That would explain a whole lot if that theory is true. Like, there’s probably a lot more going on in the world right now than anyone even realizes.

Likely the Quetzes, and would explain why they denied it rain

But wait, considering that whole thing about the gods... yeah something big is going on!

The Quetz weren't denying the forest rain, rather they weren't being petitioned to supply rain by the false guardian, who probably was keeping the dryads from being able to do so on their own. The false Ayal was probably a puppet.

well thats the end of this chapter

Trees.

makes sense

A hint of an enemy greater than the Quetz queen? That's a scary thought. Leave it to the djinni kitsune to get right to the heart of the matter.

For once he's actually doing some good rather than just being a essence-munching freeloader.

Or the implication that the quetz queen is in on it. If she swapped a villain with the tree guardian using the spooky orb...

Okay, that was not the revelation I was expecting.

I think there is a possibility of an enemy greater than the Evil Quertz Queen. Maybe the Evil Quertz Queen merge her soul with a bigger and more evil soul to be twice as evil and have twice the size of their souls merging into one evil being if that makes sense?

Oh you mean Riku........ I meant Roko, lol? XD

Yeah. This is the most useful and most thoughtful Roko has been since the beginning of the comic. But it isn't going to be too long before Roko becomes the greedy essence-munching freeloader and will try to suck the biggest and the most evil soul, causing Roko's balloon disguise to pop. The slashers will be trying to slash Roko's fat greedy soul unless he can eat the slashers first, lol. But yeah, more than likely Roko is going to screw up for Brand and Saida at the time where they will need him the most.

I'm not convinced the Quetz queen is a villain at this point. Antagonist, certainly, but probably not the bad guy.

I need to have a better understanding of what the false Guardian actually was. If it was a puppet, then it had a massive spiritual presence after it died. Perhaps a corruptive parasite that took control of Ayal the slow way?

If some DOES want that tree dead, then who and why?

I don’t know who but do have theory on why that being some sort godly being is held prisoner in center world with tree acting like lock on prisoner cell and one way to remove a lock is to destroy it, so who ever attempting destroy the tree is trying free some sort being at center at world which may result in world being destroyed if does get freed.
Since tree isn’t the only lock (being hinted on how this tree isn’t only one connected to center of world) on being the main evil is focusing his attention on different lock (most likely the one with most powerful guardian that may know of it existence and so far successful fending it off) and using minions to destroy the other in meantime.

Yep enough trees. Time for more engorged balloons and sonic styles

Agreed. ^^

Very good ending to a really good chapter.

There are so many unanswered questions like :

1. Who or what evil being wants The Great Tree dead and why?

2. Where exactly is the orb at and does somebody already possess it?

3. Does Brand, Roko, and Saida have an enemy way bigger and stronger than the Evil Quertz Queen to fight?

4. Will Roko be a super greedy soul-sucking pig and try to eat a super big and evil soul like what tried to do with Ayal's evil soul?

5. How many souls does Roko have to eat before his balloon disguise explodes?

6. Will the reapers try to slash Roko's soul again if his balloon disguise does pop or will Roko eat the slashers?

7. What item will Roko's soul hide into next if he needs to hide inside of a new object?

8. Will Roko ever be inside of a jar again?

9. Will Roko get mad when people misspell his name?

10. Will Ayal come back to life?

So many more questions that will be answered in the next chapter of Rainburn.

P.S. I love Roko breaking the fourth wall on the last panel.

Super awesome job as always. I can't wait to see the next chapter and see if any of my answers gets answer in the next chapter. So proud of you and keep up the awesome job Virmir. You always continue to show me why you are one of my favorite artist and why Rainburn is one of my.favorite comic ever, Virmir. ^^

Thanks for reading!

Damn it, Roko!

Oh, wait . . . he didn't do anything this time.

sassy grinning balloon roko :o

the plot. She thickens!

I still want to believe that it wasn't the real Ayal they killed, but an evil clone, while the real Alyal is presumably being held captive by the Puppetmancer.

and this is why they curse "trees", isn't it?