<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
Every page will be published on my Patreon first, and only after 1 month will they be public.
If you want to chat with us on our Discord server, help us to make more original contents, like comics and pictures, or if you are interested in exclusive sketches, progressions, WIPs, PSD files, Q&As or monthly votes, Patreon exclusive streams and progress videos, and having access to all of our artworks 1 month before they get published, us on Patreon! :)
https://www.patreon.com/zummeng
Or you can buy me a coffee :)
https://ko-fi.com/zummeng
Every page will be published on my Patreon first, and only after 1 month will they be public.
If you want to chat with us on our Discord server, help us to make more original contents, like comics and pictures, or if you are interested in exclusive sketches, progressions, WIPs, PSD files, Q&As or monthly votes, Patreon exclusive streams and progress videos, and having access to all of our artworks 1 month before they get published, us on Patreon! :)
https://www.patreon.com/zummeng
Or you can buy me a coffee :)
https://ko-fi.com/zummeng
15913
Views
176
Comments
437
Favorites
General
Rating
FA+

Reading some dumb books or comics with the trope about how gods exist due to faith or whatever doesn't give you some special knowledge.
I'm not quite sure where you get off about me "being so cringe" or whatever that's suppose to mean. Obviously you know much more about these 'dumb books or comics' than I do, so I guess they appeal to you more than they do me, hm? You do understand that there's a thing in the world called "philosophy"? You should check it out, it's a wild new thing that's really making waves. And I make no claim that I have any more knowledge than the person to my left or right, much less any sort of special knowledge about anything. After all, it's the man that thinks himself a fool that is wise, while the man who thinks himself wise that is the fool.
You might as well proclaim to be an atheist in Dungeons And Dragons and see how the residents of that world react to you, in a world where the gods exist and actively appear before and interact with mortalkind on a regular basis. They would probably look at you like people look at antivaxxers in our world.
I suppose you're the type of person who can't stand fantasy or scifi stories because "magic doesn't exist" or something like that? I know your type. I was like you before. But fiction is fiction. Reality is reality. You need to learn to draw the line between them and appreciate them as separate entities.
Now that you're done acting like you know me or something, let me clue you in. Go back and read my comments. I mean actually read them. I'll give you a minute.. Ah, you found it, didn't you? The part where I specifically stated that I was making a reference to modern society IN THE REAL WORLD. No shit that a deity in a fantasy setting wouldn't care. They would be, "Ah, you think a lack of followers bothers me? How's this lightning bolt bother you?"
And while you've apparently known me for years and know what kind of person I'm like, you might have stopped paying attention at some point, because you're fundamentally wrong a one or two points;
1. I'm agnostic, not atheist. Big difference. I state this in my profile.
2. Science fiction and fantasy are, in fact, my favorite genres. In fact, my favorite book series is the collection of books set in the BOLO universe created by Keith Laumer; monstrously huge, nuclear powered, sentient-AI controlled tanks. You should check it out. Kinda obscure, but awesome. I own all of them. Most of the games I play are also sci-fi/fantasy. You might have been clued in to this if you had read my profile.
3. My art gallery full of sci-fi art commissions and stories based in a future-setting Assassin's Creed alternate timeline that I wrote might have also clued you in to whether or not I like sci-fi as well.
4. I've been a DM for D&D since 2E was out. I'm an expert with the 3/3.5E rules. My own homebrew is a amalgamation of 3/3.5E with a touch of 5E tossed in. One of my oldest characters has gone through so much over the last few decades (in the real world, not fantasy, you seem easily confused on this point so I had to clarify) they have actually become a deity themselves. Long storyline involved over lots of campaigns over many real-world years, huge god-war, about a quarter of the original pantheon dead at this point, now the most powerful and de facto ruler of the deities is actually a 7,000+ years old red dragon deity that's neutral good.
Reality is reality. Fiction is fiction. And philosophy is philosophy. You should learn that one doesn't preclude another. You should also learn not to assume things about people; it has a tendency to backfire and make you look like an idiot.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?"
Aren't we all glad that The Tree isn't Doctor Manhattan?
Nigel is a kid and he does not really understand his situation, wounder if anything would go differently if Leopold was here...
But to be honest I doubt things would be much different if Leopold was there. He's not as emotional but he's far more prideful
And i seriously wonder why Luna didnt dodge the stone. I mean, she is a god after all, shouldn't she have some kind of... well, you know, ability that either lets her see what is coming or let the stone simply not hit her?
Also, it's just a pebble, he's just a kid, and she's a goddess. She probably barely felt that, not worth trying to deflect.
And it may also have been the intent as well. Nigel has been quite hurt by everything that has happened to him so far... And Luna basically had told him that "Because you wanted to make your Family Proud, you can't be a Guardian... But I'mma still make your Douchy Family Guardians anyway, even though they were basically the ones who made you unworthy in the first place."
I'd be sour too in that case.
Because that may ostracise the family from the rest of society, which might end with the family dying out, which in turn would diminish everything. Not by much, true, but how many drops make an ocean that drowns you? She is taking the long view in this. You never know how a family will develop in a few centuries or even millennia.
But she is aware that it's the individuals that make up a society, so she takes care of as many as possible.
I assume.
Luna may be a god, but she may not be GOD. She may be wiser and more powerful than the rest of the tribe, but it doesn't mean she's infinitely wise, or infinitely powerful. If she were, then why would she need guardians at all?
Its sweet and adorable to see how defensive Mira is of her mother, even if it isn't called for. And I love how Chilli is just hiding.
If that’s the case
*gives you chocolates*
But I tend to draw the line at angry children throwing rocks at my face. :P
Especially when the parents are the one doing the conditioning.
Nigel's got a looooong road ahead.
It also cannot Cook anything, so aside from burning Monsters, it's not really good for anything else beyond looking awesome.
Nigel is simply a Boy who has lost everything, and has no idea how to take it. Luna may not have meant to hurt him, but she basically said that Nigel's family deserved to be Guardians for Brainwashing their children and Treating the "Undesirable One" like Dirt... Simply because they wanted to be Guardians.
Rather Twisted, I must say.
Cuz is it Nigel’s Family who forsaken him that’s at fault not Luna
She is already talking to him and trying to make him understand her perspective; he is too emotional in the moment to get it.
The best thing she can do is give him time to reflect on it and maybe come to understand it in time.
If she'd try forcing it, she'd probably only make him more defensive and less willing to understand.
Judging by alot of comments under the previous page, I was getting afraid, that the point slipped from many readers.
Thank you for reignighting my faith in people. ^^
And I think she would do something about his situation, but he won't let her.
I know how Luna feels even the beginning of this comic told us fate will change for
The worst and she maybe powerless to stop which is why her children might fix the world
Still Luna didn’t deserve that AT ALL
Not to say Luna could've worded her sentenses a bit better, but if everyone would've given full fledged description of what they should do and how to live their lives, it wouldn't be their own lives, but someone else's.
And by the looks of Nigel's ref sheet, I get the feeling, that he just might become, at least, somewhat of a Villain. Maybe Villain's sidekick?
I really hope the Guardians will eventually find a way to make amends with him and ease his anger.
Sooner, than later, when it's too late.
His arc would probably be forgiveness and acceptance. But mostly forgiveness towards himself, because basically, he is angry at himself for fail to be a guardian and for disappointing his parents (from his point of view).
From the very begining of Nigel's narration about this part of his story, he very much hates his parents for what they did to him.
And to become a part of any group, he should overcome his inner anger first.
Or become some kind of "Anti-Hero", that tries to do good, but causes more troubles than said Good.
We'll have to see.
If he doesn't get a redemption arc then let his end be something in expected. (Again that's just me doing a small BREAKDOWN what I'm seeing so I may COMPLETELY WORNG QWQ)
Mira : So you've chosen death?
So many people in this world could use her guidance.
Nigel is consumed with pain, and not seeing clearly. She sees that.
Beautiful. I think one day he'll heal from the neglect of his parents, and find
he truly wants to become a guardian. On. His. Own.
If her flames can Hurt Nigel, a CHILD who is Feeling EMOTIONAL, it puts to Question about a lot of things...
He might feel the heat but nothing serious perhaps? Anyways i bet if the flames dont work she would still try to beat him up XD
If Anger is Evil, Then Mira should be burning her own hands using the flames, as she's corrupting herself in her anger.
...Asides, you lot DO realize that Nigel ALSO starts off his Chapter calling himself "Shit" and "Crap"? Or that in his narration, he holds no ill will to Luna, a Stark Contrast to here?
Yeah, Turns out, calling a Guy who already considers himself an Asshole, an "Asshole" really shows a far amount of shortsightedness, as well as calling his a "daddy/momma's boy" when he started off explaining that he grew to hate his family for what they did, with the SOLE EXCEPTION being his Little Brother TOBY!
Yeah, I saw The Chapter start. When he was talking about his Brother Toby, he sounds PROUD of his little brother in the narration... Who basically had everything Nigel once had given to him once his Parents considered Nigel as "The Failure".
We're watching a Flashback, heavily implied to be the Event that Turns the Tide for Nigel's Character... And for Nigel, THIS was the scene that affected him the most. This was the moment that led to Nigel hating himself the most of all.
This is Nigel's Worst Memory... The one Burned into his Mind. Like Tristian, his story will be one of the harder ones (Tristian stays with his Manipulative "Friends" till Mira finds him, and Nigel would be wandering the Roads when he is found... And Likely Refusing the Call the First time round.), and his major development will have to be him healing from the Scars.
And On Nigel's Ref sheet, Viktria reveals that Nigel has a Deep Seated Anger Issue with the world, always being rude and lashing out... But most of all, he has a Bitter Hatred at HIMSELF.
If I'm reading the situation correctly... Luna's advice may have backfired... Since Nigel was supposed to "Go on a Journey and be Enlightened"... But here's the Rub, she told that to a Child that had basically been all but disowned by his family, the Sole Exception being his Little Brother Toby... And She forgot the Biggest part about enlightenment...
You're supposed to have someone Guide you if you are Lost and have no idea what to do... But since she never told him about that, Nigel likely tried to do that alone, believing he has to do it without any form of help or advice... And Grew to Hate himself so much that he's locked in a Vicious Cycle of Bitterness and Self-Hatred.
Even if she didn't mean it, Luna may have accidentally caused Nigel the most pain, simply because she forgot the most important advice to give to those who go on such Journeys of Enlightenment... And that is to have a Guide or Advisor, someone to help the Subject when they need to be Grounded or Require Direction.
Whoops.
You cannot do an Introspective when you undergo such shock, as it would could the mind, and thus, one's own self-reflection, which would have still left him "Unworthy" to be a Guardian.
We know Guardians have a dangerous duty. And the reference page to their weapons and them being older has no mention of Nigel's family. It has me concerned that perhaps he might be the last of his family at the point he's righting this all down.
As for Toby, it was said that he was once "pushed to the background" only to later become the sole focus of his parents' attention and praise, but I don't recall Nigel ever mentioning his feelings toward him one way or another. Unless you count that "I was angry at my family" bit. Also (and this isn't directed at you specifically), where are people getting that Toby becomes a guardian in the future? I haven't seen any mention of that in the story. In fact, he's not even featured on the Weapon and Height Chart and has no adult refsheet...which is kind of ominous now that I think about it.
And you missed an Important detail, A LOT of Kids became Guardians-In-Training, but our Focus is on a Select group of particulars. You forget that Alexander, a GOD, is on that List, along with his Daughter Lily, and the Main Villain of the Story is on the list as well... The latter not even remotely a Guardian and is instead the Main Reason they're on this quest in the First place.
Viktria uses the list as a Reference for the MAJOR PLAYERS of the story... Meaning The Cast of Main Characters. The Rest of the Guardians are not the Main Characters, being at Best, ing Characters, at Worst, Background Characters.
There's a Slight Chance they might die, but if they don't, they're more likely protecting Luna's Sanctuary while the Main Cast of the Guardians try to fix the problem. That means a Few "Lesser" Guardians may appear before Mira, Leopold and Chili go on the Trip, with Toby likely being among them.
Question is, Would Nigel turn up there, or on the Road?
Also, I wasn't suggesting everyone on that chart was a guardian. I was merely confused as to why people have been saying Toby is going to be a guardian as if they've already seen it happen. I know he's going to try, and I certainly hope he makes it, but it hasn't been shown in the comic yet.
1. Approach child.
2. Firmly grasp child.
3. Yeet the child.
If not, it reads even weirder 🙃
People are torn on who to root for, jumping from one Camp to another, in a span of each page.
Trully, a magnificent talent!
Also, I'm assuming practically nothing of this world can actually hurt The Tree of Life physically? Just about everything hurts her emotionally but that's what happens when you're literally the source for all life you get really attached to a whole bunch of temporary things all the time.
Let it out boy.
u had the diplomatic chance kiddo and threw it to the ground
for what?
hitting an avatar of the tree of life?
You know, everyone would like some of that morning coffee. DAVE!
And this is because she told him he wasnt ready yet. Ofcourse it would prevoke such reaction and action from him, she is the source of all pain she caused him.
She does make nice points but he is to angry to see beyond that right now.
She told him he wasn't ready and he isn't.
The parents are who he should blame.
The people who he trusted the most, those who promised to always be proud of him, to and love him, turned their back on him, the moment he failed ONCE at what they trained him to be.
The love and care they offered so nonchalantly, was taken away.
But it's not Luna fault. She didn't tell his parents to quit loving him, she tasked him to ask himself if being a Guardian really is what he wants, and then he will be ready.
Simple as that.
She didn't force his parents, she didn't take anything from him.
It was all his parents' doing.
And being pampered, beloved child, turned into neglected one, he can't possibly take in clear vision that it's his own Ma and Pa he should blame, and not some "stupid selfish Tree".
She actually tries to help him see and choose for himself, what he wants to be.
The fact that he can't clearly undrrstand that rn, is another point, but Luna herself, didn't DO any of what Nigel or people in comment section blames her for.
Not directly, anyway.
Should aim to be a baseball player. Or thier world equivalent.
...treeball?
This is simply a Flashback.
He even calls himself "Complete Shit".
This sort of feels reminds me of something in a story I heard so long ago, I can't even what it was from. It goes like two children are raced equally until their both considered adults. Then at a dinner they receive two distinct gifts that determine the children's lives from there on. One inherits everything and lives a long glamorous life, the other dies miserably and poor out on the streets from there on. I know it isn't an exact comparison to what's happening, but one child receiving all the love an attention as the other fades into the shadows does seem like a common thread here.
Toby might be a Guardian, but simply be elsewhere when the story goes down. Or the story is happening elsewhere while Toby has some safe, but boring guard duty to attend to.
We'll see.
Shhht. He wil become a vilain...
I sense some serious anger and possible evil off this kid.
Trstan - Thief (DD)
Leo - Warrior (Tank)
Nigel - maybe some kind of beginner warlock (two thieves in team will be too much, and such kind of class could give him more inner struggle) or, maybe, monk (but, you know, i wrong, too nervous to be martial art type character), pirate (maybe, but stick as weapon... No no no no). So i more interested what type of class he will be, more than why he was exiled from family. Maybe Treasure Hunter which will be possesed by some evil spirit.
Chili - Medic ()
Mira - mix of mage and warrior. (DD)
I don't sure about involvement of Rah'Jan, Alexander and Lilly, but if they will be in team. Rah'Jan Chaos Knight (Sorcerer), Alexander Warrior (DD), Lilly Rogue ().
Mira can only see someone who attacked her mother, which is understandable for a child, and the tree wisely held her back so Mira wouldn't do something she'd later come to regret.
Much as I utterly dislike Nigel, he is going to have to grow up a bit if he's ever going to get unstuck. He has a long and painful road ahead of him, but I am certain that if the day comes where Nigel finishes his journey, the tree will be waiting for him with open arms.
Mira tho... that spunk LOL
But, this will likely just turn into some nonsense about how she's right and how he's wrong, or how she was wrong but he was more wrong or some other nonsense. The only "defense" for her is splitting hairs over what makes someone "ready" or not. And if he has such great potential, she really shouldn't reject him. He's been so neglected that any potential left will be lost soon, assuming he even lives to try again. Really, she should just adopt him at this point to make sure he doesn't starve. Everyone seems to be forgetting that part. Get him some food and then a lecture about free will or some other crap.
If she's not willing to help him reach his potential, she shouldn't be lecturing him about it.
All this 'someday' talk is no help when you're alone and need help right NOW.
Love this comic.
Only way to fix this might be for her to meet his parents.
Poor kid. Hope the family gets whats coming to em.
Very little to none