[somber ethereal music playing]
[wind gusting]
[Dream] The doors of Hell are legion.
There are entrances which are less well-guarded than this one.
Gates more poorly defended.
But I am here as Dream of the Endless.
I have no choice but to use the palace gate.
The last time I was here,
I lacked my power.
My symbols of office.
This time, I have power enough to storm the gateway if necessary.
But...
the gateway is open.
[unsettling music playing]
[Dream] There is something deeply wrong.
Even for Hell.
[Lucifer] Hello, Dream.
We were told you might be visiting.
[Dream] Where is Nada?
What have you done with her?
Where have you hidden her?
[Lucifer] Dream,
take off that silly helmet, and we'll talk.
[Dream] I will not be tricked by you.
Why, sweet Morpheus?
Are you scared of me?
[Dream] Yes.
Very well.
Then I will give you my word.
While we are within the bounds of Hell,
I will do nothing to harm you.
There.
Much better.
Where is she?
The queen of the First People?
No longer here. I've sent them all away.
The demons, the damned, the never-born.
Why?
Isn't it obvious?
We've...
I've quit.
You?
You refer to yourself in the singular, Morningstar.
Exactly.
I am no monarch.
Not anymore.
I've spent ten billion years in this place.
That's a long time.
We've all changed.
Even you.
You were very different back then.
I doubt that.
[somber music playing]
[Lucifer sighs]
I'm tired, Dream.
So it's over.
I'm leaving.
And I owe it all to you.
To me?
When I heard you were coming, I thought, "Well,
if the King of Dreams can take leave of his realm whenever he pleases,
why can't I?"
Because you are Hell's ruler.
This is your responsibility.
[Lucifer scoffs]
You do love your responsibilities, don't you?
We used to be so alike, you and I,
when I was an angel.
Do you remember?
I used to care so much...
about so many things.
What was I like back then?
You were very proud, Samael.
And foolish.
I thought I was rebelling.
I thought I was defying His rule.
- You were. - No.
I was merely fulfilling another tiny segment
of His great and powerful plan.
There was always going to be a Hell.
If I hadn't have rebelled, another angel would have in my stead.
That was so long ago.
How long was I supposed to pay for that one action?
So...
now it's over.
[Mazikeen] You are still my sovereign.
Mazikeen, I am no longer your sovereign.
[Mazikeen] Even so, where you go, I follow.
[tense music playing]
I do not know where I am going,
but wherever it is,
I will be traveling alone.
You may not go with me.
I am sorry.
Come close to me.
Give me your knife.
[Mazikeen gasps]
[Mazikeen sighs]
Now go.
[Mazikeen sighs]
Where will she go?
Where have they all gone?
Heaven?
Earth?
Limbo?
I don't care.
I didn't ask them to come here.
They chose Hell.
That is what Hell is.
A place for dead mortals to torture themselves.
And like all masochists, they give the orders.
"Burn me, freeze me, eat me, hurt me,"
and what do I get out of it?
Their souls.
Dream.
What need have I for souls?
You can't own someone else's soul.
They belong to themselves.
They just hate to have to face up to it.
They blame me for their little failings.
"The devil made me do it."
I have never made one of them do anything. Never.
They live their own tiny lives.
And then they die.
And they come here.
And they expect me to fulfill their desires of pain and retribution.
But I'm done with all that.
[commanding orchestral music playing]
Hell is closed.
I have sealed or razed all the gateways.
There is just one left to secure.
[music peaks, fades]
[lock squeaking, clacking]
[slow clacking continues]
- There. - [clacking subsides]
But... what will you do now?
To be honest, I haven't given it much thought.
I could lie on a beach somewhere, perhaps.
Listen to music.
Build myself a house.
But not yet.
There is one final thing that needs doing.
You must cut off my wings.
[intense string music rises]
I thought...
I thought we would fight.
I'm tired of fighting, aren't you?
Do this for me.
Please.
[music grows somber, mournful]
- [Lucifer panting] - [mournful music subsides]
[Lucifer exhales]
Thank you, Dream.
I came here to free the queen of the First People.
Where is she, Morningstar?
She is out there.
Somewhere.
You will find her.
I once swore I would destroy you. Do you remember?
You also swore that you would do me no harm.
Within the bounds of Hell.
But now that we're outside,
I can give you this.
[sinister music rises]
The key to Hell?
[ominous music building]
Hell is yours now.
Surely you will agree it is too valuable,
too dangerous for me to entrust to anyone else.
Why dangerous?
This realm is Heaven's shadow.
Or more precisely, Heaven's dark reflection.
Its ruler wields more power than any entity in any other realm.
[dryly] With perhaps one exception.
This is your revenge on me.
Perhaps it will destroy you.
Perhaps it won't.
But I doubt it will make your life any easier.
Farewell, my dear Morpheus.
[regal march playing]
[wyvern roars]
[thunder rumbling]
[door rattling]
You're back.
Should we go with her?
I'm not.
You're right. She's got this.
[imposing instrumental music fades]
[Lucienne] My lord?
Forgive me for intruding, but...
are we at war?
With Hell, with Lucifer?
Lucifer has abdicated.
[Lucienne] Lucifer quit Hell?
[Dream] All the demons and the damned are freed.
[soft, intriguing music playing]
Nada's gone.
I looked everywhere for her.
Surely someone must know where she is.
Someone must be in charge of Hell.
Someone is.
[Lucienne gasps]
[Dream] Lucifer cursed me with it.
Soon every deity and demiurge will be armed at our door.
They will fight and kill for this.
But I will not let it come to that.
[tense music subsides]
[Dream] My sister,
I stand in my gallery before your sigil.
Will you speak with me?
Is this about Hell?
You know.
[Death inhales sharply]
Yeah, of course I know. Everyone knows.
What do you think I should do?
What do you want to do?
I want to find Nada.
Well... [sighs]
Nada will have to wait.
Because Hell is empty.
And everyone who used to live in Hell is back in the waking world
and planning on turning that into Hell.
You have two choices.
Either you take the key Lucifer gave you and you rule Hell.
Or give it to someone else.
Hell needs a leader who is responsible.
Principled.
Wise.
Someone who gives excellent advice...
ordinarily.
You're not giving it to me.
I have deities from every realm about to arrive at my door.
You think I want them at mine?
It's bad enough I have to collect the dead all over again,
in addition to my regular gig.
- Then I will help you. - No, you will not.
It is my job to sort out the dead.
Your job is to sort out Hell.
[wings beating]
Um, boss?
Not now, Matthew.
Of course, sorry. Except, we've got visitors.
[booming voice] Morpheus!
Is that...?
I am the mighty Thor!
[guardians growl]
If you don't open this motherfucking, fart-sucking door, then Mjölnir and I...
[pounding on door]
...will smash it into toothpicks!
I fuckin' hate that guy.
What shall we do?
[pounding continues]
[Thor] Your time is up, Dream King!
Let them in.
Are you sure?
They are more dangerous to us as our enemies than as our guests.
Mervyn, ready the great hall.
For what?
A royal banquet.
[pounding continues]
Perhaps one of them can be entrusted with Hell.
Lucienne,
will you greet them?
Uh, yes, my lord.
Be on your guard.
Each of them is a potential threat.
[persistent pounding echoes]
[Lucienne exhales slowly]
Open this fucking door!
[wyvern growls]
[crowd clamoring]
[animated chatter]
[Lucienne] Lord Morpheus bids you welcome.
He will be with us shortly.
Please step forward.
I am Odin, All-Father of the Aesir.
With me is my son Thor of the Aesir, and Loki of the Jötunn.
Also of the Aesir, Odin's kin.
By right of blood brotherhood.
He is no kin of ours.
- He is a liar, a shape-changer. - What is your name, madam?
Lucienne.
What a lovely name.
Lucienne,
we have traveled far.
We seek--
We seek the key to Hell.
[grand orchestral music playing]
I have the honor to serve Lord Kilderkin,
a manifestation of order.
And will Lord Kilderkin be joining us later?
Lord Kilderkin...
is here.
He is always quite punctual.
[gasps]
He has a message for you.
[Lucienne clears throat]
[girl] Hello, pretty lady.
I likes your ears.
I is Shivering Jemmy of the Shallow Brigade,
a princess of chaos.
[eerily whimsical music playing]
And we wants Hell too.
[somber music building]
I am Susano-O-No-Mikoto,
god of the sea and the storms.
Son of Izanagi.
I hope the Dream Lord will forgive our showing up here uninvited.
But I come alone, hoping to discuss a territory of our mutual concern.
I am Lord Azazel,
the prince of Hell and commander of the demon army that was Lucifer's.
With me are the Merkin, Mother of Spiders,
and Choronzon, a Duke of the Eighth Circle.
Lord Morpheus bids you welcome.
No, his librarian bids us welcome.
Tell the Dream King I demand an audience with him. Now.
I would remind you, Lord,
that you are but one of many who seek Hell.
No, Lucienne.
I am an entire universe
of displaced, homeless, hungry demons who will reclaim their birthright.
[ferocious growling]
[Dream, loudly] Lord Azazel.
[low growling subsides]
I welcome you to the heart of the Dreaming.
I extend my hospitality to all of you.
You are now my guests, and therefore, under my protection.
Hell belongs to the demons. We demand the return of our lands.
Hell belongs to me for now.
But I will respect and appraise each one of your claims upon its territory.
Tonight, there will be a banquet.
And then we will talk.
- [music fades] - [crickets chirping]
I told you, we're late.
We are right on time.
Skip the pomp, cut to the party.
We're here on royal business.
In a realm where dreams come true.
And do you know what I've been dreaming of, sister?
- I have a rough idea, yes. - Food, wine...
And a bit of the other. [chuckles]
- Lord Morpheus. - No, too skinny for me--
Greetings, Cluracan.
- [elegant music playing faintly] - [Cluracan gasps softly]
Greetings, Lord Shaper.
May I present my sister, the Lady Nuala.
Your Majesty, we are sent as ambassadors from the court of Faerie.
Our sovereign lady and lord present their compliments.
Be you welcome in my home this night.
You have ridden far.
Do you wish to refresh yourselves before you attend the banquet?
We'll eat now, if it's all the same to you.
You are my guests. Your wishes are paramount.
My lord, we were charged to neither eat nor sleep
before delivering you this message from our king and queen.
I would not risk the ire of Titania and Auberon.
Speak your piece.
Lord Shaper, you now own the Hell that was once Lucifer's--
I am Hell's conservator.
Nothing more.
I am not sure if you are aware,
but by ancient compact, Faerie must pay a tithe to Hell.
Nine of our citizens, every seven years.
Your other guests have come to persuade you
to give them the rights to the underworld.
We beg you to give it to none of them.
It would be to the benefit of Faerie if Hell were to remain empty.
I see.
Of course, it would just be a favor we'd be asking.
There are many visitors.
They want many things.
When I have spoken with all of them, I will make my decision.
But my lord--
You have delivered your message and heard my response.
Your obligation is fulfilled.
[Nuala gasps softly]
I beg pardon, Lord Shaper, I did not mean to--
This way.
[sighs]
- Come on. Let's get drunk. - Cluracan.
All right, fine.
Let's get me drunk.
[excited chatter]
[pleasant instrumental music playing]
Lady Nuala, Lord Cluracan, this is Taramis, my chef de cuisine.
She will see to it that you are taken care of.
They will want for nothing, sir.
What may I make you for dinner, Lady Nuala--
Just wine for me.
Oh, I can't tempt you with anything to eat?
Just bring me a bottle and a glass, and I will have everything I need.
No, forget the glass and just bring me two bottles.
Oh, I like you.
Then you must join me.
But bring your own bottle.
- And for you, my lady? - Do you have flower blossoms?
I have violets, rose petals, and gillyflowers.
That's lovely. And water, please.
No wine for me. We are still here in an official capacity.
How tedious for you. Antony! Darling.
[softly] Enjoy.
- May I show you to your table? - You may show me anything you like.
Mm.
[Nuala huffs]
Will you be joining our guests for dinner?
If I joined them, they would be on their best behavior.
Better to observe from here.
Do you have a favorite?
What about Lord Odin?
Surely he has the wisdom and experience to rule Hell.
One would hope.
But he is desperate.
Or he would not have freed Loki from his prison beneath the world.
Loki is too clever and malevolent to be unconfined.
Our host is none too pleased to see me.
[Odin] That is because he knows you, Loki.
But, if I am to take Hell,
I may have need of the Master of Deception.
I regret to inform you my skills will be of no value to you here.
We cannot hope to trick the Dream King.
Not in his own realm.
You'll have to negotiate with him.
Offer him something he wants.
You will have me bribe our host?
[scoffs] Everyone else here intends to.
The trouble is,
what do you give the god who has everything?
What does Dream dream about?
If I had to guess, getting us out of his house.
As much as I mistrust Lord Azazel,
is there a chance you would give Hell to the demons?
[cries out]
Does that hurt, darling?
[moans]
Yes.
None.
[Thor] My lady, permit me to introduce myself.
[sighs]
I am Thor.
God of thunder, lightning, strength,
and...
[Mjölnir clangs]
...pleasure.
Go ahead.
Touch it.
It doesn't look like much now, but if you rub it,
it gets bigger.
Shall I show you mine?
And we'll compare.
That won't be necessary.
[tense music playing]
Do you know who I am, Odin's son?
Oh, but I do, my lady.
Tell me,
do they call you the Merkin
because you wear a wig?
See, me,
I love a bald pussy.
[chuckles]
- [groans] - [rattling]
You didn't have to do that.
I did not come here seeking conflict.
Nor will I shrink from it.
[groans]
[Nuala] Are you all right?
I'm very well.
Thank you.
Come and join my sister and me. [grunts]
In Faerie, it isn't a party until everyone ends up on the floor.
Fucking spider woman.
- If it's a fight you want... - [Thor] Oh.
It is.
Come on, then, little hammer.
- [grunts] - [groans]
I am the slayer of Hrungnir.
I am the slayer of Geirröd!
I am the slayer of...
[wind whistles]
When you threaten one another in this place,
you threaten me.
And I do not take kindly to threats.
[thunder rumbling]
[eerie music rises]
[voice echoing] Lord Morpheus, Dream of the Endless.
I am the angel Remiel,
set over those that rise.
My companion is Duma, Angel of Silence.
You are welcome here, Remiel,
Duma.
Have you come to stake your claim?
We are here merely to observe and report.
The matter of Hell and its ruler is of utmost importance to the Creator,
who is watching and awaits your decision with...
interest.
[heavenly tones resonate]
[uneasy music droning]
[Cain] And now, His Royal Highness, Lord Morpheus proudly presents...
me.
[laughs]
I am the Amazing Cain,
master of mystery and illusion.
I will be performing a number of mesmerizing tricks
for your entertainment this evening.
Each of which, I trust...
Do angels eat? And if so, what?
Nothing with wings, I assume.
They require neither food nor sleep.
Like someone else I know.
All the better to report my every movement to the Creator.
Don't be nervous, darling.
It's only God watching.
May I bring you anything?
Wine? Tea?
A bow and two arrows?
I have been told, when you cook them, they taste like chicken.
[Dream chuckles]
I'm fine.
Thank you, Taramis.
It's quite a compliment, you know.
[whispering] God has no idea what to do with Hell,
or they'd have taken the key from you straight away.
They are only here because they know,
as do I...
you will make the right decision.
You almost always do.
[unsettling music playing]
This is my able assistant.
Goldie, the baby gargoyle!
[Goldie squeals]
[crowd laughs and cheers]
[Goldie exclaims]
Also assisting, Abel.
[gasps] Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,
to an evening of secrets and mysteries...
Sire.
My munificent master, Kilderkin of Order,
has manifested a message
for your eyes alone.
[Choronzon] The others have brought gifts.
[The Merkin] You mustn't fret, sweet Choronzon.
Lord Azazel brought an extra inducement for Lord Morpheus
to make him give back Hell to us.
What is it?
Come to my chambers...
and I will show you.
Forgive me.
I do not understand.
For many years, the Lords of Order have been collecting the dream essences
of the newly dead for...
purposes of their own.
And why would I be interested in the dream essences of dead mortals?
My wondrous master offers you--
Something which I would have collected for myself had I the need for it.
Good evening.
To you both.
I knowed that he tried to get you alone. Now it's my turn.
And what exactly is Chaos offering in exchange for Hell?
I'm not offering you anything, Dream King.
What I'm doing is...
[echoing] ...threatening you.
Give us the Hell of Lucifer,
or the entire host of Chaos will be at your throat until the end of time.
Is this meant to scare me?
That's right.
You're meant to be Mr. Scared.
[creepy, playful melody]
[Cain] And now my next trick
I like to call "Sawing the useless ninny in half."
[Abel] Ooh!
Shall I select a volunteer from the audience?
- My dear brother. - My dear Cain.
The useless ninny to whom I'm referring... is you.
- Oh! - [all laugh]
[Choronzon] My love.
[The Merkin] Yes, my darling.
[Choronzon] Do you not think Lord Azazel will come looking for us?
Choronzon, are you making love to me and thinking about Lord Azazel?
Not anymore, I'm not.
[chuckles softly]
What are you doing?
[The Merkin] Must be obvious by now, darling.
One of the gifts Lord Azazel intends to offer the Dream Lord...
is you.
[Choronzon gasps]
[panting]
[grunts]
- [straining] - [Abel groaning]
- [Abel cries out] - [Cain grunts]
[crowd gasps]
- Ta-da! - [Goldie exclaims]
Now, for my next trick, the mincing machine.
[audience exclaims in surprise]
[somber music playing]
Lord Shaper.
Can I have a moment?
As I'm sure you know,
I was once a very angry young storm god.
And I...
hurt those I care about.
My family.
So my father banished me to Ne-no-Kuni, the underworld.
But I've learned there
that the land of the dead is also a land where roots can grow.
And what I thought was my death
has been a rebirth.
I would endeavor to do the same for the Hell that was Lucifer's.
If you will permit me.
The matter will be given my most careful consideration.
Did he attempt to bribe you?
He did not.
May I?
It is something you want.
Give me the key to Hell,
and I will give you the location of your missing brother.
You know where he is?
[tense music pulsing]
I've heard rumors.
Why do you want Hell, Lord Odin?
To stave off Ragnarök.
The end of all things for my people.
How would it help you do that?
The Aesir live in Asgard.
The giants in Jötunheim.
The dark elves in Svartalfheim.
All of us fighting over territory because there is nowhere else for us to go.
- Unless I give you the key. - [Odin] Mm.
Do you not think having more territory
would mean having more territory over which to fight?
Probably, in time.
But until then,
I must protect my realm and its inhabitants
for as long as I am able.
That is my duty.
And I know you must do yours.
So I will bid you good night, Dreamweaver.
Good night, Odin All-Father.
- [Cain] Who's hungry for ninny sausages? - [audience groans]
- Did Mr. Shouty really be sausages? - [Cain] Yes, indeed!
Thank you!
If you enjoyed the show, tell your friends.
If you didn't, I trust you'll get throat cancer and die
without ever again uttering another word.
- Good night! - [Goldie exclaims]
[audience cheers]
[chatter dies down]
Good guests, that concludes the evening's entertainment.
As for the matter that has brought you here,
I have been given much to consider.
I shall announce my decision tomorrow.
I suggest you leave this room at this time.
It will cease to exist shortly.
Good night.
[unsettling music peaks, fades]
Does that mean you've made your decision?
A few moments ago, I had no candidates.
Now I have two.
There is a third one asking for a private audience with Your Majesty.
Lord Azazel.
Tell him I'll see him tomorrow.
That is a response he will not accept.
At least not from me.
[eerie ethereal music playing]
[Azazel] Lord Morpheus.
[Dream] Azazel.
Welcome.
We're not welcome here, though, are we, Dream Lord?
Lucifer has done us both a grave disservice.
My anger this morning was misplaced.
It was for the Morningstar, not you.
I am here not on my own behalf but on behalf of demonkind.
Poor, dispossessed creatures, who have been forced from their homeland--
[Dream] An army of them.
Led by you.
I seek justice, Morpheus.
Will you give us back our world
if I compensate you for the inconvenience Lucifer has caused you?
How?
A gift.
[cackles wildly]
[low growling]
- [Choronzon gasps] - [Azazel laughs]
[Azazel, echoing] Lord Choronzon.
Yours to take vengeance upon for having challenged you in Hell.
And if I do not wish to seek vengeance?
[growls softly]
There is one other thing I can offer, but, uh...
it's not very much.
A human female.
[sinister music playing]
Condemned to Hell... [Azazel laughs]
...10,000 years past, by...
her resentful lover.
[Nada sobbing]
- [softly] Nada. - [Nada] Dreamlord!
Give me the key, and I will release her.
Should you choose not to...
I shall take as much pleasure
in consuming her soul...
[roars]
...as I did Choronzon's.
Do you understand me, Morpheus?
[ominous music playing]
[quietly] I do.
Then I trust we have a deal.
[chuckles softly]
[foreboding music building]
[music fades]
[whimsical chimes playing]
[music peaks, fades]