You’re kidding. Michael’s ignoring Dainix to focus on Kendal???? Not at all what I expected. (I guess he can fly, and sinking the ship forwards his goals, and Dainix represents an major problem with his worldview and Michael isn’t good at those, but, wow…)
I’m more surprised that he isn’t gunning straight for Erin after seeing him channel the Void Dragon and shoot him in the face three pages back. How did Tess even retrieve him without drawing attention to herself and the rest of the group?
Oh, wait, yeah – I forgot, mb – “there you are” was the last thing he said. That doesn’t make sense.
Kendal must have tackled him in order to steer attention away from Erin?
Anyway there are at least two bigger problems (that Michael knows of) than Kendal, but he’s the most immediate problem. Maybe?
I mean, 100% of what folks have been doing is running interference between Michael and Erin. It could be as simple as M knowing that if they turn their back on Kendal they may die before getting to Erin. Kendal *has* been making a lot of “don’t make me take this fight seriously” statements.
I agree, that surprised me too. But I’ll bet that’s why Michael looks so feral — between Kendal’s natural protectiveness and the subtle (okay, not-so-subtle) hinting from the Dragon that if Kendal can’t protect Erin, HE will, I’ll bet Kendal has been doubling down on getting in Michael’s way. Kendal looks rough, but if it comes down to it, my money is still on him.
He IS the biggest threat to him at the moment so logic says that he must get rid of wicked cool bloody guy and THEN take care of knocked out Void dragon
Would healing Dainix out of demon mode even work? It’s soulfire, so I’d imagine demon mode is the “intended” configuration while he’s angry, and IIRC healing is only really feasible when the thing you’re healing recognizes what you’re trying to heal as an injury.
Honestly, I’m not *overly* worried about Kendal’s safety. If he didn’t get immediately clawed to shreds by Dragon-Tynan, I doubt Michael is going to leave much of a scratch. That said, if he gets dropped into the ocean and sinks – especially considering the ‘little guy’ underwater…
Also I was confused at first as to why they wanted Dain back, then I remembered they’re stuck in an enclosed space with an unconscious glass cannon and a Demon.
Tess: May I make a suggestion?
Falst: You are not punching him Tess!
Art wise, the fire effects of panels 4-5 are frighteningly chaotic; the traces of Void around the flames, including prominently on Dainix’s face, also adds a sinister side to the fire to those in the know. Panel 6 shows this great too, the fire burning Kendal as well as the Champion (who is holding Vash’s sword may I add) indiscriminately.
Typical, the one time Falst actually wants Erin to talk and explain things, he isn’t conscious to do so. He’s got the general gist of how Erin explained Dainix’s powers, but lacks the deeper knowledge of it to know how to help Dainix in this situation. Falst has given Erin no shortage of grief this trip when it comes to his capabilities and decision making, but he still respects and relies on Erin’s intellect and knowledge, even if he doesn’t show it.
So that confirms that the Void is inside of him rather than just on the surface. I’m remembering what V.D. said about Fire on 1-17-32, about Fire being too much like himself; what if that nature of V.D. is mixing with Fire and affecting Dainix’s actions, even without V.D.’s direct involvement? Hopefully Dainix will be able to purge/transmute the Void before he changes back, because Erin can’t do so right now.
. “Dainix? All THAT is Dainix?!” Alinua cries in dismay.
. “Can you heal him?” Falst asks.
. “He’s made of FIRE!”
. “No! The rest of him is- Erin said- damn it, what did he say?” Falst mutters. “There was a specific word- transmutation! The fire transmutes the rest of his body into something else! That means there’s still Life in him somewhere!
. “E- even if that’s true, I wouldn’t know how to–” Alinua stammers, watching the blaze. Part of the fire has taken a humanoid shape again, the void spreading throughout it, making jagged veins stretching through the flames. “And- and that’s Void in him! Where did THAT come from?”
. “I don’t know,” Falst answers, “And we can’t get close enough to find out. But if we don’t save him, the ship won’t hold out much longer–”
. Light bursts up through the blaze, making Dainix’s head swing towards it. The Champion soars upwards, gripping Kendal’s neck, one hand holding the blade of Kendal’s sword and keeping it away from him, light sparking in both of his hands. Kendal’s back and arms are burned, bits of fire still lit on his clothes.
“And I don’t think Kendal will either,” Falst growls, while Alinua watches the struggle, aghast.
I didn’t know what to put for Alinua’s face at the last panel so I just did Aghast… it kinda works I guess
This is… I cannot articulate how bad this situation is for them lol
Ok so, do you guys want me to share my doc with you? I have it all organized and stuff and imo the pages look better on the doc
I’ll probably post the link anyway if no one responds but it would be good to have some opinions
Well, there’s the magic words. If Kendal’s in danger, I think Alinua would try anything. And Falst has a point — Fire Demon or not, that’s still Dainix, which means there must be Life energy in there somewhere. The question is if there’s been any soul damage to actually allow Alinua to DO anything, or if Dainix’s Soulfire would shut her out. Love the acknowledgement that they can *see* the Void among the flames, too.
Erin’s not conscious to hear it, but I like the indication that Falst *does* listen to him, even if he’d probably rather bite off his tongue than admit it to his face. I’m really not sure how he expects Erin to “fix” what’s happened to Dainix, but after a lot of dragging on Erin’s recent actions, the vote of confidence is nice. Too bad Walter hit the snooze button.
Michael looks positively enraged, but judging by his cloak and pants, he’s not fireproof either. Does the Yeetening approach?
Duuuuuude paladin champ what are you doing bro? What’s your damage duuuude no stop
The greatest pitfall for a paladin is to become more focused on smiting the evil than on saving the innocent.
My paladin character compromises by smiting the innocent (oath of conquest warforged, two level dip into undead warlock)
You’re kidding. Michael’s ignoring Dainix to focus on Kendal???? Not at all what I expected. (I guess he can fly, and sinking the ship forwards his goals, and Dainix represents an major problem with his worldview and Michael isn’t good at those, but, wow…)
I’m more surprised that he isn’t gunning straight for Erin after seeing him channel the Void Dragon and shoot him in the face three pages back. How did Tess even retrieve him without drawing attention to herself and the rest of the group?
Oh, wait, yeah – I forgot, mb – “there you are” was the last thing he said. That doesn’t make sense.
Kendal must have tackled him in order to steer attention away from Erin?
Anyway there are at least two bigger problems (that Michael knows of) than Kendal, but he’s the most immediate problem. Maybe?
I mean, 100% of what folks have been doing is running interference between Michael and Erin. It could be as simple as M knowing that if they turn their back on Kendal they may die before getting to Erin. Kendal *has* been making a lot of “don’t make me take this fight seriously” statements.
I agree, that surprised me too. But I’ll bet that’s why Michael looks so feral — between Kendal’s natural protectiveness and the subtle (okay, not-so-subtle) hinting from the Dragon that if Kendal can’t protect Erin, HE will, I’ll bet Kendal has been doubling down on getting in Michael’s way. Kendal looks rough, but if it comes down to it, my money is still on him.
Aurora Shirt Casualty count – 5 (I think).
He IS the biggest threat to him at the moment so logic says that he must get rid of wicked cool bloody guy and THEN take care of knocked out Void dragon
Would healing Dainix out of demon mode even work? It’s soulfire, so I’d imagine demon mode is the “intended” configuration while he’s angry, and IIRC healing is only really feasible when the thing you’re healing recognizes what you’re trying to heal as an injury.
I think it’s more to do with the apparent Void corruption he inadvertently exposed himself to when he transmuted Michael’s bubble shield.
As flames grow larger
And they wonder what to do
The fight rages on
Alinua stares at Dainix in horror,
Falst asks, “Can you heal him?”
The Champion flies Kendal through the spreading fire,
Their hope is growing dim.
But if he does destroy the boat, you won’t have to draw it anymore
Amazed by the blaze that Dainix’s become
Ali receives some updates of their situation glum
When this is all done, you need to write it all out and share the google doc with us
Aww they’re panicking! Wait no this is bad!
Honestly, I’m not *overly* worried about Kendal’s safety. If he didn’t get immediately clawed to shreds by Dragon-Tynan, I doubt Michael is going to leave much of a scratch. That said, if he gets dropped into the ocean and sinks – especially considering the ‘little guy’ underwater…
Also I was confused at first as to why they wanted Dain back, then I remembered they’re stuck in an enclosed space with an unconscious glass cannon and a Demon.
That “He’s made of FIRE” response got me laughing so hard
9th!
Tess: May I make a suggestion?
Falst: You are not punching him Tess!
Art wise, the fire effects of panels 4-5 are frighteningly chaotic; the traces of Void around the flames, including prominently on Dainix’s face, also adds a sinister side to the fire to those in the know. Panel 6 shows this great too, the fire burning Kendal as well as the Champion (who is holding Vash’s sword may I add) indiscriminately.
Typical, the one time Falst actually wants Erin to talk and explain things, he isn’t conscious to do so. He’s got the general gist of how Erin explained Dainix’s powers, but lacks the deeper knowledge of it to know how to help Dainix in this situation. Falst has given Erin no shortage of grief this trip when it comes to his capabilities and decision making, but he still respects and relies on Erin’s intellect and knowledge, even if he doesn’t show it.
So that confirms that the Void is inside of him rather than just on the surface. I’m remembering what V.D. said about Fire on 1-17-32, about Fire being too much like himself; what if that nature of V.D. is mixing with Fire and affecting Dainix’s actions, even without V.D.’s direct involvement? Hopefully Dainix will be able to purge/transmute the Void before he changes back, because Erin can’t do so right now.
I mean. I’m always a fan of Tess punching things. Particularly dragon-y things.
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: trained professionals on a closed course, do not attempt
Image source: transmutation
Twitter/Bluesky text: we’re still in the frying pan but the fire has kindly come to us
tumblr text: I’m sure they can fix that
tumblr text: I’m sure they can fix that
. “Dainix? All THAT is Dainix?!” Alinua cries in dismay.
. “Can you heal him?” Falst asks.
. “He’s made of FIRE!”
. “No! The rest of him is- Erin said- damn it, what did he say?” Falst mutters. “There was a specific word- transmutation! The fire transmutes the rest of his body into something else! That means there’s still Life in him somewhere!
. “E- even if that’s true, I wouldn’t know how to–” Alinua stammers, watching the blaze. Part of the fire has taken a humanoid shape again, the void spreading throughout it, making jagged veins stretching through the flames. “And- and that’s Void in him! Where did THAT come from?”
. “I don’t know,” Falst answers, “And we can’t get close enough to find out. But if we don’t save him, the ship won’t hold out much longer–”
. Light bursts up through the blaze, making Dainix’s head swing towards it. The Champion soars upwards, gripping Kendal’s neck, one hand holding the blade of Kendal’s sword and keeping it away from him, light sparking in both of his hands. Kendal’s back and arms are burned, bits of fire still lit on his clothes.
“And I don’t think Kendal will either,” Falst growls, while Alinua watches the struggle, aghast.
I didn’t know what to put for Alinua’s face at the last panel so I just did Aghast… it kinda works I guess
This is… I cannot articulate how bad this situation is for them lol
Ok so, do you guys want me to share my doc with you? I have it all organized and stuff and imo the pages look better on the doc
I’ll probably post the link anyway if no one responds but it would be good to have some opinions
“sure he’s constantly on fire but i can fix him”
Well at least that volcano isn’t all that pressing an issue anymore.
And to think at the start of this they were all worried about the weather.
Team situation evaluation! Also, is Kendal on fire?
Noo don’t destroy the boat your so sexy aha
RIP Kendal’s new shirt, we hardly knew you.
It’s hanging on! (barely…)
RIP to *another* Kendal shirt. Really hope he got them in bulk and in waterproof packaging when he was in port.
You know, last time Dainix changed he was more yellow I think. Wonder if that means something.
I like to believe there was an entire sea adventures arc that Red decided to cut by the 3rd page she had to draw the boat in a row
Well, there’s the magic words. If Kendal’s in danger, I think Alinua would try anything. And Falst has a point — Fire Demon or not, that’s still Dainix, which means there must be Life energy in there somewhere. The question is if there’s been any soul damage to actually allow Alinua to DO anything, or if Dainix’s Soulfire would shut her out. Love the acknowledgement that they can *see* the Void among the flames, too.
Erin’s not conscious to hear it, but I like the indication that Falst *does* listen to him, even if he’d probably rather bite off his tongue than admit it to his face. I’m really not sure how he expects Erin to “fix” what’s happened to Dainix, but after a lot of dragging on Erin’s recent actions, the vote of confidence is nice. Too bad Walter hit the snooze button.
Michael looks positively enraged, but judging by his cloak and pants, he’s not fireproof either. Does the Yeetening approach?
TL;DR: Walk into the fire, or this boat’s gonna sink!
The Paladin is grabbing Kendal’s sword by the sharp bit. Not sure that is a good idea.
Impossible! Dainix is performing transmutation without the use of a transmutation circle!