All language subtitles for Iyanu - The War Of Twin Princes

You're late, Chosen.

You're early...

..The Queen.

(SIGHS)

Good to see you again.

Um, perhaps
we're not quite there yet.

Perhaps.

Maybe this will help.

Huh?

What... What's this?

A peace offering.

I took your advice, and I've spent
the last few weeks trying

to make amends with
all the settlements of Yorubaland.

However, I realised I never did
that with you.

Look, we all know the best
jollof rice is from the Deep.

What?

You take that back right now.

Everybody knows Elu
has the best jollof rice.

Wrong. The Deep does.

That's it.
Now we have to fight.

Let's go. I'm going to...

What do you mean, "Just try it"?

It's... It's so good!

It's actually...

Better?

Please don't tell Olori
I said that.

By the way,

I found it.

You're welcome.

Is that Boju's diary?

Yes. Everything you think you know
about our history is false.

I hope you're ready to have your
entire world turned upside down.

Tell me, Chosen.

What do you know about
the War of the Twin Princes?

I...

I, um...

About a hundred years ago,

Prince Debo,
your people's great ancestor

was exiled from Elu by his
twin brother, Prince Laja

because Debo
was obsessed with false wonders.

Funny.

In the Deep, we were told that Debo
fought to reclaim his birthright

before he ended up being exiled by
the trickster and usurper Laja.

Elu's great ancestor.

So which is it, then?

The truth in this instance
is somewhere in the middle.

Is the truth in there?

It is time you heard the true story
about the people of the Deep.

In the words of
the Prince of Darkness himself.

Boju.

Division is a funny thing.

So often,

a war of a thousand begins with
the disagreement of a few.

Why did I win?

Um, because you're better?

Well, I am.

But let me rephrase.

Why did you lose?

Prince Laja,
you are very intelligent,

but you overthink
and you are too passive.

In a fight,
it makes you weak.

There's a reason why our technique is
called the Way of the Golden leaf.

The Tree of Freedom was said
to have been planted by

the first father himself
ages ago.

And thus we believe
that each leaf embodies

one of its greatest traits.

Tranquillity.

As it falls from
the towering branch,

the golden leaf doesn't fret,
but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

It flows and uses the wind's power
as its own.

The golden leaf doesn't contemplate.

It adapts.

Be like the golden leaf.

Well said, Oloye.

But I thought the purpose of
the leaves

was to be crushed
to purify the corrupted animals.

Are you saying my brother

resembles something
that is so easily crushed?

Because you would be correct.

Shut up, Debo.

- It's good to see you, brother.
- You too, brother.

Wait, wait, wait.

They loved each other?

Of course they did.
They were twins.

So how come they ended up
fighting each other?

- If you allow me to finish...
- Skip to the end!

I can't. I need you to hear
the entire story.

Now shush.

(SIGHS)

Fine.

Where was I?

Why are you here, Debo?

Why else?
To rescue you from the boring Agoni

Who preach and do nothing all day,
every day.

I assure you, my young prince.

Ours is a higher calling

to protect all of Yorubaland,
not just Elu.

Protect? My mother would disagree.

Or did you forget
the role you played in her exile?

Tell us, Prince Debo,
how would you advance our people?

These fire ants have a fortress
beneath the earth,

yet they are still bold enough
to go out and take territory,

no matter what stands in their way.

My mother used to say that,
to thrive,

our people must go out
and take territory

by swarming our enemies,
the corrupt, together.

Brother, you know it is forbidden.

Only the select are allowed
outside the walls.

Mother knew that, yet she disobeyed.

We can't change that.

"Forbidden" is a word I know not.

And when I am King,
everything changes.

But you are not King.
Not yet.

No one knows why my father
is here to pick an heir.

What we do know is
Laja cannot be King.

He's too timid.
He doesn't even want it.

We shall see.

In the meantime, I would urge you
to respect our way of life.

We, the Agoni, have done more
for Yorubaland

than you can possibly imagine.

Perhaps we put our philosophies to
the test.

An exhibition.

The Way of the Tortoise versus
the Way of the Golden Leaf.

Oba Adedeji.

It's not just the nobles any more.

The city is becoming uneasy.

You need to pick an heir.

My King, have you been visiting
the temple again?

Have the visions returned?

Oba, Oloye said...

I know what the Agoni said.
It changes nothing.

I needed to go, lest I run mad

with these dark premonitions
of our future.

Oba, Elu is a thriving city.

What could possibly go wrong?

Ever since I exiled their mother,
my wife,

I have been cursed.

Destined to relive the nightmare of
the future she predicted.

My King, she broke a sacred law.

What other choice did you have?

Mercy.

Nevertheless, I cannot afford

to make the wrong decision
about my heir.

Else all of Elu will be destroyed.

And the only way I can be sure

is by getting answers from
the temple, no matter the cost.

- But, Oba...
- Bring my sons to me at once.

Begin!

Great work, Prince Laja.

Keep your distance. Draw him in.

Prince Debo, ignore the theatrics.

He's masking his weaknesses.

Let's see how you handle this, Laja.

Yes! Finish him.

That is not the Way of the Tortoise.

Where did he learn such...

Kicking sand in my eyes?
Where did you learn to do all that?

I know the Isha don't teach
such dishonourable tactics.

Debo, Prince Laja, apologies
but Chancellor Simi

and the Oba request your presence
at once.

- Are you alright, Laja?
- Of course I am.

I'm 20 seconds older than you,
remember.

I'm pretty much obligated
to let you win.

Sore loser.

Be careful with that one.

My sons, it is good to see you
in good health.

My princes.

Months ago, as potential heirs,

you were each tasked with venturing
into the districts to see

what could be done to improve
the lives of our people.

The Oba would like to know
what you have learned thus far.

Thank you, Chancellor Simi.

Oba, over the last few months,

I've spent extensive time with
the Agoni.

With the help of their teachings,
I've been able

to pass on relevant information
about our ancestry to the masses.

After all, for us to truly know
where we are going,

we must know from whence we came.

Good work, my son.

Debo, your report.

Oba, I spent my time
as an apprentice of the Isha,

learning about military strategy
and more importantly,

how the wanderers beyond
the walls managed to stay alive.

- It is of....
- Are you still on this matter

of venturing beyond the walls?

Yes, father.

Like mother always said.

You will not mention her name
in these chambers!

Or do you plan to defy me
as she did?

You truly are your mother's son.

How much are you willing to risk
to make her dream

of expanding beyond the walls
a reality?

With all due respect, father,

if you and your lackeys

continue to ignore
the looming overpopulation issue,

it will spell the end
of our thriving city.

How much am I willing to risk
for my mother's dream?

Everything!

If not, Elu will burn!

- Father, are you alright?
- Leave me at once! All of you.

Not you, Laja.

Well done, Prince Laja.

Father, please be patient with Debo.

He means well.

I hear you've been telling everyone

that you plan to renounce your right
as heir to the throne.

- Yes, father.
- Leaving me no choice

but to pick Debo as my heir.

I can do more for our people,

for Yorubaland,
without the burdens of the Crown.

And besides, Debo was right.

We cannot ignore the looming
overpopulation crisis any longer.

With the wisdom of the Agoni,

I can finally make a difference
in our people's lives.

By...

Son, is this really
about helping our people,

or are you seeking absolution
for what happened to your mother?

Why can't it be both?

Laja, you did nothing wrong.

Never forget that.

Do you understand me?

If I did nothing wrong,
then why do I feel this way?

Son.

There's something important
I must tell you.

Promise me, son.
I need your word.

Everything alright?

Laja, is everything alright?

Yes, brother.

You scared me, that's all.

Whatever it is, Laja,
just remember I'm with you always.

Come. I know something
that will definitely cheer you up.

Come here.

- I love you, brother.
- I love you too

my dear brother.

Ha! No hits. I win, as always.

You mean you cheated?

As always.

After all these years,

neither of us comes close
to mother's ability.

I never told you this,
but before she was exiled

Mother made me promise to find her
when I became King.

She hoped that together we could
fulfil her dream

of exploring beyond the walls.

I'm not surprised she said
that to you.

Ow. My arm.

Laja, why would you do that?

Because Debo cheated.

He always cheats. It's not fair.

He cheated
because you allowed him to.

You truly are your father's son.

Stop being weak and emotional.

Life is not fair.

Be more like your brother.

Win no matter the cost.

Dominate or be dominated.

I had nothing in common with her.

She thought I was weak.

You were always her favourite.

As you were father's.

I understand why you did it.

Why you told father

Mother had been secretly
venturing beyond the walls.

I never thought for a second
he would exile her.

And since then you've
blamed yourself,

even though you shouldn't.

And why shouldn't I?

Because mother's mistake was hiding
her true intentions from father.

I won't make that same error.

What do you mean?

What is that, Debo?

Mother left this behind for me
as a guide.

It's a mask that belonged
to the first exile of Elu.

Promise me, son.

I need your word.

The first exile?

The same person who was banished
for using false wonders?

Brother, this is too dangerous!

Relax, Laja.

That is not important. Look at this.

"A free mind attracts many,
but the many comes great strength.

"From great strength,
power is derived.

"Through power,
the domination is attained.

"And the dominant and powerful
shall rule the earth."

Laja, this is the key to true,
lasting prosperity for our people.

But it all starts with finding
and bringing mother back home.

I've learned to make
these intentions clear to father

when I'm chosen as heir.

Are you with me, brother?

Yes, brother.

Always.

After all these years,

you still haven't learned
to think for yourself.

You are no son of mine.
You are weak.

Know this.

There is nothing you can do
to make up for what you did to me.

Oba, I fear this place
has a hold over you.

No. I must understand these visions

in order to pick the right heir
and thus prevent the doom of Elu.

To do so, I must go
deeper into the temple.

To a place only Adedi
himself has ever set foot.

Look, that place is completely
off limits, even for you.

Only the Agoni can go there.

Iron key.

Blood key.

Make it stop!

Please make it stop!

Stop! Stop!

Oh, God.

Oba!

I'm sorry.

I love...

And so, Oba Adedeji,
having entered the Forbidden Temple,

died without naming an heir.

A terrible mistake
that would set the stage

for centuries of turmoil
for the people of...

Are you listening?

Yes, I am.

Sorry, but this stuff
is just so good.

(GROANS)

Continue.

How are you even the chosen?

(MUMBLES) I don't know.

Pay attention.
This next part is crucial.

After his death,

the leadership of Elu had to decide
what happened next.

Debo assumed it would be
a straightforward process.

He was wrong.

Did he name an heir?

No, he did not.

It is settled then.

Laja will renounce his rights
and I will be the next King of Elu.

In the presence of this council,
we can finalise my coronation...

Laja!

Are you officially giving up
your rights as heir?

Promise me, son. I need your word.

No.

I claim my rights
as heir to the throne.

You do this to me, brother?

Betray me like you did our mother?

It is settled then.

We must vote.

My vote is for Prince Laja.

My vote is for Prince Debo.

My vote is for...

Prince Laja.

My King, we must prepare
for your court.

Leave me, all of you.

So you do have a backbone.

Or perhaps you are still just obeying
your father and Oloye's commands.

I thought as much.

You didn't even have the courage

to betray your brother
because you wanted to.

You did it because you were told to.

Just as you did with me.

Like I said.

Weakness.

You may be right, Mother,
but you poisoned Debo's mind.

And because of that,

I will do whatever is necessary
to prevent the doom of Elu.

Even though Laja
was now officially King,

Prince Debo refused to let go
of his birthright

and more importantly,
the promise he made to his mother,

without a fight.

With General Akin's help,

Debo got a good portion of
Elu to back his claim.

Together, they turned the forest
region of Elu into their fortress.

Even though we have the most elite
of the Isha,

Laja's inexperienced forces
still outnumber us 3 to 1.

Attacking them now would result
in a bloodbath for both sides.

He's right.

We should rally more support
before we...

Wrong!

The time to strike is now.

Oba!

Whoa!

Ah, my leg.
(LAUGHTER)

There's a man here that claims
he has what you need to...

(COUGHS)

..win.

Well, send him in.

It is truly an honour to meet you.

Who are you and why are you here,
stranger?

My name is Eletan.

I am a wanderer who has journeyed
to the far reaches of Yorubaland.

Many things I have seen.

But perhaps the most important moment
in my travels

was when I met
Ofa the Great One.

You knew my...

You knew my mother?

Yes, Great King.

Her wisdom guided me to
an ancient power

from the age of wonders.

A power I have brought to you,

so that you may reclaim
what is rightfully yours.

Show me this power.

Oba, these are the areas of the most
recent uprisings

in support of Prince Debo.

He has used our impending
overpopulation crisis

as a rallying cry,

telling citizens that,
like your father,

you refuse to do
what is necessary to save Elu.

This is getting out of hand.

Each day we inch closer
to civil war.

Yes, but we must find a path
toward peace without bloodshed.

I agree.
Oloye, is everything alright?

You've barely said a word.

I am not sure.

I sense a dark cloud over Elu.

Um, in case you forgot,

we are on the brink of a war.

It would be more helpful
if the Agoni did more than advise.

This darkness is something else,
general.

And if you must know, for us,
violence is a last resort.

What do you think a war is?

Oloye, Tunde speaks the truth.

Oba, the Agoni are forbidden to
take sides in royal disputes.

But our creed does not prevent us
from being peacemakers.

- I'm not sure...
- She's offering to be an envoy.

It has been weeks
since your father's passing.

Perhaps time has allowed
Prince Debo to rethink his position.

We, the Agoni, have not pledged
our forces to either side.

That could prove useful.

It could work,
but only if I accompany them.

It's the only way Debo
would take it seriously.

I don't like it, it's too dangerous.

I will be fine.

Trust me.

Alright.

Oloye, a word.

May I?

Oba, these are false wonders.

Even if they allow us to win,
it is forbidden.

How many times must
I tell you people?

Forbidden is a word I know not.

Oba, please,
I beg you to reconsider.

Relax, Akin.

Besides, all the wanderer wanted
in return was access.

- Access to what?
- The Forbidden temple.

- What? My King, you cannot be...
- Did I not make myself clear?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing
is too much to give up for victory.

My victory.

My birthright. My mother.

You worry too much, my friend.

The fool will be dead within minutes
of stepping foot into the temple.

It's a win-win all around.

Oba, what you've done...

- I cannot...
- Oba.

I bring news from the south gate.

A delegation from Laja
requests your audience.

You are more of a brother to me
than Laja ever was.

I need you by my side
now more than ever.

Are you with me?

- Prince Debo, on behalf...
- Oba Debo!

On behalf of Oba Laja,
I, along with the Agoni,

- are here to peacefully disperse...
- Noble Chancellor Simi.

You always claimed to love me
and my brother as your own.

But in truth, all you ever wanted
was my mother out of the picture

so you could be close to my father.

Yes.

My mother told me all about you.

Snake.

Debo, if there is one thing
we can all agree upon,

it is that we all
love this great city.

I urge you to put aside your
imagined slights

and work with us to find
a peaceful resolution.

We, the Agoni,
are forbidden to take...

Forbidden? There's that word again.

The same word that got my mother,
the Queen of Elu, exiled.

Cast away like a stray dog
to fend for herself in the wild.

Your mother chose her path.

No one forced her to break the law.

- Chancellor...
- Because of that,

she got what was coming to her.

- How dare you?
- Prince Debo, calm yourself.

We're here for peace.

Just like you will get
what is coming to you

should you refuse
to look toward peace.

False wonders. It can't be.

What have you done, Debo?

Now that they have seen your power,

they will tell all who care
to listen

that you are the villain
of this story.

They came here for peace talks.
We cannot attack them.

You must stop them here and now
if you ever want to be King.

If you ever want a chance
at finding your mother.

Otherwise,

the whole city will turn on you
before you can

show them the way
your mother intended.

To show the people what the Agoni
label as false wonders

is just power
they are yet to understand.

Oba, Debo, please don't do this.

Seize them.

Agoni! Prepare for battle.

Steady, my priestesses.

Don't do anything rash.

How can we fight him?

False wonders...

No, wait!

The Agoni are finished!

Agoni, now is our chance. Retreat!

No, you don't. I'll block your exit.

No!

No!

I didn't... I didn't mean to.

The gate...

I was trying to...

No!

Stop!

Let them go!

With Chancellor Simi gone,
there would be no turning back.

War was inevitable.

But with false wonders
in play

everyone began to fear
the worst.

Debo must pay for this!

I agree.

We, the Agoni, will stand and fight
with you, my King.

Why the change of heart?

We cannot allow false wonders to cast
a dark shadow over Yorubaland,

as it did during the era of
the first exile.

I agree, but the Agoni joined
in the fight will not be enough.

What then?

We fight fire with ice.

My King, you cannot.

It is too dangerous.

We can't afford to lose...

This is the only way, Oloye.

It is just as you said.

We cannot...

We will not allow false wonders

to cast a dark shadow
over Yorubaland.

Very well.

Now tell me the rest of the story
about the staff.

There have been no wonders

since the disappearance of
the Divine Ones centuries ago,

and there will be no wonders
until the time of the Chosen.

Thus, anything that appears between
now and then are false wonders,

powered by the Dark One
and his acolytes.

However,

there is one divine artefact
that remains

which embodies pure divine power.

The staff of the first father, Joba.

How come no one has ever tried
to retrieve it?

Many have.

They all died, either on their way
to retrieve it

or instantly when
they tried to claim it.

But no one with Adedi's blood,

royal blood, has ever tried.

Should I somehow make it to the top,
what are the chances I will survive?

Very slim.

May Eleda protect your path.

Give it up, Laja.

You will never make it to the top.

You will always be a weak,
backstabbing coward.

Give up, traitor!

You will never be
as strong as your brother.

You are nothing but a weak...

Enough!

Whether it was right or wrong,
I made a choice.

I will no longer live in the past
and I am done seeking your approval.

I am done seeking your forgiveness.

Goodbye, mother.

What?

Oh, no.

So wonders did exist before me.

Your conduit.

The source and the summit.

They all share something in common.

They are all massive sources
of divine energy

connected by and to one thing.

You.

The Tree of freedom.

The root system my mother built.

It connected them all to me.

Oba.

Yes, Akin? What is it?

Well?

The Agoni shield is about to fall.

Soon we'll be able to mount
an offensive on Elu.

And with your gift,

we can finally retake the throne
before sundown.

About time.

Soon their shield will fall.

I have done my part.

Now I humbly ask
that you honour our agreement.

Thank you, your Grace.

This will be the end of Elu
as we know it.

Now more than ever,
we need our King to return.

I wonder if he made it to the summit.

No one who journeyed to the summit
has ever made it back.

So for all we know,
our King could be dead already.

And in a matter of minutes,
so could we.

After the shield fails.

How are you so calm then?

Faith.

The shield,

no one really knows for a fact
how we're able to erect it.

We know that we draw power
from the Tree of Freedom.

How exactly? We don't know.

That is where faith comes in.

We choose to believe that,
through the tree,

Eleda himself grants us power.

Is it the same for Laja's,
and by extension,

our fates.

I do not know how he will make it
to the summit and back.

But I choose to believe
that somehow Eleda will guide him

because he has a good heart.

That is the difference between
true and false wonders.

The source of your faith
and the posture of your heart.

Signal the reinforcements
and bring me his corpse!

Any sign of him?

No, captain. We looked everywhere.

My back!

Surrender, Tunde.

I taught you all you know.

You can't win this battle.

Surrender to you?

After all the shame you
brought on the Isha?

Over my dead body.

As you wish.

I am sorry.

What?

Destroy them!

For Elu!

What? Why won't this open?

It won't open for you,
spawn of darkness.

Or did your master not tell you
the full story?

And what would that be?

So, you are responsible
for twisting Prince Debo's mind,

exposing him to false wonders.

There is nothing I exposed him to
that wasn't already in his heart.

Be that as it may,

I will ensure that I am
the last thing you see, fiend.

And I will ensure

that you show me how
to get past this door.

My people, my home.

At this rate all of Elu will burn.

This... This is too much.

This... This is wrong.

First father, Eleda,

Chosen, I'm not sure
if any of you are real,

but if you are, I beg you,

grant me the strength
to end this war quickly.

(CHEERING)

What's the matter, fiend?

Are you tired?

What is happening to me?

What? I can't see. Why can't I see?

I told you I would ensure
that I was the last thing you saw,

spawn of darkness.

What did you do to me, witch?

It is called the Forbidden Temple
for a reason.

Without King's blood,

anyone who comes in here
with ill intentions

will have their sights taken
from them.

No, no, this can't be.

Now, let us end this,
shall we?

It's over, brother.

Surrender.

Debo! It is over.

Surrender!

Never!

You think you've won?
You know nothing.

You are nothing except a liar,

a thief and a backstabbing,
spineless coward.

You are no brother of mine.

You are a complete waste
of human matter.

Mother was right.

You are nothing but
weakness personified.

Just like father.

The golden leaf doesn't fret,
but remains at peace.

It doesn't think, it feels.

Be like the golden leaf.

You've won.

Now grant me and my warriors
an honourable death.

With your mother,

I had no choice.

And neither did you.

You did the right thing.
You know why?

Because your mother didn't just
break a sacred law

by venturing outside
the walls.

She was what we call an acolyte.

A spawn of the Dark One.

And I fear she has
corrupted your brother.

If I am right,

if the visions are true,
Debo cannot be allowed to rule.

He cannot be allowed to...

To live.

I am sorry to place
this burden on you,

but please promise me, son.

I need your word that if I'm right,

you will end this vicious cycle
once and for all.

I'm sorry, father, I cannot.

I will not kill you, brother.

Instead, I will give you
what you've always wanted.

You, your followers
and their offspring

are hereby banished
to roam the lands for eternity.

Smart.

You punish me and get rid of half
the population simultaneously.

Putting an end
to the overpopulation crisis.

Perhaps mother was wrong.

You do know that this
is a death sentence, right?

Without adequate resources,

we would be lucky
if half of us survived.

Then I pray that Eleda
will protect your path.

Kill me now, brother.

Or else this war will never end.

Do it! Kill me!

No.

Enough blood has been spilled
in this war.

Should you find mother...

Tell her I'm sorry.

And so the war of
the twin princes ended

with Debo and his men
exiled from Elu.

But Debo was right.

Banishment was indeed
a death sentence,

as he would have to watch
more than half of his supporters

devoured by the corrupt

as they journeyed towards
their new home,

the Deep.

And with his dying wish,

Debo commanded his people,
now the people of the Deep,

to vow to one day retake the land
that was rightfully theirs,

and make the people of Elu suffer.

The dominant and the powerful
shall rule the earth.

Take back Elu, my children.

No matter the cost.

Now, I understand what you meant

when you said the truth is somewhere
in the middle.

And now you understand why my people
are the way they are.

I do.

Adura, I'm so sorry.

This must be a lot to deal with.

It's fine.

I'm not crying
because of my people's history,

however sad it may be.

Why are you crying then?

Eletan the deceiver.

Oh, yes. What happened to him?

It's on the last page.

After healing as best I could from
what the temple did to me,

I sought out Debo's descendants

to finish the mission
I had set to accomplish

at the temple many years ago.

Ooh.

Ah!

Come with us. The King will see you.

Wait. What should we call you?

I am a wanderer.

I have no name.

Then we will give you one.

Let's see...

Ah, you're blind.
We shall call you...

Boju.

Eletan is Boju?

I know.

That's exactly how I felt
when I read that part.

For over a century, Boju has
pulled the strings from the shadows

and then shrouded all of Yorubaland
in a dark cloud.

Now, and with an eye
toward the future,

we must break the cycle of violence

and bring the fight to him
and his acolytes.

Both of us have a chance

to learn from
the mistakes our ancestors made.

Together we will.

Together we can heal.

One tribe.

One Yorubaland.

What did he say?

He asked if this means
you'll be joining Team Chosen.

Um...

Perhaps we're not quite there yet.