Black Flames, Shattered Dreams

Briar Blackbyrne, princess of Daramveer, wakes from a recurring nightmare: her kingdom in ruins, her hands stained with blood, and a voice not her own commanding destruction. Haunted by these visions, Briar struggles with her identity as a Shadow Wielder, the daughter of a feared king and a beloved Lumor healer. Her mother's death and her brother Barlowe's absence have left her isolated, numb, and mistrusted by her people. The kingdom itself is a shadow of its former self, ruled by fear and the iron fist of her father, King Lornx. Briar's days are marked by exhaustion, emotional detachment, and a growing sense that the darkness within her is not just metaphorical, but a real, dangerous force waiting to break free.

The Letter from the Dead

Briar's world is upended when she receives a letter in her dead mother's handwriting, delivered mysteriously to the castle. The letter warns of ancient magic, a coming change, and the resurgence of the Great Wiitches—Kalix and Carobon—whose war once cursed the world with magic. The message is cryptic, urging Briar to seek peace and prepare for trials ahead. Barlowe, her brother, returns home, and together they try to decipher the letter's meaning. The siblings sense that their father is involved in something dangerous, and that Briar herself is at the center of a prophecy or plot that could reshape the fate of Daramveer and the realms beyond.

Shadows and Siblings Return

Barlowe's return brings both comfort and tension. The siblings share a deep bond, but years apart and the trauma of their mother's death have changed them. Their father, King Lornx, is more distant and desperate than ever, hinting at plans to secure the kingdom's future through force and manipulation. The castle is filled with uneasy alliances: Rose and Lang, loyal kitchen staff and secret Lumor Wielders, are more family to Briar than her own blood. The arrival of a letter from their mother, and the reappearance of old friends and rivals—like the arrogant Thatcher and the kind Maines—signal that the past is not done with them. The kingdom is on the brink of upheaval, and Briar is forced to confront her own power and the legacy of her parents.

Kitchen Confessions and Ghosts

Briar finds solace in the kitchen, where Rose and Lang offer warmth and wisdom. But even here, the shadows are never far. Briar is haunted by a ghostly, hooded figure—a harbinger of the darkness within and the trials to come. Memories of her mother's death, the cruelty of her father, and the burden of her magic weigh heavily. The castle is a place of both comfort and terror, filled with memories of happier times and the ever-present threat of violence. The kitchen becomes a confessional, a place where Briar can admit her fears and doubts, and where the first hints of rebellion and hope begin to take root.

The Forest's Hidden Truth

Driven by the clues in her mother's letter, Briar ventures into the forest—a place of childhood memories and ancient power. There, she discovers a hidden box containing a glowing crystal and another letter, warning of the dangers of resurrection magic and the trials she must face. The forest is both sanctuary and threat, filled with echoes of the past and the presence of the hooded specter. Briar realizes that her mother's death was not an accident, but part of a larger pattern of sacrifice and betrayal. The crystal's power calls to her, awakening the darkness within and setting her on a path toward confrontation with her father and the forces that seek to control her.

The Crystal's Warning

The crystal's markings and the ritualistic blood magic it represents are unlike anything Briar has seen. As she and Barlowe try to unravel its secrets, they realize that the kingdom's fate is tied to the resurgence of forbidden magic and the ambitions of their father. The castle becomes a battleground of wills, with Briar caught between her loyalty to her family, her love for her friends, and the growing power within her. The arrival of suitors from rival kingdoms, each with their own agendas, signals the start of the Trials—a deadly competition for Briar's hand and the future of Daramveer. The stage is set for betrayal, sacrifice, and the awakening of powers long thought lost.

The King's Ruthless Plan

King Lornx announces a series of deadly trials: the winner will marry Briar and unite the kingdoms. The trials are a thinly veiled power grab, designed to secure alliances and root out threats. Briar is furious at being used as a pawn, but resolves to fight for her own freedom and destiny. The competitors—Thatcher, Oak, Silas, Rohhit, the Thornfield twins, and others—are a mix of old friends, enemies, and strangers, each with their own secrets. The trials are brutal, testing not just strength and skill, but loyalty, morality, and the willingness to kill. As the first trial begins, Briar steps into the arena—not as a victim, but as a contender, determined to claim her own fate.

Nightmares and New Alliances

The trials push Briar and her allies to their limits. Old wounds are reopened, and new bonds are forged in blood and fire. Briar's relationship with Silas, the enigmatic prince of Andorwood, deepens, their shared darkness drawing them together. Maines and Oak find love amidst the chaos, while Thatcher's cruelty and ambition threaten everyone. The trials reveal the true nature of the competitors and the lengths they will go to win. Briar's nightmares intensify, blurring the line between dream and reality, and the hooded figure's warnings grow more urgent. The cost of survival is high, and Briar must decide who she can trust—and who she is willing to become.

The First Trial: Blood and Arrows

The first trial is archery, but with a cruel twist: the final targets are living prisoners. Briar is forced to kill to win, her victory both a triumph and a trauma. The crowd cheers, but she is haunted by the blood on her hands and the knowledge that her father's games are designed to break her spirit. The other competitors reveal their true colors—some ruthless, some compassionate, all changed by the violence. The trial cements Briar's resolve to fight for her own hand, not as a prize, but as a warrior. The darkness within her grows stronger, fed by the blood and the cheers of the crowd.

The Second Trial: Into the Deep

The second trial is a deadly swim to a haunted island, where ancient creatures lurk beneath the waves. Briar saves Oak from drowning, but the cost is high: the competitors are hunted by monsters, and not all survive. The island itself is a place of illusions and temptation, where voices from the past try to lure the competitors to their doom. Briar's wounds deepen, both physical and emotional, and the bonds between the survivors are tested. The return journey is even more perilous, and the line between ally and enemy blurs as the trials grow deadlier.

Betrayal and Poison

As the trials continue, betrayal and violence escalate. Thatcher, acting on the king's orders, murders Barlowe with a poisoned blade, shattering Briar's world. Maines tries to save him, but the poison is too strong. The kingdom mourns, but Briar is consumed by rage and grief, her darkness threatening to overwhelm her. The trials become a crucible, burning away weakness and forging new alliances. Briar's relationship with Silas deepens, their shared pain and power binding them together. The cost of survival grows ever higher, and the true nature of the trials—and the king's plan—becomes clear.

The Third Trial: Into Darkness

The third trial is a journey through the haunted forest, where the competitors are hunted by monstrous creatures and forced to confront their deepest fears. Briar is drugged and dragged into the woods, her magic suppressed and her life in constant danger. She faces betrayal, violence, and the resurrection of old enemies. The forest is a place of both memory and nightmare, where the past and present collide. Briar's darkness becomes both weapon and curse, and she must choose whether to embrace it or be consumed. The trial ends in blood and loss, with only a handful of survivors left to face the final challenge.

Resurrection and Revelations

Calia, the mother of the Thornfield twins, reveals herself as the true architect of the trials, manipulating events to resurrect her sons and bring back the Great Wiitch Carobon. The resurrection crystal, charged with years of blood and magic, is the key to her plan. Briar is captured and chained, forced to witness the ritual that brings the twins—and Carobon—back to life. The cost is horrific: the dead return as monsters, and the kingdom is plunged into chaos. Briar's own heritage is revealed—she is the vessel for Kalix, the Great Wiitch of Shadows, and her blood is the final ingredient needed to complete the ritual. The true battle for the soul of the kingdom begins.

The Queen's Rebellion

With the kingdom in ruins and her enemies closing in, Briar embraces her darkness and claims her birthright as Queen of Daramveer. She confronts her father, kills him, and vows to rebuild the kingdom on her own terms. The cost is immense—her friends are scattered, her people have fled, and the darkness within her is stronger than ever. But Briar is no longer a pawn; she is a queen, a warrior, and a vessel for ancient power. The final trial looms, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

The Final Trial: Fire and Light

The last trial is a duel to the death, with the fate of the kingdom at stake. Briar faces Thatcher in a brutal, fiery battle, aided and haunted by the resurrected Barlowe. The arena becomes a battlefield of gods and monsters, as Kalix and Carobon awaken within their vessels and the lines between friend and foe blur. Sacrifice, betrayal, and love collide in a storm of magic and blood. Briar must choose whether to embrace her darkness or fight for the light, knowing that the cost may be her own soul.

The Great Wiitches Awaken

With both Kalix and Carobon awakened, the world is plunged into chaos. The resurrected dead walk the earth, armies gather, and the final battle between light and shadow begins. Briar, Silas, Maines, and Oak must fight not just for survival, but for the soul of the world. The cost of victory is high, and the line between hero and monster is razor-thin. Briar's nightmares become reality, and the fate of the kingdom—and all the realms—rests on her choices.

Sacrifice, Survival, and Shadows

In the aftermath of the final battle, the survivors are left to pick up the pieces. Briar is haunted by the cost of victory—the friends lost, the kingdom in ruins, and the darkness still lurking within. Silas's fate is uncertain, and the threat of the Great Wiitches remains. The world is changed forever, and the promise of new trials—and new hope—lingers on the horizon. Briar stands as queen, but the true test of her power, her heart, and her destiny is only beginning.

Characters

Briar Blackbyrne

Briar is the protagonist, a Shadow Wielder torn between her lineage as the daughter of a cruel king and a compassionate healer. Traumatized by her mother's death and her father's tyranny, she is isolated, angry, and numb, but fiercely loyal to those she loves. Her recurring nightmares and the darkness within her are both metaphor and reality—she is the vessel for Kalix, the Great Wiitch of Shadows. Briar's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to wield her power, confront her trauma, and claim her destiny as queen. Her relationships—with Barlowe, Maines, Silas, and others—are marked by love, loss, and the constant threat of betrayal. Briar's greatest fear is losing herself to the darkness, but her greatest strength is her refusal to give up, even when hope seems lost.

Barlowe Blackbyrne

Barlowe is Briar's older brother, a skilled warrior and her fiercest protector. Marked by the trauma of their mother's death and years of separation, Barlowe returns home changed—both a source of comfort and a reminder of all Briar has lost. His loyalty to his sister is unwavering, but he is caught between duty to the kingdom and love for his family. Barlowe's fate is tragic: murdered by Thatcher, resurrected as a monster, and ultimately freed by Maines's mercy. His arc is one of sacrifice, love, and the devastating cost of power. Barlowe's death and resurrection are central to Briar's journey, forcing her to confront the true nature of her darkness and the price of survival.

King Lornx Blackbyrne

Lornx is the king of Daramveer, a man consumed by ambition, fear, and the desire for control. His rule is marked by cruelty, paranoia, and the use of his children as pawns in his schemes. Lornx's obsession with ancient magic and the resurrection of the Great Wiitches drives the plot, setting in motion the trials and the kingdom's descent into chaos. He is both a monster and a tragic figure, blinded by his own pain and the legacy of violence he inherited. His death at Briar's hands is both a liberation and a curse, leaving the kingdom in ruins and Briar with the burden of rebuilding.

Maines Madden

Maines is Briar's closest friend and confidante, a Lumor Wielder and skilled healer. Raised in the shadow of her cruel brother Thatcher and her ambitious father Elrod, Maines is both compassionate and strong, willing to fight for those she loves. Her relationship with Oak is a source of hope and healing, and her loyalty to Briar is unwavering. Maines's arc is one of growth, as she learns to wield her power, confront her own trauma, and make impossible choices—most notably, ending Barlowe's suffering. She is the heart of the group, a reminder that love and light can survive even in the darkest times.

Silas Nastronde

Silas is the prince of Andorwood, a kingdom of outcasts and darkness. Haunted by his own trauma and the legacy of his brutal father, Silas is both a warrior and a survivor. His connection with Briar is deep and mysterious, their shared darkness drawing them together in love and pain. Silas is fiercely protective, willing to sacrifice everything for Briar and their friends. His role as both ally and potential vessel for ancient power makes him a key player in the battle between light and shadow. Silas's journey is one of redemption, love, and the struggle to control the darkness within.

Thatcher Madden

Thatcher is Maines's brother and Briar's nemesis, a cruel and ambitious warrior who will stop at nothing to win the trials and claim power. His actions—murdering Barlowe, tormenting Briar, and betraying his own family—make him the embodiment of the kingdom's corruption. Thatcher is both a product and a perpetrator of violence, his arc ending in poetic justice as he is destroyed by the very darkness he sought to control. His rivalry with Briar is central to the trials, forcing her to confront the cost of survival and the nature of true strength.

Oak Hombern

Oak is a prince from a neighboring kingdom, a Lumor Wielder and childhood friend of Briar's. Kind, brave, and often underestimated, Oak becomes a crucial ally in the trials and a source of hope for Maines. His relationship with Maines is a rare light in the darkness, and his loyalty to Briar is unwavering. Oak's arc is one of growth, as he learns to fight for what he believes in and to stand up to the forces that threaten his friends and his kingdom.

Calia Thornfield

Calia is the mother of the Thornfield twins and the true architect of the trials. Driven by grief, ambition, and a desire for revenge, she manipulates events to resurrect her sons and bring back Carobon, the Great Wiitch of Light. Calia's actions are both monstrous and tragic, a reflection of the cost of loss and the dangers of unchecked power. Her arc is one of betrayal, sacrifice, and the ultimate failure of her plans, as the forces she unleashes prove impossible to control.

Rohhit Harte

Rohhit is the prince of Eddris, a kingdom of healers and light. Kind, honorable, and skilled, he becomes both friend and rival to Briar. His fate is tragic: chosen as the vessel for Carobon, he is possessed by the Great Wiitch of Light and forced to fight against his friends. Rohhit's arc is one of sacrifice, loss, and the struggle to maintain his identity in the face of overwhelming power. His relationship with Briar and the others is a reminder of what is at stake in the battle between light and shadow.

Rose and Lang

Rose and Lang are more than kitchen staff—they are Briar's secret family, Lumor Wielders who have watched over her since childhood. Their wisdom, kindness, and hidden strength are a source of comfort and guidance for Briar. Rose's true identity as Briar's aunt is revealed late in the story, deepening the sense of loss and connection that runs through the narrative. Their decision to leave Daramveer for safety is a bittersweet reminder of the cost of survival and the hope for a better future.

Plot Devices

Duality of Light and Shadow

The central plot device is the ancient war between the Great Wiitches—Kalix (Shadow) and Carobon (Light)—and their ongoing influence on the world. This duality is mirrored in the characters, especially Briar and Rohhit, who become vessels for these powers. The trials, the resurrection magic, and the struggle for the kingdom are all manifestations of this larger conflict. The narrative structure alternates between moments of intense action and introspective reflection, using foreshadowing (Briar's nightmares, the hooded figure) to build tension and hint at the true nature of the threat. The use of letters, dreams, and rituals as plot devices deepens the sense of mystery and inevitability, while the shifting alliances and betrayals keep the reader guessing about who can be trusted.

The Trials

The trials serve as both literal and metaphorical tests, forcing the characters to confront their fears, desires, and the cost of survival. Each trial is designed to break the competitors and reveal their true nature, while also advancing the king's hidden agenda. The structure of the trials—archery, swimming, the forest, the duel—mirrors the elements needed for the resurrection ritual, tying the personal struggles of the characters to the larger magical conflict. The trials also serve as a stage for the interplay of power, love, and betrayal, with each victory and loss reshaping the balance of forces in the kingdom.

Resurrection and Possession

The resurrection crystal and the rituals surrounding it are key plot devices, driving the action and raising the stakes. The return of the dead—Barlowe, the Thornfield twins, and ultimately the Great Wiitches—blurs the line between life and death, friend and foe. Possession becomes both a literal and metaphorical threat, as Briar and Rohhit struggle to maintain their identities against the ancient powers within them. The rituals are marked by blood, sacrifice, and the use of forbidden magic, highlighting the dangers of unchecked ambition and the cost of power.

Found Family and Sacrifice

The theme of found family runs throughout the story, with Briar, Maines, Oak, Silas, and the others forming bonds that are tested and strengthened by the trials. Sacrifice—both willing and unwilling—is a recurring motif, with characters giving up their lives, their power, and their dreams for the sake of others. The interplay of love and loss, hope and despair, is central to the emotional arc of the story, grounding the epic conflict in personal stakes and making the cost of victory painfully real.

Analysis

The Trials of Darkness is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that explores the cost of survival in a world shaped by ancient trauma and the struggle for power. At its heart, the novel is about the battle between light and shadow—both in the world and within ourselves. Briar's journey is a powerful metaphor for the process of healing: confronting the darkness within, accepting the parts of ourselves we fear, and choosing to fight for hope even when the odds seem insurmountable. The story is unflinching in its portrayal of violence, loss, and the seductive nature of power, but it is also deeply compassionate, celebrating the bonds of friendship, love, and found family. The use of trials as both plot device and metaphor allows the narrative to explore questions of agency, destiny, and the price of freedom. The novel's modern sensibility is evident in its focus on trauma, consent, and the complexity of identity, making it both a thrilling fantasy and a resonant exploration of what it means to be human in a world that demands both strength and vulnerability. The ultimate lesson is that true power comes not from domination, but from the courage to face our own darkness—and to choose, again and again, to fight for the light.

Last updated: September 23, 2025