In the Lost Lands (2025)

[bunniefuu]

( music playing )

If you've got the time

and the stomach for it,

I've got a story for you.

A tale of magic and witches,

of quests and of monsters.

Of good and of evil.

But make no mistake.

This is no fairy tale.

And there are no happy endings.

( music continues )

( thunder )

( music continues )

The world you know is gone,

consumed by the flames

of a great w*r long ago

when death

rained from the sky.

All that's left now

are the Lost Lands,

filled with twisted creatures

that dwell in the shadows.

What remains of humanity

takes refuge in a single city.

Long ago, a mysterious witch,

Gray Alys,

emerged from the Lost Lands.

( bell tolling )

This is the story

of how we met

and how she saved

the both of us.

( grunts )

Stop your work!

Stop your work!

Let this be an example to all.

No one shall defy the church.

They say you can buy anything

you might desire from Gray Alys.

But it's better not to.

And still the people

seek your help.

They're ignorant,

uneducated.

Some are poor, some rich.

All are desperate.

I refuse no one.

Do you know what the church says

about the likes of you?

I'm sure

you're going to tell me.

That you are of the devil

and it's our duty

to root you out.

In the name of the Overlord,

ruler of

the City Under The Mountain,

High Priest of the Faith,

I sentence you, Gray Alys,

to death by hanging.

( scattered shouts, cheering )

Repent, woman.

( gurgling )

( heart beating )

( exhales )

( heartbeat increasing )

( grunting )

( heart beating )

( grunts )

( panting )

( clamoring )

What is happening to me?

You cannot be trusted.

You're a sl*ve to the witch.

( clamoring continues )

Hunt her down.

To me.

( screaming )

- ( blade slashes )

- ( squelching, grunting )

Show yourself, witch.

Do it.

Do it.

Witch!

I will find you.

You will burn in hell.

You will burn in hell, witch!

( crowd chanting )

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

The witch that will not hang.

( chanting continues )

( whinnies )

If a man wanted

to ambush another man,

this would be

the perfect spot.

Jump him while his eyes were

still adjusting to the dark.

Maybe even bring three,

four friends.

Make sure the job

got done right.

( hissing )

( knuckles crack )

( groans )

( snakes hissing )

This thing has never worked.

- ( sputtering )

- ( hissing )

But this never fails.

( thunder )

Gray Alys.

Did you recognize my footsteps?

No. Your kindness.

This city gets

worse and worse,

but you have always

been so generous

ever since I was a child.

Only to you.

You never ask anything of me.

Strange.

You sound no different

to when I was young,

but you must

be old now like me.

Older.

Much older.

- I am Jerais.

- Captain of the Overwatch.

Have you come on behalf

of the Overlord?

Or perhaps his queen?

What brings you

to visit one like me?

It is said that for a price,

you grant wishes.

What do you wish to buy?

Leave us.

I'm not sure if that is wise.

Some say you came

from the Lost Lands

and that you know the things

that live there.

Dark, unnatural things.

Is this what

you want from me?

To tell you fairy tales?

I want from you the power

to become a beast, Gray Alys.

To be more than human.

Does that shock you?

I have seen too much

to be shocked so easily.

So you can sell me

the secret of shapeshifting?

To a wolf?

Are you certain you want

what you ask for?

You might not be happy

with what you receive.

- This is not your concern.

- I am compelled to help,

- but I warn all who come to me.

- I'm not all.

Mm.

Will you accept my offer?

I refuse no one.

I'll hire a hunter.

We'll find you a shapeshifter

and take its power.

Give me until the full moon

and I will bring you

what you desire.

Where will you go?

To the Lost Lands.

( clicking )

What is it, Jerais?

Do you refuse no one?

No one.

Then accept it as my payment.

I wish to buy for myself.

This timepiece has been

in my family for generations.

It's my most valuable

possession.

And what do you wish for?

I want you to fail her.

The Overwatch

is sworn to loyalty,

yet you betray your queen.

I am loyal.

I know what's good for her

better than she knows herself.

This power that she seeks

will destroy her.

I only want to help.

You lie, Jerais.

You reek of jealousy.

I will not argue with you.

If you will not sell to me,

I will leave.

I refuse no one.

You shall have

what you want.

( wolf howling )

( growling )

( growling, snarling )

( screaming )

( roars )

Man: I'm sorry.

What is it you want?

Help me.

sh*t.

Did you wet yourself again?

Can't you use the bell,

you old disgusting fool?

The mighty Overlord.

Hard to believe

you built all this.

And that they still fear you.

You're nothing more

than a filthy pig,

just like all men.

Woman: My queen?

All men, except for one.

Don't leave yet.

I have to.

Before they see me.

I can't stay here.

Hurry back. Please.

I will.

Perhaps.

Halt in the name

of the Overlord.

What are you doing here?

The stronger the spirits,

the weaker the senses.

You're coming with us.

( screaming )

( both screaming )

( groans )

That was half full.

( music playing )

I hear you're a hunter,

that you travel the Lost Lands.

I have use of such a man.

Came here to play cards,

not to talk.

All in.

You ready to talk now?

What's your name?

Boyce.

I'm looking for a guide.

Someone who knows

the Lost Lands.

- I'm expensive.

- I have money.

I know you do.

Most of it's mine.

Are you worth it?

Would you be here

talking to me if I wasn't?

Lost Lands'

no place for city folk.

Why is that?

Because they're weak.

Do I look weak to you?

Look.

Outside these walls,

the laws of the city,

of man, even of nature,

they don't apply.

So whoever

you think you are here,

out there you'd

just be a hindrance.

Let's make a deal.

If I ever slow you down,

you have my permission

to leave me behind.

And I'll do the same to you.

Why do you want

to leave the city?

I'm looking for a man

who can turn into a beast.

All men are beasts.

But not all men are monsters.

You're looking

for a shapeshifter.

Yes. I need to k*ll it

in its lair to take its power.

I've heard of such a man.

What do you know of him?

They call him Sardor,

the Great Wolf.

Where does this man,

this Sardor, live?

In a place called Skull River.

Skull River.

( growling )

That's my destination.

Not many have

travelled there.

- No one's come back.

- Guide me...

and this can be yours.

I've heard of these.

Never seen one.

I'll take it.

And the coin

you stole from me.

You'll receive your payment

once I get to Skull River.

( shouting, blades slashing )

Friends of yours?

Yeah, I don't have

many friends.

Me neither.

g*n!

( hissing )

( screaming )

Find them.

That b*tch k*lled my snake!

( bell tolling )

No one shall defy the Church.

It is the Church

that protects the peace

of this city with its laws.

The Church that puts fear

into the hearts of the godless.

The Church that keeps the evils

of the Lost Lands at bay.

We are God's instruments,

placed on this earth to protect

you from such evils.

Hunt down the sinners,

the heretics, and the witches.

Bring them to me

and you shall be rewarded.

Gray Alys, with a man.

They left the city together.

The people lose respect for us.

"The Witch That Will Not Hang."

Gray Alys has become

a symbol of their defiance.

She left you alive on

that cross to humiliate us.

This woman needs to die.

( woman gasps )

There is another matter.

( grunts )

( woman sobs )

- What is this?

- Tell him.

( woman sobbing )

( groaning )

- Tell him.

- ( groaning )

A man and a woman

went to see her.

I heard their names.

It was Jerais and the queen.

If the queen has been

consorting with a heretic,

it would be her downfall.

Make sure the witch

makes a full confession

before she hangs.

No mistakes.

( hissing )

No good.

Never saw a man get emotional

about a snake before.

I'm not emotional, it just--

It was a damn good snake,

that's all.

Here. The pin was bent.

It should work well now.

As long as you stop

beating men to death with it.

A clever man might choose

to k*ll his client on the road

and take his payment early.

( squealing )

But no one ever accused me

of being a clever man.

( squeals )

( clicking )

( music playing )

( music continues )

This is Ross's place.

He and his sister Mara

are old friends of mine.

Are we?

- Hey, Ross.

- ( chuckles )

It's good to see you.

And Mara.

- Welcoming as ever.

- It's been a while.

You look soft.

The City has been

treating you well.

- As have the women, I bet.

- Mm.

Ooh-ooh!

Uh, meet my traveling

companion Gray Alys.

Ross: Welcome.

A friend of Boyce

is a friend of ours.

The powers I want from Sardor

will be strongest in his lair.

How much longer

till Skull River?

- A week, maybe longer.

- I need him as a wolf,

so we need to get there

before the full moon.

That won't be easy.

Well, if it was easy,

I wouldn't need you.

The only way would be

following the train tracks.

The tunnels cut

through the mountains.

It'd be dangerous, but we'd

save maybe a day or two.

( whispering )

I have something I wanted you...

Yeah.

You need another drink.

Always happy to see me.

It gets boring out here.

Lucky her.

So, who is this woman

you're traveling with?

None of your concern.

Do you like her?

Not the way I like you.

Ah.

Will it be another year

until I see you again?

Mm. If I'm still alive.

One year-- a long time

in the Lost Lands.

You come, you go.

I don't know

anything about you.

What do you want to know?

Do you ever get lonely?

I do.

Let me tell you

about loneliness.

Think of a child...

out there in the darkness.

Afraid.

His parents beaten to death

right in front of his eyes.

The boy travels

the wasteland,

hiding from the outlaws

and the raiders

during the day,

and the creatures

and the ghouls at night.

Till one day

that boy becomes a man,

and his heart

and his mind harden.

But still he travels on,

silently,

scared to get close to anyone

for fear of losing them.

That is loneliness.

And that little boy was you.

No. Hell no. Of course not.

I've never cried

a day in my life.

You really don t know

anything about me.

( clicking )

( horse whinnies )

Boyce: Those are the last

friendly faces we'll see.

There's only the Lost Lands

ahead of us now.

( bird caws )

( music playing )

( music continues )

What are you doing here?

Offering a prayer for

the Overlord's swift return.

Patriarch, the train

and a large contingent

of your enforcers

have left the city.

- Who authorized this?

- I did.

- Where are they going?

- To catch the witch Gray Alys.

- She is wanted for heresy.

- Your men are needed here.

There is growing unrest

in the streets.

You leave us vulnerable,

Patriarch.

Witchcraft is

punishable by death,

both for the witch

and all who consort with her.

I do not care about her

or what she does.

- And why is that?

- Do not question me.

- I speak for the Overlord.

- Forgive me.

But you are right,

these are dangerous times.

The Overlord's hand

is losing its grip.

I see defiance everywhere.

- And there are rumors.

- What rumors?

- I cannot.

- What rumors?

Of your infidelity.

Nothing but lies.

Yes. Vile words spoken

by the basest of tongues.

But even amongst the scum

and rabble, lies have power.

Patriarch: The queen is guilty

of consorting with a witch.

I see it clearly now.

Bring me Gray Alys

and her confession.

I will do the rest.

The Overlord is dying,

and with no heir,

the queen is weak.

Soon, there will be

a new day in the city.

And with the new dawn,

a new Overlord.

( music playing )

- ( whip cracks )

- ( man screams )

Aah! Please!

- God.

- No!

I told you all I know!

Aah! I swear!

No! No!

- No! Stop! No!

- ( sizzling )

Skull River!

That's where they're going.

Skull River!

That's where they're going.

Burn it.

( music continues )

( clicking )

Do you have a family

out here, Boyce?

Like a home?

The Lost Lands

are a lonely place.

The city, too.

They call it the Rift.

There's a place up ahead where

we can make a safe crossing.

Sirus!

Where you at, old man?

That's my friend's cable car.

Old Sirus will take us over

for a silver coin.

He keeps fresh horses

on the other side.

You're paying.

Sirus?

Sirus?

Wait here.

( clattering )

( c*ck g*n )

Boyce?

Seems Sirus had visitors.

So do we.

So you're Boyce. The Hunter.

We asked the old man

if you had already crossed.

He wasn't very helpful.

I always liked Sirus.

Who is that with you, hunter?

None of your tricks, witch.

You can't look us in the eye.

Hand her over

and we'll let you live.

There's a bounty on her head.

Sorry, she hired me first.

A man of principle.

Who'd have thought?

Give us the witch

or you both die.

No.

No one shall defy the Church.

You say you're servants of God?

What kind of God is this?

The vengeful kind.

You came here

looking for a monster.

Now you found one.

Boyce...

Behold.

A resurrection.

No!

( shouting )

- ( shouting )

- ( grunts )

Boyce, we have to go.

Let's go!

( cranking )

( music playing )

- ( shouting )

- Quick!

( shouting )

( shouting )

( music continues )

( grunting )

( screaming )

( screaming )

( screaming )

( machine g*nf*re )

- ( grunts )

- ( screams )

Cut the cable.

Cut the cable!

( grunting )

Cut it!

( screaming )

( screaming )

We have to climb!

Come on!

( heart beating )

( heartbeat increasing )

( groans )

Why didn't she finish me?

She tried.

A witch, indeed.

( chuckles )

How do we cross?

We have to go around.

Then let's move.

They'll be headed

for the mountains.

No. Hell is where

they re headed.

( thunder )

You all right?

Drunk.

Thank you.

I could've died back there.

No, you couldn't.

Not until you get me

to Skull River.

( panting )

Okay. I'm ready.

( groaning )

Would you mind

stitching me up?

Of course.

I think I'd like

to pass out now.

( creaking )

Nice work.

Still hurts.

Drink this.

( sighs )

You're thinking

about your friends?

I'm sorry.

Ross was a good man.

Known him a long time.

Mara.

I'm going to k*ll them

for what they did.

Why do you travel

out here, Boyce?

I love the city, the people,

a strong drink, good food.

Yet a part of me

only feels at home here.

Listening to the wind.

Watching the shadows.

See there, Gray Alys?

See the way the lights

shimmer and shift?

You can see shapes in them

if you look long enough.

Yes.

It's beautiful.

I knew you'd see.

We're alike, you and I.

In our blood.

We're two of a kind.

I could see it in your eyes.

( sighs )

( clicking )

Woman: You are pregnant.

( sighs )

You may go now.

Did you hear?

Of course, you didn't.

We have an heir.

Not that you had

anything to do with it.

Do you want to know

who the father

of the new Overlord is?

Boyce.

That's his name.

A simple hunter.

I once was

a simple girl myself.

Look at me now.

( groaning )

( music playing )

The train.

We'll need to take the pass

or they'll run us down.

It'll be dangerous.

When night falls,

demons roam these mountains.

We have no choice.

( horse whinnies )

( music continues )

( horse panting )

This is where

we make a stand.

Help me with these.

We need a fire all night.

Flame is the only thing

they fear.

We don't have long.

( unsheathes weapons )

Prepare yourself.

( skittering )

( skittering continues )

( snarls )

( snarls )

( shrieking )

Here they come.

( screeching )

( grunts )

( snarls )

( grunting )

( snarls )

Gray Alys.

You should not have

come back here.

( heart beating )

( heartbeat increasing )

( music playing )

Leave him.

Boyce!

Help me! Boyce!

( screaming )

( screaming )

( music continues )

The fire from your hands,

I didn't feel it.

There was no fire.

It couldn't have hurt us,

but to them the illusion

was real enough.

Why do you suffer then?

The powers I wield

come at a price.

I heard the monster

talking to you.

He knew me.

A long time ago.

How?

There is a great treasure

inside of this place.

An immense power.

A man came to me.

He was greedy,

power hungry.

They all are.

But I can refuse no one,

so I helped him.

But this place is poison.

It turned him and his men

into what you saw.

He shouldn't have

asked me for help.

No one should ever

ask me for help.

I should just be left alone.

You're with me now.

( clicking )

There are tracks

to the west.

They are close.

( music playing )

The Overlord is dead,

but the queen is with child!

All hail the new Overlord!

( gasping, screaming )

The Overlord is dead!

( droning )

All hail the new Overlord.

And all hail the queen.

( droning )

All hail the queen.

Hail the Overlord

and hail the queen.

Thank you, Patriarch.

Now we both

have what we wanted.

You have your heir

and I have his power.

16 years until your child

will be of age.

We couldn't ask

for his authority

to be in better hands.

You are too kind.

I wouldn't have

anything, Patriarch,

not without your wise advice

and unfailing support.

- I hope that will never change.

- Your loyal servant.

Always.

The dirty wh*re sits upon

the throne of the city.

An affront to all

that is good and pure.

Our time is running out.

Her power grows stronger

by the day.

Find me the witch.

Bring me her confession.

Then the witch and the wh*re

will hang together.

But hurry.

Do you hear me? Hurry!

Tomorrow we'll

reach Skull River.

- Will he be there?

- Sardor?

I don't know. I hope not.

I need to face him alone.

Then you will die.

One always has to die.

This is madness.

You should leave.

You did what I paid you to do.

I never should have

accepted your offer.

But you did.

Leave, Boyce.

- Save yourself.

- No.

Forget this. Turn around.

I cannot.

Why?

Because I have no choice.

No one should ever

ask me for help.

Gray.

Come back.

With me.

Don't you understand, Boyce?

I'm cursed.

No one should ever

get close to me.

I don't care.

( clicking )

( bells tolling )

The Patriarch

calling to the faithful.

This is the moment

we've been working for.

What we've been dreaming of

since we were small,

looking up at this place.

But he can take

it all away from us.

My Overwatch

outnumber his men now.

But he is still dangerous.

Would you do

anything for me?

Anything.

You are my good soldier.

Gray Alys: You're quiet.

Skull River lies up ahead.

( rumbling )

They're coming.

We can't outrun 'em.

We won't have to.

- The Witch!

- Yes!

Patriarch:

Our time is upon us.

Make haste!

Do you hear me?

Make haste!

You will not escape us

this time!

There will be

a new day in the city.

Repent, Witch!

( music playing )

No!

( grunting )

( music continues )

( screaming )

Without the witch,

we must take the throne

by force.

Assemble my guard.

Do you hear me?

Brothers? Brothers, to me!

There is no use.

Your brothers are dead.

- You heretic.

- ( groans )

In the name of the Overlord,

protector of

the City Under The Mountain,

I hereby sentence you,

Patriarch, to death.

Gray Alys: My God.

How many has he k*lled?

Everyone that's come

against him.

( growling )

Look at all this.

Someone lives here.

Sardor.

This fire hasn't

been lit in weeks.

Tonight will be

the full moon.

He will come then.

It's not too late

to turn back.

We could leave now.

You think he would let us?

Do you think

he's not watching us?

You could go.

I could hold him back.

No.

It is too late for that.

( thunder )

It will be a full moon tonight.

You're still thinking

about that witch.

She promised me.

You don't need

what she promised.

You have everything now.

Not everything.

( thunder )

Silver?

Silver.

Your weapons will be useless.

They've come against him

with silver.

Silver swords, silver knives,

arrows tipped with silver.

They're all dust now,

all those brave,

silvered warriors.

Please, don't do this.

We have no choice.

( thunder )

I think he is very

close now, Boyce.

What say you?

Not yet.

There's still time, Gray.

I think you lie, hunter!

- ( panting )

- There was never any Sardor.

- ( panting )

- Only you.

You knew? You knew what I was?

( gasping, panting )

I cared for you.

All this time,

you tried to deceive me.

You thought

you could bring me here

and k*ll me like the rest!

You shouldn't have ever

come here-- here, Gray Alys.

I tried to warn you.

( screams, groans )

( screaming )

( roars )

( growling )

( growling )

( roars )

( grunting )

( roars )

( heart beating )

( music playing )

( Gray Alys screaming )

- ( shrieking )

- ( roars )

( music continues )

( Gray Alys grunts )

( Gray Alys screams )

- ( screaming )

- ( roars )

( roars )

( coughing )

Calm.

You need to rest while

the moon is still covered.

You have a gift I'd k*ll for.

You change at will,

full moon or not.

No. It was just an illusion.

To distract you,

to leave you vulnerable.

We're the same, Gray.

- Don't you see?

- Yes.

Two of a kind.

You are still weak.

Sleep.

( clinking )

Untie me.

( grunts )

I don't understand.

Why? You saved me.

You would not

like my answer, Boyce.

It's the moon.

Are you afraid of what'll

happen if I change again?

I won't harm you, Gray Alys.

- Not now.

- I do not fear you, Boyce.

I know you too well.

I learned all your

weaknesses along the way.

I even added to them.

What are you talking about?

I'm so sorry.

Your fate was sealed

when you met me.

( music playing )

( no audible dialogue )

( music continues )

( gasping )

You were right, Boyce.

Silver weapons

were not enough.

You poisoned me?

I had to put silver

in your blood.

Why didn't

you just let me die?

Because dead things

have no power.

Wait, wait, wait!

Wait, wait.

You-- you have

to grant my wish.

You can refuse no one.

Those are your words.

- What do you wish for, Boyce?

- I want you.

I want us to be together.

I want us to hunt together,

to fight together.

To find an end

to all this loneliness?

Yes, you want it, too,

I know it.

I refuse no one.

But there is a price

to be paid.

Name it. Anything.

Very well.

( music playing )

- ( Boyce screams )

- ( squelching )

( snarling )

( roars )

( roaring, seething )

( roars )

( music playing )

( music continues )

- The witch is back!

- It's her! It's her!

- She's back!

- She's back! The witch!

( chanting )

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- Get back to work!

- ( chanting continues )

- ( grunts )

- ( screaming )

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- ( screaming )

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- Down with the Overlord!

Down with the Church!

Down with the Overlord!

Down with the Church!

Down with the Overlord!

Down with the Church!

Down with the Overlord!

Down with the Church!

- ( chanting continues )

- ( g*nf*re )

( clamoring continues )

( crowd cheering )

Take this.

Tell the queen to cut herself,

to drip her own blood

onto the skin and wear it.

Tonight will be the end

of the lunar cycle.

She must do it

before the end of night.

Then the power will be hers.

Wolf skin?

The skin of a shapeshifter

k*lled in its lair.

Well, Gray Alys, you have

done what she asked of you,

but you have failed me.

I did not pay you for success.

Now, give me

my timepiece back.

No, Jerais. I've earned it.

But I did not get

what I asked for.

But you got

what you wanted.

- And what is that?

- The queen herself.

There was a man,

the father of her child.

You wanted her, but knew

he stood in your way.

I have changed that.

( distant g*nf*re )

Who was this man?

- ( g*nf*re continues )

- ( distant scream )

What was his name?

His name was Boyce.

No!

She k*lled Boyce!

No, please.

It could never have been.

What are you talking about?

He was a beast.

Beast?

What do you know of it?

He twisted you. You changed.

You did this.

I did what I had to do.

I protected you.

- You betrayed me.

- No, no. I--

You had him k*lled.

The father of my child!

- Please.

- No!

I would do anything for you.

Then die for me.

I did this for you, Boyce.

So we could be together,

hunt together.

( sobbing )

( music playing )

( crowd chanting )

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

The Witch That Will Not Hang!

- ( shouting )

- ( screaming )

( music continues )

Down with the Overlord!

( g*nf*re )

( shouting, clamoring )

( echoing breaths )

( music playing )

So, how'd you like my story?

I still don't know how it ends.

Maybe with me

skinning you alive,

just like you did to me.

I'm not sure

I like that ending.

Too bad.

I knew you were

the queen's lover.

- Don't leave yet.

- You know what I am.

- I can't stay here.

- You said the only woman

you could truly love

would be someone like you.

- You are not that.

- But what if I could be?

I want from you the power

to become a beast, Gray Alys.

- I refuse no one.

- I want you to fail her.

- I refuse no one.

- I want you.

I refuse no one.

Gray Alys: I knew

that the queen's desires

would lead to revolution.

And that she would

never wear your skin.

I knew you would live.

You're lying.

Just like I know

that'll misfire.

( clicks )

They say you can buy

anything you might desire

from Gray Alys...

( screams )

...but it is better not to.

And isn't this

what we wished for?

( music playing )

( both laughing )

( music playing )

( music continues )

( music continues )

( music playing )

( music continues )