In the shadow realm, a vast and surreal dimension swallowed by eternal twilight, shadows themselves slithered and breathed, whispering like living things. Reality bent here, twisted like broken glass beneath an unending sky of gray and black.
No sun. No moon. No stars.
Only the horizon trembling with occasional arcs of violet and deep blue lightning.
The land was barren, fractured into jagged cliffs and wastelands of black sand. Rivers of viscous, glowing shadow-energy cut through the ground like veins, pulsing faintly as though the world itself lived and bled.
At the realm's center stood a towering palace of obsidian, a fortress of dread where the sovereign of this world resided.
Upon his throne sat a faceless man clad in blackened armor, a hood veiling what little of his form remained human. At his side rested a long, ominous blade that seemed to hum faintly with hunger.
The ruler let out a long sigh, his hollow voice reverberating across the chamber."...This is starting to be less fun. Have the humans finally decided to give up?"
{Alastair Voss: God of Shadows — Shadow Sovereign of the Abyssal Council}
From the endless dark, another voice resounded, calm yet carrying the weight of distorted time itself."We remain uncertain. For five years now, they have not attacked. The gate between our worlds remains untouched."
{Keir: Dark God of Space and Time — Member of the Dark Triad}
Alastair's laugh was dry, almost mocking.
"So they cower, do they? Those damn humans, thinking themselves powerful after getting their hands on Astral Magic... Hmph. And what of the gate to the Celestial Realm?"
"It will take time," Keir replied smoothly. "The God of Cosmic Order continues to hold us at bay."
"Tch." Alastair's armored fingers tapped against the throne's armrest. "That damn father of yours..."
A new presence flickered into the hall, the shadows deepening as a voice colder than death itself spoke.
"Lord Alastair. The humans have returned. They've gathered outside the Gates... with quite the army."
{Grey: Dark God of Death — Member of the Dark Triad}
"Oh?" Alastair rose from his throne, a thrill echoing in his otherwise monotone voice.
"My only interest is in the God they serve, but if their soldiers prove entertaining... then I'll indulge. Summon the rest of the Council."
"As you command." Grey's form melted into the floor, vanishing like smoke swallowed by the void.
Outside the Shadow Gate
By the Azure Sea, where the Gate of Shadows loomed like a colossal wound in the world, an army of humans had gathered.
They bore white and black armor, each breastplate emblazoned with a stylized sun—twelve rays extending outward, alternating between sharp lines and flowing waves. A ring of silver stars encircled the emblem, glowing faintly against the dim world.
From the gate emerged Alastair, accompanied by his servants and the creatures of shadow that slithered behind him like loyal hounds.
His faceless helm tilted slightly as he raised a hand, conjuring a condensed orb of dark flame in his palm.
"You humans never learn... Always begging for more. Very well. If you wish to meet the God of Cosmic Order, then I'll gladly escort you there—through death."
The human army parted as a single figure rode forward upon a white steed. He was clad in golden armor, twin blades strapped at his waist. His orange hair blazed like fire in the gloom.
With practiced grace, he drew one sword and pointed it at Alastair.
"Your reign of terror ends here, Lord of Shadows—Alastair Voss."
Alastair tilted his head, feigning a stupid expression despite his featureless face.
"Huh...? And who exactly is this shiny little knight?"
The man's golden aura flared, shaking the ground.
"Sylvester Armstrong. One of the five leaders of the Twilight Empire. Chosen by the Gods themselves to wield Astral Magic as an Astral Guardian."
He swung his blade, releasing a crescent of wind that tore through the barren sand.
From the shadows, Keir murmured, his voice echoing in both worlds.
"The humans call him an Astral Hero. The strongest among them."
Sylvester's eyes narrowed.
"Space God Keir... You know much. Did your foresight tell you this will be the last time you set foot in the human realm?"
"You're right about one thing," Alastair replied, his voice deepening with glee as he unsheathed his massive blade. Dark energy coiled around the weapon, blasting away sand and shadow alike.
"I've grown bored of this realm. That's why we'll head to the Celestial Realm instead. You're right—this will be the last time we set foot here..."
His faceless helm tilted forward, a cruel whisper escaping."...Because we'll turn this filthy world to dust."
With that, Alastair and Sylvester charged, their blades clashing in an explosion of light and shadow that split the very sky.
Thus began the greatest battle in recorded history—The War of Light and Darkness.
A battle that would decide the fate of the world.