---
---
[Panel 1]
Wide shot of the open sea. A small sailboat cuts across the still waters. The sky is quiet.
Narration: "A day since Wraithcall Atoll... two lost souls drifted toward destiny."
---
[Panel 2]
Kael sits at the front of the boat, arms resting on his knees, eyes fixed on the horizon. His face shows guilt.
Kael (thinking): "How many… did I hurt?"
---
[Panel 3]
Behind him, Maelis is adjusting the boat's course. His new dual-form trident rests nearby — part normal, part blackened Sea Prism alloy, bound together by forged chain-links.
Maelis (calling out): "Don't sink into it, Kael. You're still here."
Kael: "Barely."
---
[Panel 4]
Close-up of the trident. Its center crack reveals a twist-lock — when turned, it separates into two connected weapons.
Narration: "Forged from Wraithcall iron and a salvaged Sea Prism blade… the Tidebreaker Chain was born."
---
[Panel 5]
Maelis eyes the trident, a flicker of memory rising —
[Flashback Panel — sepia tone]
Maelis and the village blacksmith over the forge.
Maelis: "If he loses control again… I need to stop him. No matter what it takes."
---
[Panel 6]
Kael leans back, staring into the clouds. Kuro's voice echoes from within.
Kuro (internal, mocking): "Aww… regret now? Where was this sensitivity when you gutted that farmer?"
Kael (gritting teeth): "Shut up."
Kuro: "Make me."
---
[Panel 7]
Kael lowers his head. Shadows creep across his face.
Kael: "You're still in there…"
Kuro (low, venomous): "And he's still watching. Your precious Maelis. With that stupid trident. Waiting."
Kael: "He saved me."
Kuro: "He pities you."
---
[Panel 8]
Maelis sits beside him.
Maelis: "Heard that."
Kael (tense): "Didn't mean you to."
Maelis (calm): "Then talk louder next time. I hate whisper-fights."
---
[Panel 9]
Suddenly —
SFX: RUMMMMMMBLE…
The sea shifts. A deep vibration rises from below.
---
[Panel 10]
A dark shape begins to emerge in the ocean below them.
Kael (narrowing eyes): "...Something's under us."
Maelis: "No wind. No waves. This isn't natural."
---
[Panel 11]
Full-page reveal
From the depths, a massive eye the size of their boat opens — glowing faint teal. Tentacle-like fins unfold. Scars run across its ancient face.
Narration: "The Abyssal Crown. A Sea King whispered of in nightmares — seen only five times in recorded history."
---
[Panel 12]
Kael stares, frozen. The eye reflects in his own — he flashes back—
[Flashback Insert]
— a noble with a flaming symbol on their coat. Chains. Screams. The dart carved into Kael's skin.
Kuro (roaring from inside): "CELESTIAL FILTH!! I'LL RIP THEIR THRONES TO SPLINTERS!!"
Kael: "Stop—NOT NOW—"
---
[Panel 13]
The Sea King sinks slowly into the depths again. Its eye lingers on Kael for a moment longer… then vanishes.
SFX: Fwoooooosh…
---
[Panel 14]
Silence returns.
Maelis: "...What the hell was that?"
Kael: "A reminder."
Maelis: "Of?"
Kael (quiet): "That even gods can drown."
---
[Panel 15]
The island comes into view — lush but quiet. Trees sway under an eerie wind.
Narration: "An island untouched by charted maps… where something small would shift something great."
---
[Panel 16]
Village alley on the island
A group of thugs corner a child in an explorer's coat — Riven. He's clutching a compass, trembling.
Thug 1: "Hand it over, brat. That compass'll fetch millions."
Riven (crying, shaking): "N-No! Take anything else! Not this — it's my mother's!!"
---
[Panel 17 – Cliffhanger Panel]
A thug raises a gun to Riven's face.
Thug 2: "Last warning."
Riven: "Please don't…"
BANG.
CUT TO BLACK.
Narration: "Next: The Compass Child."
TO BE CONTINUED.
---