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The base of Mount Rabbi glows in the last breath of daylight, the sky washes over in deep purples and fading gold. The wind carries the scent of cold stone and wild grass. Metro stands beside Sally, brushing her mane gently as she chews on the apple he’d plucked from a crooked wild tree.
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She nudges his shoulder, warm and trusting.
He smiles faintly — tired, but grateful.
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Metro:(softly)
“Nice.”
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He feeds her the last slice, then steps back toward the small campfire he’s built. The flames crack low, barely enough to warm his hands. He pulls out his final strip of beef jerky, chewing slowly, staring into the fire as dusk surrenders to night.
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Hope still lives in his chest.
But his eyes… his eyes carried the weight of everything he’s lost, everything he’s run from, everything he still has to face.
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After a long moment, he stands.
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He walks up the rocky incline, boots scraping against stone, until he reaches a narrow ledge overlooking the valley. The wind is colder here. Sharper.
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He sits. Cross‑legged and closes his eyes.
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His breathing slowed.
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His shoulders softened.
His mind slips inward.
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Metro:(whispering)
“Help me…”
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His aura flickeres — a faint white glow at first, then brighter, wrapping around him like a soft flame. His face tightens, then breaks. A single tear slides down his cheek. Then another.
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He cries quietly, faintly, the kind of cry that comes from the soul and not the eyes.
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And then as he sits, eyes closed, breath steady.
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A distant scream shatters the silence.
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Cornelius:(yelling at full volume)
“I SAID YOUR MAP IS USELESS, OLD MAN! USE YOUR EYES LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!”
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Metro’s eyes snap open.
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CORNELIUS:
“I swear on the Queen’s biscuits, Archeus—if you write one more word, I’ll shove that feathered quill where the sun doesn’t shine!”
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Archeus trudges forward, quill scratching furiously, expression exhausted.
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ARCHEUS:
“I prayed for a soldier… and instead I get a toddler with a sword.”
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Metro can’t help but smile. He stands, brushing himself off, and mounts Sally.
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CORNELIUS:
“I’m the only reason you’re still alive, old man!”
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ARCHEUS:
“Really? You’ve nearly killed me three times today.”
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Metro nudges Sally forward, heading toward the bickering pair.
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CORNELIUS:
“If we die here, it’ll be because you were writing a bloody paragraph!”
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Archeus clutches his map book to his chest like a newborn.
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ARCHEUS:
“If we die here, it will be because, you’ve announced our location to the entire mountain.”
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Metro stomps down the trail, raising one hand dramatically.
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METRO:
“GREETINGS! Brethren!”
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Archeus and Cornelius freeze mid‑argument, eyes wide.
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Recognition hits them both.
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ARCHEUS:
“Ah! Young Metro—what a pleasure it is to see you, dear boy! Looks like Lady Fate has blessed us all. Excellent timing.”
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Archeus brightens, gesturing eagerly.
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ARCHEUS:
“We are on our way to meet your friends. They’re close by. Come now—follow me.”
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Metro gasps in relief and dismounts, pulling Archeus into a tight hug.
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ARCHEUS:(awkwardly pats Metro)
“Oh! Uh, There, there…”
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Cornelius steps forwards, hands on hips, chest puffed out like he’s still wearing armor.
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He comes in naturally for a hug. Metros elbows lift to embrace him. Cornelius seperates but leaves his hands on Metros shoulders, head tilted.
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CORNELIUS:
“Good heavens—you look starved…”
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METRO:
“I could eat … What about you—what happened with you?”
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Cornelius releases his hold, looks down, ashamed for a moment… then lifts his chin with forced optimism.
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CORNELIUS:
“I’m on the run as well. I’d like to join your band… if you’ll have me.”
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Archeus rolls his eyes.
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ARCHEUS:
“The wolves can have you.”
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Cornelius scoffs, offended but trying to look dignified. He stands there glowing with pride, trying not to look too eager.
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METRO:(smiling, sincere)
“We’d love to have you with us.”
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He turns to Archeus.
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METRO
“Right, Arches?”
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Archeus exhales through his nose — a long, suffering sigh. His expression says absolutely not, but his heart betrays him.
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ARCHEUS
“… I suppose.”
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Cornelius beams.
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Metro nods firmly, steps forward, and clasps Cornelius’s hand into a half hug, giving him a solid pat on the back.
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He backs up beaming.
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METRO:(smiling brightly)
“Right then. Let’s meet the family.”
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Metro swings up onto Sally.
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Archeus adjusts his pack and starts up the mountain trail, Metro following behind him.
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Cornelius trails last leaning toward Metro, whispering loudly.
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CORNELIUS:
“Really, he doesn’t know where he’s going…”
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Metro keeps his eyes ahead, calm and steady.
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METRO:
“I have faith in him.”
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Cornelius scoffs but follows anyway.
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The three men climb the winding trail — the scribe, the soldier, and the elven-warlock caught between destiny and exhaustion.
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and then Add to home screen.