Bloodlands (2025)

[bunniefuu]

There used to be four tribes here.

But the big Mountain

w*r destroyed two of them.

In the end, there was only us

and the tribe of the Dog Bones,

but remember:

Not people wage w*r.

It is the ghosts that fight each other

and the people's favor is their prize.

Are there no strong warriors amongst you?

I see, there are no more Arrow People left,

brave enough to fight me.

This day and this entire highland

belongs to us, the Dog Bones!

Ha! Now the Arrow People

are even sending their children!

You are no warrior! You're a nobody.

And thus, this shall be your name forever!

You're a nobody.

Many winters have come and gone.

And now the Dog Bones are defeated too.

Yes, the "Black Sickness" k*lled them.

No. They were already lost,

when you broke their pride.

It's been a long time since the giant fell.

You know, we ate and slept.

And all was good.

But now I saw the end of this calm.

Do you remember when people

came from the land of the rising sun?

Yes. They brought the "Black Sickness."

Many Dog Bones have died.

And these strangers were not evil people.

No. They were good people.

But now everything will change,

because in the dream I saw dark warriors.

That is why we are now

climbing the mountain of spirits.

For you, my friend, will

walk the way of the warrior.

You said it: I ate and slept.

I saw many suns and

moons and my power is gone.

So how am I still to walk

the path of the warrior?

Your power is still there.

Use it,

because the time for

eating and sleeping is over.

Believe me, friend, your world

will decay.

Friend

What happened?

Dead! They are all dead!

What are you saying?

You don't know?

You know that I've been traveling far.

I was with Ghost Tongue

on the holy mountain.

But you are alone!

Where is Ghost Tongue?

He was k*lled.

By whom?

I don't know. But I heard a strange noise

Then it was one of those

ghosts with white hair.

Their beasts make this noise.

They are big deer without antlers.

What are you saying?

I was hunting and heard the screaming.

I saw everything.

But I couldn't do anything.

They rounded up everyone,

cut their heads off

and threw their bodies into the fire.

It's useless to go there.

There's nothing left.

This ash is all that's left

of my wife and children!

What do we do?

We go and k*ll these foes.

We are too weak.

A man is nothing without his people.

But our people is dead.

We are dead.

No, we are alive!

You see? We are alive!

It's been a long time

since you lost your people

and you were a warrior

I, however, am merely a hunter.

Believe me, I am dead.

Yesterday this foe

took my wife and my children

We are all dead

And I am tired.

You want to take the path of the warrior?

I have seen the horror!

The enemy is too strong.

You will die!

You're saying that we're already dead.

Will I die a second time?

This land is all we know.

Leaving it would be dumb.

This is madness!

You are a dumb warrior!

Hey! You hear me?

Go then! Go!

A dumb warrior is what you are!

Yes, a dumb warrior.

My poor friend

I am sorry...

Ghosts of the Light. I am very sad.

Why?

Tell me why!

We are now the last of the Arrow People.

What shall I do?

Perish as well?

Die?

No, I shall not perish.

I am alive

Until this foe perishes.

I am leaving this old world.

And in the new one, there

shall be no more brood

like you anymore.

I will

k*ll you.

And I will follow you

to the edge of the world.

I will...

I will

k*ll my enemies!

No good luck in hunting?

No deer? No hare?

No. As you can see!

So fish again!

What are you doing?

I am burying my brother, your father!

Now? Are you crazy?

Do you want the

Whiteskulls to eat us as well?

You don't tell me

what to do, daughter of my brother!

Man, woman!

You understand? I say what to do!

Where are you going?

I can't stand you any longer!

A woman must listen!

You don't tell me what to

do. You've been shunned.

You and my father.

And I had to go with you!

Yes! Be glad and grateful.

Otherwise the "Black Sickness"

would have gotten you as well.

And you'd be dead!

Like the others.

Give me your bow! You know, mine broke.

I know!

Then make a new one!

b*tch!

You hear me? You're a b*tch!

b*tch!

Hrst du? Du bist ein Drecksstck! b*tch!

What should I do?

Tell me, my forefathers!

Where should I go?

Talk to me, Ghosts of the Light

I am going to starve if I stay here.

I am going to starve if I stay here.

I am going to starve if I stay here.

Help me

The strange warriors do not know

that everything needs to be in harmony.

They take and give nothing in return.

They don't know about the

things that connect everything.

They hide their faces

and they live like locusts

What do these strange warriors want?

The land. The people. Everything.

And they want to take

from you what you are.

How?

First, they take your face

And you will keep silent out of shame.

Then, they will break your spirit,

and you will listen like a child.

And finally, they take your heart,

so you will serve them

and they will own you

I know you believe me.

But your brothers and

sisters did not believe me.

They will only see,

when it's already too late.

But you see it now.

That's why I went with you

to this mountain far away.

Unfortunately, most people

prefer to serve and obey.

I will serve no one!

No one!

What is a girl doing all by herself

in these bad parts of the land?

Girl? Are you blind?

Can't you see that I am a warrior?

Surely you are.

You speak the language

of the Mountain Land?

I do not know another language.

Be aware, Little Warrior.

An evil foe is roaming the land.

Is that supposed to be something new?

They are different.

I am following them

but I lost track because of the rain.

The only enemies I

know are the Whiteskulls.

Whiteskulls?

Haven't seen any yet?!

I'll tell you later. Do

you have fire stones?

Then make fire!

Get some firewood! I am hungry.

Come on! Chop chop!

Do you speak the language

of the Mountain Country?

But you don't belong to

the tribe of the Dog Bones.

No. We are Breadeaters.

Ah, you're this people

who eat grass like the animals do.

Stupid hunter! Not the

grass Just its grain.

You have surrendered to the grass.

And you? Dog Bones?

Arrow sh**ter.

And why are you wearing a strange face?

It has been given to us.

So we'd be ready.

Ready for what?

For the new day.

And what are you doing here?

We are waiting.

What for?

For the new day.

Let him go. He does not

belong to the new day.

But we shall be healthy and safe.

Enough now! Go! Go, get lost!

Or do you want to get us sick?

You are not wearing the strange face!

Yes. You are traveling without protection.

That's why you are a danger

to us and all men!

Go! Be gone!

And don't ever come back!

And don't ever come back!

So not all Dog Bones have died off.

Why are you alone?

Why are you alone?

I can see you are one of them.

Has the sickness taken your father too?

No He was eaten.

Oh! Wolves?

Whiteskulls.

What are Whiteskulls? Will you tell me?

Yes! Tell me about those Whiteskulls

They are evil.

Hey, Warrior! Do you believe

in the Ghosts of the Light?

What do the Whiteskulls have

to do with the Ghosts of the Light?

I see the stars. But I have

never seen the ghosts.

And if the Ghosts of the Light

really exist, then they are weak.

Why else would creatures

like the Whiteskulls

or the "Black Sickness" exist?

The strange men were not evil.

And still they brought

us the "Black Sickness",

that k*lled our people

Believe me, the "Black

Sickness" is horrible.

I know.

Old men like you shouldn't take

the path of the warrior anyway.

They are supposed to

tell tales by the wintery fire.

Or do you not know any stories?

Ha! You don't know any,

because you spent your

life gathering firewood!

But you are alright.

At least, you're easy to talk to.

That's a relief.

Thank you, Warrior!

But know, two warriors

are stronger than one.

I will not go with old men.

Not even with you.

That would be a mistake, Little Warrior.

Don't worry. I do not need other warriors.

I am strong enough myself.

That's what you think.

Sleep now. I'll take the first watch.

You take over later.

Well, Little Warrior, You

call this keeping watch?

Your path is dangerous.

May the ghosts, in which

you don't believe, protect you.

The mist will defeat the sun

and night will come, when the horn blows

And men will be prisoners

And it's the strange horde

that will make this happen?

No. They just sow the storm.

The true evil will come after.

To rebuild what they had destroyed.

They want you to own nothing and to obey.

And if this happened, men would be happy.

They would be guided and led,

that they become one with their

plan and the eagle will be dead.

How could this be? To

whom will everything belong?

Why are you alone?

And why are you sad?

Because I couldn't stop the horn runner,

who carries doom. He didn't even listen.

He just ran passed me

He didn't even see me.

Is he the source of doom?

No. He's just the messenger.

But if no one hears him, doom may pass by.

Hey!

Do you speak the language

of the Mountain Land?

Friend?

Brother.

k*lled?

Yes. By Whiteskulls.

I have heard about them.

What kind of men are they?

The Whiteskulls are dumb but very evil.

No one knows where they suddenly came from.

All they eat is human flesh.

Human flesh? Why?

Name me an animal that's easier to catch!

We need to be careful.

They are dumb but still dangerous.

And who are you? What's your name?

The shunned ones are not

allowed to have a name anymore.

Oh you're shunned

And why are you wearing a strange face?

Because I have to.

It was a gift.

A gift? From whom?

You really want to know, don't you?

From a mighty ghost.

And you saw this ghost?

He came to me like a man.

And what does this strange face mean?

I obey and get protection

and strength in return.

How?

The enemy cannot see my face.

He's powerless.

But it also helps against the sickness,

because it doesn't know

who I am and how to find me.

This ghost and its

helpers want to protect us.

From the sickness

and everything bad.

I'm not going to hurt you.

So why don't you take

this strange face off,

so I can see your eyes.

You don't look so bad after all.

I heard about warriors.

I think they also wear strange faces.

They ride big deer without antlers.

In big numbers they

came to the Mountain Land.

I am looking for them. Have you seen them?

Do you want to go with them

and wear a strange face too?

Surely not!

Are they strong?

Yes. But they can be k*lled.

With this?

Ha!

Show it to me

Only once before I've

seen an axe like this.

It belonged to a strong warrior.

But he was k*lled by an honor less nobody.

Oh really? And did this

warrior have only one eye?

Yes! Did you know him?

No. I've heard of him.

Of course you have!

He was the strongest warrior

the mountain land has ever seen.

And still he was k*lled by a nobody.

Yes. And that little coward stole his axe.

Well, he didn't need it anymore.

I know, this axe is precious.

They say for the Dog Bones

it has the exchange value of a woman.

Then let us trade.

But you don't have a woman.

That's true.

Not long ago I had one,

that I could have given to you.

But I have other things. Precious things!

And can I k*ll my

enemies with those things?

I am giving you another

precious axe in return!

Why? I already have one.

Is that everything you have?

You don't even own a bow.

Aaaah! You're a bad warrior!

Bartering is an honorable thing!

But you want to keep

everything for yourself!

The bow broke.

My friend! Where are you?

My friend! Where are you?

Where are you?

I know, I was stupid. If only

I would have gone with you!

You hear me, Warrior?

I was stupid.

Yes! The warrior was right

and the hunter was stupid

Are you happy now?

I was stupid.

Fine.

You don't want to trade. It's your right.

Pardon my anger.

Warriors eat and drink together.

The warrior seems suspicious!

Your distrust is insulting me.

With distrust comes less death.

Aha Looks like I'm

dealing with a clever warrior

And now, eat! Enjoy!

Some men are smart, some are dumb.

Some men are smart, some are...

Did you really think I

didn't know who you are?

You're Nobody!

Everyone in the Mountain

Land knows about you,

ever since you k*lled

the one-eyed giant in the

Mountain w*r when you were a kid.

Never could I have k*lled you in battle.

But you are dumb and I am smart!

Look at me, forefathers!

And be proud!

For your son has avenged the giant!

Nobody has been defeated!

But you know what? I will spare you

Look at me!

But you know what? I will spare you

I will spare you

Only the snake will not.

Once the sun has set, you will be dead!

Dead! Yes! Nobody will be dead!

You hear me, Warrior?

Your death will be horrible!

Come to me, Warrior!

Who are you?

I am guiding the lost.

Will you come with me?

I can't. I have to go. They called for me.

Don't go! Don't answer the calling!

You have to leave. And

run as fast as you can.

You were called,

but, that is the wrong way!

Come! Come to me!

Come to me!

Did you call for me?

Yes. Welcome, Warrior!

Where am I? In the land of the forefathers?

No. That's across the river.

But you will not find it.

Why not?

Because I'm not letting you

For I will take you to Bloodlands,

where the warriors live

and the k*lling never stops.

Don't listen, Warrior!

They say you are a great warrior

How foolish!

w*r doesn't make a man great.

I, however, love w*r. So come with me!

No, that's the wrong way!

He is evil! Don't go with him!

It's not a nice place,

where he wants to take you.

Follow me, Warrior, follow me!

I can't. My legs keep getting heavier.

Yes! You can. You have to!

Stay, Warrior! Stay!

You have to run away.

Quick! Go to the holy water!

I'm so tired!

You have to fight it!

Go to the holy water. It will save you.

I know your heart is strong.

Watch out, Warrior

And know: I will be waiting

for you! We will meet again!

Take it!

Powerful!

Take it!

Powerful!

Against the sickness!

You're taking my arms?

Again, you want to keep

everything for yourself!

You're a bad warrior!

And how am I supposed to defend

myself against the Whiteskulls?

How much farther do I have to go?

To the edge of the world?

Nothing ever ends, my friend.

So there is something beyond the mountains?

There is always something beyond.

The land of the forefathers?

Yes. The day of the sun.

But there are also places so gruesome,

you cannot imagine.

Yes, I know. And our enemies

Are they from this gruesome place?

No. They serve terror without

understanding its meaning.

They think they're powerful

But they are merely servants.

But if this evil is so powerful,

how can I and the Mountain

Land matter so much?

Even if you don't understand...

Exactly here, everything will be decided.

You tell many strange things, dear friend

And you're not even here.

Hey, what's this?

I drink water.

What are you doing here?

Ah You belong to the Swamp Warriors.

I thought

the Swamp Warriors

died in the Mountain w*r.

You speak our language?

Then, I'm telling you:

You're drinking our water!

The water belongs to us!

This is not swampland.

But it's our land.

Why is it your land?

Because I say so!

I don't want any trouble I will

find water somewhere else.

You already drank from it.

Both of you will die!

We wear strange faces. We are invincible!

Stop, you toad!

Invincible, my a*s.

Damned!

Is this the power that I

have been promised?

A single arrow?

Not even snake venom is any good anymore.

Whiteskulls!

Who gave you this?

I don't know.

You don't know?

It's a long story.

You are a long story.

Look after it.

It possesses great powers

and will be able to save you

when your axe won't.

Who are you?

I am...

I am the Mistress of the Winds.

I live here.

And you speak my language?

Well, I speak many languages.

I've been waiting for you.

And now, eat!

All for you

You won't be starving

nor suffering with me.

I am the source

and I will shelter you from the storm.

You have seen many winters.

Your body must be aching.

Tonight I shall free you from this pain.

Are you a ghost?

Ghosts cannot eat.

And now, drink!

Drink!

You have tasted my potion.

Time and the world

no longer matter to you.

From now on you shall

only eat and sleep. And love.

For I have the power and courage

to love a warrior.

With me, you will no longer

feel distress or sorrow

What a shame!

Masks are useless!

And I have the power to

bestow upon you a long life.

All this I want to give to you,

if you love me and rule with me.

I don't want to rule. I

want to k*ll my enemies.

And the Mistress of the

Winds will not stop me.

So be it. And therefore I suggest a trade:

I shall sew a garment for

you, that holds great powers.

Once I have completed

this garment, you may leave.

Bartering is an honorable thing. So be it.

I've been eating and sleeping

For far too long!

You have time. They will never find us.

Remember our deal! The

garment is not finished

You've been working for

so long on this garment,

yet your work never seems to be completed.

Don't go! I need you!

Then come with me!

The Mistress of the Winds

Can never leave this place.

Never!

You won't find your path!

No, Warrior. You won't find your path!

You won't find your path!

No!

You hear me?

You hear me?

You hear me?

Never.

What?!

What do you want from me? Tell me!

What do you want from me?

Silence!

Silence!

Silence!

I don't want to hear from you anymore!

Who are you?

Speak!

I roam the land and I see what's there.

And what do you see?

I see an imperious woman,

who refuses to let a warrior go.

We made a deal. The

warrior has dishonored it!

No, you dishonored it!

Do you think I don't know

that you were undoing

the stitches every night?

What I do is none of your concern.

You are mistaken. The warrior is important.

You are the Mistress of the

Winds, not the Mistress of the World

Am I not?

Who are you?

I've been walking in circles!

Forgive me, Warrior.

This red garment holds powers

The power of wrath and fearlessness.

You should know, your enemies

are not like locusts,

they are nothing but a pack of wolves.

Do you like them?

Your tribe is dead and

your enemy is strong.

He's fast as the wind

and wears a second face. Isn't that right?

Then you have to be strong as well.

I will help you, because I

want to give you a face too,

so you can become a new man.

So, Warrior: Choose

and we will stand by you.

And what if I don't want a new face?

Well, no one will force you

But without it

You can't go anywhere

and can't do anything anymore.

You think, it will be like it used to be

But you're mistaken. The

old world will be no more.

If you're really that powerful,

then tell me your name!

Oh, I have many names.

But you don't need to know them

Because you know who I am!

Yes. Yes I know!

You escaped me.

But now your path is

leading you to the Bloodlands.

And this time there will be

no dumb child to save you!

You shall be mine forever!

You trust in your blood axe?

Foolish warrior! It is

useless against our kind!

Your gift is bad!

I did, however, get a

gift with real powers!

And what gift is this supposed to be?

That stupid red garment, that

you got from that dumb cow?

What's this?

Stop it!

Stop it!

Others will serve us.

And then, you too shall belong to

the Bloodlands!

My path has come to an end

Soon everything will be decided.

The wolf dies Or I will go

to the land of my forefathers.

So stand by me, my forefathers

and Ghosts of the Light.

So stand by me, my forefathers

and Ghosts of the Light.

Where were you, Young Warrior?

I k*lled the last of the Whiteskulls.

And a fistful of your enemies.

But all this is a long story

I will tell it to you by a wintery fire.

You know what I' about to do?

Yes. You are bringing your story to an end.

I knew it. This old man needs my help!

How fast can you sh**t your arrows?

Is it over?

No. It's not.

Tell me: Who is this warrior?

As you said: A warrior.

Just a warrior? I don't believe you.

So tell me: Is he one of the chosen ones?

No. He's just a warrior.

But one, that was there when he was needed.

And

will he prevail?

That I don't know

I am the one, who sees

what is not what will be.

Is that all, that's left of the horror?

And what about you?

I'm running.

And why are you running?

Because I've been told to.

Then, keep running.

But leave the horn.

What happened? What arrows are these?

It's a long story.

I will tell it to you by a wintery fire.