Embers to Inferno | Episode 15 (Patreon)

Emotional damage time besties!

Trigger warnings!

There is mention of slight SA and grooming. Careful when reading and think about your mental health first! It starts halfway through the episode, so please click out when you need to, and I'll see you next time 🤍

*Spoilers Ahead*

After episode 12, which focused on the Specialists, I felt it was important to dedicate this episode to the Winx! Bloom needed to open up about that night, and the comfort and reassurance from her best friends was exactly what she needed. I think moments like these are so needed—not just for the story but for all of us. It's so important to share your feelings with the people closest to you. Please don’t bottle things up, and remember, if you ever need a listening ear, I’m always here for you 🤍

You may have noticed Avalon’s name starting to pop up more frequently throughout the story. Slowly, pieces of what happened during Bloom’s second year at Alfea are being revealed. This situation with Sky has brought back many memories she had buried in the darkest corners of her mind, and now, they’re beginning to resurface. Yes, as some of you may have guessed, this story will dive deeper into what happened between Avalon and Bloom. ETI will address it directly, and it won’t be sugar-coated or made kid-friendly. While it’ll still be a bit before we fully explore this part of Bloom’s past, it’s a topic that can't be ignored!

On a lighter note, I was so excited to finally include my boy Palladium in the Webtoon! I love him so much 🥹 Drawing the Winx in a classroom setting was also a refreshing change—it feels like they barely had any classes in season 3, doesn’t it? 🤔 These moments of normalcy, girls just attending class, add a sort of grounding element to the story. I always enjoy these peaceful moments, even though they never seem to last for long!

Afterward, I kept thinking about how the Winx would discover what had happened. Jumping straight to Bloom felt too abrupt and didn’t sit right with me. After some brainstorming, I came up with the idea of including Brandon in the episode. His involvement opened up many opportunities: providing insight into the current dynamics between the Specialists and Sky, creating some cute interactions between Brandon and Stella, and, at the same time, highlighting Brandon’s concern for Bloom once more.

I also thoroughly enjoyed designing Stella's phone, I always felt like their phones in the show were kinda boring ngl haha. So I created a high-tech flip phone, still Y2k, but with a touch of magic!

On the topic of Brandon, I’ve been toying with the idea of dedicating an episode to him and Bloom in the future. I know, it sounds a bit weird, right? 😂 But hear me out—Brandon might actually be the one person who can truly understand Bloom's feelings regarding her current situation. Brandon himself was assaulted by Amentia back in season 2 (yes, I will die on this hill!). If anyone can relate to what Bloom is going through, it’s him. This opens up so many possibilities for their friendship, and allows for Brandon to address his own trauma from that experience.

I’m not sure when or even if this will happen, but it’s an idea I feel strongly about. After all, this is a conversation Rainbow left untouched, and it’s too important to ignore!

And finally… our poor Valtor 🥹 Many of you have probably pieced together the deep connection between Bloom and Valtor by now. One that neither of them fully understands yet. When Bloom’s heartbreak overwhelmed her, Valtor could feel it too, and for the first time, he experienced emotions foreign to him. Sadness was never an emotion Valtor had to deal with—regret, perhaps, or even frustration and helplessness—but never heartbreak. Now, for the first time, he’s experiencing these emotions through Bloom. Although he hasn't realized this just yet!