Character Spotlight: Alaĕna Bombyx (Stubborn, Sarcastic, and Slightly Stabby)

Personality:
Alaĕna Bombyx is as fierce as she is sharp-tongued. She’s stubborn to a fault, sarcastic enough to eviscerate a room with just a few well-chosen words, and absolutely refuses to be anyone but herself. She’s the kid you’d find buried in a Latin dictionary, but she’d also turn those words into weapons if she had to. She’s driven by her own moral code—loyalty to the people she loves and an iron will to do what she thinks is right, even if it’s not the easiest path.

Flaws:
Let’s just say Alaĕna’s not winning any “Miss Congeniality” awards. She’s impulsive and quick to anger, and she’d rather face consequences than swallow her pride. She’s got a mouth that gets her into trouble and a short temper that’s always ready to spark. She struggles to let anyone in close enough to see that behind the sarcasm, there’s someone terrified of losing everything.

Strengths:
Despite all that, Alaĕna’s loyalty is unbreakable. She’s steadfast and courageous, never backing down when it matters most. Because of a curse placed on her kind by the Grudges—those mythical Ūnīcornīs Vōlătīcīs—Alaĕna is the only one among the Latin Magicians who can physically fight back. She’s uniquely able to wield both weapons and offensive Magic, making her a critical piece in the battle against the D-A-M-L. She’s the last hope for her people, and she carries that weight with fierce determination.

Fears:
Underneath the bravado, Alaĕna is haunted by the fear of losing the people she loves—like Dīcărĕ, her best friend, who’s already been taken. She also fears that her anger—the same fire that makes her strong—will destroy her before she can save anyone else. The idea of failing those she cares about terrifies her more than anything else.

Her Part in the Story:
Alaĕna is the spark that lights the fire of resistance. She’s the only Latin Magician left with the ability to fight, the one who refuses to bend the knee to the D-A-M-L and can do something about it. Her mission to rescue Dīcărĕ is only the beginning—her journey is about rediscovering who she is and what she’s willing to risk to protect those she loves.

Inspiration for Her Character:
Alaĕna was inspired by the fierce, messy teenagers I remember being—and the ones I’ve always admired. She’s stubborn, passionate, and refuses to let the world crush her spirit. Writing her is like writing a piece of my younger self: she’s that kid who’s always got something to prove and too much fire to keep bottled up—and angers every adult she interacts with.

What She’s Like to Write:
Alaĕna is a complicated, frustrating, and endlessly fascinating character to write. She’s quick-witted and unafraid to say exactly what’s on her mind, even if it hurts feelings or blows up the whole scene. She never does what I want her to, but that’s part of what makes her real. She was easier to write when I was younger—when her teenage rage and vulnerability were my own. Now, she’s become her own person, always just a bit out of reach, and that’s what makes her so much fun.

Alaĕna Bombyx is the kind of character who lives in the margins—always fighting, always questioning, and never quite fitting into anyone’s neat little box. She’s a constant reminder that even in the quiet moments, the fire inside can’t be snuffed out. Writing her has been a wild ride, and I’m endlessly grateful for the ways she challenges me—because if Alaĕna’s taught me anything, it’s that being a little stubborn, sarcastic, and slightly stabby isn’t such a bad way to navigate the world.