ᴠʌɴᴅʌʟɪᴢᴇ ᴍʏ ʜᴇʌʀᴛ

Unraveling, (stylized as ᴜ ɴ ʀ ʌ ᴠ ᴇ ʟ ɪ ɴ ɢ) is a series of drabbles featuring aristocrat Arte Kingsley and his bodyguard Ivy the Spider. The title is a reference to spiderwebs and has two meanings: 1) breaking apart and 2) revealing, which are key themes.

I write these drabbles whenever inspiration strikes, so there is no particular order. In fact, each one can exist on its own. This is intentional as I find the idea of continuity stressful; one-shots allow me to write freely.

I did try to write a novel some time ago--with one overarching story, chapters, and such--but it hit a wall and stopped me from writing for a while. I have a vague plot and a lot of ideas (some more fleshed out than others), but I have a hard time weaving them together. Maybe one day...?

(I'm rereading some of it now and ughghh... SO. CRINGE. 💀)

Arte wields a rapier and, later on, a magical focus called the Phantom Diamond (hubby's birthstone). These elements can combine to form a staff to cast spells, inspired by the Red Mage job in Final Fantasy XIV.

I like the idea of him being swift, light, and elegant, as if battle were a dance.

Because Arte has a bodyguard, he doesn't often draw his weapon. But when he does, it is typically in defense. The scene of Shiro in K Project where he is fighting defensively with his parasol is a perfect example. As a king, he does so with grace.

I've also added scenes of Weiss from RWBY to showcase how Arte would weave his ice powers in combat seamlessly.

Ivy wields a glaive, inspired by my favorite weapon in Monster Hunter. I find the staff elegant and the blade deadly, which mirrors her perfectly. Her glaive bears the Phantom Topaz (my birthstone).

I imagine her to be effortlessly brutal yet calculated.

These examples are scythes, but the idea is similar: Shinoa from Seraph of the End, and Maka from Soul Eater.

Ivy has a small frame, and I like the idea of her wielding a big weapon for contrast.

I did consider giving her a Kinsect (arachnid + kin... Arackin? Kinnid?) like the game, but decided against it as it made her design busier than it already is 🫠

Could the gemstones be related to the Phantom Ruby? 👀