Convergence
Written: 2007
Created by Julie Ruffell and Trish Ellis
Writing © Julie Ruffell 2007.
"Convergence" © Julie Ruffell and Trish Ellis 2007
Description: The walls separating the worlds of humans and the magickal creatures of myth, the Unus'Pri, begin to fail, causing a convergence of the two worlds and war. The six-part promo introduces some of the leading characters of the series and tells the story of the beginning of first human/Unus'Pri war.
"Unus Past" - promo issue 1
Sem'Queul, a dragon, sits in an elaborate hall. She is cast mostly in shadow. Only a few key features can be made out (a clawed hand, her eyes, part of her face, etc).
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I am Sem'Queul. Chief among the dragons and eldest of the Unus'Pri. Daughter of Zere'El, the First, the Timeless.
I was around before the time of man. Before humans plagued the world. And while others have come to forget their time, history little more than myth with each new generation, I was there when they appeared. I was there when they slaughtered. I was there when they started the war. And I was there when they departed.
I know that magick is not timeless. Like anything else, it erodes. Just as a mountain may crumble or a river dry up, magick too fades and fails. It was only a matter of time before our worlds would collide again.
And I have never forgotten what they were capable of.
Caption: Over 4,000 years ago.
In the same hall as present day, another dragon, Zere'El, sits where Sem'Queul was. She too is mostly hidden in shadow. Before Zere'El is a large, detailed circle painted on the floor. A human man stands in the middle of it. There is a Unus'Pri guard on either side of him.
ZERE'EL
For such a crime, the punishment can be only death.
HUMAN
No! I beg you! Please! I didn't know!
Zere'El waves a hand and the guards drag the human away.
HUMAN
It was just a tree. It looked like all the rest! I didn't mean to!
Sem'Queul joins her mother. Neither is fully revealed in the following panels.
SEM'QUEUL
The act was tragic, but still, it was an accident, not murder. Was not your judgment too harsh?
ZERE'EL
You would not have cut the tree. No Unus'Pri would. We can tell the difference between a tree and a nymph. The humans have had thousands of years to learn. No my shen'sha*, we can forgive their trespasses no longer. They do not wish to learn. They make no effort to belong, to be part of our world. They cannot make the time as they still needlessly kill and slaughter, even their own.
They will never be part of the Unus'Pri. Let them stay among themselves. But any trespasses against us will no longer be ignored.
[*Shen'sha - a dragon term of endearment from a parent to a child.]
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
My mother knew that they would never learn. She knew this because they slaughter their own. The Unus'Pri have not been without war, but there was never a time any race had destroyed itself.
Sem'Queul's POV, flying over a forest.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
But I was inexperienced. I did not understand what my mother did. I could not understand that a race that destroys itself can never be at peace, can never learn beyond its savagery.
I was determined to prove my mother wrong. It was many centuries before an opportunity was presented to me.
Sem'Queul's POV as the forest opens to a glade. Three men and a teenage boy, 17, run out of the woods and into the glade. The three men are dressed in full armour and surround the teenager, who is dressed in noble robes. All four are armed with swords and the men have shields. Blood stains all four of them.
One of the knights falls when an arrow hits his neck from behind. The other two knights stop and face the woods they were fleeing from and hold their shields up as more arrows are fired from the tree line.
KNIGHT #1
Run sire! We'll hold them as long as we can! You much reach Denmor!
The teenager, Prince Atlan VIII, stops at the knight's shout and faces the forest. Arrows hit the dirt at his feet. Atlan draws his sword.
ATLAN
They killed my father and hunt me like a dog. I'll run no more! It they want me dead, they will need to face me like men.
The knights back closer to the prince, drawing their swords. Forty soldiers emerge from the woods.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
His bravery in the face of his plight drew me to him. Three against forty; it was obvious they would never survive.
The soldiers unsheathe their swords and charge. A line of flames lights between the two parties as Sem'Queul flies down and blows fire. Full panel of Sem'Queul landing on the prince's side of the flames.
CAPTAIN
Retreat!
SOLDIER
We were ordered to kill him!
CAPTAIN
It hardly matters if the he's killed by us or the beast! Retreat!
The soldiers retreat to the woods. Sem'Queul faces the prince and his knights. The knights keep their swords at the ready.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Their loyalty, even in the face of what would be death if I wished it, was yet another quality I could respect. Something to prove to my mother what they could become.
Atlan moves forward, but the knights stop him.
ATLAN
Stay your blade. If the dragon had wanted me dead, I would already be ash.
He steps forward and kneels, arms outstretched and head bowed.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
There was indeed much hope for this one.
ATLAN
Noble dragon, we thank you for your intervention. Our lives are owed to you.
The knights are nervous, but Sem'Queul inclines her head at Atlan - the dragon version of a bow.
SEM'QUEUL
Your enemy was cowardly. May I ask, young prince, where you aim to reach with such haste?
ATLAN
To our allies in Denmor. There I may raise an army to reclaim my kingdom. They may only hold it while it is believed both my father and I are dead.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
And there fate handed me the opportunity I had sought. A chance to guide not only one human, but a kingdom. To demonstrate finally that they could learn.
SEM'QUEUL
If your goal is to show you live, an army would do. But if you want to reclaim your kingdom and discourage further attempts to overthrow you, might not returning on the back of a dragon produce a better effect?
ATLAN
You would fight at my side?
SEM'QUEUL
Not without condition.
ATLAN
For what you have done and what you offer to do, I am at your command, Dragon. Though I do not know how a man can aid a creature such as yourself.
SEM'QUEUL
To aid me, you aid your kingdom, your race, and the Unus'Pri. My condition is this: you will seek guidance from me on the Unus'Pri. That you will not threaten, or bring harm, either on purpose or by accident due to lack of knowledge, to any of the Unus'Pri. If you were to need wood, you would cut only where I tell you. If you needed land, you would settle only where I place you. Refuse this condition and I will leave you to find your way to Denmor. Agree and I will drive your enemies from your lands and pledge my protection to you.
ATLAN
Without doubt or delay, you have my oath, my vow, on the very blood of my father, King Atlan the seventh, that I, Prince Atlan the eighth, willingly and humbly submit to your terms, Dragon.
SEM'QUEUL
Rise Prince Atlan and I shall carry you and your warriors home.
Atlan stands and Sem'Queul helps them onto her back.
SEM'QUEUL
Where is your kingdom?
ATLAN
At the shores of Tormill.
SEM'QUEUL
Gremnol?
ATLAN
Nay, Dragon. We have travelled much farther. My kingdom is Atlantis.
Caption: Atlantis.
Aerial view of the kingdom of Atlantis. It's a large kingdom, built along the shores of the ocean. There are several walled cities and even more villages. On an inlet, the capital, the king's castle, Latrel, is located.
Caption: Latrel, Capital of Atlantis
Closer view of Latrel. Sem'Queul's POV. The castle has clearly recently been under siege.
Inside Latrel. Several soldiers are terrorizing the populace, raiding and laying claim to booty, including slaves.
YOUNG WOMAN
Please, no! Spare me! I beg you, spare me!
SOLDIER
Ha ha! There will be no sparin', especially not of your chastity.
The woman is frantic and scared, yet in the next panel, her eyes grow even larger.
YOUNG WOMAN
Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!
The soldier slaps her.
SOLDIER
Save yer screamin' for later.
She continues to scream and the soldier realizes she's looking past him.
SOLDIER
Eh?
He turns to see Sem'Queul's leg. He looks up and Sem'Queul looks down at him. In a futile effort, he draws his sword. She waves a clawed hand.
SEM'QUEUL
Nak da'vee.
The soldier's sword melts and flows from his hand like water. The citizens of Latrel and the army of King Batec scatter.
KNIGHT #2
Why do you pause, Dragon? Slay the invaders!
Sem'Queul looks back at her passengers.
SEM'QUEUL
I said I would drive them from the kingdom. I did not say I would massacre them.
ATLAN
Soldiers follow orders. I have no quarrel with them. But Batec ordered my father's murder and must face justice.
Sem'Queul picks up Atlan and holds him raised, her hand like a platform.
ATLAN
Citizens of Atlantis and soldiers of Batec, hear me! I, Prince Atlan, have not been slain. Upon my father's murder, I became king of Atlantis and I am here to claim my throne. If Batec's army flees now, I will allow them safe return to their kingdom upon the surrender of King Batec. Failure to follow my commands will be your death.
Sem'Queul blows fire down the street (without hitting anyone or anything) to emphasize Atlan's words.
Caption: Shortly...
King Batec is shoved along by several of his own soldiers.
BATEC
Unhand me! I am your king! I order you to unhand me!
He's tossed to his knees before Sem'Queul and the soldiers kneel and bow their heads. Atlan and his knights stand at Sem'Queul's feet.
ATLAN
King Batec, for your invasion of Atlantis and murder of my father, King Atlan the seventh, you are sentenced to death. Your soldiers shall be permitted to return home without horses or weapons. I will spare your kingdom and your sons from suffering your fate.
BATEC
You can't - urk!
Atlan cuts the king's throat with a flick from his blade. He's young, but he's skilled. To the kneeled soldiers:
ATLAN
Leave your armour, your weapons and your horses and get out of my kingdom. You have until sunset.
The soldiers immediately begin to strip off their armour.
ATLAN
And warn all you see, including your new king, that Atlantis is protected by dragons. Any who dare to threaten my kingdom again will not be spared.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
He was unlike humans I had met before. He didn't slaughter. He served justice on the leader of his enemies, but to spare the common soldier was an act I had not witnessed a human commit before. I was gladdened by my choice. I was so sure that through Atlan I could bring the humans on par with the Unus'Pri.
Atlan turns back to Sem'Queul.
ATLAN
You have given me back my kingdom. You have freed my people. I do not feel your condition was enough in payment, but I have nothing else to offer a dragon but my gratitude.
SEM'QUEUL
I accept your gratitude, Atlan.
ATLAN
I am disadvantaged in this exchange. I do not know your name.
SEM'QUEUL
I am Sem'Queul, daughter of Zere'El, the Timeless.
Atlan bows low at the wait.
ATLAN
I did not suspect I was in the presence of such royalty. You aid only astounds me further. I had throught the Unus'Pri frowned on humans.
SEM'QUEUL
Most do. I am hoping we can change that.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I had expected my mother to be proud of the alliance I had forged.
ZERE'EL
How did you dare such actions!?
SEM'QUEUL
The humans will never learn to live among us if we continue to treat them as lesser beings.
ZERE'EL
They are lesser beings, Sem'Queul. Dangerous, lesser beings.
SEM'QUEUL
If we continue to treat them as hostiles, they will continue to act as such. If we as superior as we claim, then we must teach them.
ZERE'EL
What we teach them they use against us.
SEM'QUEUL
Mother, I --
ZERE'EL
I will hear no more, shen'sha. Your arguments are made, but my judgment is the same. Leave the humans to their own matters. You are not to return to Atlantis again.
Close up on Sem'Queul.
SEM'QUEUL
Yes, mother.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
If I had heeded her wisdom, accepted that the knowledge of her extended lifetime greatly exceeded my own, no matter how sure I was, she would still be alive today.
Atlantis.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
But I thought I had such great insight because of my youth.
Atlantis looks very different than before. Under the guidance and protection of Sem'Queul, they have thrived. They advanced their technology, both out of necessity for the restrictions placed by Sem'Queul and from the magick they've been taught by her.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
The Atlanteans advanced quickly. Because they respected the land and the Unus'Pri, they had to be smarter and create better tools and advances to meet the restrictions I placed on them.
Humans learning magick.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Because of how far they had come, I also broke not only my mother's parental commands, but her law and taught the Atlanteans, who had connections to magick, how to access and use it.
The ability to harness magick is possessed by very few races, and most must be taught before they can master the complexity.
Sem'Queul and Atlan (Atlan is in his 30s now).
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I trained those of lines with strong magick connections, including Atlan.
Together we made Atlantis great. More than that, Atlan and I became friends. The Atlanteans didn't fear the Unus'Pri, but they also respected us. I thought I had created a utopia.
SEM'QUEUL
There is no reason to fear her.
ATLAN
You have said that your mother forbid your aid to my people. She is the ruler of the Unus'Pri. Though I am blessed to have your knowledge and friendship, your acts here are ones of treachery to your people, to your very mother. Without effort she could slay me and deny my people leadership. To you? What were she to deny you your birthright?
SEM'QUEUL
I would hope she would respect that I am my own leader. If we show her what we have accomplished, she will need to see that she was wrong. Humans will never be accepted if not accepted by her, Atlan, so we must make her understand.
ATLAN
You have guided me long, Sem'Queul. I cannot turn my ear from you now. I will go with you to see your mother.
The Unus'Pri council hall. Sem'Queul stands before Zere'El in the circle the human did in the beginning. The hall is otherwise empty.
ZERE'EL
My ruling was set, my law implemented. Why, shen'sha, do you insist on challenging me on this matter?
SEM'QUEUL
With respect, mother, though one day I will lead the Unus'Pri, I feel it is a long time for humans to be ignored. The lifetime of a dragon will see millions of generations of humans live and die. And as they live outside of us, they are indeed, as you say, dangerous. Though they possess no threat to dragons, they can harm and kill most other races of the Unus'Pri. We need to assimilate them, not make enemies of them.
ZERE'EL
You have made these arguments before, Sem'Queul. There has been no change in the humans.
SEM'QUEUL
I must inform you that you are wrong.
Zere'El frowns.
ZERE'EL
I am the First! You are my daughter, and one day you will own this seat, but you are not even a millennium old. I have seen races come and go. I have seen the ones that survive, that evolve. The humans do not change.
SEM'QUEUL
Of this you are wrong. I too was here when the humans came. I too have watched their growth. And over the last eighteen years I have guided the Atlanteans and watched them grow better than any before them.
Zere'El stands.
ZERE'EL
You went against my order!?
SEM'QUEUL
Yes. I did so that you may see. If you must judge me for my choices then judge me Mother, but first please meet King Atlan before you cast out the humans.
Atlan enters and stands before Sem'Queul. Zere'El, enraged, blows fire at Atlan. Sem'Queul holds up her hand.
SEM'QUEUL
Sher'met gemshar!
The fire freezes and turns to ice. It falls and shatters, leaving Atlan unharmed.
SEM'QUEUL
He has committed no offense.
Atlan kneels and bows, arms outstretched, like he had done with Sem'Queul when they met.
ATLAN
Most honoured, First, I come here today, humbled before you on behalf of Atlantis. I come because the rift between human and Unus'Pri has spanned too long. My people live in harmony with the land and the Unus'Pri. We are evidence that humans can learn and be neighbors with your kind.
ZERE'EL
You think this human pet that you have taught a few tricks to will negate my anger? This creature is an affront to our noble nation. Your defiance makes me question your ability to lead when I am gone.
Zere'El flies down to stand in front of Sem'Queul, completely ignoring Atlan.
ZERE'EL
I know you try to place your heart in the right place, shen'sha, but the right place is to think of the well being of the Unus'Pri above all else.
SEM'QUEUL
Why will you not understand that I am thinking of our well being?
ZERE'EL
Learn from me. Follow my guidance so that you will be ready to lead when the time comes. Stop fighting my wisdom.
SEM'QUEUL
I will not turn my back on the Atlanteans. I swore an oath to Atlan.
Zere'El sneers.
ZERE'EL
I shall help you break it.
Zere'El moves to squash Atlan. Sem'Queul stops her and the two fight physically (no fire or magick). Sem'Queul knocks Zere'El back into the stairs that lead to Zere'El's chair. Zere'El rises, but does not attack again.
ZERE'EL
If seems universal for children to rebel against their parents. I shall grant you your desires, shen'sha. I hereby banish you to Atlantis until such time as you see what the humans are capable of.
Sem'Queul and Atlan are shocked, but Sem'Queul bows her head. She's crossed enough lines today and will abide by her mother's decision.
TO BE CONTINUED...
