"OUR BURDEN TO BEAR"
FINAL FANTASY XVI
A Short Screenplay
EXT. FLOWER GARDEN
A young man and woman, LEONIS and SARAH, lay together in a secluded field of flowers. The pair are intimate, but chaste. Leonis has a brand on his cheek, denoting him as a servant, a Bearer.
LEO
We should probably be going back, your Father will be sending a search party soon.
SARAH
Let them search, then. I want to stay here, in this moment, for just a while longer.
LEO
As you wish, my Lady…
They lay closer in silence for a beat. They look like they want to kiss. Leo pulls away dutifully and they sit up.
LEO
There's actually something I wished to show you.
SARAH
Oh, a gift is it?
LEO
Nothing so grand. Just…
He closes his eyes and soft light illuminates the pair as he channels magic. Sarah reacts with a small gasp and Leo reveals -
A small flower, made from ice crystal, rests in his palm. It was a small thing to create, but he wipes some sweat from his brow and offers it to Sarah.
SARAH
Oh Leonis, it's beautiful!
She accepts the gift and places it in a nearby basket with natural flowers to match. She gives him a big hug, which takes him by surprise, but ultimately he responds in kind.
LEO
I am always reminded not to use magic unless it's in service to
your family, but I just can't help myself when I'm with you.
SARAH
Well then you can consider this gift a great service.
They continue to hug. Behind her back, Leo inspects his hand. A small patch of stone pokes out on his skin from under the sleeve. He hides this.
FADE TO:
EXT. CATHEDRAL
Another young bearer in armor, ISAAC, stands impatiently by impressive door to a stone building, looking out. He spies Leo and Sarah approaching and meets them on their way.
ISAAC
(Shaking his head)
In my heart of hearts, I knew it would be you two…
Leo smiles and rubs his neck bashfully.
SARAH
Not at all, it was entirely my own fault Sir Isaac. You see, I insisted that
Leonis accompany me while I pick some flowers, and I quite lost
track of time.
She shows the basket from before, as if in evidence of her claim. Isaac sees the crystal flower among them and disapproves, masking quickly. He raises a hand to pacify her and wave away the protests.
ISAAC
There is no need to call me 'Sir', Lady Sarah, I may be a soldier
but I am just a Bearer nonetheless. I only ask that you tell your Lord
Father it was Leonis who had found and brought you to
answer his summons.
Isaac offers a pointed look to Leo and returns his attention to Lady Sarah with a courteous bow. He offers the way to the door with a wave, all business.
SARAH
Of course, Isaac, thank you.
Isaac leads the party to the door and opens it, allowing Sarah to enter first. He gives Leo a much more pointed look where no one can see them. Leo shrugs apologetically and enters as well. Isaac follows.
INT. CATHEDRAL
Sarah approaches her father, LORD VOSSEN, sitting on a modest throne, while Isaac and Leo follow behind respectfully. He waits impatiently and straightens as the trio halt before him.
A steward steps forward.
STEWARD
(to all)
Lady Sarah Vossen, accompanied by Bearers Leonis and Isaac; unnamed
vassals to house Vossen of Holy Sanbreque, here to answer the summons of her
Lord Father. The Lord Randall Vossen, presiding.
Steward bows and retreats again. Now that formalities are out of the way, Lord Vossen leans forward.
VOSSEN
(sarcastically)
Grateful am I, that I am not wholly ignored by my beloved daughter just yet.
SARAH
Apologies, My Lord, I should have come sooner, only I
lost track of the time. It is thanks to Leo-(she catches herself) Thanks to
these Bearers that I arrived at all.
Lord's eyes flit from each Isaac to Leo, stone faced.
SARAH
Truly, the only fault is my own.
VOSSEN
Is this true? Speak.
Isaac looks up, Leo looks to Isaac.
ISAAC
While the Lady gives us perhaps too much credit, I had sent Leonis
to collect her. He found her picking flowers in the gardens.
Vossen turns to Leo wordlessly. Leo nods and looks down, but the lord catches him hiding a look to Sarah. Again, stone faced.
VOSSEN
If that is the case, then I am honored to host such…dedicated servants.
You will both accompany Lady Sarah to her Betrothed in
Northreach. From there, he can take her to their new home.
Leo and Sarah react with shock, though they recover to hide it. This was surprising news.
SARAH
"My Betrothed?"
VOSSEN
(commanding tone)
Indeed. A suitable offer has been received for your hand, which will
tie our House closer to the Emperor in Oriflamme. And it is time you provided
more service to our name than flowers plucked from a garden.
She clams up, not daring to speak out further. Isaac steps forward, eyes averted respectfully.
VOSSEN
Yes?
ISAAC
If I may ask, Your Grace, will there be other guards on the caravan?
I hear reports of monsters on the roads, bandits and the like as well.
Vossen smiles, somewhat unpleasantly.
VOSSEN
Given that yourself and young Leonis here acted so capably in
collecting my daughter…I have no doubt you will prove adequate
protection during the journey.
Now Isaac reacts, but he bites his tongue to keep from speaking out of turn. Sarah has no such compulsion.
SARAH
Father, you can't be serious?!
VOSSEN
Enough! There is plenty of preparation to make for your journey, I will
suffer no delays! You are dismissed, all three of you. You leave at first light.
Allowing no arguments, he waves them away and sits back against his chair.
As the three leave the room, he beckons the Steward to him.
STEWARD
(quietly)
Your Grace?
VOSSEN
(privately)
I'll not tolerate my daughter's childish infatuation with magic users
(he spits the word out) any longer. Send liaison to the Black Adders.
Tell them to see to it that my daughter reaches her destination, alone.
STEWARD
(nodding)
Y-Yes, Your Grace.
Lord Vossen rests his chin on one hand as the Steward retreats with his orders.
VOSSEN
(to himself)
Perhaps by the end of this, she will have finally learned a valuable lesson.
FADE OUT TO:
INT. SERVANTS QUARTERS.
Leo enters, followed by Isaac, who shuts the door behind them in a temper.
ISAAC
Bloody Fool!
LEO
Oh come off it, please, we have packing to do.
ISAAC
We have "packing" to do, because of you and the Lady's bloody dalliance!
Leo turns, taken aback.
LEO
"Bloody dalliance"?
ISAAC
Fuck off, you know what I'm talking about. And so does His Grace.
Leo waves the warning away, turning again dismissively. He rummages through drawers and throws a change of clothes into a small bag.
ISAAC
Leo, I'm serious. Don't you see how stupid this is? What do you expect
to come of it? That Lady Sarah will just give up her wealth and run off
with you, like some damn fool novel?
LEO
I don't expect anything, Isaac. Only to seize what brief happiness can be offered to me.
ISAAC
While it is offered, you mean.
Leo pauses his packing.
ISAAC
She's to be wed. And you know as well as I that their kind will
always marry up. To love a Bearer…
LEO
…You don't need to say it.
ISSAC
(incredulous)
Evidently, I fucking do! Even if she did abscond from this new
Lord Husband, she would be executed for any relation with you.
LEO
…
Isaac steps forward and grabs Leo's arm, raising the sleeve to reveal the patch of stone growing on his skin, white like plaster.
ISSAC
THIS is all you have to gain from making fucking
Crystal Roses for her. THIS is our lot in life. Accept it.
He throws the hand down and Leo rubs at the spot slowly. He puts a smile back on his face and looks at Isaac.
LEO
(joking)
And become a sulking couerl like you? Not likely, my friend.
He claps Isaac on the shoulder.
LEO
I know you're only saying this out of care for me. And I
appreciate it, believe me. But let this fool go for just a while longer, yes?
Leo leaves, having packed. Isaac sighs and turns to follow.
ISAAC
At least follow me to the training grounds! I'll not
have you defenseless on the road.
He exits as well.
Insert shots of Isaac and Leonis training with swords late in the day. Lady Sarah has her things packed for her already, but she places the crystal rose in her pack gently.
The next morning, they set out, Insert Shots of the trio traveling through country. Isaac stares pointedly at Sarah and Leo, who are traveling close together.
FADE TO:
EXT. CAMPSITE, AFTERNOON.
Leo struggles to light a fire using flint and tinder. Tossing it aside, he holds out a hand to try and use magic to light it.
ISAAC (O.S)
Ahem.
Leo looks up and isaac is carrying more firewood. He shakes his head and kneels down to light it properly. He then hands the firewood to Leo.
ISAAC
Now just keep it going.
Sitting on a cot, Sarah watches them both. Isaac approaches, scanning the horizon.
ISAAC
The journey was longer than expected, but I'm confident this will be the only night we'll need to rest, Lady.
SARAH
Thank you, Isaac. It's curious my father didn't provide any chocobos or a wagon for the journey.
ISAAC
(curt, not making eye contact)
Is it, my Lady? I hadn't considered.
Sarah sighs.
SARAH
It's just us out here. Please, speak your mind.
ISAAC
Truly?
SARAH
Truly.
Isaac looks at her, then at Leo, who is now cooking meet in a pan over the fire. He looks all over, a million things needing to be said at the same time. Frustration. He settles back on Sarah.
ISAAC
I don't find it curious at all, that Lord Vossen wouldn't provide
us any wagons, or mounts, or even a single extra guard, actually.
Sarah reacts, subtly. This is more direct than she bargained for.
ISAAC
In fact, it seems a fitting punishment to me, to force two servants
to escort his daughter to her husband on foot. Especially c
onsidering one of the Bearers is fucking the bride-to-be-
Sarah interrupts Isaac with a well deserved slap. He knows he went to far. She stares at him in reproach.
SARAH
Apologize, please.
Isaac closes his eyes, some shame growing.
ISAAC
Please forgive me, Ladyship. I forgot myself, and, well…
SARAH
Made an ass of yourself, yes. You're forgiven, as I can see
something else prompted your outburst. (She gestures) Please, sit.
Isaac hesitates, but does kneel down on the ground. Sarah sits back on her cot.
ISAAC
Your father sending us alone gives me an ill feeling. And it
does smell of reprimand, but I fear it's more for us than you.
SARAH
There has been no impropriety between Leonis and myself.
ISAAC
Perhaps, but consider your station. More importantly, consider ours.
We're Bearers, Lady; Slaves. And perhaps servitude in the House
of Vossen is kinder than some of Sanbreque's families, but the fact
remains we are destined to use our magic until the day we die,
or the curse takes us, if Great Graegor sees fit.
Sarah reflects internally.
SARAH
The Crystal's Curse…
ISAAC
(nods)
The very same. When we're children, the older Bearers warn us against
using magic for ourselves. Every ounce of aether we channel, every spell
brings us closer to stone. Yet we light your fires, we cool your waters,
we fight your battles.
SARAH
(Softly, staring at Leo)
You conjure crystal flowers…
Isaac nods.
ISAAC
You see why your relationship, chaste as it may be, pains
me. The Curse has already started to claim him.
Sarah covers her mouth, she hadn't considered this.
ISAAC
And to what end? Your father, the entire world would never accept it.
What fruit could come of any tender feelings you may hold for Leo?
Sarah looks truly sad for a moment, then turns her attention back to Isaac.
SARAH
And tell me, Isaac. What of your own tender feelings for him?
Does he know?
Isaac stands, eyes like a deer in the headlights. He stammers.
ISAAC
I-I-
SARAH
Be calm, please. I meant no offense, perhaps I mistook a brotherly
love for something deeper. I never considered…the cost of any bond
Leonis -Leo- and I might share. And now that I have, I don't know
what to do about it, or what can be done.
Sarah stands and takes Isaac's hand, smiles kindly.
SARAH
If this is to be our trio's last night partied together, then let's not spend
the whole time sulking. Let's enjoy dinner, (teasing) Sir Isaac.
She lets his hand drop and approaches the fire. Isaac turns and watches them talk from his short distance away.
ISAAC
(To himself)
"Sulking" huh? Perhaps you two are more well-fit than I gave you credit for.
He approaches the fire as the light fades. The sounds of stealthy movement can be heard, but goes unnoticed by the Trio.
FADE TO:
EXT. CAMPSITE, NIGHT.
Wind rustles through trees, and darkness covers the landscape, aside from the fire of the trio's camp. Sarah and Leo are both asleep.
Nearby, Isaac absently polishes his sword (not a euphemism for masturbating), whistling/humming The Hymn of the Fayth from Final Fantasy X.
He hears the faint scuffle of movement and stops, standing slowly. He nudges Leo as he walks, who stirs slowly.
LEO
(groggy)
Wha-
ISAAC
(calling out)
Who is there?
No response from the darkness. Isaac kicks dirt onto the fire, plunging them in darkness. We hear movement, then a clash of steel.
VOICE
Fuck!
Isaac's sword lights up with magic, illuminating a brief clash of swords and struggle. Leo has now woken up Sarah, who peer out into the darkness. Leo has a small dagger drawn.
Isaac approaches, lit by his sword. He throws down a torn bandana mask, bearing the image of a black snake (Black Adders).
ISAAC
Bandits, and they've seen our camp. We need to move.
Sarah reacts, scared. Leo rolls a bedroll. Cries of men charging can be heard approaching, Isaac turns toward them.
ISAAC
There's no time, run!
CUT TO:
EXT. CHASE THROUGH WILDERNESS.
The trio run through the country, trees whipping past. Behind them, brigands bearing the black adder follow.
When one comes close, Isaac turns to skirmish briefly. Leo throws magic behind him, mostly ineffective.
ISAAC
There's too many of them to fight, keep running!
Isaac backs up to Leo and Sarah. Still more swordsmen appear from the trees, advancing slowly.
Leo looks at Sarah, who is frozen in fear. He takes her hand, a small light emanating from where they touch.
LEO
My lady, I need you to take Isaac's hand and run. As fast and as far as you can, okay?
SARAH
What are you saying?
Leo silences her with a sudden kiss, very forward of him. she returns it.
LEO
I love you.
With no sound, Leo grabs Isaac's attention and directs the warrior to go with Sarah. He takes her hand and the pair run. In her free hand, she clutches another crystal rose made by Leo.
As the Black Adders approach, Leo tosses his blade to the ground. Flames appear in his hands and start to envelop him, spreading among the dry foliage all around. He screams -again, silently-
Now having put distance behind them, Sarah and Isaac look back on an inferno burning in the forest.
Isaac is distraught.
EXT. SUNRISE
Isaac and Sarah crest a hill. In the distance, they can see some buildings, the village they were bid go to. Isaac stops, Sarah stops shortly after.
SARAH
Why have we stopped? The village is just over the next rise.
ISAAC
So it is. But I won't go with you any further.
Confused, Sarah comes closer.
SARAH
I don't understand, Leonis gave his life-
ISAAC
Leo died, a slave in service to his master.
Sarah freezes, hurt. Isaac shakes his head.
ISAAC
Or at best, a slave to his heart. I don't fault you for your station, Lady.
You were born with privilege, just like I was born with magic.
He brings a small flame to his hand and extinguishes it, looking back the way they came.
ISAAC
But he taught me a valuable lesson before that. Leo showed me
what it means to hold a value so dear that you're willing to give anything,
everything, to it.
He looks at sarah and opens her palm, revealing the rose again.
ISAAC
I hope you'll have learned the same lesson. Go to the village, marry your lord,
and live your life. I hope you'll use that privilege you were born with to
help others. I'll be using my own gift to do the same.
ISAAC
(to himself)
For Leo.
Isaac gives her a nod and begins to walk away.
SARAH
I wish you luck, then, Sir Isaac.
He looks back at her and chuckled, shakes his head, but doesn't correct her. He bows.
ISAAC
And I thank you, my Lady.
He walks off, Sarah turns and continues to the village in the distance.
FADE TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS
TITLE CARD: "1 Year Later"
Sarah enters a clearing in the woods, in the center of which stands LEO, turned to stone by the crystal curse. Two escaped BEARERS follow behind her.
Sarah, now married, kneels down to leave one of Leo's crystal roses at the feet of the 'statue'.
BEARER 1
(frightened)
Was this the Bearer we were supposed to meet my lady?
ISAAC (O.S)
No.
Both bearers look up at the voice to see Isaac entering the clearing, a hood and scarf obscuring his face.
ISAAC
I am.
He removes the scarf to reveal his Brand.
ISAAC
Hello, Sarah.
SARAH
Hello Isaac.
She smiles.
SARAH
Wedge, Jessie, this is the Bearer I told you about, who can
help you to freedom far from here. And this…
She smiles and strokes the face of Leonis.
SARAH
This was the first man I ever loved, perhaps. And a
Bearer who saved my life, and his. Go now, be safe.
She draws a hood up while the two bearers go to Isaac.
ISAAC
I won't be back in the country for a while. The Outlaw has me going south for a while. I'll be in touch when I can.
SARAH
I understand. I'll take your leave then, I must return to the estate before I'm missed.
ISAAC
(nods)
Greagor be with you.
SARAH
(smiles)
And with you.
They all exit, leaving Leonis alone. In stone, his face is almost at peace, and the crystal rose glitters in the sunlight at his feet.
Fade to Black.
END