Bards sing of the day that a cast-away returned to the sky held aloft by storm touched wings. Heavenly Fire met Stormwrought Scale in the land that once as Zuurith.
And laughing he basks in their terror again,
As the townsfolk gaze at the view.
“COME ON!” Kendal cries, hand clenched to the hilt,
And his sword ignites with blue.
As terrible as the flames the lightning lit,
His sword with blue fire blazes.
The dragon screams form the pain in its eye,
The people’s hope it raises.
You can see that Tynan is definitely weakening, even after terrifying Zuurith’s citizens (that second panel is gorgeous, may I add). You can see along his front legs in the last panel that he’s slowly returning back into clouds. Amazing detail as always, Red, keep it up!
So much for the archive wards. The acolyte’s superior is probably looking (or looked, now) a tad more prescient than any of them would have wanted. And Tynan may be vapor instead of flesh, but it’s a little hilarious to see him spry and gleeful in the first few panels knowing he’s got that sword lodged in his “eye” the entire time.
Ahhh!! The suspense!! This is amazing! Thank you Red for sharing this amazing story! Even though we only get three pages a week I still find this so engaging and suspenseful as the last time I go on!! Great Job Red! You are an inspiration!!
I mean they had a magical glowy sheild that we didn’t see last comic when Tynan and his passengers approached, so maybe they’re in a different part of the city? (Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking)
hang on, tess! I assume she’s able to use some of that Lightning attraction magic to stick herself on there? but WOW that’s a lot of big glowy explosions
I actually have trouble telling what is going on. Wait is Zuurith built in the valley of a volcano, is Zuurith actually a volcano god? I keep expecting other people to be inspired by Erin and Dainix to actually try and disrupt Tynan’s storm a bit more…
I know the last couple panels look amazing, but I’m kinda worried about Kendal. The poor guy looks like he’s in serious distress, and I don’t mean because he’s hanging from a sword stuck in the eye of a dragon–this whole fight’s been something of an emotional rollercoaster for him already, but the sheer desperation he’s got to be feeling right now… Look closely at his face; I don’t think that’s just sparks and rainwater, I think those are tears. And I don’t think we’ve ever seen him cry before, not even at the Graveyard of Vash, and he was seriously rattled then. But then again, there was nothing he could do for them–here he could have, and tried to do so, and yet couldn’t. And considering the legacy he has to stand up to, not to mention the fact that he has all of Vash’s memories including his city’s destruction, it’s no wonder he’s probably more than a little desperate and hysterical right now–I would not be surprised if he had gotten caught up in said memories, despite them not being his own, and the fact that the situation is a merging of elements of two different incidents that troubled Vash makes it even worse.
(And, of course, there’s the sword thing on the back burner, because that’s a cryptic bit that we all know is gonna hit him over the head the first chance it gets, especially if the theory is true–and it may very well have done so already, hence contributing to Kendal’s stress. Poor guy can not catch a break.)
On a side note, I think I’m going to try and do QOTDs now, as long as no-one has any objection. So, for my first offering:
QOTD:
In order to cheer him up, the Floof Squad locks Kendal in a room full of puppies. Which one does he decide he wants to keep?
(Assume that all sorts of breeds and personalities are represented here. I personally think the answer is a golden retriever (or a ‘doodle), but I’m curious as to what you think the answer would be)
is there a god of the volcano? or is that considered to be under zuurith-the-god?
it’s my first post here, i’ve been a lurker for a couple of months
pronouns she/they
@Skye
re: puppy QOTD
boy do I have thoughts how Kendal would handle the weight of being responsible for a puppy! not in an entirely healthy way that’s for sure!
so my non-answer is All Of Them. Dear Dragons They’re All So Small And Helpless /Oh Shit/ I Gotta Protect All Of Them Oh No-
which, while emotionally fraught, means that he would have to try to carry all of them! key word: try! cue Kendal absolutely COVERED in puppies, rocking up to the rest of the squad and attempting to explain himself. If I could draw it I would, but alas, my art skills are but a fraction of Red’s
wow, there’s a lot of poetic people reading this comic.
YES! finally, Kendal’s unlocking the starfire!
@imuyanmangocat, oh my gosh you’re so right! but I feel like Toffee is a lot more calm and collected, where as Tynan puts on that facade but is not as good at keeping it together when things begin to go awry. it would be interesting to hear what that voice actor sounds like going a little crazy. I love a good third act breakdown
This total destruction is going to give Zuurith a chance to rebuild, and alter how the society works. To character develop, one must recognize flaws, deconstruct the bad behavior, and construct a new, better behavior. The same goes for societal systems, but much slower. Nice thing here, is that the character development of the god of a specific society can make societal change much easier. Tynan did two thirds of the work for Zuurith, point out his flaws, making a stick out of them, and then beating Zuurith’s ass with it. Now, Zuurith just has to reconstruct better than he was before.
Re:puppies.
I definitely agree that he would feel responsible for all the puppies. That absolutely send like something he would do.
@ArdentObjection
You remember when Tynan was like ‘next time, build it to last’? And we were all like ‘cool one liner’ and thought it just meant the incarnation? Well, he was right. When/if Zuurith comes back from this, he has to opportunity to build it right this time, and build it to last’.
This guy. He tries so hard and as soon as he gets the tiniest bit of validation, someone’s there to make part of his face explode. It’s been a rough day for Tynan.
Skye:
Oh sh*t… upon closer inspection, I think you might be right, those do look like tears. His facial expression fits with that too, the desperation, anger, and guilt. It makes me wonder if Kendal’s starfire can only be unleashed under immense emotional duress, in contrast to Vash where it seems like he unleashed it through sheer willpower. Or with Kendal it might also be will-fueled, just with more difficulty due to not being fully divine, and his desperate panic gave him a catalyst to focus that power. Whatever the case, he’s going to need, at minimum, several hugs and some sleep when this is done. (Assuming he doesn’t get himself killed, of course…)
Wow, this took a couple directions I wasn’t expecting (had thought it would result in cheerful fluff about various breeds and who’d they pair best with), but I guess I should’ve forseen that given the character in question. Still, I’m gonna consider this a successful experiment and try to put one of these on every age going forward.
And in reflection, Hermit Thrush and alolanvulpix are absolutely right–I know that if I was in his place that’s how I’d do it, since that’s exactly how I picked out my last rescue cat! (Two years this September–she’ll be three–and she’s doing amazing. You’d hardly recognize her as the same waif I took in)
I would definitely think that his semi-divine nature would contribute to why he can’t as easily access his starfire–heck, if the Sword Theory is true, that very well could contribute as well (depending if the sword was the source of or the conduit for the starfire, Kendal might be ‘wired’ the same way, meaning he might be able to channel but not be able to access, or vice versa). Either way, this is probably one of the worst moments to find out about that particular limitation.
It’s a really minor thing, but I just want to shout out that top right panel because I see so many things like massive-budget movies with dozens of people making writing and editing decisions not do stuff like that. Red didn’t have to show the Junior Archivist’s face there, but showing a reaction shot of someone we know and recognise makes the destruction feel so much more personal and real than just showing a crowd shot or a shot of smouldering ruins would. Kudos.
Yay! I get my starfire! And wow, that is some pretty blue light.
Wait… is Tynan’s dragon form just too powerful, has Tynan picked up from the fear he’s created? Or is Kendal just not able to wake the full power of the sword because he is the sword and the right arm that wields it?
Let the weather manage your phone calls
Bards sing of the day that a cast-away returned to the sky held aloft by storm touched wings. Heavenly Fire met Stormwrought Scale in the land that once as Zuurith.
Carnage all around.
Terror and despair abound.
Then a flash of blue.
I swear if they managed to defete him Zuurith better be kissing their feet.
And laughing he basks in their terror again,
As the townsfolk gaze at the view.
“COME ON!” Kendal cries, hand clenched to the hilt,
And his sword ignites with blue.
As terrible as the flames the lightning lit,
His sword with blue fire blazes.
The dragon screams form the pain in its eye,
The people’s hope it raises.
You can see that Tynan is definitely weakening, even after terrifying Zuurith’s citizens (that second panel is gorgeous, may I add). You can see along his front legs in the last panel that he’s slowly returning back into clouds. Amazing detail as always, Red, keep it up!
Well it’s a good thing the Acolyte brought the Archive with her, because I’m not sure there is much left of the rest of her order.
Finally! Looks like we get to see god-mode Kendal next week. 🙂
The colors are absolutely amazing in this set of panels.
As of recently rewatching Star vs. I’ve decided that Tynan would have a similar, if not the same, voice to Toffee.
So much for the archive wards. The acolyte’s superior is probably looking (or looked, now) a tad more prescient than any of them would have wanted. And Tynan may be vapor instead of flesh, but it’s a little hilarious to see him spry and gleeful in the first few panels knowing he’s got that sword lodged in his “eye” the entire time.
I had momentarily forgotten that the city had already been evacuated, which made this page about 50 times more horrifying than it’s supposed to be.
Ahhh!! The suspense!! This is amazing! Thank you Red for sharing this amazing story! Even though we only get three pages a week I still find this so engaging and suspenseful as the last time I go on!! Great Job Red! You are an inspiration!!
Finally! He’s been acting very nonchalant for a guy with a sword in his eye
I know he’s a evil bastard but damn that’s a beautiful dragon.
Tynan must be stopped. No matter the cost.
*opening synth notes of The Touch*
You have my eternal respect.
I know death and destruction is happening but my art brain is just “ooooh! I love how Red draws hands, how does she do that?”
@That One Trilobite I completely forgot about the archive. RIP Lady Niluca, may you find peace in knowing the fandom loved your creative insults.
I mean they had a magical glowy sheild that we didn’t see last comic when Tynan and his passengers approached, so maybe they’re in a different part of the city? (Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking)
Wow! What a sight. Thanks for the birthday gift, Red
ah fuck there went the library again
red’s plot points: 2
ENTIRE. CITIES. : 0
hang on, tess! I assume she’s able to use some of that Lightning attraction magic to stick herself on there? but WOW that’s a lot of big glowy explosions
As Tynan’s burning ire
Puts people in danger dire,
Kendal shouts, “Come on!”
As his face grows wan,
And succeeds in a burst of starfire.
Red just really likes destroying cities, doesn’t she?
Panel one: Ooooh f*ck, no.
Panel seven: OH, F*CK YES!
river rock:
At least Zuurith’s population is still intact. Vash doesn’t have that luxury.
I actually have trouble telling what is going on. Wait is Zuurith built in the valley of a volcano, is Zuurith actually a volcano god? I keep expecting other people to be inspired by Erin and Dainix to actually try and disrupt Tynan’s storm a bit more…
I guess that counted as: “nothing can stop me now”?
The question is where the heck is Zuurith in this :V
Caliban’s motivational speeches don’t work on him then?
Ooooooo! OMG Red, you make destruction look so BEAUTIFUL!
Nice How old is he like 69
I know the last couple panels look amazing, but I’m kinda worried about Kendal. The poor guy looks like he’s in serious distress, and I don’t mean because he’s hanging from a sword stuck in the eye of a dragon–this whole fight’s been something of an emotional rollercoaster for him already, but the sheer desperation he’s got to be feeling right now… Look closely at his face; I don’t think that’s just sparks and rainwater, I think those are tears. And I don’t think we’ve ever seen him cry before, not even at the Graveyard of Vash, and he was seriously rattled then. But then again, there was nothing he could do for them–here he could have, and tried to do so, and yet couldn’t. And considering the legacy he has to stand up to, not to mention the fact that he has all of Vash’s memories including his city’s destruction, it’s no wonder he’s probably more than a little desperate and hysterical right now–I would not be surprised if he had gotten caught up in said memories, despite them not being his own, and the fact that the situation is a merging of elements of two different incidents that troubled Vash makes it even worse.
(And, of course, there’s the sword thing on the back burner, because that’s a cryptic bit that we all know is gonna hit him over the head the first chance it gets, especially if the theory is true–and it may very well have done so already, hence contributing to Kendal’s stress. Poor guy can not catch a break.)
On a side note, I think I’m going to try and do QOTDs now, as long as no-one has any objection. So, for my first offering:
QOTD:
In order to cheer him up, the Floof Squad locks Kendal in a room full of puppies. Which one does he decide he wants to keep?
(Assume that all sorts of breeds and personalities are represented here. I personally think the answer is a golden retriever (or a ‘doodle), but I’m curious as to what you think the answer would be)
is there a god of the volcano? or is that considered to be under zuurith-the-god?
it’s my first post here, i’ve been a lurker for a couple of months
pronouns she/they
alt text: eh, we didn’t like that city anyway
@Skye he takes whichever dog is least adoptable
At last Tynan’s glee is to end
With the starfire Kendal shall bend
I read the past 10 panels with “libera me from hell” playing in the background and it was a spiritual experience.
@Skye
re: puppy QOTD
boy do I have thoughts how Kendal would handle the weight of being responsible for a puppy! not in an entirely healthy way that’s for sure!
so my non-answer is All Of Them. Dear Dragons They’re All So Small And Helpless /Oh Shit/ I Gotta Protect All Of Them Oh No-
which, while emotionally fraught, means that he would have to try to carry all of them! key word: try! cue Kendal absolutely COVERED in puppies, rocking up to the rest of the squad and attempting to explain himself. If I could draw it I would, but alas, my art skills are but a fraction of Red’s
wow, there’s a lot of poetic people reading this comic.
YES! finally, Kendal’s unlocking the starfire!
@imuyanmangocat, oh my gosh you’re so right! but I feel like Toffee is a lot more calm and collected, where as Tynan puts on that facade but is not as good at keeping it together when things begin to go awry. it would be interesting to hear what that voice actor sounds like going a little crazy. I love a good third act breakdown
fun fact: Tess is visible in the first panel
TL;DR: Power up!
Skye: the puppy that looks the most helpless/sad.
I’ve been watching Trope Talks on YouTube and I definitely think that Tynan fills the Magnificent Bastard aka Charismaniac trope to a T.
This total destruction is going to give Zuurith a chance to rebuild, and alter how the society works. To character develop, one must recognize flaws, deconstruct the bad behavior, and construct a new, better behavior. The same goes for societal systems, but much slower. Nice thing here, is that the character development of the god of a specific society can make societal change much easier. Tynan did two thirds of the work for Zuurith, point out his flaws, making a stick out of them, and then beating Zuurith’s ass with it. Now, Zuurith just has to reconstruct better than he was before.
Re:puppies.
I definitely agree that he would feel responsible for all the puppies. That absolutely send like something he would do.
@ArdentObjection
You remember when Tynan was like ‘next time, build it to last’? And we were all like ‘cool one liner’ and thought it just meant the incarnation? Well, he was right. When/if Zuurith comes back from this, he has to opportunity to build it right this time, and build it to last’.
leapyeargirl96, there are a lot of competitive nerds reading this comic.
This guy. He tries so hard and as soon as he gets the tiniest bit of validation, someone’s there to make part of his face explode. It’s been a rough day for Tynan.
Good! And Tess is still hanging on.
Skye:
Oh sh*t… upon closer inspection, I think you might be right, those do look like tears. His facial expression fits with that too, the desperation, anger, and guilt. It makes me wonder if Kendal’s starfire can only be unleashed under immense emotional duress, in contrast to Vash where it seems like he unleashed it through sheer willpower. Or with Kendal it might also be will-fueled, just with more difficulty due to not being fully divine, and his desperate panic gave him a catalyst to focus that power. Whatever the case, he’s going to need, at minimum, several hugs and some sleep when this is done. (Assuming he doesn’t get himself killed, of course…)
Regarding the QOTD:
Wow, this took a couple directions I wasn’t expecting (had thought it would result in cheerful fluff about various breeds and who’d they pair best with), but I guess I should’ve forseen that given the character in question. Still, I’m gonna consider this a successful experiment and try to put one of these on every age going forward.
And in reflection, Hermit Thrush and alolanvulpix are absolutely right–I know that if I was in his place that’s how I’d do it, since that’s exactly how I picked out my last rescue cat! (Two years this September–she’ll be three–and she’s doing amazing. You’d hardly recognize her as the same waif I took in)
To TheUnknownGame:
I would definitely think that his semi-divine nature would contribute to why he can’t as easily access his starfire–heck, if the Sword Theory is true, that very well could contribute as well (depending if the sword was the source of or the conduit for the starfire, Kendal might be ‘wired’ the same way, meaning he might be able to channel but not be able to access, or vice versa). Either way, this is probably one of the worst moments to find out about that particular limitation.
@Kreuz Aw hell yeah I love that movie.
“Eh, we didn’t like this city anyways”
It’s true, this city kinda sucks.
“This sword of mine burns with an awesome power! Its burning blade tells me to defeat you! Take this! My love, my anger, and all of my sorrow!”
Oooooh, he#s beginning to fall apart, nice
It’s a really minor thing, but I just want to shout out that top right panel because I see so many things like massive-budget movies with dozens of people making writing and editing decisions not do stuff like that. Red didn’t have to show the Junior Archivist’s face there, but showing a reaction shot of someone we know and recognise makes the destruction feel so much more personal and real than just showing a crowd shot or a shot of smouldering ruins would. Kudos.
Shrike might be dead. She went home like 4 and a half chapters ago and home went boom.
Yay! I get my starfire! And wow, that is some pretty blue light.
Wait… is Tynan’s dragon form just too powerful, has Tynan picked up from the fear he’s created? Or is Kendal just not able to wake the full power of the sword because he is the sword and the right arm that wields it?