43.01 A Blinding Sheet of White Flame Sprang Up
“A Blinding Sheet of White Flame Sprang Up” Remember when Puccini put up a magical invisible wall before teleporting the gobos to his tower? Sure, he was likely making sure everyone came along for the ride. He was also putting safety first. Mishaps can occur with utility spells, but they tend to be safe. The spell used here? Extreme. And with consequences.
Warning: Things will get more extreme/intense than usual from episode 42.08 through to episode 45.11.
Be careful out there.
↓ Transcript
Panel 1
Nab's world slowly fades in from white. In a close-up, the gobo's eyes are filled with terror as they stare towards the viewer. The bell on top of the robed gobo's staff can be seen in the upper right and the monk's hand still clenches Nab's wrist.
Panel 2
The bell-top falls, severed cleanly from the staff. Nab is frozen, eyes slowly tracking that hand as it loosens its grip and slips down...
Panel 3
... to swing away awkwardly as Nab tightens with a grimace. The loud "Dūm" of the bell as it hits the floor is partly to blame...
Panel 4
... but the realization of what just happened has a more harrowing effect on Nab. The gobo had turned during the loud sounding of the bell, rubbing at the wrist that was touched by the robed gobos hand. That movement reveals Zip, standing still a distance behind, face hidden in shadow under a red hood.
Panel 5
The view turns with Nab as the gobo sharpshooter (offscreen) calls out. Where once a narrow tunnel retreated in the distance, the stone cave wall stands.
Zip, offscreen: "<You.>"
Panel 6
Seen from the side in a wide shot, it is clear that they are in a different place. The tight space had been replaced by a wide area with stalactites and stalagmites. And in that space the two gobos look at each other: Nab, still recovering from the shock of the experience, and Zip, standing with face unseen to the viewer while trying to make a statement.
Zip, wavering: "<They're d... They didn't make it.>"
Panel 7
The view turns again, this time to a close-up of Zip. With eye's narrowed under a dark hood and cheeks damp with tears, the gobo's word build up into angry accusation.
Zip, roughly, emphasizing the last word: "<Because of you.>"
Panel 8
The scene returns to the wide shot. Nab takes a small towards Zip, raising a hand as if trying to connect over the long distance but the sharpshooter has already turned away towards a tunnel off to the side. Both appear oblivious to the shouts of one of their companions.
Hob, offscreen: "<You two! Are you injured?>"
Panel 9
Nab's arms become leaden, slowing pulled down as the gobo watches Zip exit from view. Hob's head comes into view, angled to regard the slowly retreating gobo.
Hob, shouting: "<Hey!!!>"
Panel 10
The focus changes to another view of the cave space, showing Nab from the back, arms and shoulders slack and looking towards where Zip had left and not regarding Hob, who is jogging closer...
Hob: "<Nab, are you both all right?>"
Panel 11
...slowing as the distance between them is closed. Nab, unmoving, responds quietly.
Nab, softly: "<No. But we're uninjured.>"
Panel 12
Hob sets a hand on a rise of stone and looks off in the direction that Nab is looking.
Hob: "<You two make twelve.>"
Panel 13
Nab physically appears to finally realize Hob's presence, head turning towards the armored gobo, only to slowly droop, held up with little strength. As Nab speaks, Hob detects what is on the ground near the cave wall (offscreen) and grimaces at what is seen.
Nab, softly: "<We lost Zap and Dūm.>"
Nab's world slowly fades in from white. In a close-up, the gobo's eyes are filled with terror as they stare towards the viewer. The bell on top of the robed gobo's staff can be seen in the upper right and the monk's hand still clenches Nab's wrist.
Panel 2
The bell-top falls, severed cleanly from the staff. Nab is frozen, eyes slowly tracking that hand as it loosens its grip and slips down...
Panel 3
... to swing away awkwardly as Nab tightens with a grimace. The loud "Dūm" of the bell as it hits the floor is partly to blame...
Panel 4
... but the realization of what just happened has a more harrowing effect on Nab. The gobo had turned during the loud sounding of the bell, rubbing at the wrist that was touched by the robed gobos hand. That movement reveals Zip, standing still a distance behind, face hidden in shadow under a red hood.
Panel 5
The view turns with Nab as the gobo sharpshooter (offscreen) calls out. Where once a narrow tunnel retreated in the distance, the stone cave wall stands.
Zip, offscreen: "<You.>"
Panel 6
Seen from the side in a wide shot, it is clear that they are in a different place. The tight space had been replaced by a wide area with stalactites and stalagmites. And in that space the two gobos look at each other: Nab, still recovering from the shock of the experience, and Zip, standing with face unseen to the viewer while trying to make a statement.
Zip, wavering: "<They're d... They didn't make it.>"
Panel 7
The view turns again, this time to a close-up of Zip. With eye's narrowed under a dark hood and cheeks damp with tears, the gobo's word build up into angry accusation.
Zip, roughly, emphasizing the last word: "<Because of you.>"
Panel 8
The scene returns to the wide shot. Nab takes a small towards Zip, raising a hand as if trying to connect over the long distance but the sharpshooter has already turned away towards a tunnel off to the side. Both appear oblivious to the shouts of one of their companions.
Hob, offscreen: "<You two! Are you injured?>"
Panel 9
Nab's arms become leaden, slowing pulled down as the gobo watches Zip exit from view. Hob's head comes into view, angled to regard the slowly retreating gobo.
Hob, shouting: "<Hey!!!>"
Panel 10
The focus changes to another view of the cave space, showing Nab from the back, arms and shoulders slack and looking towards where Zip had left and not regarding Hob, who is jogging closer...
Hob: "<Nab, are you both all right?>"
Panel 11
...slowing as the distance between them is closed. Nab, unmoving, responds quietly.
Nab, softly: "<No. But we're uninjured.>"
Panel 12
Hob sets a hand on a rise of stone and looks off in the direction that Nab is looking.
Hob: "<You two make twelve.>"
Panel 13
Nab physically appears to finally realize Hob's presence, head turning towards the armored gobo, only to slowly droop, held up with little strength. As Nab speaks, Hob detects what is on the ground near the cave wall (offscreen) and grimaces at what is seen.
Nab, softly: "<We lost Zap and Dūm.>"
Mind your corners and sight lines, keep track of potential cover and concealment and most important. DO NOT DIE STUPID! Now, suit up we’re moving out.