“A robbery? What is this? Please, do go on, this sounds exciting! I feel somehow both uplifted and angry at the same time, is this normal? No no, keep going, I like this novelty! What’s going to happen next? How does it usually go?” <- Probably not what Rakhn is thinking but I can always hope.
Also, I say, that hatpin looks awfully puny in Rakhn's hand…
The occasional old cranky character does end up liking being bamboozled and hires or asks the main cast to visit them and surprise them. Wholesome good fun
. A shard of the fireseed snaps off in Falst’s claws with a sharp crack.
. Rakhn freezes, eyes widening. His eyes burn brighter, then he looks behind him, towards the caldera of the volcano.
. “Something you’ve never seen before?” Kendal asks. “Not to presume, but…” the demigod grins as Rakhn looks back at him. “Is this your first time being robbed?”
WAIT!! How long was that line sitting in his mind? Imagine while he was fighting he was just like “When is Falst going to break off that seed? I need to drop this kick-ass line!”
I am neither asexual nor lesbian but I agree 100 0/0 (percent) agree that Kendal looks good with his wild hair and cheeky smile! Brava @Cris as in Crisis! {If you don’t mind an old guy typing so) (Also with @Mat’s comment too!)
okay Kendal now that you have a/ followed the plan, b/ succeeded in getting Falst the time he needs to get what Dainix needs, and c/ been snarky bc it’s SO satisfying, can you PLEASE put two and two together and just. tell that extremely bored god WHY you’re here and let him see what happens when Dainix is unrockified!? THAT would also very likely be something he’s never seen before!!
I think Falst deserves an epithet after all this; he’s gone too long being the only gang member without one. How does “Fire Thief” sound?
Not drawing Vash out was not only good for Kendal’s character, but also for their diversion; keeping the spectacle out of Rakhn’s reach made him want it more, creating a better distraction than any entertainment could have done.
For centuries Rakhn’s been entertained by the Ignans for a clear exchange of protection and services, so the thought of entertainment with ulterior motives may never have occurred to him. He’s stunned to silence on this page.
This is all very cool and funny now, but what about later? How are Kendal and Falst getting out of the volcano area? Will Rakhn pursue them across the island? Cause an eruption? How will the gang get off the island if they can’t stay to make a craft? Will Tess and Erin, Kendal’s associates, be threatened by Rakhn, directly or indirectly? Have Tahraim and Caliban planed for an exit strategy too?
Prediction for next week: Rakhn will admire their guts and let them go … … Just kidding. He’s gonna get really mad now; being poor entertainment is one thing, stealing part of his most important aspect is another.
I’m thinking he’s going to drop or throw Kendal down before making a b-line to the temple, either physically running there or dis-incarnating here then incarnating inside the temple. Falst may try to escape with the fireseed shard, but I wonder if he’ll infuse Dainix’s demonheart with it while in the temple to prevent Rakhn taking it back.
I’d think like, in the comic their epithets are:
Kendal, the divine blade/godling/(more rarely) demigod
Alinua, Life’s Chosen
Erin, the Elemental Magus
Tess, the Stormbreaker
Dainix, the Demon
Current Epithet Inventory of the gang:
Kendal: The Divine Blade, Godling, Demigod, Godchild
Alinua: Life’s Chosen, Mountain Breaker, The Weeping Shadow (courtesy of the psychic mice from Red’s prose story)
Erin: The Elemental Magus, The Dark Avatar
Tess: Stormbreaker
Dainix: Crucible, Demon, Ravvan, Caliban’s Champion
Falst: Fire Thief (or something like that, fingers crossed)
If anyone remembers Hudson from the show Gargoyles, that’s who I imagine as the voice of the volcano god. I don’t know what your head cannon is, but to me it fits all too well. Also, isn’t it just like a god to be so focused on something godlike to forget mortals entirely?
Was not expecting that sassy line out of Kendal, but I love it. And hooray for Falst for getting that fire seed shard! But how quickly can it restore Dainix, versus how quickly is Rakhn gonna turn around and go after him? Or is he going to try to crush the small demigod in his hold first? I am delighted that the heist got this far but a smidge concerned.
Ah yes, the rare occasion of Kendal (seemingly) being snarky.
Anyway, here’s to hoping we get another Kaiju moment with Rakhn – but hey, who knows, maybe getting robbed *will* be amusing to him. I doubt it though.
Perfect line, perfect timing, perfect snark. But and however, Kendal my guy, you are fully within this guy’s massive fist rn. I am a tad bit concerned for your future well-being.
I think he will appreciate it, honestly. But I’m not especially good at predictions.
There once was a guy named Kendal
Whose fight was purposely tangential.
He has been high-browed
But is very not cowed
And of course the snark is essential.
The bottom text is giving me mental images of Rakhn and Kendal sitting down together with popcron and blankets and watching national treasure or something and that’s incredibly funny to me
Honestly I’d give it like a 1 in 3 chance that Rakhn actually *does* find being robbed amusing, and that’s better odds than the interaction had before.
OH THAT LITTLE SMUG GRIN ON KENDAL’S FACE! Never before has he seemed this HUMAN!
Gang, I think we’re seeing character development. Although I guess it might just be catharsis coming from what Vash knew about how much of a jerk Rakhn is.
We got ourselves a bit of the personality priming that Kendal no doubt has from being Formerly Vash’s Body coming out.
Like, if you look at them side-by-side, you can see the similarities in mannerisms, right? Vash is far more bold, brash and outspoken, but Kendal and Vash are still so similar personality-wise. It’s just that Kendal is much more subdued and outwardly thoughtful than Vash, as a formerly-empty vessel, perhaps.
If you put both in the same situation of life(or equivalent)-or-death, they’ll do something very similar, though. They’ll drop sick quips as soon as they know they’re gaining an advantage. Compare Vash’s Interrogation, That Page In The Tynan Fight, Vash v Tynan 2.0, the end of the Glunk fight, and (did Kendal have a quip in Tam #1?) with this behaviour.
It’s very interesting, I think. And this kinda leads into something else I noticed: Of course Vash and Kendal would fight each other over the end of the Interrogation. They both fundamentally that nobody should die for them. As soon as the Collector gets suspicious and threatens Vash over Kendal, Vash assumes that she’ll come for Kendal, and Kendal assumes that Vash is about to be tortured for his efforts to assist Kendal. Naturally, they’d come into conflict, even though *they believe the same thing.*
Interesting analysis! I never thought about Kendal and Vash being related in that way- but I can see it, now that you’ve pointed it out.
It could also be construed as more evidence for the Kendal-is-the-sword theory, or at least my version of it: there may have been some soul energy left in Vash’s sword (in the same way there were traces left in the guardian they fought in chapter 3), and that may have been the basis for Kendal’s soul. We also know that souls can influence personalities- so with your analysis in consideration, maybe that’s a reason why they’re similar?
Well, we know for certain that Vash and Kendal are intimately related. That’s why Kendal still possesses an innate link to Vash and his will. He is, more or less, the last person that still truly worships him. That, plus the matter of the sword and the form that Kendal occupies. Add to that the fact that Kendal has had soul-remnant nightmares that, by all means, probably should have belonged to Vash, and… It’s not entirely clear if Kendal and Vash are entirely separate entities.
Curses, I’ve caught up! Ah well, this gives me something to look forward to. Much like I’m looking forward to seeing Erin and Tess crash back into things. Maybe Tess should strap him on like a backpack, carry him around into battle a bit..
Wow, his eyes got so wide they disappeared into his hair! I didn’t think the term ‘eyebrows shooting up to his hairline’ could be literal, but this comic exceeds all my expectations! XD
Also: yessss Kendal roast his ass! You’ll probably get crushed in Rakhn’s massive hand but damn, what a one-liner to go out with
All is going according to plan. (But how long before plan C?)
nah plan D (for Dainix! :3)
We are at Plan Ĺ“ by now.
Now, there is a very wholesome way this scene can continue.
Or Kendal gets the Caesar Special Menu
So there’s a wholesome way… and a holesome way?
It’s either that or he gets Kentucky fried
“A robbery? What is this? Please, do go on, this sounds exciting! I feel somehow both uplifted and angry at the same time, is this normal? No no, keep going, I like this novelty! What’s going to happen next? How does it usually go?” <- Probably not what Rakhn is thinking but I can always hope.
Also, I say, that hatpin looks awfully puny in Rakhn's hand…
The occasional old cranky character does end up liking being bamboozled and hires or asks the main cast to visit them and surprise them. Wholesome good fun
It would be unexpected and delightful here, that’s for sure!
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: airhorn noises
Image source: first-1
. A shard of the fireseed snaps off in Falst’s claws with a sharp crack.
. Rakhn freezes, eyes widening. His eyes burn brighter, then he looks behind him, towards the caldera of the volcano.
. “Something you’ve never seen before?” Kendal asks. “Not to presume, but…” the demigod grins as Rakhn looks back at him. “Is this your first time being robbed?”
Woo, part of my prediction came true! Falst broke the seed and it distracted Rakhn into killing our boy!
“Is this your first time being robbed?” Kendal, who gave you permission to snark this hard?
Not!! NOT killing our boy!
Proofreading, Rai!
Typo detected. Comment section, get them! XD
An honest mistake in a message of love? No mercy!
Red. Red made him. It’s rubbing off. XD I’m here for it lol
WAIT!! How long was that line sitting in his mind? Imagine while he was fighting he was just like “When is Falst going to break off that seed? I need to drop this kick-ass line!”
Kendal would plan that only if Kendal were a Red-written character.
Oh, wait…
First: oh god, the relief at not having Kendal be stabbed by his own sword again
Second: The feeling of “NO” Right afterwards at this being a Friday and therefore we’ll have to wait till next week to see what happens
Third: I’m asexual and a lesbian, but damn does Kendal look good on that last panel with his hair like that
I am neither asexual nor lesbian but I agree 100 0/0 (percent) agree that Kendal looks good with his wild hair and cheeky smile! Brava @Cris as in Crisis! {If you don’t mind an old guy typing so) (Also with @Mat’s comment too!)
Nods in pansexual agreement
a very smart lady once said “I may not be attracted to [gender] but I have functioning eyes”
It’s still too soon to tell if Rakhn won’t stab him anyway!
True, but I also feel like it would be kinda anticlimactic if he stabbed Kendal after all of this buildup got interrupted
As someone who is both asexual and gray-romantic but can still appreciate just how pretty Red draws her characters, can relate
One godling, well-tumbled.
Or was it… tussled?
(Oh, c’mon, that one’s pretty good… all right, all right, I’m leaving, I’m leaving….)
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: airhorn noises
Image source: first-1
tumblr text: it’s a very distinctive twist
Bluesky text: good morning
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Kendal being cheeky, didn’t think I’d see this. I can easily picture Vash watching this with a shit-eating grin, going “That’s my boy!”
rakhn holding kendal like a kitten is so funny to me, his entire hand is the size of kendal’s torso
okay Kendal now that you have a/ followed the plan, b/ succeeded in getting Falst the time he needs to get what Dainix needs, and c/ been snarky bc it’s SO satisfying, can you PLEASE put two and two together and just. tell that extremely bored god WHY you’re here and let him see what happens when Dainix is unrockified!? THAT would also very likely be something he’s never seen before!!
I think Falst deserves an epithet after all this; he’s gone too long being the only gang member without one. How does “Fire Thief” sound?
Not drawing Vash out was not only good for Kendal’s character, but also for their diversion; keeping the spectacle out of Rakhn’s reach made him want it more, creating a better distraction than any entertainment could have done.
For centuries Rakhn’s been entertained by the Ignans for a clear exchange of protection and services, so the thought of entertainment with ulterior motives may never have occurred to him. He’s stunned to silence on this page.
This is all very cool and funny now, but what about later? How are Kendal and Falst getting out of the volcano area? Will Rakhn pursue them across the island? Cause an eruption? How will the gang get off the island if they can’t stay to make a craft? Will Tess and Erin, Kendal’s associates, be threatened by Rakhn, directly or indirectly? Have Tahraim and Caliban planed for an exit strategy too?
Prediction for next week: Rakhn will admire their guts and let them go … … Just kidding. He’s gonna get really mad now; being poor entertainment is one thing, stealing part of his most important aspect is another.
I’m thinking he’s going to drop or throw Kendal down before making a b-line to the temple, either physically running there or dis-incarnating here then incarnating inside the temple. Falst may try to escape with the fireseed shard, but I wonder if he’ll infuse Dainix’s demonheart with it while in the temple to prevent Rakhn taking it back.
1. Prometheus 🤝 Falst
Stealing fire from the gods/a god
2. I know Alinua’s epithet is “Mountain Breaker,” but what are the others’?
I’d think like, in the comic their epithets are:
Kendal, the divine blade/godling/(more rarely) demigod
Alinua, Life’s Chosen
Erin, the Elemental Magus
Tess, the Stormbreaker
Dainix, the Demon
Current Epithet Inventory of the gang:
Kendal: The Divine Blade, Godling, Demigod, Godchild
Alinua: Life’s Chosen, Mountain Breaker, The Weeping Shadow (courtesy of the psychic mice from Red’s prose story)
Erin: The Elemental Magus, The Dark Avatar
Tess: Stormbreaker
Dainix: Crucible, Demon, Ravvan, Caliban’s Champion
Falst: Fire Thief (or something like that, fingers crossed)
I know it means the same thing, but I feel like “Thief of Fire” sounds far better.
Seconded! Has a more dramatic feel.
If anyone remembers Hudson from the show Gargoyles, that’s who I imagine as the voice of the volcano god. I don’t know what your head cannon is, but to me it fits all too well. Also, isn’t it just like a god to be so focused on something godlike to forget mortals entirely?
Cheeky grin Kendal!!!! Just what I didn’t know I needed this morning xD
Kendal being cheeky is a first. I love it so much.
Holy shit that smug ass grin, didn’t know Kendel had it in him.
All the time with Falst is rubbing off on him
We need to see this more!! If Kendal sasses the gang tho? Ah, . . run.
Oh Kendal’s getting sassy, we love to see it
The shard breaks lose! And Rakhn is quite frozen
Kendal smiles as he knows Falst has saved Caliban’s chosen
AW HECK YEAH
Was not expecting that sassy line out of Kendal, but I love it. And hooray for Falst for getting that fire seed shard! But how quickly can it restore Dainix, versus how quickly is Rakhn gonna turn around and go after him? Or is he going to try to crush the small demigod in his hold first? I am delighted that the heist got this far but a smidge concerned.
Ah yes, the rare occasion of Kendal (seemingly) being snarky.
Anyway, here’s to hoping we get another Kaiju moment with Rakhn – but hey, who knows, maybe getting robbed *will* be amusing to him. I doubt it though.
The wacky crew have an interesting story to tell the god. “We want to steal a fireseed so we can bring our ignan friend back to health.”
SAS DETECTED
Perfect line, perfect timing, perfect snark. But and however, Kendal my guy, you are fully within this guy’s massive fist rn. I am a tad bit concerned for your future well-being.
I think he will appreciate it, honestly. But I’m not especially good at predictions.
He has advanced from self-sacrifice in the name of protecting his friends or The Innocent, to self-sacrifice in the name of a really good quip.
Could be mistaken, but the shard taken looks like it could be trivial to the size of the seed / core. So maybe Rakhn is thinking “New… pain?”.
There once was a guy named Kendal
Whose fight was purposely tangential.
He has been high-browed
But is very not cowed
And of course the snark is essential.
Everything on this page is so epic!
Kendal quips now!?
Rakhn’s pose, the look on his face, Kendal’s sassyness, the fact that the fireseed is apparently some kind of crystalline flame, all of it!
Is this where he taps into his inner Ankh-Morpork and asks for a receipt?
“Omigawd, I’m being robbed this is SO cool what should I do how should I dress??”
GET HIS ASS
So, yeah, about that whole “getting stabbed in the heart” thing, how does it feel on your end?
Kendal, smugness is going to get you killed.
Love the smugness. Also that Kendall immediately knows from Rakhn’s reaction that Falst succeeded.
This week on: Kendal has no clue what the word “misdirection” means
AND IT’S KENDAL WITH THE STEEL SASS!
I mean, that’s one way to channel Vash. I feel like Vash was the snarky tyle. That might just incorrect-comic-aurora talking, though
Love Kendall’s face in the last pannel
Just masterful layout here. Also I think Kendal’s line is great and probably not lifespan-enhancing
i just started reading and this is the first time I’ve had a weekend cliffhanger how do i get through this
The bottom text is giving me mental images of Rakhn and Kendal sitting down together with popcron and blankets and watching national treasure or something and that’s incredibly funny to me
OH MY GOOD LORD KENDAL WITH THE SASS!!
Top tier sass Kendal.
I see Kendal has been studying one-liners from Erin. It’s probably going to result in being punched in the face, but so worth it?
Honestly I’d give it like a 1 in 3 chance that Rakhn actually *does* find being robbed amusing, and that’s better odds than the interaction had before.
OH THAT LITTLE SMUG GRIN ON KENDAL’S FACE! Never before has he seemed this HUMAN!
Gang, I think we’re seeing character development. Although I guess it might just be catharsis coming from what Vash knew about how much of a jerk Rakhn is.
TL;DR: Damnit sword boy, you spoiled the plot out of *smugness*. While the guy’s got you in the palm of his hand.
Daaaaamn didn’t know Kendal had that snark in him ooof
get wrecked volcano Ganon
VolcGanon!
Quick Falst! Revive Dainix before anything else happens!
[The Gauntlet from Payday 2 starts] They’re gonna do everything they can to take you down!
I wish I was Kendal- WHATWHOSAIDTHAT
Nooooo I’m caught up! Man I love this comic.
Good one, Erin–I mean…Kendal?!
*sniff* Our godling has grown up.
We got ourselves a bit of the personality priming that Kendal no doubt has from being Formerly Vash’s Body coming out.
Like, if you look at them side-by-side, you can see the similarities in mannerisms, right? Vash is far more bold, brash and outspoken, but Kendal and Vash are still so similar personality-wise. It’s just that Kendal is much more subdued and outwardly thoughtful than Vash, as a formerly-empty vessel, perhaps.
If you put both in the same situation of life(or equivalent)-or-death, they’ll do something very similar, though. They’ll drop sick quips as soon as they know they’re gaining an advantage. Compare Vash’s Interrogation, That Page In The Tynan Fight, Vash v Tynan 2.0, the end of the Glunk fight, and (did Kendal have a quip in Tam #1?) with this behaviour.
It’s very interesting, I think. And this kinda leads into something else I noticed: Of course Vash and Kendal would fight each other over the end of the Interrogation. They both fundamentally that nobody should die for them. As soon as the Collector gets suspicious and threatens Vash over Kendal, Vash assumes that she’ll come for Kendal, and Kendal assumes that Vash is about to be tortured for his efforts to assist Kendal. Naturally, they’d come into conflict, even though *they believe the same thing.*
Interesting analysis! I never thought about Kendal and Vash being related in that way- but I can see it, now that you’ve pointed it out.
It could also be construed as more evidence for the Kendal-is-the-sword theory, or at least my version of it: there may have been some soul energy left in Vash’s sword (in the same way there were traces left in the guardian they fought in chapter 3), and that may have been the basis for Kendal’s soul. We also know that souls can influence personalities- so with your analysis in consideration, maybe that’s a reason why they’re similar?
Well, we know for certain that Vash and Kendal are intimately related. That’s why Kendal still possesses an innate link to Vash and his will. He is, more or less, the last person that still truly worships him. That, plus the matter of the sword and the form that Kendal occupies. Add to that the fact that Kendal has had soul-remnant nightmares that, by all means, probably should have belonged to Vash, and… It’s not entirely clear if Kendal and Vash are entirely separate entities.
Curses, I’ve caught up! Ah well, this gives me something to look forward to. Much like I’m looking forward to seeing Erin and Tess crash back into things. Maybe Tess should strap him on like a backpack, carry him around into battle a bit..
Wow, his eyes got so wide they disappeared into his hair! I didn’t think the term ‘eyebrows shooting up to his hairline’ could be literal, but this comic exceeds all my expectations! XD
Also: yessss Kendal roast his ass! You’ll probably get crushed in Rakhn’s massive hand but damn, what a one-liner to go out with
*Mission impossible theme intensifies*
Thomas Blood energy in the last pannel
“So go on and take another little piece of my heart now baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO and take another little darlin, yeah yeah wooah yeah.”
This is not an expression Kendal wears often. I like it though it has an ominous and almost cocky tinge to it.
NOOOOO! I jsut binged the whole thing, why isn’t there more?!?!? ‘~’
Welcome to the community! Yeah, Red leaves some NASTY cliffhangers lol
Imagine if Rakhn had managed to stab Kendal and summon Vash. Bro’d just look around and be like “That. Was. Rude. That was pretty, hecking, rude.”
I love love LOVE his eyes and hair melding together as one giant fire, it’s the perfect detail to pull together the design of a volcano god
Yeah, I’m so spoiled I don’t hardly notice how much I enjoy things like that until soeone else points it out!
HHHEELLLO SAILOR!!!!!!!