Main Character: Kael "The Hollow Howl" (Captain of the Revenant Pirates)
Prologue: The Vessel of Shadows
Full-page spread: A gloomy cavern beneath the cursed continent of Nightveil. Ritual fires crackle, casting twisted shadows.
Narration Box: "In the age when monsters were born of men's fear, the Nocturnians practiced soul-binding to cheat death."
Kael, a pale child with silver eyes, sits in the center of a ritual circle etched in blood and spirit sigils.
High Priest (chanting): "Let the curse of a thousand wails be thy strength. Let the hollow within howl eternal."
Panel: Spirits swirl into Kael's body. He screams, his eyes splitting into two rings — one his own, one a glowing demonic eye.
Narration Box: "Thus was born the Soul Anchor — a boy destined to carry the hatred of a fallen race."
Chapter 1: Chains Beneath the Earth
Panel: Years later. Kael, now in his late teens, stands bloody in a war-torn field. Chains of darkened Seastone bind his wrists.
Narration Box: "Used by the government in secret. Feared even by the shadows."
CP0 agents direct him like a tool.
CP0 Commander: "Unleash the Wailing Howl on these rebels. Show no mercy."
Kael hesitates. The wind whispers.
Kuro (inner voice): "Weak. Let me out. I'll finish what you can't."
Kael: "No... I won't lose control again."
But the souls inside rumble, a "Soulquake" erupts. The mask cracks. Kuro takes over. Screams echo.
Double-spread panel: Kael transforms partially — glowing veins, jagged teeth, claws ripping through enemies.
Narration Box: "And once again, Kael is used as a weapon. Until the day he turned against them."