Page 1
Splash Panel:
A burning city. Magic beasts tear through buildings. A lone elf stands atop a collapsed tower, blade in one hand, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
LEON (narration):
"I've done this 108 times. Fought. Bled. Died. Reversed time. Saved the world… for a while."
Page 2
Panels shift rapidly:
Leon chanting a spell under a moon. A clock face cracks. The world rewinds.
LEON (narration):
"Each time, I bought a few years. A decade at best. But the world always finds a way to end itself again."
Page 3
Leon wakes up in a peaceful meadow. Birds chirp. He looks up at the sky, groaning.
LEON:
"…Again. Ugh."
Page 4
Leon sits up, brushing grass from his cloak.
He pulls out a glowing crystal—it flickers weakly.
LEON:
"Still cracked. That settles it. I'm not doing this anymore."
Page 5
Cut to a small village.
Kids playing. A young boy, LEO, chases a chicken with a wooden sword. He trips, faceplants.
LEO:
"I-I meant to do that!"
Villagers laugh. He's clearly hopeless… but enthusiastic.
Page 6
Leon watches from a fence, chewing on a blade of grass.
LEON (to himself):
"Yep. That's the one. Total idiot. Perfect."
Page 7
Interior, cozy tavern.
Leon sits across from Leo, who looks confused and a little excited.
LEO:
"Wait, you want me to save the world?"
LEON:
"Yep."
LEO:
"…But I'm just a chicken-chasing farm kid!"
LEON:
"Exactly. You've got something no one else has left: potential. Also, I'm retired."
Page 8
Leo looks overwhelmed.
LEO:
"What if I mess up?"
LEON (smirking):
"You will. A lot. That's why I'm sticking around—to insult you when you do."
Page 9
Montage panels:
Leon handing Leo a dusty old map
A magical compass glowing in Leo's hands
A silhouette of a great beast awakening deep in the forest
LEON (narration):
"I'll guide him. Train him. Kick him when he needs it. But this time… I'm just the backup."
Page 10 (Final panel):
Leo stands at the edge of the village with a makeshift pack, sword strapped on awkwardly. Leon leans on a tree nearby.
LEO:
"So where do we start?"
LEON (grinning):
"Where else? With lunch. Heroing is hungry work."
Title at bottom:
"Next: The First Thread of Fate!"