Chapter Notes
Chapter One: Intro
Chapter One differs from the context heavy Prologue in that it's much less of a character study of the new faces and rather a drop straight into the action; much like the original OVA did in 1994. Even for those of us that had seen the live action Zeiram film that predated the OVA, one of the best parts of the original anime was how it simply dropped you into the world of Myce with hardly any context and took you along for the ride. That's what a feeling I attempted to echo with this chapter, as the exposition is sure to follow once we open the story up going forward.
While the Prologue was told from Kazon' point of view, this chapter is obviously told from Iria's perspective. One of the things that I hated after reading back TSoS was how awful I made Iria appear to be at her job. Not just that she wasn't good at it, but borderline incompetent. So it goes when a dumb kid tries to make up his own character in a preexisting story. I realize now that I was so laser-focused on trying my best to make Kazon so damn cool, that Iria was effectively lost in the shuffle and misrepresented altogether. So that was my number one goal when I began to reform the story as Silent Sonata: I wanted to make Iria formidable and powerful again. This is the Hunter that defeated Zeiram and overcame so much emotional strife along the way after all.
That being said, there is a difference between being incompetent and being complacent, and that's where I feel this Iria should be with such a long lull and after such a troubling time… and that is also where her growth should blossom from. As the chapter alludes, fighting Zeiramoids is routine now. It's not the same as it used to be after going through what she went through post-Karma. Even Bob has trouble corralling the attention of a young Hunter's who's skills are gradually beginning to overshadow the jobs she takes. In a way, "like brother, like sister."
...which makes the spat between her and that of the 'helmeted man' (tongue and cheek) near the end of the chapter much more jarring. The three of you that might remember from my original story, none of that stuff happened. He came, he saw, he kicked some guys and got in the flying thing and left. While I want to show a new maturation in Iria, as I mildly explored in the prologue: I set out to change him just as much. His complete lack of personality and one-note dialogue in TSoS I feel only extrapolated the problems I had in misrepresenting Iria. While he shouldn't be made to be the main character (which I tried so hard to mess up the first go around) his story is definitively the catalyst of the events that will transpire as we go. However, the point isn't to make sure that story overshadows the titular character, but rather be fuel that helps her mature even farther into something that we haven't seen before. That is the arc of this chapter after all: we can see a complacent Iria just doing her job, to a flash of uncertainty, to resurfacing to that gritty determination she hadn't felt since the final battle with OG Zeiram. My favorite change from this chapter from the original TSoS is that where I originally had 'helmet man' shoot the monster behind a whining, pleading and oblivious Iria; now they are equals. The difference is how they handle their own differences, and the new, tense back and forth scene at the he end is just a taste to come.
As well, in turn there is a juxtaposition in how the OVA began and how Silent Sonata to illustrate that growth. A rookie Iria let Fujikuro steal her bounty and blow green shit all over her face. This is not the same Iria. This Iria has been though too much not to stand up fight back. And, if I pull my weight and finish writing this, it's only going to get cooler from here.
The other big change is Bob's reaction to his realization towards the end. The biggest plothole I originally found myself in is why didn't Bob know of Helmet guy, especially after the events of The Rogue, my TSoS sidestory. This is a new path that I'm planning on exploring that should open the story up in a completely different angle than how it was originally portrayed.
Going forward, my notes will not be this long winded as the story should begin to speak for itself as we go.
Chapter Two: Cesura
Having spent nearly a year interacting since their introduction in the OVA, Kei and Fujikuro now have a well-established rapport, seasoned by frequent squabbles and an understanding of each other's barbs. Their relationship reflects a comfortable yet combative camaraderie that adds depth and humor to the story.
Longtime readers may also notice significant changes regarding the TTC and its politics. When I first wrote this as a 13-year-old, I had little knowledge of the intricacies of political intrigue and, frankly, couldn't do the concept justice. Now, with the benefit of research and lived experience, I've been able to add more complexity to this aspect of the story. For instance, Caross (formerly Kross—don't ask about my obsession with K's) has been reimagined with a much different personality, though the pronunciation remains the same. Without giving too much away, I hope you'll stick around to see how this character evolves.
Finally, I greatly expanded on the dynamic between Bob and Fujikuro, particularly their shared knowledge of the events from four years prior, as detailed in Rogue. Writing their veiled conversations—filled with unspoken context and subtext—was a highlight of this chapter, leaving readers to piece together the hints as Kei serves as their surrogate perspective. Watching her navigate the cryptic exchanges between these two veterans brings a fresh lens to the unfolding intrigue, adding layers of mystery and tension.
Chapter Three: Ritenuto
This chapter marks a departure from the original TSoS narrative, as the original Chapter Two was a jumble of three separate scenes hastily stitched together. In the earlier version, Fujikuro's musings about Iria not getting paid transitioned abruptly to the TTC headquarters, where the scene with Iria unfolded. It was short, underdeveloped, and required significant reworking—especially since the mysteries surrounding the Sabuku mission were buried under a rushed delivery along with the lede. In this retelling, those elements are given the room they deserve to breathe and unfold naturally.
One of the most pivotal additions in this version is Iria's continued attachment to Gren, even a year later. While the OVA seemed to tie things up neatly with a happy ending for Iria and Kei, I always felt it provided too much closure for a young woman forced to kill the most important person in her life. As mentioned in the Chapter One notes, this is a different Iria—a more seasoned version of herself, with a year of solid work honing her skills and building her reputation. But she is complacent. Her motivation isn't driven by mere ambition or survival; it's fueled by the shadow her brother left behind.
Grief is always sharpest in the immediate aftermath of loss, but its weight becomes more insidious over time, manifesting when you most need the strength you no longer have to lean on. That's where Iria finds herself—living with the unresolved pain of Gren's absence. Her journey, alongside everything else to come, is about breaking through the mask she's built to protect herself and finding the closure she never truly received.
This chapter ends with a new scene that expands on the original writing. When Iria gets home, her frustrations and sadness come to the surface, showing a vulnerability she never reveals to her friends. This somber moment, a quiet exploration of her grief and struggles, sets the tone for the next part, which follows the original narrative more closely. It's a poignant way to transition into what's to come and deepens the emotional weight of her story moving forward.
Chapter Four: Acciaccato
This section serves as the pivotal "pointer scene" that originally capped off the second chapter of the original story, setting the stage for the meeting that will propel the rest of the narrative forward. However, like much of the early material, the original draft lacked the depth and detail necessary to carry the emotional weight it was meant to convey.
While the previous chapter focused on Iria's sorrows and internal confusion, this one shifts toward her resoluteness, emphasizing her growth. This is not the same apprentice Hunter we met at the beginning. Iria has developed the clarity to recognize what needs to be done to pull herself together. Yet, she's also grappling with a deeper conflict—whether she's content to simply do her job or whether she's willing to take the risk of pursuing something far greater.
The addition of an isolated conversation with Bob in her room underscores this internal struggle. This moment reveals that, despite her strength and progress, even Iria has her limits. After everything she's endured, the cracks in her armor are beginning to show, making her journey all the more poignant.
The second half of this chapter required significant reworking to maintain the mystery surrounding the Hunter in Sabuku. For longtime readers, this might feel surprising—after all, they think they already know how this plays out. But perhaps, just perhaps, they don't know the full story. This revision carefully obscures key details, leaving room for new discoveries and unexpected turns while enriching the narrative with greater complexity and emotional depth.
Chapter Five: Come Prima
This chapter marks Iria's official introduction to Kazon, further developing their adversarial dynamic up to this point. Long-time readers may recall that in the original story, Iria was already aware of Kazon's identity—first learning about him during her visit to the Tedan Tippedai HQ to collect her bounty, and later through conversations with Bob and Fujikuro.
In this revised version, however, Iria has been left in the dark regarding Kazon's past. Her closest partners, Bob and Fujikuro, have kept their knowledge of him under wraps, and Dr. Touka's reimagined plans only add to the intrigue. This shift was intentional, creating a more engaging narrative where Iria's discovery of Kazon is more organic and layered.
Most importantly, I aimed to move away from the cliché of a swooning damsel. Instead, Iria approaches her introduction to Kazon with a focused, businesslike demeanor. This version allows Kazon to be an unexpected presence in her life without reducing Iria's character to someone instantly smitten or overly reactive. Their interaction is rooted in curiosity and pragmatism, keeping the tension grounded and believable.
This chapter also reintroduces Dr. Touka, whose conversation with Iria remains largely unchanged from the original draft, apart from a reworked cliffhanger ending. The original scene lingered too long, and with the inclusion of Kazon's introduction, the libations and atmosphere of Outland, and the pivotal meeting between Touka and Iria, this chapter became too dense. Streamlining the ending allowed the focus to remain sharp and the pacing more dynamic.
By focusing on a more measured and complex portrayal of Iria and her interactions, this chapter sets the stage for deeper character exploration and raises the stakes for what lies ahead.
Interludes: Overture, Sotto Voce, Ruvido, & Doloroso
These four asides—or, keeping with the musical theme, "Interludes"—were originally part of a single, sprawling chapter that made up a lengthy and overwhelming prologue. Now that they've been uploaded as separate entries, and with the reveal of the helmeted man's identity in Chapter Five out of the way, I wanted to reflect on the revised structure of this story and why I opted for a tiered approach this time around.
First and foremost, unlike the original TSoS, which suffered from poor structure and uneven focus, this revised version is unequivocally Iria's story. The Interludes now serve to provide critical context through concurrent events or flashbacks. By doing so, the motivations of other characters enhance Iria's narrative rather than overshadow it. This approach allows us to jump straight into Iria's life a year after the OVA, while maintaining the mystery and intrigue of the Interludes without overwhelming the reader or burying the lede.
Secondly, the tiered structure draws parallels between Iria's current struggles and Kazon's inner conflict, without directly overlapping their stories or bogging down the reader with excessive exposition. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that these two characters share more in common than either would like to admit.
The short Overture opens the story with a sense of mystery and intrigue, setting the tone for something new while leaving key questions unanswered. The ambiguity surrounding which one of these character could possibly be the helmeted man in the long coat creates a natural transition into the first chapter, drawing readers further into the story without giving too much away too soon.
Sotto Voce: This chapter introduces Ouspi and his aloof apprentice through a carefully constructed conversation that establishes their relationship, beliefs, and personalities. The dialogue—or lack thereof, from the perspective of the characters—lays the groundwork for much of what's to come, not just in this story but also as a crucial addendum to the original OVA.
Ruvido: The battle between Kazon and the reintroduced Zeiram is vastly expanded from the original duel, which portrayed Kazon as an inept apprentice easily overwhelmed by the titular monster. While Kazon remains outmatched, this revision highlights the peculiar technology of the story's world and showcases the grit and resourcefulness of Hunters when faced with impossible odds. Zeiram's small face, perched atop its hat-like head, takes center stage here, exuding malice and personality in equal measure.
Doloroso: Serving as the emotional capstone to this set of flashbacks, Doloroso leaves readers with a profound sense of sorrow and the weight of the unknown. Without giving too much away, the events of this chapter act as a kind of final dirge for Kazon's lost innocence yet to be discussed, shaping his character in ways that resonate throughout the story.
Just as an aside, upon reading the conclusion of this back story, it would be an awesome time to head over to my other story IRIA: Rogue, the sidestory to Silent Sonata as it all takes place over the course of a the few days around the time period of these Interludes from the perspective of Gren, Part Six specifically picking up shortly after Doloroso ends.