The Tume of Drakiri

Introduction

A story of magic, inspiration, friendship, love and overcoming darkness. I've slowly worked on this story, off and on for a few years, never really sure of where I wanted to take it. Originally, it started as a Birthday Gift for my Teall, but I felt it was more appropriate as an Anniversary Story given the implied love interest and character building. (wink wink) It's definitely far from perfect and may contain many errors but I find I want to write more and implement these creatures into my overall world building that crosses over into the Wolf, The Lion, and the Stain of Sleep. This story, my drive for a healthier happier life, and so much more is wonderfully inspired by Teall, my muse, my soul mate, and her role in my life. Our wonderful children are a catalyst for that inspiration as well, but without her, I'd not be so lucky.

Thank you, Teall, for 15 incredible years of Marriage, 14 amazing years of parenting, and an eternity of happiness and peace.  You are my rock, my peace, my everything.  I hope you enjoy this story and more than anything, I hope it adds to the spark of creativity you've been embracing with on with your beautiful paintings and more.

As always, stay inspired, live in the now, and NEVER EVER GIVE UP and NEVER EVER SURRENDER!

Love, 

-Beast

It was a bright sunny day in the lush luminescent forest of Drakiri, deep in the heart of the isle of Fen. A new day marking a fresh lunar cycle, a season of bright days filled with fun and laughter was on the horizon and the birds sang their praise and love for the safety for their beautiful home. High up in the ancient forest Drakiri near the canopy was a vast tree village that was home a rare and beautiful race of night elves known as Tume. The Tume were a proud and noble people, made up of healers, druids, and fierce warriors. The Tume were kin of the forest Drakiri, which was much more notable during the lunar hours as the markings on their smooth skin with light purple undertones, would glow much in the same way the foliage around them did. They were very connected to the world around them and could feel the impact of even the slightest changes. This sensitivity was seen as a weakness by other races, but it was a rare gift and amazing strength that prepared them for bad tidings that came their way.

Something about today was different, not to say that it was better or worse, but the entire village seemed to be expecting something anytime. The youngest amongst them seemed to be a little less attuned which helped them enjoy their time, living in the moment as children. One child in particular seemed to be more bothered than the others, in fact, she was noticeably more upset than anyone. Whatever was happening seemed to affect her the most. She was nearly a teenager, petite, passionate, and full of life. She was one of the gentler children and she was known as Teall. 

Teall put a lot of time and effort into others. She was destined to be a healer by her nature and concern for others. She was a natural talent and spent a lot of her time studying plant life, bandaging, alchemy, and spells. The problem, even though her spell knowledge was unmatched by others so young, she did not seem to have the gift of magic. This was a rare thing for Tume, especially for the ones destined to be healers. In fact, pristinely ungifted Tume had never been destined for healing. She was one of a kind. This was a point of contention for the village elders because one so gifted with knowledge should never be without the tools of success. 

While the Tume youth were running around, climbing, and playing, one of the others, Wraith, decided it would be fun to go exploring and convince the others to come with him. Specifically, he wanted to go down to the forest floor and explore some forbidden underground caves. Teall didn’t think this was such a good plan and attempted to intervein. 

Wraith was not pleased with her outspoken discredit to his plan to have fun and pressured all of the others including Teall to trust him. What could go wrong? She wasn’t excited for this very troublesome situation, but she was concerned for the others and didn’t want to abandon them to Wraith’s bad ideas. Teall chose to tag along and continue to talk the others out of it. 

They made their way through the village and found their way to a place Teall recognized well, but hardly visited. This was sacred ground. A large shrine in the middle of a courtyard that was a place to pay homage to the gods of old. Wraith went to the side of the shrine and placed his hand on the side of a metal inscription plate. The plate lit up and a dark entrance opened up inviting them in. Wraith excitedly jumped in followed by some riled-up youths. 

Teall cautiously entered behind them. She soon realized that they were inside of a giant hollow tree that had a spiral staircase bordering its massive silo. Wraith gave a command for everyone to halt. He sat for a moment, listening carefully as if analyzing for some kind of signal or sound. 

Only moments later a platform that filled the large void in the middle of the spiral staircase came to a stop at their exact position. Aboard it was one of their friends, Krale. Teall and many of the others were astonished to see Krale as he had been ill a lot lately and they thought he was at home resting. Many didn’t think he was doing too well and were preparing for the worst. Yet, here he was… somehow wrapped up in this mischief and looking completely healthy. 

Wraith boarded the platform first and everyone followed, quickly surrounding Krale in awe of his new-found health. Teall was astonished at his presence but not as easily fooled as others. She took time to take in all of the information and notice that Krale didn’t only look healthy, something was different about him. It made her feel even more uneasy.

Teall’s unease grew as she observed Krale. His appearance was not just healthy; it was unnaturally vibrant, almost as if he radiated energy from within. His eyes, once dulled by illness, now shone with an intensity that made Teall’s stomach churn. Wraith, always the daring leader, seemed emboldened by Krale’s transformation. He grinned, a glint of mischief and something darker in his eyes as he urged the group further down the spiral staircase.

The platform, seemingly guided by an invisible force, descended into the depths of the hollow tree. The walls around them, once rough and natural, began to smooth out, faintly glowing with the same luminescent light that marked the Tume’s skin under the lunar light. But this light was different, tinged with an eerie green that felt out of place in the heart of Drakiri.

As they descended, Teall felt an oppressive weight in the air. The very atmosphere seemed to throb with power, a pulse that synchronized with the heartbeat of every child on the platform, except hers. Her heart raced, not in unison with the rhythm of the place, but in a wild panic that she couldn’t suppress.

The platform finally came to a stop in a vast underground chamber, the walls of which were lined with glowing runes in a language long forgotten. At the center of the chamber was a pool of liquid light, swirling with colors that defied description. The air hummed with energy, and the children, all except Teall, were drawn to it like moths to a flame.

Krale was the first to approach, kneeling beside the pool, his hands hovering over the surface. The liquid light seemed to reach out to him, tendrils of energy rising to meet his fingers. Wraith followed, a look of rapture on his face as he dipped his hand into the pool. The light flowed into him, and he shuddered as if the power were too much to bear—but then his expression shifted to one of pure elation.

Teall watched in horror as the other children, emboldened by Wraith and Krale’s actions, approached the pool. One by one, they reached out, letting the liquid light touch their skin. It was a scene of beauty, yet Teall could feel the undercurrent of something sinister. As the energy flowed into them, their faces twisted, not in pain, but in a euphoric madness. Their eyes, once filled with innocent curiosity, now glowed with an unnatural brilliance.

Wraith and Krale, now fully empowered, turned to Teall. Wraith’s voice was filled with a strange reverence as he spoke, “Teall, you have to join us. This…this is what we were meant to find. It’s our destiny. Can’t you feel it?”

But Teall could feel nothing of the sort. The pool repelled her, its energy clashing with something deep within her. She shook her head, taking a step back. “No…this isn’t right. We should leave. Now!”

Wraith’s expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as if he couldn’t understand her resistance. Krale, too, looked at her with a mixture of confusion and pity. “You don’t understand, Teall. This power…it’s changing us. Making us stronger. Don’t you want to be strong, too?”

Teall’s heart pounded in her chest, not with fear but with a growing certainty. Something deep within her, something ancient and powerful, began to stir. She felt it awakening, a force she had never known, yet it was as much a part of her as her own breath.

The pool of liquid light seemed to sense her resistance, and as the others took a step toward her, the energy surged, trying to reach her. But instead of being drawn in, Teall’s very presence repelled it. The energy crackled and hissed, recoiling as if burned. Wraith’s eyes widened, a flicker of fear crossing his face. “What are you doing? You’re rejecting it… Why?!”

Teall didn’t answer. The force within her, the ancient magic of her people, rose to the surface, unbidden. Her markings, usually faint in the daylight, began to glow with a brilliant white light, overshadowing the eerie green of the chamber. The runes on the walls seemed to react, pulsing in time with her energy.

The power within the pool reacted violently, lashing out at her. But as it touched her, it dissipated, unable to take hold. The light within Teall intensified, and with a sudden burst, it expanded outward, forcing Wraith, Krale, and the others back.

Teall gasped as the power surged through her. It was overwhelming, a torrent of energy that threatened to consume her. But it wasn’t just destructive, it was also healing. She could feel it mending the fractured parts of her spirit, strengthening her resolve. The ancient magic of her ancestors flowed through her veins, guiding her, teaching her.

In that moment, Teall understood. This was the magic of the old Tume, a power that had been lost for generations. It was not just a gift; it was a responsibility. And with it came the knowledge that she had the power to heal, to protect—but also to destroy, if necessary.

Wraith, now fully under the influence of the corrupted power, snarled, his once handsome features twisted into a mask of anger and desperation. “You can’t fight this, Teall! You’re one of us!”

Teall’s eyes met his, glowing with the light of her ancestors. “No, Wraith. I’m not.”

With a single thought, she reached out with her newfound magic. The chamber around them began to tremble, the walls cracking as the ancient magic responded to her command. The ground beneath her feet shifted, and she could feel the world around her bending to her will.

Desperation took hold of Wraith and Krale as they lunged at her, but the magic within Teall acted on its own. A brilliant flash of light enveloped her, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

Teall found herself standing in a part of the forest she didn’t recognize. The trees here were taller, their leaves casting a dark shadow over the forest floor. The air was cool and still, but there was a sense of life all around her, pulsing with the same ancient magic she had just unleashed.

As she tried to get her bearings, a low growl echoed through the trees. Teall turned to see a massive figure emerge from the shadows, its eyes glowing with a familiar red light. It was a creature of magic, much like the ones in the stories of old, and it radiated power.

The creature’s gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, they simply stared at one another. Then, with a voice that was more a rumble than speech, it spoke. “You are not like the others.”

Teall took a step forward, unafraid. “I’m not.”

The creature, now fully revealed as a large, wolf-like being with dark fur and a powerful build, nodded slowly. “You carry the power of the old Tume. But you are young, untested. You do not yet know the true extent of what you possess.”

Teall could feel the truth in its words. She was powerful, yes, but she was also inexperienced. She needed guidance. She needed someone who could teach her to harness this magic, to control it rather than be controlled by it.

“Who are you? What do you know of the Tume?” she asked.

The creature’s eyes glowed brighter for a moment, and then it lowered its head slightly in acknowledgment. “I am Beast, guardian of this forest and protector of those who walk the path of the old ways. I have watched over this land for centuries, waiting for one who could restore what was lost.”

Teall felt a surge of hope. This was the ally she needed, the guide who could help her understand her power and use it to save her people. “Will you help me?”

Beast studied her for a long moment before nodding. “I will. But know this, Teall: the path you are on is fraught with danger. The power you carry will attract those who seek to use it for their own ends. You must be strong, not just in magic, but in heart.”

Teall nodded, her resolve hardening. “I understand.”

And so began Teall’s journey with Beast by her side. Together, they ventured deeper into the forest, where she learned to harness her magic, to control the vast power that flowed through her veins. Beast taught her the ancient ways, showing her how to blend her knowledge of healing and alchemy with the raw, untamed energy of the old Tume magic.

Each day, Teall grew stronger, more confident in her abilities. She learned to weave spells that could heal the deepest wounds, to call upon the forces of nature to aid her, and to protect herself from the dark magic that threatened to consume her friends. But she also learned the cost of such power, the toll it took on her body and spirit, and the sacrifices she would need to make to keep her people safe.

As the days turned into weeks, Teall and Beast formed a bond that went beyond teacher and student. They became true companions, each trusting the other with their lives. And as Teall’s power grew, so too did her understanding of the task that lay before her.

Finally, the day came when Teall felt ready to return to her people. She had grown stronger than she ever imagined, and she knew that the time had come to face Wraith, Krale, and the corrupted power that had taken hold of them.

With Beast at her side, she made her way back to the village. The journey was long, and the weight of what she had to do pressed heavily on her heart. But she knew that she could not turn back. Her people needed her.

When Teall and Beast arrived at the edge of the village, they were met with silence. The once vibrant and lively community was now shrouded in a dark mist, the trees and homes tainted with the same eerie green light that had filled the chamber where it all began.

Teall took a deep breath, summoning all of her courage. She stepped forward, and as she did, the mist began to part, revealing the corrupted forms of Wraith, Krale, and the others who had fallen under the influence of the dark power.

Wraith’s eyes locked onto hers, filled with malice and a twisted sense of superiority. “So, you’ve returned, Teall. But it’s too late. We are more powerful than ever, and we cannot be stopped.”

Teall stood her ground, her heart steady. “I’m not here to fight you, Wraith. I’m here to save you.”

Wraith’s laughter echoed through the village, but it was a hollow sound, devoid of true joy. “Save us? You are nothing compared to what we’ve become. You’re just a weak little girl, trying to play the hero.”

Teall closed her eyes, letting the power within her rise to the surface. The air around her crackled with energy, and the markings on her skin began to glow with a brilliant white light. She could feel the magic pulsing through her, filling her with strength and clarity.

“I am Teall, daughter of the Tume, heir to the magic of our ancestors. And I will not let you destroy what we’ve built.”

With those words, Teall released the full force of her magic. The light exploded from her in a radiant burst, washing over the village and driving back the dark mist. The corrupted energy that had taken hold of Wraith, Krale, and the others began to unravel, burning away in the purifying light.

The village was bathed in the glow of Teall’s magic, and as the darkness receded, the true nature of the Tume’s power was revealed. The ancient magic, long dormant, flowed through the village, healing the land and its people. The corrupted markings on the children’s skin faded, replaced by the gentle luminescence of their natural state.

Wraith and Krale, once twisted by the dark power, fell to their knees, their eyes wide with disbelief as the corruption left their bodies. They looked up at Teall, no longer with malice, but with gratitude and awe.

Teall floated above them, her entire being alight with the magic of the old Tume. She could feel the power coursing through her, lifting her higher and higher until she was suspended above the village, a beacon of hope and strength. The villagers, now free from the darkness, gathered below, looking up at Teall with reverence. They could feel the change in the air, the renewal of their connection to the ancient magic that had been lost for so long. And in that moment, they knew that Teall was their new leader, the one who would guide them into a new era of prosperity and unity.

As the last remnants of the dark power faded away, Teall slowly descended to the ground. She stood before her people, her heart swelling with pride and determination. She had done it. She had saved her friends, her village, and the legacy of her ancestors.

Beast stepped forward, his eyes glowing with approval. “You have done well, Teall. You have restored what was lost, and in doing so, you have become the leader your people needed.”

Teall smiled, her heart full of hope. “I couldn’t have done it without your faith in me, Beast.”

Beast nodded, a rare smile crossing his lips. “And now, the future of the Tume is in your hands.”

Teall looked out at her people, the faces of her friends and family filled with love and admiration. She knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but she was ready. With the power of the old Tume magic, and the support of her people, she would guide them to a new future, one where the past was honored, and the lessons of their ancestors were never forgotten.

And as the sun set over the forest of Drakiri, casting a warm golden light over the village, Teall knew that she had found her true purpose. She was no longer just a healer or a student of alchemy. She was a leader, a protector, and the bearer of a magic that would shape the destiny of her people for generations to come.

The Tume had been reborn, and with Teall at their helm, they would thrive once more, united by the strength of their shared history and the promise of a brighter future.

[To be continued...]