Is there an end to the path of the sword? Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps the real answer is somewhere in the middle, revealed only once they are, both of them, dead by one another’s cutting arts.
An interesting contradiction here, and one I think Incubus knows intimately, to declare “It never ends” while standing next to one who seeks an end to all.
A betrayal seems certain if he is not struck down before Jagganoth is freed.
Even the most wretches of rabid dogs does not deny its true nature. Which, then, is more wretched – the rabid dog or the old pet who still slavers at the scent of blood?
When Prim finds that The Road has no ending and takes comfort in it, we declare her wise and Royalty. When Incubus does the same, we call him an idiot and a stinky terrible swordsman. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
I think his attachment to Maya is a big sticking point here. He hasn’t shorn himself of desire, he hasn’t accepted the finitude of the world (despite allying with the guy who wants to end it), and as of yet he can’t bring himself to kill her. He knows the road is eternal, but the thing he wants most is someone to walk it alongside him.
36 Ringing Bell Shatters Thieves and Heretics Both
…You have convinced me that Incubus is much closer to Royalty than Maya ever was. He does not yet know that the roads ends in his death, but he has still resolved to walk it for as long as he can. A glorious fool, indeed.
Amazing plot twist that Icubus genuinely loves his sister Maya and always has. I’m starting to think that when Maya calls Incubus a poor swordsman, she doesn’t mean that he can’t kill her, she means that he keeps refusing to. All this time he has been sparing her life and she can only hate him for it.
Incubus seems to know the answer. The road is without end. I’m really enjoying how much depth this fight has given him, it’s the summit of his philosophy.
I don’t know if he truly wants Royalty. I think he might just want his sister back, and he’d be willing to let her take the throne for it. Everything he’s ever done has been to drive her back onto the path of the Sword.
If he wanted it, he would surely never attain it. Desire for Royalty is not just irrelevant, it is prohibitive. Still, his attachment to Maya might be keeping him a bit too grounded. Even if he can resolve the paradox of violence, he still clings to her, he still wants to save her in his own way. Incubus knows the road is eternal, but he believes he needs a companion.
Honestly, Incubus is making more and more of a point every week. I understand why Maya won’t forgive him- he killed her family- but he does truly seem to understand the gravity of his actions and genuinely want her back. I’m hoping that once Jagganoth comes out they put aside their differences and kill the Red God.
Alas, the path of the noodle vendor had a clear ending.
Has it? How many noodles sold is enough noodle to reach the end of the path?
Sell Six Billion Noodles
seeing inky look almost solemn here is distressing
I know. I’m worried about Maya TT_TT
Is there an end to the path of the sword? Perhaps, perhaps not. Perhaps the real answer is somewhere in the middle, revealed only once they are, both of them, dead by one another’s cutting arts.
The real answer is somewhere in the noodle
Much like Prim and the Road, there is never any end. Only the Wheel, turning endlessly.
the end of the path of the sword is where you stop swinging it
What an unbelievable first panel. Truly gorgeous art
The “impact” transition, A++++
I don’t know how but I mistakenly read “first” as “last” and thought you were talking about the last panel my b
either way both are good beautiful page
An interesting contradiction here, and one I think Incubus knows intimately, to declare “It never ends” while standing next to one who seeks an end to all.
A betrayal seems certain if he is not struck down before Jagganoth is freed.
everybodys having climactic showdowns with their narrative foils, and allisons off having worm time
Even the most wretches of rabid dogs does not deny its true nature. Which, then, is more wretched – the rabid dog or the old pet who still slavers at the scent of blood?
go white chain! crack that repressed angel’s egg!!!!!!!
“A relative of some sort, he was fond of saying” We saw how he grew up, that guy has no biological family he’d know the name of. It was her name 🙁
And here we see that Incubus, unlike Auntie Maya, can answer Meti’s riddle. He can resolve the paradox of violence.
It’s not an answer that a lot of people would like, but it is consistent and it is actionable.
He knows what he is and what that means.
Very interesting things going on here, what with Incubus being technically correct in this story where god loves a fool.
I’m starting to think Incubus and Jadis have a lot in common.
The path ends at the edge of the sword. So unless you have a very long sword it’s a tragically short path.
Now suppose someone used a sword with no edge.
When Prim finds that The Road has no ending and takes comfort in it, we declare her wise and Royalty. When Incubus does the same, we call him an idiot and a stinky terrible swordsman. Doesn’t seem fair, does it?
Contradictions? In MY kill six billion demons!?
It’s more likely than you think…
Yttr Am!
Well, only one among Maya and Incubus holds a Throne.
I think his attachment to Maya is a big sticking point here. He hasn’t shorn himself of desire, he hasn’t accepted the finitude of the world (despite allying with the guy who wants to end it), and as of yet he can’t bring himself to kill her. He knows the road is eternal, but the thing he wants most is someone to walk it alongside him.
…You have convinced me that Incubus is much closer to Royalty than Maya ever was. He does not yet know that the roads ends in his death, but he has still resolved to walk it for as long as he can. A glorious fool, indeed.
The path of the sword always ends on the end of another sword.
Amazing plot twist that Icubus genuinely loves his sister Maya and always has. I’m starting to think that when Maya calls Incubus a poor swordsman, she doesn’t mean that he can’t kill her, she means that he keeps refusing to. All this time he has been sparing her life and she can only hate him for it.
Now this is the self-assured and low-key sexy incubus I’ve been wanting back ever since book three! Truly perhaps he was never gone
Speak for yourself, I find half-skinned and noseless Incubus in Book 5 the sexiest he’s ever been
I’m just now noticing that Incubus’s blood arms are very similar in appearance to Juggernaut Star and the other Thorn Knights’ armor.
Incubus should know that all things end, except maybe Zoss.
Incubus seems to know the answer. The road is without end. I’m really enjoying how much depth this fight has given him, it’s the summit of his philosophy.
I do wonder what’s keeping him from Royalty.
I don’t know if he truly wants Royalty. I think he might just want his sister back, and he’d be willing to let her take the throne for it. Everything he’s ever done has been to drive her back onto the path of the Sword.
If he wanted it, he would surely never attain it. Desire for Royalty is not just irrelevant, it is prohibitive. Still, his attachment to Maya might be keeping him a bit too grounded. Even if he can resolve the paradox of violence, he still clings to her, he still wants to save her in his own way. Incubus knows the road is eternal, but he believes he needs a companion.
Maybe all this has been is Maya hoping she can make herself annoying enough for Incubus to kill her, no matter how much he still misses her.
Honestly, Incubus is making more and more of a point every week. I understand why Maya won’t forgive him- he killed her family- but he does truly seem to understand the gravity of his actions and genuinely want her back. I’m hoping that once Jagganoth comes out they put aside their differences and kill the Red God.
Will Juggernaut ever remember how to be happy? Will she ever stop being so spikey?(physically and emotionally)