Shadows and Shackles

Fia Riftborne, once a branded outcast in Sídhe, awakens as a prisoner in the fortress of Ravenfell, deep in the enemy realm of Umbrathia. She is held by the Umbra, the so-called "Wraiths" her people have long feared. Her captors—Aether, Vexa, Effie—are not monsters, but soldiers and survivors. Fia's rare power to manipulate minds and shadows makes her both a threat and a potential savior. As she struggles with her captivity, she learns the Umbra are not mindless invaders, but a desperate people fighting for survival against Sídhe's magical theft. Fia's sense of self fractures as she's forced to question everything she's been taught about her world, her enemies, and herself.

Prisoner of the Void

Fia endures weeks of isolation, her only company the enigmatic Aether and the sharp-tongued Vexa. She is interrogated, tested, and ultimately offered a chance: join the Umbra or remain a prisoner. As she forms tentative bonds with her captors, Fia discovers the true cost of the war—Umbrathia is dying, its people starving, its children conscripted. The Umbra's magic is failing, their tethers (powers) weakening as Sídhe drains their realm's essence. Fia's own powers, once a curse, become a key to her survival and a possible hope for the Umbra. She is forced to choose between escape and understanding, between old loyalties and new truths.

Bonds Forged in Darkness

Fia is thrust into the Strykka, the brutal trials that determine who will join the Umbra's elite Spectre unit. She trains alongside other recruits—Lael, Mira, Theron—learning to wield her powers in ways she never imagined. The bonds she forms with Vexa, Effie, and Aether deepen, complicated by rivalry, attraction, and the shared trauma of war. Fia's unique ability to generate her own essence sets her apart, making her both a weapon and a symbol. As she faces combat, bloodletting, and the ever-present threat of betrayal, Fia begins to accept her place among the Umbra, even as she fears what she is becoming.

The Enemy's Truth

Fia is taken beyond the walls of Ravenfell and shown the devastation wrought by Sídhe's theft of essence. She witnesses famine, disease, and the slow death of a once-vibrant land. The Umbra are not invaders, but victims of a magical siphoning orchestrated by Sídhe's king. Fia's horror grows as she realizes her own people's prosperity is built on genocide and theft. The lines between enemy and ally blur, and Fia's loyalty to Sídhe is shattered. She resolves to find a way to stop the war—not by destroying the Umbra, but by exposing the truth and restoring balance.

The Weight of Power

Fia survives the Strykka's combat and magical trials, but the final test is the Void—a living darkness that marks or destroys all who enter. Inside, Fia faces visions of her worst fears, her past, and the seductive promise of ultimate power. She is tempted to surrender her identity and become a vessel for the Void's will, but resists, clinging to her humanity. Emerging as a true Duskbound, Fia gains mastery over shadow and essence, but at a terrible cost. She is changed, marked, and now carries the hopes of a dying realm.

A Realm in Ruins

As Fia rises in the Umbra's ranks, she is drawn into the political chaos of Umbrathia. The Damphyre—blood-drinking Kalfar created by Valkan, Lord of Draxon—threaten to tip the balance of power. Valkan's army, immune to hunger and driven by predatory hunger, offers a monstrous alternative to slow death by starvation. Fia and her allies must navigate shifting alliances, assassination attempts, and the ever-present threat of civil war. The Council is divided, the Queen is mad, and the true enemy—Sídhe's king—remains hidden behind layers of lies.

The Strykka Trials

Fia and her fellow recruits face the Strykka's brutal trials: hand-to-hand combat, magical demonstrations, and the final ordeal in the Void. Each trial tests not just their strength, but their will to survive and their loyalty to each other. Fia's powers set her apart, but also make her a target. The trials forge the Spectre unit into a family—one bound by blood, loss, and the shared hope of saving their realm. The cost is high: not all survive, and those who do are forever changed.

Into the Void

Inside the Void, Fia faces visions of her past, her fears, and the seductive promise of absolute power. The Void offers her the chance to become a godlike being, to end the war with a thought, but at the cost of her identity. Fia resists, clinging to her memories, her friends, and her humanity. She bargains with ancient forces, saves Lael from oblivion, and emerges marked as a true Duskbound. The experience leaves her changed—stronger, but haunted by what she saw and what she might become.

The Siren's Bargain

Desperate for a way to restore Umbrathia, Fia and Aether seek out the Dread Sirens—ancient beings who can speak with the dead. They bargain for knowledge, paying with shadows and risking their lives. The Sirens reveal the existence of siphons—people who can redirect essence—and hint at the true nature of Sídhe's king. The answers come at a price, and Fia is forced to confront the darkness within herself and the possibility that she, too, is something more than human.

Duskbound's Awakening

Fia learns to wield her powers with intention, training with Aether to master the art of shadow and spectre form. Vexa forges her twin daggers from arcanite, weapons that respond to both her light and darkness. Fia's identity as Duskbound—and as heir to Umbrathia's throne—is solidified. Her relationship with Aether deepens, moving from rivalry and tension to trust and passion. Together, they become the heart of the Spectre unit, ready to face the coming storm.

The Siphon's Secret

Through research, dreams, and the Sirens' revelations, Fia uncovers the truth: Sídhe's king is a siphon, draining Umbrathia's essence and storing it in arcanite. The prosperity of Sídhe is built on magical theft and genocide. Destroying the arcanite towers would doom Umbrathia forever, but restoring essence is possible—if Fia can learn to imbue arcanite with her own power. The discovery changes the course of the war, offering hope for both realms.

Blood and Betrayal

Valkan's Damphyre army grows, feeding on the blood and essence of their own people. Fia is captured, tortured, and nearly broken by Valkan's hunger. Aether's rescue is brutal, unleashing the full force of his power and revealing the darkness he carries. The cost of survival is high—Fia is left scarred, haunted, and more determined than ever to end the cycle of violence. The threat of civil war looms as Draxon's forces gather, and Fia must rally her allies for the battles to come.

The Blade of the Realm

Fia's true heritage is revealed—she is the daughter of Prince Andrial Valtýr, heir to the throne of Umbrathia. The Council is divided, but the Generals support her claim. Vexa forges her twin daggers, weapons that embody her dual nature. Fia steps into her role as leader, forging alliances with Sídhe's resistance, the Soleils, and even her former lover Laryk. The Spectre unit becomes her family, and together they prepare to face war on two fronts.

Allies and Adversaries

Fia and Aether return to Sídhe, destroying the blood oaths that bind the Guard and forging new alliances with the resistance. Old friends become new allies, and former enemies become family. The lines between realms blur as the truth spreads, and the stage is set for revolution. But betrayal lurks in every shadow, and the cost of trust is higher than ever.

The Heir Revealed

Fia's dreams reveal the truth about her lineage, the history of the Valtýr family, and the existence of another siphon—Vilda, the Queen's sister, long thought dead. The true enemy is unmasked, and the stakes of the war are raised. Fia must confront her own fears, her past, and the darkness within herself to claim her place as the Blade of the Realm.

The Price of Hope

Fia and Aether's relationship deepens, moving from passion to partnership. Together, they face the cost of hope—the sacrifices required to save both realms. Friends are lost, alliances are tested, and the future remains uncertain. But for the first time, there is a path forward—a chance to restore balance, to end the cycle of violence, and to build a world where both Sídhe and Umbrathia can thrive.

War on Two Fronts

As war erupts on two fronts—against Draxon's Damphyre and Sídhe's siphon king—Fia leads her allies into battle. The truth spreads, the blood oaths are broken, and the people of both realms are given a choice. Fia's mastery of essence and shadow becomes the key to victory, but the cost is high. The story ends on the brink of revolution, with Fia and Aether united, the future uncertain, and the promise of a new era on the horizon.

Characters

Fia Riftborne (Fiandrial Valtýr)

Fia is the heart of the story—a young woman marked by trauma, loss, and the burden of being both Aossí and Kalfar. Branded as a Riftborne, she grows up believing she is an outcast, only to discover her true heritage as the heir to Umbrathia's throne. Fia's rare powers—mind control, shadow-wielding, and self-generating essence—make her both a weapon and a symbol. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to trust herself, forge new bonds, and claim her place as a leader. Fia's relationships—with Aether, Laryk, Vexa, Effie, and her found family—are complex, shaped by love, rivalry, and the shared trauma of war. Her greatest strength is her refusal to surrender her identity, even when tempted by ultimate power. Fia is a study in resilience, compassion, and the cost of hope.

Aether

Aether is a mystery—found in the Void with no memory, marked by shadows, and immune to most forms of magic. His ability to manipulate matter and his immunity to Fia's mind control make him both a formidable ally and a dangerous adversary. Aether's journey is one of redemption, as he moves from isolation and self-doubt to trust and love. His relationship with Fia is central—rivalry turns to partnership, then to passion and devotion. Aether's struggle with his own darkness, his fear of losing control, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for Fia make him a deeply compelling character. He is the anchor of the Spectre unit, the blade at Fia's side, and the heart of the new Umbra.

Laryk Ashford

Laryk is the embodiment of Sídhe's contradictions—a brilliant general, a master manipulator, and a man haunted by regret. His relationship with Fia is fraught with passion, rivalry, and the pain of betrayal. Laryk's loyalty is to his people, but his love for Fia and his growing doubts about Sídhe's war force him to choose sides. He is both a mentor and a rival to Aether, and his willingness to ally with Fia marks a turning point in the war. Laryk's greatest flaw is his inability to let go of control, but his willingness to change makes him a key player in the coming revolution.

Vexa

Vexa is the backbone of the Spectre unit—a master forger, a vessel for shadows, and Fia's fiercest ally. Her journey is one of redemption, moving from criminal to hero, from isolation to found family. Vexa's relationship with Effie is a source of warmth and humor, and her loyalty to Fia is unwavering. She is the one who forges Fia's daggers, the weapons that embody her dual nature. Vexa's strength, wit, and compassion make her a vital part of the new Umbra.

Effie

Effie is the soul of the Spectre unit—a noble daughter who chooses exile and service over privilege. Her teleportation powers are both a weapon and a means of escape, but her true strength lies in her empathy and humor. Effie's relationship with Vexa is a source of joy, and her friendship with Fia is marked by loyalty and fierce protectiveness. Effie's journey is one of self-acceptance, as she learns to embrace her power and her place in the world.

Rethlyn

Rethlyn is the emotional anchor of the Spectre unit—a man who can manipulate feelings and consciousness, but who struggles with his own sense of worth. His journey is one of acceptance, as he learns to use his powers for good and to trust in his found family. Rethlyn's quiet strength, compassion, and willingness to sacrifice make him a vital part of the team.

Lael

Lael is the youngest member of the Spectre unit—a boy orphaned by war, gifted with the power to raise the dead. His journey is one of survival, resilience, and the search for belonging. Lael's innocence and hope are a counterpoint to the darkness of the world, and his relationship with Fia is marked by trust and admiration. Lael's survival and recovery symbolize the possibility of healing and renewal.

Mira

Mira is a study in trauma and resilience—a girl whose powers allow her to inflict terror, but who is haunted by her own nightmares. Her journey is one of learning to control her abilities and to trust in her friends. Mira's strength lies in her ability to face her fears and to fight for a better future.

Theron

Theron is the unit's skeptic and strategist—a man who can create illusions and who questions everything. His journey is one of learning to trust, to believe in hope, and to fight for something greater than himself. Theron's analytical mind and willingness to challenge authority make him a valuable ally.

Valkan

Valkan is the story's most terrifying antagonist—a Damphyre lord who feeds on blood and essence, who offers salvation at the cost of humanity. His army threatens to destroy both realms, and his obsession with Fia makes him a personal threat. Valkan's death at Aether's hands marks a turning point in the war, but his legacy lingers in the Damphyre he created.

Plot Devices

Dual Worlds and Magical Theft

The central device is the existence of two parallel realms—Umbrathia and Sídhe—connected by magical rips. Sídhe's prosperity is revealed to be the result of siphoning essence from Umbrathia, a process hidden behind propaganda and blood oaths. The arcanite towers serve as both a literal and symbolic conduit for this theft, and the revelation of the siphon's existence (the King, and later Vilda) reframes the entire conflict. This device allows for exploration of colonialism, resource exploitation, and the cost of prosperity.

The Void and the Strykka

The Void is both a physical and psychological trial—a place that tests, marks, or destroys those who enter. The Strykka trials, culminating in the Void, serve as a rite of passage, a means of forging new identities, and a source of trauma. The Void's visions, bargains, and temptations are used to explore character psychology, foreshadow future events, and reveal

Last updated: June 29, 2025