Witch Hunter (2024)

[bunniefuu]

The Cardinal w*r 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!

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]

[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 k*ll 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.

k*lling 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,

k*lling 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 k*ll 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 k*lled.

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 k*ll 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 b*stards!

Faster!

Come on, you fools!

Let's k*ll that witch.

Uh, sire?

We've been here before.

We must have come the wrong way.

We need to double back.

Faster, you b*stards!

Faster!

Come on, you fools.

Let's k*ll 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!

k*ll 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 k*lled 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 k*lled 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 k*ll 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.

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]

[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 k*ll 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 k*lled.

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 k*ll him.

Father!

I cannot k*ll 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.

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]

k*ll 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

k*lling 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 k*ll 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 b*stard, 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 k*lling.

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.