Blood
Brother
Written by
(copywright): Caina Q. Fuller
Episode
#4 in “The Messenger” series.
Teaser
Fade
In
Int-Tunnels of
Tartarus
Close up on the booted
feet of a mysterious woman as she walks toward the camera. The camera glides up the woman’s figure
until it reaches her face. We see
it is Persephone, wife of Hades and new ruler of the underworld in her husband’s
absence.
She makes her way through
the tunnels of Tartarus. To her
left is a pit where CONDEMNED SOULS are being kept. One soul attempts to pull himself out,
and as his hand reaches over the surface we see it is covered in snakes.
Persephone! Help me
please!
Persephone cruelly kicks
him in the face as she passes, sending him plummeting back down to unknowable
depths. On her right are chambers
full of tortured men and women.
Demon-like creatures are beating some while others are being burned with
hot pokers.
Persephone turns a corner
and comes to a rock wall and waves her hand over the surface. It becomes transparent and we see Eve
lies on a smooth floor. The room is
round and large, with rock walls as smooth as polished steel. In the center of the room is an empty
pedestal.
Eve’s attention is
captured by images playing out on the ceiling of Callisto fighting Xena. She
also watches Livia raid villages and murder innocent villagers. Persephone decides to spice up Eve’s
torment with a little subliminal suggestion.
Eve. It’s hot in this room. Very
hot.
Eve reacts as the room
suddenly becomes hot. Sweat pours
from her face and she looks around for the source of the intense heat, even
though she cannot see Persephone. A
glass of icy cold water appears on the pedestal in the center of the room, but
when Eve moves for it the floor disappears from beneath her feet and she barely
manages to catch the edge as she falls in.
Eve pulls herself out just as hissing snakes come out to bite at her bare
heels. The floor seals shut behind
her. Eve tries again but the same
thing happens.
You must have the water
Eve.
Don’t give
up.
Eve eases her way toward
the water. This time the floor
holds and she manages to wrap her hands around the glass, which is covered in
cool condensation. But just as Eve
is bringing it to her lips the water turns to blood and she screams in horror
and disappointment.
No!
She stares at the blood in
disgust, but her thirst gets the better of her and she gulps it down. When she does she begins to choke and
gag, and after awhile of writhing on the floor in misery she
calms.
I’m even thirstier than I
was before.
Somebody help
me!
Persephone begins to
laugh, relishing Eve’s torment.
Dissolve to:
Ext-Elysian
Fields
MARCUS, Xena’s old lover,
makes his way through the beautiful, grassy fields of paradise. A sword hangs on his back though he
doesn’t really need it here. The
handsome warrior looks about, searching for someone though he isn’t successful
finding him. Finally he stops a passerby.
Have you seen
him?
I think I saw him going to
Tartarus
again. Maybe an hour ago?
Marcus sighs with pure
irritation and takes off for an exit.
Cut
to
Int-Tunnels of
Tartarus
Marcus rounds a corner to
find another handsome young man with a fighting staff fighting off four
condemned souls of Tartarus. One by
one he defeats them by shoving them back into the pit they are climbing out
of. The young man is SOLON, Xena’s
son. He looks to be about 21
now. He’s got short, sandy brown
hair and blue eyes, and his form with the staff is superb. When Solon is
finished with the condemned souls, Marcus draws his sword.
What have I told you about
coming
here without back up? This place is
dangerous.
Actually, it’s not as
dangerous as
you think. These people look forward
to my
visits.
And how is
that?
I bring them food and
water. They
feel like fighting better
on a full
stomach.
Marcus rolls his eyes at
this news and begins to try and talk some sense into
Solon.
There’s a reason these
“people” as you
call them are in
here. They led
horrible
lives on Earth.
If I know my history right
so did you.
But
look where you are
Marcus. All
because
someone loved you. Someone showed
you mercy.
Marcus recants a little
and his anger subsides. The young
man is right after all. Had Xena
not loved him as much as she did, he’d be rotting in this place along with the
same souls that Solan was fighting now.
You are your mother’s son,
you know
that?
Besides that, I need some
excitement.
After awhile even Elysia
can become
hopelessly
boring.
(grinning
playfully)
You know, sometimes I have
half a mind
to toss you in one of
those pits myself. I’ll
bet a few hours in there
would teach you
not to venture in here
alone.
(good
naturedly)
Oh yeah? Then bring it on
old man.
Marcus moves in on Solon,
a wide grin on his face and his sword in his hand.
Cut to:
Int-Eve’s Torture
Chamber
Eve is staring once more
at the scenes on the ceiling when Persephone enters and circles
her.
What do you
want?
I want to see you suffer
of course.
Can’t you do that from
the
comfort of your own
chambers?
Yes, but it’s not nearly
as entertaining
as seeing your pain up
close. It’s a
lot
like making love. Watching others is
entertaining. Actually doing it is even
better.
Eve jumps to her feet,
angry.
You want some thrills
Persephone?
I’ve got plenty for
you.
Persephone isn’t prepared
for Eve’s sudden attack. Eve drives
her fist across the other woman’s face then follows through with a kick to the
jaw. She moves to kick her again
but Persephone is ready and she catches Eve’s foot.
Persephone twists Eve’s
ankle but Eve turns with it and drives her other foot into Persephone’s
face. From there on the new ruler
of the underworld is hopelessly outmatched by Eve’s skill. Eve begins beating up on her until
Persephone steps back to put some distance between them.
Cerberus!
Hades three headed dog
MATERIALIZES before Eve and charges her.
She dodges the dog easily and he goes flying through the wall, leaving a
gateway that begins to MELT shut.
Eve begins to run for it.
No!
Persephone dives for her
but they both end up falling through the hole and into a
pit.
Cut to:
Int-Tunnels of
Tartarus
Marcus and Solon fight
sword to staff, but it doesn’t take Marcus too long to cut Solon’s staff in
half. When Solon attempts to use
the two halves like chobo’s Marcus grabs each half and yanks Solon to him, hard.
Marcus and Solon crash heads and Solon stumbles back in pain. He is just about to fall into the pit
when Marcus grabs him by the collar, saving him.
You make the same mistake
every single time
boy. You
hold the staff too low and
when
you spin you leave your
center
open for attack. Depending
on your opponents weapon
and
physical strength they can
either
disarm you
or-
Marcus’ lesson is
interrupted by the sound of growling and two women’s screams from above. When they look up, they watch as
Cerberus falls from the ceiling and continues down into the pit behind Solon
while Persephone and Eve land on the dusty floor at Marcus and Solon’s
feet. There is the distinctive
sound of breaking bones when Persephone lands atop Eve.
Solon looks down into
Eve’s eyes, which are full of pain, and an image of Xena is superimposed over
her face. Solon recognizes her
immediately as who she is: His sister.
Eve!
Persephone stands,
uninjured, and Solon kneels beside his sister to examine her. Eve’s body is
slowly covering with bruises from the injuries she sustained in the fall with
Persephone.
You’re going to be
alright.
Who are
you?
My name is Solon. I’m your brother.
Close up on Eve’s shocked
expression.
Fade
Out.
End of
Teaser
***************
Blood Brother-Act
1
Fade In
on-Persephone
Persephone stands over Eve
and Solon
Step away from her
Solon. You
shouldn’t even be in
Tartarus. You
know
that.
What has she done to
deserve
eternal damnation?
Persephone gives a bitter
laugh. She knows Solon is oblivious
to Eve’s past as Livia as well as her role in the death of the Olympian
gods.
You don’t want to know
that Solon.
Trust me. Now move away from
her!
Solon snatches one of the
pieces of his staff from Marcus and stands Persephone down when Persephone leans
in to grab Eve. The new Queen of
the underworld stares at him in almost comical shock, for she is not used to the
souls she governs challenging her in this fashion.
I won’t let you torture
her.
You have a good heart
Solon. I know
you come in here to try
and offer these
scum relief by giving them
food and
water. I also understand she’s your
sister,
but if you don’t get out
of my
way I will condemn you to
eternity
in Tartarus with her. Do you want
that?
Marcus may not want Solan coming into Tartarus the way he does, but he loves Solan like the boy was his own son, and he’s not about to stand by and allow Persephone to try and bully him.
Hades decreed that no good
soul
should ever lose his place
in Paradise.
Well, Hades isn’t here now
is he?
Thanks to her and
her bitch mother Xena.
I rule the underworld now
and the
rules have changed. Step back Solon.
No, I don’t think so. Marcus,
If you’re truly my
friend…
Say no more son. Run with her. I’ll
hold this so called
goddess off.
Marcus draws his sword and
Persephone backs away in surprise, more than a little touch of anxiety on her
face. All she’d wanted to do was
have a little fun torturing Eve, not start a war with two warriors she didn’t
have the skill to deal with. What had started out as a game was quickly turning
into a coup.
You two are making a big
mistake.
Neither of you want me for an enemy.
She’s right. I deserve
what I’m
getting. Go on now. I can take
care of
myself.
Shhh. Your bones are broken. This is
going to hurt, so get
ready.
Solon picks Eve up and she
screams in pain. Every bone in her
body was shattered by the long fall into the cavern, and her body feels like
mush in his strong arms. Solon
takes off with Eve down the tunnels of Tartarus, heading for the healing waters
of the Elysian Fields.
Cerberus! Find them. As for you
Marcus…I think you should
take
on someone who can match
your skill. Draco!
Cut to:
Draco. Draco fights off another condemned soul
inside one of the pits of Tartarus.
He is dressed in rags and caked with dirt, but when he hears Persephone’s
voice he begins to DISSOLVE.
Cut to:
Draco APPEARS beside
Marcus wearing his old outfit from Xena. He looks at his clean body in a mixture
of confusion and relief.
Cut him up into little
pieces Draco.
He’ll
be spending eternity here
in Tartarus.
Draco looks Marcus over
then stares Persephone down hatefully.
I have nothing against
this man
Persephone. Why should I help
you?
That’s right. Her husband put
you
in Tartarus. You owe her
nothing.
((rolling her eyes in
exasperation)
You should help me because
you
will be rewarded an
eternal place
in the Asphodel
Meadows.
Asphodel Meadows
huh?
(looks Marcus
over)
It’s not paradise, but it
beats
Tartarus any day. Sorry friend, but
I have to think of my
future. It’s
nothing
personal, I assure
you.
Believe me, I
understand. I just
Hope that you understand
that I
also have my future to
consider?
I’ll fight
you.
(grinning
evilly)
I’d be sorely disappointed
if you didn’t.
Dissolve To:
A Gateway to the Elysian
Fields
Solon holds Eve as he
stares at the Gate to the Elysian Fields.
Solon, you shouldn’t be
doing this.
I’m not worth it, believe
me.
You’re family. That makes you worth
it to
me.
I don’t want you to lose
your place in
paradise for me. Please take me
back to Persephone. Maybe she’ll
forgive
you-
Persephone is an
anal-retentive bitch
who takes a sick pleasure
in torturing her
victims. She wasn’t always
like that but she’s
changed
recently.
That’s because of
me.
Solon
No, it’s the way she
chooses to be. No
more
talk of guilt huh? I have a plan in mind to
get
you out of here. But first…
Eve
First
what?
I can smell doggie
breath.
Cerberus comes charging
from the left and Solon barely ducks before the beast tackles him. Each move he makes with Eve causes her
incredible pain because of her broken bones. Without wasting time Solon lays Eve
down, holds out his right hand and a crossbow appears. When Cerberus charges him again, Solon
takes aim at the center head.
Sorry boy, but you leave
me no choice.
Solon fires the crossbow
and it sticks in the right eye of the center head. The dog begins to whine and yelp, as he
takes off in the opposite direction, running for his mistress. Solon picks Eve up
again.
It’s time to mend your
broken bones.
come
on.
Solon picks his sister up
and continues on with her into the Elysian Fields.
Dissolve To:
Virgil’s
stables-Morning
Virgil sits in the loft of
his stables, watching some villagers build the pyre for Eve’s funeral. Beside him is Eve’s body, wrapped from
head to toe with only her face showing.
There is a rustle behind him and Virgil turns to find Calantha climbing
the ladder behind him.
Virgil? I have some fruits cut for
your breakfast. Why don’t you
come down and eat
something huh?
Thanks sis, but I’m not
hungry. Go
on without
me.
She’s been gone for two
days. It
feels a lot longer than
that somehow.
Virgil studies his
sister,s profile as she looks down on Eve’s peaceful face.
She killed our father then
turned around
and save you from a life
long mistake.
Amazing what one person
can do isn’t it?
Yes it is. That’s what I feel every time I
think
of Eli’s God and what the
power of his love
can do to change us. Virgil, this isn’t your
fault. Phobos did this. Why don’t you eat?
Just a little
something?
I can’t. I just can’t.
All right. I’ll be in the house. You’ve
left it a mess you
know. I feel
sorry for your future
wife, whoever she is.
Calantha leaves and when
she does Virgil strokes Eve’s face as he breaks down into
tears.
Cut to:
Off of Virgil’s
face
Ext. The surface of a
lake
A body splashes into the
water. The camera pulls back to
show Solon dipping his sister into the water of a lake. When she comes up she is clean and all
of her wounds are healed.
Solon
There. Doesn’t that feel
better?
Eve
Oh God. I feel…I feel better than I
ever have before. It’s incredible.
Solon
Come on. Let’s get you something to eat
and then you can tell me
all about how you
ended up here while we
start working to get
you out of
here.
Cut To:
Marcus and Draco clash
swords while Persephone strides down the tunnel. She is heading towards the Elysian
Fields after Eve.
Marcus
Listen, Draco. We should work
together. Persephone is going to
condemn
an innocent boy to
Tartarus just
because he wants to save
his sister.
Draco
Look at my face. Do I look like the
type
to care about such
things?
Marcus
I used to be like you.
Then someone
changed me. You may know her.
Xena.
At Xena’s name Marcus
gives a howl of RAGE and tries to behead Marcus.
Draco
That bitch convinced Cupid
to
allow a love spell to stay
on me! I spent
my entire life pining
after her sidekick
Gabrielle. I never found
love again
because of that! I died
barely a year
after they did because I
was distracted
by grief over
Gabrielle. I hate
Xena!
Marcus
Ok. Wrong example
then.
Draco tackles Marcus and
they go falling into another room, off camera.
Cut to:
Persephone-Tunnels of
Tartarus
Persephone makes her way
through the tunnels of Tartarus until she reaches the gate to the Elysian
Fields. When she does she hears the sound of a whining dog. Cerberus comes toward her, pawing at the
arrow in his eye.
Persephone
Cerberus! What has Solon done
to
you? You poor thing. Come here.
Let Mama help
you.
Persephone removes the
arrow and lays her hand over the wound and heals it.
Persephone
Don’t worry boy. You will have your
revenge soon enough. Go to my quarters.
I’ll deal with Solon and
Eve.
Cut To:
Off of Persephone’s
face
Solon and Eve make their
way through the beautiful fields of Elysia. Eve tears up an apple hungrily, and
gulps down juice from a decanter.
Solon
We’re almost there. Once you’re
inside I need you to stay
where I put
you while I find
Marcus. If this plan is going
to work I’m going to need
him.
Eve
Are you sure about
this? I mean,
once
I’m gone you’ll still have
to stay here.
There’s no telling what
she will do to you
and Marcus for helping
me.
Solon
You let me worry about
that. I’ve
tasted
paradise and I don’t plan
to let it go
that easily. Tell me something
sister.
How is
mother?
Eve
Isn’t she
here?
A look of panic claims
Solan’s face at these words.
Solon
Here? Why would she be
here?
Eve
Mother is dead Solon. I thought
you would have been
re-united
with her by now.
Persephone
Your mother was probably
sentenced
to a fate worse than
Tartarus. She
deserves every bit of what
she gets too.
Eve and Solon turn to find
Persephone glaring at them. With
her are about fifteen guards.
Each man is armed with swords and throwing knives.
Solon
Persephone.
End of Act
One
**************************************
Blood Brother-Act
2
Fade In-Eve and
Solon
Eve and Solon stare down
Persephone and her guards.
Persephone
You have a choice here
Solon:
You can surrender Eve and
keep
your place in the Elysian
Fields, or,
you can resist and I take
Eve anyway.
If I have to go through
the trouble
you’d better believe I’m
sentencing
you to Tartarus. What’s it going to be?
Solon
I’ll take my chances in
Tartarus.
Eve
No, you won’t. I’ll come with you
Persephone.
Solon
But Eve
she’s-
Eve
No. I’m not going to allow
you
to throw away your future
in
paradise for me. I know we don’t
know each other very well,
but I
feel a bond with you. I
won’t let
you sacrifice yourself for
me.
Eve hugs Solon then turns
to Persephone.
Eve
I’ll come with you
Persephone.
Just
leave Solon
alone.
Persephone
You’re being so noble I
could
just lose my
lunch.
Persephone nods at her
guards.
Persephone
He defied me. Now you’ll both
be spending the rest of
eternity
together. In
Tartarus.
Seeing that Persephone
openly intends to betray the deal she made only seconds ago, Solon hold out his
hands and a pair of Sai’s appear.
He looks sheepishly at Eve who is staring at him.
What can I say? Gabrielle is
my hero.
He holds his hand out for
a sword. When it appears he gives
it to her.
Remember, everybody here
is
dead so you’re not killing
anyone.
Solon and Eve fight off
Persephone’s guards. Whenever the
guards receive a “fatal” blow they turn to dust. When it becomes clear that Eve and Solon
are superior to her guards Persephone begins to throw fireballs at them, but
it’s useless. Solon uses his Sai’s
to deflect them back at her. One of
them hits Persephone squarely in the chest, sending her flying
back.
Run!
Solon and eve take off
into the trees. When Persephone
sits up from her place on the ground they are gone.
Damn you
Solon!
Cut To:
Off Persephone’s face to
Marcus
Marcus and Draco are still
battling it out. Marcus finally
gets the upper hand and runs Draco through, sticking him to the wall. He then takes off, heading for the
Elysian Fields to find Solon and Eve.
That’s right, run. Coward!
Int. Tunnels
Marcus rounds a corner in
the Tunnels and faces the gate. He
is just about to go in when guards march by.
Persephone wants us to
find
Marcus before Solon can
join
forces with him
again. When
we
get our hands on him we’re
to
cut him up and let him
spend
eternity in pieces. Search every
inch of Tartarus then move
on to
the Asphodel Meadows. Move out!
Great.
Dissolve to:
Caverns-Elysian
Fields
Solon leads Eve to a
secret hiding place in some caves.
Inside one of the many cave entrances, is a garden with a pool and a
table laden with food.
This is where I used to
watch
mother. I haven’t been
here
for awhile. Where could her
soul be?
I don’t know, but we will
find it
someday. I promise. Thank you
for all you’re doing for
me Solon.
Hey, what are big brothers
for?
Pay her a
visit.
Eve frowns when Solon is
gone, confused about what he meant by paying her mother a visit.
Eve
Pay her a
visit?
Solon
Yeah. You can’t see her
now but you can see
visions of her
past. The way she was when
I knew
her.
I’ll do that. Be careful.
Solon
Always.
Cut to:
Ext-Village of
Torone-Virgil
Virgil stands before the
funeral pyre that some villagers are making for Eve’s funeral.
It’s not your fault
Virgil.
Phobos
did
this.
He used what was in my
heart
against Eve. That’s what really
happened.
Maybe, but you can’t
continue
to blame yourself like
this. Its
eating you up inside, I
can see it.
Shouldn’t it Calantha? I committed
murder.
You were used by a
selfish, revenge-minded
god Virgil. You know what I think? I think
Eve
would want you to forgive
yourself. I know
she
doesn’t hate
you.
It’s not just Eve
Calantha. She
the last of Xena’s
family. How
am
ever going to face
Gabrielle?
Like the man you are. Tell Gabrielle
the truth. If she’s anything like her
reputation, she’ll forgive
you.
Cut to:
Off of Virgil’s
face-Tartarus
Solon, Sai’s at the ready,
makes his way through Tartarus. As
he does he barely manages to hide from a group of guard searching for
Marcus. When they are gone, he
eases around a corner and comes face to face with Marcus. They yelp in
surprise.
Solon! You scared me to
de…
never mind. Where’s Eve?
I left her in my secret
garden. She
won’t be safe there
forever
though. We have to get to the
ambrosia.
I thought that’s what you
had in mind.
The ambrosia is on earth
though.
How do you plan to get to
it?
Hades chamber,
remember? It
will
allow a soul to appear to
anyone on
Earth. You can communicate with her
friend
Virgil.
And how do you propose I
do this
without Persephone finding
out about it?
That’s where I come
in.
Cut to:
Draco
Draco listens around a
corner to Solon and Marcus’ conversation with a wicked
grin.
Cut to:
Off Draco’s evil
grin
Int-Persephone’s private
chambers
Persephone paces back and
forth, wringing her hands in frustration.
In the corner Cerberus watches, sniffing the air and picking up on her
frustration.
This is falling apart
Cerberus.
Solon is planning
something, I
can feel it. His mind is every bit
as sharp and devious as
his mother’s.
I’m willing to bet my
place as
Queen of the underworld
he’s planning on
hiding Eve in the Elysian
Fields forever.
Well, I’ll be damned if I
let her live in the lap
of luxury after she helped
her mother
murder my beloved
Hades.
Cerberus growls in
agreement while she paces back and forth.
Ext-Hades’
castle
Solon has climbed the
rocks of the castle wall to the only window in the tower, which is at the very
top of the castle. Marcus watches
him climb like a nervous mother hen below.
Gently Solon eases himself in.
When he does Cerberus picks up on his sent and begins to
growl.
What is it
boy?
All three of Cerberus’
head’s bark at the windowsill where Solon entered. Persephone eases toward a mace that
adorns the walls. Once she is armed
she moves toward the curtain.
All right. Whoever you
are, come
out. Now!
She gasps when Solon
emerges from behind he curtains.
His Sai’s are sheathed at his waist but he doesn’t draw
them.
Solon. Gutsy move coming in here.
Gutsy…but stupid. Cerberus!
Cerberus moves to attack,
but after having been hurt by Solon so badly he is hesitant. Solon stomps at him and the dog jumps
back, whimpering in fear and this greatly upsets
Persephone.
Cerberus!
I’m not here to fight
Persephone.
I’m here to
talk.
About what? Freeing Eve? I
will never agree to
that.
She told me what
happened. She
told me how because of
your husband
and the other gods she had
to
grow up without her
mother. Ares molded
her into a vicious
killer.
Oh, boo-hoo. Poor child.
That’s right. She committed
horrible
sins Persephone, that’s
true. But Mom
never would have killed
your husband if
he would have just walked
away.
Well it’s a little too
late for that now
isn’t it? He’s gone
forever.
It’s not Eve’s fault.
On the view screen behind
Persephone, Marcus moves through the halls of the castle. Solon is succeeding in distracting her,
but Cerberus is watching intently, a low growling starting in the back of his
throat.
Cut to:
Int. Halls
Marcus moves through the
castle halls. Finally he reaches a door to the “Chamber” that will allow him to
communicate with the living. Before
he can reach the door however, Draco appears, blocking his
path.
Hello there
friend.
Close up on
Marcus
Fade
out.
End of Act
2
**************************************
Blood Brother-Act
3
Fade In-Marcus and
Draco
Marcus
I don’t have time for this
right
now Draco.
Draco
I understand that, which is
why
I’m going to take you up on
your offer to work
together.
Marcus
For what price? I have nothing
I can offer you that’s better
than
a place in the Asphodel
Meadows.
Draco
Oh but you will. You’re going to
the
Chamber to try and
communicate
with the living. You know where
there’s a stash of
ambrosia.
Marcus
And if I agree to resurrect you
you’ll
keep quiet about me going
after
the ambrosia. What’s to guarantee
you won’t betray
Solon?
Draco
You’ll just have to trust me
now
won’t you?
Marcus
Trust you? Never.
Draco
Like you said: We don’t have time
for this. Go and get that ambrosia. I’m
a man of my word. When you return
I promise Solon will have some of the
ambrosia as well. If there’s enough, that
is.
Cut To:
Off of Draco’s
face
Eve’s hide out
Eve sits on the bench before the table
of food. Before her is a plate with
a fish skeleton and other fruit leftover’s. Eve absentmindedly sucks on her teeth as
she gets up and looks around.
Eve
Solon said to pay Mom a visit.
How do I do that?
After a brief search of the garden she
comes to the pool and decides to go for a dip.
Eve
I guess I’ll just have to settle for
a swim then.
Eve removes her rags until she is in her
underwear and dives into the pool.
As soon as she hits the water she is transported back to Xena’s
past. She is an observer in a small
village. Close enough to touch
things but the people around her are unaware of her presence. Eve turns and when she does, she finds
the village has been replaced by a barn.
Inside Xena and Gabrielle are arguing. It is a scene from “Maternal Instincts”
when Gabrielle first tells Xena hope is alive.
Eve
Mother! Gabrielle? Is that
you?
Xena
Hope? The child is
Hope?
Gabrielle
I never meant to
lie…
Eve watches the scene until Xena runs
out after Solon. Eve takes off after her, chasing behind Xena until she watches
her mother find Solon’s body.
Eve
Oh my God. I remember this. I
remember all of this. Mother I
am so sorry. Please forgive me. Callisto!
The site of Xena screaming over Solon’s
dead body is replaced with Callisto in the cave. Eve goes up to her, looking at her
former incarnation with hatred.
Eve
I hate you. I hate everything
you’ve done. I hate everything
about you! Let me out of
here!
I don’t want to see the pain
anymore.
Callisto’s image fades to be replaced by
“Seeds of Faith.” Eve watches Xena
and the angel Callisto face one another.
Xena
…You gave me this
child?
Again she watches Xena accept Callisto’s
soul into her unborn child. Fast
forward to Eve’s birth. Eve
witnesses Hercules fight Zeus off in an effort to save Xena, Eve and
Gabrielle.
Eve
You should let him kill me. I
don’t want to relive the pain
anymore. Please, stop it!
As if the force that is showing her
these images is responding to her will, Eve is shown all of the happy moments of
her infancy with Xena and Gabrielle.
Clip-“God Fearing Child” Xena looks down
at baby Eve “We’re gonna be together now Eve. You and me.”
Clip-“Eternal Bonds” Xena holds Eve
while looking for a sign of Gabrielle and Joxer’s whereabouts. When she follows Eve’s gaze to the
scroll in the air, she laughs at Xena’s words. “Well, why didn’t you say
something?”
Clip-“Kindred Spirits” Xena pushes Eve
in the swing.
Eve
(thinking)
Oh mother. I love you so
much.
This is bliss…
Cut to:
Eve floats in the water with her eyes
closed, oblivious to her surrounding’s as she is lost in the past. A smile graces her face as she sinks
deeper into the WATERS OF MEMORY.
Dissolve to:
Int. The Chamber
Marcus enters the Chamber. It’s a room identical to Eve’s torture
chamber from the beginning of the episode, only where the pedestal was there is
a low stone slab. Marcus cautiously
walks up to the slab and steps on it.
When he does nothing happens.
He looks around for anything else in the room to help him operate the
stone slab.
Marcus
(to no one in
particular)
Um, I’m looking for a mortal
named
Virgil.
Suddenly an image of Virgil and the
other villagers of the town lie Eve’s body on the pyre. Marcus’ eyes widen in shock at
this.
Marcus
No! Don’t burn her!
Tight on Virgil’s face as he watches the
village men lay Eve’s body on the pyre.
Suddenly there is a bright light reflected in his eyes as Marcus comes
rushing out of the pyre itself with his hands stretched out before him. Virgil jumps back, startled to see a
ghost emerge from a funeral pyre. The rest of the villagers scream in fear
and take off running in all directions.
Marcus
Can you see
me?
Virgil
Yes I can see you. Who are you?
What are you?
Marcus
My name is Marcus and I’m a
friend
of Eve’s. Whatever you do, don’t
burn Eve yet. There’s hope she
can still be
resurrected.
Cut to:
Off Virgil’s face to
Persephone
Persephone and Solon face one another
down. Cerberus is gathering his
courage to attack Solon again slowly but surely, and now that Marcus is off the
screen he sees no reason to stay.
Persephone
What possible reason could
you
have for coming here? You know
you can’t talk me out of my
decision
to condemn Eve. Besides, do you
really think she can spend a few
months
going around preaching sermons
and
that is somehow going to excuse all
of her crimes as Livia?
Solon
Like I said, she told me all
about
that and-
Persephone
And its all the fault of the gods. Right. I don’t
buy that in the least. But don’t
worry. You’re going to get to
know
your baby sister all to well. Let’s see
how much you come to love
her
when you’re both roasting in a
torture chamber! Cerberus, attack!
Cerberus has his courage back in full
and he jumps Solon. The tackle
sends them both flying out of the window and they go plunging down the
impossible heights, screaming as they fall. Solon and Cerberus land in the moat
surrounding the castle and begin to claw their way back up. When Solon surfaces a powerful hand
jerks him up out of the water.
Solon looks up and finds himself face to face with
Draco.
Draco
Here you are little boy. I’ve
been looking everywhere for
you.
Solon
Draco.
Draco
The one and only.
Solon
What do you want with
me?
Draco
You’re my insurance that
Marcus
keeps his end of the
bargain. Now
lets go.
Cut to:
Ext-Village
funeral.
Virgil loads Eve’s body
into a wagon. The sun is beginning
to set as he does this, and it concerns Marcus.
Marcus
Could you hurry?
Virgil
I’m doing the best I can.
It would
help if you could lend a
hand.
Marcus
I would
but…
(Marcus passes his hand
through
the
wagon)
Virgil
Yeah I know. I’m ready. Lets go.
Calantha comes rushing
down the steps of the house with Joxer’s sword.
Calantha
Here Viggie, take
this. You may need
it.
(to Marcus) I know you’re
a ghost
but try to take care of
him.
Marcus
I’ll do my best. Let’s go Viggie.
Marcus and Virgil hop into
the wagon and ride off. In the direction Marcus points him to. We see they ride all night through the
landscapes of Greece until the sun begins to rise the next day.
By morning Virgil is all
but asleep in the wagon with Marcus sitting beside him.
Marcus
Hey! Wake up. You’ve been
asleep for almost an
hour.
Virgil
Oh,
sorry.
Marcus
It sure is nice to be in
the land
of the living
again.
Virgil
Isn’t the Elysian Fields
better than
this?
Marcus
Yeah in some
respects. Not in
others. I miss Xena. Where is she
anyway?
Virgil
(Uncomfortable)
Xena’s dead. Isn’t she in
Elysium
with
you?
Marcus
No, she’s not. I haven’t
seen her.
When did she die?
Virgil
In a far off country
called Japan.
she died to save
forty-thousand
souls.
Marcus
Then she should be in
Paradise.
Instead no one has seen
her.
Virgil
Xena and Gabrielle have
taught
us there is more than one
underworld.
She died in Japan so she
must be
with their
gods.
Marcus
But she deserves to be
with the
ones she loves. What about
her son, her mother? Me for that
matter.
What
about…
Marcus’ voice trails off
as he sense danger up ahead. Before
he can react about four men come out of the trees lining the road and block
their path.
Virgil
Great.
Thugs.
The leader of the pack
rides toward them, a wicked grin revealing a mouth full of rotted, broken
teeth. Virgil reacts in disgust, as
does Marcus.
Thug#1
Morning gentlemen. Nice morning for
a ride isn’t it? What’s that in the
wagon?
Virgil
My friends body. We’re taking her
home
for burial this
evening.
Thug#1
(feigning
sympathy)
Oh. Well in that case I’ll do you a
favor:
I’ll let you pass by with
a five percent
discount. Seeing as how
you’re
grieving and
all.
Marcus
You’re all
heart.
Virgil
(under
his breath)
Don’t get me in a fight
Marcus…
Thug#1
If there’s one thing I
can’t stand,
it’s a potty mouth. Boys! Lets search
the
wagon.
Virgil
We don’t have any
money. We
just
want-
Thug#1
Shhh. Quiet now before I get
mad.
Virgil
(becoming
angry)
I don’t give a damn if you
get
mad or not. I said we don’t
have money! If I did I sure as
hell
wouldn’t give it to
you.
Thug#1
Well, in that case…finish
them
boys.
The men behind Thug#1 draw
cross bows and level them at Virgil and Marcus. Tight on Virgil’s face. Fade
Out
End of Act
Three.
********************************************
Blood Brother-Act
Four
Fade
In
Int-Persephone’s private
rooms
Persephone sits on her
throne watching Draco lead Solon through the tunnels of Tartarus.
What is Draco doing?
She continues to watch
until she sees them heading for the gate of the Elysian Fields. Once they are inside, she fades from her
chair.
Cut to:
Ext-Forest in Elysian
Fields
Persephone appears behind
Draco and Solon as they make their way through a forest in the Elysian
Fields. They soon come to Solon’s
private cave. Persephone follows
them inside and we see Solon’s shock that the room is empty, until he finds
Eve’s clothes next to the water.
She’s submersed herself in
the
Waters of Memory. She’s happy
now.
Oh, isn’t that just
wonderful?
Eve is happy now. That’s what
matters most around here
isn’t it?
What are you doing
Draco?
That’s none of your
business
now is it
Persephone?
Persephone’s jaw drops open to the floor as she stares at him in wide-eyed shock.
You would dare speak
to
me in such a tone? I guess this
means our contract is
over?
I suppose it
is.
Cerberus!
Persephone waits for her
dog to appear but nothing happens and Draco begins to laugh. She calls for him again but
nothing.
What have you done with
him?
Oh he’s fine. He’s just been…
chained in the back yard
so to speak.
that is where dogs belong
isn’t it?
You’d
know.
Draco laughs again and
snaps his fingers. When he does a
net made of Hephaestus’ metal drops from the ceiling, trapping her beneath
it.
What are you
doing?
Guaranteeing my escape
from
Tartarus. If I can’t be resurrected,
I’ll settle for taking
your husbands
place.
(he runs a finger along
her lips)
In every sense of the
word.
Persephone spits at him
and he slaps her. Now that Draco’s
attention has been pulled from Solon, Solon jerks free of his grip and dives
head first into the Waters of Memory.
Under the water, Solon sees Eve steadily sinking and he swims to get her.
Fool. Does he think he
can
escape me that
easily?
Cut to:
Solon grabs hold of Eve
and swims back up with her towards the surface. As they get closer to the surface Eve
becomes more and more aware of her surroundings. When they break the surface Eve coughs
and sputters.
What’s going
on?
Come on! Get out.
Draco grabs her and pulls
her to the surface. When she is out
of the water he takes in the sight of her body.
Ruling the underworld will
definitely
have its
advantages.
Stop leering you sick
bastard.
Solon tosses Eve her
clothes and she begins to dress.
We’re in something of a
jam. Draco
here knows about our plans
to resurrect
you.
And you want the
ambrosia
for yourself. You are every bit
the scum Gabrielle
describes
in her scrolls, you know
that?
Whatever. As long as I escape
Tartarus you can call me
whatever
you want. Now move out.
What about
me?
Oh, I haven’t forgotten
about you.
Not at all.
Draco heaves Persephone
from the floor and tosses her over his shoulder. They all exit the
cave.
Cut to:
Ext-Road-Day
Virgil and Marcus hold
their hands up while the leader of the thugs searches Virgil’s pants. His hands linger a little too long in
Virgil’s pockets for Virgil’s comfort.
If there was anything
there,
you would have found it by
now,
don’t you think?
He must have spent a lot
of time
in prison.
Ah shut up. You’re next.
The thug reaches for
Marcus pants pocket but his hands pass right through Marcus. He jumps back in
fear.
Now!
Virgil grabs the leader
and spins him around just as his men fire.
Virgil uses the leaders body as a shield and he ends up taking his men’s
arrows for Virgil. Virgil has his
sword out and is on them before they can re-load. The men drop their cross bows and attack
Virgil and Marcus. It doesn’t take
them long to realize something is not right with Virgil’s traveling
companion.
Hey! This guy isn’t real! He’s-
He’s a ghost!
That’s right. Straight from
Tartarus!
Marcus gives a ferocious
battle cry and jumps toward them and they take off for their horses,
frightened.
Let’s get back on
track.
There’s
no telling what Persephone
is
doing to them in the underworld.
Cut
To:
Int-Corridors of Hades’
Castle
Draco carries Persephone
over his shoulder while he forces Solon and Eve to walk before him. Solon takes this time to communicate
with Eve.
Marcus and I had a plan.
He’s to
feed your body the
ambrosia and
resurrect you. After that he’s
supposed to return to my
hide out
in the Elysian Fields and
we were
to eat the ambrosia
together.
Can’t we still do
that? Once
we’re
alive again we can take
Draco out.
It’s rumored the stash
isn’t a large
one. If Draco gets the
ambrosia
then one of us will have
to stay here
in the
underworld.
It’ll be me. I’ve had my
shot at life
but you didn’t. You should-
No
Evie-
Hey! Stop whispering! I want
absolute silence.
Solon casts him a bitter
look but turns without speaking.
They arrive at the Chamber and Draco pushes them inside.
Get in there! Both of you.
Once inside they find
Marcus on the pedestal. His eyes
are shut and a white light with an unidentifiable source shines down on
him.
Now we
wait.
Cut to:
Off of Marcus’ still
form
Ext-Road
I’ve been through here a
million
times and I never knew
there was
a temple to Zeus here.
It was abandoned about 25
years
ago when Hercules killed
him.
I take it We’ll be going
the rest of
the way on foot?
Yep. It’s not a good idea
to leave
her body here. Can you carry her?
it’s not that
far.
Of course I can. Let’s
go.
Virgil slings Eve over his
shoulder then follows Marcus into the trees.
Ext-Temple to
Zeus
Marcus and Virgil arrive
at the temple to Zeus. Vines and
other vegetation have over grown it to the point that all one can really see is
the entrance. Virgil, now covered
in sweat and looking worse for the wear, forces the door
open.
Not that far
huh?
The Ambrosia was hidden in
the
heart of the idol.
The room is full of leaves
and small animals. The walls are covered with faded murals of Zeus’ adventures
and various weapons sparsely adorn the walls as well. In the center is an altar and behind the
altar is a ten-foot statue of Zeus.
Virgil draws his sword and breaks into it.
Hidden in plain
sight. Always
the best place to hide
something
I suppose.
Virgil removes a small
bowl. Inside the bowl are three
slivers of Ambrosia. He takes one of the pieces and looks at
Marcus.
How are you going to hold
onto this?
Lets just see if I can
hmm?
Virgil hands Marcus the
bowl. The bowl passes through his
hands but the ambrosia stays but he begins fading away.
My mission is
complete.
Quickly!
Feed some to
Eve.
It was an honor to meet
you Marcus.
Same here. If all goes well
We’ll see one another
again soon…
Marcus fades away and
Virgil turns to Eve. He slips the
Ambrosia into her mouth and she begins to glow.
Cut to:
Off Eve’s glowing
body
Int-Chamber
The light shining on
Marcus fades away and he looks around in confusion. He also has the ambrosia in
his hands.
Draco
I’ve lived up to my end of
the deal Marcus. I kept
Persephone
from finding out about
your
mission. Now give me he
ambrosia.
Eve begins to feel the
effects of the ambrosia in her human body and she starts glowing.
Draco
Where is she
going?
Marcus
We fed the ambrosia to her
body
on
earth.
Draco
Give me the
ambrosia!
Eve
Solon, I’ll wait for you
by the
exit!
Solon
I’ll be
there.
Marcus
We both
will.
Draco
Like
hell!
Eve fades out
Cut to:
Int-Temple to
Zeus
Eve suddenly gasps and her
eyes fly open. She is unable to
move, however, because of her funeral wrappings.
Virgil
Eve! I’m so sorry I killed
you.
Eve
I know. I heard your
thoughts
while I was in the
underworld.
We’ll talk about it later. Get me out
of this. I have to Get to the entrance
to
Tartarus!
Virgil
But, you’re not wearing
anything
under
that.
Eve
Then we’ll improvise. Come
on!
Cut to:
Int-Chamber
Marcus holds out his hand
and a sword appears. He tucks the
ambrosia away in his tunic and begins to fight Draco. While he does this, Solon turns to
Persephone.
If I set you free, will
you help us
atop
Draco?
(nodding)
Yes I will. I give you my
word.
Solon rips the net off of
Persephone and stands to face Solon.
I know just what needs to
be done.
Solon unbars the door and
when Marcus sees this he flips over Draco and takes off with Solon to the
underworld’s exit.
Cut to:
Eve and Virgil ride hard
on the horses now freed from the wagon.
Eve wears enough wrap only to cover her more private areas as she pushes
her horse to the limit to make it to the Underworlds
entrance.
Time
elapse
Eve and Virgil arrive at
the lake that is the entrance to the underworld. They dismount and stand next to the
water.
Now
what?
Now we
wait.
Cut to:
Solon and Marcus make it
to the steps that lead to the lake above.
Ready?
As I’ll ever
be.
Marcus takes out the
ambrosia and Draco comes flying out of a corner, attacking, and the ambrosia
falls to the dusty floor. Solon is
about to join the fray to help Marcus when Persephone arrives with Cerberus and
more guards that block Solon from helping Marcus fight.
Not so fast
Solon.
Persephone. What are you-
Now Marcus and Draco
scream, cutting Solon off. They are
on the ground, crawling hand over hand for the Ambrosia. Marcus is just about to get his hands on
it when Cerberus, sniffs the Ambrosia and like any normal dog eats
it. Persephone laughs when the dog
returns to her side and she pets him.
Was it a tasty
snack?
(Cerberus belches and
Persephone
turns to Marcus and
Solon)
Like I said before. I know exactly
what
needs to be done. Guards! Take them.
Cut to:
Int-Torture
Chamber
Solon and Marcus stand
with their hands tied above them as a demon-like creature beats them with
whips. Persephone stands and
watches, laughing.
I hope your happy Solon,
Marcus.
You’ve traded your
eternity in the
Elysian Fields for a
stranger.
She’s worth it to
me.
She’s Xena’s child, she’s
definitely
worth it to
me.
Well, we’ll see how long
it takes
her to get herself killed
and put
right back in here with
you.
Cut to:
Ext-Lakeside
Darkness is almost upon
them and still no sign of Marcus and Solon.
Something went wrong. They
didn’t make it! I have to save
them.
Eve moves to get into the
water but Virgil stops her.
Eve
What are you doing! Let me go!
Suddenly Persephone
appears, ghost-like before them.
Unlike Hades I can no
longer
appear on Earth in the
flesh. At
least not while I rule the
underworld.
Where is my
brother?
I managed to stop his
escape
attempt. Marcus, Solon and
Draco
will spend eternity in
Tartarus. One day
you will die Eve, and I
will have
my revenge. For now, live with the
knowledge your precious
brother and your Mother’s
boy toy
will suffer for eternity.
All because of you.
Persephone fades away,
laughing almost hysterically. Once
again Eve moves for the water.
Eve
I have to save
them!
You can’t save them
Eve.
I have to
try!
Why? So you can get taken
by Persephone
and make everything Marcus
and your brother
did to save you in
vain?
But he never got to know
life Virgil
I did. I can’t let him-
(Holding her close as she
weeps)
I know Eve, better than you think.
but you can’t betray what
they’ve
sacrificed. Perhaps one
day you
can do something about it,
but for now…
(Close up on her
tear-stained face)
I will never forgive
myself for this.
Never.
The
End
Copywrite Caina Q. Fuller
2001.