the prophesy comes true

8/14/2019 The Prophesy Comes True

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The Prophesy Comes True by Natalya Churlyaeva

The Prophecy Comes TrueA Fairy Talein Three Acts

by

Natalya Churlyaeva

Translated from Russian

by

Jane H. Buckingham

Natalya Churlyaeva

Kolomenskaya 12/42Krasnoyarsk, Russia

[email protected]


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CHARACTERS

Humans: MEDWIN

STACYSTEPHANIE

ALANASVYATOSLAV

YARICH

Noble Headtails: ASH

VOSH

ZOVRULER IrodinIRODINA RULERS daughter

MIKROUZ Chief Attendant

Irdoks: KAMONDAMON

Dead-eyed slaves: FIRST SLAVESECOND SLAVE


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SETTING

Act One takes place in a cave, Act Two in the Headtails throne hall, Act Three on a hilly

terrain.

TIME

Undefined.

SYNOPSIS

In the remotest areas of Eurasia where hordes emerge from nowhere and disappear without

a trace, noble Headtails and other nonhumans live in deep caves. They conquered humanslong ago but now the time has come for humans to get off their knees and overcome them.

Love will help humans to accomplish the feat.


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I-2


ALANAWhy arent men supposed to cry? What, arent they human?

STEPHANIE

Of course, theyre human.

MEDWINAnd here, you women

(Looks thoughtfully at STACY.)well, I think, you are also human.

STEPHANIEMedwin! Stop saying silly things.

MEDWIN

What did I say thats so silly? Only fools say silly things? Am I a fool then?

STACYNo, no, Medwin! You are our smart young man.

MEDWIN(Kisses STACY on her cheek.)

And you, Stacy, are a beauty.

STACYOur Alana is also a beauty. Look at her, even prettier than me.

MEDWIN

Oh?(Looks at ALANA.)

Yesshe is also a beauty.

ALANA

Stacy, why are you teasing Medwin? You do know that youre his one and only.

STACYThen why doesnt he say it? Let him say it, if its so.

MEDWIN

And I will say it. Ill definitely say it. I can even say it right now if you want me to.

STEPHANIE

You will say nothing of the kind right now. Indeed! Find another time to carry on chitchats.

ALANAIt isnt chitchat, Aunt Stephanie.


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I-3


STEPHANIE

What is it then, if not chitchat?

ALANA

Its perhaps the most important thing in the world!

STEPHANIE

What are you talking about, Alana? Whats this most important thing youre carrying onabout?

STACYShe is talking about feelings, about love.

ALANA

Yes, love. Its the most important thing in the world. No one can be happy without love.

STACYAnd why be alive without happiness? How can one live without happiness?

STEPHANIEHow people lived, so will you. Have you seen much happiness in the world? Though, what

are the demands on you? If I may say so, youre still innocent children. Here, Ive livedmuch longer than you have in this world, but I havent seen any happiness. Yet, Im not

going to die because of it. On the contrary, I would cross any wilderness, go into any cave,if only to get far away from the cursed demonsif only not to lose my life too soon

MEDWIN

Yes, we have to. Only where can we go to get away from them? Where did these hellishmonsters come from? Why do they go for our heads?

STEPHANIEPeople say theyve always been among us, only didnt appear immediately.

ALANA

I dont believe it! No, no, it cant be!

STEPHANIEWhy not, if it has already happened?

ALANABut it mustnt be! Its wrong!

STEPHANIE

Why wrong?


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I-4


ALANAIsnt it wrong that these worthless creatures torment people so horribly? What for? Who

needs this?

MEDWIN

I heard that their Chief ordered it.

STACY

But Ive heard that they dont have a Chief.

STEPHANIEBut then, they say these devils have a special armchair.

ALANAWhat armchair?

STEPHANIEIt stands in their secret place. A council of sages gathers around it and together decideswhose turn has come to sit in that armchair and start giving orders.

STACYIve also heard about that armchair. Still I cant understand why they even torment people.

What does the armchair have to do with anything?

STEPHANIETheres only one armchair for all of them but therere thousands of these monsters.

Apparently, theyve established that whoever shows himself to be the fiercest gets to sit init. Then he can give orders to mock people.

MEDWIN

No, it cant be. The armchair cant be the problem at all here. So what, even if one of themsits in it? Let him even be the most violent. What if it turns out it is magic that gives him thepower that he can torture anyone to death?

ALANA

Medwin is right. Its not the armchair. Something isnt quite right here.

(A strange noise is heard.)

STACY(Fearfully)

Oh! What was that? Did you hear it? It seems were not alone here!

ALANA

I heard it too. Someones coming!


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I-5


STEPHANIELet us hide quickly before it is too late.

MEDWIN

But where?

STEPHANIELook, heres a ledge! Lets hide behind it. Perhaps they wont notice us.

(The humans hide behind the ledge. Headtails appear from the other side.)

ASHVosh! You heard a noise and guided us here, but there is no one here.

VOSH

No, I didnt hear a noise. I hear sounds very poorly.

ZOVThen why did you lead us in this direction if you heard nothing?

VOSHI see sounds very well. But now I dont see any sound, not even the slightest.

ZOV

Perhaps some of the Irdoks wandered here by chance and started to make noise?

ASHImpossible! The Irdoks are obedient and loyal to us. Theyll never dare to disobey an order.

When it isnt the right time, they wont cross the border separating our world from theirs.

ZOVDo you want to say that humans have penetrated to the Top Level?

VOSHWhat? What humans? Those the Irdoks prepare for the pacification of Gehenna, the

stinky-breath sire of us noble Headtails?

ASHImpossible! This cant even come to their heads. Maybe Zov has in mind true humans and

not the dead-eyed.

VOSH

There are no true humans left. The Irdoks have led all of them through the Circles ofOblivion.

ZOV


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There are many humans, very many. They hide from the Irdoks. They dont like the Irdoksvery much.

ASH

There is no reason to like the Irdoks. We dont like them either.

VOSHBut we use them for our own goals, thats why we take care of them. We feed them, dress

them, cure them, teach them

ASHAnd then we eat themwhen we get hungry.

VOSHUnlike the Attendants, we arent always hungry. Besides, we dont eat just any, far from it,

only the guilty or the useless ones.

ASHIn fact, what use is this moronic race? Only for catching humans and driving them to the

Circles of Oblivion, till they become slaves of Gehenna with the stinky breath.

ZOV

Thats why humans hate Irdoks, flee from them and hide from them.

VOSHBrother Zov, you worry too much. Theres nowhere for them to hide. No one falling into

the clutches of the Irdoks can escape until he passes through all the Circles of Oblivion, tothe end. And after passing through all the circles, he remembers nothing anymore, neither

who he was nor why he lived in the world. After this, they remember nothing exceptsatisfying their physical needs.

ZOVThen who made the sounds here, if neither Irdoks nor humans?

ASH

Lets reflect on the problem. The Irdoks are forbidden to come here, Right? As for humans,according to Rulers well-known decree, they dont exist in nature.

ZOV

Still, it seems to me that humans exist! And they can be considerably stronger and smarterthan the Irdoks.

VOSHDont say this out loud! The Attendants may hear you and then youll be in for it. And us

together with you, and because of whom? Because of some disgusting Irdoks?


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I-7


ASHYou made a true remark, Brother Vosh. Not our fault that Rulers daughter picked this wild

and spiteful race to be her servants. Its in her honor that they started calling themselvesIrdoks, Brother Zov. Mustnt forget this.

ZOVI havent.

VOSHBut youve forgotten that according to the laws of the Headtails world, Rulers decrees

cant be discussed.

ASH

And those who discuss them must return to the womb of Gehenna, our sire.

ZOV

You misunderstood me! I only wanted to say that Irdoks couldnt be trusted!

(Some noise is heard.)

ASHWhat is that? Who is there? Answer!

STEPHANIE

h, mama! Did they really notice us?

MEDWINHush, Aunt Stephanie. It seems someone else is grumbling there.

VOSH

Hey, you, standing by the caves entrance! Can you hear me? Answer quick, who are youand what are you doing here?

ASHWhoever they may be, first must bring them here

(Goes to the entrance of the cave.)and then interrogate them.

ZOV

But indeed both Irdoks and humans are forbidden to appear here under threat ofpunishment!

VOSHBrother Zov, how many times do I have to remind you of Rulers special decree? It clearly

states: therere no more humans on Earth! None! Only remain the dead-eyed slaves ofGehenna, our sire!


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I-8


STACY

Did you hear that? They say therere no more humans! Are we really the only ones left onEarth?

MEDWINNonsense! Its all nonsense! Who are these Tailheads, these nitwits, that we should trustthem?

ALANA

Hush! Keep quiet before trouble catches up with us.

(ASH returns. Behind him trudge two Irdoks, KAMON and DAMON.)

ASH

Look, Brothers Vosh and Zov! They dared to disturb us!

VOSHSay who you are, and on what grounds you dare to disobey the order forbidding anyone to

approach the cave leading into the underground world of the Headtails.

KAMON

I am Irdok Kamon and I am on the highest service to our Mistress, Irodina.

DAMONI am Damon, also Irdok, and also serve Irodina but directly under Kamon, who is a whole

level above me. I am still young and hope my loyal service wont remain unnoticed by ourMistress.

KAMON

I also hope for it very much.

ASH

What? Whats this? What are you talking about?

KAMONI mean that for my loyal service I could have been recommended long ago to the sages

council at the side of the Chiefs Armchair.

DAMONAnd Im always ready to take Kamons place.

ASHBrother Vosh, doesnt it seem to you that these Irdoks are not quite sane?

VOSH


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I-9


It is so difficult to make some simple conclusion based on appearance here. Still, it shouldbe noted that quite often one happens to come across similar manifestation of the unhealthy

nature of Irdoks.

(ASH observes KAMON and DAMON more attentively.)

STEPHANIE(Looks out.)

Just look at that! These are the same Irdoks chasing us!

STACYWhat are we going to do?

MEDWINDont be scared, maybe theyll move on. Now it isnt up to us at all.

ASH(Examines the Irdoks.)Hmmoutwardly, there appears to be no damage.

VOSHThen why did they come to the Top Level?

ASH

That bothers me least of all. They came, theyll answer for it to the Attendants. Im morebaffled by their insolent claims concerning the hierarchy of Rulers. Of course, I know the

impudence of Irdoks has no bounds, but to such a degree? To mention the name of theirMistress in such a strange communication

VOSH

What if we take them to her? Let her decide what to do with them.

ZOV

That seems excessive to me. Its enough just to deliver both to the Attendants. Those arealways ready to conduct a thorough investigation.

KAMON

No! No! Please dont hand us over to the Attendants! We know everything!

DAMONFirst, they will torture us to death and then theyll eat us!

ASHWhat else is there to say?

(Turns to DAMON.)Where are you going?


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I-10


(DAMON tries to escape but the Headtails catch him and beat him.)

MEDWIN

(Looks out.)

Wow! They really beat him up! Seems like life isnt so sweet for these nasty monsterseither.

STEPHANIEFind someone else to pity. Youre compassionate, Medwin, to pity the cursed beasts.

STACYHush! Please keep quiet! Else well be in their place.

VOSH

Answer, Irdok Damon! Why did you try to escape? Dont you know that additional

punishment is in order for escape? Dont you know that Irdoks have no right even for theslightest offence?

DAMONIt isnt an offence! Its simply I simply ran! And Irdoks arent forbidden to run! In fact,we do nothing but run, run, runyou know, after others.

ASH

And where were you going to run to this time?

DAMONTo our Mistress! Irodina will listen and understand!

ZOV

Too much honor. Both of you will be handed over to the Attendants.

KAMON

Dont give us to the Attendants! Theyll torture and eat us!

ASHWeve already heard this. These objections dont concern us.

VOSH

Wait, Brother Ash. Seems to me these considerations can affect us. The time for our mealconsumption will come soon enough

ZOVRight! And unlikely the Attendants will want to share their bounty

(Nods in the direction of the Irdoks.)with anybody.


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I-11


VOSH

In that case, why deliver them to the Attendants?

KAMON

Right! No need to give us to the Attendants! Better help us and well help you in return!

(KAMON approaches the Headtails but they fiercely flog him.)

STEPHANIE

(Looks out.)ho! Not bad! They gave him a good punching!

ASHHow dare you, wild Irdok, utter nobody, suggest any help to us, high-ranking noble

Headtails!

VOSHAnd for such impudence, well torture you to death, without any Attendants!

DAMONDont, please dont torture us! Please hear us first! Please listen: weve discovered a plot

against our Mistress! Yes! Yes! Please dont laugh! Its a true conspiracy!

ASH(Laughs.)

Oh, you made me laugh, stupid Irdok! H-h-ha-ha!

KAMONHe isnt lying! Please listen to us! The one now sitting in the Chiefs Armchair at the sages

council is in a pact with your Chief Attendant! With the one all in dark-blue!

ZOV

What? What? In what pact?

DAMONThe most dangerous imaginable! Theyve agreed to deceive Mistress Irodina! And all of

you together with her!

ASHImpossible! How can they deceive Irodina? They arent smart enough for that!

KAMONOur one in the Chiefs Armchair conspired with your one all in dark-blue! Theyve agreed

and together theyll deceive Irodina! Theyll assure her that there are no more humans lefton Earth!


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I-13


KAMONTrue! Im obedient and loyal!

DAMON

So am I! Im very loyal and very obedient! The disloyal ones are in the sages council!

KAMONTrue! True! No loyal ones there at all! All of them must be driven away! No, better not.

Instead, hand them over to the Attendants and let them do whatever they want with them!

DAMONLet them even eat all these sages! And let us take their places instead.

KAMONI am even ready to sit in the Chiefs Armchair.

DAMONMe too! Me too! Im always ready!

ASHGeez! The things you want! Only Mistress Irodina decides this and no one else.

VOSHSo, what do we do with them? Most likely have to take them to Mistress after all.

ZOV

Only must report with every caution. Irodina gets into a rage when she hears even a wordabout humans. Possibly, it also facilitated the conspirators task. They first lulled the

Rulers vigilance and then convinced them that therere no more humans. Those, in turn,issued a decree and now already all noble Headtails are certain of it. Or almost all.

ASH(Thoughtfully)

Wellwe wont jump to conclusions. This question demands a thorough study. Lets do so,Brother Vosh and Brother Zov.

DAMON, KAMON

And us? What are we to do?

ASHYou are coming with us.

DAMONIm not going! I know therell be no return from there for us!

KAMON


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I-16


STEPHANIE

If you hear us, why are you silent? Why dont you answer at once when people addressyou?

SVYATOSLAVWho are you?

STEPHANIEIm Stephanie. And who might you be?

SVYATOSLAVI am Svyatoslav.

STEPHANIE

Which Svyatoslav?

SVYATOSLAVSon of Yaropolk.

YARICHAnd I am Yarich, his bodyguard.

SVYATOSLAV

My friend and brother-in-arms.

MEDWINAnd I am Medwin, and this is Stacy and her friend Alana.

STEPHANIE

I heard of some Svyatoslav from my great-grandmother, and her grandmother told herabout him. I thought it was a fairy tale. In our family, grandmothers always tellgrandchildren fairy tales.

MEDWIN

It isnt a fairy tale. Ive heard about Svyatoslav, who, in ancient times, went to negotiatewith nasty nonhumans, and simply didnt return, went missing.

SVYATOSLAV

Im the same Svyatoslav you refer to.

STEPHANIE

(Surprised.)You-ou?


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I-17


SVYATOSLAVYes, me. I failed. I couldnt protect people from the wicked.

STACY

Whats he saying? That Svyatoslav died a long, long time ago!

STEPHANIETrue. Stacy is right. People dont live so long.

YARICH

Yes, your Stacy is right.

ALANA

Then who are you?

YARICH

Im Yarich and hes Svyatoslav.

MEDWIN

I dont understand.

YARICH

Indeed, we havent lived since! Were confined in the Timeless Dome. Weve beenstanding here for so long that we hardly remember ourselves. And we cant get out of here.

MEDWIN

Why not?

YARICHIts a special dome. Were shut in forever.

MEDWINSo, now well let you out! Do you know how resourceful we are? You saw how we

managed to move the rock.

SVYATOSLAVPlease dont do this! Better we stay here till eternity than for someone else to suffer

senselessly because of us.

MEDWINYou insult me, Svyatoslav. Im not some clumsy Irdok who only knows how to plot againstothers. With my own hands, I can crush stones, catch mice, make a rope

SVYATOSLAV

I dont doubt you, Medwin, but youre upset with me for nothing. You have to understand,youre being reckless. Neither you nor anybody else can approach this dome!


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I-18


MEDWIN

Why is that?

SVYATOSLAV

See these steps leading to the dome? Theyre made of the same stones as the Circles ofOblivion. Anyone who steps on them will lose himself within three steps. Hell forgeteveryone and everything in this world.

MEDWIN

Ah-h! So thats what it is! And he turns into a dead-eyed slave of the stinky Gehenna?

SVYATOSLAV

Yes. Even the Headtails dont dare step on them. Only the Irdoks arent affected. Only theyalone arent afraid because they themselves are creations of Oblivion. They appear from

nowhere, care for nothing and nobody but themselves. They only take care of themselves,

plot against others only for the sake of themselves. The whole world hates them. Nobodylikes them. Even the Headtails, whom the Irdoks serve faithfully for reasons they donteven know.

STACYOh, true! While standing in this cave, we overheard such things about them. The violent

Headtails can easily torture the Irdoks to death and then eat them.

STEPHANIEWould be good if they gobble them up. Every single one! So that these cursed Irdoks

wouldnt torment people anymore. Will there really be no end to our suffering? Will no onereally put an end to the suffering of humanity?

SVYATOSLAV

People will stop suffering only when Gehenna with the stinky breath is destroyed. Then thestones of the Circles of Oblivion will lose its power. And those who have forgotteneverything about themselves will be able to remember again.

YARICH

And when memory returns, theyll stop being slaves and can fight for themselves.

SVYATOSLAVAnd drive the Irdoks back to nowherewhere they came from.

MEDWINEasier said than done. How to do this? How to destroy this most disgusting Gehenna?

SVYATOSLAV

Id love to fight the stinky Gehenna. Only what use is it to dream? It isnt worth talkingabout when theres no way to free us. And without us you cant take the risk. You cant


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I-19


even get close to the stinky Gehenna.

MEDWINIll set you free! For such a thing, Im not afraid of the stones of Oblivion.

(Heads for the dome.)

What will be, will be

ALANA

Stop! You mustnt lose yourself! You arent only responsible for yourself, you have afiance. You must always remember her.

STEPHANIEAlana is right. You must never leave Stacy alone without protection in such difficult times.

Better I go to free them!

ALANA

No, Aunt Stephanie, you forget your nephews. Who will take care of your sisters children,if the little ones are left alone? Ill go! Im an orphan; I have no one, no parents, norelative

STEPHANIEWhats this no one? What about us, your friends?

ALANA

Friends will forgive me. For the sake of friends, Im ready to step onto the stones ofOblivion! For their sake and for all the good people who helped me to survive in this

terrible world and remain human.

YARICHDont do this! Youll forget everything in this world before you reach the dome!

ALANA(Stands on a step.)

Oh!(Clutches at her heart.)

What is the matter with me?(Takes another step.)

Mama! My dear mama I remember you! I can see your face very clearly. Will you kissme? Therere tears on your cheeks. Mama, I hear what you are saying to me, Forgive me,

my darling. Grow up and be happy. Are you leaving already? Where? Why?

STEPHANIE

What is it with her? How can she remember this? We found her a wee one, alone!


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I-20


ALANA

(Goes up the steps.)Oh! It gets harder with each step. Who is this? Papa? I can see his face! He is hugging me.

Papa, how peaceful I am in your arms. Where are you, papa?

MEDWINSvyatoslav! Yarich! What is wrong with her? I cant understand, is she forgetting

everything or remembering instead?

SVYATOSLAVSeems to me that shes remembering. But it cant be! Remembering, on these stones?

ALANA(Goes up the steps.)

I remember! I remember everything! You, Aunt Stephanie, saved me from the Irdoks. I

was all alone. My mother had hidden me in some secret place. There were many trees. Theforest was rustling. Birds were singing

STEPHANIEAlana, my dear, what are you saying? How can you remember? We found you a babe inarms, in diapers!

ALANA

I remember everythingeverything, everything that happened to me before. Even thingsthat flashed in front of my eyes only for an instant .

(Stands near the top.)Nownow Ill set you free. Its only a latch here and nothing elseno lock, nothing.

(Undoes the latch.)You, youre free. Please come, youre free!

YARICHYes, Svyatoslav is free. He can go, hes one of the few not afraid of the stones of Oblivion.

And you, Alana, it seems, are also one of those who dont become unconscious on thesestones, but instead, start to recall everything. Well, Im a simple ordinary man and I cant

go on these steps.

SVYATOSLAVIt doesnt matter, my true friend, you dont have to do this. Ill carry you.

ALANAIll help you.

(Together SVYATOSLAV and ALANA carry YARICH along the steps. ALANA feels

worse with each step and falls down on the last one.)


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I-21


SVYATOSLAV

Alana, youre our fearless liberator! Is something wrong? Arent you feeling well?

STACY

Alana, my true friend, wake up! Do you hear me? Please dont die, dont!

STEPHANIE

Alana, stop it! Dont scare us for nothing; weve already been frightened so many times.Dont, everything terrible is already behind us.

ALANADont be afraid for me. Im alive, only feeling a little dizzyand the legs feel weak.

STEPHANIE

Dont worry about your legs, well carry you. Better tell me about your head, is everything

all right? Look at me and answer me: who am I?

ALANA

Aunt Stephanie, arent you ashamed to ask such a question? Do you think that Iveforgotten you after these steps? Ive forgotten nothing and remember everything, everyone,even those I didnt know before. For some reason it seems to me that I not only remember

everything and everyone in the smallest detail, but also start to see and hear what Ive neverseen or heard beforevery clearly and distinctly. Now I clearly see in front of me I see

someone is running straight here Yes! Its her! Mistress Irodina!

SVYATOSLAVWhat? Irodina? How can you see her? How do you know her?

ALANA

I know. Only I cant explain how. And I dont understand how I can see her. Its like withsome internal eye.

SVYATOSLAVIf its so, if your Alana has suddenly developed such a wonderful ability to see through

things and hear over distance, then its a miracle! But we shouldnt linger, must escape, andfast. Lets get away from here, my friends, before they catch us again! And were together.

(The humans pick up ALANA and exit running. IRODINA and MIKROUZ enter

the cave.)

IRODINA

(Sees the empty dome.)It cant be! Where are they? How could this happen? And you dared to claim that they

wouldnt be able to get out of here? That they would stand forever in the Timeless Dome.


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I-22


MIKROUZYes, I did and I still do. I assert that no one is capable of leaving the Timeless Dome

without outside help. That one will stand forever in it, neither dead nor alive, unlesssomebody helps him.

IRODINAWhat? Somebody helped them? Who helped them? Really one of us? Really treasonamong us?

MIKROUZ

Ive no reason to think so. At least, since noble Headtails cant step safely onto these steps.Not to mention humans, none of which has existed for a long time, according to Mastersspecial decree. Only the Irdoks alone are not affected by these stones.

IRODINA

What? The Irdoks? You want to say that the Irdoks have betrayed me, their Mistress, their

patroness, their only protector? Do you want to say this, Chief Attendant Mikrouz?

MIKROUZ

I dont want to say anything. We cant assert anything definite until weve carried out amost thorough investigation of this unfortunate incident. In addition, I think we shouldconduct a special inquiry with the wide circle of Initiates.

IRODINA

Yes, yesyoure right I have to agree with you. An inquiry is absolutely essential.Listen, Im giving you an especially important order! Summon the Initiates!

MIKROUZ

I hear and obey!(Exits.)

IRODINAOh, Svyatoslav, Svyatoslav, what have you done? Still, no matter how you try, no matter

what you do, you wont get away from me. Whether you want it or not, your fate is to bewith me.


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II-1


Act Two

The curtain rises on the Headtails throne hall. IRODINA is

alone.

IRODINAWhere are you, Svyatoslav? Where? Why did you do it? Really, after spending so manyyears in the Timeless Dome, you still dont understand how strongly attached I am to you?

And why shouldnt I be? Youre a true man and not some stupid Irdok. Besides, thoughyoure human, you arent afraid of the stones of Oblivion. Theres no one else like you.

Nobody but you deserves to share this throne with me. Even my father isnt your equal.Hes scared of the Circles of Oblivion and rather afraid of the Irdoks. No need to be afraid

of them, they dont deserve it.

(RULER enters.)

RULERWho are you talking to, my daughter, carefully raised by me from an egg and now myequal in reigning over the noble Headtails and ruling the despicable Irdoks?

IRODINA

Im not talking to anybody, father, mighty Ruler of the Headtails, who brought me up froman egg beside the throne. Im simply reasoning aloud.

RULERWhat are you reasoning out, and with whom?

IRODINAWith myself.

RULERTheres no need for this. Are there no Attendants? Isnt it part of their duty to have every

possible reasoning and discussion of different matters?

IRODINA

Unfortunately, theyve stopped fulfilling their duties for some time now, father.

RULER

You slander them. And all because you yourself try to perform the duties assigned to theAttendants by the Great Void.

IRODINAThat isnt the point. You dont know everything, mighty Ruler of the Headtails.

RULERI know everything! Everything! And what I dont know doesnt exist in nature at all!


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II-2


IRODINA

If you know everything, then answer just one question. Only one question. Tell me, wherecould humans come from?

RULERThis question is off the mark. There havent been humans for a long time, and you knowperfectly well the decree issued on this. There left only humanoid slaves of Gehenna, our

sire. Therefore, it isnt worth thinking about.

IRODINAI cant help but think about it. They informed me that humans exist, lots of them, hidden inthe woods, in different secret places

RULER

No! It cant be! At least, I know nothing about it. From this, it clearly follows that they

dont exist in nature.

IRODINA

But now you know. You heard it from me.

RULER

Consider that I didnt hear it. Daughter, why do you try to convince your own father whatisnt and what cant be? I cant understand, why do you want this? Do you really want to

plant in our subjects doubts and distrust in me, their mighty Ruler? In my outstandingmental faculties? My extraordinary abilities? Why do you do it? You think youre as good

a ruler, my equal on the throne! Is what you have really not enough for you? Is it really notenough for you just to sit on this throne and from time to time listen to the Attendants

reports about how everything is running smoothly in the Headtails world? Why strive foranything more if its impossible to imagine anything better?

IRODINAFather, be reasonable! If what they reported to me is true, were in great danger!

RULER

I dont understand, why are you so scared?

IRODINAHumans are capable of many things, very many things. Almost anything! Theyre very

dangerous to our world!

RULER

There are no humans! I have said it all and I dont want to discuss this unpleasant topic anyfurther!

IRODINA


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Youve made a big mistake, father, a serious mistake. There ARE humans! Listen to whatyour daughter tells you!

RULER

No, you listen, daughter! Even though youre my equal as a ruler, why should I trust you?

Besides, youve never had anything to do with humans. You cant even imagine what theylook like!

IRODINAI can very well imagine! I know what humans look like! Much better than you do!

RULERDont make things up!

IRODINA

Its impossible to have a serious conversation with you! Summon the Chief Attendant! Let

him tell you whether you can trust me!

RULER

Why? I know everything without him. If you need him, summon him yourself.

IRODINA

(Loudly)Attendant Mikrouz! Attendant Mikrouz! The rulers are waiting for you, Attendant

Mikrouz!

MIKROUZ(Enters, dressed all in dark blue.)

I, Mikrouz, Chief Attendant, appear at the first call of the rulers!

RULERI didnt call you, Mikrouz.

MIKROUZIrodinas voice brought me here.

RULER

Why did you come? Go back to your duties.

MIKROUZIm ready to answer any question of the rulers. I dont have the right to leave withoutanswering.

RULER

Fine. You may stay if you want. But Im going to take a break.


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IRODINAFather! Are you Ruler or not?

RULER

I am! I am! But I am tired and want to rest.

IRODINAYou must ask the Chief Attendant at least one question if he comes on a call!

RULER

Oh, how you bug me! Well, fine, as you wish, Ill ask him a question. Ill ask, if youllleave me alone. Here, listen! Mikrouz, Chief Attendant, all in dark blue, appearing on thefirst call of the rulers, answer me: what were you doing just now?

MIKROUZ

I answer frankly, with full comprehension of the responsibility for what will be said and

deep understanding to whom I answer. I answer: before I heard the call of the rulers, I wastalking to the Initiates.

RULERWhy did you need them? Let them sit quietly in their places and plot against each other.

MIKROUZI was acting in full accordance with a special important instruction from our Mistress

Irodina.

RULERIrodina, my daughter, carefully raised by me from an egg beside this throne, I know

everything but I dont know, what do you want the Initiates for?

IRODINAThe supreme interests of the Headtails world demand this.

RULERI know everything and I know about the supreme interests, but why the Initiates? What do

they have to do with these interests? Answer me!

MIKROUZWho should answer?

RULERYou! You have the duty of answering rulers questions.

MIKROUZ

I answer Rulers question. The Initiates are charged with uncovering plots against theworld of the noble Headtails.


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RULER

I dont need you to tell me that. I only dont understand how can we have such plots? Whoorganize them?

MIKROUZThe Initiates must carry out an investigation and find out whos behind them. Irdoks orhumans or, even worse, noble Headtails.

RULER

There are no humans! Is the special decree inadequate?! The Irdoks, though malicious, aretoo stupid for plots! And the Headtails are too noble. Therefore, nobody is plotting againstus. So, Mikrouz, you can relax. Go, rest, and leave the Initiates in peace.

IRODINA

Stay, Mikrouz! Father, listen to me, there are humans!

RULERAre you at this again? I warn you, my daughter, if this continues, theres nothing for us to

do but send you back into the womb of Gehenna, our sire.

IRODINA

Youll go there yourself if you wont fulfill the duties of Ruler!

RULERAnd how am I not fulfilling them? How am I not fulfilling the duties assigned me by the

Great Void? In my opinion, I fulfill my duties very well. Am I right, Mikrouz?

MIKROUZNot exactly.

RULERWhat? Is there something wrong in our world? Something not as it should be? Indeed

everything is so nice and peaceful.

MIKROUZYoure mistaken. Our peace has ended. The humans confined in the Timeless Dome were

able to get out of there somehow and have escaped.

RULERHow? It cant be! No, its impossible, I dont believe you!

IRODINAWhether you want to or not, you have to believe it.

RULER


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No! No, no, and again no! I dont want to hear any more such nonsense. Mikrouz, notanother word! And you, Irodina, keep quiet if you dont want to be back in the womb of

Gehenna. And mind you dont contradict me!

IRODINA

Well, if you dont want to listen to us, youll have to listen to someone else.(Loudly)Ash! Ash! You may come in, noble Ash!

RULER

Ill never listen to anybody! Never, remember this! And even if I do, all the same Ill dowhat I want.

ASH(Enters.)

Master Irodin. Mistress Irodina. I, Ash, a noble Headtail, belonging to the special trusted

class, ask you to listen to me on a matter of extreme importance.

RULER

Ash, Ash, how nice of you to come! Long time no see. Tell me something wonderful,Brother Ash, because these two simply upset me with awful things.

IRODINAAsh, dont listen to him! Tell the truth no matter how bitter. And do it fast, as we still

havent finished our important conversation.

RULERFinished, weve finished! Im finished with you already. Now, Brother Ash, lets have a

chat.

ASHMaster Irodin. Mistress Irodina. I have come to inform you that its highly probable that aconspiracy has developed in the world of the noble Headtails.

RULER

What? You too? Youve come to upset your Ruler too? This has simply becomeintolerable!

IRODINA

Continue, noble Ash, dont listen to him.

ASH

Therefore, Im calling for a full thorough inquiry. The plot must be revealed! Theconspirators must be exposed!

RULER


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What plot? What conspirators? Its all in your heads and nothing more!

MIKROUZWhat plot are you talking about? Whats this plot?

ASHWe, noble Headtails, have long been kept in criminal ignorance of the existence of humanswithin our realm!

IRODINA

If you mean the humans confined in the Timeless Dome, then it cant be called a plot.

ASH

I dont understand you, Mistress. What dome do you mean? Ive never heard of it.

MIKROUZ

According to your service duties, you should never have heard of it.

IRODINA

Weve such a dome available, where the laws of real time dont apply. Only have to put anessence of any kind in the dome, be it human, Irdok, or even a noble Headtail, then his lifestops.

ASH

And then? Is he dead?

IRODINANo, not deadbut not alive either.

ASH

I didnt know about this.

IRODINA

But now you do.

MIKROUZBut he didnt know before! Therefore, he couldnt have known that humans have

disappeared from the Timeless Dome! Extrapolating, I can make the followingconclusion

ASHStop! Dont make any conclusions. Better tell me where this dome is and what humans

were confined in it.

IRODINAThis dome is in a secret place at the Top Level. And the humans were confined there from


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time immemorial. There were two of them.

ASHThen these arent the same humans!

IRODINAWhat do you mean, not the same? Were you telling us about some other humans?

ASHWe caught Irdoks in the Top Domain and they told us about them.

RULERWhat? What Irdoks? How could they appear in our Top Domain?

ASH

Please dont be alarmed, theyve been neutralized. They didnt have time to penetrate

deeper when we captured them right away.

IRODINA

Irdoks are forbidden to appear at the Top Level. Dont you know this?

ASH

We know but we caught them exactly there.

IRODINAI cant believe thist! The Irdoks would never dare to disobey their sovereigns order.

RULER

But I believe him! The Irdoks are capable of any dirty trick. All they do is lie.

IRODINAPerhaps they lie to someone else, but not to me. They know perfectly well that any of themcaught lying will be immediately handed over to the Attendants. And their never-ending

hunger is well-known to everyone.

RULERWell, what do you have to say, Ash? Youre in a difficult position. If you cant prove that

you werent lying, youll easily be sent to the womb of Gehenna, our sire.

ASHLet Vosh and Zov enter. They can confirm my words.

MIKROUZI object! They arent even Initiates

RULER


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And you keep quiet when you arent asked.(Loudly)

Let Vosh and Zov come in!

(VOSH and ZOV enter, dragging KAMON and DAMON behind them.)

VOSHMaster Irodin! Mistress Irodina! We are Vosh

ZOV

And Zov

VOSH

We, noble Headtails, standing rather close to the special trusted class, appear on your firstsummon! We are ready to answer any question of the rulers.

RULERAnd who have you drag in with you?

ZOVTwo Irdoks, Kamon and Damon.

IRODINAWhy are they here? Isnt it known to you that Irdoks are forbidden here without

emergency?

VOSHThis is an emergency, Mistress! These two Irdoks claim that they saw humans with their

own eyes! They pursued them

RULERTheyre lying as usual. Theyve no reason to be here. Give them to the Attendants.

MIKROUZ(Approaches the Irdoks.)

I hear and obey.

KAMONNo! Dont give us to the Attendants! First theyll torment us, then theyll eat us! And then

youll never find out about the plot!

DAMON

Please listen to us! Well tell you everything about the conspirators!

RULERWhat is this? What,s the matter today? Everybody, Irodina, Mikrouz, Ash, and even these


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lousy Irdoks, all unanimously repeat over and over about some plot! No, it wont go yourway! If anyone conspired, it was you! You conspired to confuse me and then declare me

unfit to rule! But I warn you right away, nothing will come of it! Im smart and shrewd! Iknow everything! And what I dont know simply doesnt exist! So, I declare realistically,

all of you are liars and must return to the womb of Gehenna, our sirecertainly, except the

Irdoks who will simply be eaten. This is my final decision and not subject to revision. Illannounce it later after a rest from all these unpleasant affairs. Meanwhile you should haveenough time to finish your business in our world and prepare for the Ultimate Procedure of

Return to the Cradle of our existence.(Gets up with groans and is about to leave.)

IRODINANo, dear father, your decision is very bad. If its time for anyone to return to our Cradle, its

you. Youve long become obsolete and do nothing!

RULER

Me? Do nothing? Im very busy. Dont you see how much occupies me?

IRODINA

What are you busy with?

RULER

Look! Watch how I gogo(Makes his way to the exit.)

I go to take a rest.

MIKROUZMust take action promptly! Else hed leave right now, then itll be too late, and itll be the

end for all of us.

IRODINAHe wont get away! Noble Ash, Im putting exceptional trust in you! Im giving you fullauthority regarding Master! You have the right to act independently, on the highest

interests of the world of the Headtails! Act without hesitation!

ASHVosh! Zov! Listen to my command! I order you to seize Master and immobilize him!

Quick, dont let him slip away!

VOSH, ZOV(Rush to follow.)

Good! With great pleasure! Right decision! Long time coming!

RULER

(Sneaks off.)Nothing will work for you. Now Im leaving and then Ill send every single one of you to


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II-11


Gehennas womb! Excluding the Irdoks, of course, theyll simply be eaten.

MIKROUZSeize him! Listen! Catch him!

(The Headtails try to catch RULER but he continuously slips away from them.)

RULER

You unworthy will never catch your Master!

(DAMON manages to free himself.)

KAMON

Damon, whatre you doing?

DAMON

I dont want to be eaten. I already dont want anything anymore, neither rewards norappointments nor even the Chiefs Armchair. Just to get out of here in one piece, as thehumans say.

KAMONWe arent humans. We dont dare take risks.

DAMON

(Looks around in the hope of disappearing unnoticed.)Im not forcing you to take risks. By all means, you can remain here. But look out, theyll

eat you as soon as they get hungry.

KAMONNo! I dont want to be eaten! Help me!

(DAMON unties KAMON.)

MIKROUZWhy cant you catch Ruler somehow? Why is he slipping away from you all the time?

ASH

Must be, he does not want to go where he wanted to send us.

MIKROUZHave to catch him by any means! Else hell send us all there today!

(DAMON and KAMON steal to the exit. Ruler also rushes there. All three collide.VOSH and ZOV snatch them all.)

VOSH


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Finally! We got him!

ZOVQuick, help, or we cant hold him! Hes very slippery!

ASHNownow everything will be over!(Puts a hoop on RULERS head and RULER becomes still.)

IRODINA

Thats all! Now we can relax. Hell no longer interfere with our organizing the Headtailsworld.

(Notices DAMON and KAMON.)

How did these show up here?

KAMON

We helped you, Mistress Irodina.

DAMON

We always help you as much as we can! When we saw that Ruler was angry and planningbad things for our patroness we were very frightened for her, not knowing how to helpher

KAMON

But we were presented a lucky chance

DAMONMiraculously the restraints fell off us and we were freed

KAMON

Once freed, we instantly hurried to make use of it for the welfare of our lady.

DAMON

These two noblest Headtails can confirm it. If not for us, they wouldnt have caught Ruler.

VOSHYes, thats true. If their pitiful bodies didnt block the exit together with Ruler, he could

slip away.

IRODINAWell then, if thats so, their behavior deserves special

MIKROUZSpecial punishment!

KAMON


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II-13


Why? We have saved you all from Gehenna!

MIKROUZDont you know that Irdoks have no right even to appear in the Top Domain of the

Headtails? Not to mention the right to chase their Masters, even ex-Masters! Its

scandalous!

ASH

Attendant Mikrouz, these Irdoks are here because

KAMON(In fear)

Oh! Oh! Oh! So this is him? This is Mikrouz? Everything leads to him!

DAMON

True! Hes all in dark blue! I didnt even notice this! Probably because of fear.

IRODINAYou didnt notice because you, Irdoks, are incapable of distinguishing shades. Not only

colors, but also moods. Its perfectly clear to me. But here I dont quite understand whyyou became so frightened when you heard Mikrouz name.

DAMONI was scared of death!

KAMON

Me too! Now we cant run away from it.

VOSHNoble Ash, pay attention to the fear that seizes the Irdoks at the mention of Mikrouz name.

ASHVery noticeable, Brother Vosh, even without any special prompting.

VOSH

Then recall what they told us when we caught them.

ASHI remember that they mentioned the Chief Attendants name. But mostly theyre mumbling

something unintelligible about an armchair. Must admit, I listened to them without payingany attention, as it isnt worthwhile for a noble Headtail to listen to the ravings of Irdoks.Besides, you hear nothing from them except treachery and nonsense.

ZOV

I agree with you, Brother Ash. Irdoks are so worthless that no self-respecting Headtailshould listen to them.


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VOSH

Absolutely wrong. Sometimes its useful to listen to them. Recall how these two convincedus that the Chief Attendant, dressed in dark blue, has conspired with the Chief Irdok, sitting

in the Armchair.

KAMONWhat Chief! Simply once, he sat down by chance, and sitting there, he swings his legs and

smacks his lips.

DAMONAnd any of us can manage that! Bad only that therere many of us but only one Armchair.About time this Chief quit the Armchair. Let other Irdoks also sit in it for a while! Well,

here, let at least Kamon sit in it! And Ill move into Kamons place.

MIKROUZ

You dont have to worry about your future. Youre not getting out of here alive, so stopdreaming about the Armchair.

IRODINAYou, Mikrouz, assume too much. I, Irodina, and only I decide what to do with these two.But I cant make a decision until I ask some questions, get answers that will clear up some

circumstances still not completely clear to me.

ASHVery wise move, Irodina! Now we can make clear to you all these circumstances. Vosh!

Zov! Start torturing these Irdoks so that theyll tell us everything.

DAMONNo! No! Dont torture me, Ill tell you everything!.

KAMONIll open up too! Ill describe how the Chief Attendant deceives you, Irodina! He conspired

with our Chief, whom you appointed to the Chiefs Armchair, to convince you and allnoble Headtails that therere no more humans in the world! But it isnt so at all! Humans

still exist, lots of them, they can still be found on Earth!

MIKROUZWhy dont we see them then?

DAMONThey are hiding.

IRODINA

Where? Do you know where they hide?


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KAMON

Like normal humans. Three were in skirts and one in pants.

IRODINA

And you saw with your own eyes how they penetrated our Top Domain? Are you lying tome, your only protector?

KAMONNo, no, we arent lying! Weve never lied to you. We saw them with our own eyes.

IRODINAAnd do you, Damon, corroborate Kamons words under threat of inevitable punishment?

DAMON

I do! I swear that this time he isnt lying. And Im with him.

IRODINA(Becomes ill at ease.)

Disaster! Catastrophe has come to the world of the Headtails.

ASH

What catastrophe, Irodina? So far, I dont see any trouble. Perhaps, only small troubles?

IRODINAIf youd only know, noble Ash If youd only know But you dont. Open the Ark with

the Stone of Enlightenment and youll see what catastrophe has befallen our world. One ofthe prophecies given to us by the Great Void has come to pass.

MIKROUZ

I dont believe these prophecies. And I advise you not to either.

VOSH

I also dont believe them. Theyre all fiction for silly people, as the humans once said.

ZOVBut I do.

ASH

Here, open the Ark then, if you do.

ZOV

With great pleasure and pride for the confidence!

(ZOV approaches a pedestal with something resembling a chest towering over it.He opens the chest and a bright red light pours out. The Headtails are frightened.


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II-17


Not knowing what is going on, the curious Irdoks come closer.)

HEADTAILS(Howl.)

Ah-h-h-h! Oh-h-h-h! Oo-o-o-o!

KAMONLook! A simple chest, but so bright. Never saw anything like this before.

DAMON

Me neither. If we tell anyone, they wont believe it. Theyll say were tricking them asusual.

IRODINAYou wont tell anyone about this.

KAMONAs you order, Mistress Irodina. Well be quiet as mice.

MIKROUZYou dont understand, filthy beasts! You wont tell because youll soon be destroyed!

IRODINAI havent decided their exact fate yet. But yours, Mikrouz, is being determined at this very

moment.

MIKROUZMercy! Im not guilty of anything!

IRODINA

Not guilty? Didnt you, Mikrouz, as Chief Attendant, know about the first prophecy thatcame to us from beyond the bounds of the Great Void? Didnt you know that only humansand no one else can threaten the well-being and existence of the world of the Headtails?

MIKROUZ

I knew this very well but Im not guilty!

HEADTAILS(Together)

Guilty!

IRODINA

Or, perhaps you didnt know the other prophecy given to us by the Great Void? The onethat claims that anyone not an Irdok and who can pass through the stones of Oblivion

without losing his mind and memory will become the Supreme Governor of lands muchgreater than our current domain?


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IRODINA

Or didnt you understand that for this audacity Svytoslav and his bodyguard were confinedforever in the Timeless Dome by the most worthless Irdok

KAMONSo thats why! That is how this Irdok, up till then known to nobody, turned up in thearmchair.

IRODINA

For that, I allowed this nobody to sit in the armchair in the sages council!

DAMON

Now I understand why hes allowed to waste so much time lounging in the armchairswinging his legs and smacking his lips.

HEADTAILS(Together)Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! A thousand times guilty!

IRODINAAnd now you must answer an important question. Are you privy to the prophecy that came

to us from beyond the bounds of the Great Void after Svyatoslav was confined in theTimeless Dome?

MIKROUZ

Yes, I am.

IRODINAThen say it!

MIKROUZThe one who can pass through the stones of Oblivion without losing his mind, unseal the

Timeless Dome, and set free prisoners, will get the magic power against which even thestench-breathing Gehenna will be powerless.

IRODINA

Go on!

MIKROUZHe will destroy the world of the Headtails and start to govern all these lands together withSvyatoslav.

KAMON

And us? Whatll become of the Irdoks? Will they become humans? Or the slaves ofhumans?


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IRODINADont even dare think about it! Svyatoslav is mine forever! He belongs to me for eternity.


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III-1


Act Three

The curtain rises on a hilly terrain with a visible volcanocrater. Humans enter.

SVYATOSLAVAlana, still a long way to go?

YARICH

Is this the way?

ALANAWeve already arrived.

YARICHReally, already? Is Gehenna with the stinky breath somewhere near?

ALANA

(Points to the crater.)There, deep inside. Its hiding there.

MEDWIN

So whatre we waiting for? Lets get down there quick and show it whos boss!

STEPHANIEGeez, how hasty! If it were so simple, then probably someone else wouldve done it longago.

ALANA

True, it isnt so simple. Its impossible to get to Gehenna while it rests in its den.

MEDWINStill, cant we manage to sneak up to it somehow?

ALANAI tell you, its impossible. Theres such a stench that no one can survive for a minute.

MEDWIN

Ah-h I see.

ALANAAnd even a terrible heat that fries every living thing.

SVYATOSLAV

Then how are we to approach it?


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ALANAHave to wait.

YARICH

How long?

ALANAUntil it condescends to climb outside.

MEDWIN

We cant wait so long.

YARICH

Medwin is right. We dont know how long well have to wait. Who knows when itll crawlout?

STACYNothing to be done, have to wait.

SVYATOSLAVIs there any way to entice it outside?

STEPHANIEExactly! What if we tease it? This Gehenna is only a smelly creature, and no creature likes

to be teased.

STACYTrue, but how to tease it?

MEDWIN

Throw something at it. Yes, here, with a rock.(Picks up a rock and hurls it into the crater.)

Look, seems Ive hit it!

(A puff of smoke comes out of the crater.)

YARICH

Well done, Medwin. Your eyes are diamondsand youve a sure hand. It anything, itdoesnt tremble.

STEPHANIEYouve really hit her, Medwin. See how angry its become, the snake!

STACY

It lets out a stench from spite.


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SVYATOSLAV

Maybe itll show itself now.(Grabs his sword with YARICH behind him.)

Watch out, my friends!

ALANANo, she wont crawl out so simply. And please try not to breathe in this stench until it

dissipates. Else you may choke for a while.

MEDWINTrue. Oh, how it burns the throat!

(The humans start to cough, cover their mouths and noses.)

STEPHANIE

Oh! Good at least the wind has picked up. It feels a little better. Otherwise, we could easilylose consciousness. And would lie here lifeless while the dead-eyed slaves come. Or theseterrible Headtails. They would be delighted! They would take us lukewarm and throw us to

Gehenna to be eaten.

ALANA

No, Aunt Stephanie, they wouldnt do that.

STACYWhy not?

ALANA

They dont throw humans to Gehenna.

STEPHANIEHow would you know what they throw to it, Alana?

SVYATOSLAVNow she knows many things others cant even begin to guess. The power so suddenly

awaken in her is so great she can clearly see everything.

MEDWINYe-s Our Alana is tiny and weak but her awaken power is so very strong. Only how will

she deal with it? I dont know.

STACY

But shes already not that tiny.

STEPHANIEAnd she isnt weak at all. Why are you talking nonsense, Medwin?


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SVYATOSLAV

He speaks the truth. Your Alana is so delicate and gentle. Should dote on her, care for her,and cherish her. She should be breathing the fragrance of the flowers in the fields, not this

stench Gehenna lets out.

STEPHANIESvyatoslav

(Looks at him attentively.)Do you intend to care for and cherish our Alana, to cater to her every whim?

SVYATOSLAVIts too early to talk about this. I still have to fight Gehenna to death. Dont know if Ill stay

alive or not.

STEPHANIE

And if fate let you win over Gehenna? What then? If you win and stay alive?

SVYATOSLAV

If Ill be alive, theres nobody else but Alana for me.

STEPHANIE

How do you like that! A fine young man, can say nothing more. Would our Alana want him?Have you asked her? Perhaps she doesnt need you at all?

STACY

Aunt Stephanie, why are you doing this?

SVYATOSLAVIts her right. She can refuse me. Only Ill never be able to forget her. I wont love another.

MEDWINAlana, do you hear? He confesses to loving you!

STEPHANIE

Silence, Medwin! What a blockhead you are, a real goof!

MEDWINWhy do you scold me? Why am I a blockhead?

STEPHANIEInflexible, that is what.

STACY

Aunt Stephanie, why do you go after him? Medwin is good, very good.


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STEPHANIE(Grumbles.)

Good, good. Youre all good, as I can see.

YARICH

Everyones good, but you, Stephanie, are the best of all!

STEPHANIE

What do you mean?

YARICHThe same as Svyatoslav.

MEDWINW-what? Have you fallen in love with our Alana too?

YARICHOh, you truly are a blockhead! Stephanie was right. Really not clear whom I am talkingabout?

MEDWINAh-h-h I see Aunt Stephanie, it appears hes talking about you.

ALANA

Hush! Please wait a bit with your conversation. I hear I hear clearly Two are cominghere.

MEDWIN

Why are we standing around? Must run! Hide!

ALANANo need to hideTheyre already close by

(Two slaves appear. They walk past the people without noticing them.)

STACYWho are they?

SVYATOSLAV

Slaves of the stinky Gehenna.

YARICH

Just look at them! Walk so closelook right through us, and dont even notice! As if wearent here This is what it means to pass through the Circles of Oblivion. Everything

becomes unimportant, unnecessary, except filling ones stomach with whatever andhumming with pleasure. Ill never forgive the Irdoks for turning ordinary people into such


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III-8


I know that to destroy a Headtail isnt simple. If you chop off his hand, itll grow anew. Ifyou cut off his head, soon itll appear again on his shoulders.

ALANA

Yes, its so. They arent afraid of the usual death.

MEDWINAre they really immortal?

ALANA

No. No matter how a Headtail tries to avoid death, it comes for him one day. Sooner or laterevery one of them is fed to Gehenna. It swallows them and, in exchange, as soon as the oldHeadtails have disappeared into its belly, it squeezes new eggs out of itself. Exactly the

same number of Headtails swallowed.

YARICH

So, is their race invincible after all? Will they forever reproduce this way and inspire fear ineveryone?

ALANANo. Theyre strong as long as Gehenna exists. Without it, theyll quickly lose their strength.Without Gehenna they cant rule the world. Even getting sustenance for themselves will be

very difficult. Little by little, theyll start to wither. Theyll dry up until they turn intoharmless shells, and the wind will blow them away without a trace.

SVYATOSLAV

I knew it! In order to deal with the Headtails, must get rid of Gehenna by all means! Buthow?

ALANA

Wait! I clearly see Its explained in their secret texts that Gehenna must never be fed thesame eggs that it just squeezes out of itself.

STACYProbably because therere already little Headtails in them?

ALANA

No, not that. When an egg comes out, a fatal poison forms on the shell. If Gehennaimmediately swallows it back, itll die.

MEDWINSo, everything is clear. It remains only to get the eggs somewhere.

STEPHANIE

But where? Gehenna isnt a hen roosting, it lies in the crater. Besides, it stinks so that ittakes ones breath away.


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STACY

What can we do?

SVYATOSLAV

What? Look!(Points to the slaves.)See? These slaves are just preparing the crater for the ritual of Return to the Source! It

means, very soon the Headtails will appear to send some of their own to the other world.Theyll feed them to Gehenna and it, in gratitude for the nourishing dinner, will present

them with new eggs. Do I understand you correctly, Alana?

ALANA

You are right, Svyatoslav, the Headtails will be coming here soon. This time theyresending their Ruler and the Chief Attendant to Gehenna.

MEDWINTheir Ruler? What is he guilty of?

SVYATOSLAVWhat difference does it make? No need for us to think about it but to hurry.

(The slaves finish the preparations for the ritual and put on protective suits andhelmets.)

MEDWIN

Its clear we must hurryonly not clearwhat to do?

(SVYATOSLAV and YARICH look at the slaves standing sentinel by the ladderleading into the crater.)

YARICHI believe the answer is already ready for us.

SVYATOSLAV

You believe correctly, my friend. Listen! Now Yarich and I will tie up the slaves, put ontheir clothiing, take their places, and wait for the arrival of the Headtails. When they come,

well try to go through the ritual as necessary. Well do the Ruler and Chief Attendant a lastfavor and take them to Gehenna.

MEDWINBut wont they resist?

ALANA

No. Theyre already deprived of their life force. Once theyre on the steps leading to thecrater, theyll instantly forget who they were in the world and quietly go where theyre led.


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Its only necessary to take off the hoops in time.

STACYSo thats why they need the slaves.

STEPHANIEAha! Someone else to do their dirty work and feed their own to Gehenna. And pull the eggsout from under it.

MEDWIN

But why dont they force the Irdoks to do this?

ALANA

Theyre afraid. The Headtails came from Gehenna with the stinky breath, but the Irdoks arecreated by something totally unknown. Even Gehenna goes berserk in their presence. So

much so that it not only can swallow the Irdoks but also can crush the eggs, which are so

precious to the Headtails. Some Gehenna! If not for Irodina, the Irdoks sole patron, theHeadtails would have gobbled them up long ago, every single one.

STEPHANIEAnd should have done so. Long time ago.

YARICHExactly. And no one would cry for them.

SVYATOSLAV

Listen, my friend, and be careful! Ill start counting. OneTwoThree!

(SVYATOSLAV and YARICH jump the slaves and throw them down onto theground. The slaves lie flat.)

YARICHQuick, lets strip them!

ALANA

Wait, Yarich! Not you but I will go with Svyatoslav.

YARICHHow so?

SVYATOSLAVWhy you?

ALANA

Listen to me. Your plan is good except for one thing. Yarich cant go down into the crater.Hell instantly lose himself as soon as he gets on these steps. Theyre made of the same


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stones as the Circles of Oblivion.

STEPHANIEBut how will Svyatoslav manage without him?

ALANAI say Im going instead of him! Ill lead one of the Headtails down into the crater and returnhim to Gehenna. Ill take one egg from Gehenna and give it back to it.

STACY

Arent you scared?

ALANA

If I die, Ill die together with Svyatoslav. Without him, I might as well not be alive.

SVYATOSLAV

We arent going to die! Well live! Well live long and prosper!

(A drumbeat is heard.)

YARICHHurry up! Theyre coming!

(SVYATOSLAV and ALANA change clothes.)

SVYATOSLAV

Please drag the slaves somewhere! Hide nearby and be ready just in case.

YARICHDont worry about us. Keep an eye out for the Headtails, lest they suspect something.

(The humans exit dragging the slaves bodies. Disguised, SVYATOSLAV andALANA stand sentinel at the ladder leading into the crater. A procession appears.

ASH is first, drumming. Behind him, VOSH and ZOV push RULER and MIKROUZin front of themselves. IRODINA walks after them. KAMON and DAMON bring up

the rear, dragging the Ark.)

ASHThe last trek has come to the end!

VOSHYour end is near, Master.

ZOV

And yours too, Mikrouz. Gehenna is tired of waiting for you.


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(ZOV pushes RULER forward. VOSH does the same with MIKROUZ.)

ZOVMaster Irodin! Your time in our world has come to an end! Gehenna is waiting for your

return! Take the first step to her, get up onto the first step. Dont be afraid, then itll become

easier for you. Youll instantly forget everything you know. You wont know anythinganymore.

(RULER hesitates. ASH comes to help ZOV.)

KAMONJust look at him! He doesnt want to go to Gehenna!

DAMONWhat are you thinking? Everyone wants to live, even the Masters. But hes no long a

Master. Whether he wants to or not, hes going, theres no escape.

ZOVThis way

(Puts RULERs foot onto a step.)And this

(Takes the other foot.)

You dont want to do it yourself, well help you.(Turns to SVYATOSLAV.)

Hey, slave! Take the hoop of life force off Masters head! He no longer needs it.(SVYATOSLAV removes the hoop and hands it to ZOV.)

Lead him up!

(SVYATOSLAV takes RULER by the hand and leads him to the crater.)

DAMONLook, Kamon! Master himself walks to meet his own end!

KAMONDoes he really understand nothing? Doesnt he know where hes going?

DAMON

Earlier he said that he knew everything but now, see, hes even forgotten that. These stepsare paved with the same stones as the Circles of Oblivion.

IRODINAAttendant Mikrouz, are you ready for the supreme ritual? Your time in our world is over.

Gehenna is waiting for you! So take the first step to our sire! Dont waste time. We mustmake haste, a great danger threatens the world of the Headtails.

(MIKROUZ shakes vigorously trying to shed the hoop, and falls down.)


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KAMON

Oh, how tricky he is, this Attendant Mikrouz! How he wants to wiggle out!

DAMON

He wants to get rid of the hoop.

KAMON

But he cant all the same.

IRODINAAttendant Mikrouz! These are your last instants in our world! Behave like a worthy nobleHeadtail!

ASH

Mikrouz, all the same nothing will work for you.

(ZOV and VOSH together with him place MIKROUZ on the first step and heimmediately stops resisting.)Hey, slave! Take the hoop off Attendant Mikrouz!

(ALANA removes the hoop from MIKROUZ and puts it on the ground.)Lead him up!

(ALANA leads MIKROUZ up along the steps. SVYATOSLAV and RULER arealready standing at the top.)

IRODINA

Theyre on the top! There is no way back! Let them finish their existence in our world! Hey,slaves! Help them take the last steps!

(SVYATOSLAV and ALANA lead MIKROUZ and RULER down into the crater,

then come back. A drumbeat is heard. Gehenna hums and squelches. The drum rollquiets down. The Headtails sway back and forth and monotonously howl in time.They see and hear nothing in front of them.)

KAMON

Whats the matter with them? What are they doing?

DAMONDont know. Maybe, helping Gehenna lay eggs

(A smacking sound is heard and an egg flies out of the crater. ALANA catches it.Another egg flies out and SVYATOSLAV catches it.)

SVYATOSLAV

What are you waiting for, Alana? Throw it back!


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ALANAWait, Svyatoslav, still early.

SVYATOSLAV

Why early?

ALANAThere isnt enough poison in the eggs yet. Must remove the protective casing and air them.

Then therell be more poison.

(ALANA and SVYATOSLAV remove the casings. Now the shells blaze like fire.)

ALANA

So A little more, and

KAMON

Oho! The eggs are burning like fire! One can go blind.

DAMON

It isnt some amphibious but noble Headtails that hatch from these eggs. But you, Kamon,better pay attention to the Ark and not the eggs.

KAMONOho! How the Ark flared up!

(The Headtails stop swaying and howling, and slowly come to.)

IRODINA

Whats that? Why are the eggs burning with fire? It shouldnt be! Hey, slaves! Whoallowed you to do that? Quick, bring the eggs here! And be careful or youre in for it!

ASHIrodin, turn around! Look at the Stone of Enlightenment! Whats the matter with it?

IRODINA

(Turns, horror-struck.)Ah! It has happened! The horrible prophecy! Its all over, were standing at the edge of

destruction. But why? Why? I dont understand.

ALANANow youll understand! Watch! See? Im throwing it back to Gehenna. Let it choke on it!

IRODINANo-o-o-o! Dont do it!

(ALANA throws the egg into the crater.)


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ASH

Despicable slaves, stop!

VOSH

Pity us!

ZOV

Pity our sire!

ALANASvyatoslav, throw it!

SVYATOSLAV(Throws the egg into the crater.)

Die, cursed creature!

(A terrible roar is heard. A column of fire shoots out of the crater. The bright glowin the Ark intensifies and then fades. The light becomes dim and the noise quiets

down.)

SVYATOSLAV

Finally! The stinky Gehenna has croaked!(Removes the protective helmet.)

Now we can breathe freely.

IRODINASvyatoslav? Is it you? Is it really you?

SVYATOSLAV

Yes, Irodina, its me. You see in front of you Svyatoslav. The one you wanted to confineforever.

ALANA(Removes the helmet.)

Oh, how tired I am. My legs cant support me.(Stumbles and almost falls.)

Think Im going to fall

SVYATOSLAV(Catches ALANA.)

Alana, my beloved, be careful!

(Picks up ALANA and carries her down.)Ill help you.

ZOV


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Humans! These are humans! I always thought that humans exist!

VOSHAnd I thought they dontbecause I never saw them.

ZOVHow could you not see them if theyre everywhere?

ASHThere werent humans but slaves everywhere. Humans arent the same as slaves.

ZOVYes, humans arent like slaves. Theyre strong and smart!

ASH

But they arent noble like us, noble Headtails.

ZOVHumans are noble too.

VOSHHow do you know?

ZOV

Just look how one of them carries the other. Tell me honestly, would you carry me if Isuddenly fall from fatigue?

ASH

Headtails never get tired.

VOSHThey do too.

ASHA tired Headtail must return to the womb of Gehenna, our sire.

ZOV

We dont have Gehenna any more. She died.

IRODINAShe didnt die. The humans killed her. Svyatoslav killed her.

(SVYATOSLAV carefully approaches and puts ALANA on the ground and shecomes to.)


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DAMONAnd unjustly! You call yourself noble, but dont wish to admit that you made a big mistake

not believing us. If you treated our words properly and not with your usual contempt forIrdoks, maybe, your beloved Gehenna would still stink instead of lying dead in the crater.

IRODINASilence, nasty Irdok!

DAMONNo, I wont be silent! Well keep quiet no more! We arent afraid of you now! Theres no

more power in you, Irodin! Do you really think that were so stupid that well remainfaithful to you from now on?

ASHContemptible! You have no right to betray your Mistress in this difficult time!

KAMONIf you think so, youre so very mistaken.

ASHShe has always defended you! If she hadnt, you wouldve been eaten long ago!

IRODINACalm down, noble Ash. I dont need them anymore. Let them go wherever they want. The

stones of Oblivion have lost their power when Gehenna, our sire, died. Grass will sooncover the Circles of Oblivion, and well never get new slaves anymore.

ZOV

Right, therell be no more slaves. So, we no longer require the Irdoks.

DAMONEh-h, no, it wont do! You arent getting rid of us so easily! First, give us all your riches!Else we, the Irdoks, will start to torment you like you tormented poor us so many times.

(The humans appear with the slaves trudging behind them.)

STEPHANIE

Look! These are the Irdoks that pursued us! Now Ill show them

MEDWINBe careful, Aunt Stephanie, dont degrade yourself because of them.

STEPHANIEWhy be careful with them? Their Gehenna is dead! I heard with my own ears how it roared

before death. We dont have to be afraid of anyone now, neither Irdoks nor Headtails!


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YARICH

Yes, Stephanie, now we can start to live freely. The Headtails no longer have their formerpower. And these malicious Irdoks can be banished from our land with one kick.

(YARICH raises his sword. The Irdoks were frightened.)

KAMON

Dont, dont! What for? We have no claims on humans!

DAMONSo far.

MEDWINWhat? So far? Get out of here, useless breed!

(Chases out the Irdoks.)

No good working with either heads or hands!

ZOV

Did you see that? Did you see how quickly the humans got rid of the Irdoks? I told you:humans are very strong!

VOSHYes, humans are very strong indeed. I doubted it in vain.

ASH

Now you dont have to doubt. Now theyll take actions against us.

IRODINASvyatoslav, listen to me! Before you kill me, do answer one question. Who helped you to

get out of the Timeless Dome?

SVYATOSLAV

I have no need to kill you. Without Gehenna all of you will dry out in time. My dear Alanarescued us.

IRODINA

Her? So, its her? So, theyre talking about her in the prophecy given to us by the GreatVoid? Together with her, youll rule over the woods, the fields, and the rivers? But why?

Why?(Turns to ALANA.)

Why will you be with Svyatoslav? Why not me, Mistress of the mighty Headtails? Where

did you come from to take on my troubles?

ALANAI came from where all humans appear.


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IRODINA

Where, tell me, where?

ALANA

I was born of my mother.

IRODINA

Your mother?

ALANAYes, my mother. She was lost escaping from the cursed Irdoks. And I almost lost my lifetoo if not for Aunt Stephanie.

(Points to Stephanie.)She rescued methank her for it.

IRODINA(Turns to STEPHANIE.)Why?Why did you do it? Why did you rescue her?

STEPHANIEWhat do you mean why? Im a human being, not a nasty Irdok.

IRODINA

Who forced you to do it?

STEPHANIENobody forced me. One human being simply cant leave another in trouble. Especially a

helpless child.

IRODINAI dont understand you humans. I dont understand any of you.

ZOVBu, it seems, Im starting to understand. Humans are

VOSH

Well?

ZOVEach of them can live alone. Yet its better for them to be together.

ASHIt wasnt bad for us to be together either.


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SVYATOSLAVTogether is good only when you love each other.

VOSH

What are we to do now? Without our sire well simply die, slowly waste away.

ALANATry to love each otherof course, if you are able to. Then death wont be horrifying. Love

is indeed stronger than death.

ASHI dont understand. Whats this love?

ZOVAnd Im beginning to guess.

ASHWhat?

ZOVLets go down to our internal domain and Ill try to explain. Certainly, as I understand itmyself.

MEDWIN

Indeed, I dont know what this Tailhead can explain about love.

(IRODINA weakens before their eyes. ZOV gently picks her up and leaves. ASHand VOSH plod behind them.)

YARICH

Your thinking, Medwin, is all for nothing. If you looked at him more attentively(Points to ZOV.)

you would see that he understands something about love indeed.

STACY

It seems to me that one of them isnt quite so stupid.

STEPHANIEWho can figure out these Tailheads? Besides, we dont need them at all.

MEDWINOf course, we dont need them. Let them do whatever they want as long as they dont

prevent us from establishing our life.

ALANADont have to worry about that. We can start our new life comfortably. Therell be no more


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harm from them.

(Meanwhile the slaves are busy with something incomprehensible.)

STACY

(Points to the slaves.)And these? Everywhere is full of them! What are we going to do with them?

SVYATOSLAVTime will tell. Perhaps memory will return to them in time and theyll be able to become

human beings again.

ALANA

Well help them to become human beings.

YARICH

Certainly, well help! Well all be human beings. We need no slaves.

End

the prophesy comes true

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