A fierce and independent warrior steps out of the shadows to aid her friends with unparalleled skill and a secret power – and she’s Ryoku’s old flame? Welcome back to another blog counting down to the release of Sovereign Soul Book 2: Embers of Orden, where Annalia Rikalla’s mysterious presence returns into the deep, unfolding narrative.
Today, we’ll be discussing a character who first appears in Akin Minds but makes a much bigger impact in Embers of Orden – Annalia Rikalla, one of the main Defenders featured in the world of Sovereign Soul. Notably mysterious, silent and serious, Anna stands out among the other Defenders as being somewhat standoffish, but with an intriguing past and narrative that begins to come to light in the new novel.
Spoiler Alert: Reading further features spoilers from Sovereign Soul: Akin Minds and offer a bit of exposition into Embers of Orden. If you haven’t read Akin Minds, check it out here!
Anna makes her Embers of Orden debut in Act Two alongside the arrival of Kai Stele. During one of Kai’s regular plays, Anna shows up in place of a missing actress. Introduced through Kai’s point of view, Kai chooses to note… certain assets of her right away, and he chooses to let things play out as they will. As it turns out, Ryoku’s been in the world of Brooklyn for a period of time with her, and they’re working together to find a method of travel.
Anna is somewhat short, with bushy black hair, dark eyes, and prefers to wear pants and armor over dresses and skirts. She wields both a katana and a bow with equal ability. She harbors a unique power that readers can discover in Embers of Orden.
Anna isn’t often part of the main group. While some of the Defenders are known to linger in Syaoto and help during their trying times, Anna works independently with her own Guardians. Little is known about them, but she revealed in Akin Minds that one of them is also Loki’s daughter. On top of that, Anna is reserved and keeps a lot of details about her personal life and ventures to herself.
Here’s a glimpse of her first appearance in Embers of Orden, from Kai Stele’s point of view:
“I saw it – bam! Her fingers brushed lightly across Ryoku’s arm. I knew there was something there! I also knew if I pointed it out, she might kick me to the moon. Maybe she didn’t even notice she did it.” – Kai Stele, Embers of Orden Act 2, Scene 1
Among the Defenders, Anna is best known as Ryoku’s most recent ex who broke things off when her family moved across the country. Despite this, she’s very good friends with Dawn – who often subjects her to all sorts of teasing – and has a good friendship with Katiel. As the only Defender who wasn’t around during the Day of Black, Anna harbors a deep grudge against Dagger – but you’ll learn more about that in Embers of Orden!
In general, Defenders are something of an anomaly in Sovereign Soul. They exist in both the real world (the land of the living) and the spirit realm, where most of the narrative takes place. The land of the living is dying, but it features technology like cellphones and modern vehicles, while the spirit realm tends to be more simplistic. Each Defender featured in Sovereign Soul has unique traits that extend into their time in the spirit realm, making them fun and interesting to write about.
Anna, the quiet geek of the group, is known for her intelligence and combat prowess. Her reserved nature and tendency to work independently add layers to her character that make her intriguing to readers.
In Embers of Orden, Anna’s journey will take her to unexpected places as she helps Ryoku navigate the rough-and-tumble concrete jungle of Brooklyn. With her unique powers and combat skills, she becomes an invaluable ally. Readers will witness her confront past grudges, face new challenges, and test her devotions to her friends at a potentially steep cost.
We’ll revisit Anna’s story early in Embers of Orden as she takes center stage opposite Kai Stele. As Anna reunites with Ryoku, what will we uncover about her past this time? What drives her fierce independence? What secret powers does she wield? And what hidden truths will she face that could change the outcome of their adventures?
Get ready to dive back into the story and unravel the mysteries of Annalia Rikalla in Sovereign Soul: Embers of Orden! What are you most excited to learn about Anna in Embers of Orden? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s get ready for an unforgettable journey this Winter 2024!
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