01x02 - Undying

[bunniefuu]

What's it like, to hear his voice?

For me it is

Pain.

How else could it be

to hear the voice of a god-king?

We all bear burdens.

This is mine.

But why you, Hendrick?

Why must you be the one to face this task?

I do not question.

I do what is required of me.

In Sigmar's name.

And it is a burden I cannot share.

The words of passing, Neave.

He has spoken them into my mind.

And they burn even now.

My lips cannot give shape to them.

Only when the time comes,

will they be heard.

So be it.

The others will be here soon.

If you will allow me,

I shall speak Sigmar's will.

Who do we hunt?

A monster.

Aren't they all?

Get up. If you can't move,

they don't keep you alive.

What is this?

The herd must be culled of the weak.

Lest they spoil the queen's table.

Hmm.

It seems you are not weak.

Merely foolish.

But our queen cannot keep

the entire harvest for herself.

Keep moving

and you will live a little longer.

Who was she?

This blood queen.

She is called Kaelena.

She last drew breath

as one of the living in the Age of Chaos,

before the w*r of Retribution even began.

Someone who has survived that long

is going to be powerful

and difficult to k*ll.

Vampires have a nasty habit

of not staying down.

That's why we're not going to k*ll her.

What?

Kaelena was once an Azyrite magister

in service to Sigmar.

She turned her back on him

and made a bargain for immortality.

First we have to get to her.

Lorai.

She has a fortress.

Of course.

A fortress in two halves.

The tree that holds the fortress' stones

together grows through a realmgate

spanning Ghyran and the Amethyst Realm.

Attack in one realm and she goes

through the gate to the other.

We need to get in and reach

the quarry as swiftly as possible

Without getting k*lled

again in the process?

without giving the creature time

to muster her forces in defence.

The Soulblight need

the blood of the living.

Why not wait until she leaves

her fortress to feed?

She has not left the confines

of her fastness for many lifetimes.

We will have to enter the fortress.

So we walk in or we break in.

Either way, we must cross the threshold.

Don't the legends say

it's the other way round with vampires?

But she still feeds, doesn't she?

This Soulblight still drinks blood, yes?

Her thralls and lesser kin bring herds

of mortals to fill her dungeons.

Her larder.

Then that's our way in

with the people she treats as cattle.

Five-score-nine, your eminence.

A wasteage of only a half-dozen.

A bountiful harvest.

On your feet.

What?

I presume there is a reason

we have to use the door

as opposed to riding the lightning

into the heart of the enemy.

The fortress is

warded and shielded

against magic intrusion.

Powerfully warded if you are saying

that Sigmar's might can't get us inside.

Not his might, no.

But his word

What are you not telling us, old wolf?

Kaelena's fortress is a Stormvault.

Made by Sigmar himself in ages long past

to seal away relics and monsters

that might threaten the realms.

What did this Stormvault contain,

besides a realmgate?

Some hold spells that undo life

and move the stars.

Weapons that can steal a god's power.

Devices that can rewrite truth.

Whatever this one holds,

such power cannot be allowed

to remain in a vampire's hands.

So if we're not going to k*ll her

what are we going to do?

To protect their secrets,

every Stormvault

contains a penumbral engine.

Such devices are designed

to wash away the memories

of those caught in their aura.

They're long dormant,

but can be reactivated with the right key.

So we're going to remove her ability

to use the contents of the Stormvault.

We're going to destroy her sense of self.

Her identity.

She'll die in all but body.

Yes.

Please, I was just trying to stay alive.

You yet might.

Keys.

We breach the fortress in Shyish.

Cause trouble.

The prey feels threatened

and goes through the gate

from one realm to another.

Exactly what we want her to do.

This way, quick.

Quick.

Please. Please, don't leave us.

Over here!

Through.

Lorai.

It is done.

Run swift.

The sight of the unliving

will not remain clouded for long.

This is it,

but only the mistress can open it.

Go.

What?

You brought us to the sanctuary.

Your life is your own.

I betrayed the mistress.

I won't survive.

Leave!

- What?

- You just k*lled him.

I gave him more of a chance than any

of the mortals he helped imprison.

It's time.

By the will of Sigmar.

Hear his word.

Hendrick?

Good luck.

I'll hold them off

for as long as I'm able.

And this word unlocks the fortress?

Yes.

What is the problem?

There is always a problem.

Even if you could open a Stormvault

Sigmar is a cautious god.

The wards break.

The vault's guardians awaken.

There!

Oh. How disappointing.

The vaults.

Stop her, Rostus!

It worked. She's gone through.

Now we just need to stop her returning.

And get out without dying.

- The Soulblight crossed over?

- Yes.

But she opened the damn vaults

as she left.

The way is sealed.

But only while I dream

its waters into ice.

I cannot hold the way shut for long,

and I am unwilling to die

in this endeavour.

We give Hendrick all the time we can.

and trust that Sigmar is with him.

Oh, no you don't.

Back here!

Stand aside.

No.

Come on Hendrick!

Shyish lor nia su

Hello, old friend.

Celestial power.

The weight of a half-god's whim.

Life eternal.

Doesn't suit you.

You forced me here.

Cut off the path behind me.

Clever.

I had thought

you would come for me sooner.

I can grant you no mercy, Kaelena.

You are a threat.

Because of what we remember.

Memories are a funny thing, are they not?

They can define you,

and they can damn you.

And they always come back to haunt you.

You should have come with me.

You should not have chosen this.

I made the right choice.

You

You no longer have a choice

over who and what you are.

Is she here too?

She doesn't know, does she?

Did you tell them you were here

because of the Stormvault?

Of course you did,

they could not know the truth.

Only Sigmar's Talon would be trusted

to ensure that I do not live

to spoil his great gamble.

You would m*rder everyone

you care about for your god.

I do what is required of me.

I am sorry.

I am not.

The waters

drain

The way will not remain shut for long.

Just as well.

Sorry, Hendrick.

Time's up.

You tire, old man.

Your words are truer than you know.

Goodbye, old friend.

I will remember you.

- Hendrick!

- Out! Now!

Move! Get clear!

It will all come out in the end, Hendrick.

When all is dust

secrets are undying.

The Penumbral Engine will work?

It will.

Very well. Let's get it done.

Mistress!

You survive!

What glorious fortune!

Who are you?

Your humble servant.

I need no servants.

But I do need to feed