Original subtitles

(gentle atmospheric music)

(light melodic orchestral music)

(bird squawks)

(birds chirping)

[Hespera] In a time before history, the Hyborian Age,

there existed the land of Hyrkania.

It was a place of breathtaking beauty and pristine nature,

where people lived as one with the goddess of the earth.

Respecting her gifts and sharing her bounty,

it was a time of peace and harmony,

until the rise of the barbarian King Anzus,

who swept across the land, bringing terror

and destruction wherever he went.

(village folk chattering)

Here, let's play rock, paper, scissors.

Your turn to go first.

(children laughing)

(ominous orchestral music) (thunder crashing)

(gates crashing)

(village folk screaming)

(barbarian yells)

(bird squawking)

(Vihur breathing heavily) (birds chirping)

(Vihur groans)

Just bad dreams, Vihur.

(Vihur groans)

Time to move on.

We're heading west today.

(Vihur huffs)

(peaceful orchestral music)

(leaves rustling)

(charcoal scraping)

I feel today is the day.

(vocalist sings in foreign language)

Bless your sacrifice.

Thank you, Forest.

(vocalist sings in foreign language)

(Vihur snorts)

(vocalist continues sings in foreign language)

(Vihur snorting) (horse hooves clopping)

(waterfall splashing)

(Vihur huffs)

Goddess Asherah, please make today the day I find my people.

(Sonja grunts) (water splashing)

Oh, stop it.

(Vihur groans)

Your odour would fell a skunk.

(water splashing)

(fantatheriums groaning)

[Poacher] They went this way!

On me!

[Poacher] Come on, tracks there, come on!

[Poacher] Get after them boys!

(fantatherium roaring)

(fantatheriums cantering) (horse neighing)

Get after them!

Yeah, there, come on!

[Poacher] I see their tracks.

Come on!

(horse hooves cantering) (tense orchestral music)

On me! (Horse whinnying)

Don't let them get away!

Let's make some money!

(Vihur huffs)

(Vihur snorts)

(light thoughtful music) (birds chirping)

(fantatherium groaning)

Goddess Asherah,

I pray you ease the suffering of this child of your forest.

(fantatherium groaning)

(fantatherium breathing heavily)

(fantatherium heartbeat thumping)

And grant me the power to find those who did this.

(sombre orchestral music) (birds chirping)

(Sonja thuds)

(Vihur snorts)

(horse hooves cantering)

(uplifting dramatic orchestral music)

You can't come.

You stay here.

Gonna cut some throats.

Vihur, are your ears still filled with water?

(lively folk music) (birds chirping)

Vihur, I said stay here.

(Vihur huffs)

When I get back, I'm swapping you for a pony.

(poachers laughing)

[Poacher] Pass me another keg.

I'm not nearly drunk enough.

[Poacher] Looks like you boys had a good day.

(poacher laughs)

Fantatherium horn will bring real gold.

[Poacher] Aye, and there's more where that came from.

[Poacher] We're gonna leave this place rich men.

[Poacher] Nothing left but vermin and scavengers!

Come on, mind the claws!

Mind the claws!

Careful! Careful!

Move your feet.

In you go!

Get in there!

(doors slamming)

(fanfare music)

It's the emperor.

- The emperor's coming. - It's him and his machines.

(ominous dramatic orchestral music)

(armour clanking)

(General Karlak snarls)

(door clanking) (General Karlak grunts)

[Guard] Kneel before your emperor.

Down on your knees.

So what...

Oh, thank you.

Thank you. That's very kind.

(water splashing)

[Commander Artran] My Emperor,

we have prepared a feast in your honour.

Progress first, feast later.

Commander?

Artran.

Commander Artran.

I want to hear of nothing but progress.

Uh, progress is excellent.

We're clearing half a league a day.

Half a league?

Are my machines not working correctly?

Oh, no, no, no.

Your machines are exceptional, my Emperor.

They're a wonder of invention.

A testament to your wisdom and vision.

Each one faster than 100 slaves.

I marvel at the brilliance of your mind

that you could even imagine them.

Without these machines,

we would never be able to cut the trees as fast as we are.

But the forest is vast,

and we lose many workers to the beasts that dwell within.

Commander Artran, you see, we need the lumber

to fire the furnaces, and the ore is building entire cities.

Homes for people.

Places for people to live, to work, to trade.

Do you see?

And there are secrets within that I shall have.

You wouldn't deny me these things.

You shall have everything you desire.

Good.

[Commander Artran] We've captured beasts for your arenas.

Sabretooths, volkhunds, a mortiferum even.

I am getting a Cyclops, though.

Isn't that right, Minister Coltar?

Oh, yes.

Yes, Emperor.

We have hunters in the forests of Nordheim

and Brythium right now.

They will not fail you.

Now that is real progress, Commander Artran.

Now, who do we have here, General Karlak?

[General Karlak] The last of the Turan rebels, my Emperor.

(prisoners whimpering) (prisoners sobbing)

(ominous orchestral music)

(lock clatters) (door creaking)

(prisoners shrieking)

[Slave Guard] Move it.

Move it!

Down, on your knees!

Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!

Have a care.

This man was once a great King of Turan.

Your Majesty, off of your knees.

You were royalty.

Show some dignity in defeat.

You know, we once met before, when I was a little slave boy

pouring ale in the service of King Anzus.

We did.

Oh, yes, yes.

I recall you had the promise of greatness

about you even then.

Really?

Because I recall how you spat on me.

Ah.

But, but, ancient history.

Perhaps we can make amends.

- Amends? I'm- - Yes.

I am at your service, Emperor.

Yes. Yes, you are.

Your lands bordered the Hyrkanian Forest.

And it's said to be as wide as the world itself.

You know I'm looking for something there.

[King Of Turan] The missing half of your Book of Secrets?

[Draygan] Do you know where it is?

Glorious Draygan, the Hyrkanian Forest

is endless and full of monsters.

What of the tribes who live there?

There are no tribes, Emperor.

It is too dangerous.

What of the Hyrkanians?

The Hyrkanians were all slaughtered

by your predecessor, my Lord.

Anzus, who you defeated with your machines

and your brilliance.

Only the gods dwell within,

and only they decide who may pass through.

You think that your gods can stop me

from conquering the world beyond?

Even you cannot defeat gods, my Lord.

Is that right?

(chuckles) I will defeat your gods.

Do you want to know how?

It's knowledge.

Knowledge that allows me to control the world

like I control those savage beasts.

It's knowledge that brings civilization to the barbarians.

Have any of your gods ever done that?

No.

No? Why?

Why?

Why?

Because your gods are not real!

They don't exist, and yet you continue to believe.

And that is why you

and all of your kind are relics from the past,

and I am the future!

Karlak.

[General Karlak] What is your judgement, Emperor?

He's of no use to me.

What do we have here?

Is this machine not working correctly?

(light gentle music)

(King of Turan thuds) (King of Turan grunts)

(sword scrapes)

(King of Turan screams) (blood squelching)

[Poacher] Good to see a king get his head cut off!

(both laughing)

Don't let the emperor hear you say that.

He'll have that ape man cut your head off, too.

[Poacher] Nah, we got him a nice beastie for his arena.

(both laughing) (beast screeching)

(hand thudding)

You came into my forest and left death and suffering.

You have nothing but cruelty in your hearts.

Whores are supposed to be in that tent.

I'll come by later.

You look as if you clean up good.

(poacher choking)

(blood squelching) (poachers grunting)

Murderers.

(blade squelching) (poacher pants)

Easy, my friend.

(beast growls)

I'll have you and your kin back in the forest soon.

(beast growls)

(lock rattling)

(Sonja grunting)

(Sonja grunts) (lock clanking)

[Poacher] Drink to that!

(lock rattling) (Sonja grunting)

(tense uneasy music) (Sonja breathing heavily)

You dare to take what Draygan owns?

No one can own the creatures of the forest.

Anyone can own anything with enough power.

Draygan owns the world.

What tribe are you from, Red Woman?

I have no tribe. (Sword clangs)

Where is your home?

This forest.

Liar.

No one can survive the Hyrkanian Forest.

Everyone knows that.

And it'll be gone soon enough anyway.

[Ghosts] Liar! Liar!

Liar!

Yes.

Yes, I should slit her throat for her lies.

Then she could join you.

Why are you talking to the air?

Are you mad?

Mad?

Mind your insolence!

(both grunting) (weapons clanking)

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

(Sonja panting)

(both grunting) (weapons clanking)

(both grunting)

(both grunting) (weapons clanking)

You looked as if you'd be better at this.

I thought I would be, too.

But to be fair, I'm better with a knife.

That much is obvious.

(both grunting)

(weapons clanking)

(intense dramatic orchestral music)

(blows thudding) (both grunting)

(teeth crunching) (Annisia yells)

What's going on here?

(clapping) Whoo-hoo-hoo!

Come on!

General Karlak, this is an entertainment!

(Vihur whinnying)

(rousing dramatic orchestral music)

Vihur!

[Draygan] Karlak, help her!

Stay down.

(fist slams)

[Draygan] Will she live?

[Yahira] Lady Annisia cut her deeply, my Lord.

The wound may spoil.

(tense uneasy music)

[Sonja] Vihur.

[Draygan] You say she has no fighting skills?

[Annisia] None of worth.

Why did Karlak have to save you then?

Are you Hyrkanian?

Speak!

[Annisia] She says she has no tribe.

[Draygan] Why are you here?

General Karlak, loosen her tongue.

Now speak up.

Tell us all.

(Sonja yells)

A map of the Hyrkanian Forest.

Very crude.

But you're clearly looking for something.

And so am I.

This might be very useful to me.

(Sonja panting)

(rope rips)

(Draygan yelling) (Sonja screaming)

(group screams) (Draygan clatters)

[General Karlak] My Lord, are you hurt?

No, I'm fine!

I'm fine.

I like this one!

Very, very feisty, eh?

Don't spill her blood, Annisia.

I've had a better idea.

She'll join the Damnati.

Let's see how this barbarian fares in the arena.

Perhaps, who knows,

she might become a champion to rival you.

(Sonja breathing heavily)

(gates crashing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

Mom! Mom!

Sonja!

Run! Run to the forest!

Take the children and run!

Go!

(sweeping dramatic orchestral music)

[Prisoner] Water, please!

I beg you please!

Dralagoon!

We must run!

We'll hide in the forest!

(rousing dramatic orchestral music)

No!

Dralagoon!

Mother.

(ominous orchestral music)

(carriage door clunking)

[Axel] Out!

Come on!

Move yourself!

(restraints jangling) (Sonja grunting)

[Pick] What do we do with her?

This one's for the Damnati.

Where's the waggon?

(horse neighing)

(horses snorting)

Vihur.

Vihur!

(Vihur whinnying) (Vihur snorting)

Vihurt. (Vihur whinnying)

- That's my horse! - Come on, you stupid beast!

Vihur! You take your hands off him!

- No! - Take your hands off him!

Stop it, come on!

Come on, move! (Blows thudding)

No! (Blows thudding)

Vihur! (Vihur whinnying)

(Sonja yells) (chain clanging)

(horse master grunting)

(fist slams) (horse master grunts)

(horse master choking)

In you got. (Sonja grunts)

(door slams) (Vihur whinnying)

You must really like that horse.

(Vihur whinnying)

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

(sword striking) (Sonja's mother grunting)

Mama, no!

Dralagoon!

[Kamran] Is she going to live?

She's stronger than any of us.

She will live.

It is time.

It is time for you to wake, my daughter.

There's much to do now.

I am awake, Mama.

You're not.

And I am not your...

Mama! (Gasps)

See, Captain?

Her fever has broken.

She lives as the emperor requested.

[Captain Ranjokan] So it seems.

[Yahira] Ha! She is now your problem.

Look around!

You are in the Damnati pits!

There's nowhere to go.

No escape!

Would you stop your foolishness?

Disturbing my breakfast.

You know it's always the new ones.

Can't we just start our day in peace?

Fight later.

If you insist on dying,

simply wait a few days for the games.

Don't waste your blood here.

There'll be no cheers.

[Ayala] Listen to Osin, he's right.

[Tiresia] He's been here longer than any of us.

Keep away! (Yahira grunts)

Why?

Why?

'Cause I'll slit her throat.

Go ahead.

No one here cares.

(Hawk chuckles)

[Captain Ranjokan] Are you finished?

Take a bunk.

Sit down.

Unless you'd rather feel my whip.

Ha!

She's nothing.

Oh, more fresh meat.

You don't look like much either.

You think I give a hog-shit about your little pecker

and your worthless opinions?

(chuckles) "Little pecker?"

Petra, she's insulting my manhood!

She's a good judge of character.

(Damnati laughing) (light mysterious music)

Petra, tell me what it is you see in him

when there's far better right before you.

I prefer an uncut gem

rather than a polished jewel with no personality.

- Ouch. - That's enough!

Training starts at second bell!

Latecomers will be flogged!

My Lord, how is the search going in the Hyrkanian Forest?

(sighs) Disappointing.

How can you be certain it is even there?

When Anzus drove the Hyrkanians into extinction,

the survivors fled into the forest

and took the other half of this with them.

- [Maester Crudelis] - Why are you so convinced

you need the other half of this book?

Look at everything you've accomplished already.

Look at this.

Do you know what this says?

Do you know what it says?

You know I cannot read it.

Only you have deciphered the code.

It says, "The child",

who holds the knowledge within,

"shall hold the world in their hands."

It's a prophecy.

Do you see?

It's a prophecy about me.

I am that child, and I unlocked the secrets

and changed the world.

And in the missing pages of this will be knowledge

that even I can't imagine, Crudelis.

New ideas, new machines, new worlds!

This is the key to shaping the future of my world.

And this is my story!

Do you understand?

This is my story, and yet without the other half...

Argh!

I don't have an ending.

I need an ending, but I don't.

(book thuds)

(Damnati chattering)

How's she doing?

Not bad. Further than I ever got.

Not as far as I did, though.

(lively folk music)

(Sonja grunts)

[Varla] How did she end up here?

I heard she attacked the emperor's fort

in the Hyrkanian Forest.

[Ayala] I hear she took on six guards for a horse.

[Martor] Has anyone ever made it to the top?

No one has ever made it to the top.

She's past my mark.

(Sonja grunting)

[Larkan] What does she think will happen if she makes it?

[Hawk] Well, look at that.

Now this is gonna get interesting.

[Guard] Hey, you!

[Guard] What do you think you're doing?

[Guard] Come on, get her!

(blows thudding) (guards grunting)

(guard screams)

(guard thuds)

Oh, now she's in trouble.

Imagine if she actually knew what she was doing.

Well, I doubt she's gonna live long enough to find out.

If you want freedom so badly, all you have to do is win.

Mm-hmm.

Like Lady Annisia.

Annisia of the white hair?

The mad one who talks to herself?

She's talking to her ghosts.

They say she is haunted by everyone she has ever killed.

She was a Damnati?

Yes, but she was a child slave first.

Then a Damnati.

She killed everyone before her and won her freedom.

I fought her already.

I lost.

Obviously, I lost.

But when we fight again, I will be better prepared.

(drawer scrapes)

(bottles clinking) (gentle mysterious music)

(cork pops)

(door clunking)

(drawer slams)

Leave us, please.

My Lord? (Door slams)

It's nearly time for the banquet, Annisia.

Aren't you ready?

I'm feeling unwell.

Perhaps we could eat here.

Don't you want to stay here?

Spend some time together?

(laughs) We're always together.

You know what I mean.

Why have we never shared a bed?

Don't you think an emperor deserves an empress?

(Draygan laughing)

Or am I still a slave and Damnati to you?

Annisia, you're far more than that to me.

Neither of us are what we were.

I mean, look around.

We were slaves who found our paths to freedom.

Am I free?

I do not feel it.

I cannot escape their voices.

All the time, they torment me.

You promised that you would find a cure to this curse.

And I...

And I will.

I swear, once we understand the true nature

of this-this error in your mind.

It's not an "error in my mind."

- Oh. - Voices are real.

- Yes. - And their spirits

surround me.

Look at me.

Look at me.

I will find a cure.

And then your suffering will be over.

And then, when you are whole, when you are one,

then you will be my empress, and you will rule alongside me.

But for tonight,

(cork pops)

let us quiet those voices for a time.

(Annisia gulping potion)

Good.

Okay, hurry. (Chuckles)

(tense uneasy music)

(footsteps tapping)

- (door clunking) - Murderer.

(laughing) Murderer. (Door slams)

You can never silence us.

[Captain Ranjokan] Get training!

The games are today!

The emperor expects to be entertained!

- Wake up. - The citizens of Mighthaven

deserve to be entertained!

(tense mysterious music) (Damnati chattering)

(both grunting) (wooden swords clanking)

(warrior yelling)

[Osin] What's your name, troublemaker?

Sonja.

"Sonja?"

Which tribe?

I have no tribe.

Well, welcome, Sonja who is alone in the world.

They call me Osin.

The Untouched.

"Untouched?"

Why?

Because no one has ever touched me with a blade.

[Sonja] Never?

Not since my imprisonment here.

But perhaps you could be the first one to touch me

and win the prize.

And what prize is that?

Me.

You?

Can't you see?

Prince Osin is fine.

[Varla] A tasty morsel.

[Ayala] He is a royal feast.

(women laughing)

He's a preening fool with more luck than skill.

Rude.

(Damnati grunting)

[Ayala] That all you've got?

What's through there?

The arena's through there.

The whole reason we're here.

Where we fight.

Who do we fight?

Whoever they put in front of us.

Barbarians.

Creatures.

Each other.

Each other?

But no one here is my enemy.

And no one here is your friend either.

Make none.

Have no attachments.

Life is cheap.

So we fight for what?

Just sport?

Surely you've killed before.

For food.

To protect what I love, not for sport, never.

Well, then...

This one, a week at most.

(epic orchestral music) (audience cheering)

(weapon slashes) (warrior grunts)

(audience gasping)

(audience cheering)

- All right, all right! - I'll take gloves!

One at a time please!

Don't push!

Ashman, give me my weapons.

Out of my way, Petra.

Today, we meet the gods.

Gods will wait.

[Dane] There you go, Petra.

Get a move on, blacksmith!

Fast as I can, boss. Fast as I can.

(audience cheering)

(weapon slams)

(Hawk yelling)

(women yelling)

- None of that! - Come on, you!

Let's get it on!

(audience chants)

Osin!

- You're next! - So, what you think

we're gonna be fighting today?

You do realise the only way out now is through there?

[Captain Ranjokan] You won't be so keen

when you're up here!

Don't worry, I left some for you.

Give me the spear! (Hawk laughs)

[Captain Ranjokan] Are you ready?

[Warrior] What do you think we'll be fighting today?

[Captain Ranjokan] Make me proud!

(Damnati chattering) (tense orchestral music)

Petra, for love.

[Captain Ranjokan] Keep it orderly!

No pushing!

- Oi, give me the spear! - You'll get your chance.

So, to get out of this miserable hole,

I need to die or win, correct?

That's right.

Damnati games.

Hear that?

Biggest day of the week for these sad sacks.

Very well.

I want that.

And that.

And those.

Excellent choices.

You can have this.

[Captain Ranjokan] I want to see faster moves!

- This. - Larkan,

you've been slacking!

And these.

And that protects?

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

But the crowd will love it.

(sweeping dramatic orchestral music)

(audience cheering)

(audience cheering continues)

Did they ever make you wear this?

I would have cut the balls

from any man who tried to make me.

Ignore them all,

and just focus on what's coming out of that gate.

What is coming through that gate?

Could be anything.

I have a wooden sword.

Well, you best hope it's not a giant beaver, then.

Why didn't they ever dress you up that way? (Chuckles)

That way.

Damnati, fight.

(audience cheering)

Yeah!

He wants us to fight.

Each other.

Well?

No.

We have to.

One of us dies.

Or we both die.

We are Damnati.

By the Goddess, I will not fight you.

Sonja!

I will not fight her for your entertainment!

But I will fight you!

Or are you a coward!

(audience cheering)

I'm sure this mob would enjoy that!

(audience cheering) (dramatic orchestral music)

(Draygan laughing)

(Draygan and Coltar laughing)

This one's touched by madness.

Yes, such a shame she's about to die.

Oh, it's better that way.

(crossbow thuds)

(Petra choking)

Petra!

(dramatic orchestral music)

Petra!

Good shot.

Well done.

Petra!

Move, damn it!

Get up! Move!

(Petra choking)

Petra, I'm sorry.

Move! Petra!

Petra!

Move! Petra!

(sombre orchestral music)

Hawk.

(hands slamming gate)

(audience cheering) (dramatic orchestral music)

(gates clanking)

(Sonja yells)

(blows thudding) (Sonja grunting)

(blood squelching)

(Sonja grunting) (dagger delving)

(Sonja grunting) (dagger crunching)

(Sonja grunts)

(audience cheering)

(Draygan clapping) (ominous orchestral music)

Relax, relax.

There's nothing you can do.

I don't think that's a good idea.

(Hawk panting)

Her last thoughts were for you.

Well, tonight we drink to the fallen Damnati.

Let us pray that they're with their ancestors.

May they rest in peace.

To the fallen!

[All] To the fallen!

(Sonja singing in foreign language)

(Daix and Sonja singing in foreign language)

(Daix singing in foreign language)

(tense ominous music)

(Daix and Sonja singing in foreign language)

(Vihur snorting)

[Draygan] So, tell me of progress.

[Maester Crudelis] My Lord,

the forest beast is ready for the test.

[Draygan] Good, good.

[Maester Crudelis] We are using your new design

for the yoke.

[Draygan] Good.

(electrical buzzing)

(mortiferum purring)

And as you can see, the yoke is working better than ever.

Better than ever.

Hmm.

No, no, my Lord, please don't do that.

(mortiferum screeching)

Hmm.

Better than ever.

It's true.

But still not on humans?

Ah, sadly, not yet.

I've conducted many experiments, but they all die.

But I've no doubt you will overcome the challenges, Lord.

Ah, I mean, I've pondered little else on my travels.

But the answers are in the book, I'm sure of that.

All the missing knowledge will be in the other half,

and then, once we've perfected this yoke,

we're going to build a whole new army.

(ominous orchestral music)

But here,

we have made very exciting progress.

As you designed,

the orb's energy is now powering the whole city

and can soon be used in your new weapons.

Who are you?

My name is Daix.

How do you know the songs of my people?

It is Hyrkanian.

I know.

And you are clearly not Hyrkanian.

By the Goddess, you are one of the orphans from the forest.

Lost after Anzus attacked.

It was said that none of you survived.

(light thoughtful orchestral music)

I survived.

I survived.

One by one, my friends were taken

by starvation, cold, disease.

Always searching, I learned the ways of the forest.

How to live and thrive.

I survived, but I was alone.

No longer.

Your people are living

and thriving in the heart of the forest.

I looked for so long. (Sobbing)

I am not alone.

(hopeful orchestral music)

We have to escape this place.

Open the gates.

(gates clanking) (gates creaking)

Barbarian, time to get changed.

The emperor wants to see you.

(cage wheels rumbling) (bright folk music)

[Bystander] That's her.

That's the one from the arena.

Can you see her?

[Bystander] He should have killed her for her insolence.

[Bystander] What's she doing here? (Laughs)

The emperor will have some fun with her.

[Draygan] Ambassador Purshtan requested a closer look.

Why is that Barbarian here?

Oh.

Oh, I thought she'd add a splash of colour.

(cage rattling)

So you like my map, barbarian?

It's better than yours.

What you're looking at is the known world

entirely under my control.

I have armies in every land.

My conquest extends from sea to sea.

And with the help of your map,

your precious forest is next to fall.

Why?

Why do you wish to destroy it?

Because there are secrets within.

Asherah will never allow it.

You think this goddess of yours will show up and save you?

Save the day?

That day will never come.

'Cause guess what?

All of the gods

(bystanders exclaiming) (bystanders murmuring)

Are in here.

[Bystander] Is that it?

[Bystander] It's the book.

Look, it's the book!

Do you know what this is?

(ominous dramatic orchestral music)

You are Hyrkanian, after all.

Aren't you?

[Coltar] My Emperor!

My Emperor!

What?

- My Emperor! - What? What?

It is here!

It's here!

Oh! Cyclops?

Excellent!

Send her back to the pits.

Everybody else follow.

(sinister orchestral music)

[Sonja's Mother] Protect the book.

You are the one, Sonja.

(blade slashes)

(Sonja screams)

(climactic orchestral music)

(determined orchestral music)

Today's the day.

(horses whinnying) (dramatic orchestral music)

(warriors grunting)

(blow thuds)

(horse whinnying) (warrior grunts)

(blows thudding) (warriors grunting)

(gate clanking)

- Argh! - Make 'em bleed!

You!

You!

And you! You are up!

Why am I not fighting?

I'm better sport than any of these.

Emperor's order!

You're to watch them all die.

[Warrior] Fight or die! (Laughs)

Do not let this one die.

This one?

You do understand it's unlikely

that any of us will survive this day?

We must keep him alive.

You heard the woman, stay alive.

What about me?

Hey! What about me?

She didn't say anything about you!

(rousing dramatic orchestral music)

- Red? - Round.

I want something good today.

You do realise your entire job is to die exceptionally.

Why would I arm a pig if all I want is bacon?

If my only job is to die well,

why will they not let me fight today?

It's up to the emperor.

He's got a plan, you see.

Dane, I want armour and weapons.

Good ones this time.

Why would you possibly be smiling now?

Because you're the only one

that's ever remembered my name.

(epic dramatic orchestral music)

You are exceptional.

(blow slams) (warrior grunts)

(horse whinnying)

Fire.

(crossbow thudding) (warriors grunting)

(audience cheering)

(Draygan laughs)

I am here to fight!

Is it not what you want?

What I want is for you to tell us all

where the last of those pesky Hyrkanians are.

I am the last.

We both know that that's not true.

Tell me now!

Come on!

Tell us all now, or every Damnati in this arena

dies here tonight!

(gates clanking) (gates creaking)

- Come on! - Move it!

[Guard] Out, all of you!

(horse whinnying)

(group applauding)

It's up to you!

We will not fight each other!

You don't have to fight each other.

(platform mechanism rumbles)

(foreboding orchestral music)

(platform slams)

(ominous dramatic orchestral music)

(Cyclops growls)

(chains clanking)

(Cyclops growling)

(audience cheering)

Behold.

(Cyclops growling)

Shall we see what this excellent beast can do?

Will there be blood?

Oh, I hope so.

I hope so! (Noble woman laughs)

(yoke whirs)

(Cyclops growling)

(Cyclops roars)

Fall back!

- Back! - Back!

- Back! Fall back! - Behind me!

- Steady! - Come on!

(Cyclops thudding) (warrior yells)

[Warrior] Move it! Come on!

(Cyclops growling) (blow slams)

(Hawk grunts)

It got Hawk!

(Cyclops growling)

(blow thuds) (Osin grunts)

[Tiresia] Osin!

(Osin screams)

(Draygan Laughing and clapping)

[Coltar] Bye-bye, Osin.

(Cyclops growling)

(Sonja grunts)

(daggers swishing)

(Cyclops roars)

(Cyclops growling)

(Sonja grunts)

(Cyclops roars)

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

(Sonja grunts) (Cyclops groans)

(Cyclops growls)

(Sonja gasping)

(Sonja thuds) (Sonja grunts)

- (Cyclops roars) - No!

(Cyclops' fist slams) (audience cheering)

(Cyclops growling)

Stop!

You are free!

(Cyclops groaning)

I am not your enemy!

There is your enemy!

(Cyclops growling)

(spectators murmuring)

[Spectator] It shouldn't be doing that.

(Cyclops growling)

(spectators exclaiming) (dramatic orchestral music)

Karlak!

(Cyclops crashing) Help!

(Cyclops growling) (Cyclops' fists pounding)

(rubble clattering)

[General Karlak] My Lord!

My Lord!

(gentle mysterious music)

- (rock clatters) - Karlak!

(Draygan coughing)

- My Lord! - Over here!

(coughs) Help!

(rubble clattering)

[General Karlak] My Lord!

Through here.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

Where's Osin?

He went over.

I'm sorry.

(hands thudding) (hopeful orchestral music)

(Osin grunting)

This doesn't count!

Argh! (Breathing heavily)

I'm still untouched!

(sighs) So what now, Sonja?

The Cyclops opened the way.

Go!

There's your freedom!

I'll meet you by the white chapel on the hill at dawn.

But first, there's something I have to do.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(rubble crumbling)

(door clunking) (door creaking)

(sparse tense music)

(armour clanking)

Where's my horse?

[Guard] Your horse?

(laughs) I'll show you your horse!

Ah!

(swords clanking) (guard grunting)

(blows thudding) (guard grunting)

(Sonja grunting) (sword clatters)

(guard grunting) (blows thudding)

Where's my horse?

(doors rumbling)

How many dead?

Many.

I saw Coltar crushed.

Dozens in the crowd.

My Lord!

My Lord!

(doors rumbling)

- Get out! - Guards!

Guards! Help us!

[Sonja] Get out!

[Mage] The Emperor will punish you for this!

[Mage] Okay. Okay, I'm leaving.

[Mage] Don't hurt us.

Don't hurt us!

(tense mysterious orchestral music)

(yoke scraping)

(flame orb whirring)

What power is this?

(Vihur neighs)

(hopeful orchestral music)

Vihur.

(lock clanking) (Sonja grunts)

(door creaking) Vihur, my friend.

Did they hurt you?

(Vihur snorting)

(horse hooves clopping)

(flame orb whirring)

(rousing orchestral music)

Stay here.

(Vihur huffing)

I mean it.

(javelin whooshing)

(flame orb rumbling)

(bystanders chattering)

[Draygan] The orb.

What-What has she done?

No, no, no, no, no!

(explosion blasting)

(building shattering)

(Draygan groaning)

(group coughing)

My Lord, are you hurt?

No!

(Draygan grunting)

(fire roaring)

My lab.

Crudelis!

(mournful orchestral music)

This is her doing.

She has not changed her plans.

She's gone back to the forest to find her people.

I've sent scouts after her.

[Daix] She's not coming.

She said dawn.

She's coming.

Good to stay optimistic.

No.

She's coming.

(Vihur whinnying) (majestic orchestral music)

(horse hooves cantering)

[Larkan] Sonja!

[Hawk] So, you made it.

[Sonja] Of course.

I said I was coming.

- Ha! - Mount up!

We have a long way to go.

(triumphant orchestral music)

(horse hooves cantering) (horse whinnying)

(horse huffing)

[Hawk] Sonja!

- Ho! Ho! - Hold on! Whoa!

Steady on!

- Steady on! - Settle down, girl.

[Hawk] Osin.

(horse whinnying)

(horse snorting)

What are you doing?

Sonja, my kingdom lies to the south.

Draygan left it in ruins,

destroyed my cities, killed my people,

and enslaved its prince.

But that prince is free now, thanks to you.

What? (Laughs)

You actually are a prince?

Yes.

The Crown Prince of Shem at your service.

Don't expect me to bow.

(horse whinnying)

There's no one here that should have to bow to anyone.

I thought we would fight together.

I'd love nothing more than to fight with you, Sonja,

but I have a kingdom to rebuild and an army to gather.

Have no fear. You will see me again.

I do not fear not seeing you, you arrogant buffoon.

You know what, Red?

You are quite the woman.

And you, Osin,

(Osin grunts)

Are no longer untouched.

(horse huffing)

(Osin laughs)

Stay alive, Prince Osin of Shem.

One day, I will claim my prize.

(Osin laughs)

(horse whinnying)

[Osin] Hey!

(horse hooves cantering)

(fire crackles)

All right, there you go.

(horse whinnying) (gentle contemplative music)

Are you excited?

To see my people again?

It is all I dreamed of.

For longer than I can say.

A lot has changed over the years.

It may not be what you remember.

I remember warm beds.

Good food.

Singing of songs.

And laughing.

Laughing. (Laughs)

At least until High Priest Hespera

would scare us to silence. (Laughs)

She still does.

Hespera is still alive?

(chuckles) Oh, yeah.

She's older now and wiser,

but she's still fearsome to the little ones.

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

(horse snorting)

[Amarak] Sonja, caught a scouting party following us.

[Tiresia] Where are the others?

[Amarak] You don't need to worry about them.

They're feeding the crows.

I thought you might like to talk to this one, though.

Does Draygan know where we are?

(scout laughs)

Answer me!

You think you escaped?

He's been following you since you left.

[Sonja] How far behind?

One day.

But not for long.

I don't know why, but he wants you badly.

You know you're all going to die, right?

You first.

(scout retching)

What do we do now?

We should make a stand, here.

Not here.

Not on this open ground.

Daix, come with me.

[Tiresia] She's right.

A day is plenty of time to prepare.

Ride as fast as you can to our people.

Warn them, Draygan is coming.

But what about...

It's your dream to go home.

You heard the scout.

Draygan wants us to lead him there.

I cannot go home.

(vocalist sings in foreign language)

(horse huffing)

[Daix] I'm sorry you won't get home again.

(vocalist singing in foreign language)

So as I said, when we walk into this bloody thing...

Damnati.

My friends.

This is where we part.

- What? - What do you mean?

Explain, Sonja.

I'm going to try and lead Draygan

and his forces into the forest, but away from my people.

Then in my own world, I will do what damage I can.

I cannot ask you to follow me,

as nothing but death awaits us.

Nothing but death awaits us all, anyway.

It is the manner of death that counts.

And this is a good way to die.

[Ayala] Let's fight.

Rebel warfare.

It's my favourite kind.

Sonja, we are all at your side until this is over.

I know just where to start.

(horse whinnying)

(fire roaring) (fire crackling)

(sparse tense music)

(gates rumbling)

Artran.

Well?

Speak!

The Red Devil.

She came back.

She came out of nowhere.

There was nothing we could have done.

They ambushed us.

And there were too many of them.

Karlak.

Oof, tell me,

when will the rest of my army be here?

[General Karlak] A day or two, no more.

A day or two?

Our scouts in the forest are too few.

You must crush her

before news spreads that a handful of Damnati

stood against you.

Return her body for all in Mighthaven to see.

No one can know of your weakness.

My "weakness?"

I am not weak!

I'm not the one who needs to drink constant potions

to stop myself from tearing my mind apart!

Am I?

Annisia. Annisia.

Hey, there.

My Emperor.

Forgive me, I misspoke.

No. No, it's fine, it's.

Of course you are not weak.

This world is yours to rule.

Lady Annisia.

[Artran] Emperor! It's her!

She's here!

(Vihur snorting) (tense orchestral music)

Keep sending scouts in the forest!

We want more sport!

Red Devil!

It just so happens that I have something for you, too!

General Karlak, if you please.

(General Karlak yells)

(object thudding)

[Tiresia] Better get some rest.

More fighting tomorrow.

(Damnati murmuring)

(sparse uneasy music)

I'd prefer it if you didn't kill my friends.

You are Hyrkanian?

I am.

And you are the one they are calling Red Sonja.

Today was the day.

(light hopeful orchestral music)

[Rathi] Sonja.

This is.

Hespera.

I remember you.

And I you, daughter of Danara.

Your long exile is over.

Welcome home.

I was leading a scouting party.

We saw Daix taken, but we were too few to save him.

[Sonja] Draygan is coming to destroy the last Hyrkanians.

No, Sonja.

Draygan is after this.

The other half.

How did Draygan get his half?

[Hespera] The day Anzus attacked our village,

(flames crackling)

A terrified little boy fled into the temple

and hid as our priest was trying to save the book.

- (priest yells) - Give it to me!

[Hespera] In the struggle, it was torn in two.

[Priest] No!

Please stop!

(sword plunges) (barbarian grunts)

[Hespera] I saved one half,

but fled before Anzus came to kill us all.

Not knowing I was leaving that frightened little boy behind.

(blow slams)

(gentle thoughtful orchestral music)

In the squalor of the slave beds,

the child must have turned his brilliant mind

to unlocking the secrets of the book.

Secrets that would lift him from slavery to become.

Draygan is Hyrkanian?

He cannot get the other half.

We must vanish even deeper into the forest.

No!

Someone has to make a stand.

Or it won't just be the Hyrkanians who suffer.

It will be every tribe, every people who defy him.

And right now, Draygan is more vulnerable

and less defended than he ever will be.

It's now or never.

(rain pattering)

(sword scraping) Ready?

Let's go.

(gates rumbling) (ominous orchestral music)

No, wait!

(General Karlak grunts)

(Beetle Machine whirring)

Come on!

Pull harder!

(soldiers grunting) (chains rattling)

(intense dramatic orchestral music)

(horse whinnying)

(horse huffing)

Karlak, burn the forest down!

Load the mortars!

(mortar lid clanks)

Fire!

(mortars booming)

(mortars whooshing)

(explosions blasting)

(mortars booming)

(Damnati yelling)

(explosions blasting)

Eikosi, advance!

Good!

Good!

Bring me her head, and you will be my empress.

(horse snorts)

(Beetle Machine rumbling)

(tense suspenseful music)

(blow thuds) (solider grunts)

(leaves rustling)

(arrows whooshing) (solider grunts)

(swords clanking) (warriors grunting)

(intense dramatic orchestral music)

(blow slams)

(arrows whooshing) (soldiers grunting)

(foot slams)

(arrows thuds) (explosion blasts)

(horse whinnying)

(swords clanking) (warriors grunting)

(Amarak roars)

(explosion blasts)

Now this is a fight!

You're enjoying this way too much!

(soldier grunts)

(weapons clanking)

(blow slams) (soldier grunts)

(Saevus yells)

(swords slashing) (soldiers grunting)

(Sonja grunting)

(blow thuds) (soldier grunts)

Over here!

Follow me!

Lead them deeper into the trees!

(soldiers yelling)

(blows thudding) (soldiers grunting)

(swords clanking) (Sonja grunting)

(sword slashing)

(intense dramatic orchestral music continues)

(axe swooshing)

(horse hooves cantering)

(water splashing)

[Ghosts] Bring her to us!

Bring her!

Kill the Red Devil!

(Sonja grunts)

(sinister uneasy music)

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

(both grunting)

(swords clanking) (both grunting)

(sword slashes)

(blows slamming) (soldiers grunting)

(explosion blasts)

Make peace with your gods, little man.

Your life is over.

Well, then, I shall thank you,

for I shall see my love all the sooner.

(both grunting) (swords clashing)

(sword slashes) (Sonja grunts)

(both grunting) (swords clanking)

(sword slashes) (Annisia yelps)

(sword slams)

(both yelling) (both grunting)

(blows thudding) (Hawk grunting)

(sword delving) (Hawk grunts)

(General Karlak growling)

(Hawk yells) (blood squelching)

(sword delving) (General Karlak growling)

(sword scraping) (Hawk gasps)

(swords clanking) (both grunting)

(Annisia yells) (sword delving)

(both breathing heavily)

(blood squelching)

If I bring him your head,

I will be empress and I will be free!

(sombre orchestral music) (fire crackling)

(Sonja breathing shakily)

(Annisia yells) (Vihur whinnying)

(Vihur thuds) (Annisia grunts)

(gentle mournful orchestral music)

(Sonja gasps)

(Vihur huffs)

(powerful orchestral music) (thunder crashing)

(gentle mysterious music)

(singer vocalising)

[Asherah] Sonja!

Mother.

[Asherah] This is how you see me.

I am everyone's mother.

Am I dead?

[Asherah] Do you choose death?

Never.

I choose to fight for what I believe in.

If you lose, then Draygan

and all his kind will turn the world to ash.

The earth is bleeding, crying for help.

Do you not see?

I prayed to you my whole life, and you did nothing!

I searched for my people.

[Asherah] It was never about you finding them.

It was about you finding the strength to be

who you are destined to be.

(gentle mysterious music continues)

The fate of the world is in your hands.

Let go of what you were and be reborn as what you can be.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(liquid bubbling)

(thunder crashing)

(epic orchestral music)

The world needs you now more than ever.

(bird squawking)

(horse faintly whinnying)

(group chattering)

(General Karlak coughing)

(General Karlak spitting)

(gentle foreboding music)

Bring this one, please.

[Guard] Get up!

Come on!

[Hespera] Ah!

Hm.

(Dralagoon chuckles)

You know who I am?

Dralagoon.

- (blow slams) - No.

No.

That boy is dead.

Do you see? He died by the sword of Anzus.

What is my name?

Draygan.

And I am your emperor,

not some child who you taught to dance and sing

and your ludicrous barbarian nonsense.

I am not some child who you abandoned.

You were not abandoned.

Oh, yes.

Yes, he was.

You left him.

You left him to die.

Why do you abandon children?

Say it! I want you to say it.

"I abandon children.

I abandon children.

I abandon children."

Say it!

Say it now!

"I abandon children!

I abandon children!

I abandon children!"

No!

"I abandon children!".

Say it for me! Say it for me, now!

I abandon

children.

(Draygan breathing shakily)

You brought me this?

Oh!

You know what this means, don't you?

(gasps) It means the prophecy is true.

(laughs) Ah!

Thank you.

Commander Artran, kill her.

Kill a holy woman?

I- I don't think I can.

Artran!

You are disloyal, and you will be dealt with.

All right, fine.

I'll do it myself.

You deserve this.

(arrow whooshing) (arrow slams)

(soldier thuds)

(Sonja screaming) (triumphant orchestral music)

You said she was dead!

I was sure.

(Sonja screams)

Kill her!

Charge!

(army yelling)

Onward!

Protect your emperor!

(horse whinnying)

(restraints clanking)

(Amarak yells) (horse whinnying)

(blows thudding) (General Karlak grunting)

(horse hooves cantering)

(warriors grunting)

(sword slashing)

(blows thudding)

(Amarak biting)

(blood spurting)

(Amarak screaming)

(horse hooves cantering)

(gates rumbling)

(horse whinnying)

(horse neighing)

You've done something to your hair.

You left us.

Yes, but I came back with an army.

You did.

(horse whinnying)

I like it!

(horse neighing)

Ya!

Explain it to me. How?

How is she still alive?

I drove my blade through her heart.

That normally works.

[Draygan] She has no heart.

She's a demon.

(warriors yelling) (horse whinnying)

(intense dramatic music)

(dagger slashing) (guards grunting)

(blood squelching) (guards gasps)

- She's up there! - She's on the roof!

- On the roof! - There she is!

(arrows whizzing)

(Sonja yells) (arrow whooshing)

(guard grunts)

(Sonja yells)

(arrows whooshing) (guards grunting)

(sword slashes) (guard grunting)

The other half seems to be about healing.

Hmm, eh.

Ah!

"Drugs and medicine?"

What?

What? What is this?

(Sonja yells) (guards grunting)

"Balance in nature?"

This is useless.

(Sonja yelling) (guard screams)

My love, go. Go and fight her.

Go and fight her.

Go. Go and fight her.

Go and fight her.

Please, Annisia, go and fight her.

No!

You're a coward!

[Ghosts] Coward.

Coward. You are a coward.

You deserve to die.

You will never be empress.

Unless you protect him.

Listen to your voices, Annisia.

They are right. You are a coward.

And you'll never be empress unless you protect me.

There is no empire unless you protect me!

(Sonja grunting) (sword slashing)

You can hear them!

No, my queen, that.

Can you hear them!

How?

How is that possible?

Because I put them there.

Why?

I didn't want to share my throne.

(Sonja yells) (sword slashes)

(guard grunts)

The potion.

That's why I hear them.

Did you ever care about me?

(sombre orchestral music)

Annisia, I love you

more than anyone else in the entire world.

But you and I, and even her, we're all broken.

(dagger delving) (Annisia yells)

(powerful orchestral music)

Ah!

(blade thudding) (guard grunting)

(Annisia panting)

(Annisia coughing)

(footsteps tapping) (gentle sombre music)

(door slams)

(Annisia panting)

The voices.

They're quiet.

(mournful orchestral music)

(birds squawking)

(horse hooves clopping)

(horse groans)

(Draygan thuds) (Draygan grunts)

(Draygan wincing) (Draygan whimpering)

(Draygan breathing heavily)

(birds chirping) (birds squawking)

(horse hooves cantering)

(Vihur huffs)

(Sonja grunts)

(bird squawking)

(sword scraping)

This is stupid, meaningless,

indecipherable.

(tense uneasy music)

You won't need that.

I'm no match for you, Red Sonja.

And yet I still ruled the whole world.

The whole world.

This was my sword.

Do you see?

(book pages rustling)

My weapon.

(chuckles) This was my army.

It gave me everything.

And now it offers me nothing.

Because it was never a weapon.

Its knowledge lifted you from slavery

and gave you the power to turn this world

into something wonderful.

But look what you did.

I made the world a better place.

You were a slave who allowed slavery.

You sent armies to destroy entire peoples.

Not destroy, to liberate

- from the old way of thinking. - You devoured resources

with no limit!

You used and slaughtered animals.

- Well- - You murdered

all who stood in your way.

One tyrant replaced another.

You're just another Anzus!

And now you're dying at the altar of a god

you don't believe in.

Your gods deserted me!

(stammers) When I needed them the most,

when I was alone, where were they then?

You were not the only one who was alone.

The day you were taken,

I was there.

You were there?

Yes.

I'm sorry.

You're not sorry.

Why are you sorry? You...

You've come here to kill me.

You've won.

I came to kill Draygan.

But if I'd held on tighter to your hand,

when you were a boy back then,

both our lives might have been different now.

(sombre emotive orchestral music)

(Draygan breathing shakily)

(vocalist sings in foreign language)

I think I'm

I think I'm dying.

Yes, you are.

I'm-I'm scared about what comes next.

(Draygan breathing shakily)

There's nothing to be scared of.

I've crossed over.

There's peace ahead.

Please, don't let me go this time.

I won't.

(vocalist sings in foreign language)

(sombre emotive orchestral music continues)

(people chattering)

Thank you.

(Vihur whinnying)

(sombre emotive orchestral music continues)

[Rathi] Should have left him for the scavengers.

No. Take him home.

Bury him as a Hyrkanian.

(Rathi grunts) (Draygan thuds)

[Rathi] He hasn't earned that honour.

Not for the man, but bury the boy he was,

not the man he became.

We will bury him as Hyrkanian.

May he find redemption in death.

When you return, you bury him.

I'm not going with you.

Why?

I lived in this forest my whole life,

always searching for something I wasn't sure was even there.

I hoped every day would be the day I found my people again.

I've had the day.

And now I know.

I want to see more of this world.

We want to see more of this world.

The homelands of Trall and Saevus.

Hawk once said the barbarian king of Cimmeria

was a man worth meeting.

And maybe, who knows...

Maybe we'll see a Cyclops in the wild.

Well, Red,

whenever you're ready to claim your prize, I'll be waiting.

Don't you have a kingdom to rebuild?

This world needs leadership.

Moral and just.

Be those things, Prince Osin.

(hand slapping Vihur)

But you can be sure I'll stop by.

I want to find out what the fuss is about.

(hopeful orchestral music)

(Vihur whinnying)

(horse hooves cantering)

(vocalist singing in foreign language)

(wind howling)

(revellers cheering) (dagger thuds)

(revellers laughing)

(tankard slams)

Pay up! Let's see your gold!

(coins rattling)

- Yeah! - Blindfold!

Blindfold!

(coins rattling) (revellers cheering)

(doors thudding) (doors creaking)

Sonja!

(wind whistling)

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

We need you.

(dagger thuds)

(epic dramatic orchestral music)

(light thoughtful orchestral music)

(light thoughtful orchestral music continues)

(uplifting orchestral music)

(intense dramatic orchestral music)

(intense dramatic orchestral music continues)

(ominous dramatic orchestral music)

(tense dramatic orchestral music)

(rousing dramatic orchestral music)

(majestic choral orchestral music)

(majestic choral orchestral music continues)

(gentle mysterious orchestral music)

(singer vocalising)

(suspenseful mysterious orchestral music)

(epic choral orchestral music)