Diamonds: Part 1

Then, Ea's body starts to evaporate into black particles scattering upwards in the room until it completely disappears.

INT. UNDERGROUND ROOM - NIGHT
Moments later they are all still silent. Tayo has  blank stare, he is a figure of hopelessness. Daro now has a look of stoic acceptance while Henry and Hiro are seated, affected but not as much as the other two were.

HENRY
(to Tayo)
What do we do now?
TAYO
I have no idea. I really think we are all screwed.
HIRO
(quietly)
Daro?
DARO
What do you want?
HIRO
I've been meaning to ask you something but first accept my deepest condolences.

Daro doesn't seem receptive to her well-meaning wishes.

DARO
What's the question?
HIRO
Maybe later.

She gets up to leave but changes her mind. What if Tayo asks first, he might feel obligated to give him. If she asks now, at least she could argue she asked first, if nothing else.

HIRO
Do you have a potion that can heal a person completely?
DARO
No.

Hiro isn't sure if she's being blown off but at that moment Henry calls to her.

HENRY
Hiro?

She turns towards him.

HENRY
What do you suggest we do now?
HIRO
We go back and report this. It's the only thing we can do for now.
HENRY
Then we should get some rest.

INT. UNDERGROUND ROOM - NIGHT
Tayo is asleep, his eyes, though closed are moving. He is dreaming.

PROFESSOR SIMON (V.O.)
Thanks for signing up for these tests.

BEGIN DREAM SEQUENCE
INT. LAB, REAL WORLD - DAY
Professor Simon is wearing a lab coat speaking to about fifty participants in lab coats. They are in a white room with a speaker on top.

SIMON
You'll be going in shortly but first I'd like you to meet my assistant Ea.
EA (V.O.)
Hi everyone. I look forward to meeting you in the flesh. Well, in virtual flesh. I look forward to working with you guys.

EXT. EA'S DOMAIN - DAY
A battle is currently in progress between the testers and a couple of monsters. A huge reptilian beast leaps at Tayo but luckily Ea intercepts it. The monsters on seeing her, run away.

EA
Tayo, right?
TAYO
Yes. Ea?
EA
Correct.
TAYO
Thanks.
EA
No problem. It's my job to guide you guys.

EXT. CHARRED LANDSCAPE - NIGHT
The entire area is burnt to ashes and Tayo stands in the midst of it all horrified and distraught. Around him are the professor,  Guy and Ea. Slowly their bodies turn to black dust and disintegrate completely. 

END OF DREAM SEQUENCE

INT. UNDERGROUND ROOM - DAY
Tayo wakes up from the nightmare delirious. Hiro looks at him. She was picking some of the weapons in the room.

HIRO
Hi. It's almost time.

EXT. FOREST, RUINS OF EALAO - LATER
Tayo walks up to Henry and Hiro with a bag. They've gathered at one of the valley's exits next to some horses. Some of them have Henry and Hiro's bags on them. Tayo begins to examine his dashboard.

HIRO
What did Daro say?
TAYO
He's not coming.
HIRO
Where is the sword?

Tayo shakes his head unable to reply, it's his responsibility after all. Hiro is frustrated. She thought he would take care of it.

HIRO
We can't leave without it. We have to go back.

EXT. VALLEY, RUINS OF EALAO - DAY
They find Daro cutting branches off a tree. He does this smoothly and easily as if slicing butter.

DARO
You changed your minds?

Tayo finds somewhere to sit.

HENRY
We need the sword.
DARO
No.
HIRO
(annoyed)
No, what? Where is it? Why won't you hand it over?
HENRY
Why aren't you saying anything Ray?
TAYO
Please handover the sword Daro, you should come with us too.

Daro begins to sharpen the wood he cut.

DARO
What are you going to do with it?
TAYO
We'll give it to the general. He'll know what to do.
DARO
And what are you going to do next?
TAYO
I'll find a place to stay. Wait this out.

Daro smiles an ironic smile, a disappointed smile.

DARO
So, you're going to hand over responsibility of the sword and hide. You're a coward.
HIRO
It's not cowardice. It's caution.
TAYO
I don't expect you to understand, being a mindless program but I'm scared. I've lost people I knew and the person I thought was our best chance is gone. So yes--
DARO
(angrily)
Don't you ever refer to me that way again. Do you think you're the only one that has lost? Several people, my people have died because of Gotar and Yugen and you want to hide.

Daro tries to scale back his anger.

DARO
Courage isn't always rewarded by victory but still we must be courageous. My master said to take care of you but right now I feel like killing you.

Hiro places her hand on her knife.

HIRO
Give us the sword Daro and we'll be on our way.
DARO
Over my dissolving body.

Hiro draws her knife slowly.

HENRY
Hiro stop.

Henry kneels close to Tayo.

HENRY
Hey man. What should we do?
TAYO
(barely audible)
Mi o mo
HENRY
What?

Tayo had unknowingly replied in his native language.

TAYO
I don't know.
HENRY
I asked the wrong question.
What do you want? Ray.

After a moments pause Tayo looks at Henry.

TAYO
I don't want, anyone else to die. I want to help end this game as soon as possible. I want to go home.
HENRY
Then you should accept it, own it. Ea gave it to you.

Tayo is in thought, he looks at Henry once again and then Hiro. He places his hand on his chest and finally makes up his mind.

TAYO
(calmly)
The sword, Daro. It's mine.
DARO
Too late, you're not getting it without a fight.

Tayo gets up. He's not backing down.

TAYO
Then you'll have to teach us how. Are you in Henry?

Henry nods.

HENRY
Yes.
TAYO
Hiro?
HIRO
No.

One instant, Hiro is standing holding her knife, a sound like thunder is heard and a huge gust blows and the next we see Daro holding her knife. They are all stunned.

HENRY
Hang with us a bit more Hiro. Wouldn't you like to explore these ruins?

Hiro sighs. She had wanted to return to her boyfriend quickly but she can afford to spend a few days here.

HIRO
Fine.
DARO
First lesson, it's impossible for the magicless to defeat the magical.

Then he breaks the knife.

DARO
Let's go.