In the dawn of existence, before Astralis was born or mortal realms named, the universe was a place of delicate balance and ancient mystery. At its heart lay the Astral Nexus, a radiant wellspring of cosmic power and the cradle of all creation. Here, the forces of creation and the primordial Void existed in fragile harmony. From the Nexus’s purest essence emerged the Valkyries, celestial guardians of this nascent cosmos. Each Valkyrie, bound to a unique aspect of creation, wielded starlight-forged weapons imbued with the rhythm of the celestial order.

As Astralis expanded, so did the complexity of its beings and their ambitions. Among the warriors sworn to protect this balance were the Dreadknights. Once allies to the Valkyries, these noble warriors fought alongside them, holding back the encroaching darkness. But as time passed, the Dreadknights were seduced by the Void’s whispers, promises of eternal power and dominion beyond the natural order. Drawn by this power, they turned from the Nexus, accepting the Void’s influence in exchange for strength and immortality.

What began as a quiet corruption soon erupted into all-consuming chaos, sparking the first Great Cosmic War. The Dreadknights, once defenders, became agents of devastation, harbingers of unmaking who sought to dismantle the celestial fabric itself. Their vision was complete dominion—an empire built upon the Void, where creation would be torn down and remade in their image. The Valkyries, charged with defending creation, rose to meet this threat with weapons of starlight and mystic powers of harmony.

The first clash was cataclysmic, shattering realities and tearing open the skies. Lands once lush with life turned to wastelands. The Valkyries, though powerful, fought an uphill battle. The Void’s corruption surged with each encounter, tainting the very ground they defended. Even as they strove to protect the Nexus, they were forced to confront their former allies, now wielding the monstrous power of the Void.

The war spanned eons, shaping Astralis’s landscape. Whole regions were lost to the Void’s darkness, and natural wonders were twisted into nightmarish remnants. The once vibrant Forest of Narytha was consumed by shadow, and Mount Skalthyr, a towering stronghold, was reduced to a desert wasteland. The toll on both sides grew unbearable.

Among the Dreadknights stood the greatest threat: the Fallen Valkyries. Shattered Veil Order These former champions of the Nexus, now generals within the Void’s ranks, wielded both the powers of the Valkyries and the destructive abilities granted by the Void. Their intimate knowledge of their former kin made them especially dangerous. They became the embodiment of betrayal, knowing the light they once served but embracing the darkness.

And in the midst of this cosmic struggle, a deeper darkness festered: the Forsaken Maw, beasts of pure Void-born evil. Unlike the Dreadknights, who retained their tragic humanity, the Maw were embodiments of annihilation. Their mere presence was enough to corrupt and consume. To the Valkyries and Dreadknights alike, they represented the end—the all-devouring shadow that would feast upon all, should Astralis fall.

Now, the battle for Astralis rages on. The Valkyries strive to preserve a fractured balance, while the Dreadknights, driven by twisted ambition and haunted by their sacrifices, continue their relentless push. The war is a tragedy, a cycle of honor and ruin, where neither side is without flaw. And at the heart of this endless conflict lies the question: who, if anyone, will emerge from the darkness, and what will remain of Astralis?