SARIDA THE CITY OF THE GODS
A thousand years ago, in the world of Saradié, there was a grand and ancient city known as Sarida. Located at the very heart of Saradié, it was a vast and beautiful metropolis where Raqions of all elemental powers lived together in harmony. The city itself was divided into districts, each named after a god.

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Life was different back then—religion played a central role in daily existence. Raqions typically worshipped the god of their district, following the doctrines of their faith as a guiding force in understanding the wonders of their world. It was common to see churches and even dungeons dedicated to various gods scattered throughout Sarida. While it was rare for Raqions to worship multiple deities, some did share religious beliefs with other districts.

Despite the many different faiths, discrimination among Raqions was minimal at the time. Instead, they were categorized and assigned roles based on their elemental abilities. A Raqion born in Sarida would grow up training for a profession suited to their elemental power. Sarida appeared to be a utopia—a city where harmony thrived…

At least, that’s what we were told.

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One fateful day, the sun and moons were obscured by dark clouds. Loud roars echoed from the skies, followed by a tremendous storm heading straight for Sarida. The earth began to shake, making the Raqions uneasy. The weather grew wild as fierce winds blew, tearing off rooftops. A chilling gust of icy wind and snow soon followed, only to be replaced by rays of sunlight piercing through the dark clouds above.

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The rays were so bright and intense that they scorched trees and burned any Raqion unfortunate enough to be caught in them. Torches flared to life, setting homes ablaze. Nearby lakes and rivers began to flood. Lightning shot from the sky, striking building after building. Plants withered as if life itself was being drained from them.

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Amidst the chaos, countless voices echoed as Raqions ran for their lives, desperately evacuating their friends and families. Cathedrals collapsed one after another, adding to the devastation. It was a horrifying sight, and many Raqions perished that day.

That day would go down in history as the Day of Destruction.

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The surviving Raqions were left in shock, clueless as to why this catastrophe had occurred. Their once-perfect city now lay in ruins.

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“It must have been the gods,” one Raqion cried.
“Was it a fight?” another asked.
“Maybe they were angry with us?” someone whispered.
“Perhaps they were angry with each other,” one suggested.
“Maybe one of them is a traitor to the balance of the world,” another murmured.

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All the Raqions exchanged uneasy glances. Could it be that one of their gods was responsible for the disaster? Was there a traitor among those they had worshipped? Most Raqions placed the blame on the God of Shadows and Darkness. Meanwhile, the Raqions from his district blamed the Goddess of Light and the Sun. It was her light that had burned so many. Others pointed fingers at the God of Fire and Heat, for it was his fire that had consumed their homes. Some even blamed the Goddess of Water, for it was her floods that had drowned so many.

As the chaos continued, each group began to blame the others for worshipping the traitor—or the villain, the monster, or better yet, the demon who had caused the calamity.

Despite the Raqions' attempts to restore Sarida, their efforts ultimately failed.

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The constant blaming soon escalated into active hostility, with members of different districts seeking out any worshippers of the god they held responsible for the devastating storm. They disrupted rituals and even sought out physical confrontations. After all, a servant of a monster might as well be one and thus deserved to be treated as such.

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The majority of the blame was still placed on the God of Shadows and Darkness, which led his followers to separate from the others. They formed their own clan, calling themselves the Shadow Clan. They were the first to send out a group in search of new, habitable land, while the rest of the Raqions focused on gathering resources. The Shadow Clan was led by a Raqion named Varro, the first leader of the Shadow Clan. It was said that Varro shared a special bond with his god, making him a prime target for those who blamed the deity for the chaos.

The other districts soon formed their own clans as well, including the Sun Clan, Woods Clan, Star Clan, Phantom Clan, Fire Clan, Storm Clan, and Winter Clan. Each clan was led by its own leader, and each had its own set of rules and beliefs. Some clans were strict and harsh, while others were more lenient and nurturing.

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Most of the clans focused on gathering resources in preparation for exploration, while others fought over the remnants of Sarida. Each clan wanted the city as its primary base, but none were willing to share. This rivalry led to a fierce conflict between the clans, escalating into a full-blown war.

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The clans battled for years over who would have control of Sarida. Each clan had its own reasons for wanting to claim the city as their own. Many adapted their fighting styles based on their dominant elemental powers. The Sun Clan could blind their enemies, while the Woods Clan made use of their environment. The Fire Clan charged headfirst into battle, and the Phantom Clan relied on stealth.

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The Shadow Clan, however, dominated the battlefield, eventually defeating the Storm Clan, which only fuelled the hatred toward them even further.

Throughout this prolonged war, many clans found new homes and established their own strongholds. Those who failed to secure a safe haven perished in battle at the hands of the other clans. For example, the Winter Clan was destroyed by the Sun Clan when they were unable to build proper shelter for their members.

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After seven years of fierce fighting, most clans abandoned their claims to Sarida. The city had been left in ruins from the constant battles and the devastation caused by the Day of Destruction. Many clans shifted their focus to their new homes and the emerging cultures they were building. As a result, the once-vibrant city of Sarida was left behind, forgotten in the wake of the clans' new beginnings. This marked the end of the battle for Sarida.
 

THE END OF THE BURNINGS AND STARS

Decades passed without any wars between the clans. Most of these clans had formed new societies and ways of living based on their respective deities. However, the rumours persisted, and new ones began to surface. Whether false or true, accusations about certain clans' behaviour, culture, and gods continued to spread. As was said before,

“Those who worshipped a monster might as well be one.”

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The Sun Clan, now led by a new leader named Movat, was determined to eradicate the Shadow Clan once and for all. In his eyes, all monsters must be destroyed, and as long as the Shadow Clan remained, these creatures of darkness could bring about another calamity, as they had in the past. It would be the Sun Goddess wish to save the land of Saradié. This hatred led to an attack on the Shadow Clan. Naturally, the Shadow Clan did not take this lightly and began to plan a counterattack, sparking a new war between the two clans.

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But the Sun Clan soon formed an alliance with the Fire Clan, strengthening their forces. As the war progressed, the Shadow Clan struggled to hold their ground against the combined might of the two clans. It was then that the Phantom Clan sought an alliance with the Shadow Clan. It seemed this war wasn’t the only conflict brewing, as the Star Clan had also been seeking a fight with the Phantom Clan over their lands on the other side of the waters.

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The leader of the Shadow Clan, Yurka, and the leader of the Phantom Clan, Krovan, forged an alliance in which their two clans would join forces for both wars. With the Phantom Clan’s help, the Shadow Clan could stand its ground against the Sun and Fire Clans.

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Two more years passed before the war came to a halt, when the Shadow Clan managed to destroy the Fire Clan. This defeat terrified the Sun Clan leader, Movat, who withdrew his army to regroup and regain strength, now that his ally no longer existed, the Sun Clan would face an immediate loss.

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With the Sun Clan no longer a threat to the Shadow Clan, it was time for the Shadow Clan to honour their part of the alliance. Both the Phantom Clan and the Shadow Clan set out to confront the Star Clan. The Star Clan, living on the far side of Saradié, had no idea of the alliance between the two clans and were left in shock when the combined forces of the Phantom and Shadow Clans breached their walls. The leader of the Star Clan, Ellium, was left at the mercy of the Phantom Clan leader. The Star Clan was destroyed, and its people fled as the city burned to the ground. With the fall of the Star Clan, the alliance between the Phantom Clan and the Shadow Clan came to an end, and both clans returned to their own strongholds.
 

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THE RISE OF THE LUNAR CLAN

As more decades passed without any major wars, a new clan emerged high in the mountains. Some Glaze and Aqua Raqions from the fallen Star Clan formed a new group, calling themselves the Lunar Clan. This clan was determined and well-organized, seeking to reclaim land from both the Sun Clan and the Woods Clan. Though it wasn’t a full-scale war, skirmishes and territorial negotiations ensued.

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At some point, the Sun Clan appointed a new leader, Percivo, who was unwilling to give up any land to the Lunar Clan. In fact, he wanted it all. Under his leadership, the Sun Clan was forced to engage in battle with the Lunar Clan. This conflict dragged on for four years, until Percivo was killed. To this day, it remains unknown whether he was killed by a Lunar Clan member, or possibly even by someone from the Woods Clan.
Either way, peace was established, and the hunger for more land ceased for both clans involved in the conflict.

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THE BATTLE FOR NATURE

Three decades after the rise of the Lunar clan, a new conflict arose in the west of Saradié. The Woods Clan found themselves facing the darkness of the Shadow Clan territory. The Woods Clan has always maintained a deep connection with the nature surrounding them, treating their resources as sacred gifts from their gods. They accused the Shadow Clan of destroying the plants and disrupting the balance of nature with their darkness and destructive culture. Especially in the areas around their borders, where they carefully protected the balance of nature, ensuring that no harm befell the land they revered. This disagreement led to yet another war, with the Woods Clan fighting the Shadow Clan for control of the land.

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The Woods Clan leader, Tyo, did everything in his power to combat the brute strength of the Shadow Clan. However, he was on the verge of defeat when the Sun Clan came to his aid. Rava, the leader of the Sun Clan, joined forces with Tyo to face the Shadow Clan. Together, Rava and Tyo confronted the Shadow Clan leader, Torkan. Their battle seemed endless. Torkan, a larger, Gaia-elemental Raqion, appeared to be invincible. But Rava, a Pyro-element Raqion, unleashed her full power, and with Tyo’s final strike, the Shadow Clan was believed to be defeated when Torkan fell from the cliff where they had fought on.

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With this mighty victory, Rava and Tyo returned to their clans, and the Woods Clan was granted new land on the western side. Yet, there was one dark area on the western border that the Woods Clan chose not to claim. Tyo never explained why he refused to expand further, but it became a new rule for the Woods Clan to keep away from the final border on the west side of their territory. Even though the Shadow Clan was gone, their former capital was said to be cursed. The land was shrouded in darkness, and strange, unnatural occurrences were reported by those who ventured too close. Many believed it was a lingering influence of the Shadow Clan's dark power, a curse that would never fade.

 

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THE MYSTERIOUS ATTACKERS

Peace lasted for only two decades before all the clans were once again set to fight one another. It seemed that assassins had been killing villagers and warriors from other clans, but their identities remained a mystery. As the fighting raged on for years, the Phantom Clan was blamed for the assassinations due to their many soul-using members who could enter another realm. Both the Sun Clan and the Lunar Clan individually attacked the Phantom Clan, but the Phantom Clan managed to hold its ground.

Months passed, and all clans soon realized that the war would be pointless. A meeting was called among the three clan leaders. When they finally met, a peaceful offer was made. After a lengthy discussion and some negotiations, they concluded that none of the three clans were responsible for the assassins. It was determined that the killings must have been the rogue actions of a new, emerging group.

All three clans made efforts to search within their own ranks for these assassins, but none of the clans would provide any information. The assassins that were found were executed, but rumours persisted that some remained at large.

 

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THE SILENCE AFTER THE STORMS

For a time after this, there was an era in which four of the five clans worked in harmony. This period became known as the "Silence After the Storms." For at least an eon, there were no big, scaled battles. A global currency was introduced to the world of Saradié, allowing Raqions to trade with one another. Exporting and importing became more common as more clans would open their borders to the others, and many Raqion babies were born during this time.

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Rumors of monsters lurking in the west had faded into mere bedtime stories told to children. Over time, the Lunar Clan established a sanctuary open to all Raqions, eventually growing into one of the most peaceful regions, alongside the Woods Clan. Seeking to expand their influence and strengthen their connections, the Woods Clan founded a second capital on the far side of Saradié, drawing them closer to the ruins of the once-great city. This strategic positioning not only facilitated trade and resource management but also reinforced their long-standing alliance with the Sun Clan, fostering stronger diplomatic and economic ties between the two clans.

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The Phantom Clan, however, kept for most to themselves, remaining silent and gradually staying more and more in the background.

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THE WAR WAS NEVER OVER

“Rumors... Rumors... RUMORS.”
“We are forgotten. Left in the dark. Believed to have been destroyed.
But we were the first to exist, and we shall be the last to remain!”

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The Sun Clan leader, Kayu Calidi, received a letter containing a desperate plea for help from the villages on the western border. Reports spoke of shadowy figures emerging from the darkness, systematically wiping out village after village. Without hesitation, Kayu rallied his army and marched toward the border, prepared for battle.

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There, he came face to face with a force he had long believed to be nothing more than a remnant of the past. As banners of black and purple crested the horizon, a chilling realization struck—the Shadow Clan had survived. They had spent years lying in wait, biding their time in the darkness. Now, they had returned, stronger than ever.

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A brutal battle ensued, with the Sun Clan ultimately claiming victory. Realizing they were outnumbered, most members of the Shadow Clan retreated into the shadows, but Kayu knew this was far from over. This battle was not the end—it was merely the beginning of a new war.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Kayu wasted no time in sending urgent warnings to the other clan leaders, alerting them that the Shadow Clan still lived. The responses he received only confirmed his fears. The Woods Clan, too, had been steadily losing territory to the ever-growing force at their western borders. Now, under the command of a new and far more aggressive leader, the Shadow Clan’s ranks had been rebuilt—its warriors as strong as stone and as cold as ice. A storm was coming, and Kayu knew they had to prepare.

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Battle after battle followed, and six years passed quickly. Kayu found himself face to face with the leader of the Shadow Clan, Qurvan Vankkar. The two clashed in a fierce battle: Gleam element versus Dusk element.

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Their fight was long and hard, with Qurvan nearly overcoming the strong-willed Kayu. In a swift move, Kayu managed to turn the tide and, with lightning reflexes, drove his blade into Qurvan's chest.

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As their eyes met, Qurvan fell to the ground, his gaze still fixed on Kayu, burning with intense hatred. Slowly, his eyes lost their glow, and with his final breath, he uttered, "The next leader will end you."

 

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THE CURRENT TIME

Two hundred and thirty-three years have passed since the destruction of Sarida, and the clans have once again found themselves at war in Saradié. For centuries, the clans have been locked in a cycle of killing and fighting each other. It wasn’t until the recent death of the Shadow Clan leader that things really began to spiral out of control again.

The new Shadow Clan leader, Lyoxion Rakko, a trained elite assassin feared by all, declared war and total destruction upon the Sun Clan. To avoid being targeted by the Shadow Clan’s wrath, Azrael Exavier, the leader of the Phantom Clan, made an offer to Lyoxion. Azrael and his clan would join the war on the side of the Shadow Clan. Both clans, long forgotten and left in the dark, would unite to fight for eternal darkness and domination over Saradié.

In one of the battles, Lyoxion brutally wounded and killed Kayu Calidi, the leader of the Sun Clan. This loss led to Ignis Calidi, Kayu's eldest child, becoming the new leader of the Sun Clan. Ignis vowed to avenge her father's death and defeat the Shadow Clan once and for all. However, knowing she couldn’t face the two clans alone, she requested aid from Fuyuto Azuki, the leader of the Lunar Clan, but he turned her down. He insisted that this war had nothing to do with his people, and he would not drag them into it.

When Aria Okars, the leader of the Woods Clan, received a request for help from the Sun Clan, she hesitated. She didn’t want to shed innocent blood. Yet, knowing her clan’s borders were close to those of the Shadow Clan, she understood that they would inevitably tear through her lands first. Reluctantly, she sent a message to Ignis that she would aid her in the war. Without light and with the growing chaos, the Woods Clan could no longer live in peace.

And so, in the current age of the Raqions, the clans are at war once again. The outcome of this conflict is uncertain, but one thing is clear:

the fate of Saradié is a never ending war.