Long before the modern lands of Tenria, before the kingdoms and cities that now dotted the continent, there existed beings of unimaginable power—the First Elementals. Each was born with a unique connection to one of the fundamental forces of the world: Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Energy, Light, and Darkness. These seven titans shaped history not by conquest alone, but by creating civilizations that reflected their very essence.
Thane Nakahara, master of fire, was the first to rise. His ambition burned as brightly as the flames he commanded. Recognizing the volatility of his element, Thane founded Ignis City, a sprawling metropolis built from fire-resistant stone and enchanted metals that glowed faintly from the heat within. Towers of obsidian spiraled like flames into the sky, and molten streams flowed along intricate channels through the streets. The citizens of Ignis City were forged in Thane's image: resilient, passionate, and fiercely loyal. Under Thane's guidance, they learned to channel heat into craftsmanship, creating forges that produced weapons and tools of unmatched quality.
To the west, Lirien Nakahara, sister of Thane yet her mastery lay in Earth, molded the land itself to her will. She established the Terra Kingdom, a realm of monumental structures carved directly from mountains and vast underground cities that stretched for miles beneath the surface. Lirien's people thrived on stability and endurance. Her rule emphasized harmony with the land; entire communities were constructed as extensions of nature itself. Trees intertwined with stone, and rivers were guided with precision to nourish farmlands. It was a kingdom that seemed eternal, like the very mountains it rose from.
Far to the south, Kael Matsumoto's affinity with Water gave birth to the Aqua Republic. Unlike the rigid fortresses of Earth or the scorching towers of Fire, Aqua Republic shimmered with fluid grace. Canals replaced streets, and buildings were designed to rise and fall with the tide. Aqueducts and fountains danced through the city, powered by Kael's control over the waters that surrounded them. Citizens learned to navigate waterways as naturally as walking on land, and their culture was one of reflection and adaptability, ever-changing like the rivers themselves.
High above, Lyna Takahashi mastered the Wind. Her Aero Federation consisted of floating cities tethered to the clouds and towers spun from lightweight alloys that bent and swayed with the currents. She and her followers harnessed wind not just for flight but as a form of energy. Gliders, windmills, and skyborne platforms allowed the Aero Federation to thrive above the ordinary world, untouched by earthly conflicts. Lyna valued freedom, and her cities reflected that: open, flowing, and constantly in motion, just like the wind she revered.
In the east, Eryndor Saito, wielder of raw Energy, shaped the Eon Empire. His civilization thrived on invention and the controlled chaos of electricity and kinetic forces. Towering spires hummed with power, and energy conduits crisscrossed the streets like veins of living light. Eryndor's people were brilliant, engineering wonders that seemed impossible to the outside world. It was a realm where science met magic, where lightning could forge metals and illuminate entire city blocks.
Then there was Kenjiro Yamato, the Light Elemental. His kingdom, Luminaria, shone like a beacon of hope. Radiant towers and crystalline structures reflected sunlight across the plains, while luminous gardens and serene lakes created a sense of tranquility. Kenjiro's philosophy was simple: light guides, protects, and heals. His citizens embodied purity and courage, trained not only in combat but in the art of preserving harmony.
And finally, there was Malakar Kuroba, the Dark Elemental, whose heart teetered on obsession and cruelty. Unlike the others, Malakar sought not balance or creation, but dominion. From the shadows, he built Tenebrous, a kingdom that thrived on fear and shadow magic. Obsidian spires pierced the sky like claws, and the air within his realm carried a chill that gnawed at one's resolve. Malakar's followers were fanatical, trained to embrace darkness as a weapon, and he dreamed of bringing all of Tenria under his shadow.
For fifty years, these Elementals lived apart, cultivating their powers and expanding their domains. Some formed alliances, others kept to themselves, but all shared a fragile understanding: none dared challenge Malakar openly—until his ambition could no longer be contained.
It began subtly. Shadows stretched further than they should, whispers of cruelty spread through Tenebrous, and smaller nations began to fall under his influence. Malakar's gaze was always on the others, and one by one, his schemes unfolded. His darkness was patient and pervasive, infiltrating cities and twisting loyal subjects into instruments of war. Soon, the First Elementals would face a war unlike any other.
Even now, centuries later, the ruins of their kingdoms speak of their legacy. Ignis City's blackened towers still hum faintly with heat, Terra Kingdom's mountains bear scars of ancient battles, and Aqua Republic's canals carry the memory of Kael's ingenuity. Luminaria's radiant gardens, though diminished, shine as reminders of Kenjiro's courage, while Tenebrous looms in shadow, a warning of the darkness that once threatened to consume the world.
Though they were separated by element, by distance, and by ideology, the First Elementals' stories were intertwined in ways none could have anticipated. And unbeknownst to all, the echoes of their battles, triumphs, and failures would shape the next generation of heroes in ways that even the most powerful could not foresee
How did such an amazing civilization end....