Happy Chinese New Year! :D Here's the cover page~ <3 It's a double-spread, and I wanted to load it full-size so it might cause you guys to scroll, I'm not sure. :'D If it bothers you a lot please comment on it - I'll size it down if so!

I made a video out of drawing this particular cover page so if you've ever been interested in seeing my process, this is a very sped-up video capture of it~ at the very least you can enjoy the music? XD

If all goes to plan, then I should have a double-page update for you guys this Thursday, and then I'll take the next update day off. I'll let you guys know more concretely on the Thursday update. :) In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the cover art - see you on Thursday!

(You can let me know what you guys thought about the countdown timer, by the way. Was it useful for you guys to be able to see it? >_> Should I keep doing it?) Proxy170 30th Jan 2017, 6:06 PM edit delete reply Ah I love process videos! We use the same program and some similar techniques, very cool :D Although I'm curious about your coloring technique, it went too fast for me to tell, but what are you doing when you have that red background and shading over it?

What program did you use to record it btw?
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 4:55 PM edit delete reply <3 Thank you Proxy, I'm glad you found it fun to watch! :D

We chatted about it a bit already but just to say again - it wasn't anything really, I was just filling the BG with the same shade I was using on the Multiply layer so it'd be easy to eyedrop it XD (also, as a bonus it makes all the little bits and bobs I missed flatting pop right out - the video is too fast to see it but sometimes I wouldn't be shading, I'd be filling in flat holes XD)

I used XSplit video to record it, which is free, but the darn thing froze 3 times while I was recording this so that's why I couldn't record myself inking Lyn, and a portion of me working on Cain got cut out, too :'D so I don't know if I can strongly recommend it lolol
Wolfsbane 30th Jan 2017, 6:14 PM edit delete reply Wow, great work, Rufi! Looking forward to finding out which parts of the story all the sections of the cover page come from! Thank you Wolfsbane!! X3 I do hope you enjoy the chapter and all the stuff from the cover it'll be bringing XD <3
HeSerpenty 30th Jan 2017, 6:19 PM edit delete reply WOW rufi thanks for sharing that video! It actually showed me a few things I do wrong with covers I think LOL. So thank you for teaching me somethiiing <33

I can't wait for this chapter! But..as usual..I'm also nervous!
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 4:56 PM edit delete reply WAT Serpy are you sure XDD what could you possibly be doing 'wrong', your covers are awesome!! @_@

(I mean did you see that I worked so much on Nemi only to have her be mostly covered up by Cain and Kylie anyway lulz TIME WELL SPENT)

Thanks muchly, I do hope you enjoy the chapter <3 ;v;* it's a bit of a rollercoaster!
CiciEnixa 30th Jan 2017, 6:30 PM edit delete reply Second time watching, still thoroughly enjoying <3 *listens to Megalovania*

... I'm still on to you, rufi, donchu pull a Dark Pawn, I swear to all that is unholy!
Kat 1st Feb 2017, 4:20 AM edit delete reply
"pull a Dark Pawn", that's a good way to put it, hah
...please don't do that, rufi....
CiciEnixa 1st Feb 2017, 9:00 AM edit delete reply I got that from a previous comment but now I can't remember who first said it :,D (I thought it was you but I can't find it anymore?) *goes find it* BUT I SWEAR RUFI XD
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 4:58 PM edit delete reply @Cici-muffin: I think it was the page before last when she said she just read that particular part in The Lethian and she was suspicious XD
Kat 1st Feb 2017, 11:36 PM edit delete reply
I was the one who said it, but not as eloquently as you did xD
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 4:57 PM edit delete reply XD Awww Cici-muffin, you are too kind ;v;* though I'm sure the soundtrack adds muchly to enjoyment factor ;D lolol <3

And well, this IS only one brain, I don't know what you expect from this ;D

Okay I kid, like I said, I wouldn't~

Would I? ;)

Eh? ;D
KAM 30th Jan 2017, 6:36 PM edit delete reply Kylie looks like she's having a bad day. Well, she is going to have a bad time. ;)
mjkj 30th Jan 2017, 7:10 PM edit delete reply Wow BIG splash screen... <3 =O

...and a happy new year to you, too, Rufi <3

Ugh, that jagy-guy looking smug... I wish Mickey or jinny would wipe that smirk off of him...

...and poor Nemi looks quite stressed *hugs and comforts and pets her*

Poor Kylie... her sword really is beaten... and she looks like she is barely holding up... =(

...Cain looks like he has seen a ghost - or abel...

...and Jinny/Mickey seems to be sad/troubled because of something?

rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 4:59 PM edit delete reply Hehe, yep, it's a double-page spread :D

Happy new year to you, Mjkj!

Thanks for sharing your observations :) we'll see!
Matt Knab 30th Jan 2017, 9:20 PM edit delete reply Looks great!
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:00 PM edit delete reply <3 Thankyew Matt! ;v;*** I worked hard hehe <33
Lukkai 31st Jan 2017, 5:13 AM edit delete reply Ouch! Well, we knew something was off with the tournament and I guess this is a consequence of it.

And chances are good, a certain criminal guild is involved with it all. They were there for a reason after all. And that wasn't even Cain and Co. They were more of a fortunate but unexpected extra.

Looking at the video: Can we mayhaps have the characters from the cover each on their own as little extra art? Maybe in the forums? Would be nice to see them that way.

And the counter is kinda fun. But it does put you under a certain pressure. If you're down with that, so am I.
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:04 PM edit delete reply Hahaha, Lukkai, you're always so sharp XD you'll see how far you nailed it! ;) (If you missed, don't worry, you just have me cackling at you from behind while you check the wall ;D)

That sounds like a good idea, so I'll see what looks good in regards to separating these out XD;

And thanks for letting me know what you thought about the counter! Hmm. Pressure CAN be good... XD I'll think a bit more on it; it'd be nice to stick the counter somewhere other than the A/N but I'm not sure where. Remember how Fred-rin used to do his progress bars on MT below the comic page? It'd be nice to do something like that, yanno ;v;*
Lukkai 2nd Feb 2017, 2:06 PM edit delete reply Just don't start up the same kind of update schedule on the late chapters. ;)
Crestlinger 31st Jan 2017, 5:35 AM edit delete reply
She's still standing looking like that I pity the pieces of her opponent. All the others can see though, explains the faces.

rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:05 PM edit delete reply Ahahaha Crestlinger XDDD shhh, this is meant to be a PG-13 comic ;D
Seabiscuit 31st Jan 2017, 9:36 AM edit delete reply Ah! I love these cover pages so much. Hella hypes!!
(Ohhhh, I LOOOOVe process videos like this! It's so amazing seeing all the work going into these pages... :D )
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:06 PM edit delete reply (I do enjoy making them ;v;*)

And thank you muchly seamuffin, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! ;v;* Makes it worth all the dumb pain of the program freezing on me so much XD;;;;
defo18 31st Jan 2017, 11:21 AM edit delete reply That was amazing
You've motivated me now XD XD XD XD
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:08 PM edit delete reply Aw, thank you defo!! ;v;* I'm super touched it motivated you somehow! <3 <3 <3 That's the best!!
Haegan2005 31st Jan 2017, 11:55 AM edit delete reply Now that is a nice cover page.
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:09 PM edit delete reply <3 Thank you Haegan2005! ;v;* I'm glad you find it so, and I appreciate it!!
sandbiscuit 31st Jan 2017, 1:15 PM edit delete reply Looks really nice ^^ Aww thank you for letting me know sandbiscuit! ;v;* I appreciate it! <33
Kat 1st Feb 2017, 4:22 AM edit delete reply
Wowwww what a nice-looking cover page!!! although... Kylie doesn't look so well :/
and Cain looks just as angsty as in the prior chapter cover, but viewed from the other side this time x'D

Happy new year! :)
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:11 PM edit delete reply Thank you!! ;v;* I'm very glad you like it!

And XD That was my intention with Cain, actually - he's not supposed to look as scared on this one though, more "... W-what?" XD but eh, I'll let this one explain itself more when we reach that point in the chapter ;)

Happy lunar new year to you too, THE Kat 1837345923873 ;D <3
Guestguest 1st Feb 2017, 2:00 PM edit delete reply
Could it be that Jaguar will be taking Madou's place in the party?!
Lukkai 1st Feb 2017, 2:20 PM edit delete reply Speaking of which...
rufiangel 1st Feb 2017, 5:13 PM edit delete reply @Guestguest: Actually, I'm surprised no one has realised that Jaguar IS Madou at this point. I mean, have they ever been in the same room together? And don't they both have these, like, eye-hooding-garments? And they both have super creepy grins. Sure, Madou has human ears and Jaguar apparently has a tail, but we haven't seen Jaguar's kijini ears yet so who's to say he's REALLY a kijini. Maybe Madou is actually a hybrid and he's been hiding that tail all along! Dangnamit, I'm convinced - JAGUAR AND MADOU ARE THE SAME PERSON!

Oops, sorry, conspiracy theorist came out somewhere there, hehe. Carry on. :P
Lukkai 2nd Feb 2017, 2:08 PM edit delete reply Who says that is an actual natural tail? Has anyone given it a good yank yet?
Eren 1st Feb 2017, 5:17 PM edit delete reply

That is one intense cover...

The process video is cool. And motivating... I am pretty bad at coloring.
Watching the actions scroll so fast to that music feels like watching DDR on super hard mode. XD
rufiangel 2nd Feb 2017, 5:17 PM edit delete reply <3 X3

Thank you! ;v;* I'm very happy to hear it's motivating O_O I know your webcomic is in b/w but I think I saw your colours in your prints and stuff - that's you, right? XD;? If it is then your colours look great to me >_>

And after you mentioned that, I took another look at the video and saw you what you meant XD almost like reverse DDR?! XDD

(I'm slowly reading Tamuran and very much enjoying what I'm reading so far btw <3 ;v;*)
Eren 5th Feb 2017, 8:26 PM edit delete reply
Those are my colors, and thank you for the compliment! I dunno, coloring just doesn't.. click for me, somehow. Palette-picking especially. I like traditional-media painting, but it takes forever. Maybe it's just that I haven't found a digital method that I actually have fun doing and like the results of... (not meaning to complain, just trying to figure out how to explain what I mean). At any rate, I enjoy watching other people's coloring processes - it makes me want to keep trying.

Glad you like the comic - thank you for reading it!
Gilrandir 2nd Feb 2017, 1:33 AM edit delete reply
Kylie looks serious, determined, out-of-sorts and a bit frustrated with her situation. Her sword is shattered, her mana exhausted, her limbs weary ... it's time for her to turn upon her opponent the full force of her most devastating weapon: her scathing disapproval! LOL Gil XDD that's amazing ahahaha XD

If Kylie is an Ice Princess, does it become a Royal Grumble? XD;;;
Lukkai 6th Feb 2017, 7:42 AM edit delete reply Time to send her opponent over the top rope! :D
Audacity__ 2nd Feb 2017, 3:09 AM edit delete reply I love the new title. Also, I think you should keep the countdown timer, it keeps the hype up.
rufiangel 2nd Feb 2017, 5:18 PM edit delete reply Thankyew Audacity!! ;v;**

And gosh, does it? O_O Thanks for letting me know your thoughts on the timer! <3 ;v;*
TheD-Wrek 2nd Feb 2017, 4:29 AM edit delete reply Such an awesome cover, man. Still planning on eating the art portion of your brain one day to gain your powers. X)
rufiangel 2nd Feb 2017, 5:19 PM edit delete reply *hides brain from D* XD;;;;

Thank you so much, bruh, I'm very happy you like the cover! ;v;* But yes please stay away from my brain, there isn't very much of it XD;;;; *sobbu*
Nef 2nd Feb 2017, 7:29 AM edit delete reply No, seriously. :)
rufiangel 2nd Feb 2017, 5:20 PM edit delete reply Ahaha Nef! XD thankyew for your enthusiasm ;D <333

It'd be nice if I could get more elves in my little comic-making elf group somehow. :'D
Nef 3rd Feb 2017, 1:14 AM edit delete reply I understand perfectly. If you find the elusive leader of the elven comic makers guild, please have him or her send some my way as well.
[null, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/firstcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/firstcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "firstcomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/previouscomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/previouscomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "previouscomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/nextcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/nextcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "nextcomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/latestcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/latestcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "latestcomic new"}, null, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.com/images/comics/136/aafa6e25f3b1b6c4c778b2ef639dbfb91234285120.jpg", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.com/images/comics/136/aafa6e25f3b1b6c4c778b2ef639dbfb91234285120.jpg", "formatted_filename": "aafa e f b b c c b ef dbfb", "alt_text": "Cover Art: Chapter Eight"}, null, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/firstcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/firstcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "firstcomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/previouscomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/previouscomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "previouscomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/nextcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/nextcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "nextcomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/latestcomic_new.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/latestcomic_new.png", "formatted_filename": "latestcomic new"}, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "formatted_filename": "postacomment normal"}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "formatted_filename": "postacomment normal"}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://serpamiaflare.thecomicseries.com/comics/537/", "unformatted_src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "src": "http://serpamiaflare.webcomic.ws/files/postacomment_normal.png", "formatted_filename": "postacomment normal"}]