. Dainix stands where Caliban had been, staring bleakly into the sky.
. “Hey,” Falst says, voice still rough, laying a hand on Dainix’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
. “No,” Dainix says, looking away. “No, don’t be. It’s just…
. “It’s been so simple. Seek understanding, learn control, then I can return to protect my people. But Caliban is the god of my people. The elder of elders. And whatever it is they have planned for me…” He looks back at Falst, tears from his remaining eye spilling down his cheek. . “I don’t think they’ll let me go home.” Behind him, a cloud is blown apart by a sparking light high in the sky.
. A lightning bolt slams into the rock next to Dainix and Falst, shattering the stone, sending them leaping backward in surprise.
. “AHA! I thought that was you!” Tess cries, dust rising into the air around her. She pops up, brushing chips of rock off her shoulder. “You know, looking for fire in a volcano is a real pain in the butt!”
Falst: They have the epithet “elder of elders”, huh? Have they ever acted like it? Caliban: (incarnates behind him) Don’t push your luck kitten. (de-incarnates)
Oh boy Cali, not only have you made Dainix sad, you may have also endangered whatever plan you were cooking. Have they forgotten they spent the entire Zuurith arc trying to re-instil a sense of agency into Dainix? If he isn’t shaken out of this funk, that he must follow where Caliban leads no matter what he feels, then all of that progress could be at risk.
Tess is really good at inadvertently interrupting deep conversations between these two, isn’t she? This time though is for reasons more important than bringing snacks; we need to get the floof Avengers, particularly the V.D. counters, re-assembled sooner rather than later.
Prediction for next week: This conversation will have to wait as Tess leads these two back to the cave where Erin is; they’ll likely update her on Kendal’s situation too.
It’s curious how Tess is present here, but isn’t on the chapter cover; I reckon that, after dropping these two off, she’ll then head out to go look for Alinua. That’ll leave the boys alone to tackle whatever plot that Light-magic looking bolt on the cover is implying.
I think they’ll delegate the task of checking on Kendal to tess, and then she might get distracted by something or other and while she’s gone, LD shows up or something
Tess continuing to use her hidden ability, Interrupting Intense Conversations.
(Fifteen minutes later:
Erin: I leave you alone for two hours and you JUMP INTO A VOLCANO?!
Falst: I am NOT taking criticism of stupid ideas born of desperation from YOU.)
don’t get me wrong, Dainix is my favorite character and I cherish him dearly, but I internally squealed with delight when he cried a bit <3 <3 <3 he’s going through so much! he might never get to go home! sighs happily. I love his internal conflict
Ooough Dainix my heart ;-; He’s been handling everything so well outwardly but he really REALLY needs some hugs.
And someone to say “fuck Caliban” mayhaps.
It’s sweet that Falst is trying to comfort him, though, and meaningful that he’s reaching out to do it. I don’t think he reaches out to offer physical comfort often; even when Alinua was distraught in Arc 1, he laid a cloak over her shoulders and silently slunk away.
Tess and Dainix would be one hell of a Bash Bros-style duo. I’m sure she’d have some issues with his fire, but less than most. And her lightning might not feel great, but he could weather any stray arcs. That’s always the issue with combat styles that cause a good bit of collateral damage. Hard to work as a unit or you have to intentionally fight less-hard to spare your allies.
Their mentalities are also complimentary. Tess is brash but not foolhardy, and Dainix is reserved but not cowardly. Tess could push Dainix when a push would be useful, and Dainix could slow Tess down when taking a second to evaluate would be good.
And I bet, right now, Tess could offer some sympathy and maybe even some advice about life separated from your people, and having someone pulling the strings of your life without always the best of intent.
Sure, Erin may be smart enough to stay in the cave, but there are enough parties looking for him, and he’s currently unable to defend himself. Also, remember the storyboard Red posted to tumblr.
I was wondering about this! Though Erin does seem to be back in control for now, I’m not sure if Tess would be able to physically contain VD while she went elsewhere (if Erin’s sealing spells were working).
Does Daniel think this “task” is something that’ll take the rest of his life or does he think he’s likely to die in the process? Either way that doesn’t say good things about your rep Caliban…
oh my golly me it’s Daniel
anyway interesting options. I don’t think Caliban necessarily wants dainix to die though, they definitely want him (along with other Ignans) alive (I think). I think it’s moreso that it’ll take the rest of his life.
Dainix’s original goal was ‘kill the Demon and return to my family’, being a Crucible is a totally unknown thing that he never asked for, but the god of his people didn’t give him a choice. Dainix doesn’t know what Caliban’s plan is, or what she wants from him, he doesn’t know if going home again is going to be an option. In this most recent interaction Caliban tried to ragebait Dainix into transforming, and then just told him to transform (after tricking his crush and sending him on a very dangerous mission). Dainix knows Caliban isn’t 100% trustworthy, and if she wants him to transform, there may be a hidden agenda. For all he knows, Caliban wants him to be a mindless flame giant. Which is the opposite of what he needs to do to go home.
Wait, does Tess actually turn into a bolt of lightning when she does that? I’d been assuming she just jumps real good, but in the panel where she lands there’s only lightning and no body.
What an entrance! I was wondering how the gang will get back together. Between Tess and Alinua knowing another goddess, that problem seems to be solved.
dude. I just blew through 700+ pages of this webcomic within, like, 3 days. My parents got me the first book for Christmas, and honestly, I’m obsessed with it. I haven’t read any comics or any fantasy books in a LONG time, so this is a very fun and welcome change of pace for me. This is so good, and im very excited to see where the story goes next. I love erin……… 😀
Caliban has signed Dainix up to be part of some plan to deal with the Void Dragon or the Collector. Maybe even both. Dealing with the Void Dragon will most likely require some manifestations of the six elements. Dainix will be the fire part of course. Tess lightning, and Alluna life. Will just need to meet the other three. Or Red just takes a left turn and does something completely unexpected.
Am I the only one who saw the lightning, tabbed out for a while to handle other stuff, and was thinking that despite both the logical and narrative improbability we were about to see the return of a dragony friend? In the sky that lightning flash looks white. (Not a problem with the comic, just a really amusing thought to ponder on.)
oh my golly me its dainix
Oh my golly me it’s Tess
oh my golly me its Falst
oh my golly it’s the ocean
Oh my golly me, it’s a volcano
oh my golly it’s “KRACK”
oh my golly have a holly jolly…
Oh golly me it’s traumatic experiences
“hi, i’m Tess- hey, did that guy turn into dust?”
“hi, i’m Tess- hey, did that guy turn into dust?”
“Dainix, did you just disintegrate that dude? I wanted to do that!”
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: special delivery!
Image source: simple
tumblr text: have a good weekend everybody!
Bluesky text: big feelings and big entrances
. Dainix stands where Caliban had been, staring bleakly into the sky.
. “Hey,” Falst says, voice still rough, laying a hand on Dainix’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
. “No,” Dainix says, looking away. “No, don’t be. It’s just…
. “It’s been so simple. Seek understanding, learn control, then I can return to protect my people. But Caliban is the god of my people. The elder of elders. And whatever it is they have planned for me…” He looks back at Falst, tears from his remaining eye spilling down his cheek. . “I don’t think they’ll let me go home.” Behind him, a cloud is blown apart by a sparking light high in the sky.
. A lightning bolt slams into the rock next to Dainix and Falst, shattering the stone, sending them leaping backward in surprise.
. “AHA! I thought that was you!” Tess cries, dust rising into the air around her. She pops up, brushing chips of rock off her shoulder. “You know, looking for fire in a volcano is a real pain in the butt!”
Jeez talk about emotional whiplash
:((( poor dainix
Caliban, LET THE POOR BOY GO HOME!
Tess found them! Yay!
A Tess exmachina moment!
fr
Knew it. Knew it was gonna be Tess.
If you have Lightning Powers and aren’t using them to make cool entrances what are you even doing?
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I LOVE TESS SO MUCH <3 <3 <3
Caliban made Dainix cry, they need an ass-kicking.
STAT
dude. the emotional range aurora elicits from me is insane. i am left once again reeling
anyways time to put the party back together.
Tess continues to make only the best entrances.
Oh god, when I saw panel 5 I thought that was something wayyyy worse. Then I scrolled down and it was just Tess being awesome.
Same. Like “Oh crap, is that a Paladin?!” Nope, it’s Tess, never mind, lol
Same
Big same. My mind went RIGHT to “But Tam’s still injured!” but it was yellow tinted lightning, not blue tinted Paladin magic! It’s our fave big sis! 😀
i am feeling two very different emotions from this page
Ah, emotional whiplash. My favorite. XD
Falst: They have the epithet “elder of elders”, huh? Have they ever acted like it?
Caliban: (incarnates behind him) Don’t push your luck kitten. (de-incarnates)
Oh boy Cali, not only have you made Dainix sad, you may have also endangered whatever plan you were cooking. Have they forgotten they spent the entire Zuurith arc trying to re-instil a sense of agency into Dainix? If he isn’t shaken out of this funk, that he must follow where Caliban leads no matter what he feels, then all of that progress could be at risk.
Tess is really good at inadvertently interrupting deep conversations between these two, isn’t she? This time though is for reasons more important than bringing snacks; we need to get the floof Avengers, particularly the V.D. counters, re-assembled sooner rather than later.
Prediction for next week: This conversation will have to wait as Tess leads these two back to the cave where Erin is; they’ll likely update her on Kendal’s situation too.
It’s curious how Tess is present here, but isn’t on the chapter cover; I reckon that, after dropping these two off, she’ll then head out to go look for Alinua. That’ll leave the boys alone to tackle whatever plot that Light-magic looking bolt on the cover is implying.
I think they’ll delegate the task of checking on Kendal to tess, and then she might get distracted by something or other and while she’s gone, LD shows up or something
would the opposite of incarnating be excarnating
…are you *sure* that letting the metal woman search for the one lost at sea is a good idea?
The *metal woman who can control lightning*? How can anything go wrong!
I meant go looking for Alinua in general. Tess doesn’t know Ali is still in the water, and is probably hoping she washed up on beach somewhere.
With Caliban gone, Dainix grieves for their plan
Since he surely won’t go home. Here’s a Tess for the man!
Look out, Tess definitely strikes the same place twice!
Tess continuing to use her hidden ability, Interrupting Intense Conversations.
(Fifteen minutes later:
Erin: I leave you alone for two hours and you JUMP INTO A VOLCANO?!
Falst: I am NOT taking criticism of stupid ideas born of desperation from YOU.)
don’t get me wrong, Dainix is my favorite character and I cherish him dearly, but I internally squealed with delight when he cried a bit <3 <3 <3 he’s going through so much! he might never get to go home! sighs happily. I love his internal conflict
me when my favorite characters undergo emotional turmoil :DDDDD <33333
Spoken like a fanfiction writer (i should know, i am one) XD
I am begging both Falst and Tess to give Dainix a hug RIGHT NOW
Never change Tess
I couldn’t agree more. *g*
OMG IT’S TESS
Ooough Dainix my heart ;-; He’s been handling everything so well outwardly but he really REALLY needs some hugs.
And someone to say “fuck Caliban” mayhaps.
It’s sweet that Falst is trying to comfort him, though, and meaningful that he’s reaching out to do it. I don’t think he reaches out to offer physical comfort often; even when Alinua was distraught in Arc 1, he laid a cloak over her shoulders and silently slunk away.
Also, yes, holy emotional whiplash, Batman. (And hi, Tess!)
Falst. Hug your boy. Immediately.
Tess, they were having a moment…
Tess just absolutely DISINTEGRATED that cloud
Tess and Dainix would be one hell of a Bash Bros-style duo. I’m sure she’d have some issues with his fire, but less than most. And her lightning might not feel great, but he could weather any stray arcs. That’s always the issue with combat styles that cause a good bit of collateral damage. Hard to work as a unit or you have to intentionally fight less-hard to spare your allies.
Their mentalities are also complimentary. Tess is brash but not foolhardy, and Dainix is reserved but not cowardly. Tess could push Dainix when a push would be useful, and Dainix could slow Tess down when taking a second to evaluate would be good.
And I bet, right now, Tess could offer some sympathy and maybe even some advice about life separated from your people, and having someone pulling the strings of your life without always the best of intent.
They also seem to be the most emotionally well-versed of the Floofs (though that’s not a high bar to clear…)
Tess my beloved!!
Oh thank goodness, for a second I thought that was a Paladin.
Tess, did you…LEAVE ERIN UNATTENDED!? You’re going to lead Dainix and Falst back to the cave and it’s going to be EMPTY!
nah its fine, erin isnt that stupid about leaving and walter got the memo of “unstable magic DO-NOT-USE”
… are you sure about that Mobgabriel? He’s more book smart then ACTUALLY smart…
Sure, Erin may be smart enough to stay in the cave, but there are enough parties looking for him, and he’s currently unable to defend himself. Also, remember the storyboard Red posted to tumblr.
I was wondering about this! Though Erin does seem to be back in control for now, I’m not sure if Tess would be able to physically contain VD while she went elsewhere (if Erin’s sealing spells were working).
THank god I thought that was the OTHER ominous spark in the sky turns out it’s just tess
dainix my poor boy..
One of these days a thunderbolt will slam down in front of the protagonists and it WON’T be tess.
Tynan: “Am I a joke to you?!”
Yes
Oh look, another OP character shows up.
Does Daniel think this “task” is something that’ll take the rest of his life or does he think he’s likely to die in the process? Either way that doesn’t say good things about your rep Caliban…
oh my golly me it’s Daniel
anyway interesting options. I don’t think Caliban necessarily wants dainix to die though, they definitely want him (along with other Ignans) alive (I think). I think it’s moreso that it’ll take the rest of his life.
Dainix’s original goal was ‘kill the Demon and return to my family’, being a Crucible is a totally unknown thing that he never asked for, but the god of his people didn’t give him a choice. Dainix doesn’t know what Caliban’s plan is, or what she wants from him, he doesn’t know if going home again is going to be an option. In this most recent interaction Caliban tried to ragebait Dainix into transforming, and then just told him to transform (after tricking his crush and sending him on a very dangerous mission). Dainix knows Caliban isn’t 100% trustworthy, and if she wants him to transform, there may be a hidden agenda. For all he knows, Caliban wants him to be a mindless flame giant. Which is the opposite of what he needs to do to go home.
Wait, does Tess actually turn into a bolt of lightning when she does that? I’d been assuming she just jumps real good, but in the panel where she lands there’s only lightning and no body.
I bet she saw Dainix breathe fire and that’s how she knew where they were, I wonder how long she was searching before then.
Wait a minute! This is page ~~~ 6-7 ~~~
Leave it in 2025 buddy
What an entrance! I was wondering how the gang will get back together. Between Tess and Alinua knowing another goddess, that problem seems to be solved.
Wow Tess… give them a sec
Lol, love how Falst and Dainix keep getting interrupted as soon as they start to get vulnerable. Give them some alone time to talk it out!
Tess give them a sec to have their moment
Hooray, the unexpected explosion of energy out of the sky is a friend this time!
dude. I just blew through 700+ pages of this webcomic within, like, 3 days. My parents got me the first book for Christmas, and honestly, I’m obsessed with it. I haven’t read any comics or any fantasy books in a LONG time, so this is a very fun and welcome change of pace for me. This is so good, and im very excited to see where the story goes next. I love erin……… 😀
Falst must’ve been feeling a lot of complicated emotions, watching Dainix cry while also seeing a weird light in the sky behind him.
Caliban has signed Dainix up to be part of some plan to deal with the Void Dragon or the Collector. Maybe even both. Dealing with the Void Dragon will most likely require some manifestations of the six elements. Dainix will be the fire part of course. Tess lightning, and Alluna life. Will just need to meet the other three. Or Red just takes a left turn and does something completely unexpected.
Tess divebombing her way into every conversation like the narrative equivalent of a sledgehammer to the knees
Am I the only one who saw the lightning, tabbed out for a while to handle other stuff, and was thinking that despite both the logical and narrative improbability we were about to see the return of a dragony friend? In the sky that lightning flash looks white. (Not a problem with the comic, just a really amusing thought to ponder on.)
I think Tess just added a new level to the Haystack Principle.
Absolutely beautiful timing. Shocking, if you will.