Darkness is the blockage of Light; a turn away from—or complete absence of—Goodness; in other words, pure evil. Anything which causes harm to oneself or others is considered as Darkness. The Dark Realms are torturous dimensions. In Spyro's world, Darkness can corrupt magical gems, and the elements. Certain elements (such as Shadow, Alchemy, Fear, and Æther) are at times rarer to obtain naturally than by corruption, and some creatures will turn to the Dark to gain a control over these elements. However, this is by very nature harmful, if not deadly. Dark forms of elements do not behave the same way that Light forms do: Shadow Fire won't give light nor warmth, Deadbolt gives no light nor does it start up machinery, Dry Ice quenches no thirst, and Dead Air will suffocate. Light Æther elemental magic is required to purge victims of corruption, and even then, it is impossible for any being to avoid the Darkness completely, save for the One Who Is Light: for one cannot turn away from one's own self.

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Dark Realms

The Shadow Realm is a dimension of torture to living souls. Getting here requires either magic (such as the Dragons' Shadowstone), turning to the Dark, or both. Getting stuck inside is easy, getting out is not.

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The Stygian Orcus is a dimension of infinitely worse torture for souls deceased. It is easy to enter this evil place, and since no soul can ever completely turn away from the Dark, all individuals are doomed to eternal imprisonment here, unless the Prophecy of the Great One is true.

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Dark Gems

Dark gems are corrupted magical gems, sapping away life energy, stifling willpower, and at some times removing any sense of self-control. For more information on dark gems and other crystals, see Magical Crystal Gems.

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Effects on Elements

Fire

The Dark form of Fire is often called Shadow Fire, for it burns yet gives no light; a rarer term is Cold Fire, because it gives no warmth. For more information about the nature of Fire, see Fire (Element).

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Electricity

The Dark form of Electricity is sometimes called Dead Bolt, because instead of bringing electrical objects to life, it breaks them; another term—though rarely used—is Blackcurrent, for it gives no light. For more information about the nature of Electricity, see Electricity (Element).

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Alchemy

The Dark form of Alchemy is called Poison, for it not only is incapable of healing allies, but prolonged use of it will slowly kill the wielder, as well. For more information about the nature of Alchemy, see Alchemy (Element).

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Earth

The Dark form of Earth is sometimes called Rot, because it causes great decay both around and within its users; rarely, the word Death is used in-stead of Rot to refer to Dark Earth. For more information about the nature of Earth, see Earth (Element).

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Wind

The Dark form of Wind is called Dead Air, because it will suffocate those who breath it in. For more information about the nature of Wind, see Wind (Element).

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Ice

The Dark form of Ice is called Dry Ice, for it can never quench the thirst of those whom it touches; another name for Dark Ice is Black Ice, because it blocks all incoming light. For more information about the nature of Ice, see Ice (Element).

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Shadow

The Dark form of Shadow is called Blind, or Shadowblind, because instead of protecting the senses, it destroys them; those who have turned to the Dark to obtain use of Shadow are said to have "gone Shadowblind". For more information about the nature of Shadow, see Shadow (Element).

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Æther

The Dark form of Æther has no common name besides Darkness or Dark Æther, but is sometimes called Nether, or Negative Æther. For more information about the nature of Æther, see Æther (Element).

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Fear

The Dark form of Fear has no common name, but it is very different from its natural form: the opposite of Fear is like the opposite of loyalty, for one is even disloyal to oneself, losing control of one's composure; Dark Fear causes its user's sanity to drip away like blood from a fresh wound. For more information about the nature of Fear, see Fear (Element).

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Corruption

Corruption (sometimes also called "Evilization") is when an object or individual being is cursed into Darkness beyond that which is averagely known. This is either a result of a purposeful attempt at corrupting one's own self, or of having a curse placed upon one's self by an other. Almost all beings are cursed with an average pull to Darkness, but the term corruption specifies a greater occurrence of evil, often through loss of self-control. See Aveesh for the source of all corruption.

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The Only Remedy

As mentioned above, Light Æther elemental magic is needed to remedy any evil, but due to an ancient Curse, it is impossible for most beings to completely avoid Darkness. All beings tainted by Darkness will become trapped in the Stygian Orcus when they die. There is however one REMEDY to this Curse: the fulfillment of the Prophecy of the Great One.