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The Cardinal War had been waged for nearly a decade.
So much death, famine, disease.
The conflict reached a bloody and decisive conclusion,
with Konrad I of the House of Barlow
emerging victorious as ruler, his power absolute.
King Konrad soon consolidated his reach,
unifying his dominion at the border along the Weald,
and his reign continued on, peaceful and fair,
until the King discovered there still remained
one last threat looming in his midst.
Many years had passed when his kingdom
was first beset by rumor, innuendo,
ghastly sighs from the depths.
The tranquil land had begun to change in horrific ways.
Gisela, the Witch of the Weald.
even a whisper of her cursed name
could strike fear in the bravest of men.
Children run and recoil in terror
at the very mention of her.
One by one, old warriors, mercenaries,
and agnostics would seek her out to prove she was
only a myth, or to put an end to her heresy.
But those who entered the Weald
met a cruel and bloody end
as Gisela grew angrier and more spiteful
at each of the challenges,
until the King was left no choice
but to seek an appeasement with her in official capacity.
[thunder]
Volker, why do we not try to sneak our way inside?
Quietly.
Quietly?
We are here by the order of King Konrad.
Let the Witch see us coming.
Caution has value, young Lotten.
You cannot sneak up on a Witch.
She has eyes everywhere.
Then let's pluck them out and finish this madness.
Witch dies tonight.
Quiet.
If we rush in with violence, we do not stand a chance.
Your presence here is merely as a backup, do you understand?
We are here to seek an arrangement
with the Witch, that's all.
You think you can reason with a Witch?
[chuckles] That is folly.
We were sent by the King, your King,
to find out what she would agree to.
Do you understand?
Soon, my love.
[growling]
Soon.
They're getting closer now.
I can smell their sweat.
And... their fear.
Rise.
[growling]
Rise.
Rise!
Why have we stopped?
Because we have reached the witch's doorstep.
This is the threshold to her dark layer.
Never send a boy to do a warrior's job.
Your bravado gains us nothing, Willem.
We are here as diplomats only.
By dawn's light, we will have driven this witch
and her dark magic away from our land for good.
By force or by voice, we are only as strong
as our weakest link.
And our chain is strong, right, boy?
- For King Konrad. - For King Konrad.
Volker, are you sure we can make an arrangement with her?
I've heard stories about the witch.
Bewitched men who ate their own limbs
and swallowed their sister's whole.
Cursed beasts taller than trees
that tore up the innocent like mutton or pigs' meal.
Faces chewed up like cow's cud.
This is the problem with stories.
Stories mean nothing to the dead,
and they only scare the living.
We have no time for stories.
We have a kingdom to protect.
[cackling]
[whispering voices]
Behind us!
A dark magic comes from the woods.
[shouts]
Come on!
Back! Back!
You beast!
[shouts]
Willem!
[screaming]
Stay close!
Son!
We merely seek an audience with the witch in the woods!
There was no need for this!
[grunts]
You wanted an audience?
You've got one. Go now, Volker.
Tell them a story.
Thanks to you and your dead friend's trespassing,
I think your precious little king
has finally outworn his welcome in my lands.
My powers will have reached beyond the forest.
And the beasts, my children,
will destroy King Konrad's kingdom and everyone in it.
[cackles]
Your only son has died this night, Volker.
Leave this place or I shall make you watch him die again
every night until the end of your days.
[shouts]
[laughs]
[wolf howls]
[growling]
[crow caws]
Volker returns!
Sire, all is lost.
The witch's magic was too powerful.
- LOTTEN: Willem! - [cackling]
VOLKER: Stay close!
Son!
[screaming]
Lord Hagen returns!
Your Majesty.
Hagen, you promised me your men
would bring me the head of this witch.
All I see is a broken soldier.
Volker has never failed you before, Sire,
but this witch...
she grows stronger by the day.
She's a demon. She's a flesh-eating monster.
I watched her eat Lotten.
She whipped his flesh like it was mutton.
Please, Sire, please, please!
Send me back. Let me redeem myself.
We must stop her before the full moon rises again
or she will send her monsters here.
She will destroy our kingdom.
She will kill our people. Please!
[sighs]
You have already done all you can, Volker.
Go and rest now. This is no longer your concern.
Hagen...
this witch has plagued us for far too many seasons.
The cursed forest encroaches upon our land every day,
infecting our crops with pestilence
and death and vermin.
My men tell me of babies born without eyes,
of our army's horses feeding on one another.
She is already at our door,
clawing inside our home.
If what Volker tells us is true,
then we must take the fight back to her before it is too late.
We must fight smarter, my liege. Not harder.
And to that end, I have an idea.
Ideas are for schoolmarms and poets, Elder Hagen.
Otto, treasured son of the king and heir,
I ask you to trust your Elder Hagen as you once did.
Killing a witch like this is not sport.
But Hagen in this, my son, is right.
No more words. Action is needed.
We need Caspar, the Witch Hunter.
Only he has the skills and experience for a job like this.
Ha ha! The Witch Hunter?
Really, Hagen? Him?
Sire, the witch hunter is renowned for his magic
and his special skills.
He is a drunk, Hagen, and untrustworthy.
He started a brawl that sent one of my best men
to the infirmary for weeks.
- You started that brawl - Father...
We need not this Witch Hunter.
Only I am up to task.
Sire, wait.
You would risk the witch storming our gates,
killing and torturing our citizens?
We must take the fight to her.
Send me, father.
I will sneak in with stealth and take her out
before she catches wind of me,
and we will be rid of this blight once and for all.
And if I fail,
your army will remain here
to protect our beloved kingdom.
My liege, I must object.
Otto, please.
Send your dragons, Sire.
It is the only defense we have.
No.
The dragons are under my care.
They are yet too young, Sire.
They need more training.
They cannot fight a foe such as this.
Roon is right. They are too young,
and they have not flown fair since their mother died.
It is too great a risk to send them.
But, Sire...
Save your breath, Hagen.
You have sent your best...
but I am king.
My blood flows in his noble veins,
the blood of a fighter.
If I had seen as few winters as he has,
I would put my own sword up against this witch.
But, alas...
My Otto, great warrior of this house and land,
champion and heir to my throne,
shall slay this witch for the kingdom...
and protect our citizens from harm.
I am honored, you see it my way, father.
I will enlist my best men.
Otto, this witch and her beast,
they are foes like you have never fought before.
You will need help.
And I will have none of yours, Volker.
I have chosen my men and am off to slay this witch at once.
I have protected our cities from invasion before.
I will do my father and my kingdom proud.
She knows sorcery.
You cannot fight against this.
Sire, please reconsider.
Sire, please. We must not act too rashly.
That will be all, Hagen, Volker.
Leave us.
Then let it be so.
Go, my son, and bring me the head of this witch.
I have seen this witch with my own two eyes.
Otto is a mighty soldier in his own right, but this woman,
she can bend the shadows with her own will.
And there is only one man who can truly
compete with such a demon,
but we need a backup plan.
Come on.
We kill the witch by sundown,
we may have a chance to save the kingdom,
and maybe even Otto and those fools themselves,
but we're going to need some help.
In there? Are you mad?
A tavern is no place to find reinforcements.
Yes, but where else are we going to find
anyone stupid enough to help us?
[chattering]
You expect us to find someone here?
Yeah.
Perhaps.
[snoring]
I'm coming with you.
Volker, I have business with my father.
I'll leave you to it.
I'm coming with you.
You're exhaling.
I'll take that as a yes, then.
Erica...
That's my name.
- Erica. - So, when do we leave?
It's a witch, Erica. A demon.
I can fight.
Look, this is my kingdom, too, and I want to help protect it.
You didn't give me this sword so I could pick my teeth.
I'll hold on to that.
I'm going to need it more than you will.
You're going to need me more than a sword, Father.
Your king needs you to stay here.
Your king is going to get you killed.
All the more reason for you not to come.
What if I've been practicing magic?
Magic?
Who have you been practicing with?
Just practicing on my own.
Only light magic.
Behind my back?
Well...
If I'd done it in front of your back, you'd have seen me.
Practice your magic, then.
But stay here.
Fine.
So what I'm hearing is that it may be for me,
but who do you want for the suicide mission?
The Witch Hunter.
Your Witch Hunter is there, passed out for days.
At least I'm awake.
I don't have time for this, dear.
You're smart. You're talented.
You're the best thing that ever happened to me.
But you are not coming with me to kill this witch.
I don't want you to die and have it be my fault.
Your mother would never forgive me.
She's been dead for years.
Which is exactly why I can't lose you.
Sit.
Don't speak.
Don't anything.
[snoring]
I'm not even sure he's breathing.
Let's worry about that later.
Caspar can't do this alone.
We need more capable warriors to join our party.
I may have a better option.
Good luck.
[snoring]
To the both of us.
I know why you're here, Volker.
Then you know I need your help, Dreas.
I saw Otto and his party march past just before you arrived.
They have it handled.
They're fools. They think they have it handled.
Besides, these hands,
they're for farming now, old man.
Not blood.
I would not ask if I did not need you.
There is a demon witch who must die.
For your king, for your village,
for your people, please.
My soldiering days are behind me.
Dark days.
Volker, these rumors I've heard about the witch.
Are they true? The stories--
They are not stories. They are not rumors.
I was there. I lived. The rest did not.
Lotten was just a boy.
That thing ambushed us as we approached.
Her shadow beast carried them off into the dark,
screaming for their lives.
I could hear them being torn apart
like scraps for a dog.
She must pay for what she's done.
Blood for blood.
Poor Lotten.
Had his whole life ahead of him.
Just a kid.
Revenge is something
my dags and I can get behind.
Thank you, my old friend. Thank you.
May we both live to regret it.
[snoring]
Hilde, I have an important mission from the king
that requires your...
[burps]
...special skills.
Oi, hey!
Is there any money?
I'm afraid...
Glory, then.
Well...
Love?
No.
Not interested.
Barkeep, more ale, please.
Aye, right away, miss. Anything you say.
There's no turning back after this, Hagen.
No second chances.
I know the rules.
If we don't stop that witch,
there'll be no second chances for any of us ever again.
I need a barbarian.
Then you'll have one.
When do we leave?
Not soon enough. Thank you, Hilde.
Now...
We only need our leader.
And you found him.
[chuckles]
Azzo, at your service.
Heir to the great warriors of the North,
and born leader and slayer
of demons, dragons... [chuckling]
And lucky for you, witches.
No. There's no way that this street theater reject
gets to go, and I don't. He's got longer hair than I.
You slander me child, and in front of your batters.
I don't take kindly to mouthy little younglings.
Don't touch me!
Erka, what are you doing?
- Sir, I beg you... - Father, my sword.
Poor manners come from poor parenting.
Allow me to teach her a lesson in manners
she won't soon forget.
Don't worry, Father.
I've got this.
Erka, please.
[shouts]
Did you learn your lesson,
heir of the great warriors of the North?
I've no belly for unfair fights.
He may have been unmatched.
But... you're still over there.
How?
Lesson number two.
A simple shade, a trick of the eye.
A portrait of a moment that can use to beguile your enemies.
Useful in a pinch.
Especially when you need someone to think you're drunk or dead.
Witch Hunter Caspar, you have my thanks.
I'm Hagen, town elder.
Your king is in need.
I will lead your party, Elder.
Under one condition.
That this one comes, too.
I'm sorry...
She comes, or I don't.
All the Witch Hunters require an assistant.
But surely you have an assistant you've used before.
Not around here.
I don't hire one until I've been hired.
So you need me, and I need her.
She's clearly proven her skill in combat.
And she has the enthusiasm we need
that is sorely lacking anywhere else in this establishment.
But... But she's my daughter.
Father, please, I'll be fine.
Just give me this one chance to prove myself
and protect our kingdom, please.
Only if the Witch Hunter vows to protect you.
Agreed.
- Assistant. - Erka.
Assistant.
Bring me my bags.
Right away.
Didn't you know, Father,
all Witch Hunters require an assistant.
Relax. She shall be safe with us.
Safer when that witch is dead.
Enough talk.
The barbarian's right. We're losing daylight.
If we leave now, we could be in time to save Otto
from a fate worse than death.
Faster, you bastards! Faster!
Come on, you fools!
Let's kill that witch.
Uh, sire?
We've been here before.
We must have come the wrong way.
We need to double back.
Faster, you bastards! Faster!
Come on, you fools.
Let's kill that...
I think we're going in circles.
See, look, that big one there, we were just...
No, no, wait. It was that way.
No.
No, no...
Faster! Kill that witch.
No, no there's nothing in this forest but dried up old...
Big one there, we were just...
No...
[cackles]
It's the forest.
It's bewitched.
[roars]
One of the witch's monsters!
[shouts]
We can't hurt the thing.
An invincible demon!
Retreat! Retreat!
Trust the Witch Hunter to do his duty once we found the witch.
But first we must find the king's son.
My son has died.
We dare hold out hope
that the king's son is still alive, Hagen?
We do.
And once we've found him, we can use their help.
I would wish for an army.
I pray the thirst for ale has waylaid their thirst for blood.
Dreas, back when you were a soldier
did you ever fight alongside any Witch Hunters?
Not many.
Even back then the numbers were few.
Are they all like him?
Lag behind? Keep to themselves?
Probably.
I've kept my distance whenever I cross their path.
How come?
Don't you know?
Witch Hunters cannot be trusted.
My town elders used to say,
the longer you hunt for evil,
the darker it makes you.
But... why would my father trust him to help us?
Desperate times, my child.
We have no other option.
He's the only one within a week's ride
who's killed a witch.
Your father knows only a Witch Hunter
can protect us from the evil within this woods.
[crow caws]
Wait.
Something dark was here.
Your senses are very keen, Hilde.
What else?
Blood.
No!
We told Otto. We told the king.
We told the guards!
The king has lost his sole heir.
We shall have our revenge
for the king himself and our kingdom.
We shall bring this witch and her shadows to swift justice.
Whatever killed them, it was big and fast.
Smells of bear, doesn't it?
Aye.
But bears, they don't get that big, do they?
That's because it wasn't a bear.
It was a bear-made beast, one of the witch's shadow hordes.
Yes, that's how it began.
They came as shadows.
We should say a few words.
Otto deserved better.
He did not.
I need to at least bury him.
No, we do not have time.
They came as shadows and they grew upon the earth.
They grew into monsters.
What did they look like? Spare no detail.
They were animals.
They were twisted. They were evil.
They are coming for us.
They will come for all of us.
They're coming!
[laughing] Got you!
You fool!
- It's just Azzo the idiot. - I know.
Azzo, what are you doing?
It's foolish of you to follow us here
and very dangerous to attempt to startle us.
Do you need me to finish breaking your nose?
Erka, enough. Enough.
Aye, I came here to help you.
No, seriously.
I mean, look at the lot of you.
An old man, a cry baby, a farmer, a barbarian,
a child and a drunk.
You need all the help you can get.
Besides, if that witch attacks the village,
I'm as doomed as everyone else.
And if you fail in your task,
well, then, we'll all end up in the teeth of that demon, eh?
Yes, but why step into the fire with us?
You could have left town. You'd be leagues away.
Azzo of the North does not run from a fight!
Oh, really?
But that one was different.
Also, eh, I need my sword back.
Erka, go on.
So, if, uh, your Witch Hunter is gonna bring up the rear,
how about I lead from the front, eh?
I am the best tracker I know.
In fact, I was the first to warn the North
when the Whitebranches of Conover
set to attack the fair capital of our North.
They wrote songs about me.
We can trust him.
I've had my eyes on him the moment he entered the forest.
You see?
Hey, what?
How'd you see me? I was keeping to the shadows.
The very first place I'd look.
I'm sure young Azzo will prove to have his uses.
Desperate times and all.
The shadow beasts will be back, and soon.
We need to move now.
Great Azzo, tracker of the North.
- Present! - Take point.
You will work with Volker.
We need use of you, soldier.
Take us through the boundaries of the domain
where you lost your men.
They were not men.
They were but boys. One of them was my son.
Hagen, we should have known.
The witches' powers grow.
So does her influence.
Where you last faced them was closest to the lair
and the best position where we should strike.
I don't trust that guy.
We should not.
But if the Witch Hunter is right,
he might be useful.
How so?
Bait.
How could we be back where we started?
We've been walking for hours.
Hey, hold on!
Erka, come along!
I can't, I can't move!
Wait...
- My feet! - The forest floor...
The forest floor!
It's in league with the demon!
- No! - We cannot get out!
No, that's the good news!
Everyone, jump!
What was that?
A trap.
An old trick.
But you said it was good news.
Caspar, explain yourself.
It means we're on the right track.
The more obstacles in our path, the closer we get.
Well done, Azzo. Lead on.
Right.
Well, you see, the thing is,
whole new terrain,
I kind of lost my tracking. Need a moment.
Have faith in yourself, warrior.
Believe in yourself.
Right, right, right.
Yeah, I'm thinking... This way, right.
All right, this way. This way, I think.
Oh, yes, it's definitely this way.
You sure you want to let him lead?
A boat may be steered from the front,
but it is the rudder that changes its heading.
Just because someone is in the front,
that doesn't mean they're leading.
Azzo is doing exactly what I want him to do.
Erka, be careful.
Don't get too far behind.
Oh, yeah, definitely this way.
No, not this way.
No, no, no, look, look, look.
The moss on these trees only grows in the shade,
- which means the position... - That's not the way.
Look.
Oh, I'm wrong.
But how? This doesn't make sense.
How could we be lost?
Witch Hunter, you said we were nearly to the witch's lair.
We have travelled in circles.
This entire forest has bewitched.
We should have had word by now.
[whispering voices]
What trickery is this?
GISELA: Such a gift, you've given me, my king,
to snuff out the light of your flesh,
your firstborn.
What have you done to my Otto?
GISELA: He ran.
But was so slow with sloth and privilege
when he abandoned his loyal men.
My pet hardly had to flex when he tore your precious Otto
into tiny bites.
No!
GISELA: Beware, oh king.
I am come.
This day is half done.
Every mother's son you send me, I shall slaughter.
Your kingdom red with blood
until you bend the knee before me
and surrender the throne.
[cackling]
ERKA: But how?
How could we be back to where we started?
We've been walking for hours.
How will we kill a demon witch if we can't get to her?
We need to hurry. The day is getting shorter.
Caspar, any ideas?
No good ones yet.
Volker was right. This is cursed ground, bewitched.
But merely trickery to fool our own eyes.
We can't trust our own eyes.
Well, that's inconvenient. What do you suggest?
Close them.
Close our eyes?
I had my suspicions, but the witch has laid more traps.
So this, this is another trap.
Just like that brush that grabbed our feet.
Anything to slow our path.
Assistant, behind me.
Everyone, link arms. Form a chain.
Close your eyes.
I will lead us to the witch's lair.
How? Will you not just get lost like the rest of us?
Lesson number three.
A Witch Hunter doesn't need his eyes to hunt the witch.
The witch may be able to fool our eyes easily,
but our other senses prove more difficult.
Yes, Assistant. You're starting to understand.
Now, don't open your eyes.
It wasn't me.
[whispering voices]
If we can just get past this...
Stay together. Eyes closed.
- Damn it! - No.
Oh, forget this childish game.
I'm going to punch him again.
Look, look. It's all new territory.
There's no curse anymore.
We're fine--
Get me out. Get me out! Get me out of it!
God's above, what made that?
Assistant, don't open your eyes.
Yes.
Cut me loose, cut me loose!
Stay still.
Stop struggling. You'll bring the beast that made the web.
[hissing]
[shrieks]
Erka, get back.
Help.
Down, fool!
Monsters may not have my land or my life!
[roars]
[shouting]
What's happening?
It's a spider. Keep your eyes closed.
I can help, though.
Stay here. I have a plan.
Wait.
Ah!
[grunts]
Where did everyone go? I can't see a thing.
Ah!
[grunting]
Devas!
[grunting]
[shrieks]
Were my instructions not clear?
What? I was pushed.
We almost...
Come on. Your eyes were open.
I'm sorry, Volker.
Volker, I'm sorry.
Everyone that I care for dies.
Revenge shall be ours.
His sacrifice will not be in vain.
Assistant, know this.
There are few ways to kill a witch.
But the most reliable is to use her own magic against her.
Thanks to Dreas, we have an edge.
Volker, take us to the witch's lair.
Sire, you summoned your dragon hoard.
Is there no other way?
Surely they will be killed.
They have not yet been tested in battle.
And they are still so young.
So was my son, Roon.
So was my son.
We all must do our part.
The dragons watch their mother fight.
They will know what to do.
- Sire... - Send my brood, Roon.
Send them to torch the witch in her own forest.
Go, my dragons.
The sky is ours.
The castle is ours.
The kingdom is ours!
The witch burns this day.
[roaring]
[roars]
[bats squeaking]
There they are.
My visitors.
[laughs]
My assassins have come.
Let's give them the warm welcome they deserve.
[laughs]
Wait...
This is where we were attacked.
This is where Lotten died.
If we're near the witch's lair, we should be on our guard.
Eyes open, everyone. Look for clues.
Talismans. Body marks. Burning marks.
Bodies, talismans.
Remnants of the witch's magic will lead us right to her.
After you.
You're the one that's so desperate to lead.
Whatever we meet next, you're the one to meet it first.
I don't like the way you talk to me.
We must bury them. I owe them that.
No!
No, wait, Volker! Don't touch the bodies!
- It's a trap! - I must bury my son.
[growling]
What evil sorcery is this?
They are dead.
They are undead.
It's the witch!
She set a trap with her magic.
They are dead.
Willem, Sweet Lotten.
What poor fate is this?
Hunter, shall we close our eyes?
No. That's no good here.
Volker, stop back.
They're dead, yet they walk.
Not for long. Attack!
Don't!
It's no use, Volker.
He is my son. I cannot kill him.
Father!
I cannot kill him.
[shrieking]
[screams]
I know you're in there, Lotten. I know you're in there.
- Please, son! - Volker!
Please, Lotten, I know you're still in there.
Come back to me.
[shouts]
Ah...
Hilde, I'm sorry.
Damn you, Gisela.
I shall have your head.
[laughs]
Not if I have yours first.
[whispering voices]
[roaring]
I think she heard you earlier.
That was the bear.
The beast is coming.
Where's Azzo going?
The great tracker of the North
might finally have the right idea.
Assistant, we're leaving.
Find an open field.
Erka, stay back.
[roaring]
The Witch Hunter said we must find an open area.
It's just a spirit.
Whatever you're going to do, do it quickly.
[roaring]
Coming!
[shouts spell]
Kill it now! Now!
You're next, witch!
Erka, I want you to stay away from the Witch Hunter.
But Father, you were the one who wanted to bring him to lead us.
What are you...
Maybe I was wrong.
We've lost Dreas and Hilde.
I don't want to lose you.
We may just lose everybody in our party on this journey.
But if we don't do this, we could lose the entire kingdom.
He's our best shot at destroying this witch.
Maybe.
Maybe I'm just a stupid old man.
Maybe both.
Be careful, Assistant.
Hilde wasn't going to come till you gave her that.
What is it?
A promise kept.
One I hope you never have need of.
[birds calling]
[rustling]
My father says I should stay away from you.
He's right.
Why'd you bring me along?
Tell me now, Witch Hunter.
I've told you, I needed an assistant.
All Witch Hunters require an assistant, yes.
But what happened to your last one?
They didn't last very long.
Why?
Because there weren't good assistants.
I'm not even assisting you.
I just carry your bag.
I'm like a pack mule.
You taught me to track, to use my senses.
But I want to learn real magic.
I can help you take down this witch.
Just teach me something.
No matter how small.
It's not time yet.
That's no answer.
It's just not an answer you like.
Because people are dying.
What's the point of your magic
if you can't even use it to help?
In your belt, you store spells in there, right?
Most Hunters use bags. Pockets are better.
Potions, powders,
earth, and sparks.
Spark? I can do a spark.
I've been practicing those.
What are those?
A simple shade you saw. A defensive spell.
Thicket, ice, wind.
Wait, wait, wait, hold on. You forgot one.
We're probably not going to need that one.
But what is it?
Trickery, potion, and spark for bringing back the dead.
Bringing back the dead?
You have a bringing back the dead spell?
Why didn't we use it?
Why didn't we use it back then?
People, people are dying.
Everything has a cost.
But we've already paid so much.
And if it doesn't help, then what good is your magic then?
Now you sound just like him.
Who?
My last assistant.
Tell me this, Witch Hunter.
Why do you always lie behind on our journey?
The moon is full. We're out of time.
My powers are growing.
Now you must grow, too.
[growling]
[gasps]
[crackling]
[pants]
Thank God you're all right.
The witch.
[howling]
Caspar, we need you.
It's too late for plans. She knows we're here.
And every moment her powers grow.
What do we do now?
Everyone, clean up and fan out.
Make more targets.
Don't make it easy on her. Come on.
[roaring]
[grunting]
Ah!
Bar those gates, men.
Shore up the defenses.
Doom is coming!
- My liege, please. - Doom is coming!
We must be ready.
GISELA: What is yours shall now be mine.
My liege, please. Come back, my liege.
You took my children from me!
Now I'll take yours!
A wise and powerful master worthy of your claim.
You belong to me!
Now go!
Destroy the kingdom in the name of Gisela!
[roaring]
We must be ready.
No hand without a weapon.
My kingdom and my people will survive this night.
[Gisela cackling]
Yes, sir. Yes, sire. Of course.
We shall.
[distant roaring]
It couldn't be. It couldn't be!
- Not so soon. - We must get to the keep.
[roars]
[Gisela cackles]
Our dragons return.
Yes, Sire. There is something amiss.
Their eyes.
Roon, this means victory.
My gods, they are possessed.
She has possessed the dragons.
Guards, to your king.
Wallmen, to your defenses.
We must protect the castle.
The witch....
Now she controls the skies.
What have we done?
[roaring]
We must get you inside, Sire.
I will not abandon my people, Roon.
You're not good to them in the grave, Sire.
Run!
[roaring fire, screaming]
HAGEN: She's taken too many lives.
Now she must be stopped.
CASPAR: Her powers are only going to increase
as the night gets longer.
ERKA: Then why won't she show herself,
face us directly if she's grown so powerful?
My poor child.
Mind what you wish for.
Now that I have you, well, what's left of you,
it would be so much fun killing the three of you.
But I'd much prefer that you do it yourselves.
[cackles]
Please, please, I can't fight it.
[whispering voices]
Witch Hunter, watch out!
[grunting]
Keep fighting!
[shouting]
Erka...
You're fast, Witch Hunter.
Not fast enough.
Assistant, on your feet.
The full moon comes.
And with it, more power.
We failed.
Our work here is not done yet.
What do we do now?
I've learned something about the witch.
Pitting you two against me.
She's playing games, having fun.
Fun?
That helps us.
How does that help us?
She's busy. She's distracted.
It gives us time to sneak into her lair and set our trap.
No, we should be following her.
It's just the three of us.
We chase her at full power, we'll be done for.
We need the element of surprise.
It's the only leverage we have left.
What kind of trap?
The full moon has reached its apex.
The witch is at her most powerful.
[men shouting]
Take cover! Take cover!
Roon!
Their hearts, their minds.
They have been corrupted.
She has taken them from me.
And she will pay dearly for that.
[flames roaring]
[Gisele cackling]
The witch herself, Roon.
Her promise has come due.
She comes, my king! She comes!
We fight her, Roon.
And her possessed kin to the death.
They are our dragons, Sire.
- If we were... - They are gone, Roon.
They are her beasts now.
And like every creature that comes under her control,
they must be slain.
I must remember the great fighter I once was.
I must lead the men, the soldiers and the bowmen
to protect our kingdom and our lives.
- Guards. - Sire.
Soldiers, bowmen, fire upon the dragons
before they fire upon you!
Show them no mercy, as they would show you no mercy.
And they would feast upon your bones.
Do not blink.
Do not give them a moment to gain the upper hand.
Give them everything until they are nothing.
Take them down!
Let's end this.
No, wait.
Something feels off.
That could have been you.
What was that?
It's like that trap in the brush.
Something just felt off.
Good eye, Assistant.
Another trap.
This one is supposed to keep out uninvited guests.
Uninvited guests like us.
Invisible barrier.
Cross it, and you trigger obliteration spell.
Why can't we just run fast?
It'll just kill you faster.
Can't we go under it?
We need to trick the trap into thinking
that these remains remain alive.
Lick it.
How is that supposed to help?
Just do it.
The saliva will convince the obliteration spell
that it's got trespasses.
If that works, the barrier will obliterate the bone,
allowing us to pass through unharmed.
And if it doesn't work?
On my mark:
three, two, one.
Push forward.
She's here.
This is just the witch's body. We followed a shadow.
The witch's powers are so great now
that the shadows are taking full form as well.
Let's go find her.
She could be anywhere.
We need to be ready when she returns.
We take this body, she'll just find another.
We need to destroy her soul from the inside out.
By force, if need be.
This could be worse, much worse.
Assistant, I need those items.
- The monster pots. - Yes.
Each piece holds a tiny element of the witch,
her own magic,
which means she won't sense anything until it's too late.
What are we doing?
A binding spell.
Hagen, hold this.
Hey, you just cut my father.
I'm making a sigil.
And she'll turn us inside out
if we don't finish before she gets here.
All magic requires a sacrifice.
But why cut him?
Not me, not yourself.
Old spell requires old blood.
Glad it's good for something.
Hagen, keep your eyes on the witch's body.
I can help you with your sigil, with the magic.
Just keep your eyes on her, and don't touch the body.
This is going to be close, very close.
[roaring]
On your guard.
We are being attacked, from without and within.
There's a traitor in our midst.
A traitor? Traitor? Who?
GISELE: Me.
[laughs]
No!
Please make it stop! I cannot take anymore!
Come, my lady.
I have made way for you to exact your revenge!
In the name of the gods.
Roon, no!
[Gisela screams]
Uninvited guests, you shall not take the kingdom from me.
I bind you.
No, Witch Hunter, you're too late.
The counter spell! Before she left.
You disappoint me, Witch Hunter.
Perhaps it's now time for a lesson for you.
Now, let me show your assistant some real magic.
[screaming]
[roars]
The witch has turned herself into a monster!
How do we stop her now?
By sending her to the depths of hell.
Caspar!
Father!
[shouting]
Father!
Hunter!
Hagen...
Father, no.
Don't leave!
The best thing that ever happened to me...
...was you.
[growls]
Down!
I love you, Erka.
No, no, no, no...
Erka, hold on to me.
[shrieks]
I have done as you bid, my lady.
Roon, what have you done?
What my master has bid of me.
Who is your master, if not me?
The kingdom is yours!
Sweet desolation for all!
I am ready to receive my reward.
[roars]
The kingdom...
No.
It belongs to the witch, Gisela, now!
Father
Why didn't you save him?
You could have saved him.
You used the shade like in the tavern to save us, but...
You could have saved him.
It wasn't my choice. It was his.
I had one shot.
It was either him or you, and he picked you.
What is that?
A marker, a life debt.
He gave that to Hilde to get her to come and help us.
That means once a long time ago,
your father saved that barbarian's life.
He was barely a fighter.
Elder Hagen was more capable than what he shared.
He was a cunning one.
What do you mean?
You were right about me.
I was using everyone.
Using them as bait to collect my elements,
but now it failed.
But that was ever my backup plan.
What are you talking about?
You asked me why I brought you.
Your father knew not all Witch Hunters
required an assistant.
Your father knew the only way to stop the witch
was with your blood, virgin blood.
I needed your blood to complete my task,
and your father knew that.
No.
Didn't want you to come.
And that's why he gave me the ducat.
You're a bastard, Caspar!
I'm a Witch Hunter.
And now my father is dead, and that witch, now a beast,
is out there destroying our kingdom.
What do we do now?
What we've been tasked to do.
With your blood, we can enchant this sword
and use it to defeat the witch.
That's enough blood.
Spells require sacrifice.
I've sacrificed plenty.
Why didn't we do this sooner?
If you needed my blood, you could have just taken it.
That would have countermand a spell.
You need to give it willingly, with your own volition.
There's magic in consent.
We're going to take this fight to the witch.
That we are.
Then we need to be ready to fight.
A start. Do it again.
This time, don't look at your hand.
Focus on who's it for.
Focus on your enemy.
Whoa...
I did it. I did it! I did...
Ow.
Good enough.
No. It's not good enough.
If we're going to fight this beast,
you need to give me something to work with.
Teach me something, a spell, a conjuration, anything.
I can do it. I know I can.
It's not time for that. Yet.
I know what my father did, giving you that ducat.
But you don't have to protect me.
I need you to teach me.
If the witch has any inkling that you're capable,
you're a threat, even that spark.
And she'll destroy you.
You need to focus on me. That's the only way.
Let her underestimate you.
And then you can show her what you really made of.
Come, Assistant.
There's a witch beast that needs killing.
We'll use my returning spell.
[hisses]
Back to hell, beast! Back!
[growling]
We cannot lose the night.
We cannot.
Witch Hunter?
Erka, you are still alive?
How can that be?
There is death for all in the witch's path.
That is a story for another time.
Get the king to safety.
Erka, you cannot be here. This is far too dangerous.
I know. That's why we're here to help you protect the kingdom.
Now move!
This one and I have unfinished business.
[growling]
Stay here, Sire.
Where is Elder Hagen?
Erka? Where is your father?
He's done his duty.
And now let me do mine.
[roars]
[grunting]
This isn't working.
- It's too big. - And too strong.
I'll distract her. You sneak around with the sword.
Then it is up to you and the Witch Hunter
to save the kingdom now.
Hey! Over here!
[grunts]
[shouts]
On my blood...
My father sacrificed himself so that I may live.
If I'm a Witch Hunter...
Magic requires sacrifice.
Focus on my enemy.
Now, Erka!
[crowd shouting]
Long live the king!
Sire!
Sire, you're alive.
Indeed I am.
I must... [sighs]
...thank you both for saving my kingdom.
Erka, your father would be so proud
of what you have done here,
and with two Witch Hunters to protect this kingdom,
we should be safe.
I would send you both do a drink, but we all need one.
Yes.
Glory be to thee, thanks to the guard!
Hail the King!
Hail the king!
A toast to all those lost.
And new beginnings... But King Konrad is buying.
Well, that would seem to be the least I can do.
And then after that, we could start my training, partner?
I said I'll think about it.