The Dark Age by James Anderson

(Printed with the demonstration version of Fade In)
The Dark Age
Written by James Anderson
Copyright. James Anderson. 2022.
J.Anderson9@edu.salford.ac.uk
Draft 11
(Printed with the demonstration version of Fade In) 2.
We hear a roaring fire and whistling wind.
1 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - DAWN FLASH FORWARD 1
Dilapidated gothic architecture lies in ruin, leaving the

majority of the structure exposed to the hill covered lands.
The sun peeps over the horizon. A handful of robed skeletons

burn BRIGHT. One man stands tall over a large pentagram.
STU, 30s, skinny, scruffy clothes, stands covered in blood.

He holds a bloody knife. His face is trembling, near crying.
His brother, William, sits frozen next to him, a stab wound

at his heart.
Stu collapses, screaming into his soaked red hands.
2 INT. STU'S BEDROOM - MORNING END OF FLASH FORWARD 2
A rooster shrieks, waking Stu violently from his bed. He

gasps, looking at the empty side of the mattress.
Stu turns to the sound of pots and pans clanging nearby.
3 INT. STU'S KITCHEN - MORNING 3
MARY, 30s, long black hair, stands over a wood-fired oven

cooking eggs.
Stu enters, looking exhausted.
MARY
Morning. How'd you sleep?
STU
Not great. Had this awful nightmare,
can't for the life of me remember
what it was though. Where's food?
Stu sits down at a nearby wooden table.
Mary finishes the eggs and brings them to Stu on a plate.
MARY
Ah, mustn't have been important then
if you can't remember it.
Stu grumbles, taking a bite of the eggs before spitting them

out onto the floor.
STU
(Irritated)
These eggs taste like-
Suddenly, a boy and girl, 5 years old, storms through the

front door carrying twigs giggling. They run toward Stu.
Stu rolls his eyes and tries to get away from them.
STU (cont'd)
(Irritated)
Leave me alone!
They play energetically around Stu, ignoring him.
STU (cont'd)
HEY!
The children stop playing, scared towards Stu.
Mary gets between the children and Stu.
MARY
Okay now, enough mucking about. Daddy
has to go to work. He'll be feeling
better when he comes home.
The children quietly walk away into a corner.
STU
I swear, those kids will be the death
of me. Can't get any peace.
Mary hands Stu a leather satchel.
MARY
Here, I've put enough bread in there
to last you till noon.
Stu wears the satchel on his back. He leans in and tries to

kiss her goodbye.
Mary faces away, saddened. She walks away from him.
STU
Whatever. Who needs you!?
Stu storms outside.
4 EXT. WOODS - MORNING 4
The trees are densely packed. The sun barely lights up Stu's
path as he picks up a nearby axe buried into a stump.
5 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - DAWN 5
A priest screams out in pain before dying as a robed cultist

digs a blade into their back.
13 dark robed cultists surround two remaining injured

priests kneeling on an engraved circle of symbols
representing night and day.
An old priest, 60s, skinny, stands up slowly.
OLD PRIEST
Please, you don't need to do this! We
are men of God! What madness brings
you to do these things!?
Damien, 60s, battle-scarred face, black eyes, walks calmly

to the old priest. Speaking in a mixture of tones from ages
young and old demonically.
DAMIEN
Be gentle, priest. We only want the
very best for you. For you see, we
are men of God too. Just not any God
you'd recognise.
OLD PRIEST
What God do you worship that allows
the murder of holy men?
Damien gently holds onto the sides of the priest's neck.
DAMIEN
The kind of God that's been waiting
for so long to give you all what you
deserve. Do you know what you
deserve?
The old priest shakes his head, visibly terrified.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
(Softly)
Be still. I'll show you.
Damien twists the old priest's neck, killing him.
The last priest remaining cries, helpless on the ground.
Damien turns and commands the other robed cultists.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
Bring me the other one.
Two robed cultists drag the last remaining priest to Damien.

The priest collapses on the floor, begging.
OTHER PRIEST
Please! Don't kill me!
DAMIEN
Shhh. You're needed for what happens
next. For you see, a priesthood is
like a family. You are close, tightly
bound like rope, and can only be
separated by a blade. There are not
many connections like it. It's why
you're so special for the ritual.
OTHER PRIEST
(Trembling)
What ritual?
Damien holds the priest's hands. He takes a blade and

slashes the hands. Blood falls, filling the engraved circle.
The lines glow red.
The robed cultists kneel, chanting satanically.
The symbol of the sun moves, and the moon replaces it. The
priest shakes, possessed, eyes turning white.
Damien smiles to himself.
6 EXT. WOODS - MORNING 6
Stu strolls toward a clearing of a few dozen tree stumps. A

river flows, trickling near his feet.
He drops his satchel and oversees his past work.
STU
(Muttering to himself)
It's going to be a long one today.
Stu lifts his axe and swings it into the nearest tree.
7 EXT. WOODS - NOON 7
Stu swings the axe into a tree. He gradually puts more cut
logs onto a pile.
Stu stands back exhausted, leaning on his axe. He looks at

the small pile he's made, then at the sun, confused.
He bends over the pile, counting logs. There are fewer logs
than he expected. He checks the sun again. It's almost noon.
STU
(Muttering, shocked)
It's only been an hour.
He wipes another bead of sweat from his brow and puts on his
satchel. He walks steadily back home to his cabin.
8 EXT. WOODS - DUSK 8
The sun approaches the horizon quickly. Stu walks faster,

scared and bewildered.
9 EXT. WOODS - NIGHT 9
The sun has completely vanished. It's pitch black.
Stu runs, looking toward a small light from his cabin.
Suddenly, he trips, dropping his axe. He can't find it in

the darkness. He runs to his cabin without it.
A blood curdling scream echoes from his home.
STU
(Exhausted)
MARY!
10 EXT. GRASSY PLAINS - NIGHT 10
Stu runs up to the door of his cabin. He steps inside.
11 INT. STU'S CABIN - NIGHT 11
The cabin inside is a mess. Bedsheets are torn, furniture is

tossed, and blood is found on nearly every surface. A single
crucifix remains untouched.
Stu stands frozen, alone. His family are missing.
Stu peeks into his bedroom, searching under his bed. No one
left. He stares expressionless at the ground, afraid of what
might've happened.
Suddenly, a loud male scream is heard from outside. Stu

snaps out of it and rushes to the window to see where the
scream came from.
An obese man, 30s, runs past Stu's cabin frantically holding

a fire-lit torch. He screams, looking behind him.
OBESE MAN
I'M SORRY! GET AWAY! I'M SORRY!
The obese man runs off out of view. Seconds later a naked
man, 30s, covered in blood, runs after him holding a blade.
He pants wildly.
13 INT. STU'S CABIN - NIGHT 13
Stu looks confused before exiting through the front door.
Another scream is heard in the distance.
Stu follows the sound. He squints in the moonlit path in

front of him.
15 EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - NIGHT 15
Another scream is heard.
Stu walks through a near-abandoned village, lit by spots of

fiery debris. He waits for another scream.
Suddenly, a metal bucket is knocked over by a rat. It scares

Stu before he realizes it was just a rat.
A loud commotion is heard from the inside of a house. Stu

creeps over close toward the door to eavesdrop.
PERCY THE PRIEST

(O.S)
It's the Church's opinion that we're
doomed. Everyone, be saint or sinner.
PUB LANDLORD
(O.S)
The Church? What a load of hogwash!
PERCY THE PRIEST BAKER

(O.S) (O.S)
Well, I say! Do you really have to be so
damn rude!?
PUB LANDLORD
(O.S)
I'm not wrong. You can sit there and
be fooled, but I won't fall for it.
Suddenly, a rat runs through Stu's feet. He gasps.
BAKER
(O.S)
What was that!?
PERCY THE PRIEST

(O.S)
You heard it too?
BAKER PERCY THE PRIEST

(O.S) (O.S)
Behind the door! No! Get the soldier!
A group of footsteps run to the door. Before Stu can hide,

the door is swung open and a pair of hands pull him inside.
16 INT. LARGE HOUSE - NIGHT 16
Stu is pushed up to the wall by a Soldier, 30s, covered in

metal armour.
The Baker, 20s, closes the door after him, locking it.
SOLDIER
WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
Before Stu can answer, William, 30s, dressed expensively,

steps forward.
WILLIAM
Unhand that man at once!
The Soldier unhands Stu immediately.
Stu looks over to get a better look at William. He

recognises him.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Hello, Stuart.
STU
Hello...Little Brother.
William smiles past Stu's small banter.

WILLIAM
(Cheerfully)
Is that any way to treat royalty?
Stu smiles and the two embrace in a hug.
STU
A Baron of England isn't exactly what
I would call royalty.
WILLIAM
Oh shut it. I thought you were dead.
They separate.
STU
Did you check?
WILLIAM
Of course, I sent my best man to your
residence.
Stu looks scared, thinking of what mess is left at his home.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Wherever he is. I fear he's left us
for good, the coward. Times have
become a constant struggle for us all
as of late. With no exceptions.
STU
I noticed.
WILLIAM
It would appear the world has gone
mad, dear brother of mine. But at
least there are still things to enjoy
until whatever this is blows over.
William picks up a chalice of wine and slurps it down.
STU
Now who said it would blow over?
WILLIAM
Well, Stewart, times like these,
however bad, do not last forever.
Just wait for the sun to rise and I'm
sure a few dozen soldiers will ride
in and save us from this mess.
Stu gets serious, looking away.

STU
People have died. Killed from both
ends of the sword. Ones that never
lived an evil day in their life. Men,
(Quivering)
Women, children.
William looks at the Pub Landlord and frowns, then back to

Stu. He puts down his chalice on a table.
WILLIAM
You act as if this is unnatural. It's
nothing more than simple townsfolk
indulging in far too much liquor.
Civil unrest spawned from the drink
isn't at all unheard of, Stewart.
Stu turns and slams his hand onto the table.
STU
This is different!
William looks coldly at Stu.
WILLIAM
I'm different. You're different.
These townspeople, they stay the same
way. That's natural for them. Sure,
sometimes they bark out and cause a
fuss like tonight, but most of the
time they stay in their places. They
stay submissive, as they should be.
But you, not you. We were born with
privilege. With a higher class suited
for comfort and royalty. Remember it?
The Pub Landlord barks out.
PUB LANDLORD
More like born with a silver spoon up
your arse!
William ignores him.
WILLIAM
Stewart, you do not have to care for
these creatures just because you live
with them. By God I hope that's all
you do with them. I'd hate to find
out if you actually procreated with
any of them. That would only be
tainting your already tainted name
with more horseshit.
Stu gets crosser by the second.
The Pub Landlord whispers to the Baker.
PUB LANDLORD
(Whispering)
What does procrate mean?
WILLIAM
Or marrying pathetic whores who
couldn't look after a child, let
alone a bottle of rum left
unattended. Do not dirty our blood
with that, Stewart. There's plenty of
that filth in the world as it is.
Stu raises a fist to hit William, but the Soldier steps in.
SOLDIER
Put that down if you want to keep it.
Stu backs off and glares at William.
STU
You know what you are?
William stands up, cocky, holding his chalice high.
WILLIAM
Absolutely right. As always.
STU
You're a-
Stu is interrupted by the Baker peering out the curtains.
BAKER
Quiet! They're back!
Everyone looks scared, except for Stu.
Stu, confused, peers through a nearby curtain.
Two dozen men, women, and children march outside holding

torches and weapons. They move in unison, eyes unblinking.
William drags Stu from the window.
WILLIAM
Don't be a fool! If they see us,
they're going to want to get in.
STU
Let go of me! Why are they acting
like that?
Stu peeks through the curtains again.
WILLIAM
They're off their heads with watered
down ale, like I told you. Once the
sun set they took to the strange
behaviours of drunkards almost
immediately. Bloody typical.
Mary marches along with the rest outside, covered in blood.
STU
Mary! She's hurt!
Stu tries to run to the door, but the Soldier holds him.
WILLIAM
Who? Calm yourself!
STU
She's out there! She needs my help!
William peers through the curtain at Mary. He frowns and

looks back at Stu.
WILLIAM
God damn you! You're bedfellows with
each other, aren't you?
STU
Please, I have to help her! My
children might still be safe!
WILLIAM
I'm not surprised you were the one to
taint the family name. What a
disgrace. A whole tradition, a royal
bloodline, gone to waste.
STU
Shut up! Shut up! I don't care about
your pathetic traditions. I never
wanted to be roped up into marrying
someone I didn't love, like you were.
Now, where are they going?
WILLIAM
Even if I knew I wouldn't tell you.
Stu is deflated, staring at Mary from the window.

The large group begins to leave.
PUB LANDLORD BAKER

Up the hill. Under the bridge.
SOLDIER
Nobody knows.
They turn to each other, confused. Percy steps forward.
PERCY THE PRIEST

You don't want to go there.
Everyone turns to Percy, intrigued.
WILLIAM
Wait, you know where they're going?
Percy steps back, regretting it.
Stu steps close to Percy, intimidatingly.
STU
Where!?
PERCY THE PRIEST

To my church, that's where.
WILLIAM
How the hell do you know that?
Percy looks away, not wanting to speak.
SOLDIER
Speak Priest!
PERCY THE PRIEST

It's those Satanic worshippers. They
arrived this morning at my church
wanting sacrifice. Speaking of a
ritual to throw God off a throne!
17 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - MORNING FLASH BACK 17
Several priests tend to gardens gently.
Suddenly, 13 dark robed cultists walk up to the archway.
All the priests are wary, but an Old Priest steps forward.
OLD PRIEST
A fine morning isn't it? How may the
Church help you all?
Damien steps close to the Old Priest.
DAMIEN
We seek assistance with a religious
pilgrimage of sorts.
OLD PRIEST
Of course. We men of faith are happy
to assist one another. What is it you
require?
DAMIEN
Everything.
OLD PRIEST
I beg your pardon?
DAMIEN
Everything. Everything from the
bricks in the walls, the stone in the
pillars, and the blood in your veins.
Damien pushes the Old Priest to the floor and puts a blade
to his neck.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
Most importantly, we'll need
something a little stronger. A soul.
Suddenly, the 12 dark robed cultists pull out their own

blades and start stabbing the other priests to death.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
For too long your God has punished
us, sitting on high from his throne.
But no longer, for today that
changes. The light will turn to dark.
Day to night. And those that turn
away from the shade will be compelled
to bask in it for the one true God.
18 INT. LARGE HOUSE - NIGHT END OF FLASH BACK 18
Percy shivers, haunted by his memories.
PERCY THE PRIEST

They murdered so many of us, but I
escaped. I had to!
PUB LANDLORD
Hogwash!
PERCY THE PRIEST

It's true! They stole the sun, the
throne of God! Now Satan is in charge
and has everyone under a dark spell!
Stu tries to leave again.
STU
I have to go!
The Soldier and William struggle to hold Stu.
STU (cont'd)
Unhand me!
WILLIAM
You cannot go! Are you mad?
STU
My family!
PUB LANDLORD BAKER

Oh let him go! You can't Stop it! Not again!
make him stay!
PERCY THE PRIEST

Don't say such a thing! Nobody should
be leaving! We're safe here!
STU
For now!
The Soldier unhands Stu. He turns to William, worried.
SOLDIER
Sir, that is a point.
WILLIAM
Leaving? Are you dull?
SOLDIER
It's not safe here. These doors are
held together by a splinter. It won't
take much for anyone to get in.
WILLIAM
Has everyone gone daft? No! We're
staying!
Stu turns to everyone in the room.
STU
Believe that the world is ending or
not. Something bad is happening.
(MORE)
STU (cont'd)
And if you all stay here, you'll die!
Look at the mess outside. Do you
really believe that a door and a few
windows will stop them?
The Baker, Priest, Pub Landlord, and Soldier peek out of the
curtains.
Many buildings outside have had their doors kicked in,

windows smashed, and insides turned upside down and ruined.
Stu approaches William.
STU (cont'd)
If what the priest said is true, then
we must go to the church and stop
this ritual. It might be the only way
to save my family, and everyone else.
WILLIAM
For your dirty little bloodline? Not
a chance! Even if what the Priest
said is true, you'll have a hard time
convincing me to join what is
essentially a death march.
STU
Fine. Stay here by yourself. But I'd
rather die trying to save family and
whoever is left alive out there, than
stay inside doing nothing at all.
Stu inspires everyone but William. Everyone but him walks

toward the door.
WILLIAM
Don't go! You idiots! You'll die!
He faces the Soldier.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
I order you to stay, Goddammit!
The Soldier ignores him and keeps moving.
William now feeling lonelier in the house runs up and

follows them all.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Wait!
19 EXT. GRASSY PLAINS - NIGHT - SOMETIME EARLIER 19
The naked bloody man runs after the obese man in the
darkness. He swings a blade violently, but misses.
OBESE MAN
HELP! SOMEBODY!
The obese man trips and falls.
The bloody man pounces and digs his blade into the man's
head repeatedly until he is dead.
After a pause of heavy breathing, the bloody man sits

comfortably, admiring the butchered body.
Suddenly, a Soldier, 20s, shouts out in the distance.
SOLDIER
Hello!? Are you okay!?
The bloody man ignores him.
The Soldier walks up closer to the bloody man, unaware of

the corpse.
SOLDIER (cont'd)
Are you hurt? There's a village not
too far away, I can get you some help
there. We have a priest, some food-
Suddenly, the bloody man jumps up with his blade in the air.
He swings it at the Soldier's throat, missing it by a hair.
The Soldier dives back, falling to the ground.
The bloody man pounces, but the Soldier dodges him and gets
to his feet.
A chase ensues.
The Soldier is running toward the village, terrified, while

the bloody man pants wildly with the blade raised high.
20 EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - NIGHT - SOMETIME LATER 20
Stu, William, The Soldier, The Pub Landlord, The Baker, and
The Priest, step out of the large house and onto the road.
Suddenly, screaming is heard in the distance. Before anyone

can react, another Soldier runs into the Baker, knocking
them to the ground.
BAKER
Help!
As the Soldier gets up, a bloody man beheads him, toppling

their head into the Baker's hands.
Everyone loses their minds (That Soldier included).
PERCY THE PRIEST PUB LANDLORD

Holy- Shit!
William commands the remaining Soldier, who stands ready

with his sword.
WILLIAM
Kill him! Bloody kill him!
Effortlessly, the Soldier stabs the bloody man's chest.
The bloody man laughs, panting faster as he steps further

into the blade to swipe his blade closer at the Soldier.
PUB LANDLORD
What the fucking fuck!?
Before the bloody man can get a clean cut into the Soldier,
Stu smashes their head in with a brick. It takes three hits
to kill him. The bloody man falls off the blade and onto the
ground with a hard THUMP.
BAKER
(Breathless)
Not again! Not again! Not again!
Everyone catches their breath, except Stu, who stands

staring frozen at the bloody corpses.
WILLIAM
Well, Brother, you're quite
resourceful, aren't you?
The Pub Landlord steps back in awe.
PUB LANDLORD
I didn't know that would've worked.
That thing, it just kept going, even
after you stabbed it.
PERCY THE PRIEST

I told you, it's dark magic!
PUB LANDLORD
You know what, I am beginning to
believe you.
(MORE)
PUB LANDLORD (cont'd)

What we just saw there was unnatural.
I can't explain it. Even if I could,
I doubt I'd want to.
The Baker snaps.
BAKER
NO! I'M NOT DOING THIS! NOT AGAIN!
Everyone but Stu turns to The Baker.
WILLIAM
Calm yourself, Goddammit! You'll
attract more drunkards!
The Baker retreats into the large house, mentally broken.
BAKER
IT'S MY FAULT! I CAN'T! NOT AGAIN!
The door slams shut and locks.
Stu walks ahead, desperately moving away from the mess.
STU
Please, let's just leave. I don't
want any more to come.
WILLIAM
Well we don't have a choice anymore,
thanks to that weeping ninny inside.
Everyone follows Stu except the Soldier, who waits briefly,

bowing his head respectfully for his fallen comrade.
21 INT. CHURCH - NIGHT - SOMETIME MUCH LATER. 21
Stu and William sit alone on opposite sides of a great

church. They look distant and tired.
The locked doors to the church rattle as a gang of cultists

scream and try desperately to get in.
William stares at the moon through the stained windows.
WILLIAM
Do you really think this is a part of
some ritual?
Stu stares at a figure of Christ being crucified.
STU
I hope so.
William turns to Stu, confused.
WILLIAM
Hope so?
STU
With a ritual, it can be stopped.
It's started by man, and can be ended
by one too. But if this is the way
the world is supposed to be, then we
can't do a damn thing. We're doomed.
WILLIAM
Oh you're starting to sound like that
Priest. What an evangelical nutter!
Stu turns to William, annoyed.
STU
Don't speak ill of the dead!
William looks away, apologetically.
WILLIAM
Sorry. I forgot. I shouldn't have,
but I did. It was only a few minutes
ago. But every second in this place
feels like an hour.
Stu's face relaxes, understandingly.
STU
I know. It feels like an age since we
arrived.
22 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - NIGHT - SOMETIME EARLIER 22
Stu, Willaim, The Soldier, and Percy creep up to a small

hill overlooking the church grounds.
Several robed cultists guard the entrance with blades.
WILLIAM
Okay, we're here, now what?
STU
Where's Mary? Can you see any of
them?
WILLIAM
This is pointless. There's no way to
get inside, look.
(MORE)
WILLIAM (cont'd)
I'm not risking any more lives again
just so you can go following your
scummy family to wherever they've
been kidnapped.
Stu slaps the back of William's head.
PERCY THE PRIEST

They haven't been kidnapped. They've
been possessed!
WILLIAM
Whatever.
(Turns to the
Soldier, sarcastic)
Thanks for protecting me. I'm proud.
The Soldier ignores William.
SOLDIER
We could probably scale that wall
without anyone seeing us. Find a safe
way inside the church from there.
PERCY THE PRIEST

Can I stay behind?
Percy is ignored.
STU
Good. Let's do that.
Stu tries to move forward, but William pushes him back.
WILLIAM
Hold on! I'm not doing anything just
yet. We can't go in there without a
plan. Are you insane?
STU
We have a plan. Weren't you
listening?
WILLIAM
We climb that wall and look inside
the church, then we do what exactly?
STU
We'll find a way to stop this madness
and save everyone affected. Are you
going to help or not?
WILLIAM
I'm sorry, but I'm not too convinced
of the "We'll find a way" plan. It
doesn't sound like you've given it
much thought. Oh, and also, how are
you going to save everyone who's been
affected? Minutes ago one of our own
got ripped apart in front of our very
eyes. Remember? I don't suppose your
plan is going to fix that now, is it?
STU
Shut up and get moving. I'm not
having this argument. The longer we
wait the more of a chance we get
found out and killed.
WILLIAM
(Raising his voice)
You're not wriggling your way out of
this. You've been acting all brave
and heroic thus far, but it's an act.
You're full of shit!
STU
William-
Suddenly, Mary, possessed, appears and stabs a pitchfork

through Percy's chest.
Everyone loses their minds.
STU (cont'd)
MARY!
23 INT. CHURCH - NIGHT - SOMETIME LATER 23
The robed cultists continue to bang on the locked doors.
Stu sulks by his side of the crucifix.
William sees Stu is upset and walks over to comfort him.
WILLIAM
I'm sorry about you know...
Stu looks at William, waiting for an answer.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
I shouldn't have been such a...
STU
Such a bastard?
WILLIAM
That too, yes.
William sits next to Stu.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Do you know why I don't visit you as
often as I should?
STU
(Half jokingly)
Because I'm poverty-chasing-
bloodline-destroying scum?
William looks hurt by those words.
WILLIAM
No. I said that just to hurt you.
Because the truth happens to be
that...Well, I'm afraid.
Stu turns and looks confused at William.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
I live fairly well. More than well
actually. The life of a Baron is not
as grand as the life of a King, but
royalty is royalty. I stay in a large
home, servants keep me warm and fat.
All I have to worry about is looking
over my land and seeing where else to
buy next. And as much as that may
seem luxurious, it brings me much
sorrow. All I am to the people is a
sign of wealth, either to be gained,
or to be taken. Through work, or
through marriage.
William looks teary eyed to Stu, trembling a smile.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
But you Stewart, have so much more. I
was afraid that if I saw you I would
realise that. Then, what would my
riches be? What would I have been
holding on to for so long, and for
what? So many years away from each
other, wasted. I'd give anything to
make it up to you. Anything.
Before Stu can reply wholesomely, a sudden knock on the door

terrifies the two. It bangs louder than anything they heard
before. They turn, fixated on the door.
MARY
(O.S)
Stewart! Stewart!
WILLIAM
Is that?
STU
Mary...
MARY
(O.S)
Stewart, let me in! Stewart, let your
wife in! I'm so cold! So very cold!
(Demonically)
I want you! Don't you want me?
The door bangs again, louder.
Stu grimaces at the thought of what's outside.
Suddenly, the banging stops.
DAMIEN
(O.S)
Why don't you join us outside?
WILLIAM
Leave us be you foul-mouthed demon!
DAMIEN
(O.S)
We won't hurt you. We love you. We
all do. Mary especially. She loves
you the most, Stewart. Why don't you
let her in? A man should never be
parted from his wife for so long.
Don't you agree?
Stu stands up, hypnotised.
William turns to Stu, perplexed.
WILLIAM
What are you doing?
Stu walks slowly to the doors of the church.
DAMIEN
(O.S)
That's right. Open those doors, and
you will be greeted with the loving
embrace of your beloved. She's missed
you. We all have.
STU
(Muttering)
My wife?
William stands up.
WILLIAM
Stewart! Stop this!
DAMIEN
(O.S)
Mary is hurting, Stewart. Why don't
you help her? She's screaming. Can't
you hear? She needs her husband.
STU
(Muttering)
My children?
William shakes Stu, but nothing is snapping him out of it.
DAMIEN
(O.S)
They're here too. You want to see
them, don't you? It's okay, they're
safe. But you need to open the door.
You can't see them until you open the
door. Open the door, Stewart.
William quickly grabs a chalice of holy water and chucks it

over Stu. He violently wakes from his trance.
Suddenly, all the candles in the church blow out as the

doors rattle once more.
Stu and William stand frozen in fear for a while.
FADE OUT
24 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - NIGHT - SOMETIME EARLIER 24
Percy drops dead with a pitchfork in his back.
Stu, William, and the Soldier step back, freaking out.
Mary pulls the pitchfork out, smiling at Percy's corpse.
MARY
(Demonically)
Found you, Priest!
STU
NO!
Mary whips around and stares at Stu. She doesn't recognise

him, instead, she raises her pitchfork and dives toward him.
The Soldier strikes the pitchfork with his sword and pushes
her to the ground. He quickly turns to Stu and William.
SOLDIER
GO! OVER THE WALL, NOW!
William tries to leave, but stops, turning around to see Stu

not moving.
WILLIAM
We have to leave, come on!
Stu is stood frozen, staring at Mary.
Mary stands up, attacking the Soldier with her pitchfork.

The Soldier whacks it away and pins her against a tree.
SOLDIER
SUBMIT, BEAST!
MARY
(Demonically)
Like how your friend submitted?
Beheaded and tossed away into the
night! Like so many others!
The Soldier looks perplexed at how she knows this.
MARY (cont'd)
(Demonically)
How do you ever forgive yourself?
Mary cackles loudly.
William tries to pull Stu to the Church wall, but he

wrestles with him.
STU
He'll kill her! I have to stop him!
WILLIAM
No! We have to go! I'm sorry! Please!
Suddenly, four robed cultists appear and surround Mary and

the Soldier. They chant as they drag him away screaming.
Stu looks in horror as William manages to pull Stu away

before the robed cultists can see them.
FADE OUT
25 INT. CHURCH - NIGHT - SOMETIME LATER 25
Stu and William step away from the church doors, scared.
STU
I don't think I can take much more of
this!
WILLIAM
I don't blame you, Brother.
They unknowingly bump into the Soldier, who looks pleased.
Quickly, Stu and William turn around shocked.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Holy Christ! Where did you come from?
STU
I thought you died?
The Soldier hasn't a mark on him. He looks too happy.
SOLDIER
I'm okay. There's a door at the back.
Let's get out of here while we can.
The Soldier tries to walk to the back door, William follows

him, but Stu holds William back.
STU
Wait, how did you escape? They were
all over you.
The Soldier sighs, continuing to walk to the back door.
SOLDIER
We don't have time. I'll explain
shortly. Come.
Stu and William look at each other uneasy. Cautiously they

follow the Soldier.
The Soldier opens the back door of the Church and steps
through. Stu and William step outside.
26 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - NIGHT 26
Stu and William looks shocked as the Soldier has suddenly

disappeared and his dead crucified body appears across the
Church grounds.
Damien appears behind them.

DAMIEN
Don't be scared.
Stu and William turn and step away frightened. They are
unarmed, but still prepare to attack.
WILLIAM
Get back!
STU
How did you?
Damien steps away from the back door of the Church and walks
toward the circle of engraved symbols on the floor behind
them. A priest kneels on the circle, possessed.
The door slams shut and locks itself.
DAMIEN
Call it a trick of the light. There's
not much of it from the moon, but all
that there remains belongs to us. And
I had to convince you to get out of
that blasted Church.
STU
What have you done?
Damien caresses the face of the possessed priest.
DAMIEN
I don't have to explain it to you.
You've heard it quite well already.
Damien turns to Stu and William.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
(Percy's voice)
They stole the sun, the throne of
God! Now Satan is in charge and has
everyone under a dark spell!
Damien chuckles before regaining his composure.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
What a funny Priest.
WILLIAM
You demon!
DAMIEN
Oh now you believe, William? For so
long you refused to see what was
right in front of you.
(MORE)
DAMIEN (cont'd)
But just enough people had to die for
you to accept it, that this is the
end for you. For all of you. It's as
clear as day now.
(Looking at the
circle)
Or night. It'll be the same thing
soon anyway.
STU
Where's Mary? Where are my children?
DAMIEN
They're safe. Just how I want them to
be. There's no thought in killing
your army before the war has begun.
And you should be grateful they were
taken into the new world order so
quickly. Souls so very pure.
Stu steps forward, fists clenched.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
See, you, your brother, and all the
other untamed bodies left in the
village weren't as lucky. You're full
of sin. Full of pain. Full of lust.
Murder. Lies. So much that my ritual
couldn't work as intended. I need the
saints, not the sinners. I've got
plenty of them as it stands.
Suddenly, twelve robed cultists walk into the Church grounds

and surround Stu, William, and Damien.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
I started with the Priests. The
holier the better. I needed that
purity they possess. It's a strong
connection, like a brotherhood, or
family. It can make or break anything
you put in front of it. Which is why
the ritual requires them. Or at
least, one of them.
Damien leaves the possessed Priest and takes a blade from

one of the robed cultists. He walks toward Stu, moving the
blade forward to strike.
The robed cultists chant satanically.

DAMIEN (cont'd)
All that's left is getting rid of any
obstacles in my way. So please, don't
move. Or do. I like a struggle.
William steps in front of Stu, getting stabbed by the blade.
Damien frowns, throwing William toward the possessed Priest.
Stu grapples Damien to the ground. They struggle to and fro.

Damien laughs.
William coughs up blood and crawls toward the circle.
Damien pushes Stu away toward William. As he stands, Stu

gets back up.
DAMIEN (cont'd)
As fun as this is, I really don't
want to wait any longer. Come to me
and die, Stewart. There'll be more
dignity in it.
William, near death, touches the blade in his chest, and

Stu's leg.
Stu looks at William, sad.
WILLIAM
Use the blade. Use it.
STU
What?
WILLIAM
Kill the Priest...Break the c-
connection.
Stu is teary eyed. He doesn't want to do it.
Damien steps closer, arms outstretched, growing impatient.
WILLIAM (cont'd)
Please, Brother...For your family.
Stu reluctantly pulls out the blade from William's chest. A

huge spurt of blood covers Stu.
William closes his eyes and dies.
Damien realises what Stu is about to do.
DAMIEN
No. Don't you dare!
Stu looks at Damien, holding a blade to the Priest's neck.

Tears in his eyes, full of rage.
STU
Go to Hell!
Stu slashes the neck, killing the Priest.
Damien screams in agony, as do all the robed cultists.
A ball of blinding light from the circle engulfs everybody.
FADE TO WHITE
We hear a roaring fire and whistling wind.
27 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - DAWN 27
The sun peeps over the horizon. A handful of robed skeletons

burn BRIGHT. One man stands tall over a large pentagram.
Stu stands covered in blood. He holds a bloody knife. His

face is trembling, near crying.
His brother, William, sits frozen next to him, a stab wound

at his heart.
Stu collapses, screaming into his soaked red hands. He

begins to cry uncontrollably.
STU
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry! Oh
God, please! William! WILLIAM!
Suddenly, Mary and her two children appear behind him. A

large group of villagers follow close behind. They all look
confused, covered in blood, with no memory of what happened.
MARY
Stu? Are you okay?
Stu stops crying, he turns, so pleased to see Mary and the

children. He is speechless. He raises his arms out, asking
for a hug.
Mary and the children run out to hug him. They embrace.
All the villagers surround them, sharing the grief.
FADE TO BLACK
THE END

The Dark Age by James Anderson

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(Printed with the demonstration version of Fade In)

The Dark Age

Written by James Anderson

Copyright. James Anderson. 2022.

We hear a roaring fire and whistling wind.

1 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - DAWN FLASH FORWARD 1

Dilapidated gothic architecture lies in ruin, leaving the

The sun peeps over the horizon. A handful of robed skeletons

STU, 30s, skinny, scruffy clothes, stands covered in blood.

His brother, William, sits frozen next to him, a stab wound

Stu collapses, screaming into his soaked red hands.

2 INT. STU'S BEDROOM - MORNING END OF FLASH FORWARD 2

A rooster shrieks, waking Stu violently from his bed. He

Stu turns to the sound of pots and pans clanging nearby.

3 INT. STU'S KITCHEN - MORNING 3

MARY, 30s, long black hair, stands over a wood-fired oven

Stu enters, looking exhausted.

Stu sits down at a nearby wooden table.

Mary finishes the eggs and brings them to Stu on a plate.

Stu grumbles, taking a bite of the eggs before spitting them

Suddenly, a boy and girl, 5 years old, storms through the

They play energetically around Stu, ignoring him.

The children stop playing, scared towards Stu.

Mary gets between the children and Stu.

The children quietly walk away into a corner.

Mary hands Stu a leather satchel.

Stu wears the satchel on his back. He leans in and tries to

Mary faces away, saddened. She walks away from him.

Stu storms outside.

4 EXT. WOODS - MORNING 4

5 EXT. CHURCH GROUNDS - DAWN 5

A priest screams out in pain before dying as a robed cultist

13 dark robed cultists surround two remaining injured

An old priest, 60s, skinny, stands up slowly.

Damien, 60s, battle-scarred face, black eyes, walks calmly

Damien gently holds onto the sides of the priest's neck.

The old priest shakes his head, visibly terrified.

Damien twists the old priest's neck, killing him.

The last priest remaining cries, helpless on the ground.

Damien turns and commands the other robed cultists.

Two robed cultists drag the last remaining priest to Damien.

Damien holds the priest's hands. He takes a blade and

The robed cultists kneel, chanting satanically.

Damien smiles to himself.

6 EXT. WOODS - MORNING 6

Stu strolls toward a clearing of a few dozen tree stumps. A

He drops his satchel and oversees his past work.

7 EXT. WOODS - NOON 7

Stu stands back exhausted, leaning on his axe. He looks at

8 EXT. WOODS - DUSK 8

The sun approaches the horizon quickly. Stu walks faster,

9 EXT. WOODS - NIGHT 9

The sun has completely vanished. It's pitch black.

Stu runs, looking toward a small light from his cabin.

Suddenly, he trips, dropping his axe. He can't find it in

A blood curdling scream echoes from his home.

10 EXT. GRASSY PLAINS - NIGHT 10

Stu runs up to the door of his cabin. He steps inside.

11 INT. STU'S CABIN - NIGHT 11

The cabin inside is a mess. Bedsheets are torn, furniture is

Stu stands frozen, alone. His family are missing.

Suddenly, a loud male scream is heard from outside. Stu

12 EXT. GRASSY PLAINS - NIGHT 12