Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
  • Characters
  • Chapters
  • Extras
  • Bonus Comics

Chapter: Chapter 05

  • PANEL 1: Eli glances to the side, still holding up a finger. ELI: Firstly, what is a Spec’s connection to the soul? We know these powers relate to who we are, but how deep does that connection go? PANEL 2: Eli steps forward, smiling. ELI: And second, is there a way to speed up the process of discovering your Spec? If we can figure out when they're set in stone, maybe we can discover our powers earlier! PANEL 3: A wide shot of Eli standing on the stage, the SpecTech logo appearing on the screen behind him ELI: These are the questions my team and I have been focusing on for years through private research, but now we bring these questions to you, Elysium City. We’re going to be opening a volunteer program! If you’d like to volunteer you and your Spec for our research efforts, now is your time! PANEL 4: The screen shuts off behind him. Eli smiles, melancholic. ELI: Maybe you’re curious about how deep our connections to our powers truly go, or maybe…You’re like me. PANEL 5: Joey standing in the crowd, looking up in wonder. Eli's shadow looms over him. ELI: Unsure what your Spec is, unsure when or if you’ll ever learn the true nature of yourself. PANEL 6: Joey's eyes sparkle, a bright light shines behind this panel.

    Page 120

    Jun 15, 2026

  • Panel 1: Eli does a little bow, smiling wide. ELI: But, people of Elysium City, I hold the key to that knowledge! I want nothing more than to share it with you. PANEL 2: A shoulders up shot of Eli, holding up one finger again. ELI: So, why not lend us a hand? Sign ups and further information will be available as soon as I shut my mouth! and remember-- you must be 18 or older in order to sign up! PANEL 3: The lights suddenly dim drastically, Eli putting his hands together and smiling wide. ELI: Child experimentation is VERY illegal. PANEL 4: The lighting returns to normal as Eli gestures enthusiastically to the crowd. ELI: Thank you Elysium City, and good night! PANEL 5: Eli looks excited as the crowd cheers and claps for him. PANEL 6: The cheering continues as the lights from the show shut off, but Eli's face falls. He notices something off screen.

    Page 121

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: We see over Eli's shoulder, looking into the crowd. Most of them are talking amongst themselves, but Joey is standing alone, staring down at his phone. PANEL 2: Joey looks disappointed as he reads a text on his phone. PANEL 3: Joey begins to leave, pushing his way through the crowd. PANEL 4: Joey drops something as he walks away. PANEL 5: We see a close up of what he dropped, it's a screwdriver. PANEL 6: Cut back to Eli, staring after Joey with a curious, almost cautious expression. The lights dim around him, the background fading from black to purple.

    Page 122

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Joey walking through a crowd alone PANEL 2: Joey looks over his shoulder as someone calls out to him Voice, off screen: Ay Ay Ay! Wait up, kid! PANEL 3: We see over Eli's shoulder as he hands the screwdriver to Joey, who looks up at him in awe ELI: You dropped this! PANEL 4: Eli has his hood pulled up, kneeling down to talk to Joey. Joey looks shocked, Eli holds a finger up to his own mouth to hush him. JOEY: ...MR.BRUSQUE!? ELI: SSSSHH!!! You tryna get me trampled, little guy? I gotta keep my cover offstage! PANEL 5: Eli gets a cocky smirk on his face JOEY: O-Oh– Sorry! ELI: Hey hey, don’t sweat it, kid. I’d be excited to meet me, too.

    Page 123

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Joey and Eli shake hands JOEY: Uh- R-Right, I- My name is Joey Vargas! I-I’m a huge fan! ELI: Joey Vargas. It’s nice to see you, kid. PANEL 2: Eli points at the screwdriver as Joey takes it. ELI: What’re you carrying around tools for, anyway? We don’t got a workshop open this year. JOEY: Oh, uh…I just- Have it! Just in case! I like tinkering with stuff! PANEL 3: ELI: Ahhh I see! ‘S Tinker your Spec or something? Joey looks nervous at that, stumbling over his words. JOEY: No! Well- Maybe– Could it be? Hold on– PANEL 4: Joey focuses intensely, pressing his fingers to his temple as he does. There's a light glow behind him. PANEL 5: He exhales and untenses, the light disappearing. JOEY: Nope, that’s not it… PANEL 6: Eli smiles a little. ELI: Do you…not know your Spec?

    Page 124

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Joey frantically waves his hands and looks around as he stumbles over his words. JOEY: WHAAAAT? No! I- I know it! Duh! Like- I mean, duh! I’m old enough to so like I DEFO know my– PANEL 2: Eli puts a hand on Joey's shoulder. ELI: Kid, kid. No judgment here. PANEL 3: Eli smiles warmly ELI: You’re talkin’ to the dude in his 50s who still hasn’t figured his Spec out. You can be honest with me. PANEL 4: Joey deflates a little. JOEY: …No, I don’t know what it is. PANEL 5: But he lightens up. JOEY: BUT!!! I’m gonna figure out what it is one day!!! You always say to never stop chasing your dreams so!!! So I’m not gonna stop!!! PANEL 6: Eli’s smile widens. ELI: That’s the spirit, kid! That shit’s gonna take ya right to the top. PANEL 7: Joey looks over his shoulder, both he and Eli looking surprised as someone off screen calls for him. VOICE: Oye! Jojo!

    Page 125

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Joey turns to see Nathan, Mai, and Eddie approaching them. Nathan smiles softly, waving to the boy. JOEY: Tío! PANEL 2: Joey rushes to Nathan for a hug, which Nathan gets down on one knee to happily accept. NATHAN: There you are! You have fun at the show? JOEY: IT WAS SO COOL!!! I got to meet Eli too!!! See! PANEL 3: Eli removes his hood, offering his hand to Nathan. ELI: Nathan Vargas! Never thought I’d see you here. Big fan of your work! PANEL 4: Nathan doesn't shake Eli's hand, instead looking at him a bit baffled. NATHAN: …You are??? ELI: Of course I am! PANEL 5: Eli puts his arm around Nathan's shoulder, Nathan looks uncomfortable at this. ELI: Your name is ALMOST as recognized as mine. That's some sort of achievement, I'm sure. PANEL 6: Eli steps away from Nathan, still smiling at him. ELI: What brings you to my little convention? NATHAN: I can’t– PANEL 7: Joey suddenly jumps between the two. JOEY: HE’S SOLVING A CASE! Eli gets a smug smile on his face at this.

    Page 126

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Nathan looks at Joey crossly, Eli still smirks. NATHAN: Joseph! JOEY: What? He could help! PANEL 2: Eli puts a hand to his chin. ELI: Now just a moment… PANEL 3: Eli looks over the group. Nathan and Mai exchange glances, Eddie slowly steps back in the background. ELI: Mai Nguyen and Nathan Vargas all in one place... PANEL 4: Mai looks uneasy ELI: ...do my eyes deceive me? PANEL 5: Eli puts his hands together in delight. ELI: Is the Nguyen case back open? PANEL 6: Nathan sticks a hand up, Mai looks away still uneasy. NATHAN: I can’t disclose information about that. MAI: I don’t want to disclose information about that. PANEL 7: A side view of Eli's face as he chuckles a little. ELI: Right- Right! Sorry, I hate to be nosy, but c’mon you can’t blame me for getting excited. Your brother's old detective work is legendary! PANEL 8: ELI: It's nice to see you trying to fill his shoes. Nathan flinches

    Page 127

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Nathan, trying to shake Eli's comment off, pinches the bridge of his nose. NATHAN: R-Right, well, you might be able to answer a question for me. PANEL 2: NATHAN: Have you done any research into the paranormal? Particularly any Specs that could capture a spirit somehow? Eli ponders this for a moment ELI: Hm...Not that I can think of, no. Aside from my research into the tie between Specs and the soul, I’ve never delved into that sort of thing. PANEL 3: Eli smirks again. ELI: That seems more like your field, Nathan. NATHAN: What about anything related to capturing or luring? PANEL 4: Eli looks worried, putting a hand to his chest. ELI: Nothing comes to mind! But this sounds…serious. Is there anything I can do to help? PANEL 5: Nathan puts a finger to his chin, thinking. NATHAN: No, but thanks for answering my questions. We really oughta get home. PANEL 6: Eli smiles. ELI: Well don’t let me hold you up! Uh, by the way… PANEL 7: Eli leans over, pointing behind Nathan. Nathan looks over his shoulder. ELI: Your friend is kinda wandering off back there.

    Page 128

    Jun 15, 2026

  • PANEL 1: Nathan and Mai turn, Eddie has in fact started to just wander away from the conversation. NATHAN: PIERCE! PANEL 2: Mai and Nathan chase after them, Joey sticking back with Eli. NATHAN: WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING?! PANEL 3: Joey is about to follow, but Eli puts a hand on his shoulder to stop him. ELI: Kid, wait. PANEL 4: Eli gets down to Joey's eye level again, digging through his hoodie pocket. JOEY: Huh? ELI: Real quick. I wanna give you something–

    Page 129

    Jun 15, 2026

1 2 3 4

Follow The Artist:

  • Bluesky
  • Tumblr
  • YouTube
Copyright 2022-onward. Tip The Ferrymen created by jpinesart (Jox Pines). Powered by (c) Toocheke