Summary:
Mont Blanc Noland is still trying in vain to free itself from the large pieces of land between which it is wedged. Kalgara watches him amused, taunting him and wondering how he can stay alive. He reminds Noland that sunset is approaching and his entire crew will soon be slaughtered at the hands of the villagers. Kalgara explains that Noland is getting what he deserved for destroying his people’s rituals. Back in the village, the Shandias continue to care for their sick. However, a group of warriors became enraged at Noland’s crew and blamed them for the plague and now the earthquake. They try to stab some of the cage crew, but Seto stops them. Seto reminds them that as Shandie warriors they must honor their words.
Back in the forest, Noland continues with all the strength he has, trying to get out of the ground, this time breaking bones in the process. Although he is still not making any progress, his efforts are visibly affecting the country that holds him and have impressed Calgary. The pain doesn’t deter Noland in the slightest as he continues to struggle to free himself while Kalgara watches intently.
In the end, Seto’s efforts in the village do not prevent the villagers from leading Noland’s crew to the sacrificial altar. They plead that their captain hasn’t returned yet and try to appeal to Seto to make them stop, but he is unable to do anything. Kalgara informs Noland that it is dusk and the ritual should begin in the village. She tells him he looks pathetic and wonders how Noland could have survived so long in his predicament. Noland questions what the villagers are so afraid of, to the point where they are willing to throw away innocent lives. Kalgara asks Noland what he means by “like” and Noland says that the villagers sacrifice their own peers and feel good about it. This infuriates Kalgara to the point where he cuts Noland off with a kick to the face. He tells Noland to stop acting like he knows everything and that the Shandia have lived this way for centuries. Noland counters that just because it’s such a long tradition doesn’t mean it’s not right, angering Calgary even more. She continues to chastise Kalgara for being so willing to kill an innocent girl without batting an eye, even calling the villagers’ actions inhumane. Kalgara again questions Noland’s use of the word “like” before angrily yelling that Mousse is actually his daughter. This fact only makes Noland further criticize Kalgara, saying that he has no mercy even for his own child. Kalgara responds that the voice of their God, spoken through the mouth of their priest, is absolute, and asks Noland if he understands such a concept. Because the words of their god are absolute, he cannot disobey God’s Will even for the sake of his own family. In the village of Shandia, Noland’s crew were brought to the altar, screaming desperately for their captain as they realized they were about to be burned.
As Kalgara and Noland continue to argue, a giant snake emerges from the forest, still eating the large cat-like creature. This is the god known as Jaya and is Kashigami’s descendant. Kalgara tells Noland that Jaya has come to punish him. Noland angrily asks Calgary if she is dying here because of God’s judgment or an accident. He continues this thought and also questions if their village is really dying from a curse or disease. Noland reveals that 60 years ago his home suffered from the exact same disease as Shandia. Plague ravaged his people with a death rate of 90 percent, but thanks to the discoveries of herbalists, the death rate from the disease is now less than 3 percent. He explains that the medicine was synthesized from extracts of the Kona tree that he now has in his possession. He points out that he has the tools to save the entire village and that many researchers died to ensure the cure was created. Yet after their sacrifice, the superstitions of the Shandia escalate and therefore feel that their rituals are an affront to humanity and the true root of evil. This causes Kalgara to remember the chief’s words that he does what he can to listen to the voices of his people. Jaya attempts to devour Noland, but Kalgara intervenes and kills the gigantic snake. Kalgara stands over Jay’s corpse and asks Noland what he just killed. Noland replies that it is a snake. Kalgara angrily retorts that what his people call God, Noland only calls a snake. He goes on to say that Noland just calls the curse that kills everyone a curable disease. Now in tears, Kalgara asks Noland if he can truly save his people, to which Noland replies that he can.
As the full moon rises, various villagers are seen healing themselves and rejoicing with their families. Seto smiles at all the happy families as Kalgara tearfully hugs his daughter while Herb also watches in tears. While Noland himself is given medical attention, his crew and Shandia celebrate together.