Act 1

The town clock chimes three times over a darkly lit street. A cloaked girl appears out of a doorway, gently closing the door behind her. She walks with purpose towards the southern facing bridge checking to make sure no one is following. She pauses just outside the village archway, turns around as if greeting someone, and swoosh, she is swept off screen. A note floats down from where she once stood, meeting her cloak on the ground. The camera zooms into the cloak as rain begins to pool on the ground.

The patter of rain transitions to the sound of running water. Ithildin’s foot replaces where the cloak once laid on the same cobblestones. The camera looks up to see her two companions in the town square. Shepherd waits for Ithildin leaned up against a post, while Constantine struggles to move Ithildin’s mace. “I’ll take care of that if you take these for me,” she says as she hands Constatine a vial filled with plant bulbs and a book. Constantine takes the items smiling at the gift. “So what is the plan for tonight,” Ithildin questions with the posters of the four missing girls behind her. Constantine and Shepherd look at each other, smile, then look at Ithildin, “you are.”

Night turns to day as Ithildin appears in a robe and walks to the front gate replicating the previous victim’s path. She listens for her attacker, and swoosh! She dodges. She rips off the cloak revealing her armor and mace and begins running towards her assailant. Constantine and Shepherd flank her in time for her to land her first blow. Off balanced, Shepherd swipes in with a sword attack, and Constantine follows through with a fireball.

Upon impact the fireball only leaves a scorch mark upon the gargoyle’s stone skin. It is completely unphased by the precocious attacks as it takes a sidestep preparing for its retaliation. With great force, the gargoyle picks Shepherd up and throws him across the bridge, sending him to the ground. The gargoyle menacingly walks along the bridge’s edge pulling a crystal lamp post from its base. The gargoyle’s next target is Constantine as he charges him, swatting him with the pole. Constantine is flung into the bridge wall causing the foundation to slightly crack. The gargoyle swings the pole one more time against its final opponent, but is left with slight resistance sending Ithildin skidding across the bridge instead of incapacitated.

Shocked at the turn of events, Ithildin looks to her left and right seeing her injured companions. She looks ahead at the creature preparing to charge her once again. She closes her eyes briefly clenching her fists and lets out a fearsome growl.

Act 2
As Ithildin charges forward, her form changes from human to werewolf. Lunging at the gargoyle, she sends it to the ground. The mere force of the blow cracking the red crystal on its chest. The crystal behind to pulse like a heartbeat slowing down until it goes silent. With the stillness, the gargoyle begins to crack and fall apart.

Ithildin composes herself, standing up straight over the creature, stirring in the knowledge of what she had to do to save her friends. She notices Shepherd has regained consciousness and approaches in a friendly demeanor. She assesses his injuries and reaches out a hand to offer aid, but something’s wrong, he reeks of fear.

(Shepherd’s perspective) Shepherd begins to panic as the werewolf turns its attention towards him. He’s too injured to get off the ground, but tries to crawl away as far as possible. It’s useless, the werewolf is gaining too much ground. It’s going to attack me with its claws! Channeling his fear into blind rage, Shepherd pulls the sword from his belt, swiping the werewolf’s claw and forearm.

Ithildin pulls back as the sword draws blood. Shepherd glares at her, still enraged. Her worst fear has been confirmed. Her friends would never accept a monster. As sadness swells within her, she runs away before any more damage can be done.

(Dialogue exchange)

Constantine’s labored voice is carried by the wind, “Why’d you do that?”

Shepherd: “I think what you meant to say was you're welcome. The more important question you should be asking is: Where did it even come from?”

Constantine grabs a plant from a vial in his satchel Ithi had placed there earlier.

Constantine: “That was Ithi”
Constantine walks over to where Shepherd lays on the ground.
“Now make yourself useful and help me bring her home.”
He tosses Shepherd the plant vial.

The scene changes from Shepherd’s hand holding the vial, to Constantine’s hand holding a flame. Shepherd is crouched beneath him as he searches to find Ithildin’s trail. That’s it! Shepherd leads the way as the two follow the paw print tracks.

Shepherd’s question breaks the still night. “How do we know she won’t attack us when we find her?” Shepherd asks. “After that sword swipe of yours, I wouldn’t blame her for taking a bite out of you. But this is Ithi we’re talking about. You do realize the form she takes doesn’t change who she is. I’m sure if you explain yourself, she’ll forgive you.” “I hope you’re right,” Shepherd says as the trail changes from paws prints to foot prints.

Act 3

Light sobs can be heard as Ithildin becomes visible in a clearing ahead. Shepherd removes his cloak but hesitates. Constantine reassures Shepherd and brings the cloak over to Ithildin.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, Ithildin looks at her potential attacker holding her hands up. “It’s just me, I figured you might need a warm cloak,” Constantine says through a shy smile. “As long as you don’t mind it being on a monster,” Ithildin says, wiping away tears from her face. Constantine wraps the cloak around Ithi and sits down on the grass next to her. “I don’t see any monsters here,” he reassures her. Shepherd approaches as the two talk. “So it turns out there wasn’t another monster terrorizing that bridge. In fact an incredible being showed up out of nowhere and saved our sorry butts. I guess what I’m so sorry Ithi, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I thought..” “You better not forget it,” Ithildin says, cutting him off with a slight smile.

As the team is reunited with the misunderstandings behind them, Constantine chimes in, “At least we were able to finish half the job. I wonder where he was taking those girls and why.” Ithildin perks up, “ I just might be able to help out with that. Let's go back to the bridge. I have an extra set of clothes there and I’ll see what I can do.

Back at the bridge Constantine gathers samples of this unusual gargoyle specimen and Ithildin focuses to catch a scent. She closes her eyes. Take a sniff, and SUCCESS. The bridge appears from her point of view and she leads the team through the path laid before her. Below the bridge lies a cave from back when the town mined their light crystals. Within the cave three of the four missing girls sit chained up. Constantine begins melting the chains, Ithildin inspects the sacrificial altar, and Shepherd provides the emotional support.

The town streets are filled with cheers of celebration as the town returns to its safe and unsuspecting state. Our team of monster hunters move on to their next assignment bringing new lessons along with them. Ithildin is now embracing her full skillset and the team is stronger for it. Her confidence and strength encourage Shepherd and Constantine to further push themselves to protect those who cannot protect themselves.