Carliro

Aethersworn Script

Added 2023-06-06 02:55:08 +0000 UTC

FADE IN:

AIRPORT STAIRS - SUNRISE

HAOMA stands before a flight of stairs leading to an airport.

He clutches his satchel nervously, before taking the first step.

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN checks the panels on his console.

KALANG rolls her eyes

KALANG: Do you really have to do that? It's ready.

VASIN: It's still half-an-hour left. I'm stressed out.

NAREH walks in.

NAREH: We're still one personnel short.

KALANG: See, VASIN? There's someone out there who's gonna get it. Relax.

AIRPORT STAIRS - SUNRISE

HAOMA nervously casts a light projection, and the doors to the airport open.

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN taps on the console nervously.

VASIN: Unlike some psychopaths onboard, someone getting reprimanded doesn't make me feel better. It makes me feel worse!

KALANG rolls her eyes.

KALANG: Just trying to cheer you up, man. No need to bleed your heart over someone you don't even know.

VASIN: UGH!

NAREH: Calm down. Breathe in, breathe out-

INT. AIRPORT

HAOMA walks in nervously, before WALI spots him.

WALI walks over to HAOMA, startling him.

WALI: Hi, you must be the medic! I'm WALI, technician and mercenary!

WALI extends an arm, and HAOMA nervously grapples and shakes it.

HAOMA: H-HAOMA. N-nice to meet you...?

WALI: Oh, silly me. The ship's this way!

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN looks more relaxed, but still seems despondent.

VASIN: I just have a feeling something important is going to happen anytime now, you know?

KALANG: It's only the mission of our lives.

VASIN: No no, I feel it's something-

A door opens, and HAOMA and WALI walk inside.

HAOMA and VASIN lock eyes.

VASIN: ...more?

WALI: Hi everyone! The medic's here, name's HAOMA!

HAOMA: H-hi.

WALI: So the guy you're staring at is VASIN, that cool gal is KALANG, and the captain is NAREH.

NAREH steps forward, extending her arm.

Startled, HAOMA breaks his gaze with VASIN, prompting the later to smile, and nervously grapples and shakes NAREH's arm.

NAREH: Welcome aboard, HAOMA. You have arrived right on time, it will be just a few more minutes before we launch.

HAOMA: Oh, good to know. I thought I was running late.

WALI: Those stairs, uh?

VASIN preens himself.

VASIN: Even if you were late, we wouldn't go without you.

HAOMA locks eyes with VASIN again.

HAOMA: Y-you'd do that?

VASIN stands up from his console, walking towards HAOMA.

VASIN: Yeah, we wouldn't.

The two lock eyes again, showing interest in one another.

KALANG snorts, but suddenly stares at the door.

Footsteps are followed by a blazing light, and HVAR and TARGITAOS enter the ship.

WALI and NAREH bow while VASIN and KALANG scowl.

HAOMA bows nervously, but HVAR looks at him gently, relaxing HAOMA.

HVAR: I take it the crew's complete and getting along?

NAREH: Yes, my sun-shah.

HVAR: Good. Make haste at once. The sooner suffering is gone, the better for us all.

HVAR and TARGITAOS exit the ship, the door closing behind them.

NAREH: Alright everyone, you heard him. Take your seats.

NAREH takes the captain's chair while WALI stands on a locking system and stands still.

HAOMA looks around, and VASIN taps his seat.

VASIN: There's room over here, HAOMA.

HAOMA: Oh, thank you. I didn't know where I was supposed to seat.

KALANG: Didn't you receive the ship's schematics?

VASIN: The schematics don't tell you where to sit.

NAREH: Technically the medic should seat behind me as to have easy access in case of an emergency, but we can't delay this further. VASIN, as you will.

VASIN: Right, captain.

VASIN clicks and drags a few panels, and the ship lifts.

INT. AIRPORT

AETHERSWORN lifts from it's platform as HVAR and TARGITAOS watch, before disappearing as if it entered hyperspace.

TARGITAOS: Two of the crew have ulterior motives.

HVAR: A mutiny, then. But regardless they will lead us to the bow, and that's all I need to destroy it. For once and for all.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship has manifested itself into a vast dimension, space-like and full of raw energy.

Light and darkness manifest across this vastness, the former much brighter and all encompassing than the latter, reduced to black specks.

INT. AETHERSWORN

HAOMA stares in wonder at the sight.

HAOMA: So this is what's in between worlds.

VASIN: Yup. So you know what this mission's about?

HAOMA: To interact with the aether? T-that's what the assignment said at least.

KALANG: Forgive my tact-

VASIN: You don't have any.

KALANG: But why did you decide to come on this mission?

HAOMA: Well, I want to help people, that's why I became a medic. But when I saw this mission pop up, I knew I had to sign up. I, I can't really explain it.

VASIN: And you don't need to! We're all happy you're here, aren't we guys?

WALI: Yes!

KALANG: Eh.

NAREH: We are glad you decided to join us, HAOMA. And our mission will indeed help civilization as a whole.

HAOMA: Wow! All by interacting with the aether.

NAREH: Yes, because that's not the full extent of our mission.

NAREH clicks a panel, and the chair projects a holographic diagram.

NAREH: We are to track the Dark Bow, the last remnant of the Druj Empire. It was cast here in the void between worlds and as a consequence its darkness still lingers.

NAREH shuts down the projection, and eyes HAOMA at his level.

NAREH: HVAR believes destroying this darkness will end all evil and suffering in all of existence, and ensure the victory of the light at last.

KALANG and VASIN adopt sour moods, looking aside.

HAOMA picks on this, and looks between them and NAREH.

HAOMA: Really? All suffering will be gone?

KALANG: Would put you out of a job, wouldn't it?

VASIN: Shut it, KALANG. Look, HAOMA, HVAR believes this, but it's too good to be true. And I don't trust him anyways.

HAOMA looks shocked.

HAOMA: Really!? Why not?

VASIN: Let's just say he didn't help me when I needed him most.

NAREH: And I understand your pain, VASIN, but do not allow it to turn into heresy. We have our orders.

VASIN mouths "we have our orders" petulantly, before staring at HAOMA and smiling.

VASIN: Hey, wanna see something cool?

NAREH: VASIN...

VASIN: No no, I'm showing him how to track the Dark Bow.

VASIN slides across his panels.

VASIN: As darkness was mostly purged from the aether, we must interact with it to find it.

He looks at the screen, focusing on a black speck.

VASIN then gently puts HAOMA's paw on the panels.

VASIN: Touch it gently.

HAOMA: M-me?

VASIN: Yeah, don't be scared. The AETHERSWORN's shield protects you from the aether, while allowing you to touch it, like this-

VASIN's whole paw touches the panels, and a hand is projected unto the aether, grasping the speck.

VASIN: Now you try.

WALI: Aw, I wish I wasn't sitting so far away! In as much as being locked is sitting, I guess.

HAOMA reluctantly puts his whole paw, and another hand touches the speck.

HAOMA: Wow, I'm really feeling it! It's like, like mould.

VASIN: Yeah, not very fun to touch, but we have to inspect the specks for clues where the Dark Bow might be.

KALANG: I can speed up the process.

NAREH: Are you sure it's wise?

KALANG: If HAOMA rats me out I'll just toss him to the void.

HAOMA: Wait, what?

KALANG's extends a paw.

Her eyes turn black and her paw is encased in shadow.

Rather than a hand appearing, the speck itself turns and shifts, as KALANG manipulates it directly.

HAOMA: You have dark magic!?

KALANG: Last practitioner of the Druj faith, matter of fact. Do not tell anyone.

NAREH: I took great pains to hide her, HAOMA. And she's agreed to find the Dark Bow.

HAOMA: O-okay...

VASIN: Don't worry, HAOMA, HVAR's rhetoric is just that, hatred to divide us. I'm of the Order of Arta myself.

HAOMA: Really? Even if you don't like HVAR?

VASIN: Of course! I have faith in the light, not in him.

HAOMA: I was raised Zarva myself, but I'm trying to find my own path in life.

WALI: Oh, I've always been a little bit curious about the monks, but I guess they don't have the answers you want?

HAOMA: They're too passive. I want to go out there and help people, not just meditate on the nature of the divine.

NAREH: Speaking of passivity and helping people, can we proceed to the next one?

KALANG: That won't be necessary. I think I can feel it.

VASIN: Makes you wonder why we even built this ship, hey HAOMA?

KALANG looks to the side, finding a series of specks.

KALANG: Follow that trail. It's darkness that resists against the light.

NAREH: And that will lead us to the Dark Bow?

KALANG looks at NAREH.

KALANG: It's the source.

NAREH: Can you pin-point us exactly.

KALANG clicks on her pannels.

KALANG: I'm typing the coordinates.

VASIN turns to HAOMA.

VASIN: Normally the aether is too chaotic for accurate locations, since its beyond space and time, but if there's a strong signal of anything that isn't actively moving we can estimate how far we need to go. It's kinda of a complicated space-time thingie.

NAREH: Seventy light years. At full speed.

VASIN: Yes ma'am.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship speeds ahead, following the trail of black specs.

Gradually, the specs fuse into a long, massive shadow, and the surrounding light dims.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH: VASIN, WALI, with me.

The three of them glow with light.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship glows, tearing apart the darkness.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH: Steady, we can't let it erase the trail.

HAOMA: I can help!

NAREH: Explain.

HAOMA: I know Zarva techniques to maintain balance, so your light doesn't tear apart the darkness and so we can see without losing the trail.

HAOMA puts his paw on the panels, glowing green.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship's light becomes soft and green, and the surrounding environment resembles the deep ocean.

INT. AETHERSWORN

KALANG: You ain't kidding. I feel the darkness becoming stable, like it isn't trying to fight for its survival. Thank you.

WALI: Yay, way to go HAOMA!

VASIN: See, isn't HAOMA great? He got the hang of this ship in just one try!

HAOMA: O-oh it's nothing.

VASIN: Nonsense, you're a natural!

VASIN playfully messes with HAOMA's fur, stopping as he realises the intimacy.

NAREH: We are fortunate for your skills, though I would have preferred to have known this when you applied.

HAOMA: Sorry, I didn't think they'd be of use for this.

WALI: Come on, HAOMA! This is an adventure, and I'm sure all your talents are great!

VASIN: Yeah, live a little.

NAREH: We are approaching the set distance. Any reports?

KALANG: Just look ahead.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

We pan out to the space before the ship, tinged in aurora-like magentas and pulsing like a heartbeat.

At its epicentre are rotating wheels, and within them is a bow and arrow, both pitch black and rimmed by light like a black-hole.

The ship approaches it slowly, KALANG, VASIN and WALI staring in wonder while HAOMA feels both awe and unease and NAREH stares stoically.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH projects a hologram, revealing HVAR.

NAREH: My sun-shah, we have found it.

HVAR winces.

HVAR: I can sense its taint on the fabric of existence once again. Blast it.

NAREH: Understood.

NAREH shuts down the hologram, her arm-blades glowing.

KALANG and VASIN stand up, much to HAOMA's and WALI's confusion.

KALANG: We can't let you do that.

NAREH: Expected as much from you, but what are your motives, VASIN?

VASIN: I don't trust HVAR. I'm not going to let this symbol of faith be destroyed, even if it opposes my own.

WALI: Wait, what is going on?

NAREH: A mutiny. An understandable mutiny, but a mutiny nonetheless. I'm going to give you both a chance to step down, before I court-martial you.

KALANG's eyes go black and shadows creep inside the ship.

KALANG: I'd like to see you try.

VASIN: WALI, HAOMA, help us out here!

WALI: I don't know, that thing kinda looks evil.

VASIN looks at HAOMA, pleading.

HAOMA looks at the Dark Bow again, and takes a deep breath.

HAOMA: That thing is an abomination....

HAOMA stands up, facing NAREH.

HAOMA: But I'm with them. I'm not going to deface part of existence without knowing more about what it actually is. I feel it has a purpose, and I can't ignore that.

KALANG: Saving your job, eh?

NAREH sighs, and sits down, her arm-blades ceasing to glow.

NAREH: You're lucky you're my crew and I'm unlucky that you all have a point. But if we fail, HVAR is just going to use VASIN's schematics to build more AETHERSWORNS and we're all going to die. So how will you fix that?

VASIN: We'll use the AETHERSWORN to store it and find somewhere to lay low. I have contacts in Liwa who can protect it.

NAREH sighs.

NAREH: Liwa. Wonderful.

WALI: Can the ship really do that?

KALANG: I can use my magic to grab it in the aether. Then it's just a matter of putting it inside the ship.

NAREH: VASIN, I trust you built some way to drag things from the aether into physical space? Because otherwise we're all going to die.

HAOMA: Wait what!?

VASIN: Aether is raw matter, we'd just be unmade if we had contact with it. But don't worry, I have a subatomic particle valve that should separate the bow from the aether.

VASIN points to the ceiling.

HAOMA: I hope you're right. I can heal almost anything, but something that can just destroy matter...

VASIN: Hey, you already touched the aether, alright? You got this.

NAREH: Then it's settled. VASIN, get that valve ready. KALANG, don't delay this further.

KALANG: Love it when you're cranky.

KALANG's eyes turn black and she faces the Dark Bow, moving her arms and pulling it towards the ship.

VASIN: Steady.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The Dark Bow touches AETHERSWORN's ceiling, and gradually begins to sink.

Lightning-like black tendrils shoot out of it, touching across the ship's surface.

INT. AETHERSWORN

The bow manifests on the ceiling and darkness fills the ship, making HAOMA nervous.

VASIN reaches for his paw, holding it in his own.

KALANG slowly lowers the bow down until it reaches the floor, and the light goes back to normal.

WALI: Oof, for a second I thought we were all gonna die!

HAOMA looks at it distastefully, before noticing VASIN holding his paw.

HAOMA: Uh, thanks.

VASIN notices this and quickly withdraws his paw from HAOMA's.

VASIN: You're welcome.

WALI disengages from the locking system and walks towards the bow.

KALANG: Be careful, it's harmless as it is but touching it without dark magic could suck you in like a black hole.

WALI: Oh, so pulling it out of the aether basically did nothing!

VASIN: Well, there's one qualified personnel to handle it. In the meantime, we should store it in a crate or something.

KALANG: Mm, shoving the object of my faith into a crate.

KALANG grabs the Dark Bow and wears it.

KALANG: I'll take responsibility for it.

NAREH: Well, that's settled. So Liwa, you say?

LIWA - DAY

AETHERSWORN manifests over the city as if pulled out of hyperspace.

It flies towards a large fortress-palace complex, flying above the great city.

INT. AETHERSWORN

A screen appears in the ship's window, showing ZIDANTA.

ZIDANTA: Unauthorized entry into Liwa. State your business or face the consequen- oh, it's you guys! Welcome! Good to see you VASIN!

VASIN: We brought the Dark Bow.

ZIDANTA: Is this true, NAREH?

NAREH: Unfortunately yes.

ZIDANTA: I see. I'll inform queen PARHU of this development.

The screen disappears, and NAREH looks at VASIN and KALANG incredulously.

NAREH: The queen is on this as well!?

VASIN: What can I say, she hates HVAR as much as I do.

NAREH: I thought we were going to some underground or something like that! This could cause a diplomatic catastrophe, if not flat out war! She has a court magus for light's sake!

VASIN noticeably winces.

KALANG: Oh relax, will you? The walls of Liwa will keep us safe. All we have to do is get to the throne room as soon as possible.

KALANG looks at VASIN, and reaches out with her paw, touching his shoulder.

KALANG: And as for that lunatic, he won't hurt you again, I promise.

LIWA - DAY

AETHERSWORN lands on an open platform on the fortress-palace.

Approaching it as it lands is queen PARHU and an entourage of servants and guards.

Once grounded, a door opens on the ship, and the crew comes out.

PARHU extends her arms, welcoming.

PARHU: You mad-lads actually did it! HVAR is going to be so pissed when he finds out.

NAREH: I'm glad you find this amusing your majesty, but may you please raise the walls before he gets a whiff of our betrayal?

PARHU smiles and claps her flippers.

A golden force field permeates the whole world, extending from the fortress-palace's tower to the city and skies above like a wave, before fading.

PARHU: There, now nobody aligned with the light can enter or leave. Enjoy your stay!

INT. FORTRESS-PALACE

The crew follows after PARHU and her entourage.

HAOMA: I don't trust her.

KALANG: That's why she's so fun. I bet she thinks she can take the bow and shove it in some lab to use as a weapon, but it ain't gonna leave my side and she knows that.

NAREH: I do not much care for her games, but we cannot let her have the bow either.

VASIN: Like KALANG said, she won't. I have a few tricks up my sleeve if her magic fails.

KALANG snorts.

The surrounding crowd increases as they go further into the courtroom.

VASIN suddenly stops, the beginnings of a panic attack manifesting.

HAOMA: V-VASIN?

KALANG notices this and looks to where he's staring, followed by NAREH.

Afield is MAINYU, talking to PARHU angrily.

VASIN: H-he's here.

KALANG: We knew he'd be here. Come, hide behind me.

HAOMA: Who's he?

KALANG: MAINYU. Absolute bastard.

VASIN is still shaking and begins to cower, closing his eyes.

HAOMA's paws glow green, and he touches and holds VASIN's paw.

HAOMA: Hey, it's alright. I won't let him hurt you.

VASIN looks at HAOMA, and calms down.

They lock eyes.

VASIN: Thank you.

HAOMA: I'm here for you. Not just as a medic.

VASIN: You know, we may have only known each other for a few hours, but it's like we're meant to be by each other's side.

MAINYU: Isn't that lovely.

Both turn to see MAINYU, standing before them.

MAINYU: Hello, degenerate.

VASIN starts to hyperventilate, but HAOMA holds his paw again and stands between him and MAINYU.

HAOMA: You may be a magus, but you have no holiness about you. Leave. Him. Alone.

MAINYU: Oh, both lectured and threatened by a little enarei degenerate.

MAINYU manifests a spear of light and opens his angelic wings.

MAINYU: I should purge you where you stand.

PARHU: Well you will not, for they are our honoured guests and I am your queen.

MAINYU finds himself surrounded, NAREH, WALI, KALANG and the court guards all brandishing their weapons at him.

His spear and wings dissipate, but he still looks at VASIN smugly.

MAINYU: I see my punishment still haunts you. Good enough for me.

He flips his cape and walks away.

VASIN leans on HAOMA, calming down but still perturbed.

They both stand silently, holding paws.

PARHU: Pissing off both HVAR and MAINYU. Today is truly a bad day for the Order of Arta, as they so rightfully deserve.

NAREH: Most of my crew are still part of the Order, and in spite of our choice I suggest you set aside your resentments. HVAR will likely wage a war over our betrayal, we need diplomacy and de-escalation.

PARHU: I'm done with that theocrat acting as though he's one of our gods. If he wants a war, he can whine and cry as he fails to get past our defences.

LIWA - DAY

A ship materialises as though emerging from hyperspace, landing in a secluded corner at the base of the fortress-palace.

Out of it comes TARGITAOS, clicking on a wrist band and projecting a hologram of HVAR.

HVAR: Are you far from the defence tower?

TARGITAOS looks above.

TARGITAOS: Within climbing distance, but I'll set off distractions.

HVAR: Be careful, my love.

TARGITAOS: We both know that's not my style.

HVAR: I know, and I trust you.

TARGITAOS: Love you too.

TARGITAOS shuts down the hologram.

His paws blaze with fire, and he casts a torrent of fire that bends to hit another side of the fortress-palace.

INT. FORTRESS-PALACE

An explosion takes place, blasting off part of the wall.

PARHU projects an empty hologram.

PARHU: ZIDANTA, what is the meaning of this!?

VASIN also projects a hologram, equally empty.

VASIN: They're gone.

WALI: From what I feel the defences are still active, so this isn't a full scale invasion.

NAREH: TARGITAOS. It must be him. And someone on the inside dealt with ZIDANTA so he'd be able to enter undetected.

PARHU: Secure the defence tower!

Another explosion rattles the fortress-palace, and the guards and the crew move.

EXT. FORTRESS-PALACE

TARGITAOS climbs up the tower fiercely, quickly gaining ground upwards.

As he closes on a window guards emerge with weapons pointed at him, but he breathes a blast of fire that incinerates them.

He enters the window.

INT. FORTRESS-PALACE

TARGITAOS leaps into the defence room, a dead ZIDANTA laying next to a console, MAINYU standing close to the corpse.

MAINYU: As quick as light itself.

TARGITAOS grunts, and MAINYU steps out of the way.

TARGITAOS' paws alight with fire, but a bolt of electricity strikes him.

Injured, he looks to the entrance, VASIN's paw pointing at him and sparkling with electricity.

Soon the rest of the crew, the guards and PARHU arrive, and VASIN fires another bolt, but MAINYU casts a barrier of light that deflects the blast.

TARGITAOS wastes no time conjuring more fire and blasting the console.

PARHU: No!

The air shimmers, the force field destroyed.

LIWA - DAY

An armada of airships manifests as though emerging from hyperspace.

Leading atop one of them is HVAR, bright as the sun.

HVAR: People of Liwa, you have betrayed the covenant with the Order of Arta to court with the source of all darkness and misery itself. Suffer, then, the consequences!

HVAR roars, casting a beam of light at the city bellow, followed by various others from the other airships.

On the ground civilians are incinerated and clouds of dust clog the air as buildings crumble and things are set on fire.

From this smoke angelic warriors emerge swooping down like eagles chasing hares, killing any survivors with weapons of light.

Intense screaming quickly gives way to silence.

INT. FORTRESS-PALACE

The crew, the guards and PARHU stare through the window at the carnage in horror.

TARGITAOS looks aside, while MAINYU observes with a delighted expression.

PARHU turns to him in anger.

PARHU: Traitor!

MAINYU: You are the traitor here, my queen. And now, if you excuse me I have a catastrophe to play into.

MAINYU opens his angelic wings and flies out the window.

The barrier of light dissolves, and TARGITAOS follows him, climbing down the tower.

NAREH: We must hand HVAR the bow, it's not worth this devastation.

KALANG clutches the bow.

KALANG: I will never hand this to that monster!

VASIN looks at ZIDANTA's corpse mournfully, then turns to NAREH in fury.

VASIN: We won't give in to tyranny!

NAREH sighs.

NAREH: Are you really going to do this, with thousands dying out there!? You're no better than him.

PARHU: Captain, stand down. As your researcher has put it, Liwa won't give in to the demands of a brute.

NAREH opens her arms, exasperated.

NAREH: I am truly surrounded by madmen!

She then notices HAOMA.

NAREH: HAOMA, you said you joined this crew to save lives. Is this how you envisioned things to go!?

VASIN stands between her and HAOMA.

VASIN: Lay off him!

HAOMA cries.

HAOMA: I don't want this. I never imagined this could happen.

HAOMA wipes his tears.

HAOMA: But then all the lives lost will have been for nothing. And that is as unacceptable!

VASIN: We must fight back. For ZIDANTA, for all of Liwa!

NAREH: Against the whole Order of Arta!? You truly have lost your damn minds!

HVAR: Indeed, you have.

Heralded by a blazing light, HVAR soars outside the window on a chariot pulled by angels.

HVAR: Destroy the bow, now.

PARHU: Guards, strike him down-

HVAR casts a beam of light, incinerating PARHU.

His chariot lowers, allowing him to enter the fortress-palace gracefully.

HVAR: Captain NAREH, redeem yourself and your crew. Please, the end of all pain is so close!

KALANG: Not for you it's not!

KALANG's eyes darken and she aims the bow at HVAR, firing an arrow of darkness.

It hits his shoulder, making him roar in pain.

KALANG: This won't hold him for much longer!

NAREH: Alright, everyone evacuate to the ship!

HAOMA: I'll buy some more time.

Just as HVAR's light destroys the arrow and mends his wound, HAOMA raises his paws, which glow green.

From the ground plants burst forth, grasping HVAR's limbs.

VASIN: Wow, way to go HAOMA!

HAOMA then moves his arm, causing the vegetation to form a barrier between HVAR and the crew.

The crew wastes no time running away, but from the holes caused by TARGITAOS' explosions soldiers fly in and land.

NAREH engages one with her arm blades, stabbing and then fencing another one, casting a beam of light with her hand to strike another one.

VASIN fires multiple bolts of lightning from his fingers, striking several while others cast light barriers to shield themselves, then dodging beams of light firing at him.

KALANG darkens the environment and fires more arrows of darkness, some breaking light shields cast by the soldiers.

WALI fires a beam of light, at a soldier, then fences another and knocks them unconscious.

WALI: Sorry!

HAOMA walks around nervously, dodging beams of light and summoning plants to shield himself.

He ends up close to VASIN, the two of them back-to-back.

HAOMA: I'm not a good fighter.

VASIN: You don't need to be, just cover me as I take them down.

Soldiers fire beams of light at them, each intercepted by a plant bursting from the ground.

VASIN in turn strikes back, hitting several with lightning.

WALI and NAREH fence and fire at several soldiers while KALANG takes advantage of HAOMA's plants and shields herself, shooting more with her arrows.

NAREH: Alright, I'll clear a path. Head to the AETHERSWORN.

As NAREH and WALI keep fencing, the initial wall of plants is obliterated by HVAR's light.

WALI: HAOMA, shield us!

The crew falls back, HAOMA creating barrier after barrier of vegetation, each burned down by HVAR.

HVAR: HAOMA, be reasonable.

HVAR burns another of HAOMA's plants.

HVAR: You are a medic. You left the Zarva monks because they chose asceticism over compassion.

HVAR burns another plant, and HAOMA starts to fatigue.

HVAR: I've seen your entire life through your world's sun. I know your very essence is to heal, to promote life wherever you go. Yet, you throw that part of you away to shield yourself - no, to shield something that harms the very nature of life itself.

HAOMA trips, and HVAR stands before him.

HVAR: If you keep on this path, you might as well have stayed a monk.

VASIN comes rushing and fires a lightning bolt at HVAR, who deflects it with a light shield.

VASIN: You have no right to accuse him! You murdered millions, and you allowed one of your own magi to rape me!

HAOMA: What!?

HVAR looks ashamed.

HVAR: I should have stopped MAINYU, and that is a burden I will have to carry beyond the bow's destruction. Just like so many others.

HVAR looks pleadingly at HAOMA.

HVAR: I'm so tired, HAOMA. Please, allow me to end all suffering, to make up for all the horrible things I had to do or failed to stop!

HAOMA looks pensive, then looks at VASIN before looking back at HVAR, determined.

HAOMA: I understand your pain, but you caused too much evil. You have to live up with the consequences of your actions.

HAOMA swiftly materialises a plant, its rapid growth kicking HVAR in the jaw and making him stumble backwards.

VASIN picks him up and the two join the rest of the crew in running away.

VASIN: Thanks for taking my side, HAOMA. It means all the worlds to me.

HAOMA nods, looking back at HVAR one last time, uncertain.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship is back into the aether, floating in the vast space.

INT. AETHERSWORN

The crew is back on their seats, exhausted physically and mentally.

VASIN looks mournful, and HAOMA touches him gently on the shoulder.

HAOMA: You alright?

VASIN looks at him, and smiles.

VASIN: Thanks to you, I am.

HAOMA: Do you want to talk about it?

VASIN sighs.

HAOMA: You don't have to if you do not want to. I'm here, regardless and always.

VASIN: No, it's fine.

VASIN sighs again.

BEGIN FLASHBACK

LIWA - SUNSET

A younger VASIN and ZIDANTA skip stones by a lake.

VASIN: I was 10 years old, and ZIDANTA was 18. We were the best of friends-

VASIN looks at ZIDANTA shyly.

VASIN: -and I had a massive crush on them.

VASIN takes a deep breath, and says something.

This surprises ZIDANTA, who looks uncomfortable, but smiles and lays a paw on VASIN's shoulder.

VASIN: They didn't feel the same way. Said I was a brother to them.

VASIN nods, tears forming in his eyes.

ZIDANTA hugs him, saying something to comfort him.

VASIN: But that didn't matter to him.

A bright light shines from above, and MAINYU and two winged guards descend upon them.

VASIN: To MAINYU, just being enarei is worthy of punishment. No matter how old you are.

The guards hold down ZIDANTA, desperately crying for MAINYU to spare VASIN.

MAINYU smiles, and conceals himself and VASIN with his wings.

END FLASHBACK

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN cries.

VASIN: HVAR is connected to every sun to every world. He saw that happen, I know! He can't even look at me in the eyes for something he should have stopped!

VASIN wipes his eyes.

VASIN: I kept my faith, though. The light guides me, not just those monsters.

HAOMA: You are the strongest person I know, VASIN. Thank you for sharing this with me, you are beyond brave.

The two embrace, both shedding tears.

They disengage, and lock eyes once again, VASIN stroking HAOMA's face gently.

VASIN: Thank you.

WALI cries and wipes their eye even though they have no tears, while KALANG pats VASIN's shoulder gently.

NAREH looks at VASIN and HAOMA motherly.

NAREH: You have our back, VASIN, forever and always.

She then steels herself.

NAREH: Liwa was the only world with the means to keep the Order of Arta out. We can't stay here indefinitely.

HAOMA: I can grow edible plants.

KALANG: Good, I'll starve to death but at least I can still get high.

VASIN: You have contacts in Sekhem, right? Maybe we can lay low on your home for a while.

WALI: Guys, we can't just hide! They'll chase us non-stop! We have to fight!

NAREH sighs.

NAREH: And how do you propose to fight armies of millions with just this crew?

VASIN has an idea.

VASIN: We take them to us. Aether, remember? We'll tear them apart!

VASIN touches a panel.

VASIN: We hypothetically can maintain portals open. This way, we can weaponise aether by manipulating it with this ship.

KALANG: And I'll meditate on the Dark Bow, so I may reverse engineer it to make more weapons.

NAREH: You, with the right strategy your ideas may actually work.

NAREH's eyes glow.

NAREH: HVAR is still in Liwa, with most of his troops. Then it's settled, we'll prepare ourselves, then we'll avenge Liwa.

VASIN: For Liwa!

HAOMA: For Liwa!

WALI: For Liwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Everyone stares at WALI.

WALI shrugs.

WALI: Oops, wrong vibe.

INT. FORTRESS-PALACE

HVAR hisses in pain, standing up.

GIZBAR, BAHAR and TARGITAOS run to his aid.

GIZBAR: Father, are you alright?

HVAR: I'm fine, son. Any reports on where the crew is?

BAHAR projects a hologram.

BAHAR: They're hiding in the aether like the cowards they are. In the meantime, there are other matters you must attend to.

HVAR: What could be more important than ending all suffering?

TARGITAOS: Living to see it get done.

LIWA - DAY

The Order of Arta's soldiers stand on the cities ruins, the sky now yellow from the debris and the various lights.

MAINYU soars, and stands on a ruined temple, addressing the crowd.

MAINYU: Followers of the light, look at the devastation you have wrought! You were expecting to end suffering, but instead your hearts lay heavy with guilt! My home world lies in shambles, my loyalty above even the ties to Liwa. And who's fault is that!? Who has deceived you with promises of eternal paradise!? Who keeps doing evil in the service of a so called great good!?

HVAR, GIZBAR, BAHAR and TARGITAOS emerge from the fortress-palace's window, stepping unto the angel-drawn chariot.

MAINYU manifests a spear, pointing at them.

MAINYU: Your sun-shah! A man unworthy of such a title.

HVAR: You are one to lecture, MAINYU, for I have seen all the sins you have committed. Let the world see who you really are!

HVAR roars, his eyes glow, and he projects a hologram.

SEQUENCE

We cut to several scenes across the multiverse, from a scrapyard in Bhamarivo to a restaurant in Daganavia to a family home in Sekhem to the AETHERSWORN itself, all involving screens.

These screens glow with a golden light, and the observers are shocked at what they see.

VASIN cries, hiding his face in HAOMA's chest, prompting the latter to comfort him.

VASIN: That bastard did it! He showed my misery to the whole multiverse!

KALANG: He'll pay for that, I promise you.

END SEQUENCE

LIWA - DAY

The soldiers of the Order of Arta are shocked, turning their weapons towards MAINYU.

MAINYU laughs, then turns to HVAR.

MAINYU: Really, now? You are showing your followers your own failures? All the little evils that you could have stopped but failed to do to keep the peace?

MAINYU then addresses the soldiers.

MAINYU: Not only has he made you commit genocide, he just revealed himself for the corrupt despot that he is! Make me your new sun-shah, and I shall lead with honesty!

This causes a rift among the soldiers, who yell at each other.

SOLDIER #1: HVAR is a monster!

SOLDIER #2: Monster!? Are we seeing the same thing!? MAINYU raped a child!

Eventually this escalates into a civil war, soldiers and airships firing beams of light at each other, winged forms slashing at each other in the air.

HVAR and his family stare in horror while MAINYU can only smile.

A few soldiers strike at him, but he incinerates them with light and stabs another with his spear.

MAINYU then takes flight and points his spear at HVAR, prompting GIZBAR and TARGITAOS to growl.

MAINYU: To me, oh righteous ones! Let us strike at evil united as one!

Several soldiers and ships disengage from their fights and move towards HVAR, only for TARGITAOS to engulf them in torrents of flame.

Those loyal to HVAR form a defensive circle around him, but he jumps of his chariot and extends angelic wings, manifesting a spear of his own.

He roars, then clashes against MAINYU.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH projects a hologram showing the fight.

NAREH: The Order is divided! It's now or never!

VASIN touches the panels while KALANG readies the Dark Bow.

LIWA - DAY

A portal opens, sucking a ship and several soldiers into they, where they are instantly disintegrated.

After that happens the AETHERSWORN emerges proudly, shooting a beam that forms another portal, then another.

More and more troops are torn asunder, and HVAR notices this as he fences MAINYU.

HVAR: The Dark Bow is in that ship! Destroy it!

MAINYU: Hear the false sun-shah for the last time! Shoot at the heretics who have divided us!

The divided army unites as one.

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN: And that's our cue.

LIWA - DAY

The AETHERSWORN vanishes just as beams of light fire at it.

Then it reappears behind the gathered forces, creating a portal that sucks them in before vanishing again.

This repeats multiple times, the united armies once more in disarray as they individually turn in all directions, caught into more portals by surprise.

INT. AETHERSWORN

WALI: You can close these portals, right? I don't think wormholes laying around is a good idea.

VASIN: Of course, which is why I'm creating just enough so we can close them back quickly once this is over. Next time we emerge, they'll be weakened enough to fight them ourselves.

KALANG: Just in time.

KALANG's eyes darken.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

Shadows gather outside the ship, and a pitch black cannon rimmed by light like a black-hole appears attached to it.

INT. AETHERSWORN

KALANG: Pretty cool, uh? Like the Dark Bow, though, it's only not doing to us what we did to the Order due to my magic. And I can only keep it at bay until I tire out.

NAREH sighs.

NAREH: Alright, let's make it count.

LIWA - DAY

The AETHERSWORN manifests again and immediately fires bolts of darkness at the remaining airships with its cannon.

Small cannons manifest on the lower side, firing beams of light at incoming flying soldiers.

This does not go unnoticed by HVAR, still fencing with MAINYU, manifesting a bolt of light that forces his opponent to drop his strikes and form a defensive barrier of light.

HVAR: They have wiped out most of our forces. Your sins will be punished, but for now, as you said, we must be united as one.

MAINYU considers.

MAINYU: Very well, then.

MAINYU flies towards the AETHERSWORN, while HVAR motions to GIZBAR, BAHAR and TARGITAOS to follow.

GIZBAR manifests angelic wings, BAHAR uses her natural ones and TARGITAOS propels himself with jets of flame.

INT. AETHERSWORN

VASIN trembles as MAINYU approaches. HAOMA lays his paw on VASIN's.

HAOMA: It's okay, we're going to make him pay for what he did to you.

VASIN looks at him and finds new resolve.

VASIN: Yeah, yeah we will! KALANG, fire at that bastard!

KALANG: Like you even need to say.

KALANG's eyes darken and she thrusts her paw forward.

LIWA - DAY

AETHERSWORN's dark cannon blasts bolts of darkness at MAINYU, but he deflects them with his spear.

He fires a beam of light directly at the cannon, the radiance piercing through its structure and gradually disintegrating it.

INT. AETHERSWORN

KALANG grits her teeth and her paw trembles, struggling.

KALANG: I can't keep it for much longer!

VASIN: I could extend the shields to cover it, but that would make us vulnerable to the others.

VASIN points at HVAR, GIZBAR, BAHAR and TARGITAOS, approaching the AETHERSWORN quickly.

NAREH: Then drop it! We lost our advantage.

KALANG grunts.

LIWA - DAY

The cannon is fully destroyed by MAINYU's light.

INT. AETHERSWORN

KALANG's paw falls, and she pants.

KALANG: I still have the bow, but I'd have to use it outside.

NAREH: That would open us to attack-

LIWA - DAY

MAINYU fires a beam of light at the AETHERSWORN itself, followed by HVAR, GIZBAR and BAHAR while TARGITAOS uses one paw to propel himself and another to join in the others with a torrent of fire.

INT. AETHERSWORN

An alarm sounds.

VASIN: Our shields won't hold for much longer!

NAREH: Then we must leave!

VASIN: We can't! Their combined concussive blasts are putting us in place. If we move we might compromise the shields and get obliterated.

WALI: Oh, maybe if I, VASIN and NAREH use our own light we might strengthen the shields!

VASIN: That's brilliant WALI!

WALI: He he, I can be a genius sometimes!

NAREH: On my mark.

WALI, VASIN and NAREH's eyes glow and they extend their limbs.

LIWA - DAY

Around the AETHERSWORN a bubble of light begins to form, driving off the constant stream of attacking light and fire.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH: We have to decide if we leave or if we strike back.

KALANG: Glad to see you being bloodthirsty for a change.

NAREH: I realised we will have no better opportunity to avenge VASIN's plight, and I always look out for my crew. So what do you say?

VASIN: Of course I'll take it!

KALANG: I'm in!

WALI: I'm in too!

NAREH: HAOMA?

HAOMA: Let's do this.

VASIN and HAOMA look eyes tenderly, and VASIN slides the panels.

LIWA - DAY

The smaller shields manifest again in AETHERSWORN and they shoot light beams that pass through quickly opening holes in the force fields.

One shoots at GIZBAR and another at BAHAR, forcing them to erect light barriers, while another shoots TARGITAOS, making him wince and stop firing fire, then falling.

BAHAR: Father!

Both GIZBAR and BAHAR cease the attack and fly down to catch TARGITAOS.

HVAR watches this then looks back to the AETHERSWORN, roaring and intensifying his light blast.

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH: His blast is too strong!

HAOMA: I'll boost you. I'm a medic, remember?

HAOMA's eyes glow green and he takes a deep breath.

A green glow suffuses the AETHERSWORN, and the crew feels revitalised.

WALI: Way to go HAOMA!

VASIN: I feel so strong, I can take them outside!

NAREH: Are you out of your mind!?

VASIN stands and walks next to NAREH's chair.

VASIN: You said it yourself, there's no better chance than this one.

The door opens, and VASIN manifests angelic wings, much to HAOMA's wonder.

VASIN notices this and poses for him.

KALANG: Alright, go take your revenge already!

LIWA - DAY

VASIN exits the AETHERSWORN and flies out of the force fields, diving down swiftly.

He opens his wings and soars upwards, shooting blasts of lightning at MAINYU.

MAINYU bellows, stopping his attack on the ship and focusing on VASIN.

MAINYU: You, you dirty little sinner! How dare you profane the light like this!?

VASIN scoffs.

VASIN: You're the profaning one here, pal. I'm just delivering the payback for all those you've hurt.

VASIN shoots another bolt, which MAINYU counters with a light barrier.

Only HVAR is left striking the AETHERSWORN as the two battle in the air, MAINYU throwing bolts of light that VASIN dodges before retaliating with bolts of lightning, deflected by MAINYU's shields.

HVAR: NAREH, end this foolishness! Destroy the damn bow so I can leave you in peace!

INT. AETHERSWORN

NAREH: Negative, sun-shah. I always look out for my crew.

LIWA - DAY

HVAR: This is madness! You will not win! I am the sun incarnate!

INT. AETHERSWORN

HAOMA: Even the sun doesn't last forever, but life always finds a way.

LIWA - DAY

HVAR roars in frustration and ceases his beam.

The lack of pressure expands the light bubble immensely, thinning it out.

He then claws at this force field, ripping it apart.

He then lands on the AETHERSWORN and claws at it furriously, stressing the ship's normal force field.

INT. AETHERSWORN

The alarm goes off again.

NAREH: If he keeps at this we'll tear us apart.

KALANG readies the Dark Bow.

KALANG: I got this!

KALANG clicks a panel and the window opens.

HVAR is thrown off balance as the glass stopped supporting his weight and forces him to fly again, and KALANG takes aim.

KALANG: This is for my people and my faith!

KALANG fires the bow, hitting HVAR in the chest.

He roars and pulverises the dark arrow with his light, only for a barrage of shots to continue hitting him across his body.

He has no choice but to erect a barrier of his own.

KALANG: How does it feel to be on the other side, uh?

LIWA - DAY

HVAR takes a deep breath, then the most intense light begins to engulf his body.

INT. AETHERSWORN

WALI: He's about to go super nova!

HAOMA looks about frantically, then has a realisation.

He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath.

LIWA - DAY

On the wreckage a sapling emerges from the soil, quickly growing into a massive tree.

Its trunk pushes aside the ruins of Liwa, while its branches shoot out to the sky like lightning.

INT. AETHERSWORN

The branches finally came into view for the crew, sheltering the window.

HAOMA keeps his eyes closed, motioning with his paws.

HAOMA: For VASIN.

LIWA - DAY

The branches surround HVAR, dimming his light.

VASIN and MAINYU keep extending blows, firing lightning and light respectively.

MAINYU has an idea and glides upwards, flaring like HVAR but spreading his rays more quickly.

VASIN is forced to shield himself, then MAINYU swoops down and crashes his light shield with his spear.

MAINYU then quickly kicks VASIN in the stomach, sending him plummeting until he falls on one of the branches.

MAINYU smiles smugly, then hovers above VASIN and points his spear at him.

MAINYU: And so you whimper as you did, so many years ago. But that was no punishment to you was it now, little degenerate?

MAINYU lands on the branch.

VASIN recovers only to find the spear touching his chest.

MAINYU: Time to die, enarei filth!

INT. AETHERSWORN

HAOMA's paws do a sudden motion.

LIWA - DAY

The tree's branches suddenly snap and ensnare MAINYU, who struggles against them.

He screams, his thrashing only making the vines hold him tighter, his light only feeding the plant to expand more.

MAINYU: No!

Soon his screaming is drowned out as the plant fully engulfs him, encasing him within it's trunk.

VASIN stares in wonder, touching the soft leaves beneath him.

VASIN: HAOMA, you're amazing.

INT. AETHERSWORN

HAOMA opens his eyes, and turns to NAREH.

HAOMA: MAINYU was defeated. But my tree won't hold HVAR's blast.

NAREH projects a hologram, showing VASIN.

NAREH: Alright, you got your revenge. We have to leave, now.

VASIN: Fine by me.

VASIN's projection turns to HAOMA.

VASIN: You must be tired of hearing this, but thank you. It means the entire multiverse to me.

HAOMA: I got your back. Get here soon.

VASIN's hologram fades, and KALANG snorts.

KALANG: You have it bad for him, don't ya?

HAOMA smiles.

HAOMA: Yeah, yeah I do.

WALI: Aw, you'd be cute together!

VASIN enters the ship.

He locks eyes with HAOMA and both smile, then takes his seat and turns to NAREH.

VASIN: Ready to warp?

NAREH: Funny, how the roles reversed.

VASIN taps a panel.

LIWA - DAY

The AETHERSWORN disappears as though entering hyperspace, and most of the aether holes close.

HVAR's light explodes in a super nova, destroying the tree.

He looks around, and growls in frustration.

Behind him, the angelic chariot brings GIZBAR and BAHAR, tending to TARGITAOS by casting lights that heal his wounds.

TARGITAOS: What now, love?

HVAR turns. He lands on the chariot and sits by TARGITAOS' side, stroking his face gently.

HVAR: We lick our wounds.

HVAR stares at the horizon, one of the last aether holes closing.

HVAR: That crew really did a number on our forces, and MAINYU divided the Order of Arta for good.

GIZBAR: Where is that bastard anyways?

HVAR: Hopefully gone with that tree. But I urge you and your sister to hunt him down. I will not risk any chances of him still being alive.

BAHAR: As you wish, father.

GIZBAR and BAHAR take to the air.

TARGITAOS and HVAR remain seated, leaning on each other.

TARGITAOS: Really takes one back, doesn't it?

HVAR: Yes, it does.

TARGITAOS cups HVAR's face.

TARGITAOS: I always made it clear your Order and your quest did not sit well with me, but now that it might just be the two of us again I'm with you, fully.

The two kiss.

HVAR: Thank you, my love. And, if nothing else, one source of suffering has been dealt with.

TARGITAOS chuckles.

TARGITAOS: And I'll do all in my power to destroy the other one.

TARGITAOS kisses HVAR's paw.

TARGITAOS: I promise.

EXT. AETHERSWORN

The ship is back in the aether dimension, now more evenly matched between light and darkness, mingling in a wonderful twilight-like display.

INT. AETHERSWORN

HAOMA stares in awe at this new development.

HAOMA: The Zarva monks always preach about balance. I'm not so sure of it, but they'd have a great argument right now.

VASIN: Yeah, it's beautiful...