[retching]
[all groaning]
[groaning]
How could so much come out of one little Podling?
[groaning, whimpering]
Aw...
Feeling better, Hup?
Hup... want... die. dream
Aw.
- [retching] - [sighs]
- It's air sickness. - [Brea sighs]
Don't worry, my little friend. It will pass.
[gurgling]
The Circle of the Suns sits atop that mountain.
[Rek'yr] You'll have to travel the rest of the way by foot.
We cannot thank you enough.
I beg you to reconsider my offer, Princess.
Come away to the Wellspring.
[Rek'yr] The Dousan know death like the Spriton know the soil.
And death hangs heavily over the Circle of the Suns
- and over your quest. - [Hup groaning]
- I'm quite capable of handling myself. Hm. - Yes.
The most beautiful desert flowers are always the most dangerous.
- Oh! - [smooching]
- [sighing] - Until we meet again.
Until we meet again.
[retching]
Follow the stone path to the Circle. Be swift.
A powerful storm approaches,
and you don't want to be caught in the open when it strikes.
Safe travels.
[Bennu bellowing]
- I guess we walk. Hm? - Hm.
[foreboding music playing]
[shuddering]
[Bennu bellowing]
[squeaking]
[wind howling]
The Circle of the Suns.
But how do we get up there?
We'll think of something.
[thunder rumbling]
[gasping]
[Deet] Hm?
[gasping]
- [thunder rumbles] - [Deet] Sandstorm?
[yelling in Podling language]
[squeaking]
All right! We need to work together. We need to find a way to get...
[yelping]
- Lore! - [gasping]
- Lore, wait! Stop! - [Rian] Wait!
Stop right now! We have to help them too!
[Brea straining]
That's what friends do!
[yelling]
[Rian] It's coming!
[thunder rumbling]
[grunting]
[all screaming]
[screaming continues]
[thunder rumbling]
[Deet] Go, go, go, go, go!
Climb, Lore!
- [shrieking] - [scraping]
[screaming]
Hold on!
[Hup shrieking]
Hup!
[shrieking]
[Deet] Don't let go!
[gasping]
[shrieking]
[thunder rumbling]
[Brea] We're almost there!
- [grunting] - [screaming]
[thuds]
[all panting]
Well, that was exciting.
Yeah, was too exciting!
[exhaling]
You saved us, Lore.
[Brea] Thank you, friend.
[sighing]
Not much of a talker,
is he?
Mm-mm.
Hello?
Is anyone home?
[Brea] Hello!
I got your message.
[male voice] What's that I hear?
Could it be? Sounds like...
[gasping]
It is! It is!
It's Gelfling!
- [gasping] - lHeretic laughing]
[cackling]
- Uh! - Welcome!
[cackling]
[Rian] Huh?
Oh, it's wonderful to see you! Do you see my wonder?
Look upon my wonder!
- [Brea] Uh... - Huh?
[Rian] Uh...
We're looking...
It's... a lot.
Isn't it? I am covered in wonder. [chuckling]
Uh, I'm Deet.
- This is Rian, Brea, - [Heretic] Oh! Uh-huh...
- Hup, and that's... - Lore!
Of course we know Lore.
We built him to deliver our message.
You left the message?
That's right, wee Gelfling!
Three hundred and seventy nine trine ago, that was.
Long time ago. Really long time.
Uh...
You're a Skeksis.
- [yelling] I'm a what? - [all gasping]
[snickering]
- That was a jest. I'm a fun Skeksis. - [nervous laugher]
Once I was known as skekGra, the Conqueror,
but the others cast me out and branded me...
Heretic.
[grumbling]
- Follow, Gelfling! Follow and know. - [yelping]
Oh and bring your Podling slave.
[gasping]
- [growling] - He's not our slave, he's our friend.
- [grunting] - [Heretic] Oh!
Even better! Come! So much to do.
[cackling]
Should we follow?
Should run. Skeksis are babolim.
Mmm! Crazy!
We've come too far to turn back now.
It's time we got some answers.
[sighing]
Welcome to the Circle of the Suns!
[cackling]
[all gasping]
[continues cackling]
Are you alone here, Heretic?
Yes, I am alone!
So very alone.
Yet I am also with myself.
Hm?
Hm...
UrGoh, get out here and greet our guests!
- [pipe bubbling] - [all gasping]
[exhaling, smacking lips]
[gasping]
[Heretic groaning] So slow.
Mystics: four arms, but only two legs. And neither good for much.
[Heretic] Hurry up, come on! We haven't got all day!
Mystic?
- What's a Mystic? - [Heretic] Yes!
- I used to read tales of Mystics, - [Heretic] Come on!
but I thought they were just stories!
[Heretic] Look!
These are the Gelfling that found our message.
Or... did the message...
- find them? - [Heretic stammering]
Would you just introduce yourself?
Yeah.
- I... am... - [Heretic] Yeah.
Here we go.
- ...urGoh... - Come on, get it out. Say it.
- ...the... - Say your name.
[gasping]
- ...Wan... de... - [Heretic] Wanderer. Wanderer!
- ...derer. - ...de...
Say it! Just say Wanderer! Just get it out there!
Your name is urGoh the Wanderer!
...rer.
[groaning] At last.
[groans] I don't mean to be rude, but...
we have traveled very far because you said...
- ...Uh, in your message. - [Brea] Yes.
In your message, that you held the key
to ending Skeksis' power.
Do not worry, Gelfling.
Soon, all will be revealed.
But, first, we have a wonderful surprise for you.
- [gasping] - [urGoh] Or... does the surprise...
have... you?
[groaning] That doesn't even make sense.
[sighing]
Could we just skip the surprise?
[gasping, chuckling]
- [scratching] - We have waited 379 trine.
[Heretic] We're doing the surprise.
And you will be surprised!
I... will... prepare.
[Heretic] Yes, good! Go prepare.
There we go. [groaning]
Could you be any slower?
Don't answer that. We'll be here all day.
Lore, your quest is at its end...
- [gasping] - Time for you to rest once again.
- Wait! - [Lore rumbling]
[sighs]
Goodbye...
my protector.
Ha!
He never hugged me like that.
But why should he? We only gave him life.
Open.
[Brea gasping]
- [powering down] - [crumbling]
- [Rian sighs] - [Brea sighs]
Hm. Wonderful.
Now, now, the rest of you must be tired after your journey.
[chuckling] Rest now while we get everything ready.
- Wait, but we're... - We...
- We're not really tired. - We're on a very important quest.
Nonsense. We'll come and get you when it's time.
Oh! And we'll need to borrow your friend-slave.
- [Deet gasping] - Huh?
What?
[Hup] What did he...
[grumbling]
- Wonderful. - [Hup making farting noise]
Now, the rest of you stay right in there
and no peeking!
[cackling] No peeking.
- [Heretic] No peeking. - Well... we...
[Heretic] No peeking.
Well, a surprise sounds fun.
[Rian] We don't have time for fun.
- Huh? - Hm?
[General] Disgusting. Ugh.
I don't understand why you brought me down here.
[Emperor] Patience, General.
- Summon the Ascendancy. - [chains rattling]
But they are our sworn enemy.
Not for long.
- [string plucking] - [rumbling]
[rumbling continues]
- [screeching] - Ah!
[scuttling]
[all] The Ascendancy hears your call.
We are all Arathim as one.
- [female Spitter] As one. - [male Spitter] As one.
Greetings, Ascendancy.
[Ascendancy] Emperor.
[Ascendancy chanting] Emperor.
[male Spitter] Not welcome!
But I have come to offer you a way out of the wilds
and back into our good graces,
in spite of your ill-fated rebellion.
We are listening.
The Gelfling have turned... hmm...
unruly.
You will crush them, gather them,
bring them to me.
- [Ascendancy] Why should we do as you ask? - [female Spitter] Why?
Become a fist for the Skeksis,
and I shall return your ancestral home.
- The Caves of Grot. - [Ascendancy] Of Grot!
The Arathim Ascendancy accepts your offer,
but the Gelfling will simply walk themselves
into your grasp.
How is this possible?
Bring us a Gelfling.
A strong one.
Then you will understand.
[Ascendancy cackling]
- [scuttling] - [rumbling]
- We have an army. - Mm.
Now, follow me.
Ah!
[sighing]
Huh.
[sighing]
How much longer do we have to wait?
They said they'd come get us when the surprise is ready.
- [Deet] But I am hungry. Are you hungry? - Hm?
Ooh!
- [water flowing] - [jingling]
[gasping]
- No! Wait! Don't eat that! - But...
berries are food.
- They're not. - Huh.
They're urdrupes.
They're like medicine. Dousan shamans use them to speak with Thra
and glimpse into the future.
[sighing]
Everything up here is strange.
I miss my caves.
I miss my family.
Tell me about them.
Well, I have two fathers and a brother.
And my parents tend the Nurloc herds. I help them sometimes.
- What's a Nurloc? - It's a big worm.
My dress is actually made from Nurloc rump.
It's the softest...
[Deet] Uh...
Oh.
- You think I'm weird too. - [Rian] Hmm.
Not at all.
Mm?
I think your rump dress is...
quite lovely.
Hmm.
- [urGoh] Gelfling... - [gasping]
it... is...
time.
- Hmm. - [Rian] Here we go.
[metal clanking]
I don't see any surprises.
Hm.
- Sit down. - Huh?
[snickering]
- Oh! I guess we should sit down. - Right, uh...
[Heretic] And now,
presenting...
the true history of Thra!
[gasping]
Wow.
[wheels squeaking]
[gears turning]
[gasping]
Hm?
[sighing]
[hat jingling]
[giggling]
- In honor of Gelfling... - [urGoh] Louder!
- In honor of Gelfling... - [Heretic] More wonder!
[Heretic grunts]
[groaning]
In honor of Gelfling!
Argh! Never mind!
- [Heretic] Come on, that's enough! - [Hup yelling in Podling language]
- Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. - [groaning]
[muttering in Podling language]
[giggling]
[footsteps approaching]
I thought he was good.
[sighing]
[clearing throat]
- Ah! - [staff thuds]
They called me the Conqueror when I was young.
From sea to sea, my victories were sung.
I lied. I cursed. I killed, I hurt, I maimed.
Vile and cruel deeds for which I was famed.
Then Thra gave urGoh and me a vision.
That's...
my...
[Heretic grumbling]
cue.
[groaning]
- We'll never get answers at this rate. - No.
Then Thra gave urGoh and me a vision.
To...
embrace...
- unity, - [sighing]
not... division.
We desperately tried to convince the rest,
but Skeksis and Mystics were unimpressed.
- [urGoh] We hold the key... - [Heretic] Hold the key.
- ...to... - To...
- ...Skeksis... - ...Skeksis...
- ...demise. Demise! There you go. - ...demise.
But, first, an original opera.
Surprise!
[urGoh singing]
[Heretic singing]
What is an opera?
Don't worry. I bet it will be great!
[hat jingling]
[Deet] Hello.
[vocalizing]
Uh...
[sighing]
I wish I had one of those berries about now.
[vocalizing continues]
[foreboding music playing]
Come, General.
You will soon understand why I have struck our new alliance.
[chuckling]
[Emperor] Ah...
Yes.
What is this place?
Behold, the Darkening.
- You decreed there is no Darkening. - I lied!
It grows day by day.
Its veins creep across the land, blighting all it touches.
It's... purple.
It is power.
Pure, raw.
It has only spread faster since we began draining Gelfling.
That is why I have given the Caves of Grot back to the Arathim.
The caves are infected.
The Darkening will consume the Arathim.
Now you see. The caves will not be a home for the Arathim.
It will be their grave.
Huh.
- You can control it? - Not yet.
On my scepter, I hold a crystal much smaller than the Crystal of Truth,
but gifted with its own unique power.
In time, I will use this crystal
to harness the might of the Darkening
- for our greater glory. - [twinkling]
Ah...
[grunting]
Exposure to the Darkening is not without...
consequences.
[snorting]
It destroys, corrupts my body, as it does all of Thra.
True power demands sacrifice.
Command me, sire.
Choose the strongest Gelfling from our cages
and give the Ascendancy what they demand.
Then bring Stone-in-the-Wood to its knees.
Hm.
And never forget, there is absolutely nothing in this world
that does not bend to my will.
Yes, Emperor.
[wheezing]
[whooshing]
[Bennu bellowing]
[bellowing continues]
Hush, Bennu. Hush.
I imagine she's caught the scent of the creature stalking us.
What creature?
Hm...
[Bennu roars]
The one behind you.
- Greetings, Hunter. - [male Dousan] Ah!
Rek'yr.
[shuddering]
You should not have come here, skekMal.
I will not guide you on another hunt.
You are a butcher.
The Gelfling you transported,
where are they? Talk.
That I will not do.
[growling]
Then I will have to start cutting pieces off you until you talk.
- [onlooker gasps] - Go ahead. Do you want my hands?
They are not mine. They are a gift from Thra.
Same as my feet, my head, my life.
[metal clinking]
And his life?
[gasping]
- [grunting] - [screaming]
- [thudding] - [gasping]
If this is to be the day of our return to Thra,
- then we welcome it gladly. - [growling]
Tell me where they are!
- The Circle of the Suns. - Silence!
- [grunting] - [shrieking]
[whimpering]
You will take me there in your flying beast.
[voice quivering] Yes. Yes, my lord. Yes. Yes, my lord.
[urGoh and Heretic singing]
[vocalizing]
[yawning]
[exhaling]
That was great!
- Huh? - [Heretic] Hoo!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And... now,
at... last...
We come to the reason
you are all here.
The key you seek is the solution
to all of our travails.
Finally, answers.
[Heretic] Brought to life
by that most ancient and sacred of arts.
[gasping]
Puppetry.
Yay.
[all groaning]
No.
[sighing]
[staff thuds]
[jingling]
We two...
were not... always
the crude... flesh
you see before you.
Ah... ah, ah, ah, ah!
[Hup snoring]
[pipe bubbling]
Huh.
[coughing]
[both] Ah...
Once, we were one, a single luminous form.
One body,
one will, one mind.
We were perfect unity.
We called ourselves...
UrSkeks.
Two thousand trine ago,
eighteen of us left our world
and came to Thra.
[thudding]
[gasping]
They're from another world!
We newly arrived UrSkeks
filled Mother Aughra's head
with stories of our adventures amongst the stars.
She longed to explore the universe herself,
so we gifted Mother Aughra with her orrery
in exchange for...
the Crystal of Truth.
- But there can be no light... - [urGoh] Without dark.
[Heretic] We deceived Aughra and harnessed the power of the Crystal for ourselves.
Then, in our arrogance,
our experiments on the Crystal broke us into two.
[urGoh] The Skeksis and Mystics.
[Heretic] In the shock of division, a skirmish arose,
and the wrathful Skeksis broke a shard from the Crystal,
creating the Darkening.
- [gasping] - Where's the shard?
We were left as two halves trapped within separate bodies.
All we want now is to return to our true form.
Where two... is one.
[urGoh] The other Mystics
went into hiding and await the day when their destiny
will reveal itself at last.
[Heretic] We tried to convince our fellow Skeksis
that we must be made whole.
That is when they turned on us,
branded me Heretic,
and forced us into hiding.
[screams echoing]
We want to be rejoined now.
Every moment one are two
is too terrible for one to bear.
[Heretic] But there is hope,
for we have glimpsed into the future
and seen our fate lies in the hands of...
the Gelfling.
[urGoh] For the Gelfling
are closest to Thra.
[Heretic] The Skeksis will stop at nothing to preserve their dominion over Thra.
And so, we forged our knowledge into a blade.
The Dual Glaive.
[gasping]
[Heretic] Cast in the deepest fires of the inner sun,
it carries the spirit of Thra,
and, when wielded by Gelfling,
holds the power to unite the Seven Clans
- and defeat the Skeksis. - Look!
[thudding]
[gasping]
[Heretic] This is the sigil of great power,
the Aureyal.
- I know that symbol. - I saw it in a vision.
- [Heretic] Seven clans. - [fire spits]
[urGoh] Seven fires.
Joined as one in the cause of unity.
[Heretic grunting]
[sniffing]
- Fire! - What?
- [flames roaring] - [gasping]
- [urGoh] I'm on fire! Put it out! - [Deet] Oh, no!
- [commotion] - [urGoh] Put it out! Put it out!
- [Heretic] Put it out! Put it out! - [groaning]
[coughing]
[groaning]
The power of the Aureyal is the power of all Gelfling.
Alone, you are small. Together, you are a cleansing flame.
Be that flame!
Bring the many...
into one.
I'm ready.
I'll stand against the Skeksis.
I'll wield the Dual Glaive!
The reign of the Skeksis will end.
And you two will be one again. We promise.
Wonderful!
- [laughing] - Ah!
One... problem.
Hm?
We don't actually have the Dual Glaive.
- What? - Oh, we are fugitives!
It would not be safe in our possession.
- Huh. - So, we entrusted the Glaive
to the most reclusive of Gelfling.
Where the Three Brothers dare not shine.
Hm...
[gasping] It's in the Caves of Grot.
- [gasping] - [all] Huh?
Very...
per...
- Say it. - ...cep...
Say it! Say it, "perceptive".
- Perceptive, get it out! [groans] - ...tive.
Ah...
Then Grot is where we'll go.
We thank you, wise ones,
for your counsel
and for your surprise.
Ah...
It was wonderful.
[exhaling]
Hm. Hm. Hm!
Hm! Hm!
[horn blowing]
[Maudra Fara] Gather the warriors.
Princess Seladon has seized the crown and sworn fealty to the Skeksis.
[Paladin] Maudra Fara!
All childlings and caregivers are to go to the hills for safety.
- [Paladin] I have news from... - It can wait.
Let's prepare.
- We will storm the Castle of the Crystal. - [Paladin] That's just it.
A castle guard has come. You will want to hear what he has to say.
[Stonewood woman 1] Are we really gonna fight the Skeksis?
[Stonewood woman 2] Is it to be war?
We took up arms against the Skeksis.
We were well trained. We had a plan.
One of us must have warned them. They were waiting.
The entire guard was overtaken. We never stood a chance!
I only escaped because my brothers and sisters sacrificed themselves,
so that I might bring you this news.
[shuddering]
[foreboding music playing]
We will rain down on the Skeksis
with righteous fury and smite their plague from Thra.
This I promise.
[door opening]
- [Mother Aughra] Promise? - Huh?
Promises you cannot keep are no better than lies.
[shuddering]
[Stonewood man] I can't believe it.
[Stonewood men muttering]
Mother Aughra.
What is this foolishness I'm hearing?
Storming Skeksis' castle?
The Skeksis are predators. We will not be their prey.
- [Mother Aughra] So you rush to war. - [growling]
Stonewood do not seek bloodshed.
- [groaning] - When the battle is done,
we cast the weapons that vanquished our foes
into the forge in the center of our village to be melted down.
Ah...
[Maudra Fara] For the hand that wields the blade
cannot help the fallen to their feet.
But there are times when the blade is necessary.
You plot strife when you should plot survival.
- You want us to run? - I want you to live.
You are Thra.
The Skeksis are not.
To your home you owe survival.
[barking]
[growling]
[barking]
[whimpering]
The Skeksis will meet their fate.
This I have foreseen,
- but it will not be by your hand. - Why not?
If not the great warriors of Stone-in-the-Wood, then who?
[dramatic music playing]
The Song of Thra is complex.
Many parts.
No one knows the entire melody.
Not even Aughra.
[sighs]
Gelfling do not live on guesses.
Gelfling live on the ground beneath their feet.
[guard] Hm...
I see so many possibilities.
But in all of them,
if Stone-in-the-Wood falls, terrible sacrifices will have to be made.
- Stone-in-the-Wood will never fall. - Ha!
- But the Castle of the Crystal must. - [murmuring in agreement]
And I am the only one with the strength to get it done.
[growling]
Can't say Aughra didn't try.
[grumbling]
- [zapping] - [grunting]
[Scientist] Again! Again!
[zapping]
The Ascendancy requested our strongest Gelfling,
- but these all look weak! - [Scientist] Of course they do!
They're Gelfling!
- [laughing] - [zapping]
Murderer!
A-ha! This one has spirit.
Ah! The orphan princess of Ha'rar.
I swear on my mother's life, my blade will be the last thing you'll ever feel!
Is that right?
[zapping]
She will do.
- Gruenaks! - [metal rattling]
- Take her away. - [prisoner] Princess Tavra!
- With haste! - [prisoners yelling]
[prisoner] No.
- [lock clicks] - [cage door rattles]
No.
No! No!
- [Tavra] No! - To the Ascendancy!
- [prisoner] Get away from her! - No! No!
[sighing]
Farewell, Lore.
I'll see you again.
[urGoh clearing throat]
Take... these.
As they say,
what's good... in the gourd
is good in... the Gelfling.
Hm?
Who says that?
Every... one.
Bah!
Retrieve the Dual Glaive. End Skeksis' power.
We will. Thank you.
Thank you, Gelfling.
- [screeching] - [Rian yelping]
- [Heretic] My hand! - [urGoh] My hand! My hand!
- [groaning] - [fabric tears]
[all gasping]
- [Gelfling panting] - [urGoh whimpering]
I've come for my trophy. Did you think I would not find you?
[Hup gasps]
There's no place in Thra you can hide from me!
[yelling]
No... hurt... Deet!
- [grunting] - [yelping]
- [panting] - Cute.
- [Hunter exclaims] - [urGoh yelling]
- [crashing] - [Deet] Hup!
[Rian gasping]
- Lore! You must wake Lore! - [gasping]
[dramatic music playing]
[panting]
[sword whooshing]
[grunting]
- [panting] - [metal scraping]
- [Hup panting] - Deet.
Deet?
[groaning]
Where's your father now? [laughing]
Wake up, Lore. Come on, wake up.
- [sword whooshing] - Come on, Lore. Please!
[metal clanking]
[grunting]
- [Rian whimpering] - [arrow whooshing]
- [groaning] - [gasping]
[Hunter panting]
Get away from them.
- Another Mystic! - The Archer.
[arrow whooshing]
[Hunter grunting]
[Archer grunting] Aah!
[groaning]
You and I are one.
You cannot defeat me without defeating yourself.
- What I feel, you feel. - [rumbling]
Perhaps, but I will not leave empty handed.
[gasping]
[rumbling]
Farewell, Archer.
- [Archer] SkekMal! No! - [Brea shrieks]
[Heretic screaming]
- Brea! - No!
[arrow whooshing]
- [groaning] - [thudding]
[Brea] Rian! Find the Glaive! Find the Glaive!
[Hunter growling]
[Bennu bellowing]
Brea!
Hm.
[uplifting music playing]
[sighing]
[Maudra Fara] We take the castle at first light.
- They have no guards nor defenses. - [Stonewoods murmuring]
- [Paladin] Maudra Fara! - [barking]
Maudra Fara! Maudra Fara! The Skeksis are coming!
[gasping] What?
[growling]
[panting]
[rumbling]
[panting]
What is this?
Huh?
[metal rattling]
[grumbling]
[whooshing]
[all groaning]
[buzzing]
[overlapping muttering]
[Stonewood male] Stand ready.
[Spitters scuttling]
The Arathim! They fight with the Skeksis!
Sound the alarm! Weapons ready! Everyone fights.
[overlapping chatter]
- [Stonewood male] No mercy! - [ringing bells]
[laughing]
- What? - [gasping]
Why have they stopped?
Why aren't they attacking?
[growling]
[Ascendency exclaim]
[dramatic music playing]
[Stonewood male 1] Princess Tavra?
[muttering]
[Stonewood female 1] Is that Princess Tavra?
[gasping]
Princess Tavra?
Why do you stand with the very monsters who murdered your mother?
[Ascendancy] We are not...
Tavra.
[Threaders scuttling]
[Stonewood male 2] Arathim!
- [Stonewood female 2] Hold the line! - [gasping]
- What's happening? - [scurrying]
[hissing]
[screaming]
[overlapping commotion]
[thuds]
[Threaders continue hissing]
[Stonewoods panting]
[laughing]
[screeching]
[shrieking]
[Stonewoods screaming]
[knives whooshing]
[overlapping shouting, grunting]
[screaming continues]
[cackling]
[Stonewood male 3] Get it off!
[knife whooshing]
[screaming]
[Threader hissing]
No!
Hm...
Hm.
I am the Ascendancy.
[overlapping] I am the Ascendancy.
I am the Ascendancy.
- I am the Ascendancy. - I am the Ascendancy.
I am the Ascendancy.
[dramatic music playing]
[cackling]
[scurrying]
Huh, whoa, wha... what?
Ah!
What?
You dare try to control Aughra?
Aughra can barely control Aughra!
[grunting]
[scoffing]
[growling]
[grumbling]
Huh?
Bah!
[cackling]
[fantasy music playing]