Back into Darkness

Fractures Series
Storyline by Rainimator and the Production Team

**Back into Darkness** is the fifth episode of the third season of *Fractures* and the 25th episode overall. It features Blacklite District's song of the same name and focuses on the efforts to undo what remains of Naeus' conquest, whilst he has finally awakened from his slumber.

## Synopsis

*The Nether King returns. What fate will follow the Overworld?*

## Plot

The episode begins in a dungeon, where Hilda interrogates Hogsworth about the Nether King. Hogsworth responds with something not related to Hilda's question. Annoyed about the fact that she's been asking Hogsworth over and over again without him giving an answer she is satisfied with, she punches Hogsworth, telling him to stick to the question, and reminding him that his army was faltering as they speak and the End Crystals are within the Frostbourne's grasp. Hogsworth laughs and tells her that the Nether King shall soon rise from his slumber, with the real war beginning.

The scene cuts to the Nether Castle, as Zarkos begins reviving the Nether King with a new Netherite body. Then, Nostra, Azura, and Lance explain to the Endstone Crusaders about the End Crystal locations.

In the Frostbourne Tavern, Hilda explains to Ser Patrick about what Hogsworth said. Causing Ser Patrick to be worried and shocked. As the two speak, an army led by Agatha, Virmir, and the Machine Golem lead an attack on Hilda's Outpost as an Airship lead by Lyria flew overhead.

As they reach the Outpost, Brots commands the Pigman Army to attack, and as he does so, the Machine Golem and the Airships attack the Pigmen, forcing Brots to retreat to the Nether with a Nether Portal. After the army re-captures the outpost, the scene skips to a captured Dragonspire as endermen are being enslaved. As Kralos overlooks a map of the Overworld, he looks back to a revived Dragon.

In the Frostbourne Tundra, Rain looks at Stella, who is asleep. At the same time, Ser Patrick and Hilda ride on horseback as Hogsworth accepts his fate in prison. The scene skips to the Nether Castle, as a revived Naeus walks out of it, with Wither Skeletons bowing to him and Zarkos kneeling and handing the crown to him.

As the Nether King walks out of the castle, the Machine Golem leads the Frostbourne Footsoldiers into the Far Plains, as Brots leads the Horde into battle, looking at a Giant Wither walking into the battlefield. The Elytra Corps then prepare to attack the Giant Wither, with Lyria in the lead. They start to attack the Giant Wither as the Airships shoot cannonballs at it. The scene goes down into the battlefield as the Footsoldiers and Cavalry charge into battle, with Agatha and Virmir dealing strikes on horseback. The scene skips back up again as Lyria deals a final blow to the Giant Wither with her blade. As the Wither falls, Hilda chats with Ser Patrick on horse about something that is yet to be revealed. Brots then swings his longsword at the Machine Golem, resulting in the Machine Golem throwing him to the ground. Agatha, Virmir, and the army start cheering. As the Pigmen run, the airship shoots a cannon ball at Brots. Naeus sees it, and teleports to Brots. Naeus caught it with his bare hands. The Frostbourne garrison look in fear, as Naeus throws the cannonball back at the airship, this time slicing it, causing Elytra Corps members to fly out of it.

Later, we can see Lyria flying around the ship, likely trying to rescue the people that fell out. The Machine Golem tries to shoot Naeus, but realises that its bullets do not affect him, and retreats. Naeus then sends in Ghasts and Wither Skeletons, and the video ends with Naeus' eyes glowing red and purple.

## Cast

* Hilda
* Hogsworth
* Zarkos (debut)
* Wilburr
* Naeus
* Stella
* Lance (through the Ender Frog)
* Rain Wynter
* Nostra
* Ciara
* Azura
* Kane
* Ser Patrick
* Syphion (cameo)
* Virmir
* Machine Golem (debut)
* Agatha
* Lyria Wintona
* Brots (debut)
* Kralos
* The Dragon (resurrected)

## Trivia

* This episode is the first episode that focuses on the Nether since *Hard Pill to Swallow*.
* This is the first episode of Season 3 where Naeus appears in, as in the first three episodes, he was only mentioned.
* This episode marks the first appearance of the new members of the Nether Horde, Zarkos and Brots.
	+ It also marks the true debut of Wilburr, Zarkos' assistant and a survivor of the Pigin genocide in Nightmares.
* A promotional render for *Back Into Darkness* revealed Hogsworth's voice actor - Old Chad Roman.
* Back into Darkness is the third episode to have a sponsor, this time from a video game titled *Monster Legends*.
* This is the first episode since Ender Wish where the Dragon has appeared.
* This episode runs cocurrently with Already Dead, Preach to the Choir and We are the Danger XL.

## Gallery

Hilda in the Frostbourne Dungeon in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Hogsworth and Hilda at the Frostbourne Dungeon in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Zarkos in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.The Endstone Crusaders with Nostra, Azura, and Lance in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.The Frostbourne army and Machine Golem in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Naeus' body being reforged in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Rain and Stella in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Agatha and Virmir charging into battle in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.A giant wither and an elytra corp member in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Lyria Wintona heading towards the giant wither in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Agatha cheering whilst on a horse in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.Ser Patrick and Hilda on horses in a promotional render for *Back into Darkness*.