Vord, The (2024)

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(dramatic music)

(eerie exhaling)

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(person screams)

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(creature shrieking)

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- Oh, like Freya.

Oh, cursed woman.

(both chuckling)

Temptress.

Oh (pants).

Oh, Odin help us

if he finds out.

But you won't tell will you?

- I don't know if-

- Oh, thief!

You take what you

desire even though

it has been denied (laughs).

Just like me.

(Tove laughs)

But don't worry,

only the rocks and the waters

know our secrets (laughs).

- [Sten] Tove?

- Oh, and the howling of the

wolf searching for its mate.

- [Sten] Tove?

- Hurry.

Go on, run home.

(eerie music)

(Eva exhales)

- Tove?

- [Eva] Sten.

What are you doing, brother?

- What are you doing out here?

What's all this playing

in the leaves like a boy?

- Oh, mind your elders,

brother (chuckles).

It was nothing.

I simply tripped.

- What's the matter, brother?

- (sighs) It was nothing.

But it is getting late,

and the wolves were

seen not far from here.

So let's go.

Let's go home.

- You were never blessed with

the gift of deception, Eva,

but that has never stopped

you from speaking falsehoods.

Have you seen Tove?

- Oh, brother, it

is Tove this thing,

and Tove that thing.

Tove, Tove, Tove.

She has you in knots.

She controls your

every breath (sighs).

- Why are you walking away?

- The wolves, Sten.

- Liar.

You are a great hunter, Eva.

The fur of them felled

by your arrows adorns

our village's beds.

- Best not call me a liar, Sten.

- Where's your amulet, Eva?

The one father gave to you.

I've never seen you without it.

Tove wanted it.

I offered to make

her another one,

but no, she didn't want it.

She wanted...

(Eva sighs)

- I don't know where

it is, brother.

(wolf howls)

(Tove screams)

(pensive music)

- Tove?

Tove.

(Sten gasps)

Tove?

Tove?

(blood gushing)

(music continues)

(Sten panting)

(music continues)

Your word isn't even true.

You are unkind.

You are selfish.

You are lazy.

The failure of the family!

You're still coddled by our

mother, favored by our father!

But even so, I would never

think you capable of this!

- Why am I to be

blamed for being loved?

You never said you loved, Eva.

What you received

from them is pity!

- Oh, you're jealous, brother.

You couldn't even hold

the love of your woman.

Not even that one.

(Sten grunts)

(dramatic music)

(dagger clinks)

(both yelling)

(music continues)

(Eva panting)

- Come back, coward!

(both grunting)

(music continues)

- Brother!

(grunting continues)

(music continues)

(Sten spits)

(Eva groans)

(Sten laughs triumphantly)

(fist thudding)

(both grunting)

I'm the only one who

really loves you!

(Eva yells)

(music continues)

If they find Tove's body,

if they find it they're

gonna k*ll you and me.

I will have lost Tove and you.

I cannot abide by that.

- Even now, brother,

you must play hero,

even now that you think

I k*lled your woman!

How is this not salt

in my wounds, brother?

(unsettling music)

(text crackling)

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(crackling continues)

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(soft dynamic music)

(singer vocalizing)

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(vocalizing continues)

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(thunder rumbling)

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(vocalizing continues)

(eerie vocalizing)

(music fades)

- [Narrator] A centuries old

Nordic soul wanders, lost,

cast down into Niflheim,

a shadow filled purgatory

for sins he did not commit.

But a promise is

made to The Dark One.

He must bring a woman, one

who is coveted as bearer

of mystical charms as

offering and prize,

and thereby rewarded

with redemption.

But it can only be secured

if the woman's protector

can be brother to Shadow,

and Maria's guardian, Vord.

- Rats!

I f*ck' hate rats!

(Katrina screams)

(dramatic music)

(music continues)

(Katrina screams)

- Stop, it's me you

f*ck' as*h*le!

- Jonathan?

Jonathan!

(Jonathan chuckles)

Let go of me, you

stupid as*h*le!

(Jonathan grunts)

- I've been waiting

two f*cking hours.

- What do you want from me?

I had to wait for Maria's

father to pick her up

and then I had to wait

for her grandmother

to clear her outta

here for the weekend

because you are the one

that wanted to do this here.

We could have done

this anywhere, but no.

Why here?

- We wanted some

f*cking privacy.

Light the f*cking

candles, stop your crying.

- [Katrina] It'd be a lot

quicker if you helped me.

(lighter flicks)

(unsettling music)

- Let's just do what

we came here to do.

- All right, let's do

this the right way then.

(knife clicks)

(music continues)

Your turn.

(music continues)

(Jonathan grunts)

(blood gushing)

(grunting continues)

(pensive music)

- [The Vord] Are you willing

to offer your child as payment?

Are your earthly desires worth

risking Maria's eternity?

- What the hell's

wrong with you?

- Nothing.

- Then let's do this sh*t.

(Jonathan speaking

in foreign language)

Reveal yourself!

Reveal yourself!

Reveal yourself!

(dramatic music)

- [The Vord] Your

loyalty will be rewarded.

(Jonathan inhales)

(Jonathan laughing)

(music continues)

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(laughing continues)

(pensive music)

(door slamming)

- [The Vord] You

have chosen a path

that cannot easily be undone.

The shadows you see here,

the shadows you feel

are nothing compared

to what is to come.

The Dark One will send Draugr,

and he will enjoy

your suffering.

His promised reward is a lie.

(Katrina gasping)

(music intensifies)

- Who the f*ck are you?

- [The Vord] An

echo, imprisoned.

A dismantled last hope.

(unsettling music)

(books thudding)

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- I have always felt you.

Now I see you.

What do you want?

- He likes to catch things

before they fall (snarls).

(music continues)

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(Bible sliding)

(singer vocalizing)

- [The Vord] You do not have

to carry this burden alone.

- I have no burden to share.

- Yet, Maria bears the

weight of your greed.

(indistinct whispering)

(vocalizing continues)

- What do they call you?

- I am Maria's Vord.

- (exhales deeply) Best

be kind to strangers.

They may be entertaining

angels unknown.

- I have been

warned of your kind.

- Fear lies within.

- The Asatru will pave the way.

And Maria was born for it.

- You don't have to walk it.

- She will.

(dramatic music)

(voices whispering indistinctly)

(music continues)

- (sighs) Very well.

(The Shadows laughs)

(can thuds)

(laughing continues)

(whispering continues)

(soft music)

(singer vocalizing)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

- Maria, what'd I tell you

about being out here alone?

It's dangerous for you,

and now we're running late and

our friend is waiting on us.

We have to go.

Come on.

- Is it gonna hurt when they

put the mark on me, Daddy?

- I've never lied to you

and I'm not gonna lie

to you about this.

Yes, it is going to hurt.

It's going to hurt a lot,

but it has to happen.

This is for your protection.

Do you understand me?

- Yeah.

- Okay, good.

Let's go.

- Mama's gonna be

really mad at us.

Grandma, too.

- I'm not gonna be

here for very long

and I wish I could teach

you about all these things,

but I need you to

know this one thing.

Throughout your entire life,

people are going to try

to convince you to do

things the easy way.

Do not listen to them.

I need you to listen

to this, okay?

Listen to this.

Do you understand?

- Mm hm.

- Okay.

Come on girl, let's go.

(soft music)

(vocalizing continues)

- Why don't you

go to bed, Maria?

It's past your bedtime.

- I'm waiting for Mama.

- She won't be

home for hours yet.

She's working late

at the restaurant,

or so she says (chuckles).

Most likely she's out with

that good for nothing wolf.

(sighs) Go ahead, brush your

teeth, put on your pajamas.

I'll be in soon to tuck you in.

- But will you check the

closet and under my bed?

- Aren't you a little old to

believe in monsters, Maria?

There's no such thing.

- [Maria] Well, people

don't always know something

is real until they see it.

- When I was a child,

I saw monsters too.

Sometimes they'd reach

out from under the bed

and tug at the sheets,

but it wasn't real, Maria.

Sometimes our

imaginations lie to us.

If monsters were real,

they'd have eaten me up.

But look at me, I'm old.

I'm still here.

We make monsters, Maria.

You made the one you say

bothers you at night.

You can make it go

away the same way.

Just wish it away.

You'll see.

- Some monsters don't go away.

Some monsters don't

know where else to go.

(unsettling music)

Grandma, it's here!

- That child and her

wild imagination,

just like her mother.

- Grandma, it's here!

- [Grandmother] I'm here, Maria.

Stop screaming

for Christ's sake.

- In there.

- Calm yourself, Maria.

Why is it always the closet

with children (sighs).

(suspenseful music)

(grandmother sighs)

(grandmother grunts)

(music continues)

Nothing.

No monsters, just some

clothing and that's all.

(grandmother sighs)

(unsettling music)

Say your prayers, Maria.

That'll help you feel better.

That's what mama said

when daddy was sick,

and now he's dead.

- Well, not all prayers

are answered, Maria.

Some of the prayers we pray

are better left unanswered.

Now, go to sleep.

Enough of this silly nonsense.

It's late.

- What good is God if He

doesn't do what we ask?

What good is God

if He only gives

what He feels like giving?

- He knows everything,

Maria, everything.

Compared to Him,

we know nothing.

- Well, if God's so smart,

why doesn't he just

tell us what to do?

- He does.

But we have to

know how to listen.

Like now, when I tell

you to go to sleep.

Goodnight.

(unsettling music)

(music fades)

(dramatic music)

(eerie exhaling)

(Maria screams)

(suspenseful music)

(singer vocalizing)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

- [The Vord] It's time.

(pensive music)

(crow cawing)

- Well, at least

you still have me.

And Grandma loved you very

much, you know that, right?

She left us a little

bit of money, though.

Not that it matters.

Not that really any

of this matters.

Can you watch her for a

minute for me, please?

- Are you gonna

talk to that man?

- Well, aren't you nosy?

Be good.

- She probably just wants

to see the man again.

(car door opens)

Don't, Mister.

You might get hurt

and she'll only see him

again in a few days.

(car door closes)

- [Driver] I do not think

that man is good, Maria.

Do you understand?

- Yeah.

She buys medicine from him.

- [Driver] Well, I

wouldn't tell him anything.

Do not say a word.

- I only saw him

once in the dark.

They were saying prayers

and it woke me up.

They were on the floor in

the living room holding hands

with candles all around them.

I only saw the man's arm

and he had a design on it.

Anyway, then my mom yelled

at me to go back to bed,

and so I did.

- Thank you.

So, we're gonna go home,

have lunch, pack a bag,

and then go over

to Grandma's house

and you can pick out

whatever room you'd like.

- We're gonna live there now?

- Well, yes, it's

a much nicer house.

It's bigger.

There's a bigger backyard.

It's more work for me, though.

But you'll make some

friends in the neighborhood.

- And is the man under

my bed gonna move too?

- (sighs) I am so tired

of hearing about this.

There's no man in your

bedroom or under your bed.

Do you understand that?

- Well, the man only

stays under the bed now.

- Oh, good.

One down, one to go at last.

- Once it was a little

girl in the closet.

- When we get home,

you're going right to bed,

you annoying little...

I'm sorry, baby.

I'm tired.

You're tired.

It's been a long day and I

can only imagine how you feel.

You were there when she died.

- Well, Grandma's not

all the way dead, Mama.

Not like Daddy.

Grandma's still here and

she's sitting right there,

and she's really,

really mad at you.

(eerie music)

- Come on, Maria, let's go.

I don't like it anymore

than you do, okay?

But I have to leave you here,

and when I get my stuff

together, I will be back.

Mother Reperata will

take good care of you.

Whatever you do, I need

you to stop telling people

that you see ghosts.

Do you understand?

There is no one under your bed.

They will take you away from me

and we will never

see each other again.

Do you understand?

- What have you done, Katrina?

You made a promise.

Is all of this a game to you?

Do you realize they

cannot touch her now?

(Katrina sobbing)

Do you even realize what

you have done to me?

- To you?

To you?

Get out of here (sobs)!

Yes, it all started as a game.

A nice little diversion even.

But I never thought

any this would happen

when we called upon The Old One.

(sniffles) My parents,

they were insane

about the ancient Nordic

religion (indistinct).

I never ever thought

that dabbling

in this would've

cost me everything,

cost me my Maria.

- All you had to do

was keep your promise

to bring her to us,

offer her obedience

to The Old One

in exchange for

unimaginable pleasures.

Your sudden spin into

this parental concern

did nothing short but be

charming, except for one thing.

Taking her to Reperata

was the biggest

mistake of your life.

(Katrina sobbing)

(eerie music)

I have something new

I want you to try.

Here.

If I were you, I'd

swallow every last one.

(glass clinking)

(anticipatory music)

(eerie music)

- [Katrina] "If there is a

God, I know he won't save me.

There are some deeds

too horrible to forgive.

I've lost my

daughter to darkness.

The last way to her

now is through me,

and I just, I won't allow it.

There's nothing

left but the hope

that I'll see her again one day.

Forgive me, Maria.

Forgive me."

- "The lame rides a horse,

the handless his herdsman.

The deaf in battle are bold.

A blind man is better

than one who is burned.

No good can come from a corpse."

(grunts) There's no

way out, Katrina.

The master will come now that

you have taken Maria from us.

It'll be oh, so unpleasant.

Or could you wade

into the cold waters

and cheat him of his pleasure?

(soft music)

(music continues)

(singer vocalizing)

(The Shadow laughs)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(laughing continues)

- [The Vord] Even in death,

you stir a horrible brew.

(bell tolling)

(gentle music)

- When I was a child,

I often sat in a chapel

near where I lived.

Somehow it made me feel better.

- She won't be coming

back for me, will she?

- I'm sorry, Maria,

no, she won't.

Mother's had an accident.

But don't be sad, child.

(scoffs) I think you're a

little too old for this.

Besides, you won't

be needing it.

You'll always have

a home with us here.

Always.

- I think I'll go to bed

now, Mother Reperata.

I'm very tired.

(music continues)

I'm not a very good girl.

You'll see.

(music continues)

(music continues)

- Dear, sweet Jesus,

I fear a darkness has

descended upon St. Agatha's.

(sighs) And I am too much a

sinner to fight it all alone.

- You are not alone.

You must fight the

darkness from within,

and you must cast

a light upon it.

(music fades)

(bells tolling)

(pensive music)

(water splashing)

- "Cease deceiving

human creatures

and pouring out

to them the poison

of eternal damnation

says our Father.

Amen (panting)."

(shovel scraping)

- [Prisoner] I just wanna talk.

What are you doing?

Put it down!

What are you...

What are you...

What are you doing?

I'm like you, I'm like you.

Put it down.

(mumbling indistinctly)

There will be hell to

pay, you know this.

(mumbling indistinctly)

- Yes, yes.

(prisoner screams)

- You pay now, you pay later,

but somehow always must be paid.

(shovel thudding)

(prisoner grunting)

(music continues)

(shovel thudding)

(voices whispering indistinctly)

(pensive music builds)

(unsettling music)

(floorboards creaking)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

- Oh, I'm sick of this sh*t.

(The Shadow laughing)

(dramatic music)

- Hello, Officer.

You know I can offer solutions

that Reperata won't (chuckles).

- I know where you

are, so f*ck off.

(The Shadow laughing)

(shovels thudding)

(crickets chirping)

(brush rustling)

- Looks like The

Priest got it wrong.

(indistinct) may be a fruitcake

but there's squat

on the property

to say she k*lled anyone.

Worthless.

Who the hell buries a book?

(sighs) A wild

goose chase, this.

Yo, Frees.

- [Frees] Yeah?

- There was something

written inside,

but the pages are torn out.

Screw it.

Bag it.

- My old lady dug a pit once.

Read somewhere in

a girly magazine

that dropping your wedding band

in it released you

from your past.

- Your ex-wife?

She was a screwball, man.

Let's go.

Got nothing to see here.

- Except for the

shed and the ropes.

- Yeah, weird.

- Hey, what's this all about?

Spells, witchcraft?

What the hell does

Aster mean anyway?

- It's Asatru.

Doesn't matter.

Come on, you know the drill.

(eerie music)

(crickets chirping)

- Oh God (sobbing).

Oh, God, what have I done,

what have I done, what?

Oh (sobbing)!

- Sister Maria?

What are you doin' back here?

- Stop calling me that.

What do you want, Father Payne?

- At last the bird flies

right back to the old roost,

and just two doors down

from The Priest's

house nonetheless.

You know, since you've loaned

this house to The Church,

Mother Reperata has been

using it as her own.

I guess you'll be

tossing her out too, hm?

Maria, your vows with

God can be undone.

Just as though they

have never been spoken.

- This house is mine.

If you're here to tell me

to return to St. Agatha's,

you're wasting your time.

And I don't appreciate

the intrusion.

I've already called

Reverend Clay.

- Do you think your threats

are going to resolve

that spiritual

predicament you're in?

Maria, you grew

up in The Church.

They love you there.

- No, they-

- Pray with me.

- Go away!

- I want to talk to you

about Jonathan Baines,

the man I sent you to help.

- Just go away!

- Sister Maria?

- Oh, thank you.

Thank you, Reverend

Clay (sobbing).

- You've missed

Vespers again, Jordan.

- I know.

- That's the third

time this week.

- I know.

I was worried about Maria.

- Well, whatever's

troubling you,

I don't believe you need

to burden Maria with it.

- Yes, I understand.

- (sighs) I think it's time

you come with me, please.

(pensive music)

(singer vocalizing)

- [The Priest] Grief

is treasure, Jillian,

a gift only the wise understand.

Come back to those

who value you,

but bring a token of your faith

if you have any hope of

seeing Jonathan again.

(pensive music)

(air whooshing)

- Maybe they can really help me.

God, I miss you, Jonathan.

I miss you so much.

I'll do whatever I have

to to bring you back,

and just to see

you one more time.

(air whooshing)

- [The Vord] Do it.

Pick one.

Pick one now.

(music continues)

(music continues)

- "In the wilderness,

they fed you manna,

which your fathers did not know,

tha they may humble you.

That they might test you to

do good for you in the end."

That's what I've been taught.

Scripture says, but

I know better now.

Ah, I know better.

Screw you.

God, I know the real

answer (laughs).

What must I know?

What (sobbing)...

- [The Vord] You will

not find redemption

by torturing the living.

- Oh, the living are talented

at torturing themselves.

I just help them along (laughs).

I give 'em a little

push (laughs).

Oh, but even in death, you

hound me with your concerns.

Oh, you are not my vord.

Go away (chuckles).

- [Reverend Clay]

"Mother Reperata, the

enemy has returned.

Return at once.

Reverend Clay."

- I never left.

- [The Priest] Where

is our sacrifice?

- It it got a little outta hand.

- [The Priest] What

does that mean?

- I did everything

you taught me.

He said he wasn't interested.

- What?

- I didn't mean

for it to happen.

It just happened.

- What did you do, Jillian?

- I have to go.

- Tell me now what has happened.

- I don't know.

He just, he took off running.

I mean, I think he was done.

He was bleeding.

- Another mess for

me to clean up?

- I was afraid.

- [The Priest] Of what?

- You.

- [The Priest] Yes.

(Jillian whimpers)

(pensive music)

Go, get her.

Leave her to the

forest when done.

- Ben?

Ben Crispell?

- Who's asking?

- [Jillian] You know Jonathan.

Jillian.

- Who are you?

What do you want from me?

- [Jillian] Listen to me.

Jonathan was troubled.

I tried to help

him and I failed.

But I can help you.

- Yeah, great help.

All right, the dude's

dead lady, f*ck off.

- Listen, I just

need to understand

what might have

happened that night.

- [Ben] Get the

f*ck away from me.

Leave me alone.

- You're afraid of

him, aren't you?

- I'm not afraid of anyone.

- Lying won't help you, Ben.

It won't protect

you from the Asatru,

and that so-called

priest of yours.

- You know nothing

of the Asatru.

- [Jillian] I know plenty.

My mother was one of you.

Asatru is not a true religion.

It's stolen from

ancient Nordic culture.

- Look, we aren't

bad, all right?

We believe in things like-

- Yes, yes, I know.

You say things like,

"We are our deeds."

The sum of your actions

is how you will be judged.

- What's so wrong with that?

- I wouldn't know

where to start.

- All right, look, I have to go,

but just so you know, I

don't see him anymore.

The coie, the dude

you called our priest,

he's a wackadoo.

- Who is he?

What is his name and

where can I find him?

Ben, let me help you.

- You can't help me,

but I can help you.

You know that saying

wolf in sheep's clothing?

That would be him.

And he's been right under

that nun nose of

yours all this time.

I gotta go.

- Wait, wait.

(soft music)

(singer vocalizing)

- [Maria] Why did

you leave me, Daddy?

- Good morning, Maria.

- [Maria] What are

you doing here?

- I'm visiting.

- [Maria] Then go visit.

- You were such an

exhausting kid, Maria.

And you told these wild tales.

You tried the forbearance

on everyone that

tried to help you.

You had no friends.

Of course, no one could

stand being around

such a strange and sulky child.

But I was always there for you.

After they brought

you to the orphanage,

I made sure that you had

everything you needed,

but you could never

thank me, could you?

Your sole confidant

or even friend.

And still, I'm here

offering you understanding.

- I don't want

your understanding.

You wanna do good, don't you?

I suggest you seek out

Jonathan's girlfriend,

but you will have better luck

with her than you

had with me, Father.

- [Mother Reperata] Maria?

Maria, Sister Maria?

- Hello.

Hello, Mother Superior.

- Maria.

Oh my, it's so good to see you.

- Oh, I was just

getting ready to leave.

I'm sorry,

maybe another time.

- Oh, no, no.

You know, I've known you since

you were a small child, Maria.

Always looking to do

just as you pleased.

But you know, your insistence

on doing things your way

always met with the same

resistance, didn't it?

It met with me.

Oh, listen, it's

a little cold out.

Why don't you go inside

and fix your old Mother Superior

a nice cup of tea,

will you please?

Some earl gray or

peppermint perhaps?

You know, Maria, I was

wondering if you'd like

to come back to Minnesota

with me for awhile?

I'm here for just a few days

before I need to return.

Everyone here is

quite distressed

over your current

state and well,

I thought it might

do you some good

to get away from everything

that's troubling you.

You know, I've been talking

about you while back there

and how wonderful you are

with the children and how...

Maria?

Maria?

(anticipatory music)

(music continues)

(Maria gasps)

- Reverend?

Reverend Clay?

(music continues)

(singer vocalizing)

(Maria sobbing)

(music continues)

- [Radio Announcer] The

body of Judge Crispell's

son Benjamin was found today.

Yet another Fentanyl overdose

is the suspected cause.

Another chilly day along the

Hudson, highs in the 40s.

You're listening to WPRP

Radio in Saugerties.

(Maria sobbing)

- Maria, everyone

is looking for you.

I saw police cars by the church.

Are you all right?

What happened?

(Maria gasping)

(Maria sobbing)

Maria, shh.

We've got to get

you out of here.

They're going to have a lot

of questions when they come.

I'm not going to be

able to swear to them

that you are not capable of

doing such a horrible thing.

You understand?

You are not well.

Poor Reverend is bleeding

on the doorsteps.

(pensive music)

What is it?

- How?

No.

You.

You.

It was you.

It was you!

You did it!

Just leave me alone.

I get it now, all of it.

Why?

Why have you done this, Father?

Why?

(sobbing) I can't trust anyone.

Oh!

(pensive music)

(singer vocalizing)

(suspenseful music)

(door creaks)

(light switch flicking rapidly)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(gentle music)

(Maria whimpering)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(toy whirring)

(music continues)

(eerie exhaling)

(pensive music)

- [The Vord] Do not

join the Asatru.

Only death awaits you.

Leave here.

Your presence has roused

those who have gone before.

- Who's there?

- Take heed.

Take heed.

Few receive like warnings.

None a second time.

(eerie music)

- Oh, they didn't make such a

fuss when I died (chuckles).

You know why they

call me Draugr?

No (laughs)?

Well, it means one

who walks after death.

You see, when they k*lled

me, they broke my ankles,

tied my toes and feet together.

Charming old custom, isn't it?

They figured it'd prevent

me from coming back

and walking amongst them.

Well, we see how well that

worked out, didn't we (laughs)?

Oh, enough about me back to you.

Oh, they'll forget

about you soon enough.

- You are free to call yourself

by whatever name you choose.

I will just call you evil.

And when my Lord

calls me, I will go.

- Have you ever even

felt the hand of a woman?

- I have felt the hand of God.

(The Shadow laughs)

- Oh my good man.

Oh, that's not the

same, trust me.

You were never really a man.

- You are a tool,

a mere tool of a master

who will use you until

your usefulness is spent,

as I am a tool of my God.

I may be the nail he drives,

but he is the hammer I trust

and I fear you are lost, Draugr.

Your master offers nothing

beyond the cold ground.

Nothing.

The fairytale of Valhalla.

(The Shadow chuckles)

I suppose you will return

to your own version of hell.

- Well, yours makes promises

he'll never keep (chuckles).

You should have taken

what you wanted.

Oh, you remember that

red-haired temptress,

the one you stole a kiss

from in that barn (laughs)?

Oh, what you wouldn't have

done to buy that candy,

but you could not afford.

The job you gave up over

what trifling thing was that?

What'd you call it, hm?

Do you remember (laughs)?

Ethical quandary (laughs)?

Ethical quandary (laughs)?

You could have been

married, been rich,

had a lovely woman on the side.

You know, wine women

and song (chuckles).

- I pity you.

(anticipatory music)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(engine rumbling)

(music continues)

(water splashing)

(music continues)

- Finally.

Did you take care of everything?

- I hope so.

- Hope?

That's not enough.

- Hope is all we have.

She's hunting them.

How many more will you

demand I dispose of?

I'm tired of being your cleaner.

She isn't the same

Maria we once knew.

- None of us are

who we once were.

We do what we have to do.

Did you check her old home?

- Of course I have,

multiple times.

She was there but she went out.

- Well, find her.

- What do you think

I've been trying to do?

I could lose my job over this.

- (laughs) Job?

We're in danger of losing

far more than that.

- When is my debt

going to be repaid?

I can't continue like this.

Like some dog on a short leash.

- You are my last resource.

The only one I can count on.

You know them.

You know where they meet.

You know who they are.

You know every fine grain

of who they are and

who they aren't.

I got you out.

It cost me.

- Cost you?

Don't lecture me

about the price.

You can't expect me to play

both sides of the game forever.

This was your

agreement with them.

Not mine, yet I'm the

one who continues to pay.

You know what?

I'm just gonna end this tonight.

Wipe them out.

- No, no, no.

I won't have any part of that.

I will not have

blood on my hands.

- And when did that

start to bother you?

Or are you just worried

that the blood might

literally be your own?

- Listen to me, boy,

if you k*ll them,

the other clans will

come for revenge

and they will not

strike a bargain

as easily as the

one we made here.

Let's deal with

the devil we know.

- Well, the solution is easy.

Let me get rid of Maria.

There'll be nothing

left to fight over.

There's only a

handful of them left.

I doubt they want to retaliate.

Then I'll take care of your

biggest problem, The Priest.

The rest will scatter

like bunch of cowards.

And your secret will die

with him, and you'll be free.

- Free, free!

And if you fail within hours,

every filthy detail

that you've kept

for all these years

will be broadcast.

You'll be k*lled.

And as for me (chuckles),

once everybody knows that

Maria's father is my son,

I'll be shipped off

to some far corner

of the earth tending

to a herd of sheep

or mopping some ramshackle

conference floor (chuckles).

But more than that,

more than that,

I will have failed

my son, yet again.

- And there it is at last.

It's always been about you

and your pride, hasn't it?

It it was never about

protecting Maria or me,

or getting rid of that bunch.

It's always been about you

and your God damn reputation.

I'm out.

- Hey, come back here.

We're not done

talking about this.

Don't do anything without

talking to me first.

Get back here, Sam!

Sam!

(anticipatory music)

(Sam exhales)

(eerie music)

- Oh, you're right, you know?

k*ll The Priest, then Reperata,

and Maria will be yours.

We can start over (chuckles).

- Shut the f*ck up!

(tires squealing)

(The Shadow laughing)

(crickets chirping)

(doorbell rings)

(door creaks)

- What do you people want now?

Isn't it enough you

stole my son from me?

- I was looking for someone,

and I hope you could help me.

He belonged to-

- Ben was a good kid before

you people screwed him up.

He was just a kid exploring.

Nothing wrong with

that until it was.

Now get lost.

- I'm sorry, Judge.

I truly am, but I had

nothing to do with any of it.

I just need to know

who led his group.

- Aren't you one of them?

- I'm just trying to help.

- Help?

It's too late for that.

Ben's buried out there

in the cold ground.

Get off my property.

- I assure you, Judge, I'm

not playing at anything.

I'm just trying to

prevent what happened

to Ben from happening

all over again.

- (scoffs) Nobody does

the right thing anymore.

Not unless they have

something to gain from it.

- You might be right, Judge,

but you're wrong about me.

- Wait here.

(gentle music)

(door creaks)

A cop asked me for this.

I told him I didn't

know where it was.

Just trying to protect my son.

Here.

You have what you wanted.

Now, leave me and mine

alone and don't come back.

(anticipatory music)

(brakes squealing)

(music continues)

(music continues)

- What are you doing?

Let me out!

- Hey, knock it off,

or I'm gonna end you right here.

- Where are we going?

- Just shut up.

- I know you.

You're that little boy.

The little boy Mother

Superior brought in.

She didn't know

what to do with you.

- I told you to shut up.

- She didn't know

what to do with you.

I know you.

Your mother left you,

just like mine left me.

You cried all night.

Nothing could calm you.

You have the mark

on you, don't you?

Right here.

The one they forced on you,

the ravens, you get a mooning.

- Stop!

- Thought in memory.

- Would you shut the f*ck up?

- Who told you to take me?

Tell me.

- Help?

Coming from an ex nun who's

hiding behind the hood?

You want to help?

(scoffs) You know

nothing about me, Maria.

Nothing.

- Take me to them.

Let me try.

- Oh, I intend to.

- I promise you,

we're gonna find a way

to walk away from this madness.

Together, together.

- Together?

- Yes.

- No, I don't think so.

Did you ever wonder why the both

of us were left with Reperata?

Why her, huh?

They could have dumped us off

at the county children's home,

leave us with our relatives.

But they didn't, did they?

Huh?

Me, the little boy was left

at the girls'

convent, orphanage.

- I don't know.

Maybe our parents knew

her from St. Agatha's.

- They never stepped

a toe into any church.

No!

They were involved with Asatru.

So again, I ask why Reperata?

- I don't know!

(Maria sobbing)

- You're making me doing this.

- No!

- I don't wanna do this.

(both grunting)

(pensive music)

(knife scrapes)

f*ck!

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

It can't be.

It can't be.

f*ck!

(music continues)

(tires squealing)

- Hey, are you hurt?

- I don't think so.

- What are you doing here?

- We have to get away.

- I know. What?

- Hurry!

(indistinct)

- I've been looking for them.

I need to know who they

are, I need to see.

Let me go.

Let me go.

- Be still.

- He won't hurt me.

I know him.

That's John Sam, the little boy

that was with us at the convent.

He's like me.

- I know you're out here, Maria,

somewhere hiding.

Come out now.

Spare yourself from

something far worse.

Remember the story of Tyr

we were told as kids Maria?

He was responsible for

upholding ancients laws.

Remember?

To God's promise, Tyr,

if he would sacrifice his

hand, he will gain their favor.

But when the gods

didn't follow through

with the promises he'd made,

Fenrir, the great wolf

claimed Tyr's hand

as the compensation for

the lies of the Gods.

Tyr's act of bravery fulfilled

the god's end of the bargain,

not the way that

Gods had wanted,

but the way he understood it.

Get out of the forest, Maria.

Stay away from Reperata.

Maria?

- I don't understand.

Why does he want me

to stay away from you?

Why?

- He's talking nonsense

and so are you.

- No, wait for

them to move away.

Then we're getting out of here.

- Maria?

- [The Shadow]

There's always one

that needs to play the hero.

- Indeed.

The scales are in oscillation.

It is a time of

immense darkness.

- Oh, I agree, brother.

Oh, there is no goodness left

in this world to preserve.

- On the contrary, the

good shine the brightest,

when your ill has the

darkest of shadows.

- Oh, are you saying you need

me for a reason to exist?

- No.

We simply exist on flip

sides of the same coin.

- Well, then tell me, why

aren't you chasing after Maria?

Or have you finally recognized

what a lost cause she really is?

And that you have abandoned her

when she needed you the most?

- If she doesn't pull the

thread, she will never learn.

In order to feel the rise,

she must experience the fall.

So tell me, Draugr,

what more must you prove to me?

Why aren't you buzzing around

your priest like a fruit fly?

- Like a fly to sh*t?

Oh, no, no, no, no,

you misunderstand.

He gets it.

But the harder I push,

the more he pulls away

and I am not one for an

extended foreplay, brother.

I figured you would've

learned that by now (laughs).

But no worries.

I am an anticipation

of a smashingly good

cl*max without delay.

- It saddens me to see

how far you have fallen.

You have become blind

to true strength.

You seek strength through

power, cruelty, and anger.

True courage is derived

from those willing

to sacrifice everything no

matter the consequences.

The truly strong may

appear weak and timid,

but they move forward

despite the fear.

- (chuckles) You were always

the weakest of us, brother.

Oh, but these past

few hundred years

have made you a

preachy little fellow.

I am bored of this.

(water splashing)

- [The Vord] Sorry,

it's better this way.

Better than out there with them.

You have a million

questions, I get it.

But those who matter,

know you're with me.

- And your library ruse,

that's what we have here.

And you're tied to that chair

because you tried to leave.

Think of this place like

a protective custody.

And we're just waiting

for Maria to come home.

I can untie you now only if

you think you can trust me,

but if you try to do

anything stupid again,

I'll just figure you

prefer a jail cell.

Am I making myself clear?

- Yes.

- Good.

You must be hungry.

(Jillian whimpering)

And just so you know,

I am not without sympathy

for your predicament.

- Please just let

me call my parents.

Just one call.

- No, let's get you

something to eat.

(Frees knocking)

- [Frees] Hey,

buddy, you in there?

Your car's outside.

- Damn it, Frees.

- Is he one of them?

- That wanted you dead?

No.

Listen to me.

As long as you do what I say,

you never have to worry about

anyone hurting you again.

Get it?

- This doesn't feel right.

You're lying.

- Why don't you bet

your life on it?

- No, but when you found

me and chased them off,

you knew their names.

They were afraid of you.

Why?

(eerie music)

- I don't suppose you understand

what it's like to be caught

in two different worlds.

One you're born into,

the other, well, it wasn't

something I would've chosen.

Sometimes, the best thing we

can do is to live in both.

But it always comes with a cost.

You'll discover that, Jillian.

- I know what it's like.

- Then learning now like

I've been forced to-

- Yeah.

- Someday we all have to pay.

But life is

interesting, isn't it?

You think you have

it all figured out,

moving to a new direction,

then some as*h*le

pulls the rug out.

And that's when we learned

the hardest lessons.

- What lessons are

you talking about?

- We learned the difference

between wanting and needing.

We learned some things

are worth fighting for,

even though if doesn't

benefit us at all.

But losing feels like failure.

But it's actually victory.

Enough to chat.

I'm gonna go check on my buddy.

Stay here.

Don't move.

I'll be right back.

(anticipatory music)

(music continues)

- Oh!

(music continues)

(Jillian gasps)

(music continues)

- You promised nothing would

happen to me, you swore!

- Shut up girl, you've

caused enough problems.

Shut up and keep running

or something well.

- I'm done, I'm going home.

- You can't go home again.

You can't go, never.

Not ever.

Come on, hurry.

- Because I k*lled that man?

When I told you what I did,

you said I could trust you.

You people are all crazy.

You know, maybe I am

too, but I'm not stupid.

You did something with

the body, didn't you?

If you rat me out, I'm

gonna tell him what you did

and then you'll go to jail, too.

- Listen to me, you

stupid little girl.

What you did was a crime.

You're more used

out of jail than in,

so count yourself lucky on that.

If I were you, I wouldn't

be poking a bear out here

all alone in a cemetery.

- How do you figure?

- You're the bear, right?

No, you're nothing.

Nothing but a dried up old hag.

People love me.

No one loves you.

You're all alone.

All you have is

that Maria person.

Should I say, your

granddaughter?

Yeah, don't look so shocked.

I know all about that.

The Priest told me.

You b*tch.

(Jillian gasping)

- You're f*cking things

up again, Reperata.

- She has to come with me.

If we bring her to them,

they'll be satisfied.

Maria will be free.

- Again, you mean you.

Bringing her to them is

not gonna free anyone.

You know, I finally

see the truth.

- I can't trust you anymore.

- Trust?

You don't trust anyone.

Not even your God.

You know before Maria's

mother brought her to you,

you at least acted like

someone I could look up to.

Now, what the hell

happened to you?

- When I got out of the Asatru,

I found safety in the convent.

Now, I fight this w*r

in the name of my God.

(Sam scoffs)

I do what I have to

for those sent to me.

And I do what is needed to

become victor over the fallen.

- (chuckles) Gods

this and gods that.

Saints and demons,

blah, blah, blah.

Boring!

Oh, I'm the purest one of all.

(chuckles) I don't make a

pretense out of what I'm after.

Oh, no.

We carry the same shield.

And you, Reperata,

you're just the worst.

Finally, you can see me.

What's the matter?

Haven't I met your

imaginations expectations?

And while you may

think it's a good idea

to use this girl as

a bartering chip,

you fail to recognize we're

doing the exact same thing.

(chuckles) But it

doesn't matter.

No.

The Priest will have her

and that irksome little vord

can't do a blasted

thing about it.

- You can't harm Maria.

She has the mark,

the sign of Valhalla.

She belongs to Odin.

He choose what

happened, not you.

If she's sacrificed, you

know what will happen.

- Who told you this?

- I saw the mark.

- Lies!

- Truth.

Truth.

Huh, you're going

straight to Nostrom

where the walls are not gold

and no reward as you hoped.

No, no, no.

The walls and floors will

be covered in snakeskin

and gates sealed preventing you

from ever walking

among the living again.

Hm?

You'll be living in darkness

and everlasting nightmares,

surrounded by those

just like you,

murderers the most

vile and wicked.

That will be your

award if Maria dies.

- [Jillian] No, no (whimpers)!

No, no!

Ow, ow, ow!

- What the hell's going on?

- Just get back to your car

and get outta here, Frees.

- I don't think so, man.

Are you okay, Miss?

- I'm not asking anymore.

Get back to your f*cking

car and get outta here.

I got this.

- He took me, and he

won't let me go, please.

- She's been out here doing

things she shouldn't be doing.

We're going to take her home.

- Through the cemetery?

Nah, I ain't buyin' it.

What'd you do, m*rder someone?

What's your name girl?

- Jillian.

Promise I won't say anything

about any of this to anyone.

Just please take me home.

Come on girl, you're

coming with me.

- Oh, I asked you, man, and

I'm telling you again, okay?

Back to your car.

You know I don't need

to repeat myself.

- Come on, Jillian.

You're comin' with me.

You see my car over there?

Get in it.

Go, run.

Lock the doors.

Wait for me.

You better be here

when I get back.

I'm f*cking serious.

- It's all crumbling

around us, isn't it?

If you really wanted

to protect Jillian,

you would've handed her over

to your partner already.

But no, no.

You're afraid of what she's

going to say too, aren't you?

Let's get her the

hell out of the car.

Come on.

Come on!

- No, I'm done.

So are you.

(shot firing)

(pensive music)

(Jillian sobbing)

(music continues)

(water splashing)

(eerie music)

(voices whispering indistinctly)

(Jillian whimpering)

(music continues)

- Hi, kiddo (chuckles).

Comfy in there (chuckles)?

- No, no, you're dead.

- Oh, of course, I'm

dead, darling (chuckles).

- No, I can feel you.

- Oh.

- I thought I k*lled you.

- You k*lled me (laughs)?

No, that would've been

my brother's fault.

I was m*rder*d over a

woman, a damn woman.

Not even a particularly

pretty one at that (chuckles).

- No.

No, I k*lled you.

At least I thought I had.

You're crazy.

- That's been said.

"Oh, hello lady.

I'm not interested.

I'm taken.

Oh, put down the knife.

What are you doing

with that thing?

Oh, oh, do you stab me?

Why are you stabbing me?

Oh, stop stabbing me.

You're going to k*ll me!

(whimpers) Right in the heart.

You stabbed me,

I'm dead (laughs)."

- No, this is bullshit.

No.

This is total bullshit.

- Yeah.

- That nun and Officer Sam,

they put you up to

this, didn't they?

- Oh.

- They wanted me to

think I k*lled you.

- Nobody told me to do it.

I just did (chuckles).

That's one of my better

moments actually.

(sighs) But nobody

bothered to ask

why there was no bodies

in that alleyway,

no blood dripping from

the walls (chuckles).

No.

They use your confession,

and you (chuckles).

And they will again,

unless you put a stop to it

and find that priest.

Oh, oh, poor Jillian.

So lost, so misunderstood,

so alone, so used.

Oh, but they're over

there by the cliffs.

Oh, you could do

something about it.

Show them you're not anybody's

fool, rabbit (laughs).

(bird caws)

(eerie music)

(Maria gasping)

(music continues)

(music continues)

- Who are you?

- Oh, I have so many names,

but you can call me Draugr.

- [Maria] Draugr?

- Mama told you all about

me, didn't she (chuckles)?

- I hope I didn't hurt you.

I didn't know you wanted

to be here with us.

I couldn't be sure.

Here, let me see.

- Don't touch me.

I'm not surprised or afraid.

- And what do you feel?

- I feel sorry for you.

- Pity?

No, thank you.

I've already made my choice.

- Are you sure that everything

that you've done has

all been your choice?

Or maybe it has something

to do with that.

- [Father Payne] What

are you talking about?

- It's becoming rather annoying.

I figured he'd see me,

but it makes no nevermind.

My plan is going

quite swimmingly.

- He doesn't want to see you.

That's why he can't.

- What are you going on about?

- Draugr, right there.

Where I'm starting to

think has been all along,

pulling your strings.

- All right, this

little game of yours,

it's getting very, very tiring.

You think that I'm just going

to drop it and walk away?

If there was a foul one

here, I would know about it.

- Maybe that thing is

too weak to show itself.

- What are you smiling?

(Maria chuckles)

- Am I?

Am I?

(pensive music)

- Okay, no.

Just stop it.

Stop right now.

What is that?

It's just...

It's cold.

- Are you afraid?

Are you?

- No.

- And that's just mist.

That's all that is,

it's swamp lights.

- Come on man,

don't be a coward.

Don't be that monkey in a collar

she despised oh so much.

Oh, she wants you.

She's always wanted you.

Oh, fantasized about you in

her lonely little bed at night.

Oh, go on ask her.

- When this is all over,

you and I should reconsider.

Maybe there is something

to explore between us.

- (laughs) Atta boy.

It's just like riding

a bike, pedal faster.

Faster!

- Oh, enjoying

yourself foul one?

- All right, stop!

Stop right now.

Just (sighs)...

(voices whispering indistinctly)

- I'm going to make a fire

and wait for the

others to get here.

(whispering continues)

(music continues)

- What the holy hell

is this, Jordan?

Who are they?

Or what are they?

I mean, dead is

dead, but they ain't.

- Jordan?

Not Father Payne.

Interesting.

- I told you she has talents.

- Ignore it.

- Think of them

as parlor tricks.

More like echoes.

- Officer, go home.

As for you, Jordan, God

will sort it all out

when it's your turn to die.

- Frees, leave us.

No one needs to die here today.

- Ain't nobody dying

here today, right Jordan?

You know this ain't what

you told me, Jordan.

Jesus.

People ask me why I don't

believe there's a God.

You know what?

You're on your own.

I'm out.

I was never here.

- I cannot go any further.

Beyond this tree it will

not be sacred ground.

- "For show and go or be

stuck here as a guest."

- Do not quote from

that pagan book, woman.

- "He finds amongst

the bravest he fares

that the boldest

he shall not be."

You f*cking coward.

- Why are we here?

- For her.

But why can't she see me?

- Because you never saw her.

- You're with me, aren't you?

- "For he will command all

his angels concerning you

to guard you into all your ways.

On their hands, they

will bear you up,

lest you dash your foot

against the stove."

- And the same Bible says,

"Do not trust every spirit,

but rather test the spirits

to see if they are

delivered from God,

for many a false prophets

have wandered the earth."

Your little companion

lies, Maria.

- Enough with the whispering.

- Daddy, Daddy?

I miss you.

I know you're here.

- Grow up (laughs).

Nobody's coming to save you.

Daddy's right over

there by the tree line

with your mother and

that cowardly reverend.

Oh, like three vultures.

And your vord has had every

opportunity to save you.

But here you are.

Like you they're

waiting on somebody

to come and rescue them.

Waiting for somebody

to make the first move.

- I just wanna see my father.

(The Shadow laughs)

(gentle music)

- Daddy!

- Maria, wait.

Remember, remember this.

(Maria sobbing)

(gentle music)

(music continues)

- Mother, Mother,

if you're here,

if you can hear me,

Mother, I forgive you.

I forgive you, Mother.

I do (sobbing).

(music continues)

(music continues)

(voices whispering indistinctly)

(music continues)

(whispering continues)

(music continues)

(whispering continues)

(music continues)

(whispering continues)

(whispering continues)

- You will get used to it.

- What is this, purgatory?

- Something like that.

It could have been worse.

Bright side, sometimes

people do visit the graves.

They never stay alone,

but it is a distraction.

- He k*lled me, you know?

Right over there.

And he just took

off after Maria.

- There's been a lot of that

lately, don't you think?

- Yeah.

But for what? For this?

No, there has to be

something we can do.

- Well, you'll have

plenty of time now.

- For what?

- To learn patience.

(Mother Reperata scoffs)

Believe me, I clung to my piety.

That's why I'm stuck here.

- Look over there.

Here she comes again.

- Hm, the guilty

always visit the most.

- [Mother Reperata] Yeah.

- And here he comes.

- Yeah (chuckles).

- Just like clockwork.

- Yep.

She could have done better,

that one, foul mouthed and think

he's really something

with his g*n in his badge.

And really all he is is stupid

and clumsy and a coward.

(gentle music)

(pensive music)

- (sighs) So, this is

what it has come to.

A martyr dies again.

I have failed.

Brother!

(Sten screams)

Brother (sobbing)!

What have I done (sobbing)?

(Eva laughing)

(music continues)

(laughter echoing)

(music continues)

I will never find peace.

(sighs) I bargained

with The Dark Ones,

yet the living have won.

- No, brother.

Guilt is the only victor.

- I shall never walk the halls

of Valhalla like

you have brother.

Why?

Why can't I be forgiven?

- Because Eva,

you never asked.

(Eva breathing heavily)

(gentle music)

(music continues)

(water splashing)

(pensive music)

- Water.

Can I have some water?

Water?

(door creaks)

(ax scraping)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(Jordan sobbing)

I was spared for this?

Allow me a taste of what

life could be like again.

You gave me hope and

then you t*rture me

just to extract a large portion

of my suffering and

punish me (sobs).

Where is the mercy?

Forgiveness?

If you do this thing,

someone's going to pay.

(Jordan groans)

(pensive music)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(rain pattering)

- We pay now or we pay later.

But someone always must be paid.

(gentle music)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music continues)

- [Sten] "The people

who sat in darkness

have seen a great light.

And upon those who

sat in the region

and shadow of death,

light has sprung up."

(gentle music)

(music continues)

(music continues)

(music fades)

(mellow music)

(singer vocalizing)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(music continues)

(vocalizing continues)

(gentle music)

(music continues)

(music fades)

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