Unreliable Narrator Manga

Título del cómic “Un rumor no define quién soy” Personajes Laura: niña amable, tranquila y buena amiga Elizabeth: compañera que inicia el conflicto Amigas del grupo Maestra (figura mediadora) Historia dividida en viñetas (escenas) Viñeta 1: La amistad Patio de la escuela primaria Laura aparece jugando y riendo con su grupo de amigas. Laura: —Me gusta mucho estar con ustedes, somos muy buenas amigas. Amiga: —¡Sí! Siempre nos apoyamos. Viñeta 2: El cambio Salón de clases Elizabeth está hablando en secreto con otras niñas. Elizabeth (susurrando): —Laura dijo cosas feas de ustedes… Amiga (confundida): —¿De verdad? Viñeta 3: El rumor Pasillo de la escuela Las amigas comienzan a alejarse de Laura. Laura (pensando): —¿Por qué ya no me hablan? ¿Qué hice mal? Viñeta 4: El conflicto Recreo Laura escucha a Elizabeth hablando mal de ella. Elizabeth: —No confíen en Laura, ella no es buena amiga. Laura (triste): —Eso no es verdad… Viñeta 5: El dolor Baño o banca del patio Laura está sola, con expresión triste. Laura (pensamiento): —Me duele que hablen de mí sin conocer la verdad. Viñeta 6: Pedir ayuda Salón de clases Laura se acerca a la maestra. Laura: —Maestra, alguien está diciendo cosas falsas sobre mí. Maestra: —Gracias por decirlo, vamos a hablarlo con respeto. Viñeta 7: La verdad Reunión del grupo La maestra reúne a las niñas. Maestra: —Hablar mal de alguien puede lastimar mucho. Aquí escucharemos la verdad. Laura: —Yo nunca hablé mal de ustedes. Las quiero como amigas. Viñeta 8: Reflexión Elizabeth con expresión de arrepentimiento Elizabeth: —Lo siento… hablé sin pensar y causé un problema. Viñeta 9: Perdón y aprendizaje Patio Las amigas vuelven a estar juntas. Amiga: —Perdón por no preguntarte antes, Laura. Laura: —Gracias por escucharme. Aprendimos algo importante. Viñeta 10: Final Todas juntas Narrador: —Los rumores pueden causar daño, pero hablar con la verdad y respeto puede sanar las amistades. Mensaje del cómic (puede ir al final) Moraleja: Hablar mal de los demás puede causar conflictos, pero la comunicación, la honestidad y el respeto ayudan a resolverlos. EN ESPAÑOL
Título del cómic “Un rumor no define quién soy” Personajes Laura: niña amable, tranquila y buena amiga Elizabeth: compañera que inicia el conflicto Amigas del grupo Maestra (figura mediadora) Historia dividida en viñetas (escenas) Viñeta 1: La amistad Patio de la escuela primaria Laura aparece jugando y riendo con su grupo de amigas. Laura: —Me gusta mucho estar con ustedes, somos muy buenas amigas. Amiga: —¡Sí! Siempre nos apoyamos. Viñeta 2: El cambio Salón de clases Elizabeth está hablando en secreto con otras niñas. Elizabeth (susurrando): —Laura dijo cosas feas de ustedes… Amiga (confundida): —¿De verdad? Viñeta 3: El rumor Pasillo de la escuela Las amigas comienzan a alejarse de Laura. Laura (pensando): —¿Por qué ya no me hablan? ¿Qué hice mal? Viñeta 4: El conflicto Recreo Laura escucha a Elizabeth hablando mal de ella. Elizabeth: —No confíen en Laura, ella no es buena amiga. Laura (triste): —Eso no es verdad… Viñeta 5: El dolor Baño o banca del patio Laura está sola, con expresión triste. Laura (pensamiento): —Me duele que hablen de mí sin conocer la verdad. Viñeta 6: Pedir ayuda Salón de clases Laura se acerca a la maestra. Laura: —Maestra, alguien está diciendo cosas falsas sobre mí. Maestra: —Gracias por decirlo, vamos a hablarlo con respeto. Viñeta 7: La verdad Reunión del grupo La maestra reúne a las niñas. Maestra: —Hablar mal de alguien puede lastimar mucho. Aquí escucharemos la verdad. Laura: —Yo nunca hablé mal de ustedes. Las quiero como amigas. Viñeta 8: Reflexión Elizabeth con expresión de arrepentimiento Elizabeth: —Lo siento… hablé sin pensar y causé un problema. Viñeta 9: Perdón y aprendizaje Patio Las amigas vuelven a estar juntas. Amiga: —Perdón por no preguntarte antes, Laura. Laura: —Gracias por escucharme. Aprendimos algo importante. Viñeta 10: Final Todas juntas Narrador: —Los rumores pueden causar daño, pero hablar con la verdad y respeto puede sanar las amistades. Mensaje del cómic (puede ir al final) Moraleja: Hablar mal de los demás puede causar conflictos, pero la comunicación, la honestidad y el respeto ayudan a resolverlos.
Título del cómic “Un rumor no define quién soy” 🟨 Personajes Laura: niña amable, tranquila y buena amiga Elizabeth: compañera que inicia el conflicto Amigas del grupo Maestra (figura mediadora) 🟩 Historia dividida en viñetas (escenas) Viñeta 1: La amistad 📍 Patio de la escuela primaria Laura aparece jugando y riendo con su grupo de amigas. 💬 Laura: —Me gusta mucho estar con ustedes, somos muy buenas amigas. 💬 Amiga: —¡Sí! Siempre nos apoyamos. Viñeta 2: El cambio 📍 Salón de clases Elizabeth está hablando en secreto con otras niñas. 💬 Elizabeth (susurrando): —Laura dijo cosas feas de ustedes… 💬 Amiga (confundida): —¿De verdad? Viñeta 3: El rumor 📍 Pasillo de la escuela Las amigas comienzan a alejarse de Laura. 💬 Laura (pensando): —¿Por qué ya no me hablan? ¿Qué hice mal? Viñeta 4: El conflicto 📍 Recreo Laura escucha a Elizabeth hablando mal de ella. 💬 Elizabeth: —No confíen en Laura, ella no es buena amiga. 💬 Laura (triste): —Eso no es verdad… Viñeta 5: El dolor 📍 Baño o banca del patio Laura está sola, con expresión triste. 💬 Laura (pensamiento): —Me duele que hablen de mí sin conocer la verdad. Viñeta 6: Pedir ayuda 📍 Salón de clases Laura se acerca a la maestra. 💬 Laura: —Maestra, alguien está diciendo cosas falsas sobre mí. 💬 Maestra: —Gracias por decirlo, vamos a hablarlo con respeto. Viñeta 7: La verdad 📍 Reunión del grupo La maestra reúne a las niñas. 💬 Maestra: —Hablar mal de alguien puede lastimar mucho. Aquí escucharemos la verdad. 💬 Laura: —Yo nunca hablé mal de ustedes. Las quiero como amigas. Viñeta 8: Reflexión 📍 Elizabeth con expresión de arrepentimiento 💬 Elizabeth: —Lo siento… hablé sin pensar y causé un problema. Viñeta 9: Perdón y aprendizaje 📍 Patio Las amigas vuelven a estar juntas. 💬 Amiga: —Perdón por no preguntarte antes, Laura. 💬 Laura: —Gracias por escucharme. Aprendimos algo importante. Viñeta 10: Final 📍 Todas juntas 💬 Narrador: —Los rumores pueden causar daño, pero hablar con la verdad y respeto puede sanar las amistades. 🟪 Mensaje del cómic (puede ir al final) 📝 Moraleja: Hablar mal de los demás puede causar conflictos, pero la comunicación, la honestidad y el respeto ayudan a resolverlos.
**Chapter 1 - Opening Scene (6 Panels)** **Panel 1 (Wide establishing shot - Full page splash feel)** - Setting: Bright morning at Zenith Hero Academy. Large courtyard full of excited students chatting about vacations. - Camera: High angle panoramic view. - Focus: Moonshine walking calmly through the crowd, hands in pockets, relaxed expression. - Background text / narration: "Zenith Hero Academy - First day of the new semester." - Small speech bubbles from students: “My beach vacation was awesome!” “What about you?” **Panel 2 (Dynamic medium shot)** - Action: Freya running from behind, jumping on Moonshine with arms wide open. - Moonshine turns around surprised and almost loses balance. - Freya: “MOONSHINE!! I missed you so much, shorty!” - Moonshine (struggling): “Freya! You’re crushing me!” **Panel 3 (Medium group shot)** - Freya is now happily hugging Moonshine’s shoulder. - Kayano appears from the side, waving with a teasing smile. - Kayano: “Hey you two! Still the same height, short king?” - Moonshine (annoyed, arms crossed, head turned away): “Stop teasing me! One day I’ll catch up to you…” - Kayano (laughing): “Not even in a thousand years!” **Panel 4 (Split panel - Main group + small insert)** - Main: Isabella arrives a bit out of breath. Isabella: “Looks like I made it early after all that traffic…” - Small insert bottom right: Another group nearby. - Delta striking silly energetic poses trying to make everyone laugh (no one is laughing). - Koe: “Delta… calm down, it’s the first day.” - Epic (serious, low voice): “Both of you, shut up. I can’t concentrate.” - Alex placing a hand on Epic’s shoulder: “Easy, boss. It’s just the first day.” **Panel 5 (Wide transition shot)** - Loudspeakers sound. All students look up. - Big text from speaker: “All Zenith Hero Academy students, please proceed to the Testing Field!” - Cut to the large Testing Field: A massive robot standing in the center of an arena. - Freya pointing upwards: “Let’s sit higher up! We’ll see the fights better from there.” - Moonshine: “Good idea.” - The group (Moonshine, Freya, Kayano, Isabella) heading up the stands. **Panel 6 (Medium shot - Cliffhanger)** - The four friends seated in the upper stands, looking down excitedly. - Instructor in the arena: “The first participant will be…….. Freya!” - Freya (standing up with a complaint face): “Now?! I just sat down!” - Freya (turning to her friends with a smile): “I’ll be right back. Wish me luck!” - Moonshine, Kayano, and Isabella watching her with anticipation. - Sound effect: “Bzzzzzt!”
Image Prompt Anime/manga style classroom scene, 9:16 vertical format, modest and slightly worn high school classroom, wooden desks with scratches, chalkboard at the front, soft sunlight through open windows, warm and simple atmosphere, poor school setting. Students wearing same uniform: simple white short-sleeve shirt, slightly faded navy blue skirt, black shoes, white socks. Three girls seated together: Lin Xinyi (shoulder-length brown hair, calm expression), Lily Chen (long black ponytail, glasses, holding notebook), Mia Zhao (short auburn hair, energetic). Teacher at front speaking. 💬 Dialogue Teacher: "Don’t forget about the debate ahead. Some students might get scholarships." Students (whispering): "Scholarships?" "This is serious…" 🎞️ Scene 2 – Class Murmuring 🖼️ Image Prompt (Same classroom, teacher walking out, students turning, whispering, lively atmosphere) 💬 Dialogue Student A: "Did you hear that?" Student B: "This could change everything…" 🎞️ Scene 3 – Confident Student Speaks 🖼️ Image Prompt (Male student standing confidently in class, others looking at him, trio seated together) 💬 Dialogue Standing Student: "You guys should stop worrying yourselves. When we have the top students in this class, it’s obvious who will get it." Students (whispering): "He means them…" "Of course…" 🎞️ Scene 4 – Lin Xinyi Responds 🖼️ Image Prompt (Focus on Lin Xinyi speaking calmly, friends beside her, students listening) 💬 Dialogue Lin Xinyi: "We should all study hard… we never know who might get it." Students (soft murmuring): "She’s right…" 🎞️ Scene 5 – Junior Arrives 🖼️ Image Prompt (Door open, junior student standing, class turning, pointing at selected students) 💬 Dialogue Junior Student: "Excuse me… who is Xinyi, Lily, Mia Zhao, and Ella?" Teacher: "You should meet him now." Student (whispering): "Didn’t I tell you? Only the brilliant students will represent us." 🎞️ Scene 6 – Walking to Staff Room 🖼️ Image Prompt (School corridor, four girls walking together, students watching) 💬 Dialogue Mia Zhao: "Do you think we got selected?!" Lily Chen: "I’m nervous… what if it’s something serious?" Lin Xinyi (calm): "Let’s just go and find out." 🎞️ Scene 7 – Staff Room Reveal 🖼️ Image Prompt (Staff room, teacher behind desk, four girls standing in front) 💬 Dialogue Teacher: "You four have been selected to represent the school." Ella: "Represent… us?" Teacher: "Yes. A prestigious academy is offering admission to outstanding students." 🎞️ Scene 8 – Big News 🖼️ Image Prompt (Closer emotional shot, girls reacting differently) 💬 Dialogue Teacher: "This is your chance to transfer to one of the most elite schools in the country." Mia Zhao (excited): "Wait… seriously?!" Lily Chen (shocked): "A rich school…?" Lin Xinyi (quiet, determined): "...This is our opportunity." 🎞️ Scene 9 – Outside the Office 🖼️ Image Prompt (Girls standing outside, sunlight, emotional tone) 💬 Dialogue Mia Zhao: "We’re really leaving this place…" Lily Chen: "I’m scared… but excited too." Lin Xinyi: "No matter where we go… we stay together." Ella (soft smile): "Together." 🎞️ Scene 10 – Ending Panel 🖼️ Image Prompt (Dramatic shot of school building fading into bright future transition) 💬 Narration (optional) "A new world was waiting for them… one filled with riches, power… and challenges they never expected."
Chapter Intro: The Riftborn armies have been repelled, but the war is far from over. Deep within the void, a presence stirs — ancient, calculating, and furious. The Riftborn King, long dormant, awakens. As the Hidden Leaf regroups, Team 0 is summoned to a secret chamber beneath the Hokage Tower, where the truth about Shawn’s Hoshigan — and its connection to the King — is finally revealed. Scene 1: The Hidden Chamber Interior panel: A spiral staircase descends into the earth. Torches flicker along the stone walls. Team 0 follows the Hokage and Kuroda into a sealed vault. - Shawn: His white fox mask is clipped to his belt. His face is calm but alert, with sharp features and a faint scar beneath his right eye. His 3-Tomoe Hoshigan glows with a fourth mark forming at its center. He wears a black cloak over a white shirt, the obsidian-forged sword strapped across his back. - Jaden: His spiky black hair is slightly damp with sweat. He wears a black shirt with a red flame crest, one sleeve torn to reveal his muscular left arm. His Byakugan is inactive but alert, and his black gloves are scuffed from the last battle. - Isaiah: Towering and broad-shouldered, his dark skin is marked with faint black veins from his mutation. His dreadlocked hair is tied back, and his fur-lined cloak is torn at the edges. He holds a kunai loosely in his right hand, always ready. Hokage (gravely): “This is the Eye’s origin. The place where the first Hoshigan was sealed.” Kuroda (to Shawn): “Your eye didn’t awaken by chance. It was chosen.” Scene 2: The Memory Stone A massive crystal floats in the center of the chamber. It pulses with violet light. As Shawn approaches, his Hoshigan reacts — the fourth mark completes. Shawn (wincing): “It’s… calling me.” He touches the stone. A surge of energy floods the room. Time freezes. Jaden and Isaiah are suspended mid-step. Scene 3: The Vision — The Riftborn King Shawn is pulled into a vision. He stands in a ruined world, skies torn open. A throne of bone and obsidian looms ahead. Upon it sits the Riftborn King — a towering figure with six arms, a crown of jagged crystal, and a single, massive Hoshigan eye in his chest. Riftborn King (voice like thunder): “You wear my legacy, child. My eye. My curse.” Shawn (steady): “I’m not your heir.” Riftborn King: “You already are. The Eye remembers. And soon… so will you.” The King raises a hand — the vision shatters. Scene 4: Awakening Back in the chamber, time resumes. Shawn stumbles back, eyes wide. The Hoshigan now bears a fourth tomoe — a black diamond at its center. Jaden (rushing to him): “Shawn! You good?” - Jaden’s Byakugan activates instinctively. His pale eyes scan Shawn’s chakra — it’s swirling, unstable. Isaiah (stepping forward): “Your chakra… it’s not yours anymore.” - Isaiah’s mutation pulses in response, his black veins glowing faintly. Shawn (breathing hard): “I saw him. The Riftborn King. He’s coming.” Scene 5: The King’s Herald Suddenly, the chamber trembles. A Riftborn sigil burns into the air. A voice echoes from the stone. Riftborn Voice: “The King rises. The Eye will return. And the world will kneel.” The sigil vanishes. Silence. Hokage (to Team 0): “You three are the last line. If the King crosses over… we fall.” Scene 6: Final Panel Full-page spread: Team 0 stands at the edge of the chamber, backlit by the glowing memory stone. Shawn’s Hoshigan gleams with four tomoe. Jaden’s Byakugan is fully active. Isaiah’s mutation coils like a shadow beast behind him. Narration box: The King has awakened. The Eye has remembered. And the war for reality has begun.
A cinematic realistic video of two young university girls sitting together in a calm cozy setting (like a dorm room or a quiet café). One girl is speaking emotionally and warmly, telling a heartfelt story about friendship. She is expressive, natural, and speaks with soft hand gestures and emotional facial expressions. The second girl is listening silently. She does not speak. She reacts only with facial expressions and eye contact: soft smiles, subtle emotional reactions, occasional eye contact, and visible affection and attentiveness toward her friend. The atmosphere is emotional, warm, nostalgic, and intimate, like a deep friendship moment being shared. The speaker is telling a story in Arabic (Egyptian dialect), full of emotion and sincerity. Camera is medium shot, slightly cinematic, soft lighting, shallow depth of field, warm tones, realistic skin details, natural movement. No text on screen, no subtitles. Focus on emotional connection between the two girls: one narrating, one listening with meaningful reactions. Story by character 1 قصة صداقتنا من ناحيتي أنا كان أول يوم ليا في الجامعة. كنت نازلة بعد بداية الدراسة بكام يوم، وده لوحده كان كفاية يخليني حاسة إني تايهة شوية. المكان كان كبير، والوجوه كلها جديدة عليّ، ومكنتش عارفة أروح فين بالظبط. كنت بحاول أبين إني فاهمة الدنيا ماشية إزاي… بس الحقيقة إني كنت تايهة. وفجأة قابلتها. كانت أول شخص أقابله هناك. سألتني عن اسمي، واتكلمت معايا ببساطة كأن الموضوع عادي جدًا، وبعدها دخلتني جروب الدفعة. وقتها أنا ما اهتمتش أوي بالموضوع. اعتبرته موقف عادي من حد لطيف… وخلاص. لكن بعد فترة، لما بدأت أتعرف على الشلة كلها، بدأت آخد بالي منها أكتر. كنت دايمًا ببصلها من بعيد. شخصيتها كانت مختلفة عني جدًا… حضورها واضح، وطريقتها مع الناس سهلة، وكأنها تعرف تتعامل مع أي حد. وده خلاني أحس وقتها إننا غالبًا عمرنا ما هنبقى قريبين. لكن الحقيقة اللي ما قلتهاش لحد وقتها… إني كنت أتمنى العكس. كنت أتمنى، ولو بشكل صغير، إننا نعرف نبقى أصحاب. الغريب إني لما رجعت بعد كده أبص على الصور والذكريات، اكتشفت إن اننا قربنا واحدة واحدة من غير محد فينا يدرك ده حصل امتي. بس انا هتكلم عن اليوم اللي أنا دايمًا بعتبره بداية حقيقية لعلاقتنا. كنت بتكلم معاها بشكل عادي، وقلت لها حاجة بسيطة جدًا: إني بحب الاهتمام. ما كنتش بقولها كطلب… ولا كنت متوقعة رد فعل معين. بس الغريب إن اليوم كله كان كله حواليا بطريقة دافية جدًا. هي كانت فعلاً مهتمة بكل التفاصيل الصغيرة، بتسأل، بتلاحظ، وبتفتكر حاجات قلتها قبل كده. حسيت وقتها إن يومها كله متمحور حواليا… مش بطريقة تقيلة، بس بطريقة خفيفة ولطيفة. افتكرت الجملة اللي قلتها… وحسيت إن حد أخذها بجد. اليوم ده خلاني مبسوطة جدًا، وممتنة بشكل يمكن ما قولتهش وقتها. يمكن متكتنش هي أول حد يعرف يفهمني، بس هي كانت مختلفة. كانت دايمًا قادرة تبهرني بأفعالها من غير ما تقول حاجة. كانت دايمًا تعرف تفرق بين إني هادية عادي و بين اني مختفية و مش كويسة. وكانت دايمًا بتعمل اللي أنا محتاجاه حتى قبل ما أفكر فيه… ومعرفش إزاي كانت بتعمل ده بصراحة. كانت فيها كل التفاصيل اللي كنت أتمنى تكون موجودة في شخص واحد. عشان كده لما قولتلها: "إنتي دعوة على شكل إنسان" ماكنتش بهزر… كنت أقصد ده بجد. المواقف بتاعتها متتعدش… مهما حاولت أشرح، مهما قلت، هيفضل قليل على اللي هي قدمته فعليًا. ومع الوقت، علاقتنا اتطورت لدرجة إننا بقينا تقريبًا بنقضي يومنا كله سوا… في الكول، وإحنا بناكل، وإحنا بنذاكر، وإحنا بنعمل أي حاجة مع بعض… لحد النوم. كانت أيام حقيقي، من أجمل الأيام اللي بتمنى ترجع تاني. صحيح، من بعد التخرج والشغل والانشغالات، بعدتنا عن بعض شوية… كنت عارفة إن الوقت ده هييجي، بس ده مضايقني أوي… مش منك، بس عشان مبقتش موجودة دايمًا زي الأول. مع ذلك، أنا لسه ممتنة جدًا لوجودك، وعارفة إن علاقتنا لسه زي ما هي… وأكيد لسه بحبك زي الأول… وأكتر. إنتي طول الوقت في بالي، وبفرح أوي لما تقولي إنك كمان كنتي بتفكري فيا. مظنش إني هكون محظوظة كفاية إني أقابل حد زيك تاني… لأنك مفيش منك أصلاً. وكده كده، أنا مش عايزة غيرك. وفي النهاية، أحب أقولك إنك دايمًا كنتي في نظري أرق وأحن حد قابلته في حياتي. بحبك يا أحلى شريرة شوفتها في حياتي… وأجمل ENFJ في الدنيا. دلوقتي بقي جيه الدور عليكي تحكي القصة من وجهة نظرك مستية ده جدا ♥
Chapter Intro: The seal is broken. The Rift stirs. Deep within the void, a presence awakens — ancient and furious. The Riftborn King, long dormant, has opened his eye. As the Hidden Leaf regroups, Team 0 is summoned to a secret chamber beneath the Hokage Tower. There, the truth behind the Hoshigan, Isaiah’s mutation, and the Riftborn’s obsession with their bloodlines is finally revealed. Scene 1: Descent into Secrets Interior panel: A spiral staircase winds deep beneath the Hokage Tower. The walls are carved with ancient symbols. Torches flicker with blue flame. - Shawn: Cloaked in black, his white fox mask with red markings clipped to his belt. His face is calm, with sharp cheekbones and a faint scar beneath his right eye. His 3-Tomoe Hoshigan glows with a fourth mark forming — a black diamond at the center. The obsidian-forged sword rests across his back, humming with gravitational energy. - Jaden: His long, flowing black hair cascades down his back, tied loosely at the base. He wears a black shinobi robe with a red flame crest on the chest, one sleeve torn to reveal his muscular left arm. His Byakugan is dormant but alert, and his black gloves are worn from battle. - Isaiah: Towering and broad-shouldered, his dark skin is marked with faint black veins from his mutation. His dreadlocks are tied back, and his jagged fur-lined cloak drapes over a cream-colored combat tunic. A kunai spins slowly in his right hand, his eyes scanning every shadow. Hokage (gravely): “This vault predates the village. It holds the truth behind your powers.” Kuroda (to Shawn): “Your eye didn’t awaken by chance. It was chosen — by something older than chakra itself.” Scene 2: The Memory Stone A massive crystal floats in the center of the chamber, pulsing with violet light. As Shawn steps forward, his Hoshigan reacts — the fourth mark completes with a flash. Shawn (wincing, voice strained): “It’s… calling me.” He reaches out. The moment his fingers touch the stone, a surge of energy floods the room. Time freezes. Jaden and Isaiah are suspended mid-step, their expressions locked in concern. Scene 3: The Riftborn King Revealed Shawn is pulled into a vision. He stands in a shattered world — skies torn open, stars bleeding. A throne of bone and obsidian looms ahead. Upon it sits the Riftborn King — a towering figure with six arms, a jagged crystal crown, and a massive Hoshigan embedded in his chest. Riftborn King (voice like thunder): “You wear my legacy, child. My eye. My curse.” Shawn (steady, eyes glowing): “I’m not your heir.” Riftborn King: “You already are. The Eye remembers. And soon… so will you.” The King raises a hand. The vision shatters. Scene 4: The Eye Evolves Back in the chamber, time resumes. Shawn stumbles back, breathing hard. His Hoshigan now bears a fourth tomoe — a black diamond spinning at the center. Jaden (rushing forward, long hair flowing): “Shawn! What happened?!” His Byakugan activates instantly, veins bulging at his temples. He scans Shawn’s chakra network — it’s swirling, unstable, like a storm inside a bottle. Isaiah (stepping in, dreadlocks swaying): “Your chakra… it’s not yours anymore.” His mutation pulses in response, black veins glowing faintly beneath his skin. Shawn (voice low, eyes burning): “I saw him. The Riftborn King. He’s coming.” Scene 5: The King’s Herald The chamber trembles. A Riftborn sigil burns into the air. A voice echoes from the stone. Riftborn Voice (disembodied): “The King rises. The Eye will return. And the world will kneel.” The sigil vanishes. Silence falls. Hokage (to Team 0): “You three are the last line. If the King crosses over… we fall.” Scene 6: Final Panel Full-page spread: Team 0 stands before the glowing memory stone. - Shawn: Cloak fluttering, Hoshigan gleaming with four tomoe. His obsidian blade hums with power. - Jaden: Long hair flowing, Byakugan fully active, lightning crackling at his fingertips. - Isaiah: Dreadlocks wild, mutation coiled like a shadow beast behind him, kunai in hand. Narration box: The King has awakened. The Eye has remembered. And the war for reality has begun.
Chapter 1 Ang bahay namin ay laging masigla—o sa ibang salita, laging maingay. The walls were painted a deep, passionate red, matched by the heavy crimson curtains that swayed whenever the electric fan faced their direction. It was a house that felt like a constant celebration, but today, my heart was racing for a different reason. I was sitting on the edge of the sofa, my phone clutched so tightly in my hands that my knuckles were turning white. I was waiting. Sa totoo lang, simpleng pangarap lang naman ang gusto ko: to travel, to see the world, and to wear that crisp uniform of a Tourism student. I had taken the entrance exams for the two biggest universities in the city. My dream schools. Ting. Isang notification ang lumabas sa screen. My breath hitched. With shaking fingers, I tapped the email. “We regret to inform you…” The words blurred. Hindi ako nakapasa. Ang unang school na inaasahan ko, tinanggihan ako. Parang biglang gumuho ang mundo ko sa limang salitang iyon. "O, Jaquilyn? Bakit parang nakakita ka ng multo riyan?" puna ni Tito Rey habang naglalakad bitbit ang isang tumpok ng labada. Pilit akong ngumiti, pero ramdam ko ang panginginig ng labi ko. "Tito... yung email. Hindi po ako nakuha sa unang school." Agad na lumabas si Tita Precy mula sa kusina, bitbit ang sandok na may bakas pa ng sarsa. "Hala, anak? Hayaan mo na 'yun! Baka hindi talaga 'yun ang para sa'yo." "Pero Tita, pangarap ko po 'yun," bulong ko. Lumapit sa akin si Tito Rey at tinapik ang balikat ko. "Naku, Jaquilyn, huwag kang mawalan ng pag-asa. Napakaraming bituin sa langit, hindi lang isa. At saka, may isa pa tayong hinihintay, 'di ba? Fighting lang!" "Oo nga!" dagdag ni Tita Precy habang tumatawa. "Tourista ka pa rin sa paningin namin, kahit sa kanto lang tayo mamasyal mamaya. Ngumiti ka na, baka pumangit ang swerte!" I forced a laugh. Their energy was contagious, as always. Isang panibagong araw ang lumipas, pero ang bigat sa dibdib ko, tila lalong nadagdagan. Nang tumunog ang phone ko para sa pangalawang pagkakataon, mabilis ko itong binuksan, hoping for a miracle. Pero pagkakita ko sa screen, parang nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. It was identical. The same formal font, the same polite rejection. “We regret to inform you...” Hindi ako makapaniwala. Tourism was my dream, my only plan. Napasandal ako sa pader ng kwarto ko, pinipigilan ang luha. Bakit parang lahat ng pinto, isinasara sa akin? ________________________ Nang sumapit ang hapunan, pilit akong lumabas ng kwarto. The dining table was a battlefield of noise, as usual. My younger cousins were chasing each other with spoons, habang si Tito Rey ay malakas na tumatawa sa kung anong biro sa TV. "Jaquilyn, kain na! Paborito mo 'tong ulam," sigaw ni Tita Precy mula sa dulo ng lamesa. Umupo ako, tahimik lang na nilalaro ang kanin sa plato ko. Maski ang ingay nila, hindi magawang itago ang lungkot ko. Napansin siguro ni Tita ang matagal kong pagtitig sa kawalan. Bigla siyang tumigil sa pagkain at may kinuhang kung ano sa bulsa ng duster niya. "Anak, wag ka nang masyadong malungkot sa dalawang school na 'yun," sabi niya nang mahinahon. Inilapag niya ang isang itim na card sa tapat ng plato ko. It was sleek, dark, and felt strangely heavy. "Subukan mo ito. May tumawag sa akin, sabi nila, bagay ka raw dito." Binasa ko ang nakasulat. Isang numero at isang email address lang ang nandoon: luminaacademy@gmail.com. "Lumina Academy?" bulong ko. "Para sa Tourism din ba 'to, Tita?" Ngumiti si Tita Precy, isang ngiting tila may halong misteryo. "Sabi nila, doon mo raw mahahanap ang tunay mong tatahakin. At least, you can still pursue your dream career, right?" Huminga ako nang malalim. Kahit hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng school ito, nabuhayan ako ng loob. I smiled back at her, feeling a spark of hope. "Sige po, Tita. I-email ko po sila mamaya." "Mabuti 'yan. Tawagan mo rin ang Mama mo, ibalita mo sa kanya," dagdag ni Tita. Agad akong umiling, ang ngiti ko ay bahagyang kumupas. "Naku, Tita, busy po si Mama sa abroad. Alam niyo naman po 'yun, baka makaabala lang ako." Sanay na ako. I was raised in my auntie’s presence. My mom was always working far away, and my dad? I didn't know anything about him. Every time I asked, my relatives would go silent or change the topic. I guessed they hated him, so I stopped asking a long time ago. Pagkatapos ng ligpitin ang hapunan, mabilis akong pumasok sa kwarto ko. I opened my laptop and typed the email address from the black card. To: luminaacademy@gmail.com Subject: Admission Inquiry - Jaquilyn Braush I hit send and leaned back on my pillow. While waiting for the notification, my eyelids started to feel heavy. The red walls of my room seemed to glow a bit brighter in the dark, and the scent of smoke—faint, almost like a dying candle—filled the air. Hindi ko na namalayang nakatulog na pala ako, bitbit ang huling pag-asa na baka sa Lumina Academy, doon magsisimula ang lahat. Nagising ako sa sikat ng araw na tumatama sa mukha ko. Sa sobrang antok ko kagabi, halos makalimutan ko na ang tungkol sa email na ipinadala ko. Dumiretso ako sa kusina para mag-almusal nang datnan ko si Tita Precy na nag-aabang na pala sa akin. "O, Jaquilyn? Kumusta 'yung card na binigay ko sa 'yo kagabi? Na-email mo ba?" tanong niya habang nag-aayos ng plato. Napatigil ako. Oo nga pala. Biglang nag-vibrate ang phone ko sa bulsa. My heart started to race. Kinuha ko ito at nakita ang isang notification mula sa Lumina Academy. Shaking, I opened it. OFFICIAL ADMISSION NOTICE Dear Ms. Jaquilyn Braush, We have been watching your spirit, and it burns with the intensity we require. You are officially accepted into Lumina Academy. To begin your journey, you must claim your belongings. Follow the attached map to the 'Red Brick Nexus' building in the Old District. This location is hidden from the mundane eye—walk three blocks past the clock tower and turn where the air feels warmest. Once inside, proceed directly to the door marked with your designated number. There, you will find your ID card, your uniforms, and the key to your assigned dormitory. "Tita! Tita, tanggap ako!" sigaw ko habang tumutulo ang luha ko sa tuwa. Halos magtatalon kami sa kusina habang binabasa ang direksyon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit kailangan ko pang pumunta sa isang lumang building para lang sa gamit, pero sa sandaling iyon, wala akong pakialam. Habang nasa biyahe ako, hindi ko mapigilang mapatawa. Seryoso ba 'to? I thought it was a scam! Ang bilis ng reply nila, hindi katulad ng ibang university na pinaghintay ako ng ilang linggo para lang tanggihan. At ang direksyon? "Turn where the air feels warmest?" Gusto kong maiyak sa tawa dahil parang laro lang ang lahat. What kind of school has these weird rules? Pero nang makarating ako sa dulo ng map, tumigil ang tawa ko. The building was exactly as described—matayog, luma, pero may kakaibang bigat ang aura. Pagpasok ko, isang grand view ang sumalubong sa akin. The lobby was massive. People in expensive-looking suits were walking everywhere, but they didn't look like office workers—they looked like they were guarding something important. Hinanap ko ang taong pwedeng pagtanungan hanggang sa makita ko ang isang babaeng naka-formal uniform na kulay yellowish-gold. Lumapit ako at ipinakita ang email ko. "Excuse me po, student po ako ng Lumina Academy..." The woman’s eyes widened the moment she saw my name on the screen. She looked shook, her breath hitching for a second. Without a word, she bowed slightly and looked at me. “Ms. Braush," she said. "Please... follow me. We have been waiting for you to arrive." Habang naglalakad kami sa mahabang hallway, ipinaliwanag niya sa akin ang tungkol sa numerong nasa message ko. “Ang numerong iyon ay hindi lang basta numero, Ms. Jaquilyn. It is the number of the door you must enter here in this building. Sa loob ng kwartong iyon, nandoon ang lahat ng pag-aari mo—ang uniform, at ang susi ng kwarto mo Academy. Ang building” Huminto kami sa tapat ng isang asul na pinto. It was unusually small, barely enough for a child to fit through, but when she opened it, there it was—isang itim na bag at isang itim na envelope. It looked mysterious, like it held secrets I wasn't ready for. I reached out and took them, feeling the heavy material against my palms. "Sundan mo ako. Dadalhin na kita sa bus mo ngayon," she said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "Sandali lang po!" I replied, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Kailangan ko munang magpaalam sa Tita ko. I can’t just leave like this without saying anything." "Huwag kang mag-alala. Kami na ang bahala sa parteng iyon," was her only cold response. Agad kong kinuha ang phone ko at tinawagan si Tita habang naglalakad kami. "Tita! Paalis na po ako—hindi ko alam kung saan—" "Jaquilyn, anak, okay lang!" she cut me off, sounding surprisingly calm. "May mga taga-Lumina Academy na rito sa bahay. Nag-explain na sila tungkol sa scholarship at kung bakit kailangan mong umalis agad ngayong araw. Mag-iingat ka roon, ha? Ipagmalaki mo kami!" I let out a huge sigh of relief. At least legal ang pag-alis ko. When we reached the parking lot, I saw a pure white bus. There were a few people my age already inside, their faces unreadable. Sinubukan kong ngumiti sa kanila, but one guy with sharp brown eyes looked at me like he wanted to punch me right then and there. Luh, mananapak ba 'to? I quickly looked away and found a seat. A few moments later, the driver entered the bus. "Fasten your seatbelts," he muttered without looking back. Mabilis akong sumunod, pulling the strap across my chest. But I noticed the others didn't even flinch. Para silang walang narinig, acting like they were too cool for safety rules. The trip started normally for a few minutes... then the bus slowed down for a split second... and then it accelerated. Sobrang bilis. It was so fast I felt like my heart was left behind at the station. I looked out the window and gasped, my breath hitching in my throat. I couldn't see the road anymore. Clouds. Pure white clouds were everywhere, drifting past the glass. And shortly after, I saw the vast blue ocean below us and a massive school that looked like an ancient palace from a fairy tale. "What the—nakalutang tayo?! We're floating!" I panicked, my hands gripping the armrest so hard my knuckles turned white. "Tanga," one of my seatmates whispered, rolling their eyes. Instead of helping me or explaining, they just called me stupid. The bus eventually descended, landing smoothly in front of the grand, golden gates. It felt like we were back in the normal world, but my stomach definitely didn't get the memo. As soon as the doors opened, I stumbled out and started vomiting on the side of the road. Nag-suka lang ako nang nag-suka. "Grabe... what a terrible start," I groaned, wiping my mouth with a trembling hand. My dream of being a Tourism student started with me literally losing my lunch on the pavement. Ang panget naman ng simula ko.