Our sheltered and isolated hero Saya, finally makes the bold checkmate move on his father, and it completely changes the game. Saya challenges the fate of Arthdal with a gamble that he's been waiting his whole life for, and it's simultaneously brave, empowering, and ominous. Our Wahan heroine Tanya, is at the center of this gamble, and she slowly comes to realize the ancestral power she holds.
EPISODE 11 RECAP
Tagon finds a message from the White Peak Mountain's Hearts, the rebel Asa group, that summons him as the Igutu Aramun Haesulla that will save them. He quickly pulls down the plastered message and anxiously wonders how the rebels found out about that he was an Igutu. Little does he know, that message was written and planted by Saya, who's disguised as a woman.
At the medicine storage in the woods, Moobaek pulls his sword to defend Nunbyeol and Harim against the two Neanthal visitors, Yiseuroob and Rottib. Yiseuroob says that he recognizes Moobaek, and Moobaek asks in their tongue if they killed the Daekan warrior. Yiseuroob responds that the Daekan warrior killed someone and attacked them first, but Moobaek doesn't believe them.
Yiseuroob further vows that since the day in Atturad to the day in Manteiv, they've never attacked the humans first. Rottib shares that Asa Hon refused to believe that Moobaek was at the front lines of the Neanthal genocide, and Moobaek flinches ever so slightly at the mention of Asa Hon.
Moobaek asks why the Neanthals entered Arthdal, and they explain that they were looking for someone. They haven't found them yet, but they seem determined to find them soon. Moobaek warns them not to return Arthdal, and with one final glance at Nunbyeol, the Neanthals depart.
As Moobaek approaches Harim and Nunbyeol, he notices a blue mark on Nunbyeol's neck. He rips the back of her garment to reveal the blue scales of a Neanthal. Moobaek draws his sword, but Harim pleads for mercy and explains the story.
Harim had been a doctor during the Manteiv War and found Nunbyeol while wandering in the woods. Young Nunbyeol had been tightly holding a rabbit and was coughing up blue blood, so Harim brought her home. His wife had prohibited them from keeping this Neanthal child, but Chaeeun adored this young girl, naming her Nunbyeol because of her twinkling eyes.
Moobaek remembers Nunbyeol practicing her swordsmanship and asks Harim how she was able to mimic human movements. He knows that Neanthals are unable to blend in with humans because of their unique movements and strength. Knowing this, Harim had cut off all eight of her blood lineages to eliminate her Neanthal powers.
To test this, Moobaek attacks Nunbyeol, who swiftly avoids his swing and grabs her own weapon. But when Moobaek knocks her down, she falls down weakly and can't get back up. Harim runs to her side, and Moobaek asks why the Neanthals visited. Nunbyeol reveals that they asked her to consider joining them, but she doesn't want to be separated from her family.
Embracing his daughter, Harim begs Moobaek to keep this a secret and trusts that he understands because he saved an Igutu. Moobaek resigns to this agreement, though he looks reluctant.
After cooling down, Harim notes that Asa Hon's death has motivated their actions — Harim raising a Neanthal and Moobaek saving an Igutu. Harim asks why Moobaek saved the Igutu, and Moobaek responds that he wants to set things right in the world. He wants to dethrone the fake high priest and punish the union leader who murdered his father.
Harim asks if Moobaek is behind the White Peak Mountain's Hearts murder of the Asa priest, and Moobaek denies this. The real culprit, Saya, admits to Momyungjin (the White Peak Mountain's Hearts' spiritual leader) that he committed that murder. He explains that it was time for the Arthdal people to overthrow the fake rulers and follow the real teachings of Asa Sin.
