“THAT didn’t break it?” Falst murmurs in shock, then hesitates, glancing at his hand. He jumps down, landing on the ship’s deck.
Dainix is lying next to the stairs, hands clamped around his head, cracks sparking over his body. “I know, I know,” Falst says, gently pushing his hands down. “It’s like hornets in your head.”
“C-can’t, I can’t, I–” Dainix gasps.
“Hang on!” Falst pulls Dainix onto his back. “You said I made light, right?”
“F-Falst–”
“I don’t know how, but I think you were right. I think I can get this off you.” Falst looks at his hand. “I just– I just have to remember how it felt–”
“No, y-you–” Dainix suddenly twists, shoving Falst away from him. “You have” Dainix gasps, lying on the deck, eyes glowing, skin ashen. “to” Flames breaking out of his skin, one eye completely alight, unable to hold back his Demon. “run”
It was kind of hard deciding what details to put about Dainix in the last panel… of course the fire, but I could put what I did, Lying on the deck, eyes glowing, skin ashen, but I could also put like Staring at Falst, something about the Diadem…
Oooooh this is BAD… Dainix Please don’t burn down the ship. If Falst could get the Champion’s attention and let him see the danger of Dainix, he **miiiiiight*** release the spell, but that’s a like 10% chance. Maybe not even that. I’m guessing Falst will be a Bad ListenerTM and try to free Dainix regardless. I don’t know whether it will work or not… but he’ll probably be burned in the process, especially because of Dainix’s eye.
Uuuhhhhhhh… yeah, if Kendal can’t break the spell with that super strength of his, I think Falst is probably the only person on this ship other than the Champion who can get rid of that spell. At least without hurting them, Voidy could probably do it but… corrosive void magic etc. etc.
Michael isn’t a bigot. Bigotry is an unreasonable attachment to a prejudice towards individuals based on their affiliation with a particular group. To be prejudiced against someone or their group is to hate them without reason or experience, but Michael and The Lady have very good reasons and very real experience with the Void Dragon. Their hatred, if you can even call it that, is more like righteous fury.
More importantly, Michael doesn’t hate Kendal, he’s just mistaken him for a tool of the Void Dragon, who is a very real embodiment of evil. Don’t confuse this with bigotry. In real life, victims of prejudice do nothing to earn it. In fantasy, evil beings really are evil.
“I’ve reinforced it against everything I can think of, but I’m not as clever as the ocean.” Or, it would seem, Erin’s incredible talent for attracting disaster.
Metal is very flammable, with enough heat and oxygen. Try lighting steel wool on fire and then blowing on it. Dainix will provide the heat, the wind will provide the oxygen.
Huh. Kind of expected more resistance from Falst on the subject of him “possibly” having light magic. He seems *really* clever, and completely changes his mind after a second appearance of it. Though, maybe he has past experiences that are just now clicking for him?
Also! He’s so caring in panel 5! But I don’t know how much it can help Dainix’s magic-fuelled panic attack. Or, how he’s going to be able to calm down out here. And certainly not before the Champion’s calmed down too.
Art-wise, the poses are incredible! Dainix really radiates stress (and maybe some fire too), and the cracks on his arms are in the same places every time??? And foreshortening??
Falst seems to be the type to “fix thing first, process later” in most cases, plus he has enough evidence to give it a go which would at least might work, instead of hesitating which definitely won’t do anything.
From what Falst says about it being like hornets, I assume it’s mostly a panic attack due to being unable to think properly in the current situation, rather than the previously assumed flashbacks. If that’s the case then I’m sure that Dainix should be able to keep it together (at least keep it together better) if Falst manages to break the diadem.
Isn’t it more clever to change your mind about somehting once more evidence becomes available to you? Falst may not know what Light Magic is, but he has some unexplained power and the ability to break Michael’s diadems. It’s not hard to put two and two together. Besides, out of the two ‘Smart Guys’ in the gang, Falst is far more mentally agile than Erin, who WOULD deny that such a power could possibly exist.
Yeah! Though I wouldn’t say it’s exactly easy to put 2 and 2 together in this case, since the only examples have been Dainix referencing something Falst didn’t see, and Falst breaking a light construct that he has never seen before. But it’s cute that Falst trusts Dainix so much, while he had his reservations about being a light mage, trusted Dainix’s memory of the claws.
And then there’s Erin, who spent multiple chapters denying the evidence about the void dragon/void magic/cave crawlers, until he had undeniable proof. Two different approaches to being typically “smart”, one more clever, one more rigorous.
Did Erin talk about anything void related not directly connected to the dragon before? I don’t remember him commenting on cave crawlers or void magic until Daybreak(To state what they embodied) and never had any reason to speak on his belief or lack thereof in the dragon until it was in his brain and he definitely believed then.
Erin seems pretty well-read, and he explicitly stated in Daybreak that he had been suspecting the connections with void magic. Even during his first on-screen conversation with the void dragon, Erin refers to them as the “worst case scenario”, already knowing about them in some capacity, and as a “seventh element” that he saw firsthand being controlled by a mage who had been inscribed with a great rune of the dragon.
My guess is he started ruminating on the concept after experiencing the Singing Caves for the *first* time, since it seems that he became able to sense when one is exposed. So, a long while of just thinking, never mentioning it to the reader. If every Erin inner monologue was written down, I bet we’d still be halfway through the first arc.
Why would his cleverness, or anything about him besides his basic knowledge of his mutation, preclude him from believing he has light magic. That was pretty much his only objection and a lot of hard to believe thing have been happening around him lately
I intended to say that Falst seemed rather stubborn about it earlier, sorry for the misunderstanding. His cleverness is in putting the concepts together and being *willing* to change his mind when it’s needed. He seemed flexible when it comes to the world, and rigid when it came to himself. Very much in need of a nap and some introspection.
Not sure if it’s a mutation, unless you’re referring to him being Ferin, and even then, it’s very much genetic. With Alinua’s connection to life/natural great rune, would that be a mutation? Or is it due to Life being awake and choosing her? The light dragon is awake as well, so I’m curious as to the intentionality of Falst’s powers.
I gotta say, this really is up there with Stormlight Archive and Bartimaeus with the “EVERYTHING IS AWFUL WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE AAAAAAGGGGGHHHGGGGGG” spectrum.
I was just thinking that! She will find the least predictable yet objectively most interesting routes for the story to take. Hundreds of comments on these past few pages and very few of us actually remembered Dainix.
Falst tries to tear the crown from Dainix.
“You said I made light, right?”
Dainix throws him away, his flames breaking out,
His burning eyes wide with fright.
So… Kendal is immune to the crown, Falst can break it. Dainix? It looks like his Crucible nature *really* does not mesh well with it, especially if he’s having some sort of panic attack.
Yeah, this is not going to end well for Michael/Anakin over there.
Given Falst’s description of it, I think it’s more like a thought inhibiting spell (in a sense) and not being able to think properly, especially since he wasn’t doing well before, would certainly be cause for a panic attack, we’ve already seen that Dainix’ transformation is influenced by emotions, so I think it’s reasonably safe to assume panic attack at this point.
Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen (and everything in between). Will Light magic prove any more effective than Void magic against a Crucible?
I say no. From a Watsonian perspective, the “the heart of a Demon is emotion” according to Dainix. Given that he seems to be undergoing a severe panic attack, D&D rules of raging past psychic damage are about to take effect, I think. From a Doylist perspective, we have the Chekov’s Exposition of soulfire “burn[ing] at the bottom of the ocean.”
I doubt it. As far as I can see, the transformation works by transmuting every element of Dainix’ body into (soul)fire, which would include the Lady’s element (probably mind). As soon as the crucible reaches Dainix’ brain/mind, the diadem will throw a null-pointer exception and die. (Or, by the Lady’s words, a void-pointer exception?)
Makes me wonder how liked to elemental fire it is, because if it’s something like a “higher form” or “purer” fire, then it might use the transformation qualities of fire magic very strongly, making it able to “burn” anything.
The Void Dragon himself commented on this during the Tynan fight. In addition to the fact that he confused Crucible Dainix for a piece of Primordial Fire, it’s probably just Fire.
Or maybe fire matter with soul stuff replacing fire energy, making him similar to a god. The dragon didn’t seem to know what he was talking about with Dainix
dainix entering demon mode is usually pretty high stakes (can depend on environment though). wonder if this is going to happen often but if so, interested in seeing him + the team learn to handle it
Aww the first person he goes to is Dainix. Now hopefully there’s enough time for Falst to get that air bubble lacrima. Is there enough to go around for everybody that needs it? BOY i hope so!
I don’t mean to rain on any of the Falst-Dainix fans, but this could also just be Falst being pragmatic. Based on pages 2-3-11 and 2-3-14 Dainix is the closest member of the Floof squad to Falst. Kendal (and Michael) are at the mast, Alinua and Erin are on the bow side of the mast and Tess is as far forward as the mast. Dainix on the other hand was just below the poop deck where Falst landed.
He would definitely claim “tactical reasons” regardless of whether or not it’s actually true. But you’re right there is a legitimate argument for tactical reasons here. Not only in the positioning of the characters but also in the fact that Dainix is the only one of the Floof Squad who knows anything about the Light Hands thing.
Falst continues to be the realest person in this comic. Panicking when he sees his hand on fire, incredulous that anything could withstand a headbutt from Kendall, and “Well, it worked for me. Let’s see if it can work on the others. Now how do I shot web?”
I don’t! I hope it’s as excruciating as possible! (just, not visually b/c that would probably drive up the age rating and I don’t think Red really wants that.)
Staying up way too late talking with my buddy about nerd stuff has blessed me with the ability to catch this page on release, and as such I am obliged to write something.
I think most of us expected this to happen eventually, it was just a matter of time. That and I’m so curious to see what this Falst magic is! I have no theories, because I’m something of a passive reader, but I am so excited to see what the answer to it all is!
The list of fanmade notes on Tarren’s prototype is just ridiculous.
The ones I’ve counted:
– PALADIN PROOF IT NEXT TIME
– Not Soulfire-proof
– Unable to withstand the force of a speeding demigod with LITERAL METEORITE for bone
– Unable to withstand the force of a speeding metal-caste
– Helm failed to stand to speeding lightning-propelled Paladin Champion
Thinking too complicated.
Some sort of void dragon radar jamming device so that paladin nut doesn’t find them in the first place and the other additions become unnecessary. Until the somehow run into a giant seamonster or something and it all becomes relevant again.
Really not much to ask.
From my previous comments, I’ve noted:
– Make the sails fireproof
– An audio alarm, that can be heard over loud noises, to alert when the lacrimas are running low
– Dirt below the sails to grow plants to patch holes (although, that one’s mostly Alinua centric)
“The demon manifested in crackling fire beneath human skin as the halo, forcibly placed on it’s brow, burned with the agony of hornets.”
– Aurora 2:3:15
So, Falst takes the “help remove the other diadems” choice; makes sense given his character to prioritise his currently suffering friends. He probably couldn’t do much on the Champion fight anyway. Though this does still leave the ship’s movement at the full mercy of the storm, and since there’s no god directing it, we have no idea where that path will lead.
Falst’s belief that he has magic now after denying it before may seem sudden, but it does make sense for three reasons.
One, Dainix’s recollection of the dungeon events back in Argist and his logical reasoning that Falst was the only one who could do it. There was no reason for Dainix to be lying, and Falst couldn’t offer a better answer.
Two, him removing the crown. It not only matches the colour Dainix described, but the fact he broke it but Kendal, a being much stronger than Falst, can’t is telling. Plus his hand was on fire 5 seconds ago yet he’s fine.
And three, Falst is desperate to save his friends. No time to be stubborn about what he believes or ponder the implications of this; his magic might free them, and that’s all that matters.
I’d say the diadem is worse that the Glort vision for Dainix; the Glort showed him terrible memories, but he could use those memories to fuel his emotions and thus power. The diadem is just pure deliberating pain; no emotions to form a coherent crucible form, and no peace of mind to keep the crucible powers at bay. Just a dangerous chaotic mess of fire that’s a danger to everyone, and Dainix knows this.
Prediction for next week: Dainix’s efforts to keep the fire at bay will fail, and the wooden deck, maybe the mast and sail too, are going to catch fire. This may also draw the Champion’s attention and he could see the Falst is unaffected, opening another can of complications, presently and in future Paladin interactions.
I don’t think we’ll get outside factors interfering next week (sea rocks, flaming rocks, sea monsters, etc) due to my prediction above, but I’m not ruling it out either.
To be honest, Falst is so practical that he probably hasn’t even considered the implications of all this yet. Erin would immediately, but Falst is sensible enough to recognise that he has some mysterious ability to break the Diadems and just run with it. No speculation, no intrespection needed. This is something he can apparently do now, so he might as well do it.
As for the Diadems, I imagine they’re sort of like Psychic White Noise; a blast of mental static that completely and painfully overwhelms the mind. Since “the Heart of a Demon is Instinct and Emotion” it’s going ot have no effect on Dainix’s transformation, but it is going oto prevent him from calming himself down by meditating. I can’t help but notice that as soon as Falst approached Dainix, his transformation suddenly accelerated even further. Now the obvious Crustables shipping material is obvious, but I imagine that having a close friend (or more-than-friend) kneel directly over him when he’s on the verge of literally exploding is heightening his emotional state even more.
A few things are certain, and one of them is that Dainix is going to burn though this deck, melt through the hull, and sink to the bottom of the ocean. We’ve had too much foreshadowing for otherwise UNLESS Red is trying to psych us out and has something even worse planned, with this undersea adventure as a red herring.
However, I’m going to go ahead and say that more stuff IS going to go wrong. In fact, so long as we’re on this ship, I think the stakes, the tension, and the drama are all going to keep stacking up. The mast is breaking, Dainix is burning, Erin is on the verge of dropping the Storm, Tess is no longer defending the ship from volcanic bombs, Life might be able to intervene if she thinks Alinua is in danger; I am fully expecting a Sea Monster. It could even be a Sea-Chimera if Red wants to bring in The Collector (although I don’t think this is likely).
When we down here in the comments were talking about how a fight could go in the middle of the ocean, didn’t we include this? Fire Dainix burning, Falst using (or trying to use) his light powers, and latter once the storm occurred, and Erin being basically completely incapacitated (though it’s also the rest of the gang, besides Kendal and Falst, and for a different reason). I’m super excited about all of the ways this could go. Also, Falst being considerate Falst is always good to see.
“You have to run” sir we are on the wooden deck of a boat in the middle of the ocean. Run where?
Nah, but I get it. Dainix is immensely distressed, and his powers are flaring out of control. This was absolutely among the comments predictions, I remember. I think this is headed toward capsizing, Falst pulling out his air bubble, and making an emergency stop on Rakhn. Heck, since Dainix is so terrified of the ocean, maybe his Crucible form will rush for land instinctively. Or maybe he’ll lash out at Michael first… although I think Kendal has that paladin handled. Wait, but he still has the diadem on. If that still holds in Crucible… oh, no…
Also: I know straits are dire, and this was actually tactical for real, but I’m aww’ing a little at the fact that Falst rushed over to try and help Dainix first. :3
STRAIGHT to dainix <333. my little lancer boi truly got some bonding one (1) time in his life and just keeps on coming back. Their developing dynamic is super sweet!!! bffs. i love it.
All of dainix's posing is so so pleasing it scratches my brain. That last one w him cracking apart is PEAK, altho theres something in the way falst gently pulls his hands off his head to get at the diadem, trying to make his friend more comfortable while he figures his power out. my HEART.
Dainix needs a hug. They all do but right now Dainix just really needs one. I even remember looking for him last page and just going poor Dainix. Someone stop letting it get worse can they all just get hugs please. Anyway so I think this might be the wholesome ship bait horrible torment panels. Which yeah these are fairly upsetting. Then again I can absolutely see red making this way worse and having an even darker moment later on. So long as Dainix or Falst gets a hug out of that I’ll be good. They all need hugs but those two need them the most. Especially if they must go through worse moments than this.
Funny story. One time, we had a bonfire going, for s’mores and stuff, and we dropped a leaf in for fuel. It started burning and the heat from the fire lifted it up, and it floated over to my dog, who ate it midair. This dog ATE a BURNING LEAF.
So Kendal just shrugged off the light halo because of his unique construction.
The void dragon is immune to the light halo and so may take control of Erin’s body at any time as Erin is stunned by the light halo.
Falst can with effort negate the light halo with his own ill defined and hitherto only suspected light powers.
Dainix like Erin is immobilized, but that doesn’t prevent his fire power from working and indeed leaves it out of control.
This leaves Alinua and Tess.
It seems plausible the life Primordial can still channel her power through Alinua when Alinua is immobilized by the halo.
So Tess may be the only one actually properly immobilized by the Halo, the Light dragon is going to have to update her spell description for that Halo attack.
This whole sequence of events in the comic is really giving off the sense of the slow descent into chaos. I sure as hell hadn’t registered panel 6 before, but now I absolutely have.
I haven’t seen anyone else clarify this, so figured I would lol. For all the people who aren’t on Tumblr, the reason people are referring to Michael as a Skywalker, is because Red drew a picture of him and Kendal as Anakin (Micheal) and Obi-Wan/maybe Luke? (Kendal) in the Mustafar fight
So Michael may be about to learn that indeed, the party was not a high level boss and a bunch of henchmen, but indeed, all high level bosses.
And several do not care for his primordial light power thing.
The right to die 🙂 for no living being is immortal. Well I mean, the void dragon might be but you get my point. And THE RIGHT TO BE GAY!!! Or of course any other sexuality/romantic orientation! Love yourself be proud and do crime!
Michael: This diadem will keep down everyone except the Void Dragon
Erin: I’m actually going to stab you now.
Falst: Didn’t really work on me.
Dainix: Kill! Kill!!! KILL!!!
Void Dragon: … I think I’m actually going to stay asleep, you guys have fun.
I love how focusing on Falst breaks the tension in the first 3 panels (especially in panel 3= I can see him scampering on all fours (Cloe kitten-like?) and ramps it up again with Dainix’s warning that he is going to go wildfire any second now.
Some one said something (Pardon me if missed understood) that is the characters use of power that is interesting. I think that misses the point. It is not that they have power but the dramatic tension with their strengths vs. their weaknesses and wants. Being a Ferin makes Falst feel aliened from the humans and elves he lives with and his loss of his mother to the corruption and father’s reaction has left him severe trust issues. Dainix can transform but at the expense of his self control which he worries about a responsible agent/adult (close to how Bruce Banner worries what the hulk will do in the 70s TV series)
No safety gear will shield you from the wrath of the commenters for interrupting the Ferinheit moment. Also I didn’t think I’d need to say this but do you think you’d survive Falst if you attempted that?
so, to recap, we’re in a storm in the middle of the ocean, heading towards a volcano, someone’s trying very hard to assassinate erin right when HE’s trying very hard to invent new kinds of overwork injury, most of our team are down, the boat is BARELY surviving, and now dainix IS FIRE. this boat trip was a great idea. good work, erin.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: we had a bonding moment! I cradled you in my-*gunshot*
Image source: light
Tumblr Text: see you on monday!
Tumblr text: see you on monday!
Twitter Text: this is fine
Bluesky text: this is fine
Bonus tumblr text: oh no I forgot to tell you guys to be normal about panel six
“THAT didn’t break it?” Falst murmurs in shock, then hesitates, glancing at his hand. He jumps down, landing on the ship’s deck.
Dainix is lying next to the stairs, hands clamped around his head, cracks sparking over his body. “I know, I know,” Falst says, gently pushing his hands down. “It’s like hornets in your head.”
“C-can’t, I can’t, I–” Dainix gasps.
“Hang on!” Falst pulls Dainix onto his back. “You said I made light, right?”
“F-Falst–”
“I don’t know how, but I think you were right. I think I can get this off you.” Falst looks at his hand. “I just– I just have to remember how it felt–”
“No, y-you–” Dainix suddenly twists, shoving Falst away from him. “You have” Dainix gasps, lying on the deck, eyes glowing, skin ashen. “to” Flames breaking out of his skin, one eye completely alight, unable to hold back his Demon. “run”
It was kind of hard deciding what details to put about Dainix in the last panel… of course the fire, but I could put what I did, Lying on the deck, eyes glowing, skin ashen, but I could also put like Staring at Falst, something about the Diadem…
Oooooh this is BAD… Dainix Please don’t burn down the ship. If Falst could get the Champion’s attention and let him see the danger of Dainix, he **miiiiiight*** release the spell, but that’s a like 10% chance. Maybe not even that. I’m guessing Falst will be a Bad ListenerTM and try to free Dainix regardless. I don’t know whether it will work or not… but he’ll probably be burned in the process, especially because of Dainix’s eye.
Uuuhhhhhhh… yeah, if Kendal can’t break the spell with that super strength of his, I think Falst is probably the only person on this ship other than the Champion who can get rid of that spell. At least without hurting them, Voidy could probably do it but… corrosive void magic etc. etc.
Falst wants to help but
For his own safety Dainix
Pushes him away
Oohh… realization time!
Also, dear Anakin Lightwalker: I hope you’re not flammable.
Really? Well I hope he is.
Amen brother
Hey, Micheal is a nice guy for an intolerant bigot….
Michael isn’t a bigot. Bigotry is an unreasonable attachment to a prejudice towards individuals based on their affiliation with a particular group. To be prejudiced against someone or their group is to hate them without reason or experience, but Michael and The Lady have very good reasons and very real experience with the Void Dragon. Their hatred, if you can even call it that, is more like righteous fury.
More importantly, Michael doesn’t hate Kendal, he’s just mistaken him for a tool of the Void Dragon, who is a very real embodiment of evil. Don’t confuse this with bigotry. In real life, victims of prejudice do nothing to earn it. In fantasy, evil beings really are evil.
I don’t know about you, but I still hope they’ll find a way to resolve this fight without having to murder a guy.
Can we just have him a *little* bit on fire?
That last panel looks awesome.
Is the diadem flammable?
Red’s called items such as the Diadem “hard-light constructs” so I vote no. However, this is soulfire we are talking about.
The BOAT is flammable. Well, mostly.
“I’ve reinforced it against everything I can think of, but I’m not as clever as the ocean.” Or, it would seem, Erin’s incredible talent for attracting disaster.
‘Is it flammable’ might be the wrong question. Metal isn’t, but he’d probably melt right through it.
Metal is very flammable, with enough heat and oxygen. Try lighting steel wool on fire and then blowing on it. Dainix will provide the heat, the wind will provide the oxygen.
Is it flammable? Not completely, but I doubt anything can stand up to the disaster magnets that are this group.
Dainix, honey…*gestures to Middle Of The Freaking Ocean* …where is he supposed to run TO?
I love how you used capitals for that.
Huh. Kind of expected more resistance from Falst on the subject of him “possibly” having light magic. He seems *really* clever, and completely changes his mind after a second appearance of it. Though, maybe he has past experiences that are just now clicking for him?
Also! He’s so caring in panel 5! But I don’t know how much it can help Dainix’s magic-fuelled panic attack. Or, how he’s going to be able to calm down out here. And certainly not before the Champion’s calmed down too.
Art-wise, the poses are incredible! Dainix really radiates stress (and maybe some fire too), and the cracks on his arms are in the same places every time??? And foreshortening??
Falst seems to be the type to “fix thing first, process later” in most cases, plus he has enough evidence to give it a go which would at least might work, instead of hesitating which definitely won’t do anything.
From what Falst says about it being like hornets, I assume it’s mostly a panic attack due to being unable to think properly in the current situation, rather than the previously assumed flashbacks. If that’s the case then I’m sure that Dainix should be able to keep it together (at least keep it together better) if Falst manages to break the diadem.
Isn’t it more clever to change your mind about somehting once more evidence becomes available to you? Falst may not know what Light Magic is, but he has some unexplained power and the ability to break Michael’s diadems. It’s not hard to put two and two together. Besides, out of the two ‘Smart Guys’ in the gang, Falst is far more mentally agile than Erin, who WOULD deny that such a power could possibly exist.
Yeah! Though I wouldn’t say it’s exactly easy to put 2 and 2 together in this case, since the only examples have been Dainix referencing something Falst didn’t see, and Falst breaking a light construct that he has never seen before. But it’s cute that Falst trusts Dainix so much, while he had his reservations about being a light mage, trusted Dainix’s memory of the claws.
And then there’s Erin, who spent multiple chapters denying the evidence about the void dragon/void magic/cave crawlers, until he had undeniable proof. Two different approaches to being typically “smart”, one more clever, one more rigorous.
Did Erin talk about anything void related not directly connected to the dragon before? I don’t remember him commenting on cave crawlers or void magic until Daybreak(To state what they embodied) and never had any reason to speak on his belief or lack thereof in the dragon until it was in his brain and he definitely believed then.
Erin seems pretty well-read, and he explicitly stated in Daybreak that he had been suspecting the connections with void magic. Even during his first on-screen conversation with the void dragon, Erin refers to them as the “worst case scenario”, already knowing about them in some capacity, and as a “seventh element” that he saw firsthand being controlled by a mage who had been inscribed with a great rune of the dragon.
My guess is he started ruminating on the concept after experiencing the Singing Caves for the *first* time, since it seems that he became able to sense when one is exposed. So, a long while of just thinking, never mentioning it to the reader. If every Erin inner monologue was written down, I bet we’d still be halfway through the first arc.
Why would his cleverness, or anything about him besides his basic knowledge of his mutation, preclude him from believing he has light magic. That was pretty much his only objection and a lot of hard to believe thing have been happening around him lately
I intended to say that Falst seemed rather stubborn about it earlier, sorry for the misunderstanding. His cleverness is in putting the concepts together and being *willing* to change his mind when it’s needed. He seemed flexible when it comes to the world, and rigid when it came to himself. Very much in need of a nap and some introspection.
Not sure if it’s a mutation, unless you’re referring to him being Ferin, and even then, it’s very much genetic. With Alinua’s connection to life/natural great rune, would that be a mutation? Or is it due to Life being awake and choosing her? The light dragon is awake as well, so I’m curious as to the intentionality of Falst’s powers.
I am talking about him being a Ferin
Ever heard of Murphy’s Law? Well, allow me to introduce you to Red’s Rule:
Anything that can be predicted by the fandom to go catastrophically wrong – and everything it couldn’t – will go wrong.
My primary evidence. Gestures wildly THIS.
I gotta say, this really is up there with Stormlight Archive and Bartimaeus with the “EVERYTHING IS AWFUL WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE AAAAAAGGGGGHHHGGGGGG” spectrum.
I was just thinking that! She will find the least predictable yet objectively most interesting routes for the story to take. Hundreds of comments on these past few pages and very few of us actually remembered Dainix.
To be fair, there has been a lot going on, and not everyone has had a chance yet to be the focus of the page as they react to things.
And also, new complications keep coming up. Like this one.
Falst tries to tear the crown from Dainix.
“You said I made light, right?”
Dainix throws him away, his flames breaking out,
His burning eyes wide with fright.
Assess situation, then help out your friend!
Though he warns you strongly of a flaming end
So… Kendal is immune to the crown, Falst can break it. Dainix? It looks like his Crucible nature *really* does not mesh well with it, especially if he’s having some sort of panic attack.
Yeah, this is not going to end well for Michael/Anakin over there.
Given Falst’s description of it, I think it’s more like a thought inhibiting spell (in a sense) and not being able to think properly, especially since he wasn’t doing well before, would certainly be cause for a panic attack, we’ve already seen that Dainix’ transformation is influenced by emotions, so I think it’s reasonably safe to assume panic attack at this point.
Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen (and everything in between). Will Light magic prove any more effective than Void magic against a Crucible?
I say no. From a Watsonian perspective, the “the heart of a Demon is emotion” according to Dainix. Given that he seems to be undergoing a severe panic attack, D&D rules of raging past psychic damage are about to take effect, I think. From a Doylist perspective, we have the Chekov’s Exposition of soulfire “burn[ing] at the bottom of the ocean.”
I doubt it. As far as I can see, the transformation works by transmuting every element of Dainix’ body into (soul)fire, which would include the Lady’s element (probably mind). As soon as the crucible reaches Dainix’ brain/mind, the diadem will throw a null-pointer exception and die. (Or, by the Lady’s words, a void-pointer exception?)
My money’s on no. Light and Void I suspect are equal and Crucible fire will be outside both of their experience.
We have seen Dainix burn through psychic attacks – 1.22.27
Boat notes: “…while the hull is laudably fireproof the deck does not pass limit tests in the event of Crucible fire….”
We’re about to learn if Crucible fire really can burn anything. Surprise, #3 Michael.
Makes me wonder how liked to elemental fire it is, because if it’s something like a “higher form” or “purer” fire, then it might use the transformation qualities of fire magic very strongly, making it able to “burn” anything.
It could be Fire with an aspect of Void? “Burns everything” and “Element of Consumption” aren’t exactly opposising concepts.
Fire is transmutation and another primordial that the dragon said he killed
I misread, but if it had anything to do with void there would be a color change.
The Void Dragon himself commented on this during the Tynan fight. In addition to the fact that he confused Crucible Dainix for a piece of Primordial Fire, it’s probably just Fire.
I think it’s elemental fire woven into Dainix’s soul or something. VD recognized the crucible as a piece of Fire, so it’s not just a fire-like energy.
Or maybe fire matter with soul stuff replacing fire energy, making him similar to a god. The dragon didn’t seem to know what he was talking about with Dainix
dainix entering demon mode is usually pretty high stakes (can depend on environment though). wonder if this is going to happen often but if so, interested in seeing him + the team learn to handle it
Aww the first person he goes to is Dainix. Now hopefully there’s enough time for Falst to get that air bubble lacrima. Is there enough to go around for everybody that needs it? BOY i hope so!
I don’t mean to rain on any of the Falst-Dainix fans, but this could also just be Falst being pragmatic. Based on pages 2-3-11 and 2-3-14 Dainix is the closest member of the Floof squad to Falst. Kendal (and Michael) are at the mast, Alinua and Erin are on the bow side of the mast and Tess is as far forward as the mast. Dainix on the other hand was just below the poop deck where Falst landed.
Yeah, it could be pragmatism. But it could also be favoritism. Why would you believe the less interesting option?
Just poking the bear honestly. (shrug)
He would definitely claim “tactical reasons” regardless of whether or not it’s actually true. But you’re right there is a legitimate argument for tactical reasons here. Not only in the positioning of the characters but also in the fact that Dainix is the only one of the Floof Squad who knows anything about the Light Hands thing.
Not to sound intense but I’m losing my marbles over here
the comments are so calm and pragmatic and i’m actually screaming and pacing and gesturing at nothing
Red isn’t helping me with keeping my marbles either but it is exciting isn’t it?
No marbles for anybody
I am obsessed with panel 6
Falst continues to be the realest person in this comic. Panicking when he sees his hand on fire, incredulous that anything could withstand a headbutt from Kendall, and “Well, it worked for me. Let’s see if it can work on the others. Now how do I shot web?”
Does anyone else remember tahraim telling dainix he could burn at the bottom of the ocean? Who now thinks that was foreshadowing?
Me with my list of: foreshadowings??? Looks at it. Yup it’s on my list (I also think it’s a fairly popular though that Dainix will go under.
you know…i almost feel bad for what is about to happen to michael skywalker over there, but he had it coming
I don’t! I hope it’s as excruciating as possible! (just, not visually b/c that would probably drive up the age rating and I don’t think Red really wants that.)
He goes straight to Dainix ❤️ there wasn’t an emoji that really conveyed my feelings in this moment
Staying up way too late talking with my buddy about nerd stuff has blessed me with the ability to catch this page on release, and as such I am obliged to write something.
I think most of us expected this to happen eventually, it was just a matter of time. That and I’m so curious to see what this Falst magic is! I have no theories, because I’m something of a passive reader, but I am so excited to see what the answer to it all is!
Flame.
On.
Says Johnny Blaze
Oh crap baskets, Champion really does not know what he’s doing here!
The list of fanmade notes on Tarren’s prototype is just ridiculous.
The ones I’ve counted:
– PALADIN PROOF IT NEXT TIME
– Not Soulfire-proof
– Unable to withstand the force of a speeding demigod with LITERAL METEORITE for bone
– Unable to withstand the force of a speeding metal-caste
– Helm failed to stand to speeding lightning-propelled Paladin Champion
Please, add to the list.
Thinking too complicated.
Some sort of void dragon radar jamming device so that paladin nut doesn’t find them in the first place and the other additions become unnecessary. Until the somehow run into a giant seamonster or something and it all becomes relevant again.
Really not much to ask.
-the Maximum capacity of world shaking Powers on the ship is 5
From my previous comments, I’ve noted:
– Make the sails fireproof
– An audio alarm, that can be heard over loud noises, to alert when the lacrimas are running low
– Dirt below the sails to grow plants to patch holes (although, that one’s mostly Alinua centric)
“The demon manifested in crackling fire beneath human skin as the halo, forcibly placed on it’s brow, burned with the agony of hornets.”
– Aurora 2:3:15
So, Falst takes the “help remove the other diadems” choice; makes sense given his character to prioritise his currently suffering friends. He probably couldn’t do much on the Champion fight anyway. Though this does still leave the ship’s movement at the full mercy of the storm, and since there’s no god directing it, we have no idea where that path will lead.
Falst’s belief that he has magic now after denying it before may seem sudden, but it does make sense for three reasons.
One, Dainix’s recollection of the dungeon events back in Argist and his logical reasoning that Falst was the only one who could do it. There was no reason for Dainix to be lying, and Falst couldn’t offer a better answer.
Two, him removing the crown. It not only matches the colour Dainix described, but the fact he broke it but Kendal, a being much stronger than Falst, can’t is telling. Plus his hand was on fire 5 seconds ago yet he’s fine.
And three, Falst is desperate to save his friends. No time to be stubborn about what he believes or ponder the implications of this; his magic might free them, and that’s all that matters.
I’d say the diadem is worse that the Glort vision for Dainix; the Glort showed him terrible memories, but he could use those memories to fuel his emotions and thus power. The diadem is just pure deliberating pain; no emotions to form a coherent crucible form, and no peace of mind to keep the crucible powers at bay. Just a dangerous chaotic mess of fire that’s a danger to everyone, and Dainix knows this.
Prediction for next week: Dainix’s efforts to keep the fire at bay will fail, and the wooden deck, maybe the mast and sail too, are going to catch fire. This may also draw the Champion’s attention and he could see the Falst is unaffected, opening another can of complications, presently and in future Paladin interactions.
I don’t think we’ll get outside factors interfering next week (sea rocks, flaming rocks, sea monsters, etc) due to my prediction above, but I’m not ruling it out either.
To be honest, Falst is so practical that he probably hasn’t even considered the implications of all this yet. Erin would immediately, but Falst is sensible enough to recognise that he has some mysterious ability to break the Diadems and just run with it. No speculation, no intrespection needed. This is something he can apparently do now, so he might as well do it.
As for the Diadems, I imagine they’re sort of like Psychic White Noise; a blast of mental static that completely and painfully overwhelms the mind. Since “the Heart of a Demon is Instinct and Emotion” it’s going ot have no effect on Dainix’s transformation, but it is going oto prevent him from calming himself down by meditating. I can’t help but notice that as soon as Falst approached Dainix, his transformation suddenly accelerated even further. Now the obvious Crustables shipping material is obvious, but I imagine that having a close friend (or more-than-friend) kneel directly over him when he’s on the verge of literally exploding is heightening his emotional state even more.
A few things are certain, and one of them is that Dainix is going to burn though this deck, melt through the hull, and sink to the bottom of the ocean. We’ve had too much foreshadowing for otherwise UNLESS Red is trying to psych us out and has something even worse planned, with this undersea adventure as a red herring.
However, I’m going to go ahead and say that more stuff IS going to go wrong. In fact, so long as we’re on this ship, I think the stakes, the tension, and the drama are all going to keep stacking up. The mast is breaking, Dainix is burning, Erin is on the verge of dropping the Storm, Tess is no longer defending the ship from volcanic bombs, Life might be able to intervene if she thinks Alinua is in danger; I am fully expecting a Sea Monster. It could even be a Sea-Chimera if Red wants to bring in The Collector (although I don’t think this is likely).
Erin dropped the storm on Pages 7 and 8.
Oh, I didn’t even notice. I would have thought there would be more repercussions to that.
I hope in this situation Danix can calm down again, but given visit
Bossfight logic, that is highly unlikely.
When we down here in the comments were talking about how a fight could go in the middle of the ocean, didn’t we include this? Fire Dainix burning, Falst using (or trying to use) his light powers, and latter once the storm occurred, and Erin being basically completely incapacitated (though it’s also the rest of the gang, besides Kendal and Falst, and for a different reason). I’m super excited about all of the ways this could go. Also, Falst being considerate Falst is always good to see.
“You have to run” sir we are on the wooden deck of a boat in the middle of the ocean. Run where?
Nah, but I get it. Dainix is immensely distressed, and his powers are flaring out of control. This was absolutely among the comments predictions, I remember. I think this is headed toward capsizing, Falst pulling out his air bubble, and making an emergency stop on Rakhn. Heck, since Dainix is so terrified of the ocean, maybe his Crucible form will rush for land instinctively. Or maybe he’ll lash out at Michael first… although I think Kendal has that paladin handled. Wait, but he still has the diadem on. If that still holds in Crucible… oh, no…
Also: I know straits are dire, and this was actually tactical for real, but I’m aww’ing a little at the fact that Falst rushed over to try and help Dainix first. :3
Falst is opening to the idea he has light powers! AAAAAAA
Dainix not looking so good — RUN WHERE? YOU’RE ON A BOAT DOUBLE-AAAAAAAA
STRAIGHT to dainix <333. my little lancer boi truly got some bonding one (1) time in his life and just keeps on coming back. Their developing dynamic is super sweet!!! bffs. i love it.
All of dainix's posing is so so pleasing it scratches my brain. That last one w him cracking apart is PEAK, altho theres something in the way falst gently pulls his hands off his head to get at the diadem, trying to make his friend more comfortable while he figures his power out. my HEART.
Ah yes. “Straight” to Dainix
Dainix needs a hug. They all do but right now Dainix just really needs one. I even remember looking for him last page and just going poor Dainix. Someone stop letting it get worse can they all just get hugs please. Anyway so I think this might be the wholesome ship bait horrible torment panels. Which yeah these are fairly upsetting. Then again I can absolutely see red making this way worse and having an even darker moment later on. So long as Dainix or Falst gets a hug out of that I’ll be good. They all need hugs but those two need them the most. Especially if they must go through worse moments than this.
(…Is that a Voltron reference in the mouseover text, Red?)
Also,
Oh no.
well shiiiiit
Uh-oh. Something tells me the fancy new boat is about to go boom.
Is the diadem fraying where its touching the fire? Or am i seeing things?
False went to save boyfriend first I see… ehe.
Who do you think will win? Dainix, the avatar of fire, or the entire ocean?
THE ALT TEXT??? I understood that reference
falst going to Dainix? Panel 6??? I need a minute to process this.
Red, did you mean sapient? Because I’m not letting a dog touch fire (even though it should know better).
Funny story. One time, we had a bonfire going, for s’mores and stuff, and we dropped a leaf in for fuel. It started burning and the heat from the fire lifted it up, and it floated over to my dog, who ate it midair. This dog ATE a BURNING LEAF.
By the way, Red wants us to be normal about panel 6.
TL;DR: Looks like the ticking time bomb is about to go off…
If you had to be a Ferin, what animal would you want to be based on?
i wanna be an octopus ferin i wanna be an octopus ferin i wa
Some type of crocodile
Bat!! or maybe a goat or deer?
Bat gang!!! This isn’t a “if I had to” this is a “I would choose to”
Dragon. I’m aware that’s probably not an option but I wanna be a dragon. If not. Then I want to be a platypus.
So Kendal just shrugged off the light halo because of his unique construction.
The void dragon is immune to the light halo and so may take control of Erin’s body at any time as Erin is stunned by the light halo.
Falst can with effort negate the light halo with his own ill defined and hitherto only suspected light powers.
Dainix like Erin is immobilized, but that doesn’t prevent his fire power from working and indeed leaves it out of control.
This leaves Alinua and Tess.
It seems plausible the life Primordial can still channel her power through Alinua when Alinua is immobilized by the halo.
So Tess may be the only one actually properly immobilized by the Halo, the Light dragon is going to have to update her spell description for that Halo attack.
Guys, lay off the ship design. It’s a testament to Tarren’s construction that it isn’t a sinking mess of hot sludge and shattered boat parts already.
NOT THE KLANCE REFERENCE IN THE HOVER TEXT LMAO???? If DaiFal is Klance coded I’m gonna lose my gd mind
This whole sequence of events in the comic is really giving off the sense of the slow descent into chaos. I sure as hell hadn’t registered panel 6 before, but now I absolutely have.
I haven’t seen anyone else clarify this, so figured I would lol. For all the people who aren’t on Tumblr, the reason people are referring to Michael as a Skywalker, is because Red drew a picture of him and Kendal as Anakin (Micheal) and Obi-Wan/maybe Luke? (Kendal) in the Mustafar fight
Thanks for clearing that up. That’s funny XD
So Michael may be about to learn that indeed, the party was not a high level boss and a bunch of henchmen, but indeed, all high level bosses.
And several do not care for his primordial light power thing.
Michael: Why do I hear–*7 completely separate boss themes screaming discordantly*–whatever the hell THAT is?
oh. oh buddy oh no
Aurora Question #15: Beyond touching fire, what are some other rights of sentient beings?
Right to roll down a mountain.
Right to own sharp pieces of metal.
TRANS RIGHTS WHOOP WHOOP
The right to die 🙂 for no living being is immortal. Well I mean, the void dragon might be but you get my point. And THE RIGHT TO BE GAY!!! Or of course any other sexuality/romantic orientation! Love yourself be proud and do crime!
Michael: This diadem will keep down everyone except the Void Dragon
Erin: I’m actually going to stab you now.
Falst: Didn’t really work on me.
Dainix: Kill! Kill!!! KILL!!!
Void Dragon: … I think I’m actually going to stay asleep, you guys have fun.
Also life
I love how focusing on Falst breaks the tension in the first 3 panels (especially in panel 3= I can see him scampering on all fours (Cloe kitten-like?) and ramps it up again with Dainix’s warning that he is going to go wildfire any second now.
Some one said something (Pardon me if missed understood) that is the characters use of power that is interesting. I think that misses the point. It is not that they have power but the dramatic tension with their strengths vs. their weaknesses and wants. Being a Ferin makes Falst feel aliened from the humans and elves he lives with and his loss of his mother to the corruption and father’s reaction has left him severe trust issues. Dainix can transform but at the expense of his self control which he worries about a responsible agent/adult (close to how Bruce Banner worries what the hulk will do in the 70s TV series)
OMG that last panel!!!
🎶 you can touch fire if you wanna 🎶
Oh man I think he incinerated his eye patch.
also that last panel is beautifully drawn.
I’m getting the urge to hold a marshmallow above him
Which safety gear do you recommend before I embark on this suicide mission
No safety gear will shield you from the wrath of the commenters for interrupting the Ferinheit moment. Also I didn’t think I’d need to say this but do you think you’d survive Falst if you attempted that?
Ding ding ding! Cool Falst moment incoming!
so, to recap, we’re in a storm in the middle of the ocean, heading towards a volcano, someone’s trying very hard to assassinate erin right when HE’s trying very hard to invent new kinds of overwork injury, most of our team are down, the boat is BARELY surviving, and now dainix IS FIRE. this boat trip was a great idea. good work, erin.