Game Cinematic Scripts - Vyra’s Escape & Aftermath
This piece illustrates two cinematics, one leading into an escort mission and the other afterwards.
Summary
Trapped in a burning building, Vyra tries to convince Nadine, a panicked six-year-old little girl, to free her from her confinement while struggling against the demonic impulse to feed on her blood.
We open on the aftermath of a particularly brutal fight between Vyra and thugs hired by Vico, her partner in crime turned traitor. As she closes in on his location, Vico has hired muscle to send after her, and this last encounter ends with Vyra among the wreckage of their latest battleground - an inn, caught ablaze by Vyra’s hellfire and trashed from the fight.
The thugs have been dealt with, but now Vyra faces a different problem - she’s badly injured, and in no shape to be lifting the giant metal grate that has fallen on her.
INT. CELLAR OF THE INN ON FIRE - NIGHT
VYRA coughs underneath the weight of the metal grate, struggling to lift it. She’s weak and beaten from the previous fight, her sword just out of reach.
A crack sounds from above as wood beams splinter, the cry of a little girl following as NADINE (6), retreats down the cellar steps from the fire. She huddles in the corner, not noticing VYRA at first.
LEECH
Oooh, a snot-nosed little snack.
VYRA’S eyes widen as NADINE looks up, skittishly approaching her. Fearing the worst, her demonic form on full display, VYRA’S struggling renews as she grabs frantically for the weapon that lies between them.
VYRA
Don’t come near me, understand? I’m- I’m dangerous, I’ll end your puny life in under a second if I feel like it-
LEECH cackles gleefully as the child backs away in fear.
LEECH
Just a little blood, and you’ll be strong enough to lift this thing yourself.
LEECH (CONT’D)
(mockingly)
Come here, we won’t bite… (cackle) Tell her! She can’t hear it if I say it.
VYRA’S expression darkens. She looks around for any alternative - and lands on a lever, following the mechanism up to a chain on the ceiling. This could work.
VYRA
Hey, uh… I didn’t mean that.
NADINE backs away. She’s balled up her fists and is beginning to cry.
VYRA
Kid, please. I know you’ve got no reason to trust me, but… I swear on my life, I’ll get us both outta here if you do what I tell you to.
NADINE
(shaking head no)
Mm-mm.
LEECH
Good instincts.
VYRA
(under her breath)
Shut it.
VYRA (CONT’D)
Look, I… you see that lever behind you? I think it’ll lift this thing. I need you to pull it.
LEECH
HA! You’re wasting your time. Little weaklings are only good for one thing: eating!
The foundation shudders. A large part of the building collapses above.
NADINE
I don’t wanna die…
VYRA
Listen. You either take your chances with me, or this place is coming down on…
NADINE sniffles.
VYRA (CONT’D)
…Both of us. Ah, shit, I- I’m no good with kids.
Nadine gasps, covering a smile.
NADINE
You said a cuss word.
VYRA
…So I did. That make you feel better?
NADINE
Maybe.
VYRA
I, uh…
VYRA smiles. She’s found an angle.
VYRA (CONT’D)
(playfully)
I can teach you some more if you pull that damn lever.
Nadine giggles, inching closer to it. She leans up to grab for it, but isn’t able to reach.
NADINE
I can’t get it…
LEECH
Boo hoo, we tried! Is it snack time now?!
VYRA huffs, looking around. NADINE starts to get visibly frustrated again. VYRA whistles to her, grabbing her attention.
VYRA
Hey, hey. No cryin’. Look around you. Use everything we got available. What about that box, huh? Not too heavy for a strong girl like you, eh?
LEECH
I’m gonna be sick.
NADINE shuffles over and pushes the wooden crate until it’s right beneath the lever. She climbs on top of it, tugging the lever until it gives. A chain attached to the grate rises, lifting it off of VYRA.
VYRA stands to her feet, grabbing her sword. She staggers over to NADINE, barely able to hold herself up.
We see briefly through VYRA’S eyes, fixated on the fresh blood oozing from a gash on NADINE’S face. Her vision swims, hazy and pulsating, as she reaches for NADINE.
LEECH
Yes… yes…
NADINE
Lady? You okay?
VYRA takes a deep inhale. From her point of view, we see the pulsating recede as she shakily puts her hand on NADINE’S head, ruffling her hair.
VYRA
Peachy. Now how’s about we get outta here?
NADINE grins widely, nodding. LEECH cries out in frustration as VYRA limps forward, leading NADINE up the steps.
END SCENE
[MISSION - Escort Nadine through the burning building to safety.]
The following cinematic takes place after the escort mission has been successfully completed, both Vyra and Nadine reaching the outside safely.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE INN ON FIRE - NIGHT
VYRA sees a group of people huddled outside. She hesitates, bending down to pat NADINE on the back, ushering her forward.
VYRA
Go on. Skedaddle.
NADINE runs to the group. NADINE’S MOTHER embraces her, sobbing.
NADINE’S MOTHER
Nadine, oh, my little girl… I thought we lost you…
VYRA disappears into the shadows, watching from afar.
NADINE’S MOTHER (CONT’D)
How did you escape the flames? It’s a miracle…
NADINE
(babbling, talking as fast as possible)
Well, there was this lady- she looked really scary, but I think she was scared too- and she helped me, and she was really nice, and-
NADINE’S MOTHER
A woman?
NADINE’S MOTHER looks around. Seeing no one, she smiles knowingly.
NADINE’S MOTHER (CONT’D)
That must have been your guardian angel, baby. You’re a very lucky girl, meeting her… did you tell her thank you?
NADINE
(gasps) I didn’t!
NADINE cups her hands around her mouth to yell at the top of her lungs.
NADINE (CONT’D)
THANK YOU SO *** MUCH, ANGEL LADY!
NADINE’S MOTHER gasps, wiping soot from her face.
VYRA catches herself laughing and turns away, conflicted. She quickly turns on her heel and starts to leave before she can be seen.
FADE OUT