Breaker of Chains – Screenplay

INT. DREAMSCAPE - NIGHT

ELYAS (24), dressed in simple tan robes with stylized embroidery around the collar, medium-length hair, walks through a black void filled with thick fog. A whisper repeats, at first unintelligible, growing louder.

NIRAVEL (V.O.)
Elyas, forgive what I have done.

ELYAS
Nira?

NIRAVEL (V.O.)
Not all is as she says.

Elyas begins running, searching. The voice crescendos.

NIRAVEL (V.O.)
Elyas, forgive what I have done, not all is as she says.

ELYAS
Who?

NIRAVEL (V.O.)
SHE LIES!

Elyas drops to his knees, clutching his ears as the fog ignites into a wall of flame. The roar drowns the voice. A massive figure reaches through the fire. Elyas’s vision fades to black.

CUT TO:

INT. ELYAS'S ROOM - MORNING

Elyas jolts awake, sweating, twisted in his blankets on the floor. The plain room holds only a bed, small wardrobe, washstand, and a simple statue of Veyra, a woman with hands cupped toward the heavens. He pushes to his feet, crosses to the statue, cups his hands, touches them to his forehead, then strides out.

INT. TEMPLE DORM HALL - CONTINUOUS

Elyas walks a well-lit hall with others in similar robes, some embroidery marking rank. Fine carvings and rich tapestries of Veyra line the stone walls. A statue fountain of Veyra stands ahead, water dripping slowly from her hands.

Adults stand in groups not speaking to each other, but the mutter of their conversation is still heard. Younger boys race through, chattering. One collides into Elyas.

BOY
I-I'm s'rry sir. I din' mean ta-

The other boys pull him back. The hall goes quiet except for dripping water. Elyas fixes the boy with a hard stare. The boy shakes, opens his mouth.

ELYAS
No.

Elyas’s voice echoes through the hall. His mouth does not open. The boy flounders.

BOY
I'm s-

ELYAS
No.

The boy is near tears. MIRELLE (25), robes matching Elyas’s rank, steps forward. Her voice is soothing; her mouth does not move.

MIRELLE
He means, like this. Apologize with a Whisper.

The boy squeezes his eyes shut in concentration.

BOY
I'M S'RRY S'R, IT WAN 'APPEN AGAIN.

Everyone flinches at the thunderous mental sound. The boy peeks at Elyas, who nods approvingly.

ELYAS
Now go.

The boys dart away. Mirelle smiles after them, then turns a disapproving eye on Elyas.

MIRELLE
You do know they can't know what you want if you don't tell them.

Elyas shakes his head and continues down the hall as conversations start back up. Mirelle follows.

ELYAS
Those boys are old enough to be past the Initiate trials, Mirelle. They should be able to handle a proper apology.

MIRELLE
Respectfully Elyas, the oldest is fifteen. They still have years yet before the Vow.

ELYAS
Well I-

MIRELLE
Yes, yes child prodigy, we all remember. Though I seem to be the only one who remembers you practicing for hours to take the Vow early. Truly Veyra’s most devout.

She waves at the statue as they pass. The pool remains perfectly still.

ELYAS
We are her priests, it is what we were chosen for.

MIRELLE
That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard. Chosen? Yes, but not by Veyra.

They exit into the courtyard.

​

To be continued...