The Great Cataclysm is a period of time of Gaia's history from circa 1650 AD - 1750 AD. While the word "cataclysm" implies a natural disaster, the overall events are anything but. Cataclysm means "a momentous and violent event marked by overwhelming upheaval and demolition; broadly : an event that brings great changes".

The Great Cataclysm is divided into two eras: Beast Trigger and the Aftermath Wars.


Beast Trigger era


The era known as Beast Trigger is called such because a great monster rose up from what seemed like nowhere and ravaged the world. It became known as the Great Beast, or simply the Beast. It had tremendous power, able to destroy anyone and anything it came into contact with. It almost seemed like a natural disaster. It was first sighted 30 miles east of Yamato: City of Season Deity Worship, which is believed to have been a target of it's rampage. Some believed it was punishment from Heaven as divine intervention, others believed it to be a great demon. Either way, it was seemingly unstoppable.

Very few people know what this thing actually was, but history remembers it as a beast of variable size and shape that indiscriminately destroyed anything and anyone in its path. It's generally pictured as a giant black monster with azure eyes, sharp claws, and sharp teeth. These descriptions are typically from people that saw it from afar. Up close it's a bit more complex. Its epidermis dynamically changed over the course of The Great Cataclysm, and it's made of some unknown amorphous substance.

Some historians speculate that the skin is made of debris of things it's destroyed...held together by, and condensed by, some strong force. This theory is supported by people and materials from entire cities completely vanished after a rampage from it. If that's true, then the beast itself was a powerful force that consumed everything it came into contact with. This theory is generally considered to be the most likely, as The Beast grew in size over time. Before its demise, it was several hundred feet in height.

What made The Beast such a threat was that it had a powerful barrier. Anytime it felt threatened, it put up a barrier that nothing could penetrate. The barrier itself was nicknamed "Despair" because of all the failed attempts against it. Magic and technology of all kinds were completely useless against it.


"Battle of Despair"

In what seems absurdly simple, Despair did in fact have a weakness; something that everyone has, but few are able to fully master: Haki. In a way it's very fitting that the Willpower Energy from people was able to break Despair, making the Beast vulnerable. A mere seven swordsmen who mastered this power shattered Despair in a single battle. With Despair shattered, it became possible for the Gaian Military, the Divine Paragon, and other groups to damage The Beast. After the battle, its core was destroyed by Jubei and Suzaku...ending the conflict.



Aftermath Wars era


While The Beast itself was the main threat, the aftermath was often considered just as bad in some cases. With the governments of the world in shambles from their war with the Beast, several notable people tried their hand at conquest. Among other civil conflicts, battles, and consequences of the war with The Beast...these are the Aftermath Wars.


Goh Daigo's uprising
Emperor Goh Daigo was one of the first to revolt. With the Gaian Government in shambles, Goh Daigo led a campaign for world conquest. He led the Daigo clan of Blue Mage warriors and the Kusunoki samurai, led by Masahige Kusunoki...who was one of the seven swordsmen that broke Despair. Kusunoki is remembered for his unwavering loyalty, despite everything that followed. Eventually the Daigo clan were tired of the needless bloodshed after after such a long war that caused countless deaths already. The Daigo clan betrayed Goh Daigo by handing him over to the Gaian Government, in exchange for amnesty. All territories would be returned, and they would return to their homeland. Masahige Kusunoki would not relent, and fought his way to the gallows of Goh Daigo's execution. He offered to die in his place. This was refused. Kusunoki then told his clan to lay down their arms for the sake of peace, and died alongside his lord. Masahige Kusunoki. A hero turned public enemy, though is still remembered to this day as "Nanko", meaning hero by his clan. He is ultimately remembered for his loyalty above all else.