Last Time in Monomyth
When we last left the castle in Monomyth, three of the original seven of the chosen had been eliminated. Due to the events that led up to this, Kole believes that whoever is pulling the strings wants them pitted against each other. As they contemplate this possibility, a skeletal accountant was keeping track of who was eliminated. With Vivienne being the last person with their name crossed off.
A Long and Historical List
This gruesome accounting effort was not noticed by the final four chosen initially. At least not until the skeleton fell over his scroll. As they examined the parchment, they saw that all of their names had been written. As well as people from the past. One’s that some of them recognized from their family history. Those who had disappeared mysteriously. Now, some of those mysteries might have been revealed.
Self-Preservation
But the most important thing the scroll seemed to reveal was who was supposedly next to be eliminated. Going by the list, Vadim was next. In his anger, he struck the wall and a book fell down at his feet. The book explained a contest in the past where the boy who would be King was challenged by many until there was only one left. This appeared to be the scenario they were playing out. However, the burly Russian had other ideas. It was always his story to survive. To be the last one standing. Now that he knew that he was next on that list, he could prevent that fate. By eliminating all the other chosen. He had already made it clear that in a scenario between himself and his “friends,” he would choose self-preservation every time.
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Vadim on the Hunt
So, before his compatriots could hardly realize what was happening, Vadim unleashed his flame wand on them. They barely were able to scatter in time. Vadim, however, was relentless. Knowing his flame would catch up to them eventually. Kerra and Julia ran together while Kole ran off on his own. It was Kole that Vadim pursued. He considered Kole his biggest threat. But he promised Kole that Kerra and Julia would be dealt with soon enough.
Keeping it Simple
As Kerra and Julia ran, they paused for a moment to try to think. Julia surmised that they needed to find some water. Kerra found it hard to believe that it could be that easy. But Julia continued that she thinks that Vivienne’s Earth Magic didn’t help her because she tried to make it to complex. In a sense, rewriting Nature’s story. It was bound for failure. She suggested they keep it simple. Fire and water do not mix. They need to find some water.
Is Your Heart in This?
Meanwhile Vadim was still pursuing Kole. All the while telling him he would “deal” with Kole. He would “END” Kole. Never did he say that he would KILL Kole. Kole brought this to Vadim’s attention, asking if perhaps his heart wasn’t in it to KILL him. Vadim assured hm that he HAD killed before and he would again. Especially if it assured his survival. But when Kole put some distance between himself and Vadim, he asked the Russian what he was going to do to accomplish that. Vadim sent some flame toward Kole, assuming that although he couldn’t reach him, the flame certainly could. Besides, he needed to check on Kerra and Angie’s demise.
A Brief Victory
As Vadim left, Kole surged with success. Vadim leaving meant he really didn’t want to have anything to do with him. His power. At least he felt that way until the flame that Kadim sent his way stretched out and moved steadily toward him. I guess Kadim didn’t NEED to stay for the task of finishing him. As the flames crept closer, the stairwell Kole stood on collapsed on the opposite end. He was trapped.
Angie’s Story
Back with Angie and Kerra, they had been searching for a source of water and Kerra had found what appeared to be a bathroom with a large bath in the middle. But while Kerra entered the room, a forcefield seemed to stop Angie. But Angie was understanding more and more about the magic and the stories involved. The architect of this challenge was trying to push a story on Angie that was not her own. Angie was now determined to write her OWN story, unleashing her power on the field separating her from Kerra. Her onslaught destroyed the barrier like it didn’t exist. But the strain almost made Angie collapse as Kerra helped her to the bath. They should be safe from the fire for now.
Kole’s Story
But the same couldn’t be said for Kole. With the other side of the stairwell gone, the flame was moving ever closer to him. As he contemplated his options, he came to the same realization that Angie did. In his story, he was always jealous of how easy others seemed to have it in their lives. That included his twin sister Kerra. He seemed to be the only person who couldn’t rise above. But that would not be his story. Not anymore. He would make his circumstances work for him. Because, while he always seemed to be under a perpetual raincloud, this time he would MAKE it rain, using his wand to fight the fire…and it worked.
Kerra’s Story
While Kerra and Angie were safe from the fire in the bath, they couldn’t stay there forever. They needed for the fire to be quelled. This time, it was Kerra who contemplated the story she had lived and what her story SHOULD be. Throughout her life, she had been the anchor on which her family hooked to. While her father and even Kole were free to cause “mayhem” wherever they went, she was the responsible one. Especially when their mother got sick. It was Kerra who held things together in the midst of the storm. She was “The Eye of the Storm” as she waved her wand to extinguish the fire. Bringing the storm to the flame.
More Than Chance
Soon, the flame had dies down and she and Angie were able to step away from the Bath. As they stumbled away from the room, Angie once again considered all they have learned to this point. With things miraculously appearing to steer them in one direction or another, she feels like the house itself is instigating this scenario. That would explain the sword that Kole came up with, or the book falling into Vadim’s hands. There was more than chance at play here. It was the stories, Angie explained. The answers were likely in the books.
The Book
Meanwhile, Kole was slowly moving about the castle after putting out the fire in his area. As he proceeded, a bookshelf collapsed, and he found a book lying at his feet. He picked it up and saw that this book dealt with a different magic and science: Necromancy.
Thoughts
One thing is for certain in David Hazan and Cecilia Lo Valvo’s latest issue of Monomyth, it wasn’t like Vadim didn’t warn them what his intentions would be. Given the choice of him or them. If nothing else, he was a man of his word. Not that it made a difference to Kole, Kerra or Angie when he started pushing fire at them. However, perhaps they owe him a debt of gratitude. Due to his “motivation,” all three of them had an epiphany about their powers and their stories. Not that they wouldn’t like to kick his ass for attacking them like that.
With that being said, they still have to deal with Vadim. It is unlikely that he just gave up. Unless he ran into an issue that caused HIS demise as the Skeleton’s Roster list had predicted. So far, assuming that the list was made in advance, it has been spot-on with the order of elimination. Although, if Vadim is still alive, perhaps that means the list isn’t the last word on who lives and who dies. Always good to find a ray of sunshine when a typhoon is getting ready to start…or a flash fire.
Mad Cave Studios Monomyth, Issue 4′ by David Hazan, Cecilia Lo Valvo, Marrisa Louise, and Lucas Gattoni is available now on the Mad Cave Subscription Site and where great digital comics are sold.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.