Great Chasm

The Great Chasm is a phenomenon found in Bravely Default. It is a massive void located at the former site of Norende Village in the Caldis Region. Its arrival causes great destruction and sets the events of the game into motion, with the main goal of the heroes being to close it. While most people remain unaware of the reasons' for its appearance, the heroes learn of the Great Chasm's true nature over the course of their journey. However, some followers of Anticrystalism blame it on followers of Crystal Orthodoxy.

D's Journal
Norende Village (Entry 2) Great Chasm: This gaping void opened up in the Norende Region, swallowing Tiz's entire village during a massive earthquake that shook all of Caldisla.

Story
The Great Chasm's arrival was heralded by a massive earthquake which could be felt across the entire continent. A pillar of light would appear underneath Norende Village, swallowing the ground as it expanded. None of the village was spared, with the sole survivor being Tiz Arrior, who was rescued and taken to Caldisla. At the same time, Luxendarc's four crystals would be consumed by darkness. Word of the Great Chasm would spread quickly, even to Ancheim, at which point the local king would send Agnès Oblige to observe the Chasm for herself.

After awakening, Tiz would return to the Great Chasm to look for survivors, but was confronted by the vast devastation. He would meet Agnès, who was praying nearby. Agnès and the cryst-fairy, Airy believed that the only way to close the Great Chasm was to awaken all four crystals. Tiz chose to accompany Agnès and protect her while she performed this task. After awakening all four crystals, Agnès's group would summon the Holy Pillar, which, according to Airy, would sweep away the darkness. Unfortunately, the heroes simply found themselves in another world where the Great Chasm still existed and the crystals remained unawakened.

Taking up a journey to reawaken the crystals, Agnès's group seemingly fail to close the Chasm several more times. They eventually learn of the Chasm's true nature. When the Holy Pillar is summoned, it creates a link to parallel version of Luxendarc. In this new world, the Great Chasm appears and swallows the world's Norende. This is revealed to be part of a plot by Airy to link a multitude of worlds for her master Ouroboros. She would mislead a world's chosen heroes into summoning the Holy Pillar and then kill them, with only Agnès's group being kept alive. When the heroes discover Airy's plot, she assumes her true form, and travels to the Great Chasm. Following her, they travel to a misterious location known as the Dark Aurora. It is only after Agnès's group defeats Airy and Ouroboros that the Great Chasm closes. However, Agnès's group is able to return to their own world using the Great Chasm's link to other worlds moments before it closes.