STATUS: In development

Last Updated 03/27/2025 Chapter 1 Part 3

Current word count: ~149.5k words

Free public side story available to free members on Patreon and Kofi! Features Kieran's POV! Posted for the one year anniversary of the Tumblr intro post.

As a note: while the game is playable on mobile, the template I used for the game was designed with desktop in mind. I've updated it (03/29/2025) to be more mobile-friendly, but its layout is still a work in progress as I am figuring out out to get it to adjust properly for mobile viewports. Please bear with me as I am learning to code these changes as I go and thank you for your patience and understanding! :)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FenofCattails

Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/fennyth

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/stygiansun-totaleclipse


After the deaths of your four oldest siblings, taken from you by war, your older sibling, Nour, once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, is now the heir. 

This day never should have happened. 

As recompense for the ravages your kingdom’s war has inflicted upon the Lunar kingdom of Celestyl, and as assurance it will not happen again, your sibling is to be sent to Celestyl to marry the Lunar King’s heir. An arranged marriage, meant to unite the kingdoms. Or, at least that’s how everyone prefers to phrase it. But you all recognize this for what it really is: a guise. Your sibling will be a political hostage.

And—Theia, grant you guidance—you have had a premonition this is not the worst to come. Should your sibling go to Celestyl, they will not survive.

So you will take their place.


Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse is a dark fantasy interactive fictional story where you play as the sixth child in the proud and grandiose Solar Imperial Dynasty and leave your homeland for a foreign country, where you will take your sibling’s place in an arranged marriage to the heir to the Lunar Kingdom. But something sinister simmers on the horizon—you have felt it in your premonitions; apprehension crawls beneath your skin, foreboding pricks at the back of your neck, dread sinks low and heavy in your stomach. Theia is warning you—of what, you know not, but you have seen the way the Lunar King looks at you. His stare, the dagger, and you, the sacrificial lamb on the altar.  Beware the wolf, little lamb.

Content Warnings: "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" contains many upsetting themes, such as arranged marriage, child abuse, child neglect, death, murder, violence, gore, sexually suggestive scenes, optional sexual content, suicidal ideations, and more. "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" is intended for mature audiences 18+. Viewer discretion is advised.

✧ Customize your MC's name, gender, pronouns, appearance, personality, and sexuality. Play as straight, gay, lesbian, bi, poly, or asexual.  MC intro post here.

✧ Shape your personality through your choices and see how it affects dialogue with other characters.

✧ Navigate through the difficulties of court life in a foreign country.

✧ Develop your magic—powers bestowed upon you through your divine bloodline.

✧ Romance one or more of five romantic options, including your betrothed, the Lunar heir; your charming and overly flirtatious retainer; your acolyte, a priestess in training; a kind yet darkly mysterious Celestylian noble; or a peculiar and chaotic mage.

✧ Develop deep and lasting friendships or make enemies.

✧ Uncover a sinister plot that threatens everything you hold dear—and decide what you will risk to protect it.

Nour al’Teia, your older sibling. (Gender dependent on MC’s.) Non-RO Once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, Nour was perfectly content to play a supportive role to Parim, first in line, and the rest of their siblings. Now first in line for the throne, Nour is doing their best to step into a role they were never prepared to fill. Despite their best attempts to reassure you, you can tell this weighs more heavily on them than they let on.


Luca Lupine, your childhood friend. (Gender Selectable. She/her. He/him.) Non-RO Your childhood friend who, at the age of 13, perished in a fire, consumed so completely you were left with not even a body to mourn. Ever since then, whether as a manifestation of your guilt and grief, through some connection beyond the planes of life and death, or through some other means unbeknownst to you, they appear in your dreams, aiding you in parsing through visions and prophecies.


Kieran Zeleskas, the Lunar Heir. (Gender Selectable. She/her. He/him.) RO The Crown Prince/ss of Celestyl. Though not of noble birth, events put into motion by their father have elevated them to this position, one they seem to have adapted to rather well by all appearances. Stoic and aloof, they seem less than pleased about this arrangement between the two of you. You’re inclined to agree.


Alektis de Celestys, the lone princess. (She/her.) Non-RO The adoptive sister to Kieran. The slaughter of her family during the coup that brought Kieran’s father to power has rendered her irascible and hostile to most everyone. Though she mostly keeps to herself, with only her retainer, Nihm, for company, you often find her tumultuous glare trained on you, a complex look on her face you can’t quite decipher.


Nihm de Circené, the guardian. (They/them.) RO Devoted retainer to Alektis and last surviving member of House Circené. Kind and sociable, Nihm is well-regarded in both noble and commoner social circles alike. However, their warm and affable disposition cannot completely hide the apprehension in their gait, nor the trembling in their hands. Still, they do their best to welcome you in a place where everyone seems dead-set on hating you.


Aurynn Anouar, the retainer. (He/him.) RO Seeming to have appeared from out of nowhere, Aurynn rescued you from a dire situation during your first battle experience, and afterwards was appointed your retainer and has served you as such ever since. Charismatic, laidback, and flirtatious to a fault, Aurynn tends to either charm or annoy everyone he meets. Despite his insistence that he is an open book, sometimes you can’t help but feel the opposite; indeed, everything about him seems shrouded in secrecy.


Samira Nahdiri, the priestess. (She/her.) RO Certain events left her family deeply shamed and nearly destitute until her exceptional accomplishments as a healer elevated her to the renowned position as your acolyte, drawing upon the power of your blood to learn healing magic in her pursuit to become a priestess. Strong, loyal, and compassionate, she is devoted to caring for her family above all else, and she counts you among them.


Lilith/Lucien de Arcanis, the mage. (Gender Selectable. She/they. He/they.) RO The adopted heir to House Arcanis, a line of powerful and highly skilled mages. Wild-eyed with a wolfish grin, their peculiar and eccentric mannerisms tend to unsettle their peers, leaving them rather isolated in social circles—a circumstance which doesn’t seem to bother them one way or the other. For better or worse, it appears they’ve taken a rather intense interest in you.

Poly Routes (subject to change): Kieran/Aurynn, Samira/Aurynn, Lilith/Lucien/Aurynn, Kieran/Lilith/Lucien, Kieran/Samira, Samira/Lilith/Lucien, Samira/Nihm.



This is my first time making an interactive twine game. I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism you can give me so I can continue to improve my game/story! If I've missed any spelling/grammar mistakes or any bugs/errors, please let me know in the comments or message me on Tumblr.

Check out my Tumblr for character introductions, updates, asks, and more, and check out my Patreon and Ko-fi for early updates and extra content, including exclusive art/character designs and short stories!

Thank you for playing!!

Please note: mobile optimization of the game is still a work in progress.

Credit itch.io background image: Timdegroot on Unsplash



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Viewing most recent comments 1 to 40 of 74 · Next page · Last page
(-2)

I like your plot and how you structure it. But honestly your use of simile and metaphor is too much. I'm often confused about what I'm reading often questioning if it's literal or metaphorical. Your just overusing them too much.

(+1)

I love the story so far. Although I feel like it would be a lot easier to understand dynamics if there were less poly routes (around 2-5)

Thank you! ❤️ I did probably go a little off the rails with the polys lol but they’re subject to change once I figure out how I’ll set up the mechanics for it. But all included polys I settle on will have dynamics worth exploring! :) ❤️

it's actually so cool, so cool that I had to register to write to you about it. your style is something beyond! 

plot is incredible. It's hard to call me an empathic person, but here, reading and absorbing the grieve of the main character, the emotions of their loss and mourning, I couldn't help but feel it myself. truly magnificent work.

can't wait to meet the other characters. with the emotions you put into them, they seem truly alive. 

I sincerely wish you success in what you are doing! can't wait for further updates!

(+1)

Thank you so much!! 🙏🥰❤️💖💕💗 That’s very sweet that you made an account just to comment! I really appreciate it and am so happy it resonated with you that much! :D Thank you so much for reading and I’m excited to introduce the rest of the cast! 

Excellent, meticulously-crafted writing. I was utterly delighted with the inclusion of the detail that books are best handed with bare, clean skin.

Thank you!! :D ❤️💕🥰 I’m glad you noticed that lil detail lol ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧

This game is amazing! I cannot wait for further updates keep up the great work!! 

Thank you!! ❤️

(3 edits) (+4)(-6)

Contrasting what I'm sure is the prevailing opinion, Aurynn is absolutely awful. Detest this shitty shifty man and his fucking mind manipulation (that entire interaction solidified and justified my loathing). Really wish we could push back against him, his touchiness and flirting and such, but there's not much allowance for that. Like we're not allowed to actually dislike him in the story, and for such a character I find that really unpleasant and jarring

(1 edit) (+1)(-1)

I do apologize if in any way it has come off that this game has been exclusive of anyone based on their orientation—you may hold me accountable for when I have genuinely messed up in such regards, though that was never my intention. That said, there are more constructive and meaningful ways in which you can phrase your criticisms—thank you. There are a few things you mentioned which I will not change, as they are very specifically related to certain character motivations that I have not yet had a chance to explain given how early on in the game it is, and I first and foremost write for the characters/plot and for myself. The dynamic between mc and Aurynn is in part related to a flawed character perception and in part simply a lighthearted flirtatious platonic dynamic I have enjoyed in other stories between platonic characters. I am one person and it is not always easy to balance several perspectives that players might bring to the game, however I can see how in some ways that dynamic would make certain players uncomfortable and for that I do apologize, as again, it wasn’t my intention, but I should have foreseen some people might not view a platonic flirtation the same way. I will work to restructure the dynamic between mc and Aurynn for players who would prefer not to have a lightheartedly flirtatious platonic relationship, and I will work to better keep in mind that when going forward, and again, I do truly apologize for any discomfort or hurt I caused in that regard.

(+1)

warning: contains spoilers

i usually play IF for the romance, but the plot of this story has me hooked so much that i wasn't even focused on trying to pursue any romance! i loved the dream sequences with our siblings - learning how parim died was depressing but aurora's death especially really got to me. the description of her boating corpse when she is talking to you at the Strait of Auganite (i hope i spelled it right) was vivid. i loved how unsettling and hopeless that scene felt with her describing her last moments and the serpent lurking in the sea.

all of the interactions with our siblings made me tear up, it's embarrassing how much i was crying tbh 😭 i'm genuinely so invested in the plot and our interactions with the siblings. 

i'm so surprised this IF isn't more popular - your writing is so well and the characters all feel dynamic, the plot is really interesting. i love it! eagerly looking forward to more!

(+2)

Thank you so much for the sweet and thoughtful message and for sharing your thoughts!! 🙏❤️ I’m really glad you enjoyed it and all the platonic relationships too! I’m a sucker for family and friendship dynamics (romance too but siblings especially hook me in stories) so there will be plenty of meaningful platonic development in the game and more sibling stuff! 💜

That scene with Aurora took me several tries to get it right, so I’m glad that one really stuck with you! I was pretty proud of some of the descriptions there too so >:3 👍 (and it’s always still so humbling to hear my writing has made people cry…? 🥺❤️)

Thank you again for sharing your experience with the story and for your kind words! I hope you enjoy the story as it updates! :D ❤️

(+2)(-1)

I think you made Aurynn too perfect! I'm not complaining, though~ I love him so much, omg! 😍🥰❤️

Thank you, I’m glad you like him! ❤️ I’m going to do terrible things to him :D

(+3)(-1)

I just want to marry Aurynn already. Is that too much to ask?

(+1)

One day 👍❤️

(1 edit) (+4)

Genuinely the best one Ive ever seen. Has me captivated at every turn. The character development is SO good. It feels like each of them is actually real. I also love the variety of choices cause it really lets you create a character that you could see yourself being. Had me HOOKED I tell you. NOt to rush you but I cannot WAIT for the next update.

 Ah, however, 


PLEASE TELL ME AURYNN ISN'T A SPY CAUSE I NEED HIM TO BE THE PLATONIC BESTIE

Also what does RO mean? I assume since Alektis is Non-RO we wont see her in the story?

(+2)

Thank you so much—I’m so glad you liked it so much!! ❤️❤️ Will try to finish the next update asap lol 🫡 I want to get to chapter 2 already :P

I can’t really say anything on any theories bc spoilers :P but he can be your platonic bestie/wingman (if applicable) 👍👍❤️

Also RO stands for romance option (they’ll all have meaningful platonic routes too <3). Alektis will show up in the game—you’ll meet her in chapter 2 with the rest of the ROs. She just isn’t romanceable. :)

Thanks again for reading and commenting! ❤️ Take care! :D

(+2)

I stumbled across this IF on tumblr and hoo boy. Hoo BOY. Your writing has me absolutely captivated and utterly gutted. Every scene regarding the MC's family, Luca, and the war just had me sitting there clawing at my chest like "oh fuck. oh no. ohhhhh no" and just kinda spiraling with the facts that 1.) there is very little to be done about what has already passed and 2.) there is nothing to do but continue.


I am so excited and scared (in a good, anticipatory, "oh god what pain are you putting MC through this time"-kind of way) for future updates!!! you're doin amazing!!!

(+1)

Thank you so much!! ❤️💕 Indeed nothing to do but to keep going 🫡🫡 (sorry mc—and everyone really—the pain train has only just left the station 😬😰)

Thanks so much for reading and for commenting!! ❤️ Working on the next update 🫡 I hope you enjoy it! :D

(+1)

My friend, I am already curled up into a ball of enthusiasm in anticipation for Lilith/Lucien! I absolutely already KNOW they will be the one for me, with the character summary that already has me going feral, and with how exquisite your writing has been already? Oh, I just cannot wait! The demo so far has already been so lush with detail, so lovely! ☺️ 

(+4)

I’m very excited to introduce them to you! I’ve been chewing on furniture itching to write chapter 2 forever now lol. Just one more update to finish chapter one and then I can finally write Chp 2 and introduce the rest of the ROs!!! 🫡🫡🫡🫡

Thanks so much for reading and commenting! ❤️ :D

(+3)

I'm SOBBING- but also I need you to look me in the eye and tell me Aurynn isn't some kind of traitor, spy, or thief cause that letter seems pretty incriminating

(+1)

more than meets the eye with that letter 👀

Fennyth, i also was thinking the same as theflightlessone, but please, im begging you, please i don't know what I'd do if he was some kind of traitor. Aurynn means everything to me, can't wait for the next update though! This is the best game I've ever played, heart wrenching but lovely.

I’ll just say it’s very complicated 🤔 and leave the rest for the story.  :) 👍 But thank you and I’m glad you’ve been enjoying it so far! :D ❤️💕💖

(+4)(-1)

AURYNN 😭😭😭 AURYNN.

(+1)

He goin through it 😔

(+2)(-1)

I NEED HIM YOUR HONOUR 😭

(1 edit)

I have to start of saying that this update was absolutely amazing 🙏 you have such a way with immersion to the point that it's visceral. And you describe things so good that I, being as stupid as I may be, can still visualize the environments and actions of the characters lol :3 I could practically feel every emotion that the MC did and I forgot how much Farah and her realness hurt me DX I am however having problems with the save system though. When the update first came out all my saves were gone (which was to be expected) but it was whatever because I'll find any excuse to replay this game :p yesterday I finished replaying and all that and I exported my saves but now that you've updated the mobile layout the saves are gone again and even though I've imported them again when I try to load them it just shows this (like I said earlier I'd find any excuse to replay but I fear if this may cause future problems so yk 🤷‍♂️)

(edit- very sorry if this is confusing I'm extremely bad at explaining :(()

(+2)

Thanks so much, I'm glad you liked it! ❤️ It was a more difficult update to write and took me a long time and many rewrites to get it how I wanted it O-o so I'm glad to hear that! :D

Agh and of course it messed up the saves--every time I try to fix one thing it breaks something else 😭 So sorry about that. Unfortunately that is something that tends to happen for every update for IFs (which sucks cuz I didn't even change the story content I just edited the stylesheet 😭)--I know with other IFs I follow, every time they update, even if I still have saves downloaded they can't be used bc they are considered to be belonging to the wrong game.

I will however make sure for subsequent updates to implement a feature to skip to new content so players won't have to replay every time since the story is getting a lot longer, and that should hopefully make things a lot easier for when saves do inevitably disappear or stop working for new updates. 

Thank you for letting me know though! 

Loved the update! So excited for more!

Thank you!! ❤️

(+3)

Thoroughly enjoyed the update! Loving the themes revolving around fate so far and I can't wait to see how that plays out. And once again, I love the continued depth of the MC, I'm usually drawn to playing sweet beans but for some reason in this IF I couldn't help myself from making a charismatic and manipulative ass who cares deeply underneath all that.


One issue, the mobile version has some funky formatting (I ended up playing on my computer because I couldn't wait, but I prefer mobile):


(+1)

Fate will be a big part of the game if this update and the new demo backgrounds were any indication 👀

Lol I had fun writing the manipulative choices as I liked the idea of an mc who can be kinda callous towards others but cares a lot despite all that so I’m glad you’ve had fun with those scenes!

The mobile format is def wonky rn 😭 but I’m working to optimize that asap. I’m learning coding for this as I go so it’s a work in progress rn but I’ll get it looking better for mobile players as soon as I can! ❤️

Thanks so much for playing!! :D

I haven't even started the game yet but it looks sooooo interesting, i'll update once I'm done with it!!! so excited ^^

I hope you like it! ❤️

(+1)

The depictions of grief in this IF are soooo good. I teared up several times while reading it. I cant wait to see where this goes :)) 

(+1)

Thank you! ❤️ Sorry for making you cry (but also yay) New update coming this Thursday! Hope you like it! :D

(+1)

absolute banger of a demo 🔥🔥 cannot wait for more 🙏🙏 thank you for the brain nourishment 🙏🙏

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it and thanks for your kind words!! More coming soon! 🎉🎉

loved this !! also love how u included music <33 cant wait for more <3

(+1)

Thank you for reading and for commenting! ❤️ Progress on the next update is getting closer to being done and I hope you enjoy it when it releases! <3 :D

(+1)(-2)

Is there a downloadable version of this game?

My browser refuse to run it.... >_>

(Although it seems to run downloaded browser based games just fine. I have no clue why. o_O )

Have you tried using a different browser? In any case, I added a .zip file for download. Hope that works for you! <3

(1 edit) (+1)(-1)

I'll try the download and hope it works. Thanks.

And I uninstalled all other browsers I think.
I suck at tech stuff.

this is genuinely so fite bror i would eat this all over again <3

(+1)

Thank you I’m really glad you enjoyed it and thank you for commenting! <3 ❤️ :D

would u believe me if I said I almost cried with Farah DX anyways love this IF sm!!!! Easily up in my top 5!!!! :D can't wait for more updates ^_^

(+1)

Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words! The next update will be out sooner rather than later ❤️ :D

(1 edit)

I can’t seem to get past name selection?

I see the field to enter the name and then suggestions for names but no option to continue after choosing.

Edit: if anyone like me happens to get confused at the name entry box on iphone, you have to hit “return” after entry to proceed.

(1 edit)

so good <3 needless to say its now one of my fav wips. also the ROs are so interesting :D

Thanks so much for playing and for commenting!! ❤️❤️ I had a lot of fun writing the ROs and I’m excited to introduce the rest of them in chapter 2! :D

Amazing character interaction and dialogue! All the characters are so vibrant with personality.

Thank you for reading!! ❤️❤️

(+1)

That was such a delight to read and I can't wait to meet the rest of the cast, they all sound so intriguing! The choices felt so fluid, and I already feel like my MC is more well fleshed out and complex than I'm used to in IF, which is very fun!

(+1)

Thank you!! ❤️ I’m really happy you enjoyed it! Writing different mc personalities has been fun and I wanted to ensure I make room for mc to have their own character development too :D

(1 edit) (+2)

Just here to say that it is now one of my fav wips...can't wait for more!!!

Thank you so much!! I’m glad you enjoyed it! ❤️

(+2)

I love, this is beautiful!! I really want to read more

(+1)

Thank you so much for reading!! ❤️❤️

(+2)

This is amazing!! I'm so looking forward to meeting the rest of the cast as I love the ones we've currently met.

(+1)

Thank you! ❤️ The rest of the cast will be introduced in chapter two <3

(+1)

Fen, My God, no amount of words can describe how much I want to just implode. the story-line is so thrilling , captivating, anchoring even. every character literally has my heart  (Farah more than anything) and I cant stand being with out more of this wonderful creation. though I wanted to imagine the protagonist sparring or engaged in at least a battle. This was fantastic the work you put into making this was worth it.

Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you!! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! ❤️🙏 I definitely have plans for future sparring/fighting scenes for mc~ You’ll get to make good use of your weapon/magic choices 👀

your welcome and I can't wait until your update. keep up the good work.

(+1)

I cried multiple times playing this and only the first chapter is available 😭, wonderfully written characters and playing the MC is so so fun. I will be following this story for sure, thank you so much for sharing it!

Thank you so much for playing and for your kind words!! 😭❤️❤️

(1 edit) (+2)

Ridiculously charismatic characters, gorgeous art and lovely writing featuring delightfully tragic sibling angst. Every single character has charmed me and the plot synopsis only intrigues me more. I look forward to future updates! <3

Thank you so much for playing and for sharing your thoughts!! <3 😭 ❤️❤️

(+5)

so how do you feel about making me shed an uncontrollable amount of tears with the loss and grief of our siblings???,,.,,,fjskdjsk. on a separate note. having lost my older sister to an accident, the grief written in this story is so beautifully portrayed and dear fucking god it was so uncanny how accurate the process of grieving was to mine. very well done, and beautifully written!! i can't wait to see more from you 💖💖

(1 edit)

I'm so sorry that happened to you--

Thank you so much for sharing and for reading ❤️❤️🥹🙏

(1 edit) (+2)

I'm gonna throw up, this is so sad. 10/10
D,:

(+1)

angst gang 👍

Mobile version?

(+1)

i believe it should still work on mobile, but right now it hasnt been designed with that in mind so some things potentially might not work (I was able to play a bit on my phone but I haven’t fully tested the whole game). I’ll look into optimizing it for mobile eventually but it’s going to take some deeper delving into coding so it’s lower on my list of priorities for now. If you run into any game-breaking issues on mobile let me know and I’ll try to see if I can figure out how to fix them so it’s still playable. :)

(1 edit)

hey i have a question the game. i played this before but then i had to stop bc the chapter ended so after a little bit i found out the game had updated (aka today, bc i when back to a old save to finish where i left off) but i go and try to find out where my charter info is so i go on stats bc i didn't find a charter info thingy. But it said something like 'Currently Unviable' but idk if this is wrong and that i'm looking at a wrong place to look or that i need to restart the game, can someone please help ty ^^

(+1)

Many of the links in the side menu are currently unavailable until I implement them in the game later on. If you haven’t played since the update though, I would advise you restart from a new save—a few new variables/choices were added to the character creator and to Farah’s scene in MCs bedroom. :)

tysm for answering my question ty!! :D

(+1)

fantastic update!!

Thank you!! ❤️❤️

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