The Dark was a period at the end of the Second Imperial Age in which the Xi'an had no ruling Imperial House. Due to the destruction caused by the Spirit Wars, the Xi'an were unable to unify and select a House to succeed the destroyed Imperial House Xy.ō. Armed conflict between Houses and assassination of political rivals once again became commonplace. The Dark ended when House Kr.ē was selected as the Third Imperial House in MXY III.0 (SEY 1457)