CHAPTER 8: "DUNGEON"
FADE IN:
EXT. HEADQUARTERS - MORNING The sun is just rising. At the back of the headquarters, in an area no one enters.
METE KAĞAN leads the way. Behind him: ERETT, KEISE, SETSUKO. Around them, soldiers with torches and swords.
METE KAĞAN (without turning) The best training… is practical training, they say. If you make it out of here… Keise, your training will begin.
He pauses. His eyes fix on the darkness.
METE KAĞAN (cont'd) We've wanted to clean this place for a long time. It's your turn. Come on, let's go inside.
Keise leans toward Erett's ear.
KEISE (whispering) Erett… what's waiting for us in the dungeon?
ERETT (holding a torch, walking in the middle) (quiet, cautious) We don't know. I've only been down there maybe two or three times. The inside of the dungeon changes every time. But there can be very powerful creatures.
At that moment—
SOLDIER (ahead, shouting) IT'S COMINGGGG!
METE KAĞAN (booming voice) Yes! Let the fun begin!
From the darkness—A TWO-ARMED CREATURE with SMALL RED EYES all over its body, a tail trailing behind… A MASSIVE MONSTER charges toward them.
Mete Kağan steps forward, draws his sword. The creature rushes at full speed. Mete Kağan runs toward it, swings his sword—
SLASH!
The creature passes by, crashes into the stone wall and—
BOOM!
It splits in half.
ERETT (shocked) These… these are GÜROHS. But weren't they supposed to be extinct?
INT. DUNGEON - CONTINUOUS
ERETT (shocked, looking around) Mete Kağan… where have you brought us?
Mete Kağan doesn't even answer. He just raises his finger to his lips: SHH.
The dungeon is CRACKED WITH STONES. Massive pillar-like rocks everywhere. Darkness and shadows all around.
From the darkness, SMALL CREATURES appear. Clearly Güroh offspring. Countless, red eyes, fast.
METE KAĞAN pulls out an ALCOHOL BOTTLE from behind. Takes a sip. No pain on his face, only determination.
METE KAĞAN (whispering) Fire.
His eyes BLAZE.
He blows.
A MASSIVE FIRE engulfs the dungeon. The small creatures scream, melt, disappear. Flames lick the stones, lighting everything up.
It lasts only a few seconds. The fire dies.
METE KAĞAN turns around. Mouth full of BLOOD. Eyes BLOODSHOT.
He looks at Keise. A faint smile on his face.
METE KAĞAN (panting, but determined) Keise… this is the power of the echo.
He pauses. His bloody eyes glint.
METE KAĞAN (cont'd) Do you still want it?
Keise freezes. Setsuko hides behind him in fear. Erett silent, head bowed in respect.
Long silence.
KEISE (determined) Yes.
Mete Kağan smiles. His bloody teeth show.
METE KAĞAN Then… first find your own fire.
He turns and walks deeper into the dungeon's darkness.
ERETT (whispering after him) My Kağan… will you live?
METE KAĞAN (without turning) Living… is the price of using the echo.
INT. DUNGEON - FORK IN THE PATH
They continue forward. A FORK appears. One path right, one left. Both dark, both unknown.
Mete Kağan stops. Turns to Erett.
METE KAĞAN (serious) Erett. Take the soldiers and Setsuko. I'll go left with Keise.
He pulls out a GREEN STONE from his pocket. Hexagonal, small, glowing.
METE KAĞAN (cont'd) Take this. If something happens… teleport straight to us.
He hands the stone to Erett.
Erett takes it, nods.
ERETT As you command, my Kağan.
The two groups split. Mete Kağan and Keise go left, Erett and the others right.
They disappear from sight.
INT. DUNGEON - LEFT PATH
Mete Kağan and Keise advance. Mete Kağan's steps are heavy—each one cracks a stone, a shadow flees.
METE KAĞAN (quietly) So… how did you two end up here? And why do you want this power?
Keise lowers his eyes.
KEISE (slowly) We… came here because of an accident. The reason I want this power is… in my old life, I was powerless. Physically. But I was also very strong… I can't explain it right now, but I was. I want to feel that power again.
Mete Kağan nods.
METE KAĞAN Everyone wants power. I wanted it too. But as you see, power consumes us.
Keise sighs.
KEISE I know. Don't worry, the power back there was consuming me in every way too.
Flashes of money, his life, his father, arguments… everything.
METE KAĞAN (signaling with his hand) Shhh. Stay still.
INT. DUNGEON - RIGHT PATH
Erett's group advances. Soldiers around with torches. Light cuts through the darkness, but danger lurks in every shadow.
SETSUKO (walking beside Erett, worried) Erett… do you think Keise will be okay?
ERETT (eyes on the path) We don't know. But with the Kağan… it's safer than here.
SETSUKO (shyly) Okay, but… I'm not very good with a bow.
Erett stops. Looks at Setsuko. His face stern but protective.
ERETT (calm) Then learn now.
He takes a bow from a nearby soldier and hands it to Setsuko.
ERETT (cont'd) In this dungeon, you either learn or die. No other options.
Setsuko takes the bow. Her hands shake. But there's something in her eyes… not fear, determination.
SETSUKO (determined) I'll learn.
ERETT (smiling faintly) That's it.
He turns and continues forward.
INT. DUNGEON - RIGHT PATH (CONTINUOUS)
Erett suddenly stops.
ERETT (signaling) Stop!
In the darkness, DOZENS OF RED EYES glow. Countless.
Erett forms a FIREBALL in his hand.
ERETT (calm) Get ready!
Just as he's about to throw the fireball—
The red eyes rush forward from the darkness.
ERETT (shouting) These are GOBLINS! Get ready! These are the filthiest creatures alive!
Setsuko shoots an arrow. Hits a goblin—it falls. She closes her eyes in fear.
ERETT (shouting from behind) Come on Setsuko! You can do it!
Setsuko takes a deep breath. Opens her eyes. Draws the bow again. Shoots—
THWACK!
Another goblin falls.
ERETT (smiling) That's it!
INT. DUNGEON - LEFT PATH (CONTINUOUS)
Mete Kağan and Keise advance. A MASSIVE SHADOW appears ahead.
KEISE (stunned) What is that?
METE KAĞAN (drawing his sword) What we were waiting for.
The shadow moves. From the darkness emerges a giant GÜROH. Blood-red eyes, steam from its mouth.
METE KAĞAN (to Keise) Step back.
KEISE (determined) No. I'm fighting too.
Mete Kağan looks at Keise. A faint smile.
METE KAĞAN Then… do it if you can.
Keise grips his sword tightly.
KEISE (to himself) Come on…
METE KAĞAN (sitting on the ground, calm) Hold the sword a little lower. Breathe… and attack. Now.
Keise takes a deep breath. Locks eyes with the creature.
KEISE (shouting) HAAAA!
He charges toward the creature.
The Güroh swings its claw. Keise dodges, swings his sword—
BAM!
FIRE erupts from the blade! Flames sever the Güroh's claw. The creature screams in pain.
KEISE (shocked, looking at his hand) I… did that?
But the Güroh doesn't stop. Opens its mouth, lunges at Keise. Teeth, death, darkness…
Keise freezes. No time to run.
Just as it's about to bite—
METE KAĞAN appears in the creature's mouth.
SLASH!
His sword stops the jaws from closing.
METE KAĞAN (calm) Like this.
ONE SWORD STRIKE cuts the Güroh in half.
The creature collapses. Blood, dust, silence.
KEISE (panting) I… made fire.
METE KAĞAN (wiping his sword) Yes. The first step of your echo.
Keise looks at his hand. The sword still hot.
KEISE (whispering) Then… I can do it too.
METE KAĞAN (smiling) You have a long way to go. But good start.
He turns and continues deeper.
INT. DUNGEON - RIGHT PATH (OPEN AREA)
Erett and the soldiers have cleared the goblins. Dozens of corpses on the ground.
SETSUKO (panting) We did it…
ERETT (proud) You did it.
At that moment— the GREEN STONE glows.
ERETT (looking at the stone) The Kağan… gave the signal. Come on, to the meeting point.
Just as they're about to move—
BOOM!
THE WALL BREAKS.
A massive creature emerges. Gorilla-like, but fused with spider features. Spider legs on the sides, red colors, EYES all over its body.
ERETT (eyes wide, shouting) Fall back!
The creature SWIPES with one arm—5-6 soldiers die instantly. Blood, screams, chaos.
Erett throws fireballs. No effect. The creature charges.
ERETT (turning to Setsuko, handing the stone) Take the stone! Run!
Setsuko grabs the stone. Just as she's about to run—
BOOM!
The creature spits a WEB. Blocks the exit.
SETSUKO (screaming) ERETT!
INT. DUNGEON - LEFT PATH (OPEN AREA)
Mete Kağan and Keise advance. The GORILLA-SPIDER grabs Mete Kağan. Spider arm tears his shoulder. Blood sprays.
METE KAĞAN (gritting teeth) Keise… run!
KEISE (determined) NO!
Keise rushes from behind. Raises his sword.
KEISE (shouting) LET HIM GO!
FADE TO BLACK.
[CHAPTER 8 END]