Created by Mateo Woodson
Written and Storyboarded by John Fallout
Black monoliths loomed above like the ribs of some long-dead god, stretching into the horizon and casting jagged shadows across the path. Ephraim walked between them, one boot dragging lazily behind the other, whistling a low tune to himself as a sharp wind carved through the canyon of stone. Beyond the last pillar stood a bridge—a massive, obsidian arch suspended in the clouds, overlooking an impossible country below.
As he walked across the bridge, Ephraim reached into his pocket and pulled out his scroll. The list was short. Very short. Only two names.
Rika Cider
Buddy Wong
And below that, an address:Sector 4B, Building 28, Room 100.
Ephraim squinted. "What kinda fuckin' name is Rika Cider?"
Beyond the bridge, in the far distance, a city the size of a small continent rose from the clouds like a divine mirage. Towers twisted into the sky like spiral tusks, some floating, some tethered by golden bridges and energy chains. From here, he could make out flying carriages, shimmering magical trains, even beasts being ridden through the air like casual taxis.
He set off toward it.
Two hours passed.
His boots hit marble now. The roads turned from dirt to polished gold and glass. The air carried hints of perfume, smoke, and roasted meat. This was it.
The Capital of New Eden: Soluar.
It hit like a punch to the face. Everywhere he looked, there was more—more people, more buildings, more markets, more noise. Every race under the sun buzzed about. Golems hauled crates the size of houses. Elf-like aristocrats floated above ground in cushioned thrones. The clanging of metal and scent of fried everything filled the air. Ephraim grinned.
He approached the main gate, where two guards in pristine uniforms flanked a metallic post.
Guard 1: "Name tag."
Ephraim: "Yup yup, I got it righttt hereeee."He dug into his pocket and slapped the tag into the guard's hand.
The guard's eyes scanned it. His face stiffened."You're... a Boichi. Which branch are you, boy?"
Ephraim: "Sixth. On my mom's side. Never met my pops."
The other guard squinted. "Then you're not sixth. That's your father's branch."
Ephraim: "Well shit, man, I dunno. I never fuckin' met him. Can I just get through?"
Their faces twisted like they smelled a fart.
"Watch your tone, boy. You have no idea who you're talking to."
Ephraim smirked, throwing his arms up innocently."Ohhh who? A washed-up old ass fart whose job is standing at a door all day? Hahahahaha—what the hell are you gonna do?"
Tension snapped like a violin string. Hands drifted toward hilts.
Ephraim, still grinning, raised his palms and waved them side to side."Come on guyssss. I was kidding. Can't take a joke?"
One guard grumbled and stepped aside. "You better stop testing your superiors before you bite off more than you can chew."
Ephraim clicked his heels and saluted. "Yes sir, old guy sir! Now can I go? I've been walking for hours and I wanna find my apartment. Oh! Oh actually—Sector 4B, Building 28? You know where that is?"
The first guard smirked. "And why should we tell a smart-ass like you anything?"
Ephraim: "Fine then, dick breath. I'll find it myself. Just open the gate and do your job."
The gate creaked open.
"Sassy-ass brat..." the guard muttered as Ephraim strutted through.
Soluar – Inner City
The kingdom swallowed him whole.
Soluar was a living labyrinth. Floating markets, neon runes dancing above awnings, merchant chants in a dozen languages. He asked around—mostly barked at people, confused a pigeon for a mailbox, and accidentally propositioned a merchant's wife.
Eventually, he spotted someone standing out—a bald monk in orange robes, sipping tea at a curbside shrine.
Ephraim: "Yo! You know where—"
Before he could finish, a light pulsed from his scroll.
One name—Buddy Wong—vanished in a puff of glowing dust.
Ephraim blinked, then glanced up.
The monk was looking at his own scroll, then at Ephraim.
"You... are Ephraim Boichi?" he asked.
Ephraim grinned. "Hell yaaaa. The one and only."
Buddy Wong stood up and clasped his hands. "This is splendid! What fortune—to meet like this amidst the chaos of the city!"
Ephraim held up the scroll. "Your scroll say Sector 4B, Building 28?"
"Indeed. Shall we?"
They set off.
Searching the City
Soluar didn't make anything easy.
They passed through seven districts:
Cloud Tier, where nobles floated past them like smug balloons.
The Rustrows, a cramped market where mechanical birds tried to sell them fish.
Beastfolk Alley, where horned, tailed, and feathered citizens hawked hand-carved talismans.
At one point, a rabbit-woman tried to marry Buddy.
Eventually, a vendor pointed them toward a popular tavern-inn that served as a common meetup point for challengers.
The Fox & Flask looked like a modern rooftop café slapped onto a medieval inn. Neon signs buzzed above doors shaped like elven cathedrals. The moment they stepped inside, chaos swallowed them.
Darts flew. Coins clinked. Dice rolled. And from the corner—
"BLACKJACK, MOTHERFUCKERS!!"
Ephraim marched to the bar like he owned it."HEY BARKEEP! WHERE CAN A MAN GET SOME GRUB ROUND HERE?!"
The bartender—a pockmarked human in an apron—snorted. "Outside, you fucking Mudblood dog."
Ephraim reeled. "Who the fuck are you talking to?! I just asked where the food at, damn!"
Before it escalated, Buddy stepped in. "Easy, friend. Let us not burn bridges before we cross them. We'll take our leave."
Ephraim: "WHAT?! He started it!"
Buddy: (smiling) "And we'll finish it."
Ephraim: "...Damn right I am."
CRACK.In one blur, Ephraim clocked the bartender so hard the man spun twice before hitting the floor.
The room fell silent.
Buddy: (sighs) "You just had to follow your impulses."
Chaos erupted.
Chairs scraped, drinks spilled, half the tavern started screaming. Ephraim grabbed Buddy's wrist and yelled—
"RUNNNNNNNNN!!!"
The Chase
They tore through the streets like bats out of hell.
A dwarf on a pig tried to block them. Ephraim vaulted him.A beastfolk policewoman barked orders. Buddy apologized mid-dash.Someone threw a hot pretzel. Ephraim caught it midair and ate it.A child yelled, "IT'S THE MUD BLOOD!" and threw a tomato. Missed.
They ducked under market stalls, leapt through laundry lines, and finally dove into a narrow alley where the pursuers gave up.
Gasping for air, the two of them stood under a flickering lantern.
"Well," Buddy wheezed. "I hope the food was worth it."
Ephraim grinned. "I ain't even get to eat yet."
Later – Lower Soluar
They wandered deeper into the city's underbelly.
No more floating balconies. No more perfume.
Just cracked roads, steaming vents, and buildings that looked like they'd been forgotten by the architect halfway through.
But something smelled divine.
Ephraim: "Mannnn. We've been walkin' all day, and you haven't eaten anything. You must be famishedddd. Ohhh myyyy, what's this? A restaurant? Right hereee? What luck!"
He started to walk toward the tiny eatery—a literal hole-in-the-wall shack sandwiched between two busted apartments—when Buddy grabbed his sleeve.
"Please, Ephraim... let's not have a repeat of last time."
Ephraim smirked."Me? Come onnn. I'd never."
They stepped inside.
It was smoky, cramped, and filled with Mudbloods, Beastfolk, and other outcasts. No one looked twice at them.
Perfect.
They sat at the counter beside a light-skinned woman with short red hair and freckles. She wore ragged military gear, no insignia.
Ephraim leaned over, waved to the barkeep."Yooo barkeep! You got a starvin' patron over here. What can we do about this conundrum?"
The barkeep—a towering half-bear woman with arms like tree trunks—stepped up.
"What'll it be, honey?"
Ephraim:"OH OH lemme get the chicken, with a side of rice and beans, and hmmm the fish rolls look great—lemme get like uhmmm—"
Buddy: "Ephraim. Do you… have money?"
Ephraim froze."...Money?"
"Yes. Money."
He stared blankly."Oh, silly naive Buddy. You don't need money when you got a chiseled jawline and a silver ton—"
He stopped.
Buddy's robe was glowing.
Faint. Subtle. But there.
Ephraim:"...Hey. Hey! Your robe is glowing!"
He turned slowly, eyes scanning the room.
"Oh SHIT. RIKA'S IN THIS BAR."
TO BE CONTINUED...