Page 1:
Panel 1: The ruins of the Sunken Archives stretch across a valley of broken marble, half-swallowed by the earth. Vines wrap around pillars. Statues of forgotten kings lie shattered.
Lira (in awe):
“This place… it feels like a heartbeat. Like something’s alive under here.”
Kael (grim):
“It’s not alive. It’s watching.”
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Page 2:
Panel 1: Inside the ruins, they find a sealed stone door with faded carvings — a crown, a veil, and a blade intersecting.
Lira:
“This symbol... I’ve seen it in my dreams.”
Kael:
“It’s the Seal of Elryon. My mother wore it.”
Panel 2: Kael places his hand over the blade symbol. A faint pulse lights up the door. Lira’s gem glows in response.
Panel 3: The stone door slowly slides open, revealing a spiral staircase descending into darkness.
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Page 3:
Panel 1: Below, they enter a chamber with floating runes, dusty bookshelves, and an ancient pool of silver water.
Lira:
“What is this?”
Kael:
“A memory vault. My father used to speak of it… only royal blood can open it.”
*Panel 2: Kael kneels at the pool and touches the water. A vision appears — a younger King holding baby Kael, while flames rage behind him.
King (in vision):
“They’re coming. If you survive this… find her. She wears the Crimson Veil.”
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Page 4:
Panel 1: Lira sees her own reflection in the pool — but the image changes. She’s wearing a crown. Soldiers kneel before her.
Lira (shaken):
“This… this isn’t a dream.”
Kael:
“You’re the last of the royal line.”
Lira (whispers):
“And you’re the prince they tried to erase.”
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Page 5:
Panel 1: Suddenly — BOOM! The chamber shakes. Dust falls. A blast explodes the upper wall.
*Panel 2: From one side, Thorn Chain assassins drop in, blades drawn.
*Panel 3: From the other, Hollow Crown knights burst through, armored and brutal.
Vark (stepping in):
“Come home, Blade.”
Lady Seraphine (from shadows):
“No. The girl is mine. She remembers what she shouldn’t.”
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Page 6:
Panel 1: Kael steps protectively in front of Lira, dagger raised.
Kael (to both):
“She’s not yours.
And I’m no one’s weapon.”
*Panel 2: Vark scoffs.
Vark:
“You carry a king’s blood, boy. But you’ll die a traitor.”
*Panel 3: Lira’s gem glows blinding red. A shockwave pulses outward, throwing both enemy groups back.
Lira (shouting):
“I am not a pawn!”
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Page 7:
Panel 1: In the chaos, Kael and Lira sprint deeper into the vault.
*Panel 2: They find a hidden stair leading to a crystal room — at its center, a pedestal with two glowing items: a silver crown and a black sword.
Kael:
“They left these for us.”
Lira:
“Then maybe they knew we’d come back.”
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Page 8:
Panel 1: They stand together — Kael holding the sword, Lira wearing the crown.
*Panel 2: Behind them, fire and steel clash as the two factions battle.
Narration:
“Truth opens like a wound.”
Narration:
“But from pain, power rises.”
---
[End of Chapter 5]
