FAINT- PROLOGUE - The Child

FAINT – CHAPTER 0: The Child

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PAGE 1

Panel 1 

Wide shot – Sun-drenched forest trail. A little girl hums while holding her grandmother’s hand. The mood is peaceful. 

GRANDDAUGHTER  

“La la la… Grandma, can we get ice cream after?”

Panel 2

Medium close-up – Grandma smiles down warmly.

GRANDMA

“Sure thing, sweetie. Anything for my precious sweetheart.”

Panel 3

Low-angle view from behind the granddaughter – she stops, pointing behind Grandma at something in the dirt.

GRANDDAUGHTER

“Grandma… what’s that?”

Panel 4

Over-the-shoulder of Grandma – a half-buried man’s face lies in the dirt, eyes closed. Her face twists in alarm.

GRANDMA

“Is that a… dead body?! I’m calling the authorities!”

Panel 5

Tight close-up – The man’s eyes snap open, groggy and annoyed.

Yota

“Shut up… Can’t you see I’m sleeping?”

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PAGE 2

Panel 1

Little girl leans curiously from behind her grandma, peeking closer.

GRANDDAUGHTER

“Um… mister, are you okay?”

Panel 2

The man waves her off lazily, half-buried in dirt, barely lifting his head.

Yota

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Go enjoy your comfortable middle-class life.”

Panel 3

Grandma raises a fist in outrage.

GRANDMA

“We’re not the ones buried in the dirt, young man!”

Panel 4

Side view – Man sighs, muttering mentally as Grandma complains off-panel.

Yota (thinking)

“I came all the way out here for peace…”

“—this is what I get.”

Panel 5

Dramatic panel – His dirt-covered hand bursts from the ground, pointing past them. The granddaughter turns excitedly.

Yota

“Wait— is that the ultra-rare toy of the Second Hero?!”

“The one every kid’s been fighting over?!”

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PAGE 3

Panel 1

Front shot – Grandma and granddaughter have turned around, looking in the direction he pointed. Yota is now blurred in the background, still pointing.

GRANDMA

“There’s nothing there. What are you—?”

Panel 2

Wide shot – A strong gust of wind sweeps past them, blowing leaves in a swirl.

SFX: WHOOOOSH—

Panel 3

Back view – They turn back around, only to find the man is gone. A freshly disturbed hole remains.

GRANDMA & GRANDDAUGHTER

“Huh—?!”

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[TITLE CARD SPLASH — Centered Page Spread Style]

FAINT — CHAPTER 1: YOTA AND THE KING

PAGE 4 – Scene: Sky Escape

Panel 1

Wide shot – Yota floats lazily through the clouds, one hand over his eyes, wind brushing through his hair.

YOTA (thinking)

“There’s nowhere left to hide from civilians… or the WUG.”

Panel 2

Mid-shot – He pats his pockets while floating, eyes dulled.

YOTA (thinking)

“…Need to find a job soon. Great.”

Panel 3

Distant shot – He descends toward the city’s edge, rooftops and townhomes coming into view below him.

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PAGE 5 – Scene: Rooftop Encounter

Panel 1

Wide shot – Yota lands softly on a rooftop in a modest neighborhood. Cracked shingles shift under his feet.

Panel 1.5

From ground-level POV – A man squints up at the figure on the roof, shielding his eyes with one hand.

RANDOM GUY

“What the hell?”

Panel 2

Yotas pov high angle – Yota scratches the back of his head, trying to act casual. The man below yells upward.

RANDOM GUY

“Hey! What are you doing up there?!”

“That’s dangerous without safety gear!”

YOTA

“Sure thing, sir… I’m on my way down!”

PAGE 6

Panel 1

Mid-shot – Yota climbs down a ladder that the man set up. He’s halfway down, chatting awkwardly.

RANDOM GUY

“What were you doing up there?”

YOTA

“Uh… roof work? For my dad.”

Panel 2

Now face to face – The man eyes him skeptically. Yota tries not to sweat.

RANDOM GUY

“Yeah, kid? Then how’d you get up there with no ladder?”

Panel 2.5

Sudden small panel – An explosion erupts a few houses down. The shockwave hits the air.

SFX: BOOOOM

Panel 3

Wide panel – Both of them turn toward the distant house, now spewing black smoke. The fire is visible on the horizon.

NO DIALOGUE

Panel 4

Front angle – The man’s face fills with panic as Yota looks at the fire behind him.

RANDOM GUY

“I’m calling the authorities!”

“Get back in your house!”

Panel 5:

As the man disappears down the road off the background behind yota, as Yota watches with visible irritation sighing looking defeated.

MAN (thinking)

“Awe…Not this again—”

“Can’t I enjoy some peace…”

Panel 2:

He looks up toward the flame you can see the reflection of the burning smoke building in his black anoyed pupils and defeated face , but There’s also trace of guilt and in his eyes.

MAN (softly)

“Fine—“

“I guess I’ll have a look.”

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PAGE 8 – Scene: Fire Rescue Begins

Panel 0.5

Yota arrives in front of the burning house. Flames climb the siding, smoke clouds the sky. He stands still, assessing the chaos alone.

YOTA

“I have to hurry—”

“Before more people show up.”

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Panel 1

Mid-action – Yota kicks the front door clean off its hinges. It crashes onto the burning floor inside, sparks flying.

SFX: THUDDOOOM

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Panel 1.5

Close-up – Yota’s face partially lit by flames, eyes sharp, hand cupped around his mouth as he calls out.

YOTA

“Is anyone here?!”

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Panel 2

Upstairs – A mother sits rocking back and forth in a chair, clutching a crying baby. Her eyes are hollow. A crib burns nearby.

SFX: Wahhh—

MOTHER (singing softly)

“Hush, my sweetheart…please”

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Panel 3

Half-body close-up – Yota exhales softly. A dark mist escapes his mouth as the air distorts behind him. The background dims to shadows.

YOTA (quietly)

“Presence.”

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Panel 4 (Overlay Style)

Yota’s perspective – In a misty, shadow-drenched vision, three glowing Life Souls hover faintly above him.

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Panel 5 (Mid-shot, body upward)

Back inside the burning house – Yota’s eyes widen. Fire roars behind him, open door at his back.

YOTA

“There’s three here…”

“Right above me!”

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PAGE 9 – Scene: Upward Assault

Panel 1 (tight shot)

Yota glances up at the ceiling above the stairway. Picture frames burn and fall. The smoke thickens behind him.

YOTA

“Efficiency.”

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Panel 2

Top-down angle – Yota’s face tilts up. He wears a curious annoyed look.

YOTA

“Really? This is the most efficient option…?”

“Tehh.” (light chuckle)

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Panel 3

Side panel – Yota crouches like a sprinter at the starting line, legs bent, hand extended behind.

YOTA

“Alright… let’s give this a shot.”

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Panel 4 – Cutaway (Upstairs)

The mother shushes the baby, still rocking. Her face trembles with held-back panic.

MOTHER (whispers)

“Shh… it’s okay…”

“The voices are almost gone…”

PAGE 10 – Scene: Ceiling Break & Rescue

Panel 1

Ceiling POV – Yota crouches below, forming a “lens” with his fingers to measure the ceiling’s width. His eyes gleam with intent. Smoke swirls all around.

YOTA

“Perfect.”

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Panel 2

Power shot – From below, Yota bursts upward like a cannonball, shoulder-first into the ceiling. Wood shatters and debris flies everywhere.

SFX: BOOM

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Panel 2.5

From the baby’s POV – Yota crashes through the floor above, hitting the second ceiling with his back. The mother braces with her body over the baby.

SFX: CLANK

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Panel 3

Mid-action – Yota lands off-balance, smacking a support beam with his head. Smoke clings to the air as wood crackles under his feet.

YOTA (muttering)

“…Ow.”

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Panel 4

Mother stares wide-eyed at Yota, clutching the baby closer. Her face flickers between confusion and fear.

NO DIALOGUE

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Panel 5

Yota kneels with one hand on his knee, the other half-raised in a “hold on” gesture. His breathing is heavy but calm.

YOTA

“Are you guys okay—?”

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Panel 5.5

Vertical panel – A beam creaks and falls from where Yota crashed, angling toward him and the mother. She looks up in terror as Yota hasn’t yet noticed.

NO DIALOGUE

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Panel 6

Tight close-up – Yota’s eyes snap up, pupils sharp.

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Panel 6.5

Mid-air panel – Yota leaps like a frog, arms stretched forward, wrapping himself around mother and child just before impact.

YOTA

“I got you.”

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Panel 7

Explosive action – Yota smashes open the window with his foot mid-jump, launching the three of them out into open air. Inside, the falling beam crashes.

SFX: KRAK-KSSHHH!!

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Panel 8

Street-level landing – Yota lands smoothly, placing mother and baby down safely on the curb. The burning house glows behind them. The baby has stopped crying.

NO DIALOGUE

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PAGE 11 – Scene: Soul Count Discrepancy

Panel 1

Yota kneels beside them, hands on knees. The mother cradles the baby, trembling. He speaks gently, confused.

YOTA

“Wait… wasn’t there three people?”

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Panel 2

The mother clutches the child tighter. She glances at Yota sharply, her expression shifting from fear to alertness.

MOTHER

“Three…?”

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Panel 3

Close-up – Yota, still confused, scratches his head.

YOTA

“Yeah… I felt three souls—”

“But I only saw the two of you…”

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Panel 4

Extreme close-up – The mother’s eyes widen. Her face trembles with memory.

MOTHER

“Did… you also hear the voices?”

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Panel 5

Yota looks at her, visibly thrown off.

YOTA

“Huh? What voices?”

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Panel 6

Mid-shot – The woman leans in slightly, gaining comfort, but just as she starts speaking—

MOTHER

“The voices in my hea—”

YOTA (cutting in)

“Sorry lady, hold that thought—”

“Looks like the crowd’s coming.”

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Panel 7

Yota rises halfway, one hand extended as if parting the air. The mother sits still on the curb, staring up at him.

YOTA

“I can’t risk being seen by the authorities—”

“Don’t tell them I was here. Please.”

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Panel 7.5

From her POV – Yota is already sprinting into the distance, turning back mid-run to shout:

YOTA (yelling)

“But ask them for help if you want to!”

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Panel 8

Reverse shot – The crowd closes in from her left. She looks back to the right, where Yota vanished. Her face is caught between fear and wonder.

RANDOM GUY 1 (off-panel)

“There! That’s the widow’s house that burned!”

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PAGE 12 – Scene: Crowd Gathers

Panel 1

Close-up – Random Man 1 speaks with concern. Beside him, Random Man 2 looks bitter.

RANDOM MAN 1

“Are you alright?”

“What happened here?”

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Panel 2.5

Low-angle – The mother clutches the baby, murmuring, eyes on the ground.

MOTHER (whispering)

“Are the voices… real?”

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Panel 2

Random Man 2 scowls, stepping forward angrily.

RANDOM MAN 2

“Voices? What are you talking about?”

“Did you start this?”

RANDOM MAN 4 (off-panel)

“Hey! Are you deaf? Speak up!”

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Panel 3

Random Man 1 stands between the crowd and the mother, arms spread protectively.

RANDOM MAN 1

“How about we help her first—”

“Then ask questions later?”

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Panel 5

Side view – The crowd murmurs and glances at each other. The burning home smolders in the background.

NO DIALOGUE

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Panel 6

Random Man 3 steps forward to help. Others watch him with mixed looks — some annoyed, others unsure.

RANDOM MAN 3

“Sure, I’ll help.”

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Panel 7

Random Man 3 kneels beside the mother. Behind her, Random Man 1 barks orders toward the crowd.

RANDOM MAN 3

“Are you okay?”

RANDOM MAN 1

“Someone grab a med kit!”

“While we wait for authorities!”

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Panel 8

A high-angle sky shot — the burned house in the background, the crowd gathered, some helping, some simply watching. The woman still clutches

the baby

PAGE 13 – Scene: The King’s Office

Panel 1

Wide shot – Inside a dark, elegant war office. Massive windows overlook the capital. The 8th King of War slams a fist on the desk. Papers fly.

KING (furious)

“Dammit, where is he?!”

“He’s going to make me late for my own inauguration!”

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Panel 2

Knight 1 stands near the window, arms crossed, smirking. The king is still behind the desk, papers floating down.

KNIGHT 1 (smirking)

“You picked someone powerless as your second knight…”

“What did you expect?”

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Panel 3

Half-lit face – The King’s expression darkens. One eye glows with cold fury.

KING (quiet, deadly)

“You think my decision was a mistake?”

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Panel 4

Knight 1 stiffens. Sweat forms. The room’s air feels heavier.

KING (repeating, louder)

“I asked you a question.”

KNIGHT 1 (small bubble)

“N-No, sir…”

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PAGE 14 – Scene: Streets of B-Class District 2

Panel 1

Knight 2 dashes through a residential street. His tie is crooked, shirt half-tucked, and he’s fumbling to fix it mid-run.

KNIGHT 2 (inner monologue, panicked)

“Man, I’m so late!”

“And it’s only my first day!”

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Panel 2 (small)

Up above — feet sprint across a rooftop, shadowed and fast. A flicker of movement catches the light.

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Panel 3 (small)

Knight 2 glances up sharply from the corner of his eye, sensing something overhead.

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Panel 4

Mid-run – Knight 2’s panic shifts into frustration. He adjusts his tie with one hand, the other still pumping.

KNIGHT 2 (annoyed)

“Not now—”

“I don’t have time for this.”

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PAGE 15 – Scene: Rooftop Chase Intersect

Panel 1

Knight 2 looks up mid-stride. Above him, Yota leaps across rooftops. Their eyes meet — Yota covers his mouth, clearly trying to avoid being noticed.

NO DIALOGUE.

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Panel 2

Close-up – Knight 2 furrows his brow in confusion.

KNIGHT 2 (confused)

“What tha…”

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Panel 3

Knight 2 skids slightly while running. From his POV, Yota vaults off one roof onto another, disappearing over the horizon.

SFX: VROOO— VROOO

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Panel 4

Knight 2 watches the blur vanish, one hand still clutching his coat as he slows to a stop.

KNIGHT 2

“Who was that guy?”

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Panel 5 (tight close-up)

A flicker of realization crosses Knight 2’s face. His hand rises mid-gesture, caught in thought.

KNIGHT 2 (thinking)

“Wait… did he notice me first?”

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PAGE 16 – Scene: The Arrival

Panel 1

The doors burst open. Knight 2 stumbles in, panting, one hand on the doorframe and the other up in apology.

KNIGHT 2

“Sorry I’m late, sir!”

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Panel 2

Knight 2 walks in, still catching his breath. He glances at the frozen Knight 1.

KNIGHT 2 (confused)

“…What happened here?”

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Panel 3

The King stands up slowly, straightening his coat. His presence shifts the room’s pressure.

KING (coldly)

“We’re going to be late.”

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Panel 4

The King walks past the knights, hand on the door handle. Knight 1 stiffens. Knight 2 stands straight, still confused.

KING

“5,000 pushups after the inauguration—”

“For almost making me late.”

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Panel 5 (Knight 2 Reaction)

Knight 2 flinches backward, jaw dropping in disbelief.

KNIGHT 2

“What?!”

PAGE 17 – Scene: The Inauguration Grounds

Panel 1 (Wide Shot)

A grand ceremonial hall bathed in gold. WUG officials, elite soldiers, and foreign dignitaries fill the rows. The red carpet leads to the podium, where the 24th President stands. Behind him: the 8th King of War, flanked by Knight 1 and Knight 2, all standing rigidly.

NO DIALOGUE

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Panel 1.5 (Close-Up)

The President smiles confidently at the crowd, gesturing with open arms. The King stands stoically behind him, both knights in full posture.

24TH PRESIDENT

“As your beloved President…”

“I must first honor my ancestors…”

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Panel 2 (Close-Up)

The President smirks as he continues.

24TH PRESIDENT

“…who built this great republic…”

“Who secured power on behalf of our bloodline.”

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Panel 2.5

Knight 1 glances sideways, unimpressed Behind the king.

KNIGHT 1 (muttering)

“Yeah, yeah… just hand him the title already.”

PAGE 18 – Scene: The President Cracks

Panel 1

Close-up – The President’s eye twitches. His smile stiffens. He turns slowly, glaring back.

NO DIALOGUE

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Panel 2

He storms away from the podium, pointing angrily at the two knights.

24TH PRESIDENT

“What did you say, you filthy A-Class?!”

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Panel 3

The crowd murmurs. A few gasp. All eyes turn toward the confrontation. Background tension builds.

SFX: Whisper… whisper…

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Panel 4

The President steps forward, finger raised like a dagger, shouting at the knight

24TH PRESIDENT

“How dare you! I’ll have you executed, you vermin—”

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Panel 5

The King steps forward just one inch. It’s enough. The President freezes. The King towers above him, gaze cold, posture immovable.

KING (quiet, sharp)

“I suggest… you get on with the inauguration.”

Panel 6

Close-up – The President glances up, eyes wide, the King staring down with unreadable coldness.

24TH PRESIDENT (small bubble)

“But I am your presiden—”

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Panel 7

The King interrupts with blade-like clarity.

KING

“The King answers to no one.”

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Panel 8

Sweat drips down the President’s face. His lips twitch. The entire crowd watches, silent.

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Panel 9

The President adjusts the mic, clearing his throat nervously.

24TH PRESIDENT (off-panel)

“Right… ahem…”

“Where were we…”

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Panel 10

He forces a fake smile as if nothing happened. The crowd remains still.

24TH PRESIDENT

“We will now continue… with the inauguration!”

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PAGE 19 – Final Page of Chapter 1

Panel 1

Knight 1 looks down, stiff posture, trying to remain professional. His eyes flicker with disbelief.

KNIGHT 1

“Thank you—sir.”

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Panel 2

Front POV – The King stands tall, back straight, flanked by both knights. Knight 2 tries to hold in laughter; Knight 1 looks quietly defeated.

KING

“5,000 pushups for disruption.”

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Panel 3

Close-up – Knight 1 sighs, smiling faintly. In the background, Knight 2 points and tries not to burst out laughing.

KNIGHT 1 (quietly)

“…Yes, sir.”

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Panel 4 – Final Panel

Wide shot of the stage – The President returns to the mic, continuing his speech. The King stands silent, dominant, unmoved.

He stares past the politics, past the podium… into something beyond.

His expression is unreadable.

He is no longer just a soldier. He is now the symbol of war… and peace.

CAPTION (faint, center panel):

End of Chapter 0 – “Yota”