Fallen Wing
Episode Twenty Two: Fepal
[Scene opens to screenshots of Fepal. Bird’s eye view, then shots of the streets, houses. Show peaceful but with an underlined tension in air. See performance stage where resistance members are gathered near, talking to each other, preparing armour/weapons. Nevan is stood on the stage, overseeing everything.]
Narrator: Preparations for a battle you’ve been waiting years to begin. Nothing you’ve imagined can really prepare for what’s to come. All you can do is keep moving.
[Change to town’s entrance (inside looking out) as Asha and Agape enter with Dagan trailing behind them, glancing around nervously.]
[Change to Nevan back view so can see crowd in front/around him. See Agape, Asha and Dagan walk onto screen (from top middle). Nevan nods at them and moves left off screen. Change to Agape/Asha/Dagan side view (right) as Nevan comes on screen from left (also side view).]
Nevan: How’d it go?
[Dagan front view to show him holding a basket. He lifts the lid, revealing the weapon pieces inside.]
Narrator: And hope all your plans and efforts were right. That everyone will make it through alive.
[Nevan front view who nods, looking determined.]
[Opening credits.]
[Open to Elle front view, in a house in Fepal, looking tired, but sorting some food supplies into packs on a table. Pan out to see Leah on her right side, looking at her then smiling and focusing on supplies.]
Leah: I’m glad you’re starting to focus on the present again.
[Elle pauses a moment but then carries on working, nodding.]
Elle: I can’t change what happened; all I can do is focus on what I have left, my brother. I need to help any way I can to make this fight easier for him.
[Leah silent for a moment.]
Leah: It will be a difficult battle, and he is the leader.
Elle [sharply looking at her]: I know that! You don’t need to remind me!
Leah: You need to be prepared for the worse, just in case. I don’t want it to break you.
Elle: It’s easy for you to say! You’re so cold all the time death doesn’t affect you. Nevan is all I have left, I can’t calmly accept he might be dead soon.
[Leah stops working and turns to face Elle, upset.]
Leah: And you’re all I have! You’re all I’ve ever had, and I don’t want to lose you to grief. Just because I don’t display my emotions so openly doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
[Elle sighs, head down. Moment of silence.]
Elle: You’re right, I’m sorry…but I can’t think about losing my brother, I just can’t.
[Hear sudden raise of excited voices outside. Elle looks up and glances at Leah, both puzzled.]
Elle: What’s going on now?
[Move around and head to door (beyond screen). Change to outside house side view, door on left. Door opens, Leah and Elle exit, looking towards far side of screen (so now a back view of them). People in way so can’t see what’s going on.]
[Change to Nevan (left)/Asha, Agape, Dagan (right) side view as they walk towards left of screen (camera moves with them). Nevan smiles reassuringly at people around, who are talking, excited. Nevan stops and faces away from screen, slowly parting crowd in way and heading into the house beyond. Others follow and close door behind them.]
[Scene change to inside house (door just behind camera). Similar to other house but table is empty and has bags/packs on the floor. Fireplace to the left of screen. Nevan has moved round to stand on other side of table (looking in camera’s direction), others are stood on other side facing him.]
Nevan: Sorry about that, any sign of positive news tend to stir everyone up. [Nods at Dagan] Thanks for coming.
[Nevan back view as Dagan nods back and steps forward, placing basket on table.]
Dagan: I’ve seen Firo recently; he’s made it clear he won’t be involved in this.
[Dagan back view as Nevan sighs but nods.]
Nevan: Do you know how to forge the weapon?
[Nevan back view as Dagan shakes head.]
Dagan: I can’t do it, only Firo can. But even if he won’t help in this battle, if you place all the weapon pieces in a fire, he will forge it for you.
[Asha nods.]
Asha: Like how he killed Marcellus. Fern told me.
[Dagan nods at her.]
Dagan: Exactly, he still doesn’t understand his powers, but they seem to react anyway when they’re really needed.
[Dagan back view as Nevan nods in understanding.]
Nevan: In that case, we can set up a fire on the stage, make it public. That should raise morale to see the weapon forged. Once Fern arrives we can start moving.
[Door to house opens, making the others (except Dagan) turn to face it. Elle walks cautiously in, followed by an apologetic Leah.]
Elle: Brother, what’s going on? Is it…good news?
[Elle/Leah back view as Nevan smiles reassuringly.]
Nevan: Yes, our secret weapon is here.
[See Dagan turn around, bored, then expression suddenly changes to shock.]
Dagan: L-Leah?
[Leah front view as she looks over at him, confused.]
Leah: Yes?
[Leah back view as Dagan steps forward, placing both hands on her cheeks, gaze hopeful.]
Dagan [whispering]: Is that really you?
[Dagan back view as Leah frowns, gaze searching Dagan’s face. She then brings her right hand over his.]
Leah: That face…Father?
[Leah back view as Dagan smiles and pulls her into a tight hug.]
Dagan: Oh Leah. Firo said I’d see you again on day but, no, never mind that.
[Leah back view so can look and speak to her.]
Dagan: What happened to you? How much do you remember?
[Elle front view who looks over at Nevan, confused. Elle back view to see Nevan shrug but smile. Dagan (left)/Leah (right) side view.]
Leah: I don’t remember much, just my name and some images. Your face, a woman’s and two others. Trees everywhere with small bright lights floating in the air. Then I just remember the King and Tempit castle. I was there as a slave for six years, then I was given to the Duke as a gift for his granddaughter’s birth. I became her companion. She has treated me well.
[Dagan nods in understanding and glances in Elle’s direction. Change Dagan back view so can see this.]
Dagan: Thank you.
[Elle gives a flustered shake of her head, waving her arms in protest.]
Elle: Huh? I-it was the least I could do! Leah is always so good to me.
[Dagan turns back to look at Leah. Camera follows his focus.]
Dagan: You were still very young when Firo retrieved the first weapon piece from the Earth Realm. Instead of returning it to Ignatius, like he was ordered to, he gave it to us to hide in Laven, where Ignatius couldn’t enter. But Earl attacked with his army, distracting us while one of the immortals of the forest sneaked in and snatched you away. He said he’d return you for the weapon piece, but…
[Trails off, Leah puts a reassuring hand on his arm.]
Leah: But the weapon is too important; you couldn’t afford to do that. I understand.
Elle [camera pans over to her]: But why didn’t you try to steal her back?
[Leah back view as Dagan grits teeth.]
Dagan: Firo forbade it, and the elders sided with him. He swore I’d see you again someday, but if I left the forest back then I would disrupt ‘the plan’. He visited Laven just before those two [indicates Asha and Agape] arrived, saying I needed to leave soon. [sighs] I can understand he’s just following his instincts, but he still irritates me.
[Camera focuses on Nevan beyond them.]
Nevan: Come to think of it, I did mention knowing a young elf to him. Maybe he realised it was Leah, and that’s why he told you to come.
[Focus back on Dagan, who is quiet for a moment, thinking this over.]
Dagan: Perhaps, but he’s still a sulking coward who should be here himself.
[Nevan front view who grins cheerfully. Nevan back view as he starts talking.]
Nevan: The two of you are welcome to stay in this house and catch up. The rest of us will start setting up the fire.
[Dagan back view as Leah smiles past him at Nevan.]
Leah: Thank you.
[Scene change to Fern and Laurel front view, who are walking through green landscape, mid-morning. Laurel is looking ahead, while Fern is looking at ground in thought.]
Laurel: We should reach Fepal at sunset.
[Fern looks up, absent-minded. She nods before looking back down. Laurel sighs, stopping. Fern keeps walking a few paces then frowns and turns back to face him.]
Fern: What are you doing? We have to hurry!
[Laurel stares at her with a hard look.]
Laurel: You’ve barely spoken to me the entire way. We need to talk about this, Fern.
[Laurel back view as Fern stands up straighter, trying to glare him down.]
Fern: There’s nothing to talk about. This has nothing to do with you anymore.
[Fern back view as Laurel gives her hurt look.]
Laurel: That’s hardly true. I’m part of the resistance.
[Laurel back view.]
Fern: Exactly! Your mission is to help Nevan overthrow Earl. But now mine is to save Nat. You said before you were going to see this through to the end, but you’ll only get in my way. Whatever happens next, you should support Nevan, not me.
[Fern back view to see Laurel has head down. Heavy silence.]
Laurel: …I can’t do that. I have a debt to repay.
[Laurel back view.]
Fern: Stay out of this, and I’ll consider it paid.
Laurel: But you won’t forgive me.
[Fern bites lip and sighs, looking away.]
Fern: Laurel, even if you did keep following me, it isn’t going to help. Maybe in time I can forgive you, but I don’t think we could ever be friends the way we used to. We’ve changed too much.
[Fern back view as Laurel looks up, bitter smile on face.]
Laurel: Then I guess there could never be something more either.
[Fern front view who frowns in confusion, then see realisation on face and looks away awkwardly. Laurel front view who nods.]
Laurel: I guess I already knew that. It’s obvious how you feel about Nat.
[Reaches into pocket and takes out old present with Fern’s name on. Change to Laurel back view as he holds it out to Fern, who’s wearing a dubious look on face.]
Laurel: I meant to give you this before the attack happened, but never had the courage. Please take it.
Fern [looks at him, cautious]: I can’t-
Laurel: If you take it I promise to leave you be. I’ll stay with the resistance during the battle.
[Fern sighs but takes the present. Laurel walks past her. Camera stays with Fern so now Fern front view. Watch as she rips paper away and opens little wooden box. Face blank as she lifts a charm bracelet out. Has various charms: a sword, a fire symbol, a pair of shoes, a star, a boomerang, a sun and a moon. She smiles at it sadly, turning to Laurel. Now a back view to see Laurel keeps walking, not pausing, and Fern starts to silently follow.]
[Scene change to Leah/Dagan side view, sat down on opposite side of table, but holding hands in centre.]
Leah: …So my mother is named Amelia, and can cast illusions. You’re an half elf, half farry, who had dark magic. But when the previous King stole it you also lost the ability to shift into your farry form?
[Dagan nods.]
Dagan: I think I miss flying more than I miss having magic. Were you-?
[Leah shakes head, smiling.]
Leah: I’ve never had any magic. Until recently I was aging like a human too, until I turned eighteen.
[Dagan nods again.]
Dagan: Yes, that’s normal for our kind. We don’t die of old age, but we’re also not very fertile. A child is a rare and precious gift. [looks away] Losing you was devastating for everyone in Laven.
[Leah smiles sadly and pats his hand.]
Leah: I’m sorry Father, but at least we got to meet again.
[Dagan looks back at her.]
Dagan: Amelia, your mother, will want to see you. Would you come back with me to Laven?
[Leah is silent, biting lip and looking down at their hands. She sighs.]
Leah: I wish I could, but…I can’t abandon Elle now. She needs all the support she can get for what is to come.
[Dagan frowns, confused. Leah looks up and gives a weak smile.]
Leah: It’s likely her brother will lose his life in the upcoming battle. She’s recently lost her father, I can’t leave her too.
Dagan: Are you going to fight?
Leah: I know the Tempit castle’s layout, I can help with information, but for Elle’s sake I want to avoid danger as much as I can.
[Dagan nods in understanding.]
Dagan: In that case, once the battle is over, you and Elle will be very welcome in Laven. She may need a sanctuary, depending on the outcome.
[Leah nods, slightly confused.]
Leah: Thank you Father. I must admit, I’m surprised you’re so understanding.
[Dagan sighs, smiling.]
Dagan: Long ago, Firo told me you would have an important task to complete, and I wasn’t to get in the way. I disagree with his methods, but he’s been right up till now.
[Leah nods and smiles back.]
Leah: In that case, we will both see you soon in Laven.
[Few seconds of them smiling warmly at each other. Hear sudden cheer outside, making them blink and turn towards door (Dagan has to turn head).]
Dagan: It sounds like the time has come.
[Scene change to Elle alone in house (one she and Leah were in earlier), packing. She sighs then frowns, holding up a magic device in disbelief.]
Elle [thoughts]: How did someone manage to find this? They mustn’t have realised what it is if they just dumped it amongst the other supplies.
[Elle back view as Leah comes through the door, giving her a confused look. Elle front view as she looks up at her, an idea forming in her mind.]
[Scene change to stage front view, where a secure fire has been started and Nevan is keeping an eye on it. He looks up as the cheering gets louder. Change to Nevan back view so can see crowd facing other way, cheering at two distant figures approaching. Close front view of two figures to see it’s Fern (left) and Laurel (right) walking side by side and looking determined. Start walking through the crowd to reach the stage.]
[Change to Nevan front view who grins and nods as they come onto stage (from front, but then walk to stand by right of screen, so Nevan turns to face them).]
Nevan: Glad to see you’re both okay. How’d it go?
[Nevan back view as Fern holds out clothed weapon piece and uncovers it. Nevan whistles.]
Nevan: Well done, this will make our little rebellion a lot more effective.
Fern: What do we do now?
[See Dagan, Elle (who looks very pale/tired), Leah, Asha and Agape approaching from behind Fern and Laurel. Dagan is carrying the basket with other weapon pieces in.]
Dagan: We place them together in the fire, and we wait. Firo will do the rest.
[Dagan back view as Fern turns to face him. Fern close face front view as she nods in understanding.]
[Change to low bird’s eye view of fire as Nevan, Laurel, Fern, Asha and Agape each place a piece on a metal slab over the fire (arrange pieces as best as can to like original sword). They then step back so off screen. Zoom slowly in on weapon pieces, hear the crackling of fire getting louder.]
[Sudden change to Firo close face side view (facing left of screen) as he glances up sharply, eyes wide. Can see fire caves in background. Further back side view to see sat on floor but he now scrambles to feet. Can see Arlen dosing lazily on a rock to right of screen. He yawns but doesn’t open eyes.]
Arlen [sleepily]: What’s wrong with you now?
Firo: The wea- [stops. Change to other side view as he looks in Arlen’s direction (beyond camera), suspicious.] Nothing.
[Back to other side view as Firo looks away again and Arlen just grunts, still not opening eyes. He shuffles a little and drops back off to sleep. Firo front view as he touches new scar going down his left side of face (over eye), both eyes closed.]
Firo [thoughts]: So it’s finally happening. That weapon Ignatius wanted so badly that he enslaved me and killed-
[Opens eyes and removes hand from face, sighing.]
Firo [thoughts]: No, I can trust it with these people. They’ve finally gathered together.
[Closes eyes again in concentration.]
Firo [thoughts]: Good luck, I hope your fight with a King has a better ending than mine did.
[Scene change to fire low bird’s eye view to see pieces have welded together (still red cracks visible where formed). Fire then suddenly dies out, leaving sword perfect and whole (no cracks visible anymore). See group step closer around it so visible on screen, staring down at sword as it cools. Eventually Dagan reaches down and takes hold of sword hilt, lifting it up. Change to Dagan front view to see him turn to the right where Fern is stood next to him. She turns to face him too.]
Dagan: This is for you; a gift from Firo. Use it well.
[Holds it out, blade pointing directly down to floor so Fern can grab the hilt below his hand. Close up of hilt/hands as do this. Fern front view as holds up blade to face, examining it.]
Fern: Thank you. I promise to use it well.
[Change to Nevan front view who is walking off stage (from the side exit). Stops in front of a resistance member (so back view of them). Nevan’s face serious.]
Nevan: It’s time. Give the order for everyone to move out. The resistance heads for Outer Tempit.
[Change to Nevan back view so can see resistance member is Kale, who raises an eyebrow.]
Kale: I thought we were waiting for one army to be wiped out?
[Kale back view as Nevan glares at him.]
Nevan: We need to move before that happens. It will still take days to reach Tempit, and if we only set off once one army is down, it will give the remaining one a chance to fortify their defences.
[Nevan back view as Kale nods.]
Kale: Fine, just don’t let your conscience cost us our chance, leader.
[Kale back view as Nevan narrows eyes at him, voice stony.]
Nevan: Just get them ready, Kale.
[Nevan moves off right of screen. Kale watches him leave, then looks up towards stage at Fern (facing towards him). Fern side view (facing left), still examining sword. Kale front view as hesitates, longing look on face, but then shakes head and moves off in direction Nevan went (off right of screen).]
[Stage front view so can see everyone still on stage around the dead fire. Fern is in centre, facing towards right of screen. Dagan is on her right, facing her. Laurel is on her left, staring around him. Asha is next to him (on bend of fire, so facing right of screen). Agape next to her, with back to screen. Elle in centre with back to camera, and Leah to her right.]
Asha [looking towards Fern’s back]: So what do you plan to do now?
[Fern lowers sword and turns to face her.]
Fern: I’m going to get Nat back, and I’m going to defeat Earl.
Asha: So you plan to sneak into the castle? Earl won’t join the battlefield when both the resistance and the Duke’s army are there.
Fern: If that’s what it takes, then yes.
Leah: …In that case, allow me to accompany you.
[Leah front view so can see Dagan (on her left) look at her in shock. She gives him a sheepish smile.]
Leah: Sorry, I had planned to only give information on the castle’s layout…[looks ahead, serious], but this is too important. Earl must be stopped, and I know the castle better than anyone here. [looks in Fern’s direction]. I can get you in. [looks over meaningfully at Elle, share a look]. We have a plan that will help against Earl.
[Leah back view to see Fern look confused but nods in gratitude.]
Fern: Thank you, in return I will keep you safe.
Asha: No, you’ll be too busy for that. I’ll go and be Leah’s guard. My original mission has failed, so now I’ll help defeat Earl before he can become an even greater threat.
[Fern front view (looking over at Asha, left of screen), nods.]
Fern: Right, then the three of us leave as soon as possible. We wait for the resistance to start their attack and sneak in during the commotion.
Laurel: Then I better help the leader get everything ready.
[Gives Fern one last nod then walks past her off screen/stage. Fern is silent, face unreadable.]
[Change to Agape front view.]
Agape: What about me?
[Agape back view as others look awkward, eventually Asha looks at him.]
Asha: I’m sorry, but you need to stay here with Elle, where it’s safe. Firo said your safety was essential; you can’t be a part of this fight.
[Agape front view as he opens mouth to protest, but closes it again and bows head in defeat.]
Narrator: Final partings are not always known when they occur. Sometimes we say goodbye, never suspecting we’ll never meet again.
[Agape side view so can see Elle beyond him, watching him and looking thoughtful.]
[Screen black, then change to front view of Nevan leading resistance army out of Fepal (Laurel by his side). Late at night.]
[Screen black, Fern/Asha/Leah side view, already outside of Fepal, brisk walking across landscape.]
[Elle/Agape front view, still on stage watching as everyone leaves. Narrator talking while these scenes are shown.]
Narrator: And sometimes we say goodbye unsure if it’s the last time, not knowing if these people will survive what’s to come, what the world will be like tomorrow. And there’s nothing we can do to change it.
[Elle close chest view as she clenches hand into fist where her necklace should be, becoming white.]
[Ending credits.]
[Episode preview.]
Omake/extra: random silliness
[Change to Nevan (left)/Asha, Agape, Dagan (right) side view as they walk towards left of screen (camera moves with them). Nevan smiles reassuringly at people around, who are squealing and jumping up and down, waving pom poms about or holding up a notepad for them to sign. Nevan stops and faces away from screen, struggling through crowd who are trying to grab at them. Heads into the house beyond, others follow and wrestle the door closed behind them.]
[Scene change to inside house (door just behind camera). Similar to other house but table is empty and has bags/packs on the floor. Fireplace to the left of screen. Nevan has moved round to stand on other side of table (looking in camera’s direction), clothes ruffled and torn. Others are stood on other side (also ruffled) facing him.]
Nevan: Sorry about that, there’s a few fangirls in the resistance.
[Nevan back view to see the others shudder in dread.]
[Screen goes black, title reads ‘main character’.]
Elle [camera pans over to her]: But why didn’t you try to steal her back?
[Leah back view as Dagan grits teeth.]
Dagan: Firo forbade it, and the elders sided with him. He swore I’d see you again someday, but if I left the forest back then I would disrupt ‘the plan’. He visited Laven just before those two [indicates Asha and Agape] arrived, saying I needed to leave soon. [sighs] I can understand he’s just following his instincts, but he still irritates me.
[Scene change to Firo front view in fire caves, who’s smirking.]
Firo: Of course I can mess with you! It’s so much fun, and I’m the main character, so you have to listen to me.
[Dagan front view (still in house), irritated/angry.]
Dagan: Not in this story you’re not!
[Screen black, title reads ‘No means no!’]
[Fern back view to see Laurel has head down. Heavy silence.]
Laurel: …I can’t do that. I have a debt to repay.
[Laurel back view.]
Fern: Stay out of this, and I’ll consider it paid.
Laurel: But you won’t forgive me.
[Fern bites lip, looking annoyed.]
Fern: Oh my God! No Laurel, I won’t so stop following me! [turns away and begins walking away.] Nagging isn’t going to change my answer. You really need a new hobby.
[Laurel starts exaggerated crying.]
Laurel: But Fern, I want you!
[Screen black, title reads ‘the weapon’.]
Dagan: We place them together in the fire, and we wait. Firo will do the rest.
[Dagan back view as Fern turns to face him. Fern close face front view as she nods in understanding.]
[Change to low bird’s eye view of fire as Nevan, Laurel, Fern, Asha and Agape each place a piece on a metal slab over the fire (arrange pieces as best as can to like original sword). They then step back so off screen. Zoom slowly in on weapon pieces, hear the crackling of fire getting louder. Wait a few seconds to show nothing is happening. Zoom back out so can see group around the fire, looking at each other, confused.]
Fern: ….Nothing’s happening. Why isn’t Firo doing anything?
[Others look at her and shrug.]
[Scene change to fire caves, side view of Firo who is laid out on the floor asleep. Arlen is sleeping on his stomach and both are snoring.]
[End.]