He’s not conquering the world for power. He’s asking it questions – violently – and observing the answers. His goal was to make it so Jantris dies, not to kill him and take his stuff. And getting to see what another will do with the key is a bonus.
I find the Key of the Word “Flame” an interesting thing. Twice at least, it has been in the head of one who turned the world around them into nothing but objects to be acted upon for their own desires’ sake.
Twice at least — once with Yuan, once with Maya — those deemed “object” most closely tied to the bearer have survived, endured, and played a role instrumental to the slaying of that bearer. Or in the latter case, one that at least promised such.
Also, If the Key itself is tied to Lust-as-Objectification and Yaun knew that, that would explain why Yaun never took it himself, and why he asked the questions he did: He didn’t want it, and was very picky about who else he let take it.
Well, from the way Incubus interacts with Allison and his own words, he targets more in the ‘lust for power’, ambition, which would bleed over into greed and envy.
From the one view of one of his worlds and the interactions, I got the impression that addiction may also play a role, in the predator sense.
Damn I was wondering when Jaggarnoth got his teeth and I guess he’s just always had them. Also Maya’s only explaination for her immortality being basically spite is pretty badass.
Others have meditated well on keys and their bearers. I simply note how it is both fortuitous and considerate of this god to have leaned over to provide this overhang, especially when so many of their brethren died upright. Perhaps their domain included foresight, shelter, or scoliosis.
Hold on a second, which demiurge has the word flame right now? Jagganoth I think (because of the whole fire thing, for one)?
That would mean that Incubus isn’t the one who took Maya’s key, but Jagganoth. Or perhaps she gave it freely after a point. And then Incubus got the throneworld, the one that Jagganoth declared wasn’t his.
Swords are drastically overvalued, in my eyes. All weapons are, for weapons are tools designed to make a single task easier: killing. I much prefer a shield to any sword, for a shield is designed to intercept attacks and defend those who need shelter from harm.
That’s exactly the point of sword, and why warlords all over have decided to glorify it.
An axe is a fine implement when you are interacting with trees and wood, and also a fine killing implement. Yet sword has no specific purpose outside of causing maim and death. A knife at least is fine for many domestic operations.
That’s why warlords ostensibly walk around with them swords, begging for attention.
Two things: 1) did maya always have a key? I think I remember her having a hole where it used to be. 2) Did she always carry a sword? Wasnt it just a sword handle before ?
Yo, Pondering, I was wondering the same thing about the sword. As I recall (being too lazy to look back through the archives) Maya had a sword fragment, the handle and a few inches of sword, when we first met her. Basically a broken sword, with which she could cut the daylights out of pretty much anything, begging the question of whether it was needed at all.
When it comes to her relationship to a key, any given key, or any number of keys – stolen, given, discarded, etc. there are those in these comments who know much more than I and have offered a variety of theories.
I just flat don’t know. At first and along the way it seemed that the keys held the most badass of mojos, especially Allison’s, but now I wonder (along with some other commenters) just how much mojo they have, and/or if anyone has unlocked the true potential of any of them.
It seems Maya said “Screw the keys” and somehow became more powerful, or equally powerful, without one, while keeping a somewhat low profile.
I dunno, it’s been a long journey. I do know that Maya is exactly the person Allison needs to be talking to/training with. She drips awesomeness.
Allison’s character is so frustrating, she is easily the least interesting out of the bunch, and her motivations are empty. White Chain abandoned some teachings of the angel’s order. Cio’s sacrifice went against her own desire to have a happy quiet life. So, everyone grew, except her. And now, you give her a power up, but why? Her story was getting interesting when Jadis told us about her childhood and the death of her classmate. Allison’s past should be a reflection of cosmology in your story, let her be a mouse. What a waste of time this is, seeing her just becoming a puppet for ninja sword obliteration battles, instead of a philosopher.
I see your perspective but do not agree. Abaddon’s done a fair job of taking Alison’s foolishness and showing how it allows her to walk the path of royalty where more accomplished and complex characters cannot. I respect Alison’s grit and she has grown since the first issue, while retaining the essential structure of who she is.
42 Fragments the Universe Beyond All Reintegration
All the Demiurges got stuck because of want. They wanted one thing, overwhelmingly, and it blocked them from proper royalty. They could not have benefitted from the master key had they obtained it.
Allison doesn’t want any one thing that badly; or at least she doesn’t know what she wants. Her goals are not ultimate goals, just steps along a path to something yet unchosen.
Yes, this makes her less interesting now, but it makes her much more fit to become royal and to do something worthwhile with the master key. Then she may choose what she wants, and that will be ultimate growth of character.
With hair intact and teeth bared, Jagganoth extremely resembles some Apostle from “Berserk” Whether it would be Zodd the Immortal or Vyald, I presently have difficulty to estimate.
Why did he urge her to kill Jantris and take the key, instead of doing it himself?
Because, as so many great and mighty being are, he is an idiot.
I think he wanted a disciple to help him in his work.
Why not?
He’s not conquering the world for power. He’s asking it questions – violently – and observing the answers. His goal was to make it so Jantris dies, not to kill him and take his stuff. And getting to see what another will do with the key is a bonus.
I find the Key of the Word “Flame” an interesting thing. Twice at least, it has been in the head of one who turned the world around them into nothing but objects to be acted upon for their own desires’ sake.
Twice at least — once with Yuan, once with Maya — those deemed “object” most closely tied to the bearer have survived, endured, and played a role instrumental to the slaying of that bearer. Or in the latter case, one that at least promised such.
Also, If the Key itself is tied to Lust-as-Objectification and Yaun knew that, that would explain why Yaun never took it himself, and why he asked the questions he did: He didn’t want it, and was very picky about who else he let take it.
Well, from the way Incubus interacts with Allison and his own words, he targets more in the ‘lust for power’, ambition, which would bleed over into greed and envy.
From the one view of one of his worlds and the interactions, I got the impression that addiction may also play a role, in the predator sense.
Damn I was wondering when Jaggarnoth got his teeth and I guess he’s just always had them. Also Maya’s only explaination for her immortality being basically spite is pretty badass.
Maya pointing at Nadia Om and laughing
A man who says he cannot be killed is simply a man that has not yet been killed.
Others have meditated well on keys and their bearers. I simply note how it is both fortuitous and considerate of this god to have leaned over to provide this overhang, especially when so many of their brethren died upright. Perhaps their domain included foresight, shelter, or scoliosis.
And the back spikes reappear.
Hold on a second, which demiurge has the word flame right now? Jagganoth I think (because of the whole fire thing, for one)?
That would mean that Incubus isn’t the one who took Maya’s key, but Jagganoth. Or perhaps she gave it freely after a point. And then Incubus got the throneworld, the one that Jagganoth declared wasn’t his.
Actually, I’m misremembering, nvm.
One could say, it’s just a particularly large and peculiarly shaped rock.
Jagganoth bears the word blade. incubus holds flame instead of maya
Yuan is quite comfortable holding his sword by the blade.
Given the swords size and mass, it doesn’t necessarily need to be razor sharp.
indeed. see how large the blade is compared to the men below, it’s more of a large hunk of iron than a sword, really
If you are careful, swords are only sharp when you want them to be. Halfswording!
I can imagine why Allison was surprised, it’s rare for ancient martial artist imparting wisdom in a direct way.
ALLISON RUTH TEN MATHANGI
Shave and a haircut.
2 bits!
Swords are drastically overvalued, in my eyes. All weapons are, for weapons are tools designed to make a single task easier: killing. I much prefer a shield to any sword, for a shield is designed to intercept attacks and defend those who need shelter from harm.
Often the best defence is a good offence.
A scalpel can remove rot, a shield makes for a messy bludgeon.
Bearing a sword requires clarity and ease of motion, lest one remove themselves. A shield is an obstruction, both to sight and to change.
That’s exactly the point of sword, and why warlords all over have decided to glorify it.
An axe is a fine implement when you are interacting with trees and wood, and also a fine killing implement. Yet sword has no specific purpose outside of causing maim and death. A knife at least is fine for many domestic operations.
That’s why warlords ostensibly walk around with them swords, begging for attention.
Two things: 1) did maya always have a key? I think I remember her having a hole where it used to be. 2) Did she always carry a sword? Wasnt it just a sword handle before ?
Yo, Pondering, I was wondering the same thing about the sword. As I recall (being too lazy to look back through the archives) Maya had a sword fragment, the handle and a few inches of sword, when we first met her. Basically a broken sword, with which she could cut the daylights out of pretty much anything, begging the question of whether it was needed at all.
When it comes to her relationship to a key, any given key, or any number of keys – stolen, given, discarded, etc. there are those in these comments who know much more than I and have offered a variety of theories.
I just flat don’t know. At first and along the way it seemed that the keys held the most badass of mojos, especially Allison’s, but now I wonder (along with some other commenters) just how much mojo they have, and/or if anyone has unlocked the true potential of any of them.
It seems Maya said “Screw the keys” and somehow became more powerful, or equally powerful, without one, while keeping a somewhat low profile.
I dunno, it’s been a long journey. I do know that Maya is exactly the person Allison needs to be talking to/training with. She drips awesomeness.
Allison’s character is so frustrating, she is easily the least interesting out of the bunch, and her motivations are empty. White Chain abandoned some teachings of the angel’s order. Cio’s sacrifice went against her own desire to have a happy quiet life. So, everyone grew, except her. And now, you give her a power up, but why? Her story was getting interesting when Jadis told us about her childhood and the death of her classmate. Allison’s past should be a reflection of cosmology in your story, let her be a mouse. What a waste of time this is, seeing her just becoming a puppet for ninja sword obliteration battles, instead of a philosopher.
I see your perspective but do not agree. Abaddon’s done a fair job of taking Alison’s foolishness and showing how it allows her to walk the path of royalty where more accomplished and complex characters cannot. I respect Alison’s grit and she has grown since the first issue, while retaining the essential structure of who she is.
All the Demiurges got stuck because of want. They wanted one thing, overwhelmingly, and it blocked them from proper royalty. They could not have benefitted from the master key had they obtained it.
Allison doesn’t want any one thing that badly; or at least she doesn’t know what she wants. Her goals are not ultimate goals, just steps along a path to something yet unchosen.
Yes, this makes her less interesting now, but it makes her much more fit to become royal and to do something worthwhile with the master key. Then she may choose what she wants, and that will be ultimate growth of character.
Awesome page! Looks like Alison will finally get the hair style from the previous chapter’s cover.
With hair intact and teeth bared, Jagganoth extremely resembles some Apostle from “Berserk” Whether it would be Zodd the Immortal or Vyald, I presently have difficulty to estimate.
Gotta love the ability to survive uncounted years just on spite alone.
“Only the lonely survive just to stay alive
On retribution drive”
How much energy has the human race spent policing hair
Maya drew that sword so fast that the packs behind her desaturated and scooted away.
Dunno about the pack color change, but I think it’s Maya that moved forward on the draw rather than the stuff behind her moving away.
Alison Ten Maya.
“How are you alive?”
“Hate.”
I see Maya studied the Clockwerk method of immortality.
“Murder the Gods and Topple their Thrones” is definitely something that’s been uttered in this comic before, but I can’t remember which page.
Since Jaggahog is black . Can he play the race card here ?.
Asking for a friend …
Nooo! Not her beautiful white hair!!
and that man?:
jabraham jincoln