EXT. VENICE — ROOFTOPS — NIGHT

italy glows beneath a stormy sky. Sirens echo through narrow streets. Searchlights sweep canals where police boats race toward chaos.

Liam stands alone on a rooftop overlooking the city.

His breathing is slow—but heavy.

Northern Lights drift lazily around him, responding to his mood.

Behind him—

The air compresses.

Not wind.

Not sound.

Pressure.

Liam turns—

ROY stands at the edge of the roof, coat fluttering unnaturally upward, boots inches above the tiles.

Silver eyes locked onto Liam.

ROY

You’re improving.

Liam doesn’t step back.

LIAM

You let the weapons through.

Roy tilts his head.

ROY

I wanted to see what you’d choose.

The roof tiles CRACK beneath Liam’s feet as gravity increases.

Liam bends his knees, stabilizing.

LIAM

You want to fight?

Roy floats closer.

ROY

No.

A beat.

ROY (CONT’D)

I want to measure you properly.

THE DUEL BEGINS

Roy raises one finger.

The city DROPS AWAY.

Gravity flips.

Liam is hurled upward into the sky—

He activates Northern Float, stabilizing mid-air.

Roy vanishes.

Reappears above him.

A gravity pulse slams Liam downward—

Liam twists, fire and ice suspending around his arms.

🔥❄️ ELEMENT LIMBO — SUSPENSION

The force hits—

And slows.

The pressure doesn’t disappear.

It stalls.

Roy’s eyes widen—just slightly.

ROY

You’re pausing it.

Liam exhales hard.

LIAM

That’s kind of my thing.

He releases.

A burst of steam and ice explodes outward, forcing Roy back for the first time.

They hover above Italy  now—lightning flashing behind them.

ROY TURNS SERIOUS

Roy spreads both arms.

The clouds above collapse inward.

Gravity wells form around Liam—multiple points pulling at once.

Liam’s chains erupt from his back, anchoring into the air itself, glowing blue.

He strains.

Blood trickles from his nose.

ROY

This is where you break.

Liam clenches his jaw.

Fire and ice rise again—but instead of fusing—

They orbit his entire body.

Not attacking.

Defending.

🔥❄️ ELEMENT LIMBO: FIELD STATE (UNSTABLE)

The gravity wells distort—bending around him.

Roy stares now.

No smile.

ROY

…You’re not just reacting anymore.

Liam looks straight at him.

LIAM

Then stop testing me.

A moment.

The pressure eases.

Roy lowers his hand.

They descend slowly back toward the rooftops.

THE WARNING

Roy lands first.

Liam follows, breathing hard but standing.