We all thought things would stay the same, that the world would remain as it was. With innovations reaching its apex, with new technology being pumped out, with bi-planes being improved upon, cars becoming more efficient, medicine saving more lives than ever, we thought this was the golden age of humanity.

  How wrong we were.

  At some point in time, lost in the pages of history, demons began to show. But it wasn’t a gradual occurrence, no.

  It happened in an instant. The world was suddenly flooded with demonic incursions, gates that would open out of nowhere. Things that seemed to have come from a fantasy book suddenly began attacking us, leaving no room for us to react. Humanity tried fighting back, but it was useless.

  Our weapons did little to no damage to these invaders, and the governments seemed to have collapsed before we could even understand what was happening. Missiles fell, cities burned, untold billions lost their lives in months. But by the time the world brought itself together, it was already too late.

  With that, humanity as we knew it, fell.

  The demons began to change our world. Continents reshaped, weathers altered, even the inhabitants of our world changed.

  Our cities, our countries, our names all scattered into the pages of history, never to be relearned.

  On the way to annihilation, humanity became divided. Some chose to flee anywhere they possibly could, hoping a miracle would save them from this horror. A few chose to create the Resistance, a group that would continue the fight against these demonic invaders to buy even the slightest bit of time for a change to occur. The remaining majority gave in and sided with the demons, signing contracts with these beings in exchange for their survival and unholy powers as long as they did as their contractor bid.

  With the majority of us falling to temptations and despair, the demons seemed to have won

  Until, the change finally came.

  Fifty years after the invasion, people began experiencing changes. Some people showed signs of powers; controlling the raging tides of the ocean, breaking the minds of the invaders, and some even changing their bodies to become weapons of their own. These people we call the Smogborn, people who we believe have been changed by the demonic smog that covers the land.

  After two hundred years of fighting, humanity finally reached a standstill against these demons, erecting massive walls to shield the remnants of humanity from the threats of the world. Even coming to a truce with the seven major demon clans, halting any open war.

  But where we gained, we also lost.

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  Technology of the old era was lost in time, people forgot their origins, forgot their past. All that was left was the desire to survive the next day.

  All that remained of civilization was the city of Hellsgrog, the last bastion that stood as a safeguard against the demonic menace surrounded by a huge body of water, brought by the Great Savior to ensure its security. With this security, the city was ruled by the Council of Three, three of the most powerful Smogborn that both ruled and protected the city and its inhabitants, fighting against the demons and their allies. But they didn’t have absolute power as the people had begun to fear the Smogborn’s powers. Because of this, they formed the Senate of the People, a government organization that ruled alongside the Council of Three who would ensure the council’s decisions matched those of the city’s interests.

  With the establishment of this government body, orders were sent out. One of the largest orders was the creation of the Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern districts, colonies that were beyond the body of water to ensure humanity would have room for growth rather than living on this singular island, which we now call Central.

  Each district, including Central, Smogborn with powerful Earth-element abilities, known as Constructors, erected massive walls to keep rogue demons and evolved beasts outside, protecting the inhabitants within, allowing for safe expansion.

  With the safe establishment of these colonies, each one was allowed to be governed by a Senate and a Gatekeeper; a Smogborn that stood on par with the Councilors in strength. And as time went on, each district saw a new vision for their areas.

  The East, now known as Chang’an, sought to create a sanctuary that embodied the idea of serenity and rebirth, ensuring that humanity will rise from the ashes of ruin that came before, like the Rising Sun in the East. The people, embodying this vision, strived for returning to the traditions of the old world, prioritizing honor above all else.

  The West, known as New Anglia, became a brutal industrial machine, with the average civilian working to create new machines and technologies. But over time, it decayed into a ruin of its former self covered in factory smog and families dominating the markets in this area, with the average civilian desperate to pay back their debts.

  The South, Port Lexum, became the beacon of justice and lawfulness. Ruled by strict laws and a gatekeeper, the people of this district ensured that the law was followed, and that criminals were met with swift and just punishment.

  And finally, the North, referred to as the Northern Wastes. This district, unlike the others, was never meant for the average citizen. Instead, it became a penal colony, filling the population with criminals, outcasts, and dissidents that are deemed by the law as too dangerous to be in the civil societies of the other districts. This area was dominated by gangs with no gatekeeper or governmental body present. Instead, the strongest of the batch would be labelled as Castellan, leading the largest of all four sectors.

  And with each generation of Gatekeepers, the districts strayed further from Hellsgrog’s initial goals.

  With that, a fragile balance was created between the five. But balance never lasts forever.

  The Councilors began their schemes.

  The Gatekeepers begin choosing sides.

  The demons returned to claim their rightful lands.

  The tides have begun to shift, tensions have reached an all time high.

  And over the hill, the final change of Hellsgrog arrived at the gates of the newly unified Northern Wastes.