The Ancient Ones were the oldest and wisest life forms in the Edgeworld: first was the Sanctaphrax rock, representing the Earth element; then came the Great Blueshell Clam, representing the element of Water; and the last one was the Caterbird, representing the Air. They were the first glisters to take a defined shape. All of this was explained to Nate in "The Immortals" by the Caterbird. Later, Free Glades students including Cade Quarter learnt the above chant in the junior academies of the Cloud Quarter.