Episode 24: "The Beast's Rampage"

8/14/2019 Episode 24: "The Beast's Rampage"

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EXT. DIMENTIA - OUTSIDE VALORA - AFTERNOON

With barbaric yells and blades waving berserk in the air, thepack of royal Dimentian guards tending to Sabre rush forward.Like a mutated, rabid canine on numerous leashes, Sabrefollows them, feet shattering the cement pathway with eachbooming step.

The path is clear for the bestial enforcer to exact hismerciless destruction... until Donnovan races out of hishiding spot and stuns Luther and his forces by standing inSabre's way, sword drawn.

Time stands still as wide eyes and confused looks attempt todeal with the arrival of this courageous, reckless, armedwarrior crazy enough to block Sabre's course. No one speaks.

Luther steps forward, still ignoring the annoyed roaring ofhis pet. Donnovan looks into the eyes trapped underneath theominous mask with passionate hatred. His weapon gleams withdesire to tear through the flesh of the man who's haunted its

master's nightmares all his life.

LUTHER(calmly)

Who are you?

Donnovan's features tighten with a careless pride.

DONNOVANI am Donnovan.

We see Luther's surprise in the darkness cloaking his face.

DONNOVAN (CONT'D)I am the leader of a rebelliouscoalition of Dimentia's bestwarriors. The power of your pendingdoom, you wretched vermin!

Serpen Kia steps up beside the petrified emperor.

SERPEN KIAIt's him, my lord! The oneresponsible for the newest traitorson death row! Let me tear him limbfrom limb now for his treason!

Luther takes one step closer to Donnovan, who does the same,despite being one against many.

LUTHERYou are a pitiful imbecile to showyour face here, rebel. Yet howfitting that the worms of thisearth will feast on your corpse inthe same location as the people youso foolishly defend.


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Luther's yellow eyes descend to Donnovan's hands, which areclutching the handle of his sword with readiness to swing ina split second.

LUTHER (CONT'D)Calm yourself. I will not strikeyou down here and now. To dirty my

hands with traitorous blood is anact I'd like to avoid. I will letmy generals bring you an inch fromdeath, and then I will deal thefinal blow.

An enraging smile of raw sadism.

LUTHER (CONT'D)(louder, to his forces)

The one of you who brings me therebel's bloodied body will residein the palatial quarters of the

fortress.(to Donnovan)

Good luck.

He steps aside, and every breathing organism behind Luthercharges at Donnovan, Sabre and his undying brutalityincluded.

Donnovan cuts down the first few guards, then feels hisstomach practically cave in when it is struck by a black-andgreen orb. His body soars through the entrance of Valora andhe falls, hard on his back, inside his home city's walls.

EXT. DIMENTIA - VALORA - CONTINUOUS

Savage yelling continues to sound through the frightenedcommunity. Luther's forces fully infiltrate its grounds.

LUTHERI want this city wiped off the faceof my world, with decaying bodiesof man, woman, and child decoratingthe landscape!

Donnovan stands in time to see Sabre's chains being released,and the beast throwing himself into the nearest homeinstantly.

DONNOVANNo!

He goes after the towering creature, slicing away at anyparticular guard who tries and stop him.

We follow him with a third-person-view. Every sentry who


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steps forth with a blade gets Donnovan's own punishing theirvarious limbs. Bodies fly left and right, with Donnovanreceiving little more than occasional clouts to the face andbody. Through the mess of falling enemies, we see Maverickwaiting for Donnovan up ahead.

The dark sorcerer's hands dance in a set sequence as Donnovancloses in, never stopping, bloody blade set to kill.

The stones of the flooring in front of Donnovan's boots flyoff from the ground, leaving gaping holes where they oncewere. Various bulky, lengthy SERPENTS rise from the darknesswith a unified hiss, baring their fangs and lunging forDonnovan's throat.

Two snake heads whirl through the air with a swipe from therebel's sword, but Donnovan finds no other alternative toretreating when even more wretched reptiles spring forth.

Maverick laughs loudly with enjoyment.

Then, the ground directly behind him opens up as well.Hearing a rumbling noise, he turns to look at the newbreach... and gets a gigantic WAVE OF CRYSTAL-CLEAR LIQUID tothe body.

Donnovan leaps aside and makes way for the stabilized minititle wave to carry Maverick away, picking up a few ofLuther's guards on the way. The camera follows the unexpectedand violent accumulation of water; it finally depositsMaverick and its other victims in the FLAMES that have risenfrom the sand near a house.

Maverick and the guards shout in panic, their bodies

dominated by fire.

A green essence issues from the necromancer's body andextinguishes the element. The others are not so lucky, andsoon succumb to the ground.


Outside the community's walls, far from the eyes of theimperial Dimentian forces, Pyrros hovers many feet above theground, eyes blank, water flowing from his left hand, and his

right one on fire.

Elandra is with him, admiring the spectacle.

PYRROSIf I am seen by Luther, our goalswill be forfeit. You must helpDonnovan. I will stay here andprotect your lives as much as Ican.


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Without another word, Elandra takes off for Valora.


Donnovan's sword does battle with Serpen Kia's fanged dualweapons. Each collision of the blades emits a callous sound.

Serpen Kia spins in a full circle, a knifed twister, hisweapons extended.

Donnovan stoops below the high attack and smashes thereptilian's snout with a powerful right fist. Serpen Kiasnarls in pain and retaliates by sliding down on the groundand landing a rising kick to Donnovan's midsection, knockinghim back.

When he opens his eyes a second later, a female guard bringsthe point of her lance down toward his face. Donnovan rollssideways, hops up, and knees the guard's jawline, making sure

to swipe her lance when she is hit.

Now armed with two weapons, he is ready for Serpen Kia'sreturn. The humanoid shows no fear, however, and more thanwillingly entangles himself in a second clash of blades.Donnovan skillfully manipulates his two items and, whenSerpen Kia attempts to simultaneously impale the sides of hisneck, Donnovan knocks his scaly forearms away with the swordand lance, digs the two on the ground, and holds onto themwhile completely twirling his body in a vertical 360 andbooting Serpen Kia into two incoming guards.

The camera rapidly pans further on.

Elandra has thrown herself into the horde of guards.

She takes full evasive action against the many edges andblows coming at her from all sides. Ducking, reeling, andleaping over sudden low swipes, she remains unscratched longenough take down two of them with subsequent slashes from herSais.

As soon as she brings the second victim down, one of theguards grabs a hold of her left wrist and hurls her backward.She begins to fall inches away from a waiting guard and,midair, places him in a headlock and uses his body to break

her fall and put him out of commission for the time being.

Two still-standing sentry charge. Elandra picks up the fallenguard and, with a high kick to the back of his head, uses himas a hindering tool by sending him tumbling forward andsharing the effect with the looming attackers. Elandra runsin the opposite direction, takes care of two more guards witha sequence of duck-and-slash, and finally reaches Donnovan.

ELANDRAHe's outside. I thought you'd like


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an extra pair of blades.

Elandra is presented with a quick beam and nod from Donnovanthat makes more than obvious his gratitude; but there is notime for verbal thanks when Sabre uses a new home as hispunching bag, panicky civilians running for their lives.

EXT. DIMENTIA - MOUNT FALCAR - AFTERNOON

The stands are nearly empty; two fighters dressed in Egyptianlike attires leave their seats, talking to one another, andleaving Lara as the only life form still there.

The spy's sapphire eyes take in the sight before her. On thefar right, near the remains of a fallen mountain wall, Macecontinues to withstand the praises of his fellow Earthlings.In the opposite region, a hover-car has arrived to take awaythe loser of the latest fight as his Heiligian comradesexpress their concern and condolences. More to Lara's

interest, Logan is among them.

Like a spy itself, the screen captures a seductive smile byMiss Dalton before she struts off in the direction of thenext target of her hazardous appeal.

During her lonesome journey through the fragments of MountFalcar, Lara does not think twice about purposively catchingMace's attention from a distance and dazzling him with a showof her pearly-whites. Yet she continues on without a secondgesture of congratulations and takes a new seat in the standscloser to the Heiligians.

The hover-car takes off with Zale. Logan and Millena watchwith a frown. Always quick to take advantage of smallchances, Lara motions to Logan with a fragile wave of herleft fingers.

MILLENAJust pretend you didn't seeanything.

LOGANHow can I not?

Millena angrily gives up on the discussion before it begins.

MILLENAYou know what, just do whatever youwant! You wanna go drink poison, bemy guest.

Logan gladly obliges.

MILLENA (CONT'D)(to the Heiligians)

Let's get back to the Dwelling.


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Nothing else that matters here.

Lara watches as Logan strides forth confidently, with aslacker demeanor that boasts little fret. He sits beside her.

LOGANYeah?

LARAIs that seriously how you're gonnagreet me?

LOGAN(chuckling)

I don't have much time, that's why.

LARAYou have as much time as you want!You're a grown little boy.

She manages to draw a larger grin on the "prince's" face.

LARA (CONT'D)But let's leave playful discussionsfor another time. I have somethingto discuss with you... somethingthat plays very much to yourinterests.

Logan's grin becomes suspicious and inquisitive. Lara leanscloser to him ever so slightly.

LARA (CONT'D)How thankful would you be if I

handed you Viro on a silverplatter?

Master Akio drags his former pupil away for an interim andmuch-deserved interval from the slowly-diminishing crowd.

MASTER AKIOMace, I ask that we return to theDwelling at once. I must have anhonest conversation with you beforePyrros announces your leave.

MACE

Sure... alright.

The once-playful aspect of Logan darkens.

LOGANHow do you know about Viro'sexistence?

LARAThat freak attempted to break intothe Dimentian Fortress. I had him


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imprisoned and questioned. He is atmy mercy as we speak.

LOGANWhy would he want to break intothat bastard's fortress?

The not-so-subtle insult hinders Lara's reply as she blinks

thrice and cringes her lips as if suppressing an unrelatedretort.

LARAThe fortress is filled with thebest weaponry Dimentia has tooffer. Obviously, he wanted suchadvantage to himself. Maybe you'dalso like to know what informationI was able to draw from thecreature?

Logan leaves his seat.

LOGANI'm not the least bit interested inany kind of information. I alreadyknow all I should about Viro. Theonly remaining step is his death.Lead me to him.

Lara's serene complexion never falters. Her reaction toLogan's passionate anticipation is a perceptive nod.

LARAWhat of your sister? I'm sure she'd

love to tear one of the freak'slimbs herself.

LOGAN(scoffing)

You're wrong. Millena's kindness isexaggerated beyond belief. She'dmuch rather help Viro than put anend to his life like he deserves.

LARAI see... well, we can't just walkoff without your sister's consent,

otherwise she'd be after you in aheartbeat. Why don't you announceyour leave to her? I'll wait here.

EXT. DIMENTIA - VALORA - AFTERNOON

Two jets of green light tear past the shoulders of threeDimentian guards and rush forward at Donnovan. He hops out ofharm's way with two fluid sidesteps, but Maverick leaps


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closer and the third jet comes into view too shortly afterthe second; Donnovan's torso is shrouded in green and he isflung into the wood pillar of a small, one-story house. Thecolumn's core begins to shatter and threaten to fall apart.

Dropping out of the sky now is Serpen Kia with a freneticglare in his eyes. His mouth parts to form a depth of pointedteeth that pelt with the sole purpose of penetrating

Donnovan's flesh.

Serpen Kia's rebellious opposition rolls out of the way, andthe mystical monster chomps down on the pillar instead. As hespits out chunks of wood, the structure falls apart and,consequently, the house caves in.

Donnovan looks on with gaping eyes that are alert for signsof a life lost, but the moment of waiting is shortened whenSerpen Kia goes in for the kill again with three, speedy highkicks. Donnovan bounds back and returns with a two-leggedsweep. His boots fail to knock the claw-filled feet off thefloor, and a green fist is soon enough being thrown.

Donnovan's right cheek reddens with the collision, as hisleft one would had he not cocked his head to evade SerpenKia's other fist and caught it with both hands.

Donnovan's right leg flies up and wallops Serpen Kia's snout.The latter is now sent falling face-first to the ground,Donnovan having pulled his arm back while jumping overhead.The attacker assumes his fighting stance and prepares for thereptilian to redo the same... until he is unexpectedlyclouted in the side of his neck by a magenta-toned footwear.

Donnovan falls on top of the rubble belonging to thedestroyed home. As the dust clears, he looks up at Bianca's

scowl, being backed up equally by Serpen Kia's. Donnovan andBianca seem to share a moment of realization, halted byMaverick, who forces his way into a spot closest to thefallen warrior.

MAVERICK(to Donnovan)

Like all the 'heroes' before, youare destined to fall. Surrenderyourself now and perhaps your rulerwill have pity on you.

Donnovan stands and grips his sword intensely, courageously

defying the presence of the three generals.

MAVERICK (CONT'D)Fool! You deem yourself capable ofdefeating two of Dimentia's topfighters and the world's mostrenowned sorcerer with that sharptoy?

Maverick's declaiming utterances are blurred out of existencewhen Donnovan looks past the necromancer and sees a woman and


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her child sneaking their way past and out of direct view ofthe sea of guards, then entering an abandoned house.

MAVERICK (CONT'D)Buying yourself time with silence?

The guards in Donnovan's sight scatter when yet anotherterrible roar, louder than usual, sounds through Valora.

With stomping footsteps, Sabre invades the scene withtowering monstrosity and tackles the house harboring thewoman and son.

Donnovan is horrified.

MAVERICK (CONT'D)I grow tired of this.

(to Bianca and Serpen Kia)Kill him!

The second Bianca and Serpen Kia reach for their respectiveweapons, a persistent shout fuels Donnovan's charge. The two

generals attack together.

Donnovan attentively obstructs his adversaries' sharpenedswipes, but is pushed further and further back while Sabrecontinues his rampage.

We now see Bianca and Serpen Kia drive their weapons forwardwith a similar movement. Donnovan avoids the slashingadvance, sets his sword's blade above the other two'sweapons, then thrusts it down into the rubble, thus disablingthe generals for a single instant. He then turns his back tothem and performs a reverse roll on the debris,synchronically kicking Bianca and Serpen Kia away. The two

fall, and Donnovan goes after his last big obstacle:Maverick.

As soon as the necromancer realizes what is going on beforehim, he summons his serpent staff. Inside the silver snake'sjaws, a black-and-green beacon takes shape and grows largerand larger. But when it is shot, Donnovan's sword nudges thestaff. The projectile flies off, haywire, while Donnovan cutsMaverick's abdomen and flings him away.

Not staying for the continuation of the three-on-onestruggle, Donnovan now goes after the literally biggertarget: Luther's hellish "pet".

He reaches Sabre (after taking down the two guards who becomeaware of his presence) and drives his blade over themonster's ankle. Sabre bellows and spins around, popping twoguards into the air as he does so.

Donnovan stands facing looming death plastered in the shapeof the giant. Sabre's right arm, resembling something closeto a tree trunk, comes crashing down to squash the monster'sdisturber.


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Donnovan takes off into a frantic run to his right; the windwhipping past his body gathers a greenish hue and his speedincreases so that Sabre's open palm meets nothing but sandysoil, with such impact that the royal fighters standingnearby are blown away.

Before Sabre can dig his ample claws out of the earth,Donnovan rushes back into action; the camera rises with him

as he jumps atop the back of Sabre's hand and nimble stepstake him across its arms as if it were a staircase. He hasreached its upper arm when Sabre retains control of the limb,knocking Donnovan off-balance instantly. A gradual pace oftime shows us the spectacle that is Donnovan, falling to theground below, but at the same time, swinging his blade withundying hope of stopping the mountainous threat.

The salvager blade opens a gash over the hard skin of Sabre'schest and midsection. The beast's explosive voicing isfollowed by Donnovan being pounded by what feels like a truckin the form of Sabre's fist.

Cutting through invisible gases is Donnovan, helpless to savehimself and stop the eventual wreck with a rock-mademonument, which breaks into pieces just as Donnovan's bonescome close to doing.

He gets to his knees and groans, left hand clutching his backand face straining with cutting pain. He catches stammeringbreaths while leaning on his sword, reveling in this shortwhile when none of Luther's forces have taken full notice ofhim.

Then, a green flash. Donnovan lurches his weapon and defendshimself from Maverick's projectile using his blade. The

projectile denies obliteration: it wraps itself overDonnovan's blade and takes the form of a living, breathing,angry serpent. Donnovan slams his blade down, slicing theserpent in half before it lunges.

And sure enough, here comes Maverick not longer after histricky spell, Serpen Kia following a couple steps behind.Though aching all over, Donnovan gets to his feet andprepares to handle being outnumbered a second time. That iswhen a Sai glides past the screen and forces Serpen Kia tostop dead in his tracks and perform a desperate motion of hisblade to block contact with the incoming weapon. Not a secondfollowing this movement, Elandra catches him with a dropkick.

Maverick mutters a low incantation. From beneath Elandra'sfeet rises a black mass that levitates her into the air, thenpiles up above her and descends onto her body withextraordinary force. The Earth guide's back SLAMS against thehard terrain, defacing it.

The next thing Elandra sees when the blur leaves her eyes isa silver snake looking down at her and preparing aprojectile. Out of Maverick's staff it shoots, barely missingher when she pounces away from the collision and flies


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forward from the minute explosion. She falls on her palms,but even before they touch the earth, Serpen Kia's kick nailsher chin and flips her back into a fallen position. Elandrauses her Sai to drive Serpen Kia's blades away from herchest, then proceeds to sweep him and commence a weapon-basedround of battle.

Maverick faces Donnovan again... and sees no one.

MAVERICK (CONT'D)He can't be allowed to recover! Wehad him!

The camera pans over a small house on the parallel street. Itseems intact for the most part, with the exception of a widehole on its front wall. Donnovan climbs through it with mucheffort.

About four seconds later, so does Bianca.

We look over her shoulder to see Donnovan on the far side of

a dusty, highly-damaged room, leaning on his sword andlaboring to regain his breath.

BIANCALooks like I'm gonna be the onlyone responsible for your downfall.

Donnovan turns and glares at her.

DONNOVANI'm sure your master would be verypleased with his cowardly slave forsuch an accomplishment. He might

even remember your full name.

BIANCAYou insolent little-- I am one ofhis most revered fighters! I am asfar from being a slave as I am frombeing a coward--

DONNOVAN(voice rising)

You are the most pitiful coward Ihave ever laid my eyes on! Were youto stand beside a pile of vermin-

ridden trash, I would not know thedifference!

Bianca steps closer menacingly.

BIANCAHow dare you refer to me with suchwords, you blabbering idiot!

Donnovan snickers.


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DONNOVANYou don't think I remember you?

The girl's mad features soften.

DONNOVAN (CONT'D)Years ago you wandered these verystreets, looking for the next man

with enough gold in his pocket togive your body up to...

BIANCAIt was how I survived...

DONNOVANYet that is not why you are theworst type of coward Dimentia hasever been home to. You struggledlike everyone else in this world...yet rather than upholding yourhonor and fighting to better your

existence in the face of Luther'srule, you sold yourself to him inexchange for riches. How does itfeel... deep down... to never havestopped being a whore!

BIANCAYOU BASTARD!

Bianca goes into a frenzy unlike we have ever witnessedbefore. She dodges Donnovan's blade and kicks his wrist,hard, so that it flies from his control, then follows it upwith a straight punch and a reverse hopping kick. Donnovan

blocks the punch, but his chest falls victim to the finalstrike and he is sent sliding across the unkept floorboard.

Bianca flips forward. Donnovan rolls sideways and evades thedescent of her heels, crossing his forearms to stop the nexttrio of kicks from fully landing while he stands back up. Shethrows her right fist. He falls back and grapples her closedhand. Bianca hurls her body upwards and, once up-side-down,kicks the air so as to propel herself toward the flooring andbring Donnovan (who is still holding her hand hostage) alongfor the decline.

She is successful in smashing Donnovan against the plywood,

and is agile enough to jump over his body before he can handsweep her, but cannot stop him from quickly rolling forwardand taking off with a flying knee to her back.

Once she crashes down, Bianca sends both of her fans flyingat Donnovan. He leaps onward, gyrating his body so that hecuts through the small gap of freedom in-between the twoknife-like items, allowing them to zip past and sink into thewall.

Bianca rises with an instantaneous axe-kick. Donnovan cups


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his hands to cushion the momentum of the kick, then becomesfully defensive when Bianca unleashes a series of waywardpunches. He catches one and counters with a swinging elbow,but Bianca has her payback when she wraps her left hand overDonnovan's forearm and flips him.

She prepares to throw another punch while he's down, butDonnovan unpredictably knocks her into the spot right beside

him with by swiping at her legs with his right arm. Followingthis move, Donnovan sits up, spins in place as if readying abreak-dance, and nails Bianca with a two-legged kick thattransfers the dancer to the other side of the room and intothe opposite wall.

There would be more to the encounter had there not sounded adeafening blow, and had Sabre not pummeled the roof of thehouse that exact moment. Seeing the enormous fists breakthrough the already-fragile roofing, Donnovan runs into thenearest window and dives through the glass.

By the time Bianca stands, the roof has already collapsed,

and a sea of rock and concrete is coming to bash her skull.The countless remains reach her, flattening her into pinktoned smoke. It seeps through the cracks of the rubble andgathers on top of them; Bianca embodies safely. She yelps andruns away when Sabre deals his final blow to the house beforeleaving for the next target of his destruction.

BIANCA (CONT'D)(looking around)

Damn it! Where the hell is he?

Elandra arrives.

ELANDRADonnovan! Can you hear me?

BIANCAWell, look who we have here. Youreally do butt into everything,don't you?

Elandra finally takes notice of who is standing in thedistance.

ELANDRAWhat's the matter? Still sore over

the beating and maybe evendisappointed that you also failedto take down Donnovan?

BIANCAI'd gulp down my words if I wereyou. There are no trees here tohelp you run away this time.

ELANDRABring it on, eyesore.


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The tear-smeared family takes off as far from Sabre's path aspossible. In contrast, Donnovan heads for the beast again.Luther's guards set fire to the garden to his left, but hepays no mind; his path is set.

Suddenly, his legs glue together and he falls over, chestsmacking against the rough terrain high miles per hour. Helooks at his bound feet; a longish, pink tongue has coiled

around his boots, stemming from the open jaws of Serpen Kia,standing on a rooftop.

Serpen Kia's hands sway in a complex succession and, taking apage out of Maverick's book, a foggy, translucent greenprojectile forms amid his dancing limbs and is shot like ademonic missile at the vulnerable mark. Donnovan is released,but only so that he may skid further when swatted by SerpenKia's magic.

Sabre stops cutting down a group of trees halfway through thejob and looks to the left... sniffs... we notice he has seenthe refugees trying to make it out of Valora alive in the

near horizon. Glad to trade chunks of wood and leaf for freshmeat, he begins his stampede toward the runaways.

DONNOVANNo! Stop!

Donnovan runs after Sabre a second time. Still alert, SerpenKia's elastic tongue flies out yet again with a loud SNAP andknocks Donnovan down a second time by trapping his feet.

An enraged Donnovan raises his sword as Serpen Kia prepares asecond spell and, anon, divides his hinderer's tongue in two.

Serpen Kia lets out a high-pitched, abhorrent scream ofburning pain as green liquid and smoke jet out like afountain from his severed tongue. He falls back.

Maverick spurts on the rooftop beside Serpen Kia by steppingout of a small, lime-green portal. He looks down at hiscreation, a bit queasy.

MAVERICKCalm yourself. You're fine.

The missing half of Serpen Kia's tongue regenerates with manylast drops of blood and verdant smoke.

SERPEN KIAMaster, we must leave Valora. Ithas been almost entirely destroyed,and there are more important thingsat hand than extending thesuffering of whoever is stillalive.

MAVERICKWhat "things" could you possibly be


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referring to?

SERPEN KIAAn odd discovery. But should westay amid the chaotic rampage ofthe beast, it is unlikely I will beable to share it with you.

INT. DIMENTIA - ABANDONED BUILDING - AFTERNOON

Though the slow-sinking sun can still be seen through a smallwindow of the abandoned building, it sheds little light inthe gloomy interior in which nothing resides but a weakenedViro. The humanoid is slumped against the furthest wall,oxygen mask partially shattered and muffling, with littleeffectiveness, his labored breathing.

The front door opens, allowing some extra light inside. Virocan do little more than guide his eyes to the threshold.

Lara enters.

LARAShould I let you get some sunlight?

Viro answers with more raspy inhales and exhales. Lara leavesthe door open and walks further into the room.

LARA (CONT'D)You don't look so happy for someonewho is still alive after staringdeath in the face.

VIROWhat is the difference... when Iam... dying slowly...

Lara's left eyebrow arches as a result of her lackingconcern.

VIRO (CONT'D)In my lair I had... everything Ineeded to survive... but in here...I have nothing. I am beyond feeble.If you leave me again... I will

die...

LARAWell, I am not sorry to say that,as promised, your lair has beencompletely "cleaned out". Even ifyou did return to it, you'd findlittle scraps of what once was. Butif it makes you feel any better, Iam putting your incredibletechnology to great use. I wouldn't


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be surprised if I managed toincrease my already-far-reachingabilities when my researchersfinish their jobs.

VIRODamn you... you soulless witch...

LARA(false surprise)

Ooh!

VIROYou exploit everything I haveworked... so hard to achieve insecrecy... while I lie here...inches away from death... becauseof YOU!

Viro jumps into a standing position and falls, hard, againstthe wall.

LARAUgh, you're like a bad circus act.Have a seat.

She paces around the spacious, vacant room while Viro returnsto his horrid condition.

LARA (CONT'D)This "soulless witch" has some goodnews to alleviate your suffering.You will be returning to Heiligvery soon. I'm sure you'll manage

to survive there.

VIROI will not return to Heilig...until Logan and Millena are dead...or I die first.

LARAWell, that's the good news, buddy!

We can see a tiny glimpse of intrigue in Viro's powerless(but still disturbing) face.

LARA (CONT'D)I have located and led Logan to thesmall clearing not far from thisbuilding.

VIROHow can I defeat that so-calledprince when it would take little tokill ME!

LARA


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(sternly)If you let me finish my fuckinggood news, you won't need tointerrupt me with stupidity again!

VIROYou mean...

LARAI've done half of your job for you.Logan is beaten. He stains theleaves scattered on the earth withhis blood as we speak, just waitingfor YOU to deal the final blow.

Viro struggles to stand, but does not break down this time.

VIROYou've defeated Logan! I... don'tknow what to say. But why? Whywould you want me to return... to

Heilig now that... I have become apuppet in your hands?

LARANo offense, but you're the worstservant I have ever had in mylifetime. You're irritating, you'rerebellious, and you're not the bestguy to look at everytime I give outan order. Not to mention that I'vealready taken from you every usefulthing you could ever give me. Withall honesty, I think you're better

off far, far away from my world.

VIROMakes sense. I think it's safe tosay that we're both... very contentwith this finality.

LARAAnd how. Now walk. We have littletime to reach Logan before heregains conscience, and I am sureas hell not carrying you.

EXT. DIMENTIA - CLEARING - CONTINUOUS

Lara steps through a skyward, amber-toned plant and onto aclearing.

LARAHurry up!

Viro hangs onto the ascending axis of the plant and walks


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into our view. He limps ahead of Lara and surveys theclearing inquisitively.

VIROWhere is Logan's body?

Lara smiles wickedly. It is none other than Logan himself whonow enters the scene, stepping up beside Lara, a walking

example of perfect health. He taps Viro on the shoulder andbatters his face with a firm haymaker. Viro topples over.

LOGANYou're mine now, bastard! Nowhereto run to this time!

VIROWhat? But... how?

Logan fills his palms with the front of Viro's attire andraises him to his eye-level. Viro groans in pain.

LARADid you really think I'd help adespicable creature like you? Youshould never have told me you wereafter Logan and his sister, Viro.Don't you know how much I hatetreacherous people like you?

She grins and winks at Viro from behind Logan.

VIRO(to Lara)

You... backstabbing... she-devil!

LARAI'm doing you a favor, really. Aquick death in the place of rottingin the Fortress dungeons for yourinvasion!

VIROInvasion? Dungeons? What?

Logan hurls Viro into the nearest trunk of a tree. As if thewood had dug into an open wound, the latter howls. Loganreadies his fists and permits gradual, threatening steps to

guide him toward Viro.

VIRO (CONT'D)(to Logan)

I am weak! I am in no condition...to defend myself! You will kill mewith such... lack of honor? Withouta fair fight?

LOGANWe already had our fair fight,


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remember? I'm just doing now whatyou stopped me from doing lasttime.

Viro pushes himself up, grabs his syringe, and (with muchwork) raises it above his head and prepares to impale Logan.The moment he drives the weapon forward, Logan ably breakshis attack and counteracts with a bone-crushing uppercut that

pops Viro up. Logan flips backward and nails his victim'sback with a bicycle kick, boosting Viro mask-first into thecenter of the clearing.

Viro lands mere feet away from Lara. He can hear herresounding laughter as his body is dominated by death-welcoming pain.

VIROYou... I'll kill you... if it's thelast thing I do!

He crawls after Lara, roaring with fury. Lara continues

giggling like a schoolgirl during playtime with a friend, andsimply hops backwards to escape Viro's reach.

LARAOh, my, getting feisty even in hislast moments!

(lowering her voice)Stay the hell away from me, Viro,or I'll crack your skull with myboot!

Logan has now reached Viro, and flings him away from Lara asif taking out the trash.

VIROListen to me! She's my aid! She'sthe one who gave me the lair youbroke into, the one who's beenhelping me plot your death since Iarrived in this forsaken world!

Lara scoffs.

LARA(to Logan)

I told you he'd pin something like

that on me out of desperation. He'sobviously hateful since I led himto the one person whose blood hewanted to spill, and because I madesure his stay in my dungeons was asunpleasant as it could be.

VIRODon't trust that lying traitor! Shefeigns any affection for you oryour sister!


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Logan picks Viro up by the collar again.

LOGANAll that matters to me is that shebrought you here, and now I can dowhatever I damn well please!

VIRONO! SHE IS THE EPITOME OFDECEPTION! SHE WAS MY AID! SHEDESERVES TO DIE WITH ME!

LOGANWill you shut up!

Logan smacks his right hand against Viro's midsection. Anemerald flash of light, and Viro creates a shallow hole onthe ground with the force with which he drops. Loganwithdraws his blade.

VIRO(shouting to Lara)

Traitor! The time will come whenyou will pay for this!

She unsuccessfully stifles laughter.

VIRO (CONT'D)You hear me? May you die a thousanddeaths for this!

LARALogan, finish him! Rid us both of

his pitiful threats!

Viro attempts to stand back up, but with a swift kick to thechest, Logan clouts him back down and raises his sword forthe final blow.

MILLENA (O.S.)Stop!

Millena runs into the clearing and immediately guides Logan'sarmed hand down. A number of Heiligian guards follow.

MILLENA (CONT'D)

Logan, don't do this. You don'tknow who you're killing.

LOGANOf course I do! It's the son of abitch who wants to do the same tothe both of us!

MILLENAWe know nothing about him, Logan.There is something about his past


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that's driven him to act this way,and we must find out what.

LOGANAre you asking me to let him liveand give him the chance to attackus again?

MILLENAHe will not attack anyone everagain. He will be apprehended hereand now, and brought back toHeilig. His fate will be decided byfather, as is the fate of allHeiligians who stray from the law!

LOGANHe deserves death.

MILLENAEveryone deserves justice.

She gently takes the weapon from her brother's hand and putsit away while looking deep in his eyes with sincerity andcertainty.

MILLENA (CONT'D)(to the guards)

This... man... is to be taken andbrought to the prison in theterritory of Ilona in Melchior,where he will await trial.

The guards get right to it. Viro refuses to put up the

slightest fight or defiance, head bowed with the air ofsomeone who is already half-dead.

Lara does not look one bit happy as she watches Viro beingtaken away.

Millena gapes at her curiously, but suspiciously.

LOGANGive it a rest, Millena. She's theone who led Viro here under myrequest.

MILLENAAnd how did this kind and helpfulsoul come across Viro?

LARALike I told your brother, he brokeinto the Dimentian Fortress and wasincarcerated and questioned. Icould've left him there, butinstead decided to put him to gooduse.


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MILLENAHow generous of you. It relieves meto know that you are, indeed, notthe "secret aid" Viro oncementioned.

The two girls share the same angry stare; eyes of cautious

luminosity glaring into a pair of deceptive voids.

In the form of a catalyst, Lara taps the air beside Millena'sright shoulder without making contact, signaling for theHeiligian to step aside in the same manner as one would shooa pesky fly. Millena does so and leaves with an unpleasantexpression to give further orders to her guards.

Lara approaches Logan.

LARAMy work here is done, and I refuseto stay a second longer and give

your gracious sister the chance toverbally assault me further. Virois now at your mercy. What is donewith him from hereon is none of myconcern.

She leans closer and her dialogue becomes grave.

LARA (CONT'D)I just hope, whatever his fate is,it takes him very far away frommyself and Dimentia. I'd hate tohave released this creature only to

have it return in freedom.

LOGANViro is done for, one way oranother. Millena won't say this,but I will: thank you.

LARAI'll see you around...

She looks to Millena and finds the latter looking right back.In a mocking gesture, Lara blows her a kiss goodbye, tauntingMillena into a furious head shake.

Turning back to Logan, Lara plants her kissed fingers on hischeek with a gentle caress before strutting off.

INT. EARTH DWELLING - MACE'S HOUSING - NIGHT

The sky visible through the open kitchen window has gone fromorange to navy blue. Oversized constellations watch overMaster Akio, who is taking the flask sent to him by Pyrros


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from the cabinet above the refrigerator.

He leaves the kitchen, concoction in hand, and walks into themuch-brighter living room, where Mace and Leona sit oppositeeach other.

MASTER AKIOI deem this as good a time as any

to savor this miraculous drink sokindly given to me by Pyrros. Ihope you won't mind me not sharingit; the effects of it on anyone butmyself are negativelyunpredictable.

MACESo that little blue water is thekey to your immortality.

MASTER AKIOI dislike referring to myself as

immortal, Mace.

The master takes the empty couch to himself.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)This concoction simply keeps mymind and my combat skills at theirpeak as the years go by, renderingtime unable to do with me as itwishes. I am happy to live such alife and serve a purpose in thisamazing tournament until I am nolonger needed and my soul may

ascend.

He takes a lengthy sip from the undulating flask. Through itstranslucent bottom he notices the foreboding eyes of Leonawatching him in guarded wonder. He flashes her a big smile.Leona slowly looks away and to the door.

As if on cue, it opens. Drake steps in.

DRAKESorry to bother you, but...

He stops and gapes at the item in Master Akio's hands.

DRAKE (CONT'D)...I just came to...

He blinks and changes gaze to Mace.

DRAKE (CONT'D)...congratulate you properly! Youwere surrounded by fans back at thearena and I didn't get a chance tolet you know how great of a fight


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that was. A precedent to befollowed by the rest of us, if Imay say so myself.

MACEThat's nice of you. Thanks...

MASTER AKIO

(to Drake)Forgive me, but I must speak inprivate with Mace. Would you be sounderstanding as to allow us thechance?

DRAKESure... why not? I'll talk to yousome other time, Mace.

Drake glances at Leona and sees nothing but her left cheek asshe chooses to watch a painting rather than allow him thechance for a formal goodbye.

DRAKE (CONT'D)Okay...

He steps back through the doorway he once came through andcloses it with a light push.

Leona studies the door for five full seconds, then rises fromher seat, walks over, and reopens it.

LEONAWill you be done admiring the frameanytime soon?

Mace's and Master Akio's clueless casts disappear when Drakeresponds to Leona from directly behind the door.

DRAKEYeah, I'm already gone.

The door closes again.

EXT. EARTH DWELLING - CONTINUOUS

DRAKE(to himself)

Unbelievable...

He shakes his head in annoyed disbelief and leaves the scene.

INT. EARTH DWELLING - MACE'S HOUSING - CONTINUOUS

Leona climbs up the steps to the second floor of the housing.


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LEONAI'll assume the "privateconversation" has nothing to dowith me and leave you two. I'llmake sure everything's set for ourlittle excursion.

She almost glides up the rest of the stairs with silentsteps.

The disappearance of Leona into the second landing and theminute SNAP of Akio's flask hitting the glass coffee tableindicates a solemn exchange of words is about to take place.Master Akio focuses on Mace with a grave air about him.

MACESuddenly, you don't look too happy.Are you still worried about thetrip into Heilig?

MASTER AKIOMy trust and confidence in youleaves no place for worry as youundertake your selfless mission.

MACEThen what's going on? You'restarting to make ME worried. Whatcould you possibly be so downabout? I just won my firsttournament fight, we should bestill celebrating, not sulking.

MASTER AKIOMace, I want to give you a warning.

Master Akio's grim countenance is finally reflected on hisformer pupil.

MACEWarning? Against what?

MASTER AKIOThere is a shadow looming andprowling around you. It clearlyplots your downfall while you

remain blind to see it.

MACEMaster Akio, I've always found yourphilosophies to be very insightful,but I think this is a good time tocut down on it.

MASTER AKIOThen allow me to be specific. Ispeak of the Dimentian I


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encountered in your housing.

Mace unexpectedly grins and relaxes in his cushioned seating.

MACEI think you're exaggerating a bit,honestly. She's just a friend Imade among this... insane part of

my life I got dragged into.

MASTER AKIOHow I wish it was this simple. Ibelieve she has done more thansimply offer you friendship; spokento you about things no average"friend" would speak of, which iswhat drew you into her web in thefirst place.

Beat.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)What words has she whispered to youthat blinded you to deception?

Mace swallows uncomfortably. He takes long to reply.

MACEShe met my father during the lasttournament. Lara helped me find outhow he died.

MASTER AKIOAnd how was that?

MACEShe... found out by overhearing heremperor's private conversationsthat... my father was killed bysomeone hired to do so. Someonefrom Heilig.

MASTER AKIOYou, stunningly enough,underestimate your father'scapabilities. Someone as skilledand aware as he was would not be

taken down so easily by a simplesneak-attack from an unknown.

MACEAre you saying she lied to me abouteverything?

MASTER AKIOMace, you came into this world withnothing on your mind but uncoveringthe details of Jonathan's death.


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You were so starving for anyinformation that you almostunintentionally believed the firststory someone was willing to feedyou. It is not your fault. But ifyou continue to play the puppet inher deceitful hands... then youwill have no one to blame but

yourself.

SLOW ZOOM INTO MACE

Master Akio's words hit him like icy projectiles that freezehim in place, leaving him unmoving despite his slackingposture.

MACEHow do you know she's lying? Youdon't know how my father died,

either.

MASTER AKIOYou have never doubted mysagaciousness before, and neitherhave I ever given you reason notto.

Mace's indecisive eyes drift along the surfaces of thefurniture.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)When that woman approached me that

day, I felt something unlike I haveever felt in my innumerable yearsof life. This very room vanishedand was replaced by intense andevil darkness that followed in herstride. I felt a void in my verysoul when she looked into my eyes.Her beauty is enchanting, but thoseeyes... they are a portal to hellitself, Mace. That woman is drivenby malevolence and deadlyselfishness. She will allow you tosink further and further into the

abyss of her trickery as long asshe is drawing something from it.

Master Akio makes unswerving eye contact with Mace. Hisexpression is sad... pleading.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)I beg of you as a friend... perhapsas a second father if you so acceptit: take this evil out of yourlife, Mace. Surround yourself only


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by your true allies.

Beat.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)You will discover everything aboutJonathan's death if your destinyallows it, and in time. I have

never been so desperate in beggingthat you listen to me... and trustme.

The weight of an indiscernible something weighs heavy onMace's mind. He is left in an almost brain-shattering,pensive state of mind.

EXT. DIMENTIA - VALORA - NIGHT

A woman dressed in a torn sundress faces the screen with

terror and tear-inducing horror written all over her bodylanguage. She lets out a frightened scream and runs off. Agroup of Valora's citizens of all ages follow, none lookingeven the slightest bit better.

It is not hard to see why: behind them comes Sabre, enjoyinghimself with each structure he tears down and each innocentlife he takes.

Sabre plunges his talon-like nails into the nearest man andraises him into the air, the victim's blood creating a smallriver on the cracked pavement. The man utters his last screamas he stares into the monstrous face of Luther's pet. The

destructive giant opens his mouth, where at least four morevictims would fit.

Then it happens: the pavement beneath Sabre's elongated feetseparates down the middle and opens up to reveal a fresh-madetunnel in the earth. It grows larger before Sabre can leavethe spot, and he falls into the unforeseen hole. The earthcloses up again, surrounding Sabre on all sides and lockingthe beast in place from his chest down. In the commotion, theman's limp and bloody corpse falls to the concrete.

Donnovan races into the scene. Seeing the man's perforatedbody on fuels his animosity.

Sabre swings his huge arms at Donnovan. The latter aptlyavoids impact with the oversized limbs and claws throughnimble jumps and swift rolls. He finally kicks off thepavement and springs forth at Sabre, dealing two deep gashesto the hide. We can almost see the air gushing from Sabre'sflaring nostrils in a physical show of his growing fury,right before he releases a roar so vociferous that it mighttear the skin from a human's very flesh. Donnovan isunfortunate enough to not be far from Sabre's gaping jaws;the intensity is enough to knock the rebel off his feet until


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he slams into the half-shredded brick wall across from aheadless rock statue.

In the blink of an eye, the camera pans many yards away tofind Luther watching Sabre from afar and drowning in his ownanger.

LUTHER

I knew it!

He revolves in place, slowly, yelling out in a thunderousvoice that carries out into the night sky effortlessly.

LUTHER (CONT'D)(shouting)

Reveal yourself, Spirit! You willcower in the shadows, aiding thecriminal, rather than opposing MYwill with honor? Face me and thenface the wrath of your comrades,who will purge you from your

existence for your insolentinterference!

Pyrros gives Luther no visible proof of his presence.

LUTHER (CONT'D)To hell with this!

He calls out to his men and women, scattered across Valora,the once-upholding community, now ruins of what once was.

LUTHER(shouting)

This attack has come to an end!Valora is no more, and all ofDimentia will soon know the extentof my power! I order you all toreturn to the Fortress at once...but bring Donnovan and theEarthling's head with you!

In reply, the Dimentian soldiers send Luther a barbaric cryand begin their search for Donnovan and Elandra.

Donnovan is back at the sight of one of the first homes Sabrecrushed with brutal ease. He is on his knees, freeing a

trapdoor on the dusty ground from large bricks and chunks ofwood, while someone frantically raps at it from underground.Soon enough, the trapdoor opens. Out comes the woman and heryoung child (crying incessantly), both of whom we'dpreviously seen fleeing into this very home. Donnovan takesthe child in his arms so that the woman may climb out.

DONNOVANCome! I will lead you to the groupheading west for Zalman!


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but when Elandra throws her own hook, Bianca grabs heropposition's hand and regressively capers her body so thatElandra flips through air and gains enough speed to crash,hard and stomach-down, on the wall fragments.

Bianca jogs after her, intending to dig her deeper into thecountless pieces with a falling heel to the back. Elandraescapes with a twirl and sends a Sai to Bianca, which is

knocked away with a showy movement of a fan. Elandra sendsthe second Sai not long after; with a simple step to theright, Bianca positions herself to successfully catch it aswell... yet she doesn't count on what comes flying her waynext, and receives a feet-first hit to the torso, granted shehas control over her attacker's Sais. Bianca falls on herback, but gets right back up and is more then ready forElandra as she comes her way.

The dancer goes into a defensive stance, but is hit bysomething before Elandra is even within a leg's distance: adominant gust of wind like a brewing cyclone that takes heraway until she has become an angry, shouting pink speck in

the horizon.

Elandra looks around, bewildered.

Pyrros takes form alongside her. His body is almost entirelyhidden by an extremely strong, heavenly light; if he was notso close, Elandra might have mistaken him for a supernaturalapparition.

PYRROSEven I might not be able to saveyou when Luther's servants close inat once. Leave the fighting aside.

It is time to leave. Every momentyou stay is another chance to die.

The celestial aura spreads and forms what could be seen as ashield to conceal Elandra from view.

PYRROS (CONT'D)Hurry! I will help as I can.

Elandra takes off. Pyrros sinks into the light, which resumesthe guide's safekeeping.

INT. DIMENTIAN FORTRESS - BIANCA'S BEDROOM - THE NEXT MORNING

Bianca cools off on the stool in front of the large, ovalmirror on the wall. She nonchalantly smooths her fingernailswith a nail file while occasionally glancing at herreflection. Her struggles during Luther's attack on Valorahad left their mark on her cheeks and other parts of herbody, though these reminders of her efforts were clearing upnicely.


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She blows on her nails and admires the results of heractions, from the straight ridges of the nails to the vibrantpurple painted on the topsides. She smiles proudly and wipesoff some of the excess over the cloth laid out on the ebonydesk.

Then her ears pick up on a strange sound coming from herright, near the door of the bedroom; a sound like uncommon,

powerful zephyrs blowing against one another in a low-tonedhum, almost like a fire being started and picking up speed.She looks over.

A group of ghostly black and silver mists are seeping intothe room from the keyhole and the opening on the top andbottom of the door.

BIANCAWhat in the hell...

She puts down her nail file, gets off the stool, and almostreluctantly walks over to the door, squinting at the growing

mists as they intertwined. She leans closer...

LARABoo!

Bianca practically swoops down onto her bed like a magnet,heart pounding from the scare. She only realizes that Larahad materialized within the foggy phenomena when she hearsthe distinct, derisive laughter she knew so well. She growlsand hurls two pillows at Lara, which only powers up the spy'sgiggles.

LARA (CONT'D)

Oh, God... I'm already regrettinghaving to send your ass back towhatever crappy hole you crawledout of.

Bianca takes two deep breaths and straightens her hair, partof which had become wiry and fallen over her eyes

during her sudden leap.

BIANCA(gritted teeth)

You won't have to! I did what youwanted, okay?

LARAReally?

She sits down on Bianca's bed and becomes immobile. Bounceson top of it once. Makes a disgusted face.

LARA (CONT'D)What is this mattress made out of?Wood?


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BIANCAPlease stop with the jokes! Do youwant to know what Vice is hidingfrom you or not?

LARAThis better be good.

Another sigh from Bianca.

BIANCAVice says that IS someoneconspiring against Luther.

LARAI already knew that. Shall I startthrashing your now-useless bedroomright away?

BIANCAThat's not all! Hell, you don't

miss one chance to beat peopledown, do you? Vice also said thatwhomever is conspiring againstLuther is after some "keys".

Lara's lips part slightly in the moment of enlightenment.

LARA(in disbelief)

No...

BIANCAWhat? What do these "keys" mean?

Rather than clarification, Bianca receives a very haughty upand-down stare of repugnance.

LARAWhat would I tell YOU for? You needto go back to being some randomDimentian and stop trying to actlike you're important in thisplace!

She stands, gently taps her proportioned rear as if sittingon the bed dirtied her outfit, throws her flowing hair behind

her shoulders, and walks out of the room.

Bianca rolls her eyes and sinks into the sheets of her bed asif mortally wounded.

BIANCAUnbelievable...

INT. DIMENTIAN FORTRESS - CONTINUOUS


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Lara turns the Fortress halls into her own private catwalk,pacing through them with full-bodied movements thathabitually catch the attention of the more daring guardspatrolling the place. A few even stop and keep their eyesglued to her back as she walks past them, then quicklyturning around and returning to their affairs when it seemsthe soon-to-be-empress might turn and see them.

The two guards standing on either side of an entrance roamLara's body with their hungry eyes as she walks by.

GUARD #1I'd risk a public beheading to getinside those curves just once.

GUARD #2She'd castrate you with her bladeshere and now if she heard you talkabout her like that. You know howsnooty she is, could fool anyone

into thinking she's still aninnocent virgin after all thistime.

The two laugh.

GUARD #1That is one lucky ruler of theworld. Son of a bitch...

GUARD #2Hey, take it from me: don't evenspeak to Lara if she doesn't speak

to you first. She'll emasculate youwith nothing but words, and I speakfrom experience. If it's "fun" thatyou want, you're better off chasingthe other female general ofLuther's. Unlike the emperor's"babe", she might give it up ratherthan slice you in half if you tryto flirt.

Lara arrives on the landing atop the grand staircase of theentrance foyer.

FOYER GUARDExcuse me, Miss Dalton.

She stops and addresses the speaking guard.

LARABe quick about it.

FOYER GUARDThere is an outsider who wishes tospeak with you. I will show him in


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with your permission.

Lara bites her lower lip cheerfully.

LARAMace. Sure, send him in.

She descends the lavish, crimson, carpeted steps of the grand

staircase as the Foyer Guard opens up the towering doubledoors.

Lara's luminous smile goes out...

Master Akio steps into the luxurious foyer.

MASTER AKIOI am sorry to disappoint you, "yourhighness", but I am not who youclearly were expecting.

LARA

I can see that. You're much tooaged and not half as handsome asMace.

Akio just smiles.

MASTER AKIOTrue. Like most Earthlings, I age,and I am quick to admit any goodlooks I once had have beendiminished over the decades.

Lara's lips tilt in distaste for Akio's reaction to her

comments.

LARAMake it quick.

MASTER AKIOI will not take up much of yourtime... Lara, is it?

LARAMiss Dalton to you.

MASTER AKIO

Of course. I would like to requestthat our brief conversation be keptprivate.

LARAUgh, whatever.

(to the Foyer Guard)Return to your post, and tell theothers to stay put for now.

FOYER GUARD


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Yes, ma'am.

He leaves.

Lara peers at Master Akio with impatience.

MASTER AKIOMiss Dalton, I am here simply with

a message. Mace has been fullyalerted to your evil.

Impatience becomes fearful dubiety.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)I have spoken to my former pupiland, wise as he is, he has listenedto my words carefully and seen thetruth behind them. I ask that youdo not set foot in the EarthDwelling again. It is a place ofheroes and of kind-hearted souls,

not to be tainted by your treacheryor your temptress ways.

LARAAnd who are you to tell a grown manlike Mace what he should or shouldnot do? As far as I know, hisfather kicked the bucket a longtime ago.

She says that last sentence with an evil smile. For the firsttime, Master Akio does not look one bit happy; one could evensay there was an air of danger in his eyes.

MASTER AKIOMace considers me a second father.And don't you dare speak ofJonathan with such lack of respect.He was one of the most memorablechampions to ever grace thistournament, and I will not have youinsult his memory with yoursuperior tone.

Lara bursts into laughter, even holding her stomach as if shecouldn't take the humor.

LARAThere is not an inch of me thatfears a limp wretch such asyourself. The only thing I couldpossibly feel for you is pity tohave to shatter your skull if youso much as dare stand in my way.

MASTER AKIODo not underestimate me, "Miss


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LARAI grow tired of your patheticassumptions, you decaying trash!

She pushes him away. Akio regains balance with a single step.

LARA (CONT'D)

Leave my Fortress before I have youlocked up.

MASTER AKIOI will leave, my message is given.

He shakes his head in disappointment.

MASTER AKIO (CONT'D)I am surprised you don't feel sadwith the way you are.

LARA

Why the frozen-over-hell would Ifeel sad?

Lara runs her fingers through her hair from down to up, sothat the lustrous, gold, and never-ending strands pop intothe air and fall graciously back over her shoulders while shecontinues speaking in a ridiculing voice.

LARA (CONT'D)I'm fucking beautiful, I'm therichest girl in this entireforsaken world, not to mention themost skilled fighter these poor

people have ever had the honor ofserving! I'm the most successfuland happiest being you'll meet inall existence, old man, andrightfully so!

MASTER AKIOIt disheartens me to see someonewith a dark soul... but itdisheartens me even more when thesoul is content in being dark.

Lara raises her eyebrows while showing off a wide, taunting

grin.

Master Akio turns to leave.

LARAOh, and one more thing.

He looks over his shoulder.

LARA (CONT'D)Mace will continue to be drawn to


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me, whether you like it or not. Heis fully seduced, a fly in my web,and I will manipulate him as Iplease until he is nothing but atoy in my hands for me to dowhatever I wish to.

Akio finally smiles again.

MASTER AKIOThat is where you're wrong. Mace isbeginning to find truecompanionship in another soul, andas I already mentioned, his eyesare finally open to who you reallyare. Whatever it is you wereplanning... it's all over. Allover.

It's he who now has the last smile, for when he turns hisback on Lara, she is awe-struck.

Master Akio reaches for the handle of the colossal doubledoors.

A snake-like black whip severs the flesh of the back of hishand, drops of blood flying into the air from the clean cut.Master Akio swallows a groan of pain and clutches his injuredhand. He turns to Lara, breathing hard.

Her sapphire eyes are deadly.

LARANo one defies me and walks away

unharmed. Prepare for the worst andmaybe last time of your miserablelife.

Documents

Episode 24: "The Beast's Rampage"