Episode 9: The Forest Path Duel
ext/int darkness
Complete darkness. We hear the voice of the Moon.
THE MOON
Confused again? Never you mind, Mother Moon is here to clear up your questions.
The familiar stars appear from the black. They start as a zero and then break into the form of Alice, and then back to zero again.
THE MOON
Every child is born with innate power. We call this “the Arcane”. It’s magic, basically. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Zodiac, or even numerology or the Tarot, or countless other scrying techniques? All merely methods of drawing out one’s inner Arcane talent. But humans too often see this power as a means to mundane ends. They ask after riches, job prospects, or future love. Base instinct needs. Few, very few indeed, think to consider the power they were born with as a tool for something far greater.
The stars break from Alice and assemble into a full Tarot deck, the cards forming several rows.
THE MOON
Every human is born under a star, and every star begets a bit of its power unto a human. This power is visualized as a card, and it is the well of Arcane power that a human subconsciously draws on throughout their life. Some cards are quite minor, some quite powerful. They represent the elements- Green for Air, Blue for Water, Red for Fire and Copper-Brown for Earth- and in some cases even carry signs- Swords, Wands, Pentacles and Cups. Even the most minor cards carry great strength.
The star cards flash and highlight as their respective symbols are called up.
THE MOON
But almost every human lives out their life tapping but a small percentage of the Arcane power they harbor. For as the world of The Real aged, the witches, warlocks and druids passed into obscurity and the keepers of the Lost Highway, that transit of power between The Real and the world of Arcana, was forgotten. And so we find ourselves here- when only once in a very great while does a human come along, born on the right day, under the right set of stars- only to find themselves the inheritor of the illusive, but powerful card of The Fool.
The stars align to create an illustration of The Fool dancing on the edge of the cliff.
THE MOON
The number of the Fool, 0, represents infinite possibility, the beginning of a journey, the potential to master all things. Though eccentric, erratic and seemingly unreliable the Fool is undeniably the most powerful card of Arcana- and the most dangerous. In previous awakenings of the Fool, they have displayed a bevy of powers including clairvoyance and uncanny instinct- but also the ability to swallow up the Arcana energy of other cards entirely. Because of their 0 status, they can fill themselves with any manner of power- and disperse it back accordingly. Naturally, there are consequences, and this power is not limitless, but we’ll get to that later, I imagine. All you need to know for now is that our Alice, the Fool, is very, very strong, and what may seem like foolhardy courage to an outside is merely the intuitive nature of a Fool recognizing its own strength- and acting out accordingly. For now, let us return back to our Alice, shall we?
The stars flicker out as the sky returns to black.
ext. Forest Path night
The trampled dirt of the forest path. Alice standing at its center. Behind her, the facedown Page of Swords with a mouthful of dirt and an extinguished sword. Before her, an astonished Knight of Swords, her flame sword still lit at her side, her horse nervously clopping its hooves in an idle.
Alice, having just tripped the Page after an astonishing display of power, is very proud of herself. That is, until-
ALICE
(bending over to hold her shin)
Ouch, ouch, ouch. My shin, fuck, ouch!
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(to herself)
So, this is the Fool’s power.
The Page of Swords scrambles to his feet. He is humiliated, angry. He raises his sword’s pommel overhead.
ALICE
(sitting down, rubbing her shin, waving off the Page)
Wait, wait. I’m not ready yet.
PAGE OF SWORDS
(freezing up, exasperated)
Are you kidding me-
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(nervously bemused)
Is there a problem, dear Page?
PAGE OF SWORDS
(lowering his sword, throws out his arms in disbelief)
She bruised her shin.
The Knight of Swords shrugs. The Page of Swords sighs, turns back to Alice. He flicks his sword pommel. Instead of producing its magical blade it pffts out.
ALICE
(giggling)
Ha, that sounds like a fart.
PAGE OF SWORDS
(growling)
Quiet, you.
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(patronizing)
Stop screwing around, dear husband.
PAGE OF SWORDS
(losing his temper)
MY SWORD WON’T START!
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
Do you need to borrow mine?
PAGE OF SWORDS
(a foul, foul tone)
No, I certainly do not, you-
He turns his gaze to the Knight. The Knight raises her visor. She is not amused. The Page quickly thinks better of what he is about to say-
PAGE OF SWORDS
(exaggerated deference)
ABSOLUTELY LOVELY creature…
The Knight arches an eyebrow at this. The Page of Swords lets out a small, defeated sigh. He turns back to Alice, who stares up at him wide-eyed.
ALICE
You two should see a counselor, you have a very confrontational relationship.
PAGE OF SWORDS AND KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(unison)
STAY OUT OF THIS.
Alice shrugs, stands up, brushes herself off. She reaches her arms overheard, stretches a bit until a crack in her back is heard. She brings her arms back down to her sides.
ALICE
Okay, I’m ready.
The Page flicks the pommel of his sword again. A couple of pffts later it starts up like a resistant lawnmower. He grins, though his green air blade continues to flicker uncertainly as it nears Alice.
PAGE OF SWORDS
(quietly)
You might be a Major Card, but you’re no adept. I’m going to bet you can’t do that again.
ALICE
(yawning)
You’re right. I’m exhausted. I can’t do anything.
The Page goes into his lowered swordsmnan’s stance.
ALICE
But he can.
Smokey wisps overtake the path, subtly curling around the feet of the players like a morning mist before coalescing at a single point in front of the Page of Swords to form into the silhouette of a man. As the smoke solidifies features take definite shape- a tall, slender, silver-haired man with the jaw of a skeleton and the arms to match, scorched black steel armor covering his torso and legs, a a black rob and cape with scarlet red fringes obscuring the more damaged plating. In his right hand he carries a poleaxe. This is the second form of the Pale Horse.
ALICE
(impressed)
Woah.
The Pale Horse’s eyes flick to Alice and make a concerted effort to ignore the admiration, returning to focus on the Page in front of him.
The Page of Swords nervously shifts his stance. His eyes narrow, a struggle within to maintain bravado while recognizing the arrival of a monster.
PAGE OF SWORDS
The Rider-less Horse dares show his face. Or at least half of it. You’re in worse shape than rumored, Pale Horse. I wonder how much the loss of your rider has diminished your power.
The Pale Horse lowers his poleaxe to the ready position.
PALE HORSE
Honestly, you minor-arcana are such a pain.
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(calling to the Page)
Do you require aid, my husband?
PAGE OF SWORDS
(stubbornly)
Against a blank card and a fallen major arcana? I couldn’t call myself a swordsman or a man if I did.
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(closing her visor)
Your confidence always was your most attractive quality. Good luck.
The Page of Swords shifts a few steps back. He breathes in deeply and then stamps both feet onto the path, grounding himself. Green air Arcane aura flares up around his body, enveloping him.
PAGE OF SWORDS
(shouting)
LUCK HAS NO PLACE IN A SWORDSMAN’S LIFE.
The Page of Swords charges forward, his blade raised overhead, cocked for an elegant downward slice. It is a reckless, but powerful charge, surging with green air energy, the wake of the charge crackling with lightning.
The Pale Horse does not move from from his spot, instead dropping the head of his poleaxe into the ground. He calculates the swordsman’s advance upon him. As the Page moves within a mere two steps of the Horse, the Pale Horse springs his wielding arm forward, pulling the poleaxe upward, its head threatening like a vicious uppercut of steel. A flow of blue water Arcane aura streams after the upward arc, a sparkling flourish of elegance in the move. The business end of the weapon lands true, striking the Page on the chin, knocking him several feet up into the air. His body seemingly floats for a few seconds before being pulled back down to the dirt path several feet back, landing him with a thud on his back exactly where he started his attack.
ALICE
(even more impressed)
Woah. You’re. Uh. Wow. Really strong.
The Pale Horse snorts, ignoring her. He walks over to the Page of Swords, who lies on his back, his poor, broken jaw bleeding from the crushing blow. The Horse leers fiercely at his downed foe.
PALE HORSE
I have no authority to end your wretched life, Page of Swords.
The Page of Swords groans at this. The Pale Horse turns and looks to the Knight of Swords. He raises his poleaxe in a sign of victory.
PALE HORSE
I claim victory in this duel.
The Knight of Swords again raises her visor, revealing eyes both surprised yet still shrewd. She notably does not extinguish her sword of fire.
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(sternly)
Name your terms…
