(FADE IN)
INT. GUY'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
FLASH into:
The camera pans over the floor of a one bedroom apartment. It’s a home fit for any bachelor, maybe one who’s upper class.
Rivulets of blood absolutely everywhere. Dripping off the walls, the furniture. Streaming across the floor.
We hear HEAVY BREATHING and MOVEMENT. The camera pans to a foot, and we follow it as the person crawls forward. But then the movement and breathing stop. The panning stops. We never see whose foot it is...
FLASH into:
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
A brightly lit hospital room. Someone lies on the bed. A white sheet covers them from head to toe. Clearly dead. Clearly abandoned.
But then the person rises. The sheets fall off to reveal a 21-year-old MAN with a wholesome look about him, more beautiful than handsome. He wears only briefs, no shirt or shoes.
He looks around, utterly confused. He stretches out his arms in front of him. His brows furrow.
SUPER. Where are you? Who are you..?
The player is controllable. To proceed, have him get out of bed.
The player can't access the menu screen at this time. Can interact with the following items:
Flatscreen TV hanging in the upper corner of the room.
Mirror above the sink.
Rectangular window on the wall opposite the
Bed.
Floor cabinets below the sink.
Painting of a bright light on the wall.
Looking out the window for the first time:
The background changes to the cityscape of Baltimore Dynasty. Buildings that touch the uppermost atmosphere seem to go on forever in every direction. Interactive ads wash the city in neon, hover cars zipping past.
We hear HORNS HONKING and MUSIC BLASTING, above and below.
SUPER. You look below at a city bursting with energy. Is this your home? You feel like a stranger...
Player backs away from the window and is controllable again.
Looking out the window a second time:
SUPER. You see the city below.
Looking in the mirror:
SUPER. You see your reflection, a face that must be yours yet feels alien.
Appearing on the mirror is a gorgeous Black man with skin the brown of honey and piercing silver eyes, shoulder-length curly mocha-brown hair.
SUPER. Before you do anything, you need to find out who you are. Your SPRT has increased!
SPRT+1
Player backs away from the mirror and is controllable again.
Looking in the mirror a second time:
The player observes his reflection for a few beats.
Opening the floor cabinets for the first time:
SUPER. You find Vaccine x2, Vitamins x2, Vitamins + Fiber/Calcium & Energizer x2. Nothing else interests you.
If the player opens the cabinets again: You find nothing of interest.
Examining the painting for the first time:
SUPER. A message is inscribed here... “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nation.” Revelations 2:16.
SUPER. The message fills you with nameless dread...
Examining the painting again:
SUPER. A message is inscribed here... “To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nation.” Revelations 2:16.
Examining the TV without the remote:
SUPER. You don’t see the power button. The television must be operated by remote control.
SUPER. Interacting with your environment is vital! Look everywhere. Never know what you’ll find.
To turn on the TV, the player has to retrieve the REMOTE on the countertop by the sink. Then use the remote to turn on the TV:
A talk show is on, featuring a male guest, ELIJAH PERRY, a 60s Black man wearing a sharp suit, talking to a female HOST, 30s, fashionable.
In Eli’s hands is a book with his face on the cover. Its title reads: It’s Divine, The Secrets of Success!
ELI
Well, Chelsea, I’d say the secret to my
success is --
Static swallows the image. Player HITS the TV once, twice. The static cuts away to a dark room. A MAN wearing a homemade mask of a red trogon appears onscreen, TOUSSAINT TURNER.
BIRD MAN
Interrupting your daily-scheduled bullshit
to say Madam, we’re done. No more sitting
back while you kill us!
Bird Man holds up a picture and shows it to the camera. It zooms in. It’s a photo of GUY BAPTISTE: a Black man with a thick beard and big curly hair.
IF the player has seen his reflection in the mirror, Player will be taken aback. They look remarkably similar, almost the same.
BIRD MAN
HIS name was Guy Baptiste, and he was
murdered tonight. Right in his own
home! Even more fucked up? His story ain’t
unique.
Toussaint flips through various photos, all Black men and women.
BIRD MAN
Renee Phillips. Peter Ridley. Jamal Stone.
And many others. Taken from their homes
and tossed out in a junkyard like trash,
sucked dry!
Toussaint gets close to the camera.
BIRD MAN
Know their names. And know ours.
We, Divine, built this realm. And we're
taking it back!
The TV and lights SHUT OFF! Blackout.
Beat. Next is a HUM of some generator and the room fills with fluorescent light.
Player reaches up to smack the TV but it doesn't turn on.
SUPER. What made the power go out?
Player then lowers his head, a sad expression on his face.
???
...
SUPER. Who was that guy? Guy Baptiste... Was that you? It must be, yet you don't feel attached to the name at all...
- END.
Examining the hospital bed:
???
...
A STATICKY SOUND. Player grabs his head and drops to his knees:
INT. GUY'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY
Guy and KRISTA, a freckle-faced girl next door with black hair, lie in bed together. She's tucked in his arms, sheets covering their naked bodies. The color of her eyes are a particular shade of red.
KRISTA
I feel... different somehow. Like,
transformed.
Guy pulls her close and kisses her brow.
GUY
That’s amazing. Good for you, Krista...
KRISTA
Hey.
Krista smiles at Guy.
KRISTA
If anything comes to snatch you up,
it’s gotta go through me.
FLASH.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – HOSPITAL ROOM – NIGHT
Player is on his knees, eyes wide in shock.
SUPER. A warm feeling stirs inside you. Was Krista your girlfriend? But if you're here, then where is she? You need to find her. Maybe she knows how you ended up here, and other stuff about you...
- END.
Once the player has examined the mirror, bed, and TV:
SUPER. There's nothing left to see here. Go outside?
To proceed, try to leave the room:
As Player walks towards the door, we hear a WOMAN SCREAM in the hallway. Player is taken aback.
???
!
HURRIED FOOTSTEPS get closer and closer...
Player backs away from the door.
SUPER. Someone is approaching...
A plasmatic portal, a GATEWAY OPENS behind Player. He whips around as an APPARITION crawls out of it, an archetypical ghost with angel wings.
It stares at Player, blood on its brain. It swings at him. Player shields his face to block the assault. In doing so, he stumbles and falls.
All Player can do is watch his killer float towards him. But then it stills, staring. Body twitching, getting ready to do something. Player SCREAMS and turns away, but it won't save him from inevitable doom.
The apparition dives towards him like a torpedo, as if to leap inside him!
But then the door BURSTS open behind him, kicked in by DANTOR, a bald amazon with skin the dark of onyx. She has the face of a 60 year old woman but the physique of a 20 year old athlete. The scars on her face and body tell a story of a warrior forged in battle.
Her two-piece leather outfit is powder-white, one hand tight around the handle of a sword. In the other hand is a shield.
DANTOR
Not today, Phantom!
She LEAPS in front of Player and uses her sword to shield him from the monster's attack, knocking it back several feet.
Wide-eyed, Player looks up at his rescuer.
DANTOR
Don't just sit there! Fight!
He scrambles to his feet and cowers behind Dantor, who looks annoyed at him for a beat, but then faces the apparition, sword at the ready.
DANTOR
Want him, Big Boy? Come and get him!
The apparition flies towards them.
BATTLE: Apparition
DESCRIPTION: A stereotypical ghost with angel wings.
The player has control of the protagonist, but he can't hurt the beast. He's at level 1 and has no skills yet. On the other hand, Dantor has a ton of skills and health. But none of her attacks damage it.
After 3 ineffective moves are used, trigger Battle Event 1.
BATTLE EVENT 1
DANTOR
Shit!
The ghost lounges at the player. His LP drops to 0 and he collapses.
DANTOR
No!
???
….!
The player's LP is raised 1 point, bringing him back from KO.
SUPER. Something has awakened inside you...
- SCENE BREAK.
Player has one spell, Sabra, a low-level Moon elemental. Use it to kill the ghost.
After the battle, Player gains a level.
S4/Aftermath 1
DANTOR
More will come. The Darkness is
close… We have to go NOW!
1) WH-WHAT WAS THAT?!
DANTOR
A phantom... pseudo-life forms that can't
exist on their own. They... get In through
Gateways.
a) GATEWAYS...?
DANTOR
Yes. Windows to other realms. They opened
to the Spirit Realm, once. Ever since the Tear,
they only open to the Phantom Realm.
I) WHY...?!
DANTOR
Something that shouldn’t be here is. And
it wants our kind very dead. If we don't
hurry out of here, we will be.
A) ...WHAT AM I?
Dark+1 (if chosen first)
DANTOR
Depends who you ask. A god to some. Demon
to others. Feelings towards us have become...
mixed.
PLAYER
?
DANTOR
We are Divine. Inside our bodies is an ancient
and incredible force. And for you, that force
has just awakened.
The player is presented with the option again, with only "who" remaining.
B) WHO AM I...?
Light+1 (if chosen first)
DANTOR
...
(Beat)
An innocent boy caught in a war he didn't
sign up to be in...
Cut to S4A.
FUCK THIS! I'M OUTTA HERE! (always the last
option for the above branches)
Cut to S4A.
S4A
DANTOR
More gateways will appear. You need to
come with me.
1) WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Cut to S4B.
2) ...
Cut to S4B.
S4B
DANTOR
Everyday, Divine are fewer and fewer... but
you'll be safe with me. What will you call
yourself?
???
...
The player is given the choice to name the MC. Default name was: ???
IF the player named the MC "Guy" or "Krista":
DANTOR
Go with something else. We'll need to fly under
the radar for a while, which'll be hard to do using
that name, looking how you do...
The player is given the choice to name the MC again.
IF the player named the MC "Trezo":
DANTOR
Try to think of something else... That name will
make you a target. A bigger one.
The player is given the choice to name the MC again.
IF the player named the MC using only question marks.
DANTOR
We don't have time for games! What will
you go by, or I'll start calling you "Boy"!
IF the player named the MC "Dantor", "Erzulie", "Erzili", "Erzili Dantor" or "Erzulie Dantor".
DANTOR
No. Choose something else...
The player is given the choice to name the MC again.
IF the player named the MC "Mambo Danto".
DANTOR
...!
Dantor blushes.
Dantor Bond+1
DANTOR
Oh, nothing. Just... surprised. Part of Him
really is in you. But no, choose something else.
Naming yourself after me is... strange.
The player is given the choice to name the MC again.
If the player named the MC Boy:
DANTOR
We don't have time for this! Want to be
called Boy? Fine. Have at it.
The scene resumes from S4B Cont'd.
IF the player named the MC anything else, cut to S4B Cont'd.
S4B Cont'd
DANTOR
I'm Dantor. It's all right if you're confused.
We'll help you.
1) "WE"...?
DANTOR
Thought only you had superpowers?
Cut to S4C.
2) ...
DANTOR
...
Cut to S4C.
S4C
DANTOR
Krista...? Your body was the only one found...
if she's out there, we'll find her. But if The
Darkness finds US, we're finished.
1) DID THE "DARKNESS" TAKE HER...?
DANTOR
I don't know...
Cut to S4D.
2) I'LL FIND MY OWN WAY.
Dark+1
DANTOR
You won't. You'll be dead before you reach
the elevator bank. The spirits lost you once.
They can't again.
PLAYER
...
Cut to S4D.
S4D
1) WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
DANTOR
Do you want to live or not?! I'm here to bring
you to Vilokan. Hold your questions until
after we've evaded death.
Cut to S4E.
2) LEAVE ME ALONE...
Dark+1
DANTOR
Alone is... the last thing you need. I'll protect
you. Your life has more value than even mine...
PLAYER
...
Cut to S4E.
S4E
Dantor looks at her shield and then at Player. She tosses it at him. He barely catches it.
DANTOR
Use this. It's not what I have... but it's
something.
SUPER. Received Neon Shield x 1!
DANTOR
Oh, and found these on the way here.
Not sure if they fit, but it beats fighting...
like that.
Dantor tosses a black bag she's carrying at Player.
Player is controllable. Click on the bag to open it, finding scrubs and hospital slippers inside. Put them on Player to dress him.
Examining the bag
SUPER. Left with little choice, you join Dantor.
DANTOR
Oh, and... you good with computers?
Dantor pulls out a wearable computer that looks like a wireless electronic armband. Facing outward is a small screen. On the other side of the device is a compartment where a cord is stored.
PLAYER
!
Player takes the wearable computer and excitedly slips it on.
DANTOR
Your chip was likely damaged in the attack
that landed you here. A new one's in there.
Player nods.
DANTOR
Now you can access the menu screen and
do a bunch of stuff I won't get into
because it's self-explanatory. Even if you've
never seen one.
- END SCENE.
Now the player can access the menu screen to do the standard RPG stuff, like restore LP & SP, save his game, change party members, etc.
Attempt to leave before getting dressed:
DANTOR
Where do you expect to go like that?
Open the bag. Quickly!
_____________________________________________________________
DUNGEON #1 - Endo Hospital
_____________________________________________________________
The player is taken to the first dungeon.
Characters skillsets are divided by Magic and Abilities. They gain magic as they level up, but Abilities are all physical and gained by equipping different weapons. Each weapon will teach that character an Ability. For example, the Shield teaches Player the Ability "Bash". He can only use Bash when equipped with a Shield, but if he uses the Shield or Bash enough times, he can learn Bash permanently.
Dantor's Sword teaches her the Ability "Deep Cut". She has two other Abilities already: "Charge" and "Protect".
The goal is to get to the ground floor and leave. Along the way, gateways appear, triggering a battle.
At this point, there isn't much Player can do but defend and heal himself with vitamins. Every enemy is weak against his magic, but he won't have enough SP to use Sabra more than once until he levels up a few times.
The phantoms are too weak to hurt Dantor in any way. When she isn't slicing them with her sword, she's blowing them to dust with her high-powered magic. She has the spell "Mending", which provides healing to one target.
On each floor, the player will find a Vitamin, Blueberry, Conditioner, or an Energizer. There are no treasure chests. Items are found on the floor or in cabinets.
The player is on the 3rd floor.
Start of the first battle:
DANTOR
Listen up. Whenever you equip a new weapon,
you can use its Ability. Use repeatedly to master
it. That way you won't forget how to use it when
you change weapons.
- END.
If the player reenters Guy's hospital room:
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT
The player can talk to Dantor.
DANTOR
We have to go. Madam will clean up the
mess here, cover it up like she always does.
The EMERGENCY ALARM RINGS in the background.
The elevators are down, so the player will have to take staircases to the ground floor.
Dead nurses, doctors, patients and visitors throughout the hospital. Blood on the walls, floors.
Most rooms are locked, but a few are open. In them the player can find items and talk to Dantor.
Walk & Talk #1
DANTOR
Why am I here? It's my duty. Been Divine
so long I don't remember a thing about my
Dead Life.
PLAYER
?
DANTOR
What I mean is... I descended to the
Material Realm not just for Divine, but for
you. This isn't only about survival. It's about
liberation.
- END.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – 2nd FL PATIENT'S ROOM 1 – NIGHT
DANTOR
Thoroughly search every room you can.
You'll find all sorts of goodies. Wouldn't
hold out for random treasure chests.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – 2nd FL PATIENT'S ROOM 2 – NIGHT
DANTOR
Pay attention to your body. If you need
to heal, do it. Phantoms won't hesitate
to take advantage of your vulnerability.
Walk & Talk #2 - Triggered by the blood on the floors
DANTOR
It doesn't get easier. You never get used
to... this. It can break you. Or become
your fuel.
- END.
Walk & Talk #3 - Ground Floor
DANTOR
The Moon, eh...? Could be what the spirits
need to finally save Father.
PLAYER
...
DANTOR
You don't remember anything? Hm...
Sure Father can fix that.
- END.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – GROUND FL PATIENT'S ROOM 1 - NIGHT
DANTOR
The Darkness ain't in this alone.
Not by a long shot.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – GROUND FL PATIENT'S ROOM 2 - NIGHT
Talk to the scared nurse to heal. She's holding onto a frightened bald teen girl.
NURSE
What's going on?! I couldn't leave my patient
behind... I just couldn't! Are you hurt? I'll see
what I have...
FLASH. CHIME.
NURSE
That should do it. Good luck out there...
But I suggest finding somewhere to hide
and STAYING there! Satan's at work...
PATIENT (1)
I left the mall with lipstick last week. I didn't
mean to take it! It was an accident! But a sin's
a sin. Did I... cause this?
NURSE (2)
Make an appointment with Rev. Law,
soon as you can. The devil is strong,
but God is stronger.
DANTOR
This wasn't their fault. How could
they think that?!
(SIGH)
Damballah would never let His children
blame themselves for something like this...
He'd sooner blame Himself.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – LOBBY - NIGHT
Bodies on the floor. Approach the entrance to cut to Scene 5.
In the distance, FOOTSTEPS. Getting LOUDER, closer.
Dantor guards Player.
DANTOR
This feeling... shit!
She turns to Player, a fierce look in her eyes.
DANTOR
Go. I'll hold it off!
PLAYER
...
DANTOR
It's... fine. If I get you to Vilokan,
I'd have served my purpose.
Dantor faces forward, sword at the ready. Outside the glass doors, a shadow creeps toward her.
DANTOR
There's an exit in the basement!
Player backs away. Once, twice. Then stops, still looking at Dantor.
DANTOR
Go! NOW!
Player jumps. He runs off.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL – BASEMENT – NIGHT
The player finds himself in the hospital's basement, a dusty, dirty place not unlike most basements. Dantor has left the party. The goal is to get to the exit in the back. This part of the dungeon has only one floor, and the enemies die easily.
When the player's midway to the exit, we hear a LOUD BANG from above. Silence. Then FOOTSTEPS, making their way down.
The player turns around. That half of the basement gets extremely dark. The FOOTSTEPS even louder, closer. Whatever making them now in the basement.
The player automatically turns back around and moves forward. If the player tries to backtrack to the first half of the basement, he will automatically turn back around.
When the player gets to the end, he'll receive a prompt:
SUPER. YOUR BREATH GETS HEAVY… PROCEED?
1) YES.
Cut to scene 6.
2) NO.
The player is turned back around.
INT. ENDO HOSPITAL - BASEMENT EXIT – NIGHT
The area darkens, curtained in blackness.
SUPER. The darkness is closing in!
BOY'S BOOMING VOICE
You're mine...
The player turns towards the darkness behind him. Sees nothing but pitch blackness.
DANTOR (V.O.)
NO!
DANTOR emerges from the darkness, PANTING and bleeding. She guards Player.
DANTOR
Don't touch him!
TAYLOR MEAD steps forward. He wears shiny white armor and carries a scythe the length of his body. A hateful scowl spoils his lovely face. The weight of his power and anger makes him seem older, but he's got the face of a 15-year-old. His eyes glow.
BOY
You have something that belongs to me.
DANTOR
Nibo. Any part of you that’s in there —
Boy smirks.
BOY
He can't hear you. But they can...
Gateways open around Dantor and Player. Creatures crawl out of them, then merge into one beast.
DANTOR
Agghhh! Take care of that, will you?
I'll... handle The Darkness.
Boss: Neti
Description: A giant insect with angel wings, yellow green liquid oozing off its body.
Aftermath 2
Dantor is bleeding heavily.
DANTOR
Even if I die... Others will see to Father's
liberation!
BOY
Know what's better than a bound ape?
Glowing, The Darkness hovers above the floor.
BOY
A dead one.
DANTOR
...
Staring at The Darkness, Dantor says to Player:
DANTOR
Go, Trezo...
PLAYER
...?
She turns to him.
DANTOR
Hurry, get out of here! You have to stop
the Bleeding! You're the only one who
can!
Dantor pushes Player outside.
EXT. ENDO HOSPITAL - REAR ENTRANCE – NIGHT
The player finds himself outside the hospital. There's a CLICK.
Player whips around. He tries to jerk the door open, but it doesn't so much as crack.
PLAYER
...
He turns back around, facing forward.
- END SCENE.
EXT. ENDO - NIGHT
Hip young people walk the streets, large brownstones on either side (think Bushwick, Brooklyn).
The player is controllable. The hospital's rear entrance is locked, and if the player tries to reenter the hospital from the front, a prompt will say: You don't need to be here.
The goal is to leave Endo. Take a few steps in any direction and:
The screen SHAKES! Player will turn to the hospital, which EXPLODES in an eruption of red, yellow and pale blue fire.
The explosion grows. Player tries to outrun it but fails: the blast sends him flying. He slams onto the asphalt face-first and passes out. Fade out.