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A violent pounding shakes the cottage door.
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Strawhat’(outside):
“Miss Ana!”
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BOF - BOF - BOF!
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Paul rises, but Lilly stops him with a hand to the chest.
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Lilly:
“I got it.”
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She opens the door—Strawhat bursts in, no hat, just raw fear in his eyes. He stands like a man ready to sprint for his life. Everyone at the table freezes.
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Strawhat:
“Hasan’s army is here—north road only! They’re demanding that all villagers meet at the market square, by the temple and the den.”
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He backs toward the door, breath shaking.
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“I gotta go! You folks be safe!”
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He bolts out so fast his overalls nearly slip off his shoulders.
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Paul moves first.
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Paul:
“I’ll get the horses ready. Just in case we need to break for it.”
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Lilly follows him out.
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Ana doesn’t hesitate—she yanks a chest from under her bed, throws it open, and pulls out six large brown hooded cloaks. She tosses the bundle to the group, grabs her fanny pack, and heads out the door.
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Blake finishes his bowl, jaw tight, and reluctantly follows.
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Metro stands slowly, exhaustion in his bones. He turns for the door— Rose catches his wrist.
He looks back, worn down, almost hollow.
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Rose:
“Promise me you’ll stay with me…”
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Metro’s expression tightens—disappointment, conflict, something he can’t hide.
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Metro:(voice low)
“I can’t promise you that.”
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Rose steps into him, almost through him, eyes burning.
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Rose:
“Why not?”
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Metro:
“I can give you my word I'll do everything I can to protect you.”
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He tries to leave—Rose grips harder.
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Rose:(intense)
“Promise me.”
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Her eyes flicker black.
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Metro freezes at the sight.
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(long beat)
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Metro:
“…C’mon. Let’s go.”
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He continues foward. She follows, but her face melts into confusion and worry.
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Outside, Paul and Lilly are already mounted on stone. Sally stamps the ground, demanding Metro like she’s been waiting for him. Metro and Rose climb onto her back. Ana mounts Curtis. Blake climbs onto Steve.
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The group pushes toward the front entrance—silent, grim, determined.
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Paul leads, Metro at his side. It’s a beautiful day, but none of their faces show it.
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Near the gate, commotion swells.
They trot through the entrance—villagers flood the streets, all moving toward the market square.
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Brown cloaked hoods go up.
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Metro's first.
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Then the rest.
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Metro takes point.
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He dismounts with Paul and Lilly.
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Metro: (looks at Blake)
“Stay a distance away from us. Stay with Ana.”
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Paul studies him while they walk through the dispearsed crowd.
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Paul:(dead serious)
“You ready to turn yourself in?”
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Metro doesn’t answer. His silence says everything.
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Paul holds his gaze—rock solid, steady.
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They lead their horses by the reins and split into two groups, disappearing into the crowd.
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Metro scans the square.
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He spots Veronica outside her den restaurant—arms crossed, green gloss shining, her expression disturbed.
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Then he sees Kathyrn—standing on the Lodge roof, staff in hand, red hair blazing against her black dress.
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Hasan stands on the raised theater platform with his entourage—dark‑skinned, bald, a gold ring through his nose, chains layered across his bare chest. His robe is a riot of colors, fanning around him like a peacock’s plumage. His eyes are glazed with a hardened, unnatural darkness.
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Two of his favored priests flank him, arms crossed, their robes patterned like cut gemstones.
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Hasan (booming):
“Metro—son of none—must be presented before the Great Halls Court this day! Anyone who hides him will be slain. Their homes ravished, and their livelyhoods destroyed!”
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He folds his hands behind his back, smiling as if delivering a festival announcement.
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The crowd murmurs in panic. Cloaked figures—Metro’s group—stays hidden among them.
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Villager (pointing):
“There! His friend! Grab him!”
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Blake shouts, but the mob swarms him. He’s drug forward and thrown onto the stage with a hard thud. He looks up, terrified.
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Hasan:
“Blake, the overseer. Where is your friend? Traitors must be dealt with.”
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A beat.
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Blake stays silent.
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Hasan:
“No talking? No problem.”
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He snaps his fingers. Soldiers loop a rope around Blake’s neck and force him onto a bucket. A live noose.
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Blake chokes, voice cracking.
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Blake:
“METRO!”
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Metro’s hood falls back—Sally’s bright eyes glow, and behind them Metro’s own eyes burn faintly.
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Metro:
“STOP! I’M RIGHT HERE!”
(slight echo)
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Paul stiffens, his eyes ignite emerald under his hood. Rose’s face twists into something feral.
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Hasan kicks the bucket anyway.
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The crowd gasps.
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Hasan laughs.
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Blake hangs from his throat, dangling from the tightened rope making his eyes bulge out unnaturally.
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His feet kick violently.
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Metro:(echoed scream)
“NO!”
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