2.6.1
on December 26, 2025
at 3:00 am
And welcome back!
Thanks everyone for your patience – when the comic went on pause back on October 6th I hadn’t yet made my two largest videos of the year, the Count of Monte Cristo Halloween special and then the latest Journey to the West. Each one was a hefty hoist independently, and they weren’t just back-to-back – they were also cut through with three separate big travel engagements I had in one six-week stretch! In sum, the comic stayed on hold for a lot longer than I wanted it to, but the circumstances that made that happen were a perfect storm of Prior Engagements that are very unlikely to repeat anytime soon. Stay tuned!
WOOOOOOOOOO! WE’RE BACK!
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: sunlight at last!
Image source: werebackbaby
Werebackbabies look just like normal people most of the time, but under the full moon they turn into monstrous backbabies.
Tumblr Text (courtesy of @Satanicmice): gooooood MORNING!
Bluesky text: I got you a present
. On the side of Rakhn’s dark-rock mountain, a triangular opening with a broken pillar beside it shows a tunnel into the volcano. Set a few feet back from the entrance are two doors which creak open slowly, spilling out orange light. Dainix holds up an arm against the light, squinting, his other arm around Falst. The Ferin clutches Dainix’s shirt, eyes squeezed shut, cringing back against the light.
. Dainix looks back as he steps forward, letting Falst go ahead of him. At the bottom of the shallow stairs leading up to the doors, an Ignan stands, presumably the leader. They hold up an arm, hand in a fist. Then, as the doors close, they thump their chest with the other fist in a salute.
WE’RE BAAAAAACK! And as a Christmas present too! Yay 😀
This new chapter cover is so interesting!! Illumination. Falst’s eyes definitely look Light magic-y, there’s that shaft of light which looks almost like lightning especially on Erin, and Erin’s eyes are also pale. I doubt Erin will get Light magic, though that’s always a possibility – become the first true Elemental Magus – but I think we’ll definitely learn more about the Light Dragon and Light magic, probably a Falst magic reveal (maybe Dainix will figure it out?), and maybe a Paladin will appear? I doubt Shrike and her gang will catch up with them yet – I’m guessing that will be at the monastery – and the cover doesn’t look Collector-y. But they did just defeat Tam, so I think the Paladins will take a bit to regroup and strategize before attacking again. Hmmmm. But I’m super excited to see what happens next!
Aww, look at falst
So cute how he clings to Dainix! I hope he’s ok. He usually only does this sort of thing when he’s really going through it.
Oooh, Dainix getting a “respect, cousin”?
Ignans look after each other o7
Yay back to these fellows
WE’RE BACK, BABY!!
… well this feels somewhat… anticlimactic. I was honestly expecting a bigger fuss from the Rakhnans, but in hindsight, it does make sense that they’d escort the very-not-adapted-to-the-heat-and-not-doing-so-well ferin and a motherfucking Crucible out of the volcano ASAP.
Falst might need some medical attention for all the fumes he inhaled when he had to take off the scarf for a moment.
Possibly also for the.dramatic bridal carry.
Don’t forget the broken ribs!
(also love how you called them Rakhans)
Once again, Red cuts through the non-entertaining faux-dramatic B. S. another writer might have padded the story out with, or gotten bogged down in (what usually happens to me)! I am really impressed by her ability to do that, and it is always a delight when she does!
That raghnan seems to respect? Dainix, probably cause he’s a crucible hey that’s cool
we are so back
It’s a post-Christmas miracle!
We’re back, let’s gooo
WE’RE BACK, BITCHES
New chapter page (Arc 2, 6) very intriguing looking. What will happen next!
It’s a Christmas miracle! We’re so back!
Blessed Yule this year, innit
Looking back on it, I’m not surprised that they let Falst and Dainix go. I’m concerned about Falst though because he wasn’t acting so injured before. So did something happen or was he just ignoring wounds and now it’s catching up to him?
OMG IM CRYING WITH HAPPINESS!!
Journey to the West AND Aurora update for Christmas? Red you spoil us. Welcome back!
Where’s the new journey to the quest video?
Woooo!!
Love how the other ignans didn’t give them any trouble. Though I would’ve liked if they could’ve told our fire boi a little more about crucibles, but it seems they didn’t. Maybe…
Yesss welcome back!!
Did they keep the Shard of Fiery Divinity® or whatever the name was? You could see Falst still had it after being saved by Dainix but maybe they gave it back to the Rakhnans
WE’RE BACK YIPPEE
FINALLY IVE BEEN WAITING FOREVER (first timer okay?)
Aurora Question #56: What did the cast get for Christmas?
Bonus Question: What did the cast dress up as for Halloween?
* Erin got a special edition copy of one of the books from that book series he likes. (he is super embarrassed opening the present, Tess got it and was hoping for this reaction)
* Kendal gets a How to Take Care of a Child books (he is confused, no one knew what to get him so went with Tess’s idea), and Alinua with some help later made a healing lacrima for him
* Falst got a cool jacket and a first aid kit from Dainix and refused all other possible gifts
* Alinua got a mermaid-themed relaxation spa self-care set (she loves it, it was Kendal’s idea)
* Dainix got a rough wooden carved tiny figure by Falst, and a bunch of new crossbow bolts by everyone else (Dainix is happy about both gifts, Falst is fuming that he didn’t give something practical instead)
* Tess also gave everyone postcards, and recieved electricity-supressing oven mitts in return (she said previously she would only accept joke gifts)
I don’t know about anyone else, but Walter/Voidy definitely got Pacman for Christmas
So for Christmas/Festivus/Kwanzaa/Solstice/Hanukkah: Kendall gets a sincere handshake and a refreshing beverage: do these volcano dwellers drink ale?
Erin gets a kick in the pants and then a hug. Tess gets a grouchy but alive little brother, and an acknowledgement sort of like thanks.
Dainix gets his life back after being in a rock coma, plus he got a toasty lava bath; Falst gets a cold, more severe than usual, from breathing soot.
Alinua receives a goldfish, which she releases into the ocean, after making it bigger and stronger.
The Collector thinks she’s above such things as gifts, and wouldn’t accept one from these peons anyway… but wouldn’t mind a dark chocolate brownie.
Vash gets a day off to… um… sit around and not be gloated at or quizzed, while the Collector eats her brownie.
Tarren gets word that the ship never arrived at the next port, and thinks Erin is probably off course somewhere, especially as there was a mighty storm.
Zuurith is stunned to be invited to dine with his subjects. He accepts.
Absolutely fantastic to see it back up and running! It’s been too long, I really missed this.
IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK :DD
Good to have you back
We’re so back!!
WE’RE BACK! 2026 is already going to be a better year!
There’s a new Journey to the West?
Having read that Monte Cristo sandwich novel in college, I very much enjoyed Red’s video on it (watched it twice!). Lookin’ forward to Red’s take on War and Peace. 😀
HALLELUJAH!!!!!
I really hope that they didn’t do the colonialist Native God Impersonation trope. This is Red so I don’t think so. I still want to see how they talked their way out of everything. Also, maybe it’s because I haven’t gotten back for a while, but the first panel looks a little, blotchy?
My guess: the emissary got a message from Rakhn
Is it still the Native God Impersonation trope if you actually are the god/mythical figure in question?
Thanks for coming back, we missed you. Also, Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.
OH MY GOSH! IT’S HAPPENING!! SAY CALM EVERYBODY! STAY CALM!
Can Not stay calm! Must jump around like an excited monkey! OOK! OOK!
so much meme potential in those last two panels
IT’S A FESTIVUS MIRACLE!
ITS BACKKKKKKKKKK
ITS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
AYYYYYY WE’RE BACK!!
Yay!!! I was not expecting to see a new page before January, so this is a pleasant surprise.
Falst clutching Dainix’s cloak in panel three is so fricking cute, and Dainix seems to be supporting him a little as they exit the tunnel. I take it Falst isn’t feeling too good after going through the ringer and spending all that time in an environment he is *not* biologically adapted to. Like, the scarf obviously helped shield him from the heat and made it possible to breathe in there, but perhaps it didn’t shield him completely. Or he’s just been banged around too much from jumping around all those jagged rocks and dealing with the centipede monsters. Meanwhile, Dainix just had a rock nap and a rejuvenating lava bath.
The salute(?) from the volcanic ignan in the mask is neat, and I wonder if it’s a common send-off among them or if it’s a special gesture of respect, like for high-ranking military members or for Crucibles. Hm… Maybe we’ll learn more about what happened off-page soon. I’m curious as to how much they talked and how Dainix and Falst explained the whole intruding-and-robbing-Rakhn thing (if they did).
There once were two bros on a heist
Which, predictably, turned out to be diced.
Yet they are let go
On Rakhn’s say-so–
But why does Falst have no feist?
YAY! Aurora’s back! I haven’t written a limerick in ages!
MY BOYSSSSSS AHHH I HAVE MISSED YOU
Chivalry never dies with dainix around
I’m so excited! I started reading this story during the hiatus, and I’m so thrilled to get to be part of watching it continue 😀 I’m fully obsessed. It’s a special story with a large cast of characters that makes me so invested in all of them.
Emerging outdoors.
Now it’s time to leave this place.
Guard gives their respect.
Let’s go, we’re back with the floof squad!
(fully understand why it took so long, just missed these idiots)
Woohoo! We’re back, happy Boxing day everyone!
AURORA’S BACK AND OUR BOYS ARE BACK AND EVERYONE’S MOSTLY OKAY AND I’M SURE THAT OMINOUS NEW CHAPTER ART MEANS /NOTHING AT ALL/
YAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!
O no, the kitty looks like he needs a napp which ofc he wont allow himself. On more cheerful note Auroras back and the title cover implies nothing but a relaxing time 😀
Tumblr Text: gooooood MORNING!
I’ve literally been rambling about my theories for the chapter to my brother since I read this this morning. I’m so happy to read more Aurora!
red I don’t know how you juggle so many projects at the same time, so I’m constantly flabbergasted you have time to do the comic at all. Please don’t feel guilty, the fact you manage to crank out so much quality content betwwen the podcasts, the channel, this and finding time to travel is already a miricle, I’m just glad I get to see anything at all.
Hey, Just springing this on us without a neak chapter cover beforehand!!!
The chapter cover was added to the Archive page two days ago.
Oh no, you had life happen and a lot of other big projects for us to enjoy. How could you? Honestly, I’m glad you took your time to get things done instead of buying your candle at both ends and the middle.
YOU THERE! BOY! WHAT PANEL IS IT??
There’s a new journey to the west AND a new Aurora page??? what happen while i was in crystal time prison and why did no one tell me????
A new journey to the West episode *and* a new aurora chapter????? It really is christmas!!!!!! 😀
A notably Kendalless duo…
Boy am I glad I started reading this start of December. It let me skip a two month hiatus!
Glad you are back. I was started to worry that you just stopped with the Aurora completely.
If you’re ever worried about that and dont follow Red’s tumblr, you can always check the bottom comments on the most recent page, as people often post comments pertaining to the comics return dates etc there
We are so back!
Glad to be back!
Now I’m curious to know how they befriended those guys!
They probably realised that Dainix was a Crucible and let them out real fast lest they anger their gods.
Probably…
We’re so back!
Yayifications!
Lava people, together, strong. xD
we’re back and better than ever! Hope everyone who reads this had happy (or at least tolerable) holidays!
OH MY GOSH I’M SO EXCITED IT’S BACK!!!
I finally checked this out and binged the whole thing from start to finish during the break between chapters, and have spent the time bullying my dad and two of my friends to read it, I’m going to be RELENTLESS now that Red’s updating again!!!
Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.
Volcano Ignan to Dainix: “You the man.”
Welcome back!! I love the highlights and shadows on the new chapter cover, so cool and pretty
Woohoo it’s back!!
anyone else having issues with the mobile site? it only shows desktop mode for some reason which is super annoying because the text (caption, comments, etc) is *tiny*.
<3