(haunting Oriental music) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019 (exciting percussive music) (thunder crashing) (thumping, rumbling) (dramatic Oriental music) (men shouting and hollering) (shouting and hollering continue) (arrow whooshes) (groans) (men whooping) - (groans) - (horse neighing) (men shouting and hollering) Najid, cut the horses loose. (neighing) (dramatic music) (shouting and hollering continue) (shouting and hollering continue) (tense music) (groaning) We have to turn back. We have been riding for six months. And we've lost 20 men. But we survived. Yes. By chance. Any one of us could have met that same fate. We were the strongest. Remember why you're here. In the West, we would be enemies, and I would have to kill you. At least here, we have a common goal. Oh, yes ` this black powder. It turns air into fire and kills a dozen men at one time. It is the weapon of our dreams. And what if it's just a myth? Men have sent word that it's real. And those men are dead, and we are next. We have no maps, no medicine and no food. No one is going back. We take inventory of what we have left and finish what we started. There's not much here. The moon is strong. When the horses are fresh, we move. - To where? - North. If they keep after us, we'll kill them in the mountains. The magnet. Too heavy. - Useless. - I'll have it. It's all yours. (heavy thud in dirt) Amigo, only you would carry a stupid magnet through the desert. I can use it to make a compass. Rizzetti won't make it. The wound is festering. We'll be dragging a corpse. I heard that. He's earned the right to die where he wants. I've been left for dead twice. - It was bad luck. - For who? - The people who left me. - (chuckles) - (rustling) - Maybe Rizzetti's right. (flame whooshes) (quiet growling) (rapid steps) (screeching) (chittering in distance) Where are they? - (low growling) - (gasps) (rapid steps, screeching) - (high-pitched warbling) - Hill tribes? It's no man. Then what is it? Whatever it is... - it's hunting. - (rapid steps) (screeching) (screeching) - What was that? - I don't know. I took its hand. - We need to move. - Agreed. - I'll take the hand with us. - What the hell for? So someone can tell me what I just killed. (dramatic, soaring music) (shouting and hollering in distance) Persistent bastards, aren't they? We'll take the rise, make a stand there. What a long shitting way to go to die. (dramatic music) (shouting and hollering continue) (dramatic music continues) Mother of God. (shouts in Mandarin) (arrows rattling) (weapons clanging) (dramatic music) I have no need to go down fighting. Agreed. I say we take our chances with the gents in front of us. I haven't surrendered in a while, eh. It'll come back to you. (swords clang) Follow my lead. We'll be fine. Of course, my friend. Where you go, I follow. You're doing such a great job already. (shouting in Mandarin) (shouting in Mandarin) They know what it is. And they don't look happy to see it. All the more reason to get the hell out of here. Our weapons are on that table. - Have you lost your mind? - I can take out the guards on the perimeter with my bow. You cut the legs out from under the officers. I must confess, this is not my favourite plan. LIN: Where was this found? You speak English. Fantastic. Where was this found? It wasn't found. It was taken. That thing killed three men before we took it down. Where? Two days' ride. North, in the mountains. Two of you, you did this? Well... (stammers) I killed it. Alone? Tell me how. A swing of the sword. The hand came away clean. The beast fell back into a chasm. - Why are you here? - We came to trade. We were ambushed. (grunting) You are soldiers. (tense music) (Lin grunts) (suspenseful music) (playing rhythmic beat) (rhythmic drumbeat continues) Are you killing us, sister? Two lost travellers? I think she'd like that. If it is death, my dear, we need time to pray. I'm trying here. Sister, I know a siege when I see one. What comes at you so hard you need a wall like this? What the hell did we kill out there? WANG: Tao Tei. You killed a Tao Tei scout. You killed it alone. You're correct. We are under siege. - But we did not expect the attack for another nine days. - Attack? Tao Tei? What the hell is a Tao Tei? Many things about your story have importance. You are not to die today. (metallic clanking) (distant shouting) (dramatic music) (wood creaking and clunking) (indistinct shouting) (dramatic music continues) (wood creaking) (speaking Mandarin) (soldier shouts in Mandarin) (dramatic music continues) (metallic clanking and creaking) (shouts in Mandarin) (dramatic music) (dramatic music continues) The black are the foot soldiers. - And the red? - Those are the archers. (dramatic music) - And the blue? - They're all women. What the hell do they do? (dramatic music) (shouts in Mandarin) Look at this army. Have you ever seen anything like this? Incredible. (dramatic music continues) (shouts in Mandarin) (suspenseful music) (wind whistling) It's big. So big you gotta fold it. VOICEOVER: Domino's New Yorker Big Pepperoni, just $14.99, pick up or delivered every Saturday and Sunday only. $14.99? They look nervous. It's a big wall to be so nervous. (suspenseful, ominous music) (distant screeching) Do you hear it? (screeching grows louder) (playing rhythmic beat) (men shouting in Mandarin) (tense music) (man shouts) (dramatic music) (pained shrieking) (shrieking) (roars) (dramatic music continues) (yelling) (grunts) (dramatic music continues) (shouts in Mandarin) (yells) (dramatic music continues) William, over there. Why isn't he tied up? There's our escape. (Tao Tei screeching) (dramatic music) (shrieking) (roars) (roars) (chittering, high-pitched warbling) (vibrating) (screeching) (dramatic music continues) (playing rhythmic beat) (screeching) (screams) - (frightened grunt) - We need to move! We need to move, or we die! (screaming) (dramatic music continues) (Tao Tei shrieks) Go, go! Go and fight! (man screams) (yelling) Cut me loose! Fight or run? Run where? (yelling) (groans) WILLIAM: Aim for the eyes! (dramatic music) (grunts) (shrieks) (roaring) (soldiers screaming) (dramatic music continues) (pained shrieking) William! (Tao Tei shrieking in pain) (shrieking) (screeching) (dramatic music continues) Hey, bitch. (chitters, roars) (shrieking) (man yelling) William. I need a shot. (dramatic music) (shrieks) (rumbling, high-pitched warbling) What god made those things? None that we know. (wind whistling) Think they'll hang us now? I could use the rest. You've earned General Shao's praise. - Will they come back? - Yes. WANG: All we can do is prepare. (reflective music) (door opens) (door closes) (reflective music) MAN: Who are you? (grunting) (scared whimper) Easy. I'm Ballard. Hmm? William. This is Tovar. BALLARD: What are you doing here? We came looking for black powder. I bet you did. I came with mercenaries for the same thing. 25 years ago. And did you find it? Finding it and leaving with it alive are two different things. You saved the west turret. That was extremely diplomatic. We weren't being diplomatic. We were trying to stay alive. - You smell like animals. - Thank you. Clean up... and they'll feed you. (door opens) - (door closes) - He knows where the powder is. Then why is he still here? He needs help getting out? Right. We play our part, take the powder and go home. - I didn't sign up for this. - Which part? Well... all of it. But mostly the monsters. There's a lot of them. We really do smell. (dramatic music) (applause continues) (applause dies down) General Shao welcomes you as honoured guests of the Nameless Order, and thanks you for your skill and courage. We are... Honoured to be honoured. - Is that the best you've got? - (Lin speaking Mandarin) (Tovar chuckles) Commander Chen thinks your bow is not worthy of your skill. Tell him there's no better weapon here. (laughter) (clamouring) They wish to see you shoot. In here? - What was that? - LIN: He thinks you have fear. Too many people. (suspenseful music) - Get one of the cups. - Now? - Get one of the cups. - I want to eat. (slurps) - You remember how to do this? - Last time didn't go so good. We were drunk. - How high? - Ten yards. Six hands to the right. - Turn around. - No, I'll do it this way. - On my count. - Amigo... One... two... three. Pull. (suspenseful music) (cheering) (yawns) Good luck with that. I want food. Who taught you English? Sir Ballard. English and Latin. Heard he's been here for 25 years. You won't let him leave. He must stay here. What about us? Pace yourself. The meals are regular here. I hope not to stay that long. I like your thinking, but I suggest you keep your plans private. You aren't the first Westerners to come here looking for black powder. We'll discuss it tonight. Bring your partner. - How long have you been here? - Always. I was not five years old when I came here. I have no other family. We're the same. I was given to an army before I can remember. As a soldier? Worse. As a gleaner. Packs of children ` we'd clean the battlefields. After, when the fighting's over. I became a page, a pikeman's boy. For your country? No. I fought for food. You fight to eat. You live long enough, you fight for money. How many flags do you fight for? I don't know. I fought for Harold against the Danes. I saved a duke's life. I fought for him until he died. Fought for Spain against the Franks. Fought for the Franks against Boulogne. I fought for the Pope. Many flags. We are not the same. Meet me on the Wall. I have something to show you. BALLARD: He should be careful with her. - She's very powerful here. - Then it is a fair contest. (suspenseful music) Come. - WILLIAM: Hmm. - You wish to try? (sighs) (wind whistling) (women chuckling) She says men have so much to teach us. (women chuckling) I don't think that's what she said. You know what I think? I think you're afraid. You said that this morning. And yet... - ...here I am. - Yes. Here you are. (dramatic music) Will you jump or not? These men know what they're doing? LIN: Wrong question. Whether or not the cable is attached ` - that is the question. - (William chuckles) And the answer? Xi... Xin ren? "Xin ren" means "trust," "to have faith." Here, in this army, we fight for more than food or money. We give our lives to something more. "Xin ren" is our flag. Trust in each other. In all ways, at all times. Well, that's all well and good, but I'm not jumping. I'm alive today because I trust no one. A man must learn to trust before he can be trusted. Then you were right. We're not the same. (wood creaking and clunking) (Ballard chuckling) My God. A taste, a glimpse. A few pilfered grains from Strategist Wang's supply of black powder. He's mastered the transmutation of these elements. People speak of a weapon. There are many weapons here. Why have we not seen them? (chuckling): There are many things you have not seen. And many things you should pray will not be needed before the siege is through. The Tao Tei will return. When the drums call to battle, the guards leave their posts and take their positions on the Wall. That is our moment. We want to be riding away as the battle rages. And the armoury doors? - You have keys? - I have black powder. Enough for several doors. He brings us in, we get us out. (knocking at door) As you fought... where was this stone? In my bag. Its unseen force is powerful. I believe this strange stone could help us. We try everything. Where are the Tao Tei now? WANG: The mountains, regrouping. Where do they come from? About 20 centuries ago, there was an emperor whose greed brought deep suffering to all of China. The heavens sent the meteor that struck Gowoo Mountain, turning it green and releasing the Tao Tei. From that day on, the Tao Tei rise every 60 years to scourge the north of China. They come to remind us of what happens when greed is unchecked. They eat anything, alive or dead, and take food to their queen. She depends on her soldiers to feed her. Only with the food they provide is she able to multiply. The capital, and its two million people, is only 800 li away. If the Tao Tei ever had that much nourishment, no corner of the world would be safe. You can't hunt them? Men try. They disappear. We never find their bones. (dramatic music) (eerie music) (wind whistling) (sinister music) (hisses) (soldiers continue marching) (hissing quietly) (Tao Tei screeching) (screaming) (shrieks) (poignant music) (poignant music swells) (rhythmic drumbeat playing) (male soldier singing in Mandarin) (singing continues) (other soldiers join in singing over drumbeat) (singing continues) WANG: This is envoy Shen from the palace. He has brought important records to help with the coming battle. A 900-year-old battle report. (speaking Mandarin) At the Hansha gates, three beasts mounted the Wall. They killed many men as they went forward. Then, by the grace of the ancient gods, the beasts... stopped? (speaking Mandarin) BALLARD: And sat peacefully as we slaughtered them. At the Hansha Gate was a magnet just like this one. I believe that magnet was the reason the two of you Westerners killed the Tao Tei so easily. I believe the magnet makes the Tao Tei deaf. Without instruction, they fall still. How can we be sure? Why not try it? Capture a Tao Tei, see if it works. How? No net is strong enough. Hunt them, like a whale. You know what that is ` a, uh... a water beast, hundred times the size of... of a Tao Tei. A spear that grabs. Hook the bone, pull them up. I've seen it done in Spain. What the hell are you doing? We need to be free when the attack comes. How many chances do you think we will get? Be injured. Be missing. Be a coward. Get out of this. We did enough. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) (PHONES AND CONVERSATIONS CONTINUE) (BIRDSONG) # Nobody makes soup in a cup # Like Continental Cup A Soup ! # (soldiers murmuring quietly) (suspenseful music) (object shattering) (tense music) - TOVAR: He'll be here. - When? When it's over? We start, and he will find us. Start? We're jumping off a cliff here. I have everything. Powder, tools, maps. It's all hidden and arranged along the route. Once we start, there's no going back. (suspenseful silence) (wind whistling softly) (screaming) (dramatic music) (growling) (soldier shouting in Mandarin) (action music) (soldiers shouting in Mandarin) (soldiers grunting) (groaning, shrieking) (soldiers grunting, Tao Tei screeching) (soldiers shout in Mandarin) (swords clanging, soldiers shouting in distance) (suspenseful music) - TOVAR: I'll find him. - BALLARD: Forget him. He'd rather die trying to impress the new general than grab the key to every counting room and brothel in the world. - Good God, man, the time is now. - I can't go without him. - More the spoils for us. - We need his bow! (tense music) (soldier shouting in Mandarin) (dramatic music) (shrieks) (grunting) (chains clanging) (pained moaning and shrieking) (dramatic music continues) (pained moaning) (dramatic music builds) No, no, no, no, no. Stop! There's too much tension. Chain will break. That way. That way. - (speaking Mandarin) - WILLIAM: Let him run. (pained moaning and shrieking) Stop. Stop. We need longer for the sleeping potion to work. (pained grunting) That way. That way. We need to isolate it, separate it from the others. (soldier shouts in Mandarin) (dramatic music continues) (Tao Tei shrieking) WANG: The chain won't hold much longer! (tense music) William, wait. These arrows will scream as the Tao Tei run. Aim for the sound. (dramatic music) (arrows whistling viciously) (arrows whistling in distance) (whistling stops) (Tao Tei wheezing) (grunts) (Tao Tei continues wheezing) (arrow whistling, growing louder) (arrow whistling, Tao Tei roaring) (grunting) (panting) I'm only saving you so I can kill you myself. Grab an axe. We're fighting blind. (arrow whistling in distance) - Not yet. - I know what to do. (whistling continues, growing louder) (arrow whistling loudly) (dramatic music) (arrow whistling) (Tao Tei shrieking in pain) The fire's not holding them back. Die well, brother. (rapid Tao Tei footsteps approaching) (arrows whistling) What the hell are you doing? She's listening. (arrows whistling in distance) (dramatic music) (soldier shouts in Mandarin) (explosions booming) (explosions continue) (arrow whistling) (dark music) (rumbling) (indistinct shouting echoes in distance) (panting) PHONE TRANSLATOR: Kiwis are endangered, no? (CHUCKLES) Hello. Hello. Hey. They say language is the gateway to culture. And I have the key. Can I interest you in the big Kiwi breakfast? (PHONE TRANSLATES INTO SWEDISH) (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: Kiwis are endangered, no? (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: I could try a little one. # Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh. # (quiet chatter in distance) Did it work? Yes. The beast was captured. (groans) My friend? He was unharmed. (reflective music) Why did you go over the Wall? Did I say it right? Thank you. Black powder. It is a terrible weapon. It would be better if you had never seen it. I know very little of the outside world. But it seems to me the greed of men is not that different from the Tao Tei. Is that true? The strong take what they want. Forget what you have seen. (Tao Tei shrieking) (panicked chatter in Mandarin) (cage clanging, Tao Tei snarling) (exhales) (quiet, momentous music) (dramatic music) (soldiers shouting in Mandarin) Huh? You're much braver than they think. You wounded? I was looking for you. - To say thank you. - (scoffs quietly) TOVAR: You feel good, huh? Maybe you sing a little song, eh? I will join you. We can sing together how you saved the grateful chinos. You saw what happened out there, and that's what you say? I see black powder. I see a man forget his friends. The black powder's not going anywhere. What goes nowhere is you. You'll never get what you want from this. You think they see you as some kind of hero? A man of virtue? Maybe you can fool them, but I know what you are. You know what you are. A thief, a liar... ...and a killer. You can never undo the things you have done, and you will never be anything` (Tovar grunts) Good to see you again, amigo. (brooding music) (door opens, closes) - Nothing? - No. - How do you know he won't betray us? - I don't. They'll kill him. They'll kill him no matter what. The time they spend killing him is time they are not chasing us. (dramatic music) (ropes whipping and creaking) (tense music) Careful with that. There's powder here. (dramatic, momentous music) WILLIAM: Tovar. (tense music) (tense music continues) (tense music continues) (dramatic music swells) (music stops) Have a look. See if it's gone out. - Is it safe? - Of course it is. (rumbling) (coughing) (grunting, panting) Shh. Shake it off, man. To work. I thought you said it was safe. We're in, aren't we? TOVAR: You're here. We have come to our senses, eh? Ballard has planned well. Getting out is easy. There's a gate ` 20 miles west. We dodge the hill tribes... we can make it. - They need us here. - They need more than us. - These people are doomed. - Don't be a fool. I've been a fool. I'm done with it. Brother, please. We've been fighting for nothing. For greed. Amigo, after all the blood and cold and pain, with this black powder in our saddlebags, we win. You come with me. I can't do that now. Stay and fight. William... - BALLARD: Think he's dead? - TOVAR: It'd take a lot more than that. (dramatic music) TOVAR: Come on. Hyah! (man shouts in Mandarin) (momentous music) (Tao Tei breathing loudly) (quiet murmuring) (frightened gasps) (tense music) - I tried to stop them... - You dare to speak to me? I didn't do this. And you came here to trade. And you knew nothing of black powder. What a fool you must think I am. If I was with them, why would I be here? I tried to stop them. I tried` You lie. Some part of you knows that's not true. If I were not the general, I would kill you myself. (tense music) (stammers) (lock clicks) (brooding music) (wind whistling) (horse whinnies) Which way? Left or right? Go up and take a look from the high ground. (uneasy music) - Hyah! - (horses neighing) No! No! Bastard! (panting) (dramatic music) (explosions booming nearby) (haunting music) (screaming) (frantic chatter) (dramatic music continues) (creaking) (indistinct shouting) WILLIAM: What happened? - What happened? - We have failed. The Tao Tei are in the kingdom. You are free to leave. Take what you wish and go. This was the general's final order. Where is she? WILLIAM: To do what? To fight? Is there a chance? There's only one. Kill the queen. Kill the queen, or we all die. Leave. Tell the world what you have seen, and tell them what is coming. (melancholy music) (suspenseful music) I'll need my bow. If I'm to join you, I'll need my bow. (heroic music) He wishes to join us. (horses neighing, approaching hoofbeats) (men hollering) (onlookers gasp) (soft growling) (panicked chatter) (roars) (chittering) (tense music) (vibrating) (high-pitched warbling) (dramatic music) (grunts) (dramatic music continues) (men laughing) No, you... Stop. - No... - (laughter continues) (tense music) No. Those are precio`! Stop. No. No, don't throw that thing near fire! (loud explosion booming nearby) Hey. (CHUCKLES) Hello. Hello. Hey. They say language is the gateway to culture. And I have the key. Can I interest you in the big Kiwi breakfast? (PHONE TRANSLATES INTO SWEDISH) (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: Kiwis are endangered, no? (SPEAKS SWEDISH) PHONE TRANSLATOR: I could try a little one. # Oh, oh. Oh, oh. Oh. # They'll kill him. They'll kill him no matter what. (dramatic music) (Tao Tei screeching) (grunts) (Tao Tei screeching) (yells, groans) (roaring) (dramatic music continues) (screams) (roars) (deep growling) (ominous music) WILLIAM: Above you! (dramatic music) Behind you. (Tao Tei screeching) I set you free. And here I am. There's the queen! (dramatic music) They will not attack while the queen is feeding. We have a chance. Hold on! (frantic chatter) (screaming) (tense music) (dramatic music) (mysterious music) (tense, brooding music) There is an underground canal here. WILLIAM: Has it been breached? The Tao Tei should all be aboveground. And the one we captured? WANG: We load it up. We feed it. And it will return to its queen. Good. (dramatic music) (rumbling, Tao Tei screeching) (snarling and screeching) (tense music) (soldier screams) (soldiers yelling, grunting) (tense music) (groans) (groans) You'll have one hell of a scar, but you'll live. We'll come back for him. (tense music) (Tao Tei shrieking) LIN: They've broken through! (roars) (dramatic music) (grunting) (orchestral music swells) (Tao Tei roars) (debris clattering) (sombre music) (tense music) (creaks) (snarling) (Tao Tei breathing loudly) (suspenseful music) (dramatic music) (Tao Tei grumbling) (hisses) (hisses) Patience, William. (growls, hisses) (tense music continues) (sniffs) And it will go to the queen when it's done? It should. It will. (screeching) Let it in. - (growls) - (high-pitched squeal) (tense music) I can get a shot from above. (banging on wall) Go. I'll hold them back. (banging on walls, wood creaking) (dramatic music) (screeching) Wait. Not yet. (dramatic music continues) WILLIAM: Hit. Go higher. I'll get a better shot. (chittering, high-pitched warbling) (screeching) General! It's up to you now! (Tao Tei screeching) (solemn music) (tense music) (dramatic music) (snarling) (growls) (chittering) (high-pitched warbling) (screeching) We have one black powder weapon left. Give me the spear. I've trained for this my whole life. I'll get you the shot. (dramatic music) (Tao Tei screeching) (silence) (Lin yells) (both grunting) - LIN: I've got you. - (William exhales sharply) (both grunting) (momentous music) (rumbling) (sweeping, dramatic music) (William sighs) So, how's life without me? A little slow. You're a hero after all. - Well, it looks that way. - You seem pleased with yourself. And what are they giving you for all of your troubles? A bag of gold? A victory parade along the top of the Wall? All the black powder I can carry. And a cavalry escort to get me home safely. - Well, congratulations. - Thank you. So, what is this? You're here to rub my nose in it? Well, would you blame me? The last time I saw you, you left me for dead. And the time before that, I saved your life. True. You know, the emperor gave me a choice. I could take the black powder, or I could take you. Please tell me you chose the powder. (keys clinking) I don't even know you anymore. (chuckling) The horses are saddled and waiting. Best we ride before nightfall. I'll be inside. Don't leave without me. I came to say good-bye. I understand congratulations are in order. General of the northwest territory. That's quite an honour. Seems you've made your choice. Oh, him? Believe me, I'm already thinking about trading him back for the powder. TOVAR: I heard that. (poignant music) Perhaps we were both wrong. We are more similar than I thought. Thank you, General. (sweeping, poignant music) (wind whistling) Are sure you don't want to go back? Of course I do. I just don't trust you to make it out of here alone. (Tovar chuckling) (dramatic, intrepid music) (exciting percussive music) Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2019