Chapter 9 - Artemis vs The Pure-Flame Sergeant!

SPLASH PAGE — FULL

Sora’s shield stands planted upright in a quiet green field.

Grass sways around it.

Far in the distance, the blue sea glimmers under soft light.

Birds fly freely across the open sky.

SFX (ambient):

FWSSSH… (grass breeze)

CRYAAH… CRYAAH… (birds in flight)

Caption (bottom):

“SORA.”

⸻

PAGE 1

[Meanwhile — F-Class Town Hall, Rainy Night]

⸻

Panel 1 — Wide Aerial Shot

Town Hall erupts in a massive explosion, lighting up the rain-soaked night.

SFX: BOOOOOM!!!

⸻

Panel 2 — Floor-Level, Upper-Body Shot

Yota sprints toward camera, soaked and trembling, clutching his burned shoulder.

A wall of fire explodes behind him.

Yota (panicked):

“Move… move… MOVE!”

⸻

PAGE 2

Panel 1 — Front Medium Shot

Artemis grips the radiant star-sword handles behind his back, a wall of celestial blades glowing behind him.

⸻

Panel 2 — Front Wide Shot

Artemis rips a radiant sword free with violent force, fury breaking across his face.

Artemis (roaring):

“ARGHH!!”

SFX: SHRRAKKK!! (blade tear)

⸻

Panel 3 — Close Star-Sword Mid-Air Shot (Artemis → Kert)

The unleashed star-sword rockets forward.

Ahead, white-flamed Kert stands steady, unfazed, Sora’s burning shield at his side.

SFX: FWOOOSH—!

⸻

PAGE 3

Panel 1 — Wide, Over-the-Back Shot (Kert → Artemis)

White-flamed Kert hurls Sora’s shield with vicious force.

The shield slices through the rain-heavy air toward the incoming star-sword barrage.

Kert:

“Expand.”

SFX: WHOOOM—! / CRRRK!

⸻

Panel 2 — Far Corner Ground Shot

Artemis looks up — eyes widening — as the shield detonates in size, expanding into a four-story, square white-flame slab, covering half the town hall as it barrels toward him.

Artemis:

“What tha—?!!”

SFX: VRAAAAMMMM!!!

⸻

Panel 3 — Bleed Panel (Close Face Shot: Yota)

Yota skids to a stop — expression locked between awe and terror as the massive shield fills the horizon.

Yota:

“…Hell is that?!”

⸻

Panel 4 — Side Corner Close Wide Shot (Front of Giant Shield)

The front of the enormous flaming shield slams forward, “SORA” printed across it like a monument.

The pavement tears backward under its force as it pushes toward Artemis.

Artemis’s star-swords collide—

and shatter one after another, recoiling like snapped springs.

SFX:

KRANNG!

SHRRRK!

BANG—BANG—BANG!

TK-TK-TK! (coil-like dismantling)

⸻

PAGE 4

Panel 1 — Back Close Wide Shot (Kert)

Kert lowers his stance, body tightening, air warping around his legs as he prepares to launch upward.

Kert (serious, unfazed):

“Fall.”

SFX: VMMM… (air distortion)

⸻

Panel 2 — Ground-Level, Low-Up Shot (Artemis POV)

The massive flaming shield — “SORA” printed across it — looms directly above Artemis.

Its momentum halts… then tips forward, flames pulling it downward.

SFX:

GRROOOAAN… (weight shifting)

FWOOOM… (flames dragging it down)

⸻

Panel 3 — Front Full-Body Shot (Artemis)

Artemis violently slaps himself across chest, legs, arms, face —

rapid, rhythmic, brutal — like a deranged “Hambone.”

Each strike ignites radiant points of star-energy around him.

Artemis:

“ARR!!—”

SFX:

PAPAPAPA-PAP-PAP!!

THK-THK-THK!! (impact rhythm)

⸻

Panel 4 — Extreme Close Ground Shot

A radiant jack-stand pillar starts forming from the ground, light erupting upward.

SFX: TNNNNK—! (materializing)

⸻

Panel 5 — Back Corner Ground Wide Shot

Artemis continues slamming himself — energy flaring — as the giant shield collapses downward like a falling building.

Artemis (roar):

“—AHH!!”

Radiant jack-stands erupt all around him, shooting up and slamming into the falling shield, stopping its descent.

White flames burst outward, barely reaching him as the shock rips the pavement apart.

SFX:

KA-THOOM!!!

KRASHHHH!!

VRRRNNNK!! (jack-stands locking in)

SKRRRSHHH!! (ground tearing)

⸻

PAGE 5

[Aftermath]

⸻

Panel 1 — Wide Shot (Under the Shield, Side Angle)

Artemis keeps slapping rapidly, fueling the jack-stands as they ram upward into the massive shield.

Flame particles fly everywhere. Pavement fractures under the constant impact.

SFX:

PAPAPAPA!!

KRNNNK—! KRNNNK—!

SKRRR-CRACK!!

⸻

Corner Bleed Panel — Over-the-Back (Above the Shield)

Kert launches into midair, a white-flame trail behind him.

He looks down — the far side of the giant shield is starting to crack.

SFX: FWOOOM! (jump)

⸻

Panel 2 — Mid-Air, Front Shot (Kert Descending)

Kert drops downward at high speed, air warping around him.

Kert:

“Contract.”

SFX: VMMMM—! (air distortion)

⸻

Panel 3 — Above-the-Shield Shot

Instantly — the colossal shield shrinks back to normal size midair.

Flames retract fast, like a vacuum snap.

The giant radiant jack-stands remain exposed, still shaking violently.

Artemis keeps slapping, unaware, head down.

SFX:

FWIP—! (shrink)

THK-THK-THK!! (jack-stands shaking)

⸻

Panel 4 — Front Close Upper-Body Shot (Artemis)

Artemis raises his head, teeth gritted, noticing the flame particles suddenly retracting.

Artemis (confused, bitter):

“Hh..?”

⸻

Extreme Close Bleed Panel — The Shield

The now-normal shield begins slowly descending again, tipping into view.

SFX: GRRROOOO…

⸻

PAGE 6

Panel 1 — Mid-Air Corner Side Back Shot (Kert → Artemis)

Kert descends fast from above, one hand grabbing the falling shield midair.

Below him, Artemis steps back, agitated, staring up at the incoming strike.

SFX: FWOOOOSH—! (descent)

⸻

Panel 2 — Corner Behind-Elbow Wide Medium Shot (Kert Landing)

Kert hits the ground hard — flames and dust erupt upward.

His torso leans back, right arm cocked, shield arm pulled tight, air ripping around it.

Behind him, Artemis stumbles back, a jack-stand towering behind his shoulder, confusion on his face.

SFX:

THOOM! (landing)

VRRNNNK!! (air tearing as he cocks back)

⸻

Panel 3 — Wide Shot Behind Artemis (Jack-Stand POV)

Kert unleashes a violent shield strike.

Artemis ducks sideways at the last second —

the blow obliterates the jack-stand, its upper half exploding into cosmic particle shards.

SFX:

KA-RRRRSHHH!!!

SHHHHRRRR—! (particles scattering)

⸻

PAGE 7

Panel 1 — Tight Shot Between the Two

Kert’s shield-arm is still extended from the missed punch.

He looks down—

Artemis is crouched beside him, looking up with a twisted grin.

Artemis (chuckle):

“Heh.”

⸻

Panel 2 — Over-the-Back Left, Close Wide Shot (Kert)

Kert snaps his left hand back and slams a punch into Artemis’s gut.

The impact shatters the lower half of the jack-stand behind Artemis.

Artemis’s body jerks back violently, face twisted in pain.

SFX:

THUDD!!

KRSSHHH!! (jack-stand cracking)

⸻

Small Bleed Panel — Extreme Close (Torso)

As Artemis’s body starts to fly back—

Kert instantly kills his flame, grabs Artemis by the shirt, and yanks him forward.

SFX: GRIP!!

⸻

Panel 3 — Medium Over-the-Back Shot (Kert → Artemis)

Kert reels Artemis back in with his left hand.

His shield-arm pulls back again, whole body leaning into the next strike.

SFX: VMMM… (air tightening)

⸻

Panel 4 — Close Face Shot (Impact)

Kert slams the backside of the flaming shield into Artemis’s face.

The force bends the air and twists Artemis’s upper body sideways.

SFX:

BA-KOOM!!!

VWAAAAM!! (air distortion)

⸻

Panel 5 — Wide Low Back Shot (Artemis)

Artemis rockets backward, midair—

crashing through another jack-stand, scattering radiant shards everywhere.

SFX:

KRRAAAASH!!

SHHHHRR! (particle scatter)

⸻

PAGE 8

Panel 1 — Medium Corner Side Motion Shot

Artemis flies backward midair, hair and face slightly burned.

Kert dashes in, unfazed, placing a palm on Artemis’s torso and shoving him further back mid-flight.

SFX:

FWOOOSH!

THMP!

⸻

Panel 2 — Over-the-Shoulder Medium Shot (Kert)

Still rushing forward, Kert leans back, feet skimming and sparking across the pavement.

He reaches out and grabs Artemis by the ankles, flames extinguished on his palms.

SFX:

SKRRRRT—! (feet grazing ground)

GRAB!

⸻

Panel 3 — Wide Side Shot

Kert continues sliding forward, feet leaving a molten trail in the pavement.

He swings Artemis in a full, violent spin, Artemis’s body lagging behind in a motion echo.

SFX:

WHRRR—WHOOOM!!

CRRRSHHH!! (ground melting)

⸻

Panel 4 — Wide Over-the-Back Close Shot (Kert)

Kert comes to a halting glide, pavement melting under his feet—

and hurls Artemis forward like a shot put.

Artemis rockets toward a nearby wall, a jagged trail of debris and wind bursting behind him.

SFX:

HNNNGH—! (Kert’s throw)

SHOOOOOM!! (Artemis launched)

⸻

Page 9

Panel 1 — Close Wide Slow-Motion Side Shot

Artemis’s body spirals midair, twisted and grimacing — inches from smashing into the wall.

Below him, Yota slides backward, barely dodging out of instinct, back arched like a bullet-time bend.

His eyes lock on Artemis in sudden terror.

Yota:

“…Presence!”

SFX:

SHHH— (slow-motion air drag)

SKRRRT! (Yota sliding)

⸻

Panel 2 — Wide Front Ground Shot

Artemis slams into the wall, detonating a massive shockwave — smoke, debris, and flame bursting outward.

Yota hits the ground beneath the blast zone, dropping flat and covering his head.

SFX:

BAA-KOOOOOOM!!!

GRRRRRSHHHH!!

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!!

⸻

PAGE 10

Panel 1 — Medium Front Shot (Crashed Wall)

Rain pours down the shattered wall.

Thick debris smoke rolls out of the hole — no figures visible inside.

SFX: HSSSHHH… (rain + smoke)

⸻

Panel 2 — Medium Front Shot (Inside the Hole)

The smoke thins.

Yota leans inside cautiously, expression tense with curiosity and worry.

Yota (thinking):

“Their powers…”

“…seem different.”

⸻

Mini Bleed Panel — Close on Artemis’s Thigh & Palm

Artemis’s hand moves to slap his thigh, prepping activation.

Yota (thinking, overlapping, small terrified text):

“…Like… they’ve evolved!”

SFX: PAP—

⸻

Panel 3 — Close Corner Wide Shot (Outside Wall)

Yota instantly turns his back to the wall, twisting his head to the side—

as Artemis fires a violent sun-beam blast outward, blowing the hole wider.

SFX:

BWAAAAM!!!

KR-THOOOM!!

⸻

Panel 4 — Lower Back Ground Wide Shot (Kert)

The sun-beam rockets toward Kert.

He braces low, one foot dug in, hands forward—

and expands the shield into a ground-anchored barrier.

Kert (sharp):

“Expand!”

The beam splashes off the shield’s sides, torching the pavement around him.

SFX:

VRAAAASH!!

SKRRSHHH!! (ground burning)

⸻

Panel 5 — Close Front, Long Vertical Shot (Kert)

Kert lowers the shield slightly.

His flame-armored face is stern, focused.

Fading remnants of the sun-blast flicker across the square white-flamed shield.

SFX: HSSS… (fading heat)

⸻

PAGE 11

FULL PAGE

Panel 1 — Wide Side Slow-Motion Shot (Rainy)

Yota is pressed flat against the wall, full back to it, panicked and frozen.

From the hole behind him, Artemis rockets out midair, face bloodied, eyes wild.

His palms radiate blue star-dust aura, pulsing violently.

Tiny blue Wolf-Rayet mini-stars orbit around his body as he charges.

Artemis (sinister roar):

“WOLF RAYET!!!”

SFX:

FWOOOM!!

SHHHHHK!! (stars streaking behind him)

⸻

PAGE 12

Panel 1 — Wide Ground Back Close Corner Shot (Kert)

Artemis flies past Yota and drops directly over Kert, hands pulled back, fists coated in blue cosmic fire.

The Wolf-Rayet stars circle him aggressively, pulsing — ready to blow.

Kert stands firm, shield expanded in front of him, unflinching.

Artemis (finishing roar):

SFX:

VRAAAAAAM!!

PULSE-PULSE-PULSE!!

⸻

Panel 2 — Side Wide Shot (Two Figures Colliding)

Artemis slams down, punching the engulfed shield again and again.

Each strike hits with sun-level heat, shaking the frame.

Kert’s feet melt the pavement, heat radiating beneath him.

Around Artemis, the mini-stars fire off in all directions, laser-striking Kert like rapid-fire tentacles.

SFX:

BA-BA-BA-BA-KOOM!!

SHRRRAAAASH!!

ZNNN! ZNNN! ZNNN! (laser shots)

SKRRRSHH!! (pavement melting)

⸻

Mini Bleed Panel — Kert’s Rib (Extreme Close)

A star-laser hits his side—

armor cracks open, revealing rib underneath.

SFX: KRACK!!

⸻

Mini Bleed Panel — Back of Kert’s Head

Another laser slices past his cheek—

armor peels, skin scorches.

SFX: ZNNK!!

⸻

Corner Mini Bleed — Kert’s Visible Right Side (Close)

His cheek is cut open, blood dripping—

yet his expression stays unfazed, eyes locked on Artemis.

SFX: DRIP…

⸻

PAGE 13

Panel 1 — Front Close Upper-Body Shot (Artemis)

Artemis keeps hammering punches into the shield, shoulders swinging with vicious rhythm.

Blue star-flame swirls around him as he grins with twisted pleasure.

Artemis (roaring, grinning):

“THE STARS BURN—”

“MUCH HOTTER—”

“THAN YOUR FLAME!!”

SFX:

BA-BA-BA-BA-KOOM!!

VWHAM! VWHAM!

⸻

Panel 2 — Over-the-Shoulder Shot (Behind Artemis)

Artemis continues unleashing aura-shockwave punches.

Each hit sends a radiating blast—

the shield surface starts cracking under the constant impact.

SFX:

CRNNNK… CRACK…

WHOOOM!!

⸻

Panel 3 — Close Shot Behind Kert’s Shield

(Main silhouette panel — large center spread)

Artemis pounds the shield with nonstop violent shockwaves, mini-stars still lasering Kert from every angle.

Kert stands unmoving, listening — expression unreadable.

Artemis (off-panel, taunting across the spread):

“And IF your corporal had used—”

“that shield the way YOU do…”

“Instead of lowering it like an idiot—!!”

“Maybe he wouldn’t have died!”

SFX:

ZNNN! ZNNN!

BA-KRAAAM!!

SHRRRRAASH!!

⸻

Panel 4 — Extreme Close Shot (Kert’s Feet)

Kert’s feet begin melting into the pavement, heat and pressure digging a crater beneath him.

The ground fractures outward from the shock.

SFX:

SKRRRRR…

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!!

⸻

PAGE 14

Panel 1 — Medium Close Back Shot (Kert’s Armor)

Kert’s white flames spike upward, distorting the air behind him.

SFX: VMMMM—! (heat distortion)

⸻

Panel 2 — Top Front Corner Close Shot (Between the Two)

Kert keeps the cracked engulfed shield raised, but his body flames surge — denser, hotter, almost warping his armor’s shape.

The sudden flare pushes Artemis back; his hands lift defensively, teeth gritting from the heat.

SFX:

FWOOOOM!!

SHRRR—! (flame density shift)

⸻

Panel 3 — Wide Back Shot (Behind Artemis)

Artemis steps back several times, shielding his face from the blinding heat.

In front of him, Kert stands tall, flames scorching and rippling around his frame.

Kert slowly retracts the shield, shrinking it back to normal size and lowering it to his side.

Kert (unfazed):

“Retract.”

SFX: FWIP—! (shield shrinking)

⸻

Panel 4 — Long Vertical Corner Bleed Panel (Black Silence)

A silent, black panel.

Kert (low, quiet utter):

“…I’m glad…”

⸻

PAGE 15

Panel 1 — Corner Over-the-Head Upper Back Shot (Kert)

Kert’s white-flame armor fully regenerates, glowing solid again.

He slowly shifts the shield onto his back, head lowered slightly — not weak, just grieving.

Kert (quiet sorrow):

“…He remained the same.”

“Until the end…”

SFX: FWOOM… (flame stabilizing)

⸻

Panel 2 — Medium Slow-Motion Shot (Behind Artemis)

In a single instant—

Kert vanishes, leaving a white-flame shockwave trail ripping through the rain.

He reappears directly in front of Artemis, towering over him.

Flames ricochet forward from the sudden stop.

Kert stands with his arms open wide like a bear ready to crush.

Kert (serious):

“…Isn’t that right?!”

Artemis flinches, startled and frightened by the sudden proximity.

SFX:

BWAAAM—! (displacement)

THMP! (arrival)

⸻

Panel 3 — Close Side Tight Shot (Both)

Kert’s flames burn blinding bright, air distortions rippling violently around him.

He scrunches his body—

then lunges in and hugs Artemis violently, locking him in a crushing grapple.

Artemis jerks in agony as the burning armor sears into him.

Steam rises from his skin.

Artemis (in pain):

“Arghh!!”

SFX:

SSSSZZZTT!! (sizzling)

GRRNNNK!! (crushing grip)

⸻

Panel 4 — Side Wide Shot (Ground Up)

Kert erupts upward, launching into the sky with Artemis trapped in his burning grip.

A massive white-flame trail blasts behind them.

The ground beneath shatters from the force of Kert’s takeoff, debris exploding outward.

Kert (sharp roar):

“Artemis!!”

SFX:

KA-THOOOOOM!!!

FWOOOOOOOSH!!

CRACK—CRACK—CRACK!!

⸻

PAGE 16

Panel 1 — Extreme Close Face Shot (Artemis)

High above the sky — Kert flying with Artemis gripped tight.

Artemis suddenly grins, blood dripping from his mouth.

His skin bubbles; tiny flame-sparks and blue star-dust erupt across his cheek.

He slaps his own face brutally.

SFX: PAP!!

⸻

Panel 2 — Back Wide High-Air Shot (Both)

From Artemis’s slap—

a blue star detonates between their bodies, blowing Artemis backward.

Kert’s upper body jerks back midair from the sudden blast, white flames flickering.

SFX:

BWHOOOOM!!!

KRNNNK—! (shock)

⸻

Panel 3 — Over-the-Shoulder Mid-Air Shot (Kert Descending)

Artemis breaks free of Kert’s burning hug.

Mixed white flame and star-dust scatter everywhere between them.

Kert begins descending, looking down at Artemis below.

Artemis’s face is bubbled, cracked, half-burned.

His shirt peels off in the air, drifting downward like a coat slipping free.

Artemis (mocking grin):

“Finally remembered me!”

“Handsome looks didn’t ring a bell?!!”

SFX: SSSHHH… (clothing burning and falling)

⸻

Panel 4 — Small Front Face Panel (Kert)

Kert descends at high speed, cutting the air, face dead-serious —

completely ignoring Artemis’s taunts.

SFX:

FWOOOSH!!

VMMM—! (air slicing)

⸻

PAGE 17

Panel 1 — Extreme Close (Artemis’ Mouth)

Artemis grins slowly.

Blood drips.

One front tooth is missing from the earlier blast slap.

Artemis (bloody, toothless chuckle):

“theh..”

SFX: DRIP…

⸻

Panel 2 — Silence Black Panel

A pure black void.

Artemis (caption, cold):

“100%…!”

⸻

Panel 3 — Side Wide Descending Motion Shot

Instantly — the two collide mid-air, descending toward the ground.

Both unleash a rapid flurry of punches:

• Kert’s flames burst brighter, multiple flaming after-fists trailing behind every strike.

• Artemis counters with radiant blows — star-swords swinging behind him, striking at the same time.

Artemis & Kert (simultaneous roar):

“AHHHH!!!!!”

SFX:

BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BOOM!!

FWAM! FWAM! FWAM!

ZNNN! ZNNN! (radiant swords)

⸻

Panel 4 — Close Up (Artemis Hit)

One of Kert’s flaming after-fists lands clean on Artemis’s face, crushing his nose.

Blood sprays. Artemis staggers midair.

SFX:

KRRRACK!!

SHHHP! (blood flick)

⸻

Panel 5 — Corner Top Side Wide Shot (Impact to Ground)

They hit the earth—

Artemis’s back SMASHES into the ground, cracking it on impact.

Artemis (unconscious grunt):

“Eff—!”

Kert is on top of him, continuing the barrage—

flame punches drilling Artemis deeper into the earth.

Multiple flaming after-fists crash down alongside him, detonating shockwaves.

Kert (roaring, relentless):

“!!RRHH—RRHH—RHHHH!!!”

The ground splits open under them — gravel erupts upward, debris rising higher than both fighters.

SFX:

KA-THOOOOOM!!

GRRRSHHH!!

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK!!

⸻

Mini Bleed Panel — Front Face (Artemis)

The final impact slams Artemis’s head back—

his eyes roll white, consciousness gone mid-strike.

SFX: THMP…

⸻

PAGE 18

Panel 1 — Wide Shot Above the Town Hall

The town hall is in ruins.

Ground split into jagged pieces — like an earthquake hit.

Dust and debris rise as the rain slowly begins to clear.

SFX:

HSSSHH… (rain)

WHOOOM… (rising dust)

⸻

Panel 2 — Medium Front Shot (Yota)

Yota stands at the broken edge, staring down with a worried, shaken expression.

A 5-foot-deep crater opens right in front of him.

Yota (speechless):

“…”

SFX: DRIP… (rain on rubble)

⸻

Panel 3 — Over-the-Back Wide Two-Shot (Kert & Artemis)

(Main spread panel under 1 & 2)

Kert stands tall, white flames fading but still present, chest rising slightly — tired, but unfazed.

Artemis lies broken at his feet, body burned, smoke drifting off him.

Artemis (weak mutter):

“…how…”

“…was… your flame… hotter…?”

SFX: Sssss… (smoldering)

⸻

Panel 4 — Front Close-Up (Artemis)

Artemis’s face is a wreck — swollen, blistered, blood bubbling at his lips.

Rain hits his wounds, making them sizzle as he gasps for breath.

Artemis (weak, gasping):

“I… haven’t been… defeated…”

“…still can… breathe…”

SFX: TSSSS… (rain on burned skin)

⸻

PAGE 19

FULL PAGE SPREAD

Panel 1 — Small Close Shot (Kert’s Face)

Kert’s white flames begin to diminish, particles drifting off him like dying sparks.

His armored eye clears—

revealing a tear sliding down beneath the flame mask.

Artemis (caption across Kert’s face):

“…Death of a…—”

BOTTOM CAPTION:

TO BE CONTINUED…

⸻

PAGE 20 — END PAGE

SPLASH PAGE — FULL

Shot: Portrait. Artemis leaning in with a twisted grin, finger to lips in a shh gesture.

White flame flakes drift around him.

Artemis (small text):

“Shh…”

SFX:

FSHH…

CRKK…