Interstitial
EXT. CASTAWAY ISLAND – DAY
The clouds lie heavy and dark over the island, and the water is choppy, the waves becoming more violent by the minute. CYPRIAN
and CASSIA stand by the shore, heartbroken, each angry and terrified for their own reasons. They are still rumpled from their
lovemaking. Cyprian drags the curragh from its shelter, looking despairingly at its frail frame and thin covering.
CASSIA
I won’t go. I won’t leave you.
CYPRIAN
You heard the roar of the undead. Our gate to Tartarus has been breached, and no human will survive the forthcoming carnage.
Go , Cassia.
Cassia, tears in her eyes, stubbornly refuses to even look at the curragh.
CASSIA
I won’t let you die alone. I love you, Cyprian.
She grips his tunic and shakes him. He doesn’t move, only covers her hands with his.
CYPRIAN
If you do, if you love me, you will climb into that boat and leave. Even now, you could be carrying our child. My child. My blood. My legacy in the world of the living, and the only proof of our devotion that will still exist after this day.
CASSIA
If you love me , do not let me leave alone. Let us brave the waves together.
Cyprian leans down and gently kisses her.
CYPRIAN
My love is not in doubt. You are the beat of my heart. The sun that warms me. The rain that washes me clean. But my love for
you alters not the truth, my beautiful, brave shield-maiden. The vessel is not yet strong enough to hold us both.
Cassia sobs, and Cyprian comforts her in his arms. Then he positions the curragh at the shoreline and hands her inside as
she continues to weep. After one final loving kiss, he guides the boat deeper into the rough water and shoves the vessel out
as far as he can.
CASSIA
This boat may fail. Humanity may perish. But my love for you will remain.
She begins rowing. He watches waist-deep in the water until he can no longer see her or the curragh. Face like stone, he turns
and strides toward shore, then toward the cliffs, where he’ll watch the woman he loves disappear into the horizon. Where he’ll
meet his destiny and his death. Alone.