The Swap
Scene 1 – Calm Before the Storm
On top of a cliff, Kyofu stands next to General Yuki and Big Yama, his robotic left eye zooming in on Noka’s farm. Yuki brews a powerful windstorm with his dark magic, sending it raging through the fields, destroying Noka’s largest windmill. Kyofu zooms his eye back out, a sinister grin forming on his face.
Yuki: (hands Kyofu a glowing orange crystal) “Take this. You know what to do with it.”
Kyofu nods as Yuki starts walking down the mountain.
Scene 2 – Devastation
The storm has left devastation in its wake. The windmill, vital for grinding grain into flour for making bread, lies in ruins. Crops are also damaged. Noka paces nervously.
Noka: (muttering to himself) “Tomorrow is Sunday, the day our villagers harvest and gather their food for the week. If we have no food, the village will starve!”
Scene 3 -A Desperate Plea
Noka rushes to the village, finding Biru.
Noka: “Biru! I ungently need your help rebuilding the windmill.”
Biru: “Of course, let’s go!”
Kyofu waits hidden in the bushes. As they pass, Kyofu fires an arrow at Biru, hitting him. Biru briefly shouts in pain, his eyes flashing an eerie green before returning to normal. Under Kyofu’s spell, he discreetly removes the arrow and picks up an orange crystal Kyofu had tossed at his feet.
Noka: “What happened?”
Biru: “Ah, just stepped on a thorn. Nothing to worry about.”
Noka nods, and they continue toward the farm.
Scene 4 – The Swap
At the farm, Noka gestures toward the damaged windmill.
Noka: “Here it is. Think you can fix it?”
Biru: “No problem. I’ll get started.”
As Noka turns away, Biru secretly swaps Noka’s Earth Crystal with Yuki’s orange replica. He then begins rebuilding the windmill while Noka heads to the fields to grow back the crops, unaware of the switch.
Biru finishes his work and heads home. Noka also goes to sleep, believing his crops will regrow overnight.
Scene 5 – Unanswered Questions
The following morning, Biru wakes up confused. The effect of the spell is gone.
Biru: (checking his pocket) “Noka’s Earth Crystal? How did this get here?”
He rushes to the farm, waking Noka.
Biru: “Noka! What happened last night? The last thing I remember was walking with you toward the farm.”
Noka: “What do you mean? You rebuilt the windmill and went home. You don’t remember?”
Biru: “I don’t, and… your Earth Crystal was in my pocket.”
Noka: “That’s impossible. My crystal is here on my…”
Noka stops, staring at the orange crystal on his scythe.
Noka: “Then what’s this?!”
He rips the imposter crystal off and smashes it to the ground. Just then, an arrow attached to a line flies through the open window, latching onto the real Earth Crystal. In an instant, the crystal is yanked away.
Scene 6 – A Dark Encounter
Noka and Biru sprint outside, following the line to the fields. Horror fills their eyes—the remaining crops have been destroyed by the dark magic from the fake crystal the night before. Kyofu stands amid the devastation, holding the Earth Crystal.
Kyofu: “Looking for this?”
Kyofu uses the crystal’s power to summon vines that wrap around Noka and Biru. Before he can celebrate, Senshi arrives, having come early to pick the best crops.
Scene 7 – The Fight for the Crystal
Kyofu sends more vines at Senshi. Senshi’s magic lasso deflects some, but he is overwhelmed.
As Kyofu grins in triumph, Senshi’s lasso slips free, knocking open Noka’s seed bag. Fire-breathing plants sprout, scorching the vines and freeing them.
Realizing he’s overpowered, Kyofu tries to flee. Senshi’s lasso catches his foot, tripping him and forcing him to drop the Earth Crystal. The lasso retrieves the crystal and returns it to Noka.
Noka and Biru, now free, combine their powers. Noka binds Kyofu in vines while Biru swings his Kozuchi Hammer, sending Kyofu flying into the horizon.
Scene 8 – The Village is Saved
Only an hour remains before the villagers arrive. Noka concentrates, channeling all the Earth Crystal’s power to regrow the crops just in time.
The villagers arrive, collecting their food, thanking Noka, and departing — unaware of the battle that had taken place. Noka winks at Biru and Senshi.
Noka: “Our little secret.”
They smile, knowing they saved the village once again.