Original subtitles

ALL STORYLINES AND IMAGES IN THIS WORK ARE FICTITIOUS.

ANY SIMILARITIES ARE COINCIDENTAL.

Do you know who I am?

ADAPTED FROM THE PERIOD HORROR NOVEL BY THAO TRANG

IN THE LAST EPISODE

I'll take you to my village.

-But the smell is so bad! -Can you smell that?

Everyone!

A person is being roasted!

Good heavens!

Put the fire out!

-It's Vo Tong. -Good heavens! Everyone!

Vo Tong is being roasted!

Back then, Dai was a great hunter.

He got spirited away.

Now he goes wild.

Everyone!

A grave was robbed here.

Sir, it's Mrs. Duoc's grave!

Who let you enter here?

I think…

Things in your village are becoming complicated.

Dai!

Dai!

Oh, Dai!

THE RED PUPPET

Mrs. Duoc!

Hurry now.

Hey, Dai!

Hey!

Stop following them. Go home now.

I have a basket of green rice.

In front of the sapodilla tree.

Please go back now.

Green rice.

-Green rice. -Yes.

Green rice, yum.

Green rice. Green rice.

Greetings, sirs!

Hello!

Hello, sirs!

Hello!

Hello!

-Hey, crippled old man! -Yes?

It's as if you and I don't look sincere enough?

What do you suggest?

Can you carry me instead?

Oh, stop it, you!

Over there.

You home, Madam Lam?

MADAM LAM

Who is that?

Oh?

-Greetings, Madam! -Good day!

You two rescued the body of Vo Tong yesterday, right?

We sure did.

-Come on in! -Yes.

-If I may… -Yes.

You go, sir.

You first.

-Dive in. -I thank you.

Here!

Heavens!

What's wrong?

Pretty!

You sure are skilled.

Yes…

Besides making puppets and joss papers,

I wouldn't know what else to do.

You must be so dexterous

since your puppets are soulful.

Well, practice makes perfect.

Ah, let me gift you both, a puppet for each person.

It's almost time for the ritual.

-For you. -Thank you.

-And you. -I don't deserve this kindness.

Visiting your place,

having a drink, a chat, and also a gift.

It's just wholesome.

Alright, the crippled old man and I

will leave you to visit someone else, get out of your hair and all.

Sure, come see me when you have the time.

-Absolutely! -Sure!

-We'll go now! -Farewell!

29TH DECEMBER

Meat! Meat here!

-Ten pieces all? -Yes.

They look real good.

-That's good. -So fresh.

The meat looks so fresh.

That's one big pig.

The skin's a bit chewy.

How's the rice cake over there?

-Almost done. -I think we can fish them out.

Everyone.

Who's that?

Outsiders in our village.

I present to you all,

this is the crippled beggar…

and Mr. Tam.

Hello to all.

Well!

We're all wrapping cakes for New Year, looks fun.

TUTOR LAM

We were home late

and were busy after Vo Tong's death,

so I didn't get to introduce these fine folks.

I ask for your understanding.

Our village is so welcoming.

-Mr. Thap! -Greetings, Sir Kham.

-Good day, sir. -Yes.

Have you…

Have you forgotten the village rules?

Sir…

I wouldn't dare to.

And also…

I know my mission is to preserve them.

I'm the only one who can descend the mountain.

But our village is in a crisis.

If it goes unresolved,

I'm afraid

we will come to regret it.

Also,

ever since they've entered,

they've known they won't be able to descend.

And they've accepted it.

Indeed. We've sworn.

No turning back.

And sir,

I've been told

you are the eldest and most revered in the village.

Mr. Tam and I here,

we ask you and the villagers for permission to stay here.

From today on,

we will consider this our second home.

I've been wandering since I was young.

And so having a place to stay

is a thing I'll honor.

As for the village's secrets,

if I happen to come across them,

I promise to hold them in

until the end.

Mr. Thap.

If he has made that decision, I'll let it be.

I hope you will find a way to sort out this woe.

My dear!

Darling!

Heavens!

I apologize, sir.

-What's wrong, dear? -Darling!

You must come home at once!

Why such a rush?

Please have some manners.

What's wrong?

-All the kids… -What?

-Something's the matter with them. -But what?

They stay asleep.

I've tried and tried but they won't wake!

Oh, no, the children.

You have to go home now, my dear.

Kids!

My children!

Children!

Children.

Please wake up.

-Children, be awake! -Be awake!

What's wrong with you?

Wake up, please, dears!

Don't frighten your parents like this.

-Thanh Thi! Please wake up. -Both of you stay calm.

We'll try and work this out.

Darling!

Still breathing.

But weak.

Yesterday, did you feed them anything strange?

Please save them…

-Please save my kid! -Let me see! Let me see.

-May! -Here.

How is it?

My child…

Could it be…?

What's wrong with the children, sir?

I fear

their souls have been stolen.

-My child! -Ma'am, ma'am.

So why are they still alive?

My children!

Inside a person,

there is cloud-soul and white-soul.

Even though the cloud-soul is lost, the white-soul still remains.

I worry that

the kids will never wake up.

My children!

-Please, no! -Please save my kid!

Darling!

Wake up, please!

Save my kid!

Cut a big piece of meat.

Do you ladies need my help?

Not right now.

Any of them cooked yet?

Madam Luong,

have you seen my husband?

He's gone out.

Don't get why he's in such a rush to get to Lam's house.

I heard the kids over there caught a bad flu or something?

They're asleep, and can't wake.

Oh, no!

I've forgotten the peanuts at home, let me fetch them.

That's right, that's how you slice it.

Help me, dear sir!

All the kids in the village have passed out.

Again?

Sir!

My child!

Oh, child!

Please wake up!

My child!

-What's with you? My child. -Oh, my child…

-Who would hurt my child? -My child!

Wake up, child!

Someone please save them, my gods!

-Good heavens! -What is wrong with you?

My child!

My child!

Wake up, please!

Someone save my child!

Oh, child!

Dao! Please wake up, dear!

Open your eyes!

My little one, please come to.

-My dear! Oh, child! -Please wake up!

Wherever your soul has gone, please return at once!

Wake up, please!

-Someone save them! -Wake up, please!

Please follow me.

Everyone stay calm

as I get to the bottom of this.

Let's do this,

gather up the children.

Watch them in shifts.

They are only unconscious.

Please do not panic.

How can we not?

If it was just one or two kids, that I'd get.

But this, it's all of the children.

For sure it's the work of demons.

I must admit to you all,

Sir Kham said that

the kids' entire souls have been stolen.

But right now,

we can't confirm anything.

We must find a way to reverse this.

Here's the plan,

take all the children to my place so we can care for them.

That's right, all of them.

Whether it's the work of demons or humans,

the most important thing now remains the children.

Rest assured.

I, together with the village's youths,

will take turns standing guard.

As for the children,

I ask the women to help out.

Everyone, follow me.

Let's go.

Bad events, all out of nowhere.

Since this keeps happening,

I don't think they're sudden misfortunes, Mr. Thap.

Ever since I walked past the village gates,

I could sense nothing but rage.

It's gloomy everywhere.

Can't you sense it, Thap?

The reason the children lost their souls

could be because

someone is in need of a lot of life force

for unkind things.

-What do you mean? -Could be anything.

Let's say,

to brew Skull Wine.

Skull Wine,

once heard of, becomes a desirable thing.

If you can brew this,

you can do anything.

Converse with the dead.

Command a hell squad.

Or even claim the life of another.

Darling!

But, wasn't it you who said,

to brew the liquor, one will need the rage of the dead?

Hence, it's just an example.

But I believe,

whoever is collecting the kids' souls,

their karma is just as horrific as those who make Skull Wine.

Skull Wine this, Skull Wine that.

Let's check on the children first.

-This is bad. -Their feet are cold.

-My kid! -Oh! It's too cold.

Heavens!

What is wrong with my kid?

Ma'am, cover this one.

Yes.

-Wake up, darling. -Open your eyes, please.

Cover the kid.

Here you go.

Here you go.

Holy… the fever is causing them to sweat profusely.

-But why are their feet cold? -So cold.

They're sweating too much.

Poor them!

They're just drenched in sweat.

Where did you get this?

Ah.

The other day, I was at Tutor Lam's house.

His wife gave me the puppets,

said they're for cleansing rituals.

What's wrong?

I'm so troubled.

In my entire life,

I've never seen anything like this.

I have a feeling that,

the lives of everyone here

are now in my hands.

But I just…

Whoever has stolen the kids' souls,

that person must be full of authority.

What are you implying?

What kind of a person is Sir Kham?

Why are you asking about him?

The man is elderly,

respected,

and has much knowledge of the village.

If this is a conspiracy,

only a person most wicked can arrange everything.

You best watch your tongue!

I'll have you know this.

Three generations of Sir Kham's family

are healers of people.

He would never hurt one.

Also,

what does Sir Kham get from the kids' souls?

All of us here,

including you and I,

can we really understand the person before us?

Trusting another too much can be suicidal, Thap.

And remember your village's current state.

To die a horrible death

is just so easy now.

But why are you picking on Sir Kham?

That's not my intention.

I'm only wondering.

Cease your wondering. I've told you. Sir Kham's family

have always been healers.

Hush, for heaven's sake.

Good gods!

As if things aren't tense already?!

That you two are now butting heads?

I suggest everyone stay calm

so that we can find a solution for all of this.

Follow my lead.

Take a really deep breath.

Control your breathing and reasoning.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

I know I'm wondering about villagers.

And yet if it's an outsider

who's behind all this…

I believe they are hiding close by.

You're saying, someone followed us here?

Or it's possible that they are already here.

No such thing!

I'll let you know this.

Back then, our forefathers…

-What? -We…

-What about them? -About them, what?

Your forefathers…?

I meant,

crossing the forest to get here is impossible,

unless you know the way well.

Also,

if there was an outsider, I would know.

Ah, that's right!

The kids have only lost their cloud-soul.

Their white-soul remains.

They aren't dead yet.

Keep the volume down so I can sleep, yeah?

This side is almost done.

Just a little more.

It's almost done.

But isn't that weird?

Rice cakes are usually steamed, but these are boiled.

Let's try this.

Why is everyone so stressed?

Right then! Let's give some life into the current airs.

"Wicked" Tam, 'tis I, will delight with a story…

of horror.

Mr. Tam misses his storytelling days?

Haven't told stories in a while.

Nah. It's late.

Don't tell your kind of stories.

Might freak the children out.

No.

Go ahead and tell us, it's boring waiting for the cakes!

You see? They aren't scared!

If you want to hear, then you best come near.

And in case you wet your pants,

I won't be responsible!

Our story goes like so.

Once upon a time.

Holy ancestors! I've only said, "Once upon a time,"

and already my goosebumps are out!

It's really scary!

There was a kid. His name was Ban.

Normally, Ban would be really good.

But for some reason,

since his mother's passing, he'd become a bad boy.

Oh, no, wait. Lost boy!

-Please take the first bite, sir. -Yes.

Ban!

Ban! Ban!

Every day, eating really fast and running even faster.

It's so hard to ask you for help.

But I've asked for permission

to go to grandfather's and spend the night.

But must you go to him

in such a rush?

Finish your chores, then go.

Yes, sir.

But then, in a bit it will be dark.

I must cross the graveyard.

It's scary.

Well then…

He would always run to the knoll out back,

he didn't talk to anyone

whispering and mumbling,

to a puppet.

And the puppet's name was…

"Mama Vien."

Mama Vien.

Mama Vien!

Mama Vien!

Mama Vien!

Mama Vien!

Mama Vien!

When will you come get me?

I'm so tired of living with him!

I don't see him as my father.

Be patient, child.

Only when

I've found enough life source

from the village kids,

then I can come for you.

Right now,

if I do that,

it's possible

my cloud-soul

and white-soul

will instantly part.

Don't you get it?

Take these.

Get them home

and hide them.

Don't let anyone see.

When I

am ready for you,

these two puppets

will guide you

to where I am.

Knowing his son had lost a part of his soul,

Sir Ca Huong decided

to burn the two wicked puppets.

For he believed they were minions of Mama Vien.

But who could have known…

I'll burn you to ashes!

Die!

Ban!

Ban!

Stop now! Ban!

Oh, Ban.

Oh, Ban!

Ban!

Ban! Oh, Ban! Please stop, son!

Ban! Ban…

Ban! I beg you.

Father begs you!

Ban!

Can you not hear me?!

Right then,

in spite of his father's pleas,

Ban saw that the puppets of Mama Vien were on fire.

He got so angry,

he used his hand to stab into Sir Ca Huong's chest.

He removed his heart.

His father died instantly.

Afterwards,

Ban took off to find Mama Vien.

Mama Vien!

Oh, Mama Vien!

Please save me!

Mama Vien!

Mama Vien!

That's how it all happened!

Scary, huh?

And since then,

no one knows anything about

the boy named Ban!

But I heard, these past few years,

folks have seen him in the market.

Nowadays,

he's so tiny, his skin's all creased.

His body's smelly.

And specially,

both of his legs

are now two stumps.

Duc!

His legs are also stumps!

It's only a story.

No need to be afraid.

Keep your voice down.

It's way late now.

Mr. Tam sure is crafty.

But fortunately…

that story of yours is just a legend.

Or else,

the village will think I'm Ban.

But there's no shortage of folks without legs!

I'm just inventing things.

It's coincidental if you feel it's personal!

But I've to give it to Mr. Tam.

The village has seen so many horrors,

but you're still in the mood to scare.

Everyone is just so down, so I'm providing fun.

-I'm such a charmer, huh, Miss May? -Yes!

Alright, I'd best be off.

I don't want my father to worry.

See you, Duc.

-You're leaving, May? -Yes!

May!

May!

Please save me!

I died unjustly.

Please save me, dear May. Oh, May!

Save me.

Father! Please save us all.

Ti!

Ti!

Father!

Ti!

Oh, Ti!

Ti!

-Father! -Where are you?

I am here!

Ti!

Father!

Father, please save me!

Where are you?

Father, we are all in here!

How did you all get in?

The Hovering Man forced us in here.

Father, please save us!

Hovering Man?

What Hovering Man?

Where did he come from?

I don't know!

The Hovering Man has a bloody mouth, it's scary!

He caught us and squeezed us in here.

How in the world will I get you all out of there?

You only need to flip the vase and then we can crawl out.

Is it that simple?

Yes! I'll do it.

What's taking so long, Father?

Taking a breath!

I'm doing it now!

Father, where are you?

You…

How dare you steal my food?

How dare you steal my food?

Wherever the souls of the kids are,

we must prepare our altar there to call them all home.

Right at 12 p.m., life force will be strongest.

We'll set up an altar right by the cypress forest.

Oh, May…

Who?!

Who has killed my husband?