Castlevania "Never To The Dead" written by Luna Vasquez
r.vasquez190@gmail.com
Previously on: Trevor and Sypha failed to save Lindenfeld and discovered their former guide was a serial killer who targeted children. Isaac killed the wizard and claimed his castle and the surrounding area. Alucard was attacked by, then killed his apprentices in self defense. Hector was tricked by Lenore into becoming her pet and the vampire sisters' forgemaster.
FADE IN: EXT. ROAD -- AFTERNOON Trevor and Sypha ride down a dirt road in their carriage, dense forest surrounds them on either side. TREVOR I told you, I don't want to learn how to read. SYPHA Why not? Think of how much better you could be at hunting if you could read your family's books. TREVOR Are you saying I'm not good at hunting? SYPHA I'm not saying you're bad. I just think-Sypha looks down. SYPHA --any knowledge that could help us prevent a tragedy like Lindenfeld is worth knowing. TREVOR It wouldn't have helped. My family didn't write about that kind of monster. A heavy silence. Sypha looks sad and defeated. Trevor takes notice. TREVOR And well, in any case, even if I wanted to learn to read, I'm just not the type. Sypha looks up, curious. SYPHA What do you mean? Anyone can learn. TREVOR Reading is for two types of people: students and teachers. I'm more of a hands on learner, so not a student, and I'm the last of my line, so not a teacher. SYPHA But what if that changes? Trevor looks at Sypha.
2. A scream can be heard through the trees. GIRL (O.S) Aaahh! Help, someone! Trevor and Sypha share a look and leap out of their carriage. They run into the dense thicket in the direction of the scream. EXT. FOREST -- A SECOND LATER Trevor and Sypha burst through and see a girl(7) against a tree, and two night creatures approaching her. TREVOR You get the right and I've got the left. Ready? SYPHA Right. Ready-Before they can act, a much larger, bipedal, humanoid night creature, Bodil, rushes past them and towards the attacking night creatures. Bodil tackles one of them and starts ripping it to shreds. Blood and guts coat the trees around them. Trevor and Sypha look on. SYPHA Uhhh. TREVOR Shit. Well that's new. The other night creature lunges at the girl but just as it's claw is about to come down on her, an ice spike impales the creature's hand. The creature winces. SYPHA Uh-uh. Trevor spins his whip and flings it out. It hits the impaled night creature on the back. Its back explodes as it falls dead in front of the girl. Bodil finishes ripping apart the first night creature. They turn and begin walking towards the girl. Trevor reacts quickly. He throws his whip out towards Bodil. The whip wraps around Bodil, immobilizing them. TREVOR No you don't, big guy. Sypha. Sypha nods. SYPHA Mm.
3. Sypha runs up behind Bodil and places her hand on the back of their head. Sypha's hand begins to glow. The girl snaps out of her shock. GIRL No, wait! Bodil turns their head and looks at Trevor. BODIL Brigands? Their voice is distorted, but feminine. Bodil examines the chain whip wrapped around them. They see the dead, half-exploded night creature in front of the girl. BODIL No. Adventurers? Sypha hesitates. SYPHA It speaks? TREVOR Who cares? Finish it. GIRL Don't! Trevor struggles with the whip. TREVOR Sypha! GIRL (to Sypha) Miss, please, she protects our town! TREVOR It is a night creature. A demon from hell. The girl looks at Sypha. GIRL Please. TREVOR Kill it before it kills us! Bodil lowers their head. Sypha's hand glows. A beat. Sypha lowers her hand.
4. SYPHA It killed to save this girl and it spoke. We both saw it, Trevor. The whip stays tight around Bodil. Sypha turns to Trevor. Trevor looks at Sypha, then the girl. Trevor sighs. The whip loosens then falls around Bodil. Bodil turns around to face Sypha. Bodil towers over her, blocking out the sun and eclipsing Sypha in their shadow. Sypha sweats a bit as Bodil's red eyes look into hers. A beat. BODIL Thank you. SYPHA Uh, you're welcome? Bodil walks past Sypha, then Trevor. Bodil turns to the girl. BODIL Come, girl. GIRL Yes, ma'am. The girl runs up to Bodil and grabs their hand. They begin walking off. Sypha walks up to Trevor who looks at Bodil and the girl. SYPHA I've never seen anything like that. TREVOR Neither have I. SYPHA The child is alive but... Part of me still feels uneasy. Sypha smiles but Trevor's face is stoic, his brows furrowed. SYPHA Trevor? TREVOR We should follow them. CLOSE-UP on Bodil and the girl walking off.
5. EXT. MARISSA'S HOME -- DAY Isaac rides on his steed. He stops in front of Miranda's home. Miranda sits in her chair, eyes closed. Isaac gets off his horse and walks up to her. MIRANDA I didn't expect you to return, Isaac. She opens her eyes and looks at him. ISAAC I came as a courtesy. I have been quite busy forging and thought to check in on the woman who assisted me in my travels. Isaac digs into his pocket and takes out a ring. ISAAC I kept this for you. It was the magician's. He hands her the ring. She puts it on then examines it in the sunlight. MIRANDA Mad or not, the bastard had fine taste in jewelry. (to Isaac) It's been a few weeks. Part of me suspected you might have become one of his ants. Miranda looks at Isaac. MIRANDA Another part of me is relieved to see you alive. Isaac smiles and sits next to her. ISAAC I could say the same for you. Miranda smiles then looks back at the ring. MIRANDA Knowing that bastard is suffering in the depths of hell brings this old witch's heart some joy. ISAAC Unfortunately, I cannot say I was able to make his death painful. Miranda throws her head back and looks up at the clouds.
6. MIRANDA Death is always painful, but never to the dead. She sighs then brings her head forward. She coughs a bit. MIRANDA After everyone was taken, grief overtook me. To be honest, I was surprised. I've been alone most of my life and the art we practice allows us a familiarity with death few people understand. Being alone can be nice, but loneliness has a unique way of ladening the soul. A beat. MIRANDA I wasn't certain if there was a point to continue going on. I am still not completely sure, but I am more willing to wait and find out thanks to you. Isaac smiles. Miranda clenches her fist. MIRANDA I only regret that I couldn't kill the bastard myself. She coughs lightly. MIRANDA Though, if I manage to get my hands on him in hell, I might still get my chance. She smiles. MIRANDA I wonder, can you kill someone who's already dead? Miranda laughs heartily. Isaac chuckles. Her laughter is interrupted as she begins to cough a deep, awful cough. Isaac's smile fades. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a canteen. He offers it to her. ISAAC Drink. Miranda takes the canteen and drinks. She catches her breath. MIRANDA Thank you.
7. She tries to hand Isaac back the canteen. He refuses. ISAAC It is yours. She places the canteen on her lap. MIRANDA You've given me two gifts today and as you can see-She gestures to her desolate home. MIRANDA -- I have nothing to offer in return. ISAAC Gifts are not debt, they do not need to be repaid. Miranda chuckles. MIRANDA For a forge master, you are surprisingly kind, Isaac. Isaac looks surprised at Miranda's comment. Miranda begins to cough again. She drinks from the canteen and finishes what's left in it, but the cough persists. She struggles to breathe and grasps at her chest. Isaac looks on. Miranda falls forward. Isaac catches her. Miranda's POV: we see Isaac's face as Miranda's vision fades. The sounds of Miranda's gasps and coughs trail off into silence as the screen FADES TO BLACK. A beat. The silence is interrupted by the distant sounds of flames crackling. We FADE BACK IN to: EXT. ESTABLISHING--
TARGOVISTE, WALLACHIA: 1475 -- SUNSET
The city streets are empty and quiet aside from one pair of footsteps frantically running. Alucard Tepes runs through the maze-like streets of Targoviste. ALUCARD No, no, where are you? He turns a corner. Nothing. Another corner, nothing.
8. Another corner, nothing. Alucard stops. His ears perk up as he hears his mother's voice faintly in the distance. LISA I don't know if you can hear me-Alucard's eyes widen and he dashes in the direction of Lisa's voice. We TRACK Alucard as he sprints through the seemingly endless streets of Targoviste with supernatural speed. LISA --they don't understand!-Alucard begins to pant as he runs faster, the streets a blur around him. LISA --I know it's not your fault, but if you can hear me-Alucard begins to sweat as he pushes himself. Lisa's voice begins to get clearer, the sounds of crackling fire in the background. LISA --they don't know what they're doing.-Alucard blinks, his eyes beginning to water. LISA --Be better than them, please! We CLOSE-UP on Alucard's face, tears falling from his face being left behind in the wind. EXT. TARGOVISTE: 1475 -- LISA'S BURNING Alucard reaches the site of the fire, flames engulfing Lisa as she winces. He is behind the mob that's formed around the burning. We CUT TO Lisa. She's weak. The fires have already consumed most of her body and are quickly working their way upwards. Lisa's POV: Smoke and the fire's light obscures much of our view, the priests and mob just shadowy blurs. Just past them, complete darkness. Lisa looks out into the darkness. In it, she sees Alucard and Dracula. She smiles weakly and manages to speak to the image of her family.
9. LISA I will always love you both, for all eternity. The flames consume Lisa completely. We CUT TO Alucard, his face obscured by darkness. He's trembling, his fists clenched, tears rolling down his cheeks. INT. DRACULA'S CASTLE -- KITCHEN -- NIGHT The table is covered in empty bottles of wine and wine glasses. Alucard lays on the kitchen table, face draped by his disheveled hair, eyes closed but tears streaming down his cheeks. His eyes slowly open. Alucard clumsily gets up off the table and walks out of the kitchen, a bottle of wine in hand. INT. DRACULA'S CASTLE -- DRACULA'S STUDY -- A MOMENT LATER Alucard stumbles into the study, still a mess from the fight months earlier. He looks around. ALUCARD Where are you? He takes a swig of the bottle and realizes it's empty. He tosses it aside as it shatters against the wall. As Alucard digs through the rubble, we hear shards of glass shimmering. ALUCARD Ah, there you are. Alucard kneels down and moves some rubble aside. We see what he was looking for: Dracula's portrait of Lisa. Alucard touches the canvas. ALUCARD Mother. Alucard stands and sits the painting on top of the mantle. He puts his hands on the mantle and looks down. ALUCARD Did I do the right thing? I killed father. Humanity is saved, but-Alucard places his hands on his chest. ALUCARD --the humans I let into our home... I trusted them, cared for them, and I killed them. Alucard takes his hands off of his chest and looks at them.
10. ALUCARD I loved them, and they were the only humans I have ever killed. I have dedicated myself to being Alucard, the opposite of father, but... Am I doomed to become him? The Carpathian mirror comes together completely, drawing Alucard's attention. He turns around and, for a second, the mirror shows the image of Dracula. Behind him, his study, in pristine condition. Alucard freezes. Dracula's image fades and the mirror shows Targoviste Cathedral, still in ruins. Alucard touches the mirror. The glass ripples. He hesitates. Alucard steps through. INT. CARMILLA'S CASTLE -- TRAINING ROOM -- NIGHT Striga and Lenore spar. They don't hold back, using the full extent of their vampire abilities. Lenore is physically exhausted. Striga is calm and focused. Striga strikes and Lenore barely dodges. Lenore groans. LENORE (panting) Must we continue this? I'm tired. STRIGA We continue. Striga attacks again. Lenore dodges. Striga lunges at Lenore with inhuman speed and lands a blow. Lenore winces. LENORE That hurt! STRIGA Good. Maybe pain will teach you not to hide things from your sister. Lenore scoffs. LENORE Must we talk about that again? Why don't you tell me how our plans are going?
11. STRIGA Oh, would you like to hear about the number of towns we have already taken? Maybe their population numbers? The amount of mercenaries we are using to invade our surrounding enemies? Lenore groans. LENORE Fine, I get it. (with disgust) Statistics of war. They stop for a second. Lenore breathes heavy. LENORE And I wasn't hiding anything from you. STRIGA A human gets the jump on you and I find out about it from a chatty guard a month after? Sounds like hiding. Striga attacks again. LENORE I wasn't even hurt. Striga pins Lenore to the ground. They're face to face. STRIGA Yes, but the next time you are taken by surprise might not be by a human. Lenore struggles against Striga's weight. LENORE (struggling) Striga... Striga looks Lenore in the eyes, a stern look on her face. STRIGA If the events that transpired at Dracula's court have taught us anything, it is that we vampires cannot escape our human roots. Whether we are born vampire or turned, the soul of humanity will always haunt us. You must be wary of everyone around you at all times. A beat.
12. LENORE Even you? STRIGA Even me, little moon. Their eyes stay on each other for a second, then: A knock on the door. Striga and Lenore look over. It opens and Hector walks in holding a tray with cups of blood on it, a guard behind him. The guard closes the door behind Hector. Hector sees Striga on top of Lenore and pauses. HECTOR Am I interrupting? Striga sighs and gets off of Lenore. STRIGA No, we were just finishing. Lenore sits up. Striga offers Lenore her hand. Lenore looks up at Striga then takes her hand. She stands then turns to Hector and smiles. She walks up to him. LENORE Thank you Hector-Lenore takes a glass of water and pats him on the head. LENORE -- good boy. Hector smiles. Lenore gently slaps his cheek. LENORE Now go on, back to the forge. Hector pouts and looks down. He opens his mouth to say something, then hesitates. HECTOR (whispers) You know, it's been- uhm, I was wondering if-Lenore examines him for a second then realizes: LENORE Aw, are you craving affection, little pup? Lenore leans to whisper into Hector's ear. LENORE Would you like a kiss? Hector nods. Lenore gets her lips really close to his and just as their lips are about to meet--
13. Lenore smacks Hector's cheek. The force of the slap makes him take a step back. Hector puts his hand on the cheek Lenore hit and looks up and glares at her. Lenore kisses Hector. He resists at first but surrenders to it. Striga groans. Lenore breaks their kiss and places her hand gently on Hector's cheek. Lenore smiles. LENORE You don't ask. You beg and you will get what I give you, when I give it to you, understand? Hector pouts but nods. Striga scoffs. STRIGA At least he won't bite again. Lenore playfully slaps Hector. He winces a bit. LENORE Now get back to work, pup. Striga will walk you back. I believe she has something to discuss with you. (to Striga) Striga? Striga nods. She walks past Lenore and pats her shoulder. STRIGA Do not forget what we spoke of, little moon. Striga doesn't look at Hector. STRIGA(O.S) Come, mut. Hector follows. INT. CARMILLA'S CASTLE -- HALLWAY Striga walks and Hector rushes a bit to walk next to her. Striga stops and glares at Hector. She hisses. STRIGA Behind. Not beside. She walks again, eyes forward. Hector follows behind her. STRIGA We need more night creatures.
14. HECTOR Yes, well, I can only forge as many bodies as I am presented with. STRIGA We are in the process of invading our enemy borders. New bodies are being produced. They will arrive soon. You still have bodies now that are not finished. HECTOR I'm working round the clock. Forging is a process, it cannot be rushed. Do you not trust me? Striga stops. Hector stops behind her. Striga speaks while keeping her eyes forward. STRIGA You repulse me. HECTOR Because I'm human? STRIGA No. A beat. STRIGA Well, yes. But you are worse than that. You are an untrustworthy human. The only way you stand here today is by being a lying treacherous coward. Hector lowers his head. STRIGA You had the choice to keep your honor in death by Dracula's side, and you chose life. You are useful to us, this I will not deny. But your usefulness now does not absolve your past actions. Striga stops in front of Hector's forge. STRIGA Now get back to work, mut. Striga walks off. Hector watches Striga walk off. CLOSE UP on Hector walking into the forge. His image begins to ripple. We hear the shimmering of glass shards as we PULL OUT to:
15. INT. ISAAC'S CASTLE -- STUDY -- NIGHT The image of Lenore and Hector is shown on the small distance mirror. Isaac sits in a desk writing into a book under candlelight. In the notebook are notes and floor plans to Carmilla's castle. Isaac puts down his pencil and claps his hands. The mirror comes undone and its shards sit in its box. Isaac closes the mirror's box. ISAAC I almost feel sorry for you, Hector. Almost. Though your keepers, those sisters... They are more formidable than I anticipated. Time is of the essence but I must move with caution. Behind him, a hooded figure lays on a couch. They stir, then sit up. They take off their hood to reveal Miranda. She takes a deep breath. Isaac turns around. He stands up and walks towards Miranda. ISAAC Ah, you're awake. MIRANDA Where am I? ISAAC The study. MIRANDA You saved me? ISAAC I resuscitated you, yes. You had an affliction. Bad, but not fatal. Luckily the means to cure it were quite simple. MIRANDA But why? ISAAC You wanted time to find out if you should continue on in this life. I respected your decision. A beat. Miranda breaks out into a chuckle.
16. MIRANDA (laughing) Well if I wasn't indebted to you before, I certainly am now. But tell me, where did you learn to heal? Peculiar knowledge for a forgemaster to carry. ISAAC I learned to care for the human body so I may stay in good health to better serve Dracula's cause. Though corpses were useful to him, I was more useful in health. MIRANDA You are very strange indeed, Isaac. They smile at one another then Isaac thinks for a moment. ISAAC Miranda, we practice the same art, do we not? MIRANDA Yes. I, too, am a devil forgemaster. ISAAC Would you lend me your skills? Miranda raises an eyebrow. MIRANDA You want me to work for you, forging my former neighbors to become demons in your army? A beat. Miranda scoffs. MIRANDA Perhaps you aren't as kind as I first thought. You are fortunate I am quite mad. Isaac smiles. FADE OUT