Scribbled Thoughts

Fallen Wing

Episode one: Monster of Malhand

[Starts with view of clouds in blue sky, camera moving slowly through them; with voice-over]

Narrator/Elle:

Marks of destiny can’t be ignored.

The realm of Ombasa has been in a tense state since its Great War, near two hundred years ago. Dark magic fell into the hands of the royal family of Tempit, and with it the previous King took control of the land, conquering its cities and towns.

            The death of this King was filled with many rumours, and few know the truth. But it’s an event that will change everything.

            Twenty years have passed since King Earl came into power, his dark magic as deadly as his father’s. And yet he seeks a greater power, challenging the Gods themselves.

[Camera stops moving, changes direction, moves downwards. Voice has an echo effect.]

Guardians of the seals beware, he will defeat you.

Monster of Malhand beware, he will find you.

[Shadows swirl/trail onto the screen. from the left they begin to form an F. The rest of the shadows move from the right, and form the ‘allen’. After forming the word the shadows begin to hover and drop downwards. But there’s a space below they can’t touch. A light appears and engulfs the whole screen (white). The shadow (upside down and backwards) of the word slowly descends onto the screen, at first too big to fit on then shrinking to its normal size. The shadows twist/merge/move to be normal solid words (the right way round). The background goes back to cloud scene and the word Wing is left behind, pure white and bold.]

[Speed up descend from clouds to view landscape, top of forest, river in forest with a figure crouched over it. Screen goes black for an instant, and then focuses on bloody hands being vigorously washed in the stream. Splashing sounds, angle changes to front view of figure. See head bent down in shadows, gritting his teeth, black hair covering eyes face with red streaks melting to white. Camera focuses on background beyond face, see an outline of body on forest floor, just before the trees start. There is blood spilling through a hole in the chest area. The body is wearing a purple guard’s uniform. The forest life is silent. Goes to a side-view shot of crouching figure, face still in shadow]

Nat: [cold and steady voice] I warned you, I always warn you.

[Changes to close front view of Nat, focusing on chin down. His right hand moves to his black fur jacket, touching the blood on it. He sighs, hand clutching it tightly. Camera moves up slightly to see his face clearly, a sad, longing expression.]

Nat: Sorry Corven, I’m ruining your coat.

[The sound of rustling is heard, Nat doesn’t turn to look. In the background behind Nat see a shaggy grey wolf emerge through the trees. Camera focuses on wolf (but doesn’t change angle), then back to Nat.]

Nat: [without turning] Just leave me alone. [Shouts] Leave me!

[Camera goes to front view of wolf, who stands a moment, staring at Nat (beyond the screen), then moves towards the body (camera follows) and laying next to it. Gazes up at Nat, camera moves out back to front view of Nat with wolf visible in background. Focus on Nat.

Nat: [crazy laugh, hand gripping hair. He looks upwards; camera also looks upwards, focuses on seeing forest, sunlight shining amongst the tree branches higher up (extended from the ones the wolf emerged from, and ones to the side of the clearing).

Nat: [camera still focused on above forest] I hate him.

[Screen goes black, side view shot of a brown-cloaked figure at the edge of the forest. Focuses closer on their body (head not in view) they pull out a long needle-weapon from under the cloak (with left hand). Camera shifts to side-shot of lower face (the rest is covered with hood), see them smirk and step into the forest. Screen goes black again]

Ashe [hear voice on black screen]: I’ve finally found you.

[Screen goes black. Title: Episode one: Monster of Malhand appears on screen.]

[A loud noise is heard, the impact of someone slamming against a wall. At the same time the screen suddenly shows someone’s mid-body hitting a wooden house wall. Hear a gasp and focus on close up shot of Fern as she scowls and rubs her right arm that hit the wall. Camera changes to shoulder shot so can see a guard striding past.]

Guard: Watch where you’re going!

[Front view of Fern who tskeds/growls, camera close up on her hand as it moves towards her sword. Close up of her face as she takes a deep breath and lets it out. Close up of hand again as she releases her grip on the sword. Close up of face again.]

Fern: Come on Fern, no unwanted attention remember?

[Hear stomach growling, camera slides down to her stomach. Her hand touches her stomach. Front view angle of her (entire body), Fern sighs and begins walking forward past the camera

[Camera to an angled bird’s eye view of street (maybe change to different angles to view detail of town clearly), Fern on left side, (at same time have a subtitle appear at bottom of screen: Tempit, Main District) see detail of town. People moving about on the street, as well as guards patrolling. Behind her (about a hundred metres behind, but at top of screen) is the huge door entrance into the city, surrounded by a big gate. Two guards in a purple uniform are guarding the door. (Fern is walking the opposite way of this) The floor is pavement where Fern was walking when shoved by the patrolling guard. On the left (Fern’s right) is a line of evenly spaced wooden houses with flat roofs and one floor (one which she was knocked into the side of). On the right (Fern’s left) are close together shops and inns, made of bricks.]

[Camera side-shot view of Fern on street. Fern stops outside a place on the left side of street, with the sign ‘restaurant’ hung over the door. She’s about to go in (her back to the camera, which is now closer) when she hears the voices of two children nearby, she pauses and looks to the right. Camera shoulder shot of her watching the two children, a boy and girl, playing hopscotch (drawn on the ground with black coal, which the little boy is holding, his hands filthy) as they talk. Little girl is hopping, while little boy is on her right (nearer to centre of street) facing the girl/hopscotch, leaning forwards slightly with hands behind back.

 Boy: I dare you!

Girl: [Stops hopping and turns towards him, hands on hips. Camera angle moves closer to kids, past Fern. When one talks the camera pans over to them, back and forth.] No way! You go first!

Boy: I’ve already been in Malhand forest and I saw it! It was huge with twenty legs and a zillion eyes!

Girl: You’re lying!

[Camera pans back to boy who sticks his tongue out and laughs. He moves closer to her, camera follows so both are in view. Boy pushes girl and runs past the camera. Camera angle back to Fern shoulder shot, see the boy running past her off screen, laughing. (Still shoulder-shot view) The girl steadies herself, pouts and stamps her foot before running after him, moving off screen. Fern turns around, shift camera shoulder shot in other direction, seeing girl running after boy]

Girl: I’m telling on you!

[Close up view of Fern, she laughs and shakes her head. Turns to left (her right) 90 degrees so facing the front of restaurant again. Camera shifts to shoulder shot as she goes in. Screen goes black then resumes shoulder shot of Fern in ‘restaurant’, see whole of the tavern as Fern looks it over. Wooden round tables with a few middle-aged drunks sat on wooden stools around them. To the far left is the counter with more stools in front and a middle-aged woman behind it, cleaning. Front view of Fern.]

Fern: Restaurant? Looks more like a tavern to me. [Frowns, but then shrugs. Shoulder shot as she moves towards the counter.]

Fern: Do you serve food here?

[Woman looks here over, obvious displeasure on face.]

Woman/Martha: Only to those that can afford it.

Fern: [anime irritated, camera shifts to Fern front view shot, see her give a tight-lipped smile with eyes closed, which twitches. She raises her right hand to show her purse. Close side shot, Fern extracts some coins and places them on the counter top. Martha picks them up. Goes back to Fern shoulder shot. Martha bites the coins to check authenticity, Fern gets more anime irritated. Fern front close up.]

Fern: Is that eno- she’s interrupted by the sound of a sword being drawn. Shift to side shot. Fern spins around, pulling out her own sword and parries the upper blow of guard who bumped into her earlier. Close up of guard, then side view.]

Guard: I thought you looked familiar before. You’re that wench wanted for treason and murder! [Looks over Fern towards the counter, which is off camera] Martha, go sound the alarm!

[Shoulder shot of guard, so can see Fern in front of him, and Martha behind the counter in background. Camera focuses on Martha (but doesn’t change angle) as she scrambles from behind the counter and runs towards, then past, them. Fern shoulder shot that focuses on Martha in background running out the tavern door, with some of the drunken customers following. Camera focuses on guard. He grins, and puts more pressure into his attack, making Fern step back so no longer visible to camera. Front view of counter for second, then see Fern bang/come onto camera, slamming against it. She winces, then eyes widen as she ducks. A sword swings down from off-camera and gets stuck in the counter. Shift to close up of guard as he grunts/curses in frustration. Shift to side-shot view (Fern/counter on left, guard to the right). Fern –still ducking- spins around and moves forward so she’s now behind him on the right. She then leaps back up, sword ready. Fern shoulder shot as the guard twists his head around to follow her movements, growls/yells and turns back to yank his sword out of the counter. Back to side-shot view as they begin a series of sword parries, making Fern move backwards towards the tavern entrance/exit. Can see remaining drunken customers in the background as they move down, watching with vacant expressions. Camera close up on swords when they become locked together below their knees. Fern shoulder shot as guard sneers at her.

Guard: Give up yet?

[Guard shoulder shot to see Fern give a determined grin]

Fern: You wish.

[Fern gives a battle cry. Close up of swords as Fern swings her in a tight circle motion, weakening the guards grip on his own. Side shot view (Fern on right, guard on left) as Fern knocks his sword out of his hands with a side-swing. Hear it clatter to the ground. She kicks him in the stomach/groin. He groans and drops to his knees as Fern turns and runs out of the tavern, camera following her. Out on street view of Fern’s back and street beyond. As she begins to run a fireball shoots onto screen from the left. As it gets closer camera shifts to side view (Fern on left, tavern behind her, fireball heading towards camera direction). Fern turns to see the fireball and jumps, stumbles back as it continues off screen. She stares after it (angle stays same). In the background can see an unfocused purple robed figure.]

Male voice/Magician: Not so fast, traitor!

[Fern turns her head in his direction, camera becomes focused on him. Close up of magician to see the magical device he’s wearing. It’s a black snake-like/coil design that starts on the right side of his face, travels down his neck under his clothes and becomes visible again wrapped around the end of his right hand (which is outstretched towards Fern). The beginning of the device near his face is glowing red, causing the skin around it to burn/scar. Heat waves are visible, coming from his right hand. Camera shift to semi-close side view of Fern (still looking at magician), tavern entrance right of screen, magician behind camera direction.

Fern: [tsks] Fake magic.   

[Fern turns so she is facing camera, becoming a front-view. She closes her eyes (camera zooms in on her face), face scrunched up in concentration. Close front view of magician; see his face twitch, features showing pain. Back to Fern zoomed-in view.]

Fern [inner thought voice, slight echo effect]: Using that power depends on making a mind-link to the source of the magic, but if that link is blocked…

[Close shot of magician’s right hand and see the heat waves vanish. Close shot of his face; see the red glow of device fade. Front view shot of him as he stumbles. Magician shoulder shot of him looking at Fern]

Magician [pained voice]: What are you?

[Close up of Fern, passive look on face]

Fern: Good question. 

[Fern spins around and begins running, (camera stays where it is to watch her run away) towards the Main District exit. See a side shot of left (houses) side of street where the two kids from earlier are sat outside a house. Fern runs past, from left to the right of the screen, they watch her, confused. A few seconds later five guards run past (same direction). Kids stare at each other. Shifts to a side-shot of Fern running down the street.]

Fern [inner thought voice, slight echo effect]: I can’t keep up the mind block and fight properly at the same time! It will be smarter to run. Hopefully they’ll give up, or I’ll lose them once I enter a less open-spaced area.

[Camera shifts to a very low bird’s eye view shot, showing the top of Fern’s head. It begins to ascend so can see Fern still running, while the guards chasing her have horses brought to them, mount and begin following her. Rises to see whole of Tempit (including Private District to the left and Open District at bottom of screen). Camera then descends in a sweeping motion so the landscape is visible, changing the focus direction to North (Tempit now behind). Moves north, going faster over green landscape, the sky slowly gets darker to sunset time. Begin to see trees in the distance, looming closer, reach the trees then begin to travel through the forest, swerving to travel North-east until see a figure in the distance, and hint of a clearing past the trees in front). Move closer to a view of their back (then slow camera speed), see them wearing a brown cloak, in their left hand a long needle-weapon glints in the sunset light shining through branches overhead. Can hear sounds of a river ahead, but there are no animal sounds. Brief close up shot of cloaked face, then shift to shoulder shot as she moves through the trees, stops one step short of entering the clearing. Can now see the river about twenty metres away. Close to the river bank there’s a tree trunk, where Nat is sleeping (facing direction of camera/cloaked figure), propped up against it (has some trees scattered to the left and right of the clearing). Camera close up of Nat, showing he no longer has his coat on. Close up shot of a tree to Nat’s left (right of screen) where the coat is hung on a branch, now free of blood. Back to cloaked figure shoulder shot to show whole of clearing, see that the body from earlier is gone, only a bloodstain remains. Change to semi-distant front-view of cloaked figure as she steps takes a step from the tree’s shelter and into the edge of clearing. Camera shot of looking upwards at forest, (as if on ground looking up) see branches that have extended from trees around, and sunset light trying to get through. Hear a single bird chirp. Extreme close up of Nat’s face/eyes as they snap open. Nat shoulder shot to show him staring in cloaked figure’s direction. Brief close up of Nat again to show his scowl, then back to shoulder shot.]

Nat: Whoever you are, leave now. I don’t tolerate trespassers in my forest.

[Front view of cloaked figure’s feet as she steps further into the clearing. The camera travels up their body until reach head/shoulder shot. Their hands come up to push back the cloak’s hood. Reveals a woman (appears to be in her twenties) with long red hair (most still tugged under cloak) and yellow eyes. Close up of Nat to show him frowning. Back to front view shot.

Ashe: Forgive me; I am no threat to you or your forest. I came here to check something very important is safe.

[Goes to distant side shot so can see both of them on screen, Nat/river on left, Ashe/forest on right. Brief moment of silence between them, then see a bird soar down and land on Nat’s shoulder. When lands on his shoulder camera shift to Nat front view. The bird chirps and pecks at Nat’s left ear (one closest to right side of screen). He growls and waves it off. He stands (camera follows him) and moves over to the tree where his coat is on a low branch (slightly left angled back view). He pulls it down and puts it on (while answering Ashe).

Nat: Everything in this forest’s perimeter is protected by me. Whatever it is, it’s safe here, but you’re not. Leave… [Head turns to look to the right, past Ashe into the forest, looking thoughtful] and quickly. I’ve been informed there are other intruders heading this way.

[Shift to Ashe front view, Nat partly visible on top left corner of screen, looking back at the tree his coat had been on, where a bird has landed, jumping about anxiously. (Bird not visible at this point until Ashe moves closer later)]

Ashe: [anxious] I can’t do that until I’ve checked the seal! [Starts moving closer to Nat, camera shifts to back view of Nat watching bird, see Ashe approach on his right. His body tenses, then he turns to face her, scowling. [Now a side-shot, Nat (left) and Ashe (right) stood close together. Nat steps back, then stares down at Ashe’s left hand holding the needle-weapon. She follows his gaze then tucks the weapon under her cloak. Gazes back at Nat (trying to do it eye-level, but having trouble due to height difference, which makes Nat’s frown deepen.] Protecting that seal is the only way to prevent a horrendous, epic war! [Is moving her arms for emphasis, Nat steps further back to avoid them (do brief close up of Nat’s face to show his disbelief/indignation). Shifts to shoulder shots/close ups, changing position/direction depending on which person is talking.]

Nat: How do you know about the seal? What war? I haven’t heard about one starting.

Ashe: It hasn’t yet but it will if we don’t stop it!

Nat: There’s no we in this! The seal is safe. It will remain safe under my protection, so lea-

[Interrupted by distant howling of a wolf. Side view shot to show them both freeze up then turn to gaze to right side of screen (towards forest/trees). Camera shift to front view of clearing entrance (where Ashe came out of). Hear sound of running in the distance. Few seconds of this then see Fern burst into the clearing, carrying her sword in right hand. Runs forward past screen/camera. Shift to front view of Ashe (Nat barely visible in background behind her due to his height), who looks shocked but jumps out of the way, to the right of screen. Fern runs onto screen and collides into Nat, knocking then onto floor (camera shift to close side view as they fall/land). Brief close up of ground past Ashe’s feet as Fern’s sword lands there with a loud clatter. Back to close side view. Fern is breathing heavily/quickly.

Nat: What the hell? [Begins to struggle under Fern, annoyed. Fern looks at him, exhausted and unfocused. She stares down at Nat for a few seconds, he stares back, face relaxing. Fern blinks, ruining the moment, and Nat tries to jerk away. She sighs and shakily lifts her arms to either side of him and climbs to her feet while Nat remains stiff on the floor (camera follows Fern as she stands up, facing left of screen, side view). She keeps a close eye on Ashe as she moves swiftly past her, leaps/somersaults down and picks up her sword (camera moves with her). Brief shot of lower side view to see Nat begin to get up, never taking his eyes off Fern. Close side view of Fern as she walks/skips backwards a few steps (past Nat and Ashe, but still close to them) towards the right side of screen/the clearing entrance, looking tense and still out of breath and sweating. She points swords at now crouching Nat.]

Fern [inner thought voice, slight echo effect]: I’ve been running all day, blocking their magic. There’s no way I have the strength to fight these two together. Better to target the weaker looking one and hope the other will hesitate to strike.

[Changes to Fern shoulder shot, can see Nat crouching in front of her (slightly angled downwards to see him properly). Camera focus goes to Nat, Fern blurred. Nat is staring at her, opens his mouth to speak. Suddenly hear an owl hoot. Nat turns head sharply to his left (right of screen). He grits his teeth. Camera shifts to Nat shoulder shot (angled upwards to see Fern). His head moves to stare at Ashe, then at Fern again. Nat front view.]

Nat: Who are you people? Why are the King’s men chasing you?

[Front view of Fern, a shocked expression on her face.]

Fern: How do you know that?

[Nat front view. He stands up, camera follows him. He crosses his arms, looking stern.]

Nat: I know everything that’s happening in this forest. Your attempts to lose them failed and they’re heading this way.

[Fern front view.]

Fern: Damn! [She grits her teeth and spins around to walk over to the clearing’s entrance. As she spins time moves in slow motion, camera zoom in on her necklace, which has swung with her body, glinting in the light. See the silver necklace’s leaf design. Close up of Nat’s chest, see him clutch at his own identical necklace. Camera moves up to see his face, frowning but mystified/admiring.]

[White flash on screen to indicate flashback. Black and white photo type shots. See a young, crying Nat (side shot) with a woman whose features are hidden. The woman places leaf necklace around Nat’s neck]

Woman [slight echo effect]: This is a very special necklace. It can only be worn by a person who is very important for this world. You will change everything one day, my little Nat.

[Fade back to present day, still close up of Nat. Go to brief Nat shoulder shot to see Fern walking towards the clearing’s entrance, sword ready to attack. Close up, angled side view of Fern’s determined face, staring at entrance. Shift back to Nat front view, watching her (but she’s not visible in shot).

Nat: [inner thought voice, slight echo effect] Who is she?

[Fern back view, she glances over her left shoulder in Ashe’s and Nat’s direction (but can’t see them on screen).

Fern: I’m hoping you guys also hate the King and will help fight off his guards.

[Changes to Fern shoulder shot, but in direction she’s facing, so can see Ashe.]

Ashe: [smiles] I’m not much of a fighter, but I’m on your side.

[Fern back view, looking over shoulder (still looking in Ashe’s direction). Gives a tired smile back. Then clears her face and shifts her eyes to gaze in Nat’s direction (no camera change).]

Fern: And you?

[Nat front view, looking at Fern (but she’s off screen)]

Nat: [lifts chin up] I will always protect my forest from that mad man.

[Side shot view including both of them (can see Ashe blurred in background). See them staring at each other, unreadable looks on their faces. Close up of Fern’s face for a few seconds, and then see her smile. Go to close up of Nat, who gives a small smile/smirk as a response.]

Nat: hmph

[Fern back view (still looking over shoulder), but angled so can see the clearing entrance behind her.]

Fern [inner thought voice, slight echo effect]: This guy…for some reason, I want to trust him.

[Camera focuses on clearing entrance beyond Fern (but angle doesn’t change). See the magician and five guards burst into the clearing, panting but armed. Fern turns head to face them (camera angle doesn’t change). Magician looks strained and angry, the burn around the magic device has spread, nearly reaching his eye (brief close up to show this, then back to previous view).]

Magician: Little bitch, hiding in the forest where our horses can’t follow.

[Angled front view of Fern. She grins but grips her sword tighter (close up of her hands when she does this). Front view of magician.]

Magician: [smirks] Looks like you’ve worn yourself out. [Close up of his face as he scrunches it up in concentration.]

[Close up of Fern. She gasps, sweat running down her face. Shift to her point of view; see her vision (screen) begin to darken. Back to Fern close up].

Fern: [inner though voice, slight echo effect]: It’s no use, I don’t have enough strength left to keep blocking him.

[Back to viewing through Fern’s point of view, seeing a close up of magician (vision/screen going dark), goes closer to focus on his face, then mouth, see him give a toothy grin. Vision/screen fades to complete black. Shift to distant side view of group, magician/clearing entrance on right, Ashe near the tree in distant left/middle, facing camera direction but eyes watching Fern/magician, Nat to the left/middle, Fern in middle. Fern collapses on the floor; face forward (her face resting to one side (her right) in direction of camera. Camera focus/follow sword hitting the ground (to her right/closest to front of screen). Camera angle from the ground near Fern, angled up to view Nat. Nat glances down at her (Fern partly visible at bottom of screen, head closest to screen, legs in distance), looking bored, before his gaze shifts up in direction of magician (not visible). Front view of magician, now holding a fireball in his outstretched right hand.]

Magician: I’m going to enjoy this.

 [Flames of ball flare, he moves his arm up to side of his head, ready to throw the ball at Fern. Brief shot of Fern on ground, then moves to ground shot just in front of Fern, angled to stare up a the magician. His grin widens. A figure moves in front of the screen, coming on from the left and blocking all sight. Screen now brown. Shift to a side view to show Ashe has stepped in front of Fern, shielding her. Brief front view of Ashe to show her determined face. Front view of magician, he pauses in throwing the fireball, a scowl on his face.]

Magician: Don’t interfere! This woman is a traitor, wanted for three murders. Anyone who assists her will also be considered a traitor.

[Camera moves back enough to see the other guards around the magician. The one closest to the magician’s left (right on screen) is staring in Ashe’s direction, looking horrified. Brief front shot of Ashe to show what he’s staring at, then back. Left-angled front view of Nat, who has his arms crossed, glaring at the magician (not on screen).]

Nat: The King has no authority in my forest.

[Front view of magician, but distant enough to include the guard to his left (right of screen).]

Magician: [scoffs] Your forest?

Guard #1: [scared and stuttering] S-sir, it’s the monster of Malhand! [Points a shaky finger at Ashe. Camera view shift to guard shoulder shot so can see Ashe.]  Her hair will blaze alive and burn us all, just like in Firo (pronounced fire-o)!

[Camera angle doesn’t change, see Nat casually step from behind Ashe (to his right, the left of screen), camera moves to Nat front view. He rolls his eyes and grits his teeth.]

Nat: No, I’m the guardian of this forest, idiot!

[Front view of magician, who’s staring at Nat, Camera shifts to Nat, starting at his feet and moving up, finishes on close up of his face. Shifts back to magician front view, then back to Nat face close up, while magician is doing thought speech].

Magician: [inner thought voice, slight echo effect] Black hair, brown eyes, short…and that scowl, [magician front view, evil grin] too similar to be a coincidence.

Magician: Keep the boy alive, he’s to come with us. His Majesty has been searching for him a long time.

[Nat close up, shocked/panicked look. Magician/guards front view. Magician draws arm back further and throws the fireball, aimed at Fern. Front view of Ashe as she drops to the floor (camera follows, becomes a ground side shot), she covers Fern with her own body (head buried against her left shoulder/shoulder closest to front of screen). Camera moves out a little so can see the ground around them. Branches begin to sprout from the ground growing thick and fast over the two girls, shielding them. Close up side view of them, see Ashe turn her head in direction of camera, staring at the vines in confusion, as they wind around her face, but leave her mouth clear. Go back to side-view to see the fireball hit the branches/vines. Ashe makes a startled noise. The vines hit are singed, but more come to wrap over them.

Camera shift to Nat front view, his head bowed (can just see the vines moving to continue cocooning the girls at bottom of screen). Move to face/shoulder close up. He looks up, his eye colour changed from brown to black, the rest/outer section bloodshot. The white streaks in his hair begin to dye red.]

Nat: I’m warning you, leave now.

[Magician close up]

Magician: [evil grin] We’ve finally found you.

[Backs out to front view of magician. Magician raises his arms, the coil material of the device near his neck grows a new part, it moves down his neck (follow process, move over his clothed left arm/ closest to right of screen) and over his left hand. The burn/scar on his face grows over his eyebrow, burning it. The magician begins to move his hands in a flowing/circular motion, coaxing flames to appear in front of him. He stops the flowing motion and stares at Nat. Shift to Nat shoulder shot, magician in line of sight.]

Magician: Come along now, the King is waiting.

[(Camera angle doesn’t change.) Makes swift hand motions, directing fire towards Nat. moving it forwards past the screen view. Shift to ground view that includes Nat’s feet. The fire lands in front of Nat’s feet, and begins to spread on either side. Cackling fire noise. Low bird’s eye view of Nat, showing the fire forming a circle around Nat, imprisoning him. Close face/shoulder view of Nat, head bowed, flames flickering in front of him.]

Nat: I…[flash of flames covering screen, move to face close up (flames no longer visible, but can hear then cackling). See that his hairstreaks are now blood red.]…will never…[Lifts head and looks up to see his eyes, wisps of black smoke circling him/visible on camera screen. His voice deepens, dead-pan tone.]…let him find me.

[A black cloud covers his face/screen view. Camera moves out to distant front view (include fire circle). The cloud thins out around him just above the fire circle. Low bird’s eye view of Nat to see the black mist form a circle around him and begins to lower itself onto the flames. Hear a sizzling noise. Back to front view, camera follows the black mist as it descends over fire, putting it out as it touches it (still has sizzling noise). Close up view of magician as his smirk falls. Low bird’s eye view of Nat as the mist reaches the ground, putting out the last of the fire. Shift to front view of magician.]

Magician: [enraged] I will take you back!

[Close up of magician’s face. See his face’s veins and arms (shift to close up of arms for a moment) begin to stick out; his skin turns a burnt red. Front view shot of magician, holds out his hands in a cupped form. He screams in pain/rage, a blue fireball bursts into life in his hands. Shoulder/head front view of Nat, a blank, unconcerned look on his face. Back to magician front view who lifts both hands above his head (switch to low camera view close to magician, looking up, so can still see raised arms). He flings/heaves the ball in Nat’s/camera’s direction. Change to side-view that includes them both (Nat to left/middle, just a little behind the branch cocoon, Magician on left, still near clearing’s entrance, with guards a step behind him, in a huddle. Fireball travels across the screen, reaching over the branch cocoon before the camera angle changes to shoulder shot view of Nat, fireball coming towards him. When close the black mist forms into a thick cloud, hovers in front of Nat (change to Nat front view) and swallows the fireball. Brief close up face shot of magician to show his astonished face, then back to Nat front view. The black/dark cloud shoots forward. Camera follows point of view of cloud, rushing towards the magician, close up to his right eye, into the blackness of his pupil. Screen black, hear a loud snapping noise. A few seconds pause before front view of magician hovering in the air, the dark cloud/mist form wrapping around his neck, which is bent at an odd angle (to the right of screen). His eyes are still open, looking shocked. Mouth is also open. Camera moves to a close side-shot of Ashe, the branches parted away from around her. She climbs to her feet (camera follows) and stares in direction of magician (not on screen). She makes a surprised noise, hand going to cover mouth. She pauses, and then removes it. Camera close up of her mouth, see her smile.

Ashe: Interesting, just what we need.

[Camera shift to the front view of the guards (now all huddled on the right of screen), staring in horror at the suspended magician. Close up of Nat’s face, his blank space changing to a manic grin (close up side shot of mouth for this, then back). He slowly tilts his head to the side (his right, left of the screen). Camera switch to front view of magician, his body drops to the floor. Back to front view of guards to see some of them whimpering/slouching and backing away towards the entrance of clearing. Guard #1 has moved back, and another now stands near the magician (guard #2). Closer front view of Guard #2, who glares at the others (not on screen).

Guard #2: Cowards! Don’t dishonour our King by run-

[Suddenly see dark cloud appears behind him (now bigger), he begins to turn (brief shot of close back of head/shoulder shot as his head turns, then back to front view), but is engulfed. Whole body is enclosed in dark cloud. A second passes then hear an agonised scream. Camera moves further back so can see the rest of the guards on screen. They’re now panicking, but none daring to move much or run away (whimpers, exclamations of surprise etc). Closer front view to show dark cloud and closest guard to it (guard #3), who’s facing the cloud (cloud facing screen, guard’s left side visible). Guard #3 has a scared/concerned but determined look on his. He reaches his arm into the cloud.

Guard #3: Hold on Shaun!

[Brief face close up of Guard #3. Hear a crack, Guard #3 screams. Back to front view, slightly closer so don’t have all of cloud in view. Pulls out his arm to show a bloody stump. He stares at it in shock (Closer view for brief moment, then back to close front view), then notices wisps of dark mist moving up the stump. Moves to front view further back to include dark cloud. Guard #3 stumbles back (breathing heavy, panicked mutterings) but trips, falling on his butt. He screams again as the cloud engulfs him. More cracking noises are heard, then blood shoots out of the cloud. Camera shifts to close up of ground (in between the cloud and Fern), show splashes of blood landing there. Shift again to very low bird’s eye view of Fern (right side of her face visible); see blood land on her face. Change to front view of remaining guards, see blood splash on them. They wipe at the blood on their horrified faces with shaking hands. Hear Nat chuckle. The guards look slightly left of camera (in Nat’s direction). Camera shift to front view of Nat (head still tilted to screen’s left side), does another chuckle/manic laugh. Tilts head back up.

[Camera moves back to front view of guards. Guard #1 is in front, hand still raised to chest height from when he wiped the blood off his face. He’s looking in Nat’s direction (brief close shot of Nat, then back to guards). Guard #1 begins to back away.]

Guard #1: RUN!

[Other guards snap their gaze away from Nat to Guard #1, then begin to run into the forest/past the clearing’s entrance (out of view). Watch till all of them fade from sight. Camera changes to Nat front view, who full out laughs. Camera goes to front view of dark cloud, which thins out, revealing that no bodies or blood it had engulfed are left. It reforms into a long snake like figure (but with no clear head/animal shape) and shoots off into the forest after the guards. Camera stays focused on forest/where the cloud disappeared to. A few seconds later hear the terrified then agonised screams of the guards. Camera shifts to front view of Ashe staring off into the forest. She wears a blank look. Goes to Nat front view, see him tilt head to his left (screen’s right) eyes on Ashe (can’t see her on screen). Changes to a side view of them, Nat on middle/left (facing Ashe), Ashe middle/right (facing the forest, her back to Nat). Fern is on the floor in front of Ashe (Fern closer to screen, Ashe behind her). Close side view of Ashe, see her stiffen and then spin around to face Nat, starting to look scared. Front view of Nat still watching her.

[Back to front view of forest/clearing’s entrance. The dark cloud comes back out, shooting to the front left of the camera. Shift to Ashe side-view as it moves towards her. She holds up her right hand around her head to shield herself, a scared gasp escaping her. Close front view of her chest/stomach to see her move to a semi-crouching position, left hand pulling out a needle weapon from under her cloak. Back to side-view as it’s almost on her. A loud wolf howl is heard, making the dark cloud halt in front of Ashe. Shift to front view of forest/clearing’s entrance. A grey wolf comes running out, panting, moving towards slight left of camera. Goes to close Nat side view, who blinks, looking confused. More distant side view to include Nat and the wolf (who’s gone past Ashe and Fern now). The wolf begins to glow white and leaps at Nat (close side-view of wolf leaping), front legs knocking into his chest (close side view of wolf and Nat’s chest), sending them both splashing into the river (camera follows them closely as fall, then remains as low bird’s eyes view, angled to the left, as they splash into river) and sink under the surface. Stays focused there until the ripples die down. Camera switches directions, so now a ground view shot (on top of the river surface, so there’s water near bottom of screen) looking over the clearing, angled upwards so can see a blurred Ashe (facing other way) in the distance (forest in the greater distance). Can see the dark cloud hovering in front Ashe, it begins to disappear. Ashe and dark cloud come into focus, camera zooms in on her as the dark cloud disappears completely. Close side shot of Ashe as she lowers her right hand from defensive position and stands up straight from her semi-crouching stance (left hand still holds the needle-weapon, but it’s not visible from this angle). She gazes at the spot in front of her where the cloud had been (angle doesn’t change) looking relieved, but weary. Her head suddenly jerks up a little, and she spins around to face the river. Changes back to low river angle looking upwards to distant Ashe. See her pause a moment, and then begin running towards the river/camera. When she’s half way there Nat breaks free/rises from the water’s surface, blocking the view of Ashe. Hear him taking in deep gulps of air. Camera shifts to low front view of riverbank as Nat slaps his hand down on it, gripping at the mud. Changes to Ashe shoulder shot, watching Nat as he drags his arms/elbows up to rest them on the bank. He’s coughing. Have brief Nat close up of his head bowed as he coughs. Can see his already fading red streaks melt to white. Back to Ashe shoulder shot, watching Nat as he pulls himself out of the water and sits on the bank, facing Ashe, river behind him. Low side shot of Nat (slightly distant), angled up, as the wolf comes out of the water (don’t see this, just hear it and have some water splash onto screen) and climbs onto bank, blocking the screen’s view of Nat. The wolf shakes itself off. Change to front view of Nat and wolf (Nat on right, wolf on left, river behind), Nat looks up and swears, raising his arms to protect against the spray. Brief close up of Nat’s face to show his eyes are back to their normal brown. Front view of Nat and wolf (still shaking himself off).]

Nat: Stupid wolf! You didn’t need to push me in the river!

[Shift to front view of wolf, who is scratching his ear, then licks/bites at his back foot (one furthest from Nat, wolf’s right foot, one to the left of screen, so it looks like wolf is completely ignoring him) Close side view/shoulder shot (more shoulder shot, but only his head is turned in wolf’s direction (his right/screen up), rest is still facing forward). Of Nat looking at wolf, anime irritated sign appearing on head.

Nat: Don’t ignore me you bastard!

Ashe: [From off screen]: That’s an interesting curse.

[Nat looks turns his head back to face forward (still see from a side-shot, so he’s looking off to the left of the screen). Changes to front view of Ashe, smiling. She still holds her needle-weapon, which she now tucks back under her cloak. Front view of Nat, frowning up at her (he’s still sat down/sprawled out on the ground).

Nat: It’s not a curse, it’s magic. And why are you still here? Leave now, before it comes back.

[Side view of them both, from opposite side of before, so Nat/river is on right and Ashe on the left. Wolf in background behind Nat. Stays at this angle for a few seconds, neither speaking. Goes to close side-view of Ashe (from the new side view, right side of Ashe).

Ashe: I’m not your enemy. I doubt my presence will trigger your curse. [Pause, looks down, then back up, face more determined.] I came to help.

[Close side view of Nat (from new side view, left side of Nat)]

Nat: [laughs] You can’t help me. [Begins to stand, camera follows him up. Once standing, changes to Nat shoulder shot facing Ashe.] The seal is safe as long as I’m here, so there’s no need for you to worry.

[Ashe close side view (now back to original side view direction, left side of Ashe)]

Ashe: There’s too much at stake to be reassured with that! [Takes a step forward] Besides, I’ve heard of a similar curse before, and I think the only way to help is leaving here and confronting the root of your power.

[Nat close side view]

Nat: [flinches, head jerks back a little] Root? What would you know about it?

[Ashe close side view]

Ashe: [smiling with eyes closed] Just rumours, but if they’re true you can’t hide here forever. And if he comes after you here the seal will also be in danger.

[Front view of Nat looking down, frowning in thought (close up of face). Low bird’s eye view, slightly angled, to show Nat staring at the grooming wolf. Then goes to Nat shoulder shot, looking past Ashe, camera zooms over to Fern behind them (back where Ashe was nearly attacked by cloud), low bird’s eye view of Fern’s face/shoulders, can see her necklace lying on right of the ground next to her (still attached around her neck, but chain long enough for it to rest on ground next to her). Close up of leaf pendant of necklace. Shifts to Nat face close up.

Nat: [inner thought voice, slight echo effect] Today has been too strange to ignore. [Glimpse of a low bird’s eye view of Fern] This woman (this line when image of Fern), [Glimpse front view of Ashe] and the threat of war, and…

[White flash to indicate flashback of magician.]

Magician: [echo effect] We’ve finally found you.

[Back to Nat, but at a bird’s eye view, slightly angled to look down at Nat and the wolf. The wolf stops grooming and looks up at Nat. Camera focus on Nat (but angle doesn’t change) who is staring off (to his left, screen’s down) in thought. Suddenly snaps to attention, raising head slightly. He turns his head towards Ashe (his front, screen’s left). Change to Nat shoulder shot, able to see Ashe in front of him.

Nat: I don’t care what you know, or about the seal. [See Ashe’s anxious face from distance. Front view of Nat] I won’t leave here to be hunted down by that man- [whelps in pain and clutches at left leg (one right of screen), glares to his left (screen right). Shift view to front view of the wolf, who is licking his front paw (his right, screen’s left, furthest from Nat) and then looks up at Nat, looking innocent, raising his left eyebrow (one closest to Nat, right of screen). Front view of Nat, looking down in wolf’s direction (who is no longer visible on screen).

Nat: Damn wolf. [A bird song is heard. Nat looks up in other direction to wolf, lifting his left hand up near his face (one closest to right of screen). A small sparrow lands on his index finger, still twittering. Screen goes black and then see close front view of an old man’s lower face, with a white beard. He is holding a sparrow in the same position as Nat, but on the opposite hand (his right, left of screen). Has a brown tent background, grey wisps of smoke from a campfire are visible. Shift to an extreme close side view as the old face leans closer to the bird.]

Querida: [hoarse, whisper voice] Bring them both here. This changes everything.

[Fade back to Nat (same camera angle as before), who sighs in annoyance. The bird flies off and he lowers his hand, looking fed-up. Changes to Nat shoulder shot as he walks away from riverbank. He reaches Ashe, where it changes to close side view as he passes her (Ashe closer to camera/screen, Nat going past her right side and not visible on screen), she turns around to watch him, but doesn’t follow. Changes to Ashe shoulder shot watching as he reaches Fern, still unconscious on the ground (feet closest to him, laid out of her stomach, her sword to the right of screen). Goes to close side view of Fern (see whole body on the screen, head to far right), with Nat’s feet visible at left of screen. He bends down, coming into view, leans over Fern to grab her shoulders, and turns her onto her back (turns her to his left, away from screen-front). Changes to low bird’s eye view over Nat, angled to see all of Fern. Brief glimpse of close up of Nat’s face/shoulders, a curious look on his face, then back to low, slightly angled bird’s eye view. His right hand grabs her left (closest to right of screen) and begins shaking it vigorously.]

Nat: Hey, up wake lazy woman!

[Camera zooms out to an Ashe shoulder shot. She sweat-drops. She then watches (from same angle) as Nat turns around, still crouching down (and still holding her arm), and shuffles so next to Fern’s left side (right of screen). Then slings her arm around his shoulders, forcing/pulling her up into a sitting position, with her head flopping back.]

Ashe: [Still shoulder shot view, still sweat-drop] What are you doing?

[Close up front view of Nat and Fern as he struggles with her, shuffling back in front of her and trying to fling her other arm onto his other shoulder, so he can carry her piggy-back style. Doing this while answering Ashe, grunting a lot.]

Nat: The old man, the village elder of Arswing, wants to see you both. If you really want to see the seal that badly, you need to ask him.

[Changes to close side view as he attempts to lift Fern onto his back, but heaves her too far up so her head goes over his, her chest near his neck. He collapses on the floor, Fern stuck on top of him. See an anime irritated pop up on his head as he struggles to get Fern off, without success. Nat beings swearing/cursing.

[Camera rushes back over to near river, side view of the wolf, who cocks his head in the direction of Nat’s voice. He stands up and begins to trot away from river, see him go past Ashe. Camera moves up to Ashe’s face, who’s looking at the wolf in surprise and curiosity. Camera goes back to Nat and Fern side view, with Nat still struggling.]

Nat: Damnit! What the hell does this freakishly tall woman eat to be so heavy!

[Suddenly the wolf jumps onto Fern’s back, pinning Nat further down. Nat waves his arms about, screaming:]

Nat: Bastard! I’m going to skin you alive!

[Pan/zoom out to shoulder shot of Ashe, to see a new, bigger sweat-drop. Switch to Ashe front view close up who has a small, sly smile and is laughing quietly, hand raised halfway to her mouth.]

Ashe: Do you need help? I’m also a ‘freakishly tall’ woman.

[Distant side view of scene as Ashe (on left) moves towards Nat, Fern and the wolf. When she reaches them becomes a closer side-view. The wolf jumps off Fern (heading back left, towards the river), making Nat ‘Oof’ in protest. Ashe bends down (camera follows) in front of them, near their heads, and grabs hold of Fern’s shoulders, rolling her off of Nat (on Fern’s right side, furthest from screen, same way Nat rolled her before). Ashe then stands up (camera stays at low angle, so can only see her legs) moves around Fern to her left side (near top of screen, standing near Fern’s stomach) and turns to face her, bends back down and puts her arms under Fern to pick her up bridle style. Camera follow her up, but still has some distance in front of her, so that when Nat stands up, he pops up in front of screen, facing the forest direction (right of screen) as tries to brush dirt off his still wet clothes, and removes a twig from his head, giving it a strange look. He blinks, looks to right of floor (front of screen) and bends again so no longer in view. Stands back up with Fern’s sword in his right hand (one closest to screen), raised slightly so he can observe its blade. Angle doesn’t change, but camera focuses on Ashe holding Fern.]

Ashe: Those guards said she’s wanted for three murders.

[Close up of Fern’s sleeping face, close up of Nat’s face watching her (brief shoulder shot view to show he’s turned around to face Ashe/Fern, watching her, then back to Nat face shot), his face softening. A moment later his eyes harden and jerks his head to his left (left of screen), in direction of river. Camera shifts to side view showing Nat’s back as he turns his body to face direction he’s looking (left of screen) and walks off the screen, Ashe following. See an angled low bird’s eye view of them approaching the river. Close up of riverbank, vines begin to poke out of the soil, growing rapidly. Zoom out a little to show some of river on screen. The vines begin to grow over the water, entwining with each other, growing bigger, thicker. Camera goes to bird’s point of view to show them extend to the other side of river, forming a bridge. Shift to Ashe close up, looking shocked. Changes to Ashe shoulder shot as she focuses first on the bridge, then on Nat’s back. Stay at this angle.]

Nat: We have to cross the river to reach Arswing village. The old man is waiting there.

Ashe: That magic. [Camera angle stays the same, but Nat turns around to face her, a frown on his face] Its strength is enormous, why didn’t you use it to fight the guards instead?

[Nat close up]

Nat: [scoffs] What are you talking about? It’s the forest that performs this magic.

[Ashe close up]

Ashe: [Shakes head, looking solemn] No. The only magic I can sense right now is coming from you.

[Nat close up]

Nat: [pauses a moment, then shrugs] Well, you desert people must have bad senses then.

[Ashe close up]

Ashe: [smiles] Yes, I am an Anellan, a devoted priestess of Arŕ Wel. I am Ashe Leav. You must know Anellan eyes can never be tricked, and they pierce through all deceptions; even the ones no one else can see.

[Nat close up]

Nat: [tsks] Whatever, let’s just go. [Turns back around. Goes to bird’s eye view of them beginning to cross the bridge, Nat in front, followed by Ashe carrying Fern and the wolf at the rear.]

Narrator/Elle: The Marks of destiny have begun to emerge, in the symbol of a leaf. [Close up of Fern’s necklace, then close up of Nat’s when starts saying:] They can’t be ignored. [Close side view of Nat walking across the bridge] Paths will be revealed, [Scene shift to see Agape close up, underwater in merman form, holding a up a leaf necklace, looking confused. He glances up in front of him, shift to Agape shoulder shot to show Tallulah (water immortal, mermaid form) in front of him, who gives a sad smile] while others are forced to end.

[Bird’s eye view of them walking across the bridge] In all of this [Camera starts to move away, back towards the battle scene, still bird’s eye view] one thing alone is clear. [Camera lowers itself to body of magician, see the top of magic device on his burnt red skin, glowing.] The war will come, despite all efforts to prevent it. [Camera dives into the object, screen goes black a moment. Emerges (camera angle low moves upwards and in front in sweeping motion) out of a similar item, also glowing red, in the right hand (one left of screen) of a man in shadows. (To show this do the emerge/sweeping camera movement towards the man, front view shot of body and lower face. Then change to shoulder shot of man; so can see the magic device). Can see a dark cloud like Nat’s hovering behind the magic device, the image of Nat (low, slightly angled bird’s eye view shot) on the bridge reflected on it.] Sooner or later, it will come.

[Echo effect]

Guardians of the seals beware, he will defeat you.

Monster of Malhand beware, he will find you.

[Close up of the man’s lower face, see it break into a wide grin. Shift to shoulder shot, him watching Nat in the dark cloud.]

Earl: Finally. I’ve finally found you.

[Clear close up shot of Earl’s face, and then shift to Nat close up in cloud image to show similar features.]

Earl: My son.

[Screen goes black. Theme song/credits]

[Next episode preview]

[Omake/funny extra]: Nat as Snow White

[Bird’s eye view of Nat, Ashe and wolf walking over the vine bridge. Side view of Ashe.]

Ashe: Shouldn’t we have done something with the bodies first?

[Pans over to Nat side-view.]

Nat: Nah, the animals of the forest help me clean up.

[Pans back to Ashe side view]

Ashe: Oh yeah. You can talk to them, right? So it would be like…

[Front view of Ashe’s head, but with space above her. A thought bubble begins to form above her (Ashe’s eyes are looking up at it, thinking). On it see a wide front view image of Nat in the clearing where body parts are scattered about (the wolf is asleep to the right of screen). He grins and whistles (finger in mouth type whistle) and starts humming ‘whistle as you work’ while small forest animals and birds appear, beginning to pick up body parts and whisk them away. Squirrels then appear, using their tails to sweep up the blood. Nat smiles, spreads out his arms and sings:

Nat: Whistle while you work! Do do do do do do dooooo!

[The wolf looks over at him, looking horrified. Thought bubble bursts so back to Ashe front view, who is trying to stop bursting out laughing (and failing). Goes to Ashe shoulder to see Nat looking at her weird, then turning red.]

Nat: [screams] What the hell are you thinking about!

 [End]