Raven’s Light
OMINOUS VOICE
According to a Native American myth, it was the raven that brought Light to the world. All tales begin as legend and some end in truth. Imagine a world in complete darkness save for a single eternal flame.
FEMALE VOICE
Only darkness
No sun
No stars
No heavens to dream upon
FADE IN. EXT. Snow covered hill
Dayanna, 18, long black hair wearing leather, fur, feather in hair, runs over the top of the hill. She has a Raven perched and tied to her wrist. Eradrin appears with several hundred men behind him. On the next hill is a glorious tree, it glows from the center of its crown. It is surrounded warriors of Dayanna’s tribe. The moon is full but is in the eclipse. The world is eerie tinted blue tint with the moonlight on the snow.
ERADRIN
Run! Dayanna!
Eradrin, 21 years of age, long black hair, black armor, is armed with sword. He is running alongside his Father, chief of the tribe and with Dayanna’s father.
CAMERA rises over the hill to see a massive army approaching. They are with white wings and flying low to the ground. They wear a thin armor and have swords or bows or long pikes. Horns are sounding.
ERADRIN
Let us pass!
The warriors let Dayanna run to the tree. Eradrin drops to a knee to hoist her up. He clasps her face and looks into her eyes.
ERADRIN Now
I love you, Dayanna. Here, take this. I was to be a gift to you on our wedding day. The stone has the color of the raven wings. Let me tie it on you. Go, now. Hurry. We have minutes left. Together, forever! I will find you in the afterworld. I swear this. go.
DAYANNA
I love you, too.
Eradrin lifts Dayanna up. She climbs and several warriors already in the tree help her ascend the trunk. She breaks off a twig from the tree and hands it to one of three Holy men. They retrieve a single flame onto the twig. The raven caws as they attach a leather strip with the twig.
HOLY MAN
Ahhhh!
An arrow strikes him in the chest. Other arrows strike the tree. Below, the warriors are shooting arrows at the approaching airborne warriors. Swords are clanging. Warrior cries. Dayanna looks in horror at the holy man as he falls from the tree. She sees her father being cut down by the blades of the Mabolian warriors. Darklings are running amuck.
DAYANNA
Father!
ERADRIN
Don’t stop! Release the light! I’ll take care of him.
Eradrin’s own father staggers back from receiving a blow.
ERADRIN
No!
Eradrin pulls his father up backing him against the tree to protect him. Their elite guard enclose them in circle. Two dozen men facing hundreds are now facing hundreds of Malbolians.
ERADRIN
Come on! To the death!
Eradrin throws himself into battle. He slays two soldiers and receives a stab to the side and drops to his knees. The opposing warriors are pressing forward to make their final kills
DAYANNA.
Dayanna climbs a higher branch, and unties the leather from her arm to the Raven. The Raven lifts into the air.
DAYANNA
Fly! Be free!
The surrounding warriors are awed over the single flame as it is being carried upward. The leather strip tangles on a branch. The Raven cries out and flaps its wings franticly but can’t free itself.
Dayanna climbs quickly to free the raven. Ravens start to appear overhead and begin circling like forming a swirling mass of feathers, lightning and thunder.
SHABAEL
No!
Shabael, chief of the opposing army, grabs a bow from a warrior beside him and takes aim at Dayanna as she reaches the tangled leather strap. He fires. The arrow pierces Dayanna in the back. The impact of the arrow jolts Dayanna forward causing her to snap the leather entwined branch, setting the raven free.
Eradrin drops back and looks up as lightning flashes and sees the arrow protruding from Dayanna’s back. Drops of her blood strike his face. He cries out and is stabbed in the side by a sword. He falls back against the tree stunned from the blow, the madness around him, and the death of Dayanna.
Shabael shoots an arrow at the raven. The arrow misses. He starts to shoot again as the Raven with the flame of light rises into the opening of the funnel. He lets the arrow loose. A raven swoops down and takes the arrow intended for the target. The Raven ascends into the funnel.
SHABAEL
No! Darklings, follow them!
Darklings scurry up the tree, others leap upward, hundreds pouring into the funnel.
A stream of ravens break free of the funnel and begin swarming Dayanna stripping her of flesh and flying into the funnel. Within seconds her body is gone. The funnel closes. The ravens disappear. The moon becomes totally eclipsed.
SHABAEL looks at the eclipsed moon then back to where the flame had disappeared.
SHABAEL
See through your eyes!
He shuts his eyes and the vision appears in his head of the darklings swirling through a blaze of light.
EXT. SPACE
With the eclipsed moon in the background, the raven carries the small Eternal flame. Following behind is a stream of ravens. One group flies together forming into a human shape. The stream of Ravens continue into the starry space. Darklings are close behind. They begin to swirl again and disappear.
INT. NIGHT. BEDROOM WINDOW. PRESENT
Lightning flashes. Thunder sounds. A raven lands on the window sill and begins to tap insistently.
EXT. MORNING. BEDROOM PRESENT
DYLAN
Dylan is 17 years old. Shoulder length black hair, average teenager.
DYLAN
Oh, man. I’m late.
Dylan pulls on his jeans and a tee-shirt. He grabs his book bag then stops, looking at the window. He walks over to it and sees a line of little cracks. He looks at the window sill and finds white tree twig and a small raven feather. He opens the window and places the twig and on his desktop next to the window.
EXT. On STREET. A rock biker song is playing.
You see part of a leather boot with Harley written on it. The road passes underneath the boot. Then camera pulls back and Dylan is on his bicycle delivering papers. Behind him a storm is brewing. A Raven lands on the back of his basket of papers.
RAVEN
Caw!
DYLAN
Jesus. Scare me too death won’t you! What the heck is up with you guys? I dream you. I see you everywhere. Same bird following me around. You’re freaking me out. Now, let’s see if we can knock big bro’s boot down.
Dylan throws the paper. The Raven flies after it. The paper misses but the Raven lands on one of the boots and knocks it over. The boot falls off the steps into a puddle of water. The door opens and Dylan’s bigger brother, Robert, steps out. “Damn, bird!” He kneels to retrieve his boot.
ROBERT
Get a real bike, wimp.
SPENCER
Spencer is father of Robert and Dylan, wears a sheriff uniform.
SPENCER
There are two types of men in the world, Robert, men with Harleys and boys with Schwinns. Listen up. Here’s some cash. Take your guys out tonight, don’t get drunk and crazy. I may need you to do some things for me. I want to keep them happy. Later, easy rider.
Robert leaves on his bike. As he rides down the road, several of his biker club members are waiting for him and fall in behind as he passes.
EXT. Freddie’s house.
Dylan parks his bike and knocks on the closed outdoor garage. The door partially rolls up. Freddie steps out. Freddie, 17, with his army issued glasses and a mechanic jumpsuit covered in grease stains.
DYLAN
Freddie, man, you’re a geek with a serious twank of nerdum. How’s it going, buddy?
FREDDIE
Hi Five, you get my jive? I’m the coolest …the badest greasey monkey in town.
DYLAN
Grease monkey, not greasey. Change clothes. We got to go. Seriously, you need to get some sunshine. I don’t know what you do in there. Do you ever go in the house? You’re going to go blind in there, it’s so dark.
FREDDIE
With these hands, eyes don’t matter.
Freddie unzips his jumpsuit and steps out of it wearing jeans and a tee shirt. They hop on their bikes and head to school. One of Robert’s club member roars past on a low rider.
DYLAN
You ever feel life is just passing you by? You ever feel unimportant?
Dylan stops the bike.
DYLAN
The last couple of weeks I’ve been having this like deja vue that either I’ve lived it or it’s gonna happen. Something big. Sometimes I lie in bed and wonder, is this it? I deliver papers. Next year I start four years in college and get a 9 to five job somewhere. Then I’m 60. Just an unimportant life.
The roar of distant thunder.
DYLAN
I just feel like I’m supposed to be doing something. Something important.
FREEDIE
We all have egos, dude. We are the center of our worlds. And reality is, Earth has 3 billion people living each in their own worlds living on it. That’s a lot to stand out from to do something important. Guess that’s why we got the terrorists. Bangs get noticed. But then again with the internet, voices are getting heard. Thoughts expressed. The world’s a complicated place. We’re so connected an event isn’t isolated anymore. It is spread throughout. Everything is just strange now.
INT. In Shop Class.
DYLAN
No offense, Freddie. But, 20 years from now, where are you going to be? I see you living in a house, two kids, a wife, and you working on a car in the garage with your own auto repair backyard shop. Don’t you want more than that? Can you be happy to live a simple life? Not watch any news, no newspapers…just be oblivious to the world. Work eight hours, go inside, have two beers, eat supper, watch a little TV, then go to bed.
FREDDIE
Wow, Dude, you make that sound really nice.
DYLAN
See, that’s what I mean.
Freddie stuffs a metric wrench and a couple of wires in his pocket.
DYLAN
Really?
FREDDIE
Man, you’re turning 18 tomorrow. Everyone feels that way. Remember when you always imagined being King Arthur or a great samurai. Sometimes we daydream of being a movie star or rock and roller, or daydreaming of being James Bond. Look I can do a great impersonation of Buddy Holly with Michael Jackson moves.
DYLAN
Laughs.
DYLAN
I can just see that. Thanks, Bud. You’re a true friend.
FREEDIE
Just trying to make our life exciting, Sir Samurai. Freddie holds his hand across his cheek with an imaginary sword and bows to Dylan.
DYLAN
Sir’s is for medieval knights. Freddie, you’re the smartest guy I know. You could build a Chevy engine with Leggos, but still forget your street address.
EXT. LUNCH BREAK. SCHOOL COURTYARD.
Dylan picks up a branch.
DYLAN
I just feel out of place. I want to be a great barbarian warrior or Samurai like on those video games we play. He swings the branch like a sword.
FREDDIE
Sounds like to me you should join the marines.
DYLAN
I don’t know what it is. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and my heart is racing like a drum. I’ve been having dreams of flying. I see campfires below. You ever feel like something profound is going to happen to you? I’ve been feeling that a lot lately.
FREDDIE
Sounds like to me you need to whack off.
DYLAN
Shut up. Jesus, Freddie. Never mind.
SHERRY
Bubbly cheerleader. Long haired, blue-eyed walks up.
SHERRY
Hi, Dylan.
Dylan jumps.
FREDDIE
Hee. Hee. Looks like a profound moment to me.
SHERRY
Hey, want to meet at the pizza place after practice for a little bit?
DYLAN
Sure. I’d like that a lot. Actually been wanting to ask you that for a long time.
SHERRY
I will see you there.
ROBERT
Robert walks up. He nonchalantly takes the stick from Dylan’s hand and snaps it.
ROBERT
Maybe if you’re lucky, Sherry, Dylan will take you riding on his Schwinn.
Dylan rolls his eyes.
DYLAN
I’ll see you after practice, Sherry.
Sherry walks away. Dylan looks at Robert. What is your problem? Seriously. I’m your brother. Go bully someone else.
ROBERT
Robert looks over at Freddie. Pulls a switchblade out of his pocket and flips it open.
ROBERT
I do feel like whittling a bit. Bone makes a blade real sharp.
FREDDIE
I’m not afraid of you.
ROBERT
Then you are even dumber than you look. What’d you going to do, that Sherlock Holmes move all planned out before hand and going in slow motion? Going Matrix on me, Geek Boy? Let’s see you motion out of this.
DYLAN
Stop it! That’s enough.
ROBERT
I may be your younger brother, but I’m a lot bigger and meaner. See you at football practice. Come on, guys.
Robert leaves.
INT. ENGLISH CLASS
ENGLISH TEACHER
Teacher reads to the class.
TEACHER
A vision on his sleep
There came, a dream of hopes that never yet
Had flushed his cheek. He dreamed a veiled maid
Sate near him, talking in low solemn tones.
Her voice was like the voice of his own soul
Heard in the calm of thought; its music long,
Like woven sounds of streams and breezes, held
His inmost sense suspended in its web
Of many-coloured woof and shifting hues.
Knowledge and truth and virtue were her theme,
And lofty hopes of divine liberty,
Thoughts the most dear to him, and poesy,
Herself a poet. Soon the solemn mood
Of her pure mind kindled through all her frame
A permeating fire; wild numbers then
She raised, with voice stifled in tremulous sobs
Subdued by its own pathos; her fair hands
Were bare alone, sweeping from some strange harp
Strange symphony, and in their branching veins
The eloquent blood told an ineffable tale.
The beating of her heart was heard to fill
The pauses of her music, and her breath
Tumultuously accorded with those fits
Of intermitted song. Sudden she rose,
As if her heart impatiently endured
Its bursting burthen: at the sound he turned,
And saw by the warm light of their own life
Her glowing limbs beneath the sinuous veil
Of woven wind, her outspread arms now bare,
Her dark locks floating in the breath of night,
Her beamy bending eyes, her parted lips
Outstretched, and pale, and quivering eagerly.
His strong heart sunk and sickened with excess
Of love. He reared his shuddering limbs and quelled
His gasping breath, and spread his arms to meet
Her panting bosom:...she drew back a while,
Then, yielding to the irresistible joy,
With frantic gesture and short breathless cry
Folded his frame in her dissolving arms.
Now blackness veiled his dizzy eyes, and night
Involved and swallowed up the vision;
ENGLISH TEACHER
What did you take from what Shelley was trying to describe?
STUDENT
That I need to smoke a cigarette after reading it. That babe was smokin’ hot.
Dylan is drawing a picture of a raven with beautiful eyes.
ENGLISH TEACHER
Comments like that are not necessary.
Teacher walks down the row and sees Dylan drawing a picture of a raven with beautiful eyes and long lashes.
TEACHER
This isn’t art class, Dylan. What did you think Shelley was describing.
DYLAN
Embarrassed. Dylan turns the paper over.
DLYAN
Unconditional love. Love so deep that can see all of you. Your faults. Your strengths and accepts you for who you are. And they “get” you. They understand the poetry of your heart. Kind of like being a lone Raven in the night and hearing another answer back.
ENGLISH TEACHER
Well, Dylan. That was beautiful. No one could have got that out of the passages without having experienced it. Quite remarkable.
EXT. FOOTBALL PRACTICE
ROBERT is in formation in the backfield, just behind Dylan. He is knelt position and takes out his switchblade and severs Dylan’s shoestring. The play begins. Dylan races downfield to catch the ball. His shoe comes partially off and it trips him up. He falls and the ball lands in front of him.
COACH
I’d learn to tie a shoe, Dylan. You can’t have that happen in game.
DYLAN
It won’t. Sorry, Coach.
COACH
Dismissed.
INT. IN THE LOCKER ROOM.
Dylan is sitting on the bench and sees Robert talking to his father who happened to pop by. Robert looks over at Dylan and says something. Spencer laughs. Dylan looks at his shoe again then back at Robert. He gets up and jerks Robert’s jersey out of his pants. The knife falls on the floor. Robert snatches it up before anyone sees. Dylan grabs him by the collar and slams him into the locker.
SPENCER
Hold on, boy!
SPENCER steps in between them and faces Dylan.
SPENCER
It was a joke. Now get dressed and go home.
Dylan sits back on the bench. While he is pulling out his clothes from the locker, he sees Robert step outside with Spencer. Dylan walks over to the window and cracks it a little to look out. He sees Robert walk up to Sherry. Freddie stands beside him and looks also. Robert flashes a wad of money at Sherry and places an arm around her, leading her to his bike. She laughs. Robert tosses her an extra helmet. They get on his bike and ride off with several of the club bikers following behind. Dylan steps back and notices Spencer had caught him looking out the window. Spencer smiles.
FREDDIE
Wow. He probably lied to her saying you weren’t coming. He sure seems to hate you. Wonder why he feels that way toward you?
DYLAN
It’s a learned behavior taught from my Dad. Don’t worry about it. I really liked Sherry but after these last couple of weeks, with my dreams. I know this is going to sound weirder than anything you heard before, but I’ve been dreaming of a Raven that comes to me at night. We go flying together. It’s like we’re mates.
FREDDIE
Freddie looks seriously at Dylan for a moment. Then he burst out laughing.
FREDDIE
Man, I’m seriously worried about you. Can just imagine you telling that to the school shrink. Jesus, bud. I thought I needed a girlfriend, but I think you need one worse.
DLYAN
Shut up. Seriously. It’s really was beautiful. And it is teaching me what true love is. That poem, “Alastor” we read in class. It’s like that. I know she is out there. I know it. It’s crazy. I guess artists just think and dream differently.
FREDDIE
You’re such a romantic. A Don Juan Raven Samurai. More like raving mad. Well, happy pre-birthday birdman. See you tomorrow. Caw. Caw.
INTER. DLYAN’S BEDROOM. Night.
Dylan’s mother comes to his bedroom. He is studying.
MOM
Well, tomorrow is your big day. Happy birthday Dylan. 18 years old. My baby’s growing up.
ROBERT
Baby is right.
Robert is standing in the doorway.
DYLAN
Thanks, Mom.
MOM
Here, this is something very, very special to me. It was given to me when I your age. It’s a half moon on a necklace. This is to represent your unfulfilled dream that one day I hope will have come true for you.
DYLAN
Thanks, mom. It’s beautiful. I’ll wear it now.
MOM
I wanted to give it to you along before we have your party.
DYLAN
Thanks, Mom. It’s pretty cool.
MOM
Get a good night sleep, last night at 17.
Mother leaves. Dylan walks to the window and looks out for a moment daydreaming. He starts to turn toward bed then feels as if someone is watching him. He quickly looks back at the window and sees the big oak tree in the yard. He gets into bed.
INT. BEDROOM
Middle of the night. A raven caws. Dylan opens his eyes. Tap tap tap. He looks at the window and sees a Raven.
DYLAN
You again? Aren’t you supposed to fly during the day?
Tapping becomes more insistent.
DYLAN
Alright already! You’re gonna break the window.
Dylan opens the window and the Raven stays unmoved. They look at each other. Dylan reaches over and touches the Raven’s head.
DYLAN
You’re my Alastor, aren’t you?
Suddenly the Raven is airborne and Dylan is looking through the eyes of the bird.
DYLAN
What the heck? Not again? Ok, relax. This is fun. I flew through telephone wires and made it through. All is good.
The Raven flies over the neighborhood and heads toward the mountains. She flies and comes to a mountain. There are campfires below.
DYLAN
Where is this place? Campfires?
Something Black darts straight toward them. It screams. Dylan opens his eyes. His heart is pounding. There is this sense of an evil presence. He looks toward the window. Yards away is an old oak tree’s crown is thick with foliage. Deep in the shadows, so deep Light doesn’t touch, he senses something in there. He doesn’t see it, a darkling slowly merges back into the shadows.
INT. SHABAEL OBSERVATORY
The observatory is filed with large orbs of black liquid. There is a watcher to observe each orb for any images that appear. Shabael is wearing a hooded robe. He takes the seat of one watcher and bows his head. He now sees out of the eyes of a darkling. The darkling is in an underground tavern that is lavished in metaphysical devices and maps. Shabael’s voice sounds from the darkling.
SHABAEL
Morlona, awake.
Morlona sits up. She scrambles to the floor, drops to her knees and has the side of her face against the floor.
MORLONA
Yes, sire.
SHABAEL
There are stirrings of the Raven magic within the tribe. We may at last find the flame. Amass your darklings. See through their eyes. If we can find this last Light and the tree that harbors it, we can forever insure darkness in SkyEden. I swear to the Gods I will smite the Light out of the universe. Darkness forever.
MORLONA
Yes, Sire.
SHABAEL
Soon, we shall meet and you shall be rewarded with riches and powers beyond your imagination. Gather your darklings. Let them spawn and grow in numbers to create an army.
MORLONA
Darkness forever.
Morlona emerges from her chambers. She steps outside. The entrance to her chambers is beneath a large tree root. The tree root belongs to a huge dark tree that is covered in darklings. Pulsing within the depth of its crown is a black fire. In the trunk of the tree is an arrow.
EXT. SKYEDEN. BALCONY OF SHABAEL.
Shabael steps outside of his balcony. He looks across his castle and to the barren blue tint moon.
SHABAEL
Malcolm!
Malcolm, a man around 50, bald, wearing a robe. He has a scroll and pin and I hand. He hurries to Shabael’s side.
Your Grace?
SHABAEL
Summon my warlords and sorcerers to the war chamber. Call the council meet this evening. We have the future to discuss.
SHABAEL turns to Malcolm. Shabael is blind. His eyes are glazed with pupils like the moon.
SHABAEL
I was blinded for the deeds of my father that I may never see the Light again and live in damnation. How can a blinded emperor’s boy be a threat to the kingdoms. I made it my life’s mission to smite the Light from everyone’s eyes. I have fulfilled my father’s dream and that of the Dark One. And now the Raven magic is stirring where the last of the eternal flame remains. We have the chance to retrieve it and deprive it from the world so be in darkness forever. We have destroyed the tree of Light in Skyeden. I have slain the Light of this moon. Gather them, Malcolm. Tell Mother, I seek an audience with her, now!
Shabael snatches the gloves from his hands. He looks at the blue moon. Taking a depth breath, he turns and starts marching out of room. He has a darkling on his shoulder and sees out of the darkling’s eyes. He ascends the long hallway to his mother’s chambers. Four guards are posted by the door. They are wearing gold armor. Hands on the hilt of their swords.
SHABAEL
Step aside.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
Stay.
SHABAEL
Excuse me?
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
The Queen so demands.
SHABAEL
The Queen demands? She may be your matriarch, but I am the patriarch. I am supreme here. Open those doors now.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
We cannot. Another step will be considered an offensive move.
Shabael leans forward. He draws his dagger and looks into the guard’s eyes.
SHABAEL
If you do not yield I will skewered your eyes and fill the empty eye sockets of Father’s statue with them. I command stand aside!
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD
We will not!
Shabael looks over his shoulder and starts to motion his four guardsman a few steps away to jump into the fray.
SHABAEL
Shabael looks back at the guard.
SHABAEL
You can relax, Trumore. I was merely testing you.
Shabael bows. Taps come from the Queen’s chamber door. Trumore opens the door, then stands aside.
TRUMORE
You are granted access.
SHABAEL
You’re golden through and through.
INT. QUEENS CHAMBER.
Shabael enters.
SHABAEL
Shabael kneels to his knees.
SHABAEL
Mother.
Queen Mateah le Qui is sitting in the foyer. Pure white hair, with pale skin. Her eyes the blue tint of the moon. Maids are polishing her nails.
QUEEN
Leave me now.
My son. I only delay you to make myself presentable to you.
She extends her hand to be kissed.
SHABAEL
Creator of my life. I have good news. A raven has delivered a twig from the Tree of Light to the dreamer on the off world.
QUEEN
Really?
SHABAEL
After 150 years, Mother, we have signs of its existence. I have eyes watching closely. Soon, we will know of its location and destroy the last of the light.
QUEEN
And what of Eradrin of the Ravenites? Have they any knowledge of this?
SHABAEL
None that I am aware.
QUEEN
This is good. Once this light and no doubt the new Tree of Light is destroyed, then darkness here will be eternally insured.
SHABAEL
And to think how close we were to finishing it then.
EXT. The Tree of Life in Skyeden 150 years ago. Black and white.
Eradrin falls to his knees then strikes the ground. He hears Shabael commanding the darklings to enter the funnel of ravens. Gasping for breath, Eradrin rises back upon his knees. One hand clutches his side where he has been stabbed. He reaches for his sword but a boot steps on it. Looking up into the tree doesn’t see Dayanna.
ERADRIN
Where is she?
Shabael descends from the air. His wings disappear. He lifts Eradrin’s chin up. Son of Aremis.
He steps to the side and sits Aremis up.
SHABAEL
I am glad you still live. A king should kill a king. I give you this honor.
He cuts Aremis’s throat. Guard hands keep Eradrin from reacting. They hold him in kneeled position.
ERADRIN
Father.
Shabael
Your father lies dead so is your vice-chancellor. You have a kingdom of women and children and old men. Your precious capital remains intact. I will spare them all and let you reign over your kingdom for the knowledge of where the flame has gone?
ERADRIN
I know not. The raven had no set destination. Setting it free with the flame was all the hope we had left for its survival.
QUEEN
Enough!
The surrounding warriors drop to their knees. She kneels and looks into Eradrins’ eyes.
QUEEN
You know of my cruelty. I will ask you only once. And if I see you are lying to me, I will boil every child in your kingdom, cut them to strips and feed them to the darklings. And I will cast those images into your mind where that is all you will see until the day I have you executed. Think very carefully on what you are going to say.
ERADRIN
I tell you the truth. I did not even see the direction the raven took.
QUEEN
GAH! You know nothing of the funnel of ravens or the devouring of the woman?
ERADRIN
What are talking about? Where is Dayanna?
QUEEN
Dayanna. Huh! Where’s a child? You! Come here prisoner. You will do!
ERADRIN
I swear. I know not what you say!
QUEEN
Well, maybe this will put a chill into your bones?
She pushes the hair out of the man’s face. Wipes grass from his cheek. She kisses him gently on the lips then drives her dagger in his heart.
ERADRIN
No! Stop! Please. I tell you the truth!
QUEEN looks into Eradrin’s eyes.
QUEEN
Alright. I believe you.
Eradrin sighs. The Queen turns to Shabael.
QUEEN
My son. What is your wish?
SHABAEL
You spared their children for him telling the truth. We kept our word. But, for everyday the Light is not returned, I want 10 children from birth to ten to have their eyes removed every day until the Light is returned back to us. And every blinded child you see will be for what you did to my father and I and stealing the Light.
ERADRIN
This is evil.
SHABAEL
It depends what side you are on. I am assigning Malcolm Vokin as your overseer. He will report to me your actions of each day. And the first offense I find toward me or my kingdom, we will find ways to punish your women.
Soldiers, let’s stay the night In the Ravolian capital.
INT. RAVOLA ERADRIN’S CHAMBERS.
Eradrin throws his wine goblet against the wall. He swings the balcony doors wide and steps out and hears the drunken soldiers and occasional cry of a woman.
ERADRIN
Great Creator! We are your people. There is no light in the world.
My people are being ravished. My love, Dayanna devoured by ravens.
Ravens? Funnels?
Eradrin is joined by his mother and two brothers.
ERADRIN
I can’t just stand here. Father, Dayanna, our kingdom lost. No!
Eradrin grabs his sword and heads for the door.
JULIANA
Juliana, is Eradrin’s mother.
JULIANA
Stop!
Eradrin stops and turns around.
JULIANA
We knew if ever we were found to have the Light this would happen. There is not a Ravenite in the Kingdom who would not die for the chance of regaining the Light…the Sun…a day again. Listen to me, your father sat on the throne for 20 years. Twenty hard years. Never did he act on impulse. He was a mountain that moved sparingly, but mightily. He moved with prudence. If you seek vengeance for this day, then you plan actions that have everlasting consequences. With your father gone and the kingdom’s heart, Dayanna, they need you more than ever. You now have the seat and the weight of the throne.
ERADRIN
In ceremony Shabael presides in the place of my Father. A Malbolian gives me the throne? He and his witch mother. And this Malcolm, who acts as their eyes and ears, how can I be called King?
JULIANA
Because you have the blood of your father and mine. You are the eldest son. It is your right. Now, lay your sword down for now. Your people need you. When they see you ascend to the throne tomorrow, they will at least have hope.
ERADRIN
Yes, a King without his Queen. It was Shabael that killed Dayanna. What the Ravens did, I have no idea except maybe it was their way of reclaiming their own. They always loved her. My first act as king will have a day of mourning and funerals for all those that lost their lives in this battle. I will build statues of Father and Dayanna so they will forever be remembered.
Eradrin drops his sword and receives his mother’s arms and rest his head on her shoulder. The children. Ten children a day. We don’t know where the Light is. A whole generation of Ravenites will be blind.
JULIANA
May the Light save us.
INTER. BEDROOM. MORNING.
Dylan wakes. He looks around. It is morning. He walks to the open window and finds a raven’s feather and a bleached white twig.
ROBERT
Birthday boy.
Robert hisses and looks at the feather in Dylan’s hand, then at Dylan.
DYLAN
Had a dream again.
ROBERT
You’re too weird. What was it about?
DYLAN
Just flying, looking at teepees.
ROBERT
Oh right, a sex dream. God, grow up.
Robert walks away.
Dylan stopped for a moment and talks to himself.
DYLAN
Teepees? Not just campsites. Weird.
EXT. DYLAN’S. MORNING
Dylan pedals away on bike. Robert and Father step outside.
ROBERT
He had another dream.
FATHER
Raven involved?
ROBERT
Yeah dad, Said they went flying. Saw teepees.
And these were on the window sill.
Robert hands over the white twig and raven feather. Spencer’s eyes open wide. The twig in his hand makes him feel uncomfortable. He steps back.
SPENCER
Keep an eye on him.
ROBERT
Sure, Dad. Police surveillance?
SPENCER
Something like that.
Spencer goes into his office in the house and sits behind the desk. He places the white twig and feather in a small jewelry box and puts it in his desk drawer. He tapes the desktop, then turns and takes a photo off the wall of him and five other men each of them holding hunting rifles. Standing in the middle of them is a stuffed bear with an native American headset on and around it’s throat are six dead ravens hanging by their claws. The photo about 15 years old. Beside this photo is another one. It is very old black and white. The old timers are bearded and also have a stuffed bear and ravens around it’s neck. He takes his cellphone out and starts punching numbers.
SPENCER
Ravens. Campsites. Here we go again.
EXT. FREDDIE’S HOUSE. MORNING
Dylan rides up to Freddie’s garage.
DYLAN
Hey, Monkey, time to roll.
Freddie pokes his head out the garage door.
FREDDIE
You want to roll or you want to ride, my man?
He slides the door open….there are two motorcycles.
FREDDIE
That’s yours.
He points.
FREDDIE
Happy Birthday.
DYLAN
Seriously???
FREDDIE’S FATHER
He’s been working on those for months. Who says car mechanics can’t work bikes.
DYLAN
This is unbelievable.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Yeah, found two Indians at a garage sell. They were basically all body. Junior here did the rest, barely needed my help.
FREDDIE
Let’s find a parking lot and practice some.
DYLAN
On it! Oh, my God. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you, guys! I can’t believe this? Really? Really? Indians? Oh my God!
Freddie and his father laugh over Dylan’s excitement. One of Robert’s guys cruises down the street.
EXT. SCHOOL PARKING LOT. MORNING
Big Scott stands about 6’4. He is so huge the bike literally disappears beneath him when he sits.
BIG SCOTT
Hey, Prez, you’re not going to believe this.
ROBERT
What Big Scott?
BIG SCOTT
Your little bro I think has a bike. He and Freddie were saddled up at Freddie’s house ready to ride.
ROBERT
No, f-ing way. Son of a …… do you still got your grandma’s truck behind the house?
BIG SCOTT
Yeah, why?
ROBERT
We’re going to have a little fun.
EXT. CLOSED DOWN K-MART PARKING LOT.
Showing them riding around a little, laughing. Dylan tries to make a slow sharp left turn and the bike goes slowly over. Freddie laughs.
FREDDIE
Secret to that is, whatever direction you’re making a turn like that, you look over your shoulder as far as you can and you look ahead of the turn.
Dylan tries it again and gets it right.
FREDDIE
Hey, let’s skip school.
DYLAN
Seriously?
FREDDIE
Not every day you get an Indian. Let’s ride somewhere.
DYLAN
Wow. You know I’ve been having this silly dream of the mountains. Let’s get on the Parkway.
FREDDIE
We’re on it.
They high five.
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD
Dylan and Freddie ride up the mountain. The view is breathtaking. They arrive at a Cherokee Village. Dylan and Freddie park their bikes.
DYLAN
Oh, my God, that was like amazing. It was like flying and you could see everything so clearly. I love this, Freddie. I forgot about the village being here. Felt like I had another of those flying dreams.
FREDDIE
Out of body…out of mind…woo these women are lookin’ fine. We got a whole new ballgame, Dylan boy when you got a bike, makes you a babe magnet.
Freddie flexes, and then shoves his comb down his shirt pocket.
DYLAN
Oh, boy…
They are walking around looking at the different crafts being made. Dylan eyes a beautiful Indian girl.
DYLAN
Beautiful.
OLD WOMAN
Thank you. Not bad yourself.
DYLAN
Pardon me.
He turns back doesn’t see the girl. He gets ready to kick into some hyper searching mode, but he spots her again, looking at thread in a weaver. He is standing across from her. She is looking down. He looks at how the light shines on her hair black with a blue sheen, like on a raven’s wing. She raises her head. Their gazes meet. Her eyes were an almost iridescent blue. Even from 15 yards away. He could tell they were like none he had ever seen before. He suddenly realized he was staring at her with his mouth open. He blinked, straightened. She smiled and then moves on.
He continues to stand there, watching her walk away marveling over this beautiful girl who had smiled back at him. He looked over his shoulder to make sure no other guy was standing there and she was really looking at him. When he turned back toward her, she was gone. He panics. He stands on the path between the vendors. He spots her and moves parallel to her. She is looking at all the crafts and handmade items at each vendor. Each Native American that sees her gives a little bow, then they back up a little as of to address her as royalty.
He follows her. When he moves past the last vendor in the row, he doesn’t see her anymore.
DYLAN
Where’d you go?
Dylan says to himself. This time he sees her on his side of the row. He crosses over and turns to look back at her and she is gone. He looks around and he sees her two teepees up. She looks at him and flashes a smile and disappears behind the teepee. He hurries and looks around but she is no longer there.
DYLAN
You’re playing with me.
Now she is on the other side of the row. She stops for a moment between two teepees then starts walking between them toward the woods. Dylan looks around for Freddie, but doesn’t see him. He looks for her again. She is standing at the edge of the path looking his way, then turns and starts down the path. Dylan follows. He rounds the turn in the path and catches a glimpse of her going around the next turn. Quickening his pace, Dylan suddenly finds himself at the edge of a cliff. It is a thousand feet above the ground. She is nowhere in sight.
Dylan looks across the cliff several hundred yards away to see the beautiful blue eyed girl waving bact at him. She then disappears into the woods.
EXT. PARKING LOT OF CHEROKEE PLACE
Dylan comes back to the bikes and finds Freddie there talking to a girl.
DYLAN
Hey, sorry… I wandered off. Hi.
FREDDIE
No problem. Meet Summer.
DYLAN
Hi, Summer.
SUMMER
Hi, pleasure to meet you.
DYLAN
It’s really a cool place here.
FREDDIE
Yeah, Summer wants to be a biologist. She’s going to ASU this summer.
DYLAN
Sweet.
FREDDIE
Well, Summer. I’ll call you.
DYLAN
Hey, Summer. I saw this girl a little while ago. She has long black hair and really beautiful blue eyes. You know her? She’s about your age.
SUMMER
I have to go now. Goodbye.
DYLAN
Uh, okay.
FREDDIE
Call you later.
After she leaves, Freddie turns around to Dylan.
FREDDIE
Oh, my God. I’m going to be going on my first real date.
DYLAN
No way!
FREDDIE
Yes way. And I’m definitely on it.
They laugh. Dylan glances at his watch.
DYLAN
Wow, we better start heading back. I saw a beautiful Cherokee girl. Man, she was gorgeous. She had the most beautiful smile and radiant blue eyes.
FREDDIE
Love is in the air. This has been like the most perfect day. I’ve never felt so alive. I got a bike and girl on the same day. That’s major.
DYLAN
Part of the best birthday we can have, this is just too awesome. I think our lives are gonna change after today. Maybe we can come back this weekend. You can see Summer and I’ll look around for my blue-eyed girl.
FREDDIE
Yeah. I think life isn’t moving on from us anymore, brother. Today is the first day of our lives.
They crank up the bikes and Freddie makes a dust storm. They are riding side by side. A truck passes them.
FREDDIE
Feel like Freedom!
Freddie says to Dylan when suddenly the truck is behind him. The horn is blaring. It starts moving in almost touching bumpers.
FREDDIE
What are you doing?
Freddie shouts at the truck.
FREDDIE
I’ll pull over…Jees_
The truck clips Freddie. He is thrown off the bike and lands hard on the payment.
DYLAN
Hey!!
Dylan cries out and now the truck is barreling down on him. He speeds up and the truck taps the back of his bike. They round into a curve… and Dylan is going too fast. He tries to lay the bike down but the momentum carries him and the bike over the edge.
Falling to his death, a suddenly a black object flies by his face, then another, then more. Suddenly a cloud of black and feathers, wings and caws swirl around him and seem to slows his descent and somehow lower safely to the ground. He whips around in disbelief and catches glimpse of figures darting into the surrounding woods away from him.
He is stunned momentarily, and then remembers Freddie. He starts clawing and his way up the cliff. leaving below his crushed, burning bike. He reaches the highway and runs over to Freddie and discoveries Freddie’s lifeless body lying in the road.
DYLAN
Freddie! No. Oh, God, why? Why?
Dylan takes out his cellphone and begins to dial.
EXT. ROADSIDE BY ACCIDENT
SPENCER
He is dressed in his sheriff uniform.
SPENCER
Why were you two out here anyway?
DYLAN
We just wanted to ride. It was the first time on the bikes and it’s my birthday.
DYLAN’SFATHER
Well, happy, dead day, Dylan.
Dylan sits by Freddie’s father on the roadside. Looking at the chalk outline of where Freddie’s lifeless laid.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
This truck, you think they deliberately ran Freddie down?
DYLAN
After they knocked Freddie over, they came after me. I tried to swerve different ways but they stayed right on me. It wasn’t an accident! They forced me off the cliff.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Well, you’re bike, not you.
DYLAN
Uh, yeah right. I’m so sorry… It’s my fault. It was my idea to come here. He does all this for me…and this happens.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
It’s not your fault, Dylan. It’s whoever was driving that truck.
Dylan gets a glimpse of the girl for a moment in the crowd, and then she is gone.
SPENCER
Yeah, about the truck... I got a lookout for it. We’ll find it.
Spencer takes Dylan’s arm to lift him up. Dylan turns back to Freddie’s dad.
DYLAN
He was my best friend. He was a real brother to me.
INT. DYLAN’S ROOM. NIGHT
Middle of the night, Dylan’s room. Tap tap tap. Caw. Tap. Tap Tap.
Dylan grabs his shoe by the bedside and throws it at the window.
EXT. FUNERAL. DAYTIME
Funeral
The graveside service for Freddie begins. Dylan is standing on one side of his mother. On the other side of Dylan are Freddie’s father and family. Spencer and Robert on the other side. The preacher steps to the side and motions for Freddie’s father to come forward. He is holding Freddie’s motorcycle helmet. He turns to Dylan and starts crying and gives the helmet to Dylan. Dylan carries the helmet and places it on top of the casket.
INT. SKYEDEN. THE THRONE. ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS AGO.
Eradrin is standing in the hallway before entering the throne room. Behind him on each side are his brothers. His mother stands directly behind him. Behind them are his council and officers of his court. Beside them, their Priest. Along the walls and doors are Mabolian soldiers. Eradrin looks over his shoulder at his mother. She is standing straight, always filled with pride and honor. A drum sounds. The doors to the throne room opens. The throne is made of raven bones. Each arm of the chair are wings pointing forward. The back of the chair rises and makes a raven’s head. He stands joyless. Brooding within, he is majestic and in control on the outside.
Thomar is Eradin’s brother.
THOMAR
It shouldn’t be this way.
ERADRIN
It is what it is.
Aribon, Eradrin’s nephew, is standing on Eradrin’s left side.
ARIBON
Is it true he sees through the eyes of the darklings?
ERADRIN
Yes. As we had with the ravens until the Light was slain from Skyeden. Night the Mabolians reign with the dark magic. Day, the Ravenites ruled with white magic. And so the balance had been until as legend has it, the Eclipser slew the light of the sun and made it our moon. The balance broken and with the white magic gone as our immortality. Onlty the Light of the Eternal Flame is said to have the power to make our moon into a sun again.
ARIBON
I don’t understand what is happening now.
A raven appeared in our courtyard with the eternal flame and laid it before Dayanna. We asked no questions but took it knowing if this be found in our possession we would face the wrath of the Mabolians. For a month council debated what to do with the flame. Then Mabolians came. We were surrounded and had no choice but to let Dayanna have a raven carry the flame away. And a great cloud of ravens appeared and created a funnel. Dayanna died while releasing the raven. The cloud of ravens devoured Dayanna and disappeared with the raven carrying the light. No one knows where the Light is now. Father died on the field. And now I am to be crowned king and serve the Mabolians for the honor.
ARIBON
I will find the Light for you uncle.
ERADRIN
I have no doubt, my nephew.
GUARD
My Lord, the time has come.
The doors to the throne room are now completely. Drums sound. A choir begins to sign.
Standing before the throne is Shabael and his mother Mateah el Qui of the Mabolians. A priest is standing by Shabael, holding the crown. Several Darklings are placed strategically observant points around the room.
GUARD
Here enters Lord Eradrin and the Donachie Tribe, High House of the Ravenites.
Eradrin walks toward the throne. With each step his heart pounds like a drum growing louder and louder. Hatred rises within. This King before him had slain his father. And with the same sword will anoint him king of Ravelonia. Not this way
ERADRIAN
Thinks to himself.
Not this way. I am so close I can dagger the murderer. I can end it all right now.
He no longer hears the choir singing. The drum beat sounds with each step. Closer. So close.
ERADRIN
Thinks to himself.
No. Not this way. I will not be crowned this way.
Eradrin now stands before Shabael.
SHABAEL
Kneel before me, Eradrin Donachie.
Eradrin is an arm’s length away. His eyes move from Sabael’s to Sabael’s throat. His right hand begins to tremble. An inch away is the dagger sheath.
SHABAEL
Kneel.
Juliana is standing between Aribon and Thomar. Thomar takes Juliana’s arm. His own hand moves toward his sword.
Eradrin looks back into Shabael’s eyes and begins to descend on one day. There seems to be a collected sigh in the room.
SHABAEL
I, Supreme Reagent of SkyEden, by the powers invested to me, and by blood of El Qui, bestow to ye, Eradrin of Donachie , the right to the Ravenite throne. Do you swear an oath to serve the Highest Regent of Malbolina never with malice but always with servitude?
Eradrin remains silent.
SHABAEL
What say ye?
ERADRIN
I-
Eradrin looks at the sword stained with the dried blood of his father. He grabs his dagger and lunges upward and forward. Shabael’s eyes widen in surprise. Eradrin thrusts the dagger forward the point of the dagger making contact and he is slammed from the side by one of the guards. Shabael staggers back. The dagger flies from Eradrin’s hand. He reaches for it. A boot crashes down on his hand.
Thomar leaps forward drawing his sword and finds a dozen blades pointed at him.
SHABAEL regains his composure. Mateda comes to his side and hands him a cloth to wipe the blood from the dagger nick. Shabael coolly wipes the blood and hands the cloth back to his mother. There is complete silence in the room. All eyes are on Shabael.
SHABAEL
Bring him before me.
The guards lift Eradrin from the floor. They stand him before Shabael.
SHABAEL
Kneel.
ERADRIAN
No.
MATEDA
Bring his mother.
Shabael glances at his mother and smiles. Thomar tries to break free from the guards’ hold on him.
Aribon
No!
He is struck in the back of the head by the handle of a sword. He collapses to his knees and swoons. Mateda walks down the three steps and stands beside Juliana. She withdraws her dagger and holds it by her side. Then, she raises her eyes to meet Eradrin’s.
Eradrin turns his gaze and looks at the blood stained sword Shabael is holding.
MATEDA
Perhaps it is the blood on your sword, My Grace, that offends he.
SHABAEL
Ah, I am sure you are right, Mother.
Shabael wipes the sword on Eradrin’s shoulders and grins. Now that is a little better, is it not?
Eradrian remains unmoved. The guards continue to hold him.
SHABAEL
Mother, what will happen if I must ask a third time for Lord Donachie to kneel?
MATEDA
He will become motherless.
She presses the dagger on Juliana’s side. Eradrin begins to descend upon one knee.
SHABAEL
With the greatest of pleasures, I the Grace and Supreme Ruler of Skyeden anoint you, King of Ravelona.
He taps Eradirin’s shoulders with the sword.
SHABAEL
I stand aside. Sit on your throne.
Eradrin stands before the throne. He looks at the seat where once his father had sat for 20 years. A tear runs down his cheek as he turns and sits. Shabael places the ceremonial crown on his head. All in the throne room drop to a knee except Shabael and his mother.
ERADRIN
My first command as King, is to proceed with the funeral services of my father and Dayanna, and all those that have lost their lives these last days of battle. Let the ceremony begin.
MATEDA
She leans forward and whispers into Eradrin’s ear.
MATEDA
If you ever try that again, I will personally inflict the most unimaginable horrors to all the Donachie name.
Mateda addresses the court.
MATEDA
Let the Ravenites learn the Mabolians can be merciful. We resend the blinding of children each day.
Sighs of relief sound throughout the room. Mateda moves to the side of her son and whispers in his ear.
MATEDA
No worry, my son. They fear us. But what better way for these weak minds to feel our power and respect it than suggest the cruelest of deeds and recant them out of fairness.
EXT. SKYEDEN. FUNERAL OF ERADRIN ‘S FATHER AND DAYANNA
Eradrin leads the progression. Behind him walk his family and Dayanna’s mother and brother. They move down a cobblestone wall that ends at a lake. The water is smooth. They let drift a small barge that carries Aremis . Then, they push Dayanna’s barge into the water. Eradrin motions for his archers. They send arrows with fire to Aremis’s barge.
ERADRIN
May a new Skyeden await you Father. What a great King you are. My wonderful father and husband. You will be forever immortal in our hearts. One day, Father, one day, I will have the Light. A new day will shine upon Skyeden again. This I swear.
Eradrin takes a bow from one of the arches.
ERADRIN
My beloved. This day as I am crowned, you are the Queen of Skyeden. So loved by all. You gave your life that the Light may shine. You have set the Light free and as this Light is free, there will be hope, the light of a day shall shine upon Skyeden again. I shall find you in the afterlife. May you find a new Skyeden filled with Light and all your fireflies. I love you, forever, Dayanna.
Eradrin lets loose an arrow and Dayanna’s barge begins to burn.
ERADRIN
Malcolm. Did you get all the words?
MAlCOLM
I have the jist of them, My Grace.
ERADRIN
Tell you King thank you for permitting us the use of fire for the funerals.
EXT. FREDDIE’S FUNERAL.
The service is over. Dylan’s mom hugs Freddie’s father. His father and Robert are dressed in uniform. The whole sheriff department is there. Dylan wanders off and sits by a tree. He looks up and sees a Raven.
DYLAN
What are you looking at? You have no feelings, you’re just a bird. Shoo…nevermore….
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Dylan, come to the house in a little while. It’s important.
DYLAN
I will.
INT. FREDDIE’S HOUSE
Dylan knocks on Freddie’s front door.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Freddie’s father pokes his head out of the garage.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Over here, I can’t sleep, you know. I have to keep moving or doing something so I don’t think about how much I miss him. So, I fixed Freddie’s bike. I know he would want you to have it since yours is totally ruined.
DYLAN
I can’t do that.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
When you are riding… his spirit will be with you. Let him ride, Dylan. You know he wants you to have this bike. He loved you.”
DYLAN
I don’t know what to say.
FREDDIE’S FATHER
Say, nothing. Just ride. Please now. Take this and ride. Please…this will give me some peace. Please do this for me.
DYLAN
I’m on it.
Dylan’s eyes fill with tears.
Dylan gets on the bike and when it cranks it, a Raven flies from the tree close to them. It starts cawing at him. Dylan looks at the bird questionably. He turns the bike toward home. The raven lands on his handlebars, caws, and flies and maintains a spot over the road in the opposite direction.
DYLAN
Yeah, okay. I’m coming.
EXT. CHEROKEE VILLAGE
Dylan arrives at the village. He pats the handlebars of the bike and wanders back into the village. He sees the girl again. She looks at him with a sad face and motions him to follow her. She goes down the path again, but turns down a smaller trail covered with trees overhead.
She stops at a clearing and she is standing with six other men his age. One of them motions Dylan to come closer.
STAR
We have been waiting for you.
DYLAN
I don’t understand.
STAR
You have been dreaming of the Raven and flying, have you not?
DYLAN
How do you know that?”
THUNDER
Thunder, who is 18, looks very surprised to see Dylan. He looks at Star questionably. She smiles back at him. She nods to him as to say it is okay.
THUNDER
You are one of us. My name is Thunder. This is Moonface, Wolfcry, Shiningstone, Firebright, and SilentBear. She is Star.
DYLAN
Star, wait. You say I am one of you. How is that so?
STAR
You are one of us. And you have a gift none of us possess, you can call the Ravens.
DYLAN
Uh, I don’t know what you mean?
STAR
You are here, alive. You were dying and the Ravens came.
Dylan looked at all of them.
DYLAN
How did you know that... I still can’t process what happened. It was all a black blur.
THUNDER
Ravens.
Thunder suddenly catches his breath.
THUNDER
May I?
Thunder pulls the leather string from outside Dylan’s shirt and sees a silver half-moon on it. He looks over to Star and a tear runs down his cheek.
STAR
Star steps up and takes Thunder by the arm and takes him back to steps. She kisses his cheek then turns to Dylan.
STAR
You are one of us.
DYLAN
I didn’t call them…they just came.
THUNDER
You have the power to call them. There are Raven magic we possess but we cannot summon them.
Star walks up to Dylan.
STAR
Call the Ravens, get the girl.
The others laugh.
DYLAN
“What?”
Star walks over and pulls off a blanket that covered a motorcycle.
STAR
Call the Ravens, get the girl. Catch me.
Star winks. The others laugh.
SILENTBEAR
Go, man. We never got that offer.
Star cranks the bike.
STAR
Going to catch me?
DYLAN
Let me get my bike.
Dylan gets on his bike.
STAR
Remember, you have to call The Ravens to catch me. You catch me, I’m yours.
DYLAN
Yeah, like that will ever happen.
Star grins then guns the bike down the road.
DYLAN
Uh, did I miss the count?
He races after her. They ride down the mountain. Dylan gets close and reaches out, but each time Star pulls away.
STAR
Call the Ravens. Call them. Then I’m yours!
DYLAN
Whatever!
Dylan goes full throttle but she always keeps out of reach. She laughs.
STAR
The Ravens!
DYLAN
Oh!!!! Ravens!!! Come! Ravens come to me! This is crazy!
Something black flew passed his head. He looked over his shoulder, then another and then another. He looked again and a black cloud was coming from behind. Dylan gasps.
The blur of black seemed to make the bike feel airborne. The bike moves faster and he edges closer to Star. Dylan reaches out and touches her shoulder.
DYLAN
Mine!
Star grins then speeds up and moved further ahead and went around the curve. When Dylan made the curve he found her waiting for him. She was standing on the edge of the cliff. Behind her was a glorious setting sun.
STAR
The Raven is strong in you. It has brought us together.
DYLAN
All of this is crazy to me…but somehow it all feels right… Like I do belong.
STAR
As I belong to you.
Dylan takes a step back at her words
DYLAN
“….Her beamy bending eyes, her parted lips
Outstretched, and pale, and quivering eagerly.”
STAR
That is beautiful.
DYLAN
From a poem close to my heart.
He steps forward and reaches to touch her. When his fingertips touch her cheek, Star bursts into Ravens and swirl upon and around him, then flies back to the village.
DYLAN
Whoa! How? What? No way.
He watches the ravens fly in a pack. They do a quick aerial ballet then fly toward the direction of the village.
“Then, yielding to the irresistible joy,
With frantic gesture and short breathless cry
Folded his frame in her dissolving arms.
Now blackness veiled his dizzy eyes, …”
Shelley, had you met your Raven Girl to? This is crazy.
EXT. AT PLACE OFF THE PATH. DAYTIME
Dylan returns to find the group gathered around a fire pit. There is an older woman standing with them. She is smoking a pipe. Her hair has streaks of gray and a dozen raven feathers braided into her hair. She points a finger at Dylan. He stops. She has a frightening face, but her smile is disarming.
ELDER
You are the Raven Caller?
DYLAN
They say I am.
ELDER
Come here. Remove your jacket and shirt.
DYLAN
Alright.
Half Moon turns Dylan around. She runs a hand down each side of his back.
ELDER
Face me.
Dylan does.
ELDER
Lift your arms.
She walks around him and gives him a sniff.
DYLAN
Glad I used my deodorant.
ELDER
Tell me. Have you been having dreams?
DYLAN
He looks around and looks at Star and his heart races.
DYLAN
I have. Each night this raven comes visits me. She taps on my window. When I open it, I am suddenly flying with her. I don’t see my body cause I am looking out of my eyes.
ELDER
And where do you go?
DYLAN
He looks around at the trees and the campsite and the teepees.
Here. Its here I’ve been dreaming of.
ELDER
What lead you here?
DYLAN
I’m not sure. Just felt like the place to be. And there was this insistent raven.
ELDER
And you felt in danger that first day here?
DYLAN
I saw my best friend die and I was going over a cliff.
ELDER
The Ravens and us heard your call and came.
DYLAN
But I wasn’t calling anyone.
ELDER
Maybe in heart you were. And Star tells me you called the Ravens again just now at will.
DYLAN
I guess I did.
ELDER
Here is your destiny. It is in your blood more than you know. One day it will be revealed to you. But for now, I will have you sit down and I will begin to give you knowledge of us and we will teach you the way of the Ravens.
THUNDER
Come, join us. It is time for your knowing.
Dylan sits and Star beside him and takes his hand.
ELDER
There is too much to know in a day. What I say now is but a single sentence in a ten thousand paged book of knowledge. I will start on the day that Star was found by my Elder. Star was not born of this place. She was found. It was 1849 that my Elder and her daughter were gathering flowers that only bloom at night.
EXT. Black and White. 1849. In the woods on a mountain.
The elder is gathering flowers beneath an oak tree.
ELDER
Here, Morlona.
She places flowers in the basket her daughter is carrying. She pats her on the head and something catches her eye. It’s a burst of light in the sky, a fiery ring of light. Something shoots out of the ring with a trail of fire.
ELDER
Come!
They head in the direction of the falling object. They go down the mountain, through a valley. They cross a river and continue. It is daylight now. They are crossing over another mountain. The sun is setting. They are in the thick of woods and turn on the path and find Star. She is disheveled. There is blood on her face. In her arms, she is holding an arm full of dead Ravens and an arrow.
ELDER
Oh, what happened to you?
Star appears to have been in a daze and becomes aware suddenly of the moment.
STAR
I don’t know.
ELDER
What is your name?
STAR
I don’t know. Who are you?
Star looks at what she is carrying and gasps. She drops the Ravens and arrow. She discovers she is wearing a leather string with a beautiful stone of iridescent colors.
STAR
What has happened to me?
ELDER
Come, dear. Sit down. I will call you Star for, for I saw a shooting star and it brought me here to you.
STAR
All I can remember is waking up beneath a white tree with a beautiful light coming from it. None of this place seems familiar. Everything feels different somehow. I can’t remember anything before the tree. There were dead ravens and these other things. My heart was filled with grief and fear. I kind of went into a daze until we met. I don’t know how long I’ve been wandering.
ELDER
A white tree with beautiful light.
The sounds of fluttering came. Caws followed. A flock of ravens settled in the trees around them.
ELDER
I see you have a following.
STAR
Star looks at the surrounding trees. She cocks her head and listens to the caws.
STAR
They are frightened to. They do not know this place. They have been through a terrible fight.
ELDER
You get all of that from their crowing?
STAR
You do not hear it? They are scared and want to go back to the white tree of light.
ELDER
White tree of Light?
STAR
And fireflies.
ELDER
Fireflies?
Elder looks around and sees the surrounding area is populated by the glowing insects. She looks at Star. She steps back, looking at Star from head to foot, then looks at her eyes. Slowly she reaches out and touches Star’s cheek.
ELDER
You’re not a Goddess. But your eyes…they are blue almost glowing. A white tree of light, fireflies come with me. Maybe you came from the Star I saw.
Elder suddenly whirls around and peers at the shrubs by them. Then, she looks deeper in the woods.
ELDER
It appears you attract more than just the Light. We best be going. Sun will be up son.
STAR
Sun?
ELDER
Yes. That big ball of fire that brings the day.
STAR
Day.
ELDER
Yes, child. Let us start heading home. I suddenly don’t like it here. Feels dangerous.
EXT. CAMPSITE PRESENT
DYLAN
Uh, okay. Stop right there. Did you say 1832?
STAR
She did. As my brothers here, we do not age.
DYLAN
Calling ravens is hard enough to believe…but you… you explode into ravens and just fly away. I see this with my own eyes. But your flesh is whole and beautiful. I think I’m losing my mind. Maybe it’s my 18 year old hormones kicking in or something. I’m sorry. All of this is incredible. I believe you. I saw what you did. I don’t see lies in your eyes. They’re the purest most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life. Oh, I’m rambling. All this is overwhelming and mind blowing. Please continue. I won’t say a word until you are through.
ELDER
When you become ravenized, you are immortal. Well, that is unless you die by accident or violent act. But, I’ll continue the story.
I found Star in 1838. My daughter, Morlona, was 12 then. As time passed her jealously grew toward Star. From the moment Star was discovered, she didn’t feel as special. Star was beautiful. She was of mystery. She had these blue eyes. Ravens seemed to love her. They would come and feed out of her hand or just follow her around like momma ravens watching over their newborn. And Star didn’t seem to age. The elder discovered that Star had a gift for healing. Though she taught Morlona and Star the medicine and of healing, Morlona felt she could no longer please her mother as Star did. Her hatred simmered and grew. She begin seeking knowledge of roots and magic that inflicted pain upon others. She felt unloved and others began to distance themselves from her. When people came to be healed or sought spiritual advice they came to the Elder or Star. And one day, Morlona found a way to strike back with all the hurt she felt. It was on this day, the Day of Harvest, we became Ravenized. Star, perhaps you should tell this part.
STAR
The six brothers before you now were the same age when this day happened. In those years our lives were innocent. Corn was a biggest crop. Ravens loved the corn and the mice we killed on the field for them. We developed a relationship with them. They were our watchdogs…our alert system for intruders. So, we always tried to feed them. And every year, the last day of our cropping of the corn, it was a festival day for the Corn and the Ravens. All the village, men, women, children, we all harvested the last of the corn and we welcomed the Ravens and left half of what we gathered for our feathered friends.
Weeks before, there were rumors that this precious yellow stone for the white men was found on our reservation. More men appeared in a group to watch and protect their diggers on our land. One day, this man offered to buy our land. We said no. I remembered Morlona soon afterwards going down the same path that man had taken but I didn’t think anymore about it until later.
Several weeks later on the day of harvest……..
I was sitting in the teepee with the Elder and Morlona. We were braiding our hair and suddenly there was a shrieking caw and flutter of wings. A raven flew into the teepee. It lands on my arm and I cry out. Then stopped. It looked directly in my eyes. There was something way too familiar of this bird. I knew this bird. And in its beak it had a white twig with a small leaf and I knew something was important about this. My heart raced. I knew of this tree. It was sacred and I nearly collapsed because for a moment in my mind’s eye I saw this huge magnificent tree that glowed from within. The crow squawked, dropping the twig before me and flew out of the tent. I know this tree! I cried. We have to find this!
EXT. VILLAGE. BLACK AND WHITE FLASHBACK 1850 Harvest day.
Outside children laughing, general merriment around. Women are collecting baskets preparing to go to the field to gather corn. A group of young warriors are sharpening their weapons.
SILENT BEAR:
I’ll get more rabbits than you this day.
THUNDER
Laughs.
I’ve not seen rabbits big as bear, brother. You’re too awful an aim.
SILENT BEAR
I’ve been practicing.
THUNDER
Oh, yes, shooting still pumpkins shall make you ready.
Raven caws and flies from an opened teepee, followed by a young girl, the old medicine woman runs to follow and tumbles. She is holding a white twig and
MEDICINE WOMAN
Run. Follow him!
THUNDER
What?
ELDER
Follow him! He brought us this!
She brandishes a bleached white twig in her hand.
ELDER
Follow him until he roosts and tell no one but me. Look for a white tree. Go! Go! Go!
Rising up and looking around, the Medicine woman hurries around a couple of teepees and cannot locate Morlona. She returns to the tent.
ELDER
Have you seen Morlona?
STAR
She ran into the woods this way.
She points in the direction of a patch of thick woods.
ELDER
Then you must do. Take this.
She lays a cloth in the palm of her hand then the white twig.
ELDER
Remember when we first met? You spoke of a white tree of Light. You were holding several dead ravens, an arrow, and this small branch with a leather strap around it.
I kept the bones of the ravens, the arrow, and the small branch. The arrow disappeared. But, here, take this…look.
The Elder retrieves the branch and the twig.
ELDER
See. See how they match. I think you are connected to this tree. I used to listen to you mumble in your sleep about the this tree of life. You sounded as though in awe of it. All morning I noticed the ravens sounded off this morning. There’s a nervousness about them. And now this branch brought to us. I feel something is going to happen. Hang on to these. Never lose them. It is our position in the tribe to remember our history and learn the medicine. For years I have taught you and Morlona these things. It is our sacred duty for the tribe. If anything happened to us, all our knowledge would be lost. If you or I or Morlona die, so would the identity of the tribe. Do you understand this?
STAR
Yes.
ELDER
Then run now. Run to the willow west of here by the foot of the waterfall. Stay there. I will find Morlona and join you. We are going to stay over night. I’ve spoken too long now. You must go now. Go!
STAR
What about the harvest? The ceremonies?
ELDER
It will just have to wait.
She holds Star’s face and draws close, looking into her eyes.
ELDER
What is inside you is the history of this tribe and the magic passed down since this tribe was created. You are the most valuable thing this tribe has. Now run and stay there until the sun rises. And hold on that twig there is something important about it. Run!
The young warriors are running. The black bird flies over the tree tops. They lose sight of the bird.
RAVEN
Caw! Caw!
THUNDER
There! This way!
PINESONG
No, it’s over here.
He runs. The other warriors look the other direction then decide to follow.
WOLF
The woman has lost her mind!
THUNDER
You are a fool saying such things!
WOLF
She’s half blind and crazy!
THUNDER
She’s our medicine woman, our Elder. She’s a…
A scream comes from the direction in front of them then a second crying out in horrid pain follows.
The warriors stop, look at one another, and brandish their weapons. They charge ahead. They come into an opening. Their mouths agape at the horror they are seeing, their fellow tribesman lays dismembered. Suddenly, there is movement from underneath the shadow of the foliage. Shapes like human with snatches of leathery skin in the light between the leaves. Bloodied talons and black glint less eyes appear just within the shadows of the bushes. They are human but the play of shadow and light make them look monstrous.
The young warriors trip over themselves in an attempt to fall back.
Thunder suddenly sees the raven in descent. A flock of ravens follow in the downward sweep. There is something shiny in her claw. He becomes unaware of all the activity and cries around him. Then white Light.
The six young warriors are running off in the woods after the Raven. A female hand appears from between to bushes by the cornfield and reveals Morlona. She steps back and motions others to join her. A moment later bushes part with protruding weapons. Armed men surrounded the field.
MORLONA
Here as promised. Kill them. Kill them all.
GUNMAN WITH LEATHER COAT
Oh, I’ll do better than that, sqaw.
He stabs Morlona in the stomach. She falls to the ground. He looks to some of the others, lifts his rifle, and gives a nod. They started firing. Women and children, the elders, fall to their depths. The Ravens are going wild. One of the gunners, wearing a long brown western coat and a wide brim hat shoots a Raven. Then, another…they continue to shoot and shoot. And soon after, all that lay in the field were dead bodies and birds.
EXT. CLOSE TO THE CORNFIELD
The Elder hurries down a path.
ELDER
Morlona! Where are you?
A raven lands on the path before her. Elder takes a step. The raven gives a threatening caw. Two others land and make the same sounds.
ELDER
Let me pass. I have to find my daughter.
Several ravens land to her left. More appear on the ride. She is suddenly surrounded by them. Gunshots sound. People are crying out in the distance. The Elder runs ahead. The ravens swarm over her, making it impossible to move ahead.
A raven jumps up and down on the ground behind her, literally beckoning her to follow in the opposite direction. The gunshots continue. She tries one more time to move forward but the ravens prevent her.
ELDER
My people! They’re being killed.
Ravens grab hold of her clothing and turn her back to the opposite direction.
ELDER
All right!
EXT. WILLOW TREE
Star is leaning against the willow tree. She lifts her head up. In the distance guns are firing. Several ravens are cawing as they fly away from the direction of the shooting.
STAR
Oh, no.
She can’t see far because of the surrounding trees. She starts to climb the willow and she is struck with a memory of climbing a tree and light above her and sounds of men fighting and sudden pain. She opens her eyes and gasps. She feels for her back where the arrow would have been.
STAR
I had an arrow with me.
Star hears more gunshots. She climbs as far as she can and rests her head against the tree. She starts to cry.
EXT. Woods CLOSE TO CORNFIELD
Thunder cries out throwing a protected hand over his face. He looks around and finds the other four warriors with him. The creatures were gone. All he could remember was a raven coming down. He hears gunshots.
THUNDER
What was that? Hey! Look at me! Listen!
SILENT BEAR
Guns. Sounds like it’s coming from the…
MOONFACE
Cornfields.
They start running toward the cornfield, crashing through limbs and bushes. The shooting stops as they grow nearer. Thunder sees a rifleman reloading. He loosens an arrow and fires at the man in leather with the wide brim hat. The man falls forward. And the young warriors rush into the field. What they find stops them cold. The sight of their loved ones, from old men, women, and children and teens of ravens lying in the cornfield of yellow and green ears and red blood. The sight renders them defenseless. They don’t even acknowledge their weapons taken from their hands. There was no use to fight when all has been lost.…they are rendered defenseless. They barely noticed their weapons being stripped from them or being lead to an old oak tree. Only when nails were driven into their hands and feet did they come back to a present state of mind.
GUNNMAN LEADER
Die looking at your field of corn and death. This is what you get for keeping your land from us. The gold is ours! Have a slow death.
Hours pass. It starts to rain. The young warriors moan. Lightning strikes the tree. A raven flies off and heads to the horizon into the approaching storm. Time passes and the sun is setting.
WOLFCRY
My heart cries louder than this body. I weep for my wife…my children….all of our people.
BEAR
We failed them. We gave oaths to protect and serve them. We abandoned them.
That evil medicine woman, it is all her fault. She brought this on us! She led us away.
THUNDER
No…no…. I saw…did you… did you see the Raven?
BEAR
I don’t remember anything. We ran into the woods….then we were running.
WOLFCRY
That’s true, something happened.
It was in its claw. … This…. and stopped.
More, rain… maybe I can drown rather than linger like this.
EXT. AT THE CORNFIELD
Star appears at the edge of the cornfield. She hides behind a tree and slowly peaks around it and sees the honor in the cornfield. Stalks are knocked over. Bodies are lying in the dirt over the rows and mounds of earth between the ears of corn. She ducks behind the tree and gasps. She wants to vomit and calm her racing heart. She looks around again. No one seems to be around. She takes one step out, then another.
WOLFCRY
Star?
STAR
She remembers the impact of the arrow as it strikes her back. A branch snaps in her hand. She looks down and sees the protruding arrowhead from her chest. She faints. On impact, Star shatters into ravens. They cry out, flying around the field.
BEAR
Fool! You scared her too death.
WOLFCRY
But where did she go?
BEAR
I….did…you see? She broke into ravens.
The flock of ravens made around the field then settled in the tree with the warriors. They looked questionably at the warriors. One raven looks Thunder carefully in the eyes. It was very odd because to Thunder they seemed almost human and sympathetic. The raven suddenly caws and flies north. The others follow.
Hours pass.
EXT. THE WILLOW TREE
ELDER
Star, Morlona, my people. Are they all dead? Why are you keeping me away?
She looks around and sees she is surrounded by ravens.
ELDER
Why are you doing this to me?
A raven cries out. Startled. A dozen ravens fly up then back down. They are crying out. Other shrieks are sounding. They are animalistic. Other ravens join into the fray. The ravens go airborne and land in the trees in the direction of the cornfield. Elder looks at the area where the battling had sounded. She rises to her feet and senses something very evil.
ELDER
Who are you? You do not belong here.
In the shadows beneath the bushes where the noise had come, she sees talons and long claws and shifting dark shadows and glowering eyes. Fear overcomes the Elder. She runs toward the ravens, going the direction of the cornfield. Many ravens move behind her as though to protect her flank.
Elder runs. She breaks into a clearing that opens to the cornfield. She hears distant caws of ravens growing louder. She sees her people dead in the fields. Further down the side is an old oak tree where she sees the warriors nailed.
ELDER
What happened?
THUNDER
Barely able to rise his head.
“We’re dead,” he says in whispered strained voice.
Distant caws are heard, growing louder. Hundreds of ravens are coming. They come like a tiny black cloud. Some swoop down to swarm over Elder. The others fly toward the tree of warriors, dip toward the ground, then back up and through the tree, snatching pieces of the warriors as the pass. Soon, the tree is bare of the warriors. The stakes were the only signs of their existence there. A group of ravens were to the side, pearched in another tree. They moved together and descended to the ground. They reformed into Star.
Star opens her eyes. She appears disorientated.
STAR
What happened? Where did I go?
The ravens are circling the field and land before Star. She rises and looks at them. The ravens start massing together into groups, pressing in to each other, margining into shapes, body forms, and at last to the warriors that they devoured in the tree.
They reform as the warriors and Elder. They stand in a circle around Star. Darklings come up the path that the Elder had taken. They veer to the right and scamper along the side of the woods then depart.
STAR
Star looks at her hands and touches her arms. She looks up at the Elder and the six warriors.
You are one of me now.
THUNDER
And that is how we came into being.
DYLAN
So you are telling me that none of you have aged since 1850? That all of you are pieces of ravens put together? So that day when I fell from the cliff, it was you I saw running in the woods after I touched the ground?
THUNDER
We heard your call as did the ravens and came.
DYLAN
I don’t know what to say. Thank you. This is all a little overwhelming. Amazing. Crazy. What about the people in the truck? Do you know who the are?
THUNDER
No. We came quickly and we were only focusing on you.
DYLAN
Can you fly around and look for them?
Thunder glances at Star
THUNDER
It is not safe for us to leave the reservation. There are other things that seek our deaths. But, I will explain this to you later. You have enough to think about now.
Star stands up and offers her hand
STAR
Come walk with me.
THUNDER
Star, you know the game.
STAR
I do.
DYLAN
What about me? Am I safe outside of the reservation?
STAR
You have not turned yet. You will go unnoticed until then.
DYLAN
Turned? I don’t understand. And who are these others.
Later
STAR
You’ve been through enough right now.
DYLAN
This is frustrating. I’m going to be jumping at shadows.
STAR
The truth is, most of this, who we are, what our purpose is, is a mysterious to us.
DYLAN
Are you dead?
Star smile and leans forward and kisses him gently.
STAR
You tell me.
Dylan Awed, Reaches out and touches her lips with his fingertips.
DYLAN
You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
STAR
(Smiles) Since I can remember, I guess from the Harvest Day, I have always felt that somewhere else my heart belonged to another. For some 150 years I have believed this. I stayed with the village and helped however I could. I came to peace with my loneliness, knowing not where I have come. I’ve gotten glimpses of lost memory but nothing concrete to answer any of my questions. Then weeks ago, I started having a new type of dream. I was called to you. I came and watched you many nights from your window. The other night I laid down to sleep and dreamt I separated into ravens and I flew somewhere. I don’t remember where. All I know is, I came back into a conscious state in mid flight to your window sill, carrying a white twig. Somehow we are destined to be together. The ravens know this. I trust them. They brought me to you. Perhaps we may discover we are soul mates, Dylan. All I know is, I have dreamt of you and we are brought together. We have flown together in dreams all your life.
DLYLAN
That was you? Who are you?
STAR
Understand this and you understand who I am. I am a native woman, Heart, Blood and Soul.
Understand the wolf is my brother, the fights of the buffalo wars and my respect of the land beneath my feet. Understand my tears for my ancestors and the pain of my people to this day and you will know who I am. Understanding the caw of the raven, the earth is my mother, and what it is to walk the Red Road. The sound of the drums, the dance, the smell of sweet grass, sage and cedar.
Understand how my fan raises to honor, my respect for my elders, my fast and paint upon my face, and you will know who I am. I am Native. I am Star and you are the Raven Caller.
DYLAN
Wow. I always felt great compassion for the Native Americans. I never knew I was connected in this way. I still don’t understand how though. But this does seem so right. Raven Caller?
STAR
You have no idea how connected you are.
RAVEN
A raven, close by, caws as to second Stars statement. They both laugh.
STAR
Come.
Takes his hand and motions him to look at a Raven perched in a tree close by.
STAR
Here is your first lesson. See the Raven. Look at its feathers. Look how he moves and observes things around him. Feel his fast heartbeat. Feel the air moving in and out of the nostrils of his beak.
DYLAN
I feel it.
He touches the raven’s heart.
STAR
Yes, that’s it. Now, look through his eyes.
DYLAN
What?
STAR
See through his eyes.
Dylan jerks. He looks down upon them through the eyes of the Raven. The Raven caws.
STAR
Keep looking. I am taking your hand to stay grounded. She gasps.
DYLAN
What?
STAR
A firefly beside you.
DYLAN\RAVEN turns and sees a glowing firefly seeming to be amused at him. Flies up to his eyes and blinks. DYLAN/RAVEN snatches the firefly.
STAR
NOOOOO! He’s our friend!
Dylan spits out the bug. The firefly dips, but lifts up, flies away in a panic, then stops.
STAR
Fireflies are our friends. They are of the Light. Some believe they are lingering of the one Light the Raven of Light had brought to this world.
DYLAN/RAVEN
Wooo. Glad I didn’t swallow.
STAR
As Ravens it’s natural for us to seek shining things, things of Light. We collect and protect. We don’t eat.
DYLAN
I got ya. Always loved fireflies…kept them in jars….uh, never mind.
STAR
Now, stay focused. Don’t break your concentration. I want you to fly.
DYLAN
How?
STAR
Look down from your Raven eyes. See me. I want you to fly to me and land on my arm.
DYLAN
You sure about this?
STAR
You doubt me?
DYLAN/RAVEN
No. I can do this.
STAR
FLY!
Dylan/Raven lifts off the branch then falls straight to the ground.
STAR
Oh, my! Dylan, you are alright?
Dylan blinks his eyes. He is back in his body, lying on the ground, looking up at Star.
DYLAN
I can’t breathe.
Dylan rises up and sees the Raven on the ground. Raven CAW!!!
DYLAN
Sorry. I thought I had it. Wait. I feel pain. I feel what the Raven feels?
STAR
That is one of your gifts.
DYLAN
Gifts? I’d hate to see what a punishment is.
STAR
Try again.
DYLAN
No way.
STAR
Dylan. You’re Raven. You can. Start from the ground. Go back into the Raven and rise.
DYLAN
You weren’t that same Indian girl that told her boyfriend to jump off of Blowing Rock that he’d be okay, the wind would catch him?
Star grins.
STAR
Never tried that. Hummm. Okay…Let’s do this. I know you can.
DYLAN
Ohhhhhh. Okay. Sorry, Raven, one more time.
Dylan concentrates. The Raven lifts into the air.
DYLAN/RAVEN
Whoa… Oh, my God.. I’m flying. Just like the dreams.
STAR
Now go back to the branch you started from.
DYLAN/RAVEN
Uh, okay.
The Raven falters and dips downward.
STAR
Focus!
The Raven rights itself and heads to the tree, but is going too fast.
STAR
Slow down
DYLAN/RAVEN
I can’t!
The Raven flies into the branch. Dylan lets loose of Star’s hand and touches his face.
DYLAN
OUCH! I felt that!
STAR
Yes. You may have a whelp there in the morning.
DYLAN
I feel what it feels?
STAR
That is lesson number one. When you enter a Raven, you are the Raven.
She turns to look around. She sees her Raven close by and
STAR
Caw.
The raven flies to a closer tree. Caw Caw!
It lands on the branch next to the first Raven.
STAR
Now, enter your Raven again, Dylan. Come fly with me.
The sun has set. It is dark. Stars appear in the sky and a full moon shines.
DLYAN/RAVEN
Okay. I’m there.
STAR/RAVEN
Do you hear me?
DLYAN/RAVEN
Yes.
STAR
CAW. Follow me
DYLAN/RAVEN
CAW I will. I think. But, oh, my God, we’re too high.
STAR/RAVEN
Just flap your wings. Follow me.
They go airborne. Below the lights of a distant town shines like stars. Star rises and falls in an aerial dance. Dylan tries to follow. Star rises and the full moon is behind her.
DYLAN/RAVEN
I’m flying. Oh, my God, I’m flying. I’m a Raven!
STAR/RAVEN
CAW! CAW!
They fly side by side now. They fly around the mountain. Then Star dives downward and snatches the coffee mug out of Wolf’s hands.
Wolf
HEY!
Dylan goes for Silent Bears cup…misses and slams against a teepee and slides down. Caw! He flies back up and hears the others laughing. The six enter into surrounding Ravens and follow Star and Dylan in flight.
STAR/RAVEN
Come, follow me. It’s time for the nightly dance. After hunting food all day, we gather by the waterfalls and do a dance of thankfulness to the Great One.
They settle on an old tree. Other Ravens are coming in from different directions. The air is alive with caws. More kept coming and fill the trees like leaves. A moment of silence grows around them.
STAR/RAVEN
Now! Go with the flow, Dylan!
Suddenly over a thousand Ravens lift into the air. The sun is setting. They flow and undulate and do an aerial ballet. Dylan bumps into a Raven. Raven Caw!
DYLAN/RAVEN
Sorry!
The aerial ballet continues. They flow close to the ground then rise and flow like a school of fish. They roll out, then swoop downward, then gracefully rise and bubble and expand and roll out like a wave.
Dylan gets separated from STAR and the flowing mass. He wings around to see where they are and something from the corner of his eye captures his attention. There is a wispy cloud in the direction he gazes. He flies ahead in that direction. Below he crosses a river and flies up the ascent of a mountain. And when he breaks above the mountain peak, he spies a glimmer of iridescent light.
STAR suddenly appears by him.
STAR/RAVEN
Dylan. God, you, can’t go here!
DYLAN/RAVEN
What?
STAR/RAVEN
It’s forbidden!
Dylan/RAVEN
That light, do you see it?
STAR looks and only sees a cloud drifting in front of the mountain. She suddenly looks around.
STAR/RAVEN
Get back! We’re gone too far!
DYLAN/RAVEN
It was beautiful. Didn’t you see-
Something dark darts toward them and Star screams.
Dylan sees her falling downward. Something dark and leathery shoots by him. He twists to miss the impact. Wild high pitched screams rang out. Thousands of dark things scatter the wisp of cloud. Their high pitch squeals are deafening. Star is falling. Dylan dives toward her. Something sharp nips his wing. The ground is approaching too quickly. Something slams into Dylan’s side. He regains his direction and dives with all that he has. The ground is yards away. He snatches Star with his claws, catching her fallen body several feet from the ground then they tumble over grass and stone.
Dylan clutches her in his claws and lifts upward. Something slams into his back, rolling he and Star on the ground. Another dark thing whizzes by his head. Its breath stinking as it passes causes Dylan to gasp. He dives over STAR to protect her.
The dark things are landing and advancing toward them. DYLAN caws and lifts his claws. Something tiny and bright of yellow and green flies past Dylan/Raven’s head. Then another. More. Fireflies sped past to develop a wall between Dylan and Star and the dark things.
STAR/RAVEN
Barely a whisper.
Across the water, go!
Dylan lifts her and starts winging it toward the river. Behind him he glimpses a great turbulence of Light and Dark things. The high pitch squeals pierce the night. There are not as many bright glows as a moment ago. He crosses the water and collapses to the ground. Dylan closes his eyes, reopens them. He is lying on the ground and Star is in his arms. The same firefly from earlier reappears before Dylan.
DYLAN
You guys died for us. You protected us.
The firefly settles over Star’s heart.
DYLAN
Star! Oh, God, please not, Star!
He pushes her hair back and his fingers are covered in blood. Suddenly the air above is filled with caws as thousands of Ravens land in the trees around them. The six warriors form back into their bodies.
Dylan
Star!
He lifts her hand and blood wets his hands. No, no no! Nooooo! He gathers her in his arms and embraces her. He checks for her pulse. The night suddenly becomes alive with Caws. Noise through the woods comes from behind. It is the six warriors.
Thunder
What happened?
DYLAN
I got separated from the flock. She said we had gone too far..and that’s when these things attacked us. One of them hit her and she was falling but I caught her and we landed her. Is she dead?
THUNDER
Help me. Take her to the Elder.
Other tribe people see the young warriors coming. They back away. Elder opens the teepee and lets them enter. They lay Star down. A wet cloth applied to Star’s head. Her pulse is checked. Her heart listened to.
Interior: Tee Pee
Many herbs and clay jars. There are sparrows in cages that are tweeting.
MEDICINE WOMAN
Her heart is strong and breathing regular.
DYLAN
Do you know what those things were that attacked us?
MEDIICINE WOMAN
You crossed the river in Raven form?
DYLAN
She said we went too far.
MEDICINE WOMAN
The Darklings.
DYLAN. Darklings?
Elder looks over to Thunder.
THUNDER
He’s not turned yet.
DYLAN
What are the Darklings?
ELDER
All you need to know now is that the Darklings live in Dark; we live in the Light. Our knowledge was lost upon the death of my great-great grandmother who was the last to see the Raven of Light. She died on the day of Harvest over 150 years ago. She knew something was going to happen and sent her youngest daughter away from the village for the night. This daughter, my ancestor, kept our history and our medicine and passed it down to her daughter, and so down to me.
BEAR
That’s legend, old woman. There was a Raven but no Light.
THUNDER
I did. (Remembers the raven with something in its claw…then the white light.)
ELDER
She places a hand over Star’s head.
Silence now.
The old woman starts chanting. Suddenly she opens her eyes and staggers back, holding the side of her head. A trickle of blood oozes from between the fingers. She chants quickly and breathlessly. Tears fall down her cheeks. Then, she stops. She makes a long breath.
DYLAN
Are you okay? You’re bleeding.
MEDICINE WOMAN
I am fine now. She wasn’t bleeding anymore.
STAR
Star moans. She cries out throwing a protective hand over her face.
The eyes…They have no eyes.
ELDER
It’s alright, now Star. You are home safe.
STAR
Dylan? You okay? You saved me
DYLAN
It was instinct, nothing more.
Turning to the others
DYLAN
What are these Darklings?
ELDER
Vile creatures they are. They are blind and without Light. Where Light shows they come to dark it out. Never change into Raven form outside the reservation. If you do, you will attract them and when you do that, they will suck the Light out of you. Then it is over.
STAR
I’m okay now.
Star whirls around and moves quickly to the cages of sparrows. They are all dead. Her hands clasp the wired cages.
STAR
I am so sorry.
She turns toward the Medicine woman.
STAR
This is so wrong. You should have let me die.
DYLAN.
I don’t understand. What is going on?
ELDER
Give them thanks, Star, for they gave their lives so you may live. They live within you. Their life force, their Light, is part of you. I will give thanks to them. You may help me bury them.
DYLAN.
What happened to them?
STAR
It is one of the raven magic’s we possess. We can take the pain and injury of another into our own body and we can rid it by passing it on to another.
DYLAN
I have this power to?
STAR
(Nods) and wipes a tear from her cheek.
DYLAN
What about the dead? Can you bring someone back alive? Could I have saved Freddie?
STAR
If a living thing is dead, it is dead and light is gone.
ELDER
And if you take on an injury so grave you run risk of dying yourself. This magic we have, this is a gift and a curse. But if you walk the Red Road, if you are one with the Light and all living things, we value them as sacred and give thanks.
WOLF
We give thanks to the rabbit or the deer for their sacrifice that we may live. If we hunt and kill them, their Light joins the Light of all. If we use the raven heal we absorb their Light and life force within us.
ELDER
It is a very dangerous magic, Raven Caller. Do not try this until you have been taught of the ways and of the Red Road. To be careless and reckless with this gift, will turn you Dark inside. Do you understand?
DYLAN
I do.
ELDER
The Great One protected you this evening. So few encountering the Darklings have lived. I would walk as one knowing there is no second chance to be had. I must do a smoke lodge. There are signs I do not understand. The forces are gathering is all I sense now. It’s in the air…the turning of the leaves…the sound in the running water. Come; sit in a circle with me for a moment.
Everyone sits around.
ELDER
Dylan you’re going to look again for the Light tomorrow morning. The darklings are everywhere after the sunsets. So, we’re travel in the light after dawn. Be here by the time the sun is rising, Dylan.
Ext. The River Star and Dylan
DYLAN
I thought I had lost you. I’ve lost my best friend, then you. That would have been too much.
STAR
Then let us live in the moment, Dylan. Look into my eyes. See the Light of my soul. It shines for you.
They kiss.
DYLAN
If I don’t do anything Raven, I should be okay right, if I leave the reservation?
STAR
Yes. You’re leaving now?
DYLAN
I will be here in the morning. I have school tomorrow; guess I’ll miss another day. The game tomorrow night is very important to me. My mother’s father was a good man. He was like the father I never had. He played end for this team and got a scholarship. The big game is tomorrow night. I’ll come for an hour after school, and then I’ll have to head back.
STAR
Be careful. My Raven In The Storm.
Xxxxxxxx Interior Home
MOTHER
We were starting to get worried. Your supper is in the microwave.
ROBERT
He missed practice too. Coach says that puts you on the bench. Looks like I’ll be starting.
MOTHER
Robert, come on now. No gloating. Dylan lost his best friend.
ROBERT
It’s been a day since the funeral. He needs to man up. He rides a Schwinn bicycle in a Harley world, Mom. He’s pathetic.
DYLAN
Whispers to himself as Robert walks away.
I ride an Indian now.
INTERIOR LIVING ROOM Robert and Father
ROBERT
He’s home. Had him followed. He went to the reservation again. There seems to be a girl he likes up there. Heard there was a lot of Ravens up there too, thousands of them.
FATHER
I’ve called a meeting with the guys. I’ve been having whispers in my dreams. And this thing with the ravens and Dylan’s going to the tribe. It all seems so weird but somehow I feel there’s a connection with our ancestors and that tribe and maybe something I did a few years back. I can’t explain it. Just a feeling. Swear to God wish I could just get rid of the whole lot.
Get your guys together tonight.
INT. DYLAN’S ROOM.
Tap on the door.
MOTHER
Are you okay?
DYLAN
I got a lot of stuff going on.
MOTHER
You want to talk about it.
DYLAN
Mom, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t feel part of this family. Dad and Robert, they never liked me.
MOTHER
Oh, Dylan. I know they are hard on you. Spencer and Robert have this special bond I guess, maybe like you and me.
DYLAN
Yeah, I guess so. There’s so much to this world I have no idea what is going on. It’s like you’re riding on this wave of fate and not knowing where it’s headed or why it’s even going the way it is.
MOTHER
It’s called growing up. You’re young, Dylan. You have a wondrous life ahead of you. You’ll be in college next year. You’ll find a girl. You’ll find your way and be happy.
DYLAN
I have met a girl.
MOTHER
Oh, really. She’s in one of your classes?
DYLAN
No. She’s home schooled. I don’t know her that well. But, Mom, when I look into her eyes, I can hear the angels sing. She’s so beautiful. And when she looks at me, it’s like she’s known me all my life. She knows my faults and strengths. She sees all my broken pieces, my darkness. And yet, she looks at me with the most compassionate eyes. They kind of heal me.
MOTHER
Oh, Dylan. You’re such a romantic with a good heart. I hope to meet her soon.
DYLAN
She’s Native American.
Mother’s eyes widen. Her face grows pale.
DYLAN
Really, Mom? I thought you were different that you would be accepting.
MOTHER
A tear falls from her cheek. She looks at Dylan.
MOTHER
Its not that. It’s Spencer. I’ m afraid of his reaction. I’d love to meet her. Maybe somewhere outside of the house first.
DYLAN
Whatever, Mom.
MOTHER
Dylan, you don’t understand. There are things you don’t know. I will tell you soon.
DYLAN
I’m starting to get tired of everyone telling me I will be told soon, that I need to take things in doses. I’m a big boy now, Mom. I’m 18 years old.
Yeah, maybe that can happen one day. I think you would like her.
MOTHER
Well, you had a tough week with Freddie’s funeral, you wrecking. What does it feel like to ride Freddie’s bike?
DYLAN
It’s like he’s with me. He built the bike with his own hands. Kind of like he’s riding with me. I miss him. He was my best friend.
MOTHER
I know dear. Well, we never know when we are going to die. You two were blessed to have been friends. That is something you will always carry within you.
DYLAN
I guess so.
MOTHER
Get some rest. And don’t worry about feeling sad or wanting to cry. Robert is just bullying you. I love you. Goodnight.
DYLAN
Mom, do you like ravens?
MOM
That’s an odd thing to ask. You always had something special with them. Don’t think I ever seen you outside without one close by.
DYLAN
Really?
MOM
I always thought it was coincidence. We have a high concentration of ravens in the area. But, one day, when you were only a couple of weeks old, I begin to feel you did have a connection with them. Or, they with you. Ask your father sometime, how he got that scar on his face.
DYLAN
Really? I will. Mom, I love you.
MOM
I love you to.
It begins to rain a little. Distant thunder. Dylan pulls out a notebook and starts to write. When he finishes he reads aloud.
DYLAN
‘When I look into her eyes I hear the angels sing.’
Dylan closes the book and begins to sketch Star and falls asleep. He dreams. The world is black, blue, gray in color except for the field of yellow flowers he is standing in, and a distant setting sun of orange. There is a gentle breeze.
STAR
Dylan.
DYLAN
He turns around and finds Star standing before him.
DYLAN
Star, you’re in my dream?
STAR
Yes. I have brought you into my dream. This is my dream world. I wanted to share this with you. This is the place of my soul.
DYLAN
It’s breathtaking here. The moon is amazing. Millions of stars.
STAR
I call it my Eden. The mountains…the beautiful sky. Sky Eden…
Star appears to be puzzled.
STAR
SkyEden. This is it’s name. I know this. I feel it.
DYLAN
You named it.
STAR
No. I mean. No. I didn’t name it. Goosebumps just spread across me. I never thought of this place as being real. It has always been like a daydream for me. But…this place really does exist. I know it’s true maybe it is a place I had come from..maybe another lifetime. Who knows. Wow, that was kind of eerie.
DYLAN
I’ve never met anyone like you before. I feel about you the way you feel about this place. When you look at me I feel as though you already know me and I, you.
STAR
Perhaps we have been together in other lives. I feel the same about you.
She reaches out her hand. Dylan looks at her questionably and slowly reaches out. He is surprised.
DYLAN
I can feel you. You feel real.
STAR
This is the home of our souls. Here is as real as the waking world.
DYLAN
You have led me into the ravens. You brought me here. My life will never be the same again. I feel as though I have never lived until I met you.
STAR
Come, walk with me. It’s beautiful here, is it not?
DYLAN
It’s a raven’s Heaven.
STAR
It’s ours.
They walk beneath an ancient oak tree that is on a cliff overlooking a vast mountain range with lakes and rivers.
DYLAN
It’s breath taking here. There is so much I don’t know. All about this Raven’s Light. The Tree of Light. The Darklings. Healing. All of you becoming ravens. Seeing through a raven’s eyes. Flying. Another world that the Light was stolen and brought to here. I’m just a high school student in a small mountain town. My life has been so ordinary, without a lot of meaning or direction. And suddenly, all of this. Freddy dying. I feel so small, like I have no control. I feel alone.
STAR
You have me now. No matter how far apart we are, we can always come here to be together.
DYLAN
Some strange way you feel like home to me. And when I am with you, you heal me. With you and this place, it is my paradise, my home. Wow, the stars are amazing here. The moon seems so close. Gives everything a kind of bluish gray tint. I want to do paintings of this place.
Star steps up to Dylan and kisses him lightly.
STAR
Follow me down this path. This is my special place.
As they begin walking, Dylan notices the moon is setting in the west. A little later, he sees the moon beginning to rise over the eastern horizon.
DYLAN
Wow, that moon travels fast. It set and rose already.
STAR
Time is timeless here. Our days can pass in a dream and be only of seconds in our real life. A day has already passed here.
DYLAN
Yet, it goes from night to night. There’s no daylight. In fact, now I think of it, there’s no sun.
STAR
SkyEden is a world in darkness. There is no sun or day.
DYLAN
Cool.
STAR
She looks at Dylan questionably.
Sometimes I say things like I know without me really ever knowing. Or, maybe I do. Maybe after all these years I am beginning to remember again. There’s something about you Dylan that is bringing the memories back to surface. Oh, were almost there.
They round the path that opens to a place of such beauty it takes Dylan’s breath. There are dozen of waterfalls coming down the sounding walls of the mountains. The place is actually enclosed save for the path that leads into it. Ancient stones lead to a small mound of rock where a weeping willow is. The earth on the mound is rich green.
DYLAN
It’s like an old oak tree but with willow vines hanging down. It’s surreal. Star stands before the stoned path that leads to the isle. She lifts her arms. Fireflies lift up from the ground.
STAR
I do this little dance. First time anyone has ever seen it. You’re the first person that’s ever been here. I
call it dance of the fireflies.
She skips down the aisle of stones leading to the small isle. She turns toward Dylan and bows, sweeping her arms as if prepping an orchestra to begin playing. Fireflies rise from the ground. She starts to do this ballerina run around the tree. The fireflies follow. She continues to circle and a glowing ring of fireflies form. Star stops and spins. She begins moving to an unheard song and the fireflies followed the sweeping direction of her arms.
DYLAN
Dylan is in awe of the dance, the fireflies, and of Star.
STAR
Star ends the dance. She is breathless. The fireflies land on her, causing her to become a glowing figure. She steps back and the fireflies depart. They go back to grown.
DYLAN
I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as that.
Dylan comes to star. They sit against the tree. The tree has apples. Star leans her head against Dylan. The moon moves across the sky. When it rises again, Dylan and Star eat. They climb the tree and point at the stars. The moon is setting again. They go back to the base of the tree and kiss, then fall asleep together. On the third morning of the rising moon, Dylan wakes. He finds Star dancing. He watches her; her back is facing him. After she stops for a moment, he comes up behind her and wraps his arms around her. She turns and faces him.
STAR
For 150 years I’ve felt deep down in my heart there was a love for me. I may have lived long but I am normal in every way. I’ve been so lonely. I’ve not kissed in a hundred years, can you imagine? A hundred years. There have been many boys to come and go but I ignored their interested and Elder carries that big staff. I’m a good person. I just have this big empty space in my heart…like something had been there but now it’s gone but the space and I’ve kept waiting and waiting for what had been there to come back….Am I talking crazy like you?
DYLAN
Dylan smiles. He raises his finger and touches Star’s lips.
I know I’m only 18 and though you body is 18, you are 150 years old. Maybe you see me as a young boy, but I am a man and I have a heart. I’ve never met anyone like you in my life. And if I lost you now I know I’ll be carrying around that space like you have in your heart.
STAR
I don’t
DYLAN
Kisses her passionately.
STAR
Wait. Please. You take my breath away. This is all happening too fast. I’m confused. And I can’t even look into your eyes. Here, feel my heart pounding.
She places his hand over her heart.
DYLAN
What should we do?
STAR
Come let’s lay by the tree again. Just hold me. Hold me, tight, Dylan. I will see you tomorrow in the real world.
DYLAN
Star, you are the most precious person I’ve ever known. I believe things happen for a reason. Our hearts have brought us here under this tree beside you. And beside you feels so right.
STAR
You do fill the empty space with me. And besides what we may feel, there is something even grandeur at play. The forces of Light and Dark are being roused. Things are being set in motion like a big tornado starting to spin and sweep us up. There is a fear inside of me that grows. The storm is gathering. Lightning is ready to strike. I can feel it. Taste it. It’s in the caws of the ravens.
DYLAN
I know what you mean.
STAR
Just promise to take care of yourself. Do not put your life in the place of mine. I have lived. You have only just begun. The world can be a wonderful place. But, I have always felt in some way I don’t belong here. There’s another place, a place like this dream. Come rest with me. We have this moment. Let us live in it.
DYLAN
I’m scared. For the first time in my life, I hold within my heart this most precious thing. A thing I fear can shatter at any moment.
INT. HUNTING LODGE BUILDNG BEHIND DYLAN’S PROPERTY
Spencer is sitting at the head of a table with six men.
SPENCER
I called us together tonight because it’s been awhile and frankly, things are getting kind of weird around here something to do with the tribe and the ravens.
Electric crackles. The inside lights flicker and go out. Things inhuman shriek. The men jump to their feet. The door opens.
MORLONA
Evening boys.
SPENCER
Who the hell are you?
A man in a long leather coat and hat walks in and leans against the corner of the room. Because of the darkness and hat, his face is obscured. The moonlight is shining through the window.
MORLONA
I am Morlona. I am about to reveal the purpose of your lives.
SPENCER
Lady, you better start talking.
MORLONA
First, if you ever tell me to do anything again, I will rip your heart out.
Something draws Spencer’s eyes to the windows and at the opened dark, there are things out there. Shadowed things of evil and claws.
MORLONA
Those are the darklings. As you all know what your ancestors did with the tribe a long time ago. I know because I was there. I was the one that lead them to the cornfield. It is the reason today you live with your luxuries and riches, your pretty wives, your healthy children. And now it’s time you pay for what you owe.
SPENCER
What-
MORLONA
Be silent, Spencer. You have been watched for many years. I have eyes everywhere. For example, may I remind you of a certain murder all of you did in high school?
The men in the room exchange fearful glances.
MORLONA
You had a crush on a girl, didn’t you, Spencer. It must have been frustrating to long for a woman that barely paid you any mind. You couldn’t figure it out. You start following her around. Must have been quite a shocker to see her meeting up with an Indian boy in the woods by the school. A native and white girl sure didn’t seem natural to you did it?
Spencer rises from his chair.
SPENCER
How the hell do you know-
The man in leather lifts off the wall. Spencer sees this and decides he better sit down and shut up.
MORLONA
It was an unnatural union from the beginning. This Indian boy had raven in him. He was one of the young warriors your ancestor’s nailed on the tree on that Harvest Day. But you didn’t know that.
SPENCER
I don’t know about that. All I know is that I loved her. And two months later she confines in me, because I am her friend. She didn’t see how much I loved her. She said I was the only one that she could trust. She told me she was with child. Jesus Christ, a white girl with an Injun? My girl!
MORLONA
I admire what you did. It was very clever.
SPENCER
She said she was going to run away with him. Said she was going to tell him personally tonight and leave over the weekend. She asked me if I would drive her to the tribe. Can you imagine, of all people, me? I saw him and waited outside his teepee.
MORLONA
Then what did you do the next day?
SPENCER
I got the boys here and drop them off in the woods near the tribe.
MORLONA
Yes?
SPENCER
Then I went to the Injun and told him she needed to see him, it was like an emergency. That is was close by. He came with me. I took him to the woods.
MORLONA
What did you do?
SPENCER
Me and the boys nailed him upon that same old tree by the cornfield. And I stabbed him so he would die quicker.
EXT. FLASHBACK
Spencer steps back from stabbing Thunder.
SPENCER
You had no right to love her. You are scum. A heathen. Now do us all a favor and die.
THUNDER
Thunder’s whispers in pain.
If you really loved her, you would had let her be free with her heart.
SPENCER
You are not worthy of her. I will take care of her. You won’t have to worry about that.
THUNDER
I take pity on you. I am sad for your wicked…your wicked heart. (passes out).
SPENCER
Just die and get it over with.
EXT. DAY LATER. OUTSIDE OF VILLAGE.
A bus stops and Dylan’s mother steps out. She has two bags with her. She sits by the side of the road. By evening, she goes into the village and starts asking people if they have seen Thunder. She goes back beside the road and leans against a tree and falls asleep.
EXT. THE TREE
Thunder opens his eyes. A raven is pecking at his shoulder.
THUNDER
Hello, my friend. Can I borrow you for a moment.
He enters into the bird’s mind. He flies back to the village. He caws at Star’s teepee. Star steps out.
STAR
What is it, little one?
The raven caws. Star tilts her head. She lifts the raven up and looks into its eyes. The raven caws again.
STAR
Thunder? Are you alright? Where are you?
The raven flies up in the air and caws and begins to fly toward the woods. Star follows. She finds Thunder.
STAR
Thunder! Are you alive? Who did this to you?
She looks at his hands and doesn’t know how to get him lose.
THUNDER
Go back to the village and get a hammer.
STAR
I’ll get the others.
THUNDER
No, you can’t. Please, no one can know.
STAR
What do you mean.
THUNDER
After you get me down, I …. I will tell you. But hurry, I have no feeling in my legs. I am dying soon.
EXT. TREE
Star lets Thunder down. He is unconscious now. She looks around and sees a rabbit.
STAR
I am so sorry. Thank you for your sacrifice. Your Light shall shine within him.
Star does a healing and casts the pain into the rabbit. The rabbit makes a horrible sound. Hops once and falls. It’s legs kick with the last of life in it.
THUNDER
I saw that girl again. We fell in love.
STAR
With a mortal? Thunder.
THUNDER
She is with child. Can you believe it? We can have children?
STAR
Oh, Thunder.
THUNDER
We were going to run away together. But her friend, he said she was here. He lied. He said he loved her and that we would never be together.
STAR
Oh, Thunder. Oh, Thunder. I am so sorry.
Star begins to cry.
THUNDER
I have to do something. I’ll kill him and I can run away with her.
STAR
Oh, Thunder. No. No. Can’t you see? This is all wrong. You can’t go back there again. You have to remain hidden. If they see you are alive they could learn of our secret and come kill us all.
THUNDER
I can’t. I love her! The man is evil.
STAR
Thunder, listen to me, they all have seen you. You are suppose to be dead. This will bring ruin to us all. I have to tell Elder of this. We are all in jeopardy now.
THUNDER
No. You can’t tell her. What I did is forbidden.
STAR
Yes. You should of thought of that. But, it’s too late now.
THUNDER
What are we to do?
STAR
Nothing. There is nothing we can do without bringing destruction upon us all.
THUNDER
But I love her. And this man, he is evil.
STAR
I know. I know, Thunder. I am so sorry. But you can never go into that town again.
Thunder weeps.
STAR
I’m so sorry, Thunder. My heart breaks for you.
Star holds him in his arms.
INT. HUNTING LODGE. PRESENT
LEATHER.
That day you know why we were there. You got the benefit of that day. We were there to take the land and get the gold was found there. On one of our outings we came across this pretty Injun girl. Except she wasn’t our normal heathen, this one was smart. You can tell she knows how to read. And without us giving a threat, she comes right out and says she knows what we are after, the yellow stone. She said she’s been having dreams about us coming. Said her tribe would never leave and if we wanted to get rid of them all in one act, to meet her on their Harvest Day. So, we planned to come on their harvest day and take the whole tribe out.
EXT. 1850. BY THE CORNFIELD FLASHBACK
MORLONA
This way.
LEATHER
We’re behind you.
She takes them to the edge of the woods surrounding a wide field of corn. LEATHER motions the men to surround the field. The whole tribe was there all right. Lot of ravens too. Ravens were everywhere. Some cawed excitedly. Several of the Indians looked around but attributed the crow ruckus to all the excitement of the tribe.
Leather starts to load his weapon. The girl’s hand pushing the barrel of his rifle down. She steps up to him and looks him in the eyes. She points at him with the other hand.
MORLONA
Living Dead.
Leather reaches for his knife.
LEATHER
I’ll show you dead.
He stabs Morlona in the stomach. She falls to the ground. He spits on her. Heathen.
FATHER
Maybe we are related after all.
EXTERIOR. BLACK AND WHITE. Scene is played out with Leather talking over it.
LEATHER
(Voice over.)
We were gunning them down. It was a slaughter. Never had so much fun. Then a Raven….
A raven pecks Leather’s ear. He whirls around, swinging the gun and knocks the bird to the ground. He aims and fires. There was a kick of dirt and plume of feathers. He likes that so he starts shooting the Ravens than the people. He fires. Reloads. Fires. Reloads and keeps at it. And the others started joining him when the tribe people were down. The men started firing. Leather suddenly feels a sharp pain in his chest. There’s a curious looking arrow head poking out of his chest. He turns and sees four warriors coming. He falls to his knees and watches from the ground…how the warriors stop attacking and are rendered frozen at the scene of their tribesmen slaughtered in the cornfield.
GUNMAN
Leather’s good as dead. Arrow straight through the chest. We move him, he’ll die. Best to just leave him here.
GUNMAN TWO
We’ll looks like we got our reason for shooting. They shot Leather first. We start shooting back.
GUNMAN
What are we going to do with these? He points to the young warriors.
GUNMAN TWO
We nail them to the tree and let them die looking at the cornfield.
GUNMAN
Sounds right by me.
EXTERIOR: EVENING. In flashback.
After the Ravens skeletonize the warriors in the tree. Leather is still alive. He watched the thousands of ravens come and go leaving the tree bare of leaves and warriors.
LEATHER
Will I die already?
A hand grabs his arm. He looks over and to his amazement, the girl is still alive. He could hear air whistling where the cut was.
LEATHER
Off me. Didn’t cut deep enough, did I?
He sniffs something……Sulfur? He hears leathery sounds and clicks of claws. He looks at the edge of the woods and sees black things landing on the branches of the trees in the moonlight. Watching them drop to the ground and crawling toward him. He can see the moonlight glint off their claws and black marbled eyes. They hiss and rattle and smell and move in. They charge at him and the girl, moving in for the kill. A thousand bites at once. The light of the moon gone. Only blackness as he felt tiny pieces of him snatched away. Now only blackness. Then the strangest thing. Like a coming together. He opens his eyes and is standing in the field. He is alive and the creatures sniff him and land on his shoulders. They crawl along his body. He bursts into creatures. Then he reforms. He does this again. His laughter is that if a crazy man that echoes through the stalks of corn. Then the girl reforms. They just stare at each other.
MYLONA
Idiot. I have foreseen this. I used you. Now, flee back over the river before we are attacked. And I do not understand what we are to do. It comes to us. Now hurry.
PRESENT:
LEATHER
So, let me make a believer out of you. See me now.
He scatters into creatures.
SPENCER
God!
The other men fall out of them chairs and press their backs against the wall at the other end of the room.
Leather reforms and becomes whole again.
SPENCER
What the hell are you?
MORLONA
Enough of this play. We are minions for Our Grace. He sends me bearing gifts. The riches and glory to be had in this life will be yours. Tomorrow night you shall kill again. And like last time, you will be rewarded with riches that will pave the easy life for your ancestors yet born. Our goal is to find a tree that keeps the Raven’s Light. We kill a few of the raven Indians, destroy the tree, and and the Light.
SPENCER
What is the Raven Light?
LEATHER
The Light of the Eternal Flame. If we can destroy this, we can ensure darkness for a place called Skyeden. And we and our Darklings shall have unimaginable wealth and power
MORLONA
Which is the reason we have been come to you, Spencer. We are seeking this Raven’s Light. We know that before we are turned, either a Darkling or Raven, they go to the source, the Dark Tree or the Light Tree. There, a number or Darklings or Ravens are taken to the dying body and they devour it and become it. So, Dylan, who can call the ravens, has a great chance of being ravenized. If he is about to die, he can be turned. A raven will fly to the Tree of Light. And we shall follow it. And then, Spencer, you kill Dylan. Something you been wanting to do for a long time now. Something you tried before, yes?
She walks up to Spencer and touches the scar on his cheek.
EXT. FLASHBACK. DYLAN’S BACKYARD.
Spencer is standing by Dylan’s crib underneath a tree.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Thanks, Robert. I’ve not been out of the house since Dylan’s been born.
SPENCER
Take all the time you want, baby. Everything is going to be okay.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Thanks, Spencer.
When Dylan’s mother leaves, Spencer steps closer to the crib and looks down at baby Dylan.
SPENCER
Oh, yeah. Everything’s going to be okay. My sweet, sweet, little disgusting heather. Let’s you and me play a game.
Baby Dylan curdles and reaches up with his little hand.
SPENCER
Yes. Let’s play a little game called dying. I suffocate you. You die. Okay, my little baby. Goochie goochie goo?
Baby Dylan laughs.
SPENCER
Here we go.
Spencer takes the pillow from underneath Dylan’s head. He presses it against Dylan’s face.
SPENCER
Say, bye, bye.
He presses down on the pillow. Little Dylan’s legs start kicking out. A raven cries out from a tree nearby. It dives downward and strikes Spencer’s face. Dylan’s mother comes around the corner.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Hey, silly me, I forgot my purse. Spencer, what’s wrong?
SPENCER
Damn, raven struck me. I’m cut.
VILLAGE.
Thunder wakes up. Star is standing over him.
STAR
I heard you cry out.
THUNDER
He tried to kill my son.
STAR
Is he okay?
THUNDER
I think so. I hope.
STAR
You can’t be doing this. If you are ever found out.
THUNDER
But I’m in raven form. My body is here.
STAR
Then we take turns. You nap in the day. I will watch over him at night.
THUNDER
Thank you, Star. If that monster harms my son.
STAR
I know. Thunder this breaks my heart. We will protect him.
PRESENT. INT. HUNTING LODGE.
SPENCER
Killing him. Yeah, something I wanted to do for a long time.
MORLONA
Then, you’re wish is about to come true. Only one thing left to do now before we can begin all this.
SPENCER
What?
MORLONA
Let the Darklings have you.
SPENCER
Huh?
MORLONA
Leather?
MORLONA
You have good reason. And don’t worry, don’t be scared. You will be turned.
She nods to LEATHER. In an instant, LEATHER has hold of Father’s arms. MORLONA holds out her hand and her index finger turns into a Darkling claw. She cuts carefully along FATHER’s arm.)
MORLONA
Hurry. He won’t have long. To the Dark Tree!
A darkling squeals and heads off into the night.
MORLONA
Relax. Lay down. You will be turned soon. It only hurts for a second. My Darklings are very quick. And when you are turned, you will be immortal. You will have gifts you never dreamt. You will be a Prince for Our Grace, Shabael El Qui. You will play a great role on destroying the Raven’s Light. And I will help you myself to hunt down all the Ravens of this world and take them out. So tomorrow night, we will see that Dylan is turned and we will follow the raven to the tree of Light. And we will strike that tree down and drain it of its light. Stay here, Leather. I have some summoning to do and a little necromancy.
MORLONA
Reaches up and touches the scar on his cheek.
EXT. FLASHBACK. DYLAN’S BACKYARD.
Spencer is standing by Dylan’s crib underneath a tree.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Thanks, Robert. I’ve not been out of the house since Dylan’s been born.
SPENCER
Take all the time you want, baby. Everything is going to be okay.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Thanks, Spencer.
When Dylan’s mother leaves, Spencer steps closer to the crib and looks down at baby Dylan.
SPENCER
Oh, yeah. Everything’s going to be okay. My sweet, sweet, little disgusting heather. Let’s you and me play a game.
Baby Dylan curdles and reaches up with his little hand.
SPENCER
Yes. Let’s play a little game called dying. I suffocate you. You die. Okay, my little baby. Goochie goochie goo?
Baby Dylan laughs.
SPENCER
Here we go.
Spencer takes the pillow from underneath Dylan’s head. He presses it against Dylan’s face.
SPENCER
Say, bye, bye.
He presses down on the pillow. Little Dylan’s legs start kicking out. A raven cries out from a tree nearby. It dives downward and strikes Spencer’s face. Dylan’s mother comes around the corner.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Hey, silly me, I forgot my purse. Spencer, what’s wrong?
SPENCER
Damn, raven struck me. I’m cut.
VILLAGE.
Thunder wakes up. Star is standing over him.
STAR
I heard you cry out.
THUNDER
He tried to kill my son.
STAR
Is he okay?
THUNDER
I think so. I hope.
STAR
You can’t be doing this. If you are ever found out.
THUNDER
But I’m in raven form. My body is here.
STAR
Then we take turns. You nap in the day. I will watch over him at night.
THUNDER
Thank you, Star. If that monster harms my son.
STAR
I know. Thunder this breaks my heart. We will protect him.
PRESENT. INT. HUNTING LODGE.
SPENCER
Killing him. Yeah, something I wanted to do for a long time.
MORLONA
Then, you’re wish is about to come true. Only one thing left to do now before we can begin all this.
SPENCER
What?
MORLONA
Let the Darklings have you.
SPENCER
Huh?
MORLONA
Leather?
LEATHER
My pleasure.
Leather pulls out an old pistol and starts shooting each of the men.
MORLONA
You know how it works my darklings. One of you taste the blood of each of them. Go to the Dark Tree and get darklings to make a whole for each of the men. Hurry. Dawn will come quickly.
MORLONA
Leather, at last we are taking action. Queen Mateda spoke to me herself. She is quite the devious one, she is. She’s particularly cruel. It’s not enough to just kill, but to soul break a person first. Had to make a dagger. Did it myself, wickedly nice, isn’t it?
She shows Leather the blade.
MORLONA
I have to do a little necromancy now. I’ll be back.
Morlona bursts into Darklings and takes flight.
EXTERIOR. GRAVEYARD BY FREDDIE’S GRAVE
MORLONA
A flurry of darklings dive upon the grave and dirt is kicked up. Talons on wood. Wood splintering. Darklings pour into the crack of the casket. Freddie’s body is pulled out of the casket and lays on the ground..
MORLONA
Now, Darklings, find me ravens while they sleep, take their light you may keep. Bring them to me at my feet.
Darklings squeal, then quieted. They creep into the woods. Moments later, raven’s cry out.
The darklings start returning with lifeless ravens.
MORLONA
Darklings, devour the ravens.
The Darklings ravish the ravens.
MORLONA
Now, take this body. Eat it.
The Darklings swarm over Freddie’s body and consume it.
MORLONA
Black as Black, soul of the dead, enters this body of no light. Darkling soul in body cold. Let rise and behold!
The darklings form into the shape of Freddie. He opens his eyes and screams.
MORLONA
Ah, sweet the black magic. You live again.
Now for the test.
She waves a hand.
MORLONA
Burst into Ravens.
Freddie burst into ravens. Morlona does a little victory dance.
MORLONA
Your Grace! See me through the darklings eyes. Am I not your greatest witch.
A darkling leaps from a branch and into the grave. It shows a little of itself and speaks.
DARKLING/SHABAEL
Yes. And mother is here.
Morlona pulls out the dagger.
MORLONA
Is it not pleasing my Queen?
DARKLING IN METADA’S VOICE
It will do. Now tell the Dead One what to do. Then, return to the others for their turning.
MORLONA
As you wish, my Queen. Come, dead one. Let me whisper into that grave dirt ear.
INT. HUNTING LODGE
Morlona enters the hunting lodge.
MORLONA
Will be dawn soon.. Where are those Darklings from the tree?
Several darklings in the bushes squeal.
MORLONA
Ah, good timing. They come.
Over the treetops comes a long flock of darklings. One of them is in the lead. Morlona steps to Spencer’s side.
MORLONA
Oh, you are going to enjoy this.
The darklings swarm downward and fall upon Father’s body. He cries out. The other men are devoured also.
LEATHER
Hey. You missed a piece.
MORLONA
Form!
Spencer and the other six men reform. They all are in shock over what happened. They touch their hands and faces and look at each other as if they all are mad.
MORLONA
Now, back into Darkling form and follow me. We go to the Dark Tree and wait until evening. Then the war is on.
Morlona burst into darklings and flies off.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx INTERIOR.
PRESENT. DYLAN’S ROOM
A raven taps on the window.
DYLAN.
Star… Where did you go?
The RAVEN Tap. Tap. Tap. More insistent.
DYLAN.
NO!
He opens his eyes. The light is bright from the window. Off. On. Blink. Blink. In between the blinks he can see the figure of a Raven. The Light is coming from its eyes. It strikes the window and it cracks. Dylan. Sits up. Arm partially shielding his eyes. Between the blinks, he can see that the splinter in the glass is in the shape of a tree.
RAVEN
CAW!
Dylan runs up to the window. He touches the glass, tracing the cracks with his fingers. He closes his eyes… and a throbbing heartbeat like power is felt coursing from his fingertips to his heart. He is seeing through the Raven’s eyes again when he was airborne and had just spotted that glimmer of Light between the clouds… And the Light flashes and for a second he sees the silhouette of the crack in the window…but it’s not in the window…it is behind those clouds, bathed in Light and on a mountain peak. It is a tree. Dylan opens his eyes.
DYLAN
A tree up there. The Light.
He suddenly becomes aware of something looking at him. He looks at the old oak tree again.
DYLAN
I can feel you.
The alarm clock goes off. Dylan jumps.
DYLAN
Come on! Jesus.
He sits on the edge of the bed and ties his shoes.
DYLAN
If I’m not mistaken that looks like a tree. You trying to tell me something, raven? Tree. Twig. Hey, where is the twig?
He looks around and doesn’t see it. He looks back at the window. Taking a piece of paper, Dylan traces the lines of the crack. He folds the paper and puts it in his pocket.
DYLAN
Where’s that twig?
He searches the room and trashcan.
He tiptoes down the hall. He peeps into his parent’s room and sees FATHER is not there. He looks into Robert’s room. Robert is sleeping. Dylan checks the trash in the kitchen. He looks around and stops because he hears taping again. He follows the sound and enters his Spencer’s office. A raven is at the window sill. It caws, then flies off.
He checks and Spencer is not there. He enters and sits at his Spencer’s desk. He holds his hands out, as though feeling from his palms. He rests a hand on the desk and senses the twig is close. He sits in Father’s chair and opens the desk drawer and opens the white box. The twig is there.
DYLAN
Thank God!
Dylan places the twig in his jacket pocket. He goes outside and gets on his bike and departs. The raven is flying behind him, then lands on his shoulder.
DYLAN
I hate having to pass the graveyard. God, poor Freddie.
The raven caws.
Dylan passes the graveyard and makes the turn and see’s Freddie standing beside the road.
DYLAN
What? No? No way?
Dylan slams on the brakes of the bike. The bike falls over. Dylan stands there for a moment disbelieving his eyes. Freddie lifts his arms.
DYLAN
Oh, God! Freddie!
Dylan cries out and runs to Freddie. He takes Freddie into his arms.
DYLAN
Freddie? Freddie? Is it you? Really? You’re dead!”
FREDDIE
Yeah. Seems the ravens dug me up.
DYLAN
You been ravenized? You? You’re
raven? You’re here?”
FREDDIE
In the flesh. Man, it’s so good to see you again!
Freddie hugs Dylan back.
DYLAN
The ravens turned you? That’s like Star and the others. It’s happened to you.
FREDDIE
We got to go somewhere. Can’t be seen, especially since I’m suppose to be dead.
DYLAN
This is mind blowing. Dude, you came back from the dead. Did you see God, angels?
FREDDIE
I did see an angel. I think that’s one of the main reasons I’m back.
DYLAN
What do you mean?
FREDDIE
Let’s go back to the village. I’ll tell you there.
Dylan touches Freddie again. He wipes the tears from his eyes.
DYLAN
I believe. I believe. I believe in God, the afterlife. Ravens.
FREDDIE
Living proof! Damn that sun feels good. I can’t believe I’m even breathing. Last I remember is being struck from behind. Well, never mind that now. We better ride.
Dylan and Freddie ride toward the village. Freddie keeps his head down. The raven follows from behind.
FREDDIE
Pull off here. Keep going through the woods. There’s a small trail, leads to a cornfield and a tree.
DYLAN
You been here before.
FREDDIE
No, it’s what the angel told me.
DYLAN
This is so crazy. I can’t believe any of this. I can’t believe I’m even talking to you. I thought I lost you forever. Freddie! Freddie! Oh, my God! I can’t stop crying.
They come to the tree. Dylan gets off the bike and hugs Freddie again.
DYLAN
I’m so shocked over this, I can’t breath.
FREDDIE
Let’s sit down. This has to be done right now.
DYLAN
Yeah, man. Whatever.
FREDDIE
The angel told me that you are in love with a girl named Star. Was that the Indian girl you saw that day?
DYLAN
Yeah. Oh, my God. The angel knew of this?
Dylan cups his hand with his face.
FREDDIE
The thing is, she can never be with you unless you are turned. Once you do this, you will be immortal like me. You can live forever and never grow old. She’s the same body age as you. The two of you can be like that forever.
DYLAN
What do I have to do? I don’t understand.
Freddie pulls the dagger out of his coat.
FREDDIE
Not sure how all this works. You’re suppose to stab yourself with it. This dagger, it’s divine. The angel gave it to me.
DYLAN
Stab myself?
FREDDIE
Yeah, but not to kill yourself. You have to do it in a way that you will leave for hours. A raven will fly to your Tree of Light and give other ravens to come. They will eat you. Then, you form back together, like me. Here, watch this.
Freddie stands up. He opens his arms and bursts into ravens. Ravens near by begin to caw. Freddie reforms.
DYLAN
That is the wildest thing I’ve ever seen. But, won’t it hurt to be eaten?
FREDDIE
Not if you do it right. You’ll be like all numb all over when they get to you. The angel said it will happen very quick and for you to have faith.
DYLAN
Like committing suicide.
FREDDIE
You love her, man?
DYLAN
Yes.
FREDDIE
She won’t be with you unless you do this. And think, you and I will be together. We’re be immortal unless some accident happens and we can’t heal ourselves.
DYLAN
You know about the healing?
FREDDIE
Angel told me a lot.
DYLAN
Anyone had told me this what had told them they are out of their mind. But you are here. I see you and Star, the others, burst into ravens. I’ve been inside one. Looked through it’s eyes. I’ve watched the Elder heal.
FREDDIE
The angel made it sound very urgent you do this right now.
DYLAN
Now? Here?
FREDDIE
I got to do a couple of other things really fast. I’ll be back though. I have to go now.
DYLAN
Wait. If I do this, I want you with me.
FREDDIE
Don’t have time. Been called else where.
DYLAN
I don’t think I can do this, especially alone.
FREDDIE
Do you see me? Am I not real?
DYLAN
Yes.
FREDDIE
What else proof do you need? You already see others bursts into ravens. You can them already. You’ve been in one. Just stop the yapping and get to it. I got to go.
DYLAN
Where you going?
Freddie bursts into ravens. He flies north and lands by Morlona and the other six men, Spencer, Robert and his gang.
MOLONA
Freddie, go to the village. Introduce yourself to the raven tuners. Find the Elder. Don’t mention about Dylan. When he turns raven, he will die shortly after because the dagger is made from the dark tree. I will have the others scatter about. When the raven leaves from Dylan to go to the Tree of Light, we will follow. And when we find the Tree of Light, we are to destroy the tree and keep the Light. And when we figure out how to destroy the Light, we will. Alright, everyone to their places. The men bursts into ravens heading in different directions.
EXT. TREE
Dylan is sitting underneath the tree. He is holding the dagger in his hand. He unbuttons his shirt.
DYLAN
I’m crazy. What if I hallucinated Freddie? No, I’ve seen too much from too many different people. This is real? This will work?
The raven is on Dylan’s lap and looks at him questionably.
DYLAN
Freddie’s alive. This is nuts.
Dylan wipes a tear from his eye.
The raven caws and picks at his pant’s pocket.
DYLAN
What?
He pulls the paper from his pocket.
DYLAN
Hey, if I wrote a note to Star would you take it to her?
RAVEN
Caw.
DYLAN
If you understand that, give me two caws.
RAVEN.
Caw. Caw.
DYLAN
Okay. I have no doubts now. Oh, man, you could be eating me in a little bit. Ew, my eyes will be pecked. I can’t think of that. Freddie says to have faith. I will. I must.
Dylans begins to write.
DYLAN
‘Star, I thought about what you said about our age differences and how I would grow older and you remain the same. Freddie has come back to me. He says an angel told him it would be alright for me to do this. I know I’ve only met you, but I know I’ll never find another like you. I already feel this once in a lifetime for you. No matter if today or a year from now that feeling is going to be the same, so, I might as well say it. I love you, Star, from the first moment. I do this for us, Star. Love you, forever.’
Dylan rolls up the note and ties it to the raven’s leg.
DYLAN
That’s a big letter. Think you can take it?
The raven moves it’s leg up and down and caws twice.
DYLAN
Okay. Fly. Fly to Star.
EXT. THE VILLAGE
Freddie walks into the village and goes down the path. He comes before the campsite. The six natives rise. Elder comes out of their tent. Freddie opens his arms and begins to speak.
EXT. THE TREE
DYLAN
Dear, God. I’m giving faith to you and your angel. My heart is good. Forgive me for all my wrongs and sins. I commit myself to you and for love. And if this doesn’t work out, take me into your arms. It’s not a suicide I’m doing. It’s with thoughts to join forever my loved ones and do good things with the gifts you give me.
He places the dagger at his heart.
(STAR PLAYING MUSIC BY NARSILION “NIGHT IN FAIRYLAND” Have it fade in and out during following scenes)
DYLAN
I’m so scared. I love you, Star, forever. I commit my life to you.
Dylan presses the dagger into the place Freddie told him to and presses the dagger into him. He gasps and starts breathing fast. Blood oozes from his shirt. His arm falls to the side. Blood drips down his arm.
EXT. CAMPSITE
STAR
Oh, Freddie. This is a miracle. Dylan is going to be so happy. He really missed you.
ELDER
Came back from the dead? You were dead, not still living. I didn’t know this could happen. It’s like there’s been an exception to the laws.
THUNDER
Theirs is something special about Dylan. All of these changes and events surround him I feel.
STAR
Maybe it was love that the ravens sensed and brought Freddie back.
The elder looks around. There are ravens around but very quiet.
ELDER
Freddie, would you mind if we held a quick counsel in my tent. Only for a moment. Please wait by the fire site.
FREDDIE
I understand. No problem.
When the others go inside the tent. Dylan’s raven flies up. She lands on the ground by the teepee. She caws. Freddie sees the note on the raven’s leg. He recognizes the raven.
FREDDIE
Wow, long time no see. You got a note for somebody. Star?
RAVEN
Caw.
FREDDIE
They’re busy inside. I’ll give it to her. Promise.
Freddie reaches out. The raven steps back.
FREDDIE
Hey, look, there she is.
He snatches the raven up and holds its beak from squawking. He unties the note and throws the bird off to the side. He reads the note. A tear comes to his eye. His hand starts to tremble.
FREDDIE
What am I doing?
Freddie sits back down. The raven makes an angry caw and flies off. The tent opens. Elder steps out.
ELDER
Where did that come from?
FREDDIE
A raven over there. Flew off.
Elder looks around.
ELDER
Strange
EXT. TREE
The raven returns and lands by Dylan. It looks around. No raven has come to sip his blood. Over a dozen ravens are around but they are staying back. The raven hops on Dylan’s chest and taps the hilt of the blade. He flies before some of the ravens and caws. He flies back on Dylan’s chest and caws again.
A raven reluctantly moves forward. It walks to Dylan’s hand, looks back at Dylan’s raven. They caw to each other. The raven sips from the blood. It shivers, flaps it wings, and takes flight.
As the raven flies north, Morlona sees the bird. She bursts into darklings and follows a safe distant away.
DYLAN
Moans. Star. It hurts. But soon. Soon I will be with you. I think I’m going to dream awhile. A tear runs down his cheek. His raven rubs his head against the tear and rest on Dylan’s shoulder.
Time passes.
EXT. CAMPSITE
All of them are sitting around the campsite. Thunder begins a fire.
STAR
I’m getting worried. Dylan should had been here two hours ago.
ELDER
We have be so engrossed with Freddie time has slipped by us. It is late. We should had begun our search already. I hoped we could had reached where we thought the tree was by now before it gets dark.
THUNDER
Let me enter a raven look around for him.
STAR
No. It should be me. I know where he goes during the days.
Everyone turns to Star.
STAR
I’ve done this for some time. Mostly at night. I’m sorry. I know it was wrong to leave. I didn’t reveal myself. I was pulled to him. The ravens pulled me to him. I never led him here, well, maybe a couple of dreams while dreaming. But not here… way above us.
ELDER
What have you done? Had he not called the Ravens I would now think he was only here because you led him. Wait. When the ravens came, you were with him.
STAR
Yes.
ELDER
Did you call them?
STAR
No. What? No. He did that. He can enter a raven. He has the magic.
ELDER
I am very disappointed in you. Doing these things outside the tribe. This could bring only bring bad things to us.
STAR
I understand. There is something about him.
THUNDER
She’s watched him because-
Star glares at Thunder.
STAR
Because I had been drawn to him by the ravens and I have sensed something special about him. Something important that deals with destiny.
ELDER
What else are you not telling me?
STAR
That is all. And I give my word to be true with all I say to you.
ELDER
A raven caller. A man ravenized from the dead. The white twig brought to me. Darklings growing in mass. We are suppose to find this tree. I am certain of this. We must do it soon as possible.
STAR
Let me go now to find him while it is still early in the day. If all else fails, we leave tomorrow morning as we had planned today.
ELDER
Be cautious, Star. I sense there’s been a stirring in that heart of yours.
Thunder looks at Star. His mouth is open.
STAR
I will never bring danger to the tribe. This is my home. You are my people.
ELDER
Then go. If you haven’t found him by late day be back before nightfall.
STAR
I shall. Thunder, will you lay my body to bed?
THUNDER
I will.
Star looks around and sees a raven. She enters the raven and flies.
EXT. OVER THE MOUNTAINS
The raven flying to the tree begins to have trembles in mid-flight. It stops flying and coasts. Then, with effort flies onward. Far behind comes Morlona. They are flying with a dark sheet over them to prevent the light from striking them. Several darklings are flying before it, still in it’s shadow and guiding the way for the others.
EXT. DYLAN’S TOWN
STAR/RAVEN
Star flies to Dlyan’s school. She moving down each window. She flies through the door to the cafeteria, causing students to cry out and throw food at her. She escapes back outside. Next, she goes to Dylan’s house. She looks in the kitchen window.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Hey, there, Raven. You haven’t been around the last couple of days.
STAR/RAVEN
Turns her head to side as though trying to understand.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
He’s not here. He’s in school. He better be.
Star pecks on the window twice, bows her head and flies off.
DYLAN’S MOTHER
Would you look at that? That bird is smart. Funny how a bird could love a bird. Guess anything is possible.
Star flies over the town. She lands on a telephone wire and caws to other ravens. She flies off, landing at a tree, cawing, looking around. Flies again. The sun is now in it’s descent. Star lands back on Dylan’s roof, then on the ground, pecks at the motorcycle tracks. She follows the track to the road and sees the direction it went. She makes a moanful caw and flies down the road.
EXT. CLOSE TO THE TREE OF LIGHT.
The raven, heading to the Tree of Light, flaps it’s wings and coasts. It cries out in pain and is having great difficulty now. Seeing a hill up ahead with a mist and a glow in the mist, makes an effort to quicken it’s flight and falters. She falls and strikes a tree branch. Several ravens see her and fly to her. They caw and peck at her to make her conscious. The crow opens its eyes and starts a series of caws. Several of the ravens lift up and fly over the hill of mist and glow. They reappear with a group and head south.
EXT. NOT FAR BEHIND RAVEN
In the crown of a tree sits Morlona with darklings in the shade and beneath the blanket. Morlona holds up a darkling in the direction of the hill.
MORLONA
My Grace. Do you see? I think we found the tree.
INT. SHABAEL’S OBSERVATORY
Shabael standing by Mateda that is sitting in front of a black orb.
SHABAEL
Yes! I know this glow. You did well, my Favorite. Wait until nightfall. Call all the darklings. Retrieve the Light and destroy the tree.
MATEDA
The raven caller still lives? Doesn’t matter now. And our little assassin, is he prepared to do what he must this evening.
MORLONA
He is with them now at the campsite. He knows what to do. He is performing exactly has he should. The magic you taught me, my Queen, is very powerful.
MATEDA
Because I am a powerful sorceress. You have done well.
SHABAEL
Shame you are there. Someone of your talents would be useful for my court.
MATEDA
I live to serve you, My Grace.
SHABAEL
Soon it shall be nightfall. It is strange to see light again. And after tonight, it shall remain there forever.
EXT. NEAR THE TRIBE
The sun has begun to set. Star/Raven lands on a fence and nearly falls over from exhaustion. She leaves the raven’s body and comes to consciousness in her teepee. She looks out of the teepee and sees everyone was in Elder’s tent. She hurries up the path, through the vendors and starts walking down the the right side of the road. There is an old store on the corner. Several man are sitting on bottle crates smoking cigarettes. Star asks them if they seen a motorcycle come this way. One of them nods yes and holds up two fingers. Star points to the village and asks the man to tell the others she is back and looking around still. Star start back up the road on the opposite direction. She continues and sees motorcycle tracks going down a dirt trail into the woods. The tracks are fresh.
Ext. approaching area of tree.
The ravens from the Tree of Light, arrive in the area, but they do not know where to go. They start flying to different trees and looking around, then back up again. They do not know where to go from here.
Ext. Tree.
Dylan’s raven lifts it’s head, looking up, searching for the others from the Tree of Light but does not see them. She puts her head under Dylan’s nose to sense if he is breathing. Leaping back, she starts pecking franticly on his shoulder. Alarmed, the raven flies up into the air and starts making desperate caws.
Ext. Path
Star hears the caws.
STAR
Dylan! Dylan you there?
The raven’s caw quickens as if to acknowledge her. Star bursts into ravens and speeds down the trail. It opens to the cornfield and to the right, she sees the tree and hears the raven. She reforms and sees Dylan on the ground with the dagger in his heart.
STAR
Dylan! Oh!
The ravens fly up into the air cawing wildly. Star falls to her knees and checks Dylan’s pulse. She tears his shirt open and places a hand by his heart. A group of ravens land behind her cawing. She turns and looks at them, then back at Dylan. She grabs his wrist to feel for a pulse again.
STAR
Oh, God! I felt something.
The ravens caw at her. She looks back at them, then back at Dylan.
STAR
You want me to do this?
The ravens caw.
Dylan’s raven bites at the dagger trying to pull it out of his chest.
STAR
Oh, my babies, I am so sorry…. You’re life for his. I love you all.
She weeps and places her hands on Dylan. She grabs the dagger and throws it to the side. It felt weird. She wipes her hand on her chest then places her hands on Dylans.
STAR
Oh, God! Oh, God, don’t be too late! Please! Please save him. Please! Heal! Heal!
She pounds on his chest.
STAR
No. No, you can’t die. No! I love you! You hear me! I love you, Dylan. Now wake up! Wake up now. Bring it to my body… Give it to me! Give me your pain… Don’t fight me. Let me have it! Now!
Star falls backwards…she grabs her chest…
STAR
Yes! she gasps. Thank you, God! Thank you!
She gasps again and closes his eyes.
STAR
He will live. He will live. My life for yours.
Star’s hand collapses by her side. The ravens leap on her cawing and jumping up and down.
STAR
I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.
She let’s out a deep breath. The ravens stop jumping. They grow silent, then lay down. One raven crawls to another and rest’s it head on the other. Their legs tremble, then grow still. Dylan’s raven hops from his chest and spreads it’s wings over the dead ravens. There is silence now.
A firefly comes. It lands on Dylan’s head then flies over to Star, then around the dead ravens. Dylan’s raven caws to the firefly. The firefly sparks up and dashes away, it reappears with several more, they start flying in a circle. Other’s join. Soon it is like a complete ring of yellow green fire.
One of the ravens from the tree of light sees the glow. It caws, drawing the others to it. They fly to the ground. They stop short of approaching. One of them examines the dagger, then it cocks it head to look back at Dylan, then at Star, then at the dead ravens. It lets out a disheartening caw. Dylan’s raven rises it head and jumps up excitedly. She hops to Dylans chest and starts jumping up and down. The raven by the dagger looks at Dylan’s raven, then back at the others. It caws. The ravens fly up into the air, then they dive downward, flying down, then up along Dylan’s body, taking pieces of it.
EXT. TREE
Star gasps. She opens her eyes. As she rises, dead ravens fall from her chest. She looks toward Dylan. His body is gone. She turns around, wildly looking around. Dylan’s raven caws. Star turns all the way around and finds Dylan standing there. There are tears in his eyes.
DYLAN
I’m sorry. I was selfish. I just wanted a way that you could love me.
Stars just stares at him.
STAR
Thank, God, you are alive! I thought I lost you!
Star runs into Dylan’s arms. They kiss passionately. The fireflies fly around them. Dylan’s raven caws. Star takes Dylan’s hand and leads him away from the tree.
STAR
What did you do?
DYLAN
I took my life so I can be like you…so that we can love each other.
STAR
You did this for me?
DYLAN
For us.
STAR
Oh, Dylan. You almost died. Oh, God!
DYLAN
Everything I am… My soul.. my life… says it loves you. I’ll never find another like you. It’s crazy. We’re young, we’ll I am. But, I swear to God, I love you!
Star starts kissing Dylan. They go to the ground. They start removing clothes. They look into each other’s eyes as they begin to make love.
INT. CAMPSITE
Freddie rises from his bed in a teepee. He unsheaths a second dagger. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He steps out of the teepee and heads to the neighboring one. He opens it. Thunder is sleeping. Freddie sits on the edge of the bed. He pushes the hair out of Thunder’s face. He takes the dagger and starts to push down on Thunder’s heart. Thunder grabs Freddie’s hands. He fights to keep the knife from going deeper. For a moment looks like he will, then he starts to lose and the knife starts to go in. Thunder starts to cry out. Freddie frees one hand from the knife and puts a finger to Thunder’s lips.
Freddie
Ssssh. It’s okay. You can rest now.
The knife descends deeper. Thunder looks at Freddie questionably, then comes the death glare. Freddie rises, exits the tent and enters the next. It is the Elder.
EXT. By the Cornfield.
Star and Dylan are making love. Several of the ravens cry out. Star withdrawals.
STAR
Something’s wrong?
DYLAN
You okay?
STAR
Not me, love. Something bad is happening.
DYLAN
What?
STAR
I don’t know. We have to get back to the camp.
It’s really bad I think! Don’t go raven, we’re too weak, it’ll kill us.
Come on.
They grab on their clothes. Dylan’s raven leads the way. They run down the path. They enter into the campsite and ravens are all on the ground. Over a hundred of them. They are silent and watch. Dylan walks to the campfire. There is a knife on the ground. He picks it up and goes to the Elder’s tent. The elder is dead. Dylan runs out to the next tenth. Then another.. Then another. He comes to the last tent and runs in. He stands before Thunder. Thunder gasps. He reaches up and takes Dylan hand and leads it to his chest. He starts to say something and dies. Star comes up beside Dylan and grabs his arm. Dylan looks down at his hand that is against something. He moves his hand away and finds a half moon necklace like his own. He is stunned and looks to Star. She nods her head yes.
Dylan sits hard on the bed and lays his head next to his father’s.
Dylan’s raven pulls at his coat pocket and gains hold of paper. It caws again for Dylan to follow. The raven goes into the Elder’s room. The raven drops the paper on top of a map of the mountains. Dylan unfolds the paper and looks at it and the map.
DYLAN
Look at this.
STAR
Where did you get this? It matches the road to the map.
DYLAN
A raven tapped and cracked the lines on my bedroom window pane. I thought it looked like a tree, but it’s a map and look, the biggest crack is here..and on the map it’s off the side of Mount Mitchell.
Dylan’s raven caws again. They turn and see the raven is poking a small roll of cloth. Dylan unrolls it. The white twig falls out.
DYLAN
What are you saying?
His raven flies to the map and taps on the Mt. Mitchell spot.
Star places a hand over her heart, then a palm to her forehead. Her eyes are moving back and forth with inner thought, as if seeing something or remembering.
STAR
We have to find this tree now. We can’t linger. We have to go right now.
DYLAN
I don’t understand.
STAR
All I remember is a tree and light and there’s death and there’s bad people trying to destroy it and the light it’s important. It’s life and death for our souls.
DYLAN
Jesus. We got all of us dead here. The murderer can be anywhere.
STAR
Dylan! We have no time! (Star cries).
The raven caws.
DYLAN
Alright, we’ll go right now. How? Fly?
STAR
No. Where’s your motorcycle?
DYLAN
It’s by the tree at the cornfield.
STAR
We need it.
DYLAN
Come on.
EXT. HIGHWAY
Dylan and Star are on the highway heading north. Dylan’s raven flying behind them.
EXT. BY THE TREE OF LIGHT
Freddie arrives in darklings. He reforms before Morlona.
MORLONA
Well, is it done?
FREDDIE
All but the girl. She wasn’t there. I went back to the tree at the cornfield. All I found were dead ravens.
MORLONA
They must of ravenized your son Spencer, and died for the poison of the Dark Tree dagger.
ROBERT
You hear that, Dad. Finally.
MORLONA
We need weapons and gasoline to start a fire. Sulfur too, make sure that tree will never grow back.
SPENCER
We got a sheriff station at the base of the mountain. Got an arsenal there. Have a gas pump too.
MORLONA
You have the keys to that place?
SPENCER
Yeah, I do.
Give them to Robert. Robert, you take your boys on the truck to that station and get all the firepower you can. Get a tank of gas and see if there’s a general store open around there to get sulfur. Grab some maps.
ROBERT
Will do.
MORLONA
Alright. Soon as those boys get back with maps and what we need, we’ll make our plan and strike. Ravens been gathering over that ridge all day. They know we’re here. They’ll be defending I imagine.
SPENCER
Nothing shotguns can’t handle. Hey, Robert, I got some large nets in the storage room. Bring those. We can protect ourselves and shut through the net.
ROBERT
Be back in a bit. Oh, here. Your cell phone.
EXT. HIGHWAY
Dylan and Star are at a gas station. The raven is on the gas pump.
DYLAN
I can’t believe they’re all dead. And Thunder, is Thunder my real father?
STAR
Yes. He was in love with your mother. They planned to run away together. Spencer loved your mother too. He found out about Thunder and her. He deceived Thunder about meeting your mother in the woods. He nailed Thunder on that tree at the cornfield.
DYLAN
Who found him?
STAR
I did. I healed him.
DYLAN
So you knew this all this time?
STAR
We were waiting for the right time to tell you. Dylan, he loved you very much. He’s been watching you all your life, in raven form. He watched you at day. I came at night. He gave Spencer that scar on his cheek for trying to hurt you one day.
DYLAN
That explains so much. But now, he’s dead. Elder. Silentbear. Moonface. All of them. Where’s Freddie? Oh, my God! Do you know about Freddie?
STAR
He came to the camp.
DYLAN
He tell you about me?
STAR
No. He said something about waiting for you there to surprise you.
DYLAN
That’s odd. Wait. He was there at the camp?
STAR
He was when I left.
DYLAN
Well, where is he?
STAR
I don’t. We better get going.
EXT. SHERIFF STATION.
The station is at an intersection to the one road that leads to Mt. Mitchell from the south.
ROBERT
Damn, key don’t work.
BIG SCOTT
Break it down?
ROBERT
No. Hold on.
Robert calls Spencer on the cell phone.
ROBERT
We got a problem. The locks been changed. Place has an alarm system.
SPENCER
I’ll call Frank. I’ll text you his address. I’m telling him it’s part of a night exercise we’re doing, and that he don’t need to be asking questions about it. Everything will be returned in the morning. And, he’ll have some extra pay coming.
ROBERT
Got it.
INT. SKYEDEN ERADRIN’S CHAMBERS
A quick knocks sound from the chamber door. A messenger enters the chambers. Eradrin is playing a board game with his nephew, Aribon. Thomar is sitting and reading papers.
MESSENGER
My King. Raven’s are circling.
Eradrin rises.
ERADRIN
Well, where? Tell me, man!
MESSENGER
The mound of the Glory Tree.
ERADRIN
Same place as before? Come, we ride now.
EXT. SHERIFF STATION
Robert is outside by the tailgate.
ROBERT
Come on, guys. We don’t have time to loll around. Move.
The guys are loading weapons on the truck. Robert hears a motorcycle. He looks up.
Dylan comes to the intersection. The light is red. He looks over and sees Robert. Then, his eyes move over to the green truck. The same truck that had run him and Freddie down.
DYLAN
Star. Get off the bike.
STAR
What’s up?
DYLAN
We found some of them. My brother. My brother that was in the truck that killed Freddie and nearly me.
EXT. SHERIFF STATION
ROBERT
Boys, get in the truck. Now! Run!
The guys are hopping into the truck. Robert hits the top of it to move out. He’s in the back and snatching up a rifle. The others follow suit. They take off.
DYLAN
Off now!
Star gets off the bike. Dylan takes off after the truck.
STAR
Uh, no way, I’m standing here.
Star takes in a deep breath. She bursts into ravens and follows.
Robert and the guys are firing at Dylan. Dylan climbs on top of the seat and stands. He spreads his arms like Christ on a crucifix.
A stream of ravens pass Dylan from above. They fly above and just past the truck.
Robert and guys keep firing away. A stream of ravens form around the bike. Dylan bursts into ravens. His stream of ravens dodge the bullets. Several ravens fall. Dylan reforms in the middle of the truck. Part of his arm is missing and a hole is in his leg. Several ravens swoop down bitting into him and then merging and filling the places.
Several of the guys jump off the back of the truck. Dylan grabs his brother and throws him against the cab of the truck. Robert grabs Dylan by the hair and pulls he back.
ROBERT
I will always be stronger than you, little brother.
DYLAN
Funny thing, Rob. We’re not brothers.
Dylan dips out of Robert’s arms, jumps around and kicks him in the face. Robert slams back into the cab. A stream of ravens enter through the window of the truck. The driver screams. Star takes form. She screams at him and slams her foot on the brake.
Dylan and Robert fly over the cab of the truck. They roll on the payment. Robert gets up and pulls out his switchblade. Dylan’s raven is on Dylan’s back. Robert approaches. Star is jumping out of the truck. Robert rears back to stab. Dylan’s raven flies into Robert’s face. Robert stumbles back.
STAR
Why don’t you pick on someone your own size like me.
ROBERT
Laughs.
Star gets ready to pounce him.
DYLAN
No, Star. It’s between Robert and me. Always has.
ROBERT
Always will.
They run at each other. They fall, get back up.
DYLAN
You may be bigger but I’ve learned to compensate the differences.
ROBERT
Whatever.
Robert swings. Dylan bursts into ravens and taps on Robert’s shoulder from behind. Robert whirls around. Dylan steps to the side, tripping Robert. Robert slams hard on the ground. Dylan strikes him and rears back for a kill punch. His hand trembles.
DYLAN
A fate worse than death, being alive and knowing I kicked your ass.
Dylan rises.
STAR
Come on!
They get in the truck and ride toward the top of the mountain. They are following Dylan’s raven. She veers off the road, no path, rock, grass, trees. Dylan and Star run into the woods.
EXT. Woods by hill
Darklings squeal.
MORLONA
Shhh! Stay down.
They watch Dylan and Star pass yards away and go over the hill with the mist and glow. Spencer’s phone rings.
SPENCER
What? Christ! You idiot. Apparently Dylan and the girl took the truck away from junior.
MORLONA
That’s alright. The truck must be close by. Freddie, you and the man on back to the road and see if the truck is there with rifles. Don’t forget the gas.
EXT. OVER THE HILL
DYLAN
The Tree of Light.
Dylan falls to his knees and bows his head.
DYLAN
I feel like Moses before the burning bush.
STAR
I’ve seen this tree before.
DYLAN
It’s glorious.
It is a large oak tree. In the center crown in the truck is a light that shines. It is surrounded by thousand of fireflies and ravens are perched all around. Hundreds of ravens. Dylan looks at Star. She is looking over the tree. Ravens are flying in a circle overhead. She closes her eyes and sees a swirling mass of ravens she had seen a long time again.
STAR
I remember ravens flying like that. I remember climbing up a tree. I remember a raven with the Light. It was on my wrist.
A single sharp caw comes from the tree. Dylan looks up and is almost blinding and sees the silhouette of a raven coming down toward them. The raven lands before Star. She is sitting on the ground. The raven hops up closer and caws. Star looks at the bird curiously.
The Raven taps on her knee insistently and looks at her.
STAR
What are you trying to say?
The raven lifts it’s claw up.
STAR
Gasps. It’s you! You! I gave you the Light!
The raven caws.
STAR
I remember you. But that’s all. Where did I come from? Who am I? Do you know?
The raven caws once and nods it head. The raven starts to scrawl something in the dark. It makes the letter DAY. Suddenly a flock of ravens comes over the hill. They form into Freddie.
DYLAN
Freddie! We thought we lost you. Did you see the others, what happened? Were you there?
FREDDIE
It’s horrible. I didn’t tell the others of what you were doing. I thought you’d want to surprise them. But when you didn’t come. I started to get worried. I went back to the tree and all I found were dead ravens. I saw the bike was missing and I headed back to camp. They were dead. All of them. I looked for you two. I thought maybe you were dead two. I went into Elder’s room and I saw the paper and the map. I saw your footprints and figured this is where you were headed.
STAR
You just missed everything in your walk.
FREDDIE
I did. Thank God you two are alright. What is happening here? Is this the Tree of Light? Guess that’s a dumb question. What are we doing here?
DYLAN
Suppose to protect it we think.
FREDDIE
From what?
DYLAN
I have no idea. Darklings. They want the light.
STAR
It’s not just the darklings.
Ravens cry out to the left. A stream of darklings are leaping from shadow to shadow, many carrying the coverage of foliage to prevent the light from the tree touching them.
Freddie starts running in that direction. Dylan and Star follow. Ravens are diving into the fray. They reach the left side. Caws sound from the northside.
DYLAN
We left all the othersides exposed.
Dylan bursts into ravens. He makes to the other side. Gunmen are firing. Ravens are falling. Dylan veers to the left, seeing a woman and his father behind the advancing line. His father is carrying a gas tank. Dlyan starts to get back to Star. She runs up to meet him.
DYLAN
They’re moving up the north. There’s hundreds of darklings. Ten people maybe. There’s this woman and my father is beside her. He has a gas tank.
STAR
We’re out numbered. I have to get up in the tree. I’ve done this before. We have to get the Light free before them come. I have to tie it to the raven.
The raven she had once given the light was on her shoulder now.
STAR
We did this before. We can do this again.
DYLAN
We have no time. I ‘ll swing around the rear and try taking that gas can out.
STAR
No.
She grabs on to Dylan. Whatever you do, you can’t let me go. You stay with me.
FREDDIE
Let me go. I’ll swing in behind them and attack that way.
STAR
Okay. Come on. Let’s go.
Around them the ravens are fighting the darklings. Dylan and Star run to the tree. The left side is about to give in and be over run with the darklings.
Dylan and Star run to the tree. Freddie bursts runs through the line of ravens. He passes through the darklings untouched. He rounds the side of the mound and reaches the backside and hurries upward. Morlona and her group are penned down. They are firing at the attacking ravens. More darklings are streaming in.
FREDDIE
They’re climbing up the opposite side of the tree. They’re going after the light and going to tie it to a raven.
A darkling on Morlona’s wrist cries out.
SHABAEL
No! That can’t happen!
SPENCER
Hey, look at the ravens up there. Let a tornado of ravens forming.
SHABAEL
They’re creating a portal for the raven with the light. You can’t let this happen.
LEATHER
I got it. Grenade launcher, rapid fire rifle.
MORLONA
Do it.
LEATHER
Hell ya.
He launches grenades ahead of them. The explosions are deafening. Raven corpses flying everywhere.
SHABAEL
Left flank! Then up the back. Fire up the tree. Fire at the Light.
LEATHER
First a grenade up into the tree. But a group of ravens fly in its path. They explode. Leather fires off another grenade. Same thing. Ravens swoop down to block it and are killed by the explosion.
SPENCER
Lock and load me with this gattlin gun. I’ll make a path.
Ravens leap into the path to prevent Morlona and her group from rounding the tree.
Star climbs up.
Spencer catches a glimpse of Star climbing upward.
SPENCER
Leather, switch with me. Give me that rifle with a scope. You, keep firing and making a path.
Spencer drops to a knee.
STAR
Don’t let go of me. Whatever you do? I don’t ever want to part from you!
DYLAN
I’m hanging on. What are we suppose to fight with. They have guns, grenades.
STAR
Come on, almost there. Hold on to me!
Spencer drops down to a knee and takes aim. He catches a glimpse Star’s thigh. He fires. A raven gets in the way and hit by the bullet.
Spencer sees Star’s head and fires. A raven is struck and it hits the side of Star’s face. She is jolted back.
DYLAN
You hit?
STAR
No. Hang on!
Star looks up and sees the raven’s above are massing together. She reaches to where the light is.
SPENCER
Move. Move, damn you.
He fires and strikes a raven that was blocking his view. He gets a clear shot now as Star reaches up. He can shot her in the armpit.
Star grabs the light.
STAR
Hold on me, Dylan!
STAR breaks snaps off a branch and lifts the flame out of the tree and loops leather around the leg and ball.
Everything turns into slow motion. Leather is firing into the ravens making a path. Morlona has a knife and is slashing through the air. The other men are firing. Ravens strikes one of the men down. Then another. And Spencer squeezes the trigger.
The bullet flies from the nozzle it nips a raven, then another and keeps going, passing through two branches and striking Star in the side of the chest.
All the music stops. Star is thrown to the side, falls down and is caught by a branch. And the ball of Light comes out of the straps. It goes upwards. A line of darklings rush up the side of the tree. One of the darklings mouth starts to open wide to swallow the ball.
Dylan leaps up and snatches the ball. The Raven swoops back down, landing on Dylan’s wrist and using its beak to through the straps of leather around the branch with the burning flame.
A Darkling grabs Dylan’s sleeve and rips it. Other darklings grab hold of his shoes and starts tearing at them. The Raven lifts upward with the ball.
Spencer fires off another shot. Dylan’s raven dives downward. It tries to catch the bullet but it goes by it so it continues downward and strikes Spencer in the face and blinds an eye. And the bullet that is fired strikes the raven with the light. The raven cries out and is slung into a branch of the tree. It is dead and dangling. The branch and flame fall. Dylan reaches for it but misses. It snags a branch below him.
STAR
I got it!
Leather, Morlona, Freddie, Spencer. They gain access to the tree. The darklings are forming a protective circle over them.
Morlona
Shoot them! Darklings. Attack!
Thunder sounds. The funnel is solid and complete air is rushing upward. Daylon’s raven grabs the light. Star tries wrapping the strap around the Raven’s leg.
LEATHER starts firing off up into the tree.
SPENCER
Here’s the tank of gas…. Get away from the tree.
Spencer is holding a hand over one eye. He drops the can beneath the tree.
SPENCER
Backup!
Spencer fires into the tank. The can erupts sending up flames.
STAR
Dylan! Hold me!
The flames are shooting upward. Ravens grab Star’s clothing and starting to lift her upward. Dylan’s raven enters the funnel. Star is lifted higher.
MORLONA
Flies up the tree in darklings. She reforms and pulls her dagger out. And starts to hurl it.
STAR
Dylan!
For a second Dylan has to decide on stopping the water or grabbing hold of Star. He leaps toward star.
Morlona throws the dagger. It spins head over hilt. Dylan is airborne, watching the dagger go by him as he catches Star’s legs. The dagger strikes the eternal flame and goes out.
DYLAN
Noooo!
Dylan catches Star’s legs. They start to fall but rise upward.
Spencer fires a shot and strikes Dylan. Then the Raven, Star, and he are snatched away by the funnel by the Ravens and wind.
MORLONA
Don’t just stand there! Come on! Fly!
Morlona bursts into darklings. Spencer and Leather burst into darklings and follow. Freddie bursts into ravens and flies upward. They disappear into the funnel.
They are spiraling through the funnel and suddenly fall to the ground. Dylan’s raven comes out. Star comes and falls on the ground. Dylan is right behind her. Freddie comes in ravens and reforms and is on the ground. Then, the darklings come. They scream and speed off into the night.
EXT. SKYEDEN. DAYLIGHT
MAN
Dayanna? Dayanna, is it you?. Look! Look at the Raven. He takes the Raven and lifts it up high for his soldiers to see. It’s a white brach. It’s from the Tree of Light! Praise the Divine! We have hope!
His soldiers shout in victory.
Star/Dayanna opens her eyes. She sees Dylan and reaches for him.
Dayanna, it’s you.
Star/Dayanna releases her grip of Dylan’s shirt. She slowly turns her head and looks up.
STAR/DAYANNA
Eradwin?
The end.