Or we’ll see the result of her training with White Chain, in that she retreats. I do not believe that Alison can take Solomon right now; not could she, at this stage, if she were fresh and rested. Alicio might have done it, but I think Cio is too drained to remake the meld.
Looking back, Allison hasn’t beaten any Demiurge, except Hastet Om. She ran away from Mottom, got a pat on the head from Mammon, and was indulged by Incubus and Gog Agog, who wanted to use her. Perhaps the story develops with all the Seven active until the end? Perhaps she saves the multiverse by reconciling the Seven rather than by killing them? Perhaps that’s why Zoss chose a philisopher to carry the key?
Found myself drawn to sister White Chain’s look, almost of despair I thought. Then noticing the slightly shaking hands, complete with broken fingers. The trio don’t quite look up to an apocalyptic prophesy at this moment in time, it has to be said.
I think that’s the Hearth Stoker’s guild rep from ALL THE WAY back at KSBD 3-50. Except that the missing arm and the horn are on the wrong side. If we were looking at the front, it’d be correct, but we’re looking from behind.
It’s either artist error or a different, if similar looking, individual.
Edit: Actually, I just realized that the Hearth Stoker guild rep back there doesn’t have the same gold neckwear as that individual and has a gold bandolier like thing, which this individual doesn’t. So, most likely a different individual of the same race.
Good spot, I think you were right the first time. It is the hearth-stoker Krismayana, a one-eyed one-horned walking purple fire-eater and one of the Persuers. I wonder why he’s standing so far from the others? Sure looks strange to me.
To be fair, the only Pursuers we see and can directly identify are Hirotomos and Krismayana. The rest are likely scattered around among the random clusters.
True, but the Persuers do tend to stick roughly together. I just thought Kris might have been someone new and important because he was so prominent in the foreground and doing that Ominous Gaze thing.
Although, if they stuck closely together, they’d end up having to fight each other once the arena started getting smaller. However, I suppose there’s nothing stopping them from working loosely as a team.
42 Fragments the Universe Beyond All Reintegration
I appreciate that the pursuers/contestants are now sitting on the sidelines watching. The general sentiment I feel from them is “NOPE, don’t want any of that.” I cannot fault them.
A most sardonic answer to his own refrain –
“Ho there! Coming or Going?”
‘It’ is also quite a strong word to be using for a sibling,
even a Thorny one.
In this case ‘It’ refers to the action being taken/chosen not the person taking it. For example consider the following exchange between two kings.
King 1: “Shall we have peace or war?”
King 2: “I shall turn you’re skull into a cup and drink from it the blood of your people!”
King 1: “So. It’s war then.”
The ‘It’ clearly refers to the action in a bit of rhetorical flourish, not the other king.
Actually, that should be “your” skull. The word “it” is also used in a place where it refers to the skull, or cup, rather than the war-like king, but this is only a minor quibble with what is otherwise a commendably pellucid bit of explication.
As a mendicant instructor in language arts my fees are quite reasonable, as I hope you will concur.
Hrrm… the approval of a Demiurge is less an honor and more an insult. In the case of Solomon David, this is doubly true. As far as traditional tyranny goes, he is the worst of the Seven; even Jagganoth is less tyrannical.
Far more destructive and hate-filled, which is a type of tyranny in and of itself, but far less interested in dominating others for the purpose of ruling them.
A different flavor of tyranny is still tyranny, no? Anyways, they’re all tyrants in some form or another and all of their worlds are screwed up in some way or other.
Jadis’s worlds are techno-theocracies (headcanon is that her worlds are more technologically advanced than the average).
Incubus: Probably keeps his worlds in a sort of controlled anarchy with possibly (going by that one woman acting like an addict) a side of addiction.
Mottom: Probably more traditional tyrant than Solomon, rules by fear. Wouldn’t be surprised if every world under her sends maidens.
Mammon: Capitalism run amok maybe? There’s also that cult of his.
Gog Agog: Probably less messed up in the governing sense and more in the ‘throbbing mass of worms’ sense. I remember an Abbadon tumblr post saying that she basically has no interest in governing and lets her worlds do their thing.
Jagganoth: I don’t remember what Abbadon had said, but possibly violent?
Solomon: Seems the most normal on the surface (we’ve only seen the capitol on his homeworld) but there’s plenty of hints that it’s oppressive in some way or other.
smjjames “A different flavor of tyranny is still tyranny, no?”
Absolutism is the realm of angels, who have been correctly dealt with by Zoss.
So there’s not “anyways”, unless you’re one of those losers that don’t care about death yet still think to tinker with it. Angel, demons, or mindless servants: Which are you, that needn’t care?
Only dimwits consider the universe in absolute. Juggernaut Star only deserve respect for her might, which is clearly massive. Her soul is otherwise forlorn.
You made yourself clear. Have a nice day. Kindly keep to the void, until the true king come and teach you to reincarnate for a kalpa or two.
Your only saving grace is that Ysun is the biggest liar of all.
SO POSSIBLY? you might have a point?
I am thinking Solomon doesn’t actually want to rule. He’s made an empire where what happened to his wife and daughters and home will not happen to anyone… so long as they obey. (There was that mention by one of the contestants of wanting to hold him accountable for the Peach Orchard Massacre, I believe?)
What he wants is to find a successor as good as he sees himself as, abdicate the throne, and then go off to learn how to be Royalty.
An interesting take… but if true, it only proves my point. Zoss was the greatest tyrant since YIS-UN, and Solomon David would gladly take up that vacant throne. Jagganoth seeks destruction, but the others seek control.
Domination.
Rulership.
Tyranny.
That human mistakenly thought me a Thorn Knight, an all too common mistake. I am the last of the Freedom Knights, a tyrantbreaker. For a thousand lifetimes, I have wielded the Tyrant-Shattering Fist. I exist to stand against any and all who seek to command others… including my wayward siblings who walk the Thorned Path.
Tyranny is rule by personal whim, judgement without law, and absence of a means for removing the tyrant. Solomon has definite (and harsh) laws, which are applied strictly, and has declared the terms for removing himself from power. He is certainly the least tyrannical of the Seven. Whether his reign is better or worse than tyranny is open to question.
Solomon David seems to be inspired by the Old Testament Law of the Jews: as long as you keep the Law you are fine, but no-one is that perfect, the Law is impossible to keep (that was the whole point of it) and it seems SD rules his empire like that: good for those who keep the law, but NO mercy for those who break it. Lawful Neutral is how I would classify him.
Ok I’mma be real with u: kinda lost in the plot at this point (excluding obvious beats) & rereading early parts hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I hope on a second read the nuance of the story is truly understood. But regardless, HOMIE JUST GOT BLAPPED YISUN DAMN
White Chain’s banishment is the relevant part right now; Vigilant Gazes, the one who just pwned Juggernaut Star, was an angel who sorta chilled by the entryway to the void with a few others, but didn’t agree with WC caring about the world or having a human female form. We also briefly saw him rejoin the physical world after Allison captured the gang leader, although we didn’t know his ID until recently. Juggernaut Star offered WC the job of guarding the key and making sure it gets to Zaid, in the hopes that Zaid willl fulfill the prophecy of murdering everything so that the Angels can swoop in and claim Throne once again. WC agreed because she wants the key safe tyrannical owners and because she wants the Rising king (prophesied to be Zaid, but is now probably Allison) to take down the current rulers.
VG popped outta nowhere because he saw WC about to attack Allicio because she was being a bit reckless trashing up the other contestants, which is not at all what WC was teaching. We don’t really know what conclusions were jumped too, but VG poorly worded his sayings and accidentally encouraged the battle. Right after WC beats Allison but doesn’t kill her, Juggers, who was probably watching somehow, swooped in to get her to finish Allison off, since Allison is just a meat vessel for the key to Juggers, and Zaid is nearby. WC got that talking to by VG, so she’d already regretted attacking, and WC’s refusal prompted the current battle.
So… did White Chain win? She was the only one left standing who actually registered for the tournament. Not that she’s in any real fighting shape right now, but I assume they’ll give her some time to rest.
Cio and White Chain look exhausted, but Allison looks pissed.
Could be mentally facepalming at how corny the sendoff sounds out of context.
I also notice that her master key is shining, could be a sign of regenerating strength.
That was my thought as well. Plus I doubt Clio and White Chain are feeling too fond of Solomon David.
Look at that glint from the Key of Kings. Now we’ll see the results of her training with Incubus.
Or we’ll see the result of her training with White Chain, in that she retreats. I do not believe that Alison can take Solomon right now; not could she, at this stage, if she were fresh and rested. Alicio might have done it, but I think Cio is too drained to remake the meld.
Looking back, Allison hasn’t beaten any Demiurge, except Hastet Om. She ran away from Mottom, got a pat on the head from Mammon, and was indulged by Incubus and Gog Agog, who wanted to use her. Perhaps the story develops with all the Seven active until the end? Perhaps she saves the multiverse by reconciling the Seven rather than by killing them? Perhaps that’s why Zoss chose a philisopher to carry the key?
That looks says more worried to me. Concern.
“Oh boy, here we go.” + “THIS fucking guy.”
Found myself drawn to sister White Chain’s look, almost of despair I thought. Then noticing the slightly shaking hands, complete with broken fingers. The trio don’t quite look up to an apocalyptic prophesy at this moment in time, it has to be said.
Hey! There she (Cio) is!
Thank god karate baby is unharmed that’s literally all I care about
But the battle isn’t over yet? Vigilant Gaze and White Chain are both still in the fight.
Oh wait I forgot it was just a ten minute endurance thing.
Oh gods, you’re right. The last 36 pages took place in 10 minutes, unless salami man lost track of time in all the excitement.
Solomon will now stroll into the arena and disintegrate Vigilant Gaze with a passing glance, just to flex.
Who is that purple guy in the first panel?
Salami Dave?
I think he’s the vendor for cured meats and sarcastic clapping.
I think that’s the Hearth Stoker’s guild rep from ALL THE WAY back at KSBD 3-50. Except that the missing arm and the horn are on the wrong side. If we were looking at the front, it’d be correct, but we’re looking from behind.
It’s either artist error or a different, if similar looking, individual.
Edit: Actually, I just realized that the Hearth Stoker guild rep back there doesn’t have the same gold neckwear as that individual and has a gold bandolier like thing, which this individual doesn’t. So, most likely a different individual of the same race.
Good spot, I think you were right the first time. It is the hearth-stoker Krismayana, a one-eyed one-horned walking purple fire-eater and one of the Persuers. I wonder why he’s standing so far from the others? Sure looks strange to me.
To be fair, the only Pursuers we see and can directly identify are Hirotomos and Krismayana. The rest are likely scattered around among the random clusters.
True, but the Persuers do tend to stick roughly together. I just thought Kris might have been someone new and important because he was so prominent in the foreground and doing that Ominous Gaze thing.
Although, if they stuck closely together, they’d end up having to fight each other once the arena started getting smaller. However, I suppose there’s nothing stopping them from working loosely as a team.
Standing on a rock for a better view. Also, at a safer distance from the explosions.
Act quickly, White Chain. We are soon headed to a grand finale.
Oh no, VG is going to nobly sacrifice himself to allow our protagonists to escape, isn’t he? ;_;
if Allison isn’t ready for this, she’ll never be
I appreciate that the pursuers/contestants are now sitting on the sidelines watching. The general sentiment I feel from them is “NOPE, don’t want any of that.” I cannot fault them.
DEATH SPORE IS STILL ALIVE ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD
Was a touch worried about the murderous little squidgy blob =)
I feel like I missed a line. What does “It’s going then.” mean?
A most sardonic answer to his own refrain –
“Ho there! Coming or Going?”
‘It’ is also quite a strong word to be using for a sibling,
even a Thorny one.
I don’t think that word was being used to refer to anyone, just the situation.
Nobody made a fair point of the ambiguity of utterance. The skill of reading in the second way also has been gained.
In this case ‘It’ refers to the action being taken/chosen not the person taking it. For example consider the following exchange between two kings.
King 1: “Shall we have peace or war?”
King 2: “I shall turn you’re skull into a cup and drink from it the blood of your people!”
King 1: “So. It’s war then.”
The ‘It’ clearly refers to the action in a bit of rhetorical flourish, not the other king.
Actually, that should be “your” skull. The word “it” is also used in a place where it refers to the skull, or cup, rather than the war-like king, but this is only a minor quibble with what is otherwise a commendably pellucid bit of explication.
As a mendicant instructor in language arts my fees are quite reasonable, as I hope you will concur.
Can most easisome be read either ways.
Yon king plainly cannot be a war, but Juggears plainsome can be going. An did.
Depends how kingsome he be, eh? Any shine-browed king should be a war, methinks.
Aye, then yon kingsomely king be war inanof hissel. An fie ifn him hence nae obliters thon grandisome enemigo, thatun thums call I.
Solomon D *is* entertained!
Oh shit, I forgot about Solomon for a moment there!!
(Also, “So. It’s going then.” is stone cold and I loved it)
Oh yeah.
Him.
Hrrm… the approval of a Demiurge is less an honor and more an insult. In the case of Solomon David, this is doubly true. As far as traditional tyranny goes, he is the worst of the Seven; even Jagganoth is less tyrannical.
Far more destructive and hate-filled, which is a type of tyranny in and of itself, but far less interested in dominating others for the purpose of ruling them.
Angels have a warped sense of tyranny…
I guess a dedicated sophist could argue it’s not technically tyranny when everybody/everything/everywhere is destroyed forever?
I’ll keep my black flame thank you very much, and you can keep to the void, Thorn.
A different flavor of tyranny is still tyranny, no? Anyways, they’re all tyrants in some form or another and all of their worlds are screwed up in some way or other.
Jadis’s worlds are techno-theocracies (headcanon is that her worlds are more technologically advanced than the average).
Incubus: Probably keeps his worlds in a sort of controlled anarchy with possibly (going by that one woman acting like an addict) a side of addiction.
Mottom: Probably more traditional tyrant than Solomon, rules by fear. Wouldn’t be surprised if every world under her sends maidens.
Mammon: Capitalism run amok maybe? There’s also that cult of his.
Gog Agog: Probably less messed up in the governing sense and more in the ‘throbbing mass of worms’ sense. I remember an Abbadon tumblr post saying that she basically has no interest in governing and lets her worlds do their thing.
Jagganoth: I don’t remember what Abbadon had said, but possibly violent?
Solomon: Seems the most normal on the surface (we’ve only seen the capitol on his homeworld) but there’s plenty of hints that it’s oppressive in some way or other.
Jagganoth: possibly violent.
“Possibly violent” as in like “the only worlds that are not purged of life are those that providing war engines to purge the other”
Yeah, let’s say that.
smjjames “A different flavor of tyranny is still tyranny, no?”
Absolutism is the realm of angels, who have been correctly dealt with by Zoss.
So there’s not “anyways”, unless you’re one of those losers that don’t care about death yet still think to tinker with it. Angel, demons, or mindless servants: Which are you, that needn’t care?
Only dimwits consider the universe in absolute. Juggernaut Star only deserve respect for her might, which is clearly massive. Her soul is otherwise forlorn.
You made yourself clear. Have a nice day. Kindly keep to the void, until the true king come and teach you to reincarnate for a kalpa or two.
Your only saving grace is that Ysun is the biggest liar of all.
SO POSSIBLY? you might have a point?
I am thinking Solomon doesn’t actually want to rule. He’s made an empire where what happened to his wife and daughters and home will not happen to anyone… so long as they obey. (There was that mention by one of the contestants of wanting to hold him accountable for the Peach Orchard Massacre, I believe?)
What he wants is to find a successor as good as he sees himself as, abdicate the throne, and then go off to learn how to be Royalty.
An interesting take… but if true, it only proves my point. Zoss was the greatest tyrant since YIS-UN, and Solomon David would gladly take up that vacant throne. Jagganoth seeks destruction, but the others seek control.
Domination.
Rulership.
Tyranny.
That human mistakenly thought me a Thorn Knight, an all too common mistake. I am the last of the Freedom Knights, a tyrantbreaker. For a thousand lifetimes, I have wielded the Tyrant-Shattering Fist. I exist to stand against any and all who seek to command others… including my wayward siblings who walk the Thorned Path.
How’s that working out for you? Being the first quad digit born.
Lonely.
Tyranny is rule by personal whim, judgement without law, and absence of a means for removing the tyrant. Solomon has definite (and harsh) laws, which are applied strictly, and has declared the terms for removing himself from power. He is certainly the least tyrannical of the Seven. Whether his reign is better or worse than tyranny is open to question.
Solomon David seems to be inspired by the Old Testament Law of the Jews: as long as you keep the Law you are fine, but no-one is that perfect, the Law is impossible to keep (that was the whole point of it) and it seems SD rules his empire like that: good for those who keep the law, but NO mercy for those who break it. Lawful Neutral is how I would classify him.
Somehow, I feel Zaid will enter fight before this is over. How many 11th hour appearances can we fit it, girls?
Zaid is a lover, not a fighter. I hear he is in great demand as an underwear model.
Ok I’mma be real with u: kinda lost in the plot at this point (excluding obvious beats) & rereading early parts hasn’t gotten me anywhere. I hope on a second read the nuance of the story is truly understood. But regardless, HOMIE JUST GOT BLAPPED YISUN DAMN
White Chain’s banishment is the relevant part right now; Vigilant Gazes, the one who just pwned Juggernaut Star, was an angel who sorta chilled by the entryway to the void with a few others, but didn’t agree with WC caring about the world or having a human female form. We also briefly saw him rejoin the physical world after Allison captured the gang leader, although we didn’t know his ID until recently. Juggernaut Star offered WC the job of guarding the key and making sure it gets to Zaid, in the hopes that Zaid willl fulfill the prophecy of murdering everything so that the Angels can swoop in and claim Throne once again. WC agreed because she wants the key safe tyrannical owners and because she wants the Rising king (prophesied to be Zaid, but is now probably Allison) to take down the current rulers.
VG popped outta nowhere because he saw WC about to attack Allicio because she was being a bit reckless trashing up the other contestants, which is not at all what WC was teaching. We don’t really know what conclusions were jumped too, but VG poorly worded his sayings and accidentally encouraged the battle. Right after WC beats Allison but doesn’t kill her, Juggers, who was probably watching somehow, swooped in to get her to finish Allison off, since Allison is just a meat vessel for the key to Juggers, and Zaid is nearby. WC got that talking to by VG, so she’d already regretted attacking, and WC’s refusal prompted the current battle.
In all my many wanderings I have rarely scene such a final blow
A Hush falls over the Arena… the sound of one pair of hands clapping carries throughout.
It seems the Ring of Power has excellent acoustics…!
Solomon can destroy a massive stone table with the touch of his little finger, so I imagine his derisive applause is deadly at thirty paces.
So… did White Chain win? She was the only one left standing who actually registered for the tournament. Not that she’s in any real fighting shape right now, but I assume they’ll give her some time to rest.
Darkness obscures
This is axiomatic.
AYE, YE POXY TIT THA DO NO BE A RHYME
Tenebrous state it does bedim.
To thy taste is this maxim?
Ah, this spectacle has nearly inspired me to action. I sit, excited, watching and waiting. God speed, White Chain.
God speed, Purple Emperor!
Ah yes, that magical moment it dawns on the other contestants that not making it that far in the tournament maybe wasn´t such a bad thing.
What, no one cheers that Giant Murderous Baby lives? Oh well, GIANT BABY LIVES! =D As does Cio :3
Smug Solomon is soddin’ SMUG.