MAGIC: THE GATHERING
Chapter Five
OUTLINE – 5 June 2020
EXT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S ISLAND – DAY

Sunlight pierces the clouds, a finger of light streaking the face of the Clock Tower. TITLE CARD 
SUPERS: “RAVNICA”
INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – MAIN HALL – DAY

TEFERI unfurls a fading scroll, sharing his research with JACE, KAYA, and CHANDRA while KFFNK 
oversees GUNGE playing with a pile of worms. “I found an ancient record from a plane that has been 
lost to the sands of time, where this being was worshipped for centuries.” The rest of the team 
digest this, shocked to learn that they are up against a living god.

Gunge interrupts the somber moment with a giggle, rolling on the floor, unaware that his young life 
is in terrible jeopardy. Chandra thinks out loud, “What if we get him to spark? Then he’ll be no 
use to that thing. Like me.” Teferi sets her straight. Most Planeswalkers don’t spark until 
adolescence, some much later in life. It’s unheard of for an Ember to spark at Gunge’s age. It 
would be traumatic and most likely deadly.

Jace digs into Teferi’s research: “Why does a god want Embers?” Teferi can’t say; the creature is a 
complete mystery. “No one knows where it came from... how it got its power... all we have is a 
name.” They all lean in, hanging on every word, as Teferi whispers... “Ashiok.”

ROLL MAIN TITLES – MAGIC: THE GATHERING

INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – MAIN HALL – DAY

Teferi suggests that if they want to figure out how to beat Ashiok, they need a better 
understanding of what they’re up against. Jace agrees; “When I went up against it, I got totally 
mind-******.” Kaya looks at Teferi’s scroll about the “forgotten plane”, muses, “If it used to be 
on this plane, and it left... maybe the people there figured out how to fight it.”

It’s the best lead they have to go on. But Jace points out that the multiverse is indescribably 
vast; navigating to a new plane, without having a visual to go off, is akin to finding a needle in 
a haystack. Teferi tells him that’s true, then adds, “Fortunately, I’ve been there.” They all look 
at him, shocked by this revelation; he tells them some of the details from the account remind him 
of a plane he encountered in his past. He asks them to sit tight, he’ll be back
soon with something that can help them get there.


2




INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – ATTIC – MOMENTS LATER

Up in the attic, Teferi bosses Kffnk around while the two of them yank sheets from furniture 
covered for centuries. As the drapings fly off, kicking up dust, we reveal that this was once an 
art studio. They uncover a multi-tiered, cylindrical art rack, and Teferi spins through the magical 
storage system, whipping past paintings of vibrant and widely varied landscapes. “Was it before or 
after Tarkir?” Kffnk throws his hands up, no idea. Teferi continues flipping through, “Remind me, 
why do I keep you around, Kffnk?”

INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – MAIN HALL – SAME TIME

Jace paces back and forth, rolling the MUSIC BOX COIN (that he took from Gideon’s body in 101) on 
his knuckles. Makes his way over to the staircase and calls up to Teferi, “So you gonna tell us or 
what?” “Better, I‘ll show you!” A muffled crash from upstairs is followed by some hushed cursing. 
“Just a minute.”

Jace takes a heavy seat onto the steps of the staircase. He eyes Gideon’s coin thoughtfully then 
flips it into the air. The coin twirls end over end, time slowing as we move into –

EXT. RAVNICA – TEZZERET’S NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

A pair of CONSTRUCT BOUNCERS haul Jace outside. He’s wobbly on his feet and slurs his speech as 
they dump him amidst a pile of garbage. “One more drink, that’s it. I won’t even touch the dice.” 
The door slams shut. “You‘re no fun!” He throws an empty bottle and the glass shatters against the 
wall – so drunk he couldn’t even hit the door.

“How about you, Jace? Still having fun?” GIDEON walks down the alley, emerging from shadows into 
lamplight. Jace groans dramatically, “I was.” Gideon looks down on Jace. “You do look at home– 
lying in the gutter.” “See, that’s the difference between us. You see a gutter. I see a...” Jace 
waves his hand about to conjure an illusion, but Gideon cuts him off: “A palace? An island 
********? I used to think you made illusions for everyone else, but really... they’re for you.”

Jace leans back on the garbage, lacing his fingers behind his head. “Lemme guess, I should dedicate 
myself to serving the helpless and downtrodden. But I’m downtrodden.” Gideon shakes his head, 
“You’re a Planeswalker. There are people on Theros who need to be liberated. You could help me set 
them free.” Jace: “What’s in it for me?” Gideon considers, then pulls out the COIN and offers it to 
Jace. Jace snorts, “That wouldn’t even buy me a drink.” Gideon nods. “No. But a friend would.” 
Gideon eyes Jace, hopeful that his old friend will join him...

But Jace refuses the offer. “I’ll buy my own drinks– soon as I get to Kinshala. Have I ever taken 
you to the Howling Moons Club? The dancers there howl all... night... long.” He tries to get to his 
feet, but loses his balance and lands even deeper in the refuse. Gideon sighs, not surprised but 
disappointed.  “I know you’re trying to numb the pain. It can’t be easy, seeing


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


3


the worst in everyone you meet. But the world is not all ugliness. So when you’re ready to get out 
of the gutter, come find me.” Gideon turns back the way he came. Jace calls after him, “If you keep 
putting your neck out, you’re gonna get yourself killed.” Gideon doesn’t look back, “I can live 
with that.” Gideon flicks the coin up into the lamplight and as it spirals end over end, we come 
back to –

INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – MAIN HALL – RESUME SCENE

The coin drops down, landing in the palm of Jace’s hand. “Heads.” Chandra breaks his reverie, 
calling the coin-flip in the air. Jace opens his palm, revealing: tails. She frowns. “Two out of 
three.” He smirks, flips it again, again she goes with, “Heads.” He shows her: tails again. Chandra 
escalates, impulsive. “Double or nothing.” He shrugs – Good by me. Flips it up again – but Kaya, 
walking by, catches it in mid-air. “He cheats,” she warns Chandra.  “Aw, you’re no fun,” Jace says, 
opening his hand to reveal the coin in his palm, tails-up. He grins and the illusion VANISHES. 
Chandra scowls.  Jace asks Kaya for his coin back, but she says he can have it once he’s paid off 
all of his debts to her.

“Aha! Here it is!” Teferi shouts for them to join him upstairs.

INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – ATTIC – MOMENTS LATER

The rest of the crew come into the attic to find Teferi sliding an oil painting from the 
cylindrical art rack. The composition, in vivid colors, is of a glittering cityscape jutting up 
from a lush rainforest. It’s bright and sunny and full of life. Teferi beams proudly, “This is 
Vyrle. A thousand years ago.” Chandra: “Wait, how old are you?” Teferi brushes the question aside, 
“It’s rude to ask.” But Kaya keys in on something else as she takes in all of the paintings in the 
stack. “You did all of these?” Teferi shrugs it off, “Just an old hobby.” But Chandra is pissed, 
feels lied to. “Thought you said you couldn’t planeswalk.”

The rest of the team eye Teferi, putting him on the spot. He bows his head, ashamed. “I can’t… but 
that wasn’t always the case.” Teferi explains that he used to be a Planeswalker; when he started a 
family, he could never bring his wife and daughter along on his journeys. “So I would paint 
pictures everywhere I went, to share the trips with my daughter. She loved them...” Teferi’s tough 
exterior wavers as he brushes up against the defining tragedy of his life. “But I made a terrible 
mistake. I wasn’t able to protect her...” He steels himself, telling them that since then his spark 
has cooled and he is no longer able to planeswalk. Jace and Kaya share a glance, trying to conceal 
the pity they both feel for the old man.

Teferi clears his throat and returns to the business at hand: getting them to Vyrle. And now that 
they have the image of the painting, they should be able to navigate to the vantage point where 
Teferi painted it.

Kaya looks at Gunge. “What about him?” Jace tells her not to worry, they’re leaving a babysitter to 
help out. He gestures toward Chandra. Her blood boils; a puff of steam escapes her Regulator. “I’m 
coming with.” Jace hopes Kaya will back him up, but she doesn’t.


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


4


“I don’t mind having some firepower on our side. Who knows what we’re walking into.” Chandra 
presses her case, “You’re not the only one who lost somebody.” Teferi cuts in– ”Well, if I must, 
I’ll watch the boy. Just don’t be long.” He acts put upon, but we can see through his grumpy 
facade. Teferi puts a hand on the elf-child’s shoulder – and Gunge instantly bites him. Teferi 
recoils with a yelp, and Jace leaves with a dig: “Kid looks hungry.”

As our heroes head downstairs, we HOLD on the painting of Vyrle... then DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. VYRLE — ETERNAL NIGHT

The exact same vantage point – but the landscape has been completely transformed. The once-vibrant 
rainforest is replaced by an endless expanse of ashy white sand, and instead of sunny blue skies, 
the plane is cloaked in a permanent grayish night.

TITLE CARD SUPERS: “VYRLE”

Jace, Kaya, and Chandra PLANESWALK into the spot from which Teferi’s painting was created. Off in 
the distance, the city is the same as the one in the image... but all the buildings are now cracked 
and crumbling, and a towering new addition dominates the skyline: a colossal STATUE OF ASHIOK, arms 
outstretched in domination.

Eerie wind whistles over the dunes, blowing away sand to reveal the SKELETAL REMAINS of a caravan 
of traders that died long ago. Not a living soul in sight, and Jace can't detect any psychic energy 
within his range . “I don’t think these people figured out how to beat Ashiok.” Chandra is 
horrified. “They’re all dead...” Kaya affirms that she’s right, then adds, “But they’re not gone.” 
Kaya can sense the energy of many spirits nearby.  Since they’re here to try to understand Ashiok, 
they begin the long trek toward the immense colossus...

EXT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — LATER

At the base of the statue, they find a large structure, like a massive mausoleum. The outer walls 
are decorated with BAS-RELIEF DEPICTIONS of Ashiok and all manner of Nightmare-Creatures. They 
approach the front entrance, and the massive stone door magically slides open. Sensing their 
presence, beckoning them inside...

INT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — ANTECHAMBER — CONTINUOUS

Jace, Kaya, and Chandra cross the threshold into an OSSUARY, where the floor, ceiling, and walls 
are constructed from bones. The human remains are used as building-blocks, forming intricate 
geometric patterns, with rows of skulls at eye-level staring at them.

Bones crunch underfoot as they step into the antechamber, and the moment they’re inside, the stone 
door magically slides shut behind them. They keep moving, approaching the door at the opposite end 
– its surface covered by a grid of ROTATING CUBES built into the stone,



MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


5


each one inscribed with a single red line, at a different angle. It looks like a runic alphabet... 
but none of them have seen it before.

Chandra steps up, touching it. The mechanism has been rusting here for ages... but she finds that 
with some elbow grease she can turn each cube to reveal a line at a different angle. “It’s a 
puzzle,” she realizes. “A password,” Kaya corrects her. “We don’t have time to play around with 
this shit,” Jace grumbles. “I bet it’s easier to open from the other side though.” He looks to 
Kaya, who phases into spirit form and steps through the solid door.

ON THE OTHER SIDE – Kaya finds herself in a dark hallway, at the top of an incredibly long stretch 
of stairs, dropping deep down into the ground. But she can’t find any way to open the door from 
within. She attempts to step back through to help the rest of the team catch up – but to her shock, 
she can’t. Some enchanted barrier has been set up... one specifically designed to prevent spirits 
from ever getting out. Kaya calls out to Jace and Chandra... but on the other side of the door, 
they can’t hear her at all.

IN THE OSSUARY – Jace and Chandra contemplate the mysterious door. She rotates a couple of the 
cubes at random. Suddenly, Chandra feels something grab at her leg and whirls around, but there’s 
nothing there. The floor beneath them begins to writhe, and SKELETAL HANDS start reaching up, 
fingers grasping at them. One grabs Jace by the ankles, pulling him off his feet.

INT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – ATTIC – DAY

A big sheet is laid down in the middle of the floor. Kffnk places Gunge in the center of the clean, 
white linen. Around them, the art studio has been revitalized. Teferi’s brushes and paints are set 
up at his easel. “If I have to watch you, then you might as well learn something. First a brush. 
Then color. And movement.” He picks up a pot of paint, dips his brush, then carefully applies a 
fine line to the blank canvas. Teferi is meticulous... and Gunge immediately loses interest. Grabs 
the pot of paint, and HURLS it in the air. Paint flies out, and Teferi quickly time-bubbles it – 
freezing the magenta arc of color in mid-air. “Ah ah ah, that’s a little too much movement.”

But Gunge is captivated by the time-frozen paint... which gives Teferi an idea. “Perhaps... a 
collaboration.” He points to another pot, which Gunge grabs, throwing it into the air as well. 
Teferi freezes that one too. Gunge grabs more paint – flinging, splashing, tossing, spilling it 
everywhere. Teferi freezes each new addition, creating fractal patterns and bright swirls all 
throughout the room.

Green splatters. Orange waves. Purple cascades. The hues arc and soar around the room, freezing in 
place to create a three-dimensional children’s painting. Like a Jackson Pollock... but magical. 
Teferi turns to his butler, “Kffnk, we need more colors.”

Teferi and Gunge play together, the child finally getting to make as much of a mess as he wants. 
Gunge laughs and babbles, entirely in the moment. And Teferi enjoys himself too.


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


6




“What’s your favorite color?” Gunge picks up the bowl of yellow paint and launches it towards the 
ceiling. Teferi smiles, “Just like my daughter.” We leave the idyllic moment behind and drift up 
through the rafters to –

EXT. RAVNICA – TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER – SAME TIME

A pair of three-clawed talons clamp onto the roof of the Clocktower. The Hellhound’s sense organs 
quiver by the sides of its hideous head, scenting the Ember below. Uh-oh.

INT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — ANTECHAMBER — NIGHT

IN THE OSSUARY – Jace and Chandra frantically pry off the attacking skeletal hands... but they’re 
coming from all sides, trying to drag them under. Jace calls out for Kaya, “Hurry up!” But there’s 
no response.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR, Kaya can’t hear their cries for help, but is frantically attempting 
to get back. She tries to phase through other walls... stabs her spectral daggers against the 
invisible barrier. No luck.

IN THE OSSUARY – Jace urges Chandra to blast the door. She shoots a column of flame against the 
rock, but it doesn’t even singe the stone. “Take that thing off,” Jace says, pointing at her 
Regulator, but Chandra shakes her head. “I can’t, I’ll fry us both!” Even in these dire 
circumstances, she’s scared by the thought of losing control.

No choice but to solve the puzzle. Chandra tries to get a clear look at the design, searching for 
an idea. “It’s a temple to Ashiok… what would it want?” Jace shakes his head, trying to clear his 
thoughts while fighting off more attacks. “Recognition. Worship. Adoration. It’s the kind of 
asshole that wants to put its name on everything.”

Inspired by Jace’s words, Chandra gets an idea: “Wait, I think I got it!” She hastily spins the 
cubes around, making different patterns on the surface of the door while fighting off the grasping 
skeletons. Hears a cry behind her, glances back and sees that Jace is pinned down, being dragged 
under... but he shouts at her to keep going. She does and finally gets the cubes into position, so 
the lines form: the inverted-A GLYPH. The symbol of Ashiok.

Instantly, a deep RUMBLE, and the door slides open. The skeletal hands let go of Jace and Chandra, 
falling into a loose pile. Kaya rushes back from the other side, helping dig Jace out from the 
bones. As he shakes them off, “Damn, those guys are grabby.”

INT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — STAIRWAY — CONTINUOUS

Jace wonders why Kaya didn’t come back. She explains that she was kept out by some sort of 
spirit-barrier; it allowed her in, but wouldn’t let her out. “This place is full of ghosts... and 
none of them have been allowed to leave for a very long time.”



MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


7


They move deeper into the temple, heading down a long stone stairwell descending into darkness. 
Suddenly, out of the silence – SCREAMS. Many voices, shrieking in perfect unison
– then the sound is abruptly cut short. Silence... then it comes again. It’s like a ritualized 
chant of abject terror. Jace and Chandra exchange a look – That can’t be good...

INT. RAVNICA — TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER — ATTIC — DAY

Their painting lesson now complete, Teferi washes his brushes in a basin of water. Gunge waits 
behind him, his face covered in paint, holding the dirty brushes. “Thank you for waiting patiently. 
We’ll make a painter of you yet.” But when Teferi turns around he discovers Gunge licking the paint 
off all the brushes. Teferi sighs, beckons the child over. “Let’s get you cleaned up at least...” 
He boosts the child up, makes him hold still as he washes paint off his face.

As Gunge spits out water and wriggles, Teferi can’t help but laugh. Gunge gets free and goes 
running off – in the process, stepping in a tray of yellow paint, so one bare foot leaves an 
intermittent trail of child-sized footprints out the attic and down the stairs. When Teferi sees 
it, he starts after him, exasperated.

INT. RAVNICA — TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER — DOWNSTAIRS — MOMENTS LATER

“Gunge! Stop!” Teferi comes barreling down the stairwell after him... but at the bottom, he sees 
that Gunge has already frozen in place, without needing to be time-bubbled. Teferi follows his gaze 
to – a NIGHTMARE-PHYREXIAN creature in the middle of the room. A
bio-engineered hybrid of various organisms crudely sutured together. Its skin is blackened and 
oozing in places, like an alien from hell.

Teferi is caught off-guard. He calls out, “Jace?”, hoping it might be just another nightmare. But 
as the monstrosity lurches forward, swinging its multi-clawed arm at Gunge, Teferi time-bubbles it 
to make sure – and it freezes in place. It’s real. Which means... oh, shit.
Teferi pulls Gunge behind him. “Get upstairs, NOW!” Gunge nods, runs upstairs in terror... just as 
all the windows shatter, and a slew of Nightmare-Phyrexians burst inside.

INT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — INNER SANCTUM — MOMENTS LATER

The rhythmic screams escalate as Jace, Kaya, and Chandra approach a flickering light at the end of 
the long stairwell. Tentatively, they step inside a large chamber, with the feel of a massive 
chapel. At the center of the room is a giant, five-pointed STONE ALTAR. Magically glowing lines 
radiate from ceremonial braziers connecting the five vertices to form the symbol of Ashiok.

The room is packed with CULTISTS – robed worshippers kneeling in supplication, encircling the 
altar. One is separate from the throng, directly in front of the altar. As he turns, we meet the 
HIGH PRIEST BYLUN – a thick, towering presence, wearing ceremonial vestments and a dark, v-shaped 
MASK covering the top half of his face, with curved horns


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


8




reaching up (a visual echo of Ashiok). From the translucent shimmer of Bylun’s skin, it’s clear – 
he’s a ghost. In a way-too-friendly voice, the spirit bids them, “Welcome, pilgrims.”

Immediately, the other Cultists turn in unison and say, “Welcome.” Revealing – they’re all ghosts. 
All wearing blindfolds (a lesser echo of Ashiok’s eyelessness).

Kaya steps forward. “We have come to learn about Ashiok.” Bylun grins and beckons them forward. “Of 
course. You have come to the right place. We are the Order of Eternal Night.” Kaya shakes her head, 
looking around the room. “How long have you all been trapped in here?” Bylun corrects her: “We are 
chosen. For the divine mission of eternally safeguarding the sacred altar. Now step forward, and 
receive the gospel.”

As they walk to the center of the room, Chandra eyes the ghosts, then looks to Kaya. “Unfinished 
business?” Kaya nods. “Their belief. It’s keeping them here.” The spirits fill in behind and crowd 
close, laying hands on their shoulders, trapping them. Chandra shivers, creeped out by the 
Cultists. Bylun listens closely, incredibly perceptive despite his inability to see: “I can hear 
that you are afraid. The young girl especially. Worry not, your fear is welcome here.”

Bylun tells the story of Ashiok, drawing their attention to various stone-carved PANELS around the 
periphery. Each one is a graphic depiction of one phase of the story, similar to the Stations of 
the Cross, which subtly ANIMATES when Bylun points to it.

PANEL 1: An image of Ashiok, hurtling through the Blind Eternities. Bylun: “Ashiok is. Ashiok 
always was. Ashiok always will be.” Jace, Kaya, and Chandra nod, pretending to be intrigued and 
impressed by the story.

PANEL 2: Shows the plane of Vyrle much as Teferi painted it, featuring the skyline they first 
encountered. But in the foreground, soldiers wearing two different uniforms engage in battle. And 
from the corner of the image, Ashiok descends as if from the heavens. Bylun: “Long ago, our 
ancestors lived in chaos. Different nations, endlessly warring for food, water, and land. Until 
Ashiok appeared.”

PANEL 3: Shows Ashiok standing before a 5-pointed ALTAR, just like the one at the center of the 
Inner Sanctum. Five glowing orange ORBS float up out of the top half of Ashiok’s head, and drop 
into the corners of the Altar, which glows with magical power. Bylun: “Ashiok brought forth great 
power, and with it, he fueled... the Dark Ritual.”

The other spirits reverently SCREAM at the mention of the Dark Ritual. Kaya realizes, “The Ritual… 
that’s what Ashiok needs Embers for..” Jace studies the image, connecting the glowing orange orbs 
with those he saw during his encounter in Ashiok’s mindspace. Jace: “It has four already. It only 
needs one more.” Chandra nods, realizing: “Gunge.”

PANEL 4: Shows the cityscape in darkened form... with the Colossus of Ashiok now towering over the 
skyline. The fighting soldiers are gone, replaced by identical robed


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


9




worshippers kneeling at the feet of Ashiok. Lines of energy radiate upward from them toward their 
god, and Ashiok grows larger, looming over his followers. Bylun: “Eternal Night fell across the 
land. And with it: peace. War became a forgotten memory, as all were united under Ashiok.”

As the last panel goes dark, Bylun turns to Jace, “But our civilization grew weak. We did not have 
the strength to sustain our fear. And so came... The Collapse.” The Ghost-Cultists all SCREAM in 
agony. Bylun continues, “Our god left us. But we have faith… Ashiok will return.”
Jace exchanges a look with Chandra and Kaya. They’ve gotten the answers they came for, time to get 
the **** out of here. “That’s great. You’ve given us a lot to think about.” He tries to walk back 
toward the entrance, but the throng of spectral Cultists hold tight. Pressing in too close for them 
to Planeswalk away.

“Your arrival... is a sign!” Another SCREAM. Jace startles, irritated; “Agh, enough with the 
screaming, we get it.” Bylun: “Our screams are a celebration of fear. Fear unites us. Fear is 
blind.” Bylun removes his mask, revealing scarred-over sockets where his eyes once were. “We give 
up our eyes to join Ashiok in the divine darkness.” Bylun pulls out a two-pronged GOUGING BLADE. 
Perfect for ritualistic eye-removal. “I have been chosen to bring you the peace of Eternal Night.”

Jace, Kaya, and Chandra try to free themselves from the Ghost-Cultists. But the spirits hold tight. 
Kaya phases into spirit-form, but the transformation is useless against her spectral captors. 
Chandra is seized and dragged up onto the Altar; she attempts to blast her way free, but fire does 
nothing to the ghosts. Bylun stands over her with the Gouging Blade, as two ghosts hold her eyes 
open. “Do not struggle, child. This transformation is a great honor. Save your fear for Ashiok.” As 
she screams and writhes in terror, he brings the blade down...

But Kaya interrupts with a shout – “Liar! False prophet!” Bylun pauses, irritated. The crowd of 
ghosts murmurs, outraged by the accusations. But Kaya presses on, calling out Bylun – “You claim 
Ashiok has chosen you, but you’re just stuck here because you’re too deluded to move on.” Bylun: “I 
am invincible. Thanks to the blessing of Ashiok.” Jace jumps in, sensing an opportunity: 
“Invincible? Then prove it.” Bylun is amused. “Against you?” Jace: “No. Against her.” He points to 
Kaya, who shakes her head. “Do you ever fight your own battles?” Jace smirks. “Come on, you’re 
gonna kick his ass.”

Jace turns back to Bylun: “Unless you’re afraid.” Bylun smiles, “I fear only Ashiok.”  The High 
Priest sizes up the situation. If he avoids the challenge, he risks losing the faith of his 
followers, so Bylun nods. “It will be my great privilege to kill you in the name of Ashiok.” The 
spirits step back, pulling Chandra off the Altar and clearing space for a duel.







MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


10




INT. RAVNICA — TEFERI’S CLOCKTOWER — MAIN HALL — DAY

Ashiok’s Nightmare-Phyrexians rush inside, but Teferi fires off time-bubbles, freezing each 
manifestation in its tracks, quickly turning his Hall into a strange museum of hellish, frozen 
creatures. But they keep coming. Unstoppable.

An unlikely ally steps up at Teferi’s side: Kffnk, clutching his dagger. Teferi nods to the tiny 
homunculus, grateful. “I suppose this is why I keep you around.” Kffnk launches himself at one of 
the Phyrexians, nimbly dodges its attacks, then leaps on its back and stabs it viciously, again and 
again. Surprisingly effective for its diminutive size.

Teferi turns back to the battle, his confidence growing. Calls out, “Ashiok! That’s right... I know 
your name. I’m not afraid of you.” But when the next manifestation walks in, Teferi freezes. Shaken 
to the core. Reveal: it’s NIGHTMARE-ELESH-NORN, a monstrous humanoid with boomerang-like blades 
sweeping back from its face, its torso splayed open. Even though Teferi knows this is Ashiok’s dark 
magic, the sight of the creature makes his blood run cold.

Nightmare-Elesh-Norn advances toward Teferi, who is so paralyzed with fear, he’s unable to use his 
power. The creature towers over him, menacing, when suddenly – it’s PETRIFIED, turning to stone. 
Teferi looks behind him to see – Vraska! Joining the fight, with her sword and petrifying gaze. 
Vraska indicates Elesh Norn: “Old friend?” Teferi shakes his head, “Old enemy,” as he gets back to 
time-freezing the attackers.  Vraska asks where Gunge is, and Teferi glances toward the stairs, 
just as – SMASH! The sound of a window breaking upstairs.

Both rush for the stairs, but the room fills with DARK MIST as Ashiok arrives. The number of 
manifestations increases, forcing Teferi and Vraska back. Soon, they’re overwhelmed and pinned 
down. They both watch, helpless, as the Hellhound bounds down the stairs – carrying Gunge in its 
jaws. The creature serves the child up to its master, and Ashiok grins, taking the boy.

Ashiok’s horrible mouth opens wide... and an ORANGE LIGHT begins to glow inside of Gunge. Teferi 
understands what’s happening: “His Ember...” Ashiok magically coaxes the Ember out; the light 
floats up from the child’s belly, into his throat... But before it leaves his mouth, Vraska calls 
to him: “Gunge! Look at me.” The boy turns to Vraska, and she whispers fiercely, “I will always 
protect you.” Then she PETRIFIES the child. Instantly, he turns to stone – and the glow of his 
Ember vanishes, safely encased in his now-stone form. Ashiok SHRIEKS with primal fury.

INT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — INNER SANCTUM

Ghost-Cultists fiercely grip Chandra and Jace, as they all step back to watch the duel between Kaya 
and Bylun. Chandra shivers, and Jace tries to check in with her: “You okay?” She brushes him off, 
“I’ve still got eyes. For now.”


MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20


11



Bylun picks up his weapon – a long staff with crescent-moon axe-blades on both ends, rippling with 
spirit energy just like Kaya’s daggers. Kaya and Bylun circle each other. He taunts her: “I can 
hear how scared you are by your breathing.” Kaya: “At least I am breathing.” She phases into spirit 
form and launches at him with her two glowing daggers.

A ghost-duel for the ages ensues. The two spectral combatants go at each other full-tilt, careening 
off of columns, locking blades in mid-air (think Crouching Tiger meets The Matrix). Despite his 
blindness, Bylun knows the environment perfectly, and his hearing is attuned to every slight 
movement Kaya makes; he swings at her with deadly precision.
Chandra winces at every blow. Jace squeezes her shoulder reassuringly. “She’s got this.” He turns 
back to the fight, sotto: “I hope...”

Kaya retreats, backing up onto the Altar – which infuriates Bylun. He swings at her recklessly, 
giving her a chance to flip behind him and attack. For a moment it appears she has the upper hand, 
but Bylun deflects her blows and counters with a nasty slice, cutting into her side. Kaya retreats, 
badly wounded, spirit energy bleeding out.

Bylun crouches, listening, ready to strike at Kaya the instant he hears her. She holds her breath. 
Total silence fills the room. This can’t go on forever. She looks around, searching for an idea... 
and spots Jace. Her eyes glint with a new plan. She pulls out the Music Box Coin she took from him 
and flips it into the air, tossing it over Bylun’s head. It CLATTERS down on the altar, causing 
Bylun to spin and swing his weapon. Nothing there – and Kaya seizes the opportunity, lunges at him 
from behind, and stabs him in the back with both daggers.
The High Priest collapses onto the Altar, his life-force draining... until he vanishes completely.

The other spirits are shocked. Unsure what to do. Kaya seizes the opportunity to address them: 
“Your priest lied to you. Ashiok is never coming back.” The spirits murmur with discontent, rattled 
by the death of their leader. Kaya presses her point – “Ashiok has found another world. With more 
followers. It doesn’t need you anymore – and you don’t need Ashiok! Your business here is done.” As 
their faith in Ashiok’s return crumbles, the ghostly Cultists begin to disappear one by one. When 
the last Cultist’s spirit vanishes, the glowing lines on the Altar go dark, no longer powered by 
the energy of Ashiok’s followers.

Immediately, the entire Temple RUMBLES. The Altar cracks. Stones begin to rain down from the 
ceiling. Chandra dodges one; “What the hell?” Kaya explains, “There’s no more fear to fuel the 
enchantment. Ashiok’s spell is broken.” She grabs the Music Box Coin from the altar and she, Jace, 
and Chandra take off as a cave-in fills the Inner Sanctum.

EXT. VYRLE — TEMPLE OF ASHIOK — NIGHT

They come running outside as the entrance collapses, spewing a cloud of dust, then look back to see 
the Colossus of Ashiok come toppling down, sending up a tidal wave of sand. As



MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20

12
the haze clears, a sliver of light cracks over the horizon, and a warm glow bathes the
desolate landscape. A new DAWN comes to Vyrle for the first time in centuries.

Kaya is back in physical form, but still nursing a nasty wound in her side. Jace feels a twinge of 
guilt and asks if she’s okay; Kaya assures him it’ll take more than that to kill her. Jace: “In 
that case... can I have my coin back?” “**** off,” she tells him with a smirk. Chandra surveys the 
ruins of this once-thriving civilization, soberly: “The embers it steals give Ashiok the power to 
do this.” Jace nods, grim-faced, “We’d better get back before it can do the same to Ravnica.” All 
three PLANESWALK away together, leaving ripples of energy in their wake.

INT. RAVNICA — TEFERI’S CLOCK TOWER — MAIN HALL – DAY

They arrive to find that the place has been TRASHED. The doors and windows are all broken, and the 
Hall is littered with rubble, broken glass, destroyed antique furniture... and a single set of 
child-sized yellow footprints that ends abruptly in a smear. Jace, Kaya and Chandra go on high 
alert... but it’s clear, the threat has passed. The damage is done.

They find Teferi digging frantically through rubble, his fingers raw. As they approach, he doesn’t 
even look up. “He’s in here... I know he is...” Teferi lifts away another stone, and finds
– Kffnk, pinned beneath the wreckage, his body bent at a horrible angle. Teferi shakes him 
desperately, tears rising in his eyes. “Kffnk... Kffnk, please...” But his companion is gone.
Teferi cradles the small blue creature in his arms.

Kaya kneels beside him. “Where’s Gunge?” Teferi just shakes his head. “I failed. Again.”
END OF EPISODE
MTG 105 - Outline 6/5/20