Soulbound Episode 7 Full Script - “Not your Hero”

Soulbound

Episode 7 - “Not your Hero”

8/24/2018

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Before: “Mom?”

Now:

(everyone looks at Vy)

Demetrius - “My apologies Great Protector, we found this girl in the castle. She passed through our defenses and has managed to harness the orb’s power unharmed.”

Zara - (looking at the blue marks) “I can see that.”

Demetrius - “I’m sure she doesn’t mean to be ridiculous -”

Optic - (still looking at Vy) “Mom?? What????” (disbelieving)

Demetrius - (looks at Vy confusedly) “.. She’s probably just exhausted from her journey.” (looks at Zara)

Zara - “Yes.. she is a long way from home.” (meaningfully looks at Vy)

(long drawn out silence as everyone realizes what this means)

Vy - “Not anymore” (cry-laughs and runs forward to embrace her mom)

Zara - (laughs breathily as Vy runs into her and then tears fall silently from her eyes and she hugs her tightly) (crying and whispering) “I’m sorry. (voice cracks) I’m so sorry.”

Vy - (pulls away) *sniffs* “It’s alright.”

Zara - “Vy..”

Vy - (quickly and loudly) “Really, it’s okay. I get it.” (avoiding her mom’s gaze, tears in her eyes)

Zara - “I would like if you could. Will you let me tell you what happened?”

Vy - (nods, looking at the floor. Whispers:) “I would like that.”

Zara - (looking at Vy happily and painfully) (exclaims) “AH, I can’t believe you’re - (cuts off). I’m just so -” (Vy looks up at her) “Happy. (pause) I’m so happy you’re here. Ah, I need someone to help me with this, to help this feel more real. (Vy looks at her expectantly) I would like you to meet someone. (turns to guards) Gentleman, thank you for your efforts. You may return to your posts now.” (looks back at Vy and then at Optic and then at Vy again) “You can bring your friend too if you’d like.”

Vy - (looks at Optic, still kind of shaken)

Optic - “I - uh. (looks at her bag) I mean, ya. Sure. Of course.”

Zara - (talking to Vy) “Your current emotional state and progression in the transformation will not make it easier to control the orb’s energy, and the Queen’s safety cannot be compromised. I’ll need you to leave it here if you’d like to meet my friend.”

Vy - “Oh..” (slips off her bag and looks to Demetrius and Luke, then freezes, shocked) “Wait. Did you just say -”

Zara - (humorously) “Just wait until I introduce you to Laura and I’ll explain everything to you at once.”

Vy - “Well, alright…” ( Demetrius comes forward to claim the bag)

Demetrius - “Thaaaaank you. I will guard it with my life.”

(Vy pulls it away from her reach)

Vy - “Wait, I - … We’ve come a very long way for this and, (to Demetrius who is beginning to look SERIOUSLY offended) not that I don’t trust you or anything, it’s just… (looks at Optic) I’d like to leave it with the friend who was me through it all..”

Zara - (looks at Optic somewhat impressed - like DANG what’s this guy done to earn her daughter’s favor?????) “That’s quite the gesture. If that’s what you would like Vy, I don’t think there is any reason for me to say no.”

Demetrius - “You’re going to give it to that dirty SLUG???! What has HE ever done to deserve that kind of -”

(Optic goes to say something mean to Demetrius but is cut off by VY!)

Vy - (strangely protective of Optic) “Would you stop it already?! You don’t know him like I do okay?? YES, he’s obnoxious and COLD at first, but he was there for me when I had no one else in the whole world to call my friend.” (pause) (Demetrius looks slightly guilty. Vy turns and gently puts the bag into Optic’s paw) “I trust him more than anyone”

Optic - (strangely quiet. Vy goes to run away) “Vy (quietly)...” (looks sad, but then puts on a smile (IT’S F A K E!) “..After you’re through curtseying like a moron, you should ask for a drink of water. I don’t think you’ll get chased by a bunch of hungry monsters this time.” (not as light-hearted as he usually is) (Vy laughs and walks out of the temple with her mom)

(Vy and Zara walk through the fairy gardens)

Vy - “I feel like I’m in the middle of a dream and I can’t tell how it’s going to end, but I know all will be right when it does.”

Zara - “I am relieved. (Vy looks at her curiously) All this time… I never knew if all of my mistakes were paid for by the last person in the world I ever wanted to bring pain (looks at Vy meaningfully - this happens A LOT) or if they are waiting for the right time to come knocking on my door.”

(looooooooooooooong pause - there are a lot of those too)

“I’ve missed you, little one.”

Vy - “Me too…”

(continues walking, arrives outside the palace) (Walks by the guards, Zara nods to them and they step aside) (doors open, beautiful room)

(Pan of the Queen on her throne being served some food by a short chef - a funny little chef)

Queen - (sees Zara) “Zara!” (jumps up, servant surprised drops a plate of food, small, chef makes angry noises at the cement, wacks on head, humourous) “It’s so good to see you again!”

Laura (the Queen) - “And I see you’ve brought a little friend! Welcome! Any friend of Zara’s is a friend of mine!”

Zara - “This is Vy, my daughter.”

Laura - “What a wonderful pleasure it is to finally meet you! Zara informed me of the unfortunate events that separated you two..”

Vy - (polightly) “Mmmm. It’s very nice to meet you your Highness!” (curtseys)

Laura - (laughs) “How are you feeling, dear? Big day?”

Vy - (sags) “You have no idea.”

Zara - “My old village is quite a distance away. It’s a miracle it (DUH MONSTER! AHHH!) didn’t kill her.”

Laura - “Well, you’re safe in our walls now. Welcome to my kingdom! (turns to her throne) “Remmy, you are excused!” (chef abruptly stops making noises at the servant, they all leave quietly.)

Vy - (giggles quietly)

Laura - (last person is leaving) “Oh! Before you go, Miss Mary, please gather some other maids and prepare out best room for Zara’s daughter, Vy.”

Miss Mary - “At once, my queen.’’ (nods head obediently, leaves room)

Vy - “You don’t have to go to all that trouble. I’ve been sleeping on the ground for a while now so a chair would be just fine!”

Laura - “Nonsense! Now, I’ll have Miss Mary start a bath for you to get cleaned up. I’m sure you are tired from your travels.”

Zara - “In any other circumstance I would heartily agree. Vy will need some time to recover, however we have much to explain to her in not much time. (Laura looks confused). You and I have the matter of our current weather to deal with which best not be put off to long for the sake of our people.”

Laura - (laughs confusedly) “I don’t understand why we must talk about such small things when your daughter is (whispers to Zara) drowning in a pool of her own sweat and filth.”

Zara - (Deadpans) “When is the last time you looked outside? (flatly)

Laura - (silence) (sighs) “Excuse me ladies.” (camera focused on Vy and Zara, sound of door opening, rain outside, door yanks closed, Laura walks back with an uncomprehending look on her face) “My goodness! It’s positively pouring out there!”

Zara - “Indeed.”

Laura - “What’s happened? Was the orb stolen ?” (concerned)

Vy - “I took it ….. B-but only to get water for my village! I didn’t mean to cause any problems, I meant to do the exact opposite really. .. Did I do something wrong?

Laura - (gently) “Perhaps we should tell the child so she is not so distressed. I can only imagine her confusion.”

Zara - “That’s the precise reason we have come. Vy needs to hear the full story (pause) the true story.”

Laura - (nods head) “Come, make yourselves comfortable, and help yourselves to the food.”

(Legit, I am so hungry right now. STARVING! The only thing I have to eat in my dorm is a packet of hot chocolate powder. Me and Grace haven’t eaten much since we’ve come here, and just the word “food” is enough to make me salivate! I’d have to sell my soul to afford some of the food here! Grace ate a tiny bowl of cereal the other day, and it cost FIVE DOLLARS! I had to pay twelve dollars for a tiny turkey hot dog with no bun, three pieces of watermelon, and a rice crispy treat - no they don’t have those here regularly :P .. I miss home food. And home.)

(all walk up to the throne - Vy and Laura sit down - Zara stays standing)

STORY MODE __________________________________

Zara - Many years ago, a great leadership of four individuals was created to bring peace and prosperity to our land. But, with incredible power divided between them, a crack of hatred and greed split the heart of the wielder gifted with the ability to tame fire.

Savage with his hunger for complete power, he crafted a trap to capture his three companions.

(present)

Vy - “What kind of trap?” (nervous/fearfully)

Zara - (disturbed) “We never saw it coming.”

(images from memory)

“He took us hostage and held us in a prison beneath the flames that formed his fortress. Proclaiming himself as Ragnor, he united all the power contained in their orbs and, from the shock of energy brought into existence a terrifying creature of chaos.”

Vy - (whispers to herself) “The green monster.”

Zara - “Our people call it the Mourn Beast. This monster was the embodiment of hatred and destruction. (back into vision). From earth it became enormous and could navigate and memorize any terrain it walked on.

From air - it could smell a living being as small as a mouse from miles and miles away.

Everything is its prey, and most, unable to combat this unearthly gift for tracking, become its victims.

From fire - He was able to spew toxic slime from the depths of its throat.

Any individual to come into contacts with this poison would find their skin gone within moments. (morbidly humorous voice). Lucky for them, they’ll be dead before they can witness it eat away their flesh and bones. (Vy sets down a piece of meat she was eating - lost her appetite after that LOVELY description). Last, (pauses and looks DIRECTLY AT VY)

from my orb it was given the ability to transform into a Mournbeast more hideous than the one before it … if it was given the opportunity to react with water.

Vy - (confused whispers and afraid) “You’re the water element…”

Zara - (looks away slightly) “I was…”

BACK INTO STORY MODE - -----------------------------

“I don’t know how many nights we spent in those bottomless stone cells, feeding off of insects on the damp ground and shivering in the cold with nothing to warm ourselves but our own trembling hands. We were all slipping into insanity when a light spilled onto walls around us and Ragnor descended carrying our orbs with him.

At that point we didn’t know left from right; up from down. So it wasn’t surprising how easily we obeyed when asked to summon our powers. Only one Mourn Beast was created before I saw it - only a small blue shimmer in the cavern of darkness at the far end of the chamber, so pitch black it coated the space like a liquid - and it was utterly beautiful. I stared at the spirit uncomprehendingly until, extending it’s arms, a blue sword took shape in the air before itself. I don’t know how I did it, but I hit the ground running in an instant, Ragnor and the Beast passing by me like a blur. The next thing I knew I was turned on my heel and holding my blade up to a point on the surface of the gruesome monster’s shapeless face.

In one mighty lunge I pierced the sword through its skull and a guttural shriek loud as a hundred perishing souls erupted from its throat.

The look on Ragnor’s face is one I will never see again, and I watched as his orb slipped from his grasp and hit the floor with a crack that echoed after the beast’s death cry.

A shard the size of a needle shattered off the red stone and skidded to a stop in the patch of light created from a small opening in the door.

Three seconds of deafening silence ticked by when suddenly… The mass of sludge pooled on the tile where the Mourn Beast was slayed bubbled and writhed like a parasite until, towering over the four of us it morphed back into its original form. (present)

It was like watching time reverse itself. Realization dawned on the two of us capable of coherent thought, except only one of us two was horrified at what we concluded - a creature built from the strength of all of the elements can only be destroyed by the same mutual effort.

Vy - “No… That’s impossible! I mean, the green monster found me in the woods, but I saw it die with my own eyes, I swear.”

Zara - “You were, it seems, successful in saving your life, but not in killing the beast.”

Vy - (sighs with confusion) “Then, what happened? To you?”

Zara - “After I realized how hopeless the entire situation was I - (halting breaths like she is going to cry) (ashamedly) - I fled.”

Vy - (concerned) “What about your friends? What happened to them? Why didn’t you -”

Laura - (quickly and loudly to stop Vy’s question) “When things - (then quieter and slower) when things around us get so bad they scare us, we lose sight of reason and what’s important. Your mother did the best she could with what she had inside of her. That’s the best any of us can do in this world.” (softly)

Vy - “Then, the orb - How do we have the water orb?”

Zara - “I was able to fetch my orb in all the commotion - Ragnor was hardly paying attention to me, and I snatched up the chip from his orb as I sprinted past the door to the stairway.

Never in my life have I run as hard as I did that night - my body ached for rest but I didn’t cease moving until long into the next day, finally breathing when I reached a safe enough distance to use my orb without attracting the Mourn Beast’s senses in my attempts to teleport somewhere isolated.

I hid the orb in the outskirts of the land - in an old castle long abandoned, far enough away to go undetected. Then, I travelled on foot the entire way back to the central region of the Wadgit where I knew the beast would be searching for me. My suspicions were correct, Ragnor sent it out looking for the missing fragment of his orb that undoubtedly kept him from controlling his powers. It was obvious he desired my orb as well - the key to creating get more vile creatures like the one hunting me. Understanding I had no chance of actually destroying this freak of nature, I decided to trap it instead, ensuring I could use my powers without harm befalling me.

For years I chased it, trying to ensnare the creature with more and more unexpected and ingenuitive traps. Making exhausting trips across the land to my orb in order to regulate the water supply for the people of our world, I continued to give them just enough water to keep the land alive. No more. No less. I just couldn’t risk the Mourn Beast coming in contact with water.

But the villagers suffered greatly from this scarcity of water - thousands died of dehydration. I wanted to spread water sources thinly across the entire earth so the villagers had a greater chance of going unnoticed by the Mourn Beast. If I had decided to go with concentrating the water in a few locations close enough to the villages to be convenient, the Mournbeast would’ve been drawn to these moist areas out of the innate desire to grow itself.

The consequence of course would be the villagers’ deaths.

So I was forced to choose plan B and put most of the water only a mile or so from each village.

Unfortunately for the few remaining villages, the one thing keeping them alive was also the thing responsible for bringing about their deaths.

The beast was drawn to their wells and picked villagers off one by one.

Laura - (dramatically like a story) They needed someone brave and strong to protect them so your mother strode to rescue the people, disguised in the form of an ordinary villager that would fool everyone INCLUDING the cunning monster!

Zara - (sighs at her dramatic telling of the story)

Vy - “Wait! I read about this in my book! Though, if I’m recalling accurately, there was an entire army of disgusting creatures attacking on the Mourn Beast’s side…”

Zara - “After an incident with the Mourn Beast, I came across several half-monsters on the trail I was fleeing on. As you know, half monsters are notoriously responsible for the disappearance of travelers who wander too far from home - meals are not easy to come by on their side of the food chain.”

(Vy hums in agreement)

Zara - “They were on me in a flash. I barely hauled myself off the forest floor, struggling, my arms locked behind my back, when I saw they had snapped the chain off my neck and removed the sword from my back, tossing it into the bushes. Then it was just a matter of them recognizing the description of Ragnor’s stolen possession. That’s when the Mourn Beast appeared and I took advantage of their shock, grabbed hold of the compass dangling in that creature’s hands, and took off into the woods.

Apparently, a few creatures were lucky survivors because one of them reported to Ragnor all he had witnessed while the other two followed my trail. It wasn’t long before they had other half-monsters following them, undoubtedly smelling me and thinking it was a search for food.

By the time I reached the village, a whole army of creatures and the Mourn Beast was on my tail. With a bounty of 8 figures on my head to anyone who could retrieve me and his precious chip, it didn’t take long for the creatures to realize what their “prey” actually was - and more importantly, how much it was worth (flashes of all the creatures trying to take the compass).

Laura - “You really are worth more than 8 figures. What an absurdly low amount for a living thing, especially one as impressive as you.”

Zara - “Yes, yes -”

Laura - (to Vy) (kindly) “You and your father really were the one good thing to happen to your mother during those dreadful years.”

Zara - “It was a temporary bliss” (to herself - mournfully) “You were just a child….”

(Zara looks up and then to the compass around Vy’s neck - (quietly) “Children like shiny things……………………..” - (sadly))

(flashbacks) “I distracted you with the only item I had; I needed to protect you. My body suffered the consequences.”

(flashbacks) “It’s jaws tore clean through the muscle on my leg.” (Zara pulls her cape up, revealing her nasty scar)

Vy - (intake of breath)

Zara - “Adrenaline is a very powerful thing in the right circumstances - it fueled me just enough to claw myself off the ground, run as fast as I was able into the woods, and lead the monster far away so he would never get the chance to hurt you again.”

Laura - “And that’s when I come in - I was only a young girl when I saw her, but with the authority given to me as our city’s princess I called my guards to attention. We managed to wrangle the mournbeast up, and took it and your mother back to our city. Your mother was suffering serious injuries, she took weeks to awake from her sleep-induced coma.”

Zara - “Unfortunately, in my absence from the conscious world,the water orb’s connection to me faded. By the time I managed to return to myself, the orb was too much for me to control. I kept the beast contained with the little power I still had within me.

Laura - “We guarded the Mourn Beast for as long as we could, but Zara’s diminishing powers were nothing against the animalistic power of the Mourn Beast. On the day when the last bit of her power drained, the beast escaped from it’s cage.

Zara - “That was five days ago.”

Vy - “It must’ve went straight to the village! It’s been following me through this whole journey!”

Zara - “The Mourn Beast must’ve returned to the last place he’d seen my blood-relatives. By wearing the compass, you led the monster away from your friends and family. If you had left a day later, your entire village would’ve been left in ruins.

Vy - (sits back, eyes wide) “This is so much to process… I can’t believe I ruined everything you spent years protecting, now the Mourn Beast can grow and -”

Laura - “What’s done is done, young one. Then is no point in blaming yourself.

Zara - “Without any powers to aid you, I can’t image what it was like, traveling across that enormous expanse of woods alone with that THING following you…”

Vy - (reassuring) “Oh, I wasn’t alone. Optic was with me!”

Laura - (quiet sudden gasp)

Zara - (freezes) “Tell me more.” (Very serious and emotionless on the verge of running to get Optic)

Vy - (tensed) “I met him in the woods after he helped me escape from monsters.”

Laura - (lost her voice - tries to say “Guards” but it comes out like wheeze) (then, loudly, frantic) “Guards! Guards!”

(two guards rush in)

Zara - “Go with haste and bring me Vy’s companion, Red fur blue eyes, now!”

(guards scurry off)

Vy - “What is this? What’s wrong?”

Laura - (hugs her) “Shh, dear, everything is going to be alright.” (this time she doesn’t sound sure of her words)

Vy - “Mother? What’s happening?!”

Zara - (emotionless) “You are brave, sunflower, you traveled the woods to help your people, but others aren’t so quick to do such noble acts. (snarling) Especially -”

(guards walk in, throw Optic on the ground - Demetrius, Luke and fairy follow)

Optic - “DO I HAVE TO HAVE THE WORD “FRAGILE” STAMPED ON MY FOREHEAD TO GET HANDLED NICELY AROUND HERE ????”

Zara - (continuing) “OPTIC, SON OF RAGNOR, Kin to the one who BETRAYED US ALL.”

Demetrius - (realization) “LIAR!!! (Angrily lashes out, Luke stops her) I knew I HATED YOU the moment you entered the room!!”

Optic - (backing up like a spooked animal, turns around, knocks a case over and bolts out the door.)

Vy - “Optic!! (desperately)

Zara - “GUARDS!”

Vy - (horrified) “Mom! He isn’t like that! He wouldn’t hurt any of us!”

Zara - (eyes turn softer, more sympathetic) “Your desire to see only the good in people is what I love most about you. But don’t let it blind you.”

Demetrius - (to Vy harshly) “If he is NOT guilty then why does he run?!”

Vy - “Please! You just scared him, I’m sure there’s an explanation!”

Fairy - “Logically, explanation or not, we should be chasing the “Optic” before he has the chance to escape.”

Vy - (angrily) “This is OUTRAGEOUS! How can you act like you’re just and fair people only to turn around and punish someone for crimes they never committed? If you were to kill him for his connection to a monster, the only thing you would achieve is proving to be monsters yourselves!

Zara - (softly) “I’m sorry he has lied to you, but we can’t let him leave.”

Vy - (as though talking to a child) “Then let me talk to him. I’ll prove it to you.”

Female guard - (to Zara) “Great Protector, your orders?”

Zara - (pauses, obviously torn; then firmly still looking at Vy) “Guards. Keep your positions - Vy. Be careful.”

Vy - (with certainly) “Believe me; he wouldn't betray me. Not after all the good I’ve seen in him.”

Zara - (sadly) “For all of our sakes, I hope you are right.”

Vy - (runs out of the room)

Demetrius - “So that is it? We are letting of them just like that?!”

Zara - (Staring at Vy’s retreating form, she mutters in an authoritative low voice to the guards) “They have five minutes.”

Laura - (walks up to Zara and pats her shoulder comfortingly - tenses suddenly) “Demitrius”

Demetrius - “My Queen?”

Laura - “Did you take the bag from Optic?”

Demetrius - ( long drawn out silence where everyone’s breath catches. Whisper of horror ) “No, ma’am!”

Zara - (Fiercly) “Guards, to me!”

*switches to Optic running *

(Optic running, breathing heavily)

Vy - (calling for him, chasing after him)

Optic - (runs to a more secluded clearing - stop, nervous)

Vy - (stops beside him, out of breath) (gasp) “..”

Optic - (staring at nothing, looks very scared)

Vy - “Hey.. Don’t worry. (gently) I just found out my mother isn’t actually dead, that she was the water element, that we’ve been being chased down by an immortal beast the past few weeks and that by bringing the rain we may or may not have just caused a nation-wide crisis. What’s a little “Optic’s dad is Ragnor” against all of that?” (trying the crack a joke to lighten the mood)

(Optic’s expression hasn’t changed)

Vy - “Sorry… I guess I’m not as good as you at lightening the mood. All I did was tick off all the huge problems we have to deal with. For what it’s worth, I understand how you fe -”

Optic - (Yelling) NO. NO YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH!!”

Vy - (trying to comfort him) “Hey…”

Optic - “STOP! JUST STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!! LIKE I’M SOME SORT OF MISUNDERSTOOD HERO! (pacing completely oblivious to her existence as he says) 14 days, 14 days! (starts kicking things)”

Vy - “Come on, if we can just talk -”

Optic - “NO!! See, that (referring to talking). (ANGRILY) I’ve tried that (hysterical) I’ve TRIED. (the anger disappears from his eyes as he becomes aware of how he is acting - Scaredly) See, SEE. It didn’t work! I’ve been rude all day! IT - didn’t - WORK. No matter how much I concentrated I couldn’t plan what I was going to say to MAKE IT UP TO YOU. I’ve never had TO DO THE RIGHT thing because nobody ever believed I COULD. (back to muttering) 14 days, how could it already have been FOURTEEN DAYS?!?!?”

Vy - (backing up) “Please stop this, you’re scaring me. (trying to muster some control but her voice wobbles with fear) Talk some sense, what are you going on about 14 days for?”

Optic - (stops pacing and stares dead straight into her eyes) “Did you know? I’VE been out here for 14 days! OKAY? “FOURTEEN DAYS”, he said. Do you know the meaning of a deadline? (viciously) It means if you don’t cross the line when he says, you’re DEAD, okay?” (paces)

Vy - “What are you saying? Deadline for what?” (scared)

Optic - (Frustrated; still looking at her) “YOU WERE WITH ME FOR 14 DAYS AND NOT ONCE DID YOU BOTHER TO ASK WHY I NEEDED THE ORB AND COMPASS? (to himself, desperately) WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?! HOW COULD YOU BE SO UNBELIEVABLY DUMB??!”

Vy - “This isn’t like you, -”

Optic - “HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?! YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ME. STOP TRUSTING ME.”

Vy - (staring at him in shock)

(voices in the distance)

Optic - (hears them - to himself) “Time’s up.” (takes out his sword, Vy cowards shrinking back, make it look like he is about to kill her, sound of sword swinging, compass falls to the ground - wound on Vy’s neck - small though; Optic grabs the compass of the ground)

(Vy opens her eyes, stunned - Optic drops sword with a clatter)

Optic - (chanting) “Restless spirits, gather about, return me to where my soul is bound.” (circle around Optic turns into flames)

Optic - “Don’t follow me this time ducky.”

(flash Optics gone RIP Everything in the series)

(Demetrius, Luke, Fairy, Zara, Laura, guards arrive)

Zara - (sees Vy on the grand, face unreadable) “Vy” (Runs to her)

(others behind her, Demitrius) (steps up)

Demitrius - (fearfully looking where Optic has disapperead) “What happened?”

Vy - (looks up slowly, tear falls down her face, staring at where Optic vanished)

“...Traitor”