EXT. SAI VILLAGE - ETHIOPIA - DAWN
The first light of day breaks over the horizon, casting golden hues over the thatched roofs of the Sai Village. A TAILED BIRD soars high above, gliding towards a massive tree at the village's edge, as tall as the Eiffel Tower.
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EXT. GREAT TREE - CONTINUOUS
LAETAYEO (13), stands atop a vast branch, watching the wastelands beyond his village. He is lost in thought, the wind gently tugging at his clothes.
LAETAYEO (whispering to himself) What worlds lie beyond these plains?
He climbs down and heads back to the heart of the village.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - MARKETPLACE - MORNING
The village is alive with the bustling sounds of daily life. Laetayeo joins his friends, OBI and TRISTAN, near a stall.
(OBI) Laetayeo! You missed the morning rush!
(TRISTAN) He was probably daydreaming atop the Great Tree again.
They laugh, slinging arms over each other's shoulders, walking through the market.
Laetayeo stops at a fruit stall, eyeing a particularly ripe mango. The vendor, an elderly woman with kind eyes, smiles at him.
(VENDOR) Good morning, Laetayeo. Dreaming of adventures again?
LAETAYEO (grinning) Always, but today I'm just dreaming of breakfast.
She hands him the mango, and he takes a bite, savoring the sweet juice. Obi and Tristan grab some fruit as well, and they wander through the market, chatting and laughing.
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EXT. TRAINING GROUND - DAY
KUGO, 40s, stern and wise, watches as Laetayeo and MAKIS spar. Both show impressive martial prowess.
KUGO (calling out) Remember, strength is the servant of wisdom!
Makis lands a skilled hit, and Laetayeo stumbles, laughing.
MAKIS (grinning) Guess I'm the wiser one today!
LAETAYEO (laughing) Only today!
They continue sparring, their movements a blur of skill and speed. Laetayeo manages to disarm Makis, but Makis quickly recovers, flipping Laetayeo onto the ground. They both lie there, panting and laughing.
KUGO (smiling) Enough for today. Go, enjoy your day.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - FOOD STALL - DAY
Laetayeo, Makis, Obi, and Tristan sit around a table, devouring plates of grilled meat and vegetables. They talk animatedly, their voices blending with the sounds of the bustling marketplace.
(OBI) Did you hear about the merchant from the city? He brought strange gadgets and stories of the world beyond.
(TRISTAN) I heard he even had a map of the lands beyond the mountains.
MAKIS (thoughtfully) Maybe one day we'll see those places for ourselves.
LAETAYEO (determined) We will. One day.
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EXT. RIVERBANK - AFTERNOON
The friends decide to cool off by the river, splashing and playing in the water. Laetayeo climbs a nearby tree and dives in, creating a big splash.
OBI (laughing) Show off!
(TRISTAN) You're just jealous you can't climb like him!
They continue playing until the sun begins to lower, their laughter echoing through the trees.
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INT. LAETAYEO'S HOME - KITCHEN - DAY
Laetayeo's mother, CRE, and her sister TOYA are deep in conversation over steaming cups of coffee.
TOYA (concerned) Cre, you know the village talks. Laetayeo's birth was a miracle. Isn't it time he saw more of the world?
CRE (sighing) This world is cruel, Toya.
They'd use him up and throw him away.
TOYA (insistent) But if he's our hope, how can we keep him hidden? He's not just our light, Cre.
Their conversation is interrupted by the distant sound of commotion.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - SQUARE - SUNSET
A MYSTERIOUS MAN in a cloak,
GINGORDA, appears in the village center. Sai warriors confront him, but he moves with supernatural agility, dodging every attack.
GINGORDA (raising his hands)I come not to fight, but with a message.
The villagers gather, whispers fluttering through the crowd. Cre, holding Laetayeo's hand, steps forward protectively.
CRE (firmly) What do you want with my son?
GINGORDA (looking around, voice resonating with empathy) Your village suffers… I can offer resources, medicine, food — a future.
He gestures, and boxes of supplies materialize, astounding the villagers.
GINGORDA (CONT'D) In exchange, I ask for Laetayeo's help beyond these borders.
CRE (defiantly) And if I refuse?
GINGORDA (earnestly) Without him, others will suffer as you have, only worse. He can save them.
Laetayeo looks up, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and wonder.
LAETAYEO (to Cre) Mama, what if it's true? What if I can help?
Gingorda offers a small button to Laetayeo.
GINGORDA (softly) Press this when you're ready. There are others like you, waiting.
He steps back, disappearing as mysteriously as he arrived. The villagers murmur amongst themselves, stunned by the revelation and the sudden bounty.
TOYA (whispering to Cre) Perhaps it's a sign, sister.
Laetayeo clutches the button, looking out at the horizon now lit by the setting sun, his heart torn between the known and the unknown.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - NIGHT
The village is quieter now, but clusters of people still discuss the day's events. Laetayeo sits with his friends around a small fire, the button in his hand.
(OBI) Are you really thinking about going with him?
(LAETAYEO) I don't know. What if I can make a difference?
(TRISTAN) We'd miss you, but it's your choice, Laetayeo. Just be careful.
MAKIS (nodding) Whatever you decide, we're with you.
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INT. LAETAYEO'S HOME - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Laetayeo lies in bed, staring at the ceiling. He holds the button tightly, his mind racing with possibilities. He hears his mother and aunt talking in the next room.
CRE (softly) He's still just a boy, Toya. I don't want to lose him.
TOYA (gently) He's destined for more, Cre. We have to trust him.
Laetayeo closes his eyes, making a silent promise to himself to find his path.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - GREAT TREE - DAWN
Laetayeo climbs the Great Tree one last time, watching the sun rise over his village. The horizon calls to him, filled with unknown adventures and potential.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - MARKETPLACE - MORNING
The village is bustling again. Laetayeo, with his friends by his side, walks through the marketplace. They stop at the fruit stall from before.
VENDOR (smiling) Off to dream again, Laetayeo?
LAETAYEO (smiling back) Maybe more than dreaming this time.
He shares a knowing look with his friends and takes a deep breath.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - SQUARE - NOON
Laetayeo stands in the square, surrounded by villagers. Cre and Toya watch from a distance, their eyes filled with a mix of pride and worry. Laetayeo holds up the button, his heart pounding.
LAETAYEO (to the villagers) I'm going to see what's out there. I'll come back, and I'll help us all.
He presses the button, and in a flash of light, he disappears. The villagers gasp, and then a sense of calm settles over them.
CRE (whispering to Toya) He'll be okay. He has to be.
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EXT. UNKNOWN LANDSCAPE - DAY
Laetayeo appears in a new land, filled with vibrant colors and strange creatures. He looks around, amazed and determined.
LAETAYEO (whispering to himself) This is just the beginning.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. SAI VILLAGE - DAY
Life continues in the village. The supplies left by Gingorda are used to improve the lives of the villagers. Cre and Toya work with the community, ensuring everyone has what they need.
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EXT. TRAINING GROUND - DAY
Makis trains alone, honing his skills. He stops and looks towards the horizon, silently wishing Laetayeo well.
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EXT. SAI VILLAGE - MARKETPLACE - NIGHT
The village gathers for a celebration, a tribute to Laetayeo's bravery and hope for his safe return. Lanterns float into the sky, carrying their wishes.
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EXT. UNKNOWN LANDSCAPE - NIGHT
Laetayeo sets up camp under a starlit sky. He pulls out a small journal and begins to write about his journey, promising to return with stories and knowledge.
LAETAYEO (writing) For my village, for my family, for the future.
FADE OUT.