72 INT. SAFEHOUSE - MAIN CHAMBER - DAY
Maria and Solomon are engaged in a hand-to-hand spar. Joseph and Aether sit off to one side, watching. A rumbling shakes some rust flecks from the ceiling.
AETHER
Do you think the Tower finally collapsed?
Joseph doesn't respond, staring intently at Maria's movements. Just like before, her disadvantage is tremendous, but she is managing to keep up with Solomon just fine.
AETHER
Are you two related or something?
JOSEPH
Maria and I?
AETHER
You act as though she's your older sister. Being an older sister myself, there's something to it.
Joseph frowns, tearing his eyes from her to look at Aether.
JOSEPH
No, we're not. But you're kind of right, I guess.
73 EXT. FIRST CITY - STREETS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
A young Joseph, around 13, is wandering through the alleys in the rain.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
My parents died when I was twelve. There was nobody else to take care of me. I flunked out of school. Not that I had any talents to begin with. I wasn't worth saving.
Joseph slips, falling. Maria catches him, lifting him up with his arm around her neck. Pilate is beside her.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
She was already here. She took me under her wing. She was stronger than anyone. She was always bigger than the world behind the desks. She broke free, and was shunned for it.
The three walk toward the end of the alley together.
74 EXT. FIRST CITY - ALLEYS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
A mountain of bodies. Maria climbs to the top, bloodied and bruised.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
She defeated anyone who threatened us. We both fell out of society, but she's not like me.
She reaches the summit, looking up at the moon as the clouds part.
JOSEPH (V.O.)
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
She's like a superhero. I was too weak, and fell through the cracks. She was too strong, and the world wasn't enough to keep her down.
At the base of the pile of defeated foes is Pilate, and Joseph behind him. The two look up at the victorious woman.
75 INT. SAFEHOUSE - MAIN CHAMBER - DAY
AETHER
You really look up to her that much?
JOSEPH
Maria's heart is the strongest. She can defeat anyone, and nothing in this world can kill her. I honestly believe that.
AETHER
It explains a lot. I thought you were obsessed with The End because you were taught to be.
JOSEPH
What do you mean?
AETHER
It's obvious, isn't it? You want to be like her.
Maria brings Solomon to a knee.
MARIA
How's that?
SOLOMON
...You're... better than I gave you credit for.
He gets to his feet as she stretches.
MARIA
I've had a lot of practice. Mostly against my dad's goons. Hope the old man's alright.
Yelling voices begin to echo into the main chamber from the tunnels.
JOSEPH
Are they here?!
MARIA
We're out of time. Aether, your answer.
Aether looks to Joseph, then Maria.
AETHER
I... I don't know, but... I think there must be... some way to make the world better without burning it.
JOSEPH
Aether...
AETHER
For now... For now, I'll stay.
Maria produces her PISTOL, loading it, and handing it to Joseph.
MARIA
Solomon, Joseph, go. Hold them off as best you can. I'll protect Aether.
She pulls a KNIFE from her boot.
SOLOMON
You're going to fight Warpriests with that?
MARIA
We'll figure out another way out of here. Just buy some time.
JOSEPH
Maria...
MARIA
Go.
With reluctance, the two nod, turning to go.
76 INT. SAFEHOUSE - ENTRANCE - DAY
Sophia and Pilate step in behind a squadron of Warpriests.
SOPHIA
You will rue this day if you have led us into a trap, Pilate.
PILATE
Don't worry. I was serious. There's no going back now. All I can do is help avoid a disaster.
The Warpriests begin to advance, casting a web from dozens of lights into the dark from their torches.
77 INT. SAFEHOUSE - MAIN CHAMBER - DAY
Maria is waiting by the door, knife in hand to ambush anyone who enters. Her knuckles are white from the strength of her grip. Aether is right behind her.
AETHER
Thank you.
MARIA
For what?
AETHER
For protecting me. I know you don't believe in The End.
MARIA
I'm just following my conscience.
AETHER
You mentioned there being another way out.
MARIA
I've already got one, I think. How much can those circuits on your skin withstand?
AETHER
That depends on what they're exposed to. They're generally quite delicate.
MARIA
Good.
Maria spins on her heel. The knife is thrust into Aether's abdomen. The air is forced from her lungs, and her patterns flicker and blink out. Maria pulls it free. She strikes Aether in the face, knocking her to the ground.
