Old Scars, Chapter 5: Part 2.1

Page 105 Panel 1: Close-up on Grem looking around the doorway with a scientific focus at the recent development. You can see T- far less geeked out- side stepping past their friend inside.

GREM

Holographic door covering...could go either way!

T

Pretty advanced for a mythological being.

GREM

(Bubble 2) I've found through my century plus of living that magic and science often live in the same postal code.

T

(Bubble 2) That's the truth...!

Panel 2: Action shot of the young person a few moments later, activating a torchlight emanating from the knuckles of their right fist. In the background, you can see part of something hung up on the walls, though we don't know precisely what it is at this point.

Panel 3: Mr. Allen notices the light fist with an energetic glint in his eyes as T looks around the area to gauge where they are.

GREM

That built-in, or one of your inventions?

T

Built-in.

GREM

(Bubble 2) I imagine it must hurt when it's on.

T

(Bubble 2) It ramps up over the course of an hour, from the equivalent of a cat scratch bit by bit up to a stab wound...why I don't using this that often.

Panel 4: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. Something catches Grem's eye a short time later; his hand respectfully pulling his compatriot toward the panel right direction.

GREM

I see something- over there!

Panel 5: Cut to a shot of the glow from the fist illuminating the top of a gorgeous painting hanging near them. You can see by the face that it's the same mystery woman.

T

(Off-Panel) Who is she?

GREM

(Off-Panel) Some woman I saw back in India during one of my blackout visions--

T

(Bubble 2, Off-Panel) "Blackout visions?!"

GREM

(Bubble 2, Off-Panel) Not the important part here. What's important is, till this very second, I assumed that's all she was.

Panel 6: The light flashes down toward the base of the painting, highlighting for the first time the name of the mystery woman (MAARIKA) and the words, "Tämä maailma ei ansainnut sinua."

T

(Off-Panel) Maarika...pretty name.

GREM

(Off-Panel) Aye.

T

(Bubble 2, Off-Panel) "This world did..."

GREM

(Bubble 2, Off-Panel) "This world did not deserve you."

Page 106

Panel 1: Grem ponders the meaning of the phrase; the Finnish-English translation book resting on both hands under a little bit of glow from his friend.

T

Sounds tragic...!

GREM

Or a note of pride, depending on the context. Though looking at her eyes, you may...

Panel 2: Same setting/layout as the previous panel. T turns their head a moment later toward the panel left direction at the sound of bird tweeting from that direction.

Panel 3: Cut to a shot of the nightjar flapping about and tweeting at our protagonists at the end of the hallway, illuminated by T's torchlight fist.

T

(Off-Panel) It's the...maybe bird from before.

Panel 4: Action shot of T already beginning their run in that same direction. You can see Grem in the background a half dozen steps behind seeking to catch up to them.

T

(Cont.) Given that we found a doorway the first go-around, maybe we'll find a way to Louhi's place.

GREM

Possible, or...

Panel 5: T is stopped suddenly moments later by an invisible force with the same power of a powerful sucker punch, driving them toward the wall.

Panel 6: The immortal Irishman catches up a few seconds later, bringing his new friend up to his feet.

GREM

(theorizing) It may be a familiar, leading us toward a trap from her to take us out- a "Magical Whammy," as I call it.

T

(woozy) Familiar...why would a demigod need one? I thought thaw as a witch thing.

GREM

(Bubble 2) Aye. Deities have a lot of hidden layers. A lot of 'em terrible, but still...