Power Struggles: Political and personal power conflicts within a territory.
Transformation Journeys: Characters evolving from ordinary individuals into key players in the story.
The Anyth, the lower half of Gates City, remains a remnant of the Terra-war, where survivors from the NOA (Nations of Anyon) still reside. Together with Archeston, these two cities are collectively referred to as "the Gates" due to their proximity and shared architectural styles. Unlike the towering heights of Archeston, the Anyth is an overcrowded, decaying district suffering from severe resource shortages. Many of its residents live in unstable buildings, with some structures already collapsing into others.
The Heavens, the ruling force above, avoid direct involvement in the Anyth’s affairs. Despite the constant struggle for resources, the Anyth is rich in vegetation, known as the Green, which is cherished by every citizen and plays an essential role in daily life.
The Anyth’s strategic location, 3 kilometers above the ground, was originally chosen to avoid the mythical threat of the Blood Runners. However, overpopulation continues to present a significant challenge to its residents.
The Anyth is home to a broad mix of ethnicities, including almost every group except those from the Heavens. A notable subgroup, the Hopens, is predominantly of Dutch descent.
While residents maintain their native languages, colloquial English is the dominant tongue throughout the district.
Representatives of Optanity, known as Hopens, are deeply religious and spiritual individuals. The Hopens typically wear masks and rarely speak, maintaining an aura of mystery. They are highly efficient in combat and are known for their orderly nature. After the Founders were killed, the Hopens assumed leadership over the Anyth, spreading their ideology. They believe they are the "inferior" and view any oppressive force as a direct threat that must be acted upon. This belief has kept the Heavens at a distance, avoiding unnecessary conflict. However, once the Hopens learn of the Neofactor, they decide to take action against the Heavens. When a baby is born into the Hopen or when an adult transitions, they are to be baptized in fire.
The primary faith in the Anyth is Optanity, a belief in perpetual human optimism, which holds that brighter days lie ahead despite present hardships. Optanists view adversity as essential for positive progress. One notable ritual involves making a small incision on the right side of the neck and flicking the blood with the thumb, symbolizing respect and honour.
The Anyth is governed by a dual system: the Founders uphold democratic values, while the Hopens adhere to theocratic principles. In general, the Anyth reflects a lower-class society, with cultural norms and legal structures similar to modern Western civilizations.
One unique cultural practice distinguishes the Anyth: the burial of the dead. Unlike Archeston, where bodies are discarded without ceremony, the Anyth takes great care to transport bodies to the planet’s surface for formal burial. This process is resource-intensive and costly, but it is viewed as a profound way to return the dead to the planet’s ground, honouring their lives in a way the people of the Anyth deeply respect.