War and Conflict: Battles and military strategies influencing the larger narrative.
Archeston, the upper half of Gates City, is a dark cyber metropolis suspended high above the planet’s atmosphere, beyond the dangers of the surface below. Governed by the Heavens, this city thrives within the endless clouds, where perpetual rain never ceases. Though Archeston spans 10 kilometers in width, its defining characteristic is its immense verticality—monolithic towers stretch endlessly into the sky, interconnected by massive bridges. A strict order governs its people, with every citizen assigned an occupation that best serves the Heavens' rigid structure.
The Anyth was constructed in the aftermath of the Terra War. Centuries later, the Heavens returned to the planet and built upon the Anyth, expanding the city into what is now known as Archeston—a place they also refer to as the "Gates," as it serves as their gateway to Heaven. This era, when the Heavens returned after centuries solely to build upon and exploit the people of the Anyth, is known as “The Great Recapitulate.”
Automation dominates daily life. Machines oversee nearly every function, from maintenance to governance, reducing human labor to mere obedience. A vast transit system operates throughout the city, where trains—hanging from colossal metal beam cables—glide silently through the skyline, ferrying citizens from sector to sector.
However, life in Archeston is not without hardship. The thin atmosphere makes breathing difficult, and only those acclimated to the environment can survive unaided. Visitors from the Heavens require ventilation devices and masks to endure the city's harsh conditions. Despite its vast scale, Archeston is sparsely populated—not due to overpopulation concerns, but because of scarcity. Food shortages are frequent, and when resources dwindle, the Heavens conduct a brutal "Purge." Led by the feared Saint Monark, wielding the Weeping Gavel, the Purge is a merciless and random culling of citizens deemed unworthy. The executed are discarded over the city's edge, their bodies vanishing into the abyss below, serving as a grim reminder that only the useful are permitted to live.
Across all territories—from the Gates through Archeston, down to the Anyth and even the depths of the Metradome—currency is standardized under the name "Keys," universally accepted and utilized across all divisions.
Yet, for those who remain, life offers little beyond servitude. There is no exploration, no entertainment to consume, no art to create—only survival and the company of others, equally trapped. With no purpose beyond their assigned roles, many turn to crime or rebellion, though both are strictly forbidden. In Archeston, there is no escape, only the endless cycle of work, fear, and silent submission beneath the watchful eyes of the Heavens.
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The Moon
In Archeston, under the laws of Heaven, all citizens are required to have a micro device, known as the "Moon," implanted within their eyes at birth. This device stores crucial information intended for the Heavens, including all visual data they observe.
To access the data stored in the Moon, a specialized scanner is necessary. This device not only deciphers an individual's entire biological makeup but also retrieves the visual data they've observed. Only Heaven authorities possess this advanced equipment.
The process of scanning involves positioning the device in front of the individual's eyes. A small pinhead needle emerges from the top of the scanner and pricks the forehead, allowing the device to analyze both the person's blood and eyes.
In addition to their scanning technology, Heaven authorities possess a weapon known as the Weeping Gavel. With this, they can neutralize the Moon device, which results in the death of the individual bearing it.
Interestingly, the Moon device functions exclusively at night. Its name derives from an actual transmitter computing device that the Heavens have installed on the moon itself. This device communicates with the Moon implants, allowing the Heavens to oversee their citizens during each night cycle. However, as dawn breaks and the sun emerges, the device's efficacy diminishes.
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The Blue Lick
A widely used drug in Archeston takes the form of a blue adhesive patch, resembling a simple bandage. Manufactured and distributed from the Anyth through underground networks known as Sedars, this substance is not just a vice—it’s a crucial source of funding for the rebellion.
Citizens across the city rely on the patch for escape, relief, or focus, applying it directly to their skin. Most place it on their face or neck for ease of use, while others discreetly attach it to their arms or body to avoid detection. Despite the Heavens’ strict control, the drug circulates freely, a silent act of defiance embedded in Archeston’s underbelly.
The Pedestal
The largest structure ever to be built by man, even from the Old World. The structure is in the process of being built and will be finalized toward the end of the series. It consists of four enormous wings that uphold the structure from the surface. North, East, South and West. The wings attach to a massive tower that reaches all the way to the Heavens. The Pedestal’s advertised purpose is to ensure fluid transport between the Gates and Heavens. However, its true purpose is far more darker than that, the Heavens built this structure to be used to terraform the planet, thus scorching it, including the Gates. The pedestal will be built 150km tall to reach the low orbit limit of the Heavens. With each wing being 40km out from the center of the Pedestal.