
1 chapter • 3 scenes
In 1847, a reclusive botanical illustrator stumbles upon an uncharted volcanic island in the South Atlantic, where she discovers a species that defies Victorian classification—challenging the scientific establishment and forcing her to choose between recognition and protecting the wonder she found.




A vaulted ceiling room lined with oil portraits of great men, dominated by a heavy mahogany table where Arthur Sterling holds court, filled with the weight of institutional authority and unspoken hierarchies.

A jagged volcanic peak rising from South Atlantic waters, shrouded in perpetual mist, with steaming fumaroles, black sand beaches, and a central crater garden where the impossible species grows in bioluminescent clusters.
Eleanor discovers an impossible species on an uncharted volcanic island, returns to England seeking recognition, but must choose between professional acceptance through Arthur Sterling's exploitation or protecting the wonder she found by standing in her integrity.
Eleanor Vance discovers an impossible bioluminescent species on an uncharted volcanic island, documents it in her sketchbook, returns to England seeking recognition from the Royal Society, but faces Arthur Sterling's demand to sign over her discovery—forcing her to choose between professional validation and protecting the wonder she found.
Eleanor discovers the bioluminescent species in the volcanic crater garden and documents it in her sketchbook.

Arthur Sterling offers Eleanor Royal Society recognition if she signs over her discovery to him.

Eleanor refuses Sterling's offer and chooses to protect the island's wonder, walking out with Silas waiting at the door.
