Original subtitles

Leave me!

My son, when you read this letter, I shall be dead.

I leave you the throne of Heppelon.

You have not yet been to war and been part of the evil that has darkened our

lives for centuries.

The ancient hatred between us and the Zealots, in which

I myself played such...

A large part.

I cannot forgive myself.

I wish to die, Hal.

Do what I could not.

Create peace and justice between ourselves and the Zerids.

But beware of Nezo, my wicked brother, and his

treacherous henchmen.

As for your sister, do not let her leave your side.

Guard her more closely than your own life.

My son, it is time now that I cut my headstring and end my life.

A life that has taken so much.

Kevin.

You get a mention too, Grath. What an honor, Niso.

This is our chance.

will set you free, eh, dear brother?

It won't be that easy.

Your miserable suicide will be our little secret.

But what shall we tell your beloved son?

We'll tell him that this night the Xerits have murdered his father.

Yes.

No! Not just the Xerits, but Sauron!

Their brutal and much-feared leader.

You see, dear brother, you and I are bound together.

And you will be the one to rule heaven on me.

Not your spoilt, gilded, self-obsessed, arrogant and childish son.

for him to be off and avenge his father's death.

Pitiful wretch.

What is yours shall be mine.

Have I not waited long and patiently?

Have I not lived in your shadow like trash?

Like the dirt you tread on with your gilded feet?

How?

Orito, what are you doing here?

You have to come with me.

It's your father.

My father.

What's happened?

Gina. Oh, Hal.

The Zirrits have murdered our father.

Look. Their mark.

Sorrow.

All of him.

Not a single string is left.

Father.

Vicaro is dead.

Close the gates.

Seal all exits.

Hebelon has asked for peace, but Zaro and his fanatical horde of Zerits have

sent us a clear message.

There will be no peace.

No one can feel safe now.

Tell the people to stay indoors.

Hebelon is at war.

Come on, that's it. Come on, this way.

How, Tara, this is ridiculous.

Keep the mask on your sorrow.

Come on, this mask doesn't make me sorrow, and it doesn't make you a mighty

warrior. Come on, man!

Stop! Listen to me!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

If I had really been Sorrow, you wouldn't have just lost your hand there.

You'd have lost your headstring. But I almost had you. This is serious

business, Hal.

You're the Karo's son, not a warrior.

I'm the general.

Let me take care of the Xerix.

Stay here, Hal.

You're going to be the Karo.

Dream on, Harito.

You wooden head.

When you read this letter, I shall be dead.

Nothing. But your hand.

Mind your own business.

A retail will take care of it.

Attention, you lot.

You're in luck, sir. We've got pretty much everything in stock right now.

Hands, feet, good strong knees, sturdy thighs.

Stand still for the general.

We found this one north of the Old Desert Forest.

Good climate up there. So he ain't got no rot on him.

What do you need?

A hand.

Who for?

For Haltara. Oh, well, take a look at this one, then.

Pure oak, that is. It's past a lifetime.

Ready for painting. Haven't seen hands as good as that in a long while. I'll

take it.

The whole world mourns with you, my children.

The unthinkable has happened, and a great disaster has overtaken us. Lie

still, will you?

We have searched the entire city.

We fear Zaro slipped away before we closed the city gates. I still won't

tell you.

With all my love, I suffer with you, my children.

I, too, am sick with grief at losing my beloved brother.

But Hebelan awaits its new Karohal.

No, no. Just shut up. No, no.

No, no.

On with it.

Lie still, Portilio. There. Please, no, no, no, no. No!

Your hand is on its way, sir.

Fine.

Your new hand.

Excellent.

If anyone is to find Zaro, let it be me.

Let me offer up my life to avenge my brother.

I'll have no one say you weren't man enough to avenge your father.

Me? Yes.

Yes.

I am ready.

For what?

Orito, pack up our gear. We leave immediately.

What are you talking about?

Maybe a whole army cannot find them, but we two can. We'll travel in disguise.

Find me some slaves' clothing and a hoodo painter.

But it's tonight that father's... Listen to me. You're to be crowned Karol, am I

right? Who is giving the orders here? You cannot go and find the Zerich just

like that.

I'll find them.

And just how do you think they were able to enter a city like Hebelon undetected?

So far, so good.

But what about Erito?

We'll never get him on our side.

We'll not only get him on our side, Niso.

We'll get him to do our dirty work.

Dad, come and watch.

Hal's being painted.

Why are you being painted, Hal?

Don't you want to be gold anymore?

It's so that the Zerats can't recognize me. Why mustn't the Zerats recognize

you? Isn't it past your bedtime?

Dad, Hal's scared of Saro and the Zerats. I'm not scared.

Arito, Aika, isn't it past your children's bedtime?

Yes, it is.

Mummy, I can't find my sleeping bird.

It's right here.

Maybe I should have chosen another piece of wood.

Something darker, smoother.

She's perfect, Arito.

She's done.

I couldn't wish for a more wonderful child.

But her hands, her fingers do delicate.

Should I... Don't worry yourself anymore.

Leave her be.

Who will stand by you, Ike, when your time comes?

I've been through this before, my love.

Ike, take good care of Zath and Dia.

You speak as though you were never coming home again.

Promise me that you won't find any Zerats.

I have to go.

Orders are orders.

I wish you were staying here.

Mummy, where is it? I can't sleep if I don't have my bird.

It's right here.

fellows.

Father, Hebelon will not be at peace until the last xerath has forfeited his

strings.

When I step through the city gates tomorrow, no one shall enter or leave

until I have found sorrow and avenged my father's murder.

While I am gone, Nizo shall rule.

In my place.

Don't be afraid, Gina.

Remember what Father always used to say. That Sidion guides our strings together.

Now when the gates have closed behind me, no one will enter Hebelon.

You're completely safe here.

How? You mustn't go.

I have no choice, Gina.

Let go of my strings.

Don't leave me Hal.

It'll be the death of me. Let go of me Gina.

How can they live like that? They're slaves.

The army has taken their strings.

But what about the children?

They're for breeding.

New slaves, new strings.

Let's make camp for the night.

Rito. Rack.

Some good advice for a silver string, Lord.

I don't need your advice, old man.

You're getting it anyway.

Don't. return to Hebron with Hal alive.

Are you threatening me? No, I'm delivering a message. If Hal returns to

Hebron alive, you'll never see your family again. I don't take my orders

from you. No, no.

Perhaps this will remind you what happens if you disobey Karo

Niso.

Orito!

Orito, where are you?

Sorrow.

No!

Sorrow.

You were dreaming.

No dream.

A nightmare.

Can Sarge really jump like that?

Go back to sleep.

It's a long way to the Great Market.

And we have a hard journey before us.

Strings in heaven, myself on earth.

Where should it be from the day of our birth?

You shouldn't be in here, Zath.

Neither should you, and I'm just looking for my bird, that's all.

Zath? Daya?

Quick, Tangle!

Where are you?

Tangle!

What a tangle you're in.

You have to sort us out, Mum.

Is this getting you all knotted up?

Now then.

It's me. I'm tangled up and you're out. Ow!

Tell him to stop tugging on my headstring, Mother.

No, don't move. Stand still. I can't when he's moving around the whole time.

She's pulling my... Ow!

Oh, no.

My son, when you read this letter, I shall be dead.

I leave you the throne of Hebelon.

This is just your fault too, Zath. You're so clumsy.

I miss daddy.

Sweet Ola.

You're doing your best to cheer me up, aren't you?

Aika?

Gina. What is it?

I want you to read this.

When you read this letter, I shall be dead. This is farewell letter.

What? Your father wasn't murdered.

He took his own life.

Bring about peace and justice between ourselves and the Xerxes. We have to get

away from here.

It can only be Niso.

Are you listening to me?

Shh.

What is it?

Hal and Irito must see this letter.

Meet me by the city gate just before midnight.

And make sure no one sees you.

But, Ica, we can't get out.

And who's going to be at your side when life comes to the new one? Then you'll

have to help me.

Yes.

Remember, the city gate, just before midnight.

It'll be fine.

Yes.

As far as I can see, you lot never do anything but sit here and wash your

husband's clothes.

Can't they do that for themselves?

As in piles of dirty washing, too.

No, I'm not.

What are we doing here?

Searching for the Zerids, right? Yes, but... We need to ask the One-Stringed

for counsel.

The One-Stringed? I thought all that was just old superstition in Mumbo-Jumbo.

Maybe I'll go in alone.

Orito?

Visit the One String. Find out all about your future.

Don't miss out on the truth. Well, I'm looking for the Xerits.

I'll pay well for reliable information.

Xerits? Don't know nothing about them.

To ask for your help.

I don't know what to do.

Did you hear that, everybody?

The rumours are true!

The car is dead!

Down with him! The car is dead!

Down with the tyrant! Down with the tyrant!

Never to rise again!

Put him down!

you're looking for the Xerits.

Or... am I mistaken?

Slay him.

He is bound to his father's destiny.

Enthralled to generations of wickedness,

tyranny, and lies.

This I see clearly.

He will be coming entangled in his net, but he is not worth

obeying.

Set yourselves free from your doubts and

fears.

Take him to the lake of the thousand dead warriors.

And let him atone for the genocide.

Let him be an offering for peace.

Are you one of those freedom

fighters, then? Maybe.

And you?

I think I've seen you somewhere before.

Let's be on our way.

But Arita, this girl, she says she knows... Come, let's get going. We have

to get to the Lake of the Thousand Dead Warriors.

The Lake of the Thousand Dead Warriors?

Come. Did the One-String say that? We must cross the Nordessa Pass before

daybreak. Did they say that?

Who goes there?

Halt!

at this late hour, my pretty.

What have you done with Ike?

What do you think happens, Gina, when you set yourself up against me?

It can't be worse than having to look at you. You think you can fool me, do you?

Silly girl. That sort of thing can get you killed. Let her go.

Don't forget what we agreed, Niso.

But she can compromise us.

We had a deal, Niso.

What's he doing here?

Saving your life.

What? Take her away.

Hal shall learn the truth.

Everyone shall learn the truth about my father's death. And then you'll see how

popular you are in Hebron, Uncle Niso. You and your crippled friend.

Your father and I were miserable traitors. She's mine.

Is that you, Gina?

Heike?

Help me.

What's happening?

Shh.

Listen.

They are singing.

It's time.

Now?

Don't be afraid.

I'll take care of everything.

Prepare.

Bless her.

Holy Scythian, Holy Isaiah, connect this body to all life.

Fasten her strings good and tight.

They're so thin and fine.

Can you reach them?

Careful of the head string, Gina.

That's the most important one.

The head string.

Look how

beautiful she is.

Thank you, Gina.

Take the woman and the child and... throw them down with the rest of Rito's

brood. I'll be back shortly.

This is the Lake of the Thousand Dead Warriors.

My father has spoken of it.

He won a great victory over the Xeraths here, didn't he?

Where are you?

Help me

Bring in the slaves.

I am the Karo's daughter.

I order you to set me free.

It's dead, Gina.

But I am alive.

I am alive.

Do you understand, Gina?

I was your father's commander-in-chief.

I was good at it.

Your father's favorite.

He'd promised me something very beautiful.

You.

When you grew to womanhood, you were to be mine.

What is he saying?

I was the most important man in Hebelon.

Have you never heard tell of the great battle of the Sidion River?

No. The three-day desert war?

No. What about the battle on the lake of the thousand dead warriors?

Does that mean anything to you?

the battle I lost.

The Zerids had defeated us north of the Nordessa forest.

Your father was filled with rage.

As we were retreating, we came upon a caravan of Zerid women and children.

Your father could not handle his defeat.

His rage, he blamed me.

He ordered me to slay the women and children, and when I refused, he

attacked me.

He cut all my strings, except my headstring and one arm.

Then he abandoned me on the lake.

If I got home, I was allowed to live.

Defeat enraged your father.

Overcome by evil in darkness.

He killed them all.

But they're all women and children.

My father would never, ever do such a thing. Oh, but he did.

I had to take what I could get afterwards.

During the long campaign, the army had used up all the decent spare parts from

slaves.

And only old, worn-out ones were left.

Gina, I had to take what I could get.

He's no older than your son, Morito.

Did my father really kill them

all?

Suppose this hand reached out and caressed you tonight.

Then this one.

It can be yours if you want it.

I'll be Heavenlawn's commander-in-chief again with you by my side.

I can be put together any way you choose.

Let the slaves go. This is wrong.

Why, what?

I can love you the way you are.

Oh, really?

No. Regina, you can learn to love me. No!

No!

Arito, what are you doing?

Stop, Arito!

I have to do this.

Forgive me!

You don't understand.

Stop! Don't stop!

What don't I understand?

Answer me!

What don't I understand?

Spare my life, Hal.

Spare me.

For the sake of my children.

For my boy.

I have always trusted you, Aretha.

I have never betrayed you, and now you turn on me?

How?

Traitor.

Traitor!

Take him away.

No.

No, no. Take your hands off me! Come on! Come on, I said! Come now!

No!

Let go of me!

Anything you want to say in your defense before you die?

What have I done?

Come now, we know you're spying for Hebelon. No.

Then explain why you carry a Hebelonian sword.

I found it by the lake.

He's lying.

Look at me.

I'm just a poor nomad.

My father is dead and I'm traveling west to escape the war.

What war?

They say that Hebelon is planning for war.

To avenge my man, the murderer of the Kara.

Shall we bring him along, or do we finish him here?

No.

Still some kind of freedom fighter, huh?

Were they rough on you?

Just a little.

Does your life hang by a thread?

I don't care who you are. You deserve better treatment than this.

You've saved my little scamp of a brother's life, and for that, I'll

always be grateful.

My name is Sita.

Why are you taking me?

Wherever we decide to take you, we need to know whose side you're on.

So tell me, stranger with no name, whose side are you on?

Meet your new husband, Graak, commander-in-chief of the

Hebelonian army.

I'd rather die.

As you wish, Cariagina.

Aren't they beautiful?

Yes. They're dancing the story of our people.

Those are the Syats from Abygos.

Abygos?

Yes.

Our lost city.

Abygos.

Once, we all lived as one people in Abygos.

Then the Hebelonians came and drove us out.

They destroyed everything.

Murdered and raped.

Since then, we've had to live as fugitives.

Is that true? Yes.

Didn't you know?

Hebelon is built upon the ruins of Abygos.

But we've never given up hope of one day reclaiming our city.

How on earth did he do that?

I've never seen anything like it.

Zeta?

Zeta?

He wants to know our secret.

How we leap.

Then come with me.

Now look up.

Can you see where you end?

No.

Can you?

I end where you begin.

And where you end, I begin.

In that way, we are all connected.

Connected?

Look.

We are guiding each other.

When you learn to be guided by love, then you can use its strength, which

dwells in all life, not just your own.

And then you can do as we do.

Move like the wind.

Thank you.

Agra. Is that you, Sita?

I could tell it was time.

Yes.

Listen to me.

Sidion came to me last night in a dream.

He said many strings will fall to earth.

shines like gold, will guide his people through

these times.

Who is he? I asked.

A stranger everywhere, both at home and abroad, to himself and to

others, he answered.

And then he was gone.

You must take over.

He who shines.

Sorrow, yes.

Sita?

After him!

Going around spying on us, are you?

Well, tell us who you really are, Arsa. Larsa!

You!

You're Saro!

So tell me your name now that you know mine.

Gladly. I am Hal Tara of Hebelon, son of the Karo whom you murdered, and I have

come for my revenge.

Let's just kill him.

Let me kill him!

Remember, Hal.

If you are not bound by love, then you are tied by hate.

Oh, come now. Come!

Let him go!

You heard what the lady said.

Take him out into the desert and let him rot.

Welcome home, Erido.

Where is Aike?

Where is my family?

Where is Hal?

She is dead.

I swear on the strings of my unborn child.

The Xerits took him. Really?

And where are the Xerits, then?

Closer than we thought.

They have a secret route to the Nodesa forest.

They camped west of the Lake of the Thousand Dead Warriors.

Where is Aike?

Nice work, Harito.

Very nice.

Your first task as commander-in-chief of the Hebelonian army will be to wipe them

out for all time.

I... You!

Now, my friend, you are relieved of your command.

Say hello to your successor.

I've got it.

I've got your sleeping bird.

Here.

Here, come, boy.

Come.

Where have you been? I've looked everywhere for you.

Irito.

Irito, listen.

Where is Hal?

He's coming back to save us, isn't he?

Isn't he?

No.

Eberlon is a closed city.

Only slave drivers will be let in now.

Sorrow.

Get him!

Lay hold of his legstring.

He's heavy, this one. Has to be solid mahogany. I am Haltaro of Hebelon. Take

your hands off me.

You're such a trap.

Do you realize who I am? I am the son of the Karo. This idiot's got desert fever.

Let go of me!

We've got him.

Make ready!

How?

Come on, then.

Time's a-wasting.

Tevaland's off to war, and the army needs new strings.

Come on, Carrow, son.

Push!

Show us what you're made of!

You miserable creature!

Push!

Push, you wretch!

Push!

Put your back into it!

Push, you rabble!

Stop down there!

Push!

What a sorry pair we are, Ola.

Soon we'll be done for.

You poor sad old bird. Why can't you fly?

If you could only fly, Ola, the two of us would be saved.

can take you to freedom.

I'm all you have left, Gina.

Your brother is dead.

The Zeret took him.

You must believe me.

No. In heaven, our strings are touching.

Gina. How is it mine?

It feels as though someone is playing the most wonderful music on my strings.

As though they are vibrating.

Just listen.

I can tell he's alive and that he will return.

Wait and see.

Tonight I dreamed of Sidion.

He was disguised as an old xerit.

And his voice sounded like the wind blowing through the dry grass on the

Great Plains.

Some people are bound together, Grak.

Like Hal and me.

Like the man who loses his hand and the slave who gives him a new one.

If you feel, then you'll know it's true.

Yes.

And to whom are you bound, Grak?

My father, who robbed you of your strength and beauty?

Genisa, to those from whom you took your body parts?

Not to me.

Whatever you do to me, I will never, ever be yours.

Well then, I cannot help you.

Goodbye, Gina.

God!

Talk him down there.

Is that really you?

How did you end up here?

That's a very long story.

Listen carefully.

Gina and I found your father's farewell letter.

He wasn't murdered, Hal.

He took his own life so that he could leave the throne to you.

So that you could accomplish what he never could.

We have found the Zebits.

I have deployed the army and we shall defeat this evil.

But there is also evil within Hebelon itself.

This is what happens when you betray your own people.

You should have listened to Graak. Now I have no choice.

Everyone has a choice, Niso.

So the whole thing's a lie.

Everything.

Our whole life.

It is we who are the enemy.

We are our own worst enemy.

Hold on.

Something has happened to Gina.

I begot.

Sita was right.

I belong to the Zerids.

How?

I end where you begin.

And where you end, I begin.

In that way, we are all connected.

When you learn to be guided by love, you will be able to use the strength that...

dwells in all life.

Let her go, Nisa!

Leave her alone!

No!

Stay where you are!

I promise.

We are bound together in heaven, the two of us.

It is you who's playing that beautiful music, isn't it?

It's over, Karo Nizo.

Too

late,

Hal.

Thanks to you, the army has long since been sent against the Zerrits.

It was so nice of you to locate them for us.

Don't delude yourself. You are a son of Hebelon.

You are like me.

Like your father.

You can't run away from that.

So come on then, you miserable coward.

Kill me.

No.

I am like my father.

In the last few seconds of his life.

I am beginning where he ends, and I shall have the strength to do what he

did not.

Besides, I've promised a friend to use this hand for something good.

Can you see them?

We are surrounded.

The Hebelonians are just beyond the forest.

I told you we should have killed him.

Summon our men.

How?

They must have a special route.

We'll never get in there alive.

Oh yes we will.

We'll burn our way through.

Why isn't anything happening?

Why aren't they attacking?

All we can do is wait.

Mother, what are we waiting for?

There, there. Hush now.

Look!

The sun's coming up.

What?

That is not the sun. Take up your positions.

Fill the traps with water.

The moment is at hand.

Move out!

I want Saro taken alive!

Onwards, I say!

Men, women, and children.

Let no one be spared.

This night will see the end of the Zerids.

By dawn, Hebelon will be victorious, and they will be ashes.

Search the forest.

Search under every stone.

Find them.

But remember, sorrow...

is mine alone.

The camp is abandoned.

The Zeniths must have fled.

No.

They are here.

Up there!

In the trees! Take him down!

Well,

well. What have we here?

I want him alive!

You're going to die anyway.

Grock! Let her go.

What?

I said, let her go.

Call back the army.

It's over.

Oh, no.

We've only just begun.

Torch the Hebelonian strings!

Use the fire! Drive them back against the burning trees!

So come and regret!

Let's have this! Find the Hebelonian strings!

You're fairly scratched.

It's over.

We've won, Zeta.

Won?

Our home is totally destroyed for the second time.

No, Zeta.

I've found your home.

Your real home.

Oh hell.

She is free now, Hal.

Truly free.

Yes.

Come on, Ola.

You can do it.

Set us free.

Fly.