The terror does not stop there, either- Karzahni possesses an uncanny ability to inflict powerful illusions on others, showing them ‘alternate timelines’, or so he claims, of things that could’ve happened to them; If something in their past, or another’s, turned out differently. Many times he has used this ability to torment and traumatize others, but Karzahni has also used this power to comfort himself with alternate timelines of victory, grandeur, and success of himself.

Because he dives so frequently into the subject of alternate timelines and what could have been, he is often dissatisfied and bitter over his lot- Not only that, but he occasionally has issues remembering what is or isn’t real, and will have to be reminded that what happened in one vision didn’t happen in real life. Sometimes he’ll randomly start talking to someone else that isn’t there, as if interacting with an alternate timeline; It is disconcerting to watch. Additionally, Karzahni uses his power to create simulations and predictions of events as he attempts to figure out the most optimal decision or strategy for himself. The exact accuracy of these predictions are questionable and seem to be somewhat rooted in the data he is aware of.

Karzahni wears unusual, green-and-violet armor. He has a mask that is a patchwork of various other elements, and he wields chains in combat that can lash around foes and rise to burning temperatures, searing through opponents. He has an unusual amount of strength and durability for Xian- Apparently, he has modified himself in the past as well. Even if one were to break through Karzahni’s powerful, demoralizing illusions, the tyrant himself is still a dangerous enemy to fight.

Whenua and Tehutti- These two roommates have a thankless, low-paying job as minimum-wage librarians and occasional tutors. Despite their poor wages and lack of appreciation for their work, these two have a vested passion for history and are eager to share their knowledge with others. With no prompting or personal gain beyond the satisfaction and triumph of it all, these two have pooled their lifetime’s earnings and savings towards expanding their simultaneous home/book store to include a ‘Xian Museum of History’, for any and all who are interested! No cost is required to enter and enjoy their exhibits, but unfortunately no one seems to be interested either…

Rorze- The warden of The Archives, Rorze is an Archives Vahki with the latest, most advanced AI programming in order to achieve maximum efficiency. Although all other Archives Vahki are specially designed to prevent any level of free will whatsoever, Rorze was ultimately granted the ability of sapient thought in order to enhance his leadership abilities and control over the Archives’ security. He constantly supervises every single step of each procedure, while inspecting all possible inches of his facility. Rorze has dedicated his entire existence to maintaining the Archives and protecting whatever is within- It was all he was made for, after all.

           Throughout the years, Rorze has subjected himself to new patches to ensure that his programming is completely immune to computer viruses, hacking, and other forms of tampering. After each update is installed, past memories and data are transferred to the new ‘brain’. Whether or not each version of Rorze is truly the same person is up for debate, but Rorze himself does not care. As far as he’s concerned, he has no allegiances or loyalty to anyone, and acts as a neutral party whose sole concern is preserving objects and even living creatures within the Archives. Because of his robotic, single-minded dedication towards his task, Rorze will do anything to accomplish his goals, so long as he is permitted; He is still technically beholden to The Powers That Be and those that he serves.

Idris- A grumpy, surly overseer, Idris was placed in charge of a field of Airweed and its workers after the past overseer and his hired guns mysteriously died, obviously killed by The Beast. Hired specifically for her apathy on the subject, Idris doesn’t particularly care that other workers are at risk of being devoured by The Beast each day they work; Xia’s harsh climate for workers has taught her to be similarly callous. Still, when three masked strangers appear, offering to help find and kill The Beast –and for free no less!- she can’t help but take the offer. Even if their help is on the condition that Idris herself attend the mission…

Fero- Amongst the Bone Hunter clans, one is led by the persistent, vindictive Fero. Fero is the leader of his clan for obvious reasons- He is a skilled, cold fighter who knows when to cut his losses, when to retreat, and when to strike suddenly from the cover of the sands, or the darkness of night. Like any successful Bone Hunter, Fero is a patient individual, and he has led countless raids on villages, caravans, and so forth. His clan has amassed a wide variety of goods and weaponry to sell, alongside prisoners to keep or sell off as slaves.

           Fero knows that he is human, just like anyone else, but he manages to get around this by being an incredibly stealthy and skilled hunter. He is an intelligent strategist, knowing exactly how to track footprints in the sand, find resources, or take advantage of the environment to swiftly ambush enemies. He has led various guerilla attacks on past opponents and emerged in victory in the process, and is experienced in the realm of survival in any circumstance. Fero himself wields a hand-held rail gun, and rides atop his personal Rock Steed Skirmix, with rider and steed having known each other their entire lives. Skirmix is fiercely loyal to Fero, and would die for him- And should he die, Skirmix intends to go down alongside him. Skirmix is intelligent and understands Fero’s harsh orders well.

Berix- Travelling across the arid sands of the Baran Desert are Water Merchants, who will sell precious stores of water or replenish them to thirsty travelers. Among them is Berix, a heavily-cloaked, hooded figure who keeps himself cool with mechanisms and air-conditioning units underneath his pack. Despite Berix’s rough, coarse demeanor and voice, he is still trustworthy; He is a man of his word and will not try to scam or take advantage of his customers.

Berix is also a scavenger and collector, and with his supply of water is able to make extended trips out into the desert, hoping to dig up neat artifacts to keep. One can barter for water by trading him a unique item of some sort. Berix owns quite the collection of knick-knacks, some gathered from corpses, or found in the sand, or sold to him; Others bought directly from the market. There is some suspicion towards him having killed or robbed for his collection, but he maintains that he is totally innocent.

Berix wields a sword for self-defense, one that has an edge etched with carvings in the shape of sharp waves. It is a keepsake from the past, one of the first things he found in the desert, and an item he treasures and cherishes. In addition, he also has a shield that doubles as a wide, double-edged sword.

Perditus- Perditus is a frequent champion of Zakaz’s brutal races, riding his own Thornatus V9 into victory. Amongst its modifications are an Exsidian front, an improved engine, a rail-gun, and a few Force Blasters. Outside of his races, Perditus will frequently ride across Zakaz’s deserts, and will offer rides; For a price, of course. The longer the trip, the higher the pay. For someone of his title, he is of course a skilled and quick-thinking driver, able to outmaneuver bandits and Bone Hunters on the fly.

           Perditus himself is a mysterious figure, often wearing a racing helmet that obscures his face. There is even a bit of a rumor going about that he is a serial killer, but nobody can know for sure. Outside of his Thornatus, Perditus keeps a rapier on himself for personal defense.

Sahmad- Riding across Zakaz atop his chariot, pulled by a Spikit steed is Sahmad; A ruthless, nihilistic bandit, smuggler, and poacher. Armed with a powerful whip, as well as a rail gun merged with a blade, Sahmad has made a living not only robbing helpless travelers, but also hunting and selling even endangered species- Attached to the back of his chariot is a wheeled cage that he keeps animals in. Poached animals are kept in line with brutal whip-cracks as Sahmad gathers them, before eventually selling them off. On the side, he helps carry cargo of questionable legality across the Baran Desert.

           Supposedly, Sahmad was once a member of the decimated Iron Tribe- Apparently, members of the Iron Tribe one day found themselves unable to dream when asleep. This predicament began to spread amongst others, with those afflicted soon going mad as they could not sleep; Rest had no effect on their addled minds, which became unable to recover and sort through the events of each day. Victims of the ‘Dreaming Plague’ eventually could not fall asleep, and died of exhaustion.

           Naturally, neighbors of the Iron Tribe reacted in fear, and worked to shun the group. It eventually got so bad that the Vahki, normally scarce in Zakaz, were called in to quarantine and contain the entire tribe. Sahmad escaped the quarantine, traumatized after seeing his loved ones die, and became an outcast- Others in Zakaz feared he had the Dreaming Plague and would spread it to them. As a result of his trauma, Sahmad has become an embittered, nihilistic individual who sometimes wonders if his cruel crimes are his attempts to lash out at the world that had forsaken him and his people so?

Telluris- A mad, brilliant inventor, Telluris was also another survivor of the Iron Tribe after the Dreaming Plague wiped it out; Although he and Sahmad didn’t really know each other back then, nor do they interact much in general. Still, a general kinship between the two is still there, as they both share the same trauma and have also been shunned by Xia for their association with the Dreaming Plague. Once, Telluris partnered up with Sahmad, believing that if they colored their armor a dark-blue, people wouldn’t recognize them…

           It didn’t work out, and his armor has remained a rusted-orange since. Yet despite his eccentricities, Telluris is nevertheless a brilliant engineer. On his own, he scavenged parts for and created the Skopio-XV1, a massive four-legged mech with treads built into its limbs. The Skopio has a ‘stinger tail’ equipped with powerful cannons and other weaponry, such as a targeting rail gun and Force Blasters. Telluris himself rides on the back of his Skopio, and has grafted mechanical bits into the back of his head that let himself plug cables leading into his Skopio, enabling a more accurate and precise control over it.

           Perhaps to get back at the world that hurt him –or just because- he rampages frequently around Zakaz, attacking villages, settlements, bandits; Anyone that comes across his path. His Skopio-XV1 is unmatched in firepower, and can even fold up to assume a faster vehicle mode as well. Telluris is paranoid, believing everyone has it out for him, and aims to take over all of Zakaz with his personal weapon. Thankfully, his own madness inhibits his effectiveness- If Telluris were fully sane, he likely would’ve taken over Zakaz by now. One has to wonder if he didn’t totally avoid the Dreaming Plague…

           Between the occasional rampage, Telluris will suddenly calm down and become peaceful in order to visit markets to buy parts and tools from. He has a hidden garage where he performs maintence on Skopio, which he seems to treat as a living creature and beloved pet of his, often talking to it. Damage against Skopio is a personal affront to Telluris, who believes that people are hurting his precious creature, and he will retaliate tenfold for such an action. Between his sudden mood swings and genuine brilliance, Telluris is a dangerous, volatile character that is hard to predict.

Tuma- Once a slave, this towering titan of a Xian has risen to fame and glory as an esteemed Glatorian. Operating in the Baran desert, Tuma is intimately aware of his place and status in society, and knows that the villages of Zakaz see gladiators like him as nothing more than a tool to use; And he is familiar with indignity and dehumanization of slavery as well. Initially a slave-fighter, Tuma earned his freedom after winning countless battles with his unusually potent strength and huge frame.

           Now an independent master of himself, Tuma has become dissatisfied with his lot in society, and still feels like a puppet. To remedy this, he has begun to make recent alliances, hoping to establish a ‘Glatorian Monopoly’ of sorts; Him and other like-minded Glatorian have begun to make deals with one another, purposely losing fights, or choosing jobs, according to the needs of one another. Members of this ‘ring’ of individuals will make alliances, giving out recommendations to one another, and helping to recruit new fighters and training them.

           With his lieutenants Stronius and Branar, Tuma hopes to control the gladiator system that many villages in the Baran desert rely on. Ideally, his network of gladiators will collaborate and coordinate with one another, scheming to lose or win matches with each other, reject offers and services unless at a proper price, strike for better conditions, etc. With Tuma at the top of this Glatorian Monopoly, Tuma hopes to rule the Baran desert by proxy of having control over its gladiator matches, which decide the majority of its political decisions and conflicts. With his wealth as a champion, Tuma has also set up betting offices, and employed his fellow Glatorian, whom he essentially commands, into collecting on debts, as well as accepting matches that he deems beneficial, and in general swaying the events of the arena as he pleases.

           A Glatorian strike and unionization is much-welcomed, and needed. Many gladiators have benefitted from what Tuma has brought about, and the concerns that some villages have on Tuma are not exactly out of the goodness of their hearts, or for the safety of society. Still, Tuma must not let the power and greed get to his head… It seems that gladiators who refuse to join his alliance tend to get bullied into submission, or find themselves out of a job as other members of the network will take job openings and positions from them. Tuma must beware becoming the tyrant that his masters were, and continue providing power to his fellow gladiators instead of oppressing them as well.

           Born with unusual genetics, Tuma towers over most and wears black-and-green armor while wielding a massive sword, shield, and additional blades on his back in combat. Even though he is older than most gladiators, he retains his peak strength, height, and stamina, and stories of this ‘titan’ have spread across Zakaz. Some have interest over the secrets of Tuma’s body…

As a result, groups in the past have attempted to kidnap Tuma for their own gains. Tuma has resisted such efforts naturally, and is used to Exo-Toa Baterra being sent in to spy on him and his actions. Tuma is not open about his Glatorian network, and the Baterra have been sent to keep an eye on him. Unsurprisingly, this kind of surveillance has made Tuma somewhat paranoid, but rightfully so, and he remains sharp-minded as ever to avoid any mistakes.

Metus- A silver-tongued businessman and merchant, Metus has since become a recruiter in the Baran desert. He works to spot out potential fighters and introduce them to the gladiator system, as well as recommend combatants amongst villages, settle disputes, and so forth. Metus has a good eye and nose for potential, able to scout out a potential Glatorian amongst a group, and grant them the funding, investment, and support they need to reach success.

           Metus himself was once a trader in the northern-kingdom of Iconox, only to lose everything within the crossfire of a war he wanted no part in. He does whatever it takes to survive, and will gladly sell out anyone else. He is untrustworthy, and while his recommendations are often good, he has also been caught giving villages poor fighters or else granting dishonest advice. On the side, he makes sure to place his bets well and carefully, and has amassed some wealth as a result.

Metus hopes to get in on Tuma’s planned network of Glatorian and gather a share of the riches, yet is also reporting intel and data to Baterra spies as well. Tuma doesn’t trust him of course, but Metus is insistent on getting a hand on the stocks and treasure; He aims to one day become rich enough to truly leave Zakaz behind, perhaps starting his own business in Stelt…

Surel- An aged veteran from the same conflict that robbed Metus of his livelihood, Surel was left wounded and dying on a blood-stained battlefield. But amidst the White Quartz Mountains, she found salvation in a pack of Iron Wolves that tended to her need, helping protect Surel and bringing her food as she recovered.

           Now, Surel is a leader of this Iron Wolf pack, and leads them on hunts in the White Quartz Mountains, off the fringes of the kingdom of Iconox. She is mostly crippled from age and old wounds, and walks with a limp and walking stick; But armed with a dagger, she can be lethally fast, taking down and gutting an enemy in seconds. She knows how to conserve and utilize her strength well, and with her pack of Iron Wolves by her side, Surel is a lethal opponent and not one to cross. She has no interest in Zakaz’s politics- She has long ago rejected the battlefield she almost died in, and now intends only to live a life of hunts alongside her trusted Iron Wolves.

The Sisters- A cult of powerful telepaths and mind-readers, this all-female (trans-inclusive!) coven of ‘witches’ lives in a desolate forest, somewhere along the borders of Zakaz. They worship a deity named Annona, and their exact intentions and plots are unknown. They prefer to live to themselves, occasionally venturing out in their forest for supplies, and have used their mental abilities in the past to place others beneath their thrall- Such unfortunate victims are not only robbed and used as proxies to gather more materials, but are occasionally even harvested for their body parts.

           The Sisters perform many unusual, arcane rituals. It is unknown to outsiders what they have planned, but evidently they seek to one day find Annona, whom they attribute the cause of their powers to. Attempts to infiltrate the group and learn their secrets have failed; They can sense intent and faultiness, and even Exo-Toa Baterra have been caught by them. Rumor has it that they can even perform magic, and the gladiator Tuma has an unknown connection to them that he’d rather not talk about. Things are apparently uncomfortable between him and The Sisters…

           The primary difference is that the Para-Realm lacks any forms of life; It is completely empty, not having the Life to be its own separate world. Instead, it merely reflects what happens in the World of Light; If a pit was dug somewhere on Okoto, then in the exact same location on Dark Okoto, shortly afterwards, a pit would inexplicably form in the earth. Because the Para-Realm more or less exists to shadow the actions of the Light-World, this means that if one were to alter the landscape in a significant fashion, it would eventually reform and revert back to the layout found in the World of Light.

           There are no animals and no people in the Para-Realm, and what plantlife it does have is a twisted, darkened version of the flora found in the Light World, something not truly alive. In general, that is what describes the Para-Realm; A darkened, imperfect imitation of the real world, clearly cruder and rougher around the edges than the original, with none of the life. The landscape and layout may be the same, more or less, but a mountain’s shadow in the Para-Realm will not have the fertility and nutrition as its prime, nor will its physical properties be quite the same.

           Because the Para-Realm is the imperfect shadow and imitation of the prime reality, this means that major changes to the Light World’s landscape take a while to manifest within the Para-Realm. The landscape CAN be altered, but again- It will eventually reform to match the Light World. Of course, if one were to place sturdy enough foundations with material not from the Para-Realm, alterations might stay; But otherwise, the land itself will always adapt.

           The Para-Realm lacks weather; Its ‘air’ is deathly-still, always, as are its waves. There is no rain; There are no Elemental Deities in the Para-Realm, so the presence of nature is absent and merely copied superificially. By consequence, this means that the hurricanes of the Endless Ocean, which made travel between Xia and Okoto nearly impossible, don’t exist in the Para-Realm; Now, this doesn’t matter ever since The Shadowed One brought both worlds together.

           Buildings, cities, and other manmade constructs of adequate size, if they stay in one place long enough, can eventually cast their own ‘shadows’ across the Para-Realm, as darkened constructs crudely resembling such fortresses rise from the earth. Depending on the materials used in the buildings reflected, these dark imitations can be outright indestructible, with any changes in their surface and shape only occurring to match what happens in the Light World.

           As a result, while the Para-Realm is ideal for infiltrating areas by accessing their equivalents in the Dark World without any guards to worry about, it is not ideal; For example, an underground bunker made up of protosteel (such as the Archives) casts a shadow in the Para-Realm, one that is similarly impenetrable. And the sturdier the shadow of a structure is in the Para-Realm, the more quickly it will reform and rebound any attempts to damage and alter it.

           The Para-Realm is almost entirely dark, although some form of superficial ‘light’ exists scattered throughout the area, sometimes emanating from spots in the shadows of plantlife, or within cracks in the ground. The sky itself, in some areas of the Para-Realm, has waves of glowing energy emanating across, like that of an Aurora Borealis; It seems that the Para-Realm is somewhat imperfectly casting the shadow of the sky’s light as well. Some areas are more well-lit than others, and light in other areas is spread so thinly that one cannot discern a source, but still see regardless.

           It is possible to live in the Para-Realm, although not recommended. Again, it lacks any true substance; There is little nutrition to be found here, with ‘dark’ plantlife yielding little and ‘water’ in the Dark World being a black, liquid substance with few of the nourishing properties of actual water. The Para-Realm is notably colder than its Light counterpart as well.

           Those who live in the Para-Realm can at least breathe there (this also applies to its dark ‘water’), but may find the air to be somewhat thin. Sound is quieter and travels shorter distances, while artificial light sources glow more dimly than usual. For the first generation of Kraahl that arrived in the Para-Realm and began living in it, constant decades of exposure to Shadows caused a change in their children, who were born as beings of Light and Shadow, possessing an affinity for Darkness not found in the World of Light that enables them to travel between both worlds. It has also affected the Zyglak, to a lesser extent; Potentially due to being more recent inhabitants with less of a vested-interest in connecting with shadow, as well as manmade creatures of mutated bio-matter waste. It seems that the longer one stays within the Para-Realm and engages with its energy, the more it will alter their physiology, transforming them into darkened creatures of Twilight.

           Aside from these ‘Twilight’ beings, there seems to be no naturally-occurring entities made of pure shadow that can be found in the Para-Realm. The closest to these are Umarak’s Shadow Traps, being made of Darkness and Metal; But those tend to be crafted in the World of Light anyway. This is the result of all six Elements, and thus Life itself, choosing to align more with the Light than the Dark, thus causing the Dark World itself to be lifeless and without much of a will.

           Something interesting to note is that during the Great Cataclysm of Okoto, the layout of the Para-Realm actually matched what happened to the island in real-time, with the landscape rapidly changing and reorganizing in sync with Okoto thanks to the Mask of Life. Similarly, when the island of Xia was transported across the ocean, Dark Xia followed along the same path in real-time as well.

           Because Shadow stands out so much against Light, its contrast can help to ‘highlight’ it; As a result, particularly powerful forms of Light can be noticed and even felt from the Para-Realm. In particular, the radiance of Lightvines is so brilliant that their glowing radiation carries on even into the Para-Realm, burning and damaging Night Wraiths due to their tenuous balance between Light and Dark being disrupted.

           Through trial and error, Makuta succeeded in creating a tenuous balance between Light and Shadow amidst a few of his prototypes, although it was not perfect; The Proto-Night Wraiths were incorporeal, made of energy and lacking physical substance. Exposure to more Light or Shadow could threaten to jeopardize the careful ratio that Makuta had created, resulting in the destruction of his prototypes.

           Nevertheless, it was good progress; Makuta rejoiced in his own brilliance and continued. He succeeded in transporting a few of his prototypes to the Para-Realm, although they lacked the will and intelligence to return to him. Additionally, Makuta researched into the subject and matter of dreams, noting from his studies that they could apparently be accessed from both the Light and Dark Worlds… His initial prototypes, while successful, were impractical; They could kill victims by entering their dreams while they were asleep, but at that point, why bother entering the nightmare when a creation could just kill their target physically? Especially since accessing the dream would leave a creation’s physical form similarly vulnerable…

           But if dreams COULD be accessed from the Para-Realm, then the ability of nightmare-assassination might prove useful just yet; Makuta’s minions could enter dreams from the Dark World, their normally-vulnerable bodies unable to be accessed by enemies from the Light World. As a result, entering the dreams of those with awake guards nearby was now viable thanks to the Para-Realm… And if Makuta was going to rely on the Para-Realm for his planned dream assassins, then he may as well merge two projects into one, and combine his prototypes with those designed for accessing the Dark World at will.

           By sacrificing a portion of a Mask of Fear’s energy, Makuta combined it with his current prototypes, merging two experiments in one. He finally succeeded with the first, ‘finalized model’ of these Twilight Will-O-the-wisps; The original Night Wraith, Yagavo. Testing Yagavo’s abilities, Makuta granted the Night Wraith a mind, personality, and will by fusing a portion of his soul into it. Yagavo immediately proved loyal, obedient, and desperate for approval.

          Tests were a success, as Yagavo was able to readily, easily warp between the Light and Dark Worlds at will. Subjecting a few victims to his experiments, Makuta was pleased to see Yagavo not only infiltrate their dreams, but even harm the subjects by transforming into nightmares and attacking them from there. Further test runs yielded the same results from the Dark World as well; And with the Dark World more practical for ambushing unsuspecting opponents, Makuta celebrated his success.

           Makuta sent Yagavo out on his first missions, using the Night Wraith to spy on the Okotans as they tried to defend themselves from the Skull Spiders. Yagavo’s intel proved vital in curbing Okotan efforts to fight back, and enabled Fenrakk to capture and harvest many more souls. Yagavo himself was disgruntled at playing second-fiddle to Fenrakk, and desired to prove himself in combat, but Makuta forbade him. The Lord of Skull Spiders was already doing a brilliant job at his task; Yagavo would remain content with his current assignments.

           Like with his other Rahkshi, Makuta eventually granted Yagavo a larger, exo-skeleton body that granted him additional abilities. Yagavo continued to function as a spy, liason, and occasional assassin for his father, even operating on Xia. Since the Para-Realm lacked the Light World’s hurricanes, this meant that it was easy to travel between Xia and Okoto’s shadows, before emerging onto the Light counterparts of either island.

           Despite being a brilliant success, Makuta only succeeded in creating a few more Night Wraiths before production stopped. The reason for this was a lack of Shadow; Umarak was noticing the Skull Spiders’ capture of his Shadow Traps, and incensed, made maneuvers to better avoid the Brotherhood, even destroying several Skull Spiders. Although Makuta was insulted by the challenge, he could not risk making an enemy out of the Deity of Shadow; And with his plans already going smoothly, he saw little reason to mass-produce the Night Wraiths if doing so would make a powerful enemy.

           Centuries passed, with Yagavo and his small team of Night Wraiths continuing to operate. However, Makuta would eventually be contacted by his ties within the Nynrah Ghosts, and learn of the Kraahl; Mysterious, Twilight beings from the Para-Realm. Fascinated, Makuta succeeded in bartering a Kraahl into his possession, and after analysis, realized that his captive was the perfect, corporeal balance between Light and Shadow!

           Recognizing the Kraahl as the perfect package of Light and Darkness, Makuta converted his captive, harvesting their body to create a few Night Wraiths. The Mask Hoarder immediately offered to buy more of the Kraahl that the Nynrah Ghosts had captured, but the organization refused, valuing their unusual prisoners.

           A frustrated Makuta would later learn of the presence of Kraahl on Okoto through Fenrakk’s observations, who had witnessed the beings briefly warping into existence on the island. Makuta sent Yagavo to hunt down these Kraahl, but thanks to Umarak’s warnings, they chose to head back to Dark Xia before the Rahkshi could capture any of them.

           Even as Makuta made plans to one day harvest the Kraahl and make an army of Night Wraiths from their bodies, he also busied himself with other matters, projects, and experiments. His broods of Energy Leeches ended up taking priority, and eventually he almost forgot about the Kraahl…

           But when the island of Xia was transported next to Okoto, Makuta was elated. The Kraahl were now easily accessible, and with his alliance with the Barraki, the Brotherhood could use Kahgarak to open portals to the Para-Realm! Likewise, the emergence of Kralta as the Toa of Shadow led to a more aggressive campaign by the Kraahl, who began to appear in the Light World more frequently, thus making it easier for the Brotherhood to capture more of them.

           With each captured Kraahl, Makuta has converted their bodies into more Night Wraiths. With a rapidly-growing army of these energy-orbs, Makuta is now sending them into the Para-Realm en masse to attack the Kraahl, capturing their bodies and sending them back to his lair of Mangaia. Yagavo is fervently leading such efforts, seeing parallels between his campaign and Fenrakk’s harvesting of the Okotans; He hopes to prove himself better than the Lord of Skull Spiders.

           Now being mass-produced thanks to easy access to the Kraahl, Night Wraiths are being used to not only harvest the Twilight beings, but also assist Makuta in his war against the Okotan Alliance. Night Wraiths’ appearance on the battlefield of the Xian-Okotan War is turning the tide, with their ability to warp between worlds and access dreams turning them into efficient assassins.

          Although Kraltarak is now targeting the Brotherhood in retaliation for these harvests, Makuta has calculated that the costs of mass-producing Night Wraiths no longer outweigh the benefits. He now hopes to expand his conquest not just across the World of Light, but the Para-Realm as well, and use the Dark World in his plans to take his rightful place among the gods.

          Night Wraiths can slightly vary between the size of a watermelon, or a bowling ball; They have beady eyes, jagged mouths, and jutting fins to attack with. In combat, their mouths open to shoot forth bolts of energy, and they can spin around as their fins stretch out to slash enemies. When moving, Night Wraiths constantly emit a gas-like aura of Twilight energy from their forms.

          Night Wraiths are incorporeal; They are mostly comprised of energy, and thus largely resistant to physical damage. Sufficient amounts of physical force can still disrupt the form of a Night Wraith enough to unravel and destroy it, however. Although they are beings of Light and Shadow, their balance between such forces is tenuous, compared to the Kraahl they are usually born from; Adequate amounts of Light, or Shadow, can disrupt the precious ratio that Night Wraiths consist of, leading to an imbalance, conflict, and destruction.

          As a result of this weakness, the Okotan Alliance has taken to using Lightvines provided by Morbuzakh, with the sacred plants emitting powerful Light that is able to access the Para-Realm as well. These Lightvines and their radiance serves as a deterrant for Night Wraiths, keeping them from accessing locations in neither the Light nor Dark Worlds.

           Like their progenitor, Night Wraiths can warp between the Light World and Para-Realm at will, and access the dreams of victims, transforming into lethal nightmares. As they lack an exo-skeleton like Yagavo does, the typical Night Wraith doesn’t have access to his abilities of elasticity, or slowed-down perception of time; Similarly, their powers of Twilight and Dream Assassination are weaker and less efficient than the Rahkshi’s, and their sight into the Dark World and vice-versa is more limited. When utilized en masse however, the Night Wraiths more than make up for their individual deficiencies.

           Night Wraiths are ideal assassins, able to approach targets from the Para-Realm. From there, they can either warp into the World of Light and ambush enemies, or wait for them to fall asleep and then access their dreams from the Dark World. Their Dream Assassination relies on the connection between the mind and soul, with the former as a manifestation of the latter. As Fear affects the mind, it can affect the soul by consequence, and through trial and error Makuta has created beings who can damage the soul by infiltrating nightmares and attacking the mind within.  

           As a result of their ambushing abilities and stealthy tactics, Night Wraiths are the ultimate agents in paranoia. Enemies have a difficult time sleeping, for fear of a Night Wraith infiltrating their dreams and killing them; At least one guard has to be kept awake and watching not just the area but their allies as well, in case they need to be woken up.

          Similarly, Night Wraiths can’t be detected from across the veil between worlds, being totally obscured to those in the opposite realm. They can infiltrate nearly any fortress, and have the ability to levitate, making height a total non-issue for them. Night Wraiths are most often utilized in missions of reconnaissance, sabotage, disruption, assassination, etc. Even outside the realm of dreams, they manage to instill a fear into their enemies that other Brotherhood creations don’t. To both their Okotan enemies and Xian allies, Night Wraiths are ghosts and specters that have come to life from myth.

          Their intelligence is similar to that of the Kraata; They are sentient, able to understand and carry out orders, and strategize to an extent. They can adapt to sudden changes in situations, but otherwise the Night Wraiths seem to lack individual self-awareness. They are entirely obedient to Makuta, and lack emotions; They have no fear and cannot be persuaded into betraying their cause, nor do they prioritize their own self-preservation. It seems that amidst their abilities, the Night Wraiths have also inherited their progenitor’s unyielding obedience for Makuta.

          Fun fact- If an Energy Leech were to drain a Night Wraith, it would begin to glow with a light-blue coloration, to reflect the Twilight energy inside! Similarly, an Energy Leech can then use the absorbed Night Wraith’s power to warp between the Light and Dark Worlds, but this can only work once; After that, the energy is used up. Energy Leeches weren’t designed to utilize Twilight energy, and are thus far more inefficient with it.

          Night Wraiths can also be used as a means of torture, as well as interrogation; Captured prisoners can be forced to fall asleep by a Kraata of Sleep. From there, Night Wraiths will access their dreams, exploring the labyrinthine psyche of a subject in the hopes of accessing elusive information. Alternatively, they can simply be used to repeatedly terrify and torment a subject with nightmares, either to force them to divulge information and/or as a form of sadistic torture.

           They displayed powerful regenerative abilities to the surprise of the Nynrah Ghosts, but this also made them difficult to kill; Even worse, the plague in their flesh was highly-contagious, and discovered to be of a rapidly-devouring, flesh-eating variety. Realizing they had a genuine liability and biohazard on their hands, the Nynrah Ghosts made the decision to destroy all Zyglak and incinerate them.

           Unfortunately, the Zyglak proved rather resistant to high temperatures and fire, and attempts to freeze them did little, as the creatures were able to easily break through their frozen bonds; It would take incredibly low temperatures to freeze them, and their own cells rapidly recovered from crystallization.

           Trydahk became concerned; The Zyglak had been made prior to the Nynrah Incident, so there was an entire district of Xia’s finest scholars and students outside, vulnerable to the Zyglak and their plague. Eventually, he came up with the reasoning that if the Zyglak could not be killed, and if containing them was also risky… Why not banish them?

           Thus, the Nynrah Ghosts gathered all of their Kahgarak, and had the bio-weapons open portals to the Zone of Darkness with their Rhotuka, hurling the captured Zyglak through them. It was a long and arduous process, but eventually the Ghosts succeeded in rounding up every single Zyglak and banishing them. Afterwards, the facility they were in was quarantined, and eventually sterilized through a Xian Heart of Fire, just to be safe.

           While the Zyglak remaind out of sight and mind for their creators, the creatures themselves were still troubled with their own existences. Their very recent experiences and trauma, combined with their relative youth and inexperience, left them permanently scarred in just about every way possible. Hurt, abandoned, and dejected, the Zyglak quickly grew bitter against reality itself, shunning their own creators for rejecting them as mistakes. They grew to hate all others who weren’t Zyglak, on the reasoning that outsiders weren’t accidents like they were.

           Not without reason, the Zyglak realized that all others would likely hate and reject them. Indeed, a few Zyglak had attempted to escape back to the World of Light through the two-way Kahgarak portals, escaping out into Nynrah where they were pursued by the Vahki, with the Xians being horrified and labelling such individuals as monsters. Despite attempts to communicate, these few Zyglak were still quarantined, and unable to cope with their own naturally-deadly bodies, something they had no control over, those Zyglak were banished back to the Para-Realm once again with even-further fractured minds.

           After hearing the experiences of these few Zyglak, the rest of the species only had their paranoia and suspicions confirmed. Hurt, lonely, and without the proper support and guidance they needed in their formative years, the Zyglak became reclusive, territorial shut-ins; Not that there was really anyone else in the Para-Realm, anyway.

           Exploring Dark Xia, the Zyglak became accustomed to the Dark World, feeding on the darkened plantlife within, their own bodies developing an affinity for Shadow in the process that made them even stronger and harder to control, for those who were interested. Living in perpetual darkness with little to do, the Zyglak attempted to alleviate their boredom by crafting spears from the darkened material that made up the Para-Realm. They made up stories and tales, myths that explained how the world worked; But such myths were very simple and unimaginative. Through no fault of their own, the Zyglak had little creativity as a result of little access to anything that could inspire them.

           Years in the Para-Realm conditioned them to darkness, and towards hating the Light. Unable to properly cope with their pain –both emotional and physical, Zyglak had chronic pains- their stories turned into revenge fantasies upon their creators, and eventually all Non-Zyglak. The Zyglak began training with their make-shift spears, learning combat from one another and developing the crude beginnings of their own culture.

           When other creatures and rejects came through the Kahgarak portals, the Zyglak ate them; Usually such bio-weapons could not speak for themselves, and anyhow the Zyglak had been conditioned by trauma to be hostile. In addition, they were hungry for anything that wasn’t the dark landscape of the Para-Realm, finding even bad tastes to be preferable to bland nothingness for their palates. The Zyglak grew to worship their sole neighbor, a titanic crustacean known as the Zivon; Occasionally, offerings would be made to it, in hopes that the beast would leave them alone.

           Eventually, the Kraahl arrived on the shores of Dark Xia, and the Zyglak reacted with hostility. After an initial clash, both groups came to an understanding as mutual rejects lost in the Para-Realm. Nevertheless, the Zyglak could not fully trust the Kraahl, and so both groups made the agreement to mind their own business and territory, ceasing interaction.

          Nevertheless, during their brief exchange –as well as the occasional interaction between more adventurous members of either group- the Zyglak learned of Okoto, of other civilizations, as well as myths, many involving Umarak the Deity of Shadow. In turn, the Zyglak explained to the Kraahl the island of Xia, as well as the Nynrah Ghosts who made them and the Kahgarak that banished the species.

          When Tahu, Hahli, and Kualus were sent to the Para-Realm, they briefly scoured the area before coming across the Zyglak. Recognizing them as outsiders, the incensed Zyglak, screaming their war cry of ‘Vengeance!’, began their pursuit, attacking in full force. They chased the trio for a while, even getting the Zivon involved in hopes that the three would make a worthy tribute. Eventually however, the trio managed to escape the Zyglak’s grasp, and escaped through another Kahgarak portal afterwards.

          Ever since the Xian-Okotan War began, many more groups and individuals have begun to access the Para-Realm, among them Xian soldiers working for the Barraki. While the Okotans battle the Xians in the Dark World, the Zyglak see both sides as threats and are choosing to wage their own war as well, with hunting parties ambushing outsiders and brutally slaughtering them. With their powerful abilities and affinity for Shadow, the Zyglak quickly proved to be lethal, feared opponents who would strike from the deepest darkness. They have reacted in similar hostility to Yagavo and his army of Night Wraiths, who seek to harvest the Kraahl to create more of their number; The Zyglak have come to the mutual aid of their Kraahl neighbors a few times, and have grown to trust and even worship Kraltarak; The Toa of Shadow is comprised of both Kralta, as well as the legendary Umarak they heard so much about.

          Some Zyglak have escaped out into the World of Light in the chaos, and are now leading active attacks against literally everyone else. They have responded aggressively to the Brotherhood of Makuta’s attempts at negotiation, not trusting Makuta, especially after seeing his harvesting of the Kraahl; The fact that he is aligned with their Nynrah Ghost creators does not help. Many Okotans treat the Zyglak with disgust, although there are some among the Xian Revolution –usually those mutated by the Nynrah Ghosts- who offer a hand.

          As the Zyglak interact with other groups more frequently, some are beginning to see the inklings of hope in their own hearts… Some witness the gestures made by others, and wonder if perhaps peace and co-existence CAN be made… Alas, the Zyglak are afraid of taking a risk and do not want to be rounded up and exterminated. For now, they remain a hostile threat to all, and the flesh-eating plague they carry remains a dangerous liability. Currently, the Zyglak are waging war against literally everyone else, with the sole exception of the Kraahl, who they can now almost be said to be allied with.

          Zyglak are large, reptilian beings with scaly hides, easily towering over the average Xian/Okotan. Their heads are pale, with elongated snouts filled to the brim with razor-sharp teeth, and bulbous red eyes that glow in the dark; When hunting, Zyglak can dim the glow of their eyes to increase their own stealth. Their bodies are primarily dark-red, with their legs being more of a dark-blue in coloration and digitigrade and structure.

          The Zyglak have a hunched-over posture, with spines running along their backs, and long claws on their hands and feet. Their long, whip-like tails are orange, and their flesh appears to be necrotic, constantly in a state of decay while at the same time regenerating; This, along with their unintended existence as total accidents, contributes to unstable bodies with chronic pains that keep them awake at night.

          Zyglak possess great physical strength, and are extremely durable, able to withstand large amounts of physical damage. Any damage they do sustain is quickly mended by their potent, regenerative abilities; A Zyglak can regenerate entire limbs, and even being sliced in half won’t necessarily guarantee death for them. They are immune to other forms of harm, such as the elements and poison.

          Fire doesn’t seem to burn them, and it takes incredibly low temperatures to freeze a Zyglak; Even then, their bodies can easily break through the ice frozen in their cells, which are able to rapidly recover from crystallization. Even when completely frozen, a Zyglak’s cells work quickly to raise its body temperatures and melt the ice. Zyglak are likewise unaffected by electric shocks; They are amphibious creatures, able to breathe both on land and in water, and there doesn’t seem to be any acids that can damage them, or any poisons that can kill them.

          Zyglak have borderline-invincible immune systems, and seem unable to get sick; Their bodies are, however, constantly infected with a potent flesh-eating plague. This plague spreads on physical contact; It can be smeared onto victims by a Zyglak through their palm, quickly devouring people alive and breaking down their flesh and even bones. Thankfully, this plague doesn’t seem to be carried through bodies of water; A Zyglak has to actively rub a victim against their necrotic scales in order for the plague to transmit.

          Due to their prolonged time in the Para-Realm and absorption of its plantlife mimicries, the Zyglak also possess an affinity for Shadow. This has only enhanced their above-mentioned immunity to most attacks, but those with a strong will and better understanding of Darkness can even shoot forth bolts of energy from their palms! The Zyglak typically wield crude spears crafted from materials found in the Para-Realm; Any Zyglak can channel their innate connection to Shadow through these spears. When hurled against an object, these spears begin to absorb whatever they come into contact with, channeling the consuming power of Shadow in the process.

          Zyglak are omnivorous, able to eat and digest just about anything; Their hardy stomachs can even digest metal, to an extent! They prefer to live in dark areas, especially those that are wet. Zyglak reproduce in a manner similar to starfish; If one eats enough, it can make the conscious effort to grow another Zyglak from its body, with a head and limbs emerging before the new Zyglak splits off after growing large enough. Other Zyglak can be grown unintentionally from severed limbs, from time to time.

          Efforts to reproduce were few, with most new Zyglak being aforementioned accidents; Sustenance is little in the Para-Realm, even if Zyglak are also hardy creatures that can go long periods without food or water. But since their active warfare against Xians and Okotans alike, pressure is being placed on one another to replicate and grow their numbers, and hope is rising that perhaps the Zyglak can one day take over the world for themselves. Maybe then, they can find peace…

          The Zyglak have their own hissing, rasping language that they share among one another, although they can speak the language of Xians and Okotans relatively well, too- Not bad for beings who had to grow up on their own, without access to educational materials or writing of any sort!

          Their culture is primitive, as a result of their unfortunate circumstances. The Zyglak have no recipes, choosing to eat their meals entirely raw; For the longest time they did not have the luxury of cooking, and had no tools to work with. The Zyglak mostly lived as scavengers during their isolation in the Para-Realm. Their sense of taste and smell is adequate, but they have potent night-vision and can electro-magnetically sense others to a degree.

          Zyglak typically prefer to hunt in small groups, often trailing victims and prey before ambushing them from the darkness. Oftentimes, their brute strength alone is enough; Their fighting skills could use some improving, but are otherwise impressive considering what they had to work with. Zyglak can go long distances tracking prey, and are seen by many as unstoppable monstrosities.

          As a result of both circumstance and their constant, chronic pain putting them in frequent stress, the Zyglak are often aggressive, hostile, and short-tempered. Intruders and outsiders are usually attacked on sight, without question, although sometimes the Zyglak may feel kinship to those why see as fellow rejects and outcasts. When they aren’t hunting, the Zyglak often dwell about and ponder their own miserable existence, often undergoing an existential crisis in the process. A few likely have depression, but lack the medication and therapy they need to cope with their illness.

          The Zyglak have some sense of religion and myths, thanks to cultural exchange with the Kraahl and their own imaginations inevitably running loose. Upon creation, their sole neighbor was the Zivon, a massive beast of colossal power. Although the Zivon initially tried to hunt and eat them, the Zyglak succeeded in evading the beast, and seeing it as the only creature in the Para-Realm, began to worship it. Many saw it as a God, others saw it as a protector; Most viewed it as a wrathful being to appease with gifts, hence the occasional tribute and sacrifices. Meals would occasionally be set aside for the Zivon by the Zyglak; In turn, the Zivon learned to appreciate the creatures and their tribute. The fact of the matter was that the Zyglak also tasted terrible and gave the Zivon a terrible stomach ache.

          Additionally, there were those who worshipped Umarak, due to stories from the Kraahl. They saw Umarak as the progenitor and source of the darkness they lived in and thrived upon, which was… Not at all inaccurate, honestly. They had hit the mark with such a view, and saw their affinity for Shadow as a double-edged blessing, functioning also as a curse. Of course, when Umarak himself appeared alongside his chosen Kaita, the Zyglak chose to instead thank the Deity of Shadow rather than hold any grudges. He could not be blamed for their banishment to the Para-Realm, after all, and Kraltarak holds some sympathy and pity for the race. Rejection is all too familiar for them…

          The alliance between the Zyglak and the Kraahl is both one of some worship towards Kraltarak, but also a genuine understanding as a result of being neighbors for so long. And as interactions increase, with both groups coming to the aid of one another, something close to a genuine respect, and maybe even friendship, is beginning to develop. Indeed, around the Kraahl, the Zyglak’s dispositions tend to improve somewhat, and Kraltarak has used their power over Shadow to help numb the creatures’ chronic pains.

          The Zyglak unfortunately do not feel the same comradery towards anyone else; In their war against their perceived enemies, they have particularly targeted the Nynrah Ghosts, taking great pleasure in the pain and suffering of their creators. Those Ghosts that are captured are brutally torn apart, infected with the Zyglak’s plague, and even eaten; The Kahgarak are similarly despised.

          Recently, the Zyglak have come into contact with the Frostelus and Lekara. The Frostelus proved to be wary of the Zyglak and vice-versa, managing to drive off the creatures with an onslaught of frozen ice. However, as some Frostelus and Zyglak interacted, they too came to an understanding, and beginning to mind one another’s own business as they stay within their respective territories; The Frostelus are content with their homes in the north of Okoto, so the Zyglak have free reign anywhere else.

           However, when Nuva went on a rampage and was defeated, transformed into the Mask of Light and cast from Okoto, the Kraahl saw a golden chance. Seizing control of the Inika, Temple of Summoning, they used the ancient machination’s power to summon Umarak from the Para-Realm, enabling him to pierce the veil between worlds much sooner than expected.

           Caught off-guard, the Okotan Pantheon –weakened from their battle with Nuva- were unable to defeat Umarak. In a last-ditch effort, the Elemental Deities trapped Umarak beneath a new island of Okoto. In the chaos and destruction that ensued from this, Umarak managed to protect his Kraahl by absorbing them into his essence. Later, when the foundations of the new Okoto had settled, Umarak utilized Shadow Travel to transport his Kraahl to the surface. Although no shadows in the Light World were strong enough to transfer his entire being, Umarak could nevertheless carry smaller individuals back and forth.

           Regathering on Okoto, the Kraahl built a hidden city and began to live there, further developing as a culture and civilization. Efforts were made to tunnel through Okoto and release The Darkness Below, but all of these failed. The Inika, if it could help, was useless now; Due to its use in summoning Umarak, the Okotan Pantheon made sure to drain the Temple of Summoning of its energy, rendering the structure entirely powerless and inert.  

          In the meantime, other members of the Kraahl focused their efforts on studying the nature of shadow, hoping to one-day access the Para-Realm. When Umarak was reborn as The Hunter, the Kraahl immediately offered their services. Umarak, recognized there was little mortals could do to challenge the Elemental Deities –who were at the time still in the peak of their power- decided to spare his followers, advising them instead to live their own lives with their own purpose. Dismayed, the Kraahl nevertheless obeyed, leaving Umarak to attend to his hunts. Between his hunts, Umarak would occasionally visit the Kraahl, giving them knowledge on the workings of Shadow, but otherwise preferred to be left alone.

           Eventually, the Kraahl succeeded in discovering a way to access the Para-Realm, carving spell-circles into the ground and transporting whatever was inside to the Dark World. Initially beginning with objects, they then moved onto plants, small animals, and then larger beasts. Inevitably, a few offered themselves up for such rituals- While others had reservations, inevitably the Kraahl accepted the sacrifice of such volunteers. Such subjects were transported to the Para-Realm, and never heard from again; It seems that the trip was one-way, and the Kraahl had yet to master the power of Light, much less Shadow.

           Experiments on creating gateways to the Para-Realm led to a massive circle being carved around the Kraahl’s city, in the event that an attack from others would force them to escape en masse. This was of course a last-resort, but luckily the Kraahl didn’t come into conflict with the Okotan Empire, nor did they get involved with the Skull Raiders who invaded the island afterwards.

           However, their city-sized circle came into play during the Great Cataclysm. As the island begin to wither and die from the Mask of Life, Umarak briefly appeared to the Kraahl, warning them to take shelter before disappearing. As the Kraahl gathered resources and supplies, a few stood in formation in case their spell circle needed to be used.

           Their fears weren’t unfounded- The Mask of Life shattered, releasing a wave of all six elements in multiple directions. The Kraahl’s city was caught in the path of a massive, whirling sandstorm that threatened to bury the entire settlement. Panicking, the Kraahl elders gave the word, and everyone gathered within as the spell circle was activated, transporting the entire cult and some of their supplies to the Para-Realm.

           Arriving in the darkened parallel to Okoto, the Kraahl had little time to take in the sights; The Great Cataclysm, in an unprecedented event, had its events mirrored in the Para-Realm in real time. Many were trapped and buried alive, dying; But others managed to survive, digging themselves out and finding help from none other than those Kraahl who had previously been sent to the Dark World.

           Adjusting to their new lives in perpetual darkness, the Kraahl despaired, having lost contact with Umarak without anyway of returning. With no home left, the Kraahl that remained set to work building a new settlement, and attempting to procure a proper food source. In the end, all that remained was the shadows of plantlife that were cast into the Para-Realm; And when regular food supplies ran out, starvation turned to desperation.

           The dark ‘plantlife’ of Okoto yielded little, but it provided enough for some to live. As the Kraahl adapted to their new lives and began examining the Para-Realm in fascination, studying the world and learning more of Shadow, their bodies began to change. Prolonged exposure to the Dark World began to slowly transform them, incorporating Shadow into their essence. The bodies of the Kraahl began to physically change as a result.

           When a new generation of Kraahl were born, these children were the ideal balance between Light and Shadow, true Twilight beings composed of both forces. Their parents praised their children and passed on the teachings of the Kraahl, eventually passing away. New generations lived knowing only eternal darkness, having heard stories of the ‘Light World’ they had come from, and their god Umarak.

           Inevitably, as new generations came and went, many Kraahl desired more for themselves. They had explored Okoto’s shadow, but knew that the endless oceans beyond were still and safe to travel; Weather was not present in the Para-Realm, unlike the Light World. Why not sail these still seas and see what lay beyond through the shadows they cast into the Dark World? Older generations were against the idea, but one day a titanic beast rose from the dark ocean.

           It was the Zivon; A colossal crustacean from old myths of the Light World. As the Kraahl pondered the presence of this ancestral beast, they hid from the Zivon, which scoured Dark Okoto and was disappointed to find nothing out of the ordinary. Considering the possibility that the Zivon had arrived from another island, the Kraahl made a decision; And the group decided on partaking in a pilgrimage.

           Boats were carved, and the Kraahl followed quietly in the Zivon’s wake after the beast returned to the ocean, following its path. Sailing in the Zivon’s direction, the Kraahl eventually came across an entirely new island, a massive shadow cast by some other land in the Light World. Realizing this meant there was land beyond Okoto, the Kraahl rejoiced at their discovery and landed, exploring the dark island.

           There, they encountered the Zyglak; Bio-matter rejects who had been banished to the Para-Realm by their Nynrah Ghost creators. After initial conflict, the Kraahl and Zyglak came to an understanding as mutual outcasts, and chose to mind one another’s business, not intruding on either’s territory. During the exchange, the Kraahl learned the name of the island this dark land shadowed; Xia.

           As the Kraahl adapted to life on Dark Xia, a few noticed unusual portals that briefly appeared, dropping anything from more Zyglak, to rejected bioweapons and other creations of the Nynrah Ghosts. Having learned from their Zyglak neighbors that these were portals cast by the Kahgarak, a few Kraahl took a chance and entered the portals as they opened; On the other side, they found themselves confronted by a surprised Kahgarak within a Nynrah Ghost facility. These unfortunate Kraahl were captured and experimented upon by the Nynrah Ghosts, and it became a rule amongst the group to avoid such portals.

While this happened, some Kraahl quickly noticed and felt something powerful emanating from the shadow of the Artidax District. There, they encountered a massive structure, reflecting one in the Light World; And from within this impenetrable fortress, the Kraahl felt a source of Light… A brilliant radiance far more powerful than any they had seen, one so bright that its shine emanated even into the Para-Realm.

           After deliberation on this light, it was eventually theorized that it had to have been the Mask of Light; What else could be so bright, and was known for being banished beyond Okoto? With newfound purpose, the Kraahl made plans to retrieve the Mask of Light for Umarak, but also needed to access the Light World to do so.

           Gathering around the Mask of Light’s interdimensional presence, the Kraahl began to attune themselves to its power. They accessed and reawakened the Light that made up a significant portion of their being; And when utilized in conjunction with their natural Shadow…

           A few of the Kraahl suddenly warped, finding themselves in the Light World for the first time. This of course surprised the guards around the facility containing the Mask of Light; In the ensuing chaos, some Kraahl warped back to the Para-Realm, while others escaped into Artidax. The Kraahl regrouped, and understanding their new abilities, succeeded in teaching the technique to the rest of the group; Before long, every Kraahl, even the children, could warp between the Light and Dark worlds like it was second-hand nature.

           Fascinated by their newfound access to the fabled Light World, the Kraahl took to exploring Xia. Hiding within the shadows and utilizing their warping abilities as necessary, they became a local legend amongst Xians, regarded as living shadows who disappeared into the night; This was not entirely wrong, but most Xians also believed the ‘myth’ of the Kraahl to be nothing more than very clever and elusive thieves.

           Enjoying the Light World, as painfully bright as it was, the Kraahl used their abilities to sneak into areas and steal many things, exposing themselves to new foods and culture, as well as various forms of technology. Amassing resources –and even donating a few to their Zyglak neighbors, as a gesture of good will- the Kraahl became acquainted with Xia, and eventually made plans to seize the Mask of Light.

           Watching the facility from afar, they waited for the right opportunity to strike, taking into account Vahki sentries, living guards, security systems, and the Upgraded Vahki with seismic abilities. But before the Kraahl could strike, another group of masked individuals assailed the fortress. Initially hoping to take advantage of the chaos, the Kraahl were unable to retrieve the Mask of Light; The mysterious order of agents took it for themselves, handing it over to a monstrous being who disappeared alongside the artifact. Checking the Para-Realm, the Kraahl did not see this monster, and deduced that it had not warped into the Dark World, but instead teleported across the Light World instead.

           The Kraahl scoured Xia’s shadow for the Mask of Light, but could not find it anywhere. With no other options left, they realized it had to have been on Okoto; And so the Kraahl made a pilgrimage back to their ancestral home. Arriving in Okoto’s shadow, they warped to the Light World and were amazed at the abundance of nature and life there, dazzled by the realization that they were the first to return to Okoto since the Great Cataclysm.

           The Kraahl explored Okoto, searching for the Mask of Light and avoiding the Skull Spiders strewn about; Fenrakk noticed them and reported this to his father Makuta. Eventually the Kraahl reunited with Umarak the hunter for the first time in centuries, and overjoyed, the cult began worshipping the dark being.

           Also surprised but happy, Umarak felt both flattered and uncomfortable with the worship. After reconnecting and explaining what had happened, Umarak revealed that he had already visited Xia a few times before, and even became a member of the Dark Hunters. The Kraahl in turn explained the Mask of Light’s presence, and disappearance from the land. Realizing his old foe was somewhere nearby, Umarak thanked the Kraahl for this information. The Kraahl offered to help him in stealing the rest of the Elemental Deities’ power as well.

           Not wanting to see his people get hurt, and fearing that the Brotherhood of Makuta may notice the Kraahl and attempt to harvest them, Umarak declined. Instead, he ordered his people to head back to Xia and continue living their own lives. Dismayed, the Kraahl obliged, offering one last time to perform a Kaita fusion; However, Umarak found none to be compatible and felt he could not truly trust any of the Kraahl so intimately. He declined, and the Kraahl headed back to Xia; Their search on Okoto had yielded no Mask of Light, to their confusion.

           While some remained on Dark Xia, a few efforts were made to dive into the endless oceans’ shadow, believing the Mask of Light could also be there; But such efforts were futile. Even with stolen submarines, the Kraahl found no trace of Nuva. At some point, the Nynrah Ghosts set a bounty for the Kraahl, hoping to experiment on the twilight beings; When a few Dark Hunters took the assignment for themselves, Umarak learned of this and became enraged. He confronted The Shadowed One, threatening retaliation; In turn, The Shadowed One forbid the Dark Hunters from hunting the Kraahl, while still taking into account their worth to Umarak and potential value.

           Every now and then, the Kraahl would check back on Okoto to see Umarak’s progress. Eventually, they learned of Umarak’s defeat, and his transformation into the Mask of Shadows, which was secured within a maximum-security vault by Ekimu the Mask Maker. Enraged and dismayed, many of the Kraahl suggested retaliation, but their leader, Kirop, advised caution. They could not match the Okotans; Instead, a few of their finest warriors would travel to Okoto’s shadow, observing the Mask of Shadows’ vault from the Para-Realm. When the time was right, they would break in and free Umarak, and operate from there…

           In the meantime, Kirop and the rest would remain in Xia’s shadow. A few months later, members of the Kraahl came across Tahu, Hahli, and Kualus in the Para-Realm; Initially they showed hostility, choosing not to reveal their nature as worshippers of Umarak at the time. A tenuous understanding was eventually reached, and Kirop permitted the trio to leave; Back on Dark Okoto, a few Kraahl noticed the presence of Yagavo, who would often warp into the Para-Realm in combat. Per Umarak’s past advice, they avoided the Rahkshi to evade Brotherhood interest.

           Eventually, Kirop and his group began to trace the Okotan Expedition on Xia, watching them from afar as they figured out what to do. In the process, they witnessed an individual known as Kralta; A withdrawn Xian who the Kraahl immediately resonated with. Intrigued by Kralta, the Kraahl continued to trace her as well, and after seeing the signs, Kirop believed that she could be the long-awaited Kaita of Umarak!

           The Kraahl chose to ignore the Okotans and their conflict with the Dark Hunters, watching Kralta from afar. When Xia was flown over to Okoto, the Kraahl were largely unaffected by the incident, but still shocked nonetheless. Keeping their eyes on Kralta, they followed the Xian when she fell to Okoto during the great battle against the Dark Hunters.

           As if by fate and Destiny, Kralta landed in the Region of Stone, not too far from where the Mask of Shadows was located. Realizing it was time, the Kraahl set to work, slaughtering the guards at the vault with the rest of the Okotan Alliance distracted with the Dark Hunters. Carving open a path directly to the Mask of Shadows, they pried open the vault and stood by, bowing before Kralta as she approached Umarak.

           Umarak and Kralta communicated telepathically, briefly, and came to an understanding; And when Kralta donned the Mask of Shadows, she ascended as Umarak’s first Kaita, becoming the only Toa of Shadows to have ever existed. The Kraahl rejoiced, celebrating the triumph of the Deity of Shadow.

           Now, they are currently working under Kralta and Umarak’s orders to undermine multiple enemies; The Okotan Alliance, Barraki, Brotherhood of Makuta, etc. While some Kraahl assist Kraltarak in fighting their enemies, others search for the Mask of Light. The Kraahl hope to resume their age-old goal of helping Umarak tip the balance of Life towards Darkness, making the Para-Realm the new prime reality, with the Light World acting as the hollow echo to the Dark World instead- Assuming any of it will still exist once Kraltarak is finished.

           But as the Para-Realm has become a battlefield for the Xian-Okotan War and Core War, the Brotherhood of Makuta has taken a vested interest in the Kraahl. Having heard of the twilight nature of the Kraahl through his Nynrah Ghost contacts and Fenrakk, Makuta sees them as the perfect package of Light and Shadow; The body of a Kraahl is perfect for creating Night Wraiths! Now, the Brotherhood of Makuta is attacking the Kraahl, harvesting them for Life energy and their dual nature. Yagavo is leading an army of Night Wraiths to attack and harvest the Kraahl; Cruelly, many of the Night Wraiths involved were made from the bodies of slain Kraahl.