The Origin of the Morte Notturno War (Plot)

[Giovanna Azzari]

The City of Verada, a prosperous, beautiful, and wealthy city, is the keeper of one huge mistake.

Despite the fact that it’s further away from civilization, it was once known as the number one hot-spot for vacationers. But for those that lived there, there was no greater desire than the one to leave the city as soon as possible.

Why, you might ask? Because death plagued the streets when no one was looking. The citizens of Verada were keeping a dark secret from their government... and that very secret led to the downfall of their city and to the deaths of its people. Their secret: the Ryougans, an advanced race of humans with special powers that people for centuries have died trying to obtain.

The Ryougans' existence was discovered several years ago, and while the citizens did try telling the government about them, after being denied and ignored, they decided to keep their existence a secret as revenge. But, as the years went on, the human citizens began to realize the dangers that this new race had brought with them.

The Morte Notturno War.

The Ryougans were divided into two clans: the Aquilas, who wished to continue their lives in secrecy and live alongside their human cousins; and the Serpentes, their rivals, who wished for nothing less than supreme rule over the human race. At first, the battles between the two clans were few in numbers, but as the days went by, they steadily began to increase. This 'underground war' waged on for years, but the public paid little to no attention to it; however, after one of their own was murdered, the citizens of Verada 'suddenly' became interested.

A local street gang, known as the Kutters, had started a massacre and targeted the innocents in order to draw out the Ryougans; the Aquilas were willing to ignore them, but their rivals, however, couldn’t pass up this perfect opportunity. Answering their call, they annihilated the Kutters with ease, but took over their battle, eager to finish off what humans remained within the city’s walls; only then did the Aquila step in, determined to protect the dwindling numbers of their 'cousins.'

When the Morte Notturno War gained publicity, it got a reputation as one of the most dangerous cities in the world; consequently, the number of tourists coming into Verada decreased dramatically. With the city unable to keep up with its financial plans, it was forced to endure bankruptcy; eventually, it was closed down.

When Italian government officials became aware of the Ryougans' existence, it was clear to them that something needed to be done. Realizing that this new race was too dangerous to be left alone and that the war was too big to control, they built a wall around the city to ensure that both the Ryougans and the war would not grow beyond its walls. The unfortunate flaw: the prevented human citizens from leaving as well.

This wall was soon known as Infragilis Gate. Impenetrable... indestructible... almost alien. No one is allowed to enter, and no one is allowed to leave, innocent or not. The sky is no longer a limit, and it is far from an option.