of smoke

drift up from the ships, floating away into the night.


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EXT. DOCKS RAMP - NIGHT

The wagon bursts out from between the last buildings of the

town, speeding underneath a decorative stone arch similar

to the one leading to the forest.

The wagon races down a ramp to the wooden docks.

ONABERUS

Vamahllo, get one of the boats

moving, and get the children on

board. I’ll catch up with you.

KAYLA

What? Where are you going?

Onaberus doesn’t answer. He leaps off of the wagon, fifteenfeet into the air, and the wagon races off without him.

Onaberus hits the ground rolling, and is quickly on his

feet, facing the entrance to the docks.

He walks backwards, moving towards the boats, his eyes

remaining on the exit from the street.

The shades appear. Though now in lesser numbers, the

shadowy imps are still a formidable force.


The wagon reaches the end of the docks, and the guards hop

off, rushing towards a group of sailors and dockhands.

EXT. DOCKS RAMP – NIGHT

The shades go after Onaberus. He fights back, arms out. The

creatures flare white, combusting, one after another.

But the mass of blackness moves closer.


The guards and the children – Vamahllo carrying Stevie –

run up a short ramp onto one of the boats, along with a

handful of sailors.


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EXT. DOCKS RAMP – NIGHT

The shades swarm Onaberus as he continues to fight. They’re

about to close in – and then Onaberus pulls away from them,

a blur of motion, running towards the end of the dock.

EXT. THE DOCKS OF NILETHET - NIGHT

Boat ties are cast off as the riverboat begins to move.


Onaberus hurries down the docks, just barely outracing the

shades.

EXT. RIVERBOAT – NIGHT

The guards stand at the side of the boat, watching

Onaberus’ approach. The glyphs on their gauntlets continue

to glow.


Onaberus charges towards the boat, moving down the docks

with amazing speed, the shades following behind.

He reaches the end of the docks and leaps into the air.


Onaberus hurtles towards the riverboat, limbs spinning in

the air. He reaches out, and grabs onto the edge of the

deck, his body slamming against the boat’s hull.


The shades make it to the end of the docks and spring into

the air.


Onaberus grabs at the deck’s railing, pulling himself on

board, one rung at a time as the guards take on the last of

the shades.


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The children crouch behind the guards, Ryan cradling his

younger brother.

The shades explode in mid-air, pushed back away from the

boat. The shades that don’t make it to the boat hit the

water and dissolve, black patches staining the river.

Those that do land on the boat only remain for an instant

before they’re driven backwards by the guards and pushed

overboard, ultimately falling into the water as well.

Onaberus hops over the railing, wearily landing on his

feet. He joins the rest of the guards.

EXT. THE GANNET-BOSCH RIVER - NIGHT

The boat makes its way down the river, leaving the docks,and the last of the shades, behind.

EXT. RIVERBOAT - NIGHT

From the boat, they all see the tall figure come through.

It stands at the edge of the dock as the rest of the

agitated shades move around it like a pack of wolves.


The shades begin to disappear, blowing away as if carriedoff in the wind. The tall figure, however, is untouched.

EXT. RIVERBOAT - NIGHT

Onaberus and the guards watch the figure as it stands alone

at the edge of the dock. It stares at Onaberus and the

guards with its crimson eyes.

The figure becomes smaller and smaller as the boat

continues down the river. It HOWLS in frustration, then

finally disappears with the rest of the shades.

EXT. THE GANNET-BOSCH RIVER – NIGHT

The riverboat travels down the river, passing by open

grassy fields, far from any habitation. The light of the

moon reflects on the river’s gently rolling surface.


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KAYLA

Just tell us what’s happening to

our brother.

ONABERUS

The earth is speaking to him. Andnow, finally, he can hear her.

Ryan stares at Onaberus incredulously.

RYAN

What?

ONABERUS

We are part of a greater being,

Ryan. One that connects us across

all worlds. The soil, the oceans,the animals. The people.

Everything upon the earth works

together, is tied together, to

form the whole. Harmonious. Like

our own bodies. And just as our

bodies give rise to thought, so

too does the earth.

KAYLA

The earth ... thinks?

ONABERUS

It is different than that. More

than that. Watching over all

things, all worlds, all times.

Onaberus walks across the cabin towards a handful of exotic

flowers that sit in a small vase. He plucks a seed from the

center of their colourful petals.

ONABERUS

There are those that are able tounderstand this great connection,

to see the threads woven together.

Onaberus, standing before Ryan and Kayla, rolls the seed

between his palms.


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ONABERUS

Able to see how the world can be

shaped around us, how these

threads can be plucked.

Onaberus opens his hands, holds them a few inches apart.The seed floats in mid air between them.

Then the seed bursts open, roots and stems growing quickly.

Soon, it becomes another one of the beautiful flowers,

hanging weightlessly in the air.

Ryan and Kayla watch with muted amazement.

Onaberus takes a hold of the flower, admires it for a

moment, then puts it in the vase amongst the rest.

ONABERUS

Your brother’s mind is opening to

what lies beneath the surface. As

mine did, when I was young.

A faint, melancholy smile touches Onaberus’ face.

ONABERUS

We are Sophrhokai. Able to see, to

do, what most cannot. Guardians.

It is our purpose, our duty. Ourdestiny.

Ryan flinches upon hearing this comment.

ONABERUS

But we are a dying breed.

Onaberus looks down at the young child on the bed.

ONABERUS

Your brother is too young for thegifts that are forced upon him.

Onaberus rubs his forehead wearily.


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Stevie rolls his head to the side and reaches a hand out

weakly towards the flowers.

The one created by Onaberus stirs. Slowly, inch-by-inch,

the flower is lifted up out of the vase.

The flower floats through the air, crawling towards

Stevie’s outstretched hand. It reaches his fingertips, and

he takes a hold of it gently.

Stevie smiles, rests his hand on his chest and closes his

eyes.

Ryan can’t look away from his brother. He slumps against

the cabin wall, broken, hopeless.

Onaberus walks to the door.

ONABERUS

The boat should arrive at the port

of Usuleum early tomorrow morning.

We’ll travel from there to the Low

Capital. I’d suggest you both get

some rest, if you can. I’ll come

for you in the morning.

Onaberus opens the door to the cabin.

ONABERUS

I’m sorry, for all of you. I’ll

try my best to keep you safe.

Onaberus exits. The children are left alone.

Kayla’s breathing hitches. She’s on the verge of tears.

KAYLA

Ryan, I want to go home.

Kayla, huddled, scared, waits for a response.

Ryan doesn’t say a word. He rubs the sides of his skull,

jaw clenched, eyes shut.


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KAYLA

(whispering)

I want to go home.

EXT. THE GANNET-BOSCH RIVER – NIGHT

The boat continues down the moonlit river.

EXT. THE GANNET-BOSCH RIVER – DAY

The boat makes its way down the river, cutting through

thick strands of mist that move lazily above the water in

the early morning light.

EXT. RIVERBANK – DAY

Slimy feet step out from the weeds that cling to the mudalong the riverbank. Wiry female shapes with long, wet hair

and tattered clothing walk through the mist and into the

water.

INT. RIVERBOAT CABIN – DAY

Stevie sleeps peacefully, eyelids still.

FEMALE VOICE (V.O.)

Wake now, Steven.

Stevie’s eyes snap open.

EXT. DOCKS OF USULEUM – DAY

Usuleum is a mammoth city of towering stone and concrete

buildings. Stone piers line the Gannet-Bosch River as far

as the eye can see, and multiple bridges span the waterway

as it cuts through the city.

The river is choked with different kinds of watercraft.

The riverboat nears the city.

EXT. RIVERBOAT WALKWAY – DAY

Onaberus stands next to the riverboat’s side railing,

watching the river.


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Twenty feet down the walkway, one of the cabin doors opens,

and Stevie steps out into the morning.

Onaberus watches the child, remaining silent.

Stevie looks around, unaware of Onaberus. He reaches out,as if sweeping away invisible cobwebs.

Stevie takes a few steps, and lurches forward. His legs

give out and he falls to his knees.

Onaberus takes a concerned step towards Stevie, but holds

back, watching the boy intently.

Stevie grabs the railing beside him, pulls himself up. Once

on his feet, he lets go. But he keeps his hand out.

The railing - a few inches from Stevie’s fingertips -

begins to bend, curving towards the child.

Stevie watches the metal, shocked. He breathes in quick,

shallow breaths.

ONABERUS

Good morning, child.

Stevie looks up and sees Onaberus walking towards him.

Stevie drops his hand, and the metal springs back straight.

Onaberus smiles at Stevie, almost proud.

STEVIE

Hey.

ONABERUS

You had me worried last night.

STEVIE

Oh. Sorry.

INT. RIVERBOAT CABIN – DAY

Ryan sleeps restlessly, his eyes fluttering, cheeks

twitching.


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KAYLA (O.S.)

Ryan.

Kayla stands beside Ryan, shaking her brother.

KAYLARyan, wake up.

Ryan opens his eyes, grimacing. He shields his eyes from

the morning light as he looks up at his sister.

KAYLA

They’re gone.

EXT. RIVERBOAT WALKWAY – DAY

Stevie looks around at the boat, the river, and the city.

STEVIE

It’s all so beautiful, Onaberus.

All the pieces. So small.

Together, flowing together.

Everywhere. Is this what you see?

ONABERUS

It was in the beginning.

The door to the children’s cabin opens again, and Ryan andKayla stumble out onto the walkway. Ryan spots his brother,

and runs over to him.

RYAN

Stevie!

Ryan looks his brother in the eyes, brushing the hair away

from Stevie’s face, hands on his head, checking him over.

RYAN

Are you alright? Are you hurt?

STEVIE

It’s amazing, Ryan.

RYAN

What is?


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Stevie turns back to the river and the city.

STEVIE

It’s beautiful.

Kayla runs over, joining them.

KAYLA

Is he okay?

ONABERUS

Your brother is fine.

Ryan continues to inspect his brother, ignoring Onaberus.

RYAN

Are you okay, Stevie?

STEVIE

Yeah.

RYAN

You sure?

STEVIE

It’s right in front of us, Ryan.

And I ... I can feel it. I can

hear it. All of it.

RYAN

(to Onaberus)

What’s he talking about?

ONABERUS

He’s found his mind’s sight.

Stevie’s eyes close, his head dips, and he leans forward a

moment before he steadies himself.

Ryan looks at Stevie again, his face stern. Stevie merely

smiles back.

STEVIE

Don’t ... don’t worry, Ryan.

Ryan is far from pleased.


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ONABERUS

We’ve almost reached the docks.

It’s time to go. Come with me.

EXT. RIVERBOAT RAMP – DAY

Onaberus leads the children down the boat’s wide loading

ramp towards the stone piers of Usuleum.

The guards remain on the riverboat, watching them leave.

Onaberus offers Vamahllo and the guards a nod before he and

the children reach the docks below.

EXT. GANNET-BOSCH RIVER - DAY

Five shapes make their way through the water towards the

riverboat.

EXT. DOCKS OF USULEUM – DAY

Onaberus ushers the children through the throng of people –

Onaberus’ people, Koboldoi.

EXT. RIVER TRAM - DAY

Onaberus heads towards a long tram of connected rail cars.The rails are set on one side of the river, following the

river as it winds through the city.

Thick, furry, powerful looking animals are attached

intermittently along the sides of the cars. They begin to

move, slowly pulling the tram along.

People continue to board the departing tram, hopping onto

the low steps of open doorways.

Onaberus guides the children hurriedly towards thetramcars, and they file into one of them.

INT. TRAMCAR – DAY

Stevie is mesmerized by the city as it passes by. Ryan and

Kayla, however, sit watching their younger brother.


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EXT. TRAMCAR – DAY

Fleeting images of the city of Usuleum are reflected in the

windows as the cars travel swiftly through the city.

INT. TRAMCAR – DAY

Onaberus monitors the tram’s progress through the windows.

EXT. AIR TOWER GARDENS – DAY

A sprawling garden sits near the edge of the river, the

tram rails running past its entrance.

Two rows of wispy, weeping willow-like trees follow along a

path that leads through the gardens, mist hanging low to

the ground.

At the other end of the gardens are the air towers, massive

stone buildings that loom high above the city.

EXT. GARDEN ENTRANCE – DAY

The tram reaches the garden entrance and comes to a stop.

EXT. TRAMCAR – DAY

Onaberus jumps out of the tramcar, followed by thechildren, and heads towards the tree-lined path.

EXT. GANNET-BOSCH RIVER – DAY

Pale hands grasp the stonework that lines the river, and

the unseen bodies pull themselves out of the water.


Onaberus walks briskly towards the trees, followed by

Stevie, Ryan, and Kayla.

Behind the group, the tram continues along its path.

A lone body climbs up over the edge of the river, and moves

towards the entrance of the garden.


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The group moves along the garden path.

JEN (V.O.)

Children ...

The three siblings stop, turn back to the entrance.

JEN (V.O.)

Come to me ...

Their eyes glaze over. Kayla takes a few steps towards the

entrance, and she’s followed by Ryan and Stevie.

KAYLA

Mom?


A dark shape waits at the entrance.

JEN

Yesss ...


Kayla smiles, continues walking.

KAYLA

Mom, is that you?


The dark thing at the entrance takes a step forward.

JEN

I’m here, Kayla. I’m here for you.


Kayla moves faster towards the entrance, leaving Ryan and

Stevie behind.

Onaberus continues along the garden path.


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Then Stevie stops, shakes his head, scrunches his face. He

spots his sister, headed for the river.

STEVIE

Kay?


Kayla nears the entrance. The figure stands twenty feet

away. It’s Jen, the children’s mother.

But there is something offsetting about the way Jen

appears. Her features are distorted ever so slightly.

Her cheeks are too strong, her eyes too large, her smile

too big, her figure too thin.

Jen waits for Kayla at the garden entrance, motionless. She

only stands and smiles, arms wide open.

KAYLA

Mom, is that you?

Something’s wrong with the way Jen speaks, as if her lips

are slightly out of synch with her own words.

JEN

Come to me, Kayla. It’s time to gohome.


Stevie watches his sister move closer to the figure.

STEVIE

Onaberus?!

Onaberus looks back, sees Kayla walking towards the figure

near the river, and Ryan halfway there himself.

ONABERUS

No.

(to Stevie)

Stop your brother!

Onaberus charges towards the entrance.


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Kayla smiles, moves closer, walking between the trees.

KAYLAHome?

JEN

Home. With me. This will all be

over soon. Come, take my hand.


Onaberus races towards Kayla.


Jen glances towards the gardens lightning-quick, and for

the briefest instant, a snarl replaces her beaming smile.

But then her attention is once again on Kayla.


Stevie grabs Ryan, shakes his brother. Ryan looks around,

disoriented.

EXT. GARDEN ENTRANCE - DAY

Jen moves closer to Kayla, bolder.

JEN

Come here, Kayla. Come to your

mother. Now. Everything’s going to

be all right. I’ve missed you.

Kayla’s fifteen feet away.

JENJust take my hand ...

Ten feet away.

And then Onaberus appears.


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ONABERUS

Get away from her!

Jen growls at Onaberus. Four more bodies leap from the

river, landing behind her.

They’re sirens: nasty, pale, fishy women, with wet, tangled

hair, bony arms and legs, and filthy clothing. Their eyes,

mouths, nostrils, and fingers are all stained black.

They exhale tendrils of black smoke with every breath.

ONABERUS

Kayla, get back here! Run!

The four sirens charge towards Kayla, water flinging from

their limbs.

Jen’s appearance changes. Her false, not-quite-right face

and body quickly morph into the same disgusting features as

the other sirens, and her clothes turn into tattered rags.

Onaberus speeds towards Kayla.

One of the four new sirens opens her mouth wide, filling

the air with a fog of black smoke, enveloping Onaberus.

Onaberus is stunned, then snaps his hands behind him,pulling the smoke backwards, clearing the air-

But the siren is only ten feet away, heading straight for

Onaberus. She pounces on him, knocking him onto his back.

The other three lesser sirens grab ahold of Kayla. They

pull her towards the river as she struggles against them.

KAYLA

Onaberus! Help me!

Onaberus rolls around on the ground with the siren as she

claws at him, striking him with her hands and feet.

Onaberus grabs her arms and pushes her away.

He shoots his hands upward, and sends the siren high into

the air, spinning and flipping. It crashes into one of the

trees, falling hard on the other side.


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Onaberus draws Kayla towards him, her toes dragging along

the grass as she’s pulled along the garden path, the siren

still clinging to her.

Onaberus lifts the siren into the air, writhing andscreaming, and sends her into the river with the others.

Ryan stands, and as he does so, the last of the sirens –

the one that first attacked Onaberus – appears from the

side, climbing over a tangled mess of lumber.

The siren scrambles towards Ryan.

Ryan spots the siren, gasps – then he raises his hand,

fingers trembling.

The siren closes in, unabated by Ryan’s outstretched hand.

Ryan stands frozen like a deer caught in the headlights.

The siren pounces. Ryan flinches, shielding himself with

crossed arms.

The siren is inches away from the boy when she comes to a

stop in midair.

Ryan watches the furious siren as she wriggles about abovethe ground. He turns his head and looks at Onaberus.

Far down the path, Onaberus’ hand is out, holding the siren

back. Onaberus snarls, and hurls the siren into the river.

Stevie, still sitting on the dirt, stares at his brother.

Onaberus motions Kayla and Ryan to come close to him. He

walks over to Stevie and picks the child up off the ground.


A hand grabs onto the top of the river’s edge, and the Jen-

siren climbs out of the river, followed by the other two.


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The three soaking sirens pull the log off of their fallen

sisters, still struggling beneath its weight.

The sirens advance as a pack, one menacing step afteranother. They look at Onaberus with dark, hateful eyes.

ONABERUS

Stay behind me, children.

The Jen-siren laughs, evil grin from ear to ear, and the

other hags cackle as well. They charge.

Onaberus is quick to react, sending branches and pieces of

tree trunk at the sirens - a focused tornado of trees.

The sirens push through the airborne boughs and trunks.

Some of the sirens are knocked right off of their feet,

shoved back towards the river, but they press on.

Gusts of wood hold the sirens back in waves, but the women

do not give up. They fight to make their way towards the

children, rabid, ferocious, without reason.

Onaberus watches their mindless compulsion and turns his

attention to the river.


Water begins to crash against the stone walls of the river,

the waves climbing higher and higher.


Flecks of water reach the earth above the river. Foam

surges, and waves spill over onto the ground. A growing

wall of water rushes towards the sirens, engulfing them.

The sirens struggle to stay afloat. Bits of tree bob up and

down, smashing into each other, hitting the sirens as well.

The Jen-siren struggles to remain above the water. She

SCREAMS in anger and frustration.


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Onaberus thrusts his hands towards the river. The water is

driven backwards, forcing the sirens and what remains of

the trees into the river.

Onaberus, his hands still raised, marches towards the

river, the ground now soaked and muddy.

EXT. GANNET-BOSCH RIVER – DAY

The sirens, WAILING and entangled in the mass of trees, are

swiftly driven down the river by a churning wall of surf.


Onaberus drops his hands and turns to the children.

ONABERUSI’ve had enough of this river.

Onaberus leads the children back towards the garden path.

EXT. AIR TOWER ENTRANCE – DAY

Onaberus and the children rush towards the base of one of

the air towers. Stevie looks up.

EXT. AIR TOWER PEAK – DAY

The silhouette of a monstrous elliptical object hangs in

the air, just barely touching the tip of the tower above.

EXT. AIR TOWER ENTRANCE – DAY

Onaberus glances back at Stevie, who’s slowed to look.

ONABERUS

Now is not the time, Steven.

INT. AIR TOWER LOBBY – DAY

Onaberus and the children enter the magnificent lobby of

the air tower, adorned with marble floors, high ceilings,

and golden statues of winged figures.

The lobby is busy, packed with people, but Onaberus cuts

right through them.


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INT. AIR TOWER ELEVATOR – DAY

Onaberus and the children ride in a cylindrical elevator

with a metal frame and curved glass walls. Interior lights

illuminate the stone elevator shaft, which is covered withengravings.

Stevie studies his brother intently.

STEVIE

It’s happening to you too, isn’t

it, Ryan? Isn’t it?

Ryan stares at the walls of the elevator shaft.

STEVIECan you see it? Can you-

RYAN

No.

STEVIE

What?

RYAN

No.

The response is a verbal slap in the face.

Kayla’s eyes dart skip back and forth between her brothers.

Onaberus watches the children, then looks to the ceiling.

The elevator breaks free of the stone shaft, rising up

through an open sky.

Seen through the elevator’s glass walls, the city of

Usuleum stretches off in all directions.

All around the elevator are huge steampunk dirigibles,

floating airships with large platforms atop their inflated

bodies, waiting still in the sky.

The children stare outwards.


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EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY

The elevator, held within a metal frame, begins to slow. It

comes to a stop, level with a cylindrical corridor.

At the other end of the corridor waits one of the airships.

INT. AIRWAY BRIDGE – DAY

Onaberus steps out of the elevator and into the glass

corridor of the airway bridge. He walks briskly towards the

door at the other end of the pathway.

The children take in the sights around them.

EXT. AIR TOWERS – DAY

Each tower has one of the airway bridges at its top,

connecting the buildings to the airships.

EXT. AIRSHIP - DAY

Portholes look out from the exterior walls of the

platform’s cabins.

Horizontal rings of large propellers wrap around the

inflatable body of the airship.

A series of even larger propellers are attached in a

vertical line at the ship’s stern.

EXT. AIRSHIP PLATFORM – DAY

Onaberus and the young children step through the bulkhead

and onto the upper platform of the airship.

The center of the platform is a luxurious grass courtyard,

framed by cabins built around the platform’s outer edge.

Castle-like, the platform has its quarters situated to

enclose the inner area and create a border between the

courtyard and the open sky above.

At the front of the platform stands a raised command deck,

a looming escarpment built into the fore wall that provides

the crew with an optimal view of the airship’s course.


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At the rear of the platform is a taller observation tower

topped with a glass dome. Attached to the base of the tower

is a patio that stands above the platform courtyard.

CAPTAIN TASORA – a lithe female Koboldoi - and a handful ofcrew members march towards Onaberus from the command deck.

Tasora does a double take when she sees the kids.

TASORA

I’m Captain Tasora. We just

received word of your arrival,

excellency. I-

ONABERUS

We need to set off, immediately.Our departure has priority. Push

this ship as fast as it can go.

Tasora is stunned by Onaberus’ abruptness.

TASORA

Then we’ll prepare the airship.

The courtyard and observation

tower are open to you.

Tasora looks to the rest of the crew members.

TASORA

Close the door.

Tasora gives Onaberus a parting nod before rushing off

towards the command deck at the front of the ship.

The crew members run over to the platform bulkhead. They

pull at various levers and switches, and a heavy metal door

rises up from the workings of the platform.

INT. COMMAND DECK – DAY

Tasora bursts into the command deck - a room filled with

various sorts of spin valves and levers, controls and

needle gauges, aeronautical and geographical maps, and a

handful of flight crew at their posts.


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TASORA

Sound the whistle. We’re leaving.

EXT. AIRSHIP PLATFORM – DAY

A sharp AIR WHISTLE sounds.

Airship flight crew cross the platform, some walking

briskly, some running, as they prepare for launch.

EXT. AIRSHIP – DAY

The airship’s propellers begin to spin, quickly picking up

speed until they’re a blur.

INT. COMMAND DECK – DAY

Tasora inspects a variety of gauges and readings, eyes

skipping from one to the next. Satisfied, she looks up at

the cityscape beyond the airship.

TASORA

Let’s take her out.


The airship slowly breaks away from the airway bridge,

moving sideways, the front end swinging out on a wide arcuntil the airship points away from the air tower.

EXT. PLATFORM COURTYARD – DAY

Stevie stares at his brother, but Ryan won’t meet his eyes.

Stevie turns away and faces the observation tower.

STEVIE

(to Onaberus)

I want to see.

Stevie walks towards the tower, leaving Onaberus and his

siblings behind.


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INT. OBSERVATION TOWER DOME – DAY

Passengers sit about the domed upper floor of the

observation tower. A nervous MURMUR moves through the small

crowd.

Stevie appears, making his way to the top of the flight of

stairs that wraps around the circular wall of the tower.

He walks over to the glass panes of the dome.

EXT. PLATFORM COURTYARD - DAY

Onaberus scrutinizes Ryan and Kayla.

ONABERUS

Are you coming?

Kayla turns to Ryan for guidance.

RYAN

I’m staying down here.

ONABERUS

Very well.

Onaberus heads towards the tower.


Stevie watches as the city of Usuleum moves underneath the

airship, the morning sun hanging just above the horizon.

Onaberus joins the young child and stands beside him.

STEVIE

What is he, Onaberus?

ONABERUSWho?

STEVIE

The thing that’s looking for us.

I’ve seen him, underground, in the

earth. Trapped behind a circle of

stone doors.


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Stevie closes his eyes, frowns, concentrates.

INT. PRIME GATE CAVERN – DAY

The black mass is spread far along the floor of the cavern,dark creepers stretching out.


Stevie opens his eyes, watches the sights below.

STEVIE

He’s poison. Death. And he hates

us, hates us so much.

ONABERUSHe ... was once one of us, one of

the Sophrhokai. He had our gifts.

Saw the world as you do now. This

was all so long ago, Steven. No

one can be sure.

STEVIE

Tell me what you know.

Onaberus sighs heavily.

ONABERUS

His name is long forgotten. All we

know to call him now is the

Prisoner. He wanted more than any

of us had ever been given, had any

right to ask for. He wanted to be

immortal, to be existence itself.

He forced his will upon the earth,

infested it. It was unnatural, an

abomination.

Onaberus’ eyes drift downward towards the city below.

ONABERUS

The gates were his link, the

lifeblood of the earth. He tried

to spread his mind through them,

like a weed. Growing, feeding,


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draining the life from every

world. So the gates were closed.

And he was locked away. It took

war, across all worlds, before he

was stopped.

STEVIE

But not destroyed.

ONABERUS

No. His body’s trapped, but he

still lives, still waits. His

prison has become a wasteland, so

toxic that none can go near it. A

cancer upon the earth, a spreading

plague. Untouchable.

STEVIE

He’s the end of everything.

ONABERUS

If the gates were open to him once

again, yes.

Stevie looks at his feet, takes a deep breath.

STEVIE

I think I opened it. I didn’t meanto, it just happened. Something

pushed against me, in my mind. And

I pushed back. Then I was through.

I brought us here. I’m to blame.

Stevie’s eyes flutter, and he falls forward.

Onaberus catches the child before he hits the ground.

Stevie opens his eyes, takes in his surroundings.

Exhausted, Stevie puts his hands against the glass andstands on his own.

Neither he nor Onaberus say another word.


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KAYLA

And I ... everything seems ...

Ryan tucks his chin against his chest.

KAYLAHow can you just sit there,

pretending you don’t know what I’m

talking about?

Another air WHISTLE sounds, this one deeper, duller than

the first that signalled the airship’s departure.

Other passengers begin to move about, some heading towards

their rooms, others moving to the patio and the tower.

Kayla heads towards the tower.

KAYLA

Get up, and follow me.


The morning sun hangs high in the sky.


Ryan and Kayla reach the top of the observation tower.

Most of the passengers in the dome face forwards.

Stevie stands next to Onaberus near the glass dome. Stevie

looks back as Ryan and Kayla approach, a long glance,

before he returns to the sight before them.

Ahead, still off in the distance, is the Low Capital. The

city is a sweeping expanse of buildings, a man-made

mountain of stone.

Ryan and Kayla stand next to Stevie and Onaberus.

ONABERUS

We’ve arrived.

Stevie smiles, a weary moment of happiness.


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But then his eyes lose focus. He turns away from Ryan,

Kayla, and Onaberus, his attention elsewhere.

STEVIE

It’s too late.

Stevie walks over to the port side of the dome. He begins

to breath heavily, panicked.

STEVIE

He’s found us.

Onaberus, Ryan, and Kayla look over in Stevie’s direction.

STEVIE

The Prisoner, he’s found us. And

he’s sent them to bring us to him.

EXT. HORIZON – DAY

Dark silhouettes move above the horizon. The shapes are far

off, hard to discern. But what can clearly be seen are

The Forest Gate - Elliott Davidson

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Transcript of The Forest Gate - Elliott Davidson