The First Age of Rafflasia marked a turning point, the moment when the delicate equilibrium between the elemental spirits and the Abyss was truly tested. As humans continued to grow in numbers and influence, they began to shape the world in ways previously unimagined by the primordial forces that governed it. This was an age of awakening, where humanity's connection to the spirits deepened, but also a time of looming danger as the Abyss, once an unseen force, began to reveal its dark hand.

The Rise of the Elemental Shamans

As humans became more adept at working with the elemental spirits, their society evolved rapidly. Entire villages dedicated themselves to the worship and reverence of the elemental forces. The Elemental Shamans, once simple intermediaries, grew in power and stature, revered as almost divine figures. Their rituals and practices allowed humans to manipulate the elements in ways that no other creatures in Rafflasia could.

Villages began to specialize in different elements, forming alliances and communities based on which elemental spirit they honored most. One village would have Shamans who could call upon wind to bring rain to their crops, while another would summon earth to strengthen their buildings and roads. In this newfound power, humanity began to view itself not just as participants in the natural world, but as its masters.

However, the more humans sought to control the elements, the more they drew the attention of the Abyss. While the spirits of Order sought to coexist with humanity, the Abyss, the force of Chaos, began to see humanity's growing influence as a threat to the natural cycle. Where humans manipulated the wind, the earth, the fire, and the water, the Abyss saw an imbalance—a disruption to the very forces it had once worked in tandem with.

The Emergence of the Abyss

For eons, the Abyss had been content to remain a passive force in the world, quietly reclaiming what the elemental spirits gave life to. The cycle had been harmonious, and the Abyss had no reason to intervene. But now, as the humans grew more powerful, they threatened to disrupt the cycle permanently.

The Abyss, unlike the spirits of Order, did not communicate with humans. It was not a force of creation but of entropy, a natural but dangerous aspect of the universe. However, as it watched the humans, it began to see the seeds of corruption already growing within them. Greed, pride, and ambition—human traits that, left unchecked, could easily be manipulated.

The Abyss began to subtly work its influence into the world, corrupting the hearts of certain individuals. It did not appear as a tangible force but worked through shadows, whispers, and unseen influence. It found those among humanity who desired more power, more control, and fed those desires. These individuals, once mere shamans, became the first humans to be directly touched by the Abyss.

The First Abyssal Corruption

Among the many human leaders, there were two brothers—twins—who were both born with exceptional affinity for the spirits, known as the Primordial Twins. The elder twin, Tiriel, noble and selfless, was known for his deep connection to the spirits of fire and earth. His twin brother, equally powerful but more ambitious, was drawn to the spirits of wind and water. Together, they were considered the strongest shamans of their time, each leading their people with wisdom and strength.

However, the younger twin, Solrael, harbored a secret ambition: to surpass his brother and become the most powerful shaman in all of Rafflasia. It was this desire that the Abyss seized upon. Through whispers in his dreams, the Abyss promised him power beyond that of any human, power that would make him a god among men. All he had to do was embrace the Abyss, to accept its gifts and use them to further his own strength.

At first, Solrael resisted. He was no fool and knew the dangers of meddling with unknown forces. But as time passed, and the Abyss's influence grew stronger, he began to succumb. He believed that with the power of the Abyss, he could unite all the human villages under one rule—his rule. The spirits of Order, ever watchful, tried to warn him, but their voices were drowned out by the seductive call of the Abyss.

Eventually, Solrael accepted the Abyss's offer. He became the first Abyssal Shaman, his once noble spirit twisted by the darkness that now consumed him. With his newfound power, he no longer needed the elemental spirits. He could command the very forces of Chaos itself—unleashing storms, earthquakes, and fires with a mere thought.

The Clash of Brothers

As Solrael grew more powerful, Tiriel began to notice the changes. The once inseparable bond between the twins became strained, as Solrael's actions became more erratic and destructive. The elemental spirits, sensing the growing influence of the Abyss, warned Tiriel of the coming storm. They spoke of the corruption that had taken root in his brother's heart and the danger it posed not just to their people, but to all of Rafflasia.

Heartbroken but resolute, Tiriel confronted his brother. He pleaded with him to turn away from the Abyss, to return to the balance of the spirits. But Solrael, now drunk on power, refused. He believed that the Abyss was the future—that the spirits were relics of a past that no longer had a place in the world.

The two brothers fought, their battle shaking the very foundations of Rafflasia. The elements themselves were torn asunder as Tiriel called upon the spirits of fire and earth, whileSolrael wielded the chaotic forces of the Abyss. Mountains crumbled, rivers boiled, and the skies were set ablaze. The people of Rafflasia watched in horror as the two most powerful beings in the world tore the land apart in their struggle.

The Birth of the Mythical Beasts

In the midst of their battle, the elemental spirits realized that they could not allow the Abyss to claim victory. They pooled their powers together, and from the essence of the elements, they created the Mythical Beasts—sentient creatures imbued with the raw power of the elements themselves. These beasts, one for each of the major elements, were tasked with protecting Rafflasia from the Abyss's influence.

The Mythical Beasts intervened in the battle between the twins, helping Tiriel hold back his corrupted brother. But even with their combined strength, the Abyss's power was too great to fully defeat. In a final, desperate act, Tiriel sacrificed himself, using his life force to bind his brother and the Abyssal power within him. Both twins were removed from the world, their spirits trapped in the realm between life and death.

With the twins gone, peace was restored for a time. The Mythical Beasts retreated to their respective domains, and the elemental spirits returned to maintaining the balance. However, the scars of the battle remained. Rafflasia was forever changed by the conflict, and the influence of the Abyss, though diminished, was not entirely vanquished.

Thus ended the First Age, with the balance restored but the seeds of future conflict already sown.