The Dead Lands

The dead -

they sigh to me.

They tell me to seek a warrior -

more monster than man.

And only he can help me save my people.

There is a boy held captive by three sisters -

powerful witches. Find this boy.

You see, he knows the name of the one who broke the world.

He's possessed by a tipua - an evil spirit.

No one's heard of these witches or the boy.

Even my uncle?

Do you know these women? Yes or no.

No one enters those lands.

It's protection... against sorcery.

- Can I share it with Waka? - Don't.

The girl has protection against their sorcery.

- So? - Has she offered it to you?

I will give you protection against these witches.

We welcome you as our guests.

Come, before night folds in on the world.

- Do you trust me? - Mostly.

Argh!

Never trust anyone in a fight -

especially not me.

Because you want death.

I can see it in you.

It hangs on your shoulders like a heavy cloak.

- You've been bewitched. - Have I?

And what about you?

And you didn't share that with me?

Stay - here with us.

I feel something in you I've not felt before.

I could have helped the boy, but their leader wouldn't listen.

His name was Te Hau.

If you bring my sister back to us,

I'll exorcise the spirit from the boy.

You'll get your name.

Te Hau?

My slave, get water!

Call me a slave again, and I'll kill you.

Waka!

Happy now? Te Hau is dead.

You got what you wanted.

It's gone. I can feel it.

You were right. She betrayed me.

All she cares about is her own precious neck.

Perhaps you're not the fool I took you for, my son.

Waka... Nuku...

Rau.

- What are you doing? - He's heavier than he looks.

I'm sick.

Are you? Maybe you are, maybe you're not;

maybe that thing is still inside you.

I'm just sick.

You want me to believe you?

Then tell me the name of the one who let the dead into the world,

and I'll carry you wherever you want.

For a shit, if that makes you happy.

I told you - I don't know anything of it.

- Then walk. - I can't!

I tell you!

He could just be sick.

- Or the tipua's hiding. - It's hiding.

- It's still in there. - You don't know that.

I know.

What's wrong with you? You're acting like a child.

You. You're what's wrong -

so noble, such a high-born.

Well, nobles - the honourable ones -

they don't lie and deceive.

What are you talking about now?

You were given protection...

from these witches and their sorcery.

Did you share that with me? No. Lucky I knew what was going on.

- You knew I had protection? - I suspected.

No, that's not what you said. You said you knew. Who told you?

- The dead told you. - What are you talking about?

You're a good fighter, but a poor liar.

- Makes us opposites. - Was it your mother?

- What if it was? - Well, she wants me dead,

- or have you forgotten? - Ah, you twist everything.

You betrayed me, and then you make me the guilty one.

How could you be so stupid?

You can't trust the dead - you said so yourself -

especially her.

Please!

He's not very noble, your friend.

Oh, I'm not drinking out of that now.

Keep it.

- What will they do to me? - Help you.

These witches will exorcise you, boy.

Should be interesting to watch.

They'll kill me.

Unless you tell us the name of the one who broke the world.

Last chance... and you can go.

I don't know anything of it! I've told you, how many times!

Please believe me.

Believe me!

You did this?

- From memory? - Yes.

Help strengthen the rahui around this place.

The night is close.

Heh.

There you are... when you're not needed.

I'm sure you know what you're talking about, Waka Nuku Rau.

You sent me to those witches,

but you didn't tell me they were going to slit my throat.

Lucky I had protection against their sorcery.

You're not the only dead thing I speak to.

And what protection did this dead thing give you?

Some blood.

Tasted like bat's piss.

Then they gave you nothing.

The dead cannot protect you from the living.

The old hag.

Beware the dead and their schemes.

But I should trust you?

Just protect the girl - that's all I ask of you.

- I'm doing it. - No, you're pushing her away.

- I don't have to like her. - But you do like her,

don't you?

Keep her safe. I told you she's special.

And beware - it's not only dead things that you fight.

There are some dangerous spirits in your world now,

which is why you must not fight Te Hau.

Te Hau?

Show yourself.

Te Hau?

Mehe Te Wehiwehi.

Do you even know what sleeps beside you?

Did you know he betrayed his own people,

abandoned them like a coward?

- Shut up. - Tell us more.

He became a slave...

to the destroyers of his own tribe.

Stop it.

You make sure he doesn't get loose.

Come, then. The glorious Te Hau...

against the slave and coward -

Waka Nuku Rau.

- What are you doing? - What does it look like?!

Fighting.

I don't care if you were a slave.

I don't care what you think about me.

It's trying to draw you out. Can't you see that?

I do.

If you step over that line, you'll die!

Well, you're not being very supportive.

You're slower.

You're slow.

Nowhere to retreat.

That hurt.

You're embarrassing me! Slave or not,

I thought you were meant to be good!

You think you can do any better?

No worse. Now get up and fight!

Ah!

Was that good enough for you?!

Run, you fool!

Hurry! Hurry!

Idiot.

...a Tane.

E te manu kaikohau o te ahikaroa,

anei matou kua hoki mai I raro I te mauri o te wao nui a Tane.

- The girl has the gift. - For lying.

- You look terrible. - So kind

What's wrong with you?

It becomes harder to protect these lands.

I've returned her. Now for your end of the bargain.

Do your worst to him.

I... I'm sick. That's it.

- He says the tipua's gone. - He's lying.

The spirit might be hiding, waiting.

We'll find out.

- Don't let them hurt me. - Move!

Stay outside, no matter what you hear.

- And never touch him. - Why?

If it's still in there, it could steal into your soul.

I'm sorry.

There's a long list of things you could apologise for.

When we first met Te Hau, and I pretended you were a slave?

What's it to me?

Nothing, unless you were one.

I wasn't a slave. Now leave me alone.

Would it matter?

A man is a man. A name doesn't make you a thing.

We make ourselves.

Must I listen to this drivel?

Always trying to change the world.

Well, there's two worlds -

your perfect world, where everyone acts with honour,

and the real one, where slaves live in dishonour,

usually serving people like you, who have everything,

when they have nothing.

We're all slaves to the past anyway.

You should just accept it.

I don't want to. I won't. And you shouldn't either.

Your mother - she's turned you against me, hasn't she?

Don't blame her. You lied to me.

Yes.