These are the first two issues of an action comic book project. Spectral Echo takes place in a modern/futuristic version of the US, decades into the future. Kadyn, an elemental mage, fights viral robot monsters, and corporate and government corruption that strives to control her powers. She teams up with other mercenaries like herself to fight back.
Character Art by Crystal Williams Brown
Notes: Keep in mind, Kadyn and Ziad start out with their regular clothes before switching to their battle outfits.
Page 1.
Panel 1
11:00 am, Sunny.
Overhead shot of a hovering train moving above the city of Union Prime. Storefronts, corporate buildings, and factories are seen with plant life and birds mixed in. In the distance to the left is a tall, vacant, metal building with an abstract robotic object sitting on top. Ziad is barely seen standing near the edge of the root top.
Panel 2
Kadyn sits in the train, while casually looking out the window and holding her phone. She speaks to herself.
Kadyn: Alright, time to go back to work.
Panel 3
Zoom in on the phone’s screen. A user interface of a timer counting down from 1 minute and 52 seconds is displayed. Four silhouettes of robot monsters are displayed underneath this timer.
Panel 4
A holographic blue shield appears around the train as it moves closer to the roof top. A yellow and black transparent square border, with a “WARNING” sign on each wall, aligns the rooftop.
Ziad is seen standing near the edge, happily watching the train move closer. A raven is also seen gliding in the sky to the right.
Kadyn: Let’s try to have some fun.
Page 2
Panel 1
Front shot of Kadyn stepping out of the train and onto the roof top. Inside of the train, an automated announcement is made, with part of the message being displayed at the exit. Kadyn holds her phone in a nonchalant way.
Announcement: Infinity Virus hazard zone in the vicinity. Unauthorized personnel are prohibited from leaving the train.
Panel 2
Ziad excitedly walks to Kadyn waving. An Indigenous Mexican man in his 30s named Cayo, wears a futuristic Aztec tlacateccatl robe. Holding a macuahuitl gunblade sword with his hair in a ponytail, and black bandages on his feet, he guards the edge of the warning area.
Kadyn: Hey Ziad.
Ziad: Yo, Kadyn. I’m happy to see you.
Kadyn: Aww.
Panel 3
Front shot of Ziad resting his hand on Kadyn’s shoulder. Kadyn slightly looks away with uncertainty and a subtle smile.
Ziad: You ready?
Kadyn: Yeah…
Panel 4
A large raging stampede of robot monsters made up of old home appliances appears and heads straight towards Kadyn and Ziad. Cayo is seen running towards the herd of monsters. Kadyn and Ziad run toward him. Kadyn’s clothes gradually change into her battle outfit starting with the upper half of her body. A digital static effect leads the clothes’ transformation. She makes a nonchalant gesture with her metal claw ringed hand. Ziad’s clothes also begin to change starting with his lower body. He looks at Kadyn while running.
Ziad: You okay?? You look like you’re in a bad mood.
Kadyn: I’m good. Just try to keep up okay?
Zaid: Heh.
Page 3
Panel 1
A platinum and gold robot greets Cayo, Kadyn and Ziad in front of the stampede of robot monsters made up of kitchen appliances. It has a cylindrical head with a disc located slightly above, making its head look like a top hat. It wears a fancy, long, collared high tech dress coat with mechanical parts built in. Its eyes are large lenses above and below the disc on its head. He stands elegantly with its hands behind its back.
Kaiwisk: We shall now initiate the battle after Cayo and I had a considerable wait.
Kadyn: (Off picture.) Be more patient Kaiwisk.
Panel 2
A zoomed out shot shows Ziad, Cayo, Kaiwisk, and Kadyn on the left, preparing to clash with the mob of monsters. This includes a robot made from a food processor with buzz saws for hands, an orb shaped robot with flame thrower nozzles for arms, and a robot with cylindrical robot with meat tenderizer mallets for arms.
Ziad stands in front of the group with his giant axe and shield ready.
Kadyn runs with her clawed hand out, holding an orb of freezing air. Cayo is preparing to slash with his sword. Kaiwisk hovers a few feet from the ground.
Cayo: We’re fighting a strain of appliance waste to prevent harm to the nearby apartment complex. If they get to that building, they’ll try to absorb it.
Panel 3
Ziad blocks several giant buzz saws thrown by monsters with his shield with a look of confusion on his face.
Ziad: Oh!..I have that veggie chopper, I still use it. Hm why would someone throw that away?
Buzz saw noise: SHINK SHINK SHINK SHINK!
Kadyn then runs ahead. She swipes her clawed hand upward in front of a handful of monsters, creating an ice spell of curved icicles. They impale and freeze the infinity strains.
Kadyn: Uh, planned obsolescence, TARGET AQUIRED BITCHES!
Ice spell sound: SHINKKK!!
Panel 4
Overhead shot of Kadyn leaping into the air, striking down a lightning spell onto the robot monsters. The water from the ice causes the lightning to spread.
Lightning Spell sound: KRKBLAAAOOMM.
Page 4
Panel 1
Cayo slashes through two monsters on his left and right with his macuahuitl gunblade. A robot with egg scramblers for limbs on the left, and a robot with kitchen knives for limbs on the right. Sharp bullets scatter near the slash holes.
Cayo slashing through robots: Shblam! Shblam!
Panel2
Side shot of Cayo running forward preparing to slash again. His face during battle always shows determination.
Cayo: Keep in mind; we have a limited amount of time.
Panel 3
Cayo slashes through another mob of monsters, scattering the damaged remains of their bodies
Gun Sword Sound: SHBLAM!!!
Panel 4
Isometric zoom out shot of monsters surrounding Kadyn and Cayo, quickly moving toward them. The two look around in frustration.
Kadyn: Duly noted.
Page5
Panel 1
Robot monsters made out of appliances attack Cayo. A monster with chef torches for hands spews flames at him on his left. He gets burnt on his arm while blocking a monster that whips electrical cords at him, with his sword on his right.
Cayo’s sword blocking the electrical cords: CLING!
Torch flames: Phhheww.
Cayo: AAAhhk! I don’t mind the work or the money, but people literally create monsters when they throw this stuff away so often.
Panel 2
An appliance monster wielding meat tenderizers for hands attacks Kadyn on her left. She blocks the attack with a sheet of ice. Kadyn gets injured on her shoulder by an appliance monster that attacks her with its power drill head. Some blood splatters.
Kadyn: Hrng. Gotta stay up to date with tech I guess.
Cracking Ice Sheet: Crrraackkk!
Page 6
Panel 1
Within a first person perspective, Kaiwisk hovers several feet over Kadyn and Cayo who are getting attacked by multiple robot monsters. This includes the two previous monsters that were attacking Cayo and Kadyn before. Kaiwisk’s sight displays green digital data of himself and two of his allies, including their names, job class, damage type and source. For Cayo: M.E.T.A. Class-Gunblader; Damage Type: Physical/Mental Points. For Kadyn: M.E.T.A. Class-Martial Wizard; Damage Type: Magic/Mental Points. Both of their health percentages reside at 75%. Monster damage distribution is 25% per 2 seconds. At the very bottom left of Kaiwisk’s sights, a small digital message says “Current Unit: Kaiwisk: M.E.T.A. Class-Numeric Mender; Damage Type: Magic/Mechanical Output.”
Panel 2
Still within a first person perspective, Kaiwisk moves his finger in a circle, around Kadyn and Cayo. A green clock design appears underneath Kadyn and Cayo, and light beams out of it, healing the duo. The cuts and burns from the clothing and skin regenerate to it previous state. Ziad is leaping into the battle from the left with several large, sharp objects stuck to his shield. Kaiwisk’s data on Ziad reads: Ziad: M.E.T.A. Class: Barbaric Paladin; Damage Type: Physical/Rage/Health. His health bar at 99% is much larger than Kadyn’s or Cayo’s.
Kaiwisk: I’ll keep them healed while you provoke the strains.
Ziad on com device: Thank you.
Page7
Panel 1
Medium close up shot of Ziad preparing to swing his shield covered by sharp objects.
Ziad: You can have these back!
Panel 2
Wide shot. Ziad flings the sharp objects off of his shield, and into the monsters that were attacking Kadyn and Cayo.
Ziad flinging objects off of his shield: HNNNGG!
Shield: WOOSHH
Sharp Objects Penetrating the robot monsters: SHHINK, SHINK, SHINK, SHINK, SHINK
Panel3
Ziad cleaves his axe into the mob of monsters.
Ziad: You two okay??!
Axe cleaving into monsters: WOOSH KRRRRRRSHHH.
Panel 4
Kadyn and Cayo run toward the cluster of weakened monsters that Ziad fights. Kadyn’s clawed hand is shrouded in fire. Cayo's original weapons transform into duel wielding Itztopilli gun axes as he reloads.
Kadyn: Yeah. Thanks. Cayo lets clean this place up.
Cayo’s weapon morphing into gun axes: Woosh!
Page 8
Panel 1
Kadyn throws a wave of fire at the crowd of crippled robots by slinging her cape. To the right of her, Cayo slashes monsters with his gun axes. He spreads a barrage of bullets with the slashes.
Kadyn’s Fire Spell: FWOOOOOSHHHH!
Kadyn: We’re mowing through most of them-
Cayo’s Slashes: SHING, BRATATATATA.
Panel 2
Damaged monsters made of sharp objects quickly dash on top of each other to create the shape of a giant anthropomorphic lizard robot.
Robots combining: Clink, clink, clink, clink.
Panel3
The large robot desperately runs to a transparent “warning” wall close to the apartment complex. The monster is armored with large kitchen knives on its head, back, hands and feet. Cayo peaks his head out of the foreground, running after the giant.
Cayo: That’s probably why the strain is looking for another power source! We can’t let it get through the barrier.
Panel 3
The giant jumps and clings onto a barrier wall, right outside the apartment complex. It digs its claws into the wall creating cracks. Civilians within the complex look terrified through their windows
Blade Giant: REEEEEEEEIIIIIRRRRRR!
Panel 4
Ziad hurries to the blade giant, with Kaiwisk applying a speed spell to him. Green digital lines measure the distance between Ziad and the blade giant at 50ft. “Analyzing ally….Speed Increase applied” is displayed horizontally to the right of Ziad.
Ziad: I’m gonna attack that strain head on.
Page 8
Panel 1
Multiple images of Ziad’s motions.
Ziad runs at super speed to the blade giant leaving a blurry trail behind him. He leaps and jams his shield into the warning barrier, clinging onto it. He slashes the giant’s skull using his axe. The giant screams in rage and agony as sparks and smoke gush out of the giant’s head.
Axe Slash: Cchonk!
Blade Giant: SSSKRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
Panel 2
The giant shoves his left claw into Ziad’s torso. Ziad barely guards part of the attack with his right arm, bloodying it and his abdomen by the monster’s claw. Ziad tenses up struggling against the attack.
Claw Slash: Kishhh.
Ziad: HRRRNNG!
Panel 3
Below Ziad and the blade giant, Kadyn casts a lightning spell grid on the monster’s head. It is half filled with light as Kadyn aims her straining hands at her target. Cayo stands across from her. He looks at the blade giant with intensity. A red sniper laser beams out of one of his eyes and a target aims at the monster’s head as Cayo is preparing to slash a round out with his Tepoztopilli spear gun.
Kadyn: Ziad!!
Cayo’s Gun Spear: Chhickik!
Ziad: Wai, wai wait!!! Don’t use all that power on this one target!! Focus on the wave of monsters!
Cayo: You and the strain fighting on that wall will cause it to break. It’s not safe Ziad!
Ziad: Please…ugh..don’t worry about me just yet. Take care of that mob before it scatters to other walls.
Page 8
Panel 1
Kadyn stands idle with Cayo behind her clutching his spear..
Kadyn: Sigh….fine.
Panel 2
Back shot of Kadyn and Cayo running toward the giant mob of varied robot monsters.
Cayo: Let’s hurry.
Panel3
Medium close up of Kadyn from the torso up. With a savage smile on her face, she surrounds herself in electricity.
Kadyn: I’ll be the bait.
Panel4
Side scrolling shot of Kadyn surrounded by flickering lightning, running at high speed to the right edge of the panel. She leaves a tall trail of fire behind her with a stampede of robots running after her through the fire. Cayo clumsily shields himself beside the trail of fire and robots.
Page 9
Panel1
Full shot of Kadyn turning around. Her face is filled with a mixture of courage and fear. Her cape and hair flutters from the leftover velocity. Bolts of lightning surround her.
Kadyn: That’s right, keep it comin. Straight to your death.
Panel2
Cayo’s weapon morphs into a cuauhololli club form, and he prepares to draw it. Parts of his club has components similar to a rocket launcher, making his weapon heavier. He speaks with a serious demeanor.
Cayo on com device: Kadyn! Do I have enough space!!?
Kadyn on com device: Yes!
Panel3
Kadyn shoots a chain lightning spell at the cluster of robot monsters that relentlessly run through the trail of fire. The spell strikes down a horizontal lightning bolt each time it connects to another monster.
Panel4
Cayo swings his club, launching a rocket that destroys the burnt, electrocuted robot monsters.
Explosion: BOOOoom!
Cayo: On to the next.
Page10
Panel 1(Overlapping panel3)
A grumpy brown haired woman in her 60s shouts at the M.E.T.A. team from her apartment window behind the cracked Warning wall.
Grumpy Lady: Hey! Can you guys hurry the hell up?! I have to be somewhere in 30 minutes and I can’t leave until that shit up there is destroyed! Move a little bit faster please!
Panel 2(Overlapping panel 3)
Close up shot of Kaydn rolling her eyes.
Kadyn: …Oh my god.
Panel3
Ziad struggles, pushing against the blade giant’s claw with his giant axe. A blur of heat surrounds him. Kaiwisk hovers near Ziad, covering him with a very transparent green, vertical, healing beam.
Ziad: Sorry for the inconvenience ma'am!...We’re moving as fast..as we can.
Panel4
Zoom out back shot of Kadyn and Cayo running to Ziad and Kaiwisk who fight the blade giant.
Kadyn: I have an idea. Ziad, do you mind if Kaiwisk stops healing you for a bit to amp up me and Cayo’s power?
Panel5(overlapping panel 4)
Close-up of Ziad’s bottom half of his face, grinning.
Ziad Telecommunicating: Hehe, yeah I gotchu.
Panel4
Kaiwisk: …..Is everyone comfortable with the percentage of implications?
Cayo Telecommunicating To Kaiwisk: Yeah.
Page 11
Panel 1
From the UI perspective of Kaiwisk who hovers over Kadyn and Cayo. The robot applies buffs to the duo running to the blade giant. Green digital graphics display the buffs.
Determining Power Up Distribution………
Kadyn:
DT (Damage Type): Magic/Mental Points
DPS (Damage Per Second): 80% filled bar
IBD(Instant Burst Damage): 60% filled bar
Mobility: 75% filled bar
Defense: 20% filled bar
Damage Boost Calculation: 40%
Cayo:
DT(Damage Type): Physical/Mental Points
DPS(Damage Per Second): 60% filled bar
IBD(Instant Burst Damage): 80% filled bar
Mobility: 60% filled bar
Defense: 35% filled Bar
Damage Boost Calculation: 60%
Total Output Requirement: Medium/High
Duration: 60 seconds.
Panel 2
Upper body shot of Ziad and the blade giant. The blade giant digs its claws into Ziad’s upper torso. Blood splatters from Ziad, and the blur around him becomes bigger, and more intense. His eyes become all black, and he lets out a roar.
Blade Giant Claws: Kuisshhhhh!
Ziad: aaaAAAAAAAHGH!
Panel3
Ziad viciously bashes his axe into the body of the blade giant, breaking the warning barrier. This causes both of them to fall.
Axe Slash Sound: SHHinnkk!
Barrier Shattering: KIISHHHH
Panel4
Once the robotic monster lands, Cayo uses his modified sword to attack it with a barrage of sub machine gun slashes. He leaves several giant rough slash holes in the blade giant.
SMG SLASHES: Bratatatatatata!
Cayo: Kadyn, follow up!
Panel5
Kadyn sways her cape, creating a blizzard, filling the slash holes with ice.
Kadyn: On it!
PAGE 12
Panel1
Kadyn hits the blade giant with the palm of her clawed hand. A giant pulse of lightning emits from her, violently electrocuting the robot monster. Chunks of the blade giant, and ice fly off.
Lightning Spell: KaCHOOOOOM!!!!
Panel2
The blade giant’s body lies on the ground, missing an arm, a leg, and a chunk of its torso. Fragments of it are scattered on the ground. Kadyn’s head peaks out of the bottom left corner of the panel.
Kadyn: Is it…
Panel 3
The blade giant’s mouth lashes out at Kadyn. She looks slightly surprised.
Blade Giant: YAAAAUGHR!!
Kadyn: Oh shi-
Panel4
A raging Ziad has his axe impaled into the blade giant’s body.
Kaiwisk’s UI on Ziad: Zerk Gene triggered.
Ziad: HUFF…HUFF..HUFF
Panel 5
Using his axe, Ziad hurls the blade giant through another plane of the barrier. Kadyn and Ziad look worried.
Ziad throwing the giant with his axe: Woooshh!
Kadyn: Shit…
Blade Giant going through the barrier: CRAAASHHH!!
Page13
Panel 1
The party gathers with a conscious Ziad. Kadyn scratches her head looking at the shattered danger barrier with the giant hole in it. She looks optimistic as everyone else, but still slightly worried. Kaiwisk heals Ziad’s bloody wounds with green blurry pixel orbs.
Kadyn: Alright. Mission accomplished.
Ziad: Hell yeah!
Kadyn: And..Sorry for triggering your zerk like that, heh.
Panel2
Close up of Ziad’s face. He looks confused.
Ziad: What? Don’t be sorry it’s-
Panel3
A big green digital blur covers the party. Kaiwisk is teleporting the group to another location.
Teleport Spell: WooSH!
Panel4
The party is teleported to the sidewalk of the nearby apartment complex. Glitchy bits from the teleport surrounds them. Everyone but Kaiwisk looks around confused.
Teleport Spell: WOOSH!
Page14
Panel1
Kaiwisk speaks with his hands folded. The rest of the group stares at him with astonishment.
Kaiwisk: Someone should do something about the blade giant’s remains that are falling from the sky.
Panel2
Ziad runs and catches what is left of the 12-foot blade giant right before its claw lands on the disgruntled woman from before, who just walked out of the building door. The rest of the party trails behind him with urgency. A raven is also seen squawking away from the sudden drop. The lady puts her hands in the air in terror.
Old Lady: OH MY GOD!!
Ziad: I gotchu! I gotchu!
Raven: Awwwwk!!
Panel3
Ziad, and Cayo console the frighten lady as her hand rests on her heart. Kaiwisk heals Ziad’s wounds again from catching the blade giant. Kadyn is kneeling in front of the raven, happily scratching the side of its neck.
Kadyn: You okay buddy??
Raven: Awwk…..Hell no……
Kadyn: Teeheehee…
Old Lady: Siighh…….
Cayo: Everything is under control now ma'am.’
Panel4
Kadyn and Ziad walk on a sidewalk through the Union Prime city at night time. One of the buildings in the background has a storefront with a sign that says “S.H. It’s Tech” at the top of the entrance. Kadyn and Ziad walk in the opposite direction of Cayo and Kaiwisk. Ziad happily waves at Cayo who waves back. A static effect separates everyone’s except Kaiwisk’s battle clothes changing back into their regular clothes. Cayo’s upper body changes into regular attire of a red tank top with tattoos scattering his body. Ziad’s upper body changes clothes and Kadyn’s lower body changes clothes.
Ziad: Ssssoooo there’s a high level strain coalescing in 2 days. You up for it?
Kadyn: Uhhm..Well…
Page 15
Panel1
Overhead shot of Kadyn and Ziad, fully in their regular clothes arriving at a public transportation stop on the side walk.
Kaydn: I’m gonna be honest, the experiences in those larger scale raids have been pretty trashy for me lately.
Panel 2
Zoom in on Ziad’s face. He speaks to Kadyn with a smile.
Ziad: …But I’ll be with you though. It’ll be fun!
Panel3
Kadyn and Ziad walk side by side on the sidewalk.
Kadyn: I enjoy your company also, but it’s not just how the other raid members act that make it a terrible experience….Though them being assholes is a big part of it.
Panel4
Kadyn sits inside of a hovering subway cart occupied by other people, with Ziad standing across from her, holding on to a handle grip. A digital ad on the wall above Kadyn reads “Slay A Behemoth, Protect Your Community. Join M.E.T.A. Today!”
Kadyn: Every so often, my magic isn’t powerful enough to damage strains. M.E.T.A HQ stated that mercenary powers are balanced to prevent collateral destruction. But sometimes it feels like…someone’s out to hold me back. Maybe it’s partly my fault to.
Ziad: No noo. That’s not true at all, you’re freakin amazing. I know M.E.T.A. has its issues but you’re being a bit too pessimistic.
Kadyn: Me being at that raid will piss people off, and then I’ll get pissed off right back because I won’t tolerate it. It’s happened time and time again.
Panel5
Ziad looks at Kadyn with a content half smile.
Kadyn: Yeah, I think I should sit this one out, sorry.
Ziad: Heh, it’s okay. No worries.
Page16
Panel1
Evening: M.E.T.A. Division Government Head Quarters
Shot of the M.E.T.A. division government head quarters. The headquarters is a 10 story pentagonal building with smooth edges. Navy blue sealing sections separate the glass buildings in between. On the front of the building a sign that says “Mercenaries Eternally Terminating A.I” is displayed.
Panel2
The five chair members of the M.E.T.A. division board sit at a table in a conference room on the 4th floor. An Indigenous American with long hair, in his early 50s sits at the end of the table, upright with his hands folded. He wears a gold and black paladin-like armor. His other chair members in their 40s sit on the left and right sides of the table. On the left side of the table sits a bald African American man wearing a dark blue assassin clad battle outfit and an eye patch on his left eye. He leans back in his chair with his arms folded and his legs crossed. Sitting beside the assassin is an African American woman with her hair in a pony tail, wearing a futuristic martial arts monk clothes. She speaks with a cherry disposition.
On the right side of the table is a cloaked Asian woman with shoulder length dark blue hair, armed with a high tech guns strapped behind her. She gestures her hands in a serious demeanor while speaking. Sitting beside her is a Caucasian man with red hair, wearing a high tech tuxedo with spiked wrist cuffs. He rests his head on his hand.
The M.E.T.A. board observes a hologram of the face of a 31 year old Caucasian man with close-cut light brown hair, and a latter of earrings on each ear.
Paladin: We have reviewed the rebalancing to M.E.T.A class skills, and read the report on Infinity Virus activity. It seems there are a handful of classes like the Martial Wizard that have been underperforming.
Gunslinger: But this is due to strains learning how to adjust to different types of attacks.
Monk: These classes should be more powerful and effective against these strains. I’m happy with the updates.
Paladin: We never want the rebalancing to make the mercs TOO powerful though. We don’t want to overload the M.E.T.A. servers and……Cause what happened last time.
Panel2
Close up Xavier talking.
Man in hologram: If you need ANY more tech waste data or support from Sentient Horizon, please let me know.
Panel3
Close up of the paladin talking.
Paladin: Likewise. Anything to help M.E.T.A. fight against the Infinity Virus is appreciated Xavier. We’ll talk soon.
Page17
Panel1
The hologram blinks off and the chair members rise out of their seats. Half of their battle outfits change into normal clothes. Each member has their clothes changing at different angles. The paladin makes a casual salute gesture to the other members.
Paladin: Alright..Meeting’s adjourned. You’re all dismissed for the day.
Panel2
Sentient Horizon headquarters:
Inside of a corporate office room, a small orb shaped robot hovers above Xavier with the effect of a television turning off in front of it. Xavier looks behind him to see a female employee holding a tablet. While Xaviar wears his usual red business suit, other employees are allowed more freedom to wear what they want. This employee wears a sleeveless long black dress and a gold chain necklace.
Female Employee: Sir? The viral waste management data and M.E.T.A. donations have just been promoted to different media channels.
Xavier: Awesome. That was quite immediate….You’ve been working very hard during M.E.T.A.’s latest balance initiative.
Panel3
Close up shot of the woman with a casual, but genuinely happy expression.
Female Employee: I’m just making sure we give the public all of the information they need to know.
Panel4
Full shot of Xavier showing a hint of a smile.
Xavier: Yeah, it’ll help maintain S.H.’s positive perception, and more importantly help bring in more money with our products. Just don’t overwork yourself Kathleen.
Panel5
Close up of Kathleen laughing.
Kathleen: Ehehee, I know.
Page 18
Panel1
Kadyn’s Apartment: 8pm
Kadyn sits in her dimly lit room, in front of her computer monitor. Wearing an oversized black mesh knit sweater that goes down to her knees, exposing her boxers and bra as undergarments.
Her room has photography of natural environments and abstract art posted on her walls.
Kadyn: Hmmm.
Panel2
Kadyn looks surprised with widened eyes. Her light brown mackerel peterbald cat crawls on her desk, curiously looking at the monitor.
Kadyn: OOOOoooohhh, really?! M.E.T.A. tweaked my abilities…again.
Cat: Raoowr?
Panel3
Kadyn rests her chin on her hand and she squints her eyes with suspicion.
Kadyn: And……
Panel4
The computer monitor shows a list of information about Kadyn’s M.E.T.A. abilities being changed on the M.E.T.A. Division website:
M.E.T.A. Class: Martial Wizard
Case: Ability Output Boost
Elemental Combination: The damage of a spell casted after another spell of a different element is increased from 10% to 15%
Elemental Stances:
Damage within elemental stances are increased by 3%
Burning damage duration from fire stance attacks increased by 3%
Paralysis chance from lightning stance attacks increased by 5%
The time from slowing to freezing by attacks within the ice stance is decreased by 6%.
Kadyn: The changes are good? Wow, these are REALLY good changes.
Page19
Panel1
Kadyn happily holds and pets her cat.
Kadyn: Kaz, I might have a much better time fighting in raids.
Kaz: Meow!
Kadyn: I should reconsider jumping back in-
Panel2
Close up on Kadyn’s worried face.
Kadyn: OH CRAP..Ziad!
Panel3
Kadyn happily types on her computer. Her cat patiently lay beside the monitor. The monitor displays a picture of a contorted robotic monster, a countdown at 48 hours, and a list of empty boxes.
Kadyn: I’ll open up the raid party myself and ask Ziad to join.
Panel4
Ziad appears on Kadyn’s monitor in a call. Ziad is in a small workshop room filled with a variety of tools. He happily looks at Kadyn while installing a part into a fragment of a car that sits on a large metal table.
Ziad: Yo!
Kadyn: Sorry to interrupt. Are you still down for going to that strain raid on Wednesday?
Ziad: Oh? So you changed your mind.
Page20
Panel1
Kadyn looks slightly guilty. Ziad waves at Kaz who bats his paw at him.
Kadyn: Yeaah….M.E.T.A. recently gave my powers some enhancements. Maybe they mean well now.
Ziad: Your powers were never an issue for me.
Kadyn: Not for you.
Panel2
Kaz sits on the desk beside Kadyn. Ziad gives her his usual warm smile.
Kadyn: Anyways, I know I’m being flipfloppy.
Ziad: Hell yeah I’ll join you.
Kadyn: Heh, aight. See you then.
Panel 3
Two Days Later
It is dusk at an overhead shot of the destroyed remnants of a once busy, colorful city. It is filled with expensive tall buildings and mansions surrounding smaller buildings. Damaged billboards also fill the area. A snake-like body, made up of different buildings and spikes curves out of the rubble.
Page21
Panel1
Kadyn and Ziad walk pass the remains of an arcade room and restaurant storefront with the serpent’s body seen in the distance on a mound of sand. Ziad has a somber expression as he stares at the arcade.
Kadyn: The strain is already here and it’s absorbed ruins of the city.
Ziad: Yeah…this place used to be booming. I remember coming here when I was a kid.
Kadyn: Unfortunately, this is what happens when a thriving area creates so much advanced technological waste.
Panel2
Kadyn partially turns around with the top half of her clothes turning into her mercenary gear. She displays a smile while wielding a flame on the tip of her finger, in a nonchalant manner. The dragon-like building serpent emerges its head out of the rubble and roars from further away.
Kadyn: And thus creating a gigantic serpent for us to destroy! Yay consumerism?
Ziad off-picture: …..Yay.
Panel3
Kadyn and Ziad hurry to meet up with the rest of the raid party. A fully transformed Kadyn gestures Ziad whose upper half has changed into his M.E.T.A. gear.
Kadyn: Let’s hurry to meet the other party members while I’m still optimistic about people being nice.
Ziad: Come on, don’t be like that. It’ll be fine.
Panel4
Fully transformed into his M.E.T.A. gear, Ziad excitedly runs toward the rest of the raid party. This includes a tall lanky 19-year-old African American man wearing green scaly dragon-like armor; an athletic Caucasian woman in her 20s wearing an assassin outfit with her hair in a long pony tail, with laser exhausts scattered around her armor; a cheery African American woman with her hair in four puffs of a mohawk, wearing high tech leather armor with a chameleon color scheme that changes color with its surroundings, and dual snipers strapped behind her; and a stout muscular Asian man in his 20s with close cut hair, wearing ornate heavy armored martial arts monk attire, including chain mailed armor in the shape of a monk’s garment, exposing a bare left half of his torso, and wielding an embroidered pole staff.
Ziad happily walks up to the monk while waving.
Ziad: Batu! What’s up man?
Page22
Panel 1
Batu waves back.
Batu: Yo, Ziad! We still going to gym lat-
Panel2
The tower serpent crashes into the ground where the party was standing scattering everyone away.
Crash Sound Effect: CcrrAAAASSSSHH!
Panel3
Kadyn and the sniper Naomi are knocked up in the air. Kadyn is vertically upside down in the air while waving at Naomi with her fingers. Naomi is in the air while posed like she is lying on her belly with her feet up, and chin resting on one hand, and the other hand waving at Kadyn.
Naomi: Hey Kadyn!!!!!
Kadyn: Hellooooo.
Panel4
Naomi stands inside of a destroyed art gallery, peering through her holographic scope recticle.
Show a picture of Kadyn’s face with a static effect as she happily speaks to Naomi on a communication device system.
Naomi: I’m gonna scan for weak spots okay?
Kadyn: Okay!
Panel5
Digital purple data is displayed on the serpent.
Displayed at the top of the image: Data scanner: Naomi.
Target squares appear on seven sections in between the serpent’s body. “Vulnerable” is displayed above the targets with a segment.
Naiomi: Okay, let’s focus on the six segments in between the serpent.
Page23
Panel1
The laser assassin Armory dashes to the serpent, hovering above the ground with short red lasers beaming through the exhaust parts of her armor. She has a long laser that is withdrawn from her wrist.
Panel2
The serpent quickly moves further out of the ground.
Serpent bursting out of the ground: PSHHHHHHH!
Panel3
Armory staggers nearby, looking frustrated.
Armory: Ugh, well we can’t hit those weak spots until the serpent is more stable.
Panel4
Ziad is on the ground clashing his shield into the serpent’s face.
Ziad: Hehe, I’m on it, don’t worry.
Shield clashing with the serpent: CLANG! Crrrrrrnnnch
Panel5
Ziad Braces himself as the serpent headbutts him.. (Add Example/Reference Pic)
Ziad: Hrnng!
Page24
Page1
Zoom in shot of Ziad as he stares at the serpent maliciously. His eyes glow red with red electricity surrounding his face.
Ziad: You wanna fight?! Let’s go!
Panel2
Ziad’s red lightning scatters to the serpent’s eyes and head.
Panel3
Kadyn runs through the city ruins surface, toward the serpent. She prepares to sling six ice spikes that hover over three fingers on each hand.
Kadyn: Ziad provoked the strain. Attack the weak points after I paralyze it.
Panel4
Kadyn flings six ice spikes into the serpent’s weak spots of its segmented body.
Icicles hitting the serpent’s weak spots: KRRRRSHH!
Page25
Panel1
The dragon armor-clad merc Donovan hovers over and shoots green fire at a bruised Ziad. Ziad displays a stressed smile as his axe clashes with the serpent’s face.
Donovan: Don’t worry, I gotchu.
Ziad: Thank you. Go help the others attack those weak points. It will trigger the burst healing.
Panel2
Side shot of Kadyn dashing past all of the serpent’s weak points, leaving a giant chain lightning trail behind her. The ice spikes shatter with an explosion of lightning.
Lightning Ice Blast: KISHH KISHH KISHH KISHH KISHH KISHH
Building Serpent: Rrrroooar.
Kadyn: OKAY, CRUSH THOSE WEAK POINTS TO WEAKEN THE SERPENT!
Panel3
Batu goes into a long front bo-staff stance, with the laser assassin, and dragon healer behind him. Flickers of red electricity fade in on the 4 party members. Up arrows with “ATK” displayed within them appear on the three mercenaries.
Batu:
I’ll initiate the attack.
Page26
Panel1
Batu slashes his staff at a weak point with immense force. The area around him rumbles.
Batu’s staff attack: BOOmmMmM!
Panel2
Amory glides past a weak point, cutting it with lasers that surround her.
Laser cutting: SHHHZZZIIKK
Panel3
Donovan slashes into a weak spot with his claws, leaving a trail of fire behind his slash.
Fire Slash: Fwiiisshhhh
Panel4
From the first person scope view of the sniper, a red recticle hovers over one of the weak points of the serpent. The text “High priority target” is displayed near the target. A giant powerful sniper round is shot here.
Sniper Round: Chooooom!
Panel5
Kadyn kicks a weak point creating an explosion of fire around her.
Kadyn’s explosion kick: FOOOSHHHH!
Panel6
Ziad bashes his axe into the 6th weak point as healing fire burns on him.
Ziad: Last one!! Hng!
Axe hitting the weakpoint: CHHHINK!
Page27
Panel1
The serpent roars as its head rushes to the party with its mouth gaping open. Pieces of the building serpent’s body crumble off. Kadyn, Armory, Ziad, Batu, and Donovan stand in the foreground in front of the serpent. Armory, and Donovan stare at Kadyn with frustration. Ziad has an excited smirk on his face. Kadyn looks annoyed rolling her eyes.
Ziad: Nice! This is wh-
Armory: Kadyn, what the hell?!
Donovan: That just made it angrier!
Kadyn: I said we had to crush the weak points so we can WEAKEN IT. We lowered its defenses but it’s a high threat strain. It won’t go down instantly like that.
Panel2
Side shot of the serpent spitting 3 giant flaming doors at the party members. Ziad and Batu hold their shield and staff in front of themselves to protect the party. The other members look terrified.
Batu: Everyone brace your selves!!!!!
Serpent spitting doors at the party: HACHK! HACHK! HACHK!
Panel3
Side shot of the flaming doors crashing into and burying the mercenaries into the ground.
Flaming doors: CRASH CRASH CRASH!!
Panel4
Ziad and Batu emerge from the rubble with bruises, pushing the doors off of each other with one hand.
Ziad: Looks like we have to save the day again Batu-
Panel5
A drill bullet digs into a weakspot of the serpent located on it lower body.
Drill Bullet: Whrrriiiiuurr!
Building Serpent: Raaauughhr!!!?
Page28
Panel1
Naomi runs through another part of the building she’s been hiding in, away from the serpent. The serpent is seen through the windows, moving closer to her.
Naomi: The serpent is closing in on me. I don’t know if it can smell, or hear but…I’m gonna to relocate just in case. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!
Panel2
Overhead shot of Batu down on the ground. Batu wields his staff that is glowing a faint green, and is jabbed into the ground. He helps up Donovan with his other hand. A green aura surrounds the rest of the ground level party members, healing them. Ziad is seen walking away while looking at Batu.
Ziad: Batu, continue healing the party up, I’m gonna try to slow this thing down.
Panel3
Kadyn looks up at the building Naomi is in with extreme concern.
Kadyn: Shit, she’s not gonna be fine. I need to hurry.
Panel4
Kadyn turns into a lightning bolt that jolts to the serpent’s head.
Kadyn’s lightning bolt dash: Choom!
Page29
Panel1
Kadyn throws a ball of lightning into the face of the serpent. She speaks to the serpent with a savage smile.
Kadyn: Let’s play.
Lightning bolt: KrrTHOOM!
Panel2
Naomi lands on a rooftop, further away from where she was being chased.
Panel3
Kadyn glides downward from the serpent that chases her.
Kadyn: Naomi, I’m gonna lead the strain away from you.
Serpent: Yyyaaaaaaahhwwr!
Panel4
Naomi kneels on the rooftop looking into her sniper rifle.
Naomi: Thank you Kadyn. I’ll pay you back in….sniping…things.
Panel5
Kadyn falls diagonally toward Armory and Dante on the ground, with the serpent chasing behind her.
Kadyn: Incoming yall!
Page30
Panel1
Armory glides pass the serpent’s head, slashing through it with a red laser beam that she holds in her hand, and a laser stream that trails her. Dante shoots a giant burst of fire directly at the serpent’s head with his claws. Batu is nearby in his long-front bo-staff stance with red electricity spreads to everyone on ground. The red lightning stays with the party for the rest of the fight.
Armory’s lasers cutting the serpent’s head: Bzzzzzshhh, Bzzshhhh!
Dante’s Fire: Ffwwishhhh!
Dante: Haha nice! Headshot!
Panel2
Ziad jumps in the air, getting closer to the serpent’s head from above, ready to cleave into it. Faint gold flames start to appear around Ziad along with the red lightning. Dante peeks behind him looking astonished.
Ziad: LIMITER…OOFFFF!!!!
Dante: Woah, holy sh-.
Panel3
Fullshot of Ziad hacking into the serpent’s head, as Ziad screams looking into the sky with a raging expression. His helmet has fallen into cracked pieces, and parts of his armor have cracked as well. More of the golden fire surrounds him
Ziad: OBLATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Serpent: Raaaaaaaaugh!!!!!
(From this point on, the other party members except Naomi have faint golden fire surrounding them, replacing the red lightning.)
Panel4
Overhead zoom shot of all of the party members being engulfed by a shockwave of golden fire.
Ziad: Aight everyone. Your attributes are through the roof. I’m just gonna..hrng, take a breather.
Page31
Panel1
A few black vertical streaks surround Kadyn mixed in with the red electricity and golden fire as she stands on the ground. She raises her clawed fist, half open. She maintains a very calm expression.
Kadyn: Limiter…Off.
Panel2
Kadyn swipes her clawed hand diagonal/downward, tearing a black streak out of the air.
Kadyn: Ravage sequence.
Panel3
A black shockwave with sharp black rings explode around Kadyn. Kadyn wears a giant black cloak that covers her M.E.T.A. outfit down to the ground. Big silver rings align the bottom rim of the cloak. She is barefoot with black bandages.
2
Dark explosion: BOOOOMMMM!
Page32
Panel1
Kadyn claws the first weak point of the serpent. The attack creates a spike of ice, and lightning bolts that crash into it. A curved lightning bolt trails behind Kadyn.
Kadyn: I’m cracking open each weak point.
Lightning Ice Spikes: KISSHH KISSH KSSSH!
Panel2
Kadyn kicks the 2nd weak point, creating a tornado made out of fire
Firenado: Wooooshh.
Panel3
Kadyn points her index finger at the 3rd weak point with intensity, casting a powerful lightning bolt that triggers a fiery explosion. She has a vicious smile on her face.
Kadyn: Haaaaa!!
Lightning Bolt: Choooom!!
Panel4
Kadyn swipes her hand toward the 4th weak point with. A gust of wind slams 3 boulders into the weak point.
Boulders crashing into the weak point: CRUSH CRUSH CRUSH!
Panel5
Kadyn swipes the opposite direction, sending a gust of wind to slam a boulder spewing fire into the 5th weak point.
Fire Boulder: CccrAASH!!
Panel6
Kadyn kicks another exploding boulder into the final weak point.
Boulder Explosion: BOOOM!!
Page33
Panel1
Overhead isometric shot of the serpent roaring in pain.
Serpent: WHRROOOAARR!
Panel2
Full shot of Kadyn shouting at her team.
KADYN: The serpent is down!
Panel3
The serpent collapses to the ground. The party is scattered around the serpent with Naomi residing on top of a building. Ziad is exhausted, kneeling with his hands on his knees with Batu spinning his pole staff healing Ziad.
Page34
Panel1
Naomi aims her sniper at the serpent.
Naomi: Everybody, start clobbering the serpent after this shot!
Panel2
The sniper shot goes through the head of the building serpent.
Sniper Round: Blam!!
Panel3
Kadyn’s M.E.T.A. outfit changes back to its original form with fragments of the ravage sequence cape scattering around her. She dives her heel into the body of the serpent. This creates a big fiery explosion. The serpent screams in agony.
Explosion: Ffoooomm!
Serpent: Whhrrriiiaaaaargh!
Panel4
Kadyn stands on the body of the collapsed serpent with Ziad on the left of the serpent slashing into the neck, and Batu on her right slamming the pole into the tail.
Kadyn: I think we got this. Let’s finish destroying this strain’s body before it regenerates. Then we can just collect the bounty an-
Page35
Panel1
Donovan shoots green fire from his claws, at two of the serpent’s weak spots.
Donovan: No. Keep attacking the weak points until the strain is vulnerable and knocked out for GOOD.
Donovan’s Slashing: FFFFFOOoooossSHHH.
Panel2
Armory glides forward with 2 lasers behind her cutting into 2 weak points of the serpent, with a laser coming out of her wrist exhaust cutting a weak point in front of her.
Lasers: BZZZZzzshhhh.
Armory: We can’t let what occurred last time happen again!
Panel3
Kadyn stands on the serpent shouting at Armory.
Kadyn: Naomi just blew its brains out and the rest of us are chopping it into pieces. Let’s destroy the rest of it before it regenerates!
Panel4
Armory and Donovan continue to attack a weak point together. Armory is on the ground slashing a weakpoint with a laser, Dante attacks a weakpoint with a fire slash.
Page36
Panel1
Kadyn holds her head in frustration.
Kadyn: I’m gonna lose my fucking mind….they won’t listen!
Panel2
Pieces of sharp building rubble begin gravitating toward the serpent’s tail and start attaching themselves to it.
Parts of the serpent tail being repaired by building pieces: CLANK, clank, CLANK.
Panel3
Ziad slashes his ax into the top of the skull of the serpent, while standing on its body.
Ziad while slashing: HRRNGGH!!
Ax slashing: CRRARCKCCHHINK!
Ziad: Chill out everyone, keep tearing its body apart until I can detach its head-
Panel4
The serpent’s newly transformed spiky tail darts toward Ziad.
Serpent Tail: WOOOSHHH!
Panel5
Kadyn’s body is engulfed in lightning as she runs to Ziad.
Kadyn: Ziad, WATCH OUT!!!!!!
Panel6
Ziad appears surprised as he looks behind himself.
Ziad: Wha??
Page37
Panel1
Kadyn, a human meteor of electricity, crashes into the serpent’s drill tail. She knocks it away from Ziad, while electrocuting the serpent’s entire body. She shoulder bumps the tail while appearing to be in pain. Ziad stares at Kadyn, terrified for her life.
Electricity: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZCHK!!!
Ziad: Kadyn!!!
Panel2
While standing on a rooftop, Naomi shoots a round at the serpent, with her glowing rifle that slightly propels her body backward.
Naomi shooting her bouncing round: Hnng!
Panel3
The bullet bounces back and forth, through multiple segments of the serpent’s body.
Bouncing Bullet: Pew, pew, pew, pew, pew.
Panel4
The serpent collapses as Ziad and Batu run to Kadyn who lies on the ground with a blank face. Naomi hurries to her on a zipliner.
Page38
Panel1
Ziad kneels over Kadyn, helping her sit up off the ground. Naomi and Batu stand over Kadyn with Armory and Donovan standing behind them. Batu holds his staff vertically on the ground with a green aura surrounding Kadyn.
Ziad: Kadyn, you okay?!! Yo-..You didn’t have to-
Panel2
Armory speaks with Donovan behind her. Her face is content.
Armory: Well that worked. She could have used that attack more often, AND when her limiter was off.
Panel3
Kadyn walks toward Armory, pointing and yelling in rage. Armory and Donovan are terrified by Kadyn’s reaction. Batu and Naomi appear concerned, while Ziad scratches his head in guilt.
Kadyn: UM, NO!!!? ZIAD ALMOST GOT STABBED BY A FUCKING DRILL TAIL MADE OUT OF BUILDING PIECES BECAUSE YOU TWO WANTED TO HIT WEAK POINTS WHEN YOU COULD’VE DESTROYED THE SERPENT’S BODY WITH US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND I DON’T JUST WHIP OUT THAT LIGHTNING ATTACK WHENEVER I WANT BECAUSE IT HURTS LIKE HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THE SERPENT COULD HAVE RESSURECTED ITSELF BECAUSE YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT WEAK POINTS! SHOULD I KEEP GOING!!!?
Panel4
Zoom in on Ziad’s face that looks guiltier then before.
Ziad: Kadyn I’m-
Panel1
Fullshot of Kadyn holding her chin as if she is contemplating something.
Kadyn:………………………….
Panel2
Zoom out shot of Kadyn turning away from the group and raising her middle finger. Batu and Ziad have somber expressions on their faces. Armory and Donovan continue to look astonished. Naomi struggles to look optimistic.
Naomi: Good job!....Every…one????
Kadyn: Fuck this, I’m done with this city.
Panel3
Ziad urgently walks to Kadyn with his hand out.
Ziad: Woah!! Hold on….KADYN, let’s just….
Panel4
Ziad looks sorrowful as he stands in front of the rest of the party who look concerned about the situation. Kadyn is off of the panel as she speaks.
Kadyn: I’m out.
Page39
Panel1
Dusk time.
Front shot of Kadyn frustratingly walking on the city sidewalk. From left to right, the majority of her clothes are transformed to her regular clothes.
Kadyn: “Damage is too low even though it’s dead, it’s not dead in 2 minutes, why didn’t you use the spell that could kill you.” Over and over. I’m done putting up with it.
Panel2
Fully in her regular clothes, Kadyn unlocks her apartment door. She still appears slightly irritated.
Kadyn: I’m getting the hell out of here.
Door unlocking: Click!
Panel3
Kadyn rushes through the door. Her hair moves back to show how fast she moves to get into her apartment.
Kadyn: Siiiiigh!!!
Panel4
Back shot of Kadyn standing in the middle of her studio apartment. Pictures of art and photography of the city she currently lives in are scattered through her home. Her cat Minato sits on Kadyn’s bed while staring with slight concern.
Kadyn: It’s time for us to leave Minato.
Minato: Raow?
Page40
Panel1
Side shot of Kadyn sitting at her desk, navigating the internet. Minato sits beside the computer moniter, curiously staring at the screen.
Kadyn: ..Gonna find an area that has mostly single merc missions. THAT way, I can actually enjoy my hunts, without dealing with other assholes-OOOoooh.
Panel2
The monitor displays a zoomed out overhead shot of a forest/town comprised buildings made up of trees, mixed with glass windows and doors. An incredibly tall tree is in the middle of the town with a door located at the base. Higher elevations of the tree has branches that stretch out to clusters of wooden buildings. A diagram of information surrounds the display of this town.
Silva Heights
Environment: Urban/forest combination
Infinity Strain Concentration: High rate of single and duo party bounties. Occasional medium scale raid parties. Very rare occurrences of large scale raid parties.
Page41
Panel1
Kadyn has a warm smile as she pets Minato who sits in her lap.
Kadyn: It’s time for us to move on.
Minato: Rawr….
Panel2
Next Day: Afternoon
Kadyn is in her bed room with a window open, letting in sunlight. Standing in the middle of the room, she talks on her smart phone to a housing representative about moving into a place in Silva Heights. Minato lies on her bed.
Kadyn talking on her phone: Okay…yeah, that’s the moving drone that will drop in on the day I arrive….Awesome! Thank you for everything.
Panel3
Kadyn falls flat on her bed with her arms out. She slightly surprises her cat next to her.
Kadyn: SiGGHHH…Wow I’m actually doing this…I wonder if I should’ve left sooner.
Panel4
Music notes appear to show a heavy metal ringtone coming from Kadyn’s computer monitor. Kadyn quickly sits up and looks at over at the moniter.
Kadyn: Shhit! I haven’t told Ziad or…anyone else that I’m moving.
Page42
Front shot of Kadyn talking to Ziad on the monitor while slowly sitting in her chair. She looks a little nervous.
Panel1
Kadyn: Hey Ziad.
Panel2
Back shot of Kadyn sitting at her desk watching Ziad on her monitor. Ziad nervously smiles and scratches his head while speaking.
Ziad: Kadyn um, can we talk?
Panel3
Face shot of Kadyn wide-eyed.
Kadyn: Yeah!...Actually, wanna go get lunch while we talk???
Panel4
Face shot of Ziad smirks while looking surprised.
Ziad: Oh, fuck yeah.
Page43
Panel1
A sunny mid afternoon shot of a restaurant called Ithil Cafe. The storefront sign sits at the top middle of the entrance with a crescent moon symbol for the C in Café. It’s a brick building in the shape of two cubes stacked vertically, with the top cube sitting further to the right. Large glass windows and doors are on each side of the building. The Café sits in the middle of other colorful buildings of different shapes in a city containing lush trees and pedestrian walk ways.
Panel2
Ziad and Kadyn sit across from each other in a booth table next to a big glass window surrounded by brick. Afternoon sunlight glares through. Kadyn sits up, with her back away from her seat while sipping a red drink. She has a big croissant on her plate. Ziad sits on the right with his back against the seat, looking down. A giant sandwich with roasted beef sits on his plate.
Ziad: Kadyn I’m sorry…About the raid the other day. I should’ve said something to the mercs being rude to you.
Kadyn: You don’t need to apologize, you aren’t responsible for those grown ass adults.
Page44
Panel1
Face shot of Ziad pursing his lips, deep in thought.
Ziad: MMMMM, I don’t know about that. Kadyn, I’m a tank. I have to face strains head on to keep them from you, while you kill them. If anything gets past me it could cost lives.
Panel2
Side shot of Kadyn and Ziad looking directly at each other with Kadyn’s drink on the table. Ziad gestures with his hand.
Ziad: I have some sway with how people behave in raids. I should’ve spoke up when Dante and Armory were being intrusive.
Panel3
Kadyn has a somber expression while glimpsing to the left. Her arms hide underneath the table.
Kadyn: …..I don’t know how I feel about that. For so much responsibility to be dumped on you to keep people from fighting with me and..I’m tired of fighting, I’m tired.
Panel4
Ziad looks wide eyed and surprised.
Kadyn: So I’m leaving. I’m moving to Silva Heights to focus on solo missions.
Ziad: Woah….
Panel5
Face shot of Ziad looking confused.
Ziad: Er…oh.
Panel45
Panel1
Kadyn has a big nervous smile while looking at her uneaten croissant
I’m relocating to Silva Heights before I lose my mind from the stress I’m getting in these raids. I’ll focus more on solo missions.
Panel2
Ziad responds with a somber smile while holding his sandwich, ready to take a bite.
Ziad: Damn…Alright, I understand. Good for you. I’ll miss you.
Panel3
Kadyn sits up with a serious facial expression as Ziad bites into his sandwich.
Kadyn: We can still visit each other and hang out. I just need to get myself away from….these situations.
Ziad: Hnnrgfl-Yeah I know.
Panel4
Kadyn finally reaches to take a bite out of her croissant
Kadyn: Me and Minato are leaving next Saturday at 3PM
Panel5
Face shot of Ziad smiling happily.
Ziad: Aight, see you then. Don’t forget to say bye to everyone else.
Page46
Panel1
Next day: Evening
Kadyn is outside her apartment with a backpack on her back. There is a pin with a flame design with text that says “Your move.” An aerodynamic storage container with plasma boosters is filled with Kadyn’s furniture. Kadyn and her cat stand in front of the open doors of the container as she writes on a tablet device.
Kadyn: Alright packing is done, time to head to the train station.
Minato: Raow.
Panel2
Kadyn slides the tablet in a transparent slot on the closed doors of the container. She rolls her eyes while listening to the message the container sends.
Container Message: MOVING SERVICE CONTAINER OUTBOUND TO: SILVA HEIGHTS, SECTOR 5, HOUSE 1C. THANK YOU FOR USING S.H. MOVING SERVICES.
Panel3
Back shot of Kadyn speaking to her cat while walking down the sidewalk. Her cat stands on its hind legs while touching Kadyn’s hips with his front legs.
Kadyn: We’re moving out of stressville now.
Minato: Maow.
Panel4
Overhead shot of Union Prime Hover Rail Station. Hovering trains move through the air, in and out of the station. A holographic orb displays a sign that says “Union Prime Hover Rail Station.” Humans and robots are seen moving through the walkways.
Page47
Panel1
Kadyn and her cat wait in front of a hover train looking around. A few robots and humans in suits and casual clothes walk past her. The train in front of her displays a digital sign that says “Silva Heights Departing In: 10 minutes.”
Panel2
Kadyn looks behind her as someone’s voice catches her attention.
Ziad from off picture: Yo Kadyn!
Kadyn: !
Panel3
Ziad runs to Kadyn holding a white paper bag. Kadyn looks happy to see him.
Kadyn: Hey!
Panel4
Kadyn displays a small smile while looking at the bag Ziad hands her.
Kadyn: Ziad, you came! I thought you’d be mad at me…
Ziad: No no of course not. I want you to do whatever makes you happy.
Panel5
Kadyn looks inside the bag with an excited face.
Ziad off panel: I got you some food for the sky.
Kadyn: Oh my god thank you! These are awesome!
Page48
Panel1
Ziad gives Kadyn a big hug while his eyes welt up with tears. Kadyn responds hugging Ziad’s torso. Kadyn’s cat Minato purrs while rubbing against Ziad’s shins.
Ziad: We’ve lived in Union Prime our entire lives. Gonna miss my best friend moving away for the first time.
Kadyn: I’ll miss you too Ziad.
Minato: Purrr!
Panel2
Ziad holds Minato in his arms. Kadyn folds her arms while smiling confidently.
Ziad: You too Minato!
Kadyn: Heey you know you can always come visit, and vice versa, right?
Ziad: Yeah..
Panel3
Kadyn and Minato run toward the opened train. Kadyn waves back at Ziad. The digital message on the side of the train says “Silva Heights Departing in: 2 Minutes.”
Kadyn: I’ll catch you later Ziad.
Panel4
Overhead shot of Kadyn walking through a partially empty train with Minato behind her. There is a sign on a wall that says “Pet Friendly Cart.” A robotic person sits in a booth on the left and a human sits somewhere on the right.
Kadyn: This is ride is perfect.
Page49
Panel1
Kadyn sits in a booth with a table and bites into a chocolate doughnut that was in the white paper bag on the table. Minato sits across from her. Only the night sky can be seen outside the windows. Kadyn dozes off..
Kadyn: HMMMMmmmm.
The next panels on this page become black and white flashbacks.
Panel2
Kadyn is in a junkyard, standing in the middle of the remnants of a quadruped robotic strain. It has a smooth steel armored back and sharp claws. Hints of electricity buzz around Kadyn. A man wearing a magician’s top hat and holding a wizard staff yells at her in the foreground. She stands in the robot rubble with her arms folded while rolling her eyes.
Panel3
Kadyn holds up the head of a robot strain that has speakers coming out the sides of its head with an icicle spike penetrating it. Her facial expression is blank as a woman wearing a cybernetic super hero suit and goggles yells at Kadyn.
Kadyn: Ugh
Panel4
Kadyn stands in a blaze of fire as half of a torso of a 3 armed sword weidling strain burns on the ground. Kadyn looks very frustrated.
Voice on the left: Thank you so much!
Voice on the right: Oh my god, #!@$ you!
Page50
Panel1
Kadyn sits in her seat looking exhausted. The plasma exhausts of the train illuminates the windows outside, showing a land of water with a forest outside of it.
Kadyn: Sigh. I had to get out of there.
Panel2
Zoom out to the train hovering over a giant lake surrounded by a forest. Kadyn’s face is seen peaking out of a window of the train. The forest has some giant thick trees with windows. A docking area is seen north of the lake.
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