eclipse of the hollow crown

PART ONE: THE LAST STAR · CHAPTER THREE: THE HIDDEN TRAIN · Chapter Focus · Chapter Three gives the story a brief change of atmosphere after the darker events of Chapters One and Two. · Kael and Mira must navigate the mysterious Under-City while searching for a way out. Along the way they encounter a group of unusual residents who have survived beneath the world for years. These side characters bring humor, warmth, and new information about the ancient railway known as the Midnight Line. · At the same time, Kael and Mira's relationship begins changing. They still argue constantly, but their arguments become playful, and both begin showing that they care about each other more than they are willing to admit. · Rook remains missing after his battle with Veyr, creating tension throughout the chapter. · NEW SIDE CHARACTERS · TOMA · Age: 16 · A quick-talking apprentice mechanic who lives in the Under-City. · Appearance: · Messy dark-brown hair · Large goggles usually pushed onto his forehead · Oversized mechanic's coat · Tool belt · Fingerless gloves · Small backpack filled with mechanical parts · Personality: · Extremely energetic · Talks too much · Curious about everything · Loves machines · Easily frightened but pretends he isn't · Constantly makes jokes when nervous · Special skill: · Toma can repair old mechanical systems and understands the ancient railway better than almost anyone. · NIA · Age: 17 · Toma's best friend and occasional partner in trouble. · Appearance: · Short silver-black hair · Long scarf · Light armor beneath a travel coat · Small throwing knives used primarily for utility and self-defense · Sharp eyes · Personality: · Quiet · Sarcastic · Practical · Easily annoyed by Toma · Secretly kind · Very observant · Nia notices Kael and Mira's growing feelings almost immediately. · GRIMM · A strange mechanical crow belonging to Toma. · Appearance: · Black metal body · One glowing blue eye · Mechanical wings · Tiny metal beak · Personality: · Mischievous · Steals shiny objects · Mimics people's voices · Has terrible timing · Grimm becomes a recurring comic-relief character. · CHAPTER THREE · PAGE 1 — THE CITY BELOW · Panel 1 — Wide cinematic panel · The enormous underground city from Chapter Two stretches beneath the earth. · Ancient towers rise from the darkness. · Broken railway tracks disappear between buildings. · Tiny lights flicker in distant windows. · NARRATION: · Beneath Asteria, another world had survived. · Panel 2 · Kael and Mira walk along an old stone bridge. · Kael keeps looking behind them. · KAEL: · "Do you think Rook survived?" · Panel 3 · Mira continues walking. · MIRA: · "Yes." · Panel 4 · Kael looks surprised. · KAEL: · "You answered that pretty quickly." · Panel 5 · Mira glances at him. · MIRA: · "Rook is extremely difficult to kill." · Panel 6 · Kael smiles slightly. · KAEL: · "That's probably the nicest thing you've said about him." · Panel 7 · Mira gives him a look. · MIRA: · "Don't get comfortable." · Panel 8 · Grimm suddenly swoops down and steals Kael's glove. · KAEL: · "HEY!" · SFX: · FWIP! · PAGE 2 — THE THIEF · Panel 1 · Grimm flies away carrying Kael's glove. · KAEL: · "Come back!" · Panel 2 · Kael starts chasing the mechanical crow. · Panel 3 · Mira watches. · MIRA: · "Excellent." · Panel 4 · Kael looks back while running. · KAEL: · "Help me!" · Panel 5 · Mira folds her arms. · MIRA: · "You seem to have everything under control." · Panel 6 · Kael trips over a broken stone. · SFX: · THUD! · Panel 7 · Mira covers her mouth, trying not to laugh. · Panel 8 · Kael looks offended. · KAEL: · "Did you just laugh?" · Panel 9 · Mira's expression immediately becomes serious. · MIRA: · "No." · Panel 10 · Grimm lands on Mira's head. · Kael bursts out laughing. · PAGE 3 — TOMA AND NIA · Panel 1 · A voice shouts from above. · TOMA: · "GRIMM!" · Panel 2 · A teenage boy jumps from a balcony. · TOMA: · "I told you not to steal from strangers!" · Panel 3 · Grimm lands on Toma's shoulder. · Panel 4 · Toma notices Kael. · TOMA: · "Oh." · Panel 5 · He notices Mira. · TOMA: · "Ohhh." · Panel 6 · Mira raises an eyebrow. · MIRA: · "What?" · Panel 7 · Toma points between them. · TOMA: · "You two look like you just escaped from something terrible together." · Panel 8 · Kael and Mira answer simultaneously. · KAEL / MIRA: · "We're not together!" · Panel 9 · Silence. · Panel 10 · Nia walks into frame. · NIA: · "That was suspiciously synchronized." · PAGE 4 — THE UNDER-CITY RESIDENTS · Panel 1 · Toma shakes Kael's hand enthusiastically. · TOMA: · "I'm Toma." · Panel 2 · He points to Nia. · TOMA: · "She's Nia." · Panel 3 · Nia gives Kael a small nod. · NIA: · "Hello." · Panel 4 · Toma points to Grimm. · TOMA: · "And that's Grimm." · Grimm imitates Toma's voice. · GRIMM: · "I'm handsome." · Panel 5 · Nia looks at Grimm. · NIA: · "He learned that from Toma." · Panel 6 · Toma looks offended. · TOMA: · "I never said that." · Panel 7 · Grimm immediately imitates Mira. · GRIMM: · "You're an idiot." · Panel 8 · Kael looks at Mira. · Mira slowly looks at him. · Panel 9 · KAEL: · "You called me an idiot once." · Panel 10 · Mira turns red with embarrassment. · MIRA: · "He heard that?!" · PAGE 5 — THE STRANGERS · Panel 1 · Nia studies Kael's hand. · She notices the star-shaped mark. · Panel 2 · Her expression becomes serious. · NIA: · "Where did you get that?" · Panel 3 · Kael covers it. · KAEL: · "It's complicated." · Panel 4 · Nia looks at Mira. · NIA: · "You brought a Star-Bearer into the Under-City?" · Panel 5 · Mira stiffens. · MIRA: · "You know what that is?" · Panel 6 · Toma suddenly stops joking. · TOMA: · "Everybody down here knows what that is." · Panel 7 · Kael looks around. · KAEL: · "Then why has nobody told me anything?" · Panel 8 · Nia answers. · NIA: · "Because people who ask too many questions usually disappear." · Panel 9 · Kael frowns. · KAEL: · "Great." · Panel 10 · Toma smiles nervously. · TOMA: · "Welcome to the Under-City." · PAGE 6 — THE HIDDEN MARKET · Panel 1 — Wide panel · Toma and Nia lead Kael and Mira through a huge underground market. · Vendors sell: · antique machines · glowing stones · food · maps · old weapons · mechanical parts · Panel 2 · Kael looks around. · KAEL: · "How many people live down here?" · Panel 3 · Toma shrugs. · TOMA: · "Depends what you count as people." · Panel 4 · A strange creature walks past carrying vegetables. · Kael stares. · Panel 5 · Toma laughs. · TOMA: · "You get used to it." · Panel 6 · A vendor offers Kael a strange fruit. · VENDOR: · "Three coins." · Panel 7 · Kael checks his pockets. · Nothing. · Panel 8 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "You don't have money?" · Panel 9 · Kael whispers. · KAEL: · "I was attacked by soldiers. I didn't have time to stop at a bank." · Panel 10 · Mira sighs. · MIRA: · "Unbelievable." · PAGE 7 — FOOD FIGHT · Panel 1 · Toma buys them something from a food stall. · TOMA: · "Try this." · Panel 2 · Kael takes a bite. · Panel 3 · His eyes widen. · Panel 4 · KAEL: · "That's actually good." · Panel 5 · Mira tries it. · Panel 6 · Her eyes widen. · MIRA: · "Oh." · Panel 7 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "You like it." · Panel 8 · Mira immediately becomes defensive. · MIRA: · "I said it was acceptable." · Panel 9 · Kael grins. · KAEL: · "You said 'oh.'" · Panel 10 · Mira throws a crumb at him. · MIRA: · "Eat your food." · PAGE 8 — THE TRAIN · Panel 1 · Toma brings them to an abandoned railway platform. · Panel 2 · Kael looks at the enormous metal doors. · KAEL: · "What is this?" · Panel 3 · Toma smiles proudly. · TOMA: · "The Midnight Line." · Panel 4 · Nia crosses her arms. · NIA: · "It hasn't moved in twelve years." · Panel 5 · Toma looks insulted. · TOMA: · "That is not entirely true." · Panel 6 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "When did it move?" · Panel 7 · Toma pauses. · TOMA: · "...Eleven years ago." · Panel 8 · Mira sighs. · MIRA: · "So it doesn't work." · Panel 9 · Toma grins. · TOMA: · "Not yet." · PAGE 9 — MIRA AND KAEL · Panel 1 · Toma begins examining the machinery. · Kael sits beside Mira. · Panel 2 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "You laughed earlier." · Panel 3 · Mira looks forward. · MIRA: · "No, I didn't." · Panel 4 · KAEL: · "You definitely did." · Panel 5 · MIRA: · "You fell." · Panel 6 · KAEL: · "And you enjoyed it." · Panel 7 · Mira smiles slightly. · MIRA: · "Maybe." · Panel 8 · Kael smiles. · Panel 9 · A quiet moment. · The giant underground lights illuminate their faces. · Panel 10 · Mira notices Kael staring. · MIRA: · "What?" · Kael quickly looks away. · KAEL: · "Nothing." · PAGE 10 — TOMA INTERRUPTS · Panel 1 · Suddenly Toma appears between them. · TOMA: · "I need a volunteer!" · Panel 2 · Kael jumps. · KAEL: · "Stop doing that!" · Panel 3 · Toma points at Kael. · TOMA: · "You." · Panel 4 · Kael points to himself. · KAEL: · "Me?" · Panel 5 · Toma points at Mira. · TOMA: · "Or her." · Panel 6 · Mira immediately points at Kael. · MIRA: · "Him." · Panel 7 · Kael looks betrayed. · KAEL: · "You didn't even think about it!" · Panel 8 · MIRA: · "Correct." · Panel 9 · Nia quietly watches them. · Panel 10 · Nia whispers to Toma. · NIA: · "They're definitely together." · TOMA: · "I know." · PAGE 11 — REPAIRING THE MIDNIGHT LINE · Panel 1 · Toma explains the railway engine. · TOMA: · "The Midnight Line connects the Under-City to the old observatory." · Panel 2 · Mira's eyes sharpen. · MIRA: · "The Forgotten Observatory?" · Panel 3 · Toma nods. · TOMA: · "Exactly." · Panel 4 · Kael looks at Mira. · KAEL: · "You know that place?" · Panel 5 · Mira's expression darkens. · MIRA: · "I've been trying to find it for years." · Panel 6 · Toma points at the train. · TOMA: · "Then this is your lucky day." · Panel 7 · Nia shakes her head. · NIA: · "No." · Panel 8 · Toma frowns. · TOMA: · "What?" · Panel 9 · Nia points toward the darkness. · NIA: · "Something has been feeding on the railway." · PAGE 12 — THE RAIL EATERS · Panel 1 · A broken section of track. · Panel 2 · Dark, insect-like creatures crawl along the metal. · Panel 3 · Kael looks horrified. · KAEL: · "What are those?" · Panel 4 · Toma whispers. · TOMA: · "Rail Eaters." · Panel 5 · One creature bites into the track. · SFX: · CRUNCH. · Panel 6 · Kael takes a step backward. · KAEL: · "That thing eats metal?" · Panel 7 · Toma nods. · TOMA: · "Usually." · Panel 8 · Kael looks at him. · KAEL: · "Usually?" · Panel 9 · Toma points nervously. · TOMA: · "Sometimes they eat people." · Panel 10 · Kael and Mira slowly turn toward him. · KAEL / MIRA: · "WHAT?!" · PAGE 13 — THE FIGHT · Panel 1 · The Rail Eaters swarm the platform. · SFX: · SKRIIII! · Panel 2 · Kael draws his weapon. · Panel 3 · Mira throws a blade. · Panel 4 · Nia leaps across the platform. · Panel 5 · Toma grabs a mechanical hammer. · TOMA: · "Nobody eats my train!" · Panel 6 · Kael attacks. · Panel 7 · Mira covers Kael's blind side. · MIRA: · "Left!" · Panel 8 · Kael turns. · He strikes the creature. · Panel 9 · KAEL: · "Thanks!" · Panel 10 · Mira smiles. · MIRA: · "Don't get used to it." · PAGE 14 — KAEL AND MIRA'S COMBINATION · Panel 1 · Several Rail Eaters surround Kael. · Panel 2 · Kael looks at Mira. · She immediately understands. · Panel 3 · Mira throws a blade past Kael. · Panel 4 · Kael ducks. · The blade hits the creature behind him. · Panel 5 · Kael spins and strikes another. · Panel 6 · Mira jumps beside him. · Panel 7 · Their backs touch. · Panel 8 · Both look surprised. · Panel 9 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "We're getting pretty good at this." · Panel 10 · Mira smiles back. · MIRA: · "Don't ruin the moment." · PAGE 15 — THE QUIET MOMENT · Panel 1 · The final creature disappears into darkness. · Silence. · Panel 2 · Kael and Mira remain standing back-to-back. · Panel 3 · Mira looks over her shoulder. · Panel 4 · Kael does the same. · Their faces are close. · Panel 5 · Both immediately look away. · KAEL: · "Uh..." · Panel 6 · MIRA: · "Yeah." · Panel 7 · KAEL: · "That was..." · Panel 8 · MIRA: · "Awkward." · Panel 9 · Kael laughs. · KAEL: · "Definitely." · Panel 10 · Mira quietly smiles. · PAGE 16 — GRIMM'S TERRIBLE TIMING · Panel 1 · Grimm flies over them. · Panel 2 · He imitates Kael. · GRIMM: · "That was awkward." · Panel 3 · Kael looks horrified. · KAEL: · "No." · Panel 4 · Grimm imitates Mira. · GRIMM: · "Definitely." · Panel 5 · Mira slowly looks at Toma. · Panel 6 · Toma takes two steps backward. · TOMA: · "I did not teach him that." · Panel 7 · Nia looks at Grimm. · NIA: · "Actually, keep doing that." · Panel 8 · Grimm repeats them dramatically. · Panel 9 · Kael covers his face. · KAEL: · "I hate this bird." · Panel 10 · Grimm lands on Kael's shoulder. · GRIMM: · "Love this bird." · PAGE 17 — A MESSAGE FROM THE PAST · Panel 1 · Toma successfully restarts a section of the train. · SFX: · KCHUNK! · Panel 2 · The engine lights illuminate. · Panel 3 · Ancient symbols glow across the train. · Panel 4 · One symbol suddenly forms the same star shape as Kael's mark. · Panel 5 · Kael reaches toward it. · Panel 6 · The train's ancient speaker activates. · SFX: · KRRRZZZT... · Panel 7 · A woman's voice comes through. · VOICE: · "Kael." · Panel 8 · Kael freezes. · Panel 9 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "That's the same voice." · Panel 10 · Kael nods slowly. · KAEL: · "The woman from my memory." · PAGE 18 — THE MESSAGE · Panel 1 · The speaker continues. · WOMAN'S VOICE: · "If you can hear this..." · Panel 2 · Kael moves closer. · Panel 3 · WOMAN'S VOICE: · "Then the Crown has found you." · Panel 4 · Mira looks worried. · Panel 5 · WOMAN'S VOICE: · "Do not trust the royal archives." · Panel 6 · The message distorts. · SFX: · KRRRZZZT! · Panel 7 · WOMAN'S VOICE: · "And whatever happens..." · Panel 8 · The voice becomes faint. · WOMAN'S VOICE: · "Do not let Veyr reach the Observatory." · Panel 9 · The message cuts out. · Panel 10 · Silence. · PAGE 19 — THE PROMISE · Panel 1 · Kael clenches his fist. · KAEL: · "I'm going to the Observatory." · Panel 2 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "I know." · Panel 3 · Kael looks surprised. · KAEL: · "You aren't going to try to stop me?" · Panel 4 · Mira looks away. · MIRA: · "I never said I wasn't coming." · Panel 5 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "So you're staying with me." · Panel 6 · Mira looks embarrassed. · MIRA: · "Don't make it sound romantic." · Panel 7 · Kael pauses. · Panel 8 · KAEL: · "I wasn't." · Panel 9 · Mira realizes what she said. · Her face turns bright red. · Panel 10 · Kael starts laughing. · MIRA: · "Stop laughing!" · PAGE 20 — THE TRAIN DEPARTS · Panel 1 — Large panel · Toma runs toward the controls. · TOMA: · "Everybody aboard!" · Panel 2 · Nia climbs into the train. · Panel 3 · Kael holds out a hand toward Mira. · KAEL: · "Come on." · Panel 4 · Mira looks at his hand. · Panel 5 · She takes it. · Panel 6 · Their hands remain together for a moment. · Panel 7 · Both notice. · Panel 8 · They quickly let go. · KAEL: · "Uh..." · MIRA: · "Don't." · Panel 9 · Toma watches from the driver's compartment. · TOMA: · "They really aren't subtle." · Panel 10 · Nia sits beside him. · NIA: · "Let them figure it out." · PAGE 21 — THE MIDNIGHT LINE · Panel 1 — Full-width cinematic panel · The ancient train begins moving through the underground tunnels. · SFX: · KSHHHHHHH... · Panel 2 · Kael looks out the window. · The ruins blur past. · Panel 3 · Mira sits beside him. · For once, neither speaks. · Panel 4 · Kael glances at her. · She is looking out at the underground city. · Panel 5 · KAEL: · "Mira?" · Panel 6 · MIRA: · "Hmm?" · Panel 7 · KAEL: · "Thanks." · Panel 8 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "For what?" · Panel 9 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "For staying." · Panel 10 · Mira gives a small smile. · MIRA: · "You'd probably get lost without me." · PAGE 22 — ROOK · Panel 1 · Far behind them, back in the Under-City. · Smoke rises from the battlefield. · Panel 2 · Rook lies against a broken pillar. · Panel 3 · He slowly pushes himself up. · ROOK: · "That idiot..." · Panel 4 · He looks toward the distant railway. · Panel 5 · A faint smile appears. · ROOK: · "He actually made it." · Panel 6 · A shadow appears behind him. · Panel 7 · Rook turns. · Panel 8 · A mysterious girl stands in the darkness. · She wears a hood. · Panel 9 · Rook reaches for his spear. · ROOK: · "Who are you?" · Panel 10 · The girl looks toward the train. · HOODED GIRL: · "Someone who knows where he's going." · PAGE 23 — VEYR'S PURSUIT · Panel 1 · Elsewhere. · Lord Veyr stands in the Crown Room. · Panel 2 · Fragments of the Hollow Crown float around him. · Panel 3 · One fragment points toward the railway. · Panel 4 · Veyr extends his hand. · Panel 5 · Black flames surround him. · VEY R: · "Run, little star." · Panel 6 · His eyes glow. · VEY R: · "Run as far as you can." · Panel 7 · The shadow behind him resembles the enormous Crown. · Panel 8 · VEY R: · "You will still come back." · PAGE 24 — THE NEW DESTINATION · Panel 1 · Inside the train. · Toma checks the controls. · TOMA: · "Bad news." · Panel 2 · Everyone looks at him. · KAEL: · "What?" · Panel 3 · Toma points to the map. · TOMA: · "The railway has only enough power for one stop." · Panel 4 · Mira studies the map. · Panel 5 · Her eyes widen. · MIRA: · "The Silent Forest?" · Panel 6 · Nia nods. · NIA: · "Exactly." · Panel 7 · Kael looks confused. · KAEL: · "Is that bad?" · Panel 8 · The entire group goes silent. · Panel 9 · Toma slowly turns. · TOMA: · "People who enter the Silent Forest..." · Panel 10 · Toma swallows. · TOMA: · "...sometimes come back without their shadows." · PAGE 25 — THE SILENT FOREST · Panel 1 — Massive final splash page · The Midnight Line bursts out of the underground tunnel. · Ahead lies an endless forest under an eclipsed moon. · Every tree is unnaturally tall. · Mist covers the ground. · The forest appears completely silent. · Panel 2 · Kael stares through the window. · Mira stands beside him. · Panel 3 · The train begins slowing. · SFX: · KRRRRRNNNNK... · Panel 4 · Kael notices something outside. · A figure stands between the trees. · Panel 5 · Kael squints. · Panel 6 · The figure looks exactly like him. · Panel 7 · Kael's star mark begins glowing. · SFX: · VMMMM... · Panel 8 · Mira notices. · MIRA: · "Kael?" · Panel 9 · The mysterious figure raises one hand. · Panel 10 — Final panel · The figure whispers: · "Brother." · END OF CHAPTER THREE · TO BE CONTINUED…