Endless Winter (ES Book 2) Act 1, Scene 8 - High Council of the Vaanti
Title: Endless Winter
Main Pairings: Estela x Ian (M!MC), Jake x Alyssa (F!MC)
Other Pairings: Craig x Zahra, Grace x Aleister, Michelle x Quinn, Diego x Varyyn
Genre: Full Rewrite
Rating: PG-13 for swearing, violence, alcohol, and sexuality
Summary: The Catalysts are escorted through the city of Elyys'tel, where their fates will be decided.
Previous Scene: Lord of the Waves
Masterlist: Link
CONTENT WARNING: This chapter contains a scene involving a character's struggles after being outed as gay. If such content is triggering or otherwise discomforting for you, please feel free to skip over this chapter; a link to the next one has been provided here for your convenience:
Next Chapter: Trial by Water
EXT. ELYYS’TEL - DAY
Escorted by a troop of warriors, Estela helps a still half-conscious Ian along as they and the others are brought to the base of the great tree that was seen earlier. Kele is notably absent from the group as they approach the tree. From up close, its true scale becomes apparent: the trunk alone is wider than a skyscraper, and countless branches strewn with walkways and staircases crisscross the area, making it seem even more massive. Seraxa signals to someone up above, and a wooden elevator descends, allowing the group to enter the city itself.
RAJ: Duuuuude... this is so dope--
One of the warriors pokes him in the back with a spear, and he yelps in surprise.
RAJ: Okay, okay! I’m going!
The remainder of their journey continues in silence as they are escorted along the winding walkways. Countless Vaanti civilians stare at them, a myriad of emotions evident on their faces: fear, awe, surprise, reverence, curiosity. As they continue walking, Varyyn starts to stir.
VARYYN (groggily): Marr sahn...
The two warriors carrying him immediately stop, setting him gently on his feet. Varyyn looks around, confused, and then spots Diego.
VARYYN: Diego! I do not-- What has happened?
DIEGO (shrugs): It’s... a long story.
As they continue through the city, Diego fills Varyyn in on what he missed. Finally, the group arrives at the entrance of an ornate set of double doors, carved into the trunk of the great tree itself. Seraxa turns to face Alyssa and the others, a prideful smirk upon her face.
SERAXA: Prepare yourselves, Catalysts. The Tribunal awaits.
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INT. ELYYS’TEL THRONE ROOM - DAY
The great double doors swing open, revealing a vast chamber into which the Hartfeld students and Jake are quickly shepherded inside. The Vaanti warriors file in behind them. At the far end of the room is an ornate wooden throne that appears to grow directly into the wall of the tree itself. Seated in the throne is an older Vaanti woman, her clothing significantly more ornate than anything seen previously. She wears an elaborate red headdress and gazes down at the new arrivals with a stern expression mixed with curiosity. This is XIMAEDRA.
XIMAEDRA: War-Chief Seraxa. Keeper Uqzhaal. What is the meaning of this?
SERAXA: These outsiders attacked our prince! They attempted to destroy the Temple of Canis, and--
MICHELLE: What? No we didn’t--
TUPAAN, a Vaanti wearing a ram’s head mask, hits Michelle sharply in the leg with the blunt end of his spear.
TUPAAN: Quiet!
XIMAEDRA (dismissively): And why bring them here? Exile them to Sharktooth Isle and be done with it.
Seraxa nods, her expression triumphant, but before she can give any orders to her warriors, Uqzhaal hobbles forward. He declares, surprisingly loudly:
UQZHAAL: I would invoke the Rule of Tribunal!
Seraxa glares at him as Varyyn’s jaw drops. Diego looks over at him, confused, as the other Vaanti all begin talking excitedly amongst themselves in the Vaant’igua language. Seraxa and two other Vaanti warriors, a man named VILOKO and a woman named CALVIA, take up positions on either side of Ximaedra’s throne.
ALEISTER: What on Earth is a “Rule of Tribunal?”
VARYYN: A process by which they shall judge your fate. Three will speak against you, and three in your defense...
SEAN: All right, that’s not so bad. I’ll do it--
Sean approaches the throne, but another warrior pushes him back. Varyyn shakes his head and frowns.
VARYYN: The speakers must be citizens of Elyys'tel. Outsiders are not permitted to speak for the Tribunal--
ZAHRA: What? That’s bullshit! How the hell are we supposed to--
Uqzhaal hobbles back toward the group, turning to face Seraxa, Calvia, and Viloko.
UQZHAAL: I shall speak for the accused.
Varyyn and Diego exchange a glance. Varyyn then nods and steps forward to stand beside Uqzhaal.
VARYYN: As shall I.
XIMAEDRA: Varyyn, what is the meaning of--
VARYYN: I know Diego’s heart. He is no destroyer.
Ximaedra sighs.
XIMAEDRA: ...Very well. And the third?
Uqzhaal and Varyyn exchange a glance. Jake nudges Diego.
JAKE: Any chance you’re close enough with these guys to step up?
Diego shakes his head.
DIEGO (apologetically): Sure, I know them well enough, but I’m still an outsider. Sorry.
XIMAEDRA: ...Does a third citizen of Elyys’tel deign to speak in defense of the accused?
There is an awkward silence. Seraxa crosses her arms and gazes triumphantly down at Uqzhaal and Varyyn. Varyyn looks back at the other warriors in the room, hoping for assistance, but no one volunteers.
SERAXA: As we are all well aware, without a third citizen willing to stand in defense of the accused, the Tribunal is forfeit. It would seem--
A thick mist suddenly fills the entire chamber, making it impossible to see anything.
VILOKO: Saneha?! Anco jest--
XIMAEDRA (calmly): It would seem they have their third defender, War-Chief.
The mist dissipates as abruptly as it had appeared, swirling out the windows and doors. Kele is now standing beside Varyyn and Uqzhaal, facing the throne.
RAJ: Wait a sec... who the...
KELE: That’s right, Elyyshar. I will speak for the accused.
SERAXA: You would interfere again, Wave-Lord?
KELE: I’m a citizen, aren’t I? I have that right.
Seraxa sighs and crosses her arms, but says nothing more. Kele nods back at the Hartfeld group.
KELE: Looks like I’m saving you all again, aren’t I?
JAKE: Listen, Mr. Waterbender, you owe us a lot of explanation after all this--
XIMAEDRA: Silence. The defenders may speak first. Varyyn?
Varyyn takes a step forward, addressing Ximaedra directly.
VARYYN: Mother. Members of the Tribunal. You know that I have never given any of you reason to distrust me. And neither has the one we call Canis.
He turns, gesturing toward Diego.
VARYYN: For five sheaves of days now, I have spent more time with Diego than has any other citizen of Elyys’tel. I have worked alongside him, traveled with him, stood by him. I have taught him of our ways, and in turn he has taught all of us his language. And I wish to point out that in all this time, he did not once attempt to harm us or flee from us. In truth, as you all have witnessed, he has made every effort to try to understand us.
Diego gives Varyyn a grateful smile. The Vaanti warrior turns back to face the crowd.
VARYYN: And so I ask all of you, citizens of Elyys’tel: do we not owe him that same courtesy? Should we not make the effort to try and understand Diego’s people, just as he was willing to understand us? I believe we should. “For Time’s great cycle ever repeats, and that which is given, in Time one shall receive.”
There is a brief muttering among the Vaanti warriors. Varyyn gives a short bow and steps backward. Ximaedra smiles proudly for a moment, then turns serious.
XIMAEDRA: Well said, Varyyn. And now for the opposition. War-Chief Seraxa?
Seraxa nods and steps forward, glaring angrily at Varyyn before turning to face the rest of the crowd.
SERAXA: Hydra. Lyra.
Fear and anger ripple through the room in equal measure. Estela frowns in confusion as she leans in to whisper to Ian:
ESTELA: That’s the second time now she’s mentioned “Hydra.” What’s that about?
IAN (whispering): No idea.
SERAXA: We trusted outsiders once before, and we all remember how that story ended. They betrayed us. Tried to destroy us! Kidnapped the children of Vaanu from this very city! And now you would repeat that very same mistake? I refuse to risk another betrayal. Exile them and be done with it.
Seraxa stops talking and takes a step back, gazing out at the assembled Vaanti warriors around the chamber. Ximaedra nods.
XIMAEDRA: You are finished, War-Chief?
SERAXA: I am.
XIMAEDRA: Very well. Keeper Uqzhaal, you may speak.
Uqzhaal takes a few slow steps forward.
GRACE (quietly): I don’t like this.
ALYSSA: Yeah, the war-chief really hates us. I hope the old guy’s got a good argument...
UQZHAAL: War-Chief, you speak of the one we call Hydra, and the betrayal that he committed. Yet you would treat these outsiders the same, despite Hydra being their enemy as well! You forget that I was with them when the Temple of Canis was set alight. I witnessed with my own eyes as Hydra attempted to burn them alive within it! They are no friends of his, I can assure you that much.
SERAXA (angrily): They are still outsiders! This--
XIMAEDRA: Silence, War-Chief. You speak out of turn.
Seraxa bows her head, embarrassed at her sudden outburst. After a moment, Uqzhaal continues:
UQZHAAL: You mentioned as well the betrayal that Lyra inflicted upon us. How she took the children of Vaanu from our people, depriving us of such a blessing, and then sent her warriors to attack us, nearly burning Elyys’tel to the ground.
JAKE (whispering): Hey, ain’t he supposed to be on our side? That doesn’t sound like a defense.
SEAN (whispering): Yeah, I really hope he knows what he’s doing...
UQZHAAL: Yet none of you have recognized what is plain to see! That betrayal--that tragedy--has been corrected!
Uqzhaal suddenly turns and approaches the Hartfeld group, walking straight toward Alyssa and Ian. He uses his staff to reach out and pull the two of them forward, out of the group and into the space directly in front of Ximaedra’s throne. The Czasa twins look around in confusion as Uqzhaal declares:
UQZHAAL (proudly): At long last, the children of Vaanu are returned to us!
The entire chamber erupts in an uproar. Excitement, anger, and confusion can be felt in equal measure despite most of the words spoken being in the Vaant’igua language. Alyssa and Ian exchange confused glances, clearly bewildered.
SERAXA: Uqzhaal, how can you know that? Your gluptala fantasies have blinded you--
UQZHAAL (exasperated): Hydra vezm, War-Chief! I was there! I saw that one summon the Vaanulux with my own eyes!
He points to Ian.
IAN: What’s a ‘Vaan...’ uh, thing?
SERAXA: You see?! They do not even know our ways! They cannot be--
XIMAEDRA (booming): ENOUGH!
The entire room immediately goes silent. Ximaedra rises from her throne, stepping forward to stand between Seraxa and Uqzhaal. She takes a moment to allow her analytical gaze to sweep over first Ian, then Alyssa.
XIMAEDRA: If what you say is true, Keeper Uqzhaal... then we have not only the children of Vaanu, but truly the Thirteen Catalysts of legend standing in our midst. It may be a grave mistake to punish them.
Seraxa flinches, looking as though she desperately wants to object, but she holds her tongue. Ximaedra turns back to face Uqzhaal.
XIMAEDRA: If what you say is true. In order to know for certain, we shall need proof of this matter before proceeding. Tupaan? Sixal?
Tupaan and SIXAL, a female warrior wearing a golden mask, step forward.
XIMAEDRA: Go to the Temple of... hmm, Cygnus should do. Retrieve the vaalta there and bring it to us. We shall know the truth of Keeper Uqzhaal’s claim soon enough.
SIXAL: Yes, my elyyshar.
She and Tupaan move to leave the throne room, but Uqzhaal stops them with his staff.
UQZHAAL: Wait! There is no need. I have the vaalta of Canis right here.
He reaches into his satchel and withdraws the dog-headed statue he had taken from the temple earlier, holding it out before Ximaedra.
XIMAEDRA: Ah! Yes, this will work nicely. Keeper Uqzhaal, you have said nothing to the outsiders of the vaalta?
UQZHAAL: That is correct. They know nothing of our stories.
XIMAEDRA: Excellent. Will this suffice, War-Chief?
SERAXA: Yes. We shall witness their ignorance soon enough.
Uqzhaal turns and gestures to Diego, who steps nervously forward. Uqzhaal hands him the statue.
UQZHAAL: Canis. Take the vaalta.
DIEGO (hesitantly): Uh... okay.
He takes it, but nothing happens. Uqzhaal gestures toward the twins.
UQZHAAL: Let them touch it.
Diego approaches the twins and holds out the idol. Realization dawns on both Alyssa and Ian as they understand what the Vaanti are trying to do.
ALYSSA: Oh! They want us to--
IAN (simultaneously): Is this about the--
They reach out to touch the statue. The moment all three of them are touching it, a familiar blinding flash of light envelops the twins. When it clears, they are standing in the living room of a small house, near the front door. Ian and Alyssa stumble back in shock when they see it.
ALYSSA (emotionally): I... this is...
IAN (shocked): Home.
The two of them look almost on the verge of tears at the familiar sight. Before they can react further, the door swings open to reveal YOUNG IAN and YOUNG ALYSSA, about 12 years old, their backpacks slung over their shoulders. Behind them, looking terrified and so nervous that he seems to wish he could disappear on the spot, is an equally YOUNG DIEGO. He is disheveled, his hair messy and his clothes wrinkled. His own backpack is stuffed to bursting, and he holds a wrinkled bedsheet in his hands.
YOUNG IAN: It’ll be okay. I promise! They love you.
YOUNG DIEGO (shakily): I thought m-my parents did, too. And then--
YOUNG ALYSSA: Well, they’re stupid! None of that should matter. Want me to go yell at them for you? I could totally do that!
The adult Ian and Alyssa exchange a glance.
ALYSSA: This is... It’s another memory.
IAN: Yeah. Wait--you’ve seen this, too?
ALYSSA: Not this one, but... same concept. Wait, hang on--!
IAN (sighs): Yeah, I’ve seen one too. Gotta say, it’s really weird seeing ourselves like this.
ALYSSA: No kidding--
She stops talking as footsteps can be heard from upstairs. The younger Alyssa, Ian, and Diego enter the living room and shut the door. A woman in her late 40’s, her black hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, walks down the stairs as the adult twins’ gazes are immediately drawn to her. This is BECKY CZASA, Alyssa and Ian’s adoptive mother.
IAN: Mom!
ALYSSA (simultaneously): Mom!
Without thinking, the two of them approach their mother, only to be interrupted as the younger Ian runs up to Becky, sprinting right through his older self in the process. The older Ian glances down and sighs, shaking his head.
IAN: Right. Memory.
BECKY: Hi, Ian! How was schoo--
She abruptly stops talking mid-sentence as she catches sight of Diego, taking in his disheveled appearance.
BECKY (concerned): Diego! Oh my Lord, what happened? You look like a mess! What’s wrong--
Diego flinches and attempts to hide behind Alyssa. Ian takes a deep breath and looks back at his sister and his best friend. Alyssa gives him a nod.
YOUNG IAN (nervously): Mom... uh... something did happen. It’s kind of a big deal. I... um... I don’t really know where to start. How to explain... um... it’s...
YOUNG ALYSSA (shouting): Diego’s gay, Mom!
Diego looks even more terrified. Ian fixes his sister with an angry glare.
YOUNG IAN: ‘Lyss!
YOUNG ALYSSA: What? You were taking too long. (furiously) Mom, if you think you’re about to kick Diego out like his mom did, then I’m kicking myself out, too! Nobody deserves to be treated like this for somethin’ they don’t choose! You don’t--
BECKY: What? Alyssa, please, I am not--
YOUNG ALYSSA: --and it's such a big bunch of crap, too! He’s so scared, and everyone keeps bullying him, and now even his own family won’t--
BECKY: Alyssa, listen to me--
YOUNG ALYSSA: --so if you and Dad think you can keep treating him like this, like everyone else does, than me and Ian are runnin’ away with him, you got that? You kick him out, you kick all of us out! I'm not gonna--
BECKY (suddenly shouting): Alyssa Meghan Agbayani Czasa!
Alyssa abruptly stops talking. Becky shakes her head, an amused smile on her face.
BECKY: I know you care about your friend. But your father and I would never dream of treating him any different because of who he loves! Diego, you have always been welcome in our home, and that has not changed. That will never change, do you understand?
The younger Alyssa blushes heavily at the realization that her whole rant was for nothing. The adult Alyssa, watching the vision, blushes heavily as well, from secondhand embarrassment. Ian gives her an amused smile.
ALYSSA: God, was I really that quick to start yelling all the time back then?
IAN: And I could barely work up the nerve to say anything at all. Wow...
ALYSSA (playfully): Not much has changed on that front.
IAN: That goes for both of us, y’know.
They share an amused grin before turning their attention back to the memory. Becky approaches Diego and bends down to pull him into a tight hug as Diego starts sobbing into her shoulder.
BECKY: Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe here.
YOUNG DIEGO (sobbing): I thought... I thought you’d--
YOUNG IAN: Mom? That’s why... I wanted to ask if he can stay with us. His parents kicked him out. He had to sleep on a couch in the library last night! And he barely had anything to eat besides my lunch from today! He needs--
BECKY: Of course he can stay. As long as he needs to, he can stay.
Becky stands up and gives young Ian a smile.
BECKY: He’s no stranger to that guest room of ours, after all! Come on, you three. Let’s get you all some food.
YOUNG DIEGO (tearfully): Thank you, Mrs. Czasa. Thank you. I-- thank you!
As the older Ian and Alyssa move to follow their younger selves into the kitchen, the blinding flash of light returns once again and the twins are yanked backward. Within the light, they hear a familiar voice:
VOICE (V.O.): Canis. Always quick to cast his own needs aside for fear of rejection. He must accept himself for who he is, in order to find the true strength he carries within. All of you must, if you wish to find the sole path forward.
In a flash, they are back in the throne room of Elyys’tel. The twins stare at Diego in shock.
DIEGO (confused): Uh... did something happen? Are you two okay?
IAN: We, er... we saw...
XIMAEDRA: Describe your experience upon touching the vaalta.
IAN: I... uh... it was kinda...
ALYSSA: We saw a vision. A memory. Diego’s memory.
DIEGO: Wait, what?
UQZHAAL (triumphantly): Oho! You see?
ALYSSA: We could, like, walk around and stuff. But we couldn’t interact with anything. We saw it as clear as day!
DIEGO: Wait, what memory?
IAN: From when we were little. The day you--
SERAXA: They lie!
XIMAEDRA: And how could they lie about this, War-Chief? They have no way of knowing what the correct answer could be--
Uqzhaal takes the statue from Diego’s hand and holds it aloft.
UQZHAAL: It is a proven truth! They are indeed the long-lost children of Vaanu, returned to us at last! Which means... before us stand the Thirteen Catalysts of legend!
Gasps of astonishment come from the surrounding crowd of Vaanti. The Hartfeld group simply look even more confused.
SERAXA: Claq shen zarvii, Uqzhaal. It is said that they will bring about great change, yes? And change itself can be good... or very, very bad. The Catalysts may prove to be our enemies yet.
Uqzhaal scowls in annoyance.
UQZHAAL: And you would make enemies out of them in the process? That is not--
XIMAEDRA: Keeper Uqzhaal. Tell me, is it not true that the Endless Ones once spoke of the Catalysts’ capacity for salvation and destruction?
UQZHAAL: It... it is true, my elyyshar.
XIMAEDRA: Then we may in fact be enemies, after all. Even the Catalysts--indeed, even the children of Vaanu--are not without the ability to choose. Even to choose evil, should they wish.
VARYYN: Diego is not--
Ximaedra holds out a hand for silence as she settles back into her throne.
XIMAEDRA: The Tribunal continues. Keeper Uqzhaal, you have said your peace. Warrior Viloko, step forward.
The male Vaanti warrior standing beside Seraxa takes a step forward and nods at the assembled crowd.
VILOKO: Our War-Chief speaks the truth! Even if they are the Catalysts, it changes nothing. We all know of what happened when our warriors went to retrieve them from the Torehydra! They attacked us without cause!
He points accusingly at Varyyn.
VILOKO: Varyyn, you should know full well that the Catalysts are our enemies! You were with us in that battle that should not have been a battle! We have no need to wonder. It has already been made clear: the Catalysts are our enemies!
He draws a ceremonial knife from its sheath at his waist and holds it aloft.
VILOKO: Why are we talking? We should be acting!
SERAXA: Heed my warrior’s words! He speaks the truth!
Piercing war cries erupt from the crowd. Ximaedra raises both hands in an attempt to quiet the crowd as Uqzhaal pounds his staff on the ground. The Vaanti warriors press closer toward the Catalysts, who huddle in more tightly together. As the din crescendoes, Kele stomps a foot on the ground and makes a few quick gestures. A thin surge of water whips in through a window to impact with a resounding CRACK! against the opposite wall. Immediately, the room goes quiet.
KELE: HEY! Tribunal’s not over.
He bows quickly to Ximaedra before stepping back to his original position.
KELE (respectfully): Elyyshar. Proceed.
Ximaedra nods gratefully in his direction before returning her gaze to Viloko and Seraxa.
XIMAEDRA: There is a time for war-frenzy, and a time for order. You would do well to remember this.
VILOKO (ashamed): Yes, my elyyshar.
XIMAEDRA: Have you any more to say, Warrior Viloko?
VILOKO: Only that I stand by my words. We must treat the Catalysts as our enemies, lest we wish to be--
He stops talking as a deep, shuddering rumble echoes throughout the chamber. The other Vaanti all look up in fear, as do the Catalysts.
SERAXA: Wave-Lord! What trick of yours is this?!
KELE: This isn’t me. I’m not--
An impossibly tall wave crashes into the side of the chamber, water dripping through the windows. Kele quickly runs toward the water, doing his best to keep the torrent from drowning everyone inside the chamber. He visibly strains to send the water pouring harmlessly out another window.
SERAXA: Go! Tell us what happened!
Calvia nods to her War-Chief and dashes out of the chamber. Not fifteen seconds later, she comes sprinting back inside, wide-eyed with terror.
CALVIA (quaking with fear): Elyyshar. War-Chief.
She swallows hard, then looks back up at Ximaedra nervously.
CALVIA: Cetus has returned.
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Scene Notes: Yes, we're skipping Yvonne's entrance for now. Don't worry, I'd never miss including her in the story! She'll show up eventually. Next up: the battle with Cetus!
also I can finally start referring to them as 'Catalysts,' that was getting annoying
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Next: Trial by Water
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