To Challenge Fate

INT. GOD’S DOMAIN

Her domain is ethereal, like a dream, or when the sun filters through stained glass windows at sundown. GOD HERSELF looms in the center– She is a tall feminine figure with three glowing eyes and an otherwise featureless face. Her long hair and robes trail down to the ground, and at Her feet is THE BLASPHEMER, an androgynous elven figure with dark skin and white hair. They are on their knees and their hands are clasped in prayer.

GOD HERSELF

Your brother is going to die.

THE BLASPHEMER

(begging)

Please, Providence! Can’t you stop this? He’s– he’s all I have left!

GOD HERSELF

(with the impression of a smile, without the mouth to smile with)

I could.

But I do not want to.

Your brother is going to die.

THE BLASPHEMER

(increasingly more panicked)

No.

No no no no no no no no no!

I’ll save him! I’ll prevent this!

GOD HERSELF

(giggling, entertained)

Hehe. You are so… amusing. Good luck, Einya.

INT. THE ATROPOS HOME - DAY

A small room, set up like a fortune teller’s for business purposes. A table sits in the center. The room is in the front of the home.

THE BLASPHEMER, disheveled, enters the room from another part of the home just as THE DYING ONE is getting ready to leave through the front doors. Their resemblance to each other is unmistakable. THE DYING ONE, slightly older, is a feminine-presenting man who shares many features with THE BLASPHEMER. Key differences are THE DYING ONE’s shorter and pinker hair and the small scar across THE DYING ONE’s cheek from a childhood accident. As THE BLASPHEMER enters, THE DYING ONE turns to look at them.

THE BLASPHEMER

Wait! Wait.

Can we talk?

THE DYING ONE

(a little confused)

Of course.

Is something wrong?

THE BLASPHEMER

You can’t leave.

THE DYING ONE

What?

THE BLASPHEMER

You can’t.

THE DYING ONE

Einya, I have to. I have my whole day planned out. I can’t just–

THE BLASPHEMER

Please.

THE DYING ONE

Einya…

THE BLASPHEMER

I can’t live without you.

THE DYING ONE

(realizing)

Ah.

I see.

One of Her visions, right?

THE BLASPHEMER nods pathetically and lets out a sad noise of confirmation.

THE DYING ONE

And it reminded you of me?

THE BLASPHEMER

(hesitating)

… Yes.

THE DYING ONE

(patiently, like a parent to their child)

I’ll be fine, okay?

Maybe we can spend some time together. Do something to get your mind off of whatever She showed you.

THE BLASPHEMER

(letting themself hope)

Really?

THE DYING ONE

Really.

As soon as I come home, I–

THE BLASPHEMER

(losing composure)
NO!

THE BLASPHEMER lunges forwards and grabs onto THE DYING ONE’s arm. THE DYING ONE struggles against this, trying to leave.

THE DYING ONE

Hey– let go of me!

THE BLASPHEMER

You can’t leave me!

THE DYING ONE

Stop this! Let me go!

THE BLASPHEMER

You’re all that I have left, Archemoros!

THE DYING ONE

Please!

THE DYING ONE manages to pull away. THE BLASPHEMER tries to grab him again, which causes THE DYING ONE to lose his balance. He falls backwards and a loud crack permeates the room as his head makes contact with the back of the table. Silence follows.

THE BLASPHEMER

…Archemoros?

GOD HERSELF (V.O.)

(tauntingly, condescendingly)

Aw. Look at what you’ve done.

THE BLASPHEMER’s eyes widen in horror as they run to THE DYING ONE’s side. THE BLASPHEMER tries to heal THE DYING ONE with magic, but it is too late. It does nothing. Tears start quietly running down THE BLASPHEMER’s face as they cradle THE DYING ONE in their arms.

THE BLASPHEMER

I- I didn’t mean to–

GOD HERSELF (V.O.)

Now you know what it means to deny Fate, Einya.

The wound on THE DYING ONE’s head continues to bleed, the blood clouding his eyes and dripping onto THE BLASPHEMER.

GOD HERSELF (V.O.)

The blood is on your hands.