he zoom
Angry guard and Exasperated guard are both giant moods. give me a more iconic duo
is Exasperated Guard caliban or are the guard’s eyes just vaguely copper?
also i love how the evil death arena just casually looms over the other tiny houses. very on-brand?
Spooking guards is an old pastime of Kendal’s. Just ask Ivan of Windscrest.
Wow, moving at demigod fuelled super speed just to answer the door; Kendal was worried about his prison buddy. “A guard came for him hours ago” It seems Kendal is suspicious of that guard but hasn’t made the Caliban connection. At least that’s how I read it.
So, Kendal hasn’t been told of the arrangement yet, and may only get the Arenamaster’s side of the story. I am a bit worried about potential angst fighting, but Kendal is pretty smart and knowledgable about Zuurith’s system so might clue into how Dainix was forced into this.
The main thing I’m worried about is the distance between Kendal and the rest of the squad; Tynan could strike at the arena and the others will be too far away to do anything to help. Even more so if Tynan goes full storm on the city.
Next weeks prediction: Kendal is told of the fight, sees a gloomy Dainix and clues into how he’s not happy with this arrangement either. They then either not fights seriously or not fight at all. But I could also see something happen when Kendal get’s his sword; it’s his main means of communicating with Vash and Vash might be aware of Tynan. When he picks it up he could hear Vash screaming at him to get out of there.
I see I’m not the only weirdo who stayed up till three to read this one comic page in a minute. Good to know. By the way it’s a school night help I have insomnia.
The face of the guard in panel 4 is *priceless*. About how any mortal would react to having a super-powerful demigod (who’s supposed to be in shackles) rush into their face.
@JeckParadox – The staff is made from wood, but it’s been heavily implied that Kendel literally has starmetal in his bones. Wood on metal can be ‘doink’
The casualness with how he broke that staff is just… amazing. It was like he didn’t even think about it, just did it because it was slightly annoying him xD
@Yee Yoot
Unfortunately, I believe that’s just Vienne. However, I am pretty sure she’s fairly high ranked within the city guard, so that’s something cool, that they got a captain just to tell Kendal the news
SO they’re keeping Kendal in the dark? I don’t know how they think this is going to go for them but I would say “not good”. Once he sees where they’re going he might fight the guards taking him there, which is a fight they will lose unless they tell him that this is the condition that Dainix gets free on, which would make he go along with it. Maybe they’re taking him to a room where the Arenamaster will explain the fight and why it’s happening while he gets ready. I’m hyped. Maybe they’ll be fighting on my birthday! (It’s next Friday)
Also I love how concerned Kendal is for Dainix. He’s such a sweetheart. Where has been this super speed? It’s pretty cool, even if it nearly gave that one guard a heart attack.
Man, I’ve forgotten how much I missed Kendal. He’s kinda been on the back burner for a while, while the Crime Trio (and Erin) got more screentime, and thats fine, but I’ve missed our Floofy Boi.
Kendal’s face in panel 8 makes me weep knowing it’s based on a lie… 50/50 chance whether he’ll be disappointed and sad or full-on pissed when he finds out the truth.
I always love getting reminders of how absurdly fast and strong Kendal is. In fact, I’ve just missed seeing Kendal in general… I love this wholesome sword-man.
@PersonMcPerson
It’s not Vienne, they have very different hair. Or she got a haircut since that morning, but (unannounced) mid-story haircuts are a big nono in visual storytelling, so I doubt it
@TheUnknownGame I too am happy to see Kendal again. And I think he has the emotional range to be sad for Dainix while simultaneously calmly, quietly preparing to beat the Arenamaster to a pulp.
Also, I see a lot of people speculating how badly this will go for the Arenamaster but like… part of me is thinking he either must have a backup plan, or Dainix is too close to simmering over to be able to fully control myself. I hope not; I’d love to see them give the system the middle finger by sitting down and engaging in a game of chess or something. But also I’m not sure how it will work out for Dainix if Tynan interrupts, which is also a big possibility here.
Kendal does not care about your “being authority figures in this prison” or “being in charge of him”. This is like seeing a Leonberger get “pinned down” by a kitten and just… stand up when someone in the room calls them, Kendal is so Not Actually Confined By This Prison System that it’s funny.
Really hoping for an anticlimactic talking sesh or a showy friendly spar, Dainix has already established himself as not wanting to go all-out for gladiator fighting and Kendal has established himself as willing to talk before fighting if at all possible. On the other hand, showy shounen “tournament” fight (although there is Tynan for the flashy shounen fight time). I’ll have fun either way probably
I hope Zuurith got demigod, primordial, demon, storm god, fire god and Elemental Magus damage insurance for that fancy arena, because he is not going to be happy with what the billing borb will have to say to him after this.
PersonMcPerson and Rai626:
I just checked, and yeah, this guard isn’t Vienne. Vienne has dreadlocks and darker brown eyes, while this guard has wavy hair and hazel/bronze eyes. Plus, they are the gaslight to Vienne’s girlboss.
Fay:
Inferring from the last page, he’s in a chamber built into the wall of the arena beneath the seats, ready to be released into the ring once the gate is opened. And by the look of it, he’s currently alone.
Also how hasn’t anyone mentioned the look on the ginger guard’s face in panel 7? that look of “he… he broke… with one hand…” Definitely a case of “mugging the monster” rather than “bullying a dragon”
oh no oh no Kendal doesn’t know ANYTHING about what’s going on
contrasting this with Dainix on the last page is heartbreaking… there’s a reason the Arenamaster doesn’t want them talking before the fight, otherwise the “manipulate Dainix into striking the first blow” tactics would come crumbling down immediately.
Kendal is adorable and i love how he just CASUALLY BREAKS THE STICK
Oh wow! Does Zuurith treat all his guests with a trip to his favorite establishment?
Also, I love how casual Kendal was with his “That’s enough of that.”
@Stark9865
Another alternate version of the “No” part:
“NO!
NO!! (breaks the guard’s pole)
NO!! (Shockwave! Guards go yeet)
NO!!! (wall and ceiling starts to crack)”
(referencing this one from the comic which retcons the scene in question)
I don’t have any ill will towards the Arena Master. I don’t like him, but I feel he’s a product of Zuurith’s corrupt system.
Anywhere else, he might be an oily, ambitious official, or a merchant who overcharges, Obnoxious, but not so powerful or vile. Wlsewhere he’d be toothless. What makes him horrible here is this prison, and the power it gives him. Like the Stanford prison experiment, once given absolute power over people’s lives, he’s been absolutely corrupted. And only those willing to be corrupted will thrive.
And it’s Zuurith responsibility.
He created an economic mess by jailing one third of his population. They have to be fed, and they can’t produce anything to support the economy while imprisoned. The how of it — the mines and gladiatorial games — might not have been Zuurith’s idea, but they are still a direct result of the economic chaos he created by imprisoning so many of his citizens.
@icarusancalion
I HIGHLY doubt that one third of Zurrith’s population is actually imprisioned, Falst just said it looks like the prison is big enough for that.
what I didn’t stay up until 3am to read 1 singular page you did
I didn’t know Kendal could do a handsome jumpscare
Yay! Kendals going to fight Dainix! Nothing bad can happen at all. Nope. Nothing bad.
Oh they’re just straight up lying to the boy.
I can’t wait to see the Skunk Man fry.
I love the oblivious way he cracks the spear.
At least they called him “sir”
You uh, you got some glowy eyes there Kendal. And Dainix is going all lava-cracks. I expect this fight will be a lightshow.
Or Kendal sits down in the middle of the arena like “nah fuck all y’all actually” and has to be goaded into fighting, who knows.
he zoom
Angry guard and Exasperated guard are both giant moods. give me a more iconic duo
is Exasperated Guard caliban or are the guard’s eyes just vaguely copper?
also i love how the evil death arena just casually looms over the other tiny houses. very on-brand?
kendal looks sooo pretty in this update……
What is the staff made of that it can produce a “Doink” noise?
“back off, away from the door” he says while poking the main character in the chest with a stick
huh.
Spooking guards is an old pastime of Kendal’s. Just ask Ivan of Windscrest.
Wow, moving at demigod fuelled super speed just to answer the door; Kendal was worried about his prison buddy. “A guard came for him hours ago” It seems Kendal is suspicious of that guard but hasn’t made the Caliban connection. At least that’s how I read it.
So, Kendal hasn’t been told of the arrangement yet, and may only get the Arenamaster’s side of the story. I am a bit worried about potential angst fighting, but Kendal is pretty smart and knowledgable about Zuurith’s system so might clue into how Dainix was forced into this.
The main thing I’m worried about is the distance between Kendal and the rest of the squad; Tynan could strike at the arena and the others will be too far away to do anything to help. Even more so if Tynan goes full storm on the city.
Next weeks prediction: Kendal is told of the fight, sees a gloomy Dainix and clues into how he’s not happy with this arrangement either. They then either not fights seriously or not fight at all. But I could also see something happen when Kendal get’s his sword; it’s his main means of communicating with Vash and Vash might be aware of Tynan. When he picks it up he could hear Vash screaming at him to get out of there.
It took me a while to realise that Kendal didn’t take a spear to his chest, just a friendly poke with a regular stick.
I see I’m not the only weirdo who stayed up till three to read this one comic page in a minute. Good to know. By the way it’s a school night help I have insomnia.
Panels 4 and 5 are just sublime. The sheer casual-ness with which he breaks the stick.
Ill-advised poke is ill-advised.
don’t poke the demigod
Hostile and polite
I just feel bad for the stick…
Oh, and Kendal too.
(Bonus)
“Is Dainix all right?”
“No, his skin is cracked and dry.”
“I’ll get him lotion.”
The face of the guard in panel 4 is *priceless*. About how any mortal would react to having a super-powerful demigod (who’s supposed to be in shackles) rush into their face.
@JeckParadox – The staff is made from wood, but it’s been heavily implied that Kendel literally has starmetal in his bones. Wood on metal can be ‘doink’
I love how kandel just broke that stick nonchalantly like it was a tiny twig
JeckParadox, alternatively, what is Kendal’s chest made of that it can make that noise? I love him carelessly snapping the staff after moving it.
“Oh yes, I’m a bad guy, and I’m going to force these two -endlessly stronger than me- good guys to fight. I’m sure it’ll go just fine.”
The casualness with how he broke that staff is just… amazing. It was like he didn’t even think about it, just did it because it was slightly annoying him xD
@Yee Yoot
Unfortunately, I believe that’s just Vienne. However, I am pretty sure she’s fairly high ranked within the city guard, so that’s something cool, that they got a captain just to tell Kendal the news
Where is Dainix? Is he safe? Is he alright?
ah… ‘arrangements.’ That sure is one way to put it.
Let them fight.
SO they’re keeping Kendal in the dark? I don’t know how they think this is going to go for them but I would say “not good”. Once he sees where they’re going he might fight the guards taking him there, which is a fight they will lose unless they tell him that this is the condition that Dainix gets free on, which would make he go along with it. Maybe they’re taking him to a room where the Arenamaster will explain the fight and why it’s happening while he gets ready. I’m hyped. Maybe they’ll be fighting on my birthday! (It’s next Friday)
Also I love how concerned Kendal is for Dainix. He’s such a sweetheart. Where has been this super speed? It’s pretty cool, even if it nearly gave that one guard a heart attack.
TL;DR: Right this way, right this way. Calm down. Your friend is fine, he just won’t be once we get you to kill him.
Man, I’ve forgotten how much I missed Kendal. He’s kinda been on the back burner for a while, while the Crime Trio (and Erin) got more screentime, and thats fine, but I’ve missed our Floofy Boi.
The blue streaks from his eyes and the way he breaks that spear… genius, all of it. It’s those tiny details that really sell it.
Kendal’s face in panel 8 makes me weep knowing it’s based on a lie… 50/50 chance whether he’ll be disappointed and sad or full-on pissed when he finds out the truth.
I always love getting reminders of how absurdly fast and strong Kendal is. In fact, I’ve just missed seeing Kendal in general… I love this wholesome sword-man.
@PersonMcPerson
It’s not Vienne, they have very different hair. Or she got a haircut since that morning, but (unannounced) mid-story haircuts are a big nono in visual storytelling, so I doubt it
I love the guard with sense. No need to antagonize a cooperative prisoner which could result in him becoming less cooperative.
alt text: the handsomest jumpscare
@Somebody LOL
@TheUnknownGame I too am happy to see Kendal again. And I think he has the emotional range to be sad for Dainix while simultaneously calmly, quietly preparing to beat the Arenamaster to a pulp.
Also, I see a lot of people speculating how badly this will go for the Arenamaster but like… part of me is thinking he either must have a backup plan, or Dainix is too close to simmering over to be able to fully control myself. I hope not; I’d love to see them give the system the middle finger by sitting down and engaging in a game of chess or something. But also I’m not sure how it will work out for Dainix if Tynan interrupts, which is also a big possibility here.
Kendal does not care about your “being authority figures in this prison” or “being in charge of him”. This is like seeing a Leonberger get “pinned down” by a kitten and just… stand up when someone in the room calls them, Kendal is so Not Actually Confined By This Prison System that it’s funny.
Really hoping for an anticlimactic talking sesh or a showy friendly spar, Dainix has already established himself as not wanting to go all-out for gladiator fighting and Kendal has established himself as willing to talk before fighting if at all possible. On the other hand, showy shounen “tournament” fight (although there is Tynan for the flashy shounen fight time). I’ll have fun either way probably
@Fay
Arenamaster: It seems in you anger you’ll kill him.
Kendal: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! *Room spontaneously explodes*
I hope Zuurith got demigod, primordial, demon, storm god, fire god and Elemental Magus damage insurance for that fancy arena, because he is not going to be happy with what the billing borb will have to say to him after this.
Better version, actually:
AM: It seems in his anger he’ll kill you.
K: He- he can’t be. We were friends, I felt it! NOOOOOOOO!!!!! *Room explodes*
I wonder if Kendal will suggest Dainix and himself just fight their way out of the city before or after Tynon shows up?
@squirrel named floofy: That’s not even a spear, it’s a big blunt stick. I don’t know what Rude Guard thought he was accomplishing.
He’s probably thinking “Sweet now I can invite him to join my party”
PersonMcPerson and Rai626:
I just checked, and yeah, this guard isn’t Vienne. Vienne has dreadlocks and darker brown eyes, while this guard has wavy hair and hazel/bronze eyes. Plus, they are the gaslight to Vienne’s girlboss.
Fay:
Inferring from the last page, he’s in a chamber built into the wall of the arena beneath the seats, ready to be released into the ring once the gate is opened. And by the look of it, he’s currently alone.
@I have questions
you are so right, and I was too distracted by the dramatic irony to realize
Also how hasn’t anyone mentioned the look on the ginger guard’s face in panel 7? that look of “he… he broke… with one hand…” Definitely a case of “mugging the monster” rather than “bullying a dragon”
oh no oh no Kendal doesn’t know ANYTHING about what’s going on
contrasting this with Dainix on the last page is heartbreaking… there’s a reason the Arenamaster doesn’t want them talking before the fight, otherwise the “manipulate Dainix into striking the first blow” tactics would come crumbling down immediately.
Kendal is adorable and i love how he just CASUALLY BREAKS THE STICK
Oh wow! Does Zuurith treat all his guests with a trip to his favorite establishment?
Also, I love how casual Kendal was with his “That’s enough of that.”
aww, he’s so adorable and clueless! especially in the second to last panel! i missed ’em
To TheUnknownGame:
I think it is fair to say that everyone here has missed UnVash the Floof in action. 😉
This page’s image source name: fine.
Oh look, something different!
@Stark9865
Another alternate version of the “No” part:
“NO!
NO!! (breaks the guard’s pole)
NO!! (Shockwave! Guards go yeet)
NO!!! (wall and ceiling starts to crack)”
(referencing this one from the comic which retcons the scene in question)
I love the way he just nyooms over to the door XD
@I had a squirrel named floofy.
My condolences for the loss of your squirrel
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
FIGHT!
Anouncer- F-F-F-F-F-F-F-FFFIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kendal- Why?
I don’t have any ill will towards the Arena Master. I don’t like him, but I feel he’s a product of Zuurith’s corrupt system.
Anywhere else, he might be an oily, ambitious official, or a merchant who overcharges, Obnoxious, but not so powerful or vile. Wlsewhere he’d be toothless. What makes him horrible here is this prison, and the power it gives him. Like the Stanford prison experiment, once given absolute power over people’s lives, he’s been absolutely corrupted. And only those willing to be corrupted will thrive.
And it’s Zuurith responsibility.
He created an economic mess by jailing one third of his population. They have to be fed, and they can’t produce anything to support the economy while imprisoned. The how of it — the mines and gladiatorial games — might not have been Zuurith’s idea, but they are still a direct result of the economic chaos he created by imprisoning so many of his citizens.
@icarusancalion
I HIGHLY doubt that one third of Zurrith’s population is actually imprisioned, Falst just said it looks like the prison is big enough for that.