n the lands of Yi Ti, far to the east, two gods—one demonic and one angelic—saw an opportunity. Unlike the rest of Planetos, where gods battled for supremacy, Nox, a lion-like demonic god of the night, and Madini, a human-looking angelic goddess of the day, chose a different path. Rather than fight over mortals, they decided to unite their strengths and form the first pantheon, an alliance of divine beings that would shape the fate of Yi Ti.
Their collaboration began when they selected a single human to be their champion, a man whose name would echo through the annals of history as the God-Emperor. Nox and Madini bestowed upon him a portion of their power—night and day, shadow and light. Under their divine guidance, the man proclaimed himself not just a ruler, but a god walking the earth, the son of both Nox and Madini. His divine parentage and newfound abilities quickly solidified his authority, and thus, the foundation of the Great Empire of Dawn was laid.
The God-Emperor was a master strategist and a charismatic leader, but what truly set him apart were the blessings of his gods. He wielded the night's shadows as easily as the sun's light, able to cast illusions in darkness and bring clarity in the day. His empire expanded rapidly, stretching across almost all of Yi Ti, with his divine mandate unquestioned. Under his rule, Yi Ti became a beacon of strength, knowledge, and prosperity.
The alliance between Nox and Madini not only strengthened the empire but also brought the gods themselves to greater heights of power. By sharing their faith base, they grew stronger than most gods in Planetos, cementing their place as the rulers of Yi Ti's pantheon. Together, they governed the day and night cycles, while the God-Emperor's conquests spread their influence even further.
Yet, their rise to power did not go unnoticed. Far away, in the shattered lands of Ulthos, the echoes of the war between Diablerie and Manon had left their mark on the world. The corrupted lands that bordered Yi Ti began to spread, twisting the closest parts of the empire into what would later be known as the Shadow Lands. Diablerie's defeat had left a horde of mindless undead—his inferi—without direction, and they began to spill over into Yi Ti, attacking settlements and leaving devastation in their wake.
To combat this new threat, the God-Emperor decreed the construction of five massive fortresses along the empire's western borders, each manned by soldiers blessed with divine power. These strongholds would serve as the empire's defense against the encroaching corruption, standing as eternal sentinels against the darkness that had once engulfed Ulthos.
As time passed, Yi Ti flourished under the rule of the God-Emperor. Its people grew stronger, its lands more prosperous, and its gods more powerful. The Great Empire of Dawn's pantheon of gods—led by Nox and Madini—was revered by all, their influence stretching into every aspect of life. But as the gods grew stronger, so too did their pride. Nox and Madini, once humble in their union, became increasingly arrogant, their power clouding their judgment.
Though the future of the Great Empire of Dawn still shone brightly, the seeds of its eventual downfall were quietly sown in this time of prosperity. The gods, consumed by their own glory, began to lose sight of the balance they once sought to maintain. But that was a story for another time—a time when their pride would lead them to destruction.
For now, the Age of Gods continued, with the Great Empire of Dawn at the height of its power. Jack, watching from above, could see the cracks beginning to form, but he let the world move as it would, knowing that the rise and fall of civilizations was all part of the grand experiment.
As he turned his gaze to the next part of the world, he murmured to Ari, "Let's see how long they can keep it together before it all comes crashing down."
And with that, the Age of Gods marched on, unknowing of the trials that lay ahead.