Int. small cave in the burn -- indeterminate time
Riso's eyes awaken to him on a small cot in a cave with small illumination by strange lights along the walls. He leaps up.
RISO
TOh!!! SUKI!!!!!!! Where are you?!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!! (Looks around)Where am I ?!!!
Riso screams this as he is woozy, rolling all over the place, ending up on his ass on the cave floor. He puts a hand to his head and his hand comes down with blood. He feels a bandage on his head which is seeping blood. He stands up and stumbles around. He rolls right in front of a mirror and is shocked at first with the heavy shadows and steps back, his eyes flaring yellow and claws lengthening. He moves towards it, claw raised, but then realizes it's him. He gazes at himself and touches the bandage which has blood seeping through and winces when he touches it. He turns to see a tunnel leading off this small cave. He moves down the small tight tunnel, ready, stealthy as if hunting the desert.
Int. Large cavern in the burn -- indeterminate
Riso comes out into a large cavern with strange lighting all along the wall, in the back part, all sorts of machinery with a strange mutant in a lab coat over one of the machines, arms so long they scrape the ground and a bestial face with a large scar running the length of his head, and old burns, across his face. In the far corner of the room in what seems to be a combat training area is a twelve year old Hawk in dark leathers, cybernetics lining the side of her face, moving like lighting against a combat post with her hands and feet striking in so many combinations and styles Riso had trouble following it. He is so lost in watching her move and the beauty of it that he fails to see that the strange mutant had moved within striking distance.
SAVARU ASUL
Ahh my young man is up and about.
Riso steps back quickly, dropping in a defensive stance but then falls woozy to the ground, holding his head, blood leaking down his face. Savaru Asul steps up to him, leaning down, and cradling him, The Hawk moves over to stand near them, concern on her sweat beaded face.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Ahh the lad's wound has reopened. Mi lady, will you go fetch my med kit for me please.
Riso attempts to stand up and immediately everything goes black and falls. His eyes open for a moment and see a blurry Hawk and old mutant above him.
The hAWK
This is the key to the war?
NOSTRADOMUS
He will be.
Riso's consciousness fades.
Int. Small cave in the burn -- time indeterminate
Riso woke to being again in the small cave but this time, the strange mutant stood above him, looking down. Up close Riso could see the bestial face, the old burns and the scar that ran the length of his skull. His smile was feral and somewhat intimidating but Riso could see the age.
SAVARU ASUL
Take it easy this go around lad. You have a long time to find your way. Many moons will pass before you again walk the sands of the Waste.
Riso's eyes start burning yellow, his anger rising, but his head pain causes him to lose it.
Riso
Are ya sayin' I'm ya prisoner?!
The old mutant looks at him with sad eyes.
SAVARU ASUL
You are far from understanding the whirl of fate that climbs along your flesh but that will change, it will have to. And before we go further let us introduce ourselves shall we. My name is Savaru Asul.
RISO
That a strange name for a mutant. Is that city name?
The old mutant smiles.
SAVARU ASUL
It is of the ancient world, a mad man, a prophet, a wise man, a thin line between all three depending on the throne one sits I would say. It is my true name. What is your true name mi lad?
RISO
Riso.
SAVARU ASUL
Hmm, not your true name but that will come as your eyes see the truth of the weave. Riso will do for now.
Riso looks on him in confusion. Nostradomus reaches for a water skin on a small table next to Riso and helps Riso sit up and drink. He puts the flask down. Riso falls back, his energy drained.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Your spirit and body need more rest upon their frame Riso. Soon though you will be strong enough for the answers that match the hunger I see in your eyes. Until then sleep, and dream sweet dreams for the world shall soon make such a far away exhale.
Int. smaLL CAVE IN THE BURN -- TIME INDETERMINATE
The words "One Week Later" across screen. This time Riso wakes up to The Hawk, standing over him, staring. He starts up. She takes one step back.
The HAWK
The old man says you've healed. Get up.
She looks at him as if he doesn't understand. She looks at him and then starts to walk away.
The haWK (CONT'D)
Follow.
Riso gets up, realizing he's naked under the sheets, he grabs the sheets to cover himself. The Hawk turns back and smiles, the first smile he had ever seen from her.
THE HAWK (CONT'D)
Your clothes are on the other side of the bed. The old man got rid of the soiled rags you once wore and left you something more appropriate. Meet me in the main cavern and hurry up, little wolf.
Riso stands shocked that she knows that name. She had already disappeared into the tunnel. He goes to grab his clothes.
Int. CaVERN IN THE BURN -- INDETERMINATE TIME
Riso walks in, still adjusting his clothes, which are some tight fitting black leathers they had left for him. Hawk is waiting for him in the training area he had seen her in earlier. He starts moving towards her and when he stood within twenty feet of her, he stopped.
Riso
How ya know that name? Little wolf?
She smiles at him again.
The hawk
Your, hmm, friends I believe is the word, at the village, told me. The one with the wings is very fond of you, both as far as I can judge such things.
Riso loses his calm resolve and his excitement is palpable as he steps towards The Hawk which causes her to tense.
RISO
Ma friends?! Ah they ok? They alive?! Where ah they?!
The Hawk attempts to relax but is only partially successful.
THE HAWK
I left your friends alive and breathing, and you blather almost as much as the winged one does, such a waste of breath. My forces were able to push back my brother's soldiers long enough for the remnants of mutants to retreat but for how long I do not know. I did not have enough strength to defeat them, and that was but a small portion of my brother's army. He is enslaving mutants at an unprecedented rate for the pits and to keep his war machine running effortlessly. So in answer, your friends are alive as far as I know but unlikely free for much longer which is why I must do what I must do now with you and get back to marshalling the remaining forces of the conquered cities as they happen.
Riso attempts to absorb all the information and understand it.
RISO
Did ya say ya brother? And slaves? That be the tribes in the Wastes not the mutants near the Burn. City armies never go slaving so far out. And my friends breathin' but gonna be slaves. I nee' get out ah here. They gonna nee' me. And what da ya mean, do with me?
The Hawk moves like lightning and before Riso knows it he is ten feet back from where he was, on the ground, nursing his chest. She was already above him.
THE HAWK
We do not have time for your childish prattle! My brother has already enslaved or killed all the human tribes of the Waste and still needs more slaves, the mutants, the next on the list besides the few rebellious souls still living in the cities he conquers. And get out of your mind that you are going anywhere! You are not leaving this place until the old man teaches you how to use this power he says you possess and you learn how to fight. You are useless to your friends and to me as you are. You will be carved into something slightly less useless before you step from these caves. And do not think to escape. We are in the middle of the Burn and you would die within a few heartbeats of it's breath.
Riso had been pushed around enough. He leaped to his feet eyes yellow flames of the sun, claws extending. The Hawk flurried back into a fighting stance.
RISO
Ya think I believe ya! The Burn! Hah! Nothing lives in the Burn! And I tired of all pushin' me around and hittin' me!
The Hawk smiles.
THE HAWK
Show me.
Riso loses it and charges The Hawk like lightning. She moves at last second taking his leading wrist and spinning him off the ground and throwing him right back to where he started, this time, face first into the ground. He leaps back up and stalks her this time, closing the distance in measured strides, then, when within a few feet, charges her, swiping with his claws, which she dodges with minimal effort, then leaps, rolling a hand stand off his shoulders, landing behind him, still holding onto his shoulders, then tossing him over her, landing on his back.
The HAWK (CONT'D)
Oh yes. You are a terror! (She rolls a disgusted look) You are nothing! My brother would tear you apart with little effort and all you hold dear would be ashes spilling from your rotting corpse. And your friends, the people you say you care for, nothing but a lifetime of slave labor or if they were very fortunate, an early death.
Riso
No!!!!!
His eyes flare even a deeper yellow and he sees her movements before she makes them. He charges her and this time she dodges the first two, her speed even greater then him seeing what she does, but then when she goes to strike open palm to his face, he ducks, then leaps forward tackling her by the knees, rolling over her back up to his feet, then leaps back at her, which she dodges again by sheer speed, but when she leaps to her own attack he sees it and rolls to the side of her striking arm and claws her back, ripping tears into her leather and flesh. Riso growls and roars his success. He looks at her his eyes flaring again.
RiSO (CONT'D)
I already see what ya do.
She smiles, impressed.
The hawk
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Let's see if that is enough.
With that she moves, a blur of palm strikes, and even though he knows, has seen them coming, and dodges or blocks most of them, he is still back pedaling and she is moving so quick he can't keep up and finally she hits him once, making him slide back several feet, then she is there again, him blocking the first swing but then her hitting him twice in the chest followed by a spinning bicycle kick landing on his jaw, sending him up in the air, then her finishing the kick, landing back on her feet and leaping up above him all in the blink of an eye and stroking him in the chest, sending him slamming back to the ground. He is fading black, seeing her face, then black, then her face, then black. Then his eyes open and it is Savaru Asul above him, wiping his face with wet cloth. Hawk stands slightly behind him.
The hAWK (CONT'D)
He might not be as useless as he seems but he has a long way to go. Tell him I look forward to our next meeting in a dream far from here. I hope he is everything you and I and the world need him to be.
He goes black.
Int. SmALL CAVE IN THE BURN -- TIME INDETERMINATE
Savaru walks into the small cave to check on Riso and see's he is up, pulling his leather jerkin over his head, his chest covered in bruises, and wincing as he does so. When his head pops through he sees the old mutant looking at him with a smile on his bestial face.
SAVARU ASUL
Yes, our little Hawk hits hard she does and you have spent far too much time to my way of thinking watching shadows play on the backside of your eyelids .
Riso grimaces.
Riso
She does, and she was right ta do. I na ready to fight those demons. but ma friends out there alone. I don't know wha' to do?
Savaru smiles an understanding smile and puts his arm around the young mutant.
SAVARU ASUL
Remember, time is not immutable. Your gift is a great asset but can be changed as Hawk showed you. Enough speed or will can change what you have envisioned.
The old mutant stands.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Let me show you something mi lad, just might open your eyes to the wider world and your place in it.
Riso trepedatiously follows the older mutant through the lab into another tunnel.
Ext. Large cavern leading back into a myriad of tunnels -- time indeterminate
Riso follows the older mutant's back into a massive cavern which is centered by a large pool of milky white slightly glowing liquid. Riso's eyes roll back in wonder and shock.
Riso
Wha' is it? (Whisper)
SAVARU ASUL
It is the salvation of our world. It is the key to freedom, mutant and human alike. I call it ambrosia, a term from the Old World, the Nectar of the Gods.
RISO
I no understand.
Savaru takes a seat on a rock. He gestures Riso to do so across from him.
SAVARU ASUL
And that is the crux is it not. I have attempted to analyze the Ambrosia, though that word right now is probably elusive to you, and have been unable to, it's properties never existing before now. But I believe for you to grasp any kind of truth or understanding then a story I need to tall. SO listen my young friend for it is a story I have never let slip past my lips, not even to our little Hawk.
Riso looks rapt and sits upon the rock opposite the old mutant. (Shoot visuals for this story)
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Many many years ago, a young mutant who thought he knew much more then he did, (Eyes Riso) left his tribe of the Burn and traveled to the Waste to see more of the world we were born to, ignoring all the warnings of his Elder, family and friends. And for his lack of wisdom, two days into the desert of the Waste he was taken by city soldiers, slavery, the prize given for ignoring words from the deep heart of those that cared.
Riso inches up on his toes.
Riso
So what happen next?
The old man smiles.
SAVARU ASUL
Enough mi lad. Now where was I? Ahh yes, a slave was to be his course, at least for a time. When he arrived in the fabled city of Trielles, the second largest and most powerful city of the Nine next to only Barrakus, the Mountain fortress, he was in awe, even in chains, it was the most wondrous thing he had ever seen. And on his first day, surrounded by thousand of people, free and those wearing manacles, all together within the confining walls of civilization, in the most wondrous dream he had ever visualized, he was whipped to a breath from death for helping an old lady, who had fallen, who happened to be the wife of one of the ruling council of 7, lords of the city. One kind act, the hands of a dirty mutant slave touching the royalty of humanity, and his life had been forfeit. If not for the momentary compassion of one human, the mutant child would of been dead on the streets. But he did not, and he had dreamt this, dreamt it all long ago and realized in hindsight the truth of that statement, and soon he would understand that he had a gift, an ability to see beyond the realms of time, see what was to come many moons before it found itself in the concrete of today, a gift and, a curse. So when the young man, some believed the smartest man in the Waste, even at such youth, already the head scientist of...
RISO
Uhmm, what's a scientist and do ya mean, ya can see the future, like me?
The old man looks bothered by another interruption.
SAVARU ASUL
I will never finish this story if you keep interrupting me lad. In answer to your questions, a scientist is a very intelligent man who creates the fire weapons of the city soldiers among many other interesting and useful items, like say, how to efficiently power the city, grow food, transport supplies but as in most mutants, I would say the fire weapons would be what you would comprehend and in answer to the second question, no. You seem to be able to perceive the sifting of time's sand in the next few moments where as I see it many years from now. But enough, do not ask any more questions. Let me finish what I have to tell before I die here upon this rock with noone the wiser.
He stares at Riso until Riso wilts under the admonishment.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Ok now back to the yesterdays long gone. Hmm, let me find the thread once more, oh yes, here it is. The boy had been whipped for a good deed, death upon his door but had been saved by the greatest scientist the world had ever known. He not only stepped in and with his golden tongue, and his importance to the city's dreams of conquest, gathered the young mutant's life but also in that one act changed it and the history of this world forever. He took the young mutant in, taught him to read and write and as the years passed made him his assistant in the most critical endeavor ever to show it's carnal reality upon the bones of the Waste. (Eyes Riso to make sure he is not going to interrupt and listen and sees RIso's captivation.) The Ruling 7 of the Great City of Trielles asked him to create something that would win them the Entire Waste, to rule all that existed upon their world. He did not fail them. He spent three years with the help of another promising scientist and his young mutant assistant and as that time dwindled to zero he had designed what would be the weapon the Council had requested. He had created life itself, two genetically engineered human infants, genetic perfection, but was he satisfied, no. He then spent the last resources of the city to cybernetically enhance the two, to program them to all the skills and the knowledge they would need, but still it was not enough. He wanted them to each to have something far beyond mortal ken. And this dream the young mutant had seen many years before, in the first days of meeting his benefactor, yet had never turned away, for he knew where the choice led. He had shared his secret with the great scientist about his gift long ago for the kindness he had been shown. He went willingly with the guards the scientist brought with him which surprised the great man for a moment. He put the young mutant man upon a table and cut into his head and mind to steal the gift of prophecy for the son he created. He had expected the young mutant to die in the procedure but such was not fate's diadem. And when the brilliant future of the great city of Trielles saw that his young mutant assistant had survived he had done something no citizen had ever done. He gave him his freedom. And the mutant left when the moon was cloud covered and the night fell darkly across the sky. The young mutant had dreamt all of it long ago and knew where his path led him. He tracked across the sands of the Waste for days finishing the meagre supplies his old master had gifted long before he got where he had to go. He would never have made it if he not foreseen where a traveling human trader of the Wastes would be. After trading some tech his old master had bequeathed him for more food and water he kept on his predestined journey, his head bloody, his mind whirling and dizzy and it was in that state he moved into the Burn. He had smartly incased all the tech he had, gifts and stolen upon his back in titanium casing with a lead underlining, heavy, but keeping it safe under the radiation of the Burn. The same could not be said of his flesh and if he had not foreseen the exact place he wished to travel he would never of made it. Even still, his flesh roasted and burned upon his bones, his breath raspy from the blood bubbling from his lungs and if not for the natural resistance a mutant held against it's pull the radiation would of claimed his life. But after a day and a half of walking the precipice of death he entered the safe zone of the Caverns of Fate, the dream he had dreamed so long a reality he could touch and feel. He entered the promise of futures, the song of a world healing and he found home never tasted so sweet.
The old mutant looked upon Riso who was still rapt but then Riso noticed the story was done.
RISO
That was ya? Ya was the mutant in the story? And Hawk and this Raven, they the two things the fire weapon maker create?
The old man smiles.
SAVARU ASUL
Very astute my young friend. I look a lot older then I am. The Burn takes years upon it's touch.
Riso looks confused.
RISO
But how I get here? I no burned and no was the Hawk.
The old man looks mischievous.
SAVARU ASUL
Ahh, now we get to the meat on the bone. It is the Ambrosia. I created an inoculation from it that will protect anyone injected with it for a few days from the killing breath of the Burn. Though eventually it's effect becomes lessened with each use until it has no effect at all. Hence while I will never leave this place again unless it is to meet the end of my road and our little Hawk will never come back to this place unless what I see comes to pass and the world is delivered of it's burden.
Riso still looks confused.
RISO
What ya sayin? That some day there be no Burn?
The old man smiles.
SAVARU ASUL
I said earlier I could not tell you what Ambrosia really is but I do have a theory. I believe it is the world's way of healing itself of this poison that cloaks it's flesh. And I believe that the Waste is free of the Burn because it sits above a vast reservoir of Ambrosia in which what we see here is just a tributary of. And this is the dream I dreamed so long ago, why I allowed Dr. Shivar to take from me that which was given at birth for it all led to the possibility of this path. If the Waste could become one voice, one people then we could focus all our great minds and courage upon the mystery that is Ambrosia and use it to heal our world, to take back that which was taken from us.
Riso's eyes brighten.
RISO
Could it happen? Could we get rid of the Burn? Could we, the Mutants be free? Be a part of the humans?
The old man frowns and looks serious.
SAVARU ASUL
What I have seen is confusing, a myriad of paths must converge for all you just asked to be a dream made real. But it will not happen if it be Lord Raven who controls the Waste. His madness will devour all and make a living corpse of this world and it's people. His ego is the lever we can use against him. One can not put self upon visions of the future for their clarity of sight will be impeded. You are the key my friend, this I have seen. For victory or devastation lie within the steps you take. And we must be ready for what is to come.
Riso stands up, walking towards the old man, then kneeling in front of him.
RISO
How can I, one mutant, be so important to all ya say? But if it is so I would give ma life to save my people.
The old man smiles and puts his hands upon Riso's small shoulders.
SAVARU ASUL
Glad it is I hear those words upon your tongue. One man be it human or mutant has always had the steps of giants in the history of this world, even the Lord Raven and our little Hawk understand this.
The old man steps up and around Riso.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
Follow me my lad.
He disappears down a tunnel. Riso takes one last long look upon the churning milky liquid that could be the salvation of the world. He follows.
INT. small alcove within the great caverns of fate -- time indeterminate
The old man leads Riso into an alcove he had not seen before, full of metal machines he had never seen the likes of in his entire life. They filled the area surrounding what looked like a long metal bed with some kind of cover. The old man leads him close to the bed.
SAVARU ASUL
You said you would give your life to save your people. This is what it will take to step towards the dream I have spoken of.
Riso
I no understand?
The old man puts a hand on Riso's shoulder.
SAVARU ASUL
Nor do I expect you to. Much has found your mind in these last days and much more will thread itself before the story truly start's it's tenure. For you to be what you must be you must be remade. You must be as smart and as knowledgable as the demon you must face. And with the help of our little Hawk and my own set of small skills you have been given the possibility to do exactly that.
Riso steps up and puts an exploring hand upon the metal bed then looks back at the older mutant.
RISO
And this, is what will make me new?
SAVARU ASUL
Yes, that, and the ones surrounding it. I will need to insert a nano tech chip within your mind to be able to absorb the knowledge you must intake before you can meet the fate drawn for you but it is a minor procedure. (Riso, a feared look.) DO not worry mi lad. You will be fine but the process will take longer then your mind could imagine. If you agree to this, you will be wi, though to you it will seem as if you just closed your eyes.
Riso's eyes shoot open in alarm.
RISO
Ten years. Ma friends could all be dead in ten years, tha Raven ruling the world, all ya dreams gone. No, no, I can't, can't, ten years.
The old man walks to him and looks into his eyes, a hand on his arm.
SAVARU ASUL
Have faith in your friends and in our little Hawk. She will keep her brother from claiming all but if you do not choose to take on this weight, your friends and her chances and those of the world we know will be very slim indeed.
Riso looks into his eyes, weighing all that had been shoved upon his shoulders then grits his teeth and nods.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
I knew the strength I saw was as real as the whips I once felt upon my flesh and the world sighs with your choice. Climb into your new home mi lad.
Riso takes a big breath and climbs up into the bed. The old man starts hooking things up to Riso, shoving needles into his flesh, then starts putting something to his mouth but hesitates looking into Riso's eyes.
SAVARU ASUL (CONT'D)
What is your name?
Riso blinks then stares into the roof of the cave. (Possible flashbacks to him battling the soldiers earlier and other scenes of him going feral.)
Riso
The Wolf.
The old man smiles broadly.
SAVARU ASUL
Yes, a name as true as true gets. I will see you my courageous Wolf in the long night.
He puts the mask over the Wolf's face and he starts drifting into sleep. Blinking drowsily, looking upon the older mutant, who had suffered so much for this world. It gets blurrier and blurrier till darkness takes over everything.