The Last of the Formlings/Transcript

(Akita and Lloyd sit around the lantern. She tells him of her tribe before Vex came.)

Akita: My story begins long ago. A time before the Long Winter. A time when the realm was still lush and green. (Animals are seen helping each other.) A time... before I lost everything. We lived and worked in the forest together, happily. We were Formlings and we lived in peace. And at the end of the day, we returned to our village. It was a beautiful place, built deep in the forest. It was my home. But my brother and I, being younglings, had not yet found our animal forms. (She stops to watch two people transform into antelopes.) And despite what I told my brother, I was nervous. (Her brother chucks a snowball at her.)

Past Kataru: What is it? Don't tell me you're still nervous?

Past Akita: No.

Past Kataru: I can see it in your eyes.

Past Akita: I cannot help it. What if something goes wrong? And I do not find my animal form. The Choosing is a week away. What if I'm not ready?

Past Kataru: (Tosses a snowball up and down.) You are ready. All who are pure of heart find their animal form. (Akita smashes his snowball with hers.)

Past Akita: Not all.

Past Kataru: That was a long time ago. And it only happened once. Trust me. We will both find our animal forms and we will run together in the forest all day and night. You'll see.

Akita: The week passed, but my anxiety did not.

(Akita and Kataru approach before the leader. He dips his hand into facepaint and marks their faces with distinctive whiskers. The tribe gasps and Akita turns to see Vex.)

Past Vex: Just in time for another Choosing. (He makes his way through the villagers.) Such a brutal, savage tradition. And what will you do with these innocent children, if their animal form does not come to them? Will you reject them, as you did me?

Past Leader: We did not reject you, Vex. You exile was of your own choosing.

Past Vex: Lies! When I did not find my form, you turned against me! All of you! You mocked me in secret! You whispered behind my back. Vex the Pathetic! Vex the Shameful! Vex the Formless.

Past Leader: That is your fear speaking. You distrust the world, Vex. You see the worst, even when it does not exist.

Past Vex: I have had years to dwell on your betrayal. Years of resentment, alone, in the wild. And I realize now, it is time for your power to end. In my journeys, I have discovered a power that dwarfs your Formling abilities, an Elemental Power. (The crowd breaks into murmurs.) You can bow to me, willingly. But, when I return in force unwillingly. In either event, I will assume my rightful place over you. The choice is yours.

Past Leader: You are a fool, Vex. And we will not abide your threats.

Past Vex: You will regret this.

Akita: Vex returned to the forests from whence he came. And we resumed the Choosing, but I was uneasy. Kataru and I entered the wilderness, unsure where our journey would take us, fearing that Vex's return was a bad omen.

To be continued.