Exactly 880 years ago from now...
The continent of Ogzalorg, once revered by the inhabitants of the world as a symbol of peace and tranquility—untainted by war for decades—was paradoxically the birthplace of everything. This continent bore witness to a cursed birth that heralded a new era filled with evil, destruction, and chaos throughout the world, specifically in the year 118 After the Great Eclipse. The ultimate evil… Lord of Darkness, "Claridis," an enigmatic figure of unknown lineage and mysterious life that remained an unsolved puzzle over the years. Even historical records only shed light on his actions and the misery, harm, and suffering he inflicted upon the world.
Claridis thrived on the anguish of others. He sent his troops, known as the "Black Walkes," to procure whatever he desired while he lounged in his infamous fortress, the Gray Bastion of Tyranny. Yet, his desires weren't materialistic—foods or riches—but rather creatures of any kind to be tortured before him, so he could relish their screams and agony. Claridis held no regard for distinctions between humans, elves, or even werewolves, demonstrating no racial bias. Ironically, this lack of discrimination could be considered the only redeeming trait of his character—or at least, it seemed so.
For long, the continent lived in peace until Claridis began his reign over it, specifically in the year 143 After the Great Eclipse. From its northern tip to its southern tail, he asserted dominance through sheer force, despite relentless resistance from diverse creatures who opposed his governing methodology. Nevertheless, Claridis' campaign succeeded, partly because this continent had refrained from warfare for decades upon decades. Thus, he achieved complete control over the continent that had witnessed his birth.
Despite his triumph, Claridis' thirst for power remained unquenched. He decided to march his vast army across the Starry Ocean, targeting neighboring continents. His strategies, though barbaric and disorganized, proved effective and delivered the desired results—at least, to him.
In the year 193 After the Great Eclipse, a certain individual first appeared at the western port of the continent—in the city of Magoma. He was neither renowned nor notable but possessed such fortitude and courage that it unsettled Lord Claridis. This tyrant, who had never cared about his enemies' identities, felt his plans might crumble because of one man.
Krogal, son of Ekstralov—a man in his mid-thirties—wandered aimlessly among continents, driven by a sense of freedom unbound by earth or sky. Krogal set foot on the continent of Ogzalorg for the first time in the year 191 After the Great Eclipse, two years before Claridis took notice of him. Krogal inflicted substantial losses on Claridis' forces, sometimes for a reason, and sometimes without. His actions began eroding Claridis' authority day by day.
Lord Claridis initially dismissed the events as insignificant until two years after Krogal's arrival. It was only then that Claridis decided to counter this "plague" attempting to dismantle his fifty years of dominion. However, he refrained from taking substantial action, merely continuing to send his followers to deal with the problem. Five years later, the continent gradually began liberating itself from Claridis' grip, and as Krogal gained more supporters, Claridis' anger intensified. Realizing he underestimated this stranger, he resolved to act personally and seriously.
Fuelled by a blazing wrath and suffocating hatred, Claridis marched toward confrontation, amassing a colossal army of two thousand "Black Walkes" and "The Stained." On the other hand, Krogal's army consisted of just five hundred warriors, defying the terror of the continent and Claridis' formidable reputation that struck fear into weaker wills. Although many inhabitants of the continent betrayed the cause out of fear of Claridis, Krogal raised no objections. Instead, he saw the limited number of followers as a unique strength. According to passed-down accounts, Krogal wished his allies not exceed four hundred, yet their count reached five hundred. Some claimed fewer; others, slightly more. At the time, it was stated that Krogal assembled an army to confront Claridis, yet his motives remained mysterious.
In the year 198 After the Great Eclipse, on the plains of Aruga in the heart of the continent, the two armies collided. Today, these plains are known as "The Plains of the Dead," where the blood of both factions mingled on its soil: red for Krogal's allies and blue for the purified ranks of Claridis' soldiers. A day of relentless combat with no respite ensued until Krogal himself plunged deep into the fray, determined to bring down his nemesis.
History bore witness to an epic clash between these two men: one armed with fearless audacity, the other wielding mythical power that instilled terror across the continent. Krogal, with his slender, razor-sharp sword, faced Claridis wielding the colossal black sword that mirrored the darkness of his soul. Even with mere exchanges of strikes, spectators recognized this battle revolved solely around them, and everyone else were mere pawns. For the first time in his life, Claridis tasted defeat—yet what a defeat it was—to a man deemed inferior. Even then, Claridis exhibited unexpected curiosity, silently wondering, "Who is this stranger? How does he counter my strength as though he bears an inherent power to match me?"
Krogal claimed victory through arduous effort, knocking Claridis to the ground in an unforgettable scene. Despite Claridis' attempts to unleash the last remnants of his magic in retaliation, Krogal intercepted him, thrusting his sword into Claridis' chest to halt the magic's flow. In his final moments, Claridis, with a hoarse and harsh voice brimming with rage and exhaustion, whispered, "O stranger from beyond the sea, who are you? Why have you come here? You own nothing in this land, so why fight me?"
Krogal, with an indifferent tone and his sword still lodged in the lord's chest, replied, "Honestly, I have no material reason to confront you. I fought you simply because I wanted to. That's all there is to it." Despite this calm response, Claridis laughed before retorting, "Yes, I lost, but I'm not finished. I shall return, and when I do… I shall spare no one who stood against me," then dissipated into the wind like mist, leaving behind an ominous smile. This farewell imbued Krogal with an unsettling realization that powerful figures never utter trivial words in their dying breaths.
In the year 198 After the Great Eclipse, "Lord of Darkness Claridis" finally fell at the hands of the foreign wanderer Krogal. The news spread across the continent like wildfire. Joy surged through the hearts of those whose prayers for salvation had been weighed down by despair night and day. At last, people were freed from the tyrant's grip, which had oppressed them for fifty years as noted in historical accounts. They believed they faced an eternal nightmare, but it truly ended, thanks to their newfound hero who achieved what they couldn't themselves. Celebrations and festivity swept the continent within days.
As for Krogal, Claridis' final words laid a new burden upon him. These were not mere utterances of a dying man, but statements carrying a subtle challenge. The wanderer knew this was far from over and that Claridis' specter would return sooner or later—whether the following year or even after decades. Krogal, who had lived for himself throughout his life, became prepared for the worst possibilities and decided not to leave this threat unresolved.
Then, the wanderer made a difficult decision: to forsake wandering, which had defined much of his life for years, to establish a lasting legacy. From that moment, the "Kasterlok" family was born. Its establishment wasn't merely a dream or idle talk but a meticulous plan aimed at confronting "The Lord of Darkness" upon his return—regardless of the time it might happen. Krogal recognized he might not be alive to witness the next confrontation, so he founded an entire generation to carry the banner of world defense in his stead.
Thus began the legend of "Kasterlok," the family that bore the wanderer Krogal's legacy and carried the weight of protecting humanity from Claridis' evil, which reemerges as a curse every hundred years under the mission named "Varadis."