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.

[FLESH SQUELCHING, MEN GRUNTING]

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.

[CHILDREN LAUGH, INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

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.

[SCREAMING, SNARLING IN DISTANCE]

- What the fuck? -

Hei tino kai maku!

Really?

Maku to mata e kai!

Get up. Get up.

Ah!

- -

- -

- - 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.