"In distant times and when all fantasy was possible, the tragic legend of Waldemar Daninsky and his eternal curse was born." "The Beast And The Magic Sword" "938, Messeburgo." "Residence of the Emperor Otton the Great" "Your Majesty..." "Your councellor, the bishop Liutprando of Cremona has arrived and asks to be seen." "See him in at once." "Your Eminence may come in." "Your Majesty, I've travelled with all haste." "Sit down Bishop, speak." "Sir, I've said it many times, Burgundians are charlatans and weak spirited" "Byzantines are cowards when sober and brave when they're drunk." "The same goes for the Germans." "Romans are worthless and swaggerers." "But the Hungarian are devils, insatiable vampires who seek out victims to steal away their blood and souls." "You believe that Irplando?" " What does it matter what I think?" " Explain yourself." "What matters is what your subjects think, your soldiers, your people." "They say if Bhulcho the Magyar chief is executed instead of dying in single combat then,he and all the Hungarians the Emperor has killed will return from hell." "Their ghosts will drink our blood and that of our children." "They'll condemn our souls, they'll bring plague and ruin our harvests." "No one will be able to defeat Bhulcho, he is the devil." "They say he can transform into a wolf and other wild beasts." "He is invulnerable." "But everyone has verified it, we've defeated the Magyar forces and their warriors weren't immortal," " they died like anyone else." " Yes, it's true," "I've seen impaled prisoners dying," "I've seen women and children that were thrown without pity into the flames, and yes, they died like anyone else." "Alright Bishop, let's do away with the sermons and speak of the mission I gave you" "Following your instructions I travelled to Cracovia." "A long and trying trip, by the way." "Stories of your tribulations don't concern me, come to the point your Eminence." "The night is cold and this hot wine soothes the body and the soul." "Speak..." "As you ordered, I had a meeting in the Castle of Wawrl with Irineus Daninsky." "He still hasn't forgotten that the Magyar hordes invaded" "Polish territory and killed nearly all of his relatives." "So?" "He agrees to face Bulcho in single combat." "God be praised." "Irineus Daninsky is the last paladin capable of facing that demon." "Eight of your best warriors have lost their lives in challenging of the Voivoda." "Your Majesty, wouldn't it be better to finish Bulcho off once and for all and make him climb the gibbets?" "I have him locked in the dungeons, but it seems the prisoner is me." "I fear to judge him." "I fear the curse will come true and my people will be damned." "No, he must die in a duel." "The Polack will defeat Bhulcho." "Your Majesty, you musn't forget Amese the Magyar's mistress." "She has yet to be captured and her corruption is worse than Voivoda's." "If Bhulcho is defeated the witch will easily fall into our hands because no one will fear her any longer." "Amese, Amese!" "Queracos, you cursed dwarf, how dare you interrupt me?" "Forgive me Mistress, but Irineus Daninsky is at the court, he's come to fight with our Lord." "That wretch, he comes at last." "Irineus Daninsky..." "If you defeat Bhulcho, I'll give you whatever you may ask." "Nothing will be denied, nothing." "Your Majesty, I'll bring Voivoda's bloodstained head and in return..." "And In return, what is it you wish?" "As in the old legends I'm a paladin who comes to save the land from the dragon, you know what the usual reward was." "You want one of my daughters." "Yes, I desire Uswika, your youngest daughter." "Aren't you aiming too high?" "Perhaps your Emminence, but that is my price." "Bring me Bhulcho's head and Uswika shall be your wife, you have my word." "Uswika, my daughter, today we're gambling for your future and that of our people." "The die is cast." "He'll be defeated." "I don't know that this was necessary." "Your Eminence, you know I had no other choice." "May God's will be done." "The Magyar vampire has been defeated." "His heart shall be pierced with a silver cross and his remains will be burned, this way he will never be able to return from the grave." "You have killed the monster." "Uswika, my beloved daughter shall be your wife." "Irineus, my husband, I'm very happy." "I love your country as much as the one I was born in." "And my people also love you, they'd give their lives for you without hesitation" "I have to tell you something, something very beautiful." " What is it?" " Your seed grows within my womb," "I'm going to give you a son." "Wolves, vampires, satyrs, ghosts the chosen creatures of hell, I beg you to send me with all haste the great grey shadow which makes men tremble." "May the eternal malediction of the Lord of the Night fall upon the Daninsky lineage, may the souls that carry his blood never find peace." "Satan, Beelzebub, Belial, Belzegor I invoke you!" "Aid me!" "Irina..." "Many days have passed since my husband's departure to the land of the Valacoas ...and there is no news." "Ill forebodings darken my soul." "Don't fear, your husband will defeat the rebels and he'll return safe and sound." "Your words comfort me." "Uswika!" "I'm Amese, Bhulcho's mistress." "Your husband destroyed him and you must pay." "My eternal malediction will reach you and your descendents." "All sons that are born seventh and during the first night of the full moon shall be transformed into bloodthirsty beasts who will spread death everywhere." "The Daninskys will be a race of murderers, hated and persecuted forever!" "Your son is already damned!" " Guard, aid us!" "Come to us, guard!" "Help us!" "Slaves of bastards, you don't dare to raise arms against me!" "I am Amese the Sorceress and in my hands is the destiny of men." "She's wounded our lady!" "Fire!" "Centuries passed and the diabolical malediction was inexorably fulfilled." "Toledo (Spain)." "Second half of the 16th century." "This medallion is the symbol of our order, a brotherhood created to do good and to help our fellow man with wisdom." "Social status doesn't matter, nor race, nor origin, not even religion." "To our fraternity only man matters, and we dedicate our lives to his redemption." "We have brothers throughout the known world and though because of incomprehension and ignorance" "we have to act in secret, our work is everyday more fruitful." "Therefore, from the moment you showed me the medallion my soul and my house were open to you." "I'll do for you whatever lies within my power." "Salom Yehudah," "I've traveled the world in search of a cure for my terrible curse with no results." "At last, in hoary Egypt, your brother the sage Kembese gave me the medallion and sent me to speak with you." "In ancient treatises I've studied the story of your unfortunate lineage." " Will you help me?" " It's my duty." "I'll do everything possible to cure you." "You'll lodge here in my house and I'll get to work immediately." "But staying here in your home is very dangerous." "The cellar has thick walls and solid doors, when the moment arrives I'll lock you there in chains." "Nothing will happen and I'll be able study your case in depth." "Trust me..." "I'll do whatever you say, you're my last hope." "This is my niece Ester." "She brings an infusion of herbs that will soothe the fatigue from your journey." " She's a sweet and lovely girl." " She was born blind." "Her father was my younger brother, an intelligent and worthy man, but not very discreet." "One bad day, a group of fanatics whose identity was never discovered murdered him and his wife." "Ester was left an orphan." "She was only five years old." "I took her in and now she's like my own daughter." " Poor thing" " Yes, but the Creator, in his infinite goodness, has alleviated her misfortune, sharpening her other senses to such a degree that she can see and hear much more than others who possess both eyes." "She diligently manages and administers this humble home and is an invaluable help to me." "It's said that the Grand Inquisitor Alfonso de Salazar Ifrias has left the trial of Saul Aramuagh and is heading here." "They say they're going to start proceedings on Salom Yehudah." "That Jew and his niece have dealings with the Devil." "They should be sent to the stake." "They're witches, there are some who have seen them flying out their chimney, riding great lizards to go to Witches' Sabbath." "And those two foreigners who are living in their house, they almost never go outside," " and if they do then they're muffled" " They dress like heretics, without a doubt they're servants of the Malignant One." "Holy souls in purgatory, protect us." "On nights of the full moon frightening howls can be heard from the Jew's cellar, everyone is afraid and no one goes near there." "Those are devils shouting." "Time goes by and I can't find a remedy that can heal Waldemar." "Uncle, you must go on trying, you can't become discouraged." "Trust in God." "Ester, to find a solution I'll need much more time," "The research will be long and hard and I'm fear I won't be able to finish it." "What do you mean?" "I have bad news." "The Grand Inquisitor is coming here and it seems I'm the cause of his hurried trip." "It can't be that..." "The cowardly and the envious denounced me, they accuse me of being a warlock and a heretic." "The Inquisition will waste no time in trying me and it'd probably be for the best because perhaps someone already plots my death from the shadows, as they did with your poor father." " You're innocent and we'll prove it." " My daughter, listen." "Waldemar and Kinga must prepare for their flight and I want you to go with them." "I'll stay here." "I'm too old and I'm tired." "I'll never leave you, never!" "The Inquisition will do away with that hive of witches and devils" "Listen Ricardo, the High Tribunal must investigate, interrogate, gather proof all of it slow and troublesome, and maybe by the time the secular branch tries to catch them the birds will have already flown." "You're right Rodrigo." "Away with you beggar." "Its deliberatness is an obstacle to justice." "They can't hurt you, you've helped everyone who came calling on your door." "You've dedicated your whole life to the practice goodness and charity." "Your wisdom has calmed the ills of many afflicted men." "Unfortunately, intolerance and slander always triumph over the just." "But a group of anonymous vigilantes could act quickly and finish once and for all with the witches." "Yes, it'd be good to help the difficult, arduous labor the Holy Inquisition." "We're old Christians and our duty is to cleanse the world of heretics." "I'll tell the others." "We must work with caution and celerity, not one witch must be spared." "I know my end is near," "Therefore I want to leave a record for the benefit of future generations of strange event that disrupted my life and changed my destiny." "It happened in the year of Our Lord 1580, on the 6th of September to be exact." "A man, a foreigner of noble lineage and born in the distant land of Poland near mysterious Transylvania came to see me accompanied by a Hungarian girl." "He sought my help to" "Infernal warlock, the bolts with which you protect your lair were of little use," "We split them as if they were of glass." "The justice of God gives strength to our arms." "Do not blaspheme, murderers!" "Don't use the holy name of our Lord to justify your hatred and your evil." "We've come destroy you and your people, cursed devil's acolyte!" "What are you waiting for?" "Search the house and use your dagger on every man, woman or beast you find!" "Waldemar listen to me." "There's a great sage called Kian." "He lives in a distant land beyond the oceans." "Tell me Salome, what land is it?" "Go to Japan, to ancient Zipang to the city of Kyoto and look for Kian" "Only he can help you." "Show him the medallion, give him my documents..." "Perhaps he will be able cure you." "Waldemar... for the eternal peace of our soul protect Ester, take her with you." "If you leave her here she'll suffer a horrible death." "Protect her." "Hear me Kian, we bring you here because the matter we're dealing with is grave and we need you to use your profound knowledge and science in our service." "My Lord, I am at your service and I'll do everything within my power to be useful." "Your uncle, General Yukio Goto will inform you of the matter." "Wise Kian, for some time now horrible things have been happening." "Half eaten corpses have been found, savagely mutilated, panic is spreading in the city and in the country the poor people are terrified and fear is everywhere." "Yes, I already know." "In spite of the solitude and isolation in which I live" "I'm aware of that tragedy that's befallen our country." "I understand your worries perfectly and I share them." "Thank you, thank you." "We've verified that the crimes always take place at night," " during the full moon." " Yes, I'm aware of that as well." "Wise Kian, who is it who can do such a thing?" "What fearful devil is tormenting us, spreading terror and death?" "That I don't know, Lord." "We are facing a mysterious, shadowy enigma whose solution won't be easy to find." "Could it be an animal?" "What known beast would act in such a manner?" "I beg you to allow me a few days," "I must study the matter thoroughly." "Unfortunately, there isn't much time." "Keep in mind that very soon the full moon will shine in the sky again." "General Yukio Goto," "You will organize men to patrol the streets and forests during the next full moon." "Let's see if that savage beast which murders defenseless victims attacks our brave samurais in the same manner." "My Lord Oda Nobunaga," "I'll carry out your orders and I'll choose my best warriors." "General Goto, you must hunt down this beast, and remember, you musn't fail me!" "I swear by my honor I'll put an end to the full moon killer or I shall die." "It seems that devil is afraid of our katanas and has decided that tonight he'll stay hidden in his hole." "It's a pity, because if it would have shown up we would have taken its head as a trophy." "Akane, my sister," "Tonight the beast will come out of its den and innocent blood will flow once again." "I fear that against that diabolical being the samurai's sharp katanas will be useless." "Elder brother, you musn't torment yourself so." "The glorious spirits of our ancestors I'm sure they will help you in this difficult time to discover the murderer's identity." "I know you'll find a way to destroy it, however strong or powerful it may be." "Akane, there's something that worries me." "I fear for our noble uncle Yukio Goto's fate." "He's sworn before Shogun Oda Nobunaga to do away with the beast." "Brother, we all know that our uncle is a brave warrior, he'll keep his word." "He has staked his honor and life on this task and I'm convinced that he could lose everything." "Elder brother, remember one thing:" "that good will always defeat evil." "Thus it is written, and therefore it will be so." "Nephew, what you see is all that remains of Captain Hisato Kobayashi, one of my best men." "I've never seen a slaughter like this, it's dreadful." "I want your opinion on the matter." "I must study the cadaver." "Perhaps a great wolf or bear is responsible for these deaths." "It's possible General Taikasoma," " Nevertheless, there's something..." " I think the General is right." "A bear or large wolf have powerful claws and sharp fangs, only they could have done something like this." "Yes, it could be, but there's a detail here that worries me." "one which seemingly makes no sense." "Explain yourself!" "Why does this horrible beast only attack during the full moon?" "I think we're possibly confronting something that's much more destructive and wicked" "than a mere bear or huge wolf." "My science has no place for magical powers but what's happening is too terrible and strange to be understood." "Kian, remember that my honor and life are at stake." "By your ancient and brave samurai spirit try to discover the nature of this being." "Uncle, you know I feel a deep and sincere affection for you." "Starting today I will devote myself to my investigations entirely, I promise you." "Waldemar, we're in a strange unknown land, it will probably be difficult to find the wise man," "but I know we will." "Perhaps, but in the meantime I keep turning into a bloodythirsty beast who kills poor innocents when the full moon rises." "We've brought horror and death to these lands." "I think my cure is demanding too high a price." "Have you found learned anything?" " Not about Kian's whereabouts, but I've been told about someone who might be able help us." " Who is it?" " A sorceress called Satomi, she lives in an old castle in the mountains and posseses powerful magical abilities and great wisdom." "She's made many miracle cures and it's said she can even bring the dead back to life." "A sorceress..." "Yes, it could be, perhaps she could." "I made this mold by using wax on the beast's footprints near the woods." "It has the shape of a human foot." "Exactly Uncle, it has the appearance of a human foot, but bearing huge, sharp claws." "Uncle, observe, observe the sole," "It has a strange, unique characteristic." "It's ruggedness is reminiscent of a dog's paw, of a great dog or perhaps more precisely, of a wolf's." " So?" " It may seem absurd but I'm convinced of what I'm saying:" "What I saw on the brothel's roof was a devilish and threatening wolf man." "We were face to face for a few moments, it's eyes were two fiery coals, and just when it seemed it was going pounce it fled." "It vanished among the shadows of the night." " A wolf man?" " Yes, a lycanthrope, a being who on nights of the full moon and due to a curse or through a black magic ritual, becomes a bloodthirsty wolf." "They can be recognized by the strange scar they bear on their chest, over their heart and in the shape of a pentagon." "If an extremity is cut off it immediately grows back, stronger than ever." "They're invulnerable to any attack and only a silver weapon may strike them down." "What are you saying?" "Those beings only exist in the imaginations of poor illiterates." "Perhaps, wise Kian, you've had a bit too much of sake, we all do it on ocassion." "Drinking in the company of beautiful and accomadating women is very pleasant, there's no reason to be ashamed." "Respectable uncle..." "I know what I'm saying sounds like madness, but I repeat," "I'm sure that it's a wolf man who can only be stopped with a silver weapon" " thus ending it's dangerous existence." " Silver?" "To kill that beast?" "Why make that useless expediture?" "The steel of my katana will be enough to finish him once and for all." "You're a great boaster Captain, if some day you have the misfortune of seeing the beast, you wouldn't stop running until you lost your breath." "What are you saying?" "Are you calling me a coward?" "A just reply to your impertinence, if I'm a drunkard then you're a coward!" "Enough!" "Have forgetten the respect you owe me?" " I'm sorry Uncle, I'm ashamed." " Forgive me General," "I beg you." "I know that for years you've been seperated by profound differences but I thought that the danger we face would unite you." "General, I have always served you faithfully." "You've committed a grave disciplinary error and you're a military man, you'll suffer a stern punishment." "Begone!" " Your conduct has not matched your wisdom." " I retire ashamed, forgive me" "As you know, do all that I've ordered you to." "Bastard, I swear by my ancestors that you'll pay for this some day, I'll kill you." "Todanori, I don't like crossing the forest during the full moon," " it's very dangerous." " Shut up woman, you're always grumbling." "Our cousin is very ill and we have to visit him." "Akane, my sister, the beast that terrorizes us comes from a distant country and according to legend its presence here will bring the gravest misfortunes." "The dead will rise from their graves, demons will roam free." "The ghosts of witches and murderers will come out from their tombs to torment men." "Elder brother, how can a wolf man be destroyed?" "It's written in these old parchments." "Please, read." "In order for a wolf man to be absolutely freed from his terrible curse he must be killed by a woman who pierces his heart with a silver weapon during a full moon." "The woman must love him more than her own life and not hesitate to die for him." "But if the lycanthrope is struck down with hatred or fear, when the silver is removed he will come back to life to sow death and destruction." "Then, he can only be freed by a great and true love." "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "Be calm, my name is Kian and I assure you have nothing to fear." " You!" " Kian!" "It's not possible!" "How did arrive here?" "By studying your footprints and following your trail, you know we Japanese are famous for being patient." "I have also been searching for you," "I've searched for you without rest because I need your help." "But please, come in." "I warn you that my duty as a loyal citizen is to denounce you to the authorities." "Will you do so?" "A fight has been raging in my soul, doubt has tormented me without pitilessly." "I've spent truly anguished moments debating uselessly with my conscience but at last I've taken the decision to help you." "I'm a doctor and for me you must simply be a patient." "It could be that by this I'm committing a serious sin and perhaps even a grave offense against the law," "but I've made my decision and nothing nor anyone will make me change it." "The sacred eye of Eternal Knowledge, the Hebrew Kabbalah," "The Seven Secrets." "This chest was given to me by Salom Yehudah to give to you." "Its contents are extremely valuable and will be useful to us." "Salom Yehudah was a great scientist and eminent doctor," "Knowing he sent you comforts me and bolsters my decision to aid you with your misfortune," "I will work to find the cure to your illness." "Salom only trusted you, he told us you were the only one that could help Waldemar." "I'll do everything in my power to cure him," "I promise you, but if that's not possible, I will attempt to destroy him myself." "I know you will work justly." "Now I must leave, I will return tomorrow and we will begin working immediately." "For several days you'll accompany me to the hot springs which will purify your body and prepare you for the difficult trials that await you." " How many foreigners are there?" " There are three, two women and a man." "It's likely the honorable Kian has gotten involved in a mess but I need more details to act with assurance." "What must we do?" "Continue watching his movements and find out everything you can." "Kian is cunning; he might discover us." "It's very difficult, almost impossible," "but If that happens kill him." "Would you turn around?" "What for?" "Turn around and you'll see." "I have the Tibetan plant in my possession now, the formula will soon be complete." " Then, when?" " We'll try it during the next full moon." "Who sent you?" "Speak!" "Speak or I'll slit your throat!" "You are a traitor, you're the one that sent the ninjas." "The traitor is you." "You're helping some wretched foreigners, and I know why." "Very soon I'll make you appear before the Shogun, you are doomed!" "Not even your powerful uncle will be able to save your head." "Eiko Watanabe I'm going to kill you!" "With the juice of magical Tibetan flower, the formula is complete, let's hope it works." "The magical snow flower will work miracles and will forever cure your companion his terrible illness." " And if it doesn't work?" " We must have faith, the will of our spirits will favor Waldemar." "Waldemar, cheer up," "I think we've finally done it." "Remember that I had already warned you, the sage Kian doesn't have the power to cure your lover." "He'll never do it, never." "You're right." "You have to convince Waldemar and take him before my lady yourself, she can save him." "Yes, she, only she." "I'll do what you say." "Foreigner I can cure you of your terrible illness," "I can free your soul for good from the diabolical curse that afflicts it." "But for this you must do anything I order without hesitation." "You're mistrustful, I sense the hostility you feel towards me." "You're like my enemies, after exterminating the clan to which I belonged they forced me to shut myself away in this old castle forever." "They lacked the courage to execute me, they thought it enough to shun me like a pariah." "They feared my powers, now they believe they've made me but a forgotten shadow." "As for you girl, listen to me." "I can return light to your eyes," "I can give them life, but for that it's necessary that you believe in me, that your heart be dominated by faith and hope," "Only then can I help you to recover your sight." "Now listen," "Kian must not know a single word of this." "If he were to find out all my efforts will have been in vain." "We won't tell him anything, you can be sure." "General, there has been another slaughter and you've done nothing to stop it." " You're right my Lord, but I" " Silence!" "The beast is still free." "Nevertheless, I'll give you another chance." "I haven't forgetten that you have served me loyally and bravely in my campaigns against Ashikaga and Enryaku-ji monastery." "Thank you my Lord, I assure you that if I fail again" "I will free myself from disgrace." "Let us speak no more of it." "Waldemar," "I remember an old Hebrew fable which began like this:" "The spider invited the fly to its house and the latter was so stupid that it accepted." "Satomi is the spider and we the fly, right?" "We mustn't go to the meeting, the sorceress is an evil being," "She won't cure you and will use you for her ends." "Moreover, her castle doesn't seem real, everything in it is like a diabolic nightmare." "Kian has failed, I have no other alternative." "We must try again, Kian will manage to cure you." "I'll keep the appointment with the sorceress." "Going there is like travelling in time into a terrible and fiendish past," "Satomi is a specter escaped from hell." "Satomi is a real being and she will cure me!" "Salom told you: only Kian can save you, keep believing in him," "I beg you!" "It's useless Ester, don't go if you wish but Kinga and I will go to the castle." "I'll go with you." "I won't abandon you." "Waldemar, drink this potion." "It's effects will take you into the past and the mysteries of the origin of your illness will be completely revealed." "I've seen the origin of my illness," "I've seen how the Magyar sorcerers took revenge on my ancestors, transmitting the curse of the pentagon to my unfortunate bloodline." "I've brought them back from the shadows to demonstrate my power, a power that allows me to dominate forces that go beyond than life and death." "The sun fades and soon the full moon shall shine in the sky," "I must begin preparing the magical ritual which will heal Waldemar." "You'll suffer the transformation enclosed here," "I'll be observing you from this side of the door." "To be able to cure you it's necessary that I know the entire process." "We'll release Shere Khan, I'll test our guest's qualities." "Who is Shere Khan?" "What are you going to do?" "Shere Khan is a fierce and beautiful creature, if your eyes had life you'd see an exciting spectacle, but sadly you'll only be able hear it." "We should have never come, never!" "Your companion has just defeated the tiger." "Shere Khan was a king, a lovely devil, brave and fierce, but he could do nothing against the beast!" "From now on his terrible and infernal power is mine to use." "They've disappeared and it's all my fault!" "Sister, I've failed in my attempt." "No, you've worked according to your conscience, you're not guilty of anything." "The formula didn't work." "There must be a reason and I have to find it." "But even if I find it of what use will it be if Waldemar doesn't return?" "Now you must drink this potion." " Why have you chained me?" " It's necessary." "Kinga and Ester, where are they?" "When I think it appropriate I'll bring them here." " What do you mean?" " They're both my prisoners, they're in the dungeons." "Soon I'll turn Kinga into a soulless being who shall obey me with absolute abandon." "As for blind girl, I'll use her blood for my ceremonies, as you can see I have sealed your companion's fates." "Hellspawn, how could I be so stupid," " How could I fall into this trap?" " Your great selfishness blinded you, you only looked for a cure for your curse, you couldn't care less about what might happen to the others, just as you don't care about the damage you do when that madness overwhelms your soul." "Look at this katana." "It was forged by a monk from a mysterious temple hidden in Tibet." "The soul of his keen masterpiece is of silver, a slight thrust would be enough to split your heart in half and destroy you." "We received a report that led us to the home of those foreigners, unfortunately, by the time we arrived they had already fled." "What makes you think those strangers have something to do with the beast?" "We have initiated a thorough investigation on all the foreigners who live in Kyoto, they pretended to be merchants coming from distant Europe, an identity whose falsity has been amply demonstrated." "Is there any evidence, something truly definite?" "There were bloodstains in the house and in the garden there were footprints similar to the ones you showed me a molding of." "Then, I must acknowledge it, yes, you're correct." "There were also prints of clad feet, we're dealing with a man and two women." "They've probably taken shelter in the forest," "I've ordered traps set and patrols of warriors to search the area." "I wish you luck, uncle." "Now let's talk of something else." "Did you know Captain Eiko's Watanabe's corpse was found floating in the river?" "I've heard something." "They killed him when he was returning from the brothel, it seems he had the misfortune to come across a more skillful swordsman than himself." "What luck, he had the fortune to mix pleasure with death," "What a better end could any mortal wish for?" "That's so, everyone recieves the death that one deserves." "To the beast's destruction!" "Creature from hell!" "I'll make you humble yourself before me, before your owner." "You are my slave and you'll obey me, damn you!" "Get back!" "Guards, what are you waiting for?" "Attack him!" "Kinga, never abandon Waldemar." "Go back to Kian." "Go back back to... back to him." "Kill the demons in the body she wears!" " Death to this whore!" " It's the Devil!" " Daughter of Satan!" " We'll destroy the both of them!" "Damned bastards, you're all murderers!" "That woman who's there, that monster was the lover of a wolf man," "and if you have the gall to defend her it's because you're of the same kind." "At him!" "Come on, tear him into pieces!" "What a horrible nightmare... and that poor woman's face was" "that of Akane." "The wound is almost cured." "That silver katana could have finished me, sadly it wasn't so." "Waldemar, we must go back to Kyoto, We have to return to Kian." "Very well, we'll return, but if he doesn't cure me before the next full moon" "I'll pierce my heart with a silver weapon." "But suicide won't soothe your soul." "Not even in Salom Yehudah's writings have I found a concrete solution to this problem" "The Tibetan flower doesn't work." "Then you haven't found a remedy?" "Magic doesn't seem to be effective, but perhaps medicine will be." "In our minds the origins of good and evil can be found." "In human beings there are two completely opposite natures, the Greeks represented this duality with the double visage of the god Janus." "If I were to operate on Waldemar and removed the spot that creates his beastly instincts... if I could succed in reestablishing equilibrium in his brain, he would be cured." "Waldemar go back to..." "Kian." "I was waiting for you, I knew some day you would come back." "Kinga is dead." "Let's leave this house, being here is very risky." "Come, I'll take you to my brother." "The sorceress possessed a silver katana with which she managed to wound me." "Bring it sister." "How did you reach the enchantress?" "I can't answer, Kinga arranged everything." "Your tale is quite strange because Satomi in fact existed." "Old legends speak of her, of her desire for vengeance, of her terrible powers, of her infinite evil." "Existed?" "I don't understand." "Satomi died about 200 years ago, she was murdered by members of a rival clan." "What you're saying impossible, I've been to her castle, it was all real." "Yes, I believe you, and I think I should go to the mountains myself, perhaps there I'll find something that can help us." "I know an old hut hidden in the heart of the forest, take shelter there while I work." "My sister Akane will bring you food, and I hope that at no time will you put her life in danger." "Waldemar, trust in my brother," "there is still hope." "But the full moon draws near, and I'll kill again." "Elder brother, when do you think you can you operate on Waldemar?" "I still don't know, I'm beginning to have doubts." "You were determined to remove the evil from his brain." "I'm afraid of failing again and that causes me to be full of doubts." "On the other hand, I'm not so sure of having made the correct decision." "Brother, what do you mean by that?" "I lacked humility." "Stupidly, I believed in a moment of pride that my wisdom was much greater than it truly is." "Now I'm aware of my many limitations." "What are you going to do?" "You can't stop trying." "Perhaps there's only one solution." "To destroy him, right?" "So you're forsaking his salvation?" "You're going to abandon him." "I feel a profound pity for him to see that all his struggles, all of his efforts, his exhausting search for salvation, all of that has been completely useless, his suffering will end his life and Kinga and Ester will have died in vain!" "I'm ready to lose my life in exchange for freeing his soul." "Sister," "I can find no other solution, that savage beast must die!" "But I want you both to live," "I don't want you to die!" "Akane, I can read your soul as if it were the clearest crystal, don't fall in love with Waldemar, it would be a cursed love, full of tragedies." "Please, brother, don't torment me!" "I beg of you, please!" "General... the beast had never caused such a terrible massacre like the one tonight." "This has been a total disaster!" "Lord, I admit my failure." "I have not been able to free our people from the threat of that demon." "Now you only have your honor, don't stain it." "Do not fear Lord, I shall not dishonor you nor myself," "I shall behave like a samurai." "Akane, I don't know how long I've roamed through the forest, my mind and soul are a chaos of desperation and shame." "Do you know what this means?" "I know, and I've wanted it for a long time." "Waldemar, I want my fate to be tied to yours for all of eternity." "It's evident that the silver katana exists, the wound on Waldemar's arm leaves no room for doubt." "Then, have you decided?" "Last night's massacre and the tragic end of our noble uncle doesn't leave me the possibility of making any other choice." "I can't let time go by allow the crimes to continue," "I have to correct my mistake as soon as possible." "Wherever he may be, I'll find it and destroy it." "But elder brother, you're putting your life in danger as well." "Yes, I know, but my obligation is to play the hand that fate has dealt me well." "At dawn I'll leave for Satomi's castle, I don't know how long my trip will be." "I'll have to face great dangers in a magical world where science will unfortunately not be of much use, but I must try to find the silver katana by any means necessary." "Akane, listen to me carefully, don't move from here no matter what happens and don't go near the hut for any reason." "At last the circle is drawing to a close." "Kian will come back with the magic sword and my suffering will end." "But don't forget that to save my soul permanently it must be you who uses the silver katana." "Akane..." "Akane, the end draws near." "Your sacrifice will be great and you'll need all your courage." "You can be sure that I won't hesitate, I swear it Waldemar." "When Kian returns travel to the great temple," "I'll go there in the evening before the full moon rises." "Everything must happen in that place." "The good spirits inhabit the sanctuary and will lend you their aid." "Tonight when the full moon is shining the sky" "I'll go to the great temple and confront the beast." "The forces of evil will be defeated for good, I'll destroy Waldemar and peace and prosperity will return to our land once again." " I'll accompany you." " No!" "You'll not move from here, I must complete this mission on my own." "But you can die or suffer something worse than death itself, if during the struggle the beast wounds you on the chest and you survive, the curse will spread to you as well!" "I know all this very well, but I possess the magic katana and my strength of spirit." "It's all over, the wolf man no longer exists." "History shall speak of this harsh and turbulent period, but the horror of the killer beast will be lost in the shadows of time forever."