Ever wonder what really drives Basha as she steps into her sister’s role? How Dai views his upcoming political marriage? What’s really going on between Basha and Chiko? And just how far was Sara willing to go before her death?
This week, I’m diving into The Remnant, the latest installment in The Legion of Pneumos series. If you love political intrigue, submerged cities, and characters forced to make impossible choices, this one’s for you.
It’s no secret that I live for deep, character-driven storytelling. When I write, I craft characters so vivid I can hear them, see them, and (if they’re the type) feel the blade they’d probably have pressed to my throat. And sometimes, there’s so much more to them than the story has time to reveal. That’s why I love sharing these behind-the-scenes insights into their personalities, their pasts, and the details that make them who they are.
So, let’s meet the cast!
Inaba Bashira (Basha)
Born: 225 M.E.
Home: Arathet, The Cross-Sea Lands
What’s it like being Signet of Clan Inaba?
Like wearing a pair of boots three sizes too big while trying not to fall on your face in front of an entire room of politicians who already want you to fail. It was never supposed to be me. That was Sara’s role, and she wore it so well. Now, I’m left to fumble my way through her shadow, pretending I have half her grace.
What’s your greatest regret?
That I didn’t go in her place.
What do people misunderstand about you?
They think I don’t care. That I’m lazy. That I’m just some reckless second daughter who doesn’t take any of this seriously. And fine—maybe I did run off to the City Beneath instead of sitting through etiquette lessons. And maybe I did occasionally start tavern fights with smugglers twice my size. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care. I just . . . I don’t know how to care the right way.
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
Someone without a title. Maybe one of the traders who sails between the islands—someone whose only concern is the wind in their sails, not the weight of an entire clan’s future. Someone who can breathe freely without feeling their mother’s expectations press down like an anchor.
Tell me about Chiko.
(Sharp inhale) Chiko. He—he used to be one of the best things in my life. When we were kids, we’d spend hours in the City Beneath, mapping the tunnels, making up stories about what came before. He was always the dreamer, the one who saw the beauty in things no one else did. And then—well. Then everything changed.
If you could rewrite your fate, what would your life look like?
I’d be nobody. No titles, no responsibilities, no expectations weighing down on me like a stone tied to my ankles. Just a girl with a map in her head and the freedom to follow it wherever it led. I’d spend my days exploring the City Beneath, mapping out tunnels no one else dares to enter, making discoveries no Council would ever care about. I’d never have to sit through another three-hour meeting about fisheries or krill populations. And I certainly wouldn’t be stuck in a political marriage with a man who smirks too much.
What’s one thing about Sara no one else knew?
She had this way of making everyone believe she had everything under control, like she was born to lead. And she was. But there were moments—rare, quiet moments—when she let the mask slip. When she was just my sister, when she laughed too loud, when she made up ridiculous songs to help me memorize historical dates. She was human, even if no one else ever saw it. And now she’s gone, and all that’s left is this impossible standard I’m supposed to live up to.
What do you think about Dai?
(Smirks) Oh, him? You mean the walking, talking reminder that my life isn’t mine to control? Look, I’ll give him this—he’s got charm. The kind of charm that makes people forget he’s dangerous. The kind that gets people exactly where he wants them. And I’m not about to be one of those people.
What’s your greatest fear?
That I’ll never be more than just a placeholder. A shadow cast by someone else. A name on a line, a duty bound by ink. That I’ll spend my whole life trying to be something I’m not, only to realize at the end that I never was anything at all.
Akimona Chiko
Born: 224 M.E.
Home: Arathet, The Cross-Sea Lands
How did you meet Basha?
I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know her. She was always there—louder than she had any right to be, dragging me into trouble I probably would’ve found on my own anyway. We were a team.
What happened between you two?
(Scoffs) She happened. Or maybe I did. Doesn’t matter now.
What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned?
That people leave. They promise they won’t. They swear on blood and breath that they’ll always be there. And then, one day, you turn around and realize you’re standing alone.
Do you think you’ll ever forgive her?
You don’t forgive someone for surviving while you were left behind. You just learn to live with it.
What do you remember most about Basha from when you were kids?
She always had to be right. Even when she wasn’t. I once spent three hours lost in a collapsed tunnel because she insisted it was a shortcut.
What’s the worst thing someone’s ever said to you?
(Scoffs) Oh, where to begin? “You don’t belong here.” “You’re nothing.” “She never even looked back.” Take your pick.
What would you do if you ever got real power?
(Raises an eyebrow) That’s the thing. No one gives people like me power. We take it.
What do you miss most?
(Quiet) The days when it was just us, running through the tunnels, no titles, no politics, no ghosts. When I still thought she’d always be by my side.
How do you define loyalty?
Loyalty is knowing the shape of someone’s footsteps, the sound of their voice in the dark, the way their laughter used to echo through the tunnels. It’s believing, deep down, that no matter where life takes you, no matter how the tides shift, you’ll always find your way back to each other.
It’s also the most dangerous lie you can ever believe.
Inaba Sara
Born: 223 M.E.
Home: Arathet, The Cross-Sea Lands
What does it mean to be Signet?
It means putting your people above yourself. Above your heart, your desires, your own ambitions. It means carrying the weight of centuries and making sure your clan doesn’t crumble under your leadership. It means never hesitating when the moment calls for you to act.
Why did you go to Loren?
(Smiles, but there’s something distant in her eyes)
Because I had to.
What would you say to Basha now if you could?
(Quietly) You were never meant to follow me. You were meant to carve your own path.
What’s the cost of leadership?
Everything.
It means being the first to rise and the last to rest. It means knowing that every decision you make carries the weight of generations before you, that your failures will ripple through generations after. It means swallowing your own wants, your own heart, and turning them into weapons to wield in service of your people.
It means dying before you even get the chance to live.
What is your biggest regret?
I did what needed to be done. But maybe I should have done it differently. Maybe I should have— No. Never mind. It doesn’t change anything.
If you had one more day, how would you spend it?
(Laughs softly) Basha would say I’d spend it in Council chambers, working, planning, scheming. She wouldn’t be wrong.
But maybe, just maybe, I’d steal one last day for myself. I’d take Basha down to the City Beneath, the way we used to when we were young and the world still felt like something we could hold in our hands. I’d let her drag me into trouble. I’d let myself not be the Signet for just a little while.
And then, when the sun set, I’d go back to my duty. Because some things are inescapable, even if you wish they weren’t.
What’s the worst betrayal?
The one you never see coming.
Nanuyo Dai
Born: 222 M.E.
Home: Arathet, The Cross-Sea Lands
How do you feel about being engaged to Basha?
(Grinning) Ah, well. It’s not every day you get tied to the most reluctant bride in the isles, is it? She makes it very clear that she wants nothing to do with me, but what can I say? I do love a challenge.
Do you think she’ll ever change her mind?
She’s stubborn. But so am I. I don’t need her to love me—not yet. I just need her to trust me. And I’m patient.
What do you actually want?
More than just the hand of an Inaba Signet. I want a future for my people. For the Cross-Sea Lands. The world is shifting, and if we don’t claim a place in what comes next, we’ll drown beneath the tide.
What’s your greatest strength?
(Grins) My ability to talk my way out of trouble. Also, my ability to talk my way into trouble.
Be honest—what do you think of Basha?
She’s sharp. Dangerous, if she ever learns how to play the game properly. And as for whether I like her? . . . Let’s just say I enjoy the challenge.
How do you handle being underestimated?
Oh, I love it. Makes everything so much easier. People don’t expect much from a man who smiles too much, who jokes too often, who makes himself the most charming person in the room. And then, when they least expect it, I take exactly what I came for.
And your biggest flaw?
I never stop until I get what I want. (Pauses) Wait, that’s a flaw, right?
What’s your real endgame?
Power. But not just power for myself—power for the Cross-Sea Lands. We’ve spent too long playing the lesser role, too long being seen as the ones who adapt rather than the ones who conquer. I mean to change that.
And Basha? She could be the key to making it happen. If she’s smart. If she listens.
. . . But she does love making things difficult, doesn’t she?
What’s your biggest regret?
(Laughs) Regret? I try not to collect those. They weigh a man down. And I like to travel light.
I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the characters of The Remnant! These four are tangled together in ways even they don’t fully understand, and their journey is only just beginning. What’s ahead for Basha as she steps into her sister’s shoes? Will Dai’s ambitions align with her own? And can Chiko and Basha ever recover what was lost?
The Remnant is full of political intrigue, high-stakes choices, and a heroine learning to stand on her own. It’s been one of my favorite stories to write, and I can’t wait for you to meet these characters on the page.
Want more behind-the-scenes details? Drop a comment with the questions you’d like answered!
And if you want even more Legion of Pneumos extras, make sure to check out the rest of the site for maps, lore, and exclusive content.
Until next time, happy reading!
