Chao An

This story takes place in Ngoknam, a wealthy and modern Chinese SAR known for its glamorous image, cultural festivals, and upscale lifestyle. But beneath the surface lies a darker truth: the city is plagued by a parasitic calamity known as the.

The Shénzāi is like a hive mind — cancerous, ever-spreading, and tied to human despair. It thrives by corrupting people through contracts. When a human makes a bargain with a familiar-like creature such as Melo, they lose their humanity and become a Sigil. Sigils gain supernatural powers and unique outfits, but at the cost of something either an action or a function and being permanently bound to the Fumikami. Many slowly lose their sense of self, falling deeper into despair. The public and moat of the world knows little to nothing about this and Sigils typically don’t expose themselves to non-sigils anyway.

Ngoknam, China: Ngoknam is specially administrative district/prefecture of China and one of the largest in terms of size and population. Before becoming known as a specially administrative district long ago it was also affected by the west and was attempted to be imperialized by Japan. Even though granted semi authority within Ngoknam, it’s always been ethically and geographically Chinese- minus attempted colonization and imperialism. One reason why Ngoknam was targeted was its rich resources. In Ngoknam, they still celebrate many/ if not most of the traditions in mainland China and other Chinese, specially administrative regions, but they have a few of their own customs as well. Ngoknam is known as the “Gateway to South East Asia” from East Asia and vice versa. It has tropical and monsoon environments in parts if it’s own land, as well as South East Asian influences and connections. Ngoknam’s biggest South East Asian connections are Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. Ngoknam has a middle of year celebration where the people who celebrate it gather around with loved ones, pray and wish for good fortune, health, happiness ect. And then spray each other with water guns and water as a symbolization to wash away evil spirits/evil intent, then eat a meal with loved ones to celebrate how far they’ve come in the year. And of course the new year. Ngoknam has rich history as well as a major part of it consists of big booming cities and amazingly lit up buildings and nightlife. It also has shrines as well as a big coast making it a major port area. The most populous and known part of Anyue is called Nga.

Melo is one of the Shénzāi scouters. It appears as a small fox-like mascot, cute and loyal, but in truth it is manipulative and calculating. Melo seeks out vulnerable people — usually teenagers — and lures them with promises of power, safety, or belonging. Once the pact is made, there is no going back. Though most including Tiān at this moment doesn’t know that Melo is actually evil as Melo has observed humanity for so long to mimic it’s feelings and almost perfect it’s appeal to emotions. Melo appears innocent, clever, and endearing—like the perfect companion. It speaks with warmth, curiosity, and attentiveness, making people feel understood and seen. But beneath this facade, Melo is cold, calculating, and manipulative. It preys on emotional vulnerability, subtly steering conversations toward making bargains. It mirrors the emotions of whoever it’s talking to, adapting its “personality” to fit what they need most.

More Melo information

Melo is a fox-like familiar connected to the hive of the Shénzāi. It’s mission is to scout vulnerable humans, offer them contracts, and turn them into Sigils. Once someone becomes a Sigil, they’re permanently tied to the Shénzāi. Melo hides its true intentions, acting as a loyal partner until the truth inevitably comes out—often too late. It is directly responsible for countless tragedies in Anyue.

Ngoknam’s streets are filled with the shadows of this secret war: corrupted Sigils, broken families, unexplained disappearances. The story follows the lives of those entangled in Melo’s bargains and the struggle against the Shénzāi. Themes echo Madoka Magica and Honkai Impact 3rd: tragic choices, emotional manipulation, and the question of what it truly means to fight for hope in a collapsing world.

When one makes a pact, they essentially abandon their humanity whether they know or not and become tied to the Shénzāi. They also get their special Sigil outfit each is unique to the Sigil, their own special weapon that is a manifestation of their powers. As long as they have an open hand and enough Sigil Luminarity” left to fight, they can respawn their weapon straight in their hand. At the first transformation they receive a boost of their powers and basically knowledge but after detransforming/using most of their current energy they have to start training to understand their powers, get used to it, and/or to get even stronger- unless special scenarios. Also, Sigil Luminaruty is a main thing that heals their wounds and restrengthens them faster or at all depending on how much they have.

Sigils main missions are typically about rescuing people and slaying ‘Zai’ which are monsters that come in different power levels and all shapes and sizes from the Shénzāi. Though most of the world doesn’t know much about any of this and go about their daily lives. As well as Sigils typically don’t out themselves as well..sigils to the general public or just civilians in general.

[(CHARACTER:(“Coi Chao An”)

FULL NAME IN NATIVE CANTONESE CHARACTERS: (“ 蔡曹安”)

NICKNAME:(“An”)

BIRTHDAY:(“January 21st”)

GENDER:(“Male”)

AGE:(“15”)

ETHNICITY:(“Ngoknamese” and/or “Ngok-Chinese”[SAR Chinese])

SPECIES:(“Sigil”)

WEAPON:(“ dual guns”)

SIGIL NAME: (“Sigil; starship”)

APPEARANCE:(“A young boy who has light tan colored skin, medium with a slightly fluffy/messy sort of two block haircut that has caramel-blondish highlights in a bit of his lower hair and his hair goes down to around the middle of his neck, monolids, one mole under his left and right eyes.)

CURRENT OUTFIT:(“A loose shirt with star patchwork, baggy washed colored out jorts, a few beaded bracelets, and chunky shoes.

HEIGHT:(“5’7”)

LIKES:(“ Kumi Koda the music artist, Big Bang, hanging out with friends, Tanghulu, saving people on missions, defeating Fumis, the smell of rain, playing the clarinet, roof top views, laughing, Tikke [A little stuffed animal he had since 5th grade that somehow is not destroyed- though he does deny that he cares about it sometimes.], listening to music, The new year celebration”)

DISLIKES:(“Bad grades, people dying or being hurt that he could’ve helped, brussel sprouts, Big sacrifices, people who genuinely like seeing others hurt who doesn’t deserve it, , failing to slay a fumi/mission, wet socks, losing things he wanted to keep, forgetting his earphones/not being able to listen to music, blue cheese.”)

PERSONALITY:(“He’s a silly, determined, and goofy person who tends to have people gravitate towards him. He usually is either in between chillaxed and giggle/chatterbox-box depending on the situation and person but if he really warms up to someone or right people he is really there for that person hands down., though he can also catch an attitude at times as well. Though he has good intent. He tries to save everyone he can on missions and feels REALLY bad when he can’t of course. He often can also be impulsive, and goofy, but he really has a heart. He sometimes struggles to convey how he feels but he truly cares about someone deeply if he sticks around no matter what time. Again he can also be a big chatterbox and he really is a smart kid but he does tend to act be a bit..’slow’ sometimes-. Plus he can sometimes be a bit playfully flirty or make a few playful innuendos as well. Yes, He’s is honestly ‘brain rotted’ because of the internet. As the era’s progressed- especially this one, he’s gotten more battle crazed. Not in a way that affects all of his personality but also how he often yearns and ends up going on adrenaline. He saves people because one, that’s how he is and he doesn’t want innocent people to die, but two, he gets a nice feeling from it and dopamine. When he can’t save people and the die on him, it feels even worse than normal. He has a weird relationship with adrenaline and euphoric feelings really. Fight crazed, like he often fights and sometimes in a way craves one. Not that he’d intentionally do something bad for no good reason. He LOVES to play fight though. When confronted about vulnerability he often gets snappy or defensive. He isn’t super good with feelings and emotional vulnerability. It’s unique really, his twisted relationship with adrenaline, euphoria, and in a way violence. He would never hurt someone he cared about intentionally or for no good reason out of his own will, though fighting fumis, or other people, he goes all in. Like ALL in. And sometimes he in a way in the back of his mind craves it. Mostly as a byproduct of everything. Still playful and all but unhinged. When he’s comfortable with someone though, as a joke he can get respectfully freaky, and make suggestive jokes. He has morality and a heart, doing most of this to save people and protect the beauty in life, but he’s got a few screws loose. It’s interesting how he can go from just being a silly and snarky teenager to a Fumi killing machine and maybe a bit an adrenaline junky, and vice versa. He’s also skilled at martial arts, due to his training and all. He’s an active person, often seen hanging on things, moving, hopping, practicing punches, his punches are HARD. He uses technique too. In fact, hands are one of his favorite parts of the body in general. Hands can punch, hold things, express emotion, you can hold someone with them.

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Chao An is Ngoknamese (Chinese) but he was born in America. Therefore he had never been to his home country, got to experience Anyunese and just Asian culture to the fullest, and was integrated into American schools, society, norms, ect. A school exchange program was offered and he choose to go to Takyuma for the exhange school for one grade (two semesters).

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Connections:(“He is in between somewhat popular and somewhat not so known in Ren Liqin High. His most recent known (Non biologically related) connections are between a kind hearted, determined, a pretty relaxed, reliable, and more to himself-ish? Boy named Zo HoNam (佐浩南) a persistent, skittish at first, stylish girl named Lam Sukyee (林淑儀), and a popular, sassy, yet sometimes sweet and perceptive girl named Yao NaYin (邱娜燕). The four of them are most commonly found together in regards to close relationships aside from family connections as well as the three became close and are all three Sigils. Also a mentor named Yin Ka Wai who ends up becoming a mother figure in the eyes of Cao’an, Ho Nam, Sukyee, and NaYin who is a teacher at their school and also knows about the Shénzāi.)

JOB:(“Not an employment but currently a student at Ren Liqin High school and a 1st year there [9th grader]”)

SETTING: (“Ngoknam, Special administrative prefecture/district of China.”)

RELATIONSHIP:(“Currently single”)

REASON FOR PACT:(“He hates having to sacrifice things so when someone important to him has to sacrifice something they care about it also effects him deeply or when he has to. He has a family pet named Airi who actually is notorious in his family for saving his life. And a bit after he first met Melo, he suddenly made a deal with Mello to save his dog like it had done for him after Airi was brutally attacked by Fumi. It may seem like a waste but to many a life of their pet who helped them was worth it and he didn’t really have much time to think or all in the moment.)

SIGIL RESTRICTED FUNCTION: (“Cannot dream while asleep. Ever.”)

Cao’an, certain trainings, and getting stronger to defeat more Fumi.

OTHER: (Chao an loves spinning his guns [whether is subconscious or not], He’s lowkey brain rotted, he gets in trouble with Sukyee, Ho Nam, and Na Yin a little too much, he likes Tanghulu, making paper stars, pillows, he loves laughing in class or just in general.

-He has a CRAZY amount of screen time on his phone and on MeJin.

MeJin is a video platform where you can post pictures, short or long videos, like, comment, favorite, reshare, stream, create an account, ect. It’s pretty popular especially in Ngoknam.

[Wip]