Tin Man By Spencer Alexander

Inspired by the characters created by L. Frank Baum and the song "Tin Man" by Future Islands

Advanced Production Workshop George Fox University

(541) 231-8919 salexander@georgefox.edu

FADE IN: EXT. DEEP WOODS -- DAY The gnarled roots and stalwart trunks of the Deep Woods stretch into thickening darkness. Patches of light leak through the upper levels to the mottled ground. The lay of the forest is at peace. Ferns sway calmly with the breath of the Woods. Suddenly, FEET DASH BY, kicking the ferns into a frenzy. The feet, attached to nimble legs wrapped in burlap, leap over a small swathe of green ferns. They seem to dance effortlessly through the air. The legs, attached to a small scrawny FIGURE, dash effortlessly through the clutching tangles of the forest. Branches and mossy trunks whip by in a rush. The FIGURE leaps over a fallen log, lost in shadow, his burlap coverings flying about his slight frame. In his wake, NILO, a small sprite, peeks behind a large trunk, her small wings disappearing into the round ball of amber light that is her body. She flits gamely after the figure, joining his joyful run. The figure comes to a stop behind a low-hanging branch. A hand reaches out and pushes the branch aside. Sunlight flashes down, illuminating the face of the SCARECROW, a tiny, impish figure with quick hands and a childish spirit. A large gleeful grin splits his burlap face. SCARECROW resumes his aimless dash through the woods, his feet dancing deftly along the ground. EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY A thick pile of wood sits beneath the trees. A large leather-and-metal bound HAND grabs a chunk of wood off the pile. An axe sits up against the wall of the HUT. The hand lifts the axe, ready for its work. The hand places the wood-chunk upon the chopping block. The axe drifts back, coming to its apex, then rushing down. The wood splits with a satisfying CRACK. The axe comes to rest upon the block, and so does the WOODSMAN who wields it.

2.

A tall and powerfully built being, the WOODSMAN is adorned with leather and metal armor. His helmeted head, though dead of emotion, has a homely and compassionate texture. EXT. WOODSMANS HUT CLEARING -- DAY SCARECROW and NILO stop at the perimeter, just out of the WOODSMANS sight. NILO emits a series of bright hums. SCARECROW turns and shushes her. SCARECROW [Noli! Shush!] As stealthily as he can, SCARECROW begins to sneak around the perimeter of the hut. EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY The WOODSMAN splits another log, the sound echoing crisply in the morning air. SCARECROW and NILO peek around the corner of the hut, watching the WOODSMANS back as he prepares another log. The sneaky pair carefully begin to sneak around the edge of the hut towards the door. A large sign, a crossed sickle and axe over a round shield, adorns the boards. The WOODSMAN pauses before his swing. Without turning, he speaks, his voice steeped in antiquity and the warm metallic hum of an archaic language. WOODSMAN [Thy breathing betrays thee. Thou art late.] SCARECROW, letting out a sigh of exasperation, halts his sneaking crawl. The WOODSMAN splits the waiting log, then turn to his Ward. WOODSMAN [Tardiness is not becoming of thy profession, young Ward. What did thy eyes see this day?] SCARECROW [I saw the sun peek through the clouds. But the first flowers have yet to bud.]

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.

WOODSMAN [Such as it is.] The WOODSMAN gestures toward the hut. WOODSMAN [Thy chores await ye. The sooner finished, the sooner begun.] SCARECROW, admonished for his tardiness, bows to the WOODSMAN. SCARECROW [Yes, Keeper.] WOODSMAN [We have much to do today. There is much to teach, and the day does not wait. Hurry now.] SCARECROW runs into the hut, eager to finish his chores as fast as possible. The WOODSMAN returns to his work. INT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW runs over to his sleeping pallet and quickly makes it neat. NILO hovers over the small collection of dirty wooden dishes. Light streams through the window. SCARECROW dashes to the sink and begins to scrub his dishes out. As SCARECROW hurries about his chores, the WOODSMAN enters the hut. He moves to his side of the hut, where his simple pallet sits against the wall. WOODSMAN [The Forest sleeps late this season. But the air foretells of a warm summer.] An apparatus sits on the ground. The WOODSMAN scoops a ladle-full of water and pours it into the apparatus. The machine clicks and hums. SCARECROW stacks his cleaned dishes into a tower. WOODSMAN [Ye still have much to learn about the balance of things. The Forest flows, and that flow changes with time as it pleases.] (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

The WOODSMAN grabs his round shield, leaning against the wall, and loads it to his back. He sheathes his knife on his calf, his hatchet at his side. WOODSMAN [The Forest lives, and until ye respect that life, she will be utterly unpredictable.] SCARECROWS tower of dishes begins to topple. SCARECROW throws his arms around it to stop it from falling. WOODSMAN [Balance, above all things. You are knowledgeable. You are not yet wise.] SCARECROW hastily unstacks his tower of dishes. The WOODSMAN grabs his large scythe from the wall. WOODSMAN [Today is new. Let us begin.] EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY The WOODSMAN leaves the hut, scythe in hand and shield on back. SCARECROW trundles behind, pack on his back, taking two running steps for every one of the WOODSMANS powerful strides. NILO bumbles behind, ever present at SCARECROWS side. EXT. DEEP WOODS MEADOW -- DAY The WOODSMAN raises his scythe and cuts a wide swathe through the choking grasses. Tall green stalks go flying as the weeds fall before his skilled blade. SCARECROW stands by, watching. Everything is a lesson. WOODSMAN [Much was lost during the Great War, and the greedy hearts of the Dark Sires brought untold destruction upon these Woods, and the lands beyond.] The WOODSMAN points to his newly cleared swathe. SCARECROW comes forward, craning to see what the WOODSMAN is getting at.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: WOODSMAN [A Keeper must tend his Woods, and all life that lies therein.]

5.

A young sapling pine, struggling for life amongst the choking weeds and grass, stretches its young branches for sunlight. The WOODSMAN unsheaths his knife from his calf and hands it to SCARECROW. WOODSMAN [A Keeper must find that life and nurture it, wherever it may grow.] SCARECROW frees the tree from its entanglements as the WOODSMAN continues clearing the meadow. EXT. DEEP WOODS RANGE -- DAY SCARECROW struggles with his bow, trying to notch a poorly fletched arrow into the string. He notches the arrow, and hastily pulls back, aiming for a nearby target. He releases, and the arrow goes horribly wide. The WOODSMAN comes up next to him, his own bow and quiver at the ready. WOODSMAN [A Keepers aim must be as true as the ground he stands on.] The WOODSMAN draws back his bow, the arrow poised and deadly on the taut string. WOODSMAN [Thy mind must be swift, and thy hand must be sure. Skill and instinct both come with time. Thy ability must first be discovered.] The WOODSMAN lets fly, and an arrow buries itself deeply into the heart of an old trunk. WOODSMAN [Take life sparingly, and only if thy must. Above all, the balance of all things must be kept.] SCARECROW tries again. He draws back quickly, but lets loose too soon, and the arrow flies false. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

WOODSMAN [Empty your mind of needless thought. See only thy weapon, and where it must go. Ability comes first.] SCARECROW takes a deep breath and relaxes his shoulders. He slowly notches his arrow, and draws the arrow back slowly. NILO darts forward and positions herself next to the target, illuminating it with her amber glow. SCARECROW relaxes his eyes. He pulls back just a little harder, and smoothly releases. The arrow flies true, and smacks into the farthest edge of the target. The WOODSMAN nods with pride. WOODSMAN [A humble start.] EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW hefts an axe, hewing dead logs into firewood as the WOODSMAN watches. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [As Keeper, you must be disiplined...] EXT. DEEP WOODS HILL TRAIL -- DAY SCARECROW hefts large buckets of water using a makeshift yoke up a tall hill. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [Fleet of foot and stout of heart.] EXT. DEEP WOODS THICKET -- DAY SCARECROW and NILO stand in the middle of a wide thicket. The WOODSMAN teaches his Ward the art of the swinging sickle. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [Thy service is a sacrifice, one freely given...]

7.

EXT. DEEP WOODS MOSSY TREE -- DAY SCARECROW sits on the branch of a mossy tree, perusing a small book while swinging his foot studiously. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [Thy sense of duty must never falter. Thy stance must be steadfast and true...] EXT. DEEP WOODS FELL TREE -- DAY SCARECROW stands on the edge of an overlook with the WOODSMAN, looking over the expanse of the Woods. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [Thy first love is to the Forest. To its beauty, its majesty, and its wonder.] EXT. DEEP WOODS FELL TREE -- DAY The WOODSMAN swings his giant axe, hacking into a fallen tree. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [The Forest lives and breathes. It is a Keepers duty to maintain that life. If a branch does not bear fruit, ye must cut it away.] EXT. DEEP WOODS HIGH GRASS -- NIGHT SCARECROW and NILO lie in tall grass, gazing up at the stars. WOODSMAN (V.O.) [But above all, thy sense of wonder must always remain. Even in the smallest of things, ye never know what may inspire thee to push forward, to persevere, and to love it all.] Blue motes begin to swirl around the air above SCARECROWS head. NILO glows brightly as she sways among the dancing motes. As SCARECROW gazes in wonder, the motes dance through the air as the stars shine above.

8.

EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW and NILO finish tacking and repairing a shutter for one of the huts windows. As SCARECROW finishes securing the shutter, the WOODSMAN exits the hut with something in his hands. WOODSMAN [Ward, I have something for thee.] SCARECROW leaves the shutter and walks towards the WOODSMAN excitedly, slowing as he nears, sensing the gravity of the WOODSMANS actions. The WOODSMAN motions SCARECROW to sit. The WOODSMAN takes a knee and presents the first of his gifts: a small hand-sickle. WOODSMAN [This is my blade, one that I used when I was but a Ward such as thee. Handed down to me by my Keeper, I pass it on know to ye. Keep it well, use it well, and may it nurture life. Will ye take it now?] SCARECROW [Yes, Keeper.] The WOODSMAN hands the sickle over to SCARECROW, who holds it reverently before his eyes. The WOODSMAN produces a small shield, well worn and dented, but in excellent condition. WOODSMAN [This was mine, as well. I pass it on to thee now. You have heeded my teaching, and now both blade and shield are yours. You are becoming more and more the Keeper you are destined to be.] Before the WOODSMAN can continue, SCARECROW hugs him around the neck. The WOODSMAN, at first startled, slowly wraps his free hand around SCARECROWS shoulders. SCARECROW pulls back slowly. SCARECROW [Thank you, Keeper. I am honored.] WOODSMAN [As am I, young Ward. To teach you.] (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

SCARECROW looks at the shield and blade. He traces the scars and dents in the shield: it has seen battle. SCARECROW [Why is your shield scarred? Have you seen battle?] WOODSMAN [Come. There is something thee must see.] EXT. BURNLANDS CLEARING -- DAY SCARECROW follows the WOODSMAN through the Woods, his new shield loaded on his back. The WOODSMAN leads in full regalia, scythe in hand. SCARECROW [Where are we going?] WOODSMAN [Ye shall soon see.] As SCARECROW looks through the trees, a bit of sky peeks through. The trees are thinning. SCARECROW [The trees...theyre ending!] WOODSMAN [Yes.] SCARECROW [Where are we? Keeper...?] WOODSMAN [We are here.] The WOODSMAN pauses at the edge of the trees. Emptiness waits beyond. SCARECROW waits behind the WOODSMAN. His hand tightens on his new blade. NILO flitters nervously behind. The WOODSMAN turns back towards SCARECROW. WOODSMAN [Whatever ye see...do not run.] The WOODSMAN slowly walks forward into the emptiness. SCARECROW looks to NILO fearfully, then moves slowly towards the break.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

SCARECROW steps out into emptiness. The line of trees, so strong and firm, abruptly ends. Like a surgical cut, a wide swathe of trees has been completely eradicated; cut and burned trees scatter the hills and plain. Across the wide swathe, the trees begin again. SCARECROW looks around, dumbfounded. The WOODSMAN stands silent, looking over the destruction. WOODSMAN [Do ye know where ye are?] SCARECROW [The Burnlands.] SCARECROW and the WOODSMAN look out over the Burnlands. WOODSMAN [This is one of the last remnants, a scar of the Great War. The Dark Sires came through there--] The Woodsman points north over the hills. WOODSMAN [--from the Emerald City, and burned their way south. Their war machines could not go through the Forest, and so they burned it.] SCARECROW lowers himself to his knees, awed by the expanse and the power necessary to burn through his home. WOODSMAN [It was here that we met them: the Keepers. I was but a Ward, but I stood. And I fought.] SCARECROW [How many?] WOODSMAN [Thousands upon thousands, on both sides. Many good Keepers gave their lives that day. Including my own.] SCARECROW [Im sorry.] The WOODSMAN turns toward his Ward, offering a comforting hand on his shoulder.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

WOODSMAN [We did not win. But we gave them pause. It was enough for our forces in the south to prepare themselves.] The WOODSMAN walks out further into the Burnlands, lowering his scythe to his side. WOODSMAN [I met him in battle, the Dark Sire who murdered my Keeper. They still roam this land, haunting the path of their defeat. He is still here. I fear he is waiting for me, to one day finish what his dark heart started.] The WOODSMAN kneels. He motions SCARECROW forward. WOODSMAN [This land stands as a testament to the dangers of greed and envy. Dark hearts that wish to take may destroy many good things in pursuit of their desires.] SCARECROW moves up next to the WOODSMAN, peering down at what the WOODSMAN is kneeling over. It is a lone flower, pushing through the death of the Burnlands, bringing new life. SCARECROW looks around, and several patches of green are starting to show through the wasted ground. WOODSMAN [But even so, there is life. A testament to the enduring spirit of that which is good. This is the Reclamation: the Forest returns to reclaim its territory. To right the balance of it all.] The WOODSMAN turns to SCARECROW. WOODSMAN [Do ye know why I brought thee here?] SCARECROW [To show me the truth?]

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: WOODSMAN [And to teach thee that there is danger beyond our Forest. There is evil in the world, young Ward. And those few good souls must stand up to it when the time comes.]

12.

SCARECROW touches the stalwart flower, feeling its life in this harsh place. SCARECROW [Will I have to stand up to it?] WOODSMAN [I pray that thee never have cause to even raise thy shield.] The WOODSMAN offers his hand, and SCARECROW pulls himself up. The WOODSMAN takes his shoulder in a fatherly gesture. WOODSMAN [Come. It is enough for one day.] The WOODSMAN turns SCARECROW back towards the refuge of the Woods. He takes one last glance towards the hills. EXT. BURNLANDS NORTH HILLS -- DAY The DARK SIRE stands atop the hill, looking down upon the WOODSMAN and his Ward in the distance. The SIRES grotesquely masked face hides his true face. Swathed in dark robes and weaponry, he is a tool of destruction. His weaponized gauntlets, housing a gun on the right and a blade on the left, hand by his side. He does not utter a word. He stares, silent, watching. INT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY Light from the central fire flickers over the walls and sparse furnishings housed within the hut. SCARECROW ladles a bowl of soup into a wooden bowl from a portly cast-iron pot hanging over the central fire. He grabs a piece of crusty bread and sits himself on his sleeping bundle. NILO flits around his shoulder, never far behind. The WOODSMAN sits across the hut, his tall frame casting shadows along the wall and ceiling. He needs for neither food or drink. His source of energy comes from the small apparatus sitting next to his pallet. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

The WOODSMAN takes a long makeshift tube from the apparatus and attaches it to his side. The hose connects, and the apparatus begins to hum pleasantly. SCARECROW [Why did you chose to become a Keeper?] WOODSMAN [It was no choice of mine. It was my Call, as it was yours. We do not decide these things.] SCARECROW looks down at his feet. LONI hovers closely by his head, uttering a consoling hum. WOODSMAN [Thy Call is a sacred duty, young Ward. It is a great burden to bear, but must be taken with pride.] The WOODSMAN leans forward, speaking to SCARECROW on a more intimate level. WOODSMAN [I did not chose this life for myself, it was chosen for me, just as it was chosen for thee. We protect the Woods and any under our care, and defend them from the greed of the Dark Sires. That is our Call.] SCARECROW [But why must it be so hard? Why wont the Sires just go away?] WOODSMAN [It is a difficult road, young Ward. Evil still roams, and unless there are those to stand against it, it shall continue to spread itself. The sacrifices of those before us must be defended. And until the Burnlands are reclaimed under our tending hands, we must be wary of that evil.] The WOODSMAN disconnects himself from the apparatus. He stoops to the pile of wood by the fire, and stokes it back to life.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

14.

WOODSMAN [Thy lessons are difficult because thee must learn discipline. One day, ye shall take my place, and ye must be prepared to take on a Ward of thine own, to continue the line of Keepers.] Flames leap from the dry logs, now ignited. SCARECROW curls up on his pallet, resting his head on his straw-stuffed pillow. NILO settles in the small makeshift nest beside his pillow. SCARECROW [Im afraid.] WOODSMAN [I know. I was too, in my own time.] SCARECROW looks up into the WOODSMANS helmeted face. WOODSMAN [And I fear this darkness. It has been beaten, yet I am afraid of what it may do in its final moments. It may yet seek to cause further pain and suffering, even in death.] SCARECROW [You are fearful?] WOODSMAN [Of course. A fool believes himself fearless, but only because he has not truly met his enemies in battle.] The WOODSMAN crouches near SCARECROWS pallet. SCARECROW begins to drift off to sleep. WOODSMAN [We all are fearful. We do not know the new mettle of this darkness, or what shape it takes. But when the time comes, we will all stand firm against it.] SCARECROWS eyes grow heavy, and NILO gives a contented drowsy hum.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

15.

WOODSMAN [In that moment, when we do not flee, but hold fast and defend those who cannot defend themselves...that is our true test of bravery. But until that time comes, I shall teach thee all that I may.] The WOODSMAN pulls a blanket over SCARECROW, covering him with a fatherly care. SCARECROW [Will we be living when the Reclamation happens?] WOODSMAN [One may hope. I do think that one day the new green of the Burnlands will be thy Call, and thy feet will tread those old hills.] (pause) [Perhaps mine, as well. If my Call wills it.] SCARECROW reaches out his hand and grabs the WOODSMANS wrist. SCARECROW [You speak as if you wont be with me that day.] WOODSMAN [If my Call wills it, I shall be there by thy side.] The WOODSMAN stands and removes the pot from the fire. WOODSMAN [Tomorrow thy lessons continue. Rest well, young Ward.] SCARECROW drops into a deep sleep, the days troubles momentarily forgotten. The WOODSMAN sits on his pallet, and reconnects his apparatus. EXT. BURNLANDS CLEARING -- NIGHT Darkness blankets the Burnlands. Silence is thick, and a sense of forboding hangs in the air.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

16.

A single torch suddenly flares into brightness, a solitary sun amid the space of black. The mask of the DARK SIRE soaks up the light. Ugly shadows play across his face. Other torches pop up along the perimeter of the Forest. Several dark figures emerge from the Burnlands and converge on the DARK SIRE. Ugly masks catch the shadows, and light glints off of their armory. These are the remains of the old Sires, and the DARK SIRE is their leader. The DARK SIRE looks into the Woods, leeringly greedily at its rich wealth. He takes a step forward, an leads his creatures into the Woods. The incision has begun. INT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW awakes from his slumber. Light peeks through the window. SCARECROW slowly rolls back over, then throws his covers from his pallet with a start and hurriedly prepares himself for the day. EXT. WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW emerges from the hut in a fluster, fully garbed, shield on back. The WOODSMAN sits calmly, idly whetting his scythe on his knee. NILO hovers over his shoulder. SCARECROW looks a little bemused. The WOODSMAN looks up from his work and regards his Ward. WOODSMAN [There will be no lessons today, young Ward. Limber thy bow for a time, but there will be no teaching. Yesterday was enough for a time.] SCARECROW smiles, then dashes back inside to grab his bow and quiver. The WOODSMAN turns to NILO. WOODSMAN [Nilo, go with him. Keep him company. And help improve his aim, if you can.]

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

17.

SCARECROW jumps out of the hut and walks towards the range. NILO buzzes over to his sholder. The WOODSMAN calls after SCARECROW as he leaves. WOODSMAN [Remember thy lessons, young Ward.] SCARECROW [I remember!] The WOODSMAN returns to sharpening his scythe. EXT. DEEP WOODS RANGE -- DAY An arrow goes flying by the target, missing it completely. Several arrows dot the target, but a few others stick from the nearby trees, ground, and bushes. SCARECROW sighs heavily and draws again. NILO flies down the range to the target. SCARECROW breathes out slowly, whispering to himself. SCARECROW [Empty thoughts. Empty thy thoughts.] The arrow flies straight, and nearly hits NILO near the center of the target. SCARECROW barks a laugh in triumph. He notches another. SCARECROW [What say you, Nilo? A few more like that, and our conquest shall be warm bread and soup, I think!] SCARECROW pulls taut his string. Before he can let fly, however, a bright shimmering light appears between the trees behind him. SCARECROW pauses, catching the glimmer out of the corner of his eye. He looses his string, and turns towards the enchanting light. The light dances with an inviting and playful energy. It begins to move away. SCARECROW looks to NILO, then back towards the Woodsmans hut through the trees. The light still waits in the distance.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

18.

The magic of the light wins out, and SCARECROW starts to follow after it, donning his bow and quiver as he follows the dancing light. NILO, indecisive, pauses by the target. Then she, in turn, follows after SCARECROW. EXT. DEEP WOODS -- DAY The light dances onward, drawing SCARECROW and NILO on in its wake. EXT. GRAVEYARD GROVE -- DAY The trailing trio emerge into a small grove. Gravestones and gravemarkers dot the grove, spiraling outward towards the edges. SCARECROW looks in trepid awe: he has never been here before. NILO flits over to one of the gravemarkers. SCARECROW nervously comes closer, looking more closely at the marker. Archaic language adorns it, as well as a brand: a crossed sickle and axe over a round shield. SCARECROW looks around him at the spiraling graves. The ones that he can see bear the same brand. This is a Keepers graveyard. SCARECROW, frightened, looks at NILO. The light continues to sparkle and burn brightly past the graveyard. SCARECROW confronts the light. SCARECROW [What are you? Why did you bring me here?] The light continues to sparkle. SCARECROW [Answer me, what are you?] The light shifts, and a red glow burns in the middle. SCARECROWS eyes glaze over, a thin red hue shining over them. SCARECROW slowly rises to his feet and follows after the light, as if in a trance. NILO tries to turn him around, but he continues forward. NILO flusters, then rushes back towards the hut.

19. EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY The light leads SCARECROW out of the graveyard and into an overgrown clearing. A hut similar to the WOODSMANS sits at the far edge, its sides burned and rotten. EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT PERIMETER -- DAY A DARK CREATURE lurks in the shadows of the trees. He wathces as SCARECROW walks further towards the burned hut. A faint amber glow dances over the creatures back. A dark shadow looms over it. The creature turns toward its assailant. The WOODSMAN brings his shield down in a swift chop. EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY The light draws SCARECROW towards the empty entrance of the hut. Thick darkness lies beyond the threshold. The light disappears inside the door and dissipates, collapsing in on itself. The red light dims from SCARECROWS eyes. SCARECROW hesitates, then enters the dark door. INT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY Light peeks through the damaged wall, spackling the dark room with patterned light. The inside of the hut is in shambles. What sparse furnishings there are have been strewn across the floor. Dead char sits in the fire pit. SCARECROW picks his way through the ancient destruction. He spies something against the far wall. SCARECROW pulls aside a moldering curtain. A large scythe, axe, shield and bow sit against the wall. SCARECROW lifts his hands unbelieving to the ancient weapons. His fingers trace the worn handles, their grip smoothed with time and use. A silhouette fills the doorway. A massive scythe and shield in his hands, the WOODSMAN stands in the doorway, NILO casting amber light over his shoulder.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

20.

WOODSMAN [What are ye doing here, young Ward?] Startled, SCARECROW turns to the towering WOODSMAN. SCARECROW [I...I...the...] WOODSMAN [Why are ye here? How did ye find this place?] SCARECROW [I...dont know. I followed--I saw the graves--] The WOODSMAN kneels before his Ward and grasps his shoulder. WOODSMAN [What brought ye here? What light?] SCARECROW [A light. I followed it--I saw the graves, and then...it whispered things to me...] WOODSMAN [What did it say? Speak thee quickly!] SCARECROW [Dark things. Evil things...darkness and greed...and death. Then I was here.] WOODSMAN [We must go.] The WOODSMAN heads for the door. SCARECROW [What is this place?] WOODSMAN [Not for thee. Not yet.] The WOODSMAN walks quickly out the door, lost in the light. SCARECROW dashes after him.

21.

EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW steps over the threshold of the hut. SCARECROW [What do you--] The scythe comes swinging down, stopping SCARECROW short. The WOODSMAN looks across the clearing. The DARK SIRE stands across the clearing, surrounded by his entourage. The trap has been deftly sprung. The DARK SIRE curses in the sullied Dark Tongue, its meaning lost to the rest of the world. WOODSMAN [Stay your tongue, foul creature. Ye dirty this place with thy stench.] DARK SIRE [I speak as I please, noble fool. Your nobility has made you blind.] WOODSMAN (brandishing his scythe) [Leave this place. The world has moved on, and ye have been forgotten.] DARK SIRE [Your Ward...he listens well.] WOODSMAN [Keep thy foul hands from him.] DARK SIRE [So easy to deceive...just as you were.] WOODSMAN [Be silent! Thy lies have no place here!] DARK SIRE [Did he not tell you, young Ward?] SCARECROW looks to the WOODSMAN, confused. The WOODSMAN buckles under the weight of the DARK SIRES words.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

22.

SCARECROW [What does he speak of?] WOODSMAN [A dark past long gone.] The DARK SIRE yells out. DARK SIRE [Where were you that day, noble fool, when I bested your Keeper in battle? Were you there at his side? Or were you afraid, hiding behind your beloved trees?] SCARECROW looks to the WOODSMAN, confused. SCARECROW [Keeper?] DARK SIRE [Tell him, fool!] WOODSMAN [On that day, I obeyed my Keepers wishes, and when the end came, I fled. I escaped danger to live for another day.] DARK SIRE [Your Keeper fled when his masters needed him the most! He left his teachers to die at my hand! He is a coward!] WOODSMAN [I returned that day! I returned and fought thy creatures off of the fallen. I carried them here, all of them! I carried my Keeper through the blood of that field with my own two hands! I carried them all, and buried them here! That was my penance, my punishment! And I have carried on in their place, I have remembered their lessons. So I stand before you today, and in the gaze of my teachers, thou art not welcome here!] The DARK SIRE menaces, and his entourage brandishes their weapons. The WOODSMAN raises his weapon in ready defense.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

23.

DARK SIRE [Stay your pride. I should kill you where you stand, coward!] The WOODSMAN brandishes his scythe at the DARK SIRE. WOODSMAN [Come then, and meet thy end with me.] The DARK SIRE backs into his entourage. DARK SIRE [Kill them.] The entourage rushes forward. The DARK SIRE stays behind, letting his creatures rush in to do the dirty work. The WOODSMAN turns to SCARECROW. NILO hovers over his shoulder. WOODSMAN [Stand strong, aim true, and have no fear.] SCARECROW pulls his bow. NILO begins to burn brighter. WOODSMAN [Shield thy eyes.] SCARECROW covers his eyes with his hands. NILO suddenly burst into blinding, shining light. The charging creatures stumble blindly, their sight lost. NILO falls to the ground spent. The WOODSMAN charges as SCARECROW notches an arrow and draws back. The DARK SIRE raises his weaponized gauntlet and fires a round towards the WOODSMAN. He deflects the round with his shield. The DARK SIRE shimmers and disappears. The dark creatures begin to see through their blinded haze. The WOODSMAN closes the distance between him and the forerunners. He draws back his massive scythe, and STRIKES. Dark creatures fall before his mighty blade. SCARECROW draws back his bow and fires, striking down a dark creature. The WOODSMAN is accosted by three creatures. He strikes one with his scythe, one with his shield. He swings his scythe=handle back and doubles the third over. He rears his scythe back and strikes a fatal blow. He lets go of his scythe and lets it fall. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

24.

SCARECROW fells another. The creatures, their numbers thinned, begin to gather and attack. The WOODSMAN draws his hatchet and hews them asunder. The WOODSMAN strikes a heavy blow to a creature, carrying it to the ground. In a flash, the WOODSMAN unsheathes his knife, swings back to fell a creature behind him, and then THROWS the knife with lethal force, felling one of the last. The WOODSMAN retrieves his hatchet and faces the remaining creatures. They strike as one. SCARECROW fells another. One creature close by turns and charges towards SCARECROW. The WOODSMAN fells two with his hatchet, and bashes the last with his shield. The last dark creature charges SCARECROW. SCARECROW pulls back and looses, but misses. He is out of arrows. The WOODSMAN heaves back and throws his hatchet. It flies, and strikes down the final dark creature. The WOODSMAN turns to SCARECROW, who stares back in shock. His first battle has passed, and he is alive. NILO shimmers faintly. SCARECROW stoops to help her. A shimmer appears between the two of them. The DARK SIRE materializes, facing the WOODSMAN. He aims his gauntlet to fire. SCARECROW [Keeper!] The DARK SIRE fires before the WOODSMAN can speak. The WOODSMAN is struck, and he falls. SCARECROW is struck dumb. He cannot move. The DARK SIRE stoops over the WOODSMAN. He presses his gauntlet up under the WOODSMANS helmeted head. DARK SIRE [What now, Keeper? What noble words can you offer your Ward now?] SCARECROW stumbles back and flees into the hut. The WOODSMAN sees this and lays his head back in defeat.

(CONTINUED)

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25.

DARK SIRE [He flees, and he is wise to do so. He is a coward, much like you.] INT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW rummages through the wreckage. EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY The DARK SIRE grinds the gauntlet deeper. DARK SIRE [I have beaten you. Just like I bested your Keeper. Your power is nothing.] INT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY SCARECROW falls over the weapons and holds up the ancient quiver. There is one arrow inside. EXT. BURNED WOODSMANS HUT -- DAY WOODSMAN [My Ward will live to see another day. And he will see the end of thee.] DARK SIRE [I will kill you. And then I will kill him. The last of the Keepers defeated by my hand.] WOODSMAN [We are something that you cannot kill. All things will be balanced, with or without us.] DARK SIRE [You have failed. You cannot beat me.] An amber glow rises over the DARK SIRES shoulder. WOODSMAN [No. Not I.] The DARK SIRE turns. (CONTINUED)

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26.

SCARECROW stands with his bow drawn tight, an ancient arrow poised to fly straight at the DARK SIRES black heart. WOODSMAN [Fly true.] The DARK SIRE raises his gauntlet to fire. SCARECROW releases his arrow, and it flies true, striking the DARK SIRE a fatal blow. The DARK SIRE crumples to his knees, beaten. SCARECROW walks up to the DARK SIRE, sickle and shield in hand. The DARK SIRE looks upon the victor, unbelieving. DARK SIRE [You did not flee...Why?] SCARECROW [My Keeper is no fool. And a better man than you could hope to be.] DARK SIRE [Beaten...by a Ward...] SCARECROW places his foot on the DARK SIRES chest and pushes. He falls, never to rise again. SCARECROW kneels by the fallen WOODSMAN. SCARECROW lifts his Keepers head into his lap. WOODSMAN [I am proud of thee.] SCARECROW [I couldnt save you.] The WOODSMAN breathes heavily and struggles to remains conscious. NILO casts her glow over the two. WOODSMAN [Ye did not flee.] (choking) [Brave. Braver than I was.] SCARECROW is close to tears. SCARECROW [I dont want to be brave. I dont want you to go. You cant go!] The WOODSMAN grabs SCARECROWS hand, silencing him.

(CONTINUED)

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27.

WOODSMAN [Thy hands must tend these Woods. The Reclamation is thy work now.] SCARECROW [I cant do it.] WOODSMAN [There is nothing more to teach ye. Thou art ready.] The WOODSMAN begins to fade. WOODSMAN [I buried them here...now I go to join them. Take up my blade...my Call is now thine.] SCARECROW [Dont go.] WOODSMAN [...steadfast...] The WOODSMAN dies. SCARECROW and NILO are left in the clearing, alone. Everything fades. EXT. GRAVEYARD GROVE -- DAY A new grave sits in the graveyard. SCARECROW kneels in front of the grave, the WOODSMANS scythe by his side. NILO hovers by his side. SCARECROW grabs the scythe and pushes himself to his feet. He wipes his eyes. NILO glows by his shoulder. SCARECROW hikes the scythe over his shoulder and leaves the grove. EXT. BURNLANDS TREES -- DAY SCARECROW and NILO passes behind a tree. On the other side, the ADULT SCARECROW rounds the tree. He pauses, looking down. A YOUNG BOY stands by SCARECROWS side. He has found a new Ward. SCARECROW kneels into the Burnlands. New growth spots the ground.

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SCARECROW stands, his new Ward and NILO next to him. SCARECROW walks into the Burnlands. FADE OUT. END CREDITS.