#orca anon

Actually, I had a whole self-monologue with myself, because I tend to create voice notes for my own use when I need to voice my thoughts aloud or just make reminders. The topic of a very recent one was my concern over how the major characters will be viewed or interpreted. Part of which was comparing the major differences and some similarities between Riddle and Leona.

In that same voice note, I admit to myself that I am concerned with how Leona will be interpreted and if act two overall will be as good as act one. However, I recall having this same exact fear when it came to Damnation. At the time of posting those first Damnation results, after seeing how readers appeared to adore the Heartslabyul result, I worried a lot that Savanaclaw's result would never live up to it. While I do think Heartslabyul is the fan favorite of Damnation by far, Savanaclaw was still very well received and I was quite proud of it in the end. So I'm hoping that happens here with Empyrean, where it's just the case of me being too anxious.

That is to say, in a way, I hope Leona causes you all just as much grief as Riddle does, if not more. Here is something I will admit that I don't believe I've stated before...

There are about four or five characters I've written for so far in Empyrean that have made me viscerally react, either because I was rereading a part and got worked up or because I was actually writing a scene and got worked up (by worked up, I mean annoyed or irritated sometimes to the point of having to take breaks). Riddle was not on that list. Leona is, without a shadow of a doubt, on the top of that list for characters that made me get worked up in the story I wrote. I reread act two and he STILL bothers me. Use with that info what you will.

In a separate voice note, I was pondering why act three was my favorite so far and I believe I finally reached a conclusion. It is because act three feels like a culmination of the previous two acts, and takes the stakes a bit to the next level. At least, this is my current running theory. I wish I could go more into depth, but unfortunately, I cannot without getting into spoiler territory. So that will have to wait.

Anyways, concept art! So, since Jack Howl was formally introduced in the latest chapter, I can share what he looks like! Leona and Ruggie have had their concept arts shared, now it's Jack's turn.

Jack's first concept art was created in October 2025, I believe. But I drew it in a mostly dark room, so it's not the best. That's why I recently redrew some concept art for him yesterday, same design, this time in a setting with lights so it would actually be a doodle I believed looked at least decent enough to share.

Anyways, that's all! Remember, I write, I don't draw. So sorry if it's wonky. It's not my specialty.