The Dead Lands

The Dead -

they sigh to me,

and I heed them.

I listen to their sighs.

They tell me to seek a warrior -

more monster than man.

His sins are far beyond counting

but so are his skills,...

...and only he can help me save my people.

It's said he will do things no other man would dare do,

because other men fear The Dead -

fear offending them.

And they know we all meet them in the end.

Wake up, why don't you?

Finally. Is this how you welcome your heroes?

Open up!

Kati tena.

Questions.

He was once a man -

a very bad man,

much like you, Waka Nuku Rau.

Did you think we would let someone like you

into our most cherished place?

Look into your heart.

Where there should be honour and a soul,

there is nothing but an empty hole

filled with your meaninglessness and dishonourable acts.

Your ancestors refuse you an afterlife.

So we will let you return.

What?!

There is much for you to do, Waka Nuku Rau, believe me.

Redeem yourself in the world, find honour

so that you may be forgiven your sins.

Although, there are so very many sins to forgive.

Now make your choice,

or that is your fate -

neither living nor dead,

trapped in between,

life force ripped from his tongue and his eyes.

Fine.

But I don't believe any of this.

And if you ask me, this is all some trick.

Wives!

Wives!

I have a tale to tell.

Marama!

Nga!

Where are you?

Useless.

Seeing things now.

Father.

I snared a bird.

You stop our business for this?

She's mad.

That's unnatural. What happened to it?

Is that important enough for you, my brother?

It's a sign, isn't it?

Yes.

Of your stupidity.

It is tapu to bring such an impure thing here.

The whole village will need to be cleansed now,

- and you'll help. - But it is a sign.

And beyond my knowledge.

But something must be wrong with the land

when it rejects its children.

We'll call a rahui - be cleansed of this.

Mehe,...

- you exposed everyone. - Could be a curse.

Makutu.

Your spirit is my greatest joy...

and greatest fear.

Bend to you role in life.

Marama.

Why?

What is it?

Marama.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Wake up.

Wake up!

Stop it. Stop it!

He iro ke koe.

What the fuck?

Hei tino kai maku!

Really?

Maku to mata e kai!

Get up. Get up.

Hey!

Who are you?

Let me down. Come on! Come on!

Who are you and why are you here?

Go fuck yourself!

You're a fool. Fools won't last long in this world any more.

Run! You can't hide from me.

Once I took whatever I wanted, when I wanted it.

But see how I've changed.

Who are you talking to?

You're the stupid one, not me.

I knew you were here.

I dug this chamber. These are my lands.

You're... You're Waka Nuku Rau.

I came to find you so you can help-

What I saw - am I dead?

What?

Am I dead?

No.

Unless I am too.

- Well, what are they? - I don't know.

But if I hadn't found this,

I'd be dead.

And there are other things too

that have crossed into this world from the afterlife.

What?

The priestess of my tribe says the veil between light and dark

is breaking. And those things out there,

they're proof of it, aren't they?

They only come at night.

During the day, they run from Tamanuitera.

Yours, if you help my tribe.

It's called Te Kapua. It's our greatest treasure.

My wives -

they never had love for me when they were alive.

I'm sorry, but you can't help them now.

But you can help my tribe, if the legends are true about you.

And what do they say?

That you're the greatest living fighter

that this land has given birth to...

Probably true.

...and will do anything for a price.

My father will give you anything.

I'm leaving.

I'm not sticking around for those things to come for me.

- Yes, but- - And I'm better off alone.

You're safe here. I give you permission to stay.

- Please. - It's a good hole.

- Please! - No.

Look, I don't want to help you,

understand? What are you to me?

You're nothing -

nothing to me.

Why would I help her anyway?

I'm the one who needs help.

How am I supposed to find honour in this world?

There's no honour here.

Fuck!

Give it.

Have you returned just to steal from me?

Perhaps.

Well balanced, I suppose.

Do you always give up so easily?

Father.

Papa!

Papa!

Mehe.

- What can you do against that? - No. We have to go in.

Struck it with a killing blow, and it did nothing.

What was it?

Not of the world of the living.

- We have to go in. - And do what,

against a creature we can't kill?

Will no one go in with me?

Mehe, he's dead,

as will you be if you go.

Where are you going?

South, to find Waka Nuku Rau.

I forbid it.

Forbid whatever you want. You won't help me,

but he might.

Mehe, to enter his lands is death.

He drinks the blood of those who do.

Then I'll have something he wants.

Mehe.

Mehe!

What is it that I'm to do for your tribe?

There better be honour in it.

I know your reputation. It's not for honour.

- We'll have to sleep here. - How far is it?

Another day. Maybe more.

All right, five days.

All you do is tell lies.

You might not have come if I told you.

Well, we could sleep up there if you're so worried.

A warrior doesn't hide in the trees, girl.

Somebody's got to look after you.

He tino mate tera.

Upoko kohua.

We can't let him stay like that.

He's one of my people.

You know what I have to do.

Kia hiwa ra! Kia hiwa ra!