Kendal notices as the Champion moves his hand over Kendal’s heart. He leaps backwards as a beam of light shoots up from his hand. He doesn’t entirely dodge it, though, and the beam cuts through his shirt’s shoulder, leaving his arm unscathed.
“Did the magus craft himself a bodyguard?” the Champion growls, twisting up into a kneeling position. “No matter,” he says, eyes narrowing. Light forms, twisting up behind him into bright wings.
Kendal watches him determinedly, sword scabbard in hand.
“Whatever you are — You’ve left me no choice!” the Champion cries, leaping towards Kendal as he draws his blade.
Ooooh this is getting serious now… Kendal doesn’t draw his sword unless he thinks there’s no other way…
I wonder what’ll happen on Monday… Probably a little more fight, and then the YEET panels will appear!
I also noticed last page that it seemed that Tess’s Diadem was weakening, though I didn’t mention it. I think because Champion’s fighting, he’s not putting as much focus into the Diadems as he should… and he’s also summoned more Light constructs, so he’s not focusing on it fully anyways. I wonder if something will happen with someone waking up and shooting him (Tess & Lightning?) from their place on the deck before Champion/L.D. notices and strengthens the Diadem again.
I wonder if V.D. will come out sometime… after the talk he had with Erin, I don’t think he will if any of the team are still awake and fighting. So if Champion somehow beats Kendal, then V.D. will appear, but not before.
…I do think it would be funny if he did come out and Kendal would be like “Dude, go back to sleep, leave Erin alone!” and V.D.’s like “I’m trying to help! I don’t want Erin to die either! Jeez”
I like how Michael says that Kendal has left him no choice, when in truth it’s the opposite. Also, my guess is this is where Michael gets yeeted off the boat. I hope he knows how to swim
Anyway, I have another theorizing question for you people:
Why can void and light magic, unlike the other elements, bypass the soul barrier to attack their respective elements within people? Life can do this more easily because, going by the extra lore, the soul recognizes healing as something important it must allow. But even that little exception for life is pretty limited.
Why can void and light do it with seemingly no limit at all? What do you think?
my guess is that void doesn’t bypass the soul barrier, it just consumes it too while since light appears to be what created sentience it may be similar to life in a way,
Void doesn’t bypass the soul barrier anymore then most elements becoming a cave crawler is just the result of that specific elemental corruption, all elements cause elemental corruption in different ways when a person is exposed to high amounts of elemental energy.
As for light I suspect that light and soul are the same thing. The void dragon said that his other stopped him from controlling the first elemental Magnus, and we saw in the prologue that it all the people seemed to gain free will from this.
My theory is that either the light dragon came to the planet after the void dragons imprisonment, or that the light dragon formed from the remnants of the primordials souks
Then why can’t she stun Kendal and his mostly god-like soul? Souls are needed to use magic, so the first people couldn’t have been souless, they were mindless.
I don’t mean cave crawlers, I mean attacks by the void dragon/possessed Erin. They said at some point that his attacks cause the void element within people to attack their bodies, which would be similar to a water mage controlling people’s blood, which the soul barrier prevents. But it doesn’t stop void magic from causing your body to consume itself. The only ways so far to stop that are not containing any void element (Kendal and the Demon), or having powerful enough life magic to outheal it (Alinua).
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that the Primordials are able to directly manipulate the elements in people’s bodies, like the dragons can manipulate Light and Void. Heck, isn’t that part of Alinua’s whole thing, that Life directly manipulated the Life element in her? I think that’s what was causing the Chimeric Plague as well.
I wonder if it’s because void and light work similar to radiation. Where instead of a directed force it’s absorbed(normally slowly) and changes you over time. Then light would just need to up the dosage to turn it into a bad headache.
the soul doesn’t give you immunity to the elements, it just means that elements in your body can’t be controlled. Light and void don’t pass the soul barrier any more that fire or lightning do, but they still hurt if you get hit with them.
Most of the time it does that for me too, I think it just hasn’t loaded
What I do is I just click on the page and then it loads with the buttons and then click again and it goes to the next/newest page
Kendal dodges back from a coruscating beam,
The shoulder of his shirt it sunders.
“Did the magus craft himself
A bodyguard?” the stranger wonders.
Kendal draws Kendal, the starmetal sword,
The stranger answers with a blade of white.
“Whatever you are- You’ve left me no choice!”
He leaps forwards on wings of light.
Erin: Ha! You call that a BWEEM?! I’ve made better BWEEMs in my- (Champion focuses on Diadem harder) AAAHHHH!
My head is so confused as to what background music to play. The fantasy setting demands fantasy/LotR-type music, the light sword and duelling is evoking Star Wars, yet the ship in the storm is throwing a Pirates of the Caribbean curveball. Speaking of which, those waves are gorgeous, and I like how the ship’s deck is always at an angle now; the storm and its danger is more present than ever.
It seems the Champion thinks Kendal is a homunculus made by Erin; a fair assumption to make from Kendal’s lack of Light, physical feats, and helping the magus. He may even suspect Erin used Void in Kendal’s creation. I think this is good, as it keeps the true uniqueness of Kendal, plus the other gang members, a secret from their enemies; the gang needs every advantage they have, and that includes surprise.
Prediction for next week: A fight between these two, of which that yeet scene will play out, ensues. However, since the Champion has manifested his wings, I don’t see that yeet doing much in the long run.
What concerns me is what we can’t see. Is Erin still holding back the dragon, or will the diadem allow V.D. to come out? Is Dainix staying together, or is a fire beginning to smoulder on the ship? Is there anything outside the ship, ocean rocks, flaming rocks, monsters, giant waves, that will take everyone off guard? How far off course is this storm going to take them?
holy heck Kirby music mentioned in the Aurora comment section‼️
My brain is usually pretty good at coming up with what a character’s theme would sound like, but it’s drawing a blank for Michael. Maybe because we just don’t know enough about him yet?
Michael seems to be the practical example of a paragon villain, which I think Red has talked about on one of the Trope Talks. So for music I’d say Superman’s motif, but with diminished cords and stuff to make it seem really unsettling. Maybe the melody is moved from trumpet to low brass and paired with like a fast high string accompainment with weird harmonies or something. (In a movie this obviously couldn’t be pulled off, but maybe it could be something similiar to Superman’s motif.) The point is to have a melody the audience recognises as signifying a paragon hero, but make it scary.
Don’t remember much of it. But it was something like a villain who fully believes they’re doing the right thing and will not consider any other options. Someone who, like a good paragon, does whatever they deem the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Someone who cannot be swayed by protagonists’ attempts to convince them, because they are so certain what they’re doing is right (see: Mike on the past few pages). It’s kinda what Marvel tried to do with Thanos, but better.
The Champion might not qualify as a villain, now that I think about it, but definitely antagonist.
I think the VD will stay hidden so long as any party member is left to defend Erin. In accordance with their last conversation, he’s probably aware that his presence would only make it that much harder for Erin’s friends to defend him, if not outright make them join Michael.
It’s hard to say. VD is a frontrunner, of course. Despite everthing, I did really like Tynan and Zuurith as antagonistic forces; their arrogance was delicious. I loved Gleicann. I’m not a big fan of the Lady though. And I’m still undecided on Primordial Life.
I like Argist, both design wise and the fact that he offered Kendal tea and refuge in his port city. He seems like a genuinely nice dude, and perhaps that’s a reflection of his people.
My other favorite is Vash. He also seems like a good dude who cares about Kendal and his people. He also seems like a blast and a half. Bold with a lil bit of swagger, but in a fun way, not a mean way.
Caliban had a mischievous feel in his talk with Dainix. I wish we could see of them without having to deal with Tahraim’s symbolic hints and observations. (smile)
Vash; he seems like he’d be a fun, open-minded guy when his entire city isn’t freshly buried alive. Hell, he’s still nice even with the aforementioned destroyed city, and helpfully one-shots storm gods in his spare time outside of his confinement.
I might’ve said Life takes second place, because I’m waiting with popcorn in hand for her to pop out and smack the Paladin all the way back to Snowfast, because Alinua might have Light in her, but Life certainly DOESN’T, and might take exception to the lens of her microscope being messed with, but she’s a primordial, not a god, so I’d say Tahraim is second place. He gives me mad scientist vibes, somewhat, and that’s fun
And the sword is drawn. I feel a little guilty about how much I want to see Michael get his ass kicked. Literally everyone, including the guy he tried to murder, has pulled their punches.
…Well, maybe not Tess. But still. He’s set himself up for this: he’s seeing only enemies because that’s all he wants to see. And that probably makes it easier, when your job is killing those consumed by the Void.
…but I still want to see him get his ass handed to him.
I wonder if Michael has ever actually fought a sentient being before, maybe the reason he seems so incapable of thinking critically about what he’s doing comes from never having needed to do so before
I imagine he has, and I would still consider Cave Crawlers sentient. He’s probably fought Dragons and perhaps others who are hostile to the Paladins. But you’re right. He has an incredibly black-and-white perspective and I really need to see him disillusioned with it.
surely the void dragon will stay nice and quiet while the only people who can keep him in check are beating the shit out of each other and everyone else is knocked out from psychic damage. right
I mean worst case scenario he can kill Everyone in the party and fight a tired Michael, best case scenario Kendal takes Michael out and he doesnt need to do anything… I’d stay nice and quiet too for now
Ope, Kendal has drawn the sword. He’s dead serious now. Michael will have regrets. I love that Kendal cares so much and tries so hard to not hurt people, and when he’s pushed past his limit, it’s not wildfire anger, it’s just… resolve. Doing what’s necessary to end the situation.
(sidenote: RIP Kendal’s shirt, again. Or Erin’s, technically, since I think it was a loaner.)
Paladin Mike just managed to create a strawman and get all murder-giddy about it in a single breath. Gosh, I wish CHA users would put some points in INT and WIS to not instantly talk themselves into the BS they try to sell. And Kendal has a heart of gold, waiting all this time for the guy to chill out ^^’
To be Fair assuming that Kendal is a homunculus isnt the most unreasonable assumption especially considering How we didnt see any other homunculi and red did state that homunculus only use known elements in the extra lore pages
Big fan of the expressions in panels 4 and 5, Michael’s face of confusion and desperation contrasted by Kendal’s calm determination. It really sells the characterisation of who and where each of these two are going into this fight.
Relatively small, unless pushed. It seems to be his strongest and most powerful move, and I doubt he’s quite that serious yet. I don’t think he wants to kill the Paladin, but for the moment just wants to stop him.
So unless Michael starts being a stubborn idiot who won’t stop until he, or the Fluff Squad, are all dead, then I don’t think Kendal will get quite serious enough to use starfire.
That’s what he would prefer but it has been mentioned by red that Kendal only draws his sword if he’s willing to kill. But I do agree that he won’t be using star fire if possible due to being on a boat. Unless he manages to make a really small flame.
2 things, one, we can tell that Kendal might be immune to the light dragon attacks by the position of the blast and how basic physics work, and 2, Micheal now sees Erin as the Elemental Magus instead of just VD.
It somehow scares me a little that Kendal has drawn his sword, without trying anymore verbal sparring, to convince the guy to stop being a murderous doofus. Kendal has never struck me as someone who eagerly goes into a fight, and always spends a lot of time trying to talk them down first (if they are capable of communicating that is). But him drawing his sword with that look of stoic determination is… oh boy. This isn’t going to be pretty.
Did Kendal just *hop* out of the way, from crouching? I mean, why not, with super strength.
And, the Paladin’s wings are much more solid than usual, maybe even a different shape? Are the new ones meant for short bursts of speed, like he’d need in a fight, or are they perhaps *weapons* of a sort?? I’m glad he’s going after the powerhouse of the party (though it would be funny to see them meet a living mass of soulfire).
In panel five I see Kendalthesword in its sheath and in panel six sword in left hand and sheath in righthand. I thought Hexblades where psychic constructs?
Folks are mentioning how Kendal’s drawn his sword, and this means he’s serious.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought defensively for a bit, mostly blocking or parrying until the Paladin decides to either A.) Show they’re absolutely deadset on this path, or B.) pulls an Azula and goes after one of the others mid-fight.
About the Champion’s wings: There’s got to be a difference between the skeletal ones and the full ones, right? He used the skeletal wings to fly and fight the Cave Crawler (1.7.32), but then shifts to full wings on the next page when the Lady tells him that VD chose a vessel. I think they’re supposed to be a low-power and high-power mode, meaning that swatting Tess wasn’t much exertion for him, but he’s pulling out all the stops to fight Kendal.
I love the fact that everyone immediately understood just how serious Kendal is, just from him drawing his sword. Also, can we take a moment to acknowledge just how big, Kendal is? Like, look at him in that last panel. He’s not just tall, he has gods damned logs for arms.
Of course he left you with a choice. Have you tried talking your problems out instead of running fistfirst into them? I know it’s not *that* popular in these parts, but I swear it’s catching on.
Honestly we don’t know enough to predict which way this is gonna go. Both sort of god vessels, apparently. Kendal is straight up immune to some of his most powerful stuff, he probably has a couple years(centuries?) experience on him, and he doesn’t look very worried. And he fought a god a couple days or so earlier.
…okay I think Kendal got this.
How has absolutely no one noticed this except for you?!! If anyone’s confused look at the background of panel 3 and oh hey there vaguely ominous shape! And I’m pretty sure it’s a land mass since it doesn’t have the silhouette I would associate with something living. Then again it’s fantasy so you never know.
Speaking of Kendal’s shirt, actually, it seems like either the laser missed his skin, or he DID get grazed but because he has no Light, it didn’t hurt him badly, like when he got blasted by Dark but only got a nasty burn. It’s not really important to note, but it is interesting 😀
Additionally, by design, the shirt Kendal is wearing (one of Erin’s) has very loose sleeves, by design. I would argue it’s not too far out of the realm of possibility.
Maybe, just maybe, it would be a good idea to research the most recent activities and traveling companions of the guy you’re attacking before you attack. Just a thought.
Granted, attacking them at sea is a wise decision. It limits the playbook this group has.
I’m thinking he just doesn’t even consider anything other than Erin and the VD as a threat, and so far hasn’t really had reason to think himself wrong.
He hasn’t realized he just stumbled onto the single most deadly group on the planet
I think that will change as soon as Kendal manifests starfire lmao. (Which I really hope happens it will be so cool)
i don’t think kendal will be manifesting starfire in this fight, the friendly fire risk is just too big for it to be worth it… however the chapter cover creature might make him reconsider his stance on how strong the group is
“You’ve left me no choice”
You’ve left him no choice, more like.
I think I know what the light dragon is. The void dragon seems to be mottled after a black hole. (Big space thing that eats stars)
I think the light dragon is a white hole, the hypothetical opposite of black holes that probably don’t exist
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: this will likely not be the final “bweem” of the chapter
Image source: choice
Tumblr text: fight fight fight
Twitter Text: ask not for whom the beam bweems.
It bweems for THEE!
Kendal notices as the Champion moves his hand over Kendal’s heart. He leaps backwards as a beam of light shoots up from his hand. He doesn’t entirely dodge it, though, and the beam cuts through his shirt’s shoulder, leaving his arm unscathed.
“Did the magus craft himself a bodyguard?” the Champion growls, twisting up into a kneeling position. “No matter,” he says, eyes narrowing. Light forms, twisting up behind him into bright wings.
Kendal watches him determinedly, sword scabbard in hand.
“Whatever you are — You’ve left me no choice!” the Champion cries, leaping towards Kendal as he draws his blade.
Ooooh this is getting serious now… Kendal doesn’t draw his sword unless he thinks there’s no other way…
I wonder what’ll happen on Monday… Probably a little more fight, and then the YEET panels will appear!
I also noticed last page that it seemed that Tess’s Diadem was weakening, though I didn’t mention it. I think because Champion’s fighting, he’s not putting as much focus into the Diadems as he should… and he’s also summoned more Light constructs, so he’s not focusing on it fully anyways. I wonder if something will happen with someone waking up and shooting him (Tess & Lightning?) from their place on the deck before Champion/L.D. notices and strengthens the Diadem again.
I wonder if V.D. will come out sometime… after the talk he had with Erin, I don’t think he will if any of the team are still awake and fighting. So if Champion somehow beats Kendal, then V.D. will appear, but not before.
…I do think it would be funny if he did come out and Kendal would be like “Dude, go back to sleep, leave Erin alone!” and V.D.’s like “I’m trying to help! I don’t want Erin to die either! Jeez”
AHHHH my terrible sleep schedule has let me catch one at release!!! :333333
also Michael… buddy… you fully brought this on yourself- you had SO many opportunities to talk this out peacefully.
I like how Michael says that Kendal has left him no choice, when in truth it’s the opposite. Also, my guess is this is where Michael gets yeeted off the boat. I hope he knows how to swim
Mike Von Drakedouche: You left me no choice.
Kendal, literally one page earlier: Hey, can we NOT fight?
Damn, son.
He just dodged you laser. Good luck, Michael.
Anyway, I have another theorizing question for you people:
Why can void and light magic, unlike the other elements, bypass the soul barrier to attack their respective elements within people? Life can do this more easily because, going by the extra lore, the soul recognizes healing as something important it must allow. But even that little exception for life is pretty limited.
Why can void and light do it with seemingly no limit at all? What do you think?
Thank Dodge!
my guess is that void doesn’t bypass the soul barrier, it just consumes it too while since light appears to be what created sentience it may be similar to life in a way,
Void doesn’t bypass the soul barrier anymore then most elements becoming a cave crawler is just the result of that specific elemental corruption, all elements cause elemental corruption in different ways when a person is exposed to high amounts of elemental energy.
As for light I suspect that light and soul are the same thing. The void dragon said that his other stopped him from controlling the first elemental Magnus, and we saw in the prologue that it all the people seemed to gain free will from this.
My theory is that either the light dragon came to the planet after the void dragons imprisonment, or that the light dragon formed from the remnants of the primordials souks
Then why can’t she stun Kendal and his mostly god-like soul? Souls are needed to use magic, so the first people couldn’t have been souless, they were mindless.
I also think soul magic would be more impressive than telepathy and lantern constructs with gods as an example
I don’t mean cave crawlers, I mean attacks by the void dragon/possessed Erin. They said at some point that his attacks cause the void element within people to attack their bodies, which would be similar to a water mage controlling people’s blood, which the soul barrier prevents. But it doesn’t stop void magic from causing your body to consume itself. The only ways so far to stop that are not containing any void element (Kendal and the Demon), or having powerful enough life magic to outheal it (Alinua).
I just assume the rules are somewhat different with having the pieces of a living primordial in your body
Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that the Primordials are able to directly manipulate the elements in people’s bodies, like the dragons can manipulate Light and Void. Heck, isn’t that part of Alinua’s whole thing, that Life directly manipulated the Life element in her? I think that’s what was causing the Chimeric Plague as well.
I wonder if it’s because void and light work similar to radiation. Where instead of a directed force it’s absorbed(normally slowly) and changes you over time. Then light would just need to up the dosage to turn it into a bad headache.
All elemental energies act like radiation, so that can’t be the answer
the soul doesn’t give you immunity to the elements, it just means that elements in your body can’t be controlled. Light and void don’t pass the soul barrier any more that fire or lightning do, but they still hurt if you get hit with them.
Being in a different time zone sure is handy for catching these are release.
It is very nice to get these at 10am when I’ve already been awake for 4 hours yeah
Ha ha! My time zone is two hours ahead of the page! *smiles in I’ve been missing sleep for this*
From a messy dodge
To a guess way off the mark
The fight continues
The paladin wonders if Kendal’s unnatural
The actual answer takes thinking more lateral
(I know this is a kinda bad rhyme, three-syllable rhymes are hard)
Nope, you left Kendal no choice. And there is a chance you may not survive it. sm
Kendal has drawn Kendal. This guy may learn the danger of fighting something he knows nothing about.
Ok, so we all agree that it is probably not good for Kendals psyche if he has to beat up that guy, right?
That being said, we all want to see him beat the absolute shit out of that arrogant little prick, right?
Holy shit I’m here before other comments…
Also, Mike, Michael, buddio, you never wanna be the one saying “you’ve left me no choice”… it never ends well
What is going on with pages not always showing up on time? Is it a caching issue?
I have to go back a page, then hit the double arrow/latest page to get here
Most of the time it does that for me too, I think it just hasn’t loaded
What I do is I just click on the page and then it loads with the buttons and then click again and it goes to the next/newest page
I just go the URL of the most recent page, change it to that of the upcoming page, and keep refreshing until the page appears.
Kendal dodges back from a coruscating beam,
The shoulder of his shirt it sunders.
“Did the magus craft himself
A bodyguard?” the stranger wonders.
Kendal draws Kendal, the starmetal sword,
The stranger answers with a blade of white.
“Whatever you are- You’ve left me no choice!”
He leaps forwards on wings of light.
A mighty BWEEM is dodged by the Swordsman
“You’ve left me no choice”, declares Michael the dragon fan
Oho the sword is out he means business now
Sword out now means I think we’re about to see the YEET preview sketch come to be finished 🙂
Kendal does holding his word in his left hand, just like the sketch.
But I still foresee a dramatic fight.
Erin: Ha! You call that a BWEEM?! I’ve made better BWEEMs in my- (Champion focuses on Diadem harder) AAAHHHH!
My head is so confused as to what background music to play. The fantasy setting demands fantasy/LotR-type music, the light sword and duelling is evoking Star Wars, yet the ship in the storm is throwing a Pirates of the Caribbean curveball. Speaking of which, those waves are gorgeous, and I like how the ship’s deck is always at an angle now; the storm and its danger is more present than ever.
It seems the Champion thinks Kendal is a homunculus made by Erin; a fair assumption to make from Kendal’s lack of Light, physical feats, and helping the magus. He may even suspect Erin used Void in Kendal’s creation. I think this is good, as it keeps the true uniqueness of Kendal, plus the other gang members, a secret from their enemies; the gang needs every advantage they have, and that includes surprise.
Prediction for next week: A fight between these two, of which that yeet scene will play out, ensues. However, since the Champion has manifested his wings, I don’t see that yeet doing much in the long run.
What concerns me is what we can’t see. Is Erin still holding back the dragon, or will the diadem allow V.D. to come out? Is Dainix staying together, or is a fire beginning to smoulder on the ship? Is there anything outside the ship, ocean rocks, flaming rocks, monsters, giant waves, that will take everyone off guard? How far off course is this storm going to take them?
Michael gives me huge “two planets approach the Roche limit” vibes but in this situation i’d say a POTC theme
holy heck Kirby music mentioned in the Aurora comment section‼️
My brain is usually pretty good at coming up with what a character’s theme would sound like, but it’s drawing a blank for Michael. Maybe because we just don’t know enough about him yet?
Michael seems to be the practical example of a paragon villain, which I think Red has talked about on one of the Trope Talks. So for music I’d say Superman’s motif, but with diminished cords and stuff to make it seem really unsettling. Maybe the melody is moved from trumpet to low brass and paired with like a fast high string accompainment with weird harmonies or something. (In a movie this obviously couldn’t be pulled off, but maybe it could be something similiar to Superman’s motif.) The point is to have a melody the audience recognises as signifying a paragon hero, but make it scary.
The Champion seems more like Erin but stupid, crazy and with a different manner of speech to me.
How did she describe that paragon villain by the way?
Don’t remember much of it. But it was something like a villain who fully believes they’re doing the right thing and will not consider any other options. Someone who, like a good paragon, does whatever they deem the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Someone who cannot be swayed by protagonists’ attempts to convince them, because they are so certain what they’re doing is right (see: Mike on the past few pages). It’s kinda what Marvel tried to do with Thanos, but better.
The Champion might not qualify as a villain, now that I think about it, but definitely antagonist.
this is the clip that mentions paragon villains: https://youtu.be/zm_Pi6OpNKU?t=533
My first thought: Erin’s going to be cranky Michael stole his sound effect XD
I’m definitely getting Duel of the Fates here, but that’s just me.
I’m getting ‘O Fortuna’… Mostly because I think it’s stuck in my head.
I think the VD will stay hidden so long as any party member is left to defend Erin. In accordance with their last conversation, he’s probably aware that his presence would only make it that much harder for Erin’s friends to defend him, if not outright make them join Michael.
Personally, I think the Godskin Apostle theme (Elden Ring) would work great for Michael, as for Kendal I’m not sure.
Honestly, I can imagine anything from a JRPG battle theme to a classical symphony.
Heh heh heh
Erin: Ha! My BWEEM punched a hole in a storm. You’re sitting in that BWEEM!
Aurora Question #12: Who is your favourite god so far?
Life mum =D
It’s hard to say. VD is a frontrunner, of course. Despite everthing, I did really like Tynan and Zuurith as antagonistic forces; their arrogance was delicious. I loved Gleicann. I’m not a big fan of the Lady though. And I’m still undecided on Primordial Life.
Tahraim
I’ve found Zuurith most interesting, but I love Argist’s aesthetic. And the not-wanting-to-murder-the-party thing.
Tynan
Vash, Caliban, or Tahraim.
I like Argist, both design wise and the fact that he offered Kendal tea and refuge in his port city. He seems like a genuinely nice dude, and perhaps that’s a reflection of his people.
My other favorite is Vash. He also seems like a good dude who cares about Kendal and his people. He also seems like a blast and a half. Bold with a lil bit of swagger, but in a fun way, not a mean way.
the lake lady (lady Ilia I think?)! she only appeared for a moment, but I liked her 🙂
Vash gave us Kendal, Zuurith is going through an Arc, and Argist has just generally been friendly.
There’s the top three, all tied up.
at least I THINK argist was the recent port town…
Easily Vash, but Tahraim or Argist are close runner ups
Caliban had a mischievous feel in his talk with Dainix. I wish we could see of them without having to deal with Tahraim’s symbolic hints and observations. (smile)
I like the stuff going on with Primordial Life, but she’s a primordial, not technically a god, so instead I’d say Tahrim or Ilia
Vash; he seems like he’d be a fun, open-minded guy when his entire city isn’t freshly buried alive. Hell, he’s still nice even with the aforementioned destroyed city, and helpfully one-shots storm gods in his spare time outside of his confinement.
I might’ve said Life takes second place, because I’m waiting with popcorn in hand for her to pop out and smack the Paladin all the way back to Snowfast, because Alinua might have Light in her, but Life certainly DOESN’T, and might take exception to the lens of her microscope being messed with, but she’s a primordial, not a god, so I’d say Tahraim is second place. He gives me mad scientist vibes, somewhat, and that’s fun
i don’t think we will see life in this chapter but god i’m looking forward to her and alinua’s inevitable meeting with the collector
Caliban!!
He drew the sword. Kendal doesn’t draw the sword unless he sees another option.
On one hand, this fight scene is gonna ROCK. On the other, Kendal getting serious is… scary.
RIP to Kendal’s shirt😔
Not again
He’s goin’ through them like Captain Kirk
Lets hope he got a bulk discount in Argist.
Rest in peace another shirt.
Would you believe I was coming here to make that exact joke?
“YOU’VE LEFT ME NO CHOICE,” he yells, having many choices.
And the sword is drawn. I feel a little guilty about how much I want to see Michael get his ass kicked. Literally everyone, including the guy he tried to murder, has pulled their punches.
…Well, maybe not Tess. But still. He’s set himself up for this: he’s seeing only enemies because that’s all he wants to see. And that probably makes it easier, when your job is killing those consumed by the Void.
…but I still want to see him get his ass handed to him.
He is about to learn what the words: “aaah my hubris” mean
I want to see his ass get handed to him too, so at the very least, you are not alone.
I wonder if Michael has ever actually fought a sentient being before, maybe the reason he seems so incapable of thinking critically about what he’s doing comes from never having needed to do so before
I imagine he has, and I would still consider Cave Crawlers sentient. He’s probably fought Dragons and perhaps others who are hostile to the Paladins. But you’re right. He has an incredibly black-and-white perspective and I really need to see him disillusioned with it.
No, you’ve left Kendal no choice.
Michael is about to learn that his actions arent void of consequences
I see what you did there, and I approve.
Perhaps Kendal can illuminate his error.
……or just punch his lights out. I’m flexible.
I am hoping Kendal beats Micheal senseless with his sword before he yeets Micheal’s inflexible hindie overhead and far away.
Ho ho hooo noooooo you made Kendal draw the sword
surely the void dragon will stay nice and quiet while the only people who can keep him in check are beating the shit out of each other and everyone else is knocked out from psychic damage. right
He can’t take control if Erin is concious or far from a cave entrance
Erin is currently not conscious (at least not enough to keep VD away). The lady said last page VD could absolutely take over if he wanted to.
Nah wait, one more page earlier she said that.
I thought he was just in a lot of pain
I mean worst case scenario he can kill Everyone in the party and fight a tired Michael, best case scenario Kendal takes Michael out and he doesnt need to do anything… I’d stay nice and quiet too for now
I’m sure he’ll play nice with Kendal for now
i know the bands on micheals wrists are probably bracelets or smth, but my first thought was puppet joints
OH MY GOD.
Ope, Kendal has drawn the sword. He’s dead serious now. Michael will have regrets. I love that Kendal cares so much and tries so hard to not hurt people, and when he’s pushed past his limit, it’s not wildfire anger, it’s just… resolve. Doing what’s necessary to end the situation.
(sidenote: RIP Kendal’s shirt, again. Or Erin’s, technically, since I think it was a loaner.)
Let’s go, we’re gonna get more beautiful sword choreography
Paladin Mike just managed to create a strawman and get all murder-giddy about it in a single breath. Gosh, I wish CHA users would put some points in INT and WIS to not instantly talk themselves into the BS they try to sell. And Kendal has a heart of gold, waiting all this time for the guy to chill out ^^’
To be Fair assuming that Kendal is a homunculus isnt the most unreasonable assumption especially considering How we didnt see any other homunculi and red did state that homunculus only use known elements in the extra lore pages
Big fan of the expressions in panels 4 and 5, Michael’s face of confusion and desperation contrasted by Kendal’s calm determination. It really sells the characterisation of who and where each of these two are going into this fight.
What are the odds of Kendal using starfire?
Relatively small, unless pushed. It seems to be his strongest and most powerful move, and I doubt he’s quite that serious yet. I don’t think he wants to kill the Paladin, but for the moment just wants to stop him.
So unless Michael starts being a stubborn idiot who won’t stop until he, or the Fluff Squad, are all dead, then I don’t think Kendal will get quite serious enough to use starfire.
That’s what he would prefer but it has been mentioned by red that Kendal only draws his sword if he’s willing to kill. But I do agree that he won’t be using star fire if possible due to being on a boat. Unless he manages to make a really small flame.
In a boat with all his friends knocked out around him? He aint using it
As Dainix so kindly illustrated, fire + wood and cloth= bad.
No no it equals a bonfire on the ocean! Which is only bad 50% percent of the time!
Okay, I really, REALLY want to see Kendal use some starfire in this fight
2 things, one, we can tell that Kendal might be immune to the light dragon attacks by the position of the blast and how basic physics work, and 2, Micheal now sees Erin as the Elemental Magus instead of just VD.
Kaiju!
It somehow scares me a little that Kendal has drawn his sword, without trying anymore verbal sparring, to convince the guy to stop being a murderous doofus. Kendal has never struck me as someone who eagerly goes into a fight, and always spends a lot of time trying to talk them down first (if they are capable of communicating that is). But him drawing his sword with that look of stoic determination is… oh boy. This isn’t going to be pretty.
Did Kendal just *hop* out of the way, from crouching? I mean, why not, with super strength.
And, the Paladin’s wings are much more solid than usual, maybe even a different shape? Are the new ones meant for short bursts of speed, like he’d need in a fight, or are they perhaps *weapons* of a sort?? I’m glad he’s going after the powerhouse of the party (though it would be funny to see them meet a living mass of soulfire).
They have the same shape as they do on this chapter’s cover.
These lasers sound like the BOTW guardian ones, I can hear them.
ROUND 1
FIGHT!
Would Kendal be a Hexblade Warlock? Because I’m sure he just summoned his sword.
In panel five I see Kendalthesword in its sheath and in panel six sword in left hand and sheath in righthand. I thought Hexblades where psychic constructs?
Folks are mentioning how Kendal’s drawn his sword, and this means he’s serious.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he fought defensively for a bit, mostly blocking or parrying until the Paladin decides to either A.) Show they’re absolutely deadset on this path, or B.) pulls an Azula and goes after one of the others mid-fight.
I am so friggin hype. The paladin is in such a combat mode he’s just like : «IDK what you are, but you’re in the way, so imma f$ck you up»
I can’t believe how much I dislike Michael and want to see his smug, self-righteous face thumped on repeatedly.
OMG! He’s going to get dragged along with them, isn’t he? He and Erin are going to make each other’s brain explode!
Looks at LD & Voidie … now kiss.
he’s asking for a fight at this point- like come on
Dudes with a hammer never have a choice when presented with a nail, huh
Man their sail CANNOT catch a break.
About the Champion’s wings: There’s got to be a difference between the skeletal ones and the full ones, right? He used the skeletal wings to fly and fight the Cave Crawler (1.7.32), but then shifts to full wings on the next page when the Lady tells him that VD chose a vessel. I think they’re supposed to be a low-power and high-power mode, meaning that swatting Tess wasn’t much exertion for him, but he’s pulling out all the stops to fight Kendal.
Oh, nice catch!
No, he just got that shirt…
Welp, there goes Kendal’s shirt
Smh of course the Paladin is void-racist (/j)
Buddy, that’s literally the body of a god, You are punching above your weight class.
I love the fact that everyone immediately understood just how serious Kendal is, just from him drawing his sword. Also, can we take a moment to acknowledge just how big, Kendal is? Like, look at him in that last panel. He’s not just tall, he has gods damned logs for arms.
paragon vs paragon, the girls are fighting!!!
Paragon vs Paragon…that 4 gons!
I wonder if that star metal sword can chop those wings right off….
“How dare you exist at me! I have no choice!” >_>
“How dare you exist at me! I have no choice!” >_> Bruh.
Of course he left you with a choice. Have you tried talking your problems out instead of running fistfirst into them? I know it’s not *that* popular in these parts, but I swear it’s catching on.
Honestly we don’t know enough to predict which way this is gonna go. Both sort of god vessels, apparently. Kendal is straight up immune to some of his most powerful stuff, he probably has a couple years(centuries?) experience on him, and he doesn’t look very worried. And he fought a god a couple days or so earlier.
…okay I think Kendal got this.
Hmm, is that land behind them Rahkan or that volcano or is it part of that beast that we see on the chapter cover?
How has absolutely no one noticed this except for you?!! If anyone’s confused look at the background of panel 3 and oh hey there vaguely ominous shape! And I’m pretty sure it’s a land mass since it doesn’t have the silhouette I would associate with something living. Then again it’s fantasy so you never know.
We’re not close enough to see back spikes, so it could be either one.
Kendal: dude, I just got this shirt 🙁
Speaking of Kendal’s shirt, actually, it seems like either the laser missed his skin, or he DID get grazed but because he has no Light, it didn’t hurt him badly, like when he got blasted by Dark but only got a nasty burn. It’s not really important to note, but it is interesting 😀
I think you are underestimating Kendal’s ability to dodge but I am Kendal biased.
Additionally, by design, the shirt Kendal is wearing (one of Erin’s) has very loose sleeves, by design. I would argue it’s not too far out of the realm of possibility.
Maybe, just maybe, it would be a good idea to research the most recent activities and traveling companions of the guy you’re attacking before you attack. Just a thought.
Granted, attacking them at sea is a wise decision. It limits the playbook this group has.
I’m thinking he just doesn’t even consider anything other than Erin and the VD as a threat, and so far hasn’t really had reason to think himself wrong.
He hasn’t realized he just stumbled onto the single most deadly group on the planet
I think that will change as soon as Kendal manifests starfire lmao. (Which I really hope happens it will be so cool)
That’s very true. Those diadems are very effective -if Kendal was literally anyone else Erin would be dead by now.
i don’t think kendal will be manifesting starfire in this fight, the friendly fire risk is just too big for it to be worth it… however the chapter cover creature might make him reconsider his stance on how strong the group is
TL;DR: Lights! Lasers! VIOLENCE!!!
b w e e m
Aaaand there goes the arm.
You are a terrible, terrible person for writing and arting this. Please continue forever.
Well this is pretty epic.
“You’ve left me no choice”
You’ve left him no choice, more like.
I think I know what the light dragon is. The void dragon seems to be mottled after a black hole. (Big space thing that eats stars)
I think the light dragon is a white hole, the hypothetical opposite of black holes that probably don’t exist