FADE IN:
EXT. BRIDGEFORD - NIGHT
The camera pans over a bustling metropolis of buildings that touch the sky, a picture of what an urban cityscape in the year 3,000.
Thunder BOOMS as rainfall SMACKS the sleek metal sidewalks and asphalt of the street, where cars sit in traffic as HORNS HONK.
On the sidewalks demons wearing jeans and caps walk about without a care in the world. Until they spot groups of humans wearing crosses and
carrying torches, and they turn and run in the opposite direction.
The camera stops at a single-floor corporate building, an army of storefronts of either side of it.
SUPER. Bridgeford. Reclaimers Office.
INT. RECLAIMERS HQ - ALEX’S OFFICE - NIGHT
We hear the RAIN from outside.
ALEXANDER ASHFORD, early 30s, a good looking guy with dark hair is in the middle of a call. His smartphone is set to speaker.
The stress of holding the weight of the world on his shoulders shows on his face. His disheveled appearance: unkempt hair and wrinkled shirt
and trousers, no tie, evidence of many sleepless nights.
Around his office are peace awards and gold and silver plaques. The framed photos on his desk are all pictures of him shaking hands with politicians.
In the corner stands a dragoon’s spear.
ALEX
What good is saving the world from monsters if we turn
into them?
BRUCE (V.O.)
You’re being dramatic. His silence will doom us all...
What makes him any different from the demons we hunt?
Alex paces around in his office.
ALEX
I dunno, Bruce, the fact that he bleeds red like you and I?
His soul?!
BRUCE (V.O.)
You were the one I saw in my premonition, Alex. The savior.
But perhaps, I’d… misread.
That gives Alex pause. He stares at the framed photo of a gorgeous blonde on his desk, CHELSIA ASHFORD. Across from it stands a swivel
mirror, reflecting his conflicted stare.
He takes in a breath.
ALEX
Get here in 10.
He presses a button on his phone and ends the call.
INT. RECLAIMERS HQ - BASEMENT CELL - NIGHT
A filthy, grimy dungeon with no windows. A MYSTERIOUS MAN draped in a torn cloak sits pretzel style with his back to iron doors. His hood covers his eyes, but we can see the bruises and dried blood around his mouth. His bare feet stick out of dirty, ripped pants.
The iron doors OPEN with a metallic thud. Enter Alex and a man wearing a fedora and slacks, BRUCE. There’s a darkness about him we both see and feel. He hides an arm in his trench coat.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
...
ALEX
If you want to stop the apocalypse like you say you do, for God’s
sake help us find it!
BRUCE
Alex... let me.
With a smirk, Bruce approaches the hooded man.
BRUCE
We know the spark was on that island. Tell us what you did with it,
or things’ll get bloody.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
The Spark... Indeed it is. Sparks ignite.
Interest piqued, Alex steps forward.
ALEX
What was that? You know where it is, don’t you?!
MYSTERIOUS MAN
...
ALEX
Please... 10 billion lives are at stake. If we’re to save them, you have
to work with us.
BRUCE
Unless, of course, you’d rather the world burn.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
Only the seven can raise the ark to Niilo, your “spark”. Kill me,
if you must...
This pisses Alex off.
ALEX
You idiot! We’re trying to save lives, not take them!
The mysterious man smiles.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
Your goodness shines, Alexander... a flame burning bright. You cling
to it like a drowning man to driftwood.
He turns to face Alex.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
But flames devour. If you’re not careful, yours will consume
you.
Alex is taken aback.
ALEX
Excuse me?
MYSTERIOUS MAN
As your power grows...
The hooded man lifts his head slightly, as if to see Alex through his hood.
MYSTERIOUS MAN
The master you serve won’t be humanity, but your own ego.
ALEX
What?!
MYSTERIOUS MAN
There are forces that feed on one’s ego. Some look human, but are
more evil than any demon you’ve slain. And they’ll suck you dry...
Alex is lost for words, eyes wide and mouth gaping.
Bruce walks up to the mysterious man, smirks and PUNCHES him across his face!
BRUCE
That’s enough from you...
Bruce takes his arm out from under his trench coat, revealing a switchblade. He holds it at the hooded man’s neck.
Smiling wickedly, Bruce kneels in front of the mysterious man.
BRUCE
If you won’t talk... why should we keep you around?
Alex reaches out for Bruce, beat, then draws his hand back. Watches.
BRUCE
That man on the island with you. He one of the so-called
“seven”? Better answer quick...
Bruce has pressed the blade so deeply into the hooded man’s neck, he draws blood. The sight rouses Alex.
ALEX
Bruce!
Bruce turns to Alex at a slant. Much of his face is masked in shadow, but we can make out a scowl.
ALEX
In my office.
Irritation runs across Bruce’s face. But he covers it up with a nasty smile.
BRUCE
Don’t go anywhere.
He PATS the side of the mysterious man’s jaw, who flinches from his touch.
INT. RECLAIMERS HQ - ALEX'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Alex SLAMS his door shut.
ALEX
The hell was that back there?
Bruce paces around Alex’s desk.
BRUCE
Destiny chose its “seven”, he said...
ALEX
Hey, I’m talking to you!
BRUCE
No ordinary man could survive a spear through the chest. If he is one
of the “seven”, I anticipate he’ll be paying us a visit.
Alex’s eyes grow wide with recollection. For a beat, a black and white image of Alex stabbing a long-haired MAN in neon armor (who we’ll later know to be ASHKII).
Alex leans over his desk with a heavy expression. His gaze catches his reflection in the mirror, as if fighting to recognize it.
ALEX
“The master you serve will be your own ego”...
Alex faces Bruce.
ALEX
Why would he say that?
BRUCE
You’re letting the babbling of a half-dead lunatic get in your head?
Remember your focus.
ALEX
Helping people...
BRUCE
Saving the world.
Alex’s OFFICE TELEPHONE RINGS, snapping him out of a guilt-fueled daze. He answers it.
ALEX
Reclaimers, where we defend the defenseless against the forces
of evil.
Meanwhile Bruce looks out at the full moon, smirking.
EXT. DREAMSCAPE - FOGGY
MARCUS FORD, 24 a man of mixed race, stands naked in a grassland covered in mist. His eyes open and he wakes with a start. It’s so misty we see but a few oak trees sprinkled about.
He looks around confused, lost.
- SCENE BREAK.
Marcus becomes controllable. Find a gravelly walkway. All around, the HUSH of a subtle breeze. Move forward until you see a WOMAN shrouded in mist...NEVENE. All we make out is her silhouette, and it’s flicking.
Within two feet of her, Marcus gets excited and runs towards the woman. When they’re inches apart, the scene resumes from here.
WOMAN
Hey. Long time...
WANDERER
That really you?
WOMAN
Sorry I’ve been away. Wish we had time to catch up, but I need
your help.
Marcus looks at the figure in question.
1) “What can I do?”
Righteous+1
Nevene Affection+1
WANDERER
What’s up?
WOMAN
Oh, thank you!
Cut to S2A.
2) “My help...?”
WANDERER
What kinda help?
Cut to S2A.
3) “No can do, lady.”
Liberty+1
WANDERER
Gonna tell me who you are, now? Why you’ve been gone?
The woman holds up misty folded hands, begging.
WOMAN
Please!
Cut to S2A.
2A
The woman’s shape flickers out for longer now.
WOMAN
You have to get me out of here!
WANDERER
Out of where, exactly?
WOMAN
The Mind Box... My “warden” sealed me here to protect me,
but it won’t last.
WANDERER
Warden? You in jail?!
WOMAN
...Of sorts.
The woman wraps her arms around her chest as if cold. She looks at the ground, flickering out.
WOMAN
I tried calling out to everyone, but my power is weak
here.
She looks up at Marcus.
WOMAN
Two men came to Eden looking for the “spark”. They want to bring about
the apocalypse, and need our powers to do it.
The woman looks off to the side, reflective.
WOMAN
Those guys... They found us, my brother and me.
(faces Marcus)
They’ll find you, too.
Marcus is taken aback as if recalling something.
WANDERER
Who’re you talkin’ about? And what “power”?
WOMAN
We’re the only ones who can stop what’s coming.
We need to raise the Ark.
The woman comes forward, presses her misty hands on Marcus’s chest. Marcus holds her flickering body close to him.
WOMAN
Finally to ask the forbidden question... What is your name?
Marcus gazes at her, contemplative.
The player is given a chance to name his character. Marcus is the default name.
WOMAN
[Marcus]... Feel like I’m meeting you for the first time.
The woman flickers out for several beats. Marcus looks around for her, frantic.
MARCUS
Where’d you go? Come back!
The woman’s shape returns with a flash behind Marcus. Marcus whips around.
WOMAN
My power is fading. But maybe... I have enough to tell you --
The woman flickers away. Marcus rushes to the spot she once stood, reaching for someone who isn’t there.
FLASH into:
INT. BUS - DAY
The bus slows to a stop. Marcus is sound asleep, his head leaning against the window.
BUS DRIVER (V.O.)
Bridgeford!
His SEAT NEIGHBOR next to him, a glasses-wearing man in his 30s, nudges Marcus with his elbow.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
Hey. This your stop, right?
Marcus snaps awake.
EXT. MIDTOWN BUS STATION - DAY
Marcus and eight other passengers step off the bus. The eight other passengers get their luggage from the bus’s undercarriage as Marcus looks out at the city beyond with a conflicted expression.
He looks at the circle pendant in his hands, attached to a necklace. In it is a photo of a biracial 8 year old boy embraced by a Black woman, 20s. Huge smiles on their faces. Marcus stares at it.
[WEAR IT]
Righteous+1
Marcus puts the necklace around his neck, smiles. It becomes an accessory, Ma’s Pendant, an accessory excusive to Marcus that gives his Mind stat a big boast.
Cut to S3A.
[FOLD IT]
Marcus closes his hands over the pendant, then buries it in his pocket with a stoic expression.
Cut to S3A.
[TOSS IT]
Liberty+1
Marcus closes his hands over the pendant, then throws it into the street. He watches cars drive over it with an angry expression.
Cut to S3A.
3A
A backpack strapped over his arms, his seat neighbor trots up to him. His glasses start sliding off his face, but he pushes them up.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
So, uh... what’re you going to do?
MARCUS
Don’t know. Didn’t think that far ahead.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
Hm. Maybe a fortuneteller can help?
Marcus stifles laughter.
MARCUS
Fortuneteller? Yeah, right.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
They’re really good these days, especially the one here! She knows everything.
Even folks you’ve never met.
A shocked expression from Marcus, interest piqued.
FLASH into:
EXT. DREAMSCAPE - FOGGY
Marcus reaches out to the flickering woman as she disappears.
FLASH into:
EXT. MIDTOWN BUS STATION - DAY
Talking to his Seat Neighbor, Marcus snaps out of his daze. A car pulls up at the curb.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
Oh! My ride’s here.
Seat Neighbor gives Marcus a warm smile and shakes his head.
SEAT NEIGHBOR
Been a pleasure, Marcus. Good luck with everything!
He hurries to the car, throws his backpack in the trunk and gets inside, all while continuously pushing his glasses up on his face. Marcus watches the car drive off. Beat. He then faces the city.
MARCUS
Dream Girl... Maybe you’re real after all. If so, I’m comin’.
Now, where’s this fortuneteller?
- END SCENE.
Marcus becomes controllable. The goal is to find The Sorcery, a fortunetelling shop.
Bridgeford is a city of two halves. Up north, sprawling skyscrapers and businesses. Down south, urban squalor.
The encounters will happen at the south part of the city: shirtless Human thugs called Brawlers, and demon prostitutes called Shiki. Human enemies will drop cash, whereas demons will drop loot that can be sold for cash.
WORD AROUND TOWN - North
Humans talk about how thankful they are for Alex Ashford. His company, Reclaimers, is the top demon hunting agency on Mainland. Kids admire him, women want to be with him (one expresses jealousy towards his wife, Chelsia Ashford, calling her a bimbo from, “Some Hicktown nobody’s ever heard of.”), and men look up to him.
Most humans express dissatisfaction with the supreme court case, Kewe vs the World, that legalized demons. Don’t the government care about them, the humans, or are they blinded by the tax dollars they can now get from demons?--they ask.
Up north, humans can be seen picking on and abusing demons. They say demons may be legal, but they will never be “them”. The general attitude towards demons is disdain.
WORD AROUND TOWN - South
Demons talk about their struggle to assimilate into human society. But the actions of alien demons, basically rogues. Reflect poorly on the whole community. They thank Alex for keeping the rogue population down.
Demons are grateful to come out of hiding, but knows it will take generations for humans to accept them.
Demons talk about the abuse they suffer from humans. They don’t like it, but it’s nothing compared to Hell.
Notable areas:
North
Jean’s Clinic - a health clinic where the player can restore his health, and buy items. The receptionist is a female android.
Hawk’s - a weapon and armor shop manned by an a tough-looking male android.
Reclaimers HQ - Marcus can only go as far as the lobby. The young receptionist sits at the front desk.
Ashford House - is locked, security stands guard with large guns. Located at the northernmost corner of the city.
South
The Sorcery - where fortuneteller and Marcus’s friend, Erika Rose, works.
Ford Bar - a demon bar at the southernmost corner of the city.
Side dialogue:
INT. HAWK’S - DAY
Guns and swords are displayed on the walls. An android sits at a desk behind plexiglass, no human skin to speak of. Looks like he’d tear you in two if you blinked wrong.
ARMS DEALER
Yo, yo, yo! Welcome to Hawk’s Gears! What can I do for you?
1) “Lemme see your weapons.”
ARMS DEALER
None on sale today. Still gotta do inventory. But can I interest you in
something else? Say... jewelry?
ARMS DEALER
Anything else?
Options repeat.
2) “What gear you got on sale?”
ARMS DEALER
None on sale today. Still gotta do inventory. But can I interest you in
something else? Say... jewelry?
ARMS DEALER
Anything else?
Options repeat.
3) “Lemme check out your accessories.”
The list of accessories on sale pop up. 3 items:
> Sap Coating, Endurance+10
> Earring, Wisdom+10
> Anti Bracelet - Sickness, Virus, Headache & Tumor immunity
ARMS DEALER
Anything else?
Options repeat.
4) “What’s the word on the street?”
ARMS DEALER
Between you and me, you can steal cash from humans after you beat
‘em up. Demons, though, carry tokens you can trade here or Jean’s
for cash.
ARMS DEALER
Anything else?
Options repeat.
Canceling/Exiting the shop:
ARMS DEALER
See you later, man. Stay cool and sucker free.
INT. JEAN’S CLINIC - DAY
A standard health clinic. Posters of the various status abnormalities the player can be inflicted with in the game and diagrams of the human body on the walls.
Images flash on the TVs hung at the corners of the clinic, of a healthy human heart and bones.
Upon entering:
RECEPTIONIST
Hello there. Welcome to Jean’s Clinic! We serve as a health clinic
and material shop. How can I help you?
1) STAY FOR A CHECK UP.
RECEPTIONIST
For $90, we can have a doctor take a look at that. What do you say?
a) “Sure.”
RECEPTIONIST
This way, please.
Fade out for a beat. RECOVERY CHIME plays. The player is fully restored. Fade back in.
RECEPTIONIST
Anything else?
Options repeat.
b) “Nah, I’m good.”
RECEPTIONIST
Anything else?
Options repeat.
If selected when under $90.
RECEPTIONIST
I’m sorry, but you seem to be rather short... Anything else?
Options repeat.
2) “What materials are you selling?”
Sale list comes up:
1) Energy Drink - Restores 25% of LP
2) Body Enhancer - Restores 50% of LP
3) Sweet Drink - Restores 25% of EP
4) Mind Enhancer - Restores 50% of EP
5) Vaccine - Cures Sicknesses & Viruses
6) Eyedrops - Cures Blind
7) Memory Serum - Cures Memory Loss (Silence)
8) Toy Hammer - Cures Sleep & Deep Sleep
9) Calm Serum - Cures Rage (Berserk - attack enemies uncontrollably)
10) Clarity Serum - Cures Paranoid (attack allies uncontrollably)
11) Mobility Serum - Cures Paralysis
12) Holy Water - Cures Cursed.
13) Conditioner - Cures all status defects.
14) Revival Seed - Revives with 50% of LP.
RECEPTIONIST
Anything else?
Options repeat.
3) “What’s the word on the street?”
RECEPTIONIST
Demons have been around longer than humans, actually.
Just learn to live with them. They don’t all bite.
RECEPTIONIST
Anything else?
Options repeat.
INT. RECLAIMER’S HQ - LOBBY - DAY
A sleek, professional building of glass and metal, terrazo floor.
A YOUNG WOMAN, 20s, sits at the receptionist’s desk. She carries herself like a total professional, wearing a blazer and knee-length skirt.
ASSISTANT
Welcome to Reclaimer’s! Mr. Ashford’s in a meeting right now.
Leave your name and number and he’ll get back to you pronto.
INT. BRIDGEFORD DRINKS - DAY
The sleeziest dive bar you can imagine. Every patron is a demon, chatting amongst themselves or drinking at the bar.
The BARTENDER is an overweight demon.
Upon entering:
Conversations drop like anvils. Every patron turn toward the player, watching.
SUPER. The bartender and other demons stare at you...
Marcus is taken back outside.
END.