(Disclaimer: This comment is two-and-a-half years late.)
This chron was a beautiful way to bring the magic of a solar eclipse into a fantasy world ^_^
In my opinion, one of the main benefits of writing fanfiction is that I don’t have to invent a setting, I can simply use what’s already there. But you refuse to cut any corners! You pull out all the stops for every single story you write. As readers, we get to experience a new, original world - something we’d usually have to read a whole novel to get - in a single sitting. I’m aware that you had a few incomplete notes and sketches of which to base this world, but I’m not convinced that made your job much easier. I imagine it must have been difficult to attempt to stay true to Moonshadow’s original vision, without knowing much about it.
The Fir’dha world described in this story is different and foreign to anywhere the chronicles have taken place before, and it is beautiful.
It is fun to read more about Ranari, because we never got to see that much of her, and even that was a very long time ago. It’s interesting that she believes the grin’fey should abandon Fir’dha - and that she’s one of the only people who thinks so. I wonder if her previous experience adventuring to other worlds influences this belief in her. Also, I really like the "music cultivates magic" line.
It is sad to see Madaya without her spark. I would like to see what would have become of her after this story.
I disagree with your assertion that Retsy should have bigger roles in The Retsy Chronicles. Although I am fundamentally opposed to Retsy appearing in any post-Kronos story, I think this instalment hit a good balance. If Retsy is going have a second go at life, it should be to learn from other characters, not just whine about her failures.
I am sorry that I did not even comment on this chronicle when you posted it. There’s no excuse for that. It’s bitter to know that this cliffhanger-ending will never be resolved, and that I did nothing to oppose that. Will Ranari, Moonshadow, and Retsy be stuck in the spirit world forever? Will they meet their deceased friends/family? (Is Tae’lin’s daughter there?) Is it possible for them to return to the physical world?
I don’t suppose you’d be willing to share what would’ve happened next, if you had continued with the series? Would Iannah have come next? And if so, would that story have had any connection or continuity to this one?