In the beginning, the world belonged solely to the Elements. A vast, untamed continent stretched before them, sculpted by the raw forces of nature. Over time, great civilizations emerged—Fire, Water, Rock, and Wind—each ruling over their respective domains. These beings, humanoid in form but infused with elemental power, shaped their lands to reflect their essence, creating a world alive with firestorms, roaring rivers, towering mountains, and endless gusts of wind.
For centuries, they lived apart, unaware of one another. But as their territories expanded, they inevitably met. What should have been a moment of discovery quickly turned into conflict. The very nature of their existence made unity difficult—Water extinguished Fire, Fire scorched Wind, Rock stood firm against all. Their fear and misunderstanding led to the Elemental War, a brutal conflict that raged for three hundred years.
Alliances formed based on elemental compatibility—Fire and Rock against Water and Wind. The war reshaped the land itself, carving out valleys, forging mountains, and redirecting rivers. The battles were relentless, with each side wielding their elemental powers in devastating clashes. Fire Elementals scorched the skies, reducing forests to ash, while Water Elementals summoned torrential floods that carved deep canyons. Rock Elementals raised fortresses of stone, only to see them shattered by the howling tornadoes summoned by Wind warriors.
The conflict saw the rise of legendary warriors, whose duels became the stuff of myth. Fire Warlords led burning sieges against Water bastions, while Wind assassins infiltrated Rock citadels, toppling defenses with unseen strikes. Battles stretched for weeks, even months, leaving entire landscapes permanently scarred.
Despite the immense destruction, no faction could claim victory. For every city razed, another was rebuilt. For every battlefield won, another was lost. Centuries of fighting led only to exhaustion. The rulers, weary of war, gathered in a momentous summit, an open and public gathering where all citizens bore witness. Here, they forged the Elemental Council, a neutral force meant to mediate future disputes and maintain peace among the nations. The decision marked a turning point in history, shifting from cycles of bloodshed to a fragile cooperation that would shape the world anew.
With peace came new life. From the ashes of war, new elemental civilizations arose—Sand, Wood, Nature, Ice, Snow, and many more. These newcomers allied with the older nations, forging new bonds where once there had been only rivalry. The Elemental Council became a beacon of stability, ensuring that balance was maintained and that differences were resolved before they could escalate into war once again.
However, not all Elementals sought unity. Two factions stood apart from the others—Light and Dark. They were different, not bound to nature but to the essence of existence itself. The Dark Elementals were wise, deeply connected to the flow of time and destiny. They foresaw a great calamity approaching and warned the others, but their warnings were ignored. The Light Elementals, proud and cunning, took advantage of the others' distrust. They spread lies, whispering that the Dark sought to conquer them all. This manipulation fueled suspicion, driving a wedge between Light and Dark, creating a silent war of deception and influence.
Tensions between the two factions grew, leading to political maneuvering within the Elemental Council. The Dark Elementals withdrew from many discussions, while the Light Elementals basked in their growing influence. Rumors of war between the two factions spread, but before any conflict could erupt, a new threat arose—one that would make all past wars seem insignificant.