Well, finally finished reading through. Very good, and I’m intrigued to find out what happens next. No way that getting out of the Nightmare Kingdom is going to be this easy…
I somehow expect Nastaja’s parents at earth to be doppelgangers, trying to give up Alex’ sword in fear so he can no longer interfere.
After all, didn’t Orion tell Alex that he was prohibited to give up the sword to someone else?
Nastajia: “Oh, if they can come there, I want to go to earth too!”
Alex: “But they said-”
Nastajia: “We háve to find that portal”
Alex: “But they said…”
Couldn’t it go the other way too? Maybe this is the real Nastajia, and the Alex we’re seeing is an evil doppleganger who showed up right after the real Alex disappeared. And next he’s going to tell Nastajia “So let’s head deeper into the Nightmare realm and find this portal so we can reunite you with your parents!”
I don’t see why only evil people could be “pushy” about who should be on the throne. Everyone sees the world differently…and unfortunately that includes a different view on what is right and what is wrong (if you don’t believe that, just look at politics and religion for real-life examples). That doesn’t automatically make the people who disagree with the hero of the tale “evil.” It just makes them real.
Except that Daniel has special powers in Dreamland. We don’t know what those are, but Scott has definitely said that. For all we know, Dan could be an equal in power to someone like Abaddon. It would be so interesting to see what is different about a true king versus another kind of king. Alex is the first of his kind in Dreamland–a substitute king. He is a good and valid king–he just didn’t get the mystical powers of a true king.
I don’t think they would’ve given up demanding that Dan go to Dreamland as king if they were doppelgangers.
Alex did give the sword to Nicole (it didn’t work for her), and that was when Orion told he he really shouldnt’ try that again. But he’s not prohibited. He’s king. He can do whatever he wants with the sword.
Overly elaborate, I think. Don’t forget, before Oberon and Titania intervened, the Nightmare Realm creatures were about to finish Dan and Nicole. From there they could have simply gone to Alex’s bedroom and dealt with him, too. That would have been far more certain than trying to guilt trip Alex into giving the Sword to Dan. Yes, with Arthur gone that would mean another human would have become King of Dreamland; but without training or knowledge of what’s going on, he’d be easy to deal with. And don’t forget, Titania wound up being on Alex’s side, urging Oberon to keep an open mind about who should be King…
Meh. If we assume they ARE nightmare-realm doppelgangers, then their motives seem pretty clear: for whatever reason, they can’t just take the sword. In order for their plan to work, Alex would have to give up his sword *willingly*. They’ve gained his trust, and now they’ve planted the germ of a thought–the seed of doubt–and now they’re waiting for it to bear fruit.
It’s an elaborate plan with some associated risk, but it’s more believable than Oberon and Titania the Deus ex Machina spontaneously showing up to save the day.
Of course, you can argue it the other way too: that Alex is currently talking to Nastajia’s doppelganger. She’ll argue, just as I have, that her parents can’t possibly be in the “real” world, that the versions he met must be shadow puppets, and that he can’t let the sword go no matter what. His new determination to keep the sword and his distrust of the “doppelgangers” could be enough to worry Dan and drive a schism between the two of them.
Suddenly, Abaddon’s Chief Enforcer Horrendous (who is a very fine actor, thank you) lets drop his illusion and chortles “Thank you for that information, foolish mortal. Now we have the missing part of the puzzle.”
That`s exactly what I meant, if Dan would come under the (mental) influence of the Nightmare Realm and he has his full powers in Dreamland….chaos would break loose!
Okay, her crying in the second panel I think debunks any “evil doppelganger” theories. Now hurry up and get her out of there, Alex!
Well, finally finished reading through. Very good, and I’m intrigued to find out what happens next. No way that getting out of the Nightmare Kingdom is going to be this easy…
Naw, I still suspect shapeshifters or doppelgangers or something like that. They seemed to be awful pushy about the whole “give up the kingdom” thing.
My thoughts went into that direction as well, I fear. We’ll see.
When I read these comments I thouht you were talking about Nastajia, but you`re talking about her parents right?
What if they try to get Daniel under their influence and get Alex to give up the Sword of Kings to Daniel….major problems!
Echo that. I’m thinking part of some elaborate plan.
Now should they find that portal? Or continue with their mission?
Hug her!
I somehow expect Nastaja’s parents at earth to be doppelgangers, trying to give up Alex’ sword in fear so he can no longer interfere.
After all, didn’t Orion tell Alex that he was prohibited to give up the sword to someone else?
Nastajia: “Oh, if they can come there, I want to go to earth too!”
Alex: “But they said-”
Nastajia: “We háve to find that portal”
Alex: “But they said…”
Couldn’t it go the other way too? Maybe this is the real Nastajia, and the Alex we’re seeing is an evil doppleganger who showed up right after the real Alex disappeared. And next he’s going to tell Nastajia “So let’s head deeper into the Nightmare realm and find this portal so we can reunite you with your parents!”
I don’t see why only evil people could be “pushy” about who should be on the throne. Everyone sees the world differently…and unfortunately that includes a different view on what is right and what is wrong (if you don’t believe that, just look at politics and religion for real-life examples). That doesn’t automatically make the people who disagree with the hero of the tale “evil.” It just makes them real.
And I love good, three-dimensional characters. 🙂
Except that Daniel has special powers in Dreamland. We don’t know what those are, but Scott has definitely said that. For all we know, Dan could be an equal in power to someone like Abaddon. It would be so interesting to see what is different about a true king versus another kind of king. Alex is the first of his kind in Dreamland–a substitute king. He is a good and valid king–he just didn’t get the mystical powers of a true king.
I don’t think they would’ve given up demanding that Dan go to Dreamland as king if they were doppelgangers.
Alex did give the sword to Nicole (it didn’t work for her), and that was when Orion told he he really shouldnt’ try that again. But he’s not prohibited. He’s king. He can do whatever he wants with the sword.
I’ve forgotten what their mission was…I thought it was to find Nastajia’s parents?
Overly elaborate, I think. Don’t forget, before Oberon and Titania intervened, the Nightmare Realm creatures were about to finish Dan and Nicole. From there they could have simply gone to Alex’s bedroom and dealt with him, too. That would have been far more certain than trying to guilt trip Alex into giving the Sword to Dan. Yes, with Arthur gone that would mean another human would have become King of Dreamland; but without training or knowledge of what’s going on, he’d be easy to deal with. And don’t forget, Titania wound up being on Alex’s side, urging Oberon to keep an open mind about who should be King…
LOL
It was, which means mission over. That in turn means things are going to go pear-shaped pretty soon.
Meh. If we assume they ARE nightmare-realm doppelgangers, then their motives seem pretty clear: for whatever reason, they can’t just take the sword. In order for their plan to work, Alex would have to give up his sword *willingly*. They’ve gained his trust, and now they’ve planted the germ of a thought–the seed of doubt–and now they’re waiting for it to bear fruit.
It’s an elaborate plan with some associated risk, but it’s more believable than Oberon and Titania the Deus ex Machina spontaneously showing up to save the day.
Of course, you can argue it the other way too: that Alex is currently talking to Nastajia’s doppelganger. She’ll argue, just as I have, that her parents can’t possibly be in the “real” world, that the versions he met must be shadow puppets, and that he can’t let the sword go no matter what. His new determination to keep the sword and his distrust of the “doppelgangers” could be enough to worry Dan and drive a schism between the two of them.
Does anyone know what time zone this site operates from? The posts are labelled “12:00 AM”, but for me they’re not up until sometime after 3.
Yes, I’m willing to wait until 3 AM for my web comics to update.
CST
I’m in Nashville.
To find her parents… AND to find out the condition of the Portal. And if it was intact or – worse – functioning, to destroy it.
Things may be going to get tense here…
Suddenly, Abaddon’s Chief Enforcer Horrendous (who is a very fine actor, thank you) lets drop his illusion and chortles “Thank you for that information, foolish mortal. Now we have the missing part of the puzzle.”
Hey, that’s not too far away! In fact, I think we’re only an hour apart. Do the comics go up at exactly midnight?
That`s exactly what I meant, if Dan would come under the (mental) influence of the Nightmare Realm and he has his full powers in Dreamland….chaos would break loose!
Oh, I see! Thanks. 🙂 Though I don’t think we’ve seen mind-control used in this comic yet.
Thanks to you both! That’s what I thought…finding her parents, I mean.