INT. CAVERN — NIGHT
The Hunters fan out, circling Rowan and Lyra. The torch in Rowan's hand sputters and dies, but his sword glows faintly, bathing the chamber in pale silver light.
ROWAN
Stay behind me.
Lyra takes a step back, but the Gate hums louder, pulling at her senses. The fissures pulse in time with her heartbeat.
FIRST HUNTER
You can't hide her forever, Guardian. The seal wants to be undone.
Rowan's voice turns cold.
ROWAN
Then you're going to have to die wanting.
---
BATTLE BEGINS
The First Hunter lunges. Rowan moves like water — his sword intercepts with a ringing CLANG, the sound slicing through the heavy air. Sparks flare where silver meets shadow.
Two more Hunters rush from behind, but Rowan spins, his blade cutting an arc of shimmering light that forces them back.
Lyra's eyes widen — he's not just fighting; the stars carved into the cavern walls seem to move when he swings, their light bending toward his strikes.
---
LYRA
What are you—?
Her words choke off as the Gate's voice slips into her mind again.
VOICE (inside her head)
Let me in, and I will end them all.
Her knees tremble. Another Hunter appears in front of her, reaching out a clawed hand.
SECOND HUNTER
Come, key.
---
Before he can touch her, a burst of white fire erupts from her palm. It's raw, uncontrolled — and it sends the Hunter flying back into the cavern wall with a scream.
Lyra gasps, staring at her hand.
LYRA
I didn't—
Rowan grabs her wrist, pulling her behind him again.
ROWAN
That's exactly what I told you not to do.
---
THE TURNING POINT
The Gate suddenly lets out a scream — not sound, but a vibration that shakes the air. The fissures widen, spilling white fire across the floor in jagged rivers.
Hunters falter, shielding their eyes. Rowan steadies himself, breathing hard.
ROWAN
It's reacting to you.
LYRA
I'm not doing anything!
ROWAN
You're alive. That's enough.
---
FINAL STRIKE
The Hunter Leader steps forward at last, towering over the others. His black blade hums with hunger.
HUNTER LEADER
Little key, the world will break for you.
He lunges at Lyra — too fast for her to move — but Rowan intercepts, the two blades clashing in a blinding flare.
Rowan snarls.
ROWAN
Over my dead body.
The Leader smiles.
HUNTER LEADER
Gladly.
---
THE BREACH
As they fight, the Gate pulses violently. One fissure splits entirely, and through it… something moves. A claw — too long, too thin — presses against the gap.
The temperature plummets. Even the Hunters look uneasy.
Rowan knocks the Leader back just long enough to grab Lyra.
ROWAN
We have to go. Now!
---
ESCAPE
They run, the cavern collapsing behind them. Hunters give chase, but the Gate's pull is stronger — several turn back toward it, drawn like moths to flame.
A deafening CRACK echoes through the underground, followed by a low, rumbling growl that doesn't sound human.
---
EXT. SHRINE PASSAGE — NIGHT
Rowan shoves the stone door closed behind them, breathing hard. His knuckles are white around his sword.
Lyra leans against the wall, shaking.
LYRA
What… was that?
He meets her gaze, and for the first time, she sees fear in his eyes.
ROWAN
Not what. Who.
---
FADE OUT.