Diamonds: Part 2

DARO
Let's go.

EXT. RUINS OF EALAO - DAY
Tayo, Hiro and Henry are seated on rocks, facing Daro. Around them used to be a be a building with pillars but it has all crumbled into rocks.

DARO
Because you are warrior class gamers, there is almost no limit to what you can achieve--
HENRY
--if we believe?
DARO
Slow down. Belief is key but have you ever tried to use graphite to break steel?

Henry just stares blankly.

DARO
The graphite shatters. You are graphite. You see steel, you either use your head or your legs.
TAYO
(under his breath)
That's what I was trying to do.

Daro gives him the stink eye.

DARO
But it's not all hopeless for graphite because under the right circumstance, it can become diamond. My job here is to help you transform, to create a better version of you, but are you ready for the temperature and pressure?

Tayo, Hiro and Henry don't provide a reply.

DARO
Hiro, Henry, you'll be training together to raise your levels to 25 and Ray, you'll be clearing this area of the rubble.

Tayo looks around and sees how numerous and huge some of the rock boulders are. He is about to object but instead his face settles into one of determination.

EXT. RIVERBANK, EALAO - DAY
Hiro and Henry are with Daro on the bank of the river.

DARO
To gain experience, you guys will exterminate the river monsters.

He hands them knives.

DARO
If you can hunt in water, the land is a piece of cake.

EXT. UNDERWATER - DAY
We see Daro, Hiro and Henry swimming in the crystal-clear water.

DARO (V.O.)
At twenty you've exceeded all human capabilities, you're faster than the fastest, stronger than the strongest.

We see Hiro and Henry moving through the water as fluidly as birds flying in the air. They dodge the tentacles of a giant river squid and together they cut it down.

EXT. RIVERBANK, EALAO - DAY
Hiro and Daro are soaking wet standing beside a tree as Henry drags the body of a massive fish out.

HIRO
And you're above all that because you're an elf?
DARO
Yeah, humans are baseline creatures.

Hiro looks amused and offended at the same time.

HENRY
(with reference to the fish he's pulling)
For food or experience.
DARO
Both.

EXT. RUINS OF EALAO - DAY
Tayo is carrying boulders under an unforgiving sun, sweating profusely. He wipes the sweat from his brow. His body is lean but ripped.

DARO (V.O.)
Anyways, you gamers can go even further. With every level you add, your health and strength increase and you become more powerful.

Daro walks up to Tayo who is exhausted, sitting in front of a boulder that is larger than usual.

DARO
Your goal is to be at least 35 by this training's end.
TAYO
I can't carry this.
DARO
What do you do when you have a big problem?

Tayo heaves a sigh of relief.

EXT. RUINS OF EALAO - NIGHT
Tayo has three torches glowing around him. He is using a sledgehammer to smash the huge rocks into bits. Daro observes him from afar.
The large boulder cracks but when he does it again, the handle of the hammer breaks. For a moment he is unsure of what to do. He then closes his eyes and concentrates. He opens them and punches the rock with his fist. It cracks a little but it wasn't worth the effort as he shouts in pain.
Daro shakes his head. He observes how Tayo is arranging the broken rocks. The rocks have been gathered such that it spells EA. He smiles.

INT. CLASSROOM, EALAO - DAY
It's cloudy outside. Daro is arranging some gravel and soil on a table, and Tayo is helping him carry a pot of water which he places on the ground.

HENRY
I thought you said we were going to rest today.
DARO
And here I thought you would be excited to learn magic. We could do it next week if his majesty pleases.

Hiro rolls her eyes. Daro drops the bowl of hay he was carrying in front of her.

DARO
(to Tayo)
I took a look at the sword. I'm not certain of its nature but I think it's lightning.
HIRO
What are these thongs pursuing us? Are they from Yugen?
DARO
If Yugen was pursuing you, we would all be dead. Lucky for us , he no longer inhabits this realm. It's Gotar, those are his kind.

Tayo and Daro are still clearing and arranging the room and closing the windows. Daro pours some oil into the bowl of hay.

HIRO
The one that killed the professor?
DARO
Right now, he is the greatest obstacle this realm has to offer.

Tayo finishes closing the windows.

TAYO
All set.
DARO
Let's begin.
Although there are more ancient natures, today most warriors manifest one of five. FIRE.

He sets the bowl of hay ablaze instantly by touching it. He lights a torch with the fire and places it in front of Henry who is about to doze off. Hiro places her hand around the fire and tries to control it.

DARO
EARTH.

He throws a huge gravel at Tayo who catches it easily and by just squeezing it in his hand crushes it.

DARO
WATER.

He uses a bowl to scoop up some water. He initially is about to place in front of Tayo but instead he pours it on Henry because he had fallen asleep. Henry snaps back to life.

HENRY
What the!
DARO
AIR.

Daro inhales deeply and blows air extensively from his mouth. Hiro covers her nose in jest. Daro ignores her taunt.

DARO
And LIGHTNING.

He lets out a spark of lightning from his index finger.

DARO
They all have 3 forms in common and it's a combination of these forms that birth spells. We'll be starting with the forms, CONTROL and CREATION.

Tayo stretches out his hand at Henry and tries to control the water on him. Henry stays still. The moisture on him ripples but don't budge.

EXT. ROCK PILLAR, EALAO - DAY
It's stormy and cloudy and Daro, who is gripping a spear hands over his sword to Tayo.

DARO
I use lightning magic, and this is the form Creation.

He places his palms together and then separates themand extending from one palm to another is lightning. He extinguishes it.

DARO
You'll be starting with Control.
TAYO
But I tested positive for water, not lightning.
DARO
Then let's hope you have a bit of lightning in you.

Tayo looks around.

TAYO
Are you going to be the battery I practice with?
DARO
You'll be learning to control our nature's most basic manifestation. Lightning itself.