Comic 444 - Flame Pillar

13th Jun 2016, 1:00 AM in Chapter Seven
444 - Flame Pillar
Average Rating: 5 (11 votes)
rufiangel 13th Jun 2016, 1:00 AM edit delete
rufiangel
Hey guys, here's the late update! I hope you enjoy it, despite its lateness. Thanks for being so patient.

As you might guess, the next update originally scheduled for Monday the coming week will have to be postponed. I'm afraid I'm not sure when the next update will go up, but I promise this spotty update schedule won't be for much longer. I'm aiming for one more update this coming week before I take a short break. IAGW, when I return, it'll be back to regularly scheduled updates as per the usual! :)

I have a REALLY gorgeous treat for you guys by the wonderfully talented and super-sweet-and-awesome reader Digi5, inspired by the fanart of Kylie on the beach Cici-muffin did a small while ago!

image

<333 It's just the most adorable thing, and I *love* everything about it! *Especially* the little fishies on a stick XD <333 *hugs Digi* thanks so much!! ;3;* (I'm pretty sure you are blessing all the Nemi fans too here XDD)

Uhmu... oh yeah, the buff that Cain uses in this page is actually the spell he tried to use way back in Chapter Two, on this page; it's a defense boost! (You can read the alt-text on that page to learn the same thing XD) He failed back then as he was prioritising all the wrong actions as a 100% newbie. Now that he's less green (just slightly XD) I finally got the chance to show Cain using a buff properly! Atta, boy. ;)

Okay, enough sleepy ramblings from me. Sorry, once again, for the lack of responsiveness to comments in general but it's on my to-do list!

Thanks so, so much for reading. When the next update is ready to go up, I'll blast out an announcement!

image
rufiangel 17th Jun 2016, 9:25 PM edit delete
rufiangel
Hey guys, so sorry, I ended up not being able to finish the page I wanted to for this week after all. I'm in the airport now, heading out and gonna be back next Monday. I'll have a more concrete plan for updates when I'm back. Thanks for your patience!!
rufiangel 21st Jun 2016, 12:56 AM edit delete
rufiangel
image
mjkj 13th Jun 2016, 1:47 AM edit delete reply
mjkj
*lol* Kylie is just sooo confident... XD

*lol* Maddie is complaining - and I like the hourglass there...

Awww... Cain is concerned for Maddie - sooo touching...

@alt text: ??? sorry I do not know what you are hinting at... - though congratulations on comic #444 =D

@author notes: You are welcome :) and thank you for your effort... *hugs*

Please find a schedule that works for you - even if you have to go to one update a week...

@fan art: Awwww... Neeemmmmiiiiii!!! <3 <3 <3

Please get enough rest, Rufi...

rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:45 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Kylie's nonchalant about these things, it's all old hand to her after all. XD;

I'm sure you've read the explanations by now in the comments regarding '4' so I won't reiterate :P

And I knew you'd like the fanart! Lol. Thanks always for your constant support, patience and kindness, Mjkj!! <3
mjkj 4th Jul 2016, 6:16 PM edit delete reply
mjkj
You are welcome *hugs*

Yeah, I have read them by now :)

Great to have you back *many huggus*

Jarvi 13th Jun 2016, 2:40 AM edit delete reply
Jarvi
I think Kylie brought him along to test him out as well :)
Headgamer 13th Jun 2016, 4:19 AM edit delete reply
Headgamer
I get that feeling as well.
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:45 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
That's not far off the mark! ;)
Kat 13th Jun 2016, 3:08 AM edit delete reply
Kylie's in a bit of a bad mood, huh?

also, re: author notes: don't worry! don't stress yourself out! :)
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:45 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Oh, does she seem that way? XD; She's not in a particularly bad mood, though of course she was initially annoyed that they have to go cram-level Cain up in the first place. This is just Kylie being pure business!

And thank you dear, I truly appreciate the support and patience! ;3;*
Headgamer 13th Jun 2016, 4:20 AM edit delete reply
Headgamer
No worries, it was a great strip late or not.


Nice fan art Digi5!
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:45 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Thank you Headgamer!! ;3;* <3 I truly appreciate your support and the fact you take a moment out of all the busy-ness going on in your life to drop a note and let me know you're still reading, and your encouragement! I hope all is well with you and Mizu >3<***

Re: fanart - ain't it just? <333
MST3KFan 13th Jun 2016, 6:10 AM edit delete reply
MST3KFan
Don't worry, rufi. People should be able to understand that life/work/school can get in the way for everyone at some point or another.

As far as the comic. Heh. Nice to see Madou actually being a bit on edge for once.
Cain seems particularly worried about working alongside him. Though given he was their enemy previously, I'm not surprised.

And that Nemi fanart... :3
Digi5 13th Jun 2016, 11:23 PM edit delete reply
Digi5
It is nice to see Madou being on edge for once. He's usually smug (or off on the edges of conversation where people can only guess his intentions)
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:46 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Ahaha, Digi XD I'm glad readers are enjoying the less-than-smug side of Madou! The occasional drop of his 'mask' proves that he's just as human as the rest of them, I guess XD;
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:46 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Aww, thank you MST3K! <3 I really appreciate your support and understanding ;3;*

Madou is not infallible! He gets caught off-guard at times, too XD (Slayers reference: Even Xelloss opened his eyes in shock when Lina had enough items of value to exchange for his amplifying accessories XD)

Cain is openly suspicious of Madou's intentions for excellent reasons, yep XD; It's really more surprising that Kylie is not as hostile. Hmm... ;)

And yesh, the fanart makes me (and Nemi fans XD) so happy <3 X3
azureXtwilight 13th Jun 2016, 9:00 AM edit delete reply
azureXtwilight
Don't worry, Madou can really support himself just fine even if he's a little dum-dum!
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:46 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Lolol, Madou *can* solo-play a pretty mean game if he wants to, you're right Azure-rin! XD;
Slim Kittens 13th Jun 2016, 10:09 AM edit delete reply
Slim Kittens
"Shut up, Cain! Quit being the voice of reason!"

As for bikini Nemi....o_0
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:46 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
LOL Slim Kittens XD; Well, Kylie does have her own reasoning, though not everyone may agree with it ;)

I take it you approve of Nemi-kini XD
Seabiscuit 13th Jun 2016, 11:07 AM edit delete reply
Seabiscuit
Gosh, even Madou lost his grin a bit, haha!
Gotta sort out them hotkeys? Haha ~ >D
(Ahh I hope you have a nice break, you deserve it! :D)
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:46 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
LOL seamuffin that's EXACTLY what I wanted to portray in that scene, thank you for spotting it and putting it in words! XDD *gives seamuffin a golden cookie* <3 (and Madou, hotkeys, hurr hurrr)

(Thankyew muffin, I did have a very good break! Now I'm ready to get back into things! <3 Thanks so much for your understanding and patience ;3;* <3)
TheD-Wrek 13th Jun 2016, 11:58 AM edit delete reply
TheD-Wrek
Beautiful page. Especially that fire effect.

...

Madou... you've grown on me. I like dis guy. Which means there's gonna be a double cross or a death or something down the road. >_>
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
LOL aww D-bruh, why would you think that just 'cause you like the guy? XDD

And thank you so much, I really appreciate knowing that it works! <3 Fire is always fun ;D
KAM 13th Jun 2016, 4:38 PM edit delete reply
KAM
What are those creatures? Hooded Deer? Cloaked Centaurs? 0_o

I don't get the 444 ref either.

Interesting to see Madou get flustered here, but then he's never been much of a team player, has he?
Anonymous Dragon 22nd Jun 2016, 7:51 AM edit delete reply
4 in Chinese is a lot like the word for death. Rufi herself is from Hong Kong, so it makes sense to her
KAM 22nd Jun 2016, 6:14 PM edit delete reply
KAM
Oh, yes. Forgot about that.

Makes me wonder how the comic book The Fantastic Four did when/if it was released over there. ;-)
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
@KAM: Might've made them sound more... fatal? XD
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Thank you, Anonymous Dragon, for clarifying the alt-text for others X3 <33
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Cent-harts ;D <3
Interesting observation! Madou's familiar with the tactic Kylie is employing here though, I'll say that much. ;)
Matt Knab 13th Jun 2016, 5:22 PM edit delete reply
Matt Knab
Well, define "safe". Because with or without him, I don't think that word applies to what we're doing...

Awesome special effects, but poor critters. :(
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
That's an excellent point, Matt XDD
Thankyew <33 I'm glad the SFX paid off, yes, poor elves in my workforce indeed... oh wait, you meant the roasting cent-harts! Right, yes, poor them too... >.>
CiciEnixa 13th Jun 2016, 10:00 PM edit delete reply
CiciEnixa
That is a most gorgeous beach Nemi right there <3

And omg, 444, that is... terrifyingly appropriate as a marker for the mass death of the hoodie cent-harts (yes i am calling them that XD). Even more so when you realize the horrible flaming deaths are in the 4th panel.

Cain... you have asked a very good question, and I shall back you up on this. I find the thought of a buffed Madou to be a bit terrifying. Not as much as "buff" Madou, but ya know XDDD
Digi5 13th Jun 2016, 11:11 PM edit delete reply
Digi5
Ah, ha, so that's what the alt text meant! I didn't get it until I read this comment. I forgot that the number 4 means death in Chinese culture. Rufi is from Hong Kong...
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:47 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Isn't she just <33

And omg I didn't even realise that XDD wow, 4444, 4 4s, dang :'D this is a very deadly page (also, cent-harts are the official name now, congratulations XD <3)

And... a "buff" Madou does not compute :'D
Digi5 13th Jun 2016, 11:34 PM edit delete reply
Digi5
How strong is Madou? That's a great question cliffhanger! XP ...although, with buffs, he was able to hold his own in a fight against Kylie.

Thank you, Rufi, for liking the fanart! <3 And for everyone else who liked the fanart as well! :3 It took awhile to do, and I'm very glad it turned out successful.
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:49 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Everyone loves the fanart Digi! <333 And no wonder, it's lovely X3 thank you so much for spending time and talent on it!! <33

When Madou fought Kylie, the fact he did it at such close-quarters made it frankly disadvantageous for him. If he'd been fighting her from a distance, well... let's just say the flow of the fight would've gone rather differently!
Guest 14th Jun 2016, 7:47 AM edit delete reply
good strategy though. Keep Cain too busy healing and buffing to think about how he can't and his chains. Keep Madou too busy saving their asses to plot.
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:48 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Keep everyone too busy to do anything, really? XD
Nef 15th Jun 2016, 4:28 AM edit delete reply
Nef
Cain's worries might prove to be accurate.

And love the FISHKABOBS!
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:49 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
I see what you did there...!
Have a fishkabob <3 -<><-<><-<><-
Outlaw 20th Jun 2016, 10:00 PM edit delete reply
Outlaw
Hahah, Madou's a baaaaaad man!
I also love the little "loading menu" symbol has he turns away. Excellent touch.

Also, Cain's asking all the right questions. Seems like Madou might be a bit OP right now.
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:49 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Ahahaha, I'm glad everyone likes how Madou's been reacting to this whole thing in general XD <3 thank you!

Madou did just kill a whole bunch of mobs in one shot, so Cain is pretty taken aback. Kylie doesn't seem too surprised, though... >3>
mjkj 21st Jun 2016, 5:23 PM edit delete reply
mjkj
@author picture note: Awww... *hugs Rufi*

Take your time... and see you next month :)

rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:49 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Thankyew Mjkj!! >3<*)/
HeSerpenty 30th Jun 2016, 11:09 PM edit delete reply
HeSerpenty
Omg all this time I thought i commented! I don't blame Cain for not fully trusting madou. .. but I don't know WHO to trust anymore! I love how u did that flame effect!
rufiangel 4th Jul 2016, 4:49 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
No worries Serpy-kins, I know how busy you are <3 XD
And it's probably best not to trust anyone too much in this XD;; they're all unreliable in one way or another~ (like all people are :'D)

And thank you!! <3 I'm glad the flame FX turned out alright! X3 <33
Mylandah 27th Jul 2017, 11:29 PM edit delete reply
Mylandah
Love the flames, so pretty!
This is definitely a BLM burn party! Totally did this in FF11 XD
rufiangel 31st Jul 2017, 12:01 PM edit delete reply
rufiangel
Danke! <3 whoa please educate me, what does BLM stand for? XD;;