Thoughts on the Final Quest Pt.2

As many of you may know: I put off reading the Final Quest for quite some time now. Every new issue that was released, I refused to read. I couldn’t find myself to surpass the Prologue and Issue #1 no matter how hard I tried or wanted to. I guess fear of the unknown fates and circumstances of the elves I’ve come to love so much pushed me there…seeing as how I’ve already lost some of the ones I cared for thus far.

But today I found the bravery to stifle my fears and catch up thanks to the encouragement of a dear friend and “lovemate” (as we call each other)…and I succeeded.

 I must say that I was rather pleased with the direction the story has been trailing in so far; even though there are some things that irk me and make me want to reach through the screen and smack the troll piss out of some characters. But for now, let’s discuss the Likes, the Dislikes, and The Hope for the Future. Now please be aware, in the last “Thoughts on the Final Quest” segment I did, I didn’t delve deep into the story – it was more of a first impression. But for this segment I will be mentioning certain things that have occurred in the story (or recent issue) so far: this will inevitably lead to some spoilers so if you have not read the Final Quest yet then as fair warning you might not want to read this post. In other words: CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I might even throw in my own opinion of major “what if’s” in this storyline; possibilities that I foresee. They might be wrong of course, but ya know. Now:

THE PALACE

(My niece is demanding I refer to my ElfQuest likes as: The Palace, because it’s supposed to be the good stuff. Oh the imaginations of children)

 

Little ole Korafay. That adorable little fish just made me swoon. You guys remember “Like a Cloudfish?” Tee hee. Sunstream’s Recognition to Brill was probably one of my favorite highlights of the story – little Suntop all grown up, and making babies. I think I was particularly fond of his Recognition because unlike most elves, he found himself growing attached and infatuated (perhaps some of you would go so far as to say “falling in love”) with Brill before Recognizing her. There was something so romance fairy tale about the magic user child of Cutter Kinseeker and Leetah “going out” to travel across the world just to visit her at night. I can only imagine what wonders Korafary will bring to the table and merger of the tribes.

 The nearness of the Palace. Let’s face it: after all the turmoil and pain and death our elves went through to find, claim, and even reclaim the Palace – it’s good to know that it is so close to the Wolfrider’s holt. The benefits of the Palace being near always ensures a connection to the elves, and a ready passage of comfort or rescue to anyone who needs it. It is the perfect abode for the Sunfolk. And should danger ever arise it soothes me to know the Wolfriders can make a dash for the Palace and be sent off to safety rather than suffer at the hands of, let’s say, another burning Evergreen. The Palace also offers the chance for our characters to be able to visit their beloved dead. It’s a refuge even for the spirits of fallen elves – and a gateway to harmony. Plus, Palace equals Timmain – and it gives us a closer look at the High One; we all have an opportunity to learn so much from her now.

 

Windkin is back! YAAAAAY! And he’s with Ahdri! Yaaaay! He better not Recognize someone other than her or I’m going to flip tables.

 For the newer issues I must say that Ember’s tribe seems to have a lovely little dynamic to it. They have witty banter, still find a way to preserve “The Way” and is made up of characters that you cant help but love of old and new. Sust and Pool are growing on me so much: especially since they both shed blood in the fight against the Djun in Issue #4. Though often far more quiet and kept back in the bits I have read, the two have proven themselves to be more than willing to aid their elders in a brawl and do quite a bit of damage to any challengers. Their love and devotion to the tribe at even their young age makes my heart swoon. I believe Scouter’s words were, “First Sust bloodied…now YOU! GREAT SUN! Don’t anger THIS tribe’s cubs!” I couldn’t have said it better myself! Plus, am I the only one who looks at Pool and just thinks “One-Eye”? By the High Ones I sure do miss good ole Woodhue. May he rest in the Palace in Peace.

 

Khorbasi has also gained a nice little cozy spot in my heart. And it’s not just the fact that I find him attractive. (because let’s be honest, there is something very much luring about his appearance. Most of the humans I have seen in ElfQuest aren’t very entertaining for me, and that’s a lot coming from this little EQ fawn! But Khorbasi is almost elven in his features, and he is so much like the elves.) Yun raised him well: devoted, loyal, strong, respectful, its hard not to fall for him. He reminds me of Little Patch – but I like him more because he stayed. He chose. And having a soft spot for orphan children like himself is a plus.

Also, the little human girl that was burned badly in the Djun raid is growing on me too. She is also almost elven in appearance to me: even Mender commented that she was beautiful (indicating that more than her hair was lovely). I don’t recall her saying much since her introduction but the thing that stuck with me the strongest was her pain for her deer mount falling to its death. That speaks volumes to me.

 And for the last bit that I like in this newer issue: the death of Angrif Djun’s sons – and of course, the ultimate: Krim ending the chance of Angrif bearing anymore of his disgusting bloodline into the world. ;) Go Krim! Though as much of an ass as he might be, Djun does get some props for holding himself together after practically getting his baby maker chopped off. Balls of steel? No. Nerves of steel? Most definitely.

 THE GROWL

(My niece also demands I refer to my dislikes as this…)

All the deaths in the first issue naturally hurt my soul. Bee, Ruffel, Tyldak, Kahvi, and whomever else I may have missed.

 

Ruffel’s form of death was probably the most baffling and horrifying for me. I don’t think I can ever look at a thunder storm the same again. She was struck by lightning, burned to a crisp, all in front of Skywise right in the midst of their time together. I know that her death truly hurt the stargazer…how could it not? Though I suppose I should think of it this way: perhaps it was quick and she felt nothing…that is the only thing that keeps me able to bear it. Ruffel was my favorite of the three Sunfolk females courting Skywise (Ruffel, Vurdah, and Maleen). Although I initially wanted Vurdah to be with Skywise, Ruffel grew on me. I think that perhaps she had grown on Skywise as well since we saw more of the two of them together than he with the others. If anything were to happen romantically and it was chosen by Skywise, I believe it would have happened with Ruffel.

 

I get a lot of fans dissing Tyldak, but I kind of liked him. His superior attitude to Dewshine and the Wolfriders in the earlier comics made me cringe, but I like to think that he did care for Dewshine, even if it was just the lull of Recognition allowing him to. When he was stripped of Winnowill’s hold, I silently rejoiced and wished him the best on his journeys ahead: and he found love, with none other than Kahvi. It was an unexpected alliance I must admit, but I grew fond of it. If only his form didn’t attract unwanted human attention…which ultimately led to his death. I suppose we all knew that Kahvi and Windkin could only protect the glider for so long…and when he lay dying from his wounds, it was his beloved Kahvi who ended his suffering painlessly. It broke my heart a lot more than I thought it would have.

Kahvi’s death also saddened me. It wasn’t until she died that I realized the true depth of how much I loved her character. A bitch, I thought at first, but she was one tough cookie with a deeper level of passion and love than I could have ever realized when I had first met her character in the earlier issues of ElfQuest some years before. So I was shocked to see her so…what’s the word I’m looking for? Shook up? By Tyldak’s death. Until Issue #4 of The Final Quest, I had no true hard evidence that Lehrigen killed her, or that Kahvi had ever met her ultimate demise…until the final page. That’s when I knew it was certain – and I literally wept. I’m starting to get teary eyed even now, so I suppose it’s better I track on. I can’t say if I could refer to her in her last moments as a True Wolfrider (since we now know she is actually the daughter of Two-Spear) or a True Go-Back. At the end of the day, at the end of the fight, she was the True Kahvi.

Krim’s death was another that broke my heart: for she was also one of my favorite female characters in ElfQuest. She died in true Go-Back fashion though, with a smile on her face and the deed done mischievously. Krim was a true warrior, and though she was living her life as a Wolfrider she had no problem reverting back to the frozen mountain days when she was a Go-Back. Ember would question if she was a Wolfrider or a Go-Back – but in truth I think they all knew that even though she had changed TRIBES, Krim would never change who she WAS. And I respected that for her. I wish she could have spent more time alongside her son Sust and lifemate Pike. Poor Pike. He lost both of his lifemates whom he loved so much. I know Krim is probably rolling in the furs with Skot or cussing him out declaring that her death was the best or that she did the most with the last bit of time she had left. I know she’s following alongside Kahvi, and giving everyone else in the Palace (alive or dead) the most hell she can imagine. J I’m finding myself tearing up here as well, so best to cut this portion short. I also hate how Krim and Lehrigen’s bodies were left behind on the battlefield under what appeared to be a cart. I’m sure it’s because there was no time left to grab them and go, but I really wanted them to have a proper passing ceremony. It felt both wrong and right seeing Krim and the old human laying there…but I suppose it was, in the end, the perfect Go-Back way – and I doubt Krim would have changed a single thing. 

 Moonshade is also working my nerves. She is confused about what is happening but I don’t like her leaving behind her tribe, her cub, and her lifemate to spend so much time in the Palace. I feel as if she is distancing herself from her people…and perhaps someday she will never return to the world of the Wolfriders. It has already been said: Once you’re in the Palace, you cannot help but CHANGE. I think I’m more afraid of Strongbow changing with her…I don’t know who Moonshade is anymore, but I can only hope that someday the answers will become clear. Wendy and Richard Pini are great for putting me through emotional rollercoasters with certain characters!

 

Ember…you know what, I don’t know what my problem is with Ember lately, but I surely hope I get over it. I liked Ember, I find her to be very beautiful and a good leader now that she is older. She has a great connection to her current tribe, and as we saw in Issue #4, would willingly sacrifice her own life or freedom just to keep them safe. She is a cub of Wolfrider Chiefs past, and she is known for making the tough decisions for the overall benefit of her tribe. But.. for some reason, ever since previous issues in the ElfQuest universe when Ember started growing older she has been irritating me. I got the whole “teenage, finding herself” thing when her group separated from Cutter’s, but after that my irritation only seemed to grow even more. I don’t like that she didn’t go off to see Korafay’s birth – but of course I know that she stayed because she sensed something bad was coming and that her tribe was in danger. I also hated that she found a way to suppress the Recognition between she and Teir. Mind you, I understand why she did it. I fully understand! But I think my mind is just looking for reasons not to like her. I’m sure this phase in my life will pass, and that I will like Ember once again. Until then, I will not make a fool out of myself and diss her. She is a good chief, I will give her that. But I feel like Ember could be so much MORE than she is: I guess maybe I’m angry because I want her to reach her true potential…that, or I’m just mad because now someone has a true claim on Teir – whom I think is incredibly hot as you guys learned in my last blog post.

 THE WRAPSTUFF

(Yep, you’ve guessed it: my niece wants me to call my hopes for the future Wrapstuff….so creative…maybe she should be running this blog!)

 My hopes are short and simple: Learn who Teir’s parents are (and I think I’ve got an idea), more Recognitions, less deaths – or at least no more deaths of my favorite elves, and of course the return of Rayek!!!! Hopefully he’s got the black snake under control or completely suppressed, though knowing that bitch it’s not highly possible. I’m also hoping to see some kind of bond between Khorbasi and the little human girl who was healed from her burns, and between her and Mender. Maybe nothing romantic, but at least good friends. If any of the human children were to stay with Ember’s tribe I think it would be her without a doubt. I’d be interested to see her learn of the elf ways. Maybe even gain good friends and greater romantic interests. ;)

I'm also sensing some kind of connection perhaps birthing between Reef and Korafay...perhaps...we'll have to wait and see.

 (Windkin sent something to Kahvi…something about one who holds THEIR blood with her…and there is a certain character who had a flashback as a cub stretched out for Kahvi…could it be---? And that’s all I’m saying!)

 In closing, I have two favorite parts of Issue#4:

 

2. Krim and Lehrigen laying and then dying together. The banter they shared before death, and even the look of contentment, acceptance, and peace of their accomplishments when the ending of their lives gripped the two made my heart swell.

 And the top moment of Issue#4? Well here it is: the dead Go-Backs (Krim and Skot among them) standing around their beloved fallen leader; spirit’s glowing in an aura that surpassed the afterlife. It was like they were all still there, still living, still enjoying every moment and awaiting the next journey to come. It made me cry…even now, my eyes water. What are you waiting for? There is a life to be lived, a call to be answered, love to be discovered, and joy to indulge in.

 

What are you waiting for?

Nightfall She-Wolf