Previously on The Mighty Nein...
You have a mission.
My contact has a name.
The head of the Volstrucker.
Molly, we need a packed house tonight,
or the carnival is done.
Toya the Vivid Voice!
So long as I have these,
he is within my complete control.
The beetles.
He's out of my control.
- My pearl! - Gustav.
Hands where we can see them!
Where's your mother been?
When am I? Which life?
You know the queen will execute you if she discovers you have Typhros.
Presumably, whoever stole the Beacon
plans to use it.
And only a Dunamancer can show them how.
All I see is a mechanism.
We will work nicely together.
Six carnival-goers, dead.
A monster on the loose.
You telling us you had nothing to do with it?
That's right, I make a point of killing my closest friends at least once a week.
A joke? You making a joke?
Nein.
What did you say to me?
Nein.
We don't speak Zemnian, scumbag.
What were you doing in that tent?
I told you, Officer, we were just passing through.
We paused for some entertainment.
And leaving trails of bodies is entertainment for you, sicko?
You got nothing on me.
I didn't even have a weapon.
Unless you count these pythons.
You guys, this is just like a true crime novel.
Two hot-headed dicks cranking up the pressure on the perp until she breaks.
Ooh, which one of you is the bad cop?
I'd take this seriously, miss.
B-T-Dubs, your handcuffs are super janky.
The ones Mama uses are so much harder to get out of.
And fluffier.
This is profiling, you racist assholes!
Well, maybe not you, big boy.
The goblin and the hobo? No fucking way. I work alone.
I swear, their bodies changed.
I know nothing.
Why would I turn the audience into reptiles?
They pay my salary.
Technically, you should give us a reward.
Maybe a parade.
Wanna give me a cavity search?
Make sure I'm not hiding anything?
Shut up! We didn't find any reptile corpses.
And a dozen witnesses saw you blow open a hole
so the creature escaped.
You're clearly some kind of
criminal gang. Now give me a name for the booking sheet.
Uh, our name?
Fuck off.
None of us are in a gang.
Oh yeah, we are called...
The Sensual Seven.
There's only six of you.
Don't forget the Traveler.
There's water next to the piss bucket.
Get cozy.
Nein, not the necklace.
I-I need it.
Why? What's it do?
More of your vile sorcery?
Ha. Thought so.
- Hmm. - Please.
Please spare a little goblin girl. I'm so hungover.
Yeah? You want your booze, sweetie?
Oh, yes. Thank you, kind sir.
Ahh. Too bad, goblin scum.
Don't worry. You'll get it back.
- Or not. - No... no, please.
Just a sip. Just a...
sip.
- Nice. - I'll rip your fuckin' lungs out,
you pig! Hear me, shit-bird?
When I get out, I'm gonna wear your face as a diaper!
Whoa, can you take it down a notch, green?
Ah, you little fuck.
It was an accident.
Oh, an accident?
Like you two swiping my horse? And my pearl?
Yeah, you dumbass fucking thieves, you belong in here.
And you...
shitheads are interfering with an important mission!
Oh, what mission?
Finding more halter tops to show off your abs?
Sorry, my friend makes jokes when she is nervous.
She means no offense.
Huh.
Yeah, real funny.
We will need to keep our wits about us to get out of here, ja?
I just need a drink, is all.
Traveler, this place
is unbelievable. Rusty bars,
the persistent smell of urine, ruffians.
It's the coolest!
Uh, who is she talking to?
Her god.
The Traveler would
love it here. It's just like this book we read,
Escape of the Chained Harlots.
Ooh! Fjord, do you want to be my bitch?
What? Jester, how are you so happy right now?
Lord Sharpe is still looking for us,
and we can't get to Zadash if we're locked up.
Not with that attitude, sailor.
Oh, also,
Fjord is a mighty ship captain, so you should probably salute him.
That guy?
Nah. Look at those hands.
Yeah,
I got more callouses on my cooch.
Watch your mouth, you little--
Oh, what are you gonna do, whip me with your noodle arms?
Just 'cause you're a kid don't mean I won't--
Can you control your... friend, daughter, whatever?
Would you all politely go fuck yourselves?
This may be a joke to you people,
but I lost everything tonight. You swore
you wouldn't make trouble, and now my carnival, my friends,
and the only ones that ever gave a shit about me are gone.
And that's your fault.
And yours. And yours.
And yours.
So sure, have a laugh over your imaginary friend,
and your liquor and your insults.
Just keep it the fuck down, please.
Listen, nobody wants to be here.
I got a job to do.
You two need to hit the road.
The hobo's cranky about his weird necklace.
You wanna get shit-faced.
Sing it, sister.
And you have a friend to bury.
Which, sure,
we all take some blame for, right?
But none of that shit's gonna happen
if we sit in this cell sniping at each other.
What exactly are you proposing?
Simple. We bust out.
A jailbreak?
Oh, my God. This is the best day of my life.
If we can bring back that Devil Toad's head on a platter,
they'll know we weren't part of this.
And you'll get your stuff back, and I'll get my pearl.
Huh, that seems like a lot of work.
It also took that girl, the handler.
Toya.
The creature took her when it left.
I know your other friends are gone,
but maybe we can still save her.
How? And with what?
The guards have our weapons.
Not all of 'em.
Eee! Ooh!
A consecuted soul has been marked,
ritually, for resurrection.
Upon death, the body is discarded.
But the soul is preserved
within the Luxon Beacon, held in stasis.
Until a child is born,
and that soul transfers into the new body,
and begins its life again.
Later, in adolescence,
memories of their past lives return
like a flood unleashed in their mind.
And the cycle continues
for eternity.
Hmm.
Eloquent presentation, Essek. But how does it function?
My Volstrucker's soul, it was consumed by the Beacon.
How?
Was he struck by it? The dunamantic explosion?
He was. A casualty of war.
Then it claimed his soul with no ritual.
- Excellent. - Explain.
That proves it can be bypassed with science.
It will take time,
but if we can come up with a theoretical framework
to analyze the energy profile, perhaps--
Hmm. I thought we could just start.
Surely, you didn't think we would just study together?
Go on. Activate it.
It is open,
but I cannot hold it for long.
There, his soul.
I see it.
Now, as I showed you.
Conduct it toward the Beacon.
Ayeth tou-reen. Ouubas.
Yao-caan-tessvouldan.
Almost.
No. No, no, no, no!
Damn it.
It was too much. Too painful.
Eadwulf, another subject, please.
Yes, Master.
Another?
Already?
But we just killed a man for nothing. Shouldn't we first--
Fetch some tea.
We may be here a while.
Help!
Someone help!
Stay back.
Stay away from me!
Jameson. The hell?
Just get me out!
Hurry!
What in Despath were you doing in there?
Oh, just helping some new friends.
Hel--
I had it covered.
Yeah, I don't think you did.
Nott, get the door.
Hey, where are you two going?
My amulet. I must fetch it before--
Look, we may not like each other,
but if we don't stick together, you're gonna be back in that cell
faster than you can say "Nicodranas."
Why would I say "Nicodranas"?
It's just a figure of speech.
Psst. Dipshits.
Hallway's clear.
Nein, I am not leaving without it.
Ah! It's not my fault!
The hell was that noise?
Uh, okay. Maybe we can come back for it.
Nein.
Yeah, cool, see you. Enjoy your death.
This way! The exit should be right...
...here.
- Huh? - Well, he sure as shit
ain't a navigator.
I hear 'em! Over there!
Fjord? Please say you have a plan?
Whether you think you can or you can't,
either way, you're right.
What?
Back up.
Huh, not what I was hoping for.
Fjord, that was great! Wasn't it great? Nott, tell him it was great.
We are going to die!
Okay, okay, okay, I will help.
But only a little, Fjord, okay?
This way! I saw them down here!
Come on!
There they are. Get 'em!
Hey! Stop! What the hell are you doing?
That was also great, Mr. Dirt Wizard!
Yeah, yeah, magic's the fucking best.
Just move your ass.
Prison break!
Bring in another.
Herr Ikithon, a moment.
Dunamancy is quite taxing.
Then why don't we switch?
Teach me to open the Beacon.
With all due respect, it is quite--
What? What? Dangerous?
I have not gotten to where I am without risk, Essek.
Uh, your mother's illness.
What was it called again?
Typhros.
A side effect of many resurrections.
The memories of past lives bleed into her current one.
It's... changed her.
Huh. And if her sickness is discovered?
Her consecution will be removed
and she will be executed. Permanently.
Huh. It is unfair, what is asked of us.
No matter how devoted to our countries we are, they still
take from us. Until we have nothing left to give.
I suppose I could teach you to open it.
Anything to help.
The Townsguard will be on our tail.
We should fan out.
And do what, exactly?
Look for clues,
something that points us to the creature,
what it was, where it went.
I'm gonna start in the main tent.
Come on. Ah.
No judgment but you're pretty boozy for a little girl.
Not without a drink, I'm not.
I tried Mama's sherry once.
No, thank you.
It smelled like old people and sadness.
Why do you like it?
Not "like."
Need.
Well, I think you're beautiful.
No, you don't.
Yes, I do. It's true. You have pretty skin.
Your teeth are... Well, your eyes
are very adorable. Oh, my gosh.
And I have never seen anyone like you.
And that makes you even more beautiful.
Mama says you can accomplish anything with a heart and a friend.
And it seems like that wizard man believes in you,
and that's worth something.
Even if he smells like poo.
Yeah. Yeah, I suppose that's true.
Doesn't stop the jitters, though.
Well, maybe you need someone to believe in.
Someone wise and powerful to give you confidence.
Someone like, oh, I don't know...
"The Traveler"? The imaginary friend
you kept yapping to in jail?
He's not imaginary.
Was he there in the cell?
- No. - Imaginary.
No. No, the Traveler is real.
He just has important deity duties.
Ooh.
You believe me, right, Nott? What?
"Nott." That's a funny name.
I like it. Do you have a last name?
"The Brave." No comma.
Nott the Brave. Catchy.
Ooh! Maybe if I make him jealous, he'll show himself to you.
Like if we become best friends,
or if Fjord and I make out--
- What? - Poof, he'll show up,
like, "You see, Nott? I am super real
and you're super wrong and Jester's my favorite
and I've definitely not forgotten about her."
And then, you can be his best friend, too.
Thank you, Nott. I feel better.
Whatever.
Um,
so, what exactly are you doing?
Spell components.
It is why we came here in the first place.
And if we are to face this toad monster,
I will need the proper ingredients.
Oh. So, you need stuff
for your magic.
Uh, who gave it to you?
No one. I learnt it.
Learned. What, like at a school?
- Ja. - Really?
Hey, so, uh, have-have you heard of the Soltryce Academy?
What do you know of that place?
Huh? Oh, not much.
Yeah, we were heading that way
and I thought maybe they could help me with my, uh, um, my powers.
Is it not a good school?
No, it is an excellent school.
The teachers are another story.
Huh.
Ugh.
Some kind of catalytic enzyme.
Must be what made the crowd wig out.
What?
Who exactly are you?
I'm a Cobalt Soul monk,
not that you chucklefucks know what that is.
Sounds made up.
Ooh, is it a band of deadly assassins?
Can you kill people with your pinky? I heard that's a thing.
They are librarian spies.
The Cobalt Soul was formed in Wildemount over 800 years ago.
An organization that
claims neutrality, they are dedicated to seeking
and preserving knowledge,
guided by the light of their deity, The Knowing Mistress.
Yeah. Exactly.
Hate to interrupt
the monk's résumé, but this blood?
No one in the crowd bled this. It's different.
Looks red to me.
If it bleeds, we can kill it.
Wow, brilliant observation
from Midshipman Obvious.
There's more.
The trail ends here.
Spread out. See if it picks up again.
You know, a "please" wouldn't hurt.
Puh... lease.
Oh, oh, really?
Classy, you fucking monk. Shit.
Hmm. The Cobalt Soul ain't big on people skills, are they?
I wonder.
Ah...
There. The beast went that way.
Uh, how exactly did you do that?
I have no idea.
What's life without a little mystery?
Yeah, seems like we got plenty of that going around.
Lead on, circus man.
Focus.
Among its powers, Dunamancy
can warp gravity.
Reach out with your mind.
Good. Now set it down.
Ah.
That's enough, Trent.
If you go too far, you-- - What?
What will happen?
- Let's find out. - No, don't.
You could--
Aah.
This was a mistake.
We said we'd experiment with the soul to help save my mother's life, not this--
Ah.
This is no religious relic.
It's not even a tool for reincarnation.
This Beacon is a weapon.
Herr Ikithon, I must object.
Don't even think
about it, crick.
Aah.
Astrid, Eadwulf, clean up.
And show our crick friends the way out.
We'll continue tomorrow.
Back to your Dynasty.
What have I done?
All right, enough.
We're losing light.
We should make camp.
Finally! My feet are literally about to die.
No stopping.
- We've got shit to do. - Ugh!
Look, I get the whole "lone wolf" thing, but a softer touch goes a long way.
Suck my dick.
All right, baby steps then.
Fine.
Would you all please put on your big girl panties and
please stop acting like goddamn amateurs?
We are amateurs.
I mean, who are we kidding?
We're hunting something we know nothing about with no plan.
We're just a bunch of random idiots lumped together in a jail cell.
And that is not what I sound like.
Zeenoth was right.
First mission, and I blew it.
So, that's it? We give up?
We cannot give up.
That thing could kill other people.
It'll kill us first.
- Ah, Captain Coward. - Ah, listen, you little shit--
Nobody move. Look.
Fuck me, she's alive.
Toya, over here!
Toya!
Oh, no way she didn't hear you.
Well, she's a kid. She-She's probably just scared.
Wait. It could be a trap, Nott.
So? What's magic for if not stuff like this?
She's a child who needs our help.
Uh, we go.
Carefully.
I'm out.
Toya?
I am Jester. From the show?
Anyway, it's super gross in here.
Do you want to come with us?
Honey,
please. It's-it's not safe here.
Nowhere is safe.
You should have left me alone.
Ugh, you need a lozenge or something?
Nott.
Toya, come with me.
Nope. Nope, nope, nope.
I don't belong here.
The child protected me, but I must start anew.
Because of you!
Oh, great. It talks.
Give me back my pearl, you punk-ass frog twat.
If you don't want to get hurt,
please release the girl.
Huh?
- How's that softer touch workin'? - Don't you see?
We are one.
Strike me down, and the child dies.
I am all that keeps her alive.
Wait! Wait! You heard it. You-you might hurt the child.
I do not think that is a child.
- Not anymore. - What if you're wrong?
It already killed Gustav. If we don't end this, it was all for nothing.
Please. Help me.
Damn it!
Oh, dear.
Are you a coward?
The past is a noose around your neck.
Cut the rope.
Grow.
- Holy shit. - Fjord, watch out!
Time to put on a show!
This group is fuckin' wild.
You're okay.
You're gonna be okay.
Wait, wait. The Traveler can do even better.
Aah! Damn it!
Pop-pop.
Voumen... Kroosh.
Aah. Schiesse.
Traveler, please. We need you.
Come on. Don't be imaginary.
On your feet, magic man. We'll give you an opening!
Speed it up, wizard!
If I skip steps, it will not end well.
Just do it!
The vial.
Huh?
That ended well.
Nott.
Her wounds healed.
But...
She was already gone.
Huh?
Where do you think you're going?
Apologies.
Proceed.
Can I help you, stranger?
Hey. You got ears?
I seek one of your prisoners.
Piss off.
I require information, and you will provide it.
What are you even looking for?
This thing swallowed my evidence.
There you are, you little shit.
Okay.
Now what do we do with this thing?
Unless you are certain what that is, it may be wise to leave it.
It's a rift. A tear in our reality to another plane of existence.
The creature must have been trying to go through it when we got here.
And you know this how?
I-I don't know.
You say that a lot.
I have a memory of a rift like this.
I've definitely seen one before.
He said "I don't belong here."
He was trying to go home. I'd bet money on it.
And that's saying something.
But it's the strangest thing.
What is?
My memory of the rift,
it doesn't feel like mine.
In the texts I have read, rifts must be opened.
So, who opened this?
I don't know.
I, uh, hope you were right.
That by the time we got here, she was already gone.
Me, too.
That shit you do, component-based magic?
Takes years of study, yeah?
Well, I like books.
Same here.
You ever been to a Cobalt Soul Library?
Nein.
They're pretty amazing.
More than you can read in ten lifetimes.
And only the good stuff.
You will have to give me a tour sometime.
None of the books really prepare you for this.
Nein. They do not.
Fjord?
I don't think I'm having fun anymore.
Yeah. Me, neither.
This was not your fault.
Not this time, maybe.
This time?
A child is still gone, forever.
Someone should say something.
I always say, "Leave a place better than you found it."
I'm not sure we did that today, but we did our best.
I mean, let's not kid ourselves. None of us knew this girl.
We don't even know each other.
But right now our hearts are in the exact same place.
Uncertain. Angry. Scarred.
The thing about scars is, try as you may, they don't heal.
You can cover them up, but you always know they're there.
So I say, burn this pain out of your memory,
and use its heat like a kiln to make something new.
Gustav always called these cards "carnie bullshit."
But I wonder.
Does that say "Home"?
A group coming together.
Shared purpose. Shared pain.
But mostly, shared strength.
Or it might just be "carnie bullshit."
Mother?
I've returned.
Are you in there?
Mother?
Essek, my love, you look as if you've seen a ghost.
Oh, um, good evening.
What are you doing here, Verrat?
Oh, just came by for a chat, but instead, I discovered this young charmer was home.
And you said she was traveling.
I'm tired.
You boys talk. I'm off to bed.
Of course.
- Good night. - Ma'am.
Why didn't you tell me?
She returned from her trip early.
Essek, she trained me.
I know my mentor, and that was... someone else.
Someone from before, bleeding into the soldier I used to know.
She has Typhros.
Friend.
Ease yourself.
Your secret is safe.
The Queen's law is clear on the matter.
But I understand wanting more time.
And I'll not cheat you of it.
It's an odd part of consecution.
Even after my many lives,
time never stops feeling precious.
Besides, I didn't come to chat.
The Bright Queen has ordered a response to the Beacon theft.
I deploy to the Empire in 48 hours.
Unless you had any success locating the Beacon?
The trail ran cold.
But if the Queen gave me a few more days, I'm sure I could find it.
She is fueled by fury on this matter.
It obscures all reason.
Many of us will die.
Then defy her. Plead with her.
Going to war without the Beacon is madness.
Try as you might--
and I know you do--
one cannot fight the Luxon's will.
Farewell, my friend.
That is what I came to say.
Uh, can't you use a bag or something?
Ah, weak and delicate. What a prize.
Still waiting for your god, are you?
No. Maybe.
It's just...
why didn't he show up back there?
I already regret saying this,
but the card I drew last night,
when you reverse it...
The Traveler?
It's nice to know someone is looking out for you.
Hmm. Thank you.
So...
I, uh, know I was a little, um...
abrasive or whatever.
But I just want to say, no matter where we wind up,
it was nice meeting you all.
Aww, now see?
That was a softer touch.
Don't push it, fuckboi.
You there. State your purpose.
That's evidence
that we aren't to blame for the Carnival.
We mean to present it to your sergeant.
Unless you want to carry it for us.
I need a name for the logs. Do you have one?
Nein.
Like, like the number?
Nein.
Okay. "The Nine."
But there's only six of you.
Six fantastic, spectacular, sexy people.
We are not "Nein."
We are The Mighty Nein.
Well, guess we'll be on the next carriage to Zadash.
Next time you get the urge to go to a carnival, maybe skip it.
Dude really wants his amulet.
Uh, weren't there guards here before?
The shit?
Arcane poison.
My amulet. I need it now.
Seriously, what is so damn important that you--
It blocks them. Their vision.
We are all in great danger.
- She found me. - She found me.
How fortunate.
My journey has revealed more than I could have hoped.
Master will be so pleased I found you...
Chirp.