After the Clouding, a nearly fatal war for mankind, the world was split into two vastly different ways of life in its struggle for survival. Young Jili grew up in Ping, where the clans believe that they must return to Nature and put the Famility life above all personal concerns. On the other side of the invisible shield is Caerus, who sees the ever-advancing technology for consumption as the ultimate key to ensure their nation’s growth and happiness.
Jili is coldly banished from her guardian's clan upon his passing. Her nation of Ping promptly summons her for an urgent mission. Now she must cross the border to the hostile land of Caerus and do things she was brought up to never do: lie, steal, and kill.
Jili undergoes a brutal crash training given by the young but lethal Fortitudor, Mang. She will need it, as all of the Missioners sent before her have perished. She survives the cross-over, only to find herself entangled in a youth revolt led by the hard and fiery Caerus rebel, One Z. The trouble doesn't end there: right on her tail are the Fusors, who have long been persecuted and are now bent on vengeance and world domination. Where is home, whom to love, and does Jili really get to pick?
Jili - the Girl without a Clan
If I have to guess, I’m anywhere from fifteen to seventeen years old. I am puny - or elfin, as Old Tan had insisted.To make things worse, I don’t look like my clan either. My eyes are, quote, “spooky”, because they look like shimmering amber. Old Tan says they spit fire when I get mad. I can get mad just hearing him say that.
S somewhere in the burial music, I can still hear his voice. Once I die, burn me right away. And I mean right away. Old Tan had given very definite instructions. With his usual smile. Read more
Mang - the Man of Mastery
“Get up.” The man does not believe in wasting words. I’m still unceremoniously on all fours and staring up at him like a lost puppy. I know my eyes must be spewing fire at him. His expression, if there is one, is as smooth as the blank wall behind me, on a face so beautiful that it shouldn't be real.
One Z - the Boy with a Cause
"They’re ready, faster than we anticipated. We can’t let them.” One Z adds softly, “We won’t.” His birth mark turns almost red, but his eyes are not feverish. They are water-clear. I have to wonder how a teenage boy came to be so worldly, so devoid of immaturity, so... disciplined. And I'm not looking forward to finding out the rest of his story.
Old Tan - the Honor of Ping
Old Tan looked at me for a moment. “You had lived on your own once. It stands to reason that you’d react differently from the clansfolk.” “You mean normal people.” I felt a sharp sting. He shook his head. “I’m not normal.” That made me feel better. I didn’t think Old Tan was normal, either.