TheCrypt

Tales of The Argo

"The Crypt"

Featured Selection*

TEASER

FADE IN:

INT NECROPOLIS - ATRIUM - NIGHT

In the center of the Atrium, a huge portal has opened. OPHION, The Great Serpent, rises up out of the portal.

SOTERIOS, the very powerful and haughty bane of the Olympian gods, stands in front of Ophion.

AMPHITRITE, the adoptive mother of Soterios, and wife of Poseidon, cowers behind Soterios.

PERICLES, son of Poseidon, has broken down a door to the Atrium, and now stands awestruck at the sight of Ophion.

ATALANTA, inexperienced Virgin Huntress of Athena, crouches next to the main doors. ANTEUS, nephew of Pericles, fainted at the sight of Ophion. He lies next to Atalanta.

SOTERIOS

Ophion.

PERICLES

Oh my-

Ophion turns to look at Pericles.

OPHION

So you're the one.

SOTERIOS

No! I am the one. Face me, Ophion.

AMPHITRITE

Soterios, please don't.

SOTERIOS

Remember, I'm the one with the power.

AMPHITRITE

We can still get out of here. Let's go, please.

SOTERIOS

Not yet.

Ophion lowers his head to look straight at Pericles.

OPHION

I expected more.

PERICLES

What do you want?

SOTERIOS

Why should Ophion want anything from a coward?

PERICLES

Soterios! Just who I wanted to see.

SOTERIOS

Me? I'm flattered, really I am.

PERICLES

I should have killed you before I had time to think about it.

AMPHITRITE

You stay away, Pericles! He's mine.

PERICLES

Amphitrite. Aren't you a little far away from Poseidon's throne? I thought you were a dutiful wife.

Ophion turns to look at Soterios and Amphitrite.

OPHION

You are not needed here.

Ophion flicks its tongue at Amphitrite. She disappears, screaming.

Pericles draws his sword. He circles around Ophion towards Soterios.

SOTERIOS

It won't be that easy.

Soterios moves around the other way, keeping Ophion between them.

By the doors, Atalanta rouses Anteus.

ATALANTA

Anteus, wake up. We've got to get out of here.

ANTEUS

Huh. Wha-

Anteus sees Ophion and tries to scramble backwards, but he crashes into the wall.

ANTEUS

What is that thing?

ATALANTA

I don't know. Pericles is over there.

ANTEUS

He can take care of himself.

ATALANTA

There's an open door over there.

ANTEUS

Past that thing? I don't think so.

Anteus throws all his weight against the main doors. They are still magically sealed.

ATALANTA

It's the only way.

CUT TO:

INT CRYPT CORRIDORS - NIGHT

MEGAERA, a reluctant hero frustrated at her conscience, crouches in the darkness. A dead body lies on the floor next to her.

MEGAERA

See if you've got anything valuable.

Megaera quickly searches the body. She opens the hand to find a talisman.

MEGAERA

This didn't do you any good. And besides, you're not going to need it now.

A mysterious voice comes out of the shadows. THE FIRST steps from the shadows and holds out his thumb. A flame burns on the tip of his thumb.

THE FIRST

But it may be useful to you.

Megaera jumps at his sudden appearance.

MEGAERA

You scared me. What do you want now? And where's Pericles?

THE FIRST

Pericles would not follow me any further. He went to face Soterios.

MEGAERA

I heard Atalanta scream.

THE FIRST

She will live. You must come with me.

MEGAERA

Wait a minute. What if I don't want to?

THE FIRST

Time is short. Come, please.

MEGAERA

No. Not until you tell me where we're going.

THE FIRST

The great goddess Necessity must have a marvellous sense of irony to place destiny in your hands. All right, we must appeal to the ancients.

MEGAERA

Well, that's clear.

THE FIRST

Please, we don't have much time. It cannot end like this.

MEGAERA

Oedipus told us not to trust you.

THE FIRST

He probably told you to trust no one, correct? He tells that to everybody.

MEGAERA

At the gate, you acted differently. Why?

THE FIRST

I did not expect that things would develop so quickly. Please, this is the only way that your friends can be safe.

MEGAERA

What do you know about them?

THE FIRST

On the way. Please.

Megaera follows The First down into the darkness.

CUT TO:

INT NECROPOLIS - ATRIUM - NIGHT

Atalanta and Anteus sneak around the perimeter of the Atrium toward the open door.

Soterios notices Atalanta and Anteus. Soterios throws a bolt of energy at them. Atalanta manages to shove Anteus out of harm's way. She falls on top of him.

ANTEUS

Thanks.

ATALANTA

C'mon, hurry.

They race toward the exit.

Pericles sees them for the first time.

PERICLES

Atalanta, no!

Ophion whips around, head level with Atalanta. Atalanta and Anteus freeze as the huge serpent's head glares at them from two feet away.

FADE OUT:

End teaser

* Author's Note - This is the teaser for the Tales of the Argo episode "The Crypt".