#fic: arcane|inizio

[neonacity]

ARCANE: INIZIO | CHAPTER 8 [PREVIEW]

ARCANE FULL SERIES

Cold fingers ghosted over your skin, teasing you to slowly wake from your slumber. His touch was gentle as they traced your spine but the roughness of his calouses made you shiver and melt even more against his touch. Jeno felt it and moved his head a little to brush his lips against your forehead. You sighed, the action warming his bare collarbones with your breath.

"Are you awake?"

"No..."

You felt him slightly smile against your hair. You didn't want to open your eyes, afraid that the moment you do, he will pull away from you again. It's been so long since you had him close like this, so open and raw, and you are willing to put in the line anything just so you could live off of this moment for as long as you can.

"Look at me..."

"Jen, it's past midnight. You can leave before daybreak. I don't think anyone will care at all—"

"Run away with me."

You froze in his arms. Slowly, you pulled away to look at him, wondering for a moment if you heard his words well and clear. He looked too beautiful in the shadows of your room to be saying lies he didn't mean. Desperately, you tried to look for a hint in his eyes of guilt, but instead he only met your gaze with an openness that made your throat catch.

"What...?"

Jeno slightly turned towards you and raised a hand to cradle your cheek. His thumb made gentle strokes on your lips for comfort.

"Run away with me. Let's leave everything behind and start somewhere. Anywhere."

You were speechless. Unconsciously, you held back his hand to stop him from distracting you with his touch. He let you do it, but the look he gave you did nothing to soften his determination.

"Jeno, we can't leave the family. You know that. We're both—"

"Masters of a system that we both didn't want nor wished for," he said, cutting you off before you could even finish the words he's heard from you countless of times. "Don't you see? We've always had a choice. Being born into this doesn't mean you have to carry this burden forever."

He sounded so raw yet so held back in that moment that you just knew he had been thinking about this for so long. Is this why he had been avoiding you since you went back to Rosewood?

"Our lives has been set for us the moment the Arcanas chose us as their masters. To have these powers mean we have a role to play. All of us do," you answered back in a tone that almost sounded as if you were begging. You can't help it. Never in your life have you ever considered this, the freedom he is talking about.

"And I choose a life with YOU," he shot back as he finally pulled away from you to stand up from the bed. You sat up as well, your heart dropping at the distance he put between the two of you. The desperation and frustration in his voice was like a slap on raw skin. You watched as he paced and ran his hand through his hair, a gesture that told you it was costing him his everything to say these things now.

"You say there is a war coming, but you don't have to fight it. None of us do. Your father has always given you a choice to run away from this, but you've held back thinking you need to pay a debt you didn't ecen make in the first place," he paused, before finally facing you again.

"I've made my choice. And I only have ever wanted you."

Silence rang in the wake of his words. You looked at him lost, and he did the same but with an intensity you have never seen in him before. There are only a couple of things in your cursed life that you have always been sure of. One, that tragedy is in your horizon, no matter how much you try to run away from it.

Two, you want Jeno.

Just as desperately, foolishly, and madly he wants you.

Your gaze finally lowered as you let your thoughts consume you whole. Jeno, seeing that as a clear refusal, sadly softened his shoulders in defeat. He looked away and stepped back.

"Forget it."

"We leave at dawn."

This time, it was his turn to freeze. He looked back at you, stunned and silent. You met him head on, your gaze clear and also determined for the first time in years.

"Let's leave together... I want you. And I'm not running away again."

*******

Taglist: @lostlovesoul11 , @byunniebaekhyunnie , @smolpeyy , @bettyschwallocksyee , @babyksworld , @cabaretyun , @marijmin , @glitching-wren , @jhornytrash , @coconuttiez8d, @huangberryyy , @wonyofanclub ​, @ronjunnie , @cuilwen0630

[neonacity]

Hi bubs soooo I was rereading arcane inizio and there's a lot of masters of arcana til now but some haven't make a appearance. (05) The hierophant, (06) the lovers, (10) the wheel of fortune, (14) temperance, (17) the star. I'm curious about if you have plans for them!?

Hi Mari! It took so long for me to get to this, I haven't really been that active in the past months (i know that might not come as a surprise anymore... but yeah). To answer your question though, yes, there will be a few more Masters who will be revealed in the future, but I am not planning to complete the roster of the main arcanas since I want the characters to really drive the plot more—rather than trying to put everyone in attendance instead.

Thank you SO much though for re-reading Arcane. I just realized it has been almost two years now since I've put it on hold. You have always been so constant from the start. I hope you and your baby are doing fine. 🫶

[neonacity]

Gurl did you see the construct a new dreamscape video?! I'm telling you, nows the time to get arcane going

This comeback is a perfect connection to the arcane series

Dream()scape fit the concept completely, but I have a feeling this time dreamscape will be different, but really I want to see the end of arcane so bad, you had me hooked with the first one

Hi love! Yes, I actually did. I am still a little lost on the full concept but I am loving it so far!

Also, thank you so much for your continued support and interest in Arcane. To be honest, the past few weeks ive been considering dropping it altogether because it has been so long but I just couldn't let go of it. I've been working on the next chapter, though very slowly. 🥺 thank you for giving me a little push again.

Here's a little snippet as a smol gift i guess

[neonacity]

La ARCANA FAMIGLIA | The Masters Index

Note: This is a supporting reference material of all the recorded powers and personal histories from Arcane and Arcane | Inizio. Both stories are in my Masterlist.

Name: Lee Haechan Arcana Number: 01 Tag: The Magician / IL Bagatto Class: Oracle Ability: Chaos Magic / Dimensional Lordship

The Magician has the ability to wield the chaotic forces of the universe, giving him ultimate lordship over dimensions by disrupting, destroying, or ultimately shifting worlds. At his most basic capability, he can create illusions and control how specific targets experience them. At his maturity, The Magician is one of the most powerful forces in the system as the master of chaos itself. The downside of this is the constant state of unrest that its owners have to push against to make sure that their desire for more do not overwhelm their morals. Haechan came from one of the branches of the Lee family and is distant cousins with Mark and Jeno.

Name: Huang Renjun Arcana Number: 02 Tag: The High Priestess / La Papessa Class: Oracle Ability: Psyche Manipulation

One of the forces that directly taps into the energy of the subconscious, La Papessa has the ability to control the psyche in its totality, including the ego, id, and superego. The ability also gives Renjun, its current GrandMaster, access and control over memories, as well as walk in between dreams. While the High Priestess is not known for its influence over the physical realm, Renjun is one of the few Masters in the historical line of La Papessa holders who had developed the ability to wield physical damage through psychic blasts—powerful attacks that he can push out with his mind alone.

Name: Lee Mark Arcana Number: 04 Tag: The Emperor / L' Imperatore Class: Knight Ability: Elemental Lordship

The Emperor holds one of the rawest abilities in the Arcana system, being the force that has lordship over the four elements that make up the fabric of the mortal world. As its newest GrandMaster, Mark possesses the ability to transmutate matter into its different states by changing elements at their sub-atomic level. His true power, however, is his capability to summon the elements from nothing, meaning that he requires no raw materials to use his ability. Mark is the son of the most prominent branch of the Lee family which gained its influence over the secret brotherhood for being a bloodline that produces the most number of Masters. His mother, who was lost during the Great Fall, is the former Mistress of The Empress Arcana.

Name: Leechaiyapornkul Chittaphon / Lee Ten Arcana Number: 07 Tag: The Chariot / IL Carro Class: Knight /Oracle Ability: Space-Time Manipulation

The power of IL Carro is one of the most complex in the system as it can neither directly affect the physical nor the psychic realm. Instead, it has lordship over one of the most significant but immaterial elements of the universe—Time. Ten can jump through time and bend the concept of space by will alone. At the apex of his ability, he can even have the ability to visit different multiverses, similar to how Haechan can by bending dimensions.

Name: Suh Youngho / Suh Johnny Arcana Number: 08 Tag: The Justice / La Giustizia Class: Knight Ability: Karmic Manipulation

The Justice, from its name, holds the scale to give judgment to those deserving of it. Physically, this is manifested through the control of universal karma—whatever attack—physical or psychic—that is sent to its holder is sent back to its attacker tenfold as long as it is cast by a mundane. This ability makes Johnny an important offense and defense soldier in any war. He is the first confirmed GrandMaster among the new batch after the Great Fall.

Name: Kim Jungwoo Arcana Number: 09 Tag: The Hermit / L’Eremita Class: Oracle Ability: Nightmare Inducement

The Hermit possesses one of the most terrifying abilities in the family because it taps on one of the pillars of human existence—Fear. Jungwoo has the capability of accessing his enemies greatest fears whether they are conscious of it or not; and projecting them into the physical realm. More terrifying than this is his ability to trap someone in a never-ending loop of nightmare with no chance of escape lest their life force finally runs out. 

Name: Kim Mijeong Arcana Number: 11 Tag: The Strength / La Fuerza Class: Knight Ability: Strength Infinitum

La Fuerza is one of the most straight-forward capabilities in the Arcana system, granting its user absolute strength that can overpower almost everyone or anything in the different realms. The simplicity of its ability, however, does not mean that its power should be feared only in the physical sense. Other than projecting its own strength to its enemies, Mijeong, its newest Mistress, can also absorb the energy of anyone through mere touch alone to weaken them in the battlefield. Mijeong is part of the Kim clan, who are the designated 'working guards' of The Family. Unlike other masters, they undergo a separate training outside of Rosewood Academy to fulfill their duties. She is the younger sister of Kim Doyoung.

Name: Nakamoto Yuta Arcana Number: 12 Tag: The Hanged Man / L' Apesso Class: Knight Ability: Gravitational Manipulation

One of the key players of the Knight Class, The Hanged Man has lordship over one of the laws of nature integral to the human world: Gravity. As its new GrandMaster, Yuta can control the flow of its laws in any dimension, bending it to his will—or entirely rendering it null. This makes him one of the strongest soldiers of the Family together with Johnny, Jaehyun, and Mijeong. He is also the only member granted with the ability of flight.

Name: Lee Jeno Arcana Number: 13 Tag: The Death / La Morte Class: Knight / Oracle Ability: Nether Lordship

The only force in the Arcana system that has a complete link to the Nether, The Death serves as the great balancer of the universe opposite the forces of the Aether where the rest of the ancient powers were born. The ability of its GrandMaster is as extensive and malleable as its infernal source, having lordship over anything in the underworld including its energy, forces, and beasts. As the opposite of Aether, La Morte can also influence heavenly and neutral energies, keeping them in balance against itself. The significance of its role in the Great Arcana system requires a great level of control from its human vessel. Jeno, its current holder, hails from a more obscure branch of the Lee family that used to serve as the Blacksmiths and Engineers of the brotherhood. He is the first ever Arcana Master born from his lineage.

Name: Na Jaemin Arcana Number: 15 Tag: The Devil / IL Diavolo Class: Oracle Ability: Mental Manipulation

What The Devil's powers lacks in physical impact, it makes up for in its true influence. For what is even more terrifying and sinister than ridding someone of their free will and controlling them to do your bidding? IL Diavolo has total control of the mind, influencing other people's perceptions, feelings, and desires. The gravity of this ability places its current Master, Jaemin, as one of the users who keeps their powers locked and unused unless necessary. On his bare minimum, Jaemin can read emotions and influence them to keep them under control. He comes from the Na family, the second most powerful clan in the brotherhood next to the Lees.

Name: Jung Yunho / Jung Jaehyun Arcana Number: 16 Tag: The Tower / La Torre Class: Knight Ability: Destruction Magic

The Tower is one of the most feared powers in the Arcana system, being the physical force behind ultimate chaos. Jaehyun has the ability to shift energies to destroy everything on his path, a capability marking him second in line to Johnny in terms of power and strength. More than physical destruction, the most terrifying aspect of The Tower's power is its ability to ultimately erase someone's life force from the cycle of the universe, rendering any living being from being reincarnated even in another dimension. Jaehyun also holds the title of ‘General’ in the family together with Johnny.

Name: Zhong Chenle Arcana Number: 18 Tag: The Moon / La Luna Class: Knight Ability: Transformational Magic

What the light of the moon touches, it can transform. La Luna possesses the power to transform things, shifting not only its appearance but also its atomic structure altogether. This ability classifies its current holder, Chenle, as one of the most valuable and promising members of the main circle both in a fight and in a defense perspective. He is also the only member of the Family who has the capability of physically healing others, for as long as there is a body that he can mend back.

Name: Park Jisung Arcana Number: 19 Tag: The Sun / IL Sole Class: Knight Ability: Light Divinity / Energy Bending

The powers of The Sun is the most benevolent and pure among the Arcana. As the source of light, it breathes life to anything and everything that it touches. On a scientific level, however, IL Sole also has dominion over energies—the building block of light—giving its current GrandMaster, Jisung, powerful offense capabilities. In a fight, he can shape light energy into his preferred attacks and also summon them as barriers of protective shield. Together with Chenle, Jisung can help heal and revive other living creatures by influencing their direct life force. This has earned La Luna and IL Sole the great titles of healers within the Family.

Name: The Headmaster Arcana Number: 20 Tag: The Judgment / IL Giudizio Class: Triad Ability: Arcana Deflection

The first of the three pillars of the triad, IL Giudizio has the rare capability of deflecting any Arcana capability aimed at him towards his target of choice. While his abilities are similar in nature to The Justice, the current Triad holder can exclusively reflect and deflect Arcana abilities to his fellow Masters. The Triad are a set of powers created as a safety control within the system, making them the only GrandMasters who can keep their brothers under control. This ability is what allowed the current Headmaster to subdue and stop his wife during The Great Fall—where he deflected her accumulated abilities against her, ending in her death.

Name: Lee Haneul Arcana Number: 21 Tag: The World / IL Mondo Class: Triad Ability: Arcana Mimicry

The second pillar of the Triad, IL Mondo possesses the ability to copy the abilities of his fellow Masters under his bidding. This makes him one of the most formidable users within the Family, having the capability to be the equal of a fellow GrandMaster himself. The flipside of it is that the mimicry has its limitations time-wise, giving its holder the power to wield it for only a couple of minutes. It's current GrandMaster, Haneul, is the owner of Cypher Institute, a powerful corporation he created upon his self-induced exile within the Family after The Great Fall and the death of his former beloved—IL Giudizio's wife. He is the only surviving member from the previous batch of GrandMasters together with the Headmaster.

Name: Y/N Arcana Number: 22 / 00 Tag: The Fool / IL Matto Ability: Arcana Amplification / Arcana Nullification

The Fool is the last Master in the system, and stands as either the beginning or the end. IL Matto often holds a wild card ability within the secret circle of GrandMasters in every generation. Great power, however, comes with great risk, and The Fool is often prone to falling victim to the curse of IL Matto—a spell of madness that can poison their mind should their abilities overwhelm their nature.

This is what exactly happened to the former holder of the title, the Headmaster's wife who possessed the ability of Arcana Unification, a power that lets her absorb and wield multiple Arcana powers as her own. After succumbing into the curse, she went on a rampage and absorbed the life force of all Oracles and Knights of her time, triggering the wipeout of almost a full generation of Masters. The event was later on dubbed as The Great Fall. She was killed by her own husband who stopped her by deflecting her unified powers against her.

After her death, IL Matto chose its new GrandMaster, her daughter, as its new human vessel. As with the rules of the Triad, abilities can transform for the three great pillars as they move from one holder to the next. The current holder of IL Matto possesses the ability to amplify Arcana powers to levels that would naturally be locked among the Masters. Yet The Fool's true influence lies on the other side of this capability, that which allows her to entirely nullify any and all Arcana Grandmasters’ abilities—rendering them as powerless as a mundane. 

The beginning and the end. The light and the dark. The double-edged sword of the current generation's IL Matto renders her an asset and a threat to the Arcana circle.

Taglist: @effulgentfireflies, @kasperneo, @lostlovesoul11, @byunniebaekhyunnie, @smolpeyy, , @dearj43, @bettyschwallocksyee, @babyksworld,   @yongboksfreckles,  @user103843, @lovehowdream, @glitching-wren, @jhornytrash, @coconuttiez8d, @negincho​, @stopeatread​, @ellatizw​, @huangberryyy, @wonyofanclub​, 

Untaggable for some reason: @renjunsflower, @coconuttiez8d

[neonacity]

have you seen dreams new content??!? its very arcane coded the moment i see it😭😭😭

this onee: https://youtu.be/aUiJVLYPUh4

Love, you legit made me cry. I went to watch it as soon as I read your ask and it is so very Arcane-coded I was high-key emotional. From the set-up, the uniforms, the aesthetic—those are my Arcane kids. Also Haechan and Jeno's looks? It's like they were lifted from the fic 😭

[neonacity]

https://youtu.be/aUiJVLYPUh4 DID YOU SEE?¿?¿

YES. 😭 If you feel like it reminds you of Arcane, you're the second ask who has sent me this! I was crying over it here. 🥹

[neonacity]

Arcane | Inizio: Chapter 6 Preview

"And you… Mijeong?"

Her head jerked and she looked at you wide-eyed as you called out her name. Despite the strangeness of the situation, your lips slightly twitched into a knowing smile.

"You remember my name?"

"We were classmates at Advanced Psychology. And you've also been watching over me since I joined the University. I hope my father didn't force you to do it."

If she looked surprised earlier, then Mijeong definitely seemed shell-shocked now. Beside her, Taeyong raised his brow curiously before glancing at Kun who looked like he was trying his best not to smile. 

"You—You've always known that I—"

"Was tasked to guard me? Yes. I wouldn't think too much about it though. You're really good, but I've also spent my whole life living with my father's schemes."

"I guess she wouldn't need too much introduction then if that is the case. Kim Mijeong, she's the master of The Strength and—" Taeyong started before he was cut off by a flash of silver darting from out of nowhere past him. The movement was too quick for all of you to notice, but the next thing you saw was the butter knife safely tucked between Mijeong's middle and forefinger. The girl raised her eyebrow before twirling the blade casually in her hand. 

"Yuta… Can you please not do that?" Taeyong asked with a sigh. The boy in question smirked, his eyes set on the other Master. 

"When they said La Fuerza is from the Kim clan, I didn't expect it to be the little sister. I had to check since that family thinks they're too good for Rosewood," Yuta said, his eyes dancing. Mijeong returned the snark by staring him down. 

"We have a different training as the vanguard of the family. I don't think it's such a bad idea to skip the Academy too if it means we get spared from mingling with douchebags like you," she snapped back smoothly before making a show of making one last twirl of the  blade in her palm before closing her fist around it. The lot of you watched, jaw slacked, as she easily folded and bent the metal in her hand like it was a piece of paper. The next second, she was flinging it back to Yuta's direction with a flick of her wrist. The now crumpled clump of metal stopped just a few inches from hitting the other in the face as he stopped it with gravity.

Chenle gave a low whistle, impressed by the show. Kun, however, looks like he was done with the exchange. 

"Okay, can we just stop throwing blades at each other for a moment? It's 9AM." 

[neonacity]

I saw the ask about Ay-yo Mark and Haechan and omg Ay-ayo Haechan gives me Arcane/Inizio Haechan vibes. Those EYES? THAT HAIR? THOSE STARES??? I’m a weak woman fr

Snfndlahjlkl come here and let me hug you. I was waiting for someone to say this too because Ay-Yo era is so Arcane/Inizio Haechan?! I feel like he has matured a lot in this era and he is giving off that almost "anti-hero-i'll turn into a villain if you lay a finger on her vibes?!" That's our IL Bagatto right there. I can't find a good photo of him with his majestic eyeliner but these photos. 😘🤧

[neonacity]

i’ve been wondering for a while if u completely invented/created from your own imagination each ability of the arcane family, or if it was something else that (apart from the tarot deck, i guess) you took inspiration from to create their superpowers. because honestly, i could’ve never imagined or even write those awesome abilities you gave them (cuz you are just that great). i’m really curious about how you get those amazing ideas and twists to your stories that at the end they just make sense :) love your work!

Hi dear! When it comes to creating the abilities, it would be an 85/15 I guess, 85 being original and 15 having been inspired by a specific resource. The way I decided on their powers are really based on the aspects of their Arcana tarots, though there were some characters that I already knew from the get-go what kind of ability I wanted to give them. Jaemin was one, because I knew I just had to assign him the ability of compelling others. From there, I looked for a card that best fits him!

For Mark and Jeno, it's more about the dynamic of their characters that helped me decide. Mark's powers are really physical in a sense because he controls elements so I wanted Jeno's to be more abstract. They are supposedly and intently made to be opposites. 😉

There is also the inspiration from the actual muses. I wanted to tap into Haechan's duality (hence his chaos) and I wanted to highlight Jisung's demeanor so he is the purest Arcana of all. Is it obvious by now that him and Chenle are MC's favorites? 😂

The 15 percent comes from my research on how best to call their abilities. There is this very useful wiki superpower database that I use to borrow terms like karmic manipulation. However, the expression of how that power goes for my characters, I think of them myself.

I honestly don't know where I get ideas too sometimes but I hope this answers your questions! 😅 And thank you so much for supporting Arcane! 💗

[neonacity]

Arcane The Devil Jaemin

Oh my god, Mari, this is exactly what I thought when I first saw it. It is Arcane Jaemin if he loses the platinum hair. I'm thinking he colors it for the final war haha.

[neonacity]

About that imagine dragons song it was the lyrics that got me, maybe that's a little bit of what jeno thinks about him and mc? Also the mc is so "girl on fire" by alicia keys, I thought about it when I was reading the scene where her father was talking to child mc about how she could make a flame turn into an explosion. She's so powerful (even when she's not il matto), confident, she has that fire but she has a soft side too

Speaking of fire, in the last chapter of arcane when mc is injured and she's watching her memories with renjun, she saw them lying on tables and he was probably erasing her memories, he kept them (maybe that's what made him weaker), but when she first went to rosewood there were signs of fire right there in the tables, he said it was going to hurt, did she... caugh on fire

I know you can't give any apoilers and I'm not asking for that, I just wanted to share my theories and song recommendations. Hope you're well and having a good day/night!

These theories and guesses are amazing as usual, Mari. Sometimes, I feel like you really have gotten in my head hahaha. Also, your appreciation for Arcane's MC is very appreciated. Sometimes, readers do not like characters in this type of story context. I mean, for sure to each their own, but it isn't encouraging sometimes.

I appreciate the song recommendations as well. She is definitely my girl on fire and probably one of my favorite MCs. Fun fact that nobody asked for: since all my stories in this blog are connected one way or another, she is sort of the reincarnation of previous MCs I have haha.

If you want song recommendations, you can also listen to Seven Devils from Florence and the Machine. I love it for Arcane. ♥️

[neonacity]

I'm reading arcane once again and I thought of a song that reminded me of mc and jeno, imagine dragons demons, it could be about mc and jaemim since he's the devil but I think it suits jeno more because of the... darkness? The song have this vibe. Jeno is made of darkness but he never wanted to hurt the mc actually I feel like he wanted to protect her, I think that song have his vibe lol

I know this song! Yes, I think it definitely fits Jeno and MC more. They have such a complex relationship and Jeno sure goes through a lot of feelings when it comes to her. I like this part of the lyrics the most:

"Don't wanna let you down

But I am hell-bound

Though this is all for you

Don't wanna hide the truth

No matter what we breed

We still are made of greed

This is my kingdom come."

It is just so Jeno. 😔

[neonacity]

Will there be smut in the new arcane book? :)

Probably not. I started the story before I tried writing smut and I feel like it will throw off the whole thing if I add it at this point. There is a lot of smut going on behind the scenes that I've alluded to though 🤫🫡

[neonacity]

omg can you NOT! that update came out of nowhere, was literally celebrating new year with my family and i left everything and went to the corner to read it>< btw whose face do you visualize as mijeong?? I need a picture in my brain for that hotness ooff😵

really excited to know how u write our illichils!! can't wait for the upcoming chs!!

Oh my I hope you still enjoyed your new year celebration and I'm so sorry for distracting you! 🤣 Mijeong's face claim has always been Han So Hee in my head since she is the perfect combination of pretty and hot. She can also pull off badass too. 😏

[neonacity]

holy shit i just finished the first book of arcane and what ???? IT WAS SO GOOD. and hella underrated too... T^T if the taglist for the second book is still open (cz i saw that it's still on-going)... may i please be added to it? thank u so much!! i absolutely loved your work 😦💗

Hi dear! Thank you for reading Arcane. I opened a new taglist to it from the first book and sure, I'll definitely add you. 🤗