The Veil of Death -- Episode #304

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:

When Dar (Daniel Goddard) was just an infant, his father turned his family members into animals, protecting them from Balcifer, the Lord of Darkness. Now, in order to unite the kingdom and defeat Balcifer, Dar needs to find and reunite his family and save them in the Crystal Ark. If he and Tao (Jackson Raine) have correctly deciphered the runes from the ancient book, one of Dar's family members may be nearby, probably in the body of a large cat. King Zad (Steven Grives) has also seen the runes, however, and orders his hunters to hunt down and kill any cat in their path, knowing it's the only way to crush Dar's plans and satisfy Balcifer. Desperate to stop the slaughter, Dar races to the aid of a white tiger just as the hunters take aim. The rune on Dar's palm glows and he briefly sees a vision of a young woman in place of the tiger. Realizing that the tiger is a family member, he blocks the path of the advancing hunters, allowing the tiger to escape.

When Zad's soothsayer, Slythius (Ivar Kants), confirms that the white tiger shares the BeastMaster's blood, Zad orders his soldiers to go after the creature. The soldiers shoot the tiger, but the stricken creature darts away into the forest. Dar suddenly clutches his side in pain and knows the tiger has been hit. Deep in the forest, he and Tao find her breathing but covered in blood. Dar pulls the arrow from her side, but it's too late. He cries out in anguish and frustration as Orpheo (Chris Kirby) appears in a fiery light, guiding the tiger's spirit through the shimmering veil of heat that leads to the Realm of the Dead. All the while, the Sorceress (Monika Schnarre) has been watching the emotional scene from her vantage point in the forest.

Dar and Tao carry the lifeless tiger to a bamboo shelter, covering her with damp moss to help preserve her body. The Sorceress tells Dar there is a way to restore the tiger's spirit, but first he must trick Orpheo by drinking a potion that will take him just one breath away from death. Once in the Realm of the Dead, the potion's power will only last until sundown, at which time he must drink an antidote or remain in the Realm of the Dead for all eternity. Dar hands his friend the antidote for safekeeping and drinks the poison. His spirit moves out of his body and towards the veil. Once inside the Realm of the Dead, Dar is approached by Orpheo. He finally convinces Orpheo to bring him to see his sister, Lycia (Louise Crawford).

Back at camp, Tao and Ruh watch over the bodies of Dar and the white tiger. Zad's hunters search for them, acting on Slythius's warning that the BeastMaster could bring the tiger back to life if there's a body to which the spirit can return. In order to destroy the BeastMaster, they must destroy the tiger's body.

Tao is wracked with anxiety about Dar's safety. Just as he's about to administer the antidote, the Sorceress stops him. She can sense that Dar needs more time, but Tao refuses to take the chance of losing Dar for good. In their struggle, the vial is knocked from Tao's hand, leaving him with no choice but to quickly prepare another potion.

As Dar leads Lycia out of the Realm of the Dead, Zad's hunters prepare a pyre on which they will burn the tiger's body. Tao administers the antidote to Dar just as Zad touches his torch to the pyre. Dar awakens and the tiger comes to life with a roar, escaping Zad's clutches. Dar leads her to the Crystal Ark where she'll be safe until the rest of the family joins her.