In the year 357 after the Great Eclipse, the return of Lord of Darkness, Claridis, was announced once again. He appeared in the continent of Ogzalorg for the third time, approximately seventy-five years after his defeat at the hands of the first VARADIS, "Rawin Kasterlok." This time, his return intensified the fears of the rulers of the kingdoms in the three continents neighboring Ogzalorg to their peak, as they were fully aware of what had occurred in Ogzalorg between the years {143 to 198} after the Great Eclipse. They were also familiar with the story of "Krogal son of Xtralov," who defeated the Lord of Darkness for the first time and subsequently founded a family whose purpose was to confront the Lord of Darkness each time he reappeared. For this reason, the rulers had been at ease throughout this time—until they received the news of the return of Lord of Darkness, Claridis, but without any information about the selection of a new VARADIS from the Kasterlok family. This left matters in a state of deep tension.
*[VARADIS: A title chosen by the founder of the Kasterlok family, "Krogal son of Xtralov," granted to the individual selected to confront Lord of Darkness, Claridis.]*
The continent of "Forgaden" is where the Kasterlok family resides, specifically in the kingdom of "Guangar." King Kylos III of Guangar dispatched his envoys to the Kasterlok family, hoping to receive news regarding the VARADIS—a revelation that might alleviate the heightened tensions brought about by Claridis's return. However, the surprise awaited the envoys upon their arrival: the Kasterlok family had effectively disappeared.
In the past, the family founder, Krogal, prior to his death, established a special council tasked with dialogue and deliberation on the family's future decisions. They were also responsible for voting to select the VARADIS. This council, known as the [Senate], chose "Rawen Kasterlok" as the family's first VARADIS. After the death of the "Sun Knight" Krogal and the departure of the sage Aromon, "Ragar Kasterlok," the son of "Roli Kasterlok," was appointed as the family leader. Ragar, driven by resentment towards the Senate for choosing his cousin "Rawen" over himself, ordered the council's dissolution and secretly executed its members. This information remained undisclosed for many years.
Due to the absence of the "Senate," selecting the VARADIS became an exceptionally difficult matter, even during the era of "Kluya Kasterlok," which many regarded as the finest period in the family's history from an economic and social perspective. Despite this, Kluya faced bitter moments, particularly in her efforts to balance the management of affairs with the selection of the VARADIS. As for the era of Jeris, there was no attempt to rebuild the Senate. Jeris expressed his unwillingness to engage with the matter of the Lord of Darkness, believing that the Lord of Darkness was merely a fabrication created by his grandfather, Krogal, to gain wealth and fame. Consequently, history bestowed upon him the title of "the Ignorant."
King Kylos III's envoys witnessed the current state of the Kasterlok family—a feeble and dilapidated lineage. Although Jeris's era was moderate and not entirely unfavorable, the family lacked seriousness and had grown overly lenient following Ragar's death. Even the assassins and mercenaries Krogal had once dealt with reclaimed the territories they had previously controlled after Krogal had seized them.
As a result, the Kingdom of Guangar lost confidence in the Kasterlok family and sent messages to other kingdoms, both within and beyond the continent, urging them to address the dilemma of the Lord of Darkness on their own, as the Kasterlok family was no longer what it had once been.
In the year 358 after the Great Eclipse, the Lord of Darkness, Claridis, emerged powerfully into the world, his presence profoundly impacting the continent of Ogzalorg, which returned to a state of terror and fear reminiscent of 215 years prior. The neighboring continents of Ogzalorg—Xtras, Forgaden, and Holgard—united in solidarity, kingdom by kingdom, embarking toward Ogzalorg through the Star Sea from Forgaden and the Red Sea from Xtras and Holgard. Their armies were armed with determination and the ambition to make history by defeating the Lord of Darkness, Claridis.
The battle, which many expected to conclude swiftly, stretched over an astonishing 200 years—a continuous confrontation against Lord of Darkness, Claridis. This unexpected duration shocked everyone, as their efforts to end the fight early failed, leaving them ensnared in an unending series of clashes against Claridis's seemingly infinite hordes. In addition to this, sudden attacks on other continents, issues arising from unstable magic, and monster invasions caused immense instability across the world, ushering in an era later known as "The Nightmare."
This phase marked one of the most challenging periods for the inhabitants of the continents. Many ventured into Ogzalorg in an attempt to confront the Lord of Darkness and his army, yet most lost their lives or vanished without a trace. Despite its harshness, this era did not match the severity of the Night of the Great Eclipse, which lasted only three years and laid the foundation for current history, although the information available about it remains limited and shrouded in mystery. Moreover, monsters began moving with clear intent, spreading dread among those outside the scope of the war—not to mention the significant negative impact of magic.
The world was entrenched in direct war with the Lord of Darkness, leaving no room for retreat or negotiation. Claridis remained steadfast in his ambitions and vision, declaring with a commanding voice of dominance:
"Everything that breathes in existence must bow to my authority."
These words were enough to unite humans, Elf, and later, Dwarves, who realized that their old disputes were futile. The common threat forced them to align their ranks to confront a danger that could not be ignored. Yet, they quickly recognized a painful truth: the absence of the Kasterlok family, who once wielded extraordinary magical power capable of standing against Claridis directly, as "Krogal son of Xtralov" and the first VARADIS, "Rawen Kasterlok," had done. By this time, however, the family had already disbanded. While they regretted not focusing on supporting the family and ensuring its continuity without deviation—or at least preserving what remained of it to bring it back—the dire situation forced them to prioritize survival and accept reality as it was.
Thus, another fifty years passed without any notable progress; the situation remained unchanged, as if the world were trapped in an unending cycle. This stagnation only emphasized the harsh reality that they had entered a losing battle.
By the year 608 after the Great Eclipse, in a small village known as "Faroud," one of the last remnants of the Kasterlok family lived: a modest family consisting of a father, a mother, and a young child. The father was named "Harry Kasterlok," the mother "Milena Loryado," and the child bore the name "Ronald Kasterlok."
Before the disintegration of the Kasterlok family, one of its surviving members took the family's records and fled to live in safer areas far from danger. This individual was "Nergio Kasterlok," the only son of "Jeris," who opposed his father's leadership style. Nergio tried to keep the family intact but ultimately failed after its downfall and loss of stature. However, he carried the family's records and history with him to begin a new life.
Nergio married and had several children, ensuring that he taught them and shared with them everything about the family and its glorious history, holding steadfast to the hope of returning—a hope he never abandoned. This tradition continued from generation to generation until it reached "Harry Kasterlok," who in turn taught his eldest son, "Ronald Kasterlok," everything about the family's history.
Ronald, with every new thing he learned, found himself asking the same question: "Why don't we return?" This question echoed in his mind until he turned eighteen years old. In the year 608 after the Great Eclipse, his village faced the threat of an attack from the hordes and followers of Claridis. When the attack began, Ronald refused the idea of fleeing. He wanted to stand and fight like his ancestors and prove that the legacy of the Kasterlok family was not dead.
As the promised attack on the village commenced, the villagers found themselves with limited choices: either flee or sacrifice themselves to ensure others could escape. But Ronald was different. He seized an old sword from the village blacksmith and charged into battle against Claridis's soldiers, known as the "Black Walkers." To the amazement and admiration of all, Ronald managed to defeat the soldiers and nearly single-handedly halt the attack. In his moment of triumph, he shouted loudly, declaring the return of House Kasterlok.
A few months after this incident, news of his bravery reached the royal court of the Kingdom of Guangar. At that point, King Kylos V ordered his soldiers to bring this young man, Ronald Kasterlok, to appear before him. Indeed, they brought him, and as Ronald stood before the king, he made his stance unequivocally clear. He expressed his deep desire to revive the legacy of his ancestors, the descendants of House Kasterlok, to become the new VARADIS, and to take on the responsibility of defeating the Lord of Darkness, Claridis, just as his predecessor, "Rawen Kasterlok," had done.
The king and his court did not immediately trust Ronald; however, their urgent need for a member of the Kasterlok family to confront the threat of the Lord of Darkness compelled them to act. The world was enduring a grim era—250 years of relentless battles and confrontations without resolution—a period that resembled the severity of the Great Eclipse, albeit less intense. Thus, after prolonged deliberation, they resolved to support Ronald, regardless of the turbulent history of his family 250 years ago, or more precisely, the image painted by historians about its legacy.
Ultimately, Ronald became the new beacon of hope, the flame reigniting the legacy of Kasterlok, and the chosen one to face the Lord of Darkness.
Following Ronald's recognition and appointment as a knight, he set out with the seventy-ninth battalion towards the continent of Ogzalorg to confront the Lord of Darkness, Claridis, leaving behind his mother and two younger sisters. He carried the will of his ancestors with him, striving to restore peace once again, as Rawen and Krogal had before him.
The seventy-ninth battalion was preceded by seventy-eight previous groups. Upon the arrival of the three ships carrying them, the horses were immediately disembarked, and they quickly began their advance eastward, toward the Gray Bastion, the infamous stronghold where the Lord of Darkness, Claridis, resided.
The distance was relatively long, prompting Ronald and his companions to camp several times along the way. Each time, they discovered the grim reality of life on the continent of Ogzalorg, where insecurity and an omnipresent sense of devastation were the defining characteristics. After four days of continuous travel, their horses' hooves brushed against the grass of the high hill, revealing the long-awaited sight before them: the Gray Bastion.
Ronald's battalion initially consisted of 350 recruits, but with the soldiers who joined them during their eastward advance, the unit grew to encompass 400 soldiers. This number seemed to echo history itself, as Krogal son of Xtralov had fought the Lord of Darkness, Claridis, with a force of exactly 400 soldiers. The spirit of challenge and determination was palpable among the ranks of the soldiers, each of whom understood that survival might not be an option. In contrast, a formidable host of Black Walkers, Stained Ones, and other bizarre creatures—later known as "Transformers"—stood ready, presenting the battalion with an unprecedented challenge.
As they approached the Gray Bastion, the battalion charged directly at Claridis's followers, fighting as if it were their final battle. The scene of the battle was filled with chaos, tension, and a deadly determination—soldiers killed and were killed in moments. For Ronald, these moments were merely a path to his ultimate goal: confronting Claridis. Amid the clamor of battle, Ronald shouted defiantly:
"How shameful is this?! The renowned Lord of Darkness hides behind his followers, afraid of a mere handful of humans? What a shame!"
His voice was loud enough to reach Claridis in the depths of the castle, where he sat upon his throne. From the tone of that challenge, Claridis realized that a descendant of Krogal had come for him. Due to Claridis's deep-seated hatred for this bloodline, he decided to descend personally to face this reckless young man who had not yet turned nineteen.
Upon his descent, Claridis unleashed a deadly attack with his infamous black sword on all of Ronald's remaining allies, leaving them lifeless on the ground. With cold indifference, he even killed some of his own followers, simply to clear the way for his confrontation with Ronald Kasterlok, the second VARADIS.
Ronald was reckless, and it was this recklessness that had brought him to this moment. He engaged in direct combat with Claridis—a battle that not even the first VARADIS, "Rawen Kasterlok," had managed to finish and survive. Blow after blow, their swords clashed. Despite the wounds raining down upon him, Ronald managed to land several strikes on Claridis, though they were far from causing any significant impact. In the end, Ronald fell to the ground, exhausted and bleeding relentlessly.
Claridis looked at Ronald with eyes filled with pity and disgust, and spoke with profound disappointment:
"You are not like them. Those who came before you had eyes... eyes devoid of any fear of death. But you? You are nothing more than a nobody."
"I even allowed you to strike me, perhaps to offer something that could make me care for your fleeting existence. But alas, you are merely a dreamer."
In that moment, Claridis extended his palm toward the exhausted Ronald, releasing a terrifying black energy that was poised to end his life. Before he could act, however, a few soldiers—miraculously surviving the earlier attack—leaped toward the Lord in a savage and chaotic manner, attempting desperately to hinder him and buy Ronald a chance to survive. While their move was full of bravery, it seemed futile against the overwhelming power of the Lord of Darkness. Claridis, irritated by what he deemed a foolish initiative, reflected his anger in the wrathful glare of his eyes. He raised his hand to swiftly annihilate the soldiers without hesitation. Yet, before he could strike, Ronald, summoning every ounce of strength left in him, charged forward with sheer determination.
In a decisive moment, Ronald stabbed the Lord of Darkness in the center of his chest with all his remaining power and resolve. For an instant, a victorious smile spread across Ronald's face, as he believed he had finally ended the nightmare. But that smile quickly vanished when his eyes met the sly grin of Claridis, as though the stab was nothing more than a trivial amusement for him. Within seconds, Claridis disappeared into thin air, as he had done on previous occasions, leaving Ronald and his comrades in a state of confusion and despair.
The fall of Claridis led to the disappearance of his followers, signifying that the battle, which had lasted over 250 years, had finally come to an end in the year 609 after the Great Eclipse. The entire world rejoiced in the beauty of this moment, yet Ronald felt a sense of uncertainty. Was this truly the end of Claridis, or merely a pause before his eventual return? These questions lingered in Ronald's mind but gradually faded as he chose to focus on the present moment instead.
The survivors returned to their homes, but not all made it back; those who suffered severe injuries perished in the continent of Ogzalorg before they could return. By order of the army commander of the Kingdom of Danderhall, located in the continent of Xtras, the fallen soldiers were buried on the continent itself. The reasoning behind this decision was unclear, yet the soldiers carried out the orders without any objections, as though it served as a final tribute to their souls.
Following the battle, specifically in the continent of Forgaden, the rulers of three kingdoms—{King of Torat, King of Kamita, and King of Guangar}—gathered in the palace of King Kylos V. In that majestic palace, the heroes who returned alive from Ogzalorg were honored within the royal court, their heads held high and their brows filled with optimism. During the ceremony, a minute of silence was observed in mourning for those who sacrificed their lives in the fight against the Lord of Darkness—a moment that carried both sorrow and pride simultaneously.
As for Ronald Kasterlok, he received unwavering support from the three kings. This support was not mere words but marked the beginning of a journey to revive the Kasterlok family anew. Thus, the family was able to rise again after two and a half centuries of decline.
For twenty years, Ronald tirelessly worked to restore the glory of his family, transforming the Kasterlok legacy into a symbol of hope and strength against any future threats, just as it had been in the past.
Afterward, 200 years passed since that day, and the world enjoyed a comforting peace. This was the longest time without the appearance of the Lord of Darkness, Claridis. Everyone felt as though the nightmare had finally ended, and tranquility once again enveloped the continents. Yet, as always in such tales, peace does not last forever…
Everything changed with the birth of that child—the child who became a legend. A legend known across nearly every corner of the earth, whose name is etched boldly in history books. Historians and writers unanimously agreed that he was the one who reshaped the course of the world as we know it today. He is the Lord of Light… Granadil.