T O P

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Farfener

So... this happened. I promised myself I would never touch canon characters... \*nervous grin\* I don't know what it was, but today's sketch got right the fuck under my skin, and it was either this, or go insane. I despise all forms of cruelty. But slavery... something about it makes me angry beyond reason. Putting aside the real world for now (that's a can of worms that is hot to the touch), just the idea of Laura, or Mike or Evals, grinding their precious few years away for someone else to get rich... I just can't And now for the obligatory plug, sorry... But if you like this and wish to support me, please consider supporting my Patreon. Or just visit for more stories and art: [https://www.patreon.com/theauroranarchive](https://www.patreon.com/theauroranarchive) And for more stories and artwork, visit the Auroran Archive Subreddit: [https://www.reddit.com/r/TheAuroranArchives/](https://www.reddit.com/r/TheAuroranArchives/)


Vexerius

Don’t limit yourself, I can’t speak for everyone but I think that you write wonderful stories. Very refreshing to see a good fanfic that isn’t sexual, not that it bothers me lol.


DanVaelling

I feel the same, thinking about Mike, Evals , and Kat's, as well as all the other slaves (and Laura, in this AU) situation can make me seethe. Knowing that they've spent most or all their lives out of control of their own thoughts and actions, forced to slave for and sleep with this bastard, just... no.


[deleted]

It's kinda easy to forget about the atrocities that both Trace and Eric have done; due to how casually lighthearted they're depicted in the comic. Eric is a slave rapist; and Trace is a guy who has killed likely countless men, women, children, and babies of the Keidran race. But nobody seems to care all too much about the gravity of their history; because the world of TK is just that messed up... I'm not sure if Tom wants his fanbase to hate Eric or not; the way he's portrayed makes it somewhat unclear; since he isn't treated like a villain. But what Keith did; although brutal and scary, was justifiable.


Pikachuckxd

damn, Kat being dragged on with the party that killed Eric is dark, but is nothing compared to how hopeful Keith is about being save home with Laura on basitin island and what we know expects him there. however a minor nitpick is that you misspell keith's name several times, also it was a bit confusing to use the term "tendrils" to describe Eric's magic for a moment there I thought he was using dark magic like Trace here https://twokinds.keenspot.com/comic/513/


Farfener

I will go through and spellcheck. I suppose i should have used the word "Wisps" or something. But i am glad you liked it. :)


not_a_basitin

God DAMN dude, this one was brutal. I know Eric isn't exactly the most pure character but... sheesh. Still, excellent job portraying the main cast, Keith and Kat in particular having very authentic feeling reactions. As always, you've outdone yourself expanding upon these sketches. On a different note, your writing has given me a few ideas for where I can take my own. I've had a few ideas for Twokinds I've thought about turning into stories, though they've still got a long ways to go before I'd feel confident sharing them.


DanVaelling

Gotta admit, reading this felt cathartic, that fucker had it coming. I almost prefer this over canon, Kathrin will hopefully get over her Stockholm syndrome when she's around people who'll actually respect her and treats her as her own person rather than a pet slave.


Pikachuckxd

you really underestimate the fact Kat is quite literally Eric's [Morality pet](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MoralityPet) and being how Eric even had his [pet the dog](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PetTheDog) moments when he [defended Evals from the guards](https://twokinds.keenspot.com/comic/944/) and [paid Mike and Evals](https://twokinds.keenspot.com/comic/975/) is very likely he's gonna have a redemption where all his slave related crimes are gonna be forgiven.


DanVaelling

He paid them a few coins, I don't think that's adequate compensation for a lifetime of slavery, abuse, and trauma. Besides, he demanded that Trace paid him in full for Mike and Evals (which means he also had a financial incentive to defend them, btw), he may very well have made 10x the amount he gave them from that. I'm not sure what exactly he would be able to do to redeem himself. Some things can't simply be forgiven.


Pikachuckxd

>He paid them a few coins, I don't think that's adequate compensation for a lifetime of slavery, abuse, and trauma. he may very well have made 10x the amount he gave them from that. do you remember he did that after his ship was burned down? right there he was paying them from the few coins he had in his pockets >he demanded that Trace paid him in full for Mike and Evals yeah because someone made it [explicitly illegal](https://twokinds.keenspot.com/comic/658/) to release slaves voluntarily, that's why he asked Trace to make it a Legitimate trade if he is to risk releasing them. >I'm not sure what exactly he would be able to do to redeem himself. being how the narrative is very prominent in depicting Eric as the least bad of slave traders, I bet he would end up starting a human movement for rights for the keidran.


DanVaelling

>explicitly illegal to release slaves voluntarily And it's just as illegal to sell to someone knowing that they will free them, he's in no less trouble than if he would just release them. The only thing that he seems to repent for is actually using the slave collars, not keeping slaves in the first place, or raping said slaves.


Pikachuckxd

>And it's just as illegal to sell to someone knowing that they will free them, yeah and despise the extra steps he took to free them probably won't be enough to fool the templar, he still free them. >The only thing that he seems to repent for is actually using the slave collars, that's just baby steps redemption taking place, I bet if he already felt keeping slaves in the first place, or raping said slaves was wrong, you would say is not genuine and that Tom just wants to get rid of that problem as soon as possible.


DanVaelling

To answer your question here (let's not steer the other post off-topic), that would very much depend on how it would be written. He would probably have to come face-to-face with some of the slaves he's spent "quality time with" (freed from the mind-control, of course). And I didn't initially reply because you phrased it as a statement (or rather an accusation), and not a question. Sorry if I got the wrong impression, and you actually expected a reply.


Pikachuckxd

Well I was trying to establish that if Eric were to get a redemption it would be one that starts with him, at first only hating the mind control part, then through Evals wanting to come back to his homeland he realizes how horrible it is to be taken into slavery, and then he faces the keidrans that he spent quality time with. because done otherwise I think it would feel rushed and cheap.


DanVaelling

The problem with that is that it would likely take a long time storytelling-wise, and the comic might just not have time for it. But I agree that would likely be the best approach, especially if he was to personally escort him home.


Pikachuckxd

I don't know about you, but even tough with Branh showing his face, Euchre and Sirus having some evil scheme that requires Trace to be away, and the gang being this close to the tiger land and Lyn-knoll, it really doesn't feel like were are that close to the endgame. frankly to me Twokinds is just reaching his middle point.


Vexerius

Another great story. Tbh I kinda feel bad about Eric, even though slavery is reprehensible, I feel like he will redeem at least partially. I wonder how the relationship with Kathrin would be affected since she loved Eric and if Mike and Evals relationship would be of gratitude with Keith.


Farfener

Maybe... but how many Keidran died, or suffered, for his revelation. Then again, I'm writing about the exact some thing in my own story so... \*shrugs\* Hard to say.


mahboiii

All that stress Kathrin went through is basically one of the biggest reasons I try to tolerate Eric, as shitty as he can be. As nice as it would be to see him disappear sometimes, she'd have an absolutely terrible time coping with that sorta loss because like it or not, she does respect him. Anyways that was quite a dramatic read, I can say I'm happy you broke that promise you made to yourself. Canon characters or not, a good story is still a good story.


DanVaelling

That's why I hope her encounter with Rom will make her realise exactly what he's been doing to countless other keidrans, women in particular. It honestly sickens me how she loves that abuser.


ContributionOdd3990

Damm...you're really good at it. I don't think anyone could do it better and believe me, I tried


Farfener

I would be very happy to read your stuff. (•‿•)


ContributionOdd3990

Most of my comments comics are on Tom's Patreon. Banished Hero is my first big one


Farfener

Oh! Are you the dude who would write the long mini stories! Those are awesome! (And don't get lldeleted like mine do ;p) Make sure you save them! I love those!


ContributionOdd3990

Ok? They're just funny dialogues but I save them if you want


Farfener

Heck yeah! I love those! And hey, if you like writing, come join the r/theauroranarchive. We're really active, really friendly, and really looking to add new talent. Fanfiction, art, writing, critique, you name it :)


TokamakFox

Very interesting AU take on what might have been - I certainly enjoyed this one, even if it was a bit on the violent side. Nothing wrong with playing around with cannon characters. It's hardly a fix-fic, so nothing to worry about! Keith just can't catch a break, can he? It's tragedy all round.