Catharsis

'No society can escape from the claws of human nature - no matter how built up it becomes, it will never be perfect.' - Unknown

Eighteen years ago, a rebellion upset the balance of nature, and led to an outpouring of chaos magic across the city of Zeia. A Black Winter seized the land. Now, many years later, the city has recovered. In fact, it is perfect. Uniform streets, identical houses, rigid rules. Everyone is happy, their emotions numbed by pills and their safety held in the palms of those in charge.

Mavis is sick of safe. Freedom is all she longs for, deep-rooted in a promise she made years ago. However, after a failed escape attempt, she is banished from Zeia and sent to work in the 'Wastelands', a place of labour and despair. All seems impossible, but she makes the choice to keep striving for freedom. Whatever it takes.

Cyrus doesn't care all that much for freedom. Cursed with a heart disease he can't treat for fear of being marked as 'imperfect', all he desires is to keep his younger sister, Alice, (who is much sicker than him) safe. He works in the city's guard, forced into the position by his power-hungry father. His only motivation is the payments he is given by the man, medication that always goes straight to his sister. Now, a year later, Cyrus navigates his position, peace feeling more and more faraway with each day. One night, he catches a girl trying to escape from the city and as a reward, he and his team are given an daunting opportunity. One he finds he cannot refuse.