Everything around you originated from the Great Crystal, otherwise known as the Azure Sun. These are manifestations of the spirits of the elements, which occupy the crystal with their being. Without these elements, magic, landscapes, and some forms of life, would not exist. Though the spirits rarely manifest aside from everyday entities, they interact with our world every day, though most of the time unwillingly.
With the use of glyphs, the spirits can do nothing but endure the torture of the citizens of Yliakum constantly using them to borrow their power. Also, with the elements constantly in pain, hatred may arise in their being, thus causing some of them to become corrupt. This corruption is the cause of Dark Way magic, where dark elements inflict pain and suffering. These spirits feel no pain from those who use glyph magic to call upon their power, which is the main reason why so many subject to the suffering.
To counterbalance the growing problem of these dark spirits, some of the remaining elemental spirits detached from themselves what was left of their purity, thus opening up the possibility of Crystal Way magic, and creating pure spirits from their being. Glyphs used to call upon the Crystal Way do not harm these pure spirits, since it is their will that this magic be used to heal. As for the rest of the elements, being depraved of their purity and their darkness, they are left to focus on their own goals, having no real goals focusing on good or evil.
To try and cull the struggles of nature and the elements, since it was not only the dark and pure spirits in conflict, the Goddess Xiosia arose, and with her power greatly subdued the spirits, making their struggle nothing more than uncommon acts of hatred from one to the other. They can very little interact with the world of Yliakum with Xiosia's presence, thus their powers are mainly only seen when glyph magic is used. Rivers and the such, natural manifestations of the elements, remain where they were, unharmed by the elemental wars and forceful use of their power.
When the Gods melded intellectual beings, it was the elements' combined power inside of the crystal which created the life, such as it heals the life when used with Crystal Way magic. Unaware of the spirits, Talad tried to use the crystal's power, which enraged the furious flame spirits and caused a backlash which disfigured Laanx. Some of the power was infused with the pure spirits, thus when it touched ground, the Kran were created, though they did not have enough of a concentration of the crystal's magic to form detailed physical or mental traits.
When the crystal eclipses, it is the two fronts trying to directly attack each other, causing their powers to shift sides for a short while. Eventually they will return to their respective crystals, but they make great changes in our world when swapping places.
We may all do our part to help end the wars of these spirits. No matter which side you take, remember that there are greater forces that may aid you.