Prologue: Chapter 2
MAEA: KAPITOLYO NG KONSEHO
A cityscape shot of a bustling ancient city patterned on Indian / Cambodian architecture.
Caption: Nilad, Sentro ng Konseho ng Maea.
Lunduyan ng kapangyarihan ng buong Konseho.
In the middle of the city a big structure with a sculpture of a huge fist stands proudly. Banners of the different kingdoms sway with the wind.
Caption: Ang Moog ng Kamaong Bato,
Punong Himpilan ng mga Ampay
The Head Speaker is preparing to adress the army gathered outside the Fortress. He is accompanied by Kaptan. The First Speaker looks elated, almost excited at what they are about to do. Kaptan is a grim picture, stone faced and rigid.
One of the Speaker's Umalohokan, his personal speaker guards, announce their presence as the two men step into a pulpit to address the waiting men.
Umalohokan: Magbigay Pugay! Naslen Mar, ating Punong Tagapagasalita! Pinagpala ng Bathala!
Magbigay Pugay! Kaptan Kamaong Banal, Punong Ampay at Katalona ng Lupa! Sugo ng Katarungan!
At the mention of the two leaders, the awaiting army shout out their respects. Weapons are raised and stomped on the ground as a sign of respect.
Mga Sundalo: Matulday! Mataldas! Karangalan sa Punong Tagapagsalita! Karangalan sa Punong Ampay!
The cheers of respect from the army seem to fill the First Speaker with drunken elation. He is grinning almost evil-like, his fingers twiddling together as if he cant wait no longer. Kaptan remains a step back from the speaker, still a vision of military coldness.
Naslen Mar: Handa na sila. Ngayon na ang simula ng ating panahon. Kailangan na lamang natin itong isa-kamay.
The sight of their respected First Speaker on top of the pulpit brings around a second round of cheers from the army. More stomping on the grounds and chest beating.
Mga Sundalo: KARANGALAN!!!!
Naslen Mar smiles once more then raises his hand to signal silence from the man. He is about to start his speech.
The captains order their soldiers to simmer down and stand in attention once more. Mechanical silence now fills the entire compound.
As he is stating his preamble, Naslen grips the railings of the pulpit, his knuckle turning white as he does so, he is giddy with excitement.
Naslen Mar: Matagal na panahon na rin ang nakalilipas na nagwalang kibo tayo sa pakiki-apid ng ating mga kapatid sa hilaga sa mga mapagpanggap na Enkanto.
Nagwalang kibo tayo habang tuloy nilang binabalak ang ating pagbagsak upang mapaghatian nila ng Kahilwayon ang ating mga lupain.
Aking mga kapatid sa kalayaan, ang panahon ng ating hindi pagkilos ay nagtatapos ngayon! Hindi na makakapayag ang Maea na abusuhin ng mga Maharlika ng mga lumang kaharian ang ating kabaitan. Lipas na ang panahon nila, ngayong araw na ito nagsisimula ang Panahon ng Maea!
The soldiers cheer on, as Naslen looks gleefully from high above.
Mga Sundalo: MAEA! MAEA!
Naslen is drunk with malicious happiness. He continues his tirades with a clenched fist to emphasize his points.
Naslen Mar: Nasa ating panig ang pagpapala ng Bathala! Nasa atin ang paninindigan ng ating mga mandirigmang Ninuno.
Ang tagumpay natin ay nasa harapan na natin, kailangan lamang nating ito'y abutin at hawakan sa sarili nating mga kamay!
Naslen now turns it down a bit. He checks for chinks in the armor of guilibility of his men. He checks if everyone present have any doubts that what they will do is in the right.
Naslen Mar: Maaring may pagaalinlangan ang iba sa inyo sa pakikidigma natin laban sa ating mga kalahi. Maaaring may mga pagdududang namumuo sa inyong mga isipan. Hayaan ninyong aking pawiin ang inyong mga alinlangan at duda. Ilabas ang bihag!
At his order two more Umaholohokan brings in a bound man. His clothes are in tatters yet signs of nobility are still evident. The man is still struggling with all his strenght. His eyes are aflamed with fury at the sight of Naslen. Kaptan shows signs of surprise but still keeps himself silent.
Man: SINUNGALING! ANO NA NAMANG HUNGKAG NA PALABAS ITO! IKAW ANG TUNAY NA SALOT SA ATING LAHI!
Naslen motion to his men to silence the raving man. One of the Umalohokan uses the blunt part of his spear to render the man unconcious.
Umalohokan: Manahimik ka!
SFX: KA-THUD!
Man: UGGH!
With the man incapacitated, Naslen turns back to the crowd. His face a mockery of sorrow to show that he did not really want to hurt any of his race.
Naslen Mar: Nasa harap ninyo ngayon ang Tagapagsalita ng Iladnion. Isang tuta ng Kahilwayon, isang manlilinlang. Bukas palad natin silang tinanggap bilang kasapi ng ating Konseho ngunit hindi sila buong loob sa kanilang pagsali. Isa lamang ito sa kanilang mga pakan upang mapalapit sa atin at tayo ay pabagsakin mula sa loob.
The man hearing it tries to struggle once more. This time breaking free and about to lunge at the First Speaker. He is summong tree roots to his command.
Man: KASINUNGALINGAN! LAHAT NG ITO'Y Ka.... URK
Kaptan has moved behind the man and has silently slipped his dagger in his back. As usual Kaptan's calm demeanor is untouched. He whispers something to the man.
Kaptan: Patawarin ka ng ating Ama, nawa'y pagpalain ka sa sunod mong buhay.
With that, the man slumps to the ground lifeless. Kaptan wipes the blood off his dagger. His eyes fixed upon the rattled Speaker.
Kaptan: Sigurado ka ba sa mga paratang mo?
Naslen: Ah... er... Ibig kong sabihin ay, oo lubos akong naniniwalang tama ang aking nalipon na intellihensya.
Naslen is aghast. He didnt expect the man to break free.
But as easily as he was taken back, he regains his composure as he realize he can use this to his advantage.
Naslen: Pinagdududahan mo ba ako Gat Kaptan?
Naslen lifts the man using his powers to manipulate air. And levitates him to the view of the men below him.
Naslen: Isang patunay sa kanilang masamang adhikain. Pinagtangkaan ang buhay ko ng Tagapagsalita. Palalayain ko na siya sana ngunit pinilit pa rin niyang tuparin ang utos ng mga Enkanto. Tsk.
Naslen then lowers the man down to the level of the army.
Naslen: Pagmasdan ninyo ang kaya nilang gawin upang tayo ay pabagsakin. Hihintayin pa ba nating mismo ang Maea ang pagtangkaan nilang kitlin ang buhay?
Naslen's smile is back in his face though he tries to hide it beneath a solemn guise.
Naslen: Isa lamang ang sagot sa kalapastanganang ito...
The camera pans on the Entire army, all awaiting the decision of their leader. (*This should be a spread and I'd like a lot of details.)
A worms eyeview shot of the fortress wall with the pulpit used by Naslen.
Closeup on the pulpit with Naslen standing in the foreground, in his background is Kaptan still silently observing, The dead speaker lying there in a pool of blood. The umalohokans standing guard.
Closeup on Naslen, a wickedness apparent in his face and the extreme feeling of a person that has got everything he planned for.
Closeup on his eyes.
Naslen: Digmaan.
And with that declaration the army once more erupt into bloodcurdling cheer.
From a another great structure far from the fortress of the Ampays but with a good view of what is happening. Several individuals are watching the debacle.
A women of apparent high rank speaks up.
Urduja: Nagsimula na. San tayo papanig?
The camera pans to reveal the rest of the remaining original Ampays of the council. Marikudo Bakulao, a big hulking Aeta. Pandaguan Karimlan, a man wrapped in shadows. Uak PandayDiwa, a mysterious looking man with weird features. Sulyap Matanglawin, the (assumed) blind warrior priest. Lanubong Bagsik, weapon master.
Uak is the one to answer Urduja's question.
Uak: Kung san tayo naniniwala...
Symbolic shot of the ampays separating ways with Marikudo at the center. Karimlan and Uak on the other side, Bagsik and Sulyap on the other.
End of Prologue Chapter 2
Breakdowns by Melvin Calingo aka Taga-Ilog
Credits
Written by: Jon Zamar
Art by: Renecarlo Cruz (pending)
Breakdowns by: Melvin Calingo
Notes: Undrawn script for another scene for the DS Zero anthology. Melvin Calingo of Seven Seas and Culture Crash fame was suppose to do this chapter and provided the illustration above, both coming from the first page. I've tapped old friend and classmate, Renecarlo Cruz, currently an art director for a local ad agency to illustrate this scene.
