Erethian reflected on the many artifacts and quests the Avatar had seen: Mondain the Wizard, who during the First Age of Darkness had created the Gem of Immortality, which the Avatar had smashed during his final battle with the wizard, creating the three Shards of Cowardice, Falsehood, and Hatred that had caused so much trouble during the Second Age of Enlightenment along with Lord Blackthorn, and his skull which had been enchanted to destroy his enemies, but which had been lost after the Avatar hurled it into the Great Stygian Abyss during the First Age of Enlightenment; Minax the Enchantress, the mistress of Mondain that had caused Britannia so much trouble until the Avatar had dispatched her with Enlino the Quicksword, an ancient sword that had been lost since the Ages of Darkness; Exodus, the hellspawn offspring of Mondain and Minax, that Erethian had learned from the Lycaeum was not entirely destroyed by the Avatar on the Isle of Fire, but had been split into its two parts: the Psyche of Exodus which had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, and the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, but which became inactive when the Avatar destroyed the interface of Exodus.

As they spoke, Erethian told the Avatar of the Shrine of the Principles, dedicated by Lord British on the Isle of Fire at the beginning of the First Age of Enlightenment, which housed the Shrine of Truth, the Shrine of Love, and the Shrine of Courage. During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar found a daemon trapped within a mirror, nearby the Dark Core. The daemon Arcadion was the servant of Erethian, and asked the Avatar to help him be free. After completing the Test of Truth and claming the Talisman of Truth, the Avatar learned from the Shrine of Truth that the Psyche was returning, which seemed to excite Erethian. Following the Test of Love and the recovery of the Talisman of Love, the Avatar learned from the Shrine of Love that a great evil was stirring in Britannia, to which Erethian exclaimed that he sensed no evil. However, during the Test of Courage, the Avatar met a dragon named Dracothraxus, who gave the Avatar a small blue gem after defeating her, saying that the weapon needed to destroy her did not exist yet.

When asked, Erethian told the Avatar about the Ether Gem he now held, and explained that Arcadion wanted the Gem as he felt it would allow him to exert his power over Britannia, when in fact it would merely bind the daemon into a more mobile jail. Explaining that he had started work on a powerful sword made from the mysterious substance known as blackrock, which was being researched by Rudyom of Cove, Erethian told the Avatar that he was unable to work the material into a useable sword. Recalling the advice of Menion in Serpent's Hold, the Avatar managed to fashion a fine blade, but still found the sword unwieldy. At the advice of Arcadion, and at the warnings of Erethian, the Avatar merged the now-contained daemon Gem and the blackrock sword, forming the Black Sword. Returning to the Test of Courage, the Avatar called upon the Sword's power of Death against Dracothraxus, and with her death, claimed the Talisman of Courage. From the Shrine of Courage, the Avatar learned that only the Talisman of Infinity could stop the rebirth of Exodus. When approached about this, Erethian read the Scroll of Infinity, one of the many documents found in the Castle of Fire, and learned that the Talisman's purpose was to send something into the Ethereal Void.

Realizing the Avatar's plan, Erethian refused to help, but Arcadion told the Avatar to recover the concave and convex Lenses, kept in the Royal Museum in Britain by Candice, that were used during the Third Age of Enlightenment when the Avatar sent the Codex of Infinite Wisdom into the Void, at the request of Lord Draxinusom, to prevent the destruction of the gargoyles. As he placed the Lenses and Talismans around the Dark Core, Erethian appeared begging the Avatar not to continue. As he prepared to cast a powerful spell, Erethian's ether became twisted, causing the mage to miscast his spell, which rebounded and destroyed him. After the Dark Core was banished, the Avatar returned to his quest to save Britannia.

During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. After completing the Tests of Love and Courage, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void. As the Avatar continued his quest, the Shrine of Truth remained on the Isle of Fire, awaiting the next quest.

During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. After completing the Tests of Truth and Courage, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void. As the Avatar continued his quest, the Shrine of Love remained on the Isle of Fire, awaiting the next quest.

During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. When asked, Erethian explained that Arcadion wanted the Gem as he felt it would allow him to exert his power over Britannia, when in fact it would merely bind the daemon into a more mobile jail.

Explaining that he had started work on a powerful sword made from the mysterious substance known as blackrock, which was being researched by Rudyom of Cove, Erethian told the Avatar that he was unable to work the material into a useable sword. Recalling the advice of Menion in Serpent's Hold, the Avatar managed to fashion a fine blade, but still found the sword unwieldy. At the advice of Arcadion, and at the warnings of Erethian, the Avatar merged the now-contained daemon Gem and the blackrock sword, forming the Black Sword. Returning to the Test of Courage, the Avatar called upon the Sword's power of Death against Dracothraxus, and with her death, claimed the Talisman of Courage. Upon completion of the Test of Courage, the Shrine of Courage gave the Avatar a gift of Strength, reminding the Avatar of his worth in Valor, Sacrifice, Honor, Spirituality, and Humility, and laid a geas upon the Avatar to seek out the Talisman of Infinity. After completing the Tests of Truth and Love, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void. As the Avatar continued his quest, the Shrine of Courage remained on the Isle of Fire, awaiting the next quest.

Quickly, the Avatar obtained both the 'heart' and the blood, and Bollux was restored to life. Grateful, Adjhar offered the Avatar the Talisman of Love, thus ending the Test of Love. During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. After completing the Tests of Truth and Courage, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void. As the Avatar continued his quest, Adjhar remained on the Isle of Fire, guarding the Shrine.

Quickly, the Avatar obtained both the 'heart' and the blood, and Bollux was restored to life, and Adjhar gave the Avatar the Talisman of Love, thus ending the Test of Love. During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. After completing the Tests of Truth and Courage, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void. As the Avatar continued his quest, Bollux remained on the Isle of Fire, guarding the Shrine.

During his travels on the Isle of Fire, the Avatar had met Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness. When the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire. Finishing Erethian's work on a powerful sword of blackrock, which was being researched by Rudyom of Cove, the Avatar merged the now-contained daemon Gem and the blackrock sword, forming the Black Sword. Returning to the Test of Courage, the Avatar called upon the Sword's power of Death against Dracothraxus, and with her death, claimed the Talisman of Courage. After completing the Tests of Truth and Love, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void, and continued his quest.

Arcadion was enslaved by Erethian, a blind mage who had traveled to the Castle of Fire, and had learned a great deal about the hellspawn Exodus, the offspring of Mondain the Wizard and Minax the Enchantress, who had threatened Britannia during the Third Age of Darkness, and who had learned that when the Avatar had destroyed the interface of Exodus, its Psyche had been captured by the gargoyles into the Altar of Diligence, one of the three Principles that formed the Axiom of Singularity which was the basis of the Culture of the Gargoyles, and which was cared for by Teregus on Terfin, while the Dark Core, an ancient artifact that seemed to be simply for the storage of information from the trivial, such as the color of the sky on a certain day, to the powerful, including instructions for the manipulations of the world, had remained in the Castle of Fire, who had merely used the existing enchantments without an inkling of how it was achieved.

When the Avatar arrived on the Isle of Fire, at the request of Lord British to seek out the nature of the recent earthquakes, the Champion of Virtue met Arcadion nearby the Dark Core, who had told the Avatar that the Ether Gem, held by the dragon Dracothraxus in the Test of Courage, would free him from his prison, but when the Avatar asked Erethian, he explained that Arcadion wanted the Gem as he felt it would allow him to exert his power over Britannia, when in fact it would merely bind the daemon into a more mobile jail. Seeking out the Shrine of Courage, and entering the Test of Courage, the Avatar found Dracothraxus' lair past a series of tunnels filled with various creatures. After a vicious battle, the Avatar vanquished the beast, Dracothraxus explained that she could only be destroyed by a truly powerful artifact, and presented the Avatar with the Ether Gem for his courage. The Avatar used the Gem to release Arcadion, who after a moment's gloating, realized that he was indeed trapped within the small Gem, and still at the Avatar's command.

When asked about the powerful artifact Dracothraxus mentioned, Erethian explained that he had started work on a powerful sword made from the mysterious substance known as blackrock, which was being researched by Rudyom of Cove, Erethian told the Avatar that he was unable to work the material into a useable sword, but even after the Avatar managed to fashion a fine blade, but still found the sword unwieldy. Erethian suggested binding a source of magical of power to the sword to balance it, but when Arcadion pointed out that his current form in the Gem would make a useful source, Erethian warned the Avatar to consider well the choice. Despite the warning, the Avatar merged the now-contained daemon Gem and the blackrock sword, forming the Black Sword, also known as the Shade Blade. This powerful weapon still contained the mind of Arcadion, and offered the Avatar the power to Return to the Isle of Fire, the power of Death over living creatures, the power of Fire to smite his enemies, and the power of Magic to refill the Avatar's mana supply, although these came at a cost, for the blade required the deaths of others to maintain its supply of power.

When the Avatar returned to Erethian, the old mage reflected sorrowfully on the Avatar's decision, and hailed him as the Master and Slave of the Shade Blade. Returning to the Test of Courage, the Avatar called upon the Sword's power of Death against Dracothraxus, and with her death, claimed the Talisman of Courage. After completing the Tests of Truth and Love, the Avatar summoned the Talisman of Infinity to send the Dark Core into the Ethereal Void, and continued his quest, the Black Sword at his side.