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[Panel 1]
Wide shot of the wrecked marine ship's remains scattered along the jagged reefs of Wraithcall Atoll. Thick mists drift across blackened shores.
Narration:
"Kael's rampage shattered the marine vessel. His broken body drifted ashore on a lawless island shrouded in mist — Wraithcall Atoll."
---
[Panel 2]
Low angle on Kael lying face-down in the black sands. His back glows faintly with seared soulmarks, flickering with spiritual residue.
Narration:
"This cursed land, avoided even by pirates, is home to outcasts, wanderers… and one man who would become something more."
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[Panel 3]
Maelis stands at the top of a jagged cliff. His weathered cloak flutters in the wind, tribal tattoos visible on his arms. In one hand, he grips a three-pronged trident, its metal stained from years of battle.
Maelis (coldly):
"Tch. Outsiders aren't welcome here."
---
[Panel 4]
Close-up of Kael's half-open eye — a dim, unnatural blue glow faintly emanating. A soul's whisper flickers briefly in the air.
---
[Panel 5]
Interior panel — Kael is carried to a small hut. Villagers argue heatedly in the background while Maelis lays him on a straw mat.
Villager 1 (alarmed):
"He's dangerous. Look at those eyes!"
Villager 2:
"Maelis, why bring him here?!"
---
[Panel 6]
Maelis slams his trident into the ground. His shadow falls over the villagers.
Maelis (firm):
"He's injured. I don't kill the wounded."
Narration:
"Even warriors of the wasteland have their code."
---
[Panel 7]
Montage:
Kael sitting in silence on a porch.
Villagers casting wary glances.
Children hiding behind corners.
Kael refusing to speak.
Narration:
"Days passed in silence. He neither spoke… nor left."
---
[Panel 8]
A small boy, no older than 7, walks toward Kael with a wooden bowl of soup.
Boy (nervously):
"Umm… mister? You hungry?"
---
[Panel 9]
Kael looks down at the bowl, then at the child. His face is unreadable. Slowly, he reaches out and takes the bowl with care.
Kael (softly):
"…Thank you."
---
[Panel 10]
Close-up of the boy's face lighting up in shock.
Boy (excited):
"You talk! Everyone says you're scary, but I think you're kinda cool!"
__
[Panel 11]
Kael turns away, a faint shadow of guilt across his face.
Narration:
"He didn't deserve kindness. But he accepted it anyway."
---
[Panel 12]
Maelis watches silently from a rooftop, trident over his shoulder, observing.
Maelis (thoughts):
"He's strong. Too strong. But he's holding something back… like he's afraid of himself."
---
[Panel 13]
Evening panels:
Villagers cook food; Kael helps rebuild a broken hut.
Children keep distance, except the boy who sits beside Kael and talks endlessly about silly dreams and flying ships.
Kael listens quietly, occasionally nodding.
---
[Panel 14]
Night. Kael sits alone at the edge of the beach, moonlight reflecting on the waves. The wind rustles his cloak.
---
[Panel 15]
Black panel.
Screams echo. Shadows crawl in from all corners.
Kael's nightmare:
Nocturnian spirits claw at him.
A massive burning eclipse hangs overhead.
Spirits (screaming):
"KAEL! TRAITOR! MONSTER!"
Kuro (whispers):
"Let me out. You can't contain us…"
---
[Panel 16]
Kael jolts awake, gasping, his eyes wide with tears streaming down. He clutches his head.
Kael (muttering):
"…I didn't want this."
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[Final Panel]
Wide shot of Maelis standing nearby under the moonlight, arms crossed, watching Kael silently.
Maelis (thoughts):
"There's pain in him… sorrow deeper than the ocean. Who are you really, stranger?"
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End of Chapter 3
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