In the beginning, the world in its glory was created by the Elder Gods, beautiful and pure. Every living thing on Cyla knew its place and purpose in the great order of things. The plants and animals all lived in harmony. Man was created last and charged with watching over the world in the Gods' stead. The Gods in their wisdom gave man the tools and knowledge to nurture and tend the world. Yet man had ambition and wanted to rise above the other creatures instead of remaining their guardians as was intended. Time went on and the Elder Gods in their wisdom allowed man to continue unchecked. Seeing that the Elder Gods did not oppose them, man grew bold and decided that they would be the new gods. Filled with hubris and pride they slowly transformed the world into a place ruled and owned by man. The oceans turned black with greed and the rivers ran red with war.
Finally, The Elder Gods in their wisdom, decided that man had to be punished for betraying their designed purpose on Cyla. One evening amidst yet another terrible war, an omen appeared. A great fire grew in the sky and some days later descended to the ground with a terrible roar. Where it landed man, beast, buildings and even the very stone itself, were all turned to dust. From this fire, the first of the Elder Gods, Theiha, master of wrath and justice, stepped forth and bathed the cities of man in fire, cleansing sin from them. Thousands died, yet man remained undeterred.
Man had grown accustomed to ruling themselves and the world. They had also perfected the art of war. After a great and lengthy battle, Theiha was slain. Man studied and used her power to become stronger still in war and the conquest of Cyla. Following this, the God Luso, defender of order, descended. Angered by the death of Theiha and wanting the people to feel the true pain of loss, he travelled to the oceans and walked into the waves. He then started to drink. Though the water was impure and soured, he drank and drank for days. Finally, after 6 days and 7 nights the oceans and rivers of Cyla were gone. Luso then fell into a deep sleep.
Man in a panic once again decided to wage war on the Elder Gods with their new power. They hoped to slay the god and reclaim the water they needed to live. Soon they discovered that Luso was guarded by the great Sofso, Knight of the Elder Gods, and the beautiful Mother Goddess Kakai. Together the two Elder Gods once more waged war on humanity's armies. Mankind suffered and died in staggering numbers and a great malaise came over the world. During this, mankind's darkest time, the twelve came forward. They were the bravest and most brilliant among the people of Cyla.
The twelve had a daring plan to return all the water to Cyla. They planned to sneak into the palace where Luso slept and to cut his stomach open, returning the water to the world. They knew death was inevitable, yet did not waiver as there was too much at stake. While sneaking into the Luso's palace they were found out by Kakai. Gazing at her beauty, they did not wish to kill her. Instead, they laid down their arms and pleaded for her help.
Kakai had a soft heart and was moved by the twelve's bravery and words. She wept for the sadness in their hearts and became angry that the humans had suffered so at the hands of The Elder Gods who were responsible for them. Kakai declared that she would side against her brothers to atone for their actions against man. She bestowed pieces of her heart to each of the twelve. Then she vowed to teach them to lead mankind into a better future. Each of the twelve now armed with the love of the Mother Goddess attacked and finally defeated Sofso in a battle that was heard around the world. The battle woke Luso who, when discovering Sofso's body, ordered a legion of demons to rise and burn a nearby city to the ground. The city was called Vala. It was in the fires Vala the Twelve found Sofso and the battle was joined. For 400 days the battle raged. Stone turned to sand and sand turned to glass as Kakai and her 12 disciples fought Luso and his demons. Finally, after the world had been broken, Luso was defeated. The greatest of the twelve, Kez Visat, was to deliver the final blow. Instead, he remembered to compassion and mercy Kakai had shown them, and spared Luso's life.
The Mother Goddess deciding that Luso was too dangerous to be left on Cyla, carried him to the moon and chained him to it for all eternity. Regretting his defeat, Luso screamed and cried in frustration. His tears rolled over the moon spilling the oceans he drank onto the surface, turning the moon blue as it froze. There he still lays to this day to contemplate his harsh, merciless judgment of the world. He would be forced to stay there and watch forever as the world they had created died slowly.
The Mother Goddess seeing that mankind had learned its lesson, left the twelve to govern in her stead. Kakai in her wisdom taught the twelve how to make new water and gave them each an amulet to show the world that they carried her blessing. She prophesized that she would return to the twelve one day, when the world was once again threatened, to aid The Twelve once more.
For a time, it was good. The twelve cities were formed and mankind once again flourished under the New Gods. Water flowed from their grace and men were content and happy. Some time passed and soon enough man became filled with greed and hubris once again. A great war started over land and resources. This angered The Twelve and fearing that the Elder Gods would return, they raised their cities to the sky on great flying islands. Only the pure and humble were allowed to follow. The sinful were left on the dead face of Cyla. The repentant chose to live in the shadows of these floating lands. Living off the grace and mercy of the gods above. They had faith that their penitence would grant them passage to the paradise above. The rest became the Sand Eaters. Living the wastes in anger and sin. Consuming the flesh of others to bolster their own strength.
When a soul is judged to be pure, it can ascend to the islands to join The Twelve in grace. But fear not. The New Gods often send emissaries to remind the world of the true way. These emissaries are called Tabake and are meant to guide the Shadow Dwellers to enlightenment. This is why I am here…
A young girl stared up at the village wiseman puzzled. Her wild blond curls nearly covered her wide green eyes.
"But daddy, that's silly."
The old Tabake burst out laughing and asked: "Now what makes you think I made any of it up, Saiyi?"
"You didn't meet a god," She protested "and oceans are a story to make us behave. Our water comes from the floating sky roof."
The old man feigned shock and replied: "While true now, once there was more water than you could imagine. Besides, if I am not being honest then why do you think the gods sent you to me?"
Saiyi thought on this a while and finally said: "I don't know about any of that, it was before I could remember. But I must have a mom somewhere."
Seilus, sombre, hugged the small wild-looking girl to him. Her face scrunched into a smile that made her rosy freckled cheeks puff under her eyes.
"You were a gift from the gods to this old man for being loyal to them for many years, Saiyi. Of your mother, if you had one, I know nothing, unfortunately. But having raised you and seeing the beautiful soul you possess, I do not doubt that you were created from a god. And I'm confident if you had a mother, she must have been a beautiful and kind person. But let us continue tomorrow. For now, you can go play"
The little girl ran out of the tent already giggling, leaving the Tabake with thoughts of days past, and the girl he swore to the New Gods and to his best friend he would protect.