Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999): Season 1, Episode 11 - The Vanishing Dead - full transcript
When young warrior Aelon, fallen on the field of honor, appears to them as a ghost, like other soldiers before in Tantalus since the recent death of king Memnos, their mother sends his kid brother Krytus, who would rather become a scholar like his father, to enlist Hercules and Iolaus's help. They get a good reception from the new king, their friend Daulin, Memnos's son, who is fighting off an armed revolt by his sister Poena's mercenaries commanded by Jarton, another friend from the field. Poena claims Daulin committed fratricide for the throne, both sides see their dead stolen. Hercules finds footprints from Graegus, Ares's dog of war, who feeds only on the blood of the fallen, but neither side is prepared to stop the senseless war. Hercules takes on his full-divine but evil half-brother, the real regicide with an assumed identity...
Retreat!
Quickly!
Don't let them escape!
No.
No.
- No! He can't be dead!
- But Mother...,
one of the soldiers told me that Aelon
had been killed during the battle.
Then why can't you find
his body?!
I don't know.
I'll keep looking,
I promise you.
- Oh, Son!
- Aelon.
My heart told me
you were still alive!
Help me, Krytus..., please.
Next! Next!
There you go!
Boy..., tilling fields all day
is not my idea of fun.
Armus is a warrior who grew old.
He needed our help.
Well, I wish
he'd ask us to...,
I don't know, slay a monster
or sum'in'.
That's my idea
of a good deed.
- I'll try to remember that, Iolaus.
- Thank you very much.
Hercules!
Hercules!
- What's the trouble?
- My brother.
He's dead.
- You have my sympathy.
- Yeah, mine too.
No, no. We just saw him.
My mother and I.
Well, he's...
He what?
He's a ghost.
This is the history
of a time long ago,
a time of myth and legend,
when the ancient gods
were petty and cruel
and they plagued mankind
with suffering.
Only one man dared
to challenge their power:
Hercules.
Hercules possessed a strength
the world had never seen,
a strength surpassed only
by the power of his heart.
He journeyed the Earth
battling the minions
of his wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil,
wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be... Hercules!
HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
Aelon was a great soldier.
He always taught me
that he fought twice as hard...
so that I wouldn't have
to join up.
My job was to take care
of our mother.
When the other soldier said
he'd been killed...,
I searched all day,
but I couldn't find his body.
- Until that night.
- When...
- his spirit... walked in the door.
- I don't know what else to call it.
My hand went right through him.
It was like...
he was there,
except he wasn't.
- But he still spoke to you?
- Just a few words.
His voice sounded so... far away,
like from another world.
But it's not just Aelon.
Other soldiers are missing too.
Someone is stealing
the bodies of the dead.
And their honor as well.
Does that mean you'll come back
to Tantalus with me?
Yes, it does.
Sounds like I've been gone
too long.
Iolaus? Care to join us?
Well, you know, if I gotta
choose between ghosts and...
tilling a field?
Ghosts are good.
So, Krytus...,
a young fellow like you must dream
of becoming a hero someday.
Any, uh..., questions
I can answer for you?
Actually, I wanna be a scholar.
My dad was one.
Besides, I've only heard stories
about Hercules.
Are you a hero too?
Ah, well, you know, uh...,
some people like to think so.
Sounds like a good place
to interrupt.
Krytus.
So, tell me, how long
has there been trouble in Tantalus?
Ever since King Memnos died.
- The king died? When?
- About three months ago.
It's a shame.
He was a good man.
I helped him defend your valley
against the Macedonians.
Must have been ten years ago.
You're probably too young
to remember.
Yes, but I've... heard
the tale many times.
Aelon said that when
their army stormed the city,
you held a hundred soldiers
at bay by yourself.
- Well, it was more like, fifty.
- But you did save the king,
and you broke a catapult in two
with your bare hands.
Krytus...,
I thought you said heroics
didn't interest you.
Well, they don't.
But this is Hercules.
Our left flank was weak yesterday;
we were lucky to hold her back.
Now I don't think she can mount
another major offensive
for several days, but
sooner or later, she'll try again.
Make sure we're ready.
Yes, sir.
This can't be
the same Daulin.
Hercules!
What in the world?!
It's good to see ya, Daulin.
You look great.
Not to mention, tall.
You're actually looking a bit short.
From the tales we hear,
you should be twenty feet high
by now.
I was... sorry to hear
about your father.
You know how much
I thought of him.
Thanks.
What brings you
back to Tantalus?
Heard there was trouble.
My friend, Iolaus, and I
thought we could help.
If Hercules calls you a friend,
then so do I.
Likewise.
There's more than just trouble
here.
I'm in the middle
of an all-out war.
How's Poene?
I hope she's all right.
Hercules, it's Poene
I'm fighting.
My own sister
is tryin' to overthrow me.
This is a joke, right?
I mean, you two always
used to... pull those pranks on me.
I'd give anything to have those
days back, but they're gone.
After I assumed the throne,
my sister went mad with jealousy.
She spread lies throughout
the town, called for revolution...,
wound up turning half
of Tantalus against me.
That's... hard to believe.
It's as painful
as my father's death.
Maybe worse. Hercules, if I knew
Poene had wanted the kingdom,
I would have given it to her, but
before I could do anything...,
she started this war.
She somehow managed
to convice Jarton.
- He's running her army for her.
- Jarton.
The two of us fought side-by-side
for Daulin's father.
We were good friends.
But the bodies, Daulin.
We've heard stories
of your dead disappearing.
That's the worst part
of this nightmare.
Poene's men
steal our dead.
Only the gods know why.
Iolaus, I've had some bad feelings
over the years,
but the one I've got right now,
beats 'em all.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Hey..., if I die someday
on a battlefield...,
you better make sure you bury
me properly.
No, it's more than that.
I mean, this whole thing is wrong.
This isn't the legacy
King Memnos deserves.
His two children
trying to kill each other?
War is senseless enough,
but...
- when it tears apart a family...
- Huh. No one can win.
Exactly.
If you had seen...
Daulin and Poene as kids...
They were wonderful...
and inseparable.
One of the main reasons
I fought for Memnos...
was to make sure
they got to grow up.
Makes you think
'a your own kids too...,
- doesn't it?
- Yeah.
If my children had grown up
to wage war on each other...
- I don't know what I'd do.
- You'd stop them...
any way you could,
or die trying.
I'm going to Poene's camp and see
if I can talk some sense into her.
I want you to keep an eye on things
here.
If Daulin does
anything foolish...,
- let me know right away.
- You know I will.
I know.
Listen, crush-bucket,
we fight with King Daulin!
- He's got more money!
- Poene will pay better!
We play for it.
Two out of three!
One, two, three!
Parchment covers rock!
One, two, three!
Bite me!
Dagger cuts parchment!
One, two, three!
Rock smashes dagger!
We fight for Daulin!
Daulin!
Good evening.
Hey! Who do you think you are,
sneakin' up on us like that?!
It's Hercules.
Well..., wouldja look at that?
Not in the market
for some mercen'ries, are you?
Uh, afraid not.
I'm on my way to see Poene.
Is that right?
It's what he said,
ya half-blind moron!
At least I don't have last night's
dinner stuck in my chin hair!
You haven't seen anything strange
out here tonight, have you?
Hey, Hercules,
I travel with that.
Oh. Well..., be careful,
anyway.
Hey..., we ain't afraid
'a nothin'!
You know..., if Hercules is going over
to Poene's side...
...and us, fighting for Daulin,
isn't exactly written in stone...
Poene!
Go on! Keep going!
I caught this one
down by the river.
Invading our territory?
You must not know
what we do to spies.
What? Give 'em a big kiss?
Hercules, my friend,
it's good to see you.
It's good to see you.
It's been too long, Jarton.
- It has.
- Hercules?
- Hello, Poene.
- What brings you here?
I keep hearing about trouble;
I came to help.
You willing to fight with us?
No, not fight. Help.
Daulin told me what's been
going on between you two.
You haven't even spoken to me
and you've already sided with him.
Hold on, I'm not
on anybody's side.
But he says you've been tryin' to take
his throne ever since your father died.
I don't suppose Daulin told you
that he killed our father!
What?
It's true, Hercules.
Daulin poisoned the king.
That's how he got the throne.
All we want now is justice.
- But the way that he tells it...
- He's lying.
The person you knew
as Daulin was a lie.
In truth, he's nothing more
than a murdering demon
and he does not deserve to wear
my father's crown.
- Not a man who steals the dead.
- Your dead are being taken too?
And it's destroying their families,
not being able to bury them.
Your dead, Daulin's dead...
There's nothing I'd like better
than to stop this.
Excuse me.
Keep an eye on him.
Make sure he's here
for the reason he says he is.
Back to the fields.
This way!
Hey, Krytus.
What's goin' on?
Where's Hercules?
He's, uh..., not around
right now.
- Why d'ya have that spear?
- To avenge Aelon.
I'm joining up.
But you hate war.
You wanna be a scholar.
Well, sometimes, a man has
to do something heroic.
Like you and Hercules.
And if he's not here..,
you can teach me how to fight.
Now, hold on.
All that... hero talk
was just... talk.
I never said you should
go into battle. You could get killed.
I'm going anyway.
Now, you gonna teach me or not?
Where's the man
who wore you?
Oh, no.
It's over for you, Graegus!
Graegus!
I'm sorry, I...
I didn't mean to frighten you.
You called me Graegus?
Why?
- Do you know who he is?
- Of course! I know.
I'm an undertaker.
He's the... dog of war...
and... Ares... is his master.
But I have no idea...
who you are, sir.
Hercules.
That makes sense
if Graegus is near.
I should've known
it was him.
Who did you think
was taking them?
Huh... The competition. Ha.
No, no, no, no. When ya lunge,
ya gotta keep your elbows in.
And this should be...
But kid...,
real battles
get messy fast.
It takes years to perfect these
moves. There's no way you can...
When I advance,
where do I keep my weight?
On your front foot. Otherwise
you'll fall flat on your butt.
But listen to me, Krytus.
You're just a boy. You should
be home lookin' after your mom.
If Hercules was here,
he'd say the exact same thing.
How do I fight a guy
with a sword?
You don't!
You get yourself home
and hide under your bed
till this damn thing is over!
King Daulin wants to see you.
Now.
Hercules left last night.
One of my scouts saw him
going over to Poene's side.
He went to talk to her, to try
and put an end to this madness.
Why should I believe you?
You're a stranger.
But Hercules isn't!
He was a friend to your father...
and to you.
He would sooner scale Mount Olympus
and kiss Hera on the lips
than betray a friend.
True.
But I can't take chances
with the security of my people;
they've been betrayed enough.
We're through waiting for Poene
to strike. We attack tonight!
You heard him! Let's go!
Ready the troops!
Prepare for the attack!
Over here, men! Come on!
Okay, kid, come on.
We'll make a soldier out of you yet.
- Over here!
- Let's go.
Remember, birdbrain,
we don't settle
for less than ten dinars a day.
Ten?! We worked the last job
for ten!
This time,
we hold out for twelve.
Hey, buddy,
who's in charge here?
Lunge! That's it!
Keep praciticing!
A great warrior
fights fearlessly!
Lunge! Twist! Reset!
Uh... Good afternoon, captain.
We were wondering if you could use
two battle-savvy fighting men.
We own our weapons, we have
excellent references, and...
- Forget it. Let's get outta here.
- What?!
- Come on, we're leaving!
- I thought we were...
Lunge! Twist! Reset!
Poene...,
- can I have a word with you?
- What is it, Hercules?
Do you remember when I was here
years ago,
and Daulin always... pestered me
to tell him stories?
He used to follow you
like a puppy.
Always saying: "Please,
Hercules, just one more.
Just one more."
I never liked to show it,
but... I always listened to you too.
Then you remember
the story of Graegus.
He's a feared warrior, isn't he?
Graegus is no warrior.
He's...
a dog, a huge beast,
belonging to Ares, the god of war.
He feeds on dead soldiers.
He grows more powerful
with every soul he consumes.
- Why does this matter now?
- Because Graegus is here now.
Which means Ares is too.
He's behind this war,
manipulating it, because the blood
Graegus craves most is family blood.
Don't make excuses for Daulin.
This war is about
the murder of my father!
It's about supplying blood
for Graegus.
And without proper burial,
the human souls he takes
can't pass to the other side.
Don't you see?
You, your brother, your armies,
- you're all being used.
- Hercules...,
you don't know
how evil Daulin's become.
The evil... is Ares.
Stop this war before
one more family's torn apart.
Believe me.
Once you've lost
the people you love...,
you don't get them back.
Get outta here.
What got into you?! You just
walked away from a sweet deal.
It was that guy back there.
I've seen him before.
- I fought against him.
- So what?
That's the nature of the job,
fight against them one battle,
fight with them the next.
But that guy
shouldn't have a "next".
A couple of months back,
I was in a battle in Thrace.
I was sneaking through a trench.
It was pitch dark, raining.
I got the jump on that guy.
- That very same guy.
- What do you mean?
He never saw me coming! I rammed
my spear right... through his heart!
I killed him.
No.
Must have been some other guy.
Jarton...,
- I need to talk to you.
- And I need to talk with you.
What's all this
you've been telling Poene?
Myths of dogs that eat the dead?
It's nonsense.
I wish it was.
Right now is not the time
to weaken her resolve.
Not right before a battle.
A soldier can't afford that.
What if there doesn't have to be
a battle?
- You're dreamin'!
- That's exactly
what Ares wants you to think.
He's the one who's causing all this;
he's playing both sides like puppets.
Still the same Hercules.
First sign 'a evil,
you start pointin' your finger
at gods and monsters.
Truth is, my friend,
when power's at stake...,
men can be just as ruthless
as gods...
and as vicious
as monsters.
Daulin's proof of that.
You sound like you want
this war to happen.
I was sworn to King Memnos.
It is my duty to avenge his death.
Anything happens beyond that...,
it's out of my control.
Who are you?
You're here with Hercules,
aren't you?
Yeah, when I can find him.
Wait a minute.
What about answering my question?
Hey!
Great. Are they looking for you...?
Over here!
This way!
What a bunch of amateurs.
Amateurs, huh?
Uh... I mean them guys,
not you. Huh.
Sir..., Iolaus is gone.
What do you mean, "gone"?
Where?
I don't know, he just disappeared.
Same as Hercules.
Krytus..., you travelled
with him;
you know Iolaus better
than any of us.
Do you think he's abandoned us
for Poene?
Sir..., Iolaus isn't any more
of a traitor than Hercules is.
I'm afraid I can't be
as sure of that as you are.
Assemble the troops.
Prepare to attack!
Are you guys deaf
or just plain dumb?
- I told you, I'm a friend of Hercules.
- Keep moving!
I can't believe this.
I'm one of the good guys!
It's all right. He's a friend.
Oh, sure.
Don't take my word for it.
You know...,
I think we could all use a lesson
in that little word called "trust".
And as for you...,
thanks for abandoning me
down by the river.
Me?
Yeah, you.
One minute you're there,
then as soon as trouble comes along,
poof! You're gone!
Just like that! Thanks a lot.
One of you guys hit him
on the head?
- Uh-uh.
- Hmm.
Here, let me get your hands.
Maybe a walk'll help
clear your head.
- I don't need to clear my head.
- Yeah ya do.
- I do?
- Mm-hmm.
What did you mean about seeing Jarton
down by the river?
Well, I meant..., I saw Jarton
down by the river,
about five minutes ago.
That can't be. Jarton's been
in that tent for the last hour.
Well, then he has a double
running around,
'cause this guy sure
looked like him.
Where did you see him?
- Why? What's going on?
- Just tell me where.
All right, all right.
Well, you gotta go past
these bushes here,
just over the other side [...]
Where's Hercules?
Oh, he had to take care
of sum'in.
Damn.
He told me to tell him
if I found out anything
about those missing bodies.
- And did you?
- Yeah.
- We should wait for Hercules, right?
- No!
There's no time to wait.
Tell me.
Maybe I should just show you.
Jarton.
So the worst really is true.
I'm afraid so, Hercules.
- I am but a ghost now.
- But how?
Last winter..., King Memnos
sent me to Thrace...
to fight on behalf of his brother.
I was struck down in battle.
And Ares stole your body.
Now he's back here, fooling
everyone into trusting him.
I'm sorry, my friend;
if I had known...
That's past.
The real tragedy is now.
Daulin didn't murder his father.
Ares did, to divide their family...
and start a war.
They're both trying
to kill each other...
for a wrong
neither of them committed.
Without our bodies,
without ceremony...,
we can't cross over
into the afterworld.
We're stuck here... in this terrible
limbo... between life and death.
I'll set things right.
I promise.
Some of those we face...
may once have been friends!
Even family.
But they are the enemy now.
As I look into your faces...,
I see that you have the strength
to defeat Poene's treachery.
You have the power to win!
- Poene..., where's Jarton?
- He left with Iolaus. Why?
- Which way'd they go?
- That way, toward the cave.
Hercules! What's wrong?!
Iolaus!
- Iolaus!
- Hercules! Stay away!
- Where are you?
- I'm right above you!
Hercules, you gotta
get outta here. It's a trap!
I'm not gonna leave you behind.
What was that?
You don't wanna know.
But you know,
don't you, Hercules?
That's right, Ares, I do.
Fresh new face,
but the same old stench.
- Ares?! I thought he was Jarton!
- So does everyone else.
That's how
this murdering coward
is able to turn brother and sister
against each other.
Always harping about family, aren't you?
I don't know why!
You don't speak to your father,
your step-mother hates your guts,
and your wife and children
have been turned to ashes.
Leave my family out of this,
you bastard!
Is that any way
to talk to your brother?
Half-brother.
It's a half that doesn't exist
as far as I'm concerned.
I knew you were evil, Ares.
But to start a war just
to feed your dog, you disgust me.
Obviously,
you're not a pet-lover.
You've turned family
against each other.
- Innocent lives destroyed.
- Hey, what can I say?
Graegus has a special fondness
for blood feuds.
Well, this is one feud
that is going to end right now.
Always the optimist, aren't you?
Well, here's the grim reality.
Uh... Hercules.
Maybe it's time
for me to get down, huh?
Graegus is gonna work up a helluvan
appetite tearing you two to shreds.
I better go stir up a battle
to make sure he has
something to eat afterwards.
Ares!
I don't like this.
Uh... Hey! Uh...
Maybe it's not so bad.
If this thing only eats the dead...,
we should be okay, right?
Ares didn't say it would
eat us. Only that
it would tear us to shreds. So
as long as that doesn't bother you...
That's not
what I wanted to hear.
Here! Burn yourself free!
Thanks!
Oh, great.
Now it wants to fetch.
Poene,
we have a real problem.
You were right,
Hercules is a spy.
- Are you sure?
- I wish I wasn't.
But I saw him going over
to Daulin's side along with Iolaus.
I should 'a listened to you
from the beginning.
I guess I just wanted
to think better of Hercules.
There's no one to trust.
You can always trust me.
I don't know what to do
anymore.
We have no choice.
Daulin and Hercules
will slaughter us...
if we don't attack right away.
Sound the call to battle!
To the river!
Fight to defend
King Memnos!
They're advancing rapidly, sir.
They're attacking at full strength!
Move to the river!
To the river!
Hercules! It's got me! Ah!
Anytime you're ready, Hercules!
Ah!
Now would be good! Ah!
Pull tight!
We got him trapped!
Iolaus! Tie your end off!
- How long is that gonna hold him?!
- I have no idea.
The battle!
Move it, Iolaus!
No second thoughts.
They deserve to die.
Now, sound the battle call.
Start the advance!
Move out!
Steady and slow!
- We're not gonna make it!
- We have to make it!
- Attack!
- Attack!
- No! Stop! You've been tricked!
- Stop fighting! Stop fighting!
It's no use.
It's not working.
Jarton..., where are you?
Don't let this happen.
Don't fight! Stop!
Stop!
Well...,
that's a little more like it.
- I don't believe it!
- It cannot be.
Aelon.
There's no reason
for you to fight!
That's why your loved ones
came here to stop you.
Only Ares wants you to fight!
He needs your blood
to feed his dog!
But Daulin killed King Memnos.
- Jarton said so.
- That was a lie.
This... is the real Jarton.
Hercules tells the truth.
Ares killed our king.
- Where'd he go?
- He's gone!
That's right, Ares. Run away!
There'll be no battle tonight!
That's what you think!
If only one man dies
tonight...,
it'll be you.
Iolaus, no!
That's the spirit, Hercules.
- Hercules! Get up!
- Get up!
Get up, Hercules!
- Kill him for us!
- Get him!
What's the matter, Hercules?
I know there's more fight in you
than that.
And a fight...
is exactly what you want.
You feed on anger and hate.
Come on, Hercules!
Come on! Fight him! Fight him!
Come on, Hercules.
Show me that rage
inside of you.
- Go, Hercules!
- Come on! Get up!
Fight me, Hercules!
No.
There'll be no more fighting.
From me...
or any of these people.
Throw down your weapons!
Do as he says!
Throw them down!
Drop your weapons!
Do it.
All of 'em! You heard her.
Hercules, I'll be back.
Know that.
Not today.
- Poene!
- Brother!
I should have trusted you,
Hercules.
So should I.
Instead, I was a fool.
It's all right.
At least it's over.
But what about Graegus?
If that beast is still out there...
Ares and his dog can only
survive in a land of war.
As long as you're at peace,
there's nothing to fear
from either of them.
Now... there's one more thing
we have to do.
You made us whole again,
Hercules.
Now we can cross over
to the other side.
It's a very special friend...
who can help a man...
even after his death.
I guess it isn't possible for us
to shake hands, is it?
I'm afraid not.
Then let me
wish you peace.
Poene, Daulin...,
your father always expected me
to be here to help you.
I'm sorry I won't have
that privilege.
Your lessons will stay
with us, Jarton.
And we'll honor them
the best way we can...
- by ruling together.
- Thank you.
Looks like we better be going.
I'll say hello to your father
for you.
Goodbye, Son.
It's time to make sure these men
are never disturbed again.
And peace to you, my friends.
Peace to you, Hercules.
Has a nice ring about it, doesn't it?
Yeah.
Too bad we don't hear it
more often.
So, Iolaus,
where are we going next?
I don't know.
But how about we try to find
some fields to till?
Subtitles: @marlonrock1986 (^^V^^)
Quickly!
Don't let them escape!
No.
No.
- No! He can't be dead!
- But Mother...,
one of the soldiers told me that Aelon
had been killed during the battle.
Then why can't you find
his body?!
I don't know.
I'll keep looking,
I promise you.
- Oh, Son!
- Aelon.
My heart told me
you were still alive!
Help me, Krytus..., please.
Next! Next!
There you go!
Boy..., tilling fields all day
is not my idea of fun.
Armus is a warrior who grew old.
He needed our help.
Well, I wish
he'd ask us to...,
I don't know, slay a monster
or sum'in'.
That's my idea
of a good deed.
- I'll try to remember that, Iolaus.
- Thank you very much.
Hercules!
Hercules!
- What's the trouble?
- My brother.
He's dead.
- You have my sympathy.
- Yeah, mine too.
No, no. We just saw him.
My mother and I.
Well, he's...
He what?
He's a ghost.
This is the history
of a time long ago,
a time of myth and legend,
when the ancient gods
were petty and cruel
and they plagued mankind
with suffering.
Only one man dared
to challenge their power:
Hercules.
Hercules possessed a strength
the world had never seen,
a strength surpassed only
by the power of his heart.
He journeyed the Earth
battling the minions
of his wicked stepmother, Hera,
the all-powerful queen of the gods.
But wherever there was evil,
wherever an innocent would suffer,
there would be... Hercules!
HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS
Aelon was a great soldier.
He always taught me
that he fought twice as hard...
so that I wouldn't have
to join up.
My job was to take care
of our mother.
When the other soldier said
he'd been killed...,
I searched all day,
but I couldn't find his body.
- Until that night.
- When...
- his spirit... walked in the door.
- I don't know what else to call it.
My hand went right through him.
It was like...
he was there,
except he wasn't.
- But he still spoke to you?
- Just a few words.
His voice sounded so... far away,
like from another world.
But it's not just Aelon.
Other soldiers are missing too.
Someone is stealing
the bodies of the dead.
And their honor as well.
Does that mean you'll come back
to Tantalus with me?
Yes, it does.
Sounds like I've been gone
too long.
Iolaus? Care to join us?
Well, you know, if I gotta
choose between ghosts and...
tilling a field?
Ghosts are good.
So, Krytus...,
a young fellow like you must dream
of becoming a hero someday.
Any, uh..., questions
I can answer for you?
Actually, I wanna be a scholar.
My dad was one.
Besides, I've only heard stories
about Hercules.
Are you a hero too?
Ah, well, you know, uh...,
some people like to think so.
Sounds like a good place
to interrupt.
Krytus.
So, tell me, how long
has there been trouble in Tantalus?
Ever since King Memnos died.
- The king died? When?
- About three months ago.
It's a shame.
He was a good man.
I helped him defend your valley
against the Macedonians.
Must have been ten years ago.
You're probably too young
to remember.
Yes, but I've... heard
the tale many times.
Aelon said that when
their army stormed the city,
you held a hundred soldiers
at bay by yourself.
- Well, it was more like, fifty.
- But you did save the king,
and you broke a catapult in two
with your bare hands.
Krytus...,
I thought you said heroics
didn't interest you.
Well, they don't.
But this is Hercules.
Our left flank was weak yesterday;
we were lucky to hold her back.
Now I don't think she can mount
another major offensive
for several days, but
sooner or later, she'll try again.
Make sure we're ready.
Yes, sir.
This can't be
the same Daulin.
Hercules!
What in the world?!
It's good to see ya, Daulin.
You look great.
Not to mention, tall.
You're actually looking a bit short.
From the tales we hear,
you should be twenty feet high
by now.
I was... sorry to hear
about your father.
You know how much
I thought of him.
Thanks.
What brings you
back to Tantalus?
Heard there was trouble.
My friend, Iolaus, and I
thought we could help.
If Hercules calls you a friend,
then so do I.
Likewise.
There's more than just trouble
here.
I'm in the middle
of an all-out war.
How's Poene?
I hope she's all right.
Hercules, it's Poene
I'm fighting.
My own sister
is tryin' to overthrow me.
This is a joke, right?
I mean, you two always
used to... pull those pranks on me.
I'd give anything to have those
days back, but they're gone.
After I assumed the throne,
my sister went mad with jealousy.
She spread lies throughout
the town, called for revolution...,
wound up turning half
of Tantalus against me.
That's... hard to believe.
It's as painful
as my father's death.
Maybe worse. Hercules, if I knew
Poene had wanted the kingdom,
I would have given it to her, but
before I could do anything...,
she started this war.
She somehow managed
to convice Jarton.
- He's running her army for her.
- Jarton.
The two of us fought side-by-side
for Daulin's father.
We were good friends.
But the bodies, Daulin.
We've heard stories
of your dead disappearing.
That's the worst part
of this nightmare.
Poene's men
steal our dead.
Only the gods know why.
Iolaus, I've had some bad feelings
over the years,
but the one I've got right now,
beats 'em all.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
Hey..., if I die someday
on a battlefield...,
you better make sure you bury
me properly.
No, it's more than that.
I mean, this whole thing is wrong.
This isn't the legacy
King Memnos deserves.
His two children
trying to kill each other?
War is senseless enough,
but...
- when it tears apart a family...
- Huh. No one can win.
Exactly.
If you had seen...
Daulin and Poene as kids...
They were wonderful...
and inseparable.
One of the main reasons
I fought for Memnos...
was to make sure
they got to grow up.
Makes you think
'a your own kids too...,
- doesn't it?
- Yeah.
If my children had grown up
to wage war on each other...
- I don't know what I'd do.
- You'd stop them...
any way you could,
or die trying.
I'm going to Poene's camp and see
if I can talk some sense into her.
I want you to keep an eye on things
here.
If Daulin does
anything foolish...,
- let me know right away.
- You know I will.
I know.
Listen, crush-bucket,
we fight with King Daulin!
- He's got more money!
- Poene will pay better!
We play for it.
Two out of three!
One, two, three!
Parchment covers rock!
One, two, three!
Bite me!
Dagger cuts parchment!
One, two, three!
Rock smashes dagger!
We fight for Daulin!
Daulin!
Good evening.
Hey! Who do you think you are,
sneakin' up on us like that?!
It's Hercules.
Well..., wouldja look at that?
Not in the market
for some mercen'ries, are you?
Uh, afraid not.
I'm on my way to see Poene.
Is that right?
It's what he said,
ya half-blind moron!
At least I don't have last night's
dinner stuck in my chin hair!
You haven't seen anything strange
out here tonight, have you?
Hey, Hercules,
I travel with that.
Oh. Well..., be careful,
anyway.
Hey..., we ain't afraid
'a nothin'!
You know..., if Hercules is going over
to Poene's side...
...and us, fighting for Daulin,
isn't exactly written in stone...
Poene!
Go on! Keep going!
I caught this one
down by the river.
Invading our territory?
You must not know
what we do to spies.
What? Give 'em a big kiss?
Hercules, my friend,
it's good to see you.
It's good to see you.
It's been too long, Jarton.
- It has.
- Hercules?
- Hello, Poene.
- What brings you here?
I keep hearing about trouble;
I came to help.
You willing to fight with us?
No, not fight. Help.
Daulin told me what's been
going on between you two.
You haven't even spoken to me
and you've already sided with him.
Hold on, I'm not
on anybody's side.
But he says you've been tryin' to take
his throne ever since your father died.
I don't suppose Daulin told you
that he killed our father!
What?
It's true, Hercules.
Daulin poisoned the king.
That's how he got the throne.
All we want now is justice.
- But the way that he tells it...
- He's lying.
The person you knew
as Daulin was a lie.
In truth, he's nothing more
than a murdering demon
and he does not deserve to wear
my father's crown.
- Not a man who steals the dead.
- Your dead are being taken too?
And it's destroying their families,
not being able to bury them.
Your dead, Daulin's dead...
There's nothing I'd like better
than to stop this.
Excuse me.
Keep an eye on him.
Make sure he's here
for the reason he says he is.
Back to the fields.
This way!
Hey, Krytus.
What's goin' on?
Where's Hercules?
He's, uh..., not around
right now.
- Why d'ya have that spear?
- To avenge Aelon.
I'm joining up.
But you hate war.
You wanna be a scholar.
Well, sometimes, a man has
to do something heroic.
Like you and Hercules.
And if he's not here..,
you can teach me how to fight.
Now, hold on.
All that... hero talk
was just... talk.
I never said you should
go into battle. You could get killed.
I'm going anyway.
Now, you gonna teach me or not?
Where's the man
who wore you?
Oh, no.
It's over for you, Graegus!
Graegus!
I'm sorry, I...
I didn't mean to frighten you.
You called me Graegus?
Why?
- Do you know who he is?
- Of course! I know.
I'm an undertaker.
He's the... dog of war...
and... Ares... is his master.
But I have no idea...
who you are, sir.
Hercules.
That makes sense
if Graegus is near.
I should've known
it was him.
Who did you think
was taking them?
Huh... The competition. Ha.
No, no, no, no. When ya lunge,
ya gotta keep your elbows in.
And this should be...
But kid...,
real battles
get messy fast.
It takes years to perfect these
moves. There's no way you can...
When I advance,
where do I keep my weight?
On your front foot. Otherwise
you'll fall flat on your butt.
But listen to me, Krytus.
You're just a boy. You should
be home lookin' after your mom.
If Hercules was here,
he'd say the exact same thing.
How do I fight a guy
with a sword?
You don't!
You get yourself home
and hide under your bed
till this damn thing is over!
King Daulin wants to see you.
Now.
Hercules left last night.
One of my scouts saw him
going over to Poene's side.
He went to talk to her, to try
and put an end to this madness.
Why should I believe you?
You're a stranger.
But Hercules isn't!
He was a friend to your father...
and to you.
He would sooner scale Mount Olympus
and kiss Hera on the lips
than betray a friend.
True.
But I can't take chances
with the security of my people;
they've been betrayed enough.
We're through waiting for Poene
to strike. We attack tonight!
You heard him! Let's go!
Ready the troops!
Prepare for the attack!
Over here, men! Come on!
Okay, kid, come on.
We'll make a soldier out of you yet.
- Over here!
- Let's go.
Remember, birdbrain,
we don't settle
for less than ten dinars a day.
Ten?! We worked the last job
for ten!
This time,
we hold out for twelve.
Hey, buddy,
who's in charge here?
Lunge! That's it!
Keep praciticing!
A great warrior
fights fearlessly!
Lunge! Twist! Reset!
Uh... Good afternoon, captain.
We were wondering if you could use
two battle-savvy fighting men.
We own our weapons, we have
excellent references, and...
- Forget it. Let's get outta here.
- What?!
- Come on, we're leaving!
- I thought we were...
Lunge! Twist! Reset!
Poene...,
- can I have a word with you?
- What is it, Hercules?
Do you remember when I was here
years ago,
and Daulin always... pestered me
to tell him stories?
He used to follow you
like a puppy.
Always saying: "Please,
Hercules, just one more.
Just one more."
I never liked to show it,
but... I always listened to you too.
Then you remember
the story of Graegus.
He's a feared warrior, isn't he?
Graegus is no warrior.
He's...
a dog, a huge beast,
belonging to Ares, the god of war.
He feeds on dead soldiers.
He grows more powerful
with every soul he consumes.
- Why does this matter now?
- Because Graegus is here now.
Which means Ares is too.
He's behind this war,
manipulating it, because the blood
Graegus craves most is family blood.
Don't make excuses for Daulin.
This war is about
the murder of my father!
It's about supplying blood
for Graegus.
And without proper burial,
the human souls he takes
can't pass to the other side.
Don't you see?
You, your brother, your armies,
- you're all being used.
- Hercules...,
you don't know
how evil Daulin's become.
The evil... is Ares.
Stop this war before
one more family's torn apart.
Believe me.
Once you've lost
the people you love...,
you don't get them back.
Get outta here.
What got into you?! You just
walked away from a sweet deal.
It was that guy back there.
I've seen him before.
- I fought against him.
- So what?
That's the nature of the job,
fight against them one battle,
fight with them the next.
But that guy
shouldn't have a "next".
A couple of months back,
I was in a battle in Thrace.
I was sneaking through a trench.
It was pitch dark, raining.
I got the jump on that guy.
- That very same guy.
- What do you mean?
He never saw me coming! I rammed
my spear right... through his heart!
I killed him.
No.
Must have been some other guy.
Jarton...,
- I need to talk to you.
- And I need to talk with you.
What's all this
you've been telling Poene?
Myths of dogs that eat the dead?
It's nonsense.
I wish it was.
Right now is not the time
to weaken her resolve.
Not right before a battle.
A soldier can't afford that.
What if there doesn't have to be
a battle?
- You're dreamin'!
- That's exactly
what Ares wants you to think.
He's the one who's causing all this;
he's playing both sides like puppets.
Still the same Hercules.
First sign 'a evil,
you start pointin' your finger
at gods and monsters.
Truth is, my friend,
when power's at stake...,
men can be just as ruthless
as gods...
and as vicious
as monsters.
Daulin's proof of that.
You sound like you want
this war to happen.
I was sworn to King Memnos.
It is my duty to avenge his death.
Anything happens beyond that...,
it's out of my control.
Who are you?
You're here with Hercules,
aren't you?
Yeah, when I can find him.
Wait a minute.
What about answering my question?
Hey!
Great. Are they looking for you...?
Over here!
This way!
What a bunch of amateurs.
Amateurs, huh?
Uh... I mean them guys,
not you. Huh.
Sir..., Iolaus is gone.
What do you mean, "gone"?
Where?
I don't know, he just disappeared.
Same as Hercules.
Krytus..., you travelled
with him;
you know Iolaus better
than any of us.
Do you think he's abandoned us
for Poene?
Sir..., Iolaus isn't any more
of a traitor than Hercules is.
I'm afraid I can't be
as sure of that as you are.
Assemble the troops.
Prepare to attack!
Are you guys deaf
or just plain dumb?
- I told you, I'm a friend of Hercules.
- Keep moving!
I can't believe this.
I'm one of the good guys!
It's all right. He's a friend.
Oh, sure.
Don't take my word for it.
You know...,
I think we could all use a lesson
in that little word called "trust".
And as for you...,
thanks for abandoning me
down by the river.
Me?
Yeah, you.
One minute you're there,
then as soon as trouble comes along,
poof! You're gone!
Just like that! Thanks a lot.
One of you guys hit him
on the head?
- Uh-uh.
- Hmm.
Here, let me get your hands.
Maybe a walk'll help
clear your head.
- I don't need to clear my head.
- Yeah ya do.
- I do?
- Mm-hmm.
What did you mean about seeing Jarton
down by the river?
Well, I meant..., I saw Jarton
down by the river,
about five minutes ago.
That can't be. Jarton's been
in that tent for the last hour.
Well, then he has a double
running around,
'cause this guy sure
looked like him.
Where did you see him?
- Why? What's going on?
- Just tell me where.
All right, all right.
Well, you gotta go past
these bushes here,
just over the other side [...]
Where's Hercules?
Oh, he had to take care
of sum'in.
Damn.
He told me to tell him
if I found out anything
about those missing bodies.
- And did you?
- Yeah.
- We should wait for Hercules, right?
- No!
There's no time to wait.
Tell me.
Maybe I should just show you.
Jarton.
So the worst really is true.
I'm afraid so, Hercules.
- I am but a ghost now.
- But how?
Last winter..., King Memnos
sent me to Thrace...
to fight on behalf of his brother.
I was struck down in battle.
And Ares stole your body.
Now he's back here, fooling
everyone into trusting him.
I'm sorry, my friend;
if I had known...
That's past.
The real tragedy is now.
Daulin didn't murder his father.
Ares did, to divide their family...
and start a war.
They're both trying
to kill each other...
for a wrong
neither of them committed.
Without our bodies,
without ceremony...,
we can't cross over
into the afterworld.
We're stuck here... in this terrible
limbo... between life and death.
I'll set things right.
I promise.
Some of those we face...
may once have been friends!
Even family.
But they are the enemy now.
As I look into your faces...,
I see that you have the strength
to defeat Poene's treachery.
You have the power to win!
- Poene..., where's Jarton?
- He left with Iolaus. Why?
- Which way'd they go?
- That way, toward the cave.
Hercules! What's wrong?!
Iolaus!
- Iolaus!
- Hercules! Stay away!
- Where are you?
- I'm right above you!
Hercules, you gotta
get outta here. It's a trap!
I'm not gonna leave you behind.
What was that?
You don't wanna know.
But you know,
don't you, Hercules?
That's right, Ares, I do.
Fresh new face,
but the same old stench.
- Ares?! I thought he was Jarton!
- So does everyone else.
That's how
this murdering coward
is able to turn brother and sister
against each other.
Always harping about family, aren't you?
I don't know why!
You don't speak to your father,
your step-mother hates your guts,
and your wife and children
have been turned to ashes.
Leave my family out of this,
you bastard!
Is that any way
to talk to your brother?
Half-brother.
It's a half that doesn't exist
as far as I'm concerned.
I knew you were evil, Ares.
But to start a war just
to feed your dog, you disgust me.
Obviously,
you're not a pet-lover.
You've turned family
against each other.
- Innocent lives destroyed.
- Hey, what can I say?
Graegus has a special fondness
for blood feuds.
Well, this is one feud
that is going to end right now.
Always the optimist, aren't you?
Well, here's the grim reality.
Uh... Hercules.
Maybe it's time
for me to get down, huh?
Graegus is gonna work up a helluvan
appetite tearing you two to shreds.
I better go stir up a battle
to make sure he has
something to eat afterwards.
Ares!
I don't like this.
Uh... Hey! Uh...
Maybe it's not so bad.
If this thing only eats the dead...,
we should be okay, right?
Ares didn't say it would
eat us. Only that
it would tear us to shreds. So
as long as that doesn't bother you...
That's not
what I wanted to hear.
Here! Burn yourself free!
Thanks!
Oh, great.
Now it wants to fetch.
Poene,
we have a real problem.
You were right,
Hercules is a spy.
- Are you sure?
- I wish I wasn't.
But I saw him going over
to Daulin's side along with Iolaus.
I should 'a listened to you
from the beginning.
I guess I just wanted
to think better of Hercules.
There's no one to trust.
You can always trust me.
I don't know what to do
anymore.
We have no choice.
Daulin and Hercules
will slaughter us...
if we don't attack right away.
Sound the call to battle!
To the river!
Fight to defend
King Memnos!
They're advancing rapidly, sir.
They're attacking at full strength!
Move to the river!
To the river!
Hercules! It's got me! Ah!
Anytime you're ready, Hercules!
Ah!
Now would be good! Ah!
Pull tight!
We got him trapped!
Iolaus! Tie your end off!
- How long is that gonna hold him?!
- I have no idea.
The battle!
Move it, Iolaus!
No second thoughts.
They deserve to die.
Now, sound the battle call.
Start the advance!
Move out!
Steady and slow!
- We're not gonna make it!
- We have to make it!
- Attack!
- Attack!
- No! Stop! You've been tricked!
- Stop fighting! Stop fighting!
It's no use.
It's not working.
Jarton..., where are you?
Don't let this happen.
Don't fight! Stop!
Stop!
Well...,
that's a little more like it.
- I don't believe it!
- It cannot be.
Aelon.
There's no reason
for you to fight!
That's why your loved ones
came here to stop you.
Only Ares wants you to fight!
He needs your blood
to feed his dog!
But Daulin killed King Memnos.
- Jarton said so.
- That was a lie.
This... is the real Jarton.
Hercules tells the truth.
Ares killed our king.
- Where'd he go?
- He's gone!
That's right, Ares. Run away!
There'll be no battle tonight!
That's what you think!
If only one man dies
tonight...,
it'll be you.
Iolaus, no!
That's the spirit, Hercules.
- Hercules! Get up!
- Get up!
Get up, Hercules!
- Kill him for us!
- Get him!
What's the matter, Hercules?
I know there's more fight in you
than that.
And a fight...
is exactly what you want.
You feed on anger and hate.
Come on, Hercules!
Come on! Fight him! Fight him!
Come on, Hercules.
Show me that rage
inside of you.
- Go, Hercules!
- Come on! Get up!
Fight me, Hercules!
No.
There'll be no more fighting.
From me...
or any of these people.
Throw down your weapons!
Do as he says!
Throw them down!
Drop your weapons!
Do it.
All of 'em! You heard her.
Hercules, I'll be back.
Know that.
Not today.
- Poene!
- Brother!
I should have trusted you,
Hercules.
So should I.
Instead, I was a fool.
It's all right.
At least it's over.
But what about Graegus?
If that beast is still out there...
Ares and his dog can only
survive in a land of war.
As long as you're at peace,
there's nothing to fear
from either of them.
Now... there's one more thing
we have to do.
You made us whole again,
Hercules.
Now we can cross over
to the other side.
It's a very special friend...
who can help a man...
even after his death.
I guess it isn't possible for us
to shake hands, is it?
I'm afraid not.
Then let me
wish you peace.
Poene, Daulin...,
your father always expected me
to be here to help you.
I'm sorry I won't have
that privilege.
Your lessons will stay
with us, Jarton.
And we'll honor them
the best way we can...
- by ruling together.
- Thank you.
Looks like we better be going.
I'll say hello to your father
for you.
Goodbye, Son.
It's time to make sure these men
are never disturbed again.
And peace to you, my friends.
Peace to you, Hercules.
Has a nice ring about it, doesn't it?
Yeah.
Too bad we don't hear it
more often.
So, Iolaus,
where are we going next?
I don't know.
But how about we try to find
some fields to till?
Subtitles: @marlonrock1986 (^^V^^)