Anfang, the world they called The Land of the Faithless.
It was bound by invisible chains, preventing anyone from entering or leaving through conventional means. These shackles, embodied in the world-encompassing array, severed the connections that once linked Anfang to neighboring realms.
Long ago, before the devastating Calamity War, Anfang's Rankers maintained a network of teleportation portals that allowed them to interact with the denizens of Echidna, Labh Salem, and Tel Quasser. Through these portals, distant worlds became intertwined, fostering a sense of cultural exchange.
However, with the construction of the world-encompassing array, these connections were severed. The original inhabitants of Echidna, known as the children of Echidna, found themselves trapped within Anfang's borders. Unfamiliar to the residents of Anfang who had not witnessed the Calamity War firsthand, they were labeled as monsters.
Similarly, the half-blood clans and covens of witches from Labh Salem were uprooted from their adopted home in Anfang due to their perceived demonic nature. Meanwhile, the denizens of Tel Quasser, a realm of enchanting fey, seamlessly merged with the local population of Anfang, thanks to their invaluable support in the war against the Titans of Allansia during the Calamity War.
Centuries after centuries had elapsed since the devastating Calamity of War, and yet the world-encompassing array remained steadfast, impeding the departure of Anfang's Rankers by any conventional means. This impregnable barrier rendered the Land of the Faithless impenetrable to entities hailing from other realms, fortifying its isolation.
However, those privy to the secrets of accessing the enigmatic demonic and divine planes discovered an escape from Anfang's clutches. By constructing a separate dimension within Anfang itself, one that adhered to its laws while remaining immune to the influence of the world-encompassing array, these daring demonic rankers and chosen emissaries of the divine could journey into ethereal realms.
These ethereal planes, existing beyond the realm of mortal comprehension, were intricately interwoven with worlds that surpassed the bounds of the imagination. Within these boundless realms, courageous explorers could transcend the fetters that tied them to Anfang and venture forth into the uncharted expanses of infinite realities.
However, it was crucial to understand that embarking on this extraordinary journey was often a one-way passage. Once these intrepid travelers progressed beyond a certain threshold, retracing their steps and returning to the familiar realm of Anfang became an insurmountable challenge.
They became forever entwined within the ever-shifting tapestry of the interconnected dreamscape, a realm where the rules of reality were as capricious as the fleeting nuances of a dream. Each explorer's experience within these planes was unique and personal, defying precise descriptions and evading simple comparison.
Once ensconced within the enigmatic embrace of these otherworldly planes, the intrepid explorers faced a pivotal crossroads. They had but two choices before them, each carrying profound consequences. The first option beckoned them to embark on a quest to discover a portal leading to another realm, to venture forth and escape the ethereal clutches of these boundless planes. It was a race against time, a pursuit to reclaim their identities and preserve their sense of self.
Alternatively, the second option offered a daunting fate: to surrender to the mesmerizing allure of these dreamlike places and surrender their individuality to the whims of the ever-shifting tapestry. Here, within the labyrinthine depths of interconnected realities, they risked losing their very essence, becoming mere echoes adrift in the limitless expanse of the boundless planes.
The coveted knowledge of accessing the divine and demonic planes was reserved for a select few within the ranks of Anfang's legitimate establishments and the esteemed Anfang Alliance. Only those who attained the esteemed ranks of Grandmaster or Sage were deemed worthy of this revelation, depending upon their societal status. Yet, even among these elite few, those who successfully ventured beyond Anfang's borders and emerged unscathed in another realm were exceedingly rare.
To facilitate their exodus, the Anfang Alliance made use of these mysterious planes. However, within these planes dwelled formidable entities, neither alive nor dead, eternal beings forbidden from meddling in the realm of the living of their own will. Yet, if a living being willingly trespassed into their realm, these entities possessed the authority to take action.
Regardless of their divine or demonic nature, these immortal entities revealed in preying upon the living, toying with their minds, emotions, and senses within the limitless expanse of these planes. For mortal Rankers seeking escape from Anfang, delving into these ethereal realms held inherent peril. The majority who embarked upon such ventures vanished without a trace, their fate forever shrouded in mystery.
One could perceive these planes as manifestations of the collective dreams, aspirations, emotions, and ambitions of the living, boundless realms capable of obliterating one's very sense of self upon entry.
The allure of venturing beyond the confines of Anfang and exploring the vastness of other worlds beckoned to the high-ranking entities residing within its borders. No longer content with reigning over their limited domains, they yearned for the boundless possibilities that awaited them. The world of Anfang, though formidable in its own right, could no longer sustain their ambitions once they ascended to the revered Sage rank after all.
Hence, the Anfang Alliance chose not to eradicate the divine and demonic altars entirely. Rather, they remained hidden from the ordinary populace, carefully guarded and closely monitored. These altars held the key to accessing realms beyond Anfang's boundaries, realms where the allure of adventure and discovery proved irresistible to the high-ranking entities.
Sansara Sage's creation of Sansara World 1.0 held deeper significance than initially perceived. Maya disclosed to Eren that Sansara World 1.0 possessed the capacity to serve as a foundation for the portal to the demonic plane, much like Sansara World 2.0 in its current form.
However, as the connection between Sansara World 1.0 and the demonic plane solidified, the very fabric of the Sansara World's Nature Laws began to erode bit by bit. Sansara Sage, ever the visionary, had anticipated this outcome and crafted Sansara World 2.0 as a contingency, a safeguard in case the Sansara World 1.0 failed to last the duration of his test.
