Page 1:
Full-page panel.
A misty forest surrounds the ruins of an ancient castle. Vines hang from the walls. The setting sun glows behind it.
Narration (Lira):
“They say time forgot this place.
But it’s the only world I’ve ever known.”
---
Page 2:
Panel 1: Inside the castle, dimly lit by flickering candlelight.
Lira (15–16) is sitting by a window, sketching a bird in her old journal. Her red gem glows faintly on her chest.
Panel 2: A ceiling tile cracks above her.
Panel 3: A figure crashes down from above—Kael—hooded, cloaked, covered in dirt.
SFX: THUD!
Panel 4: Lira jumps up, shocked, holding a fireplace poker like a sword.
Lira:
“Who—?! Thief?! Ghost?! …Wait, you're bleeding!”
---
Page 3:
Panel 1: Kael slowly rises, groaning.
Kael (thinking):
“Damn... Thought this place was abandoned...”
Kael:
“...Don’t scream. I won’t hurt you.”
Panel 2: Lira pokes him in the chest with the poker.
Lira:
“That’s exactly what someone who wants to hurt me would say.”
Panel 3: Close-up of Kael noticing the gem on her neck. His eyes widen.
Kael (thinking):
“That gem—impossible...”
---
Page 4:
Panel 1: Lira ties Kael up with rope, clearly proud of herself.
Lira:
“You broke into my castle. You owe me answers.”
Kael:
“This place is abandoned.”
Lira:
“Then what am I? A ghost in a dress?”
Panel 2: They stare at each other—silent, tense.
Kael (thinking):
“Why... does she look so familiar?”
---
Page 5:
Panel 1: Lira sits across from him at the table. Night has fallen. A candle flickers between them.
Lira:
“You know the world outside. Take me there. Let me live.”
Panel 2: She touches the red gem on her neck.
Lira:
“This gem... it’s yours, if you take me with you.”
Panel 3: Kael hesitates, eyes flickering with memory.
Kael (thinking):
“That gem belonged to the queen of Elryon... Why does she have it?”
---
Page 6:
Panel 1: He nods, quietly.
Kael:
“Fine. But you follow my rules.”
Panel 2: Lira unties him, smiling for the first time.
Lira:
“Deal. What’s your name?”
Panel 3: Kael looks out the window at the moonlight.
Kael:
“...Kael. Yours?”
Lira:
“Lira. I think.”
“But maybe out there... I’ll remember who I really am.”
---
[End of Chapter 1]
