In the earliest of days, the three ancients oversaw all life. The ancients, The Aquatic, The Terrestrial, and The Empyrean were each a transfiguration of 3 separate elements, holding the world in balance. One day, an ancient shark warrior manifested the Celestial Tide, an atmospheric pool of water, causing all those in the land and sky to perish. This action caused The Terrestrial and Empyrean to disappear as well, leaving The Aquatic as the sole life force. As The Aquatic was forced to become all 9 elements, it punished all life in the ocean by forcing them onto the land.
Harmony between the 9 elements hangs by a fine string - this is the story of trying to recapture a balance that is almost undone.