Opens with a shot of the Vault, night time. It is a large tower-like structure in the center of a giant pit, with only one bridge. It contains a large supply of valuables, dangerous weapons, and other strange artifacts. It is guarded day and night.
The camera moves down to the edge of the pit, the Knights of Ardonia are waiting behind a hill stealthily.
Hubris’ markings glow dimly in the night light.
GREK
*quiet* Hubris, turn your lights off.
HUBRIS
*irritated, but quiet* I can’t…
GREK
*quiet* How are you supposed to sneak around with lights all over your body?
HUBRIS
*quiet* We don’t normally go sneaking around.
GREK
*quiet* This seems to be big a problem, Hubris…
Hubris tries to change the topic. Masani is further up the hill so he speaks slightly louder to her.
HUBRIS
*not as quiet* What can you see,Masani?
MASANI
*not as quiet* Nothin’much.
HUBRIS
* quiet* Looks like we beat the Voltaris here.
GREK
*raising voice* They better hurry, I’m ready for a fight.
HUBRIS
*quiet* Easy Grek.Let’s return to cover.
Hubris and Grek back up away from their viewing position while Masani remains. Onyx, Grim, and Senn are waiting. The horses are a bit further off.
ONYX
What does the Deathsinger want from The Vault anyway?
HUBRIS
What do you think?
ONYX
I don’t know… diamonds?
GRIM
*negative grunt*
SENN
He’s after the Prime Songs.
Everyone turns towards Senn.
HUBRIS
He’s right. When Thalleous distributed them, it’s likely he hid at least one of them in The Vault.
MASANI
*louder* Hey!Someone’s coming.
They turn and arm themselves. There’s a moment of tense silence as they wait. Masani finally spots whoever approaches and everyone relaxes.
MASANI
It’s the captain.
HUBRIS
Form up everyone.
SENN
The captain? I thought you were the leader?
HUBRIS
I was just maintaining order while she was away.
Senn is confused at learning that Hubris is not the leader of the Knights.
SENN
So… who’s in charge?
A familiar voice calls out.
RIA
I am, who’s asking?
Senn turns to see Ria. He drops his sword.
SENN
*shocked* Ria…?
Ria’s eyes are wide.
Cuts back to Tartarus. Igneous is walking through the housing district looking for Maxwell’s house. He arrives at a door and knocks on it. A moment later the door opens and Maxwell steps into the doorway.
MAXWELL
Can I help you sir?
IGNEOUS
Word from the lava pool said you are fighting to reunite K’arthen with the other kingdoms.
Maxwell looks shocked.
MAXWELL
Ha! You here to harass me? Tell me how wrong I am? That humans have no say in the matter? Well thank you, and goodbye!
Maxwell begins closing the door, but Igneous leans inwards as the door closes against his head, which causes no discomfort to him being a Magnorite.
IGNEOUS
Not at all sir! I agree with you… that’s why I’m here. I’d like to learn more about the issue if you have the time to spare.
After Maxwell attempted slamming the door against Igneous’ solid head a few times, he stops and considers Igneous for a long moment, before finally letting him inside.
MAXWELL
Alright fine, come in.
Igneous goes in and Maxwell shuts the door.
MAXWELL
I appreciate your honesty but you need to exercise more caution with what you say in public. Can I get you something to drink?
IGNEOUS
Yes, that would be lovely.
Maxwell hands Igneous a bucket of lava. He drinks it down in three sips.
IGNEOUS
Why is it so dangerous to speak freely?
MAXWELL
Isn’t it obvious? Magnorites tend to act a bit like sheep… no offense. They’d rather fit in with everyone else than stand apart. When Malakai rose to power and attacked Cydonia, everyone followed willingly.
IGNEOUS
But why did K’arthen attack? When did they become enemies?
Visuals showing clips from this story.
MAXWELL
Before this…mess began, the Kingdoms of Cydonia and K’arthen used to engage in mutual trade. We would supply Cydonia with crucial ores, and they supplied us with much needed food in exchange. As you’ve noticed the land here doesn’t lend itself to farming. But with no explanation or warning they began increasing the prices.To compensate,the council began dedicating all available efforts to mining deeper and deeper, even as supplies became scarce. This was when Malakai rose to power. He conceived the plan to cease trade entirely, and instead used our resources to make weapons and armor.Before Cydonia could prepare, K’arthen marched south. Theydestroyed the land and salted the fields so they would never grow crops again. But you should know all this…
Maxwell looks at Igneous.
MAXWELL
So where are you actuallyfrom?
Igneous becomes honest with Maxwell.
IGNEOUS
I was born somewhere in the Northern regions, outside of the Kingdoms. I wasn’t raised around Magnorites, and thus never developed their more aggressive tendencies. Everywhere I’ve gone people are worried I’m some sort of dangerous radical. I want to change that, Maxwell.
Maxwell smiles at Igneous’ honesty.
MAXWELL
*deep breath* There is a tunnel currently being mined. The council has mandated only Magnorites are allowed to work in it due to the lava, but I believe it is because they know those Magnorites won’t talk about what’s really going on. Go to the mines, there you may find the answers you seek.
Cuts to Igneous leaving. As he leaves the camera slides back to reveal a Magnorite watching suspiciously. The Magnorite hurries off camera.
Cuts to a montage of Abbigail, Denny, and Luna traveling and recruiting more Enderknights. Luna is getting larger. They stop in Twin Pass and recruit Trevor, an enchanter. He is surprised, and takes his research and his family lets him go. They stop in Amaria and recruit Saxon, a potion brewer. He is trying to hide his black-market potions when they enter, but Abbigail re-assures him it’s ok. At one point we see Abbigail noticing some Unyielding Legion in a town, but she decides not to pursue them, and instead keep going with her Enderknights.
Back to Felora, Kiyoshi beams in with a few Hydraphel troops.
Cuts to him riding into Ferndale where the Felden army is preparing for the next Necromancer attack.
The camera moves in as Kiyoshi rides past. Shot lingers and shows Nitsuke walking up carrying a pile of books in both hands. She looks around for Kiyoshi, unaware that it was him who had just passed. She approaches a random soldier who is turned away, working with some weapons.
NITSUKE
Excuse me sir, where might I find Captain Kiyoshi?
The soldier waits a moment, then turns around after realizing Nitsuke was talking to him. He gestures to the side where a building is.
NITSUKE
Thank you.
Nitsuke bows and a book slides off her stack as she turns to leave.
NITSUKE
Woops! Sorry.
She backs up awkwardly and picks the book up.
Cuts to her entering the room in the nearest building.
NITSUKE
Good evening sir, are you Captain Kiyoshi?
Camera shows the room. It’s clearly a kitchen, with a single chef standing there cooking. He looks at Nitsuke, unamused.
CHEF
*dull* This is the kitchen. Try the barracks.
Nitsuke walks back out of the room and looks around outside.
NITSUKE
Right… barracks. Where would those be…?
The camera is spinning around her showing the camp and people moving about. She is lost and overwhelmed. When the camera stops, we see Kiyoshi walking up to her side, who calls to her from a distance.
KIYOSHI
You must be the Chronicler. I’m Kiyoshi, Captain of the Guard.
Nitsuke turns and sees him. He reaches out to shake her hand.
NITSUKE
Oh! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Nitsuke, Chronicler of Northwi-
As Nitsuke goes to shake his hand, her books begin falling now that she is only holding them in one hand. This cuts off her sentence as she tries to pick the books back up. Kiyoshi reaches down and picks one up and hands it to her.
KIYOSHI
It looks like you came prepared. Do you normally use this many books?
NITSUKE
Actually I wasn’t quite sure what to bring, so I brought everything. This is my first mission after all.
Kiyoshi looks up with a disappointed face, knowing that having sent an amateur Chronicler means Northwind isn’t taking the situation seriously.
KIYOSHI
Well I hope you and Lucan are getting along at least.
NITSUKE
Who?
Alec and Kiyoshi look at each other, expecting Nitsuke and Lucan to have already met.
Cuts to Lucan dropping down into Necromancer tunnels, dressed in the Necromancer attire he got from Season 1.
He arrives at a gateway to a temporary Necromancer base. It is guarded by zombies.
Lucan pulls out his wither skeleton skull and with his sword scrapes the ground in circles like Xaria once did. He very skillfully subdues the zombies and enters the doorway.
Cut back to Senn and Ria standing apart, they slowly and carefully walk back towards each other, neither believing the other is real.
SENN
*in shock* I thought you were dead…
RIA
I tried looking everywhere for you. When I heard Thalleous was killed I thought-
They both stop as they’re now face to face, staring into each other’s eyes.
HUBRIS
I take it you two know each other?
Hubris stands to the side of Ria defensively. Ria looks away and tries to take everything in.
RIA
Yes… but that isn’t important right now… we have to focus on the mission.
Ria turns away and takes a few steps away from Senn, who looks sad that she didn’t have the same warmness with him that she used to.
Ria is holding the same spear that Senn gave to her in Season 1, but now it is enchanted.
RIA
The guards at the Vault wouldn’t reveal whether or not they’re holding a Prime Song. I was however able to warn them about the impending attack.
ONYX
How much time do we have?
Masani responds before Ria can answer.
MASANI
They’re already here.
Tense music cuts in suddenly.
RIA
You four, circle around from the right side and hit them from behind. I’ll run ahead and halt their advance. Masani, provide cover and keep an eye out for enemy reinforcements. Senn, wait here, don’t move, and keep quiet. Let’s move!
They all move off, Senn just waits with nothing to do really.
Cuts to the far side, Voltaris are attacking some of the guard posts around the rim. Suddenly the Voltaris turn and see Hubris, Grek, and Grim walking towards them. They prepare to fight when arrows start flying from the side and hitting them.
Grek gets down on all fours and starts bounding forward quickly. He gets back up at the last second and pulls out his sword.
Fight begins. Cuts back to Senn waiting with Masani, kicking his feet around idly.
SENN
I don’t understand… she knows I can fight just fine.
MASANI
Maybe she’s just trying to protect you.
Senn looks up, but Masani just shrugs and says no more.
Fighting rages on for a bit, then Hubris looks towards the vault.
HUBRIS
Wait… this group was just a distraction…
An explosion occurs and the top of the vault erupts with energy.
Everyone looks towards it, and the Deathsinger stands on top, holding the first of the four Prime Songs.
There is a moment where time seems to slow as the Deathsinger admires the Prime Song, captivated by its beauty. Only muffled low tones can be heard.
The sound comes back in as it cuts back to Masani, in a hurry.
MASANI
They’re already at the Vault! Senn we need… Senn?!
Masani turns and notices Senn is gone.
Cuts to the bridge Deathsinger and Tygren are walking back along the bridge towards the rim.
They stop. Camera slides back to reveal Ria blocking the path, alone, despite her saying not to engage alone.She strikes a defensive pose.
The characters must raise their voice slightly as they stand many meters apart.
TYGREN
*raising voice due to distance* Step aside, girl, or your fate will be the same as the rest!
RIA
*raising voice due to distance* Too long have I hunted you to stand aside now!
The Deathsinger steps past Tygren and finally into a good view for the viewer.
DEATHSINGER
*raising voice due to distance* Do you know who I am?
RIA
*raising voice due to distance* Every Ardoni knows those cursed markings.
DEATHSINGER
*raising voice due to distance* Then you know what I have done to those who interfere with my plans. I commend your bravery, but there is no need to waste your life here. Let us go in peace, and we will allow the same.
RIA
*raising voice due to distance* Peace was never an option, Deathsinger! You murdered the great masters, ignited a war, and slaughtered my clan. For them, the Knights of Ardonia will fight.
Ria grips her blade-staff tighter.
DEATHSINGER
*no longer raising voice* I am sorry that is the way you see things.
There is a very brief and subtle moment as Ria considers his words. Tygren steps in front of the Deathsinger and fires his AggressiumSong before more can happen.
Ria takes a step back in shock, but suddenly an energy shield appears around her and blocks the song. The shield holds powerfully for a moment as Ria turns to see Senn beside her.
TYGREN
*raising voice due to distance* You, I remember you! Yes… you cowered and fled as I killed Thalleous Sendaris.
Senn now recognizes Tygren.
SENN
Tygren! That sword doesn’t belong to you!
Senn takes a few steps towards Tygen in his anger.
TYGREN
Then come and claim it… weakling.
Senn runs forward but Tygren uses Thalleous’ teleporting Song to cover the distance first and surprises him.
They fight a bit, but Tygren overpowers Senn. Ria steps in and fights Tygren. Ria pushes Tygren back. Deathsinger grows impatient and fights Ria and quickly throws her down.
DEATHSINGER
You fight well for ones so young, but you were foolish to challenge us. Perhaps your names will be written in the Chronicles after you are gone.
Ria grabs Senn and they both jump over the railing before a final one of Tygren’s energy balls roars past.
They fall into the camera cutting to black.
To be continued.
Higher life 