* I slid down the hill on my hoverboard, feeling the gentle greeting of the morning wind, which carried the increasing warmth of the sun. At the horizon, Sevilla City stretched out—a mosaic of life nestled amidst the blue of the ocean. From this height, the city looked like a miniature floating calmly on the water's surface. However, don't let the illusion of distance deceive you; for those of us who inhabit it, the territory is vast.
* But why did fate lead us to reside on this isolated island?
The answer's trace is etched in the dark sheets of history, an ancient tragedy that almost erased the mark of human civilization from the face of the earth—the Global Reset.
* The Global Reset: When the World Was on the Brink
Centuries ago, Earth groaned under the grip of a devastating climate catastrophe. Global temperatures surged uncontrollably, the polar ice caps melted at an alarming rate, and heat waves scorched the land, transforming it into barren deserts. In desperation, nations raced to create an antidote, eventually giving birth to Nevery Vabel—a giant cannon designed to launch cooling energy into the vast sky.
* When every nation simultaneously unleashed that massive shot, the night sky was adorned with magnificent pillars of blue light, towering high like the spears of gods. The energy did succeed in cooling the burning atmosphere, but... the impact far exceeded expectations.
* The world, which was initially engulfed in flames, suddenly froze in an unexpected cold embrace. Rain lashed the earth ceaselessly for years, washing away grand cities, drowning vast continents, and leaving only fragments of land that now turned into small, isolated islands in the middle of the vast ocean, serving as the last fortresses of life.
* Humanity was scattered, struggling desperately to claim a sliver of hope on the fragile remnants of land. Some disappeared, swallowed by the waves and storms; others persevered stubbornly. We are one of the few who managed to conquer fate.
* Isolation... and the Bridge that Re-emerged
For several generations, we lived in isolation—all our energy and resources poured into simply surviving and rebuilding our civilization on the fertile land of Sevilla.
* But lately... the winds of change have begun to blow.
Faint radio signals began to be picked up, like whispers from afar. Strange voices from other islands slowly tore the silence. Cautiously, we began to weave the threads of communication, slowly recognizing new neighbors who turned out not to be as far as we had imagined.
* Could the world's wheel be starting to turn again, uniting the scattered fragments of civilization?
Or...
Is this actually the beginning of a new chapter filled with mystery and challenge?
* In Sevilla, some whisper that we inhabit a giant crater—surrounded by steep cliffs that loom like solid natural walls. On the eastern horizon, a shimmering lake watches over the city from above, and when the rainy season arrives, waterfalls cascade down fiercely, like the poured tears of the sky. Yet, behind this stunning beauty, an ancient, tightly held secret is hidden.
* The Wilders: The Wanderers Who Never Returned
Not all souls feel safe being confined within this protective "crater." Some chose a risky path, transforming into Wilders—a group of brave people who challenged the vast ocean to seek new life beyond. They sailed on their handcrafted ships, their silhouettes slowly disappearing at the edge of the horizon, and... there is almost no trace of return.
* Duskville Island: The Ghost Island to the East
Not far from here, in the direction of the rising sun, lies a quiet, uninhabited island: Duskville. At a glance, it seems only a forgotten land mass shrouded in mysterious fog. However, our ancestors did not always have their roots in Sevilla.
Our forefathers came from there.
* The Legend of the Blue Stone & the Origin of the Curse
This story is passed down from generation to generation, whispered in tones of caution:
When our ancestors were tossed about in the vast ocean after the Global Reset, they saw a glimmer of blue light dancing in the darkness—like a remnant of the sky pillars from the dark past. They followed the light's trail, and found a glowing blue stone in the heart of the silent island and named it the Xenode Stone.
* With the fragments of ancient technology they carried, they investigated the mysterious artifact. The result? Unidentified energy radiated wildly, overflowing uncontrollably. They mistakenly considered it a gift—and upon its unexpected power, they built the entire magnificent civilization of Duskville.
* Until one day, the energy of the Blue Stone, which was initially revered as a blessing—an infinite resource that brought Duskville to the peak of glory—turned into a catastrophe. However, human greed knows no bounds.
The government began to exploit that energy brutally and relentlessly:
* Giant factories were erected to extract the stone's hidden power, converting it into fuel, devastating weapons, and even controversial healing concoctions.
* Fertile farmlands were replaced by towering blue crystal spires, directly sucking energy from the stone's pulsating core.
* The common people began to feel the impact. Children were born with strange bluish, scaly skin; mine workers disappeared without a trace in the depths of the earth; and animals mutated into terrifying creatures.
* The Great Demonstration & the Tragic Turning Point
When the rulers' fear could no longer stem the people's anger, a wave of rebellion was inevitable. Thousands took to the streets, loudly demanding an end to the destructive exploitation of blue energy.
"Restore the natural balance!"
"You are killing us slowly!"
However, the government's ears were tightly shut, ignoring the cries of its suffering people.
* The Explosion that Changed Everything
And then—the world's breath seemed to stop.
In the heart of the city, precisely where the Blue Stone was tightly guarded, a massive explosion shook the earth. It was no ordinary explosion—but a wave of blue energy that consumed everything in the blink of an eye.
* Humans, plants, buildings—everything touched by that blue light vanished into fine dust, glowing like bluish snow before disappearing without a trace.
* The shockwave flattened half the island, leaving a horrifying crater where the bustling city center once was.
* The only survivors were those on the periphery of the island—the persistent demonstrators, the scientists who loudly opposed the government's policies, and families who had evacuated to the edges to seek safety.
* The Escape & the Rebirth of Civilization
With barely intact ships, the survivors navigated the turbulent seas, carrying with them only deep trauma and few fragile remnants of technology.
* Until finally... they found this island.
Sevilla was born from the ashes of failure and regret.
* Its natural crater-like cliffs became a strong protective fortress—as if nature itself provided a place to atone for past sins.
* The lake to the east was the first source of clean water they found, a gift of life amidst despair.
* They solemnly swore: never to repeat the same mistake.
* However, the tragedy in Duskville did not end with the abandonment of the cursed island. Blood still demanded retribution, and revenge burned in the darkness.
* The Rebellion Against the Tyrant
The Mayor of Duskville at that time—a leader initially hailed as a savior—slowly transformed into a greedy and power-hungry tyrant. By monopolizing the remaining Blue Stone energy, he centralized all power solely for his family and a few elites, while the common people languished in poverty and fear. Energy scarcity claimed the lives of many citizens—either due to choking starvation, rampant disease, or "forced disappearances" for those who dared to voice protest.
* But the greatest irony came from his own flesh and blood.
* The Betrayal by Kin
The Mayor's two sons—the ambitious eldest and the cunning youngest—led a burning rebellion. They ignited the spirit of the oppressed people, exposed their father's heinous crimes, and one bloody night, the tyrant's palace was stormed.
* The Mayor was overthrown in a disgraceful and heartbreaking manner:
* Dragged forcibly through the cobblestone streets, accompanied by insults and looks of hatred.
* Accused as the instigator of all the suffering that befell the people of Duskville.
* His final fate was never clearly revealed—was he publicly executed, tortured to death in a dark basement, or merely hidden to serve his sons' sly plans?
* The New Regime, the Same Suspicion
The eldest son ascended the throne, inheriting his father's power, while the younger brother became his intriguing right-hand man. They promised a "fair and prosperous government," yet...
* The people whispered doubtfully: "The same blood flows in their veins. Will they be any different?"
* Many believed that the old mayor was still alive—hidden by his two sons to carry out a concealed plan.
* The new government soon became plagued by suspicion and internal intrigue. The younger brother secretly built a private army loyal to him, while the elder brother governed with an increasing grip of paranoia.
* The explosion was not a typical natural disaster. There was a strangeness enveloping it, a horror that transcended logic.
* The Strange & Deadly Explosion
* Living beings perished instantly—their bodies directly exposed to the blue energy wave evaporated without leaving a trace, while those on the periphery died slowly in the torment of a strange, invisible radiation.
* However, a terrifying miracle happened to the buildings. The grand walls, the sturdy stone streets, even the statues in the square—all still stood tall like a city asleep in eternity.
* Only at the center of the explosion, where the Blue Stone once resided, was a terrifying crater created, gaping like a wound in the heart of the island.
* The Blue Pillar & the Technology Nullification Dome
From the gaping crater, blue energy surged violently into the sky, forming a giant pillar that pierced the gray clouds. Then, like a horrifying reverse rain, the energy particles fell back to earth, forming a transparent blue dome that enveloped the entire island of Duskville in a deadly silence.
* The effect was truly horrifying:
* All kinds of electrical technology died completely inside the dome—digital watches, high-tech firearms, even flashlights were useless.
* Radio communication was entirely cut off, making any expedition to the cursed island like a journey with no hope of return.
* Some who dared to penetrate the dome's boundary reported experiencing horrifying hallucinations—such as hearing whispers of voices from the dark past.
* The Ban & the Memorial Monument
The Sevilla government designated Duskville as a forbidden zone that must not be trespassed upon. In the city square, a pillar of black marble looms high, its surface engraved with the names of thousands of victims—including families lost without a trace, swallowed by the darkness of the past.
I often stand there, gazing intently at the names carved into the cold stone.
Are my parents' names among them?
* The City That Still Breathes in Darkness
Now, Duskville is only:
* A place of ghost stories told to frighten children in the quiet night.
* A target for the wild expeditions of the Wilders, who are lost in an endless search.
* A source of mysterious whispers about a "blue light" that is sometimes still seen dancing in the dark night.
* Paragon: New Energy, New Hope?
Since connecting with other islands, we have shifted from renewable energy to Paragon—a revolutionary resource from Capital Island. This is intended to replace the small geothermal energy units installed in every city block. Although, the geothermal resource is still maintained as a reserve in case Paragon goes rogue. Perhaps the government still cannot forget that tragedy.
* Paragon is more stable and efficient than conventional electricity.
* But there's something strange: its color is deep yellow.
* Uncle always says he doesn't know whenever I ask about its origin.
* Living in the Shadow
I live in a city built on lies and secret graves. Every day, we pretend that Duskville is just a fairy tale, that the blue dome doesn't pulse, and that a major conflict won't happen again.
* And here I am. Living Under the Shadows
I grew up in this city, among inherited lies and the fear of history repeating itself.
* But tonight, something is different.
The blue dome of Duskville is glowing brighter than usual.
* And for the first time...
I hear it—calling my name.