Chapter 1 - Prologue: The Century of Blood and Steel

"There was a period in which the greatest dangers to humanity were those that we devised directly." As a result of our efforts, we were able to successfully combat the most serious diseases and even attain peace on a human scale. Things were going well on a typical Tuesday, with a blue sky, stunning glass structures, and a pleasing simplicity to the setting. The parks were filled with children who were laughing, and the cafes were bustling with conversations about art, technology, and prospects for the future. We felt a sense of pride as we pondered about our violent and chaotic history, even if there were no global crises or starvation at the time. We were quite certain that we had attained the most remarkable self-expression that we had ever been capable of... On the other hand, we should have known better.Instead of being dragged down from inside, the peace was brought down from on high. The sky dematerialized all of a sudden. A sound that was similar to the sound of silk being torn was created by it, but it was substantially more intense and reverberated throughout the entire sky at the same time. These enormous, broken rifts in space and time appeared to be the result of a rupture in reality, which appears to have occurred. It was these tears that eventually transformed into the Gates, which hung menacingly above large cities and radiated a spooky violet light that seemed to absorb the sun.Following that, a deluge of nightmares made their way out of the nothingness of violet. In addition to being made out of flesh, the creatures were made up of ominous shadows. These terrifying creatures with several limbs descended into the streets in groups, going at a speed that was faster than what we were able to observe. Massive bone creatures battered the structures with sticks as they traversed the buildings they were attacking.It was scary to hear the screams that were coming from the parks. During the day, humans were being hunted and consumed by entities that appeared to defy all natural rules. The streets were covered in blood as a result of this. The purpose of these beast was not simply to eradicate humanity; rather, they intended to use the environment as a sort of feast.On the other hand, humanity did not instantly give up. An alliance was created by the armed forces of the world. The wreckage of our cities was being bombarded by artillery fire, and fighter jets were flying through the blood-soaked skies. We held the advantage for a short while, and it seemed like we were going to win. In order to momentarily halt the oncoming hordes, bullets and explosions were used to eliminate a few of the creatures that were weaker than that. In our minds, our weapons were completely invincible and unbeatable.On the other hand, those creatures quickly adapt. The Calamities took control of the situation and unleashed frightening creatures that radiated an oppressive and eerie atmosphere that made it difficult to breathe. With our conventional weapons, we were unable to penetrate their magical and invisible fortifications. A seemingly insane plan was adopted by world leaders as a last-ditch effort:In the end, the nuclear option was chosen. We waited with bated breath, hoping that the monsters would be vanquished by the blinding blasts of atomic fire that would turn the cities that all of us cherished into ashes and glass. The catastrophes, on the other hand, continued to exist even after the smoke cleared, flourishing on nuclear energy and further developing into even more dreadful forms.There was a diminishing amount of time. By pushing themselves to their limits, a group of brave scientists and martial artists were able to unearth something remarkable that was buried deep within our DNA of the human body. Due to the fact that they discovered a method to free our souls, the military endeavor was unsuccessful, which left humanity on the verge of destruction. Just when things appeared to be at their worst, however, optimism arrived. They were able to create the first Awakener after putting in a lot of work and making a number of mistakes while doing so.Because of the arrival of the first Awakener on the battlefield, the situation underwent a transformation. His skin was adorned with complex tattoos, and his abilities appeared to be almost heavenly. With their fists, which were charged with raw energy, the monsters were able to break their defenses, even though the bullets may have missed their target. These warped adversaries were penetrated by weapons that were endowed with elemental energies. This group of pioneers resisted with unyielding determination as humanity's last line of defense.One hundred years after the sky was shattered, humanity has finally found its equilibrium again. It is no longer the case that we are living in wide suburbs; rather, we are confined to enormous Bastion Cities. These Bastion Cities are built out of a combination of steel, concrete, and magical defenses in order to ward off the seemingly endless horde.We did not only conceal our might within those walls; rather, it was enhanced by staying there. Over the course of the past century, we have been able to cultivate new generations of Awakeners who are not only able to ward against the monsters but also have the ability to travel via the Gates. As they go through dangerous extraterrestrial regions, these Hunters eliminate the monsters who inhabit their domains. When they return, they bring with them magical items and resources that have been around for generations, which have helped humans advance.This does not mean that the conflict is resolved. Despite the fact that the Gates continue to emanate that unnerving violet light, the monsters continue to reside in the world. However, we are no longer merely passive victims of the situation. The use of magic, steel, and blood has helped to strengthen our race.These young men and women, who are eager to awaken their energies, are getting ready to enter the struggle, to bear the weight of a century of survival, and to define the destiny of humanity. They are getting ready to enter the battlefield.