SEASON 1, EPISODE 8

Senn and Igneous are traveling along the countryside. Senn sits on Timber and Igneous walks beside, chatting away.

IGNEOUS

It’s really convenient that we don’t need to eat or sleep, but our life goes by so quickly! I’m 14… so even though I’m still a child by most standards I’m already about half way through my life! I’d love to experience everything I can, but being a Magnorite born outside of K’arthen is tough. That reminds me… where are you from Senn?

There’s a pause while Igneous waits patiently, with a big smile on his face. Senn wasn’t listening really, and notices Igneous asked him something.

SENN

What’s that?

IGNEOUS

Where are you from? Why aren’t you with the rest of your family?

Senn feels a sting of pain.

SENN

My family is no longer around Igneous.

IGNEOUS

Oh… I’m sorry…

It gets a bit quiet all of a sudden.

IGNEOUS

There’s nothing you can do to alter the past, so it’s best not to dwell on it. What’s important is moving forward and making the most of your current situation.

Senn looks over and smiles a bit.

IGNEOUS

But I don’t need to tell you! Here we are journeying to-

Suddenly a figure jumps out of the nearby bushes and knocks Senn off Timber.

SENN

*grunt as you’re knocked off your horse*

Timber runs a head a little bit at the surprise. The figure is revealed to be Jalkar as he pulls out his large knife.

JALKAR

Give me the horse, now!

Jalkar runs over and tries to control Timber.

IGNEOUS

Excuse me sir, but this horse belongs to my friend Senn over here.

Jalkar whirls around and stabs Igneous in the chest. The knife just stops and clangs against Igneous’ rocky body.

Igneous looks up angrily, and lays a solid punch across Jalkar’s face sending him flying through the air as well as the dragon egg.

Jalkar lands in the distance, his ear is ringing as he stumbles towards the egg, grabs it, and runs off.

IGNEOUS

*shouting* W-wait! I didn’t mean to hurt you! *to himself* I reallydon’t know what came over me-

Jalkar is gone at this point. Igneous turns back towards Senn.

IGNEOUS

I hope I didn’t hurt him too much.

Senn is just starring with his eyes wide.

IGNEOUS

Oh look! We’ve arrived at Biggerton! Come on Senn!

Senn smiles and gives a short laugh, and walks Timber towards the stables.

SENN

*single quiet laugh*

They enter the town and the camera raises up revealing the dense city of Biggerton.

Scene fades back to Felora, the capital of Felden.

FELDEN OFFICIAL 1

You are absolutely sure of this, Lucan?

LUCAN

Yes. The Necromancers are living beneath Mount Tempus. They appear to be preparing for a large-scale invasion.

FELDEN OFFICIAL 2

If the Necromancers are raising an army, we must strike them now.

Felden Official 1 finishes signing some papers.

FELDEN OFFICIAL 1

I agree. Lucan, take this directive to Fort Zuka. We will send the armies of Felden to eradicate this threat before it has time to spread.

The officials hand Lucan a sheet of paper.

Cuts to Lucan walking outside, holding the paper by his side. Niika is there.

NIIKA

What’d they say?

LUCAN

Well they’ve officially declared war on the Necromancers. We have orders to deliver a message to Fort Zuka.

NIIKA

They actually said for both of us?

LUCAN

Uh… yep, looks like we’re stuck together for just a bit longer.

Niika is surprised, and Lucan pockets the paper as they start walking.

NIIKA

So after we deliver the orders… what then? Any plans for what comes next?

Lucan tries to avoid the fact that he’s still a criminal and will probably have to do more duty.

LUCAN

Oh I uh… I haven’t given it much thought… how about yourself?

NIIKA

I don’t know either… this is what I’ve been doing for years. I can’t imagine it coming to an end, let alone what comes after.

They both continue walking, each looking a bit confused and trying not to make eye contact at their similar predicament.

Back in Biggerton, Senn and Igneous walk towards a tavern.

IGNEOUS

Maybe we can locate a map in here.

Shot from inside of the door opening, Igneous and Senn step inside a bit and look around.

Warm crowded tavern with a lot of different people hanging out. A bunch of them turn and look towards Igneous, a bit worried. A guard who was sitting nearby slowly draws his sword pre-emptively.

Igneous walks happily over to the bartender.

BIGGERTON CIVILIAN 1

Back in the old days, taverns were filled with tales of heroes and villains. People sangsongs of war,adventure, and magic.

BIGGERTON BARTENDER

*passively arguing* And those same people used to worry about legends such as Herobrine.

BIGGERTON CIVILIAN 1

Don’t say his name! It’s bad luck.

They stop as Igneous walks over.

IGNEOUS

Sorry to interrupt, but do you know where we might find a map?

BIGGERTON BARTENDER

Marshall’s map shop is across the street.You should find what yer’ lookin’ for there.

Everyone still looks a bit worried, guards are nearby. Senn turns towards Igneous.

SENN

I haven’t eaten anything since yesterday, could we stop here and eat first?

IGNEOUS

Oh Magnorites don’t eat, remember when I told you that?

SENN

Ah…yes I must have… missed that part.

Senn turns towards bartender.

SENN

I’ll just take some bread please.

BIGGERTON BARTENDER

Got money to pay for it?

One of the tavern drinkers snickers.

BIGGERTON CIVILIAN 1

Stupid Ardoni…

Senn looks over at the civilian with contempt having heard it.

BIGGERTON BARTENDER

No money, no service.

The guard is worried about Igneous.

IGNEOUS

Here Senn, I have some gold you can borrow. Let’s getyour food and go.

BIGGERTON CIVILIAN 1

That’s right you better leave.

Cuts to them outside.

SENN

What was that all about?

IGNEOUS

No one really trusts Magnorites. Most of us tend to be aggressive… and the whole “attacking our neighbor” fiasco hasn’t helped our reputation. But now is not the time to digress, let’s go find that map!

Inside the mapshop.

MARSHALL

Welcome! What can I help you with today?

SENN

Hi, we’d like to purchase a map of Ardonia.

Marshall pulls out a map and sets it on the table.

MARSHALL

Alright, that’ll be 50 gold.

Senn looks at the map.

SENN

This is a map of Conchord…

MARSHALL

If you wantall of Ardonia it’s going to cost you double.

SENN

*in disbelief* Yes we want all of Ardonia, that’s what we asked for.

Marshall pulls out a larger map and sets it on the table.

MARSHALL

Alright, that’ll be 200 gold.

IGNEOUS

I thought you said it’d be double?

MARSHALL

It’s 200 gold pal.

The door opens from behind them and someone else walks in.

MARSHALL

Welcome to Marshall’s Map Shop, we’ve got maps of Ardonia for the price of 50 gold.

SENN

Wait I thought you just said it was 200-

MARSHALL

For you and your friend it’s 200, now do you want to buy it or not?!

Cuts to them standing outside and collecting themselves. A wolf sits near them waiting patiently.

IGNEOUS

Well Senn, I’m truly sorry about that,it might have been better if you’d gone in without me. People tend to act like that once they see a Magnorite.

SENN

This is ridiculous. And how are we ever going to get to Ataraxia without a map?

A voice suddenly re-assures them from behind.

ABBIGAIL

You can borrow mine for a moment.

They look back as Abbigail walks outside the shop, she’s holding the map out.

IGNEOUS

Really? Thank you! We appreciate it.

Igneous takes the map and starts looking it over.

ABBIGAIL

Merchants like to take advantage of young travelers.

Senn reaches down and pets Sam.

SENN

Are youa traveler?

ABBIGAIL

For the moment. I’m tracking someone. He stole an Enderdragon egg from Etherea.

Igneous looks up from the map.

IGNEOUS

An Enderdragon egg? I believe we ran into someone earlier today who had one.

ABBIGAIL

You did? Where?!

IGNEOUS

Not far. Just northeast of Biggerton, he tried to steal our horse.

Abbigail starts hurrying off.

ABBIGAIL

That’s him! Oh…

She stops.

ABBIGAIL

Sorry, but I’ll need my map back. Did you find the place you were looking for?

IGNEOUS

I did, fortunately it’s close by.

Igneous hands her map back.

ABBIGAIL

Thanks for your help.

SENN

You as well.

Abbigail walks quickly away with Sam.

IGNEOUS

What a nice person, shame we didn’t even catch her name. Oh well! Off to Ataraxia!

Igneous and Senn walk out of Biggerton.

Cuts to Fort Zuka. Lucan and Niika are walking towards the gate.

NIIKA

I’ve always wanted to see the inside of Fort Zuka.

A guard motions towards Lucan, who holds up his paper, and the guard waves him on in. A soldier walks to greet them.

ALEC

You must be Lucan! A messenger bird flew in yesterday and alerted us of your arrival.

LUCAN

I have a directive for the Captain.

ALEC

Right this way.

They walk into Fort Zuka and see some of the army training. In one of the fighting pits there are two soldiers fighting. One of them is completely destroying the other. He throws the other one down over his shoulder and faces the camera.

He is a male Felina with silver hair, and missing a piece out of one ear.

Lucan frowns as he realizes this is an old enemy of his.

LUCAN

*annoyed* Kiyoshi?!

KIYOSHI

Fancy seeing you here, Lucan. And it’s Captain Kiyoshi now.

LUCAN

Well it’s good to see Felden is willing to promote anyone with the right father. The realm is much safer in your capable hands.

KIYOSHI

*scoff* And how about you then? You talk big for someone who’s been to prison more times than the claws on my hands.

Niika is a bit surprised.

NIIKA

You’ve been to prison?

LUCAN

It was nothing.

KIYOSHI

Oh I’m sure he knows most of the local prisons quite well by now. But enough of these pointless insults, hand over the orders from Felora.

Lucan takes the paper out and hands it to Kiyoshi.

LUCAN

Come on Niika, let’s go.

Lucan starts leaving, Niika looks at Kiyoshi once more then follows. Kiyoshi reads over the directive.

KIYOSHI

Hold it! It says here, Lucan, you’re to accompany me in the attack.

Lucan whirls around surprised, not having actually read the order himself.

LUCAN

Wait… what?!

Niika puts her hand to her mouth and stifles a giggle.

NIIKA

*stifled giggle*                         

KIYOSHI

Let’s try to be professional about this. I don’t want a criminal in my ranks any more than you want to be under my command, but orders are orders. So let’s get this mission over quickly for both of our sakes.

Kiyoshi holds out his hand to shake.

Lucan frowns, but finally gives in and shakes.

KIYOSHI

Try not to mess things up.

Cuts back to Senn and Igneous, who are traveling along the countryside again. Senn pulls out his Song and looks at it, still unsure of what it does.

SENN

Hey, Igneous what do you know about the Songs?

IGNEOUS

Well I’m no expert… but I’ve certainly read about them. You’d be better off talking to another Ardoni though.

Suddenly timber stops at a water edge.

IGNEOUS

According to the map, Ataraxia should be on the other side of that mountain. I didn’t notice this river though… not quite sure how to cross. Huh, that’s funny, there’s no road leading to the city.

Senn dismounts as Igneous is looking over the map talking about it, and wades into the water a bit.

IGNEOUS

Uh Senn, another thing about Magnorites… I don’t think we can swim…

Senn continues wading, suddenly a small Guardian appears in the water ahead.

IGNEOUS

Oh look at that! A Guardian!

SENN

Are they friendly?

IGNEOUS

I think so…

Senn looks at it and smiles. Suddenly it hits him with a beam and starts pulling him forward.

SENN

*frightened* Ahh! Igneous!

Igneous runs forward. Timber gets frightened.

IGNEOUS

I’ve got you Senn!

Igneous grabs onto Senn to prevent him from being pulled under. The guardian stops, and disappears under water.

IGNEOUS

I guess they’re not so friendly after all. It’s going to take more than that to take my friend!

Shot holds for a moment. Suddenly six come up and start beaming Senn, who is pulled away quickly.

SENN

Ah!

IGNEOUS

Senn!

Senn disappears under water, Igneous remains up top.

IGNEOUS

Senn? Senn?

Cuts under water, Senn is being dragged down by Guardians. He is surrounded by them, when suddenly a large shape appears behind him. He turns around to see an Elder Guardian approaching slowly.

To be continued.