INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGE — NIGHT
The stone walls sweat moisture, each drop echoing in the stillness. Rowan moves ahead with steady, measured steps, torchlight chasing shadows away.
Lyra keeps her distance, rubbing her temples where the voice still lingers.
LYRA
(whispering to herself)
It's not real. It's not real.
ROWAN
It's very real.
She blinks, realizing he heard her.
ROWAN
The seal is connected to you. The closer we get, the louder it will call. That's why we can't stay long.
---
EXT. SHRINE ENTRANCE — SAME TIME
The Hunters have begun their assault in earnest. Spikes of shadow spear from the ground, slamming into the cracked doorway. The Hunter Leader raises a black blade, chanting words that curdle the air.
HUNTER LEADER
Break.
A shudder runs through the ruins.
---
INT. UNDERGROUND CHAMBER — NIGHT
They emerge into a cavern vast enough to hold a cathedral. The floor is smooth black stone, the walls carved with constellations that seem to shimmer faintly on their own.
At the far end stands The Gate — two towering slabs of obsidian, their surface alive with glowing fissures.
Lyra's breath catches.
LYRA
It's… beautiful.
ROWAN
And deadly.
---
He walks toward the Gate, gesturing for her to stay back. But the closer she gets, the more the air hums. Her blood feels molten, her heartbeat syncing with the pulse of the glowing cracks.
VOICE (inside her head)
You belong to me.
She gasps, stumbling forward despite herself.
ROWAN
Lyra, stop!
Her palm brushes the Gate — and the cavern explodes with light.
---
FLASH — VISION
She's standing in a ruined city, the sky torn open. Fire rains from above, shadows slither like living smoke. A woman stands before her — tall, cloaked in white and gold, her eyes the same shade as Lyra's.
WOMAN
Daughter… you must not let them break it.
LYRA
Who are you?
WOMAN
I am the one who left you behind to keep you alive. And now… I may have to do worse.
---
INT. CAVERN — NIGHT
Lyra's knees hit the stone. Rowan is beside her instantly, gripping her shoulders.
ROWAN
What did you see?
She looks up at him, shaken.
LYRA
My mother.
Before he can respond, the Gate trembles — a deep, resonant BOOM that sends dust raining from the ceiling. One of the glowing fissures widens, spilling white fire.
ROWAN
They're breaking through faster than I thought.
---
EXT. SHRINE ENTRANCE — SAME TIME
The Hunters push forward, shadows swirling into the shape of clawed hands. The Leader smiles, sensing the Gate's reaction.
HUNTER LEADER
She's touched it. The seal is already failing.
---
INT. CAVERN — NIGHT
Rowan grabs Lyra's hand — the one burned earlier.
ROWAN
Listen to me. Whatever happens next, you cannot answer the voice.
LYRA
Why?
ROWAN
Because if you do… it won't be your voice anymore.
A second BOOM shakes the floor. Cracks spider across the cavern walls.
Rowan draws his sword — the blade catching the same faint shimmer as the constellations overhead.
ROWAN
They're here.
From the shadows at the edges of the chamber, figures begin to emerge — tall, gaunt, their eyes glowing like embers.
The first Hunter steps forward, smiling at Lyra.
FIRST HUNTER
The key has come home.
---
FADE OUT.