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Description
Metal Mage
Issue 1: An Agent of Change
Written by M.R.Maloney

Page 1:
Panel 1: Nebulous star field with the text box laid atop it, the planet at the bottom.

Narr.: "Once upon a time... No, that's not quite it. In a galaxy, far, far away... Meh. It was the best of... Hmmm... Definitely not. The once was a girl from... No, no, no! Call me-Nevermind. Hmmm... In a story like this, there are an infinite number of ways to begin the tale, and most of them wrong. It is difficult enough trying to explain the concept of multiple worlds and quantum physics, let alone the workings of magic and the history of alternate worlds, especially with seemingly omniscient narration. Still, every tale must have its beginning, and most are very particular in their wording. Oh? Who am I? Well, it doesn't really matter, my name doesn't exactly affect the storyline, now does it? Oh, all right... I suppose if you must call me something, I'm the Narrator. Every tale has one, whether it is someone speaking for themselves, another, or even speaking for you. Yes, you. The one who just bent cover back, with the lumpy double chin. Treat books nicer next time, hmm? As for the rest of you, a brief review before the tale begins I suppose would be in order? The tale you are about to begin is the first in a series, as you have no doubt noticed from the cover. That series is Metal Mage, which I'm certain is giving you plenty of ideas for where the storyline might lead to, but let's just keep the suspense going, shall we? This tale begins like many others in a fictional world where life as its residents know it is far different from our own. Then again, with the possibility of multiple world in an infinite universe, as so many of your interesting scientists have suggested, this tale could have happened already. Or it could happen in the future. Or it could be happening right now. It begins like this..."

Page 2:
Panel 1: Wide panel, Turosh on the left, his shadowy beastly face looking irritated, a lip curling. On the right is Kaesot, his eyes crackling with electricity.

Turosh: “The use of magic together with science is hardly news, Kaesot.”

Turosh 2 : “This robotisist has used magic often in the making of his creations in the past ten years. His last creation was of a very similar design, and you hardly batted an eye when it slew your champion in Karnuk last year.”

Kaesot: “The last one does not prostrate to any of us, it's actions are its own."

Kaesot 2: "Now the robotisist is asking all our pantheon to bless his latest creation. The last time he called upon us was decades ago, shortly after death took his beloved.”

Turosh 3: “Hmmm... That is unusual.”

Panel 2: Ves, the grim figure know to all as Death, hissing as it lowered it's hood and took on the appearance of a youthful woman, glaring into the viewing lens on the table which is in the foreground.

Turosh (off-panel): “Especially to entreat all of us, even Ves and the Arbiter."

Turosh 2 (off-panel): "No offense.”

Ves: "None taken.”

Panel 3: The Arbiter Dyndar on the ceiling of the pantheon pavilion sitting upside-down looking at the viewing lens on the table. He has a male form currently with sly grin on his face, obviously amused by the situation. His hair is brownish-red and wild, twisting into spires and curls, trenches and ridges, mobiuses and Klien bottles, and a myriad of shapes unknown to even the most learned of scientists, mathematicians and philosophers. Urgender, numina of soil, plants and wind has her head tilted to look up at Dyndar as she speaks from below.

Dyndar: “Indeed, that is interesting.”

Urgendur: “And how exactly do you see fit to respond to this, Arbiter?”

Panel 4: Maemyer looking impassively at the viewing lense as Dyndar flips down from the ceiling, as seen from near the viewing lense.

Dyndar: “I say we should give him what he wants, yes? I would say he's earned our attention at the very least, even if our response might be different from what he expects...”

Maemyer: “How so?”

Page 3:
Panel 1: Dyndar walking along the table, the numina looking up at him save Maemyer, though only a few are visible in the panel due to their seat position.

Dyndar: “It is made to appear human for comfort, peace of mind in the familiar, no?"

Dyndar 2: "Why not treat it as if it were an infant, seeing the many months of labor that went into its creation, hmm?”

Panel 2: Kaesot haughtily crossing his arms and snapping at Atim across the table. Atim's body radiates light (especially her eyes) and has an inward nova star symbol in front of her forehead.

Kaesot: "It is of no interest to me in its present state... And it is most aligned to I, seeing as I control the lightning in its veins, the metal and industry in its iron heart."

Atim: "The heart isn't made of-"

Kaesot 2: "I was being poetic you incompetent dunce!"

Kaesot 3: "It's a wonder your followers haven't all left you millenniums ago!"

Panel 3: Dyndar's hands splayed together mischievously with Atim and Ryim looking at him with interest. Ryim's body is hot magma with flickering fire hair.

Dyndar: "How about we make it a game?”

Atim: "What sort of game?"

Ryim: "Yes, what sort?"

Ryim 2: "You know how I love games..."

Panel 4: Dyndar holding a small whirling construct of light and magic in the shape of a temple between his hands above the viewing lense.

Dyndar: "How about the one who gives it the best blessing or curse can decide where Ves takes it to after its time is done?"

Dyndar 2: "Plus, a new temple erected in the land of any other that shall stand for a century?"

Ryim (off-panel): “I'll take that wager.”

Maemyer: “Seems adequate to me.”

Page 4:
Panel 1: Oroyas, numina of ice and water looking impassively forward at Dyndar. The arbiter is shrugging. Three other numina are visible in the panel looking at Oroyas with surprise, scorn and rolled eyes.

Oroyas: “What if I wish to pass?”

Dyndar: “You'll forfeit the prize, but you can certainly bless or curse it later."

Dyndar 2: "Does that sound fair to everyone?"

Panel 2: Ryim drumming her fingers on the table.

Ryim: “And how shall we order our blessings?"

Ryim 2: "First to announce theirs loses the element of surprise if they could save it for later, and ups the ante."

Dyndar: “How about we let the human decide?"

Dyndar 2: "He entreated us, let us go by the order that he asked for our blessings."

Dyndar 3: "Does anyone remember, or should we move time back to see?"

Panel 3: Atim making small figures made out of light of the numina on the table, though Turosh's figure is surrounded by light but dark in the center.

Atim: "I remember."

Dyndar: "Very well then, you may begin, Urgendur."

Panel 4: Urgendur nodding, her head tilted as she speaks, the numina to each side of her rolling their eyes.

Urgendur: "When its time has run out, it shall not be forgotten to the dirt."

Urgendur 2: "If any should try to bury it, the wind will carry them away."

Panel 5: Maemyer smirking, Nysisa to his left (reader's right) smiling.

Maemyer: "May its inner workings continue long after that of its siblings, the other creations made by this roboticist."

Nysisa: "It will travel great distances and face many challenges along the way."

Nysisa 2: "Some will try to protect it from danger and damage, while others will try to destroy it.”

Page 5:
Panel 1: Turosh shaking his head and Atim raising her brow.

Atim: "I find it surprising that the deity of beasts and darkness does not wish to take part at this juncture."

Atim 2: "Regardless, I do."

Atim 3: "It shall have a passion for learning, a draw to find the goodness in those around it."

Panel 2: Dyndar looking half bored, raising a hand toward Nysisa, who has her jaw clenched and is paling at Dyndar's rebuke.

Nysisa: “That's your blessing?"

Nysisa 2: "Definitely not one to win our little game, now is it?"

Dyndar: "Be silent and let the others use their turns as they see fit."

Panel 3: Kaesot laughing as he gives his blessing. Ryim is clapping her hands a nodding.

Kaesot: "May its seeking knowledge push it to self-improvement and betterment of the sciences."

Kaesot 2: "But may the lightning be both a blessing and a curse."

Kaesot 3: "It shall assist in powering it, but those around it will suffer if she tries to retain that power."

Ryim: "It will have to face many trials."

Ryim 2: "The rock will be an obstacle and a pedestal, aiding in its goals and slowing them."

Ryim 3: "Fire shall blaze in its eyes and mechanical heart to frighten and entice those around it to be in strong attraction or opposition to it. Its journeys shall burn across the land, preceded by rumor and mystery, never able to find solace in just resting.”

Panel 4: The numina looking startled and glancing at Ves, whose scythe is grinding against a sharpening stone. Ves's face seems to be grimly cackling.

SFX: "ShhhhkKKT!"

Ves: "I shall myself come for it when its time has come, and not leave the task to its reaper."

Ves 2: "I shall take it to my home, for it seems to be a servile thing."

Ves 3: "Let it continue to serve as it did in what it would call a life."

Page 6:
Panel 1: Turosh looking at Dyndar.

Turosh: "Well?"

Panel 2: Dyndar looking around at the rest of the pantheon slowly who seem to be shuddering in nervous tension. His sly smile spreads, his grin growing until it threatened to crack his face.

Panel 3: The pantheon in uproar, objecting below his pronouncement except Ves A small sigil and crackle of magic glowing above one of Dyndar's hands, the other holding Kestrel's face in an spectral wispy appearance that also glows.

Dyndar (at the top of the panel): "I shall give it a soul and take it wherever it wills when it fades from the mortal realm."

Dyndar 2 (also at top): "And I shall give it the ability and desire for magic."

Atim: "What?!"

Turosh: "You must be joking!"

Maemyer: "Damnation, it is but a mortal toy!"

Dyndar 3 (at bottom, running off of the panel as it grows louder): "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Page 7:
Panel 1: Jerith Alras is a very old human man and frail. He has entered another one of his coughing fits as he uncoupled the last power cord from his creation, Kestrel, though little is visible of her in the panel due to the machinery about her body and how many of the parts of her body are open now, with cords laying about it like the one he is uncoupling. Kestrel's body has a silk bathrobe on, though it is open while he is finishing up his work.

Narr.: "Jerith Alras is dying."

Narr. 2: "Many of his friends and former clientele had offered to vast sums of money for him to be medically examined, and quite a few had even sent doctors to his home, but he had refused them all."

Narr. 3: "Even the mages were turned away."

Panel 2: Close-up of Kestrel's lightly freckled face, light blue eyes opening. Both, and her fiery red hair, appear to be completely human, though her eyes do have a faint glow as they initially activate.

Kestrel: “Systems activated…"

Kestrel 2: "Running self-scan…"

Kestrel 3: "Scanning…"

Kestrel 4: "Scan complete. This unit is fully operational.”

Panel 3: Kestrel sitting upright, Jerith tying the bathrobe around her form.

Kestrel: “Error. Missing information packets... Attempting to reconstitute... No available fragmented or partial data to rebuild. Error."

Kestrel 2: "What is this unit’s designation?"

Jerith: "Kestrel."

Jerith 2: "You are my sixty-seventh android, and my final creation."

Panel 4: Jerith coughed horrendously in the foreground as he backed away from her. Kestrel's hair is tussling as she tilted her head, looking at him from the midground.

Jerith (popping out of word balloon): Coughing

Jerith 2 (wheezy, wavering): "My crowning achievement."

Kestrel: "The creator is... Ill?"

Panel 5: Jerith hacking again as he walks toward a wall filled with books. Kestrel is running through a test of her motor functions, blinking, scrunching up her nose as she stuck out her tongue. She flexed her hands outward and swung her legs, wiggling her toes.

Jerith: “No, your..."

Page 8:
Panel 1: Kestrel looks surprised at Jerith's words, and at the encyclopedia he puts into her hands, gingerly looking over it's front and back covers.

Jerith: "Your Father is dying."

Panel 2: Jerith chuckling and grimacing as he grips his side in pain, opening the front cover and flipping the pages.

Jerith "It's a book."

Jerith 2: "You read it."

Jerith 3: "Like this."

Panel 3: Kestrel squinting, flipping the first page, starting to comprehend.

Panel 4: Kestrel's eyes scanning the book quickly flipping through the pages at a pace that almost tears them from the speed.

Panel 5: Kestrel setting down the first book, picking up the next, afterimage of her doing the same with the next and next ones.

Panel 6: Kestrel flipping through it as well.

Page 9:
Panel 1: Kestrel looking up, eyes ablaze as her mind thirsted for knowledge.

Kestrel: "More."

Panel 2: Jerith coughing violently, doubling over, blood on his hand as he has it to his mouth, the book he has just taken from Kestrel falling to the floor.

Jerith: "That's quite enough for now..."

Jerith 2 (popping out of bubble): Coughing even worse than before.

Panel 3: Kestrel helping her creator up gingerly, carrying him like a little child toward the bed in the corner of the room. It isn't ornate, just simple, firm, little more than a slab and the sheet on it hanging loosely off its surface and side.

Narr.: "The simple bed in Jerith Alras' workshop could be easily covered when he had been taking on clients, whereas the one in his room, which he rarely slept in, was fit for a duke, if not a king."

Panel 4: Show two of Jerith's android creations at work with a split background and midground, with the narration at the top.

Narr.: "A carpenter needing a robot for cleaning up the shop and tools had built the frame for him in lieu of fiscal payment, as Jerith had agreed. A seamstress, wanting a robot to move around modeling her works in her shop window, had designed and sewn the sheets and canopy by hand as a thank you gift for his generosity in lowering the price to half the rate he typically charged. Both went on to become very successful in their businesses, and sent him little small trinkets of thanks at least once each year to him."

Page 10:
Panel 1: Kestrel looking worried at Jerith from the right side of the panel as she kneels while he is on the left.

Jerith (small, wheezing, wavering balloon): "Lenore..."

Kestrel: "Cre—Father."

Kestrel 2: "There is still data missing from this unit's programming."

Kestrel 3: "What is this unit's purpose?"

Panel 2: Jerith reaching for a cup of water on a nearby end table.

Jerith (scratchily): "Purpose?"

Jerith 2: "I have not had time to input a purpose into you. You were meant to be my crowning achievement, taking all that I have learned and molding it together."

Jerith 3: "That, I suppose is your purpose."

Panel 3: Kestrel frowning as he drinks the water, considering what he said.

Kestrel: "Father is dying."

Kestrel 2: "What will this unit do when Father has shut down?"

Panel 4: Jerith coughing again. Kestrel cocking her head.

Jerith: “I-I do not know."

Jerith 2: "You will have to find out what it is that you would like to do after...”

Kestrel: "Like?"

Kestrel 2: "Searching database…"

Kestrel 3: "Like- To enjoy, to derive pleasure from, to make happy."

Panel 5: Kestrel looking confused, towering over Jerith.

Kestrel: "This unit does not understand."

Kestrel 2: "How can this unit like anything?"

Kestrel 3: "It has no preset preferences or emotions on different subjects."

Jerith: "We shall see… You have the potential for emotion, but must experience them yourself."

Jerith 2: "Like a newborn babe..."

Panel 6: Jerith with a hand to Kestrel's cheek.

Kestrel: "This unit does not want Father to leave."

Kestrel 2: "It needs to be completed."

Jerith: "We all want to be complete."

Jerith 2: "It is my hope and prayer that I am when I leave, Kestrel."

Page 11:
Panel 1: Kestrel wiping tears out of her eyes and still crying, bottom lip quivering.

Kestrel: "What will this unit do?"

Kestrel 2: "It wishes to keep Father with it, but it wants Father to be complete as well."

Panel 2: Jerith shaking his head, smiling wistfully.

Jerith: "You have no choice in the matter."

Jerith 2: "I am dying."

Jerith 3: "No medicine, no science can save me now."

Kestrel (mumbling, small, distorted letters): "What about outside science?"

Jerith 4: “What did you say, Kestrel?"

Panel 3: Kestrel's eyes passionate as she almost shouts at him, his face wistful and more amused than anything else.

Kestrel: "This unit said that it would look outside science then!"

Jerith: "What good would it do you? I shall have passed before you could learn anything to cure my ailments, even if I were (stressed) to allow you to cure me. I have nothing to fear from death. It is a natural part of the order of the universe. Even the stars must die eventually."

Panel 4: Kestrel's eyes still sharp and focused despite tears at the corners. Zoom in on her face some.

Kestrel: "This unit has only one person that it is currently programmed to care for, its Father."

Kestrel 2: "When Father is gone, it shall have to occupy itself, will it not?"

Page 12:
Panel 1: Jerith sighing, Kestrel out of the panel.

Jerith: "Yes, you will have to find your own... purpose."

Jerith 2: "You could choose to stay here and take care of the land if that is all you wish. I have built you to last a long time, but eventually even kingdoms crumble, and someday you might find that the land I leave in your charge will be seized by forces that you cannot overcome."

Panel 2: Kestrel's arms crossed.

Kestrel: "Father has programmed this unit to be capable of connecting with other humans in such a manner as it does with Father."

Kestrel 2: "To... Care for them, has Father not?"

Jerith: "Yes, I have."

Jerith 2: "It will be your choice to decide whom you care for, but you may find yourself caring for others. I want you to be able to succeed in whatever you may do, and humans prefer to speak to a voice that vocalizes its emotion. That is also why you are able to cry as you did, or to smile, as you shall eventually."

Panel 3: Kestrel's face from the side trying to wipe away tears again.

Kestrel: "Then this unit will be forced to care eventually. One day there may be other humans this unit will be unable to avoid caring about, as it does with Father."

Jerith: "Yes."

Kestrel 2: "This unit does not want to care. Humans will eventually either leave this unit, or shut down, as Father is doing."

Jerith: "Yes."

Panel 4: Jerith looking surprised.

Kestrel: "This unit hurts when it computes this."

Jerith: "You... hurt?:

Jerith 2: "Is something wrong with your nervous system, Kestrel?"

Kestrel 2: "This unit may need to run another diagnostic. It seems there is something missing... This unit feels there is an empty space within itself."

Panel 5: Kestrel putting one hand over the other, the pair over her left breast, above her artificial heart. Tears keep streaming down her face.

Jerith: "I'm certain that I put everything in hardware-related... Where is this spot?"

Kestrel: "It feels cold, empty. It hurts here Father. And this unit's eyes keep malfunctioning.”

Panel 6: Jerith sighing, smiling softly, trying to be reassuring.

Jerith: "I-You won't have to run a diagnostic Kestrel. There is a name for what you are feeling."

Jerith 2: "It is called sadness."

Jerith 3: "You are sad that I am leaving, aren't you?"

Page 13:
Panel 1: Kestrel wiping away tears, one hand stroking her chin, eyes almost glazed over.

Kestrel: "Yes. This unit is... sad."

Kestrel 2: "Will everyone leave it eventually?"

Jerith (off-panel): "Well, I suppose there are those in the world who claim to be immortal... But I have no idea how you would sort out the real ones from the fake ones."

Kestrel (mumbling, medium) 3: "That won't do at all..."

Panel 2: Jerith coughing.

Jerith: "I am sorry that you feel that way, Kestrel. I cannot change the way things are in this world."

Kestrel: "Then this unit will find a way!"

Jerith 2: "And how do you propose to do that? Kings and peasants over millenniums have worked to improve our world, and none have lived long enough to see their efforts pay off."

Kestrel: "What of those immortals Father spoke of?"

Panel 3: Kestrel looking inspired, moving closer as Jerith motions her, coughing.

Jerith: "They might have, yes, but who knows for sure?"

Kestrel: "Every computation has a solution... This unit shall have to keep searching to find the answer. Inspiration. Prior information suggests Father does not know any immortals. Does Father know any who might?"

Panel 4: Visualization of Jerith's words. Left to right, a female Reynix magician releasing doves, a male Felinae wizard holding a glowing staff with magic sigils glowing in the air around it, and a female Cubi sorcerer with her hands above each other with fingers pointing to the space between them where a magical fire is spiraling. Jerith's words are at the bottom.

Jerith (box overlay): "Magicians, wizard, sorcerers and the like, some have a deeper connection with the universe than most people. I myself have used tools created by them in your construction, and have seen them work wonders. Though it has been nearly a decade since I last have seen him, the headmaster of Magus Ludus was a dear friend of mine for many a year. He might be able to assist you... But only students and mages are allowed on the grounds themselves."

Page 14:
Panel 1: Kestrel's eyes sparking, her jaw set in fierce determination. Gripping her Father's hand as she nodded.

Kestrel: "If meeting this headmaster can help this unit, it shall find a way to get to him."

Kestrel 2: "It will become a Mage and get into this school."

Panel 2: Jerith's eyes spread wide in suprise.

Jerith (whispering): "Become... a... mage?"

Jerith (whispering, word's trailing off) 2: "Kestral, I-"

Panel 3: Rest of page, seen from above the workshop looking down. Jerith's hand limply at his side, Kestrel holding his other one up to her face as she stays kneeling.

Kestrel: "Father?"

Kestrel 2: "Father, please don't leave this unit."

Page 15:
Panel 1: A much younger but still recognizable Jerith Alras looking around in almost utter darkness with a soft gray light around him. A soft reflection of metal in the distance, a shadowed form somehow standing out against the darkness as if darker than the pitch black. Wide but short panel.

Jerith: "Where am I?"

Panel 2: Ves walking toward Jerith, fear in his eyes. Jerith backing up, looking around, falling down. Ves' hood is lowered, her scythe being used as a walking stick. She is smiling. Wide but short panel.

Ves: "Welcome Jerith."

Panel 3: Jerith looking at his hands, seeing how he looked in his prime, looking up at Ves as she nodded impassively, her smile gone as if disappointed due to his reaction despite his earlier expressed wish to die and reunite with his loved ones.

Panel 4: Jerith laughing and crying, wiping away his tears while Ves remains resolute and silent.

Jerith: "That's it then. I knew I didn't have much time left, but I wish I had more. I barely finished my work on Kestrel last week. Despite how tired I became, I just knew I had to finish her. It... It's just not in my nature to leave things unfinished, you know?"

Jerith 2: "Of course you do, what am I saying? You know everyone. I thought I was ready, and I've been wanting this for a while. I want to see my loved ones so much, but... I just wish I had more time."

Page 16:
Panel 1: Ves turning and waving her scythe in a circle. Gray smoke comes out of the scythe's tip.

Ves: "More time to see your creation develop?"

Ves 2: "We are outside of time now. Your wife, your loved ones, they won't notice any delay in your reunion with them, should you wish to see how your Kestral fares."

Panel 2: A mirror, a viewing glass into the world Jerith had left behind is next to Ves now, and Jerith walks toward it, looking at her, paused despite her nod.

Jerith: "Kestrel... She seemed to care so much more for me personally than any of my other creations ever had. One of the Pantheon affected her creation, yes?"

Panel 3: Ves smiling for the first time since it dropped before.

Ves: "Almost all of them did, and all of them will over the course of her life. The Arbiter took a particular interest in her that caused quite a ruckus between all of us. Would you like to hear what blessings and curses they gave her?"

Panel 4: Jerith shaking his head and gulping reflexively, looking back to the portal to look in on Kestral's life.

Panel 5: Jerith still looking at the mirror, tearing up.

Panel 6: Jerith with his mouth slacked in wonder, looking back at Ves as she smiles still, one of her hands on his shoulder.

Jerith: "What have I brought into this world?"

Ves: "An agent of change."

Description
Metal Mage
Issue 1: An Agent of Change
Written by M.R.Maloney

Page 1:
Panel 1: Nebulous star field with the text box laid atop it, the planet at the bottom.

Narr.: "Once upon a time... No, that's not quite it. In a galaxy, far, far away... Meh. It was the best of... Hmmm... Definitely not. The once was a girl from... No, no, no! Call me-Nevermind. Hmmm... In a story like this, there are an infinite number of ways to begin the tale, and most of them wrong. It is difficult enough trying to explain the concept of multiple worlds and quantum physics, let alone the workings of magic and the history of alternate worlds, especially with seemingly omniscient narration. Still, every tale must have its beginning, and most are very particular in their wording. Oh? Who am I? Well, it doesn't really matter, my name doesn't exactly affect the storyline, now does it? Oh, all right... I suppose if you must call me something, I'm the Narrator. Every tale has one, whether it is someone speaking for themselves, another, or even speaking for you. Yes, you. The one who just bent cover back, with the lumpy double chin. Treat books nicer next time, hmm? As for the rest of you, a brief review before the tale begins I suppose would be in order? The tale you are about to begin is the first in a series, as you have no doubt noticed from the cover. That series is Metal Mage, which I'm certain is giving you plenty of ideas for where the storyline might lead to, but let's just keep the suspense going, shall we? This tale begins like many others in a fictional world where life as its residents know it is far different from our own. Then again, with the possibility of multiple world in an infinite universe, as so many of your interesting scientists have suggested, this tale could have happened already. Or it could happen in the future. Or it could be happening right now. It begins like this..."

Page 2:
Panel 1: Wide panel, Turosh on the left, his shadowy beastly face looking irritated, a lip curling. On the right is Kaesot, his eyes crackling with electricity.

Turosh: “The use of magic together with science is hardly news, Kaesot.”

Turosh 2 : “This robotisist has used magic often in the making of his creations in the past ten years. His last creation was of a very similar design, and you hardly batted an eye when it slew your champion in Karnuk last year.”

Kaesot: “The last one does not prostrate to any of us, it's actions are its own."

Kaesot 2: "Now the robotisist is asking all our pantheon to bless his latest creation. The last time he called upon us was decades ago, shortly after death took his beloved.”

Turosh 3: “Hmmm... That is unusual.”

Panel 2: Ves, the grim figure know to all as Death, hissing as it lowered it's hood and took on the appearance of a youthful woman, glaring into the viewing lens on the table which is in the foreground.

Turosh (off-panel): “Especially to entreat all of us, even Ves and the Arbiter."

Turosh 2 (off-panel): "No offense.”

Ves: "None taken.”

Panel 3: The Arbiter Dyndar on the ceiling of the pantheon pavilion sitting upside-down looking at the viewing lens on the table. He has a male form currently with sly grin on his face, obviously amused by the situation. His hair is brownish-red and wild, twisting into spires and curls, trenches and ridges, mobiuses and Klien bottles, and a myriad of shapes unknown to even the most learned of scientists, mathematicians and philosophers. Urgender, numina of soil, plants and wind has her head tilted to look up at Dyndar as she speaks from below.

Dyndar: “Indeed, that is interesting.”

Urgendur: “And how exactly do you see fit to respond to this, Arbiter?”

Panel 4: Maemyer looking impassively at the viewing lense as Dyndar flips down from the ceiling, as seen from near the viewing lense.

Dyndar: “I say we should give him what he wants, yes? I would say he's earned our attention at the very least, even if our response might be different from what he expects...”

Maemyer: “How so?”

Page 3:
Panel 1: Dyndar walking along the table, the numina looking up at him save Maemyer, though only a few are visible in the panel due to their seat position.

Dyndar: “It is made to appear human for comfort, peace of mind in the familiar, no?"

Dyndar 2: "Why not treat it as if it were an infant, seeing the many months of labor that went into its creation, hmm?”

Panel 2: Kaesot haughtily crossing his arms and snapping at Atim across the table. Atim's body radiates light (especially her eyes) and has an inward nova star symbol in front of her forehead.

Kaesot: "It is of no interest to me in its present state... And it is most aligned to I, seeing as I control the lightning in its veins, the metal and industry in its iron heart."

Atim: "The heart isn't made of-"

Kaesot 2: "I was being poetic you incompetent dunce!"

Kaesot 3: "It's a wonder your followers haven't all left you millenniums ago!"

Panel 3: Dyndar's hands splayed together mischievously with Atim and Ryim looking at him with interest. Ryim's body is hot magma with flickering fire hair.

Dyndar: "How about we make it a game?”

Atim: "What sort of game?"

Ryim: "Yes, what sort?"

Ryim 2: "You know how I love games..."

Panel 4: Dyndar holding a small whirling construct of light and magic in the shape of a temple between his hands above the viewing lense.

Dyndar: "How about the one who gives it the best blessing or curse can decide where Ves takes it to after its time is done?"

Dyndar 2: "Plus, a new temple erected in the land of any other that shall stand for a century?"

Ryim (off-panel): “I'll take that wager.”

Maemyer: “Seems adequate to me.”

Page 4:
Panel 1: Oroyas, numina of ice and water looking impassively forward at Dyndar. The arbiter is shrugging. Three other numina are visible in the panel looking at Oroyas with surprise, scorn and rolled eyes.

Oroyas: “What if I wish to pass?”

Dyndar: “You'll forfeit the prize, but you can certainly bless or curse it later."

Dyndar 2: "Does that sound fair to everyone?"

Panel 2: Ryim drumming her fingers on the table.

Ryim: “And how shall we order our blessings?"

Ryim 2: "First to announce theirs loses the element of surprise if they could save it for later, and ups the ante."

Dyndar: “How about we let the human decide?"

Dyndar 2: "He entreated us, let us go by the order that he asked for our blessings."

Dyndar 3: "Does anyone remember, or should we move time back to see?"

Panel 3: Atim making small figures made out of light of the numina on the table, though Turosh's figure is surrounded by light but dark in the center.

Atim: "I remember."

Dyndar: "Very well then, you may begin, Urgendur."

Panel 4: Urgendur nodding, her head tilted as she speaks, the numina to each side of her rolling their eyes.

Urgendur: "When its time has run out, it shall not be forgotten to the dirt."

Urgendur 2: "If any should try to bury it, the wind will carry them away."

Panel 5: Maemyer smirking, Nysisa to his left (reader's right) smiling.

Maemyer: "May its inner workings continue long after that of its siblings, the other creations made by this roboticist."

Nysisa: "It will travel great distances and face many challenges along the way."

Nysisa 2: "Some will try to protect it from danger and damage, while others will try to destroy it.”

Page 5:
Panel 1: Turosh shaking his head and Atim raising her brow.

Atim: "I find it surprising that the deity of beasts and darkness does not wish to take part at this juncture."

Atim 2: "Regardless, I do."

Atim 3: "It shall have a passion for learning, a draw to find the goodness in those around it."

Panel 2: Dyndar looking half bored, raising a hand toward Nysisa, who has her jaw clenched and is paling at Dyndar's rebuke.

Nysisa: “That's your blessing?"

Nysisa 2: "Definitely not one to win our little game, now is it?"

Dyndar: "Be silent and let the others use their turns as they see fit."

Panel 3: Kaesot laughing as he gives his blessing. Ryim is clapping her hands a nodding.

Kaesot: "May its seeking knowledge push it to self-improvement and betterment of the sciences."

Kaesot 2: "But may the lightning be both a blessing and a curse."

Kaesot 3: "It shall assist in powering it, but those around it will suffer if she tries to retain that power."

Ryim: "It will have to face many trials."

Ryim 2: "The rock will be an obstacle and a pedestal, aiding in its goals and slowing them."

Ryim 3: "Fire shall blaze in its eyes and mechanical heart to frighten and entice those around it to be in strong attraction or opposition to it. Its journeys shall burn across the land, preceded by rumor and mystery, never able to find solace in just resting.”

Panel 4: The numina looking startled and glancing at Ves, whose scythe is grinding against a sharpening stone. Ves's face seems to be grimly cackling.

SFX: "ShhhhkKKT!"

Ves: "I shall myself come for it when its time has come, and not leave the task to its reaper."

Ves 2: "I shall take it to my home, for it seems to be a servile thing."

Ves 3: "Let it continue to serve as it did in what it would call a life."

Page 6:
Panel 1: Turosh looking at Dyndar.

Turosh: "Well?"

Panel 2: Dyndar looking around at the rest of the pantheon slowly who seem to be shuddering in nervous tension. His sly smile spreads, his grin growing until it threatened to crack his face.

Panel 3: The pantheon in uproar, objecting below his pronouncement except Ves A small sigil and crackle of magic glowing above one of Dyndar's hands, the other holding Kestrel's face in an spectral wispy appearance that also glows.

Dyndar (at the top of the panel): "I shall give it a soul and take it wherever it wills when it fades from the mortal realm."

Dyndar 2 (also at top): "And I shall give it the ability and desire for magic."

Atim: "What?!"

Turosh: "You must be joking!"

Maemyer: "Damnation, it is but a mortal toy!"

Dyndar 3 (at bottom, running off of the panel as it grows louder): "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Page 7:
Panel 1: Jerith Alras is a very old human man and frail. He has entered another one of his coughing fits as he uncoupled the last power cord from his creation, Kestrel, though little is visible of her in the panel due to the machinery about her body and how many of the parts of her body are open now, with cords laying about it like the one he is uncoupling. Kestrel's body has a silk bathrobe on, though it is open while he is finishing up his work.

Narr.: "Jerith Alras is dying."

Narr. 2: "Many of his friends and former clientele had offered to vast sums of money for him to be medically examined, and quite a few had even sent doctors to his home, but he had refused them all."

Narr. 3: "Even the mages were turned away."

Panel 2: Close-up of Kestrel's lightly freckled face, light blue eyes opening. Both, and her fiery red hair, appear to be completely human, though her eyes do have a faint glow as they initially activate.

Kestrel: “Systems activated…"

Kestrel 2: "Running self-scan…"

Kestrel 3: "Scanning…"

Kestrel 4: "Scan complete. This unit is fully operational.”

Panel 3: Kestrel sitting upright, Jerith tying the bathrobe around her form.

Kestrel: “Error. Missing information packets... Attempting to reconstitute... No available fragmented or partial data to rebuild. Error."

Kestrel 2: "What is this unit’s designation?"

Jerith: "Kestrel."

Jerith 2: "You are my sixty-seventh android, and my final creation."

Panel 4: Jerith coughed horrendously in the foreground as he backed away from her. Kestrel's hair is tussling as she tilted her head, looking at him from the midground.

Jerith (popping out of word balloon): Coughing

Jerith 2 (wheezy, wavering): "My crowning achievement."

Kestrel: "The creator is... Ill?"

Panel 5: Jerith hacking again as he walks toward a wall filled with books. Kestrel is running through a test of her motor functions, blinking, scrunching up her nose as she stuck out her tongue. She flexed her hands outward and swung her legs, wiggling her toes.

Jerith: “No, your..."

Page 8:
Panel 1: Kestrel looks surprised at Jerith's words, and at the encyclopedia he puts into her hands, gingerly looking over it's front and back covers.

Jerith: "Your Father is dying."

Panel 2: Jerith chuckling and grimacing as he grips his side in pain, opening the front cover and flipping the pages.

Jerith "It's a book."

Jerith 2: "You read it."

Jerith 3: "Like this."

Panel 3: Kestrel squinting, flipping the first page, starting to comprehend.

Panel 4: Kestrel's eyes scanning the book quickly flipping through the pages at a pace that almost tears them from the speed.

Panel 5: Kestrel setting down the first book, picking up the next, afterimage of her doing the same with the next and next ones.

Panel 6: Kestrel flipping through it as well.

Page 9:
Panel 1: Kestrel looking up, eyes ablaze as her mind thirsted for knowledge.

Kestrel: "More."

Panel 2: Jerith coughing violently, doubling over, blood on his hand as he has it to his mouth, the book he has just taken from Kestrel falling to the floor.

Jerith: "That's quite enough for now..."

Jerith 2 (popping out of bubble): Coughing even worse than before.

Panel 3: Kestrel helping her creator up gingerly, carrying him like a little child toward the bed in the corner of the room. It isn't ornate, just simple, firm, little more than a slab and the sheet on it hanging loosely off its surface and side.

Narr.: "The simple bed in Jerith Alras' workshop could be easily covered when he had been taking on clients, whereas the one in his room, which he rarely slept in, was fit for a duke, if not a king."

Panel 4: Show two of Jerith's android creations at work with a split background and midground, with the narration at the top.

Narr.: "A carpenter needing a robot for cleaning up the shop and tools had built the frame for him in lieu of fiscal payment, as Jerith had agreed. A seamstress, wanting a robot to move around modeling her works in her shop window, had designed and sewn the sheets and canopy by hand as a thank you gift for his generosity in lowering the price to half the rate he typically charged. Both went on to become very successful in their businesses, and sent him little small trinkets of thanks at least once each year to him."

Page 10:
Panel 1: Kestrel looking worried at Jerith from the right side of the panel as she kneels while he is on the left.

Jerith (small, wheezing, wavering balloon): "Lenore..."

Kestrel: "Cre—Father."

Kestrel 2: "There is still data missing from this unit's programming."

Kestrel 3: "What is this unit's purpose?"

Panel 2: Jerith reaching for a cup of water on a nearby end table.

Jerith (scratchily): "Purpose?"

Jerith 2: "I have not had time to input a purpose into you. You were meant to be my crowning achievement, taking all that I have learned and molding it together."

Jerith 3: "That, I suppose is your purpose."

Panel 3: Kestrel frowning as he drinks the water, considering what he said.

Kestrel: "Father is dying."

Kestrel 2: "What will this unit do when Father has shut down?"

Panel 4: Jerith coughing again. Kestrel cocking her head.

Jerith: “I-I do not know."

Jerith 2: "You will have to find out what it is that you would like to do after...”

Kestrel: "Like?"

Kestrel 2: "Searching database…"

Kestrel 3: "Like- To enjoy, to derive pleasure from, to make happy."

Panel 5: Kestrel looking confused, towering over Jerith.

Kestrel: "This unit does not understand."

Kestrel 2: "How can this unit like anything?"

Kestrel 3: "It has no preset preferences or emotions on different subjects."

Jerith: "We shall see… You have the potential for emotion, but must experience them yourself."

Jerith 2: "Like a newborn babe..."

Panel 6: Jerith with a hand to Kestrel's cheek.

Kestrel: "This unit does not want Father to leave."

Kestrel 2: "It needs to be completed."

Jerith: "We all want to be complete."

Jerith 2: "It is my hope and prayer that I am when I leave, Kestrel."

Page 11:
Panel 1: Kestrel wiping tears out of her eyes and still crying, bottom lip quivering.

Kestrel: "What will this unit do?"

Kestrel 2: "It wishes to keep Father with it, but it wants Father to be complete as well."

Panel 2: Jerith shaking his head, smiling wistfully.

Jerith: "You have no choice in the matter."

Jerith 2: "I am dying."

Jerith 3: "No medicine, no science can save me now."

Kestrel (mumbling, small, distorted letters): "What about outside science?"

Jerith 4: “What did you say, Kestrel?"

Panel 3: Kestrel's eyes passionate as she almost shouts at him, his face wistful and more amused than anything else.

Kestrel: "This unit said that it would look outside science then!"

Jerith: "What good would it do you? I shall have passed before you could learn anything to cure my ailments, even if I were (stressed) to allow you to cure me. I have nothing to fear from death. It is a natural part of the order of the universe. Even the stars must die eventually."

Panel 4: Kestrel's eyes still sharp and focused despite tears at the corners. Zoom in on her face some.

Kestrel: "This unit has only one person that it is currently programmed to care for, its Father."

Kestrel 2: "When Father is gone, it shall have to occupy itself, will it not?"

Page 12:
Panel 1: Jerith sighing, Kestrel out of the panel.

Jerith: "Yes, you will have to find your own... purpose."

Jerith 2: "You could choose to stay here and take care of the land if that is all you wish. I have built you to last a long time, but eventually even kingdoms crumble, and someday you might find that the land I leave in your charge will be seized by forces that you cannot overcome."

Panel 2: Kestrel's arms crossed.

Kestrel: "Father has programmed this unit to be capable of connecting with other humans in such a manner as it does with Father."

Kestrel 2: "To... Care for them, has Father not?"

Jerith: "Yes, I have."

Jerith 2: "It will be your choice to decide whom you care for, but you may find yourself caring for others. I want you to be able to succeed in whatever you may do, and humans prefer to speak to a voice that vocalizes its emotion. That is also why you are able to cry as you did, or to smile, as you shall eventually."

Panel 3: Kestrel's face from the side trying to wipe away tears again.

Kestrel: "Then this unit will be forced to care eventually. One day there may be other humans this unit will be unable to avoid caring about, as it does with Father."

Jerith: "Yes."

Kestrel 2: "This unit does not want to care. Humans will eventually either leave this unit, or shut down, as Father is doing."

Jerith: "Yes."

Panel 4: Jerith looking surprised.

Kestrel: "This unit hurts when it computes this."

Jerith: "You... hurt?:

Jerith 2: "Is something wrong with your nervous system, Kestrel?"

Kestrel 2: "This unit may need to run another diagnostic. It seems there is something missing... This unit feels there is an empty space within itself."

Panel 5: Kestrel putting one hand over the other, the pair over her left breast, above her artificial heart. Tears keep streaming down her face.

Jerith: "I'm certain that I put everything in hardware-related... Where is this spot?"

Kestrel: "It feels cold, empty. It hurts here Father. And this unit's eyes keep malfunctioning.”

Panel 6: Jerith sighing, smiling softly, trying to be reassuring.

Jerith: "I-You won't have to run a diagnostic Kestrel. There is a name for what you are feeling."

Jerith 2: "It is called sadness."

Jerith 3: "You are sad that I am leaving, aren't you?"

Page 13:
Panel 1: Kestrel wiping away tears, one hand stroking her chin, eyes almost glazed over.

Kestrel: "Yes. This unit is... sad."

Kestrel 2: "Will everyone leave it eventually?"

Jerith (off-panel): "Well, I suppose there are those in the world who claim to be immortal... But I have no idea how you would sort out the real ones from the fake ones."

Kestrel (mumbling, medium) 3: "That won't do at all..."

Panel 2: Jerith coughing.

Jerith: "I am sorry that you feel that way, Kestrel. I cannot change the way things are in this world."

Kestrel: "Then this unit will find a way!"

Jerith 2: "And how do you propose to do that? Kings and peasants over millenniums have worked to improve our world, and none have lived long enough to see their efforts pay off."

Kestrel: "What of those immortals Father spoke of?"

Panel 3: Kestrel looking inspired, moving closer as Jerith motions her, coughing.

Jerith: "They might have, yes, but who knows for sure?"

Kestrel: "Every computation has a solution... This unit shall have to keep searching to find the answer. Inspiration. Prior information suggests Father does not know any immortals. Does Father know any who might?"

Panel 4: Visualization of Jerith's words. Left to right, a female Reynix magician releasing doves, a male Felinae wizard holding a glowing staff with magic sigils glowing in the air around it, and a female Cubi sorcerer with her hands above each other with fingers pointing to the space between them where a magical fire is spiraling. Jerith's words are at the bottom.

Jerith (box overlay): "Magicians, wizard, sorcerers and the like, some have a deeper connection with the universe than most people. I myself have used tools created by them in your construction, and have seen them work wonders. Though it has been nearly a decade since I last have seen him, the headmaster of Magus Ludus was a dear friend of mine for many a year. He might be able to assist you... But only students and mages are allowed on the grounds themselves."

Page 14:
Panel 1: Kestrel's eyes sparking, her jaw set in fierce determination. Gripping her Father's hand as she nodded.

Kestrel: "If meeting this headmaster can help this unit, it shall find a way to get to him."

Kestrel 2: "It will become a Mage and get into this school."

Panel 2: Jerith's eyes spread wide in suprise.

Jerith (whispering): "Become... a... mage?"

Jerith (whispering, word's trailing off) 2: "Kestral, I-"

Panel 3: Rest of page, seen from above the workshop looking down. Jerith's hand limply at his side, Kestrel holding his other one up to her face as she stays kneeling.

Kestrel: "Father?"

Kestrel 2: "Father, please don't leave this unit."

Page 15:
Panel 1: A much younger but still recognizable Jerith Alras looking around in almost utter darkness with a soft gray light around him. A soft reflection of metal in the distance, a shadowed form somehow standing out against the darkness as if darker than the pitch black. Wide but short panel.

Jerith: "Where am I?"

Panel 2: Ves walking toward Jerith, fear in his eyes. Jerith backing up, looking around, falling down. Ves' hood is lowered, her scythe being used as a walking stick. She is smiling. Wide but short panel.

Ves: "Welcome Jerith."

Panel 3: Jerith looking at his hands, seeing how he looked in his prime, looking up at Ves as she nodded impassively, her smile gone as if disappointed due to his reaction despite his earlier expressed wish to die and reunite with his loved ones.

Panel 4: Jerith laughing and crying, wiping away his tears while Ves remains resolute and silent.

Jerith: "That's it then. I knew I didn't have much time left, but I wish I had more. I barely finished my work on Kestrel last week. Despite how tired I became, I just knew I had to finish her. It... It's just not in my nature to leave things unfinished, you know?"

Jerith 2: "Of course you do, what am I saying? You know everyone. I thought I was ready, and I've been wanting this for a while. I want to see my loved ones so much, but... I just wish I had more time."

Page 16:
Panel 1: Ves turning and waving her scythe in a circle. Gray smoke comes out of the scythe's tip.

Ves: "More time to see your creation develop?"

Ves 2: "We are outside of time now. Your wife, your loved ones, they won't notice any delay in your reunion with them, should you wish to see how your Kestral fares."

Panel 2: A mirror, a viewing glass into the world Jerith had left behind is next to Ves now, and Jerith walks toward it, looking at her, paused despite her nod.

Jerith: "Kestrel... She seemed to care so much more for me personally than any of my other creations ever had. One of the Pantheon affected her creation, yes?"

Panel 3: Ves smiling for the first time since it dropped before.

Ves: "Almost all of them did, and all of them will over the course of her life. The Arbiter took a particular interest in her that caused quite a ruckus between all of us. Would you like to hear what blessings and curses they gave her?"

Panel 4: Jerith shaking his head and gulping reflexively, looking back to the portal to look in on Kestral's life.

Panel 5: Jerith still looking at the mirror, tearing up.

Panel 6: Jerith with his mouth slacked in wonder, looking back at Ves as she smiles still, one of her hands on his shoulder.

Jerith: "What have I brought into this world?"

Ves: "An agent of change."