100 Nights of Hero (2025)

[bunniefuu]

[ Ethereal music plays ]

-Are you ready?

-[ Whispers ] Ready.

-Then we shall begin.

[ Urgent music plays ]

This is Agnes,

and it's her wedding day.

Agnes didn't want

to get married.

This man is a stranger,

and his breath is not ideal,

but she had to.

Get married. Have a son.

It was the law.

It wasn't always like this.

In the beginning, a god

named Kiddo made the world.

This world was

just a beautiful garden,

and it was simple.

Once Kiddo was sure

that her little humans

were comfortable and happy,

she let them be.

Kiddo's father, Birdman,

had sworn that he would not

meddle in his daughter's world.

No, he would just let

the humans eat and sleep

and mate and relax.

-Kiddo.

-But alas,

it was just too boring.

-They are without purpose,

breeding left, right,

and center.

They know nothing!

They don't know who you are.

They don't know who I am.

This won't do, Kiddo.

Leave it with me.

-Birdman was feeling

especially omnipotent that day,

and soon every corner of this

world was filled with his image.

Those who would worship him,

of course...

-So pleases Birdman!

-...and many, many rules.

-I solemnly swear

to submit to you

and to avoid temptations,

both mental and physical.

I promise all this

with a chaste heart.

And I promise

to give you many heirs.

So wishes Birdman.

-So wishes Birdman.

-Oh, much better.

-But Agnes won't have an heir.

No one knows it,

but she's already pregnant.

And her daughter, Hero,

will change the world.

[ Bell tolls ]

-Six months.

Six months, and not even a hint

of pregnancy.

Most young couples

under my parish give birth

barely seven months

after they marry.

It can't be Jerome.

My family has produced

countless heirs.

-Sons. Nothing but sons.

-I can see that.

But we're only as strong

as our weakest members.

And weakness can run

in the family.

Where is your father?

-[ Clears throat ]

Still -- Still dead, sir.

Sorry.

-This is Cherry.

Our story really starts

with her.

Cherry is Birdman's

ideal wife --

beautiful, obedient,

good at chess...

[ Chess piece thuds ]

[ Bird whooshes ]

...and falconry.

But none of that will save her

at this particular meeting.

[ Bird whooshes ]

-And who is that?



-That's Hero, sir. My maid.

-Hero is technically

Cherry's maid,

but she is so much more

than that.

She is Cherry's best friend.

-We've been trying every night

since the wedding, sir.

-You're from excellent stock.

And you...

seem pretty healthy and fit,

despite your dead relatives.

Report back to me

after 101 nights.

-Very specific.

-I am very specific,

young lady.

And if you return

and I see no progress...

...you will not see next spring.

[ Dramatic music plays ]



Now, hurry up and conceive.



[ Gate slams ]









-Tomorrow.

[ Door opens ]

-As it turns out...

[ Door slams ]

...Jerome had told a fib.



-This is your room.

Let me know

if you need anything.

-The wedding night hadn't...

[ Door slams ]

...quite gone as he'd promised.

-Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow.

-And neither had

any other night.

[ Door slamming ]



Brutal.

And it won't be Jerome

who suffers the consequences.

Birdman loves women,

of course, but...

[ Arrow whooshes and thuds ]



[ Door opens, thud ]



[ Blade slashes ]



[ Crowd shouting ]

-...he doesn't take

disappointment well.

[ Owl hooting,

insects chirping ]

[ Door opens ]

-[ Softly ] Clarence?

[ Loud banging ]

[ Wind whistling ]



-Fact --

there are no good women.

-Yes.

-I loved her, Jerome.

-I know.

-Oh, God, I -- I wooed her

with gifts and with charm.

I promised her many things,

and in return,

I demanded only one thing...

-[ Coughs ]

-...absolute and total loyalty.

-Yes, absolutely.

-She agrees.

We get married, but...

something is off, you know?

So as a test, my father hires

a servant to seduce her.

-No. You caught them?

-Not exactly.

But he had a pair

of her knickers

and a precise description

of a scar on her inner leg.

-What did your wife say?

-She denied it.

Said that he had removed

her knickers by force.

-[ Laughs ]

You didn't believe her?

-No one did.

The Beaked Brothers took my

castle and drove me out of town.

-And your wife?

-[ Scoffs ]



-You could remarry.

-Oh, please.

-Come on! What's your type?

-I mean, the usual, you know?

Like, beautiful, chaste,

good at listening,

mending socks, interested

in maps, falconry, chess, etc.,

but obviously not excessively

good at any of those things.

-My wife is exactly like that.

-True.

You lucky thing.

-Hm.

-Forgive me, but, uh...

not even a hint of pregnancy?

-Eh. Any day now.

-I have heard rumors.

-Rumors?

-About how you prefer to, um...

to hunt and -- and ride

and play darts

with your handsome friends...

-[ Laughs ] What?

-...rather than spending time

in the bedroom with your wife.

-No, no! You misheard.

My wife and I can't keep

our hands off each other.

It's wild.

-Mm.

It's horrible

how gossip spreads, isn't it?

Also funny how easily

it happens for some, though --

baby thing, right?

I mean, hell, I even know

some women who have so many,

they have one to spare.

-Who?

-Ah. I know people.

[ Faint singing in distance ]

-I'm a very busy man

with many business affairs.

-No doubt.

-So, unfortunately,

I must go out of town

for a while...

for work.

-Oh.

-Surely no one can blame me.

I'm not even here

to get my wife pregnant.

-Well, have a wonderful trip.

Only, would you...

It's embarrassing.

Would you allow me

a couple of days

to arrange a new place to stay?

-Don't be silly.

Of course you can stay.

[ Chuckles ]

I know times are tough.

-[ Chuckles ]

You're not worried,

though, are you?

-How so?

-Well...

About leaving your wife

here alone...

-[ Chuckles ]

-...with me?

-Not at all. I, uh...

...I trust you.

My wife would never.

-[ Laughs ]

Listen, Jerome,

my wife -- RIP --

she couldn't wait to jump

into bed with a servant,

and, well, look at me.

-Oh!

How dare you?

-[ Chuckles ] Whoa!

-How dare you?

You smug b*stard!

-Smug b*stard, is it?

-My wife would never jump

into bed with -- with a servant

or you or anyone,

for that matter.

-Prove it.

-I shall.

As I said, I'll be away

for a while on business.

You can try

and seduce her all you like.

Good luck.

How long do you need?

-Easy. Give me a month.

-Have 100 nights.

It won't make a difference.

I know my wife to be faithful.

And then...

...you will get me an heir from

one of those women of yours...

...and swear that it's mine.

And make it come up organically.

Right?

-Happily...if I lose.

Though if I do seduce her...

...what do I get?

-Well, if -- if you do win...

-I mean...

-...you can have this castle

and everything in it.

-Interesting.

It is a beautiful castle.

-Mm-hmm.

-Hardly change a thing.

This wife, um...

where would she --

where would she go if I win?

-Well, you won't win.

My wife is a paragon of virtue.

But if she does stray,

well, she'd go straight to hell,

of course.

-When I win,

I'll be right there with you

to watch her hang.

[ Dramatic music plays ]

[ Birds chirping ]

[ Birds cooing ]

[ Indistinct conversation

in distance ]

-With all due respect,

you're a wonderful hunter.

I perfected this craft

over many years and --

[ Chair squeaks ]

-Ah! Good morning, my dear.

This is Manfred.

-Delighted to meet you.

-Come. Sit.

I've been meaning to tell you,

I've been summoned away,

unexpectedly,

on business.

-Oh?

-Yes.

I leave today.

But it's just for a few days.

I'll be back before you know it.

Manfred here will stay on

to take care of things

while I'm gone.

And, of course, you have

the guards watching over you.

Not to mention, of course,

your, um...

your maid.

You keep her good company,

maid.

-Mm.

-Mm.

[ Chair scrapes ]

-[ Gasps softly ]

-I'll be counting down the days

until I'm back.

-You will be sorely missed,

my friend.

And don't worry.

I'll take good care

of your lovely wife.

[ Horse grunts ]

[ Suspenseful music plays ]



[ Door opens ]

-You okay?

-I'm fine.

I understand my husband has

other duties.

Important business.

He did say we would

finally try tonight,

but...business is business.

The only thing is...our guest.

[ Door bangs ]

[ Dramatic music plays ]

-Manfred?

-Yes.

I'm a bit surprised that Jerome

would leave me here...

with him.

-Yes.

-Where is he?

-[ Breathing heavily ]

-He's unpacking.



-Well, I'm sure my husband knows

what he's doing.

-I'm sure.

-He said this Manfred's here

to keep us safe.

-He did.

-He'll be back soon.

We have time.

I'm sure his friend won't want

much to do with us anyways.

[ Knock on door ]

-Hello.

I would love a tour

of the castle.

I'm dying to see every --

every nook and cranny

of Jerome's beautiful home.

Shall we?

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]

-The chapel.

West corridor.

Graveyard.

The north wing.





That's the end of the tour.

-Good night, my lord.

-Good night.

[ Snaps fingers ]

Actually...

[ Sighs ] I'm sorry.

I was too shy to ask before,

but I was wondering

if I might see your bedroom,

just to round off the tour.

Jerome had mentioned

how stunning the dcor was.

-[ Gasps softly ]

-Perhaps another time,

my lord.

Excuse us.

-Can I --

-[ Gasps ]

What happened?

-Manfred asked to see

your bedroom, and you fainted.

I promise you that

we'll get through this together.

You won't be alone.

And any time you feel like

you need rescuing,

just let me know,

and I'll create a distraction.

Buy us some time

while we figure out what to do.

-What kind of distraction?

-I'll tell a story.

-A story?

-Yes.

Anytime you don't know

what to do,

just say, "Hero,

how did that story end?"

And I'll take it from there.

-I didn't know you told stories.

-I haven't in a while.

-Well, I'd love to hear them.

And if they keep us

out of trouble, even better.

-[ Chuckles ]

-Thank you.

I don't know what

I would do without you.

I feel a bit silly now.

I'm sure it was just

an innocent question.

I bet he'll be

much more reserved tomorrow.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]





-Lunch!



[ Bell chimes ]





I feel we...

we may have had

a misunderstanding yesterday.

When I asked to see your room...

...I can see how that

could have been interpreted

as an inappropriate advance

on a married woman, which I --

I would never do.

The truth is,

I love architecture.

And dear Jerome had led me

to believe that, uh,

formalities were not required

while he was gone.

He's like a brother to me,

and...

so you, therefore,

are like a sister.

Well, I hope we can start

fresh today.

-Of course.

I'm sorry

if I made you feel unwelcome.

I...wasn't myself yesterday.

-Ah! Think nothing of it.

Manfred, please.

So, uh...

what would you like to do today?

-Together, you mean?

-Well, yes. [ Chuckles ]

I was hoping

I could take your lead.

-Hmm.

I would like to...

...hear a story.

-A-A story?

-Yes. Hero?

-Yes.

-What was that one you

were telling me the other day?

It sounded fascinating.

-I think you mean the story

of the Dancing Stones.

-That was it.

Would you like to hear it

with me?

[ Down-tempo music plays ]

-I would love to.

-Very well.

Some time ago

in a small town across

the channel from the Great City,

there lived three sisters...



...Mina...

Caterina...



...and Rosa.

They lived with their father,

who was a sea captain.

[ Woman vocalizing ]

Losing his wife had been

the great tragedy of his life,

but he loved his daughters

very much.

And he worried constantly

that with no male heirs,

he'd have nothing to leave them

with when he died.

He couldn't protect them

forever.

And so their training

for marriage began.



The sea captain was

often away for long voyages,

and the sisters were left

to look after themselves.

The sisters loved

their father very much,

and they would practice

their skills faithfully,

even when he was away.

But there was one thing

the sisters practiced

that they could never tell

their father.

It was a secret skill their

mother had passed on to them,

a skill known to be sinful,

wicked,

and absolutely forbidden

for women.

-Hero.



-[ Snoring softly ]

-Good night.

-Thank you.

-Anytime.

-Hero,

what's the forbidden thing

that Rosa and her sisters did?

-You'll have to find out

next time.

-Cruel.

[ Footsteps departing ]

[ Insects chirping ]



-[ Blows ]

[ Mysterious music plays ]



[ Wind blowing,

voices whispering indistinctly ]



-Wilmot?

I'm pregnant.

-Ah.

-[ Sniffles ]

With my luck,

it'll be a girl, too.

-Let's not speculate.

-If she is a girl,

then she won't stay here.

It'll be different for her.

[ Ethereal music plays ]

It will.



-Look.

You can see the moon,

even in the light.

I love when that happens.

-You know...

-What?

-My mother used to tell me

that my grandmother was

the moon.

-On the moon?

-No, the actual moon.

That one.

-The smallest one.

So you're a child of the moon?

-Apparently.

It's fun to believe it.

-I believe it.

-[ Chuckles softly ]

[ Bells tolling in distance ]

-[ Grunts and coughs ]

[ Tolling continues ]

[ Sighs ]

What?

[ Bell tolls loudly, bird caws ]

-I'm determined

to win this time.

-Best of luck.

-Brutal.

-You mind if I cut in?

Your move.

[ Down-tempo music plays ]



[ Chuckles ]

Excellent.

Well, it seems Jerome

has taught you well.

-Mm.

He is wonderful at it,

as his Hero.

-[ Chuckles ]

A woman of many talents.



[ Chess piece clinks ]

It appears you have a checkmate.

-I'm so sorry.

It must be because

you picked up from Hero's game.

She's always so kind

to let me win.

-I would never.

Your victories are

entirely your own.

-No need to apologize at all.

A worthy opponent.

To new friends.

[ Chuckles ]

[ Chair scraping ]

-[ Clears throat ]

-Much better.



Good?

Well, then I will k*ll one

for you every day.

-Thank you.



-Oh, you must try this.

-It's a bit sweet for me,

my lord.

-Cherry,

would you like to try one?

-Uh...sure.



Mmm.

-You left half the berry,

though.



-Thank you for inviting me

to dine with you, my lord.

-Of course.

There's no need

for formalities here.

I'm not like other lords.

-Well, now we're better

acquainted,

it's a perfect time

for me to finish that story,

don't you think?

-Yes.

I have to hear how it ends.

Don't you?

-Oh, absolutely.

Hero, you have us

on tenterhooks.

And this time I am wide awake.

-Wonderful.

Where were we?

Oh, yes.

Rosa and her sisters

had a secret skill

passed down to them

from their mother.

It was a skill known

to be sinful and wicked

and absolutely forbidden

for women.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]



They could read and write.

-Wait, isn't this the story

of Rosa the Cunning?

-You know. I thought so, too.

I haven't heard it in so long,

but the Beaked Brothers used to

make us recite it over and over.

-Yes, the rhymes.

Rosa the witch

hid her books in a ditch.

-And cast spell after spell

to send her lovers to hell.

-Yes, I had to recite it

every week.

-That's not her.

Although that is a...

charming rhyme for children,

this Rosa was just

an ordinary woman.

-But it's still forbidden.

-It is.

But Rosa and her sisters didn't

use their skills to cast spells.

They used them to read

about amazing far-off lands

and to write about

their thoughts and feelings,

to let their imaginations

run wild...

[ Ethereal music plays ]

...while hardly ever

leaving their house.

-I've been thinking...

...what will we do

when Father makes us marry?

And all our books.

-We just have to be careful,

that's all.

-Very careful.

-Promise.

-Soon their father

returned home.

-I've heard wonderful things.

-And with him, he brought...

a suitor.

The wealthy merchant found all

of the daughters captivating.

But he liked Rosa best.

-She is enchanting.

-Isn't she?

-So quiet.

And gracious.

Sweet but serious.

I like that very much.

-Now, that wasn't

what Rosa was really like.

Actually, she was funny

and smart...

...with a sharp tongue

and a quick mind.

But he saw what

he wanted to see.



-It's morning.

-She's right.

But which morning?

As Hero's story continued...

-What do you think Rosa

and her sisters are up to?

-Shh!

-...entire nights had passed

like hours.

[ Voices whispering

indistinctly ]

And Hero's words still linger

in the air.

-She is enchanting.

-We just have to be careful.

-I've been summoned away

unexpectedly.

-Cherry's dreams,

normally a swirl of anxiety...

...hold something new...

...unexpected.

[ Clock ticking ]

Manfred's dreams are

a little more straightforward.

-[ Panting ]



[ Gasps ]

-[ Sighs ]

-Sophia, the Fertile,

guide me.

Tell me what to do.

My husband won't touch me,

and I want to be touched...

to produce an heir, of course.

When will my husband be home?

I'm sorry. It's just...

It's been a few days.

-Weeks.

-I actually have some news

on that front.

It seems...

alas, he's in no hurry

to return home.

In fact, I think

he's enjoying himself so much,

he won't be back

for a couple of months at least.

[ Dramatic music plays ]



Oh.

I'm sorry, Cherry. I'm...

...just the messenger.



-Mm-hmm.

[ Clears throat ]

Uh...

Forgive me.





[ Knock on door ]

It's me.

-Um, yes.

Uh, o-one second.

I'm changing.





-Can I come in?

I'm sorry I'm a mess.

-No sorries.

And you're never a mess.

When did Manfred

hear about this?

-Today, he said.

-We'll find a way through this.

Don't despair. Okay?

Now...

do you think you could be

alone with Manfred?

Just for a bit?

[ Suspenseful music plays ]



[ Door creaks ]

















-I'm sorry for earlier, Cherry.

Jerome asked me

to take care of you, and I...

...I feel as though

I have let him down.



Though I-I had hoped that

my company would be somewhat

of a distraction.

-It's not something

you can solve.

Jerome and I,

we must start a family,

urgently.

[ Sighs ]

-Ah, yes.

The Beaked Brothers, I'm sure,

are growing quite impatient.

-Indeed.

-Could you not be

pregnant already?

Are you sure?

Sometimes it takes a while

to show.

-Be impossible.

-[ Chuckles ] Why?

Why is it impossible?

Wait.

Have you and Jerome never --

-Dinner's ready.

-I'm not hungry.

Can you finish the story

instead?

-Of course.

-In the chapel.

I must pray first.



-My wife is a paragon

of virtue.

-Are you hungry, my lord?

-Not at all.

Finish the story.

I'm dying to know if

the merchant gets what he wants.

-Yes, the suspense must be

k*lling you.

How long have you been here

waiting to hear

what happens next?

-Hero doesn't know exactly

what this smug man is up to,

but she is going to spin

this tale out.

-So what happens next?

-Well...

Rosa and the merchant

got married.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]

She had never really spoken

to another man before,

besides her father.

So when a handsome merchant

appears

with his compliments

and his eye contact...

-Welcome to your new home.

-...she doesn't stand a chance.



-Get a grip.

-As long as it takes.

-Everything will be okay.

Right?

-Tomorrow is a fresh start.

-Of all the stories

she could have chosen,

she had decided on this one.

-I know it's forbidden,

but have you heard

the story of the Dancing Stones?

-I think those sisters are

the bravest women

I've ever heard of.

-Me, too.

-There's a secret latch at the

bottom of your clothes chest.

Everything you need is in there.

-I'll miss you so much.

-I propose that we form

a League of Secret Storytellers.

What is the one thing

that they let us do?

-Needlepoint.

-Needlepoint.

-We can't write

and we can't read.

But we have stories to tell.

-What's this?

-Shh.

It's nothing to worry about.

I love you.

-We'll weave tapestries

of the sisters...

...and of every other story

that we have heard whispered

until we run out of stories.



-Where are we going?

-I must see to the fern trees.

Besides, this part of the story

is best told outside.

-Strange question, but...

what day is it?

-How do you mean?

-Since I arrived, uh...

how many nights has it been?

-50 nights, sir.

-[ Chuckles ]

That's not possible.

-I c-- I could be wrong.

-He's not.

[ Owl hooting ]

[ Dramatic music plays ]

-Cherry...

uh...

while Hero is attending

to that...

...can I talk to you?

Uh, just for a moment?

We won't go far.



-Okay.

-Okay.

-I'll only be a moment.

[ Down-tempo music plays ]





I'm so embarrassed.

Don't look at me like that.

[ Blows ]

-[ Blows ]

-I shouldn't have told you.

-You didn't tell me.

I guessed.

And you didn't dishonor Jerome.

In fact, I've been pondering,

and I wonder if this isn't

exactly what he wanted.

-What do you mean?

-Well, at first

I thought it was impossible.

Not my friend Jerome.

It would be so manipulative.

And then I thought, well...

he has this beautiful wife,

and despite saying

that he wants an heir,

he hasn't consummated

his marriage.

And now he's just away [sighs]

for God knows how long,

knowing the pressure

that you're under.

It's odd.

Perhaps...

things aren't working

on his end,

and he knows an heir is

impossible.

He's too ashamed to say.

And perhaps he knows that's

[chuckles]

not a problem in my department,

and he was hoping

that I might take care of it,

leaving you alone with me.



Anyway, um...

I hope I'm wrong about him...

...because you deserve

much, much better.

-Are you all right?

I was worried about you

last night.

-I'm sorry.

-There's nothing

to be sorry about.

-Did you ever want to

get married?

-No.

That wasn't really

an option for me.

-I desperately wanted to.

I was told over and over that

that was the best thing for me.

But I'm clearly terrible at it.

My husband doesn't even want me.

-It's not you.

-How can you be so sure?

-I'm sure.

-What does it feel like?

-What?

-To be wanted.

What does a man do when,

you know,

they want to make an heir?

-Well, I don't have much

experience in making heirs,

but...the wanting part,

I have some experience.

-Tell me.

-Come on.

All right, so...

First, um,

they would take your hand.

And they would do this.

-What else?

-Um...

They...would do...

this.

Has anyone ever done that

before?

-No.

-Has he, um...

What about...

...this?

[ Very soft music plays ]



Do you...

Would you want it?

-It feels good.

-Good.

-What else do they do?

-Um...

If I were them...

...I would, um...

...I would go slowly.





Then I would stop...

...just for a moment here.

And if you turned towards me,

then...

I would know you wanted more.









-[ Gasps softly ]

Thank you for my hair.

-Mm.

[ Door opens ]

[ Door closes ]

-[ Panting ]

-Well...

[ Dramatic music plays ]



...if Birdman wasn't too fond

of women going outside

alone after teatime...

...you can imagine what

he'd think of this.



So, they're friends.

-[ Laughs ]

-Good friends.

-There you are.

[ Ax chops ]

Walk?

[ Ax chops ]

-Okay.

-Just friends.

[ Birds chirping ]

-[ Snoring ]

-It was lovely spending time

just the two of us today...

...and I hope not too trying

for you.

-No, my lord.

-Manfred.

Well, then.



Have a lovely evening.

Although...

I was still curious

to see your room.

Most beautiful room

in the house.

May I?

-Uh...

Okay.

But just for a moment.

-Ah, the merest of moments.

[ Door opens ]

-[ Gasps ] Hero.

He wanted to see

the architecture.

-Yes. It's even more beautiful

than I imagined.

All done?

-Yes.

But I tell you what we haven't

finished is that story.

The merchant was just about

to discover Rosa's secret.

-Well, actually, we were

just about to have a drink.

-I'd love a drink.

-Only two glasses.

-I can use the flask,

while I tell you all about

Rosa's fate.

Or whatever the lady wants.

-Oh, um...

Well, we shouldn't leave

a story unfinished.

-I agree.

Now...

...where were we?

-I think the merchant

had just comforted Rosa.

-Well, yes, you could say that

he comforted her, in a way.

Comforted her so well, in fact,

that Rosa forgot

the sense of dread

that she'd been feeling.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

She loved her new home

in the Great City.

[ Serene music plays ]

She'd grown to love

her husband, too.

And for those first few months,

she almost forgot

the secret she had.

Almost.

[ Woman vocalizing ]



But keeping the secret

from the one she loved

felt more and more lonely.

And one evening when

a cold chill blew off the sea,

Rosa thought of her sisters.









[ Dramatic music plays ]

-[ Gasps ]

Out with it!

What did it say?

What was that spell

you wrote on the window?

-You can't read?

-Are you calling me stupid?!

-No. It wasn't a spell.

It just said, "I love you,"

that's all.





-Liar!

wh*re.

Witch.

I'm guessing your sisters

are no better.

-No! It's just me.

[ Crying ]

[ Lock clicks ]

Please, it's just me!

-But it wasn't enough

for him just to trap Rosa.

Soon a letter arrived

at the little house by the sea,

marked with the seal

of the Beaked Brothers.

"To the sisters

of Rosa the Witch,

if you are reading this,

then it means that your sister

lied more than her husband

ever thought possible.

-She wronged him."

-It's just me.

-"But we are merciful.

And if you turn yourselves in

and repent,

then we will spare her life."

And even though the sisters

didn't imagine for a second

that Rosa would go free,

they knew what they had to do.



[ Footsteps approaching ]



-We are the Sisters of Rosa.

And we've come to take her home.

[ Beaked Brothers laughing ]

-We know it's a trap.

-Get on with it.

[ Laughter continues ]



-These women are

accused of reading,

of performing witchcraft

and spells.

Witnesses have seen them engaged

in the unnatural acts of magic.

-Words are beautiful.

We have just as much right

to them as any man.

-Don't interrupt me!

As punishment,

they shall be pushed

from the Great Cliff

to their deaths.

-What?!

But I thought this was

a different story

than Rosa the Cunning.

-It is different.

-They -- They were witches,

though.

-Rosa didn't cast a spell.

She wrote the words,

"I love you."

She certainly wasn't

cunning about it.

-But it ends the same.

-No, it doesn't.

She refuses

to renounce her passion,

her dignity, or her sisters.

-So pleases Birdman!

-So pleases Birdman.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]



-[ Voice breaking ]

Why did you come?



-We couldn't let you

do this alone.









-[ Softly sobbing ]

-Shh. Stop it!

-[ Sniffles ]

[ Down-tempo music plays ]

-I'll be right there with you

to watch her hang.

-[ Gasps softly ]

[ Murmuring ]

-Is everything all right?

-Hmm?

Yes. Yeah. Yes, of course.

Just didn't sleep last night.

What happened to the merchant?

-Sorry?

-Well, when Rosa

and her sisters died,

you didn't say.

-The merchant remarried

one month later.

-I feel a bit strange.

Can I have some water, please?

Thank you.

-You're welcome.

-You're welcome.

[ Mid-tempo music plays ]





-Manfred here will stay on

to take care of things

while I'm gone.



-Surely the merchant

felt remorse.

-If he did, he didn't show it.

-[ Murmuring ]

-You know that's

not the end of the story.

It wasn't the first time

the merchant had lost a wife.

His first wife had drowned

under mysterious circumstances.

And the merchant found her

so beautiful,

he didn't want to let her

go to waste.

-[ Moans ]

-He gave her body to a harpist

who knew just what

to do with her.

He washed her fine-spun hair,

leaving it to dry in the sun

until it gleamed.

-It's not my...fault.

-Then he cleaned her bones

so well they shone white

and carved them slowly,

carefully into a harp.

He strung the harp

with her long hair,

and when the harp played

at Rosa's wedding,

it made an extraordinary

and melancholy sound.

But Rosa didn't hear

the warning.

-[ Shouts ]

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

-[ Gasps ]

[ Door opens ]

Manfred's getting worse.



Have you...

this whole time?

-I have.

-You're not above the rules,

Hero.

-[ Chuckles ]

Believe me, I know.

Look, just let me finish

the story.

-I don't have time

for your stories anymore.

And the worst part is,

you know how this ends.

[ Door slams ]

[ Dramatic organ music plays ]



[ Knock on door ]



Can I come in?



[ Door creaks closed ]

-I'm sorry. I...

I'm a mess.

Night terrors.





What's the matter?

-I think you're right.



If my husband's intentions are

as you say...

...then we should...

make an heir before he returns.



He'll get what he wants.

He doesn't want me.





-I can't imagine that.









-[ Gasps ]





If I could...

I'd follow you

for so long, Cherry.

Perhaps lonely.



So lonely.



-What the hell is this?

-[ Gasps ]

-Jerome. You're home early.

-No, I'm not.

It's been 100 nights.

-I'm afraid Jerome's right.

-[ Chuckles ]

[ Harp playing ]



-Shh.

All right. You've won.

-Won?

-Stay quiet, harlot!

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

A deal is a deal.

I'm a man of my word.

You can keep the castle.

But you will not disgrace me.

All right?

As for you, I'm afraid...

we'll have to lock you

in your room until we...

figure out what your sin is

for public record.

-No.

-No?

-I'm keeping your castle,

and I'm keeping Cherry.

I love her.



-[ Scoffs ]

[ Chuckles ]

Love?

You said you'd be there with me

to watch her hang.

-That was before I knew you.

I-I'm different now.

-Guards?

-No.



Cherry had nothing

to do with this.

I enchanted her.

With these.

Forbidden stories.

The responsibility is mine

and mine alone.

Cherry had no part in it.

I'll go quietly. Just please...

don't harm her.

-See, Cherry is a victim

of witchcraft, as am I.

You don't even want her, Jerome.

You never consummated.

A shameful fact

I will keep to myself

if you release Cherry

and your castle to me.

I want to keep her.

I think I deserve a fresh start.

I've been patient,

and -- and I have listened.

I have listened so much.

And I would have won the bet

fair and square

if it wasn't for

those enchanted stories.

-Stop!

Just stop, everyone.

I'm still here, okay?

I'm not dead yet.

Nothing much was supposed

to happen to me.

[ Dramatic music plays ]

I was supposed to get married,

have children,

do needlepoint, I guess,

and then die.

Meeting you,

hearing about those women

that wanted more --

that's been the greatest

adventure of my life.

When I found your secret books,

I was scared.

But mostly jealous

because I wish that I lived

a braver life.



So...here we go.

I love you, Hero.



If you get rid of her,

you get rid of me, too.



-Wow.

Well...

I guess, uh, things have really

gone off the rails

since I left, eh?

[ Suspenseful drumbeat plays ]

Well, I guess this, uh,

clears things up between us.

Guards!

-Jerome.

-Call for the Beaked Brothers.

-Jerome, stop.

-This is the story.

There was no bet.

I was away on business.

My wife was with child.

And you were here

to take care of her

whilst I was away

on important business.

You performed the task

admirably.

The maid k*lled my heir

with her witchcraft

and bewitched my bride.



-I'm not like him.

-It's not our fault.

There are laws.



It's their destruction or ours.



So...

whose story is right?





-I'm...

I'm sorry.

[ Down-tempo music plays ]





-Right.

It's just us then.

Guards! Take them.

And burn those books.

[ Dramatic music plays ]





-Now!





-[ Gasps ]

[ Door slams ]

[ Metal clangs ]





-Hero.

Can you tell me the story?

The one about you?

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

I can't leave a story

unfinished.

I mean, you promised me hope.

-All right.

Just for you.



This story starts where Rosa

and her sisters' story ends.

When the heartbroken

sea captain brought Rosa,

Caterina, and Mina home

and insisted on burying them

himself.

[ Sad music plays ]

He placed a tall stone

on each one of their graves.

[ Woman vocalizing ]

And as he stood there

in his grief,

the stones seemed to dance

in the wind,

as his daughters had loved

to do.

And a wave of determination

came over him,

and he searched the house

until he found

their now infamous

secret stories.

[ Ethereal music plays ]



For days after, he sat

on the hill by their graves

and read every story

they had ever written.

And he loved them.

So he wrote their story, too.

The story of the Dancing Stones.



And instead of staying secret,

the story spread.

In every corner of the empire,

people were talking

about the sisters.

[ Voices whispering

indistinctly ]

And at length,

it came to the isle,

a tiny, windswept beach

just outside the empire.

[ Voices whispering

indistinctly ]

A woman called Wilmot

lived there.

And when Wilmot heard about

the sisters

and their terrible death,

it filled her

with rage and sadness.

She knew that soon

the story would be warped

and molded into lies.

-I have a plan.

No one is telling me

what to do anymore.

I'm an old woman on her own,

and I feel like

it's time I saw the world.

So I will take our stories

to the Great City.

And I will find every story

I can collect

that would of been forgotten.

And I will bring them back here,

and we will weave them

into tapestries

and pass them down

to our daughters and our allies.

And one day,

everyone will know our stories.



-Count me in.

-Me, too.



-The fire is dying.

I'll be back.



-Wilmot?

-Yes, dear?

-Can you...

Can you sneak my daughter out

when you go?

Can you find a way

to bring Hero with you?

[ Dramatic drumbeat plays ]

-I thought you'd never ask.



-My mother stayed behind.



But after a while,

Wilmot's travels led her here.

There was a story that needed to

be told from one of the maids.

So she became a maid, too,

and wove her stories here.

She hid them in the walls

and the floors

until she could leave.



But she never left in the end.

And so I came here,

thinking I could present

as a maid

and find her stories

and bring them home.

-And you found them?

-Yes.

-But you didn't leave?

-No.

What did you think of it?

Was it a good last story?

-It was perfect.

Maybe one day they'll tell ours.

[ Wind blowing ]

[ Dramatic music plays ]

-Remove your coverings!

And face your shame!





These women have been accused

of perversion and witchcraft!

And they shall be put to death!

So pleases Birdman!

So pleases Birdman!

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

[ Crowd shouting ]

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

-Let them go!

-As it turns out,

the guards had not

followed orders.

-I'm still thinking

about Rosa.

-Never stop.



-They had not burned

Hero's books at all.

In fact,

they'd passed her secret stories

to their family and friends...

[ Crowd shouting ]

...who'd whispered it in corners

to their friends,

and so on and so on...

-Silence!

-...until all over the city...

[ Crowd shouting ]

...people were talking

about Cherry

and Hero the Storyteller.

[ Triumphant music plays ]

-All right!

We are reasonable and just.

We will let you go...

...if you admit your sin.

[ Suspenseful music plays ]

Admit that you've done wrong,

beg for mercy, and...

we'll let you live.

And admit that knowledge

wasn't made for you.

That's all we require.



-Are you sorry?

-Not one bit.

-Neither am I.

We are not sorry!

[ Crowd shouting ]

-We did not commit a sin!

[ Shouting continues ]



-How dare you?

[ Music builds ]









[ Ethereal music plays ]

[ Wind blowing ]



[ Voices whispering

indistinctly ]

-Go ahead, ask her.

[ Footsteps approaching ]

-Hello?

We've come from the Great City

seeking the

League of Secret Storytellers.

-We're the

League of Secret Storytellers.

-You know,

it's been a long time

since we've had any new stories.

-We've come to tell you one

about a maid who told stories

that spread

and started a great revolution.

[ Hopeful music plays ]



The city is burning,

and the Beaked Brothers

have fled.



All because

of two excellent women

called Cherry...

and Hero.





-Where are we?



-Hello?

[ Birds chirping ]



-Who are you?

-I'm the moon.

-You're the moon.

-The smallest,

most beautiful moon?

-Well, I don't like to brag,

but yes.

-What are you doing here?

-I'm rescuing you, my dear.

Sorry it took so long.

My sisters think

I interfere too much.



Now...

shall we go home?

-How was the journey?

-Very long.

-We traveled for days

to find you.

[ Indistinct conversation ]





-The next night,

there were two new stars

in the sky.





A new constellation

that shone clear and bright.

Brighter than

all the other stars.

Nearly as bright as the moon.



-And do they have a name?

-They are called many things.

The Twins.

The Eyes.

-But the name

most commonly held is...

...The Heroes.

[ Purity Ring's

"Only Alive" plays ]



-[ Vocalizing ]



-I fell through time

Only outlived by

Every object I ever touched

Everything my hands

ever caught

You said wealth is a lie

Just a weapon

they hide behind

Every bayou beneath the sun

I dream of forests

we'll all become

I'm only alive

Oh, I'm only alive

No one else

'cause we just arrived

Oh, I'm only alive

I fell through the sky

About your eyes

Your rage is a cradle

I rest

And your hope is a fire

come blazing

You said,

love, don't give up

All the good ones

are broken light

Just one light

and an empire burns

You don't have to bend

this whole world

Take now all of me

Hands made everything,

love, pray, and empathy

Call it mercy

I fell on the sea,

swim through all of me

When that's clarity,

stay here next to me

I'm only alive

Oh, I'm alive

No one else

'cause we've just arrived

So I'm only alive

I'm only alive

I'm only alive

No one else

'cause we've just arrived

So I'm only alive









[ Vocalizing ]





[ Katy Totah's

"Ghost of You" plays ]



-Underneath the cherry sky

Was the truth,

you off the line

I was watching,

didn't speak

The shadows danced

across your cheek

And I burned for you

like the morning sun

But the night was long

and the words undone

Cherry red fades into blue

But I'm still chasing

the ghost of you

Ghost of you

The ghost of you

Still chasing

the ghost of you

You

All night you let it slip

Your heart's a fragile girl

Stars tangled in the dark

Our love was just

a fleeting spark

And I fell for you

like the morning sun

But the night was long

and words undone

Cherry red fade into blue

But I'm still chasing

the ghost of you

-But it was perfect!

[ Birds chirping ]