80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW4loNWtDtMETRO'S CHAMBER — MORNING —
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsK7al34tq
Morning light spills across the chamber floor, soft and pale.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWcc3ma3Wt
Metro stands at the window, watching men load glowing bundles into red and gold carriage wagons.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXG5iaOYw9
Sally grazes in the field below, calm, as if last night never happened.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdEufDmIOv
The door creaks.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKRS1mEMb2
Lutheran steps in without knocking, boots muddy, hair still slightly damp.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmDJDFRpvz
He clears his throat.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkACtLs63e
Lutheran:
"Erm… Metro, your door was open so —"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk555AyY6T
He closes it behind him, respectful.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4PxgRiI70
Metro doesn't turn — just keeps watching the field.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XRMr9EPZZ
Lutheran steps closer, voice low.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssWU7l03FN
"You remember last night?"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYzs4E1Lga
Metro grows stiff.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04AQlRl6bX
"The fire…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM65DnrbMl
"The forest…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5CXnu9uyN
"the way you moved out there."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNpRCYPDBM
He shakes his head, almost laughing at the memory.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAx9kAFf7lD
Lutheran:
"Never seen anything like it, lad.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevnT41rpqh
Not in all my years."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1r4Lwqdd1
He waits for Metro to speak —but Metro stays quiet, eyes on the horizon, the weight of his memories pressing, The White Flame clinging inside of him.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rT9jKKfQG
Luther exhales.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDnt7lyfHO
Lutheran: (softer now)
"Just wanted to make sure you remember it…
and that you're still yourself this morning…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB5gZCy5ru
He stands beside Metro, both men staring out into the field, the castle walking beneath them.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HuFBjhpx1
Metro turns to Luther and gently smiles.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ie7jx5vWu
Metro:
"Thanks,
I heard you were amazing out there."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuvfClX13N
Lutheran huffs a laugh, rubbing the back of his neck.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWBXfI2B8N
Luther:
"Aye… I shot the sticks and didn't die, but you had the blue prints, (beat) your plan worked."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OFW24BdbM
He steps beside Metro at the window, both men looking down at the courtyard.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFYhTMQtA4
Lutheran watches the chaos below.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU9tfVBjEs
Lutheran:
"You see all that? The whole castle's been moving since dawn."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao2GedXiq0
Soldiers jog outside, loading crates, and checking wheels on carriages.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZSAO6cKE0
He pauses, glancing at Metro.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1hP6z1o0g
"The whole kingdom might awaken because of last night."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD5fj8YhH3
"They're all looking at you…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLh8Lhisj7
(A beat)
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxacmLIbrI
"Whether you like it or not…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspSMQ2aQDx
Lutheran continues to watch the wagons.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbnRVQACVt
"You've changed something out there. Everyone feels it."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjTIDi0CKs
He looks at Metro… really looking at him.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEYysqYw7z
Lutheran:
"Just wanted you to know what you're walking into…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ld12RJj3E
Metro grows silent.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZaChPokQ2
His eyes drop to the stone floor, then lift again, to the courtyard.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwcqGcKZMb
Men shouting.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQAu3WHUM1
Carriages creaking.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pe0iJ9VCT
Bundles of leaf stacked in treasured heaps.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO6K06OySf
Sally, swishing her tail in the sunlight.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpbAMXFXws
But something doesn't feel right.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy6jfOG9s8
Something tightens Metro's chest — a dread he can't name. Lutheran turns his head towards Metro, body still facing outside.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBs8tU7eJw
"The men downstairs…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN6cPkdrpT
they're talkin'…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAwxoikbAi
Metro's eyes shift —
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXymrsckmYy
Lutheran:
"Sayin' you can walk through fire. That the forest bends for you. That the white flame isn't magic, but something older."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2YlUgkxH5
He glances at Metro's hands — steady, but tense.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yEgXRld56
"Some of the men are scared of you.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuroeej8Kv
Some of them are proud."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMorvOnIYl
He smiles, looking out at the glow leaf.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGKfL18hhO
Lutheran:
"But the truth is…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3IZKn1i1u
they're building stories about you."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKj3myB0b2
Metro responds a little too quickly.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb64RHwoOE
Metro:
"I don't care what they're saying about me."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHTjXGhkyC
Lutheran studies him, not convinced, but doesn't push it.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnAAgBHn2C
Lutheran:
"Maybe you don't."
But the rest of em do…
… that's the trouble.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6BsSdZFFp
Metro doesn't answer. He's searching inwardly trying to interpret the notions of his heart.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgxA4vqpef
Lutheran exhales.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w09VZR3gV
Lutheran: (softer tone)
"Rose and Lilly left earlier, around sunrise."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jLceK1Esu
That gets Metro's attention — movements in his eyes, his chin tilts towards Lutheran.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIHzO4iFvi
Lutheran:
"Said they were going to find Curtis, didn't want to wake you."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWL10UwfAI
He pauses.
"They took the east road, looked determined, if you want, I can send a few men after em'
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I69IlPiAY
… Just to keep eyes on the road."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMJuv4v7Rj
Metro exhales, the tension in his shoulders loosening a little.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoNLZc8rUu
He faces Luther.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnFqMDg7Hd
Metro: (eyes softened)
"Yes. That would be great. Please."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPubQgIfZkl
Lutheran nods once.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPENgtchZ
Lutheran:
"I'll send two of my best. Quiet lads…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua9eUYSpac
They'll keep their distance, and eyes on the road. I'll see you downstairs."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw8FH3m6Im
The door opens before Metro can take another breath. Ana slips inside — her frame moving faster than she should, cane tapping sharply against the stone.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbNKPaqp4Y
Metro turns, startled, then smiles, meeting her halfway. She throws herself at him, clinging tight.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUFrsP6w68
Ana:
"Oh…"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhpj9pALeF
She pulls back just enough to grab his face in both hands, turning his head left, right, up, down — Metro letting her do it, submitting like a child being checked by a mother.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzFYzI8y73
Her eyes search him desperately.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2zSmpU2O3
Ana:
"I heard what happened…terrible things…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnBSUbdcJL
Are you alright?
Are you hurt?
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wSnrgpkPq
Answer me, Metro!"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRD3Ed78A3
Her voice cracks — pleading, trembling —her hands still locked on his cheeks, forcing his gaze to hers.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisesfkC1jt
Metro gently takes her wrist, lowering her hands, holding them there.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx24pfrRFX
Metro:
"I'm fine, Ani."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVM7ZdM74NB
Ana breaks.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlae98PqIhS
She cries into his chest, wrapping her thin arms around him with surprising strength.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA7zA4meTK
Metro looks down at her — and something in him softens, warms, heals. Her tears feel like medicine. His mood lifts without permission.
He slowly eases her back, still holding her elbows, still close.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz0zVKoy2x
Metro: (teary-eyed)
"I'll tell you all about it…anything you want to know."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgr12JSEtJ
They sit together on the edge of the bed, talking quietly — everything they've been through,
everything that led to last night. Ana listens with her whole everything, nodding, wiping her eyes, smiling, touching his arm whenever his voice falters.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ2K6VONsH
Then —she reaches into her purse —the old leather one she's carried since he was a boy
— and pulls out a thick, long rolled scroll tied with faded black ribbons.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsI94rNBGR
She places it into his hands.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zL75VgeYj
Ana:
"With all that's happening…
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Nk1ibItZ
"I felt prompted to give you this. It contains the genealogy of our fathers, wars, history, all of the prophecies.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxeemE4vwQ
"Its our key."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasgOeL5Chd
She presses it into his palms.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuU5jie7NZ
"Read it."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLqwEayjRY
"And read it often."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1xMdzaUG1
She stares deeply into Metro's eyes.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXm3ZfmnKiC
Metro sits at his desk, unrolling the scroll with reverence. The ink glows faintly in the morning light. Ana steps behind him, smoothing his hair with her hands.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskghMzr19Z
Ana:
"I'll start getting something ready for us to eat."
"I'll be back."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0WbSr6dOu
She turns to leave, then stops —
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0OFT8w4Od
BAM.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdAIDbHmuJ
The chamber door SLAMS open so hard Ana jump back.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhIBCXGCi2
Blake burst in — suitcase dangling from one hand, vials, coins and trinkets flying everywhere as it swings wildly. Half the contents spill across the floor in a glittering mess.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJooyqaK2Zf
Ana stands in the doorway, cane in hand, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JBBWlvWup
.Blake: “METRO!”
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7285d4Zmv2
He crashes into him, spinning with him like a kid greeting an older brother after war.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTi939Skbq
Metro laughs—really laughs—hands on his knees.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHRGK2mtJT
Blake finally settles down.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1MxpgTR0S
Blake: (exasperated)
"Dude! I told myself you were dead!"
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7kPAB5YvW
Metro shakes his head still smiling.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbF6H553Sk
Blake smacks his shoulder—too hard, too excited
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Gw02beC7
Blake: (Holds hand on shoulder)
"I'm glad you made it out brother, I wouldn't be able to carry on without ya..."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtrJyAb0jd
Metro places his left hand gently over the top of Blake's wrist—grounding him, absorbing every ounce of that chaotic love.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKAnWIfRI2
Metro:
"Well... I gotta keep on living so we can fulfill
our destiny."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2k6Y9tbAw
They stare at each other for a beat—that ridiculous, unspoken bromance moment—then instinctively clap hands, pulling into a half hug, releasing, and separating.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbObAx7rlTq
Blake:
"Your gonna have to tell me all the juicy details.
I'll probably have a heart attack listening though."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9jJjlR7LT
Metro laughs again—softer this time.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQxquGryva
Ana watches them with warm, motherly pride.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbtbK7fWyI
Then—The door opens again.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr88WXsAnAu
A massive shadow outside fills the doorway.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBiSkIUQMe
The Giant Kings guard steps inside, armor gleaming.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexntiHNhZq
Kings Guard: (Voice deep, formal)
"Metro, son of none. Lord Theron commands your arrival at his lodge. You will leave with the carriage shortly after harvest is loaded.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLH2pwoBfW
(Silence fills the air)
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKZqBSDLfO
Metro looks at Ama.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh3jDMTGZE
Ama looks at Blake.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj0N41KH4f
Blake looks at Metro.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9cwamWbl5
The joy draws into tension—the kind that settles.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRL3Y2xeHk
—THERON'S LODGE - TRAVEN'S OFFICE—
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Lf0zGZCB
The lodges hallway is long and dim, morning light barely touching the stone.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JllvdhEts
Traeven walks alone.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQdCibFnmx
His footsteps echo—slow, deliberate—the sound is overshadowed by his thoughts.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr34cUCViQ
He's contemplating.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPBgavSvRK
Brainstorming.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqspGoP5y
His mind turns like locked iron wheels in and out of each other. Metal smoothly grinding within itself, he relives the events of the past.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm7lvzrZXe
The queen's trembling voice.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01hZb5p1nE
The Kings fevered declaration.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9drUEVHkE
The archers testimony.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczKSevlpVO
Metro's name whispered like scripture.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8YM8a3jJz
Every step a calculation.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaYgxwLul9
Servants flatten against the walls as he passes, eyes lowered. They feel something moving around him—not anger, not grief...
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ckGlVy5E
Something colder.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs0sdj1JCm
Traeven reaches his office door. The wood carved with symbols, that shift in low light.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDUjjDngz3
He pushes it open.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUAqvV28k7
The room is dark.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRLCpaspv9
No audio. Just whispers from a candle.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32YueLjytn
A single lantern burns lowly at his desk, its
flame barely alive. Shadows cling to the dark walls, stretching over shelves of leather bound books.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFHAYLotd0
Behind his desk rises a towering library—scrolls, relics, papers, texts—a cathedral of knowledge.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ci4hFsQlI
Traeven steps inside lighting a candle with
one that hes taken from his entrance door.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeJgJZD3UM
On the center of his desk lies a sealed note.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpI7gAuZ9j
Black wax.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rSr6Ue2PQ
The morgue's crest.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUJqfaV5zl
He stops.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg3Kx73CUe
He breaks the seal with one gloved thumb.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnvnkzJwoW
—a soft crack that repels the walls way too loudly in the still room.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVigYubhZZ
He unfolds the letter.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIaMs9u9NT
His eyes move across the page.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxERD5sLfp
"Mathias Hernandez.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc3lF6qynE
Fallen in Battle.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5v7X73nsG
Body Recovered.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh59B8x34kR
Name to be carved at the monumental stone
In honorary remembrance."
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq384WZUu2
The lantern flickers.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hDePDT7sF
Traevens face does not change—it empties.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNsjOudzgY
Whatever warmth remained in him drains out quickly.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu8z7pumIF
He folds the letter with perfect precision.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnekSzt5cgW
Sets it down.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaU8bjJii4
Then he sits in his chair, back straight, legs crossed, fingers laced, hands and body still.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6e6J5tdyz
No grief.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVNFiyTqnQ
No shock.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvApHvDgiRL
Traevens cold stare intensifies—an icy, sharper, cutting gaze.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcprULS1mEy
Hardening.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlPjEWltxt
A man who has just lost his brother and found a reason to become something far more dangerous.
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDTIGxveQG
—He sits in silence—
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyKypzy3mZ
—Expressionless—
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0khxEFgeW0
—Eyes darkened—
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSObSFlCD6G
—Scene fades black—
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLUnXvxVKj
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0bYSjt6wa
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYCr22DJ4g
80Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoltkOG0zdX
and then Add to home screen.