A bright star raced by, just for a second, in the skies near the city of Venus. Its light twinkled brilliantly--mesmerizing like a hypnotist's watch, a witch's hex. For what felt like hours it held the heart of Arthur Blaylock, wresting from his scarred form the desire for something, something more than everything that he'd had: death in spades, pain in multitudes, agony _en masse_. It was even to his own surprise that he'd said it: _"I just want to be happy."_ It meant two things. First, he could, in fact, acknowledge that losing his mother and falling into the wrathful clutches of his father for many years (and, by extension, his stepmother and siblings); and, second, that here, in a sprawling grassland near where the city now was, he wasn't afraid to say it. But a flicker of light in his hopeless eyes ... was it enough? No. It would never be. The romantic idea of wishing upon a star and having all one's dreams come true was just that--romantic. He wasn't the dreamy child of a monarch fated to rule the kingdom with the hand of his beloved, nor was he some pauper destined to prove himself. There was only one thing that he could do: he could choose to rebel. To go against everything that his father, that Pwyll, that Xena, that that vile structure of power and manipulation had established. He had to choose. He had to act. It wouldn't be easy; but maybe, through that action, one day ... he would be happy at last. ----- This was an attack for ArtFight 2023 on [dragon](https://inkblot.art/profile/dragon)! I'm a big fan of their character, Arthur Blaylock, and I wanted to depict Artie in his element, among the stars. At the same time, I wanted to strike a somber chord with this piece. I tried to intentionally use paintbrushes throughout the entire creation of the image to give it that kind of texture and lean toward a more painted style. I'd say I could have done more, but I'm still happy with the result.

There was no room for hesitation. Kaldov’s nerves screamed at him to stop: every move exerted more energy, let rills of red leak. But he was hellbent: after Vauruk launched, he whirled to track him. And as their fervent faces met, he took off, feet pounding against the sand, body and voice roaring as one as his left foot hit the ground, shoving the earth beneath him. Both of them tore through the air. Vauruk’s leg launched like a lance, poised to pierce through the cracked armor that Kaldov somehow held together. Kaldov’s left arm lowered, loaded like a pistol: hardly had he left the ground than when he shot, fist fired through the air. The wind whistled, and the crowd hardly had time to blink before--! **WHAM!** Fist met stomach, dug, buried itself inside, crumbling the form and force of Vauruk the Formidable. All his arm’s strength Kaldov poured into that shot, and all the air did it suck right from Vauruk’s lungs. All of a sudden they hit the ground again, one firmly, one weakly. But neither was still. “Folks, I—Golalud’s landed a great blow to Vauruk. But, look, it’s unbelievable: he still stands! That unbreakable vigor, it’s pulling him through—“ Sturdily Kaldov landed, but like a tempest he twisted, tearing the sand from the ground, elbow an immense hailstone poised, ripping the air in twain--! **CRACK!** The blow shattered into Vauruk’s cranium, buffeting his head into the breeze, battering him right off one foot, onto the other, off of the other, then-- ***WHUMP!*** In the collision’s chaos sand swelled like smoke. Kaldov skidded to a stop, eyes falling firmly on the warrior bat as his mind dared to ask: _Had he done it?_ ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/apQwkEGyAxJL59nd6) | Page 13 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/VyNXbqtntChvARUu8)

"The Wreckage": a renowned fighting tournament held on a tropical coast in which to the victor truly goes the spoils. It is named for the location of its fights held in a hulled-out hatchway of a wrecked ship. And, on this very day, two rivals meet again to take each other on. On the right stands the "Bronze Breaker" and "Iron Serpent", standing at 7'4": _Kaldov Golalud_; on the left stands the wandering warrior bat, standing at 5'0", _Vauruk the Formidable_. They've fought before, and undoubtedly they'll fight again. But the question on their minds today is-- ***Who will win?!*** ----- **Author's Note**: This is the first page of a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! Page 01 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/uiZ78z248EhD54656)

For once, Kaldov agreed with the announcer: he’d been hanging on the edge just seconds ago, and he’d given Vauruk a weighty wailing. They both weren’t far from blacking out. Furtively he guarded the bloody and tender wounds of his abdomen. Furrowing his brows, he focused, finding that fuzzy look in Vauruk’s eyes, the unsubtle way in which he held his stomach. It was clear: Vauruk was hurt, and he could make use of that. Surely, though, Vauruk was also plotting his downfall: that scrutinizing scowl he wore sold him on it. He couldn’t let Vauruk concoct a better plan. Inhaling a mighty breath, Kaldov galloped forward. He angled his body sideward, narrowing himself, blocking with his right arm and protecting his wound with his left. Vauruk tensed and adjusted, not having the time nor composure to fly away. “A broken stalemate: Golalud’s fast approaching. A hand flies--right over Vauruk’s head! What a dodge! And the response: a swinging right hook, just grazing Golalud’s side. Vauruk pursues: a straight, a straight--oh, both barely blocked! He knows what he’s doing; you can see it: aiming to hit Golalud right where it hurts. And, oh--there goes another! A blistering right straight!” But Kaldov saw it coming. He sucked in a breath and tucked his arms in swaying his hips and twisting to the right. The fist met air just beside him. Kaldov reared back his right arm and spun on his right foot. He whirled in a wide arc--! “*Oh!* A narrow dodge, and the wild lob’s landed. Vauruk’s stumbling! But, look: he’s still on his feet, guard raised high. No, no, he’s not done with Golalud yet!” And Kaldov wasn’t done with Vauruk either. ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/c9z5FkKKiHJSMZeB9) | Page 11 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/oLy84vSnWaMCAuneA)

Here's a rendition of my first D&D character ever, Rivtus Sthenar! As a very kind and humble knight, he holds a special place in my heart. Moreover, he's been long overdue for some new art. It was a challenge to get his bracer right. I don't think I fully gave it the golden metal sheen that I wanted it to have; this is much easier to produce in pixel art.

*Shit.* His head spun like a whirlpool after that strike--but he knew better than to stay put. Straining to keep his balance, he backstepped. The sound of his heart pumping, blood rushing, resounded in his ears; faintly he could hear the crowd’s roar, the announcer’s gusto, the crunch of sand. Vauruk needed to land after that uppercut, but he wouldn’t delay. His grin stretched from ear to ear, and like starving shark he split into the sky, sun illuminating his wings. Kaldov was caged by walls of that arena, and like a hunter who’d cornered his prey, the bat was ready to finish the job. The air screeched as the bat soared in. Kaldov swayed just to the side, but Vauruk turned, bouncing off the wall behind him. Barely Kaldov twisted in time to block the battering bull rush with his forearms. Painfully did they pang in reply. Vauruk bounded off, beating his wings fiercely and kicking at the wall to return to the air. “Vauruk’s found his edge at last, folks! Like an eagle, he’s soaring, and--**wow!** Another powerful punch just narrowly blocked! Golalud can’t hold him off like that for much longer, and both of them know it.” Kaldov heaved with effort and fury, lowering his arms for just a moment--only to see Vauruk diving with a downward kick. Kaldov tried to backstep … but his foot hit the wall. Impulsively he raised his guard--! **CRACK!** His eyes clamped shut and he grunted as his left arm dripped with blood: blood to match the faint trickles on his face, his chin, his stomach. Kaldov forced himself forward, not wanting to be boxed in. He saw Vauruk swerving, watching him out of the corner of his eye-- --but he didn’t expect that sudden pivot in midair. His leaden arms, burning up with agony, resisted his demands to protect himself. Then that dreaded shadow came upon him. And an eruption of pain kneed its way into his skull. “Golalud’s falling, folks! Is this it--is this the end?!” the announcer declared, watching the bronze dragonborn hit the sand … and the warrior bat head after him soon after. ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/aJHcPLCCMoTXFCYi7) | Page 07 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/zEsfV7gvH9D7tRmv7)

When you're at a Scabbardfish concert, you know you're in for a show; it's doubtlessly an _eel-ectrifying_ experience! ----- This was an attack from ArtFight 2023 on [vireosy](https://inkblot.art/profile/vireosy)'s Ares Uzumaki. I had a lot of fun learning how to animate electricity. I looked over [Pedro Medeiros' tutorials](https://blog.studiominiboss.com/pixelart) and tried to expand on them, and I think I did a pretty good job! It was also fun to play around with the change in lighting, since I haven't done much animation that incorporates a change in shading.

He'd missed just by a hair, and it cost him: all of a sudden, pain splintered across his face like cracked glass, and the world spiraled. His only saving grace was his ability to position, even in a dire circumstance--even when he was knocked so entirely and unexpectedly off-balance. Like a diving ballerina, Kaldov twisted desperately with his one foot and body, tumbling onto the ground and landing on his knees and forearms. Sand splashed like water around him as air rushed by overhead in an incredible hurry. One desperate exhale later, and he felt himself again as the world was set right. Head hanging down, his vermilion eyes darted forward. “Oh, folks, looks like he’s not quite done! But Vauruk’s blistering back around now, and Golalud’s still on the ground--his time might be fast approaching.” Kaldov’s vision was clearing. It was hardly a good angle, but even as just a blur of wind and sound and fury, he knew: Vauruk was coming in flight. The momentum was too good. Vauruk wouldn’t want to lose it--to lose the chance to nail him again. He wanted Kaldov to get up and get knocked back down, maybe with a fierce uppercut this time. *That’s what the damned bat was like.* He huffed, cold sweat manifesting as his body worked to restore itself. He knew what he needed to do. “The warrior bat’s whistling through the air at breakneck speeds--and Golalud’s not even at his feet! And Vauruk--whoa! Up he goes, up and spiraling! Golalud’s back to his feet, a knee having rammed into the warrior bat’s skull out of nowhere! The tables have turned, but the warrior bat’s out of reach; how long will the reprieve last?” Quickly Kaldov wiped the dribble of blood from his cheek and scoffed. *What the hell?* ***Reprieve?*** *That hit was just as clean as Vauruk’s; give a man some credit!* ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/9fPCwpfgUKaDpGZf6) | Page 03 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/ALLEBwTc5LHA18ts8)

_Empress Valentine D'Angelo receives an important message from her close friend, Raiden, on their preparations. If the resistance does not act soon, it will certainly be crushed ... and, indeed, heartbroken._ ----- This was an ArtFight attack on [silverwingstorm](https://inkblot.art/profile/silverwingstorm) during 2023! Valentine is certainly a fun character, and some conversations spawned the idea of "Empress Valpatine" -- which I had to them visualize. I couldn't refuse the opportunity to parody certain [memes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQRW0RM4V0k).

[Written Accompaniment (Page 15b) >>](https://inkblot.art/blog/TN6RijHQsUlTBmqNfiLa) ----- **Author's Note**: This is the final page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). The content includes violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/MNCwqfc3FSdyv4U28) | Page 15a/b [End]

_“Is it over?”_ Agony had hammered his beaten body. _Twice._ A bell pealed in his head, and its echoes shook his stomach. His hoarse breathing stung like the scales that dug at his flesh. He clenched his eyes against the eternal throb, and only darkness aided him against the piercing sunlight, the celebratory screech, the sweaty stench, and the coppery bile that overcrowded his nerves. _Was it over?_ The thought rasped aloud in his head. On the wavering precipice of consciousness, he sucked in air, closed his hand, shifted his leg; with one step--three taps of the fingers--he could let go. _And … maybe he ought to._ He’d been ineffectual this fight: every move had been doubted, downplayed, disregarded. That announcer cemented it. Vauruk, that fast fucker, had flown laps around him. If this was defeat, it was decisive. Total, even! … at last, V, he’d really … … No. _No._ **Fuck that!** He was Kaldov-**FUCKING**-Golalud. The Bronze Breaker; the Thrashing Titan; the Iron Serpent. No matter what, he believed it for every single match: he was going to fucking win. Grasping that resolve, he turned, stepping away from that precipice, turning his eyes back to the light, hurling the pain into the fire and letting it fuel his blazing body. He wrenched himself up from the ground, flipping over. The bat was there, reveling, angled just away, a hair’s breadth too far. The sand mixed with blood on his stomach as he lurched. With a serpentine grip he seized Vauruk’s ankle. The warrior bat saw, gasped: blurrily Kaldov clutched the other one and yanked as Vauruk resisted. Kaldov roared as red dripped down his face, his arms, his body. Vauruk’s balance was forfeit: down he tumbled to the sand. Kaldov bared his teeth and volleyed forward as the flipped bat backpedaled, kneeing Vauruk's stomach. The announcer didn’t get a chance to narrate: it was Kaldov’s turn to tell the world what was happening. ***“YOU THINK I’M FUCKING DONE?!”*** An arm reeled back, a fist tensed, Kaldov unleashed a barrage of his might onto the warrior bat’s skull. ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/oNe93V7Cr88DEsiJ7) | Page 09 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/xU6HM7GeAj5NQrhz6)