Echoes of the Broken

[Opening Scene – Dawn After the Battle]

The sun rises weakly over the charred remains of the forest battlefield. The air is thick with smoke and the metallic scent of blood. Birds cautiously sing as if unaware of the carnage below.

Karo walks slowly through the blackened trees, his feet crunching on ash and brittle twigs. His face is smeared with soot, and his bones ache from wounds that haven’t yet healed.

He stops by the pit where Gorung, the Flesh-Eater chieftain, fell. The pit is now a shallow grave covered with stones and branches.

[Scene 1 – A New Threat Looms]

From the forest’s edge, a scout approaches, breathless and frantic.

Scout:

“Karo! The Flamefang camp has rallied. They grow restless. Chief Brall calls for a war council. They seek to crush all who oppose them — including Stoneveil.”

Karo’s eyes harden.

Karo:

“Then we must act before they strike.”

He takes the bark-scroll—the One Blood Prophecy—from his pouch and stares at it, the words seeming to glow faintly in the morning light.

[Scene 2 – The Stoneveil Council]

Karo travels to Stoneveil, where the elders sit around a circle of moss-covered stones. The air is heavy with tension.

Elder Ruk:

“You bring news of war, Forsaken one.”

Karo:

“The Flamefangs will not stop with their fire. They want all of us under their heel.”

Elder Zuni:

“They have strength and blood. We have poison and will. But alone, none of us can survive their fury.”

Suddenly, Eya steps forward, her eyes sharp and unwavering.

Eya:

“We must unite. Not just Stoneveil and Flamefang, but all tribes. For the first time in memory.”

The elders exchange uncertain glances.

[Scene 3 – The Proposal of Unity]

Karo and Eya present the ancient prophecy to the council.

Karo:

“It speaks of a time when blood and roots come together. When the son of fire and daughter of roots join hands, a new world can be born.”

Elder Ruk (skeptical):

“Prophecies are whispers of the past, not plans for the future.”

Eya (firm):

“If we don’t try, we all die.”

The room falls silent. Some elders nod slowly, others frown, deep in thought.

[Scene 4 – A Gathering Storm]

Meanwhile, back at the Flamefang camp, Chief Brall is furious. He slams his fist on a wooden table, maps and hunting trophies scattered beneath.

Chief Brall:

“Karo lives! He undermines us with his poison tribe! We will hunt him down and burn Stoneveil to the ground!”

Drak:

“He’s a traitor. His blood is weak.”

Chief Brall:

“No. He’s dangerous. He is the flame that could ignite rebellion. Crush him before he sparks a wildfire.”

[Scene 5 – Karo’s Inner Conflict]

At night, Karo sits by a dying fire, staring into the glowing embers.

Flashback to his childhood — scenes of laughter, his mother’s gentle hands, and the warmth of his father’s embrace.

Karo (whispering):

“What am I fighting for? Revenge? Peace? Or just survival?”

Eya approaches quietly, sitting beside him.

Eya:

“You carry more than weapons, Karo. You carry hope.”

He looks at her, a faint smile breaking through the pain.

[Scene 6 – The Secret Meeting]

Karo and Eya secretly travel to other tribes — the Stonefangs, a fierce but isolated group of mountain warriors, and the Riverborn, who live along winding rivers and are skilled fishers and hunters.

At each village, they plead for alliance.

Stonefang Leader:

“Why should we trust a Flamefang exile?”

Riverborn Elder:

“The flames will burn us all if you fail.”

Slowly, they gather a small but determined coalition.

[Scene 7 – A Warning in the Dark]

One night, Karo dreams. A shadowed figure appears — the ghostly visage of Gorung, eyes burning red.

Gorung (voice echoing):

“The Flesh-Eaters are not finished. They hunger still. Your blood will feed the forest soon.”

Karo wakes, sweat pouring down his face.

He turns to Eya.