eclipse of the hollow crown

CHAPTER FOUR · PAGE 1 — THE SILENT FOREST · Panel 1 — Wide cinematic panel · The Midnight Line sits at the edge of a gigantic forest. · The trees are impossibly tall. · Mist crawls between their roots. · The moon is barely visible through the branches. · No birds sing. · No insects buzz. · No leaves rustle. · NARRATION: · The forest had a name. · Not because nobody spoke inside it... · But because the forest listened to everything. · Panel 2 · Kael looks through the train window. · KAEL: · "It's too quiet." · Panel 3 · Mira stands beside him. · MIRA: · "That's why it's called the Silent Forest." · Panel 4 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "You know, sometimes you say things that aren't helpful." · Panel 5 · Mira smiles. · MIRA: · "And yet you keep asking me questions." · Panel 6 · Kael smiles back. · KAEL: · "Maybe I like hearing you talk." · Panel 7 · Mira freezes. · Panel 8 · Her face turns slightly red. · MIRA: · "...Don't say things like that." · Panel 9 · Kael becomes confused. · KAEL: · "Why?" · Panel 10 · Mira turns toward the window. · MIRA: · "Because you're becoming annoying." · A tiny smile appears. · PAGE 2 — TOMA IS WATCHING · Panel 1 · Behind them, Toma is secretly watching. · His eyes are narrowed. · Panel 2 · Nia sits beside him. · NIA: · "Why are you staring at them?" · Panel 3 · Toma whispers dramatically. · TOMA: · "Something is happening." · Panel 4 · Nia raises an eyebrow. · NIA: · "Yes." · Panel 5 · Toma looks serious. · TOMA: · "They're becoming friends." · Panel 6 · Nia stares at him. · NIA: · "That's your concern?" · Panel 7 · Toma points at Kael. · TOMA: · "He's stealing Mira." · Panel 8 · Nia sighs. · NIA: · "Mira is not an object." · Panel 9 · Toma whispers: · "Exactly." · Panel 10 · Nia rubs her forehead. · NIA: · "That sentence made absolutely no sense." · PAGE 3 — TOMA'S PLAN · Panel 1 · Toma opens his backpack. · Inside are ropes, bells, springs, gears, sticky pads, wires, a fishing net, and several suspicious mechanical devices. · Panel 2 · Nia stares into the bag. · NIA: · "Why do you have all that?" · Panel 3 · Toma grins. · TOMA: · "Engineering." · Panel 4 · Nia points to a large net. · NIA: · "That's a fishing net." · Panel 5 · Toma points to a small bell. · TOMA: · "Engineering." · Panel 6 · Nia points to a bucket. · NIA: · "That's a bucket." · Panel 7 · Toma nods seriously. · TOMA: · "Advanced engineering." · Panel 8 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "What are you planning?" · Panel 9 · Toma raises a finger. · TOMA: · "Operation: Keep Kael Away From Mira." · Panel 10 · Nia stares at him. · NIA: · "No." · PAGE 4 — OPERATION BEGINNING · Panel 1 · Toma draws an elaborate plan on a piece of paper. · At the center is a badly drawn Kael. · Panel 2 · Under Kael is written: · TARGET · Panel 3 · Beside him is a badly drawn Mira. · TOMA: · "Phase One: lure Kael away." · Panel 4 · A terrible drawing of a hole. · TOMA: · "Phase Two: trap." · Panel 5 · A giant stick figure falls into a net. · TOMA: · "Phase Three: temporary separation." · Panel 6 · Nia looks horrified. · NIA: · "You're putting this much effort into keeping two people from talking?" · Panel 7 · Toma nods. · TOMA: · "Correct." · Panel 8 · Nia folds her arms. · NIA: · "Why?" · Panel 9 · Toma becomes unusually serious. · TOMA: · "Because every time they talk, I lose Mira's attention." · Panel 10 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "You could just talk to Mira." · Toma pauses. · TOMA: · "That's too reasonable." · PAGE 5 — THE FOREST SETTLEMENT · Panel 1 — Wide panel · The group reaches a small settlement built between enormous trees. · Wooden houses connect to platforms high above the ground. · Lanterns hang from branches. · Panel 2 · Several people stare at the newcomers. · Panel 3 · A young girl, Pip, approaches Kael. · She looks up at him. · Panel 4 · PIP: · "You're the star boy." · Panel 5 · Kael looks confused. · KAEL: · "I'm what?" · Panel 6 · Pip points at his hand. · PIP: · "Star boy." · Panel 7 · Kael hides the mark. · KAEL: · "Who told you that?" · Panel 8 · Pip points to the forest. · PIP: · "The trees." · Panel 9 · Kael looks at Mira. · KAEL: · "The trees talk?" · Panel 10 · Mira quietly answers: · MIRA: · "In this place..." · "Maybe." · PAGE 6 — SELA APPEARS · Panel 1 · A voice comes from above. · SELA: · "The trees don't talk." · Panel 2 · Sela drops from a tree branch. · Panel 3 · She lands gracefully. · SELA: · "Usually." · Panel 4 · Kael stares. · KAEL: · "You could have just used the stairs." · Panel 5 · Sela smiles. · SELA: · "Where's the fun in that?" · Panel 6 · She looks at Mira. · Then Kael. · Then Mira again. · Panel 7 · She smiles knowingly. · SELA: · "Interesting." · Panel 8 · Mira narrows her eyes. · MIRA: · "What?" · Panel 9 · Sela gestures between them. · SELA: · "Nothing." · Panel 10 · Pip whispers loudly: · PIP: · "They're in love." · Panel 11 · Kael and Mira both react. · KAEL / MIRA: · "WE ARE NOT!" · PAGE 7 — BRAM THE TERRIFYING · Panel 1 · Heavy footsteps approach. · SFX: · THOOM... · Panel 2 · Bram appears carrying a huge axe. · He looks enormous. · Everyone goes quiet. · Panel 3 · Bram looks at them. · BRAM: · "Hello." · Panel 4 · Kael cautiously waves. · KAEL: · "Hello." · Panel 5 · Bram looks at Toma. · Panel 6 · BRAM: · "Are you hungry?" · Panel 7 · Toma blinks. · TOMA: · "...What?" · Panel 8 · Bram holds out a loaf of bread. · BRAM: · "I made bread." · Panel 9 · Nia whispers: · NIA: · "He's terrifying." · Panel 10 · Bram smiles. · BRAM: · "Thank you." · Panel 11 · Nia freezes. · NIA: · "That wasn't a compliment." · PAGE 8 — THE FOREST RULES · Panel 1 · Sela leads the group into the settlement. · SELA: · "Nobody enters the forest after sunset." · Panel 2 · Kael asks: · KAEL: · "Why?" · Panel 3 · Sela looks toward the trees. · SELA: · "Because the forest moves." · Panel 4 · Toma looks alarmed. · TOMA: · "Trees don't move." · Panel 5 · Sela smiles. · SELA: · "These do." · Panel 6 · Toma looks at the forest. · Panel 7 · A tree bends slightly. · Panel 8 · Toma steps behind Nia. · TOMA: · "I have decided I don't like trees anymore." · Panel 9 · Nia pushes him forward. · NIA: · "You never liked them." · Panel 10 · Grimm lands on Toma. · GRIMM: · "Coward." · PAGE 9 — THE SHADOW WARNING · Panel 1 · Bram kneels beside the group. · His tone becomes serious. · BRAM: · "There's another rule." · Panel 2 · BRAM: · "Never step on someone else's shadow." · Panel 3 · Kael looks confused. · KAEL: · "Why?" · Panel 4 · Bram points to a symbol carved into a tree. · BRAM: · "Because the forest notices." · Panel 5 · Kael looks down. · His shadow appears normal. · Panel 6 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "Stay close to us." · Panel 7 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "Were you worried about me?" · Panel 8 · Mira immediately looks away. · MIRA: · "I'm worried about everyone." · Panel 9 · Kael grins. · KAEL: · "That wasn't a no." · Panel 10 · Mira lightly punches his shoulder. · MIRA: · "Keep talking." · PAGE 10 — TOMA'S FIRST TRAP · Panel 1 · Later. · Toma notices Kael walking toward Mira. · Panel 2 · Toma's eyes widen. · TOMA: · "He's approaching." · Panel 3 · He activates a hidden wire. · Panel 4 · A small bell rings. · SFX: · DING! · Panel 5 · Kael stops. · Panel 6 · Toma whispers: · TOMA: · "Phase One successful." · Panel 7 · Kael looks around. · Panel 8 · KAEL: · "Why did I hear a bell?" · Panel 9 · Toma casually walks by. · TOMA: · "Forest bells." · Panel 10 · Nia stares at him. · NIA: · "There are no forest bells." · PAGE 11 — THE SECOND TRAP · Panel 1 · Toma places a rope across a narrow path. · Panel 2 · He hides behind a tree. · Panel 3 · Kael approaches. · Panel 4 · Toma grins. · TOMA: · "Any second now..." · Panel 5 · Kael steps over the rope. · Panel 6 · Toma's smile disappears. · Panel 7 · TOMA: · "He saw it." · Panel 8 · Kael looks backward. · KAEL: · "Toma." · Panel 9 · Toma pretends to be surprised. · TOMA: · "Kael! What a coincidence." · Panel 10 · Kael looks at the rope. · Then Toma. · KAEL: · "Why is there a rope here?" · Panel 11 · Toma answers immediately: · TOMA: · "Decoration." · Panel 12 · Nia appears behind him. · NIA: · "For what?" · Panel 13 · Toma pauses. · TOMA: · "A very aggressive festival." · PAGE 12 — THE ULTIMATE TRAP · Panel 1 · Toma unveils a giant contraption hidden behind bushes. · It has: · ropes · pulleys · a net · springs · buckets · bells · a wooden sign reading: · ABSOLUTELY NORMAL FOREST EQUIPMENT · Panel 2 · Nia stares. · NIA: · "You built all of this?" · Panel 3 · Toma proudly nods. · TOMA: · "Three hours." · Panel 4 · Nia looks at the machine. · NIA: · "To trap Kael?" · Panel 5 · TOMA: · "To protect Mira from unnecessary distractions." · Panel 6 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "You realize Mira can decide who she talks to?" · Panel 7 · Toma pauses. · Panel 8 · TOMA: · "That's..." · Panel 9 · He points at the machine. · TOMA: · "Not relevant to the engineering." · Panel 10 · Nia sighs. · PAGE 13 — KAEL FALLS FOR IT · Panel 1 · Toma sees Kael approaching again. · TOMA: · "This time..." · Panel 2 · He pulls a lever. · Panel 3 · The ground opens. · Panel 4 · Kael falls through. · KAEL: · "WHAAAAAT?!" · Panel 5 · A net catches him. · SFX: · FWUMP! · Panel 6 · Kael hangs upside down. · Panel 7 · He sees Toma. · Panel 8 · KAEL: · "Toma." · Panel 9 · Toma freezes. · TOMA: · "Yes?" · Panel 10 · Kael's expression becomes extremely calm. · KAEL: · "I have a question." · Panel 11 · Toma nervously smiles. · TOMA: · "Sure." · Panel 12 · KAEL: · "Why am I hanging from a tree?" · Panel 13 · Toma points upward. · TOMA: · "Because..." · Panel 14 · He thinks. · TOMA: · "...gravity." · Panel 15 · Kael stares at him. · KAEL: · "I'm going to throw you into the river." · PAGE 14 — MIRA ARRIVES · Panel 1 · Mira approaches. · MIRA: · "What happened?" · Panel 2 · Kael, still upside down: · KAEL: · "Your friend happened." · Panel 3 · Toma points at Kael. · TOMA: · "He triggered it." · Panel 4 · Kael looks offended. · KAEL: · "You literally built it!" · Panel 5 · Mira covers her mouth. · Panel 6 · She starts laughing. · Panel 7 · Kael stares at her. · KAEL: · "You're laughing." · Panel 8 · Mira tries to stop. · MIRA: · "I'm sorry." · Panel 9 · She fails. · Panel 10 · MIRA: · "You look ridiculous." · Panel 11 · Kael smiles despite himself. · KAEL: · "You think so?" · Panel 12 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "A little." · PAGE 15 — THE TRAP BACKFIRES · Panel 1 · Toma pulls the release mechanism. · TOMA: · "I'll get him down." · Panel 2 · The mechanism jams. · Panel 3 · Toma pulls harder. · Panel 4 · SFX: · KRRRNNNK! · Panel 5 · The net begins swinging. · Panel 6 · Kael swings toward Mira. · Panel 7 · Mira catches him before he hits the ground. · Panel 8 · Their faces are suddenly inches apart. · Panel 9 · Silence. · Panel 10 · Kael blushes. · Panel 11 · Mira blushes. · Panel 12 · Toma screams: · TOMA: · "NO!" · Panel 13 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "That wasn't the reaction you were hoping for?" · Panel 14 · Toma points desperately. · TOMA: · "THE TRAP MADE IT WORSE!" · PAGE 16 — EVERYONE TEASES TOMA · Panel 1 · Kael stands up. · Panel 2 · Mira brushes dirt from his jacket. · Panel 3 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "Thanks." · Panel 4 · Mira smiles. · MIRA: · "You're welcome." · Panel 5 · Pip watches from behind a tree. · Panel 6 · PIP: · "They're definitely in love." · Panel 7 · Sela walks past. · SELA: · "Obviously." · Panel 8 · Bram nods. · BRAM: · "I agree." · Panel 9 · Kael looks horrified. · KAEL: · "Why is everyone saying that?!" · Panel 10 · Mira's face is bright red. · MIRA: · "Ignore them." · Panel 11 · Grimm lands on Kael's head. · GRIMM: · "In love." · Panel 12 · Kael throws his hands upward. · KAEL: · "I'M SURROUNDED!" · PAGE 17 — TOMA GETS HIS REVENGE · Panel 1 · Toma sits on the ground, devastated. · TOMA: · "My beautiful trap..." · Panel 2 · Nia pats his shoulder. · NIA: · "You tried." · Panel 3 · Toma looks hopeful. · TOMA: · "Really?" · Panel 4 · Nia smiles. · NIA: · "No." · Panel 5 · Toma collapses dramatically. · TOMA: · "Cruel." · Panel 6 · Kael walks toward him. · KAEL: · "Look, Toma." · Panel 7 · Toma looks up. · Panel 8 · KAEL: · "You don't need to keep me away from Mira." · Panel 9 · Toma crosses his arms. · TOMA: · "Why not?" · Panel 10 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "Because she already said she'd stay with me." · Panel 11 · Toma's jaw drops. · Panel 12 · Mira shouts from across the clearing: · MIRA: · "I SAID I'D HELP YOU!" · Panel 13 · Kael grins. · KAEL: · "That's not how it sounded." · Panel 14 · Mira throws a small stick at him. · MIRA: · "KAEL!" · PAGE 18 — THE REAL FOREST · Panel 1 · The laughter stops. · The forest suddenly becomes completely silent. · Panel 2 · Bram looks toward the trees. · Panel 3 · His expression changes. · BRAM: · "Everyone inside." · Panel 4 · Sela grabs her bow. · SELA: · "Now." · Panel 5 · Kael notices that the lanterns are flickering. · Panel 6 · The shadows beneath the trees stretch unnaturally. · Panel 7 · Pip whispers: · PIP: · "It's here." · Panel 8 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "What's here?" · Panel 9 · Pip looks frightened for the first time. · PIP: · "The thing that steals shadows." · PAGE 19 — THE SHADOW WALKERS · Panel 1 · Dark figures emerge between the trees. · They resemble people made of mist and shadow. · Panel 2 · Mira draws her weapon. · MIRA: · "Those aren't human." · Panel 3 · Sela nods. · SELA: · "Shadow Walkers." · Panel 4 · One of them moves without making a sound. · Panel 5 · Toma whispers: · TOMA: · "I suddenly miss my trap." · Panel 6 · Nia looks at him. · NIA: · "Your trap wouldn't help." · Panel 7 · Toma points at it. · TOMA: · "It would emotionally support me." · PAGE 20 — FIGHTING THE SHADOWS · Panel 1 · A Shadow Walker lunges. · Panel 2 · Bram blocks it with his axe. · SFX: · KRAK! · Panel 3 · Sela fires an arrow. · Panel 4 · Nia strikes another. · Panel 5 · Kael fights alongside Mira. · Panel 6 · A Shadow Walker comes from behind Mira. · Panel 7 · Kael grabs her arm and pulls her aside. · Panel 8 · The attack misses. · Panel 9 · Mira looks at him. · MIRA: · "You saved me." · Panel 10 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "We're even." · Panel 11 · Mira looks confused. · MIRA: · "For what?" · Panel 12 · KAEL: · "You saved me from the tree." · Panel 13 · Mira smiles. · MIRA: · "Then I suppose we're even." · PAGE 21 — THE FOREST FIGHTS BACK · Panel 1 · Kael strikes a Shadow Walker. · It dissolves. · Panel 2 · Another appears behind him. · Panel 3 · Mira steps between them. · Panel 4 · She strikes. · Panel 5 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "You really do worry about me." · Panel 6 · Mira doesn't look at him. · MIRA: · "Focus." · Panel 7 · Kael grins. · KAEL: · "You didn't deny it." · Panel 8 · Mira sighs. · MIRA: · "I regret saving you." · Panel 9 · Kael laughs. · Panel 10 · KAEL: · "No, you don't." · PAGE 22 — PIP'S SECRET · Panel 1 · Pip pulls Toma behind a wooden cart. · PIP: · "I know what's happening." · Panel 2 · Toma looks at her. · TOMA: · "You do?" · Panel 3 · Pip nods. · PIP: · "The forest is looking for the boy." · Panel 4 · Toma becomes serious. · TOMA: · "Why?" · Panel 5 · Pip points to Kael's hand. · PIP: · "Because the star mark belongs to this place." · Panel 6 · Toma looks shocked. · Panel 7 · TOMA: · "What do you mean?" · Panel 8 · Pip whispers: · "He was here before." · PAGE 23 — THE CHILDREN OF THE FOREST · Panel 1 · Kael hears her. · Panel 2 · KAEL: · "What did you say?" · Panel 3 · Pip looks at him. · PIP: · "You were here." · Panel 4 · Kael's expression changes. · Panel 5 · KAEL: · "When?" · Panel 6 · Pip points deeper into the forest. · PIP: · "When you were little." · Panel 7 · Kael steps forward. · Panel 8 · Mira grabs his arm. · MIRA: · "Don't." · Panel 9 · Kael looks at her. · KAEL: · "Mira..." · Panel 10 · Mira's voice becomes softer. · MIRA: · "Not alone." · Panel 11 · Kael looks down at her hand on his arm. · Panel 12 · He smiles. · KAEL: · "Okay." · PAGE 24 — THE FOREST KEEPER · Panel 1 · A very old woman walks from the trees carrying a lantern. · Panel 2 · Everyone becomes quiet. · Panel 3 · Sela bows her head. · SELA: · "Keeper Vessa." · Panel 4 · Vessa looks at Kael. · Her eyes widen. · Panel 5 · VESSA: · "It can't be." · Panel 6 · Kael steps forward. · KAEL: · "You know me?" · Panel 7 · Vessa studies his face. · Panel 8 · VESSA: · "Not as you are now." · Panel 9 · She looks at his hand. · VESSA: · "But I remember the child." · Panel 10 · Kael whispers: · KAEL: · "My childhood..." · Panel 11 · Vessa looks toward Mira. · Panel 12 · VESSA: · "You brought him back." · PAGE 25 — THE WARNING · Panel 1 · Vessa walks closer. · VESSA: · "The last time the Star-Born came here..." · Panel 2 · Kael listens. · Panel 3 · VESSA: · "...he wasn't alone." · Panel 4 · Kael's heart skips. · KAEL: · "My sister." · Panel 5 · Vessa's expression becomes grave. · Panel 6 · VESSA: · "Yes." · Panel 7 · Mira steps closer. · MIRA: · "Where is she?" · Panel 8 · Vessa looks deep into the forest. · VESSA: · "That is the wrong question." · Panel 9 · Kael frowns. · KAEL: · "Then what's the right one?" · Panel 10 · Vessa looks directly at him. · VESSA: · "Why did she choose to stay?" · PAGE 26 — THE LAST IMAGE · Panel 1 · Kael stares into the trees. · Panel 2 · Mira stands beside him. · Panel 3 · Their shoulders touch. · Neither moves away. · Panel 4 · Mira quietly speaks. · MIRA: · "We'll find out." · Panel 5 · Kael turns to her. · KAEL: · "You promise?" · Panel 6 · Mira pauses. · Panel 7 · She gives him a small smile. · MIRA: · "I said I'd stay, didn't I?" · Panel 8 · Kael smiles. · KAEL: · "You did." · Panel 9 · Toma watches from behind a tree. · He quietly pulls out another trap blueprint. · Panel 10 · Nia catches him. · NIA: · "Don't." · Panel 11 · Toma whispers: · TOMA: · "This one is different." · Panel 12 · Nia looks at the blueprint. · It is titled: · OPERATION: FIVE-MINUTE KAEL-MIRA SEPARATION — FINAL VERSION · Panel 13 · Nia crumples the blueprint. · NIA: · "You need help." · Panel 14 · Toma nods solemnly. · TOMA: · "I know." · PAGE 27 — THE SHADOW · Panel 1 — Large dramatic panel · Kael walks toward the forest. · Mira follows. · Their shadows stretch behind them. · Panel 2 · Kael suddenly stops. · Panel 3 · His shadow stops. · Mira stops. · Her shadow doesn't. · Panel 4 · Mira looks down. · Panel 5 · Her shadow slowly turns its head. · Panel 6 · Mira's eyes widen. · MIRA: · "Kael..." · Panel 7 · Kael turns. · Panel 8 · The shadow smiles. · Panel 9 · Kael's star mark ignites. · SFX: · VMMMMMMMM! · Panel 10 · A whisper emerges from the forest. · VOICE: · "We remember you." · Panel 11 · Kael steps in front of Mira. · Panel 12 · His expression becomes serious. · KAEL: · "Then remember this." · Panel 13 · He raises his weapon. · KAEL: · "You're not taking her." · Panel 14 — Final splash page · Deep inside the Silent Forest, countless pairs of glowing eyes open. · And somewhere in the darkness stands the silhouette of a young girl with the same star-shaped mark as Kael. · She watches him. · A faint smile appears. · MYSTERIOUS GIRL: · "Still protecting everyone, little brother?" · END OF CHAPTER FOUR · TO BE CONTINUED… · CHAPTER FOUR — CHARACTER DYNAMICS · This chapter establishes a stronger ensemble around Kael and Mira. · Kael and Mira · Their relationship is now becoming noticeable to everyone around them, even though neither openly admits that they have romantic feelings. · Their strongest relationship moments are deliberately small: · Mira catches Kael after Toma's trap. · Kael protects Mira from the Shadow Walker. · Mira promises to stay. · Kael asks whether she means it. · She reassures him without making a dramatic confession. · Their humor comes from both of them being embarrassed whenever someone points out how close they've become. · That gives the romance room to grow naturally in later chapters. · Toma · Toma becomes more than comic relief. · His trap shows that he is attached to the group and doesn't want to feel left behind. His jealousy is played for comedy rather than hostility. Over time, he can become one of Kael's closest friends. · A recurring joke can be that every time Toma designs a trap to separate Kael and Mira, the trap accidentally pushes them closer together. · Nia · Nia becomes the person who constantly has to clean up Toma's ridiculous plans. · Her dry humor contrasts with his energy. · Sela · Sela can become the group's guide through the Silent Forest and eventually reveal knowledge about the old Star Gates. · Bram · Bram looks frightening but is one of the kindest members of the cast. His literal interpretation of jokes can become a recurring source of humor. · Pip · Pip functions as the group's unofficial detective. She sees things the older characters overlook. · Keeper Vessa · Vessa provides historical clues about Kael's childhood and his missing sister while deliberately withholding certain information.