I feel like Erin would have fallen asleep and VD would have taken over before hypothermia in order.to keep His vessel safe. Then the rest of the Floof Squad would have ANOTHER problem to deal with.
Yeah but I don’t think VD’s inhabitation of Erin’s body turns him impervious to outside threats at all – he has been cowed into submission by physical danger multiple times already, and I don’t think drowning is an exception to that rule…
V.D.: Come now, we can just talk, can’t we? Erin: Well if you insist there’s this niggling maybe-plothole with a book series I like. The most notable instance of it happens in the second book around the 8th chapter and a little into the 9th. For context the character involved has for 10 years, in-universe time, been haunted by visions relating to the events of the first book where- V.D.: I take it back! We shall both suffer in silence!
Oh yeah, Erin’s trapped in this prison like V.D. is trapped in his; disappointed with myself that I only just got the irony. Though V.D.’s talk of shared torment of solitude kinda rings hollow when one is concerned for the wellbeing of their friends and the other just wants some stars to gobble up.
Ok, Calian is on the ropes, Dainix doesn’t appear to be suffering, and V.D. would rather torment Erin than theorise the possible Void-Light connection. However, Erin almost falling asleep is concerning; icy prison combined with physical and magical exhaustion means time could be of the essence.
Either Dainix needs to finish this fight, Erin comes up with a new plan, or Alinua and her fish friends crash the party.
There’s a difference between “alone” and “lonely”. If he’d managed to swallow everything there is to swallow, then he’d be alone and content (or eat himself like Ungoliant). Instead, he was forced to be alone, stuck in one spot, and was fully cognizant that there was stuff to do and eat that he was unable to do.
Yeah, I was going to say, several explanations suggest themselves:
1) The Void dragon is lying, it is a cold bloodless psychopath by any human standard, it has no actual sympathy for Erin’s situation, but it knows that it can manipulate Erin with these sorts of words.
2) The Void Dragon is deeply irrational, it desires to destroy everything else, but would also miss the stimulus if it were gone. It has failed to reconcile its immediate desires (destroy everything) and its longer term wants and needs. Its eyes are bigger than its stomach.
3) Originally the Void Dragon didn’t care about such things, it was a primal force unconstrained by such reflection and self-doiubt, but in its endless eons of imprisonment it actually started to absorb mental characteristics from other beings in its proximity (the living creatures on the surface of the planet, whatever remains of the mentality of the other primordials and so on), so the void dragon as it is now truly knows loneliness, since it still seems set on destroying everything this could easily collapse back into 2 (if it can’t get over its acquired sensibilities) or 1) (if it feels these things but could easily get over them).
Those are three sorts of explanations that come to my mind thinking about all this.
I really like the idea that the void dragon is irrational like that. It makes sense to me, with how Dainix was able to deal with the void earlier, it’s more then the void dragon seemingly wants it to be. (Especially with the whole light dragon thing.)
It also foils Erin in a way, if you think about it- Erin in turn is also much more driven by emotion then he’d ever like to admit.
While I find it unlikely, I wonder if we’ll get some sort of void dragon arc at some point. Certainly not before we reach the Soulshaper monks, for sure.
True! I definitely think we will get a void dragon *focused* arc- I more mean, I wonder if VD will get a *character* arc, especially whenever the light/void dragon being the same general thing is revealed. I could see that being something that could actually shake VD up and change his mindset about things- so far the only real changes we’ve seen with them is about the way they go about trying to get what they want, working with Erin… A little.
Can’t wait for the Eclipse Hydra reveal or something lmao.
Yay! Another potentially revelatory conversation with the unfathomably ancient star-eating Eldritch Dragon of Darkness bent on the world’s destruction! I love fantasy…
I just realized something! What if, when Falst and Tess show up to help Kendal, one of the paladins recognizes Falst and Falst recognizes him, because his dad!!
No question today, very tired. Ik Walter’s a star eating primordial being of darkness but I think if he got a Snickers and some visitors occasionally he’d be chill. Wonder what he did to pass the time. Oh actually that’s a good one.
Aurora Question #66: What do you think the Void Dragon does to pass the time?
Plot stuff mostly. Possibly planning on how to eat the sun, maybe willing the current elemental magus to get just a little closer to the storm. Currently it seems to be mostly bothering and playing mind games with our boy though.
Dreams dreams that you’d expect to come out of Spongebob Squarepants’s head and violently shudders in pure, unadulterated revulsion when he wakes up, causing earthquakes.
You know, Calian, you can just swim away! Also, dang, even when Erin has a moment to himself he can’t catch a break, but I will give the VD props for keeping Erin awake. If he falls asleep in his current circumstance, he might not wake up.
It’s gonna be very interesting to see if Erin actually asks Walter to stay. I can see him rationalizing it enough to do so, but I’d also bet Voidy is the type to take silence as an answer and just stick around anyway, especially if Erin’s surface thoughts are dedicated to considering possible benefits to having an evil star-eating dragon available to chat
The spell he’s casting says (?)nto fr[esh air] convert toxi[ns]
The spells tend to loop around hence fresh air being cut off. Or he’s just REALLY slipping and we should be concerned about his breathable air
You know the situation is bad when the ancient possessing evil is popping in, not to cause problems, but just to keep its host awake. I don’t think the equipment retrieval mission is going to work at this point without aid from Alinua and her new merfolk friends. Even if Dainix finished that fight right away and immediately came back and stopped being on fire, at this point it I think Erin is in too rough a shape to hold both the bubble spell and the convert to breathable air spell at the same time for long enough
I haven’t forgotten Stefan saying “We don’t want to risk anyone becoming trapped down there” with his speech bubble partially overlaid on the bubble boys on 2.7.18 (linked in my username). Just waiting for that bit of foreshadowing to occur.
I know this has either got to be some kind of evil ploy or self preservation method, but for just this one page let me live my dream of “the dragon is learning to be a friend actually”
I’m starting to wonder how long before that little change becomes permanent… If it hasn’t already, and Erin’s eyes are just dark enough that at first or even second glance nothing stands out as amiss.
It’s not like there isn’t precedent for this, either. We’ve seen a number of examples of what the magic of this setting can do to a human host–or victim, depending on the circumstances.
I do think the darkening of Erin’s clothes (…and, in some regards, just the worsening of his mental state generally, though that’s also because of the Everything) is meant to imply that Erin is changing at least a little due to VD’s influence… But it’s tough to say how so yet.
Void’s first concern is of course keeping Erin alive. Also wonder how useful Erin is as a host with 4 of his 6 channels so badly damaged.
Also, can we please stop using VD as shorthand for the Void Dragon. Those who remember what it is also shorthand for are getting distracted. If you don’t know what I am talking about, apologize to your health ed teacher.
Magic is taxing on the body, and Erin doesn’t have that much strength left. He does have a fire up so instead of just freezing to death, he’ll fall unconscious from the fire first.
Consciousness begins to fade
Orb of ice, undersea cage
Magus’s mind Void’s words invade
Pestering the tired mage
As Calian roars and Dainix burns
Need for the dragon’s help he spurns
Yet trapped lone in dark they can relate
This is just my opinion, based on sibling dynamics, but IMO both the Void & light dragons have done creative and destructive actions – however – the light dragon poisoned the narrative by blaming Voidy for all the destruction, making themself out to be all goody good and this betrayal hurt Voidy to the core …and there may be the worry that the light dragon is right.
Self hatred is a terrible thing.
That said, I think that the Floof Squad is the best thing that Voidy could ever find. Sure, they’ll act to keep Voidy contained and limited, but they all show concern. Kendal actively has protected Voidy multiple times. Has Voidy EVER had friends since the light dragon betrayed them?
Interesting that VD would care about solitude. Guess that confirms that primordials are social animals lol. Which begins to explain why the main 6 were together when they fought VD
For mobile readers.
Alt-text: freezing to death all by yourself, handsome?
Image source: company
That alt text has me WHEEZING ToT
Tumblr text: and so it begins
Bluesky text: good morning to everyone except Erin
People had BETTER not start shipping the void dragon
The mobile readers appreciate all of yall’s services to the community!!
eldritch star-eating dragon sees a kid stuck in ice and just says “omg same, bro”
So if VD wasn’t paying attention there, would Erin have died unceremoniously by falling asleep?
I feel like Erin would have fallen asleep and VD would have taken over before hypothermia in order.to keep His vessel safe. Then the rest of the Floof Squad would have ANOTHER problem to deal with.
Yeah but I don’t think VD’s inhabitation of Erin’s body turns him impervious to outside threats at all – he has been cowed into submission by physical danger multiple times already, and I don’t think drowning is an exception to that rule…
Oh right, but Voidy can also use Erin’s channels, I forgot lol
You’re prolly right
Erin’s day has not improved. Though he does get to watch a very epic fight, even if it is through a thick layer of ice.
V.D.: Come now, we can just talk, can’t we?
Erin: Well if you insist there’s this niggling maybe-plothole with a book series I like. The most notable instance of it happens in the second book around the 8th chapter and a little into the 9th. For context the character involved has for 10 years, in-universe time, been haunted by visions relating to the events of the first book where-
V.D.: I take it back! We shall both suffer in silence!
Oh yeah, Erin’s trapped in this prison like V.D. is trapped in his; disappointed with myself that I only just got the irony. Though V.D.’s talk of shared torment of solitude kinda rings hollow when one is concerned for the wellbeing of their friends and the other just wants some stars to gobble up.
Ok, Calian is on the ropes, Dainix doesn’t appear to be suffering, and V.D. would rather torment Erin than theorise the possible Void-Light connection. However, Erin almost falling asleep is concerning; icy prison combined with physical and magical exhaustion means time could be of the essence.
Either Dainix needs to finish this fight, Erin comes up with a new plan, or Alinua and her fish friends crash the party.
Yeah, if he falls asleep, the Fire spell drops. Meaning Erin either freezes to death or suffocates from running out of breathable air.
Well I imagine VD would possess him and keep the spell going, but then we would have some new problems
We’re back!
I’m seeing Wolf has graced you with a moments respite to earn the good cat food.
I mean, I would have thought it was the freezing cold and the idea that if he falls asleep and drops the spell he’ll suffocate, but do go on.
The Void Dragon was trying to wipe out all the stars in the universe, why would he find solitude a torment?
Maybe his hunger now outweighs the loneliness he’ll feel in the distant future.
There’s a difference between “alone” and “lonely”. If he’d managed to swallow everything there is to swallow, then he’d be alone and content (or eat himself like Ungoliant). Instead, he was forced to be alone, stuck in one spot, and was fully cognizant that there was stuff to do and eat that he was unable to do.
Yeah, I was going to say, several explanations suggest themselves:
1) The Void dragon is lying, it is a cold bloodless psychopath by any human standard, it has no actual sympathy for Erin’s situation, but it knows that it can manipulate Erin with these sorts of words.
2) The Void Dragon is deeply irrational, it desires to destroy everything else, but would also miss the stimulus if it were gone. It has failed to reconcile its immediate desires (destroy everything) and its longer term wants and needs. Its eyes are bigger than its stomach.
3) Originally the Void Dragon didn’t care about such things, it was a primal force unconstrained by such reflection and self-doiubt, but in its endless eons of imprisonment it actually started to absorb mental characteristics from other beings in its proximity (the living creatures on the surface of the planet, whatever remains of the mentality of the other primordials and so on), so the void dragon as it is now truly knows loneliness, since it still seems set on destroying everything this could easily collapse back into 2 (if it can’t get over its acquired sensibilities) or 1) (if it feels these things but could easily get over them).
Those are three sorts of explanations that come to my mind thinking about all this.
I really like the idea that the void dragon is irrational like that. It makes sense to me, with how Dainix was able to deal with the void earlier, it’s more then the void dragon seemingly wants it to be. (Especially with the whole light dragon thing.)
It also foils Erin in a way, if you think about it- Erin in turn is also much more driven by emotion then he’d ever like to admit.
While I find it unlikely, I wonder if we’ll get some sort of void dragon arc at some point. Certainly not before we reach the Soulshaper monks, for sure.
VD is one of the problems they have to deal with, and they have to do so before they rescue Vash, so he’ll probably get his own arc!
True! I definitely think we will get a void dragon *focused* arc- I more mean, I wonder if VD will get a *character* arc, especially whenever the light/void dragon being the same general thing is revealed. I could see that being something that could actually shake VD up and change his mindset about things- so far the only real changes we’ve seen with them is about the way they go about trying to get what they want, working with Erin… A little.
Can’t wait for the Eclipse Hydra reveal or something lmao.
Yay! Another potentially revelatory conversation with the unfathomably ancient star-eating Eldritch Dragon of Darkness bent on the world’s destruction! I love fantasy…
My poor boi looks so worn out already and now he’s got to deal with his parasitic problem child
I just realized something! What if, when Falst and Tess show up to help Kendal, one of the paladins recognizes Falst and Falst recognizes him, because his dad!!
No question today, very tired. Ik Walter’s a star eating primordial being of darkness but I think if he got a Snickers and some visitors occasionally he’d be chill. Wonder what he did to pass the time. Oh actually that’s a good one.
Aurora Question #66: What do you think the Void Dragon does to pass the time?
Plot stuff mostly. Possibly planning on how to eat the sun, maybe willing the current elemental magus to get just a little closer to the storm. Currently it seems to be mostly bothering and playing mind games with our boy though.
Doxxes the light dragon in the groupchat.
Listens to a narrow selection of Taylor Swift songs.
Dreams dreams that you’d expect to come out of Spongebob Squarepants’s head and violently shudders in pure, unadulterated revulsion when he wakes up, causing earthquakes.
GET EM DAINIX!!!
HELL YEAH!!!!!!
The power of friendship is apparently even stronger than eldritch abominations from the dawn of time! Hurray! all it took was some Stockholm Syndrome.
How sweet?
I love Erin and Voidy so much. My favorite little foils.
God i’m worried about Kendal though..!
You know, Calian, you can just swim away! Also, dang, even when Erin has a moment to himself he can’t catch a break, but I will give the VD props for keeping Erin awake. If he falls asleep in his current circumstance, he might not wake up.
It’s gonna be very interesting to see if Erin actually asks Walter to stay. I can see him rationalizing it enough to do so, but I’d also bet Voidy is the type to take silence as an answer and just stick around anyway, especially if Erin’s surface thoughts are dedicated to considering possible benefits to having an evil star-eating dragon available to chat
LOL, the Void Dragon doesn’t want to go back to being all alone.
The spell he’s casting says (?)nto fr[esh air] convert toxi[ns]
The spells tend to loop around hence fresh air being cut off. Or he’s just REALLY slipping and we should be concerned about his breathable air
You know the situation is bad when the ancient possessing evil is popping in, not to cause problems, but just to keep its host awake. I don’t think the equipment retrieval mission is going to work at this point without aid from Alinua and her new merfolk friends. Even if Dainix finished that fight right away and immediately came back and stopped being on fire, at this point it I think Erin is in too rough a shape to hold both the bubble spell and the convert to breathable air spell at the same time for long enough
I haven’t forgotten Stefan saying “We don’t want to risk anyone becoming trapped down there” with his speech bubble partially overlaid on the bubble boys on 2.7.18 (linked in my username). Just waiting for that bit of foreshadowing to occur.
I know this has either got to be some kind of evil ploy or self preservation method, but for just this one page let me live my dream of “the dragon is learning to be a friend actually”
I’ve always imagined the Void Dragon sounds like the Fear Feaster (Mark Hamilton spooky voice) from Adventure Time.
I imagine him with the voice of Koh, the face-stealer.
My god. You really do live long enough to become the villain, don’t you?
It’s back! It’s a birthday miracle
Meanwhile, while Calian is screaming ‘WHAT THE FUCK’ at the glowing, zippy dart of *underwater fire* ….
Damn, I’ve been looking at the previous page for so long, I’ve forgotten that Erin is h– no not that, let’s go with kind of emo.
To quote Chaos-incarnate-XD on tumblr: “get this guy in a gothic horror asap” (post linked in my username)
It’s the orange eyes especially. That’s again, not anything else, just awesome.
I like the idea that vd isn’t totally evil. He’s a hungry boy, but he’s not a total body stealing dick, right? eh
AURORA’S BACK BOIS WE ARE TRULY BLESSED
Mom in hospital, life topsy-turvy, I’m so happy to see Aurora back….
Sending hugs
Wishing luck
Thank you.
Our favourite bedraggled doomed bishonen kicks things off!
While our favourite fiery boi bishonen literally kicks things (a dragon).
I love reading Aurora <3
Happy.July 22, the Festival of Everyone Yells at the Elemental Magus
(Well, July 22 EST)
Oooh, I spy a slit pupil and gold highlights in panel 4! Looks like VD was close.to taking over, not sure what he’d do in this situation, though…
I’m starting to wonder how long before that little change becomes permanent… If it hasn’t already, and Erin’s eyes are just dark enough that at first or even second glance nothing stands out as amiss.
It’s not like there isn’t precedent for this, either. We’ve seen a number of examples of what the magic of this setting can do to a human host–or victim, depending on the circumstances.
I do think the darkening of Erin’s clothes (…and, in some regards, just the worsening of his mental state generally, though that’s also because of the Everything) is meant to imply that Erin is changing at least a little due to VD’s influence… But it’s tough to say how so yet.
Void’s first concern is of course keeping Erin alive. Also wonder how useful Erin is as a host with 4 of his 6 channels so badly damaged.
Also, can we please stop using VD as shorthand for the Void Dragon. Those who remember what it is also shorthand for are getting distracted. If you don’t know what I am talking about, apologize to your health ed teacher.
Doctor: Have you touched any pedestals without protection recently?
Erin: (leaking caustic black energy) … … No.
Thank you. Will be chuckling for weeks.
UPDATE JUMPSCARE!!
Wait, if Erin is freezing to death why can’t he just fire magic away the cold?
Magic is taxing on the body, and Erin doesn’t have that much strength left. He does have a fire up so instead of just freezing to death, he’ll fall unconscious from the fire first.
Consciousness begins to fade
Orb of ice, undersea cage
Magus’s mind Void’s words invade
Pestering the tired mage
As Calian roars and Dainix burns
Need for the dragon’s help he spurns
Yet trapped lone in dark they can relate
This is just my opinion, based on sibling dynamics, but IMO both the Void & light dragons have done creative and destructive actions – however – the light dragon poisoned the narrative by blaming Voidy for all the destruction, making themself out to be all goody good and this betrayal hurt Voidy to the core …and there may be the worry that the light dragon is right.
Self hatred is a terrible thing.
That said, I think that the Floof Squad is the best thing that Voidy could ever find. Sure, they’ll act to keep Voidy contained and limited, but they all show concern. Kendal actively has protected Voidy multiple times. Has Voidy EVER had friends since the light dragon betrayed them?
Interesting that VD would care about solitude. Guess that confirms that primordials are social animals lol. Which begins to explain why the main 6 were together when they fought VD
Oh missed the new chapter starting! First page since I moved countries!