Original subtitles

(rain pattering)

(solemn choral music)

- [Warchief] (speaks Orcish)

- [Warchief] (speaks Orcish)

(insects chirping) (frog croaking)

(flames crackling) (young woman panting)

(flames crackling)

(flames crackling) (young woman panting softly)

(flames crackling)

(flames crackling)

(dramatic music)

(young woman breathing heavily)

- Orcs aren't real.

Orcs aren't real.

Orcs aren't real.

(flames crackling) (young woman breathing heavily)

(chains jangling)

(footsteps thudding) (chains jangling)

(flames crackling)

(dramatic music)

(chains jangling) (footsteps thudding)

(flames crackling)

(chains jangling) (footsteps thudding)

(chains jangling) (footsteps thudding)

(flames crackling)

(chains jangling)

(blade scratches)

(footsteps thudding) (flames crackling)

(chains jangling) (footsteps thudding)

(heartbeat thumping) (young woman breathing heavily)

(young woman wheezing)

(orc shouts)

(villager screams)

(dramatic music) (villager screams)

(villagers shout) (dramatic music continues)

(weapon thuds)

(birds chirping) (frog croaking)

(flames crackling)

- [Messenger] That was a dark day indeed.

- [Arlo] I don't believe that really happened.

It's a myth. - [Messenger] Easy to dismiss, young one.

Few care to remember the details.

- [Arlo] Still, no point worrying about the past, even if it is true.

- [Messenger] A dangerous attitude. (Arlo sighs)

- [Arlo] Really, why do you say that?

- [Orion] You'll never learn from your mistakes.

- [Arlo] I'd rather worry about this journey than the past.

Remembering all that old stuff,

I'm surprised you can memorize a message.

Guess it might have something to do with peace talks

if you're bringing up all that old nonsense.

- [Messenger] My message is for the King and his ears only.

You ask me about the peace talks and why the orcs left.

Then try to twist my words to get my message out of me.

There's always more to a messenger than meets the eye.

Good lesson for you to remember.

(bird warbling)

- [Orion] Eyes open, ears wary.

If danger is lurking, this will be the stretch. - [Messenger] Why is that?

- We're about midway through our journey.

We're at this point here from the capital

or back to the port.

- [Messenger] Interesting. - Why?

- [Messenger] We're in the middle of three henges.

- [Orion] What henges, hmm?

- [Messenger] A wood henge, a

stone henge and a sea henge.

- [Arlo] More rogue maid's tales.

- [Messenger] Aye, that's enough history lessons

for one day.

- Well, I hope your message contains less nonsense

than that which you spat.

- [Griff] Weapons.

(weapons whooshing)

- What do you see, Griff?

- Fresh tracks, headed that way.

- I'll check. - No, stick to the path.

Stay together, hmm?

Griff, you lead.

(birds chirping)

What power does a henge have?

- [Messenger] You've seen one.

- [Arlo] What, the big stones with people

chanting around them?

- [Orion] That's a stone henge.

- [Arlo] Seen that and

the wood henge nearby.

Never liked to get too close to that one.

Always got a bad feeling around it.

Can never trust magic, hmm?

- Wise move. - Truly.

- Always wise to keep your distance

from that which you don't understand.

Power moves in mysterious ways around the henges.

A the triangle of them.

That's a lot of energy.

(birds calling)

- Which means?

- Too much energy creates a fog for magic users.

Hard to find each other.

- Never bought into that. "Magic senses magic."

- You never walked into a room and sensed someone was angry?

- That's different.

- Communications with the capital would be far simpler

had they not created so many henges nearby.

- Much would be simpler if people embraced magic.

(mouth spits)

- This message must be a good one.

- Arlo. - What?

Three guards for one messenger traveling quietly on foot.

Speed not as important as safety

and staying hidden from sight.

- It's unbecoming to question a messenger,

and it is against the code.

- Captain of the guards handpicked as well?

I thought you were beyond all this.

- We all have to do the simpler duties from time to time.

- As you're fond of saying, reminds me of a dog.

Taking a dog on its final hump for its nose is useless.

- [Griff] Arlo.

- We've all heard the rumors.

And I mean you no disrespect, but there are younger men

coming through now with experience.

Some might say more in touch with the goings on.

You're obsessed with the old ways.

Except magic of course.

Such attitudes have done you no favors in the guard room.

- Is that so?

- I'm just saying what's on the wind.

That and the rumor you did a trade with a goblin.

In your younger days.

- I'd never break the code.

(insects chirping) (footsteps thudding)

- Halt.

No, something's wrong.

- What is it, more tracks? - Assassins?

- Assassins? - What then?

- Evil spirits. - Could be.

- Don't be ridiculous.

- Ever since the Eastern warlords have been sending treaties

over to our king, there have been rumors

of strange things happening.

- Some say black magic lies here.

Brought west from the Black Forest.

- Let's step off the path, see what happens.

Use one of your tricks, aye, Messenger.

Keep our distance from danger, hmm?

(grass crunching)

(suspenseful music)

(grass crunches) (suspenseful music continues)

- The Black Forest, why from there?

- Well, I enjoyed the company

of an archer from the warlord's traveling company.

She said the journey there took twice as long as it should.

They no longer travel through the Black Forest.

- Because of dark magic?

- No, she said a sickness comes from there.

Now, when were the first plague victims of the season?

- When?

- After the visit from the warlord.

- Quiet.

(zombies shrieking)

- [Griff] They look injured.

(blood splatters)

(suspenseful music) (armor rattling)

(zombies shrieking) (footsteps thudding)

- What was that?

- We need to keep moving.

We must get to the King.

- That was a lot of foes.

Do you know of this? - My message is for the King.

- It won't be much use to him if you fail to deliver it.

- Is that a threat? - Wish that it were.

Be much easier to deal with than this mess, hmm?

Do you know who it is that may attack us?

How many?

Where are they coming from?

I can change our course.

That's all I need to know.

Fine.

We move.

Keep an eye out for any stragglers at the rear.

(birds chirping)

(crow cawing)

It's plagued.

Be wary.

Don't touch anything. - They're outcasts.

There were a lot of them moving hardily for sick people.

- [Messenger] We must keep moving.

- [Karnak] You know what to do, stand your ground.

Stay calm and attack.

(zombies grunt) (weapon stabs)

(Griff grunts)

(Orion grunts)

(bones crack)

(weapons whoosh) (weapons clang) (Arlo groans)

(back thuds) (weapons stab)

(Arlo groans)

(zombies grunts)

(weapons thud)

(thrilling music)

(footsteps thudding)

- Arlo, can you walk?

- Mm-hmm. - Let's get out of here.

- [Messenger] It must be painful to be stabbed

by a wyvern's tooth.

- [Griff] A wyvern?

You've been listening to too many tales

around the fireplace and words on the wind.

- [Messenger] Just because a tale fades doesn't

mean the truth of it does.

- [Griff] They didn't fight like people dying of plague.

Strong as an ox, that one.

(Arlo coughs)

- [Orion] Arlo?

- Don't. - Careful now.

(mysterious voices whispering)

- How do you know? - It's a wyvern's tooth.

That's what the poison does for a while.

- What are you talking about?

- [Orion] Something is terribly wrong here.

- You should ask him.

(mysterious voices whispering)

I can, I can, I can hear your thoughts.

- [Messenger] Keep your thoughts to yourself young one.

- [Griff] Is he plagued?

- I'm not plagued.

Poison.

(mysterious voices whispering)

That's right.

My grandmother used to tell me the story

of the wyvern and the wolf.

- [Messenger] Time to die.

- Stop!

He's got a knife.

- If he has read my thoughts then he has heard the message.

- Please.

Take me to a healer.

Please take me to a healer.

- [Messenger] I will kill you as soon

as your back is turned.

Can I trust him?

- Of course you can, he's one of mine.

- I'm sorry, I've been hasty.

- [Arlo] He's lying.

- If you can hear my thoughts, what am I thinking?

- About your love for the sea.

(mysterious voices whispering)

- [Griff] What's the message?

- Griff.

(blade whacks) (Arlo groans)

- [Messenger] I am sworn to not reveal my message

to any but the King.

- Dead messengers are poor at delivering such promises.

- Griff. - He was already dying.

Wyvern venom brings clarity before convulsion.

I saved him from a miserable death.

That is all.

We must move on.

You have seen what is out here.

- I don't know what I saw.

- The wolf, the wyvern, and the war chief.

The wolf will hunt the enemy.

The wyvern will see the enemy.

And the war chief will enter the enemy.

That is how the tale goes.

- [Messenger] So shall we keep chatting or keep moving?

Your choice.

I shall go on alone if I must, but if such beasts

are lurking, my message must be important.

Think on that.

(footsteps thudding)

- Go after him, I'll be right behind you.

I don't trust him.

(crow cawing) (wind howling)

(footsteps thudding)

I'll say you fell in battle, hmm?

I remember your bravery last winter,

fighting off those wolves.

Wyverns and plague faces indeed.

(crows cawing)

Bad omens.

(footsteps thudding)

(suspenseful music)

- If you find yourself on a road alone when you should be

with those you're meant to guard something's wrong.

(soldiers marching) (soldiers laughing)

In such moments, it is foolish to look for your charge.

For if they are meant to be seen

and now are not, movement is key.

(zombie grunting)

One perspective has failed, try another!

Do not wait, do not linger, move!

And keep moving!

The first rule of war is to attack!

Never wait.

Never flee!

Move until you have the upper hand again,

and when you are ready, strike.

(weapon whacks)

(body thuds)

Once you are victorious, then you should seek out

that which you have lost.

For danger once defeated gives us time to breathe.

- We saw it but, we had no time to warn you.

- I took care of it. - We must hurry.

- Are you hurt?

(Orion panting)

Arlo wanted to be a messenger.

Said the world of travel was cloaked in fear,

and messengers were proof that you could journey safe.

- I'm sorry he was proved wrong.

- He wasn't a good man, but he was decent.

I've known a lot worse.

It was a horrible way to go

- In some cultures, death by wyvern

is considered a great honor.

- [Griff] Yeah, so is eating the brains of a pigeon.

Doesn't mean I'm gonna do it.

(crow cawing) (footsteps thudding)

(bird wings flapping)

- What is it?

- The wind. - It keeps changing direction.

I noticed it too.

- It's the sort of thing Arlo would've chastised me for.

Another trick of the senses.

- Hmm.

- I'll tell his father of his passing when we return.

I've met him before.

He hated that his only son became a member of the guard.

Wanted him to farm wheat like he did.

Good coin in that.

More than we earn.

- Magic senses magic.

You may feel small at times, but in the river of life

you may do more than you know.

Little choices often have the biggest consequences.

I thought you didn't make the cut.

- [Orion] Somebody dropped out.

- Oh, so it's true.

People are talking about this.

- [Orion] Mother.

- You beat a man within an inch of his life

so you could take his place.

- He taunted me, said I wasn't up to the task

so I proved him wrong.

- [Father] I told you he'd done it.

- Well, time will tell.

Few other tasks worthy enough to stand the test of time.

My woodwork will wither and wear.

But, well, if you can become a warrior.

- The world remembers warriors.

- I didn't think you had it in you,

to get back in the running.

I'm proud of you.

Better than this waste of space.

- If I say I'll do a thing, I do it.

Or give my best trying, that's it.

- [Lyra] Shame your best isn't worth more.

- It's worth more than war.

What you do is too. - Oh, not this again.

I'm busy.

- And what you do is important so I'll leave you to it.

(tool scraping)

Art creates artisans,

sharing knowledge and beauty for generations.

- Lessons you learnt when you were young.

Best you forget them.

War creates warriors.

Focus on that.

I'm proud of you getting back in the running.

You bring honor to the family.

- [Father] I'm a waste of space.

(Mother sighs)

- You learn to work with wood, you'll always have a table.

Work with plants, you'll always have medicine.

Crops, always have food.

Gemstones, always have magic.

Spirits, you'll never forget the past.

And you know what, Mother, it sickens me that all you care

about is death and destruction.

- You're useless!

Plants, crops?

You?

Death comes from your hands more easily than life.

I see what's good for you.

I know what's best, a warrior!

- [Orion] If I fail to be a warrior,

I shall join the guard.

- [Lyra] And be a walking shame for us to endure?

Don't you dare. (branch snaps)

- Hey. - Ah, can you feel it?

It's like-- - An anger growing.

- Yes.

- I think it's time you shared with us

what you can, Messenger.

- There is little to tell.

- Little enough is better than nothing.

- We know the pact of the messenger

and the way of the guardian.

We ask you to break neither.

Whatever you can share with us may be the difference

between more deaths and you succeeding in your quest.

- Our quest.

- Our lives matter not, that is the way of the guardian.

This is your quest, and we will protect you to succeed.

- What?

- You take this seriously.

- With our lives.

- [Orion] That amuses you?

- Good.

What then?

(crow cawing)

How can you not feel this?

- The anger is rising, the fury has come.

You truly feel nothing?

You?

What I tell you now you can tell no others.

- That is the way of the guardian.

- We protect all.

Word, witness, magic, and spirit.

- You do not know this?

- No, but it makes it far simpler.

That creature you saw, it is a war chief.

- An orc? - Yes.

What Griff and I feel now are its anger pulses.

- The energy that travels this strongly and this far.

- The war chief calling to its clan to achieve such a level

of fury, it must be fighting for its very life.

(zombie grunting)

(suspenseful music)

(weapon whooshes)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon thuds)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon thuds)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon thuds)

(suspenseful music)

(blade slices)

(suspenseful music continues)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(ribs cracking)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(flesh cracks)

(speaks Orcish)

(orc laughs)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(neck cracks)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(crows cawing)

- That is a war cry.

- I don't believe you. Believe your ears.

Even if you can't hear the power of it.

- If a war chief makes a war cry, then it creates a war path

and the war party will follow it.

And when they reach the war chief,

they will make a war camp.

- And they will bring war to the region,

but orcs haven't been seen--

- Enough time for the area to become rich with plunder.

- Foes to kill, food to steal, tokens to keep.

When a war chief wanders...

- [Together] No human can sleep.

- It exists, your message to the King.

- Only part of it, but it is prudent you now know.

We must reach the King.

(tense music)

(grass crunching)

- [Orion] You're the only person I can trust

to be at this house.

The others all disappear for a beer about now.

- I like my own company.

- I heard your friend got the plague.

Mm.

I don't like what we do to them anymore than you do.

- Little else we can do.

They endanger all of us.

Vermin!

(birds chirping)

- You're a good one.

(footsteps thudding)

(insects chirping)

(somber music)

(somber music continues)

(Orion panting)

(water sloshes)

That orc.

When it screamed, you shuddered.

- That is no mere orc.

It is a war chief, and yes,

I felt the power of it's war path.

- How does all this work?

- When you are open to spirits and magic,

you are alive to such strong currents.

It is a pulling sensation

like you are following the right path.

- And a war path truly leads to a war chief.

- Yes. - And you can feel this?

- Oh yes. - You are gifted in magic.

- Is it close?

Good.

(orc shouts)

- We should press on.

(footsteps thudding)

(grass crunching)

(solemn choral music)

(air whooshing)

- That is the rule of two and the rule of three.

Two forces will always oppose one another.

That is fact, the rule of two.

The rule of three is that one should know

there is always another influence outside of the two.

You hunt a deer, this is man versus animal.

But why is the deer there?

(suspenseful music)

Looking for food?

- [Student] Perhaps it was having a post-meal stroll.

- You are correct, perhaps.

- So there is no three. - There is always a three.

This is not a riddle!

Who will solve it?

- The rule of three is as you see.

The deer is out looking for food.

He's searching for a mate.

He's maybe waiting for a friend.

But it also applies to the hunter as well.

His village demands he comes back with some food.

Demands he comes back with some meat.

But the sun is high in the sky, so he's hot.

And it's been a long day, so he's tired.

- [Karnak] Very good.

- [Student] But the rule of two cannot be either.

I can help my friend, we are not opposed.

- You help a friend and you are putting the friend

in your debt.

(Orion panting)

(zombie grunting)

(tense music)

- How many more of them are there?

- The rule of seven, there is luck in all things.

Even being outnumbered.

If you were to attack, you would overwhelm me.

But you have not all attacked.

And so the odds of my victory against all of you

are still just that, odds.

The result is not yet confirmed.

(tense music)

In dire situations, you must cling to this.

And know what appears to be a weakness may be a strength.

Our lack of metal, for example, the rarest of materials,

means we fight with wood, bone and stone,

which are much quieter than the clang of steel and iron.

(people shouting) (suspenseful music)

We have limited weapons and supplies,

therefore we train in all weapons.

(trainees shouting) (sticks clacking)

(stick whooshes)

(sticks clacking)

(stick whooshes)

(sticks clacking) (sticks whooshing)

We turn a limit into an advantage.

(rock smacks)

(suspenseful music)

(zombie groans)

(blade slices)

(zombie grunting)

(Griff panting)

- It's coming.

- The Warchief.

(speaks Orcish)

- It's here.

- [Orion] Run.

(zombie groaning)

(orc grunts)

(speaks Orcish)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon thudding)

(weapon thudding) (orc grunting)

(speaks Orcish)

(orc grunting)

(speaks Orcish)

(insects chirping)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(orcs shouting)

(orc grunts)

(speaks Orcish)

(grass crunching)

(Griff panting)

- I've seen plagued before but that.

(birds chirping)

(suspenseful music)

- [Griff] There were so many and they...

They had weapons I didn't recognize.

- They were teeth.

- No, they had ent teeth too.

And I swear one was a spider fang.

- No, no, no, no, no, no. - What?

- This is like a bad dream,

a nightmare of things long extinct.

No one alive has seen an orc, let alone a wyvern,

a giant spider or an ent.

- [Messenger] You have lived sheltered

in the corner of the world.

I daresay you have seen nothing of the elder races.

- The elder races are nothing but myth and legend.

- War has taken its toll in more ways than one,

but here's proof.

There is much happening in the world outside your village.

- We must keep walking.

The warchief is near and he's unpredictable.

We need to walk.

(suspenseful music)

(birds chirping)

(footsteps thudding)

(mysterious voices chanting)

(birds chirping)

(orc grunts)

(birds chirping)

- Do you two always travel as a pair?

- Why?

- Polite conversation, nothing more.

- You barely speak unless prompted,

unless it's about the elder races.

- I am a speaker of the guard.

Where the captain goes, I follow.

- Forgive me.

What is a speaker of the guard? - You seem to know very little

for one who carries such an important message.

801 - A speaker of the guard is one who also feels magic,

801gemstones or spirits.

So as to speak from one guard to another.

Not that there are any guards we can communicate with anymore.

- And why is that?

- Folk don't like the old ways.

Now, we get taught little more than channeling energy.

- Enough.

He's an outsider.

- You fear me.

- No, I'm wary of you.

You turn up, so do the plagued, now an orc.

Talk of things long forgotten.

Kill a guard. - That was a mercy.

- You killed him then you don't fight.

- I can see this isn't easy for you.

- And the Elder said this one great power

we will split into three.

The gemstones and magic and spirits there be.

Two for the elders and the dragons get three.

And one for the humans, that's plenty for thee.

- And you can't use gemstones 'cause you don't know

about the way of the guardians.

- We should keep moving. - No.

No.

We stop, now.

- [Messenger] I thought you had to keep your oath.

- You're a hard man to like, Orion.

That counted against you in the selections.

You stink, you speak your mind.

You never do things by halves.

People hate you for it, I respect it.

Best position I could get you,

Captain of the Guardians in Backwater Town.

I'm sure your family will be pleased.

One last thing.

This is passed from captain to captain.

What do you know of gemstones?

- You are born with gemstone spirit or magic.

- Or none at all.

The first guardians were created to guard the secrets

of the gemstones.

Without being taught, their power will never be awakened.

All who know the gemstones

know the guardians no matter the race.

We may be banished to no more than a town guard

these days, but back when peace roamed and all were free,

guardians had a more important station.

Something we should never forget.

- Magic users have no need of a guardian or a guard,

which means you must be...

You must be a spirit user.

- Correct.

(solemn music)

(Orion breathing heavily)

(solemn music continues)

- Shiver down your spine.

Spirits come to dine.

Feast on your senses, eat of your soul.

A spirit master never leaves you whole.

- A lovely rhyme to warn you away from us.

- We who walk with shadows, but few see the splendor.

- Together, the spirit guides know all foes must surrender.

I wondered why they told me to ask for the captain.

It made no sense, but now I understand.

They wanted me to find you.

- What do you mean?

(symbols chiming)

You are?

- I am a spirit guide, now apprentice to a master.

No one would teach me to be useful with my talents.

So I went in search of answers myself.

It's my time to learn now.

My calling has been heard, a master has found me.

- I've known you for-- - A long time, yes.

And I have had to keep my secret all these years.

For people like the old ways, but not so much the magic.

And even less spirits.

- I thought you used gemstones.

- You never even asked.

Your hatred blinds you.

The spirits reveal all for they are the souls of the dead.

If my own community would not even support my skills,

then why not side with those who do?

- This is a dark path you wander, Griff.

- I have always respected you, Orion, but there are

bigger things at play than you have ever understood.

My way has changed.

The new path lies ahead.

- We must move on.

The wind is following us.

Your mission is done, guardian.

Be gone.

We need you no longer.

(somber music)

(birds chirping)

(birds chirping)

(wind howling)

(birds chirping)

(somber music)

(zombies grunting)

(suspenseful music)

(zombie grunting) (leaves rustling)

(suspenseful music continues)

(water splashing)

(Orion screams)

(Orion groans)

(birds hooting)

- [Lyra] There is a natural calmness that always

comes with acceptance.

Accept.

Be.

- [Orion] You seem to have a problem with that.

- Hard to accept I raised a son on kindness

and his reputation is as a thug.

(bird hooting)

- We have rules.

Someone breaks them, I enforce them.

It's that simple.

- It'll get you promotions, but no friends.

What you did to that goblin-- - Never trust a goblin.

Rules are clear on that.

No business with 'em.

- It was begging.

- Rules keep us safe.

(birds chirping)

Do you ever wish I was magical?

- Seven sisters, no.

- But-- - Magic has its own price

and that's gems.

Now some could work with gems and others wield magic.

But spirits can undo both.

Spirits will take from your soul.

You are safest out of all of that.

- It's a weakness I would love to cure.

I just have no talent for it.

- One day that weakness may become a strength.

You get yourself in enough trouble as it is.

No use courting more.

Never forget.

(branch snaps)

Magic senses magic.

(zombie screams)

- [Griff] I had no word you'd come.

- [Messenger] But you felt it was to happen.

- [Griff] Yes.

- [Messenger] That is the call of the spirit.

It binds us together, makes hunting those

with magic much easier.

When an acolyte becomes a master,

an apprentice must be found.

Powerful magic can only be cast in pairs.

Together, we will achieve great things.

I have been sent from the Black Forest.

- [Griff] And where are we headed?

- As intended. - The King?

But he outlawed all spirit users.

My father and mother--

- [Messenger] All fear that which they don't understand.

- [Griff] And the orc?

- We are leading it to the capital.

Herding it, I should say. - Herding?

- [Messenger] The plague faces are under my control.

They have all sworn their souls

to the spirit in return for eternal light.

- [Griff] But we killed some of them.

- [Messenger] You killed some of them.

I had to ensure you were worthy,

and I didn't know if it was you or the captain I sought.

Magic users and gemstone workers

can sense others of their kind.

Spirit guides cannot.

A weakness and a strength.

- But we can feel the pull of the spirit.

- The spirit craves power.

It is fed by souls.

Pays to be wary of following it too closely or too blindly.

The great work of your life now

will be understanding the ebb and flow.

Some say it is like clasping onto a dream

at the point of awaking.

I prefer to likening it to recognizing someone,

but misplacing from where.

- I have much to learn, Master.

It is good to talk of such things in the daylight.

Long have I hidden in the shadows.

(somber music) (tool banging)

(sheep bleating) (hooves pattering)

(somber music continues) (water splashing)

- Orion's sure he'll find you.

It's gonna be a long day for you.

You know they're burning spirit witches

down at the south shore.

Yeah, you should come join us.

It's gonna be loads of us. It's gonna be great.

(rooster crows)

(bucket slams)

(Orion groans softly)

- [Orion] I heard you fought in the Troll Wars.

That you were left in the boom pits and managed to escape.

- That's all true.

I'm sure it sounds exciting now,

but when you're lying in a ditch, unarmed,

violence all around you, you quickly understand

that no one will be coming to save you.

The choices ahead are all yours.

I would die by a troll's hammer or a goblin sword.

Or I would make it back to the front line

where I could protect my people.

In times of war, the choice is that simple.

Survive or die.

(majestic music)

(Orion groans)

(majestic music) (footsteps thudding)

(branches rustle)

Goblins have metal and lots of it.

They mine it deeper than the dwarves.

Colors are impressive.

The trolls have no need for it.

Rock, stone are their weapons.

My wooden scythe had broken.

I used the hilt of it to kill an injured troll.

Then used what I could when I could.

(suspenseful music)

My sole purpose was to kill.

(rock smashes)

(zombie grunting)

(suspenseful music continues)

(Orion grunts)

(zombie groaning)

(Orion panting)

I didn't know if I'd make it back,

but I'd taken a vow to protect my friends,

my family, my people.

- [Orion] So you weren't a warrior.

- Started out as a guardian.

- You went to war?

- You rarely go to war.

War finds you.

(dramatic music)

(speaks Orcish)

- [Griff] So the orc will attack the capital

and bring war to these lands.

- [Messenger] Indeed.

- [Griff] And we will raise an army from the dying

and those suffering from pestilence.

- And crush them all.

With each new soul, we will become more powerful.

Until all serve us.

- But surely souls are only useful to a necromancer.

- Hmm.

(solemn music)

- But.

- Stonehenge to the North, Seahenge to the East,

Woodhenge to the Southwest.

A henge draws its power from the earth, the sea or the wind.

A triangle created by the three...

- Will allow an acolyte of the spirit

to become a necromancer.

With a sacrifice.

- The greater the sacrifice, the greater the power.

- The King.

Your message is that he must die.

- You are a quick learner.

An apprentice you are, but an acolyte

I prophesize you will become.

Perhaps even a necromancer, a true path to greatness.

(zombie vocalizing)

- Ah, ah, ah, ah.

Stop, where are you off to?

- To kill it.

- (sighs) Look at it's neck.

It's still bleeding.

It means it's mask has been freshly stapled on.

I know your brother was killed by a plague face,

but they're still human.

Unfortunate souls.

- It's looking to infect others.

- No, it's looking back at home.

Same as you'd do, same as I'd do.

- No.

- If it comes back in a few days,

it'll have started to lose its mind, become feral.

Probably desperate.

Probably won't find its way back at all.

- You're kind.

- Nah, I've just had a while to think.

Reckon it's probably best to

protect something if you can, rather than kill it.

I'll get back to my rounds.

You let it be.

(birds chirping)

(suspenseful music)

(grass crunching) (leaves rustling)

(person chattering)

- [Coale] No chance.

Weather's changing across the border, it's the orcs coming.

More families will be coming down this way.

Good place for most children.

Good for farming, good for profits.

You mark my words, this land will be valuable

in the coming years.

- [Bragan] Halt!

- [Coale] It's Captain Orion.

- [Bragan] We've come looking for you, sir.

We've had news of plague faces from some traveling merchant.

- [Coale] And worse.

- We're not discussing that.

- [Orion] Go on.

- [Bragan] No, it's just some drunkard's daydream.

- Orcs.

- I've seen it.

(branch snapping)

(Warchief grunting)

(footsteps thudding)

- [Karnak] Get back! (weapon whacks)

Killing trolls and orcs needs almost the same technique.

Move around it and attack together.

Never attempt a fight one-on-one.

(dramatic music)

(weapon whooshing)

(dramatic music) (weapon whooshing)

(suspenseful music)

(weapon whooshing)

(fist pounds)

(weapon whooshing)

(weapon whacks)

(sword stabbing)

Never attempt a fight one-on-one.

You will lose.

(blood splatters)

(footsteps thudding)

(Orion panting)

- Balls.

(somber music)

(Warchief grunting softly)

(speaks Orcish)

Nope.

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

Easy.

Easy.

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music)

(zombie grunting)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music)

(mysterious voices chanting)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon thudding)

(sword slicing)

(speaks Orcish)

(sword slicing)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music) (zombies grunting)

(knife stabs)

(Orion grunting)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(orcs marching)

(Warshaman speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

(footsteps thudding) (suspenseful music)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(dramatic music)

(speaking in Orcish language)

(villagers screaming)

(speaks Orcish)

- [Herald] No, what are you doing?

You're heading for beast orcs!

- [Squire] We're late, sir.

You can never trust an orc!

- Retreat, run for your lives!

(villagers screaming) (suspenseful music)

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(footsteps thudding)

(grass crunching)

(blade squelches)

- [Father] Useless, useless, useless.

- [Lyra] Warriors destroy and end traditions.

- [Orion Voiceover] I'm fighting plague faces, not warriors.

(mysterious voices whispering)

- [Karnak] You're not a warrior.

- [Orion] When you escaped the trolls,

why did you not go home?

- There is little rest to be had

whilst the job remains undone .

Remember my lessons, take a bath.

You're a good student.

Farewell, Orion.

- [Orion] I had a great teacher, Karnak.

My job is done.

(mysterious voices whispering)

Woodhenge, I hate thee.

(body thuds)

(suspenseful music)

- Something vexes the spirit.

Another is here, do you feel it?

- No. - You are yet weak.

A wind mage is interfering with a death.

Their power is weak.

But they could warn the King

through messages they send on the breeze.

We should have killed him.

(magic rumbling)

(Messenger chanting in foreign language)

I have risen the dead, they have come to aid us.

- No, only a...

- Yes.

Only a necromancer can raise the dead to live forever.

I have the power to do it for a short time.

We must make haste.

(grass crunching)

(suspenseful music)

- [Arcanus] Quietly, breathe.

(Orion gasps)

Your lungs are burning from the venom.

I'm chilling the air for you just slightly.

But it will soothe some.

(somber music)

Do you know what venom it was?

Right.

Well, there's not much we can do, is there?

I can keep you alive for minutes, perhaps hours.

But wyvern venom, here? - A warchief.

- Ah, the venom is working.

It's rare to share thoughts.

I am Arcanus, a mage of the wind.

(somber music)

I have been tracking a plague on the air.

It's come across the water like a dirty arm

opening its hand and encircling its prey.

Waves of pestilence such as this is rare indeed.

And why does pestilence come armed with wyvern's teeth?

Following a warchief.

Not an orc plot.

Orcs can't be trusted.

Is that not how the saying goes?

Breathe.

Slowly.

(Orion panting)

- A spirit master.

And an apprentice.

- [Arcanus] Here?

- But they harried the warchief toward the capital

and the King.

- To bring war.

I must send a message, but they'll have sensed me.

They'll be coming.

The henge will make it more difficult, but

if I'm attacked while sending it.

- I'll guard you.

It's what I do.

- [Arcanus] For God, you were listening.

You sure you're up to the task?

- You got any other options?

- I shan't need long.

Just enough to put a word on the breeze.

Can you hear them?

- Their thoughts.

- [Arcanus] You will be overwhelmed by them, I fear.

Stay strong.

I will be as quick as I can.

They will not attack me from the henge.

If you can walk this close

without the magic overwhelming them.

- [Zombies] Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill .

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

(suspenseful music)

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill, kill, kill.

(thunder rumbling)

- [Lyra] A moment.

One moment before your big day.

- You come to talk me out of it.

- No, I respect your decision.

But this might sound silly, but I had a dream last night.

No, it wasn't about today or anytime soon.

But a frog was carrying a baby wyvern

across the water to save it from a rising tide.

But then the baby wyvern bit the frog

when it reached the other side safely, killing it.

And in its dying moments, do you know what the frog heard

in the thoughts of the wyvern?

What did you expect? I'm a wyvern.

Take from that what you will, but be guided by it.

That is all.

I hope today goes well. - I'm not a wyvern.

- Don't be a frog either. (hand slaps)

You may be a disappointment, but you're my disappointment.

(Mother laughs)

(grass crunching)

(birds chirping)

- [Atrophy] A waste of space.

(tense music)

- [Zombies] Kill.

Kill.

Kill.

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill.

(footsteps thudding)

Kill.

Kill!

Kill, kill, kill.

Kill.

- [Karnak] The final lesson is a simple creed.

Say it when you are challenged

for it will regulate your breathing,

prepare the body and focus the mind, and you will be ready.

You say this now and only now.

The next time you say it, you shall be a warrior

for it is the warrior's creed.

- Come to me.

- Kill. - I'm here.

Come to me.

We stand and I fight! - Kill.

- Come to me!

(zombies shout)

(knife stabbing) (zombies shouting)

- Take my message in the wind.

(knife stabbing) (zombies shouting)

(suspenseful music) (zombies grunting)

(knife stabbing)

I need more time.

(footsteps thudding)

(knife stabbing) (tense music)

- [Voices] Kill, kill.

(knife stabbing)

(Orion panting)

(knife slicing)

(tense music)

(knife stabs)

(Arcanus chanting rapidly)

(suspenseful music)

(knife stabs) (zombie groans)

(knife stabbing) (zombies grunting)

(Orion panting) (heartbeat thumping)

(Orion coughs)

- I can't go on much longer.

- [Arcanus] Someone stronger is trying to stop me.

I need more time.

(zombie screeches)

(dramatic music)

(zombies grunting)

(knife stabs)

(zombies grunting) (tense music)

(Messenger chanting)

(zombies grunting) (knife stabbing)

- I will lend you strength.

(Griff gasps)

This power.

- Let it cross.

(thrilling music)

(bones cracking)

(bones cracking)

(bones cracking)

- My message will carry in the wind

for the King must hear what it is fear.

Help me, messengers of the wind.

- It's all over.

(backs cracking)

- [Zombies] Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

Kill, kill, kill, kill.

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

(Warshaman speaks Orcish)

(weapon thudding)

(speaks Orcish)

(footsteps thudding)

Kill, kill.

Kill. Kill.

- Arcanus, I'm gonna need some help.

- [Arcanus] I'm struggling, but I can bring confusion.

- How is that useful? (voice echoes)

Come here.

Come to me.

Stand and I fight.

Come to me!

(footsteps thudding)

- Kill them all.

(Orion grunts)

(knife stabs)

- [Arcanus] Stab it in the brain.

(knife stabs)

- [Zombies] Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.

(weapon thudding)

(speaks Orcish)

(weapon thudding)

(zombie grunting)

(weapon smacks)

(zombies grunting)

(sword whooshes & thuds)

(zombies grunting) (sword thudding)

- [Arcanus] Carry this message for the King must hear

what I also fear. Hear me, messengers of the wind.

Take my message and guide it swift

for the King must hear what all I fear.

(thrilling music)

(knife stabs)

- [Zombie] Kill!

(sword thuds)

(zombies grunting)

- Leave the plague zombies to the warchief.

We ought to slay this mage.

- [Zombie] Kill, kill, kill.

(Orion grunts) - For the King must hear what it is I fear.

Hear me, messengers of the wind.

Take my message and carry it swift.

For the King must hear what it is I fear.

- We are in a triangle of henges.

Her magic is struggling to free itself.

That and her fear.

(thrilling music) (zombies grunting)

(knife stabs)

(weapon smashes)

(speaks Orcish)

(speaks Orcish)

(footsteps thudding) (suspenseful music)

- [Arcanus] Carry this message in the wind.

- Still alive?

- You'll not get past me.

- She's behind you.

Good to know.

(heartbeat thumping)

(grass crunching)

(knife whooshes)

(knife stabs) (Arcanus groans)

Perfect strike, a quick death.

(melancholic music)

(Orion gasps)

- [Arcanus] Stay alive.

- (groans) I must.

- Harder to breathe, isn't it?

The mage was keeping you alive?

Ah, apologies.

I can smell your soul starting to break.

Pieces of you are dying, but you are desperate to live.

You are pathetic.

- [Griff] You should have run.

- You may have forgotten who you are, Griff,

but I have not.

- [Griff] I need more time.

Please.

- Finish him.

(melancholic music) (voices whispering)

(Griff grunting)

- This doesn't need to be your path Griff.

- She is bound to me until death.

(grunts)

(somber music)

- Then death I'll give you.

(footsteps thudding)

- Enough.

Reminisce with your friend.

(Orion groans)

(Arlo screaming) (Orion groaning)

(Arlo screaming) (Orion groaning)

(hilt whacking)

- [Orion] I knew you wouldn't kill me, Griff.

You hit me with the flat of your blade.

You'll have to try harder than that,

if you're thinking of taking me down this path.

(Arlo grunting)

This is your mess, you clean it.

(Arlo grunting)

- [Griff] Get this off me!

Stop it!

- I can't.

I can't control it.

(Arlo grunting)

You are weak if you can't even defeat that,

that thing.

- [Griff] Die!

(bones crack)

(dramatic music)

(sword scrapes)

- [Messenger] Now, kill him or I'll kill you.

- You gave up everything for this.

(blade whooshes)

- Messengers of the wind, take my message

and carry it swift for the King must hear what it...

- Kill me.

Kill me.

- [Messenger] Now kill him.

(somber music)

(blade whooshes)

(blade stabs)

(dramatic music) (Messenger groans)

You'll regret that.

(blade squelches)

(orc grunting)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music)

You wanted death.

I am death.

(air whooshing)

(bones cracking)

(thrilling chanting music)

(blade whacks)

(thrilling music continues)

(blade whacks)

(weapon stabs)

(thrilling music continues)

(footsteps thudding)

- I always saw the best in you.

Still do.

- No.

(somber music)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music)

(speaks Orcish)

(suspenseful music continues)

(speaks Orcish)

(footsteps thudding)

(Griff gasps)

(Orion panting)

(footsteps thudding)

(staff thuds)

(somber music)

- I can't hear your voice anymore.

(footsteps thudding)

- Did you send the message? - Griff.

- Did you send the message?

(somber music continues)

- Halt.

- [Griff] Try again.

I'll help.

(wind howling)

(somber music continues)

(ground rumbling)

(Arcanus gasps)

- Did it work?

(somber music continues)

What happened?

- A shaman stopped us.

(suspenseful music)

(grass crunching)

- I failed you, Guardian.

You stay down now.

You stay, and when you get a chance,

you get as far away from here as you can, as far away.

(suspenseful music continues)

I'll buy you as much time as I can.

(suspenseful music continues)

(grass crunching)

(grass crunching)

(Orion panting) (footsteps thudding)

- [Warshaman] Weak little things, aren't you?

(neck cracks)

Do not be surprised.

A shaman can speak many tongues.

(teeth chattering)

So you're the survivor.

Huh.

(teeth chattering)

Spirit masters like to play silly little games.

I knew something was wrong.

I sensed it on the war path,

but there was little I could do until I got here.

But now.

(teeth chattering)

A vortex created by a trio of henges.

Clever cover. Clever.

(teeth chattering)

You're a warrior, huh?

What then?

- A guardian.

You know the power of the gemstones.

A guardian guards the secrets of the--

- to the power of the gemstones, yes?

Yes.

- [Orion] You know the ways of the guardian.

- I know the ways of all humans, creatures, and things.

(teeth chattering)

The rule of seven, huh?

There is luck in all fates.

You are lucky today, Guardian, huh?

The right place at the right time with the right opponent.

(teeth chattering)

I can't hurt you, according to the old rules,

which I respect.

- Respect?

You know the meaning of that word, orc?

- What do you know of orcs, huh?

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

- You want war.

- We live for war!

Death brings us life.

Life brings us death.

- You.

(armor rattling)

- You know little.

(armor rattling)

You fear us because you don't know us.

But I know you, human.

Here, take this.

It will heal you.

I know humans.

(teeth chattering)

(mysterious voices)

You will do as we want.

- I won't do anything for you.

- Oh, you will.

You will, you will, you will, you will.

You'll go to the King,

and you'll tell him to raise an army for war.

Not run away and hide.

No, no, no, a proper fight.

- [Orion] What's in the sack?

(tense music)

- Anger makes us do crazy things.

Crazy.

I was angry on my way here.

Very angry because the war path was wrong.

So we took a detour, a lovely little village by the river.

Plenty of humans, little plunder.

Quite flippy-floppy.

Perhaps you knew some of them.

- What's in the sack?

(orc laughing)

- You look as though you're going to do something crazy.

Go to your king perhaps, raise an army perhaps.

Bring us war!

- What's in the sack?

(speaks Orcish)

Show me.

(somber music)

(somber music continues)

(somber music continues)

(mysterious voices whispering)

(somber music continues)

(somber music continues)

I took a vow to protect my people.

- Well, you're not very good at that.

- I am, for I know that you're lying.

You don't know where to go next.

That's why the messenger was trying

to push you towards the King.

(somber music continues)

You could get lost in these forests for weeks, months.

Probably starve before you reach the King.

The first rule of war is to attack first.

I'm guessing your friend doesn't speak human.

And will probably defend you.

(somber music continues)

(blade scratches)

(sword swipes) (head thuds)

(body thuds)

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

(mysterious voices whispering)

(grass crunching)

(solemn music)

(grass rustling)

(solemn music continues)

(Griff groans)

(Griff hyperventilates)

(speaks Orcish)

(solemn music continues)

(speaks Orcish)

(solemn music continues)

(Griff speaking in Orcish language)

(solemn music continues)

(speaks Orcish)

(solemn music continues)

(solemn music continues)

(charm thuds)

- Come.

Now, do as you're told, human.

Go to your king.

Tell him to prepare for war.

The orcs are coming.

(solemn music continues)

(speaks Orcish)

(solemn music continues)

(solemn music continues)

(solemn music continues)

(Warchief speaks Orcish)

(solemn music continues)

(birds chirp) (solemn music continues)

(solemn music continues)

(thunder rumbling)

(flames crackling)

(flames crackling)

(thunder rumbling)

(somber music)

(somber music continues)

(somber music continues)

(somber music continues)

(thrilling percussive music)

(thrilling music continues)

(somber instrumental music)

(somber music continues)

- [Lyra] Magic senses magic.

(bird wings flapping)