The following is an excerpt from an Obliv Tourism Council brochure: Obliv is the most technologically progressive city in the world! A vast cybernetic network, affectionately known as the Cyb, spans the entire city, providing visitors with customized information and guided tours. Obliv is...

Sunlight falls into the greenhouse perched on the roof of one of Obliv's residential towers. The sunlight glints off the tiny scissors held by the wrinkled old woman standing in front of a bonsai tree. The scissors flash forward, and a branch slowly drifts a few inches away from the miniature tree....

Five beaming smiles and five sets of bright, lifting eyes stroll through the city of Obliv on a glorious afternoon. Taking in the cyber-scenery they wave and laugh. Bane Redmund, who is clearly the leader of the group, is a tall man. An intimidating monster of an individual he would be if it were...