Chapter 6 — Until Death Do Us Part!

CHAPTER 6

Page 1

Panel 1

Front diagonal two shot — inside the black hole.

The two recruits are swallowed whole, a narrow beam of light fading as the vortex seals shut. Within the black shell, countless miniature suns and stars erupt, their heat pulsing through the void. The recruits twist in place, eyes darting upward in instant panic.

Recruit 33

“Damn—!”

Panel 2

Wrist-level shot — suspended inside the void.

Time seems to slow as Recruit 33’s hand reaches through the swirling light, fingers locking around Recruit 67’s wrist just before the current tears them apart.

SFX (grab): KCHK!

Panel 3

Wide low-angle shot — within the swirling void.

Winds of force ignite behind Recruit 33 as she rockets upward, clutching 67’s wrist tight. The sudden pull tears 67’s shield free from her grasp, sending it spiraling down into the darkness below. The collapsing ring of light above them shrinks fast — 33’s propulsion ripping through the void as she fights to reach it before it seals.

SFX (flight burst): FWOOOOM!

SFX (shield drop / metal spin): CLANG—KRRRNN—!

Panel 4

Close front medium shot — from just inches outside the void.

Recruit 33 bursts forward, her leading arm barely breaking through the void’s surface. The narrow exit cracks like glass, shards of light slicing across her face as she winces and turns away, eyes shut against the blinding storm.

SFX (void cracking): KRRSSHHH—!

SFX (energy flare): VVVVSHHH!

Page 2

Panel 1

Close shot — both hands in frame, motion slowed.

At the moment of impact, Recruit 33’s grip slips from 67’s wrist. The shockwave from shattering the void ripples through their arms, forcing their fingers apart as fragments of light scatter between them.

SFX (grip breaking): KHHHT!

SFX (energy shimmer): VVVSHHH—

Panel 2

Over-the-shoulder slow-motion shot — from behind Recruit 33.

Falling backward through open air, Recruit 33’s arm still stretched toward the void, fingertips trembling just inches from its surface. Inside, Recruit 67 stares back with a panicked, pleading expression, her hands pressed against the inner wall as shards of light drift weightlessly around her.

Recruit 33

“No—!”

Panel 3

Top corner street shot — close range.

Recruit 33 slams into the ground, skidding hard across the cracked street. Shards of the shattered void trail behind her, slicing through the air — several graze her skin, leaving thin streaks of blood as she braces through the pain.

SFX (impact): THOOOM!

SFX (skid): SKRRRSHHH—!

Page 3

Panel 1

Medium side close shot — from inside the dark void.

The collapsing wall of the black hole slams shut just inches from Recruit 67’s face. She flinches, twisting away as the last shards of fractured light rush past her, scattering like burning glass.

SFX (void closing): KRRRSHHHH—!

SFX (light shatter): SHHHKKT!

Panel 2

Corner floor wide shot — from behind Recruit 67.

She stumbles back in fear, her boot accidentally striking her fallen shield, the clang echoing across the empty street beneath her. She lifts her head — and freezes. The void around her has expanded, vast and infinite, as if she now stands at the center of the cosmos itself. From every direction, countless suns and stars blaze with violent light, their flames swirling through the darkness like living fire.

SFX (shield hit): CLANG—!

SFX (cosmic hum): VVVMMMMM—

Panel 3

Over the back medium shot.

Recruit 67 trembles, struggling to keep her composure as the shock overwhelms her. Feeling something strike her heel, she turns and looks down — the fallen shield rests behind her, glinting faintly in the void’s light. Her gaze lingers, breath unsteady, the noise around her fading into silence as the memory of her father begins to surface.

Recruit 67 (soft exhale): Haa…

SFX (distant hum fading): VMMM—

Page 4

Flashback Begins

CAPTION (top-left): 12 years ago…

Panel 1

Front medium shot — A-Class neighborhood street.

A slim, middle-aged man with half-ruffled, half-combed hair bursts out laughing, his body slightly leaned forward as if whatever he just heard was pure nonsense. His expression beams with wild amusement, the polished street and quiet homes behind him contrasting his loud energy.

Man

“Hahaha—!”

SFX (laughter echoing): HA—HA—HA—!

Panel 2

Over-the-shoulder wide shot — from behind the man.

He freezes mid-laugh, head turning over his shoulder. Standing behind him is his six-year-old daughter, small and tense, her head lowered in quiet frustration — clearly hurt that he laughed at her dream. The air between them falls still.

Man

“Huh—…?”

SFX (laughter fading): Ha… ha…

Panel 3

Small front-facing close-up shot — the daughter’s face fills the frame.

Tears brim in her eyes as she looks up, voice cracking between anger and hurt.

Daughter (Recruit 67)

“I mean it!”

“I’ll be an officer just like you one day!”

“Even better than you!”

Panel 4

Bottom back wide shot —

Recruit 67 stands small in the frame, her cheeks puffed in stubborn defiance as she looks away. Behind her, her father steps closer, towering gently above her with a faint, warm smile barely visible through the soft beam of sunlight flaring behind his head.

Daughter (Recruit 67)

“Hmm!”

Panel 5

Top medium close shot — focusing on the daughter’s head and shoulders.

Her expression softens, eyes gleaming with a flicker of joy as her father’s hand rests gently on her head. His fingers brush her hair aside with quiet pride, the light from behind outlining the tender moment.

Man (off-panel)

“I’ll hold you to that.”

SFX (soft pat): PMP.

SFX (hair rustle): SHFF—

Page 5

Panel 1

Front close shot — only half of Recruit 67’s face in frame.

A faint, gentle smile forms as a single tear trails down her cheek, slipping across her lips. Her voice trembles as she whispers, barely audible. Behind her, the air begins to warp and distort — the dark void bending reality like ripples in glass.

Recruit 67 (softly):

“…Dad…”

SFX (tear drop): Plip.

Panel 2

Back wide shot — street level.

Recruit 33 kneels on the drenched pavement, rain hammering against her back and dripping from her hair as she braces herself with trembling hands. Ahead of her, the sealed black hole looms—its surface eerily still. The downpour bends away before touching it, leaving a perfect dry ring where no rain falls, as if reality itself refuses to go near.

Recruit 33 (breathing / fatigue): Haa… Haa…

SFX (rain impact): SHHHHH—

Panel 3

Close front wide shot — centered on the black hole in the middle of the street.

In a fraction of a second, the void folds inward on itself, the swirling distortion collapsing like an old television shutting off. Its light compresses into a thin line, then into a single, glowing speck—before blinking out completely. The storm halts for a heartbeat, leaving behind only a smooth, spotless surface where it once existed.

SFX (collapse / implosion): VVVNNNK—!

SFX (silence beat): …

Panel 4

Wide front shot — the middle of the street where the black hole once was. The rain begins to pour again, cascading into the hollow space that moments ago defied it. A lone shield now rests at the center, its surface reflecting the storm above. The ground glistens under the downpour. Ahead, Recruit 33 kneels on one knee, drenched and trembling—her expression frozen between horror and disbelief, utterly defeated by what she’s just witnessed.

SFX (distant rumble): RRRMMMM—

SFX (rain returning): SHHHHHHH—

Page 6

Panel 1

Floor-level front wide shot.

Recruit 33 kneels on one knee, head lowered, rain pounding against her shoulders. Her fist slams the pavement with a sharp crack, water splashing upward. Her teeth click in frustration, eyes glassy as guilt and exhaustion blur her focus.

Recruit 33

“…I’m sorry…”

Just a few feet behind her, Artemis steps through the mist — a wide, twisted grin on his face. He lets out a low chuckle, hand rising halfway to his chest, seconds from triggering his power again.

Artemis (chuckle):

“…Heh—…”

SFX (impact): THMP!

SFX (rain): SHHHHH—

Panel 2

Over-the-back wide shot — behind Artemis.

Recruit 33, still on her knees, slowly twists her body to face him. Tears stream down her face, mixing with rain and blood as shards from the void glimmer faintly across her skin. Her trembling eyes rise to meet his.

Standing above her, Artemis slaps his hand against his chest—light flaring at the point of impact. The air ripples violently as power surges through him.

Artemis (Utters):

“THE DEATH OF A STAR!”

SFX (impact / slap): THWAAAM!

Panel 3

Front ear shot — close and cinematic.

Slow motion: just inches behind Recruit 33’s head, space bends and folds as a black hole forms, warping the air around her. The falling rain halts midair near its surface, droplets suspended in distorted gravity. Through the swirling void’s center, a glimpse of Earth’s upper atmosphere shimmers faintly—like looking down from orbit through a tear in reality.

SFX (distortion / formation): VVVMMMMM—

SFX (rain freezing): Tk… Tk… Tk…

Panel 4

Side close wide shot — face-to-face perspective.

The black hole’s pull tears through the air. Recruit 33 jerks backward, her body twisting as she’s dragged toward the distortion—rain bending away from the void’s reach. Her arm stretches forward in desperate reach, fingertips trembling. In front of her stands Artemis, rain pouring down his face, his grin replaced by a sharp, battle-hungry glare. Energy crackles around his body as his eyes lock onto hers—the void behind her swelling, dragging her in inch by inch.

SFX (gravitational pull): VVVSHHHHH—!

SFX (rain impact): SHHHHH—!

Page 7

Panel 1

Medium low wide shot — behind Recruit 33.

Her body tumbles backward through the void, pulled fully into the black hole’s other side. Stars scatter endlessly around her, suspended in cold silence. In front of her, the black hole hovers—its swirling edges collapsing inward as faint ripples of warped starlight twist around it.

Through the shrinking distortion, Artemis is barely visible—standing in the rain, his expression tightening in faint disgust as he turns away.

Artemis:

“Best of luck, Recruit…”

SFX (portal collapsing): VVVMMM— → SHUP.

SFX (distant hum): —

Panel 2

Front close shot — upper body.

Recruit 33 floats backward through the silent void, her hair and tears drifting weightlessly. Panic flashes across her face, sorrow twisting into raw fear. She covers her mouth with one trembling hand—realizing too late she can’t breathe.

Recruit 33 (muffled gasp):

“Hh—!”

Panel 3

Front medium shot.

Recruit 33 twists her body in panic, tears drifting from her eyes and scattering into the void. One hand stays over her mouth as she curls her body, forcing herself into a flight stance—trying desperately to push forward. Her body tenses like a spring, charging to launch toward where Earth lies below her.

SFX (movement): WHFF—

Panel 4

Wide shot — open space.

In a single instant, Recruit 33 bursts downward at blinding speed. The curve of Earth stretches far beneath her, glowing blue and white against the endless dark. Stars shimmer above as she tears through the void, a trail of wind-like distortion and scattered space debris spiraling in her wake.

SFX (burst / acceleration): FWOOOOM—!

SFX (trail distortion): VVVSHHHHH—!

Page 8

Panel 1

Front medium close shot.

Recruit 33 streaks toward Earth, the planet’s atmosphere glowing just beneath her. One hand still clamps over her mouth, but her grip weakens—fingers trembling as her eyelids flutter. The other arm drifts downward, limp in the weightless pull of exhaustion. Her breathing slows; her consciousness begins to fade as the edge of the atmosphere shimmers ahead.

Recruit 33 (breath faint): hh…

Panel 2

Close corner shot — focus on her face.

Now just inside Earth’s faint blue atmosphere, Recruit 33’s eyes close completely. Her body relaxes, consciousness slipping away as the soft light reflects across her skin. Her hand drifts downward from her mouth, fingers loosening in slow motion while the glow of re-entry begins to envelop her.

Recruit 33 (breath fading): Hhh—

Panel 3

Wide shot — frozen mountain range.

From high above, Recruit 33 plummets unconscious through the atmosphere, breaking multiple sound barriers as she descends. A roaring trail of light and vapor tears behind her, shaking the air. She crashes through two towering icy peaks back-to-back, explosions of snow and debris bursting outward, before slamming into the valley below in a blinding surge of white dust.

SFX (sonic booms): BOOOOM! BOOOM!

SFX (mountain impacts): KRRSSHHHHH—! / THOOM—!

SFX (final crash): KRRRROOOOOM!!

Panel 4

Front medium shot.

Recruit 33 lies unconscious at the center of the smoking crater she carved into the frozen ground. Her body is bruised and torn, shards from the black hole still faintly embedded along her arms and face. Snow and dust drift upward around her, the last traces of the impact settling in slow, weightless silence.

SFX (dust settling): fffhhh…

SFX (soft wind): whhhhh—

Panel 5

Wide aerial shot — high above the impact site.

Snow drifts gently through the vast white expanse, blanketing the frozen landscape. Far in the distance, faint silhouettes of industrial complexes and scattered igloos dot the horizon. Below, the crater still smolders — a rising plume of dust and frost twisting into the cold air.

Caption:

CONTINENT ANTARIOC — A NON–WUG AFFILIATE.

SFX (snowfall): fffhhh…

Page 9

Panel 1

Front medium shot — rain-soaked battlefield.

Recruit 32 staggers backward a few steps, eyes wide with horror as thunder rolls overhead. Water streams down his face, but his gaze stays locked forward — frozen on Artemis standing in the storm ahead.

Recruit 32 (shouting):

“No… no… no!”

Caption: Meanwhile — back at the battlefield…

Panel 2

Close front shot — Recruit 32’s face fills the frame.

Rain pours down his cheeks, mixing with sweat and dirt as his expression hardens. His teeth grind together, jaw trembling as he fights back tears. He turns his head sharply to the side, unable to keep looking forward.

Recruit 32 (through gritted teeth):

“…Dammit…”

SFX (grit / jaw tension): KKT—

Panel 3

Front wide shot — battlefield.

Recruit 32’s face cracks — tears glinting in the rain, jaw set with furious resolve. Without hesitation he surges forward, feet pounding the sodden ground, arms pumping wildly as if running for his life. His motion is raw, uncontrolled, desperate — every stride closing the distance to Artemis.

Recruit 32

“You’ll pay for this!!”

Panel 4

Extreme close-up — mouth-level face shot.

Rain drips from Artemis’s chin as his lips curl into a slow, mocking grin. A low chuckle escapes him, quiet but sharp enough to cut through the storm.

Artemis (chuckling):

“…Heh—…”

SFX (rain impact): (drip… drip…)

Page 10

Panel 1

Corner bottom wide shot.

Artemis lowers his arm calmly, extending his other hand forward. Just above his open palm, a radiant sword hovers—pulsing with violent light. The air ahead bends and ripples from its pressure, the weapon trembling as if eager to be released.

SFX (energy pulse): VVVMMMM—!

SFX (air distortion): FWOOOSH—!

Panel 2

Back wide shot — from behind Recruit 32.

A blinding flash erupts as the radiant sword fires from Artemis’s palm, tearing through the rain like a beam of living light. The air splits with roaring wind pressure, a glowing trail stretching behind it. Recruit 32 throws himself to the right at the last instant, stumbling as the blade slams into the ground beside him, cracking the street and embedding deep into the earth.

Recruit 32

“Left side!”

SFX (energy launch): FWOOOOM—!

SFX (impact): KRRRSHHHH—!

Panel 3

Over-the-shoulder wide shot — from behind Artemis.

With one arm stretched forward, Artemis unleashes a volley of radiant swords. Each blast tears through the rain like streaks of molten light, the ground exploding in flashes as Recruit 32 sprints in a frantic zigzag ahead — every strike missing by mere inches.

Artemis (shouting):

“If it’s cat and mouse you desire to play—”

“THEN SO BE IT!!”

SFX (rapid fire): FWOOOOM! FWOOOOM! FWOOOOM!

SFX (impacts / ground bursts): KRRSHHHH—! THOOM! VVVNNNK—!

SFX (rain / wind): SHHHHHH—!

Panel 4

Mid-ground shot — between both fighters.

Recruit 32 darts in close, sliding under the hail of light and stopping just beneath Artemis’s line of sight. He crouches low, teeth gritted, eyes burning with anger as he raises a loaded pistol toward him. Above, Artemis pauses, confused, his gaze shifting downward.

Recruit 32 (low, through his teeth):

“I’m done running.”

SFX (slide): SKRRRSHHH—!

Page 11

Panel 1

Close bottom-front shot — slow motion.

Artemis leans forward with a wide, sinister grin, rain dripping down his face. His hand closes over the pistol’s muzzle, gripping it tight. The metal groans under his fingers as he traps the weapon in place—his eyes fixed on Recruit 32 with calm, predatory delight.

SFX (metal strain): KNNNK—

Panel 2

Close side wide shot.

Still grinning, Artemis twists the pistol slightly to his right, the barrel pinned beneath his palm. A deafening gunshot erupts — the bullet tearing straight through his hand, smoke and blood hissing from the wound. Artemis doesn’t flinch. His grin only widens, eyes half-lidded with sadistic pleasure as the smoke drifts between his fingers.

SFX (gunfire): BANG!

SFX (flesh / steam): SHHHKKT—SSSSHHH—!

Panel 3

Medium over the back shot.

Blood drips from Artemis’s pierced hand as he keeps the pistol trapped within his grasp. In one motion, he twists the weapon sideways, dragging Recruit 32’s arm with it. The younger recruit stumbles forward, caught off guard, his finger still frozen on the trigger. Artemis’s other arm cocks back, muscles tightening, a blow charging with terrifying intent.

Artemis (calmly, grinning):

“That was quite the show.”

SFX (wind-up / motion): WHHHHMMM—

Panel 4

Front close-up shot — Artemis’s fist slams into Recruit 32’s face with devastating force. The impact caves in his cheek, blood and rain bursting outward in slow motion. His eyes roll from the shock as the sound reverberates through the air like thunder.

SFX (impact): THOOOM!

SFX (blood / spray): SHKKT—!

Panel 5

Close wide shot — capturing both fighters in frame.

Artemis follows through with a brutal overhand hook, his fist crashing into Recruit 32’s jaw and slamming him to the ground. The pistol tears free from 32’s grip, spinning upward mid-frame as his body jerks from the shock, arms flung helplessly above him.

SFX (impact): THOOM!

SFX (ground crack / splash): KRRSHHH—!

Page 12

Panel 1

Close front shot — tight and chaotic.

Artemis straddles the fallen Recruit 32 amid swirling dust and rain. His fists hammer down in a relentless barrage—each blow thudding into flesh and pavement alike. Blood splashes across his face as he grins through the motion, eyes burning with anger and pleasure.

Artemis (shouting through gritted teeth):

“Don’t fall asleep just yet!”

SFX (rapid impacts): THMP! THMP! THMP! THMP!

Panel 2

Small close-up — wrist shot.

Amid the chaos, Recruit 32’s cracked watch flickers to life. Sparks snap across the shattered screen as a faint ping echoes through the rain.

WATCH DISPLAY:

WARNING: USER POTENTIAL DETECTED — 100%

SFX (watch ping): BEEP—! KZZZT—!

Panel 3

Back wide shot.

Still seated over the broken recruit, Artemis doesn’t bother to turn around he slaps his chest. A small radiant blade flickers to life in his hand—its light trembling in the rain. Without hesitation, he drives it backward, straight through Recruit 32’s wrist and the WUG watch beneath it. Metal shatters. Blood sprays. The blade pins his arm to the ground as Recruit 32 screams in agony.

Artemis (coldly):

“I have a few questions for you.”

SFX (blade forming): VVVNNNK—!

SFX (stab): SHKKT—!

Recruit 32 (scream):

“AAGHHH—!”

Panel 4

Floor-level close shot.

Recruit 32 lies half-conscious beneath him, bruised and bloodied, breath ragged.

Artemis sits astride him, eyes shadowed by a mix of fury and sadistic calm.

His left hand is raised high—where a newly formed sun churns above his palm, the air around it warping and bending from the heat.

With his other hand, he finishes a chest clap, the flare of power reflecting off his face like firelight.

Artemis (commanding):

“Where is the other group of you recruits!”

SFX (sun distortion): VVVVMMMMMM—!

SFX (air warping): WHHHHHHMMM—!

Panel 5

Small close-up — Recruit 32’s face.

His face is swollen, teeth missing, skin streaked with blood and dust. Rain pours down over him, washing through the dirt as his lips tremble. Barely conscious, he forces the words out—broken, slurred, but heavy with confusion.

Recruit 32 (weakly):

“…group…”

“…how… did you know… there’s… more of us…”

SFX (rain hitting skin): plip… plip… plip…

Panel 6

Front upper-body shot — Artemis’s figure barely visible through the haze.

Half his face is swallowed by darkness, the other faintly illuminated by the sun burning in his palm. A twisted grin creeps across his lips—like someone amused by his own cruelty. Without breaking that smile, he releases the miniature sun. Light erupts around him, flooding the frame, wrapping half his shadowed face in blinding radiance.

Artemis (chuckle):

“Heh.”

SFX (light flare): VVVNNNNNN—!

SFX (release): FWOOOOM—!

Page 13

PANEL 1 – FULL PAGE

Wideshot bursting with motion and light.

In a single instant, the battlefield detonates in radiance. Artemis sits astride the half-lifeless body of Recruit 32, his arm raised high—sunlight erupting from his palm in a blinding torrent. The ground buckles beneath them, air splitting from the heat and pressure.

Before the blast can consume them both, a streak of violent speed cuts through the light. Yota appears beside Artemis, gripping him hard by the torso, yanking him away from the center of the explosion—his eyes sharp, body crackling with power.

Yota (shouting):

“COMBAT INTELLIGENCE—110 PERCENT!!”

SFX (energy eruption): FWOOOOOOOM—!

SFX (air split): VVVVNNNNNNK—!

SFX (shockwave / distortion): THOOOOOM!!

CAPTION (bottom center, bold serif):

“THE 4TH EON HAS ARRIVED…”

Page 14

Panel 1

Front upper-body shot.

Recruit 32 lies on the soaked pavement, trembling and half-conscious. His breath comes in ragged gasps, each one misting in the cold rain. The world around him blurs in flashes of light and thunder, too much for his battered mind to process. All he can do is breathe—alive by chance.

SFX (breaths): haa… haa… haa…

SFX (rain impact): SHHHHH—

Panel 2

Over-the-shoulder floor wide shot — from behind Recruit 32.

Lying on his side, 32 slowly turns his head toward the right, struggling to focus. The rain blurs his vision, but ahead of him stretches a long, scorched path — pavement melted, walls blackened, the air still shimmering with heat. The street is empty… except for the devastation. A burning trail of radiant energy carves through the district, marking where unimaginable power had just torn through.

SFX (rain hissing on hot ground): tsssshhh—

SFX (distant crackle): krrrkkk—

Panel 3

Close face shot.

Recruit 32’s eyes flutter as his head rests sideways against the wet ground. The rain streaks down his bruised skin, mixing with the dirt and blood. His gaze drifts unfocused for a moment—then fades completely. His body goes still, finally giving in to the pain and exhaustion.

Recruit 32 (fading breath): haa… haa… …

SFX (rain): plip… plip… plip…

Panel 4

Wide back shot — the three Neighbors stand in the distance, rain pouring over them. The battlefield still smolders, faint light flickering through the haze. Far ahead, Recruit 32 lies unconscious in the rain. Neighbor 5 steadies Author by the shoulder, while Irmgrad stands motionless beside them, his gaze fixed on the aftermath.

Neighbor 5 (in disbelief):

“What… what was that?”

“It was over in a second…”

Page 15

[F-Class District 3 — Neighborhood Street / Night]

Panel 1

Wide shot — the dimly lit street glistens under light rain. Corporal Daley stands calm at the center, hands folded neatly behind his back, watching two recruits from his group force a tied-up Neighbor onto the sidewalk. The recruits kick him down violently as the man grunts in pain.

Recruit 24 (snarling):

“Quiet!”

SFX (kick): THUD!

Caption (bottom right):

Meanwhile… Corporal Daley’s Group C.

Panel 2

Back-corner floor shot — the tied-up Neighbor crumples on the asphalt as two recruits lean over, shouting and jeering. Behind them, Corporal Daley watches the scene with a faint, calm grin.

Recruit 71 (continues):

“You heard him — make another sound.

And we’ll hurt you more before we send you back!”

Panel 3

Front wide shot — the rain-slick street. Corporal Daley calmly turns his back on the recruits, walking toward the center of the road with a faint, proud grin. One recruit leans up, tapping his WUG wrist terminal; the other keeps a watchful eye on the tied-up Neighbor, relieved to stay in control.

Recruit 24 (into wrist terminal):

“Requesting drone pick-up — F-Class District 3.

Location: 129.17.22.55.”

Panel 4

Front medium shot — Daley stops mid-stride in the middle of the street, rain pouring steadily over his uniform. His hands remain clasped neatly behind his back as he stares forward in silence. The faint, proud grin that once rested on his face begins to fade, replaced by a calm, unreadable expression.

SFX (rain): SHHHHHH—

Panel 5

Medium over-the-back shot — Daley stands in the rain, head tilted toward the night sky. Thick storm clouds stretch endlessly overhead, but scattered across them are faint, glowing holes — miniature openings where stars once pierced through. Each hole glimmers softly through the mist, a haunting trace of Artemis’s power. Daley’s calm expression reflecting quiet recognition amid the storm.

Daley (quietly):

“Seems the stars… have already fallen.”

SFX (rain): SSHHHH—

SFX (distant rumble): RMMM—

Page 16

Panel 1

Side front medium shot — Daley stands alone in the rain, his calm presence dominating the frame. He turns slightly, now facing the two recruits ahead. The faint, proud grin returns to his face — subtle but unmistakable, his signature expression. The rain streaks across his shoulders as he speaks with quiet authority.

Daley:

“Wrap it up.”

“It’s almost time.”

SFX (rain): SHHHHH—

Panel 2

Over-the-back wide shot — Two Group D recruits suddenly appear in the middle of the road. Recruit 37 supports Recruit 64, both barely able to stand, their bodies bruised, bloodied, and trembling as they lean on each other for balance. Ahead of them, Daley stands calmly, rain glistening off his coat as he faces the two recruits of his group. In the distance, a transport drone descends for pickup, its lights flickering through the downpour.

Recruit 37 (gasping):

“Just… one… more step…”

Panel 3

Close medium upper-body shot — Daley stands motionless as rain streams down his face, soaking his collar and uniform. His head tilts slightly to the right, a faint, crooked grin forming beneath an expression touched by quiet confusion. His eyes narrow toward the faint silhouettes emerging ahead — their unsteady footsteps echo through the wet street, growing louder with every step.

SFX (footsteps, distant): SHLK… SHLK… SHLK…

Panel 4

Front medium two-shot — The rain pours hard over the two as Recruit 37 staggers forward, one arm hooked under Recruit 64’s shoulder, barely keeping him upright. 64’s head hangs low, his body limp and heavy, while 37’s face is pale and blood-smeared, eyes wide with exhaustion and fear.

Recruit 37 (pleading, weak):

“Help us… please—”

“We were all about to be killed!”

“We… barely managed to escape…”

Page 17

Panel 1

Close corner front two-shot — The two drenched recruits cling to each other for support as the rain pours down over their soaked hair and uniforms. Recruit 37, barely able to keep his head up, looks downward, eyes glassy with exhaustion and disbelief. His breath trembles; rainwater mixes with the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes as the horror of what just happened flashes through his mind.

Recruit 37 (shaking, voice fading):

“It happened so fast…”

“One by one… his power…”

“…it was stronger than any F-Class I’ve ever—”

Panel 2

Close front mouth shot — Rain streaks down Daley’s chin as his lips tighten. A sharp, irritated click escapes his teeth — a sound halfway between frustration and disbelief. His jaw flexes subtly, the faint movement barely visible beneath the downpour.

Daley:

“Tch—”

Panel 3

Wide front shot — Rain hammers the street, every droplet streaking in silver lines. Then the world blinks. Daley vanishes, before the sound can even reach the injured recruits, he’s already behind them — coat still rippling from the leftover gust.

As he smashes both of their heads in together as his own palms connect through their skulls — body limping unconsciously still, blood spewing out.

Daley (aggravated, calm tone):

“Silence.”

SFX: KRRSH—!

SFX: SHKRAK—!

The sound tears through the rain; a flash of movement, then silence. The air ripples, droplets hanging suspended before crashing back down.

Panel 4 (SPLIT PANEL)

Right panel — Medium front shot of Recruit 24 mid-motion, body twisting sharply away from his drone pickup call. His expression shifts from focus to stunned seriousness, eyes widening as realization hits. Rain glints across his face as he freezes, utterly speechless.

Recruit 24 (utter disbelief):

“…”

Left panel — Medium front shot of Recruit 71, facing forward. His eyes are wide, mouth slightly open, frozen in pure shock. The rain streaks down his face, reflecting panic and confusion as he stares at the scene before him.

Recruit 71 (horrified whisper):

“Wait—what…?”

SFX (rain): SHHHHH—

Caption (bottom center):

TO BE CONTINUED…