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Chapter 8 - “Trial by Fire”

 Phantom Ashes – Episode 8

Scene 1: "New Day, New Test"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Open Grounds (Morning)

Panel 1

(Wide shot – early morning, all trainees are exercising. Ren and Zeno are focused in the middle.)

Narration:

"Another new day… and another test."

Panel 2

(Ren wipes sweat and smiles.)

Ren:

"Looks like something explosive is gonna happen today too."

Panel 3

(Mr. Rael arrives on the ground, with a serious expression.)

Mr. Rael:

"Trainees, today's test is your third and final challenge."

"Whoever passes… only they will start the real training."

Panel 4

(Close-up – Zeno and Ren look at each other with confident expressions.)

Zeno:

"Final test… it's time."

Ren (smirking):

"Let's go!"

Panel 5

(Grake stretches a bit with an overconfident smile.)

Grake (thinking):

"Everything was easy till now… it'll be easy ahead too."

Scene 2: "Ultimate Test Begins"

Setting: Phantom Guild – Arena (Rocky, Dangerous Layout)

Panel 1

(Wide shot – the entire arena has changed, showing dangerous obstacles, fire pits, and moving traps.)

Narration:

"The third test… was even more difficult than the previous two."

Panel 2

(Ren jumps from one broken platform to another, barely keeping balance.)

Ren (panting):

"This… this is really tough…"

Panel 3

(Zeno lands perfectly in the next zone, his expression serious.)

Zeno (thinking):

"One mistake… and it's game over."

Panel 4

(Grake loses balance but somehow saves himself. Anger clearly visible on his face.)

Grake (angry):

"Damn it! I thought this would be easy!"

Panel 5

(Wide shot – some teams are trapped in the traps. A buzzer sounds.)

SFX: BUZZ! BUZZ!

Narration:

"Many teams… got eliminated."

Scene 3: "Edge of Victory"

Setting: Arena – Final Zone

Panel 1

(Ren is pulling Zeno out of a pit, both almost falling.)

Ren:

"Zeno… give me your hand!"

Panel 2

(Grake and his partner are crossing the final obstacle, both tired but looking proud.)

Grake:

"Finally… done."

Panel 3

(Monitor flashes – "PASSED – Grake Team")

Panel 4

(Ren and Zeno crawl across the gate, then fall on the ground.)

Monitor:

"PASSED – Ren & Zeno Team"

Narration:

"Very difficult… but they managed to pass."

Scene 4: "Words of Fire"

Setting: Lounge Area – After Test

Panel 1

(Mr. Rael addresses the surviving teams.)

Mr. Rael:

"Relax. Your real training starts from tomorrow."

Panel 2

(Ren and Zeno are tired and sweaty but smiling.)

Ren:

"We survived…"

Zeno (soft smile):

"Yeah…"

Panel 3

(Grake slowly approaches Zeno, with a strange smile.)

Grake (whispering):

"Assassin." (with a deep smirk)

Panel 4

(Close-up – Zeno freezes in shock, eyes wide open.)

Panel 5

(Ren looks confused.)

Ren:

"What did he say?"

Panel 6

(Zeno quickly covers his reaction.)

Zeno (fake smile):

"Nothing at all."

Panel 7

(Grake walks away without saying anything. Zeno stares blankly after him.)

Narration:

"Zeno… was shaken inside."

Scene 5: "Laughter and Silence"

Setting: Dorm Room – Night

Panel 1

(Zeno sits on his bed, deep in thought.)

Zeno (thinking):

"How did he find out…? Did he observe me?"

Panel 2

(Ren looks at him.)

Ren:

"What's wrong, Zeno? Are you okay?"

Panel 3

(Zeno forces a smile.)

Zeno:

"Yeah… just random stuff."

Panel 4

(Ren goes over and makes a funny face.)

Ren:

"By the way, if you were a monkey… I'd give you a big banana birthday cake."

Panel 5

(Zeno bursts out laughing, Ren laughing too.)

Zeno (laughing):

"No one's a bigger clown than you!"

Ren (laughing):

"Comedy king, boss!"

Panel 6

(Wide shot – both lie down on their beds laughing, slowly closing their eyes.)

Narration:

"A smile… a joke… and a friendship that holds everything together."

Panel 7

(Dim light, peaceful room with moonlight coming through the window.)

Text on screen:

"To be continued…"

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