Page 1:
Panel 1: Morning light spills into the castle. Birds chirp softly. Lira is packing a worn satchel with food, a sketchbook, and an old dagger.
Narration (Lira):
“He said yes. Just like that.
I don’t know why I trust him.
But something about him… feels like a dream I forgot.”
---
Page 2:
Panel 1: Kael tightens his cloak, adjusting a hidden blade under his sleeve. He glances at Lira, unimpressed by her luggage.
Kael:
“You packed half the forest. We’ll be dead before sundown.”
Lira (grinning):
“I packed dried mangoes and moonbread. I’d rather die full.”
Panel 2: Kael sighs and turns toward the woods outside the broken gate.
Kael:
“We move at dawn. Stick close. No questions if I say run.”
---
Page 3:
Panel 1: The forest is deep and alive. Sunlight streams through the canopy.
Panel 2: Lira marvels at everything: flowers, squirrels, moss on bark.
Lira:
“It smells like stories out here…”
Panel 3: Kael walks ahead, silent. Lira notices the faded scars on his hands.
Lira (softly):
“Do you miss where you're from?”
Kael (after a pause):
“I don’t remember it. Only shadows.”
---
Page 4:
Panel 1: A rustling sound—Kael freezes, raises a hand.
Kael:
“Hide. Now.”
Panel 2: Lira dives into a bush. Kael draws a knife from his boot and disappears into the trees.
*Panel 3: Two masked men in black cloaks appear on the path, searching.
Hunter 1:
“He was seen near the ruins. The Red Gem’s scent lingers.”
Hunter 2:
“If the princess is alive, the Syndicate wants her.”
---
Page 5:
Panel 1: Kael drops from a tree, swift and silent, knocking one man out with the hilt of his blade.
Panel 2: The second swings his blade, but Kael parries, countering with brutal precision.
SFX: CLANG—SHINK—THUD!
Panel 3: Lira peeks from the bushes, eyes wide.
Lira (thinking):
“He moves like a shadow… like he’s done this a thousand times.”
---
Page 6:
Panel 1: After the fight, Kael grabs a pendant off one of the hunters. It bears a silver mark—half-burned crown and bleeding rose.
Kael (thinking):
Syndicate. Why would they be after her?”
Panel 2: Lira steps out quietly.
Lira:
“...You said you were a thief.”
Kael:
“I am. Sometimes.”
Lira (serious):
“You’re lying. But I’m still going with you.”
---
Page 7:
Panel 1: They rest at a cliffside camp that night. A small fire burns. Lira sketches Kael in her book while he sharpens a blade.
Lira:
“Have you ever… loved someone?”
Kael (quiet):
“Once. I think. I was very small.
She sang to me under the stars.”
Panel 2: Lira clutches her gem.
Lira:
“My dreams are full of fire…
And someone crying my name.”
---
Page 8:
Panel 1: Close-up of Lira's gem. It glows faintly as moonlight hits it.
Panel 2: Kael looks at it, lost in thought.
Kael (thinking):
“That gem belonged to the Queen of Elryon…
But it was lost in the siege.
So how does she have it?”
Panel 3: Lira looks at him gently.
Lira:
“You look like someone meant to protect people.
Not kill them.”
Panel 4: Kael turns away.
Kael:
“Then maybe you’re dreaming too.”
---
[End of Chapter 2]
