PAIN BREEDER – CHAPTER 10: "BROKEN INNOCENCE"
FADE IN:
The guild's gates had opened.
Soldiers immediately gathered around the child.
The child was very young, maybe 16-17 years old. His brown hair was messy, his eyes swollen and red. His feet were covered in wounds, and his face twisted in pain with every step.
SOLDIER (firm but curious voice)
Where are your mother and father?
The child pressed his hands to his eyes. Tears still streamed down his cheeks. He slowly raised his hand and pointed to the forest.
CHILD (trembling, broken voice)
Th-they're… over there…
The soldier frowned. He grabbed the child by the arm and lifted him up.
SOLDIER
Hey, stop crying. Show me the way.
CHILD (sobbing)
O-okay… okay…
The child led the way, the soldier following behind, as they headed into the forest. With every step, the child's face showed agony. His feet were badly injured.
After walking for a while, the child stopped.
CHILD (trembling)
Here… they're here.
In the middle of the forest, two mutilated bodies lay scattered around.
The soldier immediately went to them. The child didn't come closer. He stayed where he was.
The soldier leaned over the bodies and looked. Both were dead. Horribly. Torn apart, covered in blood.
The soldier muttered to himself.
SOLDIER (to himself, sadly)
I'm sorry, kid… but Commander Cain needed a meal.
He stood up.
SOLDIER
Who did this?
The child, still in tears, answered trembling.
CHILD
I don't know how it happened… It was all so sudden. We were at home… the house was raided. An armed kid… I closed my eyes in fear and heard gunshots. When I opened my eyes, I was just here… I don't know how I got here.
The soldier went to the child.
SOLDIER
Come with us.
He took the child by the arm and led him to the carriage. He knocked on the door.
SOLDIER
My lord, may we put the child in the carriage? His feet are too injured to walk.
Cain's voice came from inside the carriage.
CAIN
Ask the Lady.
The Lady nodded her head in approval.
CAIN
Alright. Let him in.
The soldier opened the door. The child slowly climbed inside. The interior of the carriage was dim and luxuriously furnished. Cain and the veiled woman sat inside.
The child cowered in a corner in fear. Cain, wiping his hand with a bloody cloth, looked at the child.
CAIN (calm voice)
Don't be afraid, little one. We will protect you.
The Lady (the veiled woman) silently scrutinized the child. The child was still trembling.
CHILD (in tears, whispering)
Mom… Dad…
Cain smiled faintly.
CAIN
Don't worry. We will avenge them.
The carriage began to move. Slowly, it made its way through the forest.
CUT TO: YONCA GUILD
The guild's gates had opened. Ren and Elara had entered. Erett was ahead of them.
ERETT
Follow me.
The inside of the guild was quite crowded. Soldiers were training, some eating, some arguing over maps. In the back, there were also people in civilian clothes — merchants, healers, even children.
Curious eyes followed Ren and Elara.
Erett led them to a large tent. Two guards stood at the entrance.
ERETT (to the guards)
Someone carrying Yoren's emblem has arrived. He speaks of Cain.
The guards exchanged glances. They entered.
Inside the tent was a large table. Around it sat several people — they appeared to be the guild's leaders. At the head sat an elderly man. His hair was gray, his eyes sharp.
GARRICK (calm but authoritative voice)
I heard you brought Yoren's emblem. Speak.
Ren took a deep breath.
REN
My name is Ren. This is my mother… Elara. We killed three hunters outside. But Cain came. Yoren and Lira… he killed them.
A murmur rose inside the tent.
GARRICK (frowning)
Cain? Cain of the Crimson Council?
Ren nodded. He placed the map and emblems on the table.
REN
Yoren gave me this. He said "The guild is south." He told us to flee quickly.
Garrick looked at the map and emblems for a long time. Then he sighed deeply.
GARRICK
Yoren… you fool. So in the end, he sacrificed himself.
The others at the table fell silent.
GARRICK
My name is Garrick. I am the head of this guild. Yoren and Lira… were our brothers.
His eyes shifted to Elara.
GARRICK
And you… are an Echo. Created by your own son.
Elara bowed her head slightly.
ELARA (weak voice)
Yes.
Garrick was silent for a moment. Then he looked at Ren.
GARRICK
Breeders are not well received here. But Yoren trusted you. And you speak of Cain… That changes things.
A voice rose from outside.
SOLDIER (shouting)
My lord! Hunter tracks approaching!
Garrick stood up.
GARRICK
Let them in. But keep them under surveillance.
Then he turned to Ren.
GARRICK
For now, you may stay here. But you will accept our rules. And your Echo… will be kept under control.
Ren nodded.
REN
Agreed.
Elara moved closer to Ren.
ELARA (whispering)
…the danger isn't over.
Ren squeezed his mother's hand.
REN
I know.
Erett stepped forward.
ERETT
Come with me. Let me show you your rooms. And you've had a long journey, you must be hungry, right?
They entered the castle. Large tables filled with gold adorned every corner. They went upstairs. There was a long corridor.
ERETT
The two rooms at the end of the corridor are yours. There's a bathroom next to each. The dining hall is downstairs. And the sun is beginning to set.
Ren was surprised.
REN
What do you mean? How many hours has it been since morning?
ERETT
Time is different here. You'll learn.
Erett left.
Ren entered room number one. It was spotless. The smell of soap filled the air. On the bed were clean clothes.
Ren took a shower. The hot water enveloped his tired body. He got out, put on the new clothes, and lay down on the bed.
Suddenly, warmth enveloped him. For some reason, it felt as if he hadn't slept for centuries. This comfort warmed his heart.
A single tear rolled down his eye.
EXT. CRIMSON CITY – SUNSET
The Crimson Army slowly marched through the forests and arrived at the city. Everywhere in the city was covered with massive walls. Large stone houses and towers filled the surroundings. There was tension in the air.
Cain looked outside from inside the carriage.
CAIN
Well… we're here.
He turned to the child.
CAIN
Child, what's your name?
CHILD (fearfully)
Keise, my lord.
Cain chuckled lightly.
CAIN
Keise… Keise… a good name. But let's make it better. How about Keisecan?
The child hesitated, then repeated.
CHILD
Keisecan?
CAIN
Alright, alright. Good boy.
Cain smiled.
CAIN
Good boy.
They got off the carriage. The sun was setting. They entered the city.
Cain placed his hand on the child's shoulder and moved behind him.
CAIN
Relax. Here, you are me, and I am you. Understand?
CHILD (trembling)
Yes…
They continued walking.
INT. HUNTERS' MAIN HALL – GREAT COURTYARD – NIGHT
They arrived in front of a massive building. On the front of the building was written: "Hunters' Main Hall."
Cain opened the door.
Inside was a huge courtyard. Everywhere was full. On long wooden benches sat anxious and brave civilians. On one side were curious soldiers — some experienced, some inexperienced, with and without ranks, all were here.
At the very top of the courtyard, at the very end, 3-5 people were speaking on a podium. They were clearly lords.
When the great door opened, all murmuring stopped. Everyone turned their heads.
Cain and the child entered.
There was a brief silence.
The old man in the center of the podium continued. The old man above everyone spoke.
OLD MAN (LUREK)
Blood Count Cain… you are late again. The seat reserved for you is empty. Please take your place and have the person beside you identified by you.
Cain laughed.
CAIN
Come on… is that any way to welcome someone? Lord Lurek, Chief Guardian of the Cities and the 13 Councils… Well, I was expecting a better welcome. Anyway, the person beside me is my new aide. Don't worry, I'll train him myself.
Lurek coughed.
LUREK
Take your seat.
CAIN
Of course, my lord.
Cain climbed the stairs one by one.
Lurek continued.
LUREK
The purpose of today's gathering is no ordinary business. Today, we are launching the Great Hunt for the 111th anniversary of Hunting.
Whoever brings anyone who is not a hunter will receive points and rewards.
Breeders → 10 points
Rogue hunters → 8 points
Rebels → 8 points
Pirates → 7 points
Wizards and witches → 6 points
Others brought in → 0-5 points (to be determined by the council)
Lurek raised his hand.
LUREK
And the biggest news: We have brought the hunters from our best strongholds in the world. 5 of them are here.
Group 1: The Guardians of the 12 Guards.
A man stepped forward from the group.
He had long, crimson hair falling to his shoulders. There were scars on his face, but more than that, his eyes were dangerous — cold and piercing like a serpent's. His armor was black, with red veins glowing on it. In one hand he held a crimson spear, and in the other, a curved shield shining like dragon scales. There was neither fear nor excitement on his face. Only a stillness like death.
YESSER (in a cold voice)
At your command, Chief Guardian.
2. Blood Count Cain.
Cain stood up and stepped forward. Keisecan stood beside him.
3. The Sharpshooter of Sharpshooters, the Falcon Eye who tears apart Breeders — Krovaviy Kogot.
A man stepped forward.
His eyes were murky but suddenly sharpened. He looked as if he wasn't from this world. He wore an old military uniform. His hair was snow-white. His eyes were dull, yet at the same time, very, very cold. He had no bow in his hand — only a sharp gaze. Everyone was wary of him.
4. The Genius of Geniuses, the Cold Psychopath — Who develops all our technology — Frostmorne.
There was a silence.
Footsteps were heard from the very back. Slow, steady, with a weight that reached every corner of the courtyard.
He had a tall and elegant build. His hair was light white and fell neatly to both sides of his face. His face was pale and flawless. His eyes were light-colored and half-closed. He wore black, stylish, aristocratic-style clothing. He usually wore gloves. In his hand, he held a small, round object, turning it slowly between his fingers.
FROSTMORNE (parting his lips slightly, in a cold and flat voice)
At your command, my lord.
5. The council's special executioner — The one who kills without being seen — Valerius D. Cain.
He was tall and slender. He had snow-white hair falling from his shoulders. His pale face had sharp features; his half-closed light-colored eyes carried a calmness that sent chills down the spine.
There were dried blood stains on his face and neck, but this didn't make him look messy — it made him look even more threatening.
He had a thin cigarette in his mouth. He wore a white suit, with a black shirt and tie underneath; his hands were covered in black gloves. In one hand, he held a black umbrella, opened to rain that wasn't falling — making him even more mysterious.
VALERIUS (slowly standing up, puffing his cigarette, in a flat voice)
At your command, my lord.
Lurek stood up.
His voice spread to every corner of the courtyard.
LUREK (loudly, booming)
From today onward… the highest hunter assembly has been formed.
A moment of silence.
LUREK
LET THE HUNT BEGIN!
A wave of excitement rose in the courtyard. Swords were drawn, shouts were heard, shields clashed against each other.
Cain leaned back in his seat and looked at Keisecan with a mocking smile.
CAIN
Here we go… little aide.
Keisecan looked around in fear.
FADE OUT.
[END OF CHAPTER 10]