[I wanted to write an auxiliary chapter with some essential elements of the story, such as the power system and worldbuilding. That way, when you begin reading, you'll be a bit more familiar with the world. However, this may contain minor spoilers.
If you prefer to read without knowing anything beforehand, don't worry—everything will be explained throughout the chapters.]
—General Information:
❖ The Asteroid Impact.
In the past, an asteroid composed of unknown components, but carrying an enormous amount of accumulated energy, struck planet Earth. The few humans who survived the impact became infected with the Psychological Virus. At the same time, the asteroid brought with it creatures known as Aberrations and Dimensional Portals.
❖ Psychological Virus.
A disease generated by the energy that the asteroid spread across the planet, which was lethal in the past. Upon recovery, the remnants of the virus grant the user a power based on the emotion that dominates their heart.
❖ Abominations.
Creatures that appeared during the first days after the impact. Like humans infected with the Psychological Virus, they also possess similar and varied powers. Many of these creatures became part of the planet's new fauna.
❖ Aberrations.
Monsters that emerge from the Dimensional Portals. They tend to be far more powerful than Abominations.
❖ Dimensional Portals.
Spacetime connections in the form of ethereal gateways which, according to humans who studied the phenomenon, link to other dimensions.
❖ Factions.
Government-funded organizations whose objective is to maintain security in the world. They recruit Empaths to fight against the catastrophe.
❖ Empath.
An Empath is anyone who fights against Aberrations and Abominations. Empaths use their Spectrum to increase their power and their control over Calem Energy to manipulate the physical and conceptual laws of the planet.
❖ Calem Energy.
Thanks to the presence of the asteroid on the former continent of America, Calem Energy exists throughout the entire planet. It is a vast and powerful, moldable energy source. Only those born with the talent can use it to create "magic," though no one in the world calls it that.
Even those who cannot manipulate it feel its influence: machines and people alike function through it.
—Emotional Spectrum:
Emotions are the root of the soul. When the Psychological Virus mutated into power, it did so by shaping energy according to what most defined each heart: its predominant emotion.
This is the classification of the eight emotional branches of the human being—emotions that often determine which path the power of an Empath, and people in general, will take. Each branch has three Spectrums:
❖ Ecstasy → Joy → Serenity.
Mostly focused on enhancing Spectrums, both one's own and others'.
❖ Admiration → Trust → Acceptance.
Mostly focused on healing and accelerated regeneration.
❖ Terror → Fear → Apprehension.
Mostly focused on the creation of illusions and mental manipulation.
❖ Amazement → Surprise → Distraction.
Mostly focused on the application of status effects and debuffs.
❖ Grief → Sadness → Pensiveness.
Mostly focused on protecting oneself and others.
❖ Loathing → Disgust → Boredom.
Mostly focused on rejecting and nullifying Spectrum abilities.
❖ Rage → Anger → Annoyance.
Mostly focused on enhancing one's own physical statistics.
❖ Vigilance → Anticipation → Interest.
Mostly focused on future perception and heightened senses.
There are also intermediate emotions that arise from the combination of two emotions, such as Love, Disapproval, or Submission, among others.
Each emotion has its own utility, but that does not mean a person is limited to a single emotion. That is where energy control comes in, allowing one to broaden horizons and possibilities in both combat and daily life. That said, there are certainly people who possess more than one Spectrum.
That said, there are two things to keep in mind. Both the Ecstasy branch and the Loathing branch are extremely rare. Very few people manage to develop these Spectrums, as it is extremely uncommon for someone to feel these emotions within the first decade of their life.
The second point is related to that. During the first decade of a human's life, they are born with the Psychological Virus. The virus itself is no longer lethal, so children usually develop their Spectrum at a very young age without the consequences of the past.
Some children are even born already possessing a Spectrum.
—Empath Classification and Roles:
❖ Classification:
Empaths measure their level of usefulness in tiers. Tenth Level is the weakest, as it includes ordinary people who are not Empaths per se.
The levels follow a sequence until reaching First Level. First-Level Empaths are capable of single-handedly defending against a national catastrophe. However, there are those who surpass First-Level Empaths: the Feelers, who transcend any form of classification.
❖ Roles:
Roles are the most important aspect of Empaths.
There are healing supports, enhancement supports, and sensors. There are also tanks, assassins, fighters, and casters. Each complements the others, which is why Empaths almost always work as a team.
—Planet Terra:
Divided into five continents, Terra has changed greatly since the impact.
❖ Calem.
The world's main and largest continent, filled with mountain ranges—vast chains of mountains that stretch across the land like rings. Formerly known as America, Calem is the place with the most Dimensional Portals and Abominations, since its proximity to the asteroid—now an immense mountain—increases the likelihood of singularities.
❖ New Europe.
After separating from the Asian continent during the Age of the Apocalypse, Europe reformed itself into the continent closest to Calem. It is now an industrial, dark land built of metal.
❖ Yamara.
The eastern, peaceful continent, with ancient temples in mist-shrouded mountains; the birthplace of great masters of martial arts and energy control. It is the farthest continent from Calem and also the smallest of the three main continents.
❖ The Eternal Islands.
During the impact, Africa suffered massive damage. It shattered into pieces and became a vast chain of islands and immense archipelagos. Today, it is known as one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world.
❖ The Dark Islands.
The most dangerous place in the world. A small continent infested with the most powerful Aberrations humanity has ever known, where night is eternal.
[That's all for now. This is everything I can reveal without giving major spoilers. Thank you for reading!]