Okay, this is an observation I had about Volume 8 when I looked at the last few episodes again. We love to point out how much damage our Heroes did, but I was wondering just how much damage they would have caused if Cinder didn’t get involved…Here’s what I realized.

So, let’s assume Cinder didn’t get her big moment, she never actually carried out the plan that she did in the end of Volume 8, and she didn’t use the lamp and all that jazz. Basically, she followed Salems orders to stay put, basically letting the heroes go.

Had she listened to Salem, she would have given the lamp back to her, and ousted Neo for stealing it. This means Neo is removed from the equation, or Neo could spare her own life by telling them how to activate the Lamp. This question would then be used for the Relic at Beacon, which they still don’t know how to find.

So they don’t acquire the staff, but they know how to use the lamp and can get the Relic at Beacon easier.

Here’s what Cinder did in her big plan.

1. Threw a bunch of heroes off the ledge, none of them died so it’s kinda irrelevant.

2. Killed Penny (with Jaunes help), which in turn gave the maiden power to Winter, which saved her life fighting Ironwood.

3. Killed Watts, a major asset for Salem, and threw Neo off the ledge, which now means Neo won’t work for her anymore.

4. Got the staff, but in exchange threw away the chance to easily get the beacon relic (The crown).

Let’s see what would happen if Cinder didn’t get involved.

1. The Heroes would have brought everybody into Vacuo and caused Atlas and Mantle to fall still.

2. Winter would have died fighting Ironwood since Penny wouldn’t be able to give her the power or help her once she passes the gate.

3. Salem could get the Beacon relic easily after using Jinn, then could invade Vacuo where not one but TWO relics are at.

4. They’d still have Watts and Neo working for them.

Cinders involvement actually did LESS damage to our heroes then If she remained passive and didn’t do anything, the heroes and Ironwood do more damage to themselves on their very own.