Original subtitles

You're late, Chosen.

You're early...

..The Queen.

(SIGHS)

Good to see you again.

Um, perhaps we're not quite there yet.

Perhaps.

Maybe this will help.

Huh?

What... What's this?

A peace offering.

I took your advice, and I've spent the last few weeks trying

to make amends with all the settlements of Yorubaland.

However, I realised I never did that with you.

Look, we all know the best jollof rice is from the Deep.

What?

You take that back right now.

Everybody knows Elu has the best jollof rice.

Wrong. The Deep does.

That's it. Now we have to fight.

Let's go. I'm going to...

What do you mean, "Just try it"?

It's... It's so good!

It's actually...

Better?

Please don't tell Olori I said that.

By the way,

I found it.

You're welcome.

Is that Boju's diary?

Yes. Everything you think you know about our history is false.

I hope you're ready to have your entire world turned upside down.

Tell me, Chosen.

What do you know about the War of the Twin Princes?

I...

I, um...

About a hundred years ago,

Prince Debo, your people's great ancestor

was exiled from Elu by his twin brother, Prince Laja

because Debo was obsessed with false wonders.

Funny.

In the Deep, we were told that Debo fought to reclaim his birthright

before he ended up being exiled by the trickster and usurper Laja.

Elu's great ancestor.

So which is it, then?

The truth in this instance is somewhere in the middle.

Is the truth in there?

It is time you heard the true story about the people of the Deep.

In the words of the Prince of Darkness himself.

Boju.

Division is a funny thing.

So often,

a war of a thousand begins with the disagreement of a few.

Why did I win?

Um, because you're better?

Well, I am.

But let me rephrase.

Why did you lose?

Prince Laja, you are very intelligent,

but you overthink and you are too passive.

In a fight, it makes you weak.

There's a reason why our technique is called the Way of the Golden leaf.

The Tree of Freedom was said to have been planted by

the first father himself ages ago.

And thus we believe that each leaf embodies

one of its greatest traits.

Tranquillity.

As it falls from the towering branch,

the golden leaf doesn't fret, but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

It flows and uses the wind's power as its own.

The golden leaf doesn't contemplate.

It adapts.

Be like the golden leaf.

Well said, Oloye.

But I thought the purpose of the leaves

was to be crushed to purify the corrupted animals.

Are you saying my brother

resembles something that is so easily crushed?

Because you would be correct.

Shut up, Debo.

- It's good to see you, brother. - You too, brother.

Wait, wait, wait.

They loved each other?

Of course they did. They were twins.

So how come they ended up fighting each other?

- If you allow me to finish... - Skip to the end!

I can't. I need you to hear the entire story.

Now shush.

(SIGHS)

Fine.

Where was I?

Why are you here, Debo?

Why else? To rescue you from the boring Agoni

Who preach and do nothing all day, every day.

I assure you, my young prince.

Ours is a higher calling

to protect all of Yorubaland, not just Elu.

Protect? My mother would disagree.

Or did you forget the role you played in her exile?

Tell us, Prince Debo, how would you advance our people?

These fire ants have a fortress beneath the earth,

yet they are still bold enough to go out and take territory,

no matter what stands in their way.

My mother used to say that, to thrive,

our people must go out and take territory

by swarming our enemies, the corrupt, together.

Brother, you know it is forbidden.

Only the select are allowed outside the walls.

Mother knew that, yet she disobeyed.

We can't change that.

"Forbidden" is a word I know not.

And when I am King, everything changes.

But you are not King. Not yet.

No one knows why my father is here to pick an heir.

What we do know is Laja cannot be King.

He's too timid. He doesn't even want it.

We shall see.

In the meantime, I would urge you to respect our way of life.

We, the Agoni, have done more for Yorubaland

than you can possibly imagine.

Perhaps we put our philosophies to the test.

An exhibition.

The Way of the Tortoise versus the Way of the Golden Leaf.

Oba Adedeji.

It's not just the nobles any more.

The city is becoming uneasy.

You need to pick an heir.

My King, have you been visiting the temple again?

Have the visions returned?

Oba, Oloye said...

I know what the Agoni said. It changes nothing.

I needed to go, lest I run mad

with these dark premonitions of our future.

Oba, Elu is a thriving city.

What could possibly go wrong?

Ever since I exiled their mother, my wife,

I have been cursed.

Destined to relive the nightmare of the future she predicted.

My King, she broke a sacred law.

What other choice did you have?

Mercy.

Nevertheless, I cannot afford

to make the wrong decision about my heir.

Else all of Elu will be destroyed.

And the only way I can be sure

is by getting answers from the temple, no matter the cost.

- But, Oba... - Bring my sons to me at once.

Begin!

Great work, Prince Laja.

Keep your distance. Draw him in.

Prince Debo, ignore the theatrics.

He's masking his weaknesses.

Let's see how you handle this, Laja.

Yes! Finish him.

That is not the Way of the Tortoise.

Where did he learn such...

Kicking sand in my eyes? Where did you learn to do all that?

I know the Isha don't teach such dishonourable tactics.

Debo, Prince Laja, apologies but Chancellor Simi

and the Oba request your presence at once.

- Are you alright, Laja? - Of course I am.

I'm 20 seconds older than you, remember.

I'm pretty much obligated to let you win.

Sore loser.

Be careful with that one.

My sons, it is good to see you in good health.

My princes.

Months ago, as potential heirs,

you were each tasked with venturing into the districts to see

what could be done to improve the lives of our people.

The Oba would like to know what you have learned thus far.

Thank you, Chancellor Simi.

Oba, over the last few months,

I've spent extensive time with the Agoni.

With the help of their teachings, I've been able

to pass on relevant information about our ancestry to the masses.

After all, for us to truly know where we are going,

we must know from whence we came.

Good work, my son.

Debo, your report.

Oba, I spent my time as an apprentice of the Isha,

learning about military strategy and more importantly,

how the wanderers beyond the walls managed to stay alive.

- It is of.... - Are you still on this matter

of venturing beyond the walls?

Yes, father.

Like mother always said.

You will not mention her name in these chambers!

Or do you plan to defy me as she did?

You truly are your mother's son.

How much are you willing to risk to make her dream

of expanding beyond the walls a reality?

With all due respect, father,

if you and your lackeys

continue to ignore the looming overpopulation issue,

it will spell the end of our thriving city.

How much am I willing to risk for my mother's dream?

Everything!

If not, Elu will burn!

- Father, are you alright? - Leave me at once! All of you.

Not you, Laja.

Well done, Prince Laja.

Father, please be patient with Debo.

He means well.

I hear you've been telling everyone

that you plan to renounce your right as heir to the throne.

- Yes, father. - Leaving me no choice

but to pick Debo as my heir.

I can do more for our people,

for Yorubaland, without the burdens of the Crown.

And besides, Debo was right.

We cannot ignore the looming overpopulation crisis any longer.

With the wisdom of the Agoni,

I can finally make a difference in our people's lives.

By...

Son, is this really about helping our people,

or are you seeking absolution for what happened to your mother?

Why can't it be both?

Laja, you did nothing wrong.

Never forget that.

Do you understand me?

If I did nothing wrong, then why do I feel this way?

Son.

There's something important I must tell you.

Promise me, son. I need your word.

Everything alright?

Laja, is everything alright?

Yes, brother.

You scared me, that's all.

Whatever it is, Laja, just remember I'm with you always.

Come. I know something that will definitely cheer you up.

Come here.

- I love you, brother. - I love you too

my dear brother.

Ha! No hits. I win, as always.

You mean you cheated?

As always.

After all these years,

neither of us comes close to mother's ability.

I never told you this, but before she was exiled

Mother made me promise to find her when I became King.

She hoped that together we could fulfil her dream

of exploring beyond the walls.

I'm not surprised she said that to you.

Ow. My arm.

Laja, why would you do that?

Because Debo cheated.

He always cheats. It's not fair.

He cheated because you allowed him to.

You truly are your father's son.

Stop being weak and emotional.

Life is not fair.

Be more like your brother.

Win no matter the cost.

Dominate or be dominated.

I had nothing in common with her.

She thought I was weak.

You were always her favourite.

As you were father's.

I understand why you did it.

Why you told father

Mother had been secretly venturing beyond the walls.

I never thought for a second he would exile her.

And since then you've blamed yourself,

even though you shouldn't.

And why shouldn't I?

Because mother's mistake was hiding her true intentions from father.

I won't make that same error.

What do you mean?

What is that, Debo?

Mother left this behind for me as a guide.

It's a mask that belonged to the first exile of Elu.

Promise me, son.

I need your word.

The first exile?

The same person who was banished for using false wonders?

Brother, this is too dangerous!

Relax, Laja.

That is not important. Look at this.

"A free mind attracts many, but the many comes great strength.

"From great strength, power is derived.

"Through power, the domination is attained.

"And the dominant and powerful shall rule the earth."

Laja, this is the key to true, lasting prosperity for our people.

But it all starts with finding and bringing mother back home.

I've learned to make these intentions clear to father

when I'm chosen as heir.

Are you with me, brother?

Yes, brother.

Always.

After all these years,

you still haven't learned to think for yourself.

You are no son of mine. You are weak.

Know this.

There is nothing you can do to make up for what you did to me.

Oba, I fear this place has a hold over you.

No. I must understand these visions

in order to pick the right heir and thus prevent the doom of Elu.

To do so, I must go deeper into the temple.

To a place only Adedi himself has ever set foot.

Look, that place is completely off limits, even for you.

Only the Agoni can go there.

Iron key.

Blood key.

Make it stop!

Please make it stop!

Stop! Stop!

Oh, God.

Oba!

I'm sorry.

I love...

And so, Oba Adedeji, having entered the Forbidden Temple,

died without naming an heir.

A terrible mistake that would set the stage

for centuries of turmoil for the people of...

Are you listening?

Yes, I am.

Sorry, but this stuff is just so good.

(GROANS)

Continue.

How are you even the chosen?

(MUMBLES) I don't know.

Pay attention. This next part is crucial.

After his death,

the leadership of Elu had to decide what happened next.

Debo assumed it would be a straightforward process.

He was wrong.

Did he name an heir?

No, he did not.

It is settled then.

Laja will renounce his rights and I will be the next King of Elu.

In the presence of this council, we can finalise my coronation...

Laja!

Are you officially giving up your rights as heir?

Promise me, son. I need your word.

No.

I claim my rights as heir to the throne.

You do this to me, brother?

Betray me like you did our mother?

It is settled then.

We must vote.

My vote is for Prince Laja.

My vote is for Prince Debo.

My vote is for...

Prince Laja.

My King, we must prepare for your court.

Leave me, all of you.

So you do have a backbone.

Or perhaps you are still just obeying your father and Oloye's commands.

I thought as much.

You didn't even have the courage

to betray your brother because you wanted to.

You did it because you were told to.

Just as you did with me.

Like I said.

Weakness.

You may be right, Mother, but you poisoned Debo's mind.

And because of that,

I will do whatever is necessary to prevent the doom of Elu.

Even though Laja was now officially King,

Prince Debo refused to let go of his birthright

and more importantly, the promise he made to his mother,

without a fight.

With General Akin's help,

Debo got a good portion of Elu to back his claim.

Together, they turned the forest region of Elu into their fortress.

Even though we have the most elite of the Isha,

Laja's inexperienced forces still outnumber us 3 to 1.

Attacking them now would result in a bloodbath for both sides.

He's right.

We should rally more support before we...

Wrong!

The time to strike is now.

Oba!

Whoa!

Ah, my leg. (LAUGHTER)

There's a man here that claims he has what you need to...

(COUGHS)

..win.

Well, send him in.

It is truly an honour to meet you.

Who are you and why are you here, stranger?

My name is Eletan.

I am a wanderer who has journeyed to the far reaches of Yorubaland.

Many things I have seen.

But perhaps the most important moment in my travels

was when I met Ofa the Great One.

You knew my...

You knew my mother?

Yes, Great King.

Her wisdom guided me to an ancient power

from the age of wonders.

A power I have brought to you,

so that you may reclaim what is rightfully yours.

Show me this power.

Oba, these are the areas of the most recent uprisings

in support of Prince Debo.

He has used our impending overpopulation crisis

as a rallying cry,

telling citizens that, like your father,

you refuse to do what is necessary to save Elu.

This is getting out of hand.

Each day we inch closer to civil war.

Yes, but we must find a path toward peace without bloodshed.

I agree. Oloye, is everything alright?

You've barely said a word.

I am not sure.

I sense a dark cloud over Elu.

Um, in case you forgot,

we are on the brink of a war.

It would be more helpful if the Agoni did more than advise.

This darkness is something else, general.

And if you must know, for us, violence is a last resort.

What do you think a war is?

Oloye, Tunde speaks the truth.

Oba, the Agoni are forbidden to take sides in royal disputes.

But our creed does not prevent us from being peacemakers.

- I'm not sure... - She's offering to be an envoy.

It has been weeks since your father's passing.

Perhaps time has allowed Prince Debo to rethink his position.

We, the Agoni, have not pledged our forces to either side.

That could prove useful.

It could work, but only if I accompany them.

It's the only way Debo would take it seriously.

I don't like it, it's too dangerous.

I will be fine.

Trust me.

Alright.

Oloye, a word.

May I?

Oba, these are false wonders.

Even if they allow us to win, it is forbidden.

How many times must I tell you people?

Forbidden is a word I know not.

Oba, please, I beg you to reconsider.

Relax, Akin.

Besides, all the wanderer wanted in return was access.

- Access to what? - The Forbidden temple.

- What? My King, you cannot be... - Did I not make myself clear?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing is too much to give up for victory.

My victory.

My birthright. My mother.

You worry too much, my friend.

The fool will be dead within minutes of stepping foot into the temple.

It's a win-win all around.

Oba, what you've done...

- I cannot... - Oba.

I bring news from the south gate.

A delegation from Laja requests your audience.

You are more of a brother to me than Laja ever was.

I need you by my side now more than ever.

Are you with me?

- Prince Debo, on behalf... - Oba Debo!

On behalf of Oba Laja, I, along with the Agoni,

- are here to peacefully disperse... - Noble Chancellor Simi.

You always claimed to love me and my brother as your own.

But in truth, all you ever wanted was my mother out of the picture

so you could be close to my father.

Yes.

My mother told me all about you.

Snake.

Debo, if there is one thing we can all agree upon,

it is that we all love this great city.

I urge you to put aside your imagined slights

and work with us to find a peaceful resolution.

We, the Agoni, are forbidden to take...

Forbidden? There's that word again.

The same word that got my mother, the Queen of Elu, exiled.

Cast away like a stray dog to fend for herself in the wild.

Your mother chose her path.

No one forced her to break the law.

- Chancellor... - Because of that,

she got what was coming to her.

- How dare you? - Prince Debo, calm yourself.

We're here for peace.

Just like you will get what is coming to you

should you refuse to look toward peace.

False wonders. It can't be.

What have you done, Debo?

Now that they have seen your power,

they will tell all who care to listen

that you are the villain of this story.

They came here for peace talks. We cannot attack them.

You must stop them here and now if you ever want to be King.

If you ever want a chance at finding your mother.

Otherwise,

the whole city will turn on you before you can

show them the way your mother intended.

To show the people what the Agoni label as false wonders

is just power they are yet to understand.

Oba, Debo, please don't do this.

Seize them.

Agoni! Prepare for battle.

Steady, my priestesses.

Don't do anything rash.

How can we fight him?

False wonders...

No, wait!

The Agoni are finished!

Agoni, now is our chance. Retreat!

No, you don't. I'll block your exit.

No!

No!

I didn't... I didn't mean to.

The gate...

I was trying to...

No!

Stop!

Let them go!

With Chancellor Simi gone, there would be no turning back.

War was inevitable.

But with false wonders in play

everyone began to fear the worst.

Debo must pay for this!

I agree.

We, the Agoni, will stand and fight with you, my King.

Why the change of heart?

We cannot allow false wonders to cast a dark shadow over Yorubaland,

as it did during the era of the first exile.

I agree, but the Agoni joined in the fight will not be enough.

What then?

We fight fire with ice.

My King, you cannot.

It is too dangerous.

We can't afford to lose...

This is the only way, Oloye.

It is just as you said.

We cannot...

We will not allow false wonders

to cast a dark shadow over Yorubaland.

Very well.

Now tell me the rest of the story about the staff.

There have been no wonders

since the disappearance of the Divine Ones centuries ago,

and there will be no wonders until the time of the Chosen.

Thus, anything that appears between now and then are false wonders,

powered by the Dark One and his acolytes.

However,

there is one divine artefact that remains

which embodies pure divine power.

The staff of the first father, Joba.

How come no one has ever tried to retrieve it?

Many have.

They all died, either on their way to retrieve it

or instantly when they tried to claim it.

But no one with Adedi's blood,

royal blood, has ever tried.

Should I somehow make it to the top, what are the chances I will survive?

Very slim.

May Eleda protect your path.

Give it up, Laja.

You will never make it to the top.

You will always be a weak, backstabbing coward.

Give up, traitor!

You will never be as strong as your brother.

You are nothing but a weak...

Enough!

Whether it was right or wrong, I made a choice.

I will no longer live in the past and I am done seeking your approval.

I am done seeking your forgiveness.

Goodbye, mother.

What?

Oh, no.

So wonders did exist before me.

Your conduit.

The source and the summit.

They all share something in common.

They are all massive sources of divine energy

connected by and to one thing.

You.

The Tree of freedom.

The root system my mother built.

It connected them all to me.

Oba.

Yes, Akin? What is it?

Well?

The Agoni shield is about to fall.

Soon we'll be able to mount an offensive on Elu.

And with your gift,

we can finally retake the throne before sundown.

About time.

Soon their shield will fall.

I have done my part.

Now I humbly ask that you honour our agreement.

Thank you, your Grace.

This will be the end of Elu as we know it.

Now more than ever, we need our King to return.

I wonder if he made it to the summit.

No one who journeyed to the summit has ever made it back.

So for all we know, our King could be dead already.

And in a matter of minutes, so could we.

After the shield fails.

How are you so calm then?

Faith.

The shield,

no one really knows for a fact how we're able to erect it.

We know that we draw power from the Tree of Freedom.

How exactly? We don't know.

That is where faith comes in.

We choose to believe that, through the tree,

Eleda himself grants us power.

Is it the same for Laja's, and by extension,

our fates.

I do not know how he will make it to the summit and back.

But I choose to believe that somehow Eleda will guide him

because he has a good heart.

That is the difference between true and false wonders.

The source of your faith and the posture of your heart.

Signal the reinforcements and bring me his corpse!

Any sign of him?

No, captain. We looked everywhere.

My back!

Surrender, Tunde.

I taught you all you know.

You can't win this battle.

Surrender to you?

After all the shame you brought on the Isha?

Over my dead body.

As you wish.

I am sorry.

What?

Destroy them!

For Elu!

What? Why won't this open?

It won't open for you, spawn of darkness.

Or did your master not tell you the full story?

And what would that be?

So, you are responsible for twisting Prince Debo's mind,

exposing him to false wonders.

There is nothing I exposed him to that wasn't already in his heart.

Be that as it may,

I will ensure that I am the last thing you see, fiend.

And I will ensure

that you show me how to get past this door.

My people, my home.

At this rate all of Elu will burn.

This... This is too much.

This... This is wrong.

First father, Eleda,

Chosen, I'm not sure if any of you are real,

but if you are, I beg you,

grant me the strength to end this war quickly.

(CHEERING)

What's the matter, fiend?

Are you tired?

What is happening to me?

What? I can't see. Why can't I see?

I told you I would ensure that I was the last thing you saw,

spawn of darkness.

What did you do to me, witch?

It is called the Forbidden Temple for a reason.

Without King's blood,

anyone who comes in here with ill intentions

will have their sights taken from them.

No, no, this can't be.

Now, let us end this, shall we?

It's over, brother.

Surrender.

Debo! It is over.

Surrender!

Never!

You think you've won? You know nothing.

You are nothing except a liar,

a thief and a backstabbing, spineless coward.

You are no brother of mine.

You are a complete waste of human matter.

Mother was right.

You are nothing but weakness personified.

Just like father.

The golden leaf doesn't fret, but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

Be like the golden leaf.

You've won.

Now grant me and my warriors an honourable death.

With your mother,

I had no choice.

And neither did you.

You did the right thing. You know why?

Because your mother didn't just break a sacred law

by venturing outside the walls.

She was what we call an acolyte.

A spawn of the Dark One.

And I fear she has corrupted your brother.

If I am right,

if the visions are true, Debo cannot be allowed to rule.

He cannot be allowed to...

To live.

I am sorry to place this burden on you,

but please promise me, son.

I need your word that if I'm right,

you will end this vicious cycle once and for all.

I'm sorry, father, I cannot.

I will not kill you, brother.

Instead, I will give you what you've always wanted.

You, your followers and their offspring

are hereby banished to roam the lands for eternity.

Smart.

You punish me and get rid of half the population simultaneously.

Putting an end to the overpopulation crisis.

Perhaps mother was wrong.

You do know that this is a death sentence, right?

Without adequate resources,

we would be lucky if half of us survived.

Then I pray that Eleda will protect your path.

Kill me now, brother.

Or else this war will never end.

Do it! Kill me!

No.

Enough blood has been spilled in this war.

Should you find mother...

Tell her I'm sorry.

And so the war of the twin princes ended

with Debo and his men exiled from Elu.

But Debo was right.

Banishment was indeed a death sentence,

as he would have to watch more than half of his supporters

devoured by the corrupt

as they journeyed towards their new home,

the Deep.

And with his dying wish,

Debo commanded his people, now the people of the Deep,

to vow to one day retake the land that was rightfully theirs,

and make the people of Elu suffer.

The dominant and the powerful shall rule the earth.

Take back Elu, my children.

No matter the cost.

Now, I understand what you meant

when you said the truth is somewhere in the middle.

And now you understand why my people are the way they are.

I do.

Adura, I'm so sorry.

This must be a lot to deal with.

It's fine.

I'm not crying because of my people's history,

however sad it may be.

Why are you crying then?

Eletan the deceiver.

Oh, yes. What happened to him?

It's on the last page.

After healing as best I could from what the temple did to me,

I sought out Debo's descendants

to finish the mission I had set to accomplish

at the temple many years ago.

Ooh.

Ah!

Come with us. The King will see you.

Wait. What should we call you?

I am a wanderer.

I have no name.

Then we will give you one.

Let's see...

Ah, you're blind. We shall call you...

Boju.

Eletan is Boju?

I know.

That's exactly how I felt when I read that part.

For over a century, Boju has pulled the strings from the shadows

and then shrouded all of Yorubaland in a dark cloud.

Now, and with an eye toward the future,

we must break the cycle of violence

and bring the fight to him and his acolytes.

Both of us have a chance

to learn from the mistakes our ancestors made.

Together we will.

Together we can heal.

One tribe.

One Yorubaland.

What did he say?

He asked if this means you'll be joining Team Chosen.

Um...

Perhaps we're not quite there yet.