CLASH OF THE TITANS
Written bY
John Glenn & Travis Wright
Based on the 1981 movie "Clash of the Titans"
Written by
Beverly Cross
May 28, 2008
FADE IN:
EXT. ALLEYWAY (VILLAGE) - DUSK
Gloomy, last light. From out of the shadows comes --
A DOG. A dog of war. Big, mangy, muscular, scary. As
he moves down the alley, the way becomes increasingly
choked with fallen structures. and signs of tumult.
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DUSK
TRACKING WITH THE DOG as he comes onto a battlefield.
The hellish scene is REVEALED TO US SLOWLY --
SERIES OF SHOTS
as the Dog traverses a landscape of --
BODIES, frozen in contorted death poses. This was
furious, hand-to-hand fighting between human SOLDIERS and
nightmare CREATURES, their corpses now in piles to the
horizon.
The Dog climbs a mound of casualties. At the top, the
Dog looks back across the battlefield. The Dog's eyes
are sad, his expression weary and disgusted.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - NIGHT
The entrance is patrolled by a dozen PALACE GUARDS. They
don't see the Dog pad silently to a fissure in the palace
wall and disappear inside.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Bloodied and battered, the King's GENERALS are
disagreeing loudly about strategy. A loud BANGING sound
pierces the hubbub, and the officers quiet, turning to --
KING ACRISIUS, a striking man in his prime, his handsome
face marked by one crooked scar on his jaw. He commands
the room --
KING ACRISIUS
Now we end the debate about
tactics... and begin to plan for
victory.
2.
AT THE BACK OF THE HALL
The Dog stares at the King. Then slips away.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - GREAT STAIRS - NIGHT
Unseen by exhausted Guards, the Dog bounds up the stairs.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - ROYAL APARTMENT - CORRIDOR -
NIGHT
The Dog approaches a doorway; stops to watch from the
shadows.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - BEDCHAMBER - DOG'S POV -
NIGHT
In the dim bedchamber, the SILHOUETTE of QUEEN DANAE as a
LADY-IN-WAITING removes her gown, revealing the Queen's
perfect body as she slips into bed. The Lady-in-Waiting
leaves.
The Dog's eyes. He moves forward.
FLOOR-LEVEL
TRACKING WITH the Dog's legs as they MORPH INTO HUMAN
LEGS. The CAMERA RISES BEHIND a towering male figure,
who roughly pulls a curtain aside.
In the bed, the Queen is startled, then pleased.
QUEEN DANAE
My King! Has the strategy been
set so quickly?
REVERSE ANGLE
The looming figure looks exactly like King Acrisius,
including the distinctive scar. He regards her hungrily.
QUEEN DANAE
Come to your Queen, my King.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - GREAT STAIRS - SUNRISE
The real King Acrisius wearily climbs the stairs with
AIDES and Guards. Suddenly, the King stops.
(CONTINUED)
3.
CONTINUED:
On the wall above is the huge shadow of a four-legged
creature -- and now it appears:
The Dog stops at the top of the stairs and regards the
men without fear -- its eyes blaze with a God's power.
Even Acrisius, who fears nothing, steps back. The others
raise their weapons.
The Dog comes down the steps, eyes upon them, and passes
close by. No one dare move. The Dog disappears into the
shadows below.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE SEA - ROCKY PROMONTORY - CLOSE ON KING ACRISIUS'
HARDENED COUNTENANCE - DAY
staring at --
ANOTHER ANGLE
Queen Danae, PREGNANT NOW, and weeping. Her arms are
bound.
A ROYAL ENTOURAGE is gathered. The women weep, the men
agonize.
Palace Guards lift the Queen into a chest and chain it
closed. On the King's signal, the Guards carry the chest
to the edge and drop it into the rough sea. We HEAR a
SCREAM from within.
Some members of the Royal Entourage look with scorn at
their King, outraged by this double murder. Acrisius
registers their disapproving looks and angrily turns to
leave the promontory.
WE SEE in his face what the others do not -- shame and
doubt.
IN THE WATER BELOW, the chest rights itself and rides out
on the tide.
EXT. SAND DUNES OF A LONELY BEACH - NIGHT
Two HORSEMEN gallop in the moonlight. The first Rider
sways in the saddle and falls from his mount. He
staggers to his feet, a skin of ale in his hands. It is
King Acrisius, very drunk.
The second Rider, the King's STEWARD, dismounts to give
aid, though he's also drunk.
(CONTINUED)
4.
CONTINUED:
KING ACRISIUS
(RAGING)
My own subjects condemn me! They
dare judge me? And what emboldens
this treachery?...
STEWARD
You are mistaken, my King. None
would risk your anger --
KING ACRISIUS
(oblivious to him)
It is Zeus who warps my
kinadom!... Zeus the ungodly, Zeus
the defiler...
This talk sobers the Steward instantly; he looks about
fearlessly.
STEWARD
Please, speak not these things --
Acrisius spins on him, out of control --
KING ACRISIUS
He cuckolds me in my castle, rapes
my precious Queen! This is a low,
conniving God... But I have bested
him on this day and humbled the
great Prime.
(SWIGS ALE)
Tell me, Panos, who rivals Zeus on
Olympos? Who does the Fearless
One fear?
STEWARD
I beg you, Your Highness --
Acrisius pulls a dagger and holds it to the Steward's
throat.
KING ACRISIUS
Tell me what the Priests say!
STEWARD
(terrified, halting)
Tiamat... Tiamat, Queen of the
Deep.
(WHISPERING)
Those who dare, whisper she covets
Zeus' throne and schemes to
achieve it, the ambitious Goddess
of the Dark Oceans...
(CONTINUED)
5.
CONTINUED:
KING ACRISIUS
Yes, Tiamat! And today I have
honored her.
The King whirls and staggers up the crest of the dune.
KING ACRISIUS
I've taken Zeus' whore and the
bastard she grows in her belly and
thrown them to Tiamat in her rough
sea!
(toward the moonlit
OCEAN)
I honor Zeus' rival with all that
was dear to me --
(falters, ashamed)
-- and commit double murder in her
honor...
About to go to pieces, rage seizes him again --
KING ACRISIUS
so that Zeus will know I
despise and disdain him and spit
on his foul name!
The Steward shrinks from this blasphemy, eyes darting in
fear.
ON THE CREST the King is silhouetted in the moonlight,
arms raised defiantly toward the heavens, when suddenly --
-- his figure is seized by some violent force, shaking
his being. A HORRIBLE SOUND (MUSCLE TEARS, BONES CRACK)
and THE KING'S BODY GROWS LARGER AS IT DISTORTS IN
MISSHAPEN DISFIGUREMENT.
And thus, KING ACRISIUS BECOMES... KALIBOS!
The Steward SEES what we now cannot. An INHUMAN ROAR and
the shadow of this new being falls upon the Steward. He
SCREAMS, but it's too late -- the huge CREATURE grabs him
by the neck and LIFTS HIM OUT OF FRAME. From the empty,
moonlit dunes, we...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. OPEN SEAS - DAY
Queen Danae's coffin/chest tossing in the rough water.
Through the ROAR of the waves, we HEAR a BABY CRY.
FADE TO BLACK.
6.
SUPERIMPOSE: TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER
FADE IN:
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
A LITTLE BOY leads a blind OLD MAN along a road.
Abruptly, the Old Man halts. Puzzled, the Boy scans
ahead, SEES --
-- a SPRAY OF DUST, moving fast, behind a blurred BLACK
FORM --
-- in an instant, the apparition blows past them -- wind
and dust whip at them. In awe and fear --
OLD MAN
Thoth the Quick...
(sensing the boy's
CONFUSION)
Messenger of the Gods. Bound for
Olympos.
The rushing Black Form crosses a field, leaving a
violent wave in the long grass and suddenly --
EXT. FIELDS/WOODS/MOUNTAIN/OLYMPOS - DAY
WE ARE IN THAT RUSHING POV: the landscape is just a
blur. But up ahead is a mountain: OLYMPOS. WE ZOOM UP
TO the summit --
-- INTO the clouds above the peak. THROUGH the mist --
villas, classical facades: THE ABODE OF THE GODS. The
polished stone of the grandest villa reflects THOTH'S
dark form touching down.
INT. ATRIUM (OLYMPOS) - DAY
THOTH THE QUICK enters the wide courtyard, his cape
billowing. He strides past the reflecting pool in the
center of the courtyard, gravely acknowledging --
-- each of the TEN FIGURES seated around the perimeter...
THE OLYMPIANS. APOLLO is here, and bronze-helmeted
ATHENA; APHRODITE and muscular VULCAN -- we are dazzled
and lose count.
Thoth bows deeply before the throne of ZEUS, majestic,
bearded, awe-inspiring. An EAGLE is perched on his arm.
THOTH
My lord.
(CONTINUED)
7.
CONTINUED:
ZEUS
(rumbles, like
THUNDER)
We have debated, we have voted,
and it is decided. We offer the
Humans peace. Thoth, you will
take them the terms of a treaty --
TIAMAT (O.S.)
(SCORNFULLY)
A treaty!
Zeus and his eagle turn their heads. The God's eyes are
familiar -- the blazing orbs we saw in The Dog.
In the shadowed corner of the atrium stand TWO MORE
Olympians: SET THE VOID, whose countenance is death made
visible, and --
-- TIAMAT, QUEEN OF THE DEEP, the only God fearless
enough to challenge Zeus' rule --
TIAMAT
We don't negotiate with them! We
dictate to them. Their place is
to beg. They have forgotten their
role and have denied us the
sustenance of their prayers.
APHRODITE
Our mercy will give them reason to
be grateful. They will bow down
and whisper our names with more
passion than before.
TIAMAT
They will bow down when we snap
their backs! Mercy? We are Gods!
Some of us remember that and are
not afraid --
Zeus has had enough: furious ARCS OF LIGHTNING jump to
the walls, the eagle beats its wings in rage.
ZEUS
Silence! Or learn what it is to
be afraid! The debate is over,
the votes cast...
Zeus points to a golden tray; it bears TEN chips of
alabaster versus TWO shards of obsidian.
(CONTINUED)
8.
CONTINUED:
ZEUS
We guarantee an armistice, we
shield the bridegroom and the
Joppan royal family.
(turning again on
TIAMAT)
And we do not interfere in their
actions. We leave them
undisturbed unless-invoked by name
to enter their affairs.
SET
And if they refuse our terms?
ZEUS
They have suffered terrible
losses. They will not pass up a
chance for peace.
INT. ATRIUM - MAGIC HOUR (LATER)
Only Tiamat and Set now. Tiamat regards Zeus' throne.
SET
This is your rightful place to
take.
TIAMAT
Soon enough, Set. Zeus has grown
weaker than I knew.
Set gestures at the white chips on the tray as he picks
up the two black shards representing their votes. He
hands one to Tiamat.
SET
So have they all. They no longer
see clearly.
TIAMAT
(DISDAINFUL)
They're beginning to think like
Men. But you and I shall not.
Set agrees, his eyes searching her face.
TIAMAT
We will manage these thick-witted
Humans to our own ends.
(off his look)
Yes, we will be bound by great
Zeus' rules... until their fragile
membranes tear. We dare not
interfere with these insects...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
9.
CONTINUED:
TIAMAT (CONT'D)
but we may be invited to
intervene.
Tiamat flicks the obsidian into the reflecting pool --
the whole pool darkens and choppy waves crash over the
sides... a tiny tempest.
EXT. THE AGORA (MARKETPLACE) OF JOPPA - DAY
The long war with the Gods has wounded this city, but
life goes stubbornly on. Among the war-torn buildings is
a bustling market. CITIZENS eye the wares. MERCHANTS,
PERFORMERS, noise, and MUSIC.
SUPERIMPOSE: JOPPA, CAPITAL OF THE DOMINION OF ILLYRIA
Suddenly the market falls SILENT. Fear grips the crowd.
An occurrence rare in the world of Men -- AN OLYMPIAN
APPROACHES.
The clouds stop dead. The crowd stops. TIME STOPS. A
PRESENCE WE DO NOT SEE moves to the BASILICA, the royal
residence and assembly hall.
INT. THE BASILICA - THRONE ROOM - DAY
KING KEPHEUS, the aging, worried ruler, sits on his
throne, then stands, paces, sits again. Expecting
someone.
Flitting nearby is his Queen -- CASSIOPEIA, a fading
beauty, fiercely intelligent, but not wise; she can be
impulsive and vain.
AMOUN stands calmly by -- he is special advisor (or Magi
Strategos) to the King and will be central to our story.
AMOUN
The emissary approaches. Take
your time in your responses,
debate nothing...
KEPHEUS
(TESTY)
I've received ambassadors before.
AMOUN
None like this.
KEPHEUS
I'm not cowed. If these arrogant
Gods are so powerful, why are they
the ones seeking a truce?
(CONTINUED)
10.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
(PATIENTLY)
I only recommend you take care
with the tone of the conversation.
A truce would benefit all...
KEPHEUS
In my palace, I decide how the
discourse proceeds, not some
messenger sent on errands by Zeus.
THOTH (O.S.)
You are correct, Your Highness, I
do the bidding of Zeus...
To their astonishment, the emissary is already in the
Throne Room, behind them. Startled, they turn to see --
Thoth the Quick, Messenger of the Gods, float forward.
THOTH
... as do all Gods... and all men.
Thoth removes his hood, revealing his crystal skull.
THOTH
(with an edge)
King Kepheus, as humble messenger
of Zeus, I've come to talk of
peace.
AMOUN
(DEFERENTIAL)
Thoth the Quick, I am Amoun, the
King's Magi Strategos. We welcome
you with humility, honored by your
visit from the realm of the Gods.
The King shoots Amoun a look, but he is still shaken by
Thoth's sudden appearance. Cassiopeia tries to recover
her composure.
KEPHEUS
I am a reasonable man. Everyone
wishes for the conflict to cease.
THOTH
Zeus above all. He has so long
desired the tragedy end, he made a
plan that began twenty-five years
ago.
(CONTINUED)
11.
CONTINUED:
CASSIOPEIA
Twenty-five years! How is that
possible?
Amoun winces at her tone. Thoth sends a scary glance her
way. Icy --
THOTH
Beauteous Queen, let Thoth limn
for you the forethought and wisdom
of Zeus, God of Gods.
EXT. THE AGORA OF JOPPA - DAY
The market, now quiet, tries to return to normalcy. But
the crowd watches the Basilica, worried by the God's
presence.
INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY
Kepheus and Cassiopeia sit stunned. Amoun watches
without surprise.
KEPHEUS
A treaty marriage?
THOTH
You have a daughter of age.
CASSIOPEIA
(GASPS)
Andromeda!
KEPHEUS
Surely Zeus does not ask a mortal
father to give his daughter to a
God.
THOTH
No. Such a union would be
unclean. Years ago Zeus created a
scion of mixed blood. Half-man,
half-God. Bred for just this
union. That is how important Zeus
considers this truce.
CASSIOPEIA
Is my only daughter to marry a
demigod, not of this earth?
THOTH
A prince, of both Olympian and
Human royalty. A chosen one.
(MORE) (CONTINUED)
12.
CONTINUED:
THOTH (CONT'D)
Zeus has given his son to the
cause of peace.
KEPHEUS
I have heard of no such demigod.
AMOUN
Majesty, if I may -- the young man
does exist. He lives in a small
fishing village on the isle of
Seriphos.
Kepheus turns, surprised at Amoun's foreknowledge.
KEPHEUS
You knew about this and said
nothing?
CASSIOPEIA
(ACCUSATORY)
Just which king do you serve?
AMOUN
My Queen, I serve only the great
order of things. I was the boy's
tutor years ago.
KEPHEUS
How haughty this boy must be, who
knows he is half-God.
AMOUN
He knows nothing and believes
himself an ordinary man. He has
never left his village. He can be
overconfident, but it is from
inexperience, not arrogance.
Repheus and Cassiopeia exchange wary looks. Sharply
CASSIOPEIA
What assurance do we have that our
daughter will be safe?
THOTH
(LOSING PATIENCE)
You have my word, as Ambassador of
the Gods.
KEPHEUS
With our daughter's future at
stake, we do not bestow trust
easily.
(THREATENING)
If any harm should come to her --
(CONTINUED)
13.
CONTINUED:
Amoun reacts, but it is too late -- Thoth has been
IRRITATED:
Suddenly, the WALLS GROAN, compressing with an AWFUL
SHUDDER. The room TILTS. Kepheus and the Queen grab for
a solid handhold, frightened.
The golden marbles on a tabletop roll from their pits and
pile up in defiance of gravity. Wine goblets tilt toward
Thoth.
THOTH
(ICY)
The Princessa shall not be harmed.
AMOUN
(urgently, to the
KING)
Your Majesty...
KEPHEUS
(SHAKEN)
Of course... of course your word
is unquestioned here.
Thoth's demeanor changes. The marbles spill off the
table, rolling across the floor to Kepheus' feet. TILT
UP TO his intimidated face:
KEPHEUS
Where is the lucky young suitor?
EXT. UNDERWATER (THE AEGEAN SEA) - DAY
Perfectly blue, sunlight shafting from the surface.
A GREAT WHITE SHARK appears, ensnared in a fisherman's
net. Panicked, the shark is diving as fast as it can.
As the net passes we see --
ANTEROS, a hapless young fisherman, his legs entangled in
the net, desperately trying to hold his breath. When
they have disappeared, we see a FIGURE appear through the
blue in pursuit. As he passes, we get our first look
AT --
PERSEUS, 25, wiry, bronzed from the sun, a stubbled jaw,
a knife in his teeth. He swims with the power and grace
of a porpoise -- beyond the ability of any normal man.
EXT. SEA FLOOR - DAY
The shark thrashes about, jaws snapping close to Anteros.
(CONTINUED)
14.
CONTINUED:
Perseus swims INTO VIEW and uses his knife to cut the net
near the shark's snout. The shark tries to swim through
the hole, but instead drags the net upwards. Perseus
hangs on.
One more slice and the shark zooms out of the net,
bumping the young hero as it swims away. Perseus pulls
Anteros toward the surface.
EXT. FISHING TRAWLER - DAY
A CREW of FISHERMEN wait desperately at the rail.
SPYROS, the oldest and toughest, watches in agony.
Perseus breaks the surface, gasping, his lifeless friend
in his arms. Five crewmen dive in to help, but Perseus
is mad with despair. They have to pull him away.
Spyros watches sadly. But also, relieved to see the one
survivor.
EXT. FISHING TRAWLER - DAY
Spyros makes his way to the bow, where Perseus sits
alone, downcast, in pain. Spyros watches in silence.
Then, gruffly --
SPYROS
Your grieving does Anteros no
good. It comforts only you.
PERSEUS
It's my fault he's gone.
SPYROS
He was careless with the net.
Perseus gives him a hard look.
PERSEUS
So it's his fault. Not mine, not
fate, not the Gods?
SPYROS
(DISDAINFULLY)
The Gods delude themselves about
their power and watch in envy
while we act. We make our own
history.
(CONTINUED)
15.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
(breaks down, crying)
Now my history is I let my friend
die in my arms. I made it back,
why couldn't he?
SPYROS
What you do, no other man can do.
Have you not noticed?
PERSEUS
To what purpose? I failed him.
SPYROS
(SCOFFS)
Purpose! Looking for purpose is
what ensnares men in the
superstition of the Gods, as
surely as your friend was caught
in that net. And all the
searching leads down to the same
place.
The trawler is approaching its home island, Seriphos.
Perseus looks off at the rocky coast. Collects himself,
QUIETLY --
PERSEUS
You always say that my abilities
are greater than other men's. But
they were not enough to save him.
SPYROS
You are still a man, confined by
man's limits. You are just as
likely to fail as succeed.
PERSEUS
How is that greater than other
men?
SPYROS
Ordinary men fail most of the
time.
The trawler rounds a point on the island.
Perseus spies a beautiful girl on the cliff. A closer
LOOK --
A huntress; a pagan leather bandeau hugs her lithe
figure. Flowers in her golden hair -- wilted dahlias.
Young yet ancient. THE WILTING GIRL.
(CONTINUED)
16.
CONTINUED:
She watches Perseus intently as the boat passes. He
turns to see if Spyros or his friends have seen her, but
no one has. When he looks back, she's gone.
EXT. PROMONTORY NEAR THE HOME OF SPYROS - MAGIC HOUR
Perseus sits looking sadly at the sea that killed his
friend. TEKLA, 14, Perseus' adoptive sister, runs up
from the modest stone dwelling. She sees his mood and
touches his arm gently.
TEKLA
Mother wants you to come in for
supper.
(as he is
UNRESPONSIVE)
Perseus, why are you so sad?
This breaks his spell. He looks at Tekla warmly, gets up
and puts a reassuring arm around her shoulders as they
head inside.
INT. HOME OF SPYROS - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Perseus eats with his adoptive family: Spyros, his wife
MARMARA, and Tekla. Spyros is patient and twinkly with
his wife though he disagrees with her beliefs.
TEKLA
I still don't understand.
SPYROS
Your mother can explain. She
believes everything has an
explanation, even if we have to
make it up.
(OFF MARMARA'S
WARNING LOOK)
It's one of the reasons I love
you, Marmara.
TEKLA
Tell me! Why is there war between
Man and the Gods?
Marmara and Tekla continue to bring out the food.
MARMARA
At the beginning of time, when Man
was young, he prayed to the Gods.
His belief in the Gods gave his
life meaning. It was a good
thing.
(CONTINUED)
17.
CONTINUED:
SPYROS
If you consider superstition, fear
and darkness good things...
MARMARA
(IGNORING HIM)
But Man grew, as children do, and
he turned away from the Gods. Be
began to put his faith in other
things.
Perseus watches the debate with fiery eyes.
TEKLA
What things?
SPYROS
Learning, science... love.
PERSEUS
(PASSIONATE)
self-determination! Those
things that give Man dignity and
independence.
MARMARA
But what of the Gods, who had
protected and guided us so long?
They must breathe our prayers to
survive. They hunger for
WORSHIP --
SPYROS
-- as lions hunger for blood.
MARMARA
Spyros!
(TO TEKLA)
Your father's mind is closed on
these matters.
SPYROS
The Gods were desperate to claim
our awe again.
TEKLA
Desperate... the Gods?
SPYROS
Yes, even the Gods. If they could
not earn our faith with love, they
would demand it with fear.
Whatever was necessary to ensure L
their continued existence.
(CONTINUED)
18.
CONTINUED:
Marmara and the wide-eyed Tekla sit down.
MARMARA
And that is how war broke out
between Man and Gods.
(turning to serve
PERSEUS)
Now eat your dinner, which the
Gods -- and your father -- have
provided.
INT. HOME OF SPYROS - PERSEUS' ROOM - NIGHT
Middle of the night. Perseus lies wide awake in his tiny
space. He stares, thinking about his friend. Suddenly,
a KNOCK at the door.
INT. HOME OF SPYROS - DOORWAY - NIGHT
Perseus opens the door to the Wilting Girl. Her beauty
electrifies him. She glows from within, but her color is
oddly faded, washed-out.
PERSEUS
You... I saw you watching our boat
at the cliff.
WILTING GIRL
It was not the boat I was
watching.
PERSEUS
Can I be of service?
WILTING GIRL
Yes, of service. I need you to
come with me on a journey.
Perseus gives her a look.
PERSEUS
Right now?
(as she nods)
It wouldn't take much persuading
to get me to leave this village,
but tonight is impossible. My
family can't wake and find me
gone. Where do you want me to go?
WILTING GIRL
It's not what I want. I am in the
service of others.
(CONTINUED)
19.
CONTINUED:
Perseus can't get over her beauty, the dulcet sound of
her voice. Even so --
PERSEUS
Come back in the morning and we
can talk about it.
WILTING GIRL
I'm sorry.
PERSEUS
For what?
Perseus doesn't notice the black widow spider scurry
between her feet. Then a centipede, a scorpion. Then a
swarm, racing toward him.
He feels the first spider and looks down. The creatures
climb his legs, biting. Weakening from the venom, he
stumbles back into the table, loses his balance and
falls.
PERSEUS' WOOZY POV
The Wilting Girl standing placidly in the doorway
watching him.
BACK TO SCENE
He blacks out.
EXT. SMALL SAILBOAT (OPEN SEA) - DAY
A white sail, swollen with wind, draws the small boat
swiftly across the sea. The Wilting Girl, alone, sits
quietly at the stern, effortlessly steering.
CLOSER
We SEE that she is also watching Perseus, who is sleeping
in a makeshift bed in the bottom of the boat. Her eyes
slowly travel over his bronzed, muscled frame. There are
bite marks on his legs and arms, but they seem to be
healing as we look at them.
Perseus stirs and wakes, squinting up at the Wilting
Girl.
PERSEUS
How long have I been out?
(CONTINUED)
20.
CONTINUED:
WILTING GIRL
This time? Only a few hours. The
time before, almost a day. How
was your rest?
PERSEUS
I had a dream. I fell into a dark
pit. I thought I would never stop
falling. But a beam of light
formed a soft net, caught me and
tossed me back.
TheWilting Girl watches him.
PERSEUS
When I came back up to the world,
a beautiful woman appeared and
spoke to me. But as she spoke she
would sometimes disappear into the
whiteness with a strange sound.
PERSEUS' POV
The Wilting Girl listens to his story.
BACK TO SCENE
PERSEUS
When I could hear her, she spoke
nonsense. She said that my father
was a God and my mother a --
At that moment the blinding-white sail swings between
them as she tacks, obscuring his view of her for a
moment. The wind makes a LOUD SNAPPING SOUND in the
cloth. Then she reappears, the sail on her other side.
PERSEUS' FACE
as he realizes she is his vision.
WILTING GIRL
You are special, Perseus. Your
birth was ordained for this very
purpose.
PERSEUS
I am an ordinary man.
WILTING GIRL
Do you ever lie awake during a
storm and listen to the thunder?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
21.
CONTINUED:
WILTING GIRL (CONT'D)
And it sounds as though it matches
the beating of your heart?
He doesn't have to answer; it's written on his face.
WILTING GIRL
How long can you hold your breath?
Longer than the others? Are there
times when you know you should
feel pain, but you don't?
PERSEUS
None of that means anything.
WILTING GIRL
Look at your arms, Perseus.
Perseus watches the bites on his arm heal visibly.
PERSEUS
A good trick. You must be the
demigod, not me.
WILTING GIRL
("NO")
I'm a Chthonian.
PERSEUS
A Chthonian?
WILTING GIRL
An Earth Goddess.
(OFF PERSEUS'
CONFUSION)
The Gods have a caste system just
as men do. The Olympians are our
nobility -- few but cosmic. The
Chthonians are the peasants. Our
abode is this earth, and we exist
as long as men worship us.
PERSEUS
And when none worship you?
Sadness flickers through her extraordinary eyes.
WILTING GIRL
(SOFTLY)
We fade away.
This touches Perseus deeply. His tone changes.
PERSEUS
And demigods, where do they stand
in your hierarchy?
(CONTINUED)
22.
CONTINUED:
WILTING GIRL
Nowhere. Sorry.
PERSEUS
If demigods rank so low, why do
you need me?
WILTING GIRL
For a marriage.
PERSEUS
What!
WILTING GIRL
Zeus, God of Gods, has proposed a
treaty to end the war. At the
center is the marriage of a mortal
with a demigod.
PERSEUS
Who, me?
WILTING GIRL
Zeus himself has chosen you. A
demigod may be less than a God,
but he's more than a Man. One
foot in Humanity, the other in
Divinity. Your marriage will be a
symbol of accord between our
races.
PERSEUS
Forget it.
WILTING GIRL
Such a union could save millions
of souls.
Perseus is struck by that. He looks off across the sea.
PERSEUS
And just who exactly am I supposed
to marry?
INT. BASILICA (JOPPA) - SCULLERY CLOSET - DAY
CLOSEUP: A hot embrace. In the blur of movement our
first good look is at the GIRL, a beauty -- PRINCESSA
ANDROMEDA, 18.
The BOY is AGENOR, a kitchen helper -- ripped and sexy.
It's hard to tell who's the aggressor here. Gasping,
Andromeda holds him at bay --
(CONTINUED)
23.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA
Do you think you can manhandle a
Princess this way?
(as he kisses her)
As though she was hungry and needy
as you, a mere servant?
Another steamy kiss. In between liplocks, she whispers
HOTLY --
ANDROMEDA
very mistaken... a woman of my
station... never be attracted...
They go at it again.
EXT. BASILICA - COLONNADE - DAY
A NIMBLE GIRL hurries past SERVANTS hanging laundry in
the atrium.
She's PESHET, handmaid to Princessa Andromeda. She has a
feline quality -- eyes, grace, agility. She raps on the
scullery door.
PESHET
Princess... Princess!
ANDROMEDA (O.S.)
(muffled from inside)
The Princess is not here.
(A SQUEAL)
Find another... Princess.
PESHET
The Queen approaches!
ANDROMEDA (O.S.)
I don't care!
PESHET
Andromeda! You'll care enough if
you're caught! Remember last
time...
From inside we HEAR complaining, more kissing and
moaning.
CASSIOPEIA (O.S.)
Peshet!
Startled, Peshet spins to see the Queen approach.
(CONTINUED)
24.
CONTINUED:
CASSIOPEIA
Where is the Princess?
INT. SCULLERY CLOSET - SAME TIME
Andromeda freezes at her mother's voice, stops Agenor,
finger to her lips.
He ignores her, starts again. Andromeda does something
below the frame that jolts him off. The girl can take
care of herself.
EXT. COLONNADE - SAME TIME
Peshet faces the Queen.
PESHET
Is she not in her chambers, ma'am?
CASSIOPEIA
She is not. You are expected to
know her --
A SQUEAL and WHISPERING from the closet stops Cassiopeia.
She throws a perturbed glance at the door. Peshet looks
guilty.
CASSIOPEIA
(LOUDLY)
Tell the Princess -- should you
find her -- her father and I want
to see her at once.
She stalks away. Urgently, through the door --
PESHET
Princess, it's the King as well!
INT. BASILICA - ROYAL PARLOR - DAY
A lavish room. Cassiopeia and Kepheus sit in golden
chairs, looking off. Andromeda ENTERS FRAME, furious.
with conviction --
ANDROMEDA
To please you, I would submit to
such a marriage... except I would
rather die; Please let me know
you're serious about this perverse
plan so I can make arrangements to
kill myself.
(CONTINUED)
25.
CONTINUED:
She stomps out. Their gaze follows until she's gone.
FINALLY:
KEPHEUS
It will take more than half-a-God
to handle her.
CASSIOPEIA
She'll be a great ruler one day.
EXT. SMALL SAILBOAT (COAST OF JOPPA) - DAY
Perseus can't take his eyes off the Wilting Girl, who
steers. She tries not to be self-conscious; she would
blush were she not so pale.
WILTING GIRL
You're looking in the wrong
direction.
PERSEUS
I don't think so.
WILTING GIRL
Perhaps you should give some
thought to your immediate future.
PERSEUS
(laughs, flirtatious)
That's what I'm doing.
WILTING GIRL
Maybe you should take another
look...
She indicates the view behind him. Perseus turns, jaw
dropping.
HIS POV
A breathtaking view of Joppa -- a city in two parts.
At sea level, tangled hovels, boats, and docks crowd the
working-class area -- the LOWER WHARF.
Above, twisting stone stairs climb the cliffs to the
ACROPOLIS with its gleaming villas, temples, statues, and
colonnaded towers, hugging the precipice.
EXT. STREETS OF JOPPA - DAY
(CONTINUED)
26.
CONTINUED:
The Wilting Girl leads Perseus through the city. He's
never seen anything like it. He rubbernecks, awestruck
as he passes a BLACKSMITH who takes a dragon skin from
the coals and fashions armor by pounding the white-hot
scales over a mold.
WILTING GIRL
All the goods, armies, and culture
of Man's dominion flow through
this port. He who reigns in
Joppa, rules the world.
Amidst the exotic chaos, Perseus is struck by the
homeless refugees on the street and the ruins of once-
proud buildings.
PERSEUS
The war has badly scarred this
place.
WILTING GIRL
It is the war you have the power
to end.
He throws her an angry look, grim.
PERSEUS
Don't joke about such things. I'd
be useless before such a huge
responsibility.
WILTING GIRL
Perhaps you would be...
(TO HERSELF)
... as you are now.
They pass an evangelist (FANTASOS) haranguing a crowd.
FANTASOS
(MID-SPEECH)
-- one true God is not Zeus but
she called the Deep -- Tiamat!
(quoting from his
GOSPEL)
'Before the first dawn, the eyes
of the Deep watched the earth.'
(to the crowd)
Bow down to the Goddess of Chaos
or know despair, for Tiamat will
rule the heavens and the earth.
Perseus is mystified by this talk. He turns to Vidalia
for explanation, but she seems disturbed by the preacher L
and does not return Perseus' gaze.
(CONTINUED)
27.
CONTINUED:
Perseus and Vidalia round a corner and see the regal
Basilica. WORKMEN hang banners and decorations,
preparing for a big event.
PERSEUS
What are they celebrating?
WILTING GIRL
You.
INT. BASILICA - ROYAL PARLOR -.DAY
Cassiopeia hurries down a corridor to the parlor. WE
FOLLOW to find:
Kepheus speaking sternly to Perseus, before him.
KEPHEUS
. before I am a king or a
peacemaker, I am a father. Do you
know what that means?
PERSEUS
I'm not sure, Your Highness. I
did not know my father.
KEPHEUS
(THROWN)
Yes, well... it means I had no
desire for my little girl's
carefree springtime to be cut
SHORT --
(to Cassiopeia,
IRRITABLY)
What is she?
CASSIOPEIA
(EMBARRASSED)
I'm sure she's preparing herself
to make the best possible
impression.
Perseus suppresses a smile, amused by the royal couple.
Kepheus paces with mounting impatience.
KEPHEUS
(LECTURING PERSEUS
AGAIN)
-- and all so she could be thrust
into a momentous conflict... of
which she knows nothing at all.
(CONTINUED)
28.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
She's not the only one, sir. I
don't know much about the events
for which I've been drafted.
KEPHEUS
(disarmed, but tough
GUY)
I take no comfort in that, young
man. In fact, I find little to
take comfort in here. You are a
stranger from a distant place, and
I am asked to entrust the welfare
of my daughter to you.
(LEANING INTO
PERSEUS)
If you are not kind and patient
with her, if any harm of any kind
should come her way, I will have
your head on a stake.
Kepheus thinks he sees a smirk on Perseus' face. He puts
his hand on the hilt of his sword.
KEPHEUS
Is this amusing to you?
PERSEUS
Not even a little, my lord. It's
just that I myself was waylaid --
snatched also, as you say, from my
happy springtime...
Kepheus studies him to see if he's making jest of him.
PERSEUS
I've been told I'm to play a
part in events which serve a
higher purpose... of which I'm not
at all convinced.
KEPHEUS
Does a truce in the war between
Men and Gods not strike you as a
higher purpose?
PERSEUS
With all respect, I have never
seen a God. On my island, they're
no more than a story.
KEPHEUS
You will learn there is more to
this universe than is found on
your island.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
29.
CONTINUED:
KEPHEUS (CONT-D)
(TO CASSIOPEIA)
This is supposed to be the son of
a God, yet he doubts their
existence!
CASSIOPEIA
(TO PERSEUS)
They exist, young man. But if you
doubt their power, I join you --
KEPHEUS
(ANGRY)
Cassiopeia! We have agreed such
talk has no place in this palace.
CASSIOPEIA
(DEFIANT)
Have we?
PERSEUS
I can only proceed based on what I
have experienced, not on a faith I
do not possess.
KEPHEUS
Where does a young person get such
ideas?
PERSEUS
Perhaps from my adopted father,
sir. I admire him greatly, and he
believes in little he cannot hold
in his hand.
KEPHEUS
Is he a scholar?
PERSEUS
No, Your Highness, a fisherman.
AMOUN (O.S.)
I know this mentor who so
influences young Perseus.
Amoun has silently entered the chamber. Perseus reacts
in amazement.
PERSEUS
Master Amoun!
He hurries over to the older man, who embraces him
warmly.
(CONTINUED)
30.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
Porpoise... You've grown tall and
strong since my departure.
Perseus laughs at his old nickname and holds Amoun at
arm's length.
PERSEUS
What are you doing here?
AMOUN
I am honored to serve the King as
an advisor. His Magi Strategos.
PERSEUS
From my village tutor to Magi
Strategos... What a path!
The King's patience is exhausted. To Cassiopeia
KEPHEUS
Where is Andromeda? At the least,
the two should meet before
tomorrow's ceremony...
PERSEUS
(FREAKED)
Tomorrow? Is the wedding so soon?
CASSIOPEIA
The wedding comes later. Tomorrow
we will have the public
announcement.
AMOUN
And a celebration of the treaty.
A Page enters and whispers in Kepheus' ear. Kepheus is
irritated.
KEPHEUS
It seems our Andromeda has
wandered away.
Cassiopeia reacts, upset.
AMOUN
Perhaps the thought of her new
life has made her frantic to enjoy
the vestiges of her old one.
(CONTINUED)
31.
CONTINUED:
KEPHEUS
Perseus, if you're to take the
wild girl for a wife, this is a
good time to start your training.
Go into the city and retrieve her.
PERSEUS
How will I know her?
CASSIOPEIA
She is unmistakable.
PERSEUS
I'm a stranger here. Any hints?
AMOUN
Follow the lights and the sound of
profane music.
EXT. BASILICA - SIDE ENTRANCE - MAGIC HOUR
The Wilting Girl slips into the dusk like a thief.
EXT. ALLEYWAY - MAGIC HOUR
The Wilting Girl steals down the dark, narrow alley,
headed toward the outskirts of town.
Suddenly, a heavy wall shoots up from the cobblestones,
blocking her way. She startles, but does not stop. She
goes up to the wall, turns at an angle and slides right
through the stone, like a ghost.
On the other side, she emerges from the stone, breathing
hard. She looks around and hurries down an intersecting
passageway.
She's gone only a few steps, when just ahead of her,
thick vines shoot out and form a dense barrier. She
takes a breath and dives into the surging growth.
She almost makes it through, but at the last moment,
vines wrap her arms and legs, holding her prisoner. She
gives up, with a sigh. We HEAR the LAUGHTER of a God.
WILTING GIRL
Zeus?
Zeus' rumbling voice is held low, talking to her in an
intimate way -- a beautiful sound.
(CONTINUED)
32.
CONTINUED:
ZEUS (V.O.)
Why do we have to play these
games, my lovely girl? You know
you cannot leave.
The vines retract, freeing her. She rubs where they
gripped her.
WILTING GIRL
My part is finished.
ZEUS (V.0.)
It has just begun. Have you
forgotten your place in this?
WILTING GIRL
As I've lost my believers, the
future has become dimmer to me.
ZEUS (V.O.)
I still believe in you. Close
your eyes and see your tomorrow.
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. A single
tear runs along her cheek. She opens her eyes.
WILTING GIRL
It's too painful. I can't involve
myself.
ZEUS (V.O.)
You you already involved. Such is
fate. We cannot hide from the
.trials of our future... no matter
how dark the alleyway.
She looks back at the Basilica with profound sadness.
EXT. STREETS OF JOPPA - MAGIC HOUR
Perseus roams, taking in the city with interest. Rich
and poor mix in the crowded streets. As always, the poor
have suffered the most from the conflict.
EXT. OCEAN TERRACE - MAGIC HOUR
Perseus follows the MUSIC and the sound of LAUGHTER to a
crowded terrace overlooking the sea. Upper class YOUNG
PEOPLE are partying en masse.
Perseus moves through the revelry, looking at every girl,
testing his instincts. Suddenly, he stops in his tracks,
looking off --
(CONTINUED)
33.
CONTINUED:
Andromeda is dancing at the center of attention, her
sheer gown enhancing her sensuality. The MUSIC ends.
Andromeda laughs and tosses her curly mane.
A HANDSOME YOUNG NOBLEMAN embraces her. She gives him a
deep kiss, causing a sensation, then breaks away into the
crush.
EXT. BALUSTRADE - MAGIC HOUR
Andromeda glides to the balustrade to watch the sunset.
The Young Nobleman approaches, but her imperious gesture
stops him cold.
PERSEUS (O.S.)
Very beautiful.
Andromeda spins, petulant.
ANDROMEDA
Will you please give me some
PEACE --
The sight of the handsome stranger gives her pause.
ANDROMEDA
What did you say?
PERSEUS
I said, 'Very beautiful.'
ANDROMEDA
Do you think just anyone can make
intimate judgements on the royal
family?
PERSEUS
I meant the sunset.
She regards Perseus over her glistening bare shoulder.
ANDROMEDA
Do you always start a seduction
with an insult?
Perseus moves to the rail, very close to her, and looks
at the sea.
PERSEUS
I know nothing of seduction. I'm
a simple fisherman. My home is
across that water.
(CONTINUED)
34.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA
What brings you here?
PERSEUS
To Joppa? I was kidnapped.
ANDROMEDA
I mean here, tonight.
He looks over at her a long moment.
PERSEUS
I've come to see my future wife.
Startled, Andromeda suddenly realizes who he is. A mad
mix of emotions crosses her face.
EXT. GARDENS OF THE BASILICA - NIGHT
Perseus and Andromeda walk in moonlit gardens. She stays
close, attracted to him.
ANDROMEDA
It's not personal. You're not a
bad-looking boy.
(as Perseus laughs)
I'm too young. I don't want to be
married.
PERSEUS
Me either.
ANDROMEDA
Then why are you doing it?
PERSEUS
No one asked me. And now that
I've met you, I don't know if I
can go through with it.
(off her look)
It's not personal. Seeing you
makes it real. I think a man
should make his own decisions. I
won't be the pawn of a King or a
God.
She looks at him with new interest.
ANDROMEDA
Since we agree, it's settled. No
marriage.
(CONTINUED)
35.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
I don't think it's going to be
that simple.
Ignoring that, she takes his arm, moving even closer.
ANDROMEDA
That doesn't mean we can't be
friends. Get to know each other.
I want to show you something.
She leads him into a tall, hedged garden maze.
EXT. THE BASILICA - GARDEN MAZE - NIGHT
Beautiful in the moonlight. She hurries him quickly
around one turn, then another, and another. He laughs at
her excitement.
PERSEUS
I'm already lost.
ANDROMEDA
I'll take care of you.
They take two more jogs and find themselves in an odd
sylvan chamber. Soft plants have been stacked in what
could be mistaken for a bed.
ANDROMEDA
This is my special place. No one
can see or hear or even find us
now.
PERSEUS
(looks around the
CHAMBER)
I don't suppose I could escape
without your aid.
ANDROMEDA
Do you want to?
When he turns back to her, she melts into his arms and
gives him a long deep kiss. He's surprised, but handles
it well. When she tries to continue, he slows things
down, holding her at bay.
ANDROMEDA
Do you not find me attractive?
PERSEUS
One of the most beautiful women
I've ever seen.
(CONTINUED)
36.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA
Of course, you haven't been much
in the world.
PERSEUS
True. Maybe a lot of girls look
like you.
ANDROMEDA
Don't you want to make love to
your almost-wife? Maybe we'll
find we're not compatible.
PERSEUS
What if we find we're very compat--
She stops him with another kiss. He starts to surrender
to his desire, but again, he stops. Her voice is a low
PURR --
ANDROMEDA
Is it true you're a demigod?
PERSEUS
(makes a face)
It seems what everyone wants to
believe.
Her face is inches from his. She looks into his eyes.
SEXY --
ANDROMEDA
I don't see it.
(as Perseus laughs)
But let's find out for sure...
She kisses him yet again, pulling him toward the bed of
foliage. He can no longer resist. Together they fall
into the softness. He kisses her passionately as their
bodies begin to move together. She breaks the kiss for
only a moment, her voice husky --
ANDROMEDA
I think I'm becoming a believer...
They start to make love.
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
SPEEDING OVER moonlit ocean TOWARD a dark castle on a
cliff. WE begin to HEAR the VOICES of Tiamat and Set.
(CONTINUED)
37.
CONTINUED:
SET (V.0.)
Tiamat, I know this place, but I
know not why.
EXT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
The chamber, deserted for 25 years, is in decay, dead
vermin everywhere.
TIAMAT (V.0.)
In this chamber Zeus defiled the
Queen Danae and begat the anointed
demigod, who would facilitate this
foul truce.
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - GREAT STAIRS - NIGHT
POV DESCENDING the great stairs. The skeletons of dead
guards and soldiers litter the stairs.
SET (V.0.)
Ah, the former palace of the
cursed Acrisius.
TIAMAT (V.0.)
The King who stood against Zeus
and was crushed for it, though he
was not the offender. But this is
not his former home...
INT. THE PALACE OF ACRISIUS - GREAT HALL - NIGHT
MOVING POV ACROSS the stones of the hall where we first
saw King Acrisius and his generals. Now, only bones and
rotting things.
TIAMAT (V.0.)
still he dwells in rancid
hate, having killed his generals
and sucked their bones. We cannot
break the rules of Zeus and
interfere with the humans. But
this poor creature can do our work
and visit the would-be groom.
SET (V.0.)
What form of monster do you visit
upon Perseus?
There is an awful SOUND from the darkness of an archway.
(CONTINUED)
38.
CONTINUED:
TIAMAT (V.0.)
What form, dear Set? Why this...
In the half-light appears the huge, deformed changeling:
KALIBOS.
TIAMAT (V.O.)
(to the monster)
My Servant, your lonely solitude
now ends... It's time to leave.
EXT. THE BASILICA - GARDEN MAZE - SUNRISE
Perseus wakes on the bed of foliage, looks around.
Andromeda is gone. He thinks, smiles. Then he remembers
his situation. The smile fades.
INT. THE BASILICA - GREAT HALL - EVENING
Perseus, in a white tunic and polished ceremonial armor,
moves through the crowd of REVELERS. The grandiose room
is hemmed by columns and statues. The royal family sits
on the dais. Andromeda motions Perseus up beside her.
ANDROMEDA
You're late.
PERSEUS
I didn't know how to get this
outfit on.
ANDROMEDA
I want to thank you for seeing me
home. I was so flushed with wine
I can't recall much of the
evening.
Perseus half smiles and turns to the crowd.
PERSEUS
Me either.
PERSEUS' POV - THE WILTING GIRL
watches from the back of the hall. When they make eye
contact, she quickly looks away.
BACK TO SCENE
Perseus is surprised by his feelings. Andromeda has seen
her, too. He has a guilty moment and averts his eyes.
(CONTINUED)
39.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA
At what point do you plan to tell
them we're not getting married?
PERSEUS
Tell who?
ANDROMEDA
(a sweeping gesture)
Them...
FROM BEHIND THEM
We see the ecstatic crowd of thousands, all celebrating
the union. MUSIC STOPS and the crowd begins to settle.
ROYAL HERALD (0.5.)
The Queen will speak!
The room QUIETS as Cassiopeia moves front-and-center of
the dais with a cup of wine, not her first.
CASSIOPEIA
I won't be long-winded. You all
know I am a modest person, no
matter my rank.
Some of the crowd react silently. Andromeda watches her
mother with trepidation, but not as much as Kepheus,
watching from his throne.
CASSIOPEIA
(WITH EDGE)
This is not a celebration of a
betrothal...
(as Kepheus is on
ALERT)
not the celebration of the
happiness of two parents, or of
our good people.
Mild confusion in the hall, concern from the Royal
Entourage.
CASSIOPEIA
This union represents new hope for
a lasting peace! That is the only
cause for celebration.
The crowd reacts with exclamations and applause. Amoun
wills her to stop. Cassiopeia takes another drink, looks
over at the Princess.
(CONTINUED)
40.
CONTINUED:
CASSIOPEIA
(MOIST-EYED)
My sweet Andromeda... grown into a
fine young woman, confident and
sure. Look at her! Isn't she
beautiful?
Her subjects agree loudly. Andromeda wishes this would
end. Cassiopeia raises her glass.
CASSIOPEIA
To my beautiful daughter... more
beautiful than all the women of
Joppa. More beautiful than the
Gardens of Nineveh...
Kepheus is about to pull her away. She throws him a
spiteful glance.
CASSIOPEIA
More beautiful than the turquoise
ocean and its sublime Goddess of
the Deep... Tiamat herself! My
daughter is a beauty even a
Goddess must envy.
Amoun reacts in dismay. A distressed MURMUR roils the
crowd. Andromeda goes to her mother.
CASSIOPEIA
I've gone on too long --
She stops with a look of sudden dread. The Great Hall
DARKENS. The torch flames TURN BLACK. The temperature
drops. The statues lining the hall shut their eyes and
the doors burst open.
TIAMAT, QUEEN OF THE DEEP, floats forward, parting the
terrified celebrants. Perseus sees his first Olympian.
Tiamat arrives at the dais. Cassiopeia drops to her
knees.
TIAMAT
You have blasphemed powers beyond
understanding... You, a stupid
braying goat before the
unfathomable galaxies. You dare
put this frivolous, scrawny
slut...
(AS ANDROMEDA
FLINCHES)
above the infinite Goddess of
the Deep!
(CONTINUED)
41.
CONTINUED:
Tiamat tears off her cloak and STANDS NAKED. Her body,
made from the elements of the sea, is magnificent -- sexy
and terrifying.
Fantasos, the priest who proselytizes for Tiamat in the
streets, is in the throng. His reaction is a mix of
religious ecstasy and outright lust.
The celebrants shield their eyes, but Cassiopeia can't.
She crumples, aging before our eyes. Every word shakes
her frame --
TIAMAT
Look upon the sublime and know
your error. You'll not blink.
Tell me now, mortal, how bright
your preening urchin shines?
No one dare look long at the Goddess. No one but
Perseus. Tiamat notices Perseus... and his boldness.
TIAMAT
People of Joppa, hear me. For the
sacrilege of this arrogant
creature, I will loose Leviathan
upon you.
The people react in terror. Cassiopeia starts to faint,
but Tiamat snaps her back to consciousness --
TIAMAT
I'm not finished. Hold your gaze.
(to the people)
For thirty days, Joppa shall
suffer the scorn of Leviathan.
And on the final day, you will be
wiped from the earth.
(as the crowd quakes)
Unless...
Instant silence.
TIAMAT
unless you sacrifice that body
so impertinently compared to this
GODDESS --
(TURNING TO
ANDROMEDA)
-- your beloved, worthless
Princessa.
Andromeda GASPS. Shock everywhere.
(CONTINUED)
42.
CONTINUED:
TIAMAT
This is my will, Joppa.
Desolation or sacrifice. Choose
your penance. You can thank
your...
(looks at Cassiopeia)
. sickly, aged Queen.
Clouds of black sea ink swirl and swallow Tiamat, then
implode. Tiamat is gone. Cassiopeia, palsied and
withered, collapses. Kepheus and Royal Aides rush to
her.
EXT. OCEAN FLOOR - NIGHT
An immense school of fish is SUDDENLY SPOOKED. An EERIE
GLOW swells in the gloom -- Tiamat glides TOWARD us,
stops and raises her palm. The silt SWIRLS and RIPPLES.
A VAST PRIMORDIAL SHAPE SLOWLY RISES in clouds of ocean
mud. It's impossible to see what this creature looks
like, but it is big. We hear a deafening ROAR, which
drives a SHOCKWAVE across the silt.
EXT. OCEAN SURFACE - NIGHT
The sea bulges and a TSUNAMI rolls toward the shores of
Joppa.
EXT. JOPPA'S LOWER WHARF - NIGHT
Dark docks and shanties under the cliffs, populace
asleep.
A lone FISHERMAN unloads nets from his boat. Suddenly,
the water under his boat is sucked out to sea. A deep
RUMBLE shakes the ground.
The fisherman is mesmerized as the horizon CLIMBS higher
and higher, a WALL OF WATER. In seconds, the colossal
wave breaks and falls, obliterating the boat, the docks
and the low-lying shanties.
INT. ROYAL CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Cassiopeia lies blank and wan. A LOW DRONE grows.
Kepheus rushes to the window. And then, a deep, EARTH-
SHATTERING BELLOW from the creature. The room SHUDDERS.
KEPHEUS
Leviathan awakes...
43.
INT. BASILICA - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
A figure passes by a window in silhouette -- Andromeda
steals through the shadows toward the Throne Room.
INT. BALCONY ABOVE THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Andromeda edges into position to see the room below.
AMOUN (O.S.)
. Leviathan -- First dweller of
the deep. Hewn by Tiamat from the
dark blood of the earth...
HER POV
A council of VICEROYS and MINISTERS gathered before
Kepheus, who seems lost in thought, head down. Perseus
stands off to the side.
INT. THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Amoun reads from a scroll.
AMOUN
. All monsters of the sea are
but shadows of Leviathan the
Kraken -- colossal, rapacious, and
nigh indestructible.
The men turn to Kepheus; when he raises his face, he
looks exhausted.
KEPHEUS
My Queen lies near death. Am I
now to choose between the survival
of our state... and the life of
Andromeda, my only child?
Amoun watches Perseus, at the fringe of the group,
expectantly. But Perseus looks only perplexed, an
observer.
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
I beg you, do not even consider
such a sacrifice --
KEPHEUS
(RAGING)
Do you tell me only what you think
I wish to hear!
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
44.
CONTINUED:
KEPHEUS (CONT'D)
The citizens of Joppa are fighting
for their lives. Would you have
me gamble the city to save one
girl?
Again, Amoun looks to Perseus.
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
You need make no such choice, Your
Highness. Andromeda must.be
saved, and the city too.
REPHEUS
Impossible.
AMOUN
(TURNING FROM
PERSEUS)
No... We need only the will to do
it.
KEPHEUS
You spoke the words -- the monster
is indestructible!
PERSEUS
(QUIETLY)
How can that be?
Amoun alone takes notice: he spins toward Perseus, with
relief.
AMOUN
Perseus! You had something you
wanted to say to the King?
All eyes turn to Perseus, who shrinks before them, self-
conscious.
PERSEUS
What? No, Master Amoun. I'm
listening.
AMOUN
You're 'listening'? We're talking
about the precious life of your
betrothed.
Perseus meets his gaze, confused.
PERSEUS
I'm a newcomer here. I would not
presume to tell these men --
(CONTINUED)
45.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
Exactly! A newcomer with a fresh
perspective. Share your thoughts
with the King, your future father-
in-law.
The ministers are puzzled by Amoun's persistence.
Perseus, uncertainly --
PERSEUS
I know that I am young and have
not seen much of the world, but it
seems to me that nothing is
indestructible.
The Ministers react to the young man's arrogance.
SPYROS (O.S.)
I am far from young and have seen
much of the world... and I agree
with my son.
Everyone turns to the new arrival: Perseus' adoptive
father, Spyros. Perseus goes to embrace him.
PERSEUS
Father, how did you find me?
KEPHEUS
I thought this boy's father was a
God. How does a stranger walk
unmolested into the Throne Room of
the King?
AMOUN
I sent for him, Lord. This good
man raised Perseus from infancy.
He will help him now.
KEPHEUS
Help him with what?
SPYROS
With whatever is needed...
Perseus approaches the King. Surprising himself --
PERSEUS
He will help me destroy Leviathan.
Spyros does a double-take, then swallows: "Yeah, okay,
sure."
46.
UP ON THE BALCONY
Andromeda reacts, falling in love with Perseus.
IN THE THRONE ROOM
KEPHEUS
But how?
Perseus has no idea.
AMOUN
Majesty, we can seek the counsel
of the Norn Sisters of Skolothia.
They know the hidden ways of the
Gods. If Leviathan can be slain,
they'll know how to do it.
PERSEUS
We have thirty days to find its
weakness.
MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR
Twenty-nine.
PERSEUS
(flashes him a look)
We'll leave tonight.
KEPHEUS
With what army? I dare not weaken
our forces when the city is about
to be besieged.
PERSEUS
(uncertain, glances
AT SPYROS)
We'll go alone.
SPYROS
(CATCHING UP)
Yes. Give us a map.
Amoun laughs. When some of the others join in, the King
gives them a look that stops them dead.
AMOUN
My King, with your permission...
The King assents, seemingly lost. Amoun speaks to
Perseus.
(CONTINUED)
47.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
I'll give you a map and much more.
I'll go with you and bring a small
band of comrades to help you on
your mission. We can leave at
first light.
(to his Aide)
Diokles, the map.
The men move to the work area, where the Aide selects a
map from dozens. Something catches Perseus' eye.
PERSEUS' POV
Andromeda, up in the balcony, has made herself visible
only to him. She silently mouths these words --
"Thank... you."
AT THE MAP
which has been hung for all to see, Amoun uses a pointer.
AMOUN
We head north on the Via Dahlia.
If we can make it to the Disputed
Territories...
MOVE IN ON the tip of Amoun's pointer on the
AMOUN (O.S.)
. we'll join the Cleon desert
legion, the most formidable unit
in all the army... With their
escort, we can safely reach our
destination in Skolothia, which
lies to the east...
We DISSOLVE THROUGH the map and pointer, which remain
LIGHTLY SUPERIMPOSED over the following:
EXT. VIA DAHLIA - DAY
MUSIC SWELLS as we see THE FULL EXPEDITION on horseback,
on the main road north. As they come over a rise, Amoun
IDENTIFIES THEM:
First, two fearsome Mongols, MONGKE and TAMBURLANE.
(CONTINUED)
48.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN (V.0.)
Our guides will be Mongke and
Tamburlane, father and son monster
hunters from the Kingdom of the
Iron Horde.
Next, THE PRAETORIAN GUARD, commanded by a square-jawed
old soldier, DRACO. His men, in heavy armor: KOSMO,
Draco's lieutenant, and the soldiers ABAS, ICOS, THAD,
BOREAS, KRIKOR, and POLLUC.
AMOUN (V.0.)
Our escort will be a detachment of
the Praetorian Guard, led by
Commander Draco -- the staunchest
security force in Joppa.
Next, on a stunning pale horse, a pale rider -- the
Wilting Girl.
PERSEUS (V.0.)
Why do we bring the Earth Goddess
into this danger?
AMOUN (V.0.)
I thank the stars we have her.
Besides, she takes her orders from
an authority much greater than I.
Next, Spyros; horseback riding is not one of his many
skills. Behind him, Perseus and Amoun ride talking --
PERSEUS
Amoun, it seems an odd coincidence
you came into my life as tutor, so
long ago, and now, once again you
instruct me.
AMOUN
(LAUGHS)
No matter what you believe,
Porpoise, some things are fated.
I've been looking forward to this
journey for a long, long time.
He spurs his horse, riding ahead. Spyros drops back
beside Perseus.
SPYROS
Who would have thought we'd be on
a journey like this? Two simple
fishermen.
(CONTINUED)
49.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
I'm afraid I've dragged you into
real danger, Father, when I have
little idea of what I'm doing.
SPYROS
Living at the mercy of the sea so
long has convinced me some
adventures are unexpected and some
dangers unavoidable. It's all in
your attitude.
PERSEUS
What's our attitude about
destroying Leviathan?
SPYROS
The Kraken is just another big
fish.
Perseus smiles, but is not as sanguine.
EXT. TIAMAT'S PALACE-GALLEON (OCEAN) - PROW - NIGHT
Tiamat's Palace-Galleon is bigger than anything man can
construct. Tiamat is at the prow of the vessel, using
all her godly power to STIR THE ELEMENTS. With great
effort, she sends a hurricane down on Joppa.
Set the Void approaches the prow.
TIAMAT
The demigod and his retinue are
joined. They march for the
counsel of the Norn Sisters, to
seek the frailty of my Leviathan.
SET
(CONCERNED)
The Sisters...
TIAMAT
Yes. I beseech you, track the
expedition.
SET
To plainly thwart them would
betray our intentions and draw the
wrath of Zeus and the others.
(CONTINUED)
50.
CONTINUED:
TIAMAT
That, we cannot have. I merely
suggest that the road to Skolothia
is hazardous.
SET
I take your meaning. And your
loyal brute, he is fixed upon the
hunt?
TIAMAT
Fear not, he is about and he will
do his share of damage.
Set leaves. Tiamat resumes stirring the storm clouds.
INT. THE BASILICA - ANDROMEDA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Tiamat's storm is pounding Joppa. LIGHTNING stabs
through the dark clouds. RAIN POUNDS the tiles outside
Andromeda's lavish bedroom.
Peshet glides to Andromeda, who's wide awake, red-eyed,
distressed.
PESHET
You must sleep.
(off no reaction)
Princessat You must take care of
yourself.
A CRACK OF THUNDER. Andromeda looks over at her,
thinking.
ANDROMEDA
My father was ready to sacrifice
me to the monster.
PESHET
I'm sure that is not so.
ANDROMEDA
I saw it. I heard the words. My
loving father, his beloved child.
Only Perseus stayed his decision.
(TEARS COME)
And do you know the worst part,
Peshet? He was right.
Peshet's feline eyes widen. More LIGHTNING.
ANDROMEDA
The city is besieged, the people
suffer.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
51.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA (CONT'D)
Because of me, because he did not
offer me up. Is that right?
PESHET
Go to sleep, my lady.
ANDROMEDA
(wiping her eyes)
Sleep? Sleep will come soon
enough for me, faithful one. In
one month... at the latest.
The palace shakes with the ROLLING THUNDER.
EXT. THE VIA DAHLIA - NIGHT
The sound of that same DISTANT THUNDER as the Expedition
follows the road. To the south behind them, LIGHTNING
FLASHES over faraway Joppa.
SUPERIMPOSE: THE VIA DAHLIA, NORTH OF JOPPA...
28 DAYS REMAINING
Perseus and the Wilting Girl ride side by side. Perseus
looks back at the distant storm.
PERSEUS
Joppa is pummelled by the Dark
Goddess.
WILTING GIRL
(WITHOUT LOOKING)
It will not stop. Tiamat knows no
mercy.
The moonlight illuminates a crumbling, limestone arch on
which time-worn letters read: "VIA DAHLIA."
PERSEUS
By what name may mortals call you?
WILTING GIRL
I have no name.
PERSEUS
Who do your worshippers pray to?
WILTING GIRL
I can't remember.
PERSEUS
Perhaps that is why they are
falling in number?
(CONTINUED)
52.
CONTINUED:
The Wilting Girl flinches, and Perseus feels guilty about
his jest.
PERSEUS
I have to call you something...
(THINKING)
Since we're naming you on this
road, what about 'Via Dahlia'?
She gives him a sharp look. Is he mocking her? He's
defensive.
PERSEUS
That's a pretty name. Wait,
better yet -- 'Vidalia'? How's
that... 'Vidalia'? That's more
than pretty, beautiful really,
just as you are.
She is pleased, self-conscious, concentrating on the road
ahead.
PERSEUS
You don't like it?
(as she murmurs)
What's that? I missed it --
WILTING GIRL
(just loud enough to
HEAR)
I do not object.
She picks up the pace, moving her horse a little ahead.
He smiles.
EXT. FOREST CLEARING (VIA DAHLIA) - NIGHT
They've camped for the night in a clearing. A fire
burns, food cooks.
Mongke and Tamburlane emerge from the woods with armfuls
of timber and kindling. Draco glances up from striking
his flintstone. Gruffly --
DRACO
More.
The Mongols stare -- either not comprehending or ready to
fight.
DRACO
It must last all night. Get some
more.
(CONTINUED)
53.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
(SUDDENLY BETWEEN
THEM)
I'll find some more.
ABAS
Commander, I'll get some, too.
Perseus and Abas head off into the woods in different
directions.
EXT. VIA DAHLIA WOODS - NIGHT
Perseus hacks branches and picks up deadwood. He slashes
at a tree -- TING! Under the vines is a stone column.
He climbs mossy steps.
EXT. ABANDONED BATH (THERMAE) - NIGHT
The ruins of a public bath, its marble pool fed by a
stream.
Perseus sees Vidalia on the far side, her back turned.
Perseus freezes as she drops her garment. He peers
through the vines.
HIS POV
The leaves offer tantalizing cover to her naked body.
She dives in with a quiet SPLASH.
BACK TO SCENE
PERSEUS
Now is when an honorable man would
turn around and walk away...
(DOESN'T MOVE)
. but they say I am not really a
man.
Vidalia surfaces and drifts on her back, looking sadly
into the sky.
Perseus fixates on the sadness in her eyes. His
expression changes, and the tenor of this stolen vigil is
altered.
RAINDROPS fall as the SKY OPENS and a CLOUDBURST pelts
the pool. Vidalia opens her lips to taste the rain and
smiles. LIGHTNING.
(CONTINUED)
54.
CONTINUED:
Perseus' HEART POUNDS in his ears as he watches. KRA-
KOOM! The ROLLING THUNDER hits exactly on his
heartbeat -- BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!
Vidalia instantly knows he is nearby. She looks around
quickly and huddles in the water.
Perseus retreats. After a few yards, he stops, face
flushed with the awareness of a whole new dilemma.
PERSEUS
Vidalia...
EXT. ELSEWHERE IN THE VIA DAHLIA WOODS - NIGHT
Abas uses his sword to HACK at dried wood. He bends to
pick up a branch when he HEARS the CRACK of wood. He
whirls, sword at ready. But there is nothing there.
Embarrassed, he picks up the firewood. Now he HEARS
something unidentifiable -- is that BREATHING? Spooked,
he turns to head back to camp --
A DARK FIGURE is standing behind him, larger than a man,
grotesquely misshapen. Abas raises his sword, but a
twisted PAW swats it away with a ROAR. Abas tries to
raise the sword again and realizes his arm is gone. He
looks up in horror as the Creature envelops him --
-- KALIBOS!
EXT. CEDAR FOREST - DAY
Only a few streaks of sunlight penetrate the canopy of
tall cedars.
SUPERIMPOSE: THE CEDAR FOREST OF THE ILLYRIAN BORDER...
24 DAYS REMAINING
Here slumbers an enormous hybrid creature with human
features and a leathery, scaled hide -- HUMBABA.
Suddenly, Set the Void appears. The evil God strokes the
sleeping monster's head, then reaches inside Humbaba's
skull. The animal goes stiff; its leg twitches.
SET
Hear me, my pet. Let my
instructions be seared to your
primal mind as natural law.
L
The monster's eyes shoot open; its pupils shrink to
pinpoints.
(CONTINUED)
55.
CONTINUED:
SET
You are starving. Your gut says
you'll soon perish. No earthly
meat will still that hunger. What
you need, what you ache for, is
the flesh of... a demigod!
EXT. CEDAR FOREST ROAD - DAY
Nearby, the Expedition (minus Abas) rests. Not here:
Perseus, Draco, Icos, and Boreas.
EXT. CEDAR FOREST CLEARING - DAY
A herd of winged horses, PEGASSI, graze.
Draco, Boreas, Icos and Perseus -- thrilled -- hide in a
thicket.
DRACO
Pegassi, stallions of the Gods.
ICOS
Perseus. How long do you think
you could stay on one of those?
Icos and Boreas exchange a sly look.
BOREAS
Don't goad the boy, Icos. No Man
can ride a Pegasus.
ICOS
Did not Bellerophon tame the Great
White Pegasus?
BOREAS
You're right. But he was a
demigod...
PERSEUS
(EAGER)
Then this will be a good way to
find out just what I am.
DRACO
Stop it, rogues. One of our own
has disappeared without a trace
and all you can think is to cause
mischief. What if Perseus is
bucked to his death from a
thousand feet up?
(CONTINUED)
56.
CONTINUED:
BOREAS
Don't worry, Commander, the boy
won't even get on its back.
With a "watch this" grin, Perseus rises. Draco pulls him
back down.
DRACO
Don't do this. If we go back to
camp right now, we can avoid
trouble and keep our goal in
sight. A true leader will not be
distracted.
PERSEUS
I'm not the leader, Draco, Amoun
is. I'm too young to start
avoiding trouble.
Perseus jumps up and approaches a roan Pegasus, speaking
soothingly. It WHINNIES and threshes its wings,
buffeting Perseus with gusts.
The Pegasus rears up, and leaps over Perseus' head. It
lands behind him, bucks its hind legs, and kicks Perseus
face-first into the dirt.
Icos and Boreas are laughing, but when Draco gives them a
dark look, Boreas jumps up, sobered, and heads into the
clearing.
BOREAS
I'll collect him right now,
Commander.
Suddenly, Humbaba erupts from the thicket with a HOWL.
The Pegassi take flight, but the Humbaba grabs one and
swallows it whole. Humbaba turns and SNIFFS the air,
homing in on Perseus.
DRACO
Perseus, get out of there! Icos,
fetch the others.
Icos bolts. Draco and Boreas leap into the clearing with
swords drawn to draw the monster's attention. Perseus
does the same.
DRACO
I told you to run, boy. You'll
make things worse.
57.
EXT. CEDAR FOREST ROAD - DAY
Hearing the ROARS, the Expedition is already up. Icos
arrives.
ICOS
A Humbaba!
Mongke and Tamburlane fly into the woods; the others
follow.
EXT. CEDAR FOREST CLEARING - DAY
The reinforcements arrive to see Humbaba pin Boreas with
its talons.
DRACO
Boreas!
Draco hacks at the monster's leg, to no avail. it rips
off Boreas' head and swallows his body.
Perseus CRIES OUT and leaps at the creature, sword
swinging.
AMOUN
No, Perseus!
VIDALIA
Get back!
Vidalia spins her shepherd's sling to pitch lead sling-
bullets. Spyros leaps between Perseus and the monster
and thrusts his weapon -- a VICIOUS-LOOKING HARPOON/BOAT
HOOK.
Tamburlane hoists an ancient BAZOOKA. Mongke lights the
fuse and backs away. KA-BOOM! The weapon belches fire
and metal.
The Humbaba staggers from the shot, but lunges and
swallows Mongke whole. Spyros sinks his harpoon in one
leg, but has it ripped from his hands.
VIDALIA
A delusion is planted in its mind.
It thinks it's starving and it
wants to feed on --
(SUDDENLY
UNDERSTANDING)
-- YOU!
(CONTINUED)
58.
CONTINUED:
The Humbaba's eyes bulge with surprise as a saber pierces
its nose. From inside, Mongke pries open the beast's
mouth with his saber.
VIDALIA
I can't reverse the powerful
curse. But if the monster's
hungry, I can feed it.
Vidalia raises her arms and shuts her eyes. A cyclone of
CAWING RAVENS descends from the sky and dives straight
into the monster's mouth. As the Humbaba tries to shake
them away, Mongke is thrown clear.
VIDALIA
(TO DRACO)
Now! The belly! Slash the belly!
Draco moves to do that when Perseus leaps forward, lunges
and sweeps his blade up Humbaba's belly at the same
moment Draco sweeps down. The two blades barely miss
each other, opening a huge X in the belly. The others
are shocked and impressed by Perseus. Steaming purple
entrails spill over Perseus and Draco. HUMBABA CRASHES
TO THE GROUND.
The flock of ravens, liberated from Humbaba's gut, shake
the viscera from their feathers and take flight.
EXT. THE CEDAR FOREST - STREAM - DAY
Perseus, somber, washes the creature's guts from his arms
and legs. He turns to find Vidalia standing above him,
furious.
L-
VIDALIA
I should cast a spell upon you and
leave you forever a stone upon
this stream.
PERSEUS
I didn't beckon the Humbaba.
VIDALIA
You did, with your childish
recklessness, and Boreas has paid
the price!
Perseus, already rife with guilt, is stung by the truth.
VIDALIA
Your safety is entrusted to me by
the mightiest power on Olympos.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
59.
CONTINUED:
VIDALIA (CONT'D)
But without a thought, you risk
life and limb, your own and your
fellows'.
PERSEUS
The monster killed my friend. I
could not contain my rage. But
you, Goddess, are aloof from the
emotions of Men.
Vidalia's eyes narrow, enraged.
VIDALIA
Yes, a tyrannical Goddess, who
dares question your mad rush to
annihilation.
(QUIETLY INTENSE)
The hopes of multitudes reside
with you. You're late in learning
you cannot act upon every impulse.
She whirls and walks away. Perseus is left with the
weight of his culpability... and the beginning of
knowledge.
INT. SECRET SANCTUARY OF TIAMAT (JOPPA) - NIGHT
A CADRE of REVOLUTIONARIES led by Fantasos is gathered.
Agenor, the handsome scullion who made love to Andromeda,
leads Peshet in from the rain. She is frightened; Agenor
has misled her.
PESHET
Where have you brought me?
AGENOR
It's okay...
Peshet tries to leave, but Agenor stops her.
AGENOR
Just listen to this good man. He
needs your help.
Fantasos comes forward. He fixes her with a hypnotic
gaze.
FANTASOS
Do you know who I am, child?
PESHET
You are the Priest of the Streets.
(CONTINUED)
60.
CONTINUED:
FANTASOS
That's right. You know that the
good common people of Joppa trust
that I will look after their
welfare.
PESHET
Some do...
FANTASOS
Do you love the people of Joppa,
Peshet?
(as she nods,
FRIGHTENED)
Do you want them to be destroyed
by this awful curse?
(as she shakes her
HEAD)
No, of course not. You want
what's best for the people.
PESHET
I have always served the royal
family.
FANTASOS
Yes, you have, good Peshet. And
now you may be in a better
position than anyone to help the
Princessa save the city.
EXT. PHRYGANA SCRUBLAND - NIGHT
Amoun smokes his pipe by the dying campfire. Perseus
approaches.
PERSEUS
Master Amoun... You knew about me,
didn't you? When you came to our
village?
AMOUN
Your birth was written in the
stars. I sought you out and took
it as my cause to teach you.
PERSEUS
You chose a poor student. I have
learned little and my mistakes
cost dearly.
AMOUN
Understanding that is the first
step toward knowledge.
(CONTINUED)
61.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS R
It won't do Boreas any good.
AMOUN
You can honor Boreas by the way
you act from this moment forward.
PERSEUS
I'm no demigod, Tutor. I'm not
even much of a human.
AMOUN
It is not your choice. You are
what you are. Amor fati, Perseus.
'Love thy fate.'
PERSEUS
I do not believe my fate is to be
half a God. No demigod could feel
as confused as I do tonight.
AMOUN
Concentrate on the task before
you. All answers will come with
that.
PERSEUS
Tell me of the Cleon Desert
Legion.
AMOUN
A fierce group. Trained to
fight...
Amoun's DESCRIPTION CONTINUES as we --
CUT TO:
EXT. SIROQUE VALLEY - NIGHT
SUPERIMPOSE: CLEON DESERT LEGION BIVOUAC, THE DISPUTED
TERRITORIES
The desert camp of the Legion is lit by torches. The
LEGION SOLDIERS are handsome, powerful career warriors,
going about their evening business -- eating, cleaning
weapons, washing.
AMOUN (V.0.)
. behind enemy lines.
A LOOKOUT peers into the dark desert, listening. Now he
HEARS something, turns and shouts to another SENTRY:
(CONTINUED)
62.
CONTINUED:
LOOKOUT
The Night Patrol returns on the
Gorge Road!
That message is shouted along from Sentries to Guards in
the camp.
OUT IN THE DARKNESS on the dusty Gorge Road, a dozen
Soldiers gallop in GROUND-SHAKING FORMATION toward the
firelit encampment.
AMOUN (V.0.)
. They've been chasing Djinn
Raiders in the mountains for
years.
PERSEUS (V.0.)
Djinn Raiders?
AMOUN (V.0.)
Yes, Godly zealots, supposedly
insane. They fight like Hades
himself is keeping score...
From the dark SURROUNDING DESERT, WE SEE the Night Patrol
ride into camp and dismount.
AMOUN (V.0.)
.. That's how the Desert Legion
came to be called 'God-slayers.'
I'm not ashamed to say I'll be
relieved to have their protection
the rest of the way...
Amoun's Voice FADES. TILT DOWN TO the barren, desert
flats. Suddenly, a miracle transforms the moonlit
SCRUB --
Strange, beautiful MAGENTA FLOWERS sprout magically where
there had been only dirt and cacti. The LOTUS BLOSSOMS
surround the camp.
EXT. MOUNTAIN RIDGE (SIROQUE VALLEY) - NIGHT
The Cleon camp is just twinkling lights from here on the
mountain. Startlingly, a huge DEFORMED PAW/CLAW/HOOF
scrapes onto a boulder. Pulling himself INTO VIEW in
repulsive CLOSEUP -- Kalibos. (There, within his
frightening visage, is the distinctive crooked scar we
noticed on the jaw of Acrisius in his human form.)
When his twisted body has gained purchase, he looks up
the mountain. AN EERIE LIGHT illuminates his awestruck
countenance. Above him --
(CONTINUED)
63.
CONTINUED:
-- Tiamat, ensconced in a natural throne of rock.
Turning a Lotus blossom in her hand, she smiles on
Kalibos, like a benevolent mother.
TIAMAT
My loyal friend. it is beneath
you to stalk this band of infidels
one by one. Events demand more
decisive action.
Kalibos' SPEECH is as tortured and deformed as his body --
KALIBOS
Grorashnrd... I to be... ruler...
rhodirs... made whole...
sovfrenty... kingdom mine...
TIAMAT
Yes, Kalibos, the time is nigh
when I restore you to your
rightful form -- proud Acrisius.
With me, your protector, on the
throne of Olympos... the violator
Zeus deposed.
Kalibos reacts, with what must be satisfaction.
TIAMAT
Go down into this valley. See
what I am building for you -- an
army dangerous and fearless as
you, their leader.
EXT. CLEON LEGION BIVOUAC - PREDAWN
Several Soldiers have been drawn from camp by the
IRRESISTIBLE FRAGRANCE of the Lotus flowers. They pluck
petals and chew them.
The rest of the Legion filters out between the tents to
take their fill of the drug.
Kalibos watches the handsome, powerful warriors from
across the field of Lotus blossoms.
INT. THE BASILICA - ANDROMEDA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Peshet comes into the dark room and looks at the lump on
Andromeda's bed. On instinct, she hurries to the bed and
throws off the covers -- a pile of cushions, no
Andromeda. Peshet races out.
64.
EXT. THE ACROPOLIS - NIGHT
Peshet sprints through the RAIN, dodging the REFUGEES and
CITIZENS like a cat, peering under each hood, searching
for her mistress.
EXT. THE ACROPOLIS - COVERED PLAZA - NIGHT
On the plaza, a rabid throng of Refugees. Fantasos, the
Revolutionary leader, exhorts the mob, surrounded by
BODYGUARDS, including Agenor. As before, Fantasos seems
to have actual hypnotic powers.
FANTASOS
How much are we meant to suffer?
Where is your mighty King? Safely
cloistered above the flood... on
the high ground, with the high-
born -- the privileged gentry!...
The angry crowd responds, fists shaking. Peshet moves
through the throng, desperately looking for Andromeda.
She passes close to the rostrum and Fantasos registers
her presence.
FANTASOS
. Does Kepheus worry about you?
No! Only the Princessa... And
still, the Kraken comes! Does the
King build his defenses at the
water's edge?
"NO!" cries the crowd. Peshet is shocked to find herself
replying with them -- "NO1" Fantasos motions for Agenor
to continue the harangue, while Fantasos hurries off the
stage.
AGENOR
No! He makes his stand at his
daughter's chamber door!... We
will show Kepheus we're not
sacrificial fodder. We will
tremble the walls of his Basilica!
RABID SUPPORT from the mob. Peshet stops suddenly,
peering ahead.
HER POV
at the fringe of the crowd, Andromeda herself watches
from the anonymity of a hooded cloak, terrified.
(CONTINUED)
65.
CONTINUED:
AGENOR (O.S.)
Andromeda is the one Tiamat wants!
We die so she may live...
As the crowd EXPLODES, Andromeda hurries away in tears.
Peshet fights through the crush to follow her.
EXT. THE ACROPOLIS - ALLEY.- NIGHT
Peshet rounds a corner, frustrated. Andromeda is gone.
A hand grabs Peshet's shoulder, startling her. It is
Fantasos.
FANTASOS
Peshet, you've come at the right
time.
Fantasos engages her with hypnotic power. Peshet nods,
trance-like.
FANTASOS
One night soon, a gong will sound
three times. When you hear it,
unlock the back gate of the
Basilica. Then go to Andromeda's
chambers...
(hands her a dagger)
. and bring the Princess out.
My men will take her to Leviathan.
Peshet just stares at the dagger, hands trembling.
FANTASOS
Do you understand me?
(harshly, off her non-
RESPONSE)
Peshet, do you understand how
important your part is?
She nods, horrified by her predicament.
EXT. ROAD (THE SIROQUE MOUNTAINS) - DAY
SUPERIMPOSE: THE SIROQUE MOUNTAINS, THE DISPUTED
TERRITORIES... 19 DAYS REMAINING
The Expedition moves through a mountain pass. Perseus
eyes a cliff. Amoun and Draco stop. Glimpses of CLOAKED
FIGURES in the boulders.
AMOUN
You wanted to know about Djinn
Raiders. Here they are.
(CONTINUED)
66.
CONTINUED:
DRACO
(to the others)
Look sharp. Watch your surround.
EXT. SIROQUE VALLEY - DAY
Vidalia warily eyes the carpet of magenta flowers.
VIDALIA
The Alkali Lotus...
She stops, spotting something in the distance. Kosmo
pulls up.
VIDALIA
What is that?
THEIR POV
shimmering through the desert heat -- tents and flags.
BACK TO SCENE
KOSMO
(SMILES)
An army bivouac... flying the flag
of Joppa. Its the Cleon Legion.
EXT. CLEON LEGION BIVOUAC - DAY
The Expedition enters the abandoned camp. They look
around in dismay.
DRACO
Where is everyone?
Spyros HEARS something and follows the SOUND to a tent,
weapon ready.
INT. TENT - DAY
Spyros looks inside. A cauldron BUBBLES over a fresh
fire. ALKALI LOTUS blossoms bob on the boiling broth.
Spyros, uneasy, backs out.
EXT. CLEON LEGION BIVOUAC - DAY r
L
Spyros comes out.
(CONTINUED)
67.
CONTINUED:
SPYROS
Draco, tell me what this --
Everyone is standing perfectly still.
DARK FIGURES surround them. The transformed Cleon Legion
lurches INTO VIEW. The only resemblance to the soldiers
they were is their armor.. Now they're monstrous
creatures: LOTOPHAGI.
CLOSE ON A DEFORMED FOOT
as it plants in the dust. The companion foot lands
beside it -- completely different. TILT UP TO: Kalibos.
Perseus stands by Vidalia, watching the monsters.
Kalibos immediately focuses on the demigod. He sniffs
the air around Perseus.
VIDALIA
(WHISPERING)
Lotophagi. Lotus-eaters. We
should leave... now.
PERSEUS
I won't do anything rash. I've
learned my lesson.
VIDALIA
This time you must do something
rash. We all must.
Kalibos leans close to Perseus.
KALIBOS
Tosharicana... demigod...
expulsotat... Zeusl
PERSEUS
No... Perseus.
PERSEUS WHIPS OUT HIS SWORD. The whole Expedition comes
to life as --
THE LOTOPHAGI ATTACK, swift and brutal. Long arms thrash
and rip at the Praetorians.
Mongke and Tamburlane BLAST the swarm with HANDGONNES.
Spyros lobotomizes one with his harpoon. Amoun opens a
leather sack of sand.
AMOUN
Muster to me!
(CONTINUED)
68.
CONTINUED:
Thad, Krikor and Perseus are the first there. Amoun
tosses an arc of the black sand around them all. The
ring of sand transforms into a dense, swirling swarm of
insects. Amoun shouts to the others, still fighting.
AMOUN
Come on! You can pass through!
Draco bolts for the barrier. A Lotophagi spears Kosmo,
killing him. Draco slides inside the swarm. He looks
back at Kosmo in horror.
Polluc slashes zombies and runs toward the swarm. He's
almost there when one of the Lotophagi lands on him,
sinking fangs into his skull. Polluc sticks his sword
into the creature; they both fall over dead. Icos and
Spyros fight their way to the swarm and jump inside.
Mongke and Tamburlane kill a Lotus-eater and leap over
the corpse into the protected circle.
The tide of HOWLING and SHRIEKING Lotophagi claw at the
barrier of insects to no avail.
AMOUN
Only humans can penetrate the
shield!
Perseus takes quick stock of the group inside the swarm,
thinking.
PERSEUS
Only humans...
He looks over the Lotophagi and sees Vidalia out there,
alone, flinging sling-bullets as she fights her way
toward the barrier.
PERSEUS
Drop the barrier! r
AMOUN
No! It's too late for her!
PERSEUS
Drop it, Amoun!
At that moment, Kalibos grabs Vidalia and drags her to
the top of an outcrop. At the top, he turns, LOOKS
DIRECTLY AT PERSEUS and HOWLS, his message clear: "If
you want to save her, come and get her." He hungrily
rips her leather bandeau. Perseus turns to Amoun.
(CONTINUED)
69.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
Take the barrier down or I'll go
through it!
AMOUN
Have you learned nothing? If you
break out now, we're all at risk.
On the boulder, Kalibos grabs Vidalia's white flesh.
Perseus is anguished; he knows he's in love.
PERSEUS
I've learned one thing for
certain!
Perseus shouts at Thad, the massive Praetorian.
PERSEUS
Get down!
Perseus backs away three steps. To the others --
PERSEUS
Get ready to defend yourselves!
Perseus runs, plants a foot on Thad's back and leaps out
through the swarm, which immediately dissipates around
the humans. They have only a moment to react as the
stunned Lotophagi come to their senses.
DRACO
Let's kill these freks!
Perseus runs over the backs of the Lotophagi. Hurtling
off them, he scrambles up and knocks Kalibos off Vidalia.
Ralibos rolls, flips onto his feet and gives Perseus a
look: "You're the one that I want."
They face off, looking for an opening. Perseus lunges,
thrusting his sword. Kalibos dodges, springing up the
rocks and then down toward Perseus, acrobatic as an ape.
Perseus rolls out of the way.
Perseus sweeps his sword at Kalibos' head. The monster
catches the blade in his jaws and SNAPS IT IN TWO!
Bloody spittle flies from his tongue.
Kalibos pounces, pins Perseus. He opens his jaw and
sinks his teeth into Perseus' shoulder. Vidalia cracks a
rock into Kalibos' head. The creature whirls on Vidalia
and careens toward her, head bloody.
Perseus leaps in the air and catches Kalibos in the back
with both feet, knocking him over the edge.
(CONTINUED)
70.
CONTINUED:
Kalibos slams down on the jagged boulders and ricochets
off, pinwheeling through the air. The grotesque figure
hits the lower rocks head-first and his neck CRUNCHES.
He slams into the dust, dead.
Perseus lands on his back, weak from the bite. When he
tries to rise, his legs are rubbery. Vidalia catches him
as he falls forward and lowers him gently, looking at the
bloody puncture wounds.
VIDALIA
(SOOTHING)
Okay... sshh... I've got you.
A THUNDEROUS SOUND SURGES in the distance. Vidalia scans
the horizon.
DOWN BELOW
Draco, Spyros, Amoun and the others hack away, fending
off the Lotophagi. Outnumbered, they won't last long.
The earth VIBRATES. The Lotophagi are distracted,
looking around nervously.
Over a rise stampede SCORPIOCHS, rhino-sized scorpions.
Riding them, DJINN RAIDERS, flowing black silk masking
all but their blue eyes.
They lay into the Lotophagi. The Scorpiochs skewer the
beasts with HUGE PINCERS. The Djinn use flashing
SCIMITARS to cut them down.
ATOP THE ROCKS
in Vidalia's arms, the fading Perseus watches as the
Djinn turn and surround the Expedition members, closing
in.
PERSEUS
Vidalia... we need to help them...
He blacks out. Vidalia cranes to look over the edge of
the cliff where Kalibos fell. She is mystified by what
SHE SEES:
The deformed monster Kalibos is gone. In his place, neck
broken, lies a handsome, aging noble, finally at peace --
King Acrisius.
71.
EXT. SIROQUE MOUNTAINS - DJINN CARAVAN - NIGHT
A STRING OF LIGHTS, each a lantern hanging from a
Scorpioch's tail. The Expedition members ride on the
Scorpioch with the Djinn. Some of the huge scorpions
carry small box/rooms (palanquins) on their backs.
INT. PALANQUIN - NIGHT
Perseus lies sprawled on cushions, unconscious. Vidalia
replaces the dressing on his bite wound. Knowing he
cannot hear her --
VIDALIA
To save me, you risked everything
-- your mission, your friends...
the fate of multitudes. Men need
better judgment in the one who is
meant to lead them...
No longer able to lecture, she regards him with love.
TENDERLY --
VIDALIA
You shouldn't have risked your
life for me. It is a waste to
save me when I'll be gone so soon.
She strokes his hair and kisses his forehead.
VIDALIA
Thank you for your reckless
disregard. Thank you, Perseus...
Vidalia holds her palm above the floor and mutters a
quick incantation. A small shoot APPEARS and SPROUTS FAT
PODS. Vidalia squeezes the salve from a pod and covers
Perseus' wound.
The wound bulges, then squirms deeper into Perseus.
Perseus shoots up, clutching his chest. Vidalia gently
lays him down.
Perseus gags. A VIPER WRIGGLES from his throat and
slithers away with the fat lump of infection in its
stomach.
VIDALIA
The poison is gone now.
PERSEUS
Where... Where are we? The
DJINN --
(CONTINUED)
72.
CONTINUED:
VIDALIA
In the Djinn caravan. They're
escorting us to the Skolothian
border.
PERSEUS
But I thought the Djinn...
VIDALIA .
We all did. But their leader,
Shaikh Suleiman, has some special
interest in you.
(off his confusion)
Just sleep.
She waves her palm over his face, and he does sleep.
EXT. CLEON LEGION BIVOUAC - DAY
Surviving Lotophagi chew on the bones of the fallen. One
reaches hungrily for an Alkali Lotus in the sand, but
suddenly the petals blacken and curl. The creature,
spooked, sniffs the air.
All at once, the Lotophagi age years in seconds and keel
over, dead. The cause: Set the Void glides over,
surveying the battlefield.
EXT. VILLAGES IN SKOLOTHIA - DAY
The Expedition rides through a war-ravaged village of
stucco and thatch. DOORS and SHUTTERS CREAK shut as they
pass, UNSEEN INHABITANTS skitter about.
SUPERIMPOSE: FRONTIER OF SKOLOTHIA... 15 DAYS REMAINING
DRACO
The Skolothians have suffered more
than their share in this war. The
Legions of the Gods have battered
them.
SPYROS
It's no wonder they shy away from
all strangers.
Perseus looks ahead, where the Expedition is parting
company with the Djinn Raiders. only one of the Djinn is
staying -- SHAIKH SULEIMAN, a veiled priest.
PERSEUS L
Why does this Djinn priest stay
with us?
(CONTINUED)
73.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
Because of you. You're the reason
they saved us.
PERSEUS
Me? I don't understand.
AMOUN
Why don't you ask him?
PERSEUS
I thought they didn't speak.
AMOUN
They have no mouths. That doesn't
mean they do not speak.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - SERIES OF SHOTS - DAY
The Expedition climbs through rugged country. At a turn,
Amoun looks up. Dead ahead, wreathed in fog -- sheer
granite pinnacles, one towering above the others.
AMOUN
The Pillar of Moirai. Lair of the
Norn Sisters.
PERSEUS
Tell me of them.
AMOUN
They're witches in the form of
Strix. Not a pleasant sight, a
Strix. They have powerful magic
and dreadful habits. Baby-eaters,
among other things.
(off Perseus' shock)
But they owe me a favor. When the
war broke out, they lent their
power to men against the Gods in
exchange for infant sacrifice.
Tiamat struck them blind for their
treachery. When they came for
help, I fashioned them an
artificial eye, for their Second
Sight.
PERSEUS
You made only one eye?
(CONTINUED)
74.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
(pleased with his
FORESIGHT)
Yes. They have to take turns. If
they all could see at once, they
would be invincible, which one
cannot risk in beings so
grotesque.
EXT. CAMP (SKOLOTHIA) - NIGHT
The Expedition sleeps in a drizzle.
WHISPERS. Shaikh Suleiman moves toward Perseus. The
WHISPERING comes from behind his veil. He pulls a
GLEAMING BRONZE SICKLE from his cloak. The priest, blade
poised, stands over the sleeping Perseus.
OUT OF THE DARKNESS runs Spyros, his harpoon raised for a
strike.
SPYROS
Stay away from my boy!
Without touching him, the Shaikh throws the fisherman
over his head, where he lands hard with an "UMPH!"
Perseus jolts awake. He reaches for his sword, but has
none. Spyros struggles to his feet to start another
charge.
Suleiman raises his hand and freezes Spyros in his
position. The Shaikh's veil has fallen, revealing his
frightening countenance: scaled skin of charred wood;
eyes like slots in a furnace. Perseus listens to the
WHISPERING.
PERSEUS
Spyros, he means me no harm.
The Shaikh lowers his hand: Spyros falls into the dirt.
The Shaikh pulls his veil over his face. He kneels
before Perseus, head bowed.
PERSEUS
I hear you and I understand you.
But I don't know how.
SHAIKH SULEIMAN
Moi ne epos ae'prositi, mene
daeva.
(CONTINUED)
75.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
You are praying to me? There must
be a mistake.
The Shaikh proffers the gleaming bronze sickle which has
a zig-zag, LIGHTNING BOLT PATTERN engraved on the blade,
honoring Zeus.
PERSEUS
An offering'? I thank you and
take it humbly, as agift from a
friend, not an offering.
He takes the weapon and bows his head, surprising the
Shaikh.
SHAIKH SULEIMAN
Tuj patir esti ho theos kosmosr.
PERSEUS
You honor my father? You honor
Spyros?
SHAIKH SULEIMAN
Ho Zeus Patir... Zeus...
Perseus reacts, taken aback to hear it from this
mysterious stranger.
EXT. MOIRAI PILLAR - NIGHT
The Expedition ascends the sheer pinnacle via rain-slick
stairs and GROANING ROPE BRIDGES.
EXT. SUMMIT OF MOIRAI PILLAR - SUNRISE
In a morning fog, the Expedition enters a circle of FREE-
STANDING MONOLITHS white with bird crap. All around:
regurgitated food, shredded garments and tiny human baby
bones.
A FLAP of WINGS and suddenly perched atop the stones are
the NORN SISTERS: URD, VERDANDI, and SKULD -- human-
sized owls with the gray faces of old crones (Strix).
Each has one central EYE SOCKET; they share one
ARTIFICIAL ORB. The Strix toss the Eye between them and
pop it in to study the arrivals.
URD
(low, hoot-owl)
Amoun... So sorry to see you
again.
(CONTINUED)
76.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
Likewise, Urd. I seek your
counsel.
VERDANDI
(SHRIEKING)
You want us to tell you about
Leviathan.
AMOUN
You know already... of course.
VERDANDI
We know this -- the Kraken cannot
be defeated.
SKULD
(PIERCING)
You've wasted a journey. I trust
it was not a taxing one.
The Sisters CACKLE HORRIBLY. Skuld SWOOSHES down. Icos
and Krikor, terrified, hit the deck. Skuld tosses the
Eye back to Urd. Perseus watches with growing
irritation.
AMOUN
Surely the beast from the sea has
some weakness. You owe me this
answer at least.
URD
The Sisters owe nothing to you or
any Man!
She tosses the Eye to Verdandi, who focuses her attention
on Perseus.
VERDANDI
There's something wrong with that
one. I don't like having him
here.
SKULD
Let me take a look.
Verdandi tosses the Eye to Skuld. Perseus leaps and
snags the Eye out of mid-air. The Strix SCREECH.
Perseus goes to the precipice.
PERSEUS
Tell us what we want to know or
your Eye has seen its last.
(CONTINUED)
77.
CONTINUED:
The Norns flap their wings and puff up their feathers.
TO AMOUN:
VERDANDI
You've brought a thief into our
nest!
URD
A villain!
SKULD
Scum!
AMOUN
No, good Sisters... the son of
Zeus.
The Strix react in horror and all land on the same
monolith.
PERSEUS
Since you cannot see, let me tell
you what's about to happen. I'm
about to throw this evil Eye to
the rocks far below. I fear its
journey will be a taxing one.
The members of the Expedition are impressed; Vidalia,
too: the young demigod shows growing leadership. The
Strix are panicked --
URD
We can't tell you. We don't dare
betray Tiamat again.
VERDANDI
She sees all! Her touch is felt
in every evil thing!
SKULD
A second offense and she will
DESTROY USL
PERSEUS
You don't have to tell us the
secret. But you will have to live
as blind as she made you.
SKULD
No! Give us the Eye and we'll
tell.
PERSEUS
Tell me first. If I like the
answer, you get your Eye.
(CONTINUED)
78.
CONTINUED:
VERDANDI
We need the Eye to see the answer!
AMOUN
You know the answer sure as you
already knew the question.
The Norn Sisters confer, enclosed in a curtain of wings.
THEN --
SKULD
Leviathan can be destroyed...
VERDANDI
The beast has one weakness.
SPYROS
Tell us now!
The Strix are torn, frightened. Finally --
URD
The stare of Medusa. No creature
can look directly in her eyes and
still survive.
The answer hangs in the silence of the stunned
Expedition.
AMOUN
They're lying, Perseus.
Perseus studies the Sisters, weighing his response.
PERSEUS
I believe them.
(tosses the Eye high)
Here's your second sight.
Verdandi launches and catches it in her beak, pops it in
her socket.
PERSEUS
(to the Norns)
And Medusa! Where does she abide?
SKULD
In Tartaros, beyond the frozen
Tethys Sea. Only Charon's ferry
dare challenge the ice.
PERSEUS
How can she be slain?
(CONTINUED)
79.
CONTINUED:
VERDANDI
With extraordinary cunning and
unimaginable luck.
Skuld flaps to the pitch-black portal to an UNDERGROUND
VAULT.
SKULD
And the proper tools. Explore our
cache of spoils. You may find
such a tool.
Perseus stares into the black entrance.
DRACO
Don't go in there, Perseus. It's
a trap.
VERDANDI
No. We have guaranteed the rage
of Tiamat with this revelation...
SKULD
. we ask only that the young God
mention our aid...
URD
... to his Father.
PERSEUS
(NODS)
If ever I should meet him.
(turns toward the
VAULT)
I need a light.
The Shaikh holds a branch near his eyes until the end
bursts into flame and hands it to Perseus, who disappears
into the blackness.
INT. VAULT OF THE NORN SISTERS - DAY
Perseus fights through cobwebs and hanging roots. The
torch REVEALS piles of armor, bones, and broken weapons.
A round edge catches his eye. He pulls it free -- A
SHIELD, TARNISHED AND DENTED. Unsure why it attracted
him, he shoulders it and leaves.
80.
EXT. OCEAN - NIGHT
The STORM RAGES around a FLEET OF SHIPS, manned by
armored CREWMEN, that rises and falls on hundred-foot
mountains of water.
EXT. DECK OF LEAD SHIP - NIGHT
The FIRST MATE shouts to the stalwart CAPTAIN.
FIRST MATE
Captain, the storm is too great!
CAPTAIN
Joppa is under siege! King
Kepheus needs these supplies!
Something huge breaches the surface. The captain squints
through the rain... and sees the GIGANTIC SCUTED TAIL of
Leviathan. IT GOES RIGHT PAST THEM, miraculously leaving
the fleet untouched.
But then -- they HEAR a sound BIGGER than the typhoon.
The dark sky gets darker as an ENORMOUS BLACK SHAPE
appears behind the Fleet, bearing down on them at
impossible speed --
TIAMAT'S PALACE-GALLEON so dwarfs the Fleet that it PLOWS
THROUGH the other ships without noticing, obliterating
them in seconds, sending all hands to the depths.
EXT. TIAMAT'S PALACE-GALLEON - PROW - CLOSE ON TIAMAT'S
FRIGHTENING VISAGE - NIGHT
Lit by FLASHES OF LIGHTNING. The Goddess smiles in
satisfaction at the devastation.
EXT. JETTY (THE TETHYS SEA) - DAY
A bleak shore. A boulder jetty juts into the cold pewter
sea and fades into the fog. Chunks of ice bob on the
lapping waves.
SUPERIMPOSE: THE TETHYS SEA... 12 DAYS REMAINING
The Expedition, miserably wet, waits for passage around a
campfire on the frigid beach. Perseus, polishing the
shield he got from the Norns, looks to Amoun, who sits
smoking.
PERSEUS
Tell of the Gorgoneion.
(CONTINUED)
81.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
The Rape of Medusa?
Everyone falls silent. The soldiers shift, suddenly
nervous.
THAD
With respect, Magi, do not recite
that black tale. You'll bring the
sky down upon us.
SPYROS
Does a fairy tale frighten you,
soldier?
Thad looks at him, sharply.
DRACO
Tell the story, sir. My men fear
only one thing -- to let fear in
their hearts.
Mongke says something that means, "Go ahead already."
AMOUN
Medusa was a tender young woman
once -- a mortal creature of such
rare beauty as to tempt even the
Gods. One night, on the road
home, she caught the eye of the
God of Deserts and Entropy -- Set
the Void.
FLASHBACK - EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT
A stunning beauty, YOUNG MEDUSA, carries a water pitcher.
Suddenly, frightened, she turns, sees something, drops
the pitcher and runs.
AMOUN (V.0.)
She hastened to hallowed ground,
thinking the Goddess Tiamat would
protect her in her temple. But
the God Set followed.
A SHADOW passes swiftly over the shattered pitcher, in
pursuit.
INT. TEMPLE OF TIAMAT - NIGHT
In the center of the dark hall, SET overtakes Medusa, L.
forcing her down.
(CONTINUED)
82.
CONTINUED:
His cloak ripples as SHAPES PUSH THROUGH THE SPECTRAL
FOLDS -- the girl's reaching fingers, her screaming face.
AMOUN (V.0.)
He ravished her on the cold floor.
She felt the heartless passion of
a God.
SAME SCENE - LATER
Alone, Medusa crawls with bloody fingernails toward the
altar.
AMOUN (V.0.)
Despoiled and broken in the shadow
of Tiamat's altar, she prayed for
comfort and pleaded for courage...
But the Goddess of the Deep
regarded Medusa with disdain. The
prayers of such a frail and filthy
mortal angered Tiamat.
A bust of Tiamat chiseled from black crystal opens her
BLAZING eyes, THROWING A LONG SHADOW OF MEDUSA onto the
wall.
AMOUN (V.0.)
The Goddess twisted young Medusa
into a loathsome new thing...
The contorting shadow shows the transformation. Legs
twist and snap and become a slithering tail. Snake heads
wriggle from her skull.
L
EXT. JETTY (TETHYS SEA) - BACK TO THE CAMPFIRE - DAY
(PRESENT)
The Expedition all hang on Amoun's every word.
AMOUN
.. and cursed her with a hateful
stare that petrifies to stone all
that look upon her.
Grave silence. Draco realizes he's burned his dinner on
the fire. Spyros shakes his head. Perseus just stares,
a believer.
NOISES come from the fog: SPLINTERING ICE; SLOSHING
OARS. A SHAPE emerges -- an ice-cutting THREE-TIERED
GALLEY, oars moving with precision.
(CONTINUED)
83.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
Charon's ferry.
EXT. THE TETHYS SEA - DAY
The prow of the galley cuts through ice. Rows of oars
slice the frigid water, pulling the boat through at a
steady clip.
INT. GALLEY - BELOW DECK - DAY
Dark, hot and loud: PIPES, STEAM, GEARS and PISTONS.
CHARON, a grizzled old sea captain, shovels coal and
slams the furnace closed. He walks past his "crew" --
MECHANICAL OARSMEN of tarnished brass, rowing tirelessly.
Charon dons furs, then climbs up to --
EXT. GALLEY - UPPER DECK - DAY
-- an icy, slick deck, snow. The Expedition huddle
around stoves, miserable. We HEAR the OARS BEAT, the
HULL GROAN, the ICE CRACKING. Charon CHORTLES, his VOICE
deeper than the sea --
CHARON
Better stoke those fires, boys,
it's going to get cold soon.
INT. HOLD - DAY
In a small space among the stores, Vidalia circles
Perseus, whose eyes are shut. Suddenly, she sweeps his
legs out. He lands hard.
VIDALIA
She's got a tail and she'll use it
just like that.
Perseus opens his eyes.
VIDALIA
Keep your eyes shut! Open them
with Medusa and it will be your
last look.
PERSEUS
(CLOSES EYES)
You're enjoying this too much.
(CONTINUED)
84.
CONTINUED:
He can't see her smile. Or that she regards him with
something hotter than amusement. She tries to punch him,
but he blocks it.
VIDALIA
Good!
Pleased, he doesn't sense her right cross, which knocks
him down.
VIDALIA
Do you think the Gorgon will hit
once and then surrender her head?
He gets up, eyes closed, and resumes the defensive
position, turning as she moves around him.
VIDALIA
Listen... you will hear her
muscles coil. Feel her hunger in
your gut. Ask, how will she feed
it?
PERSEUS
I wish it, but I can't perceive
the world that way.
VIDALIA
You can. You're the son of a God.
PERSEUS
Nothing I have done has convinced
me of that.
VIDALIA
You do not see yourself clearly
yet. In time, your actions in
crisis will sharpen your view.
Her faith touches him deeply. She resumes the lesson:
VIDALIA
You can do those things, Perseus,
and much more.
He shadows her movements more closely, back and forth.
VIDALIA
We think a room is silent until
someone points out the wind. Then
the wind is all we hear.
She strikes. He dodges and locks her neck. Pleased, she
flips him.
(CONTINUED)
85.
CONTINUED:
Surprisingly, he lands on his feet, and immediately
sweeps her legs. She starts to fall backwards, but --
SLOW MOTION as Perseus dives forward and cradles her
gently as they both fall to the floor. A move beyond
human. She looks up at his closed eyes, worried. Their
lips are inches apart. REGULAR SPEED --
PERSEUS
I'm beginning to hear the wind.
(senses something,
CONFUSED)
Vidalia... why are you afraid?
She kisses him, deeply. He returns it. Suddenly, she
rolls free and stands up, turning away from him.
PERSEUS
Wait...
She is already climbing the ladder. She stops for only a
MOMENT --
VIDALIA
You've learned enough for now.
EXT. GALLEY - UPPER DECK - DAY
Spyros is at the rail, looking over the ocean of ice.
Perseus, troubled, arrives. Spyros looks at him closely.
PERSEUS
What?
SPYROS
Nothing.
PERSEUS
What do you see?
SPYROS
A look I know well.
PERSEUS
From me?
SPYROS
Never before.
PERSEUS
Then where?
Spyros smiles, puts his huge, calloused hand on Perseus'
shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
86.
CONTINUED:
SPYROS
In my own mirror, son.
PERSEUS
When does it go away?
SPYROS
If we're lucky... never.
EXT. COAST OF TARTAROS - DAY
A landscape of volcanic rock. Lava pouring into the sea
raises VEILS OF STEAM, through which the Expedition
disembarks from the galley.
SUPERIMPOSE: COAST OF TARTAROS... 10 DAYS REMAINING
EXT. TARTAROS - DAY
The Expedition crosses the black terrain, lava vents here
or there.
EXT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - LAVA FIELD - DAY
In the distance, dark ruins -- an ominous tilted facade,
half-sunk in the dried lava flow.
SHAIKH SULEIMAN
Jaggous temploi Tartaros de
Gorgoneion maitress.
AMOUN
The Temple of Tartaros... Medusa's
lair.
Mongke and Tamburlane exchange words and point. They all
LOOK --
TWO STONE STATUES flank the entrance: a pair of enormous
CENTAURS -- NESSUS and IXION, their eyelids sewn shut.
Icos and Krikor exchange distressed looks.
AMOUN
Medusa must have turned them to
stone.
Perseus swings his sickle, measuring its balance, and
adjusts his shield. He checks a canvas sack on his belt.
PERSEUS
I'm going into the Temple.
(CONTINUED)
87.
CONTINUED:
DRACO
I am with you.
SPYROS
(STEPS FORWARD)
I go with my boy.
Perseus, Spyros, and Draco split off toward the temple.
Suddenly, the two "statues," Nessus and Ixion, shake off
their dusty skins and COME TO LIFE. They GALLOP down the
ridge, hooves shaking the ground. They raise fearsome
spiky maces of jagged iron.
Vidalia readies her sling. The Shaikh draws his
scimitar. Mongke and Tamburlane load their handgonnes,
the others draw swords.
EXT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - PORTICO - DAY
The Temple group arrives at the steps. Draco speaks to
PERSEUS
DRACO
Are you afraid?
PERSEUS
Of what?
DRACO
Good boy.
PERSEUS
Yes. You?
DRACO
(NODS)
Stay close and I'll steer us
through.
They tie on blindfolds and feel their way into the
Temple.
EXT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - LAVA FIELD - DAY
Nessus and Ixion arrive. Ixion's mace catches Krikor,
flinging him to his death in an open lava vent. Icos
CRIES OUT for his friend and charges in. Ixion smashes
him to oblivion.
Thad, enraged, races at Nessus, but the Centaur dodges
the massive Praetorian and kicks him in the chest,
killing him.
(CONTINUED)
88.
CONTINUED:
Nessus charges Amoun. Amoun throws a handful of sand,
which becomes a hail of STEEL-BARBED DARTS in midair, C
which lash the Centaur's flesh.
Tamburlane rolls under the beast and fires his weapon.
Nessus hurls the monster-hunter against a boulder and
goes for him when --
-- Shaikh Suleiman jumps between them. His scimitar
slashes but is ripped from his hands. The Shaikh BOWS
HIS HEAD.
Nessus' mace shatters Shaikh Suleiman's head of charred
wood. BLUE FIRE shoots out his neck, ENVELOPING THE
CENTAUR. The burning Centaur crumples, dead.
Ixion SLAMS his mace down, just missing Amoun. Suddenly,
Vidalia's sling-bullets slice his flesh. Ixion turns and
leaps at Vidalia.
INT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - DAY
In the subterranean temple, we HEAR Ixion landing above;
dust rains into the cavern. SUNLIGHT angles through
holes in the roof.
Draco, Spyros and Perseus move blindly through the
debris. CORPSES everywhere, faces frozen in stone
screams.
The men can't see it, but one wall suddenly frames a
silhouette of MEDUSA: HAIR OF HISSING SNAKES atop a
woman's torso, the body of a mammoth reptile.
WE SEE only GLIMPSES of Medusa as she slides through the
shadows. Her forked tongue tastes the air.
CUTTING BETWEEN Spyros, Perseus and Draco, moving
silently on opposite sides of the sanctuary.
OUR VIEW of Draco is suddenly BLOCKED by Medusa -- she
coils around Draco without touching him. He HEARS the
RASP of SCALES ON STONE.
DRACO
I hear her, Perseus. She's near!
Her torso behind him, she RATTLES her tail in front.
Draco spins and slices the air. The RATTLE stops. Draco
waits, confused.
(CONTINUED)
89.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS (O.S.)
(from across the
ROOM)
Draco, be wary -- !
Medusa gingerly tugs Draco's blindfold free. Draco sees
the tail before him. Unthinking, he instinctively spins
and looks.
Medusa's face is inches from Draco's. His muscles lock
and his flesh hardens to scabrous stone, emanating SMOKY
GAS. Medusa breathes in the vapors ecstatically.
AT THAT MOMENT a hole blasts through the roof of the
cavern as Ixion crashes down in a cloud of dirt -- dead,
a gaping wound in his head.
Medusa regards her fallen minion in horror, loosing a
MOURNFUL SIGH.
Spyros HEARS HER and blindly hurls his harpoon toward the
sound.
WITH THE HARPOON as its sails cleanly through slanted
pillars and debris, WHOOSH, WHOOSH, until it comes
through a tiny opening and --
THUDS into Medusa's body! The Monster SCREAMS, whipping
about. She tries to pull the harpoon out, but can't.
SPYROS (O.S.)
Perseus, I think she's hit!
PERSEUS (O.S.)
Where?
SPYROS (O.S.)
Near to the left!
Medusa's enraged attention shifts back and forth between
the VOICES of the two men, deciding which to attack.
Perseus tries to control his shakes, jumping at every
sound, head swiveling blindly. From a distance --
SPYROS (O.S.)
Perseus... I don't hear her near
me!
Perseus steps back and BUMPS into a column.
90.
ABOVE HIM F-
Medusa is coiled around the column, harpoon stuck in her
bloody side. She CRAWLS DOWN toward Perseus.
Perseus against the column. FROM THE TOP OF FRAME,
Medusa's fingers reach for his blindfold. She pulls the
knot and the blindfold falls.
Eyes closed, Perseus slashes the air, sweeping the sickle
about until it SMASHES into the column -- BRINNNGI The
SOUND ECHOES, then FADES.
Perseus waits and listens. Then, PING!, one drop of
Medusa's blood lands on his shield.
Perseus opens his eyes and peers into his shield. In the
reflection on the bronze, he SEES: Movement. Snakes.
Searing eyes... Medusa!
Eyes shut, he windmills his weapon above him. Medusa's
talons DEFLECT the blade and the sickle flies from his
grip.
Perseus scrambles for it on his hands and knees. Behind
him, Medusa SLITHERS down the column and heads for
Perseus.
Perseus reaches the sickle. He lifts his shield up in
front of him and sees Medusa's reflection growing closer
behind him.
He shuts his eyes and wheels around, blade sweeping. A
soft F-THMMP as the blade slices through something...
SILENCE. Perseus turns away and opens his eyes, looking
into the shield. Still, Medusa looms behind him!
But suddenly, Medusa's head THUDS and rolls on the
ground. The headless reflection topples over, dead. r-
EXT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - MAGIC HOUR
THE AFTERMATH: the survivors -- Vidalia, Amoun, Mongke,
and Tamburlane -- take mournful stock of their losses.
Mongke sees something, smiles and SWEARS in his language.
They all turn to see:
Perseus and Spyros, spent and saddened, stand at the top
of the Temple steps. Perseus grasps the canvas sack.
Now it holds Medusa's head, which bloodies the whole bag
and sends a crimson drip to the stones. There is still
movement in there -- squirming serpents.
91.
EXT. JOPPA'S LOWER WHARF - NIGHT
Rain and waves pound the Lower Wharf, the water choked
with debris and rotting corpses.
EXT. THE BASILICA (JOPPA) - HIGH PARAPET - NIGHT
Kepheus stands in the rain with his MINISTER OF DEFENSE
and GENERALS at his side. A massive tent town has been
pitched in the piazza. VOICES -- frequent and angry --
SHOUT CURSES at the Basilica.
KEPHEUS
The relief fleet is lost.
Monsters gather outside our walls.
Soon I won't be able to keep my
own people at bay. And still, no
word from the Expedition.
Kepheus raises a spyglass to survey the view beyond the
city walls.
SPYGLASS POV - TIAMAT'S ARMY
on the plain outside the city. BONFIRES RAGE, monster
regiments assemble. Siege towers roll toward the city.
BACK TO SCENE
KEPHEUS
Tiamat commands a massive horde.
How many days remain?
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Four, Majesty...
Kepheus lowers the glass, looking grim.
GENERAL ANDOR
Our forces prepare. We have cards
yet to play. We'll buy the time
we need until...
KEPHEUS
Until the Expedition perhaps
returns?... Until we're saved by
the fisherman's son?
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
My king, remember and take hope...
he is not truly the son of a
fisherman.
(CONTINUED)
92.
CONTINUED:
KEPHEUS
(SKEPTICAL)
From your lips, I pray, to his
true father's ear.
Andromeda has appeared. All are shocked to see her. She
addresses the others with an authority we've never seen.
ANDROMEDA
I would speak with the King in
private.
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Princess, let us find a protected
PLACE --
ANDROMEDA
We can speak here, in the elements
our subjects endure.
The King's men exchange looks, then bow discreetly away,
leaving father and daughter alone. Andromeda looks down
at the tent city.
KEPHEUS
They take refuge from the Lower
Wharf. A sight I wish you'd never
seen.
ANDROMEDA
You've sheltered me too long from
the hard things in this world.
KEPHEUS
I would have it no other way.
ANDROMEDA
And I thank you for the gift of my
cosseted youth. But now, with
Mother so...
(turns to him)
It's time I shared this burden
you've carried so long.
Filled with emotion, he puts an arm around her.
KEPHEUS
You make me proud, but you are
only a child... my little one.
ANDROMEDA
No, no longer. Your protection of
me has brought hardship to our
people...
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
93.
CONTINUED:
ANDROMEDA (CONT'D)
and to me, perhaps, new
understanding. I must ask you
something, Father.
She turns away from his gaze and looks down at the city.
ANDROMEDA
If you could end this siege with
just one unselfish act, would you
do it?
KEPHEUS
To save my people, yes, of course.
ANDROMEDA
Such an act is within my power.
He studies her a moment, then becomes alarmed.
KEPH EUS
Stop itl I forbid you to
entertain such thoughts.
ANDROMEDA
Perseus and the others were
willing to give everything.
KEPHEUS
(turns her to him)
Listen to me. By the time this is
over, your mother and I may well
be gone. But I guarantee the day
is coming when Joppa will know
glory under Queen Andromeda.
She embraces him, head upon his shoulder, where he can't
see her resolve.
ANDROMEDA
Be at peace, Father, I will not
cause you any more sadness than I
already have.
EXT. OLIVE GROVES (ILLYRIA) - MILESTONE - DAY
An ancient walled road curves over the pastoral orchard
hills.
SUPERIMPOSE: MILESTONE, HILLS OF ILLYRIA... 3 DAYS
REMAINING
The exhausted Expedition is now six: Perseus, Vidalia,
Amoun, Spyros, Mongke, and Tamburlane. They've stopped
at a well beside a MILESTONE.
(CONTINUED)
94.
CONTINUED:
Spyros studies the ancient words carved into the
milestone: "Polis of JOVE PATER : XI stadia S."
SPYROS
Eleven stadia to the South... What
is 'Polis of Jove Pater'? I'm
ignorant of this.
AMOUN
Jove the Father is another name by
which Zeus was known. This
milestone dates from when city
states were named for their patron
deities.
Perseus, filling his canteen, peers at the marker as
Amoun uses one hand to cover the letters "-VE" and the
other the letters "-TER."
AMOUN
'The Polis of Jove Pater' is the
ancient name of --
PERSEUS
-- Joppa.
AMOUN
Yes, Joppa... once the most sacred
site in the worship of Jove.
PERSEUS
(dawning on him)
Tiamat chooses the city of Zeus to
take hostage.
(as Amoun confirms
THIS)
She compels the people to make
human sacrifice of the Princess
Andromeda...
AMOUN
. and transforms Joppa into the
new church of Tiamat. The ancient
abode of Zeus...
VIDALIA
(QUIETLY)
becomes the new home of
Tiamat, granting her sway to
supplant him as the God of Gods.
(urgently to Perseus)
You can't allow Tiamat to rule
Olympos.
(CONTINUED)
95.
CONTINUED:
Perseus holds her look. "No," he won't let that happen.
But in his eyes are fear and doubt.
EXT. FOREST TRAIL (ILLYRIA) - MAGIC HOUR
The Expedition passes through deep woods. Spyros and
Perseus ride side by side.
PERSEUS
Father, we've seen much on this
journey we cannot hold in our
hands. Yet these things are real
enough. At each turn, we find
monsters and Gods.
SPYROS
Yes, the evidence is everywhere
once we leave our island. That's
why I so rarely leave. These
Gods, what do you make of them?
PERSEUS
As you always said, they're petty,
vengeful... and dangerous.
SPYROS
Yes, as bad as men.
(as Perseus smiles)
And would you have that sort guide
your life?
PERSEUS
No. Men must be accountable to
themselves. Otherwise we serve
poor masters.
SPYROS
That's my boy.
Amoun rides up.
AMOUN
We should stop for the night.
PERSEUS
We must keep moving. Time is
running out.
SPYROS
If we don't rest the horses, they
won't make it to Joppa.
(CONTINUED)
96.
CONTINUED:
AMOUN
(TO PERSEUS)
We all need rest. If you don't
save yourself, you'll have nothing
left when you face the Kraken.
Riding behind them, Vidalia (paler and more ephemeral
than ever) is suddenly alert. She peers into the woods,
agitated. Then she EXCLAIMS SOFTLY, dismounts and runs
into the woods.
PERSEUS
Vidalia!
Perseus slides from his horse and follows her. Mongke
says something to Tamburlane; they LAUGH. Amoun to
SPYROS:
AMOUN
Why don't we stop here tonight?
Spyros smiles, looking off after Perseus.
EXT. FOREST (ILLYRIA) - DARK GROVE - MAGIC HOUR
Vidalia darts through the trees. She stops, closes her
eyes, moves off again.
THROUGH A STAND OF TREES, Vidalia appears again, and
stops, searching her senses. Perseus arrives and watches
her.
VIDALIA
I know this place...
Suddenly, she hurries to the trunk of an ancient tree.
She probes the foliage, steps forward... and descends
into the ground, out of sight.
Following, Perseus pulls away greenery, revealing an
opening in the tree's massive roots.
INT. UNDERGROUND SHRINE - MAGIC HOUR
Perseus drops into a dim, earthen den. Vidalia stands
motionless before a bare altar.
VIDALIA
This is my church. Where I was
born to the world. Where my
people prayed to me.
(CONTINUED)
97.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
Who were they?
VIDALIA
(UNCERTAIN)
I know they were humans. They
seemed so fragile. I sheltered
them because I thought the harsh
world would break them. Now I
know I underestimated them.
Her eyes pierce Perseus.
VIDALIA
When I saw you come out with
Medusa's head, I saw that a Man
had done an impossible thing.
Beautiful, yes, but not fragile.
Resilient. Fearless.
PERSEUS
I was mad with fear. I was no
hero. I just didn't want to die.
Perseus turns toward the altar.
PERSEUS
What is this?
A marble tablet sits on the altar, its surface defaced.
Vidalia runs her fingers along the scoring.
VIDALIA
When the war began, Men ranged
through the hills, stamping out
any trace of God-worship they
found.
(touching the tablet)
My true name was carved here.
When it was obliterated, my
worshippers lost faith and my last
season began.
PERSEUS
How long do you have?
VIDALIA
Only days.
PERSEUS
What will happen?
VIDALIA
I will vanish, quick as dew
evaporating at dawn.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
98.
CONTINUED:
VIDALIA (CONT'D)
No one will notice the moment
because all thought of me will be
gone.
PERSEUS
What about me?
VIDALIA
Nothing can save me.
He takes her in his arms. Vidalia is riven by anguish
and desire.
PERSEUS
I don't believe that. Will love
not buy another day, Vidalia?
VIDALIA
(TEARS FLOWING)
I was cut free of earthly longing.
Why did you have to give me a
name?
The light is almost gone now. They kiss. The wilted
blossoms in her crown slowly open with color. They begin
to make love.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. UNDERGROUND SHRINE - NIGHT
Perseus and Vidalia lie together, listening to the SOUNDS
of nightingale, cricket and owl.
PERSEUS
When you vanish, I'll find you.
VIDALIA
Close your eyes. 1
PERSEUS
I'd rather look at you.
VIDALIA
Do what I tell you.
(as he does)
I'm going to give you a spell.
PERSEUS
Don't give away your secrets. You
still have need of them.
L
(CONTINUED)
99.
CONTINUED:
VIDALIA
Let me give you this sliver of
magic. I'll write it on your
instinct. When the time comes,
you'll know how to use it.
She takes his head in her hands, pressing her forehead to
his. Gently, her fingers slip into his mind. A TEAR
runs down her cheek.
PERSEUS' POV
In QUICK FLASHES: A white lid opens to a black eye.
Reflected in the eye -- clouds roll over a stormy sky.
THEN:
Feathered WHITE WINGS beat the air. Then:
Racing over the surface of a blue SEA, and then down,
down, to SMASH THROUGH the surface, into the depths.
INT. TEMPLE OF TARTAROS - NIGHT
Tiamat and Set the Void stand over the corpse of Medusa.
Baby snakes and beetles spill out of her neatly-sliced
neck. Tiamat is furious.
TIAMAT
How did he do this? They were not
even to reach Medusa.
SET
Fate has begun to shift. The
future ripples with uncertainty.
TIAMAT
Spare me your pitiful maundering!
There is no Fate beyond my actions
and no uncertainty in the face of
my will.
SET
(COWED)
I meant only that the demigod
bends the path without knowing it.
He is ignorant of the rules, or
unconcerned with them.
She turns on him with such a violent look, he flinches.
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED:
TIAMAT
Then there shall be no rules!
Prove to me you have not lost that
which makes you most valuable.
Set absorbs her tirade, stung.
SET
And Zeus... the others?
TIAMAT
I am your ally. That is all you
need to know. Bloody your hands
and rid me of this pestilence.
SET
You have liberated me, my Queen.
Watch as your desires are quickly
satisfied.
Set disappears.
INT. UNDERGROUND SHRINE - SUNRISE
Perseus jolts awake. He reaches for Vidalia, but she is
gone. Amoun stands over him, his manner severe.
PERSEUS
Where is she?
AMOUN
This is my fault. I've permitted
.this infatuation to progress too
far.
PERSEUS
It is not yours to permit,
Master... with respect.
Vidalia comes down into the shrine, her apron full of
berries.
VIDALIA
Look what I've found for us --
She startles when she sees Amoun, dropping the berries.
AMOUN
(TO VIDALIA)
Have you forgotten Perseus is
engaged to the Princessa?
PERSEUS
I won't marry Andromeda.
(CONTINUED)
101.
CONTINUED:
Both Amoun and Vidalia are surprised.
AMOUN
If by some miracle you survive
this encounter with Leviathan, the
hand of the Princessa is your
reward.
PERSEUS
I want no reward.
AMOUN
Are you so selfish? Would you
risk everything for the foolish
love of --
A BLAST of HOT DESERT WIND blows into the Shrine. The
berries turn brown and shrivel.
Amoun grabs his chest. Perseus and Vidalia crumple in
agony.
SET THE VOID COMES INTO THE SHRINE. Amoun tries to
invoke a spell, but Set touches his chest and Amoun
splits open.
Set points at Vidalia, slamming her into the earthen
wall. The God is there in an instant, strangling her.
Perseus staggers up and swings his sickle, but Set
points, ripping the weapon from Perseus' hand. It flies
across the shrine and sinks with a CLANG into the tablet
that once held Vidalia's true name.
Still choking Vidalia, Set grabs Perseus' arm. Perseus
doubles over, paralyzed by the God's touch. Suffocating,
Vidalia FADES MORE.
Immobilized, Perseus watches her struggle and searches
HIS BEING:
PERSEUS
(low, rasping)
I am half God... and now is the
time...
Perseus rises. He cocks his arm and clobbers Set with an
ear-splitting CRACK OF THUNDER and a sparking BURST OF
WHITE ENERGY. Set drops Vidalia and lurches back,
aghast. BLACK BLOOD shoots from his mouth.
Perseus, his face contorted in rage, chokes Set. The
God's body SPASMS and deforms in DEATH THROES.
(CONTINUED)
102.
CONTINUED:
Perseus slams the God down in a ghastly heap, which
liquefies into thick black blood. It seeps into the
sandy floor, leaving an ugly stain.
Perseus rushes to embrace Vidalia, who is more evanescent
than ever. They look with pain at the remains of Amoun.
VIDALIA
I'm so sorry, Perseus.
A look of brutal, determined resolve grows in Perseus'
face.
VIDALIA
(IN AWE)
You faced a God in lethal
combat... and vanquished him.
Never have I heard of such a
thing.
He looks at her, mind racing, then lifts her as he
stands.
PERSEUS
We must go quickly now.
He pulls the sickle from the marble with a BRINNG! The
light flashes off Zeus' LIGHTNING BOLT PATTERN on the
blade.
PERSEUS
The combat has just begun.
DISSOLVE TO:
L
INT. HIDDEN SANCTUARY OF TIAMAT (JOPPA) - NIGHT
Fantasos and the LEADERS of the Revolution are gathered
around a SACRIFICIAL FIRE. They fill the room with their
CHANTING.
SUPERIMPOSE: JOPPA... THE EVE OF THE 30TH DAY
FANTASOS
We invoke thee, Queen of the Deep.
We attend thee only to listen and
obey.
Fantasos moves through smoke to an altar, on which is a
fearsome IDOL OF TIAMAT, unlike any representation we've
seen.
(CONTINUED)
103.
CONTINUED:
FANTASOS
We serve your will so that we may
be absorbed into your
perfection... Holy of holies...
Tiamat!
The Sanctuary is suddenly filled with the VOICE of --
TIAMAT (V.0.)
Loyal servants...
it may be an illusion, but the Idol seems to have taken
on the most subtle of life. It does not move, but it
breathes.
TIAMAT (V.0.)
You have sown the seeds of revolt.
Now comes the harvest. My legions
stand ready at the gates. Only
one rite of consecration remains
before the Ascension.
Fantasos, closest to the Idol, flinches, buffeted by an
unseen draft.
TIAMAT (V.0.)
The hour of sacrifice is upon us.
Offer up the Princess Andromeda to
Leviathan.
INT. THE BASILICA - ROYAL CHAMBERS - NIGHT
A GONG sounds ONCE in the night. Repheus sleeps fitfully
on a divan by the bed of the desiccated Cassiopeia.
INT. ANDROMEDA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
The GONG sounds again. CLOSE ON Andromeda's tortured
face staring down at the city -- too CLOSE to see exactly
where she is.
EXT. THE BASILICA - BACK GATE - NIGHT
The GONG sounds a THIRD TIME. Peshet opens a lock and
sets the heavy gate ajar. She looks at the dagger in her
palm and hurries inside.
After a moment, four CLOAKED REBELS slip through the open
gate.
104.
INT. ANDROMEDA'S CHAMBERS.- NIGHT
L
Peshet enters, dagger held at her back. No sign of
Andromeda.
PESHET
My lady? Princess Andromeda?
She goes deeper into the rooms, then GASPS, looking off,
ALARMED --
Andromeda stands on the balustrade of her balcony,
preparing to jump to her death. She turns at the sound,
teetering.
Peshet rushes to her but stops when Andromeda raises a
knife of her own. Peshet is shocked, not afraid.
ANDROMEDA
Peshet, stop! I know what I am
meant to do.
PESHET
My lady, please --
ANDROMEDA
I was afraid, Peshet. Afraid to
understand that the fate of so
many could rest with me.
PESHET
Princessa, give me your hand.
Andromeda, please. Please.
ANDROMEDA
(looks at the drop)
I'm not afraid anymore. I will do
what I must. I will die so that
they may live.
R
She turns, but Peshet leaps and grabs her, pulling her to
safety. They fall to the floor, both daggers CLATTERING
on the marble.
PESHET
I won't allow it, my lady. Today,
you are only a Princess. One day
your people may need a Queen ready
to die for them.
Peshet snatches up the dagger from where she dropped it.
PESHET C
Come, we have to hide you... right
now.
(CONTINUED)
105.
CONTINUED:
She stops, picks up Andromeda's knife and hands it to s
her. Andromeda accepts it with resolve.
PESHET
Good.
EXT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ANDROMEDA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT
Peshet leads Andromeda out.
ANDROMEDA
We must get to my mother and
father.
A VOICE from the darkness:
AGENOR (O.S.)
Your father is dead and your
mother has been relieved of her
suffering.
The four Cloaked Rebels step into the light. Agenor
wipes his bloody dagger on his cloak as all four advance.
AGENOR
The Princessa is coming with us.
She has a rendezvous to keep.
Peshet WHIPS HER DAGGER through the air; it THUDS into
the neck of the First Rebel, killing him on his feet.
Before he can fall, Peshet leaps to him and pulls out her
knife. She plants herself in front of Andromeda.
PESHET
Come and get her.
Agenor and the other two circle Peshet. She moves with
feline agility, but is separated from the Princess. To
the Second Rebel --
AGENOR
Take the Princess -- alive!
The Second Rebel circles around Peshet toward Andromeda.
PESHET
Run, Princess! Save yourself.
Peshet leaps on the Third Rebel.
Andromeda runs away from the Second Rebel, who easily
closes the gap.
(CONTINUED)
106.
CONTINUED:
SECOND REBEL
You're not going anywhere, Your
Highness.
He grabs her in a bear hug from behind. She spins, tiny
within his massive arms, and is suddenly facing him. He
JOLTS in surprise, Andromeda's knife in his belly. He
falls on her, dead.
Peshet wins her struggle with the Third Rebel, sinking
her dagger in him. She GASPS. Agenor has thrust his
blade into her ribs. She totters and COUGHS -- deep and
bloody. Peshet falls against the wall.
Andromeda WAILS at the sight. She is pinned beneath the
dead weight of the Second Rebel, unable to move. Agenor
finishes off Peshet and turns to the Princess.
EXT. WOODED RIDGE - DAY
The survivors -- Perseus, Vidalia, Spyros, Mongke, and
Tamburlane -- crest a hill in the RAINY DAWN LIGHT.
Vidalia is almost transparent. The Expedition reacts in
shock to what they see.
FROM BEHIND THE GROUP
They're on a shelf above the wide, flat basin that lies
outside Joppa. A limitless INHUMAN ARMY -- Centaurs,
Minotaurs, Monsters of every stripe -- fills the plain,
right up to the city walls.
EXT. BEHIND THE WALLS OF JOPPA - DAY
Among the regiments of Joppans waiting nervously for the
battle are ranks of fifteen-foot AUTOMATA (CLOCKWORK
SOLDIERS). OPERATORS feverishly work the mechanisms of
the steel soldiers, which flex their artificial limbs and
weigh their massive weapons.
EXT. WOODED RIDGE - DAY
Mongke and Tamburlane exchange words. For the first
time, they look impressed -- but also delighted. This is
what they live for.
Spyros looks over at his adopted son.
(CONTINUED)
107.
CONTINUED:
SPYROS
If it should come to pass, tell
your mother and sister I loved
them much.
Perseus reaches out and touches his foster father warmly.
PERSEUS
You'll have to tell them yourself.
Vidalia's voice has become weaker.
VIDALIA
The people are frightened. But
they can triumph.. They need only
one thing.
Perseus turns to her, a question on his face -- "Tell
me... 11
VIDALIA
A hero. They're waiting for you,
Perseus.
Perseus looks back toward the city. At last, there is no
uncertainty in Perseus --
PERSEUS
I will not fail them.
He turns toward the Goddess, but Vidalia is gone.
PERSEUS
Vidalia?
(realizing,
ANGUISHED)
No.
It's too late. She's disappeared.
EXT. CLIFFS OF JOPPA - DAY
PELTING RAIN. HUNDREDS OF ONLOOKERS have gathered.
An IRON WINCH sits on a GRANITE PLATFORM on the cliff's
edge. Fantasos and his cohorts wait beside a huge BRONZE
GONG.
Agenor brings Andromeda barefoot through the mud. The
onlookers jostle for a better view, some spiteful, some
sad, all curious.
L
(CONTINUED)
108.
CONTINUED:
Agenor removes Andromeda's cloak, revealing her tattered
nightgown. Fantasos inspects the MYSTERIOUS SYMBOLS
inked on her naked back, streaked by rain.
Agenor's thugs chain her to the winch at the precipice,
hundreds of feet above the raging sea. As the winch is
cranked, the chain lifts Andromeda upside down from the
ground.
Agenor pulls Andromeda close and flashes a cruel grin.
She spits in his eye. He wipes his eyes and lets go of
the chain.
ANDROMEDA'S POV
As she RISES: The cliff drops straight down the jagged
wall to the churning waves.
BACK TO SCENE
FANTASOS
(INCANTATION)
O Leviathan, firstborn of the
Deep, accept this offering of
mortal flesh... for the exaltation
of your Cosmic Mother.
EXT. OCEAN - DAY
OFF THE COAST OF JOPPA, a dark shape emerges from the
squall -- Tiamat's enormous Palace-Galleon.
The Goddess is at the prow, looking toward the cliffs of
Joppa expectantly.
EXT. CLIFFS OF JOPPA - DAY I
As the huge GONG IS STRUCK --
CUT TO:
THE FACES OF THE ONLOOKERS
Then... GONG! Fantasos continuing his incantations,
then... GONG! Andromeda's face, her frightened eyes
searching the ocean. Everyone looks out to sea, waiting.
109.
EXT. WOODED RIDGE - DAY
Perseus, Spyros, Mongke, and Tamburlane hear the far-off
GONG, GONG, GONG. The Mongols speak to Perseus in their
language, worried.
SPYROS
The sacrifice has begun.
PERSEUS
I must get to the cliffs!
SPYROS
How?
They all look at what separates them from the city --
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY
The MONSTER ARMY OF TIAMAT surges forward with savage
BATTLE CRIES.
The GATES OF THE CITY swing open. Out march the giant
mechanical AUTOMATA, followed by streaming legions of
JOPPAN INFANTRY. The two armies slam together --
The battle is joined. THEY FIGHT.
EXT. CLIFFS OF JOPPA - DAY
GONG! The wind rocks Andromeda on her CREAKING CHAIN.
She watches...
A mile offshore, a BULGE OF WATER SWELLS and plows toward
the coast.
The Onlookers watch in terrified awe as the swell races
closer.
Leviathan explodes from the surface, too huge to be seen
whole. It shoots straight up, up, up the three-hundred-
foot cliffs.
The Kraken's jaws hurtle up at Andromeda. Onlookers
recoil. Fantasos stumbles in panicked retreat. The
creature's BELLOW is deafening.
At the apex of its surge, it SNAPS ITS JAWS SHUT with a
booming THUNDERCRACK... just millimeters from Andromeda's
dangling head -- and FALLS BACK. Churning surf surrounds
its endless SLIDE back down.
110.
ANDROMEDA'S POV
The Kraken slips underwater and its vast shadow
immediately begins to circle wide for another attempt.
EXT. WOODED RIDGE - DAY
Spyros, Mongke and Tamburlane mount their nervous horses.
PUSH IN ON Perseus, who does not mount up. From his
saddle, he takes the bloody canvas bag with Medusa's head
inside and slaps his horse away. Be MURMURS the
INCANTATION Vidalia planted in his mind.
FLASHES OF WHAT PERSEUS SEES
A white lid opens to a black eye... Feathered WINGS beat
the air... The rippled flanks of a WHITE CREATURE.
BACK TO SCENE
Perseus HEARS the BEATING OF THE WINGS and looks toward
the forest.
PEGASUS WHOOSHES over the treetops, BANKS and LANDS in
front of Perseus. It bows, inviting Perseus aboard.
Perseus climbs on and rides up to the others, who are
flabbergasted.
PERSEUS
May we all have a good ride today!
He spurs Pegasus. it beats its wings, launching from the
ridge with astounding power.
MONGKE AND TAMBURLANE
Qi chin yang hung xian!
SPYROS
No shit.
They raise their weapons and spur their horses down the
slope to war.
EXT. CLIFFS OF JOPPA - DAY
CLICK-CLACK-CLICK-CLACK. The chain lowers Andromeda
toward the sea.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED:
Andromeda manages to get herself swinging back and forth
until she builds enough momentum to reach up and grasp
the links above her. With effort, she climbs the very
chain she dangles from, leaving a slack loop beneath.
Leviathan's eyes break the surface below, watching
Andromeda. With a HOWL, Leviathan HURTLES UPWARDS, jaws
wide.
FROM ABOVE - ANDROMEDA
Leviathan grows huge as it leaps for her. UP, UP, UP.
The JAWS SNAP CLOSED... just below her climbing feet. So
close, it BITES ON THE DROOPING SLACK OF CHAIN!
The monster slides back down, clutching the chain in its
jaws. The Princessa plummets with it.
UP ON THE PLATFORM
The chain unreels wildly, pulls tight... and rips the
platform from its anchors. It careens over the edge,
taking Fantasos, Agenor and their Thugs to their
screaming death.
A SHADOW glides over the shocked onlookers. One by one,
they tear their gaze from the sea and look up, GASPING
AT --
PERSEUS AND PEGASUS descending. Perseus sees Andromeda
splash down and get pulled under.
The winch platform SLAMS into the cliff face, pulled by
Leviathan.
PERSEUS' DIVING POV
Exactly the image he saw when Vidalia first planted the
spell in his mind -- down, down toward the dark sea.
BACK TO SCENE
Perseus and Pegasus arrive a moment before the crashing
winch. Perseus dives off with the bloody Medusa bag in
hand. With his free hand, he catches the chain just
ahead of the winch and goes under.
112.
EXT. UNDERSEA - DAY
Leviathan hurtles downward. Andromeda flails, bound to
the chain.
FAR ABOVE
Perseus grips both the chain and the bag in his hand.
Leviathan spirals on, but THE WINCH CATCHES ON A REEF and
the chain SNAPS! Andromeda, suddenly separated from the
monster, sinks, weighted by her shackles.
Perseus, swimming with the raw power of a porpoise, dives
after her, but loses his grip on the bag. Desperate, he
looks back and forth: Andromeda, the sack -- both
sinking. Perseus goes after the sack.
Leviathan realizes it has lost the Princess. Huge eyes
darting, it spots Andromeda and surges down after her.
Andromeda, drowning, passes out. Tiny bubbles leak from
her nose. Leviathan swims down to her, eye as big as her
entire body.
The wreck of a SUNKEN WHALER rests on the ocean floor.
The Medusa sack FALLS INTO VIEW and catches on a harpoon
wedged in the deck. Perseus appears, snags the sack and
is about to kick upward. On impulse, he grabs the
harpoon.
Leviathan opens its huge jaws. Andromeda is sucked
toward the maw.
Perseus swims upward toward Leviathan's tail. Perseus
concentrates -- a sparking BURST OF WHITE ENERGY shoots
through his forearm to the harpoon in his grip.
LIGHTNING CRACKLES and BOILS the water. He plunges the
harpoon in the Kraken's tail --
-- at the same moment Leviathan inhales the unconscious
Andromeda.
Contact -- an ELECTRIC FLASH-POINT FLARES and a charge
races up Leviathan's spine. Jolted, the monster spits
Andromeda out.
The Kraken twists to lock its enraged gaze on Perseus.
Perseus shuts his eyes and yanks Medusa's head from the
sack. Medusa's hellish eyes ignite channels of boiling
energy into Leviathan's enormous eyeballs -- hardening
them to boiled eggs, then rocky spheres.
(CONTINUED)
113.
CONTINUED:
The monster thrashes, tries to turn -- but unbending
stone races its length, freezing the gargantuan curves --
the scuted tail locks mid-flail into a final, permanent
hook.
Dead in the water, the grotesque mass sinks like a
mountain range, picking up speed as it plunges into the
ABYSS --
Perseus must swim like a God to snatch Andromeda from the
downward tug. The stone Kraken barely misses them as it
DROPS --
-- and CRASHES in a cloud of silt, SHAKING THE OCEAN
FLOOR like an earthquake. A CRACK opens in the seabed
and sucks back the silt. The trench deepens and streaks
away across the seabed, swallowing all the water above
it, creating a giant opening to the sky.
EXT. TIAMAT'S PALACE-GALLEON (OCEAN) - PROW - DAY
Tiamat's face contorts, sensing her beloved Leviathan is
dead. She turns at the sound of GHASTLY CREAKING -- the
immense length of the galleon buckles into a hole in the
ocean. As the towering masts drop below wave-level,
Tiamat raises her arms to the sky --
TIAMAT
I damn you, Zeus! You will hear
my curses forever in the crash of
SURF --
Walls of water collapse, burying the Goddess, her ship,
and her malediction deep in her realm. We HEAR a world-
rocking ROAR, which booms off toward --
EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY
Tiamat's Monster Army is DEAFENED by the BOOM, losing all
spirit with the unmistakable certainty that their Goddess
is gone.
THE TIDE TURNS IN THE BATTLE as the Joppans and their
steel allies, the Automata, wade into the ranks of
creatures.
Mongke and Tamburlane, in the center of the battle, find
the opposition turning tail. They roar and lift their
weapons high, surviving yet another fight. Spyros,
bloodied but unbowed, smiles wide and sits down in the
mud, exhausted.
114.
EXT. OCEAN SURFACE - DAY
The water stills. The sea calms. No sign of Perseus or
Andromeda. WIND and QUIET...
CHOOM! Perseus surfaces with Andromeda in his arms,
GASPING FOR AIR.
EXT. CLIFFS OF JOPPA - DAY
The onlookers rejoice.
EXT. OCEAN SURFACE - DAY
BACK WITH Perseus and Andromeda. He looks at her
lifeless countenance in agony -- has he failed again as
he did with Anteros the fisherman??
Distraught, his muscles go taut around Andromeda, and a
short powerful burst of electric energy shoots from his
arms into her still body -- SHE JOLTS TO LIFE!
Movement! Breath! Color returns to her face. Perseus,
too, breathes again, relieved.
For the first time since the start of the adventure, they
find themselves alone, holding each other.
PERSEUS
Hello.
(as she smiles,
RELIEVED)
Are you all right?
She takes a moment, doing an inventory. Finally, she
nods.
ANDROMEDA
I think I am.
He smiles. She'll never know how close they came to
oblivion.
ANDROMEDA
Are you ready to become a king?
His expression is kind, but unmistakable. "No." She
accepts that, rueful.
PERSEUS
Are you ready to become a queen?
(CONTINUED)
115.
CONTINUED:
She thinks about it, her face beginning to light with
confidence.
ANDROMEDA
Yes. Yes, I am.
PERSEUS
Then you're ready to go home.
Perseus raises one arm. The-AIR reverberates to a LOUD
BEATING OF WINGS. Andromeda looks up in wonder.
Pegasus appears out of the sun's glare, gracefully
alighting on the water. Perseus helps Andromeda up and
then climbs on behind her.
Pegasus takes off. TILT UP WITH them until they are lost
from sight.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BLUE SKY AND WHITE CLOUDS - DAY
Black smoke RISES to dirty the perfect sky. TILT DOWN
TO:
EXT. SACRED GROUND - DAY
The Sacred Ground of Joppa in the verdant hills, above
the sea, is so beautiful it might be mistaken for
Olympos.
TWO FUNERAL PYRES burn. The citizens of Joppa, by the
thousands, commend King Kepheus and Queen Cassiopeia to
the afterlife.
MOVING OVER THE CROWD, WE PUSH THROUGH the flame to find
the new ruler of Joppa. Mournful, but cloaked in regal
dignity and strength -- QUEEN ANDROMEDA.
CUT TO:
A DISTANT POV OF THE QUEEN
The ceremony and the heavenly setting.
PERSEUS
Perseus views the scene from a nearby hill. Behind him,
Pegasus waits patiently, grazing the grass. Until --
(CONTINUED)
116.
CONTINUED:
-- the equine suddenly WHINNIES and REARS UP. Just as
quickly, Pegasus goes silent and BOWS DOWN. Perseus
looks in that direction, to find --
ZEUS the Prime, God of Gods, an eagle perched on his arm.
He couldn't look more imposing.
ZEUS
Am I to understand you do not
intend to make this union with the
Queen Andromeda?
PERSEUS
Yes.
ZEUS
Despite my will and intention that
you do so?
PERSEUS
Yes.
ZEUS
Would you choose to condemn Men,
your own people, to suffer more of
this devastating War?
PERSEUS
I have no people. You have
stranded me between realms,
neither man nor God.
ZEUS
(STERNLY)
Do you reproach Zeus?
PERSEUS
No. I thank you... Father.
Zeus, mighty God, reacts to the word. His expression
softens and he looks on Perseus with growing pride.
PERSEUS
You have freed me. I will not be
a pawn for Men or Gods.
ZEUS
Does that absolve you suddenly of
your responsibilities?
PERSEUS
You've made me understand that my
responsibility is to myself. So
it is with us all.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
117.
CONTINUED:
PERSEUS
(INTIMATELY)
You've put me to a great test. In
the midst of it, I found the
courage in my heart to defy Gods.
I do not know how much of that
comes from you, Father... and how
much from my Mother, who I never
knew.
Zeus starts, subtly, at the mention of Queen Danae.
PERSEUS
It matters not. Whatever the
source, I are only grateful.
He looks off toward the funeral pyres and the human
throng.
PERSEUS
This war will end the moment you
choose for it to end... and Men
agree. I think, perhaps, that is
the free will that all realms
share.
Zeus looks at him, proud, yet wistful -- what an
offspring, what a creation!
ZEUS
What will you do, Man of free
will?
Perseus motions Pegasus forward, and swings up onto his
back.
PERSEUS
I'm going to find Vidalia.
ZEUS
So... my Son, you will be a pawn
for love?
PERSEUS
(LAUGHS)
Yes, Father, gladly.
Perseus spurs Pegasus and launches into the sky. And
soars away.
FADE OUT.
THE END
|
