A New Dawn -- Episode #322 -- Series Finale!

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:

Dar (Daniel Goddard) and Tao (Jackson Raine) are setting up a series of traps throughout the jungle, when they are suddenly ambushed by Zad (Steven Grives) and his Knights. After the ensuing battle, Sharak alerts Dar that Balcifer has unleashed a series of destructive rainstorms, volcanoes and mud slides throughout the land. The moon has also been displaced, and is now positioned to blot out the sun, casting the world into eternal darkness in just 24 hours. Elsewhere in the jungle, Arina (Marjean Holden) is being chased by several of Zad's men, just as Ruh, Dar and Tao arrive on the scene. When the Knights get caught in the traps, Dar instructs them to tell Zad that he cannot win.

In Xinca, Balcifer (Jeremy Callaghan) appears to Zad, commanding him to find the key that opens the Crystal Ark before the BeastMaster does. Zad immediately dispatches his men to Arakann with orders to bring the Ark back at any cost. Meanwhile, Dartanus (Marc Singer) appears, telling Dar and Tao that the last rune in the Quest Book refers to an eclipse. Knowing that the eclipse is actually Balcifer spreading his darkness over the world, Dar prepares to travel to the Ancient Battlefield where Eldar first fought Zad to search for the key to the Ark.

In Arakann, Arina is surrounded by an army of Zad's Knights, who knock her down before rushing the village and setting it on fire. Sharak sees the flames and alerts Dar, who hurries to the village to save Arina and the Ark. Relieved that Zad's men did not find the Ark, Tao predicts that they only have a day before Balcifer's darkness will begin. Dartanus appears and advises them that, "to find the end, start at the beginning." Reading into the riddle, Dar believes that in order to break the spell cast on his family, he must find Eldar's hidden body. Dar, Tao, Arina and Dartanus travel to Eldar's crypt. When Podo finds the hidden entrance, Dartanus insists on staying behind. He claims that since he failed Eldar, he is forbidden to enter the crypt. Inside, Dar, Tao and Arina are shocked to find the crypt ransacked and the tomb empty. Suddenly the rock door slams shut, and the group is greeted by Meer-ahn (Jaala Webster), one of the keepers who has guarded Eldar's tomb for years.

The next day, Meer-ahn leads Dar and Tao to the Ancient Battlefield, unaware that Zad and his Knights are waiting to ambush them. The group scours the battlefield, finding nothing. Discouraged, Meer-ahn leads Dar to a well-hidden hedge, Eldar's resting place. The rune on Dar's hand begins to glow as the group slips through an opening. Meer-ahn pulls out a sack containing Eldar's crown and places it on Dar's head. Podo pokes around, finding Eldar's jeweled ring. Dar's rune glows and he sees an image of the Crystal Ark inside the jewel. Certain that the ring is the key, Dar knows he must get back to the Ark before the eclipse. As he leaves Eldar's resting place, Zad's Knights pounce. Zad grabs the ring and takes off with Dar in hot pursuit.

As they race back to the Ancient Battlefield, Balcifer appears to Dar, telling him if either he or Eldar had been more reasonable, he would never have enlisted Zad. Angered by Balcifer's harsh words towards him, Zad reminds The Lord of Darkness that he now has the key to the Ark and a powerful army, and no longer needs him. Zad's vanity once again becomes his downfall, as Balcifer takes possession of the coveted ring and sends Zad plummeting into a fiery pit for all eternity. Dar knows he must now beat Balcifer back to the Ark, or his quest is over.

Although Balcifer gets to Arakann first, he is sidetracked by Dartanus, who tries to hold his own against The Lord of Darkness. Just as Balcifer is about to finish him off, however, Dar arrives, and a brutal sword fight ensues. Suddenly, Dar notices that the eclipse is starting. In a determined effort, he thrusts his sword into Balcifer. Balcifer gasps in pain, and the ring flies from his hand. Dar catches the ring and races to the Ark. When he places the ring in the opening, it creates a flash of light, and the walls of the ark turn black. Dar's family appears, now restored to their human form, while Balcifer's body is swallowed up by the Ark.

Overjoyed to finally be reunited with his family, Dar believes his quest is over. According to Dartanus, however, Dar's future lies in a new kingdom far away. Dar is allowed to bring his family and the animals to that kingdom, but sadly, Tao and Arina must stay behind to ensure Balcifer does not escape the Black Ark.