Well, if we’re talking about what he DESERVES, I’d say that he deserves a nice vacation to the City of Vash before it was destroyed, where he can just live like a new citizen of the city who happens to have formerly been the body of Vash, and he can learn to interact with people on his own from a non-godly perspective. It would be a little awkward and challenging at first, but ultimately very rewarding and maybe even relaxing, in a way that he could never feel while inextricably tied to an epic quest and forcibly separated from the people of his homeland.
…What’s that? You that isn’t possible? And it’s kind of ridiculously tragic that this isn’t possible? NOT MY CIRCUS NOT MY MONKEYS BABY
Absolutely. Man needs a vacation for about the length of time he’s technically existed. Where? Whatever the Aurora equivalent of Hawaii is. I think he could use a beach day.
ooooh that aint good.
trust the superpowered protagonist with a connection a god to not have a restful nights sleep during their coma
(heh 3 references for the price of one nice)
Is that his soul barrier on the second panel? Interesting… And I have a dumb theory that if these are all the dead souls of Vash the city, that this is somehow related to the “zombie funtime dungeon adventure” Red keeps hinting at.
… Is this Red’s drawing hand venting on the comic?
This is … great! Sure, Kendal is being dragged down by shadow hands in a nightmare realm, but he’s resisting it. He’s not giving in and fighting to keep himself up. I’d be far more concerned if he was just letting them take him.
Beautiful art with the minimal colour palette. The difference of blue swirls, faint on the walls, vibrant on the hands, and like water ripples on the floor. Each hand is properly proportioned yet still nightmarish. The lightning soul pain and double vision effect in panel 2 to communicate the pain he’s feeling. All great stuff.
(Also I’m getting flashbacks of that Spectacular Spider-Man episode where Peter fights the symbiote in his mindscape. I wonder if that’s intentional; I know Red likes that show, me too)
I’m stating to wonder, is this realm wholly a creation of Kendal’s mind, or could Erebas, the Nightmare Queen (see Calendar extra lore and 1-7-8) be playing a role too? She’s been growing restless and after Tynan’s defeat and sealing, she might be wanting to get involved.
Oh wow. I NEVER would have thought of that.
Good work managing to peice that together. I’m immensely impressed!
Although it seems a little far fetched, I defiantly wouldn’t put it past Red, so, yeah, you’re probably right.
Guess we’re all dead then.
For the reason that I state in my comment below, this could end up being a wake-up call for Kendal, slapping him in the face with just how terrifying death really is; that would be interesting if Erebas is behind it, helping him from afar in the way she knows best, helping to stay him on his quest to slay the god-taker.
Panel #2 shows that these hands are trying to defibrillate him! They’re helping! Or attempting to. Perhaps. Not sure they have a medical degree, though.
It seems to me more that it’s a visual representation of the sheer pain Kendal feels— he did impale himself, after all. (If your comment was a joke, I apologize for letting the joke fly over my head.)
No! No, Kendal! Bad boy! The vet said you’re supposed to stay STILL while your mind/body/soul heals! (substance dualism has gone too far)
but seriously, i’m hoping these hands to be less sinister than they appear; maybe Kendal panicks at first, then surrenders to them, then realises they were trying to help him, or ask for help, all along?
It seems that, if nothing else, primal fear and agony will convince Kendal to keep himself alive, because from his face and his actions on this page, this is the most self-preservation I’ve ever seen him display in the comic, bar none. That is the face of someone who finally fears and resists death.
Did you know…
In the game Don’t Starve Together, Maxwell has the lowest health of any character, at 75 only Wes(to no surprise) matching him.
(Shadow puppet master man while shadowy things are going on, can we return to reality soon there ain’t much to use to get facts about from)
Sometimes waking up is just like that, you have to fight with all your strength to finally get yourself up.
Fun fact: this might be a real phenomenon!
If someone experiences major trauma just before going into a coma, their dreams are in some cases more likely to have more complex meanings behind them. Like I said, fun!
I was just wondering: Kendal is clearly the Leader, with Falst seemingly being the Lancer and Erin as the Smart Guy. Until now I had thought of Alinua as some kind of mix between the Big Guy and the Heart due to her incredible skills regarding life magic and her, at least comparatively good social skills (she’s better than Kendal at handling emotions at least, not to mention Erin and Falst being total messes when it comes to expressing themselves). But now Dainix seems to be set up as the teams new Heart, and I guess Tess is the Big Guy, because, well, she is the punchy metal lady after all. So what does this make Alinua? Just some other Lancer archetype for Kendal, given their deep relationship (she was the first living being he ever actually met)? A mix between Big Guy and Heart, just as said?
I recall Red saying that it’s not applicable to every team. I think Dainix and Alinua are both hearts, and Tess is the big guy. Red said Katara from AT:LA is a heart, and Alinua seems kind of reminiscent. Since there are more than five, it won’t ever fit the five man band mold.
It’s also important to remember that those character tropes are just frameworks, and characters can inhabit multiple roles simultaneously where the narrative calls for it.
Easy: kendal is the leader, falst is the lancer, tess is the big guy, erin is the smart guy, alinuas the heart, Dainix is the sixth ranger. Boom, solved ?
Personally, my theory is that Red originally conceptualized Kendall, Alinua, Erin, and Falst as a very classic band of fantasy heroes, since they respectively give really strong vibes as, respectively, the combination Leader/Big Guy, Heart, Smart Guy, and Lancer. Then Dainix and Tess got added, and everyone but especially Alinua got a lot more developed so they kinda grew out of those old tropes in some ways – but not all ways, since Red still likes to play with tropes. So, they each get a bunch of moments where they act out Red’s favorite aspects of those tropes, e.g. Kendall tanking hits from the Big Bad so everyone else can work on a solution, Dainix running off to brood alone angstily about how he didn’t do as well as the Leader in the last fight, etc.
Why do I suspect that the hoard of blue souls surrounding the former body of the city-God Vask may have some connection to the destruction of the city of Vask?
Aurora Question #16: Does Kendal deserve a vacation, and if yes, where to?
He needs a vacation for a therapy session. They all do.
The real question is: Would he willingly take one?
Probably not unfortunately.
Absolutely, though idk where
Seems like Vash isn’t a good vacation spot anymore.
Well, if we’re talking about what he DESERVES, I’d say that he deserves a nice vacation to the City of Vash before it was destroyed, where he can just live like a new citizen of the city who happens to have formerly been the body of Vash, and he can learn to interact with people on his own from a non-godly perspective. It would be a little awkward and challenging at first, but ultimately very rewarding and maybe even relaxing, in a way that he could never feel while inextricably tied to an epic quest and forcibly separated from the people of his homeland.
…What’s that? You that isn’t possible? And it’s kind of ridiculously tragic that this isn’t possible? NOT MY CIRCUS NOT MY MONKEYS BABY
Absolutely. Man needs a vacation for about the length of time he’s technically existed. Where? Whatever the Aurora equivalent of Hawaii is. I think he could use a beach day.
Beach episode, wooo
YEAH he needs and deserves it so much. He hasn’t had a break for his entire life (which isn’t long but still)!
Oh.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: strenuous activity is not recommended immediately post heroic sacrifice
Image source: yelling
One of us, one of us, ONE OF US, ONE OF US-
Are those all the hands of the people who died in Vash?
yes, but presumable the souls too, not just some dream. They are connected to Vash in a way similar to Kendal.
Kendal Does Not Want To Enter The Hugvoid
I will literally never be able to think of that entity as anything other than the Hugvoid now. Thank you.
I’m sure they’re just trying to give him a relaxing massage.
It might end up being acupuncture if this keeps up
ooooh that aint good.
trust the superpowered protagonist with a connection a god to not have a restful nights sleep during their coma
(heh 3 references for the price of one nice)
Is that his soul barrier on the second panel? Interesting… And I have a dumb theory that if these are all the dead souls of Vash the city, that this is somehow related to the “zombie funtime dungeon adventure” Red keeps hinting at.
… Is this Red’s drawing hand venting on the comic?
This is … great! Sure, Kendal is being dragged down by shadow hands in a nightmare realm, but he’s resisting it. He’s not giving in and fighting to keep himself up. I’d be far more concerned if he was just letting them take him.
Beautiful art with the minimal colour palette. The difference of blue swirls, faint on the walls, vibrant on the hands, and like water ripples on the floor. Each hand is properly proportioned yet still nightmarish. The lightning soul pain and double vision effect in panel 2 to communicate the pain he’s feeling. All great stuff.
(Also I’m getting flashbacks of that Spectacular Spider-Man episode where Peter fights the symbiote in his mindscape. I wonder if that’s intentional; I know Red likes that show, me too)
I’m stating to wonder, is this realm wholly a creation of Kendal’s mind, or could Erebas, the Nightmare Queen (see Calendar extra lore and 1-7-8) be playing a role too? She’s been growing restless and after Tynan’s defeat and sealing, she might be wanting to get involved.
Oh wow. I NEVER would have thought of that.
Good work managing to peice that together. I’m immensely impressed!
Although it seems a little far fetched, I defiantly wouldn’t put it past Red, so, yeah, you’re probably right.
Guess we’re all dead then.
Handy links here! Get your handy links here!
https://comicaurora.com/aurora/1-7-8/ * foreshadowing. 12 silver pieces.
https://comicaurora.com/the-calendar/ (feast of rest) *description. 15 silver pieces.
https://comicaurora.com/aurora/1-7-7/ * possible picture. 9 silver pieces.
Pleasure doing business with you!
For the reason that I state in my comment below, this could end up being a wake-up call for Kendal, slapping him in the face with just how terrifying death really is; that would be interesting if Erebas is behind it, helping him from afar in the way she knows best, helping to stay him on his quest to slay the god-taker.
Second last panel…is that a baby hand ?
You know what?
For mobile readers,
Alt-text: strenuous activity is not recommended immediately post heroic sacrifice
Image source: yelling
fucking hell, this is a great representation of what living with depression is like sometimes
I adore Red’s art
Surrounded by millions of clawing hands
He struggles to escape the harrowing trance
I’m assuming this is his mindscape.
Panel #2 shows that these hands are trying to defibrillate him! They’re helping! Or attempting to. Perhaps. Not sure they have a medical degree, though.
It seems to me more that it’s a visual representation of the sheer pain Kendal feels— he did impale himself, after all. (If your comment was a joke, I apologize for letting the joke fly over my head.)
Dang! More mysterious happenings…How will Kendal deal with this?
No! No, Kendal! Bad boy! The vet said you’re supposed to stay STILL while your mind/body/soul heals! (substance dualism has gone too far)
but seriously, i’m hoping these hands to be less sinister than they appear; maybe Kendal panicks at first, then surrenders to them, then realises they were trying to help him, or ask for help, all along?
*hoping these hands ARE less sinister
What a nice… birthday… present? I think? Thanks???
Happy birthday! Your present is ë£ðrìtçh hºr¤ør
Happy Birthday!
…how it feels to chew 5 gum?
It seems that, if nothing else, primal fear and agony will convince Kendal to keep himself alive, because from his face and his actions on this page, this is the most self-preservation I’ve ever seen him display in the comic, bar none. That is the face of someone who finally fears and resists death.
Did you know…
In the game Don’t Starve Together, Maxwell has the lowest health of any character, at 75 only Wes(to no surprise) matching him.
(Shadow puppet master man while shadowy things are going on, can we return to reality soon there ain’t much to use to get facts about from)
Sometimes waking up is just like that, you have to fight with all your strength to finally get yourself up.
Maybe the souls of Vash are trying to turn him into Venom.
dw about it erin he’s relaxing alright
Fun fact: this might be a real phenomenon!
If someone experiences major trauma just before going into a coma, their dreams are in some cases more likely to have more complex meanings behind them. Like I said, fun!
So… these are the people of vash, the city, right?
I was just wondering: Kendal is clearly the Leader, with Falst seemingly being the Lancer and Erin as the Smart Guy. Until now I had thought of Alinua as some kind of mix between the Big Guy and the Heart due to her incredible skills regarding life magic and her, at least comparatively good social skills (she’s better than Kendal at handling emotions at least, not to mention Erin and Falst being total messes when it comes to expressing themselves). But now Dainix seems to be set up as the teams new Heart, and I guess Tess is the Big Guy, because, well, she is the punchy metal lady after all. So what does this make Alinua? Just some other Lancer archetype for Kendal, given their deep relationship (she was the first living being he ever actually met)? A mix between Big Guy and Heart, just as said?
I recall Red saying that it’s not applicable to every team. I think Dainix and Alinua are both hearts, and Tess is the big guy. Red said Katara from AT:LA is a heart, and Alinua seems kind of reminiscent. Since there are more than five, it won’t ever fit the five man band mold.
It’s also important to remember that those character tropes are just frameworks, and characters can inhabit multiple roles simultaneously where the narrative calls for it.
Easy: kendal is the leader, falst is the lancer, tess is the big guy, erin is the smart guy, alinuas the heart, Dainix is the sixth ranger. Boom, solved ?
Personally, my theory is that Red originally conceptualized Kendall, Alinua, Erin, and Falst as a very classic band of fantasy heroes, since they respectively give really strong vibes as, respectively, the combination Leader/Big Guy, Heart, Smart Guy, and Lancer. Then Dainix and Tess got added, and everyone but especially Alinua got a lot more developed so they kinda grew out of those old tropes in some ways – but not all ways, since Red still likes to play with tropes. So, they each get a bunch of moments where they act out Red’s favorite aspects of those tropes, e.g. Kendall tanking hits from the Big Bad so everyone else can work on a solution, Dainix running off to brood alone angstily about how he didn’t do as well as the Leader in the last fight, etc.
No my boy
that 2nd panel is the feeling of hitting your small toe on the corner of furniture
keNDAL
I. This page makes me inspired to art. I have no clue what it is. it just does.
Also this is the first time I’ve done this in my life, so I think I have a right to brag: I fell into the pond today.
Oh sick Good Job, I did that when I was two and fully fell two feet off the lip just to loudly smack into the almost solid lake bed below. ?
I sure hope our favorite floofy boy can swim!
[chanting] Belly scar. Belly scar. Belly scar.
BELLY SCAR!!! BELLY SCAR!!! BELLY SCAR!!!
Why do I suspect that the hoard of blue souls surrounding the former body of the city-God Vask may have some connection to the destruction of the city of Vask?
That’s gorgeous! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧??????
I love your art, thanks for the update. ????
Our poor boi Kendall is going through it. ( ；∀；)????
Thats… not deeply concerning at all. Totally fine. Probably
Aw, man. BlueFire left. ?