CHAPTER 5 - The Death of a Star - A Black Hole

CHAPTER 5

Page 1

[F-Class District 4 Streets — Night ]

Meanwhile in the middle of the battle…

Panel 1

Close-up, front shot of Neighbor 4’s face. His eyes snap wide open in shock as blood sprays from his mouth.

SFX (coughing): KOFF! KOFF!

Neighbor 4 (coughing, weak):

“Gh—!!”

Panel 2

Over-the-shoulder back shot — Neighbor 5 snatches Neighbor 4 by the collar and yanks him away from the fight.

SFX: GRAB!

Neighbor 5 (shouting):

“Move—Author! Or you die!”

Panel 3

Front vignette medium shot — Neighbor 7 flashes a low, serious look as his eyes lock onto his hands. He slowly gathers his palms together to form a clap. A surge of glowing particles ignites around his hands, swirling like fragments of a forming star.

Neighbor 7 (utters):

“Old Sol…”

Panel 4

Wide front bottom-corner shot:

Neighbor 7 — Artemis — slams his hands together with earth-shaking force. A blinding orb ignites between his palms, swelling into a miniature sun the size of his body!

SFX (impact): BAAAM!!

SFX (eruption / heat): VOOOOM!! SHHHHHHH!!

⸻

Panel 5

Back top wide shot:

From Artemis’s outstretched hands, the newborn sun launches forward in a roaring surge. The sphere detonates mid-air, its inferno carving across the field

SFX (blast): FWOOOOM!

SFX (eruption): BWHOOOOOM!

Panel 6

Front wide shot — Recruit 33 stands facing forward, calm but tense. Beside her, Recruit 32 glances back in panic as a miniature sun tears past their side, scorching the ground and detonating the houses and cars behind them. The shockwave ripples through the street as recruits scatter in every direction.

SFX (blast): FWOOOOM!

SFX (impact/explosion): KRRRRSHHH! BOOOOM!

⸻

Panel 7

Close front medium shot:

Artemis’s eyes serious as he slams his palms together once more — calmer, slower.

Artemis (uttering):

“Stars of Heaven…”

SFX (clap): PAP…

Panel 8

Medium three-shot — Recruit 32 tugs anxiously at 33’s shirt, urging her to run. His face is tight with fear. 33 hesitates, eyes flicking upward. Behind them, Recruit 31 stands frozen—his face illuminated by a sudden, heavenly radiance spreading across the sky.

Recruit 32 (nervous, urgent):

“C’mon—let’s go!”

Recruit 31 (whispering, awestruck):

“…are the stars… moving toward us…?”

Panel 9

Front wide-close shot — Recruit 32 twists around, eyes wide with panic, yanking 33’s hand as he shouts. 33 stumbles forward, her gaze still locked upward at the blinding sky. In front of them, Recruit 31 remains frozen, face lit by the impossible glow above. Overhead, hundreds of stars shimmer unnaturally close—swirling only a few hundred feet high, like a heavenly storm ready to break.

Recruit 32 (shouting):

“RUN!!”

Panel 10

Wide behind shot of the radiant night sky — Hundreds of radiant stars drift downward from the heavens, each trailing a stream of white fire. The night itself burns, glowing like a living sea of light.

SFX (ambient, low): FWOOOOOO—

SFX (heat ripple): SHHHHHH—

Page 2

Panel 1

Bottom corner wide skyline shot — Hundreds of radiant stars descend closer toward the district. The nearest ones begin to twist and elongate mid-fall, taking on the shape of luminous swords. The night glows white as the first blades of heaven breach the clouds, streaking toward the city below.

SFX (distant air pressure): FWOOOOOM— FWOOOOOM—

SFX (light distortion): VVVVMMMMM—

Panel 2

Small back wide shot — Recruit 35 runs full speed, fear exploding across his face as a glowing sword hurtles after him, shredding the air with streaks of white fire.

SFX (air tearing): FWISH! FWISH!

Recruit 35 (screaming):

“Wait—NO!!”

Panel 3

Front small wide shot — The illuminated sword slams through Recruit 35, driving him straight into the ground. The blade pierces deep, pinning both body and earth as he jerks upward in shock. Blood bursts from his mouth as his face locks in a mix of pain and fury.

SFX (impact): SHNK!

SFX (ground crack): KRRRSHH!

Recruit 35 (gurgling):

“Arffgghk—!!”

Panel 4

Back-top close wide shot — The street is pure panic. From above, radiant swords weave through the smoke-filled road, flying straight toward the fleeing recruits. Some blades strike their targets mid-run — flashes of light and blood against cracked pavement. Others cut through the air in pursuit, their glow painting the alleys white.

Recruits (overlapping shouts):

“Everyone—RUN!!”

“Ahhh!! Move!!”

“They’re right behind us!!”

Recruit 65 (stabbed mid-sprint, choking on blood):

“Ghk—! N-no—!”

Recruit 38 (impaled, collapsing back):

“Aggh—hhkk—!!”

SFX:

“FWOOOSH! THWIP! KRRRSHH! SPRRK!”

Panel 5

Floor-level corner shot — From a shadowed alleyway, the battlefield burns in the distance. Recruit 70 stands upright behind a cracked wall, one shoulder pressed to the surface as he peers toward the chaos with a cocky, defiant calm.

Recruit 70 (muttering, defiant):

“I’ll wait it out…”

“I’m not dying here.”

Panel 6

High aerial shot — From above the alley, a glowing sword breaks through the clouds, slicing down like divine judgment. Its blazing trail cuts across the darkness, zeroing in on Recruit 70.

SFX (air tearing): FWISHHH—!

SFX (light hum): VVVMMMM—!

Recruit 70 (below):

“—especially for people I just met.”

Panel 7

Front wide shot — The glowing blade slams down where Recruit 70 stands. It splits the wall and the ground in one stroke, impaling him cleanly through the torso. The sword embeds deep into the earth, steam and blood bursting outward as the alley fills with light.

SFX (impact): SHNK!

SFX (ground rupture): KRSSHHH!

Panel 8

Back wide two-shot — Recruits 32 and 33 glance over their shoulders mid-run, panic carved into their faces. In the distance, Recruit 31 stands motionless amid the falling light, staring upward as illuminated swords rain down around him. The world behind them burns in radiant chaos.

Recruit 32 (shocked, under breath):

“No way… he’s just standing there…”

Panel 9

Small front close shot — Recruit 32 turns toward 31, panic flooding his face. He cups one hand to his mouth, shouting through the roar of falling light.

Recruit 32 (shouting):

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!”

Panel 10

Close front shot — The expression on 32’s face changes mid-breath. Sweat slides down his temple as his pupils tighten in sudden confusion. The background fades to white haze as, for a split second, all sound cuts out except a faint, high-pitched ring only he can hear.

SFX (faint tone): Tiiiiiing—

Panel 11

Wide back two-shot — Recruits 33 and 32 freeze, looking ahead in horror. In the distance, a glowing sword of light spears down through Recruit 31’s chest, lifting him mid-step. His body jerks upward, and blood splatters across the ground beneath him.

SFX (impact): SHNK!

SFX (air rip): FWOOOOM!

Page 3

Panel 1

Wide front shot — Recruit 31’s half-lifted body hangs impaled before the reader, blood running down the glowing sword embedded in the ground. The light hums faintly through the air. Behind him, Recruit 32 stands frozen with a shocked, worried look, while 33 watches beside him—face tense, anger flickering beneath her grief.

SFX (light hum): VVMMMMM—

SFX (blood drip): DRIP… DRIP…

Recruit 32 (softly, in disbelief):

“…No…”

Panel 2

Medium close side shot — A radiant sword streaks through the air toward Recruit 33’s left side, its glow cutting across the frame. 33 turns her head slightly, eyes sharp and steady as she locks onto it.

SFX (air ripping): FWISHHH—

SFX (light hum): VVMMMM—

Panel 3

Over-the-shoulder wide shot — In that instant, Recruit 67 flashes into view between them and the oncoming blade, her shield raised. The sword collides with it in a blinding clash, releasing a shockwave that ripples through the alley and kicks up a burst of wind.

SFX (impact): KRRRSHHH—!!

SFX (wind pressure): FWOOOOOM!!

Panel 4

Close, slightly top-front medium shot — Recruit 67 stands firm with her shield raised. She drives Her fist into the back of it with explosive force. On the shield’s outer face, the impact bursts outward—the radiant sword pressing against it shatters mid-motion, breaking apart into glowing fragments that scatter like radiant dust.

SFX (punch impact): BAAAM!!

SFX (shatter / energy crack): KRRSSHHHH—!!

Recruit 67 (shouting):

“PUNCH COUNTER!!”

Panel 5

Wide front floor-corner shot — The shattered remnants of the radiant sword lie scattered across the ground, glowing faintly. Recruit 67 stands over them, retracting her arm and lowering her shield. Her eyes are calm but focused as she looks down at the broken weapon. Beside her, Recruit 33 stares at the fragments—shock mixing with anger and panic—while behind her shoulder, Recruit 32 peers nervously toward 67.

Recruit 67 (firm, steady):

“You two should leave while you still can.”

“Otherwise… we’ll all die here.”

SFX (fragments settling): Tshhhh…

Panel 6

Front close wide three-shot — All three recruits face forward toward the off-panel Neighbors (Artemis’s squad) advancing ahead. The night wind cuts through the burning street. Recruit 67 stands at the center — shield raised at her side, calm but with a trace of sorrow in her eyes. To her left, Recruit 32 holds a tense stance, shoulders tight and posture drawn inward. To her right, Recruit 33 steadies her breath, as her expression hardens from fear to resolve.

Recruit 67 (low, steady):

“I can’t buy you much time.”

“But it’ll be enough for your escape—”

“And to warn the others.”

Page 4

Panel 1

Floor-corner wide shot — Neighbor 5 crouches beside the fallen Neighbor 4 (Author), one arm bracing him upright. Author coughs weakly, blood staining his sleeve. Just ahead, Artemis stands motionless with arms crossed, he grins as the sound of radiant swords echoes in the distance.

Neighbor 5 (steady, voice low):

“Easy… don’t push yourself.”

“Artemis got it handled.”

Author (weak, coughing):

“Kkhffk—right…”

Panel 2

Wide front body shot — Artemis stands unmoving in the center of the burning street. His palms open as he gestures calmly to the devastation around him. A sinister grin crosses his face as his eyes lock forward toward the unseen recruits ahead. Behind him, the surviving Neighbors watch in stunned silence — their faces twisted with fear and disbelief. Among them, Neighbor 3, the one who fired the second shot, trembles as he grips his pistol, unable to look away.

Neighbor 7 (Artemis):

“Look around and see.”

“They were led like dogs…”

“marched straight to their deaths.”

Panel 3

Top corner front medium 3-shot —

Artemis (Neighbor 7) stands with one hand jammed in his pocket, the other held out casually, a smirk curling across his face as he stares toward the off-panel recruits. To his right, Author lies injured on the ground while Neighbor 5 tends to him. Author listens carefully, eyes narrowing as Artemis speaks.

Artemis (Neighbor 7):

“Either way… it’s not their fault.”

“They chased a dream — or whatever it was.”

Panel 4

Back close wide shot — The neighbors cower a few yards behind Artemis, faces hollow with terror as they watch him. Artemis doesn’t look back; his pocket hand relaxed while his other arm makes a single lazy backhand flick dismissing them.

Artemis (to the neighbors):

“You back there—just watching, yet can’t fight.”

“There’s no point being here.”

“Unless you want to die like the rest of them.”

Panel 5

Close front-face panel — Neighbor 3 stands in the crowd, trembling as he grips his gun with shaking hands. His eyes dart in panic, voice low and cracking with regret.

Neighbor 3

“…I shot at the government…”

“What are they gonna do… when they—”

Panel 6

Back over-the-shoulder wide shot — From behind Neighbor 3 in the crowd, Neighbor 6 steps forward sharply and serious, breaking away from the group as he walks toward Artemis ahead. His expression is tense with irritation, drawing the crowd’s shifting gaze toward him.

Neighbor 6:

“You heard him loud and clear.”

“I don’t know why any of you are still standing here.”

Panel 7

Front wide 4-shot — Artemis stands at the center, smirking as he glances left toward Neighbor 6, who approaches with a serious expression. To Artemis’s right, Author lies on the ground with Neighbor 5 tending to him. A few yards behind them, the remaining neighbors scatter — some walking off hesitantly, others breaking into a run. Neighbor 3 trembles as he retreats, clutching his gun tightly.

Artemis (to Neighbor 6):

“Ahh—Irmgrad.”

“At last.”

“You’ve come… as I knew you would.”

Panel 8

Medium close corner front two-shot — Artemis tilts his head upward, pretending disinterest, but his eyes glance down toward Irmgard with faint amusement. Irmgard stands firm beside him, serious and unshaken, just below Artemis’s line of sight.

Irmgrad:

“What exactly are you trying to pull?”

Artemis:

“I’m not pulling anything… just following orders, same as you.”

Panel 9

Bottom floor corner front four-shot — Author lies injured, glaring up at Artemis while Neighbor 5 tends his wounds. A few feet away, Artemis and Irmgard stand side by side; Artemis looks down with a faint, annoyed smirk, eyes shifting toward the pair. Irmgard stays still, expression hard.

Artemis:

“You two stand back and watch…”

“That’s all you’re good for.”

Panel 10

Front wide four-shot — The street lies nearly empty, the neighbors having cleared the battlefield. At the center, Artemis draws his other hand from his pocket in one swift motion, settling into a battle stance with a wide, confident smirk aimed at the unseen recruit ahead. To his left, Irmgard shifts his focus forward, expression sharp and serious. To his right, Author and Neighbor 5 remain on the ground — Neighbor 5 glances up at Artemis, stunned, while Author glares forward, annoyed.

Artemis:

“And as soon as he recovers…”

“Both of you get out of my sight.”

“You’re too weak to keep up.”

Neighbor 5:

“Wait— you can’t be serious!”

Page 5

Panel 1

Corner front wide three-shot — Recruit 67 slams her massive shield into the ground with a thunderous crack, fury blazing across her face as the floor splits beneath her. To her right, Recruit 32 stands tense, watching her reaction; to her left, Recruit 33 stares forward, calm yet visibly shaken by the chaos.

Recruit 67:

“Tch!!—”

“Look at those cowards running away!”

Panel 2

Medium close back two-shot — Recruit 33 reaches out, grabbing Recruit 67’s wrist, stopping her mid-rage. Recruit 67 whips her head around, fury in her eyes, her rough hair sweeping across her face.

Recruit 33:

“Wait— I’ll go with you.”

“After what they did… they don’t deserve to walk away.”

Panel 3

Close medium front two-shot — The front half of Recruit 67’s face fills the frame as she looks back, speaking to the unseen Recruit 33 behind her. In the background, Recruit 32 watches nervously, one hand reaching out as if to stop them — uncertain whether to stay or run.

Recruit 32:

“W-Wait…”

Page 6

Panel 1

Front close wide shot — In an instant, Artemis bursts forward, slapping his chest as the air around him ripples from the surge of power. With his other hand, a radiant battle axe materializes mid-motion, its glow cutting through the haze as he grips it.

SFX (chest slap): PAP!

SFX (dash burst): FWOOOSH!

SFX (energy distortion): VVVMMM—!

Panel 2

Front medium three-shot — The three recruits stand their ground as Artemis charges toward them. Recruit 67 turns her head forward, eyes blazing. To her right, Recruit 32 stares ahead, horrified; to her left, Recruit 33 braces herself, tense yet calm, ready for the clash.

Recruit 33:

“He’s coming.”

Recruit 67:

“Bring it on.”

Panel 3

Floor back shot — Recruit 33 plants one foot back, slamming it down hard and cracking the ground beneath her as she lowers into a launch stance, wind rippling around her legs.

SFX (foot impact): THUD!

SFX (ground crack): KRRK!

SFX (subtle wind): FWSHH—

Panel 4

Corner back wide two-shot — In an instant, Recruit 33 blasts forward from her stance, arms swept behind her as the air distorts around her, leaving a small crater where she stood. Behind her, Recruit 67 remains, activating a sequence on her unshielded arm; holographic dogs burst out, charging forward alongside Recruit 33.

SFX (flight burst): FWOOOM!

SFX (ground crater): KRSH!

SFX (dog launch): WHRR-FWISH!

Recruit 67:

“AND LET’S SEND THE DOGS!!”

Dogs:

“Woof! Brrkg! Bark! Brrkkk!!”

Panel 5

Medium front body shot — Artemis dashes forward mid-motion, the radiant battle axe now fully formed in his grip. An ignorant smirk cuts across his face — calm, unimpressed, and confident as the air distorts around him.

Artemis:

“Heh…”

“Sending more dogs— guess you’ve run out of people.”

Panel 6

Close wide floor shot of the street — Artemis drops into a low knee slide, radiant axe in hand, evading Recruit 33’s mid-air grab as she streaks overhead, narrowly missing him. Behind her, the holographic dogs close in fast, their energy trails flaring as they charge toward Artemis.

SFX (slide): SHHHHH!

SFX (wind rush / near miss): FWOOOSH!

SFX (dogs approaching): VRRR-WRFFF!

Panel 7

Over-the-shoulder wide shot — From behind Artemis, the holographic dogs close in from both sides. One lunges straight at him, fangs bared, as Artemis slows his knee slide and swings the radiant axe forward in a clean side arc, slicing the charging hound across the belly.

Artemis (grunt): “Hngh!”

Dog (dying cry): “Grrk—!”

SFX (swing): SWOOOSH!

SFX (impact): SHKKT!

Panel 8

Corner back shot — Artemis pushes off his knee slide, barely rising to his feet as he pivots sharply to his side. In one smooth rotation, he swings the radiant axe through the oncoming dogs, slashing several of them across the belly in a single motion.

Artemis:

“Pathetic!”

SFX (slash arc): SWOOOSH!

SFX (impact): SHKKT! SHKKT!

SFX (dogs distorting): VRRRK—!

Panel 9

Back top corner wide shot — Artemis completes his rotation as another holographic dog lunges straight toward him. Without hesitation, he raises his radiant battle axe overhead and brings it down in a violent arc, cleaving the creature clean in half. Fading holographic dust trails from the blade mid-swing.

Artemis:

“Weak!”

“All of you!”

SFX (axe swing): SHWOOM!

SFX (impact): SHKKT!

SFX (fading dust): VVVSHHH—

Page 7

Panel 1

Medium forearm shot — From below, a holographic dog lunges upward, sinking its teeth into Artemis’s forearm. the dog’s jaws clamp tight, its holographic body flickering with distortion.

SFX (bite impact): CHOMP!

Panel 2

Close corner side medium shot — Artemis looks down at the holographic dog clamped onto his forearm, blood dripping from the bite. Unaware above and ahead of him, another dog descends mid-air, jaws wide as holographic drool streams from its mouth.

SFX (blood drip): Drip… drip…

SFX (air rush / descent): FWSSHH—

Panel 3

Top corner wide shot — Artemis pivots toward the oncoming dog and swings his bitten arm forward, slamming the still-clinging hound straight into the charging one. The collision erupts in a burst of holographic light and distortion.

Artemis:

“Try again!”

SFX (impact): KRAA-SHHH!

SFX (energy distortion): VVVRMMM—!

Panel 4

Floor back wide shot — In an instant, Recruit 33 darts in low, flying just above the ground at high speed. She hooks Artemis’s legs with her arm in a sweeping motion, knocking him sideways. Caught off-guard, Artemis’s body jerks in shock as his balance breaks.

Artemis:

“Ghh—!”

SFX (flight burst): FWOOOSH!

SFX (sweep impact): WHUD!

Panel 5

Low front-facing shot — Recruit 33 drags Artemis across the pavement at high speed. His head scrapes against the ground, striking bits of debris along the way as sparks and dust trail behind him. Artemis grimaces, annoyance twisting his face as he mutters through clenched teeth.

Artemis:

“You’re just proving my point…”

SFX (drag): SKRRRSHHH—!

SFX (debris hit): KRK! KRK!

Panel 6

Low over-the-back wide shot — Still being dragged, Artemis twists his body sharply, swinging his radiant axe back in a violent side arc toward the unaware Recruit 33 flying ahead of him. She grips his foot mid-flight, completely off guard as the glowing blade tears through the air.

Artemis:

“—on how weak you are!”

“Relying on cheap tricks to win!”

SFX (swing): SWOOOSH!

SFX (energy flare): VVVMMM—!

Panel 7

Corner side wide shot — Artemis’s radiant axe swings violently toward Recruit 33, but a holographic clone of Recruit 67 materializes between them, its massive shield raised to intercept. The strike crashes against it with explosive force, the shockwave rippling outward as Recruit 33 flails from the blast, losing her grip on Artemis’s leg and tumbling off balance.

Recruit 67 (Hologram Clone):

“Holo Copy—”

“DEFENSE!”

SFX (materialize): WHRRR-VMMM!

SFX (impact): KRAA-SHHH!

SFX (pressure wave): FWOOOM!

Panel 8

Wide back mid-air shot — Recruit 67 hovers high above, hurling her shield downward with force toward Artemis below. Her glare burns with fury, the air swirling violently around her as the shield tears through the wind.

Recruit 67:

“Arhhh!!”

SFX (shield throw): WHRAAAM!

SFX (air burst): FWOOOSH!

Panel 9

Wide front corner shot — Recruit 67 dives from above, legs first, slamming onto her shield as it hits the ground. The impact cracks the pavement beneath her, sending debris and dust exploding outward. Artemis rolls to the side, narrowly dodging the shockwave.

Recruit 67:

“SHIELD SMASH!!”

SFX (impact): KRAA-THOOM!

SFX (debris burst): KRRSHHH!

SFX (dust wave): FWOOOOH!

Panel 10

Front wide shot: Recruit 33 hovers mid-air, twisting slightly as she steadies herself after being flung back. Her stance settles into a defensive flight pose — one leg bent behind, arms poised. Despite the impact, her expression stays calm yet tense, eyes razor-sharp with focus.

Recruit 33:

“…You’re open.”

SFX (wind burst): FWOOOSH!

Panel 11

Wide front floor shot — As Artemis barely rolls to a stop, Recruit 33 bursts in at high speed, a tense, aggravated look on her face. She grabs him by the collar and yanks him upward, his body jerking mid-air as she pulls him forward with force.

SFX (flight burst): FWOOOSH!

SFX (grab): SHKKT!

Panel 12

Wide back street shot — Recruit 33 lands hard, skidding her feet across the pavement before coming to a stop. With a violent motion, she hurls Artemis toward a flower shop a few yards ahead. His body slams through the air, trailing debris before crashing into the storefront.

SFX (landing skid): SKRRRSHHH—!

SFX (throw): WHRAAAM!

SFX (impact / crash): KRAA-SHHH!

Page 8

Panel 1

Front medium shot — Outside the store’s shattered front, Artemis lies crashed behind the cashier counter, slumped against it with his body leaning back. A dark shadow veils his face as his radiant axe flickers weakly in his grip. Raindrops begin to fall, scattering across the debris.

SFX (energy fading): Vmmm…

SFX (rain starting): Plip… plip…

Panel 2

Close-up — Rain trickles down Artemis’s lips as his expression shifts. A sinister smirk creeps across his face, sharp and deliberate.

Artemis:

“Enough.”

SFX (subtle smile): Tch…

SFX (rain drip): Plip… plip…

Panel 3

Front wide shot — Recruit 33 stands facing the shattered storefront, her expression sharp and focused. Behind her, Recruit 67 steps forward with her shield lowered at her side, composed yet tense, her glare locked on the wreckage ahead as rain begins to pour around them.

Recruit 67:

“It’ll take more than that to kill that bastard.”

SFX (rain / ambience): Plip… plip… FWSSHH—

Panel 4

Front bottom medium shot — Away from the main battle, Recruit 32 stands in the rain, staring down at his trembling hands as his breath quivers. His face is locked in panic, uncertainty clouding his eyes.

Recruit 32 (thinking):

“What should I do…?”

“Run… stay…”

“Just standing here won’t help…”

SFX (rain): Plip… plip… FWSSHH—

Panel 5

Close-up — Rain drips down Recruit 32’s face as it fills the frame. Mid-thought, a faint bell chimes in the distance — the same warning tone from before. His eyes widen in shock as his expression twists from confusion to timid horror.

Recruit 32:

“Not again…”

SFX (bell echo): Tiiiing…

SFX (rain): Plip…

Panel 6

Wide two-shot — Recruit 33 snaps her gaze to the right, and a few feet beside her, Recruit 67 does the same. Both turn toward the distant voice of Recruit 32, who shouts in panic from across the battlefield.

Recruit 32 (distant):

“MOVE AWAYY!!”

SFX (rain / wind): FWSSHH—

Panel 7

Front wide shot — Recruit 67 and Recruit 33 glance at each other, slightly confused, unable to hear what Recruit 32 shouted. Unaware behind them, only inches away, a massive distortion unfolds — a pocket-like black hole forming in midair. From its core, countless miniature stars and newborn suns emerge, leaking black matter as the air warps around them. The distortion bends the rain, slowing each droplet in the air.

Recruit 67:

“Was he saying to move—”

CAPTION:

“THE DEATH OF A STAR— A BLACK HOLE!”

SFX (distortion hum): VVVMMM—

SFX (rain slowing): Plip… Plip…

CHAPTER 5 TO BE CONTINUED…