Embers to Inferno | Season Finale Episode 24 (Patreon)

The end of an era, haha! That is a bit dramatic, but it still makes me feel emotional to post the end of season 1. When I started on episode 1, I could have never imagined we'd be here. Who knew so many people liked these two, and it would bring us all together in this little community 🤍

I can't wait to hear all of your thoughts on this finale, and I am even more excited to start season 2!

I won't keep you all much longer; please enjoy the episode, and I'll see you after for the episode discussion below 🩷

Spoilers Ahead

Bloom's incident with Professor Avalon in the last episode seems to have had a bigger effect than anyone could have anticipated. Last time, when Bloom's emotions overwhelmed her, was with Sky, and the virus was able to seep through a little. Back then she was quickly able to regain control, but this time Bloom is not as lucky. Her encounter with Avalon left her feeling even more vulnerable, and the virus slipped through the cracks again, locking Bloom inside her own mind, unable to move.

Luckily our handsome wizard Valtor was with her.🥹 Taking us back to episode 15, Valtor finally realised what he has been feeling. The pain and sadness were all Bloom's emotions. He's been feeling them stronger and stronger ever since Bloom has been getting closer to him.

I wanted these panels of Bloom transforming in front of Valtor to feel chaotic; I wanted to create the image of noise and panic. An image of a force so strong it even had Valtor stunned and unsure of what actions to take. A feeling of overwhelmingness created by ear-shattering noise and panic. Until, suddenly, it is dead silent when Valtor enters Bloom's mind.

A decision that I think will spark some questions is Dark Bloom's outfit. I think many of you expected there to be a dark Enchantix version, but I decided against this for now. The main weakness Bloom currently has is the fact that her Enchantix is incomplete. While she may be stronger, it is also inconsistent. So when her Enchantix inevitably fails, I'd assume the virus would take shape in the form it had before. That being said, from the perspective of an artist, I also believe her Magic Winx Dark Bloom outfit is just stunning. It translates so well in an evil version, while I think a dark Enchantix would not have the same effect, as it is a bit more ethereal and whimsical. Additionally, it adds that touch of nostalgia back into the mix; we get to see THE Dark Bloom again from season 2. I think it adds something to the story many older Winx fans can appreciate ^^. This doesn't mean I won't consider dark Bloom in Enchantix, of course! It just didn't feel right for now, but who knows what will happen in the future!

Valtor entering Bloom's mind brings us back to episode 9, when he entered her mind after she gained Enchantix. Only, this time something is very off. Gone are the floating sparks and calming golden hue of Bloom's subconscious; instead, everything is pitch black. All life and warmth is gone. Even Bloom herself is nowhere to be seen until he hears a faint sniffle coming from the darkness. Here I wanted to convey the feeling of an endless void and Bloom being stuck there with something sinister. She is lost in her own mind, stuck in her worst memories while something else is taking control over her body. Something that is manipulating Bloom's very being and is able to keep even Valtor at a distance.

Valtor immediately uses his connection with the Dragon Flame to call out to Bloom, filling her with the light of the Great Dragon. You may have noticed how I made his magic gold instead of his signature purple or red; this is to signify him calling upon the bit of the dragon flame inside him, the part of him that is good and brings life and light. 🥹

And then, boom, sparks fly. 😩You would think I had this scene planned from the very beginning looking at the cover of ETI 👀 (I didn't, but when it clicked in my head I felt like a genius, so there's that).

Bloom looking up at him is probably my favourite thing ever; she's just so happy to see him. Her face here really brings me joy after all that happened to her, just pure happiness radiating from her because of Valtor. 🥹

Valtor takes her in his arms, and before they leave Bloom's mind, he gets a better look at what exactly they're dealing with. A remnant left behind by the Shadow Phoenix. Now that we're up closer to it, I wanted it to still slightly resemble Bloom but in a way that feels off and unsettling—a sort of uncanny valley feeling. If Dark Bloom were to take over, she of course would have Bloom's angelic features, but that's not who she truly is. So I wanted her real form—the one who lives inside Bloom—to resemble something like a creature, something demonic in the worst way.

Aaaaand, I couldn't leave you all waiting for any longer now, could I? It was high time for these two to give in and kiss. This felt like the perfect moment, both relieved after what they just went through and still a bit high from the adrenaline. Valtor is relieved that Bloom is safe and must be aware how close she was to being taken away from him. And Bloom is now seeing Valtor in an entirely different light—her saviour. In the past it's always been Bloom who had to save herself and everyone else on top of it. In season 1 she had to get her powers back herself and had to help everyone fight off the Trix. In season 2 she had to heal herself to get away from Darkar and, again, help her friends. Not that the Winx never helped Bloom; of course they did! But it's clear that when Bloom was in real trouble, there was only one person who was powerful enough to save her, and that was herself. Now she has someone else in her life who can be there for her and lift some of that weight off her shoulders.

Another thing I want to note is that I wanted to make sure that I gave Valtor gloves for this episode. I wanted there to be no doubt that this was purely them, with no heightened senses due to their connection to spur them on involved. Just them finally doing what they've been wanting to do for ages.

And then we end season 1 with a bit of a foreboding feeling; what really happened last year? I didn't want to leave you all on an insane cliffhanger, but a little suspense never hurt anyone... right? 🤭

Here we conclude the end of Season 1 of Embers to Inferno... what a journey these past 2 years have been! Thank you all for being here to follow along. Every day I feel like the luckiest girl in the world that I am able to create this story for you all! Love you guys, and I'll see you in season 2 on February 1st, 2026!