A Broken World
Decades ago, the surface of the Earth was devastated by the sudden appearance of monstrous creatures and uncontrollable anomalies.
This cataclysm forced much of humanity to seek refuge underground, where fortified and hierarchical cities rose deep beneath the surface.
Only the bravest or most desperate souls dare face the dangers of the hostile world above every day.
The Vestiges: A Fragmented Otherworld
Amidst this chaos, a new dimension revealed itself—a fractured universe known as the Vestiges.
These zones are fragments of a broken reality where time, space, and matter no longer follow known laws.
They are rich in energy and secrets but also riddled with deadly dangers.
The Resonants: Humans with Unique Powers
Only certain humans can enter the Vestiges and extract energy fragments called Fragments.
These chosen individuals are called Resonants.
Each Fragment grants specific powers linked to the nature of the conquered Vestige.
These powers develop progressively, from simple mastery to complete fusion with the Fragment.
However, this power comes with a risk: too many Fragments can shatter the mind of the Resonant.
Classes of Resonants
Bearers are novice Resonants with only one Fragment; they are fragile but promising.
Fractured Resonants possess multiple Fragments and are powerful but mentally unstable.
Weavers master several Fragments in harmony and are respected strategists.
Anomalies are partially destabilized Resonants, wielding raw but unstable power.
Guardians protect the Vestiges and maintain order, acting as defenders of society.
Shadows are stealth specialists and manipulators who serve as secret agents and assassins.
The Dissonants: The Shadow of Corruption
Not all who wield the power of the Vestiges survive the experience.
Some fall into internal corruption, losing control over their bodies and minds.
These corrupted humans become Dissonants, unstable and dangerous beings embodying the dark side of the Vestiges.
The Fragile Balance
Deep within the underground cities, clans and factions fight for control over the Vestiges, their resources, and power.
The fate of humanity depends on those who can master resonance without succumbing to corruption.
Human Power Levels
Non-Resonants are ordinary humans without any Fragments or powers.
Awoken individuals have obtained their first Fragment but still lack stable control, resulting in weak and volatile powers.
Resonants have stabilized their Fragment and begin to specialize, wielding consistent power.
Harmonic Resonants possess multiple Fragments and can combine or evolve their powers but face a high risk of dissonance.
Symphonic Resonants achieve full synchronization between several Fragments, enabling them to manipulate the energies of the Vestiges themselves.
Conductors have fully fused with their Fragments, able to influence the structure of the Vestiges and alter reality around them.
Dissonants suffer mental instability or corruption, having lost control of their Fragments, and are considered threats outside official society.
Monster Classes
Class I – Deformed: Weak and unstable creatures, often mutated humans or animals driven by instinct. Can be fought by Awoken Resonants.
Class II – Altered: More structured creatures aware of their environment, sometimes with elemental affinities or unique abilities; require coordination to defeat.
Class III – Corrupted: Strong resonance with Vestiges, powerful and unpredictable, often mutating during combat; a single one can annihilate an unprepared group.
Class IV – Anomalies: Unique creatures tied directly to a Vestige Core, obeying their own reality laws; defeating an Anomaly is necessary to obtain a Fragment.
Class V – Aberrations: Exist beyond natural laws, capable of distorting entire territories by altering time, space, or minds; rare and almost always uncontrollable.
Resonance Ranks — Power Classification
Every Fragment grants unique powers ranked by intensity, rarity, evolutionary potential, and impact on reality.
Rank 1 – Whisper: Weak, often imperceptible powers, minor sensory anomalies or effects, useful mainly for training or utility rather than combat.
Rank 2 – Shiver: Fragment begins to resonate with limited power, starting point for beginners.
Rank 3 – Wave: Powers manifest clearly and tangibly, common among Resonants who conquered their first Vestige.
Rank 4 – Blade: Fragment becomes a true weapon, effective in combat and battlefield influence.
Rank 5 – Mark: Deeply alters the user's body or mind; Resonants at this level are elite fighters.
Rank 6 – Nexus: Energy convergence center; rare Resonants wield strategic power.
Rank 7 – Abyss: From obscure or abnormal origins, radically altering the user's perception, reserved for those who passed through several major Vestiges.
Rank 8 – Origin: Theoretical rank from forbidden archives, powers that defy the laws of this world.
Time in the Vestiges
Time flows differently inside the Vestiges compared to the real world.
Between the moment a human enters a Vestige and when they exit back outside, no time seems to have passed in the outside world.
Yet, for the individual inside, time has fully elapsed — they have lived through the experience.
Because of this, their body does not age during their stay within the Vestige.
hello everyone, I'm Reazyen, a new author, and this is my first novel. I hope you'll enjoy it!