Tiala Sunshadow
Tiala is a crucial, enigmatic figure in The Metalwood Saga. She is the lost love of the saga's ultimate antagonist, Orym (Aten), and the mother of the underkid leader Dill (Dillon).
Though she remains an absent figure for the vast majority of the series, her influence casts a massive shadow over the two men who loved her. Following the permanent erasure of magic, she finally steps out from the shadows to become a charismatic leader and the President of the newly-reformed United Sky Cities.
Appearance and Personality
Physically, Tiala is remembered by Orym as a beautiful, "oddly pretty blonde" woman. In Orym's memories, she is strongly associated with the scent and sound of rain, something she always loved.
Personality-wise, Tiala is described as Orym's complete opposite. While Orym (and his ancient counterpart Selenia) was calculating, power-hungry, and manipulative, Tiala possessed a brilliant intellect driven by empathy. She was peaceful, engaging, and deeply observant. She was a natural facilitator and a true friend—the kind of person who sought to learn what others wanted and then helped to make it happen. This innate charisma and genuine care for others later makes her a universally beloved political figure.
Biography
Early Life and Orym
Little is known about Tiala's earliest years, but she eventually met and fell deeply in love with the brilliant Cothellon scientist, Orym. They had a son together named Dillon. Orym considered her to be "everything" to him, cherishing her intellect and her peaceful nature.
However, Tiala was highly observant. Over time, she saw through Orym's refined exterior. Even though Orym’s ancient memories as the ruthless Imprisoner (Aten) had been wiped, Tiala still sensed the dark, suppressed history lurking within his soul. Unable to stay with a man harboring such a dark side, she made the agonizing decision to leave Orym and her son before the planetary Sundering occurred. Her departure devastated Orym, fundamentally breaking his heart and forever fracturing his relationship with Dillon.
The Shadow of Tiala
For centuries, Tiala's whereabouts remained a complete mystery; even Dill did not know if his mother had survived the Sundering. Yet her memory remained a powerful force.
During the apocalyptic final battles on Mar (Earth), Dill confronted his god-like father, using Tiala's memory as his emotional anchor. He reminded Orym that Tiala had left him precisely because of his endless, ruthless thirst for power.
Moments later, during the aerial bombardment over Lusvunub, Orym looked down and saw a blonde woman aiming a massive gun at him. In his delirious, pain-wracked state, he believed the woman was Tiala. The mere sight of a woman who looked like his lost love caused Orym to completely drop his magical shields in shock, wanting nothing more than to embrace her and ask her why she had left. This momentary lapse in defense allowed hundreds of projectiles to pierce his body, bringing the rogue god crashing down to the surface.
President of the United Sky Cities
Following the death of Orym, the deactivation of Xyclami, and the end of magic, Tiala finally re-emerged into the public eye. Having survived the centuries in secret, she quietly and steadily rose up the political ladder of the surviving human population.
Relying on her charismatic, engaging personality, she easily won the hearts of the people and was elected President of the United Sky Cities. Taking a visionary, political role, she appointed the former New Manhattan City Manager, Hammond, to serve as her Executive Leader to handle the day-to-day operations of rebuilding human civilization.
Key Relationships
- Orym (Aten): Her former lover. Tiala was the only person who truly understood the depth of Orym's darkness before his memories returned. Despite his megalomania, Orym loved her deeply, and her abandonment remained the greatest heartbreak of his unnaturally long life.
- Dill (Dillon): Her biological son. Dill spent centuries missing his mother, but he held her memory in high regard, understanding that she had left to escape Orym's growing madness.
- Hammond: Her right-hand man in the post-magic era. While Tiala serves as the beloved, inspirational President of the United Sky Cities, Hammond acts as her Executive Leader, executing her policies and getting things done.