Several years later...

To @reverseblackholeofwords

You know how much I love your stories and how much I admire you; a week ago, I was rereading 'One Time for the Saints and the Sinners' and simply started drawing. I find a lot of peace in this story, including the giant mantises.

*SPOILERS*

I love when magic systems destroy you slowly, so introducing the fact that because of how much Nico seizes and smears it’s literally making him rot, I was so excited. it’s also something I’ve literally not seen yet and wish there was more of.

I’ve not explained it, only implied it, but the Bishop’s power comes from something ancient that they’re tapping into. while they think they’re controlling it and using it for their own benefit, it’s actually using them. they think they’re in control, but it’s actually the opposite, which is how a lot of addictions and vices feel.

this ancient thing is something I’ve referenced a bit, but haven’t explained. Clancy sees/feels it when he escapes in HDS. he makes reference to seeing a “monster with nine faces” that tries to drown him in ink.

when Keons his temper, his voice gets distorted, and it sounds like he’s speaking with a hundred different voices. Nico does the same when Clancy mentions the Torchbearer. the voices are actually the past Bishops and Clancy’s that have succumbed to the cycle btw ; same with when torchbearer goes to the in between void when he’s projecting and he sees shadows with red eyes those are dead Clancys

when Ash meets Nills, it implies this. sure there’s the connection between them, a Bishop meeting a soul they own, but she mentions feeling something ancient staring back at her. something that doesn’t feel human. I’ve also implied that Nills is the oldest Bishop and that he doesn’t reset every cycle and is the only bishop that knows exactly what’s going on

also implying that Nico’s not as old as he looks, and neither was the previous Nico. the “miraculous power” is killing him slowly. and since he’s getting weaker, he’s only encouraged to seize more so he has strength to move. something something symbolism.

The BANDITO FILES #1

Bernard AKA “Badger”

Age: 27

Bishop: Sacarver

Camp: Kynedall (eastern camp closest to the Dema)

Rank: Lieutenant

Attributes: tech-savvy, intelligent, and friendly.

(yeah, Mark Eshelman’s Bandito-sona is named Badger in my universe)

Badger grew up in Sacarver’s district, one of five children with Unglorified parents, rare for Dema. by the time he escaped at 20, he was the last living member of his family.

Badger would dissect old radios and broken cameras as a child, eventually building his own. it was found during a contraband search and smashed in front of him when he was fourteen.

knowing he had a knack for cameras, Sacarver assigned him to work on Good Day Dema when he came of age. Badger discovered one day that a host had been killed, and was being Seized by Sacarver during a taping. this was his final push to escape.

Badger contacted the Banditos himself, sending out distress signals from a modified radio until he got an answer. Zeev, one of the eldest Banditos, helped him escape and took him in, joining the Suduratt Camp, who are stationed on the southern shores.

a few years after his escape, Badger found an unconscious escapee in a field and got help. the escapee was mute, due to a horrible wound on his throat that should’ve killed him. they learned he was an Unclaimed that went by Torch. Badger kept the escapee company while he healed.

Badger and Torch became close friends. every time Torch would try to break back into the City, Badger would cover for him, and eventually, Badger would be the only person who knows about the Torchbearer’s abilities.

when the Torchbearer became leader of the Kynedall camp, he appointed Badger as his second in command.

SPOILERS

full music video here

Beyond the Path of Reason

chapter 30: “Above Is Blind Belief”

Summary: the Banditos learn that the Bishops plan to show their power for the anniversary of the riot; Clancy confronts Nico about his return to the City.