The image descriptions usually go first, followed by character dialogue Cover the arm of Redd Dogg is guarding Able the Imp Bat from a creature to the right of the screen that has its arm and claws place almost across Redd Dogg's own arm P1 continuing from Dying Fire Chapter 1, Croc the monster, center page,, emits a menacing aura as Redd Dogg, Tornado, Mars, and Able in panels along the page prepare for anything to happen P2 two creatures, Gard [bottom right], and Kevalin [upper right] observe while cloaked in shadow text reads as Kevalin: See that , Gard? With any luck, they should all end up at each other's throats while we just sit back and wat-- Gard: Don't hold your breath-- If Croc was going to attack them, h3e would have... no, I'm afraid we'll just have to settle this ourselves. P3 text reads Kevalin:And if we can, will we be able to fend off whatever else is in this forest? Gard: We've got nowhere to run anyway, so if we're going to die, we're taking the imp with us. Let's get ready. as the duo Kevalin and Gard head off to enact their plan, croc slowly motions their hand towards Dogg, tapping their[Dogg's] hand with his as Mars watches in confusion and silence. P4 Croc begins emitting a strange sound that howls through the air, their aura forming into what looks like small beads connected by threads that dance in the air all around while he waves his right arm across his left side to ready himself for battle. text reads Mars: I'm getting a little scared here, what's happening? Redd Dogg: Croc's just trying to help out is all. Tornado: Mars. let me onto your shoulder and let's get ready to run. Mars:! Okay. Redd Dogg: Don't sweat it, neither of us will let anything happen to you. Just keep moving and we'll take care of the rest. P5 text reads Tornado: RUN! Mars:What...what am I looking at? What is that? as Red Dogg dashes ahead, Mars is shocked to witness a startling transformation; Dogg's body seemingly splits and morphs into a ferocious monstrosity with limbs and fangs,canine creatures, and dogg's own physical features all thrown together as a cross shaped light shines in the midst of this strange occurence. P6 Text reads Redd Dogg: An Alchemic weapon? A decent one at that! Based on how fast Able lunged forward off of my back and how ferocious those arm traps look, those two hunters must know something about him that's worth killing over. I wonder if it might have to do with how easily they [Able] draw blood from a blunt strike...unless it wasn't blood... I can barely hear him now... can't smell him either. What is that on me? I could barely feel it... before I thought it was Able. Now its something like him, but it feels bloodthirsty like he never could be. Now I understand why they're out to get you. And now I'm gonna stop BOTH of you! Before you end up taking each other out. P7 Kevalin:The imp's scurried off and given the power to the red one-- Gard:-- Well, good then, that was the most dangerous one anyway. Tornado: That's a dumb gamble to ride on. Gard/Kevalin: ! Tornado's aura then proceeds to surround both Gard and Kevalin. ars' aura can be seen forming into two spheres nearby P8 Kevalin:The imp's scurried off and given the power to the red one-- Gard:-- Well, good then, that was the most dangerous one anyway. Tornado: That's a dumb gamble to ride on. Gard/Kevalin: ! Tornado's aura then proceeds to surround both Gard and Kevalin. ars' aura can be seen forming into two spheres nearby P9 Tornado's ESP swirls in opposition to a strange force within Gard and Kevalin, clashing with considerable power as each entity forms into a psychic vortex. P10 a horrific spirit is seemingly exercised from Kevalin and Gard thanks to Tornado's ESP, and the text reads: Tornado: Thanks for sticking with me, Mars. Mars: It didn't seem to be all that necessary, frankly. Tornado: That's your opinion. Mars: Don't think I've seen too many people who could command a spectre like that. as he says that, a dark spectre does indeed appear next to Redd Dogg to carry the unconscious Kevalin as Dogg does the same with Gard. Redd Dogg: I don't command Boogie, he and I just work well together. P11 Text reads Mars: Can you fill me in on what just happened? Tornado: The Imp Bat is trying to protect itself. Mars: ! What happened to the blood on your hand? Tornado: It left once I stopped trying to attack the imp; I was wondering how my fist could have cut that imp's shoulder. I hadn't expelled it from these two, I'd imagine they;d have been ripped apart from they inside once they got too close to the imp. Mars: Is it gunning for you now that you've done that? Tornado:I'd bet on that, given my own personal experience. Mars: Is that why Croc ate the bridge? Tornado: Don't know. Either way, we still have a case on our hands and two people who desperately need a doctor. Look Dogg-- It's comin' out in front! Take'em down before anyone else gets hurt! P12 the strange creature that Able made to protect itself in extremely dangerous situations P13 Redd Dogg: Looks like things are getting heavier by the minute. But that's alright-- I'll get you where you need to go. P14 Text reads Tornado: Dogg! Catch! Redd Dogg:Thanks! P15 something has given way to the ground around the monster, causing it to fall down from the hill from two pages ago. Surrounded by a cloud of dust caused by the destroyed hilltop, a figure begins moving towards the monster by using this debris and confusion as a cover. responding in kind to this approach, the monster swings to its left at the figure; all it gets for its efforts is a handful of air. P16 Seemingly agitated, the twist of cain(the creature to whom this title is named after) morphs and alters its body in an attempt to catch its prey. From its body come wings, and from the wings come a lance and shield, in response to the figure it senses to its right; how long it's stood there is unknown, and accompanying it are croc's strange strange psychic array of spheres which make a strange noise as if to disorient The Twist of Cain. P17 Redd Dogg stands ready with knife in hand to battle The Twist Of Cain P18 two figures jump at Twist of Cain, like dogs from hell; It's Boogie the spectre, splitting up into the form of hellhounds to get the drop on the creature,as Redd Dogg dashes towards this monster in a phantomesque stride. P19 Redd Dogg grabs The Twist of Cain while their (Dogg) right eye shines a cross like light and the core of the monster shines brightly within its abdomen. P20 Text Reads Redd Dogg: You don't need this thing, Able! NOt while I'm here! P21 Tornado: To match the threat a creature poses to the imp, its ESP turns into a blood-like substance that will morph and grow until said threat is eliminated by whatever means necessary. Dogg had to use their own ESP to prevent that goop from crawling onto their body without causing sensory shock or tearing them apart while also destroying its core with a clear mind and next to no aggression If any part of that went wrong, we'd probably be seeing Dogg get their ass handed to them instead Mars: What's stopping the Imp Bat from making another monster after Dogg beat this one? Tornado: We'll just have to see. P22 Able deactivates the Twist of Cain, and from its mouth comes the face of a stone woman. Only the sound of Dogg placing their knife back into its sheath can be heard soon after. P23 Twist of Cain crumbles into dust, its head being all that's left as Able calls back the blood-like substance from its remains so that it can go back to the plating on his shoulders. Redd Dogg: Able! P24 Redd Dogg: Go back now, Your fight's not here. [Able's owner sounds their whistle in the distance, which prompts Able to wave goodbye and leave] Mars: Should you really just leave it at that? Redd Dogg: He ranks very low on the list of things I'm worried about for this case, we can let him go Tornado: Look, I'LL sort out the woman and her Imp Bat, you just focus on investigating Shroud. Solve one thing at a time, here. The rest will come later. Redd Dogg: But make no mistake, this wasn't just some isolated incident, there's a bigger mystery here, even if I'm not sure what it is. Redd Dogg: Stay safe, Tornado Tornado: Same to you. you be careful too, Mars Mars: Thank you, Tornado. Redd Dogg: was Greenville in the general area where you and Shroud were running through? Mars: yes. Redd Dogg: Good. We should get there and start working out the rest of this case. Tornado will try to get ahold of someone who can tend to these two and in the meantime-- Her armor and equipment should get to this location soon. She'll be able to handle things from there. Mars: but who will be there to bring that equipment? Red Dogg: Tornado. You and I have only been near one part of her whole body, not her whole form. Tornado: Come on, now, get to that later! Go on and be careful! P25 Redd Dogg: I love you. Tornado: I love you, too. Redd Dogg: Lead the way , Mars. Mars: Okay! I'll make sure to pick up the pace! Redd Dogg: Something strange is in the air around this hill. Mars: Yeah, like Croc's spit mixed with burnt flesh. Redd Dogg: Well it must be whatever else was out here before we met able. Mars: If that creature they use use ran into anything here... [Redd Dogg and Mars stop as they see the remains of a severed hand before them and what looks like scarce traces of a battle across a wide field in the forest] Mars: Croc's made sure to eat what was left. Anything that survived might still be lurking around, like those marauders back there... [Redd Dogg calmly places their hand on Mars' shoulder, much like in Chapter 1, and Mars turns to them and then forward. Taking a step forward, he leads the way with courage.] P26 [Mars glances over his shoulder, spotting Croc standing off in the distance] Mars: Those moments where the ground gave way around that hill-- that must have been Croc. Redd Dogg: Yeah. Mars: Sometimes I'm not always sure why they do what they do-- let alone how-- but whatever the reason, I hope it's coming from a good place. If it isn't... I'll try not to hold it against them [MEET AGAIN IN STONE]