The quest to save the Ellcrys and, as a result, the world from the forces of evil may be doomed to fail before it even begins on The Shannara Chronicles.

By the end of last week’s episode of MTV’s adaptation of Terry Brooks’ best-selling Shannara book series, Will (Austin Butler), Amberle (Poppy Drayton), and chained-up prisoner Eretria (Ivana Baquero) set off with a few elf guards to take the Ellcrys seed to the Bloodfire in Safehold … wherever that may be. Unfortunately, no one has ever heard of the words “Bloodfire” or “Safehold” or even seen the symbol that Amberle saw in her vision, so where do they even start?

The trio believes they know someone who might be able to shed some light on where Safehold is, and so that’s their first stop on this important quest. But what they don’t know is that Eretria’s evil Rover clan is following their every move, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Her “father” Cephalo (James Remar) — although his more accurate title should be slave-owner since he bought her when she was just a young girl — is still after Wil’s elfstones after witnessing the magic they possess when Wil used them against the fury that attacked the Rover village. He’ll do whatever it takes to steal them from the half-elf, half-human boy. But will Eretria let him?

Nerdist has your exclusive first look at this week’s all-new episode of The Shannara Chronicles, “Reaper,” and things aren’t looking all that promising for Wil, Amberle, and Eretria. Just when they think they’ve found a safe place to camp for their first night out in the wilderness, Cephalo makes his decisive move.

Press play on the video below to watch this exclusive sneak peek at the action-packed episode:

That is not a promising start to a quest that is supposedly the world’s last hope against the evil druid Dagda Mor and his demons. Hopefully Eretria has some tricks up her sleeves to help Wil and Amberle and the rest of their traveling party get away from Cephalo and his Rover clan. It’s no secret that Eretria is desperate to gain her freedom from the man who’s “owned” her all her life, and what better way to do that than to help save the life of the elf princess who is trying to save the world?

Although, if Amberle is going to want Eretria’s help (which she definitely will), she might consider treating the poor Rover girl a little better. Making her run behind the horses with shackles the entire quest will probably not put Eretria in the most helpful of moods. We’re just sayin’.

And even though the Ellcrys told Amberle to harden her heart in order for the quest to succeed, Wil clearly isn’t going to agree with that piece of advice, since he’s chosen to be by Amberle’s side for this quest. Will he be able to crack her icy exterior, or will the trio all end up with the same fates their characters have in the book?

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Images/video: MTV

The Shannara Chronicles airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on MTV.