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Author’s Commentary on the Breakup of Viridi and Altumar
4 months ago
General
Judging by all the excitement around the comic — especially the scene where Viridi and Altumar part ways — it’s time for me to give an author’s commentary.
... Altumar and Viridi had been building their relationship for many years. From their very first meeting, they were drawn to each other by the “current.” Over time, they became a strong pair who went through many hardships together.
Altumar spent years studying the underwater library and searching for relics on the ocean floor. Viridi didn’t particularly share his interests but she still supported him, because she knew how much it all meant to him. Every new fragment from the “other” world frightened her — but inspired him. Viridi accepted that and simply helped the one she loved — it was what she felt she had to do.
Altumar, in turn, was Viridi’s emotional support through many challenges, especially within the community. He was her safe reef — a place of shelter and peace. And for Altumar, Viridi was “home,” a constant presence waiting for him.
Their values aligned: both always wanted to make the world better: safer, calmer, more open, more understandable. That was what united them. Their partnership had every chance of growing into a big and happy family full of little wyvernlings surrounded by care (Altumar would probably be the “kind” parent and Viridi the “strict” one).
But all of that was only possible within the world they knew. The Great Rip Current, which had lasted all their lives, finally ended. What was once an unreachable “fairy tale” had become reality. All sense of direction was collapsing, as was the wyvern world itself. And though little may have changed within the community (for now), everything inside Altumar and Viridi was turning upside down.
Viridi understood she couldn’t stop her partner. Only Altumar himself had the right to choose what to do next. And unfortunately, she already knew what his choice would be. It filled her with anger, denial, grief, and a deep sense of loss. Just yesterday everything was perfect... Shared life, plans for a hatchling, familiar routines. And today it all crumbled, drowned by the ocean itself — and nothing could be done to change it.
Altumar, meanwhile, was in great turmoil. He bore the weight of his feelings and the decision he had to make. A dream that had lain dormant within him for decades suddenly began to shine brighter than the stars. Everything he had longed for, all the questions that had haunted him his whole life — finally, there was a chance for answers. But to pursue it, he would have to give up everything that came “before”: Viridi, their plans, their community, the ocean itself. And the hardest part wasn’t turning away from it all. It was hurting the one wyvern he loved most.
Neither Viridi nor Altumar know what awaits above. What if dragons already lurk on the surface? What if the Current returns unexpectedly? What if Altumar never reaches the surface at all, lost to the perilous waters along the way? So many questions, and no answers.
And yet — as deeply as Altumar loves his world, he chooses to renounce it, for to do otherwise would mean betraying himself and his dream. Both he and Viridi understand that rejecting the surface would never bring them peace. Even if he stayed in the community, with a family and among his kind, a part of Altumar would always be “somewhere out there.” And in that there are no villains.
What makes it even more tragic — Viridi has no lungs...
There is no single right or wrong choice in this story. Each reader can decide for themselves what they would have done in the hero’s place — and perhaps talk it over with someone close. Thank you for reading!
... Altumar and Viridi had been building their relationship for many years. From their very first meeting, they were drawn to each other by the “current.” Over time, they became a strong pair who went through many hardships together.
Altumar spent years studying the underwater library and searching for relics on the ocean floor. Viridi didn’t particularly share his interests but she still supported him, because she knew how much it all meant to him. Every new fragment from the “other” world frightened her — but inspired him. Viridi accepted that and simply helped the one she loved — it was what she felt she had to do.
Altumar, in turn, was Viridi’s emotional support through many challenges, especially within the community. He was her safe reef — a place of shelter and peace. And for Altumar, Viridi was “home,” a constant presence waiting for him.
Their values aligned: both always wanted to make the world better: safer, calmer, more open, more understandable. That was what united them. Their partnership had every chance of growing into a big and happy family full of little wyvernlings surrounded by care (Altumar would probably be the “kind” parent and Viridi the “strict” one).
But all of that was only possible within the world they knew. The Great Rip Current, which had lasted all their lives, finally ended. What was once an unreachable “fairy tale” had become reality. All sense of direction was collapsing, as was the wyvern world itself. And though little may have changed within the community (for now), everything inside Altumar and Viridi was turning upside down.
Viridi understood she couldn’t stop her partner. Only Altumar himself had the right to choose what to do next. And unfortunately, she already knew what his choice would be. It filled her with anger, denial, grief, and a deep sense of loss. Just yesterday everything was perfect... Shared life, plans for a hatchling, familiar routines. And today it all crumbled, drowned by the ocean itself — and nothing could be done to change it.
Altumar, meanwhile, was in great turmoil. He bore the weight of his feelings and the decision he had to make. A dream that had lain dormant within him for decades suddenly began to shine brighter than the stars. Everything he had longed for, all the questions that had haunted him his whole life — finally, there was a chance for answers. But to pursue it, he would have to give up everything that came “before”: Viridi, their plans, their community, the ocean itself. And the hardest part wasn’t turning away from it all. It was hurting the one wyvern he loved most.
Neither Viridi nor Altumar know what awaits above. What if dragons already lurk on the surface? What if the Current returns unexpectedly? What if Altumar never reaches the surface at all, lost to the perilous waters along the way? So many questions, and no answers.
And yet — as deeply as Altumar loves his world, he chooses to renounce it, for to do otherwise would mean betraying himself and his dream. Both he and Viridi understand that rejecting the surface would never bring them peace. Even if he stayed in the community, with a family and among his kind, a part of Altumar would always be “somewhere out there.” And in that there are no villains.
What makes it even more tragic — Viridi has no lungs...
There is no single right or wrong choice in this story. Each reader can decide for themselves what they would have done in the hero’s place — and perhaps talk it over with someone close. Thank you for reading!
PerryThePeryton
~perrytheperyton
It's a difficult choice, but one he needed to make. I look forward to reading more!
Tirol
~kuribon
Oh, this is a much-needed comment, thank you for it. I've been following the comic and it was a bit difficult to understand the reason for the conflict between them. I mean the core of the conflict. This journal finally opens my eyes to what's going on between the two of them o:
