68Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMupayDOBazFirst morning.
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NORTH EAST CAMP SETTLEMENT
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The mountains feel heavier than usual — as if the night left frost inside everyone’s bones. Most of the camp wears brown cloaks, hoods pulled low.
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Ana and Paul are the first awake. Others rise shortly after. Ana tends the fire, coaxing it back to life. Paul gathers supplies from the wagon, breath fogging in the air.
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Metro wakes with a long yawn. He doesn’t see Rose — or anyone, really — except Kathryn, hunched over with her cloak wrapped tight. Lilly and Ana pull open the large carpet drapes so the fire can warm the main tent. Lilly passes out bowls of stew and bread. Rose fills water flasks with collected rainwater.
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Everyone gathers around the fire, quiet, half‑awake, half‑frozen. No one speaks until Paul finishes his last sip of stew.
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Paul:(looks at Blake)
“We need a meeting.”
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Everyone agrees. They step outside and form a circle around the large bonfire in the darkened morning. Metro, Rose, Lilly, Paul, Blake, Straw Hat, Rebecca, Cornelius, Kathryn, Ana, and Archeus — all facing the flames as the sun rises behind them.
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Paul:
“I’m calling this meeting because we need to know what we’re doing… and where we’re headed. Any thoughts?”
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Metro looks around at everyone.
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Metro:
“I’m thinking everyone has individual skills.
Our main priorities are warmth, food, water, and shelter.”
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Archeus nods, clutching his parchment.
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Archeus:
“We need to scout for better locations as well. For emergencies...
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Paul:
“Good. That’s noted.”
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He looks at Metro like a quarterback calling a play.
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Paul:
“Metro, help us build a final shelter base. Something large — like a yurt.”
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Metro (nodding):
“Of course.”
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Blake:
“I’ll help with that as well.
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”Cornelius:
“Count me in.”
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Straw Hat steps forward.
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Straw Hat:
“We’ll need hunters too…”
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Everyone looks at him. Cornelius squints.
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Cornelius:
“What’s your name, Straw Hat?
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Straw Hat:
“My name is Kyle. And this is my wife, Rebecca.”
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Cornelius nods, approving.
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Lilly:
“Kyle’s right. We’ll need game eventually. We only packed enough food for a few weeks — maybe less. A steady supply would help.”
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The fire warms their faces as the cold wind cuts behind them.
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Kyle:
“It’s settled then. I’ll take my crossbow and bring something delicious back.”
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Ana:(beaming)
“The women and I will forage for extra rations. We’ll gather medicinal ingredients and herbs for tinctures.”
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A long pause. Kathryn steps forward.
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Kathryn:
“I suppose I can head south. There’s plenty of game there.”
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Paul:(shakes head)
“I’m not sure if that’s safe…”
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Kathryn shoots him a stern look. Archeus steps in.
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Archeus:
“We do need eyes on the land for possible threats. If she’s careful, we could gather food and intel.”
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Paul (sighing):
“Right…”
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Rose clings to Metro’s arm, staring into the fire.
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Metro:
“Once Paul’s satisfied with the main build, we should focus on gathering food.”
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He looks at Ana.
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Metro:
“Ana keeps the hearth burning, and takes charge of all medications.”
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He turns to Lilly and then Paul.
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Paul nods his head.
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Blake(interrupting)
“Lilly is the master chef.”
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Lilly snaps her neck around, grinning.
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Lilly:
“And you know this.”
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Metro nods assuredly.
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Paul:(pointing finger towards fire)
“All hunted game goes to her. Unless you need something skinned or butchered.”
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Beat.
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“I can build a small barn for the horses. And expand Lilly and Ana’s medical cabin into an open‑themed kitchen.”
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Rose:(eyes sparkle)
“We can have a long table outside. I can decorate it.”
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Paul nods, pleased.
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Cornelius:(grunts)
“I think we should focus on food first. I’m already starved."
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Rose looks down again, still holding Metro’s arm.
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Metro glances at Archeus, trying not to seem expectant.
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Metro:
Archeus...
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Archeus holds his empty parchment like it’s a newborn.
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Archeus:
“Well… let’s see. I’m your advisor.”
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beat.
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"I’ll keep you informed on the land. And I’ll help grow our numbers. I have connections — families who want to join us, but lack the power to leave their conditions.”
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another beat.
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Everyone listens.
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Archeus:
“That’s why I’m here. To record the history and teachings of this new community. To track supplies. To copy The Scroll so others may study the word on their own.”
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He laughs softly, enjoying the attention.
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Archeus: (hand on heart):
“And I’m quite the storyteller.”
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He laughs again, heartier this time.
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Archeus:(staring at fire)
“Indeed… very good.”
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Cornelius shakes his head with a grin.
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Cornelius:
“I assume we all know our jobs. If I’m not helping with construction. I’ll defend this place with my life.
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‘ Also… I’ll need to practice dueling. With the sword.”
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He taps his sheathed blade.
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Cornelius:
“I’ll need a sparring partner.”
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He looks around. Everyone looks away —
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and then Add to home screen.