Many tales circulated across the Kolo Continent about how the myriad living beings of the world had come into existence. Of them, two versions were the most widespread, known in every household.
"In the beginning, the world was chaos. The appearance of the First Flame ended the Age of Chaos, and its power was divided into four portions, inherited and carried on by four races. The First Flame was a gift bestowed upon the world by the gods. Dragons were the gods' messengers, while giants were the executors of the gods' will. The two races inherited the two strongest portions of the First Flame's power: judgment and order.
Elves and humans inherited the remaining two portions of power: protection and creation.
Beyond that, countless other races gradually evolved and came into being. The earliest civilizations were continuously established and multiplied, and the world kept developing toward prosperity.
No one knew how much time passed afterward before the gods vanished without a trace. No one knew the true reason. The dragons, as the gods' messengers, also gradually faded from sight. Only the giants continued carrying out the gods' will, passing down the flame of order and allowing the world to continue functioning normally.
But flames required kindling to burn. The First Flame was no exception.
As time passed, the First Flame's light grew ever dimmer. If it went out, the entire world would fall completely into eternal, boundless darkness.
The giants tried to find a way to sustain the flame, but their efforts came to nothing. At the final moment, so that the First Flame might continue burning, the giants who had inherited the power of fire turned themselves into kindling."
Ausia looked up at the clear, radiant starry sky.
The vast night sky was dotted with countless stars. Deep blue