Unto Us A Child Is Born
Written by:
Caina Q. Fuller
Season 1. Episode 16.
The Messenger
Teaser
FADE IN-AMPHIPOLIS-DAY
The camera moves slowly up the
streets of Amphipolis. The ground is littered with the lifeless corpses of the
murdered villagers. Men, women and children alike have all been slain in order
to feed Cain’s need for their life-forces in order to make themselves stronger.
Smoke rises from the homes and business of the people who’d lived here.
Everything has been destroyed.
Cut
to:
A pair of booted feet--
walking slowly up the street. As
the camera pans up we see it is Eve, making her way through the village with a
horrified expression on her face. She’s done all in her power to save what
villagers she could. With her help a few have made it to safety, but those
who’d stayed behind to fight had been slaughtered.
Cut
to:
Cyrene’s Inn
Benjamin comes crawling out of the
door, moaning and coughing as smoke billows from the door.
Eve
Benjamin!
She rushes to him and pulls him
from the burning building. Once they are in the street she whistles and
Braveheart comes rushing towards her.
Eve
Benjamin, you’re wound is bleeding
again.
Benjamin
Gabrielle…She’s made a deal with
Cain.
Eve
What do you
mean? What kind of deal?
Benjamin
She agreed to give him her soul if
he would spare
me. He took her and then set the
Inn on fire any-
way.
Eve
God. Benjamin, I have to get you to
a hospice.
Your wound is serious-
Benjamin
Forget about me. You have to find
Gabrielle and
Hope.
Eve
I will find them, but not before I
know you’re
alright.
Eve turns to pull some clean rags
from her saddlebag. When she looks back around she finds Benjamin staring up at
the sky with a blank expression.
Eve
Benjamin? Ben?
She kneels down before him and
feels for a pulse. There is none to be found. He’s dead.
Eve
Oh no.
Benjamin.
Close up on Eve.
Fade Out.
End of Teaser.
Act One
FADE IN-HOPE’S QUARTERS
Hope lies in bed, holding onto her stomach as she prepares to give
birth. Najara has taken up position at her feet, examining her.
Najara
You have awhile to go before the baby comes
Hope. Remember the breathing exercises I
showed you?
Hope
They don’t help that much. The pain is getting
worse.
Najara
I know. That’s the way giving birth is.
Painful.
In the end result that’s worth it. Trust
me.
Hope
How do you know? You said you’d never been
married.
Najara
You don’t have to be married to be a mother,
do you?
Hope
Touché.
A green mist forms next to the bed and Xylon solidifies.
Xylon
Grandmother. Father has taken Gabrielle to his
temple. I think he may sacrifice her.
Hope
Oh no. You have to stop him.
Najara
Come on Hope. Do you really think this child can
handle Cain?
Hope lies back with an acknowledging nod. Perhaps her mother can
still be saved, or at least avenged.
Hope
Did you tell Eve what she needs to do to stop
Cain?
Xylon
Yes. Sebastian was with her when I left to keep
an eye on father.
Najara
What do you mean, stop Cain? He’s a god.
Hope
He’s the first destroyer. He has human blood
running through his veins so he’s not invincible.
He can be killed but only the scroll has the
secret to do so within.
Najara
That’s where you sent Eve? To find this spell in
his old temple?
Hope
Yes. I just hope Cain doesn’t figure out what
she’s up to before she can carry out the instructions
in the scroll.
EXT. TEMPLE-DAY
Gabrielle lies on an altar, unconscious. The room is an exact
replica of the temple in which Dahak conceived Hope with Gabrielle. He walks around the altar, staring at her.
Cain
Do you remember this place, Betrayer?
Gabrielle’s eyes open and she sits up. She looks around at
the interior, flashbacks of Hope’s conception taking place on the altar while
Xena fought the Deliverer playing out in her mind.
Gabrielle
I remember. Dahak robbed me of my innocence
here.
Cain
You weren’t robbed of anything. You chose to
kill…what was her name?
Gabrielle
Meridian.
Cain
Ahh…You never forget your first do you?
Gabrielle
You rebuilt the temple.
Cain
Oh no. This is merely a replica of that temple. I
think its only fitting to take your soul in the same
place you lost tour blood innocence. Don’t you
agree?
Gabrielle
No, I don’t. As a matter of fact, I doubt there is
anything you and I will ever agree on.
Cain
I don’t know Gabrielle. What about my dear
sweet mother? The woman you betrayed to follow
Xena.
Gabrielle
It pains me to say this Cain, but if I would have
been able to see just what Hope really was when
she was born I would have let Xena kill her then.
It would have saved a lot of people a lot of pain
in the long run.
Cain
I’ll bet it would warm her heart to hear you say
that.
Gabrielle
I’m not finished.
Cain
Please continue then.
Gabrielle
All things work for a reason Cain. My daughter
has been blessed with a chance to know real
peace and real happiness. I will die before I allow
you to take that away from her.
Cain
And die you shall. I believe you said you had a
soul to give me?
Gabrielle
You said you would spare Benjamin if I gave you
my soul. You set the Inn on fire. There’s no
possible way he could have made it out wounded
the way he was. So no. I won’t give you my soul.
You’ll have to take it.
Cain
Sounds good to
me.
Cain flips over the altar and Gabrielle flies into the air,
kicking him in the face. She lands on her feet while Caina flops face first on
the altar. While he’s down she makes a
run for the doors, but when she get to the exit she finds she’s locked in. Cain
laughs on the altar.
Cain
When I want something, I get it.
Cain flies at Gabrielle and again, and this time they go
into hand-to-hand combat. However Cain is a god and Gabrielle falls in the end.
He grabs hold of her head.
Cain
It’s been fun Granny, but it’s time for
you to pay
up.
Gabrielle
You will pay for this Cain.
He pulls her lips to his for a very brief moment before
pulling back again. As he pulls back there is a thick cord of white energy
coming from her mouth into his.
He’s literally sucking her soul from her body and feeding off it.
The more he takes from her the darker Gabrielle’s eyes become until they are
solid black and his eyes are glowing with her life forces.
Finally its over and Gabrielle stands before him with pale skin
and blue lips. She looks like living death.
Cain
Who are you now?
Gabrielle
I’m darkness alive.
Cain steps back, grinning from ear to ear.
Cain
Perfect.
EXT. AMPHIPOLIS
Eve stands on a hill that looks down
into the main village of Amphipolis--or what’s left of the village at any rate.
Cyrene’s tavern is now completely engulfed in flames, as is Xena’s family
mausoleum and other homes and businesses. The survivors will have nothing to
come home to.
She turns to a large, flat rock that has
Benjamin’s body lying on it. He is completely wrapped, except for his face. As
she studies him, Sebastian appears.
Sebastian
Eve? What has happened? Why gave you not
started for the temple to find the spell?
Eve
Do you see this man? He’s dead.
Sebastian
This is a bad thing?
Eve
What kind of question is that? Of course
it is!
Sebastian cringes away from her anger. He has been taught
that the death of mortals means nothing, therefore it is difficult for him to
understand why Eve is upset by his death.
Eve
How do you feel about loosing tour brothers?
Sebastian
I miss them.
Eve
That’s how I feel about Ben. That’s how Gabrielle
will feel when she finds out that he’s dead.
Sebastian approaches her slowly and reaches out a hand to
touch Benjamin.
Sebastian
I’m sorry my brother’s killed him.
Eve
Don’t touch him ok?
Sebastian
Why?
Eve
Just…don’t. Stay here and watch him. Make sure
the animals don’t get to him. I want Gabrielle to
have a body to take home for burial.
Sebastian
Are you going to the temple?
Eve
Yes. I’m going to put an end to Cain once and
for all.
Eve mounts her horse and takes off for the Elijan temple to
find the spell that, when coupled with the blood of the innocent, will give her
the power to kill Cain.
EXT. ROAD
Sarah, Gabrielle’s niece, is traveling along a deserted
road. She’s heading to Amphipolis to give Hope the new wagon she’s driving as
well as the team of horses pulling the wagon as a gift for the birth of her
child.
She soon spots a group of haggard-looking people stumbling
up the road towards her. They are the survivors of Amphipolis.
Sarah
Is there something wrong?
One man, young and very handsome with black hair and blue
eyes, steps forward. His name is PHILLIP.
Phillip
I advise you turn around and ride like
hell to get
out of here.
Sarah
Why? What’s happened?
Phillip
We’re all that’s left of Amphipolis. A
warlord
destroyed everything.
Sarah
(horrified)
I was traveling to Amphipolis. I have
family
there.
Phillip
You talking about Gabrielle and Hope?
Sarah
Yes. How did you know?
Phillip
I can see the family resemblance. For
what it’s
worth, I know Eve made it out.
Fear for Hope and Gabrielle stabs at Sarah’s stomach as she
takes in the poor, tired souls before her.
Sarah
Everyone get into the wagon. You, sit up
here
with me and tell me everything that’s
going
on.
Phillip
Only if you head in the other direction.
I’m not
letting anyone take these people
anywhere near
Amphipolis.
Sarah nods in agreement and the villagers gladly pile into
the wagon. It’s a relief to be off their feet, especially for the children.
Sarah
There’s some food in that bag. Feed the
children
first. There’s a stream a way’s back
where we
can fish.
Phillip hops into the wagon beside Sarah and she turns them
around.
Sarah
Can you tell me what’s going on? From
start to
finish?
Phillip
A few weeks ago we found that the
neighboring
village of Eion had placed a warlord in
power. He
demanded we surrender to his rule or he
would
destroy us all. We thought we could
stand up to
him until we found out he’s a god.
Sarah
What’s this god’s name? Is it Ares?
Apollo?
Phillip
No, he’s new. I don’t think he’s an
Olympian.
His name is Cain.
Sarah
Oh no.
Phillip
You know him?
Sarah
I’ve never met him but he’s my cousin.
Phillip
You’re related to him? I pity
you.
Sarah
He’s my aunts grandson. When was the
last time
you saw her and Hope?
Phillip
Yesterday, when we were fleeing.
Sarah
Listen, I’m going to unhitch one of the
horses
once we reach the stream. I’m heading
back to
Amphipolis and find out what’s going on.
Phillip
You can’t. The village is crawling with
his men.
They’ll take you for sure. There’s no telling
what scum like them would do to a woman
as beautiful as you.
Phillip realizes what he has said and almost blushes.
Phillip
I mean…you know…Men like that
are…They’re…
Sarah cuts him some slack by changing the subject.
Sarah
They’re bad men. I know how to deal with
bad men. Trust me…What’s your name?
Phillip
Phillip. You are?
Sarah
Sarah. Nice to meet you Phillip.
Phillip
Same here.
Sarah pulls the wagon to a stop and turns to Phillip.
Sarah
Take this trail to the stream. It’s a
long way off
the road so it will be a good place for
you and
your people to hide until everything
settles down
again.
Phillip hops out of the wagon behind Sarah. He doesn’t like
the idea of her going back towards Amphipolis, especially alone.
Phillip
I can’t let you go to Amphipolis. It’s
too
dangerous.
Sarah
My aunt and cousin are in danger. I have
to find
out what’s happened to them.
Phillip
Are you this loyal to everyone in your
life?
Sarah
Only the ones I love. Gabrielle risked
her life to
save me once. I’m going to do the same
for her.
It’s clear that Phillip is becoming more attracted to Sarah
with each moment that passes by. He places a hand over hers as she begins to
unhitch one of the four horses.
Phillip
If I can’t talk you out of going then
I’m coming
with you.
Sarah
You don’t owe me anything. There’s no
reason
for you to risk your life as well.
Phillip
You’ve brought my kinsmen to safety, fed
the
little ones. So I do owe you. Shall we
share a
horse or take two?
Sarah
We’ll take two.
Once his back is turned she allows a knowing smile to pull
at the corners of her mouth.
EXT. FOREST
Sebastian stands over Benjamin, looking him over.
Sebastian
So many people love you. My brothers
should
not have killed you.
The index finger on Sebastian’s right hand elongates into a
wickedly sharp blade. He cuts the wrapping open and then cuts Ben’s shirt open.
With that done Sebastian uses his bladed finger and begins to carve symbols
into Benjamin’s flesh. Each symbol begins to glow.
This goes on until Benjamin’s chest is aglow with strange
symbols. Sebastian’s finger returns to normal and he lays his hands on Benjamin’s
chest.
Sebastian
I give all I have so that you may have
life once
again…
A glow starts from his hands and spreads over both his and
Benjamin’s bodies until they can no longer be seen. After a moment they fade
away.
EXT. Elijan Temple
Eve rides at a full gallop to the Elijan temple. When she
arrives she finds the place crowded with people. She pulls up before the
entrance and the people immediately recognize her. One man, a priest, comes out of the temple to greet her.
Priest
The Messenger! We’re so glad you’ve
come.
Eve
Has something happened?
Priest
Perhaps you should come and see for
yourself.
Eve dismounts and follows him into the temple. He talks as
they walk.
Priest
We found a scroll in our library. It’s a
left over
from the vile teachings of Dahak and his
daughter
Hope.
It tells of three days of death and
Destruction that will leave the world
decimated.
Eve
Let me guess. Only the strong shall
survive to
live under the will of Dahak and his
seven
Destroyers? Yeah, I’ve heard his
rhetoric.
Priest
But have you seen this?
INT. MAIN ALTAR ROOM
Eve follows the priest into the main altar room and finds
on the altar a massive ball of light. It’s strangely dim however, and doesn’t
hurt ones eyes to look upon it.
Eve
Let me see that scroll you’ve found.
Close up on Eve’s face.
Fade Out.
End of Act One.
Act Two
FADE IN-TABLE
We fade in on an old wooden table. A scroll is dropped into the
frame and we pull back to watch Eve unroll the scroll and begin to read.
Priest
We cannot read past the first few lines.
Eve
Why not? It’s in plain Greek just like the rest of
it.
Priest
You mean…you can read all of this?
Eve
Sure.
Eve takes a seat, casting one
last glance at the mysterious ball of light in the center of the room.
Eve
(reading aloud)
And Dahak shall rise through his mighty seed to
lay waste to the lands of his birth in three days
of Unholy War.
Priest
Beyond that line, the text becomes incomprehensible.
Eve
It says here that death shall become his whore
and pour herself out over all the earth, satisfying
his bloodlusts with the death of the weak and
infirm. His reign will begin through the eyes of
his avatar and the first of seven. His feet will
trample all who do not bow to him and his six
arms of might…
Eve’s voice trails off as a
slight smile curls the corners of her lips.
Priest
You think that’s funny in some way?
Eve
No. But the scroll goes on to mention that the
blood of the innocent shall mix with the blood
of the brave and the good. That is his down-
fall.
Eve stands from the table,
cradling the scroll to her chest. She approaches the ball of light slowly, her
face somber as she contemplates what she has learned.
Priest
You were chosen to read the scroll.
Eve
Maybe. But I sill don’t understand what it all
means. The blood of the innocent mixed with
the blood of the brave and the good. Exactly
who is the scroll talking about when it says the
blood of the innocent, brave and good?
Priest
You must be one of the people the scroll is
talking about. Otherwise you would not have
been able to read the scroll either.
Eve heads for the door. As soon
as her back is turned, the priest draws a dagger and starts after her.
Priest
Where are you going?
Eve
I have an idea on what I can do to stop Cain.
Her words alone stop the priest.
As Eve exits the temple the priest morphs into Gabrielle, her black eyes
staring hatefully at the door.
Gabrielle
I’ll just bet you do…Evie.
Cain appears next to Gabrielle
and begins to circle the ball of light in the room.
Cain
Did you find out what this thing is yet?
Gabrielle
The Messenger didn’t know anymore than the
priest I killed did, but she was able to read the
entire scroll.