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INT. SYDNEY AIRPORT - MORNING

Critter chases Kiah as she slips into the airport.

CRITTER: What are you talking about? You know where the Tree of Knowledge is? You never told me we were finding the Tree of Knowledge.

KIAH: I thought my contact was crazy, but as things begin to uncoil...

CRITTER: Your contact?

KIAH: ...It's like I can feel it. Like the energy I picked up from that joey with the amulet, it's like it's still in me, guiding me to the Tree by tracing the Cross back to its roots.

CRITTER: That literally doesn't make any sense. It's hardly like the Cross could have been made out of the same wood that made up the Tree of Knowledge? Wait. Joey energy?

KIAH: I know, but somehow the two are still connected, at least symbolically. Sin was released onto the world through the Tree, the Cross reconciled it, see? Somehow when I touched the Cross, the connection was opened through me.

CRITTER: Uh, I'm not quite sure I follow your logic, but okay.

Critter turns his attention to the destination boards.

CRITTER: So this Tree... You know where it is?

Kiah follows his gaze to the board, and inspects it with her snake vision.

KIAH: Well, letters on a board aren't exactly helping. I need an actual line, an actual direction to follow it in.

CRITTER: But surely the Tree must be over in the Middle East or Africa or something. There are whole Oceans between us and there.

KIAH: I know. Why do you think I came here? But I have no idea which destinations are in the Middle-East, you know.

Kiah is about to head out when a foot comes down before them and Kiah has to back up a few inches under the bench. Critter jumps on the opportunity.

CRITTER: And you're still sure this is a good idea?

KIAH: What? Why souldn't it be?

CRITTER: This whole thing. The Cross, the Tree of Knowledge... Biting Habibah last night... You were supposed to reconcile with her, not...

Kiah hesitates, her eyes going dark.

KIAH: I saved her from doing a great wrong. You know that. The doctors will take care of her.

CRITTER: I know but... Something just doesn't seem right.

KIAH: And you would know right from wrong. You never ate from the Tree of Knowledge.

CRITTER: I, uh... I've seen a few movies.

KIAH: You've spent too much time on the windowsill.

CRITTER: Just... Your contact. How do you know we can trust him?

KIAH: My... contact? What? Do you think it's fair that we distrust him just because he's a snake?

Kiah turns away in frustration.

CRITTER (Under breath): Nobody ever said he was a snake. (Pause) Or even a "he" for that matter...

Suddenly, a group of Guards come past, and Kiah looks up past the bench to see them leading Habibah to Security. Habibah weakly holds a bandage to her wound, the Guards carry her luggage. At the sight of Habibah, a brief look of relief crosses Kiah's face before she shakes it off.

AIRPORT GUARD 1: You're lucky your boss came through on his bail, most in that business would have left you to rot. Your arm treating you good?

HABIBAH: I'll live.

GUARD 2: Your flight back to your country leaves at ten o'clock. Get on it, and remember, you are no longer welcome in Australia.

CRITTER: Wow, any hope of repairing your relationship with her is gone now.

KIAH: Yes, but I gave her what she needed. A chance to not go through with her sin. (Pause) Wait, where do you think she's headed?

CRITTER: I don't know. Somewhere in the Middle East if I had a guess.

KIAH: Come on! I told you it's destiny.

Kiah rushes out from under the bench after Habibah.

CRITTER: Wait? Isn't it illegal to smuggle a Bearded Dragon out of Australia?

KIAH: It's probably illegal to smuggle a highly venomous snake out of Australia too. Now come on, let's go.

Critter SIGHS and scrambles after her. A woman lets out a SHRIEK as she almost steps on Kiah, pulling her foot away just in time. Kiah glances back as if to say "oh, come on."

They reach the Security Checkpoint as Habibah puts her bag on the conveyor belt. While the Guards are distracted Kiah and Critter slip unnoticed under the bag scanner.

EXT. SYDNEY AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

The Airplane takes off into the air.

INT. AIRPLANE LUGGAGE AREA - DAY

Kiah peaks her head out from Habibah's handbag to look around.

KIAH: Well, we're on our way.

Critter's head comes out beside hers as he takes in the plane.

CRITTER: What if somebody finds us and Habibah gets in trouble?

KIAH: It's not like she can get in any more trouble than she's already in...

Kiah stops, a look of instant regret on her face.

KIAH: I mean, it's not like she's smuggling us out; we're leaving by choice.

CRITTER: What? Not my choice. I'm your prisoner, remember?

KIAH: Well then, we'll just say I'm smuggling you out of Australia.

CRITTER: Yeah, I'm sure that's going to go over well with the authorities. (Sigh) I'm going to have a look around.

With that, Critter climbs from the bag, and heads out into the luggage area.

INT. AIRPLANE LUGGAGE AREA - LATER

Critter comes back dragging a Study Bible over to Habibah's bag. Kiah peeks out to look at him.

CRITTER: I found some Study Bible in somebody's luggage, and given that we're trying to find the Tree of Knowledge, I figured that we should try to learn as much about it as we can.

KIAH: Wait. You think it's safe bringing a Bible into the Middle-East these days?

CRITTER: There's a transfer I think. I don't think there are any direct flights from Australia to...(Looks at baggage tag) Erbil, it looks like? Besides, I hear things are supposed to be calming down over there anyway. I hope...

Critter opens the Bible to a page in Genesis, a study note map shows some possible locations for the Garden of Eden.

CRITTER: Okay, so this map shows a few ideas on where the Garden of Eden might be. The problem is, when we land, how will we know where we should check out?

KIAH: I don't need a map to find it. I can feel it.

CRITTER (Turning page): Okay. Well... The Bible also tells of a few hazards guarding the Garden. We'll have to find a way to overcome them if we want to make it there alive.

KIAH: Like traps?

CRITTER: Here, listen to this. (Reading) "After sending them out," Adam and Eve that is, "the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the Tree of Life."

KIAH: Cherubim?

CRITTER: They're like little baby Angels or something.

KIAH: Well, it says they're mighty, so we probably shouldn't antagonize them. That's to the east of the Garden, right. If we come in from the west...

CRITTER: But what of this flaming sword flashing it mentions?

KIAH: Sounds dangerous. We'll work our way around it.

CRITTER: Sure.

KIAH: Here, let me see that. Perhaps we can find something in here that will come in handy.

Kiah moves in alongside Critter to look at the Bible. She starts FLIPPING through the pages with her tail.

EXT. IRAQ: ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RUNWAY - DAY

A different plane comes to a landing on the runway.

INT. ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY

Habibah, now in full head-coverings, retrieves her bag from the conveyor belt and heads out.

EXT. ERBIL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PARKING-LOT - DAY

Habibah reaches the parking lot. She finds a bench and sit down, taking out her phone, and dialing her Um. After a few RINGS, it answers.

UM: Habibah? Are you okay?

HABIBAH: I'm at the airport. The job didn't go as I hoped... I'm sorry Um.

UM: I know. I saw the news.

HABIBAH: I was just trying to help. I didn't mean to...

Habibah breaks down CRYING. Kiah looks up at her from within the bag.

HABIBAH: I didn't want to... I tried...

UM: I know. I'll send someone to pick you up.

HABIBAH: Yeah.

UM: I'll see you soon. Love you. Bye.

HABIBAH: Love you.

With that Habibah hangs up. Putting away her phone, she looks at the parking lot, tears drying on her face. She reaches down to open her bag, and sees Kiah looking up at her from within.

Habibah SCREAMS, throwing her bag off her lap, and onto the ground. Kiah and Critter tumble out, Habibah's few belongings scattering across the parkinglot.

HABIBAH: It's you! What are you doing here? Finishing the job?

Kiah looks at Habibah. Habibah picks up an item from the bag, and throws it at Kiah.

HABIBAH: Get away from me you nasty beast!

Kiah flinches, but doesn't move. Habibah picks up more things, throwing them in unison.

HABIBAH: You tricked me into trusting you, and then you nearly killed me. You ruined my life, and now you followed me home! Get out of here you evil thing! I never want to see you again!

Habibah throws the Pungi at Kiah, and the instrument CLATTERS to the ground. Habibah and Kiah both stop to look at the instrument, then Habibah looks back up at Kiah.

HABIBAH: Go ahead, take it. I never want to use it again anyway.

Kiah backs away, following Critter out of the airport. Kiah looks back.

HABIBAH: You are a snake, the most evil creature in the world! You ruined my life, and I hate you!

Critter nudges Kiah.

CRITTER: Let's go.

Kiah follows Critter away. After making a reasonable distance from Habibah-

CRITTER: I'm sorry Kiah-

Kiah spins on Critter.

KIAH: What was I supposed to do? Let her steal the Cross?

CRITTER: I... I don't know.

Kiah takes a few calming breathes, then, with one last regretful look in Habibah's direction, retreats from the airport with Critter.

EXT. ERBIL CITY STREETS - DAY

Kiah and Critter make their way through the city, past street vendors and performers. Kiah passes a snake charmer charming a cobra and shakes her head.

Critter falls behind, and catches up a moment later, carrying a ripped piece of cloth.

CRITTER: Here, I got you something.

Kiah looks at it.

KIAH: What is it?

CRITTER: Here. Let me...

Critter quickly ties the piece of cloth around Kiah like a sling, and looks at it to examine his work. Kiah looks at it thoughtfully.

CRITTER: There. So, when you find what you're looking for, you'll have something to carry it in.

KIAH: You've become handy with your limbs. Thank you. Given that I don't have any of my own, I'll feel a lot more comfortable not having to carry it in my mouth.

Critter shrugs, and with that, they head out again.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY

Kiah and Critter leave the city behind and head into the Arabian Desert. They travel over rocky landscapes and over sandy dunes. The hot sand burns into Kiah's belly and Critter's paws, causing them great discomfort.

Critter comes to a stop.

CRITTER: I know you know where we're going, but I need a break. I need to bury myself under some sand, and we don't have any water.

KIAH: We don't have time. We have to keep going.

CRITTER: But the sand is scorching my paws.

KIAH: And the sand is scorching my whole paw-less belly. Why don't you try having no paws for once.

Critter's taken aback, but then the words settle and he looks away.

CRITTER: Do you think it'd be better if I was born with no paws like you?

Kiah looks at Critter and her face softens with guilt.

KIAH: It wasn't you who chose the curse. I- Just... Come on.

Exhausted, Critter SIGHS, then follows Kiah deeper into the Sun-drenched desert.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - NIGHT

Critter and Kiah are buried under sand, shivering in the night air as the stars shine overhead. Critter looks at Kiah, lost in her dark thoughts.

CRITTER: You're sure you're good to keep going?

KIAH: I have to find the Tree. I have to make everything right.

Kiah curls up further under her pile of sand, and Critter looks over at her, pity on his face.

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT - DAY

They continue through the desert under the heavy sun. Suddenly, Kiah stops.

CRITTER: What is it?

KIAH: We're close.

Kiah looks into the distance and finds rocky, barren mountains ahead.

KIAH: It must be over there.

CRITTER: What? It's too desolate here. This cannot be the place where the Garden of Eden is.

KIAH: Well, at least the entrance is over there.

CRITTER: Entrance?

EXT. ARABIAN DESERT HILLS - DAY

Kiah leads the way as they enter the rocky hills, a few shrubs dotting the area. Kiah looks around in snake vision.

CRITTER: I'm still not sure this is the Garden. I mean, not anymore at least.

KIAH: Come on.

Kiah moves to a rock wall, and stops before a hole. Critter follows, and they look into the darkness together.

KIAH: It's in there. I know it.

CRITTER: It's underground? Like all those hidden kingdoms in the movies.

KIAH: Yeah, I think that's the case.

CRITTER: Well, the entrance is sort of small. It would make sense why no one has stumbled upon it yet.

KIAH: Yeah, but what about to the East?

CRITTER: Maybe it's just as small over there.

Critter looks into the darkness.

CRITTER: Are you sure it's safe, there could be a snake living in there.

KIAH: You don't say?

CRITTER: Well, you go first. Watch out for flaming swords and cherubim and stuff.

Kiah SIGHS and heads into the darkness.

INT. GARDEN OF EDEN ENTRANCE TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS

A few feet into the darkness. Kiah looks back to see Critter anxiously following her. Suddenly, the ground falls out from under her, and Kiah gives a CRY as she plummets. Critter, inches behind her, loses his footing at the edge and plummets down after her.

Kiah hits a slope, and slides down a long, steep, tunnel. Her momentum carries her sideways, and she starts tumbling in a roll. She CRIES OUT, and just then comes falling out of a hole in the ceiling of a wider tunnel. Critter comes landing beside her, regaining himself. Kiah looks up the way they had come.

KIAH: Well, it'll be fun getting back out that way. Come on, the Garden's this way.

Kiah starts down the tunnel. A few feet later it opens into--

INT. COBRA PIT - DAY

SLITHERING within the darkness. Critter YELPS, and leaps behind Kiah.

Out of the darkness emerges a COBRA, then another, followed by another, A WHOLE HORDE, ALL MOVING AS ONE, eyes GLEAMING in the dim light.

CRITTER: There are snakes in this hole!

KIAH: Cobras? Here? Is this not the way to the Garden of Eden.

COBRAS: We here lie between the boundary of the Earth above and the pathway to the Garden of Eden.

Kiah glances to the opposite edge of the pit. Through the ever-shifting mass of snakes, she spots another opening.

KIAH: Then why are you here, not further in?

COBRAS: We exist here, we live here, but we do not go beyond the boundaries of our pit.

KIAH: Why not? Out of all the snakes here over the period of thousands of years, not one of you has ever tried to reconcile snakes with the Tree of Knowledge?

COBRAS: Why should we? This is our lot, our place in life, why should we seek out that which we do not need?

KIAH: It may not seem important to you, but it's important for me. I am Kiah the Death Adder, and I was sent here to find the Tree of Knowledge and make amends for the Serpent's deception of Adam and Eve.

The cobras move in front Kiah, blocking her path to the tunnel beyond, rising up above Kiah, their HOODS unfolding. Critter once again ducks behind Kiah.

CRITTER: Look at those hoods. You need to get yourself one of those.

COBRAS: Death Adder you say. If this calling is true, then why for so long must we have waited, from so far must you have traveled, for serpent to be reconciled with good?

KIAH: I don't have all the answers, but what I do know is this, for too long have snakes been looked down upon just for being the way they are. Now let move aside!

The Cobras looks at Kiah with those unblinking eyes.

COBRAS: We're afraid not. We rest here, we seal the way. It is our nature to be feared; is it not necessary for serpent to be hated? For is it not our design to ward of, to strike down, those who wander where they shouldn't?

Kiah goes still--

INT. AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CROSS EXHIBIT - NIGHT/FLASHBACK

Kiah STRIKES at Habibah--

INT. COBRA PIT - DAY

The cobras see the look in Kiah's eyes.

COBRAS: Yes, you know what we mean. You're no different then us. What makes you think that you are any more worthy for this task than the rest of us? Just another crafty creature...

All deathly eyes turn on her and Critter, their bodies start swarming around them.

CRITTER: Uh, Kiah, we probably shouldn't die.

COBRAS: And for that, you too have wandered where you shouldn't.

With that, a cobra STRIKES! Kiah swerves out of the way just as another comes in. The Serpents are swarming all around them. Kiah dodges their strikes, chaotically weaving her way throw the swarming mass.

Critter expands hiss beard, HISSING at the snakes, barely scrambling out of the way as they strike.

A Cobra has Kiah cornered. The Cobra leaps at Kiah, and she ducks out of the way. She spins around him to get at his back, but before she can bite him, he spins around to face her. They throw themselves at each other, rolling around the ground in a fierce battle. Rearing back up, they HISS at each other.

Another snake comes at Kiah, and she rolls out of the way and back into the main mass.

Critter gives a cry, and she turns her gaze to where he's standing on a rock, just out of the cobras' reach. But they are swarming together, rising up to meet him.

Kiah dashes across the ground for Critter, and using the other snakes as a ramp, pulls herself in for a strike, and UNLEASHES, launching through the air for him, wrapping him in her body, landing on the far side of the chamber.

Kiah spins to face the snakes, once again gathering toward her, shielding Critter with her body. She looks and notices the far tunnel is now right behind her, now unprotected.

Kiah looks at the Cobras, defiance on her face.

KIAH: You're right, I'm not any different than you. That's why I have to do this. For all of us. To prove that maybe we don't have to be different.

And with that, Kiah leaps for the exit, wrapping herself around him, dragging him behind her as she tumbles in.

There is another slope and they tumble down it at top speeds, entering into--

INT. CHAMBER OF THE FLAMING SWORD - DAY

They once again fall through the ceiling of another tunnel. Kiah unravels herself from Critter and looks ahead. The tunnel continues a few feet before curving around out of sight. A sound of HEATED, SLASHING METAL can be heard just ahead. Kiah looks up seeing no cobras coming down after them.

KIAH: Must be they don't dare come down here after us.

CRITTER: You know how you said we should enter the garden from the west?

Kiah pauses.

CRITTER: Well, I think we're now coming in from the east. We just passed right over the Garden.

KIAH: Well, then I guess we're just going to have to deal with that sword.

Critter nods, and they continue down the tunnel. As they move forward the sound of heated, clanking metal, becomes more apparent.

And then they round the corner, and there it is, a glorious Sword, lit with flame, swinging back and forth, blocking the path forward.

CRITTER: Well there it is. How are we going to get around it?

Kiah watches it in her snake vision for a moment, swinging back and forth.

KIAH: Well, the sword isn't everywhere at once, but it's movement looks pretty unpredictable. But if I can maneuver myself just right...

Kiah goes back to watching.

CRITTER: Well, if it slices and dices you, I will finally get to try Australian Death Adder.

Kiah looks at Critter.

CRITTER: What? You always want to eat me. It's only natural I return the favor.

KIAH: Great, a relationship built on the mutual desire to eat each other. Very healthy.

CRITTER: Yep, lots of protein. (Cringing) Wow, that... Was a little dark for me.

KIAH: Yeah, it's the company you keep.

Kiah turns back to the Sword, inspecting it for another moment, following its movements in snake vision.

KIAH: Okay, get in my pouch.

CRITTER: What?

KIAH: I think I might be able to make it, but I need to make sure you make it as well. Now get in my pouch.

CRITTER: Okay...

Critter climbs into the sling he made for Kiah, and presses close to her body for protection.

CRITTER: I feel like I'm a joey right now.

KIAH: Ready?

CRITTER: I don't know-

Before he can finish, Kiah charges toward the sword. A split second before reaching the opening, Kiah rears back...

And she STRIKES, the force of her momentum pulling her through the opening, just as the sword swings past.

But as her body soars through, the Sword switches back, heading STRAIGHT FOR HER STOMACH...

Kiah looks back and sees the Sword pulling closer, closer to her.

GASPING, Kiah swings her body up the wall, curving with the movement of the Sword...

And she's through the Sword missing her by inches.

Sliding into the tunnel beyond, Kiah looks back at Sword, once again swinging about freely, and SIGHS.

KIAH: We made it.

Critter slides out of the sling, staring blankly.

CRITTER: Yeah, but I don't think I have it in me to do that again.

KIAH: You're traveling with somebody directly above you on the food chain. What could be scarier than that?

With that, Kiah and Critter continue through the tunnel. As they proceed, the tunnel begins to open up, the space widening into a large tunnel. Ahead of them, a gate looms, light shining in from beyond. As they make their way toward it, statues of mighty angels begin to line the path on either side. Kiah and Critter stop to look at them.

CRITTER: Are these Cherubim the Bible was talking about? Not very cute babies.

KIAH: Well, I suppose somebody got their sources wrong. Handsome maybe, but definitely not cute. At least they're not one of those four-headed guys in Ezekiel.

CRITTER: I think they're guarding the way. Do you think they'll let us pass?

KIAH: Don't worry. They're just statues. Come on.

With that, Critter nods, and they continue toward the gate.

Suddenly, one of the Cherubim's eyes light up, and it watches over it's shoulder at the retreating duo, entering into the Garden.