Middle Realm
            
            
             Prologue:
            
            
            
             In a time long before the great scholars of Istaria can even fathom, a time before the massive northern peaks were formed. A time before light and darkness, before the oldest Dragon Legends, there were the two. Without form or restraints, without origins, they existed and all of reality remained a perfect balance, a precarious equilibrium, an existence that neither changed nor evolved. As the countless eons passed, the two forces changed, one, a force that thrived in decay, chaos and darkness, we have come to know as Arimann. The other, the essence of light and order we call Ariddel. As the Two grew they gained the desire to overcome each other, and a silent war raged on, the material plane formed as a physical product of this war, as each power wished to show its dominance over the other; what one created, the other destroyed, anarchy fed off order and vice versa. No clear victory was possible because both were equal, eternal rivals that could never hope to vanquish one another.
            
             The endless war led to a reality in constant turmoil and the balance of the universe was in jeopardy. Both realized that they were powerless towards each other and thus retreated, back to their own 'realms,' they left the middle realm as the final battle ground, where they would play no direct role, but watch with eternal vigil to see who will rise victorious from the ashes of the conflict.
            
            
             Below Zarchire sat on the rock, how long had it been Months? Years? Eons? He sat his lifeless body still, overgrown by the slimy fungus that engulfed all in the cave. Only his mind was alive, lost in meditation drifting endlessly in search of an answer, he chanted, his mind burned with only one thought...how? How could they defeat him, the hatred for himself, for...for the infidels was all that consumed the ancient mind...how? He cursed the name of mheguss Khan, he had let him fall, the dark lord had abandoned him. ...