I Am Frankelda (2025) Movie Script
Dreams and nightmares go hand in hand.
That which you imagine, imagines you.
THE PRINCE
Mom, I'd like to go to their world!
You're already there!
Whenever you write or draw,
your soul is ink.
That's how they exist.
They become as real as you.
Do you think they see me?
Mom!
Help!
Mom!
Help! Grandma, help me!
Mom! Help!
Francisca, leave that. Help me.
MARA CONCHITA PAREDES DIOSDADO
BELOVED MOTHER AND WIFE
I'm so sorry, Francisca.
- Francisca!
- Oh no!
Come back here!
Please help me find my granddaughter!
Francisca!
You little brat, where are you?
- Francisca, where are you?
- "The prince
Would do anything to save his parents
"and everyone he loved."
The girl is over here, ma'am.
Oh, Francisca!
How dare you do this to us?
Francisca? The sun is about to rise.
All clear in the east wing.
Understood.
TOPUS TERRENTUS
REALM OF THE TERRORS.
Fabulist, you scared me!
Here, come with me.
All clear, sir.
"The prince felt an unexplainable desire
to understand more."
"He decided to listen to his instinct,
following his intuition
and a mysterious voice calling him."
"He was uneasy, but he wasn't afraid."
"He felt a peculiar emotion."
"He sensed he was meeting his destiny."
"He climbed and climbed,
searching for a way out
of his monstrous world
as the voice calling him
became ever more real."
"He was surprised when he found himself
in a very strange place,
one he had never been to before."
"Confusion overwhelmed him."
"His tummy ached."
"He was in a place full of strangers."
"A whole new world."
A whole new world!
She's a little crazy,
don't you think, pal?
What? Just a little?
She's terrifying, pal.
She just seeks attention.
I know, poor thing.
No!
I liked it very much.
My father is an important book publisher.
Maybe he'll like your stories.
My name is...
You're so funny.
Why are you all so mean to me?
Francisca! You little brat.
Grandma, there's a monster!
Oh, girl, what are you doing there?
Father Cosme told me
you didn't come back after recess
and that you're just scaring everyone.
Grandma, there's something in the agave!
Sorry!
There's nothing there.
Why are you like this?
Wouldn't you like to be like your peers?
At least you'd have a friend.
You're a witch!
What did you call me?
You little brat.
I'm sorry, but you won't believe
what happened.
I was sound asleep and...
- Are you okay, sweetie?
- Yes, Mom, I'm fine.
Veritena.
- My love.
- Stop, Mom.
If you hug him like that,
he'll think that what he did was right.
I'm hugging him
before I ground him for life.
What?
- Ficturo!
- Dad!
Are you all right?
That king and his useless family
will lead us to our doom.
You have to consider
the consequences of your actions.
We won't always be here to protect you.
I'm all right,
and I discovered something awesome.
I think we can use the Harpspider
to go somewhere else.
Wait until I tell you...
No, my dear Herneval!
You must understand,
what you did was very dangerous.
You should be more cautious.
There's a balance between the two realms,
and it's our duty to protect it.
No one has been able to cross over
in ages, and it's better that way.
Promise not to tell anyone
about what you discovered.
Yes, I'm sorry.
You also damaged
our species' most important instrument,
the Harpspider.
You have to take care of it,
for one day you will play it.
And by doing so, you will
shape human subconsciousness.
This is our skill,
solely reserved
for members of the royal family.
Ficturo, it's time to tell him.
What? Have you lost your mind, Veritena?
- He's way too young to understand.
- What?
I'm not a kid anymore!
I want to know what's on the other side.
There was a girl surrounded by light.
I don't understand.
A voice was talking to me.
Or was she talking about me?
How does she know me?
She said I was the prince.
How did she know?
I don't get it.
Why does she know so much about me?
Her voice sounds familiar,
but I don't know who she is.
Do you know what that means?
Calm down.
Our story is the story of humanity.
They tell stories and then they are.
Fiction that becomes reality.
They fear when they dream.
You are truth.
You are fiction.
A constellation.
An inherent paradox.
In writing.
More fictions are woven.
-With threads of truth.
-Fiction.
And dreams of yesteryear.
That reveal the truth without lying.
You are truth.
You are fiction.
A constellation.
An inherent paradox.
This realm is home to the fears of humans.
We are the ideas that frighten them.
We're ideas?
So we don't exist?
Do you feel like you don't exist?
-You are a dream.
-You are truth.
-You are word.
-You are fiction.
-You are truth.
-You are a dream.
-You are fiction.
-You are word.
Universal truth, there's no such thing.
You are real.
Ficturo!
- I'm right here.
- What was that?
- Relax.
- To the throne chamber!
Your Majesties, do you need help?
Thank you, Captain Mythelitas.
Sadly, we can no longer help the king.
Sorry to bother you,
but the Royal Nightmare Maker
demands to have a hearing
with you immediately.
Dad!
Shall I let him in?
There's no time for these formalities.
They're
outrageous!
Enough!
Stop.
Your Highness!
There was a terrible, damaging,
and scandalous fluctuation
between the realms!
Captain.
Holy shadows!
You look awful.
Perhaps it's time to review
the proposal that I...
Procustes, it's not a good time.
- Take Herneval to his room, please.
- What?
Prince, would you join me?
Here, Dad.
- Hey...
- Do as I say, son.
Wait, Procustes.
Yes, Your Highness?
What's wrong with my parents?
Well, you see,
the king and queen
have a heavy burden on their shoulders.
Our species loses
strength, energy, and influence
because of the human scum.
Your parents are the first
to feel its effects.
I won't allow it! I'll help them!
I wish you could,
but I'm afraid it's out of your hands.
When they're gone,
you and I will work together.
I'll share my masterpieces with you
for you to send them
to humans as nightmares.
Unfortunately, we live at the mercy
of those crude creatures.
No! I don't want to depend on humans!
If only we could cross over
to the Realm of Existence,
this would be a different story.
Hey And is there anyone
who can cross over?
In the beginning, a long time ago,
fear of fear itself took shape
and a huge, feathered spider was born,
Enkara the Magnificent.
Enkara discovered that her life was tied
to the fear that humans felt for her.
She used the Harpspider to cross over
and thus subjugate the humans.
That nosy Ceimut defended the humans
and challenged Enkara to a battle.
But Enkara caught Ceimut and devoured him.
Using fangs and spines,
Ceimut tore open
Enkara's throat and escaped.
Enkara died.
And from her remains,
two new species were born.
From her feathers...
Tecothians, like me!
That's right!
And from Enkara's webs,
the Aradithians, like me, were born.
But now we don't have enough power
to materialize in the Realm of Existence.
Oh, but I've just
You just
I just remembered that I'm sleepy.
Of course, Your Highness!
Silly me troubling you
with grown-up problems.
I offer you
a sincere and heartfelt apology.
May you have the sweetest of nightmares.
Thank you.
Mending socks
is the worst thing in the world! Yuck!
Stop whining, Francisca Imelda.
As women, this is our duty.
What I really want is to be a writer!
I'll write about the being
I saw last night!
You and your terror stories, girl.
That's it! A terror is what I saw!
Stop with this nonsense!
You have a wild imagination,
but you'll grow out of it.
They even mentioned crossing
to the Realm of Existence.
The two realms must remain separate.
Why can't they understand
that without that balance,
we simply wouldn't exist?
I understand,
but they've been listening to Procustes.
I know he's been
by your side for an entire era,
but have you considered
getting rid of him?
No, no.
Declaring war on him
would make the situation worse.
His ability as Nightmare Maker
to travel with his consciousness
has become dangerous.
I prefer to keep a close eye on him.
Oh, my dear Ceimut,
I know you risk a lot
by bringing me this message.
You're a true friend.
I'll think about what to do.
But don't take too long, Ficturo.
The chiefs are impatient.
They won't stand idly by
while their clans disappear.
I appreciate your advice, old friend.
Topus Terrentus is in danger.
10 YEARS LATER.
Thank you for joining me, Mythelitas.
- I needed to clear my head.
- I'm at your service.
I'm concerned about our realm.
There's nothing more I can do.
It's none of my business, Prince,
but have you read the Royal
Nightmare Maker's latest stories?
Prince Herneval!
Why has the royal family abandoned us?
Why don't you stop our demise?
Long live Procustes!
The only noble terror
who really cares about us!
No! Please, no!
We will all slowly fade away.
What do I do?
No!
We need a change.
No! My stories!
I told you little girls can't be writers.
Today is the day, my terrors.
The world will finally meet you.
TERROR STORIES
Please, Your Majesty,
I must insist once again.
Ficturo, don't!
If you'd allow me,
I could arrange for the wisest terrors
to find a way to cross over.
It's your responsibility as king
to save us from...
Enough, Procustes. Leave us alone.
Guards, show Procustes the way out.
Yes, sir.
He's gone, Dad.
Thank you, son.
Mom.
Hello, my beautiful son.
Hey, you look skinny.
Have you been eating enough?
Mom, I'm fine, and you?
- Are you unwell?
- No.
Bring them.
I just need some nightmares, son.
It's nothing.
CLASSIC NIGHTMARES VOLUME XIII
BY PROCUSTES
Okay now.
Procustes has promised us a "masterpiece"
for years, and still nothing.
Let's see
Today's nightmares
aren't what they used to be.
Mom!
No, don't worry.
What matters is that you are well.
How can you tell me not to worry?
Your mother and I
have done everything we could.
If only we had more time and strength
The time has come
for you to be the one to decide
for Topus Terrentus.
This is garbage!
Don't underestimate Procustes.
Every one of your decisions
will have infinite consequences.
Procustes!
Your Highness!
I was right in the middle
of my daily writing.
Doesn't look like it.
You wouldn't understand,
but it's important for a writer
to have free time,
to have time to relax,
and to do other things.
That's what I want to talk about.
My parents are very sick.
That's due to the fact that nowadays
it's difficult to remain healthy...
I think it's because of your stories.
The nightmares you write
no longer frighten humans.
Then they are wrong!
The audience is always to blame!
I want to bring in a writer, a human.
That's blasphemy! It's madness!
There can't be two Royal Nightmare Makers!
How could a human cross over?
I've been thinking about it,
and I think I've figured it out.
It's time for a change.
I'm finishing my new masterpiece!
Be patient, young Prince.
You'll see the quality of my nightmares.
I've had enough patience.
Francisca.
Hi.
Augusto! I'm on my way to see your father
at his editorial office.
Yes, I know.
I just wanted to wish you luck.
Not that you need it, of course.
It's just that my father can be an expert
in discouraging, but you'll do great.
Well, I guess I'll go and find out?
Right, sure.
Okay then, goodbye.
Goodbye.
And whatever happens, your stories are
fascinating. They always have been.
Miss Francisca Imelda,
a lady like yourself
shouldn't write these horrible stories.
Don't drag your good name in the mud.
But did you at least read them?
I don't want to waste my time
reading this garbage.
Art and literature should emulate reality,
not create a new one.
Wait.
You were right, Grandma.
I quit!
BY FRANCISCA IMELDA
BY FRANKELDA
If Francisca Imelda couldn't do it,
Frankelda will.
I'll be the best fantasy and horror author
I can be!
Forgive me, Francisca. Did I scare you?
We've met before.
Sure, when we were kids.
It is you!
Yes, I've read all your stories.
Masterpieces.
I'm Herneval, Prince of Terrors.
- As you have named our species.
- But...
Although we live in hiding,
you have managed to capture
our essence in a sublime way.
That's why I came,
because I need your help.
My help?
But you don't exist.
I don't exist?
What's real and what's not?
We live in a different dimension
that you peek into whenever you write.
Nowadays, you all have
a logical explanation
for every nightmare that we send you.
You create our nightmares?
Yes, the Royal Nightmare Maker does.
We all rely on his "talent,"
but he's outdated.
He writes clich after clich.
Perhaps if we had better stories
What's it to me?
Don't be afraid.
I'm your admirer. I'd never hurt you.
We just need to understand humans better.
What are you afraid of nowadays?
Our inner selves.
Interesting. Please, help us.
No.
All right! How do we get there?
Only your consciousness can come.
What? But how will I...
Let me help you.
Wait
You need to relax.
Why don't you read me
the last poem you wrote?
You think we're alone here.
That the night is ours.
But in our nightmares.
Not everything is revealed.
My ink looks at us.
My eyes write.
In shadows they dwell.
In pages they hide.
And it's not so dreadful.
When you read, you inhabit the occult.
This invisible ink.
That lives without living.
An author who is
A terror.
Come with me, Francisca.
Not Francisca.
I am Frankelda!
A human?
I've never been insulted like this before,
not me nor the Seven Clans.
Maybe your idea
isn't that bad, my dear little prince.
It won't be long now, my goddess.
The Seven Clans are now arriving.
Clan of the Magic, arising.
Aluxastli!
Here come Dubium and Timet
from the Clan of the Psyche.
Ceimut from the Clan of the Primal.
Milady Siren from the Clan of the Depths,
thank you for coming.
Bloodsucker from the Clan of the Darkness,
and your goat.
Oh, Lady Coyote from the Clan of the Death
graces us with her presence.
How wonderful!
Altering the flow of life
would be catastrophic!
I've been summoned to an urgent meeting
to discuss the fate
of the Realm of Terrors!
That's what a very important message said.
Don Coco is here.
I can't imagine what could be so vital
to have me cancel all my plans.
Explain at once, Royal Nightmare Maker!
Sure, Don Coco
from the Clan of the Robbery.
It is a monumental honor for me
to stand before such distinguished
and grim Chiefs of the Seven Clans.
We need to determine
the fate of our beloved Topus Terrentus.
That's crazy.
First the king and queen,
but then it will be us!
Little by little, we will reach our end.
We should trust Our Majesties.
This realm wouldn't exist without them.
Show some honor
and talk to them face-to-face.
I think I may have a solution.
I've summoned you, my brutal colleagues,
because I've made
an unprecedented discovery.
I witnessed something extraordinary.
With all these eyes of mine,
I saw how Prince Herneval
crossed through the portal
to the Realm of Existence.
- Oh no! How?
- It can't be!
- Say what?
- For real?
Someone would need
to be thinking about him all the time.
And that confirms my hypothesis,
which the king and queen
have disregarded with rage
and even mockery countless times.
But I won't keep quiet anymore!
Not while I can save you and your clans.
If we can just find a way to invade
the Realm of Existence
There's no other way!
That's why I dare ask for your support
to take over this realm
and finally start a new era!
Yes!
You pretend to dazzle us
with your so-called wisdom
Only to blind us to the obvious?
Right!
What if the problem for this realm
is the Royal Nightmare Maker's stories?
How can we even consider crossing over
if we are less and less relevant
to humans?
Someone had to say it.
What have you written lately, Procustes?
Show us your nightmares!
How dare you question me?
No one could write the way I do!
My dramatic talent is exceptional!
My prose is grandiose, and so is my rhyme!
All my stories are...
Clichs!
Why don't you prove your worth?
Show us your most recent writings.
I will!
I'll show you my latest masterpiece,
and you'll see that I'm not to blame
for this embarrassing situation.
Fiction will destroy existence.
I think you two will like each other.
Come!
Where are we?
This is my home.
But is this real or imaginary?
How many types of terrors are there?
Is a monster the same as a terror?
How long does the average terror live?
How long has it been?
Time elapses differently here.
Exactly how?
How long is an hour here versus...
You can't understand the Realm of Terrors
using the reasoning
of the Realm of Existence.
This place
What's here?
There's mystery, drama, and horror.
It's the work of an author.
That cultivated her mind.
Welcome to your inner self!
I had been here before.
Ingenuity and intuition.
At the service of creation.
Show this reality.
Your place of inspiration
I had been here before.
A dream, maybe written in ink
I had been here before.
Memories somewhat distant.
A whole new world.
To create and discover.
I've already crossed the threshold.
To this unusual realm.
It's more real than real
I had been here before.
You think about it, and you see it.
Or maybe it's the other way around.
By writing what you envision.
You visit us again.
-This is my kingdom.
-I had been here before.
-A dream, maybe written in ink.
-Now this is your home
-I had been here before.
-This is my kingdom.
-Here you can dream.
-Memories somewhat distant.
A whole new world.
To create and discover.
-Welcome to your inner self.
-I've crossed the threshold.
-Your place of inspiration.
-To this unusual realm.
-You visit us again.
-It's more real than real
-I had been here before.
-Now this is your home.
Welcome to Topus Terrentus,
the Realm of Terrors.
Thanks!
Come on.
Come on!
Come on.
Wow!
Frankelda, meet my parents.
It's such an honor to meet you.
Welcome, my child.
Thank you.
Bravo! The exceedingly gifted human writer
has finally arrived!
"Exceedingly gifted"?
Yes!
The prince has been talking
about you non-stop.
Frankelda, meet Procustes.
The only Royal Nightmare Maker,
at your service.
Pleased to meet you.
I can't control my excitement
to read your stories.
Of course!
Here they are. I hope you like them.
Yes, I can take it with me and...
Procustes! Read it right here instead
so Frankelda can see your reaction. Yes.
Your Highness.
El Coco said, with absolute certainty
passion for music?
A ghost of all his virtuosity
The end.
Tell me.
Yes?
What motivates you to write?
Well, getting away from my reality.
I write better when I can let off steam.
I see.
Well, what did you think?
Well, not bad, they're fine overall.
They're not much to speak of.
I mean, some of the stories
are bland, boring, ordinary.
Oh no, no! Don't take it that way.
It's not too bad for an
amateur.
But you shouldn't let
delusions of grandeur get the best of you
since you're only just starting.
If I may, I can give you some advice
I've learned throughout my vast career.
Yes, thank you very much.
I think you lack structure.
The characters' motivations are unclear.
I'll tell you what, I'll give you a copy
of my Sinister Writing Handbook,
a book I wrote myself,
in which I give step-by-step instructions
on how to write properly.
Sure.
Thanks.
Well, why don't we take a break?
We'll talk later, Procustes.
Sure, Your Highness, I can't wait.
Wait!
My book, please.
Come in.
I spent hours in this room
when I was a kid.
These books contain
Literature and History of the Terrors.
Fascinating.
I love it!
You can stay here.
I have to go back soon. Thank you.
Procustes is jealous.
How do I know you're being honest?
When I read your stories,
I'm not Herneval.
I'm one of your hundreds of characters.
And when I'm not reading them,
all I can think about is
About your stories.
I want to trust you, but
- Can I?
- Yes.
And please, don't you
ever doubt your talent.
ONCE UPON
"Well, no way.
I won't let you leave this place."
That's incredible.
Listen, there's something
I need to tell you.
This realm is so captivating!
- Frankelda, please.
- I have so many ideas.
I need your help.
I don't know if I can be of any help.
You can, more than you can imagine.
I don't even know how to say this.
Maybe it's a little rushed, I know, but
there's no time.
We'll all be gone
if we don't do something.
What I mean Well, it's just that
I wanted to ask if you'd like to be
The Royal Nightmare Maker.
Stay here?
I know it's too much,
but I think it might be good for
Obviously for all of us, but
for you as well.
I don't think I'm up to par.
I know you are, and I can prove it to you.
Lend me your book
so my parents can create new nightmares.
I'm sure your stories
will revitalize Topus Terrentus.
Have your parents read my stories?
Please, we need them. Trust me.
- I trust you.
- What a day to make history!
Today will be remembered
as the day when writers
left their egos behind
to save Topus Terrentus.
What's going on?
What?
Hasn't His Highness told you
what he promised to do?
No.
He would ask for your book
so I could improve your stories.
- Herneval is a genius!
- That's not... Franke...
All your people will know our stories.
- You'll be the assistant
- Stop saying
to the greatest author
there's ever been! Me!
- How could you?
- Frankelda, that's not what
But Your Highness,
we discussed this yesterday.
I'll deal with you later!
This is a terrible misunderstanding!
Let go of me!
Frankelda! It's not what you think!
Procustes is...
Procustes is the only one
who's been honest here!
He's always made it clear
how mediocre I am!
Now go! Leave me alone!
- We'll talk tomorrow.
- No!
No! Tomorrow I'll be gone.
I want nothing to do with terrors or you.
Your Highness.
How did you know I was here? Leave!
With everyone's cooperation, I'm sure
we'll find a solution to this problem.
If only she could stay one more day.
It's too late for that.
No, it's not.
If we send your friend
a tiny little nightmare
What?
to remind her how awful her
life is in the Realm of Existence,
maybe she'll consider
staying a little longer.
That would hurt her.
No, no. No.
Well, not too much.
Just enough to keep her here
and prevent your parents
and the kingdom from dying.
All right, but I'll supervise
the nightmare myself.
Of course.
I just have to write
about something specific in her life.
Any suggestions?
Write about her grandma.
Forgive me, Frankelda.
Listen to me, child!
You'll be locked in this house
until you finish mending
every single sock!
No books!
Maybe then you'll stop calling me a witch.
Let's find out how the writer
blows off steam.
"Francisca always got up before dawn"
to prepare breakfast
for her ten older siblings,
all men, who worked in the silver mines
"along with their father,
who was the owner."
"Since nighttime wasn't enough,
she'd take any chance to".
What?
A hen-witch? Called Totolina? This is
It's good!
It's magnificent!
This story could be a milestone
in the history of Topus Terrentus, and
it's mine!
Hello, my dear!
Frankelda, join us!
Good morning, Your Highnesses.
Do you know how I can go back to my realm?
You have to read
Procustes's new stories first.
Characters
with desires, fears, and insecurities.
Irony, suffering, learning, and growth.
So good that I find it hard to believe
that they are written by Procustes.
No.
What?
These are last night's nightmares.
I was going to write them down today.
You made me dream about...
No, Frankelda, we have no idea
what you're talking about.
You!
You. You!
Traitor!
You were right. We needed new stories.
But I suspect they weren't written
by the one who says wrote them.
Am I right?
I don't get it.
Wait. What?
No!
He stole them
while Frankelda was dreaming!
Go to her.
We have to fix this!
Frankelda!
Forgive me! I underestimated Procustes,
but I'll fix it.
I'm sorry. I'm such a fool.
This is where we give up, right?
No!
You stole everything!
You stole you stole my dreams!
Isn't the prince the one
desperate to get your stories,
whatever it takes?
Yes!
You're both thieves!
I understand how you feel.
Oh, it's such a tragic love story.
Your beloved betrayed you
because he never cared about you.
All he did was use you.
Lock her up.
As you command, Master.
And you'll keep writing stories for me.
No!
I'll find a way for you to do so.
And you,
summon the Court of Terror.
- Of course, my lord!
- As you wish.
Right away.
A new Topus Terrentus is being born!
Let's come out of the dark!
She's gone.
I don't want to hear
any more about the terrors or you.
Tomorrow I'll be gone!
I hope you like your new home.
It's easier not to try to escape.
It's impossible!
You'd only wear yourself out.
Let me go!
Why are you complaining, Francisca?
I mean, Frankelda.
Wasn't this what you wanted?
Otherwise, why did you write about us,
sweetie?
And that's how Procustes
discovered Prince Herneval's treachery.
He wanted his human to take credit
for all of our illustrious
Royal Nightmare Maker's stories.
Treachery!
And Herneval fled
to the Realm of Existence.
He plans to conquer humans
with his charisma
and use them to dismantle the Seven Clans.
Only then will he be able
to rule both realms!
Treachery!
Topus Terrentus could disappear
because of the envy the Prince of Terrors
feels for the Royal Nightmare Maker.
Treachery!
No!
I loathe these new generations
that love and go around
claiming to be humans!
Let's stop this madness!
Let's take what is ours!
Death to the king and queen,
the prince,
and the humans!
Yes!
I think this is a crisis.
I'm afraid it's too late now.
-What will we do? I'd like to know now.
-Topus Terrentus will disappear.
It's time to act and choose our destiny.
Without the guidance of the Royal Family
I decided to plot
Because the realm is in danger.
As is our ancestral right.
To save Topus Terrentus.
Make a pact for our species.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
- Who?
- Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
He loves humans and he wants to replace us.
Everything we've achieved
Will soon be gone because of him.
He has already betrayed us.
And our realm, he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Men and women, beings of existence.
Who don't understand their place.
They think they're so vital
In their ordinary world.
He has already betrayed us.
In his dreams he'll imprison us.
He has already betrayed us.
And he'll try to lock us down.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
We were banished because of the king.
The clans united without throne or law.
He has already betrayed us.
Our traditions he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he'll want to silence us.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
It's time to act
Let's capture the king and queen.
And let someone else.
Rule us now.
What say you? Are you with me?
Yes!
Stop this rebellion.
Let's be judicious, I beg you all.
What you talk about is treason.
-Act with honor this time
-Finally!
He's looking for an option.
To save our reality.
He's looking for an option.
To help us thrive.
- Who?
- Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Leave him, you traitors!
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
- Let's take down the king and queen!
- Yes!
I had been here before.
Confined in a cell
I had been here before.
Blinded by hope.
He has already betrayed me.
Disloyal! I never suspected.
He has already betrayed me!
He said I could trust him!
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Calm down, our realm will rise again.
It's only a change of direction.
Tales that will become true.
She'll write them down.
He has another option.
To save our reality.
He has another option.
To help us thrive.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
My realm is in crisis.
My parents are ill.
And Frankelda hates me.
That's what I'm guilty of
I am the traitor.
A disappointment!
I am the traitor
I'm the one to blame!
Who are you?
The Prince of Terrors!
Let's save Topus Terrentus.
For our species to make a pact.
He has already betrayed us.
And our realm, he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
For truth and for fiction!
- Long live the king and queen!
- Long live the king and queen!
Charge!
Watch out!
No! Yalabus!
Seize the conspirators!
Come on!
No!
Don't look at her eye!
Bring him to me.
Tecothians!
You swore to protect your king and queen!
You will obey Procustes.
I will, Milady Siren.
Victory!
Follow me, my terrifying chiefs.
It's time for things to change for good.
- Mythelitas, please, I'm begging you!
- Silence.
Stop! Please, stop!
Take me and leave her alone! No!
You forced my hand.
Play this story.
My masterpiece!
A story about our talented Totolina,
which gives her an outstanding origin
in the human realm.
I feel alive!
My dear
I don't understand how he's choosing.
Blessed miracle!
It's what we waited for so long!
But we can't let that witch
cross over before us!
A being as impure as you
doesn't deserve to cross over before me!
I curse you, Aluxastli!
Finally, you're doing something right.
Now write about me!
About you? I'm way scarier!
Write about me, Your Majesty Procustes!
Did we have to sign up on a list?
I don't know, but we could eat the others.
The first story must be about me.
Ready when you are, Ficturo.
Now!
They're getting away!
Come here.
No.
Calm down, my friends!
I'll write nightmares for all of you,
and we'll all cross over at the same time!
Humans will finally get what they deserve!
I just need a little bit of time.
Damn you, Procustes.
- What?
- It's always the same.
It can't be!
Why are you a clown with my time?
Francisca!
Francisca! Are you here?
Francisca!
Francisca! Please!
- You're alive!
- She didn't come back.
You'll be fine.
I won't rest until I bring you back.
Frankelda!
Get me out of here!
Please! Help me!
Herneval?
I thought I was doing
what was best for you,
but I was only thinking of myself.
I messed up.
I know it's not much, but I'm sorry.
Anyhow, what matters is that you're safe.
Come, Frankelda.
Let's go back to your realm.
But your kingdom your parents!
You shouldn't suffer for this.
I have to fix one mistake at a time.
No, we must save your parents.
But, Frankelda...
No, Herneval, I want to help them.
I want to help you.
And I know I can do it.
I have an idea that will work.
Thanks, Frankelda,
but I don't know what to think anymore.
Every plan I've made has gone wrong.
I'm scared.
No!
Well, I'm not!
Besides, I must capture Procustes.
Sometimes I hate my reality,
but fiction wouldn't exist without it.
If the barrier between realms is erased,
everything would be literal, ordinary.
There would be
no imagination, fascination, or wonder.
And where do you plan to lock him up?
There's no stronger place
than my imagination.
What?!
Careful, Frankelda!
Don't make the same mistake
I made by underestimating Procustes.
All my fears live there.
There's room for one more.
No! It's too dangerous!
It won't work!
Procustes will force you
to send me another one of his nightmares
to keep stealing my stories.
When that happens,
all you have to do
is send me one that I'll write myself.
Trust me.
All right.
"There was a boy named Pepito."
Yes, that's it.
"Who was hypnotized by the Siren
and showed up at school
without his pants."
Could that work? Yes, of course.
I've told you
this is not how writing works.
Traitors have no place in Topus Terrentus!
The king and queen are hurt. I have to
Ceimut!
- Prince.
- No!
Save your parents. Save Topus Terrentus.
I'm sorry.
Mythelitas!
Mythelitas, what are you doing?
One more move from any of you,
and the king and queen will be history!
I'm not playing games!
Stop, Procustes! I'll do whatever you ask.
Is your girlfriend going to cooperate?
How does it feel
to have to steal stories from a human?
You're pathetic!
Send her this nightmare
where she'll live until she's written
all the stories I need.
I'm sure her imagination
will be stimulated by the recent events.
I will then consider releasing you.
Depending on your behavior, of course.
"This may seem like the story
of a naive girl
who'd do anything
to escape her reality, but it's not."
What is this?
"This is the story
of a writer who faced her fears
and decided to write her own story!"
"The Nightmare Maker
thought he had the poor girl trapped
in her worst nightmare,
but it was her who had him."
This is not what I wrote!
"He was so obsolete and useless
that he turned into his own old house."
"And before entering eternal rest,
he discovered that his worst nightmare
had come true."
"He had been replaced."
"His existence was meaningless."
"He had gone down in history
as the most mediocre terror of all."
"He was just a memory
of another time of glory."
It worked!
This is not the story I wrote!
Help!
Procustes is changing the dream.
No!
Frankelda!
Stay away from her!
Those are Procustes's orders!
Please, she needs help.
Frankelda, come back!
I said stay away!
What happened to me?
Frankelda.
Frankelda, this is your story, not his.
You think you're all alone here.
That the nights are yours.
But inside a nightmare.
Don't try to guess it all.
My ink looks at us.
My eyes write you.
In shadows you dwell.
In pages I find you.
And it's not so dreadful.
When you read.
You inhabit the occult.
This invisible ink.
That lives without living.
An author who is
A terror!
Your tongue can no longer hurt me.
Your words are so sharp.
Frankelda!
Sleep now!
You win this round,
but I won't be stuck in here by myself.
We must find a way out!
Sorry, Frankelda, I failed again.
Herneval? Herneval, what's wrong with you?
This is just a dream.
You can't get can't hurt here.
Not here.
I was wounded in the palace
before I came for you.
What? No!
No!
It's my fault.
It's not your fault. You saved my parents.
You are the only one that matters to me.
You must find a way out of here.
You'll be fine.
INVISIBLE INK
Our story is the first one I wrote.
Thanks to you, I got to know this place
I had always dreamed of visiting.
Thanks to you, I got to know myself.
Our story can't die
because stories are immortal.
You live here.
It's not a dream. Wake up.
No!
I thought it was a nightmare.
Please.
Wake up, please.
Wake up, Herneval, please.
You're not gone. Come back.
Life hasn't left you yet.
Lady Coyote!
I knew you wouldn't betray us.
No!
My son!
Please, Lady Coyote.
Is there anything you can do for them?
The prince flies alone now.
There is nothing to be done.
Your Majesties,
I cannot live with this dishonor.
I ask that my punishment
be to pay with my own life.
No, Mythelitas.
Although you carry a great burden,
it was not your fault.
You are like a son to us.
We don't know
where Ceimut sent the traitors,
but we must make sure
they cannot do any more harm.
Find them and bring them to us.
Beware, Mythelitas,
a great war between the Seven Clans
is about to begin.
I swear by Prince Herneval
not to rest until the last traitor falls!
Tecothians!
For the Prince of Terrors!
Thank you, Frankelda.
I know this is not what you wanted.
But all humans will know your stories.
Please come back.
I am
alive!
Where are you?
Where are you?
Frankelda, where are you?
Hello.
Who are you?
Who do you think?
I can't believe it! Are you
I am...
You are truth!
- And fiction.
- We exist!
As long as you tell our story,
we will exist!
Herneval, I love you! I love you!
I love you too, Frankelda.
I don't mind this form,
as long as I can spend
an eternity with you.
Wait, how?
An eternity like this?
That's up to you.
Up to me?
It's up to me
after all we've been through?
You are the writer.
The writer of a sad story.
Do you really think that way?
Well, yes!
But sadness can have different shades.
A hundred authors
can write about the same event
and create a hundred different stories.
Is this how your story ends, Frankelda?
I won't let our story end like this!
I don't care how bitter my situation is
or how long my soul
has endured confinement,
because I'm the master of my destiny!
I'm the writer of my own life!
Write me!
Let's live one more time!
Yes!
"This is the story of two realms
so utterly different,
that they could even resemble each other."
"Two realms that don't even exist
for the numb consciences."
"Two realms only visible
to those who delve into their creativity,
guided by intuition."
I AM FRANKELDA
Both realms are real
and are linked by my quill.
My soul is ink.
And as long as I write,
I will never stop living.
You link words.
Stories in spiderwebs.
Those are the lives that you thread.
Kisses and cries.
Revive in your tales.
In your ink we trust.
What do you seek?
Cheap fame?
To please.
And be special?
Your soul is ink.
Be careful, only write for yourself.
Oh, your soul is ink.
Be careful or you'll end up trapped.
On paper you never die.
You turn into hope.
Protector of lost spirits.
What do you seek?
Cheap fame?
To please.
And be special?
Your soul is ink.
Be careful, only write for yourself.
Oh, your soul is ink.
Be careful, or you'll end up trapped.
Subtitle translation by:
Fernanda Avalos B.
That which you imagine, imagines you.
THE PRINCE
Mom, I'd like to go to their world!
You're already there!
Whenever you write or draw,
your soul is ink.
That's how they exist.
They become as real as you.
Do you think they see me?
Mom!
Help!
Mom!
Help! Grandma, help me!
Mom! Help!
Francisca, leave that. Help me.
MARA CONCHITA PAREDES DIOSDADO
BELOVED MOTHER AND WIFE
I'm so sorry, Francisca.
- Francisca!
- Oh no!
Come back here!
Please help me find my granddaughter!
Francisca!
You little brat, where are you?
- Francisca, where are you?
- "The prince
Would do anything to save his parents
"and everyone he loved."
The girl is over here, ma'am.
Oh, Francisca!
How dare you do this to us?
Francisca? The sun is about to rise.
All clear in the east wing.
Understood.
TOPUS TERRENTUS
REALM OF THE TERRORS.
Fabulist, you scared me!
Here, come with me.
All clear, sir.
"The prince felt an unexplainable desire
to understand more."
"He decided to listen to his instinct,
following his intuition
and a mysterious voice calling him."
"He was uneasy, but he wasn't afraid."
"He felt a peculiar emotion."
"He sensed he was meeting his destiny."
"He climbed and climbed,
searching for a way out
of his monstrous world
as the voice calling him
became ever more real."
"He was surprised when he found himself
in a very strange place,
one he had never been to before."
"Confusion overwhelmed him."
"His tummy ached."
"He was in a place full of strangers."
"A whole new world."
A whole new world!
She's a little crazy,
don't you think, pal?
What? Just a little?
She's terrifying, pal.
She just seeks attention.
I know, poor thing.
No!
I liked it very much.
My father is an important book publisher.
Maybe he'll like your stories.
My name is...
You're so funny.
Why are you all so mean to me?
Francisca! You little brat.
Grandma, there's a monster!
Oh, girl, what are you doing there?
Father Cosme told me
you didn't come back after recess
and that you're just scaring everyone.
Grandma, there's something in the agave!
Sorry!
There's nothing there.
Why are you like this?
Wouldn't you like to be like your peers?
At least you'd have a friend.
You're a witch!
What did you call me?
You little brat.
I'm sorry, but you won't believe
what happened.
I was sound asleep and...
- Are you okay, sweetie?
- Yes, Mom, I'm fine.
Veritena.
- My love.
- Stop, Mom.
If you hug him like that,
he'll think that what he did was right.
I'm hugging him
before I ground him for life.
What?
- Ficturo!
- Dad!
Are you all right?
That king and his useless family
will lead us to our doom.
You have to consider
the consequences of your actions.
We won't always be here to protect you.
I'm all right,
and I discovered something awesome.
I think we can use the Harpspider
to go somewhere else.
Wait until I tell you...
No, my dear Herneval!
You must understand,
what you did was very dangerous.
You should be more cautious.
There's a balance between the two realms,
and it's our duty to protect it.
No one has been able to cross over
in ages, and it's better that way.
Promise not to tell anyone
about what you discovered.
Yes, I'm sorry.
You also damaged
our species' most important instrument,
the Harpspider.
You have to take care of it,
for one day you will play it.
And by doing so, you will
shape human subconsciousness.
This is our skill,
solely reserved
for members of the royal family.
Ficturo, it's time to tell him.
What? Have you lost your mind, Veritena?
- He's way too young to understand.
- What?
I'm not a kid anymore!
I want to know what's on the other side.
There was a girl surrounded by light.
I don't understand.
A voice was talking to me.
Or was she talking about me?
How does she know me?
She said I was the prince.
How did she know?
I don't get it.
Why does she know so much about me?
Her voice sounds familiar,
but I don't know who she is.
Do you know what that means?
Calm down.
Our story is the story of humanity.
They tell stories and then they are.
Fiction that becomes reality.
They fear when they dream.
You are truth.
You are fiction.
A constellation.
An inherent paradox.
In writing.
More fictions are woven.
-With threads of truth.
-Fiction.
And dreams of yesteryear.
That reveal the truth without lying.
You are truth.
You are fiction.
A constellation.
An inherent paradox.
This realm is home to the fears of humans.
We are the ideas that frighten them.
We're ideas?
So we don't exist?
Do you feel like you don't exist?
-You are a dream.
-You are truth.
-You are word.
-You are fiction.
-You are truth.
-You are a dream.
-You are fiction.
-You are word.
Universal truth, there's no such thing.
You are real.
Ficturo!
- I'm right here.
- What was that?
- Relax.
- To the throne chamber!
Your Majesties, do you need help?
Thank you, Captain Mythelitas.
Sadly, we can no longer help the king.
Sorry to bother you,
but the Royal Nightmare Maker
demands to have a hearing
with you immediately.
Dad!
Shall I let him in?
There's no time for these formalities.
They're
outrageous!
Enough!
Stop.
Your Highness!
There was a terrible, damaging,
and scandalous fluctuation
between the realms!
Captain.
Holy shadows!
You look awful.
Perhaps it's time to review
the proposal that I...
Procustes, it's not a good time.
- Take Herneval to his room, please.
- What?
Prince, would you join me?
Here, Dad.
- Hey...
- Do as I say, son.
Wait, Procustes.
Yes, Your Highness?
What's wrong with my parents?
Well, you see,
the king and queen
have a heavy burden on their shoulders.
Our species loses
strength, energy, and influence
because of the human scum.
Your parents are the first
to feel its effects.
I won't allow it! I'll help them!
I wish you could,
but I'm afraid it's out of your hands.
When they're gone,
you and I will work together.
I'll share my masterpieces with you
for you to send them
to humans as nightmares.
Unfortunately, we live at the mercy
of those crude creatures.
No! I don't want to depend on humans!
If only we could cross over
to the Realm of Existence,
this would be a different story.
Hey And is there anyone
who can cross over?
In the beginning, a long time ago,
fear of fear itself took shape
and a huge, feathered spider was born,
Enkara the Magnificent.
Enkara discovered that her life was tied
to the fear that humans felt for her.
She used the Harpspider to cross over
and thus subjugate the humans.
That nosy Ceimut defended the humans
and challenged Enkara to a battle.
But Enkara caught Ceimut and devoured him.
Using fangs and spines,
Ceimut tore open
Enkara's throat and escaped.
Enkara died.
And from her remains,
two new species were born.
From her feathers...
Tecothians, like me!
That's right!
And from Enkara's webs,
the Aradithians, like me, were born.
But now we don't have enough power
to materialize in the Realm of Existence.
Oh, but I've just
You just
I just remembered that I'm sleepy.
Of course, Your Highness!
Silly me troubling you
with grown-up problems.
I offer you
a sincere and heartfelt apology.
May you have the sweetest of nightmares.
Thank you.
Mending socks
is the worst thing in the world! Yuck!
Stop whining, Francisca Imelda.
As women, this is our duty.
What I really want is to be a writer!
I'll write about the being
I saw last night!
You and your terror stories, girl.
That's it! A terror is what I saw!
Stop with this nonsense!
You have a wild imagination,
but you'll grow out of it.
They even mentioned crossing
to the Realm of Existence.
The two realms must remain separate.
Why can't they understand
that without that balance,
we simply wouldn't exist?
I understand,
but they've been listening to Procustes.
I know he's been
by your side for an entire era,
but have you considered
getting rid of him?
No, no.
Declaring war on him
would make the situation worse.
His ability as Nightmare Maker
to travel with his consciousness
has become dangerous.
I prefer to keep a close eye on him.
Oh, my dear Ceimut,
I know you risk a lot
by bringing me this message.
You're a true friend.
I'll think about what to do.
But don't take too long, Ficturo.
The chiefs are impatient.
They won't stand idly by
while their clans disappear.
I appreciate your advice, old friend.
Topus Terrentus is in danger.
10 YEARS LATER.
Thank you for joining me, Mythelitas.
- I needed to clear my head.
- I'm at your service.
I'm concerned about our realm.
There's nothing more I can do.
It's none of my business, Prince,
but have you read the Royal
Nightmare Maker's latest stories?
Prince Herneval!
Why has the royal family abandoned us?
Why don't you stop our demise?
Long live Procustes!
The only noble terror
who really cares about us!
No! Please, no!
We will all slowly fade away.
What do I do?
No!
We need a change.
No! My stories!
I told you little girls can't be writers.
Today is the day, my terrors.
The world will finally meet you.
TERROR STORIES
Please, Your Majesty,
I must insist once again.
Ficturo, don't!
If you'd allow me,
I could arrange for the wisest terrors
to find a way to cross over.
It's your responsibility as king
to save us from...
Enough, Procustes. Leave us alone.
Guards, show Procustes the way out.
Yes, sir.
He's gone, Dad.
Thank you, son.
Mom.
Hello, my beautiful son.
Hey, you look skinny.
Have you been eating enough?
Mom, I'm fine, and you?
- Are you unwell?
- No.
Bring them.
I just need some nightmares, son.
It's nothing.
CLASSIC NIGHTMARES VOLUME XIII
BY PROCUSTES
Okay now.
Procustes has promised us a "masterpiece"
for years, and still nothing.
Let's see
Today's nightmares
aren't what they used to be.
Mom!
No, don't worry.
What matters is that you are well.
How can you tell me not to worry?
Your mother and I
have done everything we could.
If only we had more time and strength
The time has come
for you to be the one to decide
for Topus Terrentus.
This is garbage!
Don't underestimate Procustes.
Every one of your decisions
will have infinite consequences.
Procustes!
Your Highness!
I was right in the middle
of my daily writing.
Doesn't look like it.
You wouldn't understand,
but it's important for a writer
to have free time,
to have time to relax,
and to do other things.
That's what I want to talk about.
My parents are very sick.
That's due to the fact that nowadays
it's difficult to remain healthy...
I think it's because of your stories.
The nightmares you write
no longer frighten humans.
Then they are wrong!
The audience is always to blame!
I want to bring in a writer, a human.
That's blasphemy! It's madness!
There can't be two Royal Nightmare Makers!
How could a human cross over?
I've been thinking about it,
and I think I've figured it out.
It's time for a change.
I'm finishing my new masterpiece!
Be patient, young Prince.
You'll see the quality of my nightmares.
I've had enough patience.
Francisca.
Hi.
Augusto! I'm on my way to see your father
at his editorial office.
Yes, I know.
I just wanted to wish you luck.
Not that you need it, of course.
It's just that my father can be an expert
in discouraging, but you'll do great.
Well, I guess I'll go and find out?
Right, sure.
Okay then, goodbye.
Goodbye.
And whatever happens, your stories are
fascinating. They always have been.
Miss Francisca Imelda,
a lady like yourself
shouldn't write these horrible stories.
Don't drag your good name in the mud.
But did you at least read them?
I don't want to waste my time
reading this garbage.
Art and literature should emulate reality,
not create a new one.
Wait.
You were right, Grandma.
I quit!
BY FRANCISCA IMELDA
BY FRANKELDA
If Francisca Imelda couldn't do it,
Frankelda will.
I'll be the best fantasy and horror author
I can be!
Forgive me, Francisca. Did I scare you?
We've met before.
Sure, when we were kids.
It is you!
Yes, I've read all your stories.
Masterpieces.
I'm Herneval, Prince of Terrors.
- As you have named our species.
- But...
Although we live in hiding,
you have managed to capture
our essence in a sublime way.
That's why I came,
because I need your help.
My help?
But you don't exist.
I don't exist?
What's real and what's not?
We live in a different dimension
that you peek into whenever you write.
Nowadays, you all have
a logical explanation
for every nightmare that we send you.
You create our nightmares?
Yes, the Royal Nightmare Maker does.
We all rely on his "talent,"
but he's outdated.
He writes clich after clich.
Perhaps if we had better stories
What's it to me?
Don't be afraid.
I'm your admirer. I'd never hurt you.
We just need to understand humans better.
What are you afraid of nowadays?
Our inner selves.
Interesting. Please, help us.
No.
All right! How do we get there?
Only your consciousness can come.
What? But how will I...
Let me help you.
Wait
You need to relax.
Why don't you read me
the last poem you wrote?
You think we're alone here.
That the night is ours.
But in our nightmares.
Not everything is revealed.
My ink looks at us.
My eyes write.
In shadows they dwell.
In pages they hide.
And it's not so dreadful.
When you read, you inhabit the occult.
This invisible ink.
That lives without living.
An author who is
A terror.
Come with me, Francisca.
Not Francisca.
I am Frankelda!
A human?
I've never been insulted like this before,
not me nor the Seven Clans.
Maybe your idea
isn't that bad, my dear little prince.
It won't be long now, my goddess.
The Seven Clans are now arriving.
Clan of the Magic, arising.
Aluxastli!
Here come Dubium and Timet
from the Clan of the Psyche.
Ceimut from the Clan of the Primal.
Milady Siren from the Clan of the Depths,
thank you for coming.
Bloodsucker from the Clan of the Darkness,
and your goat.
Oh, Lady Coyote from the Clan of the Death
graces us with her presence.
How wonderful!
Altering the flow of life
would be catastrophic!
I've been summoned to an urgent meeting
to discuss the fate
of the Realm of Terrors!
That's what a very important message said.
Don Coco is here.
I can't imagine what could be so vital
to have me cancel all my plans.
Explain at once, Royal Nightmare Maker!
Sure, Don Coco
from the Clan of the Robbery.
It is a monumental honor for me
to stand before such distinguished
and grim Chiefs of the Seven Clans.
We need to determine
the fate of our beloved Topus Terrentus.
That's crazy.
First the king and queen,
but then it will be us!
Little by little, we will reach our end.
We should trust Our Majesties.
This realm wouldn't exist without them.
Show some honor
and talk to them face-to-face.
I think I may have a solution.
I've summoned you, my brutal colleagues,
because I've made
an unprecedented discovery.
I witnessed something extraordinary.
With all these eyes of mine,
I saw how Prince Herneval
crossed through the portal
to the Realm of Existence.
- Oh no! How?
- It can't be!
- Say what?
- For real?
Someone would need
to be thinking about him all the time.
And that confirms my hypothesis,
which the king and queen
have disregarded with rage
and even mockery countless times.
But I won't keep quiet anymore!
Not while I can save you and your clans.
If we can just find a way to invade
the Realm of Existence
There's no other way!
That's why I dare ask for your support
to take over this realm
and finally start a new era!
Yes!
You pretend to dazzle us
with your so-called wisdom
Only to blind us to the obvious?
Right!
What if the problem for this realm
is the Royal Nightmare Maker's stories?
How can we even consider crossing over
if we are less and less relevant
to humans?
Someone had to say it.
What have you written lately, Procustes?
Show us your nightmares!
How dare you question me?
No one could write the way I do!
My dramatic talent is exceptional!
My prose is grandiose, and so is my rhyme!
All my stories are...
Clichs!
Why don't you prove your worth?
Show us your most recent writings.
I will!
I'll show you my latest masterpiece,
and you'll see that I'm not to blame
for this embarrassing situation.
Fiction will destroy existence.
I think you two will like each other.
Come!
Where are we?
This is my home.
But is this real or imaginary?
How many types of terrors are there?
Is a monster the same as a terror?
How long does the average terror live?
How long has it been?
Time elapses differently here.
Exactly how?
How long is an hour here versus...
You can't understand the Realm of Terrors
using the reasoning
of the Realm of Existence.
This place
What's here?
There's mystery, drama, and horror.
It's the work of an author.
That cultivated her mind.
Welcome to your inner self!
I had been here before.
Ingenuity and intuition.
At the service of creation.
Show this reality.
Your place of inspiration
I had been here before.
A dream, maybe written in ink
I had been here before.
Memories somewhat distant.
A whole new world.
To create and discover.
I've already crossed the threshold.
To this unusual realm.
It's more real than real
I had been here before.
You think about it, and you see it.
Or maybe it's the other way around.
By writing what you envision.
You visit us again.
-This is my kingdom.
-I had been here before.
-A dream, maybe written in ink.
-Now this is your home
-I had been here before.
-This is my kingdom.
-Here you can dream.
-Memories somewhat distant.
A whole new world.
To create and discover.
-Welcome to your inner self.
-I've crossed the threshold.
-Your place of inspiration.
-To this unusual realm.
-You visit us again.
-It's more real than real
-I had been here before.
-Now this is your home.
Welcome to Topus Terrentus,
the Realm of Terrors.
Thanks!
Come on.
Come on!
Come on.
Wow!
Frankelda, meet my parents.
It's such an honor to meet you.
Welcome, my child.
Thank you.
Bravo! The exceedingly gifted human writer
has finally arrived!
"Exceedingly gifted"?
Yes!
The prince has been talking
about you non-stop.
Frankelda, meet Procustes.
The only Royal Nightmare Maker,
at your service.
Pleased to meet you.
I can't control my excitement
to read your stories.
Of course!
Here they are. I hope you like them.
Yes, I can take it with me and...
Procustes! Read it right here instead
so Frankelda can see your reaction. Yes.
Your Highness.
El Coco said, with absolute certainty
passion for music?
A ghost of all his virtuosity
The end.
Tell me.
Yes?
What motivates you to write?
Well, getting away from my reality.
I write better when I can let off steam.
I see.
Well, what did you think?
Well, not bad, they're fine overall.
They're not much to speak of.
I mean, some of the stories
are bland, boring, ordinary.
Oh no, no! Don't take it that way.
It's not too bad for an
amateur.
But you shouldn't let
delusions of grandeur get the best of you
since you're only just starting.
If I may, I can give you some advice
I've learned throughout my vast career.
Yes, thank you very much.
I think you lack structure.
The characters' motivations are unclear.
I'll tell you what, I'll give you a copy
of my Sinister Writing Handbook,
a book I wrote myself,
in which I give step-by-step instructions
on how to write properly.
Sure.
Thanks.
Well, why don't we take a break?
We'll talk later, Procustes.
Sure, Your Highness, I can't wait.
Wait!
My book, please.
Come in.
I spent hours in this room
when I was a kid.
These books contain
Literature and History of the Terrors.
Fascinating.
I love it!
You can stay here.
I have to go back soon. Thank you.
Procustes is jealous.
How do I know you're being honest?
When I read your stories,
I'm not Herneval.
I'm one of your hundreds of characters.
And when I'm not reading them,
all I can think about is
About your stories.
I want to trust you, but
- Can I?
- Yes.
And please, don't you
ever doubt your talent.
ONCE UPON
"Well, no way.
I won't let you leave this place."
That's incredible.
Listen, there's something
I need to tell you.
This realm is so captivating!
- Frankelda, please.
- I have so many ideas.
I need your help.
I don't know if I can be of any help.
You can, more than you can imagine.
I don't even know how to say this.
Maybe it's a little rushed, I know, but
there's no time.
We'll all be gone
if we don't do something.
What I mean Well, it's just that
I wanted to ask if you'd like to be
The Royal Nightmare Maker.
Stay here?
I know it's too much,
but I think it might be good for
Obviously for all of us, but
for you as well.
I don't think I'm up to par.
I know you are, and I can prove it to you.
Lend me your book
so my parents can create new nightmares.
I'm sure your stories
will revitalize Topus Terrentus.
Have your parents read my stories?
Please, we need them. Trust me.
- I trust you.
- What a day to make history!
Today will be remembered
as the day when writers
left their egos behind
to save Topus Terrentus.
What's going on?
What?
Hasn't His Highness told you
what he promised to do?
No.
He would ask for your book
so I could improve your stories.
- Herneval is a genius!
- That's not... Franke...
All your people will know our stories.
- You'll be the assistant
- Stop saying
to the greatest author
there's ever been! Me!
- How could you?
- Frankelda, that's not what
But Your Highness,
we discussed this yesterday.
I'll deal with you later!
This is a terrible misunderstanding!
Let go of me!
Frankelda! It's not what you think!
Procustes is...
Procustes is the only one
who's been honest here!
He's always made it clear
how mediocre I am!
Now go! Leave me alone!
- We'll talk tomorrow.
- No!
No! Tomorrow I'll be gone.
I want nothing to do with terrors or you.
Your Highness.
How did you know I was here? Leave!
With everyone's cooperation, I'm sure
we'll find a solution to this problem.
If only she could stay one more day.
It's too late for that.
No, it's not.
If we send your friend
a tiny little nightmare
What?
to remind her how awful her
life is in the Realm of Existence,
maybe she'll consider
staying a little longer.
That would hurt her.
No, no. No.
Well, not too much.
Just enough to keep her here
and prevent your parents
and the kingdom from dying.
All right, but I'll supervise
the nightmare myself.
Of course.
I just have to write
about something specific in her life.
Any suggestions?
Write about her grandma.
Forgive me, Frankelda.
Listen to me, child!
You'll be locked in this house
until you finish mending
every single sock!
No books!
Maybe then you'll stop calling me a witch.
Let's find out how the writer
blows off steam.
"Francisca always got up before dawn"
to prepare breakfast
for her ten older siblings,
all men, who worked in the silver mines
"along with their father,
who was the owner."
"Since nighttime wasn't enough,
she'd take any chance to".
What?
A hen-witch? Called Totolina? This is
It's good!
It's magnificent!
This story could be a milestone
in the history of Topus Terrentus, and
it's mine!
Hello, my dear!
Frankelda, join us!
Good morning, Your Highnesses.
Do you know how I can go back to my realm?
You have to read
Procustes's new stories first.
Characters
with desires, fears, and insecurities.
Irony, suffering, learning, and growth.
So good that I find it hard to believe
that they are written by Procustes.
No.
What?
These are last night's nightmares.
I was going to write them down today.
You made me dream about...
No, Frankelda, we have no idea
what you're talking about.
You!
You. You!
Traitor!
You were right. We needed new stories.
But I suspect they weren't written
by the one who says wrote them.
Am I right?
I don't get it.
Wait. What?
No!
He stole them
while Frankelda was dreaming!
Go to her.
We have to fix this!
Frankelda!
Forgive me! I underestimated Procustes,
but I'll fix it.
I'm sorry. I'm such a fool.
This is where we give up, right?
No!
You stole everything!
You stole you stole my dreams!
Isn't the prince the one
desperate to get your stories,
whatever it takes?
Yes!
You're both thieves!
I understand how you feel.
Oh, it's such a tragic love story.
Your beloved betrayed you
because he never cared about you.
All he did was use you.
Lock her up.
As you command, Master.
And you'll keep writing stories for me.
No!
I'll find a way for you to do so.
And you,
summon the Court of Terror.
- Of course, my lord!
- As you wish.
Right away.
A new Topus Terrentus is being born!
Let's come out of the dark!
She's gone.
I don't want to hear
any more about the terrors or you.
Tomorrow I'll be gone!
I hope you like your new home.
It's easier not to try to escape.
It's impossible!
You'd only wear yourself out.
Let me go!
Why are you complaining, Francisca?
I mean, Frankelda.
Wasn't this what you wanted?
Otherwise, why did you write about us,
sweetie?
And that's how Procustes
discovered Prince Herneval's treachery.
He wanted his human to take credit
for all of our illustrious
Royal Nightmare Maker's stories.
Treachery!
And Herneval fled
to the Realm of Existence.
He plans to conquer humans
with his charisma
and use them to dismantle the Seven Clans.
Only then will he be able
to rule both realms!
Treachery!
Topus Terrentus could disappear
because of the envy the Prince of Terrors
feels for the Royal Nightmare Maker.
Treachery!
No!
I loathe these new generations
that love and go around
claiming to be humans!
Let's stop this madness!
Let's take what is ours!
Death to the king and queen,
the prince,
and the humans!
Yes!
I think this is a crisis.
I'm afraid it's too late now.
-What will we do? I'd like to know now.
-Topus Terrentus will disappear.
It's time to act and choose our destiny.
Without the guidance of the Royal Family
I decided to plot
Because the realm is in danger.
As is our ancestral right.
To save Topus Terrentus.
Make a pact for our species.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
- Who?
- Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
He loves humans and he wants to replace us.
Everything we've achieved
Will soon be gone because of him.
He has already betrayed us.
And our realm, he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Men and women, beings of existence.
Who don't understand their place.
They think they're so vital
In their ordinary world.
He has already betrayed us.
In his dreams he'll imprison us.
He has already betrayed us.
And he'll try to lock us down.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
We were banished because of the king.
The clans united without throne or law.
He has already betrayed us.
Our traditions he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he'll want to silence us.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
It's time to act
Let's capture the king and queen.
And let someone else.
Rule us now.
What say you? Are you with me?
Yes!
Stop this rebellion.
Let's be judicious, I beg you all.
What you talk about is treason.
-Act with honor this time
-Finally!
He's looking for an option.
To save our reality.
He's looking for an option.
To help us thrive.
- Who?
- Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Leave him, you traitors!
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
- Let's take down the king and queen!
- Yes!
I had been here before.
Confined in a cell
I had been here before.
Blinded by hope.
He has already betrayed me.
Disloyal! I never suspected.
He has already betrayed me!
He said I could trust him!
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
Calm down, our realm will rise again.
It's only a change of direction.
Tales that will become true.
She'll write them down.
He has another option.
To save our reality.
He has another option.
To help us thrive.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
My realm is in crisis.
My parents are ill.
And Frankelda hates me.
That's what I'm guilty of
I am the traitor.
A disappointment!
I am the traitor
I'm the one to blame!
Who are you?
The Prince of Terrors!
Let's save Topus Terrentus.
For our species to make a pact.
He has already betrayed us.
And our realm, he will tear down.
He has already betrayed us.
And he will destroy us all.
Who?
The Prince of Terrors!
For truth and for fiction!
- Long live the king and queen!
- Long live the king and queen!
Charge!
Watch out!
No! Yalabus!
Seize the conspirators!
Come on!
No!
Don't look at her eye!
Bring him to me.
Tecothians!
You swore to protect your king and queen!
You will obey Procustes.
I will, Milady Siren.
Victory!
Follow me, my terrifying chiefs.
It's time for things to change for good.
- Mythelitas, please, I'm begging you!
- Silence.
Stop! Please, stop!
Take me and leave her alone! No!
You forced my hand.
Play this story.
My masterpiece!
A story about our talented Totolina,
which gives her an outstanding origin
in the human realm.
I feel alive!
My dear
I don't understand how he's choosing.
Blessed miracle!
It's what we waited for so long!
But we can't let that witch
cross over before us!
A being as impure as you
doesn't deserve to cross over before me!
I curse you, Aluxastli!
Finally, you're doing something right.
Now write about me!
About you? I'm way scarier!
Write about me, Your Majesty Procustes!
Did we have to sign up on a list?
I don't know, but we could eat the others.
The first story must be about me.
Ready when you are, Ficturo.
Now!
They're getting away!
Come here.
No.
Calm down, my friends!
I'll write nightmares for all of you,
and we'll all cross over at the same time!
Humans will finally get what they deserve!
I just need a little bit of time.
Damn you, Procustes.
- What?
- It's always the same.
It can't be!
Why are you a clown with my time?
Francisca!
Francisca! Are you here?
Francisca!
Francisca! Please!
- You're alive!
- She didn't come back.
You'll be fine.
I won't rest until I bring you back.
Frankelda!
Get me out of here!
Please! Help me!
Herneval?
I thought I was doing
what was best for you,
but I was only thinking of myself.
I messed up.
I know it's not much, but I'm sorry.
Anyhow, what matters is that you're safe.
Come, Frankelda.
Let's go back to your realm.
But your kingdom your parents!
You shouldn't suffer for this.
I have to fix one mistake at a time.
No, we must save your parents.
But, Frankelda...
No, Herneval, I want to help them.
I want to help you.
And I know I can do it.
I have an idea that will work.
Thanks, Frankelda,
but I don't know what to think anymore.
Every plan I've made has gone wrong.
I'm scared.
No!
Well, I'm not!
Besides, I must capture Procustes.
Sometimes I hate my reality,
but fiction wouldn't exist without it.
If the barrier between realms is erased,
everything would be literal, ordinary.
There would be
no imagination, fascination, or wonder.
And where do you plan to lock him up?
There's no stronger place
than my imagination.
What?!
Careful, Frankelda!
Don't make the same mistake
I made by underestimating Procustes.
All my fears live there.
There's room for one more.
No! It's too dangerous!
It won't work!
Procustes will force you
to send me another one of his nightmares
to keep stealing my stories.
When that happens,
all you have to do
is send me one that I'll write myself.
Trust me.
All right.
"There was a boy named Pepito."
Yes, that's it.
"Who was hypnotized by the Siren
and showed up at school
without his pants."
Could that work? Yes, of course.
I've told you
this is not how writing works.
Traitors have no place in Topus Terrentus!
The king and queen are hurt. I have to
Ceimut!
- Prince.
- No!
Save your parents. Save Topus Terrentus.
I'm sorry.
Mythelitas!
Mythelitas, what are you doing?
One more move from any of you,
and the king and queen will be history!
I'm not playing games!
Stop, Procustes! I'll do whatever you ask.
Is your girlfriend going to cooperate?
How does it feel
to have to steal stories from a human?
You're pathetic!
Send her this nightmare
where she'll live until she's written
all the stories I need.
I'm sure her imagination
will be stimulated by the recent events.
I will then consider releasing you.
Depending on your behavior, of course.
"This may seem like the story
of a naive girl
who'd do anything
to escape her reality, but it's not."
What is this?
"This is the story
of a writer who faced her fears
and decided to write her own story!"
"The Nightmare Maker
thought he had the poor girl trapped
in her worst nightmare,
but it was her who had him."
This is not what I wrote!
"He was so obsolete and useless
that he turned into his own old house."
"And before entering eternal rest,
he discovered that his worst nightmare
had come true."
"He had been replaced."
"His existence was meaningless."
"He had gone down in history
as the most mediocre terror of all."
"He was just a memory
of another time of glory."
It worked!
This is not the story I wrote!
Help!
Procustes is changing the dream.
No!
Frankelda!
Stay away from her!
Those are Procustes's orders!
Please, she needs help.
Frankelda, come back!
I said stay away!
What happened to me?
Frankelda.
Frankelda, this is your story, not his.
You think you're all alone here.
That the nights are yours.
But inside a nightmare.
Don't try to guess it all.
My ink looks at us.
My eyes write you.
In shadows you dwell.
In pages I find you.
And it's not so dreadful.
When you read.
You inhabit the occult.
This invisible ink.
That lives without living.
An author who is
A terror!
Your tongue can no longer hurt me.
Your words are so sharp.
Frankelda!
Sleep now!
You win this round,
but I won't be stuck in here by myself.
We must find a way out!
Sorry, Frankelda, I failed again.
Herneval? Herneval, what's wrong with you?
This is just a dream.
You can't get can't hurt here.
Not here.
I was wounded in the palace
before I came for you.
What? No!
No!
It's my fault.
It's not your fault. You saved my parents.
You are the only one that matters to me.
You must find a way out of here.
You'll be fine.
INVISIBLE INK
Our story is the first one I wrote.
Thanks to you, I got to know this place
I had always dreamed of visiting.
Thanks to you, I got to know myself.
Our story can't die
because stories are immortal.
You live here.
It's not a dream. Wake up.
No!
I thought it was a nightmare.
Please.
Wake up, please.
Wake up, Herneval, please.
You're not gone. Come back.
Life hasn't left you yet.
Lady Coyote!
I knew you wouldn't betray us.
No!
My son!
Please, Lady Coyote.
Is there anything you can do for them?
The prince flies alone now.
There is nothing to be done.
Your Majesties,
I cannot live with this dishonor.
I ask that my punishment
be to pay with my own life.
No, Mythelitas.
Although you carry a great burden,
it was not your fault.
You are like a son to us.
We don't know
where Ceimut sent the traitors,
but we must make sure
they cannot do any more harm.
Find them and bring them to us.
Beware, Mythelitas,
a great war between the Seven Clans
is about to begin.
I swear by Prince Herneval
not to rest until the last traitor falls!
Tecothians!
For the Prince of Terrors!
Thank you, Frankelda.
I know this is not what you wanted.
But all humans will know your stories.
Please come back.
I am
alive!
Where are you?
Where are you?
Frankelda, where are you?
Hello.
Who are you?
Who do you think?
I can't believe it! Are you
I am...
You are truth!
- And fiction.
- We exist!
As long as you tell our story,
we will exist!
Herneval, I love you! I love you!
I love you too, Frankelda.
I don't mind this form,
as long as I can spend
an eternity with you.
Wait, how?
An eternity like this?
That's up to you.
Up to me?
It's up to me
after all we've been through?
You are the writer.
The writer of a sad story.
Do you really think that way?
Well, yes!
But sadness can have different shades.
A hundred authors
can write about the same event
and create a hundred different stories.
Is this how your story ends, Frankelda?
I won't let our story end like this!
I don't care how bitter my situation is
or how long my soul
has endured confinement,
because I'm the master of my destiny!
I'm the writer of my own life!
Write me!
Let's live one more time!
Yes!
"This is the story of two realms
so utterly different,
that they could even resemble each other."
"Two realms that don't even exist
for the numb consciences."
"Two realms only visible
to those who delve into their creativity,
guided by intuition."
I AM FRANKELDA
Both realms are real
and are linked by my quill.
My soul is ink.
And as long as I write,
I will never stop living.
You link words.
Stories in spiderwebs.
Those are the lives that you thread.
Kisses and cries.
Revive in your tales.
In your ink we trust.
What do you seek?
Cheap fame?
To please.
And be special?
Your soul is ink.
Be careful, only write for yourself.
Oh, your soul is ink.
Be careful or you'll end up trapped.
On paper you never die.
You turn into hope.
Protector of lost spirits.
What do you seek?
Cheap fame?
To please.
And be special?
Your soul is ink.
Be careful, only write for yourself.
Oh, your soul is ink.
Be careful, or you'll end up trapped.
Subtitle translation by:
Fernanda Avalos B.