The Power that fuels the cycle of life and continues time in its diurnal course is not of one source. The world and all its inhabitants, be they man or beast, are subject to, though for the most part unaware of, the conflicting forces that rival each other for power. Indeed, it is this struggle for balance that ensures life continues. As night gives way to day and day to night, so these opposing and complementing forces must struggle against one another whilst ensuring that the other will match it and maintain the balance. Man has incorrectly associated these powers with the turning of the day and night cycle, their undeveloped minds comparing light and dark, good and evil with forces that must contest in order for life itself to continue.

Yet there are times when a neutral party is needed, a force of both sides of the Power and at the same time of neither. This barrier established and now maintains the separation of the two halves of the Power, the necessity to keep the two halves apart, apparent to few, but essential for all. Whilst the two halves ensure life continues, this barrier is needed to ensure that when one side is dominant, the other does not dwindle and become swallowed.

Each half of the Power and the barrier must be represented in the mortal world to demonstrate to the races of the earth this eternal balance and control that is forever balanced on the edge of a knife. From the dawn of mankind, there have been three men, for mankind was the youngest of the races of the earth and the most in need of educating in the ways of the universe, who act as representatives of the two halves of the Power and the force of balance. While half of the Power may command a powerful champion in the prime of their existence, the other will invariably be represented by one in the twilight years of their life. It is here that the force of balance is needed, ensuring that weaker is not consumed by the stronger, holding one side back while the other is born again in another human child.

The great Powers confer upon their champions the gift of unnatural long life, though neither are immortal. Despite their longevity, both inhabit frail human bodies, as strong or as weak as the next man. Thus the cycle of ruling side can be changed at a sword stroke. It was not always so. In the beginning, man understood that the balance of power was maintained by the force of nature alone, the two halves vying for supremacy yet kept apart in time of need. Now, man has grown self-important, seeking to control his own destiny, some going as far as to try and change the cycle as they see fit.

While the two halves of the Power are represented by the long lived champions, the force of balance has only ever had one champion, a lone man whose strength should have lasted unto the ending of the earth and the destruction of Time itself. But the interference of man upon the cycle has drained more his energies than could ever have been thought, constantly having to compete with changes in side, the continuation of the essential divide and equilibrium. There are some scholars who speak of dire portents, signs that the balance may be less effective than it was, that it slips or fails entirely. Others pass this off as idle talk, insisting that if such a rift were to occur, the world would know of it already in the most terrible way.

But there are signs, cracks appearing in the surface, the Powers influencing the earth and its inhabitants in ways never before seen. It has been slow in its coming, but there can be little doubt. As long as our fathers have remembered, there has been only years of good harvest, of fatted lambs and lush pastures. We sacrifice to the earth and the sun and the wind to continue our fortune, but is this enough?

Already a shadow spreads across the land. What would mankind do if the sun should fail, and the darkness come?