Broken Sun, Shattered Bonds

Ansel, once the Sun Arcana, is now fractured—his soul exiled, his body possessed by the Black Sun, a cruel doppelgänger manipulated by Dark Judgment. The brotherhood is reeling: Cass, their leader, is broken and captive, while Stevie, the Star, and her mages are left to pick up the pieces. The Black Sun's malice is a reflection of Ansel's deepest wounds, amplified and weaponized. The Light Arcana's unity is threatened as guilt, shame, and helplessness fester. The stage is set for a war not just of magick, but of hearts and souls, as the darkness seeks to consume all that once bound them together.

Gathering Storms and Sacrifice

Stevie and her allies scramble to regroup after a violent attack leaves Cass and Ansel missing. The group's trust is shaken, but necessity forces them to plan a rescue. The threat is twofold: the Dark Arcana's growing power and Eastman's tightening grip on the Academy. Stevie's visions reveal the true horror—an undead army, Light Arcana being turned, and the sacred objects as the key to both salvation and destruction. The group's love and loyalty are tested as they prepare for a battle that may demand the ultimate sacrifice from each of them.

The Calm Before Battle

In the quiet before the storm, Stevie brews a magickal tea, infusing it with hope, love, and protection. The group gathers, sharing information and fears. The Academy is under siege, its students manipulated and isolated. The enemy is both external and within, as Eastman's mages and the Dark Arcana close in. Despite uncertainty, Stevie is called to lead, her power and compassion inspiring those around her. The resolve to fight is forged not in anger, but in the shared warmth of chosen family, even as the shadow of war looms.

Caves of Mist and Memory

Cass, wounded and imprisoned, clings to life and sanity through memories of love and brotherhood. Ansel's soul, insubstantial but present, reaches out to him. Their bond, tested by trauma and regret, becomes a lifeline. The cave is a liminal space—between realms, between hope and despair. The Dark Arcana's plan is clear: break the Light, turn them, and use them to destroy all that is good. Yet, even in the darkness, the brotherhood's love endures, a stubborn ember refusing to be extinguished.

Flight of the Familiar

Stevie, merging her magick with her owl familiar Jareth, soars over the Academy and its lands. Through Jareth's eyes, she witnesses the enemy's preparations: secret portals, growing armies, and the chilling presence of the Soldiers of Light. The campus is a fortress, but also a prison. The vision is both reconnaissance and a reminder of what's at stake. The flight strengthens Stevie's resolve and provides the crucial information needed for the coming confrontation.

Campus Under Siege

The Academy is beset on all sides. Eastman's mages, bolstered by the Soldiers of Light, have turned the campus into a stronghold. Students and faculty are corralled, fear used as a weapon. The Dark Arcana's influence seeps in, the boundaries between realms weakening. The group realizes the only way forward is to retrieve the Arcana objects, even if it means walking into a trap. The professors volunteer for a dangerous infiltration, while the rest prepare for a desperate gambit to save their friends and the world.

Night of Love and Resolve

In the face of impending doom, Stevie and her mages find solace in each other's arms. Love and desire become acts of defiance, reminders of what they're fighting for. The night is filled with laughter, passion, and promises—each touch a vow to survive, to return, to never give up on one another. The bonds of the brotherhood and their Star are reforged, stronger for their shared vulnerability. It is a night to remember, a light in the darkness.

Bonds Forged in Darkness

The deepening intimacy between Stevie, Baz, and Kirin opens a channel—a magickal connection that transcends the physical. In the throes of passion, they receive a vision of Cass and Ansel, a sign that their brothers are alive and reaching out. The experience is both grounding and galvanizing, proof that their love is a source of power. The group's unity is reaffirmed, their hope rekindled by the knowledge that even in separation, they are never truly alone.

Blood, Moonlight, and Messages

Cass and Ansel, trapped in the caves, perform a blood ritual to send a warning to their friends. Their bond as Sun and Moon Arcana is the conduit, their shared pain and love the fuel. The message is received through a vision, bridging the gap between realms. The act is both a plea for rescue and a testament to the enduring strength of their brotherhood. Blood, moonlight, and magick intertwine, setting the stage for the next phase of the battle.

Visions, Desire, and Hope

The group, now armed with Cass and Ansel's message, finalizes their plan. The vision has shown them the stakes and the path forward. Each member draws strength from their love and shared purpose. The night is spent in preparation—physical, emotional, and magickal. The hope that they can save their brothers and themselves is fragile but fierce, a guiding star in the encroaching darkness.

Siblings, Secrets, and Warnings

Kirin and his sister Casey share a moment of reconciliation, healing old wounds and reaffirming their bond. The group receives warnings—premonitions of disaster, psychic signals that the realms are on the brink of collapse. The urgency is palpable. Farewells are exchanged, promises made. The sense of impending loss is heavy, but so is the determination to fight for a better future.

Premonitions and Farewells

On the eve of battle, the group says their goodbyes, each aware that not all may survive. Protective amulets are exchanged, words of love and encouragement spoken. The Hot Girl Squad prepares their own mission, while the professors set out to warn the Academy from within. Stevie, Kirin, and Baz steel themselves for the journey to the Fool's Grave, where the fate of their brothers—and the world—will be decided.

The Fool's Grave Deception

At the Fool's Grave, Stevie and her mages feign division and despair, luring the Black Sun into a false sense of security. The ritual to retrieve the Arcana objects is performed, blood and magick unlocking the ancient protections. The deception is convincing, but the cost is high—Ani's body is captured, and the group must act quickly to prevent disaster. The line between truth and illusion blurs, each side playing a dangerous game.

The Black Sun's Trap

The Black Sun, believing he has outwitted his former friends, springs his trap. But the brotherhood's love and cunning turn the tables, subduing him and reclaiming the Wand. The victory is bittersweet—Ani's soul remains lost, and the path to the caves is fraught with peril. The group presses on, driven by hope and the knowledge that the true battle is yet to come.

Rescue and Reunion

Deep in the spiral caves, Stevie finds Cass near death. Using her blood and the Chalice, she heals him, their love a balm for old wounds. Ani's body is brought, but his soul remains trapped. The group's reunion is joyous but incomplete. The way out is barred by magick and mist, but together, they forge a path, guided by the Sword and their combined will. The light at the end of the tunnel is both literal and symbolic—a brief respite before the next onslaught.

Through the Holly Thicket

Navigating the treacherous holly thicket and mist, the group approaches the heart of darkness. The landscape is twisted, the boundaries between realms thin. Every step is a risk, every decision a potential turning point. The group's banter and courage mask the fear that this may be their last journey together. The sense of destiny is overwhelming, the weight of prophecy pressing down as they near the Void.

The Undead Army Rises

The Dark Arcana's ritual tears open the sky, unleashing an army of undead witches and mages. The campus is transformed into a battlefield, fire and blood everywhere. The Chariot leads the charge, Judgment and the Black Sun wielding the Arcana objects to devastating effect. The group is forced to fight for their lives, their magick and courage tested to the limit. The prophecy of doom seems inevitable, but the Star's light refuses to be extinguished.

Rift in the Realms

The realms collapse, time and space warping as the battle rages. Friends are lost, allies fall, and the undead seem unstoppable. The group is scattered, each fighting their own battles. Stevie's leadership and the Princesses' magick provide a glimmer of hope, but the cost is immense. The only way to end the nightmare is to confront the source—the Black Sun and the Magician—no matter the personal cost.

The Last Stand

In a final, desperate gambit, Stevie faces the Black Sun alone, determined to heal rather than destroy. Her love and faith reach Ansel's soul, breaking the hold of darkness. The undead army falters, the tide of battle turning. But victory comes at a price—Judgment's last act is to cast Stevie into the Void, separating her from her brothers and leaving the world on the brink.

The Sun's Redemption

Ansel's soul, guided by Stevie's love and the Star's magick, returns to his body. The darkness is banished, the Sun restored. The brotherhood is whole again, but the battle is not yet over. Judgment's final curse threatens to undo all they have fought for. The group's unity and magick are their only weapons against the lingering shadows.

Death, Light, and Return

Stevie, trapped in the Void, faces the Magician in a final confrontation. Drawing on her deepest pain and the wisdom of her mentors, she defeats him—not with vengeance, but with justice and compassion. The Arcana objects are destroyed, their power returned to all witches and mages. Stevie's leap into the Void is both an act of sacrifice and a new beginning, her light shining as a beacon for all.

The Magician's Final Game

The Magician's last illusion is exposed—Stevie's greatest fear, the loss of her brothers, is a manipulation. Refusing to be broken, she chooses hope, leaping into the unknown. The brotherhood, freed from Judgment's control, exacts vengeance and reclaims their power. The cycle of darkness is broken, but the scars remain.

The Leap into the Void

Stevie's journey through the Void brings her face to face with her mother and the mysteries of magick. She is offered a choice: remain in the realm of spirit or return to the world and her brothers. Choosing love and purpose, she is guided home by her mother's spell. The reunion is bittersweet, marked by loss but also by the promise of new beginnings.

Poison and Vengeance

Cass, fueled by grief and rage, confronts Judgment in a final reckoning. The poison of the past is purged, replaced by hope and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood. The group, battered but unbowed, prepares to face whatever comes next, their love and unity stronger than ever.

The Void of Mist and Spirit

Stevie, in the realm of Mist and Spirit, is confronted by the Magician's final cruelty. With the help of Lala and Anna Trello, she chooses compassion over vengeance, breaking the cycle of violence. The Magician is defeated, justice served. Stevie is offered the chance to remain in the realm of knowledge and peace, but chooses to return to her world, her brothers, and the work that remains.

Justice, Love, and Release

Guided by her mother and the wisdom of the Hall of Mist and Spirit, Stevie learns the true nature of magick and her own power. She is given the choice to stay or return, and chooses love, hope, and the promise of a better world. Her return is marked by relief, joy, and the knowledge that the hardest battles are yet to come.

Destroying the Arcana

The brotherhood, reunited, destroys the Arcana objects, returning their power to all. The ritual is both an ending and a beginning—a promise to protect, to love, and to honor the magick that binds them. The world is changed, but the work of healing and rebuilding has only just begun.

Aftermath and Healing

In the wake of the battle, the Academy mourns its dead and begins the slow process of healing. The survivors honor the fallen, rebuild their home, and work to change a world still hostile to their kind. The bonds of friendship and love are deepened by loss, and the promise of a brighter future is kept alive by those who remain.

Stars, Sunrises, and Forgiveness

Ani, haunted by guilt and trauma, is gently brought back to life by Stevie's unwavering love. Their night beneath the stars is a testament to forgiveness, healing, and the enduring power of hope. The past cannot be undone, but together, they choose to move forward, one sunrise at a time.

New Leaf, New Beginnings

The brotherhood surprises Stevie with a tea café of her own—a symbol of new beginnings and the life they are building together. Friends and family gather, laughter and love filling the space. The past is honored, the future embraced. The New Leaf Café opens its doors, a beacon of hope, magick, and community in a world forever changed.

Characters

Stevie (Starla Milan)

Stevie is the heart and soul of the story—the Star Arcana, a spirit-blessed witch created by magick and prophecy. Her journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. She is fiercely loyal, compassionate, and brave, often putting others before herself. Her relationships with her Arcana mages are the foundation of her strength, and her empathy allows her to heal and inspire those around her. Stevie's greatest challenge is accepting her own power and worth, learning that true leadership is rooted in vulnerability and love. Her arc is one of transformation—from a reluctant heroine to a beacon of light for all.

Ansel McCauley (The Sun/Black Sun)

Ansel's journey is one of trauma, possession, and ultimately, redemption. As the Sun Arcana, he is meant to embody light and joy, but his soul is fractured by abuse and manipulation. The Black Sun, his dark counterpart, is a manifestation of his deepest wounds, used by the Dark Arcana to sow destruction. Ansel's guilt and shame threaten to consume him, but the unwavering love of his brothers and Stevie brings him back from the brink. His arc is a testament to the power of forgiveness, the possibility of healing, and the enduring strength of chosen family.

Cassius Devane (The Moon)

Cass is the Moon Arcana, a professor of mental magicks and the de facto leader of the brotherhood. Haunted by past failures and the weight of responsibility, he is both mentor and protector. His love for Stevie and his brothers is deep, but he struggles with guilt over the pain they endure. Cass's arc is one of learning to let go of control, to trust in others, and to accept that love is not a weakness but a source of strength. His journey through darkness and back to hope is marked by sacrifice, wisdom, and the courage to face his own demons.

Baz Redgrave (The Devil)

Baz, the Devil Arcana, is fiery, impulsive, and fiercely protective. His earth magick grounds the group, but his temper and self-doubt often threaten to isolate him. Baz's love for Stevie and his brothers is raw and unfiltered, expressed through both humor and violence. He struggles with feelings of unworthiness, believing himself to be the most susceptible to darkness. Baz's arc is one of learning to channel his passion into love and loyalty, to accept his own worth, and to find peace in the bonds he has forged.

Kirin Broome (The Tower)

Kirin, the Tower Arcana, is a genius with a tragic past. His air magick is as volatile as his emotions, and he is haunted by a catastrophic event that shattered his family. Kirin's relationship with his sister Casey is a source of both pain and healing. His love for Stevie and his brothers is steady, but he fears losing control and causing harm. Kirin's arc is about rebuilding—himself, his relationships, and the world around him. He learns that true strength lies not in isolation, but in vulnerability and connection.

Dark Judgment

Dark Judgment is the architect of much of the suffering in the story. A master manipulator, he preys on the weaknesses and fears of the Arcana, seeking to break and control them. His relationship with the Black Sun is that of a twisted mentor, offering validation in exchange for obedience. Judgment's downfall comes not from external force, but from the resilience and unity of those he sought to destroy. He is a symbol of the dangers of unchecked power and the corrosive nature of hate.

The Magician (Dark One)

The Magician is the ultimate antagonist, driven by a desire to reclaim magick and control all who wield it. His actions are motivated by deep wounds—abandonment, loss, and a twisted sense of destiny. He manipulates, tortures, and kills without remorse, believing himself to be the rightful master of all. The Magician's defeat is not just a physical one, but a spiritual reckoning. He is confronted with the consequences of his actions and the emptiness of his quest for power. His arc is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the redemptive power of compassion.

Anna Trello (Justice)

Anna Trello, the Justice Arcana, is a mentor and protector. Her relationship with Stevie is complex—part teacher, part guardian, part conspirator. Trello's ultimate sacrifice is a fulfillment of prophecy and a testament to her commitment to justice. Her death is both a loss and a gift, inspiring those who remain to continue the fight for a better world. Trello's legacy is one of wisdom, courage, and the belief that justice is not just a concept, but a living, breathing force.

Lala (High Priestess)

Lala is the High Priestess, a figure of ancient wisdom and deep compassion. She serves as a spiritual guide for Stevie, offering insight, comfort, and the occasional cryptic prophecy. Lala's own history with the Magician adds depth to her character, revealing the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness. Her presence in the realm of Mist and Spirit is a reminder that true power lies in understanding, acceptance, and the willingness to let go.

Carly, Isla, Nat, and the Hot Girl Squad

Carly, Isla, Nat, and their friends provide both comic relief and emotional support. Each brings unique gifts—clairsentience, empathy, magickal prowess—to the group. Their loyalty to Stevie and each other is unwavering, and their willingness to fight, even in the face of overwhelming odds, is a testament to the strength of chosen family. They represent the everyday heroism of those who stand together, refusing to be broken by hate or fear.

Plot Devices

Duality and Splintered Selves

The narrative is driven by the theme of duality—light versus darkness, self versus other, love versus hate. Ansel's split into the Sun and Black Sun is the most literal manifestation, but each character grapples with their own internal divisions. The plot uses possession, dream realms, and magickal rituals to explore the consequences of fragmentation and the journey toward wholeness. The restoration of unity—within individuals and among the group—is both the goal and the means of salvation.

Prophecy, Tarot, and Symbolic Magic

Prophecies, Tarot cards, and magickal objects are woven throughout the story, serving as both plot devices and metaphors. The Arcana objects are keys to power, but also symbols of the burdens and gifts each character carries. Prophecies guide and mislead, forcing characters to confront the tension between destiny and choice. The destruction of the objects and the fulfillment of prophecy are acts of liberation, reclaiming magick for all.

Love as Resistance

Love—in all its forms—is the story's most potent weapon against darkness. Romantic, platonic, and familial bonds are tested and reforged in the crucible of war. Intimate scenes are not just moments of respite, but acts of resistance, reminders of what is at stake. The group's unity is both their greatest vulnerability and their ultimate strength, allowing them to overcome manipulation, despair, and even death.

Illusion, Deception, and Mental Magic

Mental magicks, illusions, and dreamcasting blur the line between reality and perception. The villains use these tools to manipulate and break the heroes, but the same devices are reclaimed as means of communication, healing, and escape. The ultimate deceptions—Judgment's false deaths, the Magician's mind games—are undone by the clarity of love and the willingness to leap into the unknown.

Sacrifice and Rebirth

Sacrifice is a recurring motif—characters give up power, safety, even their lives for one another. The leap into the Void, the destruction of the Arcana objects, and the deaths of key figures are not just losses, but acts of renewal. Each ending is a beginning, each death a doorway to new life. The story's structure mirrors the Tarot's journey: from the Fool's leap to the World's completion, the cycle of transformation is both personal and cosmic.

Analysis

Spells of Mist & Spirit is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that explores the interplay of light and darkness, the power of chosen family, and the redemptive force of love. At its core, the novel is about the struggle to reclaim agency and hope in a world determined to break and control. The characters' journeys—marked by trauma, sacrifice, and healing—reflect the real-world challenges of overcoming internal and external oppression. The use of Tarot and magickal symbolism elevates the narrative, inviting readers to consider the ways in which fate, free will, and community shape our destinies. The destruction of the Arcana objects and the democratization of magick are powerful metaphors for breaking cycles of violence and reclaiming power from corrupt systems. Ultimately, the story is a celebration of resilience, vulnerability, and the belief that even in the darkest times, we can choose to be our own light—and, together, create a new world worth living in.

Last updated: October 23, 2025