 Warning! This article contains spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
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Ancestors is the sixth episode of the second season, and the 14th episode overall, of the Netflix original series, Castlevania: Nocturne.
Synopsis[]
- Annette embarks on a perilous journey into the spirit world that sparks a shocking transformation — and sets the stage for an epic showdown.
Plot[]
Out in the fields, Maria closes a portal way, sealing behind it a wolf familiar, as Juste and Mizrak standby while on guard. Juste approaches the exhausted Maria and advises her to summon it properly, but Maria is uncertain she can. Still, Juste claims it's all in her heart, and Maria has brief flashbacks of Erzsebet and her mother as a vampire. Hence, Juste tells Maria how he can relate to experiencing loss and how to regain what he lost from the trauma. He cites that Richter is the one who reminded him of what he's a part of. However, Maria argues she's not a part of anything anymore, but Juste claims that they're family now, even if she doesn't carry the Belmont name.
Juste's words motivate Maria, and as she walks aside, Maria recalls the time years ago when she was young, watching Richter practice using his whip by trying to hit an apple as Tera attentively watched close by. Richter never manages to hit the apple as Maria's hawk snatches it away from its post, giving it to Maria, and she immediately takes a bite out of it. This prompts Tera to laugh and Maria to giggle.
The memory gives Maria the confidence to summon a white tiger familiar from her portal. Despite Juste and Mizrak being alert, Maria managed to tamed the tiger, who recognized her. Maria is relieved as she cry tears of joy as the tiger comforts her as Juste happily sees this moment.
By morning in Paris, Richter and Annette regroup with Alucard; he tells them that Robespierre has called for the citizens to join battalions in their neighborhoods. The declaration has inspired numerous volunteer fighters, and Richter curiously asks if the fighters will be ready for what's to come. However, Alucard notes that even the most passionate speech can make anyone feel brave. Despite Alucard's notion and what had occurred at the Louvre, Richter considers that everything may not be lost for them. Annette chimes in and states that she has a plan, and Richter notes if they all work together.
Entering an abandoned tailor shop, they clear the floor of the scattered cloth material. Annette then inscribes Papa Legba's symbol onto the floor and then the group, indicating that her soul will be out of her body for a while. Just in case, Richter places a pile of cloth behind Annette just for her, which Annette appreciates, and she recalls that Cécile once warned about getting lost in the spirit world. Alucard asks what would happen, and Annette says she'd never wake up. The revelation surprises Richter, who assures Annette they'll both be there and not be afraid. He continues, stating it may assist her in returning.
With that, Annette takes a deep breath, summons Papa Legba by saying his name, and then chants a verse in Creole twice. After the third time, Annette's soul departs from her body. She is then met by Papa Legba, who guides her out of the shop as Richter calls out to her.
Grasping Annette's hand, Richter promises to stay there as Alucard quietly watches this.
Meanwhile, in the spirit world, Papa Legba disappears, and Annette is met by Cécile, who informs her that her ancestral home is a vast landscape. Annette then asks where the spirits are, and Cécile answers that they're there, directing her to a pillar of light and notes that she must listen to the wind. After describing the sounds of the area, Cécile notes that the specks of light symbolize the souls of her ancestors. Blinking a few times, Annette starts to see more and more of her ancestors appear after each blink. One of them was her mother Esther, who approached Annette.
Back in the real world, Annette starts to sweat and breathe heavily. Alucard, who watched her, notes that he's witnessed her take down vampires and Night Creatures and believes she'll be fine. On the other hand, Richter argues she's in the spirit world, and Alucard asks if she wants to go after her. Richter asks if that's possible, but Alucard rejects that notion as he's not a practitioner of her magic and would get in her way. This prompts Richter to note that he's not useless, but Alucard rejects the fact that he ever stated that. Richter then lashes out at Alucard for having over 300 years of experience perfecting the art of war, making Alucard chuckle. He then notes that sarcasm still runs in the Belmont blood after nine generations and that Trevor would be proud. However, Richter notes that he doesn't need a distant relative's pride, but that his mother would be proud of him. Staring out the window as the sun sets, Alucard admits that he's never met his mother, but notes that when you've lived as long as him, you realize you're all part of the same story, and the connections run very deep.
Returning to the spirit world, Annette embraces her mother and sings a song as Cécile watches. Esther compliments her daughter, and Annette asks her why she didn't immediately appear before her like the others. She answers that she gave Annette everything that she needed already and that she has already become a fine warrior in her own right. The sounds of metal clanging reverberate in the air, and Cécile advises Annette to meet with Ogun deep within the forest. She also mentions that Ogun has witnessed the creation of Earth and other spiritual realms and that he'll guide her to Sekhmet. Annette asks if Cécile will join her, but Cécile notes that she was her teacher for three years and she's been called to be on a mission that requires God's wisdom. However, Annette was anxious about her vampire god foe, Erzsebet. Still, Esther notes that if Annette's resolve was wavering, then Erzsebet was already winning if she doubts her power. After kissing Annette on her forehead, Cécile and Esther disappear, and Annette faces in the direction where the metal clanging originated.
Alert of Richter's anxiety, Alucard suggests that Richter rest and he'll take the first night to watch over, but Richter assures he's fine. Even so, Alucard insists that Richter do so, noting his fatigue would hinder him from keeping his promise of protecting Annette and promises to watch over them both until morning. When Alucard notes that night and day are the same to him thanks to his lineage, Richter asks if he could change being Dracula's son. Taking a sigh, Alucard states that everything is connected and that he can't erase one name from his story without causing a ripple effect. Richter notes like his his mother, and Alucard notes that during his travels in Japan, he learned that family isn't only bound to by blood. A shared bond links their ancestors together. He goes on to state that he's tried to save humanity for years by having a Belmont by his side and asks if that's family, too. Turning his head to Richter, Alucard discovers that Richter has fallen asleep, and he smiles at this sight.
Walking deep into the forest, Annette reaches Ogun's location, a field of glittering light, where he crouches over an anvil, hammering a shield. Before Annette could speak a word, Ogun states that when the orishas first journeyed to the Earth, their path forward was obscured by dense shrubbery. However, Ogun had a machete that Annette wielded in her hand at the time. From there on out, Ogun had been known to be the "Remover of Obstacles". Iron was his material, and the machete was his symbol. Ogun mentions that Annette's father had built a shrine in his honor, and Vaublanc killed him for it. Hence, Esther sang in oriki in secret, and the lullaby she sang for her was a praise poem. Annette then notes that Erzsebet has the Ka and Ba of Sehkmet, but Ogun notes that old gods are being forgotten or misused by worshippers, like priestess vampires. He states that corrupted souls are causing chaos amongst the realms. Annette then asks Ogun if a third soul exists, and Ogun notes it's called Akh, the soul that Egyptians believed was the good soul. Sadly, Annette claims she's only seen Sekhmet's thirst for destruction, but Ogun also notes that she's also the Goddess of Healing. He then states that Sekhmet was a just ruler in the human world. Ogun then gifts Annette a shield he made for her and states that good souls who balance on the scales of justice are sent to their resting place in the land of the dead. Duat is the place Annette needs to go to find Sekhmet as she takes her newly gifted shield. Annette asks if Ogun can take her there, but Ogun notes that Gods don't enter another's realm. He then asks Annette to bow, and when she does, Ogun places his hand on her head and recites an incantation in Yoruba. Doing this enchants her shield with an inscribed symbol. Once that was complete, Ogun used his machete to slice open a dark portal way to allow Annette a passage to meet Sekhmet.
The next morning in the real world, Richter awakens from his rest and finds Annette floating in the air in a trance-like state of mind. Alucard notes that Annette was like that for a couple of hours, and Richter shockingly asks why he wasn't awoken earlier, but Alucard curtly asks what he'd do to change it. As time passes, Richter paces around Annette, and Alucard notes that he should "tell her" because he's certain that Annette reciprocates Richter's feelings for her. Alucard then notes their chemistry and suggests that he tell her before they get old. Richter is skeptical they'd live long and asks if Alucard has loved anyone in his long life, and he answers countless times. Alucard advises Richter to show Annette who he is beyond his Belmont bravado. Furthermore, Alucard recounts that Richter promised Annette he'd be there for her, and he should make her feel that it's true.
Annette reaches a river in the spirit realm and uses her magic to manifest a boat that she uses to ride down the river.
In the real world, night creatures gather the corpses of the deceased as Edouard, Jacques, Captain, and another night creature watch. Edouard asks the Captain if this is what she envisioned she and her army had set out to accomplish, but she does not answer. Close by, Erzsebet enters the tent where several cult members and Drolta with Sekhmet's corpse is in. Drolta slices open a cavity in Sekhmet's chest, and from it, Erzsebet takes out and devours Sekhmet's heart. After Erzsebet does this, Drolta chants for the goddess to return as small clear white orbs appear and warble around Erzsebet's chest. The orbs float above her as Erzsebet's eyes turn black and red.
Continuing to ride downstream, Annette's boat is attacked from underneath by a sea serpent wearing a metal mask. In the real world, Richter assures Annette that he's there for her and that she can do it. Switching back to Annette, now coiled in the sea serpent's grip, she transforms her shield into three machetes that slice up the serpent and free her. She then uses them to kill the serpent and emerges to the surface. Richter witnesses that Annette is ok then, and when she slowly descends, he places the pile of cloth he offered Annette underneath her.
Reaching land, Annette enters a small pyramid with her shield and machete in hand. She follows a woman's crying and moaning, and when she reaches the end of the inside of the pyramid, she finds Sekhmet crying in front of a statue of Anubis. Placing her equipment on the ground alerts Sekhmet, and Annette claims that she knows the scales are unbalanced and that her former high priestess has betrayed her and the names of the sins she had committed. However, Sekhmet boldly proclaims that the devouring of souls will drag her into the liquid fire as punishment for the chaos in her world. Sekhmet proceeds to steal Annette's energy, and she tries to reason that Sekhmet once walked into the realm of humanity, but Sekhmet claims that was until humanity betrayed her. Still, Annette reasons that Sekhmet wants to reunite with her three souls to return balance to the world. Even so, Sekhmet argues that she's no safer with Annette than she is where they are now, with the monstrous beast approaching them from behind. Annette then summons her sword and shield, and seemingly impressed, Sekhmet notes that her soul will need a worthy vessel. As the monster makes its move, Sekhmet lunges behind Annette.
On Erzsebet's side, Erzsebet transforms into her goddess form.
At the docks, Olrox notices something from the wind. Elsewhere, Maria rides on her hawk familiar to return to Juste and Mizrak as the eclipse engulfs the sun again.
From Richter's side, he notices Annette twitching and believes she has accomplished what she had intended; however, her gold-glowing eyes shock Richter and propelled him backward. Annette then levitates into the air and transforms into an avatar of Sekhmet, which shocks Richter and Alucard. She then demanded to know where Erzsebet was.
Elsewhere, Erzsebet, in her new Sekhmet avatar form, exited her tent and roared.
Cast[]
- Edward Bluemel as Richter Belmont
- Pixie Davies as Maria
- Nastassja Kinski as Tera
- Zahn McClarnon as Olrox
- Thuso Mbedu as Annette
- Sydney James Harcourt as Edouard
- Aaron Neil as Mizrak
- Franka Potente as Erzsebet Báthory
- Elarica Johnson as Drolta Tzuentes
- Iain Glen as Juste Belmont
- James Callis as Alucard
- Erica Luttrell as Esther
- Benjamin Plessala as Young Richter Belmont
- Nicola F. Delgado as Sekhmet
- Victoria Atkin as the Captain
- Amuche Chukudebelu as Ogun
- Sharon D. Clarke as Cécile Fatiman
- Jacques (No dialogue)
Quotes[]
- - (Maria seals her wolf familiar back in the portal after struggling to restore the light in her magic)
- - Juste: "You have to want it. You have to want to put your magic right."
- - Maria: "I don't know how."
- - Juste: "Start with what's in here." (Maria trembles as she remember Erzsebet turning Tera and Tera as a vampire). "I know loss. I know what it's like to fight your way back to yourself. Richter reminded me of what I'm a part of. What brings my magic to life."
- - Maria: "I'm not a part of anything anymore."
- - Juste: "We're family. Even if you don't carry the Belmont name."
- - (Maria places her hands close to her chest. She closes her eyes and remembers her past when she was 7 years old as she and Tera watch as the 10-year-old Richter practices by trying to whip an apple. Then a familiar bird grabbed it; Richter gasped as he looked over to see the bird give the apple to Maria, who took a bite as the young boy pouted at her antics. Maria looked to Tera, who laughed at her daughter's little antics as little Maria giggled. The flashback ends, and Maria smiles at the memories of that heartwarming moment. The light glows in her hand. Maria opened her eyes and shed a single tear. As a white tiger came out of the dark portal. With Juste and Mizrak behind her, ready to attack if anything happens as the tiger snarls)
- - Juste: "Maria."
- - Maria: "Wait." (The white tiger stops growling as it recognizes Maria. Maria fell to the knees as she sighs in relief. She cries tears of joy as her white tiger purrs as it comforts her, and Juste smiles in the background. Maria continue to cry as she nuzzle her face close to her tiger)
- - Richter: "I'm not useless as you think I am."
- - Alucard: "I never said 'useless.' Sometimes careless."
- - Richter: "Oh, excuse for not having 300 years to perfect the art of war." (Alucard chuckles softly) "What?"
- - Alucard: "Nine generations later, and sarcasm still runs in the Belmont blood. Trevor would be proud."
- - Richter: "I don't need some distant relative's pride. My mother would be happy with who I am."
- - Alucard: "Your mother and I never met. But when you've lived as long as I have, you started. We're all part of the same story somehow. And these connections run very deep."
- - Ogun: "When the orishas made their first journey to Earth, their path was obstructed by dense shrubbery. But I had a machete. From that point on, I became known as the Remover of Obstacles. Iron, my material. The machete, my symbol. Your father built an altar to me, and Vaublanc killed him for it. So you mother sang oríkì in secret. Your lullaby is a praise poem."
- - Annette: "Erzsebet has the ka and ba of Sekhmet."
- - Ogun: "Old gods everywhere are being forgotten or misused by worshipers... By priestesses, by vampires. Corrupted souls are causing chaos across the realms."
- - Annette: "Does a third soul exist? Is that true?"
- - Ogun: "It is called the akh. The Egyptians believe it to be the good soul. A vital force. A radiant light."
- - Annette: "I've only seen Sekhmet's bloodthirsty destruction."
- - Ogun: "But she is also the goddess of healing. She was a just ruler when she was in the human world. I made this for you" (Gifting Annette a shield) "Good souls that balance on the scales of justice are sent to their resting place in the land of the dead. Duat. That's where you must go."
- - Annette: "Can you take me there?"
- - Ogun: "Gods do not cross in one another's realm. Bow your head." (Annette bows as Ogun recites an incantation in Yoruba as his vèvè inscribed on Annette's shield) "A god's blessing. Sing the new oríkì on your journey. It will fortify your courage. When the river of the night turns to liquid fire, you will be close to Sekhmet."
- - Richter: "Would you change it if you could? Being Dracula's son."
- - Alucard: Everything is connected, Richter. I can't remove one name from my story without erasing others. Like your mother? When I was traveling in Japan, I learned that family is not only made by blood. Ancestors and their offspring are linked together by a shared bond. For centuries, I've been fighting to save humanity with a Belmont by my side. Isn't that a family too?."
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