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 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 5
Sem'Queul has tears in her eyes. Present - council hall. A Shadowy Figure is in the hall with Sem'Queul. The Shadowy Figure remains unseen in the panels.
SHADOWY FIGURE
So you were broken down by having a freak for a son.
SEM'QUEUL
I will admit shock. When my eyes were first set upon him, but my love for my shen'sha was not lessened by his appearance.
At first I could not process what I saw. He was a dragon - how could he appear this way? I blamed myself at first. I thought my mirror spell to trick Kalen had caused the deformity. Such a thing had never occurred before, but the spell was difficult.
Caption: Over 4,000 years ago.
Sem'Queul's eyes stare blankly at Gevma'El. The baby crawls towards her until he stumbles into her foot. His dragon eyes open wider and he smells her foot, curious about it. The human-like, scaled hands feel the large and rougher scales on Sem'Queul. Sem'Queul looks down at her son, watching him explore.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Looking down at my shen'sha reminded me of Sem when she was a baby. And when that thought came to me, I knew what had cursed my son. I also knew that only Sem would have had the power to cause such an effect, though I had never imagined she was powerful. I also knew she had to be dead since she would have been at Treknor. The realization both upset and appeased me. Atlan's betrayal wounded me, but to be betrayed by Sem, my namesake, and, in many ways, my shen'sha, it was too much to bear.
We use the word `rage' carelessly, equaling it to anger, but rage is primal, uncontrollable. Experiencing rage is frightening. Your rational mind takes a step back and has no control over your impulses. The only thing that can satisfy rage is to inflict pain.
Sem'Queul steps over Gevma'El and out of the room into the hall. A shamaness is on duty.
SHAMANESS
First?
Sem'Queul says nothing and continues on her way. The shamaness looks into the room, expecting to see the egg, but recoils at the sight of Gevma'El.
SHAMANESS
By the Timeless...
She leaves the room, unsure of how to react.
Sem'Queul flies over the ocean. Her body glows with energy.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
You are forced to watch yourself, with no control over your actions. There is no rational thought.
Caption: Domere - Atlantean village.
Villagers move about. They appear uneasy and an edge, but they carry out the day to day. CU on a woman's face. A shadow moves over it.
WOMAN
Huh?
She looks up. Sem'Queul flies overhead. The woman points.
WOMAN
The Unus'Pri have come to destroy us!
The other villagers look up and they begin to run, panicked, terrified for the lives.
Sem'Queul flies up the side of a mountain. Atlantis is nestled between two sets of mountains, directly along the coastline.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Burning Atlantis was not enough for me. I did not want to leave ruins; I wanted no trace of Atlantis.
Underground caverns, half filled with water from the sea. They are huge, spacious and spread for miles.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Beneath Atlantis there were under sea caverns. They stretched far beyond the kingdom's borders. Though almost completely under sea at high tide, at low tide even a dragon could venture inside. Sem enjoyed visits there, to climb, to dive and generally explore. As a child, her imagination took her everywhere in those caverns. As a teenager she hid out to escape from royal duties. We had frequented there together.
Sem'Queul reaches the top of one of the mountains. The magick glowing around her grows brighter and larger.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
It seemed fitting to destroy a place that had once brought such joy to me after the person who had been the cause of that joy had betrayed me. I would crush the caverns and wash Atlantis away.
Sem'Queul holds her hands out at the mountain - the magick hits the mountain, which shakes. The shaking increases until all the peaks on both sides of Atlantis are rattling. Huge chunks of stone tumble down. They outlying villages, such as Domere and Lampra, are crushed beneath the crumbling stone.
People flee in terror as death falls from above. CUs on people screaming, and limbs sticking out from under fallen stone. Larger boulders fall and when they smash into the ground, it collapses beneath them. The ground crumbles and gives way. Huge holes open in the earth and people and buildings fall into them. CU of a doll beside a rock, a pool of blood beneath it.
The tops of the mountains begin to crack and the mountains begin to collapse in on themselves, bigger chunks of stone bombarding the towns. Those not crushed or swallowed into the holes flee inwards, as the route out of Atlantis is both blocked and raining stone.
ECU of Sem'Queul's eyes, glowing, enraged. They are dark and cold, but alive with power.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Even my mother had never wielded such power. I drew my magick from the elements, from the very earth. My rage fueled me and the more I let loose with it, the more powerful I became.
The holds in the earth grow larger, both from the falling rocks and the force of so many impacts. The peninsula begins to crack, turning Atlantis into an island; the outlying villages have crumbled into the sea.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
The quakes caused by the crumbling mountains were felt all the way to Latrel, but young Atlan had no way of knowing what was happening. By the time he knew it was an attack, it would be too late to mobilize his army.
Sem'Queul flies out to sea, so far out that the land can no longer be seen.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Humans always think they are so clever. But no matter what they build or what power they wield, their might pales to the forces of nature.
The quakes had cut Atlantis off, sealing them in. I did not need to raise an army to destroy Atlantis; the ocean would do.
Sem'Queul circles around, building up speed, then dives the magick surrounding her hitting the water as she speeds in a straight line. The water lifts, building a wave, bigger and bigger. Sem'Queul flies up and rides at the top of the wave, as though it were an extension of her. The wave continues to build as it races back towards Atlantis, becoming a tsunami.
Latrel. The king's throne room. The castle is in disarray, affected by the quakes. Atlan IX helps a wounded Mevel to her feet as Etus looks out over the kingdom, surveying the damage. He sees that the mountains are gone. As he looks out, a shadow falls over the kingdom. Confused, he leans out the window and looks back. CU on his face - complete horror. He races back towards Atlan IX and Mevel, gesturing wildly and ushering them out of the room, hoping to get them to safety, thinking the underground dungeons may offer refuge.
Full page panel of the tsunami looming over Atlantis, with Sem'Queul at its head. The size of the tsunami can clearly cover all of Atlantis and then some.
The tsunami begins to descend upon the kingdom. Sem'Queul lets it fall from her, watching from up high.
The citizens flee in panic, but there's no where to run, no way to escape. A knight faces the wave as the people run in terror around him. He draws his blade and holds it high, facing the end with dignity and honour.
The wave hits the castle first, crumbling the towers that have no hope of supporting the weight. The walls themselves are damaged, but remain standing. The wave continues to descend, crushing weaker buildings until it hits the streets. The knight and any others caught directly by the wave are crushed beneath it.
Inside the castle, Etus and Atlan IX run, supporting the wounded Mevel. A wave of water crashes down the hall, having entered through windows and holes. They look back and then try to outrun it, but the wave crashes into them, slamming them against the wall with such force that their bones, as well as the wall cracks. They're dead.
Sem'Queul looks down on Atlantis, enjoying the destruction.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I watched the buildings crack and crumble. I saw the bodies floating along the surface of the water, but it was not enough. My rage was still not yet satisfied. Nature stood with me.
Atlantis shakes.
Underground caverns. The caverns shake and begin to crumble, caving in all at once.
Atlantis begins to sink.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I watched as the sea reached up to claim the kingdom.
Atlantis is nearly completely submerged. Only the highest points can be seen sticking out of the sea water. Humans can be seen clinging to them. Even more are treading water or clinging to debris in what is now open water. Some are swimming towards the peaks or debris, while others hopelessly begin the swim to shore. Aerial shot of Atlantis, which can be seen beneath the water.
Slowly, Atlantis begins to slide, moving further out and being pulled further down underwater, the momentary island slides along a slanted bank, moving towards an ocean cliff.
All of Atlantis is now underwater and the humans cling to debris, or attempt to swim.
Atlantis continues to slide, until it teeters on the edge of the underwater cliff, and then falls sinking, upright into the deep depths of the ocean, so far down it's swallowed by darkness. Bodies and debris float to the surface.
Sem'Queul stares down at the survivours, the bodies and the debris.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
Atlantis was gone. Swallowed into the blackest depths of the sea. My rage went with it, leaving only an emptiness in its stead.
I looked down at the few survivours and almost as an afterthought, I moved to eliminate them...but in the end, I let them be. They would not survive the trip to shore. Let them have a few more hours of life. Atlantis was gone, and so was my anger. I could not be bothered to spend my time killing dead men.
It was a mistake to spare them, just as it was a mistake to allow any survivours from the other kingdoms and a mistake to not destroy Atlantis' allies. It I have been merciless, the war may have been adverted.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Even killing everyone would not have stopped the war.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
So at last, after all these millennia, you finally understand that the humans had to be stopped, just as we must stop them now, kill them all before they tear both our worlds apart.
Sem'Queul returns home. She speaks to no one, and returns to Gevma'El.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
The war would not have been adverted with genocide because the other humans would have become aware of your slaughter and started the war anyway. Your actions could not be turned back. War was inevitable.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
After all I have told you, all that you have seen, you still side with them? Do not be as naïve as I was.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
You were not as enlightened as you would like to think. The bigotry you were raised with clouded your decisions. If you had taken a moment to listen, there never would have been a war.
Sem'Queul looks at her child and can process his appearance now. She nuzzles his cheek, and he does the same.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
What would you know? You were not there.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
I know more than you think. This story you have told me in your attempt to make me see the world as you do was a bad choice. I already knew all about Atlantis.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I have never told anyone the story in its entirety.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
You were not the only one who lived those events.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
I am the only one still living. The ones involved are long past dead - and human. Even if they could have told you about Atlantis, you cannot believe their lies.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Actually, you verified the information I had. The Unus'Pri tend to forget that since humans live such short lives, because they cannot rely on events to be passed down and remembered through so many generations, that they keep written records.
Caption: Thirty-six years before the sinking of Atlantis.
Atlan, seventeen, standing before Batec, who is on his knees.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Though your actions were noble, an attempt to unite two peoples, your involvement started the events that would later take place.
Atlan kills Batec.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Unlike the Unus'Pri, the humans were not a united race. Your favouritism gave new life and more strength to a hatred begot of fear. The humans feared the Unus'Pri because they could never defeat them.
Treknor - the king's throne room. A soldier brings the news to Kalen and Rymer about their father's death and their defeat in Atlantis.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Treknor and Atlantis had been enemies for generations. Siding with Atlantis deepened the fear of Treknor and their allies of the Unus'Pri. Kalen did not hold Atlan responsible for his father's death - he placed the blame on you.
Years have passed. Treknor soldiers fighting and killing a small batch of Unus'Pri (humans sized or smaller).
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
He started his own private war as king. Any Unus'Pri found in his lands, or surrounding them, were immediately killed. Though Batec had never been fond of the Unus'Pri, he did not actively war with them either. Kalen also encouraged his allies to kill Unus'Pri. He made it a condition of a continued allegiance.
Orin. Inventors/soldiers demonstrate weapons on dummies and live Unus'Pri.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Kalen became obsessed with finding a way to kill a dragon. That would give him a way to kill any Unus'Pri. It would also allow him to kill you and conquer Atlantis - something only Batec has been able to achieve after so many years of hostilities. A success taken from Treknor by Atlantis' new defender.
SEM'QUEUL (v.o.)
You dare to blame me for Zere'El and Gev'Ma's deaths.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
No, I would never claim such things. Your losses were great and painful, and Kalen's actions, no matter how they were motivated, remain his actions. I do not tell you this information to be cruel. I tell you to explain my actions.
Present - council hall.
SEM'QUEUL
I should have known I would not be able to dissuade you.
SHADOWY FIGURE
Much as I wish the situation were different, much as I wish I could renounce my mission, you will come to understand why this cannot be so.
Caption: One year before the sinking of Atlantis.
A ballista is fired into the sky. The arrow comes down and takes out several trees with its force. Kalen's eyes widen and then he smiles.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
It was years before Kalen had what he needed to make his move on the Unus'Pri. But once the weapon was his, there was no stopping him.
Rymer looks upset about the ballista.
Zere'El flies.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Of course he needed a field test. He could not start a war before he knew the weapon worked.
Though Kalen was a poor king, he was not a poor commander. He was well aware of the Unus'Pri leadership. They had had the same leader since they had formed. Add to that there was by a single heir. If he killed Zere'El and you, the Unus'Pri would be thrown into chaos. Completely disorganized and terrified of the new weapon. Kalen would have been able to unite enough kingdoms to him to kill the Unus'Pri.
Kalen's men - a small group of soldiers, Kalen and a ballista. They watch Zere'El fly.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Kalen had been watching Zere'El for years. His spies knew where to set the trap.
The ballista fires. The arrow zooms at Zere'El who becomes aware of it far too late. In the time it takes her to open her mouth in surprise the arrow passes through her neck, severing her head. Her body falls and her head hits the grounds and rolls.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
She was killed instantly. Now Kalen needed you.
Kalen's camp outside of Atlantis.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
He had hoped that he could provoke you out of Atlantis, but since Atlan desired peace, Kalen did not get what he wanted.
Sem and Sem'Queul in human form arriving at Kalen's camp.
SHADOWY FIGURE (v.o.)
Not that he was aware of anyway. But Sem gave him another plan, one that would force Atlantis to join with Treknor.
Present - council hall.
SEM'QUEUL
None of this changes anything. Kalen's motives mean nothing.
SHADOWY FIGURE
They are part of the events. A part you never bothered to hear about. Atlan sent messengers, he even faced you himself in the hopes he could convey the human side of things. He came to you trying to stop the war, but you killed him.
SEM'QUEUL
You do not know what you are talking about.
SHADOWY FIGURE
I know that Sem did not die at Treknor. What I am telling you now is from her records. She and Atlan tried everything they could to share this information with you and I think you should know it to understand why I have to kill you --
Full page panel of a grown Gevma'El. He is dressed in human style clothes and armed with human weapons.
GEVMA'EL
--Mother.
TO BE CONTINUED...
