The Withering

Author's Note

Dear Readers,

Love defies logic. It thrives on connection rather than perfection. It's the quiet tremor of a heart laid bare, blooms in fragile spaces where words falter, speaking instead through the weight of a gaze or the lingering warmth of a hand. 

Love is not merely felt.

It is lived- an ache, a solace. It is heard- a whisper, a song whispered to the stars, a way a voice softens to cradle a name.

I am glad that you could hear how I love, for what I create, my words, are the songs my heart longs to sing.

I am immensely grateful.

To my readers, to you.

You have turned my solitary whispers into a symphony, a melody that reminds me why I write. Every sentence, every fragment, carries a piece of me- a vulnerability I might not have found a way to express without you. 

With each book, I've been amazed and humbled by your passion, encouragement, and the love you've shown for the characters and their worlds.

For those who've been with me since the early days, thank you for growing alongside me as a writer. To those who joined somewhere along the way, thank you for diving into these stories and giving them a chance.

Your enthusiasm, feedback, and unwavering support inspire me to keep pushing forward.

Thank you for hearing me, for seeing me, and for allowing my stories to exist in your worlds.

I pour so much of who I am into these stories, perhaps too much, sometimes without even realizing it. There are moments when your reflections on my work surprise me, when you show me parts of myself that I didn't know I had written into the page.

It's a strange and beautiful thing, to see my own heart mirrored back to me through your understanding.

But what moves me most is seeing how my words make you feel. Whether joy, sorrow, or something in between, it is an honor to know that my work stirs something inside you. I love to see how these stories- these pieces of me- take on a life of their own in your hearts. For every emotion my words have awakened, for every thought they have sparkled, I am profoundly grateful.

Crafting my interpretation of what already exists, weaving it into something of my own, is a joy I keep coming back to. Working on creating the Umbra Wraith, the Eclipse Fragment, and the withering, was something I will greatly miss. 

You can never replace the experience of seeing your own ideas come to life through pages.

My main ideas for this story are as follows:

The Umbra Wraith (Entity Overview)

Appearance: The Umbra Wraith is a menacing, ethereal creature composed of swirling shadows and darkness. Standing at nearly ten feet tall, its form is semi-transparent, with shifting, smoke-like tendrils that extend and retract fluidly from its body. Its eyes are glowing orbs of pure white, contrasting starkly against the blackness of its form. The Wraith's body is constantly in flux, giving it a ghostly and otherworldly appearance.

Abilities:

1. Shadow Manipulation: The Umbra Wraith can control and manipulate shadows, using them to obscure its presence, create illusions, and even form weapons or barriers.

2. Intangible Movement: It can move through solid objects and fade into the darkness, making it incredibly difficult to track or trap.

3. Fear Induction: Its presence induces a profound sense of dread and fear in those who encounter it, sapping their will to fight and clouding their judgment.

4. Life Drain: The Wraith can drain the life force from living beings and enviroment through physical contact, weakening them while it grows stronger.

Behavior:

 The Umbra Wraith is a solitary predator, often lurking in dark, abandoned places, or emerging during moments of chaos and fear. It is highly intelligent and cunning, preferring to stalk its prey and strike when they are most vulnerable. While it primarily seeks to drain the life force of its victims, it also appears to be drawn to sources of magical energy, which it uses to enhance its own powers. However, when forced (by Dark Core), they can attack as a group.

The Cursing of Ydris

The Umbra Wraith, bound within Ydris, is a parasitic entity of pure darkness. It feeds on his life force and magic, growing stronger as he weakens. This curse manifests in several ways:

1. Physical Manifestations: Dark veins appear beneath Ydris's skin, pulsing ominously. His eyes occasionally flicker with an eerie, unnatural light.

2. Pain and Fatigue: The Wraith causes constant pain and exhaustion, draining Ydris's strength and resilience. His magical abilities are hampered, and he struggles to control the dark energy now coursing through him.

3. Psychological Torment: The Wraith whispers dark thoughts and fears into Ydris's mind, attempting to break his spirit and will. It feeds on negative emotions, amplifying his doubts and insecurities.

4. Loss of Control: In moments of weakness, the Wraith can take partial control of Ydris, causing him to act against his will. These episodes are marked by a complete loss of self, where Ydris's actions are driven solely by the Wraith's malevolent intent.

5. Necrotic Touch: The curse grants Ydris a twisted power—his touch can drain the life force of living beings, an ability he abhors and struggles to control. However, this was not shown in the story.

6. Looming Threat: The longer the Wraith remains within him, the more it integrates into his being. If not expelled, it will eventually consume him entirely, leaving nothing but a dark puppet under the Dark Core's control.

Eclipse Fragments

Objective:

- The Dark Riders aim to gain control over the Wraith and the Withering, allowing them to accelerate the decay of Jorvik at their will.

Mechanism 

 - Collision of Magic: When a corrupted Drakonium crystal collides with the magic of a Soul Rider, a piece of Aideen's light is absorbed into the crystal. - Aideen's light is connected to the very base of Jorvik. 

 - Empowerment: This infusion of Aideen's light empowers the corrupted Drakonium.

Consequences

Control over Wraith: Empowered Drakonium grants the Dark Riders the ability to control the Wraith directly. - Bypasses the need for Ydris, who has a Wraith within him and acts as the core of the Wraith.

Control over Withering: With the empowered Drakonium, the Dark Riders can control the Withering caused by the Wraith. - Enables them to cause targeted environmental decay across Jorvik.

As I change the status of this story to Completed, I think of every moment, every word, and every person who has come along for this ride. Thank you for being a part of this chapter of my writing journey, for seeing my vision and making it feel like something real.

Your support means the world to me, and I hope the story will continue to resonate with you, just as it has with me.

Until the next story calls, may your hearts stay full and your imaginations wild. See you next time.

Lots of love,

Your Author.