[♔Voltaire♔]

Marking <3

[leopia]

fable name: kipina
/ finnish for 'spark'

“Rise up, little thing of wind and fire…” I still remember her voice, soft and warm in my ears.
“It’s your turn now to spread the light.” Everything had been so cold before her.

Who, you ask? Well, the sun, of course. She breathed life and magic into my simple form one frigid winter morning and blessed me with purpose: guardianship of the vast arctic wood. I run along the treetops and in between the stars, hunting hags and hiisi and piru, those malevolent spirits and fiends who roam the night. They torment human and animal alike, for pain and sorrow of any kind fuel their wicked magic; it was my duty to chase their influence from the forest, to bite and to burn.

Many had come before me, and many more would come after, so she said. I was merely one spirit in a long line of sacred guardians, protectors of this snow-kissed realm, chosen to wield a small fraction of the sun's powers while she slept at night. It would be my life’s honor to have guarded this place well. The endless skies became familiar to me, and the woodland was my home, my whole heart.

Tonight, I ran with haste. Fresh snow kicked up in plumes behind me, catching fire from my tail as the iridescent flames mingled with the ice in the wind. Bright hues of green and blue swirled in my wake, up, up, and into the sky; the vibrant aurora, a testament to how long I’d given chase. My steps thundered, unrelenting, but the creature I pursued – a low, dark mass of too many limbs – moved with unholy speed, skittering over fallen logs and under brush with ease.

A mix of determination and desperation forced my legs to carry me faster, faster. I couldn’t – no, wouldn’t – fail; I had to catch the demon before first light, or my magic, borrowed from the sun while she slumbers, would fade. I could already feel the colors shifting and draining from my pelt.

But I’d never been bested in a chase, and I wasn’t about to let this time be the first. My eyes seared with blue fire as magic surged through me, and I charged closer, jaws snapping as I bit at the dark entity’s many heels. Then, just as the first rays of morning began to peek over the horizon, the creature miss-stepped, and I pounced.



a cleric of the dawn: 387 words // a warlock of the dusk: 485 words

In my many nights chasing that which lurks in the shadows, I had never once been stopped or interrupted. When I was younger, and newer to the task, I wondered why. Perhaps no creature dared to distract me from my celestial duties. I heard the human’s stories; the tales they weaved of the fire-foxes and their lights. I heard the woodland and fae folk, too. I saw the way they looked at me, with reverence, with fear. But no one ever approached me, and I never considered it odd that my only friends were found in the sun, the snow, the stars.

This evening would be different.

The realm changed drastically in the summer; the usually snow-laden hills shape-shifting into a lush carpet of green, dotted with a rainbow of wildflowers and berry bushes. Insects buzzed and birds chirped in celebratory song while other forest creatures feasted upon the season’s bounty. I watched the rolling fields and trees in contentment as the day’s activities wound down, delighting in the sun’s display of colors as she descended ever closer to the horizon. The clouds moved lazily in the breeze, and that’s when I noticed it, the small white orb in the salmon-pink sky: the moon.

“Finally… I have finally found the night-painter!” Her voice was melodic like bells and chimes in my mind, but the coolness of her light was foreign to me. How could it be that I’d seen her every night, and yet I did not know the moon? I took a step forward, under her pale white gaze. “Even now, I see my sister’s magic coursing through you.”

I glanced down at my feet, beginning to glow blue as the sky continued to darken.

“Tell me, what is your name?” She asked.

“I have no name,” I answered in a voice I did not recognize. Had I ever used it before?

“But…” I continued, steeling myself. “I am the guardian of this place. I will protect it with my life.” I inclined the crown of branches that began to sprout and spark from between my ears; not a threat, but a warning.

“Then we must find a name for you, fiery one,” she said with a smile. “Run along, then, little guardian. Chase your demons. I shall return with the dark, where we have so much to discuss…” Her dress of shadows and starlight whirled around her, and then she hung in the sky like a picture once more.

That was the beginning of our little talks, and she spoke to me every night after. When I said my prayers to the setting sun, there was no answer in the dying light. I knew she heard me, but the glimmer of warmth I usually felt never came. I knew not of the feud I’d just entered into, or that peace – both the sky’s and my own – hung uneasily between the stars’ quiet blinking.

[ylesia]

fable name: Aavikko (desert in Finnish)

Notes:
- There will be sentences in Finnish, translation will be at the end
- The stories are set in my world specifically in the Arid Desert. For convenience, here the description of the environment:

Only the bravest fable venture here. There is only sand and It is easy to get lost. There are wells but it's not easy to find them and the only source of food are some dry roots that can be found under the sand. On the north shore some mysterious ruins from the distant past attract curious fables, but can they resist the thirst for water to satisfy their thirst for curiosity?

A light in the darkest night

Fix you ~ Coldplay
Lights will guide you home,
and ignite your bones,
and I will try to fix you

Aavikko had been walking for days. His long tail hung limply, leaving a trail in the sand that erased his paw prints. Above him shone the stars, tiny bright dots in a very black sky. The moon was but a thin slit of light, as if it too wanted to disappear. He did not know where he was going and did not care. He wanted to put that pain, that excruciating suffering behind him and never think about it again. Yet with each step he felt himself sinking a little deeper into the sand as if the boulder weighing on his conscience was getting heavier and heavier. Now and then his tail would glow with a blue flare, the only light both inside and outside of him.
Exhausted, he stopped, curling in on himself and sinking into a dune. What was he doing? He was hungry and thirsty, and his every muscle was screaming with pain and exhaustion... but why had he gone to that sandbox? What did he think he was going to find? A cure for his soul perhaps?
The week before, his mummo was gone forever. She had joined their ancestors in the heavenly realm, and he did not know how he would manage without her. They had always lived together, were symbiotic, and now it was as if a part of him, too, was gone forever. He blamed himself for what had happened; she would never have gone into the woods to look for him during the storm, and that tree would not have fallen on her if he had not quarreled and walked out like a fool in the middle of the tempest.

He was about to give in to sleep and exhaustion when he felt little taps on his muzzle. He opened his eyes. In front of him was a small fox the color of sand, with huge ears and a thick tail. The little creature leapt back and oriented its huge ears toward him, like two parabolas. Aavikko raised his head and widened his eyes. It was the first living creature he had seen in days. He stretched out his snout toward it, and the desert fox approached him cautiously. They sniffed each other, barely brushing against each other. Slowly, the little fox moved toward his tail. Its eyes were shiny and huge, and the blue gleam created a wonderful reflection in its dilated pupils. Aavikko had never seen anything more beautiful, more graceful than that little creature. Without even realizing it, he was smiling. A tear, perhaps the last drop of water in his body poured from his eye. The fox, very quickly, came up to its muzzle and licked the salty tear. Then it sniffed him again and moved a few steps away. It looked at him and emitted a squeak. Aavikko did not move and the fox emitted another squeak. This time it rasped the sand with one paw. It seemed impatient. Then Aavikko realized that it wanted him to follow. He stood up with difficulty, and began to follow the fox. It moved nimbly, without making a sound.
They stopped at the top of a dune. Below them was a small hole in the earth, little bigger than his head. Aavikko walked over and stuck his head into the hole. He felt his snout meet something cool... water! He drank until his stomach was full and then laid down nearby. The fox came back toward him. He was so thirsty that he did not even notice that it had moved away. In its jaws was a mouse, dead. It placed the small rodent beside him. Aavikko shuddered in disgust and turned away. The fox looked at him, between astonished and offended. Then it approached the mouse again and swallowed it in one mouthful, licking its whiskers. It walked away again. “Wait!” cried Aavikko. But the fox did not stop and did not turn around. Aavikko threw himself back into the sand and began to cry. He thought he had found a friend, but he didn't deserve happiness. He was still crying when a gentle touch roused him. The fox had returned! This time in its jaws was a root. It left it in front of him, clearly disgusted. Aavikko sniffed the vegetable and without a second thought took a bite. It was dry, salty and very hard, but it was food and he felt it was nutritious. By the time he had finished eating he felt stronger. He looked up at the fox; it seemed to be smiling at him. He smiled too, and the fox came up to him, wrapping in its tail close to him. Aavikko in turn wrapped his tail around the little creature. Gradually the darkness began to give way to daylight as the blazing sun peeked out from the mountains in the distance.

Ja aurinko nousi vuorten takaa.

Bright as sand under the harsh sun

Dog Days Are Over ~ Florence + The Machine
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive
The dog days are over

It had been a couple of months now that Aavikko had been wandering the desert with his new fox friend. He had decided to call her Ket, and since that night when she had rescued him they had not left each other. His mood had definitely improved as well, and now at night his tail had begun to glow again as it once had, casting wonderful lights into the sky that illuminated the sand dunes. It was now late afternoon and Aavikko and Ket were resting in the shade of a dune. But this was not the only shadow hovering over the fable's heart. Part of him wanted to go home, to those hills between the arid desert and the fresh mountains, but at the same time he liked the life he had there. He had friends, the desert foxes, and he had even managed to put aside his disgust at seeing them eat meat.
Days after their first meeting, Ket had taken him to her den. There were adults and cubs of all ages and sexes, and the liveliness of the little creatures had helped him recover. And if he returned home to the hills, what would he do without his mummo? His name, Aavikko, meant desert. Like all fables, his family was also fascinated by that vast expanse of sand, and his mummo had once told him that they gave him that name in the hope that he too could be a blank canvas, like the desert, on which he could build himself. Now he was beginning to understand what she meant, but she was wrong. The desert was not empty; it was full of life, wonder, and beauty.

Ket leapt to her feet, all the hair on her body stood up, and her ears turned to her right. Aavikko also stood up, alarmed. Ket began to run toward the cubs' den, and when she got there she began to growl. Aavikko had never seen her like that. As soon as he was able to see what had infuriated the fox, the fable leapt back. There was a snake hissing angrily at Ket. It had almost entered the den of the frightened yowling cubs. The other adults rushed in as well, but the snake was large and also looked very venomous. Aavikko hesitated. He feared that one of the foxes would be bitten and die. He knew that he would not stand it but at the same time he was terrified. Aavikko shook his head and chased away all thoughts and with a leap was in front of the snake, beating in the sand with his hooves. The snake hissed and lunged at him. Aavikko dodged it as the foxes jumped into the fray, biting the snake and dodging its poisonous fangs. It all lasted a few seconds, then the snake managed to wriggle out of the foxes' grasp and escape. Aavikko was gasping for air. They had made it! He looked at his fox friends, making sure they were okay. No one was hurt. The cubs, slowly, came out of the den, encouraged by the adults. Dusk was falling and it was now not too hot. Looking around, Aavikko realized what he had to do: it struck his mind as bright as sand under the harsh sun. His home was no longer among those hills; that was the past. His home now was that desert, that shimmering sand and those cute creatures. As he thought this, he smiled and a serene expression was painted on his face. The sun set behind the dunes and his tail began to glow.

Ja aurinko laski hiekkadyynien taakse.

Translations:
Mummo - Grandma
Ja aurinko nousi vuorten takaa - And the sun rose from behind the mountains
Aika parantaa haavat - Time heals wounds
Ja aurinko laski hiekkadyynien taakse - And the sun set behind the sand dunes

Credits:
Dune images from unsplash, credit to Mike Yukhtenko
The little fennec fox is a color in, lines by 2FrostyPaws
The snake is also a color in, lines by ThundersFriends

[FluffyBirdie]

For context, I write like Fables are humanoids - human like, but with animal features (eg ears, horns, tail)
I also fly off the tracks story wise so this has no relation to Fable lore, or the firefox lore.

The twang of an arrow caused leaves to drop, as Nova's shot hit the tree by his target. The bird flew off with a series of frantic calls, leaving Nova to stomp a foot in anger, annoyed at yet another miss. He collapsed heavily onto the ground taking a drink as he tried to calm himself down. It's alright. He was still learning. Still though, they needed food and he's been practicing since he was a child. He was a day's travel from his village, hoping the further out he went, the more he could find. But it seemed the animals here were faster and more alert. That and he couldn't hit any of his shots. He hated the idea of returning home empty-handed, but considering it was quite late already, he needed to rest, and return home.

A bit like a child throwing a tantrum, Nova retrieved the arrow and threw things into his pack, muttering under his breath the entire time, his mood sour. The moon was bright, so he hefted his bag and set off, walking carefully to avoid tripping. He considered staying out one more night, just case that would be his lucky day. He didn't have the supplies for it though, so he could already hear his father scolding him for trying to hunt while hungry. Still! Just one animal!

At the start of his trip, he was gambling on deer. Then his hopes dropped lower and lower, until he was shooting at pigeons and crows. Still nothing. No one would blame him for coming back empty. Other hunters did the same. But he couldn't help berating himself the entire walk back, deeply feeling like he had failed everyone. Just one animal! He couldn't even do that?

Every step was heavy as Nova trudged back home, his face dark and his tail restless. Only the sudden glimpse of orange replaced the bitterness with surprise, as something bright flickered through the trees. He was close to home, but the sun wasn't up yet. Candlelight shouldn't be this bright...

Nova hurried now, his eyes set on the sight in front of him rather than the branches on the ground. He stumbled his way through to the edge of the forest, and froze.

Fire. The embers of it. Homes burnt, the wood splintering and collapsing soundlessly, the village below the hill he stood on a black stain on the earth, speckled with flames still burning. Some piles of stone stood, marking the bases of walls, but beyond that, it was all dust. Black ash.

The sun rose on a village charred beyond all recognition.

It has been a day. An entire day, where Nova sat, staring uncomprehendingly at the sight before him. Gone. Gone. All gone. The moment he saw the scene, he had ran, checking every half-standing structure, under every collapsed roof, yelling people's names. Nothing. Not a soul. Gone.

Nova pushed himself to stand, his gaze still locked on his hometown. Where should he go now? What should he do? What did he want to do?

Nothing. He had nothing he wanted.

...No, there was something. He wanted them back. And if not, then he wanted... he wanted revenge.

Nova's breath quickened and his heartbeat increased, his mind starting to race with what he wanted to do. Payback. Justice. Something to right this horrific wrong. He wanted... he wanted revenge.

Without Nova noticing, a mist set in, one of an unnatural color, dyed black instead of the light grey of a morning fog. It swirled around his feet, rising and rising, and suddenly Nova couldn't see anything at all besides darkness in all directions. His train of thought broken, Nova stepped back, snapped to reality by his sudden lost of sight. No... no, he could still see the movement of the mist, spiraling and twisting all around him, like an invisible current was moving the smoke. A voice spoke, one that set his nerves on edge.

"Revenge, is it?" The voice sounded like it was spoken through a smile. Its tone was alluring, tempting.

"What-what's happening?" Nova stammered, swiping an arm at the fog. It simply moved, still hanging thickly in the air.

"Your anger has summoned a demon."

"I-I don't know what you mean."

"Exactly as I said. I heard your thoughts. You want to avenge them, don't you? Well, you have no power to do so."

Nova gritted his teeth, the voice's belittling tone annoying him. "How would you know? Leave."

"How rude, just when I was going to give you information for free. You don't know anything about the attacker, do you? How do you hope to bring them to justice if you're like a baby scrambling blindly?"

"Leave!"

"The attacker made a deal with another demon, one just like me. Do you think you can fight off someone who can burn an entire village into ash? Even the stone foundations are but dust."

Nova had no answer for that. That was something for later.

"But I can help you." The demon whispered, sounding close. "I can give you the powers of fire, one stronger than your enemy, so that you shall overwhelm him with ease." The being hissed, its voice moving around him like a predator circling prey. "I'll disguise your power in the day, so that you may investigate without alarm. I shall assist you, for I may know the demon your enemy made a pact with. You will have your revenge." The voice paused in front of Nova. The mist was swirling, quicker now. "In exchange, once your wish is fulfilled, you shall be my vessel, and you shall do whatever I ask. Once you are satisfied, your soul is mine to consume upon death." The dark fog swirled in front of him, forming a hand darker than night, its fingertips clawed. The demon offered its hand, inviting acceptance.

Somewhere deep in Nova, he recognized the trick. Doing a demon's bidding could just mean he was joining a cycle - a cycle where he is forced to burn another village, where another lost soul sells the only thing he has, where that fool burns another village. He was not avenging the people he knew - he was going to become like their killer. But the sight of the buildings burned into his memory... could he fight that?

"What, not going to do the only thing you're left alive for?" The monster's voice was dripping with mockery.

"Deal." Nova snapped angrily. In the mist, a tooth-filled grin appeared as he hastily grabbed the creature's hand and shook it. The hand dissolved into smoke, and suddenly he could see again, standing by the edge of village. Despite the deepening night, his heart felt hot, like it was a furnace roaring within him, and he collapsed onto his knees as the heat spread. His vision blurred, his fingers burned, it was like he was set on fire, he couldn't breathe, and he wondered if he made a mistake, if the unholy entity lied to him, and he was going to perish right here having achieved nothing, turn into the ash that he hated, and--

A sudden gasp of air, he was able to breathe again, and as he blinked the tears from his eyes, his senses slowly returned. There was a blue glow somewhere, and as Nova pressed a hand to the ground to push himself back up, he noticed it. His hand was glowing. Both of them. And-- fire! The tip of his tail was ablaze, though it hurt not, and when he tentatively reached out to touch it, the blue flames were cool against his skin. This... this was it. The demon wasn't lying.

Nova shakily stood and gazed at his home before him, the descending sun painting it red though his immediate surroundings reflecting back his blue glow. It worked. The deal worked. And now... now he had a job to do.

Nova turned his back on the past and walked away, the sun setting on the birth of a new monster.

Total: 436 + 904

[Miavinn]

Name

Taeri, Ri

The Dream

“Taeri, I am going to tell you a story.

There once was a Herd along the coast, south of our territory. They were fables of the sea and rivers. So many sweet flowers and delicious fruits. Not to mention the little fish.” Taeri’s mom tickled her sides at the mention of the little fish, and the young fable giggled.

“The sea was angry at times, washing away many homes. I...a...ah…princess went to visit, to help the people rebuild. She was a warrior among her own people, beloved for her sharp mind and fairness. In this community, she found belonging – and love.

The princess and chosen mate had a beautiful son together that they named Taejin. He shared a fighter’s spirit with the princess, so she called him her little warrior prince. The family lived happily for many years, establishing trade and allies for the growing herd.

The warrior prince grew into a courageous and kind young man, one of the most skilled fighters this herd possessed. He defended his people from sea beasts, never left a comrade or citizen behind in the face of danger. His mothers were so proud of him.

One day, summons came from the princess’s herd. She was to return and resume her duties; her government angered by her long absence. They emphasized she return alone. The princess left her mate and warrior prince with promises to reunite with them.

The princess missed them greatly, dreaming of when she might return to the sunny shores.

Years later, the land and sea became angry again. Despite all that had been done in the last two decades…it…it all fell to ruin again. First the land swallowed houses whole, then the tsunamis came.”

“What happened to the warrior prince and mate, momma?” Taeri asked, her little eyes wide.

“They were lost to the sea, my love,” Her mother replied, her own eyes far away and sad.

“Maybe we can find them momma, find them for the princess,” Taeri replied, eyes sparkling with hope.

Taeri’s mom nuzzled her head and pulled the blanket tighter around her daughter. “I’m not so sure they can be found,” she said with a sigh. “Sweet dreams, my little love. The warrior prince guards your dreams.”

Taeri, in her mother’s embrace and thinking of a prince in the clouds, drifted off to sleep…

────☽✦☾────

The Dawn
10 years later

Her breath huffed, sending little clouds in front of her, before they went streaking through the air as she ran.

Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.

In her hurry, Ri forgot to lift her tail, sparks falling on the foliage around her before shooting up to their destination in the sky. The aurora borealis began, a path directly to her location.

Ri paused for a moment, chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. She gazed behind her, and Ri’s breathing hitched.

Crap.

This infernal gift of hers. She’d been so close to escaping notice, but that damned puma just had to yowl at her for accidentally stepping on her tail, drawing attention to Ri outside the open window. It sure was difficult to sneak around when the beasty insisted on following her around. The puma was such a nosy busy-body, ambushing her at every inconvenient moment.

Turning her attention to the woods again, Ri felt, more than heard, another fable gaining on her. Squaring her feet, Ri willed the flames in her antlers to expand to crown her head, and turned to face whoever was incoming.

Father is gonna kill me.

Ri shifted her weight, straightened her back, and raised her head high. Her mother had been quite regal, one of the taller females, Father always said. Apparently, his side of the family blessed Ri with her short stature.

She winced as the male pushed his way through the underbrush, recognition lighting his eyes. Captain Jin had no problem in the height department. Ri’s eyes darted around as she fiddled with the strap of the stuffed satchel she carried. Her last hope was that the fable before her didn’t scent what it held.

“You’ve made quite the scene,” he said, eyes shooting skyward before meeting her own, twinkling with amusement. Oh, he definitely scented what was in the bag.

“I don't know what you’re talking about,” she replied, trying to subtly shift the satchel to her back.

A soft rumbling started behind her, and Ri froze. Twigs snapped as whatever it was drew closer, gently snatching the satchel off her shoulder.

Of course…

The insufferable puma trotted over to Jin, dropping the satchel in front of him.

“Kitty-cat and I just want you to be safe, princess.” Jin remarked, stooping to pick up the bag. He’d taken to calling Ri that after she’d acted more than a little entitled during these busts. The moniker was close enough, though all true princesses of Cindara had long died out. Jin smirked as he opened the flap.

“Changing it up tonight, huh?” Jin pulled one of the items out and then took a big, self satisfied bite. “Y’know,” he said, mouth stuffed with pastry, “The strawberry ones are my favorite.”

Ri just glared up at him, her crown of flames blazing.

“Come on kid, let’s get you home.” Jin turned lazily on his heel, tossing a pastry to the puma, who happily gulped it down before pulling another out for himself.

Still simmering, Ri obeyed. Jin continued munching on the pastries…her pastries. Ri smacked a tree branch out of her way. With Jin in front and the puma behind, she knew better than to make a break for it. Ri had tried to flee the first few bakery heists, but they always ended with her on the ground, tendrils of cool fire binding her ankles.

“Now why does the Maestro’s daughter keep sneaking out for sweets? Don’t you have your own cook?” Jin asked, wiping powdered sugar on his coat.

Ri wrinkled her nose. “If you can call the things he bakes sweets,” she muttered.

Jin let out a laugh. “Fair enough, princess. I’ve been a guest at your table enough times to know the truth of that.” Ri smiled slightly.

“JIN?” a voice called out from beyond the copse of trees.

Jin winced. “Now you’re in for it,” he said, visibly bracing for who was approaching. Even the puma slinked off.

Good riddance.

Sanni appeared between two trees, her palms lightly glowing. She took in Ri and Jin, eyes tracking the retreating big cat.

“Now why, do tell, Taejin,” she started, Sanni’s gaze fixing on the half eaten pastry in Jin’s hand, “are you eating all of the poor baker’s treats??”

Ri cocked her head at his name, trying to pull a forgotten memory. She’d only ever heard him referred to as Captain Jin.

Jin just grinned at his mate and handed her a fresh one from the satchel. “Buying your silence, my love,” he replied, eyes twinkling again. “Taking young Princess Ri here home, then I’ll be back.”

Such familiar eyes.

Sanni rolled her eyes and accepted the offering. “Don’t give him too hard a time, Miss Ri,” she said, turning back the way she came. A small uptilt of her mouth appeared and Sanni muttered, “On second thought, go ahead.”

Ri snickered, watching her go. Jin sighed, motioning for Ri to follow. She did, returning to the threads of thought she’d been trying to stitch together.

“Where are you from?” Ri finally asked, tiring of herself and the silence.

“Far away. Coastal herd.” Jin replied, a little shortly.

Coastal?

They finally reached her father’s manor.

“Alright, princess. No more escapades in the wee hours of the morning,” Jin said, turning to look at her. His sky blue eyes locked on her’s, still twinkling with amusement.

That look…just like…mother…

“Uh, yeah,” Ri responded, feeling the earth shift under her.

Jin nodded and pivoted back down the path.

All the pieces of the bedtime stories her mother told Ri began falling into place. She sucked in a sharp breath.

Walking away from her into the rising sun, was Taejin.

The warrior prince.
The lost son.
Her brother.

Dawn broke on the horizon. The flaming aurora on Taeri’s tail winked out, but her heart burned bright.

────☽✦☾────

The Day
5 years later

Ri was half reading a book on Cindaran leaders and political history, wanting a refresher with the upcoming elections and appointment of a new Solflare. While anyone could run for the Conclave seats, the powerful Solflare was chosen by Cindara’s guardian, the fiery Brighida. Some long ago royals had made a bargain with the fire beast.

In exchange for the Brighida’s protection, Cindarans would forever burn their hearths to feed her magic. She gave some of that power to the current Solflare, bestowing deep rooted magics upon them. The position used to be passed down the royal line, but has since changed to be chosen from the fables who had mastered both fire’s healing and burning. Ri, being of noble birth, possessed both gifts, although they manifested a bit differently than most. Sanni had been born with her healing light and blessed with flame after overcoming the loss of her sister. Jin had been blessed at the same time, but he had no healing talent.

Despite the good…so many corrupt nobles tout their power...

Jin disturbed Ri’s concentration with a crisp bite of his apple. The pair had decided to spend the afternoon lounging in the gardens, Jin still serving as Ri’s protector. Although, it was much more likely that any foes would need protection from Ri.

She chucked her own apple core at Jin’s head. “Don’t get apple juice on mom’s journals,” Ri said, her mouth quirking up in a half smile. She knew Jin was so very careful with their mother’s writings.

Jin tossed the core right back at her, his eyes not even leaving the pages. “Mind your own reading, princess,” he replied, his words trailing off.

Noting his concentration, Ri scooted closer. “Find anything of interest?” she asked, closing her own book and looking at him intently.

Jin hummed, his eyebrows creasing in a frown.

“What is it?” Ri pressed, annoyed at the silence. She reached for the second journal that lay open on his lap. It was the one that their mother had left with him, before she had returned to Cindara. Ri had read bits and pieces, but it had mostly been about the rebuilding.

Jin swatted her hand away. “Patience, princess…” His words trailed off again.

Ri blew out a breath, biting her tongue so her retort didn’t fly out.

After what felt like eons, Jin met her eyes, an odd expression on his face.

“Jin, you have got to start talking,” Ri whined, reaching for the journals again. He let her have them this time. She glanced at the pages that lay open, trying to figure out what had Jin pondering for so long.

The journal Jin had brought with him was opened to a lullaby their mother had sung to Ri when she’d been very young, with a small drawing of a flame at the bottom. One of the journals kept in Cindara was opened to what looked like a list of tallies. The marks stretched for about half a page, with another small flame at the bottom.

Ri squinted at the lullaby, the words so well known to her, inscribed in her very heart. The tallies…numbers. What could they mean? And the flame? She looked between the two journals, then back at Jin, who picked up a piece of paper he’d been writing on.

“We used to play games,” Jin finally said, gazing at the paper. Ri didn’t need to be told that he meant with their shared mother. “She would come up with little puzzles for me. Codes to be broken. This one was rather rudimentary, but it was one of the first she ever showed me,” he continued, gesturing between the open journal’s in Ri’s hands. Jin set the paper on his lap and stared skyward.

Ri’s eyes sparked. “She had me do some of those puzzles, too.” Ri pulled out her own pencil and paper, and began decoding. The message was short. Two sentences. Ri’s heart beat faster as the words sunk in. “How is this possible?” she breathed, paper creasing where she gripped it.

Jin finally stopped looking at the sky. “I don’t know. But mom was more than just Cindara’s Warrior Princess in name. She was their true Princess. Blood, power, and all. The last of the royal house.”

Ri took a shaking breath. “We are the last of the royal bloodline.” she said, eyes wide and now locked on Jin’s.

A voice sounded from behind them.

“You certainly are,” the Brighida said, the creature of flame and stone stepping out of the forest. Her flames danced slowly, swaying with the breeze. She then shrunk, her form shifting into that of a puma. The puma that had trailed Ri since she was a child. Fire seemed to dance in her eyes. “And you, Taeri, are my chosen Solflare.”

────☽✦☾────

The Dusk
5 weeks later

Ri’s hands shook as she made her way across the cobblestone. She had never noticed how large the courtyard was, how unending. The ceremonial robes weighed down on her, jewels catching in the evening light and tickling the edge of her vision. Nearly every Fable in Herd Cindara had gathered here, even ambassadors from other territories.

Today was her coronation.

The Brighida had declared her Solflare weeks before, the new ruler of Cindara. The truth of Ri and Jin’s heritage was to be kept secret, an agreement between the three of them. There had been some cause for the royals of the past to hide, but Ri was not ready to find out what had been hunting them.

Fears of the unknown foe aside, by becoming Solflare, Ri was accepting the seat of power belonging to their mother’s house. The mantle that settled onto her head was heavy, but she could not help feeling closer to the mother that had left this world too soon. Her mother left Cindara a few weeks after the coastal herd had been wiped out again. The warrior princess never returned from the ruined territory; the earth had still been unstable. Her funeral ceremony had been swift.

Ri’s father had been there for her, raised her into who she was today. However, Ri could not help but feel some of her strength, her resilience, was in spite of the way she had been brought up. Sheltered. A songbird in a cage. There would be no more of that now. Unfortunately, there was still the rest of this procession to get through.

The blinding sun inched closer towards the horizon.

Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip.

Jin stood close now, and gave his sister a reassuring smile. It did absolutely nothing to settle her stomach as she approached the altar.



Ri knelt before the setting sun, its last rays glimmering triumphantly. Her pelt began its illumination, her fiery blue tail sending auroras shooting into the sky.

The Brighida began to walk Ri through the oaths of fealty and service. The puma had appeared today in her celestial form, a creature made of earth and fire and stone. It served as a reminder that she was Cindara’s guardian, as close as they had to a living god.

Ri pivoted to face the gathered crowd, the Brighida a looming figure behind her. The Conclave and other members of the court swore their allegiance to the Solflare next, a few hesitating before they bowed before Ri. She noted each one of their faces.

Her father beamed proudly from where he knelt, every ounce of love he held for Ri and her mother in that gaze. Tears brimmed in her eyes, but Ri quickly blinked them away. In that moment, she understood why he had been so fiercely protective of her. Why he had ensured she knew everything of the histories, battle, and arts. He had known of her mother’s heritage, the weight that may have one day fallen on Ri. She smiled at her father, before turning her gaze to the waiting crowd. Ri was the protector now.

As the sun fell behind the horizon, Solflare Taeri rose, her old life fading in the twilight.


────☽✦☾────



The Dawn and Dusk sections serve as my writings
for sunrise and sunset (~1500 words ^^).

A special thank you to Ophanimera
for being my proofreader extraordinaire!

[SpawnofMagick]

mark

[Mackiot]

RES RES RES OMG

fable name: Rannoch

Before beginning the story, I just wanted to say it is very rushed as this month was way busier than I had planned, and I'm not 100% happy with it at this moment, but if I win this kid, I really want to expand upon the lore! My original idea was to go for a kind of illustrated storybook, but I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew! Because of this, I only have images done for the first story, and ideally I would have had more images done, and more details for each image with a less sketchy feel(you can definitely tell which ones I started with and had more time for! haha!). I hope though incomplete, my story makes sense and that you enjoy it!

A Creature of Light is Born

story 1

Chapter theme 1: Nightengale Pt.2 - Cosmo Sheldrake
Chapter theme 2: Dawn chorus - Cosmo Sheldrake

Before the Northern lights, the sky was dark, only illuminated by the fate glow of the moon, and the far off distance stars, guiding the creatures of the night through the wild landscape. This was normal, and this was fine, but one day, something strange happened. The nighttime critters watched one night as a star seemed to fall from the sky, landing in a clearing in the forest, the ground around were it landed glowing with a strange bright light.

As the light settled, it seemed to compress on itself creating a small black figure that still let off a bright glow. It began to take on the form of one of the animals that roamed the night, a small black fox poking its head up, its infant eyes taking on its dark surroundings.

Curious of the world around it, it began to explore, not understanding why it was here, or what here even was. He was fascinated by the small bugs that crawled on the ground at his feet, following them to an anthill, his nose following the small bugs into the entrance of their home. Hearing a huff as he looks up, a grey and black ball of a creature glared at him angerly from the other side of the field. The fox trotted over as the creature held up his hands, blocking the strange light emitting from the fox from his eyes.
"Your light is scaring the beetles away, and its hurting my eyes! Go back to the sky were you came from and leave me be to eat! This is my territory!"
The fox tilted his head, understanding the words, but not understanding the anger of this strange critter in front of him. He comes closer to the creature, sniffing curiously as the creature began to swipe at him.
"Don't come any closer fox! I will not be your prey tonight!" He snapped.
again, the fox tilted his head, "Prey?" his words soft, speaking his first words curiously.
"Yes, prey! Foxes eat racoons, and I will not be eaten tonight!" He screeches as his fur stands on end, making himself look bigger.
"Why would I eat you? I am not hungry."
The racoon seemed to relax a little, but still was not happy at the strange visitor chasing away his food.

Another strange creature walked out from the trees, a creature the fox would later learn is called a possum. He waddled as he walked over, his voice scratchy. "What is this strange light? Its causing chaos in the forest, I heard someone say a fox stole the light from the sky and is blinding everyone, Someone else said the forest was on fire and everyone is in a pannick! Its chaos!"
The racoon turned to the new animal nodding his head in agreement, then turns back to the fox "Return to were you came from, you are not wanted here!"
The fox lowered his head, feeling shame, not understanding why he was making the critters upset. "I do not mean to disturb anyone. I do not know were to go, I do not know were I came from."
The critters scoffed as the racoon spoke again, "Anywhere is better than here! Dig a hole and hide away until day! The light lovers would love you!"
A strange bleating sound suddenly spooked the creatures, the possum and the racoon running back into the trees as the fox turned to see what caused the noise.

There stood an old goat, snorting after the nighttime critters, "Ignore them, the nighttime critters do not like anything they see as different. They do not like light that does not come from the day." He walked over slowly. "Do not blame them though, change can be scary for anyone.....I hope you do not mind me asking, but my old eyes cannot see as well as they used to, and your light is beautiful. Could you help me find my way back to my herd? We got separated as the sun went down, and I fear I wont be able to find my way back on my own."
The fox nodded as the goat spoke, happy to help this strange creature who showed him kindness. "Of course! How shall we find the herd?"
The goat gave his best smile as he continued to speak, "I can lead the way as long as you light the path. I may be old, but that only means I know these lands, and as long as I can find my landmarks, I can find my way."
The fox happily trotted alongside the goat, the two talking as they traveled through the forest, the goat sharing his knowledge of the wood, the fox listening intently, soaking up all the knowledge he shared.
Eventually the two did find the old goats herd, and he turned and bowed towards the fox before joining the rest of the herd. "May we meet again little one, you have so much potential and you have a good heart. I look forwards to when we meet again."
The fox bowed back, "Of course! Thank you for being my friend, I will always be glad to help if you or your herd ever need it."
"Before you go, i never did get your name" The goat spoke. The fox looked down at his paws.
"I do not have a name yet."
The goat nodded "In that case, I will call you Rannoch. It was the name of my late younger brother, I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing a name with someone as kind as you. My name is Cato by the way."
The fox smiled, thanking him. And with that, the creatures went on their own way.

After helping the goat, Rannoch wondered how he could help the other forest creatures. he looked up at the sky, seeing the moon and the stars emitting a light glow upon the land. If the creatures of night did not mind the lights above, perhaps he could return to the sky to help more like the goat, and keep an eye on the forest below for anyone he could help in any way he could. He looked up at the sky, his heart racing as he lept, his fur almost appearing to glow more as he rises above.

The light from within begins to shine as his form takes on a new shape, his true form coming out the higher he goes. horns sprouted from his head, his body taking on a more equid form, but still retaining the foxlike features he was born with, his body growing larger.

Rannoch contuinues to dance in the sky, The faster he runs the brighter he glows, a trail of light left behind as he travels the sky. Even the creatures of night who had ridiculed him are now in awe of the beautiful lights that spread across the sky

That night, the Northern lights were born, Rannoch shared his lights with the night from that night on every night he could, lighting up the landscape below, helping those lost to find their way, making the sky even more beautiful and full of color than it had ever been before. No one knows were he came from, perhaps he was sent from the gods above, from the space beyond the sky, bringing the galaxy down with him to share with the earth. from this night on he became the guide of the night sky.

Alas, night does not last forever, and as the sun rose, it outshined his own light. Rannoch did not mind this, as he was tired, and decided it was time to come back down to the forest floor to find a place to rest.

He returned to the clearing he first woke from, finding a small patch of soft grass and lay down

As he fell asleep, his new form melted away as he took back on the form of the fox, the sun waking up spreading its warmth on the now sleeping fox.

The Forests Protector

Story 2

Chapter theme 1 - Skylark - Cosmo Sheldrake
Chapter theme 2 - Cuckoo song - Cosmo Sheldrake

Rannoch had become known for lighting up the sky at night, guiding those who were lost. He really cared for the animals of the forest, even if not all of them cared for him. There were very few nights were his lights didn’t fill the sky, and it was usually because he was helping some poor critter.
But what did he do during the day? Of course he could sleep, but being a creature made of light and magic, he didn’t really need to sleep. Sure it felt nice to doze away under the sun, but he didn’t really need to recover like normal animals did. When Rannoch had first been born, he spent his days blending in with the daytime critters, and it was much easier for him to do so as he did not glow like he did in the night, he could pass as a normal fox. He enjoyed watching other animals go about their day, though he often felt lonely. Most animals did not want to hang out with a sly fox, and his true fable form scared away most other animals.
He had grown used to this solitary life, helping others when they needed it, guiding from the shadows. He enjoyed observing the daily life of the forest dwellers. But one day, Rannoch noticed something was different. New scents filled the forest, and death seemed to follow wherever the smell was the strongest. Curiosity overtook him, and Rannoch began to track down the stranger in the woods.
Eventually he found him, a strange almost wolf-like critter, but he was wrong. His ears drooped down the sides of his face, and his colors were all wrong, with droopy jowls and a strange cloth wrapped around his neck, this was Rannochs first experience with man, with dog. He watched as the dog chased a racoon up a tree, the critter cursing down at the strange animal below. He watched as the animal screeched and barked at the poor racoon above, before his attention got taken by the sound of a snapping twig.
Both Rannoch and the dog turned towards the sound, and Rannoch could see from his angle what the dog could not, a lost fawn. The fawn knew the dog was there, and froze solid as the dog went quiet, knowing he had attracted the attention towards itself. The dog went completely silent, the hair of his hackles rose as he slowly stalked towards the fawn.
Rannoch had grown to be no stranger towards the circle of life. Just like the herbivores of the forest, the carnivores needed to eat too. And he respected the circle. But he knew what he saw before him was wrong. This creature was killing everything he came across, not even caring to eat what was left behind. This fawn did not need to die today.
As the dog let out a snarl, jumping out from the brush towards the innocent young deer, so did Rannoch, now in his full fable form, towering above both animals, slamming into the dog with the branch-like antlers atop his head, throwing him away from the animal. The impact put the dog into shock, yelping as he tumbled across the ground, not quite sure what just happened.
Turning back, letting out a strange yowl-like bark of a hound, its anger of the surprising impact turning into fear at the large dark figure now standing over him. Just as quick as he had lept at the fawn, he turned around, tail between his legs screeching as he ran off. Rannoch was almost surprised with how easy it had been to protect the fawn, expecting there to be at least a small fight, but maybe he underestimated how threatening he looked.
Rannoch turned back to the small animal, who had fallen to the ground, curled up, his head tucked hiding his eyes. “Its ok now, the stranger is gone now. Im here to help.”
The fawn still shook with fear, but he peaked out at Rannoch, unsure. He remained silent for a moment before speaking softly, “Thank you…”
Rannoch walked over, laying down not far from the fawn. “Is your mother around? You seem too young to be on your own.”
The fawn shook his head. “The stranger chased her off. She told me to stay put before it did, but she was gone for so long, I got scared and tried to look for her….”
Rannoch nodded, trying to comfort the fawn. “I can help you find her, I will protect you from anything that comes our way.”
The fawn finally looked up fully at Rannoch, his ears perked up. “Your so big! You look like my dad, but much scarier, I bet nothing messes with you!”
Rannoch smiled “No they don’t!” He laughed with the fawn. A small bit of saddness suddenly washed over him. Him and this fawn were probably about the same age, but Rannoch appeared much older, and he didn’t have a mother to guide and protect him. If he couldn’t have that, he would be that for those that needed it. He stood up, urging the fawn up with him. “Come, lets get started looking, I have a nose as strong as a fox!”
The fawn giggled, “You most have a very strong nose then!”
The two set off searching for the fawns mother. They did not come across the dog again, let alone any other predator, but most animals that saw the large black deer-like creature walking around the forest didn’t dare harm the fawn that was with him.
Eventually the fawn shared that his name had been Fern, a simple but fitting name as the fawn blended in seamlessly with the plant life of the forest. The two played in creeks and cliffs as they searched for Ferns mother, and ended up searching most of the day.
Eventually the two did come across a doe, though not Ferns mother, she did however know the young deer and his mother.
“Fern!” She bleated, running over, standing between him and Rannoch “Stay away from him, run Fern!”
Rannoch stood his ground, trying his best to show he meant no harm, when Fern jumped to his rescue. “Aunt Lichen! No! That’s my friend! He saved me from the monster that chased away my mother!”
The doe still seemed unsure of the situation, but obviously did not fully trust Rannoch. “We were looking for his mother.” He spoke softly, “Have you seen her?”
The doe looked back at fern, who walked around her towards Rannoch. “I have, we were both looking for Fern before we decided to split up and cover more ground…. I know were we can find your mother.” She clearly did not fully trust Rannoch still, but she lead the way to were they could find his mother, Rannoch traveling not far behind, there to protect the fawn until they were to be reunited.
They did eventually find Ferns mother, late in the day, the sky golden from the setting sun. The two ran to each other, his mother crying from the joy of finding her fawn again. “Thank you so much kind stranger!” She sobbed, her gratefulness of her child being safe made any fear or judgement she would have had towards the large back creature melt away, replaced with gratitude and kindness. “There is no way to express how thankful I am to you!” She walked over, rubbing her head on is chest in thanks, the best a deer could do for a hug.
“Of course! I could never let someone so innocent and young be hurt.”
She smiled softly. “Please, come with us, join the herd for the night, there is safety in numbers! The night can be dangerous.”
“Yes! Join us Rannoch! All the other fawns will love you!” Fern squealed excitedly.

Rannoch was honored by their kindness, and as much as he would love to join the herd, he knew he couldn’t, as he had to light the sky during the night. He shook his head sadly. “I cannot join you tonight, I have duties I have to attend to….”
The doe nodded, “I understand, I strong buck like you must have his own herd to get back to and protect. But if you ever need a place to rest, our herd is always in the area, come find us!”
Rannoch smiled, she was right. The whole forest was his herd for him to protect. He was no longer just the lights of the sky, and a guide for those that were lost, he was now a protector of the day and the night.
And with that, the two bowed to each other and went on their way, the setting sun barely peaked out from the horizon as it slowly descended, the golden glow of the sun fading away, slowly being replaced by the silvery blue glow of Rannoch.

Lore--

When not actively using his magic, he takes on the form of a small black fox. When first born, he emits a faint glow, the stronger his emotions the brighter he glows. As he uses his magic, his true fable form shines through. He can take on any form whenever he wants, but when he is actively using his magic, he will always be in his fable form. As he grows and becomes more wise, he learns to control his magic and his glow to better blend into the forest as its protector from outsiders.
The stories above take place thousands of years ago. Rannoch aged and matured over time, mastering his magical abilities, and becoming more comfortable in his fable form. Even by humanity he is known as the great forest protector, keeping man away from deforestation and overhunting. He understood the balance of nature and did not prevent the carnivores from eating, but he mediated and made sure no one overhunted and was fair.
Cato the goat, the first animal to show Rannoch kindness, became a sort of father figure and guide for him. He taught Rannoch kindness and how to be a just leader. Rannoch learned early on he did not age like the other animals, as he watched Cato grow older and older without him, eventually passing away. After Cato died, the skies remained dark for the first time in ages as he mourned his lost father figure.
Fern the young fawn Rannoch saved when he was younger grew into a fine young buck and grew to an old age before dying protecting his own offspring from a pack of wolves. Fern became like a brother to him, Fern looking up and admiring him, aspiring to be a protector just like he was. Thanks to Fern, the fear many animals had towards Rannoch had turned to respect and admiration towards their new protector.
While many animals feared and ridiculed him when he first came to the forest, he soon created a reputation for himself, and all the animals soon learned to admire and respect him. They all knew he was there as a protector, and respected any choice he made to do so.
The forest this takes place in is an unspecified location in northern America/Canada. He protects the forest he calls home even as it shrinks by the hand of man over the years. However, as long as Rannoch exists in the forest, it will never die.

Credits--

All art made by me @Mackiot :.)
Cosmo Sheldrake was a huge inspiration to me while creating this form, so I picked out a few of my favorites from his wakeup call album and chose them as themes to listen to while reading the stories, though i think any song from the series would be a great background song-evening chorus and Bittern were very close seconds!

[☼ morgana]

"Amalthea?" came Merlin's quiet voice.

"Yes?" she asked, watched as the sun slipped below the horizon, her ear twitching to the wizard at her side.

"Have I ever told you about my favorite legend?" Merlin replied, his ear twitching in kind to listen to her.

[jensen ackles]

mark !

[astral.]

fable name:

some ideas;

- night time is spent as a sword smith, collecting the stars using the aurora net
- the swords made are usually forged for the gods
- night time is an alter-ego (think Jekyll and Hyde) where a god takes over their form like a possession of sorts

- day time has this fable collecting rocks and gems that they feel they could make enchanted jewellery out of