On the 18th of Resplendent Water, RY 1085, the so-called "Anathema" freed from the lowest two districts of Five Coils entered the inner sanctum of the Gatekeeper of Earth.

A combination of social dominance,

[Standing before the Gatekeeper of Earth, Yaishin Higura proclaims his rank among the Assessors, privy to knowledge beyond the Gatekeeper's access. Kares Perian cleverly refutes the Gatekeeper's delusions of deification with tales and prayers sacred to the true Pasiap. Third reveals itself as the reincarnation of the legendary Shining Eye, creator of artificial intelligence in the Five Coils. Veldygar Arhandor, flanked by spirits at his beck and call, sternly rebukes the Gatekeeper with ancient oaths of hospitality.]

overwhelming might,

[Danae Adela, the Clockwork General, brandishes her daiklave Impeccable Spark and shouts "Forward!" as a line of automatons march before her in a phalanx toward a group of Immaculate Monks. Tervila Dena, in her hybrid wasp form, harasses clusters of monks and Peace Force soldiers with stinging taunts and crippling lashes. Broken Eternal impales a Water Style master with his dual blades and cruelly bisects her, red eyes glinting with a manic lust for battle and revenge.]

perceptiveness and cunning

[Peleps Dashu and Ledaal Xurizu work together to carefully and methodically inspect, analyze and disarm key points of the Earth District's central column while their comrades battle the Gatekeeper and its guardians with weapons and words. Behind a white jade panel, they find a chute that could be an alternate means of escape.]

defeated the master monks guarding the Gatekeeper, overrode its programming and converted the AI to the cause of freedom. The Celestials emerged battered, exhausted but victorious into the Fire District, accompanied by the allies they cultivated along the way. The Ruby Soldiers of Hive Irix Chilomena. The Freerunners, loyal followers of the legendary Free. Mockingbird and his network of smugglers and spies. Rebel laborers, former soldiers and ex-Immaculates. Divine and machine spirits, even demons bound to their cause. This ragtag group now occupies the entirety of Water and Earth Districts, a complex of buildings surrounding the center of Floor B20, and a hotly contested perimeter that erupts daily with fierce combat and dangerous traps.

Whether by clear intent or circumstance, the Celestials' quest to escape the Coils has triggered a state of war that affects every soul that lives within its districts. The truth of the matter has become all but impossible to hide from the media, as the Fire District's Creation Liberation Legions train and mobilize at a feverish pace and civilian supplies are becoming rare or rationed. The situation has escalated to the point that the bourgeoisie of the upper levels, though pacified, are no longer content to believe that they have the Anathema well under control. The monsters they have enslaved and exploited for their benefit are now roaming free.

They are afraid--and they should be.