The Bell Wishers (7) Jewel's attention focused on it for a moment. SAGEUS Do you see how the grog swirls from one area of the cup to another? JEWEL (nods) Yes. SAGEUS That is the way of life. Balance is achieved in understanding this simple principle. Surface and depth of the liquid contain exactly the same density. There is no heavier or lighter area to consider. It's all the same. Contained within yourself are exactly similar levels of consciousness. They blend into each other, yet still are contained in the same vessel. Life can move you from side to side. Up and down. Backward and forward. This sloshes consciousness around. Bringing various levels of the liquid to its surface. None are greater or lesser than the whole, though. Never consider memories more important than applying their lessons to help others. JEWEL Thank you. I can handle remembrances now. SAGEUS You must. For what lies in the future could well depend on it. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as footsteps approach from outside. Sageus' head snaps around and a solid knock at the door draws both warriors' attention. JEWEL What now? CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as a mighty shove forces the door from its hinges. EFX as two giant fingers push the wall inward. The thatched roof blows away in a single puff of wind. Gabe shouts overhead. CAMERA FOLLOWS Jewel's gaze as she looks upward to see Gabe clutched tightly in the hand of a tremendous giant Cyclops. WIPE TO: INT. WATERY CAVERN. Jason beats his fins furiously against the outer rim of the endless watery chasm. Thrusting himself into the center of the whirlpool, he becomes mired in the inner rim of the swirling water. The Karmen roars behind him, realizing what he'd done. Reaching for him through the suction, Jason sees a tentacle brush his side. The slight impact only fixes him more securely along the inner rim. Relinquishing his prey in disgust, the Karmen vanishes, swimming speedily back to the surface. The creature is satisfied the vortex will eventually claim Jason. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jason's attention focuses entirely on the huge tornado of water surrounding him. A horrible despair begins settling on his heart, fearing no escape from the underwater prison. He finally gives up and begins to spin, end over end, into the depths of the whirlpool. Then a faint sound catches his ear. CUT TO: WIDER ANGLE as a blending of tone and melody is heard. Then, a lifting motion begins, stabilizing him in the water. All the flurry of motion ceases from the whirlpool. He begins to rise, inches at first, then feet. Finally, separated from the whirlpool altogether, he continues rising to the surface, depressurizing gradually, and regaining his bearings. The melody continues, filling every inch of his being. CUT TO: MONTAGE of fields of wheat blowing in the wind, miles of clouds sweeping by overhead, sunshine beams in all directions. Beautiful mountains and canyons race by, green fields and finally sandy sparkling shores of sand bring Jason's focus back to his reality of bobbing along the surface of water as a fish. CUT TO: EXT. SHORELINE. Pipercall is playing Windwood, drawing Jason closer to shore. Farina keeps darting back and forth, out over the water, then returning to the shore's edge. FARINA I've got it! Bring him in, Pipercall. I know the chant to change him back. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT of Jason being scooped up by a low flying pelican. POV as Jason sees the outside world vanish as the beak closes over him. The bird doesn't swallow, keeping Jason's scales moist and providing oxygen to his lungs for a few more moments. JASON (praying) Please let me be unconscious before I get eaten. CUT TO: AERIAL VIEW as the bird swoops toward a huge nest perched on the side of a cliff. The pelican drops him beside two large cream colored eggs. Jason's breathing becomes shallow and a misty glaze starts filming over his eyes. Glancing up, he sees his father's face. The parent's voice booms gladly in his ears. FATHER Jason, what are you doing out here in the woods? Jason's mother clasps him gently as both parents help him to his feet. MOTHER We were so concerned! We've been searching for days. Jason stretches and suddenly realizes his former fish appearance is gone. He has arms and legs along with his entire body transformation. JASON (breathlessly) We found this bell, then met a lion that talked… MOTHER There are no lions here, son. You must have fallen and hit your head. FATHER No problem. I noticed a small clinic in the last town we passed through. Only take about fifteen minutes to run back that way. JASON (insists) Dad…Mom…you've got to listen to me. There's a box with a bell in it, somewhere around here. FATHER Son, what happened to Jewel? MOTHER Yes, dear. Where is she? Her parents are frantic with worry. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason manages to struggle from his father's grasp. He runs back to the edge of the clearing where the box was originally hidden. It lay partially exposed in the tall field of grass. JASON Here it is! The bell's still in it. He gently opens the wooden cover and glances inside. The blue bell lies nestled in the plush velvet interior, with a complete set of folded instructions. Jason draws in a gasp for breath as he realizes the importance of handling the page with care this time. FATHER Come on, son! We need to get you to the clinic as quickly as possible. JASON (defiantly) I'm not going anywhere, until I straighten things out in the Land of Remote. Too many people are depending on me there. I have to fight Devonika. Set peace in motion for the island. He opens the familiar instructions, studying the final part of the inscription with deep interest. FATHER What is it, son? What does it say? Jason's father reaches for the page, only to have it crumble in his hands. The paper shreds go flying in all directions on the wind. JASON (screams) Dad, no! FATHER (booming) What did it say? CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jason's eyes. They blur once, then twice more, finally clearing. CUT TO: EXT. SHORELINE. At water's edge Jason sees the giant form of the Karmen stretching from earth to sky. Jason is back in his regular form, but no cliff is visible and no pelican. He looks back at the water again and sees his father's reflection fading among ripples reverberating from the beast's roar. JASON YOU WICKED BEAST! You used my parents against me. I'll destroy you once and for all. The Karmen's expression changes from mere amusement at the empty threat to a vicious rage against such an inferior creature daring to confront him as an equal. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason reacts, turning his head and narrowing his thoughts to a single purpose. EFX as Teathergund, more than fifty feet away, flies through the air to Jason's grip. JASON (grinning back at the Karmen) Evil's done. Time to run! EFX as Jason whirls Teathergund overhead and lets it fly into the air. Obeying the circular motion, the hammer continues an upward arch, rotating around the Karmen. A steady drone fills the air as it slices directly into the creature's head, splitting the monster in two, right down the middle. A mighty groan escapes as the creature separates, falling with a mighty crash into the lake. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Teathergund returns to Jason's hand. He kneels and looks into the lake's depths for any sign of final escape by the Karmen. A thin buzzing about his ears makes him slap absently at the sound, narrowly missing Farina who flies back and hovers at a safe distance. FARINA Hey, what's the big idea? JASON I had a battle with the Karmen again. FARINA I bet you did. And judging from your reaction just now, I think you probably won. JASON It didn't happen. None of it. PIPERCALL (checking the shoreline) Who's to say? We can't be sure the creature's demise is certain. JASON But I already destroyed it. I sent it into the earth and closed the ground behind. PIPERCALL (pats his shoulder) Two things I should have warned you about. This is no ordinary water. It's the Lake of Forget. Even touching the surface can have dire consequences. That's why we must find a way around it, instead of going across. JASON Understood. And the other thing? PIPERCALL Nothing ever perishes on this island. We merely change form to higher or lower levels. Depending on the lessons to be learned from each. JASON That's incredible. (pauses) I don't know how the Karmen stole my memories, or how that lake made everything seem so real with my parents. But I do know Devonika's evil must be destroyed. And it's my quest to get it done. PIPERCALL Have you learned anything else? JASON (pensive) Yeah. I know the entire chant for the bell, so I can get home anytime now. But I'm not going without Jewel. And somewhere, I know she's alive. FADE TO: EXT. LANDOWNER'S COTTAGE. Gabe yells helplessly from thirty feet in the air. Falling from that height risked death, but the Cyclop's interest was now focused not on the captive guard, but rather Jewel. CAPHUS I will trade you for her. I, Caphus, leader of our tribe was sent for her. It was foretold. SAGEUS Then you're not from Devonika? CAPHUS A logical conclusion. But really none at all from a bird. SAGEUS You see form, not substance. That's why you've remained at odds with your neighbors for so many years. JEWEL (whispers to herself) Well spoken. CAPHUS You would be neighbors? (his forehead scrunches together) You seized our land. Made us seek another home. GABE Is that what you believe? CAPHUS You drove us from our homes. We had nowhere left to settle. Until Stonelight found new caves. Beside the shore. JEWEL Sir? Can you hear me? CAPHUS Yes, little one. I hear you clearly. Hidden in the forest. The Cyclops sets Gabe aside on a tree branch twenty feet from ground level. JEWEL What is Stonelight? CAPHUS (picks her up) Come, I will show you. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as the Cyclops moves off with Jewel. Sageus flutters her wings uselessly in warning. She knows it would be folly to oppose the Cyclops' plan. Gabe grabs the side of the tree trunk and begins a quick descent from the high perch. SAGEUS You'll never find them. By the time you reach the ground, they will be far from here. Almost to the shore. GABE It's not far. And I will find them. SAGEUS I'll keep track of your progress. And theirs. CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS and MUSICAL INTERLUDE begins as Sageus flies off to keep Jewel and Caphus in sight. Soaring skillfully over the highest treetops, she carefully keeps a safe distance, never venturing nearer than several hundred yards. CUT TO: TRAVEL SHOT as Caphus moves in deep, purposeful strides, directly toward a distant roar from the shoreline. It would take the better part of an hour for them to reach the sandy beach. Crashing waves grow louder at their approach. CUT TO: EXT. LANDMOVERS VILLAGE. Gabe briefly returns to the village and gathers his hunting gear while eluding neighbors and friends. Each passing second puts Jewel and Caphus that much farther away and the quest is his alone. He will not ask for volunteers to accompany him. Especially when he might not return. CUT TO: EXT. CAPHUS' HAND. Jewel peeks at the giant's footprints crushing foliage into rocky paths at every step. Tree limbs bursting with colorful petals get swept aside, whirling into rainbow-like configurations against the dark green backdrop of leaves. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Sageus circles above. She drops once in a downdraft, but manages to quickly regain altitude. Warm sea winds are seen sending the wise owl soaring loftily back to her higher vantage point. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT of Jewel glancing back, tracking Sageus' intense pursuit. She realizes the extreme danger posed by any rescue attempt at this point. Nothing could be done until Caphus' reaches his destination. Jewel says nothing. She notes the Cyclops' labored breathing beating against her skin like a hot desert wind. Chapping what is left of her face. She buries herself in the beast's palm, unwilling to consider the final damage to her features. MUSIC INTERLUDE ends. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Caphus feels her tears and pauses to bend his head so that she can dry her tears in his hair. JEWEL Thank you. CAPHUS No problem, little one. I know Stonelight will find a way to restore your outer beauty. There is much to learn from such wisdom. JEWEL Even if Stonelight doesn't know and can't help, I appreciate your concern. CAPHUS Thinking isn't doing. Stonelight knows which is which. JEWEL Which is what? CAPHUS No. Which is which. They grin at each other, aware of the healing power in their play on words. A vital bond was slowly forming between the two. CAPHUS We're almost there. Soon, you will meet the others. JEWEL (suddenly scared) Who is Stonelight? What's he like? Is he big? Small? CAPHUS Stonelight isn't a person. It lives in water. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Caphus stops on the final hill before the shoreline. Jewel glances quickly down the opposite as sea green waves roll gently against a sparkling sandy beach. It is a bit more barren than the island's other side, lacking trees or any type of small vegetation. But its own unique beauty fascinates her as she sees a length of foaming tides in the distance. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Jewel sees an enormous grey object nestled in the water at the very edge of a small inlet. Cooling curtains of water spray drench it from every angle. It appears securely anchored under a small waterfall that cascades in rivulets on the face of the object. JEWEL If that's Stonelight, it's not even alive. Now I'll never get my face back. She begins crying in earnest, realizing that Stonelight holds no promise of restoring her beauty. Pity breaks into Caphus' mind for the first time. He feels emotions for her safety welling up inside with each new step of descent toward the shore. CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT of Sageus flying unerringly toward Stonelight, intent on discovering the mystery behind its cold grey surface. Two blinking yellow eyes watch the owl's approach. Fluttering through the water spray, Sageus lands carefully. She notices a strange symbol painted on Stonelight's forehead, next to a backlit directional pointer. As she moves closer, the yellow eyes blink shut. A green indicator light clicks on. Red fiery numerals light up on a side panel, beginning a countdown from twenty three hours, fifty nine minutes and sixty seconds. Sageus shakes her head in disbelief. There is now less than a day to figure out what makes Stonelight tick. FADE TO: EXT. LAKE SHORELINE. Pipercall, Farina and Jason are seen threading their way along the shoreline, keeping a safe distance from the water. Jason is relating all of his startling morning events. PIPERCALL We don't even know for sure the Karmen is following us. The lake is very unforgiving. It never matters who enters or what the person's troubles may be. All the water does is cleanse memories from visitors. JASON How much farther is it to get around the lake? PIPERCALL Not long now. Going around instead of over the water probably added two hours to our trip. JASON But at least we can still recall the journey. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Farina flies slightly ahead then circles back. She is determined to keep them together. United, they stood more chance against all adversaries. EFX as a chattering sound fills the air from several directions. The flyscout's wings freeze momentarily as the sound increases. She falls motionless onto Jason's shoulder, clinging tightly to his collar. JASON What now? Pipercall motions for silence. The clicking sounds begin reverberating. But they aren't staying in one place, the sound moves, taking on a distinctive marching military tone. It is gradually nearing. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Pipercall peers through a break in the trees. He draws back quickly, his eyes narrowing to slits as he indicates a swift retreat. Jason shakes his head stubbornly. Fleeing or running from peril wasn't an option for him. Farina, still hiding under Jason's collar, begs him in whispers to reconsider. PIPERCALL We have to get out of here now! FARINA Jason, please! Listen to him. CUT TO: CLOSE UP of Jason as he pushes aside the foliage. CUT TO: BIRD'S EYE VIEW of the small valley ahead. Every available inch of ground is covered by flying spiders. No speck of grass escapes the insects' notice at feeding time. The spiders are feeding on a beast resembling a giant roach. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Jason refocuses his attention to a large cavern about twenty feet back from a huge waterfall. Resultant spray from the cascading water continually changes to a rainbow of colors. A bright circular orb glistens directly in the center, lying almost hidden in the curtain of water. He points to the shiny round mystery device. JASON What's that? PIPERCALL I call it a travel disk. If you reach them in time when they materialize, you can journey from one point of the island to another. JASON Cool! FARINA How do you know it can be done? PIPERCALL I have used the orbs. That's how I happened upon Jason in his battle with Karmen. JASON I thought your flute brought you. I heard music playing before you appeared in the flash of light. PIPERCALL Light is normally faster than sound. That's why we see lightning before rolling thunder in storms on the island. But are you sure you heard music before the curtain of light opened? Jason thoughtfully scratches his head, glancing sideways at Farina. She squinches her eyes, trying to remember exactly. FARINA Yes, it was exactly that way. PIPERCALL Then something's wrong. It could be a small discrepancy. But great discoveries often hinge on just such things. JASON I think we'd better face these spiders first. Then get to the travel disk. PIPERCALL The spiders are no problem. I've just the melody for them. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as Pipercall instantly fills the air with a lively reel. The marching sounds stop at once. A strange silence hovers in the air as hundreds of spiders drop from low overhanging tree branches. Thousands more begin falling in line with the initial onslaught. CAMERA FOLLOWS as Pipercall moves off, surrounded on every side by the hideous insects. Farina shudders, hiding again under Jason's collar. CUT TO: WIDE SHOT as Pipercall heads steadily to the cliff's edge overlooking the valley. Continuing the lively song, he watches the spiders fling themselves off into space, their wings frozen in place by the music. CUT TO: EXT. VALLEY BELOW. Landing in the midst of the feeding frenzy already in full swing, the spiders fall on each other, gnawing, gnashing each other into oblivion. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as the three travelers head down to the valley. JASON Now! We need to reach the cavern before they turn on us. FARINA Not much chance of that. They're all finished with each other. Nobody's moving. Pipercall finishes the reel and places Windwood back in its worn leather pouch. Surveying the scene, they see that all of the flying spiders have been demolished. PIPERCALL Not a bad tune. We've nothing to fear from the ones that are here. JASON There's more? PIPERCALL (nods) I'm not a betting man, you understand. But I'd lay pretty good odds in favor of this being a type of nursery. Someplace the older ones drop off their children before joining the daily quest for food. FARINA So where exactly does that leave us? When the others return, we'll be the main course. Right? JASON Let's check the cave. Maybe our answer's inside. PIPERCALL (keeping an eye on the opening) Maybe so. FARINA Or we could be heading into an even bigger group of them. They like big dark places. JASON You're welcome to scout ahead. FARINA (grins) Oh no. I think we ought to explore it together. Pipercall silently cuts them both short. Motioning toward the cave's mouth, he crouches. They join him in the half-hidden lookout. JASON What's wrong? Did you see something? PIPERCALL Wait and see. I think we have company in the cave. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE as they sit silently for several moments. Then a gasp escapes Farina. A flutter of giant wings announces a slimy airborne predator toward them. FARINA Frygund!! She dives for cover among overgrown tree roots. JASON What? CUT TO: TIGHT SHOT as the beast shoots forward at a cheetah's speed with slick fangs bared. It opens a wolf mouth, howling a fierce attack cry. CUT TO: CAMERA PULLS BACK AND FOLLOWS as Pipercall barrels into Jason's side, knocking him safely into the underbrush. The flutist regains his feet and draws forth Windwood. But before he can play the first note, Frygund roars a battle cry and swoops in front of Pipercall, knocking Windwood off into denser foliage. CUT TO: CLOSE SHOT as Frygund's surgical-sharp fangs sink fiercely into Pipercall's head twice. The attack continues until Pipercall slumps unconscious to the forest floor. Farina's scream draws the beast's attention momentarily away from its downed prey. It lets loose with another howl to the darkness. FADE TO: EXT. FOREST FLOOR. Gabe is seen sweating profusely as he struggles through dense undergrowth. Sandy-blonde wisps of wet hair cling tightly to his head. His emerald green eyes flash angrily at the thought of Jewel still in the grip of Caphus. Heaving a sigh of remorse, he settles himself for a moment on a tree stump to rest. Just as his eyes flicker shut, Sageus soars into view, alighting on a nearby branch. SAGEUS Hurry! We're almost out of time. GABE I'll try, but I've covered eight miles already. I only stopped to rest a moment. SAGEUS I know you never asked for the quest. But you're the only hope Jewel can count on. Her life now depends on a machine the Cyclops don't understand. GABE How close are we, Sageus? Can we reach her in time? SAGEUS Good questions, young warrior. Your first one is easy. We're only three miles away from the shore. (pauses) Your other inquiry depends entirely on fate and the hand it deals you. GABE Let's go, then! SAGEUS Wait! You can't face the Cyclops with no energy. GABE This is the only path I know to get from here to there. It's the best I can do. SAGEUS Yes, but not the best I can do. CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Sageus twists on the overhead branch, blinking her large owl eyes pensively. Shaking a number of feathers loose onto the ground below, she begins chanting quietly. SAGEUS Alone, apart, no help can start Faint hope in every feather Together, though, their help can grow Balloon strength for any weather. EFX as the feathers connect instantly, interweaving with each other to form a solid mass, forming a giant balloon. Sageus motions its direction toward Gabe. SAGEUS Grab hold, and don't let go. There's no time to waste. You must reach Jewel within the day or all is lost. CUT TO: CAMERA FOLLOWS as the Landmover warrior grabs the airborne transport and feels himself gently lifted off the ground. Low hanging clouds drift around him as he soars straight up. GABE How do I go forward? SAGEUS Tilt it in the direction you wish to travel. He complies, and it moves steadily along. GABE Do we really have only a day to rescue Jewel? SAGEUS The Cyclops depend on a device named Stonelight. It's a dangerous machine with an activated timer running a countdown. CUT TO: DIFF ANGLE and EFX as a sudden loud clap of thunder signals a stiff wind springing up. It blows the feather balloon apart and leaves Gabe desperately clutching thin air. He plunges downward at a sickening rate of increasing speed, barely managing to get a yell for help out over the growing din of the thunderstorm. GABE Help, Sageus! CUT TO: ANOTHER ANGLE as Sageus is blown off course and only manages to cast one spell to summon a cushion of leaves below. Even with the soft landing, Gabe hits solidly, knocking the wind from his lungs. Gasping, he sits up, trying to restore his breathing rhythm. Sageus has soared higher, trying to find familiar air currents to stay aloft. But warm and cold currents clash together, forcing her to ground level.
Go to part: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Copyright © 2001 Emmett O Saunders Iii |