04x17 - Into the Woods

[bunniefuu]

I can't believe this is happening.

How are you here?

Oh, I got in a little bit of a fight,
but don't worry, I'll heal.

Hope, you're the Tribrid.

I didn't think anything could hurt you
bad enough to send you to Limbo,

- much less...
- I'm not dead, okay? I promise.

I just... got my ass kicked by a god
to save our friends.

Wh-Wh-Whoa, there are gods now?

You missed a lot.

I missed you.
We can talk about it after.

After what?

(BOAT BANGS AGAINST DOCK)

- This is why we can't have nice things.
- Yeah, well, in his defense,

he just got back
from ferrying my mom to Peace,

so it would've been nice

if you'd taken the time
to show her around a little.

Then you have some explaining to do.

I don't think we'll have time.

The Ferryman controls Limbo,

who belongs here and who doesn't
and for how long.

And since you're immortal,
I don't think he's gonna let you stay.

We met when I was in transition
into the Tribrid.

He didn't mind me sticking around then.

A lot's changed since then.
Becoming the Tribrid was your choice,

and unfortunately for us,
I don't think this is.

(KNOCKING)

E, what are you doing?

What does it look like I'm doing?
I'm getting ready to train.

Not after what happened last night.

I'm feeling a lot better.

But you can't be using your powers

until we figure out
what's wrong with you.

MG, I think you're overreacting
a little bit.

You just phased out of your sneakers.
(CHUCKLES)

Okay.

Maybe I'm under-reacting.

(SIGHS)

The last time I got benched
because of an injury,

I lost my entire future,

not to mention all of my friends.

E, that was football.

The game that we're playing
has much higher stakes,

and I need you for it at %, okay?

LIZZIE:
Then what's our plan to get him there?

Sorry, but also not sorry
because vamp hearing is kind of awesome.

MG: Lizzie, I got this,
and you both should be resting.

Even Hope is...

LIZZIE: Vamp healing
is even more awesome,

so while I'm glad
Hope is getting her beauty sleep,

I am back in the game.

And that game is apologizing
for all of the stupid things I did,

including going after a god without you.

You must be pretty mad at me, huh?

Not at all.

I don't buy it,

but it doesn't matter
because my dad told me

that the best way to make amends
is to listen to what people need,

and here you are, clearly in need
of help fixing Ethan's powers.

(CHUCKLES)

(CHUCKLES)

Look, I-I appreciate the offer,

okay, but I'm gonna go
hit the books alone.

Don't bother, because you know
what all those books are gonna tell you?

Is that you need magic.

And did I mention,
as a Heretic, I can do that, too?

Do you actually think that you can fix
whatever's wrong with me?

I do.

What say you, MG?

BEN: Thank you for coming.

ALARIC: Well, don't thank me yet.

I'm probably not gonna believe
a word you say,

not after you raised a god
you claimed to hate

and then betrayed us.

I do hate my father.

I was a fool to think
I could save the school from his wrath,

or free Jed from a curse
that he no longer views as such.

Then why'd you do it?

Love, I think.

(SIGHS)

Well... then that's the first thing
about you I understand.

What do you want to talk about?

A way to atone for my mistakes.

If... you even think that's possible.

Given the conversations I've been having
with my daughter lately,

I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't.

In that case,
I'd like to help you k*ll my father.

Well, I'd like that, too.

I assumed he couldn't die, though,
like you.

That's not exactly true.

Only a god can k*ll another god.

Well, that sounds awfully convenient.

Perhaps a lie
just to get you out of this cell.

Headmaster Saltzman,
I had to find a reason to trust you,

as you must now find one to trust me.

But I wouldn't know what that would be.

Desperation.

I think that should be reason enough
for both of us.

And here I thought
I was hiding it so well.

If you have a better plan, pursue it,

but my father is as predictable
as he is cruel.

He will be back
to get what I suspect he wants.

And what does he want this time?

(RATTLING, THUDDING)

(NOISE STOPS)

(CHUCKLES)

(LAUGHING)

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

You look ridiculous.

So, you're the king of the gods,
whose name escapes me at the moment.

- Your simple tongue may call me Ken.
- (CHORTLES)

Oh, dear. That's even sillier.

- My name...
- Is Aurora De Martel.

My bastard son, Ben,
told me quite a bit about you,

including that we share
one thing in common.

A flair for the dramatic?

A desire to k*ll the Tribrid.

Allow me to simplify my request
for your much smaller brain.

I understand what you're asking,

and yet I hesitate
for a number of reasons,

including the fact
that you are not the first

charismatic, power-hungry madman

that I've encountered in my life.

You have never met the likes of me,
I assure you.

So you don't intend to manipulate

or t*rture information out of me, then?

Actually,
I was hoping we could share a meal.

Well, I am famished,

but I doubt anything
on the menu you have planned,

or anything we'd discuss,
would satisfy me.

- (GASPS)
- (GRUNTING)

Well, aren't you full of surprises.

Oh, you have no idea.

You know me better than anyone,
so you know that I'm not gonna get wet

just because Jolly Roger asks me
to go for a swim.

Uh, actually, I'm-I'm reasonably certain
he intends to s*ab you.

HOPE: Well, then let him try.
I'll break every bone in his body.

(EXHALES)

There's no b*ating The Ferryman, Hope.
Trust me, I've tried.

I'm sorry, are you on his side?

I'm on your side, always,
but using your fists to solve problems

is what got you into this mess
in the first place.

Because knowing you better than anybody,

I'm willing to bet
you fought that god alone.

- Well, Lizzie helped.
- Yeah, but... Sorry, just...

People come to Limbo to learn a lesson,

not to repeat the same mistakes.

So, if what I'm planning is a mistake,
then it won't work, right?

Uh, depends
on wh-wh-what you're planning.

My plan is to change the rules of Limbo.

You with me or not?

I mean,
you just reaped the Reaper, so...

What'd you have in mind?

To go home,

but not before I figure out a way
to bring you with me.

That way, I won't have to fight alone.

One condition.

Let's go home.

So, I don't know
where that scythe sent him,

but The Ferryman is Death,

so we probably don't have long
before he returns.

What's the plan, exactly?

So, Limbo seems to mirror our world,
which should mean...

that the weapons I stole from the school
are here.

Uh, why do we need more weapons?

Because scythes
are surprisingly unwieldy.

If that's what The Ferryman uses
to send our souls wherever he wants,

then I'd rather he not have the option

and have one that I'm a little bit
more familiar with.

Hm.

Especially if what you said was true.

What? There's an Axe in there for you.

Why did you steal weapons
from the school in the first place?

I went after Ken without the Squad

because I didn't want
to put their lives at risk

after everything
I'd already put them through.

And once I became the Tribrid,
k*lled you, my humanity shut off.

I know.

Dr. Saltzman told me
after you put him into a coma.

I'm glad I missed that chapter.

Me, too.

I thought you would've been mad,
after everything you had to give up.

Ah, I'm always on your side, remember?

I'd do it all again.

I know you better than anyone, so...

I'm assuming that means
you brought Dr. Saltzman back to life.

Uh, it was more of a team effort.

That was quite refreshing.

And this is positively gorgeous.

It was less so when we arrived,

so I made these flowers bloom,
hoping you would like them.

You can make such things happen,

and you carried that giant tin can here?

I thought it a more fitting setting
for our discussion.

Then the legends must be true.
You are extremely powerful.

Now... let's work on that wardrobe,
shall we?

Those garments are impractical
for battle.

Not in the modern world, darling.

If it pleases you.

So, what would please me is to know
why you wish to k*ll the Tribrid.

I am the most powerful being
in existence,

so imagine my surprise when I was awoken

and heard there was a girl
claiming that same title.

I must crush her and prove otherwise.
Such is the way of gods.

And you thought you could crush her
without my help, did you?

I bested her thoroughly,
but she refuses to die.

That sounds like her, all right.

Is... something wrong?

(SIGHS)

I'm not sure yet.

I am unaccustomed to asking for help,
Aurora De Martel,

but you cannot imagine
what I have gone through,

being imprisoned by my own family
for centuries.

The loneliness of that, the t*rture.

The utter lack of love,

which is the very thing
that fuels a god.

Then returning to a world
where my betrayal continues.

A world I do not understand,
but must rule.

I desperately need a guide.

Perhaps...

even someone to rule it with.

(CHUCKLES)

Let's not get ahead of ourselves,
shall we?

But I don't have to imagine such things,

for I have experienced them all myself.

Does that mean you will help me?
If so, merely name your price.

MG: He's cute,

but I don't see how this collar
or this monster's gonna help us

with our Ethan problem.

Well, the way I see it, the Pukwudgie...

which we should probably give a name,

so we don't have to keep saying that,

has the same powers as Ethan, right?

So, we can gather data
using this device,

that I've magically enchanted.
Hence why you needed my help.

What kind of data?

Every time the Pukwudgie...
there's that word again... phases,

this collar will track the distance
and frequency of its jumps.

That way, we can know how far
and how often he uses his powers

before he runs out of juice, like Ethan.

And, therefore, how long they both need
to rest in order to recover.

Makes sense,
but how do we get him to phase?

That's where you come in.

Chuck this bad boy as far as you can.

Are you sure? I got a cannon.

Good. Because the farther
you throw that ball,

the farther this little guy's
gonna have to phase to get it.

(WHINES)

And then the quicker
this experiment will be done.

Sounds good to me.

Wait, where are you going?
Won't it just fetch?

It's not a trained dog, MG,
but there's a bright side,

going after it
will give us plenty of time

to get to the bottom
of why you're mad at me.

Lizzie, for the last time,
I am not mad at you.

Tell that to the ball.

Okay, fine, into the woods.

That's the spirit.

And in that same spirit,
I have compiled a comprehensive list

of all the reasons
you might be mad at me,

in ascending order
according to severity.

LANDON: Would you put that away?

And let me do the talking.
Ted and I have developed a... rapport.

Peace Facilitator seems like
a bit of a... odd career choice,

since he's The Necromancer again.

Well, it wasn't his choice.
And if anyone knows what it's like

to come back
from their trip to the dark side...

Yeah, really seems
like he's turned over a new leaf.

(EXHALES)

Yeah, on second thought,
maybe you should wait outside.

NECROMANCER: Hope Mikaelson!

Or should I say the Tribrid?

Oh... this is rich.

What are you doing here?

You wanted to do the talking,
didn't you?

Right. Uh... I guess I should start
at the beginning.

Save your breath.

It doesn't matter
why either of you are here.

Because I'm so glad you are.

Oh, okay. Oh.

I'll be glad when we're not hugging.

Oh, oh. Oh, it's quite poetic, isn't it?

Two lovebirds reunited in death....

Yes, and we'd like to remain united,
if you don't mind,

which is why we need your...

Only to be torn asunder again
by my bloody hand.

Maybe I should've taken that Axe.

(NECROMANCER LAUGHING)

(LAUGHS)

(GRUNTS) Would you... stop that?

(WINCES)

Oh, I'm just getting started.

Now, where did you send Landon,

before I stick this somewhere
that you can't pull it out?

I sent him back.

- Back where?
- Back to your world,

or should I say,
what used to be your world.

(LAUGHING)

Why would you do that?

Because I found my groove
in Limbo, baby.

Very recently,

I met the most gorgeous creature
I've ever seen.

She was the only woman capable
of melting my cold, black heart.

Landon's mother.

- Ew.
- I sympathize.

Speaking from my past encounters
with you and bloody Big Bird,

I know how cloying true love can be.

It just feels so different
on this side of the fence,

where Seylah and I
can put the romance in necromancy.

You know she went to Peace, right?

- Sorry, what was that now?
- Good, you don't.

Landon helped her cross over,
and you helped him,

which is, I mean, why we came
to see you in the first place.

(GRUNTS)

Do not toy with my fledgling emotions.

No. It simply can't be true.
My plan was perfect.

Remove that mopblock from this plane,

so he can't stand in the way
of us becoming relatives.

My only regret
was sending Landon back to you

'cause, as you said, ew.

(LAUGHS) But then you turned up here,
which means you're dead,

and everything's
just clicked into place,

so I wouldn't look too smug
because you're stuck here in Limbo,

and he's stuck there.

(LAUGHS)

You should be able to sense
whether or not I'm dead, right?

Being the almighty Necromancer and all.

(OVERLAPPING VOICES)

(SHUDDERS)

Blinded by feelings.

You know, I'm feeling something, too...

gratitude

because I no longer need your help.

Seylah!

ALARIC: I'll be damned.

Thank you for your expertise,
as always, Professor Vardemus.

Uh, I just have
one more question for you.

What does Ben's plan mean for himself?

Because he seems to think
that his father's

gonna come back to the school
and take another sh*t at Hope.

If he does, we need to be ready.

Because she's still recovering
from the first sh*t.

Not that I'm secretly panicking

about her refusal
to wake up or anything.

Thanks, I think.

(PHONE SETS DOWN IN CRADLE)

(GRUNTS)

ALARIC: Maybe I am losing my mind

because I'm beginning to believe
that you were telling the truth.

What convinced you?

A phone call with Professor Vardemus.

He thinks that siphoning your magic

and weaponizing it
against your father could work.

Well, then, what are we waiting for?
Release me from this prison.

He also thinks it would k*ll you,
given that that same magic

is what has allowed you
to die and resurrect in the past.

If we were to siphon it,
there's a very good chance

that every organ in your body
would fail.

So, what I'm waiting for
is you to convince me

that you didn't already know that.

AURORA: You clearly see my problem.

The Mikaelson family abused me,
warped my thinking.

I've since come to wonder
if my beloved Tristan had done the same.

Am I trapped in an endless cycle

or simply being told
to walk in a circle?

Either way, like you,
I've lost everything.

But unlike you, I now doubt
that revenge can restore it.

And yet, I still hear the rage
in your voice.

Confess it, Aurora. Smiting your enemies

will bring your mind peace
and your brother justice,

even if it does not bring him back.

But you can, can't you?

Smite them? Happily.

No. Bring Tristan back.

Return my brother to me,
and I will help you k*ll the Tribrid.

That is my ask.

A small one for such a powerful god,
I should think.

You would be wrong.

I cannot do that for you.

Then I don't know the point
of this incessant journey I've been on,

but I do know that I will not help you.

Because the many partnerships in my life
have only given me hope,

and then dashed it before my eyes.

So, if I'm meant to learn some lesson,
perhaps it's this...

I'm doomed to be alone.

LIZZIE: Was that triggering?

Not at all, like the other
hundred things you've asked me about.

We're only on item . Speaking of,

I once told you comic books
were for people with baby brains.

I warned you that these
are in ascending order.

It's all good, but you know what isn't?

I tossed that ball
into a super public space.

Then let's just cut to the chase.

I tried to k*ll Hope.

But you didn't. Plus, you were grieving.

And then she actually k*lled me,
and I lied to you about it.

You were sire-bonded.

Then, making matters worse,

I d*ed with vampire blood
I stole from the school in my system.

Turned me into a Heretic.

It, uh, happens to the best of us.

Then what is it?
I know you, Milton Greasley.

Or maybe you're just wrong.

Or maybe you're just being stubborn,
and dragging this out,

making me feel even worse
than I already do.

I would never do that.

But if you know me so well,
how could you make a list that long

and still not know what's bothering me?

Much less do it in the first place?

So there is something.

Right. Fine.

But it's not what you think.

So, let's just find our missing monster
and go home, okay?

Our monster isn't missing anymore.

(BOTH SCREAM)

- He's a show dog.
- (WOMAN SCREAMS)

Super rare.

- (MAN SCREAMS)
- (GASPS)

Do you want to compel them, or should I?

(CHITTERS)

(GASPS)

LIZZIE: Good boy.
That's how you play dead.

MG: Uh, Lizzie?
I don't think he's playing.

Oh, good. You're back.

I'm sorry about all the drama earlier.

But I did bring this
as a peace offering.

I mean, not "peace" with a capital "P."

I think we all know
that's not gonna happen.

I just... I tend to get a little intense

when it comes to saving Landon.

But it's not gonna be a problem now.
I'm ready to go home.

Landon? What happened?

(SNARLS)

I wasn't talking to you.

If you want this,
you're gonna have to release him.

I don't think he needs it.

You also thought The Necromancer
was gonna bring you back home.

He did.

Can I just... You're choking me.

(GRUNTS)

I have no idea why The Ferryman
brought me back to Limbo.

It obviously didn't work that way
with Dr. Saltzman.

But I was at the school, Hope.
I know what's going on, and...

I think I figured out the lesson
we're supposed to learn.

Does that lesson involve
us leaving Limbo together?

Then I don't want to hear it.

I'm not giving up, but if you are,
just stay out of my way

until I can figure out
how to get us both out of here together.

(GROWLS)

So much for being on my side.

You know, I think you better let me
handle this one.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

That's odd.
There's hardly a cloud in the sky.

Why must you resist me?

I mustn't. It's a choice.

So make a different one.

So you have come here
to thr*aten me, then?

Took longer than I thought.

You misunderstand me. Which is my fault.

And why I came to apologize.

When I said I could not return
your brother to life,

you assumed it was beyond my power.

I should have said "would not."

What?

Well, if you can do it,
then why do you refuse?

Gods are meant to rule men.

From what you told me of Tristan,

he does not deserve to live again.

You're a bloody hypocrite.

Your own children have told me
of your cruelty and your malice.

And you believe their stories?

Well, not at first, of course.

But then I experienced Ben's memories...

his pain and his suffering...
for myself.

You're not the only one with powers,
you know.

A vampire can see into a person's mind.

Then look into mine
and judge my story for yourself,

as I have judged your brother
through yours.

That kind of judgement,
it's-it's frowned upon these days.

The modern world
is a more forgiving place.

A pardon for any transgression,
therapy for any weakness.

No black, no white, all grey.

I'm not really sure of my place
in it all anymore.

Then witness my truth,

and you will be certain
of where you stand.

I told you to stay away.

You aren't gonna ask me
what I saw in the real world?

Not if you use it to try
and convince me what to do.

Our friends need your help.

The last time I helped them,
I d*ed, became the Tribrid,

k*lled Malivore,
and I became a monster myself.

Just like the universe wanted.

That's not your fate, Hope.

I think that's the lesson
you came here to learn.

And how am I supposed to do that?

One sentence or less.
I'm trying to get back to work.

You have to go back without me.

You can't ask me to accept that.

Look, I know it's big,

but when I was at the school,
I passed by Dr. Saltzman's office.

He was on the phone with Vardemus.
They think Ken is coming back.

For you.

Which is inconvenient,
considering you're unconscious and all.

Well, then, he's pretty dumb for a god.

We all know he can't k*ll me.

Well, it sounds like he's gonna try.

And the school is preparing
to fight him, once again, for you.

Then they'll lose.

Yeah. If you are not with them.

Even if I were,
then some of our friends are gonna die.

Which just means more death,
grief, loss,

that I have to carry with me
for the rest of my life.

We always thought you were fated to die.

- I did.
- You're still alive.

The Ferryman wouldn't be trying
to send you back if you weren't.

That's the fate
you have to accept, Hope.

To be the one who lives.

I know that's harder.

But you have to go back.

So use this scythe
and please let me help...

one last time.

ALARIC: Here's what I don't understand.

Just yesterday, you sold us out
to break an admittedly crappy curse,

but now you're willing to die
permanently?

Every one of my countless deaths
has been for nothing.

If this final one
means the end of my father...

that Jed could be safe?

You got it bad for him, huh?

- (LAUGHS SOFTLY)
- Look, you're new here.

Martyrdom, it rarely works out

the way people who sacrifice themselves
expect it to, trust me.

Says the man who's willing
to let his students

do exactly that
in a fight they can't win?

Because there is a difference.

In my experience,
if something's worth fighting for,

there's always a chance that you'll win.

Well, that's optimistic.

Or delusional.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, until recently,
I-I was cynical and disillusioned.

Uh, the old me would definitely
take you up on your offer, but...

I'm beginning to like the new me
much better.

(CHUCKLES)

Even if he's not so good at walking.

So what does his pure heart
plan on doing with me?

(EXHALES) Oh, it's not that pure.
Odds are, you're still gonna die.

But if you want to get back
at your father and atone...

stay alive.

And use your power to fight with us.

HOPE: So this is your fate.

Convincing people to move on.

It's usually to Peace,
not the real world.

Yeah, you don't suck at it.

(BOTH LAUGH SOFTLY)

But... that means you're gonna always be
the one left behind.

Moral victory, at least.

(EXHALES)

We always thought
our fates were so similar.

You'd always been told what you're
destined to be your entire life;

I've always had to wonder.

I wish the answer
was being with you, but...

♪ I want to hold you... ♪

...if it can't be,
at least I know where I belong.

♪ I just want to hold you... ♪

You won't be alone where you are.

♪ I want to hold... ♪

I'm good with it, Hope.

♪ You... ♪

I'm good.

♪ You say everyone seems happy ♪

♪ Everyone except for you... ♪

Then one condition.

It's your turn to s*ab me, this time.

♪ I know it seems that way,
everybody got pain... ♪

Hope, I don't think I can.

I didn't, either,

but it's like when we stepped
into the Malivore pit.

We'll do it together.

(SOFTLY): Yeah.

Then all you have to do
is hold on tight.

♪ You fight through ♪

♪ I'll stand by you,
ours shall be the same... ♪

I will always love you.

♪ I want to hold you... ♪

I'll never forget you.

♪ I just want to hold you ♪

♪ Your hand ♪

♪ Reach out ♪

♪ Your hand ♪

♪ Reach out ♪

♪ Your hand ♪

♪ Reach out. ♪

I thought I was a brutish
and unreasonable tyrant.

But compared to you,
I'm a bloody prince!

LANDON: Trust me, he can hear you.
All of Limbo can hear you.

Landon Kirby. (CHUCKLES)

I was cursing that slippery skeleton

for whisking your mother to Peace
at your behest.

But I suppose him bringing you back here

is of some consolation, isn't it?

Misery loves company.
Now get out of my way.

You're not the only person
who has a bone to pick with him.

Plenty to choose from, at least.

I did what I told you I'd do.
Hope's home.

Now why can't I be there with her?
Why'd you break your own damn rules?

_

Is that what I think it is?

Indeed.

It's the contract
that blasted jinni made us sign.

It seems some of the terms
have been altered.

Which would explain
your unceremonious return.

The Ferryman sent Zied to Peace.

In exchange for the rights to our souls
in perpetuity?

Ah! Read the fine print.

_
- It's not our souls.

It's yours.

(CACKLING)

MG: I'm ready for this day to be over.

I went to bury the Pukwudgie,
and it dematerialized.

It just disappeared in my hands.

But at least now I don't have
to hide the body from Pedro.

You and I are both pretty good
at hiding things when the need arises.

So, while we wait to find out

how similar Ethan's body chemistry is
to our former four-legged friend,

let's break the cycle.

What were you gonna say to me earlier?

It's-it's nothing.

Then I take it back.
You suck at hiding things.

I-I just...

I'm not sure that it's the right time,
considering the circumstances.

Is there ever a right time around here?

If there was, we wouldn't be having
this conversation right now.

♪ It's dark... ♪

Because honestly?
It's the opposite of nothing.

It's everything.

That's what you are to me,

and I have been waiting years
to tell you

and I could spend even more
telling you why.

But it seems that there's
always something in the way.

Sebastian, Alyssa,
Malivore, the-the Merge.

All those things are gone now.

Ethan isn't.

And when your back was against the wall,

when you really needed someone,
you went to him.

That's why you're mad?

Not even. E's the best guy I know.

I don't blame you or anything,
it just... it hurts.

♪ Weight is getting heavy... ♪

'Cause I kind of hoped
that it would be me.

♪ Wasn't meant to stand... ♪

Because it has...

♪ I turned this love... ♪

...and always will be you,
Lizzie Saltzman.

And I don't even remember
anything on that list,

any of the bad things
you've said or done.

Because I love you...

♪ Happier with someone else... ♪

...with all of my heart
and all of my soul.

♪ Before I turn your heart... ♪

And that's all I got to say.

(LIQUID BURBLING)

♪ So I can tear it all down... ♪

I'm guessing that's not good?

Worse.

My theory was right.
The Pukwudgie's powers are finite.

Its life span only lasts
as long as its powers do,

and the more it phases,
the quicker it dies.

All right, let's-let's
not get ahead of ourselves

until we, until we test Ethan's blood.

MG.

That was Ethan's blood.

AURORA: I've seen enough.

(SNIFFLES) Please put me down.

(CRYING SOFTLY)

Your children lied to me. And to you.

They painted you as a coward
and a tyrant

but you're nothing of the sort.

I was a father.

Determined to protect his family
from Malivore.

At least, the ones
he hadn't already consumed.

I was so intent on destroying him

that I was blind
to the true enemy in my midst:

my daughter.

Jen tricked me
and the rest of her siblings,

and thus, I was imprisoned.

Powerless to stop Malivore
from ruining the world I had conquered.

To keep those I loved safe.

Now you understand why I will not
make that mistake again.

(SNIFFLES)

Nor will I.

I now see Tristan's actions...

locking me away, his betrayals,
his manipulations...

for what they were.

As I've seen your story,
through your eyes.

Does that mean you will help me
restore order to this world?

(EXHALES)

It's a confusing place to be in, really.

Is my mind sick,

or is it just another lie
I've been told?

Well, go on, render your judgement.

Our stories are so similar,

to judge you would be to judge myself,
and even a god cannot do that.

Then who judges the gods?

In this moment, that falls to you.

I came back to this world
with a simple want: revenge.

When you've been lost in the woods
as long as I have,

you must stop walking in circles.

The only way out is to choose a path
and walk boldly in it.

I will help you k*ll the Tribrid.

May anyone who think us wrong
have the power to stop us.

Trial by combat.

For this is the way of royalty
and the gods.

All that remains to seal our union...

is a kiss.

If you insist.

ALARIC: That's a bold move.

BEN: It must be bold
if we intend to defeat my father.

Now move the phallus to C .

The rook is my daughter.

Your very dead daughter.

As are all the rest.

Hundredth time's the charm, right?

Let's run it again.

HOPE: You're not using your queen.

That's a big mistake.

Everyone knows
she's the most dangerous piece.

Well, she wasn't on the board...
until now.

Ben's on our side, too. I think.

And he was just leaving.

I take it this is going as well
as it did the last time?

Well, Ben has increased
our win probability to...

five percent.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

How'd you sleep?

Mm, like the dead.

Landon says hi.

You were in Limbo?

It's a long story.

The moral of which is...

that there are some battles
we can't win alone.

It's good to have you back, Hope.

Your move.