Turned to Stone -- Episode #313

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:

In a small village, presided over by the demon Yamira (Peta Sergant), Arina (Marjean Holden) finds the goat which Dar (Daniel Goddard) determines to be his brother. Arina takes the goat, while Dar bargains with the villagers for the animal. Yamira, who's known to punish those who cross her by turning them into stone statues for her garden, disapproves of Dar's negotiations.

The Sorceress (Monika Schnarre) arrives just in time to save Dar from Yamira's wrath, and is able to convince her old foe to punish Dar by putting him to use instead. Yamira agrees to give Dar three tasks. If he succeeds, she will free the villagers in her statue garden and allow Dar to keep the goat. If he fails, he will be killed, and she'll acquire the Sorceress' magic.

In the meantime, Yamira sends her warriors out to retrieve the goat, presuming it must be very valuable, if Dar is willing to risk his life for it. After several close calls, Arina and the goat are captured and taken back to the village to await their fate.

Dar's first task is to bring Yamira a pear from the invisible Tree of Golden Fruit, which is only found in the dreaded Forest of Secrets. He accomplishes the daunting task with the help of Kodo and Podo, and finds himself in face-to-face combat with a ferocious hulking creature, the Guardian (Ron Vreeken). With the Sorceress' help, Dar cripples the Guardian and hands the golden pear over to Yamira.

Next, he's told to bring Yamira a piece of the sky, a seemingly impossible task. The Sorceress reminds him that stars are part of the sky, and guides him to a rocky terrain where he will find the remnants of the previous night's meteor shower. Sharak then leads him to a small smoking crater where one of the meteors landed. Yamira is frustrated by Dar's second success, and is angry that he is getting help from his friends. In retaliation, she threatens to turn Sharak into stone. Yamira's plans are thwarted, however, by the Sorceress. This enrages Yamira so much that she has her whisked away.

Back in the village, Dar reunites with Arina and the goat, who are now being held hostage to ensure Dar carries out his final task. If he wins the last round, Yamira will let them go, if not, Arina will join the others in her statue garden.

Dar's final task is to fight the dreaded ocean-dwelling Dengen. On the beach, he finds the Sorceress, bound by chains to a giant clam shell altar, and at the mercy of the Dengen, who will surely kill her if Dar is unable to defeat him first. As the Dengen emerges from the sea, Dar works to free the Sorceress, but the bonds are enchanted and cannot be broken until the creature is killed. Meanwhile, Arina has managed to escape the village with a little help from Ruh and the goat. She jumps into battle with Dar and together they manage to slay the Dengen. Their triumph is short-lived when they realize the chains still hold the Sorceress. Obviously, Yamira refuses to live up to her end of the bargain.

Yamira appears and fixes Arina with a lethal stare, turning her into stone. When she threatens Dar with the same fate, the Sorceress warns him not to look the demon in the eye. Instead, Dar concocts a clever scheme to reflect Yamira's gaze back at herself and turn her into stone. In an instant, Arina becomes flesh again, the Sorceress is released from her chains, and the grateful villagers show their thanks by handing the goat over to Dar.