Chapter 2 - 5 1249 Years Ago
One thousand two hundred and forty-nine years. That's how many years since the Sky Islands were risen. A week before that, Humans went extinct. Other races fearing the oncoming slaughter escaped to the floating land hoping to be spared from the savage beasts. In line with the destruction of the surface, Terra Fōrdon, vastly every trace of history was shredded along with it. Only a handful of well-guarded books of the time exist - Everything else being words passed down throughout the generations.
However, not everything old men ramble on about is nonsense. Some things make logical sense and connect in a believable nexus of possibilities. Commonly said, Humans struggled through the most unlikely of circumstances, somehow finding ways to come out on top. They spread with frightening speed, relying mostly on their intellect to develop seemingly impossible solutions to anything. Inadvertently, this would lead to the destruction of not just their foes, but they themselves. Dead-set on eliminating anything different from them or anything that opposed them, they sought for greater, more powerful weapons.
Humans weren't particularly adept at the use of magic like Elves, nor had they the strength to combat the Orcs, for example. So what did they do? A race outmatched by all in some way, shape, or form.
Some claim Humans awaited the appearance of a chosen few of human 'Paragons'. Alleged to hold blessings of a higher power, or be suitable for endowing powerful technology into. Capable of tapping into their own essence and extract self-destructive powers enough to lay waste to regions in a matter of hours. By regulating their essence and blessings, a sustained state of heightened strength and awareness could be maintained without damage throughout combat.
A lone book suggests a unified force of laymen soldiers united under an 'adventurers guild', consisting of common day people wanting to make a name for themselves. People comparable to mercenaries of sorts. Not exactly loyal to a crown or state, but instead loyal to their ideals and parties. Rumored to be a formidable and determined force capable of standing ground and advancing under a common goal.
Additionally, shared between a handful of records, takes, and trickles of information from the military, points to something more cunning - more suited to Humans. The production of special swords wielded only by humans, each having their name, and all unified under the classification of 'Zauberdryh'. Specifics kept secret from all but the highest and their wielders. But, thought to rely on a human's soul contacting the sword's 'lines', demanding an external source such as the wielder's life or ether. Likely, these 'Zauberdryhs' were paired with 'Paragons' or someone of equal standing, actually allowing for its potential to be utilized.
Each theory fighting for its place at the top is meaningless in the end. No matter what the true conditions were, the fact of the matter is, that a once peaceful land was destroyed over one thousand years ago, and Humans receive the blame for it. Not that they remain to actually experience it. Also true is that Humans put up a fight reasonably impossible for them to deliver, thus meaning they had some trump card to play. You'd expect people would compile theories and etch out the truth, but no, the 'truths' are like religions to fanatics. The majority of the population not caring in the slightest, however.
One thousand two hundred and forty-nine years and an extra 2 months ago, the world was disturbed. Exposed to them, the things soon to cause perils comparable to none. Humans, always seeking an upper hand against their foes, forged alliances with their closest kin. The Elves. Naturally, secret weapon R&D facilities sprung up, hidden away. At one specifically spawned some abomination.
Followed by more, and more, like some passage between a rapture in space connected to this facility. Whatever they were, no one truly knows. Perhaps some experimental tech gone critical? Or a mix of magic and things that shouldn't be combined screaming out in anger? Hell, some even hypothesize they were the world's final equalizer; embedded into the 'soul' of the earth by some Gods, hard-wired to 'restart' the world. It's a mystery not worth pondering. Regardless of the conditions, these things poured out without resistance
Materializing as some amalgamation of unjust and incapable of being reasoned with. No negotiations could be made with these beings; beings lacking any semblance of true life. Just vessels to pass on a hatred and murder. They appeared. They slaughter every iota of life. They stopped at nothing to kill. Humans with their insatiable lust for weapons and surpassing were utterly useless. They could have their Paragons spin and wave around Zauberdryhs all they wanted, but it did nothing substantial. Hence, relying too much on a basket of fragile eggs, Humans vanished within an instant.
Humans weren't the only ones subjected to these entities, not at all. Every race had to toil endlessly and frantically to stop this corruption. But it amounted to nothing. Within the first month, life was in disarray. Ecosystems were ravaged beyond any hope of repair, populations were killed or split. The horizon, clearly visible to all, continued to rotate closer.
Elves, specifically their druids, fell back on their final hope. Flee to the heavens and pray forgiveness may be found above. Summoning the 128 Sky Islands, collecting any reachable survivors, and casting the destitute surface behind.
